LCNB Corp. - 10-K annual report 2017

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.   20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

or

Commission File Number  000-26121

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

2 North Broadway, Lebanon, Ohio   45036

(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)

(513) 932-1414

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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

Securities registered pursuant to 12(g) of the Exchange Act:

COMMON STOCK, NO PAR VALUE

(Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

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

 

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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

LCNB CORP.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

Certain statements made in this document regarding LCNB’s financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are identified by the fact they are not historical facts and include words such as “anticipate”, “could”, “may”, “feel”, “expect”, “believe”, “plan”, and similar expressions.

These forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations based on all information available to management and its knowledge of LCNB’s business and operations. Additionally, LCNB’s financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. These factors include, but are not limited to:

Forward-looking statements made herein reflect management's expectations as of the date such statements are made. Such information is provided to assist shareholders and potential investors in understanding current and anticipated financial operations of LCNB and is included pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. LCNB undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date such statements are made. 

General Description

LCNB Corp., an Ohio corporation formed in December 1998, is a financial holding company headquartered in Lebanon, Ohio.  Substantially all of the assets, liabilities and operations of LCNB Corp. are attributable to its wholly-owned subsidiary, LCNB National Bank (the "Bank").  LCNB Risk Management, Inc., a captive insurance agency, was incorporated in Nevada by LCNB Corp. during the second quarter 2017. LCNB Corp. and its subsidiaries are herein collectively referred to as “LCNB.” The predecessor of LCNB Corp., the Bank, was formed as a national banking association in 1877.  On May 19, 1999, the Bank became a wholly-owned subsidiary of LCNB Corp.  

On January 11, 2013, LCNB consummated a merger with First Capital Bancshares, Inc. (“First Capital”) in a stock and cash transaction valued at approximately $20.2 million.  Immediately following the merger of First Capital into LCNB, Citizens National Bank (“Citizens National”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Capital, was merged into LCNB National Bank.  At that time, Citizens National’s six full–service offices became offices of LCNB.  Three of these offices are located in Chillicothe, Ohio and one office is located in each of Frankfort, Ohio, Clarksburg, Ohio, and Washington Court House, Ohio. The office in Clarksburg, Ohio was closed on January 24, 2017.

On January 24, 2014, LCNB purchased all of the outstanding stock of Eaton National Bank & Trust Co. ("Eaton National") from its holding company, Colonial Banc Corp., in a cash transaction totaling $24.75 million. Upon consummation of the transaction, Eaton National was merged into the Bank and its five offices became offices of the Bank. Two of these offices are located in Eaton, Ohio and one office is located in each of New Paris, Ohio, Lewisburg, Ohio, and West Alexandria, Ohio.

On April 30, 2015, LCNB consummated a merger with BNB Bancorp, Inc. (“BNB”) in a stock and cash transaction valued at approximately $13.5 million. Immediately following the merger of BNB into LCNB, Brookville National Bank ("Brookville National"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of BNB, was merged into LCNB National Bank. At that time, Brookville National's two offices, both located in Brookville, Ohio, became offices of LCNB. The office located on Hay Avenue in Brookville was closed on November 10, 2017.

On December 20, 2017, LCNB and Columbus First Bancorp, Inc. (“CFB”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger pursuant to which CFB will be merged into LCNB in an all-stock transaction valued at $66.9 million. Immediately following the merger of CFB into LCNB, Columbus First Bank (“Columbus First”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CFB, will be merged into the Bank. Columbus First operates one full-service office in Worthington, Ohio.  This office will become a branch of the Bank after the merger. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2018, assuming shareholder approval by LCNB and CFB shareholders and all applicable governmental approvals have been received by that date and all other conditions precedent to the merger have been satisfied or waived.

The Bank is a full service community bank offering a wide range of commercial and personal banking services.  Deposit services include checking accounts, NOW accounts, savings accounts, Christmas and vacation club accounts, money market deposit accounts, Lifetime Checking accounts (a senior citizen program), individual retirement accounts, and certificates of deposit.  Additional supportive services include online banking, bill pay, mobile banking and telephone banking. Commercial customers also have both cash management and remote deposit capture products as potential options. Deposits of the Bank are insured up to applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund, which is administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”).

Loan products offered include commercial and industrial loans, commercial and residential real estate loans, agricultural loans, construction loans, various types of consumer loans, and Small Business Administration loans.  The Bank's residential mortgage lending activities consist primarily of loans for purchasing or refinancing personal residences, home equity lines of credit, and loans for commercial or consumer purposes secured by residential mortgages.  Most fixed-rate residential real estate loans are sold to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation with servicing retained.  Consumer lending activities include automobile, boat, home improvement and personal loans.

The Trust and Investment Management Division of the Bank provides complete trust administrative, estate settlement, and fiduciary services and also offers investment management of trusts, agency accounts, individual retirement accounts, and foundations/endowments.

Security brokerage services are offered by the Bank through arrangements with LPL Financial LLC, a registered broker/dealer.  Licensed brokers offer a full range of investment services and products, including financial needs analysis, mutual funds, securities trading, annuities, and life insurance.

Other services offered include safe deposit boxes, night depositories, cashier's checks, bank-by-mail, ATMs, cash and transaction services, debit cards, wire transfers, electronic funds transfer, utility bill collections, notary public service, personal computer-based cash management services, 24 hour telephone banking, PC Internet banking, mobile banking, and other services tailored for both individuals and businesses.

The Bank is not dependent upon any one significant customer or specific industry.  Business is not seasonal to any material degree.

The address of the main office of the Bank is 2 North Broadway, Lebanon, Ohio 45036; telephone (513) 932-1414.

Competition

The Bank faces strong competition both in making loans and attracting deposits.  The deregulation of the banking industry and the wide spread enactment of state laws that permit multi-bank holding companies as well as the availability of nationwide interstate banking has created a highly competitive environment for financial services providers. The Bank competes with other national and state banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, finance companies, mortgage brokerage firms, realty companies with captive mortgage brokerage firms, mutual funds, insurance companies, brokerage and investment banking companies, and other financial intermediaries operating in its market and elsewhere, many of whom have substantially larger financial and managerial resources.

The Bank seeks to minimize the competitive effect of other financial institutions through a community banking approach that emphasizes direct customer access to the Bank's CEO/President and other officers in an environment conducive to friendly, informed, and courteous personal services.  Management believes that the Bank is well positioned to compete successfully in its primary market area.  Competition among financial institutions is based upon interest rates offered on deposit accounts, interest rates charged on loans and other credit and service charges, the quality and scope of the services rendered, the convenience of the banking facilities, and, in the case of loans to commercial borrowers, relative lending limits.

The ability to access and use technology is an increasingly competitive factor in the finance services industry. Technology relating to the delivery of financial services, the security and privacy of customer information, and the processing of information is evolving rapidly. LCNB must continually make technology investments to remain competitive in the finance services industry.

Management believes the commitment of the Bank to personal service, innovation, and involvement in the communities and primary market areas it serves, as well as its commitment to quality community banking service, are factors that contribute to its competitive advantage.

Supervision and Regulation

LCNB Corp., as a financial holding company, is regulated under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "Act"), and is subject to the supervision and examination of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve Board").  

The Bank is subject to the provisions of the National Bank Act.  The Bank is subject to primary supervision, regulation and examination by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the "OCC"). The Bank is also subject to the rules and regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the FDIC.  

LCNB Corp. and the Bank are subject to an extensive array of banking laws and regulations that are intended primarily for the protection of the Bank's customers and depositors.  These laws and regulations govern such areas as permissible activities, loans and investments, and rates of interest that can be charged on loans and reserves.  LCNB and the Bank also are subject to general U.S. federal laws and regulations and to the laws and regulations of the State of Ohio.  Set forth below are brief descriptions of selected laws and regulations applicable to LCNB and the Bank.

The Financial Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 ("FIRREA") provides that a holding company and its controlled insured depository institutions are liable for any loss incurred by the FDIC in connection with the default of any FDIC assisted transaction involving an affiliated insured bank or savings association.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 ("FDICIA") substantially revised the bank regulatory and funding provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and several other federal banking statutes.  Among its many reforms, FDICIA, as amended:

The members of an audit committee for banks with more than $1 billion in total assets must be independent of management.  FDICIA does not relieve financial institutions that are public companies, such as LCNB, from internal control reporting and attestation requirements or audit committee independence requirements prescribed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (see below).

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which amended the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and other banking related laws, was signed into law on November 12, 1999.  The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act repealed certain sections of the Glass-Steagall Act and substantially eliminated the barriers separating the banking, insurance, and securities industries.  Effective March 11, 2000, qualifying bank holding companies could elect to become financial holding companies.  Financial holding companies have expanded investment powers, including affiliating with securities and insurance firms and engaging in other activities that are "financial in nature or incidental to such financial activity," as defined in the act, or "complementary to a financial activity."

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 ("SOX") became effective on July 30, 2002.  The purpose of SOX is to strengthen accounting oversight and corporate accountability by enhancing disclosure requirements, increasing accounting and auditor regulation, creating new federal crimes, and increasing penalties for existing federal crimes.  SOX directly impacts publicly traded companies, certified public accounting firms auditing public companies, attorneys who work for public companies or have public companies as clients, brokerage firms, investment bankers, and financial analysts who work for brokerage firms or investment bankers.  Key provisions affecting LCNB include: 

In addition, the SEC adopted final rules on September 5, 2002, which rules were amended in December, 2005, requiring accelerated filing of quarterly and annual reports.  Under the amended rules, “large accelerated filers” includes companies with a market capitalization of $700 million or more and “accelerated filers” includes companies with a market capitalization between $75 million and $700 million. Large accelerated filers are required to file their annual reports within 60 days of year-end and quarterly reports within 40 days. Accelerated filers are required to file their annual and quarterly reports within 75 days and 40 days, respectively.  These new accelerated filing deadlines were effective for fiscal years ending on or after December 15, 2005.  Under the amended rules, LCNB is considered an accelerated filer.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005 and the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Conforming Amendments Act of 2005 (collectively, the “Deposit Insurance Reform Acts”) were both signed into law during February, 2006.  The provisions of the Deposit Insurance Reform Acts included:

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) became effective on July 21, 2010.  The Dodd-Frank Act includes provisions that specifically affect financial institutions and other entities providing financial services and other corporate governance and compensation provisions that will affect most public companies.

The Dodd-Frank Act established a new independent regulatory body within the Federal Reserve System known as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”).  The CFPB has assumed responsibility for most consumer protection laws and has broad authority, with certain exceptions, to regulate financial products offered by banks and non-banks.  The CFPB has authority to supervise, examine, and take enforcement actions with respect to depository institutions with more than $10 billion in assets, non-bank mortgage industry participants, and other CFPB-designated non-bank providers of consumer financial services.  The primary regulator for depository institutions with $10 billion or less in assets will continue to have primary examination and enforcement authority for these institutions.  The regulations enforced, however, will be the regulations written by the CFPB.

The Dodd-Frank Act directs federal bank regulators to develop new capital requirements for holding companies and depository institutions that address activities that pose risk to the financial system, such as significant activities in higher risk areas, or concentrations in assets whose reported values are based on models.

The Dodd-Frank Act permanently raised the FDIC maximum deposit insurance amount to $250,000.  In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act places a floor on the FDIC’s reserve ratio at 1.35% of estimated insured deposits or the comparable percentage of the assessment base.

General corporate governance provisions included in the Dodd-Frank Act include expanding executive compensation disclosures to be included in the annual proxy statement, requiring non-binding shareholder advisory votes on executive compensation at annual meetings, enhancing independence requirements for compensation committee members and any advisers used by the compensation committee, and requiring the adoption of certain compensation policies including the recovery of executive compensation in the event of a financial statement restatement.

A substantial portion of LCNB's cash revenues is derived from dividends paid by the Bank.  These dividends are subject to various legal and regulatory restrictions.  Generally, dividends are limited to the aggregate of current year retained net income, as defined, plus the retained net income of the two prior years.  In addition, dividend payments may not reduce capital levels below minimum regulatory guidelines.

Employees

Availability of Financial Information

LCNB files unaudited quarterly financial reports on Form 10-Q, annual financial reports on Form 10-K, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports are filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with the SEC.  Copies of these reports are available free of charge in the shareholder information section of the Bank's website, www.lcnb.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed or furnished to the SEC, or by writing to:

Robert C. Haines II

Executive Vice President, CFO

LCNB Corp.

2 North Broadway

P.O. Box 59

Lebanon, Ohio  45036

Financial reports and other materials filed by LCNB with the SEC may also be read and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.  Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained from the SEC by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.  The SEC also maintains an internet site (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that file reports electronically, as LCNB does.

LCNB and its subsidiaries do not have any offices located in foreign countries and have no foreign assets, liabilities or related income and expense for the years presented.

Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity; Interest Rates and Interest Differential

The table presenting an average balance sheet, interest income and expense, and the resultant average yield for average interest-earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities is included in Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The table analyzing changes in interest income and expense by volume and rate is included in Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Investment Portfolio

The following table presents the carrying values of securities for the years indicated:

Loan Portfolio

Administration of the lending function is the responsibility of the Chief Lending Officer and certain senior lenders. Lenders perform their duties subject to oversight and policy direction from the Board of Directors and the Loan Committee. The Loan Committee consists of LCNB’s Chief Executive Officer/President, Chief Financial Officer, Cashier, Chief Lending Officer, Chief Credit Officer, Loan Operations Officer, Loan Review Officer, Credit Analysis Officer, and the officers in charge of the commercial, agricultural, and retail loan portfolios.

Employees authorized to accept loan applications have various, designated lending limits for the approval of loans.  A loan application for an amount outside a particular employee’s lending limit needs to be approved by an employee with a lending limit sufficient for that loan.  Loans secured by residential or commercial real estate require the approval of two individuals with appropriate lending authority:  Chief Executive Officer/President, Chief Lending Officer, Chief Credit Officer, Senior Vice President ("SVP") of Commercial Lending, SVP of Mortgage Lending, SVP of Consumer Lending, Assistant Vice President of Secondary Market Lending, or other board-designated lending officers.  Board approval is required on any loan with policy exceptions or that will exceed 50% of the Bank's legal lending limit, rounded down to the previous $100,000, in aggregate credit to any one borrower or entity, as defined by the OCC in 12 C.F.R § 32.2(b).

Interest rates charged by LCNB vary with degree of risk, type of loan, amount, complexity, repricing frequency and other relevant factors associated with the loan.

Risk Elements

Summary of Loan Loss Experience

The table summarizing the activity related to the allowance for loan losses is included in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Allocation of the Allowance for Loan Losses

The following table presents the allocation of the allowance for loan loss:

Deposits

The statistical information regarding average amounts and average rates paid for the deposit categories is included in the "Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity" table included in Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Return on Equity and Assets

The statistical information regarding the return on assets, return on equity, dividend payout ratio, and equity to assets ratio is presented in Item 6, Selected Financial Data.

There are risks inherent in LCNB’s operations, many beyond management’s control, which may adversely affect its financial condition and results from operations and should be considered in evaluating the Company. Credit, market, operational, liquidity, interest rate and other risks are described elsewhere in this report. Other risk factors may include the items described below.

New capital requirements could adversely affect LCNB’s capital ratios

On July 2, 2013, the Federal Reserve Board approved the final rules implementing the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s capital guidelines for U.S. bank holding companies as well as state banks that are members of the Federal Reserve System and savings and loan holding companies (commonly known as Basel III). On July 9, 2013, the OCC adopted the same rules for national banks and federal savings associations, and the FDIC approved the same provisions, as an interim final rule, for state nonmember banks and state savings associations.

Under the final rules, minimum requirements will increase for both the quantity and quality of capital held by banks and savings associations. The rules include a new common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 4.5% and a common equity Tier 1 capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets. The final rules also raise the minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets from 4.0% to 6.0% and require a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%.

The phase-in period for the final rules began for LCNB on January 1, 2015, with full compliance with all of the final rules' requirements phased in over a multi-year schedule through January 1, 2019. While management expects that LCNB's capital ratios under Basel III will continue to exceed the well capitalized minimum capital requirements, there can be no assurance that such will be the case. If LCNB is unable to meet or exceed the applicable minimum capital requirements, it may become subject to supervisory actions ranging in severity from losing its financial holding company status, to being precluded from making acquisitions or engaging in new activities or becoming subject to informal or formal regulatory enforcement actions.

LCNB’s earnings are significantly affected by market interest rates.

Fluctuations in interest rates may negatively impact LCNB’s profitability.  A primary source of income from operations is net interest income, which is equal to the difference between interest income earned on loans and investment securities and the interest paid for deposits and other borrowings. These rates are highly sensitive to many factors beyond LCNB’s control, including general economic conditions, the slope of the yield curve (that is, the relationship between short and long-term interest rates), and the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States Federal government.  LCNB expects the current level of interest rates and the current slope of the yield curve will cause further downward pressure on its net interest margin.

Increases in general interest rates could have a negative impact on LCNB’s results of operations by reducing the ability of borrowers to repay their current loan obligations.  Some residential real estate mortgage loans, most home equity line of credit loans, and many of LCNB’s commercial loans have adjustable rates.  Borrower inability to make scheduled loan payments due to a higher loan cost could result in increased loan defaults, foreclosures, and write-offs and may necessitate additions to the allowance for loan losses.  In addition, increases in the general level of interest rates may decrease the demand for new consumer and commercial loans, thus limiting LCNB’s growth and profitability.  A general increase in interest rates may also result in deposit disintermediation, which is the flow of deposits away from banks and other depository institutions into direct investments that have the potential for higher rates of return, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.   If this occurs, LCNB may have to rely more heavily on borrowings as a source of funds in the future, which could negatively impact its net interest margin.

Gains from sales of mortgage loans may experience significant volatility.

Gains from sales of mortgage loans are highly influenced by the level and direction of mortgage interest rates, real estate activity, and refinancing activity.  Current historically low market interest rates created a refinancing demand for residential fixed-rate mortgage loans.  The increased volume of refinancing activity increased gains from sales of mortgage loans as LCNB sold most of these loans to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.  An increase in market interest rates may decrease the demand for refinanced loans and decrease the gains from sales of mortgage loans recognized in LCNB’s consolidated statements of income.  Gains from sales of mortgage loans may also be impacted by changes in LCNB’s strategy to manage its residential mortgage portfolio. For example, LCNB may occasionally change the proportion of loan originations that are sold in the secondary market and instead add a greater proportion to its loan portfolio.

Banking competition in Southwestern and South Central Ohio is intense.

LCNB faces strong competition for deposits, loans, trust accounts, and other services from other banks, savings banks, credit unions, mortgage brokers, and other financial institutions.  Many of LCNB’s competitors include major financial institutions that have been in business for many years and have established customer bases, numerous branches, and substantially higher regulatory lending limits. Competitors in the Southwestern and South Central Ohio areas include U.S. Bank, PNC Bank, Fifth Third Bank, Chase, KeyBank, Park National Bank, Huntington National Bank, and First Financial Bank. In addition, credit unions are growing larger due to more flexible membership requirement regulations and are offering more financial services than they legally could in the past.

LCNB also competes with numerous real estate brokerage firms, some owned by realty companies, for residential real estate mortgage loans.  Incentives offered by captive finance companies owned by the major automobile companies have limited the banking industry’s opportunities for growth in the new automobile loan market.  The banking industry now competes with brokerage firms and mutual fund companies for funds that would have historically been held as bank deposits.  Technology has lowered barriers to entry and made it possible for non-banks to offer products and services traditionally provided by banks, such as automatic transfer and automatic payment systems.  Many of these competitors have fewer regulatory constraints and may have lower cost structures.

If LCNB is unable to attract and retain loan, deposit, brokerage, and trust customers, its growth and profitability levels may be negatively impacted.

Economic conditions in Southwestern and South Central Ohio could adversely affect LCNB’s financial condition and results of operations.

LCNB conducts its operations from offices that are located in nine Southwestern and South Central Ohio counties, from which substantially all of its customer base is drawn. Because of this geographic concentration of operations and customer base, LCNB's financial performance is heavily influenced by economic conditions in these areas. Any material deterioration in economic conditions in these markets could have material direct or indirect adverse impacts on LCNB's customers and on LCNB. Such deterioration could increase the number of customers experiencing financial distress, negatively impacting their ability to obtain new loans or to repay existing loans. As a result, LCNB may experience increases in the levels of impaired loans, increased charge-offs, and increased provisions for loan losses. Deteriorating economic conditions may also affect the ability of depositors to maintain or add to deposit balances and may affect the demand for loans, trust, brokerage, and other products and services offered by LCNB. Such losses and decreased demand could have material adverse affects on LCNB's financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

The allowance for loan losses may be inadequate.

The provision for loan losses is determined by management based upon its evaluation of the amount needed to maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level considered appropriate in relation to the estimated risk of losses inherent in the portfolio.  In addition to historic charge-off percentages, factors taken into consideration to determine the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses include the nature, volume, and consistency of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, a review of specific problem loans, the fair value of any underlying collateral, borrowers’ cash flows, and current economic conditions that may affect borrowers’ ability to make payments.  Increases in the allowance result in an expense for the period.   By its nature, the evaluation is imprecise and requires significant judgment.  Actual results may vary significantly from management’s assumptions.  If, as a result of general economic conditions or a decrease in asset quality, management determines that additional increases in the allowance for loan losses are necessary, LCNB will incur additional expenses.

LCNB’s loan portfolio includes a substantial amount of commercial and industrial loans and commercial real estate loans, which may have more risks than residential or consumer loans.

LCNB’s commercial and industrial and commercial real estate loans comprise a substantial portion of its total loan portfolio. These loans generally carry larger loan balances and involve a greater degree of financial and credit risk than home equity, residential mortgage, or consumer loans. The increased financial and credit risk associated with these types of loans is a result of several factors, including the concentration of principal in a limited number of loans, the size of loan balances, the effects of general economic conditions on income-producing properties, and the increased difficulty of evaluating and monitoring these types of loans.

The repayment of loans secured by commercial real estate is often dependent upon the successful operation, development, or sale of the related real estate or commercial business and may, therefore, be subject to adverse conditions in the real estate market or economy. If the cash flow from operations is reduced, the borrower’s ability to repay the loan may be impaired. In such cases, LCNB may take one or more actions to protect its financial interest in the loan.  Such actions may include foreclosure on the real estate securing the loan, taking possession of other collateral that may have been pledged as security for the loan, or modifying the terms of the loan.  If foreclosed on, commercial real estate is often unique and may not be as salable as a residential home.

The fair value of LCNB’s investments could decline.

Most of LCNB’s investment securities portfolio is designated as available-for-sale.  Accordingly, unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, in the estimated fair value of the available-for-sale portfolio is recorded as other comprehensive income, a separate component of shareholders’ equity. The fair value of LCNB’s investment portfolio may decline, causing a corresponding decline in shareholders’ equity.  Management believes that several factors will affect the fair values of the investment portfolio including, but not limited to, changes in interest rates or expectations of changes, the degree of volatility in the securities markets, inflation rates or expectations of inflation, and the slope of the interest rate yield curve. These and other factors may impact specific categories of the portfolio differently and the effect any of these factors may have on any specific category of the portfolio cannot be predicted.

Many state and local governmental authorities have experienced deterioration of financial condition in recent years due to declining tax revenues, increased demand for services, and various other factors. To the extent LCNB has any municipal securities in its portfolio from issuers who are experiencing deterioration of financial condition or who may experience future deterioration of financial condition, the value of such securities may decline and could result in other-than-temporary impairment charges, which could have an adverse effect on LCNB’s financial condition and results of operations.  Additionally, a general, industry-wide decline in the fair value of municipal securities could significantly affect LCNB’s financial condition and results of operations.

Changes in income tax laws or interpretations or in accounting standards could materially affect LCNB’s financial condition or results of operations.

Changes in income tax laws could be enacted, or interpretations of existing income tax laws could change, causing an adverse effect to LCNB’s financial condition or results of operations. Similarly, new accounting standards may be issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) or existing standards revised, changing the methods for preparing financial statements. These changes are not within LCNB’s control and may significantly impact its reported financial condition and results of operations. 

LCNB is subject to environmental liability risk associated with lending activities.

A significant portion of the Bank’s loan portfolio is secured by real property. During the ordinary course of business, the Bank may foreclose on and take title to properties securing certain loans. In doing so, there is a risk that hazardous or toxic substances could be found on these properties. If hazardous or toxic substances are found, the Bank may be liable for remediation costs, as well as for personal injury and property damage. Environmental laws may require the Bank to incur substantial expenses and may materially reduce the affected property’s value or limit the Bank’s ability to use or sell the affected property. In addition, future laws or more stringent interpretations or enforcement policies with respect to existing laws may increase the Bank’s exposure to environmental liability. Although the Bank has policies and procedures to perform an environmental review before initiating any foreclosure action on real property, these reviews may not be sufficient to detect all potential environmental hazards. The remediation costs and any other financial liabilities associated with an environmental hazard could have a material adverse effect on LCNB’s financial condition and results of operations.

The banking industry is highly regulated.

LCNB is subject to regulation, supervision, and examination by the Federal Reserve Board and the Bank is subject to regulation, supervision, and examination by the OCC.   LCNB and the Bank are also subject to regulation and examination by the FDIC as the deposit insurer.  The CFPB is responsible for most consumer protection laws and has broad authority, with certain exceptions, to regulate financial products offered by banks.  Federal and state laws and regulations govern numerous matters including, but not limited to, changes in the ownership or control of banks, maintenance of adequate capital, permissible business operations, maintenance of deposit insurance, protection of customer financial privacy, the level of reserves held against deposits, restrictions on dividend payments, the making of loans, and the acceptance of deposits.  See the previous section titled “Supervision and Regulation” for more information on this subject.

Federal regulators may initiate various enforcement actions against a financial institution that violates laws or regulations or that operates in an unsafe or unsound manner.  These enforcement actions may include, but are not limited to, the assessment of civil money penalties, the issuance of cease-and-desist or removal orders, and the imposition of written agreements.

Proposals to change the laws governing financial institutions are periodically introduced in Congress and proposals to change regulations are periodically considered by the regulatory bodies.  Such future legislation and/or changes in regulations could increase or decrease the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities, or affect the competitive balance among banks, savings associations, credit unions, and other financial institutions.  The likelihood of any major changes in the future and their effects are impossible to predict.

Federal income tax reform could have unforeseen effects on our financial condition and results of operations.

On December 22, 2017, the President of the United States signed into law H.R. 1, originally known as the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.” The Company is still in the process of analyzing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and its possible effects on the Company. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act includes a number of provisions, including the lowering of the U.S. corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, effective January 1, 2018. There are also provisions that may partially offset the benefit of such rate reduction. Financial statement impacts include adjustments for, among other things, the re-measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities. While there are benefits, there is also substantial uncertainty regarding the details of U.S. Tax Reform. The intended and unintended consequences of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on our business and on holders of our common shares is uncertain and could be adverse. The Company anticipates that the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act may be material to our business, financial condition and results of operations.

FDIC deposit insurance assessments may materially increase in the future.

Deposits of LCNB are insured up to statutory limits by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and, accordingly, LCNB and other banks and financial institutions pay quarterly premiums to the FDIC to maintain the Deposit Insurance Fund. The likelihood and extent of future rate increases are indeterminable.

Future growth and expansion opportunities may contain risks.

From time to time LCNB may seek to acquire other financial institutions or parts of those institutions or may open new branch offices.  It may also consider and enter into new lines of business or offer new products or services.  Such activities involve a number of risks, which may include potential inaccuracies in estimates and judgments used to evaluate the expansion opportunity, diversion of management and employee attention, lack of experience in a new market or product or service, and difficulties in integrating a future acquisition or introducing a new product or service.  There is no assurance that such growth or expansion activities will be successful or that they will achieve desired profitability levels.

At this time, it is difficult to predict the legislative and regulatory changes that will result from the combination of a new President of the United States and the first year since 2010 in which both Houses of Congress and the White House have majority memberships from the same political party. In recent years, however, both the new President and senior members of the House of Representatives have advocated for significant reduction of financial services regulation, to include amendments to the Dodd-Frank Act and structural changes to the CFPB. The new Administration and Congress also may cause broader economic changes due to changes in governing ideology and governing style. New appointments to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve could affect monetary policy and interest rates and changes in fiscal policy could affect broader patterns of trade and economic growth. Future legislation, regulation, and government policy could affect the banking industry as a whole, including LCNB's business and results of operations, in ways that are difficult to predict. In addition, LCNB's results of operations could be adversely affected by changes in the way in which existing statutes and regulations are interpreted or applied by courts and government agencies.

LCNB’s controls and procedures may fail or be circumvented.

Management regularly reviews and updates LCNB’s 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 LCNB’s controls and procedures or failure to comply with regulations related to its controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on LCNB’s business, results of operations, and financial condition.

LCNB’s information systems may experience an interruption, cyberattack, or other breach in security.

LCNB relies heavily on communications and information systems to conduct its business. Significant resources are devoted to maintaining and regularly updating LCNB's data systems, there can be no assurance that these security measures will provide absolute security. Any failure, interruption, cyberattack, or other breach in security of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in LCNB’s customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan, and other systems. While LCNB has policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of the failure, interruption, cyberattack, or other security breach of its information systems, there can be no assurance that any such occurrences will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed. The occurrence of any failures, interruptions, cyberattacks, or other security breaches of LCNB’s information systems could significantly disrupt LCNB's operations, allow misappropriation of LCNB's confidential information, allow misappropriation of customer confidential information, damage LCNB’s reputation, result in a loss of customer business, subject LCNB to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose LCNB to significant civil litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations.

LCNB continually encounters technological change.

The financial services industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. LCNB’s future success depends, in part, upon its ability to address customer needs by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands, as well as to create additional efficiencies in LCNB’s operations. LCNB may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to its customers. Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting the financial services industry could negatively affect LCNB’s growth, revenue and profit.

Emergence of nonbank alternatives to the financial system.

Consumers may decide not to use banks to complete their financial transactions. Technology and other changes, including the emergence of “Fintech Companies,” are allowing parties to complete financial transactions through alternative methods that historically have involved banks. For example, consumers can complete transactions, such as paying bills and/or transferring funds, directly without the assistance of banks. The process of eliminating banks as intermediaries, known as “disintermediation,” could result in the loss of fee income, as well as the loss of customer deposits and the related income generated from those deposits. The loss of these revenue streams and the lower cost of deposits as a source of funds could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Risk factors related to LCNB’s trust business.

Competition for trust business is intense.  Competitors include other commercial bank and trust companies, brokerage firms, investment advisory firms, mutual fund companies, accountants, and attorneys.

LCNB’s trust business is directly affected by conditions in the debt and equity securities markets.  The debt and equity securities markets are affected by, among other factors, domestic and foreign economic conditions and the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States Federal government, all of which are beyond LCNB’s control.  Changes in economic conditions may directly affect the economic performance of the trust accounts in which clients’ assets are invested.  A decline in the fair value of the trust accounts caused by a decline in general economic conditions directly affects LCNB’s trust fee income because such fees are primarily based on the fair value of the trust accounts.  In addition, a sustained decrease in the performance of the trust accounts or a lack of sustained growth may encourage clients to seek alternative investment options.

The management of trust accounts is subject to the risk of mistaken distributions, poor investment choices, and miscellaneous other incorrect decisions.  Such mistakes may give rise to surcharge actions by beneficiaries, with damages substantially in excess of the fees earned from management of the accounts.

LCNB’s ability to pay cash dividends is limited.

LCNB is dependent upon the earnings of the Bank for funds to pay dividends on its common shares.  The payment of dividends by LCNB and the Bank is subject to certain regulatory restrictions.  As a result, any payment of dividends in the future will be dependent, in large part, on the ability of LCNB and the Bank to satisfy these regulatory restrictions and on the Bank’s earnings, capital levels, financial condition, and other factors.  Although LCNB’s financial earnings and financial condition have allowed it to declare and pay periodic cash dividends to shareholders, there can be no assurance that the current dividend policy or the amount of dividend distributions will continue in the future.

Not applicable.

The Bank conducts its business from the following offices:

 

Except for routine litigation incidental to its businesses, LCNB is not a party to any material pending legal proceedings and none of its property is the subject of any material proceedings.

Not Applicable.

PART II

LCNB had approximately 962 registered holders of its common stock as of December 31, 2017.  The number of shareholders includes banks and brokers who act as nominees, each of whom may represent more than one shareholder.  LCNB’s stock trades on the NASDAQ Capital Market exchange under the symbol “LCNB.”  

Trade prices for shares of LCNB Common Stock and cash dividends per share declared and paid are set forth below.  The trade prices shown below are interdealer without retail markups, markdowns, or commissions.

It is expected that LCNB will continue to pay dividends on a similar schedule, to the extent permitted by business and potential factors beyond management's control.

LCNB depends on dividends from the Bank for the majority of its liquid assets, including the cash needed to pay dividends to its shareholders. National banking law limits the amount of dividends the Bank may pay to the sum of retained net income, as defined, for the current year plus retained net income for the previous two calendar years. Prior approval from the OCC, the Bank’s primary regulator, would be necessary for the Bank to pay dividends in excess of this amount. In addition, dividend payments may not reduce capital levels below minimum regulatory guidelines. Management believes the Bank will be able to pay anticipated ordinary dividends to LCNB without needing to request approval.

During the period of this report, LCNB did not sell any of its securities that were not registered under the Securities Act.

On April 17, 2001, LCNB's Board of Directors authorized three separate stock repurchase programs, two of which continue to be in effect – the “Market Repurchase Program and the “Private Sale Repurchase Program.”  Any shares purchased will be held for future corporate purposes.

 

Under the Market Repurchase Program, LCNB was originally authorized to purchase up to 200,000 shares of its stock through market transactions with a selected stockbroker.  On November 14, 2005, the Board of Directors extended the Market Repurchase Program by increasing the shares authorized for repurchase to 400,000 total shares.  Through December 31, 2017, 290,444 shares have been purchased under this program.  No shares were purchased under the Market Repurchase Program during 2017 and 2016.

The Private Sale Repurchase Program is available to shareholders who wish to sell large blocks of stock at one time.  Because LCNB's common stock is not widely traded, a shareholder releasing large blocks may not be able to readily sell all shares through normal procedures.  Purchases of blocks will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will be made at prevailing market prices.  There is no limit to the number of shares that may be purchased under this program.  A total of 466,018 shares have been purchased under this program since its inception through December 31, 2017.  No shares were purchased under the Private Sale Repurchase Program during 2017 and 2016.

LCNB established an Ownership Incentive Plan (the "2002 Plan") during 2002 that allowed for the issuance of up to 200,000 shares of stock-based awards to eligible employees, as determined by the Board of Directors.  The awards could be in the form of stock options, share awards, and/or appreciation rights.   The 2002 Plan expired on April 16, 2012. Outstanding, unexercised options continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

The 2015 Ownership Incentive Plan (the "2015 Plan") was approved by LCNB's shareholders at the annual meeting on April 28, 2015 and allows for stock-based awards to eligible employees, as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Awards may be made in the form of stock options, appreciation rights, restricted shares, and/or restricted share units. This plan provides for the issuance of up to 450,000 shares and will terminate on April 28, 2025, unless earlier terminated by the Compensation Committee.