UNITED STATES
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
 
FORM 10-K
 
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014
or
 TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 For the transition period from  to .2016
 
Commission File No.: 0-22193
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware                                                                33-0743196
(State of Incorporation)                        (I.R.S. Employer Identification No)
 
17901 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 1200, Irvine, California 92614
(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (949) 864-8000
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of className of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per shareNASDAQ Global Select Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
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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]
 
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]
 
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 [_]
 
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 (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes [X]  No [   ]
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the 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][ ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one).
Large accelerated filer[   ] Accelerated filer[ X ]
Non-accelerated filer[   ](Do not check if a smaller reporting company)Smaller reporting company[    ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes [__] No [X]
 
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, i.e., persons other than directors and executive officers of the registrant, was approximately $231,634,823$648,772,344 and was based upon the last sales price as quoted on the NASDAQ Stock Market as of June 30, 2014,2016, the last business day of the most recently completed second fiscal quarter.

As of March 11, 2015,15, 2017, the Registrant had 21,384,59727,909,025 shares outstanding.




INDEX

INDEX



PART I
ITEM 1.  BUSINESS
ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES
ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
PART II
ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
ITEM 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION
PART III
ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
PART IV
ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
SIGNATURES

PART I
ITEM 1.  BUSINESS
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
All references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Pacific Premier” or the “Company” mean Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and our consolidated subsidiaries, including Pacific Premier Bank, our primary operating subsidiary.  All references to ‘‘Bank’’ refer to Pacific Premier Bank.  All references to the “Corporation” refer to Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc.
 
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).  These forward-looking statements represent plans, estimates, objectives, goals, guidelines, expectations, intentions, projections and statements of our beliefs concerning future events, business plans, objectives, expected operating results and the assumptions upon which those statements are based.  Forward-looking statements include without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and are typically identified with words such as “may,” “could,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” or words or phases of similar meaning.  We caution that the forward-looking statements are based largely on our expectations and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on factors which are, in many instances, beyond our control.  Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, or implied by the forward-looking statements.
 
The following factors, among others, could cause our financial performance to differ materially from that expressed in such forward-looking statements:

·  The strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which we conduct operations;
The effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”);
·  The effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”);
Inflation/deflation, interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations;
The timely development of competitive new products and services and the acceptance of these products and services by new and existing customers;
·  Inflation/deflation, interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations;
The impact of changes in financial services policies, laws and regulations, including those concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance, and the application thereof by regulatory bodies;
Technological and social media changes;
·  The timely development of competitive new products and services and the acceptance of these products and services by new and existing customers;
The effect of acquisitions we may make, if any, including, without limitation, the failure to achieve the expected revenue growth and/or expense savings from such acquisitions, and/or the failure to effectively integrate an acquisition target into our operations;
Changes in the level of our nonperforming assets and charge-offs;
·  The impact of changes in financial services policies, laws and regulations, including those concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance, and the application thereof by regulatory bodies;
The effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted from time-to-time by bank regulatory agencies, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other accounting standards setters;
Possible other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”) of securities held by us;
·  Technological and social media changes;
The impact of current governmental efforts to restructure the U.S. financial regulatory system, including enactment of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”);
Changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits;
·  The effect of acquisitions we may make, if any, including, without limitation, the failure to achieve the expected revenue growth and/or expense savings from such acquisitions, and/or the failure to effectively integrate an acquisition target into our operations;
The effects of our lack of a diversified loan portfolio, including the risks of geographic and industry concentrations;
Ability to attract deposits and other sources of liquidity;
·  Changes in the level of our nonperforming assets and charge-offs;
Changes in the financial performance and/or condition of our borrowers;
·  The effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted from time-to-time by bank regulatory agencies, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other accounting standards setters;

Changes in the competitive environment among financial and bank holding companies and other financial service providers;
·  Possible other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”) of securities held by us;
Geopolitical conditions, including acts or threats of terrorism, actions taken by the United States or other governments in response to acts or threats of terrorism and/or military conflicts, which could impact business and economic conditions in the United States and abroad;
Unanticipated regulatory or judicial proceedings; and
·  The impact of current governmental efforts to restructure the U.S. financial regulatory system, including enactment of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”);
Our ability to manage the risks involved in the foregoing.
·  Changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits;
·  The effects of our lack of a diversified loan portfolio, including the risks of geographic and industry concentrations;
·  Ability to attract deposits and other sources of liquidity;
·  Changes in the financial performance and/or condition of our borrowers;
·  Changes in the competitive environment among financial and bank holding companies and other financial service providers;
·  Geopolitical conditions, including acts or threats of terrorism, actions taken by the United States or other governments in response to acts or threats of terrorism and/or military conflicts, which could impact business and economic conditions in the United States and abroad;
·  Unanticipated regulatory or judicial proceedings; and
·  Our ability to manage the risks involved in the foregoing.

If one or more of the factors affecting our forward-looking information and statements proves incorrect, then our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, forward-looking information and statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Therefore, we caution you not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking information and statements.  We will not update the forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in the factors affecting the forward-looking statements.
 
Overview
 
We are a California-based bank holding company incorporated in 1997 in the State of Delaware and a registered banking holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (“BHCA”).  Our wholly owned subsidiary, Pacific Premier Bank, is a California state-chartered commercial bank.  The Bank was founded in 1983 as a state-chartered thrift and subsequently converted to a federally chartered thrift in 1991.  The Bank converted to a California-chartered commercial bank and became a Federal Reserve member in March of 2007.  The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (“FHLB”), which is a member bank of the FHLB System.  The Bank’s deposit accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to the maximum amount currently allowable under federal law.  The Bank is currently subject to examination and regulation by the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”), the California Department of Business Oversight (“DBO”) and the FDIC.
 
We are a growth company keenly focused on building shareholder value through consistent earnings and creating franchise value.  Our growth is derived both organically and through acquisitions of financial institutions and lines of business that complement our business banking strategy.  The Bank’s primary target market is small and middle market businesses.
 
We primarily conduct business throughout California from our 1615 full-service depository branches in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego. These depository branches are located in the cities of Corona, Encinitas, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Los Alamitos, Murrieta, Newport Beach, Palm Desert (2), Palm Springs, Redlands, Riverside, San Bernardino (2), and San Diego, Seal Beach and Tustin, California. Our corporate headquarters are located in Irvine, California.
 
We provide banking services within our targeted markets in California to businesses, including the owners and employees of those businesses, professionals, real estate investors and non-profit organizations. Additionally, we provide certain banking services nationwide. Through our Home Owners’ Association (“HOA”) Banking unit, weWe provide customized cash management, electronic banking services and credit facilities to HOAsHome Owners’ Associations (“HOA”) and HOA management companies nationwide. Through ourWe provide U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Lending unit, weloans nationwide, which provide entrepreneurs and small business owners access to loans needed for working capital and continued growth. In addition, we expanded our commercial banking platform as a result of our acquisition of Infinity Franchise Holdings, LLC (“Infinity Holdings”)offer loans and its primary operating subsidiary, Infinity Franchise Capital (“IFC” and together with Infinity Holdings, “Infinity”), in January 2014.  Infinity was a specialty,other services nationwide lender to franchisees in the quick service restaurant (“QSR”("QSR") industry.  Following the acquisition of Infinity Holdings, we began offering loans and other services to franchisees in the QSR industry through our Franchise Lending unit.
 
Through our branches and our Internet website at www.ppbi.com, we offer a broad array of deposit products and services, including checking, money market and savings accounts, cash management services, electronic banking services, and on-line bill payment.  We also offer a wide array of loan products, such as commercial business loans, lines of credit, SBA loans, warehouse credit facilities, commercial real estate loans, residential home loans, construction loans and consumer loans.  At December 31, 2014,2016, we had consolidated total assets of $2.0$4.0 billion, net

loans of $1.6$3.2 billion, total deposits of $1.6$3.1 billion, and consolidated total stockholders’ equity of $199.6$460 million.  At December 31, 2014,2016, the Bank was considered a “well-capitalized” financial institution for regulatory capital purposes.
 
OurThe Corporation's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “PPBI.”  There are 25.0100 million authorized shares of the Corporation’s common stock, with 16.9approximately 27.8 million shares outstanding as of December 31, 2014, which increased to 21.4 million upon the closing of the acquisition of Independence Bank in January of 2015, which is described below under “Recent Developments.”2016. The Corporation has an additional 1.0 million authorized shares of preferred stock, none of which have been issued to date.
 
Our executive offices are located at 17901 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 1200, Irvine, California 92614 and our telephone number is (949) 864-8000.  Our Internet website address is www.ppbi.com.  Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments thereto, from 19982012 to present that have been filed with the SEC are available free of charge on our Internet website.  Also on our website are our Code of Ethics,Business Conduct, Insider Trading and Beneficial Ownership forms, and Corporate Governance Guidelines.Policy.  The information contained in our website or in any websites linked by our website is not a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Recent Developments -

Pending Acquisition of Independence Bank
Heritage Oaks Bancorp.On October 22, 2014,December 13, 2016, the CompanyCorporation announced that it had entered into a definitive agreementan Agreement and Plan of Reorganization to acquire IndependenceHeritage Oaks Bancorp, a California corporation ("HEOP"), and its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Heritage Oaks Bank, a Newport Beach, California, based state-charteredCalifornia-chartered commercial bank with six("Heritage Oaks Bank"). At December 31, 2016, HEOP had $2.0 billion in total assets, $1.4 billion in loans and $1.7 billion in total deposits. Heritage Oaks Bank has twelve (12) branches located in OrangeSan Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties, California and a loan production office in Ventura County, and Riverside County.  This transaction will strengthen the Company’s competitive position as oneCalifornia. Upon consummation of the premier banks headquartered in Southern California.  The acquisition, was completed on January 26, 2015, whereby we acquired $424.0 million in total assets, $334.7 million in loans and $336.1 million in total deposits.  This transaction allowed us to acquire a commercial banking franchise in our backyard.  The Independence Bank branch locations will connect our existing footprint between Orange County and the broader Coachella Valley and represents an important elementholders of our strategic growth plan by providing meaningful operational scale in our core markets.  The acquisition also allows us to deploy a portion of our current capital base into a compelling investment which we anticipate will produce attractive returns for shareholders.  Under the terms of the merger agreement, each share of Independence BankHEOP common stock was converted intowill have the right to receive $13.75 per share in cash or 0.9259 shares of Company common stock, or a combination thereof, subject to the overall requirement that approximately 10% of the consideration will be in the form of cash and approximately 90% will be in the form of Company common stock.  The value of the total deal consideration was $78.5 million, which includes $6.1 million of cash consideration for Independence Bank common stockholders, $1.5 million of aggregate cash consideration to the holders of Independence Bank stock options and warrants, and the issuance of 4,480,6450.3471 shares of the Corporation’sCorporation's common stock which was valued at $70.9 million basedfor each share of HEOP common stock they own. Based on thea $33.65 closing stock price of the Company’sCorporation's common stock on January 26, 2015December 12, 2016, the aggregate merger consideration is payable to HEOP's shareholders approximately $402 million. The acquisition is expected to close late in the first quarter of $15.83 per share.2017, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and approval of HEOP’s and the Corporation’s shareholders.
 
Our Strategic Plan
 
Our strategic plan is focused on generating organic growth through our high performing sales culture.  Additionally, we seek to grow through mergers and acquisitions of California basedCalifornia-based banks and the acquisition of lines of business that complement our business banking strategy.
 
Our two key operating strategies are summarized as follows:
 
·  
Expansion through Organic Growth.  Over the past several years, we have developed a high performing sales culture that places a premium on business bankers that have the ability to consistently generate new business.  Business unit managers that possess in-depth product knowledge and expertise in their respective lines of business systematically manage the business development efforts through the use of sales and relationship management technology tools.

·  
Expansion through Acquisitions.  Our acquisition strategy is twofold; first we seek to acquire whole banks within the State of California to expand geographically and/or to consolidate in our existing markets, and second we seek to acquire lines of business that will complement our existing business banking strategy.  We have completed seven acquisitions since 2010: Canyon National Bank (“CNB”) (FDIC-assisted, geographic expansion, closed February 2011), Palm Desert National Bank (“PDNB”) (FDIC-assisted, in market consolidation, closed April 2012), First Associations Bank (“FAB”) (open bank, nationwide HOA line of business, closed March 2013), San Diego Trust Bank
Expansion through Acquisitions.  Our acquisition strategy is twofold; first we seek to acquire whole banks within the State of California to expand geographically and/or to consolidate in our existing markets, and second we seek to acquire lines of business that will complement our existing business banking strategy.  We have completed six acquisitions since 2010: Canyon National Bank (“CNB”) (FDIC-assisted, geographic expansion, closed February 2011), Palm Desert National Bank (“PDNB”) (FDIC-assisted, in market consolidation, closed April 2012), First Associations Bank (“FAB”) (open bank, nationwide HOA line of business, closed March 2013), San Diego Trust Bank (“SDTB”) (open bank, geographic expansion, closed June 2013), Infinity (nationwide lender to franchisees in the QSR industry, closed January 2014) and Independence Bank (open bank, geographic expansion, closed January 2015).  We will continue to pursue acquisitions of open banks, FDIC-assisted transactions and other non-depository businesses that meet our criteria, though there can be no assurances that we will identify or consummate any such acquisitions, and if we do, that any or all of those acquisitions will produce the intended results.

(“SDTB”) (open bank, geographic expansion, closed June 2013), Infinity Franchise Holdings, LLC and Infinity Franchise Capital (collectively, "Infinity") (nationwide lender to franchisees in the QSR industry, closed January 2014), Independence Bank ("IDPK") (open bank, geographic expansion, closed January 2015), and Security Bank of California ("SCAF") (open bank, geographic expansion, closed January 2016). We will continue to pursue acquisitions of open banks and other non-depository businesses that meet our criteria, though there can be no assurances that we will identify or consummate any such acquisitions, and if we do, that any or all of those acquisitions will produce the intended results.

Lending Activities
 
General.  In 2014,2016, we maintained our commitment to a high level of credit quality in our lending activities.  We further diversified our loan portfolio with our acquisition of Infinity and our associated entry into franchise lending nationwide.  Identifying an opportunity in an underserved market, we also selectively extended construction financing for residential family dwellings and commercial retail properties.  Our core lending business continues to focus on meeting the financial needs of local businesses and their owners.  To that end, the Company offers a full complement of flexible and structured loan products tailored to meet the diverse needs of our customers.
 
During 2014,2016, we made or purchased loans to borrowers secured by real property and business assets located principally in California, our primary market area.  We made select loans, primarily QSR franchise loans, SBA guaranteed loans and loans to HOAs, throughout the United States.  We emphasize relationship lending and focus on generating loans with customers who also maintain full depository relationships with us.  These efforts assist us in establishing and expanding depository relationships consistent with the Company’s strategic direction.  We maintain an internal lending limit below our $65.0$134 million legal lending limit for secured loans and $39.0$80.2 million for unsecured loans as of December 31, 2014.2016. At December 31, 2016, the Bank's largest aggregate outstanding balance of loans-to-one borrower was $32.9 million of secured credit.  Historically, we have managed loan concentrations by selling certain loans, primarily commercial non-owner occupied CRE and multi-family residential loan production.  Although inIn recent periods we have also focused on selling the guaranteed portion of SBA loans due to the attractive premiums in the market which gains on sale increase our noninterest income.  Other types of loan sales remain a strategic option for us.
 
During 2014,2016, we originated $274.4$1.26 billion of loans and loan commitments, including $216 million of commercial and industrial (“C&I”) loans, $144.9$205 million of franchise loans, $284 million of construction loans, $88.7$167 million of non-owner occupied CRE loans, $69.6$139 million of SBA loans, $32.6$102 million of multi-family real estate loans, $26.1$119 million of owner occupied CRE loans, $7.2 million of warehouse facilities, and $4.7$25.9 million of single family real estate loans and other loans; andloans. During the same period, we purchased $151.9$727 million of loans including $78.8$456 million acquired from Infinity.SCAF.  At December 31, 2014,2016, we had $1.6$3.25 billion in total gross loans outstanding.
 
Commercial and Industrial Lending.  We originate C&I loans secured by business assets including inventory, receivables, and machinery and equipment to businesses located in our primary market area and for franchise loans to QSRs nationwide.area.  Loan types include revolving lines of credit, term loans, seasonal loans and loans secured by liquid collateral such as cash deposits or marketable securities.  HOA credit facilities are included in C&I loans. We also issue letters of credit on behalf of our customers, backed by loans or deposits with the Company.  At December 31, 2014,2016, C&I loans totaled $428.2$563 million, constituting 26.3%17.4% of our gross loans, andloans. At December 31, 2016, we had commitments to extend additional credit on C&I loans of $140.1$332 million.

Franchise Lending. We originate C&I loans to franchises in the QSR industry nationwide, including financing for equipment, real estate, new store development, remodeling, refinancing, acquisition and partnership restructuring. At December 31, 2016, Franchise loans totaled $459 million, constituting 14.1% of our gross loans.  
 
Commercial Owner-Occupied Business Lending.  We originate and purchase loans secured by owner-occupied CRE, such as small office and light industrial buildings, and mixed-use commercial properties located predominantly in California.  We also make loans secured by special purpose properties, such as gas stations and churches.  Pursuant to our underwriting policies, owner-occupied CRE loans may be made in amounts of up to 80% of the lesser of the appraised value or the purchase price of the collateral property.  Loans are generally made for

terms up to 25 years with amortization periods up to 25 years.  At December 31, 2014,2016, we had $211.0$455 million of owner-occupied CRE secured loans, constituting 13.0%14.0% of our gross loans. 
 
SBA Lending.  We are approved to originate loans under the SBA’s Preferred Lenders Program (“PLP”).  The PLP lending status affords us a higher level of delegated credit autonomy, translating to a significantly shorter turnaround time from application to funding, which is critical to our marketing efforts.  We originate loans nationwide under the SBA’s 7(a), SBAExpress Patriot Express,, International Trade and 504 loan programs, in conformity with SBA underwriting and documentation standards.  The guaranteed portion of the 7(a) loans is typically sold on the secondary market.  At December 31, 2014,2016, we had $28.4$96.7 million of SBA loans, constituting 1.7%3.0% of our gross loans.
 
Warehouse Repurchase Facilities.  We provide  In 2015, we provided warehouse repurchase facilities for qualified mortgage bankers operating principally in California.  These facilities provideprovided short-term funding for one-to-four family mortgage loans via a mechanism whereby the mortgage banker sellssold us closed loans on an interim basis, to be repurchased in conjunction with the sale of each loan on the secondary market.  We carefully underwriteunderwrote and monitormonitored the financial strength and performance of all counterparties to the transactions, including the mortgage bankers, secondary market participants and closing agents.  We generally purchasepurchased only conforming/conventional (Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”)) and government guaranteed (Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”), Veterans Administration (“VA”) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”)) credits, and only after thorough due diligence including sophisticated fraud checks.  Atthat we believed was thorough and sophisticated. We notified our borrowers that we will no longer provide funding under the repurchase facilities after March 15, 2016, and at December 31, 2014, warehouse loans totaled $113.8 million constituting 7.0% of our gross loans, and2016, we had commitments to extend additionalno warehouse credit of $105.1 million.loans.
 
Commercial Non-Owner Occupied Real Estate Lending.  We originate and purchase loans that are secured by CRE, such as retail centers, small office and light industrial buildings, and mixed-use commercial properties that are not occupied by the borrower and are located predominantly in California.  We also make loans secured by special purpose properties, such as hotels and self-storage facilities.  Pursuant to our underwriting practices, non-owner occupied CRE loans may be made in amounts up to 75% of the lesser of the appraised value or the purchase price of the collateral property.  We consider the net operating income of the property and typically require a stabilized debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.20:1, based on the qualifying loan interest rate.  Loans are generally made for terms from 10 years up to 25 years, with amortization periods up to 25 years.  At December 31, 2014,2016, we had $359.2$587 million of non-owner occupied CRE secured loans, constituting 22.1%18.1% of our gross loans. 
 
Multi-family Residential Lending.  We originate and purchase loans secured by multi-family residential properties (five units and greater) located predominantly in California.  Pursuant to our underwriting practices, multi-family residential loans may be made in an amount up to 75% of the lesser of the appraised value or the purchase price of the collateral property.  In addition, we generally require a stabilized minimum debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.15:1, based on the qualifying loan interest rate.  Loans are made for terms of up to 30 years with amortization periods up to 30 years.  At December 31, 2014,2016, we had $263.0$691 million of multi-family real estate secured loans, constituting 16.1%21.3% of our gross loans. 
 
One-to-Four Family Real Estate Lending.  Although we do not originate first lien single family mortgages, we occasionally purchase such loans to diversify our portfolio.  Our portfolio of one-to-four family loans at December 31, 20142016 totaled $122.8$100 million, constituting 7.5%3.1% of our gross loans, of which $113.6$85.4 million consists of loans secured by first liens on real estate and $9.2$15.1 million consists of loans secured by second or junior liens on real estate.
 
Construction Lending.  We originate loans for the construction of 1-4 family and multi-family residences and CRE properties in our market area.  We concentrate our efforts on single homes and very small infill projects in established neighborhoods where there is not abundant land available for development.  Pursuant to our underwriting practices, construction loans may be made in an amount up to the lesser of 80% of the completed value of or 85% of the cost to build the collateral property.  Loans are made solely for the term of construction,

generally less than 24 months.  We require that the owner’s equity is injected prior to the funding of the loan.  At December 31, 2014,2016, construction loans totaled $89.7$269 million, constituting 5.5%8.3% of our gross loans, and had commitments to extend additional construction credit of $73.0$200 million.
 
Land Loans.  We occasionally originate land loans located predominantly in California for the purpose of facilitating the ultimate construction of a home or commercial building.  We do not originate loans to facilitate the holding of land for speculative purposes.  At December 31, 2014,2016, land loans totaled $9.1$19.8 million, constituting 0.6% of our gross loans.
 
Other Loans.  We originate a limited number of consumer loans, generally for banking customers only, which consist primarily of home equity lines of credit, savings account secured loans and auto loans.  Before we make a consumer loan, we assess the applicant’s ability to repay the loan and, if applicable, the value of the collateral securing the loan.  At December 31, 2014,2016, we had $3.3$4.1 million in other loans that represented 0.2%0.1% of our gross loans. 
Sources of Funds
General.  Deposits, loan repayments and prepayments, and cash flows generated from operations and borrowings are the primary sources of the Company’s funds for use in lending, investing and other general purposes.
 
Deposits.Interest Rates  Deposits represent our primary source of funds for our lending and investing activities.  The Company offers a variety of deposit accounts with a range of interest rates and terms.  The deposit accounts are offered through our 15 branch network in California and nationwide through our HOA Banking unit located in Irvine, California.  The Company’s deposits consist of checking accounts, money market accounts, passbook savings, and certificates of deposit.  Total deposits at December 31, 2016 were $3.1 billion, compared to $2.2 billion at December 31, 2015.  At December 31, 2016, certificates of deposit constituted 18.3% of total deposits, compared to 23.7% at the year-end 2015.  The terms of the fixed-rate certificates of deposit offered by the Company vary from three months to five years.  Specific terms of an individual account vary according to the type of account, the minimum balance required, the time period funds must remain on Our Loans.  deposit and the interest rate, among other factors.  The flow of deposits is influenced significantly by general economic conditions, changes in money market rates, prevailing interest rates and competition.  At December 31, 2016, we had $477 million of certificate of deposit accounts maturing in one year or less.
We employprimarily rely on customer service, sales and marketing efforts, business development, cross-selling of deposit products to loan customers, and long-standing relationships with customers to attract and retain local deposits.  However, market interest rates and rates offered by competing financial institutions significantly affect the Company’s ability to attract and retain deposits.  Additionally, from time to time, we will utilize both wholesale and brokered deposits to supplement our generation of deposits from businesses and consumers.  At December 31, 2016, we had $199 million in brokered deposits that were raised to help lengthen the overall maturity of our liabilities and support our interest rate risk management strategies.  The brokered deposits had a risk-based pricing strategyweighted average maturity of 6 months and an all-in cost of 77 basis points.

    Subsidiaries
At December 31, 2016, we had two operating subsidiaries, the Bank, a wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary with no subsidiaries of its own, and PPBI Trust I (the "Trust"), which is a wholly-owned special purpose entity accounted for using the equity method under which the subsidiaries’ net earnings are recognized in our operations and the investment in the Trust is included in other assets on our consolidated statements of financial condition.

    Personnel
As of December 31, 2016, we had 444 full-time employees and four part-time employees.  The employees are not represented by a collective bargaining unit and we consider our relationship with our employees to be satisfactory.
    Competition
We consider our Bank to be a community bank focused on the commercial banking business, with our primary market encompassing California.  To a lesser extent, we also compete in several broader regional and national markets through our HOA Banking, SBA, Franchise Lending and Income Property lines of business.
The banking business is highly competitive with respect to virtually all loansproducts and services.  The industry continues to consolidate, and unregulated competitors in the banking markets have focused products targeted at highly profitable customer segments.  Many largely unregulated competitors are able to compete across geographic boundaries, and provide customers increasing access to meaningful alternatives to nearly all significant banking services and products.
The banking business is dominated by a relatively small number of major banks with many offices operating over a wide geographical area.  These banks have, among other advantages, the ability to finance wide-ranging and effective advertising campaigns and to allocate their resources to regions of highest yield and demand.  Many of the major banks operating in our primary market area offer certain services that we fund.  The interest rates, feesdo not offer directly but may offer indirectly through correspondent institutions.  By virtue of their greater total capitalization, the major banks also have substantially higher lending limits than us.
In addition to other local community banks, our competitors include commercial banks, savings banks, credit unions, and numerous non-banking institutions, such as finance companies, leasing companies, insurance companies, brokerage firms and investment banking firms.  Increased competition has also developed from specialized finance and non-finance companies that offer wholesale finance, credit card, and other consumer finance services, including on-line banking services and personal financial software.  Strong competition for deposit and loan structuresproducts affects the rates of our loans vary based on a number of factors, including the degree of credit risk, size, maturity of the loan, a borrower’s business or property management expertise, and prevailing market rates for similar types of loans,those products, as well as the terms on which they are offered to customers.  Mergers between financial institutions have placed additional pressure on banks within the industry to streamline their operations, reduce expenses, and increase revenues to remain competitive.
Technological innovations have also resulted in increased competition in the financial services market.  Such innovation has, for example, made it possible for non-depository institutions to offer customers automated transfer payment services that previously were considered traditional banking products.  In addition, many customers now expect a choice of delivery systems and channels, including telephone, mobile phones, mail, home computer, ATMs, self-service branches, and/or in-store branches.  The sources of competition in such products include commercial banks, as well as credit unions, brokerage firms, money market and other mutual funds, asset management groups, finance and insurance companies, internet-only financial intermediaries and mortgage banking firms.
We work to anticipate and adapt to competitive conditions, whether developing and marketing innovative products and services, adopting or developing new technologies that differentiate our products and services, or providing highly personalized banking services.  We strive to distinguish ourselves from other community banks and financial services providers in our marketplace by providing a high level of service to enhance customer loyalty and to attract and retain business.  However,no assurances can be given that our efforts to compete in our market areas will continue to be successful.

Supervision and Regulation
General.  Bank holding companies, such as the Corporation, and banks, such as the Bank, are subject to extensive regulation and supervision by federal and state regulators.  Various requirements and restrictions under state and federal law affect our operations, including reserves against deposits, ownership of deposit balancesaccounts, loans, investments, mergers and acquisitions, borrowings, dividends, locations of branch offices and capital requirements.  The following is a summary of certain statutes and rules applicable to us.  This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the particular statute and regulatory provision referred to below and is not intended to be an exhaustive description of all applicable statutes and regulations.
As a bank holding company, the Corporation is subject to regulation and supervision by the Federal Reserve.  We are required to file with the Federal Reserve quarterly and annual reports and such additional information as the Federal Reserve may require pursuant to the BHCA.  The Federal Reserve may conduct examinations of bank holding companies and their subsidiaries.  The Corporation is also a bank holding company within the meaning of the California Financial Code (the “Financial Code”).  As such, the Corporation and its subsidiaries are subject to examination by, and may be required to file reports with, the DBO.
Under changes made by the Dodd-Frank Act, a bank holding company must act as a source of financial and managerial strength to each of its subsidiary banks and to commit resources to support each such subsidiary bank.  In order to fulfill its obligations as a source of strength, the Federal Reserve may require a bank holding company to make capital injections into a troubled subsidiary bank.  In addition, the Federal Reserve may charge the bank holding company with engaging in unsafe and unsound practices if the bank holding company fails to commit resources to a subsidiary bank or if it undertakes actions that the Federal Reserve believes might jeopardize the bank holding company’s ability to commit resources to such subsidiary bank.  The Federal Reserve also has the authority to require a bank holding company to terminate any activity or to relinquish control of a nonbank subsidiary (other than a nonbank subsidiary of a bank) upon the Federal Reserve’s determination that such activity or control constitutes a serious risk to the financial soundness and stability of any bank subsidiary of the bank holding company.
As a California state-chartered commercial bank, which is a member of the Federal Reserve, the Bank is subject to supervision, periodic examination and regulation by the DBO and the Federal Reserve.  The Bank’s deposits are insured by the FDIC through the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”).  Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, federal deposit insurance coverage was permanently increased to $250,000 per depositor for all insured depository institutions.  As a result of this deposit insurance function, the FDIC also has certain supervisory authority and powers over the Bank as well as all other FDIC insured institutions.  If, as a result of an examination of the Bank, the regulators should determine that the financial condition, capital resources, asset quality, earnings prospects, management, liquidity or other aspects of the Bank’s operations are unsatisfactory or that the Bank or our management is violating or has violated any law or regulation, various remedies are available to the regulators. Such remedies include the power to enjoin unsafe or unsound practices, to require affirmative action to correct any conditions resulting from any violation or practice, to issue an administrative order that can be judicially enforced, to direct an increase in capital, to restrict growth, to assess civil monetary penalties, to remove officers and directors and ultimately to request the FDIC to terminate the Bank’s deposit insurance.  As a California-chartered commercial bank, the Bank is also subject to certain provisions of California law.
Legislative and regulatory initiatives have been, and are likely to continue to be, introduced and implemented, which could substantially intensify the regulation of the financial services industry.  We cannot predict whether or when potential legislation or new regulations will be enacted, and if enacted, the effect that new legislation or any implemented regulations and supervisory policies would have on our financial condition and results of operations.  Moreover, bank regulatory agencies can be more aggressive in responding to concerns and trends identified in examinations, which could result in an increased issuance of enforcement actions to financial institutions requiring action to address credit quality, liquidity and risk management and capital adequacy, as well as other safety and soundness concerns.

Dodd-Frank Act
The Dodd-Frank Act, which was signed into law on July 21, 2010, implements far-reaching changes across the financial regulatory landscape, including provisions that, among other things, repealed the federal prohibitions on the payment of interest on demand deposits, thereby permitting depository institutions to pay interest on business transaction and other accounts, and increased the authority of the Federal Reserve to examine bank holding companies, such as the Corporation, and their non-bank subsidiaries.

Many aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act continue to be subject to rulemaking and have yet to take effect, making it difficult to anticipate the overall financial impact on the Company, its customers or the financial industry generally.  Provisions in the legislation that affect deposit insurance assessments, payment of interest on demand deposits and interchange fees could increase the costs associated with deposits as well as place limitations on certain revenues those deposits may generate.
Activities of Bank Holding Companies.  The activities of bank holding companies are generally limited to the business of banking, managing or controlling banks, and other activities that the Federal Reserve has determined to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto.  Bank holding companies that qualify and register as “financial holding companies” are also able to engage in certain additional financial activities, such as merchant banking and securities and insurance underwriting, subject to limitations set forth in federal law.  We are not at this date a “financial holding company.”
The BHCA requires a bank holding company to obtain prior approval of the Federal Reserve before: (i) taking any action that causes a bank to become a controlled subsidiary of the bank holding company; (ii) acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of voting shares of any bank or bank holding company, if the acquisition results in the acquiring bank holding company having control of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities of such bank or bank holding company, unless such bank or bank holding company is majority-owned by the acquiring bank holding company before the acquisition; (iii) acquiring all or substantially all the assets of a bank; or (iv) merging or consolidating with another bank holding company.
Permissible Activities of the Bank.  Because California permits commercial banks chartered by the state to engage in any activity permissible for national banks, the Bank can form subsidiaries to engage in activates “closely related to banking” or “nonbanking” activities and expanded financial activities.  However, to form a financial subsidiary, the Bank must be well capitalized and would be subject to the same capital deduction, risk management and affiliate transaction rules as applicable to national banks.  Generally, a financial subsidiary is permitted to engage in activities that are “financial in nature” or incidental thereto, even though they are not permissible for the national bank to conduct directly within the bank.  The definition of “financial in nature” includes, among other items, underwriting, dealing in or making a market in securities, including, for example, distributing shares of mutual funds.  The subsidiary may not, however, engage as principal in underwriting insurance (other than credit life insurance), issue annuities or engage in real estate development or investment or merchant banking.
Incentive Compensation.Federal banking agencies have issued guidance on incentive compensation policies intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies of banking organizations do not undermine the safety and soundness of such organizations by encouraging excessive risk-taking.  The guidance, which covers all employees that have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of an organization, is based upon the key principles that a banking organization’s incentive compensation arrangements should (i) provide incentives that do not encourage risk-taking beyond the organization’s ability to effectively identify and manage risks, (ii) be compatible with effective internal controls and risk management, and (iii) be supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by the organization’s board of directors. In accordance with the Dodd-Frank Act, the federal banking agencies prohibit incentive-based compensation arrangements that encourage inappropriate risk taking by covered financial institutions (generally institutions that have over $1 billion in assets) and are deemed to be excessive, or that may lead to material losses.

The Federal Reserve will review, as part of the regular, risk-focused examination process, the incentive compensation arrangements of banking organizations, such as the Company, that are not “large, complex banking organizations.”  These reviews will be tailored to each organization based on the scope and complexity of the organization’s activities and the prevalence of incentive compensation arrangements.  The findings of the supervisory initiatives will be included in reports of examination.  Deficiencies will be incorporated into the organization’s supervisory ratings, which can affect the organization’s ability to make acquisitions and take other actions.  Enforcement actions may be taken against a banking organization if its incentive compensation arrangements, or related risk-management control or governance processes, pose a risk to the organization’s safety and soundness and the organization is not taking prompt and effective measures to correct the deficiencies.
The scope and content of the U.S. banking regulators’ policies on executive compensation may continue to evolve in the near future.  It cannot be determined at this time whether compliance with such policies will adversely affect the Company’s ability to hire, retain and motivate its key employees.
Capital Requirements. Bank holding companies and banks are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by state and federal agencies. These agencies may establish higher minimum requirements if, for example, a banking organization previously has received special attention or has a high susceptibility to interest rate risk. Risk-based capital requirements determine the adequacy of capital based on the risk inherent in various classes of assets and off-balance sheet items. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the Federal Reserve must apply consolidated capital requirements to depository institution holding companies that are no less stringent than those currently applied to depository institutions. The Dodd-Frank Act additionally requires capital requirements to be countercyclical so that the required amount of capital increases in times of economic expansion and decreases in times of economic contraction, consistent with safety and soundness.

Under federal regulations, bank holding companies and banks must meet certain risk-based capital requirements. Effective as of January 1, 2015, the Basel III final capital framework, among other things, (i) introduces as a new capital measure “Common Equity Tier 1” (“CET1”), (ii) specifies that Tier 1 capital consists of CET1 and “Additional Tier 1 capital” instruments meeting specified requirements, (iii) defines CET1 narrowly by requiring that most adjustments to regulatory capital measures be made to CET1 and not to the other components of capital and (iv) expands the scope of the adjustments as compared to existing regulations. When fully phased-in by January 1, 2019, Basel III requires banks will be subject to the following risk-based capital requirements:

a minimum ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 4.5%, plus a 2.5% “capital conservation buffer”;
a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 6.0%, plus the capital conservation buffer, or 8.5%;
a minimum ratio of Total (Tier 1 plus Tier 2) capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.0%, plus the capital conservation buffer, or 10.5%; and
a minimum leverage ratio of 3%, calculated as the ratio of Tier 1 capital to balance sheet exposures plus certain off-balance sheet exposures.

The Basel III final framework provides for a number of deductions from and adjustments to CET1. These include, for example, the requirement that mortgage servicing rights, deferred tax assets dependent upon future taxable income and significant investments in non-consolidated financial entities be deducted from CET1 to the extent that any one such category exceeds 10% of CET1 or all such categories in the aggregate exceed 15% of CET1. Basel III also includes, as part of the definition of CET1 capital, a requirement that banking institutions include the amount of Additional Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”, which primarily consists of unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities, which are not required to be treated as other-than-temporary impairment, net of tax) in calculating regulatory capital. Banking institutions had the option to opt out of including AOCI in CET1 capital if they elected to do in their first regulatory report following January 1, 2015. As permitted by Basel III, the Company and the Bank have elected to exclude AOCI from CET1.


Basel III also includes the following significant provisions:

An additional countercyclical capital buffer to be imposed by applicable national banking regulators periodically at their discretion, with advance notice, that would be a CET1 add-on to the capital conservation buffer in the range of 0% and 2.5% when fully implemented;
Restrictions on capital distributions and discretionary bonuses applicable when capital ratios fall within the buffer zone;
Deduction from common equity of deferred tax assets that depend on future profitability to be realized; and
For capital instruments issued on or after January 13, 2013 (other than common equity), a loss-absorbency requirement that the instrument must be written off or converted to common equity if a triggering event occurs, either pursuant to applicable law or at the direction of the banking regulator. A triggering event is an event that would cause the banking organization to become nonviable without the write off or conversion, or without an injection of capital from the public sector.

Banking institutions with a ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the conservation buffer (or below the combined capital conservation buffer and countercyclical capital buffer, when the latter is applied) may face constraints on its ability to pay dividends, effect equity repurchases and pay discretionary bonuses to executive officers, which constraints vary based on the amount of the shortfall. The capital conservation buffer requirement began to be phased in beginning January 1, 2016, at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets, and will increase each year until fully implemented at 2.5% on January 1, 2019.

The Dodd-Frank Act excludes trust preferred securities issued after May 19, 2010, from being included in Tier 1 capital, unless the issuing company is a bank holding company with less than $500 million in total assets. Trust preferred securities issued prior to that date will continue to count as Tier 1 capital for bank holding companies with less than $15 billion in total assets, such as the Corporation. The trust preferred securities issued by our unconsolidated subsidiary capital trust qualify as Tier 1 capital up to a maximum limit of 25% of total Tier 1 capital. Any additional portion of our trust preferred securities would qualify as “Tier 2 capital.” As of December 31, 2016, the subsidiary trust PPBI Trust I had $10.3 million in trust preferred securities outstanding, of which $10.0 million qualifies as Tier 1 capital and $60 million in subordinated notes that qualifies as Tier 2 capital. Also, goodwill and most intangible assets are deducted from Tier 1 capital. For purposes of applicable the total risk-based capital regulatory guidelines, Tier 2 capital (sometimes referred to as “supplementary capital”) is defined to include, subject to limitations: perpetual preferred stock not included in Tier 1 capital, intermediate-term preferred stock and any related surplus, certain hybrid capital instruments, perpetual debt and mandatory convertible debt securities, allowances for loan and lease losses, and intermediate-term subordinated debt instruments. The maximum amount of qualifying Tier 2 capital is 100% of qualifying Tier 1 capital. For purposes of determining total capital under federal guidelines, total capital equals Tier 1 capital, plus qualifying Tier 2 capital, minus investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries, reciprocal holdings of bank holding company capital securities, and deferred tax assets and other deductions.

Basel III changes the manner of calculating risk weighted assets. New methodologies for determining risk weighted assets in the general capital rules are included, including revisions to recognition of credit risk mitigation, including a greater recognition of financial collateral and a wider range of eligible guarantors. They also include risk weighting of equity exposures and past due loans; and higher (greater than 100%) risk weighting for certain commercial real estate exposures that have higher credit risk profiles, including higher loan to value and equity components. In particular, loans categorized as “high-volatility commercial real estate” loans (“HVCRE loans”) are required to be assigned a 150% risk weighting, and require additional capital support. HVCRE loans are defined to include any credit facility that finances or has financed the acquisition, development or construction of real property, unless it finances: 1-4 family residential properties; certain community development investments; agricultural land used or usable for, and whose value is based on, agricultural use; or commercial real estate projects in which: (i) the loan to value is less than the applicable maximum supervisory loan to value ratio established by the bank regulatory agencies; (ii) the borrower maintainshas contributed cash or unencumbered readily marketable assets, or has paid development expenses out of pocket, equal to at least 15% of the appraised “as completed” value; (iii) the

borrower contributes its 15% before the bank advances any funds; and (iv) the capital contributed by the borrower, and any funds internally generated by the project, is contractually required to remain in the project until the facility is converted to permanent financing, sold or paid in full.

In addition to the uniform risk-based capital guidelines and regulatory capital ratios that apply across the industry, the regulators have the discretion to set individual minimum capital requirements for specific institutions at rates significantly above the minimum guidelines and ratios. Future changes in regulations or practices could further reduce the amount of capital recognized for purposes of capital adequacy. Such a change could affect our ability to grow and could restrict the amount of profits, if any, available for the payment of dividends.

In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act requires the federal banking agencies to adopt capital requirements that address the risks that the activities of an institution poses to the institution and the public and private stakeholders, including risks arising from certain enumerated activities. The federal banking agencies will likely change existing capital guidelines or adopt new capital guidelines in the future pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act or other regulatory or supervisory changes. We will be assessing the impact on us of these new regulations, as they are proposed and implemented.

Basel III became applicable to the Corporation and the Bank on January 1, 2015. Overall, the Corporation believes that implementation of the Basel III Rule has not had and will not have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s or the Bank’s capital ratios, earnings, shareholder’s equity, or its ability to pay dividends, effect stock repurchases or pay discretionary bonuses to executive officers.

Prompt Corrective Action Regulations. The federal banking regulators are required to take “prompt corrective action” with us.  Adjustable rate C&I, SBArespect to capital-deficient institutions. Federal banking regulations define, for each capital category, the levels at which institutions are “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” and construction loans“critically undercapitalized.” Under regulations effective through December 31, 2016, the Bank was “well capitalized”, which means it had a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.5% or higher; a Tier I risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or higher; a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or higher; a leverage ratio of 5.0% or higher; and was not subject to any written agreement, order or directive requiring it to maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure.
As noted above, Basel III integrates the new capital requirements into the prompt corrective action category definitions.  The following capital requirements became effective to the Corporation for purposes of Section 38 of the FDIA on January 1, 2015.
Capital Category
Total Risk-Based
Capital Ratio
Tier 1 Risk-Based
Capital Ratio
Common Equity
Tier 1 (CET1) Capital Ratio
Leverage Ratio
Tangible Equity
to Assets
Supplemental
Leverage Ratio
Well Capitalized10% or greater8% or greater6.5% or greater5% or greatern/an/a
Adequately Capitalized8% or greater6% or greater4.5% or greater4% or greatern/a3% or greater
UndercapitalizedLess than 8%Less than 6%Less than 4.5%Less than 4%n/aLess than 3%
Significantly UndercapitalizedLess than 6%Less than 4%Less than 3%Less than 3%n/an/a
Critically Undercapitalizedn/an/an/an/aLess than 2%n/a
As of December 31, 2016, the Bank was “well capitalized” according to the guidelines as generally discussed above. As of December 31, 2016, the Corporation had a consolidated ratio of 12.77% of total capital to

risk-weighted assets, a consolidated ratio of 10.45% of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, and a consolidated ratio of 10.17% of common equity Tier 1 capital and the Bank had a ratio of 12.34% of total capital to risk-weighted assets, a ratio of 11.70% of common equity Tier 1 capital and a ratio of 11.70% of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets.

An institution may be downgraded to, or deemed to be in, a capital category that is lower than indicated by its capital ratios if it is determined to be in an unsafe or unsound condition or if it receives an unsatisfactory examination rating with respect to certain matters. An institution’s capital category is determined solely for the purpose of applying prompt corrective action regulations, and the capital category may not constitute an accurate representation of the institution’s overall financial condition or prospects for other purposes.

In the event an institution becomes “undercapitalized,” it must submit a capital restoration plan. The capital restoration plan will not be accepted by the regulators unless each company having control of the undercapitalized institution guarantees the subsidiary’s compliance with the capital restoration plan up to a certain specified amount. Any such guarantee from a depository institution’s holding company is entitled to a priority of payment in bankruptcy. The aggregate liability of the holding company of an undercapitalized bank is limited to the lesser of 5% of the institution’s assets at the time it became undercapitalized or the amount necessary to cause the institution to be “adequately capitalized.” The bank regulators have greater power in situations where an institution becomes “significantly” or “critically” undercapitalized or fails to submit a capital restoration plan. In addition to requiring undercapitalized institutions to submit a capital restoration plan, bank regulations contain broad restrictions on certain activities of undercapitalized institutions including asset growth, acquisitions, branch establishment and expansion into new lines of business. With certain exceptions, an insured depository institution is prohibited from making capital distributions, including dividends, and is prohibited from paying management fees to control persons if the institution would be undercapitalized after any such distribution or payment.

As an institution’s capital decreases, the regulators’ enforcement powers become more severe. A significantly undercapitalized institution is subject to mandated capital raising activities, restrictions on interest rates paid and transactions with affiliates, removal of management, and other restrictions. A regulator has limited discretion in dealing with a critically undercapitalized institution and is virtually required to appoint a receiver or conservator.

Banks with risk-based capital and leverage ratios below the required minimums may also be subject to certain administrative actions, including the termination of deposit insurance upon notice and hearing, or a temporary suspension of insurance without a hearing in the event the institution has no tangible capital.
In addition to the federal regulatory capital requirements described above, the DBO has authority to take possession of the business and properties of a bank in the event that the tangible stockholders’ equity of a bank is less than the greater of (i) 4% of the bank’s total assets or (ii) $1.0 million.
Dividends.  It is the Federal Reserve’s policy that bank holding companies, such as the Corporation, should generally pay dividends on common stock only out of income available over the past year, and only if prospective earnings retention is consistent with the organization’s expected future needs and financial condition.  It is also the Federal Reserve’s policy that bank holding companies should not maintain dividend levels that undermine their ability to be a source of strength to its banking subsidiaries.  Additionally, in consideration of the current financial and economic environment, the Federal Reserve has indicated that bank holding companies should carefully review their dividend policy and has discouraged payment ratios that are typically pricedat maximum allowable levels unless both asset quality and capital are very strong. It is our policy to retain earnings, if any, to provide funds for use in our business.  We have never declared or paid dividends on our common stock.
The Bank’s ability to pay dividends to the Corporation is subject to restrictions set forth in the Financial Code.  The Financial Code provides that a bank may not make a cash distribution to its stockholders in excess of the lesser of a bank’s (1) retained earnings; or (2) net income for its last three fiscal years, less the amount of any distributions made by the bank or by any majority-owned subsidiary of the bank to the stockholders of the bank during such period.  However, a bank may, with the approval of the DBO, make a distribution to its stockholders in

an amount not exceeding the greatest of (a) its retained earnings; (b) its net income for its last fiscal year; or (c) its net income for its current fiscal year.  In the event that bank regulators determine that the stockholders' equity of a bank is inadequate or that the making of a distribution by the bank would be unsafe or unsound, the regulators may order the bank to refrain from making a proposed distribution.  The payment of dividends could, depending on the financial condition of the Bank, be deemed to constitute an unsafe or unsound practice.  Under these provisions, the amount available for distribution from the Bank to the Corporation was approximately $93.1 million at December 31, 2016.
Approval of the Federal Reserve is required for payment of any dividend by a state chartered bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve, such as the Bank, if the total of all dividends declared by the bank in any calendar year would exceed the total of its retained net income for that year combined with its retained net income for the preceding two years.  In addition, a state member bank may not pay a dividend in an amount greater than its undivided profits without regulatory and stockholder approval.  The Bank is also prohibited under federal law from paying any dividend that would cause it to become undercapitalized.
FDIC Insurance of Certain Accounts and Regulation by the FDIC.  The Bank is an FDIC insured financial institution whereby the FDIC provides deposit insurance for a certain maximum dollar amount per customer.  The Bank, as is the case with all FDIC insured banks, is subject to deposit insurance assessments as determined by the FDIC.  The amount of the deposit insurance assessment for institutions with less than $10.0 billion in assets, which includes the Bank, is based on its risk category, with certain adjustments for any unsecured debt or brokered deposits held by the insured bank.  Institutions assigned to higher risk categories (that is, institutions that pose a higher risk of loss to the DIF) pay assessments at higher rates than institutions that pose a lower risk.  An institution’s risk classification is assigned based on a margin overcombination of its financial ratios and supervisory ratings, reflecting, among other things, its capital levels and the Prime rate, while warehouse repurchase facilitieslevel of supervisory concern that the institution poses to the regulators.  In addition, the FDIC can impose special assessments in certain instances.  Deposit insurance assessments fund the DIF.
The Dodd-Frank Act changes the way that deposit insurance premiums are priced overcalculated.  The assessment base is no longer the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”institution’s deposit base, but rather its average consolidated total assets less its average tangible equity.  The Dodd-Frank Act also increases the minimum designated reserve ratio of the DIF from 1.15% to 1.35% of the estimated amount of total insured deposits by 2020, eliminates the upper limit for the reserve ratio designated by the FDIC each year, and eliminates the requirement that the FDIC pay dividends to depository institutions when the reserve ratio exceeds certain thresholds.  Continued action by the FDIC to replenish the DIF, as well as the changes contained in the Dodd Frank Act, may result in higher assessment rates, which could reduce our profitability or otherwise negatively impact our operations.  Based on the current FDIC insurance assessment methodology, our FDIC insurance premium expense was $1.5 million for 2016, $1.4 million for 2015 and $1.0 million in 2014.
Transactions with Related Parties.  Depository institutions are subject to the restrictions contained in the Federal Reserve Act (the “FRA”).  CRE with respect to loans to directors, executive officers and principal stockholders.  Under the FRA, loans to directors, executive officers and stockholders who own more than 10% of a depository institution and certain affiliated entities of any of the foregoing, may not exceed, together with all other outstanding loans to such person and affiliated entities, the institution’s loans-to-one-borrower limit as discussed in the above section.  Federal regulations also prohibit loans above amounts prescribed by the appropriate federal banking agency to directors, executive officers, and stockholders who own more than 10% of an institution, and their respective affiliates, unless such loans are typically 3, 5approved in advance by a majority of the board of directors of the institution.  Any “interested” director may not participate in the voting.  The prescribed loan amount, which includes all other outstanding loans to such person, as to which such prior board of director approval is required, is the greater of $25,000 or 7 year fixed rate hybrid adjustable-rate5% of capital and surplus up to $500,000.  The Federal Reserve also requires that loans to directors, executive officers, and principal stockholders be made on terms substantially the same as offered in comparable transactions to non-executive employees of the bank and must not involve more than the normal risk of repayment.  There are additional limits on the amount a bank can loan to an executive officer.

Transactions between a bank and its “affiliates” are quantitatively and qualitatively restricted under Sections 23A and 23B of the FRA.  Section 23A restricts the aggregate amount of covered transactions with any individual affiliate to 10% of the capital and surplus of the financial institution.  The aggregate amount of covered transactions with all affiliates is limited to 20% of the institution’s capital and surplus.  Certain transactions with affiliates are required to be secured by collateral in an amount and of a type described in Section 23A and the purchase of low quality assets from affiliates are generally prohibited.  Section 23B generally provides that certain transactions with affiliates, including loans and asset purchases, must be on terms and under circumstances, including credit standards, that are substantially the same or at least as favorable to the institution as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with non-affiliated companies.  The Federal Reserve has promulgated Regulation W, which codifies prior interpretations under Sections 23A and 23B of the FRA and provides interpretive guidance with respect to affiliate transactions.  Affiliates of a bank include, among other entities, a bank’s holding company and companies that are under common control with the bank.  We are considered to be an affiliate of the Bank.
The Dodd-Frank Act generally enhances the restrictions on transactions with affiliates under Section 23A and 23B of the FRA, including an expansion of the definition of “covered transactions” and an increase in the amount of time for which collateral requirements regarding covered credit transactions must be satisfied.  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 derivatives transactions, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements and securities lending or borrowing transactions.  Restrictions are also placed on certain asset sales to and from an insider to an institution, including requirements that such sales be on market terms and, in certain circumstances, approved by the institution's board of directors.
Safety and Soundness Standards.  The federal banking agencies have adopted guidelines designed to assist the federal banking agencies in identifying and addressing potential safety and soundness concerns before capital becomes impaired.  The guidelines set forth operational and managerial standards relating to: (i) internal controls, information systems and internal audit systems; (ii) loan documentation; (iii) credit underwriting; (iv) asset growth; (v) earnings; and (vi) compensation, fees and benefits.
In addition, the federal banking agencies have also adopted safety and soundness guidelines with respect to asset quality and for evaluating and monitoring earnings to ensure that earnings are sufficient for the maintenance of adequate capital and reserves.  These guidelines provide six standards for establishing and maintaining a system to identify problem assets and prevent those assets from deteriorating.  Under these standards, an insured depository institution should: (i) conduct periodic asset quality reviews to identify problem assets; (ii) estimate the inherent losses in problem assets and establish reserves that are sufficient to absorb estimated losses; (iii) compare problem asset totals to capital; (iv) take appropriate corrective action to resolve problem assets; (v) consider the size and potential risks of material asset concentrations; and (vi) provide periodic asset quality reports with adequate information for management and the board of directors to assess the level of asset risk.
Loans-to-One Borrower.  Under California law, our ability to make aggregate secured and unsecured loans-to-one-borrower is limited to 25% and 15%, respectively, of unimpaired capital and surplus.  At December 31, 2016, the Bank’s limit on aggregate secured loans-to-one-borrower was $134 million and unsecured loans-to-one borrower was $80.2 million.  The Bank has established internal loan limits which are lower than the legal lending limits for a California bank.
Community Reinvestment Act and the Fair Lending Laws.  The Bank is subject to certain fair lending requirements and reporting obligations involving home mortgage lending operations and CRA activities.  The CRA generally requires the federal banking regulators to evaluate the record of a financial institution in meeting the credit needs of their local communities, including low and moderate income neighborhoods.  In addition to substantial penalties and corrective measures that may be required for a violation of certain fair lending laws, the federal banking agencies may take compliance with such laws and CRA into account when regulating and supervising other activities.  A bank’s compliance with its CRA obligations is based on onea performance-based evaluation system which bases CRA ratings on an institution’s lending, service and investment performance,

resulting in a rating by the appropriate bank regulator of several interest rate indices.  HOA loans“outstanding,” “satisfactory,” “needs to improve” or “substantial noncompliance.”  Based on its last CRA examination, the Bank received a “satisfactory” rating.
Bank Secrecy Act and Money Laundering Control Act.  In 1970, Congress passed the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act, otherwise known as the Bank Secrecy Act (the “BSA”), which established requirements for recordkeeping and reporting by banks and other financial institutions.  The BSA was designed to help identify the source, volume and movement of currency and other monetary instruments into and out of the U.S. in order to help detect and prevent money laundering connected with drug trafficking, terrorism and other criminal activities.  The primary tool used to implement BSA requirements is the filing of Suspicious Activity Reports.  Today, the BSA requires that all banking institutions develop and provide for the continued administration of a program reasonably designed to assure and monitor compliance with certain recordkeeping and reporting requirements regarding both domestic and international currency transactions.  These programs must, at a minimum, provide for a system of internal controls to assure ongoing compliance, provide for independent testing of such systems and compliance, designate individuals responsible for such compliance and provide appropriate personnel training.
USA Patriot Act.  Under the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act, commonly referred to as the USA Patriot Act or the Patriot Act, financial institutions are typically 5, 7,subject to prohibitions against specified financial transactions and account relationships, as well as enhanced due diligence standards intended to detect, and prevent, the use of the United States financial system for money laundering and terrorist financing activities.  The Patriot Act requires financial institutions, including banks, to establish anti-money laundering programs, including employee training and independent audit requirements, meet minimum standards specified by the act, follow minimum standards for customer identification and maintenance of customer identification records, and regularly compare customer lists against lists of suspected terrorists, terrorist organizations and money launderers.  The costs or 10 year fixed rate loansother effects of the compliance burdens imposed by the Patriot Act or future anti-terrorist, homeland security or anti-money laundering legislation or regulation cannot be predicted with certainty.
Consumer Laws and Regulations.  The Bank is also subject to certain consumer laws and regulations that are fully amortizing.designed to protect consumers in transactions with banks.  These laws include, among others: Truth in Lending Act; Truth in Savings Act; Electronic Funds Transfer Act; Expedited Funds Availability Act; Equal Credit Opportunity Act; Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act; Fair Housing Act; Fair Credit Reporting Act; Fair Debt Collection Act; Home Mortgage Disclosure Act; Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act; laws regarding unfair and deceptive acts and practices; and usury laws.  These laws and regulations mandate certain disclosure requirements and regulate the manner in which financial institutions must deal with customers when taking deposits or making loans to such customers.  The Bank must comply with the applicable provisions of these consumer protection laws and regulations as part of their ongoing customer relations.  Many states and local jurisdictions have consumer protection laws analogous, and in addition, to those listed above.  Failure to comply with these laws and regulations could give rise to regulatory sanctions, customer rescission rights, action by state and local attorneys general, and civil or criminal liability.
Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the "CFPB") has broad authority to regulate and supervise the retail consumer financial products and services activities of banks and various non-bank providers.  The CFPB has authority to promulgate regulations, issue orders, guidance and policy statements, conduct examinations and bring enforcement actions with regard to consumer financial products and services.  In general, however, banks with assets of $10.0 billion or less, such as the Bank, will continue to be examined for consumer compliance by their primary federal banking regulator.  The creation of the C&ICFPB by the Dodd-Frank Act has led to, and is likely to continue to lead to, enhanced and strengthened enforcement of consumer financial protection laws.
In addition, federal law currently contains extensive customer privacy protection provisions.  Under these provisions, a financial institution must provide to its customers, at the inception of the customer relationship and annually thereafter, the institution’s policies and procedures regarding the handling of customers’ nonpublic

personal financial information.  These provisions also provide that, except for certain limited exceptions, a financial institution may not provide such personal information to unaffiliated third parties unless the institution discloses to the customer that such information may be so provided and the customer is given the opportunity to opt out of such disclosure.
    Federal and State Taxation
The Corporation and the Bank report their income on a consolidated basis using the accrual method of accounting, and are subject to federal income taxation in the same manner as other corporations with some exceptions.  The Company has not been audited by the IRS.  For its 2016, 2015 and 2014 tax years, the Company was subject to a maximum federal income tax rate of 35.00% and California state income tax rate of 10.84%. 
ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS
Ownership of our common stock involves certain risks.  The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face.  You should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as all other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations.  If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially, adversely affected.
Risks Related to Our Business
The economic environment could pose significant challenges for the Company and could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
From December 2007 through June 2009, the U.S. economy was in recession. Although the economy continues to improve, financial stress on borrowers as a result of an uncertain future economic environment could have an adverse effect on the Company’s borrowers and their ability to repay their loans to us, which could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.  A weakening of these conditions in the markets in which we operate would likely have an adverse effect on us and others in the financial institutions industry.  For example, deterioration in economic conditions in our markets could drive losses beyond that which is provided for in our allowance for loan losses ("ALLL").  We may also face the following risks in connection with these events:
Economic conditions that negatively affect real estate values and the job market may result, in the deterioration of the credit quality of our loan portfolio, and such deterioration in credit quality could have a negative impact on our business.
A decrease in the demand for loans and substantially all of the non-owner occupied CRE loans originatedother products and services offered by the Companyus.
A decrease in 2014 had minimum interest rates, or floor rates, below which the rate charged may not be reduced regardless of furtherdeposit balances due to overall reductions in the underlying interest rate index.  Substantially allaccounts of customers.
A decrease in the value of our non-owner occupied CRE loans also include prepayment penalties.or other assets secured by commercial or residential real estate.
A decrease in net interest income derived from our lending and deposit gathering activities.
Sustained weakness in our markets may affect consumer confidence levels and may cause adverse changes in payment patterns, causing increases in delinquencies and default rates on loans and other credit facilities.
The processes we use to estimate ALLL and reserves may no longer be reliable because they rely on complex judgments, including forecasts of economic conditions, which may no longer be capable of accurate estimation.
Our ability to assess the creditworthiness of our customers may be impaired if the models and approaches we use to select, manage, and underwrite its customers become less predictive of future charge-offs.
We expect to face increased regulation of its industry, and compliance with such regulation may increase our costs, limit our ability to pursue business opportunities and increase compliance challenges.


As these conditions or similar ones exist or worsen, we could experience adverse effects on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Lending Our business is subject to various lending and other economic risks that could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
There was significant disruption and volatility in the financial and capital markets in 2008 and 2009.  The financial markets and the financial services industry in particular suffered unprecedented disruption, causing a number of institutions to fail or require government intervention to avoid failure.  These conditions were largely the result of the erosion of the U.S. and global credit markets, including a significant and rapid deterioration in the mortgage lending and related real estate markets.  While economic conditions have improved, there can be no assurance that the economic conditions that adversely affected the financial services industry, and the capital, credit and real estate markets generally, will not deteriorate in the near or long term, in which case, we could experience losses and write-downs of assets, and could face capital and liquidity constraints or other business challenges.  If economic conditions were to deteriorate, particularly within our geographic region, it could result in the following additional consequences, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition:
Loan delinquencies may increase causing increases in our provision and allowance for loan losses.
Our ability to assess the creditworthiness of our customers may be impaired if the models and approaches we use to select, manage, and underwrite our customers become less predictive of future charge-offs.
Collateral for loans, especially real estate, may continue to decline in value, in turn reducing a client’s borrowing power, and reducing the value of assets and collateral associated with our loans held for investment.
Consumer confidence levels may decline and cause adverse changes in payment patterns, resulting in increased delinquencies and default rates on loans and other credit facilities and decreased demand for our products and services.
Performance of the underlying loans in mortgage backed securities may deteriorate to potentially cause OTTI markdowns to our investment portfolio.

We may suffer losses in our loan portfolio in excess of our allowance for loan losses.
Our total nonperforming assets amounted to $1.6 million, or 0.04% of our total assets, at December 31, 2016, a decrease from $5.1 million or 0.18% at December 31, 2015.  We had $4.8 million of net loan charge-offs for 2016, and increase from $1.3 million in 2015.  Our provision for loan losses was $8.8 million in 2016, an increase from $6.4 million in 2015.  If increases in our nonperforming assets occur in the future, our net loan charge-offs and/or provision for loan losses may also increase which may have an adverse effect upon our future results of operations.
We seek to mitigate the risks inherent in our loan portfolio by adhering to specific underwriting practices.  These practices generally include analysis of a borrower’s prior credit history, financial statements, tax returns and cash flow projections, valuation of collateral based on reports of independent appraisers and liquid asset verifications.  Although we believe that our underwriting criteria are appropriate for the various kinds of loans we make, we may incur losses on loans that meet our underwriting criteria, and these losses may exceed the amounts set aside as reserves in our ALLL.  Our allowance for probable incurred losses is based on analysis of the following:
Historical experience with our loans;
Industry historical losses as reported by the FDIC;
Evaluation of economic conditions;
Regular reviews of the quality, mix and size of the overall loan portfolio;
Regular reviews of delinquencies;
The quality of the collateral underlying our loans; and
The effect of external factors, such as competition, legal developments and regulatory requirements.


Although we maintain an ALLL at a level that we believe is adequate to absorb losses inherent in our loan portfolio, changes in economic, operating and other conditions, including a sharp decline in real estate values and changes in interest rates, which are beyond our control, may cause our actual loan losses to exceed our current allowance estimates.  If the actual loan losses exceed the amount reserved, it will adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, the Federal Reserve and the DBO, as part of their supervisory function, periodically review our ALLL.  Either agency may require us to increase our provision for loan losses or to recognize further loan losses, based on their judgments, which may be different from those of our management.  Any increase in the allowance required by them could also adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Risks on Our Loans.related to specific segments of our loan portfolio may result in losses that could affect our results of operations and financial condition.

  General economic conditions and local economic conditions affect our entire loan portfolio. Lending risks vary by the type of loan extended.

In our C&I and SBA lending activities, collectability of the loans may be adversely affected by risks generally related to small and middle market businesses, such as:
 
·  Changes or continued weakness in:
Changes or weaknesses in specific industry segments, including weakness affecting the business’ customer base;
·  
general or local economic conditions;
Changes in consumer behavior;
·  
specific industry segments, including weakness affecting the business’ customer base;
Changes in a business’ personnel;
·  Changes in consumer behavior;
Increases in supplier costs that cannot be passed along to customers;
·  Changes in a business’ personnel;
Increases in operating expenses (including energy costs);
·  Increases in supplier costs that cannot be passed along to customers;
Changes in governmental rules, regulations and fiscal policies;
·  Increases in operating expenses (including energy costs);
Increases in interest rates, tax rates; and
·  Changes in governmental rules, regulations and fiscal policies;
·  Increases in interest rates, tax rates; and
·  Other factors beyond the control of the borrower or the lender.
In our warehouse repurchase facilities, performance is generally driven by the routine operation of the secondary market for one-to-four family mortgage loans.  Primary risks include:
·  The financial and operational health of the Government Sponsored Enterprise (“GSE”) agencies (FNMA and FHLMC);
·  The ongoing commitment of U.S. Government agencies (FHA, VA and USDA) to the one-to-four family mortgage market;
·  Major interest rate shocks; and
·  Widespread loan fraud on the part of one of our counterparties.

In our investor real estate loans, payment performance and the liquidation values of collateral properties may be adversely affected by risks generally incidental to interests in real property, such as:
 
·  
Changes or continued weakness in:
Declines in real estate values;
·  general or local economic conditions;
Declines in rental rates;
·  
specific industry segments;
Declines in occupancy rates;
·  Declines in real estate values;
Increases in other operating expenses (including energy costs);
·  Declines in rental rates;
The availability of property financing;
·  Declines in occupancy rates;
Changes in governmental rules, regulations and fiscal policies, including rent control ordinances, environmental legislation and taxation;
·  Increases in other operating expenses (including energy costs);
Increases in interest rates, real estate and personal property tax rates; and
·  The availability of property financing;
·  Changes in governmental rules, regulations and fiscal policies, including rent control ordinances, environmental legislation and taxation;
·  Increases in interest rates, real estate and personal property tax rates; and
·  Other factors beyond the control of the borrower or the lender.

In our HOA and consumer loans, collectability of the loans may be adversely affected by risks generally related to consumers, such as:
 
·  Changes or continued weakness in general or local economic conditions, notably employment and wage income;
·  Changes in consumer behavior;
·  Declines in real estate values;
·  Declines in rental rates;
·  Increases in association operating expenses (including energy costs);
·  The availability of property financing;
·  Changes in governmental rules, regulations and fiscal policies, including rent control ordinances, environmental legislation and taxation;
·  Increases in interest rates, real estate and personal property tax rates; and
·  Other factors beyond the control of the borrower or the lender.

Increases in interest rates, real estate and personal property tax rates; and

In our construction loans, collectability and the liquidation values of collateral properties may be adversely affected by risks generally related to consumers (for SFR construction loans) or incidental to interests in real property (for CRE construction loans), such as:
 
·  
Changes or continued weakness in:
Declines in real estate values;
·  general or local economic conditions;
Declines in rental rates;
·  
specific industry segments;
Declines in occupancy rates;
·  Changes in consumer behavior;
Increases in other operating expenses (including energy costs);
·  Declines in real estate values;
The availability of property financing;
·  Declines in rental rates;
Changes in governmental rules, regulations and fiscal policies, including rent control ordinances, environmental legislation and taxation;
·  Declines in occupancy rates;
Increases in interest rates, real estate and personal property tax rates; and
·  Increases in other operating expenses (including energy costs);

·  The availability of property financing;
·  Changes in governmental rules, regulations and fiscal policies, including rent control ordinances, environmental legislation and taxation;
·  Increases in interest rates, real estate and personal property tax rates; and
·  Other factors beyond the control of the borrower or the lender.
We attemptAdverse economic conditions in California may cause us to mitigate these risks through soundsuffer higher default rates on our loans and prudent underwriting practices,reduce the value of the assets we hold as well as a proactive loan review process and our risk management practices.  See “Underwriting and Approval Authority for Our Loans” immediately below.  We will not extend credit to any one borrower that is in excess of regulatory limits.collateral.
 
UnderwritingOur business activities and Approval Authority for Our Loans.  Our board of directors establishes our lending policies.  Each loan must meet minimum underwriting criteria establishedcredit exposure are concentrated in California.  Difficult economic conditions, including state and local government deficits, in California may cause us to incur losses associated with higher default rates and decreased collateral values in our lending policiesloan portfolio.  In addition, demand for our products and must be consistent withservices may decline.  Declines in the California real estate market could hurt our overall strategies for yield, interest rate risk, and portfolio concentrations.  The underwriting and quality control functionsbusiness, because the vast majority of our loans are managed throughsecured by real estate located within California.  As of December 31, 2016, approximately 55% of our corporate office.  Each loan application is evaluated from a number of underwriting perspectives.  Considerations include historic business cash flows, debt service coverage, loan-to-value ratios of underlying collateral, if any, debt to equity ratios, credit history, business experience, history of business, forecasts of operations, economic conditions, business viability, net worth, and liquidity.  Additionally, for loans secured by real estate underwriting considerations include property appraised value, loan-to-value ratios,were located in California.  If real estate values were to decline, especially in California, the collateral for our loans provide less security.  As a result, our ability to recover on defaulted loans by selling the underlying real estate would be diminished, and we would be more likely to suffer losses on defaulted loans.
Our level of debtcredit risk could increase due to our focus on commercial lending and the concentration on small and middle market business customers with heightened vulnerability to economic conditions.
As of December 31, 2016, our commercial real estate loans amounted to $1.3 billion, or 40.0% of our total loan portfolio, and our commercial business loans amounted to $1.6 billion, or 48.5% of our total loan portfolio.  At such date, our largest outstanding commercial business loan was $32.9 million, our largest multiple borrower relationship was $43.7 million and our largest outstanding commercial real estate loan was $32.0 million.  Commercial real estate and commercial business loans generally are considered riskier than single-family residential loans because they have larger balances to a single borrower or group of related borrowers.  Commercial real estate and commercial business loans involve risks because the borrowers’ ability to repay the loans typically depends primarily on the successful operation of the businesses or the properties securing the loans.  Most of the Company’s commercial business loans are made to small business or middle market customers who may have a heightened vulnerability to economic conditions.  Moreover, a portion of these loans have been made or acquired by us in recent years and the borrowers may not have experienced a complete business or economic cycle.  Furthermore, the deterioration of our borrowers’ businesses may hinder their ability to repay their loans with us, which could adversely affect our results of operations.
Nonperforming assets take significant time to resolve and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Nonperforming assets adversely affect our net income in various ways. We generally do not record interest income on nonperforming loans or other real estate owned ("OREO"), which adversely affects our income.  When we take collateral in foreclosures and similar proceedings, we are required to mark the related asset to the then fair market value of the collateral, which may ultimately result in a loss.  An increase in the level of nonperforming assets increases our risk profile and may impact the capital levels our regulators believe are

appropriate in light of the ensuing risk profile.  While we reduce problem assets through loan sales, workouts, restructurings and otherwise, decreases in the value of the underlying collateral, or in these borrowers’ performance or financial condition, whether or not due to economic and market conditions beyond our control, could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.  In addition, the resolution of nonperforming assets requires significant commitments of time from management and our directors, which can be detrimental to the performance of their other responsibilities.  There can be no assurance that we will not experience future increases in nonperforming assets.
We may be unable to successfully compete in our industry.
We face direct competition from a significant number of financial institutions, many with a state-wide or regional presence, and in some cases, a national presence, in both originating loans and attracting deposits.  Competition in originating loans comes primarily from other banks and finance companies that make loans in our primary market areas.  We also face substantial competition in attracting deposits from other banking institutions, money market and mutual funds, credit unions and other investment vehicles.  In addition banks with larger capitalizations and non-bank financial institutions that are not governed by bank regulatory restrictions have larger lending limits and are better able to serve the needs of larger customers.  Many of these financial institutions are also significantly larger and have greater financial resources than we have, and have established customer bases and name recognition.  We compete for loans principally on the basis of interest rates and loan fees, the types of loans we offer and the quality of service coverage utilizing boththat we provide to our borrowers.  Our ability to attract and retain deposits requires that we provide customers with competitive investment opportunities with respect to rate of return, liquidity, risk and other factors.  To effectively compete, we may have to pay higher rates of interest to attract deposits, resulting in reduced profitability.  In addition, we rely upon local promotional activities, personal relationships established by our officers, directors and employees and specialized services tailored to meet the actualindividual needs of our customers in order to compete.  If we are not able to effectively compete in our market area, our profitability may be negatively affected.
Interest rate fluctuations, which are out of our control, could harm profitability.
Our profitability depends to a large extent upon net operatinginterest income, which is the difference between interest income and forecasteddividends on interest-earning assets, such as loans and investments, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings.  Any change in general market interest rates, whether as a result of changes in the monetary policy of the Federal Reserve or otherwise, may have a significant effect on net operating incomeinterest income.  The assets and useliabilities may react differently to changes in overall interest rates or conditions.  In general, higher interest rates are associated with a lower volume of loan originations while lower interest rates are usually associated with higher loan originations.  Further, if interest rates decline, our loans may be refinanced at lower rates or paid off and our investments may be prepaid earlier than expected.  If that occurs, we may have to redeploy the loan or investment proceeds into lower yielding assets, which might also decrease our income.  Also, as many of our loans currently have interest rate floors, a rise in rates may increase the cost of our deposits while the rates on the loans remain at their floors, which could decrease our net interest margin. Accordingly, changes in levels of market interest rates could materially and adversely affect our net interest margin, asset quality and loan origination volume.
Changes in the fair value of our securities may reduce our stockholders’ equity and net income.
At December 31, 2016, $381 million of our securities were classified as available-for-sale.  At such date, the aggregate net unrealized loss on our available-for-sale securities was $4.7 million.  We increase or decrease stockholders’ equity by the amount of change from the unrealized gain or loss (the difference between the estimated fair value and the amortized cost) of our available-for-sale securities portfolio, net of the related tax, under the category of accumulated other comprehensive income/loss.  Therefore, a decline in the estimated fair value of this portfolio will result in a decline in reported stockholders’ equity, as well as book value per common share and tangible book value per common share.  This decrease will occur even though the securities are not sold.  In the case of debt securities, if these securities are never sold and there are no credit impairments, the decrease will be

recovered over the life of the securities.  In the case of equity securities which have no stated maturity, the declines in fair value may or may not be recovered over time. As of December 31, 2016, the Company realized OTTI losses net of recoveries of $205,000.
At December 31, 2016, we had stock holdings in the FHLB of San Francisco totaling $14.4 million, $10.9 million in Federal Reserve Bank ("FRB") stock, and $12.0 million in other stock, all carried at cost.  The stock held by us is carried at cost and is subject to recoverability testing under applicable accounting standards.  For the year ended December 31, 2016, we did not recognize an impairment charge related to our stock holdings.  There can be no assurance that future negative changes to the financial condition of the issuers may require us to recognize an impairment charge with respect to such stock holdings.

Changes in the value of goodwill and intangible assets could reduce our earnings.

When the Company acquires a business, a substantial portion of the purchase price of the acquisition is allocated to goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets. The amount of the purchase price which is allocated to goodwill and other intangible assets is determined by the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had approximately $112 million of goodwill and intangible assets, which includes goodwill of approximately $102 million resulting from the acquisitions the Company has consummated since 2011. The Company accounts for goodwill and intangible assets in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), which, in general, requires that goodwill not be amortized, but rather that it is tested for impairment at least annually at the reporting unit level. Testing for impairment of goodwill and intangible assets is performed annually and involves the identification of reporting units and the estimation of fair values. The estimation of fair values involves a high degree of judgment and subjectivity in the assumptions used. Changes in the local and national economy, the federal and state legislative and regulatory environments for financial institutions, the stock market, interest rates and other external factors (such as natural disasters or significant world events) may occur from time to time, often with great unpredictability, and may materially impact the fair value of publicly traded financial institutions and could result in an impairment charge at a future date.  If we were to conclude that a future write-down of our goodwill or intangible assets is necessary, we would record the appropriate charge, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
Conditions in the financial markets may limit our access to additional funding to meet our liquidity needs.
Liquidity is essential to our business, as we must maintain sufficient funds to respond to the needs of depositors and borrowers.  An inability to raise funds through deposits, repurchase agreements, federal funds purchased, FHLB advances, the sale or pledging as collateral of loans and other assets could have a substantial negative effect on our liquidity.  Our access to funding sources in amounts adequate to finance our activities, or on terms attractive to us, could be impaired by factors that affect us specifically or the financial services industry in general.  Factors that could negatively affect our access to liquidity sources include a reduction in our credit ratings, if any, an increase in costs of capital in financial capital markets, negative operating results, a decrease in the level of our business activity due to a market downturn, a decrease in depositor or investor confidence or adverse regulatory action against us.  Our ability to borrow could also be impaired by factors that are not specific to us, such as severe disruption of the financial markets or negative news and expectations about the prospects for the financial services industry as a whole.
The soundness of other financial institutions could negatively affect us.
Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty, or other relationships.  We have exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and we routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including commercial banks, brokers and dealers, investment banks and other institutional clients.  Many of these transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of a default by a counterparty or client.  In addition, our credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by us cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the credit or derivative

exposure due to us.  Any such losses could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to extensive regulation which could adversely affect our business.
Our operations are subject to extensive regulation by federal, state and local governmental authorities and are subject to various laws and judicial and administrative decisions imposing requirements and restrictions on part or all of our operations.  Because our business is highly regulated, the laws, rules and regulations applicable to us are subject to regular modification and change.  There are currently proposed laws, rules and regulations that, if adopted, would impact our operations.  These proposed laws, rules and regulations, or any other laws, rules or regulations, may be adopted in the future, which could (1) make compliance much more difficult or expensive, (2) restrict our ability to originate, broker or sell loans or accept certain deposits, (3) further limit or restrict the amount of commissions, interest or other charges earned on loans originated or sold by us, or (4) otherwise adversely affect our business or prospects for business.
Moreover, banking regulators have significant discretion and authority to prevent or remedy unsafe or unsound practices or violations of laws or regulations by financial institutions and holding companies in the performance of their supervisory and enforcement duties.  The exercise of regulatory authority may have a negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Additionally, in order to conduct certain activities, including acquisitions, we are required to obtain regulatory approval.  There can be no assurance that any required approvals can be obtained, or obtained without conditions or on a timeframe acceptable to us.
The Dodd-Frank Act continues to materially affect our operations.
The Dodd-Frank Act, which was enacted in 2010, imposed significant regulatory and compliance changes.  The key provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act that have affected our operations include:
Changes to regulatory capital requirements and how we plan capital and liquidity levels;
Creation of new government regulatory agencies, including the CFPB, which possesses broad rule-making and enforcement authorities;
Restrictions that will impact the nature of our incentive compensation programs for executive officers;
Changes in insured depository institution regulations and assessments;
Mortgage loan origination and risk retention; and
Potential new and different litigation and regulatory enforcement risks.

While several provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act became effective immediately upon its enactment and others have come into effect over the last few years, many provisions still require regulations to be promulgated by various federal agencies in order to be implemented.  Some of these regulations have been proposed by the applicable federal agencies but not yet finalized. It is not clear whether the executive order issued on February 3, 2017 by President Trump calling for his administration to review existing U.S. financial laws and regulations, including the Dodd-Frank Act, will result in material changes to the current laws and rules, or those that are in process, applicable to financial institutions and financial services or products like ours. Given the uncertainty associated with the manner in which the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act will be implemented by the various regulatory agencies and through regulations, the full extent of the impact such requirements will have on our 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 requirements or otherwise adversely affect our business.  These changes may also require us to invest significant management attention and resources to evaluate and make any changes necessary to comply with new statutory and regulatory requirements.  Failure to comply with the new requirements or with any future changes in laws or regulations may negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition. 


Changes in laws, government regulation and monetary policy may have a material effect on our results of operations.
Financial institutions have been the subject of substantial legislative and regulatory changes and may be the subject of further legislation or regulation in the future, none of which is within our control.  Significant new laws or regulations or changes in, or repeals of, existing laws or regulations may cause our results of operations to differ materially.  In addition, the cost and burden of compliance with applicable laws and regulations have significantly increased and could adversely affect our ability to operate profitably.  Further, federal monetary policy significantly affects credit conditions for us, as well as for our borrowers, particularly as implemented by the Federal Reserve, primarily through open market operations in U.S. government securities, the discount rate for bank borrowings and reserve requirements.  A material change in any of these conditions could have a material impact on us or our borrowers, and therefore on our results of operations.
The repeal of federal prohibitions on payment of interest on demand deposits could increase our interest expense.
All federal prohibitions on the ability of financial institutions to pay interest on demand deposit accounts were repealed as part of the Dodd-Frank Act.  As a result, financial institutions can offer interest on demand deposits to compete for clients.  Our interest expense will increase and our net interest margin will decrease if the Bank begins offering interest on demand deposits to attract additional customers or maintain current customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Federal and state banking agencies periodically conduct examinations of our business, including compliance with laws and regulations, and our failure to comply with any supervisory actions to which we are or become subject as a result of such examinations may adversely affect us.
Federal and state banking agencies, including the Federal Reserve, the DBO and the FDIC, periodically conduct examinations of our business, including compliance with laws and regulations.  If, as a result of an examination, a federal banking agency were to determine that the financial condition, capital resources, asset quality, earnings prospects, management, liquidity or other aspects of any of our operations had become unsatisfactory, or that the Company or its management was in violation of any law or regulation, it may take a number of different remedial actions as it deems appropriate.  These actions include the power to enjoin "unsafe or unsound" practices, to require affirmative actions to correct any conditions resulting from any violation or practice, to issue an administrative order that can be judicially enforced, to direct an increase in our capital, to restrict our growth, to assess civil monetary penalties against our officers or directors, to remove officers and directors and, if it is concluded that such conditions cannot be corrected or there is an imminent risk of loss to depositors, to terminate our deposit insurance. If we become subject to such regulatory actions, our business, results of operations and reputation may be negatively impacted.  
Our HOA business is substantially dependent upon its relationship with Associa, which is the entity that owns and controls the HOA management companies that manage the HOAs from which we receive a majority of our HOA deposits.
On March 15, 2013, we acquired FAB, which is exclusively focused on providing deposit and other services to HOAs and HOA management companies nationwide.  A majority of our HOA customers are also customers of the HOA management companies controlled by Associations, Inc. (“Associa”).  At December 31, 2016, approximately 44% of the HOA transaction deposits we held were derived from our relationship with Associa.  We will continue to rely on the relationship with Associa to solicit HOA deposits as deemed necessary.  If Associa or its HOA management companies lose some or all of their HOA customers, fall into financial or legal difficulty or elect to reduce the amount of HOA customers that it directs to us, it could have a material and adverse effect upon our business, including the decline or total loss of all of the deposits from the HOA management companies and the HOAs.  We cannot assure you that we would be able to replace the relationship with Associa and its HOA management companies if any of these events occurred, which could have a material and adverse impact

on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  In connection with the closing of the FAB acquisition, we appointed John Carona to the boards of directors of the Company and the Bank.  Mr. Carona is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Associa.
Existing and potential acquisitions may disrupt our business and dilute stockholder value.
On December 13, 2017, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization to acquire HEOP and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Heritage Oaks Bank.  The acquisition is expected to close late in the first quarter of 2017, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory and shareholder approvals.

The success of the merger will depend on, among other things, our ability to realize the anticipated revenue enhancements and efficiencies and to combine the businesses of Pacific Premier and HEOP in a manner that does not materially disrupt the existing customer relationships of HEOP or result in decreased revenues resulting from any loss of customers and that permits growth opportunities to occur. If we are not able to successfully achieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits of the merger may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected.

Pacific Premier and HEOP have operated and, until the completion of the merger, will continue to operate, independently. It is possible that the integration process could result in the loss of key employees, the disruption of each company’s ongoing businesses or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies that adversely affect our ability to maintain relationships with clients, customers, depositors and employees or to achieve the anticipated benefits of the merger.  Integration efforts between the two companies could also divert management attention and resources.

These integration matters could have an adverse effect on each of Pacific Premier and HEOP during the transition period and on the combined company following completion of the merger.

We continue to evaluate merger and acquisition opportunities and conduct due diligence activities related to possible transactions with other financial institutions on an ongoing basis.  As a result, merger or acquisition discussions and, in some cases, negotiations may take place and future mergers or acquisitions involving cash, debt or equity securities may occur at any time.  Acquisitions typically involve the payment of a premium over book and market values, and, therefore, some dilution of our stock’s tangible book value and net income per common share may occur in connection with any future transaction.  Furthermore, failure to realize the expected revenue increases, cost savings, increases in geographic or product presence, and/or other projected benefits from recent or future acquisitions could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We cannot say with any certainty that we will be able to consummate, or if consummated, successfully integrate future acquisitions or that we will not incur disruptions or unexpected expenses in integrating such acquisitions.  In attempting to make such future acquisitions, we anticipate competing with other financial institutions, many of which have greater financial and operational resources.  Acquiring other banks, businesses, or branches involves various risks commonly associated with acquisitions, including, among other things:
Potential exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities of the target company;
Exposure to potential asset quality issues of the target company;
Difficulty and expense of integrating the operations and personnel of the target company;
Potential disruption to our business;
Potential diversion of management’s time and attention;
The possible loss of key employees and customers of the target company;
Difficulty in estimating the value of the target company; and
Potential changes in banking or tax laws or regulations that may affect the target company.


Our controls and procedures may fail or be circumvented.
Management regularly reviews and updates our internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures, and corporate governance policies and procedures.  Any system of controls, however well designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the objectives of the system are met.  Any failure or circumvention of our controls and procedures or failure to comply with regulations related to controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Environmental liabilities with respect to properties on which we take title may have a material effect on our results of operations.
We could be subject to environmental liabilities on real estate properties we foreclose and take title in the normal course of our business.  In connection with environmental contamination, we may be held liable to governmental entities or to third parties for property damage, personal injury, investigation and clean-up costs incurred by these parties, or we may be required to investigate or clean-up hazardous or toxic substances at a property.  The investigation or remediation costs associated with such activities could be substantial.  Furthermore, we may be subject to common law claims by third parties based on damages and costs resulting from environmental contamination even if we were the former owner of a contaminated site.  The incurrence of a significant environmental liability could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Confidential customer information transmitted through the Bank’s online banking service is vulnerable to security breaches and computer viruses, which could expose the Bank to litigation and adversely affect its reputation and ability to generate deposits.
The Bank provides its customers the ability to bank online.  The secure transmission of confidential information over the Internet is a critical element of online banking.  The Bank’s network could be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses, phishing schemes and other security problems.  The Bank may be required to spend significant capital and other resources to protect against the threat of security breaches and computer viruses, or to alleviate problems caused by security breaches or viruses.  To the extent that the Bank’s activities or the activities of its customers involve the storage and transmission of confidential information, security breaches and viruses could expose the Bank to claims, litigation and other possible liabilities.  Any inability to prevent security breaches or computer viruses could also cause existing customers to lose confidence in the Bank’s systems and could adversely affect its reputation and ability to generate deposits.
We are dependent on our key personnel.
Our future operating results depend in large part on the continued services of our key personnel, including Steven R. Gardner, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, who developed and implemented our business strategy.  The loss of Mr. Gardner could have a negative impact on the success of our business strategy.  In addition, we rely upon the services of Edward Wilcox, President and Chief Banking Officer, and our ability to attract and retain highly skilled personnel.  We do not maintain key-man life insurance on any employee other than Mr. Gardner.  We cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to attract and retain the qualified personnel necessary for the development of our business.  The unexpected loss of services of our key personnel could have a material adverse impact on our business because of their skills, knowledge of our market, years of industry experience and the difficulty of promptly finding qualified replacement personnel.  In addition, recent regulatory proposals and guidance relating to compensation may negatively impact our ability to retain and attract skilled personnel.
A natural disaster or recurring energy shortage, especially in California, could harm our business.
We are based in Irvine, California, and approximately 55% of our loans secured by real estate were located in California at December 31, 2016.  In addition, the computer systems that operate our Internet websites

and some of their back-up systems are located in Irvine and San Diego, California.  Historically, California has been vulnerable to natural disasters.  Therefore, we are susceptible to the risks of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, wildfires, floods and mudslides.  Natural disasters could harm our operations directly through interference with communications, including the interruption or loss of our websites, which would prevent us from gathering deposits, originating loans and processing and controlling our flow of business, as well as through the destruction of facilities and our operational, financial and management information systems.  A natural disaster or recurring power outages may also impair the value of our largest class of assets, our loan portfolio, which is comprised substantially of real estate loans.  Uninsured or underinsured disasters may reduce borrowers’ ability to repay mortgage loans.  Disasters may also reduce the value of the real estate securing our loans, impairing our ability to recover on defaulted loans through foreclosure and making it more likely that we would suffer losses on defaulted loans.  California has also experienced energy shortages, which, if they recur, could impair the value of the real estate in those areas affected.  Although we have implemented several back-up systems and protections (and maintain business interruption insurance), these measures may not protect us fully from the effects of a natural disaster.  The occurrence of natural disasters or energy shortages in California could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock
The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly, and this may make it difficult for you to resell your shares of common stock at times or at prices you find attractive.
Stock price volatility may make it difficult for holders of our common stock to resell their common stock when desired and at desirable prices.  Our stock price can fluctuate significantly in response to a variety of factors including, among other things:
Actual or anticipated variations in quarterly results of operations;
Recommendations by securities analysts;
Operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors deem comparable to us;
News reports relating to trends, concerns and other issues in the financial services industry, including the failures of other financial institutions in the current economic downturn;
Perceptions in the marketplace regarding us and/or our competitors;
New technology used, or services offered, by competitors;
Significant acquisitions or business combinations, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments by or involving us or our competitors;
Failure to integrate acquisitions or realize anticipated benefits from acquisitions;
Changes in government regulations; and
Geopolitical conditions such as acts or threats of terrorism or military conflicts.

General market fluctuations, industry factors and general economic and political conditions and events, such as economic slowdowns or recessions, interest rate changes or credit loss trends, could also cause our stock price to decrease regardless of operating results as evidenced by the current volatility and disruption of capital and credit markets.
We have retained earnings, if any, to provide funds for use in our business.
It is our policy to retain earnings, if any, to provide funds for use in our business.  We have never declared or paid dividends on our common stock.  In addition, in order to pay cash dividends over time to our stockholders, we would most likely need to obtain funds from the Bank.  The Bank’s ability, in turn, to pay dividends to us is subject to restrictions set forth in the Financial Code.  The Financial Code provides that a bank may not make a cash distribution to its stockholders in excess of the lesser of (1) a bank’s retained earnings; or (2) a bank’s net income for its last three fiscal years, less the amount of any distributions made by the bank or by any majority-owned subsidiary of the bank to the stockholders of the bank during such period.  However, a bank may, with the approval of the DBO, make a distribution to its stockholders in an amount not exceeding the greatest of (a)

its retained earnings; (b) its net income for its last fiscal year; or (c) its net income for its current fiscal year.  In the event that banking regulators determine that the stockholders’ equity of a bank is inadequate or that the making of a distribution by the bank would be unsafe or unsound, the regulators may order the bank to refrain from making a proposed distribution.
Approval of the Federal Reserve is required for payment of any dividend by a state chartered bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve Board System, such as the Bank, if the total of all dividends declared by the bank in any calendar year would exceed the total of its retained net income for that year combined with its retained net income for the preceding two years.  In addition, a state member bank may not pay a dividend in an amount greater than its undivided profits without regulatory and stockholder approval.  The Bank is also prohibited under federal law from paying any dividend that would cause it to become undercapitalized.

ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES
Location Leased or Owned Original Year Leased or Acquired Date of Lease Expiration
Corporate Headquarters: 17901 Von Karman, Suites 200, 500 & 1200 Irvine, CA 92614 Leased 2012 2020
           
Branch Office: 102 E. 6th St., Suite 100 Corona, CA 92879 Leased 2003 2018
           
Branch Office: 781 Garden View Court St., Suite 100 Encinitas, CA 92024 Leased 2013 2017
           
Branch Office: 19011 Magnolia Street Huntington Beach, CA 92646 Owned (a) (b) 2005 2023
           
Branch Office: 4957 Katella Avenue, Suite B Los Alamitos, CA 90720 Leased 2005 2020
           
Branch Office: 40723 Murrieta Hot Springs Road Murrieta, CA 92562 Owned (a) 2016 2017
           
Branch Office: 4667 MacArthur Blvd. Newport Beach, CA 92660 Leased 2005 2016
           
Branch Office: 73-745 El Paseo Palm Desert, CA 92260 Leased 2012 2017
           
Branch Office: 78000 Fred Waring Drive Palm Desert, CA 92211 Leased 2016 2019
           
Branch Office: 901 East Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 Leased 2011 2018
           
Branch Office: 201 East State Street Redlands, CA 92373 Leased 2016 2019
           
Branch Office: 3403 Tenth St., Suite 100 and 830 Riverside, CA 92501 Leased 2016 2018
           
Branch Office: 1598 East Highland Avenue San Bernardino, CA 92404 Leased 1986 2020
           
Branch Office: 306 West Second Street Suite 100 San Bernardino, CA 92401 Leased 2016 2018
           
Branch Office: 2550 Fifth St., Ste 1010 San Diego, CA 92103 Leased 2013 2018
           
HOA Office: 12001 N. Central Expressway, Ste 1165 Dallas, TX 75243 Leased 2013 2017
           
HOA Office: 300 Winding Brook Dr., 2nd Flr. Glastonbury, CT 06033 Leased 2013 2018
           
Franchise Office: 123 Tice Blvd., #102 Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07675 Leased 2014 2019
           
(a) The building is owned, but the land is leased on a long-term basis.    
(b) During 2016 we leased to one tenant approximately 1,000 square feet of the 9,937 square feet of our Huntington Beach branch for $2,750 per month.

All of our existing facilities are considered to be adequate for our present and anticipated future use.  In the opinion of management, all properties are adequately covered by insurance.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Corporation was named as a defendant in a lawsuit brought in California state court (San Luis Obispo County) entitled, Garfield v. Heritage Oaks Bancorp, et al.  This lawsuit was brought by Robert Garfield, a

shareholder of HEOP, parent corporation of Heritage Oaks Bank.  Mr. Garfield is challenging the share price and other financial benefits to shareholders in the Corporation’s proposed acquisition of HEOP.  Mr. Garfield purports to bring this claim on behalf of a class of similarly-situated HEOP shareholders, although no class has yet been certified by the court.  The Corporation intends to file a demurrer seeking to dismiss the litigation.  Mr. Garfield does not articulate any damages in his complaint, but seeks the right to prevent the Corporation’s acquisition of HEOP (or in the alternative to rescind the Corporation’s acquisition of HEOP if it is consummated), as well as unspecified monetary damages, interest, and attorney’s fees and litigation costs.

The Corporation also was named as a defendant in a lawsuit brought in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California entitled Parshall v. Heritage Oaks Bancorp, et al.  In relevant part, Mr. Parshall alleges that the Corporation, as a “control person” of HEOP, should be liable for what Mr. Parshall claims to be inadequate disclosures in the joint proxy statement/prospectus HEOP sent to its shareholders in connection with soliciting approval of the Corporation’s acquisition of HEOP.   Mr. Parshall purports to bring this claim on behalf of a class of similarly-situated HEOP shareholders, although no class has yet been certified by the court.  The Corporation intends to file a motion to dismiss the litigation.  Mr. Parshall does not articulate any monetary damages in his complaint, but seeks the right to prevent the Corporation’s acquisition of HEOP (or in the alternative rescind it if it does proceed), an order for an amended joint proxy statement/prospectus, a declaratory judgment that the defendants, including the Corporation, violated federal securities laws, and unspecified attorney's fees and litigation costs.

In addition to the lawsuits described above, the Company is involved in legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business.  Management believes that neither the lawsuit described above nor any legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse impact on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company.
ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
None.
PART II
ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Price Range by Quarters
The common stock of the Corporation has been publicly traded since 1997 and is currently traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol PPBI.  
As of March 15, 2017, there were approximately 556 holders of record of our common stock.  The following table summarizes the range of the high and low closing sale prices per share of our common stock as quoted by the NASDAQ Global Select Market for the periods indicated.


  Sale Price of Common Stock
  High Low
2015    
First Quarter $16.90
 $14.86
Second Quarter 17.35
 15.54
Third Quarter 20.89
 16.76
Fourth Quarter 23.80
 20.21
2016  
  
First Quarter 21.66
 18.63
Second Quarter 25.07
 20.32
Third Quarter 27.39
 23.68
Fourth Quarter 35.85
 24.75
Stock Performance Graph.  The graph below compares the performance of our common stock with that of the NASDAQ Composite Index (U.S. companies) and the NASDAQ Bank Stocks Index from December 31, 2010 through December 31, 2016.  The graph is based on an investment of $100 in our common stock at its closing price on December 31, 2010.  The Corporation has not paid any dividends on its common stock.


Total Return to Stockholders
(Assumes $100 investment on 12/31/2011)
Total Return Analysis 12/31/2011 12/30/2012 12/31/2013 12/31/2014 12/31/2015 12/31/2016
Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. $100.00
 $161.51
 $248.26
 $273.34
 $335.17
 $557.57
NASDAQ Composite Index 100.00
 115.91
 160.32
 181.8
 192.21
 206.63
NASDAQ Bank Stocks Index 100.00
 115.79
 160.83
 165.4
 176.36
 238.13
Dividends
It is our policy to retain earnings, if any, to provide funds for use in our business.  We have never declared or paid dividends on our common stock.
Our ability to pay dividends on our common stock is dependent on the Bank’s ability to pay dividends to the Corporation.  Various statutory provisions restrict the amount of dividends that the Bank can pay without regulatory approval.  For information on the statutory and regulatory limitations on the ability of the Corporation to pay dividends to its stockholders and on the Bank to pay dividends to the Corporation, see “Item 1.  Business-Supervision and Regulation—Dividends” and “Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity.”



ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth certain of our financial and statistical information at or for each of the years presented.  This data should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016 and related Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
 For the Years Ended December 31,
 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
Operating Data(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Interest income$166,605
 $118,356
 $81,339
 $63,800
 $53,298
Interest expense13,530
 12,057
 7,704
 5,356
 7,149
Net interest income153,075
 106,299
 73,635
 58,444
 46,149
Provision for loan losses8,776
 6,425
 4,684
 1,860
 751
Net interest income after provision for loans losses144,299
 99,874
 68,951
 56,584
 45,398
Net gains from loan sales9,539
 7,970
 6,300
 3,228
 628
Other noninterest income10,045
 6,471
 7,077
 5,583
 11,593
Noninterest expense98,565
 73,591
 54,993
 50,815
 31,854
Income before income tax65,318
 40,724
 27,335
 14,580
 25,765
Income tax25,215
 15,209
 10,719
 5,587
 9,989
Net income$40,103
 $25,515
 $16,616
 $8,993
 $15,776
Share Data 
Net income per share: 
  
  
  
  
Basic$1.49
 $1.21
 $0.97
 $0.57
 $1.49
Diluted1.46
 1.19
 0.96
 0.54
 1.44
Weighted average common shares outstanding: 
  
  
  
  
Basic26,931,634
 21,156,668
 17,046,660
 15,798,885
 10,571,073
Diluted27,439,159
 21,488,698
 17,343,977
 16,609,954
 10,984,034
Book value per share (basic)$16.54
 $13.90
 $11.81
 $10.52
 $9.85
Book value per share (diluted)16.78
 13.78
 11.73
 10.44
 9.75
Selected Balance Sheet Data 
  
  
  
  
Total assets$4,036,311
 $2,789,599
 $2,037,731
 $1,714,187
 $1,173,792
Securities and FHLB stock426,832
 312,207
 218,705
 271,539
 95,313
Loans held for sale, net7,711
 8,565
 
 3,147
 3,681
Loans held for investment, net3,220,317
 2,236,998
 1,616,422
 1,231,923
 974,213
Allowance for loan losses21,296
 17,317
 12,200
 8,200
 7,994
Total deposits3,145,485
 2,195,123
 1,630,826
 1,306,286
 904,768
Total borrowings397,354
 265,388
 185,787
 214,401
 125,810
Total stockholders' equity459,740
 298,980
 199,592
 175,226
 134,517
Performance Ratios 
  
  
  
  
Return on average assets1.11% 0.97% 0.91% 0.62% 1.52%
Return on average equity9.37
 9.31
 8.76
 5.61
 16.34
Average equity to average assets11.89
 10.45
 10.38
 11.13
 9.32
Equity to total assets at end of period11.39
 10.72
 9.79
 10.22
 11.46
Average interest rate spread4.22
 4.01
 4.01
 3.99
 4.40
Net interest margin4.48
 4.25
 4.21
 4.18
 4.62
Efficiency ratio (1)53.6
 55.9
 61.3
 64.7
 58.9
Average interest-earnings assets to average interest-bearing deposits and borrowings166.42
 149.17
 145.45
 147.58
 121.00
Pacific Premier Bank Capital Ratios 
  
  
  
  
Tier 1 leverage ratio10.94% 11.41% 11.29% 10.03% 12.07%
Common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio11.70
 12.35
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
Tier 1 capital to total risk-weighted assets11.70
 12.35
 12.72
 12.34
 12.99
Total capital to total risk-weighted assets12.34
 13.07
 13.45
 12.97
 13.79
Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. Capital Ratios 
  
  
  
  
Tier 1 leverage ratio9.78% 9.52% 9.18% 10.29% 12.71%
Common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio10.17
 9.91
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
Tier 1 capital to total risk-weighted assets10.45
 10.28
 10.30
 12.54
 13.61
Total capital to total risk-weighted assets12.77
 13.43
 14.46
 13.17
 14.43
Asset Quality Ratios 
  
  
  
  
Nonperforming loans, net, to gross loans0.04% 0.18% 0.09% 0.18% 0.22%
Nonperforming assets, net as a percent of total assets0.04
 0.18
 0.12
 0.20
 0.38
Net charge-offs to average total loans, net0.17
 0.06
 0.05
 0.16
 0.16
Allowance for loan losses to gross loans at period end0.66
 0.77
 0.75
 0.66
 0.81
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of nonperforming loans, gross at period end1,866
 436
 845
 364
 362
 (1) Represents the ratio of noninterest expense less other real estate owned operations, core deposit intangible amortization and non-recurring merger related and litigation expenses to the sum of net interest income before provision for loan losses and total noninterest income less gains/(loss) on sale of securities, other-than-temporary impairment recovery (loss) on investment securities, and gain on acquisitions.

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is intended to provide a better understanding of the significant changes in trends relating to the Company's financial condition, results of operation, liquidity and capital resources. This section should be read in conjunction with the disclosures regarding "Forward-Looking Statements" set forth in "Item I. Business-Forward Looking Statements", as well as the borrower’s liquidity,discussion set forth in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," including the notes to consolidated financial statements.

Summary
Our principal business is attracting deposits from small and middle market businesses and consumers and investing those deposits together with funds generated from operations and borrowings, primarily in commercial business loans and various types of commercial real estate loans.  The Company expects to fund substantially all of the loans that it originates or purchases through deposits, FHLB advances and other borrowings and internally generated funds.  Deposit flows and cost of funds are influenced by prevailing market rates of interest primarily on competing investments, account maturities and the levels of savings in the Company’s market area.  The Company generates the majority of its revenues from interest income credit history, net worth,on loans that it originates and purchases, income from investment in securities and service charges on customer accounts.  The Company’s revenues are partially offset by interest expense paid on deposits and borrowings, the provision for loan losses and noninterest expenses, such as operating experience.  We generally do not offer loans on a limited- or no-documentation basis unless fully securedexpenses.  The Company’s operating expenses primarily consist of employee compensation and benefit expenses, premises and occupancy expenses, data processing and communication expenses and other general expenses.The Company's results of operations are also affected by cash collateral.prevailing economic conditions, competition, government policies and other actions of regulatory agencies.
 
BusinessMerger Agreement

On December 13, 2016, the Corporation announced that, on December 12, 2016, it had entered into an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization to acquire HEOP and its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Heritage Oaks Bank, a California-chartered commercial bank. At December 31, 2016, HEOP had $2.0 billion in total assets, $1.4 billion in loans and $1.7 billion in total deposits. Heritage Oaks Bank has 12 branches located in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties, California and a loan production office in Ventura County, California.
Upon consummation of the acquisition, holders of HEOP common stock will have the right to receive 0.3471 shares of the Corporation's common stock for each share of HEOP common stock they own. Based on a

$33.65 closing price of the Corporation's common stock on December 12, 2016, the aggregate merger consideration payable to HEOP's shareholders is approximately $402 million.

The acquisition is expected to close late in the first quarter of 2017, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and approval of HEOP’s and the Corporation’s shareholders.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
We have established various accounting policies that govern the application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements in Item 8 hereof.  The Company’s significant accounting policies are generally originated as recoursedescribed in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  Certain accounting policies require management to make estimates and assumptions that have a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities; management considers these to be critical accounting policies.  The estimates and assumptions management uses are based on historical experience and other factors, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Actual results could differ significantly from these estimates and assumptions, which could have a material impact on the carrying value of assets and liabilities at consolidated statements of financial condition dates and the Company’s results of operations for future reporting periods.
Allowance for Loan Losses
We consider the determination of ALLL to be among our critical accounting policies that require judicious estimates and assumptions in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements that is particularly susceptible to significant change.  The Company maintains an ALLL at a level deemed appropriate by management to provide for known or with full guarantees from key borrowers or borrower principals.  Loans secured byinherent risks in the portfolio at the consolidated statements of financial condition date.  The Company has implemented and adheres to an internal asset review system and loss allowance methodology designed to provide for the detection of problem assets and an adequate allowance to cover loan losses.  Management’s determination of the adequacy of ALLL is based on an evaluation of the composition of the portfolio, actual loss experience, industry charge-off experience on income property loans, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors in the areas in which the Company’s lending and real estate activities are likewise generally originatedbased.  These factors may affect the borrowers’ ability to pay and the value of the underlying collateral.  The allowance is calculated by applying loss factors to loans held for investment according to loan program type and loan classification.  The loss factors are evaluated on a full recoursequarterly basis and established based primarily upon the Bank’s historical loss experience and, to a lesser extent, the industry charge-off experience.  Various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s ALLL.  Such agencies may require the Bank to recognize additions to the allowance based on judgments different from those of management.  In the opinion of management, and in accordance with the credit loss allowance methodology, the present allowance is considered adequate to absorb estimable and probable credit losses.  Additions and reductions to the allowance are reflected in current operations.  Charge-offs to the allowance are made when specific assets are considered uncollectible or are transferred to OREO and the fair value of the property is less than the loan’s recorded investment.  Recoveries are credited to the allowance.

Although management uses the best information available to make these estimates, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary due to economic, operating, regulatory and other conditions that may be beyond the Company’s control. For further information on the ALLL, see Notes 1 and 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 hereof.

Business Combinations 

We account for acquisitions under the acquisition method.  All identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value.  Any excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets and other identifiable intangible assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Identifiable intangible assets include core deposit intangibles, which have a definite life. Core deposit intangibles ("CDI") are subsequently amortized over the

estimated life up to 10 years and are tested for impairment annually. Goodwill generated from business combinations is deemed to have an indefinite life and is not subject to amortization, and instead is tested for impairment at least annually.

As part of the estimation of fair value, we review each loan or loan pool acquired to determine whether there is evidence of deterioration in credit quality since inception and if it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due under the contractual loan agreements.  We consider expected prepayments and estimated cash flows including principal and interest payments at the date of acquisition.  If a loan is determined to be a purchased credit impaired ("PCI") loan, the amount in excess of the estimated future cash flows is not accreted into earnings.  The amount in excess of the estimated future cash flows over the book value of the loan is accreted into interest income over the remaining life of the loan (accretable yield).  The Company records these loans on the acquisition date at their net realizable value.  Thus, an allowance for estimated future losses is not established on the acquisition date.   Losses or a reduction in cash flow which arise subsequent to the date of acquisition are reflected as a charge through the provision for loan losses.  An increase in the expected cash flows adjusts the level of the accretable yield recognized on a prospective basis over the remaining life of the loan.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns using the asset liability method.  In estimating future tax consequences, all expected future events other than enactments of changes in the tax laws or rates are considered.  The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.  Deferred tax assets are to be recognized for temporary differences that will result in deductible amounts in future years and for tax carryforwards if, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. See also Note 14 of the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 hereof this Form 10-K.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

We use fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain financial instruments and to determine fair value disclosures. Investment securities available-for-sale are financial instruments recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. On loans madeAdditionally, from time to entities,time, we may be required to record at fair value other financial assets on a non-recurring basis, such as partnerships,impaired loans and OREO. These non-recurring fair value adjustments typically involve application of lower-of-cost-or-market accounting or write-downs of individual assets. Further, we include in Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements information about the extent to which fair value is used to measure assets and liabilities, the valuation methodologies used and its impact to earnings. Additionally, for financial instruments not recorded at fair value we disclose the estimate of their fair value.

Operating Results
Overview.  The comparability of financial information is affected by our acquisitions.  On January 31, 2016 and January 26, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of Security Bank (“SCAF") and Independence Bank (“IDPK”), respectively.

Non-GAAP Measurements
The Company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures to provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company’s operational performance and to enhance investors’ overall understanding of such financial performance. The non-GAAP measures used in this Form 10-K include the following:
Tangible common equity: Total stockholders' equity is reduced by the amount of intangible assets.

Tangible common equity amounts and ratios, tangible assets, and tangible book value per share: Given that the use of these measures is prevalent among banking regulators, investors and analysts, we disclose them in addition to equity-to-assets ratio, total assets, and book value per share, respectively.
  For the Years ended December 31,
  2016 2015 2014
Total stockholders' equity $459,740
 $298,980
 $199,592
Less: Intangible assets (111,941) (58,002) (28,564)
    Tangible common equity $347,799
 $240,978
 $171,028
       
Total assets $4,036,311
 $2,789,599
 $2,037,731
Less: Intangible assets (111,941) (58,002) (28,564)
    Tangible assets $3,924,370
 $2,731,597
 $2,009,167
       
Common Equity ratio 11.39 % 10.72 % 9.79 %
Less: Intangible equity ratio (2.53) (1.90) (1.28)
    Tangible common equity ratio 8.86 % 8.82 % 8.51 %
       
Basic shares outstanding 27,798,283
 21,570,746
 16,903,884
       
Book value per share $16.54
 $13.86
 $11.81
Less: Intangible book value per share (4.03) (2.69) (1.69)
    Tangible book value per share $12.51
 $11.17
 $10.12
Net Interest Income.  Our primary source of revenue is net interest income, which is the difference between the interest earned on loans, investment securities, and interest earning balances with financial institutions (“interest-earning assets”) and the interest paid on deposits and borrowings (“interest-bearing liabilities”).  Net interest margin is net interest income expressed as a percentage of average interest earning assets. Net interest income is affected by changes in both interest rates and the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.
For 2016, net interest income totaled $153 million, an increase of $46.8 million or 44.0% over 2015.  The increase reflected an increase in average interest-earning assets of $912 million and an increase in the average yield of 15 bps, resulting in an increase in the net interest margin of 23 bps to 4.48%. The 23 bps expansion in net interest margin was a result of the increase in the yield on earning assets coupled with a 6 bps decrease in the cost of interest bearing liabilities, as well as the $440 million increase in non-interest bearing deposits. The increase in interest-earning assets was primarily related to organic loan growth, the acquisition of SCAF in early 2016, and the purchase of $265 million of multifamily loans in 2016.  
For 2015, net interest income totaled $106 million, an increase of $32.7 million or 44.4% over 2014.  The increase reflected an increase in average interest-earning assets of $752 million and an increase in the
average yield of 8 bps, partially offset by an increase in interest-bearing liabilities of $474 million and 8 bps increase in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities. The net interest margin expanded by 4 bps as a result of
the yield on earning assets increasing by more than the increase in the cost of interest bearing liabilities, as well as
the $231 million increase in non-interest bearing deposits. The increase in interest-earning assets was primarily
related to our organic loan growth and our acquisition of Independence Bank in early 2015. The increase in
interest-bearing liabilities was also due primarily to our acquisition of Independence Bank, as well as the impact of having $60 million of subordinated debt issued in August of 2014 at a fixed rate of 5.75% outstanding for a full
year.

The following table presents for the periods indicated the average dollar amounts from selected balance sheet categories calculated from daily average balances and the total dollar amount, including adjustments to yields and costs, of:
Interest income earned from average interest-earning assets and the resultant yields; and
Interest expense incurred from average interest-bearing liabilities and resultant costs, expressed as rates.

The table also sets forth our net interest income, net interest rate spread and net interest rate margin for the periods indicated.  The net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities.  The net interest rate margin reflects the ratio of net interest income as a percentage of interest-earning assets for the year.
 For the Years Ended December 31,
 2016 2015 2014
 
Average
Balance
 Interest 
Average
Yield/Cost
 
Average
Balance
 Interest 
Average
Yield/Cost
 
Average
Balance
 Interest 
Average
Yield/Cost
 (dollars in thousands)
Assets                 
Interest-earning assets:                 
Cash and cash equivalents$180,185
 $762
 0.42% $141,454
 $310
 0.22% $81,290
 $141
 0.17%
Investment securities334,283
 7,908
 2.37
 299,767
 6,949
 2.32
 244,854
 5,447
 2.22
Loans receivable, net (1)2,900,379
 157,935
 5.45
 2,061,788
 111,097
 5.39
 1,424,727
 75,751
 5.32
Total interest-earning assets3,414,847
 166,605
 4.88% 2,503,009
 118,356
 4.73% 1,750,871
 81,339
 4.65%
Noninterest-earning assets184,354
  
  
 118,536
  
  
 76,680
  
  
Total assets$3,599,201
  
  
 $2,621,545
  
  
 $1,827,551
  
  
Liabilities and Equity 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Interest-bearing deposits: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Interest checking$176,508
 $200
 0.11% $141,962
 $165
 0.12% $134,056
 $161
 0.12%
Money market1,003,861
 3,641
 0.36
 696,747
 2,426
 0.35
 469,123
 1,443
 0.31
Savings98,224
 151
 0.15
 88,247
 141
 0.16
 75,068
 110
 0.15
Retail certificates of deposit416,232
 3,084
 0.74
 390,797
 3,209
 0.82
 353,532
 3,171
 0.90
Wholesale/brokered certificates of deposit180,209
 1,315
 0.73
 102,950
 689
 0.67
 23,801
 152
 0.64
Total interest-bearing deposits1,875,034
 8,391
 0.45% 1,420,703
 6,630
 0.47% 1,055,580
 5,037
 0.48%
FHLB advances and other borrowings107,546
 1,295
 1.20
 188,032
 1,490
 0.79
 117,694
 1,124
 0.96
Subordinated debentures69,347
 3,844
 5.54
 69,199
 3,937
 5.69
 30,474
 1,543
 5.06
Total borrowings176,893
 5,139
 2.91% 257,231
 5,427
 2.11% 148,168
 2,667
 1.80%
Total interest-bearing liabilities2,051,927
 13,530
 0.66% 1,677,934
 12,057
 0.72% 1,203,748
 7,704
 0.64%
Noninterest-bearing deposits1,086,791
  
  
 646,931
  
  
 415,983
  
  
Other liabilities32,530
  
  
 22,678
  
  
 18,161
  
  
Total liabilities3,171,248
  
  
 2,347,543
  
  
 1,637,892
  
  
Stockholders' equity427,953
  
  
 274,002
  
  
 189,659
  
  
Total liabilities and equity$3,599,201
  
  
 $2,621,545
  
  
 $1,827,551
  
  
Net interest income 
 $153,075
  
  
 $106,299
  
  
 $73,635
  
Net interest rate spread 
  
 4.22%  
  
 4.01%  
  
 4.01%
Net interest margin 
  
 4.48%  
  
 4.25%  
  
 4.21%
Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities  
 166.42%  
  
 149.17%  
  
 145.45%
                  
(1) Average balance includes loans held for sale and nonperforming loans and is net of deferred loan origination fees, unamortized discounts and premiums.


Changes in our net interest income are a function of changes in both volumes and rates of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.  The following table presents the impact the volume and rate changes have had on our net interest income for the years indicated.  For each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, we have provided information on changes to our net interest income with respect to:
Changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by the prior period rate);
Changes in interest rates (changes in interest rates multiplied by the prior period volume); and
The change or the combined impact of volume and rate changes allocated proportionately to changes in volume and changes in interest rates.

 Year Ended December 31, 2016
compared to
Year Ended December 31, 2015
Increase (decrease) due to
 Year Ended December 31, 2015
compared to
Year Ended December 31, 2014
Increase (decrease) due to
 Volume Days Rate Net Volume Rate Net
 (dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets             
Cash and cash equivalents$105
 $2
 $345
 $452
 $120
 $49
 $169
Investment securities808
 
 151
 959
 1,206
 296
 1,502
Loans receivable, net45,168
 432
 1,238
 46,838
 34,213
 1,133
 35,346
Total interest-earning assets46,081
 434
 1,734
 48,249
 35,539
 1,478
 37,017
Interest-bearing liabilities 
    
  
  
  
  
Transaction accounts1,196
 11
 53
 1,260
 803
 215
 1,018
Time deposits753
 12
 (264) 501
 943
 (368) 575
FHLB advances and other borrowings(787) 4
 588
 (195) 566
 (200) 366
Subordinated debentures4
 
 (97) (93) 2,091
 303
 2,394
Total interest-bearing liabilities1,166
 27
 280
 1,473
 4,403
 (50) 4,353
Changes in net interest income$44,915
 $407
 $1,454
 $46,776
 $31,136
 $1,528
 $32,664

Provision for Loan Losses.  For 2016, we recorded an $8.8 million provision for loan losses compared to the $6.4 million recorded in 2015.  The $2.4 million increase in the provision for loan losses was primarily attributable to the growth in our loan portfolio during the year and, to a lesser extent, the change in our loan composition and net charge-offs.  Net loan charge-offs for 2016 amounted to $4.8 million, an increase from $1.3 million in 2015.
For 2015, we recorded a $6.4 million provision for loan losses compared to the $4.7 million recorded in 2014.  The $1.7 million increase in the provision for loan losses was primarily attributable to the growth in our loan portfolio during the year and, to a lesser extent, the change in our loan composition. Net loan charge-offs for 2015 amounted to $1.3 million, which increased from $684,000 in 2014.
Noninterest Income.  For 2016, non-interest income totaled $19.6 million, an increase of $5.1 million or 35.6% from 2015.  The increase was primarily related to an increase of $1.6 million on gain on sale of loans from $8.0 million in 2015 to $9.5 million in 2016.  During 2016, we sold $110 million of SBA loans at an overall premium of 8.3% and $2.6 million in commercial and industrial loans at an overall premium of 17.4%, compared to 2015 in which we sold $79.3 million of SBA loans at an overall premium of 9% and $69.1 million in commercial real estate and multifamily loans at an overall premium of 1%. Gain on sale of investments increased $1.5 million as the Bank sold a limited liability companies, corporationsnumber of securities being sold during 2015. Deposit related fees and loan servicing fees grew by a combined $1.5 million in 2015, as growth in core transaction deposit accounts from both organic growth and the acquisition of SCAF contributed to the increase in deposit fees from $2.5 million in 2015 to $3.4 million in 2016 and loan servicing fees from $371,000 in 2015 to $1.0 million in 2016. Finally, other income increased

$735,000 as the Bank saw higher recoveries of $1.7 million from pre-acquisition charge-offs, partially offset by a $641,000 decrease in other loans fees and asset write-offs of $366,000.

For 2015, non-interest income totaled $14.4 million, an increase of $1.1 million or trusts,8.0% from 2014. The increase was primarily related to an increase of $1.7 million on gain on sale of loans from $6.3 million in 2014 to $8.0 million. During 2015, we typically obtain personal guaranteessold $79.3 million of SBA loans at an overall premium of 9% and $69.1 million in commercial real estate and multifamily loans at an overall premium of 1%, compared to 2014 in which we sold $54.1 million in SBA loans at an overall premium of 10% and $37.5 million in commercial real estate and multifamily loans at an overall premium of 2.5%. The increase from gain-on-sale of loans was offset by a $1.3 million decline in gain on sale of investments, as the Bank sold a limited number of securities during 2015. Finally, deposit related fees grew by $723,000 or 40.0% in 2015, as growth in core transaction deposit accounts from both the acquisition of IDPK and organic growth contributed to the increase in deposit fees from $1.8 million in 2014 to $2.5 million in 2015.
  For the Years ended December 31,
  2016 2015 2014
NONINTEREST INCOME (dollars in thousands)
Loan servicing fees $1,032
 $371
 $307
Deposit fees 3,408
 2,532
 1,809
Net gain from sales of loans 9,539
 7,970
 6,300
Net gain from sales of investment securities 1,797
 290
 1,547
Other-than-temporary-impairment loss on investment securities (205) 
 (29)
Other income 4,013
 3,278
 3,443
Total noninterest income $19,584
 $14,441
 $13,377

Noninterest Expense.  For 2016, noninterest expense totaled $98.6 million, an increase of $25.0 million or 33.9% from 2015. The increase in noninterest expense was primarily due to higher compensation and benefits of $15.7 million, primarily related to an increase in staff from our acquisition of SCAF and internal growth in staff to support our growth. Occupancy expense grew by $2.0 million in 2016, mostly due to the acquisition of SCAF and the additional branches retained from the appropriate managing members, major stockholders, trusteesmerger. Marketing expense grew by approximately $1.7 million in 2016, as the Company increased its investment in sponsorships and other marketing areas to support its continued efforts to organically grow its customer base. The remaining expense categories grew by $5.5 million or other appropriate principals.21% in 2016, due to both a combination of expense growth related to the acquisition of SCAF and increased expenses to support the Company's organic growth in loans and deposits. The most significant increase in expense from these remaining categories is a $1.4 million increase in data processing and a $1.3 million increase in deposit related expenses, which include expenses such as lock box services, to support our continued growth in core transaction deposits. Merger-related expenses in 2016 reflect costs from both the SCAF merger in January 2016 as well as the pending acquisition of HEOP in the fourth quarter of 2016.

For 2015, noninterest expense totaled $73.6 million, an increase of $18.6 million or 33.8% from 2014. The increase in noninterest expense was primarily due to higher compensation and benefits of $9.4 million, primarily related to an increase in staff from our acquisition of IDPK and internal growth in staff to support our growth. In 2014, substantially all2015, the Company experienced an increase in merger related expenses of our loans$3.3 million, due to entities were originatedboth the acquisition of IDPK and the pending merger with full recourse and/or personal guaranteesSCAF.  Occupancy expense grew by $1.5 million in 2015, mostly due to the acquisition of IDPK and the additional branches retained from the principalsmerger. Marketing expense grew by approximately $1.1 million, as the Company increased its investment in sponsorships and other marketing areas to support its continued efforts to organically grow its customer base. The remaining expense categories grew by $2.8 million or 16.7% in 2015, due to both a combination of expense growth related to the acquisition of IDPK and increased expenses to support the Company's organic growth in loans and deposits. The most significant increase in expense from these remaining categories is a $679,000 increase in deposit related expenses, which include expenses such as lock box services, to support our continued growth in core transaction deposits.

Our efficiency ratio was 53.6% for 2016, compared to 55.9% for 2015 and 61.3% for 2014.  The improvement in the efficiency ratio in 2016 compared to 2015 was related to revenues growing faster than expenses, as the Company's growing asset size creates greater scale of efficiencies.
  For the Years ended December 31,
  2016 2015 2014
NONINTEREST EXPENSE (dollars in thousands)
Compensation and benefits $52,831
 $37,108
 $27,714
Premises and occupancy 9,838
 7,810
 6,335
Data processing and communications 4,261
 2,816
 2,570
Other real estate owned operations, net 367
 121
 75
FDIC insurance premiums 1,545
 1,376
 1,021
Legal, audit and professional expense 2,817
 2,514
 2,240
Marketing expense 3,981
 2,305
 1,208
Office and postage expense 2,107
 2,005
 1,576
Loan expense 2,191
 1,268
 848
Deposit expense 4,904
 3,643
 2,964
Merger-related expense 4,388
 4,799
 1,490
CDI amortization 2,039
 1,350
 1,014
Other expense 7,296
 6,476
 5,938
Total noninterest expense $98,565
 $73,591
 $54,993

Income Taxes.  The Company recorded income taxes of $25.2 million in 2016, compared with $15.2 million in 2015 and $10.7 million in 2014.  Our effective tax rate was 38.6% for 2016, 37.3% for 2015, and 39.2% for 2014.  The effective tax rate in each year is affected by various items, including tax exempt income from municipal securities, bank-owned life insurance ("BOLI"), tax credits from investments in low income housing tax credits ("LIHTC") and merger-related expenses. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof for further discussion of income taxes and an explanation of the borrowers.factors which impact our effective tax rate.
 
Prior to processing and underwriting any loan request, we issue a proposal or letter of interest based on a preliminary analysis by our bankers, which letter details the terms and conditions on which we will consider the loan request.  Upon receiptFinancial Condition
At December 31, 2016, total assets of the signed letterCompany were $4.0 billion, up $1.2 billion or 44.7% from total assets of interest, a completed$2.8 billion at December 31, 2015. The increase in assets since year-end 2015 was primarily related to the increase in loans held for investment of $987 million associated with organic loan applicationgrowth and a deposit, a credit reportthe acquisition of SCAF, which at closing added $715 million in assets including $456 million in loans, $190 million in investment securities and other required reports are ordered and, if necessary, additional information is requested.  Upon receipt of all requested information, we process and underwrite each loan application and prepare all the loan documentation after the loan has been approved.$51.7 million in goodwill.

Investment Activities
 
Our credit memorandums, which are preparedinvestment policy, as established by our underwriters, include a description of the transaction and prospective borrower and guarantors, the collateral securing the loan, if any, the proposed uses of loan proceeds and source(s) of repayment, as well as an analysis of the borrower’s business and personal financial statements and creditworthiness.  The financial statements and creditworthiness of any guarantors are also analyzed.  For loans secured by real property, the credit memorandum will include an analysis of the property.  Loans for which real estate is the primary collateral require an independent appraisal conducted by a licensed appraiser.  All appraisal reports are ordered and appropriately reviewed by our appraisal department.  Our board of directors reviews and approves annually the independent list of acceptable appraisers.  When appropriate, environmental reports are obtained and reviewed as well.
Following loan approval and prior to funding, our underwriting and processing departments ensure that all loan approval conditions have been satisfied, that loan terms conform with lending policies (or are properly documented as exceptions with required approvals), and that all the required documentation is present and in proper form.
Business loans are subject to our guidelines regarding appropriate covenants and periodic monitoring requirements which may include, but are not limited to:
·  Capital and lease expenditures;
·  Capital levels;
·  Salaries and other withdrawals;
·  Working capital levels;
·  Debt to net worth ratios;
·  Sale of assets;
·  Change of management;
·  Change of ownership;
·  Cash flow requirements;
·  Profitability requirements;
·  Debt service ratio;
·  Collateral coverage ratio; and
·  Current and quick ratios.
Subject to the above standards, our board of directors, delegates authorityattempts to provide and responsibilitymaintain liquidity, generate a favorable return on investments without incurring undue interest rate and credit risk and complement our lending activities.  Specifically, our investment policy generally limits our investments to managementU.S. government securities, federal agency-backed securities, government-sponsored guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMO"), municipal bonds, and corporate bonds. The Bank has designated all investment securities as available-for-sale outside of investments made for Community Development (CRA) purposes.


Below is a breakdown of the portfolio for the past three years by investment type and designation.

 At December 31,
 2016 2015 2014
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 % Portfolio 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 % Portfolio 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 % Portfolio
 (dollars in thousands)
Available-for-sale                 
Corporate$37,475
 $37,642
 9.7% $
 $
 % $
 $
 %
Municipal bonds120,155
 118,803
 30.5
 128,546
 130,245
 44.9
 88,599
 89,661
 44.5
Collateralized mortgage obligation: residential31,536
 31,388
 8.1
 24,722
 24,543
 8.5
 6,831
 6,862
 3.4
Mortgage-backed securities: residential196,496
 193,130
 49.5
 126,443
 125,485
 43.3
 105,328
 105,115
 52.1
Total available-for-sale$385,662
 $380,963
 97.8% $279,711
 $280,273
 96.7% $200,758
 $201,638
 100%
Held-to-maturity 
  
    
  
    
  
  
Mortgage-backed securities: residential$7,375
 $7,271
 1.9% $8,400
 $8,330
 2.9% $
 $
 %
Other1,190
 1,190
 0.3
 1,242
 1,242
 0.4
 
 
 
Total held-to-maturity$8,565
 $8,461
 2.2% $9,642
 $9,572
 3.3% $
 $
 %
Total securities$394,227
 $389,424
 100% $289,353
 $289,845
 100% $200,758
 $201,638
 100%


Our investment securities portfolio amounted to $390 million at December 31, 2016, as compared to $290 million at December 31, 2015, representing a 34.4% increase.  The increase in securities since year-end 2015 was primarily due to purchases of $190 million, partially offset by sales/calls of $222 million, of which $192 million was acquired from SCAF, and principal pay downs of $38.9 million. The Bank deployed the liquidity from the sale of the SCAF bond portfolio into the purchase of $181 million in multifamily loans in the first quarter of 2016. In general, the purchase of investment securities primarily related to investing excess liquidity from our banking operations, while the sales were made to help fund loan approvals.  Our Credit Committee includesproduction, which improved our interest-earning asset mix by deploying investment securities dollars into higher yielding loans.  


The following table sets forth the Chief Credit Officer, Chief Banking Officer, Chief Executive Officer, Senior Vice Presidentfair values and weighted average yields on our investment security portfolio by contractual maturity as of the date indicated:
  At December 31, 2016
  
One Year
or Less
 
More than One Year
to Five Years
 
More than Five Years
to Ten Years
 
More than
Ten Years
 Total
  
Fair
Value
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
Fair
Value
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
Fair
Value
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
Fair
Value
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
Fair
Value
  (dollars in thousands)
Available-for-sale                  
Corporate $
 % $
 % $37,642
 5.24% $
 % $37,642
Municipal bonds 1,236
 0.95
 28,361
 1.45
 42,715
 1.94
 46,491
 1.81
 118,803
Collateralized mortgage obligation: residential 
 
 
 
 1,395
 1.04
 29,993
 2.03
 31,388
Mortgage-backed securities: residential 
 
 1,160
 1.19
 22,627
 1.71
 169,343
 1.78
 193,130
Total available-for-sale $1,236
 0.95% $29,521
 1.44% $104,379
 3.07% $245,827
 1.82% $380,963
Held-to-maturity                  
Mortgage-backed securities: residential $
 % $
 % $
 % $7,271
 2.69% $7,271
Other 
 
 
 
 
 
 1,190
 0.93
 $1,190
Total held-to-maturity $
 % $
 % $
 % $8,461
 2.44% $8,461
Total securities $1,236
 0.95% $29,521
 1.44% $104,379
 3.07% $254,288
 1.84% $389,424
                   

 As of December 31, 2016, our investment securities portfolio consisted of $201 million in GSE MBS, $119 million in municipal bonds, $37.6 million in corporate bonds, $31.4 million in GSE CMO and $1.2 million in other securities.  At December 31, 2016, we had an estimated par value of $63.6 million of the GSE securities that were pledged as collateral for the Company’s $28.5 million of reverse repurchase agreements (“SVP”Repurchase Agreements”) Senior Credit Manager, SVP Portfolio Management,. The total end of period weighted average interest rate on investments at December 31, 2016 was 2.45%, compared to 2.10% at December 31, 2015, reflecting the increased investment in higher yielding corporate bonds.
The following table lists the percentage of our portfolio exposure to any one issuer as a percentage of capital. The only issuers with greater than ten percent exposure are GNMA, FNMA, and FHLMC. No single municipal issuer exceeds two percent of capital.


 At December 31,
 2016 2015
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 % Capital 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 % Capital
 (dollars in thousands)
Issuer           
GNMA$33,062
 $32,672
 7.1% $32,160
 $31,960
 10.7%
FNMA117,716
 115,968
 25.2
 71,935
 71,317
 23.9
FHLMC77,254
 75,878
 16.5
 47,070
 46,751
 15.6


All of our municipal bond securities in our portfolio have an underlying rating of investment grade with the majority insured by the largest bond insurance companies to bring each of our Vice President Credit Managers.  Depending uponthese securities to a Moody’s A+ rating or better.  The Company has only purchased general obligation bonds that are risk-weighted at 20% for regulatory capital purposes.  The Company reduces its exposure to any single adverse event by holding securities from geographically diversified municipalities.  We are continually monitoring the nature and size of each loan request, loans require between two and four approval signatures from membersquality of our Credit Committee.
Our Loan Portfolio
Management and Servicing.  Portfolio management and loan servicing activities are centralized at our corporate headquarters.  Our loan servicing operations are designed to provide prompt customer service and accurate and timely information for account follow-up, financial reporting and loss mitigation.  Following the funding of an approved loan, the data is entered into our core data processing system, which provides monthly billing statements, tracks payment performance, and effects agreed upon interest rate adjustments.  Loan servicing activities include (i) collecting and remitting loan payments, (ii) accounting for principal and interest and other collections and expenses, and (iii) holding and disbursing escrow or impounding funds for real estate taxes and insurance premiums.
Ourmunicipal bond portfolio management operations are designed to ensure that management and the board of directors has timely and comprehensive information regarding the performance of our loan portfolio.  This information provides an essential leading indicator of potential performance issues prior to loan payment delinquency.  For substantially all of the Company’s non-homogeneous loan portfolio, our portfolio managers collect financial information from borrowers and guarantors in order to conduct a detailed loan review in accordance with current financial conditions.  To our policies, generally annually or more often as appropriate, butknowledge, none of the municipalities in no case lesswhich we hold bonds are exhibiting financial problems that would require us to record an OTTI charge. 

The following is a listing of the breakdown by state for our municipal holdings, with all states with greater than biennially.  For larger credits,nine percent of the portfolio managers or other representativeslisted. Seventy-seven percent of the Company also visit properties and businesses on a periodic basis to perform inspections of our collateral and associated revenue-generating activities of borrowers.  In conjunction with the loan review process, all loans in the portfolioTexas issues are assigned a risk grade that, among other purposes, factors into the Company’s allowance for loan and lease loss calculations.insured by The Texas Permanent School Fund.

When payments are not received by their contractual due date, collection efforts are initiated by our loss mitigation personnel.  Accounts past-due by more than 10 days are assigned to our collector for comprehensive payment collection efforts.  Our portfolio managers conduct an evaluation of all loans 90 days or more past due or otherwise identified as impaired by obtaining an estimate of value on the underlying collateral and an analysis of such collateral.  The evaluation may result in our partial or complete charge off of the loan, but collection efforts still continue.  Portfolio managers also conduct discussions with borrowers in order to identify whether alternatives to foreclosure exist.  When foreclosure will maximize the Company’s recovery for a non-performing loan, the portfolio managers will carry out the foreclosure process, including any associated judicial legal actions.
 At December 31, 2016
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 % Municipal
 (dollars in thousands)
Issuer     
Texas$42,984
 $42,303
 35.6%
Minnesota11,068
 10,952
 9.2
California11,590
 11,502
 9.7
Other54,513
 54,046
 45.5
Total municipal securities$120,155
 $118,803
 100%
Loan Portfolio Composition.  At December 31, 2014, our net loans receivable
Loans

Loans held for investment, net totaled $1.6 billion.$3.22 billion at December 31, 2016, an increase of $983 million or 44.0% from December 31, 2015.  The increase in loans from December 31, 2015 includes loans acquired from SCAF of $456 million, as well as our organic loan originations. The increase in loans included increases in multi-family of $262 million, C&I loans of $253 million, commercial non-owner occupied of $165 million, commercial owner occupied of $160 million, and franchise loans of $130 million. The total end of period weighted average interest rate on loans as of December 31, 2016 was 4.81% and 4.91% as of December 31, 2015.

Loans held for sale totaled $7.7 million at December 31, 2016 Loans held for sale represent the guaranteed portion of SBA loans, which the Bank originates for sale. As of December 31, 2015, loans held for sale totaled $8.6 million.




The following table sets forth the composition of our loan portfolio in dollar amounts and as a percentage of the portfolio at the dates indicated:

 At December 31,
 2016 2015 2014
 Amount % of Total Weighted Average Interest Rate Amount % of Total Weighted Average Interest Rate Amount % of Total Weighted Average Interest Rate
 (dollars in thousands)
Business loans:       ��         
Commercial and industrial$563,169
 17.4% 4.8% $309,741
 13.7% 5.0% $228,979
 14.1% 4.8%
Franchise459,421
 14.1
 5.2
 328,925
 14.5
 5.5
 199,228
 12.2% 5.7%
Commercial owner occupied (1)454,918
 14.0
 4.8
 294,726
 13.0
 5.0
 210,995
 13.0
 5.1
SBA96,705
 3.0
 5.6
 62,256
 2.8
 5.5
 28,404
 1.7
 5.6
Warehouse facilities
 
 
 143,200
 6.3
 3.9
 113,798
 7.0
 4.2
Real estate loans: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial non-owner occupied586,975
 18.1
 4.6
 421,583
 18.7
 4.9
 359,213
 22.1
 5.0
Multi-family690,955
 21.3
 4.3
 429,003
 19.0
 4.6
 262,965
 16.1
 4.6
One-to-four family (2)100,451
 3.1
 4.6
 80,050
 3.5
 4.5
 122,795
 7.5
 4.4
Construction269,159
 8.3
 5.6
 169,748
 7.5
 5.4
 89,682
 5.5
 5.2
Land19,829
 0.6
 5.4
 18,340
 0.8
 5.2
 9,088
 0.6
 4.8
Other loans4,112
 0.1
 5.6
 5,111
 0.2
 5.2
 3,298
 0.2
 6.1
Total gross loans$3,245,694
 100.0% 4.8% $2,262,683
 100.0% 4.9% $1,628,445
 100.0% 4.9%
Less loans held for sale7,711
  
  
 8,565
  
  
 
  
  
Total gross loans held for investment$3,237,983
  
  
 $2,254,118
  
  
 $1,628,445
  
  
Plus: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Deferred loan origination costs and premiums, net

$3,630
  
  
 $197
  
  
 $177
  
  
Allowance for loan losses(21,296)  
  
 (17,317)  
  
 (12,200)  
  
Loans held for investment, net$3,220,317
  
  
 $2,236,998
  
  
 $1,616,422
  
  
  At December 31, 
  2014  2013  2012 
  Amount  % of Total  Weighted Average Interest Rate  Amount  % of Total  Weighted Average Interest Rate  Amount  % of Total  Weighted Average Interest Rate 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Business loans:                           
Commercial and industrial $428,207   26.3%  5.3% $187,035   15.0%  5.0% $115,354   11.7%  5.3%
Commercial owner occupied (1)  210,995   13.0%  5.1%  221,089   17.8%  5.3%  150,934   15.3%  6.1%
SBA  28,404   1.7%  5.6%  10,659   0.9%  5.9%  6,882   0.7%  6.0%
Warehouse facilities  113,798   7.0%  4.2%  87,517   7.0%  4.1%  195,761   19.9%  4.8%
Real estate loans:                                    
Commercial non-owner occupied  359,213   22.1%  5.0%  333,544   26.9%  5.3%  253,409   25.6%  5.7%
Multi-family  262,965   16.1%  4.6%  233,689   18.8%  4.8%  156,424   15.9%  5.8%
One-to-four family (2)  122,795   7.5%  4.4%  145,235   11.7%  4.4%  97,463   9.9%  4.7%
Construction  89,682   5.5%  5.2%  13,040   1.0%  5.2%  -   0.0%  0.0%
Land  9,088   0.6%  4.8%  7,605   0.6%  4.7%  8,774   0.9%  4.9%
Other loans  3,298   0.2%  6.1%  3,839   0.3%  5.8%  1,193   0.1%  6.2%
Total gross loans  1,628,445   100.0%  4.9%  1,243,252   100.0%  5.0%  986,194   100.0%  5.4%
Less loans held for sale  -           3,147           3,681         
Total gross loans held for investment  1,628,445           1,240,105           982,513         
Plus (less) for:                                    
Deferred loan origination costs (fees) and premiums (discounts), net  177           18           (306)        
Allowance for loan losses  (12,200)          (8,200)          (7,994)        
Loans held for investment, net $1,616,422          $1,231,923          $974,213         

  2011  2010 
  Amount  % of Total  Weighted Average Interest Rate  Amount  % of Total  Weighted Average Interest Rate 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Business loans:                  
Commercial and industrial $86,684   11.7%  5.8% $42,077   7.5%  6.3%
Commercial owner occupied (1)  152,299   20.6%  6.6%  113,025   20.0%  6.6%
SBA  4,727   0.7%  6.0%  4,088   0.7%  5.9%
Warehouse facilities  67,518   9.1%  5.4%  12,610   2.2%  6.1%
Real estate loans:                        
Commercial non-owner occupied  164,341   22.2%  6.6%  130,525   22.9%  6.7%
Multi-family  193,830   26.2%  6.0%  243,584   42.9%  6.2%
One-to-four family (2)  60,027   8.1%  5.1%  20,318   3.6%  5.4%
Land  6,438   0.9%  5.8%  -   0.0%  0.0%
Other loans  3,390   0.5%  7.6%  1,417   0.2%  4.5%
Total gross loans  739,254   100.0%  6.1%  567,644   100.0%  6.4%
Less loans held for sale  -           -         
Total gross loans held for investment  739,254           567,644         
Plus (less) for:                        
Deferred loan origination costs (fees) and premiums (discounts), net  (665)          (3,227)        
Allowance for loan losses  (8,522)          (8,879)        
Loans held for investment, net $730,067          $555,538         
                         
(1) Secured by real estate.                        
(2) Includes second trust deeds.                        
INDEX


Loan Portfolio Characteristics.  In general, the Company does not require regular updates of collateral valuations for loans that are not classified as potential problem or problem loans.  However, updated valuations are obtained for collateral securing non-homogeneous loans that are identified as problem loans at least every twenty-four months.  Updated collateral valuations may be required more frequently at the discretion of the Company’s management or for loans identified as impaired in accordance with the Company’s allowance for loan loss (“ALLL”) policy.  Market values may be substantiated by obtaining an appraisal or an appropriate evaluation.  At December 31, 2014, 75% of multi-family, 60% of non-owner occupied CRE loans and 35% of owner occupied CRE loans had current updated collateral valuations within the last 24 months.
The following table sets forth by loan category our average loan size, year to maturity, loan-to-value ratio (the proportion of the principal amount of the loan to the most current market value of the collateral property) and debt coverage ratio (the proportion of the property's annual net operating income to its annual debt service, which includes principal and interest payments) at the date indicated.
 2013 2012
 Amount % of Total Weighted Average Interest Rate Amount % of Total Weighted Average Interest Rate
 (dollars in thousands)
Business loans:           
Commercial and industrial$187,035
 15.0% 5.0% $115,354
 11.7% 5.3%
Commercial owner occupied (1)221,089
 17.8
 5.3
 150,934
 15.3
 6.1
SBA10,659
 0.9
 5.9
 6,882
 0.7
 6.0
Warehouse facilities87,517
 7.0
 4.1
 195,761
 19.9
 4.8
Real estate loans: 
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial non-owner occupied333,544
 26.9
 5.3
 253,409
 25.6
 5.7
Multi-family233,689
 18.8
 4.8
 156,424
 15.9
 5.8
One-to-four family (2)145,235
 11.7
 4.4
 97,463
 9.9
 4.7
Construction13,040
 1.0
 5.2
 
 
 
Land7,605
 0.6
 4.7
 8,774
 0.9
 4.9
Other loans3,839
 0.3
 5.8
 1,193
 0.1
 6.2
Total gross loans$1,243,252
 100.0% 5.0% $986,194
 100.0% 5.4%
Less loans held for sale3,147
  
  
 3,681
  
  
Total gross loans held for investment$1,240,105
  
  
 $982,513
  
  
Plus: 
  
  
  
  
  
Deferred loan origination costs and premiums, net

$18
  
  
 $(306)  
  
Allowance for loan losses(8,200)  
  
 (7,994)  
  
Loans held for investment, net$1,231,923
  
  
 $974,213
  
  
            
            
(1) Secured by real estate. 
  
  
  
  
  
(2) Includes second trust deeds.  
  
  
  
  

  At December 31, 2014 
  Average 
   Loan Size  Maturity (years)  
Loan-to-
Value Ratio
  
Debt
Coverage Ratio
 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Business loans:            
Commercial and industrial $456   7   N/A   N/A 
Commercial owner occupied  902   16   62%  N/A 
SBA  276   20   N/A   N/A 
Warehouse facilities  6,018   N/A   N/A   N/A 
Real estate loans:                
Commercial non-owner occupied  1,371   16   70%  1.72 
Multi-family  1,258   25   76%  1.39 
One-to-four family  345   25   59%  N/A 
Construction  1,135   1   N/A   N/A 
Land  505   5   69%  N/A 
Other loans  9   18   N/A   N/A 

Loan Maturity.  For our CRE and business loans, repayment typically depends on the successful operation of the businesses or the properties securing the loans.  Several months before a loan matures, our portfolio managers contact our borrowers to obtain personal and/or business financial and operations data and property information for review.  When deemed appropriate, business and property visits are made to assess the borrower’s revenue-generating activities and to perform inspections of our collateral.  This information is reviewed and evaluated for indications of potential issues prior to maturity.  If potential issues are discovered, our portfolio managers work on a strategy with the borrower well in advance of the loan maturing in order to maximize the benefit to the Company.  At December 31, 2014, we had $194.3 million, or 11.9% of total gross loans held for investment that were due to mature in one year or less, primarily in our C&I loan category of $96.0 million and Construction category of $64.2 million.
The following table shows the contractual maturity of the Company's loans without consideration to prepayment assumptions at the date indicated:
 At December 31, 2016
 
Commercial
and
 Industrial
 Franchise 
Commercial
Owner
 Occupied
 SBA 
Commercial
Non-owner
 Occupied
 
Multi-
Family
 
One-to-Four
Family
 Construction Land 
Other
Loans
 Total
 (dollars in thousands)
Amounts due                     
One year or less$297,235
 $15,242
 $12,444
 $128
 $21,209
 $6,580
 $14,639
 $225,415
 $11,923
 $1,385
 $606,200
More than one year to three years47,048
 15,028
 17,444
 216
 29,296
 19,309
 6,474
 37,999
 2,615
 222
 175,651
More than three years to five years58,070
 37,178
 22,069
 1,075
 37,231
 1,452
 1,573
 
 651
 361
 159,660
More than five years to 10 years113,207
 296,620
 182,099
 12,222
 329,732
 53,234
 11,782
 1,244
 1,909
 288
 1,002,337
More than 10 years to 20 years36,909
 89,433
 64,760
 3,309
 56,587
 31,551
 16,962
 4,501
 2,731
 939
 307,682
More than 20 years10,700
 5,920
 156,102
 79,755
 112,920
 578,829
 49,021
 
 
 917
 994,164
Total gross loans$563,169
 $459,421
 $454,918
 $96,705
 $586,975
 $690,955
 $100,451
 $269,159
 $19,829
 $4,112
 $3,245,694
   

  At December 31, 2014 
  
Commercial
and
 Industrial
  
Commercial
Owner
 Occupied
  SBA  Warehouse Facilities  
Commercial
Non-owner
 Occupied
  
Multi-
Family
  
One-to-Four
Family
  Construction  Land  
Other
Loans
  Total 
  (in thousands) 
Amounts due                                 
One year or less $96,047  $5,934  $2,062  $-  $19,192  $2,731  $868  $64,180  $2,850  $472  $194,336 
More than one year to three years  25,466   16,775   937   -   26,986   3,782   4,415   25,502   2,515   489   106,867 
More than three years to five years  56,205   8,691   57   -   6,958   4,831   1,555   -   862   42   79,201 
More than five years to 10 years  183,809   51,406   3,290   113,798   104,155   5,566   1,285   -   1,717   251   465,277 
More than 10 years to 20 years  45,869   26,082   426   -   28,585   16,777   12,775   -   472   1,076   132,062 
More than 20 years  20,811   102,107   21,632   -   173,337   229,278   101,897   -   672   968   650,702 
Total gross loans  428,207   210,995   28,404   113,798   359,213   262,965   122,795   89,682   9,088   3,298   1,628,445 
Plus (less) for                                            
Deferred loan origination costs  46   23   3   12   39   29   13   10   1   1   177 
Allowance for loan losses  (4,200)  (1,757)  (568)  (546)  (2,007)  (1,060)  (842)  (1,088)  (108)  (24)  (12,200)
Total loans, net  424,053   209,261   27,839   113,264   357,245   261,934   121,966   88,604   8,981   3,275   1,616,422 
Loans held for sale, net  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Loans held for investment, net $424,053  $209,261  $27,839  $113,264  $357,245  $261,934  $121,966  $88,604  $8,981  $3,275  $1,616,422 
INDEX

The following table sets forth at December 31, 20142016 the dollar amount of gross loans receivable contractually due after December 31, 20152017 and whether such loans have fixed interest rates or adjustable interest rates.

  At December 31, 2014 
  Loans Due After December 31, 2015 
  Fixed  Adjustable  Total 
  (in thousands) 
Business loans:         
Commercial and industrial $123,723  $208,437  $332,160 
Commercial owner occupied  47,292   157,769   205,061 
SBA  426   25,916   26,342 
Warehouse facilities  -   113,798   113,798 
Real estate loans:            
Commercial non-owner occupied  21,916   318,105   340,021 
Multi-family  3,213   257,021   260,234 
One-to-four family  73,448   48,479   121,927 
Construction  -   25,502   25,502 
Land  219   6,019   6,238 
Other loans  2,446   380   2,826 
Total gross loans $272,683  $1,161,426  $1,434,109 

The following table sets forth the Company’s loan originations, purchases, sales, and principal repayments for the periods indicated:
 At December 31, 2016
Loans Due After December 31, 2017
 Fixed Adjustable Total
 (dollars in thousands)
Business loans:     
Commercial and industrial$122,474
 $143,460
 $265,934
Franchise79,172
 365,007
 444,179
Commercial owner occupied130,126
 312,348
 442,474
SBA2,174
 94,403
 96,577
Warehouse facilities
 
 
Real estate loans:     
Commercial non-owner occupied58,507
 507,259
 565,766
Multi-family7,682
 676,693
 684,375
One-to-four family31,622
 54,190
 85,812
Construction100
 43,644
 43,744
Land1,863
 6,043
 7,906
Other loans2,350
 377
 2,727
Total gross loans$436,070
 $2,203,424
 $2,639,494

  For the Year Ended December 31, 
  2014  2013  2012  2011  2010 
  (in thousands) 
                
Beginning balance of gross loans $1,243,252  $986,194  $739,254  $567,644  $576,268 
Loans originated:                    
Business loans:                    
Commercial and industrial  274,446   96,484   42,152   33,209   28,030 
Commercial owner occupied (1)  26,065   47,719   27,549   1,838   600 
SBA  69,589   21,526   8,639   4,309   2,322 
Warehouse facilities  7,150   89,810   193,668   62,750   35,500 
Real estate loans:                    
Commercial non-owner occupied  88,716   135,767   55,347   18,140   - 
Multi-family  32,612   71,537   24,822   4,318   - 
One-to-four family (2)  4,499   2,825   20,197   6,085   - 
Construction  144,925   36,264   -   -   - 
Land  -   2,215   -   -   - 
Other loans  242   694   1,772   65   5,183 
Total loans originated  648,244   504,841   374,146   130,714   71,635 
Loans purchased:                    
Commercial and industrial  69,543   34,950   5,033   28,536   745 
Commercial owner occupied  18,651   46,641   11,786   67,359   26,380 
Commercial non-owner occupied  20,791   16,763   62,601   39,963   2,579 
Multi-family  42,903   43,558   3,690   3,075   - 
One-to-four family  -   82,842   38,588   28,987   - 
Construction  -   1,399   198   5,592   - 
Land  -   2,770   5,395   9,414   - 
Other loans  -   718   2,256   21,995   9,884 
Total loans purchased  151,888   229,641   129,547   204,921   39,588 
Total loan production  800,132   734,482   503,693   335,635   111,223 
Total  2,043,384   1,720,676   1,242,947   903,279   687,491 
Plus (less) for:                    
Principal repayments  (259,297)  (180,864)  (184,580)  (100,671)  (61,983)
Change in mark-to-market discounts from acquisitions  2,020   3,867   8,513   3,233   - 
Change in undisbursed loan funds, net  (64,655)  (260,683)  (47,803)  (15,377)  (21,984)
Sales of loans  (91,579)  (36,717)  (28,217)  (42,201)  (29,977)
Charge-offs  (783)  (2,031)  (1,515)  (4,014)  (2,339)
Transfer to other real estate owned  (645)  (996)  (3,151)  (4,995)  (3,564)
Total gross loans  1,628,445   1,243,252   986,194   739,254   567,644 
Less ending balance loans held for sale, gross  -   3,147   3,681   -   - 
Ending balance loans held for investment, gross $1,628,445  $1,240,105  $982,513  $739,254  $567,644 
                     
(1) Gross loans includes loans held for investment and loans held for sale.             
(2) Includes second trust deeds.                    
Delinquent Loans.  When a borrower fails to make required payments on a loan and does not cure the delinquency within 30 days, we normally initiate formal collection activities including, for loans secured by real estate, recording a notice of default and, after providing the required notices to the borrower, commencing foreclosure proceedings.  If the loan is not reinstated within the time permitted by law, we may sell the property at a foreclosure sale.  At these foreclosure sales, we generally acquire title to the property.  At December 31, 2014,2016, loans delinquent 60 or more days as a percentage of total gross loans held for investment was less than one2 basis point,points, down from 0.09%11 basis points at year-end 2013.2015.

The following table sets forth delinquencies in the Company's loan portfolio at the dates indicated:
 30 - 59 Days 60 - 89 Days 90 Days or More (1) Total
 
# of
Loans
 
Principal
Balance
of Loans
 
# of
Loans
 
Principal
Balance
of Loans
 
# of
Loans
 
Principal
Balance
of Loans
 
# of
Loans
 
Principal
Balance
of Loans
 (dollars in thousands)    
At December 31, 2016              
Business loans:               
Commercial and industrial2
 $104
 
 $
 2
 $260
 4
 $364
SBA
 
 
 
 3
 316
 3
 316
Real estate loans: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
One-to-four family1
 18
 1
 71
 3
 48
 5
 137
Land
 
 
 
 1
 15
 1
 15
Total3
 $122
 1
 $71
 9
 $639
 13
 $832
Delinquent loans to total loans held for investment  %  
 %  
 0.02%  
 0.03%
               
               

At December 31, 2015  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Business loans:               
Commercial and industrial2
 $20
 
 $
 1
 $257
 3
 $277
Franchise
 
 
 
 3
 1,630
 3
 1,630
Commercial owner occupied
 
 1
 355
 
 
 1
 355
Real estate loans: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial non-owner occupied1
 214
 
 
 
 
 1
 214
One-to-four family1
 89
 
 
 2
 46
 3
 135
Land
 
 
 
 1
 21
 1
 21
Total4
 $323
 1
 $355
 7
 $1,954
 12
 $2,632
Delinquent loans to total loans held for investment  0.01%  
 0.02%  
 0.09%  
 0.12%
                
At December 31, 2014  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Business loans:               
Commercial and industrial
 $
 1
 $24
 
 $
 1
 $24
Real estate loans: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
One-to-four family1
 19
 
 
 3
 54
 4
 73
Other loans1
 1
 
 
 
 
 1
 1
Total2
 $20
 1
 $24
 3
 $54
 6
 $98
Delinquent loans to total loans held for investment  %  
 %  
 %  
 0.01%
               
At December 31, 2013  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Business loans: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial owner occupied2
 $768
 
 $
 1
 $446
 3
 1,214
SBA
 
 
 
 1
 14
 1
 14
Real estate loans: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial non-owner occupied
 
 
 
 2
 560
 2
 560
One-to-four family3
 71
 
 
 4
 123
 7
 194
Other loans3
 130
 
 
 
 
 3
 130
Total8
 $969
 
 $
 8
 $1,143
 16
 $2,112
Delinquent loans to total loans held for investment  0.08%  
 %  
 0.09%  
 0.17%
                
At December 31, 2012  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Business loans: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial and industrial
 $
 1
 $58
 1
 $218
 2
 $276
Commercial owner occupied
 
 1
 245
 
 
 1
 245
SBA
 
 
 
 4
 185
 4
 185
Real estate loans: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
One-to-four family2
 101
 
 
 2
 79
 4
 180
Other loans1
 5
 
 
 
 
 1
 5

Total3
 $106
 2
 $303
 7
 $482
 12
 $891
Delinquent loans to total loans held for investment  0.01%  
 0.03%  
 0.05%  
 0.09%
                
(1) All 90 day or greater delinquencies are on nonaccrual status and are reported as part of nonperforming loans.
     
  30 - 59 Days  60 - 89 Days  90 Days or More (1)  Total 
  
# of
Loans
  
Principal
Balance
of Loans
 
# of
Loans
  
Principal
Balance
of Loans
 
# of
Loans
  
Principal
Balance
of Loans
 
# of
Loans
  
Principal
Balance
of Loans
 
  (dollars in thousands)       
At December 31, 2014                      
Business loans:                        
Commercial and industrial  -  $-   1  $24   -  $-   1   24 
Real estate loans:                                
One-to-four family  1   19   -   -   3   54   4   73 
Other loans  1   1   -   -   -   -   1   1 
Total  2  $20   1  $24   3  $54   6  $98 
Delinquent loans to total gross loans   0.00%      0.00%      0.00%      0.01%
                                 
At December 31, 2013                             
Business loans:                                
Commercial owner occupied  2  $768   -  $-   1  $446   3   1,214 
SBA  -   -   -   -   1   14   1   14 
Real estate loans:                                
Commercial non-owner occupied  -   -   -   -   2   560   2   560 
One-to-four family  3   71   -   -   4   123   7   194 
Other loans  3   130   -   -   -   -   3   130 
Total  8  $969   -  $-   8  $1,143   16  $2,112 
Delinquent loans to total gross loans   0.08%      0.00%      0.09%      0.17%
                                 
At December 31, 2012                             
Business loans:                                
Commercial and industrial  -  $-   1  $58   1  $218   2   276 
Commercial owner occupied  -   -   1   245   -   -   1   245 
SBA  -   -   -   -   4   185   4   185 
Real estate loans:                                
One-to-four family  2   101   -   -   2   79   4   180 
Other loans  1   5   -   -   -   -   1   5 
Total  3  $106   2  $303   7  $482   12  $891 
Delinquent loans to total gross loans   0.01%      0.03%      0.05%      0.09%
                                 
At December 31, 2011                             
Business loans:                                
Commercial and industrial  1  $12   -  $-   4  $1,057   5   1,069 
Commercial owner occupied  -   -   -   -   3   919   3   919 
SBA  1   49   1   113   8   665   10   827 
Real estate loans:                                
Commercial non-owner occupied  1   434   -   -   3   1,244   4   1,678 
One-to-four family  4   201   -   -   2   323   6   524 
Land  -   -   1   617   1   52   2   669 
Other loans  2   3   1   1   -   -   3   4 
Total  9  $699   3  $731   21  $4,260   33  $5,690 
Delinquent loans to total gross loans   0.09%      0.10%      0.58%      0.77%
                                 
At December 31, 2010                                
Business loans:                                
Commercial owner occupied  1  $184   -  $-   3  $2,225   4  $2,409 
SBA  -   -   -   -   7   846   7   846 
Real estate loans:                                
Commercial non-owner occupied  2   617   -   -   -   -   2   617 
One-to-four family  3   402   1   17   1   20   5   439 
Total  6  $1,203   1  $17   11  $3,091   18  $4,311 
Delinquent loans to total gross loans   0.21%      0.00%      0.54%      0.76%
                                 
(1) All 90 day or greater delinquencies are on nonaccrual status and are reported as part of nonperforming loans.         
Nonperforming Assets
 
Nonperforming assets consist of loans on which we have ceased accruing interest (nonaccrual loans), troubled debt restructured loans and OREO.  Nonaccrual loans consisted of all loans 90 days or more past due and on loans where, in the opinion of management, there is reasonable doubt as to the collection of principal and interest.  A “restructured loan” is one where the terms of the loan were renegotiated to provide a reduction or deferral of interest or principal because of deterioration in the financial position of the borrower.  We did not have any troubled debt restructured loans during the periods presented.  At December 31, 2016, we had $1.6 million of nonperforming assets, which consisted of $1.1 million of net nonperforming loans and $460,000 of OREO.  At December 31, 2015, we had $5.1 million of nonperforming assets, which consisted of $4.0 million of nonperforming loans and $1.2 million of OREO. It is our policy to take appropriate, timely and aggressive action when necessary to resolve nonperforming assets.  When resolving problem loans, it is our policy to determine collectability under various circumstances which are intended to result in our maximum financial benefit.  We accomplish this by working with the borrower to bring the loan current, selling the loan to a third party or by foreclosing and selling the asset.

At December 31, 2016, OREO consisted of one C&I property and one land property, compared to one commercial non-owner occupied property and one land property at December 31, 2015.  Properties acquired through or in lieu of foreclosure are recorded at fair value less cost to sell.  The Company generally obtains an appraisal and/or a market evaluation on all OREO prior to obtaining possession.  After foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management as needed due to changing market conditions or factors specifically attributable to the property’s condition.  If the carrying value of the property exceeds its fair value less estimated cost to sell, the asset is written down and a charge to operations is recorded.

We recognized loan interest income on nonperforming loans of $740,000 in 2016, $467,000 in 2015 and $192,000 in 2014.  If these loans had paid in accordance with their original loan terms, we would have recorded additional loan interest income of $360,000 in 2016, $279,000 in 2015 and $151,000 in 2014.

The following table sets forth composition of nonperforming assets at the date indicated: 
 At December 31,
 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
 (dollars in thousands)
Nonperforming assets         
Business loans:         
Commercial and industrial$250
 $463
 $
 $
 $347
Franchise
 1,630
 
 
 
Commercial owner occupied436
 536
 514
 747
 14
SBA316
 
 
 14
 260
Real estate loans: 
  
  
  
  
Commercial non-owner occupied
 1,164
 848
 983
 670
Multi-family
 
 
 
 266
One-to-four family124
 155
 82
 507
 522
Land15
 21
 
 
 127
Other loans
 1
 
 
 
Total nonperforming loans$1,141
 $3,970
 $1,444
 $2,251
 $2,206
Other real estate owned460
 1,161
 1,037
 1,186
 2,258
Total nonperforming assets$1,601
 $5,131
 $2,481
 $3,437
 $4,464
Allowance for loan losses$21,296
 $17,317
 $12,200
 $8,200
 $7,994
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total nonperforming loans, gross1,866% 436% 845% 364% 362%
Nonperforming loans as a percent of loans held for investment0.04
 0.17
 0.09
 0.18
 0.22
Nonperforming assets as a percent of total assets0.04
 0.18
 0.12
 0.20
 0.38
          
(1)  Gross loans include loans receivable held for investment and held for sale. 
  
  
  
  

Allowance for Loan Losses.  We maintain an ALLL to absorbThe allowance for loan losses is established as management's estimate of probable incurred losses inherent in the loans held for investment portfolio at the consolidated statements of financial condition date.loan receivable portfolio. Management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance quarterly to maintain the allowance at levels sufficient to provide for these inherent losses. The ALLL is based upon the total loans evaluated individually and collectively and is reported as a reduction of loans held for investment. The allowance is increased by a provision for loan losses which is charged to expense and reduced by charge-offs, net of recoveries.  Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value.  Net unrealized losses, if any, are recorded in current earnings.
The federal banking agencies adopted an interagency policy statement on the ALLL.  The policy statement provides guidance for financial institutions on both the responsibilities of management for the assessment and establishment of adequate allowances and guidance for banking agency examiners to use in determining the adequacy of general valuation allowances.  Generally, the policy statement recommends that institutions establish and maintain effective systems and controls to identify, monitor and address asset quality problems; that management analyzes all significant factors that affect the collectability of the portfolio in a reasonable manner; and that management establishes acceptable allowance evaluation processes that meet the objectives set forth in the policy statement.  Federal regulations require that the Bank utilize an internal asset classification system to identify and report problem and potential problem assets.  The Bank’s Chief Credit Officer has responsibility for identifying and reporting problem assets to the Bank’s Credit and Portfolio Review Committee (“CPRC”), which operates pursuant to the board-approved CPRC policy.  The policy incorporates the regulatory requirements of monitoring and classifying all of our assets.
 
We separate our assets, largely loans, by type, and we use various asset classifications to segregate the assets into various risk categories.  We use the various asset classifications as a means of measuring risk for determining the valuation allowance for groups and individual assets at a point in time.  Currently, we designate our assets into a category of “Pass,” “Special Mention,” “Substandard,” “Doubtful” or “Loss.”  A brief description of these classifications follows:
 
·  Pass classifications represent assets with a level of credit quality which contain no well-defined deficiency or weakness.
·  Special Mention assets do not currently expose the Bank to a sufficient risk to warrant classification in one of the adverse categories, but possess correctable deficiency or potential weaknesses deserving management’s close attention.
·  Substandard assets are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any.  These assets are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.  Other real estate owned (“OREO”) acquired from foreclosure is also classified as substandard.
·  Doubtful credits have all the weaknesses inherent in substandard credits, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.
·  Loss assets are those that are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as assets is not warranted.  Amounts classified as loss are promptly charged off.

Doubtful credits have all the weaknesses inherent in substandard credits, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.
Loss assets are those that are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as assets is not warranted.  Amounts classified as loss are promptly charged off.

Our determination as to the classification of assets and the amount of valuation allowances necessary are subject to review by bank regulatory agencies, which can order a change in a classification or an increase to the allowance.  While we believe that an adequate allowance for estimated loan losses has been established, there can be no assurance that our regulators, in reviewing assets including the loan portfolio, will not request us to materially increase our allowance for estimated loan losses, thereby negatively affecting our financial condition and earnings at that time.  In addition, actual losses are dependent upon future events and, as such, further increases to the level of allowances for estimated loan losses may become necessary.
 
The Company’s CPRC reviews the Portfolio Management Department’s recommendations for classifying our assets monthly and reports the results of our review to the board of directors.  At December 31, 2014,2016, we had $16.6$13.3 million of assets classified as substandard, compared to $21.2$19.4 million at December 31, 2013.  The decrease of $4.6 million2015.  One loan amounting to $250,000 was essentially all related to loans.  There were no loans at either date classified as Doubtful.Doubtful as of year-end 2016, compared to $1.5 million as of year-end 2015.
 

The following tables set forth information concerning substandard and doubtful assets at the dates indicated:
 

  At December 31, 2014 
  Loans  OREOTotal Substandard Assets 
  Gross Balance  # of Loans  Balance  # of Properties Balance  # of Assets 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Business loans:                  
Commercial and industrial $1,828   9  $-   -  $1,828   9 
Commercial owner occupied  8,605   19   -   -   8,605   19 
Real estate loans:                        
Commercial non-owner occupied  3,939   6   -   -   3,939   6 
Multi-family  508   1   -   -   508   1 
One-to-four family  649   11   285   3   934   14 
Land  -   -   752   1   752   1 
Total substandard assets $15,529   46  $1,037   4  $16,566   50 
                         
  At December 31, 2013 
  Loans  OREO
Total Substandard Assets
 
  Gross Balance  # of Loans  Balance  # of Properties Balance  # of Assets 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Business loans:                        
Commercial and industrial $2,776   11  $-   -  $2,776   11 
Commercial owner occupied  12,000   21   245   1   12,245   22 
SBA  -   1   -   -   -   1 
Real estate loans:                        
Commercial non-owner occupied  3,654   6   -   -   3,654   6 
Multi-family  517   1   -   -   517   1 
One-to-four family  1,083   13   -   -   1,083   13 
Land  -   -   941   2   941   2 
Other loans  5   1   -   -   5   1 
Total substandard assets $20,035   54  $1,186   3  $21,221   57 
 At December 31, 2016
 Loans OREO Total Substandard Assets Doubtful
 Gross Balance # of Loans Balance # of Properties Balance # of Assets Balance # of Loans
 (dollars in thousands)
Business loans:         
  
    
Commercial and industrial$3,784
 21
 $88
 1
 $3,872
 22
 $250
 1
Commercial owner occupied4,221
 14
 
 
 4,221
 14
 
 
SBA462
 5
 
 
 462
 5
 
 
Real estate loans: 
  
  
  
        
Commercial non-owner occupied1,072
 3
 
 
 1,072
 3
 
 
Multi-family2,403
 6
 
 
 2,403
 6
 
 
One-to-four family441
 9
 
 
 441
 9
 
 
Land15
 1
 372
 1
 387
 2
 
 
Other393
 2
 
 
 393
 2
 
 
Total substandard assets$12,791
 61
 $460
 2
 $13,251
 63
 $250
 1
                
 At December 31, 2015
 Loans OREO Total Substandard Assets Doubtful
 Gross Balance # of Loans Balance # of Properties Balance # of Assets Balance # of Loans
 (dollars in thousands)
Business loans:               
Commercial and industrial$3,155
 17
 $
 
 $3,155
 17
 $
 
Franchise169
 2
 
 
 169
 2
 1,461
 1
Commercial owner occupied7,829
 16
 
 
 7,829
 16
 
 
Real estate loans: 
  
  
  
  
  
    
Commercial non-owner occupied2,666
 9
 450
 1
 3,116
 10
 
 
Multi-family3,387
 8
 
 
 3,387
 8
 
 
One-to-four family1,053
 14
 
 
 1,053
 14
 
 
Land21
 1
 711
 1
 732
 2
 
 
Total substandard assets$18,280
 67
 $1,161
 2
 $19,441
 69
 $1,461
 1
     
In determining the ALLL, we evaluate loan credit losses on an individual basis in accordance with FASB ASC 310, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan, and on a collective basis based on FASB ASC

450, Accounting for Contingencies.Contingencies.  For loans evaluated on an individual basis, we analyze the borrower’s creditworthiness, cash flows and financial status, and the condition and estimated value of the collateral.  Loans evaluated individually that are deemed to be impaired are separated from our collective credit loss analysis.
 
Unless an individual borrower relationship warrants a separate analysis, the majority of our loans are evaluated for credit losses on a collective basis through a quantitative analysis to arrive at base loss factors that are adjusted through a qualitative analysis for internal and external identified risks.  The adjusted factor is applied against the loan risk category to determine the appropriate allowance.  Our base loss factors are calculated using actual trailing twelve-month and annualized actual trailing six-month, twenty-four month, thirty-six month and eighty-four month charge-off data for all loan types except (1) Zero Factor loans, which includes loans fully secured by cash deposits, the guaranteed portion of SBA loans, and FHA/VA guaranteed 1st TD loans, and (2) Overdraft Deposit Accounts, to which a base factor of 5% is applied.Accounts.  Then adjustments for the following internal and external risk factors are added to the base factors:
 
Internal Factors
 
·  Changes in lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards and collection, charge-offs, and recovery practices;
·  Changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio and the terms of loans, as well as new types of lending;
·  Changes in the experience, ability, and depth of lending management and other relevant staff that may have an impact on our loan portfolio;
·  Changes in the volume and severity of past due and classified loans, and in the volume of non-accruals, troubled debt restructurings, and other  loan modifications;
·  Changes in the quality of our loan review system and the degree of oversight by our board of directors; and
·  The existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the level of such concentrations.

External Factors
 
·  Changes in national, state and local economic and business conditions and developments that affect the collectability of the portfolio, including the condition of various market segments (includes trends in real estate values and the interest rate environment);
·  Changes in the value of the underlying collateral for collateral-dependent loans; and
·  
The effect of external factors, such as competition, legal developments and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated credit losses in our current loan portfolio.
The factor adjustments for eacheffect of external factors, such as competition, legal developments and regulatory requirements on the nine above-described risk factors are determined by the Chief Credit Officer and approved by the CPRC on a quarterly basis.level of estimated credit losses in our current loan portfolio.
 
The ALLL factors are reviewed for reasonableness against the 10-year average, 15-year average, and trailing twelve month total charge-off data for all FDIC insured commercial banks and savings institutions based in California.  Given the above evaluations, the amount

Loans acquired through acquisition are recorded at fair value at acquisition date without a carryover of the ALLLrelated ALLL. Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality are loans that have evidence of credit deterioration since origination and it is based uponprobable at the totaldate of acquisition that the Company will not collect principal and interest payments according to contractual terms. These loans evaluated individuallyare accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30 Receivables-Loans and collectively.Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality.

As of December 31, 2014,2016, the ALLL totaled $12.2$21.3 million, upan increase of $4.0 million from December 31, 20132015 and $4.2$9.1 million from December 31, 2012.2014.  At December 31, 2014,2016, the ALLL as a percent of nonperforming loans was 844.9%1,866%, compared with 364.3%436% at December 31, 20132015 and 362.4%845% at December 31, 2012.2014.  At December 31, 2014,2016, the ALLL as a percent of gross loans held for investment was 0.75%0.66%, upa decrease from 0.66%0.77% at December 31, 2013, but down from 0.81%2015, and 0.75% at December 31, 2012.2014.  The increasedecrease in the 20142016 ratio was primarily relatedattributable to growth in our loan portfolio and our intent to increase the loans acquired from SCAF, recorded at fair value, which did not necessitate an allowance for loan losses over time to better align it with our peers.  The ALLL is additionally supported by fair market value credit discounts associated with our acquisitions of CNB in February of 2011 and PDNB in April 2012 from the FDIC, as receiver, and with our acquisitions of SDTB in June 2013 and IFH in January 2014.against

them. At December 31, 2014,2016, management deems the ALLL to be sufficient to provide for inherentprobable incurred losses within the loan portfolio.

The following table sets forth the activity in the Company’s ALLL for the periods indicated:
 For the Year Ended December 31,
 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
 (dollars in thousands)
Allowance for Loan Losses         
Balance at beginning of period$17,317
 $12,200
 $8,200
 $7,994
 $8,522
Provision for loan losses8,776
 6,425
 4,684
 1,860
 751
Charge-offs: 
  
  
  
  
Business loans: 
  
  
  
  
Commercial and industrial2,802
 484
 223
 509
 512
Franchise980
 764
 
 
 
Commercial owner occupied329
 
 
 232
 265
SBA980
 
 
 143
 132
Real estate: 
  
  
  
  
Commercial non-owner occupied
 116
 365
 756
 88
Multi-family
 
 
 101
 
One-to-four family151
 16
 195
 272
 371
Land
 
 
 
 145
Other loans
 
 
 18
 2
Total charge-offs$5,242
 $1,380
 $783
 $2,031
 $1,515
Recoveries: 
  
  
  
  
Business loans: 
  
  
  
  
Commercial and industrial$177
 $47
 $42
 $138
 $2
Commercial owner occupied25
 
 
 
 
SBA193
 8
 4
 50
 163
Real estate: 
  
  
  
  
Commercial non-owner occupied21
 3
 
 
 21
One-to-four family25
 13
 34
 47
 8
Land
 
 
 
 
Other loans4
 1
 19
 142
 42
Total recoveries$445
 $72
 $99
 $377
 $236
Net loan charge-offs$4,797
 $1,308
 $684
 $1,654
 $1,279
Balance at end of period$21,296
 $17,317
 $12,200
 $8,200
 $7,994
Ratios 
  
  
  
  
Net charge-offs to average net loans0.17% 0.06% 0.05% 0.16% 0.16%
Allowance for loan losses to loans held for investment0.66% 0.77% 0.75% 0.66% 0.81%

  For the Year Ended December 31, 
  2014  2013  2012  2011  2010 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Allowance for Loan Losses               
Balance at beginning of period $8,200  $7,994  $8,522  $8,879  $8,905 
Provision for loan losses  4,684   1,860   751   3,255   2,092 
Charge-offs:                    
Business loans:                    
Commercial and industrial  223   509   512   1,285   708 
Commercial owner occupied  -   232   265   307   264 
SBA  -   143   132   90   398 
Real estate:                    
Commercial non-owner occupied  365   756   88   43   512 
Multi-family  -   101   -   489   334 
One-to-four family  195   272   371   1,408   123 
Land  -   -   145   164   - 
Other loans  -   18   2   228   - 
Total charge-offs  783   2,031   1,515   4,014   2,339 
Recoveries:                    
Business loans:                    
Commercial and industrial  42   138   2   9   13 
SBA  4   50   163   211   154 
Real estate:                    
Commercial non-owner occupied  -   -   21   -   - 
One-to-four family  34   47   8   142   40 
Land  -   -   -   23   - 
Other loans  19   142   42   17   14 
Total recoveries  99   377   236   402   221 
Net loan charge-offs  684   1,654   1,279   3,612   2,118 
Balance at end of period $12,200  $8,200  $7,994  $8,522  $8,879 
                     
Ratios                    
Net charge-offs to average net loans  0.05%  0.16%  0.16%  0.53%  0.39%
Allowance for loan losses to gross loans at end of period  0.75%  0.66%  0.81%  1.15%  1.56%

The following table sets forth the Company’s ALLL and the percent of gross loans to total gross loans in each of the categories listed and the allowance as a percentage of the loan category balance at the dates indicated:
  At December 31,
  2016 2015 2014
Balance at End of Period Applicable to Amount % of Loans in Category to Total Loans Allowance as a % of Loan Category Balance Amount % of Loans in Category to Total Loans Allowance as a % of Loan Category Balance Amount % of Loans in Category to Total Loans Allowance as a % of Loan Category Balance
  (dollars in thousands)
Business loans:                  
Commercial and industrial $6,362
 17.4% 1.13% $3,449
 13.7% 1.11% $2,646
 14.1% 1.16%
Franchise 3,845
 14.1
 0.84
 3,124
 14.5
 0.95
 1,554
 12.2
 0.78
Commercial owner occupied 1,193
 14.0
 0.26
 1,870
 13.0
 0.63
 1,757
 13.0
 0.83
SBA 1,039
 3.0
 1.17
 1,500
 2.8
 2.79
 568
 1.7
 2.00
Warehouse facilities 
 
 
 759
 6.3
 0.53
 546
 7.0
 0.48
Real estate loans:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial non-owner occupied 1,715
 18.1
 0.29
 2,048
 18.7
 0.49
 2,007
 22.1
 0.56
Multi-family 2,927
 21.3
 0.42
 1,583
 19.0
 0.37
 1,060
 16.1
 0.40
One-to-four family 365
 3.1
 0.36
 698
 3.5
 0.87
 842
 7.5
 0.69
Construction 3,632
 8.3
 1.35
 2,030
 7.5
 1.20
 1,088
 5.5
 1.21
Land 198
 0.6
 1.00
 233
 0.8
 1.27
 108
 0.6
 1.19
Other loans 20
 0.1
 0.49
 23
 0.2
 0.45
 24
 0.2
 0.73
Total $21,296
 100.0% 0.66% $17,317
 100.0% 0.77% $12,200
 100.0% 0.75%

  At December 31, 
  2014  2013  2012 
Balance at End of Period Applicable to Amount  % of Loans in Category to Total Loans  Allowance as a % of Loan Category Balance  Amount  % of Loans in Category to Total Loans  Allowance as a % of Loan Category Balance  Amount  % of Loans in Category to Total Loans  Allowance as a % of Loan Category Balance 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Business loans:                           
Commercial and industrial $4,200   26.3%  0.98% $1,968   15.0%  1.05% $1,310   11.7%  1.14%
Commercial owner occupied  1,757   13.0%  0.83%  1,818   17.8%  0.82%  1,512   15.3%  1.00%
SBA  568   1.7%  2.00%  151   0.9%  1.42%  79   0.7%  1.15%
Warehouse facilities  546   7.0%  0.48%  392   7.0%  0.45%  1,544   19.9%  0.79%
Real estate loans:                                    
Commercial non-owner occupied  2,007   22.1%  0.56%  1,658   26.9%  0.50%  1,459   25.6%  0.58%
Multi-family  1,060   16.1%  0.40%  817   18.8%  0.35%  1,145   15.9%  0.73%
One-to-four family  842   7.5%  0.69%  1,099   11.7%  0.76%  862   9.9%  0.88%
Construction  1,088   5.5%  1.21%  136   1.0%  1.04%  -   0.0%  0.00%
Land  108   0.6%  1.19%  127   0.6%  1.67%  31   0.9%  0.35%
Other loans  24   0.2%  0.73%  34   0.3%  0.89%  52   0.1%  4.36%
Total $12,200   100.0%  0.75% $8,200   100.0%  0.66% $7,994   100.0%  0.81%

  2011  2010 
Balance at End of Period Applicable to Amount  % of Loans in Category to Total Loans  Allowance as a % of Loan Category Balance  Amount  % of Loans in Category to Total Loans  Allowance as a % of Loan Category Balance 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Business loans:                  
Commercial and industrial $1,361   11.7%  1.57% $2,018   7.5%  4.80%
Commercial owner occupied  1,119   20.6%  0.73%  1,687   20.0%  1.49%
SBA  80   0.7%  1.69%  145   0.7%  3.55%
Warehouse facilities  1,347   9.1%  2.00%  338   2.2%  2.68%
Real estate loans:                        
Commercial non-owner occupied  1,287   22.2%  0.78%  1,580   22.9%  1.21%
Multi-family  2,281   26.2%  1.18%  2,729   42.9%  1.12%
One-to-four family  931   8.1%  1.55%  332   3.6%  1.63%
Land  39   0.9%  0.61%  -   0.0%  0.00%
Other loans  77   0.5%  2.27%  50   0.2%  3.53%
Total $8,522   100.0%  1.15% $8,879   100.0%  1.56%
INDEX

  2013 2012
Balance at End of Period Applicable to Amount % of Loans in Category to Total Loans Allowance as a % of Loan Category Balance Amount % of Loans in Category to Total Loans Allowance as a % of Loan Category Balance
  (dollars in thousands)
Business loans:            
Commercial and industrial $1,968
 15.0% 1.05% $1,310
 11.7% 1.14%
Commercial owner occupied 1,818
 17.8
 0.82
 1,512
 15.3
 1.00
SBA 151
 0.9
 2.01
 79
 0.7
 2.47
Warehouse facilities 392
 7.0
 0.45
 1,544
 19.9
 0.79
Real estate loans:  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial non-owner occupied 1,658
 26.9
 0.50
 1,459
 25.6
 0.58
Multi-family 817
 18.8
 0.35
 1,145
 15.9
 0.73
One-to-four family 1,099
 11.7
 0.76
 862
 9.9
 0.88
Construction 136
 1.0
 1.04
 
 
 
Land 127
 0.6
 1.67
 31
 0.9
 0.35
Other loans 34
 0.3
 0.89
 52
 0.1
 4.36
Total $8,200
 100.0% 0.66% $7,994
 100.0% 0.81%
 
The following table sets forth the ALLL amounts calculated by the categories listed at the dates indicated:
  At December 31,
  2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
Balance at End of Period Applicable to Amount 
% of
Allowance
 to Total
 Amount % of
Allowance
to Total
 Amount % of
Allowance
to Total
 Amount % of
Allowance
to Total
 Amount % of
Allowance
to Total
  (dollars in thousands)
Allocated allowance $21,046
 98.8% $16,586
 95.9% $12,200
 100.0% $8,095
 98.7% $7,994
 100.0%
Specific allowance 250
 1.2
 731
 4.1
 
 
 105
 1.3
 
 
Total $21,296
 100.0% $17,317
 100.0% $12,200
 100.0% $8,200
 100.0% $7,994
 100.0%

Deposits


  At December 31, 
  2014  2013  2012  2011  2010 
     % of     % of     % of     % of     % of 
Balance at End of    Allowance     Allowance     Allowance     Allowance     Allowance 
Period Applicable to Amount  to Total  Amount  to Total  Amount  to Total  Amount  to Total  Amount  to Total 
  (dollars in thousands) 
                               
Allocated allowance $12,200   100.0% $8,095   98.7% $7,994   100.0% $8,522   100.0% $8,832   99.5%
Specific allowance  -   0.0%  105   1.3%  -   0.0%  -   0.0%  47   0.5%
Total $12,200   100.0% $8,200   100.0% $7,994   100.0% $8,522   100.0% $8,879   100.0%


Investment Activities
Our investment policy,At December 31, 2016, total deposits were $3.15 billion, an increase of $950 million or 43.3% from December 31, 2015.  The increase in deposits since year-end 2015 included increases in noninterest bearing checking of $474 million, money market and savings of $378 million, time deposits of $53.6 million and interest-bearing checking of $44.9 million. The increase in deposits during the 2016 was due to organic growth and the acquisition of SCAF, which added $637 million in deposits as established by our board of directors, attempts to provide and maintain liquidity, generate a favorable return on investments without incurring unduethe closing of the acquisition. The total end of period weighted average interest rate and credit risk and complement our lending activities.  Specifically, our investment policy limits our investments to U.S. government securities, federal agency-backed securities, non-government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), municipal bonds, and corporate bonds.
Our investment securities portfolio amounted to $218.7 millionon deposits was 0.27% at December 31, 2014, as compared to $271.5 million2016 and 0.32% at December 31, 2013, representing a 19.5% decrease.  The decrease in securities since year-end 2013 was primarily due to sales of $164.8 million and principal pay downs of $28.7 million, partially offset by purchases of $135.6 million.  In general, the purchase of investment securities primarily related to investing excess liquidity from our banking operations, while the sales were made to help fund loan production, which improved our interest-earning asset mix by deploying investment securities dollars into loans and to prepare for the Independence Bank acquisition.  As of December 31, 2014, the investment securities portfolio consisted of $112.0 million in GSE MBS, $89.7 million in municipal bonds, $8.0 million of FHLB stock, and $9.0 million of stock from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (the “Federal Reserve Bank”), The Independent BankersBank (“TIB”) Stock, and an investment in a fund that provides Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) credit to the Bank.  At December 31, 2014, we had an estimated par value of $33.5 million of the GSE securities that were pledged as collateral for the Company’s $28.5 million of inverse putable reverse repurchase agreements (“Repurchase Agreements”).
All of our municipal bond securities in our portfolio have an underlying rating of investment grade with the majority insured by the largest bond insurance companies to bring each of these securities to a Moody’s A+ rating or better.  The Company has only purchased general obligation bonds that are risk-weighted at 20% for regulatory capital purposes.  The Company reduces its exposure to any single adverse event by holding securities from geographically diversified municipalities.  We are continually monitoring the quality of our municipal bond portfolio in accordance with current financial conditions.  To our knowledge, none of the municipalities in which we hold bonds are exhibiting financial problems that would require us to record an OTTI charge.
Below is a table of our securities by security type further separated by rating agency grade at the date indicated:

   At December 31, 2014 
Security TypeRatings Number  Face Value  Amortized Cost  Unrealized Gain/(Loss)  Fair Value 
   (dollars in thousands) 
                 
Municipal bondsAAA - A+  180  $82,360  $88,599  $1,062  $89,661 
Government Sponsored EnterpriseAAA  38   108,127   112,159   (182)  111,977 
Total investment securities available for sale   218  $190,487  $200,758  $880  $201,638 

The following table sets forth the amortized costs and fair values of the Company's investment securities available for sale and stock at the dates indicated:

  At December 31, 
  2014  2013  2012 
  Amortized  Fair  Amortized  Fair  Amortized  Fair 
  Cost  Value  Cost  Value  Cost  Value 
  (in thousands) 
                   
Investment securities available for sale                  
U.S. Treasury $-  $-  $73  $81  $147  $159 
Municipal bonds  88,599   89,661   95,388   94,127   25,401   26,586 
Mortgage-backed securities (1)  112,159   111,977   165,857   161,881   56,641   57,321 
Total investment securities available for sale  200,758   201,638   261,318   256,089   82,189   84,066 
                         
Stock                        
FHLB  8,019   8,019   7,483   7,483   9,228   9,228 
Other (2)  9,048   9,048   7,967   7,967   2,019   2,019 
Total stock  17,067   17,067   15,450   15,450   11,247   11,247 
Total securities $217,825  $218,705  $276,768  $271,539  $93,436  $95,313 
Mortgage-backed securities to total investment securities available for sale  55.9%  55.5%  63.5%  63.2%  68.9%  68.2%
                         
(1) GSE securities % of total investments for sale                        
(2) Includes Federal Reserve Bank, TIB, and CRA stock.                        


The following table sets forth the fair values and weighted average yields on our investment securities available for sale portfolio and stock by contractual maturity at the date indicated:

  At December 31, 2014 
  One Year More than One Year More than Five Years More than   
  or Less to Five Years to Ten Years Ten Years Total 
     Weighted     Weighted     Weighted     Weighted    
  Fair  Average  Fair  Average  Fair  Average  Fair  Average  Fair 
  Value  Yield  Value  Yield  Value  Yield  Value  Yield  Value 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Investment securities available for sale                           
Municipal bonds $-   0.00% $12,889   1.24% $39,391   1.85% $37,381   2.35% $89,661 
Mortgage-backed securities  -   0.00%  -   0.00%  23,120   1.65%  88,857   1.87%  111,977 
Total investment securities available for sale  -   0.00%  12,889   1.24%  62,511   1.78%  126,238   2.01% $201,638 
                                     
Stock                                    
FHLB  8,019   0.00%  -   0.00%  -   0.00%  -   0.00%  8,019 
Other (1)  9,048   5.23%  -   0.00%  -   0.00%  -   0.00%  9,048 
Total stock  17,067   2.77%  -   0.00%  -   0.00%  -   0.00% $17,067 
Total securities $17,067   2.77% $12,889   1.24% $62,511   1.78% $126,238   2.01% $218,705 
                                     
(1) Includes Federal Reserve Bank, TIB, and CRA stock.                          

2015.
    
Nonperforming Assets
Nonperforming assets consist of loans on which we have ceased accruing interest (nonaccrual loans), loans restructured at an interest rate below market and OREO.  Nonaccrual loans consisted of all loans 90 days or more past due and on loans where, in the opinion of management, there is reasonable doubt as to the collection of principal and interest.  A “restructured loan” is one where the terms of the loan were renegotiated to provide a reduction or deferral of interest or principal because of deterioration in the financial position of the borrower.  We did not include in interest income any interest on restructured loans during the periods presented.  At December 31, 2014, we had $2.5 million of nonperforming assets, which consisted of $1.5 million of net nonperforming loans and $1.0 million of OREO.  At December 31, 2013, we had $3.4 million of nonperforming assets, which consisted of $2.2 million of nonperforming loans and $1.2 million of OREO.
At December 31, 2014, OREO consisted of one land property and three single family home properties, compared to four land properties and one CRE property at December 31, 2013.  Properties acquired through or in lieu of foreclosure are recorded at fair value less cost to sell.  The Company generally obtains an appraisal and/or a market evaluation on all OREO prior to obtaining possession.  After foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management as needed due to changing market conditions or factors specifically attributable to the property’s condition.  If the carrying value of the property exceeds its fair value less estimated cost to sell, the asset is written down and a charge to operations is recorded.
We recognized loan interest income on nonperforming loans of $192,000 in 2014, $225,000 in 2013 and $259,000 in 2012.  If these loans had paid in accordance with their original loan terms, we would have recorded additional loan interest income of $151,000 in 2014, $311,000 in 2013 and $405,000 in 2012.
The following table sets forth composition of nonperforming assets at the date indicated:

  At December 31, 
  2014  2013  2012  2011  2010 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Nonperforming assets               
Business loans:               
Commercial and industrial $-  $-  $347  $1,177  $54 
Commercial owner occupied  514   747   14   2,053   2,225 
SBA  -   14   260   700   971 
Real estate loans:                    
Commercial non-owner occupied  848   983   670   1,495   - 
Multi-family  -   -   266   293   - 
One-to-four family  82   507   522   323   27 
Land  -   -   127   52   - 
Total nonperforming loans, net  1,444   2,251   2,206   6,093   3,277 
Other real estate owned  1,037   1,186   2,258   1,231   34 
Total nonperforming assets, net $2,481  $3,437  $4,464  $7,324  $3,311 
                     
Allowance for loan losses $12,200  $8,200  $7,994  $8,522  $8,879 
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total nonperforming loans, gross  844.88%  364.28%  362.38%  139.87%  270.95%
Nonperforming loans, net of specific allowances, as a percent of gross loans receivable (1)  0.09%  0.18%  0.22%  0.82%  0.58%
Nonperforming assets, net of specific allowances, as a percent of total assets  0.12%  0.20%  0.38%  0.76%  0.40%
                     
(1)  Gross loans include loans receivable held for investment and held for sale.                    


It is our policy to take appropriate, timely and aggressive action when necessary to resolve nonperforming assets.  When resolving problem loans, it is our policy to determine collectability under various circumstances which are intended to result in our maximum financial benefit.  We accomplish this by working with the borrower to bring the loan current, selling the loan to a third party or by foreclosing and selling the asset.
Sources of Funds
General.  Deposits, loan repayments and prepayments, and cash flows generated from operations and borrowings are the primary sources of the Company’s funds for use in lending, investing and other general purposes.
Deposits.  Deposits represent our primary source of funds for our lending and investing activities.  The Company offers a variety of deposit accounts with a range of interest rates and terms.  The deposit accounts are offered through our 16 branch network in California and nationwide through our HOA Banking unit.  The Company’s deposits consist of checking accounts, money market accounts, passbook savings, and certificates of deposit.  Total deposits at December 31, 2014 were $1.6 billion, compared to $1.3 billion at December 31, 2013.  At December 31, 2014, certificates of deposit constituted 27.1% of total deposits, compared to 24.1% at the year-end 2013.  The terms of the fixed-rate certificates of deposit offered by the Company vary from three months to five years.  Specific terms of an individual account vary according to the type of account, the minimum balance required, the time period funds must remain on deposit and the interest rate, among other factors.  The flow of deposits is influenced significantly by general economic conditions, changes in money market rates, prevailing interest rates and competition.  At December 31, 2014, we had $285.9 million of certificate of deposit accounts maturing in one year or less.
We primarily rely on customer service, sales and marketing efforts, business development, cross-selling of deposit products to loan customers, and long-standing relationships with customers to attract and retain local deposits.  However, market interest rates and rates offered by competing financial institutions significantly affect the Company’s ability to attract and retain deposits.  Additionally, from time to time, we will utilize both wholesale and brokered deposits to supplement our generation of deposits from businesses and consumers.  At December 31, 2014, we had $72.4 million in brokered deposits that were raised to help lengthen the overall maturity of our liabilities and support our interest rate risk management strategies.  The brokered deposits had a weighted average maturity of 18 months and an all in cost of 66 basis points.
The following table presents the deposit activity for the periods indicated:

  For the Year Ended December 31, 
  2014  2013  2012 
  (in thousands) 
          
Net deposits $319,544  $397,552  $70,111 
Interest credited on deposit accounts  4,996   3,966   5,780 
Total increase in deposit accounts $324,540  $401,518  $75,891 

The following table sets forth the distribution of the Company’s deposit accounts aton average for the datesperiods indicated and the weighted average interest rates on each category of deposits presented:

  At December 31, 
  2014  2013  2012 
  Balance  % of Total Deposits  Weighted Average Rate  Balance  % of Total Deposits  Weighted Average Rate  Balance  % of Total Deposits  Weighted Average Rate 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Transaction accounts:                           
Non-interest bearing checking $456,754   28.0%  0.00% $366,755   28.1%  0.00% $213,636   23.6%  0.00%
Interest bearing checking  131,635   8.1%  0.11%  120,886   9.3%  0.11%  14,299   1.6%  0.10%
Money market  526,256   32.3%  0.32%  427,577   32.7%  0.29%  236,206   26.1%  0.32%
Regular passbook  74,508   4.5%  0.14%  76,412   5.8%  0.14%  79,420   8.8%  0.22%
Total transaction accounts  1,189,153   72.9%  0.16%  991,630   75.9%  0.15%  543,561   60.1%  0.19%
Certificates of deposit accounts:                                    
Less than 1.00%  232,043   14.2%  0.62%  120,583   9.2%  0.39%  147,813   16.4%  0.58%
    1.00 - 1.99  197,410   12.1%  1.08%  181,046   13.9%  1.06%  197,554   21.9%  1.16%
    2.00 - 2.99  10,771   0.7%  2.86%  11,503   0.8%  2.83%  13,439   1.4%  2.78%
    3.00 - 3.99  714   0.0%  3.20%  795   0.1%  3.28%  1,130   0.1%  3.44%
    4.00 - 4.99  2   0.0%  4.93%  2   0.0%  4.93%  395   0.0%  4.29%
    5.00 - 5.99  733   0.1%  5.24%  727   0.1%  5.25%  876   0.1%  5.27%
Total certificates of deposit accounts  441,673   27.1%  0.89%  314,656   24.1%  0.88%  361,207   39.9%  1.00%
Total deposits $1,630,826   100.0%  0.36% $1,306,286   100.0%  0.33% $904,768   100.0%  0.51%



The following table presents, by various rate categories, the amount of certificates of deposit accounts outstanding and the periods to maturity of the certificate of deposit accounts outstanding at the period indicated:
 For the years ended December 31,
 2016 2015 2014
 
Average
Balance
 
Average
Yield/Cost
 
Average
Balance
 
Average
Yield/Cost
 
Average
Balance
 
Average
Yield/Cost
 (dollars in thousands)
Deposits 
  
  
  
  
  
Noninterest bearing checking$1,086,791
 % $646,931
 % $415,983
 %
Interest bearing checking176,508
 0.11
 141,962
 0.12
 134,056
 0.12
Money market1,003,861
 0.36
 696,747
 0.35
 469,123
 0.31
Savings98,224
 0.15
 88,247
 0.16
 75,068
 0.15
Retail certificates of deposit416,232
 0.74
 390,797
 0.82
 353,532
 0.90
Wholesale/brokered certificates of deposit180,209
 0.73
 102,950
 0.67
 23,801
 0.64
Total deposits$2,961,825
 0.28% $2,067,634
 0.32% $1,471,563
 0.34%
 

  At December 31, 2014 
                    Weighted 
  Less than 1.00 %  1.00% - 1.99%  2.00 - 2.99%  3.00 - 3.99%  4.00 - 4.99%  5.00 and greater Total  % of Total  Weighted Average Rate 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Certificates of deposit accounts                           
Within 3 months $31,413 $47,407 $4,313 $104 $- $31 $83,268   18.9%  0.95%
4 to 6 months  30,345  30,540  4,542  579  -  17  66,023   15.0%  1.02%
7 to 12 months  87,185  47,654  1,668  10  -  99  136,616   30.9%  0.77%
13 to 24 months  74,610  67,420  109  -  -  257  142,396   32.2%  0.89%
25 to 36 months  7,371  2,802  32  -  -  195  10,400   2.4%  1.06%
37 to 60 months  686  1,567  6  10  2  134  2,405   0.5%  1.43%
Over 60 months  433  20  101  11  -  -  565   0.1%  1.01%
Total $232,043 $197,410 $10,771 $714 $2 $733 $441,673   100.0%  0.89%

With the enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act deposit insurance coverage was made unlimited for non-interest bearing transaction accounts until December 31, 2012, and thereafter the maximum insurance coverage reverted to $250,000 consistent with all other deposit accounts.  At December 31, 2014,2016, we had $317.8$453 million in certificate accounts in amountswith balances of greater than $100,000, and of that amount, $154.0we had $300 million in certificate of deposit accounts in amountswith balances of greater than $250,000 maturing as follows:
 
  December 31, 2016
  $100,000 through $250,000   Greater than $250,000 Total
Maturity Period Amount Weighted
Average Rate
 % of Total
Deposits
 Amount Weighted
Average Rate
 % of Total
Deposits
 Amount Weighted
Average Rate
 % of Total
Deposits
  (dollars in thousands)
Three months or less $31,472
 0.77% 1.00% $92,521
 0.61% 2.94% $123,993
 0.65% 3.94%
Over three months through 6 months 34,859
 0.86
 1.11
 75,607
 0.69
 2.40
 110,466
 0.75
 3.51
Over 6 months through 12 months 44,793
 0.73
 1.42
 110,066
 0.83
 3.50
 154,859
 0.80
 4.92
Over 12 months 41,980
 0.84
 1.33
 22,115
 1.06
 0.70
 64,095
 0.98
 2.04
Total $153,104
 0.82% 4.86% $300,309
 0.74% 9.54% $453,413
 0.77% 14.41%

  At December 31, 2014 
   $100,000 to $250,000   Greater than $250,000 Total Greater than $100,000 
Maturity Period Amount  
Weighted
Average Rate
  
% of Total
Deposits
 Amount  
Weighted
Average Rate
  
% of Total
Deposits
 Amount  
Weighted
Average Rate
  
% of Total
Deposits
 
  (dollars in thousands) 
                             
Three months or less $38,496   0.99%  2.36% $18,388   0.94%  1.13% $56,884   0.97%  3.49%
Over three months through 6 months  31,395   1.04%  1.93%  9,129   1.06%  0.56%  40,524   1.05%  2.48%
Over 6 months through 12 months  42,209   0.95%  2.59%  57,867   0.64%  3.55%  100,076   0.77%  6.14%
Over 12 months  51,719   1.02%  3.17%  68,608   0.78%  4.21%  120,327   0.88%  7.38%
Total $163,819   1.00%  10.05% $153,992   0.76%  9.44% $317,811   0.88%  19.49%


Borrowings.  Borrowings represent a secondary source of funds for our lending and investing activities.  The Company has a variety of borrowing relationships that it can draw upon to fund its activities. At December 31, 2016, total borrowings amounted to $397 million, an increase of $132 million or 49.7% from December 31, 2015.  The increase in borrowings at December 31, 2016 from December 31, 2015 was primarily related to an increase in FHLB overnight advances. At December 31, 2016, total borrowings represented 9.8% of total assets and had an end of period weighted average rate of 1.95%, compared with 9.5% of total assets at a weighted average rate of 1.99% at December 31, 2015.

FHLB Advances.  The FHLB system functions as a source of credit to financial institutions that are members.  Advances are secured by certain real estate loans, investment securities, and the capital stock of the FHLB owned by the Company.  Subject to the FHLB’s advance policies and requirements, these advances can be requested for any business purpose in which the Company is authorized to engage.  In granting advances, the FHLB considers a member’s creditworthiness and other relevant factors.  The Company has a line of credit with the FHLB

which provides for advances totaling up to 45% of its assets, equating to a credit line of $913.3 million$1.7 billion as of December 31, 2014.2016.  At December 31, 2014,2015, we had borrowing capacity of $1.0 billion with the FHLB. At December 31, 2016, the Company had $50.0 million inno term FHLB advances and $20.0$278 million in overnight FHLB advances, compared to $156.0$50 million in term FHLB advances, which matured within one year, and $98 million in overnight FHLB advances at December 31, 2013.2015.  The FHLB advances at December 31, 20142016 were collateralized by real estate loans and securities with an aggregate balance of $618.6 million$1.2 billion and FHLB stock of $8.0$14.4 million.  With this pledged collateral, the Company has additional available advances of $457.4$741 million as of December 31, 2014.2016.
 
Other Borrowings. The Company maintains lines of credit to purchase federal funds and a reverse repurchase facility together totaling $132.0$173 million with seven correspondent banks and has access through the Federal Reserve Bank discount window to borrow $3.3 million to be utilized as business needs dictate.  At December 31, 2014, the Company drew down $1.5 million at a 1.00% rate on one of the lines of credit, primarily for transaction testing purposes.  Federal funds purchased and reverse repurchase facilities are short-term in nature and utilized to meet short-term funding needs.
 
As of December 31, 2014,2016, the Company has three Repurchase Agreements totaling $28.5 million with a weighted average interest rate of 3.26% as of December 31, 20142016 secured by GSE MBS totaling an estimated par value of $33.5$32.5 million.  The Repurchase Agreements were entered into in 2008 at a term of 10 years each with the buyers of the Repurchase Agreements having the option to terminate the Repurchase Agreements after the fixed interest rate period has expired.  The interest rates reset quarterly with the maximum reset rate being 2.89% on one $10.0 million Repurchase Agreement, 3.47% on the other $10.0 million Repurchase Agreement, and 3.45% on the $8.5 million Repurchase Agreement.
 
The Company sells certain securities under agreements to repurchase.  The agreements are treated as overnight borrowings with the obligations to repurchase securities sold reflected as a liability.  The dollar amount of investment securities underlying the agreements remain in the asset accounts.  The Company enters into these debt agreements as a service to certain HOA depositors to add protection for deposit amounts above FDIC insurance levels.  At December 31, 2014,2016, the Company sold securities under agreement to repurchase of $16.6$21.5 million with weighted average rate of 0.02% and collateralized by investment securities with fair value of approximately $28.9$31.9 million.
 
Debentures.  On March 25, 2004, the Corporation issued $10,310,000 of Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures (the “Debt Securities”) to PPBI Trust I, a statutory trust created under the laws of the State of Delaware.  The Debt Securities are subordinated to effectively all borrowings of the Corporation and are due and payable on April 7, 2034.  Interest is payable quarterly on the Debt Securities at three-month LIBOR plus 2.75% for an effective rate of 2.98%3.63% as of December 31, 2014.2016.
 
In the third quarter of 2014, the Company completed a private placement of $60 million in aggregate principal amount of subordinated notes to certain accredited investors.  The subordinated notes bear a fixed interest rate of 5.75% per annum, payable semi-annually, and mature on September 3, 2024.  The net proceeds from the sale of the notes were $59 million, and the notes qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes. The net proceeds from this offering are intended for general corporate purposes, including but not limited to, contribution of capital to the Bank to support both organic growth as well as opportunistic acquisitions.  As of December 31, 2014, the Bank received $40.0$50.0 million of contributed capital.capital in 2014.
 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Company's borrowed funds at or for the years ended on the dates indicated:

 
  At or For Year Ended December 31, 
  2014  2013  2012 
  (dollars in thousands) 
FHLB advances         
Balance outstanding at end of year $70,000  $156,000  $87,000 
Weighted average interest rate at end of year  0.59%  0.06%  0.28%
Average balance outstanding $70,296  $26,137  $9,154 
Weighted average interest rate during the year  0.26%  0.15%  0.28%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year $210,000  $156,000  $87,000 
             
Other borrowings            
Balance outstanding at end of year $46,643  $48,091  $28,500 
Weighted average interest rate at end of year  2.03%  1.98%  3.26%
Average balance outstanding $47,398  $45,310  $28,500 
Weighted average interest rate during the year  2.00%  2.09%  3.31%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year $49,712  $52,077  $28,500 
             
Debentures            
Balance outstanding at end of year $70,310  $10,310  $10,310 
Weighted average interest rate at end of year  5.34%  2.99%  3.09%
Average balance outstanding $30,858  $10,310  $10,310 
Weighted average interest rate during the year  5.00%  2.98%  3.16%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year $70,310  $10,310  $10,310 
             
Total borrowings            
Balance outstanding at end of year $186,953  $214,401  $125,810 
Weighted average interest rate at end of year  2.74%  0.63%  1.19%
Average balance outstanding $148,552  $81,757  $47,964 
Weighted average interest rate during the year  1.80%  1.58%  2.70%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year $255,297  $218,387  $125,810 
 At or For Year Ended December 31,
 2016 2015 2014
 (dollars in thousands)
FHLB advances     
Balance outstanding at end of year$278,000
 $148,000
 $70,000
Weighted average interest rate at end of year0.55% 0.42% 0.59%
Average balance outstanding$58,814
 $139,542
 $70,296
Weighted average interest rate during the year0.59% 0.39% 0.26%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year$278,000
 $340,000
 $210,000
Other borrowings   
  
Balance outstanding at end of year$49,971
 $48,125
 $46,643
Weighted average interest rate at end of year1.94% 1.94% 2.03%
Average balance outstanding$48,732
 $48,490
 $47,398
Weighted average interest rate during the year1.95% 1.95% 2.00%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year$53,586
 $49,925
 $49,712
Debentures   
  
Balance outstanding at end of year$69,383
 $69,263
 $69,144
Weighted average interest rate at end of year5.35% 5.34% 5.34%
Average balance outstanding$69,347
 $69,199
 $30,474
Weighted average interest rate during the year5.54% 5.69% 5.06%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year$69,383
 $69,263
 $69,144
Total borrowings   
  
Balance outstanding at end of year$397,354
 $265,388
 $185,787
Weighted average interest rate at end of year1.56% 1.98% 2.72%
Average balance outstanding$176,893
 $257,231
 $148,168
Weighted average interest rate during the year2.91% 2.11% 1.80%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year$397,354
 $454,008
 $255,297


    Subsidiaries
Stockholders' Equity
 
At December 31, 2014, we had two operating subsidiaries, the Bank, a wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary with no subsidiaries of its own, and PPBI Trust I, which is a wholly-owned special purpose entity accounted for using the equity method under which the subsidiaries’ net earnings are recognized in our operations and the investment in the Trust is included in other assets on our consolidated statements of financial condition.
    Personnel
As of December 31, 2014, we had 282 full-time employees and three part-time employees.  The employees are not represented by a collective bargaining unit and we consider our relationship with our employees to be satisfactory.
    Competition
We consider our Bank to be a community bank focused on the commercial banking business, with our primary market encompassing California.  To a lesser extent, we also compete in several broader regional and national markets through our HOA Banking, SBA, Warehouse Lending, Franchise Lending and Income Property business units.
The banking business is highly competitive with respect to virtually all products and services.  The industry continues to consolidate, and unregulated competitors in the banking markets have focused products targeted at highly profitable customer segments.  Many largely unregulated competitors are able to compete across geographic boundaries, and provide customers increasing access to meaningful alternatives to nearly all significant banking services and products.
The banking business is dominated by a relatively small number of major banks with many offices operating over a wide geographical area.  These banks have, among other advantages, the ability to finance wide-ranging and effective advertising campaigns and to allocate their resources to regions of highest yield and demand.  Many of the major banks operating in our primary market area offer certain services that we do not offer directly but may offer indirectly through correspondent institutions.  By virtue of their greater total capitalization, the major banks also have substantially higher lending limits than those we do.
In addition to other local community banks, our competitors include commercial banks, savings banks, credit unions, and numerous non-banking institutions, such as finance companies, leasing companies, insurance companies, brokerage firms and investment banking firms.  Increased competition has also developed from specialized finance and non-finance companies that offer wholesale finance, credit card, and other consumer finance services, including on-line banking services and personal financial software.  Strong competition for deposit and loan products affects the rates of those products, as well as the terms on which they are offered to customers.  Mergers between financial institutions have placed additional pressure on banks within the industry to streamline their operations, reduce expenses, and increase revenues to remain competitive.
Technological innovations have also resulted in increased competition in the financial services market.  Such innovation has, for example, made it possible for non-depository institutions to offer customers automated transfer payment services that previously were considered traditional banking products.  In addition, many customers now expect a choice of delivery systems and channels, including telephone, mobile phones, mail, home computer, ATMs, self-service branches, and/or in-store branches.  The sources of competition in such products include commercial banks, as well as credit unions, brokerage firms, money market and other mutual funds, asset management groups, finance and insurance companies, internet-only financial intermediaries and mortgage banking firms.
We work to anticipate and adapt to competitive conditions whether it is by developing and marketing innovative products and services, adopting or developing new technologies that differentiate our products and services, or providing highly personalized banking services.  We strive to distinguish ourselves from other community banks and financial services providers in our marketplace by providing a high level of service to enhance customer loyalty and to attract and retain business.  However, no assurances can be given that our efforts to compete in our market areas will continue to be successful.
    Supervision and Regulation
General.  Bank holding companies, such as the Corporation, and banks, such as the Bank, are subject to extensive regulation and supervision by federal and state regulators.  Various requirements and restrictions under state and federal law affect our operations, including reserves against deposits, ownership of deposit accounts, loans, investments, mergers and acquisitions, borrowings, dividends, locations of branch offices and capital requirements.  The following is a summary of certain statutes and rules applicable to us.  This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the particular statute and regulatory provision referred to below and is not intended to be an exhaustive description of all applicable statutes and regulations.
As a bank holding company, the Corporation is subject to regulation and supervision by the Federal Reserve.  We are required to file with the Federal Reserve quarterly and annual reports and such additional information as the Federal Reserve may require pursuant to the BHCA.  The Federal Reserve may conduct examinations of bank holding companies and their subsidiaries.  The Corporation is also a bank holding company within the meaning of the California Financial Code (the “Financial Code”).  As such, the Corporation and its subsidiaries are subject to examination by, and may be required to file reports with, the DBO.
Under changes made by the Dodd-Frank Act, a bank holding company must act as a source of financial and managerial strength to each of its subsidiary banks and to commit resources to support each such subsidiary bank.  In order to fulfill its obligations as a source of strength, the Federal Reserve may require a bank holding company to make capital injections into a troubled subsidiary bank.  In addition, the Federal Reserve may charge the bank holding company with engaging in unsafe and unsound practices if the bank holding company fails to commit resources to a subsidiary bank or if it undertakes actions that the Federal Reserve believes might jeopardize the bank holding company’s ability to commit resources to such subsidiary bank.  The Federal Reserve also has the authority to require a bank holding company to terminate any activity or to relinquish control of a nonbank subsidiary (other than a nonbank subsidiary of a bank) upon the Federal Reserve’s determination that such activity or control constitutes a serious risk to the financial soundness and stability of any bank subsidiary of the bank holding company.
As a California state-chartered commercial bank, which is a member of the Federal Reserve, the Bank is subject to supervision, periodic examination and regulation by the DBO and the Federal Reserve.  The Bank’s deposits are insured by the FDIC through the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”).  Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, federal deposit insurance coverage was permanently increased to $250,000 per depositor for all insured depository institutions.  As a result of this deposit insurance function, the FDIC also has certain supervisory authority and powers over the Bank as well as all other FDIC insured institutions.  If, as a result of an examination of the Bank, the regulators should determine that the financial condition, capital resources, asset quality, earnings prospects, management, liquidity or other aspects of the Bank’s operations are unsatisfactory or that the Bank or our management is violating or has violated any law or regulation, various remedies are available to the regulators.  Such remedies include the power to enjoin unsafe or unsound practices, to require affirmative action to correct any conditions resulting from any violation or practice, to issue an administrative order that can be judicially enforced, to direct an increase in capital, to restrict growth, to assess civil monetary penalties, to remove officers and directors and ultimately to request the FDIC to terminate the Bank’s deposit insurance.  As a California-chartered commercial bank, the Bank is also subject to certain provisions of California law.
Legislative and regulatory initiatives have been, and are likely to continue to be, introduced and implemented, which could substantially intensify the regulation of the financial services industry.  We cannot predict whether or when potential legislation or new regulations will be enacted, and if enacted, the effect that new legislation or any implemented regulations and supervisory policies would have on our financial condition and results of operations.  Moreover, bank regulatory agencies can be more aggressive in responding to concerns and trends identified in examinations, which could result in an increased issuance of enforcement actions to financial institutions requiring action to address credit quality, liquidity and risk management and capital adequacy, as well as other safety and soundness concerns.
    Dodd-Frank Act
The Dodd-Frank Act, which was signed into law on July 21, 2010, implements far-reaching changes across the financial regulatory landscape, including provisions that, among other things:
·  Centralizes responsibility for consumer financial protection by creating a new agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, responsible for implementing, examining and enforcing compliance with federal consumer financial laws (“CFPB”).
·  Requires bank holding companies, such as the Corporation, to be well capitalized and well managed as of July 21, 2011.  Bank holding companies and banks must also be both well capitalized and well managed in order to engage in interstate bank acquisitions.
·  Imposes comprehensive regulation of the over-the-counter derivatives market, including certain provisions that would effectively prohibit insured depository institutions from conducting certain derivatives businesses in the institutions themselves.
·  Implements corporate governance revisions, including with regard to executive compensation and proxy access by stockholders.
·  Made permanent the $250,000 limit for federal deposit insurance and increased the cash limit of Securities Investor Protection Corporation protection from $100,000 to $250,000.
·  Repealed the federal prohibitions on the payment of interest on demand deposits, thereby permitting depository institutions to pay interest on business transaction and other accounts.
·  Amended the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to, among other things, give the Federal Reserve the authority to establish rules regarding interchange fees charged for electronic debit transactions by payment card issuers having assets over $10 billion and enforces a new statutory requirement that such fees be reasonable and proportional to the actual cost of a transaction to the issuer.
·  Increased the authority of the Federal Reserve to examine bank holding companies, such as the Corporation, and their non-bank subsidiaries.
Many aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act are subject to rulemaking and will take effect over several years, making it difficult to anticipate the overall financial impact on the Company, its customers or the financial industry generally.  Provisions in the legislation that affect deposit insurance assessments, payment of interest on demand deposits and interchange fees could increase the costs associated with deposits as well as place limitations on certain revenues those deposits may generate.
Activities of Bank Holding Companies.  The activities of bank holding companies are generally limited to the business of banking, managing or controlling banks, and other activities that the Federal Reserve has determined to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto.  Bank holding companies that qualify and register as “financial holding companies” are also able to engage in certain additional financial activities, such as merchant banking and securities and insurance underwriting, subject to limitations set forth in federal law.  We are not at this date a “financial holding company.”
The BHCA requires a bank holding company to obtain prior approval of the Federal Reserve before: (i) taking any action that causes a bank to become a controlled subsidiary of the bank holding company; (ii) acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of voting shares of any bank or bank holding company, if the acquisition results in the acquiring bank holding company having control of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities of such bank or bank holding company, unless such bank or bank holding company is majority-owned by the acquiring bank holding company before the acquisition; (iii) acquiring all or substantially all the assets of a bank; or (iv) merging or consolidating with another bank holding company.
Permissible Activities of the Bank.  Because California permits commercial banks chartered by the state to engage in any activity permissible for national banks, the Bank can form subsidiaries to engage in activates “closely related to banking” or “nonbanking” activities and expanded financial activities.  However, to form a financial subsidiary, the Bank must be well capitalized and would be subject to the same capital deduction, risk management and affiliate transaction rules as applicable to national banks.  Generally, a financial subsidiary is permitted to engage in activities that are “financial in nature” or incidental thereto, even though they are not permissible for the national bank to conduct directly within the bank.  The definition of “financial in nature” includes, among other items, underwriting, dealing in or making a market in securities, including, for example, distributing shares of mutual funds.  The subsidiary may not, however, engage as principal in underwriting insurance (other than credit life insurance), issue annuities or engage in real estate development or investment or merchant banking.
Incentive Compensation. Federal banking agencies have issued guidance on incentive compensation policies intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies of banking organizations do not undermine the safety and soundness of such organizations by encouraging excessive risk-taking.  The guidance, which covers all employees that have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of an organization, is based upon the key principles that a banking organization’s incentive compensation arrangements should (i) provide incentives that do not encourage risk-taking beyond the organization’s ability to effectively identify and manage risks, (ii) be compatible with effective internal controls and risk management, and (iii) be supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by the organization’s board of directors.
The Federal Reserve will review, as part of the regular, risk-focused examination process, the incentive compensation arrangements of banking organizations, such as the Company, that are not “large, complex banking organizations.”  These reviews will be tailored to each organization based on the scope and complexity of the organization’s activities and the prevalence of incentive compensation arrangements.  The findings of the supervisory initiatives will be included in reports of examination.  Deficiencies will be incorporated into the organization’s supervisory ratings, which can affect the organization’s ability to make acquisitions and take other actions.  Enforcement actions may be taken against a banking organization if its incentive compensation arrangements, or related risk-management control or governance processes, pose a risk to the organization’s safety and soundness and the organization is not taking prompt and effective measures to correct the deficiencies.
In February 2011, the federal banking agencies approved a joint proposed rulemaking to implement Section 956 of the Dodd-Frank Act, which prohibits incentive-based compensation arrangements that encourage inappropriate risk taking by covered financial institutions (generally institutions that have over $1 billion in assets) and are deemed to be excessive, or that may lead to material losses.
The scope and content of the U.S. banking regulators’ policies on executive compensation are continuing to develop and are likely to continue evolving in the near future.  It cannot be determined at this time whether compliance with such policies will adversely affect the Company’s ability to hire, retain and motivate its key employees.
Capital Requirements.  Bank holding companies and banks are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by state and federal agencies.  These agencies may establish higher minimum requirements if, for example, a banking organization previously has received special attention or has a high susceptibility to interest rate risk.  Risk-based capital requirements determine the adequacy of capital based on the risk inherent in various classes of assets and off-balance sheet items.  Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the Federal Reserve is required to apply consolidated capital requirements to depository institution holding companies that are no less stringent than those currently applied to depository institutions.  The Dodd-Frank Act additionally requires capital requirements to be countercyclical so that the required amount of capital increases in times of economic expansion and decreases in times of economic contraction, consistent with safety and soundness.
Under federal regulations, bank holding companies and banks must meet the following risk-based capital requirements: a minimum ratio of 8% of total capital to risk-weighted assets, and a minimum ratio of 4% of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets.
The description below relates to the requirements, as they existed through December 31, 2014, subsequent to which the revised capital rules implementing Basel III became applicable to the Bank.  See “Changes in Capital Requirements” below.
To be deemed “well capitalized” under applicable federal regulations, banks must have a minimum ratio of 10% of total capital to risk-weighted assets, and a minimum ratio of 6% of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets.  The regulatory capital requirements, as well as the actual capital ratios for the Corporation and the Bank as of December 31, 2014, are presented in detail in Note 2, Regulatory Capital Requirements and Other Regulatory Matters in Item 8 hereof.  See also “Capital Resources” within Management’s Discussion and Analysis in Item 7 hereof.  As of December 31, 2014, the Corporation had a consolidated ratio of 14.46% of total capital to risk-weighted assets and a consolidated ratio of 10.30% of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets and the Bank had a ratio of 13.45% of total capital to risk-weighted assets and a ratio of 12.72% of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets.
Under federal regulations, “Tier 1 capital” is defined to include: common stockholders’ equity (including retained earnings), qualifying noncumulative perpetual preferred stock and related surplus, qualifying cumulative perpetual preferred stock and related surplus, minority interests in the equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries (limited to a maximum of 25% of Tier 1 capital), and certain trust preferred securities.  The Dodd-Frank Act excludes trust preferred securities issued after May 19, 2010, from being included in Tier 1 capital, unless the issuing company is a bank holding company with less than $500 million in total assets.  Trust preferred securities issued prior to that date will continue to count as Tier 1 capital for bank holding companies with less than $15 billion in total assets, such as the Corporation.  The trust preferred securities issued by our unconsolidated subsidiary capital trust qualify as Tier 1 capital up to a maximum limit of 25% of total Tier 1 capital.  Any additional portion of our trust preferred securities would qualify as “Tier 2 capital.”  As of December 31, 2014, the subsidiary trust had $10.3 million in trust preferred securities outstanding, of which $10.0 million qualifies as Tier 1 capital and $60 million in subordinated notes that qualifies as Tier 2 capital.  Also, goodwill and most intangible assets are deducted from Tier 1 capital.  For purposes of applicable the total risk-based capital regulatory guidelines, Tier 2 capital (sometimes referred to as “supplementary capital”) is defined to include, subject to limitations: perpetual preferred stock not included in Tier 1 capital, intermediate-term preferred stock and any related surplus, certain hybrid capital instruments, perpetual debt and mandatory convertible debt securities, allowances for loan and lease losses, and intermediate-term subordinated debt instruments.  The maximum amount of qualifying Tier 2 capital is 100% of qualifying Tier 1 capital.  For purposes of determining total capital under federal guidelines, total capital equals Tier 1 capital, plus qualifying Tier 2 capital, minus investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries, reciprocal holdings of bank holding company capital securities, and deferred tax assets and other deductions.
In addition to the risk-based guidelines described above, federal banking regulators require banking organizations to maintain a minimum amount of Tier 1 capital to total assets, referred to as the leverage ratio.  For a banking organization rated in the highest of the five categories used by regulators to rate banking organizations, the minimum leverage ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets is 3%.  For all banking organizations not rated in the highest category, the minimum leverage ratio must be at least 4%.  To be deemed “well capitalized” under applicable federal regulations, banks must have a minimum leverage ratio of 5%.  As of December 31, 2014, Corporation had a consolidated leverage ratio of 9.18% and the Bank had a leverage ratio of 11.29%.
In addition to these uniform risk-based capital guidelines and leverage ratios that apply across the industry, the regulators have the discretion to set individual minimum capital requirements for specific institutions at rates significantly above the minimum guidelines and ratios.  Future changes in regulations or practices could further reduce the amount of capital recognized for purposes of capital adequacy.  Such a change could affect our ability to grow and could restrict the amount of profits, if any, available for the payment of dividends.
In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act requires the federal banking agencies to adopt capital requirements that address the risks that the activities of an institution poses to the institution and the public and private stakeholders, including risks arising from certain enumerated activities.  The federal banking agencies will likely change existing capital guidelines or adopt new capital guidelines in the future pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act or other regulatory or supervisory changes.  We will be assessing the impact on us of these new regulations, as they are proposed and implemented.
Changes in Capital Requirements.  In December 2010, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision released its final framework for strengthening international capital and liquidity regulation (“Basel III”).  The regulations adopted by the U.S. federal bank regulatory agencies, when fully phased-in, will require bank holding companies and their bank subsidiaries to maintain more capital, with a greater emphasis on common equity.
        The Basel III final capital framework, among other things, (i) introduces as a new capital measure “Common Equity Tier 1” (“CET1”), (ii) specifies that Tier 1 capital consists of CET1 and “Additional Tier 1 capital” instruments meeting specified requirements, (iii) defines CET1 narrowly by requiring that most adjustments to regulatory capital measures be made to CET1 and not to the other components of capital and (iv) expands the scope of the adjustments as compared to existing regulations.
When fully phased-in by January 1, 2019, Basel III requires banks to maintain:
·  a minimum ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 4.5%, plus a 2.5% “capital conservation buffer”;
·  a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 6.0%, plus the capital conservation buffer, or 8.5%;
·  a minimum ratio of Total (Tier 1 plus Tier 2) capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.0%, plus the capital conservation buffer, or 10.5%; and
·  a minimum leverage ratio of 3%, calculated as the ratio of Tier 1 capital to balance sheet exposures plus certain off-balance sheet exposures.
Basel III also includes the following significant provisions:
·  An additional countercyclical capital buffer to be imposed by applicable national banking regulators periodically at their discretion, with advance notice, that would be a CET1 add-on to the capital conservation buffer in the range of 0% and 2.5% when fully implemented;
·  Restrictions on capital distributions and discretionary bonuses applicable when capital ratios fall within the buffer zone;
·  Deduction from common equity of deferred tax assets that depend on future profitability to be realized;
·  For capital instruments issued on or after January 13, 2013 (other than common equity), a loss-absorbency requirement that the instrument must be written off or converted to common equity if a triggering event occurs, either pursuant to applicable law or at the direction of the banking regulator.  A triggering event is an event that would cause the banking organization to become nonviable without the write off or conversion, or without an injection of capital from the public sector.
Banking institutions with a ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the conservation buffer (or below the combined capital conservation buffer and countercyclical capital buffer, when the latter is applied) may face constraints on its ability to pay dividends, effect equity repurchases and pay discretionary bonuses to executive officers, which constraints vary based on the amount of the shortfall.
The Basel III final framework provides for a number of new deductions from and adjustments to CET1.  These include, for example, the requirement that mortgage servicing rights, deferred tax assets dependent upon future taxable income and significant investments in non-consolidated financial entities be deducted from CET1 to the extent that any one such category exceeds 10% of CET1 or all such categories in the aggregate exceed 15% of CET1.
The federal banking regulators adopted a final rulemaking in July 2013 (the “Basel III Rule”) to implement Basel III under regulations substantially consistent with the above.  The Basel III Rule also includes, as part of the definition of CET1 capital, a requirement that banking institutions include the amount of Additional Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”, which primarily consists of unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities, which are not required to be treated as other-than-temporary impairment, net of tax) in calculating regulatory capital, unless the institution makes a one-time opt-out election from this provision in connection with the filing of its first regulatory reports after applicability of the Basel III Rule to that institution. The Basel III Rule also proposes a 4% minimum leverage ratio.
The Basel III Rule also makes changes to the manner of calculating risk weighted assets.  New methodologies for determining risk weighted assets in the general capital rules are included, including revisions to recognition of credit risk mitigation, including a greater recognition of financial collateral and a wider range of eligible guarantors.  They also include risk weighting of equity exposures and past due loans; and higher (greater than 100%) risk weighting for certain commercial real estate exposures that have higher credit risk profiles, including higher loan to value and equity components.  In particular, loans categorized as “high-volatility commercial real estate” loans (“HVCRE loans”) are required to be assigned a 150% risk weighting, and require additional capital support.  HVCRE loans are defined to include any credit facility that finances or has financed the acquisition, development or construction of real property, unless it finances: 1-4 family residential properties; certain community development investments; agricultural land used or usable for, and whose value is based on, agricultural use; or commercial real estate projects in which: (i) the loan to value is less than the applicable maximum supervisory loan to value ratio established by the bank regulatory agencies; (ii) the borrower has contributed cash or unencumbered readily marketable assets, or has paid development expenses out of pocket, equal to at least 15% of the appraised “as completed” value; (iii) the borrower contributes its 15% before the bank advances any funds; and (iv) the capital contributed by the borrower, and any funds internally generated by the project, is contractually required to remain in the project until the facility is converted to permanent financing, sold or paid in full.
As discussed below, the Basel III Rule also integrates the new capital requirements into the prompt corrective action provisions under Section 38 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“FDIA”).
The Basel III Rule became applicable to the Corporation and the Bank on January 1, 2015.  The capital conservation buffer requirement will be phased in beginning January 1, 2016, at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets, increasing each year until fully implemented at 2.5% on January 1, 2019.  We currently expect that the Corporation and the Bank will elect to exclude AOCI in calculating regulatory capital when they file their respective first regulatory reports in 2015, although we reserve the right to elect to include AOCI in the calculation of regulatory capital.  Overall, the Corporation believes that implementation of the Basel III Rule will not have a material adverse affect on the Corporation’s or the Bank’s capital ratios, earnings, shareholder’s equity, or its ability to pay dividends, effect stock repurchases or pay discretionary bonuses to executive officers.
Prompt Corrective Action Regulations.  The federal banking regulators are required to take “prompt corrective action” with respect to capital-deficient institutions.  Federal banking regulations define, for each capital category, the levels at which institutions are “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized.”  Under regulations effective through December 31, 2014, a “well capitalized” institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or higher; a Tier I risk-based capital ratio of 6.0% or higher; a leverage ratio of 5.0% or higher; and is not subject to any written agreement, order or directive requiring it to maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure.  An “adequately capitalized” institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or higher; a Tier I risk-based capital ratio of 4.0% or higher; a leverage ratio of 4.0% or higher (3.0% or higher if the bank was rated a composite 1 in its most recent examination report and is not experiencing significant growth); and does not meet the criteria for a “well capitalized” bank.  An institution is “undercapitalized” if it fails to meet any one of the ratios required to be adequately capitalized.  An “undercapitalized” institution has a total risk-based capital ratio that is less than 8.0%; a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.0% or a leverage ratio of less than 4.0%.  A “significantly undercapitalized” institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0%; a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 3.0% or a leverage ratio of less than 3.0%.  A “critically undercapitalized” institution’s tangible equity is equal to or less than 2.0% of average quarterly tangible assets.  An institution may be downgraded to, or deemed to be in, a capital category that is lower than indicated by its capital ratios if it is determined to be in an unsafe or unsound condition or if it receives an unsatisfactory examination rating with respect to certain matters.  An institution’s capital category is determined solely for the purpose of applying prompt corrective action regulations, and the capital category may not constitute an accurate representation of the institution’s overall financial condition or prospects for other purposes.
In the event an institution becomes “undercapitalized,” it must submit a capital restoration plan.  The capital restoration plan will not be accepted by the regulators unless each company having control of the undercapitalized institution guarantees the subsidiary’s compliance with the capital restoration plan up to a certain specified amount.  Any such guarantee from a depository institution’s holding company is entitled to a priority of payment in bankruptcy.  The aggregate liability of the holding company of an undercapitalized bank is limited to the lesser of 5% of the institution’s assets at the time it became undercapitalized or the amount necessary to cause the institution to be “adequately capitalized.”  The bank regulators have greater power in situations where an institution becomes “significantly” or “critically” undercapitalized or fails to submit a capital restoration plan.  In addition to requiring undercapitalized institutions to submit a capital restoration plan, bank regulations contain broad restrictions on certain activities of undercapitalized institutions including asset growth, acquisitions, branch establishment and expansion into new lines of business.  With certain exceptions, an insured depository institution is prohibited from making capital distributions, including dividends, and is prohibited from paying management fees to control persons if the institution would be undercapitalized after any such distribution or payment.
As an institution’s capital decreases, the regulators’ enforcement powers become more severe.  A significantly undercapitalized institution is subject to mandated capital raising activities, restrictions on interest rates paid and transactions with affiliates, removal of management, and other restrictions.  A regulator has limited discretion in dealing with a critically undercapitalized institution and is virtually required to appoint a receiver or conservator.
Banks with risk-based capital and leverage ratios below the required minimums may also be subject to certain administrative actions, including the termination of deposit insurance upon notice and hearing, or a temporary suspension of insurance without a hearing in the event the institution has no tangible capital.
As of December 31, 2014, the Bank was “well capitalized” according to the guidelines as generally discussed above.
As noted above, the Basel III Rule integrates the new capital requirements into the prompt corrective action category definitions.  As of January 1, 2015, the following capital requirements apply to the Corporation for purposes of Section 38 of the FDIA.
Capital Category
Total Risk-Based
Capital Ratio
Tier 1 Risk-Based
Capital Ratio
Common Equity
Tier 1 (CET1) Capital Ratio
Leverage Ratio
Tangible Equity
to Assets
Supplemental
Leverage Ratio
Well Capitalized10% or greater8% or greater6.5% or greater5% or greatern/an/a
Adequately Capitalized8% or greater6% or greater4.5% or greater4% or greatern/a3% or greater
UndercapitalizedLess than 8%Less than 6%Less than 4.5%Less than 4%n/aLess than 3%
Significantly UndercapitalizedLess than 6%Less than 4%Less than 3%Less than 3%n/an/a
Critically Undercapitalizedn/an/an/an/aLess than 2%n/a
In addition to the federal regulatory capital requirements described above, the DBO has authority to take possession of the business and properties of a bank in the event that the tangible stockholders’ equity of a bank is less than the greater of (i) 4% of the bank’s total assets or (ii) $1.0 million.
Dividends.  It is the Federal Reserve’s policy that bank holding companies, such as the Corporation, should generally pay dividends on common stock only out of income available over the past year, and only if prospective earnings retention is consistent with the organization’s expected future needs and financial condition.  It is also the Federal Reserve’s policy that bank holding companies should not maintain dividend levels that undermine their ability to be a source of strength to its banking subsidiaries.  Additionally, in consideration of the current financial and economic environment, the Federal Reserve has indicated that bank holding companies should carefully review their dividend policy and has discouraged payment ratios that are at maximum allowable levels unless both asset quality and capital are very strong.
The Bank’s ability to pay dividends to the Corporation is subject to restrictions set forth in the Financial Code.  The Financial Code provides that a bank may not make a cash distribution to its stockholders in excess of the lesser of a bank’s (1) retained earnings; or (2) net income for its last three fiscal years, less the amount of any distributions made by the bank or by any majority-owned subsidiary of the bank to the stockholders of the bank during such period.  However, a bank may, with the approval of the DBO, make a distribution to its stockholders in an amount not exceeding the greatest of (a) its retained earnings; (b) its net income for its last fiscal year; or (c) its net income for its current fiscal year.  In the event that bank regulators determine that the stockholders' equity of a bank is inadequate or that the making of a distribution by the bank would be unsafe or unsound, the regulators may order the bank to refrain from making a proposed distribution.  The payment of dividends could, depending on the financial condition of the Bank, be deemed to constitute an unsafe or unsound practice.  Under these provisions, the amount available for distribution from the Bank to the Corporation was approximately $45.9 million at December 31, 2014.
Approval of the Federal Reserve is required for payment of any dividend by a state chartered bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve, such as the Bank, if the total of all dividends declared by the bank in any calendar year would exceed the total of its retained net income for that year combined with its retained net income for the preceding two years.  In addition, a state member bank may not pay a dividend in an amount greater than its undivided profits without regulatory and stockholder approval.  The Bank is also prohibited under federal law from paying any dividend that would cause it to become undercapitalized.
It is our policy to retain earnings, if any, to provide funds for use in our business.  We have never declared or paid dividends on our common stock.
FDIC Insurance of Certain Accounts and Regulation by the FDIC.  The Bank is an FDIC insured financial institution whereby the FDIC provides deposit insurance for a certain maximum dollar amount per customer.  The Bank, as is the case with all FDIC insured banks, is subject to deposit insurance assessments as determined by the FDIC.  The amount of the deposit insurance assessment for institutions with less than $10.0 billion in assets, which includes the Bank, is based on its risk category, with certain adjustments for any unsecured debt or brokered deposits held by the insured bank.  Institutions assigned to higher risk categories (that is, institutions that pose a higher risk of loss to the DIF) pay assessments at higher rates than institutions that pose a lower risk.  An institution’s risk classification is assigned based on a combination of its financial ratios and supervisory ratings, reflecting, among other things, its capital levels and the level of supervisory concern that the institution poses to the regulators.  In addition, the FDIC can impose special assessments in certain instances.  Deposit insurance assessments fund the DIF.
The Dodd-Frank Act changes the way that deposit insurance premiums are calculated.  The assessment base is no longer the institution’s deposit base, but rather its average consolidated total assets less its average tangible equity.  The Dodd-Frank Act also increases the minimum designated reserve ratio of the DIF from 1.15% to 1.35% of the estimated amount of total insured deposits by 2020, eliminates the upper limit for the reserve ratio designated by the FDIC each year, and eliminates the requirement that the FDIC pay dividends to depository institutions when the reserve ratio exceeds certain thresholds.  Continued action by the FDIC to replenish the DIF, as well as the changes contained in the Dodd Frank Act, may result in higher assessment rates, which could reduce our profitability or otherwise negatively impact our operations.  Based on the current FDIC insurance assessment methodology and including our participation in the Transaction Account Guarantee Program, our FDIC insurance premium expense was $1.0 million for 2014, $749,000 for 2013 and $638,000 in 2012.
Transactions with Related Parties.  Depository institutions are subject to the restrictions contained in the Federal Reserve Act (the “FRA”) with respect to loans to directors, executive officers and principal stockholders.  Under the FRA, loans to directors, executive officers and stockholders who own more than 10% of a depository institution and certain affiliated entities of any of the foregoing, may not exceed, together with all other outstanding loans to such person and affiliated entities, the institution’s loans-to-one-borrower limit as discussed in the above section.  Federal regulations also prohibits loans above amounts prescribed by the appropriate federal banking agency to directors, executive officers, and stockholders who own more than 10% of an institution, and their respective affiliates, unless such loans are approved in advance by a majority of the board of directors of the institution.  Any “interested” director may not participate in the voting.  The prescribed loan amount, which includes all other outstanding loans to such person, as to which such prior board of director approval is required, is the greater of $25,000 or 5% of capital and surplus up to $500,000.  The Federal Reserve also requires that loans to directors, executive officers, and principal stockholders be made on terms substantially the same as offered in comparable transactions to non-executive employees of the bank and must not involve more than the normal risk of repayment.  There are additional limits on the amount a bank can loan to an executive officer.
Transactions between a bank and its “affiliates” are quantitatively and qualitatively restricted under Sections 23A and 23B of the FRA.  Section 23A restricts the aggregate amount of covered transactions with any individual affiliate to 10% of the capital and surplus of the financial institution.  The aggregate amount of covered transactions with all affiliates is limited to 20% of the institution’s capital and surplus.  Certain transactions with affiliates are required to be secured by collateral in an amount and of a type described in Section 23A and the purchase of low quality assets from affiliates are generally prohibited.  Section 23B generally provides that certain transactions with affiliates, including loans and asset purchases, must be on terms and under circumstances, including credit standards, that are substantially the same or at least as favorable to the institution as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with non-affiliated companies.  The Federal Reserve has promulgated Regulation W, which codifies prior interpretations under Sections 23A and 23B of the FRA and provides interpretive guidance with respect to affiliate transactions.  Affiliates of a bank include, among other entities, a bank’s holding company and companies that are under common control with the bank.  We are considered to be an affiliate of the Bank.
The Dodd-Frank Act generally enhances the restrictions on transactions with affiliates under Section 23A and 23B of the FRA, including an expansion of the definition of “covered transactions” and an increase in the amount of time for which collateral requirements regarding covered credit transactions must be satisfied.  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 derivatives transactions, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements and securities lending or borrowing transactions.  Restrictions are also placed on certain asset sales to and from an insider to an institution, including requirements that such sales be on market terms and, in certain circumstances, approved by the institution's board of directors.
Safety and Soundness Standards.  The federal banking agencies have adopted guidelines designed to assist the federal banking agencies in identifying and addressing potential safety and soundness concerns before capital becomes impaired.  The guidelines set forth operational and managerial standards relating to (i) internal controls, information systems and internal audit systems; (ii) loan documentation; (iii) credit underwriting; (iv) asset growth; (v) earnings; and (vi) compensation, fees and benefits.
In addition, the federal banking agencies have also adopted safety and soundness guidelines with respect to asset quality and for evaluating and monitoring earnings to ensure that earnings are sufficient for the maintenance of adequate capital and reserves.  These guidelines provide six standards for establishing and maintaining a system to identify problem assets and prevent those assets from deteriorating.  Under these standards, an insured depository institution should (i) conduct periodic asset quality reviews to identify problem assets; (ii) estimate the inherent losses in problem assets and establish reserves that are sufficient to absorb estimated losses; (iii) compare problem asset totals to capital; (iv) take appropriate corrective action to resolve problem assets; (v) consider the size and potential risks of material asset concentrations; and (vi) provide periodic asset quality reports with adequate information for management and the board of directors to assess the level of asset risk.
Loans-to-One Borrower.  Under California law, our ability to make aggregate secured and unsecured loans-to-one-borrower is limited to 25% and 15%, respectively, of unimpaired capital and surplus.  At December 31, 2014, the Bank’s limit on aggregate secured loans-to-one-borrower was $65.0 million and unsecured loans-to-one borrower was $39.0 million.  The Bank has established internal loan limits which are lower than the legal lending limits for a California bank.
Community Reinvestment Act and the Fair Lending Laws.  The Bank is subject to certain fair lending requirements and reporting obligations involving home mortgage lending operations and CRA activities.  The CRA generally requires the federal banking regulators to evaluate the record of a financial institution in meeting the credit needs of their local communities, including low and moderate income neighborhoods.  In addition to substantial penalties and corrective measures that may be required for a violation of certain fair lending laws, the federal banking agencies may take compliance with such laws and CRA into account when regulating and supervising other activities.  A bank’s compliance with its CRA obligations is based on a performance-based evaluation system which bases CRA ratings on an institution’s lending service and investment performance, resulting in a rating by the appropriate bank regulator of “outstanding,” “satisfactory,” “needs to improve” or “substantial noncompliance.”  Based on its last CRA examination, the Bank received a “satisfactory” rating.
Bank Secrecy Act and Money Laundering Control Act.  In 1970, Congress passed the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act, otherwise known as the Bank Secrecy Act (the “BSA”), which established requirements for recordkeeping and reporting by banks and other financial institutions.  The BSA was designed to help identify the source, volume and movement of currency and other monetary instruments into and out of the U.S. in order to help detect and prevent money laundering connected with drug trafficking, terrorism and other criminal activities.  The primary tool used to implement BSA requirements is the filing of Suspicious Activity Reports.  Today, the BSA requires that all banking institutions develop and provide for the continued administration of a program reasonably designed to assure and monitor compliance with certain recordkeeping and reporting requirements regarding both domestic and international currency transactions.  These programs must, at a minimum, provide for a system of internal controls to assure ongoing compliance, provide for independent testing of such systems and compliance, designate individuals responsible for such compliance and provide appropriate personnel training.
USA Patriot Act.  Under the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act, commonly referred to as the "USA Patriot Act" or the "Patriot Act," financial institutions are subject to prohibitions against specified financial transactions and account relationships, as well as enhanced due diligence standards intended to detect, and prevent, the use of the United States financial system for money laundering and terrorist financing activities.  The Patriot Act requires financial institutions, including banks, to establish anti-money laundering programs, including employee training and independent audit requirements, meet minimum standards specified by the act, follow minimum standards for customer identification and maintenance of customer identification records, and regularly compare customer lists against lists of suspected terrorists, terrorist organizations and money launderers.  The costs or other effects of the compliance burdens imposed by the Patriot Act or future anti-terrorist, homeland security or anti-money laundering legislation or regulation cannot be predicted with certainty.
Consumer Laws and Regulations.  The Bank is also subject to certain consumer laws and regulations that are designed to protect consumers in transactions with banks.  These laws include, among others, Truth in Lending Act; Truth in Savings Act; Electronic Funds Transfer Act; Expedited Funds Availability Act; Equal Credit Opportunity Act; Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act; Fair Housing Act; Fair Credit Reporting Act; Fair Debt Collection Act; Home Mortgage Disclosure Act; Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act; laws regarding unfair and deceptive acts and practices; and usury laws.  These laws and regulations mandate certain disclosure requirements and regulate the manner in which financial institutions must deal with customers when taking deposits or making loans to such customers.  The Bank must comply with the applicable provisions of these consumer protection laws and regulations as part of their ongoing customer relations.  Many states and local jurisdictions have consumer protection laws analogous, and in addition, to those listed above.  Failure to comply with these laws and regulations could give rise to regulatory sanctions, customer rescission rights, action by state and local attorneys general, and civil or criminal liability.
Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB has broad authority to regulate and supervise the retail consumer financial products and services activities of banks and various non-bank providers.  The CFPB has authority to promulgate regulations, issue orders, guidance and policy statements, conduct examinations and bring enforcement actions with regard to consumer financial products and services.  In general, however, banks with assets of $10.0 billion or less, such as the Bank, will continue to be examined for consumer compliance by their primary federal banking regulator.  The creation of the CFPB by the Dodd-Frank Act has lead to, and is likely to continue to lead to, enhanced and strengthened enforcement of consumer financial protection laws.
In addition, federal law currently contains extensive customer privacy protection provisions.  Under these provisions, a financial institution must provide to its customers, at the inception of the customer relationship and annually thereafter, the institution’s policies and procedures regarding the handling of customers’ nonpublic personal financial information.  These provisions also provide that, except for certain limited exceptions, a financial institution may not provide such personal information to unaffiliated third parties unless the institution discloses to the customer that such information may be so provided and the customer is given the opportunity to opt out of such disclosure.
    Federal and State Taxation
The Corporation and the Bank report their income on a consolidated basis using the accrual method of accounting, and are subject to federal income taxation in the same manner as other corporations with some exceptions.  The Company has not been audited by the IRS.  For its 2014, 2013 and 2012 tax years, the Company was subject to a maximum tax rate of 35.00% and state income tax rate of 10.84%. 
Ownership of our common stock involves certain risks.  The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face.  You should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as all other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations.  If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially, adversely affected.
Risks Related to Our Business
The current economic environment poses significant challenges for the Company and could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
From December 2007 through June 2009, the U.S. economy was in recession and economic recovery through 2014 has been slower than expected.  Although economic continue to slowly improve, declines in real estate values and financial stress on borrowers as a result of an uncertain economic environment could have an adverse effect on the Company’s borrowers and their ability to repay their loans to us, which could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.  In addition, local governments and many businesses are still experiencing difficulty due to lower consumer spending and decreased liquidity in the credit markets.  A sustained weakness or further weakening of these conditions in the markets in which we operate would likely have an adverse effect on us and others in the financial institutions industry.  For example, further deterioration in economic conditions in our markets could drive losses beyond that which is provided for in our ALLL.  We may also face the following risks in connection with these events:
·  Economic conditions that negatively affect real estate values and the job market may result, in the deterioration of the credit quality of our loan portfolio, and such deterioration in credit quality could have a negative impact on our business.
·  A decrease in the demand for loans and other products and services offered by us.
·  A decrease in deposit balances due to overall reductions in the accounts of customers.
·  A decrease in the value of our loans or other assets secured by commercial or residential real estate.
·  A decrease in net interest income derived from our lending and deposit gathering activities.
· ��Sustained weakness or continuing weakness in our markets may affect consumer confidence levels and may cause adverse changes in payment patterns, causing increases in delinquencies and default rates on loans and other credit facilities.
·  The processes we use to estimate ALLL and reserves may no longer be reliable because they rely on complex judgments, including forecasts of economic conditions, which may no longer be capable of accurate estimation.
·  Our ability to assess the creditworthiness of our customers may be impaired if the models and approaches we use to select, manage, and underwrite its customers become less predictive of future charge-offs.
·  We expect to face increased regulation of its industry, and compliance with such regulation may increase our costs, limit our ability to pursue business opportunities and increase compliance challenges.
As these conditions or similar ones exist or worsen, we could experience increased adverse effects on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business is subject to various lending and other economic risks that could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
There was significant disruption and volatility in the financial and capital markets in 2008 and 2009.  The financial markets and the financial services industry in particular suffered unprecedented disruption, causing a number of institutions to fail or require government intervention to avoid failure.  These conditions were largely the result of the erosion of the U.S. and global credit markets, including a significant and rapid deterioration in the mortgage lending and related real estate markets.  While economic conditions have shown signs of improvement, the sustainability of an economic recovery is uncertain, and there can be no assurance that the economic conditions that adversely affected the financial services industry, and the capital, credit and real estate markets generally, will continue to improve in the near or long term, in which case, we could experience losses and write-downs of assets, and could face capital and liquidity constraints or other business challenges.  If economic conditions were to deteriorate, particularly within our geographic region, it could result in the following additional consequences, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition:
·  Loan delinquencies may increase causing increases in our provision and allowance for loan losses.
·  Our ability to assess the creditworthiness of our customers may be impaired if the models and approaches we use to select, manage, and underwrite our customers become less predictive of future charge-offs.
·  Collateral for loans, especially real estate, may continue to decline in value, in turn reducing a client’s borrowing power, and reducing the value of assets and collateral associated with our loans held for investment.
·  Consumer confidence levels may decline and cause adverse changes in payment patterns, resulting in increased delinquencies and default rates on loans and other credit facilities and decreased demand for our products and services.
·  Performance of the underlying loans in mortgage backed securities may deteriorate to potentially cause OTTI markdowns to our investment portfolio.
We may suffer losses in our loan portfolio in excess of our allowance for loan losses.
Our total nonperforming assets amounted to $2.5 million, or 0.12% of our total assets, at December 31, 2014, down from $3.4 million or 0.20% at December 31, 2013.  We had $684,000 of net loan charge-offs for 2014, down from $1.7 million in 2013.  Our provision for loan losses was $4.7 million in 2014, up from $1.9 million in 2013.  If increases in our nonperforming assets occur in the future, our net loan charge-offs and/or provision for loan losses may also increase which may have an adverse effect upon our future results of operations.
We seek to mitigate the risks inherent in our loan portfolio by adhering to specific underwriting practices.  These practices include analysis of a borrower’s prior credit history, financial statements, tax returns and cash flow projections, valuation of collateral based on reports of independent appraisers and liquid asset verifications.  Although we believe that our underwriting criteria are appropriate for the various kinds of loans we make, we may incur losses on loans that meet our underwriting criteria, and these losses may exceed the amounts set aside as reserves in our ALLL.  We create an allowance for estimated loan losses in our accounting records, based on analysis of the following:
·  Historical experience with our loans;
·  Industry historical losses as reported by the FDIC;
·  Evaluation of economic conditions;
·  Regular reviews of the quality, mix and size of the overall loan portfolio;
·  Regular reviews of delinquencies;
·  The quality of the collateral underlying our loans; and
·  The effect of external factors, such as competition, legal developments and regulatory requirements.
Although we maintain an ALLL at a level that we believe is adequate to absorb losses inherent in our loan portfolio, changes in economic, operating and other conditions, including the sharp decline in real estate values and changes in interest rates, which are beyond our control, may cause our actual loan losses to exceed our current allowance estimates.  If the actual loan losses exceed the amount reserved, it will adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, the Federal Reserve and the DBO, as part of their supervisory function, periodically review our ALLL.  Either agency may require us to increase our provision for loan losses or to recognize further loan losses, based on their judgments, which may be different from those of our management.  Any increase in the allowance required by them could also adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Adverse economic conditions in California may cause us to suffer higher default rates on our loans and reduce the value of the assets we hold as collateral.
Our business activities and credit exposure are concentrated in California.  Difficult economic conditions, including state and local government deficits, in California may cause us to incur losses associated with higher default rates and decreased collateral values in our loan portfolio.  In addition, demand for our products and services may decline.  Declines in the California real estate market could hurt our business, because the vast majority of our loans are secured by real estate located within California.  As of December 31, 2014, approximately 58% of our loans secured by real estate were located in California.  If real estate values were to decline, especially in California, the collateral for our loans provide less security.  As a result, our ability to recover on defaulted loans by selling the underlying real estate would be diminished, and we would be more likely to suffer losses on defaulted loans.
Our level of credit risk could increase due to our focus on commercial lending and the concentration on small and middle market business customers with heightened vulnerability to economic conditions.
As of December 31, 2014, our commercial real estate loans amounted to $622.2 million, or 38.2% of our total loan portfolio, and our commercial business loans amounted to $781.4 million, or 47.8% of our total loan portfolio.  At such date, our largest outstanding commercial business loan was $34.1 million and our largest multiple borrower relationship and largest outstanding commercial real estate loan was also $34.1 million.  Commercial real estate and commercial business loans generally are considered riskier than single-family residential loans because they have larger balances to a single borrower or group of related borrowers.  Commercial real estate and commercial business loans involve risks because the borrowers’ ability to repay the loans typically depends primarily on the successful operation of the businesses or the properties securing the loans.  Most of the Company’s commercial business loans are made to small business or middle market customers who may have a heightened vulnerability to economic conditions.  Moreover, a portion of these loans have been made or acquired by us in recent years and the borrowers may not have experienced a complete business or economic cycle.  Furthermore, the deterioration of our borrowers’ businesses may hinder their ability to repay their loans with us, which could adversely affect our results of operations.
Nonperforming assets take significant time to resolve and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Nonperforming assets adversely affect our net income in various ways.  Until economic and market conditions improve significantly, we can expect to continue to incur losses relating to nonperforming assets and higher loan administration costs.  We generally do not record interest income on nonperforming loans or OREO, which adversely affects our income.  When we take collateral in foreclosures and similar proceedings, we are required to mark the related asset to the then fair market value of the collateral, which may ultimately result in a loss.  An increase in the level of nonperforming assets increases our risk profile and may impact the capital levels our regulators believe are appropriate in light of the ensuing risk profile.  While we reduce problem assets through loan sales, workouts, restructurings and otherwise, decreases in the value of the underlying collateral, or in these borrowers’ performance or financial condition, whether or not due to economic and market conditions beyond our control, could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.  In addition, the resolution of nonperforming assets requires significant commitments of time from management and our directors, which can be detrimental to the performance of their other responsibilities.  There can be no assurance that we will not experience future increases in nonperforming assets.
We may be unable to successfully compete in our industry.
We face direct competition from a significant number of financial institutions, many with a state-wide or regional presence, and in some cases, a national presence, in both originating loans and attracting deposits.  Competition in originating loans comes primarily from other banks and mortgage companies that make loans in our primary market areas.  We also face substantial competition in attracting deposits from other banking institutions, money market and mutual funds, credit unions and other investment vehicles.  In addition banks with larger capitalizations and non-bank financial institutions that are not governed by bank regulatory restrictions have larger lending limits and are better able to serve the needs of larger customers.  Many of these financial institutions are also significantly larger and have greater financial resources than we have, and have established customer bases and name recognition.  We compete for loans principally on the basis of interest rates and loan fees, the types of loans we offer and the quality of service that we provide to our borrowers.  Our ability to attract and retain deposits requires that we provide customers with competitive investment opportunities with respect to rate of return, liquidity, risk and other factors.  To effectively compete, we may have to pay higher rates of interest to attract deposits, resulting in reduced profitability.  In addition, we rely upon local promotional activities, personal relationships established by our officers, directors and employees and specialized services tailored to meet the individual needs of our customers in order to compete.  If we are not able to effectively compete in our market area, our profitability may be negatively affected.
Interest rate fluctuations, which are out of our control, could harm profitability.
Our profitability depends to a large extent upon net interest income, which is the difference between interest income and dividends on interest-earning assets, such as loans and investments, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings.  Any change in general market interest rates, whether as a result of changes in the monetary policy of the Federal Reserve or otherwise, may have a significant effect on net interest income.  The assets and liabilities may react differently to changes in overall interest rates or conditions.  In general, higher interest rates are associated with a lower volume of loan originations while lower interest rates are usually associated with higher loan originations.  Further, if interest rates decline, our loans may be refinanced at lower rates or paid off and our investments may be prepaid earlier than expected.  If that occurs, we may have to redeploy the loan or investment proceeds into lower yielding assets, which might also decrease our income.  Also, as many of our loans currently have interest rate floors, a rise in rates may increase the cost of our deposits while the rates on the loans remain at their floors, which could decrease our net interest margin.  Accordingly, changes in levels of market interest rates could materially and adversely affect our net interest margin, asset quality and loan origination volume.
Adverse outcomes of litigation against us could harm our business and results of operations.
We are currently involved in litigation relating to the origination of certain subprime mortgages that prior management purchased on the secondary market (and later sold), as well as other actions arising in the ordinary course of business.  After a lengthy period of inactivity, we were contacted by plaintiffs’ counsel in the litigation relating to the origination of certain subprime mortgages to schedule depositions and discovery, and prepare the case to go to trial in 2015.  The Board of Directors of the Company determined to establish a $1.7 million reserve related to the lawsuit during the fourth quarter of 2014, which the Board of Directors believes to be a reasonable estimate of the Company’s exposure as of December 31, 2014.  There is no guarantee that this litigation will be resolved, if at all, for the amount of the reserve.  A significant judgment against us in connection with any pending or future litigation could harm our business and results of operations.
Changes in the fair value of our securities may reduce our stockholders’ equity and net income.
At December 31, 2014, $201.6 million of our securities were classified as available-for-sale.  At such date, the aggregate net unrealized gain on our available-for-sale securities was $880,000.  We increase or decrease stockholders’ equity by the amount of change from the unrealized gain or loss (the difference between the estimated fair value and the amortized cost) of our available-for-sale securities portfolio, net of the related tax, under the category of accumulated other comprehensive income/loss.  Therefore, a decline in the estimated fair value of this portfolio will result in a decline in reported stockholders’ equity, as well as book value per common share and tangible book value per common share.  This decrease will occur even though the securities are not sold.  In the case of debt securities, if these securities are never sold and there are no credit impairments, the decrease will be recovered over the life of the securities.  In the case of equity securities which have no stated maturity, the declines in fair value may or may not be recovered over time.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, we reported a non-cash, OTTI recovery of $29,000 on our securities portfolio.  We continue to monitor the fair value of our entire securities portfolio as part of our ongoing OTTI evaluation process.  No assurance can be given that we will not need to recognize OTTI charges related to securities in the future.  At December 31, 2014, we had stock holdings in the FHLB of San Francisco totaling $8.0 million, and other stock holdings of $9.0 million which included stock from FRB, a CRA investment, and TIB.  The stock held by us is carried at cost and is subject to recoverability testing under applicable accounting standards.  For the year ended December 31, 2014, we did not recognize an impairment charge related to our stock holdings.  There can be no assurance that future negative changes to the financial condition of the issuers may require us to recognize an impairment charge with respect to such stock holdings.
Conditions in the financial markets may limit our access to additional funding to meet our liquidity needs.
Liquidity is essential to our business, as we must maintain sufficient funds to respond to the needs of depositors and borrowers.  An inability to raise funds through deposits, repurchase agreements, federal funds purchased, FHLB advances, the sale or pledging as collateral of loans and other assets could have a substantial negative effect on our liquidity.  Our access to funding sources in amounts adequate to finance our activities, or on terms attractive to us, could be impaired by factors that affect us specifically or the financial services industry in general.  Factors that could negatively affect our access to liquidity sources include a reduction in our credit ratings, if any, an increase in costs of capital in financial capital markets, negative operating results, a decrease in the level of our business activity due to a market downturn, a decrease in depositor or investor confidence or adverse regulatory action against us.  Our ability to borrow could also be impaired by factors that are not specific to us, such as severe disruption of the financial markets or negative news and expectations about the prospects for the financial services industry as a whole.
The soundness of other financial institutions could negatively affect us.
Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty, or other relationships.  We have exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and we routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including commercial banks, brokers and dealers, investment banks and other institutional clients.  Many of these transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of a default by a counterparty or client.  In addition, our credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by us cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the credit or derivative exposure due to us.  Any such losses could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to extensive regulation which could adversely affect our business.
Our operations are subject to extensive regulation by federal, state and local governmental authorities and are subject to various laws and judicial and administrative decisions imposing requirements and restrictions on part or all of our operations.  Given the recent disruptions in the financial markets over the last several years and potential new regulatory initiatives, new regulations and laws that may affect us are increasingly likely.  Because our business is highly regulated, the laws, rules and regulations applicable to us are subject to regular modification and change.  There are currently proposed laws, rules and regulations that, if adopted, would impact our operations.  These proposed laws, rules and regulations, or any other laws, rules or regulations, may be adopted in the future, which could (1) make compliance much more difficult or expensive, (2) restrict our ability to originate, broker or sell loans or accept certain deposits, (3) further limit or restrict the amount of commissions, interest or other charges earned on loans originated or sold by us, or (4) otherwise adversely affect our business or prospects for business.
Moreover, banking regulators have significant discretion and authority to prevent or remedy unsafe or unsound practices or violations of laws or regulations by financial institutions and holding companies in the performance of their supervisory and enforcement duties.  The exercise of regulatory authority may have a negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Additionally, in order to conduct certain activities, including acquisitions, we are required to obtain regulatory approval.  There can be no assurance that any required approvals can be obtained, or obtained without conditions or on a timeframe acceptable to us.
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 continues to materially affect our operations.
On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Act, which imposes significant regulatory and compliance changes.  The key provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act that are anticipated to affect our operations include:
·  Changes to regulatory capital requirements and how we plan capital and liquidity levels;
·  Creation of new government regulatory agencies, including the CFPB, which possesses broad rule-making and enforcement authorities;
·  Restrictions that will impact the nature of our incentive compensation programs for executive officers;
·  Changes in insured depository institution regulations and assessments;
·  
Mortgage loan origination and risk retention; and
·  
Potential new and different litigation and regulatory enforcement risks.
While some provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act became effective immediately upon its enactment and others have come into effect over the last few years, many provisions still require regulations to be promulgated by various federal agencies in order to be implemented.  Some of these regulations have been proposed by the applicable federal agencies but not yet finalized.  Given the uncertainty associated with the manner in which the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act will be implemented by the various regulatory agencies and through regulations, the full extent of the impact such requirements will have on our 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 requirements or otherwise adversely affect our business.  These changes may also require us to invest significant management attention and resources to evaluate and make any changes necessary to comply with new statutory and regulatory requirements.  Failure to comply with the new requirements or with any future changes in laws or regulations may negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition.
Changes in laws, government regulation and monetary policy may have a material effect on our results of operations.
Financial institutions have been the subject of substantial legislative and regulatory changes and may be the subject of further legislation or regulation in the future, none of which is within our control.  Significant new laws or regulations or changes in, or repeals of, existing laws or regulations may cause our results of operations to differ materially.  In addition, the cost and burden of compliance with applicable laws and regulations have significantly increased and could adversely affect our ability to operate profitably.  Further, federal monetary policy significantly affects credit conditions for us, as well as for our borrowers, particularly as implemented by the Federal Reserve, primarily through open market operations in U.S. government securities, the discount rate for bank borrowings and reserve requirements.  A material change in any of these conditions could have a material impact on us or our borrowers, and therefore on our results of operations.
We expect to face increased regulation and supervision of our industry as a result of the past financial crisis.  The effects of such recently enacted, and proposed, legislation and regulatory programs on us cannot reliably be determined at this time.
The repeal of federal prohibitions on payment of interest on demand deposits could increase our interest expense.
All federal prohibitions on the ability of financial institutions to pay interest on demand deposit accounts were repealed as part of the Dodd-Frank Act.  As a result, financial institutions can offer interest on demand deposits to compete for clients.  Our interest expense will increase and our net interest margin will decrease if the Bank begins offering interest on demand deposits to attract additional customers or maintain current customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Federal and state banking agencies periodically conduct examinations of our business, including compliance with laws and regulations, and our failure to comply with any supervisory actions to which we are or become subject as a result of such examinations may adversely affect us.
Federal and state banking agencies, including the Federal Reserve, the DBO and the FDIC, periodically conduct examinations of our business, including compliance with laws and regulations.  If, as a result of an examination, a federal banking agency were to determine that the financial condition, capital resources, asset quality, earnings prospects, management, liquidity or other aspects of any of our operations had become unsatisfactory, or that the Company or its management was in violation of any law or regulation, it may take a number of different remedial actions as it deems appropriate.  These actions include the power to enjoin "unsafe or unsound" practices, to require affirmative actions to correct any conditions resulting from any violation or practice, to issue an administrative order that can be judicially enforced, to direct an increase in our capital, to restrict our growth, to assess civil monetary penalties against our officers or directors, to remove officers and directors and, if it is concluded that such conditions cannot be corrected or there is an imminent risk of loss to depositors, to terminate our deposit insurance. If we become subject to such regulatory actions, our business, results of operations and reputation may be negatively impacted.  
We may in the future engage in additional FDIC-assisted transactions, which could present additional risk to our business.
We completed acquisitions of assets and assumption of deposits and liabilities of CNB on February 11, 2011 and of PDNB on April 27, 2012 from the FDIC.  We acquired the assets and assumed the liabilities of CNB and PDNB without entering into a loss sharing agreement with the FDIC.  In the current economic environment, and subject to any requisite regulatory consent, we may potentially be presented with additional opportunities to acquire the assets and liabilities of other failed banks in FDIC-assisted transactions.  The CNB acquisition, the PDNB acquisition and any future acquisitions involve risks similar to acquiring existing banks even though the FDIC might provide assistance to mitigate certain risks such as sharing in exposure to loan losses and providing indemnification against certain liabilities of the failed institution.  However, because FDIC-assisted transactions are structured in a manner that would not allow us the time normally associated with preparing for and evaluating an acquisition, including preparing for integration of an acquired institution, we may face additional risks if we engage in FDIC-assisted transactions.  The risks related to the CNB acquisition, the PDNB acquisition and other future FDIC-assisted transactions include, among other things, the loss of customers, strain on management resources related to collection and management of problem loans and problems related to integration of personnel and operating systems.  We may not be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered in connection with the CNB acquisition, the PDNB acquisition or other future FDIC-assisted transactions.  Our inability to overcome these risks could have an adverse effect on our ability to achieve our business strategy and maintain our market value and profitability.
Moreover, even if we were inclined to participate in additional FDIC-assisted transactions, there are no assurances that the FDIC would allow us to participate or what the terms of such transaction might be or whether we would be successful in acquiring the bank or assets that we are seeking.  We may be required to raise additional capital as a condition to, or as a result of, participation in FDIC-assisted transactions.  Any such transactions and related issuances of stock may have a dilutive effect on earnings per share and share ownership.
Furthermore, to the extent we are allowed to, and choose to, participate in additional FDIC-assisted transactions, we may face competition from other financial institutions with respect to the proposed FDIC-assisted transactions.  To the extent that our competitors are selected to participate in FDIC-assisted transactions, our ability to identify and attract acquisition candidates and/or make acquisitions on favorable terms may be adversely affected.
Our HOA business is substantially dependent upon its relationship with Associa, which is the entity that owns and controls the HOA management companies that manage the HOAs from which we receive a majority of our HOA deposits.
On March 15, 2013, we acquired FAB, which is exclusively focused on providing deposit and other services to HOAs and HOA management companies nationwide.  A majority of our HOA customers are also customers of the HOA management companies controlled by Associations, Inc. (“Associa”).  At December 31, 2014, approximately 72% of the HOA transaction deposits we held were derived from our relationship with Associa.  We will continue to rely on the relationship with Associa to solicit HOA deposits as deemed necessary.  If Associa or its HOA management companies lose some or all of their HOA customers, fall into financial or legal difficulty or elect to reduce the amount of HOA customers that it directs to us, it could have a material and adverse effect upon our business, including the decline or total loss of all of the deposits from the HOA management companies and the HOAs.  We cannot assure you that we would be able to replace the relationship with Associa and its HOA management companies if any of these events occurred, which could have a material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  In connection with the closing of the FAB acquisition, we appointed John Carona to the boards of directors of the Company and the Bank.  Mr. Carona is the chief executive officer and sole shareholder of Associa.
Potential acquisitions may disrupt our business and dilute stockholder value.
We evaluate merger and acquisition opportunities and conduct due diligence activities related to possible transactions with other financial institutions on an ongoing basis.  As a result, merger or acquisition discussions and, in some cases, negotiations may take place and future mergers or acquisitions involving cash, debt or equity securities may occur at any time.  Acquisitions typically involve the payment of a premium over book and market values, and, therefore, some dilution of our stock’s tangible book value and net income per common share may occur in connection with any future transaction.  Furthermore, failure to realize the expected revenue increases, cost savings, increases in geographic or product presence, and/or other projected benefits from recent or future acquisitions could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We may seek merger or acquisition partners that are culturally similar and have experienced management and possess either significant market presence or have potential for improved profitability through financial management, economies of scale or expanded services.  We do not currently have any specific plans, arrangements or understandings regarding such expansion.  We cannot say with any certainty that we will be able to consummate, or if consummated, successfully integrate future acquisitions or that we will not incur disruptions or unexpected expenses in integrating such acquisitions.  In attempting to make such future acquisitions, we anticipate competing with other financial institutions, many of which have greater financial and operational resources.  Acquiring other banks, businesses, or branches involves various risks commonly associated with acquisitions, including, among other things:
·  Potential exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities of the target company;
·  Exposure to potential asset quality issues of the target company;
·  Difficulty and expense of integrating the operations and personnel of the target company;
·  Potential disruption to our business;
·  Potential diversion of management’s time and attention;
·  The possible loss of key employees and customers of the target company;
·  Difficulty in estimating the value of the target company; and
·  Potential changes in banking or tax laws or regulations that may affect the target company.
Our controls and procedures may fail or be circumvented.
Management regularly reviews and updates our internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures, and corporate governance policies and procedures.  Any system of controls, however well designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the objectives of the system are met.  Any failure or circumvention of our controls and procedures or failure to comply with regulations related to controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Environmental liabilities with respect to properties on which we take title may have a material effect on our results of operations.
We could be subject to environmental liabilities on real estate properties we foreclose and take title in the normal course of our business.  In connection with environmental contamination, we may be held liable to governmental entities or to third parties for property damage, personal injury, investigation and clean-up costs incurred by these parties, or we may be required to investigate or clean-up hazardous or toxic substances at a property.  The investigation or remediation costs associated with such activities could be substantial.  Furthermore, we may be subject to common law claims by third parties based on damages and costs resulting from environmental contamination even if we were the former owner of a contaminated site.  The incurrence of a significant environmental liability could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Confidential customer information transmitted through the Bank’s online banking service is vulnerable to security breaches and computer viruses, which could expose the Bank to litigation and adversely affect its reputation and ability to generate deposits.
The Bank provides its customers the ability to bank online.  The secure transmission of confidential information over the Internet is a critical element of online banking.  The Bank’s network could be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses, phishing schemes and other security problems.  The Bank may be required to spend significant capital and other resources to protect against the threat of security breaches and computer viruses, or to alleviate problems caused by security breaches or viruses.  To the extent that the Bank’s activities or the activities of its customers involve the storage and transmission of confidential information, security breaches and viruses could expose the Bank to claims, litigation and other possible liabilities.  Any inability to prevent security breaches or computer viruses could also cause existing customers to lose confidence in the Bank’s systems and could adversely affect its reputation and ability to generate deposits.
We are dependent on our key personnel.
Our future operating results depend in large part on the continued services of our key personnel, including Steven R. Gardner, our President and Chief Executive Officer, who developed and implemented our new business strategy.  The loss of Mr. Gardner could have a negative impact on the success of our business strategy.  In addition, we rely upon the services of Eddie Wilcox, our Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer, and our ability to attract and retain highly skilled personnel.  We do not maintain key-man life insurance on any employee other than Mr. Gardner.  We cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to attract and retain the qualified personnel necessary for the development of our business.  The unexpected loss of services of our key personnel could have a material adverse impact on our business because of their skills, knowledge of our market, years of industry experience and the difficulty of promptly finding qualified replacement personnel.  In addition, recent regulatory proposals and guidance relating to compensation may negatively impact our ability to retain and attract skilled personnel.
A natural disaster or recurring energy shortage, especially in California, could harm our business.
We are based in Irvine, California, and approximately 58% of our loans secured by real estate were located in California at December 31, 2014.  In addition, the computer systems that operate our Internet websites and some of their back-up systems are located in Irvine and San Diego, California.  Historically, California has been vulnerable to natural disasters.  Therefore, we are susceptible to the risks of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, wildfires, floods and mudslides.  Natural disasters could harm our operations directly through interference with communications, including the interruption or loss of our websites, which would prevent us from gathering deposits, originating loans and processing and controlling our flow of business, as well as through the destruction of facilities and our operational, financial and management information systems.  A natural disaster or recurring power outages may also impair the value of our largest class of assets, our loan portfolio, which is comprised substantially of real estate loans.  Uninsured or underinsured disasters may reduce borrowers’ ability to repay mortgage loans.  Disasters may also reduce the value of the real estate securing our loans, impairing our ability to recover on defaulted loans through foreclosure and making it more likely that we would suffer losses on defaulted loans.  California has also experienced energy shortages, which, if they recur, could impair the value of the real estate in those areas affected.  Although we have implemented several back-up systems and protections (and maintain business interruption insurance), these measures may not protect us fully from the effects of a natural disaster.  The occurrence of natural disasters or energy shortages in California could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock
The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly, and this may make it difficult for you to resell your shares of common stock at times or at prices you find attractive.
Stock price volatility may make it difficult for holders of our common stock to resell their common stock when desired and at desirable prices.  Our stock price can fluctuate significantly in response to a variety of factors including, among other things:
·  Actual or anticipated variations in quarterly results of operations;
·  Recommendations by securities analysts;
·  Operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors deem comparable to us;
·  News reports relating to trends, concerns and other issues in the financial services industry, including the failures of other financial institutions in the current economic downturn;
·  Perceptions in the marketplace regarding us and/or our competitors;
·  New technology used, or services offered, by competitors;
·  Significant acquisitions or business combinations, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments by or involving us or our competitors;
·  Failure to integrate acquisitions or realize anticipated benefits from acquisitions;
·  Changes in government regulations; and
·  Geopolitical conditions such as acts or threats of terrorism or military conflicts.
General market fluctuations, industry factors and general economic and political conditions and events, such as economic slowdowns or recessions, interest rate changes or credit loss trends, could also cause our stock price to decrease regardless of operating results as evidenced by the current volatility and disruption of capital and credit markets.
A limited trading market has historically existed for our common stock, which could lead to significant price volatility.
Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the trading symbol “PPBI,” but there has historically been a relatively low trading volume in our common stock.  Although we recently issued additional shares of our common stock in our acquisition of Independence Bank that closed in January 2015, we may continue to experience a limited trading market for our common stock, which may cause fluctuations in the market value of our common stock to be exaggerated, leading to price volatility in excess of that which would occur in a more active trading market of our common stock.  Future sales of substantial amounts of common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales may occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price of the common stock.  In addition, even if a more active market in our common stock develops, we cannot assure you that such a market will continue.
We have retained earnings, if any, to provide funds for use in our business.
It is our policy to retain earnings, if any, to provide funds for use in our business.  We have never declared or paid dividends on our common stock.  In addition, in order to pay cash dividends over time to our stockholders, we would most likely need to obtain funds from the Bank.  The Bank’s ability, in turn, to pay dividends to us is subject to restrictions set forth in the Financial Code.  The Financial Code provides that a bank may not make a cash distribution to its stockholders in excess of the lesser of (1) a bank’s retained earnings; or (2) a bank’s net income for its last three fiscal years, less the amount of any distributions made by the bank or by any majority-owned subsidiary of the bank to the stockholders of the bank during such period.  However, a bank may, with the approval of the DBO, make a distribution to its stockholders in an amount not exceeding the greatest of (a) its retained earnings; (b) its net income for its last fiscal year; or (c) its net income for its current fiscal year.  In the event that banking regulators determine that the stockholders’ equity of a bank is inadequate or that the making of a distribution by the bank would be unsafe or unsound, the regulators may order the bank to refrain from making a proposed distribution.
Approval of the Federal Reserve is required for payment of any dividend by a state chartered bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve Board System, such as the Bank, if the total of all dividends declared by the bank in any calendar year would exceed the total of its retained net income for that year combined with its retained net income for the preceding two years.  In addition, a state member bank may not pay a dividend in an amount greater than its undivided profits without regulatory and stockholder approval.  The Bank is also prohibited under federal law from paying any dividend that would cause it to become undercapitalized.
None.


LocationLeased or OwnedOriginal Year Leased or AcquiredDate of Lease Expiration Net Book Value of Property or Leasehold Improvements at December 31, 2014 
         
Corporate Headquarters:17901 Von Karman, Suites 200 & 1200Irvine, CA 92614Leased20122020 $1,274,220(*)
          
Branch Office:19011 Magnolia StreetHuntington Beach, CA  92646Owned (a) (b)20052023 $788,900 
          
Branch Office:4957 Katella Avenue, Suite BLos Alamitos, CA 90720Leased20052020 $36,381 
          
Branch Office:4667 MacArthur Blvd.Newport Beach, CA 92660Leased20052016 $113,340 
          
Branch Office:74-150 Country Club DrivePalm Desert, CA 92260Owned2011N.A. $1,479,371 
          
Branch Office:73-745 El PaseoPalm Desert, CA 92260Leased20122017 $18,514 
          
Branch Office:1711 East Palm Canyon DrivePalm Springs, CA 92264Leased20112016 $20,548 
          
Branch Office:901 East Tahquitz Canyon WayPalm Springs, CA 92262Leased20112018 $25,864 
          
Branch Office:1598 E Highland AvenueSan Bernardino, CA 92404Leased19862015 $108,130 
          
Branch Office:13928 Seal Beach Blvd.Seal Beach, CA 90740Leased19992017 $996 
          
Branch Office:2550 Fifth St., Ste 1010San Diego, CA 92103Leased20132018 $879,263 
          
Branch Office:781 Garden View Court St., Ste 100Encinitas, CA 92024Leased20132017 $19,109 
          
Branch Office:1110 Rosecrans St., Ste 101Point Loma, CA 92106Leased20132015 $11,204 
          
HOA Office:12001 N. Central Expressway, Ste 1165Dallas, TX 75243Leased20132017 $938 
          
HOA Office:300 Winding Brook Dr., 2nd Flr.Glastonbury, CT 06033Leased20132018 $16,427 
          
Franchise Office:123 Tice Blvd., #102Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07675Leased20142019 $115,384 
          
(a) The building is owned, but the land is leased on a long-term basis.      
(b) During 2014 we leased to one tenant approximately 1,000 square feet of the 9,937 square feet of our Huntington Beach branch for $2,750 per month. Additionally we leased another tenant for approximately 1,724 square feet of the 9,937 square feet of our Huntington Beach branch for $3,448 per month commencing in August 2014. 
* Tenant Improvement Allowance is $1.7 million as of 12/31/14.        

All of our existing facilities are considered to be adequate for our present and anticipated future use.  In the opinion of management, all properties are adequately covered by insurance.
In February 2004, the Bank was named as a defendant in a class action lawsuit entitled “James Baker v. Century Financial, et al,” which alleged violations of the Missouri Second Mortgage Loan Act (the “MSMLA”) by the Bank’s predecessor, Life Bank.  The lawsuit alleged that Missouri homeowners were charged closing costs and related fees exceeding the amount permitted by the MSMLA.  While Life Bank did not originate these mortgages, it did ultimately own and service them for a period of time, which plaintiffs allege creates potential liability under the MSMLA.  The class action lawsuit was filed in the Circuit Court of Clay County, Missouri in 2000.  The lawsuit seeks restitution of all improperly-charged closing fees and costs, prejudgment interest on improperly-charged closing fees and costs, restitution of all interest payments made by the homeowners, prejudgment interest on all interest paid by the homeowners, attorney’s fees, and punitive damages.  In March 2005, the Bank’s motion to dismiss based on statute of limitations arguments was denied by the trial court without a written opinion.  In August 2006, the Bank’s “preemption” motion -- claiming that federal law preempted and superseded the MSMLA as to these loans -- was also denied without a written opinion.  The Bank answered plaintiffs’ complaint, and the parties have exchanged and answered discovery requests.
After a lengthy period of inactivity, the Bank was contacted by plaintiffs’ counsel to schedule depositions and discovery, and prepare the case to go to trial in 2015.  The Board of Directors of the Company determined to establish a $1.7 million reserve related to the lawsuit during the fourth quarter of 2014, which the Board of Directors believes to be a reasonable estimate of the Company’s exposure as of December 31, 2014.
The Company is not involved in any other material pending legal proceedings other than legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business.  Management believes that none of these legal proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse impact on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company.
None.

Price Range by Quarters
The common stock of the Corporation has been publicly traded since 1997 and is currently traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol PPBI.  However, trading in the common stock has not been extensive and such trades cannot be characterized as constituting an active trading market.
As of March 5, 2014, there were approximately 2,300 holders of record of our common stock.  The following table summarizes the range of the high and low closing sale prices per share of our common stock as quoted by the NASDAQ Global Select Market for the periods indicated.

   Sale Price of Common Stock 
   High  Low 
2013       
First Quarter……………………………………………………. $13.26  $10.44 
Second Quarter……………………………………………………. $13.00  $11.50 
Third Quarter……………………………………………………. $13.82  $12.10 
Fourth Quarter……………………………………………………. $16.18  $13.10 
          
2014         
First Quarter……………………………………………………. $17.36  $15.41 
Second Quarter……………………………………………………. $16.61  $13.65 
Third Quarter……………………………………………………. $15.33  $13.88 
Fourth Quarter……………………………………………………. $17.33  $14.05 


Stock Performance Graph.  The graph below compares the performance of our common stock with that of the NASDAQ Composite Index (U.S. companies) and the NASDAQ Bank Stocks Index from December 31, 2009 through December 31, 2014.  The graph is based on an investment of $100 in our common stock at its closing price on December 31, 2009.  The Corporation has not paid any dividends on its common stock.
                                          
Total Return Analysis 12/31/09  12/31/10  12/31/11  12/31/12  12/31/13  12/31/14 
Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. $100.00  $191.72  $187.57  $302.96  $465.68  $512.72 
NASDAQ Composite Index $100.00  $117.55  $117.91  $137.29  $183.26  $206.09 
NASDAQ Bank Stocks Index $100.00  $111.35  $83.04  $111.88  $152.85  $170.93 
Dividends
It is our policy to retain earnings, if any, to provide funds for use in our business.  We have never declared or paid dividends on our common stock.
Our ability to pay dividends on our common stock is dependent on the Bank’s ability to pay dividends to the Corporation.  Various statutory provisions restrict the amount of dividends that the Bank can pay without regulatory approval.  For information on the statutory and regulatory limitations on the ability of the Corporation to pay dividends to its stockholders and on the Bank to pay dividends to the Corporation, see “Item 1.  Business-Supervision and Regulation—Dividends” and “Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity.”
Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities
On June 25, 2012, the board of directors authorized its second stock repurchase program.  Under the repurchase program, management is authorized to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.  The program may be limited or terminated at any time without prior notice.
The following table provides information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of us or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act) of our common stock during the fourth quarter of 2014.

Month of Purchase Total Number of shares purchased/ returned  Average price paid per share  Total number of shares repurchased as part of the publicly announced program  Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the program at end of month 
             
October-2014  175,500  $15.88   175,500   776,837 
November-2014  500   16.15   500   776,337 
December-2014  6,627   16.39   6,627   769,710 
Total/Average  182,627  $15.90   182,627   769,710 


The following table sets forth certain of our financial and statistical information at or for each of the years presented.  This data should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014 and related Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

  For the Year Ended December 31, 
  2014  2013  2012  2011  2010 
Operating Data (in thousands) 
Interest income $80,324  $63,518  $52,947  $50,225  $41,103 
Interest expense  7,704   5,356   7,149   9,596   12,666 
Net interest income  72,620   58,162   45,798   40,629   28,437 
Provision for loan losses  4,684   1,860   751   3,255   2,092 
Net interest income after provision for loans losses  67,936   56,302   45,047   37,374   26,345 
Net gains (losses) from loan sales  6,300   3,228   628   (3,605)  (3,332)
Other noninterest income  8,092   5,865   11,944   10,118   2,256 
Noninterest expense  54,993   50,815   31,854   26,904   18,948 
Income before income tax  27,335   14,580   25,765   16,983   6,321 
Income tax  10,719   5,587   9,989   6,411   2,083 
Net income $16,616  $8,993  $15,776  $10,572  $4,238 
                     
  As of and For the Year Ended December 31, 
   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010 
Share Data (dollars in thousands, except per share data) 
Net income (loss) per share:                    
Basic $0.97  $0.57  $1.49  $1.05  $0.42 
Diluted $0.96  $0.54  $1.44  $0.99  $0.38 
                     
Weighted average common shares outstanding:                    
Basic  17,046,660   15,798,885   10,571,073   10,092,181   10,033,836 
Diluted  17,343,977   16,609,954   10,984,034   10,630,720   11,057,404 
                     
Book value per share (basic) $11.81  $10.52  $9.85  $8.39  $7.83 
Book value per share (diluted) $11.73  $10.44  $9.75  $8.34  $7.18 
                     
Selected Balance Sheet Data                    
Total assets $2,038,897  $1,714,187  $1,173,792  $961,128  $826,816 
Securities and FHLB stock  218,705   271,539   95,313   128,120   168,428 
Loans held for sale, net  -   3,147   3,681   -   - 
Loans held for investment, net  1,616,422   1,231,923   974,213   730,067   555,538 
Allowance for loan losses  12,200   8,200   7,994   8,522   8,879 
Total deposits  1,630,826   1,306,286   904,768   828,877   659,240 
Total borrowings  186,953   214,401   125,810   38,810   78,810 
Total stockholders' equity  199,592   175,226   134,517   86,777   78,602 
                     
Performance Ratios                    
Return on average assets  0.91%  0.62%  1.52%  1.12%  0.53%
Return on average equity  8.76%  5.61%  16.34%  12.91%  5.57%
Average equity to average assets  10.38%  11.13%  9.32%  8.69%  9.55%
Equity to total assets at end of period  9.79%  10.22%  11.46%  9.03%  9.51%
Average interest rate spread  3.97%  4.00%  4.41%  4.49%  3.67%
Net interest margin  4.17%  4.18%  4.62%  4.55%  3.77%
Efficiency ratio (1)  61.35%  64.68%  59.86%  56.50%  59.24%
Average interest-earnings assets to average deposits and borrowings  144.60%  146.75%  129.01%  104.74%  105.88%
Pacific Premier Bank Capital Ratios                    
Tier 1 capital to adjusted total assets  11.29%  10.03%  12.07%  9.44%  10.29%
Tier 1 capital to total risk-weighted assets  12.72%  12.34%  12.99%  11.68%  14.12%
Total capital to total risk-weighted assets  13.45%  12.97%  13.79%  12.81%  15.38%
Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. Capital Ratios                    
Tier 1 capital to adjusted total assets  9.18%  10.29%  12.71%  9.50%  10.41%
Tier 1 capital to total risk-weighted assets  10.30%  12.54%  13.61%  11.69%  14.16%
Total capital to total risk-weighted assets  14.46%  13.17%  14.43%  12.80%  15.42%
Asset Quality Ratios                    
Nonperforming loans, net, to gross loans  0.09%  0.18%  0.22%  0.82%  0.58%
Nonperforming assets, net as a percent of total assets  0.12%  0.20%  0.38%  0.76%  0.40%
Net charge-offs to average total loans, net  0.05%  0.16%  0.16%  0.53%  0.39%
Allowance for loan losses to gross loans at period end  0.75%  0.66%  0.81%  1.15%  1.56%
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of nonperforming loans, gross at period end
  844.88%  364.28%  362.38%  139.87%  270.95%
                     
 (1) Represents the ratio of noninterest expense less other real estate owned operations, core deposit intangible amortization and non-recurring merger related expense to the sum of net interest income before provision for loan losses and total noninterest income less gains/(loss) on sale of securities, other-than-temporary impairment recovery (loss) on investment securities, and gain on acquisitions. 

Summary
Our principal business is attracting deposits from small and middle market businesses and consumers and investing those deposits together with funds generated from operations and borrowings, primarily in commercial business loans and various types of commercial real estate loans.  In 2015, the Company expects to fund substantially all of the loans that it originates or purchases through deposits, FHLB advances and other borrowings and internally generated funds.  Deposit flows and cost of funds are influenced by prevailing market rates of interest primarily on competing investments, account maturities and the levels of savings in the Company’s market area.  The Company generates the majority of its revenues from interest income on loans that it originates and purchases, income from investment in securities and service charges on customer accounts.  The Company’s revenues are partially offset by interest expense paid on deposits and borrowings, the provision for loan losses and noninterest expenses, such as operating expenses.  The Company’s operating expenses primarily consist of employee compensation and benefit expenses, premises and occupancy expenses, data processing and communication expenses and other general expenses. The Company's results of operations are also affected by prevailing economic conditions, competition, government policies and other actions of regulatory agencies.
Acquisitions
We have completed six acquisitions since 2010: CNB (FDIC-assisted, geographic expansion, closed February 2011), PDNB (FDIC-assisted, in market consolidation, closed April 2012), FAB (open bank, nationwide HOA line of business, closed March 2013), SDTB (open bank, geographic expansion, closed June 2013), Infinity (nationwide lender to franchisees in the QSR industry, closed January 2014) and Independence Bank (open bank, geographic expansion, closed January 2015, as further described below).  For further information concerning our acquisitions completed in fiscal year 2013, see Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof.  These acquisitions affect the comparability of our reported financial information as the operating results of the acquired entities are included in our operating results only from their respective acquisition dates.
Recent Developments
On October 22, 2014, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Independence Bank, a Newport Beach, California, based state-chartered bank with six branches located in Orange County and Riverside County.  This transaction will strengthen the Company’s competitive position as one of the premier banks headquartered in Southern California.  The acquisition was completed on January 26, 2015, whereby we acquired $424.0 million in total assets, $334.7 million in loans and $336.1 million in total deposits.  This transaction allowed us to acquire a commercial banking franchise in our backyard.  The Independence Bank branch locations will connect our existing footprint between Orange County and the broader Coachella Valley and represents an important element of our strategic growth plan by providing meaningful operational scale in our core markets.  The acquisition also allows us to deploy a portion of our current capital base into a compelling investment which we anticipate will produce attractive returns for shareholders.  Under the terms of the merger agreement, each share of Independence Bank common stock was converted into the right to receive $13.75 per share in cash or 0.9259 shares of Company common stock, or a combination thereof, subject to the overall requirement that approximately 10% of the consideration will be in the form of cash and approximately 90% will be in the form of Company common stock.  The value of the total deal consideration was $78.5 million, which includes $6.1 million of cash consideration for Independence Bank common stockholders, $1.5 million of aggregate cash consideration to the holders of Independence Bank stock options and warrants, and the issuance of 4,480,645 shares of the Corporation’s common stock, which was valued at $70.9 million based on the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock on January 26, 2015 of $15.83 per share.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
We have established various accounting policies that govern the application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements in Item 8 hereof.  The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in the Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  Certain accounting policies require management to make estimates and assumptions that have a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities; management considers these to be critical accounting policies.  The estimates and assumptions management uses are based on historical experience and other factors, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Actual results could differ significantly from these estimates and assumptions, which could have a material impact on the carrying value of assets and liabilities at consolidated statements of financial condition dates and the Company’s results of operations for future reporting periods.
We consider the determination of ALLL to be among our critical accounting policies that require judicious estimates and assumptions in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements that is particularly susceptible to significant change.  For further information on the ALLL, see “Business—Allowances for Loan Losses” and Notes 1 and 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 hereof.
Allowance for Loan Losses
The Company maintains an ALLL at a level deemed appropriate by management to provide for known or inherent risks in the portfolio at the consolidated statements of financial condition date.  The Company has implemented and adheres to an internal asset review system and loss allowance methodology designed to provide for the detection of problem assets and an adequate allowance to cover loan losses.  Management’s determination of the adequacy of ALLL is based on an evaluation of the composition of the portfolio, actual loss experience, industry charge-off experience on income property loans, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors in the area in which the Company’s lending and real estate activities are based.  These factors may affect the borrowers’ ability to pay and the value of the underlying collateral.  The allowance is calculated by applying loss factors to loans held for investment according to loan program type and loan classification.  The loss factors are established based primarily upon the Bank’s historical loss experience and the industry charge-off experience and are evaluated on a quarterly basis.  Various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s ALLL.  Such agencies may require the Bank to recognize additions to the allowance based on judgments different from those of management.  In the opinion of management, and in accordance with the credit loss allowance methodology, the present allowance is considered adequate to absorb estimable and probable credit losses.  Additions and reductions to the allowance are reflected in current operations.  Charge-offs to the allowance are made when specific assets are considered uncollectible or are transferred to OREO and the fair value of the property is less than the loan’s recorded investment.  Recoveries are credited to the allowance.
Although management uses the best information available to make these estimates, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary due to economic, operating, regulatory and other conditions that may be beyond the Company’s control.
We account for acquisitions under the purchase accounting method.  All identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value.  We review each loan or loan pool acquired to determine whether there is evidence of deterioration in credit quality since inception and if it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due under the contractual loan agreements.  We consider expected prepayments and estimated cash flows including principal and interest payments at the date of acquisition.  The amount in excess of the estimated future cash flows is not accreted into earnings.  The amount in excess of the estimated future cash flows over the book value of the loan is accreted into interest income over the remaining life of the loan (accretable yield).  The Company records these loans on the acquisition date at their net realizable value.  Thus, an allowance for estimated future losses is not established on the acquisition date.  We refine our estimates of the fair value of loans acquired for up to one year from the date of acquisition.  Subsequent to the date of acquisition, we update the expected future cash flows on loans acquired.  Losses or a reduction in cash flow which arise subsequent to the date of acquisition are reflected as a charge through the provision for loan losses.  An increase in the expected cash flows adjusts the level of the accretable yield recognized on a prospective basis over the remaining life of the loan.
Operating Results
Overview.  For 2014, including non-recurring merger-related expenses of $864,000 associated with the pending acquisition of Independence Bank and $626,000 associated with the acquisition of Infinity, and a non-recurring $1.7 million litigation expense, the Company recorded net income of $16.6 million, or $0.96 per diluted share.  For 2013, including non-recurring merger-related expenses of $5.0 million associated with the acquisition of SDTB, $1.7 million associated with the acquisition of FAB and $203,000 associated with the acquisition of Infinity, the Company recorded net income of $9.0 million or $0.54 per share on a diluted basis.  For 2012, including a one-time bargain purchase gain of $5.3 million and a non-recurring merger-related expenses of $500,000, the Company recorded net income of $15.8 million or $1.44 per diluted share.
Excluding the one-time bargain purchase gain, non-recurring merger-related expenses and litigation expense detailed above, the Company reported adjusted net income for 2014 of $18.5 million or $1.07 per share on a diluted basis, compared with adjusted net income for 2013 of $13.3 million or $0.80 per share on a diluted basis and adjusted net income for 2012 of $12.5 million or $1.14 per share on a diluted basis.
The Company’s pre-tax income totaled $27.3 million in 2014, compared with a pre-tax income of $14.6 million in 2013.  The $12.8 million increase in the Company’s pre-tax income for 2014, compared to 2013 was primarily due to:
·  
Higher net interest income of $14.5 million which was primarily related to an increase in interest earning assets from organic growth as well as acquisitive growth;
·  Higher noninterest income primarily from an increase in net gains from the sales of loans of $3.1 million and an increase in loan servicing fees of $1.3 million and settlement proceeds of $1.1 million related to properties received from our FDIC-assisted acquisitions; and
·  Lower non-recurring merger-related expenses of $5.4 million associated with our acquisition activities.
These increases to the Company’s pre-tax income for 2014 were partially offset by higher operating expenses primarily from compensation and benefits of $5.7 million, primarily related to an increase in staff from our acquisition activity and internal growth, an established litigation expense of $1.7 million within our other expense category and higher deposit expenses of $1.1 million related to increase in deposit balances.  In addition, our provision expense increased by $2.8 million, primarily related to our growth in the loan portfolio.
The Company’s pre-tax income totaled $14.6 million in 2013, compared with a pre-tax income of $25.8 million in 2012.  The $11.2 million decrease in the Company’s pre-tax income for 2013, compared to 2012 was primarily due to:
·  Higher compensation and benefits expenses of $6.9 million in 2013, primarily related to an increase in staff from our acquisition activity and internal growth;
·  Higher merger related expenses in 2013 of $6.4 million related to the FAB and SDTB acquisitions;
·  A bargain purchase gain in 2012 of $5.3 million related to the Palm Desert National Acquisition;
·  Increases in premises and occupancy expenses of $1.7 million, deposit expenses of $1.6 million, other expenses of $1.6 million and data processing and communications expense of $1.1 million, all of which are related to acquisition activity and organic growth in 2013; and
·  Higher provision for loan losses of $1.1 million in 2013.
These decreases to the Company’s pre-tax income for 2013 were partially offset by higher net interest income of $11.2 million, which was primarily related to an increase in interest earning assets from our acquisition activity and organic growth, higher net gains from the sales of loans of $2.6 million and lower expense in OREO operations of $1.0 million.
For 2014, our return on average assets was 0.91% and our return on average equity was 8.76%.  These returns were up from our 2013 returns of 0.62% on average assets and 5.61% on average equity, but down from our 2012 returns of 1.52% on average assets and 16.34% on average equity.
Excluding the one-time bargain purchase gain, non-recurring merger-related expenses and litigation expense detailed above, the Company’s 2014 adjusted return on average assets was 1.01% and adjusted return on average equity was 9.77%, compared with an adjusted return on average assets of 0.92% and an adjusted return on average equity of 8.27% for 2013 and an adjusted return on average assets of 1.21% and an adjusted return on average equity of 12.99% for 2012.
Net Interest Income.  Our primary source of revenue is net interest income, which is the difference between the interest and dividends earned on loans, mortgage-backed securities and investment securities (“interest-earning assets”) and the interest paid on deposits and borrowings (“interest-bearing liabilities”).  The difference between the yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities (“net interest rate spread”) and the relative dollar amount of these assets and liabilities principally affects our net interest income.
For 2014, net interest income totaled $72.6 million, up $14.5 million or 24.9% over net interest income in 2013.  The increase reflected an increase in interest-earning assets of $349.2 million, partially offset by a decrease in the net interest margin of 1 basis point to 4.17%.  The increase in interest-earning assets was primarily related to our organic loan growth and a full year’s impact from our acquisitions of SDTB and FAB in 2013 and our acquisition of Infinity in early 2014.  The decrease in net interest margin is mainly attributable to an increase in borrowing costs of 22 basis points, which increased interest-bearing liability costs by 8 basis points.  This increase in borrowing costs was partially offset by an increase in yield on average interest-earning assets of 5 basis points, primarily from deploying liquidity received in our acquisitions during 2013 to create a higher mix of loans, partially offset by a lower yield on loans of 32 basis points.  The lower loan yield primarily related to interest rates on loan originations during 2013 and 2014 that produced yields lower than the average yield on our existing loan portfolio.
For 2013, net interest income totaled $58.2 million, up $12.4 million or 27.0% over net interest income in 2012.  The increase reflected an increase in interest-earning assets of $400.0 million, partially offset by a decrease in the net interest margin of 44 basis points to 4.18%.  The increase in interest-earning assets was primarily related to the acquisitions of FAB and SDTB and our organic loan growth.  The decrease in net interest margin is mainly attributable to a decrease in yield on average interest-earning assets of 78 basis points, primarily from a higher mix of lower yielding investment securities and cash, which were acquired in our acquisitions of FAB and SDTB, and a decrease in our loan portfolio yield.  The weighted average loan portfolio rate at the end of 2013 was 4.95%, 49 basis points lower than the weighted average loan portfolio rate at the end of 2012 and primarily reflected lower rates on loan originations during the period.  Partially offsetting the lower yield on average interest-earning assets was a decrease in deposit costs of 34 basis points primarily resulting from an improved mix of lower deposits acquired from FAB and SDTB and lower pricing on certificates of deposit.
The following table presents for the periods indicated the average dollar amounts from selected balance sheet categories calculated from daily average balances and the total dollar amount, including adjustments to yields and costs, of:
·  Interest income earned from average interest-earning assets and the resultant yields; and
·  Interest expense incurred from average interest-bearing liabilities and resultant costs, expressed as rates.
The table also sets forth our net interest income, net interest rate spread and net interest rate margin for the periods indicated.  The net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities.  The net interest rate margin reflects the relative level of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities and equals our net interest rate spread divided by average interest-earning assets for the year.

  For the Year Ended December 31, 
  2014  2013  2012 
  Average     Average  Average     Average  Average     Average 
  Balance  Interest  Yield/Cost  Balance  Interest  Yield/Cost  Balance  Interest  Yield/Cost 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Assets                           
Interest-earning assets:                           
Cash and cash equivalents $81,035  $140   0.17% $93,272  $184   0.20% $63,485  $110   0.17%
Federal funds sold  255   1   0.39%  26   -   0.00%  27   -   0.00%
Investment securities  244,854   5,447   2.22%  266,854   5,527   2.07%  142,534   3,178   2.23%
Loans receivable, net (1)  1,414,973   74,736   5.28%  1,031,740   57,807   5.60%  785,880   49,659   6.32%
Total interest-earning assets  1,741,117   80,324   4.61%  1,391,892   63,518   4.56%  991,926   52,947   5.34%
Noninterest-earning assets  86,818           49,663           44,203         
Total assets $1,827,935          $1,441,555          $1,036,129         
Liabilities and Equity                                    
Interest-bearing deposits:                                    
Interest checking $134,056  $161   0.12% $94,718  $116   0.12% $56,061  $82   0.15%
Money market  469,123   1,442   0.31%  367,769   1,017   0.28%  166,787   724   0.43%
Savings  75,068   110   0.15%  78,815   123   0.16%  86,619   269   0.31%
Time  377,333   3,324   0.88%  325,439   2,809   0.86%  411,442   4,778   1.16%
Total interest-bearing deposits  1,055,580   5,037   0.48%  866,741   4,065   0.47%  720,909   5,853   0.81%
FHLB advances and other borrowings  117,694   1,124   0.96%  71,447   984   1.38%  37,654   970   2.58%
Subordinated debentures  30,858   1,543   5.00%  10,310   307   2.98%  10,310   326   3.16%
Total borrowings  148,552   2,667   1.80%  81,757   1,291   1.58%  47,964   1,296   2.70%
Total interest-bearing liabilities  1,204,132   7,704   0.64%  948,498   5,356   0.56%  768,873   7,149   0.93%
Noninterest-bearing  415,983          $318,985          $160,851         
Other liabilities  18,161           13,681           9,848         
Total liabilities  1,638,276           1,281,164           939,572         
Stockholders' equity  189,659           160,391           96,557         
Total liabilities and equity $1,827,935          $1,441,555          $1,036,129         
Net interest income     $72,620          $58,162          $45,798     
Net interest rate spread          3.97%          4.00%          4.41%
Net interest margin          4.17%          4.18%          4.62%
Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities       144.60%          146.75%          129.01%
                             
(1) Average balance includes loans held for sale and nonperforming loans and is net of deferred loan origination fees, unamortized discounts and premiums, and ALLL. 


Changes in our net interest income are a function of changes in both volumes and rates of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.  The following table presents the impact the volume and rate changes have had on our net interest income for the years indicated.  For each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, we have provided information on changes to our net interest income with respect to:
·  Changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate);
·  Changes in interest rates (changes in interest rates multiplied by prior volume); and
·  The change or the combined impact of volume and rate changes allocated proportionately to changes in volume and changes in interest rates.

  Year Ended December 31, 2014  Year Ended December 31, 2013 
  Compared to  Compared to 
  Year Ended December 31, 2013  Year Ended December 31, 2012 
  Increase (decrease) due to  Increase (decrease) due to 
  Average  Average     Average  Average    
  Rate  Volume  Net  Rate  Volume  Net 
  (in thousands) 
Interest-earning assets                  
Cash and cash equivalents $(19) $(25) $(44) $15  $59  $74 
Federal funds sold  1   -   1   -   -   - 
Investment securities  389   (469)  (80)  (243)  2,592   2,349 
Loans receivable, net  (3,467)  20,396   16,929   (6,120)  14,268   8,148 
Total interest-earning assets  (3,096)  19,902   16,806   (6,348)  16,919   10,571 
Interest-bearing liabilities                        
Transaction accounts  113   344   457   (476)  657   181 
Retail certificates of deposit  65   450   515   (1,088)  (881)  (1,969)
FHLB advances and other borrowings  (363)  503   140   (590)  604   14 
Subordinated debentures  314   922   1,236   (19)  -   (19)
Total interest-bearing liabilities  129   2,219   2,348   (2,173)  380   (1,793)
Changes in net interest income $(3,225) $17,683  $14,458  $(4,175) $16,539  $12,364 


Provision for Loan Losses.  For 2014, we recorded a $4.7 million provision for loan losses, up from $1.9 million recorded in 2013.  The $2.8 million increase in the provision for loan losses was primarily attributable to the growth in our loan portfolio during the year, and to a lesser extent, the change in our loan composition.  Net loan charge-offs for 2014 amounted to $684,000, down from $1.7 million in 2013.
For 2013, we recorded a $1.9 million provision for loan losses, up from $751,000 recorded in 2012.  The $1.1 million increase in the provision for loan losses was primarily attributable to the growth in our loan portfolio during the period, including the loans acquired from FAB and SDTB.  Net loan charge-offs for 2013 amounted to $1.7 million, up from $1.3 million in 2012.  Charge-offs in 2013 were primarily attributable to loans that we acquired from our FDIC-assisted transactions.
Noninterest Income.  For 2014, noninterest income totaled $14.4 million, up $5.3 million or 58.3% from 2013.  The increase was primarily related to gain on sale of loans of $3.1 million, loan servicing fees of $1.3 million and other income of $957,000.  During 2014, we sold $54.1 million in SBA loans at a 10% overall premium and $37.5 million in commercial real estate and multifamily loans at an overall premium of 3%, compared to 2013 in which we sold $24.6 million in SBA and government guaranteed loans at an overall premium of 12% and $10.8 million in commercial real estate and multifamily loans at an overall premium of 2%.  The increase in loan servicing fees primarily related to increased loans and higher prepayment fees in 2014, compared to those in 2013.  The increase in other income primarily related to a $1.1 million in settlement proceeds recorded in 2014 related to properties received from our FDIC-assisted acquisitions.
For 2013, noninterest income totaled $9.1 million, down from $12.6 million recorded in 2012.  The decrease of $3.5 million or 27.8% was primarily related to the one-time bargain purchase gain of $5.3 million recorded from the acquisition of PDNB in 2012, the net gain of $597,000 from the sale of our corporate offices and associated fixed assets in 2012 and lower net gains from the sale of investment securities of $409,000 in 2013, partially offset by an increase in gain on sale of loans of $2.6 million.
Noninterest Expense.  For 2014, noninterest expense totaled $55.0 million, up $4.2 million or 8.2% from 2013.  The increase was primarily due to the full year’s impact of expenses added as a result of the acquisitions of SDTB and FAB and the acquisition of Infinity in the first quarter of 2014, along with costs associated with organic growth that included the expansion of our lending platform to increase loan production throughout 2013 and 2014.  The increase in noninterest expense in 2014 was primarily comprised of higher compensation and benefits costs of $5.7 million; higher other expense of $2.2 million, which includes a $1.7 million litigation expense; higher deposit expenses of $1.1 million; higher premises and occupancy expense of $811,000; and higher professional expense of $377,000.  Concerning the $1.7 million litigation expense, the Board of Directors of the Company determined to establish a $1.7 million expense related to the lawsuit, which is discussed in more detail in Item 3 above, during the fourth quarter of 2014, which the Board of Directors believes to be a reasonable estimate of the Company’s exposure concerning this lawsuit as of December 31, 2014.  Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease in non-recurring merger-related expense of $5.4 million, lower data processing and communications costs of $510,000, primarily associated with lower negotiated core system provider costs, and lower other real estate owned operations of $543,000.
For 2013, noninterest expense totaled $50.8 million, up $19.0 million or 59.5% from 2012.  The increase included non-recurring merger-related expenses of $6.9 million in 2013, compared to $500,000 in 2012.  Excluding OREO operations and legal, audit and professional expense, each of the other categories of noninterest expense increased in 2013 primarily due to costs associated with the acquisitions of FAB and SDTB and costs associated with the expansion of our lending platform to increase loan production.  Other real estate owned operations decreased $1.0 million primarily related to less activity in the category.
Our efficiency ratio was 61.35% for 2014, compared to 64.68% for 2013 and 57.41% for 2012.  The increase in the efficiency ratio in 2013 compared to 2012 was primarily related to the time required to redeploy the liquidity received from the acquisitions we completed in 2013 and the expansion of our lending platform to increase loan production.
Income Taxes.  The Company recorded income taxes of $10.7 million in 2014, compared with $5.6 million in 2013 and $10.0 million in 2012.  Our effective tax rate was 39.2% for 2014, 38.3% for 2013, and 38.8% for 2012.  The effective tax rate in each year is affected by various items, including enterprise zone net interest deductions, interest expense related to payments of prior year taxes, and adjustments to income tax reserves related to management’s favorable assessment of our income tax exposure.  The net impact of these items were expense reductions of $358,000 in 2014, $265,000 in 2013, $755,000 in 2012.  See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof for further discussion of income taxes and an explanation of the factors which impact our effective tax rate.
Financial Condition
At December 31, 2014, total assets of the Company were $2.0 billion, up $324.7 million or 18.9% from total assets of $1.7 billion at December 31, 2013 The increase in assets since year-end 2013 was primarily related to the increase in loans held for investment of $388.5 million associated with organic loan growth and the acquisition of Infinity, which added assets at the acquisition date of $80.2 million, including $78.8 million in loans.  Partially offsetting these increases in assets was a reduction in investment securities available for sale of $54.5 million and cash and cash equivalents of $15.9 million.
Investment securities available for sale totaled $201.6 million at December 31, 2014, down $54.5 million or 21.3% from December 31, 2013.  The decrease in investment securities since year-end 2013 was primarily due to sales of $164.8 million and principal pay downs of $28.7 million, partially offset by purchases of $135.6 million.  In general, the purchase of investment securities primarily related to investing excess liquidity from our banking operations, while the sales were made to help fund loan production, which improved our interest-earning asset mix, and helped to prepare for the Independence Bank acquisition, which closed in January 2015.  The total end of period weighted average interest rate on investments at December 31, 2014 was 1.95%, compared to 2.21% at December 31, 2013.
Net loans held for investment totaled $1.6 billion at December 31, 2014, an increase of $384.5 million or 31.2% from December 31, 2013.  The increase in loans from December 31, 2013 included $78.8 million of C&I loans from our acquisition of Infinity, as well as organic growth in real estate loans of $110.6 million, C&I loans of $241.2 million, warehouse facilities loans of $26.3 million and SBA loans of $17.7 million, partially offset by a decrease in commercial owner occupied loans of $10.1 million.  The total end of period weighted average interest rate on loans at December 31, 2014 was 4.91%, compared to 4.95% at December 31, 2013.
At December 31, 2014, total deposits were $1.6 billion, up $324.5 million or 24.8% from December 31, 2013.  The increase in deposits since year-end 2013 included increases in money market of $98.7 million, noninterest bearing checking of $90.0 million, brokered certificates of deposit of $72.4 million and retail certificates of deposit of $54.6 million.  The brokered deposits were raised in the third and fourth quarter of 2014 to lengthen the overall maturity of our liabilities and support our interest rate risk management strategies.  These brokered deposits had a weighted average term of 18 months at closing and at an all-in cost of 66 basis points.  These deposit decreased the mix of our transaction accounts to 72.9% of total deposits at December 31, 2014, down from 75.9% at December 31, 2013.  The total end of period weighted average interest rate on deposits at December 31, 2014 was 0.36%, compared to 0.33% at December 31, 2013.
At December 31, 2014, total borrowings amounted to $187.0 million, down $27.4 million or 12.8% from December 31, 2013.  The decrease in borrowings at December 31, 2014 from 2013 was primarily related to a decrease in FHLB overnight advances.  On August 29, 2014, the Company completed the issuance of $60 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.75% subordinated notes due September 3, 2024 in a private placement transaction.  The net proceeds of the offering were approximately $59 million and are being used for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, contribution of capital to the Bank of $40 million to support both organic growth as well as acquisition activities.  Additionally, toward the end of the third quarter of 2014, we locked in borrowings from the FHLB of $25.0 million at 60 basis points for 18 months and $25.0 million at 84 basis points for 2 years.  These borrowings lengthen the overall maturity of our liabilities and support our interest rate risk management strategies as well as leverage our balance sheet for future growth.  At December 31, 2014, total borrowings represented 9.2% of total assets and had an end of period weighted average cost of 2.74%, compared with 12.5% of total assets at a weighted average cost of 0.63% at December 31, 2013.
At December 31, 2014, our stockholders’ equity amounted to $199.6$460 million, compared with $175.2$299 million at December 31, 2013.2015.  The increase of $24.4$161 million or 13.9% in53.8% is primarily due to net income in 20142016 of $16.6$40.1 million and an increase in additional paid-in capital of $4.2$124 million, primarily associated withas a result of the issuance of common stock in the IFC acquisition which was partially offset by repurchase of common stock during 2014, and improvement in unrealized loss on investment securities net of tax of $3.6 million recorded in accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss) category.SCAF acquisition.
 
Liquidity
 
Our primary sources of funds are principal and interest payments on loans, deposits, FHLB advances and other borrowings.  While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans are a predictable source of funds, deposit flows and loan prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions and competition.  We seek to maintain a level of liquid assets to ensure a safe and sound operation.  Our liquid assets are comprised of cash and unpledged investments.  As part of our daily monitoring, we calculate a liquidity ratio by dividing the sum of cash balances plus unpledged securities by the sum of deposits that mature in one year or less plus transaction accounts and FHLB advances.  At December 31, 2014,2016, our liquidity ratio was 14.93%13.15%, compared with 15.90%13.36% at December 31, 2013.2015.
 

We believe our level of liquid assets is sufficient to meet current anticipated funding needs.  At December 31, 2014,2016, liquid assets of the Company represented approximately 11.8%11.1% of total assets, compared to 13.0%10.9% at December 31, 2013.2015.  At December 31, 2014,2016, the Company had seven unsecured lines of credit with other correspondent banks to purchase federal funds totaling $82.0$123 million, one reverse repo line with a correspondent bank of $50.0$50 million and access through the Federal Reserve Bank discount window to borrow $3.3 million, as business needs dictate.  We also have a line of credit with the FHLB allowing us to borrow up to 45% of the Bank’s total assets.  At December 31, 2014,2016, we had a borrowing capacity of $527.4 million,$1.02 billion, based on collateral pledged at the FHLB, with $70.0$278 million outstanding in FHLB borrowing.  The FHLB advance line is collateralized by eligible loans and FHLB stock.  At December 31, 2014,2016, we had approximately $618.6 million$1.19 billion of collateral pledged to secure FHLB borrowings.
 
At December 31, 2014, we had outstanding commitments to originate or purchase loans for $355.0 million, compared with $18.0 million at December 31, 2013.
At December 31, 2014,2016, the Company’s loan to deposit and borrowing ratio was 89.6%91.7%, compared with 81.8%92.0% at December 31, 2013.2015.  The increase in the ratio from year-end 2013 to 2014decrease was primarily associated with our loansdeposits and borrowings increasing at a faster rate relative to our deposits and borrowingsloans during the period. Certificates of deposit, which are scheduled to mature in one year or less from December 31, 2014,2016, totaled $285.9$477 million.  We expect to retain a substantial portion of the maturing certificates of deposit at maturity.
 
The CompanyBank has a policy in place that permits the purchase of brokered funds, in an amount not to exceed 5%15% of total deposits, or 12% of total assets, as a secondary source for funding.  At December 31, 2014,2016, the Company had $72.4$199 million, or 4.9% of total assets, in brokered time deposits.  At December 31, 2013, there were no2015, the Company had $155 million, or 5.6% of total assets, in brokered time deposits outstanding.deposits.
 
The Corporation is a corporate entity separate and apart from the Bank that must provide for its own liquidity.  The Corporation’s primary sources of liquidity are dividends from the Bank.  There are statutory and regulatory provisions that limit the ability of the Bank to pay dividends to the Corporation.  Management believes that such restrictions will not have a material impact on the ability of the Corporation to meet its ongoing cash obligations.
 
The Financial Code provides that a bank may not make a cash distribution to its stockholders in excess of the lesser of a (i) bank’s retained earnings; or (ii) bank’s net income for its last three fiscal years, less the amount of any distributions made by the bank or by any majority-owned subsidiary of the bank to the stockholders of the bank during such period.  However, a bank may, with the approval of the DBO, make a distribution to its stockholders in an amount not exceeding the greatest of (x) its retained earnings; (y) its net income for its last fiscal year; or (z) its net income for its current fiscal year.  In the event that the DBO determines that the stockholders’ equity of a bank is inadequate or that the making of a distribution by the bank would be unsafe or unsound, the DBO may order the bank to refrain from making a proposed distribution.  Under these provisions, the amount available for distribution from the Bank to the Corporation was approximately $45.9$93.1 million at December 31, 2014.2016.
 
Capital Resources
 
The Corporation and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies.  Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can trigger certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on our financial condition and results of operations.  Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Bank’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Bank’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
 
At December 31, 2014,2016, the Bank’s leverage capital amounted to $221.5$411 million and risk-based capital amounted to $234.1$433 million.  At December 31, 2013,2015, the Bank’s leverage capital was $160.5$304 million and risk-based capital was $168.7$322 million.  Pursuant to regulatory guidelines under prompt corrective action rules, a bank must have total risk-based capital of 10.00% or greater, Tier 1 risk-based capital of 6.00%8.00% or greater, common equity tier 1

capital ratio of 6.5% and Tier I capital to adjusted tangible assets of 5.00% or greater to be considered ‘‘well"well capitalized.’’"  At December 31, 2014,2016, the Bank’s total risk-based capital ratio was 13.45%12.34%, Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 12.72%11.70%, common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 11.70%, and Tier I capital to adjusted tangible assets capital ratio was 11.29%10.94%.  See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof for a discussion of the Bank’s and Company’s capital ratios.
 
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
 
The Company enters into contractual obligations in the normal course of business as a source of funds for its asset growth and to meet required capital needs.  The following schedule summarizes maturities and payments due on our obligations and commitments, excluding accrued interest, at the date indicated:
 

  At December 31, 2014 
  Less than 1 year  1 - 3 years  3 - 5 years  More than 5 years  Total 
  (in thousands) 
Contractual Obligations                 
FHLB advances $20,000  $50,000  $-  $-  $70,000 
Other borrowings  18,143   -   28,500   -   46,643 
Subordinated debentures  -   -   -   70,310   70,310 
Certificates of deposit  285,907   152,796   2,405   565   441,673 
Operating leases  3,023   5,089   3,608   736   12,456 
Total contractual cash obligations $327,073  $207,885  $34,513  $71,611  $641,082 


 At December 31, 2016
 Less than 1 year 1 - 3 years 3 - 5 years More than 5 years Total
 (dollars in thousands)
Contractual Obligations   
  
    
FHLB advances$278,000
 $
 $
 $
 $278,000
Other borrowings21,471
 28,500
 
 
 49,971
Subordinated debentures
 
 
 69,383
 69,383
Certificates of deposit476,942
 93,583
 3,370
 664
 574,559
Operating leases3,926
 5,660
 881
 230
 10,697
Total contractual cash obligations$780,339
 $127,743
 $4,251
 $70,277
 $982,610
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
The following table summarizes our contractual commitments with off-balance sheet risk by expiration period at the date indicated:


  At December 31, 2014 
  Less than 1 year  1 - 3 years  3 - 5 years  More than 5 years  Total 
  (in thousands) 
Other unused commitments                 
Commercial and industrial $74,083  $16,448  $772  $48,841  $140,144 
Warehouse facilities  -   -   -   105,261   105,261 
Commercial non-owner occupied  875   -   -   71   946 
Multi-family  44   22   8,000   -   8,066 
One-to-four family  296   1,244   50   6,968   8,558 
Construction  28,239   44,719   -   9,106   82,064 
Other loans  441   -   6   1,548   1,995 
Standby letters of credit  488   -   -   7,502   7,990 
Total commitments $104,466  $62,433  $8,828  $179,297  $355,024 

 At December 31, 2016
 Less than 1 year 1 - 3 years 3 - 5 years More than 5 years Total
 (dollars in thousands)
Other unused commitments   
  
    
Commercial and industrial$273,988
 $36,782
 $2,453
 $18,739
 $331,962
Construction94,315
 105,912
 
 189
 200,416
Home equity lines of credit599
 6,036
 1,349
 13,845
 21,829
Standby letters of credit11,832
 
 
 
 11,832
All other9,968
 241
 
 5,011
 15,220
Total commitments$390,702
 $148,971
 $3,802
 $37,784
 $581,259

See Note 1417 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 hereof for narrative disclosure regarding off-balance sheet arrangements.
  

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices
 
Our consolidated financial statements and related data presented in this annual report on Form 10-K have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States which require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollar amounts (except with respect to securities classified as available for sale which are carried at market value) without considering the changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. The impact of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of our operations.  Unlike most industrial companies, substantially all of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature.  As a result, interest rates have a greater impact on our performance than do the effects of general levels of inflation.  Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or to the same magnitude as the price of goods and services.
 
Impact of New Accounting Standards
 
See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof for a listing of recently issued accounting pronouncements and the impact of them on the Company.
  

 
Asset/Liability Management and Market Risk
 
Market risk is the risk of loss or reduced earnings from adverse changes in market prices and interest rates.  Our market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk in our lending and deposit taking activities.  Interest rate risk primarily occurs to the degree that our interest-bearing liabilities reprice or mature on a different basis and frequency than our interest-earning assets.  Since our earnings depend primarily on our net interest income, which is the difference between the interest and dividends earned on interest-earning assets and the interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities, our principal objectives are to actively monitor and manage the effects of adverse changes in interest rates on net interest income.
In addition to the interest rate risk associated with our lending for investment and deposit-taking activities, we also have market risk associated with loans held for sale.  Changes in interest rates, primarily fixed rate loans, impact the fair value of loans held for sale.  Rising interest rates typically result in a decrease in loan market value while declining interest rates typically result in an increase in loan market value.
 
Our Asset/Liability Committee is responsible for implementing the Bank’s interest rate risk management policy which sets forth limits established by the board of directors of acceptable changes in net interest income and economic value of equity (“EVE”) from specified changes in interest rates.  Our Asset/Liability Committee reviews, among other items, economic conditions, the interest rate outlook, the demand for loans, the availability of deposits and borrowings, and our current operating results, liquidity, capital and interest rate exposure.  Based on these reviews, our Asset/Liability Committee formulates a strategy that is intended to implement the objectives set forth in our business plan without exceeding the net interest income and EVE limits set forth in our guidelines approved by our board of directors.
 
Interest Rate Risk Management.  The principal objective of the Company’s interest rate risk management function is to evaluate the interest rate risk included in certain balance sheet accounts, determine the level of appropriate risk and manage the risk consistent with prudent asset and liability concentration guidelines approved by our board of directors.  We monitor asset and liability maturities and repricing characteristics on a regular basis and review various simulations and other analysesanalysis to determine the potential impact of various business strategies in controlling the Company’s interest rate risk and the potential impact of those strategies upon future earnings under various interest rate scenarios.  Our primary strategy in managing interest rate risk is to emphasize the origination for investment of adjustable rate loans or loans with relatively short maturities.  Interest rates on adjustable rate loans are primarily tied to 3-month or 6-month LIBOR index, 12-month moving average of yields on actively traded U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year ("MTA") index and the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate (“Prime”) index.  Also as part of this strategy, we seek to lengthen our deposit maturities when deposit rates are considered in the lower end of the interest rate cycle and shorten our deposit maturities when deposit rates are considered in the higher end of the interest rate cycle. Finally, we structure our security portfolio and borrowings to mitigate interest rate sensitivity created by the re-pricing characteristics of loans and deposits.
 
Management monitors its interest rate risk as such risk relates to its operational strategies.  The Company’s board of directors reviews on a quarterly basis the Company’s asset/liability position, including simulations of the effect on the Bank’s capital in various interest rate scenarios.  The extent of the movement of interest rates, higher or lower, is an uncertainty that could have a negative impact on the earnings of the Company.  If interest rates rise we may be subject to interest rate spread compression, which would adversely impact our net interest income.  This is primarily due to the lag in repricing of the indices, to which our adjustable rate loans and mortgage-backed securities are tied, as well as the repricing frequencies and interest rate caps and floors on these adjustable rate loans and mortgage-backed securities.  The extent of the interest rate spread compression depends, among other things, upon the frequency and severity of such interest rate fluctuations.
 
Economic Value of Equity.The Company’s interest rate sensitivity is monitored by management through the use of both a simulation model that quantifies the estimated impact to earnings (Earnings at Risk) and a model that estimates the change in the Company’s EVE under alternative interest rate scenarios, primarily non-parallel interest rate shifts over a twelve month period in 100 basis point increments.  The simulation model estimates the impact on earnings from changing interest rates on interest earnings assets and interest expense paid on interest bearing liabilities. The EVE model computes the net present value of capital by discounting all expected cash flows from assets, liabilities under each rate scenario.   First, we estimate our net interest income for the next twelve months and the current EVE assuming no change in interest rates from those at period end.  Once this "base-case" has been estimated, we make calculations for each of the defined changes in interest rates and include any anticipated differences in the prepayment speeds of loans.  We then compare those results against the base case to determine the estimated change to net interest income and EVE due to the changes in interest rates.  An EVE ratio is defined as the EVE divided by the market value of assets within the

same scenario.  The sensitivity measure is the largest decline in the EVE ratio, measured in basis points, caused by an increase or decrease in rates, and the higher an institution’s sensitivity measure, the greater exposure it has to interest rate risk.

The following table shows the projected net interest income and net interest margin of the Company at December 31, 2016, assuming various non-parallel interest rate shifts over a twelve month period:
As of December 31, 2016
(dollars in thousands)
Earnings at Risk Projected Net Interest Margin
Change in Rates $ Amount $ Change % Change $ Amount % Change
+400 BP $167,817
 $1,750
 1.1 % 4.44% 3.2 %
+300 BP 167,157
 1,090
 0.7
 4.40
 2.2
+200 BP 166,743
 676
 0.4
 4.37
 1.6
+100 BP 166,445
 378
 0.2
 4.34
 9.0
Static 166,067
 
 
 4.30
 
-100 BP 164,944
 (1,123) (0.7) 4.22
 (1.8)
-200 BP 164,148
 (1,919) (1.2) 4.18
 (2.8)

The following table shows the EVE and projected change in the EVE of the Company at December 31, 2014,2016, assuming various non-parallel interest rate shifts over a twelve month periodperiod:
As of December 31, 2016
(dollars in thousands)
          EVE as % of Portfolio
Economic Value of Equity   Value of Assets
Change in Rates $ Amount $ Change % Change EVE Ratio % Change (BP)
+400 BP $731,235
 $(5,142) (0.7)% 19.74% 136 BP
+300 BP 730,729
 (5,649) (0.8) 19.38
 100 BP
+200 BP 736,554
 176
 
 19.14
 76 BP
+100 BP 740,494
 4,116
 0.6
 18.84
 47 BP
Static 736,378
 
 
 18.38
 0
-100 BP 720,091
 (16,287) (2.2) 1.80
 -80 BP
-200 BP 677,845
 (58,533) (7.9) 16.28
 -210 BP

Based on the modeling of 100, 200,the impact on earnings and 300 basis points ("BP"):

As of December 31, 2014 
(dollars in thousands) 
              EVE as % of Portfolio 
Economic Value of Equity     Value of Assets 
Change in Rates $ Amount  $ Change  % Change  EVE Ratio  % Change (BP) 
                
+300 BP $396,950  $31,890   8.7%  20.14% 279 BP 
+200 BP  400,681   35,621   9.8%  19.94% 259 BP 
+100 BP  396,981   31,921   8.7%  19.38% 203 BP 
Static  365,060   --   --   17.35% -- 
-100 BP  342,855   (22,205)  (6.1)%  16.08% -127 BP 
-200 BP  308,308   (56,752)  (15.5)%  14.42% -293 BP 
-300 BP  279,282   (85,778)  (23.5)%  13.04% -431 BP 


EVE from changes in interest rates, the Company's sensitivity to changes in interest rates is moderate. It is important to note that the above table istables are a summary of several forecasts and actual results may vary.  The forecasts are based on estimates and assumptions of Management that may turn out to be different and may change over time.  Factors affecting these estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to (1) competitor behavior, (2) economic conditions both locally and nationally, (3) actions taken by the Federal Reserve, (4) customer behavior and (5) Management’s responses.  Changes that vary significantly from the assumptions and estimates may have significant effects on the Company’s earnings and EVE.  Although the EVE measurement provides an indication of the Company’s interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, such measurement is not intended to provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates on the Company’s net interest income and will differ from actual results.
  
Selected Assets and Liabilities which are Interest Rate Sensitive. The following table provides information regarding the Company’s primary categories of assets and liabilities that are sensitive to changes in interest rates for the year ended December 31, 2014.2016.  The information presented reflects the expected cash flows of the primary categories by year, including the related weighted average interest rate.  The cash flows for loans are based on maturity and re-pricing date.  The loans and MBSs that have adjustable rate features are presented in accordance with their next interest-repricing date.  Cash flow information on interest-bearing liabilities, such as passbooks,

NOW accounts and money market accounts is also adjusted for expected decay rates, which are based on historical information.  In addition, for purposes of cash flow presentation, premiums or discounts on purchased assets and mark-to-market adjustments are excluded from the amounts presented.  All certificates of deposit and borrowings are presented by maturity date.  The weighted average interest rates for the various assets and liabilities presented are based on the actual rates that existed at December 31, 2014.2016.  The degree of market risk inherent in loans with prepayment features may not be completely reflected in the disclosures.  Although we have taken into consideration historical prepayment trends adjusted for current market conditions to determine expected maturity categories, changes in prepayment behavior can be triggered by changes in many variables, including market rates of interest.  Unexpected changes in these variables may increase or decrease the rate of prepayments from those anticipated.  As such, the potential loss from such market rate changes may be significantly larger.


  At December 31, 2014 
  Maturities and Repricing 
  2015  2016  2017  2018  2019     Total  Fair 
  Year 1  Year 2  Year 3  Year 4  Year 5  Thereafter  Balance  Value 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Selected Assets                        
Investments and federal funds, other than MBS $17,342  $1,297  $1,998  $4,942  $4,652  $76,772  $107,003  $107,003 
Weighted average interest rate  2.82%  0.90%  1.42%  1.05%  1.46%  2.09%  2.11%    
                                 
Mortgage - backed securities Fixed rate $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $103,051  $103,051  $103,051 
Weighted average interest rate  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%  1.91%  1.91%    
                                 
Mortgage - backed securities Adjustable rate $4,615  $2,210  $2,101  $-  $-  $-  $8,926  $8,926 
Weighted average interest rate  0.64%  0.63%  1.15%  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%  0.76%    
                                 
Gross Loans - fixed rate $24,573  $7,947  $23,676  $7,384  $29,162  $201,108  $293,850  $198,513 
Weighted average interest rate  6.42%  6.03%  6.22%  4.34%  5.63%  5.21%  5.43%    
                                 
Gross Loans - adjustable rate $566,368  $37,240  $167,384  $220,411  $194,293  $148,899  $1,334,595  $1,918,206 
Weighted average interest rate  4.97%  4.45%  4.54%  4.68%  4.85%  4.65%  4.80%    
Total interest-sensitive assets $612,898  $48,694  $195,159  $232,737  $228,107  $529,830  $1,847,425  $2,335,699 
Weighted average interest rate  4.93%  4.44%  4.67%  4.59%  4.88%  3.96%  4.56%    
                                 
Selected Liabilities                                
Interest-bearing transaction accounts $732,399  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $732,399  $1,216,847 
Weighted average interest rate  0.27%  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%  0.27%    
                                 
Certificates of deposit $285,907  $142,396  $10,400  $1,307  $1,098  $565  $441,673  $519,898 
Weighted average interest rate  0.88%  0.89%  1.06%  1.63%  1.18%  1.01%  0.89%    
                                 
FHLB advances $20,000  $50,000  $-  $-  $-  $-  $70,000  $70,025 
Weighted average interest rate  0.27%  0.72%  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%  0.59%    
                                 
Other borrowings and subordinated debentures $18,143  $-  $-  $28,500  $-  $70,310  $116,953  $81,768 
Weighted average interest rate  0.10%  0.00%  0.00%  3.26%  0.00%  5.34%  4.02%    
Total interest-sensitive liabilities $1,056,449  $192,396  $10,400  $29,807  $1,098  $70,875  $1,361,025  $1,888,538 
Weighted average interest rate  0.43%  0.85%  1.06%  3.19%  1.18%  5.31%  0.81%    
 At December 31, 2016
 Maturities and Repricing
 2016 2016 2016 2017 2018 2019 - 20   Total
 3M or Less 4-6M 7-12M Year 2 Year3 Year 4 & 5 Thereafter Balance
 (dollars in thousands)
Selected Assets               
Interest-bearing cash with financial institutions$160,801
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $160,801
Weighted average interest rate0.39% % % % % % % 0.39%
                
Investments$49,157
 $9,750
 $20,798
 $47,340
 $55,564
 $116,111
 $128,112
 $426,832
Weighted average interest rate2.33% 1.63% 1.56% 1.58% 1.58% 2.67% 1.80% 2.03%
                
Gross Loans$385,844
 $263,322
 $440,598
 $487,464
 $343,357
 $487,755
 $837,355
 $3,245,695
Weighted average interest rate4.96% 5.14% 5.04% 4.82% 4.71% 4.71% 4.59% 4.81%
                
Total interest-sensitive assets$595,802
 $273,072
 $461,396
 $534,804
 $398,921
 $603,866
 $965,467
 $3,833,328
Weighted average interest rate3.51% 5.01% 4.88% 4.53% 4.27% 4.32% 4.22% 4.32%
                
Selected Liabilities               
Noninterest-bearing deposits$27,793
 $27,783
 $55,566
 $111,131
 $111,131
 $222,262
 $639,004
 $1,194,670
Weighted average interest rate% % % % % % % %
                
Interest-bearing transaction and Savings$6,487
 $6,484
 $12,969
 $25,938
 $25,938
 $51,875
 $154,777
 $284,468
Weighted average interest rate0.12% 0.12% 0.12% 0.12% 0.12% 0.12% 0.12% 0.12%
                
Money market deposits$31,036
 $31,036
 $62,072
 $124,145
 $124,145
 $248,289
 $486,176
 $1,106,899
Weighted average interest rate0.33% 0.33% 0.33% 0.33% 0.33% 0.33% 0.35% 0.34%
                
Certificates of deposit$155,077
 $136,912
 $187,738
 $84,394
 $6,532
 $3,237
 $665
 $574,555
Weighted average interest rate0.65% 0.74% 0.78% 0.93% 0.87% 1.32% 0.90% 0.76%
                
FHLB advances$278,000
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $278,000
Weighted average interest rate0.55% % % % % % % 0.55%
                
Other borrowings and FFP$21,471
 $
 $
 $28,500
 $
 $
 $
 $49,971
Weighted average interest rate0.01% % % 3.26% % % % 1.93%
                
Subordinated Debentures$
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $70,300
 $70,300
Weighted average interest rate% % % % % % 5.35% 5.35%
Total interest-sensitive liabilities$519,864
 $202,215
 $318,345
 $374,108
 $267,746
 $525,663
 $1,350,922
 $3,558,863
Weighted average interest rate0.51% 0.56% 0.53% 0.58% 0.19% 0.18% 0.42% 0.41%
                
GAP$75,938
 $70,857
 $143,051
 $160,696
 $131,175
 $78,203
 $(385,455) $274,465
Cumulative GAP75,938
 146,795
 289,846
 450,542
 581,717
 659,920
 274,465
  


The Company does not have any direct market risk from foreign exchange or commodity exposures.



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM




To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Irvine, California


We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of financial condition of Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2016, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, 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), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 16, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.




/s/ Crowe Horwath LLP

Sherman Oaks, California
March 16, 2017

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM




To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. And Subsidiaries
Irvine, California

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of financial condition of Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2014 and 2013,2015, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders'stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the threetwo year period ended December 31, 2014.2015. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as, evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2014 and 2013,2015, and the results of its operations changes in its stockholders' equity, and its cash flows for each of the years in the threetwo year period ended December 31, 20142015 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with

/s/ Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co., LLP
Laguna Hills, California
March 4, 2016






REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


To the standardsBoard of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Directors and Stockholders
Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Irvine, California

We have audited Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014,2016, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 16, 2015, expressed an unqualified opinion.
/s/ Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co., LLP
Rancho Cucamonga, California
March 16, 2015

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Board of Directors and Shareholders
Pacific Premier Bancorp and Subsidiaries
Irvine, California
We have audited Pacific Premier Bancorp and Subsidiaries (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). 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 Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’sCompany's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 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 of internal control over financial reporting 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 includedrisk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

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 conformityaccordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Because management's assessment and our audit were conducted to also meet the reporting requirement of Section 112 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (FDICIA), management's assessment and our audit of theA company's internal control over financial reporting included controls over the preparation of financial statements in accordance with instructions to the Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income (Form FFIEC 041).  A company’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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and thethat 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.

In our opinion, the CompanyPacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014,2016, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
Commission.
We also have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated statementsstatement of financial condition of the Company as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows as of and for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2014,2016 of Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries and our report dated March 16, 20152017 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

/s/ Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co.,Crowe Horwath LLP
Rancho Cucamonga,
Sherman Oaks, California
March 16, 20152017



PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION 
(dollars in thousands, except share data) 
       
  At December 31, 
ASSETS 2014  2013 
       
Cash and due from banks $110,650  $126,787 
Federal funds sold  275   26 
Cash and cash equivalents  110,925   126,813 
Investment securities available for sale  201,638   256,089 
FHLB stock/Federal Reserve Bank stock, at cost  17,067   15,450 
Loans held for sale, net  -   3,147 
Loans held for investment  1,628,622   1,240,123 
Allowance for loan losses  (12,200)  (8,200)
Loans held for investment, net  1,616,422   1,231,923 
Accrued interest receivable  7,131   6,254 
Other real estate owned  1,037   1,186 
Premises and equipment  9,165   9,864 
Deferred income taxes  9,383   8,477 
Bank owned life insurance  26,822   24,051 
Intangible assets  5,614   6,628 
Goodwill  22,950   17,428 
Other assets  10,743   6,877 
TOTAL ASSETS $2,038,897  $1,714,187 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
         
LIABILITIES:        
Noninterest bearing checking $456,754  $366,755 
Interest-bearing checking  131,635   120,886 
Money Market/Savings  600,764   503,989 
Retail Certificates of Deposit  365,168   300,730 
Wholesale Certificates of Deposit  76,505   13,926 
Total deposits  1,630,826   1,306,286 
FHLB advances and other borrowings  116,643   204,091 
Subordinated debentures  70,310   10,310 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  21,526   18,274 
Total liabilities  1,839,305   1,538,961 
         
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 12)  -   - 
         
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:        
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares outstanding  -   - 
Common stock, $.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized;16,903,884 shares at December 31, 2014,  and 16,656,279 shares at December 31, 2013 issued and outstanding  169   166 
Additional paid-in capital  147,474   143,322 
Retained earnings  51,431   34,815 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (benefit) of $362 at December 31, 2014 and ($2,152) at December 31, 2013  518   (3,077)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  199,592   175,226 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $2,038,897  $1,714,187 
         
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 



PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME 
(dollars in thousands, except per share data) 
          
  For the Years ended December 31, 
  2014  2013  2012 
INTEREST INCOME         
Loans $74,736  $57,807  $49,659 
Other interest-earning assets  5,588   5,711   3,288 
Total interest income  80,324   63,518   52,947 
             
INTEREST EXPENSE            
Deposits  5,037   4,065   5,853 
FHLB advances and other borrowings  1,124   984   970 
Subordinated debentures  1,543   307   326 
Total interest expense  7,704   5,356   7,149 
NET INTEREST INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES  72,620   58,162   45,798 
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES  4,684   1,860   751 
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES  67,936   56,302   45,047 
             
NONINTEREST INCOME            
Loan servicing fee income  2,490   1,192   941 
Bank and other fee income  1,809   1,873   1,940 
Net gain from loan sales  6,300   3,228   628 
Net gain from investment securities  1,547   1,544   1,953 
Other-than-temporary-impairment recovery (loss) on investment securities  29   (4)  (159)
Gain on FDIC transactions  -   -   5,340 
Other income  2,217   1,260   1,929 
Total noninterest income  14,392   9,093   12,572 
             
NONINTEREST EXPENSE            
Compensation and benefits  28,705   23,018   16,281 
Premises and occupancy  6,608   5,797   4,070 
Data processing  2,570   3,080   2,366 
OREO operations, net  75   618   1,653 
FDIC insurance premiums  1,021   749   638 
Legal and audit  2,240   1,863   2,134 
Marketing expense  1,208   1,088   858 
Office and postage expense  1,576   1,313   830 
Loan related expense  848   1,009   912 
Deposit related expense  2,964   1,818   188 
Merger related expense  1,490   6,926   - 
Other expense  5,688   3,536   1,924 
Total noninterest expense  54,993   50,815   31,854 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX  27,335   14,580   25,765 
INCOME TAX  10,719   5,587   9,989 
NET INCOME $16,616  $8,993  $15,776 
             
EARNINGS PER SHARE            
Basic $0.97  $0.57  $1.49 
Diluted $0.96  $0.54  $1.44 
             
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING            
Basic  17,046,660   15,798,885   10,571,073 
Diluted  17,343,977   16,609,954   10,984,034 
             
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 
PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(dollars in thousands, except share data)
  At December 31,
ASSETS 2016 2015
Cash and due from banks $14,706
 $14,935
Interest-bearing deposits with financial institutions 142,151
 63,482
Cash and cash equivalents 156,857
 78,417
Interest-bearing time deposits with financial institutions 3,944
 1,972
Investments held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of $8,461 and $9,572 as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively) 8,565
 9,642
Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value 380,963
 280,273
FHLB, FRB and other stock, at cost 37,304
 22,292
Loans held for sale, at lower of cost or fair value 7,711
 8,565
Loans held for investment 3,241,613
 2,254,315
Allowance for loan losses (21,296) (17,317)
Loans held for investment, net 3,220,317
 2,236,998
Accrued interest receivable 13,145
 9,315
Other real estate owned 460
 1,161
Premises and equipment 12,014
 9,248
Deferred income taxes, net 16,807
 11,511
Bank owned life insurance 40,409
 39,245
Intangible assets 9,451
 7,170
Goodwill 102,490
 50,832
Other assets 25,874
 22,958
Total Assets $4,036,311
 $2,789,599
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  
  
LIABILITIES:  
  
Deposit accounts:    
Noninterest-bearing checking $1,185,672
 $711,771
Interest-bearing:    
Checking 182,893
 137,975
Money market/savings 1,202,361
 824,402
Retail certificates of deposit 375,203
 365,911
Wholesale/brokered certificates of deposit 199,356
 155,064
Total interest-bearing 1,959,813
 1,483,352
Total deposits 3,145,485
 2,195,123
FHLB advances and other borrowings 327,971
 196,125
Subordinated debentures 69,383
 69,263
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 33,732
 30,108
Total liabilities 3,576,571
 2,490,619
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:  
  
Common stock, $.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 27,798,283 shares at December 31, 2016 and 50,000,000 shares authorized; 21,570,746 shares at December 31, 2015 issued and outstanding 274
 215
Additional paid-in capital 345,138
 221,487
Retained earnings 117,049
 76,946
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of (benefit) tax of $(1,978) at December 31, 2016 and $230 at December 31, 2015 (2,721) 332
Total Stockholders' Equity 459,740
 298,980
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $4,036,311
 $2,789,599
     
Accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
  For the Years ended December 31,
  2016 2015 2014
INTEREST INCOME      
Loans $157,935
 $111,097
 $75,751
Investment securities and other interest-earning assets 8,670
 7,259
 5,588
Total interest income 166,605
 118,356
 81,339
INTEREST EXPENSE  
  
  
Deposits 8,391
 6,630
 5,037
FHLB advances and other borrowings 1,295
 1,490
 1,124
Subordinated debentures 3,844
 3,937
 1,543
Total interest expense 13,530
 12,057
 7,704
Net interest income before provision for loan losses 153,075
 106,299
 73,635
Provision for loan losses 8,776
 6,425
 4,684
Net interest income after provision for loan losses 144,299
 99,874
 68,951
NONINTEREST INCOME  
  
  
Loan servicing fees 1,032
 371
 307
Deposit fees 3,408
 2,532
 1,809
Net gain from sales of loans 9,539
 7,970
 6,300
Net gain from sales of investment securities 1,797
 290
 1,547
Other-than-temporary-impairment loss on investment securities (205) 
 (29)
Other income 4,013
 3,278
 3,443
Total noninterest income 19,584
 14,441
 13,377
NONINTEREST EXPENSE  
  
  
Compensation and benefits 52,831
 37,108
 27,714
Premises and occupancy 9,838
 7,810
 6,335
Data processing and communications 4,261
 2,816
 2,570
Other real estate owned operations, net 367
 121
 75
FDIC insurance premiums 1,545
 1,376
 1,021
Legal, audit and professional expense 2,817
 2,514
 2,240
Marketing expense 3,981
 2,305
 1,208
Office and postage expense 2,107
 2,005
 1,576
Loan expense 2,191
 1,268
 848
Deposit expense 4,904
 3,643
 2,964
Merger-related expense 4,388
 4,799
 1,490
CDI amortization 2,039
 1,350
 1,014
Other expense 7,296
 6,476
 5,938
Total noninterest expense 98,565
 73,591
 54,993
Net income before income taxes 65,318
 40,724
 27,335
  Income tax 25,215
 15,209
 10,719
Net income $40,103
 $25,515
 $16,616
EARNINGS PER SHARE  
  
  
Basic $1.49
 $1.21
 $0.97
Diluted $1.46
 $1.19
 $0.96
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING  
  
  
Basic 26,931,634
 21,156,668
 17,046,660
Diluted 27,439,159
 21,488,698
 17,343,977
       
Accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
(dollars in thousands) 
          
  For the Years ended December 31, 
  2014  2013  2012 
          
          
Net Income $16,616  $8,993  $15,776 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:            
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities arising during the period, net of income taxes (benefits) of 3.2 million for 2014, ($2.3) million for 2013, and $1.4 million for 2012  4,506   (3,273)  1,939 
Reclassification adjustment for net gain on sale of securities included in net income, net of income taxes of 636,000 for 2014, $635,000 for 2013, and $801,000 for 2012  (911)  (909)  (1,152)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of income taxes (benefits) of 2.5 million for 2014, ($2.9) million for 2013, and $551,000 for 2012  3,595   (4,182)  787 
Comprehensive Income $20,211  $4,811  $16,563 
             
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 



PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 
(dollars in thousands) 
                   
  
Common
 Stock
Shares
  Common Stock  
Additional
 Paid-in Capital
  
Accumulated Retained
Earnings (Deficit)
  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)  Total Stockholders’ Equity 
                   
Balance at December 31, 2011  10,337,626  $103  $76,310  $10,046  $318  $86,777 
Net Income              15,776       15,776 
Other comprehensive income                  787   787 
Share-based compensation expense          177           177 
Issuance of common stock  3,300,000   33   30,925           30,958 
Repurchase of common stock  (36,640)  -   (195)          (195)
Exercise of stock options  60,662   1   236           237 
Balance at December 31, 2012  13,661,648  $137  $107,453  $25,822  $1,105  $134,517 
Net Income              8,993       8,993 
Other comprehensive loss                  (4,182)  (4,182)
Share-based compensation expense          943           943 
Issuance of common stock  2,972,472   29   34,895           34,924 
Repurchase of common stock  (35,005)  -   (59)          (59)
Exercise of stock options  57,164   -   90           90 
Balance at December 31, 2013  16,656,279  $166  $143,322  $34,815  $(3,077) $175,226 
Net Income              16,616       16,616 
Other comprehensive income                  3,595   3,595 
Share-based compensation expense          514           514 
Issuance of common stock  562,469   6   9,006           9,012 
Repurchase of common stock  (447,450)  (4)  (5,634)          (5,638)
Exercise of stock options  132,586   1   266           267 
Balance at December 31, 2014  16,903,884  $169  $147,474  $51,431  $518  $199,592 
                         
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 
PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(dollars in thousands)
  For the Years ended December 31,
  2016 2015 2014
Net Income $40,103
 $25,515
 $16,616
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (benefit):  
  
  
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities arising during the period, net of income taxes (benefits) (1) (2,013) (15) 4,506
Reclassification adjustment for net loss (gain) on sale of securities included in net income, net of income taxes (2) (1,040) (171) (911)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of income taxes (3,053) (186) 3,595
Comprehensive Income $37,050
 $25,329
 $20,211
       
(1) Income tax (benefit) on unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities was $(1.5 million) for 2016, $(13,000) for 2015 and $3.2 million for 2014.
(2) Income tax on reclassification adjustment for net gain on sale of securities included in net income was $757,000 for 2016, $119,000 for 2015 and $636,000 for 2014.
 
Accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.




PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(in thousands) 
          
  For the Years ended December 31, 
  2014  2013  2012 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES         
Net income $16,616  $8,993  $15,776 
Adjustments to net income:            
Depreciation and amortization expense  2,198   1,948   1,358 
Provision for loan losses  4,684   1,860   751 
Share-based compensation expense  514   943   177 
Loss on sale of other real estate owned  17   226   783 
Write down of other real estate owned  -   354   556 
Loss (gain) on sale and disposal of premises and equipment  23   13   (597)
Amortization of premium/(discounts) on securities held for sale, net  2,641   3,052   787 
Amortization of loan mark-to-market discount  (2,020)  (3,231)  (1,794)
Gain on sale of investment securities available for sale  (1,547)  (1,544)  (1,953)
Other-than-temporary impairment loss (recovery) on investment securities, net  (29)  4   159 
Recoveries on loans  99   377   236 
Proceeds from the sales of and principal payments from loans held for sale  31   534   8,582 
Gain (loss) on sale of loans held for sale  180   -   (164)
Purchase and origination of loans held for sale  -   -   (12,099)
Gain on sale of loans held for investment  (6,300)  (3,228)  (464)
Gain on FDIC transaction  -   -   (5,340)
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)  (2,375)  (3,750)  1,560 
Change in accrued expenses and other liabilities, net  2,764   9,683   2,033 
Income from bank owned life insurance, net  (771)  (659)  (508)
Change in accrued interest receivable and other assets, net  (3,438)  (71)  2,330 
Net cash provided by operating activities  13,287   15,504   12,169 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES            
Proceeds from sale and principal payments on loans held for investment  357,145   220,275   204,843 
Net change in undisbursed loan funds  64,655   260,683   47,805 
Purchase and origination of loans held for investment  (721,299)  (665,339)  (427,823)
Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned  777   1,488   12,318 
Principal payments on securities available for sale  26,815   33,688   16,039 
Purchase of securities available for sale  (133,689)  (101,268)  (96,438)
Proceeds from sale or maturity of securities available for sale  166,341   234,067   114,376 
Investment in bank owned life insurance  (2,000)  -   - 
Purchases of premises and equipment  (1,448)  (3,581)  (4,525)
Purchase of Federal Reserve Bank stock  (536)  (5,948)  - 
Redemption (purchase) of Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco stock  (1,081)  2,398   2,553 
Cash acquired (disbursed) in acquisitions  (7,793)  138,424   39,491 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities  (252,113)  114,887   (91,361)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES            
Net (decrease) increase in deposit accounts  324,540   (139,207)  (39,691)
Proceeds from issuance of subordinated debt  58,834   -   - 
Repayment of FHLB advances and other borrowings  (155,065)  -   - 
Proceeds from FHLB advances and other borrowings  -   71,686   87,000 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance cost  -   4,560   30,958 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options  267   90   237 
Repurchase of common stock  (5,638)  (59)  (195)
Net cash provided (used in) financing activities  222,938   (62,930)  78,309 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  (15,888)  67,461   (883)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year  126,813   59,352   60,235 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $110,925  $126,813  $59,352 
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES            
Interest paid  6,500  $5,352  $7,162 
Income taxes paid  14,700   9,425   8,975 
Assets acquired (liabilities assumed) in acquisitions (See Note 20):         
Investment securities  -   347,196   101 
FRB / FHLB / TIB Stock  -   1,765   1,390 
FDIC receivable  -   -   167 
Loans  78,833   68,815   63,773 
Core deposit intangible  -   4,766   840 
Other real estate owned  -   752   11,533 
Goodwill  5,522   17,428   - 
Fixed assets  74   1,446   - 
Other assets  702   12,468   3,656 
Deposits  -   (540,725)  (115,582)
Other borrowings  (67,617)  (16,905)  - 
Other liabilities  (709)  (7,199)  (29)
Additional paid-in capital  (9,012)  (29,364)  - 
NONCASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES DURING THE PERIOD            
Transfers from loans to other real estate owned $645  $996  $3,151 
Investment securities available for sale purchased and not settled $-  $-  $- 
Loans held for sale transfer to loans held for investment $2,936  $-  $- 
             
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(dollars in thousands)
  
Common
 Stock
Shares
 Common Stock 
Additional
 Paid-in Capital
 
Accumulated Retained
Earnings
 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total Stockholders’ Equity
Balance at December 31, 2013 16,656,279
 $166
 $143,322
 $34,815
 $(3,077) $175,226
Net Income 
 
 
 16,616
 
 16,616
Other comprehensive income 
 
 
 
 3,595
 3,595
Share-based compensation expense 
 
 514
 
 
 514
Issuance of common stock 562,469
 6
 9,006
 
 
 9,012
Repurchase of common stock (447,450) (4) (5,634) 
 
 (5,638)
Exercise of stock options 132,586
 1
 266
 
 
 267
Balance at December 31, 2014 16,903,884
 $169
 $147,474
 $51,431
 $518
 $199,592
Net Income 
 
 
 25,515
 
 25,515
Other comprehensive loss 
 
 
 
 (186) (186)
Share-based compensation expense 
 
 1,165
 
 
 1,165
Issuance of restricted stock, net 60,000
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of common stock 4,480,645
 45
 72,207
 
 
 72,252
Warrants exercised 125,316
 1
 688
 
 
 689
Repurchase of common stock (7,165) 
 (116) 
 
 (116)
Exercise of stock options 8,066
 
 69
 
 
 69
Balance at December 31, 2015 21,570,746
 $215
 $221,487
 $76,946
 $332
 $298,980
Net Income 
 
 
 40,103
 
 40,103
Other comprehensive income 
 
 
 
 (3,053) (3,053)
Share-based compensation expense 
 
 2,729
 
 
 2,729
Issuance of restricted stock, net 296,236
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of common stock 5,815,051
 58
 119,325
 
 
 119,383
Tax effect of share-based compensation 
 
 379
 
 
 379
Repurchase of common stock 
 
 (126) 
 
 (126)
Exercise of stock options 116,250
 1
 1,344
 
 
 1,345
Balance at December 31, 2016 27,798,283
 $274
 $345,138
 $117,049
 $(2,721) $459,740
             
Accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.



PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in thousands)
  For the Years ended December 31,
  2016 2015 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net income $40,103
 $25,515
 $16,616
Adjustments to net income:  
  
  
Depreciation and amortization expense 2,854
 2,432
 2,198
Provision for loan losses 8,776
 6,425
 4,684
Share-based compensation expense 2,729
 1,165
 514
Loss on sale and disposal of premises and equipment 656
 
 23
Loss on sale of or write down of other real estate owned 321
 92
 17
Net amortization on securities available-for-sale 9,157
 3,822
 2,641
Net accretion of discounts/premiums for loans acquired and deferred loan fees/costs 1,832
 (2,967) (2,179)
Gain on sale of investment securities available-for-sale (1,797) (290) (1,547)
Other-than-temporary impairment recovery on investment securities, net (205) 
 (29)
Originations of loans held for sale (103,883) (87,900) 
Proceeds from the sales of and principal payments from loans held for sale 115,877
 86,604
 31
Gain on sale of loans (9,539) (7,970) (6,120)
Deferred income tax benefit 3,887
 (1,395) (2,375)
Change in accrued expenses and other liabilities, net (4,428) 6,786
 2,764
Income from bank owned life insurance, net (1,164) (1,147) (771)
Amortization of core deposit intangible 2,039
 1,350
 1,014
Change in accrued interest receivable and other assets, net (3,768) (8,853) (4,293)
Net cash provided by operating activities 63,447
 23,669
 13,188
Cash flows from investing activities:  
  
  
Net increase in interest-bearing time deposits with financial institutions 
 (1,972) 
Increase in loans, net (263,075) (247,000) (226,345)
Purchase of loans held for investment (271,159) (43,440) (73,055)
Change in other real estate owned from sales and write-downs 380
 (216) 777
Purchase of held-to-maturity securities 
 (9,642) 
Principal payments on securities available-for-sale 38,935
 33,751
 26,815
Purchase of securities available-for-sale (190,140) (90,127) (133,689)
Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale 223,365
 22,032
 163,241
Proceeds from maturity of securities available-for-sale 7,580
 5,610
 3,100
Proceeds from the sale of premises and equipment 10,049
 1,506
 
Investment in bank owned life insurance 
 
 (2,000)
Purchases of premises and equipment (11,970) (1,887) (1,448)
Change in FHLB, FRB, and other stock, at cost (15,012) (2,856) (1,617)
Cash acquired (paid) in acquisitions 40,132
 2,961
 (7,793)
Net cash used in investing activities (430,915) (331,280) (252,014)
Cash flows from financing activities:  
  
  
Net increase in deposit accounts 313,770
 228,279
 324,540
Proceeds from issuance of subordinated debt 
 
 58,834
Change in FHLB advances and other borrowings, net 130,919
 46,182
 (155,065)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants 1,345
 758
 267
Repurchase of common stock (126) (116) (5,638)
Net cash provided financing activities 445,908
 275,103
 222,938
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 78,440
 (32,508) (15,888)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 78,417
 110,925
 126,813
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $156,857
 $78,417
 $110,925
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:  
  
  
Interest paid $13,564
 $12,081
 $6,500
Income taxes paid 13,139
 12,127
 14,700
NONCASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES DURING THE PERIOD  
  
  
Transfers from loans to other real estate owned $197
 $450
 $645
Loans held for sale transfer to loans held for investment 
 
 2,936
Assets acquired (liabilities assumed) in acquisitions (See Note 23):  
  
Investment securities 186,583
 53,752
 
FHLB, FRB and other stock 3,671
 2,369
 
Loans 456,158
 332,893
 78,833
Core deposit intangible 4,319
 2,903
 
Deferred income tax 6,748
 4,794
 
Bank owned life insurance 
 11,276
 
Goodwill 51,658
 27,882
 5,522
Fixed assets 4,190
 2,134
 74
Other assets 9,362
 2,402
 702
Deposits (636,591) (336,018) 
Other borrowings 
 (33,300) (67,617)
Other liabilities (8,843) (1,796) (709)
       
Accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  
1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
 
Principles of Consolidation—The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. (the ‘‘Corporation’’) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Pacific Premier Bank (the ‘‘Bank’’) (collectively, the ‘‘Company’’).  The Company accounts for its investments in its wholly-owned special purpose entity, PPBI Statutory Trust I ( the “Trust”), using the equity method under which the subsidiary’s net earnings are recognized in the Company’s Statement of Income and the investment in the Trust is included in Other Assets on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The Company is organized and operates as a single reporting segment, principally engaged in the commercial banking business.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
Description of Business—The Corporation, a Delaware corporation organized in 1997, is a California-based bank holding company that owns 100% of the capital stock of the Bank, the Corporation’s principal operating subsidiary.  The Bank was incorporated and commenced operations in 1983.
 
The principal business of the Company is attracting deposits from the general public and investing those deposits, together with funds generated from operations and borrowings, primarily in business loans and real estate property loans.  At December 31, 2014,2016, the Company had 1315 depository branches located in the cities of Corona, Encinitas, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Los Alamitos, Murrieta, Newport Beach, Palm Desert (2), Palm Springs, (2),Redlands, Riverside, San Bernardino San Diego (2), and Seal Beach.San Diego.  The Company is subject to competition from other financial institutions.  The Company is subject to the regulations of certain governmental agencies and undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities.
 
Basis of Financial Statement Presentation—The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accountU.S. GAAP.  Certain amounts in the prior periods' financial statements and related footnote disclosures have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation with no impact to previously reported net income or stockholders' equity.

Use of Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).  In preparing the consolidated financial statements,requires management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities asand disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the dates of the consolidated statements of financial condition and the results of operations for the reporting periods.statements. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.  Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses (“ALLL”).

Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, due from banks and fed funds sold.  Interest bearing deposits with financial institutions represent mostly cash held at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. At December 31, 2014, $47.3 million was allocated to2016, there were no cash reserves required by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve”) for depository institutions based on the amount of deposits held.  The Company maintains amounts due from banks that exceed federally insured limits.  The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.

Securities—The Company has established written guidelines and objectives for its investing activities.  At the time of purchase, management designates the security as either held to maturity, available for sale or held for trading based on the Company’s investment objectives, operational needs and intent.  The investments are monitored to ensure that those activities are consistent with the established guidelines and objectives.
 
Securities Held to MaturityHeld-to-Maturity—Investments in debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are reported at cost and adjusted for unamortized premiums and unearned discounts that are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the period to maturity.  If the cost basis of these

securities is determined to be other than temporarily impaired, the amount of the impairment is charged to operations.  The Company had no investment securities classified as held to maturity at December 31, 2014 or 2013.
 
Securities Available for SaleAvailable-for-Sale—Investments in debt securities that management has no immediate plan to sell, but which may be sold in the future, are valued at fair value.  Premiums and discounts are amortized using the interest method over the remaining period to the call date for premiums or contractual maturity for discounts and, in the case of mortgage-backed securities adjusted forthe estimated average life, which can fluctuate based on the anticipated prepayments.prepayments on the underlying collateral of the securities.  Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of tax, are excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income.  If the cost basis of the security is deemed other than temporarily impaired the amount of the impairment is charged to operations.  Realized gains and losses on the sales of securities are determined on the specific identification method, recorded on a trade date basis based on the amortized cost basis of the specific security and are included in noninterest income as net gain (loss) on investment securities.
 
Securities Held for Trading—Securities held for trading are carried at fair value.  Realized and unrealized gains and losses are reflected in earnings.  The Company had no investment securities classified as held for trading at December 31, 2014 or 2013.
Impairment of Investments—Declines in the fair value of individual held to maturityheld-to-maturity and available for saleavailable-for-sale securities below their cost that are OTTIother-than-temporary impairments ("OTTI") result in write-downs of the individual securities to their fair value.  The related write-downs are included in operations as realized losses in the category of other-than-temporary impairment loss on investment securities, net.   In estimating OTTI losses, management considers: (i) the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been less than cost; (ii) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; (iii) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in a security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value; and (iv) general market conditions which reflect prospects for the economy as a whole, including interest rates and sector credit spreads. If it is determined that an OTTI exists and either the Company intends to sell the security or it is likely the security will be required to sell before its anticipated recovery, the amount of the OTTI will be recognized in earnings. If the Company has the intent and ability to retain the security, the Company will determine the amount of the impairment related to credit loss and the amount related to other factors. The portion related to the credit loss will be recognized in earnings and the portion related to other factors will be included in other comprehensive income. The related write-downs are included in operations as realized losses in the category of other-than-temporary impairment loss on investment securities, net. 
 
Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") Stock—The Bank is a member of the FHLB system. Members are required to own a certain amount of stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors, and may invest in additional amounts. FHLB stock is carried at cost and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income.

Federal Reserve Bank ("FRB") Stock—The Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. FRB stock is carried at cost, classified as a restricted security, and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income.

Loans Held for SaleTheSmall Business Administration ("SBA") loans that the Company identifies at origination those loans which foreseeably may be soldhas the intent to sell prior to maturity have been designated as loans held for sale at origination and records themare recorded at the lower of amortized cost or fair market value. Premiums paidGains or losses are recognized upon the sale of the loans on a specific identification basis.

Loan Servicing Asset—The Company typically sells the guaranteed portion of SBA loans and discounts obtainedretains the unguaranteed portion (“retained interest”). A portion of the premium on suchsale of SBA loans are deferredis recognized as gain on sale of loans at the time of the sale by allocating the carrying amount between the asset sold and the retained interest, based on their relative fair values. The remaining portion of the premium is recorded as a discount on the retained interest and is amortized over the remaining life of the loan as an adjustment to yield. The retained interest, net of any discount, are included in loans held for investment—net of allowance for loan losses in the carryingaccompanying consolidated statements of financial condition.
Servicing assets are recognized when SBA loans are sold with servicing retained with the income statement effect recorded in gains on sales of SBA loans. Servicing assets are initially recorded at fair value based on the present value of the loans untilcontractually specified servicing fee, net of servicing costs, over the loans are sold.  Interest is recognized as revenue when earned according to the termsestimated life of the loansloan, using a discount rate. The Company’s servicing costs approximates the industry average servicing costs of 40

basis points. The servicing assets are subsequently amortized into noninterest income in proportion to, and when, inover the opinionperiod of, management, it is collectible.  Loans are evaluated for collectability, and if appropriate, previously accrued interest is reversed.the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying loans. The Company may sell loans which had been heldperiodically evaluates servicing assets for investment.  In such occurrences,impairment based upon the loans are transferred to the held for sale portfolio at the lower of amortized cost or fair value.  If any part of a decline in value of the loans transferred is duerights as compared to credit deterioration, that decline is recorded as a charge-off to the ALLL at the time of transfer.  Gains or losses on sales of loans are recognized at the time of sale and are determined by the difference between the net sales proceeds and the basis of the loans sold.carrying amount.
  
Loans Held for Investment—Loans held for investment are carried at amortized cost, net of discounts and premiums, deferred loan origination fees and costs and ALLL.  Net deferred loan origination fees and costs on loans are amortized or accreted using the interest method over the expected life of the loans.  Amortization of deferred loan fees and costs are discontinued for loans placed on nonaccrual.  Any remaining deferred fees or costs and prepayment fees associated with loans that payoff prior to contractual maturity are included in loan interest income in the period of payoff.  Loan commitment fees received to originate or purchase a loan are deferred and, if the commitment is exercised, recognized over the life of the loan as an adjustment of yield or, if the commitment expires unexercised, recognized as income upon expiration of the commitment.  Loans held for investment are not adjusted to the lower of cost or estimated fair market value because it is management's intention, and the Company has the ability, to hold these loans to maturity.
 
Interest on loans is credited to income as earned.  Interest receivable is accrued only if deemed collectible.  Loans on which the accrual of interest has been discontinued are designated as nonaccrual loans.  The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when principal or interest is past due 90 days based on contractual terms of the loan or when, in the opinion of management, there is reasonable doubt as to collection of interest.  When loans are placed on nonaccrual status, all interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed against current period interest income.  Interest income generally is not recognized on impaired loans unless the likelihood of further loss is remote.  Interest payments received on such loans are applied as a reduction to the loan principal balance.  Interest accruals are resumed on such loans only when they are brought current with respect to interest and principal and when, in the judgment of management, the loans are estimated to be fully collectible as to all principal and interest.
 
A loan is considered to be impaired when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due (principal and interest) according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The Company reviews loans for impairment when the loan is classified as substandard or worse, delinquent 90 days, determined by management to be collateral dependent, or when the borrower files bankruptcy or is granted a troubled debt restructure. Measurement of impairment is based on the loan’s expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, measured by reference to an observable market value, if one exists, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is deemed collateral dependent.  The Company selects the measurement method on a loan-by-loan basis except those loans deemed collateral dependent.  All loans are generally charged-off at such time the loan is classified as a loss.
 
Allowance for Loan Losses—The Company maintains an ALLL at a level deemed appropriate by management to provide for known or inherent risksprobable incurred losses in the portfolio at the consolidated statements of financial condition date.  The Company has implemented and adheres to an internal asset review system and loss allowance methodology designed to provide for the detection of problem assets and an adequate allowance to cover loan losses.  Management’s determination of the adequacy of the loan loss allowance is based on an evaluation of the composition of the portfolio, actual loss experience, industry charge-off experience on income property loans, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors in the area in which the Company’s lending and real estate activities are based.  These factors may affect the borrowers’ ability to pay and the value of the underlying collateral.  The allowance is calculated by applying loss factors to loans held for investment according to loan program type and loan classification.  The loss factors are established based primarily upon the Bank’s historical loss experience and the industry charge-off experience and are evaluated on a quarterly basis.

At December 31, 2016, the following portfolio segments have been identified. Segments are groupings of similar loans at a level which the Company has adopted systematic methods of documentation for determining its allowance for loan losses:


Commercial and industrial (including Franchise) - Commercial and industrial loans are secured by business assets including inventory, receivables and machinery and equipment to businesses located in our primary market area. Loan types includes revolving lines or credit, term loans, seasonal loans and loans secured by liquid collateral such as cash deposits or marketable securities. HOA credit facilities are included in C&I loans. We also issue letters of credit on behalf of our customers. Risk arises primarily due to the difference between expected and actual cash flows of the borrowers. In addition, the recoverability of the Company's investment in these loans is also dependent on other factors primarily dictated by the type of collateral securing these loans. The fair value of the collateral securing these loans may fluctuate as market conditions change. In the case of loans secured by accounts receivable, the recovery of the Company's investment is dependent upon the borrower's ability to collect amounts due from its customers.

Commercial real estate (including owner-occupied and nonowner occupied) - Commercial real estate includes various type of loans which the Company holds real property as collateral. Commercial real estate lending activity is typically restricted to owner-occupied or nonowner-occupied. The primary risks of real estate loans include the borrower's inability to pay, material decreases in the value of the real estate that is being held as collateral and significant increases in interest rates, which may make the real estate loan unprofitable. Real estate loans may be more adversely affected by conditions in the real estate markets or in the general economy.

SBA - We are approved to originate loans under the SBA's Preferred Lenders Program ("PLP"). The PLP lending status affords us a higher level of delegated credit autonomy, translating to a significantly shorter turnaround time from application to funding, which is critical to our marketing efforts. We originate loans nationwide under the SBA's 7(a), SBAExpress, International Trade and 504(a) loan programs, in conformity with SBA underwriting and documentation standards. SBA loans are similar to commercial business loans, but have additional credit enhancement provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration, for up to 85 percent of the loan amount for loans up to $150 thousand and 75 percent of the loan amount for loans of more than $150 thousand. The Company originates SBA loans with the intent to sell the guaranteed portion into the secondary market on a quarterly basis.

Multi-family - Loans secured by multi-family and commercial real estate properties generally involve a greater degree of credit risk than one-to-four family loans. Because payments on loans secured by multi-family and commercial real estate properties are often dependent on the successful operation or management of the properties, repayment of these loans may be subject to adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy.

One-to-four family - Although we do not originate first lien single family loans, we occasionally purchase such loans to diversify our portfolio. The primary risks of one-to-four family loans include the borrower's inability to pay, material decreases in the value of the real estate that is being held as collateral and significant increases in interest rates, which may make loan unprofitable.

Construction and land - We originate loans for the construction of 1-4 family and multi-family residences and CRE properties in our market area. We concentrate our efforts on single homes and small infill projects in established neighborhoods where there is not abundant land available for development. Construction loans are considered to have higher risks due to construction completion and timing risk, and the ultimate repayment being sensitive to interest rate changes, government regulation of real property and the availability of long-term financing. Additionally, economic conditions may impact the Company's ability to recover its investment in construction loans, as adverse economic conditions may negatively impact the real estate market which could affect the borrower's ability to complete and sell the project. Additionally, the fair value of the underlying collateral may fluctuate as market conditions change. We occasionally originate land loans located predominantly in California for the purpose of facilitating the ultimate construction of a home or commercial building. The primary risks include the borrower's inability to pay and the inability of the Company to recover its investment due to a decline in the fair value of the underlying collateral.


Consumer loans - We originate a limited number of consumer loans, generally for banking customers only, which consist primarily of home equity lines of credit, savings account secured loans and auto loans. Repayment of these loans is dependent on the borrower's ability to pay and the fair value of the underlying collateral.

Various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s ALLL.  Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based on judgments different from those of management.  

In the opinion of management, and in accordance with the credit loss allowance methodology, the present allowance is considered adequate to absorb estimable and probable incurred credit losses.  Additions and reductions to the allowance are reflected in current operations.  Charge-offs to the allowance, for all loan segments, are made when specific assets are considered uncollectible or are transferred to other real estate owned and the fair value of the property is less than the loan’s recorded investment.  Recoveries are credited to the allowance.
 
Although management uses the best information available to make these estimates, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary due to economic, operating, regulatory and other conditions that may beextend beyond the Company’s control.

Certain Acquired Loans—As part of business acquisitions, the Bank acquires certain loans that have shown evidence of credit deterioration since origination. These acquired loans are recorded at the fair value, such that there is no carryover of the seller’s allowance for loan losses. Such acquired loans are accounted for individually. The Bank estimates the amount and timing of expected cash flows for each purchased loan, and the expected cash flows in excess of the fair value is recorded as interest income over the remaining life of the loan (accretable yield). The excess of the loan’s contractual principal and interest over expected cash flows is not recorded (non-accretable difference). Over the life of the loan, expected cash flows continue to be estimated. If the present value of expected cash flows is less than the carrying amount, an impairment is recorded through the allowance for loan losses. If the present value of expected cash flows is greater than the carrying amount, it is recognized as part of future interest income.
Other Real Estate Owned—The Company obtains an appraisal and/or market valuation on all other real estate owned at the time of possession.  Real estate properties acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are recorded at fair value, less cost to sell, with any excess loan balance charged against the allowance for estimated loan losses.  After foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management.  Any subsequent fair value losses are recorded to other real estate owned operations with a corresponding write-down to the asset.  All legal fees and direct costs, including foreclosure and other related costs are expensed as incurred.  Revenue and expenses from continued operations are included in other real estate owned operations in the consolidated statement of income.
 
Premises and Equipment—Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from forty years for buildings, seven years for furniture, fixtures and equipment, and three years for computer and telecommunication equipment.  The cost of leasehold improvements is amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the term of the related leases.
 
The Company periodically evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets, such as premises and equipment, to ensure the carrying value has not been impaired.  Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
 
Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase—The Company enters into sales of securities under agreement to repurchase.  These agreements are treated as financing arrangements and, accordingly, the obligations to repurchase the securities sold are reflected as liabilities in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  The

securities collateralizing these agreements are delivered to several major national brokerage firms who arranged the transactions.  The securities are reflected as assets in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  The brokerage firms may loan such securities to other parties in the normal course of their operations and agree to return the identical security to the Company at the maturity of the agreements.

Bank Owned Life Insurance—Bank owned life insurance is accounted for using the cash surrender value method and is recorded at its realizable value.  The change in the net asset value is included in other assets and other noninterest income.

Goodwill and Core Deposit Intangible—Goodwill is generally determined as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred, plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interests in the acquiree, over the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events and circumstances exist that indicate the necessity for such impairment tests to be performed. The Company has selected November 30th as the date to perform the annual impairment test. Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on our balance sheet.
Core deposit intangible assets arising from whole bank acquisitions are amortized on either an accelerated basis, reflecting the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible asset is consumed or otherwise used up, or on a straight-line amortization method over their estimated useful lives, which ranges from 6 to 10 years.

Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments—Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and commercial letters of credit, issued to meet customer financing needs. The face amount for these items represents the exposure to loss, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.
 
Subordinated Debentures—Long-term borrowings are carried at cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts which are recognized in interest expense using the interest method.  Debt issuance costs are recognized in interest expense using the interest method over the life of the instrument.

Stock-Based Compensation—The Company recognizes compensation cost in the income statement for the grant-date fair value of stock options and other equity-based forms of compensation issued to employees over the employees’ requisite service period (generally the vesting period). A Black-Scholes model is utilized to estimate the fair value of stock options and the market price of the Company's common stock at the date of the grant is used for restricted stock awards.
 
Income Taxes—Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns using the asset liability method.  In estimating future tax consequences, all expected future events other than enactments of changes in the tax law or rates are considered.  The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.  Deferred tax assets are to be recognized for temporary differences that will result in deductible amounts in future years and for tax carryforwards if, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized.  At December 31, 2014,2016 and 2015, there was no valuation allowance deemed necessary against the Company’s deferred tax asset. The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

Earnings per Share—Bank Owned Life Insurance—Bank owned life insuranceEarnings per share of common stock is accounted for usingcalculated on both a basic and diluted basis based on the cash surrender value methodweighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding, excluding common shares in treasury.  Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is recorded at its realizable value.  The changecomputed by dividing income available to stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. All outstanding

unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends are considered participating securities for the basic calculation.  Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted from the issuance of common stock that then would share in the net asset value is included in other assets and other noninterest income.earnings.

Comprehensive Income—Comprehensive income is reported in addition to net income for all periods presented.  Comprehensive income is a more inclusive financial reporting methodology that includes disclosure of other comprehensive income (loss) that historically has not been recognized in the calculation of net income.  Unrealized gains and losses on the Company's available-for-sale investment securities are required to be included in other comprehensive income or loss.  Total comprehensive income (loss) and the components of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss are presented in the Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity and Consolidated StatementStatements of Comprehensive Income.

Loss Contingencies—Loss contingencies, including claims and legal action arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not believe there now are such matters that will have a material effect on the financial statements.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments—Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions, as more fully disclosed in a separate note. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments, and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular items. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect these estimates.

Accounting Standards Adopted in2016
 
In September 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting Measurement-Period.Share-Based CompensationThe Company recognizesamendments require that an acquirer recognize adjustments to estimated amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The amendments require that the acquirer record, in the same period's financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change in the estimated amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The amendments also require an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the grant-date fair valuenotes the portion of stock optionsthe amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if an adjustment to the estimated amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. These amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments should be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company's operating results or financial condition.

In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and other equity-based formsSubsequent Measurement of compensation issuedDebt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements. Given the absence of authoritative guidance within ASU 2015-03 for debt issuance costs related to employeesline-of-credit arrangements, the SEC staff would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the employees’ requisite serviceterm of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. ASU 2015-15 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company's operating results or financial condition.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The FASB amended existing guidance related to the presentation of debt issuance costs. It requires entities to present debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt

liability as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. The amendments are effective for public business entities for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments are to be applied on a retrospective basis, with the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance reflected on the balance sheet of each period (generallypresented. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the vesting period).Company's operating results or financial condition.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
There has been no new accounting guidance that has been adopted by the Company since December 31, 2013.
Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Effective

In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets. The Update includes the following clarifications: 1) nonfinancial assets within the scope of Subtopic 610-20 may include nonfinancial assets transferred within a legal entity to a counterparty; 2) an entity should allocate consideration to each distinct asset by applying the guidance in Subtopic 606 on allocating the transaction price to performance obligations; and 3) requires entities to derecognize a distinct nonfinancial asset or distinct in substance nonfinancial asset in a partial sale transaction when it (1) does not have (or ceases to have) a controlling financial interest in the legal entity that holds the asset in accordance with Subtopic 810 and (2) transfers control of the asset in accordance with Subtopic 606. Public business entities should apply the amendments in this Update to annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods. The Company is currently evaluating the effects of ASU 2017-05 on its financial statements and disclosures.

In January 2014,2017, the FinancialFASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business. Under the current implementation guidance in Topic 805, there are three elements of a business-inputs, processes, and outputs. While an integrated set of assets and activities (collectively referred to as a “set”) that is a business usually has outputs, outputs are not required to be present. In addition, all the inputs and processes that a seller uses in operating a set are not required if market participants can acquire the set and continue to produce outputs. The amendments in this Update provide a screen to determine when a set is not a business. The screen requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. This screen reduces the number of transactions that need to be further evaluated. If the screen is not met, the amendments in this Update (1) require that to be considered a business, a set must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create output and (2) remove the evaluation of whether a market participant could replace missing elements. The amendments provide a framework to assist entities in evaluating whether both an input and a substantive process are present. The framework includes two sets of criteria to consider that depend on whether a set has outputs. Although outputs are not required for a set to be a business, outputs generally are a key element of a business; therefore, the Board has developed more stringent criteria for sets without outputs. Lastly, the amendments in this Update narrow the definition of the term output so that the term is consistent with how outputs are described in Topic 606. Public business entities should apply the amendments in this Update to annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods. The Company is currently evaluating the effects of ASU 2017-01 on its financial statements and disclosures.

In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-19, Technical Corrections and Improvements. The Update covers a wide range of Topics in the Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)Codification. The amendments generally fall into one of the following types of categories; 1) amendments related to differences between original guidance and the Accounting Standards Codification; 2) guidance clarification and reference corrections; 3) simplification; and 4) minor improvements. The Update includes simplification and minor improvements to Topics on insurance and troubled debt restructuring that result in numerous editorial changes to the Accounting Standards Codification. The changes are not expected to affect current accounting practice or result in any significant costs. Most of the amendments in this Update do not require transition guidance and are effective upon issuance of this Update. The Company is currently evaluating the effects of ASU 2016-19 on its financial statements and disclosures.


In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-01, 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. The Update require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this Update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the effects of ASU 2016-18 on its financial statements and disclosures.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The Update provides guidance on eight specific cash flow classification issues, which include: 1) debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; 2) settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or debt with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate; 3) contingent consideration payments made soon after a business combination; 4) proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; 5) proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies; 6) distributions received from equity method investments; 7) beneficial interest in securitization transactions; and 8) separately identifiable cash flows and the application of the predominance principle. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period; however, an entity is required to adopt all of the amendments in the same period. The amendments in this Update should be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. The Company is currently evaluating the effects of ASU 2016-15 on its financial statements and disclosures.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The amendments replace the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. For public business entities, the amendment is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim period within those annual periods. The Company is currently evaluating the effects of ASU 2016-13 on its financial statements and disclosures.

ASU 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts With Customers (Topic 606), ASU 2015-14 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of Effective Date, ASU 2016-08 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), ASU 2016-10 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, ASU 2016-11 Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) and Derivatives ad Hedging (Topic 815): Rescission of SEC Guidance Because of Accounting Standards Updates 2014-09 and 2014-16 Pursuant to Staff Announcements at the March 3, 2016 EITF Meeting, ASU 2016-12 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, and ASU 2016-20 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606. The FASB amended existing guidance related to revenue from contracts with customers, superseding and replacing nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance, establishing a new control-based revenue recognition model, changing the basis for deciding when revenue is recognized over time or at a point in time, providing new and more detailed guidance on specific topics and expanding and improving disclosures about revenue. In addition, this guidance specifies the accounting for some costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer. The amendments are effective for public entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the effects of these standards on its financial statements and disclosures.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Accounting. The amendments simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including accounting for excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies, classifying excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows, accounting for forfeitures, classifying awards that permit share repurchases to satisfy statutory tax-withholding requirements and classifying tax payments on behalf

of employees on the statement of cash flows. For public business entities, the amendment is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim period within those annual periods. Early adopt is permitted for any organization in any interim or annual period. The Company is currently evaluating the effects of ASU 2016-09 on its financial statements and disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-07, Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): "AccountingSimplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting. The amendments eliminate the requirement to retrospectively apply the equity method to an investment that subsequently qualifies for Investmentssuch accounting as a result of an increase in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects."  This Update permits reporting entities to makethe level of ownership interest or degree of influence. As result, when an accounting policy election to accountinvestment qualifies for their investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortizationequity method, if certain conditions are met.  Under the proportional amortizationequity method an entity amortizesinvestor will add the initial cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee to the current basis of the investor’s previously held interest and adopt the equity method of account as of the date the investment becomes qualified for equity method accounting. The amendments further require unrealized holding gains or losses in proportionaccumulated other comprehensive income related to an available-for-sale security that becomes eligible for the tax credits and other tax benefits received and recognizesequity method to be recognized in earnings as of the netdate on which the investment performance inqualifies for the income statement as a component of income tax expense.  This new guidance also requires new disclosuresequity method. The amendments are effective for all investors in these projects.  ASU No. 2014-01 is effectiveentities for fiscal years and interim and annual reporting periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 20142016. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-06, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments. The amendments clarify the required steps to be taken when assessing whether the economic characteristics and risks of call/put options are clearly and closely related to those of their debt hosts - which is one of the criteria for bifurcating an embedded derivative. The Update is effective for public business entities andfor fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 for non public business entities.  Upon adoption, the guidance must be applied retrospectively to all31, 2016, including interim periods presented.  However, entities that used the effective yield method to account for investments inwithin those years. The Company does not expect these projects before adoption may continue to do so for these pre-existing investments.  The adoption of this Update is not expectedamendments to have a material impacteffect on the Company's consolidatedits financial statements.
 
In January 2014,March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-02, 2016-05, Intangibles – GoodwillDerivatives and OtherHedging (Topic 350)815): "AccountingEffect of Derivative Contract Novations on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships. The amendments clarify that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument designated as a hedging instrument does not, in and of itself, require designation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria remain the same. The Update is effective for Goodwill”.  This Update allows an accounting alternative for the subsequent measurement of goodwill for entities that are not considered public business entities.  An entity that elects the accounting alternative in this Update would amortize goodwill on a straight-line basis over 10entities for fiscal years or less than 10 years if the entity demonstrates that another useful life is more appropriate.  An entity that elects the accounting alternative is further required to make an accounting policy election to test goodwill for impairment at either the entity level or the reporting unit level.  Goodwill would be tested for impairment when a triggering event occurs that indicates that the fair value of an entity (or a reporting unit) may be below its carrying amount.  The accounting alternative, if elected, would be applied prospectively to goodwill existing as of the beginning of the period of adoption and new goodwill recognized in annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and31, 2016, including interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015.  Early application is permitted, including application to any period for which the entity’s annual or interim financial statements have not yet been made available for issuance.those years. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this Update, but does not expect these amendments to have a material impacteffect on the Company’s consolidatedits financial statements.
 
In June 2014,February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-11, 2016-02, TransfersLeases (Topic 842). The new standard is being issued to increase the transparency and Servicing (Topic 860):"Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures."  This Update alignscomparability around lease obligations. Previously unrecorded off-balance sheet obligations will now be brought more prominently to light by presenting lease liabilities on the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and repurchase agreements executed as repurchase financings with the accounting for other typical repurchase agreements.  Going forward, these transactions would all be accounted for as secured borrowings.  The guidance eliminates sale accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and supersedes the guidance under which a transfer of a financial asset and a contemporaneous repurchase financing could be accounted for on a combined basis as a forward agreement, which has resulted in outcomes referred to as off-balance-sheet accounting.  The Update requires a new disclosure for transactions economically similar to repurchase agreements in which the transferor retains substantially allface of the exposurebalance sheet, accompanied by enhanced qualitative and quantitative disclosures in the notes to the economic return on the transferred financial assets throughout the term of the transaction.  The Update also requires expanded disclosures about the nature of collateral pledged in repurchase agreements and similar transactions accounted for as secured borrowings.statements. The Update is generally effective for interim or annual periodpublic business entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014.  All of2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the Company's repurchase agreements are typical in nature (i.e., not repurchase-to-maturity transactions or repurchase agreements executed as a repurchase financing) and are accounted for as secured borrowings.  As such, the adoptioneffects of ASU No. 2014-11 is not expected to have a material impact2016-02 on the Company's consolidatedits financial statements.statements and disclosures.

In August 2014,January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-14 ASU 2016-01, Receivables – Troubled Debt Restructurings by CreditorsFinancial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 310-40), Classification825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Certain Government-Guaranteed Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure.  This Update addresses classification of government-guaranteed mortgage loans, including those where guarantees are offered by the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”), the U.S. Department of HousingFinancial Assets and Urban Development (“HUD”), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”)Financial Liabilities. Although current accounting guidance stipulates proper measurement and classification in situations where a creditor obtains from a debtor, assets in satisfaction of a receivable (such as through foreclosure), current guidance does not specify how to measure and classify foreclosed mortgage loans that are government-guaranteed.  Under the provisions of this Update, a creditor would derecognize a mortgage loan that has been foreclosed upon, and recognize a separate receivable if the following conditions are met: (1) the loan has a government guarantee that is not separable from the loan before foreclosure, (2) At the time of foreclosure, the creditor has the intent to convey the real estate propertyChanges made to the guarantorcurrent measurement model primarily affect the accounting for equity securities with readily determinable fair values, where changes in fair value will impact earnings instead of other comprehensive income. The accounting for other financial instruments, such as loans, investments in debt securities, and makefinancial liabilities is largely unchanged. The Update also changes the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments including a claim on the guarantee, and the creditor has the ability to recover underrequirement that claim, (3) At the time of foreclosure, any amount of the claim that is determined on the basis ofpublic business entities use exit price when measuring the fair value of the real estate is fixed.financial instruments measured at amortized cost for disclosure purposes. This Update is generally effective for interim and annual periodspublic business entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014 for public business entities and after December 15, 2015 for non public business entities.2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not believeis currently evaluating the adoptioneffects of this Update will have a material impact of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40):Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern.  This Update provides guidance about management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern.  The amendments require management to assess an entity's ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards.  This Update is effective for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2016.  The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact2016-01 on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Reclassifications –Certain amounts reflected in the 2013 and 2012 consolidatedits financial statements have been reclassified where practicable, to conform to the presentation for 2014.  These classifications are of a normal recurring nature.and disclosures.


2. Regulatory Capital Requirements and Other Regulatory Matters
 
The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies.  Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly additional discretionary, actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s and the Bank’s financial statements.  Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s and the Bank’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices.  The Company’s and the Bank’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
 
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Bank to maintain capital in order to meet certain capital ratios to be considered adequately capitalized or well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.  As of the most recent formal notification from the Federal Reserve, the Bank was categorized as “well capitalized.”  There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s categorization.

New comprehensive regulatory capital rules for U.S. banking organizations pursuant to the capital framework of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, generally referred to as “Basel III”, became effective for the Company and the Bank on January 1, 2015, subject to phase-in periods for certain of their components and other provisions, and fully phased in by January 1, 2019. The most significant of the provisions of the New Capital Rules which applied to the Company and the Bank were as follows: the phase-out of trust preferred securities from Tier 1 capital, the higher risk-weighting of high volatility and past due real estate loans and the capital treatment of deferred tax assets and liabilities above certain thresholds. Under the Basel III rules, the Company must hold a capital conservation buffer above the adequately capitalized risk-based capital ratios. The capital conservation buffer is being phased in from 0.00% for 2015 to 2.50% by 2019. The capital conservation buffer for 2016 is 0.625%.


As defined in applicable regulations and set forth in the table below, at December 31, 2014,2016 and 2015, the Company and the Bank continuescontinue to exceed the “well capitalized” standards for Tier 1 capital to adjusted tangible assets of 5.00%, Tier 1 risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets of 6.00% and total capital to risk-weighted assets of 10.00%.standards:

The Company’s and Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios for the periods presented are set forth in the table below:
  Actual Minimum Required for Capital Adequacy Purposes Required to be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Regulations
  Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio
  (dollars in thousands)
At December 31, 2016            
Tier 1 leverage ratio            
Bank $410,524
 10.94% $150,107
 4.00% $187,634
 5.00%
Consolidated 366,658
 9.78% 150,027
 4.00% N/A
 N/A
Common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio            
Bank 410,524
 11.70% 157,840
 4.50% 227,991
 6.50%
Consolidated 356,658
 10.17% 157,878
 4.50% N/A
 N/A
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio  
  
  
  
  
Bank 410,524
 11.70% 210,453
 6.00% 280,605
 8.00%
Consolidated 366,658
 10.45% 210,503
 6.00% N/A
 N/A
Total risk-based capital ratio  
  
  
  
  
  
Bank 432,943
 12.34% 280,605
 8.00% 350,756
 10.00%
Consolidated 448,150
 12.77% 280,671
 8.00% N/A
 N/A
At December 31, 2015  
  
  
  
  
  
Tier 1 leverage ratio  
  
  
  
  
  
Bank $304,442
 11.41% $106,684
 4.00% $133,354
 5.00%
Consolidated 254,280
 9.52% 106,886
 4.00%  N/A
 N/A
Common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio            
Bank 304,442
 12.35% 110,954
 4.50% 160,267
 6.50%
Consolidated 245,224
 9.91% 111,336
 4.50%  N/A
 N/A
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio  
  
  
  
  
Bank 304,442
 12.35% 147,938
 6.00% 197,251
 8.00%
Consolidated 254,280
 10.28% 148,448
 6.00%  N/A
 N/A
Total risk-based capital ratio  
  
  
  
  
  
Bank 322,361
 13.07% 197,251
 8.00% 246,564
 10.00%
Consolidated 332,200
 13.43% 197,931
 8.00%  N/A
 N/A



  Actual  Minimum Required for Capital Adequacy Purposes  Required to be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Regulations 
  Amount  Ratio  Amount  Ratio  Amount  Ratio 
  (dollars in thousands) 
At December 31, 2014                  
                   
Tier 1 Capital (to adjusted tangible assets)                  
Bank $221,523   11.29% $78,466   4.00% $98,083   5.00%
Consolidated  179,881   9.18%  78,401   4.00%  N/A   N/A 
                         
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital (to risk-weighted assets)                     
Bank  221,523   12.72%  69,650   4.00%  104,475   6.00%
Consolidated  179,881   10.30%  69,855   4.00%  N/A   N/A 
                         
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)                        
Bank  234,120   13.45%  139,300   8.00%  174,126   10.00%
Consolidated  252,477   14.46%  139,709   8.00%  N/A   N/A 
                         
At December 31, 2013                        
                         
Tier 1 Capital (to adjusted tangible assets)                        
Bank $160,473   10.03% $64,025   4.00% $80,031   5.00%
Consolidated  163,105   10.29%  63,431   4.00%  N/A   N/A 
                         
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital (to risk-weighted assets)                     
Bank  160,473   12.34%  52,021   4.00%  78,031   6.00%
Consolidated  163,105   12.54%  52,046   4.00%  N/A   N/A 
                         
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)                        
Bank  168,673   12.97%  104,042   8.00%  130,052   10.00%
Consolidated  171,305   13.17%  104,092   8.00%  N/A   N/A 



3. Investment Securities
 
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities were as follows:
  December 31, 2016
  
Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gain
 
Unrealized
Loss
 
Estimated
Fair Value
  (dollars in thousands)
Available-for-sale:  
      
Corporate $37,475
 $372
 $(205) $37,642
Municipal bonds 120,155
 338
 (1,690) 118,803
Collateralized mortgage obligation: residential 31,536
 25
 (173) 31,388
Mortgage-backed securities: residential 196,496
 69
 (3,435) 193,130
Total available-for-sale 385,662
 804
 (5,503) 380,963
Held-to-maturity:        
Mortgage-backed securities: residential 7,375
 
 (104) 7,271
Other 1,190
 
 
 1,190
Total held-to-maturity 8,565
 
 (104) 8,461
Total securities $394,227
 $804
 $(5,607) $389,424
         
  December 31, 2015
  Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Estimated
  Cost Gain Loss Fair Value
  (dollars in thousands)
Available-for-sale:  
  
  
  
Municipal bonds $128,546
 $1,796
 $(97) $130,245
Collateralized mortgage obligation: residential 24,722
 4
 (183) 24,543
Mortgage-backed securities: residential 126,443
 153
 (1,111) 125,485
Total available-for-sale 279,711
 1,953
 (1,391) 280,273
Held-to-maturity:        
Mortgage-backed securities: residential 8,400
 
 (70) 8,330
Other 1,242
 
 
 1,242
Total held-to-maturity 9,642
 
 (70) 9,572
Total securities $289,353
 $1,953
 $(1,461) $289,845

  December 31, 2014 
  Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized  Estimated 
  Cost  Gain  Loss  Fair Value 
  (in thousands) 
Investment securities available for sale:            
Municipal bonds $88,599  $1,235  $(173) $89,661 
Mortgage-backed securities  112,159   432   (614)  111,977 
Total securities available for sale  200,758   1,667   (787)  201,638 
                 
FHLB stock  8,019   -   -   8,019 
Federal Reserve Bank stock/TIB  9,048   -   -   9,048 
Total equities held at cost  17,067   -   -   17,067 
Total securities $217,825  $1,667  $(787) $218,705 
                 
  December 31, 2013 
  Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized  Estimated 
  Cost  Gain  Loss  Fair Value 
  (in thousands) 
Investment securities available for sale:                
U.S. Treasury $73  $8  $-  $81 
Municipal bonds  95,388   589   (1,850)  94,127 
Mortgage-backed securities  165,857   12   (3,988)  161,881 
Total securities available for sale  261,318   609   (5,838)  256,089 
                 
FHLB stock  7,483   -   -   7,483 
Federal Reserve Bank stock  7,967   -   -   7,967 
Total equities held at cost  15,450   -   -   15,450 
Total securities $276,768  $609  $(5,838) $271,539 

At December 31, 2014, the Company had an $8.0 million investment in FHLB stock carried at cost.  During the year ended December 31, 2014, the FHLB has repurchased $3.4 million of the Company’s excess FHLB stock through their stock repurchase program.  During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the FHLB had repurchased $4.3 million of the Company’s excess FHLB stock through their stock repurchase program.
 
At December 31, 2014,2016, mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) with an estimated par value of $33.5$63.6 million and a fair value of $35.0$65.3 million were pledged as collateral for the Bank’s three inverse putable reverse repurchases totalingrepurchase agreements which totaled $28.5 million and Homeowner's Association ("HOA") reverse repurchase agreements which totaled $21.5 million.

At December 31, 2016 and 2015, there were not holdings of securities of any one issuer, other than the U.S. Government and its agencies, in an amount greater than 10% of shareholders' equity.
 
The Company reviewedreviews individual securities classified as available-for-sale to determine whether a decline in fair value below the amortized cost basis is other-than-temporary.  temporary (i) those declines were due to interest rate changes and not to a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuers of those investment securities, and (ii) we have the ability to hold those securities until there is a recovery in their values or until their maturity.


If it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to contractual terms of the debt security not impaired at acquisition, an OTTIother-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") shall be considered to have occurred.  If an OTTI occurs, the cost basis of the security will be written down to its fair value as the new cost basis and the write down accounted for as a realized loss. There were no securities with OTTI at December 31, 2014.  The Company realized OTTI recovery of $2,000 as of December 31, 2016, which relates to investment income from previously charged-off investments. As of December 31, 2016, the Company realized OTTI losses net of recoveries of $205,000. A $207,000 OTTI was taken in the first quarter of 2016, related to a CRA investment purchased in June of 2014 with a par value of $50, and a book value of $500,000. In March of 2016, the shareholders of the investment voted to approve a sale of the institution at a per share acquisition price less than the Bank's book value, and the sale closed in July 2016. The Company is currently waiting to receive the proceeds for its outstanding shares. As a result, the Bank's current holdings were written down and the loss recognized. The Company did not realize any OTTI losses in 2015 and $29,000 in 2014.

During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company recognized gross gains on sales of available-for-sale securities in the amount of $1.8 million, $317,000 and OTTI$2.1 million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company recognized gross losses on sales of $4,000available-for-sale securities in 2013the amount of $9,000, $27,000 and $159,000 in 2012.$578,000, respectively. The Company had net proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities of $223 million, $22 million and $163 million during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. In addition, the Company had net proceeds from the maturity/call of available-for-sale securities of $7.6 million, $5.6 million and $3.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.


The table below shows the number, fair value and gross unrealized holding losses of the Company’s investment securities by investment category and length of time that the securities have been in a continuous loss position.
 
 December 31, 2016
 Less than 12 months 12 months or Longer Total
 Number 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Holding
Losses
 Number 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Holding
Losses
 Number 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Holding
Losses
 (dollars in thousands)
Available-for-sale:                 
Corporate3
 $7,609
 $(205) 
 $
 $
 3
 $7,609
 $(205)
Municipal bonds152
 85,750
 (1,690) 
 
 
 152
 85,750
 (1,690)
Collateralized mortgage obligation: residential5
 19,092
 (173) 
 
 
 5
 19,092
 (173)
Mortgage-backed securities: residential55
 149,740
 (2,916) 4
 16,039
 (519) 59
 165,779
 (3,435)
Total available-for-sale215
 262,191
 (4,984) 4
 16,039
 (519) 219
 278,230
 (5,503)
Held-to-maturity:                 
Mortgage-backed securities: residential1
 7,271
 (104) 
 
 $
 1
 7,271
 (104)
Total held-to-maturity1
 7,271
 (104) 
 
 $
 1
 7,271
 (104)
Total securities216
 $269,462
 $(5,088) 4
 $16,039
 $(519) 220
 $285,501
 $(5,607)
                  
 December 31, 2015
 Less than 12 months 12 months or Longer Total
 Number Fair
Value
 Gross
Unrealized
Holding
Losses
 Number Fair
Value
 Gross
Unrealized
Holding
Losses
 Number Fair
Value
 Gross
Unrealized
Holding
Losses
 (dollars in thousands)
Available-for-sale:                 
Municipal bonds32
 $15,516
 $(61) 6
 $3,349
 $(36) 38
 $18,865
 $(97)
Collateralized mortgage obligation: residential5
 22,771
 (183) 
 
 
 5
 22,771
 (183)
Mortgage-backed securities: residential34
 83,488
 (679) 3
 12,935
 (432) 37
 96,423
 (1,111)
Total available-for-sale71
 $121,775
 (923) 9
 16,284
 (468) 80
 138,059
 (1,391)
Held-to-maturity:                 
Mortgage-backed securities: residential1
 8,330
 (70) 
 
 
 1
 8,330
 (70)
Total held-to-maturity1
 8,330
 (70) 
 
 
 1
 8,330
 (70)
Total securities72
 $130,105
 $(993) 9
 $16,284
 $(468) 81
 $146,389
 $(1,461)

  December 31, 2014 
  Less than 12 months  12 months or Longer  Total 
        Gross        Gross        Gross 
        Unrealized        Unrealized        Unrealized 
     Fair  Holding     Fair  Holding     Fair  Holding 
  Number  Value  Losses  Number  Value  Losses  Number  Value  Losses 
  (dollars in thousands) 
                            
Municipal bonds  35  $18,129  $(117)  16  $6,510  $(56)  51  $24,639  $(173)
Mortgage-backed securities  7   24,353   (105)  4   18,842   (509)  11   43,195   (614)
    Total  42  $42,482  $(222)  20  $25,352  $(565)  62  $67,834  $(787)
                                     
  December 31, 2013 
  Less than 12 months  12 months or Longer  Total 
          Gross          Gross          Gross 
          Unrealized          Unrealized          Unrealized 
      Fair  Holding      Fair  Holding      Fair  Holding 
  Number  Value  Losses  Number  Value  Losses  Number  Value  Losses 
  (dollars in thousands) 
                                     
Municipal bonds  133  $61,524  $(1,850)  -  $-  $-   133  $61,524  $(1,850)
Mortgage-backed securities  45   140,704   (3,075)  1   12,607   (913)  46   153,311   (3,988)
    Total  178  $202,228  $(4,925)  1  $12,607  $(913)  179  $214,835  $(5,838)


The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities available for sale at December 31, 2014,2016, by contractual maturity are shown in the table below.
 

  One Year  More than One  More than Five Years  More than    
  or Less  Year to Five Years  to Ten Years  Ten Years  Total 
  Amortized  Fair  Amortized  Fair  Amortized  Fair  Amortized  Fair  Amortized  Fair 
  Cost  Value  Cost  Value  Cost  Value  Cost  Value  Cost  Value 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Investment securities available for sale:                              
Municipal bonds $-  $-  $12,876  $12,889  $38,935  $39,391  $36,788  $37,381  $88,599  $89,661 
Mortgage-backed securities  -   -   -   -   23,113   23,120   89,046   88,857   112,159   111,977 
Total investment securities available for sale  -   -   12,876   12,889   62,048   62,511   125,834   126,238   200,758   201,638 
                                         
Stock:                                        
FHLB  8,019   8,019   -   -   -   -   -   -   8,019   8,019 
Federal Reserve Bank/TIB  9,048   9,048   -   -   -   -   -   -   9,048   9,048 
 Total stock  17,067   17,067   -   -   -   -   -   -   17,067   17,067 
Total securities $17,067  $17,067  $12,876  $12,889  $62,048  $62,511  $125,834  $126,238  $217,825  $218,705 


The temporary impairment in both years is a result of the change in market interest rates and not the underlying issuers’ ability to repay.  The Company has the intent and ability to hold these securities until the temporary impairment is eliminated.  Accordingly, the Company has not recognized the temporary impairment in earnings of either year.
  
One Year
or Less
 
More than One
Year to Five Years
 
More than Five Years
to Ten Years
 
More than
Ten Years
 Total
  
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
  (dollars in thousands)
Available-for-sale:                    
Corporate $
 $
 $
 $
 $37,475
 $37,642
 $
 $
 $37,475
 $37,642
Municipal bonds 1,236
 1,236
 28,450
 28,361
 43,307
 42,715
 47,162
 46,491
 120,155
 118,803
Collateralized mortgage obligation: residential 
 
 
 
 1,392
 1,395
 30,144
 29,993
 31,536
 31,388
Mortgage-backed securities: residential 
 
 1,166
 1,160
 22,813
 22,627
 172,517
 169,343
 196,496
 193,130
Total available-for-sale 1,236
 1,236
 29,616
 29,521
 104,987
 104,379
 249,823
 245,827
 385,662
 380,963
Held-to-maturity:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Mortgage-backed securities: residential 
 
 
 
 
 
 7,375
 7,271
 7,375
 7,271
Other 
 
 
 
 
 
 1,190
 1,190
 1,190
 1,190
Total held-to-maturity 
 
 
 
 
 
 8,565
 8,461
 8,565
 8,461
Total securities $1,236
 $1,236
 $29,616
 $29,521
 $104,987
 $104,379
 $258,388
 $254,288
 $394,227
 $389,424

Unrealized gains and losses on investment securities available for saleavailable-for-sale are recognized in stockholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).or loss.  At December 31, 2014,2016, the Company had accumulated other comprehensive incomeloss of $880,000,$4.7 million, or $518,000$2.7 million net of tax, compared to accumulated other comprehensive lossincome of $5.2 million$562,000 or $3.1 million$332,000 net of tax, at December 31, 2013.2015. 

FHLB, FRB, and other stock

At December 31, 2016, the Company had $14.4 million in Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") stock, $10.9 million in Federal Reserve Bank ("FRB") stock, and $12.0 million in other stock, all carried at cost.  During the year ended December 31, 2016, FHLB did not repurchase any of the Company’s excess FHLB stock through their stock repurchase program.  During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the FHLB had repurchased $16.4 million and $3.4 million respectively, of the Company’s excess FHLB stock through their stock repurchase program. The Company evaluates its investments in FHLB and other stock for impairment periodically, including their capital adequacy and overall financial condition. No impairment losses have been recorded through December 31, 2016.


4. Loans
 

The following table presents the composition of the loan portfolio as of the dates indicated:
 For the Years Ended December 31,
 2016 2015
 (dollars in thousands)
Business loans:   
Commercial and industrial$563,169
 $309,741
Franchise459,421
 328,925
Commercial owner occupied454,918
 294,726
SBA96,705
 62,256
Warehouse facilities
 143,200
Real estate loans: 
  
Commercial non-owner occupied586,975
 421,583
Multi-family690,955
 429,003
One-to-four family100,451
 80,050
Construction269,159
 169,748
Land19,829
 18,340
Other loans4,112
 5,111
Total gross loans3,245,694
 2,262,683
Less loans held for sale, net7,711
 8,565
Total gross loans held for investment3,237,983
 2,254,118
Plus:   
Deferred loan origination costs and premiums, net3,630
 197
Allowance for loan losses(21,296) (17,317)
Loans held for investment, net$3,220,317
 $2,236,998
 
4. Loans Held for Investment
LoansThe Company originates SBA loans with the intent to sell the guaranteed portion of the loan prior to maturity and therefore designates them as held for investment consisted of the following at December 31:

  2014  2013 
  (in thousands) 
Business loans:      
Commercial and industrial $428,207  $187,035 
Commercial owner occupied  210,995   221,089 
SBA  28,404   10,659 
Warehouse facilities  113,798   87,517 
Real estate loans:        
Commercial non-owner occupied  359,213   333,544 
Multi-family  262,965   233,689 
One-to-four family  122,795   145,235 
Construction  89,682   13,040 
Land  9,088   7,605 
Other loans  3,298   3,839 
Total gross loans  1,628,445   1,243,252 
Plus (less):        
Loans held for sale  -   (3,147)
Deferred loan origination fees-net  177   18 
Allowance for estimated loan losses  (12,200)  (8,200)
Loans held for investment, net $1,616,422  $1,231,923 

sale. From time to time, the Company may purchase or sell other types of loans in order to manage concentrations, maximize interest income, change risk profiles, improve returns and generate liquidity.
 
The Company grants residential and commercial loans held for investment to customers located primarily in California.  Consequently, the underlying collateral for the Company’s loans and a borrower’s ability to repay may be impacted unfavorably by adverse changes in the economy and real estate market in the region.
Under applicable laws and regulations, the Bank may not make secured loans to one borrower in excess of 25% of unimpaired capital plus surplus and likewise in excess of 15% for unsecured loans.  These loans-to-one-borrower limitations result in a dollar limitation of $65.0 million for secured loans and $29.0 million for unsecured loans at December 31, 2014.  At December 31, 2014, the Bank’s largest aggregate outstanding balance of loans-to-one borrower was $34.1 million of secured credit.
Loans serviced for others are not included in the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition.  The unpaid principal balance of loans and participations serviced for others were $95.2 million at December 31, 2014 and $43.8 million at December 31, 2013.
Concentration of Credit Risk
 
The Company’s loan portfolio was collateralized by various forms of real estate and business assets located principally in California.  The Company’s loan portfolio contains concentrations of credit in commercial non-owner occupied real estate, multi-family real estate and commercial owner occupied business loans.  The Company maintains policies approved by the Board of Directors that address these concentrations and continues to diversify its loan portfolio through loan originations and purchases and sales of loans to meet approved concentration levels.  While management believes that the collateral presently securing these loans is adequate, there can be no assurances that further significant deterioration in the California real estate market and economy would not expose the Company to significantly greater credit risk.
 
Loans Serviced for Others

The Company generally retains the servicing rights of the guaranteed portion of SBA loans sold, for which the Company records a servicing asset at fair value within other assets. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the servicing asset total $5.3 million and $2.8 million, respectively and was included in other assets. Servicing rights are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to the carrying amount.

Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance, to the extent the fair value is less than the carrying amount. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company determined that no valuation allowance was necessary.

Loans serviced for others are not included in the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition.  The unpaid principal balance of loans and participations serviced for others were $303 million at December 31, 2016 and $188 million at December 31, 2015.
Purchased Credit Impaired Loans
 
The Company acquired purchased loans as part of its acquisitions of Canyon National Bank in 2011, and Palm Desert National Bank in 2012, from the FDICIndependence Bank in 2015 and Security Bank of California in 2016 for which there was, at acquisition, evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and it was probable, at the time of acquisition, that all contractually required payments would not be collected.  The carrying amount of those loans at December 31, 2014, 20132016, and 20122015 was as follows:

  For the Years Ended December 31, 
  2014  2013  2012 
  (in thousands) 
Business loans:         
Commercial and industrial $94  $80  $308 
Commercial owner occupied  546   870   1,221 
Real estate loans:            
Commercial non-owner occupied  956   1,009   2,447 
One-to-four family  5   18   30 
Land  -   -   2,313 
Total purchase credit impaired $1,601  $1,977  $6,319 

 For the Years Ended December 31,
 2016 2015
 (dollars in thousands)
Business loans:   
Commercial and industrial$2,586
 $289
Commercial owner occupied491
 884
Real estate loans: 
  
Commercial non-owner occupied1,088
 2,088
One-to-four family1
 85
Other393
 
Total purchase credit impaired$4,559
 $3,346

The following table summarizes the accretable yield on the purchased credit impaired for the years ended December 31, 2014, 20132016, 2015 and 2012:2014:
 

  For the Years Ended December 31, 
  2014  2013  2012 
  (in thousands) 
          
Balance at the beginning of period $1,676  $2,276  $3,248 
Accretable yield at acquisition  -   -   3,908 
Accretion  (255)  (557)  (4,846)
Disposals and other  (18)  (648)  (66)
Change in accretable yield  -   605   32 
Balance at the end of period $1,403  $1,676  $2,276 

 For the Years Ended December 31,
 2016 2015 2014
 (dollars in thousands)
Balance at the beginning of period$2,726
 $1,403
 $1,676
Accretable yield at acquisition788
 602
 
Accretion(1,354) (385) (255)
Disposals and other165
 (249) (18)
Change in accretable yield1,422
 1,355
 
Balance at the end of period$3,747
 $2,726
 $1,403

Impaired Loans
 
The following tables provide a summary of the Company’s investment in impaired loans as of and for the periods indicated:

      Impaired Loans      
  Recorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance With Specific Allowance Without Specific Allowance Specific Allowance for Impaired Loans Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized
  (dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2016              
Business loans:              
Commercial and industrial $250
 $1,990
 $250
 $
 $250
 $864
 $76
Franchise 
 
 
 
 
 1,016
 68
Commercial owner occupied 436
 847
 
 436
 
 505
 37
SBA 316
 3,865
 
 316
 
 331
 23
Real estate loans:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial non-owner occupied 
 
 
 
 
 1,072
 93
One-to-four family 124
 291
 
 124
 
 226
 18
Land 15
 36
 
 15
 
 18
 2
Totals $1,141
 $7,029
 $250
 $891
 $250
 $4,032
 $317
December 31, 2015  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Business loans:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial and industrial $313
 $578
 $
 $313
 $
 $90
 $29
Franchise 1,630
 2,394
 1,461
 169
 731
 1,386
 3
Commercial owner occupied 536
 883
 
 536
 
 415
 67
Real estate loans:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial non-owner occupied 214
 329
 
 214
 
 430
 19
One-to-four family 70
 98
 
 70
 
 204
 5
Land 21
 37
 
 21
 
 13
 
Totals $2,784
 $4,319
 $1,461
 $1,323
 $731
 $2,538
 $123
December 31, 2014  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Business loans:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial and industrial $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $11
 $
Commercial owner occupied 388
 440
 
 388
 
 514
 46
SBA 
 
 
 
 
 5
 
Real estate loans:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial non-owner occupied 848
 1,217
 
 848
 
 908
 85
One-to-four family 236
 256
 
 236
 
 440
 17
Totals $1,472
 $1,913
 $
 $1,472
 $
 $1,878
 $148
        Impaired Loans          
  Recorded Investment  Unpaid Principal Balance  With Specific Allowance  Without Specific Allowance  Specific Allowance for Impaired Loans  Average Recorded Investment  Interest Income Recognized 
  (in thousands) 
December 31, 2014                     
Business loans:                     
Commercial and industrial $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $11  $- 
Commercial owner occupied  388   440   -   388   -   514   46 
SBA  -   -   -   -   -   5   - 
Real estate loans:                            
Commercial non-owner occupied  848   1,217   -   848   -   908   85 
One-to-four family  236   256   -   236   -   440   17 
Totals $1,472  $1,913  $-  $1,472  $-  $1,878  $148 
                             
December 31, 2013                            
Business loans:                            
Commercial and industrial $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $255  $17 
Commercial owner occupied  747   872   -   747   -   177   66 
SBA  14   246   -   14   -   70   28 
Real estate loans:                            
Commercial non-owner occupied  983   1,202   28   955   1   984   68 
Multi-family  -   -   -   -   -   108   2 
One-to-four family  683   746   278   405   104   743   44 
Totals $2,427  $3,066  $306  $2,121  $105  $2,337  $225 
                             
December 31, 2012                            
Business loans:                            
Commercial and industrial $593  $707  $287  $306  $270  $203  $29 
Commercial owner occupied  -   -   -   -   -   444   - 
SBA  259   810   -   259   -   468   21 
Real estate loans:                            
Commercial non-owner occupied  670   746   -   670   -   1,031   59 
Multi-family  266   315   -   266   -   1,123   22 
One-to-four family  948   960   541   407   395   720   59 
Totals $2,736  $3,538  $828  $1,908  $665  $3,989  $190 
INDEX



The Company considers a loan to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement or it is determined that the likelihood of the Company receiving all scheduled payments, including interest, when due is remote.  The Company has no commitments to lend additional funds to debtors whose loans have been impaired.
 
The Company reviews loans for impairment when the loan is classified as substandard or worse, delinquent 90 days, determined by management to be collateral dependent, or when the borrower files bankruptcy or is granted a troubled debt restructure.  Measurement of impairment is based on the loan’s expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, measured by reference to an observable market value, if one exists, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is deemed collateral dependent.  All loansLoans are generally charged-off at the time that the loan is classified as a loss.  Valuation allowances are determined on a loan-by-loan basis or by aggregating loans with similar risk characteristics.

We sometimes modify or restructure loans when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties by making a concession to the borrower in the form of changes in the amortization terms, reductions in the interest rates, the acceptance of interest only payments and, in limited cases, concessions to the outstanding loan balances. These loans are classified as troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) and considered impaired loans. TDRs are loans modified for the purpose of alleviating temporary impairments to the borrower’s financial condition or cash flows. A workout plan between us and the borrower is designed to provide a bridge for borrower cash flow shortfalls in the near term. A TDR loan may be returned to accrual status when the loan is brought current, has performed in accordance with the contractual restructured terms for a time frame of at least six months and the ultimate collectability of the total contractual restructured principal and interest in no longer in doubt. These loans, while no longer considered a TDR, are still considered impaired loans. The Company had no troubled debt restructures at December 31, 2016 or 2015.

When loans are placed on nonaccrual status all accrued interest is reversed from current period earnings.  Payments received on nonaccrual loans are generally applied as a reduction to the loan principal balance.  If the likelihood of further loss is remote, the Company will recognize interest on a cash basis only.  Loans may be returned to accruing status if the Company believes that all remaining principal and interest is fully collectible and there has been at least six months of sustained repayment performance since the loan was placed on nonaccrual.
 
The Company does not accrue interest on loans 90 days or more past due or when, in the opinion of management, there is reasonable doubt as to the collection of interest.  The Company had loans on nonaccrual status of $1.4$1.1 million, $2.3$4.0 million and $2.2$1.4 million at December 31, 2014, 20132016, 2015 and 2012,2014, respectively.  If such loans had been performing in accordance with their original terms, the Company would have recorded additional loan interest income of $360,000 in 2016, $279,000 in 2015, and $151,000 in 2014, $154,000 in 2013, and $405,000 in 2012.2014.  The Company did not record income from the receipt of cash payments related to nonaccruing loans during the years ended December 31, 2014, 20132016, 2015 and 2012.2014.  The Company had no loans 90 day or more past due and still accruing at December 31, 20142016 or 2013.  The Company has less than $10,000 in troubled debt restructures at December 31, 2014.2015.
 
Credit Quality and Credit Risk
 
The Company’s credit quality is maintained and credit risk managed in two distinct areas.  The first is the loan origination process, wherein the Bank underwrites credit quality and chooses which risks it is willing to accept.  The second is in the ongoing oversight of the loan portfolio, where existing credit risk is measured and monitored, and where performance issues are dealt with in a timely and comprehensive fashion.
 
The Company maintains a comprehensive credit policy which sets forth minimum and maximum tolerances for key elements of loan risk.  The policy identifies and sets forth specific guidelines for analyzing each of the loan products the Company offers from both an individual and portfolio wide basis.  The credit policy is

reviewed no less than annually by the Board of Directors.  SeasonedBank Board.  The Bank's seasoned underwriters ensure all key risk factors are analyzed with most loan underwriting including a comprehensive global cash flow analysis. The credit approval process mandates multiple-signature approval by either the management or Board credit committee for every loan which requires any subjective credit analysis.
 
Credit risk is managed within the loan portfolio by the Company’s Portfolio Management departmentportfolio managers based on a comprehensive credit and investmentportfolio review policy. This policy requires a program of financial data collection and analysis, comprehensive loan reviews, property and/or business inspections and monitoring of portfolio concentrations and trends. The Portfolio Management departmentportfolio managers also monitorsmonitor asset-based lines of credit, loan covenants and other conditions associated with the Company’s business loans as a means to help ensure that the protections built into the loan approvals serve as the early warning and risk mitigation mechanisms.identify potential credit risk. Individual loans, excluding the homogeneous loan portfolio, are reviewed at least biennially, orevery two years and in most cases, more frequently, if deemed necessary, and includesoften, including the assignment of a risk grade.

Risk grades are based on a six-grade Pass scale, along with Special Mention, Substandard, Doubtful and Loss classifications as such classifications are defined by the federal banking regulatory agencies.  The assignment of risk grades allows the Company to, among other things, identify the risk associated with each credit in the portfolio, and to provide a basis for estimating credit losses inherent in the portfolio.  Risk grades are reviewed regularly by the Company’s Credit and InvestmentPortfolio Review committee, and are scrutinizedreviewed annually by annualan independent loan reviews performed by a third-party, as well as by regulatory agencies during scheduled examinations.
 
The following provides brief definitions for risk grades assigned to loans in the portfolio:
Pass classifications represent assets with a level of credit quality which contain no well-defined deficiency or weakness.
·  Pass – Pass credits are well protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any.  Such credits exhibit few weaknesses, if any, but may include credits with exposure to certain factors that may adversely impact the credit if they materialize.  The Company has established six subcategories within the pass grade to stratify risk associated with pass loans.  The Company maintains a subset of pass credits designated as “watch” loans which, for any of a variety of reasons, require the Company’s closerSpecial Mention assets do not currently expose the Bank to a sufficient risk to warrant classification in one of the adverse categories, but possess correctable deficiencies or potential weaknesses deserving management’s close attention.  Watch credits are more heavily scrutinized than other pass credits so that any potential weaknesses that may develop in such credits are more quickly identified, thereby serving to mitigate potential losses.
Substandard assets are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any.  These assets are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. OREO acquired from foreclosure is also classified as substandard.
·  Special Mention – Loans graded special mention exhibit potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention.  If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may, at some future date, result in the deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or the institution’s credit position.  Special mention credits are not considered as part of the classified extensions of credit category and do not expose the Company to sufficient risk to warrant classification.
Doubtful credits have all the weaknesses inherent in substandard credits, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.
Loss assets are those that are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as assets is not warranted. Amounts classified as loss are promptly charged off.
·  Substandard – Substandard credits are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any.  Extensions of credit so classified must have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt.  (The term “liquidation” as used here refers to the orderly repayment of the debt and not to a forced sale of the loan or its underlying collateral.)  They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.  Loss potential, while existing in the aggregate amount of substandard credits, does not have to exist in individual extensions of credit classified substandard.
·  Doubtful – Doubtful credits have all the weaknesses inherent in substandard credits, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.  The possibility of loss is extremely high, but because of certain important and reasonably specific pending factors that may work to the advantage of and strengthen the credit, its classification as an estimated loss is deferred until its more exact status may be determined.
·  Loss - Loss assets are those that are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as assets is not warranted.  Amounts classified as loss are promptly charged off.

The Portfolio Management departmentportfolio managers also managesmanage loan performance risks, handling collections, workouts, bankruptcies and foreclosures. TheseLoan performance risks are controlledmitigated by moving quicklyour portfolio managers acting promptly and assertively to address problem credits when problemsthey are identified. Collection efforts are immediatecommenced immediately upon non-payment, and the portfolio managers seek to promptly determine right away the appropriate steps to minimize the Company’s risk of loss. When foreclosure will maximize the Company’s recovery for a non-performing loan, the portfolio managers will prosecutetake appropriate action to initiate the foreclosure process, including any associated judicial legal actions.  When appropriate, the Company’s in-house counsel or outside legal advisors are consulted to ensure that legal risks are appropriately addressed in handling loan performance issues.process.

When a loan is graded as watchspecial mention or worse,substandard or doubtful, the Company obtains an updated valuation of the underlying collateral. If the credit in question is also identified as impaired, a valuation allowance, if necessary, is established against such loan or a loss is recognized by a charge to the ALLLallowance for loan losses if management believes that the full amount of the Company’s recorded investment in the loan is no longer collectable. The Company typically continues to obtain or confirm updated valuations of underlying collateral for watch, special mention and classified loans on an annual or biennial basis in order to have the most current indication of fair value. Once a loan is identified as impaired, an analysis of the underlying collateral is performed at least quarterly, and corresponding changes in any related valuation allowance are made or balances deemed to be fully uncollectable are charged-off.

The following tables stratify the loan portfolio by the Company’s internal risk grading system as well as certain other information concerning the credit quality of the loan portfolio as of the periods indicated:


  Credit Risk Grades 
     Special     Total Gross 
  Pass  Mention  Substandard  Loans 
December 31, 2014 (in thousands) 
Business loans:            
Commercial and industrial $426,379  $-  $1,828  $428,207 
Commercial owner occupied  202,390   -   8,605   210,995 
SBA  28,132   272   -   28,404 
Warehouse facilities  113,798   -   -   113,798 
Real estate loans:                
Commercial non-owner occupied  355,274   -   3,939   359,213 
Multi-family  261,956   501   508   262,965 
One-to-four family  122,146   -   649   122,795 
Construction  89,682   -   -   89,682 
Land  9,088   -   -   9,088 
Other loans  3,298   -   -   3,298 
Totals $1,612,143  $773  $15,529  $1,628,445 
                 
  Credit Risk Grades 
      Special      Total Gross 
  Pass  Mention  Substandard  Loans 
December 31, 2013 (in thousands) 
Business loans:                
Commercial and industrial $184,247  $12  $2,776  $187,035 
Commercial owner occupied  207,872   1,217   12,000   221,089 
SBA  10,659   -   -   10,659 
Warehouse facilities  87,517   -   -   87,517 
Real estate loans:                
Commercial non-owner occupied  329,538   352   3,654   333,544 
Multi-family  232,661   511   517   233,689 
One-to-four family  144,152   -   1,083   145,235 
Construction  13,040   -   -   13,040 
Land  7,605   -   -   7,605 
Other loans  3,834   -   5   3,839 
Totals $1,221,125  $2,092  $20,035  $1,243,252 

  Credit Risk Grades
  Pass 
Special
Mention
 Substandard Doubtful 
Total Gross
Loans
December 31, 2016 (dollars in thousands)
Business loans:          
Commercial and industrial $550,919
 $8,216
 $3,784
 $250
 $563,169
Franchise 459,421
 
 
 
 459,421
Commercial owner occupied 450,416
 281
 4,221
 
 454,918
SBA 96,190
 53
 462
 
 96,705
Real estate loans:  
  
  
  
  
Commercial non-owner occupied 585,093
 810
 1,072
 
 586,975
Multi-family 681,942
 6,610
 2,403
 
 690,955
One-to-four family 100,010
 
 441
 
 100,451
Construction 269,159
 
 
 
 269,159
Land 19,814
 
 15
 
 19,829
Other loans 3,719
 
 393
 
 4,112
Totals $3,216,683
 $15,970
 $12,791
 $250
 $3,245,694
           
  Pass 
Special
Mention
 Substandard Doubtful 
Total Gross
Loans
December 31, 2015 (dollars in thousands)
Business loans:  
  
  
  
  
Commercial and industrial $306,513
 $73
 $3,155
 $
 $309,741
Franchise 327,295
 
 169
 1,461
 328,925
Commercial owner occupied 286,270
 627
 7,829
 
 294,726
SBA 62,256
 
 
 
 62,256
Warehouse facilities 143,200
 
 
 
 143,200
Real estate loans:  
  
  
    
Commercial non-owner occupied 418,917
 
 2,666
 
 421,583
Multi-family 425,616
 
 3,387
 
 429,003
One-to-four family 78,997
 
 1,053
 
 80,050
Construction 169,748
 
 
 
 169,748
Land 18,319
 
 21
 
 18,340
Other loans 5,111
 
 
 
 5,111
Totals $2,242,242
 $700
 $18,280
 $1,461
 $2,262,683


 
     Days Past Due      
  Current   30-59   60-89   90+  Total Gross Loans Non-accruing 
December 31, 2014 (in thousands) 
Business loans:                     
Commercial and industrial $428,183  $-  $24  $-  $428,207  $- 
Commercial owner occupied  210,995   -   -   -   210,995   514 
SBA  28,404   -   -   -   28,404   - 
Warehouse facilities  113,798   -   -   -   113,798   - 
Real estate loans:                        
Commercial non-owner occupied  359,213   -   -   -   359,213   848 
Multi-family  262,965   -   -   -   262,965   - 
One-to-four family  122,722   19   -   54   122,795   82 
Construction  89,682   -   -   -   89,682   - 
Land  9,088   -   -   -   9,088   - 
Other loans  3,297   1   -   -   3,298   - 
Totals $1,628,347  $20  $24  $54  $1,628,445  $1,444 
                         
      Days Past Due        
  Current   30-59   60-89   90+  Total Gross Loans Non-accruing 
December 31, 2013                        
Business loans:                        
Commercial and industrial $187,035  $-  $-  $-  $187,035  $- 
Commercial owner occupied  219,875   768   -   446   221,089   747 
SBA  10,645   -   -   14   10,659   14 
Warehouse facilities  87,517   -   -   -   87,517   - 
Real estate loans:                        
Commercial non-owner occupied  332,984   -   -   560   333,544   983 
Multi-family  233,689   -   -   -   233,689   - 
One-to-four family  145,041   71   -   123   145,235   507 
Construction  13,040   -   -   -   13,040   - 
Land  7,605   -   -   -   7,605   - 
Other loans  3,709   130   -   -   3,839   - 
Totals $1,241,140  $969  $-  $1,143  $1,243,252  $2,251 
INDEX

    Days Past Due    
  Current 30-59 60-89 90+ Total Gross Loans Non-accruing
December 31, 2016 (dollars in thousands)
Business loans:    
  
  
    
Commercial and industrial $562,805
 $104
 $
 $260
 $563,169
 $250
Franchise 459,421
 
 
 
 459,421
 
Commercial owner occupied 454,918
 
 
 
 454,918
 436
SBA 96,389
 
 
 316
 96,705
 316
Real estate loans:  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial non-owner occupied 586,975
 
 
 
 586,975
 
Multi-family 690,955
 
 
 
 690,955
 
One-to-four family 100,314
 18
 71
 48
 100,451
 124
Construction 269,159
 
 
 
 269,159
 
Land 19,814
 
 
 15
 19,829
 15
Other loans 4,112
 
 
 
 4,112
 
Totals $3,244,862
 $122
 $71
 $639
 $3,245,694
 $1,141
   
 Days Past Due  
  
  Current 30-59 60-89 90+ Total Gross Loans Non-accruing
December 31, 2015  
  
  
  
  
  
Business loans:  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial and industrial $309,464
 $20
 $
 $257
 $309,741
 $463
Franchise 327,295
 
 
 1,630
 328,925
 1,630
Commercial owner occupied 294,371
 
 355
 
 294,726
 536
SBA 62,256
 
 
 
 62,256
 
Warehouse facilities 143,200
 
 
 
 143,200
 
Real estate loans:  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial non-owner occupied 421,369
 214
 
 
 421,583
 1,164
Multi-family 429,003
 
 
 
 429,003
 
One-to-four family 79,915
 89
 
 46
 80,050
 155
Construction 169,748
 
 
 
 169,748
 
Land 18,319
 
 
 21
 18,340
 21
Other loans 5,111
 
 
 
 5,111
 1
Totals $2,260,051
 $323
 $355
 $1,954
 $2,262,683
 $3,970

5.  Allowance for Loan Losses
 
The Company’s ALLL covers estimated credit losses on individually evaluated loans that are determined to be impaired as well as estimated credit losses inherent in the remainder of the loan portfolio. The ALLL is prepared using the information provided by the Company’s credit and investment review process alongtogether with data from peer institutions and economic information gathered from published sources.
The loan portfolio is segmented into groups of loans with similar risk characteristics.  Each segment possesses varying degrees of risk based on, among other things, the type of loan, the type of collateral, and the sensitivity of the borrower or industry to changes in external factors such as economic conditions.  An estimated loss rate calculated using the Company’s actual historical loss rates adjusted for current portfolio trends, economic conditions, and other relevant internal and external factors, is applied to each group’s aggregate loan balances.

The following provides a summary of the ALLL calculation for the major segments within the Company’s loan portfolio.
Commercial Business Loans, Owner-Occupied Commercial Real Estate Loans, and SBA Loans

The Company's base ALLL factor for commercial business loans, owner-occupied commercial real estate loans and SBA loans isfactors are determined by management using the Bank's annualized actual trailing eighty-four month, trailing thirty-six month, trailing twenty-four month, trailing twelve month and annualized trailing six month charge-off data.data over intervals ranging from 6 to 84 months. Adjustments to those base factors are made for relevant internal and external factors. For owner occupied commercialThose factors may include:

Changes in national, regional and local economic conditions, including trends in real estate values and the interest rate environment,
Changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, including new types of lending,
Changes in volume and severity of past due loans, commercial businessthe volume of nonaccrual loans, and SBAthe volume and severity of adversely classified or graded loans, those factors include:and
The existence and effect of concentrations of credit, and changes in the level of such concentrations.
·  Changes in national, regional and local economic conditions, including trends in real estate values and the interest rate environment,
·  Changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, including new types of lending,
·  Changes in volume and severity of past due loans, the volume of nonaccrual loans, and the volume and severity of adversely classified or graded loans, and
·  The existence and effect of concentrations of credit, and changes in the level of such concentrations.

The resulting total ALLL factor is compared for reasonableness against the 10-year average, 15-year average, and trailing twelve12 month total charge-off data for all FDICFederal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insured commercial banks and savings institutions based in California. This factor isThese factors are applied to balances graded pass-1 through pass-5. For loans risk graded as watch or worse, progressively higher potential loss factors are applied based on management’s judgment, taking into consideration the specific characteristics of the Bank’s portfolio and analysis of results from a select group of the Company’s peers.

Non-Owner Occupied Commercial Real Estate, Multi-Family, Land and Construction Loans
The Company's base ALLL factor for multi-family and non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans is determined by management using the Bank's actual trailing eighty-four month, trailing thirty-six month, trailing twenty-four month, trailing twelve month and annualized trailing six month charge-off data.  Adjustments to those base factors are made for relevant internal and external factors.  For multi-family and non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans, those factors include:
·  Changes in national, regional and local economic conditions, including trends in real estate values and the interest rate environment,
·  Changes in volume and severity of past due loans, the volume of nonaccrual loans, and the volume and severity of adversely classified or graded loans, and
·  The existence and effect of concentrations of credit, and changes in the level of such concentrations.
The resulting total ALLL factor is compared for reasonableness against the 10-year average, 15-year average, and trailing twelve month total charge-off data for all FDIC insured commercial banks and savings institutions based in California.  This factor is applied to balances graded pass-1 through pass-5.  For loans risk graded as watch or worse, progressively higher potential loss factors are applied based on management’s judgment, taking into consideration the specific characteristics of the Bank’s portfolio and analysis of results from a select group of the Company’s peers.
Single Family and Consumer Loans and Warehouse Repurchase Facilities
The Company's base ALLL factor for single family and consumer loans and warehouse repurchase facilities is determined by management using the Bank's actual trailing eighty-four month, trailing thirty-six month, trailing twenty-four month, trailing twelve month and annualized trailing six month charge-off data.  Adjustments to those base factors are made for relevant internal and external factors.  For single family and consumer loans and warehouse repurchase facilities, those factors include:
·  Changes in national, regional and local economic conditions, including trends in real estate values and the interest rate environment.
The resulting total ALLL factor is compared for reasonableness against the 10-year average, 15-year average, and trailing twelve month total charge-off data for all FDIC insured commercial banks and savings institutions based in California.  This factor is applied to balances graded pass-1 through pass-5.  For loans risk graded as watch or worse, progressively higher potential loss factors are applied based on management’s judgment, taking into consideration the specific characteristics of the Bank’s portfolio and analysis of results from a select group of the Company’s peers.

The following tables summarize the allocation of the allowance as well as the activity in the allowance attributed to various segments in the loan portfolio as of and for the periods indicated:

 
Commercial
 and Industrial
 Franchise 
Commercial
 Owner Occupied
 SBA Warehouse Facilities 
Commercial
 Non-owner Occupied
 Multi-family 
One-to-four
Family
 Construction Land Other Loans Total
 (dollars in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2015$3,449
 $3,124
 $1,870
 $1,500
 $759
 $2,048
 $1,583
 $698
 $2,030
 $233
 $23
 $17,317
Charge-offs(2,802) (980) (329) (980) 
 
 
 (151) 
 
 
 (5,242)
Recoveries177
 
 25
 193
 
 21
 
 25
 
 
 4
 445
Provisions for (reduction in) loan losses5,538
 1,701
 (373) 326
 (759) (354) 1,344
 (207) 1,602
 (35) (7) 8,776
Balance, December 31, 2016$6,362
 $3,845
 $1,193
 $1,039
 $
 $1,715
 $2,927
 $365
 $3,632
 $198
 $20
 $21,296
Amount of allowance attributed to: 
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Specifically evaluated impaired loans$250
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $250
General portfolio allocation6,112
 3,845
 1,193
 1,039
 
 1,715
 2,927
 365
 3,632
 198
 20
 21,046
Loans individually evaluated for impairment250
 
 436
 316
 
 
 
 124
 
 15
 
 1,141
Specific reserves to total loans individually evaluated for impairment100.00% % % % % % % % % % % 21.91%
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment$562,919
 $459,421
 $454,482
 $88,678
 $
 $586,975
 $690,955
 $100,327
 $269,159
 $19,814
 $4,112
 $3,236,842
General reserves to total loans collectively evaluated for impairment1.09% 0.84% 0.26% 1.17% % 0.29% 0.42% 0.36% 1.35% 1.00% 0.49% 0.65%
Total gross loans$563,169
 $459,421
 $454,918
 $88,994
 $
 $586,975
 $690,955
 $100,451
 $269,159
 $19,829
 $4,112
 $3,237,983
Total allowance to gross loans1.13% 0.84% 0.26% 1.17% % 0.29% 0.42% 0.36% 1.35% 1.00% 0.49% 0.66%
  
Commercial
 and industrial
  
Commercial
 owner occupied
  SBA  Warehouse Facilities  
Commercial
 non-owner occupied
  Multi-family  
One-to-four
family
  Construction  Land  Other loans  Total 
  (dollars in thousands) 
                                  
Balance, December 31, 2013 $1,968  $1,818  $151  $392  $1,658  $817  $1,099  $136  $127  $34  $8,200 
Charge-offs  (223)  -   -   -   (365)  -   (195)  -   -   -   (783)
Recoveries  42   -   4   -   -   -   34   -   -   19   99 
Provisions for (reduction in) loan losses  2,413   (61)  413   154   714   243   (96)  952   (19)  (29)  4,684 
Balance, December 31, 2014 $4,200  $1,757  $568  $546  $2,007  $1,060  $842  $1,088  $108  $24  $12,200 
                                             
Amount of allowance attributed to:                                            
Specifically evaluated impaired loans $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $- 
General portfolio allocation  4,200   1,757   568   546   2,007   1,060   842   1,088   108   24   12,200 
                                             
Loans individually evaluated for impairment  -   388   -   -   848   -   236   -   -   -   1,472 
Specific reserves to total loans individually evaluated for impairment  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment $428,207  $210,607  $28,404  $113,798  $358,365  $262,965  $122,559  $89,682  $9,088  $3,298  $1,626,973 
General reserves to total loans collectively evaluated for impairment  0.98%  0.83%  2.00%  0.48%  0.56%  0.40%  0.69%  1.21%  1.19%  0.73%  0.75%
                                             
Total gross loans $428,207  $210,995  $28,404  $113,798  $359,213  $262,965  $122,795  $89,682  $9,088  $3,298  $1,628,445 
Total allowance to gross loans  0.98%  0.83%  2.00%  0.48%  0.56%  0.40%  0.69%  1.21%  1.19%  0.73%  0.75%
                                             
                                             
  Commercial and industrial  Commercial owner occupied  SBA  Warehouse Facilities  Commercial non-owner occupied  Multi-family  One-to-four family  Construction  Land  Other loans  Total 
  (dollars in thousands) 
                                             
Balance, December 31, 2012 $1,310  $1,512  $79  $1,544  $1,459  $1,145  $862  $-  $31  $52  $7,994 
Charge-offs  (509)  (232)  (143)  -   (756)  (101)  (272)  -   -   (18)  (2,031)
Recoveries  138   -   50   -   -   -   47   -   -   142   377 
Provisions for (reduction in) loan losses  1,029   538   165   (1,152)  955   (227)  462   136   96   (142)  1,860 
Balance, December 31, 2013 $1,968  $1,818  $151  $392  $1,658  $817  $1,099  $136  $127  $34  $8,200 
                                             
Amount of allowance attributed to:                                            
Specifically evaluated impaired loans $-  $-  $-  $-  $1  $-  $104  $-  $-  $-  $105 
General portfolio allocation $1,968  $1,818  $151  $392  $1,657  $817  $995  $136  $127  $34  $8,095 
                                             
Loans individually evaluated for impairment $-  $747  $14  $-  $983  $-  $683  $-  $-  $-  $2,427 
Specific reserves to total loans individually evaluated for impairment  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%  0.10%  0.00%  15.23%  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%  4.33%
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment $187,035  $220,342  $10,645  $87,517  $332,561  $233,689  $144,552  $13,040  $7,605  $3,839  $1,240,825 
General reserves to total loans collectively evaluated for impairment  1.05%  0.83%  1.42%  0.45%  0.50%  0.35%  0.69%  1.04%  1.67%  0.89%  0.65%
                                             
Total gross loans $187,035  $221,089  $10,659  $87,517  $333,544  $233,689  $145,235  $13,040  $7,605  $3,839  $1,243,252 
Total allowance to gross loans  1.05%  0.82%  1.42%  0.45%  0.50%  0.35%  0.76%  1.04%  1.67%  0.89%  0.66%
INDEX


 
Commercial
 and Industrial
 Franchise 
Commercial
 Owner Occupied
 SBA Warehouse Facilities 
Commercial
 Non-owner Occupied
 Multi-family 
One-to-four
Family
 Construction Land Other Loans Total
 (dollars in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2014$2,646
 $1,554
 $1,757
 $568
 $546
 $2,007
 $1,060
 $842
 $1,088
 $108
 $24
 $12,200
Charge-offs(484) (764) 
 
 
 (116) 
 (16) 
 
 
 (1,380)
Recoveries47
 
 
 8
 
 3
 
 13
 
 
 1
 72
Provisions for (reduction in) loan losses1,240
 2,334
 113
 924
 213
 154
 523
 (141) 942
 125
 (2) 6,425
Balance, December 31, 2015$3,449
 $3,124
 $1,870
 $1,500
 $759
 $2,048
 $1,583
 $698
 $2,030
 $233
 $23
 $17,317
Amount of allowance attributed to: 
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Specifically evaluated impaired loans$
 $731
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $731
General portfolio allocation3,449
 2,393
 1,870
 1,500
 759
 2,048
 1,583
 698
 2,030
 233
 23
 16,586
Loans individually evaluated for impairment313
 1,630
 536
 
 
 214
 
 70
 
 21
 
 2,784
Specific reserves to total loans individually evaluated for impairment% 44.85% % % % % % % % % % 26.26%
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment$309,428
 $327,295
 $294,190
 $62,256
 $143,200
 $421,369
 $429,003
 $79,980
 $169,748
 $18,319
 $5,111
 $2,259,899
General reserves to total loans collectively evaluated for impairment1.11% 0.73% 0.64% 2.41% 0.53% 0.49% 0.37% 0.87% 1.20% 1.27% 0.45% 0.73%
Total gross loans$309,741
 $328,925
 $294,726
 $53,691
 $143,200
 $421,583
 $429,003
 $80,050
 $169,748
 $18,340
 $5,111
 $2,254,118
Total allowance to gross loans1.11% 0.95% 0.63% 2.79% 0.53% 0.49% 0.37% 0.87% 1.20% 1.27% 0.45% 0.77%
                        
                        
                        
  

 
Commercial
 and Industrial
 Franchise 
Commercial
 Owner Occupied
 SBA Warehouse Facilities 
Commercial
 Non-owner Occupied
 Multi-family 
One-to-four
Family
 Construction Land Other Loans Total
 (dollars in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2013$1,968
 $
 $1,818
 $151
 $392
 $1,658
 $817
 $1,099
 $136
 $127
 $34
 $8,200
Charge-offs(223) 
 
 
 
 (365) 
 (195) 
 
 
 (783)
Recoveries42
 
 
 4
 
 
 
 34
 
 
 19
 99
Provisions for (reduction in) loan losses859
 1,554
 (61) 413
 154
 714
 243
 (96) 952
 (19) (29) 4,684
Balance, December 31, 2014$2,646
 $1,554
 $1,757
 $568
 $546
 $2,007
 $1,060
 $842
 $1,088
 $108
 $24
 $12,200
Amount of allowance attributed to:                       
Specifically evaluated impaired loans$
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
General portfolio allocation2,646
 1,554
 1,757
 568
 546
 2,007
 1,060
 842
 1,088
 108
 24
 12,200
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
 
 388
 
 
 848
 
 236
 
 
 
 1,472
Specific reserves to total loans individually evaluated for impairment% % % % % % % % % % % %
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment$228,979
 $199,228
 $210,607
 $28,404
 $113,798
 $358,365
 $262,965
 $122,559
 $89,682
 $9,088
 $3,298
 $1,626,973
General reserves to total loans collectively evaluated for impairment1.16% 0.78% 0.83% 2.00% 0.48% 0.56% 0.40% 0.69% 1.21% 1.19% 0.73% 0.75%
Total gross loans$228,979
 $199,228
 $210,995
 $28,404
 $113,798
 $359,213
 $262,965
 $122,795
 $89,682
 $9,088
 $3,298
 $1,628,445
Total allowance to gross loans1.16% 0.78% 0.83% 2.00% 0.48% 0.56% 0.40% 0.69% 1.21% 1.19% 0.73% 0.75%


6. Other Real Estate Owned
 
Other real estate owned was $460,000 at December 31, 2016, $1.2 million at December 31, 2015 and $1.0 million at December 31, 2014 and $1.2 million at December 31, 2013.2014. The following summarizes the activity in the other real estate owned for the years ended December 31:
 2016 2015 2014
 (dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of year$1,161
 $1,037
 $1,186
Additions / foreclosures197
 450
 645
Sales(577) (233) (777)
Gain (loss) on sale18
 (52) (17)
Write downs(339) (41) 
Balance, end of year$460
 $1,161
 $1,037

  2014  2013 
  (in thousands) 
       
Balance, beginning of year $1,186  $2,258 
Additions / foreclosures  645   996 
Sales  (794)  (1,488)
Loss on sale  -   (226)
Write downs  -   (354)
Balance, end of year $1,037  $1,186 
The Company had $41,000 and $46,000 in consumer mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate property for which formal foreclosure proceedings were in process as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.


7. Premises and Equipment
 
PremisesThe Company's premises and equipment consisted of the following at December 31:
 2016 2015
 (dollars in thousands)
Land$200
 $200
Premises1,707
 3,528
Leasehold improvements8,982
 5,901
Furniture, fixtures and equipment14,565
 11,263
Automobiles187
 187
Subtotal25,641
 21,079
Less: accumulated depreciation13,627
 11,831
Total$12,014
 $9,248

  2014  2013 
  (in thousands) 
       
Land $200  $200 
Premises  3,340   3,350 
Leasehold improvements  5,491   5,231 
Furniture, fixtures and equipment  9,372   8,137 
Automobiles  188   187 
Subtotal  18,591   17,105 
Less: accumulated depreciation  9,426   7,241 
Total  9,165   9,864 


Depreciation expense for premises and equipment was $2.9 million for 2016, $2.4 million for 2015 and $2.2 million for 2014, $1.92014.
8. Goodwill and Core Deposit Intangibles

At December 31, 2016, the Company had goodwill of $102 million, of which $51.7 million was related to the SCAF acquisition. The following table presents changes in the carrying value of goodwill for 2013the periods indicated:
 2016 2015
 (dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of year$50,832
 $22,950
Goodwill acquired during the year51,658
 27,882
Impairment losses
 
Balance, end of year$102,490
 $50,832
Accumulated impairment losses at end of year
 

The Company’s goodwill was evaluated for impairment during the fourth quarter of 2016, with no impairment loss recognition considered necessary.

The Company's change in the gross amount of core deposit intangibles and the related accumulated amortization consisted of the following at December 31:

 2016 2015 2014
 (dollars in thousands)
Gross amount of CDI:     
Balance, beginning of year$10,782
 $7,876
 $7,876
Additions due to acquisitions4,320
 2,906
 
Balance, end of year15,102
 10,782
 7,876
Accumulated amortization     
Balance, beginning of year(3,612) (2,262) (1,248)
Amortization(2,039) (1,350) (1,014)
Balance, end of year(5,651) (3,612) (2,262)
Net CDI, end of year$9,451
 $7,170
 $5,614


The estimated aggregate amortization expense related to our core deposit intangible assets for each of the next five years is $2.1 million, $2.0 million, $1.7 million, $1.7 million, and $1.4 million. The Company’s core deposit intangibles is evaluated for impairment if events and circumstances indicate possible impairment. Factors that my attribute to impairment include customer attrition and run-off. Management is unaware of any events and/or circumstances that would indicate a possible impairment to the core deposit intangibles.

9. Bank Owned Life Insurance

At December 31, 2016 and 2015 the Company had $40.4 million and $39.2 million, respectively of BOLI. The Company recorded noninterest income associated with the BOLI policies of $1.4 million, $1.3 million and $914,000 for 2012.the years ending December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
 
8.BOLI involves the purchasing of life insurance by the Company on a selected group of employees where the Company is the owner and beneficiary of the policies. BOLI is recorded as an asset at its cash surrender value. Increases in the cash surrender value of these policies, as well as a portion of the insurance proceeds received, are recorded in noninterest income and are not subject to income tax, as long as they are held for the life of the covered parties.

10. Qualified Affordable Housing Project Investments
The Company's investment in Qualified Affordable Housing Funds that generate Low Income Housing Tax Credits at December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $7.0 million and $8.3 million, respectively, recorded in other assets. Total unfunded commitments related to the investments in qualified affordable housing funds totaled $0.7 million and $2.4 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company has invested in two separate LIHTC funds which provide the Company with CRA credit. Additionally, the investment in LIHTC funds provide the Company with tax credits and with operating loss tax benefits over an approximately 10 year period. None of the original investment will be repaid. The investment in LIHTC funds are being accounted for using the cost method, under which the Company amortizes as non-interest expense the initial cost of the investment equally over the expected time period in which tax credits and other tax benefits will be received and recognizes the tax credits and operating loss tax benefits in the income statement as a component of income tax expense (benefit).

The following table presents the Company's original investment in the LIHTC funds, the current recorded investment balance, and the unfunded liability balance of each investment at December 31, 2016 and 2015. In addition, the table reflects the tax credits and tax benefits recorded by the Company during 2016 and 2015; the amortization of the investment and the net impact to the Company's income tax provision for 2016 and 2015.


Qualified Affordable Housing Funds at
December 31, 2016
 Original Investment Value Current Recorded Investment Unfunded Liability Obligation Tax Credits and Tax Deductions (1) Amortization of Investments (2) Net Income Tax Benefit
             
WNC Institutional Tax Credit
Fund X, CA Series 11 L.P.
 $5,000
 $3,250
 $223
 $488
 $542
 $(596)
WNC Institutional Tax Credit
Fund X, CA Series 12, L.P.
 5,000
 3,750
 526
 473
 782
 (637)
        Total - Investments in
Qualified Affordable
Housing Projects
 $10,000
 $7,000
 $749
 $961
 $1,324
 $(1,233)
             
Qualified Affordable Housing Funds at
December 31, 2015
 Original Investment Value Current Recorded Investment Unfunded Liability Obligation Tax Credits and Tax Deductions (1) Amortization of Investments (2) Net Income Tax Benefit
WNC Institutional Tax Credit
Fund X, CA Series 11 L.P.
 $5,000
 $3,791
 $316
 $917
 $500
 $(643)
WNC Institutional Tax Credit
Fund X, CA Series 12, L.P.
 5,000
 4,533
 2,111
 819
 500
 (531)
        Total - Investments in
Qualified Affordable
Housing Funds
 $10,000
 $8,324
 $2,427
 $1,736
 $1,000
 $(1,174)
(1) The amounts reflected in this column represent both the tax credits, as well as the tax benefits generated by the Qualified Affordable Housing Projects operating loss for the year, which are included in the calculation of income tax expense.
(2) This amount represents the amortization of the investment cost of the LIHTC, included in non-interest expense.


11. Deposit Accounts
 
Deposit accounts and weighted average interest rates consisted of the following at December 31:


  2014  
Weighted
Average
Interest Rate
  2013  
Weighted
Average
Interest Rate
 
        (dollars in thousands) 
Transaction accounts            
Noninterest-bearing checking $456,754   0.00% $366,755   0.00%
Interest-bearing checking  131,635   0.11%  120,886   0.11%
Money market  526,256   0.32%  427,577   0.29%
Regular passbook  74,508   0.14%  76,412   0.14%
Total transaction accounts  1,189,153   0.16%  991,630   0.15%
Certificates of deposit accounts                
Up to $100,000  123,862   0.91%  125,313   0.80%
Over $100,000 to $250,000  163,819   1.00%  130,711   0.93%
Over $250,000  153,992   0.76%  58,632   0.95%
Total certificates of deposit accounts  441,673   0.89%  314,656   0.88%
Total deposits $1,630,826   0.36% $1,306,286   0.33%

  2016 Weighted
Average
Interest Rate
 2015 Weighted
Average
Interest Rate
   (dollars in thousands)
Transaction accounts        
Noninterest-bearing checking $1,185,672
 % $711,771
 %
Interest-bearing checking 182,893
 0.11% 134,999
 0.11%
Money market 1,100,787
 0.34% 743,871
 0.35%
Savings 101,574
 0.14% 83,507
 0.15%
Total transaction accounts 2,570,926
 0.16% 1,674,148
 0.17%
Certificates of deposit accounts  
  
  
  
Less than 100,000 121,148
 0.74% 126,704
 0.79%
$100,000 through $250,000 153,103
 0.82% 166,397
 0.91%
Greater than $250,000 300,308
 0.74% 227,874
 0.72%
Total certificates of deposit accounts 574,559
 0.76% 520,975
 0.80%
Total deposits $3,145,485
 0.27% $2,195,123
 0.32%
 
The aggregate annual maturities of certificates of deposit accounts at December 31, 20142016 are as follows:


  2014 
  Balance  Weighted Average Interest Rate 
  (dollars in thousands) 
       
Within 3 months $83,268   0.95%
4 to 6 months  66,023   1.02%
7 to 12 months  136,616   0.77%
13 to 24 months  142,396   0.89%
25 to 36 months  10,400   1.06%
37 to 60 months  2,405   1.43%
Over 60 months  565   1.01%
Total $441,673   0.89%


The average cost of deposits was 0.34% for 2014 and 2013.
 2016
 Balance Weighted Average Interest Rate
 (dollars in thousands)
Within 3 months$147,508
 0.66%
4 to 6 months137,620
 0.74%
7 to 12 months191,814
 0.77%
13 to 24 months87,050
 0.92%
25 to 36 months6,533
 0.87%
37 to 60 months3,370
 1.29%
Over 60 months664
 0.90%
Total$574,559
 0.76%

Interest expense on deposit accounts for the years ended December 31 is summarized as follows:

 2016 2015 2014
 (dollars in thousands)
Checking accounts$200
 $165
 $161
Money market accounts3,641
 2,426
 1,443
Savings151
 141
 110
Certificates of deposit accounts4,399
 3,898
 3,323
Total$8,391
 $6,630
 $5,037
  2014  2013  2012 
  (in thousands) 
          
Checking accounts $161  $110  $82 
Passbook accounts  110   103   266 
Money market accounts  1,443   1,043   727 
Certificates of deposit accounts  3,323   2,809   4,778 
Total $5,037  $4,065  $5,853 

Accrued interest on deposits, which is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities, was $136,000$178,000 at December 31, 20142016 and $94,000$124,000 at December 31, 2013.2015.
 

12. Federal Home Loan Bank Advances and Other Borrowings
 
TheAs of December 31, 2016, the Company has a line of credit with the FHLB that provides for advances totaling up to 45% of the Company’s assets, equating to a credit line of $913.3$1.7 billion, of which $741 million aswas available for borrowing. The available for borrowing was based on collateral pledged by real estate loans with an aggregate balance of December 31, 2014.  $1.2 billion and FHLB stock of $14.4 million.  

At December 31, 2014,2016, the Company had $20.0$278 million in overnight FHLB advances and $50.0 million inno term advances, compared to $156.0$98 million in overnight FHLB advances at December 31, 2013.  The FHLBand $50 million in term advances at December 31, 2014 were collateralized by real estate loans and securities with an aggregate balance of $618.6 million and FHLB stock of $8.0 million.  With this pledged collateral, the Company has additional available2015.  The term advances of $457.4 million as of December 31, 2014.matured during 2016.

The following table summarizes activities in advances from the FHLB for the periods indicated:

  Year Ended December 31, 
  2014  2013 
  (dollars in thousands) 
       
Average balance outstanding $70,296  $26,137 
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year  210,000   156,000 
Balance outstanding at end of year  70,000   156,000 
Weighted average interest rate during the year  0.26%  0.15%

 Year Ended December 31,
 2016 2015
 (dollars in thousands)
Average balance outstanding$58,814
 $139,542
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year278,000
 340,000
Balance outstanding at end of year278,000
 148,000
Weighted average interest rate during the year0.59% 0.39%
 
CreditBank related credit facilities have been established with Citigroup, Barclays Bank and Union Bank.  The outstanding credit facilities are secured by pledged investment securities.  At December 31, 20142016 and 2013,2015, the Company had borrowings of $18.5 million with Citigroup that mature in September of 2018, $10.0 million with Barclays Bank that mature in February of 2018, and an unused reverse repurchase facility with Union Bank of $50 million.  The outstanding borrowings are secured by MBS with an estimated fair value of $35.0$33.4 million.
 
The Company sells certain securities under agreements to repurchase.  The agreements are treated as overnight borrowings with the obligations to repurchase securities sold reflected as a liability.  The dollar amount of investment securities underlying the agreements remain in the asset accounts.  The Company enters into these debt agreements as a service to certain HOA depositors to add protection for deposit amounts above FDIC insurance levels.  At December 31, 2014,2016, the Company sold securities under agreement to repurchase of $16.6$21.5 million with weighted average rate of 0.02% and collateralized by investment securities with fair value of approximately $28.9$31.9 million.
 
At December 31, 2014,2016, the Bank had unsecured lines of credit with seven correspondent banks for a total amount of $82.0$123 million and access through the Federal Reserve discount window to borrow $3.3 million.  At December 31, 2014,2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had $1.5 million inno outstanding balances against these lines comparedlines.

In addition, the Corporation acquired a line of credit with U.S. Bank in January of 2016, with availability of $15 million. The line was added to $1.0 million inprovide an additional source of liquidity at the Corporation level and was drawn upon to cover expenses related to the acquisition of SCAF. The line has no outstanding balance at December 31, 2013.  2016 and matured in January 2017.  


The following table summarizes activities in other borrowings:borrowings for the periods indicated:

 Year Ended December 31,
 2016 2015
 (dollars in thousands)
Average balance outstanding$48,732
 $48,490
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year53,586
 49,925
Balance outstanding at end of year49,971
 48,125
Weighted average interest rate during the year1.94% 1.95%
  Year Ended December 31, 
  2014  2013 
  (dollars in thousands) 
       
Average balance outstanding $47,398  $45,310 
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year  49,712   52,077 
Balance outstanding at end of year  46,643   48,091 
Weighted average interest rate during the year  2.00%  2.09%


10.
13. Subordinated Debentures
 
OnIn August 2014, the Corporation issued $60 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.75% Subordinated Notes Due 2024 (the “Notes”) in a private placement transaction to institutional accredited investors (the “Private Placement”). The Corporation contributed $50 million of net proceeds from the Private Placement to the Bank to support general corporate purposes. The Notes will bear interest at an annual fixed rate of 5.75%, with the first interest payment on the Notes occurring on March 25,3, 2015, and interest will be paid semiannually each March 3 and September 3 until September 3, 2024. The Notes can only be redeemed, partially or in whole, prior to the maturity date if the notes do not constitute Tier 2 Capital (for purposes of capital adequacy guidelines of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve). As of December 31, 2016 the Notes qualify as Tier 2 Capital. Principal and interest are due upon early redemption.

In connection with the Private Placement, the Corporation obtained ratings from Kroll Bond Rating Agency (“KBRA”).  KBRA assigned investment grade ratings of BBB+ and BBB for the Corporation's senior secured debt and subordinated debt, respectively, and a senior deposit rating of A- for the Bank. The Company's and Bank's ratings were re-affirmed in November of 2016 by KBRA.

In March 2004 the Corporation issued $10,310,000$10.3 million of Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures (the “Debt Securities”) to PPBI Trust I, a statutory trust created under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Debt Securities are subordinated to effectively all borrowings of the Corporation and are due and payable on April 7,6, 2034.  Interest is payable quarterly on the Debt Securities at three-month3-month LIBOR plus 2.75% for a rate of 2.98%3.63% at December 31, 20142016 and 2.99%3.07% at December 31, 2013.2015. The Debt Securities may be redeemed, in part or whole, on or after April 7, 2009 at the option of the Corporation, at par. The Debt Securities can also be redeemed at par if certain events occur that impact the tax treatment or the capital treatment of the issuance. The Corporation also purchased a 3% minority interest totaling $310,000 in PPBI Trust I. The balance of the equity of PPBI Trust I is comprised of mandatorily redeemable preferred securities (“Trust Preferred Securities”) and is included in other assets. PPBI Trust I sold $10,000,000 of Trust Preferred Securities to investors in a private offering.
In August 2014, the Corporation issued $60 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.75% Subordinated Notes Due 2024 (the “Notes”) in a private placement transaction to institutional accredited investors (the “Private Placement”).  The Corporation contributed $40 million of net proceeds from the Private Placement to the Bank to support general corporate purposes.  The Notes will bear interest at an annual fixed rate of 5.75%, with the first interest payment on the Notes occurring on March 3, 2015, and interest will be paid semiannually each March 3 and September 3 until September 3, 2024.
In connection with the Private Placement, the Corporation obtained ratings from Kroll Bond Rating Agency
(“KBRA”).  KBRA assigned investment grade ratings of BBB+ and BBB for the Corporation's senior secured debt and subordinated debt, respectively, and a senior deposit rating of A- for the Bank.

The Corporation is not allowed to consolidate PPBI Trust I into the Company’sCompany's consolidated financial statements.  The resulting effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements is to report only the Subordinated Debentures as a component of the Company’s liabilities.
 
The following table summarizes activities for our subordinated debentures for the periods indicated:

 Year Ended December 31,
 2016 2015
 (dollars in thousands)
Average balance outstanding$69,347
 $69,199
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year69,383
 69,263
Balance outstanding at end of year69,383
 69,263
Weighted average interest rate during the year5.54% 5.69%
  Year Ended December 31, 
  2014  2013 
  (dollars in thousands) 
       
Average balance outstanding $30,858  $10,310 
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year  70,310   10,310 
Balance outstanding at end of year  70,310   10,310 
Weighted average interest rate during the year  5.00%  2.98%
INDEX

11.

14. Income Taxes
 
Income taxes for the years ended December 31 consisted of the following:

  2014  2013  2012 
  (in thousands) 
Current income tax provision:         
Federal $9,628  $7,008  $6,403 
State  3,466   2,329   2,026 
Total current income tax provision  13,094   9,337   8,429 
Deferred income tax provision (benefit):            
Federal  (1,789)  (3,129)  1,262 
State  (586)  (621)  298 
Total deferred income tax provision (benefit)  (2,375)  (3,750)  1,560 
Total income tax provision $10,719  $5,587  $9,989 

  2016 2015 2014
  (dollars in thousands)
Current income tax provision:      
Federal $16,928
 $12,460
 $9,628
State 4,655
 4,144
 3,466
Total current income tax provision 21,583
 16,604
 13,094
Deferred income tax provision (benefit):  
  
  
Federal 2,379
 (887) (1,789)
State 1,253
 (508) (586)
Total deferred income tax provision (benefit) 3,632
 (1,395) (2,375)
Total income tax provision $25,215
 $15,209
 $10,719
 
A reconciliation from statutory federal income taxes to the Company's effective income taxes for the years ended December 31 is as follows:

 2014  2013  2012 
 (in thousands)  2016 2015 2014
          (dollars in thousands)
Statutory federal income tax provision $9,459  $5,103  $8,760  $22,863
 $14,253
 $9,459
California franchise tax, net of federal income tax effect  1,926   1,027   1,842 
Other, including tax exempt income  (666)  (543)  (613)
State taxes, net of federal income tax effect 4,135
 2,886
 1,926
Cash surrender life insurance (407) (483) (324)
Tax exempt interest (764) (742) (614)
Merger costs 533
 447
 410
LIHTC investments (909) (871) (728)
Other (236) (281) 590
Total income tax provision $10,719  $5,587  $9,989  $25,215
 $15,209
 $10,719
  

Deferred tax assets (liabilities) were comprised of the following temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets at December 31:

  2014  2013  2012 
  (in thousands) 
Deferred tax assets:         
Accrued expenses $1,616  $891  $442 
Net operating loss  2,703   3,353   3,673 
Allowance for loan losses, net of bad debt charge-offs  5,158   3,336   3,390 
Directors deferred compensation  1,750   1,896   - 
Unrealized loss on available for sale securities  (362)  2,160   - 
State taxes  1,238   858   765 
Other-than-temporary impairment  -   684   2,180 
Stock based compensation  313   273   6 
Total deferred tax assets  12,416   13,451   10,884 
             
Deferred tax liabilities:            
Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividends  (169)  (306)  (560)
Deferred FDIC gain  (1,731)  (1,944)  (2,367)
Core deposit intangibles  (1,518)  (1,813)  - 
Depreciation  321   (216)  (111)
Other  (991)  (695)  (187)
Total deferred tax liabilities  (4,088)  (4,974)  (3,997)
Net deferred tax asset $8,328  $8,477  $6,887 

  2016 2015 2014
  (dollars in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:      
Accrued expenses $2,839
 $1,717
 $1,802
Net operating loss 3,977
 5,192
 2,703
Allowance for loan losses, net of bad debt charge-offs 8,061
 6,252
 5,158
Deferred compensation 2,348
 2,547
 1,750
State taxes 1,879
 1,451
 1,238
Depreciation 1,090
 651
 321
Loan discount 3,477
 
 
Stock based compensation 1,108
 639
 313
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities 1,939
 
 
Total deferred tax assets 26,718
 18,449
 13,285
Deferred tax liabilities:  
  
  
Deferred FDIC gain (1,675) (1,656) (1,731)
Core deposit intangibles (3,331) (2,266) (1,518)
Unrealized loss on available for sale securities 
 (231) (362)
Loan origination costs (4,208) 
 
Other (697) (2,785) (291)
Total deferred tax liabilities (9,911) (6,938) (3,902)
Net deferred tax asset $16,807
 $11,511
 $9,383
 
AtThe Company accounts for income taxes by recognizing deferred tax assets and liabilities based upon temporary differences between the amounts for financial reporting purposes and tax basis of its assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management evaluates both positive and negative evidence, including the existence of any cumulative losses in the current year and the prior two years, the amount of taxes paid in available carry-back years, the forecasts of future income, applicable tax planning strategies, and assessments of current and future economic and business conditions. This analysis is updated quarterly and adjusted as necessary. Based on the analysis, the Company has determined that a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets was not required as of December 31, 2014, there was no valuation allowance against2016, 2015, or 2014.

Section 382 of the Company’s deferredInternal Revenue Code imposes limitations on a corporation’s ability to use any net unrealized built in losses and other tax asset.attributes, such as net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, when it undergoes a 50% ownership change over a designated testing period. The Company has a Section 382 limited net operating loss carry forward of approximately $7.7$10.1 million for federal income tax purposes, which expiresis scheduled to expire in 2023.2034. In addition, the Company has a Section 382 limited net operating loss carry forward of approximately $162,000$7.2 million for California franchise tax purposes.  However, the state of California has suspended the net operating loss deduction utilization for the tax years 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.  The net operating loss deduction for the statepurposes, which is now scheduled to expire in 2033.  With2034. The Company is expected to fully utilize the completionfederal and California net operating loss carryforward before it expires with the application of the secondary offering in October 2003, the Company had an “ownership change” as defined under Internal Revenue Code Section 382.  Under Section 382 which has also been adopted under California law, if during any three-year period there is more than a 50 percentage pointannual limitation.

The Company did not have unrecognized tax benefits that related to uncertainties associated with federal and state income tax matters as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. The Company does not believe that the unrecognized tax benefits will change inwithin the ownership of thenext twelve months.

The Company then the future use of any pre-change net operating losses or built-in losses of the Companyand its subsidiaries are subject to an annual percentage limitation based onU.S. Federal income tax as well as income tax in multiple state jurisdictions. The statute of limitations related to the valueconsolidated Federal income tax returns is

closed for all tax years up to and including 2012. The expiration of the company atstatute of limitations related to the ownership change date.  The ownership change reducedvarious state income and franchise tax returns varies by state. Independence Bank, an acquired entity, is currently under examination by the net operating loss carry forwardCalifornia Franchise Tax Board (FTB) for federalthe 2010 and state2011 tax purposes.  The annual usable net operating loss carry forward going forwardyears. While the outcome of the examinations is approximately $932,000 per year.unknown, the Company expects no material adjustments.
  
As of December 31, 2014, tax years for 2011 through 2013 remain open to audit by the Internal Revenue Service and 2010 through 2013 by various state taxing agencies.

12.15. Commitments, Contingencies and Concentrations of Risk

Lease CommitmentsLegal Proceedings In February 2004,The Company leases a portion of its facilities from non-affiliates under operating leases expiring at various dates through 2023.  The following schedule shows the Bank was named as a defendant in a class action lawsuit entitled “James Baker v. Century Financial, et al,” which alleged violations of the Missouri Second Mortgage Loan Act (the “MSMLA”) by the Bank’s predecessor, Life Bank.  The lawsuit alleged that Missouri homeowners were charged closing costsminimum annual lease payments, excluding any renewals and related fees exceeding the amount permitted by the MSMLA.  While Life Bank did not originateextensions, property taxes, and other operating expenses, due under these mortgages, it did ultimately own and service them for a period of time, which plaintiffs allege creates potential liability under the MSMLA.  The class action lawsuit was filed in the Circuit Court of Clay County, Missouri in 2000.  The lawsuit seeks restitution of all improperly-charged closing fees and costs, prejudgment interest on improperly-charged closing fees and costs, restitution of all interest payments made by the homeowners, prejudgment interest on all interest paid by the homeowners, attorney’s fees, and punitive damages.  In March 2005, the Bank’s motion to dismiss based on statute of limitations arguments was denied by the trial court without a written opinion.  In August 2006, the Bank’s “preemption” motion -- claiming that federal law preempted and superseded the MSMLA as to these loans -- was also denied without a written opinion.  The Bank answered plaintiffs’ complaint, and the parties have exchanged and answered discovery requests.agreements:
 
After a lengthy period of inactivity, the Bank was contacted by plaintiffs’ counsel to schedule depositions
Year ending December 31, Amount
  (dollars in thousands)
2017 $3,926
2018 3,164
2019 2,496
2020 712
2021 169
Thereafter 230
Total $10,697

Rental expense under all operating leases totaled $4.4 million for 2016, $3.8 million for 2015, and discovery, and prepare the case to go to trial in 2015.  The Board of Directors of the Company determined to establish a $1.7$2.8 million reserve related to the lawsuit during the fourth quarter of 2014, which the Board of Directors believes to be a reasonable estimate of the Company’s exposure as of December 31,for 2014.

TheLegal Proceedings –The Company is not involved in any other material pending legal proceedings other than legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business.  Management believes that none of these legal proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse impact on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company.
Lease Commitments – The Company leases a portion of its facilities from non-affiliates under operating leases expiring at various dates through 2023.  The following schedule shows the minimum annual lease payments, excluding any renewals and extensions, property taxes, and other operating expenses, due under these agreements:
 

  Year ending December 31, 
  (in thousands) 
2015 $3,023 
2016  2,694 
2017  2,395 
2018  1,873 
2019  1,735 
Thereafter  736 
Total $12,456 

Rental expense under all operating leases totaled $2.8 million for 2014, $2.4 million for 2013, and $1.2 million for 2012.
Share-Based Compensation – The following table provides a summary of the expenses the Company has recognized related to share-based compensation awards.  The table below also shows the impact those expenses have had on diluted earnings per share and the remaining expense associated with those awards for the years ended December 31:

  2014  2013  2012 
  (in thousands, except per share data) 
Share-based compensation expense:         
Stock option expense $514  $943  $177 
Total share-based compensation expense  514   943   177 
Total share-based compensation expense, net of tax $312  $582  $108 
             
Diluted shares outstanding  17,343,977   16,609,954   10,984,034 
Impact on diluted earnings per share $0.018  $0.035  $0.010 

Employment Agreements—The Company has entered into a three-year employment agreement with its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”).  This agreement provides for the payment of a base salary and a bonus based upon the CEO’s individual performance and the Company’s overall performance, provides a vehicle for the CEO’s use, and provides for the payment of severance benefits upon termination under specified circumstances.  

Additionally, the Bank has entered into three-yeara three years employment agreements with the following executive officers: Chief Banking Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Credit Officer.  The agreements provide for the payment of a base salary, a bonus based upon the individual’s performance and the overall performance of the Bank and the payment of severance benefits upon termination under specified circumstances.
 
Availability of Funding Sources—The Company funds substantially all of the loans, which it originates or purchases, through deposits, internally generated funds, and/or borrowings.  The Company competes for deposits primarily on the basis of rates, and, as a consequence, the Company could experience difficulties in attracting deposits to fund its operations if the Company does not continue to offer deposit rates at levels that are competitive with other financial institutions.  To the extent that the Company is not able to maintain its currently available funding sources or to access new funding sources, it would have to curtail its loan production activities or sell loans and investment securities earlier than is optimal.  Any such event could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
 
13.
16. Benefit Plans
 
401(k) Plan—The Bank maintains an Employee Savings Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) which qualifies under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Under the 401(k) Plan, employees may contribute between 1% to 50%100% of their compensation.  In 2014, 20132016, 2015 and 2012,2014, the Bank matched 100% of contributions for the first three percent contributed and 50% on the next two percent contributed. Contributions made to the 401(k) Plan by the Bank amounted to $959,000 for 2016, $769,000 for 2015 and $540,000 for 2014, $401,000 for 2013 and $260,000 for 2012.2014.
 

Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan(the (the “2004 Plan”)The 2004 Plan was approved by the Corporation’s stockholders in May 2004. The 2004 Plan authorizesauthorized the granting of incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock (collectively "Awards") equal to 525,500 shares of the common stock of the Corporation for issuances to executives,executive, key employees, officers and directors.  The 2004 Plan will bewas in effect for a period of ten years fromstarting in February 25, 2004, the date the 2004 Plan was adopted.  OptionsAwards granted under the 2004 Plan will bewere made at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant.    Awards granted to officers and employees may include incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options and limited rights, which are exercisable only upon a change in control of the Corporation.  The optionsAwards granted pursuant to the 2004 Plan vest at a rate of 33.3% per year.  As of December 31, 2014, there are 325,355 options outstanding on the 2004 Plan with zero available for grant.  The 2004 Plan terminated in February 2014.
 
Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan(the (the “2012 Plan”)The 2012 Plan was approved by the Corporation’s stockholders in May 2012.  The 2012 Plan authorizes the granting of optionsAwards equal to 620,000 shares of the common stock of the Corporation for issuances to executives, key employees, officers, and directors.  The 2012 Plan will be in effect for a period of ten years years from May 30, 2012, the date the 2012 Plan was adopted.  OptionsAwards granted under the 2012 Plan will be made at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant.  Awards granted to officers and employees may include incentive stock options, nonstatutorynon-qualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and limited rights, which are exercisable only upon a changestock appreciation rights. The awards have vesting periods ranging from 1 to 3 years; vesting in controleither three equal annual installments or one lump sum at the end of the Corporation.  The options granted pursuant to the 2012 Plan vest at a rate of 33.3% perthird year.  In May 2014, the Corporation’s stockholders approved an amendment to the 2012 Plan to increase the shares available under the plan by 800,000 shares to total 1,420,000 shares.  AsIn May 2015, the Corporation's stockholders approved an amendment to the 2012 Plan to permit the grant of December 31, 2014, there are 599,729 options outstanding onperformance-based awards, including equity compensation awards that may not be subject to the 2004 Plan with 816,105 available for grant.deduction limitation of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. The performance-based awards include (i) both performance-based equity compensation awards and performance-based cash bonus payments and (ii) restricted stock units.
 
The Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan,and thePacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan are collectively the “Option Plans.“Plans.
 
Stock Options

 As of December 31, 2016, there are 230,605 options outstanding on the 2004 Plan with zero available for grant. As of December 31, 2016, there are 853,062 options outstanding on the 2012 Plan with 146,107 available for grant. Below is a summary of the stock option activity in the Option Plans for the yearsyear ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:2016:

  2014  2013 
  Shares  Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share  Shares  Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share 
             
Options outstanding at the beginning of the year  813,670  $8.86   672,334  $8.34 
Granted  244,000   15.69   202,000   10.64 
Exercised  (132,586)  10.65   (57,164)  9.16 
Forfeited and expired  -   -   (3,500)  5.91 
Options outstanding at the end of the year  925,084  $10.41   813,670  $8.86 
                 
Options exercisable at the end of the year  483,110       470,687     
                 
Weighted average remaining contractual life of options outstanding at end of year 6.7 Years      6.0 Years     

      The aggregate intrinsic value (the amount by which a call option is in the money, calculated by taking the difference between the strike price and the market price of the underlying securities) of options outstanding was $9.6 million at December 31, 2014, $5.6 million at December 31, 2013, and $1.5 million at December 31, 2012.
 2016
 Number of Stock Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Aggregate Intrinsic value
     (in years) (dollars in thousands)
Outstanding at January 1, 20161,059,086
 $11.35
    
Granted155,000
 20.51
    
Exercised(117,750) 11.39
    
Forfeited and Expired(12,669) 14.58
    
Outstanding at December 31, 20161,083,667
 $12.61
 6.2 $24,639
Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2016716,651
 $10.10
 5.1 $18,094
 
The aggregate intrinsic value of vested options outstanding was $5.8 million at December 31, 2014, $3.4 million at December 31, 2013, and $695,000 at December 31, 2012.
The aggregatetotal intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $536,000.  The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during 2013 was $277,000$2.0 million, $60,000 and the aggregate intrinsic value of options forfeited and expired during 2013 was $24,000.$498,000, respectively.
  
The amount charged against compensation expense in relation to the stock options was $883,000 for 2016, $905,000 for 2015 and $514,000 for 2014 and $943,000 for 2013.2014.  At December 31, 2014,2016, unrecognized compensation expense related to the options is approximately $515,000 for 2015 and $292,000 for 2016.$1.0 million.
INDEX

 
Options granted under the Option Plans during 2014, 20132016, 2015 and 20122014 were valued using the Black-Scholes model with the following average assumptions:
 Year Ended December 31,
 2016 2015 2014
Expected volatility21.98% - 26.88% 29.47% 18.47% - 21.72%
Expected term6.00 Years 6.00 Years 6.00 Years
Expected dividendsNone None None
Risk free rate1.32% - 1.83% 1.39% 1.81% - 2.10%
Weighted-average grant date fair value$5.55 $4.73 $3.69

The following is the listing of the input variables and the assumptions utilized by the Company for each parameter used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model in prior years:

Risk-free Rate
 Year Ended December 31,
 201420132012
    
Expected volatility16.2% - 18.5%22.2% - 25.82%23.14%
Expected term6.0 Years10.0 Years10.0 Years
Expected dividendsNoneNoneNone
Risk free rate1.81% - 2.10%1.78% - 2.67%1.57%
Weighted-average grant date fair value$3.28 - $3.67$3.93 - $5.87$7.87


– The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option have been based on the U.S. Treasury rate that matures on the expected assigned life of the option at the date of the grant.
Expected Life of Options – The expected life of options is based on the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding.
Expected Volatility –The expected volatility has been based on the historical volatility for the Company’s shares.
Dividend Yield – The dividend yield has been based on historical experience and expected future changes on dividend payouts. The Company does not expect to declare or pay dividends on its common stock within the foreseeable future.
Restricted Stock

Below is a summary of the restricted stock activity in the Plans for the years ended December 31, 2016:
 2016
 Shares Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value per share
Unvested at the beginning of the year60,000
 $15.46
Granted340,825
 24.30
Vested(16,666) 15.16
Forfeited(13,825) 17.60
Unvested at the end of the year370,334
 $23.53

Compensation expense of $1.8 million was recorded related to the above restricted stock grants for the year ended December 31, 2016. Restricted stock awards are valued at the closing stock price on the date of grant and are expensed to stock based compensation expense over the period for which the related service is performed. The total grant date fair value of awards was $8.3 million for 2016 awards. At December 31, 2016, unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted stock is approximately $6.9 million.

Other Plans

Salary Continuation Plan—The Bank implemented a non-qualified supplemental retirement plan in 2006 (the “Salary Continuation Plan”) for certain executive officers of the Bank.  The Salary Continuation Plan is unfunded.  The amounts expensed in 2014 and 2013 under the Salary Continuation Plan amounted to $200,000 and $122,000, respectively.  As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, $3.3 million and $1.0 million, respectively, were recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated statements of condition for the Salary Continuation Plan.


Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan—The Bank created a Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan in September 2006 which allows directors to defer board of directors’ fees.  In addition, the Company contributes to the plan $4,000 per year for non-executive directors that do not receive Company provided long-term care insurance. The deferred compensation is credited with interest by the Bank at prime plusminus one percent and the accrued liability is payable upon retirement or resignation.  The Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan is unfunded.  The Company is under no obligation to make matching contributions to the plan.  At December 31, 2014 the liability for the plan was $1.2 million compared to $1.1 million at December 31, 2013.  The expense for 2014 was $96,000 compared to $823,000 for 2013.

Long-Term Care Insurance Plan—The Bank implemented a Long-Term Care Insurance Planamounts expensed in September 20062016, 2015, and 2014 for the executive officersall of these plans amounted to $573,000 and directors of the Bank.  The non-employee directors may elect not to participate in the insurance plan.  For those who opt out, the amount of the insurance premium, up to $4,000 annually, will be recorded each month to their deferred compensation account with interest.  The expense for 2014$555,000, and 2013 was $22,000 and $19,000, respectively, for this plan.$461,000 respectively.  As of December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, $5.7 million, $5.4 million, and 2013, $115,000 and $92,000,$4.0 million, respectively, waswere recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated statements of condition for the insurance plan.each of these plans.
  
14.

17. 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 in the form of originating loans or providing funds under existing lines or letters of credit.  These commitments 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 and may require payment of a fee.  Since many commitments are expected to expire, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  Commitments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition.
 
The Company's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual or notional amount of those instruments.  The Company controls credit risk of its commitments to fund loans through credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures.  The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.  The Company evaluates each customer for creditworthiness.
 
The Company receives collateral to support commitments when deemed necessary.  The most significant categories of collateral include real estate properties underlying mortgage loans, liens on personal property and cash on deposit with the Bank.
 
The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses to provide for commitments related to loans associated with undisbursed loan funds and unused lines of credit.  The allowance for these commitments was $397,000$1.1 million at December 31, 20142016 and $341,000$603,000 at December 31, 2013.2015.
 
The Company’s commitments to extend credit at December 31, 20142016 were $355.0$581 million and $337.2$415 million at December 31, 2013.2015.  The 20142016 balance is primarily composed of $140.1$332 million of undisbursed commitments for C&I loans and $105.3 million of undisbursed warehouse loans.
 
15.
18. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
FairThe fair value of an asset or liability is the exchange price that would be received for anto sell that asset or paid to transfer athat liability (an exit price)in an orderly transaction occurring in the principal ormarket (or most advantageous market in the absence of a principal market) for such asset or liability. In estimating fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that are consistent with the market approach, the income approach, and/or the cost approach. Such valuation techniques are consistently applied. Inputs to valuation techniques include the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. ASC Topic 825 requires disclosure of the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities, including both those financial assets and financial liabilities that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis and a non-recurring basis. The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value, and for estimating the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities not recorded at fair value, are discussed below.

In accordance with accounting guidance, the Company groups its financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. 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 are described 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 - Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar instruments in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.  The fair value hierarchy prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used in fair value calculations.  The three levels of inputs are defined as follows:
Level 1 – unadjustedactive markets, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilitiessimilar instruments in markets that are not active, markets accessible by the Company
Level 2 – inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, prepayment speeds, volatilities, etc.) or model-based valuation techniques where all significant assumptions are observable, either directly or indirectly, in the marketplace other than those inputs classified as Level 1market.

Level 3 - Valuation is generated from model-based techniques where one or more significant inputs that are unobservablenot observable, either directly or indirectly, in the marketplacemarket. These unobservable assumptions reflect the Company’s own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques may include use of matrix pricing, discounted cash flow models, and significant to the valuationsimilar techniques.
 
Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the fair values presented. The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company to estimateManagement uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of itsthe Company’s financial instruments; however, there are inherent limitations in any estimation technique. Therefore, for substantially all financial instruments, the fair value estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could have realized in a sales transaction at December 31, 20142016 and 2013:December 31, 2015.
A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Management maximizes the use of observable inputs and attempts to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value measurements. The following is a description of both the general and specific valuation methodologies used for certain instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of these instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

Cash and due from banksThe carrying amounts of cash and short-term instruments approximate fair values and are classified as Level 1.value due to the liquidity of these instruments.

Securities Available for Sale – Where possible,—AFS securities are generally valued based upon quotes obtained from an independent third-party pricing service, which uses evaluated pricing applications and model processes. Observable market inputs, such as, benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data are considered as part of the evaluation. The inputs are related directly to the security being evaluated, or indirectly to a similarly situated security. Market assumptions and market data are utilized in the valuation models. The Company reviews the market prices provided by the third-party pricing service for reasonableness based on the Company’s understanding of the market place and credit issues related to the securities. The Company has not made any adjustments to the market quotes provided by them and, accordingly, the Company utilizes quoted market prices to measure debt and equity securities; such items are classified as Level 1 in the hierarchy and include equity securities, US government bonds and securities issued by federally sponsored agencies.  When quoted market prices for identical assets are unavailable or the market for the asset is not sufficiently active, varying valuation techniques are used.  Common inputs in valuing these assets include, among others, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, forward mortgage-backed securities trade prices and recently reported trades.  Such assets are classified ascategorized its investment portfolio within Level 2 inof the hierarchy and typically include private label mortgage-backed securities and corporate bonds.  Pricing on these securities are provided to the Company by a pricing service vendor.  In the Level 3 category, the Company is classifying all the securities that the Company pricing service vendor cannot price due to lack of trade activity in these securities.fair value hierarchy.

FHLB, and Federal Reserve BankFRB, Other StockThe carrying value approximates the fair value based upon the redemption provisions of the stock. It is not practical to determine the fair value of FHLB or FRB stock and are classified as Level 1.due to restrictions placed on its transferability.
 
Loans Held for Sale - InvestmentThe fair value of loans, heldother than loans on nonaccrual status, was estimated by discounting the remaining contractual cash flows using the estimated current rate at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit risk characteristics and for salethe same remaining maturities, reduced by deferred net loan origination fees and the allocable portion of the allowance for loan losses. Accordingly, in determining the estimated current rate for discounting purposes, no adjustment has been made for any change in borrowers’ credit risks since the origination of such loans. Rather, the allocable portion of the allowance for loan losses is determined, when possible,considered to provide for such changes in estimating fair value. As a result, this fair value is not necessarily

the value which would be derived using quoted secondary-market prices.  If no such quoted price exists,an exit price. These loans are included within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Loans Held for Sale—The fair values of aLHFS are based on quoted market prices, where available, or are determined by discounting estimated cash flows using interest rates approximating the Corporation’s current origination rates for similar loans adjusted to reflect the inherent credit risk. The borrower-specific credit risk is embedded within the quoted market prices or is implied by considering loan is determined using quoted prices for a similar asset or assets, adjusted for the specific attributes of that loan.  Loans held for sale are classified as Level 2.performance when selecting comparables.
 
Loans Held for Investment— For variable-rateImpaired loans that re-price frequently and have no significant change in credit risk, fair valuesOREO—Impaired loans and OREO assets are based on carrying values resulting in a Level 3 classification.  The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable approximates its fair value as a Level 1 classification.
Other real estate owned Other real estate owned represents real estate that the Company has taken control of in partial or full satisfaction of loans.  At the time of foreclosure, other real estate owned is recorded at the fair value of the real estate, less estimated costs to sell which becomesat the property’s new basis.  Fair valuestime of foreclosure. The fair value of impaired loans and OREO assets are generally based on third partyrecent real estate appraisals adjusted for estimated selling costs. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments are typically significant and result in a Level 3 classification of the property less any estimated selling costs and are classified as Level 2.inputs for determining fair value.
 
Accrued Interest Receivable/Payable Deposit Accounts and Short-term Borrowings—The carrying amount approximatesamounts payable to depositors for demand, savings, and money market accounts, and short-term borrowings are considered to approximate fair value. The fair value and are classified as Level 1.
Deposit Accounts— The fair values estimated for demand deposits (interest and noninterest checking, passbook savings, and certain types of money market accounts) are equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amounts) resulting in a Level 1 classification.  Fair values for fixed-ratefixed-maturity certificates of deposit areis estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on certificates to a schedulecalculation. Interest-bearing deposits and borrowings are included within Level 2 of the aggregate expected monthly maturities on time deposits in a Level 2 classification.  The carrying amount of accrued interest payable approximates its fair value as a Level 1 classification.hierarchy.
 
Term FHLB Advances and Other Long-term Borrowings— For these instruments, the fair value of short term borrowings is estimated to be the carrying amount and is classified as Level 1.  The fair value of long term borrowings and debentures is determined using rates currently available for similar borrowings or debentures with similar credit risk and for the remaining maturities and are classified as Level 2.  The carrying amount of accrued interest payable approximates its fair value as a Level 2 classification.
 
Subordinated DebenturesThe fair value of subordinated debentures is estimated by discounting the balance by the current three-month LIBOR rate plus the current market spread. The fair value is determined based on the maturity date as the Company does not currently have intentions to call the debenture and are classified as Level 2.
Off-balance sheet commitments and standby letters of credit – The majority of the Bank’s commitments to extend credit carry current market interest rates if converted to loans.  Because these commitments are generally unassignable by either the Bank or the borrower, they only have value to the Bank and the borrower.  The notional amount disclosed for off-balance sheet commitments and standby letters of credit is the amount available to be drawn down on all lines and letters of credit.  The cost to assume is calculated at 10% of the notional amount and is classified as Level 2.
 
Estimated fair values are disclosed for financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate fair value. These estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market data and information about the financial instruments. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument for sale at one time, nor do they attempt to estimate the value of anticipated future business related to the instruments. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in any of these estimates.


The fair value estimates presented herein are based on pertinent information available to management as of December 31, 20142016 and 2013.

2015.
  At December 31, 2014 
  
Carrying
Amount
  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  
Estimated
Fair Value
 
  (in thousands)          
Assets:               
Cash and cash equivalents $110,925  $110,925  $-  $-  $110,925 
Securities available for sale  201,638   -   201,638   -   201,638 
Federal Reserve Bank and FHLB stock, at cost  17,067   17,067   -   -   17,067 
Loans held for investment, net  1,616,422   -   -   2,116,719   2,116,719 
Accrued interest receivable  7,131   7,131   -   -   7,131 
Other real estate owned  1,037   -   1,037   -   1,037 
Liabilities:                    
Deposit accounts  1,630,826   1,216,847   519,898   -   1,736,745 
FHLB advances  70,000   70,025   -   -   70,025 
Other borrowings  46,643   -   48,312   -   48,312 
Subordinated debentures  70,310   -   33,456   -   33,456 
Accrued interest payable  209   209   -   -   209 
                     
  Notional Amount  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  
Cost to Cede
or Assume
 
Off-balance sheet commitments and standby letters of credit $355,024  $-  $35,502  $-  $35,502 
                     
  At December 31, 2013 
  
Carrying
Amount
  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  
Estimated
Fair Value
 
  (in thousands)             
Assets:                    
Cash and cash equivalents $126,813  $126,813  $-  $-  $126,813 
Securities available for sale  256,089   -   256,089   -   256,089 
Federal Reserve Bank and FHLB stock, at cost  15,450   15,450   -   -   15,450 
Loans held for sale, net  3,147   -   3,147   -   3,147 
Loans held for investment, net  1,231,923   -   -   1,230,316   1,230,316 
Accrued interest receivable  6,254   6,254   -   -   6,254 
Other real estate owned  1,186   -   1,186   -   1,186 
Liabilities:                    
Deposit accounts  1,306,286   991,630   301,007   -   1,292,637 
FHLB advances  156,000   156,000   -   -   156,000 
Other borrowings  48,091   -   49,058   -   49,058 
Subordinated debentures  10,310   -   4,696   -   4,696 
Accrued interest payable  166   166   -   -   166 
                     
  Notional Amount  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  
Cost to Cede
or Assume
 
Off-balance sheet commitments and standby letters of credit $337,181  $-  $33,718  $-  $33,718 


  At December 31, 2016
  
Carrying
Amount
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
Estimated
Fair Value
  (dollars in thousands)
Assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents $156,857
 $156,857
 $
 $
 $156,857
Interest-bearing time deposits with financial institutions 3,944
 3,944
 
 
 3,944
Investments held to maturity 8,565
 
 8,461
   8,461
Investment securities available-for-sale 380,963
 
 380,963
 
 380,963
FHLB, FRB and other stock 37,304
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
Loans held for sale 7,711
 
 8,405
 
 8,405
Loans held for investment, net 3,220,317
 
 
 3,211,154
 3,211,154
Accrued interest receivable 13,145
 13,145
 
 
 13,145
Liabilities:  
  
  
  
  
Deposit accounts 3,145,485
 2,330,579
 573,467
 
 2,904,046
FHLB advances 278,000
 
 277,935
 
 277,935
Other borrowings 49,971
 
 50,905
 
 50,905
Subordinated debentures 69,383
 
 69,982
 
 69,982
Accrued interest payable 263
 263
 
 
 263
           
  At December 31, 2015
  
Carrying
Amount
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
Estimated
Fair Value
  (dollars in thousands)
Assets:  
  
  
  
  
Cash and cash equivalents $78,417
 $78,417
 $
 $
 $78,417
Interest-bearing time deposits with financial institutions 1,972
 1,972
 
 
 1,972
Investments held to maturity 9,642
 
 9,572
   9,572
Investment securities available for sale 280,273
 
 280,273
 
 280,273
FHLB, FRB and other stock 22,292
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
Loans held for sale 8,565
 
 9,507
 
 9,507
Loans held for investment, net 2,236,998
 
 
 2,244,936
 2,244,936
Accrued interest receivable 9,315
 9,315
 
 
 9,315
Liabilities:  
  
  
  
  
Deposit accounts 2,195,123
 1,674,148
 521,291
 
 2,195,439
FHLB advances 148,000
 
 148,036
 
 148,036
Other borrowings 48,125
 
 49,156
 
 49,156
Subordinated debentures 69,263
 
 68,675
 
 68,675
Accrued interest payable 206
 206
 
 
 206

A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that payment of interest and principal will not be made in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Impairment is measured based on the fair value of the underlying collateral or the discounted expected future cash flows.  The Company measures impairment on all non-accrual loans for which it has reduced the principal balance to the value of the underlying collateral less the anticipated selling cost.  As such, the Company records impaired loans as non-recurring Level 3 when the fair value

of the underlying collateral is based on an observable market price or current appraised value.  When current market prices are not available or the Company determines that the fair value of the underlying collateral is further impaired below appraised values, the Company records impaired loans as Level 3.  At December 31, 2014,2016, substantially all the Company’s impaired loans were evaluated based on the fair value of their underlying collateral based upon the most recent appraisal available to management.
 
The Company’s valuation methodologies may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values.  While management believes the Company’s valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.
 
The measures of fair value on a non-recurring basis are immaterial at December 31, 2016 and 2015. The following fair value hierarchy tables present information about the Company’s assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at the dates indicated:

 
  At December 31, 2014 
  Fair Value Measurement Using    
  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  
Assets at
Fair Value
 
  (in thousands) 
Assets            
Marketable securities $-  $201,638  $-  $201,638 
Total assets $-  $201,638  $-  $201,638 
                 
                 
  At December 31, 2013 
  Fair Value Measurement Using     
  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  
Assets at
Fair Value
 
  (in thousands) 
Assets                
Marketable securities $-  $256,089  $-  $256,089 
Total assets $-  $256,089  $-  $256,089 


  At December 31, 2016
  Fair Value Measurement Using  
  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
Securities at
Fair Value
  (dollars in thousands)
Investment securities available for sale:        
Corporate $
 $37,642
 $
 $37,642
Municipal bonds 
 118,803
 
 118,803
Collateralized mortgage obligation: residential 
 31,388
 
 31,388
Mortgage-backed securities: residential 
 193,130
 
 193,130
Total securities available for sale: $
 $380,963
 $
 $380,963
         
  At December 31, 2015
  Fair Value Measurement Using  
  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
Securities at
Fair Value
  (dollars in thousands)
Investment securities available for sale:  
  
  
  
Municipal bonds $
 $130,245
 $
 $130,245
Collateralized mortgage obligation: residential 
 24,543
 
 24,543
Mortgage-backed securities: residential 
 125,485
 
 125,485
Total securities available for sale: $
 $280,273
 $
 $280,273
  
The following table provides a summary of the financial instruments the Company measures at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2014:

  Fair Value Measurement Using 
  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Assets at Fair Value 
  (in thousands) 
Assets            
Collateral dependent impaired loans $-  $-  $921  $921 
Other real estate owned  -   1,037   -   1,037 
Total assets $-  $1,037  $921  $1,958 


The following table presents quantitative information about level 3 of fair value measurements for financial instruments measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis for the periods indicated:

  December 31, 2014 
       Range 
  Fair Value Valuation TechniquesUnobservable Inputs Rate  Maturity (years)  Unobservable Inputs 
Collateral dependent impaired loans:              
Business loans:              
Commercial owner occupied $388 Collateral valuationManagement adjustment to reflect current conditions and selling costs  6.75%  7   0-10%
Real estate loans:                  
Commercial non-owner occupied  479 Collateral valuationManagement adjustment to reflect current conditions and selling costs  7.00% - 7.50%  2 - 12   0-15%
One-to-four family  54 Collateral valuationManagement adjustment to reflect current conditions and selling costs  8.00% - 15.00%  5 - 16   0-10%
Total collateral dependent impaired loans $921               
                   
Other real estate owned                  
One-to-four family $285 Collateral valuationManagement adjustment to reflect current conditions and selling costs  --   --   0-10%
Land  752 Collateral valuationManagement adjustment to reflect current conditions and selling costs  --   --   0-10%
Total other real estate owned $1,037               

16.19. Earnings Per Share
 
Earnings per share of common stock is calculated on both a basic and diluted basis based on the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding, excluding common shares in treasury.  Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. All outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends are considered participating securities for the basic calculation.  Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted from the issuance of common stock that then would share in earnings.
 

A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used in basic and diluted earnings per share computations is presented in the table below.

  Income/(Loss)  Shares  Per Share 
  (numerator)  (denominator)  Amount 
  (dollars in thousands, except share data) 
For the year ended December 31, 2014:         
Net income applicable to earnings per share $16,616       
Basic earnings per share: Income available to common stockholders  16,616   17,046,660  $0.97 
Effect of dilutive securities: Warrants and stock option plans  -   297,317     
Diluted earnings per share: Income available to common stockholders $16,616   17,343,977  $0.96 
             
For the year ended December 31, 2013:            
Net income applicable to earnings per share $8,993         
Basic earnings per share: Income available to common stockholders  8,993   15,798,885  $0.57 
Effect of dilutive securities: Warrants and stock option plans  -   811,069     
Diluted earnings per share: Income available to common stockholders $8,993   16,609,954  $0.54 
             
For the year ended December 31, 2012:            
Net income applicable to earnings per share $15,776         
Basic earnings per share: Income available to common stockholders  15,776   10,571,073  $1.49 
Effect of dilutive securities: Warrants and stock option plans  -   412,961     
Diluted earnings per share: Income available to common stockholders $15,776   10,984,034  $1.44 

  
Income/(Loss)
(numerator)
 
Shares
(denominator)
 
Per Share
Amount
  (dollars in thousands, except share data)
For the year ended December 31, 2016:      
Net income applicable to earnings per share $40,103
    
Basic earnings per share: Income available to common stockholders 40,103
 26,931,634
 $1.49
Effect of dilutive securities: Warrants and stock option plans 
 507,525
  
Diluted earnings per share: Income available to common stockholders $40,103
 27,439,159
 $1.46
For the year ended December 31, 2015:  
  
  
Net income applicable to earnings per share $25,515
  
  
Basic earnings per share: Income available to common stockholders 25,515
 21,156,668
 $1.21
Effect of dilutive securities: Warrants and stock option plans 
 332,030
  
Diluted earnings per share: Income available to common stockholders $25,515
 21,488,698
 $1.19
For the year ended December 31, 2014:  
  
  
Net income applicable to earnings per share $16,616
  
  
Basic earnings per share: Income available to common stockholders 16,616
 17,046,660
 $0.97
Effect of dilutive securities: Warrants and stock option plans 
 297,317
  
Diluted earnings per share: Income available to common stockholders $16,616
 17,343,977
 $0.96
 
17.
20. Related Parties
 
Loans to the Company’s executive officers and directors are made in the ordinary course of businessbusiness. At December 31, 2016 and are made on substantially the same terms as comparable transactions.  There were no new loans made or outstanding to any officers or directors of2015, the Company in 2014 or 2013.had one related party loan outstanding of $2.38 million and $2.44 million, respectively.
 
At the end of 20142016 the Company had related party deposits of $2.4$354 million compared to $819,000$327 million at the end of 2013.2015. John J. Carona was appointed to the Board of Directors on March 15, 2013, in connection with the Company's acquisition of First Associations Bank ("FAB"). Mr. Carona is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Associations, Inc. ("Associa"), a Texas corporation that specializes in providing management and related services for homeowners associations located across the United States. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, $352 million and $325 million, respectively, of the related party deposits were attributable to Associa.
  

18.21. Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
 
The following is a summary of selected financial data presented below by quarter for the periods indicated:

  First  Second  Third  Fourth 
  Quarter  Quarter  Quarter  Quarter 
  (dollars in thousands, except per share data) 
For the year ended December 31, 2014            
Interest income $18,022  $19,231  $21,034  $22,037 
Interest expense  1,387   1,533   2,014   2,770 
Provision for estimated loan losses  949   1,030   1,284   1,421 
Noninterest income  2,052   2,471   4,467   5,402 
Noninterest expense  13,541   11,641   13,343   16,468 
Income tax provision  1,565   2,855   3,410   2,889 
Net income $2,632  $4,643  $5,450  $3,891 
                 
Earnings per share:                
Basic $0.15  $0.28  $0.32  $0.23 
Diluted $0.15  $0.27  $0.31  $0.23 
                 
For the year ended December 31, 2013                
Interest income $14,235  $14,936  $16,374  $17,973 
Interest expense  1,336   1,347   1,366   1,307 
Provision for estimated loan losses  296   322   646   596 
Noninterest income  1,724   2,431   2,321   2,617 
Noninterest expense  11,179   15,856   11,771   12,009 
Income tax provision  1,176   91   1,846   2,474 
Net income (loss) $1,972  $(249) $3,066  $4,204 
                 
Earnings per share:                
Basic $0.14  $(0.02) $0.19  $0.26 
Diluted $0.13  $(0.02) $0.18  $0.25 

  
First
Quarter
 
Second
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Fourth
Quarter
  (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
For the year ended December 31, 2016:        
Interest income $37,505
 $40,874
 $42,429
 $45,797
Interest expense 3,304
 3,313
 3,420
 3,493
Provision for estimated loan losses 1,120
 1,589
 4,013
 2,054
Noninterest income 4,848
 4,450
 5,968
 4,318
Noninterest expense 23,633
 23,695
 25,860
 25,377
Income tax provision 5,742
 6,358
 5,877
 7,238
Net income $8,554
 $10,369
 $9,227
 $11,953
Earnings per share:  
  
    
Basic $0.33
 $0.38
 $0.34
 $0.44
Diluted $0.33
 $0.37
 $0.33
 $0.43
For the year ended December 31, 2015:  
  
  
  
Interest income $26,626
 $30,071
 $29,747
 $31,911
Interest expense 2,952
 2,978
 3,051
 3,074
Provision for estimated loan losses 1,830
 1,833
 1,062
 1,700
Noninterest income 1,470
 4,380
 4,378
 4,217
Noninterest expense 20,469
 17,214
 17,374
 18,539
Income tax provision 1,056
 4,601
 4,801
 4,750
Net income (loss) $1,789
 $7,825
 $7,837
 $8,065
Earnings per share:  
  
  
  
Basic $0.09
 $0.36
 $0.36
 $0.38
Diluted $0.09
 $0.36
 $0.36
 $0.37
19.

22. Parent Company Financial Information
 
The Corporation is a California-based bank holding company organized in 1997 as a Delaware corporation and owns 100% of the capital stock of the Bank, its principal operating subsidiary.  The Bank was incorporated and commenced operations in 1983.  Condensed financial statements of the Corporation are as follows:
PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC.
STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(Parent company only)
  At December 31,
  2016 2015
  (dollars in thousands)
Assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $15,124
 $3,412
Investment in subsidiaries 513,606
 359,143
Other assets 2,400
 7,455
Total Assets $531,130
 $370,010
Liabilities:  
  
Subordinated debentures $69,383
 $69,263
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 2,007
 1,767
Total Liabilities 71,390
 71,030
Total Stockholders’ Equity 459,740
 298,980
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $531,130
 $370,010


PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC. 
STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION 
(Parent company only) 
  At December 31, 
  2014  2013 
  (in thousands) 
Assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $18,724  $2,873 
Deferred income taxes  3,566   3,280 
Investment in subsidiaries  247,669   179,034 
Other assets  1,544   611 
Total Assets $271,503  $185,798 
         
Liabilities:        
Subordinated debentures $70,310  $10,310 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  1,601   262 
Total Liabilities  71,911   10,572 
Total Stockholders’ Equity  199,592   175,226 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $271,503  $185,798 



PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC. 
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 
(Parent company only) 
          
  For the Years Ended December 31, 
  2014  2013  2012 
  (in thousands) 
Income:         
Interest income $36  $20  $4 
Noninterest income  2   3   24 
Total income  38   23   28 
Expense:            
Interest expense  1,543   307   326 
Noninterest expense  1,874   2,141   1,138 
Total expense  3,417   2,448   1,464 
Loss before income tax provision  (3,379)  (2,425)  (1,436)
Income tax benefit  (1,275)  (827)  (591)
Net loss  (parent only)  (2,104)  (1,598)  (845)
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries  18,720   10,591   16,621 
Net income $16,616  $8,993  $15,776 

PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Parent company only)
  For the Years Ended December 31,
  2016 2015 2014
  (dollars in thousands)
Income:      
Interest income $31
 $27
 $36
Noninterest income 
 
 2
Total income 31
 27
 38
Expense:  
  
  
Interest expense 3,844
 3,937
 1,543
Noninterest expense 3,769
 2,831
 1,874
Total expense 7,613
 6,768
 3,417
Loss before income tax provision (7,582) (6,741) (3,379)
Income tax benefit (2,785) (2,783) (1,275)
Net loss  (parent only) (4,797) (3,958) (2,104)
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries 44,900
 29,473
 18,720
Net income $40,103
 $25,515
 $16,616

PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC. 
SUMMARY STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(Parent company only) 
          
  For the Years Ended December 31, 
  2014  2013  2012 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES (in thousands) 
Net income $16,616  $8,993  $15,776 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash used in operating activities:            
Share-based compensation expense  514   943   177 
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries  (18,720)  (10,591)  (16,621)
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities  1,560   (39)  154 
Increase (decrease) in current and deferred taxes  (286)  1,153   93 
Decrease (increase) in other assets  232   (504)  44 
Net cash used in operating activities  (84)  (45)  (377)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:            
Dividend from Bank  2,472   -   800 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance cost  -   4,560   30,958 
Repurchase of common stock  (5,638)  (59)  (195)
Proceeds from exercise of options and warrants  267   90   237 
Capital contribution to Bank  (40,000)  (8,700)  (25,000)
Proceeds from issuance of subordinated debentures  58,834   -   - 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  15,935   (4,109)  6,800 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  15,851   (4,154)  6,423 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year  2,873   7,027   604 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $18,724  $2,873  $7,027 

 
20. Acquisitions
PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC.
SUMMARY STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Parent company only)
  For the Years Ended December 31,
  2016 2015 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES (dollars in thousands)
Net income $40,103
 $25,515
 $16,616
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash used in operating activities:  
  
  
Share-based compensation expense 2,729
 1,165
 514
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries and dividends from the bank (44,901) (29,473) (16,248)
Increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities 240
 166
 1,560
Increase (decrease) in current and deferred taxes 
 3,566
 (286)
Decrease (increase) in other assets 4,794
 (6,893) 232
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 2,965
 (5,954) 2,388
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:  
  
  
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance cost 
 
 
Repurchase of common stock (125) (116) (5,638)
Proceeds from exercise of options and warrants 1,107
 758
 267
Capital contribution to Bank 7,765
 (10,000) (40,000)
Proceeds from issuance of subordinated debentures 
 
 58,834
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 8,747
 (9,358) 13,463
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 11,712
 (15,312) 15,851
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 3,412
 18,724
 2,873
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $15,124
 $3,412
 $18,724
  
Infinity Franchise Holdings Acquisition
23. Acquisitions
On November 18, 2013, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately held Infinity Franchise Holdings, LLC (“Infinity Holdings”) and its wholly owned operating subsidiary Infinity Franchise Capital, LLC (“IFC” and together with Infinity Holdings, “Infinity”), a national lender to franchisees in the quick service restaurant (“QSR”) industry, and other direct and indirect subsidiaries utilized in its business.  The acquisition was completed on January 30, 2014, whereby we acquired $80.8 million in assets, $709,000 in liabilities and paid off their credit facility of $67.6 million.  Infinity had no delinquent loans or adversely classified assets as of the acquisition date.  The acquisition of Infinity is expected to further diversify our loan portfolio with commercial and industrial and owner-occupied commercial real estate loans, to deploy excess liquidity into higher yielding assets, to positively impact our net interest margin and to further leverage our strong capital base.  The QSR franchisee lending business is a niche market that provides attractive growth opportunities for the Company in the future.  The value of the total consideration paid for the Infinity acquisition was $16.9 million, which consisted of $9.0 million paid in cash and the issuance of 562,469 shares of the Corporation’s stock, which was valued at $16.02 per share as measured by the 10-day average closing price immediately prior to closing of the transaction.
The following table represents the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of IFC as of January 30, 2014 and the provisional fair value adjustments and amounts recorded by the Company in 2014 under the acquisition method of accounting:

  
IFC
Book Value
  
Fair Value
Adjustments
  
Fair
Value
 
  (dollars in thousands) 
ASSETS ACQUIRED         
Cash and cash equivalents $555  $-  $555 
Loans  78,833   -   78,833 
Deferred loan costs  1,082   (1,082)  - 
Allowance for loan losses  (268)  268   - 
Other assets  776   -   776 
Total assets acquired $80,978  $(814) $80,164 
             
LIABILITIES ASSUMED            
Bank loan $67,617  $-  $67,617 
Accrued compensation  495   -   495 
Other liabilities  214   -   214 
Total liabilities assumed  68,326   -   68,326 
Excess of assets acquired over liabilities assumed $12,652  $(814)  11,838 
Consideration paid          17,360 
Goodwill recognized         $5,522 


San Diego TrustSecurity Bank Acquisition

On June 25, 2013,January 31, 2016, the Company completed its acquisition of San Diego Trust BankSecurity California Bancorp (“SDTB”SCAF”) whereby we acquired $714 million in exchange for consideration valued at $30.6total assets, $456 million which consistedin loans and $637 million in total deposits. Under the terms of $16.2 millionthe merger agreement, each share of cash and 1,198,255SCAF common stock was converted into the right to receive 0.9629 shares of the Corporation’s common stock. The value of the total deal consideration was $120 million, which includes $788,000 of aggregate cash consideration to the holders of SCAF stock options and the issuance of 5,815,051 shares of the Corporation’s common stock, valued at $119.4 million based on a closing stock price of $20.53 per share on January 29, 2016.

SDTBSCAF was the holding company of Security Bank of California, a San Diego,Riverside, California, based state-chartered bank.  The acquisition was an opportunity for the Company to acquire a banking network that complemented our existing banking franchisebank with six branches located in Riverside County, San Bernardino County and expanded into a new market area.  Additionally, the SDTB acquisition improved the Company’s deposit base by lowering our cost of deposits and providing an opportunity to accelerate future core deposit growth in the San Diego, California, market area.Orange County.

Goodwill in the amount of $5.6$51.7 million was recognized in thisthe SCAF acquisition. Goodwill represents the future economic benefits arising from net assets acquired that are not individually identified and separately recognized and is attributable to synergies expected to be derived from the combination of the two entities. Goodwill recognized in this transaction is not deductible for income tax purposes.

The following table represents the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of SDTBSCAF as of June 25, 2013January 31, 2016 and the provisional fair value adjustments and amounts recorded by the Company in 20132016 under the acquisition method of accounting:

  
SDTB
Book Value
  
Fair Value
Adjustments
  
Fair
Value
 
  (dollars in thousands) 
ASSETS ACQUIRED         
Cash and cash equivalents $30,252  $-  $30,252 
Investment securities  124,960   (155)  124,805 
Loans, gross  42,945   (223)  42,722 
Allowance for loan losses  (1,013)  1,013   - 
Other real estate owned  752   -   752 
Core deposit intangible  -   2,836   2,836 
Other assets  9,856   -   9,856 
Total assets acquired $207,752  $3,471  $211,223 
             
LIABILITIES ASSUMED            
Deposits $183,901  $6  $183,907 
Deferred tax liability (asset)  (333)  1,507   1,174 
Other liabilities  1,823   (729)  1,094 
Total liabilities assumed  185,391   784   186,175 
Excess of assets acquired over liabilities assumed $22,361  $2,687   25,048 
Consideration paid          30,622 
Goodwill recognized         $5,574 

The Company accounted for these transactions under the acquisition method of accounting which requires purchased assets and liabilities assumed to be recorded at their respective fair values at the date of acquisition.  The Company determined the fair value of the core deposit intangible, securities and deposits with the assistance of third-party valuations.  The fair value of other real estate owned (“OREO”) was based on recent appraisals of the properties.
The estimated fair values are subject to refinement as additional information relative to the closing date fair values become available through the measurement period, which can extend for up to one year after the closing date of the transaction.  While additional significant changes to the closing date fair values are not expected, any information relative to the changes in these fair values will be evaluated to determine if such changes are due to events and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date.  During the measurement period, any such changes will be recorded as part of the closing date fair value.

First Association
 
SCAF
Book Value
 
Fair Value
Adjustments
 
Fair
Value
 (dollars in thousands)
ASSETS ACQUIRED     
Cash and cash equivalents$40,947
 $
 $40,947
Interest-bearing deposits with financial institutions1,972
 
 1,972
Investment securities191,881
 (1,627) 190,254
Loans, gross467,197
 (11,039) 456,158
Allowance for loan losses(7,399) 7,399
 
Fixed assets5,335
 (1,145) 4,190
Core deposit intangible493
 3,826
 4,319
Deferred tax assets5,618
 1,130
 6,748
Other assets10,589
 (1,227) 9,362
Total assets acquired$716,633
 $(2,683) $713,950
LIABILITIES ASSUMED 
  
  
Deposits$636,450
 $141
 $636,591
Borrowings
 
 
Deferred tax liability
 
 
Other Liabilities9,063
 (220) 8,843
Total liabilities assumed645,513
 (79) 645,434
Excess of assets acquired over liabilities assumed$71,120
 $(2,604) 68,516
Consideration paid 
  
 120,174
Goodwill recognized 
  
 $51,658

Independence Bank Acquisition

On March 15, 2013,January 26, 2015, the Company completed its acquisition of First AssociationIndependence Bank (“FAB”IDPK”) in exchange for consideration valued as of the closing at $57.9$79.8 million, which consisted of $43.0$6.1 million of cash consideration for IDPK common stockholders, $1.5 million of aggregate cash consideration to the holders of IDPK stock options and 1,279,217warrants, $1.3 million fair market value of warrants assumed and the issuance of 4,480,645 shares of the Corporation’s common stock.stock, which was valued at $70.9 million based on the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock on January 26, 2015 of $15.83 per share.
 
FABIDPK was a Dallas, Texas,Newport Beach, California based bank which specialized in providing commercial banking services to home owner association (“HOA”) management companies throughout the United States.state-chartered bank. The FAB acquisition was an opportunity for the Company to acquire a highly efficient, consistently profitablestrengthen its competitive position as one of the premier community banks headquartered in Southern California. Additionally, the IDPK acquisition enhanced and niche-focused business that complimented our banking franchise.  Additionally, this acquisition improvedconnected the Company’s deposit base by lowering our cost of deposits and providing a platform to accelerate future core deposit growth from HOAs.footprint in Southern California.

Goodwill in the amount of $11.9$27.9 million was recognized in thisthe IDPK acquisition. Goodwill represents the future economic benefits arising from net assets acquired that are not individually identified and separately recognized and is attributable to synergies expected to be derived from the combination of the two entities. Goodwill recognized in this transaction is not deductible for income tax purposes.

The following table represents the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of FABIDPK as of March 15, 2013,January 26, 2015 and the provisional fair value adjustments and amounts recorded by the Company in 20132015 under the acquisition method of accounting:

 
IDPK
Book Value
 
Fair Value
Adjustments
 
Fair
Value
 (dollars in thousands)
ASSETS ACQUIRED     
Cash and cash equivalents$10,486
 $
 $10,486
Investment securities56,503
 (382) 56,121
Loans, gross339,502
 (6,609) 332,893
Allowance for loan losses(3,301) 3,301
 
Deferred income taxes5,266
 (472) 4,794
Bank owned life insurance11,276
 
 11,276
Core deposit intangible904
 1,999
 2,903
Other assets3,756
 780
 4,536
Total assets acquired$424,392
 $(1,383) $423,009
      
LIABILITIES ASSUMED     
Deposits335,685
 333
 336,018
FHLB advances33,300
 
 33,300
Other liabilities1,916
 (120) 1,796
Total liabilities assumed370,901
 213
 371,114
Excess of assets acquired over liabilities assumed$53,491
 $(1,596) 51,895
Consideration paid    79,777
Goodwill recognized    $27,882

The Company accounted for these transactions under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, which requires purchased assets and liabilities assumed to be recorded at their respective fair values at the date of acquisition.


  
FAB
Book Value
  
Fair Value
Adjustments
  
Fair
Value
 
ASSETS ACQUIRED (dollars in thousands) 
Cash and cash equivalents $167,663  $-  $167,663 
Investment securities  219,913   2,478   222,391 
Loans, gross  26,264   158   26,422 
Allowance for loan losses  (224)  224   - 
Core deposit intangible  -   1,930   1,930 
Other assets  5,823   -   5,823 
Total assets acquired $419,439  $4,790  $424,229 
             
LIABILITIES ASSUMED            
Deposits $356,737  $81  $356,818 
Borrowings  16,905   -   16,905 
Deferred tax liability  -   3,918   3,918 
Other Liabilities  536   -   536 
Total liabilities assumed  374,178   3,999   378,177 
Excess of assets acquired over liabilities assumed $45,261  $791   46,052 
Consideration paid          57,906 
Goodwill recognized         $11,854 

The loan portfolios of IDPK and SCAF were recorded at fair value at the date of each acquisition. A valuation of IDPK and SCAF's loan portfolio was performed as of the acquisition dates to assess the fair value of the loan portfolio. The loan portfolios were both segmented into two groups; loan with credit deterioration and loans without credit deterioration, and then split further by loan type. The fair value was calculated on an individual loan basis using a discounted cash flow analysis. The discount rate utilized was based on a weighted average cost of capital, considering the cost of equity and cost of debt. Also factored into the fair value estimates were loss rates, recovery period and prepayment rates based on industry standards.

ThereThe Company also determined the fair value of the core deposit intangible, securities and deposits with the assistance of third-party valuations as well as the fair value of other real estate owned (“OREO”) was based on recent appraisals of the properties.

The core deposit intangible on non-maturing deposit was determined by evaluating the underlying characteristics of the deposit relationships, including customer attrition, deposit interest rates, service charge income, overhead expense and costs of alternative funding. Since the fair value of intangible assets are calculated as if they were no purchased credit impaired loans acquiredstand-alone assets, the presumption is that a hypothetical buyer of the intangible asset would be able to take advantage of potential tax benefits resulting from FAB, SDTB or IFC.  the asset purchase. The value of the benefit is the present value over the period of the tax benefit, using the discount rate applicable to the asset.

In determining the fair value of certificates of deposit, a discounted cash flow analysis was used, which involved present valuing the contractual payments over the remaining life of the certificates of deposit at market-based interest rates..


For loans acquired from FAB, SDTBIDPK and IFC,SCAF, the contractual amounts due, expected cash flows to be collected, interest component and fair value as of the respective acquisition dates were as follows:
 

  Acquired Loans
  IDPK SCAF
  (dollars in thousands)
Contractual amounts due $453,987
 $539,806
Cash flows not expected to be collected 3,795
 2,765
Expected cash flows 450,192
 537,041
Interest component of expected cash flows 117,299
 80,883
Fair value of acquired loans $332,893
 $456,158
  Acquired Loans 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Contractual amounts due $177,678 
Cash flows not expected to be collected  - 
     
Expected cash flows  177,678 
Interest component of expected cash flows  29,701 
     
Fair value of acquired loans $147,977 

In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles there was no carryover of the allowance for loan losses that had been previously recorded by FAB, SDTB, or IFC.SCAF and IDPK
 
The operating results of the Company for the twelve months ending December 31, 20142016 include the operating results of FAB, SDTBSCAF and IFCIDPK since their respective acquisition dates.  The following table presents the net interest and other income, net income and earnings per share as if the merger with FAB, SDTBSCAF and IFCIDPK were effective as of January 1, 2016, 2015 and 2014 2013for the respective year in which each acquisition was closed.  The unaudited pro forma information in the following table is intended for informational purposes only and 2012.  There were no material, nonrecurring adjustmentsis not necessarily indicative of our future operating results or operating results that would have occurred had the mergers been completed at the beginning of each respective year. No assumptions have been applied to the pro forma results of operations regarding possible revenue enhancements, expense efficiencies or asset dispositions.

Unaudited pro forma net interest and other income, net income and earnings per share presented below:

  Twelve months Ended December 31, 
  2014  2013  2012 
          
Net interest and other income $87,047  $72,515  $72,613 
             
Net income  16,235   9,231   15,484 
             
Basic earnings per share $0.95  $0.51  $1.19 
             
Diluted earnings per share $0.94  $0.48  $1.15 


 Year Ended December 31,
 2016 2015 2014
Net interest and other income$122,465
 $122,316
 $116,723
Net income43,661
 38,927
 24,959
Basic earnings per share1.62
 1.44
 0.92
Diluted earnings per share1.59
 1.42
 0.91

21.
24. Subsequent Events
 
Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and Independence BankHeritage Oak Bancorp
 
On October 22, 2014,December 13, 2016, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitivean agreement to acquire IndependenceHeritage Oaks Bancorp ("HEOP"), the holding company of Heritage Oaks Bank, a Newport Beach,Paso Robles, California based state-chartered bank (“Heritage Oaks Bank”) with six branches located in Orange County and Riverside County.  This transaction will strengthen the Company’s competitive position as one of the premier banks headquartered in Southern California.  The acquisition was completed on January 26, 2015, whereby we acquired $424.0 million$2.0 billion in total assets, $334.7 million$1.4 billion in gross loans and $336.1 million$1.7 billion in total deposits.  This transaction allowed us to acquiredeposits at December 31, 2016. Heritage Oaks, operates branches within San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties and a commercial banking franchiseloan production office in our backyard.  The Independence Bank branch locations will connect our existing footprint between Orange County and the broader Coachella Valley and represents an important element of our strategic growth plan by providing meaningful operational scale in our core markets.  The acquisition also allows us to deploy a portion of our current capital base into a compelling investment which we anticipate will produce attractive returns for shareholders.  Ventura County. Under the terms of the merger agreement, each share of Independence BankSecurity common stock was converted into the right to receive $13.75 per share in cash or 0.92590.3471 shares of Company common stock, or a combination thereof,stock.

The Proposed Transaction is expected to close late in the first quarter of 2017, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and approval of HEOP’s and the overall requirement that approximately 10%Corporation’s shareholders. Directors and executive officers of HEOP have entered into agreements with the Corporation and HEOP whereby they committed to vote their shares of HEOP common stock in favor of the consideration will be inacquisition. For additional information about the formproposed acquisition of cashHEOP, see the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 13, 2016 and approximately 90% will be in the form of Company common stock.  The value of the total deal consideration was $78.5 million,Merger Agreement which includes $6.1 million of cash consideration for Independence Bank common stockholders, $1.5 million of aggregate cash considerationis filed as an exhibit to the holdersCurrent Report on Form 8-K.


The Company filed Amendment No. 2 to Form S-4 Registration Statement on February 23, 2017, to solicit shareholders to vote for the approval of Independence Bank stock options and warrants, and the issuance of 4,480,645 shares of the Corporation’sPacific Premier common stock whichin connection with the merger. A record date of February 23, 2017 was valuedestablished for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at $70.9 million baseda special meeting of shareholders to be held on March 27, 2017. The SEC declared the closing stock priceRegistration Statement effective on February 27, 2017.

Corporation Line of Credit Matured

The Corporation acquired a line of credit with U.S. Bank in January of 2016, with availability of $15 million. The line was added to provide an additional source of liquidity at the Company’s common stock onCorporation level and was drawn upon to cover expenses related to the acquisition of SCAF. The line has no outstanding balance at December 31, 2016 and matured in January 26, 2015 of $15.83 per share.2017.

 
None.
  
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(c) and 15d-15(c)) under the Exchange Act as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.  In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.
 
Based on our evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K in providing reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose in periodic reports that we file or submit to the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
Our management 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.  Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.  Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
 
·  pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, and
·  provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with the authorization of its management and directors; and

·  provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with the authorization of its management and directors; and
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Our management assessed the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014.2016.  In making this assessment, management used the framework set forth in the report entitled “Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013)” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, or COSO.  The COSO framework summarizes each of the components of a company’s internal control system, including (i) the control environment, (ii) risk assessment, (iii) control activities, (iv) information and communication, and (v) monitoring.  Based on this assessment, our management believes that, as of December 31, 2014,2016, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.
 
Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co.,Crowe Horwath LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the Company’s financial statements included in the Annual Report, issued an audit report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of, and for the year ended December 31, 2014.  Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co.,2016.  Crowe Horwath, LLP’s audit report appears in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Report.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
We regularly review our system of internal control over financial reporting and make changes to our processes and systems to improve controls and increase efficiency, while ensuring that we maintain an effective internal control environment.  Changes may include such activities as implementing new, more efficient systems, consolidating activities, and migrating processes.
 
As of the end of the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2014,2016, there were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act that hashave materially affected, or isare reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
  
 
None
 


PART III
  


Directors

Below is information regarding each of our directors.
 
Kenneth A. Boudreau, 67, has served as a director of the Company’s Board since 2005. Mr. Boudreau retired in 2012 and is providing management consulting services to the commercial aerospace industry.  He was previously President of Coast Composites, Inc., a manufacturing concern in Irvine, California. He joined Coast Composites in 2008 after a 12-year career with M. C. Gill Corporation, a manufacturing concern in El Monte, California, where he last served as President and Chief Executive Officer.  Mr. Boudreau joined M. C. Gill Corporation in 1996 as its Chief Financial Officer, assumed progressive responsibilities over time, and was named President and Chief Executive Officer in 2002. Mr. Boudreau had previously been employed by The Quikset Organization in Irvine, California for 15 years where he was initially hired as their controller and advanced to lead their subsidiaries with $40 million in revenue. Mr. Boudreau is a CPA in California, and was employed by Deloitte & Touche before joining The Quikset Organization. He obtained his B.S. degree in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton. 

John J. Carona, 61, has served as a director of the Company’s Board since 2013, when he was appointed to the Board in connection with the Company’s acquisition of FAB. Mr. Carona served as a director of FAB since its inception in 2007. Mr. Carona is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Associa. Mr. Carona was a six term Senator in the State of Texas from 1990 to 2014, where he represented District 16 in Dallas County.  Previously, Mr. Carona was elected to three terms in the Texas House of Representatives.  Mr. Carona served as Chairman of the Senate Business and Commerce Committee, Joint Chairman of the Legislative Oversight Board on Windstorm Insurance and as Co-Chairman of the Joint Interim Committee to Study Seacoast Territory Insurance.  He also served as a member of the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting and the Senate Criminal Justice, Education and Jurisprudence committees. Previously, he served as Chairman of the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee. Senator Carona received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in insurance and real estate from The University of Texas at Austin in 1978.

Ayad A. Fargo, 56, was appointed to the Board of Directors on January 31, 2016, in connection with the Company’s acquisition of SCAF and its banking subsidiary Security Bank of California. Mr. Fargo has served as the President of Biscomerica Corporation, a food manufacturing company based in Rialto, California, since 1984. Prior to joining the Company’s and the Bank’s boards of directors, Mr. Fargo served as a director of SCAF and Security Bank of California since 2005. Mr. Fargo received his B.S. from Walla Walla University.

Steven R. Gardner, 56 has been President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company and Bank since 2000, and became Chairman of the Board in May 2016. Prior to joining the Company he was an executive of Hawthorne Financial since 1997 responsible for credit administration and portfolio management. He has more than 30 years of experience as a commercial banking executive. He has extensive knowledge of all facets of financial institution management, including small and middle market business banking, investment securities management, loan portfolio and credit risk management, enterprise risk management and retail banking. As the architect of both whole bank and FDIC assisted acquisitions as well as the acquisition of a nationwide specialty finance firm, Mr. Gardner has significant experience in successfully acquiring and integrating financial institutions. Mr. Gardner currently serves on the Boards of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, and he serves as the former Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. Mr. Gardner previously served as the Vice Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council, a Director and a member of the Executive Committee of the Independent Community Bankers of America (“ICBA”), a director of ICBA Holding Company and ICBA Securities, a registered broker-dealer. Additionally, Mr. Gardner served as the former

President and Chairman of the California Independent Bankers. Mr. Gardner holds a B.A. from California State University, Fullerton.

Joseph L. Garrett, 68, has served as a director of the Company’s Board since 2012. Mr. Garrett was the President, Chief Executive Officer, a member and chairman of the Board of Directors for both American Liberty Bank and Sequoia National Bank. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors for Hamilton Savings Bank. Since 2003, Mr. Garrett has been a principal at Garrett, McAuley & Co., which provides mortgage banking advisory services to commercial banks, thrifts, and mortgage banking companies. He served on the California State Controller’s Advisory Commission on Public Employee Retirement Systems and currently serves on the National Advisory Council for the Institute of Governmental Studies at the University of California (Berkeley). Mr. Garrett received his A.B. and M.B.A. from the University of California (Berkeley) and his M.A. from the University of Washington (Seattle).

John D. Goddard, 78, has served as a director of the Company’s Board since 1988. Mr. Goddard has been a Certified Public Accountant for the past 43 years. Mr. Goddard was initially employed by W.C. Brassfield, CPA from 1962 to 1965. He formed the partnership, Brassfield and Goddard, CPAs in 1965 and continued practicing there until September 1976. The firm incorporated into Goddard Accountancy Corporation, CPAs where Mr. Goddard practiced and served as President from September 1976 until December 2003. The corporation merged with the firm of Soren McAdam Christenson, LLP in January 2004. Mr. Goddard retired on January 1, 2008 from full-time practice as a CPA and now works part-time on a consulting basis.

Jeff C. Jones, 62, has served as a director of the Company’s Board since 2006, and was Chairman of the Board from August 2012 to May 2016. Mr. Jones is the current Managing Partner and current Executive Committee member of, and partner in, the regional accounting firm Frazer, LLP, which he has been with since 1977. Mr. Jones has over 30 years of experience in servicing small and medium sized business clients primarily within the real estate, construction, and agricultural industries. Mr. Jones is a past president of Inland Exchange, Inc., an accommodator corporation, and has served on the Board of Directors of Moore Stephens North America, Inc. Mr. Jones holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and a Masters of Business Taxation from Golden Gate University. Mr. Jones is a CPA in California, is licensed as a life insurance agent and holds a Series 7 securities license. 

Michael L. McKennon, 56, has served as a director of the Company’s Board since 2004, and currently chairs our Audit Committee. Mr. McKennon is a partner with the Newport Beach public accounting firm of dbbmckennon, a registered firm of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”). Prior to joining dbbmckennon, Mr. McKennon was a founding partner of the Irvine, California accounting firm of McKennon Wilson & Morgan LLP, a registered firm of the PCAOB. Mr. McKennon, a CPA in the state of California, has been responsible for audit and accounting practices since 1998 in these firms. Mr. McKennon was previously employed by the accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and Arthur Andersen & Co. Mr. McKennon has 31 years of experience in private and public accounting, auditing and consulting in Southern California. He obtained his B.A. degree in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton.

Zareh H. Sarrafian, 53, was appointed to the Board of Directors on January 31, 2016, in connection with the Company’s acquisition of SCAF and its subsidiary Security Bank of California. Mr. Sarrafian has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Riverside County Regional Medical Center in Riverside, California since 2014. Prior to that, Mr. Sarrafian served as Chief Administrative Officer at Loma Linda Medical Center in Loma Linda, California since 1998. Prior to joining the Company’s and the Bank’s boards of directors, Mr. Sarrafian served as a director of SCAF and SBOC since 2005. Mr. Sarrafian received his B.S. from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and his M.B.A. from California State University, San Bernardino.

Cora M. Tellez, 67, has served as a director of the Company’s Board since October 2015. Ms. Tellez has served as the Chief Executive Officer and President of both Sterling Health Services Administration, Inc. and Sterling Self Insurance Administration since founding the companies in 2003 and 2010, respectively. Ms. Tellez previously served as the President of the health plans division of Health Net, Inc., an insurance provider that

operated in seven states. She also has served as President of Prudential`s western healthcare operations, Chief Executive Officer of Blue Shield of California, Bay Region, and Regional Manager for Kaiser Permanente of Hawaii. Ms. Tellez serves on the boards of directors of HMS Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ:HMSY) (“HMS”) and CorMedix (NYSE:CRMD). For HMS, Ms. Tellez chairs the Nominating and Governance Committee and serves on the Audit and Compensation Committees. For CorMedix, Ms. Tellez chairs the board of directors and serves on the Audit and Nominating and Governance Committees. She also serves on several nonprofit organizations such as the Institute for Medical Quality and UC San Diego’s Center for Integrative Medicine. Ms. Tellez received her B.A. from Mills College and her M.S. in public administration from California State University, Hayward.

Executive Officers Who Are Not Serving As Directors

Below is information regarding each of our executive officers who are not directors of the Company or Bank, including their title, age, date they became an officer of the Company or the Bank, as the case may be, and a brief biography describing each executive officer’s business experience.

Edward Wilcox, 50, President and Chief Banking Officer, was hired in August 2003 as the Bank’s Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer. In September 2004, Mr. Wilcox was promoted to Executive Vice President and was responsible for overseeing loan and deposit production. In the fourth quarter of 2005, Mr. Wilcox was promoted to Chief Banking Officer and assumed responsibility of the branch network. In March 2014, Mr. Wilcox was promoted to Chief Operating Officer of the Bank. In April 2015, Mr. Wilcox was promoted to Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer and served in that role until his appointment as President and Chief Banking Officer in May 2016. Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Wilcox served as Loan Production Manager at Hawthorne Savings for two years and as the Secondary Marketing Manager at First Fidelity Investment & Loan for five years. Mr. Wilcox has an additional nine years of experience in real estate banking, including positions as Asset Manager, REO Manager and Real Estate Analyst at various financial institutions. Mr. Wilcox obtained his B.A. degree in Finance from New Mexico State University.

Ronald J. Nicolas, Jr., 58, Senior Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, was hired in May 2016. Mr. Nicolas serves as Chairman of the Bank’s Asset Liability Committee. Prior to joining the Company and Bank, Mr. Nicolas served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at each of: Banc of California (2012-2016); Carrington Holding Company, LLC (2009-2012); Residential Credit Holdings, LLC (2008-2009); Fremont Investment and Loan (2005-2008); and Aames Investment/Financial Corp. (2001-2005). Earlier in his career, Mr. Nicolas served in various capacities with KeyCorp, a $60-billion financial institution, including Executive Vice President Group Finance of KeyCorp (1998-2001), Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of KeyBank USA (1994-1998), and Vice President of Corporate Treasury (1993-1994). Before joining KeyCorp, he spent eight years at HSBC-Marine Midland Banks in a variety of financial and accounting roles. Mr. Nicolas obtained his B.S. degree in Finance and his Masters in Business Administration from Canisius College.

Michael S. Karr, 48, Senior Executive Vice President/Chief Credit Officer, was hired in April 2006.  Mr. Karr oversees the Bank’s credit functions and has responsibility for all lending and portfolio operations.  He is the Chairman of the Bank’s Management Credit Committee and its Credit and Portfolio Review Committee.  Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Karr worked for Fremont Investment & Loan for 11 years as Vice President in charge of their Commercial Real Estate Asset Management department. Mr. Karr obtained his B.A. degree in Economics and Government, cum laude, from Claremont McKenna College and his Masters in Business Administration from the University of California, Irvine.

Thomas Rice, 45, Senior Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer, was hired November 2008 as the Bank’s Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer. Mr. Rice has overseen the technology and security functions since 2008 and led the smooth systems conversions and integrations of the last seven acquisitions. Mr. Rice was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Bank in April 2015 and assumed responsibility for operations of the Bank. Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Rice was a founding

partner at Compushare where he oversaw the company’s expansion and several system conversions of his banking clients. Mr. Rice obtained his B.S. degree in Computer Information Systems from DeVry University.
Corporate Governance

We value strong corporate governance principles and adhere to the highest ethical standards. These principles and standards, along with our core values of fairness and caring, assist us in achieving our corporate mission. To foster strong corporate governance and business ethics, our Board of Directors continues to take many steps to strengthen and enhance our corporate governance practices and principles. To that end, we have adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines to achieve the following goals:

to promote the effective functioning of the Board of Directors;
to ensure that the Company conducts all of its business in accordance with the highest ethical and legal standards; and
to enhance long-term stockholder value.

The full text of our Corporate Governance Guidelines is available within our Corporate Governance Policy which is on our website at www.ppbi.com under the Investor Relations section. Our share
holders may also obtain a written copy of the guidelines at no cost by writing to us at 17901 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 1200, Irvine, California 92614, Attention: Investor Relations Department, or by calling (949) 864-8000.

The Nominating Committee of our Board of Directors administers our Corporate Governance Guidelines, reviews performance under the guidelines and the content of the guidelines annually and, when appropriate, recommends updates and revisions to our Board of Directors.

Director Qualifications, Diversity and Nomination Process

Our Nominating Committee is responsible for reviewing with the Board of Directors annually the appropriate skills and characteristics required of the Board members, and for selecting, evaluating and recommending nominees for election by this itemour stockholders. The Nominating Committee has authority to retain a third-party search firm to identify or evaluate, or assist in identifying and evaluating, potential nominees if it so desires, although it has not done so to date.

In evaluating both the current directors and the nominees for director, the Nominating Committee considers such other relevant factors, as it deems appropriate, including the current composition of the Board, the need for Audit Committee expertise, and the director qualification guidelines set forth in the Company's Corporate Governance Policy. Under the Company's Corporate Governance Policy, the factors considered by the Nominating Committee and the Board in its review of potential nominees and directors include: integrity and independence; substantial accomplishments, and prior or current association with institutions noted for their excellence; demonstrated leadership ability, with broad experience, diverse perspectives, and the ability to exercise sound business judgment; the background and experience of candidates, particularly in areas important to the operation of the Company such as business, education, finance, government, law or banking; the ability to make a significant and immediate contribution to the Board's discussions and decision-making; special skills, expertise or background that add to and complement the range of skills, expertise and background of the existing directors; career success that demonstrates the ability to make the kind of important and sensitive judgments that the Board is called upon to make; and the availability and energy necessary to perform his or her duties as a director. In addition, the Nominating Committee and the Board believe the composition of the Board should reflect sensitivity to the need for diversity as to gender, ethnic background and experience. Application of these factors involves the exercise of judgment by the Board and cannot be measured in any mathematical or routine way.

In connection with the evaluation of nominees, the Nominating Committee determines whether to interview the prospective nominee, and if warranted, one or more members of the Nominating Committee, in concert with the CEO, interviews prospective nominees. After completing its evaluation, the Nominating

Committee makes a recommendation to the full Board as to the persons who should be nominated by the Board, and the Board determines the nominees after considering the recommendation and report of the Nominating Committee.

For each of the nominees to the Board and the current directors, the biographies shown above highlight the experiences and qualifications that were among the most important to the Nominating Committee in concluding that the nominee or the director should serve or continue to serve as a director of the Company. The table below supplements the biographical information provided above.

The vertical axis displays the primary factors reviewed by the Nominating Committee in evaluating a board candidate.
BoudreauCaronaFargoGardnerGarrettGoddardJonesMcKennonSarrafianTellez
Experience, Qualifications, Skill or Attribute
Professional standing in chosen fieldXXXXXXXXXX
Expertise in financial services or related industryXXXXXXX
Audit Committee Financial Expert (actual or potential)XXXXXXX
Civic and community involvementXXXXXXXXXX
Other public company experienceXXXXXX
Leadership and team building skillsXXXXXXXXXX
Specific skills/knowledge:
 – financeXXXXXXXXXX
 – marketingXX
 – public affairsXX
 – human resourcesXXX
 – governanceXXXXXXXXXX

Our stockholders may propose director candidates for consideration by the Nominating Committee by submitting the individual's name and qualifications to our Secretary at 17901 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 1200, Irvine, CA 92614. Our Nominating Committee will consider all director candidates properly submitted by our stockholders in accordance with our Bylaws and Corporate Governance Guidelines.

Board of Directors Independence

The Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank currently have ten (10) members serving, all of whom are elected annually and will continue to serve until their successors are elected and qualified. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines require that our Board of Directors consist predominantly of directors who are not currently, and have not been, employed by us during the most recent three years (i.e. non-management directors). Currently, our Chairman, President and CEO, Mr. Gardner, is the only director who is also a member of management.

In addition, our Corporate Governance Guidelines require that a majority of the Board of Directors consist of "independent directors" as defined under the NASDAQ Stock Market rules. No director will be "independent" unless the Board of Directors affirmatively determines that the director meets the categorical

standards set forth in the NASDAQ rules and otherwise has no relationship with the Company that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and has no material relationship with the Company, either directly or as a partner, stockholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Company.

The Nominating Committee is responsible for the annual review, together with the Board of Directors, of the appropriate criteria and standards for determining director independence consistent with the NASDAQ Stock Market rules. The Board of Directors has determined that Kenneth A. Boudreau, Ayad A. Fargo, Joseph L. Garrett, John D. Goddard, Jeff C. Jones, Michael L. McKennon, Zareh H. Sarrafian, and Cora M. Tellez are independent and have no material relationships with the Company.

Responsibilities of the Board of Directors

In addition to each director's basic duties of care and loyalty, the Board of Directors has separate and specific obligations enumerated in our Corporate Governance Guidelines. Among other things, these obligations require directors to effectively monitor management's capabilities, compensation, leadership and performance, without undermining management's ability to successfully operate the business. In addition, our Board and its committees have the authority to retain and establish the fees of outside legal, accounting or other advisors, as necessary to carry out their responsibilities.

The directors are expected to avoid any action, position or interest that conflicts with an interest of the Company, or gives the appearance of a conflict. As a result, our directors must disclose all business relationships with the Company and with any other person doing business with us to the entire Board and to recuse themselves from discussions and decisions affecting those relationships. We periodically solicit information from directors in order to monitor potential conflicts of interest and to confirm director independence.

Board of Directors Leadership Structure

Our Bylaws provide for a Board of Directors that will serve for one-year terms. The size of the Board shall be designated by the Board, but shall be seven (7) in the absence of such designation. Vacancies on the Board may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors. A director elected to fill a vacancy, or a new directorship created by an increase in the size of the Board, serves for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders.

Our Board of Directors has no fixed policy with respect to the separation of the offices of Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO. Our Board retains the discretion to make this determination on a case-by-case basis from time to time as it deems to be in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders at any given time. The offices of Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO currently are jointly held. The Board has designated a lead independent director to ensure independent director oversight of the Company and active participation of the independent directors in setting agendas and establishing priorities and procedures for the work of the Board.

Board of Directors Risk Oversight

The understanding, identification and management of risk are essential elements for the successful management of our Company. The entire Board of Directors is responsible for oversight of the Company's risk management processes. The Board delegates many of these functions to the Audit Committee. Under its charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring business risk practices and legal and ethical programs. In this way, the Audit Committee helps the Board fulfill its risk oversight responsibilities relating to the Company's financial statements, financial reporting process and regulatory requirements. The Audit Committee also oversees our corporate compliance programs, as well as the internal audit function. In addition to the Audit Committee's work in overseeing risk management, our full Board regularly engages in discussions of the most significant risks that the Company is facing and how these risks are being managed, and the board receives reports on risk management from

senior officers of the Company and from the chair of the Audit Committee. The Board receives periodic assessments from the Company's ongoing enterprise risk management process that are designed to identify potential events that may affect the achievement of the Company's objectives. In addition, our Board and its standing committees periodically request supplemental information or reports as they deem appropriate.

Communication With Directors

Individuals may submit communications to any individual director, including our presiding Chairman, our Board as a group, or a specified Board committee or group of directors, including our non-management directors, by sending the communications in writing to the following address: Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc., 17901 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 1200, Irvine, California 92614. All correspondence should indicate to whom it is addressed. The Company's Corporate Secretary will sort the Board correspondence to classify it based on the following categories into which it falls: stockholder correspondence, commercial correspondence, regulatory correspondence or customer correspondence. Each classification of correspondence will be handled in accordance with a policy unanimously approved by the Board.

Board Meetings and Executive Sessions

During 2016, our Board of Directors met nine times and anticipates holding ten full Board meetings in 2017. Directors, on average, attended approximately 98% of the Board and applicable Board committee meetings during 2016. All of our directors are encouraged to attend each meeting in person. Our management provides all directors with an agenda and appropriate written materials sufficiently in advance of the meetings to permit meaningful review. Any director may submit topics or request changes to the preliminary agenda as he or she deems appropriate in order to ensure that the interests and needs of non-management directors are appropriately addressed. To ensure active and effective participation, all of our directors are expected to arrive at each Board and committee meeting having reviewed and analyzed the materials for the meeting.

It is the Company's policy that the independent directors of the Company meet in executive sessions without management at least twice on an annual basis in conjunction with regularly scheduled board meetings. Executive sessions at which the independent directors meet with the CEO also may be scheduled. During 2016, the independent directors met seven times in executive session without the presence of management.

Director Attendance at Company Annual Meetings

All of our directors are encouraged to attend every Company annual meeting of stockholders. All of our directors attended our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Director Contact with Management

All of our directors are invited to contact our Chief Executive Officer and or any of our executive or senior level managers at any time to discuss any aspect of our business. In addition, there generally are frequent opportunities for directors to meet with other members of our management team.


Corporate Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

We have implemented a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to our directors, CEO, Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), other senior management, and to all of our officers and employees. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics provides fundamental ethical principles to which these individuals are expected to adhere. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics operates as a tool to help our directors, officers, and employees understand and adhere to the high ethical standards required for employment by, or association with, the Company and the Bank. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our website at www.ppbi.com under the Investor Relations section. Our stockholders may also obtain written copies at no cost by writing to us at 17901 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 1200, Irvine, California 92614, Attention: Investor Relations Department, or by calling (949) 864-8000. Any future changes or amendments to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and any waiver that applies to one of our senior financial officers or a member of our Board of Directors will be posted to our website.

Committees of the Board of Directors

AuditCompensationNominating & Corporate GovernanceExecutive Committee
Kenneth A. BoudreauAyad FargoKenneth A. BoudreauSteve Gardner*
Joseph GarrettJoseph Garrett*Jeff C. Jones *Joseph Garrett
Jeff C. JonesJohn D. GoddardZareh SarrafianJeff C. Jones
Michael L. McKennon *Jeff C. JonesMichael L. McKennonMichael L. McKennon
Cora TellezCora TellezZareh Sarrafian
10 meetings held in 20164 meetings held in 20161 meeting held in 2016No meetings held in 2016
* Chairperson

A description of the general functions of each of the Company’s Board committees and the composition of each committee is set forth below.

Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee is responsible for selecting and communicating with the Company’s independent auditors, reporting to the Board on the general financial condition of the Company and the results of the annual audit, and ensuring that the Company's activities are being conducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The internal auditor of the Company reports directly to the Audit Committee and participates in the Audit Committee meetings. A copy of the Audit Committee charter can be found on the Company’s website at www.ppbi.com under the Investor Relations section.

No member of the Audit Committee receives any consulting, advisory or other compensation or fee from the Company other than fees for service as a member of the Board of Directors, committee member or officer of the Board. Each of the Audit Committee members is considered “independent” under the NASDAQ listing standards and rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. McKennon satisfies the requirements established by the SEC for qualification as an “audit committee financial expert.”

Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee reviews the amount and composition of director compensation from time to time and makes recommendations to the Board when it concludes changes are needed. In recommending director compensation, the Compensation Committee considers the potential negative effect on director independence if director compensation and perquisites exceed customary levels. The Compensation Committee also (i) has oversight responsibility for the Bank’s compensation policies, benefits and practices, (ii) approves all stock option, restricted stock and restricted stock unit ("RSUs") grants, (iii) has oversight

responsibility for management planning and succession, and (iv) determines the annual salary, the annual bonus, stock options, and restricted stock grants of the CEO, President, Chief Banking Officer (“CBO”), CFO, Chief Credit Officer (“CCO”), and Chief Operating Officer (“COO”). A copy of the Compensation Committee charter can be found on the Company’s website at www.ppbi.com under the Investor Relations section.

The Compensation Committee has the authority, in its sole discretion, to retain and terminate compensation advisors, including approval of the terms and fees of any such arrangement. In 2016, the Compensation Committee engaged Pearl Meyer & Partners (“Pearl Meyer”) to assist the Compensation Committee with its responsibilities related to our executive and Board compensation programs. Pearl Meyer does not provide other services to the Company. Additionally, based on (i) standards promulgated by the SEC and the NASDAQ to assess compensation advisor independence and the analysis conducted by Pearl Meyer in its independence review, the Compensation Committee concluded that Pearl Meyer is independent and a conflict-free advisor to the Company.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has oversight responsibility for nominating candidates as directors and to determine satisfaction of independence requirements. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has adopted a written charter. A copy of the charter and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines can both be found on the Company’s website at www.ppbi.com under the Investor Relations section.

The primary responsibilities of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee include:
assisting the Board in identifying and screening qualified candidates to serve as directors, including considering stockholder nominees;
recommending to the Board candidates for election or reelection to the Board or to fill vacancies on the Board;
aiding in attracting qualified candidates to serve on the Board;
making recommendations to the Board concerning corporate governance principles;
periodically assessing the effectiveness of the Board in meeting its responsibilities representing the long-term interests of the stockholders; and
following the end of each fiscal year, providing the Board with an assessment of the Board’s performance and the performance of the Board committees.

Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may exercise all authority of the Board in the intervals between Board meetings, except for certain matters. The Executive Committee’s primary responsibilities include: (i) acting on behalf of the Board upon any routine operational matters, or such other matters, which, in the opinion of the Chairman of the Board, should not be postponed until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board, subject, in each case, to the limitations set forth in the Executive Committee charter and the Company’s by-laws; and (ii) form and delegate authority to subcommittees when appropriate. A copy of the Executive Committee charter can be found on the Company’s website at www.ppbi.com under the Investor Relations section.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

For 2016, the Compensation Committee was comprised of Messrs. Fargo, Garrett, Goddard, and Jones, and Ms. Tellez, each of whom was an independent director. None of these individuals is or has been an officer or employee of the Company during the last fiscal year or as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, or is serving or has served as a member of the compensation committee of another entity that has an executive officer serving on the Compensation Committee. No executive officer of the Company served as a director of another entity that had an executive officer serving on the Compensation Committee. Finally, no executive officer of the Company served as a member of the compensation committee of another entity that had an executive officer serving as a director of the Company.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act and the related rules and regulations, our directors and certain corporate governance practicesexecutive officers and any beneficial owners of more than 10% of any registered class of our equity securities, are required to file reports of their ownership, and any changes in that ownership, with the SEC. Based solely on our review of copies of these reports and on written representations from such reporting persons, we believe that during 2016, all such persons filed all ownership reports and reported all transactions on a timely basis except that, due to an administrative oversight, a Form 4 was not timely filed for Messr. Garret (open market purchase on November 22, 2016, pursuant to 10b5-1 plan/filing was made on November 25, 2016) and Messr. Boudreau (open market purchase on July 29, 2016/filing was made on August 5, 2016).

Committee Independence and Additional Information

The Company’s Audit, Nominating and Corporate Governance, and Compensation Committees are currently composed entirely of “independent” directors, as defined by our Corporate Governance Guidelines and applicable NASDAQ and SEC rules and regulations. Our Compensation, Audit, Nominating and Corporate Governance, and Executive Committees each have a written charter, which may be obtained on our website at www.ppbi.com under the Investor Relations section. Company stockholders may also obtain written copies of the charters at no cost by writing to us at 17901 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 1200, Irvine, California 92614, Attention: Investor Relations Department, or by calling (949) 864-8000.

The Chair of each committee is containedresponsible for establishing committee agendas. The agenda, meeting materials and the minutes of each committee meeting are furnished in advance to all of our Proxy Statementdirectors, and each committee chair reports on his or her committee’s activities to the full Board.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Executive Compensation Discussion & Analysis

In this Compensation Discussion & Analysis (“CD&A”), we explain our compensation program for our named executive officers (“NEOs”) in 2016. The NEOs for 2016 are:

NameTitle (as of year-end, except as noted)
Steven R. GardnerChairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company and Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank
Edward WilcoxPresident and Chief Banking Officer of the Bank
Michael S. KarrSenior Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of the Bank
Thomas RiceSenior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Bank
Ronald J. Nicolas, Jr.Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank
E. Allen NicholsonFormer Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank

You should read this CD&A in conjunction with the tables, footnotes and text found on pages 163 to 176 of this Annual Report, which provide additional information regarding our compensation program for NEOs. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that are based on our current plans, considerations, expectations and determinations. Our Compensation Committee may provide other compensation opportunities or arrangements or modify the current arrangements with our NEOs based upon its evaluation of how to achieve the objectives of our compensation program.


Executive Summary

2016 Corporate Performance Highlights. We believe the Company had a successful 2016. We experienced strong organic growth coupled with expansion of our franchise through acquisitions. Evidence of our success in 2016 includes:

Net income of $40.1 million, which represents a 57% increase from 2015;
Earnings per (diluted) share of $1.46, which represents a 23% increase from 2015;
Return on average assets of 1.11%, as compared to a 2015 return of 0.97%;
Total originated loans at year-end of $1.26 billion, which represents a 29% increase from 2015;
Total loans at year-end of $3.24 billion, which represents an increase of $987 million, or 44% from 2015;
Total deposits at year-end of $3.15 billion, which represents an increase of $950 million, or 43% from 2015
Year-end book value per share increased by 19% as compared to 2015, and tangible book value per share grew by 12% from 2015;
Strong asset quality was maintained, with loan delinquencies of 0.03% and total non-performing assets of 0.04%;
The Bank and the Corporation each exceeded all regulatory “well capitalized” requirements;
The Company acquired SCAF and its bank subsidiary, Security Bank, and entered into a merger agreement for the acquisition of Heritage Oaks Bancorp and its bank subsidiary, Heritage Oaks Bank; and
Total shareholder return (“TSR”) for 2016 was 66.4% and the annualized TSR for 2014 - 2016 was 31%.

As discussed in more detail below, the Compensation Committee reviewed a compensation study prepared by Pearl Meyer in October 2016, which examined the Company’s performance over a one- and three-year period (through June 30, 2016). The study found that the Company’s performance was near or above the 75th percentile in various growth metrics (assets, deposits, loans, net income), and on a one-year basis for return metrics. At that time, the Company’s total shareholder returns for the one- and three-year periods was in the 97th percentile. Our one- and three-year total shareholder return at December 31, 2016, as compared to our 2016 peer group and the KBW Bank Index returns, is illustrated in the following chart:

Consideration of Prior “Say on Pay Votes”. At our 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, (the “Proxy Statement”)our shareholders approved the “say-on-pay” vote by 74.7% of the votes cast. The Compensation Committee was not satisfied with the voting result, and subsequently undertook a comprehensive review of the Company’s executive compensation program with the assistance of an independent compensation consultant. Based upon the analysis conducted and the feedback received, the Compensation Committee determined that, although Company performance and executive compensation levels were not necessarily objectionable, the Company’s executive compensation program should be more rigorous in the way in which the Company links pay to performance, applies performance metrics and determines the form and amount of executive compensation. The Compensation Committee responded with significant changes in the 2016 executive compensation program, and was pleased that shareholders approved the say-on-pay proposal in May of 2016 by 98.4% of the votes cast. During 2017, the Compensation Committee will continue to evaluate the executive compensation program to ensure that it is consistent with the Company’s compensation philosophy described below, and will focus particularly on succession planning to help ensure management continuity.

Program Attributes. To guide compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee adopted a formal compensation philosophy for the 2016 fiscal year. The philosophy reflects the Compensation Committee’s intent to generally set all elements of target compensation (i.e., base salary, annual cash incentive awards, and long term incentive awards) at or near comparable levels relative to our peers and relative to the Company’s performance as compared to our peers. Unlike target compensation levels, which are set by the Compensation Committee near the beginning of the year, actual compensation is a function of the Company’s operational and financial performance, as reflected through annual incentive and performance share payouts, as well as the value of equity awards at vesting.


The Compensation Committee designs the executive compensation program to link pay to performance and align our executives’ interests with those of our shareholders. A significant portion of our executive officers’ compensation opportunity is at risk through long-term equity awards and annual cash incentive awards based on pre-determined objective operational and financial performance goals. These awards are linked to performance measures that correlate with shareholder value creation. To achieve this mix, the Compensation Committee evaluates the Company’s financial objectives and performance across a broad range of financial metrics and focusing on the Company’s core financial metrics and strategic actions.

To ensure that the executive compensation program achieves its goals, the Compensation Committee works with its independent compensation consultant to develop a peer group of companies that are similar in size, scope, the nature of our business operations and with which we compete for talent. No tax gross-up is paid to any executive for any reason. No option repricing is allowed, except with shareholder approval. We maintain stock ownership guidelines for our CEO that require our CEO to own shares of our common stock with a value of at least three times his annual base salary. In addition, the Company maintains an anti-hedging and anti-pledging policy, as well as has clawback provisions, as described in greater detail below.

Key Issues that Shaped Our 2016 Executive Compensation Program. For 2016, we made significant important changes to our compensation program for NEOs. These changes resulted from substantial work undertaken by our Compensation Committee, beginning in 2015. The Committee sought to revise our program to ensure that it would continue in its crucial function of helping us attract and retain talented executives, aligning their interests with the interests of our shareholders, driving financial performance, limiting overall risk to the Company, and ultimately providing high returns to our shareholders. The Committee focused on the following key issues:

As noted above, our NEOs have achieved outstanding results for the Company, consistently since 2010. From 2010 through 2016, we have grown total assets from $827 million to $4.04 billion, book value per share (diluted) from $7.18 to $16.54, and market capitalization from $33.9 million to $982.7 million. Returns to shareholders have been outstanding; share price grew from $6.48 at December 31, 2010 to $35.35 at December 31, 2016.
While we have sought to tie NEO compensation to Company performance through in 2016, the Compensation Committee believes that the levels of NEO compensation in relation to the performance achieved have been low when compared to the Company’s peers.
Executing on our long-term business strategy - seeking profitable organic growth while adding value to our franchise through acquisitions - requires a high degree of management skill and a significant commitment of resources. Management has delivered through its disciplined and consistent approach to business development, its focus on building a staff of high quality relationship managers and banking professionals, and its success in identifying, consummating and integrating acquisitions into our business.
In order for our executive compensation program to help us retain our high performing NEOs for the work ahead and attract talented executives to join our team, the program must be competitive with the financial institutions with whom we compete for management talent.
As we continue to grow organically and through acquisitions, the administration and governance of our executive compensation program will continue to increase in complexity and importance. We must continue to meet the executive compensation governance standards expected of a large, mature financial institution.

Executive Compensation Program Summary

The Compensation Committee believes that our executive compensation program is designed to align the interests of the NEOs with the interests of shareholders, while ameliorating risk, and representing good governance standards. Our balanced compensation program provides a mix of fixed compensation and short- and long-term variable compensation, with an array of performance goals that mitigate excessive risk-taking behavior. A key design feature of our executive compensation program is that a significant portion of our NEO compensation is aligned with the Company’s performance through annual cash incentives and equity awards. The purpose and key characteristics of each element of our executive compensation program are summarized below.


ElementPurposeKey Characteristics
Base SalaryProvides a fixed level of compensation for performing essential job functions. The level of base salary reflects each NEO’s level of responsibility, leadership, tenure, qualifications, and the competitive marketplace for executive talent in our industry.Fixed compensation reviewed annually and adjusted, if and when appropriate.
Annual Incentive AwardsMotivates NEOs to achieve our short-term business objectives while providing flexibility to respond to opportunities and market conditions.Annual cash bonus based on corporate performance as compared to pre-established goals. Annual incentives are capped at 150% of target levels.
Long-Term Incentive AwardsMotivates NEOs to achieve our long-term business objectives by tying incentive to long-term metrics.Long-term incentive awards can be in the form of restricted stock or restricted stock unit awards. Restricted stock is awarded based on the achievement of a threshold performance goal tied to the ratio of non-performing assets to total assets. Once an award is granted, the award vests over three years. Awards of restricted stock units are granted as performance compensation awards that vest over three years based on the attainment of pre-established annual performance goals.
Other CompensationProvide benefits that allow NEOs to defer a portion of their compensation on a pre-tax basis to save for retirement and that promote employee health and welfare, which assists in attracting and retaining our NEOs.Indirect compensation consisting of a qualified retirement plan, health and welfare plans and minimal perquisites.

2016 NEO Compensation

Process for Determining Executive Compensation.
The Compensation Committee’s Role

The Compensation Committee is an independent body that has control of compensation decisions affecting NEOs, including establishing our compensation objectives and determining, approving and overseeing our executive compensation program. The Compensation Committee’s precise responsibilities are set forth in its Charter, which is the document by which the Board has constituted and delegated authority to the Compensation Committee. In administering our executive compensation program, the Compensation Committee seeks to ensure that the structure and amount of compensation paid to our NEOs are appropriate in view of the Company’s compensation goals and philosophies, and each NEO’s skill set, abilities and accomplishments.

As discussed below, the Compensation Committee uses information provided by independent compensation consultants and industry surveys, as well as input received from shareholders and shareholder advisors in making determinations regarding our executive compensation program. The Compensation Committee discusses with the Board, at least annually, the individual performance of each NEO using performance metrics and qualitative factors in order to arrive at an amount and composition of compensation for each NEO.


The Compensation Committee works closely with management, particularly the CEO, CFO and Executive Vice President for Human Resources, in administering the compensation program. In particular, the CEO reviews the performance of the other NEOs annually and makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee on salary adjustments and annual award amounts. Management also provides information and analysis relating to performance metrics, award terms, tax and accounting issues and other aspects of NEO compensation. The Compensation Committee independently reviews this information and then exercises its authority to implement the Company’s compensation philosophy through the executive compensation program.

Compensation Consultant Engagement; Peer Group Study

In 2015 and 2016, the Compensation Committee engaged independent consulting firms specializing in compensation program design and evaluation with significant experience in the financial services industry to assist the Compensation Committee in revising our compensation program for NEOs. In selecting McLagan in 2015 and Pearl Meyer in 2016, the Compensation Committee reviewed the independence of each firm under applicable NASDAQ listing standards and SEC rules and regulations. Based on its review and information provided by each firm regarding the provision of services, fees, policies and procedures, the presence of any conflicts of interest, ownership of the Company’s stock, and other relevant factors, the Compensation Committee concluded that engaging McLagan and Pearl Meyer raised no conflicts of interest concerns and were deemed to be filedindependent advisor to the Compensation Committee.

The Compensation Committee sought the assistance of these independent consulting firms to improve the rigor of the Compensation Committee’s compensation evaluation and design process, to ensure adherence to appropriate governance standards, and to ensure that our compensation program is competitive in terms of design, amount of compensation, and alignment of compensation determinations with the SECCompany’s performance. The Compensation Committee believes that the assistance of these independent consulting firms was necessary and appropriate in helping the Compensation Committee respond to what it felt were significant and valid points raised by shareholder representatives.

In 2015, the Compensation Committee engaged McLagan to develop an appropriate peer group of financial institutions and to prepare a study comparing the Company’s performance, its compensation of NEOs, and the alignment of performance and compensation to the performance and compensation programs of the companies in the peer group. The Compensation Committee sought to revise the prior peer group in light of the Company’s rapid growth and the Compensation Committee’s interest in comparing pay and performance against high-performing peers. For this purpose, McLagan and the Compensation Committee, with assistance from our human resources team, developed the 2015 peer group consisting of 16 banking institutions (the 2015 Peer Group”). For 2015 Peer Group, the Compensation Committee selected bank holding companies and banks that were with which the Company potentially competes for executive talent. The 2015 Peer Group was not selected based on the levels of executive compensation or attributes of their compensation program. Instead, the 2015 Peer Group was selected based on the following criteria:

Publicly-traded commercial banks or thrifts focused on commercial banking
Companies headquartered in the Federal Reserve 12th District (Western States), primarily California
Companies having total assets generally between $1.5 billion and $8.0 billion as of the most recent quarter-end. Median asset size of the Peer Group at the time of selection was $3.2 billion, at which time the Company’s total assets were $2.6 billion (the 47th percentile of the 2015 Peer Group).

The following companies comprised the 2015 Peer Group:


Banc of CaliforniaBank of Marin BancorpBBCN Bancorp, Inc.
CU BancorpCVB Financial Corp.Farmers & Merchants Bancorp
First Foundation, Inc.Hanmi Financial CorporationHeritage Commerce Corp
Heritage Oaks BancorpOpus BankPreferred Bank
Sierra BancorpTriCo BancsharesWestamerica Bancorporation
Wilshire Bancorp, Inc.

Factors in Decision Making. The McLagan study, with its focus on the 2015 Peer Group, was a primary reference for the Compensation Committee in establishing our 2016 NEO compensation program. During 2016, in view of our continuing rapid growth - both organically and through acquisitions - and top quartile performance in relation to the 2015 Peer Group on an array of performance metrics, the Compensation Committee reexamined the composition of the 2015 Peer Group. In this regard, two of the peer group companies (Wilshire Bancorp, Inc. and BBCN Bancorp, Inc.) had merged, resulting in one surviving company with assets above the competitive range. With the assistance of Pearl Meyer, the Compensation Committee considered three alternative approaches to modify the 2015 Peer Group: (1) eliminate four companies with less than $2.5 billion in assets (Bank of Marin Bancorp, Heritage Commerce Corp., Heritage Oaks Bancorp and Sierra Bancorp) from the 2015 Peer Group; (2) maintain the size of the 2015 Peer Group by replacing the four companies with size-appropriate institutions with operations in California; or (3) continue to include the four companies and expand the 2015 Peer Group to a total of 24 by adding institutions with operations in larger U.S. metropolitan areas and strong performance, as measured by a return on tangible equity greater than 10%. The Compensation Committee concluded that expanding 2015 Peer Group (the third consideration above) would provide the most appropriate modification in part because a 24-member peer group is generally considered to be more reliable, and in part because including companies from other regions would expose the Compensation Committee to more diverse compensation approaches and practices.

As noted above, the Compensation Committee considered asset size, geographic location, commercial business focus and overall performance in selecting the 2016 peer group (the “2016 Peer Group”), but did not (and its advisors did not) pre-screen the companies under consideration as to the level of executive compensation or as to the companies’ specific compensation practices.

The following companies comprise the 2016 Peer Group (new companies in italics):

Banc of California, Inc.Banner CorporationBofl Holding, Inc.
Boston Private Financial Holdings, Inc.Brookline Bancorp, Inc.Cardinal Financial Corporation
Century Bancorp, Inc.ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.CU Bancorp
CVB Financial Corp.Farmers & Merchants BancorpFirst Foundation Inc.
Flushing Financial CorporationHanmi Financial CorporationHomeStreet, Inc.
Independent Bank Group, Inc.Lakeland Bancorp, Inc.LegacyTexas Financial Group, Inc.
Opus BankPreferred BankProvident Financial Services, Inc.
Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.TriCo BancsharesWestamerica Bancorporation

In setting compensation each year, the Compensation Committee independently evaluates the various components and levels of compensation for executives within 120the applicable Peer Group focusing on base salary, annual cash incentive (bonus) and equity compensation as well as benefits and retirement plans. Based on the Compensation Committee’s independent evaluation, findings included in the compensation analysis, and the recommendations of the CEO (in the case of the other NEOs), the Compensation Committee established compensation levels for our NEOs for 2015 and 2016. These established levels included parameters of base salaries, annual cash incentive awards, long-term equity incentive awards, retirement plans and other benefits, and other executive benefits (including perquisites) that were appropriate for the NEOs and in alignment with our compensation philosophy.


In December 2015, the Compensation Committee reviewed the McLagan report and other information, including a management-prepared analysis of the Company’s performance and further analysis prepared by a member of the Compensation Committee. The various studies showed that on a number of key financial performance metrics (including asset growth, earnings per share growth, non-performance assets as a percentage of total assets, and three-year total shareholder returns), and as compared to the 2015 Peer Group companies, the Company had been performing above the 75th percentile. However, compensation of our NEOs over the prior three years was significantly below the 75th percentile, and lagged the level of achieved performance.

In addition, the Compensation Committee recognized that the 2016 performance goals it was considering for incentive compensation, which require substantial year-over-year growth, likely would continue the Company’s long-term trend of outperforming comparable companies (including the 2015 Peer Group). As a result, the Compensation Committee was concerned that, if management continued to perform well over multiple years and achieved the performance goals, shareholders would likely continue to benefit from very good returns (both absolutely and comparatively), but payout levels for our NEOs would continue to be below market for “target” performance, creating risks that our talented executives will leave or not be incented to continue to perform at the highest levels.

Taking these factors into account, the Compensation Committee determined that it was necessary to increase 2016 compensation so that targeted total compensation levels would increase and be within the range of the 50th to 75th percentile of compensation for comparable positions within the 2016 Peer Group. The Compensation Committee did not attempt to precisely target each NEO’s 2016 compensation to a specific benchmarked level. Rather, the Compensation Committee considered the analysis in the McLagan report as a key point of reference, and specifically considered how each NEO’s total compensation at target levels would fall within the desired percentile range. In addition, during 2016, the Compensation Committee sought a separate review of compensation from Pearl Meyer, in order to have a clear understanding of how our program compared to the programs of competitive companies.

For 2016, the Compensation Committee took the following actions:

Increased base salaries of the NEOs (other than newly-hired NEOs), including an increase of the CEO’s base salary from $500,000 to $600,000.
Target annual cash incentive awards remained at the same percentage of base salary as in 2015, but the effect of the salary increases was to increase the dollar value of the target annual cash incentives.
Annual long-term incentives were granted in a combination of performance-based restricted stock units (a new form of equity award for the Company), with performance goals based on annual returns on average tangible common equity after first achieving eligibility by finishing the year with non-performing assets of less than 2% of total assets.
The Compensation Committee targeted long-term incentives to remain at the same percentage of the NEO’s salary as in 2015, recognizing that the salary increases would increase the dollar amounts of these targets. (As discussed below, for accounting purposes the Company adopted conservative assumptions that restricted stock units would be earned at maximum levels; for purposes of valuing the awards as a percent of salary, the Compensation Committee valued the restricted stock unit awards at their target payout level.)
In addition, the Compensation Committee authorized grants of restricted stock to the NEOs during 2016 that were not part of the regular long-term incentive awards. This was done in part to reward the NEO’s for the Company’s sustained high performance, promote long-term retention of executives, and in part to recognize promotions.
The Compensation Committee revised employment agreement provisions relating to severance payable for a not-for-cause or good-reason termination following a change in control. This change had the dual benefit of enhancing the competitiveness and the retention aspects of our severance protections. No gross-ups are authorized for these change-in-control severance arrangements; rather, payouts would be subject to a mandatory reduction to ensure that the payouts remain tax deductible to the Company and not subject to excise tax to the executive.

Based on the Pearl Meyer analysis prepared in October 2016, using 2015 CEO pay for 2016 Peer Group for comparison, our CEO’s 2016 target total compensation was slightly above the 75th percentile, including the annualized value of retention awards for the CEO and comparator company CEOs.
Alignment of CEO Pay with Performance. For 2016, our CEO’s total direct realizable compensation was directionally aligned with the total shareholder returns. As in past years, when compared to our 2016 Peer Group, our three-year total shareholder return percentile rank was substantially higher than the CEO’s percentile rank of realizable compensation.

The Compensation Committee asked Pearl Meyer to prepare an analysis of the relationship between our CEO’s “total direct realizable compensation” (explained below) and the Company performance, as compared to our 2016 Peer Group where the Company’s performance is measured as total shareholder return over the three-year period ended December 31, 2016 and total direct realizable compensation received by our CEO is defined as the sum of:

Actual base salary paid over the three-year period;
Actual short-term incentives (bonuses) paid based on performance over the three-year period;
“In-the-money” value as of December 31, 2016 of any stock options granted over the three-year period; and
The value as of December 31, 2016 of any unvested restricted stock or restricted stock units granted over the three-year period.

The CEO compensation of the 2016 Peer Group is based on the fiscal years 2013 through 2015, because 2016 information for most of the 2016 Peer Group was not available at the time of this analysis. However, all equity awards granted during the period are valued as of December 31, 2016, including the value of performance-contingent shares granted in the 2013 - 2015 fiscal-year period, valued as of December 31, 2016. Retention equity awards granted by the Company also are included in this analysis. The analysis is presented in the chart below.


Elements of NEO Compensation

Our NEO compensation program includes the following components commonly provided by public companies:

Base salary;
Annual cash incentive awards tied to annual performance metrics;
Equity awards providing long-term incentives and promoting retention;
Retirement plans; and
Other executive benefits, such as severance arrangements and perquisites.

Base Salary.The Company provides the NEOs and all other employees with base salary to compensate them for services, and provides a non-variable component of compensation from which the employee can pay living expenses. Salary levels are typically reviewed annually as part of the Company’s performance review process, as well as upon a promotion or other change in an NEO’s job responsibilities. As discussed above, the Compensation Committee considers base salary levels as part of its process of ensuring that the NEO’s overall compensation is competitive, including annual and long-term incentives, the target amount of which is generally based on a percentage or multiple of base salary.


The following table provides information regarding base salaries for our NEOs serving at year end 2016:

Name2016 Base Salary (annual rate)Increase from 2015 Base Salary (annual rate)
Steven R. Gardner$600,000
20.0%
Edward Wilcox325,000
8.3%
Thomas Rice275,000
14.6%
Michael S. Karr275,000
14.6%
Ronald J. Nicolas, Jr.300,000 (1)
(1)
E. Allen Nicholson275,000 (2)
%
   
(1) Mr. Nicolas commenced employment on May 31, 2016. The amount of salary actually received by Mr. Nicolas in 2016 is shown in the Summary Compensation Table on page 164 of this Annual Report.
(2) Mr. Nicholson’s employment terminated on May 31, 2016. The amount of salary actually received by Mr. Nicholson in 2016 is shown in the Summary Compensation Table on page 164 of this Annual Report.

Annual Cash Incentive Program. We use annual cash incentive awards to provide each NEO with a strong incentive to execute our business plan for the year. In advance of the year or during the first 90 days of the year, the Compensation Committee creates an award opportunity for the NEO, providing for a range of potential payouts equal to a percentage or multiple of salary that is tied to the achievement of specific, pre-established performance goals for that year. Those performance goals are meant to focus the NEO on the key elements of our strategic and annual financial plan. At the same time, the Compensation Committee seeks to use an array of performance goals that broadly measure Company performance, so as to not encourage undue risk taking or distort management decisions that arise when executives are incented to achieve a narrow performance goal.

For a given performance goal, the target level of performance that must be achieved to earn the target annual cash incentive payout typically is set at a level based on the Company’s annual financial plan for the fiscal year. The Compensation Committee also specifies a “threshold” performance goal - the minimum level of performance required to earn a payout that is less than the target payout- and a maximum performance level that, if exceed, will cap the above-target payout. Shortly after year end, the Compensation Committee determines the extent to which the performance goals have been achieved and the corresponding payout. Importantly, the Compensation Committee has discretion to adjust the level of payout based on its assessment of an NEO’s individual performance and other circumstances relating to the Company’s business. Generally, the extent of reduction in payout is limited to 20% of the target award.

For 2016, the Compensation Committee created annual cash incentive award opportunities with performance goals that used the same business metrics and weightings as in 2015. These performance goals include net income (weighted 50%), loan growth (weighted 25%) and deposit growth (weighted 25%). Net income is the financial item we determine and report under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Loan and deposit growth are non-GAAP performance metrics based on our year-over-year changes. An additional performance metric based on the Company’s Tier 1 Capital Ratio also was initially specified, but, as discussed below, this metric measurement was subsequently waived by the Compensation Committee.

The dollar amounts of these potential payments are shown in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table on page 166 of this Annual Report. The CEO’s target annual cash incentive amount was 100% of his salary, Mr. Wilcox’s target amount was 60% of salary, and the other NEOs’ target amounts were 50% of salary. In each case, the threshold amount was 50% of the target and the maximum amount was 150% of the target.

The performance goals set by the Compensation Committee for 2016, at target and maximum levels, were much higher than the 2015 performance goals and 2015 actual results. In part, this reflected the anticipated

contribution to our 2016 performance from the acquisition of Security Bank of California, which was completed during the first quarter of 2016. However, the 2016 performance goals also required very substantial organic growth in net income, loan growth and deposit growth in order to achieve the target levels set by the Compensation Committee. For each performance metric, the threshold level of performance was set at 80% of the target level of performance, and the maximum performance level was set at 120% of the target performance level.

The table below shows the 2016 annual cash incentive award performance goals relating to net income, loan growth and deposit growth (the “growth performance goals”), the actual performance achieved, and related information ($ in thousands):


2016 Performance Metric2015 Actual Performance2016 Performance Goals2016 Actual achievement level2016 achievement as percent of target (1)
Threshold (80% of target)TargetMaximum (120% of target)
Net income$25,515
$34,055
$42,569
$51,083
$40,103
94.2%
Loan growth634,258
580,189
725,236
870,283
986,444
136.0%
Deposit growth564,297
748,630
935,787
1,122,944
950,362
101.6%
       
(1) To calculate the payout for the loan growth metric, the pre-specified maximum payout level of 120% is used, despite the higher level of actual achievement of the performance goal.

As stated above, the Compensation Committee included an overall 2016 performance goal relating to the Corporation’s Tier 1 Capital Ratio, a measure of safety and soundness. As originally set by the Compensation Committee, annual cash incentive payouts would have required that the Corporation achieve a Tier 1 Capital Ratio at year end of 10.50%. This requirement had been included in the 2015 annual cash incentive award authorization as well. In December 2016, management apprised the Compensation Committee that this performance goal was reasonably attainable, but the steps needed to assure its achievement potentially were not consistent with managing Company assets with a longer-term view and in the best interests of shareholders. The Corporation’s 2016 year-end Tier 1 Capital Ratio ultimately was 10.45%, and the Bank’s Tier 1 Capital Ratio at year end was 11.70%. In light of the Corporation’s Tier 1 Capital Ratio and the Bank’s Tier 1 Capital Ratio, each of which exceeded the regulatory “well capitalized” levels by 245 basis points and 370 basis points, respectively, the Compensation Committee concluded that the Company and the Bank both remain well capitalized by regulatory measures. As such, the Compensation Committee determined to accept the year-end Corporation’s Tier 1 Capital Ratio of 10.45% as adequate achievement of this performance goal.

To determine the annual cash incentive award payout to each NEO, the Compensation Committee multiplied the percentage achievement of each of the growth performance goals by the weighting of the performance goal. For this purpose, the weighting of the net income goal was 50% and the other two goals were weighted 25% each, and the loan growth goal achievement level was capped at 120%. This resulted in an overall performance goal achievement (the sum of the three calculations) of 102.5% of target. The payout level between the target level and the maximum level (150% of target for each NEO) was determined by straight-line interpolation, so that 102.5% achievement of the combined performance goals resulted in a payout of 106.2% of target. The Compensation Committee determined not to adjust the annual cash incentive payouts determined by this calculation. The resulting payouts and related information are shown in the following table:


2016 Annual Cash Incentive Plan - Target Award and Final Award

NEOTarget AwardTarget Payout as % of SalaryFinal Award Payout (106.2% of target)
Steven R. Gardner$600,000
100%$637,393
Edward Wilcox325,000
60%207,153
Michael S. Karr275,000
50%146,069
Thomas Rice275,000
50%146,069
Ronald J. Nicolas, Jr.300,000
50%159,348
E. Allen Nicholson275,000
50%

The 2016 annual cash incentive awards were paid on January 26, 2017 following the issuance of fourth quarter earnings release. The payouts are reflected as 2016 compensation in the Summary Compensation Table on page 164 of this Annual Report in the column labeled “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation.”

Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards.The Compensation Committee grants long-term incentive awards to our NEOs and to a broader group of employees under our 2012 Plan in order to align the interests of our management team with the interests of our shareholders and to create substantial incentives for the team to achieve our long-term goals. These awards enable us to provide competitive compensation to help in the recruitment of executives and employees and also, through vesting provisions, help to promote retention and long-term service of executives and key employees.

The Compensation Committee’s process for determining the size of the 2016 long-term component of NEO compensation - our annual equity grants - and the additional equity award grants is described above in this CD&A, under the caption “Process for Determining Executive Compensation”.

As discussed above, the 2015 “say-on-pay” vote results were unsatisfactory to the Compensation Committee. Following that vote, we received helpful feedback from stakeholders suggesting that we add performance requirements to our equity awards. In consideration of that feedback, the Compensation Committee changed our long-term incentive awards to include performance requirements for all of the equity awards granted to NEOs beginning in 2016. These performance requirements are designed to support the achievement of our strategic goals, mitigate risk and allow the awards to qualify for tax deductibility without limitation under Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m).

Two forms of equity incentive awards were used for the annual 2016 equity awards: restricted stock and RSUs. Each form of award contains one or more performance requirements. RSUs could be earned in a range from 75% to 125% of the designated target number, based on the level of performance achieved. Based on the 100% payout level of the RSUs, for each NEO approximately 75% of the aggregate grant-date fair value of the award was in the form of restricted sock with the remaining approximately 25% in the form of RSUs.

For accounting purposes, as of the grant date we adopted the conservative view that the probable level of achievement of the performance goals would be at the maximum level, so that the number of RSUs reflected in the table below is 125% of the target number, and the grant-date fair value reflects that maximum number of RSUs. This is in part a reflection of the sustained high performance of the Company. The performance goals relating to return on assets would be reasonably challenging for our 2016 Peer Group, but the Company’s achieved performance in recent years, and specifically management’s performance in positioning the Company for future high performance, results in what the Compensation Committee believes is a higher-than-usual probability that the Company’s performance will reach levels that trigger a maximum payout with respect to the RSUs.

The following table provides information on the 2016 annual long-term incentive awards:

NameAward Fair Value as a % of Base SalaryRestricted Stock (number of shares)Restricted Stock Units at Maximum Payout Level *Award Grant-Date Fair Value
Steven R. Gardner159.5%35,000
14,625
$957,266
Edward Wilcox107.3
12,700
5,375
348,667
Thomas Rice53.7
5,400
  2,250
147,569
Michael S. Karr53.7
5,400
  2,250
147,569
Ronald J. Nicolas, Jr.



E. Allen Nicholson26.8
2,700
1,125
73,784

The annual grants of long-term incentives are treated as an award earned by service in the prior year. In the case of Mr. Nicholson, who was with the Company for approximately six months in 2015, his 2016 long-term equity award grant was pro-rated based on that length of service in the prior year. Similarly, in the case of Mr. Nicolas, who joined the Company on May 31, 2016, no grant of annual long-term equity incentive was made in 2016.

Restricted stock awards are subject to both performance and time-based components. First, restricted stock awards require achievement of the performance goal that the Company’s ratio of adjusted nonperforming assets to total assets at December 31, 2016, excluding all nonperforming assets acquired through merger or acquisitions (“Adjusted NPA Ratio”), be less than 2%. This ratio is a non-GAAP metric determined by dividing our year-end nonperforming assets, reduced by those acquired through merger or acquisition, by year-end total assets. Second, if the Adjusted NPA Ratio goal is achieved, the restricted stock then vests in equal annual installments over three years (the first vesting to occur in January 2017), subject to accelerated vesting in certain circumstances (as discussed below). If the performance goal is not achieved, the restricted stock awards are forfeited. In 2016, the performance goal was achieved, with an Adjusted NPA Ratio of 0.04%. Therefore, NEOs who received these grants and remained in service in January 2017 vested at that time in one-third of the shares of restricted stock.

RSUs required achievement of annual performance goals on a three year basis in order to be earned. In January 2016, the Compensation Committee set performance goals for the 2016 - 2018 performance period based on the Company’s strategic plan. At the end of each year in the 2016-2018 performance period, performance against this goal is assessed and the vesting is determined, ranging from zero RSUs to up to one-third of the maximum number of RSUs. The Compensation Committee set performance goals for the 2016 RSUs requiring attainment of a targeted adjusted return on average tangible common equity (“AROATCE”) in each year of the 2016 - 2018 performance period. AROATCE is a non-GAAP performance metric, determined by adjusting net income for the effect of CDI amortization and merger-related expense and excluding the average CDI and average goodwill from average shareholders’ equity during the period. Notwithstanding achievement of this goal, the Compensation Committee has the discretion to reduce an award if the Company’s Adjusted NPA Ratio in the given year exceeds 2%. The 2016 RSUs require, in each year of the 2016-2018 performance period, an AROATCE of 8% to earn a threshold payout (20% of the maximum number of RSUs), an AROATCE of 10% to earn the target payout (26.67% of the maximum number of RSUs), and an AROATCE of 12% to earn the maximum payout (33.33% of the maximum number of RSUs), provided that, in 2018 (the final year of the performance period), any remaining unearned RSUs can be earned if the target AROATCE is achieved in that year. Earned RSUs vest and are paid out shortly after the end of the year in which they are earned.

For 2016, AROATCE exceeded 13%, above the maximum level, and the Adjusted NPA Ratio was 0.04%. Accordingly, in January 2017, each NEO who received this 2016 grant and remained in service in January 2017 vested at that time in one-third of the maximum number of RSUs and received a corresponding payout in shares.


In addition to annual grants, during 2016 the Compensation Committee sought to address two related issues through grants of additional equity awards to certain NEOs. As discussed in greater detail above, these issues were (1) that although the Company’s sustained performance has been strong, the realized and realizable compensation of our management team has lagged, and (2) the proven success of our management team exposes the Company to a heightened risk of having our executives recruited away from us. The Compensation Committee determined to address these issues with separate grants of Restricted Stock intended to promote retention and long-term service. The following table shows information on the 2016 grants:

NameRestricted Stock (number of shares)Award Grant-Date Fair Value
Steven R. Gardner50,000$964,500
Edward Wilcox25,000621,500
Thomas Rice20,000497,200
Michael S. Karr20,000497,200
Ronald J. Nicolas, Jr. (1)20,000500,000
E. Allen Nicholson
   
(1) Grant was awarded when Mr. Nicolas joined the Company in May 2016.

Mr. Gardner’s award was granted on January 25, 2016. It provides for vesting of one-third of the shares on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date, provided that the Company’s ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets for 2016 (excluding all nonperforming assets acquired through merger or acquisitions) was less than 2%, and subject to accelerated vesting in certain circumstances. As discussed above, this performance goal was achieved in 2016. Mr. Nicolas received an award on May 31, 2016 in connection with his initial employment. Other grants shown in the table occurred on May 31, 2016, in the case of Mr. Nicolas, and June 1 in the case of the other NEOs. In order to provide for stronger retention terms, these grants will become vested in full on the third anniversary of the date of grant, subject to accelerated vesting in certain circumstances.

Restricted stock awards will vest on an accelerated basis in the event the NEO’s employment is terminated by us without “cause” or the NEO terminates for “good reason” (as such terms are defined in the NEO’s employment agreement and described below), employment terminates due to the NEO’s death or disability, or upon the occurrence of a change in control. RSU awards will vest on an accelerated basis at the maximum level in the event the NEO’s employment terminates due to death or disability, or if, within two years after a change in control, the NEO’s employment is terminated by us without “cause” or by the NEO for “good reason.”

Employment Agreements, Salary Continuation Plan, Severance and Change-in-Control Provisions

We have entered into employment agreements with our NEOs. We believe employment agreements serve a number of functions in that they (i) promote complete and consistent documentation and mutual understanding of employment terms, (ii) help meet legal requirements under tax laws and other regulations, (iii) avoid frequent renegotiation of employment terms, and (iv) protect the Company and customers through confidentiality and non-solicitation covenants. Our CEO’s and CFO’s employment agreements are between the Company and the NEO. The remainder of our NEO employment agreements are between the Bank and the NEO.

During 2016, we entered into amended and restated employment agreements with our NEOs who served through the full year. In the case of Mr. Nicolas, we entered into a new employment agreement upon his becoming employed by us. The terms of the employment agreements are discussed at pages 156 to 163 of this Annual Report under the caption “Employment Agreements,” and at pages 169 to 170 of this Annual Report under the caption “Potential Payments Upon Termination or a Change-in-Control.”

We amended and restated the employment agreements primarily to reflect the 2016 promotions of our NEOs, to adjust salaries to reflect the levels set for 2016, and to modify the terms of severance payments payable to

the NEOs in certain circumstances. In this regard, the Compensation Committee concluded that enhanced severance protection is an important employment term both to attract and retain executives in our industry, in which there is a relatively high level of merger and acquisition activity. Providing a competitive level of income protection in the event that the Company were to experience a change in control will help to ensure that management can be objective in evaluating potential mergers that might imperil their jobs, and will remain in service and provide management continuity through the completion of a transaction that could be beneficial to the Company and its shareholders.

The amended and restated employment agreements confirmed promotions and, in the case of Mr. Nicolas confirmed his new position, effective May 31, 2016, as follows:

NEONew PositionPrior Position
Steven R. GardnerPresident and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank *President and Chief Executive Officer of both the Company and the Bank
Edward WilcoxPresident and Chief Banking Officer of the BankSenior Executive Vice President, Chief Banking Officer of the Bank
Michael S. KarrSenior Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of the BankExecutive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of the Bank
Thomas RiceSenior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the BankExecutive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Bank
Ronald J. Nicolas, Jr.Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the BankN/A
* On May 31, 2016, Mr. Gardner also became Chairman of the Board of the Company and the Bank. This is an office elected by the Board of Directors, and is not a position provided for by the amended and restated employment agreement between the Company, the Bank and Mr. Gardner.


The amended and restated employment agreements in each case reflected that the NEO’s 2016 base salary was the amount established by the Compensation Committee (as described above). In addition, each amended and restated agreement changed the severance payable in the event that the NEO’s employment is terminated (i) by the Company and/or the Bank for other than Cause, Disability, or death within two years following a Change in Control, or (ii) by the NEO for Good Reason within two (2) years following a Change in Control, to a lump-sum amount equal to the sum of the NEO’s base salary plus his incentive bonus for the previous year as in effect immediately prior to the date of termination times a specified multiplier, as follows: Mr. Gardner, 3.0x; Mr. Wilcox, 2.99x; Mr. Karr and Mr. Rice, 2.0x. (The terms “Cause,” “Disability”, “Change in Control” and “Good Reason” each are defined in the amended and restated employment agreements.) Previously, under the same circumstances, the NEO was entitled to receive a lump-sum amount equal to his base salary times a multiplier plus one times his incentive bonus for the previous year, with the following specified multipliers: Mr. Gardner, 3.0x; Mr. Wilcox, 2.0x; Mr. Karr and Mr. Rice, 1.0x. Under the agreements, if severance and other payments were to trigger a golden parachute excise tax on the NEO and a corresponding loss of tax deductibility by the Company, such severance and payments would be reduced to the maximum level that would not trigger the excise tax and loss of tax deductibility.

Mr. Nicolas’s employment agreement provided for a starting base salary of $300,000. Severance is payable to Mr. Nicolas on the same terms as described above for the other NEOs, with a severance multiplier of 2.0x.


Mr. Gardner and Mr. Wilcox participate in our Salary Continuation Plan. That plan provides continued income for a 15-year period after retirement at or after age 62, in the amount of $200,000 per year for Mr. Gardner and $100,000 per year for Mr. Wilcox. A reduced benefit is payable for a pre-age 62 termination, including termination due to disability. However, in the event of a pre-age 62 termination within 12 months after a change in control (as defined under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A) or upon death, Mr. Gardner would receive a lump-sum payment of $1,982,130 and Mr. Wilcox would receive a lump-sum payment of $989,413. No benefits are payable under the Plan if the NEO is terminated for cause, as defined in the Plan.

Upon Mr. Nicholson’s resignation in May 2016, no severance became payable, his annual cash incentive opportunity for 2016 was forfeited and all of his outstanding equity awards were forfeited.

Upon a change in control, outstanding awards of stock options and restricted stock become fully vested. Outstanding awards of RSUs become fully vested (at maximum levels) in the event that, within two years after a change in control, the NEO’s employment is terminated by us without cause or the NEO terminates for good reason.

Other Considerations

Accounting and Tax Considerations - Equity-Based Compensation. The Compensation Committee considers the tax and accounting treatment of the compensation paid to our executives. Although, in general, these are not the principal considerations affecting the Compensation Committee’s decisions, the Compensation Committee nevertheless seeks to put the Company in a favorable position with respect to tax and accounting treatment. In 2015, shareholders approved amendments to our 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan that are intended to enable us to grant cash incentives and equity awards that can qualify as performance-based compensation not subject to the cap on tax deductibility under Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m). Section 162(m) imposes an annual limit on the tax deductibility of certain compensation to our CEO and three other most highly compensated NEOs serving at year end, other than our CFO. A number of requirements must be met in order for particular compensation to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m), however, so there can be no assurance that compensation realized in a given year will not be subject to the limit on deductibility imposed by Section 162(m).

Clawback Provisions. Our NEO compensation practices include a number of risk mitigants, as described throughout this Item. In addition, although we do not have currently have a separate policy requiring a clawback or recoupment of compensation if there occurs a restatement of financial results, mandatory clawback provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act apply. In the event of a restatement of our financial statements that called into question the extent of prior achievement of performance goals upon which incentive compensation payouts were conditioned, the Compensation Committee would evaluate whether compensation adjustments to compensation are appropriate based upon the facts and circumstances surrounding the restatement. In 2016, Federal regulatory agencies with authority over the Company and the Bank proposed detailed regulations relating to incentive-based compensation that, among other things, would require us to adopt a clawback policy meeting precise but as yet uncertain specifications. These proposed regulations implement provisions of the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act. In addition, the SEC and stock exchanges also are developing rules under the Dodd-Frank Act that would require adoption of a clawback policy, and the SEC has issued a proposed rule to implement this requirement. We expect to adopt a clawback policy meeting the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act when final regulations have been adopted by the applicable regulatory agencies.

Anti-Hedging/Pledging Policy. The Company considers it inappropriate for any director or officer to enter into speculative transactions in the Company’s securities. Such transactions carry a greater risk of securities law violations, and transactions that hedge the risk of ownership of our stock would undermine the effectiveness of our programs that encourage stock ownership and provide incentives in the form of stock-based awards. Therefore, our insider trading policy prohibits the purchase or sale of puts, calls, options or other derivative securities based on the Company’s securities (stock options granted under Company plans are permitted, however).  This prohibition also includes hedging or monetization transactions, such as forward-sale contracts, in which the shareholder continues to own the underlying security without retaining all risks or rewards of ownership.  Finally, directors and

officers may not purchase the Company’s securities on margin, or borrow against any account in which Company securities are held. 

Stock Ownership Guideline for the CEO. The Board of Directors has adopted a stock ownership guideline for the CEO. The guideline requires that the CEO own shares of Company common stock (or have an equivalent interest in shares through our compensation plans) having a value of at least three times his annual base salary. Restricted stock and restricted stock units, and a portion of the shares that may be acquired by exercise of vested in-the-money stock options, are treated as stock ownership for this purpose. Although the guideline allowed for the CEO to reach the specified ownership level over a five-year period from adoption of the guideline in March 2012, Mr. Gardner achieved the guideline earlier, and at December 31, 2016, his ownership of Company stock was in full compliance with the guideline. The Board reviews the ownership levels of other executives, but no specific guideline level of ownership has been established for those positions.

Succession Planning. In the event Mr. Gardner is unexpectedly unable to serve as our Chairman and CEO, our Compensation Committee has developed a plan utilizing our current Board and executive leadership team to ensure management continuity for up to twelve months while our Board conducts a search for a successor to Mr. Gardner.

Employment Agreements
The Company entered into employment agreements with the NEOs. We believe employment agreements serve a number of functions, including (1) retention of our NEOs; (2) mitigation of any uncertainty about future employment and continuity of management in the event of a change in control; and (3) protection of the Company and customers through confidentiality and non-solicitation covenants. Subsequent to the fiscal year-end, the Company amended employment agreements with the NEOs. A summary of the terms of each of the employment agreements include the following:

Mr. Gardner’s Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement. Mr. Steven Gardner, the Company and the Bank entered into a second amended and restated employment agreement dated May 31, 2016 that provides for the employment of Mr. Gardner as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank. Mr. Gardner’s second amended and restated employment agreement has a term of three (3) years and, on each annual anniversary date, the term automatically is extended for an additional one-year period by the Company’s and the Bank’s Boards of Directors, unless Mr. Gardner, on the one hand, or the Company or the Bank, on the other hand, gives written notice to the other party of its election not to extend the term of Mr. Gardner’s second amended and restated employment agreement, with such notice to be given not less than ninety (90) days prior to any such anniversary date. If such notice is given by either party, then Mr. Gardner’s second amended and restated employment agreement will terminate at the conclusion of its remaining term.

Pursuant to his second amended and restated employment agreement, Mr. Gardner will receive a minimum base salary of $600,000 per year, which may be increased from time to time in such amounts as may be determined by the Company’s and the Bank’s Boards of Directors. In addition, Mr. Gardner will be eligible for a discretionary performance bonus not to exceed 150% of his base salary, based on his individual performance and the overall performance of the Company and the Bank, with eligibility and the amount of any such bonus to be at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. In addition, Mr. Gardner will receive the use of an automobile paid for by the Company and the Bank. Mr. Gardner also is entitled to participate in any pension, retirement or other benefit plan or program given to employees and executives of the Company and the Bank, to the extent commensurate with Mr. Gardner’s then duties and responsibilities as fixed by the Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank.

Pursuant to Mr. Gardner’s second amended and restated employment agreement, the Company and the Bank have the right, at any time upon prior notice of termination, to terminate Mr. Gardner’s employment for any reason, including, without limitation, termination for “Cause” or “Disability” (each as defined in his second

amended and restated employment agreement), and Mr. Gardner has the right, upon prior notice of termination, to terminate his employment with the Company and the Bank for any reason.

In the event that Mr. Gardner’s employment is terminated (a) by the Company and the Bank for other than Cause, Disability, or Mr. Gardner’s death and such termination occurs within two (2) years following a “Change in Control” (as defined in his second amended and restated employment agreement) or (b) by Mr. Gardner due to a material breach of his second amended and restated employment agreement by the Company and the Bank, or for “Good Reason” (as defined in his second amended and restated employment agreement), then Mr. Gardner will be entitled to receive a lump sum cash severance amount equal to the product of (x) the sum of Mr. Gardner’s base salary plus his incentive bonus for the previous year as in effect immediately prior to the date of termination (y) multiplied by three (3), less taxes and other required withholding. In the event that Mr. Gardner’s employment is terminated by the Company and the Bank for other than Cause, Disability, or Mr. Gardner’s death and such termination does not occur in conjunction with a Change in Control or two (2) years after a Change in Control, then Mr. Gardner will be entitled to receive a lump sum cash severance amount equal to the sum of (x) Mr. Gardner’s base salary as in effect immediately prior to the date of termination multiplied by (y) three (3), less taxes and other required withholding. In each case, Mr. Gardner also will be entitled to receive for a period ending at the earlier of (i) the third anniversary of the date of termination or (ii) the date of his full-time employment by another employer, at no cost to him, the continued participation in all group insurance, life insurance, health and accident, disability and other employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements in which he was entitled to participate immediately prior to the date of termination, other than any stock option or other stock compensation plans or bonus plans of the Company and the Bank; provided, however, if his participation in any such plan, program or arrangement is barred, the Company and the Bank will arrange to provide him with benefits substantially similar to those he was entitled to receive under such plans, programs and arrangements.

If the payments and benefits to Mr. Gardner upon termination would constitute a “parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the payments and benefits payable by the Company and the Bank under his second amended and restated employment agreement will be reduced, in the manner determined by Mr. Gardner, by the amount, if any, which is the minimum necessary to result in no portion of the payments and benefits payable by the Company and the Bank to Mr. Gardner being non-deductible to the Company and the Bank pursuant to Section 280G of the Code and subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code.

In the event that Mr. Gardner’s employment is terminated by the Company and the Bank for Cause, or Mr. Gardner terminates his employment other than for Disability or Good Reason, Mr. Gardner will have no right to compensation or other benefits for any period after the applicable date of termination other than for base salary accrued through the date of termination. In the event that Mr. Gardner’s employment is terminated as a result of Disability or death during the term of his second amended and restated employment agreement, Mr. Gardner, or his estate in the event of his death, will receive the lesser of (i) his existing base salary as in effect as of the date of termination or death, multiplied by one year or (ii) his base salary for the duration of the term of employment, less taxes and other required withholding.

Mr. Gardner has agreed that during the term of his employment and after termination of his employment that he will not disclose to any other person or entity, other than in the regular course of business of the Company and the Bank, any “Confidential and Proprietary Information” (as defined in the his second amended and restated employment agreement), other than pursuant to applicable law, regulation or subpoena or with the prior written consent of the Company and the Bank. Mr. Gardner has agreed that during the term of his second amended and restated employment agreement and for two (2) years after the date of termination, he will not solicit for hire or encourage another person to solicit for hire a “Covered Employee” (as defined in his second amended and restated employment agreement).

Mr. Gardner’s second amended and restated employment agreement will not impact the benefits that Mr. Gardner is entitled to receive pursuant to the Salary Continuation Plan.


Mr. Wilcox’s Third Amended and Restated Employment Agreement.  Mr. Edward Wilcox and the Bank entered into a third amended and restated employment agreement dated May 31, 2016 that provides for the employment of Mr. Wilcox as the President and Chief Banking Officer of the Bank.   Mr. Wilcox’s third amended and restated employment agreement has a term of one (1) year, and, on each annual anniversary date, the term automatically is extended for an additional one-year period by the Bank’s board of directors, unless Mr. Wilcox, on the one hand, or the Bank, on the other hand, gives written notice to the other party not less than ninety (90) days prior to the anniversary date of its election not to extend the term of Mr. Wilcox’s third amended and restated employment agreement, in which case Mr. Wilcox’s third amended and restated employment agreement will terminate at the conclusion of its remaining term.

Pursuant to his third amended and restated employment agreement, Mr. Wilcox will receive a minimum base salary of $325,000 per year, which may be increased from time to time in such amounts as may be determined by the Bank’s board of directors. In addition, Mr. Wilcox will be eligible for a discretionary performance bonus not to exceed 90% of his base salary, based on his individual performance and the overall performance of the Bank, with eligibility and the amount of any such bonus to be at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.  Mr. Wilcox is also entitled to participate in any pension, retirement or other benefit plan or program given to employees and executives of the Bank, to the extent commensurate with Mr. Wilcox’s then duties and responsibilities as fixed by the board of directors of the Bank.

 Pursuant to Mr. Wilcox’s third amended and restated employment agreement, the Bank has the right, at any time upon prior notice of termination, to terminate Mr. Wilcox’s employment for any reason, including, without limitation, termination for “Cause” or “Disability” (each as defined in Mr. Wilcox’s third amended and restated employment agreement), and Mr. Wilcox has the right, upon prior notice of termination, to terminate his employment with the Bank for any reason.

In the event that Mr. Wilcox’s employment is terminated by (a) the Bank for other than Cause, Disability, or Mr. Wilcox’s death and such termination occurs within two (2) years following a “Change in Control” (as defined in Mr. Wilcox’s third amended and restated employment agreement) or (b) Mr. Wilcox due to a material breach of his third amended and restated employment agreement by the Bank, or for “Good Reason” (as defined in Mr. Wilcox’s third amended and restated employment agreement), then Mr. Wilcox will be entitled to receive a lump sum cash severance amount equal to the product of (x) the sum of Mr. Wilcox’s base salary plus his incentive bonus for the previous year as in effect immediately prior to the date of his termination (y) multiplied by 2.99, less taxes and other required withholding.  In the event that Mr. Wilcox’s employment is terminated by the Bank for other than Cause, Disability, or Mr. Wilcox’s death and such termination does not occur in conjunction with a Change in Control or within two (2) years after a Change in Control, then Mr. Wilcox will be entitled to receive a lump sum cash severance amount equal to his base salary as in effect immediately prior to the date of his termination, less taxes and other required withholding.  In each case, Mr. Wilcox also will be entitled to receive for a period ending at the earlier of (i) the first anniversary of the date of his termination or (ii) the date of his full-time employment by another employer, at no cost to him, the continued participation in all group insurance, life insurance, health and accident, disability and other employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements in which he was entitled to participate immediately prior to the date of his termination, other than any stock option or other stock compensation plans or bonus plans of the Company or the Bank; provided, however, if his participation in any of these plans, programs or arrangements is barred, the Bank is required to arrange to provide him with benefits substantially similar to those he was entitled to receive under these plans, programs and arrangements prior to the date of his termination.

If the payments and benefits to Mr. Wilcox upon his termination would constitute a “parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code, the payments and benefits payable by the Bank to Mr. Wilcox pursuant to the terms of his third amended and restated employment agreement will be reduced, in the manner determined by Mr. Wilcox, by the amount, if any, which is the minimum necessary to result in no portion of the payments and benefits payable by the Bank to Mr. Wilcox being non-deductible to the Bank pursuant to Section 280G of the Code and subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code.


In the event that Mr. Wilcox’s employment is terminated by the Bank for Cause, or Mr. Wilcox terminates his employment other than for Disability or Good Reason, Mr. Wilcox will have no right to compensation or other benefits for any period after the date of his termination other than for base salary accrued through the date of his termination. In the event that Mr. Wilcox’s employment is terminated as a result of Disability or death during the term of his third amended and restated employment agreement, Mr. Wilcox, or his estate in the event of his death, will receive the lesser of (i) his existing base salary as in effect as of the date of termination or death, multiplied by one year or (ii) his base salary for the duration of the term of employment, less taxes and other required withholding.

Mr. Wilcox has agreed that during the term of his employment and after termination of his employment that he will not disclose to any other person or entity, other than in the regular course of business of the Bank, any “Confidential and Proprietary Information” (as defined in Mr. Wilcox’s third amended and restated employment agreement), other than pursuant to applicable law, regulation or subpoena or with the prior written consent of the Bank.  Mr. Wilcox has agreed that during the term of the his third amended and restated employment agreement and for two (2) years after the date of his termination, he will not hire or solicit or attempt to solicit for hire, or encourage another person to hire, a “Covered Employee” (as defined in Mr. Wilcox’s third amended and restated employment agreement).

Mr. Nicolas’ Employment Agreement.  Mr. Ronald J. Nicolas, Jr., the Company and the Bank entered into an employment agreement dated May 31, 2016 that provides for the employment of Mr. Nicolas as the Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank. Mr. Nicolas’ employment agreement has a term of one (1) year, and, on each annual anniversary date, the term automatically is extended for an additional one-year period by the Company’s and the Bank’s Boards of Directors, unless Mr. Nicolas, on the one hand, or the Company or the Bank, on the other hand, gives written notice to the other party of its election not to extend the term of Mr. Nicolas’ employment agreement, with such notice to be given not less than ninety (90) days prior to any such anniversary date. If such notice is given by either party, then Mr. Nicolas’ employment agreement will terminate at the conclusion of its remaining term.

Pursuant to Mr. Nicolas’ employment agreement, Mr. Nicolas will receive a minimum base salary of $300,000 per year, which may be increased from time to time in such amounts as may be determined by the Company’s and the Bank’s Boards of Directors. In addition, Mr. Nicolas will be eligible for a discretionary performance bonus not to exceed 75% of his base salary, based on his individual performance and the overall performance of the Company and the Bank, with eligibility and the amount of any such bonus to be at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Nicolas is also entitled to participate in any pension, retirement or other benefit plan or program given to employees and executives of the Company and the Bank, to the extent commensurate with Mr. Nicolas’ then duties and responsibilities as fixed by the Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank.

Pursuant to Mr. Nicolas’ employment agreement, the Company and the Bank have the right, at any time upon prior notice of termination, to terminate Mr. Nicolas’ employment for any reason, including, without limitation, termination for “Cause” or “Disability” (each as defined in his employment agreement), and Mr. Nicolas has the right, upon prior notice of termination, to terminate his employment with the Bank for any reason.

In the event that Mr. Nicolas’ employment is terminated (a) by the Company and the Bank for other than Cause, Disability, or Mr. Nicolas’ death and such termination occurs within two (2) years following a “Change in Control” (as defined in his employment agreement) or (b) by Mr. Nicolas due to a material breach of his employment agreement by the Company and the Bank, or for “Good Reason” (as defined in his employment agreement), then Mr. Nicolas will be entitled to receive a lump sum cash severance amount equal to the product of (x) the sum of Mr. Nicolas’ base salary plus his incentive bonus for the previous year as in effect immediately prior to the date of termination, (y) multiplied by two (2), less taxes and other required withholding. In the event that Mr. Nicolas’ employment is terminated by the Company and the Bank for other than Cause, Disability, or Mr. Nicolas’ death and such termination does not occur in conjunction with a Change in Control or two (2) years after a Change in Control, then Mr. Nicolas will be entitled to receive a lump sum cash severance amount equal to

his base salary as in effect immediately prior to the date of termination, less taxes and other required withholding. In each case, Mr. Nicolas also will be entitled to receive for a period ending at the earlier of (i) the first anniversary of the date of termination or (ii) the date of his full-time employment by another employer, at no cost to him, the continued participation in all group insurance, life insurance, health and accident, disability and other employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements in which he was entitled to participate immediately prior to the date of termination, other than any stock option or other stock compensation plans or bonus plans of the Company and the Bank; provided, however, if his participation in any such plan, program or arrangement is barred, the Company and the Bank will arrange to provide him with benefits substantially similar to those he was entitled to receive under such plans, programs and arrangements.

If the payments and benefits to Mr. Nicolas upon termination would constitute a “parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code, the payments and benefits payable by the Company and the Bank under Mr. Nicolas’ employment agreement will be reduced, in the manner determined by Mr. Nicolas, by the amount, if any, which is the minimum necessary to result in no portion of the payments and benefits payable by the Company and the Bank to Mr. Nicolas being non-deductible to the Company and the Bank pursuant to Section 280G of the Code and subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code.

In the event that Mr. Nicolas’ employment is terminated by the Company and the Bank for Cause, or Mr. Nicolas terminates his employment other than for Disability or Good Reason, Mr. Nicolas will have no right to compensation or other benefits for any period after the applicable date of termination or death other than for base salary accrued through the date of termination or death. In the event that Mr. Nicolas’ employment is terminated as a result of Disability or Mr. Nicolas’ death during the term of his employment agreement, Mr. Nicolas, or his estate in the event of his death, will receive the lesser of (i) his existing base salary as in effect as of the date of termination or death, multiplied by one year or (ii) his base salary for the duration of the term of employment, less taxes and other required withholding.

Mr. Nicolas has agreed that during the term of his employment and after termination of his employment, he will not disclose to any other person or entity, other than in the regular course of business of the Company and the Bank, any “Confidential and Proprietary Information” (as defined in the his employment agreement), other than pursuant to applicable law, regulation or subpoena or with the prior written consent of the Company and the Bank. Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Nicolas has agreed that during the term of his employment agreement and for two (2) years after the date of termination he will not solicit for hire or encourage another person to solicit for hire a “Covered Employee” (as defined in his employment agreement).

Mr. Karr’s Third Amended and Restated Employment Agreement.  Mr. Michael S. Karr and the Bank entered into a third amended and restated employment agreement dated May 31, 2016 that provides for the employment of Mr. Karr as the Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of the Bank.  Mr. Karr’s third amended and restated employment agreement has a term of one (1) year, and, on each annual anniversary date, the term automatically is extended for an additional one-year period by the Bank’s board of directors, unless Mr. Karr, on the one hand, or the Bank, on the other hand, gives written notice to the other party not less than ninety (90) days prior to the anniversary date of its election not to extend the term of Mr. Karr’s third amended and restated employment agreement, in which case Mr. Karr’s third amended and restated employment agreement will terminate at the conclusion of its remaining term.

Pursuant to his third amended and restated employment agreement, Mr. Karr will receive a minimum base salary of $275,000 per year, which may be increased from time to time in such amounts as may be determined by the Bank’s board of directors. In addition, Mr. Karr will be eligible for a discretionary performance bonus not to exceed 75% of his base salary, based on his individual performance and the overall performance of the Bank, with eligibility and the amount of any such bonus to be at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.  Mr. Karr is also entitled to participate in any pension, retirement or other benefit plan or program given to employees and executives of the Bank, to the extent commensurate with Mr. Karr’s then duties and responsibilities as fixed by the board of directors of the Bank.


Pursuant to Mr. Karr’s third amended and restated employment agreement, the Bank has the right, at any time upon prior notice of termination, to terminate Mr. Karr’s employment for any reason, including, without limitation, termination for “Cause” or “Disability” (each as defined in Mr. Karr’s third amended and restated employment agreement), and Mr. Karr has the right, upon prior notice of termination, to terminate his employment with the Bank for any reason.

In the event that Mr. Karr’s employment is terminated by (a) the Bank for other than Cause, Disability, or Mr. Karr’s death and such termination occurs within two (2) years following a “Change in Control” (as defined in Mr. Karr’s third amended and restated employment agreement) or (b) Mr. Karr due to a material breach of his third amended and restated employment agreement by the Bank, or for “Good Reason” (as defined in Mr. Karr’s third amended and restated employment agreement), then Mr. Karr will be entitled to receive a lump sum cash severance amount equal to the product of (x) the sum of Mr. Karr’s base salary plus his incentive bonus for the previous year as in effect immediately prior to the date of his termination, (y) multiplied by two (2), less taxes and other required withholding.  In the event that Mr. Karr’s employment is terminated by the Bank for other than Cause, Disability, or Mr. Karr’s death and such termination does not occur in conjunction with a Change in Control or within two (2) years after a Change in Control, then Mr. Karr will be entitled to receive a lump sum cash severance amount equal to his base salary as in effect immediately prior to the date of his termination, less taxes and other required withholding.  In each case, Mr. Karr also will be entitled to receive for a period ending at the earlier of (i) the first anniversary of the date of his termination or (ii) the date of his full-time employment by another employer, at no cost to him, the continued participation in all group insurance, life insurance, health and accident, disability and other employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements in which he was entitled to participate immediately prior to the date of his termination, other than any stock option or other stock compensation plans or bonus plans of the Company or the Bank; provided, however, if his participation in any of these plans, programs or arrangements is barred, the Bank is required to arrange to provide him with benefits substantially similar to those he was entitled to receive under these plans, programs and arrangements prior to the date of his termination.

If the payments and benefits to Mr. Karr upon his termination would constitute a “parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code, the payments and benefits payable by the Bank to Mr. Karr pursuant to the terms of his third amended and restated employment agreement will be reduced, in the manner determined by Mr. Karr, by the amount, if any, which is the minimum necessary to result in no portion of the payments and benefits payable by the Bank to Mr. Karr being non-deductible to the Bank pursuant to Section 280G of the Code and subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code.

In the event that Mr. Karr’s employment is terminated by the Bank for Cause, or Mr. Karr terminates his employment other than for Disability or Good Reason, Mr. Karr will have no right to compensation or other benefits for any period after the date of his termination other than for base salary accrued through the date of his termination. In the event that Mr. Karr’s employment is terminated as a result of Disability or death during the term of his third amended and restated employment agreement, Mr. Karr, or his estate in the event of his death, will receive the lesser of (i) his existing base salary as in effect as of the date of termination or death, multiplied by one year or (ii) his base salary for the duration of the term of employment, less taxes and other required withholding.

Mr. Karr has agreed that during the term of his employment and after termination of his employment that he will not disclose to any other person or entity, other than in the regular course of business of the Bank, any “Confidential and Proprietary Information” (as defined in Mr. Karr’s third amended and restated employment agreement), other than pursuant to applicable law, regulation or subpoena or with the prior written consent of the Bank.  Mr. Karr has agreed that during the term of his third amended and restated employment agreement and for two (2) years after the date of his termination, he will not hire or solicit or attempt to solicit for hire, or encourage another person to hire, a “Covered Employee” (as defined in Mr. Karr’s third amended and restated employment agreement).

Mr. Rice’s Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement. Mr. Rice and the Bank entered into a second amended and restated employment agreement dated May 31, 2016 that provides for the employment of Mr. Rice as the Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Bank.  Mr. Rice’s second

amended and restated employment agreement has a term of one (1) year and, on each anniversary of the date of the second amended and restated employment agreement, the term of the second amended and restated employment agreement automatically will extend for an additional one-year period unless Mr. Rice, on the one hand, or the Bank, on the other hand, gives written notice to the other party not less than ninety (90) days prior to the anniversary date of its election not to extend the term of Mr. Rice’s second amended and restated employment agreement, in which case Mr. Rice’s second amended and restated employment agreement will terminate at the conclusion of its remaining term.

Pursuant to his second amended and restated employment agreement, Mr. Rice will receive a minimum base salary of $275,000 per year, which may be increased from time to time in such amounts as may be determined by the Bank’s board of directors. In addition, Mr. Rice will be eligible for a discretionary performance bonus in an amount not to exceed 75% of his base salary, based on his individual performance and the overall performance of the Bank, with the criteria for determining eligibility and the amount of any discretionary performance bonus to be at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Rice also is entitled to participate in any pension, retirement or other benefit plan or program given to employees and executives of the Bank, to the extent commensurate with his then duties and responsibilities as fixed by the board of directors of the Bank.

Pursuant to Mr. Rice’s second amended and restated employment agreement, the Bank has the right, at any time upon prior notice of termination, to terminate Mr. Rice’s employment for any reason, including, without limitation, termination for “Cause” or “Disability” (each as defined in Mr. Rice’s second amended and restated employment agreement), and Mr. Rice has the right, upon prior notice of termination, to terminate his employment with the Bank for any reason.

In the event that Mr. Rice’s employment is terminated by (a) the Bank for other than Cause, Disability, or Mr. Rice’s death and such termination occurs within two (2) years following a “Change in Control” (as defined in Mr. Rice’s second amended and restated employment agreement) or (b) Mr. Rice due to a material breach of his second amended and restated employment agreement by the Bank, or for “Good Reason” (as defined in Mr. Rice’s second amended and restated employment agreement), then Mr. Rice will be entitled to receive a lump sum cash severance amount equal to the product of (x) the sum of Mr. Rice’s base salary plus his incentive bonus for the previous year as in effect immediately prior to the date of his termination, (y) multiplied by two (2), less taxes and other required withholding.  In the event that Mr. Rice’s employment is terminated by the Bank for other than Cause, Disability, or Mr. Rice’s death and such termination does not occur in conjunction with a Change in Control or within two (2) years after a Change in Control, then Mr. Rice will be entitled to receive a lump sum cash severance amount equal to his base salary as in effect immediately prior to the date of his termination, less taxes and other required withholding.  In each case, Mr. Rice also will be entitled to receive for a period ending at the earlier of (i) the first anniversary of the date of his termination or (ii) the date of his full-time employment by another employer, at no cost to him, the continued participation in all group insurance, life insurance, health and accident, disability and other employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements in which he was entitled to participate immediately prior to the date of his termination, other than any stock option or other stock compensation plans or bonus plans of the Company or the Bank; provided, however, if his participation in any of these plans, programs or arrangements is barred, the Bank is required to arrange to provide him with benefits substantially similar to those he was entitled to receive under these plans, programs and arrangements prior to the date of his termination.

If the payments and benefits to Mr. Rice upon his termination would constitute a “parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code, the payments and benefits payable by the Bank to Mr. Rice pursuant to the terms of his second amended and restated employment agreement will be reduced, in the manner determined by Mr. Rice, by the amount, if any, which is the minimum necessary to result in no portion of the payments and benefits payable by the Bank to Mr. Rice being non-deductible to the Bank pursuant to Section 280G of the Code and subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code.

In the event that Mr. Rice’s employment is terminated by the Bank for Cause, or Mr. Rice terminates his employment other than for Disability or Good Reason, Mr. Rice will have no right to compensation or other

benefits for any period after the date of his termination other than for base salary accrued through the date of his termination. In the event that Mr. Rice’s employment is terminated as a result of Disability or death during the term of his second amended and restated employment agreement, Mr. Rice, or his estate in the event of his death, will receive the lesser of (i) his existing base salary as in effect as of the date of termination or death, multiplied by one year or (ii) his base salary for the duration of the term of employment, less taxes and other required withholding.

Mr. Rice has agreed that during the term of his employment and after termination of his employment that he will not disclose to any other person or entity, other than in the regular course of business of the Bank, any “Confidential and Proprietary Information” (as defined in Mr. Rice’s second amended and restated employment agreement), other than pursuant to applicable law, regulation or subpoena or with the prior written consent of the Bank.  Mr. Rice has agreed that during the term of his second amended and restated employment agreement and for two (2) years after the date of his termination, he will not hire or solicit or attempt to solicit for hire, or encourage another person to hire, a “Covered Employee” (as defined in Mr. Rice’s second amended and restated employment agreement).

Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed the CD&A set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K with management.  Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board that the CD&A be included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Joseph L. Garrett, Committee Chair
Ayad A. Fargo
John D. Goddard
Jeff C. Jones
Cora M. Tellez

Summary Compensation Table 

The NEO’s for 2016 consisted of Steven R. Gardner, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, Ronald J. Nicolas, Jr., Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank, Edward Wilcox, President and Chief Banking Officer of the Bank, Michael S. Karr, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of the Bank, and Thomas Rice, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Bank. The following table shows the compensation of the NEO’s for services to the Company or the Bank during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.



SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Name and Principal PositionYearSalaryBonus (1)Restricted Stock
Awards (2)
Option
Awards (3)
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (4)Change in Pension Value (Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Contribution (5)All Other Compensation (6)Total
          
Steven R. Gardner2016$600,000


$1,921,766
$
$646,260
$257,406
$81,506
$3,506,938
Chairman, President and2015500,000
496,861
758,000
236,729

242,452
82,473
2,316,515
Chief Executive Officer2014475,000
332,500

183,378

228,367
26,198
1,245,443
          
Edward Wilcox2016325,000


970,167

210,035
47,965
37,761
1,590,928
President and2015300,000
178,870

165,710

45,179
35,353
725,112
Chief Banking Officer of the Bank2014265,000
159,000

91,689

42,554
20,206
578,449
          
Ronald J. Nicolas, Jr.2016175,000


500,000



10,334
685,334
Senior Executive Vice President and2015







Chief Financial Officer2014







          
E. Allen Nicholson2016137,500


73,784



12,473
223,757
Former Executive Vice President and2015145,750
72,417
169,500



9,975
397,642
Chief Financial Officer2014







          
Michael S. Karr2016275,000


644,769

148,101

34,049
1,101,919
Senior Executive Vice President and2015240,000
119,247

118,365


26,373
503,985
Chief Credit Officer of the Bank2014225,000
112,500

73,351


16,283
427,134
          
Thomas Rice2016275,000


644,769

148,101

34,282
1,102,152
Senior Executive Vice President and2015240,000
97,500

118,365


30,254
486,119
Chief Operating Officer of the Bank2014195,000
97,500

73,351


17,236
383,087
          
          
(1) Discretionary incentive cash awards earned in 2014 were paid in 2015 and Discretionary incentive cash awards earned in 2015 were paid in 2016.
(2) These amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock and RSUs granted in 2015 and 2016, calculated in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Account Standards Codification Topic 718 (“FASB ASC Topic 718”). Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are discussed in Note 18 to our Consolidated Audited Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Fair value is based on 100% of the closing price per share of our common stock on the date of grant. The number of awards granted in 2016 is reflected in the “Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2016” table, below. The grant date fair value of the RSUs granted in 2016, which may be earned at varying levels based on performance over the period 2016 - 2018, is shown in this table assuming that the maximum level of RSUs will be earned by performance.
(3) The grant date fair value of options granted in 2014 and 2015, as reflected in this column, were determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Refer to Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 for a discussion of the assumptions underlying the option award valuations. There were no stock options granted in 2016.
(4) Amounts in this column are payouts of our annual cash incentive awards, for performance in 2016. See "Compensation Discussion and Analysis-Annual Incentive Awards." Awards earned for performance in 2016 were paid in 2017.
(5) Amounts in this column represent Company contributions under our Salary Continuation Plan. See "Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation," below.
(6) All Other Compensation consisted of amounts shown in the “All Other Compensation” table below.

ALL OTHER COMPENSATION
Name Year Employer 401(k) Match Auto (1) Group Term Life Other Insurance (2) Other (3) Total
               
Steven R. Gardner 2016 $8,308
 $23,998
 $720
 $27,821
 $20,659
 $81,506
               
Edward Wilcox 2016 13,228
 6,000
 720
 15,941
 1,872
 37,761
               
Ronald J. Nicolas, Jr.
 2016 
 
 420
 8,724
 1,190
 10,334
               
E. Allen Nicholson 2016 4,819
 
 300
 7,354
 
 12,473
               
Michael S. Karr 2016 12,364
 
 691
 19,122
 1,872
 34,049
               
Thomas Rice 2016 11,658
 
 691
 21,933
 
 34,282
               
               
(1) Mr. Gardner has the use of a Company-leased vehicle, and Mr. Wilcox is granted an automobile allowance.
(2) In addition to health care benefits, Mr. Gardner is covered under a separate $1.5 million life insurance policy, for which the Bank pays $1,398 per year. The Bank pays for a Short Term Disability policy for Mr. Gardner which costs $1,728 annually. Pursuant to the September 2006 Long-Term Care Insurance Plan for Messrs. Gardner and Wilcox, the premium paid by the Bank in 2016 were $2,502 and $1,467, respectively.
(3) Club membership fees.



Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2016
The following table provides information about awards granted to the NEO’s in 2016. All of the awards shown were granted under the 2012 Plan.
 Grant DateEstimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan AwardsEstimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan AwardsAll Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#)Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($) 
Name Threshold
($)
Target
($)
Maximum
($)
Threshold
($)
Target
($)
Maximum
($)
   
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(h)(i)(j) 
           
Steven R. Gardner
300,000
600,000
900,000
   85,000
1,639,650
 
 1/25/2016   8,775
11,700
14,625


282,116
(1)
Edward Wilcox
97,500
195,000
292,500
   12,700
244,983
 
 1/25/2016   3,225
4,300
5,375


103,684
(1)
 6/1/2016      25,000
621,500
 
Ronald J. Nicolas, Jr.5/31/2016      20,000
500,000
 
Michael S. Karr
68,750
137,500
206,250
   5,400
104,166
 
 1/25/2016   1,350
1,800
2,250
2,250
43,403
(1)
 6/1/2016      20,000
497,200
 
Thomas Rice
68,750
137,500
206,250
   5,400
104,166
 
 1/25/2016   1,350
1,800
2,250
2,250
43,403
(1)
 6/1/2016      20,000
497,200
 
           
Note: E. Allen Nicholson, Former Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer was awarded 10,000 restricted stock awards on 6/22/2015, 2,700 restricted stock awards on 1/25/2016, and 1,125 restricted stock units on 1/25/2016. All restricted stock was forfeited upon his voluntary termination effective 5/31/2016. 
(1) The grant date fair value of the RSUs granted in 2016, which may be earned at varying levels based on performance over the period 2016-2018, is shown in this table assuming that the maximum level of RSUs will be earned by performance. See Note (2) to the Summary Compensation Table, above. 

Outstanding Equity Awards
This table shows the equity awards that have been previously awarded to each of the NEO’s and which remained outstanding as of December 31, 2016.









2016 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
 Option Awards Stock Awards
NameNumber of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
(#) Exercisable
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
Unexercisable (#)(1)
Option Exercise Price ($)Option Expiration Date Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#) (2)Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)
          
Steven R. Gardner25,000

7.10
1/2/2018
 33,334 (3)
1,178,357



35,000

5.01
8/27/2018
 85,000 (4)
3,004,750
14,625
516,994

5,000

6.30
1/5/2021
 



 100,000

7.87
6/5/2022
 



 50,000

10.44
1/2/2023
 



 33,333
16,667
15.68
1/2/2024
 



 16,666
33,334
15.16
1/28/2025
 



          
Edward Wilcox25,000

7.10
1/2/2018
 12,700 (4)
448,945
5,375
190,006

17,500

5.01
8/27/2018
 25,000 (5)
883,750



2,000

6.30
1/5/2021
 



 25,000

7.87
6/5/2022
 



 25,000

10.44
1/2/2023
 



 16,666
8,334
15.68
1/2/2024
 



 11,666
23,334
15.16
1/28/2025
 



          
Michael S. Karr10,000

7.10
1/2/2018
 5,400 (4)
190,890
2,250
79,538

10,000

5.01
8/27/2018
 20,000 (5)
707,000



2,000

6.30
1/5/2021
 



 25,000

7.87
6/5/2022
 



 25,000

10.44
1/2/2023
 



 13,333
6,667
15.68
1/2/2024
 



 8,332
16,668
15.16
1/28/2025
 



          
Thomas Rice2,000

6.30
1/5/2021
 5,400 (4)
190,890
2,250
79,538

5,000

6.26
12/14/2021
 20,000 (5)
707,000



5,000

10.44
1/2/2023
 



 13,333
6,667
15.68
1/2/2024
 



 8,332
16,668
15.16
1/28/2025
 



          
Ronald J. Nicolas, Jr.



 20,000
707,000







 








 



          

(1) The original option grants provided for vesting of one-third of the option on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant. Options that remained unexercisable at December 31, 2016 and have an expiration date of January 2, 2024 became fully vested on January 2, 2017. Options that remained unexercisable at December 31, 2016 and have an expiration date of January 28, 2025 became vested as to one half of the remaining unvested option shares on January 28, 2017 and will become vested as to the remaining unvested option shares on January 28, 2018. The options are subject to accelerated vesting in specified circumstances. See “Potential Payments Upon Termination or a Change in Control.”
(2) These RSUs require achievement of a financial performance goal over the period 2016 - 2018 in order to be earned, and require service through January 25, 2019 (the third anniversary of the grant date) in order to vest. For information on the performance goal, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Elements of NEO Compensation - Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards.” For purposes of this Table, the maximum number of RSUs that may be earned by the NEO based on performance is shown. The RSUs are subject to accelerated vesting in specified circumstances. See “Potential Payments Upon Termination or a Change in Control.”

(3) These shares of restricted stock were part of a grant on January 28, 2015 that provided for vesting of one-third of the shares of restricted stock on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant. Shares of restricted stock that remained unvested at December 31, 2016 became vested as to one half of the remaining unvested shares on January 28, 2017 and will become vested as to the remaining unvested shares on January 28, 2018. The restricted stock is subject to accelerated vesting in specified circumstances. See “Potential Payments Upon Termination or a Change in Control.”
(4) One-third of these shares of restricted stock vest on each of the three anniversaries of January 25, 2016, the date of grant, if the NEO remains employed through the vesting date. These shares of restricted stock also required as a condition to vesting that the Company’s ratio of adjusted nonperforming assets to total assets as of December 31, 2016, excluding all nonperforming assets acquired through merger or acquisitions (“Adjusted NPA Ratio”), be less than 2%, which performance goal was achieved. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Elements of NEO Compensation - Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards.” The restricted stock is subject to accelerated vesting in specified circumstances. See “Potential Payments Upon Termination or a Change in Control.”

(5) These shares of restricted stock vest 100% on the third anniversary of the date of grant if the NEO remains employed through the vesting date. These shares of restricted stock also required as a condition to vesting that the Company’s ratio of adjusted nonperforming assets to total assets as of December 31, 2016, excluding all nonperforming assets acquired through merger or acquisitions (“Adjusted NPA Ratio”), be less than 2%, which performance goal was achieved. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis - - Elements of NEO Compensation - Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards.” The date of grant was June 1, 2016 in the case of Mr. Nicolas and May 31, 2016 in the case of the other indicated NEOs. The restricted stock is subject to accelerated vesting in specified circumstances. See “Potential Payments Upon Termination or a Change in Control.”

Note: E. Allen Nicholson was awarded 10,000 restricted stock awards on 6/22/2015, 2,700 restricted stock awards on 1/25/2016, and 1,125 restricted stock units on 1/25/2016. All restricted stock was forfeited upon his voluntary termination effective 5/31/2016.

Exercised Options and Restricted Stock Vested in 2016

Named Executive OfficerOption AwardsStock Awards
Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#)Value Realized on Exercise ($) (1)Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) (2)Value Realized on Vesting ($) (3)
Steven R. Gardner25,000
548,806
16,666
335,820.00
Edward Wilcox10,000
219,523


Ronald J. Nicolas, Jr.



Michael S. Karr5,000
109,758


Thomas Rice5,000
82,400


     
(1) The value realized on exercise is the difference between the closing price of the Company's Common Stock on the date of exercise and the exercise price of the options multiplied by the number of shares acquired on exercise.
(2) Amounts do not take into account any shares withheld by the Company to satisfy employee income taxes.
(3) Represents the value realized upon vesting of restricted stock award, based on the market value of the shares on the vesting date.




Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

The Bank implemented our Salary Continuation Plan in 2006 (amended in 2013). The Plan is an unfunded non-qualified supplemental retirement plan for Mr. Gardner, our CEO, and Mr. Wilcox, our Bank President and Chief Banking Officer. The Salary Continuation Plan, as amended, provides for the annual benefit of $200,000 for the CEO and $100,000 for the Bank President upon a normal retirement at or after age 62, payable for 15 years. Such benefit would be paid in 12 monthly installments commencing the month after normal retirement. The Salary Continuation Plan also provides for a reduced annual benefit (at December 31, 2016, this annual amount was $128,688 for Mr. Gardner and $13,741 for Mr. Wilcox, payable for 15 years), payable upon termination before normal retirement age (including an early retirement or termination due to disability), and provides for accelerated payment of a specified lump sum amount upon the NEO’s termination due to death or a change in control, as that term is defined under Code Section 409A. See “Potential Payments Upon Termination or a Change in Control” below.

The amount expensed in 2016 under the Salary Continuation Plan amounted to an aggregate of $784,000, of which $257,000 was for Mr. Gardner, and $48,000 was for Mr. Wilcox (the remainder of the aggregate expense was associated with former executives of financial institutions that have been acquired by the Company). The Salary Continuation Plan was accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 715 as of December 31, 2016.
2016 NONQUALIFIED SALARY CONTINUATION PLAN
NameAggregate Balance at Fiscal Year-End Prior to Last Fiscal Year-End ($)Registrant Contributions in Last Fiscal Year ($)Aggregate Earnings in Last Fiscal Year ($)Aggregate Withdrawals/
Distributions ($)
Aggregate Balance at Last Fiscal Year-End ($)
      
Steven R. Gardner$1,013,430
$257,406
$
$
$1,270,836
      
Edward Wilcox87,733
47,965


135,698

Potential Payments Upon Termination or a Change in Control
As described above in “Employment Arrangements, Salary Continuation Plan, Severance and Change-in-Control Provisions” under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” (at pp. 153 to 155) and under “Employment Agreements” (at pp.156 to 163), we have employment agreements with our NEOs in service at the end of the 2016 fiscal year providing for payments and benefits to the NEOs in the event of terminations of employment in specific cases. In addition, Mr. Gardner, our CEO, and Mr. Wilcox, President and CBO of the Bank, are party to a Salary Continuation Plan, which also provides them with benefits in the event of certain terminations of employment.

Employment Agreements

The discussion below describes amounts and benefits that would be payable to our NEOs who were serving at December 31, 2016 under their employment agreements, in the event of a termination of employment in the described circumstances.

Termination for Cause; Resignation without Disability or Good Reason. If an NEO is terminated for cause or resigns without disability or good reason, as such terms are defined in the employment agreements, he will receive only his base salary accrued through the date of termination or death. In this event, no additional severance benefits are payable.

Termination as a Result of Disability; Death. If an NEO's employment terminates as a result of disability or death during the term of employment, the executive or his estate will receive a lump-sum cash payment

of the lesser of (i) one year base salary as in effect as of the date of termination or (ii) his base salary for the remainder of the term of his employment agreement.

Termination other than for Cause, Disability or Death; Resignation by the Executive for Good Reason. If an NEO's employment is terminated (a) by us other than for cause, disability or his death and such termination occurs within two years following a Change in Control or (b) by the executive for “Good Reason” within two years following a Change in Control, then the executive will be entitled to a lump-sum cash payment equal to a multiple of the sum of his base salary as in effect immediately prior to the date of termination plus his incentive bonus for the previous year, with the following multipliers: Mr. Gardner, three times; Mr. Wilcox, 2.99 times, and Messrs. Karr, Rice and Nicolas, two times. Pursuant to the employment agreements, “Good Reason” means the executive resigned within two years following a Change in Control based on (1) a material reduction by us of his functions, duties or responsibilities, (2) a material reduction by us of his base salary, or (3) our requirement that he be based at a location more than 50 miles from Irvine, California, without the executive’s express written consent.

If an NEO is terminated by us other than for cause, disability, or his death not in the two years following a Change in Control, then the executive will be entitled to a lump-sum cash payment equal to, in the case of Mr. Gardner, three time his base salary, and in the case of Messrs. Wilcox, Karr, Rice and Nicolas, one times his base salary.

Under the terms of each NEO’s employment agreement, if the executive’s employment with us is terminated as described in the two paragraphs above, then the executive is entitled to participate, at no cost to the executive, in all group insurance, life insurance, health and accident, disability and other employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements in which the executive was entitled to participate immediately prior to the date of termination (other than any of our stock option or other stock compensation plans or bonus plans), for a period ending at the earlier of (i) the third anniversary of the date of termination with respect to Mr. Gardner and the first anniversary of the date of termination with respect to Messrs. Wilcox, Karr, Rice and Nicolas, and (ii) the date of his full-time employment by another employer, provided that in the event Mr. Gardner’s participation in any such plan, program or arrangement is barred, we must arrange to provide him with benefits substantially similar to those he was entitled to receive under such plans, programs and arrangements prior to the date of termination.

In receiving any of the foregoing payments, the NEOs are not obligated to seek other employment or to mitigate the amounts payable to them as set forth above, and such amounts will not be reduced or terminated whether or not an executive obtains other employment (except with regard to certain benefits as specifically noted).

Each employment agreement also provides that the severance payments and benefits will be modified or reduced by the amount, if any, that is the minimum necessary to result in no portion of the payments and benefits payable being subject to an excise tax under the “golden parachute” provisions under Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code.

Salary Continuation Plan

Mr. Gardner and Mr. Wilcox participate in our Salary Continuation Plan. Under that Plan, each executive would be entitled to specified amounts for any termination of employment other than a termination for cause (as defined in the Plan) in certain circumstances. The amounts payable in the case of a termination not due to death and prior to or more than 12 months after a change in control (as defined in the Plan) are described above under the caption “Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation.” Upon either death or a change in control, followed within 12 months by a termination of Mr. Gardner’s or Mr. Wilcox’s employment, the executive would receive a lump-sum change-in-control benefit payment as specified under the Salary Continuation Plan, $1,982,130 in the case of Mr. Gardner and $989,413 in the case of Mr. Wilcox, representing an enhancement of the accrual balance under the Plan, provided that, in the event this amount is subject to federal excise taxes under the “golden parachute” provisions under Section 280G of the Code, the payments will be reduced or delayed to the extent necessary so that the payments would not be excess parachute payments.


Resignation of Mr. Nicholson

Upon Mr. Nicholson’s resignation in May 2016, no severance became payable, his annual incentive opportunity for 2016 was forfeited and all of his outstanding equity awards were forfeited.

Accelerated Vesting of Equity Awards

Restricted stock awards and unvested stock options generally will vest in full in the event that the NEO’s employment is terminated by us without cause or the NEO terminates for good reason (subject to achievement of the Adjusted NPA performance goal in the case of restricted stock), or if employment terminates due to the NEO’s death or disability. In the event of a change in control, restricted stock and unvested stock options will vest in full if the NEO has been employed by us for at least six months at the time of the change in control. In the case of retirement at or after age 65, options that have been outstanding for at least two years vest in full. RSU awards will vest on an accelerated basis at the maximum level in the event that the NEO’s employment terminates due to death or disability, or if, within two years after a change in control, the NEO’s employment is terminated by us without cause or by the NEO for good reason.

Compensation of Non-Employee Directors

The Board of Directors, acting upon a recommendation from the Compensation Committee, annually determines the non-employee directors’ compensation for serving on the Board of Directors and its committees. In establishing director compensation, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee are guided by the following goals, compensation should:

consist of a combination of cash and equity awards that are designed to fairly pay the directors for work required for a company of our size and scope;
align the directors’ interests with the long-term interests of the Company’s stockholders; and
assist with attracting and retaining qualified directors.

The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors most recently completed this process in December 2016. To better position the Company’s director compensation relative to our peer group, as identified below, it was determined that director compensation for 2017 will increase from the 2016 compensation as detailed below. The Company does not pay director compensation to directors who are also employees. Below are the elements of compensation paid to non-employee directors for their service on the Board of Directors.

Cash Compensation.  During the 2016 fiscal year, non-employee directors received the following cash payments for their service on the Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank:

an annual cash retainer of $55,000, paid quarterly, for service on the Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank;
an additional annual cash retainer of $7,500, paid quarterly, to the Chairman of the Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank;
an additional annual cash retainer of $7,500, paid quarterly, to the Chairman of the audit committee of the Company’s Board;
an additional annual cash retainer of $2,500, paid quarterly, to the members of the audit committee of the Company’s Board;
an additional annual cash retainer of $5,000, paid quarterly, to the Chairman of the compensation committee of the Company’s Board; and
an additional annual cash retainer of $1,000, paid quarterly, to the members of the compensation committee of the Company’s Board.

For the 2017 fiscal year, the cash compensation for non-employee directors serving on the Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank was changed as follows:


an annual cash retainer of $59,000, paid quarterly, for service on the Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank;
an additional annual cash retainer of $15,000, paid quarterly, to the Chairman of the audit committee of the Company’s Board;
an additional annual cash retainer of $2,500, paid quarterly, to the members of the audit committee of the Company’s Board;
an additional annual cash retainer of $10,000, paid quarterly, to the Chairman of the compensation committee of the Company’s Board; and
an additional annual cash retainer of $1,000, paid quarterly, to the members of the compensation committee of the Company’s Board.

During 2016, the Company did not provide perquisites to any director in an amount that is reportable under applicable SEC rules and regulations. All non-employee directors are entitled to reimbursement for travel expense incurred in attending Board and committee meetings.

Stock Compensation.  Each non-employee director is eligible for a grant of shares of restricted stock issued from the Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan”), as recommended by the Compensation Committee. The shares of restricted stock that the Company awards to its directors fully vest as of the first anniversary of the date of grant, subject to earlier vesting on termination of service in certain circumstances. On January 5, 2016, each of our non-employee directors was granted 2,000 shares of restricted stock. On January 26, 2017, each of our non-employee directors was granted 1,248 shares of restricted stock.

Stock Ownership Guideline for Directors. The Board of Directors adopted a stock ownership guideline for non-employee directors in March 2012, which requires that each non-employee director own shares of the Company’s common stock having a value of at least equal to five times the director's annual retainer for service on the Board of the Company or the Bank (not including committee-related fees). Directors have (i) five years from the date the guidelines were adopted, or until March 2017, or (ii) for new directors, five years after joining the Board of Directors, to meet the guidelines. Restricted stock and restricted stock units, and a portion of the shares that may be acquired by exercise of vested in-the-money stock options, are treated as stock ownership for this purpose. As of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, all directors met or exceeded the ownership guidelines to the extent applicable to them.

Health Insurance Benefits. Non-employee directors can elect to receive insurance benefits from the Company, including long-term care insurance or health care insurance. The aggregate cost of these benefits in 2016 was $77,000.

Aggregate Director Compensation in 2016. In accordance with applicable SEC rules and regulations, the following table reports all compensation the Company paid during 2016 to its non-employee directors.

2016 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
NameFees Earned or Paid in CashStock
Awards (1)
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings (2)All Other CompensationTotal
      
Kenneth A. Boudreau$57,500
$40,840
$3,873
$4,000
$106,213
John J. Carona55,000
40,840
345
4,000
100,185
Joseph L. Garrett62,500
40,840

4,000
107,340
John D. Goddard56,000
40,840
1,255
4,000
102,095
Jeff C. Jones63,875
40,840
1,255
4,000
109,970
Michael L. McKennon62,500
40,840
8,185
4,000
115,525
Cora Tellez58,500
40,840
48
4,000
103,388
Ayad Fargo51,333

25
4,000
55,358
Zareh Sarrafian50,417


4,000
54,417
      
      
(1) These amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock granted in 2016, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are discussed in Note 18 to our Consolidated Audited Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Fair value is based on 100% of the closing price per share of our common stock on the date of grant. At December 31, 2016, each of the non-employee directors named in the above table held 2,000 shares of restricted stock, except Mr. Fargo and Mr. Sarrafian held none. In addition, at December 31, 2016, non-employee directors held outstanding stock options as follows: Mr. Boudreau, 36,000; Mr. Carona, 15,000; Mr. Garrett, 25,000; Mr. Goddard, 36,000; Mr. Jones, 36,000; Mr. McKennon, 36,000; Ms. Tellez, 0; Mr. Fargo, 0; and Mr. Sarrafian, 0.

(2) Amounts reported in this column are the total interest credited on deferred compensation balances in 2016. Only the portion of such interest that exceeds 120% of the applicable federal rate is deemed to constitute compensation to a director under the SEC rules governing this table.

Deferred Compensation Plan
The Bank created a Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan in September 2006 which allows non-employee directors to defer Board of Directors’ fees and provides for additional contributions from any opt-out portion of the Long-Term Care Insurance Plan. See “Long-Term Care Insurance Plan” under “Executive Compensation” below. The deferred compensation is credited with interest by the Bank at prime plus one percent through January 31, 2014, after which the rate was changed to prime minus one percent. The director's account balance is payable upon retirement or resignation. The Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan is unfunded. The Company is under no obligation to make matching contributions to the Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan. As of December 31, 2016, the unfunded liability for the plan was $1.6 million and the interest expense for 2016 was $70,000. The table below shows the totals for the Deferred Compensation Plan contributions and earnings, for our

Directors, for the year ended December 31, 2014,2016.
2016 NONQUALIFIED DIRECTOR DEFERRED COMPENSATION
NameAggregate Balance at Fiscal Year-End Prior to Last Fiscal Year-EndDirector Contributions in Last Fiscal YearContributions in Lieu of Health Insurance in Last Fiscal YearAggregate Earnings in Last Fiscal YearAggregate Withdrawals/
Distributions
Aggregate Balance at Last Fiscal Year-End
       
Kenneth A. Boudreau$151,861
$
$
$3,873
$
$155,734
John J. Carona11,629

4,000
345

15,974
Joseph L. Garrett





John D. Goddard47,300

4,000
1,255

52,555
Jeff C. Jones47,300

4,000
1,255

52,555
Michael L. McKennon290,735
54,208

8,185

353,128
Cora Tellez

4,000
48

4,048
Ayad Fargo

2,287
25

2,312
Zareh Sarrafian






Summary of Potential Termination Payments
The following table reflects the value of termination payments and benefits that each of Messrs. Gardner, Wilcox, Nicolas, Karr and Rice, who were the NEOs serving at December 31, 2016, would receive under their employment agreements and the enhanced termination payments and benefits that Mr. Gardner and Mr. Wilcox would receive under the headings “Corporate Governance;” “Item 1—ElectionSalary Continuation Plan, as applicable, if they had terminated employment on December 31, 2016 under the circumstances shown. The table does not include accrued salary and benefits, or certain amounts that the executive would be entitled to receive under plans or arrangements that do not discriminate in scope, terms or operation, in favor of Directors;” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” which information is incorporated herein by reference. The information required by this item with respect to our executive officers is containedand that are generally available to all salaried employees. In addition, the amounts accrued at December 31, 2016 for the account of Mr. Gardner and Mr. Wilcox under the Salary Continuation Plan, as shown above under the heading “Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation” and previously reflected as compensation in the Proxy Statement undercurrent and past Summary Compensation Tables, represents a non-qualified deferred compensation balance, so the headings “Corporate Governance” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,”table below only shows the extent of any enhancement of that benefit in those termination cases in which informationan enhancement is incorporated herein by reference.provided.

We maintain a code of ethics applicable to our Board of Directors, principal executive officer, and principal financial officer, as well as all of our other employees.  Our code of ethics can be found on our internet website located at www.ppbi.com.
Circumstances of Termination and/or Change in ControlSeverance Insurance
Benefits (1)
 Salary
Continuation
Plan (2)
 Equity
Accelerated
Vesting (3)
 Total
          
Steven R. Gardner         
Termination for Cause or resignation without Disability or Good Reason (not within two years after a change in control)$
 $
 $
 $
 $
Death600,000
 
 711,294
 5,700,954
 7,012,248
Disability600,000
 36,000
 
 5,700,954
 6,336,954
Retirement
 
 
 
 
Change in Control (regardless of termination)
 
 
 5,183,960
 5,183,960
Termination by us without Cause, or by NEO (not within two years after change in control)1,800,000
 37,424
(4)
 5,183,960
 7,021,384
Termination by us without cause or by NEO or Good Reason within two years after a change in control (5)(6)3,291,000
 37,424
(4)711,294
(5)5,700,954
 9,740,672

The information required by this item is contained in the Proxy Statement under the headings “Executive Compensation;” “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation;” and “Compensation Committee Report,” which information is incorporated herein by reference.
          
Edward Wilcox         
Termination for Cause or resignation without Disability or Good Reason (not within two years after a change in control)$
 $
 $
 $
 $
Death325,000
 
 853,715
 2,157,745
 3,336,460
Disability325,000
 
 
 2,157,745
 2,482,745
Retirement
 
 
 
 
Change in Control (regardless of termination)
 
 
 1,967,739
 1,967,739
Termination by us without Cause, or by NEO (not within two years after change in control)325,000
 29,708
(4)
 1,967,739
 2,322,447
Termination by us without cause or by NEO or Good Reason within two years after a change in control (5)(6)1,506,571
 29,708
(4)853,715
(5)2,157,745
 4,547,739
          
Ronald J. Nicolas, Jr.         
Termination for Cause or resignation without Disability or Good Reason (not within two years after a change in control)$
 $
 $
 $
 $
Death300,000
 
 
 707,000
 1,007,000
Disability300,000
 
 
 707,000
 1,007,000
Retirement
 
 
 
 
Change in Control (regardless of termination)
 
 
 707,000
 707,000
Termination by us without Cause, or by NEO (not within two years after change in control)300,000
 16,627
(4)
 707,000
 1,023,627
Termination by us without cause or by NEO or Good Reason within two years after a change in control (6)300,000
 16,627
(4)
 707,000
 1,023,627
          
Michael S. Karr         
Termination for Cause or resignation without Disability or Good Reason (not within two years after a change in control)$
 $
 $
 $
 $
Death275,000
 
 
 1,445,094
 1,720,094
Disability275,000
 
 
 1,445,094
 1,720,094
Retirement
 
 
 
 
Change in Control (regardless of termination)
 
 
 1,365,557
 1,365,557
Termination by us without Cause, or by NEO (not within two years after change in control)275,000
 28,975
(4)
 1,365,557
 1,669,532
Termination by us without cause or by NEO or Good Reason within two years after a change in control (6)788,494
 28,975
(4)
 1,445,094
 2,262,563
          
Thomas Rice         
Termination for Cause or resignation without Disability or Good Reason (not within two years after a change in control)$
 $
 $
 $
 $
Death275,000
 
 
 1,445,094
 1,720,094
Disability275,000
 
 
 1,445,094
 1,720,094
Retirement
 
 
 
 
Change in Control (regardless of termination)
 
 
 1,365,557
 1,365,557
Termination by us without Cause, or by NEO (not within two years after change in control)275,000
 11,117
(4)
 1,365,557
 1,651,674

Termination by us without cause or by NEO or Good Reason within two years after a change in control (6)745,000
 11,117
(4)
 1,445,094
 2,201,211
          
          
(1) Amounts in this column represents the incremental cost to the Company resulting from continuing participation by the individual, at no cost to him, in group insurance, life insurance, health and accident, disability and other employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements in which he was entitled to participate immediately prior to the date of termination (other than any stock option or other stock compensation plans or bonus plans of us), for a period ending at the earlier of (i) the third anniversary of the date of termination in the case of Mr. Gardner and the first anniversary of the date of termination in the case of Messrs. Wilcox, Karr, Rice and Nicolas, and (ii) the date of his full-time employment by another employer, provided that in the event the individual’s participation in any such plan, program or arrangement is barred, we must arrange to provide him with benefits substantially similar to those he was entitled to receive under such plans, programs and arrangements prior to the date of termination.
(2) The accrual balance under the Salary Continuation Plan, at December 31. 2016, is shown above under the heading “Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation.” The enhanced benefit amount is the amount by which a lump-sum payout exceeds the accrual balance; such a lump sum would be payable within a specified period following termination. In the case of a termination at December 31, 2016 for which a non-enhanced annual payments would be made over 15 years, the annual amount of such payments would be $128,688 for Mr. Gardner and $ 13,741 for Mr. Wilcox.
(3) Amounts in this column reflects the in-the-money value, at December 31, 2016, of unexercisable options that would become vested and exercisable upon the occurrence of the termination event stated in the left hand column. The dollar value of the vested stock options was determined by calculating the closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 31, 2016 less the option exercise price, and multiplying that by the number of shares for each award at the end of year 2016. Amounts in this column also reflect the value, based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 31, 2016, of the restricted stock or restricted stock units that would become vested upon the occurrence of the termination event stated in the left hand column.
(4) Represents the estimated incremental cost to the Company resulting in the individual’s participation, at no cost to him, in all group insurance, life insurance, health and accident, disability and other employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements in which he was entitled to participate immediately prior to the date of termination (other than any stock option or other stock compensation plans or bonus plans of us), for a period ending at the third anniversary of the date of termination with respect to Mr. Gardner and the first anniversary of the date of termination with respect to Messrs. Wilcox, Karr, Rice and Nicolas (this period would end earlier if the individual commenced full-time employment by another employer). If the individual’s continued participation in any of our applicable plans, programs or arrangements is barred, we must arrange to provide him with benefits substantially similar to those he was entitled to receive under such plans, programs and arrangements prior to the date of termination.
(5) The enhanced amount payable under the Salary Continuation Plan would be payable for any type of termination within 12 months after a change in control, but not for a termination in the second 12 months after a change in control. This amount together with the accrued benefit under the Salary Continuation Plan would be payable in a lump sum within a specified period following termination.
(6)Payments for events relating to a change in control have been calculated assuming no reduction to cause such payments not to be subject to federal excise taxes under the “golden parachute” provisions under Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. If aggregate payments would be subject to such “golden parachute” excise taxes, the payments will be reduced or delayed to the extent necessary so that the payments will not be subject to such excise taxes.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2014,2016, with respect to options and RSUs outstanding and shares available for future awards under the Company’s active stockequity incentive plans.

Plan Category Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options/Warrants  Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options/Warrants  Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) 
  (a)  (b)  (c) 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:       
2004 Stock Incentive Plan  325,355  $8.29   - 
2012 Stock Incentive Plan  599,729  $11.56   816,105 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders  -   -   - 
Total Equity Compensation plans  925,084  $10.41   816,105 

Plan Category Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (1) Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (2) Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (3)
  (a) (b) (c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:    
2004 Long-term Incentive Plan 230,605
 $7.41
 
Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Long-term Incentive Plan 877,562
 $14.02
 146,107
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders 
 
 
Total Equity Compensation plans 1,108,167
 $12.61
 146,107
       
       
(1) Consists of 853,062 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options and 24,500 shares issuable in settlement of outstanding RSUs (assuming RSUs are earned at the maximum potential level). Excludes 345,834 outstanding shares of restricted stock (these do not constitutes “rights” under SEC rules).
(2) The weighted-average exercise price includes all outstanding stock options but does not include RSUs, all of which do not have an exercise price. If RSUs were included in this calculation, treating such awards as having an exercise price of zero, the weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights would be $12.33.
(3) Consists of common stock remaining available for awards under our 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the "2012 Plan"). The 2012 Plan is our only equity compensation plan under which securities are available for future awards. All of the 2012 Plan shares are available for delivery under stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, RSUs or other forms of equity award authorized plans.

Additional information required by this item is contained in the Proxy Statement under the headings “PrincipalPrincipal Holders of Common Stock”Stock

The following table sets forth information as to those persons or entities believed by management to be beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Company's outstanding shares of common stock on March 15, 2017 or as represented by the owner or as disclosed in certain reports regarding such ownership filed by such persons with the Company and “Securitywith the SEC, in accordance with Sections 13(d) and 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Other than those persons listed below, the Company is not aware of any person, as such term is defined in the Exchange Act, that beneficially owns more than 5% of the Company's common stock as of the Record Date.

Title of ClassName and Address of Beneficial OwnerAmount and Nature of Beneficial OwnershipPercent of Class (1)
Common StockBlackRock Inc.1,714,598  (2)6.1%
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
Common StockVaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P.1,524,751 (3)5.5%
600 Travis Street, Suite 6300
Houston, TX 77002
(1) As March 15, 2017, there were 27,909,025 shares of Company common stock outstanding on which "Percent of Class" in the above table is based.
(2) As reported in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 30, 2017 for the calendar year ended December 31, 2016, BlackRock Inc. reported having sole voting power over 1,668,966 shares and sole dispositive power over 1,714,598 shares.
(3) As reported in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2017, reporting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2016. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. (“VNLP”), together with its general partner Vaughan Nelson Investment Management, Inc. (“VNGP”), reported having sole voting power over 1,091,650 shares, sole dispositive power over 1,459,050 shares, and shared dispositive power over 65,701 shares.


Security Ownership of Directors and ExecutivesExecutive Officers” which information is incorporated herein by reference.

This table and the accompanying footnotes provide a summary of the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 15, 2017, by (i) our directors, (ii) NEO's, and (iii) all of our current directors and executive officers as a group. The following summary is based on information furnished by the respective directors and officers.

Each person has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares they beneficially own.

     Total Beneficial
Ownership
NameCommon StockRestricted Stock (1)Options Exercisable (1)# (2)% (3)
 ABCDE
      
Kenneth A. Boudreau38,2031,2485,00044,4510.16%
John J. Carona14,4911,24812,50028,2390.10
Ayad Fargo294,6471,248295,8951.06
Joseph L. Garrett66,8501,24822,50090,5980.32
John D. Goddard72,6421,24833,500107,3900.38
Jeff C. Jones108,6931,24833,500143,4410.51
Michael L. McKennon35,0001,24822,50058,7480.21
Zareh Sarrafian18,7291,24819,9770.07
Cora Tellez10,3301,24811,5780.04
Steven R. Gardner150,186115,469298,333563,9882.00
Edward Wilcox48,88540,958142,833232,6760.83
Ronald J. Nicolas, Jr.24,21424,2140.09
Michael S. Karr17,52226,878108,666153,0660.55
Thomas Rice19,86726,87848,66695,4110.34
Stock Ownership of all Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (14 persons)896,045245,629727,9981,869,6726.53%
      
      
(1) In accordance with applicable SEC rules (i) shares of restricted stock constitute beneficial ownership because the holder has voting power, but not dispositive power; and (ii) stock options that are exercisable or will become exercisable, and RSUs that will be settled, within 60 days after March 15, 2017 are included in this column.
(2) The amounts in column D are derived by adding shares, restricted stock and options exercisable listed in columns A, B and C of the table.
(3) The amounts contained in column E are derived by dividing the amounts in column D of the table by (i) the total outstanding shares of 27,909,025 plus (ii) the amount in column C for that individual or the group, as applicable.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this item is contained in the Proxy Statement under the headings “TransactionsTransactions with Certain Related Persons”Persons
It is the policy of the Company that all permissible transactions between the Company and “Item 1—Electionits executive officers, directors, holders of Directors,”5% or more of the shares of any class of its common stock and affiliates thereof, contain terms no less favorable to the Company than could have been obtained by it in arm's-length negotiations

with unaffiliated persons and are required to be approved by a majority of independent outside directors of the Company not having any interest in the transaction.

On March 15, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of FAB. Prior to the acquisition, FAB was a commercial bank that exclusively focused on providing deposit and other services to HOAs and HOA management companies nationwide. The FAB business of servicing HOAs and HOA management companies has been joined with and is currently the primary source of business for the Bank's existing HOA Banking Unit, which informationfocuses exclusively on generating business banking relationships and servicing the specialized banking needs of HOA management companies and their respective clients. In connection with the FAB acquisition, the Bank, as successor-in-interest to FAB, entered into an amendment of the Depository Services Agreement, dated October 1, 2011, as amended, between FAB and Associa ("Depository Services Agreement"), that provided for (i) the Bank to be the successor to FAB upon consummation of the acquisition of FAB and (ii) the term of the Depository Services Agreement to be extended for a five-year period. During 2014, the Depository Services Agreement governed the services provided by the Bank to Associa and the HOA management companies controlled by Associa and those services provided by the Associa HOA management companies to the Bank. In 2015, Associa assigned its interests in the Depository Services Agreement to an entity of which Associa is incorporated hereinthe majority owner, and Mr. Corona became the sole shareholder of Associa. As a result, the Bank provides services under the Depository Services Agreement to Associa's assignee, and the HOA management companies controlled by reference.Associa will continue to provide services to the Bank.

During 2016, Mr. Carona, who became a director of the Company in 2014 in connection with the completion of the FAB acquisition, was the sole-owner and President and Chief Executive Officer of Associa. Pursuant to the Depository Services Agreement, the Bank paid Associa approximately $1.9 million in 2016 and, as such, the $1.9 million paid by the Bank to Associa during 2016 is attributable to Mr. Carona's ownership interest in Associa during 2016.

Pursuant to the Depository Services Agreement, the Company expects that such payments will exceed $120,000.

The Company and the Bank have continued to operate the HOA banking business of FAB substantially as it was conducted by FAB prior to the acquisition. While the Bank receives deposits from non-Associa HOA management companies, the Banks' relationship with the Associa HOA management companies offers the Bank the ability to take advantage of important efficiencies, cost savings and lower fees created by the role of the Associa management companies in the banking relationships the Bank maintains with the HOAs. Associa is the largest privately held HOA management company in the U.S. and operates a holding company that owns numerous subsidiary management companies. The Associa HOA management companies that maintain deposit relationships with the Bank represent thousands of HOAs and thousands of HOA accounts.

The Company's and the Bank's relationship with Associa and its management companies is an important component of our successful HOA Banking Unit. Further, Mr. Carona's expertise in the HOA management company banking business has and continues to be extremely helpful to the Board and our management team as we continue to grow our HOA Banking Unit.

Indebtedness of Management

Certain of our officers and directors, as well as their immediate family members and affiliates, are customers of, or have had transactions with us in the ordinary course of business. These transactions include deposits, loans and other financial services related transactions. Related party transactions are made in the ordinary course of business, on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral (where applicable), as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with persons not related to us, and do not involve more than normal risk of collectability or present other features unfavorable to us. As of the date of this filing, no related party loans were categorized as nonaccrual, past due, restructured or potential problem loans.


ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
 
The information required by this item is contained inOn June 3, 2016, the Proxy Statement under the heading “Item 11.  Ratification of the Appointment ofCompany notified Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co., LLP (“VTD”) that the Company would no longer be retaining VTD as the Company’s Independent Auditorindependent registered public accounting firm effective as of June 3, 2016. The decision to change the Company’s independent registered accounting firm was the result of a request for proposal process in which the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors conducted a comprehensive, competitive process to select an independent registered public accounting firm.

The audit reports of VTD on the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company for the Fiscal Year Endedfiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

During the Company’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, (i) there were no disagreements with VTD on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedures that, if not resolved to VTD’s satisfaction, would have caused VTD to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its reports and (ii) there were no “reportable events” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

On June 3, 2016, based upon the recommendation and approval of the Company’s Audit Committee, the Company engaged Crowe Horwath LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016 effective as of June 3, 2016. During the Company's fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015, and the subsequent interim period through June 3, 2016, neither the Company, nor anyone on the Company’s behalf, consulted with Crowe Horwath LLP regarding any matter set forth in Items 304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors considered the qualifications and experience of Crowe Horwath LLP, and, in consultation with the Board of Directors of the Company, appointed them as independent auditors for the Company for the current fiscal year which ends December 31, 2016.

Fees

Aggregate fees for professional services rendered to the Company by VTD, Moffett and Crowe for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:
 For the Years Ended December 31,
 2016 2015
Audit fees (1)$570,000
 $207,500
Audit‑related fees19,000
 15,000
Audit and audit‑related fees589,000
 222,500
Tax & Tax‑Related compliance fees172,000
 29,300
All other fees30,000
 39,000
Total fees$791,000
 $290,800
 
(1) For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company paid audit fees of $350,000 and 220,000 to Crowe Horwath LLP and VTD, respectively.

Audit Fees

Audit fees are related to the integrated audit of the Company’s annual financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, and for the reviews of the financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10‑Q and 10‑K for those years.

Audit‑Related Fees

Audit‑related fees for each of 2016 and 2015 included fees for audits of the Company’s 401(k) plan.

Tax Compliance Fees

Tax fees in both 2016 and 2015 consisted of tax compliance services in preparation of the Company’s tax returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service and various state tax agencies.

All Other Fees

All other fees for 2016 included fees related to the acquisition of Security Bank of California. All other fees for 2015 included fees related to the acquisitions of Independence Bank. Audit Committee Pre‑Approval Policies and Procedures The Audit Committee has adopted a policy that requires advance approval of all audit, audit‑related, tax services and other services performed by the independent auditor. The policy provides for pre‑approval by the Audit Committee of specified audit and non‑audit services. Unless the specific service has been previously pre‑approved with respect to that year, the Audit Committee must approve the permitted service before the independent auditor is engaged to perform it.

In 2016, 100% of Audit‑Related Fees, Tax Fees and All Other Fees were pre‑approved by the Audit Committee.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee has adopted a policy that requires advance approval of all audit, audit-related, tax services and other services performed by the independent auditor. The policy provides for pre-approval by the Audit Committee of specified audit and non-audit services. Unless the specific service has been previously pre-approved with respect to that year, the Audit Committee must approve the permitted service before the independent auditor is engaged to perform it.

In 2016, 100% of Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees and All Other Fees were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

The report of the Audit Committee shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Annual Report on Form 10-K into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for fiscal year 2016 with management and with the independent auditors. Specifically, the Audit Committee has discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by SAS 61, as amended by SAS 114 (Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, AU Section 380), which includes, among other things:

Methods used to account for significant unusual transactions;
The effect of significant accounting policies in controversial or emerging areas for which there is incorporated hereina lack of authoritative guidance or consensus;
The process used by reference.management in formulating particularly sensitive accounting estimates and the basis for the auditor’s conclusions regarding the reasonableness of those estimates; and
Disagreements with management over the application of accounting principles, the basis for management’s accounting estimates and the disclosures in the financial statements.

The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the Company’s independent accountants, Crowe Horwath LLP, required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committee. Additionally, the Audit Committee has discussed with Crowe Horwath the issue of its independence from the Company. Based on its review of the audited financial statements

and the various discussions noted above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

AUDIT COMMITTEE
Michael L. McKennon, Chair
Kenneth A. Boudreau
Joseph L. Garrett
Jeff C. Jones
Cora M. Tellez



PART IV
  

 
(a)           Documents filed as part of this report.
 
(1)The following financial statements are incorporated by reference from Item 8 hereof:

Independent Auditors’ Report.
 
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 20142016 and 2013.2015.
 
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 20132016, 2015 and 2012.2014.
 
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

Consolidated Statement of Other Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 20132016, 2015 and 2012.2014.
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 20132016, 2015 and 2012.2014.
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
(2)All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the SEC are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or related notes thereto.
(3)The following exhibits are filed as part of this Form 10-K, and this list includes the Exhibit Index.


Exhibit No.No.Description
2.1Purchase and Assumption Agreement-Whole Bank All Deposits, Among Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Receiver of Palm Desert National Bank, Palm Desert, California, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Pacific Premier Bank, Costa Mesa, California dated as of April 27, 2012. (1)
2.2Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of October 15, 2012, among Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc., Pacific Premier Bank and First Associations Bank. (2)
2.3Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of March 5, 2013, among Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc., Pacific Premier Bank and San Diego Trust Bank. (3)
2.4Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of October 21, 2014, among Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc., Pacific Premier Bank and Independence Bank. (4)
2.5Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated as of September 30, 2015, among Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and Security California Bancorp. (5)
2.6Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of December 12, 2016, between Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and Heritage Oaks Bancorp (6)
3.1Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. (4), as amended**
3.2Amended and Restated Bylaws of Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. (4)(7)
4.1Specimen Stock Certificate of Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. (5)(8)
4.2Indenture from PPBI Trust I. (8)I (9)
4.3Form of Subordinated Note Certificate by Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. (10)
10.12000 Stock Incentive Plan.  (7)*Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust from PPBI Trust I (9)
10.2Guarantee Agreement from PPBI Trust I (9)
10.32004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (12)*
10.4Form of 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan Incentive Stock Option Agreement (13)*
10.5Form of 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement (13)*
10.6Form of 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Agreement (13)*
10.7Salary Continuation Agreements between Pacific Premier Bank and Steven R. Gardner. (14)*
10.8Form of 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan Incentive Stock Option Award Agreement (15)
10.9Form of 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan Non-Qualified Stock Option Award Agreement (15)
10.10Form of 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement (15)
10.11Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement between Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Associated dated as of August 29, 2014 (10)
10.12Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. Amended and Restated 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (16)*
10.13Form of Amended and Restated 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (17)
10.14Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and Pacific Premier Bank and Steven R. Gardner dated January 1, 2011.  (11)as of May 31, 2016 (18)*
10.310.15Employment Agreement between Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and, Pacific Premier Bank and Kent SmithRonald J. Nicolas, Jr. dated January 1, 2011.  (11)May 31, 2018 (18)*
10.410.16Third Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and Pacific Premier Bank and EddieEdward Wilcox dated January 1, 2011.  (11)May 31, 2016 (18)*
10.510.17Third Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and Pacific Premier Bank and MikeMichael S. Karr dated January 1, 2011.  (11)May 31, 2016 (18)*
10.610.18Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust from PPBI Trust I. (8)
10.7GuaranteeEmployment Agreement from PPBI Trust I. (8)
10.8Salary Continuation Agreements between Pacific Premier Bank and Steven R. Gardner.  (9)Thomas Rice dated May 31, 2016 (18)*
10.92004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (10)*
10.10Form of 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan Incentive Stock Option Agreement (12)
10.11Form of 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement (12)
10.12Form of 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Agreement (12)
10.13Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (4)*
10.14Form of Incentive Stock Option Award Agreement (4)
10.15Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Award Agreement (4)
10.16Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement (4)
10.17
10.18
Form of Shareholder Agreement among Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc., First Association Bank and certain shareholders of First Associations Bank (2)
Form of Shareholder Agreement among Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc., San Diego Trust Bank, and certain shareholders of San Diego Trust Bank(3)
21Subsidiaries of Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. (Reference is made to “Item 1. Business” for the required information.)
2323.1Consent of Crowe Horwath, LLP.
23.2Consent of Vavrinek, Trine, Day and Co., LLP.LLP
31.1Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
31.2Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
32Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
101.INS**101.INSXBRL Instance Document #
101.SCH**101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document #
101.CAL**101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document #
101.LAB**101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document #
101.PRE**101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document #
101.DEF**101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document #
 ________________
(1)Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on May 3, 2012.
(2)Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 15, 2012.
(3)Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 6, 2013.
(4)Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 4, 2012.October 22, 2014.
(5)Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 1, 2015.
(6)[Ref. 12/31/2016 8-K]
(7)Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 29, 2016.
(8)Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-20497) filed with the SEC on January 27, 1997.
(6)(9)Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy StatementForm 10-Q filed with the SEC on December 14, 2001.May 3, 2004.
(7)(10)Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 2, 2014.
(11)Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on May 1, 2000.
(8)Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 3, 2004.
(9)Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 19, 2006.
(10)(12)Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on April 23, 2004.
(11)Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 6, 2011.
(12)(13)Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-117857) filed with the SEC on September 3, 2004.
(14)Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 19, 2006.
(15)Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 4, 2012.
(16)Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 28, 2015.
(17)Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 1, 2016.
(18)[Ref. 6/2/2016 8-K]
*Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
**Submitted electronicallyFiled herewith.  Users of this data are advised pursuant to Rule 401 of Regulations S-T promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission that the financial information contained in the XBRL-Related Documents is unaudited.  Furthermore, users of this data are advised in accordance with Rule 406T of Regulations S-T promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission that this Interactive Data File is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these Sections.
#Attached as Exhibit 101 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 20142016 of Pacific Premier Bancorp., Inc. are the following documents in XBRL (eXtensive Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 20142016 and 2011;2015; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 20132016, 2015 and 2012;2014; (iii) Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity and Other Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 20132016, 2015 and 2012;2014; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 20132016, 2015 and 2012,2014, and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.




 
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.
 
PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC.
By:          /s/ Steve Gardner
     Steve Gardner
     President and Chief Executive Officer
PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC.
By:/s/ Steven R. Gardner
Steven R. Gardner
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
DATED: March 16, 20152017
 
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.
 


  SignatureTitleDate
   
 
/s/ Steven R. Gardner
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer)
March 16, 20152017
Steven R. Gardner  
   
 
/s/ KentRonald J. SmithNicolas, Jr.
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and accounting officer)
March 16, 20152017
KentRonald J. Smith
Nicolas, Jr.  
   
/s/ Jeff C. JonesChairman of the Board of DirectorsDirectorMarch 16, 20152017
Jeff C. Jones
  
   
/s/ John D. GoddardDirectorMarch 16, 20152017
John D. Goddard
  
   
/s/ Michael L. McKennonDirectorMarch 16, 20152017
Michael L. McKennon
  
   
/s/ Kenneth BoudreauDirectorMarch 16, 20152017
Kenneth Boudreau
  
   
/s/ Joe GarrettDirectorMarch 16, 20152017
Joe Garrett
  
   
/s/ John CaronaDirectorMarch 16, 20152017
John Carona  
   
/s/ Cora M. TellezDirectorMarch 16, 2017
Cora M. Tellez
/s/ Ayad A. FargoDirectorMarch 16, 2017
Ayad A. Fargo
/s/ Zareh H. SarrafianDirectorMarch 16, 2017
Zareh H. Sarrafian

185