The Company and the Bank met all of the above capital adequacy requirements as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. 

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”) requires federal banking regulators to take “prompt corrective action” with respect to a capital-deficient institution, including requiring a capital restoration plan and restricting certain growth activities of the institution. The Company could be required to guarantee any such capital restoration plan required of the Bank if the Bank became undercapitalized. Pursuant to FDICIA, regulations were adopted defining five capital levels: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, severely undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized.

If capital falls below the minimum levels established by these regulatory capital guidelines, a holding company or a bank may be denied approval to acquire or establish additional banks or non-bank businesses or to open new facilities.

Banks with capital ratios below the required minimums are subject to certain administrative actions, including prompt corrective action, the termination of deposit insurance upon notice and hearing, or a temporary suspension of insurance without a hearing.

New Capital Rules.In July, 2013, the federal bank regulatory agencies approved the final rules implementing the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s capital guidelines for U.S. banks.banks, sometimes called “Basel III”. The phase-in period for the final rules began in 2015, with certain of the rules’ requirements phased in over a multi-year schedule. Under the final rules minimum requirements will increaseincreased for both the quantity and quality of capital held by the Company and the Bank. The new capital rules include a new commonminimum “common equity Tier 1” ratio of 4.5%, a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.0% (increased from 4.0%), a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0%, and a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0% (calculated as Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assetsaverage consolidated assets). The effective date of these requirements was January 1, 2015. In addition, the new capital rules include a capital conservation buffer of 2.5% above each of these levels (to be phased in over three years which beginning at 0.625% on January 1, 2016 and increasing by that amount on each subsequent January 1, until reaching 2.5% on January 1, 2019) will be required for banking institutions to avoid restrictions on their ability to pay dividends, repurchase stock or pay discretionary bonuses. Including the capital conservation buffer of 2.5%, the New Capital Rules would result in the following minimum ratios to be considered well capitalized: (i) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 4.5% and8.5%, (ii) a common equity Tier 1 capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets. The final rules also raise the minimum ratio of Tier 17.0%, and (iii) a total capital to risk-weighted assets from 4.0% to 6.0% and require a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%10.5%. The final rules also implement strict eligibility criteria for regulatory capital instruments.

The phase-in periodBoard of Governors of the Federal Reserve System has adopted final amendments to the Small Bank Holding Company Policy Statement (Regulation Y, Appendix C) ( the “Policy Statement”) that, among other things, raised from $500 million to $1 billion the asset threshold to qualify for the final rules begin on January 1, 2015, with full compliance with all of the final rule’s requirements phased in over a multi-year schedule. As of January 1, 2015, the Company’s and the Bank’s capital levels remained “well-capitalized”Policy Statement. The Company qualifies for treatment under the new rules.Policy Statement and is no longer subject to consolidated capital rules at the bank holding company level.

For additional information, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Capital Standards.”

Dividends.The Company's ability to pay cash dividends is dependent on dividends paid to it by the Bank and limited by California corporation law. Under California law, the holders of common stock of the Company are entitled to receive dividends when and as declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available, subject to certain restrictions. The California general corporation law prohibitspermits a California corporation such as the Company from paying dividends onto make a distribution to its common stock unless: (i)shareholders if its retained earnings immediately prior to the dividend payment, equals or exceedsequal at least the amount of the dividendproposed distribution or (ii) immediatelyif after giving effect to the dividend,distribution, the sumvalue of the Company'scorporation’s assets (exclusive of goodwill and deferred charges) would be at least equal to 125%exceed the amount of its liabilities (not including deferred taxes, deferredplus the amount of shareholders preferences, if any, and certain other conditions are met.

It is the Federal Reserve’s policy that bank holding companies should generally pay dividends on common stock only out of income available over the past year, and other deferred liabilities)only if prospective earnings support the organization’s expected future needs and financial condition. Further, it is the current assetsFRB’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. The Federal Reserve also discourages dividend payment ratios that are at maximum allowable levels unless both asset quality and capital are very strong.

The Bank is a legal entity that is separate and distinct from its holding company. The Company is dependent on the performance of the Bank for funds which may be received as dividends from the Bank for use in the operation of the Company would be at least equaland the ability of the Company to its current liabilities, or, ifpay dividends to shareholders. Future cash dividends by the averageBank will also depend upon management’s assessment of its earnings before taxes on incomefuture capital requirements, contractual restrictions, and before interest expense for the two preceding fiscal years was less than the average of its interest expense for the two preceding fiscal years, at least equal to 125% of its current liabilities.other factors.

Dividends from the Bank to the Company are restrictedrestricted under California law to the lesser of the Bank's retained earnings or the Bank's net income for the latest three fiscal years, less dividends previously declared during that period, or, with the approval of the DBO, to the greater of the retained earnings of the Bank, the net income of the Bank for its last fiscal year, or the net income of the Bank for its current fiscal year. As of December 31, 2014,2016, the maximum amount available for dividend distribution under this restriction was approximately $5,100,000.$9.9 million. In addition the Company’s ability to pay dividends is subject to certain covenants contained in the indentures relating to the Trust Preferred Securitiestrust preferred securities issued by the Company’s business trusts.trust subsidiaries.

Federal and State Bank Regulation. The Bank, as a state-chartered bank with deposits insured by the FDIC, is primarily subject to the supervision and regulation of the California Department of Business Oversight (the “DBO”), the FDIC, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”). These agencies may prohibit the Bank from engaging in what they believe constitute unsafe or unsound banking practices. The DBO regularly examines the Bank or participates in joint examinations with the FDIC.

The Community Reinvestment Act.The Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) requires that, in connection with examinations of financial institutions within its jurisdiction, the FDIC evaluate the record of the financial institutions in meeting the credit needs of their local communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with the safe and sound operation of those institutions. These factors are also considered in evaluating mergers, acquisitions and applications to open a branch or new facility. A less than “Satisfactory” rating would likely result in the suspension of any growth of the Bank through acquisitions or opening de novo branches until the rating is improved. As of the most recent CRAreport of examination the Bank’s CRA rating was “Satisfactory.”

Transactions with Affiliates.Banks are also subject to certain restrictions imposed by the Federal Reserve Act on extensions of credit to executive officers, directors, principal shareholders (including the Company) or any related interest of such persons. Extensions of credit must be made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral as, and follow credit underwriting procedures that are not less stringent than, those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with persons not affiliated with the bank, and must not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features. Banks are also subject to certain lending limits and restrictions on overdrafts to such persons. A violation of these restrictions may result in the assessment of substantial civil monetary penalties on the affected bank or any officer, director, employee, agent or other person participating in the conduct of the affairs of that bank, the imposition of a cease and desist order, and other regulatory sanctions.

The Federal Reserve Act and relatedthe FRB’s Regulation W limit the amount of certain loan and investment transactions between the Bank and its affiliates, require certain levels of collateral for such loans, and limit the amount of advances to third parties that may be collateralized by the securities of the Company or its subsidiaries. Regulation W requires that certain transactions between the Bank and its affiliates be on terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the Bank, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with or involving nonaffiliated companies or, in the absence of comparable transactions, on terms and under circumstances, including credit standards, that in good faith would be offered to or would apply to nonaffiliated companies. The Company and its subsidiaries have adopted an Affiliate Transactions Policy and have entered into various affiliate agreements in compliance with Regulation W.

Safety and Soundness Standards.Standards. The FRB and the FDIC have adopted non-capital safety and soundness standards for institutions. These standards cover internal controls, information and internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, compensation, fees and benefits, and standards for asset quality, earnings and stock valuation. An institution that fails to meet these standards must develop a plan acceptable to the agency, specifying the steps that it will take to meet the standards. Failure to submit or implement such a plan may subject the institution to regulatory sanctions.

Federal Deposit Insurance.Insurance.In addition to supervising and regulating state chartered non-member banks, the FDIC insures the Bank’s deposits, up to prescribed statutory limits, through the Deposit Insurance Fund (the “DIF”), currently $250,000 per depositor per institution. The DIF is funded primarily by FDIC assessments paid by each DIF member institution. The amount of FDIC assessments paid by each DIF member institution is based on its relative risk of default as measured by regulatory capital ratios and other supervisory factors. The Bank’s FDIC insurance expense totaled $0.4 million$255 thousand for 2014.2016.

Additionally, all FDIC-insured institutions are required to pay assessments to the FDIC to fund interest payments on bonds issued by the Financing Corporation (“FICO”), an agency of the Federal government established to recapitalize the predecessor to the DIF. The Bank’s FICO assessment rates, which are determined quarterly, averaged less than 0.01% of deposits in fiscal 2014.assessments totaled $30 thousand for 2016. These assessments will continue until the FICO bonds mature in 2017.2017 through 2019.

The FDIC may terminate a depository institution’sinstitution’s deposit insurance upon a finding that the institution’s financial condition is unsafe or unsound or that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices that pose a risk to the DIF or that may prejudice the interest of the bank’s depositors. Under California law, the termination of deposit insurance for the Bank would result in a termination of the Bank’s charter.

Interstate Branching. Branching. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), authorized national and state banks to establish branches in other states to the same extent as a bank chartered by that state would be permitted to branch. Previously, banks could only establish branches in other states if the host state expressly permitted out-of-state banks to establish branches in that state. Accordingly, banks will be able tomay now enter new markets more freely.

Consumer Protection Laws and Regulations.The banking regulatory agencies are focusing greater attention on compliance with consumer protection laws and their implementing regulations. Examination and enforcement have become more intense in nature, and insured institutions have been advised to monitor carefully compliance with such laws and regulations. The Company is subject to many federal and state consumer protection and privacy statutes and regulations, including but not limited to the following:

Penalties for noncompliance or violations under the above laws may include fines, reimbursement and other penalties. Due to heightened regulatory expectations related to compliance with generally, the Company may incur additional compliance costs.

The Dodd-Frank Act created a new, independent federal agency calledcalled the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”("CFPB"), which is granted broad rulemaking, supervisory and enforcement powers under various federal consumer financial protection laws. The CFPB has examination and primary enforcement authority with respect to depository institutions with $10 billion or more in assets. Smaller institutions, including the Bank, will be subject to rules promulgated by the CFPB but will continue to be examined and supervised by federal banking regulators for consumer compliance purposes. The CFPB has authority to prevent unfair, deceptive or abusive practices in connection with the offering of consumer financial products. The Dodd-Frank Act authorizes the CFPB to establish certain minimum standards for the origination of residential mortgages including a determination of the borrower’s ability to repay. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act allows borrowers to raise certain defenses to foreclosure if they receive any loan other than a “qualified mortgage” as defined by the CFPB. The Dodd-Frank Act permits states to adopt consumer protection laws and standards that are more stringent than those adopted at the federal level and, in certain circumstances, permits state attorneys general to enforce compliance with both the state and federal laws and regulations..

Anti-Money Laundering Laws.A series of banking laws and regulations beginning with the bank Secrecy Act in 1970 requires banks to prevent, detect, and report illicit or illegal financial activities to the federal government to prevent money laundering, international drug trafficking, and terrorism. Under the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct TerrorismUS PATRIOT Act of 2001, financial institutions are subject to prohibitions against specified financial transactions and account relationships, requirements regarding the Customer Identification Program, as well as enhanced due diligence and “know your customer” standards in their dealings with high risk customers, foreign financial institutions, and foreign individuals and entities.

Privacy and Data Security.The Gramm-Leach Bliley Act (“GLBA”) of 1999 imposes requirements on financial institutions with respect to consumer privacy. heThe GLBA generally prohibits disclosure of consumer information to non-affiliated third parties unless the consumer has been given the opportunity to object and has not objected to such disclosure. Financial institutions are further required to disclose their privacy policies to consumers annually. The GLBA also directs federal regulators, including the FDIC, to prescribe standards for the security of consumer information. The Bank is subject to such standards, as well as standards for notifying consumers in the event of a security breach. The Bank is required to have an information security program to safeguard the confidentiality and security of customer information and to ensure proper disposal of information that is no longer needed. Customers must be notified when unauthorized disclosure involves sensitive customer information that may be misused.

Potential Enforcement Actions; Supervisory Agreements.Under federal law, the Bank and its institution-affiliated parties may be the subject of potential enforcement actions by the FDIC for unsafe and unsound practices in conducting their businesses, or for violations of any law, rule or regulation or provision, any consent order with any agency, any condition imposed in writing by the agency or any written agreement with the agency. Enforcement actions may include the imposition of a conservator or receiver, cease-and-desist orders and written agreements, the termination of insurance of deposits, the imposition of civil money penalties, the payment of restitution and removal and prohibition orders against institution-affiliated parties. The DBO also has authority to bring similar enforcement actions against the Bank. The FRB has the authority to bring similar enforcement actions against the Company.

Legislation and Proposed Changes.From time to time, legislation is enacted which has the effect of increasing the cost of doing business, limiting or expanding permissible activities or affecting the competitive balance between banks and other financial institutions. Proposals to change the laws and regulations governing the operations and taxation of banks, bank holding companies and other financial institutions are frequently made in Congress, in the HawaiiCalifornia legislature and before various bank regulatory agencies. Typically, the intent of this type of legislation is to strengthen the banking industry, even if it may on occasion prove to be a burden on management’s plans. No prediction can be made as to the likelihood of any major changes or the impact that new laws or regulations might have on us.

Effects of Government Monetary Policy.Our earnings and growth are affected not only by general economic conditions, but also by the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government, particularly the FRB. The FRB implements national monetary policy for such purposes as curbing inflation and combating recession, through its open market operations in U.S. Government securities, control of the discount rate applicable to borrowings from the FRB, and establishment of reserve requirements against certain deposits. These activities influence growth of bank loans, investments and deposits, and also affect interest rates charged on loans or paid on deposits. The Company’s profitability, like most financial institutions, is primarily dependent on interest rate spreads. In general, the difference between the interest rates paid by the Bank on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and other borrowings, and the interest rates received by the Bank on interest-earning assets, such as loans extended to customers and securities held in the investment portfolio, will comprise the major portion of the Company’s earnings. These rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond our control, such as inflation, recession and unemployment, the monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government and the policies of regulatory agencies, particularly the FRB and the impact which future changes in domestic and foreign economic conditions might have on us cannot be predicted. The nature and impact of future changes in monetary policies and their impact on us cannot be predicted with certainty.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 3 2 – “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Adoption of New Accounting Standards” of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual Report on Form 10K for information related to recent accounting pronouncements.

ITEMITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

A deterioration of national or local economic conditions could reduce the Company’s profitability.

The Company’s lending operations and its customers are primarily located in the eastern region of Northern California. A significant downturn in the national economy or the local economy due to agricultural commodity prices, real estate prices, public policy decisions, natural disaster, drought or other factors could result in a decline in the local economy in general, which could in turn negatively impact the Company.

The majority of the Company’s assets are loans, which if not repaid would result in losses to the Bank.

The Bank, like other lenders, is subject to credit risk, which is the risk of losing principal or interest due to borrowers’ failure to repay loans in accordance with their terms. Underwriting and documentation controls cannot mitigate all credit risk. A downturn in the economy or the real estate market in the Company’s market areas or a rapid increase in interest rates could have a negative effect on collateral values and borrowers’ ability to repay. To the extent loans are not paid timely by borrowers, the loans are placed on non-accrual status, thereby reducing interest income. Further, under these circumstances, an additional provision for loan and lease losses or unfunded commitments may be required. See Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – “Analysis of Asset Quality and Allowance for Loan Losses”.

If the Company’s allowance for loan losses is not sufficient to absorb actual loan losses, the Company’s profitability could be reduced.

The risk of loan losses is inherent in the lending business.The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses based upon the Company’s actual losses over a relevant time period and management’s assessment of all relevant qualitative factors that may cause future loss experience to differ from its historical loss experience. Although the Company maintains a rigorous process for determining the allowance for loan losses, it can give no assurance that it will be sufficient to cover future loan losses. If the allowance for loan losses is not adequate to absorb future losses, or if bank regulatory agencies require the Company to increase its allowance for loan losses, earnings could be significantly and adversely impacted.

A deterioration in the real estate market could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

As of December 31, 2016, approximately 72% of the Company’s total loan portfolio is secured by real estate, the majority of which is commercial real estate. Increases in commercial and consumer delinquency levels or declines in real estate market values would require increased net charge-offs and increases in the allowance for loan losses, which could have a smaller reporting company wematerial adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations and prospects.

Fluctuations in interest rates could reduce profitability.

The Company’s earnings depend largely upon net interest income, which is the difference between the total interest income earned on interest earning assets (primarily loans and investment securities) and the total interest expense incurred on interest bearing liabilities (primarily deposits and borrowed funds). The interest earned on assets and paid on liabilities are affected principally by direct competition, and general economic conditions at the state and national level and other factors beyond the Company’s control such as actions of the FRB, the general supply of money in the economy, legislative tax policies, governmental budgetary matters, and other state and federal economic policies. Although the Company maintains a rigorous process for managing the impact of possible interest rate fluctuations on earnings, the Company can provide no assurance that its management efforts will prevent earnings from being significantly and adversely impacted by changes in interest rates.

The Company could be required to raise additional capital in the future, but that capital may not be available when it is needed or may not be available on terms that are favorable to the Company.

Federal and state bank regulatory authorities require the Company and the Bank to maintain adequate levels of capital to support their operations. The Company’s ability to raise additional capital if and as needed depends on conditions in the capital markets, which are outside the Company’s control, and on the Company’s financial performance. Accordingly, the Company may not be able to raise additional capital, if needed, on terms that are acceptable to the Company. If the Company is unable to raise additional capital when needed, it could be required to curtail its growth strategy or reduce the levels of assets owned. In addition, although the Company and the Bank are currently well-capitalized under applicable regulatory frameworks, bank regulators are authorized and sometimes required to impose a wide range of requirements, conditions, and restrictions on banks and bank holding companies that fail to maintain adequate capital levels.

Drought conditions in California could have an adverse impact on the Company’s business.

In recent years, California has experienced a severe drought, though much of California has recently experienced significant rain during 2016 and the beginning of 2017. A significant portion of the Company’s borrowers are involved in or are dependent on the agricultural industry in California, which requires water. As of December 31, 2016, approximately 11% of the Company’s loans were categorized as agricultural loans. As a result of the drought, there have been governmental proposals concerning the distribution or rationing of water. If the amount of water available to agriculture becomes scarcer due to drought or rationing, growers may not be able to continue to produce agricultural products profitably, which could force some out of business. Although many of the Company’s customers are not directly involved in agriculture, they could be impacted by difficulties in the agricultural industry because many jobs and businesses in the Company’s market areas are related to the production of agricultural products. Therefore, the drought could adversely impact the Company’s loan portfolio, business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Company faces substantial competition from larger banks and other financial institutions.

The Company faces substantial competition for deposits and loans. Competition for deposits primarily comes from other commercial banks, savings institutions, thrift and loan associations, money market and mutual funds and other investment alternatives. Competition for loans comes from other commercial banks, savings institutions, credit unions, mortgage banking firms, thrift and loan associations and other financial intermediaries. Larger competitors, by virtue of their larger capital resources, have substantially greater lending limits and marketing resources than the Company. In addition, they have greater resources and may be able to offer longer maturities or lower rates. The Company’s competitors may also provide certain services for their customers, including trust and international banking that the Company is only able to offer indirectly through correspondent relationships. Ultimately, competition can reduce the Company’s profitability, as well as make it more difficult to increase the size of its loan portfolio and deposit base.

There are risks associated with the Company’s growth strategy.

During the past two years, the Company completed the purchase and assumption of a branch office in Redding, California, opened a branch office in Reno, Nevada and established loan production offices in Phoenix, Arizona, Seattle Washington and Klamath Falls Oregon. The Company may engage in additional acquisition activity and open additional offices in the future to expand the Company’s markets or further its growth strategy. There is no assurance that future acquisitions or offices will be successful. Further, growth may strain the Company’s administrative, managerial, financial and operational resources and increase demands on its systems and controls. If the Company pursues its growth strategy too aggressively, fails to attract qualified personnel, control costs or maintain asset quality, or if factors beyond management’s control divert attention away from its business operations, the Company’s pursuit of its growth strategy could have a material adverse impact on its existing business.

The Company relies on key executives and personnel and the loss of any of them could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s prospects.

Competition for qualified employees and personnel in the banking industry is intense and there are a limited number of qualified persons with knowledge of, and experience in, the California community banking industry. The process of recruiting personnel with the combination of skills and attributes required to carry out the Company’s strategies is often lengthy. The Company’s success depends to a significant degree upon its ability to attract and retain qualified management, loan origination, finance, administrative, marketing, compliance and technical personnel and upon the continued contributions of its management and personnel. In particular, the Company’s success has been and continues to be highly dependent upon the abilities of key executives and certain other employees.

Security breaches and technological disruptions could damage the Company’s reputation and profitability.The Company’s business is highly reliant on third party vendors and its ability to manage the operational risks associated with outsourcing those services.

The Company’s electronic banking activities expose it to possible liability and loss of reputation should an unauthorized party gain access to confidential customer information. Despite its considerable efforts and investment to provide the security and authentication necessary to effect secure transmission of data, the Company cannot fully guarantee that these precautions will protect its systems from future compromises or breaches of its security measures. Although the Company has developed systems and processes that are designed to recognize and assist in preventing security breaches (and periodically test its security), failure to protect against or mitigate breaches of security could adversely affect its ability to offer and grow its online services, constitute a breach of privacy or other laws, result in costly litigation and loss of customer relationships, negatively impact the Bank’s reputation, and could have an adverse effect on its business, results of operations and financial condition. The Company may also incur substantial increases in costs in an effort to minimize or mitigate cyber security risks and to respond to cyber incidents.

The potential for operational risk exposure exists throughout the Company’s business. Integral to the Company’s performance is the continued efficacy of the Company’s technology and information requiredsystems, operational infrastructure and relationships with third parties and its colleagues in its day-to-day and ongoing operations. Failure by this item.any or all of these resources subjects us to risks that may vary in size, scale and scope. This includes, but is not limited to, operational or systems failures, disruption of client operations and activities, ineffectiveness or exposure due to interruption in third party support as expected, as well as, the loss of key colleagues or failure on the part of key colleagues to perform properly.

Additionally, the Company outsources a large portion of its data processing to third parties which may encounter technological or other difficulties that may significantly affect the Company’s ability to process and account for customer transactions. These vendors provide services that support its operations, including the storage and processing of sensitive consumer and business customer data, as well as its sales efforts. A cyber security breach of a vendor’s system may result in theft of the Company’s data or disruption of business processes.  In most cases, the Company will remain primarily liable to its customers for losses arising from a breach of a vendor’s data security system. The Company relies on its outsourced service providers to implement and maintain prudent cyber security controls.  The loss of these vendor relationships could disrupt the services the Company provides to its customers and cause us to incur significant expense in connection with replacing these services.

The Company may incur fines, penalties and other negative consequences from regulatory violations, possibly even inadvertent or unintentional violations.

The Company is subject to significant federal and state regulation and supervision. In the past, the Company’s business has been increasingly affected by these regulations, and this trend is likely to continue into the future. Many of these laws are subject to interpretation and changing regulatory approaches to supervision and enforcement. The Company maintains systems and procedures designed to ensure that it complies with applicable laws and regulations, but there can be no assurance that these will be effective. The Company may incur fines, penalties and other negative consequences from regulatory violations. The Company may also suffer other negative consequences resulting from findings of noncompliance with laws and regulations, that may also damage its reputation, and this in turn might materially affect its business and results of operations. Further, some legal/regulatory frameworks provide for the imposition of fines, restitution or penalties for noncompliance even though the noncompliance was inadvertent or unintentional and even though there were in place at the time systems and procedures designed to ensure compliance.

The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures may not prevent or detect all errors or acts of fraud.

The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports it files under the Exchange Act is accurately accumulated and communicated to management, and recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. The Company believes that any disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.

These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision making can be faulty, that alternative reasoned judgments can be drawn, or that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people or by an unauthorized override of the controls. Accordingly, because of the inherent limitations in its control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected, which could result in a material weakness in its internal controls over financial reporting and the restatement of previously filed financial statements.

The price of the Company’s common stock may be volatile or may decline

The trading price of the Company’s common stock may fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, many of which are outside its control. Among the factors that could affect the Company’s stock price are:

Significant decline in the Company’s stock price could result in substantial losses for individual shareholders and could lead to costly and disruptive securities litigation.  

The trading volume of the Company’s common stock is limited.

Although the Company’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market, trading volume to date has been relatively modest. The limited trading market for the Company’s common stock may lead to exaggerated fluctuations in market prices and possible market inefficiencies compared to more actively traded securities. It may also make it more difficult for investors to sell the Company’s common stock at desired prices, especially for holders seeking to dispose of a large number of shares of stock.

The Company depends primarily on the operations of the Bank to repay its indebtedness and fund its operations. The Company’s ability to pay any dividends or repurchase any of its shares in the future will also depend on the success of the Bank’s operations.

The Company is a separate and distinct legal entity from its subsidiary, the Bank, and it receives substantially all of its revenue from dividends paid by the Bank. There are legal limitations on the extent to which the Bank may extend credit, pay dividends or otherwise supply funds to, or engage in transactions with, the Company. The Company’s inability to receive dividends from the Bank could adversely affect its business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Disruptions in market conditions may adversely impact the fair value of available-for-sale investment securities.

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) require the Company to carry its available-for-sale investment securities at fair value on its balance sheet. Unrealized gains or losses on these securities, reflecting the difference between the fair market value and the amortized cost, net of its tax effect, are reported as a component of shareholders’ equity. In certain instances GAAP requires recognition through earnings of declines in the fair value of securities that are deemed to be other than temporarily impaired. Changes in the fair value of these securities may result from a number of circumstances that are beyond the Company’s control, such as changes in interest rates, the financial condition of government sponsored enterprises or insurers of municipal bonds, changes in demand for these securities as a result of economic conditions, or reduced market liquidity. There can be no assurance that the declines in market value will not result in other than temporary impairments of these assets, which would lead to loss recognition that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s net income and capital levels.

Damage to the Company’s reputation could significantly harm the Company’s business and prospects.

The Company’s reputation is an important asset. The Company’s relationship with many of its customers is predicated upon its reputation as a high quality provider of financial services that adheres to the highest standards of ethics, service quality and regulatory compliance. The Company’s ability to attract and retain customers, investors and employees depends upon external perceptions. Damage to its reputation among existing and potential customers, investors and employees could cause significant harm to the Company’s business and prospects and may arise from numerous sources, including litigation or regulatory actions, failing to deliver minimum standards of service and quality, lending practices, inadequate protection of customer information, sales and marketing efforts, compliance failures, unethical behavior and the misconduct of employees. Adverse developments in the banking industry may also, by association, negatively impact the Company’s reputation or result in greater regulatory or legislative scrutiny or litigation against us. The Company has policies and procedures in place that seek to protect its reputation and promote ethical conduct, but these policies and procedures may not be fully effective. Negative publicity regarding the Company’s business, employees, or customers, with or without merit, may result in the loss of customers, investors, and employees, costly litigation, a decline in revenues and increased governmental regulation.

The markets in which the Company operates are subject to the risk of earthquakes and other natural disasters.

Most of the Company’s offices are located in California. Also, most of the real and personal properties securing the Company’s loans are located in California. California is prone to earthquakes, brush fires, flooding and other natural disasters. In addition to possibly sustaining damage to its own properties, if there is a major earthquake, brush fires, flood or other natural disaster, the Company faces the risk that many of the Company’s borrowers may experience uninsured property losses, or sustained job interruption and/or loss which may materially impair their ability to meet the terms of their loan obligations. Therefore, a major earthquake, brush fire, flood or other natural disaster in California could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Of the Company’s elevenCompany’s twelve depository branches, ten are owned and one istwo are leased. The Company also leases threefive lending offices and one administrative/lending office, and owns four administrative facilities.

(1) Non-branch administrative or credit administrative offices.

(2) SBA lending office.

(3) Commercial lending office.

Total rental expenses under all leases including premises, totaled $276,000, $233,000 and $192,000, $154,000in 2016, 2015 and $153,000, in 2014 2013 and 2012 respectively. The expiration dates of the leases vary, with the first such lease expiring during 20152017 and the last such lease expiring during 2016.2021.

Future minimum lease payments in thousands of dollars are as follows: