UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015.
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ________ to ________.
 
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-14703
 
NBT BANCORP INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
 
DELAWARE
 
16-1268674
(State of Incorporation)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
 
52 SOUTH BROAD STREET, NORWICH, NEW YORK 13815
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
 
Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (607) 337-2265
 
None
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes ☒   No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):
 
Large accelerated filer ☒
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes   No ☒
 
As of July 31, 2015, there were 43,726,211 shares outstanding of the Registrant's common stock, $0.01 par value per share.
 


NBT BANCORP INC.
FORM 10-Q--Quarter Ended June 30, 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1
Financial Statements
 
     
 
3
     
 
4
     
 
5
     
 
6
     
 
7
     
 
9
     
Item 2
42
     
Item 3
60
     
Item 4
60
     
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1
61
Item 1A
 
Item 2
61
Item 3
61
Item 4
61
Item 5
61
Item 6
62
 
63
 
64


2

Item 1 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
NBT Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
 
   
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
June 30
   
December 31
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
       
 Assets
 
   
 
Cash and due from banks
 
$
127,676
   
$
139,635
 
Short-term interest bearing accounts
   
6,535
     
7,001
 
Securities available for sale, at fair value
   
1,129,249
     
1,013,171
 
Securities held to maturity (fair value $454,255 and $454,994, respectively)
   
454,312
     
454,361
 
Trading securities
   
8,468
     
7,793
 
Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock
   
38,659
     
32,626
 
Loans
   
5,770,888
     
5,595,271
 
Less allowance for loan losses
   
64,959
     
66,359
 
Net loans
   
5,705,929
     
5,528,912
 
Premises and equipment, net
   
87,652
     
89,258
 
Goodwill
   
263,634
     
263,634
 
Intangible assets, net
   
17,897
     
20,317
 
Bank owned life insurance
   
115,241
     
114,251
 
Other assets
   
117,233
     
126,967
 
Total assets
 
$
8,072,485
   
$
7,797,926
 
                 
Liabilities
               
Demand (noninterest bearing)
 
$
1,840,012
   
$
1,838,622
 
Savings, NOW, and money market
   
3,583,313
     
3,417,160
 
Time
   
948,154
     
1,043,823
 
Total deposits
   
6,371,479
     
6,299,605
 
Short-term borrowings
   
511,992
     
316,802
 
Long-term debt
   
130,705
     
130,945
 
Junior subordinated debt
   
101,196
     
101,196
 
Other liabilities
   
81,142
     
85,197
 
Total liabilities
   
7,196,514
     
6,933,745
 
                 
Stockholders' equity
               
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 2,500,000 shares at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014
   
-
     
-
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 100,000,000 shares at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014; issued 49,651,494 at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014
   
497
     
497
 
Additional paid-in-capital
   
575,612
     
576,504
 
Retained earnings
   
442,446
     
423,956
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
(16,223
)
   
(17,027
)
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 5,966,065 and 5,755,040 shares at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively
   
(126,361
)
   
(119,749
)
Total stockholders' equity
   
875,971
     
864,181
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
8,072,485
   
$
7,797,926
 
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
 
3

NBT Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
 
Three months ended June 30,
   
Six months ended June 30,
 
Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
 
2015
   
2014
   
2015
   
2014
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
   
   
   
 
Interest, fee, and dividend income
 
   
   
   
 
Interest and fees on loans
 
$
59,873
   
$
60,559
   
$
119,391
   
$
120,574
 
Securities available for sale
   
5,144
     
6,612
     
10,089
     
13,369
 
Securities held to maturity
   
2,315
     
783
     
4,598
     
1,551
 
Other
   
395
     
502
     
875
     
1,039
 
Total interest, fee, and dividend income
   
67,727
     
68,456
     
134,953
     
136,533
 
Interest expense
                               
Deposits
   
3,517
     
3,000
     
7,090
     
6,284
 
Short-term borrowings
   
144
     
209
     
265
     
440
 
Long-term debt
   
836
     
2,135
     
1,662
     
4,642
 
Junior subordinated debt
   
545
     
538
     
1,085
     
1,076
 
Total interest expense
   
5,042
     
5,882
     
10,102
     
12,442
 
Net interest income
   
62,685
     
62,574
     
124,851
     
124,091
 
Provision for loan losses
   
3,898
     
4,166
     
7,540
     
7,762
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
   
58,787
     
58,408
     
117,311
     
116,329
 
Noninterest income
                               
Insurance and other financial services revenue
   
5,836
     
5,594
     
12,210
     
12,331
 
Service charges on deposit accounts
   
4,285
     
4,397
     
8,357
     
8,766
 
ATM and debit card fees
   
4,679
     
4,357
     
8,927
     
8,429
 
Retirement plan administration fees
   
3,566
     
2,977
     
6,762
     
5,895
 
Trust
   
5,196
     
4,953
     
9,646
     
9,399
 
Bank owned life insurance
   
928
     
978
     
2,487
     
2,360
 
Net securities gains
   
26
     
14
     
40
     
21
 
Gain on the sale of equity investment
   
-
     
19,401
     
-
     
19,401
 
Other
   
3,699
     
3,356
     
6,320
     
5,702
 
Total noninterest income
   
28,215
     
46,027
     
54,749
     
72,304
 
Noninterest expense
                               
Salaries and employee benefits
   
30,831
     
31,142
     
61,013
     
60,676
 
Occupancy
   
5,412
     
5,435
     
11,478
     
11,661
 
Data processing and communications
   
4,288
     
4,015
     
8,391
     
8,016
 
Professional fees and outside services
   
3,395
     
3,752
     
6,892
     
7,167
 
Equipment
   
3,316
     
3,132
     
6,565
     
6,248
 
Office supplies and postage
   
1,627
     
1,803
     
3,246
     
3,488
 
FDIC expenses
   
1,280
     
1,229
     
2,478
     
2,507
 
Advertising
   
734
     
726
     
1,453
     
1,465
 
Amortization of intangible assets
   
1,187
     
1,236
     
2,471
     
2,546
 
Loan collection and other real estate owned, net
   
22
     
801
     
894
     
1,841
 
Prepayment penalties on long-term debt
   
-
     
4,554
     
-
     
4,554
 
Other
   
5,872
     
4,911
     
10,785
     
10,084
 
Total noninterest expense
   
57,964
     
62,736
     
115,666
     
120,253
 
Income before income tax expense
   
29,038
     
41,699
     
56,394
     
68,380
 
Income tax expense
   
9,757
     
14,059
     
18,947
     
22,731
 
Net income
 
$
19,281
   
$
27,640
   
$
37,447
   
$
45,649
 
Earnings per share
                               
Basic
 
$
0.44
   
$
0.63
   
$
0.85
   
$
1.04
 
Diluted
 
$
0.43
   
$
0.62
   
$
0.84
   
$
1.03
 

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements
 
4

NBT Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
 
Three months ended June 30,
   
Six months ended June 30,
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited)
 
2015
   
2014
   
2015
   
2014
 
(In thousands)
 
    
   
    
                  
Net income
 
$
19,281
   
$
27,640
    $
37,447
   
$
45,649
 
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
                               
    Unrealized net holding (losses) gains arising during the period (pre-tax amounts of ($5,277), $8,267, $(434) and $16,892)
   
(3,223
)
   
4,992
     
(266
)
   
10,200
 
    Reclassification adjustment for net gains related to securities available for sale included in net income (pre-tax amounts of $26, $14, $40 and $21)
   
(16
)
   
(8
)
   
(24
)
   
(13
)
    Amortization of unrealized net gains and losses related to the reclassification of available for sale investment securities to held to maturity (pre-tax amounts of $307, $-, $614 and $-)
   
205
     
-
     
410
     
-
 
    Pension and other benefits:
                               
    Amortization of prior service cost and    actuarial gains (pre-tax amounts of $561, $19, $1,122 and $38)
   
342
     
11
     
684
     
23
 
Total other comprehensive (loss) income
   
(2,692
)
   
4,995
     
804
     
10,210
 
Comprehensive income
 
$
16,589
   
$
32,635
    $
38,251
   
$
55,859
 
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements
 
5

NBT Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (unaudited)
 
   
Common Stock
   
Additional Paid-in- Capital
   
Retained Earnings
   
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
   
Common Stock in Treasury
   
Total
 
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
Balance at December 31, 2013
 
$
497
   
$
574,152
   
$
385,787
   
$
(16,765
)
 
$
(127,102
)
 
$
816,569
 
Net income
   
-
     
-
     
45,649
     
-
     
-
     
45,649
 
Cash dividends - $0.42 per share
   
-
     
-
     
(18,425
)
   
-
     
-
     
(18,425
)
Purchase of 3,288 treasury shares
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(72
)
   
(72
)
Net issuance of 189,036 shares to employee benefit plans and other stock plans, including tax benefit
   
-
     
(2,232
)
   
-
     
-
     
3,360
     
1,128
 
Stock-based compensation
   
-
     
2,082
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
2,082
 
Other comprehensive income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
10,210
     
-
     
10,210
 
Balance at June 30, 2014
 
$
497
   
$
574,002
   
$
413,011
   
$
(6,555
)
 
$
(123,814
)
 
$
857,141
 
 
                                               
Balance at December 31, 2014
 
$
497
   
$
576,504
   
$
423,956
   
$
(17,027
)
 
$
(119,749
)
 
$
864,181
 
Net income
   
-
     
-
     
37,447
     
-
     
-
     
37,447
 
Cash dividends - $0.43 per share
   
-
     
-
     
(18,957
)
   
-
     
-
     
(18,957
)
Purchase of 433,351 treasury shares
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(10,672
)
   
(10,672
)
Net issuance of 222,326 shares to employee benefit plans and other stock plans, including tax benefit
   
-
     
(3,568
)
   
-
     
-
     
4,060
     
492
 
Stock-based compensation
   
-
     
2,676
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
2,676
 
Other comprehensive income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
804
     
-
     
804
 
Balance at June 30, 2015
 
$
497
   
$
575,612
   
$
442,446
   
$
(16,223
)
 
$
(126,361
)
 
$
875,971
 
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
 
6

NBT Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
 
2015
   
2014
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
   
 
Operating activities
 
   
 
         
Net income
 
$
37,447
   
$
45,649
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
               
Provision for loan losses
   
7,540
     
7,762
 
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment
   
4,277
     
4,105
 
Net accretion on securities
   
1,157
     
1,883
 
Amortization of intangible assets
   
2,471
     
2,546
 
Stock based compensation
   
2,676
     
2,082
 
Bank owned life insurance income
   
(2,487
)
   
(2,360
)
Purchases of trading securities
   
(649
)
   
(1,485
)
Gains on trading securities
   
(26
)
   
(91
)
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale
   
24,743
     
1,922
 
Originations and purchases of loans held for sale
   
(26,051
)
   
(3,701
)
Net gains on sales of loans held for sale
   
(103
)
   
(3
)
Net security gains
   
(40
)
   
(21
)
Net gain on sales of other real estate owned
   
(1,079
)
   
(212
)
Gain on sale of equity investment
   
-
     
(19,401
)
Prepayment penalties on long-term debt
   
-
     
4,554
 
Net decrease in other assets
   
11,647
     
7,607
 
Net (decrease) increase in other liabilities
   
(6,152
)
   
(8,421
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
55,371
     
42,415
 
Investing activities
               
Securities available for sale:
               
Proceeds from maturities, calls, and principal paydowns
   
125,278
     
119,680
 
Purchases
   
(242,304
)
   
(116,594
)
Securities held to maturity:
               
Proceeds from maturities, calls, and principal paydowns
   
42,950
     
14,835
 
Purchases
   
(41,448
)
   
(17,363
)
Other:
               
Net increase in loans
   
(185,349
)
   
(174,358
)
Proceeds from FHLB stock redemption
   
19,085
     
37,179
 
Purchases of Federal Reserve and FHLB stock
   
(25,118
)
   
(39,408
)
Proceeds from settlement of bank owned life insurance
   
1,497
     
1,319
 
Purchases of premises and equipment
   
(2,671
)
   
(3,498
)
Proceeds from sale of equity investment
   
-
     
19,639
 
Proceeds from the sales of other real estate owned
   
2,597
     
1,919
 
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(305,483
)
   
(156,650
)
Financing activities
               
Net increase in deposits
   
71,874
     
152,364
 
Net increase in short-term borrowings
   
195,190
     
78,436
 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
   
-
     
120,000
 
Repayments of long-term debt
   
(240
)
   
(194,785
)
Proceeds from the issuance of shares to employee benefit plans and other stock plans
   
492
     
1,128
 
Purchase of treasury stock
   
(10,672
)
   
(72
)
Cash dividends
   
(18,957
)
   
(18,425
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
237,687
     
138,646
 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
(12,425
)
   
24,411
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
146,636
     
158,926
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
134,211
   
$
183,337
 
 
7

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
Cash paid during the period for:
 
2015
   
2014
 
Interest
 
$
10,628
   
$
13,405
 
Income taxes paid
   
9,027
     
19,496
 
Noncash investing activities:
               
Loans transferred to other real estate owned
 
$
2,203
   
$
785
 
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
 
8

NBT BANCORP INC. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2015
 
Note 1. Description of Business
 
NBT Bancorp Inc. (the "Registrant" or the "Company") is a registered financial holding company incorporated in the state of Delaware in 1986, with its principal headquarters located in Norwich, New York.  The principal assets of the Registrant consist of all of the outstanding shares of common stock of its subsidiaries, including:  NBT Bank, National Association (the "Bank"), NBT Financial Services, Inc. ("NBT Financial"), NBT Holdings, Inc. ("NBT Holdings"), Hathaway Agency, Inc., and CNBF Capital Trust I, NBT Statutory Trust I, NBT Statutory Trust II, Alliance Financial Capital Trust I, and Alliance Financial Capital Trust II (collectively, the "Trusts").  The Company's principal sources of revenue are the management fees and dividends it receives from the Bank, NBT Financial and NBT Holdings.
 
The Company's business, primarily conducted through the Bank but also through its other subsidiaries, consists of providing commercial banking and financial services to customers in its market area, which includes central and upstate New York, northeastern Pennsylvania, northwestern Vermont, western Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, and southern Maine.  The Company has been, and intends to continue to be, a community-oriented financial institution offering a variety of financial services.  The Company's business philosophy is to operate as a community bank with local decision-making, principally in non-metropolitan markets, providing a broad array of banking and financial services to retail, commercial, and municipal customers.

Note 2. Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Registrant and its wholly owned subsidiaries, the Bank, NBT Financial, NBT Holdings, and Hathaway Agency, Inc.  Collectively, the Registrant and its subsidiaries are referred to herein as "the Company."  The interim data includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP").  These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year or any other interim period.  All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Amounts in the prior period financial statements are reclassified whenever necessary to conform to current period presentation.  The Company has evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition and/or disclosure and there were none identified.
 
9

Note 3. Securities
 
The amortized cost, estimated fair value, and unrealized gains and losses of securities available for sale are as follows:
 
(In thousands)
 
Amortized
cost
   
Unrealized
gains
   
Unrealized
losses
   
Estimated
fair value
 
June 30, 2015
 
   
   
   
 
U.S. Treasury
 
$
10,005
   
$
9
   
$
-
   
$
10,014
 
Federal Agency
   
397,197
     
759
     
(1,033
)
   
396,923
 
State & municipal
   
29,881
     
505
     
(26
)
   
30,360
 
Mortgage-backed:
                               
Government-sponsored enterprises
   
333,292
     
5,914
     
(439
)
   
338,767
 
U.S. government agency securities
   
15,325
     
796
     
(59
)
   
16,062
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                               
Government-sponsored enterprises
   
285,733
     
1,966
     
(535
)
   
287,164
 
U.S. government agency securities
   
33,965
     
428
     
(34
)
   
34,359
 
Other securities
   
12,872
     
2,870
     
(142
)
   
15,600
 
Total securities available for sale
 
$
1,118,270
   
$
13,247
   
$
(2,268
)
 
$
1,129,249
 
December 31, 2014
                               
U.S. Treasury
 
$
23,041
   
$
70
   
$
-
   
$
23,111
 
Federal Agency
   
332,193
     
327
     
(2,606
)
   
329,914
 
State & municipal
   
37,035
     
587
     
(52
)
   
37,570
 
Mortgage-backed:
                               
Government-sponsored enterprises
   
339,190
     
7,597
     
(224
)
   
346,563
 
U.S. government agency securities
   
17,367
     
863
     
(66
)
   
18,164
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                               
Government-sponsored enterprises
   
199,837
     
1,828
     
(234
)
   
201,431
 
U.S. government agency securities
   
40,237
     
497
     
(36
)
   
40,698
 
Other securities
   
12,818
     
3,054
     
(152
)
   
15,720
 
Total securities available for sale
 
$
1,001,718
   
$
14,823
   
$
(3,370
)
 
$
1,013,171
 
 
Other securities primarily represent marketable equity securities.
 
Securities with amortized costs totaling $1.4 billion at June 30, 2015 and $1.4 billion at December 31, 2014 were pledged to secure public deposits and for other purposes required or permitted by law.  At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, securities with an amortized cost of $172.2 million and $208.8 million, respectively, were pledged as collateral for securities sold under repurchase agreements.
 
10

The amortized cost, estimated fair value, and unrealized gains and losses of securities held to maturity are as follows:
 
(In thousands)
 
Amortized cost
   
Unrealized gains
   
Unrealized losses
   
Estimated fair value
 
June 30, 2015
 
   
   
   
 
Mortgage-backed:
               
Government-sponsored enterprises
 
$
10,049
   
$
-
   
$
(142
)
 
$
9,907
 
U.S. government agency securities
   
695
     
118
     
-
     
813
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                               
Government-sponsored enterprises
   
295,510
     
1,769
     
(1,826
)
   
295,453
 
State & municipal
   
148,058
     
466
     
(442
)
   
148,082
 
Total securities held to maturity
 
$
454,312
   
$
2,353
   
$
(2,410
)
 
$
454,255
 
December 31, 2014
                               
Mortgage-backed:
                               
Government-sponsored enterprises
 
$
755
   
$
113
   
$
-
   
$
868
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                               
Government-sponsored enterprises
   
317,628
     
1,934
     
(1,965
)
   
317,597
 
State & municipal
   
135,978
     
674
     
(123
)
   
136,529
 
Total securities held to maturity
 
$
454,361
   
$
2,721
   
$
(2,088
)
 
$
454,994
 
 
11

The following table sets forth information with regard to investment securities with unrealized losses for the periods presented:
 
 
 
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or longer
   
Total
 
Security Type:
 
Fair Value
   
Unrealized losses
   
Number of Positions
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized losses
   
Number of Positions
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized losses
   
Number of Positions
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
June 30, 2015
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Investment securities available for sale:
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Federal agency
 
$
146,403
   
$
(765
)
   
13
   
$
29,732
   
$
(268
)
   
3
   
$
176,135
   
$
(1,033
)
   
16
 
State & municipal
   
6,184
     
(26
)
   
14
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
6,184
     
(26
)
   
14
 
Mortgage-backed
   
57,745
     
(439
)
   
28
     
4,571
     
(59
)
   
17
     
62,316
     
(498
)
   
45
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
   
87,849
     
(531
)
   
9
     
5,452
     
(38
)
   
4
     
93,301
     
(569
)
   
13
 
Other securities
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
3,211
     
(142
)
   
2
     
3,211
     
(142
)
   
2
 
Total securities with unrealized losses
 
$
298,181
   
$
(1,761
)
   
64
   
$
42,966
   
$
(507
)
   
26
   
$
341,147
   
$
(2,268
)
   
90
 
 
                                                                       
June 30, 2015
                                                                       
Investment securities held to maturity:
                                                                       
Mortgage-backed
 
$
9,907
   
$
(142
)
   
1
   
$
-
   
$
-
     
-
   
$
9,907
   
$
(142
)
   
1
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
   
76,008
     
(306
)
   
8
     
44,136
     
(1,520
)
   
4
     
120,144
     
(1,826
)
   
12
 
State & municipal
   
43,095
     
(442
)
   
89
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
43,095
     
(442
)
   
89
 
Total securities with unrealized losses
 
$
129,010
   
$
(890
)
   
98
   
$
44,136
   
$
(1,520
)
   
4
   
$
173,146
   
$
(2,410
)
   
102
 
                                                                         
December 31, 2014
                                                                       
Investment securities available for sale:
                                                                       
Federal agency
 
$
66,528
   
$
(226
)
   
8
   
$
198,151
   
$
(2,380
)
   
16
   
$
264,679
   
$
(2,606
)
   
24
 
State & municipal
   
8,818
     
(42
)
   
33
     
1,321
     
(10
)
   
5
     
10,139
     
(52
)
   
38
 
Mortgage-backed
   
10,400
     
(36
)
   
10
     
35,565
     
(254
)
   
31
     
45,965
     
(290
)
   
41
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
   
57,682
     
(196
)
   
8
     
6,598
     
(74
)
   
4
     
64,280
     
(270
)
   
12
 
Other securities
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
3,201
     
(152
)
   
2
     
3,201
     
(152
)
   
2
 
Total securities with unrealized losses
 
$
143,428
   
$
(500
)
   
59
   
$
244,836
   
$
(2,870
)
   
58
   
$
388,264
   
$
(3,370
)
   
117
 
 
                                                                       
December 31, 2014
                                                                       
Investment securities held to maturity:
                                                                       
Collateralized mortgage obligations
 
$
26,052
   
$
(49
)
   
2
   
$
46,415
   
$
(1,916
)
   
4
   
$
72,467
   
$
(1,965
)
   
6
 
State & municipal
   
43,514
     
(116
)
   
110
     
1,619
     
(7
)
   
6
     
45,133
     
(123
)
   
116
 
Total securities with unrealized losses
 
$
69,566
   
$
(165
)
   
112
   
$
48,034
   
$
(1,923
)
   
10
   
$
117,600
   
$
(2,088
)
   
122
 
 
12

Management has the intent to hold the securities classified as held to maturity until they mature, at which time it is believed the Company will receive full value for the securities. Furthermore, as of June 30, 2015, management also had the intent to hold, and will not be required to sell, the securities classified as available for sale for a period of time sufficient for a recovery of cost, which may be until maturity.  The unrealized losses are due to increases in market interest rates over the yields available at the time the underlying securities were purchased. When necessary, the Company has performed a discounted cash flow analysis to determine whether or not it will receive the contractual principal and interest on certain securities.  The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach their maturity date or repricing date or if market yields for such investments decline.  As of June 30, 2015, management believes the impairments detailed in the table above are temporary and no other-than-temporary impairment losses have been realized in the Company's consolidated statements of income.
 
The following tables set forth information with regard to contractual maturities of debt securities at June 30, 2015:
 
(In thousands)
 
Amortized cost
   
Estimated fair value
 
Debt securities classified as available for sale
 
   
 
Within one year
 
$
13,981
   
$
14,032
 
From one to five years
   
412,442
     
413,423
 
From five to ten years
   
150,200
     
152,606
 
After ten years
   
528,775
     
533,588
 
 
 
$
1,105,398
   
$
1,113,649
 
Debt securities classified as held to maturity
               
Within one year
 
$
24,317
   
$
24,328
 
From one to five years
   
15,730
     
15,811
 
From five to ten years
   
99,778
     
99,818
 
After ten years
   
314,487
     
314,298
 
 
 
$
454,312
   
$
454,255
 
 
Maturities of mortgage-backed and collateralized mortgage obligations are stated based on their estimated average lives.  Actual maturities may differ from estimated average lives or contractual maturities because, in certain cases, borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 
Except for U.S. Government securities, there were no holdings, when taken in the aggregate, of any single issuer that exceeded 10% of consolidated stockholders' equity at June 30, 2015.
 
13

Note  4. Allowance for Loan Losses and Credit Quality of Loans

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level estimated by management to provide adequately for probable incurred losses inherent in the current loan portfolio. The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is continuously monitored.  It is assessed for adequacy using a methodology designed to ensure the level of the allowance reasonably reflects the loan portfolio's risk profile. It is evaluated to ensure that it is sufficient to absorb all reasonably estimable credit losses inherent in the current loan portfolio.
 
To develop and document a systematic methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses, the Company has divided the loan portfolio into three segments, each with different risk characteristics and methodologies for assessing risk.  Those segments are further segregated between our loans accounted for under the amortized cost method (referred to as "originated" loans) and loans acquired in a business combination (referred to as "acquired" loans).  Each portfolio segment is broken down into class segments where appropriate.  Class segments contain unique measurement attributes, risk characteristics and methods for monitoring and assessing risk that are necessary to develop the allowance for loan losses.  Unique characteristics such as borrower type, loan type, collateral type, and risk characteristics define each class segment.  The following table illustrates the portfolio and class segments for the Company's loan portfolio:
  
Portfolio
Class
Commercial Loans
Commercial
 
Commercial Real Estate
 
Agricultural
 
Agricultural Real Estate
 
Business Banking
 
 
Consumer Loans
Indirect
 
Home Equity
 
Direct
 
 
Residential Real Estate Mortgages
 
 
Commercial Loans
 
The Company offers a variety of commercial loan products including commercial (non-real estate), commercial real estate, agricultural, agricultural real estate, and business banking loans.  The Company's underwriting analysis for commercial loans typically includes credit verification, independent appraisals, a review of the borrower's financial condition, and a detailed analysis of the borrower's underlying cash flows.
 
Commercial (non-Real Estate)The Company offers a variety of loan options to meet the specific needs of our commercial customers including term loans, time notes and lines of credit.  Such loans are made available to businesses for working capital needs such as inventory and receivables, business expansion and equipment purchases. Generally, a collateral lien is placed on equipment or other assets owned by the borrower.  These loans carry a higher risk than commercial real estate loans due to the nature of the underlying collateral, which can be business assets such as equipment and accounts receivable. To reduce the risk, management also attempts to secure real estate as collateral and obtain personal guarantees of the borrowers.
 
14

Commercial Real Estate – The Company offers commercial real estate loans to finance real estate purchases, refinancings, expansions and improvements to commercial properties.  Commercial real estate loans are made to finance the purchases of real estate, generally with completed structures. These commercial real estate loans are secured by first liens on the real estate, which may include apartments, commercial structures, housing businesses, healthcare facilities, and other non owner-occupied facilities.  These loans are typically less risky than commercial loans, since they are secured by real estate and buildings, and are generally originated in amounts of no more than 80% of the appraised value of the property.

Agricultural – The Company offers a variety of agricultural loans to meet the needs of our agricultural customers including term loans, time notes, and lines of credit.  These loans are made to purchase livestock, purchase and modernize equipment, and finance seasonal crop expenses.  Generally, a collateral lien is placed on the livestock, equipment, produce inventories, and/or receivables owned by the borrower.  These loans may carry a higher risk than commercial and agricultural real estate loans due to the industry price volatility, and in some cases, the perishable nature of the underlying collateral.  To reduce these risks, management may attempt to secure these loans with additional real estate collateral, obtain personal guarantees of the borrowers, or obtain government loan guarantees to provide further support.
 
Agricultural Real Estate – The Company offers real estate loans to our agricultural customers to finance farm related real estate purchases, refinancings, expansions, and improvements to agricultural properties such as barns, production facilities, and land.  The agricultural real estate loans are secured by first liens on the farm real estate.  Because they are secured by land and buildings, these loans may be less risky than agricultural loans.  These loans are typically originated in amounts of no more than 75% of the appraised value of the property.  Government loan guarantees may be obtained to provide further support.
 
Business Banking - The Company offers a variety of loan options to meet the specific needs of our business banking customers including term loans, business banking mortgages and lines of credit.  Such loans are generally less than $0.5 million and are made available to businesses for working capital such as inventory and receivables, business expansion, equipment purchases, and agricultural needs.  Generally, a collateral lien is placed on equipment or other assets owned by the borrower such as inventory and/or receivables.  These loans carry a higher risk than commercial loans due to the smaller size of the borrower and lower levels of capital.  To reduce the risk, the Company obtains personal guarantees of the owners for a majority of the loans.
 
Consumer Loans
 
The Company offers a variety of consumer loan products including indirect, home equity, and direct loans.
 
Indirect – The Company maintains relationships with many dealers primarily in the communities that we serve.  Through these relationships, the Company primarily finances the purchases of automobiles and recreational vehicles (such as campers, boats, etc.) indirectly through dealer relationships.  Approximately 75% of the indirect relationships represent automobile financing.  Most of these loans carry a fixed rate of interest with principal repayment terms typically ranging from three to six years, based upon the nature of the collateral and the size of the loan. The majority of indirect consumer loans are underwritten on a secured basis using the underlying collateral being financed.
 
Home Equity The Company offers home equity lines of credit to consumers to finance home improvements, debt consolidation, education and other uses.  Consumers are able to borrow up to 85% of the equity in their homes.  The Company originates home equity lines of credit and second mortgage loans (loans secured by a second junior lien position on one-to-four-family residential real estate).  These loans carry a higher risk than first mortgage residential loans as they are typically in a second position with respect to collateral.  Risk is reduced through underwriting criteria, which include credit verification, appraisals, a review of the borrower's financial condition, and personal cash flows.  A security interest, with title insurance when necessary, is taken in the underlying real estate.
 
15

Direct – The Company offers a variety of consumer installment loans to finance vehicle purchases, mobile home purchases and personal expenditures.  Most of these loans carry a fixed rate of interest with principal repayment terms typically ranging from one to ten years, based upon the nature of the collateral and the size of the loan. The majority of consumer loans are underwritten on a secured basis using the underlying collateral being financed or a customer's deposit account. In addition to installment loans, the Company also offers personal lines of credit and overdraft protection.  A minimal amount of loans are unsecured, which carry a higher risk of loss.

Residential Real Estate Mortgages
Residential real estate loans consist primarily of loans secured by first or second deeds of trust on primary residences.  We originate adjustable-rate and fixed-rate, one-to-four-family residential real estate loans for the construction, purchase or refinancing of a residential mortgage.  These loans are collateralized by owner-occupied properties located in the Company's market area.  Loans on one-to-four-family residential real estate are generally originated in amounts of no more than 85% of the purchase price or appraised value (whichever is lower), or have private mortgage insurance.  The Company's underwriting analysis for residential mortgage loans typically includes credit verification, independent appraisals, and a review of the borrower's financial condition.  Mortgage title insurance and hazard insurance are normally required. Construction loans have a unique risk, because they are secured by an incomplete dwelling. This risk is reduced through periodic site inspections, including one at each loan draw period.
 
For purposes of evaluating the adequacy of the allowance, the Company considers a number of significant factors that affect the collectability of the portfolio.  For individually analyzed loans, these include estimates of loss exposure, which reflect the facts and circumstances that affect the likelihood of repayment of such loans as of the evaluation date. For homogeneous pools of loans, estimates of the Company's exposure to credit loss reflect a current assessment of a number of factors, which could affect collectability.  These factors include:  past loss experience;  size, trend, composition, and nature of loans;  changes in lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards and collection,  charge-offs  and  recoveries; trends experienced in nonperforming and delinquent loans; current economic conditions in the Company's market;  portfolio concentrations that may affect loss experienced across one or more components of the portfolio; the effect of external factors such as competition, legal and regulatory requirements; and the experience, ability, and depth of lending management and staff. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral component of their examination process, periodically review the Company's allowance for loan losses.  Such agencies may require the Company to make loan grade changes as well as recognize additions to the allowance based on their examinations.
 
After a thorough consideration of the factors discussed above, any required additions or reductions to the allowance for loan losses are made periodically by charges or credits to the provision for loan losses. These charges or credits are necessary to maintain the allowance at a level which management believes is reasonably reflective of overall inherent risk of probable loss in the portfolio. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, additions and reductions of the allowance may fluctuate from one reporting period to another.  These fluctuations are reflective of changes in risk associated with portfolio content and/or changes in management's assessment of any or all of the determining factors discussed above.
 
16

The following tables illustrate the changes in the allowance for loan losses by our portfolio segments for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014:
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Commercial Loans
   
Consumer Loans
   
Residential Real Estate Mortgages
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
Balance as of March 31, 2015
 
$
31,278
   
$
26,156
   
$
7,698
   
$
227
   
$
65,359
 
Charge-offs
   
(584
)
   
(4,275
)
   
(509
)
   
-
     
(5,368
)
Recoveries
   
280
     
697
     
93
     
-
     
1,070
 
Provision
   
(2,648
)
   
5,736
     
999
     
(189
)
   
3,898
 
Ending Balance as of June 30, 2015
 
$
28,326
   
$
28,314
   
$
8,281
   
$
38
   
$
64,959
 
 
                                       
Balance as of March 31, 2014
 
$
34,437
   
$
28,436
   
$
6,225
   
$
336
   
$
69,434
 
Charge-offs
   
(1,427
)
   
(3,648
)
   
(165
)
   
-
     
(5,240
)
Recoveries
   
314
     
714
     
146
     
-
     
1,174
 
Provision
   
1,799
     
2,471
     
(1
)
   
(103
)
   
4,166
 
Ending Balance as of June 30, 2014
 
$
35,123
   
$
27,973
   
$
6,205
   
$
233
   
$
69,534
 

 
Six months ended June 30,
 
Commercial Loans
   
Consumer Loans
   
Residential Real Estate Mortgages
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
Balance as of December 31, 2014
 
$
32,433
   
$
26,720
   
$
7,130
   
$
76
   
$
66,359
 
Charge-offs
   
(1,382
)
   
(8,653
)
   
(1,013
)
   
-
     
(11,048
)
Recoveries
   
514
     
1,445
     
149
     
-
     
2,108
 
Provision
   
(3,239
)
   
8,802
     
2,015
     
(38
)
   
7,540
 
Ending Balance as of June 30, 2015
 
$
28,326
   
$
28,314
   
$
8,281
   
$
38
   
$
64,959
 
 
                                       
Balance as of December 31, 2013
 
$
35,090
   
$
27,694
   
$
6,520
   
$
130
   
$
69,434
 
Charge-offs
   
(1,906
)
   
(7,680
)
   
(484
)
   
-
     
(10,070
)
Recoveries
   
713
     
1,455
     
240
     
-
     
2,408
 
Provision
   
1,226
     
6,504
     
(71
)
   
103
     
7,762
 
Ending Balance as of June 30, 2014
 
$
35,123
   
$
27,973
   
$
6,205
   
$
233
   
$
69,534
 

As of June 30, 2015, included in the above tables, there was $1.9 million in the allowance for loan losses related to acquired commercial loans.  There was $1.5 in the allowance for loan loasses as of June 30, 2014 related to acquired loans.  Net charge-offs related to acquired loans totaled approximately $0.1 million and $0.1 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and approximately $0.7 million and $0.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and are included in the table above. 
 
17

The following tables illustrate the allowance for loan losses and the recorded investment by portfolio segments as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
 
Allowance for Loan Losses and Recorded Investment in Loans
(in thousands)
 
 
 
Commercial Loans
   
Consumer Loans
   
Residential Real Estate Mortgages
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
As of June 30, 2015
 
   
   
   
   
 
Allowance for loan losses
 
$
28,326
   
$
28,314
   
$
8,281
   
$
38
   
$
64,959
 
 
                                       
Allowance for loans individually evaluated for impairment
   
2,885
     
-
     
-
             
2,885
 
 
                                       
Allowance for loans collectively evaluated for impairment
 
$
25,441
   
$
28,314
   
$
8,281
   
$
38
   
$
62,074
 
 
                                       
Ending balance of loans
 
$
2,565,590
   
$
2,051,540
   
$
1,153,758
           
$
5,770,888
 
 
                                       
Ending balance of originated loans individually evaluated for impairment
   
12,506
     
6,967
     
5,021
             
24,494
 
Ending balance of acquired loans individually evaluated for impairment
   
9,719
     
-
     
-
             
9,719
 
Ending balance of acquired loans collectively evaluated for impairment
   
309,699
     
120,316
     
251,751
             
681,766
 
Ending balance of originated loans collectively evaluated for impairment
 
$
2,233,666
   
$
1,924,257
   
$
896,986
           
$
5,054,909
 
 
                                       
As of December 31, 2014
                                       
Allowance for loan losses
 
$
32,433
   
$
26,720
   
$
7,130
   
$
76
   
$
66,359
 
 
                                       
Allowance for loans individually evaluated for impairment
   
1,100
     
-
     
-
             
1,100
 
 
                                       
Allowance for loans collectively evaluated for impairment
 
$
31,333
   
$
26,720
   
$
7,130
   
$
76
   
$
65,259
 
 
                                       
Ending balance of loans
 
$
2,473,702
   
$
2,005,980
   
$
1,115,589
           
$
5,595,271
 
 
                                       
Ending balance of originated loans individually evaluated for impairment
   
11,079
     
5,498
     
3,544
             
20,121
 
Ending balance of acquired loans individually evaluated for impairment
   
5,675
     
-
     
-
             
5,675
 
Ending balance of acquired loans collectively evaluated for impairment
   
327,656
     
147,256
     
266,747
             
741,659
 
Ending balance of originated loans collectively evaluated for impairment
 
$
2,129,292
   
$
1,853,226
   
$
845,298
           
$
4,827,816
 
 
18

Credit Quality of Loans
Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when timely collection of principal and interest in accordance with contractual terms is doubtful. This generally occurs when principal or interest payments become ninety days delinquent, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection, or sooner when management concludes or circumstances indicate that borrowers may be unable to meet contractual principal or interest payments.  When a loan is transferred to a nonaccrual status, all interest previously accrued in the current period but not collected is reversed against interest income in that period. Interest accrued in a prior period and not collected is charged-off against the allowance for loan losses.  The Company's nonaccrual policies are the same for all classes of financing receivable.
 
If ultimate repayment of a nonaccrual loan is expected, any payments received are applied in accordance with contractual terms. If ultimate repayment of principal is not expected, any payment received on a nonaccrual loan is applied to principal until ultimate repayment becomes expected.  Nonaccrual loans are returned to accrual status when they become current as to principal and interest and demonstrate a period of performance under the contractual terms and, in the opinion of management, are fully collectible as to principal and interest.  For loans in all portfolios, the principal amount is charged off in full or in part as soon as management determines, based on available facts, that the collection of principal in full is improbable.  For commercial loans, management considers specific facts and circumstances relative to individual credits in making such a determination.  For consumer and residential loan classes, management uses specific guidance and thresholds from the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council's Uniform Retail Credit Classification and Account Management Policy.
 
19

The following tables set forth information with regard to past due and nonperforming loans by loan class as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
 
Age Analysis of Past Due Financing Receivables
As of June 30, 2015
(in thousands)
 
   
31-60 Days Past Due Accruing
   
61-90 Days Past Due Accruing
   
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due Accruing
   
Total Past Due Accruing
   
Non-Accrual
   
Current
   
Recorded Total Loans
 
ORIGINATED
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Commercial Loans
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Commercial
 
$
268
   
$
7
   
$
-
   
$
275
   
$
22
   
$
629,818
   
$
630,115
 
Commercial Real Estate
   
1,274
     
28
     
-
     
1,302
     
6,825
     
1,148,828
     
1,156,955
 
Agricultural
   
3
     
67
     
-
     
70
     
1,041
     
31,704
     
32,815
 
Agricultural Real Estate
   
18
     
-
     
-
     
18
     
326
     
26,380
     
26,724
 
Business Banking
   
1,478
     
77
     
-
     
1,555
     
5,701
     
392,307
     
399,563
 
 
   
3,041
     
179
     
-
     
3,220
     
13,915
     
2,229,037
     
2,246,172
 
 
                                                       
Consumer Loans
                                                       
Indirect
   
14,212
     
3,035
     
1,250
     
18,497
     
1,553
     
1,378,754
     
1,398,804
 
Home Equity
   
4,941
     
1,172
     
328
     
6,441
     
5,226
     
466,301
     
477,968
 
Direct
   
348
     
111
     
106
     
565
     
59
     
53,828
     
54,452
 
 
   
19,501
     
4,318
     
1,684
     
25,503
     
6,838
     
1,898,883
     
1,931,224
 
Residential Real Estate Mortgages
   
2,869
     
962
     
174
     
4,005
     
7,586
     
890,416
     
902,007
 
 
 
$
25,411
   
$
5,459
   
$
1,858
   
$
32,728
   
$
28,339
   
$
5,018,336
   
$
5,079,403
 
 
                                                       
ACQUIRED
                                                       
Commercial Loans
                                                       
Commercial
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
2,509
   
$
75,153
   
$
77,662
 
Commercial Real Estate
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
7,204
     
182,634
     
189,838
 
Business Banking
   
181
     
5
     
-
     
186
     
452
     
51,280
     
51,918
 
 
   
181
     
5
     
-
     
186
     
10,165
     
309,067
     
319,418
 
 
                                                       
Consumer Loans
                                                       
Indirect
   
242
     
32
     
-
     
274
     
125
     
43,418
     
43,817
 
Home Equity
   
130
     
61
     
67
     
258
     
555
     
71,457
     
72,270
 
Direct
   
21
     
34
     
8
     
63
     
36
     
4,130
     
4,229
 
 
   
393
     
127
     
75
     
595
     
716
     
119,005
     
120,316
 
Residential Real Estate Mortgages
   
1,009
     
406
     
61
     
1,476
     
3,066
     
247,209
     
251,751
 
   
$
1,583
   
$
538
   
$
136
   
$
2,257
   
$
13,947
   
$
675,281
   
$
691,485
 
Total Loans
 
$
26,994
   
$
5,997
   
$
1,994
   
$
34,985
   
$
42,286
   
$
5,693,617
   
$
5,770,888
 
 
20

Age Analysis of Past Due Financing Receivables
As of December 31, 2014
(in thousands)
 
   
31-60 Days Past Due Accruing
   
61-90 Days Past Due Accruing
   
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due Accruing
   
Total Past Due Accruing
   
Non-Accrual
   
Current
   
Recorded Total Loans
 
ORIGINATED
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Commercial Loans
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Commercial
 
$
-
   
$
735
   
$
-
   
$
735
   
$
1,012
   
$
613,400
   
$
615,147
 
Commercial Real Estate
   
192
     
-
     
-
     
192
     
4,127
     
1,064,549
     
1,068,868
 
Agricultural
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
817
     
32,130
     
32,947
 
Agricultural Real Estate
   
19
     
-
     
-
     
19
     
565
     
24,390
     
24,974
 
Business Banking
   
799
     
235
     
84
     
1,118
     
6,910
     
390,407
     
398,435
 
 
   
1,010
     
970
     
84
     
2,064
     
13,431
     
2,124,876
     
2,140,371
 
 
                                                       
Consumer Loans
                                                       
Indirect
   
16,434
     
3,154
     
1,991
     
21,579
     
1,964
     
1,286,507
     
1,310,050
 
Home Equity
   
4,591
     
1,428
     
821
     
6,840
     
6,596
     
479,444
     
492,880
 
Direct
   
560
     
157
     
52
     
769
     
84
     
54,941
     
55,794
 
 
   
21,585
     
4,739
     
2,864
     
29,188
     
8,644
     
1,820,892
     
1,858,724
 
Residential Real Estate Mortgages
   
2,901
     
96
     
1,256
     
4,253
     
8,770
     
835,819
     
848,842
 
 
 
$
25,496
   
$
5,805
   
$
4,204
   
$
35,505
   
$
30,845
   
$
4,781,587
   
$
4,847,937
 
                                                         
 
                                                       
ACQUIRED
                                                       
Commercial Loans
                                                       
Commercial
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
3,009
   
$
72,255
   
$
75,264
 
Commercial Real Estate
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
2,666
     
197,222
     
199,888
 
Business Banking
   
5
     
15
     
-
     
20
     
665
     
57,494
     
58,179
 
 
   
5
     
15
     
-
     
20
     
6,340
     
326,971
     
333,331
 
 
                                                       
Consumer Loans
                                                       
Indirect
   
518
     
5
     
54
     
577
     
106
     
64,540
     
65,223
 
Home Equity
   
190
     
60
     
5
     
255
     
557
     
75,904
     
76,716
 
Direct
   
31
     
-
     
7
     
38
     
33
     
5,246
     
5,317
 
     
739
     
65
     
66
     
870
     
696
     
145,690
     
147,256
 
Residential Real Estate Mortgages
   
1,162
     
265
     
671
     
2,098
     
3,193
     
261,456
     
266,747
 
 
 
$
1,906
   
$
345
   
$
737
   
$
2,988
   
$
10,229
   
$
734,117
   
$
747,334
 
Total Loans
 
$
27,402
   
$
6,150
   
$
4,941
   
$
38,493
   
$
41,074
   
$
5,515,704
   
$
5,595,271
 
 
There were no material commitments to extend further credit to borrowers with nonperforming loans.
 
21

Impaired Loans
The methodology used to establish the allowance for loan losses on impaired loans incorporates specific allocations on loans analyzed individually.  Classified and nonperforming loans with outstanding balances of $0.5 million or more and all troubled debt restructured loans ("TDRs") are evaluated for impairment through the Company's quarterly status review process.  In determining that we will be unable to collect all principal and interest payments due in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreements, we consider factors such as payment history and changes in the financial condition of individual borrowers, local economic conditions, historical loss experience and the conditions of the various markets in which the collateral may be liquidated.  For loans that are impaired as defined by accounting standards, impairment is measured by one of three methods: 1) the fair value of collateral less cost to sell, 2) present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's original effective interest rate or 3) the loan's observable market price.  All impaired loans are reviewed on a quarterly basis for changes in the level of impairment.  Any change to the previously recognized impairment loss is recognized as a change to the allowance account and recorded in the consolidated statement of income as a component of the provision for loan losses.

The following table provides information on loans specifically evaluated for impairment as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
 
 
 
June 30, 2015
   
December 31, 2014
 
(in thousands)
 
Recorded Investment Balance (Book)
   
Unpaid Principal Balance (Legal)
 
Related Allowance
   
Recorded Investment Balance (Book)
   
Unpaid Principal Balance (Legal)
 
Related Allowance
 
ORIGINATED
 
   
 
   
   
 
 
With no related allowance recorded:
 
   
 
   
   
 
 
Commercial Loans
 
   
 
   
   
 
 
Commercial
 
$
1,815
   
$
1,967
     
$
1,748
   
$
1,901
   
Commercial Real Estate
   
4,205
     
4,216
 
     
4,505
     
4,520
 
 
Agricultural
   
19
     
25
 
     
20
     
26
 
 
Agricultural Real Estate
   
628
     
754
 
     
1,147
     
1,441
 
 
Business Banking
   
1,009
     
1,040
 
     
896
     
1,301
 
 
Total Commercial Loans
   
7,676
     
8,002
 
     
8,316
     
9,189
 
 
 
               
                 
 
Consumer Loans
               
                 
 
Indirect
   
15
     
24
       
-
     
-
   
Home Equity
   
6,952
     
7,713
 
     
5,498
     
6,033
 
 
Direct
   
-
     
-
       
-
     
-
   
Total Consumer Loans
   
6,967
     
7,737
       
5,498
     
6,033
   
 
               
                 
 
Residential Real Estate Mortgages
   
5,021
     
5,533
       
3,544
     
3,959
   
Total
   
19,664
     
21,272
 
     
17,358
     
19,181
 
 
 
                                   
With an allowance recorded:
               
                 
 
Commercial Loans
               
                 
 
Commercial Real Estate
 
$
4,830
   
$
6,687
   
$
1,035
   
$
2,763
   
$
4,611
   
$
600
 
                                                 
ACQUIRED
                                               
With no related allowance recorded:
                                               
Commercial Loans
                                               
Commercial Real Estate
   
5,890
     
7,098
             
2,666
     
3,830
         
                                                 
With an allowance recorded:
                                               
Commercial Loans
                                               
Commercial
   
2,508
     
4,668
     
1,000
     
3,009
     
4,668
     
500
 
Commercial Real Estate
   
1,321
     
1,329
     
850
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total Commercial Loans
   
3,829
     
5,997
     
1,850
     
3,009
     
4,668
     
500
 
                                                 
Total:
 
$
34,213
   
$
41,054
   
$
2,885
   
$
25,796
   
$
32,290
   
$
1,100
 
 
22

The following tables summarize the average recorded investments on impaired loans specifically evaluated for impairment and the interest income recognized for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
 
For the three months ended
 
 
 
June 30, 2015
   
June 30, 2014
 
(in thousands)
 
Average Recorded Investment
   
Interest Income Recognized
   
Average Recorded Investment
   
Interest Income Recognized
 
ORIGINATED
 
   
   
   
 
Commercial Loans
 
   
   
   
 
Commercial
 
$
1,768
   
$
61
   
$
2,013
   
$
-
 
Commercial Real Estate
   
9,060
     
41
     
10,062
     
42
 
Agricultural
   
19
     
-
     
123
     
-
 
Agricultural Real Estate
   
630
     
12
     
1,412
     
12
 
Business Banking
   
975
     
2
     
548
     
11
 
Consumer Loans
                               
Indirect
   
16
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Home Equity
   
6,692
     
92
     
5,289
     
60
 
Direct
   
1
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Residential Real Estate Mortgage
   
4,636
     
33
     
2,803
     
26
 
Total Originated
 
$
23,797
   
$
241
   
$
22,250
   
$
151
 
 
                               
ACQUIRED
                               
Commercial Loans
                               
Commercial
   
2,602
     
-
     
6,315
     
-
 
Commercial Real Estate
   
7,205
     
-
     
3,462
     
-
 
Total Acquired
 
$
9,807
   
$
-
   
$
9,777
   
$
-
 
 
                               
Total Loans
 
$
33,604
   
$
241
   
$
32,027
   
$
151
 


 
 
For the six months ended
 
 
 
June 30, 2015
   
June 30, 2014
 
(in thousands)
 
Average Recorded Investment
   
Interest Income Recognized
   
Average Recorded Investment
   
Interest Income Recognized
 
ORIGINATED
 
   
   
   
 
Commercial Loans
 
   
   
   
 
Commercial
 
$
1,742
   
$
86
   
$
2,025
   
$
-
 
Commercial Real Estate
   
9,091
     
82
     
10,739
     
84
 
Agricultural
   
19
     
1
     
124
     
1
 
Agricultural Real Estate
   
633
     
23
     
1,418
     
23
 
Business Banking
   
932
     
6
     
429
     
23
 
Consumer Loans
                               
Indirect
   
11
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Home Equity
   
6,560
     
164
     
4,959
     
103
 
Direct
   
1
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Residential Real Estate Mortgage
   
4,476
     
63
     
2,778
     
50
 
                                 
Total Originated
 
$
23,465
   
$
425
   
$
22,472
   
$
284
 
                                 
ACQUIRED
                               
Commercial Loans
                               
Commercial
   
2,722
     
-
     
6,375
     
-
 
Commercial Real Estate
   
7,176
     
-
     
3,493
     
-
 
Total Acquired
 
$
9,898
   
$
-
   
$
9,868
   
$
-
 
Total Loans
 
$
33,363
   
$
425
   
$
32,340
   
$
284
 
 
23

Credit Quality Indicators
The Company has developed an internal loan grading system to evaluate and quantify the Company's loan portfolio with respect to quality and risk.  The system focuses on, among other things, financial strength of borrowers, experience and depth of borrower's management, primary and secondary sources of repayment, payment history, nature of the business, and outlook on particular industries.  The internal grading system enables the Company to monitor the quality of the entire loan portfolio on a consistent basis and provide management with an early warning system, enabling recognition and response to problem loans and potential problem loans.
 
Commercial Grading System
For commercial and agricultural loans, the Company uses a grading system that relies on quantifiable and measurable characteristics when available.  This would include comparison of financial strength to available industry averages, comparison of transaction factors (loan terms and conditions) to loan policy, and comparison of credit history to stated repayment terms and industry averages. Some grading factors are necessarily more subjective such as economic and industry factors, regulatory environment, and management.  Classified commercial loans consist of loans graded substandard and below.  The grading system for commercial and agricultural loans is as follows:

Doubtful
A doubtful loan has a high probability of total or substantial loss, but because of specific pending events that may strengthen the asset, its classification as a loss is deferred. Doubtful borrowers are usually in default, lack adequate liquidity or capital, and lack the resources necessary to remain an operating entity. Pending events can include mergers, acquisitions, liquidations, capital injections, the perfection of liens on additional collateral, the valuation of collateral, and refinancing. Generally, pending events should be resolved within a relatively short period and the ratings will be adjusted based on the new information. Nonaccrual treatment is required for doubtful assets because of the high probability of loss.
 
Substandard
Substandard loans have a high probability of payment default, or they have other well-defined weaknesses. They require more intensive supervision by bank management. Substandard loans are generally characterized by current or expected unprofitable operations, inadequate debt service coverage, inadequate liquidity, or marginal capitalization. Repayment may depend on collateral or other credit risk mitigants. For some Substandard loans, the likelihood of full collection of interest and principal may be in doubt and those loans should be placed on nonaccrual. Although Substandard assets in the aggregate will have a distinct potential for loss, an individual asset's loss potential does not have to be distinct for the asset to be rated Substandard.
 
Special Mention
Special Mention loans have potential weaknesses that may, if not checked or corrected, weaken the asset or inadequately protect the Company's position at some future date. These loans pose elevated risk, but their weakness does not yet justify a Substandard classification. Borrowers may be experiencing adverse operating trends (declining revenues or margins) or may be struggling with an ill-proportioned balance sheet (e.g., increasing inventory without an increase in sales, high leverage, tight liquidity). Adverse economic or market conditions, such as interest rate increases or the entry of a new competitor, may also support a Special Mention rating. Although a Special Mention loan has a higher probability of default than a pass asset, its default is not imminent.
 
Pass
Loans graded as Pass encompass all loans not graded as Doubtful, Substandard, or Special Mention.  Pass loans are in compliance with loan covenants, and payments are generally made as agreed.  Pass loans range from superior quality to fair quality.
 
24

Business Banking Grading System
Business banking loans are graded as either Classified or Non-classified:
Classified
Classified loans are inadequately protected by the current worth and paying capacity of the obligor or, if applicable, the collateral pledged.   These loans have a well-defined weakness, or weaknesses, that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt, or in some cases make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.   Classified loans have a high probability of payment default, or a high probability of total or substantial loss.  These loans require more intensive supervision by management and are generally characterized by current or expected unprofitable operations, inadequate debt service coverage, inadequate liquidity, or marginal capitalization.  Repayment may depend on collateral or other credit risk mitigants.  When the likelihood of full collection of interest and principal may be in doubt; classified loans are considered to have a nonaccrual status.   In some cases, Classified loans are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as assets is not warranted.
 
Non-classified
Loans graded as Non-classified encompass all loans not graded as Classified.  Non-classified loans are in compliance with loan covenants, and payments are generally made as agreed and it is expected that such timely payments of principal and interest will continue.
 
Consumer and Residential Mortgage Grading System
Consumer and Residential Mortgage loans are graded as either Performing or Nonperforming.   Nonperforming loans are loans that are 1) over 90 days past due and interest is still accruing, 2) on nonaccrual status or 3) restructured.  All loans not meeting any of these three criteria are considered Performing.
 
25

The following tables illustrate the Company's credit quality by loan class as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
 
Credit Quality Indicators
As of June 30, 2015
 
ORIGINATED
 
   
   
   
   
 
Commercial Credit Exposure By Internally Assigned Grade:
 
Commercial
   
Commercial Real Estate
   
Agricultural
   
Agricultural Real Estate
   
Total
 
Pass
 
$
579,259
   
$
1,100,065
   
$
31,935
   
$
25,462
   
$
1,736,721
 
Special Mention
   
11,834
     
26,706
     
49
     
37
     
38,626
 
Substandard
   
39,022
     
30,184
     
823
     
1,225
     
71,254
 
Doubtful
   
-
     
-
     
8
     
-
     
8
 
Total
 
$
630,115
   
$
1,156,955
   
$
32,815
   
$
26,724
   
$
1,846,609
 
 
                                       
Business Banking Credit Exposure By Internally Assigned Grade:
 
Business Banking
                           
Total
 
Non-classified
 
$
383,016
                           
$
383,016
 
Classified
   
16,547
                             
16,547
 
Total
 
$
399,563
                           
$
399,563
 
 
                                       
Consumer Credit Exposure By Payment Activity:
 
Indirect
   
Home Equity
   
Direct
           
Total
 
Performing
 
$
1,396,001
   
$
472,414
   
$
54,287
           
$
1,922,702
 
Nonperforming
   
2,803
     
5,554
     
165
             
8,522
 
Total
 
$
1,398,804
   
$
477,968
   
$
54,452
           
$
1,931,224
 
 
                                       
Residential Mortgage Credit Exposure By Payment Activity:
 
Residential Mortgage
                           
Total
 
Performing
 
$
894,247
                           
$
894,247
 
Nonperforming
   
7,760
                             
7,760
 
Total
 
$
902,007
                           
$
902,007
 
 
26

Credit Quality Indicators
As of June 30, 2015
 
ACQUIRED
 
   
         
Commercial Credit Exposure By Internally Assigned Grade:
 
Commercial
   
Commercial Real Estate
       
Total
 
Pass
 
$
72,110
   
$
170,931
       
$
243,041
 
Special Mention
   
908
     
6,081
         
6,989
 
Substandard
   
4,644
     
12,826
         
17,470
 
Total
 
$
77,662
   
$
189,838
       
$
267,500
 
 
                           
Business Banking Credit Exposure By Internally Assigned Grade:
 
Business Banking
               
Total
 
Non-classified
 
$
47,546
               
$
47,546
 
Classified
   
4,372
                 
4,372
 
Total
 
$
51,918
               
$
51,918
 
 
                           
Consumer Credit Exposure By Payment Activity:
 
Indirect
   
Home Equity
   
Direct
   
Total
 
Performing
 
$
43,692
   
$
71,648
   
$
4,185
   
$
119,525
 
Nonperforming
   
125
     
622
     
44
     
791
 
Total
 
$
43,817
   
$
72,270
   
$
4,229
   
$
120,316
 
 
                               
Residential Mortgage Credit Exposure By Payment Activity:
 
Residential Mortgage
                   
Total
 
Performing
 
$
248,624
                   
$
248,624
 
Nonperforming
   
3,127
                     
3,127
 
Total
 
$
251,751
                   
$
251,751
 
 
27

Credit Quality Indicators
As of December 31, 2014
 
ORIGINATED
 
   
       
   
 
Commercial Credit Exposure By Internally Assigned Grade:
 
Commercial
   
Commercial Real Estate
   
Agricultural
   
Agricultural Real Estate
   
Total
 
Pass
 
$
570,884
   
$
1,023,856
   
$
30,481
   
$
23,443
   
$
1,648,664
 
Special Mention
   
6,022
     
17,341
     
275
     
42
     
23,680
 
Substandard
   
38,241
     
27,671
     
2,183
     
1,489
     
69,584
 
Doubtful
   
-
     
-
     
8
     
-
     
8
 
Total
 
$
615,147
   
$
1,068,868
   
$
32,947
   
$
24,974
   
$
1,741,936
 
 
                                       
Business Banking Credit Exposure By Internally Assigned Grade:
 
Business Banking
                           
Total
 
Non-classified
 
$
379,445
                           
$
379,445
 
Classified
   
18,990
                             
18,990
 
Total
 
$
398,435
                           
$
398,435
 
                                       
Consumer Credit Exposure By Payment Activity:
 
Indirect
   
Home Equity
   
Direct
           
Total
 
Performing
 
$
1,306,095
   
$
485,463
   
$
55,658
           
$
1,847,216
 
Nonperforming
   
3,955
     
7,417
     
136
             
11,508
 
Total
 
$
1,310,050
   
$
492,880
   
$
55,794
           
$
1,858,724
 
 
                                       
Residential Mortgage Credit Exposure By Payment Activity:
 
Residential Mortgage
                           
Total
 
Performing
 
$
838,816
                           
$
838,816
 
Nonperforming
   
10,026
                             
10,026
 
Total
 
$
848,842
                           
$
848,842
 
 
28

Credit Quality Indicators
As of December 31, 2014
 
ACQUIRED
 
   
   
   
 
Commercial Credit Exposure By Internally Assigned Grade:
 
Commercial
   
Commercial Real Estate
            
Total
 
Pass
 
$
63,630
   
$
186,036
       
$
249,666
 
Special Mention
   
2,840
     
2,646
         
5,486
 
Substandard
   
8,794
     
11,206
         
20,000
 
Total
 
$
75,264
   
$
199,888
       
$
275,152
 
 
                 
         
Business Banking Credit Exposure By Internally Assigned Grade:
 
Business Banking
           
   
Total
 
Non-classified
 
$
53,264
           
   
$
53,264
 
Classified
   
4,915
           
     
4,915
 
Total
 
$
58,179
           
   
$
58,179
 
 
                 
         
Consumer Credit Exposure By Payment Activity:
 
Indirect
   
Home Equity
   
Direct
   
Total
 
Performing
 
$
65,063
   
$
76,154
   
$
5,277
   
$
146,494
 
Nonperforming
   
160
     
562
     
40
     
762
 
Total
 
$
65,223
   
$
76,716
   
$
5,317
   
$
147,256
 
 
                               
Residential Mortgage Credit Exposure By Payment Activity:
 
Residential Mortgage
                   
Total
 
Performing
 
$
262,883
                   
$
262,883
 
Nonperforming
   
3,864
                     
3,864
 
Total
 
$
266,747
                   
$
266,747
 
  
Troubled Debt Restructured Loans
The Company's loan portfolio includes certain loans that have been modified where economic concessions have been granted to borrowers who have experienced or are expected to experience financial difficulties.  These concessions typically result from the Company's loss mitigation activities and could include reductions in the interest rate, payment extensions, forgiveness of principal, forbearance or other actions.  Certain TDRs are classified as nonperforming at the time of restructure and may only be returned to performing status after considering the borrower's sustained repayment performance for a reasonable period, generally six months.  Substantially all of these modifications included one or a combination of the following: an extension of the maturity date at a stated rate of interest lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk; temporary reduction in the interest rate; or change in principal.
 
When the Company modifies a loan, management evaluates any possible impairment based on the present value of the expected future cash flows, discounted at the contractual interest rate of the original loan agreement, except when the sole (remaining) source of repayment for the loan is the operation or liquidation of the collateral.  In these cases, management uses the current fair value of the collateral, less selling costs, instead of discounted cash flows.  If management determines that the value of the modified loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan (net of previous charge-offs, deferred loan fees or costs and unamortized premium or discount), impairment is recognized through an allowance estimate or a charge-off to the allowance.  
 
29

The following tables illustrate the recorded investment and number of modifications for modified loans, including the recorded investment in the loans prior to a modification and the recorded investment in the loans after restructuring for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014:
 
   
Three months ended June 30, 2015
 
  
 
Number of contracts
   
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
   
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
 
Commercial
           
Commercial
   
1
   
$
1,165
   
$
1,165
 
Small Business
   
1
     
190
     
176
 
Total Commercial
   
2
     
1,355
     
1,341
 
 
                       
Consumer
                       
Home Equity
   
12
     
1,071
     
1,128
 
Total Consumer
   
12
     
1,071
     
1,128
 
 
                       
Residential Real Estate
   
6
     
370
     
770
 
 
                       
Total Troubled Debt Restructurings
   
20
   
$
2,796
   
$
3,239
 

 
 
Three months ended June 30, 2014
 
  
 
Number of contracts
   
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
   
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
 
Commercial
 
   
   
 
Small Business
   
2
   
$
570
   
$
570
 
Total Commercial
   
2
     
570
     
570
 
 
                       
Consumer
                       
Indirect
   
2
     
69
     
69
 
Home Equity
   
6
     
503
     
503
 
Direct
   
15
     
1,213
     
1,213
 
Total Consumer
   
23
     
1,785
     
1,785
 
 
                       
Residential Real Estate
   
3
     
432
     
432
 
 
                       
Total Troubled Debt Restructurings
   
28
   
$
2,787
   
$
2,787
 
 
30

   
Six months ended June 30, 2015
 
  
 
Number of contracts
   
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
   
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
 
Commercial
           
Commercial
   
1
   
$
1,165
   
$
1,165
 
Small Business
   
1
     
190
     
176
 
Total Commercial
   
2
     
1,355
     
1,341
 
 
                       
Consumer
                       
Home Equity
   
27
     
2,112
     
2,132
 
Direct
   
4
     
106
     
104
 
Total Consumer
   
31
     
2,218
     
2,236
 
 
                       
Residential Real Estate
   
15
     
1,072
     
1,522
 
 
                       
Total Troubled Debt Restructurings
   
48
   
$
4,645
   
$
5,099
 

   
Six months ended June 30, 2014
 
  
 
Number of contracts
   
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
   
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
 
Commercial
           
Small Business
   
2
   
$
570
   
$
570
 
Total Commercial
   
2
     
570
     
570
 
 
                       
Consumer
                       
Indirect
   
2
     
69
     
39
 
Home Equity
   
8
     
561
     
561
 
Direct
   
35
     
2,518
     
2,518
 
Total Consumer
   
45
     
3,148
     
3,118
 
 
                       
Residential Real Estate
   
16
     
1,841
     
1,841
 
 
                       
Total Troubled Debt Restructurings
   
63
   
$
5,559
   
$
5,529
 

31

The following table illustrates the recorded investment and number of modifications for TDRs within the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 where a concession has been made and subsequently defaulted during the period:
   
Three months ended June 30, 2015
   
Three months ended June 30, 2014
 
  
 
Number of contracts
   
Recorded Investment
   
Number of contracts
   
Recorded Investment
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
Consumer
 
   
   
   
 
Home Equity
   
-
    $
-
     
2
    $
300
 
Direct
   
-
     
-
     
1
     
43
 
Total Consumer
   
-
     
-
     
3
     
343
 
 
                               
Total Troubled Debt Restructurings
   
-
   
$
-
     
3
   
$
343
 

   
Six months ended June 30, 2015
   
Six months ended June 30, 2014
 
  
 
Number of contracts
   
Recorded Investment
   
Number of contracts
   
Recorded Investment
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
Consumer
 
   
   
   
 
Home Equity
   
4
    $
233
     
2
    $
300
 
Direct
   
-
     
-
     
5
     
235
 
Total Consumer
   
4
     
233
     
7
     
535
 
 
                               
Residential Real Estate
   
-
     
-
     
1
     
70
 
 
                               
Total Troubled Debt Restructurings
   
4
   
$
233
     
8
   
$
605
 
 
32

Note 5. Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans
 
The Company has a qualified, noncontributory, defined benefit pension plan ("the Plan") covering substantially all of its employees at June 30, 2015.  Benefits paid from the plan are based on age, years of service, compensation and social security benefits, and are determined in accordance with defined formulas. The Company's policy is to fund the pension plan in accordance with Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA") standards. Assets of the plan are invested in publicly traded stocks and bonds.  The Company is not required to make contributions to the Plan in 2015, and did not do so during the six months ended June 30, 2015.
 
Market conditions can result in an unusually high degree of volatility and increase the risks and short term liquidity associated with certain investments held by the Plan which could impact the value of these investments.

In addition to the Plan, the Company also provides supplemental employee retirement plans to certain current and former executives.  These supplemental employee retirement plans and the Plan are collectively referred to herein as "Pension Benefits."

Also, the Company provides certain health care benefits for retired employees. Benefits are accrued over the employees' active service period. Only employees that were employed by the Company on or before January 1, 2000 are eligible to receive postretirement health care benefits. These postretirement benefits are referred to herein as "Other Benefits." The components of expense for Pension Benefits and Other Benefits are set forth below (in thousands):
 
33

 
 
Pension Benefits
   
Other Benefits
 
 
 
Three months ended June 30,
   
Three months ended June 30,
 
Components of net periodic (benefit) cost:
 
2015
   
2014
   
2015
   
2014
 
Service cost
 
$
655
   
$
587
   
$
4
   
$
4
 
Interest cost
   
998
     
1,040
     
91
     
90
 
Expected return on plan assets
   
(2,150
)
   
(2,175
)
   
-
     
-
 
Net amortization
   
546
     
25
     
15
     
(6
)
Total cost (benefit)
 
$
49
   
$
(523
)
 
$
110
   
$
88
 

 
 
Pension Benefits
   
Other Benefits
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30,
   
Six months ended June 30,
 
Components of net periodic (benefit) cost:
 
2015
   
2014
   
2015
   
2014
 
Service cost
 
$
1,310
   
$
1,174
   
$
8
   
$
8
 
Interest cost
   
1,996
     
2,080
     
182
     
180
 
Expected return on plan assets
   
(4,300
)
   
(4,350
)
   
-
     
-
 
Net amortization
   
1,092
     
50
     
30
     
(12
)
Total cost (benefit)
 
$
98
   
$
(1,046
)
 
$
220
   
$
176
 
 
34

Note 6. Earnings Per Share
 
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, excluding shares issuable upon the exercise of certain contracts to issue common stock, such as in-the-money stock options. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity (such as the Company's dilutive stock options and restricted stock units).
 
The following is a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the periods presented in the consolidated statements of income.
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
2015
   
2014
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
   
 
Basic EPS:
 
   
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
   
44,007
     
43,865
 
Net income
   
19,281
     
27,640
 
Basic EPS
 
$
0.44
   
$
0.63
 
                 
Diluted EPS:
               
Weighted average common shares outstanding
   
44,007
     
43,865
 
Dilutive effect of common stock options and restricted stock
   
523
     
498
 
Weighted average common shares and common share equivalents
   
44,530
     
44,363
 
Net income
   
19,281
     
27,640
 
Diluted EPS
 
$
0.43
   
$
0.62
 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
   
2014
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
   
 
Basic EPS:
 
   
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
   
44,079
     
43,829
 
Net income
   
37,447
     
45,649
 
Basic EPS
 
$
0.85
   
$
1.04
 
                 
Diluted EPS:
               
Weighted average common shares outstanding
   
44,079
     
43,829
 
Dilutive effect of common stock options and restricted stock
   
510
     
500
 
Weighted average common shares and common share equivalents
   
44,589
     
44,329
 
Net income
   
37,447
     
45,649
 
Diluted EPS
 
$
0.84
   
$
1.03
 

There were 339,109 stock options for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 and 503,058 stock options for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 that were not considered in the calculation of diluted earnings per share since the stock options' exercise price was greater than the average market price during these periods.

There were 340,034 stock options for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 500,541 stock options for the six months ended June 30, 2014 that were not considered in the calculation of diluted earnings per share since the stock options' exercise price was greater than the average market price during these periods.
 
35

Note 7. Reclassification Adjustments Out of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table summarizes the reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (in thousands):
 
Detail About Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components
 
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
Affected line item in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
Three months ended
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2015
   
June 30, 2014
 
 
Securities:
 
   
 
     
Gains on available for sale securities
 
$
(26
)
 
$
(14
)
Net securities (gains) losses
Amortization of unrealized gains and losses related to securities transfer
   
307
     
-
 
Interest income
Tax (benefit) expense
   
(92
)
   
6
 
Income tax expense
Net of tax
 
$
189
   
$
(8
)
 
 
               
      
Pension and other benefits:
               
     
Amortization of net gains
 
$
567
   
$
74
 
Salaries and employee benefits
Amortization of prior service costs
   
(6
)
   
(55
)
Salaries and employee benefits
Tax benefit
   
(219
)
   
(8
)
Income tax expense
Net of tax
 
$
342
   
$
11
 
 
 
               
      
Total reclassifications during the period, net of tax
 
$
531
   
$
3
 
 
  
Detail About Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components
 
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
Affected line item in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
Six months ended
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2015
   
June 30, 2014
 
 
Securities:
 
   
 
      
   Gains on available for sale securities
 
$
(40
)
   
(21
)
Net securities gains
Amortization of unrealized gains and losses related to securities transfer
   
614
     
-
 
Interest income
Tax (benefit) expense
   
(188
)
   
8
 
Income tax expense
Net of tax
 
$
386
   
$
(13
)
 
 
               
       
Pension and other benefits:
               
      
Amortization of net gains
 
$
1,133
   
$
148
 
Salaries and employee benefits
Amortization of prior service costs
   
(11
)
   
(110
)
Salaries and employee benefits
Tax benefit
   
(438
)
   
(15
)
Income tax expense
Net of tax
 
$
684
   
$
23
 
 
 
               
       
Total reclassifications during the period, net of tax
 
$
1,070
   
$
10
 
 
 
36

Note 8. Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
U.S. GAAP states that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.  Fair value measurements are not adjusted for transaction costs.  A fair value hierarchy exists within U.S. GAAP that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
 
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
 
Level 2 -  Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability;
 
Level 3 - Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).
 
A financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
 
The types of instruments valued based on quoted market prices in active markets include most U.S. government and agency securities, many other sovereign government obligations, liquid mortgage products, active listed equities and most money market securities. Such instruments are generally classified within level 1 or level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.  The Company does not adjust the quoted prices for such instruments.
 
The types of instruments valued based on quoted prices in markets that are not active, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency include most investment-grade and high-yield corporate bonds, less liquid mortgage products, less liquid agency securities, less liquid listed equities, state, municipal and provincial obligations, and certain physical commodities. Such instruments are generally classified within level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
Level 3 is for positions that are not traded in active markets or are subject to transfer restrictions.  Valuations are adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability, and such adjustments are generally based on available market evidence. In the absence of such evidence, management's best estimate will be used. Management's best estimate relies on both internal and external support on certain Level 3 investments. Management only changes level 3 inputs and assumptions when corroborated by evidence such as transactions in similar instruments, completed or pending third-party transactions in the underlying investment or comparable entities, subsequent rounds of financing, recapitalizations and other transactions across the capital structure, offerings in the equity or debt markets, and changes in financial ratios or cash flows.
 
For the six month period ending June 30, 2015, the Company has made no transfers of assets between Level 1 and Level 2, and has had no Level 3 activity.
 
37

The following tables set forth the Company's financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis that were accounted for at fair value.  Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement (in thousands):
 
June 30, 2015:
 
   
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
   
Balance as of
June 30, 2015
 
Assets:
 
   
   
   
 
Securities Available for Sale:
 
   
   
   
 
U.S. Treasury
 
$
10,014
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
10,014
 
Federal Agency
   
-
     
396,923
     
-
     
396,923
 
State & municipal
   
-
     
30,360
     
-
     
30,360
 
Mortgage-backed
   
-
     
354,829
     
-
     
354,829
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
   
-
     
321,523
     
-
     
321,523
 
Other securities
   
7,740
     
7,860
     
-
     
15,600
 
Total Securities Available for Sale
 
$
17,754
   
$
1,111,495
   
$
-
   
$
1,129,249
 
Trading Securities
   
8,468
     
-
     
-
     
8,468
 
Interest Rate Swaps
   
-
     
4,703
     
-
     
4,703
 
Total
 
$
26,222
   
$
1,116,198
   
$
-
   
$
1,142,420
 
 
                               
Liabilities:
                               
Interest Rate Swaps
 
$
-
   
$
4,703
   
$
-
   
$
4,703
 
Total
 
$
-
   
$
4,703
   
$
-
   
$
4,703
 
 
December 31, 2014:
 
   
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
   
Balanceas of
December 31, 2014
 
Assets:
 
   
   
   
 
Securities Available for Sale:
 
   
   
   
 
U.S. Treasury
 
$
23,111
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
23,111
 
Federal Agency
   
-
     
329,914
     
-
     
329,914
 
State & municipal
   
-
     
37,570
     
-
     
37,570
 
Mortgage-backed
   
-
     
364,727
     
-
     
364,727
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
   
-
     
242,129
     
-
     
242,129
 
Other securities
   
7,612
     
8,108
     
-
     
15,720
 
Total Securities Available for Sale
 
$
30,723
   
$
982,448
   
$
-
   
$
1,013,171
 
Trading Securities
   
7,793
     
-
     
-
     
7,793
 
Interest Rate Swaps
   
-
     
4,707
     
-
     
4,707
 
Total
 
$
38,516
   
$
987,155
   
$
-
   
$
1,025,671
 
 
                               
Liabilities:
                               
Interest Rate Swaps
 
$
-
   
$
4,707
   
$
-
   
$
4,707
 
Total
 
$
-
   
$
4,707
   
$
-
   
$
4,707
 
 
38

Certain common equity securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs (exchange quoted prices).  The majority of the other investment securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs.  The prices for these instruments are obtained through an independent pricing service or dealer market participants with whom the Company has historically transacted both purchases and sales of investment securities.  Prices obtained from these sources include prices derived from market quotations and matrix pricing.  The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond's terms and conditions, among other things.  Management reviews the methodologies used in pricing the securities by its third party providers. 

U.S. GAAP requires disclosure of assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis such as goodwill, loans held for sale, other real estate owned, collateral-dependent impaired loans, mortgage servicing rights, and held-to-maturity securities. The only nonrecurring fair value measurements recorded during the six month period ended June 30, 2015 were related to impaired loans and other real estate owned, which were immaterial.  For the six month periods ending June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, the Company had $8.7 million and $9.0 million, respectively, of loans recorded at fair value resulting in specific allowance reserves of $2.9 million and $2.1 million, respectively.  The Company uses the fair value of underlying collateral, less costs to sell, to estimate the specific reserves for collateral dependent impaired loans.  The appraisals may be adjusted by management for qualitative factors such as economic conditions and estimated liquidation expenses ranging from 10% to 35%. Based on the valuation techniques used, the fair value measurements for collateral dependent impaired loans are classified as Level 3.
 
The following table sets forth information with regard to estimated fair values of financial instruments at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.  This table excludes financial instruments for which the carrying amount approximates fair value.  Financial instruments for which the fair value approximates carrying value include cash and cash equivalents, securities available for sale, trading securities, accrued interest receivable, non-maturity deposits, short-term borrowings, accrued interest payable, and interest rate swaps.
 
 
 
   
June 30, 2015
   
December 31, 2014
 
(In thousands)
 
Fair Value Hierarchy
   
Carrying amount
   
Estimated fair value
   
Carrying amount
   
Estimated fair value
 
Financial assets
 
   
   
   
   
 
Securities held to maturity
 
2
   
$
454,312
   
$
454,255
   
$
454,361
   
$
454,994
 
Net loans
 
3
     
5,705,929
     
5,728,903
     
5,528,912
     
5,584,777
 
Financial liabilities
                                     
Time deposits
 
2
   
$
948,154
   
$
942,611
   
$
1,043,823
   
$
1,038,877
 
Long-term debt
 
2
     
130,705
     
132,559
     
130,945
     
132,562
 
Junior subordinated debt
 
2
     
101,196
     
95,977
     
101,196
     
103,770
 

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company's entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company's financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
 
39

Fair value estimates are based on existing on and off balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. For example, the Company has a substantial trust and investment management operation that contributes net fee income annually. The trust and investment management operation is not considered a financial instrument, and its value has not been incorporated into the fair value estimates. Other significant assets and liabilities include the benefits resulting from the low-cost funding of deposit liabilities as compared to the cost of borrowing funds in the market, and premises and equipment. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in the estimate of fair value.

Securities Held to Maturity
The fair value of the Company's investment securities held to maturity is primarily measured using information from a third party pricing service.  The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond's terms and conditions, among other things.
 
Net Loans
The fair value of the Company's loans was estimated by discounting the expected future cash flows using the current interest rates at which similar loans would be made for the same remaining maturities.  Loans were first segregated by type, and then further segmented into fixed and variable rate and loan quality categories.  Expected future cash flows were projected based on contractual cash flows, adjusted for estimated prepayments.
 
Time Deposits
The fair value of time deposits was estimated using a discounted cash flow approach that applies prevailing market interest rates for similar maturity instruments.  The fair values of the Company's time deposit liabilities do not take into consideration the value of the Company's long-term relationships with depositors, which may have significant value.
 
Long-Term Debt
The fair value of long-term debt was estimated using a discounted cash flow approach that applies prevailing market interest rates for similar maturity instruments.
 
Junior Subordinated Debt
The fair value of junior subordinated debt has been estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis that applies prevailing market interest rates for similar maturity instruments.
 
40

Note 9. Commitments and Contingencies
 
The Company is a party to financial instruments in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers and to reduce its own exposure to fluctuating interest rates. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, unused lines of credit, and standby letters of credit. Exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to make loans and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit origination guidelines, portfolio maintenance and management procedures as other credit and off-balance sheet products.  Commitments to extend credit and unused lines of credit totaled $1.3 billion at June 30, 2015 and $1.2 billion at December 31, 2014.  Since commitments to extend credit and unused lines of credit may expire without being fully drawn upon, this amount does not necessarily represent future cash commitments. Collateral obtained upon exercise of the commitment is determined using management's credit evaluation of the borrower and may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, land and other items.
 
The Company guarantees the obligations or performance of customers by issuing standby letters of credit to third parties. These standby letters of credit are frequently issued in support of third party debt, such as corporate debt issuances, industrial revenue bonds and municipal securities. The credit risk involved in issuing standby letters of credit is essentially the same as the credit risk involved in extending loan facilities to customers, and they are subject to the same credit origination guidelines, portfolio maintenance and management procedures as other credit and off-balance sheet products. Typically, these instruments have terms of five years or less and expire unused; therefore, the total amounts do not necessarily represent future cash commitments. Standby letters of credit totaled $32.1 million at June 30, 2015 and $35.2 million at December 31, 2014.  As of June 30, 2015, the fair value of standby letters of credit was not significant to the Company's consolidated financial statements.
 
The Company has also entered into commercial letter of credit agreements on behalf of its customers.  Under these agreements, the Company, on the request of its customer, opens the letter of credit and makes a commitment to honor draws made under the agreement, whereby the beneficiary is normally the provider of goods and/or services and the Company essentially replaces the customer as the payee.  The credit risk involved in issuing commercial letters of credit is essentially the same as the credit risk involved in extending loan facilities to customers, and they are subject to the same credit origination guidelines, portfolio maintenance and management procedures as other credit and off-balance sheet products.  Typically, these agreements vary in terms and the total amounts do not necessarily represent future cash commitments.  Commercial letters of credit totaled $5.6 million at June 30, 2015 and $22.5 million at December 31, 2014.  As of June 30, 2015, the fair value of commercial letters of credit was not significant to the Company's consolidated financial statements.
 
41

NBT BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 2 -- MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The purpose of this discussion and analysis is to provide a concise description of the financial condition and results of operations of NBT Bancorp Inc. and its wholly owned consolidated subsidiaries, NBT Bank, N.A. (the "Bank"), NBT Financial Services, Inc. ("NBT Financial"), and NBT Holdings, Inc. ("NBT Holdings") (collectively referred to herein as the "Company"). This discussion will focus on results of operations, financial condition, capital resources and asset/liability management. Reference should be made to the Company's consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in this Form 10Q as well as to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for an understanding of the following discussion and analysis.  Operating results for the six-month period ending June 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results of the full year ending December 31, 2015 or any future period.

Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements in this filing and future filings by the Company with the SEC, in the Company's press releases or other public or shareholder communications, or in oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer, contain forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. These statements may be identified by the use of phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "forecasts,"  "projects,"  "will,"  "can," "would," "should," "could," "may," or other similar terms. There are a number of factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, among others, the following possibilities: (1) local, regional, national and international economic conditions and the impact they may have on the Company and its customers and the Company's assessment of that impact; (2) changes in the level of non-performing assets and charge-offs; (3) changes in estimates of future reserve requirements based upon the periodic review thereof under relevant regulatory and accounting requirements; (4) the effects of and changes in trade and monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including the interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board; (5) inflation, interest rate, securities market and monetary fluctuations; (6) political instability; (7) acts of war or terrorism; (8) the timely development and acceptance of new products and services and perceived overall value of these products and services by users; (9) changes in consumer spending, borrowings and savings habits; (10) changes in the financial performance and/or condition of the Company's borrowers; (11) technological changes; (12) acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses; (13) the ability to increase market share and control expenses; (14) changes in the competitive environment among financial holding companies; (15) the effect of changes in laws and regulations (including laws and regulations concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance) with which the Company and its subsidiaries must comply including those under the Dodd-Frank Act; (16) the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies, as well as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Financial Accounting Standards Board and other accounting standard setters; (17) changes in the Company's organization, compensation and benefit plans; (18) the costs and effects of legal and regulatory developments including the resolution of legal proceedings or regulatory or other governmental inquiries and the results of regulatory examinations or reviews; (19) greater than expected costs or difficulties related to the integration of new products and lines of business; and (20) the Company's success at managing the risks involved in the foregoing items.

The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and advises readers that various factors, including those described above and other factors discussed in the Company's annual and quarterly reports previously filed with the SEC, could affect the Company's financial performance and could cause the Company's actual results or circumstances for future periods to differ materially from those anticipated or projected.
 
42

Unless required by law, the Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligations to publicly release any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

Non-GAAP Measures
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).  These measures adjust GAAP measures to exclude the effects of sales of securities and certain non-recurring and merger-related expenses.  Where non-GAAP disclosures are used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the comparable GAAP measure, as well as a reconciliation to the comparable GAAP measure, is provided in the accompanying tables.  Management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information that is important to an understanding of the operating results of the Company's core business due to the non-recurring nature of the excluded items.  Non-GAAP measures should not be considered substitutes for financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP and investors should consider the Company's performance and financial condition as reported under GAAP and all other relevant information when assessing the performance or financial condition of the Company.

Critical Accounting Policies
The Company has identified policies as being critical because they require management to make particularly difficult, subjective and/or complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and because of the likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions. These policies relate to the allowance for loan losses, pension accounting, other-than-temporary impairment, provision for income taxes, acquired loans and intangible assets.

Management  of  the  Company  considers  the  accounting  policy relating to the allowance for loan losses to be a critical accounting policy given the uncertainty  in  evaluating  the level of the allowance required to cover credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio and the material effect that such judgments can have on the results of operations. While management's current evaluation of the allowance for loan losses indicates that the allowance is adequate, under adversely different conditions or assumptions, the allowance may need to be increased. For example, if historical loan loss experience significantly worsened or if current economic conditions significantly deteriorated, additional provision for loan losses would be required to increase the allowance. In addition, the assumptions and estimates used in the internal reviews of the Company's nonperforming loans and potential problem loans have a significant impact on the overall analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. While management has concluded that the current evaluation of collateral values is reasonable under the circumstances, if collateral values were significantly lower, the Company's allowance for loan loss policy would also require additional provision for loan losses.

Management is required to make various assumptions in valuing the Company's pension assets and liabilities. These assumptions include the expected rate of return on plan assets, the discount rate, and the rate of increase in future compensation levels. Changes to these assumptions could impact earnings in future periods. The Company takes into account the plan asset mix, funding obligations, and expert opinions in determining the various rates used to estimate pension expense. The Company also considers market interest rates and discounted cash flows in setting the appropriate discount rate. In addition, the Company reviews expected inflationary and merit increases to compensation in determining the rate of increase in future compensation levels.

Management of the Company considers the accounting policy relating to other-than-temporary impairment to be a critical accounting policy.  Management systematically evaluates certain assets for other-than-temporary declines in fair value, primarily investment securities.  Management considers historical values and current market conditions as a part of the assessment.  The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss is recognized in earnings and the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to other factors is generally recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes.
 
43

The Company is subject to examinations from various taxing authorities.  Such examinations may result in challenges to the tax return treatment applied by the Company to specific transactions.  Management believes that the assumptions and judgments used to record tax-related assets or liabilities have been appropriate.  Should tax laws change or the taxing authorities determine that management's assumptions were inappropriate, an adjustment may be required which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations.

Another critical accounting policy is the policy for acquired loans. Acquired loans are initially recorded at their acquisition date fair values.  The carryover of allowance for loan losses is prohibited as any credit losses in the loans are included in the determination of the fair value of the loans at the acquisition date.  Fair values for acquired loans are based on a discounted cash flow methodology that involves assumptions and judgments as to credit risk, prepayment risk, liquidity risk, default rates, loss severity, payment speeds, collateral values and discount rate.  Subsequent to the acquisition of acquired impaired loans, applicable accounting guidance requires the continued estimation of expected cash flows to be received.  This estimation involves the use of key assumptions and estimates, similar to those used in the initial estimate of fair value.  Changes in expected cash flows could result in the recognition of impairment through provision for credit losses.   Subsequent to the purchase date, the methods utilized to estimate the required allowance for loan losses for the non-impaired acquired loans is similar to originated loans.

As a result of acquisitions, the Company has acquired goodwill and identifiable intangible assets.  Goodwill represents the cost of acquired companies in excess of the fair value of net assets at the acquisition date.  Goodwill is evaluated at least annually or when business conditions suggest that an impairment may have occurred.  Goodwill will be reduced to its carrying value through a charge to earnings if impairment exists.  Core deposits and other identifiable intangible assets are amortized to expense over their estimated useful lives.  The determination of whether or not impairment exists is based upon discounted cash flow modeling techniques that require management to make estimates regarding the amount and timing of expected future cash flows.  It also requires them to select a discount rate that reflects the current return requirements of the market in relation to present risk-free interest rates, required equity market premiums and Company-specific risk indicators, all of which are susceptible to change based on changes in economic conditions and other factors.  Future events or changes in the estimates used to determine the carrying value of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets could have a material impact on the Company's results of operations.

The Company's policies on the allowance for loan losses, pension accounting, other-than-temporary impairment of investments, acquired loans, provision for income taxes and intangible assets are disclosed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements presented in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  All accounting policies are important, and as such, the Company encourages the reader to review each of the policies included in Note 1 to obtain a better understanding of how the Company's financial performance is reported.
 
Overview
Significant factors management reviews to evaluate the Company's operating results and financial condition include, but are not limited to:  net income and earnings per share, return on average assets, equity and tangible common equity, net interest margin, noninterest income, operating expenses, certain core results, asset quality indicators, loan and deposit growth, capital management, liquidity and interest rate sensitivity, enhancements to customer products and services, technology advancements, market share and peer comparisons.  The following information should be considered in connection with the Company's results for the first six months of 2015:
 
Net income for the second quarter of 2015 was $19.3 million, down from $27.6 million from the second quarter of 2014 due primarily to non-core items recorded in 2014.  Excluding items considered non-core to our operations, core net income for the second quarter of 2015 was $19.6 million as compared to $19.1 million for the same period in 2014.

Net income for the first six months of 2015 was $37.4 million, down from $45.6 million from the first half of 2014 due primarily to non-core items recorded in 2014.  Excluding items considered non-core to our operations, core net income for the first six months of 2015 was $37.7 million as compared to $37.5 million for the same period in 2014.

Organic loan growth (annualized) for the second quarter of 2015 was 10.5% and 6.3% for the first six months of 2015.

The Company continues to experience net interest margin compression as net interest margin decreased from 3.60% for the second quarter of 2014 to 3.51% for the second quarter of 2015.  Net interest margin decreased from 3.62% for the first six months of 2014 to 3.55% for the first six months of 2015.

Continued positive trends in asset quality indicators:
o
Nonperforming loans to total loans improved to 0.77% at June 30, 2015 from 0.85% at March 31, 2015 and 0.96% at June 30, 2014.
o
Net charge-offs to average loans improved to 0.30% for the second quarter of 2015 from 0.34% for the first quarter of 2015 and 0.41% for the 2014 full year.
 
44

The following table depicts several annualized measurements of performance using core and GAAP net income that management reviews in analyzing the Company's performance. Returns on average assets and average equity measure how effectively an entity utilizes its total resources and capital, respectively.

(Dollars in thousands)
 
For the three months ended
   
For the six months ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
2015
   
2014
 
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures:
               
Reported net income (GAAP)
 
$
19,281
   
$
27,640
   
$
37,447
   
$
45,649
 
Adj: Gain on sale of securities, net (net of tax)
   
(17
)
   
(9
)
   
(26
)
   
(14
)
Adj: Other adjustments (net of tax) (1) 
   
324
     
(315
)
   
324
     
115
 
Adj: Gain on sale of Springstone (net of tax and related
   
-
     
(11,168
)
   
-
     
(11,168
)
          incentive compensation)
                               
Adj: Prepayment penalties related to debt restructuring (net of tax)
   
-
     
2,925
     
-
     
2,925
 
Total Adjustments
   
307
     
(8,567
)
   
298
     
(8,142
)
Core net income
 
$
19,588
   
$
19,073
   
$
37,745
   
$
37,507
 
                                 
Profitability:
                               
Core Diluted Earnings per Share
 
$
0.44
   
$
0.43
   
$
0.85
   
$
0.85
 
Diluted Earnings per Share
 
$
0.43
   
$
0.62
   
$
0.84
   
$
1.03
 
Core Return on Average Assets (2)
   
0.99
%
   
0.99
%
   
0.97
%
   
0.98
%
Return on Average Assets (2)
   
0.97
%
   
1.43
%
   
0.96
%
   
1.20
%
Core Return on Average Equity (2)
   
8.95
%
   
9.06
%
   
8.70
%
   
9.04
%
Return on Average Equity (2)
   
8.81
%
   
13.12
%
   
8.63
%
   
11.00
%
Core Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (2)(3)
   
13.67
%
   
14.27
%
   
13.38
%
   
14.38
%
Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (2)(3)
   
13.47
%
   
20.43
%
   
13.28
%
   
17.37
%
 
(1) Primarily net gain on settlement of litigation and reorganization expenses for 2014 and reorganization expenses in 2015.
(2) Annualized
(3) Excludes amortization of intangible assets (net of tax) from net income and average tangible common equity is calculated as follows:
 
   
For the three months ended
   
For the six months ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
     
2015
     
2014
     
2015
     
2014
 
Average stockholders' equity
 
$
878,164
   
$
844,707
   
$
874,639
   
$
836,692
 
Less: average goodwill and other intangibles
   
282,272
     
287,366
     
282,887
     
288,685
 
Average tangible common equity
 
$
595,892
   
$
557,341
   
$
591,752
   
$
548,007
 
 

45

Results of Operations

Core net income for the three months ended June 30, 2015 was $19.6 million, up from $19.1 million from the same period last year.  Core earnings per diluted share for the three months ended June 30, 2015 was $0.44, up from $0.43 for the second quarter of 2014.  Reported net income for the three months ended June 30, 2015 was $19.3 million, down from $27.6 million for the second quarter of 2014.  Reported net income for the second quarter of 2014 included an $11.2 million net gain (after taxes and related incentive compensation) on the sale of our ownership interest in Springstone LLC ("Springstone"), partially offset by $2.9 million in prepayment penalties, net of tax, related to our long-term debt restructuring strategy.  Reported diluted earnings per share for the three months ended June 30, 2015 was $0.43, as compared with $0.62 per share for the second quarter of 2014.

Core net income for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was $37.7 million, up from $37.5 million for the same period last year.  Core earnings per diluted share for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was $0.85, equivalent to the same period last year.   Reported net income for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was $37.4 million, down from $45.6 million for the same period last year.  Reported net income for the six months ended June 30, 2014 included the aforementioned gain on the sale of ownership interest in Springstone, partially offset by the aforementioned prepayment penalties related to our long-term debt restructuring strategy.  Reported diluted earnings per share for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was $0.84, as compared with $1.03 for the same period in 2014.

The second quarter and first half reported results for 2015 and 2014 contained items which the Company considers non-core, such as the aforementioned gain on the sale of an equity investment and long-term debt restructuring prepayment penalties in 2014, and other items not considered core to our operations in both years.

Net Interest Income
Net interest income is the difference between interest income on earning assets, primarily loans and securities, and interest expense on interest bearing liabilities, primarily deposits and borrowings.  Net interest income is affected by the interest rate spread, the difference between the yield on earning assets and cost of interest bearing liabilities, as well as the volumes of such assets and liabilities. Net interest income is one of the key determining factors in a financial institution's performance as it is the principal source of earnings.

Net interest income was $62.7 million for the second quarter of 2015, up $0.1 million from the second quarter of 2014.  FTE net interest margin was 3.51% for the three months ended June 30, 2015, down from 3.60% for the second quarter of 2014.  Average interest earning assets were up $188.6 million, or 2.7%, from the same period in 2014.  The increase from the prior year was driven primarily by organic loan production.  Annualized organic loan growth of 10.5% during the second quarter of 2015 was driven by growth in most portfolios.  Yields on earning assets decreased by 15 basis points ("bps") from 3.94% during the second quarter of 2014 to 3.79% for the second quarter of 2015, which was partially offset by the growth in earning assets during the second quarter of 2015.  The yield compression was driven by a 18 bp decrease in loan yields from the second quarter of 2014 to the second quarter of 2015.  Average interest bearing liabilities decreased $31.9 million, or 0.6%, from the second quarter of 2014 to the second quarter of 2015, which was driven by a $160.0 million decrease in average long-term borrowings due to the debt restructuring strategy completed during the third quarter of 2014.  The rates paid on interest bearing liabilities decreased 6 bp from the second quarter of 2014 to the second quarter of 2015, driven by a decrease in the rates paid on long-term debt.  The decrease on the rate paid on interest bearing liabilities partially offset the aforementioned rate compression on earning assets.

Net interest income was $124.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, up $0.8 million from the same period in 2014.  FTE net interest margin was 3.55% for the six months ended June 30, 2015, down from 3.62% for the six months ended June 30, 2014.  Average interest earning assets were up $159.6 million, or 2.3%, for the six months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014.  This increase from last year was driven primarily by 6.3% annualized organic loan growth during the first six months of 2015.  Yields on earning assets decreased from 3.98% during the first six months of 2014 to 3.84% for the first six months of 2015, and offset the growth in earning assets resulting in a 1.2% decrease in interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014.  The yield compression was driven by an 18 bp decrease in loan yields from the first six months of 2014 to the first six months of 2015.  Average interest bearing liabilities decreased $57.4 million, or 1.1%, from the six months ended June 30, 2014 to the six months ended June 30, 2015, which was driven by a $168.9 million decrease in average long-term borrowings due to aforementioned debt restructuring strategy completed during the third quarter of 2014.  In addition, average short-term borrowings decreased $107.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the same period last year.  These decreases were partially offset by a $218.5 million, or 5.0%, increase in interest bearing deposits for the first six months of 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014.  This deposit growth was driven by increases in money market deposit accounts as well as savings deposits in the first six months of 2015.  The rates paid on interest bearing liabilities decreased by 9 bps for the six months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014.  This decrease resulted primarily from the aforementioned debt restructuring and partially offset the rate compression on earning assets.
 
46

Average Balances and Net Interest Income

The following tables include the condensed consolidated average balance sheet, an analysis of interest income/expense and average yield/rate for each major category of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities on a taxable equivalent basis. Interest income for tax-exempt securities and loans has been adjusted to a taxable-equivalent basis using the statutory Federal income tax rate of 35%.

          Three Months ended
 
    June 30, 2015     June 30, 2014  
   
Average
   
   
Yield/
   
Average
   
   
Yield/
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Balance
   
Interest
   
Rates
   
Balance
   
Interest
   
Rates
 
ASSETS
                       
Short-term interest bearing accounts
 
$
9,854
   
$
9
     
0.36
%
 
$
3,915
   
$
7
     
0.76
%
Securities available for sale (1)
   
1,067,619
     
5,265
     
1.98
%
   
1,376,314
     
7,027
     
2.05
%
Securities held to maturity (1) 
   
452,948
     
2,813
     
2.49
%
   
121,042
     
1,037
     
3.43
%
Investment in FRB and FHLB Banks
   
31,564
     
386
     
4.90
%
   
42,965
     
496
     
4.63
%
Loans (2)
   
5,688,159
     
60,067
     
4.24
%
   
5,517,315
     
60,770
     
4.42
%
Total interest earning assets
   
7,250,144
   
$
68,540
     
3.79
%
   
7,061,551
   
$
69,337
     
3.94
%
Other assets
   
685,523
                     
680,059
                 
Total assets
 
$
7,935,667
                   
$
7,741,610
                 
                                                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Money market deposit accounts
 
$
1,598,898
   
$
817
     
0.20
%
 
$
1,441,284
   
$
539
     
0.15
%
NOW deposit accounts
   
974,504
     
126
     
0.05
%
   
960,698
     
132
     
0.06
%
Savings deposits
   
1,080,954
     
162
     
0.06
%
   
1,040,528
     
186
     
0.07
%
Time deposits
   
968,714
     
2,412
     
1.00
%
   
971,595
     
2,143
     
0.88
%
Total interest bearing deposits
 
$
4,623,070
   
$
3,517
     
0.31
%
 
$
4,414,105
   
$
3,000
     
0.27
%
Short-term borrowings
   
302,693
     
144
     
0.19
%
   
383,480
     
209
     
0.22
%
Junior subordinated debt
   
101,196
     
545
     
2.16
%
   
101,196
     
538
     
2.13
%
Long-term debt
   
130,743
     
836
     
2.56
%
   
290,791
     
2,135
     
2.95
%
Total interest bearing liabilities
 
$
5,157,702
   
$
5,042
     
0.39
%
 
$
5,189,572
   
$
5,882
     
0.45
%
Demand deposits
   
1,815,705
                     
1,620,488
                 
Other liabilities
   
84,096
                     
86,843
                 
Stockholders' equity
   
878,164
                     
844,707
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
7,935,667
                   
$
7,741,610
                 
Net interest income (FTE)
           
63,498
                     
63,455
         
Interest rate spread
                   
3.40
%
                   
3.49
%
Net interest margin
                   
3.51
%
                   
3.60
%
Taxable equivalent adjustment 
           
813
                     
881
         
Net interest income
         
$
62,685
                   
$
62,574
         
 
(1) Securities are shown at average amortized cost
(2) For purposes of these computations, nonaccrual loans are included in the average loan balances outstanding


47

          Six Months ended
 
    June 30, 2015     June 30, 2014  
   
Average
   
   
Yield/
   
Average
   
   
Yield/
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Balance
   
Interest
   
Rates
   
Balance
   
Interest
   
Rates
 
ASSETS
                       
Short-term interest bearing accounts
 
$
9,507
   
$
16
     
0.33
%
 
$
3,328
   
$
14
     
0.87
%
Securities available for sale (1)
   
1,043,385
     
10,349
     
2.00
%
   
1,379,014
     
14,212
     
2.08
%
Securities held to maturity (1) 
   
453,947
     
5,580
     
2.48
%
   
118,840
     
2,048
     
3.48
%
Investment in FRB and FHLB Banks
   
31,250
     
859
     
5.54
%
   
43,279
     
1,028
     
4.79
%
Loans (2)
   
5,637,829
     
119,770
     
4.28
%
   
5,471,879
     
121,002
     
4.46
%
Total interest earning assets
   
7,175,918
   
$
136,574
     
3.84
%
   
7,016,340
   
$
138,304
     
3.98
%
Other assets
   
690,777
                     
679,654
                 
Total assets
 
$
7,866,695
                   
$
7,695,994
                 
                                                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Money market deposit accounts
 
$
1,571,843
   
$
1,603
     
0.21
%
 
$
1,426,446
   
$
1,066
     
0.15
%
NOW deposit accounts
   
973,390
     
249
     
0.05
%
   
946,691
     
256
     
0.05
%
Savings deposits
   
1,060,606
     
324
     
0.06
%
   
1,020,391
     
369
     
0.07
%
Time deposits
   
991,681
     
4,914
     
1.00
%
   
985,510
     
4,593
     
0.94
%
Total interest bearing deposits
 
$
4,597,520
   
$
7,090
     
0.31
%
 
$
4,379,038
   
$
6,284
     
0.29
%
Short-term borrowings
   
284,160
     
265
     
0.19
%
   
391,173
     
440
     
0.23
%
Junior subordinated debt
   
101,196
     
1,085
     
2.16
%
   
101,196
     
1,076
     
2.14
%
Long-term debt
   
130,811
     
1,662
     
2.56
%
   
299,726
     
4,642
     
3.12
%
Total interest bearing liabilities
 
$
5,113,687
   
$
10,102
     
0.40
%
 
$
5,171,133
   
$
12,442
     
0.49
%
Demand deposits
   
1,793,328
                     
1,605,261
                 
Other liabilities
   
85,041
                     
82,908
                 
Stockholders' equity
   
874,639
                     
836,692
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
7,866,695
                   
$
7,695,994
                 
Net interest income (FTE)
           
126,472
                     
125,862
         
Interest rate spread
                   
3.44
%
                   
3.49
%
Net interest margin
                   
3.55
%
                   
3.62
%
Taxable equivalent adjustment 
           
1,621
                     
1,771
         
Net interest income
         
$
124,851
                   
$
124,091
         
 
(1) Securities are shown at average amortized cost
(2) For purposes of these computations, nonaccrual loans are included in the average loan balances outstanding
 
48

The following table presents changes in interest income and interest expense attributable to changes in volume (change in average balance multiplied by prior year rate), changes in rate (change in rate multiplied by prior year volume), and the net change in net interest income. The net change attributable to the combined impact of volume and rate has been allocated to each in proportion to the absolute dollar amounts of change.

Three months ended June 30,
 
   
Increase (Decrease)
         
 
 
2015 over 2014
   
       
   
        
 
(in thousands)
 
Volume
   
Rate
   
Total
 
             
Short-term interest bearing accounts
 
$
7
   
$
(5
)
 
$
2
 
Securities available for sale
   
(1,529
)
   
(233
)
   
(1,762
)
Securities held to maturity
   
2,133
     
(357
)
   
1,776
 
Investment in FRB and FHLB Banks
   
(138
)
   
28
     
(110
)
Loans
   
1,848
     
(2,551
)
   
(703
)
Total interest income
   
2,321
     
(3,118
)
   
(797
)
                         
Money market deposit accounts
   
64
     
214
     
278
 
NOW deposit accounts
   
2
     
(8
)
   
(6
)
Savings deposits
   
7
     
(31
)
   
(24
)
Time deposits
   
(6
)
   
275
     
269
 
Short-term borrowings
   
(41
)
   
(24
)
   
(65
)
Trust preferred debentures
   
-
     
7
     
7
 
Long-term debt
   
(1,052
)
   
(247
)
   
(1,299
)
Total interest expense
   
(1,026
)
   
186
     
(840
)
 
                       
Change in FTE net interest income
 
$
3,347
   
$
(3,304
)
 
$
43
 
                         
Six months ended June 30,
                       
   
Increase (Decrease)
                 
 
 
2015 over 2014
                 
(in thousands)
 
Volume
   
Rate
   
Total
 
                         
Short-term interest bearing accounts
 
$
14
   
$
(12
)
 
$
2
 
Securities available for sale
   
(3,346
)
   
(517
)
   
(3,863
)
Securities held to maturity
   
4,272
     
(740
)
   
3,532
 
Investment in FRB and FHLB Banks
   
(314
)
   
145
     
(169
)
Loans
   
3,607
     
(4,839
)
   
(1,232
)
Total interest income
   
4,233
     
(5,963
)
   
(1,730
)
                         
Money market deposit accounts
   
117
     
420
     
537
 
NOW deposit accounts
   
7
     
(14
)
   
(7
)
Savings deposits
   
14
     
(59
)
   
(45
)
Time deposits
   
29
     
292
     
321
 
Short-term borrowings
   
(108
)
   
(67
)
   
(175
)
Trust preferred debentures
   
-
     
9
     
9
 
Long-term debt
   
(2,260
)
   
(720
)
   
(2,980
)
Total interest expense
   
(2,201
)
   
(139
)
   
(2,340
)
 
                       
Change in FTE net interest income
 
$
6,434
   
$
(5,824
)
 
$
610
 
 
49

Noninterest Income
Noninterest income is a significant source of revenue for the Company and an important factor in the Company's results of operations.  The following table sets forth information by category of noninterest income for the periods indicated:

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
2015
   
2014
 
(in thousands)
               
Insurance and other financial services revenue
 
$
5,836
   
$
5,594
   
$
12,210
   
$
12,331
 
Service charges on deposit accounts
   
4,285
     
4,397
     
8,357
     
8,766
 
ATM and debit card fees
   
4,679
     
4,357
     
8,927
     
8,429
 
Retirement plan administration fees
   
3,566
     
2,977
     
6,762
     
5,895
 
Trust
   
5,196
     
4,953
     
9,646
     
9,399
 
Bank owned life insurance
   
928
     
978
     
2,487
     
2,360
 
Net securities gains
   
26
     
14
     
40
     
21
 
Gain on sale of equity investment 
   
-
     
19,401
     
-
     
19,401
 
Other
   
3,699
     
3,356
     
6,320
     
5,702
 
Total noninterest income
 
$
28,215
   
$
46,027
   
$
54,749
   
$
72,304
 

Noninterest income for the three months ended June 30, 2015 was $28.2 million, up $1.6 million, or 6.0%, from the second quarter of 2014 when adjusted for the sale of Springstone.  The increase from the prior year was driven primarily by increases in ATM and debit card fees, retirement plan administration fees, and other noninterest income.  ATM and debit card fees were up $0.3 million, or 7.4%, for the second quarter of 2015 as compared to the same period of 2014 due primarily to increases in debit card transactions and number of accounts.  Retirement plan administration fees were up $0.6 million, or 19.8%, for the second quarter of 2015 as compared to the second quarter of 2015 due primarily to new business generation.  Other noninterest income was up $0.3 million, or 10.2%, for the second quarter of 2015 as compared to the second quarter of 2014 due primarily to an acquired loan charge-off recovery during the second quarter of 2015.

Noninterest income for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was $54.7 million, up $1.8 million, or 3.5% from the same period last year when adjusted for the sale of Springstone.  The increase from the prior year was driven primarily by increases in retirement plan administration fees, ATM and debit card fees, and other noninterest income.  Retirement plan administration fees were up $0.9 million, or 14.7%, for the first half of 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014 due primarily to new business generation.  ATM and debit card fees were up $0.5 million, or 5.9%, for the first half of 2015 as compared to the same period last year due primarily to an increase in debit card activity.    Other noninterest income was up $0.6 million, or 10.8%, for the first half of 2015 as compared to the first half of 2014 due primarily to the aforementioned acquired loan charge-off recovery.
 
50

Noninterest Expense
Noninterest expenses are also an important factor in the Company's results of operations.  The following table sets forth the major components of noninterest expense for the periods indicated:

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
2015
   
2014
 
(in thousands)
               
Salaries and employee benefits
 
$
30,831
   
$
31,142
   
$
61,013
   
$
60,676
 
Occupancy
   
5,412
     
5,435
     
11,478
     
11,661
 
Data processing and communications
   
4,288
     
4,015
     
8,391
     
8,016
 
Professional fees and outside services
   
3,395
     
3,752
     
6,892
     
7,167
 
Equipment
   
3,316
     
3,132
     
6,565
     
6,248
 
Office supplies and postage
   
1,627
     
1,803
     
3,246
     
3,488
 
FDIC expenses
   
1,280
     
1,229
     
2,478
     
2,507
 
Advertising
   
734
     
726
     
1,453
     
1,465
 
Amortization of intangible assets
   
1,187
     
1,236
     
2,471
     
2,546
 
Loan collection and other real estate owned
   
22
     
801
     
894
     
1,841
 
Prepayment penalties on long term debt 
   
-
     
4,554
     
-
     
4,554
 
Other
   
5,872
     
4,911
     
10,785
     
10,084
 
Total noninterest expense
 
$
57,964
   
$
62,736
   
$
115,666
   
$
120,253
 

Noninterest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2015 was $58.0 million, down $0.2 million from the second quarter of 2014, after adjusting for the $4.6 million in prepayment penalties incurred as a result of the aforementioned debt restructuring in 2014.  The decrease from 2014 was due primarily to decreases in loan collection and other real estate owned expenses and professional fees and outside services.  Loan collection and other real estate owned expenses decreased $0.8 million from the second quarter of 2014 to the second quarter of 2015 due to gains on sales of real estate recorded in the second quarter of 2015, which offset expenses during the period.  Professional fees and outside service expenses decreased $0.4 million, or 9.5%, from the second quarter of 2014 to the second quarter of 2015 due to a decrease in consulting fees incurred in 2015.  These decreases were offset by a $1.0 million increase in other operating expenses for the second quarter of 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014, driven by branch reorganization expenses incurred in the second quarter of 2015.

Noninterest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was $115.7 million, down $4.6 million or 3.8% from the same period in 2014, due primarily to the $4.6 million in prepayment penalties incurred in the second quarter of 2014.  Excluding this non-core prepayment penalty, noninterest expense was flat for the first six months of 2015 as compared to the same period last year.  Loan collection and other real estate owned expenses decreased $0.9 million in the first six months of 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014 due to gains on sales of real estate recorded in the second quarter of 2015, which offset expenses during the period.  This decrease was offset by a $0.7 million increase in other operating expenses for the first six months of 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014, driven by the aforementioned branch reorganization expenses incurred in the second quarter of 2015.

Income Taxes
Income tax expense for the three month period ended June 30, 2015 was $9.8 million, down $4.3 million from the second quarter of 2014, which included the impact of the aforementioned non-core items.  The decrease from the second quarter of 2014 was due primarily to a lower level of taxable income for the second quarter of 2015.  The effective tax rate was 33.6% for the second quarter of 2015 and 33.7% for the second quarter of 2014.

Income tax expense for the six month period ended June 30, 2015 was $18.9 million, down $3.8 million from the six month period ended June 30, 2014.  The decrease from 2014 was due to a lower level of taxable income in 2015 primarily due to the non-core items recorded in 2014.  The effective tax rate was 33.6% for the first six months of 2015 as compared to 33.2% for the first six months of 2014.
 
ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

Securities
Total securities increased $116.7 million, or 7.9%, from December 31, 2014 to June 30, 2015 due to reinvestment of cash flows during the first half of 2015.  The securities portfolio represents 19.7% of total assets as of June 30, 2015 as compared to 18.9% as of December 31, 2014.
 
51

The following table details the composition of securities available for sale, securities held to maturity and regulatory investments for the periods indicated:

   
June 30, 2015
   
December 31, 2014
 
Mortgage-backed securities:
       
    With maturities 15 years or less
   
22
%
   
24
%
    With maturities greater than 15 years
   
1
%
   
1
%
Collateral mortgage obligations
   
39
%
   
38
%
Municipal securities
   
11
%
   
12
%
US agency notes
   
26
%
   
24
%
Other
   
1
%
   
1
%
Total
   
100
%
   
100
%

The Company's mortgage backed securities, U.S. agency notes, and collateralized mortgage obligations are all "prime/conforming" and are guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Federal Home Loan Bank, Federal Farm Credit Banks, or Ginnie Mae ("GNMA").  GNMA securities are considered equivalent to U.S. Treasury securities, as they are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.  Currently, there are no subprime mortgages in our investment portfolio.  Refer to Note 3. Securities of the Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for information related to other than temporary impairment considerations.

Loans
A summary of loans, net of deferred fees and origination costs, by category for the periods indicated follows:

 
 
June 30, 2015
   
December 31, 2014
 
Residential real estate mortgages
 
$
1,154,416
   
$
1,115,715
 
Commercial
   
1,147,586
     
1,144,761
 
Commercial real estate mortgages
   
1,423,489
     
1,334,984
 
Consumer
   
1,495,160
     
1,430,216
 
Home equity
   
550,237
     
569,595
 
  Total loans and leases
 
$
5,770,888
   
$
5,595,271
 

Total loans increased by $175.6 million, or 3.1%, at June 30, 2015 from December 31, 2014, or 6.3% annualized during the six months ended June 30, 2015.  Loan growth was attributable to growth in most loan portfolios.  Loans represent approximately 71.5% of assets as of June 30, 2015, as compared to 71.8% as of December 31, 2014. 
 
52

Allowance for Loan Losses, Provision for Loan Losses, and Nonperforming Assets

The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level estimated by management to provide adequately for probable incurred losses inherent in the current loan portfolio.  The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is continuously monitored using a methodology designed to ensure that the level of the allowance reasonably reflects the loan portfolio's risk profile. It is evaluated to ensure that it is sufficient to absorb all reasonably estimable incurred credit losses inherent in the current loan portfolio.

Management considers the accounting policy relating to the allowance for loan losses to be a critical accounting policy given the degree of judgment exercised in evaluating the level of the allowance required to cover credit losses in the portfolio and the material effect that such judgments can have on the consolidated results of operations.

For purposes of evaluating the adequacy of the allowance, the Company considers a number of significant factors that affect the collectability of the portfolio.  For individually analyzed loans, these factors include estimates of loss exposure, which reflect the facts and circumstances that affect the likelihood of repayment of such loans as of the evaluation date.  For loans evaluated on a portfolio basis, estimates of the Company's exposure to credit loss reflect a thorough current assessment of a number of factors, which affect collectability. These factors include: past loss experience; the size, trend, composition, and nature of the loans; changes in lending policies and procedures, including underwriting  standards and collection, charge-off and recovery practices;  trends experienced in nonperforming and delinquent loans; current economic conditions in the Company's market; portfolio concentrations that may affect loss experienced across one or more components of the portfolio; the effect of external factors such as competition, legal and regulatory requirements; and the experience, ability, and depth of lending management and staff.  In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral component of their examination process, periodically review the Company's allowance for loan losses.  Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examination, which may not be currently available to management.

After a thorough consideration and validation of the factors discussed above, required additions or reductions to the allowance for loan losses are made periodically by charges or credits to the provision for loan losses.  These charges are necessary to maintain the allowance at a level which management believes is reasonably reflective of the overall inherent risk of probable loss in the portfolio.  While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, additions or reductions to the allowance may fluctuate from one reporting period to another.  These fluctuations are reflective of changes in risk associated with portfolio content and/or changes in management's assessment of any or all of the determining factors discussed above.  Management considers the allowance for loan losses to be adequate based on evaluation and analysis of the loan portfolio.

The following table reflects changes to the allowance for loan losses for the periods presented. The allowance is increased by provisions for losses charged to operations and is reduced by net charge-offs. Charge-offs are made when the ability to collect loan principal within a reasonable time becomes unlikely. Any recoveries of previously charged-off loans are credited directly to the allowance for loan losses.
 
53

Allowance For Loan Losses
 
   
Three months ended
 
 
 
June 30, 2015
   
June 30, 2014
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
65,359
       
$
69,434
     
Recoveries
   
1,070
         
1,174
     
Chargeoffs
   
(5,368
)
 
     
     
(5,240
)
 
    
 
Net chargeoffs
   
(4,298
)
       
(4,066
)
   
Provision for loan losses
   
3,898
   
      
     
4,166
   
       
 
Balance, end of period
 
$
64,959
   
   
   
$
69,534
   
     
 
Composition of Net Chargeoffs
         
   
           
       
 
Commercial and agricultural
 
$
(304
)
   
7
%
 
$
(1,113
)
   
27
%
Real estate mortgage
   
(416
)
   
10
%
   
(19
)
   
0
%
Consumer
   
(3,578
)
   
83
%
   
(2,934
)
   
73
%
Net chargeoffs
 
$
(4,298
)
   
100
%
 
$
(4,066
)
   
100
%
Annualized net chargeoffs to average loans
   
0.30
%
           
0.30
%
       
                                 
Allowance For Loan and Lease Losses
 
   
Six months ended
 
 
 
June 30, 2015
   
June 30, 2014
 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
66,359
           
$
69,434
         
Recoveries
   
2,108
             
2,408
         
Chargeoffs
   
(11,048
)
           
(10,070
)
       
Net chargeoffs
   
(8,940
)
           
(7,662
)
       
Provision for loan losses
   
7,540
             
7,762
         
Balance, end of period
 
$
64,959
           
$
69,534
         
Composition of Net Chargeoffs
                               
Commercial and agricultural
 
$
(868
)
   
10
%
 
$
(1,193
)
   
16
%
Real estate mortgage
   
(864
)
   
10
%
   
(244
)
   
3
%
Consumer
   
(7,208
)
   
80
%
   
(6,225
)
   
81
%
Net chargeoffs
 
$
(8,940
)
   
100
%
 
$
(7,662
)
   
100
%
Annualized net chargeoffs to average loans
   
0.32
%
           
0.28
%
       

Net charge-offs were $4.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015, up slightly from $4.1 million for the second quarter of 2014.  Provision expense was $3.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015, as compared with $4.2 million for the second quarter of 2014.  Provision expense for the second quarter of 2015 was less than charge-offs due to the continued improvement in asset quality metrics.  Annualized net charge-offs to average loans for the second quarter of 2015 was 0.30%, compared with 0.30% for the second quarter of 2014.

Nonperforming loans to total loans was 0.77% at June 30, 2015, down 5 bps from December 31, 2014.  Past due loans as a percentage of total loans were 0.61% at June 30, 2015 as compared to 0.69% at December 31, 2014.
 
The allowance for loan losses totaled $65.0 million at June 30, 2015, compared to $66.4 million at December 31, 2014.  The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans was 1.13% (1.24% excluding acquired loans with no related allowance recorded) at June 30, 2015, compared to 1.19% (1.36% excluding acquired loans with no related allowance recorded) at December 31, 2014.  The decrease in the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans from the prior year was due primarily to continued positive trends in asset quality metrics of the originated loan portfolio.
 
54

Nonperforming assets consist of nonaccrual loans, loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing, restructured loans, OREO, and nonperforming securities. Loans are generally placed on nonaccrual when principal or interest payments become ninety days past due, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. Loans may also be placed on nonaccrual when circumstances indicate that the borrower may be unable to meet the contractual principal or interest payments. OREO represents property acquired through foreclosure and is valued at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less any estimated disposal costs.  Nonperforming securities, which include securities which management believes are other-than-temporarily impaired, are carried at their estimated fair value and are not accruing interest.

(Dollars in thousands)
 
June 30, 2015
   
December 31, 2014
 
Nonaccrual loans
 
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
 
Commercial and agricultural loans and real estate
 
$
22,368
     
53
%
 
$
18,226
     
45
%
Real estate mortgages
   
8,285
     
20
%
   
10,867
     
26
%
Consumer
   
6,545
     
15
%
   
8,086
     
20
%
Troubled debt restructured loans
   
5,088
     
12
%
   
3,895
     
9
%
Total nonaccrual loans
   
42,286
     
100
%
   
41,074
     
100
%
Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing
                               
Commercial and agricultural loans and  real estate
   
-
     
0
%
   
84
     
2
%
Real estate mortgages
   
235
     
12
%
   
1,927
     
39
%
Consumer
   
1,759
     
88
%
   
2,930
     
59
%
Total loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing
   
1,994
     
100
%
   
4,941
     
100
%
                                 
Total nonperforming loans
   
44,280
             
46,015
         
Other real estate owned (OREO)
   
4,649
             
3,964
         
Total nonperforming assets
 
$
48,929
           
$
49,979
         
Total nonperforming loans to total loans and leases
   
0.77
%
           
0.82
%
       
Total nonperforming assets to total assets
   
0.61
%
           
0.64
%
       
Allowance for loan losses to total nonperforming loans
   
146.70
%
           
144.21
%
       

Past due loans as a percentage of total loans was 0.61% at June 30, 2015, down from 0.69% at December 31, 2014.  For acquired loans that are not deemed to be impaired at acquisition, credit discounts representing the principal losses expected over the life of the loan are a component of the initial fair value and amortized over the life of the asset.

As a result of the application of this accounting methodology, certain credit-related ratios  may not necessarily be directly comparable with periods prior to the acquisition, or comparable with other institutions. The credit metrics most impacted by our acquisition of loans related to the Alliance Financial Corporation ("Alliance") merger were the allowance for loans losses to total loans,  and total allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans.  As of June 30, 2015, the allowance for loan losses to total originated loans and the total allowance for loan losses to originated nonperforming loans were 1.24% and 208.99%, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, the allowance for loan losses to total originated loans and the total allowance for loan losses to originated nonperforming loans were 1.36% and 187.88%, respectively.

Loans acquired from Alliance that were not deemed to be impaired at acquisition and were classified as non-accrual and greater than 90 days past due and still accruing prior to acquisition, continued to be classified as non-accrual and 90 days past due and still accruing immediately after the acquisition. Loans acquired from Alliance that were classified as troubled debt restructurings prior to acquisition are no longer classified as such immediately following the acquisition. Acquired credit impaired loans from the Alliance acquisition were not classified non-accrual, even though they may be contractually past due, because we expect to fully collect the recorded investment of such loans.

In addition to nonperforming loans, the Company has also identified approximately $85.6 million in potential problem loans at June 30, 2015 as compared to $93.6 million at December 31, 2014.  At June 30, 2015, potential problem loans primarily consisted of commercial real estate and commercial and agricultural loans.  Potential problem loans are loans that are currently performing, but known information about possible credit problems of the borrowers causes management to have doubts as to the ability of such borrowers to comply with the present loan repayment terms and which may result in classification of such loans as nonperforming at some time in the future.  Potential problem loans are typically defined as loans that are performing but are classified by the Company's loan rating system as "substandard."  Management cannot predict the extent to which economic conditions may worsen or other factors which may impact borrowers and the potential problem loans.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that other loans will not become 90 days or more past due, be placed on nonaccrual, become restructured, or require increased allowance coverage and provision for loan losses.
 
55

Deposits

Total deposits were $6.4 billion at June 30, 2015, up $71.9 million, or 1.1%, from December 31, 2014.  This increase was driven primarily by increases in savings accounts, money market accounts, and interest bearing checking accounts.  Total average deposits for the six months ended June 30, 2015 increased $406.5 million, or 6.8%, from the same period in 2014, due primarily to organic deposit growth in 2015.

Borrowed Funds

The Company's borrowed funds consist of short-term borrowings and long-term debt. Short-term borrowings totaled $512.0 million at June 30, 2015 compared to $316.8 million at December 31, 2014.  Long-term debt was $130.7 million at June 30, 2015, as compared to $130.9 million at December 31, 2014. 

For more information about the Company's borrowing capacity and liquidity position, see "Liquidity Risk" below.

Capital Resources

Stockholders' equity of $876.0 million represented 10.85% of total assets at June 30, 2015, compared with $864.2 million, or 11.08% as of December 31, 2014.  The increase in stockholders' equity resulted primarily from net income of $37.4 million for the first six months of 2015, partially offset by dividends paid of $19.0 million and treasury share purchases totaling $10.7 million during the period.

The Company purchased 433,351 shares of its common stock during the six months ended June 30, 2015 at an average price of $24.63 per share under a previously announced plan.  As of June 30, 2015, there were 566,649 shares available for repurchase under this plan, which expires on December 31, 2016.  On July 27, 2015, the NBT Board of Directors authorized a new repurchase program for NBT to repurchase up to an additional 1,000,000 shares of its outstanding common stock.  This plan expires on December 31, 2016.

The Board of Directors considers the Company's earnings position and earnings potential when making dividend decisions.  The NBT Board of Directors approved a 2015 third-quarter cash dividend of $0.22 per share at a meeting held on July 27, 2015. The dividend will be paid on September 15, 2015 to shareholders of record as of September 1, 2015.  The Company does not have a target dividend pay-out ratio.
 
As the capital ratios in the following table indicate, the Company remained "well capitalized" at June 30, 2015 under applicable bank regulatory requirements.  Capital measurements are well in excess of regulatory minimum guidelines and meet the requirements to be considered well capitalized for all periods presented. To be considered well capitalized, Tier 1 leverage, Common equity tier 1 capital, Tier 1 capital and Total risk-based capital ratios must be 5%, 6.5%, 8% and 10%, respectively.

Capital Measurements
 
June 30, 2015
   
December 31, 2014
 
Tier 1 leverage ratio
   
9.57
%
   
9.39
%
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio
   
10.22
%
 
NA
 
Tier 1 capital ratio
   
11.78
%
   
12.32
%
Total risk-based capital ratio
   
12.84
%
   
13.50
%
Cash dividends as a percentage of net income
   
50.62
%
   
49.16
%
Per common share:
               
Book value
 
$
20.05
   
$
19.69
 
Tangible book value (1)
 
$
13.61
   
$
13.22
 
 
(1) Stockholders' equity less goodwill and intangible assets divided by common shares outstanding
 
In July 2013, the Federal Reserve and OCC published final rules establishing a new comprehensive framework for U.S. banking organizations (the "New Capital Rules"). Effective January 1, 2015, we became subject to the Standardized approach under the New Capital Rules which implemented the Basel Committee's December 2010 capital framework known as "Basel III" for strengthening international capital standards as well as certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. Prior to January 1, 2015, the Company and the Bank were subject to the capital requirements of Basel I. Compared to Basel I, Basel III narrows the definition of regulatory capital and increases the capital requirements and revisions to Tier 1 common (referred to as Common Equity Tier 1 under Basel III), Tier 1 capital and Tier 2 capital are subject to phase-in from 2015 to 2019 and during that period, such capital amounts represent Basel III Transitional capital. In addition, Basel III establishes the Standardized approach for calculating risk weighted assets, replacing the risk weighting asset calculation framework under Basel I.
 
56

Liquidity and Interest Rate Sensitivity Management

Market Risk
Interest rate risk is the primary market risk affecting the Company.  Other types of market risk, such as foreign currency exchange rate risk and commodity price risk, do not arise in the normal course of the Company's business activities.  Interest rate risk is defined as an exposure to a movement in interest rates that could have an adverse effect on the Company's net interest income.  Net interest income is susceptible to interest rate risk to the degree that interest bearing liabilities mature or reprice on a different basis than earning assets.  When interest bearing liabilities mature or reprice more quickly than earning assets in a given period, a significant increase in market rates of interest could adversely affect net interest income.  Similarly, when earning assets mature or reprice more quickly than interest bearing liabilities, falling interest rates could result in a decrease in net interest income.

In an attempt to manage the Company's exposure to changes in interest rates, management monitors the Company's interest rate risk.  Management's Asset Liability Committee ("ALCO") meets monthly to review the Company's interest rate risk position and profitability and to recommend strategies for consideration by the Board of Directors.  Management also reviews loan and deposit pricing and the Company's securities portfolio, formulates investment and funding strategies, and oversees the timing and implementation of transactions to assure attainment of the Board's objectives in the most effective manner. Notwithstanding the Company's interest rate risk management activities, the potential effect of changing interest rates is an uncertainty that can have an adverse effect on net income.

In adjusting the Company's asset/liability position, the Board and management attempt to manage the Company's interest rate risk while minimizing net interest margin compression.  At times, depending on the level of general interest rates, the relationship between long- and short-term interest rates, market conditions and competitive factors, the Board and management may determine to increase the Company's interest rate risk position somewhat in order to increase its net interest margin.  The Company's results of operations and net portfolio values remain vulnerable to changes in interest rates and fluctuations in the difference between long- and short-term interest rates.  Assuming interest rates remain at or near current historical lows, net interest margin will continue to experience compression.  Additional rate reductions on deposits are becoming more difficult as deposit rates are at or near their floors, and with asset yields continuing to reprice at lower rates, this could result in additional margin pressure as well as a decrease in net interest income.

The primary tool utilized by ALCO to manage interest rate risk is a balance sheet/income statement simulation model (interest rate sensitivity analysis).  Information such as principal balance, interest rate, maturity date, cash flows, next repricing date (if needed), and current rates is uploaded into the model to create an ending balance sheet.  In addition, ALCO makes certain assumptions regarding prepayment speeds for loans and mortgage related investment securities along with any optionality within the deposits and borrowings.
 
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The model is first run under an assumption of a flat rate scenario (i.e. no change in current interest rates) with a static balance sheet over a 12-month period.  Two additional models are run with static balance sheets: (1) a gradual increase of 200 bp, and (2) a gradual decrease of 100 bp taking place over a 12-month period. Under these scenarios, assets subject to prepayments are adjusted to account for faster or slower prepayment assumptions.  Any investment securities or borrowings that have callable options embedded into them are handled accordingly based on the interest rate scenario. The resulting changes in net interest income are then measured against the flat rate scenario.
 
In the declining rate scenario, net interest income is projected to decrease when compared to the forecasted net interest income in the flat rate scenario through the simulation period. The decrease in net interest income is a result of earning assets repricing downward at a faster rate than interest bearing liabilities. The inability to effectively lower deposit rates will likely reduce or eliminate the benefit of lower interest rates. In the rising rate scenarios, net interest income is projected to experience a decline from the flat rate scenario. Net interest income is projected to remain at lower levels than in a flat rate scenario through the simulation period primarily due to a lag in assets repricing while funding costs increase. The potential impact on earnings is dependent on the ability to lag deposit repricing. If short-term rates continue to increase, the Company expects competitive pressures will likely lead to core deposit pricing increases, which will likely continue compression of the net interest margin.

Net interest income for the next 12 months in the + 200/- 100 bp scenarios, as described above, is within the internal policy risk limits of not more than a 7.5% change in net interest income. The following table summarizes the percentage change in net interest income in the rising and declining rate scenarios over a 12-month period from the forecasted net interest income in the flat rate scenario using the June 30, 2015 balance sheet position:

Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis
 
Change in interest rates
Percent change in
(in bp points)
net interest income
+200
(3.71%)
-100
(1.58%)

Liquidity Risk
Liquidity involves the ability to meet the cash flow requirements of customers who may be depositors wanting to withdraw funds or borrowers needing assurance that sufficient funds will be available to meet their credit needs. The ALCO is responsible for liquidity management and has developed guidelines which cover all assets and liabilities, as well as off balance sheet items that are potential sources or uses of liquidity.  Liquidity policies must also provide the flexibility to implement appropriate strategies and tactical actions. Requirements change as loans grow, deposits and securities mature, and payments on borrowings are made. Liquidity management includes a focus on interest rate sensitivity management with a goal of avoiding widely fluctuating net interest margins through periods of changing economic conditions.

The primary liquidity measurement the Company utilizes is called the Basic Surplus, which captures the adequacy of its access to reliable sources of cash relative to the stability of its funding mix of average liabilities.  Basic Surplus is calculated by subtracting short-term liabilities from liquid assets.  This approach recognizes the importance of balancing levels of cash flow liquidity from short- and long-term securities with the availability of dependable borrowing sources which can be accessed when necessary.  At June 30, 2015, the Company's Basic Surplus measurement was 16.1% of total assets or approximately $1.3 billion as compared to the December 31, 2014 Basic Surplus of 15.4% or $1.2 billion, and was above the Company's minimum of 5% or $404 million set forth in its liquidity policies.
 
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This Basic Surplus approach enables the Company to adequately manage liquidity from both operational and contingency perspectives. By tempering the need for cash flow liquidity with reliable borrowing facilities, the Company is able to operate with a more fully invested and, therefore, higher interest income generating securities portfolio. The makeup and term structure of the securities portfolio is, in part, impacted by the overall interest rate sensitivity of the balance sheet. Investment decisions and deposit pricing strategies are impacted by the liquidity position.
 
The Company's primary source of funds is the Bank. Certain restrictions exist regarding the ability of the Bank to transfer funds to the Company in the form of cash dividends. The approval of the Office of Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is required to pay dividends when a bank fails to meet certain minimum regulatory capital standards or when such dividends are in excess of a subsidiary bank's earnings retained in the current year plus retained net profits for the preceding two years (as defined in the regulations). At June 30, 2015, approximately $88.4 million of the total stockholders' equity of the Bank was available for payment of dividends to the Company without approval by the OCC.  The Bank's ability to pay dividends is also subject to the Bank being in compliance with regulatory capital requirements. The Bank is currently in compliance with these requirements. Under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Company may declare and pay dividends either out of its surplus or, in case there is no surplus, out of its net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year.

At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, FHLB advances outstanding totaled approximately $473 million and $352 million, respectively.  The Bank is a member of the FHLB system and had additional borrowing capacity from the FHLB of approximately $1.0 billion at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.  In addition, unpledged securities could have been used to increase borrowing capacity at the FHLB by an additional $588 million at June 30, 2015, or used to collateralize other borrowings, such as repurchase agreements.  At June 30, 2015 the Bank also had additional borrowing capacity from unused collateral at the Federal Reserve of $797 million.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2015-03, Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30).  The amendments in ASU 2015-03 are intended to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. These amendments require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this ASU.  The guidance becomes effective for us on January 1, 2016 and is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02 —Consolidation (Topic 810), Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis.  The update amends existing standards regarding the evaluation of certain legal entities and their consolidation in the financial statements. The amendments modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities or voting interest entities and eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership. The amendments also affect the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with variable interest entities and provide a scope exception from consolidation guidance for reporting entities with interests in legal entities that are required to comply with or operate in accordance with requirements that are similar to those in Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 for registered money market funds. The guidance becomes effective for us on January 1, 2016 and we are evaluating the impact of this guidance on our financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This new guidance supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC 605, Revenue Recognition, and is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. The ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. In April 2015, the FASB approved deferral of the effective date of this guidance, which is now effective prospectively for the Company for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the effect the guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
 
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Item 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Information called for by Item 3 is contained in the Liquidity and Interest Rate Sensitivity Management section of the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
The  Company's  management, with the participation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of  the  Company's  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  (as  defined  in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of June 30, 2015, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

There  were  no changes made in the Company's internal control over financial  reporting  that  occurred  during  the  Company's  most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
 
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PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1 – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
There are no material legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their property is subject, except as described in the Company's 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Item 1A – RISK FACTORS
 
There are no material changes to the risk factors as previously discussed in Part I, Item 1A of our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Item 2 – UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
(a)
Not applicable
 
(b)
Not applicable
 
(c)
The table below sets forth the information with respect to purchases made by the Company or any "affiliated purchaser" (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of our common stock during the quarter ended June 30, 2015:
 
Period
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased
   
Average Price Paid Per Share
   
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans
   
Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet be Purchased Under The Plans (1)
 
4/1/15 - 4/30/15
   
17,642
   
$
24.38
     
17,642
     
982,358
 
5/1/15 - 5/31/15
   
337,167
     
24.55
     
337,167
     
645,191
 
6/1/15 - 6/30/15
   
78,542
     
25.03
     
78,542
     
566,649
 
Total
   
433,351
   
$
24.63
     
433,351
     
566,649
 

(1)  The Company purchased 433,351 shares of its common stock during the six months ended June 30, 2015 at an average price of $24.63 per share under a previously announced plan.  As of June 30, 2015, there were 566,649 shares available for repurchase under this plan, which expires on December 31, 2016.  On July 27, 2015, the NBT Board of Directors authorized a new repurchase program for NBT to repurchase up to an additional 1,000,000 shares of its outstanding common stock.  This plan expires on December 31, 2016.
 
Item 3 – DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None
 
Item 4 – MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None
 
Item 5 – OTHER INFORMATION

None


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Item 6 – EXHIBITS

3.1
 
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of NBT Bancorp Inc. as amended through July 1, 2015.
     
3.2
 
Amended and Restated By-laws of NBT Bancorp Inc., effective July 1, 2015 (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's Form 8-K, filed on July 1, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).
     
3.3
 
Certificate of Designation of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (filed as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registrant's Form 8-K, filed on November 18, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference).
     
4.1
 
Specimen common stock certificate for NBT's common stock (filed as exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant's Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on December 27, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).
     
31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.1
 
Written Statement of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.2
 
Written Statement of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
101.INS
 
 XBRL Instance Document.
     
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
     
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
     
101.DEF
 
 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
     
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
     
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, this 10th day of August 2015.
 
 
 
NBT BANCORP INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Michael J. Chewens
 
 
 
Michael J. Chewens, CPA
 
 
 
Senior Executive Vice President
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of NBT Bancorp Inc. as amended through July 1, 2015.
     
3.2
 
Amended and Restated By-laws of NBT Bancorp Inc., effective July 1, 2015 (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's Form 8-K, filed on July 1, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).
     
3.3
 
Certificate of Designation of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (filed as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registrant's Form 8-K, filed on November 18, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference).
     
4.1
 
Specimen common stock certificate for NBT's common stock (filed as exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant's Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on December 27, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).
     
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
 
Written Statement of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
 
Written Statement of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document.
     
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
     
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
     
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
     
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
     
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
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