UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K

x Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 or
 
o   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                                                 0-7818      

  INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

MICHIGAN
 
38-2032782
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
 
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
 
230 W. Main St., P.O. Box 491, Ionia, Michigan         
 
48846
(Address of principal executive offices)  
 
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
(616)    527-5820  
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
Common Stock, No Par Value       
 
  NASDAQ
(Title of class) 
 
(Name of Exchange)
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None.
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes o No x
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.   Yes o No x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes  x No o
 
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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes  x     No o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.
 
Large accelerated filer  o
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company  x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b of the Act).
Yes  o No x
 
The aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 28, 2013, was $56,411,932.
 
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock as of March 6, 2014 was 22,920 ,730 .
 
Documents incorporated by reference:  Portions of our definitive proxy statement and annual report, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 22, 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, are incorporated by reference into Part I, Part II, Part III, and Part IV of this Form 10-K.
 
The Exhibit Index appears on Pages 36-37
 


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that are not statements of historical fact, including statements that include terms such as “will,” “may,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “likely,” “optimistic” and “plan” and statements about future or projected financial and operating results, plans, projections, objectives, expectations, and intentions, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, descriptions of plans and objectives for future operations, products or services; projections of our future revenue, earnings or other measures of economic performance; forecasts of credit losses and other asset quality trends; statements about our business and growth strategies; and expectations about economic and market conditions and trends.  These forward-looking statements express our current expectations, forecasts of future events, or long-term goals.  They are based on assumptions, estimates, and forecasts that, although believed to be reasonable, may turn out to be incorrect.   Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including:

· economic, market, operational, liquidity, credit, and interest rate risks associated with our business;
· economic conditions generally and in the financial services industry, particularly economic conditions within Michigan and the regional and local real estate markets in which our bank operates;
· the failure of assumptions underlying the establishment of, and provisions made to, our allowance for loan losses;
· the failure of assumptions underlying our estimate of probable incurred losses from vehicle service contract payment plan counterparty contingencies, including our assumptions regarding future cancellations of vehicle service contracts, the value to us of collateral that may be available to recover funds due from our counterparties, and our ability to enforce the contractual obligations of our counterparties to pay amounts owing to us;
· increased competition in the financial services industry, either nationally or regionally;
· our ability to achieve loan and deposit growth;
· volatility and direction of market interest rates;
· the continued services of our management team; and
· implementation of new legislation, which may have significant effects on us and the financial services industry.

This list provides examples of factors that could affect the results described by forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, but the list is not intended to be all-inclusive.  The risk factors disclosed in Part I – Item 1A below include all known risks our management believes could materially affect the results described by forward-looking statements in this report.  However, those risks may not be the only risks we face.  Our results of operations, cash flows, financial position, and prospects could also be materially and adversely affected by additional factors that are not presently known to us, that we currently consider to be immaterial, or that develop after the date of this report.  We cannot assure you that our future results will meet expectations. While we believe the forward-looking statements in this report are reasonable, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. In addition, these statements speak only as of the date made. We do not undertake, and expressly disclaim, any obligation to update or alter any statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

1

PART I

ITEM 1.  
BUSINESS

Independent Bank Corporation was incorporated under the laws of the State of Michigan on September 17, 1973, for the purpose of becoming a bank holding company.  We are registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and own all of the outstanding stock of Independent Bank (the "bank"), which is also organized under the laws of the State of Michigan.

Aside from the stock of our bank, we have no other substantial assets.  We conduct no business except for the collection of dividends or returns of capital from our bank and the payment of dividends to our shareholders and the payment of interest on subordinated debentures.  Currently, we are not paying any dividends on our common stock.  We have established certain employee retirement plans, including an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) and deferred compensation plans, as well as health and other insurance programs, the cost of which is borne by our subsidiaries.  We have no material patents, trademarks, licenses or franchises except the corporate charter of our bank, which permits it to engage in commercial banking pursuant to Michigan law.

Our bank transacts business in the single industry of commercial banking.  It offers a broad range of banking services to individuals and businesses, including checking and savings accounts, commercial lending, direct and indirect consumer financing, mortgage lending, and safe deposit box services.  Our bank does not offer trust services.  Our principal markets are the rural and suburban communities across lower Michigan, which are served by the bank's main office in Ionia, Michigan, and a total of 70 branches, 2 drive-thru facilities, and 5 loan production offices.  Most of our bank's branches provide full-service lobby and drive-thru services, as well as automatic teller machines (ATMs).  In addition, we provide internet and mobile banking capabilities to our customers.  We continue to see customer transaction volume declining at our bank offices and increasing through our electronic channels.

Our bank competes with other commercial banks, savings banks, credit unions, mortgage banking companies, securities brokerage companies, insurance companies, and money market mutual funds.  Many of these competitors have substantially greater resources than we do and offer certain services that we do not currently provide.  Such competitors may also have greater lending limits than our bank.  In addition, non-bank competitors are generally not subject to the extensive regulations applicable to us.  Price (the interest charged on loans and paid on deposits) remains a principal means of competition within the financial services industry.  Our bank also competes on the basis of service and convenience in providing financial services.

As of December 31, 2013, our bank had total loans (excluding loans held for sale) of $1.375 billion and total deposits of $1.885 billion.  As of December 31, 2013, we had 723 full-time employees and 173 part-time employees.

In addition to general banking services, our bank also offers title insurance services through a separate subsidiary and investment and insurance services through a third party agreement with Cetera Investment Services LLC.

Mepco Finance Corporation ("Mepco"), a subsidiary of our bank, acquires and services payment plans used by consumers to purchase vehicle service contracts provided and administered by third parties.  Mepco purchases payment plans from companies (which we refer to as Mepco’s “counterparties”) that provide vehicle service contracts to consumers. The payment plans (which are classified as payment plan receivables in our consolidated statements of financial condition) permit a consumer to purchase a service contract by making installment payments, generally for a term of 12 to 24 months, to the sellers of those contracts (one of the counterparties). Mepco does not have recourse against the consumer for non-payment of a payment plan and therefore does not evaluate the creditworthiness of the individual customer. When consumers stop making payments or exercise their right to voluntarily cancel the contract, the remaining unpaid balance of the payment plan is normally recouped by Mepco from the counterparties that sold the contract and provided the coverage. The refund obligations of these counterparties are not fully secured. We record losses or charges in vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies expense, included in non-interest expenses, for estimated defaults by these counterparties in their obligations to Mepco.
2

ITEM 1.
BUSINESS (continued)

On a consolidated basis, our principal sources of revenue are interest and fees on loans, other interest income, and non-interest income.  The sources of revenue for the three most recent years are as follows:

 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
Interest and fees on loans
   
61.1
%
   
57.5
%
   
68.4
%
Other interest income
   
4.9
     
3.5
     
2.6
 
Non-interest income
   
34.0
     
39.0
     
29.0
 
 
   
100.0
%
   
100.0
%
   
100.0
%
 
Recent Developments
 
On December 7, 2012, we sold 21 branches to another financial institution (the “Branch Sale”), including 6 branches in the Battle Creek market area and 15 branches in northeast Michigan.  The Branch Sale resulted in the transfer of approximately $403.1 million of deposits in exchange for our receipt of a deposit premium of approximately $11.5 million.  It also resulted in the sale of approximately $48.0 million of loans at a discount of 1.75%, the sale of premises and equipment totaling approximately $8.1 million, and our transfer of $336.1 million of cash to the purchaser.  We recorded a net gain on the Branch Sale of approximately $5.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. 
 
In addition to the Branch Sale, we have closed or consolidated a total of 15 other branch locations since 2011.
 
In 2013, we successfully completed the implementation of a capital plan we had adopted to restore and improve our capital position.  In particular, during the third quarter of 2013, we completed the following:

· On July 26, 2013, we executed a Securities Purchase Agreement with the United States Department of the Treasury (“UST” or “Treasury”), pursuant to which we agreed to purchase from the UST for $81.0 million in cash consideration:  (i) 74,426 shares of our Series B Fixed Rate Cumulative Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock, with an original liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (“Series B Preferred Stock”), including any and all accrued and unpaid dividends; and (ii) the Amended and Restated Warrant to purchase up to 346,154 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $7.234 per share and expiring on December 12, 2018 (the “Warrant”);
 
· We sold a total of 13.225 million shares of our common stock in a public offering for total net proceeds of $97.1 million (including 11.5 million shares sold on August 28, 2013, and 1.725 million shares sold on September 10, 2013 pursuant to the underwriters’ overallotment option), after payment of $5.4 million in underwriting discounts and other offering expenses;
 
· On August 29, 2013, we brought current the interest payments and quarterly dividends we had been deferring since the fourth quarter of 2009 on all of our subordinated debentures and trust preferred  securities;
 
· On August 30, 2013, we completed the redemption of the Series B Preferred Stock and Warrant from the UST pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement described above, which resulted in our exit from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP);
 
· On October 11, 2013, we redeemed all of the 8.25% trust preferred securities ($9.2 million) issued by IBC Capital Finance II, which will reduce our annual interest expense by approximately $0.8 million.
 
Supervision and Regulation

The following is a summary of certain statutes and regulations affecting us.  This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the particular statutes and regulations.  A change in applicable laws or regulations may have a material effect on us and our bank.
 
3

ITEM 1.
BUSINESS (continued)
 
General

Financial institutions and their holding companies are extensively regulated under federal and state law.  Consequently, our growth and earnings performance can be affected not only by management decisions and general and local economic conditions, but also by the statutes administered by, and the regulations and policies of, various governmental regulatory authorities.  Those authorities include, but are not limited to, the Federal Reserve, the FDIC, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (“Michigan DIFS”), the Internal Revenue Service, and state taxing authorities.  The effect of such statutes, regulations and policies and any changes thereto can be significant and cannot necessarily be predicted.

Federal and state laws and regulations generally applicable to financial institutions and their holding companies regulate, among other things, the scope of business, investments, reserves against deposits, capital levels, lending activities and practices, the nature and amount of collateral for loans, the establishment of branches, mergers, consolidations and dividends.  The system of supervision and regulation applicable to us establishes a comprehensive framework for our operations and is intended primarily for the protection of the FDIC's deposit insurance fund, our depositors, and the public, rather than our shareholders.

Regulatory Developments

Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) TARP was created pursuant to the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA).  Under TARP, the Treasury authorized a voluntary Capital Purchase Program (CPP) to purchase senior preferred shares of qualifying financial institutions that elected to participate. Participating companies were required to adopt certain standards for executive compensation, including prohibiting certain "golden parachute" payments to senior executive officers; requiring recovery of any compensation paid to senior executive officers based on criteria that is later proven to be materially inaccurate; and prohibiting incentive compensation that encourages unnecessary and excessive risks that threaten the value of the financial institution.  In addition, pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, TARP recipients were subject to the following restrictions and standards throughout the period in which any obligation arising from financial assistance provided under TARP remained outstanding:

· limits on compensation incentives for risk-taking by senior executive officers;
  · requirement of recovery of any compensation paid based on inaccurate financial information;
  · prohibition on certain "golden parachute payments";
  · prohibition on compensation plans that would encourage manipulation of reported earnings to enhance the compensation of employees;
  · establishment of board compensation committees by publicly-registered TARP recipients comprised entirely of independent directors, for the purpose of reviewing employee compensation plans;
  · prohibition on bonuses, retention awards, and incentive compensation, except for payments of long-term restricted stock; and
  · limitation on luxury expenditures.

On December 12, 2008, we participated in TARP through the CPP and issued $72 million in capital to the Treasury in the form of Series A Preferred Stock that paid cash dividends at the rate of 5% per annum through February 14, 2014, and 9% per annum thereafter. In addition, the Treasury received a warrant to purchase 346,154 shares of our common stock at a price of $31.20 per share.  On April 16, 2010, we closed on an exchange transaction with the Treasury in which the Treasury accepted our newly-issued shares of Series B Preferred Stock in exchange for the entire $72 million in aggregate liquidation value of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock, plus the value of all accrued and unpaid dividends on such shares of Series A Preferred Stock (approximately $2.4 million).  The shares of Series B Preferred Stock had an aggregate liquidation amount equal to $74,426,000.  As described above we redeemed the Series B Preferred Stock and the warrant held by the Treasury and exited TARP on August 30, 2013.   As a result, we are no longer subject to the various restrictions and standards described above.

Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan .   On February 18, 2009, President Obama announced the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan ("HASP"). The HASP is intended to support a recovery in the housing market and ensure that workers can continue to pay off their mortgages through the following elements:

· access to low-cost refinancing for responsible homeowners suffering from falling home prices;
· a $75 billion homeowner stability initiative to prevent foreclosure and help responsible families stay in their homes; and

4

ITEM 1.
BUSINESS (continued)
 
· support of low mortgage rates by strengthening confidence in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The Treasury has issued extensive guidance on the scope and mechanics of various components of HASP.  We continue to monitor these developments and assess their potential impact on our business.

Dodd-Frank Act .  On July 21, 2010, the President signed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) into law.  This federal law includes the following:

· the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) with power to promulgate and, with respect to financial institutions with more than $10 billion in assets, enforce consumer protection laws;
· the creation of the Financial Stability Oversight Council chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury with authority to identify institutions and practices that might pose a systemic risk to the U.S. economy;
· provisions affecting corporate governance and executive compensation of all companies whose securities are registered with the SEC;
· a provision that broadens the base for FDIC insurance assessments and permanently increases FDIC deposit insurance to $250,000;
· provisions that change the assessment base for federal deposit insurance (from the amount of insured deposits to consolidated assets less tangible capital) and increase the minimum ratio of reserves to deposits to 1.35%;
· a provision under which interchange fees for debit cards of issuers with at least $10 billion in assets are set by the Federal Reserve under a restrictive "reasonable and proportional cost" per transaction standard;
· a provision that requires bank regulators to set minimum capital levels for bank holding companies that are at least as strong as those required for their insured depository subsidiaries, subject to a grandfather clause for financial institutions with less than $15 billion in assets as of December 31, 2009; and
· new restrictions on how mortgage brokers and loan originators may be compensated.

T he CFPB has issued new consumer protection regulations, including regulations that impact residential mortgage lending and servicing. In addition, the CFPB is in the process of drafting additional regulations that will change certain disclosure requirements used with respect to residential mortgage lending. We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, increased costs and expenses related to compliance with these and other new consumer protection and other regulations.  The Dodd-Frank Act and regulations being issued as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act have had, and we expect will continue to have, a significant impact on the banking industry, including our organization.
 
New Capital Rules Under Basel III .   On July 2, 2013, the Federal Reserve approved a final rule that establishes an integrated regulatory capital framework (the “New Capital Rules”). The rule will implement in the United States the Basel III regulatory capital reforms from the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and certain changes required by the Dodd-Frank Act.  In general, under the New Capital Rules, minimum requirements will increase for both the quantity and quality of capital held by banking organizations. Consistent with the international Basel framework, the New Capital Rules include a new minimum ratio of common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 4.5% and a common equity Tier 1 capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets that will apply to all supervised financial institutions. The rule also raises the minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets from 4% to 6% and includes a minimum leverage ratio of 4% for all banking organizations.  As to the quality of capital, the New Capital Rules emphasize common equity Tier 1 capital, the most loss-absorbing form of capital, and implements strict eligibility criteria for regulatory capital instruments. The New Capital Rules also change the methodology for calculating risk-weighted assets to enhance risk sensitivity.  The application of the New Capital Rules to our organization is described below.
 
Volcker Rule . The federal banking agencies and the SEC published final regulations to implement the Volcker Rule on December 10, 2013. The Volcker Rule generally prohibits banking entities from engaging in proprietary trading and from owning and sponsoring "covered funds" (e.g. hedge funds and private equity funds). The final rule becomes effective April 1, 2014, with full compliance generally required by July 21, 2015.   We do not currently expect implementation of the Volcker Rule to have a material impact on our business as we believe our investment activity will involve only investments exempt from the Volcker Rule.

5

ITEM 1.
BUSINESS (continued)

Future Legislation .  Various other legislative and regulatory initiatives, including proposals to overhaul the bank regulatory system, are from time to time introduced in Congress and state legislatures, as well as regulatory agencies.  Such future legislation regarding financial institutions may change banking statutes and our operating environment in substantial and unpredictable ways and could increase or decrease the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities, or affect the competitive balance among organizations within the industry. The nature and extent of future legislative and regulatory changes affecting financial institutions is very unpredictable. We cannot determine the ultimate effect that any such potential legislation, if enacted, would have upon our financial condition or results of operations.

Independent Bank Corporation
 
We are a bank holding company and, as such, are registered with, and subject to regulation by, the Federal Reserve under the Bank Holding Company Act, as amended (the "BHCA").  Under the BHCA, we are subject to periodic  examination by the Federal Reserve and are required to file periodic reports of operations and such additional information as the Federal Reserve may require.

Federal Reserve policy historically has required bank holding companies to act as a source of strength to their bank subsidiaries and to commit capital and financial resources to support those subsidiaries. The Dodd-Frank Act codified this policy as a statutory requirement. Such support may be required by the Federal Reserve at times when we might otherwise determine not to provide it.

In addition, if the Michigan DIFS deems a bank's capital to be impaired, it may require a bank to restore its capital by special assessment upon the bank holding company, as the bank's sole shareholder.  If the bank holding company failed to pay such assessment, the directors of that bank would be required, under Michigan law, to sell the shares of bank stock owned by the bank holding company to the highest bidder at either public or private auction and use the proceeds of the sale to restore the bank's capital.

Any capital loans by a bank holding company to a subsidiary bank are subordinate in right of payment to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of such subsidiary bank.  In the event of a bank holding company's bankruptcy, any commitment by the bank holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to a priority of payment.
 
Investments and Activities .       Federal law places restrictions on the ability of our holding company to engage in certain transactions, make investments, and participate (directly or indirectly through a subsidiary) in various activities.

In general, any direct or indirect acquisition by a bank holding company of any voting shares of any bank which would result in the bank holding company's direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of any class of voting shares of such bank, and any merger or consolidation of the bank holding company with another bank holding company, will require the prior written approval of the Federal Reserve under the BHCA.  In acting on such applications, the Federal Reserve must consider various statutory factors including the effect of the proposed transaction on competition in relevant geographic and product markets and each party's financial condition, managerial resources, and record of performance under the Community Reinvestment Act.

The merger or consolidation of an existing bank subsidiary of a bank holding company with another bank, or the acquisition by such a subsidiary of the assets of another bank, or the assumption of the deposit and other liabilities by such a subsidiary requires the prior written approval of the responsible federal regulatory agency under the Bank Merger Act, based upon a consideration of statutory factors similar to those outlined above with respect to the BHCA.  In addition, in certain cases, an application to, and the prior approval of, the Federal Reserve under the BHCA and/or Michigan DIFS under Michigan banking laws, may be required.

6

ITEM 1.
BUSINESS (continued)
 
With certain limited exceptions, the BHCA prohibits any bank holding company from engaging, either directly or indirectly through a subsidiary, in any activity other than managing or controlling banks unless the proposed non-banking activity is one the Federal Reserve has determined to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident thereto.  Under current Federal Reserve regulations, such permissible non-banking activities include such things as mortgage banking, equipment leasing, securities brokerage, and consumer and commercial finance company operations.  Well-capitalized and well-managed bank holding companies may, however, engage de novo in certain types of non-banking activities without prior notice to, or approval of, the Federal Reserve, provided that written notice of the new activity is given to the Federal Reserve within 10 business days after the activity is commenced.  If a bank holding company wishes to engage in a non-banking activity by acquiring a going concern, prior notice and/or prior approval will be required, depending upon the activities in which the company to be acquired is engaged, the size of the company to be acquired and the financial and managerial condition of the acquiring bank holding company.

Eligible bank holding companies that elect to operate as financial holding companies may engage in, or own shares in companies engaged in, a wider range of non-banking activities, including securities and insurance activities and any other activity the Federal Reserve, in consultation with the Treasury, determines by regulation or order is financial in nature, incidental to any such financial activity or complementary to any such financial activity and does not pose a substantial risk to the safety or soundness of depository institutions or the financial system generally.  The BHCA generally does not place territorial restrictions on the domestic activities of non-bank subsidiaries of bank or financial holding companies.  We have not applied for approval to operate as a financial holding company and have no current intention of doing so.

Capital Requirements .  The Federal Reserve uses capital adequacy guidelines in its examination and regulation of bank holding companies.  If capital falls below minimum guidelines, a bank holding company may, among other things, be denied approval to acquire or establish additional banks or non-bank businesses.

The Federal Reserve's capital guidelines establish the following minimum regulatory capital requirements for bank holding companies: (i) a leverage capital requirement expressed as a percentage of total assets, and (ii) a risk-based requirement expressed as a percentage of total risk-weighted assets.  The leverage capital requirement consists of a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital (which consists principally of shareholders' equity) to total assets of 3% for the most highly-rated companies with minimum requirements of 4% to 5% for all others.  The risk-based requirement consists of a minimum ratio of total capital to total risk-weighted assets of 8%, of which at least one-half must be Tier 1 capital.  The risk‑based and leverage standards presently used by the Federal Reserve are minimum requirements, and higher capital levels will be required if warranted by the particular circumstances or risk profiles of individual banking organizations.  The federal bank regulatory agencies are required biennially to review risk-based capital standards to ensure that they adequately address interest rate risk, concentration of credit risk and risks from non-traditional activities.

Our Tier 1 capital as of December 31, 2013, includes $39.5 million of trust preferred securities (classified on our balance sheet as "Subordinated debentures").  The Federal Reserve has issued rules regarding trust preferred securities as a component of the Tier 1 capital of bank holding companies. The aggregate amount of trust preferred securities and certain other capital elements is limited to 25 percent of Tier 1 capital elements, net of goodwill (net of any associated deferred tax liability). The amount of trust preferred securities and certain other elements in excess of the limit could be included in the Tier 2 capital, subject to restrictions.  The provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act imposed additional limitations on the ability to include trust preferred securities as Tier 1 capital; however, these additional limitations do not apply to our outstanding trust preferred securities.

We are subject to the New Capital Rules described above beginning on January 1, 2015.  The 2.5% capital conservation buffer is being phased in over a four-year period beginning in 2016.  Also, under the New Capital Rules, our existing trust preferred securities are grandfathered as qualifying regulatory capital.  We believe that we currently exceed all of the capital ratio requirements of the New Capital Rules.

Dividends .  Historically, most of our revenues have been received in the form of dividends paid by our bank. We can also make requests for returns of capital from our bank; however, such requests require the approval of both the Federal Reserve and the Michigan DIFS.  Thus, our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders is indirectly limited by restrictions on the ability of our bank to pay dividends or return capital to us, as described below.  Further, in a policy statement, the Federal Reserve has expressed its view that a bank holding company experiencing earnings weaknesses should not pay cash dividends exceeding its net income or that can only be funded in ways that weaken the bank holding company's financial health, such as by borrowing.  The Federal Reserve possesses enforcement powers over bank holding companies and their non-bank subsidiaries to prevent or remedy actions that represent unsafe or unsound practices or violations of applicable statutes and regulations.  Among these powers is the ability to proscribe the payment of dividends by banks and bank holding companies.  The "prompt corrective action" provisions of federal law and regulation authorize the Federal Reserve to restrict the amount of dividends that can be paid by an insured bank that fails to meet specified capital levels.

7

ITEM 1.
BUSINESS (continued)
 
In addition to the restrictions on dividends imposed by the Federal Reserve, the Michigan Business Corporation Act provides that dividends may be legally declared or paid only if, after the distribution, the corporation can pay its debts as they come due in the usual course of business and its total assets equal or exceed the sum of its liabilities plus the amount that would be needed to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of any holders of preferred stock whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution.

We have not paid any dividend to our shareholders since the third quarter of 2009.  The timing of our ability to resume paying dividends to our shareholders is primarily dependent on the ability of our bank to pay dividends or make a return of capital to us, as described below.

Change in Control Limitations Subject to certain exceptions, the Change in the Bank Control Act ("Control Act") and regulations promulgated thereunder by the Federal Reserve, require any person acting directly or indirectly, or through or in concert with one or more persons, to give the Federal Reserve 60 days' written notice before acquiring control of a bank holding company.  Pursuant to the Control Act, the Federal Reserve has the authority to prevent any such acquisition.  Transactions that are presumed to constitute the acquisition of control include the acquisition of any voting securities of a bank holding company having securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, if, after the transaction, the acquiring person (or persons acting in concert) owns, controls or holds with power to vote 10% or more of any class of voting securities of the institution.

Federal Securities Regulation .  Our common stock is registered with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). We are therefore subject to the information, proxy solicitation, insider trading and other restrictions and requirements of the SEC under the Exchange Act.

Independent Bank

Independent Bank is a Michigan banking corporation and a member of the Federal Reserve System, and its deposit accounts are insured by the FDIC's Deposit Insurance Fund ("DIF").  As a member of the Federal Reserve System and a Michigan-chartered bank, our bank is subject to the examination, supervision, reporting and enforcement requirements of the Federal Reserve as its primary federal regulator and the Michigan DIFS as the chartering authority for Michigan banks. These agencies and the federal and state laws applicable to our bank and its operations extensively regulate various aspects of the banking business including, among other things, permissible types and amounts of loans, investments and other activities, capital adequacy, branching, interest rates on loans and on deposits, the maintenance of non-interest bearing reserves on deposit accounts, and the safety and soundness of banking practices.

Deposit Insurance .   As an FDIC-insured institution, our bank is required to pay deposit insurance premium assessments to the FDIC.  Under the FDIC's risk-based assessment system for deposit insurance premiums, all insured depository institutions are placed into one of four categories (Risk Categories I, II, III, and IV), based primarily on their level of capital and supervisory evaluations, for purposes of determining the institution's assessment rate.  Deposit insurance premium assessments are generally based on an institution's total assets minus its tangible equity.

During the fourth quarter of 2009, we were required to prepay estimated quarterly deposit insurance premium assessments to the FDIC for the years 2010, 2011, and 2012.  The actual expense over the assessment period was significantly lower than the amount prepaid, and we received a return of the overpayment from the FDIC during the second quarter of 2013.

FICO Assessments .  Our bank, as a member of the DIF, is subject to assessments to cover the payments on outstanding obligations of the Financing Corporation ("FICO").  FICO was created to finance the recapitalization of the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation, the predecessor to the FDIC's Savings Association Insurance Fund, which was created to insure the deposits of thrift institutions and was merged with the Bank Insurance Fund into the newly formed DIF in 2006.  From now until the maturity of the outstanding FICO obligations in 2019, DIF members will share the cost of the interest on the FICO bonds on a pro rata basis.  It is estimated that FICO assessments during this period will be approximately 0.006% of average tangible assets.
8

ITEM 1.
BUSINESS (continued)

Michigan DIFS Assessments .  Michigan banks are required to pay supervisory fees to the Michigan DIFS to fund their operations.  The amount of supervisory fees paid by a bank is based upon the bank's total assets.

Capital Requirements . The Federal Reserve has established the following minimum capital standards for state-chartered, FDIC-insured member banks, such as our bank:  a leverage requirement consisting of a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets of 3% for the most highly-rated banks with minimum requirements of 4% to 5% for all others, and a risk-based capital requirement consisting of a minimum ratio of total capital to total risk-weighted assets of 8%, at least one-half of which must be Tier 1 capital.  Tier 1 capital consists principally of shareholders' equity.  These capital requirements are minimum requirements.  Higher capital levels will be required if warranted by the particular circumstances or risk profiles of individual institutions.  For example, Federal Reserve regulations provide that higher capital may be required to take adequate account of, among other things, interest rate risk and the risks posed by concentrations of credit, nontraditional activities, or securities trading activities.

Federal law provides the federal banking regulators with broad power to take prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of undercapitalized institutions.  The extent of the regulators' powers depends on whether the institution in question is "well capitalized," "adequately capitalized," "undercapitalized," "significantly undercapitalized," or "critically undercapitalized."  Federal regulations define these capital categories as follows:

 
 
Total
Risk-Based
Capital Ratio
   
Tier 1
Risk-Based
Capital Ratio
 
Leverage Ratio
Well capitalized
 
10% or above
   
6% or above
 
5% or above
Adequately capitalized
 
8% or above
   
4% or above
 
4% or above
Undercapitalized
 
Less than 8%
   
Less than 4%
 
Less than 4%
Significantly undercapitalized
 
Less than 6%
   
Less than 3%
 
Less than 3%
Critically undercapitalized
  --     --  
A ratio of tangible equity to total assets of 2% or less

At December 31, 2013, our bank's ratios exceeded minimum requirements for the well-capitalized category.

Depending upon the capital category to which an institution is assigned, the regulators' corrective powers include:  requiring the submission of a capital restoration plan; placing limits on asset growth and restrictions on activities; requiring the institution to issue additional capital stock (including additional voting stock) or to be acquired; restricting transactions with affiliates; restricting the interest rates the institution may pay on deposits; ordering a new election of directors of the institution; requiring that senior executive officers or directors be dismissed; prohibiting the institution from accepting deposits from correspondent banks; requiring the institution to divest certain subsidiaries; prohibiting the payment of principal or interest on subordinated debt; and ultimately, appointing a receiver for the institution.

In general, a depository institution may be reclassified to a lower category than is indicated by its capital levels if the appropriate federal depository institution regulatory agency determines the institution to be otherwise in an unsafe or unsound condition or to be engaged in an unsafe or unsound practice.  This could include a failure by the institution to correct the deficiency following receipt of a less-than-satisfactory rating on its most recent examination report.

Dividends .  Under Michigan law, banks are restricted as to the maximum amount of dividends they may pay on their common stock.    Our bank may not pay dividends except out of its net income after deducting its losses and bad debts.  In addition, a Michigan bank may not declare or pay a dividend unless the bank will have a surplus amounting to at least 20 percent of its capital after the payment of the dividend.

9

ITEM 1.
BUSINESS (continued)
 
In addition, as a member of the Federal Reserve System, our bank is required to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve for the declaration or payment of a dividend if the total of all dividends declared in any year will exceed the total of (a) the bank's retained net income (as defined by federal regulation) for that year, plus (b) the bank's retained net income for the preceding two years.

Federal law also generally prohibits a depository institution from making any capital distribution (including payment of a dividend) or paying any management fee to its holding company if the depository institution would thereafter be undercapitalized.  In addition, the Federal Reserve may prohibit the payment of dividends by a bank if such payment is determined, by reason of the financial condition of the bank, to be an unsafe and unsound banking practice or if the bank is in default of payment of any assessment due to the FDIC.

At December 31, 2013, our bank had negative retained earnings of approximately $50.0 million and therefore cannot pay dividends to the holding company.  In lieu of the payment of dividends, we intend to make periodic requests to the Federal Reserve and the Michigan DIFS to approve a return of capital from our bank.  In August 2013, pursuant to a request approved by both the Federal Reserve and Michigan DIFS, our bank made a return of capital to our holding company in the amount of $7.5 million.

Insider Transactions . Our bank is subject to certain restrictions imposed by the Federal Reserve Act on "covered transactions" with us or our subsidiaries, which include investments in our stock or other securities issued by us or our subsidiaries, the acceptance of our stock or other securities issued by us or our subsidiaries as collateral for loans, and extensions of credit to us or our subsidiaries.  Certain limitations and reporting requirements are also placed on extensions of credit by our bank to the directors and officers of the holding company, the bank, and the subsidiaries of the bank; to the principal shareholders of the holding company; and to "related interests" of such directors, officers, and principal shareholders.  In addition, federal law and regulations may affect the terms upon which any person becoming one of our directors or officers or a principal shareholder may obtain credit from banks with which our bank maintains a correspondent relationship.

Safety and Soundness Standards . Pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 ("FDICIA"), the FDIC adopted guidelines to establish operational and managerial standards to promote the safety and soundness of federally-insured depository institutions. The guidelines establish standards for internal controls, information systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, compensation, fees and benefits, asset quality, and earnings.

Investment and Other Activities .  Under federal law and regulations, FDIC-insured state banks are prohibited, subject to certain exceptions, from making or retaining equity investments of a type, or in an amount, that are not permissible for a national bank.  FDICIA, as implemented by FDIC regulations, also prohibits FDIC-insured state banks and their subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions, from engaging as a principal in any activity that is not permitted for a national bank or its subsidiary, respectively, unless the bank meets, and continues to meet, its minimum regulatory capital requirements and the bank's primary federal regulator determines the activity would not pose a significant risk to the DIF.  Impermissible investments and activities must be otherwise divested or discontinued within certain time frames set by the bank's primary federal regulator in accordance with federal law.  These restrictions are not currently expected to have a material impact on the operations of our bank.

Consumer Banking .   Our bank's business includes making a variety of types of loans to individuals.  In making these loans, our bank is subject to state usury and other consumer protection laws and to various federal statutes, including provisions of the Gramm Leach-Bliley Act aimed at protecting the privacy of consumer financial information, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, and the regulations promulgated under these statutes, which (among other things) prohibit discrimination, specify disclosures to be made to borrowers regarding credit and settlement costs, and regulate the mortgage loan servicing activities of our bank, including the maintenance and operation of escrow accounts and the transfer of mortgage loan servicing.  In receiving deposits, our bank is subject to extensive regulation under state and federal law and regulations, including the Truth in Savings Act, the Expedited Funds Availability Act, the Bank Secrecy Act, the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.  Violation of these laws could result in the imposition of significant damages and fines upon our bank and its directors and officers.

10

ITEM 1.
BUSINESS (continued)

Branching Authority .  Michigan banks, such as our bank, have the authority under Michigan law to establish branches anywhere in the State of Michigan, subject to receipt of all required regulatory approvals.  Banks may establish interstate branch networks through acquisitions of other banks.  The establishment of de novo interstate branches or the acquisition of individual branches of a bank in another state (rather than the acquisition of an out-of-state bank in its entirety) is allowed only if specifically authorized by state law.

Michigan permits both U.S. and non-U.S. banks to establish branch offices in Michigan.  The Michigan Banking Code permits, in appropriate circumstances and with the approval of the Michigan DIFS (1) the acquisition of Michigan banks by FDIC-insured banks or savings banks located in other states, (2) the sale by a Michigan bank of branches to an FDIC-insured bank or savings bank located in a state in which a Michigan bank could purchase branches of the purchasing entity, (3) the consolidation of Michigan banks and FDIC-insured banks or savings banks located in other states having laws permitting such consolidation, (4) the establishment of branches in Michigan by FDIC-insured banks located in other states, the District of Columbia or U.S. territories or protectorates having laws permitting a Michigan bank to establish a branch in such jurisdiction, and (5) the establishment by foreign banks of branches located in Michigan.

Mepco Finance Corporation

Our subsidiary, Mepco Finance Corporation, is engaged in the business of acquiring and servicing payment plans used by consumers throughout the United States who have purchased a vehicle service contract and choose to make monthly payments for their coverage.  In the typical transaction, no interest or other finance charge is charged to these consumers.  As a result, Mepco is generally not subject to regulation under consumer lending laws.  However, Mepco is subject to various federal and state laws designed to protect consumers, including laws against unfair and deceptive trade practices and laws regulating Mepco's payment processing activities, such as the Electronic Funds Transfer Act.

Available Information

Our annual reports on Forms 10-K, quarterly reports on Forms 10-Q, current reports on Forms 8-K, and all amendments to those reports are available free of charge through our website at www.IndependentBank.com as soon as reasonably practicable after filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
11

ITEM 1.
BUSINESS -- STATISTICAL DISCLOSURE
 
I.
(A)                DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY;
 
(B)
INTEREST RATES AND INTEREST DIFFERENTIAL
 
(C)
INTEREST RATES AND DIFFERENTIAL

The information set forth in the tables captioned "Average Balances and Rates" and "Change in Net Interest Income" of our annual report, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 22, 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (filed as exhibit 13 to this report on Form 10-K), is incorporated herein by reference.

II.
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO

(A)  The following table sets forth the book value of securities at December 31:

 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
   
   
 
Trading - Preferred stock
 
$
498
   
$
110
   
$
77
 
Available for sale
                       
U.S agency residential mortgage-backed
 
$
203,460
   
$
127,412
   
$
94,206
 
States and political subdivisions
   
153,678
     
39,051
     
27,317
 
Other asset backed
   
45,185
     
--
     
--
 
U.S agency
   
31,808
     
30,667
     
25,017
 
Corporate
   
19,137
     
--
     
--
 
Private label residential mortgage-backed
   
6,788
     
8,194
     
8,268
 
Trust preferred
   
2,425
     
3,089
     
2,636
 
Total
 
$
462,481
   
$
208,413
   
$
157,444
 

12

ITEM 1.
BUSINESS -- STATISTICAL DISCLOSURE   (Continued)

(B)                     The following table sets forth contractual maturities of securities at December 31, 2013 and the weighted average yield of such securities:
 
   
 
Maturing
 Within
 One Year
   
Maturing
 After One
 But Within
 Five Years
   
Maturing
After Five
But Within
 Ten Years
   
 
Maturing
 After
Ten Years
 
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Trading – Preferred stock
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
$
498
     
0.00
%
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
                 
Tax equivalent adjustment for calculations of yield
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
$
--
         
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
                 
Available for sale
 
   
   
   
   
   
                 
U.S agency residential mortgage-backed
 
$
-
   
   
$
43,265
     
1.85
%
 
$
132,911
     
1.18
%
 
$
27,284
     
1.65
%
States and political subdivisions
   
12,948
     
1.28
%
   
57,652
     
1.74
     
15,580
     
4.75
     
67,498
     
3.59
 
Other asset backed
   
7,259
     
0.43
     
24,940
     
0.62
     
9,031
     
0.89
     
3,955
     
1.00
 
U.S. agency
   
--
             
10,517
     
0.86
     
15,902
     
0.97
     
5,389
     
0.97
 
Corporate
   
2,004
     
0.70
     
16,137
     
1.12
     
996
     
1.87
     
--
         
Private label residential mortgage-backed
   
--
             
48
     
5.97
     
3,333
     
4.24
     
3,407
     
5.33
 
Trust preferred
   
--
             
--
             
--
             
2,425
     
1.58
 
Total
 
$
22,211
     
0.95
%
 
$
152,559
     
1.46
%
 
$
177,753
     
1.52
%
 
$
109,958
     
2.89
%
 
                                                               
Tax equivalent adjustment for calculations of yield
 
$
38
           
$
211
           
$
195
           
$
282
         

The rates set forth in the tables above for those obligations of state and political subdivisions that are tax exempt have been restated on a tax equivalent basis assuming a marginal tax rate of 35%.  The amount of the adjustment is as follows.
 
 
Available for sale
 
Tax-Exempt
Rate
   
 
Adjustment
   
Rate on Tax
Equivalent Basis
 
   Under 1 year
   
0.99
%
   
0.29
%
   
1.28
%
   1-5 years
   
1.37
     
0.37
     
1.74
 
   5-10 years
   
3.50
     
1.25
     
4.75
 
   After 10 years
   
3.17
     
0.42
     
3.59
 

13

ITEM 1.
BUSINESS -- STATISTICAL DISCLOSURE   (Continued)
 
III.
LOAN PORTFOLIO

(A)  The following table sets forth total loans outstanding at December 31:

 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
Loans held for sale
 
$
20,390
   
$
50,779
   
$
44,801
   
$
50,098
   
$
34,234
 
Mortgage
   
486,633
     
527,340
     
590,876
     
658,679
     
749,298
 
Commercial
   
635,234
     
617,258
     
651,155
     
707,530
     
840,367
 
Installment
   
192,065
     
189,849
     
219,559
     
245,644
     
303,366
 
Payment plan receivables
   
60,638
     
84,692
     
115,018
     
201,263
     
406,341
 
Total Loans
 
$
1,394,960
   
$
1,469,918
   
$
1,621,409
   
$
1,863,214
   
$
2,333,606
 

The loan portfolio is periodically and systematically reviewed, and the results of these reviews are reported to the Board of Directors of our bank.  The purpose of these reviews is to assist in assuring proper loan documentation, to facilitate compliance with applicable laws and regulations, to provide for the early identification of potential problem loans (which enhances collection prospects) and to evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.

(B)  The following table sets forth scheduled loan repayments (excluding 1-4 family residential mortgages and installment loans) at December 31, 2013:

 
 
   
Due
   
   
 
 
 
Due
   
After One
   
Due
   
 
 
 
Within
   
But Within
   
After
   
 
 
 
One Year
   
Five Years
   
Five Years
   
Total
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Mortgage
 
$
1
   
$
201
   
$
47,972
   
$
48,174
 
Commercial
   
180,053
     
401,533
     
53,648
     
635,234
 
Payment plan receivables
   
21,880
     
38,758
     
--
     
60,638
 
Total
 
$
201,934
   
$
440,492
   
$
101,620
   
$
744,046
 

The following table sets forth loans due after one year which have predetermined (fixed) interest rates and/or adjustable (variable) interest rates at December 31, 2013:
 
   
Fixed
Rate
   
Variable
Rate
   
 
Total
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Due after one but within five years
 
$
304,979
   
$
135,514
   
$
440,493
 
Due after five years
   
42,472
     
59,148
     
101,620
 
Total
 
$
347,451
   
$
194,662
   
$
542,113
 

14

ITEM 1.
BUSINESS -- STATISTICAL DISCLOSURE   (Continued)

(C)  The following table sets forth loans on non-accrual, loans ninety days or more past due and troubled debt restructured loans at December 31:

 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
(a)  Loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis (1, 2)
 
$
17,905
   
$
32,929
   
$
59,309
   
$
66,652
   
$
105,965
 
 
                                       
(b)  Aggregate amount of loans ninety days or more past due (excludes loans in (a) above)
   
--
     
7
     
574
     
928
     
3,940
 
 
                                       
(c)  Loans not included above which are "troubled debt restructurings"as defined by accounting guidance
   
114,887
     
126,730
     
116,569
     
113,812
     
71,961
 
 
                                       
Total
 
$
132,792
   
$
159,666
   
$
176,452
   
$
181,392
   
$
181,866
 

 (1) The accrual of interest income is discontinued when a loan becomes 90 days past due and the borrower's capacity to repay the loan and collateral values appear insufficient.  Non-accrual loans may be restored to accrual status when interest and principal payments are current and the loan appears otherwise collectible.

(2) Interest in the amount of $7,819,000 would have been earned in 2013 had loans in categories (a) and (c) remained at their original terms; however, only $5,753,000 was included in interest income for the year with respect to these loans.

Other loans of concern identified by the loan review department which are not included as non-performing in the table above were zero at December 31, 2013.

At December 31, 2013, there was no concentration of loans exceeding 10% of total loans which is not already disclosed as a category of loans in this section "Loan Portfolio" (Item III(A)).

There were no other interest-bearing assets at December 31, 2013, that would be required to be disclosed above (Item III(C)), if such assets were loans.

There were no foreign loans at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.  Total loans in 2010 and 2009 include $0.1 million and $1.7 million, respectively of payment plan receivables from customers domiciled in Canada.  There were no other foreign loans outstanding prior to that time.
15

ITEM 1.
BUSINESS -- STATISTICAL DISCLOSURE   (Continued)
 
IV.
SUMMARY OF LOAN LOSS EXPERIENCE

(A)  The following table sets forth loan balances and summarizes the changes in the allowance for loan losses for each of the years ended December 31:
 
   
2013
   
2012
    2011    
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Total loans outstanding at the end of the year (net of unearned fees)
 
$
1,394,960
   
   
$
1,469,918
   
   
$
1,621,409
   
 
 
         
           
           
 
Average total loans outstanding for  the year (net of unearned fees)
 
$
1,413,796
   
   
$
1,550,456
   
   
$
1,711,948
   
 
 
         
           
           
 
 
 
 
Loan
 Losses
   
Unfunded
Commit-
ments
   
 
Loan
 Losses
   
Unfunded
Commit-
ments
   
 
Loan
 Losses
   
Unfunded
Commit-
ments
 
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
44,275
   
$
598
   
$
58,884
   
$
1,286
   
$
67,915
   
$
1,322
 
Loans charged-off
                                               
Mortgage
   
6,319
             
10,741
             
15,608
         
Commercial
   
7,358
             
12,588
             
20,491
         
Installment
   
2,520
             
4,009
             
5,439
         
Payment plan receivables
   
35
             
70
             
186
         
Total loans charged-off
   
16,232
             
27,408
             
41,724
         
 
                                               
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off
                                               
Mortgage
   
1,996
             
1,581
             
1,441
         
Commercial
   
5,119
             
3,610
             
1,850
         
Installment
   
1,074
             
1,311
             
1,451
         
Payment plan receivables
   
81
             
20
             
5
         
Total recoveries
   
8,270
             
6,522
             
4,747
         
Net loans charged-off
   
7,962
             
20,886
             
36,977
         
Reclassification to loans held for sale
                   
610
                         
Additions (deductions) included in  operations
   
(3,988
)
   
(90
)
   
6,887
     
(688
)
   
27,946
     
(36
)
                                                 
Balance at end of year  
$
32,325
   
$
508
   
$
44,275
   
$
598
   
$
58,884
   
$
1,286
 
                                                 
Net loans charged-off as a percent of average loans outstanding (includes  loans held for sale) for the year
   
0.56
%
           
1.35
%
           
2.16
%
       
                                                 
Allowance for loan losses as a  percent of loans outstanding (includes loans held for sale) at the end of the year
   
2.32
              3.01               3.63          
 
16

ITEM 1.
BUSINESS -- STATISTICAL DISCLOSURE   (Continued)
 
 
 
2010
   
2009
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
Total loans outstanding at the end of the year (net of unearned fees)
 
$
1,863,214
   
   
$
2,333,606
   
 
 
         
           
 
Average total loans outstanding for the year (net of unearned fees)
 
$
2,082,117
   
   
$
2,470,568
   
 
 
         
           
 
 
 
 
Loan
Losses
   
Unfunded
 Commit-
ments
   
 
Loan
 Losses
   
Unfunded
 Commit-
ments
 
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
81,717
   
$
1,858
   
$
57,900
   
$
2,144
 
Loans charged-off
                               
Mortgage
   
20,263
             
22,869
         
Commercial
   
36,108
             
51,840
         
Installment
   
7,726
             
7,562
         
Payment plan receivables
   
82
             
25
         
Total loans charged-off
   
64,179
             
82,296
         
Recoveries of loans previously
                               
charged-off
                               
Mortgage
   
1,155
             
791
         
Commercial
   
969
             
731
         
Installment
   
1,475
             
1,271
         
Payment plan receivables
   
13
             
2
         
Total recoveries
   
3,612
             
2,795
         
Net loans charged-off
   
60,567
             
79,501
         
Additions (deductions) included in  operations
   
46,765
     
(536
)
   
103,318
     
(286
)
Balance at end of year
 
$
67,915
   
$
1,322
   
$
81,717
   
$
1,858
 
 
                               
Net loans charged-off as a percent of average loans outstanding (includes loans  held for sale) for the year
   
2.91
%
           
3.22
%
       
 
                               
Allowance for loan losses as a  percent of loans outstanding (includes loans  held for sale) at the end of the year
   
3.65
             
3.50
         

The allowance for loan losses reflected above is a valuation allowance in its entirety and the only allowance available to absorb probable incurred loan losses.

Further discussion of the provision and allowance for loan losses (a critical accounting policy) as well as non-performing loans, is presented in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our annual report, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 22, 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (filed as exhibit 13 to this report on Form 10-K), and is incorporated herein by reference.
17

ITEM 1.
BUSINESS -- STATISTICAL DISCLOSURE   (Continued)
 
IV.
SUMMARY OF LOAN LOSS EXPERIENCE   (Continued)

(B)  We have allocated the allowance for loan losses to provide for probable incurred losses within the categories of loans set forth in the table below.   The amount of the allowance that is allocated and the ratio of loans within each category to total loans at December 31 follow:
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
 
Allowance
Amount
   
Percent
of Loans to
Total Loans
   
 
Allowance
Amount
   
Percent
of Loans to
Total Loans
   
 
Allowance
Amount
   
Percent
of Loans to
Total Loans
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Commercial
 
$
6,827
     
45.5
%
 
$
11,402
     
42.2
%
 
$
18,183
     
40.2
%
Mortgage
   
17,195
     
36.3
     
21,447
     
39.1
     
22,885
     
39.2
 
Installment
   
2,246
     
13.8
     
3,378
     
12.9
     
6,146
     
13.5
 
Payment plan receivables
   
97
     
4.4
     
144
     
5.8
     
197
     
7.1
 
Unallocated
   
5,960
   
 
     
7,904
   
 
     
11,473
   
 
 
Total
 
$
32,325
     
100.0
%
 
$
44,275
     
100.0
%
 
$
58,884
     
100.0
%
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
 
Allowance
Amount
   
Percent
of Loans to
Total Loans
   
 
Allowance
Amount
   
Percent
of Loans to
Total Loans
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Commercial
 
$
23,836
     
38.0
%
 
$
41,259
     
36.1
%
Mortgage
   
22,642
     
38.0
     
18,434
     
33.5
 
Installment
   
6,769
     
13.2
     
6,404
     
13.0
 
Payment plan receivables
   
389
     
10.8
     
754
     
17.4
 
Unallocated
   
14,279
   
 
     
14,866
   
 
 
Total
 
$
67,915
     
100.0
%
 
$
81,717
     
100.0
%
18

ITEM 1.
BUSINESS -- STATISTICAL DISCLOSURE   (Continued)
 
V.
DEPOSITS

The following table sets forth average deposit balances and the weighted-average rates paid thereon for the years ended December 31:
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
Average
Balance
   
 
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
 
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
 
Rate
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Non-interest bearing demand
 
$
500,673
   
   
$
523,926
   
   
$
467,305
   
 
Savings and NOW
   
908,740
     
0.12
%
   
1,060,882
     
0.17
%
   
1,006,305
     
0.22
%
Time deposits
   
423,291
     
1.08
     
552,903
     
1.28
     
656,944
     
1.98
 
Total
 
$
1,832,704
     
0.31
%
 
$
2,137,711
     
0.42
%
 
$
2,130,554
     
0.72
%

The following table summarizes time deposits in amounts of $100,000 or more by time remaining until maturity at December 31, 2013:
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
Three months or less
 
$
41,002
 
Over three through six months
   
43,107
 
Over six months through one year
   
58,268
 
Over one year
   
49,292
 
Total
 
$
191,669
 
                                                          
VI.
RETURN ON EQUITY AND ASSETS

The ratio of net income (loss) to average shareholders' equity and to average total assets, and certain other ratios, for the years ended December 31 follow:
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Net income (loss) as a percent of (1)
 
   
   
   
   
 
Average common equity
   
64.22
%
   
68.29
%
   
(68.44
)%
   
(54.38
)%
   
(90.72
)%
Average total assets
   
3.87
     
0.92
     
(1.02
)
   
(0.75
)
   
(3.17
)
 
                                       
Dividends declared per share as a percent of diluted net income per share
   
0.00
     
0.00
     
0.00
     
0.00
   
NM
 
 
                                       
Average shareholders' equity as a percent of average total assets
   
8.69
     
4.82
     
4.76
     
3.92
     
5.80
 

 (1) These amounts are calculated using net income (loss) applicable to common stock.
NM – Not meaningful.

Additional performance ratios are set forth in Selected Consolidated Financial Data in our annual report, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 22, 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (filed as exhibit 13 to this report on Form 10-K), and is incorporated herein by reference.  Any significant changes in the current trend of the above ratios are reviewed in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our annual report, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 22, 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (filed as exhibit 13 to this report on Form 10-K), and is incorporated herein by reference.

VII.
SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

Short-term borrowings are discussed in note 9 to the consolidated financial statements incorporated herein by reference to Part II, Item 8 of this report.
19

ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves risks, including (among others) the following factors:

General political, economic or industry conditions, either domestically or internationally, may be less favorable than expected.

Local, domestic, and international economic, political and industry-specific conditions affect the financial services industry, directly and indirectly. Conditions such as or related to inflation, recession, unemployment, volatile interest rates, international conflicts and other factors outside of our control, such as real estate values, energy costs, fuel prices, state and local municipal budget deficits, and government spending and the U.S. national debt, may, directly and indirectly, adversely affect us. As has been the case with the impact of recent economic conditions, economic downturns could result in the delinquency of outstanding loans, which could have a material adverse impact on our earnings.

Governmental monetary and fiscal policies may adversely affect the financial services industry, and therefore impact our financial condition and results of operations.

Monetary and fiscal policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies, particularly the Federal Reserve, affect the financial services industry, directly and indirectly. The Federal Reserve regulates the supply of money and credit in the U.S., and its monetary and fiscal policies determine in a large part our cost of funds for lending and investing and the return that can be earned on such loans and investments. Changes in such policies, including changes in interest rates, will influence the origination of loans, the value of investments, the generation of deposits and the rates received on loans and investment securities and paid on deposits. Changes in monetary and fiscal policies are beyond our control and difficult to predict. Our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely impacted by changes in governmental monetary and fiscal policies.

Volatility and disruptions in global capital and credit markets may adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Global capital and credit markets are sometimes subject to periods of extreme volatility and disruption. Disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the capital and credit markets may limit our ability to access capital and manage liquidity, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, our customers may be adversely impacted by such conditions, which could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The soundness of other financial institutions could adversely affect us.

Our ability to engage in routine funding transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions. Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty and other relationships. We have exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and we routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial industry.  As a result, defaults by, or even rumors or questions about, one or more financial services institutions, or the financial services industry generally, have led, and may further lead, to market-wide liquidity problems and could lead to losses or defaults by us or by other institutions. Many of these transactions could expose us to credit risk in the event of default by a counterparty. In addition, our credit risk may be impacted when the collateral held by us cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the financial instrument exposure due to us. There is no assurance that any such losses would not adversely affect us and possibly be material in nature.

Changes in regulation or oversight may have a material adverse impact on our operations.

We are subject to extensive regulation, supervision and examination by the Federal Reserve, the FDIC, the Michigan DIFS, the SEC and other regulatory bodies. Such regulation and supervision governs the activities in which we may engage. Regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the imposition of restrictions on our operations, investigations and limitations related to our securities, the classification of our assets and determination of the level of our allowance for loan losses. Any change in such regulation and oversight, whether in the form of regulatory policy, regulations, legislation or supervisory action, may have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
20

ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS (continued)

In particular, Congress and other regulators have recently increased their focus on the regulation of the financial services industry.  The effects on us of recent legislation and regulatory actions cannot reliably be fully determined at this time. Moreover, as some of the legislation and regulatory actions previously implemented in response to the recent financial crisis expire, the impact of the conclusion of these programs on the financial sector and on the economic recovery is unknown. Any delay in the economic recovery or a worsening of current financial market conditions could adversely affect us. We can neither predict when or whether future regulatory or legislative reforms will be enacted nor what their contents will be. The impact of any future legislation or regulatory actions on our businesses or operations cannot be reliably determined at this time, and such impact may adversely affect us.

We have credit risk inherent in our loan portfolios, and our allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover actual loan losses.

Our loan customers may not repay their loans according to their respective terms, and the collateral securing the payment of these loans may be insufficient to cover any losses we may incur. We make various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of our loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of our borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of many of our loans. Non-performing loans amounted to $17.9 million and $32.9 million at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Our allowance coverage ratio of non-performing loans was 180.5% and 134.4% at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. In determining the size of the allowance for loan losses, we rely on our experience and our evaluation of current economic conditions. If our assumptions or judgments prove to be incorrect, our current allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover certain loan losses inherent in our loan portfolio, and adjustments may be necessary to account for different economic conditions or adverse developments in our loan portfolio. Material additions to our allowance would adversely impact our operating results.

Although we perform periodic internal testing of our loan portfolio to help ensure the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses, if the assumptions or judgments used in these analyses prove to be incorrect, our current allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover loan losses inherent in our loan portfolio. Material additions to our allowance would adversely impact our operating results. In addition, federal and state regulators periodically review our allowance for loan losses and may require us to increase our provision for loan losses or recognize additional loan charge-offs, notwithstanding any internal analysis that has been performed. Any increase in our allowance for loan losses or loan charge-offs required by these regulatory agencies could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We have credit risk in our securities portfolio.
 
We maintain diversified securities portfolios, which include obligations of the Treasury and government-sponsored agencies as well as securities issued by states and political subdivisions, mortgage-backed securities, corporate securities and asset-backed securities.  We seek to limit credit losses in our securities portfolios by generally purchasing only highly rated securities (rated "AA" or higher by a major debt rating agency) and by conducting due diligence on the issuer. However, gross unrealized losses on securities available for sale in our portfolio totaled approximately $7.0 million as of December 31, 2013 (compared to approximately $2.6 million as of December 31, 2012). We believe these unrealized losses are temporary in nature and are expected to be recovered within a reasonable time period as we believe we have the ability to hold the securities to maturity or until such time as the unrealized losses reverse. However, we evaluate securities available for sale for other than temporary impairment (OTTI) at least quarterly and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation. Those evaluations may result in OTTI charges to our earnings. In addition to these impairment charges, we may, in the future, experience additional losses in our securities portfolio which may result in charges that could materially adversely affect our results of operations.
 
The assumptions we make in calculating estimated potential losses on vehicle service contract counterparty receivables for Mepco may be inaccurate, which could lead to vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies expense that is materially greater than the charges we have taken to date.
 
One of our subsidiaries, Mepco, is engaged in the business of acquiring and servicing payment plans for consumers who purchase vehicle service contracts and similar products. The receivables generated in this business involve a different, and generally higher, level of risk of delinquency or collection than generally associated with the loan portfolios of our bank. Upon cancellation of the payment plans acquired by Mepco (whether due to voluntary cancellation by the consumer or non-payment), the third party entities that provide the service contracts or other products to consumers (which we refer to as Mepco's "counterparties") become obligated to refund Mepco the unearned portion of the sales price previously funded by Mepco.  These obligations of Mepco's counterparties are shown as "vehicle service contract counterparty receivables" in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.  At December 31, 2013, the aggregate amount of such obligations owing to Mepco by counterparties, net of write-downs and reserves made through the recognition of "vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies expense," totaled $7.7 million.  This compares to a balance of $18.4 million and $29.3 million at December 31, 2012, and December 31, 2011, respectively.
21

ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS (continued)
 
In most cases, there is no collateral to secure the counterparties’ refund obligations to Mepco, but Mepco has the contractual right to offset unpaid refund obligations against amounts Mepco would otherwise be obligated to fund to the counterparties. In addition, even when other collateral is involved, the refund obligations of these counterparties are not fully secured. Mepco incurs losses when it is unable to fully recover funds owing to it by counterparties upon cancellation of the underlying service contracts.
 
Historically, Mepco's counterparties generally fulfilled their obligations to Mepco to refund Mepco the amounts owed upon cancellation of the service contracts.  However, events in the vehicle service contract industry starting in approximately 2009 significantly increased the size of these counterparty obligations.  These events, which included allegations that several service contract providers violated telemarketing and other consumer protection laws, contributed to significantly higher cancellation rates for outstanding service contracts and significantly lower sales of new service contract products which, in turn, contributed to several of Mepco's counterparties either going out of business or defaulting on their obligations to Mepco.  Although Mepco generally has recourse against more than one counterparty upon the cancellation of a service contract, Mepco did not historically have to enforce its rights against one counterparty (e.g., the administrator of a particular service contract that cancelled) based upon the default of a second counterparty (e.g., the seller of the service contract).  As Mepco has begun to enforce these rights in recent years, certain of its counterparties are challenging their payment obligations to Mepco.  Mepco is currently involved in litigation with several counterparties to enforce Mepco's rights to collect refunds owing from those counterparties.  We may need to initiate additional lawsuits against other counterparties that do not pay their obligations to Mepco.
 
In evaluating the collectability of these receivables, Mepco estimates probable incurred losses that Mepco expects to incur as a result of being unable to fully collect all amounts owing to Mepco.  The aggregate amount of these probable incurred losses (shown as "vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies expense" in our Consolidated Statements of Operations) was $4.8 million, $1.6 million and $11.0 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
 
The determination of these losses requires a significant amount of judgment because a number of factors can influence the amount of loss that we may ultimately incur. These factors include our estimate of future cancellations of vehicle service contracts (including cancellations that may result from a counterparty discontinuing its business operations), our evaluation of collateral that may be available to recover funds due from our counterparties, and the amount collected from counterparties in connection with their contractual obligations.  We apply a rigorous process, based upon observable contract activity and past experience, to estimate probable incurred losses for our vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies, but there can be no assurance that our modeling process will successfully identify all such losses.  Because of the uncertainty surrounding the numerous and complex assumptions made, actual losses could exceed the charges we have taken to date, and the additional losses we incur could be material.
 
Even though the size of Mepco's business has been significantly reduced in recent years, it still presents unique market, operational, and internal control challenges and risks.
 
Mepco faces unique operational and internal control challenges due to the relatively rapid turnover of its portfolio and high volume of new payment plans. Mepco's business is highly specialized, and its results of operation depend largely on the continued services of its executives and other key employees familiar with its business. In addition, because activity in this market is conducted primarily through relationships with unaffiliated vehicle service contract direct marketers and administrators and because the customers are located nationwide, risk management and general supervisory oversight are generally more difficult than in our bank. The risk of third party fraud is also higher as a result of these factors. Acts of fraud are difficult to detect and deter, and we cannot assure investors that the risk management procedures and controls will prevent losses from fraudulent activity. Although we have an internal control system at Mepco, we may be exposed to the risk of material loss in this business.  As of December 31, 2013, Mepco had total assets of $94.6 million, which amounts to 4.3 percent of our consolidated assets.
22

ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS (continued)
 
Our mortgage-banking revenues are susceptible to substantial variations, due in part to factors we do not control, such as market interest rates.
 
A portion of our revenues are derived from gains on mortgage loans. These net gains primarily depend on the volume of loans we sell, which in turn depends on our ability to originate real estate mortgage loans and the demand for fixed-rate obligations and other loans that are outside of our established interest-rate risk parameters. Net gains on mortgage loans are also dependent upon economic and competitive factors as well as our ability to effectively manage exposure to changes in interest rates. Consequently, they can often be a volatile part of our overall revenues.  We realized net gains of $10.0 million on mortgage loans during 2013 compared to $17.3 million during 2012 and $9.3 million during 2011.
 
We are subject to liquidity risk in our operations, which could adversely impact our ability to fund various obligations.

Liquidity risk is the possibility of being unable to meet obligations as they come due or capitalize on growth opportunities as they arise because of an inability to liquidate assets or obtain adequate funding on a timely basis, at a reasonable cost and within acceptable risk tolerances. Liquidity is required to fund various obligations, including credit obligations to borrowers, loan originations, withdrawals by depositors, repayment of debt, dividends to shareholders, operating expenses and capital expenditures. Liquidity is derived primarily from retail deposit growth and earnings retention, principal and interest payments on loans and investment securities, net cash provided from operations and access to other funding. If we are unable to maintain adequate liquidity, then our business, financial condition and results of operations could be negatively impacted.

Our parent company must rely on dividends or returns of capital from our bank for most of its cash flow.

Our parent company is a separate and distinct legal entity from our bank.  Generally, our parent company receives substantially all of its cash flow from dividends or returns of capital from our subsidiary bank. These dividends or returns of capital are the principal source of funds to pay our parent company’s operating expenses and for cash dividends on our common stock. Various federal and/or state laws and regulations limit the amount of dividends that the bank may pay to the parent company.  For example, at the present time, because our bank has negative retained earnings, it is not permitted to pay any dividends to our parent company.  Therefore, we have recently made requests for a return of capital from the bank to our parent company.  A return of capital request requires approval by our federal and state bank regulators, and there is no assurance that we will obtain such approval.  In the event our bank cannot obtain approval for a return of capital or is unable to pay future dividends to our parent company, we may not be able to pay future cash dividends on our common stock.

Any future strategic acquisitions or divestitures may present certain risks to our business and operations.

Difficulties in capitalizing on the opportunities presented by a future acquisition may prevent us from fully achieving the expected benefits from the acquisition, or may cause the achievement of such expectations to take longer to realize than expected.  Further, the assimilation of the acquired entity's customers and markets could result in higher than expected deposit attrition, loss of key employees, disruption of our businesses or the businesses of the acquired entity or otherwise adversely affect our ability to maintain relationships with customers and employees or achieve the anticipated benefits of the acquisition. These matters could have an adverse effect on us for an undetermined period. We will be subject to similar risks and difficulties in connection with any future decisions to downsize, sell or close units or otherwise change our business mix.

Compliance with new capital requirements may adversely affect us.

The capital requirements applicable to us as a bank holding company as well as to our subsidiary bank are in the process of being substantially revised, in connection with Basel III and the requirements of the Financial Reform Act. These requirements, and any other new regulations, could adversely affect our ability to pay dividends, or could require us to reduce business levels or to raise capital, including in ways that may adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition and/or existing shareholders. The ultimate impact of the new capital requirements cannot be determined at this time and will depend on a number of factors, including treatment and implementation by the U.S. bank regulators. However, maintaining higher levels of capital may reduce our profitability and otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

23

ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS (continued)

Declines in the businesses or industries of our customers could cause increased credit losses, which could adversely affect us.

Our business customer base consists, in part, of customers in volatile businesses and industries such as the automotive production industry and the real estate business. These industries are sensitive to global economic conditions and supply chain factors. Any decline in one of those customers' businesses or industries could cause increased credit losses, which in turn could adversely affect us.

The introduction, implementation, withdrawal, success and timing of business initiatives and strategies may be less successful or may be different than anticipated, which could adversely affect our business.

We make certain projections and develop plans and strategies for our banking and financial products. If we do not accurately determine demand for or changes in our banking and financial product needs, it could result in us incurring significant expenses without the anticipated increases in revenue, which could result in a material adverse effect on our business.  For example, in May 2014, we plan to convert our debit card base from the VISA brand to the MasterCard brand.  We anticipate generating more net interchange revenue as a result of this change.  However, difficulties encountered in converting our card base or in our customers’ acceptance of the brand change could adversely impact our business and results of operations.

We may not be able to utilize technology to efficiently and effectively develop, market, and deliver new products and services to our customers.

The financial services industry experiences rapid technological change with regular introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The efficient and effective utilization of technology enables financial institutions to better serve customers and to reduce costs. Our future success depends, in part, upon our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology to market and deliver products and services that will satisfy customer demands, meet regulatory requirements, and create additional efficiencies in our operations. We may not be able to effectively develop new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing or supporting these products and services to our customers, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

Operational difficulties, failure of technology infrastructure or information security incidents could adversely affect our business and operations.

We are exposed to many types of operational risk, including reputational risk, legal and compliance risk, the risk of fraud or theft by employees or outsiders, failure of our controls and procedures and unauthorized transactions by employees or operational errors, including clerical or recordkeeping errors or those resulting from computer or telecommunications systems malfunctions. Given the high volume of transactions we process, certain errors may be repeated or compounded before they are identified and resolved.  In particular, our operations rely on the secure processing, storage and transmission of confidential and other information on our technology systems and networks. Any failure, interruption or breach in security of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in our customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan and other systems.

We also face the risk of operational disruption, failure or capacity constraints due to our dependency on third party vendors for components of our business infrastructure, including our core data processing systems which are largely outsourced. While we have selected these third party vendors carefully, we do not control their operations. As such, any failure on the part of these business partners to perform their various responsibilities could also adversely affect our business and operations.

We may also be subject to disruptions of our operating systems arising from events that are wholly or partially beyond our control, which may include, for example, computer viruses, cyber attacks, spikes in transaction volume and/or customer activity, electrical or telecommunications outages, or natural disasters. Although we have programs in place related to business continuity, disaster recovery and information security to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our systems, business applications and customer information, such disruptions may give rise to interruptions in service to customers and loss or liability to us.

24

ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS (continued)

The occurrence of any failure or interruption in our operations or information systems, or any security breach, could cause reputational damage, jeopardize the confidentiality of customer information, result in a loss of customer business, subject us to regulatory intervention or expose us to civil litigation and financial loss or liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on us.

Changes in the financial markets, including fluctuations in interest rates and their impact on deposit pricing, could adversely affect our net interest income and financial condition.

The operations of financial institutions such as us are dependent to a large degree on net interest income, which is the difference between interest income from loans and investments and interest expense on deposits and borrowings. Prevailing economic conditions, the trade, fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government and the policies of various regulatory agencies all affect market rates of interest and the availability and cost of credit, which in turn significantly affect financial institutions' net interest income. Volatility in interest rates can also result in disintermediation, which is the flow of funds away from financial institutions into direct investments, such as federal government and corporate securities and other investment vehicles, which, because of the absence of federal insurance premiums and reserve requirements, generally pay higher rates of return than financial institutions. Our financial results could be materially adversely impacted by changes in financial market conditions.

Competitive product and pricing pressures among financial institutions within our markets may change.

We operate in a very competitive environment, which is characterized by competition from a number of other financial institutions in each market in which we operate. We compete with large national and regional financial institutions and with smaller financial institutions in terms of products and pricing. If we are unable to compete effectively in products and pricing in our markets, business could decline, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Changes in customer behavior may adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We use a variety of methods to anticipate customer behavior as a part of our strategic planning and to meet certain regulatory requirements. Individual, economic, political, industry-specific conditions and other factors outside of our control, such as fuel prices, energy costs, real estate values or other factors that affect customer income levels, could alter predicted customer borrowing, repayment, investment and deposit practices. Such a change in these practices could materially adversely affect our ability to anticipate business needs and meet regulatory requirements.

Further, difficult economic conditions may negatively affect consumer confidence levels. A decrease in consumer confidence levels would likely aggravate the adverse effects of these difficult market conditions on us, our customers and others in the financial institutions industry.

Our ability to maintain and expand customer relationships may differ from expectations

The financial services industry is very competitive. We not only vie for business opportunities with new customers, but also compete to maintain and expand the relationships we have with our existing customers. While we believe that we can continue to grow many of these relationships, we will continue to experience pressures to maintain these relationships as our competitors attempt to capture our customers. Failure to create new customer relationships and to maintain and expand existing customer relationships to the extent anticipated may adversely impact our earnings.

Our ability to retain key officers and employees may change.

Our future operating results depend substantially upon the continued service of our executive officers and key personnel. Our future operating results also depend in significant part upon our ability to attract and retain qualified management, financial, technical, marketing, sales and support personnel. Competition for qualified personnel is intense, and we cannot ensure success in attracting or retaining qualified personnel. There may be only a limited number of persons with the requisite skills to serve in these positions, and it may be increasingly difficult for us to hire personnel over time.
25

ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS (continued)
 
Further, our ability to retain key officers and employees may be impacted by legislation and regulation affecting the financial services industry. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by the loss of any key employees, or our inability to attract and retain skilled employees.

Legal and regulatory proceedings and related matters with respect to the financial services industry, including those directly involving us, could adversely affect us or the financial services industry in general.

We have been, and may in the future be, subject to various legal and regulatory proceedings. It is inherently difficult to assess the outcome of these matters, and there can be no assurance that we will prevail in any proceeding or litigation. Any such matter could result in substantial cost and diversion of our efforts, which by itself could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results. Further, adverse determinations in such matters could result in actions by our regulators that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Methods of reducing risk exposures might not be effective.

Instruments, systems and strategies used to hedge or otherwise manage exposure to various types of credit, market and liquidity, operational, compliance, business risks and enterprise-wide risk could be less effective than anticipated. As a result, we may not be able to effectively mitigate our risk exposures in particular market environments or against particular types of risk, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Terrorist activities or other hostilities may adversely affect the general economy, financial and capital markets, specific industries, and us.

Terrorist attacks or other hostilities may disrupt our operations or those of our customers. In addition, these events have had and may continue to have an adverse impact on the U.S. and world economies in general and consumer confidence and spending in particular, which could harm our operations. Any of these events could increase volatility in the U.S. and world financial markets, which could harm our stock price and may limit the capital resources available to us and our customers. This could have a material adverse impact on our operating results, revenues and costs and may result in increased volatility in the market price of our common stock.

Catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires and floods, may adversely affect the general economy, financial and capital markets, specific industries, and us.

We have significant operations and a significant customer base in Michigan where natural and other disasters may occur, such as tornadoes and floods. These types of natural catastrophic events at times have disrupted the local economy, our business, and our customers and have posed physical risks to our property. In addition, catastrophic events occurring in other regions of the world may have an impact on our customers and in turn, on us. A significant catastrophic event could materially adversely affect our operating results.

Changes in accounting standards could materially impact our financial statements.

From time to time, changes are made to the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of our financial statements. These changes can be difficult to predict and can materially impact how we record and report our financial condition and results of operations. In some cases, we could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, resulting in changes to previously reported financial results, or a cumulative charge to retained earnings.

Our failure to appropriately apply certain critical accounting policies could result in our misstatement of our financial results and condition.

Accounting policies and processes are fundamental to how we record and report our financial condition and results of operations. We must exercise judgment in selecting and applying many of these accounting policies and processes so they comply with U.S. GAAP. In some cases, we must select the accounting policy or method to apply from two or more alternatives, any of which may be reasonable under the circumstances, yet may result in our reporting materially different results than would have been reported under a different alternative.
26

ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS (continued)
 
We have identified certain accounting policies as being critical because they require us to make difficult, subjective or complex judgments about matters that are uncertain. Materially different amounts could be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions or estimates. We have established detailed policies and control procedures that are intended to ensure these critical accounting estimates and judgments are well controlled and applied consistently. In addition, the policies and procedures are intended to ensure that the process for changing methodologies occurs in an appropriate manner. Because of the uncertainty surrounding management's judgments and the estimates pertaining to these matters, we cannot guarantee that we will not be required to adjust accounting policies or restate prior period financial statements. See note #1, “Accounting Policies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our annual report, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 22, 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (filed as exhibit 13 to this report on Form 10-K).

The trading price of our common stock may be subject to significant fluctuations and volatility.
 
The market price of our common stock could be subject to significant fluctuations due to, among other things:
 
· variations in quarterly or annual results of operations;
· changes in dividends per share;
· deterioration in asset quality, including declining real estate values;
· changes in interest rates;
· significant acquisitions or business combinations, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, or capital commitments by or involving us or our competitors;
· regulatory actions, including changes to regulatory capital levels, the components of regulatory capital and how regulatory capital is calculated;
· new regulations that limit or significantly change our ability to continue to offer products or services;
· volatility of stock market prices and volumes;
· issuance of additional shares of common stock or other debt or equity securities;
· changes in market valuations of similar companies;
· changes in securities analysts' estimates of financial performance or recommendations;
· perceptions in the marketplace regarding the financial services industry, us and/or our competitors; and/or
· the occurrence of any one or more of the risk factors described above.
27

ITEM 1B.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES

We and our bank operate a total of 89 facilities in Michigan and 1 facility in Chicago, Illinois.

With the exception of the potential remodeling of certain facilities to provide for the efficient use of work space or to maintain an appropriate appearance, each property is considered reasonably adequate for current and anticipated needs.

ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are involved in various litigation matters in the ordinary course of business. At the present time, we do not believe any of these matters will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. The aggregate amount we have accrued for losses we consider probable as a result of these litigation matters is immaterial. However, because of the inherent uncertainty of outcomes from any litigation matter, we believe it is reasonably possible we may incur losses in addition to the amounts we have accrued. At this time, we estimate the maximum amount of additional losses that are reasonably possible is approximately $0.5 million. However, because of a number of factors, including the fact that certain of these litigation matters are still in their early stages and involve claims for which, at this point, we believe have little to no merit, this maximum amount may change in the future.

The litigation matters described in the preceding paragraph primarily include claims that have been brought against us for damages, but do not include litigation matters where we seek to collect amounts owed to us by third parties (such as litigation initiated to collect delinquent loans or vehicle service contract counterparty receivables). These excluded, collection-related matters may involve claims or counterclaims by the opposing party or parties, but we have excluded such matters from the disclosure contained in the preceding paragraph in all cases where we believe the possibility of us paying damages to any opposing party is remote. Risks associated with the likelihood that we will not collect the full amount owed to us, net of reserves, are disclosed elsewhere in this report.

ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.
28

ADDITIONAL ITEM - EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Our executive officers are appointed annually by our Board of Directors at the meeting of directors preceding the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  There are no family relationships among these officers and/or our directors nor any arrangement or understanding between any officer and any other person pursuant to which the officer was elected.

The following sets forth certain information with respect to our executive officers at February 21, 2014.

 
 
First elected
 
 
as an executive
Name (Age)
Position
officer
William B. Kessel  (49)
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (1)
2004
 
 
 
Michael M. Magee, Jr. (58)
Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director (2)
1993
 
 
 
Robert N. Shuster (56)
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
1999
 
 
 
Stefanie M. Kimball (54)
Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer
2007
 
 
 
David C. Reglin (54)
Executive Vice President, Retail Banking
1998
 
 
 
Mark L. Collins (56)
Executive Vice President, General Counsel (3)
2009
 
 
 
Dennis J. Mack (52)
Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer (4)
2012
 
 
 
Richard E. Butler (62)
Senior Vice President, Operations
1998
 
 
 
Peter R. Graves (56)
Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer
1999
 
 
 
James J. Twarozynski (48)
Senior Vice President, Controller
2002

(1)
Mr. Kessel assumed the role of President as of April 1, 2011, and assumed the roles of CEO and director starting January 1, 2013.  Prior to being appointed President, Mr. Kessel was Executive Vice President and COO.

(2) As part of a senior management succession plan, Mr. Magee retired from the role of President as of April 1, 2011, and from the role of CEO as of January 1, 2013.

(3) Prior to being named Executive Vice President, General Counsel in 2009, Mr. Collins was a Partner with Varnum LLP, a Grand Rapids, Michigan based law firm, where he specialized in commercial law.

(4) Prior to being named Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer in 2012, Mr. Mack was a Senior Vice President and commercial credit officer since 2009 and a Senior Vice President at Comerica Incorporated since 2001.

29

PART II.

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR OUR COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The information set forth under the caption "Quarterly Summary" in our annual report, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 22, 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (filed as exhibit 13 to this report on Form 10-K), is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The information set forth under the caption "Selected Consolidated Financial Data" in our annual report, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 22, 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (filed as exhibit 13 to this report on Form 10-K), is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The information set forth under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our annual report, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 22, 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (filed as exhibit 13 to this report on Form 10-K), is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The information set forth in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" under the caption "Asset/liability management" in our annual report, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 22, 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (filed as exhibit 13 to this report on Form 10-K), is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The following consolidated financial statements and the independent auditor's report are set forth in our annual report, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 22, 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (filed as exhibit 13 to this report on Form 10-K), and are incorporated herein by reference.
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at December 31, 2013 and 2012
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
30

ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (continued)

The supplementary data required by this item set forth under the caption "Quarterly Financial Data" in our annual report, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 22, 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (filed as exhibit 13 to this report on Form 10-K), is incorporated herein by reference.

The portions of our annual report, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 22, 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (filed as exhibit 13 to this report on Form 10-K), which are not specifically incorporated by reference as part of this Form 10-K are not deemed to be a part of this report.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
 
None

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

1. Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures .  With the participation of management, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a – 15e and 15d – 15e) as of the year ended December 31, 2013 (the "Evaluation Date"), have concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

2. Internal Control Over Financial Reporting .
The management of Independent Bank Corporation is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to us and the board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

We assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in the 1992 Internal Control — Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment, management has concluded that as of December 31, 2013, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2013, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Our annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.  Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in our annual report.
 
/s/William B. Kessel.
 
/s/Robert N. Shuster
President and Chief Executive Officer  
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
March 7, 2014
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

31

PART III.

ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

DIRECTORS - The information with respect to our directors, set forth under the captions "Election of Directors" and "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance" in our definitive proxy statement, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 22, 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, is incorporated herein by reference.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS - Reference is made to the additional item under Part I of this report on Form 10-K.

CODE OF ETHICS - We have adopted a Code of Ethics for our Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers.  A copy of our Code of Ethics is posted on our website at www.IndependentBank.com , under Investor Relations, and a printed copy is available upon request by writing to our Chief Financial Officer, Independent Bank Corporation, P.O. Box 491, Ionia, Michigan 48846.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE – Information relating to certain functions and the composition of our board committees, set forth under the caption "Board Committees and Functions" in our definitive proxy statement, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 22, 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information set forth under the captions "Executive Compensation," "Director Compensation," and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” in our definitive proxy statement, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 22, 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information set forth under the captions "Voting Securities and Record Date", "Election of Directors" and "Securities Ownership of Management" in our definitive proxy statement, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 22, 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, is incorporated herein by reference.

We maintain certain equity compensation plans under which our common stock is authorized for issuance to employees and directors, including our Deferred Compensation and Stock Purchase Plan for Non-employee Directors and our Long-Term Incentive Plan.

The following sets forth certain information regarding our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2013.
 
Plan Category
 
 
 
 
(a)
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
   
 
 
 
 
(b)
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
   
(c)
Number of securities remaining available for
 future issuance under equity compensation
 plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
 
 
 
   
   
 
Equity compensation plans  approved by security holders
   
320,300
   
$
4.52
     
493,196
 
 
                       
Equity compensation plan not approved by security holders
 
None
     
N/A
 
   
250,889
 
 
32

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS (continued)

The equity compensation plan not approved by security holders referenced above is our Deferred Compensation and Stock Purchase Plan for Non-employee Directors.  This plan allows our non-employee directors to defer payment of all or a part of their director fees and to receive shares of common stock in lieu of cash for these fees. Under the plan, each non-employee director may elect to participate in a Current Stock Purchase Account, a Deferred Cash Investment Account, or a Deferred Stock Account.  A Current Stock Purchase Account is credited with shares of our common stock having a fair market value equal to the fees otherwise payable. A Deferred Cash Investment Account is credited with an amount equal to the fees deferred and on each quarterly credit date with an appreciation factor that may not exceed the prime rate of interest charged by our bank. A Deferred Stock Account is credited with the amount of fees deferred and converted into stock units based on the fair market value of our common stock at the time of the deferral. Amounts in the Deferred Stock Account are credited with cash dividends and other distributions on our common stock. Fees credited to a Deferred Cash Investment Account or a Deferred Stock Account are deferred for income tax purposes. This plan does not provide for distributions of amounts deferred prior to a participant’s termination as a non-employee director. Participants may generally elect either a lump sum or installment distributions.

ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information set forth under the caption s "Transactions Involving Management" and "Determination of Independence of Board Members" in our definitive proxy statement, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 22, 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information set forth under the caption "Disclosure of Fees Paid to our Independent Auditors" in our definitive proxy statement, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 22, 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, is incorporated herein by reference.

33

PART IV.

ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)
1.
  Financial Statements
All of our financial statements are incorporated herein by reference as set forth in the annual report to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 22, 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (filed as exhibit 13 to this report on Form 10-K.)

 
2.
Exhibits (Numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K)
The Exhibit Index is located on the final three pages of this report on Form 10-K.

34

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, dated March 7, 2014.

INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION
 
s/Robert N. Shuster 
 
Robert N. Shuster, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
 
 
Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.  Each director whose signature appears below hereby appoints William B. Kessel and Robert N. Shuster and each of them severally, as his attorney-in-fact, to sign in his name and on his behalf, as a director, and to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
William B. Kessel, President, Chief   
 
 
Executive Officer, and Director
 
 
    (Principal Executive Officer)
s/William B. Kessel   
March 7, 2014
Robert N. Shuster, Executive Vice
 
 
President and Chief Financial Officer   
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
s/Robert N. Shuster   
March 7, 2014
James J. Twarozynski, Senior Vice
 
 
President and Controller                                                                   
 
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)
s/James J. Twarozynski   
March 7, 2014
 
 
 
Michael M. Magee, Jr., Executive
 
 
Chairman and Director
s/Michael M. Magee Jr.   
March 3, 2014
 
 
 
William J. Boer, Director
s/William J. Boer
March 3, 2014
 
 
 
Stephen L. Gulis, Jr., Director
s/Stephen L. Gulis, Jr.   
March 3, 2014
 
 
 
Terry L. Haske, Director
s/Terry L. Haske
March 3, 2014
 
 
 
Robert L. Hetzler, Director
s/Robert L. Hetzler
March 3, 2014
 
 
 
William B. Kessel, Director
s/William B. Kessel
March 7, 2014
 
 
 
James E. McCarty, Director
s/James E. McCarty
March 4, 2014
 
 
 
Charles A. Palmer, Director
s/Charles A. Palmer
March 3, 2014
 
 
 
Charles C. Van Loan, Director
s/Charles C. Van Loan   
March 1, 2014
35

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit number and description
EXHIBITS FILED HEREWITH
 
Annual report, relating to the April 22, 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  This annual report will be delivered to our shareholders in compliance with Rule 14(a)-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Form of TSR Performance Share Award Agreement as executed with certain executive officers.
List of Subsidiaries.
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Crowe Horwath LLP).
24
Power of Attorney (included on page 36).
Certificate of the Chief Executive Officer of Independent Bank Corporation pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of Independent Bank Corporation pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Certificate of the Chief Executive Officer of Independent Bank Corporation pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of Independent Bank Corporation pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 111(b)(4) of the Emergency Economic  Stabilization Act of 2008.
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 111(b)(4) of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.
101.
INS 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
 
EXHIBITS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

3.1 Restated Articles of Incorporation, conformed through May 12, 2009 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Form S-4 Registration Statement dated January 27, 2010, filed under registration No. 333-164546).
3.1(a) Amendment to Article III of the Articles of Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to our current report on Form 8-K dated February 1, 2010 and filed February 3, 2010).
3.1(b) Amendment to Article III of the Articles of Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our current report on Form 8-K dated April 9, 2010 and filed April 9, 2010).
3.1(c)
Certificate of Designations for Fixed Rate Cumulative Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B, filed as an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our current report on Form 8-K dated April 16, 2010 and filed April 21, 2010).
3.1(d)
Amendment to Article III of the Articles of Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our current report on Form 8-K dated August 31, 2010 and filed August 31, 2010).
3.1(e)
Certificate of Designations for Series C Junior Participating Preferred Stock, filed as an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated November 15, 2011 and filed November 15, 2011).
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws, conformed through December 8, 2008 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to our current report on Form 8-K dated December 8, 2008 and filed on December 12, 2008).
4.1 Tax Benefits Preservation Plan, including exhibits, dated as of November 15, 2011, by and between Independent Bank Corporation and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed November 15, 2011).
4.2 Form of Rights Certificate (incorporated in this Exhibit 4.2 by reference to Exhibit B of the Tax Benefits Preservation Plan, included as Exhibit 4.1 to our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed November 15, 2011).
36

10.1 * Deferred Benefit Plan for Directors (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(C) to our report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1984).
10.2 The form of Indemnity Agreement approved by our shareholders at the April 19, 1988 Annual Meeting, as executed with all of the directors of the registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(F) to our report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1988).
10.3 The form of Management Continuity Agreement as executed with executive officers and certain senior managers (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10 to our report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998).
10.4
Technology Outsourcing Renewal Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2006, between Independent Bank Corporation and Metavante Corporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10 to our report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006).
10.5
Amendment to Technology Outsourcing Renewal Agreement, dated as of July 8, 2010, between Independent Bank Corporation and Metavante Corporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our current report on Form 8-K dated July 22, 2010 and filed on July 27, 2010).
10.6*
Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended through April 26, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A to our proxy statement filed on Schedule 14A on March 17, 2011).
10.7*
Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation and Stock Purchase Plan for Nonemployee Directors, as amended through March 8, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our annual report on Form 10-K filed March 10, 2011).
10.8*
First Amendment to Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation and Stock Purchase Plan for Nonemployee Directors, effective March 1, 2012 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our annual report on Form 10-K filed March 13, 2012).
10.9
Purchase and Assumption Agreement, dated May 23, 2012, between Independent Bank and Chemical Bank (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our current report on Form 8-K filed May 30, 2012).
10.10*
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Grant Agreement as executed with certain executive officers (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed May 9, 2011) .
10.11
Securities Purchase Agreement, dated July 26, 2013, between Independent Bank Corporation and the United States Department of the Treasury (incorporated herein by referenced to Exhibit 10.1 to our current report on Form 8-K dated July 26, 2013 and filed on August 1, 2013).

* Represents a compensation plan.
 
 
37


EXHIBIT 10.12

INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

TSR PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARD AGREEMENT

This certifies that Independent Bank Corporation (the "Company") has on February 7, 2014 (the "Award Date"), granted to    (the "Participant") an award (the "Award") of ______________ Performance Shares (the "Target Performance Shares") pursuant to and under the Independent Bank Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan") and subject to the terms set forth in this agreement (the "Agreement"). A copy of the Plan has been delivered to the Participant.  The Plan is incorporated into this Agreement by reference, and in the event of any conflict between the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan will govern.  Any terms not defined herein will have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

 
1.
Definitions .

(a)             "Actual Performance Shares" means the number of Performance Shares earned and vested in accordance with Section 2 and payable to the Participant under Section 5 of this Agreement.

(b)             "Cause" means:
 
(i)              A material breach by the Participant of those duties and responsibilities of the Participant which do not differ in any material respect from the duties and responsibilities of the Participant during the 90-day period immediately prior to such breach (other than as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental illness) which is demonstrably willful and deliberate on the Participant's part, which is committed in bad faith or without reasonable belief that such breach is in the best interests of the Company and which is not remedied in a reasonable period of time after receipt of written notice from the Company specifying such breach; or

(ii)              The commission by the Participant of a felony involving moral turpitude.

(c)             "Common Stock" means the Company's no par value per share common stock.

(d)             "Peer Group Index" means the SNL US Bank $1 billion to $5 billion Index published by SNL or any successor index approved by the Committee.
 
(e)             "Peer Group Index TSR" means total shareholder return of the Peer Group Index, as determined by SNL for such Peer Group Index, or as may be determined by the Committee in a manner consistent with determining TSR for the Company.

(f)              "Performance Period" means the period of three (3) consecutive Years on the Award Date.

(g)             "Performance Share" means the right to receive one (1) share of Common Stock subject to certain restrictions and on the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement and the Plan.

(h)             “Total Shareholder Return” or “TSR” with respect to the Company shall mean the quotient of (a) the Average Fair Market Value of the Company's Common Stock on the last day of the Performance Period divided by (b) the Average Fair Market Value of the Company's Common Stock on the Award Date.  For purposes of calculating the Company's TSR, the Average Fair Market Value on the last date of the Performance Period shall be adjusted to reflect any and all cash, stock or in-kind dividends paid on the Company's Common Stock during the Performance Period.  Average Fair Market Value shall mean the average of the Fair Market Value (as defined in the Plan) of the Company's Common Stock during the ten (10) trading day period immediately prior to the Award Date and the last day of the Performance Period, as applicable.

2.              Determination of Actual Performance Shares .  The Actual Performance Shares which may be earned and vested by Participant shall equal (a) the number of Target Performance Shares, multiplied by (b) the Earnout Percentage, as determined under this Section 2.

1

(a)            Determination of TSR .

(i)              Determination of Company TSR .  Within sixty (60) days after the end of the Performance Period, the Committee will determine the Company’s TSR during the Performance Period.

(ii)            Determination of Peer Group Index TSR .  Within sixty (60) days after the end of the Performance Period, the Committee will determine the Peer Group Index TSR during the Performance Period.

(b)             Calculation of Earnout Percentage .  The Earnout Percentage shall be determined in accordance with the following:
 
The Earnout Percentage is:
If the Company's TSR is:    
Two-times or more than the Peer Group
 
 
Index TSR (Maximum Performance)
   
200
%
1.5 times the Peer Group Index TSR
   
150
%
Equal to the Peer Group Index TSR
       
(Target Performance)
   
100
%
One-half of the Peer Group Index TSR
       
(Threshold Performance)
   
50
%
Below one-half of the Peer Group Index TSR
   
0
%

The Earnout Percentage between the above performance levels shall be determined based on straight line interpolation.

(c)             Calculation of Actual Performance Shares after a Change in Control .  If a Change in Control occurs during the Performance Period, the Committee will determine the Participant's Actual Performance Shares in accordance with the following:

(i)              The Committee will determine the TSR for the Company and the Peer Group Index TSR for the period beginning on the first day of the Performance Period and ending on the date immediately prior to the effective date of the Change in Control (the "Adjusted Performance Period").

(ii)             The Committee shall determine the Earnout Percentage under the formula set forth in Section 2(b) above during the Adjusted Performance Period (the "Adjusted Earnout Percentage").

(iii)            The Actual Performance Shares shall equal the product of (a) the number of Target Performance Shares, and (b) the Adjusted Earnout Percentage, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the Adjusted Performance Period and the denominator of which is 1,095.

(d)            Certification .  Not later than ninety (90) days after the end of the Performance Period or five (5) days after the Adjusted Performance Period, as applicable, the Committee shall determine the Actual Performance Shares and shall certify such finding to the Company and the Participant.

3.               Adjustments to Actual Performance Shares Following Termination of Employment .

(a)             Termination Due to Death, Disability or Termination Without Cause .  In the event that the Participant's employment with the Company or a Subsidiary terminates prior to the end of the Performance Period due to:
2

(i)              Death;
(ii)             Disability; or
(iii)           Termination by the Company or a Subsidiary without Cause,

the Participant's Actual Performance Shares will equal the Actual Performance Shares determined under Section 2 multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of full calendar months, beginning on the first day of the Performance Period and ending on the date of the Participant's termination of employment, and the denominator of which is 36.

(b)             Termination Due to Retirement Prior to the Last Year of Performance Period .  In the event that the Participant's employment with the Company or a Subsidiary terminates prior to the end of the Performance Period due to Retirement prior to the end of the second Year of the Performance Period, the Participant's Actual Performance Shares will be equal to the Actual Performance Shares determined under Section 2, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of full calendar months, beginning on the first day of the Performance Period and ending on the date of the Participant's Retirement, and the denominator of which is 36.

(c)             Termination Due to Retirement After the Second Year of the Performance Period .  In the event the Participant terminates employment with the Company or a Subsidiary during the Performance Period due to Retirement on or after the last date of the Second Year of the Performance Period, no adjustment to the Actual Performance Shares shall be made.

(d)             Termination of Employment for Other Reasons .  In the event that the Participant's employment with the Company or a Subsidiary terminates prior to the end of the Performance Period for any reason other than Death, Disability, Retirement, or Termination by the Company or a Subsidiary without Cause, then Participant's rights to all of the Target Performance Shares granted in this Award will be immediately and irrevocably forfeited upon such termination of employment.

4.               Rights of the Participant with Respect to Performance Shares .

(a)             No Shareholder Rights .  The Performance Shares granted pursuant to this Award do not and will not entitle Participant to any rights of a shareholder of Common Stock, including the right to receive dividends.  The rights of the Participant with respect to the Performance Shares will remain forfeitable at all times prior to the end of the Performance Period and as otherwise provided in the Plan.  Prior to conversion of Performance Shares into Common Stock, such Performance Shares will represent only an unsecured obligation of the Company.

(b)            Conversion of Performance Shares; Issuance of Common Stock .  No shares of Common Stock will be issued to Participant prior to the date on which the Performance Shares vest and become Actual Performance Shares under the provisions of Section 2 of this Agreement.  Neither this subsection (b) nor any action taken pursuant to or in accordance with this subsection (b) will be construed to create a trust of any kind.  After any Performance Shares vest and become Actual Performance Shares and any tax withholding obligations related to such Actual Performance Shares have been satisfied pursuant to Section 7, the Company will, within 60 days thereafter, cause to be issued to the Participant or the Participant's legal representatives, beneficiaries or heirs, as the case may be, a stock certificate or book entry representing the number of shares of Common Stock in payment of such vested whole Actual Performance Shares.  The value of any fractional Performance Share will be paid in cash at the time certificates are delivered to Participant in payment of the Actual Performance Shares based on the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the day preceding the date of distribution.

5.               Restriction on Transfer .

(a)             The Performance Shares and any rights under this Award may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of by Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and any such purported sale, assignment, transfer, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition will be void and unenforceable against the Company.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Participant may, in the manner established by the Committee, designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise the rights of Participant and receive any property distributable with respect to the Performance Shares upon the death of Participant.

3

(b)             No transfer by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution of any Performance Shares that vest by reason of Participant's death will be effective to bind the Company unless the Committee will have been furnished with written notice of such transfer and a copy of the will or such other evidence as the Committee may deem necessary to establish the validity of the transfer.

6.               Adjustments to Performance Shares for Certain Corporate Transactions .  Adjustments to Performance Shares will be determined in accordance with this Section 6.

(a)             The Committee will make an appropriate and proportionate adjustment to the number of Target Performance Shares granted under this Award if:

(i)              The outstanding shares of Common Stock are increased or decreased, as a result of merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split with respect to such shares of Common Stock or other securities, or

(ii)              Additional shares or new or different shares or other securities are distributed with respect to such shares of Common Stock or other securities or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities through merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other distribution with respect to such shares of Common Stock or other securities.

(b)              The Committee may make an appropriate and proportionate adjustment in the number of Target Performance Shares granted under this Award if the outstanding shares of Common Stock are increased or decreased as a result of a recapitalization or reorganization not included within subsection (a) above.

7.               Tax Withholding .

(a)             In order to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local tax withholding laws or regulations, the Company may take such action as it deems appropriate to ensure that all applicable federal, state, and local payroll, withholding, income or other taxes, which are the sole and absolute responsibility of Participant, are withheld or collected from Participant.

(b)             In accordance with the terms of the Plan, and such rules as may be adopted by the Committee under the Plan, Participant may elect to satisfy Participant's federal, state, and local tax obligations arising from the receipt of, or the lapse of restrictions relating to, the Performance Shares, by any of the following means or by a combination of such means set forth below.  If the Participant fails to notify the Company of his or her election, the Company will withhold shares of Common Stock as described in paragraph (ii), below.

(i)              Tendering a payment to the Company in the form of cash, check (bank check, certified check or personal check) or money order payable to the Company;

(ii)              Authorizing the Company to withhold from the shares of Common Stock otherwise to be delivered to the Participant a number of such shares having a Fair Market Value as of the date that the amount of the tax to be withheld is to be determined (the "Tax Date) less than or equal to the minimum amount of the Company's withholding tax obligation; or

(iii)           Delivering to the Company unencumbered shares of Common Stock already owned by Participant having a Fair Market Value, as of the Tax Date, less than or equal to the minimum amount of the Company's withholding tax obligation.  Any shares of Common Stock already owned by Participant referred to in this paragraph (iii) must have been owned by Participant for no less than six (6) months prior to the date delivered to the Company if such shares of Common Stock were acquired upon the exercise of an Option or upon the vesting of Restricted Stock or other Restricted Stock Units.

4

The Company will not deliver any fractional share of Common Stock but will pay, in lieu thereof, will round the number of shares up or down to the nearest number of full shares.  Participant's election must be made on or before the Tax Date.
 
8.              Miscellaneous .

(a)            Neither this Award Agreement nor the Plan confers on Participant any right with respect to the continuance of employment by the Company or any Subsidiary, nor will there be a limitation in any way on the right of the Company or any Subsidiary by which Participant is employed to terminate his or her employment at any time.

(b)            In the event of a restatement of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for any interim or annual period (“Restatement”), the Committee may determine that the Award exceeds the amount that would have been awarded or received had the Restatement been known at the time of the original Award or at the time of vesting of any Actual Performance Shares. In the event that the Committee makes such a determination, the Company shall have the right: (i) in the instance of a Participant whose misconduct or violation of a Company policy causes such Restatement (“Cause”), to terminate, require forfeiture of, or adjust any Awards made to Participant and to require the repayment of any gain on any Award or on any Actual Performance Shares, realized within twelve (12) months of the Restatement and; (ii) in the instance where a Participant is an officer subject to Section 16 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and without regard to whether such Participant caused the Restatement, to adjust any vested or unvested Award made during the period covered by the Restatement to reflect the impact of the Restatement. Both cause and the amount of adjustment and/or repayment shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion and its decision shall be final and binding upon the Participant(s).

(c)             The Company will not be required to deliver any shares of Common Stock upon vesting of any Actual Performance Shares until the requirements of any federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations or other laws or rules (including the rules of any securities exchange) as may be determined by the Company to be applicable are satisfied.

(d)             An original record of this Award and of the Participant’s acceptance and acknowledgement will be held on file by the Company. This Agreement and the Participant’s acknowledgement may be made by either paper or electronic format as specified by the Company. To the extent there is any conflict between the terms contained in this Agreement and the terms contained in the original held by the Company, the terms of the original held by the Company will control.

 
INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION
 
 
 
By
 
 
 
 
Its
 
 
ACCEPTANCE AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I accept the Award described herein and in the Plan, acknowledge receipt of a copy of this Agreement and the Plan, and acknowledge that I have read them carefully and that I fully understand their contents.
 
PARTICIPANT

Dated
 

 
5


EXHIBIT 13
 
CONTENTS

Section
Page
number
 
 
6
7
36
37
42
110
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

 
 
At or for the Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS
 
   
   
   
   
 
Interest income
 
$
87,121
   
$
99,398
   
$
114,762
   
$
148,851
   
$
189,056
 
Interest expense
   
9,162
     
13,143
     
20,193
     
37,198
     
50,533
 
Net interest income
   
77,959
     
86,255
     
94,569
     
111,653
     
138,523
 
Provision for loan losses
   
(3,988
)
   
6,887
     
27,946
     
46,765
     
103,318
 
Net gains (losses) on securities
   
369
     
887
     
(511
)
   
1,177
     
3,744
 
Gain on extinguishment of debt
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
18,066
     
-
 
Net gain on branch sale
   
-
     
5,402
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Other non-interest income
   
44,460
     
57,276
     
47,424
     
52,570
     
56,057
 
Non-interest expenses
   
104,118
     
116,735
     
133,948
     
155,000
     
188,443
 
Income (loss) before income tax
   
22,658
     
26,198
     
(20,412
)
   
(18,299
)
   
(93,437
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
   
(54,851
)
   
-
     
(212
)
   
(1,590
)
   
(3,210
)
Net income (loss)
 
$
77,509
   
$
26,198
   
$
(20,200
)
 
$
(16,709
)
 
$
(90,227
)
Preferred dividends
   
(3,001
)
   
(4,347
)
   
(4,157
)
   
(4,095
)
   
(4,301
)
Preferred stock discount
   
7,554
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Net income (loss) applicable to common stock
 
$
82,062
   
$
21,851
   
$
(24,357
)
 
$
(20,804
)
 
$
(94,528
)
 
                                       
PER COMMON SHARE DATA(1)
                                       
Net income (loss) per common share
                                       
Basic
 
$
5.87
   
$
2.51
   
$
(2.94
)
 
$
(4.09
)
 
$
(39.60
)
Diluted
   
3.55
     
0.80
     
(2.94
)
   
(4.09
)
   
(39.60
)
Cash dividends declared
   
0.00
     
0.00
     
0.00
     
0.00
     
0.30
 
Book value
   
10.15
     
5.58
     
2.68
     
5.52
     
16.94
 
 
                                       
SELECTED BALANCES
                                       
Assets
 
$
2,209,943
   
$
2,023,867
   
$
2,307,406
   
$
2,535,248
   
$
2,965,364
 
Loans
   
1,374,570
     
1,419,139
     
1,576,608
     
1,813,116
     
2,299,372
 
Allowance for loan losses
   
32,325
     
44,275
     
58,884
     
67,915
     
81,717
 
Deposits
   
1,884,806
     
1,779,537
     
2,086,125
     
2,251,838
     
2,565,768
 
Shareholders’ equity
   
231,581
     
134,975
     
102,627
     
119,085
     
109,861
 
Long-term debt - FHLB advances
   
17,188
     
17,622
     
33,384
     
71,022
     
94,382
 
Subordinated debentures
   
40,723
     
50,175
     
50,175
     
50,175
     
92,888
 
 
                                       
SELECTED RATIOS
                                       
Tax equivalent net interest income to average interest earning assets
   
4.11
%
   
4.04
%
   
4.46
%
   
4.41
%
   
5.08
%
Net income (loss) to (2)
                                       
Average common equity
   
64.22
     
68.29
     
(68.44
)
   
(54.38
)
   
(90.72
)
Average assets
   
3.87
     
0.92
     
(1.02
)
   
(0.75
)
   
(3.17
)
Average shareholders’ equity to average assets
   
8.69
     
4.82
     
4.76
     
3.92
     
5.80
 
Tier 1 capital to average assets
   
10.61
     
8.08
     
6.25
     
6.35
     
5.27
 
Non-performing loans to Portfolio Loans
   
1.30
     
2.32
     
3.80
     
3.73
     
4.78
 


(1) Per share data has been adjusted for a 1 for 10 reverse stock split in 2010.
(2) These amounts are calculated using net income (loss) applicable to common stock.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Disclaimer Regarding Forward-Looking Statements. Statements in this report that are not statements of historical fact, including statements that include terms such as “will,” “may,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “likely,” “optimistic” and “plan” and statements about future or projected financial and operating results, plans, projections, objectives, expectations, and intentions, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, descriptions of plans and objectives for future operations, products or services; projections of our future revenue, earnings or other measures of economic performance; forecasts of credit losses and other asset quality trends; statements about our business and growth strategies; and expectations about economic and market conditions and trends. These forward-looking statements express our current expectations, forecasts of future events, or long-term goals. They are based on assumptions, estimates, and forecasts that, although believed to be reasonable, may turn out to be incorrect. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including:

economic, market, operational, liquidity, credit, and interest rate risks associated with our business;
economic conditions generally and in the financial services industry, particularly economic conditions within Michigan and the regional and local real estate markets in which our bank operates;
the failure of assumptions underlying the establishment of, and provisions made to, our allowance for loan losses;
the failure of assumptions underlying our estimate of probable incurred losses from vehicle service contract payment plan counterparty contingencies, including our assumptions regarding future cancellations of vehicle service contracts, the value to us of collateral that may be available to recover funds due from our counterparties, and our ability to enforce the contractual obligations of our counterparties to pay amounts owing to us;
increased competition in the financial services industry, either nationally or regionally;
our ability to achieve loan and deposit growth;
volatility and direction of market interest rates;
the continued services of our management team; and
implementation of new legislation, which may have significant effects on us and the financial services industry.

This list provides examples of factors that could affect the results described by forward-looking statements contained in this report, but the list is not intended to be all-inclusive. The risk factors disclosed in Part I – Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, as updated by any new or modified risk factors disclosed in Part II – Item 1A of any subsequently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, include all known risks our management believes could materially affect the results described by forward-looking statements in this report. However, those risks may not be the only risks we face. Our results of operations, cash flows, financial position, and prospects could also be materially and adversely affected by additional factors that are not presently known to us, that we currently consider to be immaterial, or that develop after the date of this report. We cannot assure you that our future results will meet expectations. While we believe the forward-looking statements in this report are reasonable, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. In addition, these statements speak only as of the date made. We do not undertake, and expressly disclaim, any obligation to update or alter any statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Introduction. The following section presents additional information to assess the financial condition and results of operations of Independent Bank Corporation, its wholly-owned bank, Independent Bank (the “Bank”), and their subsidiaries. This section should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the supplemental financial data contained elsewhere in this annual report. We also encourage you to read our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). That report includes a list of risk factors that you should consider in connection with any decision to buy or sell our securities.
Overview. We provide banking services to customers located primarily in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. As a result, our success depends to a great extent upon the economic conditions in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. We have in general experienced a difficult economy in Michigan since 2001, which has had significant adverse effects on our performance. As a result of the recession, we incurred net losses from 2008 through 2011 and found it necessary to take certain steps to preserve capital and maintain our regulatory capital ratios.

Economic conditions in Michigan began to show signs of improvement during 2010. Generally, these improvements have continued into 2013, albeit at a slower pace, as evidenced, in part, by an overall decline in the unemployment rate (although Michigan’s unemployment rate has been consistently above the national average). In addition, housing prices and other related statistics (such as home sales and new building permits) have generally been improving. In addition, since early- to mid-2009, we have generally seen an improvement in asset quality metrics. In particular, since early 2012, we have experienced a decline in non-performing assets, reduced levels of new loan defaults, and reduced levels of net loan charge-offs. These factors have resulted in a more significant decline in the provision for loan losses over the past two years. As a result of the foregoing factors and others, we have been profitable for eight consecutive quarters. In addition, we have completed various transactions to improve our capital structure and reduce our cost structure, as described below.

Recent Developments. In 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) was enacted. The Dodd-Frank Act included the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with power to promulgate and enforce consumer protection laws; the creation of the Financial Stability Oversight Council chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury with authority to identify institutions and practices that might pose a systemic risk; provisions affecting corporate governance and executive compensation of all companies whose securities are registered with the SEC; a provision that broadened the base for Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance assessments; a provision under which interchange fees for debit cards are set by the Federal Reserve under a restrictive “reasonable and proportional cost” per transaction standard; a provision that requires bank regulators to set minimum capital levels for bank holding companies that are as strong as those required for their insured depository subsidiaries, subject to a grandfather clause for financial institutions with less than $15 billion in assets as of December 31, 2009; and new restrictions on how mortgage brokers and loan originators may be compensated. Certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act only apply to institutions with more than $10 billion in assets. The Dodd-Frank Act has had, and we expect it will continue to have, a significant impact on the banking industry, including our organization.

On December 7, 2012, we sold 21 branches to another financial institution (the “Branch Sale”), including 6 branches in the Battle Creek market area and 15 branches in northeast Michigan. The Branch Sale resulted in the transfer of approximately $403.1 million of deposits in exchange for our receipt of a deposit premium of approximately $11.5 million. It also resulted in the sale of approximately $48.0 million of loans at a discount of 1.75%, the sale of premises and equipment totaling approximately $8.1 million, and our transfer of $336.1 million of cash to the purchaser. We recorded a net gain on the Branch Sale of approximately $5.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2012.

In addition to the Branch Sale, we have closed or consolidated a total of 15 other branch locations since 2011.

In 2013, we successfully completed the implementation of a capital plan we had adopted to restore and improve our capital position. In particular, during the last half of 2013, we completed the following:

On July 26, 2013, we executed a Securities Purchase Agreement with the United States Department of the Treasury (“UST”), pursuant to which we agreed to purchase from the UST for $81.0 million in cash consideration: (i) 74,426 shares of our Series B Fixed Rate Cumulative Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock, with an original liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (“Series B Preferred Stock”), including any and all accrued and unpaid dividends; and (ii) the Amended and Restated Warrant to purchase up to 346,154 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $7.234 per share and expiring on December 12, 2018 (the “Amended Warrant”);
In the third quarter of 2013, we sold a total of 13.225 million shares of our common stock in a public offering for total net proceeds of $97.1 million (including 11.5 million shares sold on August 28, 2013, and 1.725 million shares sold on September 10, 2013 pursuant to the underwriters’ overallotment option), after payment of $5.4 million in underwriting discounts and other offering expenses;
On August 29, 2013, we brought current the interest payments and quarterly dividends we had been deferring since the fourth quarter of 2009 on all of our subordinated debentures and trust preferred securities;
On August 30, 2013, we completed the redemption of the Series B Preferred Stock and Warrant from the UST pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement described above, which resulted in our exit from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP); and
On October 11, 2013, we redeemed all of the 8.25% trust preferred securities ($9.2 million) issued by IBC Capital Finance II, which will reduce our annual interest expense by approximately $0.8 million.

On July 2, 2013, the Federal Reserve Board (the “FRB”) approved a final rule that establishes an integrated regulatory capital framework (the “New Capital Rules”). The rule will implement in the United States the Basel III regulatory capital reforms from the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and certain changes required by the Dodd-Frank Act. In general, under the New Capital Rules, minimum requirements will increase for both the quantity and quality of capital held by banking organizations. Consistent with the international Basel framework, the New Capital Rules include a new minimum ratio of common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 4.5% and a common equity tier 1 capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets that will apply to all supervised financial institutions. The rule also raises the minimum ratio of tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets from 4% to 6% and includes a minimum leverage ratio of 4% for all banking organizations. As to the quality of capital, the New Capital Rules emphasize common equity tier 1 capital, the most loss-absorbing form of capital, and implements strict eligibility criteria for regulatory capital instruments. The New Capital Rules also change the methodology for calculating risk-weighted assets to enhance risk sensitivity. We are subject to the New Capital Rules beginning on January 1, 2015. The 2.5% capital conservation buffer is being phased in over a four-year period beginning in 2016. Also, under the New Capital Rules our existing trust preferred securities are grandfathered as qualifying regulatory capital. We believe that we currently exceed all of the capital ratio requirements of the New Capital Rules.

It is against this backdrop that we discuss our results of operations and financial condition in 2013 as compared to earlier periods.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Summary. We recorded net income applicable to common stock of $82.1 million, or $3.55 per diluted share, in 2013, as compared to net income applicable to common stock of $21.9 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, in 2012, and a net loss applicable to common stock of $24.4 million, or $2.94 per share, in 2011. The significant improvement in 2013 results as compared to 2012 primarily reflects the income tax benefit associated with the reversal of substantially all of the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets (see “Income tax benefit”), the discount on the redemption of preferred stock and decreases in the provision for loan losses and in non-interest expenses, which were partially offset by decreases in net interest income and non-interest income. The improvement in 2012 results as compared to 2011 primarily reflects decreases in the provision for loan losses and non-interest expenses and an increase in non-interest income that were partially offset by a decrease in net interest income.
KEY PERFORMANCE RATIOS

 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
   
   
 
Net income (loss) to
 
   
   
 
Average common equity
   
64.22
%
   
68.29
%
   
(68.44
)%
Average assets
   
3.87
     
0.92
     
(1.02
)
Net income (loss) per share
                       
Basic
 
$
5.87
   
$
2.51
   
$
(2.94
)
Diluted
   
3.55
     
0.80
     
(2.94
)

Net interest income. Net interest income is the most important source of our earnings and thus is critical in evaluating our results of operations. Changes in our net interest income are primarily influenced by our level of interest-earning assets and the income or yield that we earn on those assets and the manner and cost of funding our interest-earning assets. Certain macro-economic factors can also influence our net interest income such as the level and direction of interest rates, the difference between short-term and long-term interest rates (the steepness of the yield curve) and the general strength of the economies in which we are doing business. Finally, risk management plays an important role in our level of net interest income. The ineffective management of credit risk and interest-rate risk in particular can adversely impact our net interest income.

Net interest income totaled $78.0 million during 2013, compared to $86.3 million and $94.6 million during 2012 and 2011, respectively. The decrease in 2013 compared to 2012 primarily reflects a $238.8 million decrease in average interest-earning assets that was partially offset by a seven basis point increase in our tax equivalent net interest income as a percent of average interest-earning assets (the “net interest margin”). The decline in average interest-earning assets is a result of the Branch Sale. Our net interest margin was 4.11% in 2013, compared to 4.04% in 2012. The increase in the net interest margin is due primarily to a reduction in our cost of funds.

The decrease in 2012 compared to 2011 reflects a decline in the net interest margin to 4.04% during 2012, from 4.46% in 2011. The net interest margin decreased due primarily to a change in asset mix, as higher yielding loans declined and lower yielding interest-bearing cash balances and short-term investments increased. The adverse impact of the lower net interest margin was slightly offset by a modest increase in average interest-earning assets, which rose to $2.15 billion during 2012 compared to $2.14 billion in 2011. The increase in average interest-earning assets primarily reflects a rise in securities available for sale and overnight interest bearing balances at the FRB that were partially offset by a decline in loans.

Interest rates have generally been at extremely low levels over the past four to five years due primarily to the Federal Reserve’s monetary policies and its efforts to stimulate the U.S. economy. This very low interest rate environment has had an adverse impact on our interest income and net interest income. Based on recent announcements by the Federal Reserve, short-term interest rates are expected to remain extremely low until at least early 2015. However, during 2013, mid- to long-term interest rates began to increase (for example the 10-year U.S. treasury yield increased from 1.87% at the end of the first quarter of 2013 to 3.04% at the end of the year). Given the repricing characteristics of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities (and our level of non-interest bearing demand deposits), our net interest margin will generally benefit on a long-term basis from rising interest rates.

Our net interest income is also impacted by our level of non-accrual loans. Average non-accrual loans totaled $24.1 million, $45.5 million and $57.0 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
AVERAGE BALANCES AND RATES

 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Rate
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
ASSETS(1)
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Taxable loans
 
$
1,408,305
   
$
80,434
     
5.71
%
 
$
1,543,592
   
$
93,494
     
6.06
%
 
$
1,704,057
   
$
110,242
     
6.47
%
Tax-exempt loans(2)
   
5,491
     
354
     
6.45
     
6,864
     
440
     
6.41
     
7,891
     
511
     
6.48
 
Taxable securities
   
305,468
     
4,059
     
1.33
     
216,355
     
2,934
     
1.36
     
62,315
     
1,422
     
2.28
 
Tax-exempt securities(2)
   
32,051
     
1,680
     
5.24
     
26,111
     
1,593
     
6.10
     
29,615
     
1,852
     
6.25
 
Cash – interest bearing
   
139,082
     
396
     
0.28
     
337,311
     
858
     
0.25
     
312,576
     
792
     
0.25
 
Other investments
   
21,673
     
901
     
4.16
     
20,645
     
782
     
3.79
     
22,084
     
755
     
3.42
 
Interest earning assets
   
1,912,070
     
87,824
     
4.59
     
2,150,878
     
100,101
     
4.65
     
2,138,538
     
115,574
     
5.40
 
Cash and due from banks
   
44,745
                     
53,926
                     
53,098
                 
Other assets, net
   
164,281
                     
159,925
                     
188,583
                 
Total assets
 
$
2,121,096
                   
$
2,364,729
                   
$
2,380,219
                 
 
                                                                       
LIABILITIES
                                                                       
Savings and interest-bearing checking
 
$
908,740
     
1,131
     
0.12
   
$
1,060,882
     
1,830
     
0.17
   
$
1,006,305
     
2,263
     
0.22
 
Time deposits
   
423,291
     
4,575
     
1.08
     
552,903
     
7,083
     
1.28
     
656,944
     
12,994
     
1.98
 
Other borrowings
   
65,517
     
3,456
     
5.27
     
72,240
     
4,230
     
5.86
     
92,879
     
4,936
     
5.31
 
Interest bearing liabilities
   
1,397,548
     
9,162
     
0.66
     
1,686,025
     
13,143
     
0.78
     
1,756,128
     
20,193
     
1.15
 
Non-interest bearing deposits
   
500,673
                     
523,926
                     
467,305
                 
Other liabilities
   
38,462
                     
40,719
                     
43,378
                 
Shareholders’ equity
   
184,413
                     
114,059
                     
113,408
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 
$
2,121,096
                   
$
2,364,729
                   
$
2,380,219
                 
 
                                                                       
Net interest income
         
$
78,662
                   
$
86,958
                   
$
95,381
         
 
                                                                       
Net interest income as a percent of average interest earning assets
                   
4.11
%
                   
4.04
%
                   
4.46
%
 

(1) All domestic.
(2) Interest on tax-exempt loans and securities is presented on a fully tax equivalent basis assuming a marginal tax rate of 35%.
CHANGE IN NET INTEREST INCOME

 
 
2013 compared to 2012
   
2012 compared to 2011
 
 
 
Volume
   
Rate
   
Net
   
Volume
   
Rate
   
Net
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Increase (decrease) in interest income(1, 2)
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
Taxable loans
 
$
(7,911
)
 
$
(5,149
)
 
$
(13,060
)
 
$
(9,986
)
 
$
(6,762
)
 
$
(16,748
)
Tax-exempt loans(3)
   
(89
)
   
3
     
(86
)
   
(66
)
   
(5
)
   
(71
)
Taxable securities
   
1,185
     
(60
)
   
1,125
     
2,290
     
(778
)
   
1,512
 
Tax-exempt securities(3)
   
331
     
(244
)
   
87
     
(215
)
   
(44
)
   
(259
)
Cash - interest bearing
   
(554
)
   
92
     
(462
)
   
66
     
-
     
66
 
Other investments
   
40
     
79
     
119
     
(51
)
   
78
     
27
 
Total interest income
   
(6,998
)
   
(5,279
)
   
(12,277
)
   
(7,962
)
   
(7,511
)
   
(15,473
)
Increase (decrease) in interest expense(1)
                                               
Savings and interest bearing checking
   
(238
)
   
(461
)
   
(699
)
   
117
     
(550
)
   
(433
)
Time deposits
   
(1,505
)
   
(1,003
)
   
(2,508
)
   
(1,833
)
   
(4,078
)
   
(5,911
)
Other borrowings
   
(375
)
   
(399
)
   
(774
)
   
(1,173
)
   
467
     
(706
)
Total interest expense
   
(2,118
)
   
(1,863
)
   
(3,981
)
   
(2,889
)
   
(4,161
)
   
(7,050
)
Net interest income
 
$
(4,880
)
 
$
(3,416
)
 
$
(8,296
)
 
$
(5,073
)
 
$
(3,350
)
 
$
(8,423
)
 

(1) The changes in interest income or expense due to changes in both volume and rate has been allocated to changes due to volume and changes due to rate in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of change in each.
(2) All domestic.
(3) Interest on tax-exempt loans and securities is presented on a fully tax equivalent basis assuming a marginal tax rate of 35%.

COMPOSITION OF AVERAGE INTEREST EARNING ASSETS AND INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES

 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
As a percent of average interest earning assets
 
   
   
 
Loans (1)
   
73.9
%
   
72.1
%
   
80.1
%
Other interest earning assets
   
26.1
     
27.9
     
19.9
 
Average interest earning assets
   
100.0
%
   
100.0
%
   
100.0
%
Savings and NOW
   
47.5
%
   
49.3
%
   
47.1
%
Time deposits
   
21.4
     
25.0
     
25.7
 
Brokered CDs
   
0.8
     
0.7
     
5.0
 
Other borrowings and long-term debt
   
3.4
     
3.4
     
4.3
 
Average interest bearing liabilities
   
73.1
%
   
78.4
%
   
82.1
%
Earning asset ratio
   
90.1
%
   
91.0
%
   
89.8
%
Free-funds ratio (2)
   
26.9
     
21.6
     
17.9
 
 

(1) All domestic.
(2) Average interest earning assets less average interest bearing liabilities.
Provision for loan losses. The provision for loan losses was a credit of $4.0 million during 2013 compared to an expense of $6.9 million and $27.9 million during 2012 and 2011, respectively. The provision reflects our assessment of the allowance for loan losses taking into consideration factors such as loan mix, levels of non-performing and classified loans and loan net charge-offs. While we use relevant information to recognize losses on loans, additional provisions for related losses may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions, customer circumstances and other credit risk factors. The decrease in the provision for loan losses over the past two years primarily reflects reduced levels of loan defaults, non-performing loans and total loan balances as well as a decline in loan net charge-offs. See “Portfolio Loans and asset quality” for a discussion of the various components of the allowance for loan losses and their impact on the provision for loan losses.

Non-interest income. Non-interest income is a significant element in assessing our results of operations. We regard net gains on mortgage loans as a core recurring source of revenue but they are quite cyclical and thus can be volatile. We regard net gains (losses) on securities as a “non-operating” component of non-interest income.

Non-interest income totaled $44.8 million during 2013 compared to $63.6 million and $46.9 million during 2012 and 2011, respectively. Non-interest income for 2012 included a $5.4 million net gain on the Branch Sale.

NON-INTEREST INCOME

 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Service charges on deposit accounts
 
$
14,076
   
$
17,887
   
$
18,306
 
Interchange income
   
7,362
     
9,188
     
9,091
 
Net gains (losses) on assets
                       
Mortgage loans
   
10,022
     
17,323
     
9,262
 
Securities
   
395
     
1,226
     
249
 
Other than temporary impairment loss on securities:
                       
Total impairment loss
   
(26
)
   
(339
)
   
(760
)
Loss recognized in other comprehensive loss
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Net impairment loss recognized in earnings
   
(26
)
   
(339
)
   
(760
)
Mortgage loan servicing
   
3,806
     
166
     
(2,011
)
Investment and insurance commissions
   
1,709
     
2,146
     
2,050
 
Bank owned life insurance
   
1,363
     
1,622
     
1,878
 
Title insurance fees
   
1,682
     
1,963
     
1,465
 
(Increase) decrease in fair value of U.S. Treasury warrant
   
(1,025
)
   
(285
)
   
1,137
 
Net gain on branch sale
   
-
     
5,402
     
-
 
Other
   
5,465
     
7,266
     
6,246
 
Total non-interest income
 
$
44,829
   
$
63,565
   
$
46,913
 

Service charges on deposit accounts totaled $14.1 million during 2013, compared to $17.9 million and $18.3 million during 2012 and 2011, respectively. The decrease in such service charges in 2013 principally results from the Branch Sale. In addition, even after considering the Branch Sale, we have generally experienced a decline in non-sufficient funds (“NSF”) occurrences and related NSF fees. We believe the decline in NSF occurrences is principally due to our customers managing their finances more closely in order to reduce NSF activity and avoid the associated fees.

Interchange income decreased to $7.4 million in 2013 compared to $9.2 million in 2012 and $9.1 million in 2011. The decrease in interchange income in 2013 primarily results from the Branch Sale. In addition, as described earlier, the Dodd-Frank Act includes a provision under which interchange fees for debit cards are set by the FRB under a restrictive “reasonable and proportional cost” per transaction standard. On June 29, 2011, the FRB issued final rules (that were effective October 1, 2011) on interchange fees for debit cards. Overall, these final rules established price caps for debit card interchange fees that were significantly lower than previous averages. However, debit card issuers with less than $10 billion in assets (like us) are exempt from this rule. On a long-term basis, it is not clear how competitive market factors may impact debit card issuers who are exempt from the rule. However, we have been experiencing some reduction in interchange income due to certain transaction routing changes, particularly at large merchants. In January 2014, we executed a new Debit Brand Agreement with MasterCard (which replaces our former agreement with VISA). We expect to convert our debit card base to MasterCard in May 2014, and assuming similar future transaction volumes, we expect this new agreement to result in an increase in our annual interchange net revenues of approximately $1 million.
We realized net gains of $10.0 million on mortgage loans during 2013, compared to $17.3 million and $9.3 million during 2012 and 2011 respectively. The volume of loans sold is dependent upon our ability to originate mortgage loans as well as the demand for fixed-rate obligations and other loans that we choose to not put into our portfolio because of our established interest-rate risk parameters. (See “Portfolio Loans and asset quality.”) Net gains on mortgage loans are also dependent upon economic and competitive factors as well as our ability to effectively manage exposure to changes in interest rates and thus can often be a volatile part of our overall revenues.

The declines in mortgage loan originations, sales and net gains in 2013 as compared to 2012 is due primarily to an increase in mortgage loan interest rates during the year that significantly reduced mortgage loan refinance volumes. The increases in mortgage loan originations, sales and net gains in 2012 as compared to 2011 is due primarily to record low interest rates during that year that spurred heavy refinance volume. In addition, the Loan Sales Margin (as described below) increased substantially in 2012.

MORTGAGE LOAN ACTIVITY

 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Mortgage loans originated
 
$
419,494
   
$
538,717
   
$
399,062
 
Mortgage loans sold
   
407,235
     
510,488
     
383,493
 
Mortgage loans sold with servicing rights released
   
57,099
     
83,296
     
81,196
 
Net gains on mortgage loans
   
10,022
     
17,323
     
9,262
 
Net gains as a percent of mortgage loans sold (“Loan Sales Margin”)
   
2.46
%
   
3.39
%
   
2.42
%
Fair value adjustments included in the Loan Sales Margin
   
(0.55
)
   
0.28
     
(0.01
)

Net gains as a percentage of mortgage loans sold (our “Loan Sales Margin”) are impacted by several factors including competition and the manner in which the loan is sold (with servicing rights retained or released). Our decision to sell or retain mortgage loan servicing rights is primarily influenced by an evaluation of the price being paid for mortgage loan servicing by outside third parties compared to our calculation of the economic value of retaining such servicing. The sale of mortgage loan servicing rights may result in declines in mortgage loan servicing income in future periods. Gains on mortgage loans were also impacted by recording fair value accounting adjustments. Excluding the aforementioned accounting adjustments, the Loan Sales Margin would have been 3.01% in 2013, 3.11% in 2012 and 2.43% in 2011. The higher Loan Sales Margins in 2013 and 2012 (as compared to 2011) were generally due to more favorable competitive conditions including wider primary-to-secondary market pricing spreads.

We generated securities net gains of $0.4 million in 2013 and $1.2 million and $0.2 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively. The 2013 securities net gains were due primarily to an increase in the fair value of trading securities. The 2012 securities net gains were primarily due to the sale of residential mortgage-backed securities. The 2011 securities net gains were primarily due to the sale of a U.S. Treasury security and residential mortgage-backed securities.

We also recorded net impairment losses of $0.03 million, $0.3 million and $0.8 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, related to other than temporary impairment of securities available for sale. These impairment charges primarily related to private label residential mortgage-backed securities.
GAINS AND LOSSES ON SECURITIES

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
Proceeds
   
Gains (1)
   
Losses (2)
   
Net
 
 
(In thousands)
 
2013
 
$
2,940
   
$
402
   
$
33
   
$
369
 
2012
   
37,176
     
1,226
     
339
     
887
 
2011
   
70,322
     
324
     
835
     
(511
)
 

(1) Gains in 2013, 2012 and 2011 include $0.388 million, $0.033 million and $0.045 million, respectively, related to an increase in the fair value of trading securities.
(2) Losses in 2013, 2012 and 2011 include $0.026 million, $0.339 million and $0.760 million, respectively, of other than temporary impairment charges.

Mortgage loan servicing generated net earnings of $3.8 million and $0.2 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively, compared to a net expense of $2.0 million in 2011. These yearly comparative variances are primarily due to changes in the valuation allowance on capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights and the level of amortization of this asset. The period end valuation allowance is based on the valuation of the mortgage loan servicing portfolio and the amortization is primarily impacted by prepayment activity. In particular, rising mortgage loan interest rates during 2013 resulted in a decrease in expected future prepayment rates and therefore a decrease in the valuation allowance. Higher mortgage loan refinance activity in 2012 resulted in increased actual prepayment rates and amortization levels. Finally, in 2011, falling mortgage loan interest rates resulted in an increase in expected future prepayment rates and therefore an increase in the valuation allowance.

CAPITALIZED MORTGAGE LOAN SERVICING RIGHTS

 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Balance at January 1,
 
$
11,013
   
$
11,229
   
$
14,661
 
Originated servicing rights capitalized
   
3,210
     
4,006
     
2,967
 
Amortization
   
(3,745
)
   
(4,679
)
   
(3,065
)
(Increase)/decrease in valuation allowance
   
3,232
     
457
     
(3,334
)
Balance at December 31,
 
$
13,710
   
$
11,013
   
$
11,229
 
Valuation allowance at December 31,
 
$
2,855
   
$
6,087
   
$
6,544
 

At December 31, 2013, we were servicing approximately $1.73 billion in mortgage loans for others on which servicing rights have been capitalized. This servicing portfolio had a weighted average coupon rate of 4.52% and a weighted average service fee of approximately 25.4 basis points. Remaining capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights at December 31, 2013 totaled $13.7 million, representing approximately 79 basis points on the related amount of mortgage loans serviced for others. The capitalized mortgage loan servicing had an estimated fair market value of $15.0 million at December 31, 2013.

Investment and insurance commissions totaled $1.7 million, $2.1 million and $2.1 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The decline in these revenues in 2013 is primarily due to the Branch Sale.

We earned $1.4 million, $1.6 million and $1.9 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, principally as a result of increases in the cash surrender value of our separate account bank owned life insurance. Our separate account is primarily invested in agency mortgage-backed securities and managed by PIMCO. The crediting rate (on which the earnings are based) reflects the performance of the separate account. The decline in earnings over the past two years primarily reflects lower yields on agency mortgage-backed securities. The total cash surrender value of our bank owned life insurance was $52.3 million and $50.9 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Title insurance fees totaled $1.7 million in 2013, $2.0 million in 2012 and $1.5 million in 2011. The fluctuation in title insurance fees is primarily a function of the level of mortgage loans that we originated.

Changes in the fair value of the Amended Warrant issued to the UST in April 2010 had been recorded as a component of non-interest income. Up until April 16, 2013, the fair value of this Amended Warrant was included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The provision in the Amended Warrant which caused it to be accounted for as a derivative and included in accrued expenses and other liabilities expired on April 16, 2013. As a result, the Amended Warrant was reclassified into shareholders’ equity on that date at its then fair value (which was approximately $1.5 million). The fair value of the Amended Warrant was $0.5 million at December 31, 2012. (See “Liquidity and capital resources.”) The Amended Warrant was purchased from the UST and retired on August 30, 2013 pursuant to the SPA.

Two significant inputs in the valuation model for the Amended Warrant were our common stock price and the probability of triggering anti-dilution provisions in this instrument related to certain equity transactions. The fair value of the Amended Warrant increased by $1.0 million in 2013 (through April 16) and by $0.3 million in 2012, respectively, due primarily to a rise in our common stock price during the relevant periods. The fair value of the Amended Warrant declined $1.0 million in 2011, due primarily to decreases in our common stock price and in the probability of triggering anti-dilution provisions in this instrument during that year.

In the fourth quarter of 2012, we recorded a $5.4 million gain on the Branch Sale as described in the “Introduction” section above.

Other non-interest income totaled $5.5 million, $7.3 million and $6.2 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The decrease in 2013 compared to 2012 is in part due to declines in certain revenue categories (ATM fees, check charges, money order fees, and safe deposit box rental) totaling $0.8 million primarily as a result of the Branch Sale. In addition, in 2013, Other Real Estate (“ORE”) rental income declined $0.3 million (due primarily to a reduction in the number of properties owned), gain on sale of fixed assets declined $0.2 million (2012 included a gain on the sale of some branch facilities) and we incurred a net loss in our PMI reinsurance captive of $0.2 million (compared to net income of $0.2 million in 2012). Our PMI reinsurance captive (which we originally formed in 2002) was placed into run-off during 2013. The increase in 2012 as compared to 2011 was due primarily to a $0.3 million increase in ORE rental income, a $0.4 million increase in PMI reinsurance captive net income and the aforementioned gain on sale of fixed assets.

Non-interest expense. Non-interest expense is an important component of our results of operations. We strive to efficiently manage our cost structure and management is focused on a number of initiatives to reduce and contain non-interest expenses.

Non-interest expense totaled $104.1 million in 2013, $116.7 million in 2012, and $133.9 million in 2011. The decline in non-interest expense is primarily due to decreases in loan and collection costs, occupancy and furniture, fixtures and equipment expenses, net losses on ORE and repossessed assets, credit card and bank service fees and FDIC deposit insurance.
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Compensation
 
$
33,515
   
$
39,002
   
$
39,835
 
Performance-based compensation
   
6,507
     
5,672
     
1,449
 
Payroll taxes and employee benefits
   
7,902
     
9,309
     
9,200
 
Compensation and employee benefits
   
47,924
     
53,983
     
50,484
 
Occupancy, net
   
8,845
     
10,104
     
11,183
 
Data processing
   
8,019
     
8,009
     
8,208
 
Loan and collection
   
6,886
     
9,965
     
12,414
 
Vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies
   
4,837
     
1,629
     
11,048
 
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
   
4,293
     
4,635
     
5,169
 
Communications
   
2,919
     
3,677
     
3,918
 
Legal and professional
   
2,459
     
4,175
     
3,941
 
FDIC deposit insurance
   
2,435
     
3,306
     
3,507
 
Advertising
   
2,433
     
2,494
     
2,503
 
Provision for loss reimbursement on sold loans
   
2,152
     
1,112
     
1,993
 
Interchange expense
   
1,645
     
1,799
     
1,543
 
Credit card and bank service fees
   
1,263
     
2,091
     
3,656
 
Net losses on other real estate and repossessed assets
   
1,237
     
2,854
     
5,824
 
Supplies
   
1,028
     
1,281
     
1,571
 
Amortization of intangible assets
   
812
     
1,065
     
1,371
 
Write down of property and equipment held for sale
   
-
     
860
     
-
 
Recoveries related to unfunded lending commitments
   
(90
)
   
(688
)
   
(36
)
Other
   
5,021
     
4,384
     
5,651
 
Total non-interest expense
 
$
104,118
   
$
116,735
   
$
133,948
 

Compensation expense, which is primarily salaries, has declined over the past two years due principally to staffing decreases primarily related to the Branch Sale and the closing or consolidation of certain locations during 2012 as well as due to our cost reduction initiatives. 2013 average total full time equivalent employee levels have fallen by 17.8% compared to 2012 and by 24.1% compared to 2011.

The increase in performance based compensation during 2013 and 2012 as compared to 2011 reflects our improved financial results. This resulted in the restoration of certain employee incentive programs, including incentive based compensation and an employee stock ownership plan contribution for 2013 and 2012, as well as an employer 401(k) contribution in 2013. In 2011, no employee stock ownership plan contribution was made and no bonuses were paid. In addition, during 2012 and 2011, we eliminated any employer 401(k) plan contributions.

We maintain performance-based compensation plans. In addition to commissions and cash incentive awards, such plans include an employee stock ownership plan and a long-term equity based incentive plan. The amount of expense recognized in 2013, 2012 and 2011 for share-based awards under our long-term equity based incentive plan was $0.9 million, $0.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively. In 2013, 2012 and 2011, there were new grants of restricted stock units, stock options and salary stock.

Payroll taxes and employee benefits expense decreased by $1.4 million in 2013 as compared to 2012 due primarily to lower payroll taxes and health insurance costs due to the aforementioned staffing decreases. The $0.1 million increase in 2012 as compared to 2011 is due primarily to higher payroll taxes associated with the rise in performance-based compensation.

Occupancy expenses, net, totaled $8.8 million, $10.1 million and $11.2 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The decline in 2013 was primarily due to a reduction in the number of branch offices resulting from the Branch Sale and the closing or consolidation of certain locations during 2012. The decline in 2012 was due primarily to lower snow removal and utilities costs which reflect an unseasonably warm winter in Michigan that year as well as a reduction in the number of branch offices due to the consolidation or closing of certain locations.
Data processing expenses totaled $8.0 million, $8.0 million, and $8.2 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The decline since 2011 is due primarily to vendor contract changes associated with our cost reduction initiatives as well as due to the overall smaller size of the organization, resulting in part from the Branch Sale. However, these reductions in data processing expenses were substantially offset by increased costs due to other factors, such as increased software amortization and system maintenance costs at Mepco Finance Corporation (“Mepco”), associated with a new core processing platform that went into service in April 2011.

Loan and collection expenses primarily reflect costs related to the management and collection of non-performing loans and other problem credits. The expenses have declined significantly during the past two years primarily due to decreases in non-performing loans, new loan defaults and commercial watch credits. 2013, 2012 and 2011 also included $0.7 million, $0.5 million and $1.3 million, respectively, of collection related costs at Mepco primarily associated with the acquisition and management of collateral that related to receivables from vehicle service contract counterparties.

We record estimated incurred losses associated with Mepco’s vehicle service contract payment plan receivables in our provision for loan losses and establish a related allowance for loan losses. (See “Portfolio Loans and asset quality.”) We record estimated incurred losses associated with defaults by Mepco’s counterparties as “vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies expense,” which is included in non-interest expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Such expenses totaled $4.8 million, $1.6 million and $11.0 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The increase in this expense in 2013 as compared to 2012 is due to write-downs of or additional reserves on vehicle service contract counterparty receivables. We reached settlements in certain litigation to collect these receivables. Given the costs and uncertainty of continued litigation, we determined it was in our best interest to resolve these matters. The elevated level of vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies expense in 2011 resulted primarily from losses related to the bankruptcy of a particularly large counterparty.

Our estimate of probable incurred losses from vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies requires a significant amount of judgment because a number of factors can influence the amount of loss that we may ultimately incur. These factors include our estimate of future cancellations of vehicle service contracts, our evaluation of collateral that may be available to recover funds due from our counterparties, and our assessment of the amount that may ultimately be collected from counterparties in connection with their contractual obligations. We apply a rigorous process, based upon historical payment plan activity and past experience, to estimate probable incurred losses and quantify the necessary reserves for our vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies, but there can be no assurance that our modeling process will successfully identify all such losses. We believe our assumptions regarding the collection of vehicle service contract counterparty receivables are reasonable, and we based them on our good faith judgments using data currently available. We also believe the current amount of reserves we have established and the vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies expense that we have recorded are appropriate given our estimate of probable incurred losses at the applicable Statement of Financial Condition date. However, because of the uncertainty surrounding the numerous and complex assumptions made, actual losses could exceed the charges we have taken to date.

Upon the cancellation of a service contract and the completion of the billing process to the counterparties for amounts due to Mepco, there is a decrease in the amount of “payment plan receivables” and an increase in the amount of “vehicle service contract counterparty receivables” until such time as the amount due from the counterparty is collected. These amounts represent funds due to Mepco from its counterparties for cancelled service contracts. At December 31, 2013, the aggregate amount of such obligations owing to Mepco by counterparties, net of write-downs and reserves made through the recognition of vehicle service contract counterparty contingency expense, totaled $7.7 million. This compares to a balance of $18.4 million at December 31, 2012. The decline in such receivables during 2013 is due primarily to the receipt (in September 2013) of $5.4 million in cash from a third-party insurance company related to the settlement of litigation as well as a $3.0 million write-down of and an additional $1.3 million reserve on certain receivables that were recorded in the second and fourth quarters of 2013, respectively.
We face continued risk with respect to certain counterparties defaulting in their contractual obligations to Mepco which could result in additional charges for losses if these counterparties go out of business. Further, Mepco has incurred elevated legal and collection expenses, in general, in dealing with defaults by its counterparties in recent years. In particular, Mepco has had to initiate litigation against certain counterparties to collect amounts owed to Mepco as a result of those parties’ dispute of their contractual obligations. Net payment plan receivables declined to $60.6 million (or approximately 2.7% of total assets) at December 31, 2013 from $84.7 million (or approximately 4.2% of total assets) at December 31, 2012 due primarily to a planned reduction in such balances. This decline in payment plan receivables has adversely impacted our net interest income. In addition, see note #11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included within this report for more information about Mepco’s business, certain risks and difficulties we currently face with respect to that business, and reserves we have established (through vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies expense) for losses related to the business.

Furniture, fixtures and equipment expense declined by $0.3 million in 2013 and declined by $0.5 million in 2012 from the prior year. These declines are due primarily to our cost reduction initiatives, the Branch Sale, and the closing or consolidation of certain branch offices. A portion of these expense reductions were offset by additional depreciation expense related to the replacement of substantially all of our ATMs during 2013 to meet applicable Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

Communications expense declined by $0.8 million and by $0.2 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively, from each prior year. These declines primarily reflect the impact of the Branch Sale and branch closings or consolidations that occurred in 2012, decreases in mailing costs at Mepco associated with a reduction in the volume of payment plan receivables, and a decrease in telephone and data line expenses due to the renegotiation of some supplier contracts.

Legal and professional fees totaled $2.5 million, $4.2 million, and $3.9 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The substantial reduction in these expenses during 2013 is primarily due to lower costs at Mepco because of reduced litigation activities, and 2012 also included approximately $1.0 million of professional fees at the Bank associated with a consulting firm that was engaged to assist us in identifying and implementing revenue enhancement, expense reduction and process improvement initiatives. The 2011 level of expenses was elevated due primarily to legal fees at Mepco associated with various litigation matters.

FDIC deposit insurance expense totaled $2.4 million, $3.3 million, and $3.5 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The significant decline in 2013 principally reflects the decrease in total assets due primarily to the Branch Sale as well as a reduction in the Bank’s risk based premium rate in the fourth quarter of 2013 due to our improved financial metrics. In the second quarter of 2011, the FDIC implemented a new rate structure for deposit insurance. This new rate structure has a lower assessment rate but is based on total assets as compared to the prior structure that was based primarily on total deposits but had a higher assessment rate.

Advertising expense has remained relatively unchanged over the past three years at approximately $2.4 million to $2.5 million annually.

The provision for loss reimbursement on sold loans totaled $2.2 million, $1.1 million, and $2.0 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and represents our estimate of incurred losses related to mortgage loans that we have sold to investors (primarily Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Since we sell mortgage loans without recourse, loss reimbursements only occur in those instances where we have breached a representation or warranty or other contractual requirement related to the loan sale. Historically, loss reimbursements on mortgage loans sold without recourse were rare. In 2009, we had only one actual loss reimbursement (for $0.06 million). Prior to 2009, we had years in which we incurred no such loss reimbursements. However, our loss reimbursements increased to $0.2 million in 2010 and to $0.5 million and $1.2 million in 2011 and 2012, respectively, as over the past two years Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, in particular, have been doing more reviews of mortgage loans where they have incurred or expect to incur a loss and have been more aggressive in pursuing loss reimbursements from the sellers of such mortgage loans. Although we are successful in the majority of cases where file reviews are conducted on mortgage loans that we have sold to investors, the levels of such file reviews and loss reimbursement requests have increased. In November 2013, we executed a Resolution Agreement with Fannie Mae to resolve our existing and future repurchase and make whole obligations (collectively “Repurchase Obligations”) related to mortgage loans originated between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2008 and delivered to them by January 31, 2009. Under the terms of the Resolution Agreement, we paid Fannie Mae approximately $1.5 million in November 2013 with respect to the Repurchase Obligations. We believe that it was in our best interest to execute the Resolution Agreement in order to bring finality to the loss reimbursement exposure with Fannie Mae for these years and reduce the resources spent on individual file reviews and defending loss reimbursement requests. In addition, we were notified by Freddie Mac in January 2014 that they had completed their review of mortgage loans that we originated between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2008 and delivered to them. The provision for loss reimbursement recorded in 2013 reflects the impact of the Resolution Agreement as well as the aforementioned completion of reviews by Freddie Mac. The reserve for loss reimbursements on sold mortgage loans totaled $1.4 million at both December 31, 2013 and 2012. This reserve is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. This reserve is based on an analysis of mortgage loans that we have sold which are further categorized by delinquency status, loan to value, and year of origination. The calculation includes factors such as probability of default, probability of loss reimbursement (breach of representation or warranty) and estimated loss severity. The reserve level at December 31, 2013 also reflects the resolution (and Repurchase Obligation payment to Fannie Mae) of the mortgage loan origination years of 2000 to 2008. We believe that the amounts that we have accrued for incurred losses on sold mortgage loans are appropriate given our analyses and the aforementioned resolutions with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. However, future losses could exceed our current estimate.

Interchange expense primarily represents fees paid to our core information systems processor and debit card licensor related to debit card and ATM transactions. The level of this expense in each period reflects both the type and volume of such transactions. In addition, the Branch Sale resulted in reduced debit card and ATM transaction volumes in 2013. However, the decline in interchange income has been somewhat more pronounced than the decline in interchange expenses principally due to lower transaction revenue because of changes in transaction routing by large merchants.

The decline in credit card and bank service fees is primarily due to a decrease in the number of payment plans being administered by Mepco. In addition, in the third quarter of 2012, Mepco entered into a new contract with a different vendor for credit card processing services that has a lower fee structure.

Net losses on ORE and repossessed assets primarily represent the loss on the sale or additional write downs on these assets subsequent to the transfer of the asset from our loan portfolio. This transfer occurs at the time we acquire the collateral that secured the loan. At the time of acquisition, the ORE or repossessed asset is valued at fair value, less estimated costs to sell, which becomes the new basis for the asset. Any write-downs at the time of acquisition are charged to the allowance for loan losses. Net losses on ORE and repossessed assets have declined significantly over the past two years. This reduced net loss primarily reflects lower levels of ORE as well as improved stability of real estate prices, with some markets even experiencing modest price increases. However, foreclosed properties generally continue to have somewhat distressed valuations.

Supplies expense has declined over the past two years consistent with our cost reduction initiatives and the smaller size of the organization primarily as a result of the Branch Sale and the closing or consolidation of branches.

The amortization of intangible assets primarily relates to branch acquisitions and the amortization of the deposit customer relationship value, including core deposit value, which was acquired in connection with those acquisitions. We had remaining unamortized intangible assets of $3.2 million and $4.0 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In addition to scheduled amortization, unamortized intangible assets also declined by $2.6 million in 2012 due to the allocation of existing core deposit intangibles to deposits associated with the Branch Sale. See note #7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a schedule of future amortization of intangible assets.
During the third quarter of 2012, we adopted a plan to close or consolidate nine branch offices. Seven of the nine branch offices were closed in November 2012. The remaining two branch offices were closed during 2013. We recorded a $0.9 million write-down of property and equipment in the third quarter of 2012 based on the expected disposal price of these branch offices. As of year end 2013, seven of the nine branch offices had been sold (or otherwise disposed).

The changes in costs (recoveries) related to unfunded lending commitments are primarily impacted by changes in the amounts of such commitments to originate portfolio loans as well as (for commercial loan commitments) the grade (pursuant to our loan rating system) of such commitments.

Other non-interest expenses totaled $5.0 million in 2013, compared to $4.4 million in 2012, and $5.7 million in 2011. The lower level of these expenses in 2012, as compared to 2013 and 2011, principally reflects the first quarter 2012 reversal of a previously established accrual at Mepco for $1.4 million that was determined to no longer be necessary. This was partially offset by $0.4 million of expense during 2012 related to the settlement of various legal matters. Also in 2013, certain expense categories (express mail and freight and insurance) declined by $0.4 million primarily due to the Branch Sale and branch closings and consolidations that occurred in 2012.

We are subject to an industry-specific tax (the Michigan Business Tax [“MBT”]), which is based on net capital. The MBT is recorded in other non-interest expenses. Our MBT expense was $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.1 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Income tax benefit. We assess whether a valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets is necessary each quarter. Reversing or reducing the valuation allowance requires us to conclude that the realization of the deferred tax assets is “more likely than not.” The ultimate realization of this asset is primarily based on generating future income. As of June 30, 2013, we concluded that the realization of substantially all of our deferred tax assets was more likely than not. This conclusion was primarily based upon the following factors:

Achieving a sixth consecutive quarter of profitability;
A forecast of future profitability that supported the conclusion that the realization of the deferred tax assets was more likely than not; and
A forecast that future asset quality continued to be stable to improving and that other factors did not exist that could cause a significant adverse impact on future profitability.

We have also concluded subsequent to June 30, 2013, that the realization of substantially all of our deferred tax assets continues to be more likely than not for substantially the same reasons as enumerated above, including two additional quarterly profits in the second half of 2013. As a result, during 2013, we recorded an income tax benefit of $54.9 million, which includes a $56.0 million reduction in the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets. In addition, during the second quarter of 2013, we recorded $1.4 million of income tax expense to clear from accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”) the disproportionate tax effects from cash flow hedges. These disproportionate tax effects had been charged to other comprehensive income and credited to income tax expense due to our valuation allowance on deferred tax assets as more fully discussed in note #24 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Because we terminated our last remaining cash flow hedge in the second quarter of 2013, it was appropriate to clear these disproportionate tax effects from AOCL.

The valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets totaled $1.1 million and $65.1 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. We did not reverse approximately $1.1 million of valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets that primarily relates to state income taxes from our Mepco segment. In this instance, we determined that the future realization of these particular deferred tax assets was not more likely than not. This conclusion was primarily based on the uncertainty of Mepco’s future earnings attributable to particular states (given the various apportionment criteria) and the significant reduction in the size of Mepco’s business over the past three years.
Prior to the second quarter of 2013, we had established a deferred tax asset valuation allowance against all of our net deferred tax assets. Accordingly, in these prior periods, the income tax expense related to any income before income tax was largely being offset by changes in the deferred tax valuation allowance. As a result, we recorded no income tax expense or benefit in 2012 and an   income tax benefit of $0.2 million in 2011. A change in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance of $(8.7) million and $9.4 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively, completely or largely offset the effect of pre-tax income or losses. The 2011 valuation allowance was also net of $0.6 million of allocations of deferred taxes on AOCL.

Because of our net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, we are still subject to the rules of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. An ownership change, as defined by these rules, would negatively affect our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards and other deferred tax assets in the future. If such an ownership change were to occur, we may suffer higher-than-anticipated tax expense, and consequently lower net income and cash flow, in those future years. Although we cannot control market purchases or sales of our common stock, we have in place a Tax Benefits Preservation Plan to dissuade any movement in our stock that would trigger an ownership change, and we limited the size of our Common Stock Offering to avoid triggering any Section 382 limitations.

Our actual federal income tax expense (benefit) is different than the amount computed by applying our statutory federal income tax rate to our pre-tax income (loss) primarily due to tax-exempt interest income and tax-exempt income from the increase in the cash surrender value on life insurance, as well as the impact of changes in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance.

The income tax benefit in the Consolidated Statements of Operations also includes income taxes in a variety of other states due primarily to Mepco’s operations. The amounts of such state income taxes were an expense (benefit) of $(0.2) million, zero, and $0.7 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Business segments. Our reportable segments are based upon legal entities. We currently have two reportable segments: Independent Bank and Mepco. These business segments are also differentiated based on the products and services provided. We evaluate performance based principally on net income (loss) of the respective reportable segments.

The following table presents net income (loss) by business segment.

BUSINESS SEGMENTS
 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2013
2012
2011
 
(In thousands)
Independent Bank
 
$
74,313
   
$
28,260
   
$
(12,768
)
Mepco
   
(1,801
)
   
1,710
     
(4,849
)
Other (1)
   
5,092
     
(3,677
)
   
(2,488
)
Elimination
   
(95
)
   
(95
)
   
(95
)
Net loss
 
$
77,509
   
$
26,198
   
$
(20,200
)
 

(1) Includes amounts relating to our parent company and certain insignificant operations.

The significant improvement in the results of operations of the Bank in 2013 compared to 2012 is primarily due to the reversal of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets resulting in recording a significant income tax benefit, a lower provision for loan losses and a decrease in non-interest expenses that were partially offset by a decline in net interest income and non-interest income. The improvement in 2012 compared to 2011 is primarily due to a lower provision for loan losses, an increase in non-interest income and a decrease in non-interest expenses that were partially offset by a decline in net interest income. (See “Provision for loan losses,” “Portfolio Loans and asset quality,” “Net interest income,” “Non-interest income,” “Non-interest expense,” and “Income tax benefit.”)
The changes in Mepco’s results are due primarily to changes in the level of vehicle service counterparty contingencies expense (see “Non-interest expense”) as well as changes in its level of net interest income. All of Mepco’s funding is provided by its parent company (Independent Bank) through an intercompany loan (that is eliminated in consolidation). The rate on this intercompany loan is based on the Prime Rate (currently 3.25%). Mepco might not be able to obtain such favorable funding costs on its own in the open market.

The change in “Other” in 2013 compared to 2012 in the table above is primarily due to the reversal of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets resulting in recording a significant income tax benefit at the parent company (see “Income tax benefit.”). The change in 2012 compared to 2011 is due primarily to the change in the fair value of the Amended Warrant issued to the UST (see “Non-interest income.”).

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Summary. Our total assets increased to $2.21 billion at December 31, 2013 compared to $2.02 billion at December 31, 2012, due primarily to an increase in securities available for sale and deferred tax assets, net that were partially offset by declines in cash and cash equivalents and loans. Loans, excluding loans held for sale (“Portfolio Loans”), totaled $1.37 billion at December 31, 2013, down 3.1% from $1.42 billion at December 31, 2012. (See “Portfolio Loans and asset quality”).

Deposits totaled $1.88 billion at December 31, 2013, compared to $1.78 billion at December 31, 2012. The increase in deposits during 2013 is primarily due to growth in checking, savings and reciprocal deposit account balances. Other borrowings totaled $17.2 million at December 31, 2013, a decrease of $0.4 million from December 31, 2012.

Securities. We maintain diversified securities portfolios, which include obligations of U.S. government-sponsored agencies, securities issued by states and political subdivisions, residential mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, corporate securities and trust preferred securities. We regularly evaluate asset/liability management needs and attempt to maintain a portfolio structure that provides sufficient liquidity and cash flow. Except as discussed below, we believe that the unrealized losses on securities available for sale are temporary in nature and are expected to be recovered within a reasonable time period. We believe that we have the ability to hold securities with unrealized losses to maturity or until such time as the unrealized losses reverse. (See “Asset/liability management.”)

Securities available for sale increased significantly during 2013 due primarily to the purchase of U.S. government-sponsored agency residential mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, municipal securities and corporate securities. The securities were purchased to utilize cash and cash equivalents as well as to utilize funds generated from the decline in Portfolio Loans and from the increase in total deposits. (See “Deposits” and “Liquidity and capital resources.”)

Our portfolio of available-for-sale securities is reviewed quarterly for impairment in value. In performing this review, management considers (1) the length of time and extent that fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer, (3) the impact of changes in market interest rates on the market value of the security and (4) an assessment of whether we intend to sell, or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell, a security in an unrealized loss position before recovery of its amortized cost basis. For securities that do not meet these recovery criteria, the amount of impairment recognized in earnings is limited to the amount related to credit losses, while impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income or loss.

We recorded net impairment losses related to other than temporary impairment on securities available for sale of $0.026 million, $0.3 million, and $0.8 million in 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. These net other than temporary impairment charges are all related to private label residential mortgage-backed securities. In these instances we believe that the decline in value is directly due to matters other than changes in interest rates, are not expected to be recovered within a reasonable timeframe based upon available information and are therefore other than temporary in nature. (See “Non-interest income” and “Asset/liability management.”)

SECURITIES

 
 
Unrealized
 
 
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Securities available for sale
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2013
$
467,406
 
$
2,048
 
$
6,973
 
$
462,481
 
December 31, 2012
 
208,929
   
2,070
   
2,586
   
208,413
 

Portfolio Loans and asset quality. In addition to the communities served by our Bank branch network, our principal lending markets also include nearby communities and metropolitan areas. Subject to established underwriting criteria, we also may participate in commercial lending transactions with certain non-affiliated banks.

The senior management and board of directors of our Bank retain authority and responsibility for credit decisions and we have adopted uniform underwriting standards. Our loan committee structure and the loan review process attempt to provide requisite controls and promote compliance with such established underwriting standards. However, there can be no assurance that our lending procedures and the use of uniform underwriting standards will prevent us from incurring significant credit losses in our lending activities.

We generally retain loans that may be profitably funded within established risk parameters. (See “Asset/liability management.”) As a result, we may hold adjustable-rate mortgage loans as Portfolio Loans, while 15- and 30-year, fixed-rate obligations are generally sold to mitigate exposure to changes in interest rates. (See “Non-interest income.”)

LOAN PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

 
 
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Real estate(1)
 
   
 
Residential first mortgages
 
$
431,812
   
$
468,636
 
Residential home equity and other junior mortgages
   
113,703
     
121,235
 
Construction and land development
   
50,290
     
56,183
 
Other(2)
   
440,348
     
434,336
 
Commercial
   
146,954
     
132,904
 
Consumer
   
126,443
     
117,077
 
Payment plan receivables
   
60,638
     
84,692
 
Agricultural
   
4,382
     
4,076
 
Total loans
 
$
1,374,570
   
$
1,419,139
 
 

(1) Includes both residential and non-residential commercial loans secured by real estate.
(2) Includes loans secured by multi-family residential and non-farm, non-residential property.

Future growth of overall Portfolio Loans is dependent upon a number of competitive and economic factors. Further, it is our desire to reduce or restrict certain loan categories for risk management reasons. For example, construction and land development loans have been declining as the result of our effort to shrink this portion of our Portfolio Loans. In addition, payment plan receivables have declined as we seek to reduce Mepco’s vehicle service contract payment plan business. Further declines in Portfolio Loans may adversely impact our future net interest income.
NON-PERFORMING ASSETS (1)

 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Non-accrual loans
 
$
17,905
   
$
32,929
   
$
59,309
 
Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest
   
-
     
7
     
574
 
Total non-performing loans
   
17,905
     
32,936
     
59,883
 
Other real estate and repossessed assets
   
18,282
     
26,133
     
34,042
 
Total non-performing assets
 
$
36,187
   
$
59,069
   
$
93,925
 
 
                       
As a percent of Portfolio Loans
                       
Non-performing loans
   
1.30
%
   
2.32
%
   
3.80
%
Allowance for loan losses
   
2.35
     
3.12
     
3.73
 
Non-performing assets to total assets
   
1.64
     
2.92
     
4.07
 
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of non-performing loans
   
180.54
     
134.43
     
98.33
 
 

(1) Excludes loans classified as “troubled debt restructured” that are not past due and vehicle service contract counterparty receivables, net.

TROUBLED DEBT RESTRUCTURINGS (“TDR”)
 
 
December 31, 2013
 
Commercial
Retail
Total
 
(In thousands)
 
 
   
   
 
Performing TDR’s
 
$
35,134
   
$
79,753
   
$
114,887
 
Non-performing TDR’s(1)
   
4,347
     
4,988
(2)  
   
9,335
 
Total
 
$
39,481
   
$
84,741
   
$
124,222
 
 
                       
 
December 31, 2012
 
Commercial
Retail
Total
 
(In thousands)
 
                       
Performing TDR’s
 
$
40,753
   
$
85,977
   
$
126,730
 
Non-performing TDR’s(1)
   
7,756
     
9,177
(2)  
   
16,933
 
Total
 
$
48,509
   
$
95,154
   
$
143,663
 
 

(1) Included in non-performing assets table above.
(2) Also includes loans on non-accrual at the time of modification until six payments are received on a timely basis.

Non-performing loans declined by $15.0 million, or 45.6%, in 2013 and by $26.9 million, or 45.0%, in 2012 due principally to declines in non-performing commercial loans and residential mortgage loans. These declines primarily reflect reduced levels of new loan defaults as well as loan net charge-offs, pay-offs, negotiated transactions, and the migration of loans into ORE. Non-performing commercial loans relate largely to delinquencies caused by cash-flow difficulties encountered by owners of income-producing properties (due to higher vacancy rates and/or lower rental rates). Non-performing residential mortgage loans are primarily due to delinquencies reflecting economic conditions, which still remain somewhat challenging, and soft real estate values in parts of Michigan and in certain markets outside of Michigan where we have mortgage loans secured by resort properties (see note #4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). Non-performing loans exclude performing loans that are classified as troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”). Performing TDRs totaled $114.9 million, or 8.36% of total Portfolio Loans, and $126.7 million, or 8.93% of total Portfolio Loans, at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
ORE and repossessed assets totaled $18.3 million at December 31, 2013, compared to $26.1 million at December 31, 2012. This decrease is primarily the result of sales and write-downs of ORE being in excess of the migration of non-performing loans secured by real estate into ORE as the foreclosure process is completed and any redemption period expires.

We will place a loan that is 90 days or more past due on non-accrual, unless we believe the loan is both well secured and in the process of collection. Accordingly, we have determined that the collection of the accrued and unpaid interest on any loans that are 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest is probable.

ALLOCATION OF THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
 
 
December 31,
 
2013
2012
2011
 
(In thousands)
Specific allocations
 
$
15,158
   
$
21,009
   
$
22,299
 
Other adversely rated commercial loans
   
1,358
     
2,419
     
4,430
 
Historical loss allocations
   
9,849
     
12,943
     
20,682
 
Additional allocations based on subjective factors
   
5,960
     
7,904
     
11,473
 
Total
 
$
32,325
   
$
44,275
   
$
58,884
 

Some loans will not be repaid in full. Therefore, an allowance for loan losses (“AFLL”) is maintained at a level which represents our best estimate of losses incurred. In determining the AFLL and the related provision for loan losses, we consider four principal elements: (i) specific allocations based upon probable losses identified during the review of the loan portfolio, (ii) allocations established for other adversely rated commercial loans, (iii) allocations based principally on historical loan loss experience, and (iv) additional allowances based on subjective factors, including local and general economic business factors and trends, portfolio concentrations and changes in the size and/or the general terms of the loan portfolios.

The first AFLL element (specific allocations) reflects our estimate of probable incurred losses based upon our systematic review of specific loans. These estimates are based upon a number of factors, such as payment history, financial condition of the borrower, discounted collateral exposure and discounted cash flow analysis. Impaired commercial, mortgage and installment loans are allocated allowance amounts using this first element. The second AFLL element (other adversely rated commercial loans) reflects the application of our commercial loan rating system. This rating system is similar to those employed by state and federal banking regulators. Commercial loans that are rated below a certain predetermined classification are assigned a loss allocation factor for each loan classification category that is based upon a historical analysis of both the probability of default and the expected loss rate (“loss given default”). The lower the rating assigned to a loan or category, the greater the allocation percentage that is applied. The third AFLL element (historical loss allocations) is determined by assigning allocations to higher rated (“non-watch credit”) commercial loans using a probability of default and loss given default similar to the second AFLL element and to homogenous mortgage and installment loan groups based upon borrower credit score and portfolio segment. For homogenous mortgage and installment loans a probability of default for each homogenous pool is calculated by way of credit score migration. Historical loss data for each homogenous pool coupled with the associated probability of default is utilized to calculate an expected loss allocation rate. The fourth AFLL element (additional allocations based on subjective factors) is based on factors that cannot be associated with a specific credit or loan category and reflects our attempt to ensure that the overall allowance for loan losses appropriately reflects a margin for the imprecision necessarily inherent in the estimates of expected credit losses. We consider a number of subjective factors when determining this fourth element, including local and general economic business factors and trends, portfolio concentrations and changes in the size, mix and the general terms of the overall loan portfolio.

Increases in the AFLL are recorded by a provision for loan losses charged to expense. Although we periodically allocate portions of the AFLL to specific loans and loan portfolios, the entire AFLL is available for incurred losses. We generally charge-off commercial, homogenous residential mortgage, and installment loans and payment plan receivables when they are deemed uncollectible or reach a predetermined number of days past due based on product, industry practice and other factors. Collection efforts may continue and recoveries may occur after a loan is charged against the allowance.
While we use relevant information to recognize losses on loans, additional provisions for related losses may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions, customer circumstances and other credit risk factors.

Mepco’s allowance for losses is determined in a similar manner as discussed above, and primarily takes into account historical loss experience and other subjective factors deemed relevant to Mepco’s payment plan business. Estimated incurred losses associated with Mepco’s outstanding vehicle service contract payment plans are included in the provision for loan losses. Mepco recorded credits of $0.1 million, $0.008 million and $0.03 million for its provision for loan losses in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, due primarily to significant declines ($24.1 million, or 28.4%, $30.3 million, or 26.4%, and $86.2 million, or 42.9%, in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively) in the balance of payment plan receivables. Mepco’s allowance for loan losses totaled $0.1 million and $0.2 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Mepco has established procedures for vehicle service contract payment plan servicing, administration and collections, including the timely cancellation of the vehicle service contract, in order to protect our position in the event of payment default or voluntary cancellation by the customer. Mepco has also established procedures to attempt to prevent and detect fraud since the payment plan origination activities and initial customer contacts are done entirely through unrelated third parties (vehicle service contract administrators and sellers or automobile dealerships). However, there can be no assurance that the aforementioned risk management policies and procedures will prevent us from incurring significant credit or fraud related losses in this business segment. The estimated incurred losses described in this paragraph should be distinguished from the possible losses we may incur from counterparties failing to pay their obligations to Mepco. (See note #11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included within this report.)

The AFLL was $32.3 million, or 2.35% of total Portfolio Loans at December 31, 2013 compared to $44.3 million, or 3.12% of total Portfolio Loans at December 31, 2012. All four of the components of the AFLL outlined above declined in 2013 as compared to 2012. The AFLL related to specific loans decreased $5.9 million in 2013 primarily because of a decline in loss allocations on individual commercial and mortgage loans due to a decline in the balance of such loans as well as lower loss given default rates. The AFLL related to other adversely rated commercial loans decreased $1.1 million in 2013 due to a decrease in the balance of such loans included in this component ($39.4 million at December 31, 2013 as compared to $52.8 million at December 31, 2012) and due to lower loss given default rates. The AFLL related to historical losses decreased $3.1 million in 2013 due primarily to lower loss given default rates. The lower loss given default rates in 2013 reflect both a reduced level of loan defaults and a reduced loss severity. The AFLL related to subjective factors decreased $1.9 million in 2013 primarily due to the improvement of various economic indicators used in computing this portion of the allowance as well as an overall reduction in total Portfolio Loans.

During 2012, all four of the components of the AFLL declined as compared to 2011. The AFLL related to specific loans decreased $1.3 million in 2012 because of a decline in loss allocations on individual commercial loans due primarily to a decline in the balance of such loans. The AFLL related to other adversely rated commercial loans decreased $2.0 million in 2012 primarily due to a decrease in the balance of such loans included in this component to $52.8 million at December 31, 2012 from $83.0 million at December 31, 2011. The AFLL related to historical losses decreased $7.7 million in 2012 due to lower adjustments for delinquent loans, declines in loan balances and net charge-offs, as well as a refinement in the calculation methodology for this component of the AFLL that was implemented in the third quarter of 2012. This refinement now uses borrower credit scores and a migration analysis to estimate a probability of default as described above. The AFLL related to subjective factors decreased $3.6 million in 2012 primarily due to the improvement of various economic indicators used in computing this portion of the allowance as well as an overall reduction in total Portfolio Loans.
ALLOWANCE FOR LOSSES ON LOANS AND UNFUNDED COMMITMENTS

 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
Loan
Losses
   
Unfunded
Commitments
   
Loan
Losses
   
Unfunded
Commitments
   
Loan
Losses
   
Unfunded
Commitments
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
44,275
   
$
598
   
$
58,884
   
$
1,286
   
$
67,915
   
$
1,322
 
Additions (deductions)
                                               
Provision for loan losses
   
(3,988
)
   
-
     
6,887
     
-
     
27,946
     
-
 
Recoveries credited to allowance
   
8,270
     
-
     
6,522
     
-
     
4,747
     
-
 
Loans charged against the allowance
   
(16,232
)
   
-
     
(27,408
)
   
-
     
(41,724
)
   
-
 
Reclassification to loans held for sale
   
-
     
-
     
(610
)
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Additions (deductions) included in non-interest expense
   
-
     
(90
)
   
-
     
(688
)
   
-
     
(36
)
Balance at end of year
 
$
32,325
   
$
508
   
$
44,275
   
$
598
   
$
58,884
   
$
1,286
 
 
                                               
Net loans charged against the allowance to average Portfolio Loans
   
0.58
%
           
1.39
%
           
2.20
%
       

The ratio of loan net charge-offs to average loans was 0.58% in 2013 (or $8.0 million) compared to 1.39% in 2012 (or $20.9 million). The decline in loan net charge-offs primarily reflects decreases of $6.7 million for commercial loans, $4.8 million for residential mortgage loans and $1.3 million for consumer installment loans. These decreases in loan net charge-offs primarily reflect reduced levels of non-performing loans and some stabilization in collateral liquidation values.

Deposits and borrowings. Historically, the loyalty of our customer base has allowed us to price deposits competitively, contributing to a net interest margin that compares favorably to our peers. However, we still face a significant amount of competition for deposits within many of the markets served by our branch network, which limits our ability to materially increase deposits without adversely impacting the weighted-average cost of core deposits.

To attract new core deposits, we have implemented a direct mail account acquisition program as well as branch staff sales training. Account acquisition initiatives have historically generated increases in customer relationships. Over the past three to four years, we have also expanded our treasury management products and services for commercial businesses and municipalities or other governmental units and have also increased our sales calling efforts in order to attract additional deposit relationships from these sectors. We view long-term core deposit growth as an important objective. Core deposits generally provide a more stable and lower cost source of funds than alternative sources such as short-term borrowings. (See “Liquidity and capital resources.”)

Deposits totaled $1.88 billion and $1.78 billion at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The $105.3 million increase in deposits in 2013 is primarily due to growth in checking, savings and reciprocal deposit account balances. Reciprocal deposits totaled $83.5 million and $33.2 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These deposits represent demand, money market and time deposits from our customers that have been placed through Promontory Interfinancial Network’s Insured Cash Sweep ® service and Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service ® . These services allow our customers to access multi-million dollar FDIC deposit insurance on deposit balances greater than the standard FDIC insurance maximum. With the expiration of the Transaction Account Guarantee Program (“TAGP”) on December 31, 2012, we have experienced an increase in reciprocal deposits during 2013.
We cannot be sure that we will be able to maintain our current level of core deposits. In particular, those deposits that are uninsured may be susceptible to outflow. At December 31, 2013, we had approximately $313.4 million of uninsured deposits. A reduction in core deposits would likely increase our need to rely on wholesale funding sources.

During the fourth quarter of 2009, we prepaid our estimated quarterly deposit insurance premium assessments to the FDIC for periods through the fourth quarter of 2012. These estimated quarterly deposit insurance premium assessments were based on projected deposit balances over the assessment periods. The prepaid deposit insurance premium assessments totaled zero and $9.4 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The actual expense over the assessment periods was significantly lower than the original prepaid amount due to various factors including variances in the estimated compared to the actual assessment base and rates used during each assessment period. We received the return of the overpayment of our prepaid assessment from the FDIC in June 2013.

We have also implemented strategies that incorporate using federal funds purchased, other borrowings and Brokered CDs to fund a portion of our interest-earning assets. The use of such alternate sources of funds supplements our core deposits and is also an integral part of our asset/liability management efforts.

Other borrowings, comprised almost entirely of advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (the “FHLB”), totaled $17.2 million and $17.6 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

As described above, we utilize wholesale funding, including FHLB borrowings and Brokered CDs to augment our core deposits and fund a portion of our assets. At December 31, 2013, our use of such wholesale funding sources (including reciprocal deposits) amounted to approximately $114.2 million, or 6.0% of total funding (deposits and total borrowings, excluding subordinated debentures). Because wholesale funding sources are affected by general market conditions, the availability of such funding may be dependent on the confidence these sources have in our financial condition and operations. The continued availability to us of these funding sources is not certain, and Brokered CDs may be difficult for us to retain or replace at attractive rates as they mature. Our liquidity may be constrained if we are unable to renew our wholesale funding sources or if adequate financing is not available in the future at acceptable rates of interest or at all. Our financial performance could also be affected if we are unable to maintain our access to funding sources or if we are required to rely more heavily on more expensive funding sources. In such case, our net interest income and results of operations could be adversely affected.

We historically employed derivative financial instruments to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates. We discontinued the active use of derivative financial instruments during 2008. In June 2013, we terminated our last remaining interest-rate swap, which had an aggregate notional amount of $10.0 million.

Liquidity and capital resources. Liquidity risk is the risk of being unable to timely meet obligations as they come due at a reasonable funding cost or without incurring unacceptable losses. Our liquidity management involves the measurement and monitoring of a variety of sources and uses of funds. Our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows categorize these sources and uses into operating, investing and financing activities. We primarily focus our liquidity management on maintaining adequate levels of liquid assets (primarily funds on deposit with the FRB and certain investment securities) as well as developing access to a variety of borrowing sources to supplement our deposit gathering activities and provide funds for purchasing investment securities or originating Portfolio Loans as well as to be able to respond to unforeseen liquidity needs.

Our primary sources of funds include our deposit base, secured advances from the FHLB, a federal funds purchased borrowing facility with another commercial bank, and access to the capital markets (for Brokered CDs).
At December 31, 2013, we had $317.1 million of time deposits that mature in the next 12 months. Historically, a majority of these maturing time deposits are renewed by our customers. Additionally, $1.44 billion of our deposits at December 31, 2013 were in account types from which the customer could withdraw the funds on demand. Changes in the balances of deposits that can be withdrawn upon demand are usually predictable and the total balances of these accounts have generally grown (excluding the Branch Sale) or have been stable over time as a result of our marketing and promotional activities. However, there can be no assurance that historical patterns of renewing time deposits or overall growth or stability in deposits will continue in the future.

We have developed contingency funding plans that stress test our liquidity needs that may arise from certain events such as an adverse change in our financial metrics (for example, credit quality or regulatory capital ratios). Our liquidity management also includes periodic monitoring that measures quick assets (defined generally as short-term assets with maturities less than 30 days and loans held for sale) to total assets, short-term liability dependence and basic surplus (defined as quick assets compared to short-term liabilities). Policy limits have been established for our various liquidity measurements and are monitored on a monthly basis. In addition, we also prepare cash flow forecasts that include a variety of different scenarios.

We believe that we currently have adequate liquidity at our Bank because of our cash and cash equivalents, our portfolio of securities available for sale, our access to secured advances from the FHLB, our ability to issue Brokered CDs and our improved financial metrics.

We also believe that the available cash on hand of approximately $11.7 million at the parent company as of December 31, 2013 as well as the potential future transfer of funds from the Bank to the parent company through returns of capital or through dividends, provide sufficient liquidity resources at the parent company to meet operating expenses and to make interest payments on the subordinated debentures for the foreseeable future.

In the normal course of business, we enter into certain contractual obligations. Such obligations include requirements to make future payments on debt and lease arrangements, contractual commitments for capital expenditures, and service contracts. The table below summarizes our significant contractual obligations at December 31, 2013.

CONTRACTUAL COMMITMENTS(1)

 
 
1 Year or Less
   
1-3 Years
   
3-5 Years
   
After
5 Years
   
Total
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Time deposit maturities
 
$
317,074
   
$
89,949
   
$
36,810
   
$
748
   
$
444,581
 
Other borrowings
   
4,717
     
3,036
     
6,629
     
2,799
     
17,181
 
Subordinated debentures
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
40,723
     
40,723
 
Operating lease obligations
   
1,274
     
2,075
     
1,944
     
1,620
     
6,913
 
Purchase obligations(2)
   
1,975
     
658
     
-
     
-
     
2,633
 
Total
 
$
325,040
   
$
95,718
   
$
45,383
   
$
45,890
   
$
512,031
 
 

(1) Excludes approximately $0.7 million of accrued tax and interest relative to uncertain tax benefits due to the high degree of uncertainty as to when, or if, those amounts would be paid.
(2) Includes contracts with a minimum annual payment of $1.0 million and are not cancellable within one year.

Effective management of capital resources is critical to our mission to create value for our shareholders. In addition to common stock, our capital structure also currently includes cumulative trust preferred securities.
CAPITALIZATION

 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Subordinated debentures
 
$
40,723
   
$
50,175
 
Amount not qualifying as regulatory capital
   
(1,223
)
   
(1,507
)
Amount qualifying as regulatory capital
   
39,500
     
48,668
 
Shareholders’ equity
               
Preferred stock
   
-
     
84,204
 
Common stock
   
351,173
     
251,237
 
Accumulated deficit
   
(110,347
)
   
(192,408
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
(9,245
)
   
(8,058
)
Total shareholders’ equity
   
231,581
     
134,975
 
Total capitalization
 
$
271,081
   
$
183,643
 

We had four special purpose entities (at December 31, 2013, we only have three remaining) that originally issued $90.1 million of cumulative trust preferred securities. These special purpose entities issued common securities and provided cash to our parent company that in turn, issued subordinated debentures to these special purpose entities equal to the trust preferred securities and common securities. The subordinated debentures represent the sole asset of the special purpose entities. The common securities and subordinated debentures are included in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. On June 23, 2010, we issued 5.1 million shares of our common stock (having a fair value of approximately $23.5 million on the date of the exchange) in exchange for $41.4 million in liquidation amount of trust preferred securities and $2.3 million of accrued and unpaid interest on such securities. On October 11, 2013, we redeemed all ($9.2 million) of the outstanding trust preferred securities remaining issued by IBC Capital Finance II and liquidated this entity shortly thereafter. The trust preferred securities issued by IBC Capital Finance II had an interest rate of 8.25%. The redemption of these securities will reduce our interest expense by approximately $0.8 million annually. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, we had $39.5 million and $48.7 million, respectively, of cumulative trust preferred securities remaining outstanding.

The Federal Reserve Board has issued rules regarding trust preferred securities as a component of the Tier 1 capital of bank holding companies. The aggregate amount of trust preferred securities (and certain other capital elements) are limited to 25 percent of Tier 1 capital elements, net of goodwill (net of any associated deferred tax liability). The amount of trust preferred securities and certain other elements in excess of the limit can be included in Tier 2 capital, subject to restrictions. At the parent company, all of these securities qualified as Tier 1 capital at December 31, 2013. Although the Dodd-Frank Act further limited Tier 1 treatment for trust preferred securities, those new limits did not apply to our outstanding trust preferred securities. Further, the New Capital Rules grandfathered the treatment of our trust preferred securities as qualifying regulatory capital.

On August 30, 2013, we redeemed the Series B Preferred Stock and the Amended Warrant from the UST and exited TARP by making an $81.0 million payment to the UST pursuant to the SPA. See note #12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included within this report for additional information about the Series B Preferred Stock and the Amended Warrant.

Common shareholders’ equity increased to $231.6 million at December 31, 2013 from $50.8 million at December 31, 2012 due primarily to our Common Stock Offering and our net income during 2013. Our tangible common equity (“TCE”) totaled $228.4 million and $46.8 million, respectively, at those same dates. Our ratio of TCE to tangible assets was 10.35% at December 31, 2013 compared to 2.32% at December 31, 2012.

Because the Bank currently has negative “undivided profits” (i.e. a retained deficit) of $50.0 million at December 31, 2013, under Michigan banking regulations, the Bank is not currently permitted to pay a dividend. We can request regulatory approval for a return of capital from the Bank to the parent company. Also see note #20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included within this report.
As of December 31, 2013, our Bank (and holding company) continued to meet the requirements to be considered “well-capitalized” under federal regulatory standards (also see note #20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included within this report).

Asset/liability management. Interest-rate risk is created by differences in the cash flow characteristics of our assets and liabilities. Options embedded in certain financial instruments, including caps on adjustable-rate loans as well as borrowers’ rights to prepay fixed-rate loans, also create interest-rate risk.

Our asset/liability management efforts identify and evaluate opportunities to structure our statement of financial condition in a manner that is consistent with our mission to maintain profitable financial leverage within established risk parameters. We evaluate various opportunities and alternate asset/liability management strategies carefully and consider the likely impact on our risk profile as well as the anticipated contribution to earnings. The marginal cost of funds is a principal consideration in the implementation of our asset/liability management strategies, but such evaluations further consider interest-rate and liquidity risk as well as other pertinent factors. We have established parameters for interest-rate risk. We regularly monitor our interest-rate risk and report at least quarterly to our board of directors.

We employ simulation analyses to monitor our interest-rate risk profile and evaluate potential changes in our net interest income and market value of portfolio equity that result from changes in interest rates. The purpose of these simulations is to identify sources of interest-rate risk inherent in our Statement of Financial Condition. The simulations do not anticipate any actions that we might initiate in response to changes in interest rates and, accordingly, the simulations do not provide a reliable forecast of anticipated results. The simulations are predicated on immediate, permanent and parallel shifts in interest rates and generally assume that current loan and deposit pricing relationships remain constant. The simulations further incorporate assumptions relating to changes in customer behavior, including changes in prepayment rates on certain assets and liabilities.

CHANGES IN MARKET VALUE OF PORTFOLIO EQUITY AND NET INTEREST INCOME

Change in Interest Rates
 
Market
Value of
Portfolio
 Equity(1)
   
Percent
 Change
   
Net Interest
 Income(2)
   
Percent
Change
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
December 31, 2013
 
   
   
   
 
200 basis point rise
 
$
412,200
     
8.33
%
 
$
77,800
     
5.56
%
100 basis point rise
   
398,200
     
4.65
     
75,300
     
2.17
 
Base-rate scenario
   
380,500
     
-
     
73,700
     
-
 
100 basis point decline
   
356,400
     
(6.33
)
   
72,500
     
(1.63
)
 
                               
December 31, 2012
                               
200 basis point rise
 
$
262,100
     
24.81
%
 
$
81,200
     
6.01
%
100 basis point rise
   
240,000
     
14.29
     
78,600
     
2.61
 
Base-rate scenario
   
210,000
     
-
     
76,600
     
-
 
100 basis point decline
   
180,400
     
(14.10
)
   
75,500
     
(1.44
)
 

(1) Simulation analyses calculate the change in the net present value of our assets and liabilities, including debt and related financial derivative instruments, under parallel shifts in interest rates by discounting the estimated future cash flows using a market-based discount rate. Cash flow estimates incorporate anticipated changes in prepayment speeds and other embedded options.
(2) Simulation analyses calculate the change in net interest income under immediate parallel shifts in interest rates over the next twelve months, based upon a static Statement of Financial Condition, which includes debt and related financial derivative instruments, and do not consider loan fees.

Accounting Standards Update. See note #1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report for details on recently issued accounting pronouncements and their impact on our financial statements.
Regulatory development. On October 25, 2011, the respective Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with the FRB and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (“DIFS”). The MOU largely duplicated certain provisions of board resolutions that were already in place, but also had the following specific requirements:

Submission of a joint revised capital plan by November 30, 2011 to maintain sufficient capital at the Company on a consolidated basis and at the Bank on a stand-alone basis;
Submission of quarterly progress reports regarding disposition plans for any assets in excess of $1.0 million that are in ORE, are 90 days or more past due, are on our “watch list,” or were adversely classified in our most recent examination;
Enhanced reporting and monitoring at Mepco regarding risk management and the internal classification of assets; and
Enhanced interest rate risk modeling practices.

Effective March 26, 2013, the FRB and DIFS terminated the MOU. Also on that date, the respective Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank passed resolutions that required the following:

Submission of quarterly progress reports to the FRB and DIFS regarding disposition plans for any assets in excess of $1.0 million that are in ORE, are 90 days or more past due, are on our “watch list,” or are adversely classified;
Prior approval of the FRB and DIFS for the Bank to pay any dividend to the Company; and
Prior approval of the FRB and DIFS for the Company to pay any dividend to its shareholders, to make any distributions of interest, principal or other sums on subordinated debentures or trust preferred securities, to increase borrowings or guarantee any debt, and/or to purchase or redeem any of its stock.

During the third quarter of 2013, the FRB and DIFS informed us that the Board resolutions no longer needed to be in place. Accordingly, on October 22, 2013, the above described resolutions were rescinded by the Board of Directors of the Company and the Bank.

FAIR VALUATION OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) topic 820 - “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“FASB ASC topic 820”) defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.

We utilize fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain financial instruments and to determine fair value disclosures. FASB ASC topic 820 differentiates between those assets and liabilities required to be carried at fair value at every reporting period (“recurring”) and those assets and liabilities that are only required to be adjusted to fair value under certain circumstances (“nonrecurring”). Trading securities, securities available-for-sale, loans held for sale, and derivatives are financial instruments recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, we may be required to record at fair value other financial assets on a nonrecurring basis, such as loans held for investment, capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights and certain other assets. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve application of lower of cost or market accounting or write-downs of individual assets. See note #21 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a complete discussion on our use of fair valuation of financial instruments and the related measurement techniques.

LITIGATION MATTERS

We are involved in various litigation matters in the ordinary course of business. At the present time, we do not believe any of these matters will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. The aggregate amount we have accrued for losses we consider probable as a result of these litigation matters is immaterial. However, because of the inherent uncertainty of outcomes from any litigation matter, we believe it is reasonably possible we may incur losses in addition to the amounts we have accrued. At this time, we estimate the maximum amount of additional losses that are reasonably possible is approximately $0.5 million. However, because of a number of factors, including the fact that certain of these litigation matters are still in their early stages, this maximum amount may change in the future.
The litigation matters described in the preceding paragraph primarily include claims that have been brought against us for damages, but do not include litigation matters where we seek to collect amounts owed to us by third parties (such as litigation initiated to collect delinquent loans or vehicle service contract counterparty receivables). These excluded, collection-related matters may involve claims or counterclaims by the opposing party or parties, but we have excluded such matters from the disclosure contained in the preceding paragraph in all cases where we believe the possibility of us paying damages to any opposing party is remote. Risks associated with the likelihood that we will not collect the full amount owed to us, net of reserves, are disclosed elsewhere in this report.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Our accounting and reporting policies are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and conform to general practices within the banking industry. Accounting and reporting policies for other than temporary impairment of investment securities, the allowance for loan losses, originated mortgage loan servicing rights, vehicle service contract payment plan counterparty contingencies, and income taxes are deemed critical since they involve the use of estimates and require significant management judgments. Application of assumptions different than those that we have used could result in material changes in our financial position or results of operations.

We are required to assess our investment securities for “other than temporary impairment” on a periodic basis. The determination of other than temporary impairment for an investment security requires judgment as to the cause of the impairment, the likelihood of recovery and the projected timing of the recovery. On January 12, 2009 the FASB issued ASC 325-40-65-1 (formerly Staff Position No. EITF 99-20-1 — “Amendments to the Impairment Guidance of EITF Issue No. 99-20.”) This standard has been applicable to our financial statements since December 31, 2008. In particular, this standard struck the language that required the use of market participant assumptions about future cash flows from previous guidance. This change now permits the use of reasonable management judgment about whether it is probable that all previously projected cash flows will not be collected in determining other than temporary impairment. Our assessment process resulted in recording net other than temporary impairment charges on securities of $0.03 million, $0.3 million, and $0.8 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. We believe that our assumptions and judgments in assessing other than temporary impairment for our investment securities are reasonable and conform to general industry practices. Prices for investment securities are largely provided by a pricing service. These prices consider benchmark yields, reported trades, broker / dealer quotes and issuer spreads. Furthermore, prices for mortgage-backed securities consider: TBA prices, monthly payment information and collateral performance. At December 31, 2013 the cost basis of our investment securities classified as available for sale exceeded their estimated fair value at that same date by $4.9 million (compared to $0.5 million at December 31, 2012). This amount is included in the accumulated other comprehensive loss section of shareholders’ equity.

Our methodology for determining the allowance and related provision for loan losses is described above in “Portfolio Loans and asset quality.” In particular, this area of accounting requires a significant amount of judgment because a multitude of factors can influence the ultimate collection of a loan or other type of credit. It is extremely difficult to precisely measure the amount of probable incurred losses in our loan portfolio. We use a rigorous process to attempt to accurately quantify the necessary allowance and related provision for loan losses, but there can be no assurance that our modeling process will successfully identify all of the probable incurred losses in our loan portfolio. As a result, we could record future provisions for loan losses that may be significantly different than the levels that we recorded in prior periods.

At December 31, 2013 and 2012 we had approximately $13.7 million and $11.0 million, respectively, of mortgage loan servicing rights capitalized on our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. There are several critical assumptions involved in establishing the value of this asset including estimated future prepayment speeds on the underlying mortgage loans, the interest rate used to discount the net cash flows from the mortgage loan servicing, the estimated amount of ancillary income that will be received in the future (such as late fees) and the estimated cost to service the mortgage loans. We believe the assumptions that we utilize in our valuation are reasonable based upon accepted industry practices for valuing mortgage loan servicing rights and represent neither the most conservative or aggressive assumptions. We recorded decreases in the valuation allowance on capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights of $3.2 million and $0.5 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively, as compared to an increase of $3.3 million in 2011.

Mepco purchases payment plans from companies (which we refer to as Mepco’s “counterparties”) that provide vehicle service contracts and similar products to consumers. The payment plans (which are classified as payment plan receivables in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition) permit a consumer to purchase a service contract by making installment payments, generally for a term of 12 to 24 months, to the sellers of those contracts (one of the “counterparties”). Mepco does not have recourse against the consumer for nonpayment of a payment plan and therefore does not evaluate the creditworthiness of the individual customer. When consumers stop making payments or exercise their right to voluntarily cancel the contract, the remaining unpaid balance of the payment plan is normally recouped by Mepco from the counterparties that sold the contract and provided the coverage. The refund obligations of these counterparties are not fully secured. We record losses in vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies expense, included in non-interest expenses, for estimated defaults by these counterparties in their obligations to Mepco. These losses (which totaled $4.8 million, $1.6 million and $11.0 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively) are titled “vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. This area of accounting requires a significant amount of judgment because a number of factors can influence the amount of loss that we may ultimately incur. These factors include our estimate of future cancellations of vehicle service contracts, our evaluation of collateral that may be available to recover funds due from our counterparties, and our assessment of the amount that may ultimately be collected from counterparties in connection with their contractual obligations. We apply a rigorous process, based upon historical payment plan activity and past experience, to estimate probable incurred losses and quantify the necessary reserves for our vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies, but there can be no assurance that our modeling process will successfully identify all such losses. As a result, we could record future losses associated with vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies that may be materially different than the levels that we recorded in prior periods.

Our accounting for income taxes involves the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities primarily associated with net operating loss carryforwards and differences in the timing of the recognition of revenues and expenses for financial reporting and tax purposes. At December 31, 2013 we had gross deferred tax assets of $64.1 million, gross deferred tax liabilities of $5.4 million and a valuation allowance of $1.1 million. This compares to gross deferred tax assets of $69.7 million, gross deferred tax liabilities of $4.5 million and a valuation allowance of $65.1 million at December 31, 2012. We are required to assess whether a valuation allowance should be established against our deferred tax assets based on the consideration of all available evidence using a “more likely than not” standard. In 2008, we first established a valuation allowance against substantially all of our net deferred tax assets due to a number of factors, including our then declining operating performance, overall negative trends in the banking industry and our expectation that our operating results would continue to be negatively affected by the overall economic environment. During 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009, we concluded that we needed to continue to carry a valuation allowance based on similar factors. However, at June 30, 2013, we concluded that the realization of substantially all of our deferred tax assets was more likely than not. Subsequent to June 30, 2013, we concluded that the realization of substantially all of our deferred tax assets continues to be more likely than not (see “Income tax benefit.”). We will continue to evaluate the realization of our net deferred tax assets in future periods. In making such judgments, significant weight will be given to evidence that can be objectively verified. We will analyze changes in near-term market conditions and consider both positive and negative evidence as well as other factors which may impact future operating results in making any decision to adjust our valuation allowance. In addition, changes in tax laws and changes in tax rates as well as our future level of earnings can impact the ultimate realization of our net deferred tax asset as well as the valuation allowance that we have established.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Shareholders
Independent Bank Corporation
Ionia, Michigan

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of Independent Bank Corporation (“the Company”) as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Grand Rapids, Michigan
March 7, 2014

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
(In thousands, except share
amounts)
 
ASSETS
 
Cash and due from banks
 
$
48,156
   
$
55,487
 
Interest bearing deposits
   
70,925
     
124,295
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
   
119,081
     
179,782
 
Interest bearing deposits - time
   
17,999
     
-
 
Trading securities
   
498
     
110
 
Securities available for sale
   
462,481
     
208,413
 
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock, at cost
   
23,419
     
20,838
 
Loans held for sale, carried at fair value
   
20,390
     
47,487
 
Loans held for sale, carried at lower of cost or fair value
   
-
     
3,292
 
Loans
               
Commercial
   
635,234
     
617,258
 
Mortgage
   
486,633
     
527,340
 
Installment
   
192,065
     
189,849
 
Payment plan receivables
   
60,638
     
84,692
 
Total Loans
   
1,374,570
     
1,419,139
 
Allowance for loan losses
   
(32,325
)
   
(44,275
)
Net Loans
   
1,342,245
     
1,374,864
 
Other real estate and repossessed assets
   
18,282
     
26,133
 
Property and equipment, net
   
48,594
     
47,016
 
Bank-owned life insurance
   
52,253
     
50,890
 
Deferred tax assets, net
   
57,550
     
-
 
Capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights
   
13,710
     
11,013
 
Vehicle service contract counterparty receivables, net
   
7,716
     
18,449
 
Other intangibles
   
3,163
     
3,975
 
Prepaid FDIC deposit insurance assessment
   
-
     
9,448
 
Accrued income and other assets
   
22,562
     
22,157
 
Total Assets
 
$
2,209,943
   
$
2,023,867
 
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
Deposits
               
Non-interest bearing
 
$
518,658
   
$
488,126
 
Savings and interest-bearing checking
   
910,352
     
871,238
 
Reciprocal
   
83,527
     
33,242
 
Retail time
   
358,800
     
372,340
 
Brokered time
   
13,469
     
14,591
 
Total Deposits
   
1,884,806
     
1,779,537
 
Other borrowings
   
17,188
     
17,625
 
Subordinated debentures
   
40,723
     
50,175
 
Vehicle service contract counterparty payables
   
4,089
     
7,725
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
   
31,556
     
33,830
 
Total Liabilities
   
1,978,362
     
1,888,892
 
 
               
Commitments and contingent liabilities
               
 
               
Shareholders’ Equity
               
Convertible preferred stock, no par value, 200,000 shares authorized; None issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 74,426 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012; liquidation preference: $85,150 at December 31, 2012
   
-
     
84,204
 
Common stock, no par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding: 22,819,136 shares at December 31, 2013 and 9,093,732 shares at December 31, 2012
   
351,173
     
251,237
 
Accumulated deficit
   
(110,347
)
   
(192,408
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
(9,245
)
   
(8,058
)
Total Shareholders’ Equity
   
231,581
     
134,975
 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
$
2,209,943
   
$
2,023,867
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
INTEREST INCOME
 
   
   
 
Interest and fees on loans
 
$
80,664
   
$
93,780
   
$
110,574
 
Interest on securities
                       
Taxable
   
4,059
     
2,934
     
1,422
 
Tax-exempt
   
1,101
     
1,044
     
1,219
 
Other investments
   
1,297
     
1,640
     
1,547
 
Total Interest Income
   
87,121
     
99,398
     
114,762
 
INTEREST EXPENSE
                       
Deposits
   
5,706
     
8,913
     
15,257
 
Other borrowings
   
3,456
     
4,230
     
4,936
 
Total Interest Expense
   
9,162
     
13,143
     
20,193
 
Net Interest Income
   
77,959
     
86,255
     
94,569
 
Provision for loan losses
   
(3,988
)
   
6,887
     
27,946
 
Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan Losses
   
81,947
     
79,368
     
66,623
 
NON-INTEREST INCOME
                       
Service charges on deposit accounts
   
14,076
     
17,887
     
18,306
 
Interchange income
   
7,362
     
9,188
     
9,091
 
Net gains (losses) on assets
                       
Mortgage loans
   
10,022
     
17,323
     
9,262
 
Securities
   
395
     
1,226
     
249
 
Other than temporary impairment loss on securities
                       
Total impairment loss
   
(26
)
   
(339
)
   
(760
)
Loss recognized in other comprehensive loss
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Net impairment loss recognized in earnings
   
(26
)
   
(339
)
   
(760
)
Mortgage loan servicing
   
3,806
     
166
     
(2,011
)
Title insurance fees
   
1,682
     
1,963
     
1,465
 
(Increase) decrease in fair value of U.S. Treasury warrant
   
(1,025
)
   
(285
)
   
1,137
 
Net gain on branch sale
   
-
     
5,402
     
-
 
Other
   
8,537
     
11,034
     
10,174
 
Total Non-interest Income
   
44,829
     
63,565
     
46,913
 
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
                       
Compensation and employee benefits
   
47,924
     
53,983
     
50,484
 
Occupancy, net
   
8,845
     
10,104
     
11,183
 
Data processing
   
8,019
     
8,009
     
8,208
 
Loan and collection
   
6,886
     
9,965
     
12,414
 
Vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies
   
4,837
     
1,629
     
11,048
 
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
   
4,293
     
4,635
     
5,169
 
Communications
   
2,919
     
3,677
     
3,918
 
Legal and professional
   
2,459
     
4,175
     
3,941
 
FDIC deposit insurance
   
2,435
     
3,306
     
3,507
 
Advertising
   
2,433
     
2,494
     
2,503
 
Provision for loss reimbursement on sold loans
   
2,152
     
1,112
     
1,993
 
Interchange expense
   
1,645
     
1,799
     
1,543
 
Credit card and bank service fees
   
1,263
     
2,091
     
3,656
 
Net losses on other real estate and repossessed assets
   
1,237
     
2,854
     
5,824
 
Write-down of property and equipment held for sale
   
-
     
860
     
-
 
Recoveries related to unfunded lending commitments
   
(90
)
   
(688
)
   
(36
)
Other
   
6,861
     
6,730
     
8,593
 
Total Non-interest Expense
   
104,118
     
116,735
     
133,948
 
Income (Loss) Before Income Tax
   
22,658
     
26,198
     
(20,412
)
Income tax benefit
   
(54,851
)
   
-
     
(212
)
Net Income (Loss)
 
$
77,509
   
$
26,198
   
$
(20,200
)
Preferred stock dividends and discount accretion
   
(3,001
)
   
(4,347
)
   
(4,157
)
Preferred stock discount
   
7,554
     
-
     
-
 
Net Income (Loss) Applicable to Common Stock
 
$
82,062
   
$
21,851
   
$
(24,357
)
Net income (loss) per common share
                       
Basic
 
$
5.87
   
$
2.51
   
$
(2.94
)
Diluted
 
$
3.55
   
$
0.80
   
$
(2.94
)
Cash dividends declared per common share
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
   
   
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
77,509
   
$
26,198
   
$
(20,200
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax
                       
Available for sale securities
                       
Unrealized gain (loss) arising during period
   
(4,698
)
   
2,757
     
(287
)
Change in unrealized losses for which a portion of other than temporary impairment has been recognized in earnings
   
270
     
1,160
     
600
 
Reclassification adjustment for other than temporary impairment included in earnings
   
26
     
339
     
760
 
Reclassification adjustments for (gains) included in earnings
   
(7
)
   
(1,193
)
   
(204
)
Unrealized gains (losses) recognized in other comprehensive income on available for sale securities
   
(4,409
)
   
3,063
     
869
 
Income tax expense (benefit)
   
(1,544
)
   
-
     
304
 
Unrealized gains (losses) recognized in other comprehensive income on available for sale securities, net of tax
   
(2,865
)
   
3,063
     
565
 
Derivative instruments
                       
Unrealized loss arising during period
   
(37
)
   
(127
)
   
(482
)
Reclassification adjustment for expense recognized in earnings
   
208
     
491
     
799
 
Reclassification adjustment for accretion on settled derivatives
   
189
     
436
     
659
 
Unrealized gains recognized in other comprehensive income on derivative instruments
   
360
     
800
     
976
 
Income tax expense (benefit)
   
(1,318
)
   
-
     
342
 
Unrealized gains recognized in other comprehensive income on derivative instruments, net of tax
   
1,678
     
800
     
634
 
Other comprehensive income (loss)
   
(1,187
)
   
3,863
     
1,199
 
Comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
76,322
   
$
30,061
   
$
(19,001
)
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Preferred
Stock
   
Common
Stock
   
Accumulated
 Deficit
   
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
   
Total
Shareholders’
 Equity
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
Balances at December 31, 2010
 
$
75,700
   
$
246,407
   
$
(189,902
)
 
$
(13,120
)
 
$
119,085
 
Net loss for 2011
   
-
     
-
     
(20,200
)
   
-
     
(20,200
)
Dividends on Preferred, 5%
   
3,939
     
-
     
(3,939
)
   
-
     
-
 
Issuance of 432,797 shares of common stock
   
-
     
1,335
     
-
     
-
     
1,335
 
Share based compensation (issuance of 198,246 shares of common stock)
   
-
     
1,208
     
-
     
-
     
1,208
 
Accretion of preferred stock discount
   
218
     
-
     
(218
)
   
-
     
-
 
Other comprehensive income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
1,199
     
1,199
 
Balances at December 31, 2011
   
79,857
     
248,950
     
(214,259
)
   
(11,921
)
   
102,627
 
Net income for 2012
   
-
     
-
     
26,198
     
-
     
26,198
 
Dividends on Preferred, 5%
   
4,128
     
-
     
(4,128
)
   
-
     
-
 
Issuance of 454,842 shares of common stock
   
-
     
1,418
     
-
     
-
     
1,418
 
Share based compensation (issuance of 147,364 shares of common stock)
   
-
     
869
     
-
     
-
     
869
 
Accretion of preferred stock discount
   
219
     
-
     
(219
)
   
-
     
-
 
Other comprehensive income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
3,863
     
3,863
 
Balances at December 31, 2012
   
84,204
     
251,237
     
(192,408
)
   
(8,058
)
   
134,975
 
Net income for 2013
   
-
     
-
     
77,509
     
-
     
77,509
 
Dividends on Preferred, 5%
   
2,856
     
-
     
(2,856
)
   
-
     
-
 
Issuance of 13,604,963 shares of common stock
   
-
     
99,075
     
-
     
-
     
99,075
 
Share based compensation (issuance of 175,789 shares of common stock)
   
-
     
1,238
     
-
     
-
     
1,238
 
Share based compensation withholding obligation (withholding of 55,348 shares of common stock)
   
-
     
(513
)
   
-
     
-
     
(513
)
Accretion of preferred stock discount
   
146
     
-
     
(146
)
   
-
     
-
 
Common stock warrant
   
-
     
1,484
     
-
     
-
     
1,484
 
Redemption of convertible preferred stock and common stock warrant
   
(87,206
)
   
(1,348
)
   
7,554
     
-
     
(81,000
)
Other comprehensive loss
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(1,187
)
   
(1,187
)
Balances at December 31, 2013
 
$
-
   
$
351,173
   
$
(110,347
)
 
$
(9,245
)
 
$
231,581
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Net Income (Loss)
 
$
77,509
   
$
26,198
   
$
(20,200
)
ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE NET INCOME (LOSS) TO NET CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
                       
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale
   
415,442
     
527,371
     
391,253
 
Disbursements for loans held for sale
   
(378,323
)
   
(512,734
)
   
(376,694
)
Provision for loan losses
   
(3,988
)
   
6,887
     
27,946
 
Deferred federal income tax expense (benefit)
   
(57,550
)
   
-
     
201
 
Deferred loan fees
   
17
     
(392
)
   
(449
)
Depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and premiums and accretion of discounts on securities and loans
   
(2,197
)
   
(4,718
)
   
(11,301
)
Write-down of property and equipment held for sale
   
-
     
860
     
-
 
Net gains on mortgage loans
   
(10,022
)
   
(17,323
)
   
(9,262
)
Net gains on securities
   
(395
)
   
(1,226
)
   
(249
)
Securities impairment recognized in earnings
   
26
     
339
     
760
 
Net losses on other real estate and repossessed assets
   
1,237
     
2,854
     
5,824
 
Vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies
   
4,837
     
1,629
     
11,048
 
Share based compensation
   
1,238
     
869
     
1,208
 
Net gain on branch sale
   
-
     
(5,402
)
   
-
 
(Increase) decrease in accrued income and other assets
   
7,747
     
(2,425
)
   
16,872
 
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities
   
(3,508
)
   
6,606
     
(1,551
)
Total Adjustments
   
(25,439
)
   
3,195
     
55,606
 
Net Cash From Operating Activities
   
52,070
     
29,393
     
35,406
 
CASH FLOW FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                       
Proceeds from the sale of securities available for sale
   
2,940
     
37,176
     
70,322
 
Proceeds from the maturity of securities available for sale
   
29,866
     
83,190
     
3,983
 
Principal payments received on securities available for sale
   
43,702
     
23,765
     
9,282
 
Purchases of securities available for sale
   
(332,060
)
   
(192,726
)
   
(173,186
)
Purchases of interest bearing deposits
   
(20,260
)
   
-
     
-
 
Proceeds from the maturity of interest bearing deposits
   
2,142
     
-
     
-
 
Redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock
   
-
     
334
     
2,802
 
Purchase of Federal Reserve Bank stock
   
(2,581
)
   
-
     
-
 
Net decrease in portfolio loans (loans originated, net of principal payments)
   
33,192
     
90,952
     
196,558
 
Net proceeds from sale of watch, substandard and non-performing loans
   
6,721
     
-
     
-
 
Net cash from (paid for) branch sale
   
3,292
     
(339,995
)
   
-
 
Proceeds from the collection of vehicle service contract counterparty receivables
   
6,751
     
7,413
     
1,613
 
Proceeds from the sale of other real estate and repossessed assets
   
13,546
     
19,331
     
18,638
 
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment
   
52
     
1,958
     
224
 
Capital expenditures
   
(8,371
)
   
(5,293
)
   
(2,779
)
Net Cash From (Used in) Investing Activities
   
(221,068
)
   
(273,895
)
   
127,457
 
CASH FLOW FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                       
Net increase (decrease) in total deposits
   
105,269
     
96,428
     
(165,713
)
Net increase (decrease) in other borrowings
   
4
     
-
     
(7
)
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances
   
100
     
12,000
     
31,000
 
Payments of Federal Home Loan Bank advances
   
(541
)
   
(27,762
)
   
(68,638
)
Redemption of convertible preferred stock and common stock warrant
   
(81,000
)
   
-
     
-
 
Share based compensation withholding obligation
   
(513
)
   
-
     
-
 
Net increase (decrease) in vehicle service contract counterparty payables
   
(3,636
)
   
1,092
     
(5,106
)
Redemption of subordinated debt
   
(9,452
)
   
-
     
-
 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
   
98,066
     
1,418
     
1,335
 
Net Cash From (Used in) Financing Activities
   
108,297
     
83,176
     
(207,129
)
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents
   
(60,701
)
   
(161,326
)
   
(44,266
)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
   
179,782
     
341,108
     
385,374
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year
 
$
119,081
   
$
179,782
   
$
341,108
 
Cash paid during the year for
                       
Interest
 
$
15,914
   
$
11,052
   
$
18,729
 
Income taxes
   
43
     
292
     
59
 
Transfers to other real estate and repossessed assets
   
6,932
     
14,276
     
19,091
 
Transfer of payment plan receivables to vehicle service contract counterparty receivables
   
792
     
1,469
     
8,874
 
Purchase of securities available for sale and interest bearing deposits - time not yet settled
   
4,146
     
-
     
-
 
Transfers to loans held for sale
   
-
     
47,954
     
-
 
Transfers to property and equipment held for sale
   
-
     
13,033
     
-
 
Transfers to deposits held for sale
   
-
     
403,089
     
-
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
NOTE 1 – ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accounting and reporting policies and practices of Independent Bank Corporation and subsidiaries conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and prevailing practices within the banking industry. Our critical accounting policies include the assessment for other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on investment securities, the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the determination of vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies, the valuation of originated mortgage loan servicing rights and the valuation of deferred tax assets. We are required to make material estimates and assumptions that are particularly susceptible to changes in the near term as we prepare the consolidated financial statements and report amounts for each of these items. Actual results may vary from these estimates.

Our Bank subsidiary transacts business in the single industry of commercial banking. Our Bank’s activities cover traditional phases of commercial banking, including checking and savings accounts, commercial lending, direct and indirect consumer financing and mortgage lending. Our principal markets are the rural and suburban communities across Lower Michigan that are served by our Bank’s branches and loan production offices. We also purchase payment plans from companies (which we refer to as “counterparties”) that provide vehicle service contracts and similar products to consumers, through our wholly owned subsidiary, Mepco Finance Corporation (“Mepco”). At December 31, 2013, 75.4% of our Bank’s loan portfolio was secured by real estate.

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Independent Bank Corporation and its subsidiaries. The income, expenses, assets and liabilities of the subsidiaries are included in the respective accounts of the consolidated financial statements, after elimination of all material intercompany accounts and transactions.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS — For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks, interest bearing deposits and federal funds sold. Generally, federal funds are sold for one-day periods. We report net cash flows for customer loan and deposit transactions, for short-term borrowings and for vehicle service contract counterparty payables.

INTEREST BEARING DEPOSITS — Interest bearing deposits consist of overnight deposits with the Federal Reserve Bank.

INTEREST BEARING DEPOSITS - TIME — Interest bearing deposits - time consist of deposits with original maturities of 3 months or more.

LOANS HELD FOR SALE — Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at fair value. Fair value adjustments as well as realized gains and losses, are recorded in current earnings. Certain loans held for sale at December 31, 2012 relating to our branch sale [see note #26] were carried at the lower of cost or market.

MORTGAGE LOAN SERVICING RIGHTS — We recognize as separate assets the rights to service mortgage loans for others. The fair value of originated mortgage loan servicing rights has been determined based upon fair value indications for similar servicing. The mortgage loan servicing rights are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net loan servicing income. We assess mortgage loan servicing rights for impairment based on the fair value of those rights. For purposes of measuring impairment, the characteristics used include interest rate, term and type. Amortization of and changes in the impairment reserve on originated mortgage loan servicing rights are included in mortgage loan servicing in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The fair values of mortgage loan servicing rights are subject to significant fluctuations as a result of changes in estimated and actual prepayment speeds and default rates and losses. Mortgage loan servicing income is recorded for fees earned for servicing loans previously sold. The fees are generally based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal and are recorded as income when earned. Mortgage loan servicing fees, excluding amortization of and changes in the impairment reserve on originated mortgage loan servicing rights, totaled $4.3 million, $4.4 million and $4.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Late fees and ancillary fees related to loan servicing are not material.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
TRANSFERS OF FINANCIAL ASSETS — Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been relinquished. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when the assets have been isolated from us, the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and we do not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

SECURITIES — We classify our securities as trading, held to maturity or available for sale. Trading securities are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term and are reported at fair value with realized and unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. Securities held to maturity represent those securities for which we have the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity and are reported at cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts computed on the level-yield method. We did not have any securities held to maturity at December 31, 2013 and 2012. Securities available for sale represent those securities not classified as trading or held to maturity and are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of applicable income taxes reported in other comprehensive income (loss).

We evaluate securities for OTTI at least on a quarterly basis and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation. In performing this evaluation management considers (1) the length of time and extent that fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer, (3) the impact of changes in market interest rates on the market value of the security and (4) an assessment of whether we intend to sell, or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell a security in an unrealized loss position before recovery of its amortized cost basis. For securities that do not meet the aforementioned recovery criteria, the amount of impairment recognized in earnings is limited to the amount related to credit losses, while impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income or loss. The credit loss is defined as the difference between the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis.

Gains and losses realized on the sale of securities available for sale are determined using the specific identification method and are recognized on a trade-date basis. Premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income computed on the level-yield method.

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK (“FHLB”) STOCK — Our Bank subsidiary is a member of the FHLB system. Members are required to own a certain amount of stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors, and may invest in additional amounts. FHLB stock is carried at cost, classified as a restricted security, and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income.

FEDERAL RESERVE BANK (“FRB”) STOCK — Our Bank subsidiary is a member of its regional Federal Reserve Bank. FRB stock is carried at cost, classified as a restricted security, and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income.

LOAN REVENUE RECOGNITION — Interest on loans is accrued based on the principal amounts outstanding. In general the accrual of interest income is discontinued when a loan becomes 90 days past due for commercial loans and installment loans and when a loan misses four consecutive payments for mortgage loans and the borrower’s capacity to repay the loan and collateral values appear insufficient for each loan class. However, loans may be placed on non-accrual status regardless of whether or not such loans are considered past due if, in management’s opinion, the borrower is unable to meet payment obligations as they become due or as required by regulatory provisions. All interest accrued but not received for all loans placed on non-accrual is reversed from interest income. Payments on such loans are generally applied to the principal balance until qualifying to be returned to accrual status. A non-accrual loan may be restored to accrual status when interest and principal payments are current and the loan appears otherwise collectible. Delinquency status for all classes in the commercial and installment loan segments is based on the actual number of days past due as required by the contractual terms of the loan agreement while delinquency status for mortgage loan segment classes is based on the number of payments past due.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
Certain loan fees and direct loan origination costs are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of yield generally over the contractual life of the related loan. Fees received in connection with loan commitments are deferred until the loan is advanced and are then recognized generally over the contractual life of the loan as an adjustment of yield. Fees on commitments that expire unused are recognized at expiration. Fees received for letters of credit are recognized as revenue over the life of the commitment.

PAYMENT PLAN RECEIVABLE REVENUE RECOGNITION — Payment plan receivables are acquired by our Mepco segment at a discount and reported net of this discount in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. This discount is accreted into interest and fees on loans over the life of the receivable computed on a level-yield method. All classes of payment plan receivables that have been canceled and are 90 days or more past due as required by the contractual terms of the payment plan are classified as non-accrual.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES — Portfolios are disaggregated into segments for purposes of determining the allowance for loan losses (“AFLL”) which include commercial, mortgage and installment loans and payment plan receivables. These segments are further disaggregated into classes for purposes of monitoring and assessing credit quality based on certain risk characteristics. Classes within the commercial loan segment include (i) income producing – real estate, (ii) land, land development and construction – real estate and (iii) commercial and industrial. Classes within the mortgage loan segment include (i) 1-4 family, (ii) resort lending, (iii) home equity – 1st lien and (iv) home equity 2nd lien. Classes within the installment loan segment include (i) home equity – 1st lien, (ii) home equity – 2nd lien, (iii) loans not secured by real estate and (iv) other. Classes within the payment plan receivables segment include (i) full refund, (ii) partial refund and (iii) other. Commercial loans are subject to adverse market conditions which may impact the borrower’s ability to make repayment on the loan or could cause a decline in the value of the collateral that secures the loan. Mortgage and installment loans and payment plan receivables are subject to adverse employment conditions in the local economy which could increase default rates. In addition, mortgage loans and real estate based installment loans are subject to adverse market conditions which could cause a decline in the value of collateral that secures the loan. For an analysis of the AFLL by portfolio segment and credit quality information by class, see note #4.

Some loans will not be repaid in full. Therefore, an AFLL is maintained at a level which represents our best estimate of losses incurred. In determining the allowance and the related provision for loan losses, we consider four principal elements: (i) specific allocations based upon probable losses identified during the review of the loan portfolio, (ii) allocations established for other adversely rated commercial loans, (iii) allocations based principally on historical loan loss experience, and (iv) additional allocations based on subjective factors, including local and general economic business factors and trends, portfolio concentrations and changes in the size and/or the general terms of the loan portfolios.

The first AFLL element (specific allocations) reflects our estimate of probable incurred losses based upon our systematic review of specific loans. These estimates are based upon a number of objective factors, such as payment history, financial condition of the borrower, discounted collateral exposure and discounted cash flow analysis. Impaired commercial, mortgage and installment loans are allocated allowance amounts using this first element. The second AFLL element (other adversely rated commercial loans) reflects the application of our loan rating system. This rating system is similar to those employed by state and federal banking regulators. Commercial loans that are rated below a certain predetermined classification are assigned a loss allocation factor for each loan classification category that is based upon a historical analysis of both the probability of default and the expected loss rate (“loss given default”). The lower the rating assigned to a loan or category, the greater the allocation percentage that is applied. The third AFLL element (historical loss allocations) is determined by assigning allocations to higher rated (“non-watch credit”) commercial loans using a probability of default and loss given default similar to the second AFLL element and to homogenous mortgage and installment loan groups based upon borrower credit score and portfolio segment. For homogenous mortgage and installment loans a probability of default for each homogenous pool is calculated by way of credit score migration. Historical loss data for each homogenous pool coupled with the associated probability of default is utilized to calculate an expected loss allocation rate. The fourth AFLL element (additional allocations based on subjective factors) is based on factors that cannot be associated with a specific credit or loan category and reflects our attempt to ensure that the overall allowance for loan losses appropriately reflects a margin for the imprecision necessarily inherent in the estimates of expected credit losses. We consider a number of subjective factors when determining this fourth element, including local and general economic business factors and trends, portfolio concentrations and changes in the size, mix and the general terms of the overall loan portfolio.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
Increases in the AFLL are recorded by a provision for loan losses charged to expense. Although we periodically allocate portions of the AFLL to specific loans and loan portfolios, the entire AFLL is available for incurred losses. We generally charge-off commercial, homogenous residential mortgage and installment loans and payment plan receivables when they are deemed uncollectible or reach a predetermined number of days past due based on loan product, industry practice and other factors. Collection efforts may continue and recoveries may occur after a loan is charged against the AFLL.

While we use relevant information to recognize losses on loans, additional provisions for related losses may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions, customer circumstances and other credit risk factors.

A loan is impaired when full payment under the loan terms is not expected. Generally, those loans included in each commercial loan class that are rated substandard, classified as non-performing or were classified as non- performing in the preceding quarter are evaluated for impairment. Those loans included in each mortgage loan or installment class whose terms have been modified and considered a troubled debt restructuring are also impaired. Loans which have been modified resulting in a concession, and which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, are considered troubled debt restructurings (“TDR”) and classified as impaired. We measure our investment in an impaired loan based on one of three methods: the loan’s observable market price, the fair value of the collateral or the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans, such as those loans included in each installment and mortgage loan class and each payment plan receivable class are collectively evaluated for impairment, and accordingly, they are not separately identified for impairment disclosures. TDR loans are measured at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s effective interest rate at inception of the loan. If a TDR is considered to be a collateral dependent loan, the loan is reported net, at the fair value of collateral.

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT — Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization is computed using both straight-line and accelerated methods over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Buildings are generally depreciated over a period not exceeding 39 years and equipment is generally depreciated over periods not exceeding 7 years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their estimated useful life or lease period.
 
BANK OWNED LIFE INSURANCE — We have purchased a group flexible premium non-participating variable life insurance contract on approximately 270 lives (who were salaried employees at the time we purchased the contract) in order to recover the cost of providing certain employee benefits. Bank owned life insurance is recorded at its cash surrender value or the amount that can be currently realized.

OTHER REAL ESTATE AND REPOSSESSED ASSETS — Other real estate at the time of acquisition is recorded at fair value, less estimated costs to sell, which becomes the property’s new basis. Fair value is typically determined by a third party appraisal of the property. Any write-downs at date of acquisition are charged to the allowance for loan losses. Expense incurred in maintaining assets and subsequent write-downs to reflect declines in value and gains or losses on the sale of other real estate are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Non-real estate repossessed assets are treated in a similar manner.

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS — Other intangible assets consist of core deposits. They are initially measured at fair value and then are amortized on both straight-line and accelerated methods over their estimated useful lives, which range from 10 to 15 years.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
VEHICLE SERVICE CONTRACT COUNTERPARTY RECEIVABLES, NET — These amounts represent funds due to Mepco from its counterparties for cancelled service contracts. Upon the cancellation of a service contract and the completion of the billing process to the counterparties for amounts due to Mepco, there is a decrease in the amount of “payment plan receivables” and an increase in the amount of “vehicle service contract counterparty receivables” until such time as the amount due from the counterparty is collected.

INCOME TAXES — We employ the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. This method establishes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities at tax rates expected to be in effect when such amounts are realized or settled. Under this method, the effect of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date. The deferred tax asset is subject to a valuation allowance for that portion of the asset for which it is more likely than not that it will not be realized.

A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination.

We recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

We file a consolidated federal income tax return. Intercompany tax liabilities are settled as if each subsidiary filed a separate return.

VEHICLE SERVICE CONTRACT COUNTERPARTY PAYABLES — Vehicle service contract counterparty payables represent amounts owed to insurance companies or other counterparties for vehicle service contract payment plans purchased by us. The vehicle service contract counterparty payable becomes due in accordance with the terms of the specific contract between Mepco and the counterparty. Typically these terms require payment after Mepco has received one or two payments from the consumer on the payment plan receivable.

COMMITMENTS TO EXTEND CREDIT AND RELATED FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS — Financial instruments may include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Financial instruments involve varying degrees of credit and interest-rate risk in excess of amounts reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Exposure to credit risk in the event of non-performance by the counterparties to the financial instruments for loan commitments to extend credit and letters of credit is represented by the contractual amounts of those instruments. In general, we use a similar methodology to estimate our liability for these off-balance sheet credit exposures as we do for our allowance for loan losses. For commercial related commitments, we estimate liability using our loan rating system and for mortgage and installment commitments we estimate liability principally upon historical loss experience. Our estimated liability for off balance sheet commitments is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and any charge or recovery is recorded in non-interest expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS — We record derivatives on our Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition as assets and liabilities measured at their fair value. The accounting for increases and decreases in the value of derivatives depends upon the use of derivatives and whether the derivatives qualify for hedge accounting.

At the inception of the derivative we designate the derivative as one of three types based on our intention and belief as to likely effectiveness as a hedge. These three types are (1) a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (“Fair Value Hedge”), (2) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“Cash Flow Hedge”), or (3) an instrument with no hedging designation. For a Fair Value Hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative, as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item, are recognized in current earnings as fair values change. We currently do not have any Fair Value Hedges. For a Cash Flow Hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative is reported in other comprehensive income and is reclassified into earnings in the same periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. We currently do not have any Cash Flow Hedges as we terminated our last remaining hedge during the second quarter of 2013. For both types of hedges, changes in the fair value of derivatives that are not highly effective in hedging the changes in fair value or expected cash flows of the hedged item are recognized immediately in current earnings. For instruments with no hedging designation the gain or loss on the derivative is reported currently in earnings. These free standing instruments currently consist of mortgage banking related derivatives and include rate-lock loan commitments to fund mortgage loans (interest rate locks) to be sold into the secondary market and mandatory forward commitments for the future delivery of these mortgage loans. Fair values of these mortgage derivatives are estimated based on mortgage backed security pricing for comparable assets. We enter into mandatory forward commitments for the future delivery of mortgage loans generally when interest rate locks are entered into, in order to hedge the change in interest rates resulting from our commitments to fund the loans. Changes in the fair values of these derivatives are included in net gains on mortgage loans.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
Net cash settlements on derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting are recorded in interest expense. Net cash settlements on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported in non-interest income. Cash flows on hedges are classified in the cash flow statement the same as the cash flows of the items being hedged.

We formally document the relationship between derivatives and hedged items, as well as the risk-management objective and the strategy for undertaking hedge transactions at the inception of the hedging relationship. This documentation includes linking Fair Value or Cash Flow Hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet or to specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions. We also assess, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivative instruments that are used are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged items. We discontinue hedge accounting when it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item, the derivative is settled or terminates, a hedged forecasted transaction is no longer probable, a hedged firm commitment is no longer firm, or treatment of the derivative as a hedge is no longer appropriate or intended.

When hedge accounting is discontinued, subsequent changes in fair value of the derivative are recorded currently in earnings. When a fair value hedge is discontinued, the hedged asset or liability is no longer adjusted for changes in fair value and the existing basis adjustment is amortized or accreted over the remaining life of the asset or liability. When a cash flow hedge is discontinued but the hedged cash flows or forecasted transactions are still expected to occur, gains or losses that were accumulated in other comprehensive income are amortized into earnings over the same periods which the hedged transactions will affect earnings.

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) — Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (loss), unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale and derivative instruments classified as cash flow hedges.

INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE — Basic income (loss) and diluted (loss) per common share are computed by dividing net income applicable to common stock by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and participating share awards. All outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends are considered participating securities for this calculation. For diluted income per common share, net income is divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus the dilutive effects of the assumed conversion of convertible preferred stock, assumed exercise of common stock warrants, assumed exercise of stock options, restricted stock units and stock units for a deferred compensation plan for non-employee directors. For any period in which a loss is recorded, dividends on convertible preferred stock are not added back in the diluted per share calculation and the assumed conversion of convertible preferred stock, assumed exercise of common stock warrants, assumed exercise of stock options, restricted stock units and stock units for a deferred compensation plan for non-employee directors would have an anti-dilutive impact on the loss per share and thus are ignored in the diluted per share calculation.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
SHARE BASED COMPENSATION — Cost is recognized for stock options and non-vested share awards issued to employees, based on the fair value of these awards at the date of grant. A Black-Scholes model is utilized to estimate the fair value of stock options, while the market price of our common stock at the date of grant is used for non-vested share awards. Cost is recognized over the required service period, generally defined as the vesting period. Cost is also recognized for salary stock issued to employees and stock issued to non- employee directors. These shares vest immediately and cost is recognized during the period they are issued.

COMMON STOCK — At December 31, 2013, 0.1 million shares of common stock were reserved for issuance under the dividend reinvestment plan and 0.5 million shares of common stock were reserved for issuance under our long-term incentive plans.

RECLASSIFICATION — Certain amounts in the 2012 and 2011 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2013 presentation.

ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS — In February, 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2013-02, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income”. This ASU amended guidance on the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendments in this guidance require an entity to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in net income if the amount being reclassified is required under GAAP to be reclassified in its entirety to net income. For other amounts that are not required under GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. This amended guidance became effective for us at January 1, 2013 and was applied prospectively. The effect of adopting this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated operating results or financial condition, but the additional disclosures are included in note #24.

In July 2013, the FASB amended existing guidance related to the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists. These amendments provide that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion thereof, be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except to the extent that a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date to settle any additional income taxes that would result from disallowance of a tax position, or the tax law does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, then the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a liability. These amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013 with early adoption and retrospective application permitted. This amendment is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated operating results or financial condition.

In January, 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-04, “Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure”. The amendments in this ASU clarify that an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, and a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan, upon either (1) the creditor obtaining legal title to the residential real estate property upon completion of a foreclosure or (2) the borrower conveying all interest in the residential real estate property to the creditor to satisfy that loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. This amendment is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014 with early adoption and retrospective or prospective application permitted. This amendment is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated operating results or financial condition.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
NOTE 2 – RESTRICTIONS ON CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS

Our Bank is required to maintain reserve balances in the form of vault cash and non-interest earning balances with the FRB. The average reserve balances to be maintained during 2013 and 2012 were $24.5 million and $26.1 million, respectively. We do not maintain compensating balances with correspondent banks. We are also required to maintain reserve balances related primarily to our merchant payment processing operations and Visa debit card operations. These balances are held at unrelated financial institutions and totaled $2.4 million and $2.5 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

NOTE 3 – SECURITIES

Securities available for sale consist of the following at December 31:

 
  Amortized    
Unrealized
   
 
 
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
2013
 
   
   
   
 
U.S. agency
 
$
32,106
   
$
44
   
$
342
   
$
31,808
 
U.S. agency residential mortgage-backed
   
202,649
     
1,343
     
532
     
203,460
 
Private label residential mortgage-backed
   
7,294
     
112
     
618
     
6,788
 
Other asset backed
   
45,369
     
10
     
194
     
45,185
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
157,966
     
496
     
4,784
     
153,678
 
Corporate
   
19,120
     
43
     
26
     
19,137
 
Trust preferred
   
2,902
     
-
     
477
     
2,425
 
Total
 
$
467,406
   
$
2,048
   
$
6,973
   
$
462,481
 
 
                               
2012
                               
U.S. agency
 
$
30,620
   
$
70
   
$
23
   
$
30,667
 
U.S. agency residential mortgage-backed
   
126,151
     
1,264
     
3
     
127,412
 
Private label residential mortgage-backed
   
9,070
     
-
     
876
     
8,194
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
38,384
     
736
     
69
     
39,051
 
Trust preferred
   
4,704
     
-
     
1,615
     
3,089
 
Total
 
$
208,929
   
$
2,070
   
$
2,586
   
$
208,413
 

Total OTTI recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss for securities available for sale was $0.2 million and $0.3 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
Our investments’ gross unrealized losses and fair values aggregated by investment type and length of time that individual securities have been at a continuous unrealized loss position, at December 31 follows:

 
 
Less Than Twelve Months
   
Twelve Months or More
   
Total
 
 
 
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
2013
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
U.S. agency
 
$
16,715
   
$
342
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
16,715
   
$
342
 
U.S. agency residential mortgage-backed
   
78,256
     
532
     
-
     
-
     
78,256
     
532
 
Private label residential mortgage-backed
   
407
     
6
     
4,602
     
612
     
5,009
     
618
 
Other asset backed
   
33,862
     
194
     
-
     
-
     
33,862
     
194
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
103,942
     
4,645
     
4,805
     
139
     
108,747
     
4,784
 
Corporate
   
7,105
     
26
     
-
     
-
     
7,105
     
26
 
Trust preferred
   
-
     
-
     
2,425
     
477
     
2,425
     
477
 
Total
 
$
240,287
   
$
5,745
   
$
11,832
   
$
1,228
   
$
252,119
   
$
6,973
 
 
                                               
2012
                                               
U.S. agency
 
$
8,097
   
$
23
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
8,097
   
$
23
 
U.S. agency residential mortgage-backed
   
-
     
-
     
457
     
3
     
457
     
3
 
Private label residential mortgage-backed
   
-
     
-
     
8,192
     
876
     
8,192
     
876
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
7,384
     
69
     
-
     
-
     
7,384
     
69
 
Trust preferred
   
-
     
-
     
3,089
     
1,615
     
3,089
     
1,615
 
Total
 
$
15,481
   
$
92
   
$
11,738
   
$
2,494
   
$
27,219
   
$
2,586
 

Our portfolio of available-for-sale securities is reviewed quarterly for impairment in value. In performing this review management considers (1) the length of time and extent that fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer, (3) the impact of changes in market interest rates on the market value of the security and (4) an assessment of whether we intend to sell, or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell, a security in an unrealized loss position before recovery of its amortized cost basis. For securities that do not meet the aforementioned recovery criteria, the amount of impairment recognized in earnings is limited to the amount related to credit losses, while impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income or loss.

U.S. agency and U.S. agency residential mortgage-backed securities — at December 31, 2013 we had eight U.S. Agency and 14 U.S. Agency residential mortgage-backed securities whose fair market value is less than amortized cost. The unrealized losses are largely attributed to rises in term interest rates and widening discount margins on variable rate securities. As management does not intend to liquidate these securities and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of these unrealized losses, no declines are deemed to be other than temporary.

Private label residential mortgage backed securities — at December 31, 2013 we had six of this type of securities whose fair value is less than amortized cost. Two of the issues are rated by a major rating agency as investment grade two are below investment grade and two are split rated. Two of these bonds have impairment in excess of 10% and four of these holdings have been impaired for more than 12 months.

The unrealized losses are largely attributable to credit spread widening on these securities since their acquisition. The underlying loans within these securities include Jumbo (69%) and Alt A (31%) at December 31, 2013.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

 
December 31,
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
Fair
Value
 
Net
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
 
Fair
Value
 
Net
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
Private label residential mortgage-backed
 
   
   
   
 
Jumbo
 
$
4,687
   
$
(441
)
 
$
6,041
   
$
(594
)
Alt-A
   
2,101
     
(65
)
   
2,153
     
(282
)

These securities, except for the senior support security with a zero amortized cost basis, are receiving some principal and interest payments. Most of these transactions are passthrough structures, receiving pro rata principal and interest payments from a dedicated collateral pool for loans that are performing. The nonreceipt of interest cash flows is not expected and thus not presently considered in our discounted cash flow methodology discussed below.

All private label residential mortgage-backed securities are reviewed for OTTI utilizing a cash flow projection. The cash flow analysis forecasts cash flow from the underlying loans in each transaction and then applies these cash flows to the bonds in the securitization. The cash flows from the underlying loans consider contractual payment terms (scheduled amortization), prepayments, defaults and severity of loss given default. The analysis uses dynamic assumptions for prepayments, defaults and loss severity. Near term prepayment assumptions are based on recently observed prepayment rates. More weight is given to longer term historic performance (12 months). In some cases, recently observed prepayment rates are lower than historic norms due to a minimal amount of new jumbo loan issuances. This loan market is heavily dependent upon securitization for funding, and new securitization transactions have been minimal. Our model projections anticipate that prepayment rates gradually revert to historical levels. For seasoned ARM transactions, normalized prepayment rates range from 12% to 16% CPR. For fixed rate collateral (one transaction), the prepayment speeds are projected to remain stable.

Default assumptions are largely based on the volume of existing real estate owned, pending foreclosures and severe delinquencies. Other considerations include the quality of loan underwriting, recent default experience, realized loss performance and the volume of less severe delinquencies. Default levels generally are projected to remain elevated or increase for a period of time sufficient to address the level of distressed loans in the transaction. Our projections expect defaults to then decline, generally beginning in year three. Current loss severity assumptions are based on recent observations when meaningful data is available. Loss severity is expected to remain elevated for the next 12 months. Severity is expected to decline after this period due to improving overall economic conditions, improving real estate prices and a reduced inventory of foreclosed properties on the market. Except for three securities discussed in further detail below (all three are currently below investment grade), our cash flow analysis forecasts complete recovery of our cost basis for each reviewed security.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
At December 31, 2013 three below investment grade private label residential mortgage-backed securities had credit related OTTI and are summarized as follows:

 
 
Senior
Security
   
Super
Senior
Security
   
Senior
Support
Security
   
Total
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
As of December 31, 2013
 
   
   
   
 
Fair value
 
$
2,453
   
$
1,731
   
$
47
   
$
4,231
 
Amortized cost
   
2,820
     
1,666
     
-
     
4,486
 
Non-credit unrealized loss
   
367
     
-
     
-
     
367
 
Unrealized gain
   
-
     
65
     
47
     
112
 
Cumulative credit related OTTI
   
748
     
457
     
380
     
1,585
 
 
                               
Credit related OTTI recognized in our Consolidated
                               
Statements of Operations
                               
For the years ended December 31,
                               
2013
   
26
     
-
     
-
     
26
 
2012
   
247
     
32
     
60
     
339
 
2011
   
213
     
425
     
122
     
760
 

These securities, except the senior support security with a zero amortized cost basis, are receiving principal and interest payments similar to principal reductions in the underlying collateral. Two of these securities have unrealized gains and one has an unrealized loss at December 31, 2013. Prior to the second quarter of 2013 all three of these securities had an unrealized loss. The original amortized cost for each of these securities has been permanently adjusted downward for previously recorded credit related OTTI. The unrealized loss (based on original amortized cost) for two of these securities is now less than previously recorded credit related OTTI amounts. The remaining non-credit related unrealized loss in the senior security is attributed to other factors and is reflected in other comprehensive income during those same periods.

As management does not intend to liquidate these securities and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of these unrealized losses, no other declines discussed above are deemed to be other than temporary.

Other asset backed — at December 31, 2013 we had 16 other asset backed securities whose fair value is less than amortized cost. The unrealized losses are primarily due widening discount margins. As management does not intend to liquidate these securities and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of these unrealized losses, no declines are deemed to be other than temporary.

Obligations of states and political subdivisions — at December 31, 2013 we had 149 municipal securities whose fair value is less than amortized cost. The increase in unrealized losses during 2013 is primarily due to increases in interest rates. As management does not intend to liquidate these securities and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of these unrealized losses, no declines are deemed to be other than temporary.

Corporate — at December 31, 2013 we had six corporate securities whose fair value is less than amortized cost. The unrealized losses are primarily due to credit spread widening. As management does not intend to liquidate these securities and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of these unrealized losses, no declines are deemed to be other than temporary.

Trust preferred securities — at December 31, 2013 we had three trust preferred securities whose fair value is less than amortized cost. All of our trust preferred securities are single issue securities issued by a trust subsidiary of a bank holding company. The pricing of trust preferred securities over the past several years has
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
suffered from credit spread widening fueled by uncertainty regarding potential losses of financial companies and repricing of risk related to these hybrid capital securities.

One of the three securities is rated by two major rating agencies as investment grade, while one (a Bank of America issuance) is rated below investment grade by two major rating agencies and the other one is non-rated. The non-rated issue is a relatively small bank and was never rated. The issuer of this non-rated trust preferred security, which had a total amortized cost of $1.0 million and total fair value of $0.8 million as of December 31, 2013, continues to have satisfactory credit metrics and make interest payments.

The following table breaks out our trust preferred securities in further detail as of December 31:

 
2013
 
2012
 
 
Fair
Value
 
Net
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
 
Fair
Value
 
Net
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
Trust preferred securities
 
   
   
   
 
Rated issues
 
$
1,600
   
$
(302
)
 
$
1,581
   
$
(316
)
Unrated issues
   
825
     
(175
)
   
1,508
     
(1,299
)

As management does not intend to liquidate these securities and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of these unrealized losses, no declines are deemed to be other than temporary.

During 2013, 2012 and 2011 we recorded in earnings OTTI charges on securities available for sale of $0.03 million, $0.3 million and $0.8 million respectively.

A rollforward of credit losses recognized in earnings on securities available for sale for the years ending December 31 follow:

 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
1,809
   
$
1,470
   
$
710
 
Additions to credit losses on securities for which no previous OTTI was recognized
   
-
     
-
     
425
 
Increases to credit losses on securities for which OTTI was previously recognized
   
26
     
339
     
335
 
Balance at end of year
 
$
1,835
   
$
1,809
   
$
1,470
 

The amortized cost and fair value of securities available for sale at December 31, 2013, by contractual maturity, follow. The actual maturity may differ from the contractual maturity because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 
 
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair
Value
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Maturing within one year
 
$
14,942
   
$
14,952
 
Maturing after one year but within five years
   
84,253
     
84,306
 
Maturing after five years but within ten years
   
32,864
     
32,478
 
Maturing after ten years
   
80,035
     
75,312
 
 
   
212,094
     
207,048
 
U.S. agency residential mortgage-backed
   
202,649
     
203,460
 
Private label residential mortgage-backed
   
7,294
     
6,788
 
Other asset backed
   
45,369
     
45,185
 
Total
 
$
467,406
   
$
462,481
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
A summary of proceeds from the sale of securities available for sale and gains and losses follows:

 
Proceeds
   
Realized
Gains
   
Losses(1)
 
 
(In thousands)
 
2013
 
$
2,940
   
$
15
   
$
8
 
2012
   
37,176
     
1,193
     
-
 
2011
   
70,322
     
279
     
75
 
 

(1) Losses in 2013, 2012 and 2011 exclude $0.03 million, $0.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively of other than temporary impairment.

During 2013, 2012 and 2011 our trading securities consisted of various preferred stocks. During each of those years we recognized gains on trading securities of $0.39 million, $0.03 million and $0.04 million, respectively that are included in net gains (losses) on securities in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Of these amounts, $0.39 million and $0.03 million relates to gains (losses) recognized on trading securities still held at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Securities with a book value of $10.7 million and $23.1 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, were pledged to secure borrowings, public deposits and for other purposes as required by law. There were no investment obligations of state and political subdivisions that were payable from or secured by the same source of revenue or taxing authority that exceeded 10% of consolidated shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2013 or 2012.

NOTE 4 - LOANS AND PAYMENT PLAN RECEIVABLES

Our loan portfolios at December 31 follow:

 
 
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Real estate(1)
 
   
 
Residential first mortgages
 
$
431,812
   
$
468,636
 
Residential home equity and other junior mortgages
   
113,703
     
121,235
 
Construction and land development
   
50,290
     
56,183
 
Other(2)
   
440,348
     
434,336
 
Commercial
   
146,954
     
132,904
 
Consumer
   
126,443
     
117,077
 
Payment plan receivables
   
60,638
     
84,692
 
Agricultural
   
4,382
     
4,076
 
Total loans
 
$
1,374,570
   
$
1,419,139
 
 

(1) Includes both residential and non-residential commercial loans secured by real estate.
(2) Includes loans secured by multi-family residential and non-farm, non-residential property.

Loans include net deferred loan costs of $0.2 million at both December 31, 2013 and 2012. Payment plan receivables totaling $64.7 million and $90.8 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, are presented net of unamortized discount of $4.1 million and $6.2 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These payment plan receivables had effective yields of 15% at both December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These receivables have various due dates through December, 2015.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

An analysis of the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the years ended December 31 follows:

 
 
Commercial
   
Mortgage
   
Installment
   
Payment
Plan
Receivables
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
2013
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
11,402
   
$
21,447
   
$
3,378
   
$
144
   
$
7,904
   
$
44,275
 
Additions (deductions)
                                               
Provision for loan losses
   
(2,336
)
   
71
     
314
     
(93
)
   
(1,944
)
   
(3,988
)
Recoveries credited to allowance
   
5,119
     
1,996
     
1,074
     
81
     
-
     
8,270
 
Loans charged against the allowance
   
(7,358
)
   
(6,319
)
   
(2,520
)
   
(35
)
   
-
     
(16,232
)
Balance at end of period
 
$
6,827
   
$
17,195
   
$
2,246
   
$
97
   
$
5,960
   
$
32,325
 
 
                                               
2012
                                               
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
18,183
   
$
22,885
   
$
6,146
   
$
197
   
$
11,473
   
$
58,884
 
Additions (deductions)
                                               
Provision for loan losses
   
2,351
     
7,778
     
15
     
(3
)
   
(3,254
)
   
6,887
 
Recoveries credited to allowance
   
3,610
     
1,581
     
1,311
     
20
     
-
     
6,522
 
Loans charged against the allowance
   
(12,588
)
   
(10,741
)
   
(4,009
)
   
(70
)
   
-
     
(27,408
)
Reclassification to loans held for sale
   
(154
)
   
(56
)
   
(85
)
   
-
     
(315
)
   
(610
)
Balance at end of period
 
$
11,402
   
$
21,447
   
$
3,378
   
$
144
   
$
7,904
   
$
44,275
 
 
                                               
2011
                                               
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
23,836
   
$
22,642
   
$
6,769
   
$
389
   
$
14,279
   
$
67,915
 
Additions (deductions)
                                               
Provision for loan losses
   
12,988
     
14,410
     
3,365
     
(11
)
   
(2,806
)
   
27,946
 
Recoveries credited to allowance
   
1,850
     
1,441
     
1,451
     
5
     
-
     
4,747
 
Loans charged against the allowance
   
(20,491
)
   
(15,608
)
   
(5,439
)
   
(186
)
   
-
     
(41,724
)
Balance at end of period
 
$
18,183
   
$
22,885
   
$
6,146
   
$
197
   
$
11,473
   
$
58,884
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
Allowance for loan losses and recorded investment in loans by portfolio segment at December 31 follows:

 
 
Commercial
   
Mortgage
   
Installment
   
Payment
Plan
Receivables
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
2013
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
Allowance for loan losses:
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
 
$
3,878
   
$
10,488
   
$
792
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
15,158
 
Collectively evaluated for impairment
   
2,949
     
6,707
     
1,454
     
97
     
5,960
     
17,167
 
Total ending allowance balance
 
$
6,827
   
$
17,195
   
$
2,246
   
$
97
   
$
5,960
   
$
32,325
 
 
                                               
Loans
                                               
Individually evaluated for impairment
 
$
40,623
   
$
78,022
   
$
7,068
   
$
-
           
$
125,713
 
Collectively evaluated for impairment
   
596,235
     
410,887
     
185,676
     
60,638
             
1,253,436
 
Total loans recorded investment
   
636,858
     
488,909
     
192,744
     
60,638
             
1,379,149
 
Accrued interest included in recorded investment
   
1,624
     
2,276
     
679
     
-
             
4,579
 
Total loans
 
$
635,234
   
$
486,633
   
$
192,065
   
$
60,638
           
$
1,374,570
 
 
                                               
2012
                                               
Allowance for loan losses:
                                               
Individually evaluated for impairment
 
$
6,558
   
$
12,869
   
$
1,582
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
21,009
 
Collectively evaluated for impairment
   
4,844
     
8,578
     
1,796
     
144
     
7,904
     
23,266
 
Total ending allowance balance
 
$
11,402
   
$
21,447
   
$
3,378
   
$
144
   
$
7,904
   
$
44,275
 
 
                                               
Loans
                                               
Individually evaluated for impairment
 
$
55,634
   
$
88,028
   
$
7,505
   
$
-
           
$
151,167
 
Collectively evaluated for impairment
   
563,316
     
441,703
     
183,090
     
84,692
             
1,272,801
 
Total loans recorded investment
   
618,950
     
529,731
     
190,595
     
84,692
             
1,423,968
 
Accrued interest included in recorded
investment
   
1,692
     
2,391
     
746
     
-
             
4,829
 
Total loans
 
$
617,258
   
$
527,340
   
$
189,849
   
$
84,692
           
$
1,419,139
 

Non-performing loans at December 31 follows:

 
2013
2012
 
(In thousands)
Non-accrual loans
 
$
17,905
   
$
32,929
 
Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest
   
-
     
7
 
Total non-performing loans
 
$
17,905
   
$
32,936
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
Non performing loans include both smaller balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment and individually classified impaired loans. If these loans had continued to accrue interest in accordance with their original terms, approximately $1.2 million, $2.3 million, and $3.2 million of interest income would have been recognized in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Interest income recorded on these loans was approximately $0.1 million in each of the years ended 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Non performing loans by class as of December 31 follows:

 
 
90+ and
Still
Accruing
   
Non-
Accrual
   
Total Non-
Performing
Loans
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
2013
 
   
   
 
Commercial
 
   
   
 
Income producing - real estate
 
$
-
   
$
1,899
   
$
1,899
 
Land, land development and construction - real estate
   
-
     
1,036
     
1,036
 
Commercial and industrial
   
-
     
2,434
     
2,434
 
Mortgage
                       
1-4 family
   
-
     
6,594
     
6,594
 
Resort lending
   
-
     
2,668
     
2,668
 
Home equity - 1st lien
   
-
     
415
     
415
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
-
     
689
     
689
 
Installment
                       
Home equity - 1st lien
   
-
     
938
     
938
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
-
     
571
     
571
 
Loans not secured by real estate
   
-
     
638
     
638
 
Other
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Payment plan receivables
                       
Full refund
   
-
     
20
     
20
 
Partial refund
   
-
     
3
     
3
 
Other
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total recorded investment
 
$
-
   
$
17,905
   
$
17,905
 
Accrued interest included in recorded investment
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
2012
                       
Commercial
                       
Income producing - real estate
 
$
-
   
$
5,611
   
$
5,611
 
Land, land development and construction - real estate
   
-
     
4,062
     
4,062
 
Commercial and industrial
   
-
     
5,080
     
5,080
 
Mortgage
                       
1-4 family
   
7
     
9,654
     
9,661
 
Resort lending
   
-
     
4,861
     
4,861
 
Home equity - 1st lien
   
-
     
529
     
529
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
-
     
685
     
685
 
Installment
                       
Home equity - 1st lien
   
-
     
1,278
     
1,278
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
-
     
675
     
675
 
Loans not secured by real estate
   
-
     
390
     
390
 
Other
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Payment plan receivables
                       
Full refund
   
-
     
57
     
57
 
Partial refund
   
-
     
38
     
38
 
Other
   
-
     
9
     
9
 
Total recorded investment
 
$
7
   
$
32,929
   
$
32,936
 
Accrued interest included in recorded investment
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
An aging analysis of loans by class at December 31 follows:

 
 
Loans Past Due
   
   
 
 
 
30-59 days
   
60-89 days
   
90+ days
   
Total
   
Loans not
Past Due
   
Total
Loans
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
2013
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
Commercial
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
Income producing - real estate
 
$
1,014
   
$
428
   
$
878
   
$
2,320
   
$
249,313
   
$
251,633
 
Land, land development and construction - real estate
   
781
     
129
     
256
     
1,166
     
30,670
     
31,836
 
Commercial and industrial
   
1,155
     
1,665
     
318
     
3,138
     
350,251
     
353,389
 
Mortgage
                                               
1-4 family
   
3,750
     
224
     
6,594
     
10,568
     
270,855
     
281,423
 
Resort lending
   
698
     
234
     
2,668
     
3,600
     
142,356
     
145,956
 
Home equity - 1st lien
   
172
     
-
     
415
     
587
     
18,214
     
18,801
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
663
     
73
     
689
     
1,425
     
41,304
     
42,729
 
Installment
                                               
Home equity - 1st lien
   
557
     
134
     
938
     
1,629
     
25,513
     
27,142
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
536
     
136
     
571
     
1,243
     
36,701
     
37,944
 
Loans not secured by real
estate
   
833
     
281
     
638
     
1,752
     
123,295
     
125,047
 
Other
   
22
     
12
     
-
     
34
     
2,577
     
2,611
 
Payment plan receivables
                                               
Full refund
   
1,364
     
349
     
20
     
1,733
     
46,344
     
48,077
 
Partial refund
   
190
     
20
     
3
     
213
     
4,840
     
5,053
 
Other
   
122
     
4
     
-
     
126
     
7,382
     
7,508
 
Total recorded investment
 
$
11,857
   
$
3,689
   
$
13,988
   
$
29,534
   
$
1,349,615
   
$
1,379,149
 
Accrued interest included in recorded investment
 
$
100
   
$
26
   
$
-
   
$
126
   
$
4,453
   
$
4,579
 
 
                                               
2012
                                               
Commercial
                                               
Income producing - real estate
 
$
3,734
   
$
609
   
$
2,826
   
$
7,169
   
$
215,623
   
$
222,792
 
Land, land development and construction - real estate
   
336
     
-
     
1,176
     
1,512
     
41,750
     
43,262
 
Commercial and industrial
   
2,522
     
654
     
1,913
     
5,089
     
347,807
     
352,896
 
Mortgage
                                               
1-4 family
   
4,429
     
1,115
     
9,661
     
15,205
     
279,132
     
294,337
 
Resort lending
   
748
     
370
     
4,861
     
5,979
     
164,414
     
170,393
 
Home equity - 1st lien
   
453
     
51
     
529
     
1,033
     
18,003
     
19,036
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
442
     
32
     
685
     
1,159
     
44,806
     
45,965
 
Installment
                                               
Home equity - 1st lien
   
599
     
140
     
1,278
     
2,017
     
30,368
     
32,385
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
430
     
125
     
675
     
1,230
     
38,956
     
40,186
 
Loans not secured by real
estate
   
899
     
259
     
390
     
1,548
     
113,751
     
115,299
 
Other
   
24
     
12
     
-
     
36
     
2,689
     
2,725
 
Payment plan receivables
                                               
Full refund
   
2,249
     
552
     
57
     
2,858
     
77,335
     
80,193
 
Partial refund
   
112
     
46
     
38
     
196
     
4,119
     
4,315
 
Other
   
3
     
6
     
9
     
18
     
166
     
184
 
Total recorded investment
 
$
16,980
   
$
3,971
   
$
24,098
   
$
45,049
   
$
1,378,919
   
$
1,423,968
 
Accrued interest included in recorded investment
 
$
146
   
$
43
   
$
-
   
$
189
   
$
4,640
   
$
4,829
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Impaired loans are as follows :

 
 
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Impaired loans with no allocated allowance
 
   
 
TDR
 
$
13,006
   
$
14,435
 
Non - TDR
   
334
     
418
 
Impaired loans with an allocated allowance
               
TDR - allowance based on collateral
   
10,085
     
16,231
 
TDR - allowance based on present value cash flow
   
101,131
     
112,997
 
Non - TDR - allowance based on collateral
   
688
     
6,580
 
Non - TDR - allowance based on present value cash flow
   
-
     
-
 
Total impaired loans
 
$
125,244
   
$
150,661
 
 
               
Amount of allowance for loan losses allocated
               
TDR - allowance based on collateral
 
$
3,127
   
$
5,060
 
TDR - allowance based on present value cash flow
   
11,777
     
14,462
 
Non - TDR - allowance based on collateral
   
254
     
1,487
 
Non - TDR - allowance based on present value cash flow
           
-
 
Total amount of allowance for loan losses allocated
 
$
15,158
   
$
21,009
 

During the second quarter of 2013 we sold certain commercial watch, substandard and non-performing loans as follows:

 
 
(In thousands)
 
Income producing - real estate
 
$
4,570
 
Land, land development and construction - real estate
   
401
 
Commercial and industrial
   
3,630
 
Total
 
$
8,601
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
Impaired loans by class as of December 31 are as follows (1):

 
 
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
Recorded
Investment
   
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
   
Related
Allowance
   
Recorded
Investment
   
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
   
Related
Allowance
 
With no related allowance recorded:
 
(In thousands)
 
Commercial
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
Income producing - real estate
 
$
7,042
   
$
7,178
   
$
-
   
$
4,050
   
$
4,672
   
$
-
 
Land, land development & construction-real estate
   
2,185
     
3,217
     
-
     
3,304
     
3,294
     
-
 
Commercial and industrial
   
4,110
     
4,087
     
-
     
2,611
     
2,592
     
-
 
Mortgage
                                               
1-4 family
   
8
     
8
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Resort lending
   
35
     
163
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Home equity - 1st lien
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Installment
                                               
Home equity - 1st lien
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
2,027
     
2,219
     
-
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
2,278
     
2,278
     
-
 
Loans not secured by real estate
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
610
     
681
     
-
 
Other
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
20
     
20
     
-
 
 
   
13,380
     
14,653
     
-
     
14,900
     
15,756
     
-
 
With an allowance recorded:
                                               
Commercial
                                               
Income producing - real estate
   
14,538
     
15,631
     
1,161
     
20,628
     
24,250
     
1,822
 
Land, land development & construction-real estate
   
3,366
     
4,130
     
686
     
8,808
     
11,971
     
1,986
 
Commercial and industrial
   
9,382
     
9,529
     
2,031
     
16,233
     
18,564
     
2,750
 
Mortgage
                                               
1-4 family
   
57,612
     
60,768
     
7,236
     
64,160
     
68,418
     
8,518
 
Resort lending
   
20,171
     
20,608
     
3,221
     
23,763
     
24,160
     
4,321
 
Home equity - 1st lien
   
154
     
164
     
11
     
62
     
77
     
30
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
42
     
118
     
20
     
43
     
118
     
-
 
Installment
                                               
Home equity - 1st lien
   
2,959
     
3,115
     
254
     
1,215
     
1,240
     
610
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
3,352
     
3,347
     
462
     
1,161
     
1,174
     
930
 
Loans not secured by real estate
   
741
     
902
     
75
     
194
     
194
     
42
 
Other
   
16
     
16
     
1
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
 
   
112,333
     
118,328
     
15,158
     
136,267
     
150,166
     
21,009
 
Total
                                               
Commercial
                                               
Income producing - real estate
   
21,580
     
22,809
     
1,161
     
24,678
     
28,922
     
1,822
 
Land, land development & construction-real estate
   
5,551
     
7,347
     
686
     
12,112
     
15,265
     
1,986
 
Commercial and industrial
   
13,492
     
13,616
     
2,031
     
18,844
     
21,156
     
2,750
 
Mortgage
                                               
1-4 family
   
57,620
     
60,776
     
7,236
     
64,160
     
68,418
     
8,518
 
Resort lending
   
20,206
     
20,771
     
3,221
     
23,763
     
24,160
     
4,321
 
Home equity - 1st lien
   
154
     
164
     
11
     
62
     
77
     
30
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
42
     
118
     
20
     
43
     
118
     
-
 
Installment
                                               
Home equity - 1st lien
   
2,959
     
3,115
     
254
     
3,242
     
3,459
     
610
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
3,352
     
3,347
     
462
     
3,439
     
3,452
     
930
 
Loans not secured by real estate
   
741
     
902
     
75
     
804
     
875
     
42
 
Other
   
16
     
16
     
1
     
20
     
20
     
-
 
Total
 
$
125,713
   
$
132,981
   
$
15,158
   
$
151,167
   
$
165,922
   
$
21,009
 
 
                                               
Accrued interest included in recorded investment
 
$
469
                   
$
506
                 
 

(1) There were no impaired payment plan receivables at December 31, 2013 or 2012.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
Average recorded investment in and interest income earned on impaired loans by class for the years ended December 31 follows (1):

 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
   
Interest
Income
Recognized
   
Average
Recorded
Investment
   
Interest
Income
Recognized
   
Average
Recorded
Investment
   
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
With no related allowance recorded:
 
(In thousands)
 
Commercial
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
Income producing - real estate
 
$
5,765
   
$
340
   
$
2,981
   
$
166
   
$
3,170
   
$
170
 
Land, land development & construction-real estate
   
3,092
     
240
     
2,549
     
150
     
613
     
35
 
Commercial and industrial
   
3,980
     
226
     
3,526
     
246
     
2,874
     
70
 
Mortgage
                                               
1-4 family   
   
5
     
11
     
290
     
-
     
35
     
-
 
Resort lending   
   
28
     
-
     
222
     
-
     
166
     
-
 
Home equity - 1st lien
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Installment
                                               
Home equity - 1st lien
   
1,604
     
83
     
1,961
     
97
     
1,955
     
96
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
1,841
     
96
     
2,093
     
111
     
2,014
     
93
 
Loans not secured by real estate
   
470
     
23
     
549
     
30
     
598
     
31
 
Other   
   
15
     
1
     
22
     
2
     
15
     
2
 
 
   
16,800
     
1,020
     
14,193
     
802
     
11,440
     
497
 
With an allowance recorded:
                                               
Commercial
                                               
Income producing - real estate
   
18,164
     
587
     
23,508
     
571
     
18,812
     
117
 
Land, land development & construction-real estate
   
6,186
     
149
     
10,305
     
183
     
9,828
     
114
 
Commercial and industrial
   
11,795
     
457
     
17,828
     
467
     
11,501
     
352
 
Mortgage
                                               
1-4 family   
   
60,858
     
2,622
     
66,195
     
2,852
     
71,342
     
2,991
 
Resort lending   
   
21,708
     
836
     
24,286
     
1,000
     
29,335
     
1,064
 
Home equity - 1st lien
   
136
     
4
     
65
     
2
     
32
     
2
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
42
     
2
     
81
     
3
     
127
     
4
 
Installment
                                               
Home equity - 1st lien
   
1,448
     
85
     
1,432
     
50
     
1,408
     
60
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
1,546
     
86
     
1,325
     
51
     
1,466
     
66
 
Loans not secured by real estate
   
314
     
17
     
221
     
10
     
168
     
6
 
Other   
   
3
     
1
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
 
   
122,200
     
4,846
     
145,246
     
5,189
     
144,019
     
4,776
 
Total
                                               
Commercial
                                               
Income producing - real estate
   
23,929
     
927
     
26,489
     
737
     
21,982
     
287
 
Land, land development & construction-real estate
   
9,278
     
389
     
12,854
     
333
     
10,441
     
149
 
Commercial and industrial
   
15,775
     
683
     
21,354
     
713
     
14,375
     
422
 
Mortgage
                                               
1-4 family   
   
60,863
     
2,633
     
66,485
     
2,852
     
71,377
     
2,991
 
Resort lending   
   
21,736
     
836
     
24,508
     
1,000
     
29,501
     
1,064
 
Home equity - 1st lien
   
136
     
4
     
65
     
2
     
32
     
2
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
42
     
2
     
81
     
3
     
127
     
4
 
Installment
                                               
Home equity - 1st lien
   
3,052
     
168
     
3,393
     
147
     
3,363
     
156
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
3,387
     
182
     
3,418
     
162
     
3,480
     
159
 
Loans not secured by real estate
   
784
     
40
     
770
     
40
     
766
     
37
 
Other   
   
18
     
2
     
22
     
2
     
15
     
2
 
Total   
 
$
139,000
   
$
5,866
   
$
159,439
   
$
5,991
   
$
155,459
   
$
5,273
 
 

(1) There were no impaired payment plan receivables during the years ending December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
Our average investment in impaired loans was approximately $139.0 million, $159.4 million and $155.5 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Cash receipts on impaired loans on non-accrual status are generally applied to the principal balance. Interest income recognized on impaired loans was approximately $5.9 million, $6.0 million and $5.3 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively of which the majority of these amounts were received in cash.

Troubled debt restructurings at December 31 follow:

   
2013
 
   
Commercial
   
Retail
   
Total
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Performing TDR’s   
 
$
35,134
   
$
79,753
   
$
114,887
 
Non-performing TDR’s(1)   
   
4,347
     
4,988
(2)  
   
9,335
 
Total   
 
$
39,481
   
$
84,741
   
$
124,222
 
 
                       
    2012  
   
Commercial
   
Retail
   
Total
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Performing TDR’s   
 
$
40,753
   
$
85,977
   
$
126,730
 
Non-performing TDR’s(1)   
   
7,756
     
9,177
(2)  
   
16,933
 
Total   
 
$
48,509
   
$
95,154
   
$
143,663
 
 

(1) Included in non-performing loans table.
(2) Also includes loans on non-accrual at the time of modification until six payments are received on a timely basis.

We have allocated $14.9 million and $19.5 million of specific reserves to customers whose loan terms have been modified in troubled debt restructurings as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. We have committed to lend additional amounts totaling up to $0.17 and $0.02 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, to customers with outstanding loans that are classified as troubled debt restructurings.

The terms of certain loans were modified as troubled debt restructurings and generally included one or a combination of the following: a reduction of the stated interest rate of the loan; an extension of the maturity date at a stated rate of interest lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk; or a permanent reduction of the recorded investment in the loan.

Modifications involving a reduction of the stated interest rate of the loan have generally been for periods ranging from 9 months to 60 months but have extended to as much as 480 months in certain circumstances. Modifications involving an extension of the maturity date have generally been for periods ranging from 1 month to 60 months but have extended to as much as 193 months in certain circumstances.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
Loans that have been classified as troubled debt restructurings during the years ended December 31 follows:

 
 
Number of
Contracts
   
Pre-modification
Recorded
Balance
   
Post-modification
Recorded
Balance
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2013
 
   
   
 
Commercial
 
   
   
 
Income producing - real estate
   
6
   
$
4,798
   
$
3,869
 
Land, land development & construction-real estate
   
1
     
16
     
-
 
Commercial and industrial
   
23
     
2,522
     
1,901
 
Mortgage
                       
1-4 family
   
20
     
1,968
     
1,995
 
Resort lending
   
5
     
1,240
     
1,231
 
Home equity - 1st lien
   
1
     
95
     
97
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Installment
                       
Home equity - 1st lien
   
25
     
659
     
657
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
16
     
508
     
508
 
Loans not secured by real estate
   
5
     
149
     
110
 
Other
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total
   
102
   
$
11,955
   
$
10,368
 
 
                       
2012
                       
Commercial
                       
Income producing - real estate
   
20
   
$
9,464
   
$
8,568
 
Land, land development & construction-real estate
   
9
     
4,800
     
4,858
 
Commercial and industrial
   
50
     
9,951
     
7,905
 
Mortgage
                       
1-4 family
   
66
     
8,900
     
8,488
 
Resort lending
   
31
     
7,750
     
7,514
 
Home equity - 1st lien
   
1
     
15
     
-
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Installment
                       
Home equity - 1st lien
   
18
     
666
     
632
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
24
     
784
     
768
 
Loans not secured by real estate
   
13
     
325
     
304
 
Other
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total
   
232
   
$
42,655
   
$
39,037
 
 
                       
2011
                       
Commercial
                       
Income producing - real estate
   
42
   
$
21,061
   
$
17,679
 
Land, land development & construction-real estate
   
20
     
10,801
     
7,464
 
Commercial and industrial
   
64
     
11,133
     
10,649
 
Mortgage
                       
1-4 family
   
73
     
9,933
     
9,423
 
Resort lending
   
33
     
8,893
     
8,749
 
Home equity - 1st lien
   
2
     
69
     
64
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
1
     
23
     
18
 
Installment
                       
Home equity - 1st lien
   
21
     
678
     
618
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
16
     
535
     
514
 
Loans not secured by real estate
   
26
     
455
     
442
 
Other
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total
   
298
   
$
63,581
   
$
55,620
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
The troubled debt restructurings described above increased (decreased) the allowance for loan losses by $(0.3) million, $1.6 million and $3.4 million during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively and resulted in charge offs of $0.5 million, $1.0 million and $4.7 million during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Loans that have been classified as troubled debt restructured during the past twelve months and that have subsequently defaulted during the years ended December 31 follows:

 
 
Number of
Contracts
   
Recorded
Balance
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands )
 
2013
 
   
 
Commercial
 
   
 
Income producing - real estate
   
1
   
$
693
 
Land, land development & construction-real estate
   
1
     
334
 
Commercial and industrial
   
2
     
143
 
Mortgage
               
1-4 family
   
1
     
106
 
Resort lending
   
1
     
156
 
Home equity - 1st lien
   
-
     
-
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
-
     
-
 
Installment
               
Home equity - 1st lien
   
2
     
32
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
1
     
22
 
Loans not secured by real estate
   
-
     
-
 
Other
   
-
     
-
 
Total
   
9
   
$
1,486
 
 
               
2012
               
Commercial
               
Income producing - real estate
   
2
   
$
827
 
Land, land development & construction-real estate
   
-
     
-
 
Commercial and industrial
   
5
     
230
 
Mortgage
               
1-4 family
   
2
     
148
 
Resort lending
   
4
     
887
 
Home equity - 1st lien
   
-
     
-
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
-
     
-
 
Installment
               
Home equity - 1st lien
   
2
     
234
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
1
     
20
 
Loans not secured by real estate
   
-
     
-
 
Other
   
-
     
-
 
Total
   
16
   
$
2,346
 
 
               
2011
               
Commercial
               
Income producing - real estate
   
7
   
$
3,604
 
Land, land development & construction-real estate
   
4
     
3,036
 
Commercial and industrial
   
2
     
492
 
Mortgage
               
1-4 family
   
10
     
1,191
 
Resort lending
   
6
     
1,311
 
Home equity - 1st lien
   
-
     
-
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
-
     
-
 
Installment
               
Home equity - 1st lien
   
1
     
19
 
Home equity - 2nd lien
   
5
     
301
 
Loans not secured by real estate
   
-
     
-
 
Other
   
-
     
-
 
Total
   
35
   
$
9,954
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
A loan is considered to be in payment default generally once it is 90 days contractually past due under the modified terms for commercial loans and installment loans and when four consecutive payments are missed for mortgage loans.

The troubled debt restructurings that subsequently defaulted described above increased the allowance for loan losses by zero, $0.3 million and $1.9 million during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively and resulted in charge offs of $0.2 million, $0.8 million and $1.8 million during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

The terms of certain other loans were modified during the years ending December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 that did not meet the definition of a troubled debt restructuring. The modification of these loans could have included modification of the terms of a loan to borrowers who were not experiencing financial difficulties or a delay in a payment that was considered to be insignificant.

In order to determine whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, we perform an evaluation of the probability that the borrower will be in payment default on any of its debt in the foreseeable future without the modification. This evaluation is performed under our internal underwriting policy.

Credit Quality Indicators – As part of our on on-going monitoring of the credit quality of our loan portfolios, we track certain credit quality indicators including (a) weighted-average risk grade of commercial loans, (b) the level of classified commercial loans (c) credit scores of mortgage and installment loan borrowers (d) investment grade of certain counterparties for payment plan receivables and (e) delinquency history and non-performing loans.

For commercial loans we use a loan rating system that is similar to those employed by state and federal banking regulators. Loans are graded on a scale of 1 to 12. A description of the general characteristics of the ratings follows:

Rating 1 through 6 : These loans are generally referred to as our “non-watch” commercial credits that include very high or exceptional credit fundamentals through acceptable credit fundamentals.

Rating 7 and 8 : These loans are generally referred to as our “watch” commercial credits. This rating includes loans to borrowers that exhibit potential credit weakness or downward trends. If not checked or cured these trends could weaken our asset or credit position. While potentially weak, no loss of principal or interest is envisioned with these ratings.

Rating 9 : These loans are generally referred to as our “substandard accruing” commercial credits. This rating includes loans to borrowers that exhibit a well-defined weakness where payment default is probable and loss is possible if deficiencies are not corrected. Generally, loans with this rating are considered collectible as to both principal and interest primarily due to collateral coverage.

Rating 10 and 11 : These loans are generally referred to as our “substandard - non-accrual” and “doubtful” commercial credits. This rating includes loans to borrowers with weaknesses that make collection of debt in full, on the basis of current facts, conditions and values at best questionable and at worst improbable. All of these loans are placed in non-accrual.

Rating 12 : These loans are generally referred to as our “loss” commercial credits. This rating includes loans to borrowers that are deemed incapable of repayment and are charged-off.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
The following table summarizes loan ratings by loan class for our commercial loan segment at December 31:

 
  Commercial  
 
 
Non-watch
1-6
   
Watch
7-8
   
Substandard
Accrual
9
   
Non
Accrual
10-11
   
Total
 
 
 
   
   
(In thousands)
   
   
 
2013
 
   
   
   
   
 
Income producing - real estate
 
$
227,957
   
$
17,882
   
$
3,895
   
$
1,899
   
$
251,633
 
Land, land development and construction - real estate
   
25,654
     
4,829
     
317
     
1,036
     
31,836
 
Commercial and industrial
   
318,183
     
26,303
     
6,469
     
2,434
     
353,389
 
Total
 
$
571,794
   
$
49,014
   
$
10,681
   
$
5,369
   
$
636,858
 
Accrued interest included in total
 
$
1,433
   
$
147
   
$
44
   
$
-
   
$
1,624
 
 
                                       
2012
                                       
Income producing - real estate
 
$
183,530
   
$
27,096
   
$
6,555
   
$
5,611
   
$
222,792
 
Land, land development and construction - real estate
   
32,784
     
3,457
     
2,959
     
4,062
     
43,262
 
Commercial and industrial
   
307,566
     
26,954
     
13,296
     
5,080
     
352,896
 
Total
 
$
523,880
   
$
57,507
   
$
22,810
   
$
14,753
   
$
618,950
 
Accrued interest included in total
 
$
1,417
   
$
163
   
$
112
   
$
-
   
$
1,692
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
For each of our mortgage and installment segment classes we generally monitor credit quality based on the credit scores of the borrowers. These credit scores are generally updated at least annually. The following tables summarize credit scores by loan class for our mortgage and installment loan segments at December 31:

    Mortgage (1)  
   
1-4 Family
   
Resort
Lending
   
Home
Equity
1st Lien
   
Home
Equity
2nd Lien
   
Total
 
   
   
   
(In thousands)
   
   
 
2013
   
   
   
   
   
 
800 and above
   
$
23,924
   
$
13,487
   
$
3,650
   
$
5,354
   
$
46,415
 
750-799
     
60,728
     
56,880
     
4,560
     
11,809
     
133,977
 
700-749
     
58,269
     
35,767
     
3,289
     
8,628
     
105,953
 
650-699
     
49,771
     
21,696
     
2,316
     
7,145
     
80,928
 
600-649
     
34,991
     
8,555
     
2,621
     
5,141
     
51,308
 
550-599
     
24,616
     
3,261
     
1,165
     
2,485
     
31,527
 
500-549
     
14,823
     
2,271
     
644
     
1,560
     
19,298
 
Under 500
     
9,492
     
1,160
     
323
     
360
     
11,335
 
Unknown
     
4,809
     
2,879
     
233
     
247
     
8,168
 
Total
   
$
281,423
   
$
145,956
   
$
18,801
   
$
42,729
   
$
488,909
 
Accrued interest included in total
   
$
1,300
   
$
650
   
$
97
   
$
229
   
$
2,276
 
                                           
2012
                                         
800 and above
   
$
19,638
   
$
15,430
   
$
3,031
   
$
5,515
   
$
43,614
 
750-799
     
62,419
     
67,094
     
4,758
     
12,783
     
147,054
 
700-749
     
59,594
     
41,860
     
3,293
     
9,177
     
113,924
 
650-699
     
57,584
     
17,685
     
2,309
     
7,987
     
85,565
 
600-649
     
31,465
     
12,317
     
3,311
     
4,775
     
51,868
 
550-599
     
27,739
     
7,887
     
964
     
2,754
     
39,344
 
500-549
     
20,243
     
1,212
     
656
     
1,997
     
24,108
 
Under 500
     
9,470
     
1,637
     
456
     
789
     
12,352
 
Unknown
     
6,185
     
5,271
     
258
     
188
     
11,902
 
Total
   
$
294,337
   
$
170,393
   
$
19,036
   
$
45,965
   
$
529,731
 
Accrued interest included in total
   
$
1,319
   
$
750
   
$
91
   
$
231
   
$
2,391
 
 

(1) Credit scores have been updated within the last twelve months.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

    Installment(1)  
   
Home
Equity
1st Lien
   
Home
Equity
2nd Lien
   
Loans not
Secured by
Real Estate
   
Other
   
Total
 
   
   
   
(In thousands)
   
   
 
2013
   
   
   
   
   
 
800 and above
   
$
2,977
   
$
3,062
   
$
23,649
   
$
53
   
$
29,741
 
750-799
     
6,585
     
11,197
     
48,585
     
557
     
66,924
 
700-749
     
4,353
     
9,487
     
25,343
     
683
     
39,866
 
650-699
     
4,815
     
6,832
     
15,256
     
646
     
27,549
 
600-649
     
3,173
     
2,824
     
5,289
     
258
     
11,544
 
550-599
     
2,843
     
2,084
     
2,785
     
213
     
7,925
 
500-549
     
1,483
     
1,715
     
1,732
     
130
     
5,060
 
Under 500
     
751
     
663
     
516
     
29
     
1,959
 
Unknown
     
162
     
80
     
1,892
     
42
     
2,176
 
Total
   
$
27,142
   
$
37,944
   
$
125,047
   
$
2,611
   
$
192,744
 
Accrued interest included in total
   
$
114
   
$
144
   
$
399
   
$
22
   
$
679
 
                                           
2012
                                         
800 and above
   
$
3,909
   
$
3,265
   
$
19,293
   
$
38
   
$
26,505
 
750-799
     
7,394
     
11,300
     
43,740
     
462
     
62,896
 
700-749
     
4,884
     
8,826
     
24,267
     
786
     
38,763
 
650-699
     
5,925
     
7,164
     
13,758
     
710
     
27,557
 
600-649
     
4,360
     
4,214
     
6,442
     
367
     
15,383
 
550-599
     
3,226
     
2,716
     
3,428
     
188
     
9,558
 
500-549
     
1,722
     
1,403
     
2,154
     
114
     
5,393
 
Under 500
     
760
     
1,195
     
895
     
42
     
2,892
 
Unknown
     
205
     
103
     
1,322
     
18
     
1,648
 
Total
   
$
32,385
   
$
40,186
   
$
115,299
   
$
2,725
   
$
190,595
 
Accrued interest included in total
   
$
137
   
$
157
   
$
429
   
$
23
   
$
746
 
 

(1) Credit scores have been updated within the last twelve months.

Mepco is a wholly-owned subsidiary of our Bank that operates a vehicle service contract payment plan business throughout the United States. See note #11 for more information about Mepco’s business. As of December 31, 2013, approximately 79.3% of Mepco’s outstanding payment plan receivables relate to programs in which a third party insurer or risk retention group is obligated to pay Mepco the full refund owing upon cancellation of the related service contract (including with respect to both the portion funded to the service contract seller and the portion funded to the administrator). These receivables are shown as “Full Refund” in the table below. Another approximately 8.3% of Mepco’s outstanding payment plan receivables as of December 31, 2013, relate to programs in which a third party insurer or risk retention group is obligated to pay Mepco the refund owing upon cancellation only with respect to the unearned portion previously funded by Mepco to the administrator (but not to the service contract seller). These receivables are shown as “Partial Refund” in the table below. The balance of Mepco’s outstanding payment plan receivables relate to programs in which there is no insurer or risk retention group that has any contractual liability to Mepco for any portion of the refund amount. These receivables are shown as “Other” in the table below. For each class of our payment plan receivables we monitor credit ratings of the counterparties as we evaluate the credit quality of this portfolio.

Although Mepco has contractual recourse against various counterparties for refunds owing upon cancellation of vehicle service contracts, please see note #11 regarding certain risks and difficulties associated with collecting these refunds.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
The following table summarizes credit ratings by class of payment plan receivable at December 31:

   
Payment Plan Receivables
 
   
Full
Refund
   
Partial
Refund
   
Other
   
Total
 
   
   
(In thousands)
   
 
2013
   
   
   
   
 
AM Best rati ng
   
   
   
   
 
A+
 
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
 
   
20,203
     
4,221
     
-
     
24,424
 
A-
     
4,058
     
832
     
7,496
     
12,386
 
B+
 
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
B
 
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Not rated
     
23,816
     
-
     
12
     
23,828
 
Total
   
$
48,077
   
$
5,053
   
$
7,508
   
$
60,638
 
                                    
2012                                  
AM Best ratin g
                                 
A+
 
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
110
   
$
110
 
A
 
   
24,825
     
3,916
     
-
     
28,741
 
A-
     
19,310
     
399
     
-
     
19,709
 
B+
 
   
56
     
-
     
-
     
56
 
B
 
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Not rated
     
36,002
     
-
     
74
     
36,076
 
Total
   
$
80,193
   
$
4,315
   
$
184
   
$
84,692
 

Mortgage loans serviced for others are not reported as assets. The principal balances of these loans at year end are as follows:

 
 
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Mortgage loans serviced for :
 
   
 
Fannie Mae
 
$
981,031
   
$
948,588
 
Freddie Mac
   
753,143
     
805,447
 
Other
   
111
     
123
 
Total
 
$
1,734,285
   
$
1,754,158
 

Custodial escrow balances maintained in connection with mortgage loans serviced for others totaled $20.3 million and $31.2 million, at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

If we do not remain “Well Capitalized” (see note #20), meet certain minimum capital levels or certain profitability requirements or if we incur a rapid decline in net worth we could lose our ability to sell and/or service loans to these investors. This could impact our ability to generate gains on the sale of loans and generate servicing income. A forced liquidation of our servicing portfolio could also impact the value that could be recovered on this asset. Fannie Mae has the most stringent eligibility requirements covering capital levels, profitability and decline in net worth. Fannie Mae requires seller/servicers to be “Well Capitalized.” For the profitability requirement, we cannot record four or more consecutive quarterly losses and experience a 30% decline in net worth over the same period. Finally, our net worth cannot decline by more than 25% in one quarter or more than 40% over two consecutive quarters. The highest level of capital we are required to maintain is at least $2.5 million plus 0.25% of loans serviced for Freddie Mac.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
An analysis of capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights for the years ended December 31 follows:

 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
11,013
   
$
11,229
   
$
14,661
 
Originated servicing rights capitalized
   
3,210
     
4,006
     
2,967
 
Amortization
   
(3,745
)
   
(4,679
)
   
(3,065
)
Change in valuation allowance
   
3,232
     
457
     
(3,334
)
Balance at end of year
 
$
13,710
   
$
11,013
   
$
11,229
 
Valuation allowance
 
$
2,855
   
$
6,087
   
$
6,544
 
Loans sold and serviced that have had servicing rights capitalized
 
$
1,732,476
   
$
1,751,960
   
$
1,774,952
 

The fair value of capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights was $15.0 million and $11.4 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Fair value was determined using an average coupon rate of 4.52%, average servicing fee of 0.254%, average discount rate of 10.09% and an average Public Securities Association (“PSA”) prepayment rate of 175 for December 31, 2013; and an average coupon rate of 4.81%, average servicing fee of 0.254%, average discount rate of 11.02% and an average PSA prepayment rate of 250 for December 31, 2012.

NOTE 5 – OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED

During 2013 and 2012 we foreclosed on certain loans secured by real estate and transferred approximately $6.9 million and $14.3 million to other real estate in each of those years, respectively. At the time of acquisition amounts were charged-off against the allowance for loan losses to bring the carrying amount of these properties to their estimated fair values, less estimated costs to sell. During 2013 and 2012 we sold other real estate with book balances of approximately $12.0 million and $18.2 million, respectively. Gains or losses on the sale of other real estate are included in non-interest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

We periodically review our real estate owned properties and establish valuation allowances on these properties if values have declined since the date of acquisition. An analysis of our valuation allowance for other real estate owned follows:

 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
5,958
   
$
14,655
   
$
10,876
 
Additions charged to expense
   
2,598
     
3,769
     
6,563
 
Direct write-downs upon sale
   
(4,509
)
   
(12,466
)
   
(2,784
)
Balance at end of year
 
$
4,047
   
$
5,958
   
$
14,655
 

Other real estate and repossessed assets totaling $18.3 million and $26.1 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively are presented net of valuation allowance.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
NOTE 6 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

A summary of property and equipment at December 31 follows:

 
 
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
   
 
Land
 
$
14,817
   
$
14,614
 
Buildings
   
58,798
     
56,835
 
Equipment
   
77,452
     
72,378
 
 
   
151,067
     
143,827
 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
   
(102,473
)
   
(96,811
)
Property and equipment, net
 
$
48,594
   
$
47,016
 

Depreciation expense was $6.7 million, $7.6 million and $8.4 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

NOTE 7 – INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible assets, net of amortization, at December 31 follows:
 
 
2013
2012
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
 
(In thousands)
 
Amortized intangible assets - core deposits
 
$
23,703
   
$
20,540
   
$
23,703
   
$
19,728
 

Intangible amortization expense was $0.8 million, $1.1 million and $1.4 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

A summary of estimated core deposit intangible amortization at December 31, 2013, follows:

 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
2014
 
$
536
 
2015
   
347
 
2016
   
347
 
2017
   
346
 
2018
   
346
 
2019 and thereafter
   
1,241
 
Total
 
$
3,163
 

On December 7, 2012 we sold 21 branches to another financial institution (see note #26). The branches sold included six branch locations in the Battle Creek, Michigan market area and 15 branch locations in Northeast Michigan. As a result of this branch sale $7.6 million gross carrying amount and $5.1 million accumulated amortization (net recorded balance of $2.6 million) of intangible assets related to customers and deposits associated with these 21 branches were recorded as a reduction to the net gain on branch sale in our Consolidated Statement of Operations.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
NOTE 8 – DEPOSITS

A summary of interest expense on deposits for the years ended December 31 follows:

 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Savings and interest bearing checking
 
$
1,131
   
$
1,830
   
$
2,263
 
Time deposits under $100,000
   
2,995
     
4,838
     
10,349
 
Time deposits of $100,000 or more
   
1,580
     
2,245
     
2,645
 
Total
 
$
5,706
   
$
8,913
   
$
15,257
 

Aggregate time deposits in denominations of $100,000 or more amounted to $191.7 million and $146.4 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

A summary of the maturity of time deposits at December 31, 2013, follows:

 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
2014
 
$
317,074
 
2015
   
65,407
 
2016
   
24,542
 
2017
   
14,386
 
2018
   
22,424
 
2019 and thereafter
   
748
 
Total
 
$
444,581
 

Time deposits acquired through broker relationships totaled $13.5 million and $14.6 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Reciprocal deposits totaled $83.5 million and $33.2 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These deposits represent demand, money market and time deposits from our customers that have been placed through Promontory Interfinancial Network’s Insured Cash Sweep® service and Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service®. These services allow our customers to access multi-million dollar FDIC deposit insurance on deposit balances greater than the standard FDIC insurance maximum.

A summary of reciprocal deposits at December 31 follows:

 
 
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Demand
 
$
7,018
   
$
545
 
Money market
   
4,197
     
700
 
Time
   
72,312
     
31,997
 
Total
 
$
83,527
   
$
33,242
 

NOTE 9 – OTHER BORROWINGS

A summary of other borrowings at December 31 follows:

 
2013
2012
 
(In thousands)
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank
 
$
17,181
   
$
17,622
 
Other
   
7
     
3
 
Total
 
$
17,188
   
$
17,625
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) are secured by unencumbered qualifying mortgage and home equity loans with a market value equal to at least 133% to 159%, respectively of outstanding advances, as well as certain agency mortgage backed securities. Advances are also secured by FHLB stock that we own. As of December 31, 2013, we had unused borrowing capacity with the FHLB (subject to the FHLB’s credit requirements and policies) of $150.7 million. Interest expense on advances amounted to $1.1 million, $1.2 million and $1.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. During 2012 and 2011 FHLB advances totaling $3.0 million and $33.0 million, respectively were terminated with no realized gain or loss. No FHLB advances were terminated during 2013.

As a member of the FHLB, we must own FHLB stock equal to the greater of 1.0% of the unpaid principal balance of residential mortgage loans or 5.0% of our outstanding advances. At December 31, 2013, we were in compliance with the FHLB stock ownership requirements.

The maturity dates and weighted average interest rates of FHLB advances at December 31 follow:

 
 
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
Amount
   
Rate
   
Amount
   
Rate
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Fixed-rate advances
 
   
   
   
 
2014
 
$
4,240
     
5.73
%
 
$
4,240
     
5.73
%
2016
   
2,313
     
6.55
     
2,413
     
6.55
 
2017
   
1,377
     
7.04
     
1,429
     
7.04
 
2018
   
5,888
     
5.99
     
6,089
     
5.99
 
2019 and thereafter
   
3,363
     
7.49
     
3,451
     
7.49
 
Total advances
 
$
17,181
     
6.38
%
 
$
17,622
     
6.38
%

A summary of repayments of FHLB Advances at December 31, 2013, follows:

 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
2014
 
$
4,717
 
2015
   
515
 
2016
   
2,521
 
2017
   
1,587
 
2018
   
5,042
 
2019 and thereafter
   
2,799
 
Total
 
$
17,181
 

We had no borrowings outstanding with the FRB during the years ended or at December 31, 2013, 2012 or 2011. We had unused borrowing capacity with the FRB (subject to the FRB’s credit requirements and policies) of $276.7 million at December 31, 2013. Collateral for FRB borrowings are certain securities available for sale and certain commercial loans.

Assets, including securities available for sale and loans, pledged to secure other borrowings totaled $785.7 million at December 31, 2013.

NOTE 10 – SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

We have formed various special purpose entities (the “trusts”) for the purpose of issuing trust preferred securities in either public or pooled offerings or in private placements. Independent Bank Corporation owns all of the common stock of each trust and has issued subordinated debentures to each trust in exchange for all of the proceeds from the issuance of the common stock and the trust preferred securities. Trust preferred securities totaling $39.5 million and $47.7 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, qualified as Tier 1 regulatory capital and the remaining amount qualified as Tier 2 regulatory capital.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
These trusts are not consolidated with Independent Bank Corporation and accordingly, we report the common securities of the trusts held by us in other assets and the subordinated debentures that we have issued to the trusts in the liability section of our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Summary information regarding subordinated debentures as of December 31 follows:

 
2013
Entity Name
Issue
Date
 
Subordinated
Debentures
   
Trust
Preferred
Securities
Issued
   
Common
Stock
Issued
 
 
  
(In thousands)
 
IBC Capital Finance III
May 2007
 
$
12,372
   
$
12,000
   
$
372
 
IBC Capital Finance IV
September 2007
   
20,619
     
20,000
     
619
 
Midwest Guaranty Trust I
November 2002
   
7,732
     
7,500
     
232
 
 
  
 
$
40,723
   
$
39,500
   
$
1,223
 
 
 
                       
      2012  
Entity Name
Issue
Date
 
Subordinated
Debentures
   
Trust
Preferred
Securities
Issued
   
Common
Stock
Issued
 
 
  
(In thousands)
 
IBC Capital Finance II
March 2003
 
$
9,452
   
$
9,168
   
$
284
 
IBC Capital Finance III
May 2007
   
12,372
     
12,000
     
372
 
IBC Capital Finance IV
September 2007
   
20,619
     
20,000
     
619
 
Midwest Guaranty Trust I
November 2002
   
7,732
     
7,500
     
232
 
 
  
 
$
50,175
   
$
48,668
   
$
1,507
 

Other key terms for the subordinated debentures and trust preferred securities that were outstanding at December 31, 2013 follow:

Entity Name
 
Maturity
Date
 
Interest Rate
 
First Permitted
Redemption Date
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
IBC Capital Finance III
 
July 30, 2037
 
3 month LIBOR plus 1.60%
 
July 30, 2012
IBC Capital Finance IV
 
September 15, 2037
 
3 month LIBOR plus 2.85%
 
September 15, 2012
Midwest Guaranty Trust I
 
November 7, 2032
 
3 month LIBOR plus 3.45%
 
November 7, 2007

In the fourth quarter of 2009 we elected to defer distributions (payment of interest) on each of the subordinated debentures and trust preferred securities. The subordinated debentures and trust preferred securities are cumulative and have a feature that permits us to defer distributions (payment of interest) from time to time for a period not to exceed 20 consecutive quarters. On August 29, 2013 we brought current the interest payments that we had previously been deferring on each of the subordinated debentures which permitted the resumption of interest payments on the trust preferred securities.

We have the right to redeem the subordinated debentures and trust preferred securities (at par) in whole or in part from time to time on or after the first permitted redemption date specified above or upon the occurrence of specific events defined within the trust indenture agreements. During 2013 we redeemed trust preferred securities issued by IBC Capital Finance II with a par value of $9.2 million.

Issuance costs have been capitalized and are being amortized on a straight- line basis over a period not exceeding 30 years and are included in interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Distributions (payment of interest) on the trust preferred securities are also included in interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
NOTE 11 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

In the normal course of business, we enter into financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of customers or to reduce exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. These financial instruments may include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Financial instruments involve varying degrees of credit and interest-rate risk in excess of amounts reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Exposure to credit risk in the event of non-performance by the counterparties to the financial instruments for loan commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amounts of those instruments. We do not, however, anticipate material losses as a result of these financial instruments.

A summary of financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk at December 31 follows:

 
 
2013
   
2012
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Financial instruments whose risk is represented by contract amounts
 
   
 
Commitments to extend credit
 
$
180,829
   
$
144,890
 
Standby letters of credit
   
4,262
     
4,568
 

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and generally require payment of a fee. Since commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the commitment amounts do not represent future cash requirements. Commitments are issued subject to similar underwriting standards, including collateral requirements, as are generally involved in the extension of credit facilities.

Standby letters of credit are written conditional commitments issued to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The credit risk involved in such transactions is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities and, accordingly, standby letters of credit are issued subject to similar underwriting standards, including collateral requirements, as are generally involved in the extension of credit facilities. The majority of the standby letters of credit are to corporations, have variable rates that range from 2.5% to 6.25% and mature through 2015.

We are involved in various litigation matters in the ordinary course of business. At the present time, we do not believe any of these matters will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. The aggregate amount we have accrued for losses we consider probable as a result of these litigation matters is immaterial. However, because of the inherent uncertainty of outcomes from any litigation matter, we believe it is reasonably possible we may incur losses in addition to the amounts we have accrued. At this time, we estimate the maximum amount of additional losses that are reasonably possible is approximately $0.5 million. However, because of a number of factors, including the fact that certain of these litigation matters are still in their early stages and involve claims for which, at this point, we believe have little to no merit, this maximum amount may change in the future.

The litigation matters described in the preceding paragraph primarily include claims that have been brought against us for damages, but do not include litigation matters where we seek to collect amounts owed to us by third parties (such as litigation initiated to collect delinquent loans or vehicle service contract counterparty receivables). These excluded, collection-related matters may involve claims or counterclaims by the opposing party or parties, but we have excluded such matters from the disclosure contained in the preceding paragraph in all cases where we believe the possibility of us paying damages to any opposing party is remote. Risks associated with the likelihood that we will not collect the full amount owed to us, net of reserves, are disclosed elsewhere in this report.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
Our Mepco segment conducts its payment plan business activities across the United States. Mepco acquires the payment plans from companies (which we refer to as Mepco’s “counterparties”) at a discount from the face amount of the payment plan. Each payment plan (which are classified as payment plan receivables in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition) permits a consumer to purchase a vehicle service contract by making installment payments, generally for a term of 12 to 24 months, to the sellers of those contracts (one of the “counterparties”). Mepco thereafter collects the payments from consumers. In acquiring the payment plan, Mepco generally funds a portion of the cost to the seller of the service contract and a portion of the cost to the administrator of the service contract. The administrator, in turn, pays the necessary contractual liability insurance policy (“CLIP”) premium to the insurer or risk retention group.

Consumers are allowed to voluntarily cancel the service contract at any time and are generally entitled to receive a refund from the administrator of the unearned portion of the service contract at the time of cancellation. As a result, while Mepco does not owe any refund to the consumer, it also does not have any recourse against the consumer for nonpayment of a payment plan and therefore does not evaluate the creditworthiness of the individual consumer. If a consumer stops making payments on a payment plan or exercises the right to voluntarily cancel the service contract, the service contract seller and administrator are each obligated to refund to Mepco the amount necessary to make Mepco whole as a result of its funding of the service contract. In addition, the insurer or risk retention group that issued the CLIP for the service contract often guarantees all or a portion of the refund to Mepco. See note #4 above for a breakdown of Mepco’s payment plan receivables by the level of recourse Mepco has against various counterparties.

Upon the cancellation of a service contract and the completion of the billing process to the counterparties for amounts due to Mepco, there is a decrease in the amount of “payment plan receivables” and an increase in the amount of “vehicle service contract counterparty receivables” until such time as the amount due from the counterparty is collected. These amounts represent funds actually due to Mepco from its counterparties for cancelled service contracts. At December 31, 2013, the aggregate amount of such obligations owing to Mepco by counterparties, net of write-downs and reserves made through the recognition of vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies expense, totaled $7.7 million. This compares to a balance of $18.4 million at December 31, 2012. Mepco is currently in the process of working to recover these receivables, primarily through litigation against counterparties.

In some cases, Mepco requires collateral or guaranties by the principals of the counterparties to secure these refund obligations; however, this is generally only the case when no rated insurance company is involved to guarantee the repayment obligation of the seller and administrator counterparties. In most cases, there is no collateral to secure the counterparties’ refund obligations to Mepco, but Mepco has the contractual right to offset unpaid refund obligations against amounts Mepco would otherwise be obligated to fund to the counterparties. In addition, even when collateral is involved, the refund obligations of these counterparties are not fully secured. Mepco incurs losses when it is unable to fully recover funds owing to it by counterparties upon cancellation of the underlying service contracts. The sudden failure of one of Mepco’s major counterparties (an insurance company, administrator, or seller/dealer) could expose us to significant losses.

When counterparties do not honor their contractual obligations to Mepco to repay funds, we recognize estimated losses. Mepco pursues collection (including commencing legal action if necessary) of funds due to it under its various contracts with counterparties. Mepco has had to initiate litigation against certain counterparties, including third party insurers, to collect amounts owed to Mepco as a result of those parties’ dispute of their contractual obligations to Mepco. For 2013, 2012 and 2011 non-interest expenses include $4.8 million, $1.6 million, and $11.0 million, respectively, of charges related to estimated losses for vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies. The increase in this expense in 2013 (from 2012) is due to write-downs of vehicle service contract counterparty receivables as we reached settlements in certain litigation to collect these receivables. Given the costs and uncertainty of continued litigation, we determined it was in our best interest to resolve these matters. These charges are being classified in non-interest expense because they are associated with a default or potential default of a contractual obligation under our counterparty contracts as opposed to loss on the administration of the payment plan itself.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
Our estimate of probable incurred losses from vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies requires a significant amount of judgment because a number of factors can influence the amount of loss that we may ultimately incur. These factors include our estimate of future cancellations of vehicle service contracts, our evaluation of collateral that may be available to recover funds due from our counterparties, and our assessment of the amount that may ultimately be collected from counterparties in connection with their contractual obligations. We apply a rigorous process, based upon historical payment plan activity and past experience, to estimate probable incurred losses and quantify the necessary reserves for our vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies, but there can be no assurance that our modeling process will successfully identify all such losses.

We believe our assumptions regarding the collection of vehicle service contract counterparty receivables are reasonable, and we based them on our good faith judgments using data currently available. We also believe the current amount of reserves we have established and the vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies expense that we have recorded are appropriate given our estimate of probable incurred losses at the applicable Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition date. However, because of the uncertainty surrounding the numerous and complex assumptions made, actual losses could exceed the charges we have taken to date.

An analysis of our vehicle service contract counterparty receivable, net follows:

 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Balance at beginning of year, net of reserve
 
$
18,449
   
$
29,298
   
$
37,270
 
Transfers in from payment plan receivables
   
792
     
1,469
     
8,874
 
Reserves established and charge-offs recorded to expense
   
(4,837
)
   
(1,629
)
   
(11,048
)
Transferred to (from) contingency reserves
   
63
     
(108
)
   
(1,015
)
Cash received
   
(6,751
)
   
(7,413
)
   
(1,613
)
Collateral received (other real estate and repossessed assets) in partial satisfaction of debt
   
-
     
(3,168
)
   
(3,170
)
Balance at end of year, net of reserve
 
$
7,716
   
$
18,449
   
$
29,298
 
 
                       
Reserve at end of year
 
$
1,300
   
$
2,000
   
$
32,450
 

An analysis of our vehicle service contract counterparty reserve follows:

 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
2,012
   
$
32,570
   
$
25,735
 
Additions charged to expense
   
4,837
     
1,629
     
11,048
 
Charge-offs
   
(5,474
)
   
(32,187
)
   
(4,213
)
Balance at end of year
 
$
1,375
   
$
2,012
   
$
32,570
 
 
                       
Reserves recorded in VSC counterparty receivables, net
 
$
1,300
   
$
2,000
   
$
32,450
 
Reserves recorded in other liabilities
   
75
     
12
     
120
 
Total at end of year
 
$
1,375
   
$
2,012
   
$
32,570
 

The provision for loss reimbursement on sold loans represents our estimate of incurred losses related to mortgage loans that we have sold to investors (primarily Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Since we sell mortgage loans without recourse, loss reimbursements only occur in those instances where we have breached a representation or warranty or other contractual requirement related to the loan sale. Historically, loss reimbursements on mortgage loans sold without recourse were rare. In 2009, we had only one actual loss reimbursement (for $0.06 million). Prior to 2009, we had years in which we incurred no such loss reimbursements. However, our loss reimbursements increased to $0.2 million in 2010 and to $0.5 million and $1.2 million in 2011 and 2012, respectively, as over the past two years Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, in particular, have been doing more reviews of mortgage loans where they have incurred or expect to incur a loss and have been more aggressive in pursuing loss reimbursements from the sellers of such mortgage loans. Actual loss reimbursements during 2013 totaled $2.2 million (including the $1.5 million payment made to Fannie Mae described below).
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
Although we are successful in the majority of cases where file reviews are conducted on mortgage loans that we have sold to investors, the levels of such file reviews and loss reimbursement requests have increased. In November 2013, we executed a Resolution Agreement with Fannie Mae to resolve our existing and future repurchase and make whole obligations (collectively “Repurchase Obligations”) related to mortgage loans originated between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2008 and delivered to them by January 31, 2009. Under the terms of the Resolution Agreement we paid Fannie Mae approximately $1.5 million in November 2013 with respect to the Repurchase Obligations. We believe that it was in our best interest to execute the Resolution Agreement in order to bring finality to the loss reimbursement exposure with Fannie Mae for these years and reduce the resources spent on individual file reviews and defending loss reimbursement requests. In addition, we were notified by Freddie Mac in January 2014 that they had completed their review of mortgage loans that we originated between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2008 and delivered to them. The provision for loss reimbursement recorded in 2013 reflects the impact of the Resolution Agreement as well as the aforementioned completion of reviews by Freddie Mac.

The reserve for loss reimbursements on sold mortgage loans totaled $1.4 million at both December 31, 2013 and 2012. This reserve is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. This reserve is based on an analysis of mortgage loans that we have sold which are further categorized by delinquency status, loan to value, and year of origination. The calculation includes factors such as probability of default, probability of loss reimbursement (breach of representation or warranty) and estimated loss severity. The reserve level at December 31, 2013 also reflects the resolution (and Repurchase Obligation payment to Fannie Mae) of the mortgage loan origination years of 2000 to 2008. We believe that the amounts that we have accrued for incurred losses on sold mortgage loans are appropriate given our analyses and the aforementioned resolutions with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. However, future losses could exceed our current estimate.

NOTE 12 – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE

On April 2, 2010, we entered into an Exchange Agreement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“UST”) pursuant to which the UST agreed to exchange all 72,000 shares of our Series A Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, with an original liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (“Series A Preferred Stock”), beneficially owned and held by the UST, plus accrued and unpaid dividends on such Series A Preferred Stock, for shares of our Series B Fixed Rate Cumulative Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock, with an original liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (“Series B Preferred Stock”). As part of the terms of the Exchange Agreement, we also agreed to amend and restate the terms of the warrant, dated December 12, 2008, issued to the UST to purchase 346,154 shares of our common stock.

On April 16, 2010, we closed the transactions described in the Exchange Agreement and we issued to the UST: (1) 74,426 shares of our Series B Preferred Stock and (2) the Amended and Restated Warrant to purchase 346,154 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $7.234 per share and expiring on December 12, 2018 (the “Amended Warrant”). These securities were issued in exchange for all of the 72,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock and the original warrant that had been issued to the UST in December 2008 pursuant to the Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”) Capital Purchase Program, plus approximately $2.4 million in accrued dividends on such Series A Preferred Stock.

With the exception of being convertible into shares of our common stock, the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock were substantially similar to the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock that was exchanged. The Series B Preferred Stock qualified as Tier 1 regulatory capital and paid cumulative dividends quarterly at a rate of 5% per annum.

On July 26, 2013 we executed a Securities Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) with the UST. Under the terms of the SPA, we agreed to purchase from the UST for $81.0 million in cash consideration: (i) 74,426 shares of our Series B Preferred Stock, including any and all accrued and unpaid dividends; and (ii) the Amended Warrant. On August 30, 2013 we closed the SPA transaction with the UST and we exited TARP. On that date the Series B Preferred Stock and Amended Warrant had book balances of $87.2 million (including accrued dividends) and $1.5 million, respectively. This transaction resulted in a discount of $7.7 million of which $7.6 million was allocated to the Series B Preferred Stock and included in net income applicable to common stock and $0.1 million was allocated to the Amended Warrant and recorded to common stock.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
On August 28, 2013 we sold 11.5 million shares of our common stock for gross proceeds of $89.1 million in a public offering and on September 10, 2013 we sold an additional 1.725 million shares of our common stock for gross proceeds of $13.4 million pursuant to the underwriters’ overallotment option (collectively, the “Common Stock Offering”). The net proceeds from the Common Stock Offering were approximately $97.1 million.

On July 7, 2010 we executed an Investment Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement with Dutchess Opportunity Fund, II, LP (“Dutchess”) for the sale of shares of our common stock. These agreements served to establish an equity line facility as a contingent source of liquidity at the parent company level. Pursuant to the Investment Agreement, Dutchess committed to purchase up to $15.0 million of our common stock over a 36-month period ending November 1, 2013. We had the right, but no obligation, to draw on this equity line facility from time to time during such 36-month period by selling shares of our common stock to Dutchess. The sales price was at a 5% discount to the market price of our common stock at the time of the draw (as such market price was determined pursuant to the terms of the Investment Agreement). Through 2013, we had sold a total of 1.40 million shares (0.17 million shares during 2013, 0.45 million shares during 2012, 0.43 million shares during 2011 and 0.35 million shares during 2010) of our common stock to Dutchess under this equity line for total net proceeds of approximately $4.2 million. Given the existing cash levels and our forecasted future cash needs at the parent company along with our expectation that the Bank will be able to transfer funds to the parent company at a future date, we determined to not renew this equity line facility on November 1, 2013.

On November 15, 2011, we entered into a Tax Benefits Preservation Plan (the “Preservation Plan”) with our stock transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company. Our Board of Directors adopted the Preservation Plan in an effort to protect the value to our shareholders of our ability to use deferred tax assets such as net operating loss carry forwards to reduce potential future federal income tax obligations. Under federal tax rules, this value could be lost in the event we experienced an “ownership change,” as defined in Section 382 of the federal Internal Revenue Code. The Preservation Plan attempts to protect this value by reducing the likelihood that we will experience such an ownership change by discouraging any person who is not already a 5% shareholder from becoming a 5% shareholder (with certain limited exceptions).

On November 15, 2011, our Board of Directors declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of our common stock under the terms of the Preservation Plan. The dividend is payable to the holders of common stock outstanding as of the close of business on November 15, 2011 or outstanding at any time thereafter but before the earlier of a “Distribution Date” and the date the Preservation Plan terminates. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from us 1/1000 of a share of our Series C Junior Participating Preferred Stock, no par value per share (“Series C Preferred Stock”). Each 1/1000 of a share of Series C Preferred Stock has economic and voting terms similar to those of one whole share of common stock. The Rights are not exercisable and generally do not become exercisable until a person or group has acquired, subject to certain exceptions and conditions, beneficial ownership of 4.99% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock. At that time, each Right will generally entitle its holder to purchase securities of the Company at a discount of 50% to the current market price of the common stock. However, the Rights owned by the person acquiring beneficial ownership of 4.99% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock would automatically be void. The significant dilution that would result is expected to deter any person from acquiring beneficial ownership of 4.99% or more and thereby triggering the Rights.

To date, none of the Rights have been exercised or have become exercisable because no unpermitted 4.99% or more change in the beneficial ownership of the outstanding common stock has occurred. The Rights will generally expire on the earlier to occur of the close of business on November 15, 2016 and certain other events described in the Preservation Plan, including such date as our Board of Directors determines that the Preservation Plan is no longer necessary for its intended purposes.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
A reconciliation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share for the years ended December 31 follows:

 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Net income (loss) applicable to common stock
 
$
82,062
   
$
21,851
   
$
(24,357
)
Convertible preferred stock dividends
   
3,001
     
4,347
     
-
 
Preferred stock discount
   
(7,554
)
   
-
     
-
 
Net income (loss) applicable to common stock for calculation of diluted earnings per share (1) (2)
 
$
77,509
   
$
26,198
   
$
(24,357
)
 
                       
Weighted average shares outstanding
   
13,970
     
8,709
     
8,277
 
Effect of convertible preferred stock
   
7,314
     
23,892
     
61,281
 
Restricted stock units
   
363
     
216
     
122
 
Stock units for deferred compensation plan for non-employee directors
   
125
     
66
     
7
 
Effect of stock options
   
92
     
2
     
-
 
Weighted average shares outstanding for calculation of diluted earnings per share (1)
   
21,864
     
32,885
     
69,687
 
 
                       
Net income (loss) per common share
                       
Basic (2)
 
$
5.87
   
$
2.51
   
$
(2.94
)
Diluted
 
$
3.55
   
$
0.80
   
$
(2.94
)
 

(1) For any period in which a loss is recorded, dividends on convertible preferred stock are not added back in the diluted per common share calculation. For any period in which a loss is recorded, the assumed conversion of convertible preferred stock, assumed exercise of common stock warrants, assumed exercise of stock options, restricted stock units and stock units for a deferred compensation plan for non-employee directors would have an anti-dilutive impact on the net loss per common share and thus are ignored in the diluted per common share calculation.
(2) Basic net income (loss) per common share includes weighted average common shares outstanding during the period and participating share awards.

Weighted average stock options outstanding that were not considered in computing diluted net income (loss) per common share because they were anti-dilutive totaled 0.1 million, 0.1 million and 0.1 million for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The warrant to purchase 346,154 shares of our common stock was also not considered in computing the diluted income (loss) per common share in 2013, 2012 and 2011 as it was anti-dilutive.

NOTE 13 – INCOME TAX

The composition of income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31 follows:

 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Current
 
$
(277
)
 
$
-
   
$
(413
)
Deferred
   
-
     
-
     
(646
)
Disproportionate tax effect
   
1,444
     
-
     
-
 
Valuation allowance - change in estimate
   
(56,018
)
   
-
     
847
 
Income tax benefit
 
$
(54,851
)
 
$
-
   
$
(212
)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
The deferred income tax benefit of $56.0 million during 2013 is attributed to the reversal of our deferred tax valuation allowance on primarily all of our deferred tax assets and the deferred income tax benefit of $0.6 million during 2011 is primarily attributed to the effects of pretax other comprehensive income.

A reconciliation of income tax benefit to the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% in each year presented to the income (loss) before income tax for the years ended December 31 follows:

 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Statutory rate applied to income (loss) before income tax
 
$
7,930
   
$
9,169
   
$
(7,144
)
Net change in valuation allowance
   
(63,980
)
   
(8,730
)
   
9,369
 
Bank owned life insurance
   
(477
)
   
(568
)
   
(657
)
Tax-exempt income
   
(402
)
   
(453
)
   
(521
)
Disproportionate tax effect
   
1,444
     
-
     
-
 
U.S. Treasury warrant
   
359
     
100
     
(398
)
Non-deductible meals, entertainment and memberships
   
55
     
55
     
50
 
Share-based compensation
   
8
     
258
     
-
 
Other, net
   
212
     
169
     
(911
)
Income tax benefit
 
$
(54,851
)
 
$
-
   
$
(212
)

Generally, the amount of income tax expense or benefit allocated to operations is determined without regard to the tax effects of other categories of income or loss, such as other comprehensive income (loss). However, an exception to the general rule is provided when, in the presence of a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets, there is a pretax loss from operations and pretax income from other categories in the current year. In such instances, income from other categories must offset the current loss from operations, the tax benefit of such offset being reflected in operations. In 2011 pretax other comprehensive income of $1.8 million reduced our valuation allowance and resulted in a benefit of $0.6 million being allocated to the loss from operations.

We assess whether a valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets is necessary each quarter. Reversing or reducing the valuation allowance requires us to conclude that the realization of the deferred tax assets is “more likely than not.” The ultimate realization of this asset is primarily based on generating future income. As of June 30, 2013, we concluded that the realization of substantially all of our deferred tax assets was now more likely than not. This conclusion was primarily based upon the following factors:

Achieving a sixth consecutive quarter of profitability;
A forecast of future profitability that supported that the realization of the deferred tax assets is more likely than not; and
A forecast that future asset quality continued to be stable to improving and that other factors did not exist that could cause a significant adverse impact on future profitability.

We have also concluded subsequent to June 30, 2013, that the realization of substantially all of our deferred tax assets continues to be more likely than not for substantially the same reasons as enumerated above, including two additional quarterly profits in the second half of 2013. As a result, during 2013, we recorded an income tax benefit of $54.9 million, which includes a $56.0 million reduction in the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets. In addition, during the second quarter of 2013, we recorded $1.4 million of income tax expense to clear from accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”) the disproportionate tax effects from cash flow hedges. These disproportionate tax effects had been charged to other comprehensive income and credited to income tax expense due to our valuation allowance on deferred tax assets as more fully discussed in note #24 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Because we terminated our last remaining cash flow hedge in the second quarter of 2013, it was appropriate to clear these disproportionate tax effects from AOCL.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
The valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets totaled $1.1 million and $65.1 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. We did not reverse approximately $1.1 million of valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets that primarily relates to state income taxes from our Mepco segment. In this instance, we determined that the future realization of these particular deferred tax assets was not more likely than not. This conclusion was primarily based on the uncertainty of Mepco’s future earnings attributable to particular states (given the various apportionment criteria) and the significant reduction in the size of Mepco’s business over the past three years.

Prior to the second quarter of 2013, we had established a deferred tax asset valuation allowance against all of our net deferred tax assets. Accordingly, in these prior periods, the income tax expense related to any income before income tax was largely being offset by changes in the deferred tax valuation allowance. As a result, we recorded no income tax expense or benefit in 2012 and an   income tax benefit of $0.2 million in 2011. A change in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance of $(8.7) million and $9.4 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively, completely or largely offset the effect of pre-tax income or losses. The 2011 valuation allowance was also net of $0.6 million of allocations of deferred taxes on AOCL.

Because of our net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, we are still subject to the rules of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. An ownership change, as defined by these rules, would negatively affect our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards and other deferred tax assets in the future. If such an ownership change were to occur, we may suffer higher-than-anticipated tax expense, and consequently lower net income and cash flow, in those future years. Although we cannot control our shareholders’ activities in buying and selling our common stock, we do have in place a Tax Benefits Preservation Plan to dissuade any movement in our stock that would trigger an ownership change, and we limited the size of our Common Stock Offering to avoid triggering any Section 382 limitations.

Our actual federal income tax expense (benefit) is different than the amount computed by applying our statutory federal income tax rate to our pre-tax income (loss) primarily due to tax-exempt interest income and tax-exempt income from the increase in the cash surrender value on life insurance, as well as the impact of changes in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance.

The income tax benefit in the Consolidated Statements of Operations also includes income taxes in a variety of other states due primarily to Mepco’s operations. The amounts of such state income taxes were an expense (benefit) of $(0.2) million, zero, and $0.7 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31 follow:

 
 
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Deferred tax assets
 
   
 
Loss carryforwards
 
$
38,027
   
$
39,593
 
Allowance for loan losses
   
11,317
     
15,502
 
Fixed assets
   
3,081
     
2,664
 
Alternative minimum tax credit carry forward
   
2,672
     
2,577
 
Purchase premiums, net
   
2,280
     
2,413
 
Valuation allowance on other real estate owned
   
1,431
     
2,085
 
Share based payments
   
402
     
817
 
Vehicle service contract counterparty contingency reserve
   
523
     
765
 
Unrealized loss on trading securities
   
456
     
591
 
Other than temporary impairment charge on securities available for sale
   
466
     
507
 
Deferred compensation
   
523
     
512
 
Loss reimbursement on sold loans reserve
   
492
     
501
 
Non accrual loan interest income
   
325
     
325
 
Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments
   
133
     
259
 
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments
   
178
     
209
 
Unrealized loss on securities available for sale
   
1,723
     
181
 
Other
   
40
     
162
 
Gross deferred tax assets
   
64,069
     
69,663
 
Valuation allowance
   
(1,137
)
   
(65,117
)
Total net deferred tax assets
   
62,932
     
4,546
 
Deferred tax liabilities
               
Mortgage servicing rights
   
4,799
     
3,855
 
Deferred loan fees
   
265
     
373
 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
   
318
     
318
 
Gross deferred tax liabilities
   
5,382
     
4,546
 
Net deferred tax assets
 
$
57,550
   
$
-
 

At December 31, 2013, we had $0.3 million of federal capital loss carryforwards that expire in 2014 and federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of approximately $108.0 million which, if not used against taxable income, will expire as follows:

 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
2017
 
$
663
 
2018
   
189
 
2022
   
194
 
2023
   
359
 
2029
   
25,467
 
2030
   
26,254
 
2031
   
17,170
 
2032
   
37,738
 
Total
 
$
108,034
 

$0.8 million of NOL carryforwards in the table above relate to unrealized excess benefits on share based compensation for which a benefit will be recorded to additional paid in capital (common stock) when realized. In addition, we had a minor amount of state NOL carryforwards in certain states where Mepco operates.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31 follow:

 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
(In thousands )
 
 
 
   
   
 
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
1,871
   
$
2,139
   
$
2,393
 
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year
   
11
     
15
     
23
 
Reductions due to the statute of limitations
   
(186
)
   
(56
)
   
(277
)
Reductions due to settlements
   
(24
)
   
(227
)
   
-
 
Balance at end of year
 
$
1,672
   
$
1,871
   
$
2,139
 

If recognized, the entire amount of unrecognized tax benefits, net of $0.4 million of federal tax on state benefits, would affect our effective tax rate. We do not expect the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly increase or decrease in the next twelve months. No amounts were expensed for interest and penalties for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. No amounts were accrued for interest and penalties at December 31, 2013, 2012 or 2011. At December 31, 2013, U.S. Federal tax years 2010 through the present remain open to examination.

NOTE 14 – SHARE BASED COMPENSATION

We maintain share based payment plans that include a non-employee director stock purchase plan and a long-term incentive plan that permits the issuance of share based compensation, including stock options and non-vested share awards. The long-term incentive plan, which is shareholder approved, permits the grant of additional share based awards for up to 0.5 million shares of common stock as of December 31, 2013. The non-employee director stock purchase plan permits the grant of additional share based payments for up to 0.3 million shares of common stock as of December 31, 2013. Share based awards and payments are measured at fair value at the date of grant and are expensed over the requisite service period. Common shares issued upon exercise of stock options come from currently authorized but unissued shares.

A portion of our president’s annual salary was paid in the form of common stock. The annual amounts paid in common stock (also referred to as “salary stock”) were $0.020 million and $0.015 million during 2013 and 2012, respectively. During the first quarter of 2011, pursuant to a management transition plan, our former chief executive officer’s annual salary was increased by $0.2 million effective January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2012. This increase was paid entirely in the form of salary stock. These shares were issued each pay period and vested immediately.

During 2013, 2012 and 2011 we issued 0.1 million, 0.2 million and 0.1 million restricted stock units to certain of our executive officers. These restricted stock units do not vest for a minimum of three years (two years for the 2011 grant) and until we repay in full our obligations related to the TARP. Since we repaid in full our obligations related to TARP (see note #12) the 2011 grant fully vested during 2013 and the only vesting provision remaining on the 2013 and 2012 grants is the three year vesting period from the date of grant. We use the market value of the common stock on the date of grant to measure compensation cost for non-vested share awards.

During 2013, 2012 and 2011, pursuant to our performance-based compensation plans, we granted 0.1 million stock options in each period to certain officers, none of whom is a named executive officer. The stock options have an exercise price equal to the market value on the date of grant, vest ratably over a three year period and expire 10 years from date of grant. We use the Black Scholes option pricing model to measure compensation cost for stock options. We also estimate expected forfeitures over the vesting period.

Our directors may elect to receive at least a portion of their quarterly cash retainer fees in the form of common stock (either on a current basis or on a deferred basis pursuant to the non-employee director stock purchase plan referenced above). Shares equal in value to that portion of each director’s quarterly cash retainer are issued each quarter and vest immediately. We issued 0.06 million shares, 0.21 million shares and 0.14
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
million shares to directors during 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and expensed their value during those same periods.

Total compensation expense recognized for stock option grants, non-vested common stock grants, restricted stock unit grants and salary stock was $0.9 million, $0.4 million and $0.9 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The corresponding tax benefit relating to this expense was zero for each period. Total expense recognized for non-employee director share based payments was $0.3 million, $0.4 million and $0.3 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The corresponding tax benefit relating to this expense was zero for each period.

At December 31, 2013, the total expected compensation cost related to non vested stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units not yet recognized was $1.2 million. The weighted-average period over which this amount will be recognized is 2.0 years.

A summary of outstanding stock option grants and related transactions follows:

 
 
Number of
Shares
   
Average
Exercise
Price
   
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
   
Aggregated
Intrinsic
Value
 
 
 
   
   
   
(In thousands)
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2013
   
275,933
   
$
4.46
   
   
 
Granted
   
77,500
     
6.42
   
   
 
Exercised
   
(19,277
)
   
2.02
   
   
 
Forfeited
   
(9,164
)
   
2.85
   
   
 
Expired
   
(4,692
)
   
46.12
   
   
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2013
   
320,300
   
$
4.52
     
8.06
   
$
2,500
 
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2013
   
305,753
   
$
4.52
     
8.01
   
$
2,391
 
Exercisable at December 31, 2013
   
133,516
   
$
5.13
     
7.09
   
$
1,021
 

A summary of outstanding non-vested stock and related transactions follows:

 
 
Number of
Shares
   
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2013
   
375,416
   
$
6.21
 
Granted
   
82,833
     
6.42
 
Vested
   
(154,269
)
   
11.13
 
Forfeited
   
-
     
-
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2013
   
303,980
   
$
3.77
 

A summary of the weighted-average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model for grants of stock options follows:

 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
Expected dividend yield
   
0.31
%
   
0.74
%
   
1.04
%
Risk-free interest rate
   
1.12
     
0.88
     
1.91
 
Expected life (in years)
   
6.00
     
6.00
     
6.00
 
Expected volatility
   
101.30
%
   
100.01
%
   
94.72
%
Per share weighted-average grant date fair value
 
$
4.98
   
$
2.04
   
$
1.37
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant. The expected life was obtained using a simplified method that, in general, averaged the vesting term and original contractual term of the stock option. This method was used as relevant historical data of actual exercise activity was very limited. The expected volatility was based on historical volatility of our common stock.

Certain information regarding options exercised during the periods ending December 31 follows:

 
2013
2012
2011
 
(In thousands )
Intrinsic value
 
$
117
   
$
3
   
$
-
 
Cash proceeds received
 
$
39
   
$
4
   
$
-
 
Tax benefit realized
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 

NOTE 15 – BENEFIT PLANS

We maintain 401(k) and employee stock ownership plans covering substantially all of our full-time employees. We have historically matched employee contributions to the 401(k) plan up to a maximum of 3% of participating employees’ eligible wages. The match of employee contributions was 1% in 2013 and zero in 2012 and 2011. Contributions to the employee stock ownership plan are determined annually and require approval of our Board of Directors. The maximum contribution is 6% of employees’ eligible wages. Contributions to the employee stock ownership plan were 3% for 2013 and 2012 and zero for 2011. Amounts expensed for these retirement plans were $1.2 million, $1.0 million and zero in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Our officers participate in various performance-based compensation plans. Amounts expensed for all incentive plans totaled $5.0 million, $4.0 million and $1.1 million, in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

We also provide certain health care and life insurance programs to substantially all full-time employees. Amounts expensed for these programs totaled $3.8 million, $4.9 million and $5.0 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011 respectively. These insurance programs are also available to retired employees at their own expense.

NOTE 16 – DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

We are required to record derivatives on our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as assets and liabilities measured at their fair value. The accounting for increases and decreases in the value of derivatives depends upon the use of derivatives and whether the derivatives qualify for hedge accounting.

Our derivative financial instruments according to the type of hedge in which they are designated at December 31 follow:
 
 
2013
 
Notional
Amount
Average
Maturity
(Years)
Fair
Value
 
(Dollars in thousands )
No hedge designation
 
   
   
 
Rate-lock mortgage loan commitments
 
$
15,754
     
0.1
   
$
366
 
Mandatory commitments to sell mortgage    loans
   
35,412
     
0.1
     
128
 
Total
 
$
51,166
     
0.1
   
$
494
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

 
 
2012
 
 
 
Notional
Amount
   
Average
Maturity
(Years)
   
Fair
Value
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands )
 
 
 
   
   
 
Cash flow hedge - pay-fixed interest-rate swap agreements
 
$
10,000
     
2.0
   
$
(739
)
 
                       
No hedge designation
                       
Rate-lock mortgage loan commitments
 
$
40,221
     
0.1
   
$
1,368
 
Mandatory commitments to sell mortgage loans
   
88,325
     
0.1
     
(122
)
Amended Warrant
   
2,504
     
6.0
     
(459
)
Total
 
$
131,050
     
0.2
   
$
787
 

We have established management objectives and strategies that include interest-rate risk parameters for maximum fluctuations in net interest income and market value of portfolio equity. We monitor our interest rate risk position via simulation modeling reports. The goal of our asset/liability management efforts is to maintain profitable financial leverage within established risk parameters.

We use variable-rate and short-term fixed-rate (less than 12 months) debt obligations to fund a portion of our balance sheet, which exposes us to variability in interest rates. To meet our objectives, we may periodically enter into derivative financial instruments to mitigate exposure to fluctuations in cash flows resulting from changes in interest rates (“Cash Flow Hedges”). Cash Flow Hedges during 2013 and 2012 included certain pay-fixed interest-rate swaps which converted the variable-rate cash flows on debt obligations to fixed-rates. During the second quarter of 2013 we terminated our last pay-fixed interest rate swap and paid a termination fee of $0.6 million. The remaining unrealized loss on the terminated pay-fixed interest-rate swap which was equal to this termination fee is included in accumulated other comprehensive income and is being amortized into earnings over the remaining original life of the pay-fixed interest-rate swap.

Through certain special purposes entities (see note #10) we issued trust preferred securities as part of our capital management strategy. Certain of these trust preferred securities are variable rate which exposes us to variability in cash flows. To mitigate our exposure to fluctuations in cash flows resulting from changes in interest rates, on approximately $20.0 million of variable rate trust preferred securities, we entered into a pay-fixed interest-rate swap agreement in September, 2007. During the fourth quarter of 2009 we elected to defer payment of interest on this variable rate trust preferred security. As a result, this pay-fixed interest rate swap was transferred to a no hedge designation and the $1.6 million unrealized loss which was included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss at the time of the transfer was reclassified into earnings through September, 2012, which was the remaining life of this pay-fixed swap.

Pay-fixed interest-rate swaps convert the variable-rate cash flows on debt obligations to fixed-rates. Under interest-rate cap agreements, we received cash if interest rates rose above a predetermined level. As a result, we effectively had variable-rate debt with an established maximum rate. We paid an upfront premium on interest rate caps which was recognized in earnings in the same period in which the hedged item affected earnings. Unrecognized premiums from interest rate caps were zero at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Our last interest rate cap expired in July, 2011.

Certain financial derivative instruments have not been designated as hedges. The fair value of these derivative financial instruments has been recorded on our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and is adjusted on an ongoing basis to reflect their then current fair value. The changes in fair value of derivative financial instruments not designated as hedges are recognized in earnings.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into rate-lock mortgage loan commitments with customers (“Rate Lock Commitments”). These commitments expose us to interest rate risk. We also enter into mandatory commitments to sell mortgage loans (“Mandatory Commitments”) to reduce the impact of price fluctuations of mortgage loans held for sale and Rate Lock Commitments. Mandatory Commitments help protect our loan sale profit margin from fluctuations in interest rates. The changes in the fair value of Rate Lock Commitments and Mandatory Commitments are recognized currently as part of gains on the sale of mortgage loans. We obtain market prices on Mandatory Commitments and Rate Lock Commitments. Net gains on the sale of mortgage loans, as well as net income (loss) may be more volatile as a result of these derivative instruments, which are not designated as hedges.

During 2010, we entered into an amended and restated warrant with the UST that would allow it to purchase our common stock at a fixed price (see note #12). Because of certain anti-dilution features included in the Amended Warrant (as defined in note #12), it was not considered to have been indexed to our common stock and was therefore accounted for as a derivative instrument and recorded as a liability. Any change in value of the Amended Warrant while it was accounted for as a derivative was recorded in other income in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. However, the anti-dilution features in the Amended Warrant which caused it to be accounted for as a derivative and included in accrued expenses and other liabilities expired on April 16, 2013. As a result, the Amended Warrant was reclassified into shareholders’ equity on that date at its then fair value which totaled $1.5 million. During the third quarter of 2013, we repurchased the Amended Warrant from the UST (see note #12).

The following tables illustrate the impact that the derivative financial instruments discussed above have on individual line items in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition for the periods presented:

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments

 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
Balance
Sheet
Location
 
Fair
Value
Balance
Sheet
Location
 
Fair
Value
Balance
Sheet
Location
 
Fair
Value
Balance
Sheet
Location
 
Fair
Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay-fixed interest rate swap agreements
 
 
$
-
 
 
 
$
-
 
Other liabilities
 
$
-
 
Other liabilities
 
$
739
 
Total
 
   
-
 
 
   
-
 
 
   
-
 
 
   
739
 
 
 
       
 
       
 
       
 
       
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
       
 
       
 
       
 
       
Rate-lock mortgage loan commitments
Other assets
   
366
 
Other assets
   
1,368
 
Other liabilities
   
-
 
Other liabilities
   
-
 
Mandatory commitments to sell mortgage loans
Other assets
   
128
 
Other assets
   
-
 
Other liabilities
   
-
 
Other liabilities
   
122
 
Amended Warrant
Other assets
   
-
 
Other assets
   
-
 
Other liabilities
   
-
 
Other liabilities
   
459
 
Total
 
   
494
 
 
   
1,368
 
 
   
-
 
 
   
581
 
 
 
       
 
       
 
       
 
       
Total derivatives
 
 
$
494
 
 
 
$
1,368
 
 
 
$
-
 
 
 
$
1,320
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
The effect of derivative financial instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations follows:

Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
Gain (Loss)
 Recognized in Other
 Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 (Effective Portion)
 
Location of
 Gain (Loss)
Reclassified
from
 Accumulated Other
 Comprehensive
 Income (Loss)
into Income
 (Effective
 
Gain (Loss) Reclassified
 from Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Loss into
Income (Effective Portion)
 
Location of
Gain (Loss)
Recognized
 
Gain (Loss)
Recognized in
 Income(1)
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
Portion)
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
in Income (1)
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
 
Pay-fixed interest rate swap agreements
 
$
(37
)
 
$
(127
)
 
$
(512
)
Interest expense   
 
$
(397
)
 
$
(927
)
 
$
(1,443
)
Interest expense   
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Interest-rate cap agreements
   
-
     
-
     
30
 
Interest expense   
   
-
     
-
     
(15
)
Interest expense   
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total
 
$
(37
)
 
$
(127
)
 
$
(482
)
 
 
$
(397
)
 
$
(927
)
 
$
(1,458
)
 
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
 
                       
 
                       
 
                       
No hedge designation
                       
 
                       
 
                       
Rate-lock mortgage loan commitments
 
                       
 
                       
Mortgage loan gains   
 
$
(1,002
)
 
$
511
   
$
457
 
Mandatory commitments to sell mortgage loans
                       
 
                       
Mortgage loan gains   
   
250
     
484
     
(1,981
)
Amended Warrant
                       
 
                       
Decrease in fair value of U.S. Treasury warrant   
   
(1,025
)
   
(285
)
   
1,137
 
Total
                       
 
                       
              
 
$
(1,777
)
 
$
710
   
$
(387
)
 

(1) For cash flow hedges, this location and amount refers to the ineffective portion.

NOTE 17 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Certain of our directors and executive officers, including companies in which they are officers or have significant ownership, were loan and deposit customers during 2013 and 2012.

A summary of loans to directors and executive officers whose borrowing relationship exceeds $60,000, and to entities in which they own a 10% or more voting interest for the years ended December 31 follows:

 
 
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
   
 
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
208
   
$
214
 
New loans and advances
   
240
     
-
 
Repayments
   
(97
)
   
(6
)
Balance at end of year
 
$
351
   
$
208
 

Deposits held by us for directors and executive officers totaled $0.8 million at both December 31, 2013 and 2012.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
NOTE 18 – LEASES

We have non-cancelable operating leases for certain office facilities, some of which include renewal options and escalation clauses.

A summary of future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases at December 31, 2013, follows:

 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
2014
 
$
1,274
 
2015
   
1,058
 
2016
   
1,017
 
2017
   
983
 
2018
   
961
 
2019 and thereafter
   
1,620
 
Total
 
$
6,913
 

Rental expense on operating leases totaled $1.2 million, $1.2 million and $1.4 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

NOTE 19 – CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK

Credit risk is the risk to earnings and capital arising from an obligor’s failure to meet the terms of any contract with our organization, or otherwise fail to perform as agreed. Credit risk can occur outside of our traditional lending activities and can exist in any activity where success depends on counterparty, issuer or borrower performance. Concentrations of credit risk (whether on- or off-balance sheet) arising from financial instruments can exist in relation to individual borrowers or groups of borrowers, certain types of collateral, certain types of industries or certain geographic regions. Credit risk associated with these concentrations could arise when a significant amount of loans or other financial instruments, related by similar characteristics, are simultaneously impacted by changes in economic or other conditions that cause their probability of repayment or other type of settlement to be adversely affected. Our major concentrations of credit risk arise by collateral type and by industry. The significant concentrations by collateral type at December 31, 2013 include $545.5 million of loans secured by residential real estate and $50.3 million of construction and development loans. In addition, we have a concentration of credit within the vehicle service contract industry. At December 31, 2013, we had $60.6 million of payment plan receivables. Our recourse for nonpayment of these payment plan receivables is against our counterparties operating within the vehicle service contract industry.

Additionally, within our commercial real estate and commercial loan portfolio we had significant standard industry classification concentrations in the following categories as of December 31, 2013: Lessors of Nonresidential Real Estate ($284.4 million); Lessors of Residential Real Estate ($74.9 million); Health Care and Social Assistance ($57.8 million) and Construction General Contractors and Land Development ($51.6 million). A geographic concentration arises because we primarily conduct our lending activities in the State of Michigan.

Our concentration of credit within the vehicle service contract industry relates to the business operated by our subsidiary, Mepco. This business and certain risks associated with this business are described in note #11 above. In addition, see note #4 above for a breakdown of Mepco’s payment plan receivables by the level of recourse Mepco has against various counterparties. Mepco monitors counterparty concentrations in order to attempt to manage our exposure for contractual obligations from its counterparties. In addition, even where an insurance company or risk retention group does not have a guarantee obligation to Mepco, the failure of the insurance company or risk retention group could result in a mass cancellation of the vehicle service contracts (and the related payment plans) insured by such entity. Such a mass cancellation would trigger and accelerate the contractual obligations of the counterparties that did have such obligations to Mepco. The counterparty concentration levels are managed based on the AM Best rating and statutory surplus level for an insurance company and on other factors including financial evaluation, collateral, funding holdbacks, guarantees, and distribution of concentrations for vehicle service contract administrators and vehicle service contract sellers/dealers.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
The five largest concentrations by insurance company, risk retention group or other party backing the service contract represents approximately 33.3%, 22.6%, 18.3%, 16.7% and 6.5%, respectively, of Mepco’s payment plan receivables at December 31, 2013. These companies have provided the insurance coverage for the vehicle service contracts underlying the payment plan receivables; however, these companies are not all obligated to Mepco for the repayment of the payment plan receivables upon cancellation of the underlying vehicle service contracts and payment plans. Mepco has varying levels of recourse against such companies. Still, the failure of any insurer backing service contracts related to Mepco’s payment plan receivables could have an adverse effect on Mepco’s collection of those receivables.

The top five vehicle service contract sellers from which Mepco purchases payment plans represent approximately 19.8%, 15.3%, 13.8%, 13.4% and 10.8%, respectively of Mepco’s payment plan receivables at December 31, 2013. See note #11 for additional information on Mepco counterparties.

NOTE 20 – REGULATORY MATTERS

Capital guidelines adopted by Federal and State regulatory agencies and restrictions imposed by law limit the amount of cash dividends our Bank can pay to us. Under these guidelines, the amount of dividends that may be paid in any calendar year is limited to the Bank’s current year’s net profits, combined with the retained net profits of the preceding two years. Further, the Bank cannot pay a dividend at any time that it has negative undivided profits. As of December 31, 2013, the Bank had negative undivided profits of $50.0 million. It is not our intent to have dividends paid in amounts that would reduce the capital of our Bank to levels below those which we consider prudent and in accordance with guidelines of regulatory authorities.

On October 25, 2011, the respective Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (“DIFS”). The MOU largely duplicated certain provisions of board resolutions that were already in place, but also had the following specific requirements:

Submission of a joint revised capital plan by November 30, 2011 to maintain sufficient capital at the Company on a consolidated basis and at the Bank on a stand-alone basis;
Submission of quarterly progress reports regarding disposition plans for any assets in excess of $1.0 million that are in ORE, are 90 days or more past due, are on our “watch list,” or were adversely classified in our most recent examination;
Enhanced reporting and monitoring at Mepco regarding risk management and the internal classification of assets; and
Enhanced interest rate risk modeling practices.

Effective March 26, 2013, the FRB and DIFS terminated the MOU. Also on that date, the respective Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank passed resolutions that required the following:

Submission of quarterly progress reports to the FRB and DIFS regarding disposition plans for any assets in excess of $1.0 million that are in ORE, are 90 days or more past due, are on our “watch list,” or are adversely classified;
Prior approval of the FRB and DIFS for the Bank to pay any dividend to the Company; and
Prior approval of the FRB and DIFS for the Company to pay any dividend to its shareholders, to make any distributions of interest, principal or other sums on subordinated debentures or trust preferred securities, to increase borrowings or guarantee any debt, and/or to purchase or redeem any of its stock.

During the third quarter of 2013 the FRB and DIFS informed us that the Board resolutions no longer needed to be in place. Accordingly, on October 22, 2013, the above described resolutions were rescinded by the Board of Directors of the Company and the Bank.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
Also during the third quarter of 2013 we received regulatory approval for each of the following initiatives:

A transfer of capital from our Bank to the parent company of $7.5 million to permit the payment of all deferred and unpaid interest on our trust preferred securities.
The resumption of interest payments on our trust preferred securities.
The purchase of our Series B Preferred Stock, including any and all accrued and unpaid dividends, and the purchase of the Amended Warrant for total cash consideration of $81.0 million, all as provided for in a securities purchase agreement (see note #12).
Redemption of the trust preferred securities issued by IBC Capital Finance II. On October 11, 2013 we redeemed all ($9.2 million) of the outstanding trust preferred securities issued by IBC Capital Finance II and liquidated this entity shortly thereafter.

We are also subject to various regulatory capital requirements. The prompt corrective action regulations establish quantitative measures to ensure capital adequacy and require minimum amounts and ratios of total and Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets and Tier 1 capital to average assets. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly discretionary, actions by regulators that could have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines, we must meet specific capital requirements that involve quantitative measures as well as qualitative judgments by the regulators. The most recent regulatory filings as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 categorized our Bank as well capitalized. Management is not aware of any conditions or events that would have changed the most recent Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) categorization.

Our actual capital amounts and ratios at December 31 follow:

 
 
Actual
   
Minimum for
Adequately Capitalized
 Institutions
   
Minimum for Well-
Capitalized Institutions
 
 
 
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
2013
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
Total capital to risk-weighted assets
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
Consolidated
 
$
245,284
     
17.35
%
 
$
113,086
     
8.00
%
 
NA
   
NA
 
Independent Bank
   
234,078
     
16.57
     
113,013
     
8.00
   
$
141,267
     
10.00
%
 
                                               
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
                                               
Consolidated
 
$
227,338
     
16.08
%
 
$
56,543
     
4.00
%
 
NA
   
NA
 
Independent Bank
   
216,146
     
15.30
     
56,507
     
4.00
   
$
84,760
     
6.00
%
 
                                               
Tier 1 capital to average assets
                                               
Consolidated
 
$
227,338
     
10.61
%
 
$
85,729
     
4.00
%
 
NA
   
NA
 
Independent Bank
   
216,146
     
10.09
     
85,681
     
4.00
   
$
107,101
     
5.00
%
 
                                               
2012
                                               
Total capital to risk-weighted assets
                                               
Consolidated
 
$
204,663
     
14.71
%
 
$
111,268
     
8.00
%
 
NA
   
NA
 
Independent Bank
   
207,553
     
14.95
     
111,063
     
8.00
   
$
138,829
     
10.00
%
 
                                               
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
                                               
Consolidated
 
$
185,948
     
13.37
%
 
$
55,634
     
4.00
%
 
NA
   
NA
 
Independent Bank
   
189,777
     
13.67
     
55,531
     
4.00
   
$
83,297
     
6.00
%
 
                                               
Tier 1 capital to average assets
                                               
Consolidated
 
$
185,948
     
8.08
%
 
$
92,026
     
4.00
%
 
NA
   
NA
 
Independent Bank
   
189,777
     
8.26
     
91,919
     
4.00
   
$
114,899
     
5.00
%


NA - Not applicable
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
The components of our regulatory capital are as follows:

 
 
Consolidated
   
Independent Bank
 
 
 
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Total shareholders’ equity
 
$
231,581
   
$
134,975
   
$
250,306
   
$
186,384
 
Add (deduct)
                               
Qualifying trust preferred securities
   
39,500
     
47,678
     
-
     
-
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
9,245
     
8,058
     
9,245
     
8,156
 
Intangible assets
   
(3,163
)
   
(3,975
)
   
(3,163
)
   
(3,975
)
Disallowed deferred tax assets
   
(49,609
)
   
-
     
(40,026
)
   
-
 
Disallowed capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights
   
(216
)
   
(788
)
   
(216
)
   
(788
)
Tier 1 capital
   
227,338
     
185,948
     
216,146
     
189,777
 
Qualifying trust preferred securities
   
-
     
990
     
-
     
-
 
Allowance for loan losses and allowance for unfunded lending commitments limited to 1.25% of total risk-weighted assets
   
17,946
     
17,725
     
17,932
     
17,776
 
Total risk-based capital
 
$
245,284
   
$
204,663
   
$
234,078
   
$
207,553
 

NOTE 21 – FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES

FASB ASC topic 820 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. FASB ASC topic 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1: Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets. Level 1 instruments include securities traded on active exchange markets, such as the New York Stock Exchange, as well as U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets.

Level 2: Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market. Level 2 instruments include securities traded in less active dealer or broker markets.

Level 3: Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques include use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.

We used the following methods and significant assumptions to estimate fair value:

Securities : Where quoted market prices are available in an active market, securities (trading or available for sale) are classified as Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 securities include certain preferred stocks included in our trading portfolio for which there are quoted prices in active markets. If quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, then fair values are estimated by (1) using quoted market prices of securities with similar characteristics, (2) matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted prices, or (3) a discounted cash flow analysis whose significant fair value inputs can generally be verified and do not typically involve judgment by management. These securities are classified as Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy and include agency and private label residential mortgage-backed securities, municipal securities and trust preferred securities.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
Loans held for sale : The fair value of mortgage loans held for sale is based on mortgage backed security pricing for comparable assets (recurring Level 2). The fair value of loans held for sale relating to branch sale is based on a discount provided for in the branch sale agreement (non-recurring Level 2).

Impaired loans with specific loss allocations based on collateral value : From time to time, certain loans are considered impaired and an allowance for loan losses is established. Loans for which it is probable that payment of interest and principal will not be made in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement are considered impaired. We measure our investment in an impaired loan based on one of three methods: the loan’s observable market price, the fair value of the collateral or the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. Those impaired loans not requiring an allowance represent loans for which the fair value of the expected repayments or collateral exceed the recorded investments in such loans. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, all of our total impaired loans were evaluated based on either the fair value of the collateral or the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. When the fair value of the collateral is based on an appraised value or when an appraised value is not available we record the impaired loan as nonrecurring Level 3. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments can be significant and thus will typically result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value.

Other real estate : At the time of acquisition, other real estate is recorded at fair value, less estimated costs to sell, which becomes the property’s new basis. Subsequent write-downs to reflect declines in value since the time of acquisition may occur from time to time and are recorded in loss on other real estate and repossessed assets in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The fair value of the property used at and subsequent to the time of acquisition is typically determined by a third party appraisal of the property. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments can be significant and typically result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value.

Appraisals for both collateral-dependent impaired loans and other real estate owned are performed by certified general appraisers (for commercial properties) or certified residential appraisers (for residential properties) whose qualifications and licenses have been reviewed and verified by us. Once received, an independent third party (for commercial properties over $0.25 million) or a member of our Collateral Evaluation Department (for commercial properties under $0.25 million) or a member of our Special Assets Group (for retail properties) reviews the assumptions and approaches utilized in the appraisal as well as the overall resulting fair value in comparison with independent data sources such as recent market data or industry-wide statistics. We compare the actual selling price of collateral that has been sold to the most recent appraised value of our properties to determine what additional adjustment, if any, should be made to the appraisal value to arrive at fair value. For commercial and retail properties we typically discount an appraisal to account for various factors that the appraisal excludes in its assumptions. These additional discounts generally do not result in material adjustments to the appraised value. In addition, we will adjust the appraised values for expected liquidation costs including sales commissions and transfer taxes.

Capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights : The fair value of capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights is based on a valuation model used by an independent third party that calculates the present value of estimated net servicing income. The valuation model incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income. Since the secondary servicing market has not been active since the later part of 2009, model assumptions are generally unobservable and are based upon the best information available including data relating to our own servicing portfolio, reviews of mortgage servicing assumption and valuation surveys and input from various mortgage servicers and, therefore, are recorded as nonrecurring Level 3. Management evaluates the third party valuation for reasonableness each quarter as part of our financial reporting control processes.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
Derivatives : The fair value of rate-lock mortgage loan commitments and mandatory commitments to sell mortgage loans is based on mortgage backed security pricing for comparable assets (recurring Level 2). The fair value of interest rate swap agreements, in general, was determined using a discounted cash flow model whose significant fair value inputs could generally be verified and did not typically involve judgment by management (recurring Level 2). The fair value of the Amended Warrant was determined using a simulation analysis which considers potential outcomes for a large number of independent scenarios regarding the future prices of our common stock and uses several unobservable variables (recurring Level 3).

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value, including financial assets for which we have elected the fair value option, are summarized below:

 
 
   
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
 
Fair Value
Measure-
ments
   
Quoted Prices
 in Active
 Markets for
Identical
 Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
Un-
observable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
December 31, 2013:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis:
 
   
   
   
 
Assets
 
   
   
   
 
Trading securities
 
$
498
   
$
498
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Securities available for sale
                               
U.S. agency
   
31,808
     
-
     
31,808
     
-
 
U.S. agency residential mortgage-backed
   
203,460
     
-
     
203,460
     
-
 
Private label residential mortgage-backed
   
6,788
     
-
     
6,788
     
-
 
Other asset backed
   
45,185
     
-
     
45,185
     
-
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
153,678
     
-
     
153,678
     
-
 
Corporate
   
19,137
     
-
     
19,137
     
-
 
Trust preferred
   
2,425
     
-
     
2,425
     
-
 
Loans held for sale
   
20,390
     
-
     
20,390
     
-
 
Derivatives (1)
   
494
     
-
     
494
     
-
 
Liabilities
                               
Derivatives (2)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
 
                               
Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring basis:
                               
Assets
                               
Capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights (3)
   
7,773
     
-
     
-
     
7,773
 
Impaired loans (4)
                               
Commercial
                               
Income producing - real estate
   
1,997
     
-
     
-
     
1,997
 
Land, land development & construction-real estate
   
673
     
-
     
-
     
673
 
Commercial and industrial
   
2,927
     
-
     
-
     
2,927
 
Mortgage
                               
1-4 Family
   
1,455
     
-
     
-
     
1,455
 
Resort Lending
   
340
     
-
     
-
     
340
 
Other real estate (5)
                               
Commercial
                               
Income producing - real estate
   
559
     
-
     
-
     
559
 
Land, land development & construction-real estate
   
1,047
     
-
     
-
     
1,047
 
Mortgage
                               
1-4 Family
   
337
     
-
     
-
     
337
 
Resort Lending
   
1,257
     
-
     
-
     
1,257
 
Installment
                               
Home equity - 1st lien
   
29
     
-
     
-
     
29
 
Payment plan receivables
                               
Full refund/partial refund
   
2,668
     
-
     
-
     
2,668
 
 

(1) Included in accrued income and other assets
(2) Included in accrued expenses and other liabilities
(3) Only includes servicing rights that are carried at fair value due to recognition of a valuation allowance.
(4) Only includes impaired loans with specific loss allocations based on collateral value.
(5) Only includes other real estate with subsequent write downs to fair value.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

 
 
   
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
 
Fair Value
Measure-
ments
   
Quoted
 Prices in
Active
Markets for
 Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
Un-
observable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
December 31, 2012:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis:
 
   
   
   
 
Assets
 
   
   
   
 
Trading securities
 
$
110
   
$
110
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Securities available for sale
                               
U.S. agency
   
30,667
     
-
     
30,667
     
-
 
U.S. agency residential mortgage-backed
   
127,412
     
-
     
127,412
     
-
 
Private label residential mortgage-backed
   
8,194
     
-
     
8,194
     
-
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
39,051
     
-
     
39,051
     
-
 
Trust preferred
   
3,089
     
-
     
3,089
     
-
 
Loans held for sale
   
47,487
     
-
     
47,487
     
-
 
Derivatives (1)
   
1,368
     
-
     
1,368
     
-
 
Liabilities
                               
Derivatives (2)
   
1,320
     
-
     
861
     
459
 
 
                               
Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring basis:
                               
Assets
                               
Capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights (3)
   
8,814
     
-
     
-
     
8,814
 
Impaired loans (4)
                               
Commercial
                               
Income producing - real estate
   
3,727
     
-
     
-
     
3,727
 
Land, land development & construction-real estate
   
2,882
     
-
     
-
     
2,882
 
Commercial and industrial
   
6,581
     
-
     
-
     
6,581
 
Mortgage
                               
1-4 Family
   
2,694
     
-
     
-
     
2,694
 
Resort Lending
   
380
     
-
     
-
     
380
 
Other real estate (5)
                               
Commercial
                               
Income producing - real estate
   
86
     
-
     
-
     
86
 
Land, land development & construction-real estate
   
3,190
     
-
     
-
     
3,190
 
Mortgage
                               
1-4 Family
   
405
     
-
     
-
     
405
 
Resort Lending
   
3,535
     
-
     
-
     
3,535
 
Installment
                               
Home equity - 1st lien
   
59
     
-
     
-
     
59
 
Loans held for sale relating to branch sale
   
3,292
     
-
     
3,292
     
-
 
 

(1) Included in accrued income and other assets
(2) Included in accrued expenses and other liabilities
(3) Only includes servicing rights that are carried at fair value due to recognition of a valuation allowance.
(4) Only includes impaired loans with specific loss allocations based on collateral value.
(5) Only includes other real estate with subsequent write downs to fair value.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

Changes in fair values for financial assets which we have elected the fair value option for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

 
 
Net Gains (Losses) on Assets
   
Total Change in
Fair Values
Included in
Current Period
 
 
 
Securities
   
Loans
   
Earnings
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
2013
 
   
   
 
Trading securities
 
$
388
   
$
-
   
$
388
 
Loans held for sale
   
-
     
(1,477
)
   
(1,477
)
 
                       
2012
                       
Trading securities
 
$
33
   
$
-
   
$
33
 
Loans held for sale
   
-
     
440
     
440
 
 
                       
2011
                       
Trading securities
 
$
45
   
$
-
   
$
45
 
Loans held for sale
   
-
     
1,503
     
1,503
 

For those items measured at fair value pursuant to our election of the fair value option, interest income is recorded within the Consolidated Statements of Operations based on the contractual amount of interest income earned on these financial assets and dividend income is recorded based on cash dividends and also recorded in interest income.

The following represent impairment charges recognized during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 relating to assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis:

Capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights, whose individual strata are measured at fair value had a carrying amount of $7.8 million which is net of a valuation allowance of $2.9 million at December 31, 2013 and had a carrying amount of $8.8 million which is net of a valuation allowance of $6.1 million at December 31, 2012. A recovery (charge) of $3.2 million, $0.5 million and $(3.3) million was included in our results of operations for the years ending December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Loans which are measured for impairment using the fair value of collateral for collateral dependent loans, had a carrying amount of $10.8 million, with a valuation allowance of $3.4 million at December 31, 2013 and had a carrying amount of $22.8 million, with a valuation allowance of $6.5 million at December 31, 2012. An additional provision for loan losses relating to impaired loans of $1.5 million, $2.0 million and $8.9 million was included in our results of operations for the years ending December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Other real estate, which is measured using the fair value of the property, had a carrying amount of $5.9 million which is net of a valuation allowance of $4.0 million at December 31, 2013 and a carrying amount of $7.3 million which is net of a valuation allowance of $6.0 million at December 31, 2012. An additional charge relating to ORE measured at fair value of $1.6 million, $1.5 million and $5.4 million was included in our results of operations during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
A reconciliation for all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the year ended December 31 follows:

 
 
(Liability)
 
 
 
Amended Warrant
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Beginning balance
 
$
(459
)
 
$
(174
)
Total gains (losses) realized and unrealized:
               
Included in results of operations
   
(1,025
)
   
(285
)
Included in other comprehensive income
   
-
     
-
 
Purchases, issuances, settlements, maturities and calls
   
-
     
-
 
Reclassification to shareholders’ equity
   
1,484
     
-
 
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
   
-
     
-
 
Ending balance
 
$
-
   
$
(459
)
 
               
Amount of total gains (losses) for the year included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities still held at December 31
 
$
-
   
$
(285
)

Because of certain anti-dilution features included in the Amended Warrant, it was not considered to be indexed to our common stock and was therefore accounted for as a derivative instrument (see note #16). Any change in value of this warrant was recorded in other income in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. However, the anti-dilution features in the Amended Warrant which caused it to be accounted for as a derivative and included in accrued expenses and other liabilities expired on April 16, 2013. As a result, the Amended Warrant was reclassified into shareholders’ equity on that date at its then fair value which totaled $1.5 million. During the third quarter of 2013 we repurchased the Amended Warrant from the UST (see note #12).
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
Quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements measured on a non-recurring basis at December 31 follows:

 
 
Asset
(Liability)
Fair Value
 
Valuation Technique
Unobservable Inputs
 
Weighted
Average
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights
 
$
7,773
 
Present value of net servicing revenue
Discount rate
   
10.09
%
 
       
    
Cost to service
 
$
81
 
 
       
    
Ancillary income
   
29
 
 
       
    
Float rate
   
1.79
%
Impaired loans
       
 
 
       
Commercial
   
5,597
 
Sales comparison approach
Adjustment for differences between comparable sales
   
(1.9
)%
 
       
Income approach
Capitalization rate
   
9.3
 
 
       
 
 
       
Mortgage
   
1,795
 
Sales comparison approach
Adjustment for differences between comparable sales
   
3.2
 
 
       
 
 
       
Other real estate
       
 
 
       
Commercial
   
1,606
 
Sales comparison approach
Adjustment for differences between comparable sales
   
(5.7
)
 
       
 
 
       
Mortgage and Installment
   
1,623
 
Sales comparison approach
Adjustment for differences between comparable sales
   
55.7
 
 
       
 
 
       
Payment plan receivables
   
2,668
 
Sales comparison approach
Adjustment for differences between comparable sales
   
10.4
 
 
       
 
 
       
2012
       
 
 
       
Capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights
 
$
8,814
 
Present value of net servicing revenue
Discount rate
   
11.00
%
 
       
    
Cost to service
 
$
83
 
 
       
    
Ancillary income
   
43
 
 
       
    
Float rate
   
0.84
%
Impaired loans
       
 
 
       
Commercial
   
13,190
 
Sales comparison approach
Adjustment for differences between comparable sales
   
16.7
%
 
       
Income approach
Capitalization rate
   
10.8
 
 
       
 
 
       
Mortgage
   
3,074
 
Sales comparison approach
Adjustment for differences between comparable sales
   
9.5
 
 
       
 
 
       
Other real estate
       
 
 
       
Commercial
   
3,276
 
Sales comparison approach
Adjustment for differences between comparable sales
   
(12.4
)
 
       
Income approach
Capitalization rate
   
12.3
 
 
       
 
 
       
Mortgage and Installment
   
3,999
 
Sales comparison approach
Adjustment for differences between comparable sales
   
(6.3
)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
The following table reflects the difference between the aggregate fair value and the aggregate remaining contractual principal balance outstanding for loans held for sale for which the fair value option has been elected at December 31.

 
 
Aggregate
Fair Value
   
Difference
   
Contractual
Principal
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Loans held for sale
 
   
   
 
2013
 
$
20,390
   
$
366
   
$
20,024
 
2012
   
47,487
     
1,843
     
45,644
 
2011
   
44,801
     
1,403
     
43,398
 

NOTE 22 – FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Most of our assets and liabilities are considered financial instruments. Many of these financial instruments lack an available trading market and it is our general practice and intent to hold the majority of our financial instruments to maturity. Significant estimates and assumptions were used to determine the fair value of financial instruments. These estimates are subjective in nature, involving uncertainties and matters of judgment, and therefore, fair values cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

Estimated fair values have been determined using available data and methodologies that are considered suitable for each category of financial instrument. For instruments with adjustable-interest rates which reprice frequently and without significant credit risk, it is presumed that estimated fair values approximate the recorded book balances.

Cash and due from banks and interest bearing deposits : The recorded book balance of cash and due from banks and interest bearing deposits approximate fair value and are classified as Level 1.

Interest bearing deposits - time : Interest bearing deposits - time have been valued based on a model using a benchmark yield curve plus a base spread and are classified as Level 2.

Securities : Financial instrument assets actively traded in a secondary market have been valued using quoted market prices. Trading securities are classified as Level 1 while securities available for sale are classified as Level 2 as described in note #21.

Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank Stock : It is not practicable to determine the fair value of FHLB and FRB Stock due to restrictions placed on transferability.

Net loans and loans held for sale : The fair value of loans is calculated by discounting estimated future cash flows using estimated market discount rates that reflect credit and interest-rate risk inherent in the loans resulting in a Level 3 classification. Impaired loans are valued at the lower of cost or fair value as described in note #21. Loans held for sale are classified as Level 2 as described in note #21.

Accrued interest receivable and payable : The recorded book balance of accrued interest receivable and payable approximate fair value and are classified at the same Level as the asset and liability they are associated with.

Derivative financial instruments : Rate-lock mortgage loan commitments and mandatory commitments to sell mortgage loans have been valued based on mortgage backed security pricing for comparable assets. Interest rate swaps (at December 31, 2012) were valued based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows using a discount rate approximating current market rates. Each of these instruments has been classified as Level 2 as described in note #21. The Amended Warrant (at December 31, 2012) was valued based on a simulation analysis which considers potential outcomes for a large number of independent scenarios and is classified as Level 3 as described in note #21.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
Deposits : Deposits without a stated maturity, including demand deposits, savings, NOW and money market accounts, have a fair value equal to the amount payable on demand. Each of these instruments is classified as Level 1. Deposits with a stated maturity, such as certificates of deposit have generally been valued based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows using a discount rate approximating current market rates for liabilities with a similar maturity resulting in a Level 2 classification.

Other borrowings : Other borrowings have been valued based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows using a discount rate approximating current market rates for liabilities with a similar maturity resulting in a Level 2 classification.

Subordinated debentures : Subordinated debentures have generally been valued based on a quoted market price of the specific or similar instruments resulting in a Level 1 or Level 2 classification.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
The estimated fair values and recorded book balances at December 31 follow:

 
 
   
   
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
 
Recorded
 Book
 Balance
   
Fair Value
 Measure-
ments
   
Quoted
 Prices in
Active
 Markets for
 Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant
 Other
 Observable
 Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
 Un-
observable
 Inputs
(Level 3)
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
2013
 
   
   
   
   
 
Assets
 
   
   
   
   
 
Cash and due from banks
 
$
48,156
   
$
48,156
   
$
48,156
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Interest bearing deposits
   
70,925
     
70,925
     
70,925
     
-
     
-
 
Interest bearing deposits - time
   
17,999
     
18,000
     
-
     
18,000
     
-
 
Trading securities
   
498
     
498
     
498
     
-
     
-
 
Securities available for sale
   
462,481
     
462,481
     
-
     
462,481
     
-
 
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank Stock
   
23,419
   
NA
   
NA
   
NA
   
NA
 
Net loans and loans held for sale
   
1,362,635
     
1,333,229
     
-
     
20,390
     
1,312,839
 
Accrued interest receivable
   
5,948
     
5,948
     
1
     
1,426
     
4,521
 
Derivative financial instruments
   
494
     
494
     
-
     
494
     
-
 
 
                                       
Liabilities
                                       
Deposits with no stated maturity (1)
 
$
1,440,225
   
$
1,440,225
   
$
1,440,225
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Deposits with stated maturity (1)
   
444,581
     
446,366
     
-
     
446,366
     
-
 
Other borrowings
   
17,188
     
19,726
     
-
     
19,726
     
-
 
Subordinated debentures
   
40,723
     
27,871
     
-
     
27,871
     
-
 
Accrued interest payable
   
445
     
445
     
20
     
425
     
-
 
Derivative financial instruments
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
 
                                       
2012
                                       
Assets
                                       
Cash and due from banks
 
$
55,487
   
$
55,487
   
$
55,487
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Interest bearing deposits
   
124,295
     
124,295
     
124,295
     
-
     
-
 
Trading securities
   
110
     
110
     
110
     
-
     
-
 
Securities available for sale
   
208,413
     
208,413
     
-
     
208,413
     
-
 
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank Stock
   
20,838
   
NA
   
NA
   
NA
   
NA
 
Net loans and loans held for sale
   
1,425,643
     
1,400,385
     
-
     
50,779
     
1,349,606
 
Accrued interest receivable
   
5,814
     
5,814
     
102
     
934
     
4,778
 
Derivative financial instruments
   
1,368
     
1,368
     
-
     
1,368
     
-
 
 
                                       
Liabilities
                                       
Deposits with no stated maturity (1)
 
$
1,360,609
   
$
1,360,609
   
$
1,360,609
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Deposits with stated maturity (1)
   
418,928
     
420,374
     
-
     
420,374
     
-
 
Other borrowings
   
17,625
     
21,463
     
-
     
21,463
     
-
 
Subordinated debentures
   
50,175
     
42,235
     
7,956
     
34,279
     
-
 
Accrued interest payable
   
7,197
     
7,197
     
2,942
     
4,255
     
-
 
Derivative financial instruments
   
1,320
     
1,320
     
-
     
861
     
459
 
 

(1) Deposits with no stated maturity include reciprocal deposits with a recorded book balance of $11.2 million and $1.2 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Deposits with a stated maturity include reciprocal deposits with a recorded book balance of $72.3 million and $32.0 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
The fair values for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are estimated to approximate their aggregate book balance, which is nominal and therefore are not disclosed.

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 the entire holdings of a particular financial instrument.

Fair value estimates are based on existing on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business, the value of future earnings attributable to off-balance sheet activities and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments.

Fair value estimates for deposit accounts do not include the value of the core deposit intangible asset resulting from the low-cost funding provided by the deposit liabilities compared to the cost of borrowing funds in the market.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
NOTE 23 – OPERATING SEGMENTS

Our reportable segments are based upon legal entities. We currently have two reportable segments: Independent Bank (“IB” or “Bank”) and Mepco. These business segments are also differentiated based on the products and services provided. We evaluate performance based principally on net income (loss) of the respective reportable segments.

In the normal course of business, our IB segment provides funding to our Mepco segment through an intercompany line of credit priced at the prime rate of interest as published in the Wall Street Journal. Our IB segment also provides certain administrative services to our Mepco segment which are reimbursed at an agreed upon rate. These intercompany transactions are eliminated upon consolidation. The only other material intersegment balances and transactions are investments in subsidiaries at the parent entities and cash balances on deposit at our IB segment.

A summary of selected financial information for our reportable segments follows:

 
 
IB
   
Mepco
   
Other(1)(2)
   
Elimination(3)
   
Total
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
2013
 
   
   
   
   
 
Total assets
 
$
2,104,550
   
$
94,648
   
$
272,348
   
$
(261,603
)
 
$
2,209,943
 
Interest income
   
76,018
     
11,103
     
-
     
-
     
87,121
 
Net interest income
   
71,496
     
8,780
     
(2,317
)
   
-
     
77,959
 
Provision for loan losses
   
(3,891
)
   
(97
)
   
-
     
-
     
(3,988
)
Income (loss) before income tax
   
29,605
     
(2,891
)
   
(3,961
)
   
(95
)
   
22,658
 
Net income (loss)
   
74,313
     
(1,801
)
   
5,092
     
(95
)
   
77,509
 
 
                                       
2012
                                       
Total assets
 
$
1,885,807
   
$
135,447
   
$
192,343
   
$
(189,730
)
 
$
2,023,867
 
Interest income
   
84,760
     
14,638
     
-
     
-
     
99,398
 
Net interest income
   
77,919
     
11,115
     
(2,779
)
   
-
     
86,255
 
Provision for loan losses
   
6,895
     
(8
)
   
-
     
-
     
6,887
 
Income (loss) before income tax
   
27,379
     
2,591
     
(3,677
)
   
(95
)
   
26,198
 
Net income (loss)
   
28,260
     
1,710
     
(3,677
)
   
(95
)
   
26,198
 
 
                                       
2011
                                       
Total assets
 
$
2,132,736
   
$
172,007
   
$
157,251
   
$
(154,588
)
 
$
2,307,406
 
Interest income
   
93,310
     
21,452
     
-
     
-
     
114,762
 
Net interest income
   
81,224
     
16,074
     
(2,729
)
   
-
     
94,569
 
Provision for loan losses
   
27,972
     
(26
)
   
-
     
-
     
27,946
 
Loss before income tax
   
(11,137
)
   
(6,694
)
   
(2,486
)
   
(95
)
   
(20,412
)
Net loss
   
(12,768
)
   
(4,849
)
   
(2,488
)
   
(95
)
   
(20,200
)
 

(1) During 2013 IB and Other (parent company) include $47.1 million and $9.0 million, respectively of income tax benefit related to the reversal of the valuation allowance on our net deferred tax assets (see note #13).
(2) Includes amounts relating to our parent company and certain insignificant operations.
(3) Includes parent company’s investment in subsidiaries and cash balances maintained at subsidiary.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
NOTE 24 – ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

A summary of changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”) during the years ended December 31 follows (1):

 
 
Unrealized
Losses on
Available for
 Sale
Securities
   
Dispropor-
tionate Tax
 Effects from
 Securities
Available for
 Sale
   
Unrealized
Losses on
Cash Flow
Hedges
   
Unrealized
 Losses on
Settled
Derivatives
   
Dispropor-
tionate Tax
 Effects from
Cash Flow
Hedges
   
Total
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
2013
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
Balances at beginning of period
 
$
(516
)
 
$
(5,617
)
 
$
(739
)
 
$
-
   
$
(1,186
)
 
$
(8,058
)
Income tax
   
181
     
(181
)
   
258
     
-
     
(258
)
   
-
 
Balances at beginning of period, net of tax
   
(335
)
   
(5,798
)
   
(481
)
   
-
     
(1,444
)
   
(8,058
)
Terminated cash flow hedge
   
-
     
-
     
370
     
(370
)
   
-
     
-
 
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
   
(2,877
)
   
-
     
(24
)
   
-
     
-
     
(2,901
)
Amounts reclassified from AOCL
   
12
     
-
     
135
     
123
     
1,444
     
1,714
 
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
   
(2,865
)
   
-
     
111
     
123
     
1,444
     
(1,187
)
Balances at end of period
 
$
(3,200
)
 
$
(5,798
)
 
$
-
   
$
(247
)
 
$
-
   
$
(9,245
)
 
                                               
2012
                                               
Balances at beginning of period
 
$
(3,579
)
 
$
(5,617
)
 
$
(1,103
)
 
$
(436
)
 
$
(1,186
)
 
$
(11,921
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
   
3,917
     
-
     
(127
)
   
-
     
-
     
3,790
 
Amounts reclassified from AOCL
   
(854
)
   
-
     
491
     
436
     
-
     
73
 
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
   
3,063
     
-
     
364
     
436
     
-
     
3,863
 
Balances at end of period
 
$
(516
)
 
$
(5,617
)
 
$
(739
)
 
$
-
   
$
(1,186
)
 
$
(8,058
)
 
                                               
2011
                                               
Balances at beginning of period
 
$
(4,448
)
 
$
(5,313
)
 
$
(1,420
)
 
$
(1,095
)
 
$
(844
)
 
$
(13,120
)
Disproportionate tax effects
   
-
     
(304
)
   
-
     
-
     
(342
)
   
(646
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
   
313
     
-
     
(482
)
   
-
     
-
     
(169
)
Amounts reclassified from AOCL
   
556
     
-
     
799
     
659
     
-
     
2,014
 
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
   
869
     
(304
)
   
317
     
659
     
(342
)
   
1,199
 
Balances at end of period
 
$
(3,579
)
 
$
(5,617
)
 
$
(1,103
)
 
$
(436
)
 
$
(1,186
)
 
$
(11,921
)
 

(1) 2013 amounts are presented net of tax as we removed substantially all of the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets during the second quarter of 2013 (see note #13).
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
The disproportionate tax effects from securities available for sale and cash flow hedges arose due to tax effects of other comprehensive income (“OCI”) in the presence of a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets and a pretax loss from operations. Generally, the amount of income tax expense or benefit allocated to operations is determined without regard to the tax effects of other categories of income or loss, such as OCI. However, an exception to the general rule is provided when, in the presence of a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets, there is a pretax loss from operations and pretax income from other categories in the current period. In such instances, income from other categories must offset the current loss from operations, the tax benefit of such offset being reflected in operations. During the second quarter of 2013, we terminated our last remaining cash flow hedge and cleared the disproportionate tax effects relating to cash flow hedges from accumulated other comprehensive income (see note #13).

A summary of reclassifications out of each component of AOCL for the years ended December 31 follows:

AOCL Component
 
Reclassified
From AOCL
 
Affected Line Item in
Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
2013
 
 
   
Unrealized losses on available for sale securities
 
 
   
 
 
$
7
 
Net gains on securities
 
   
(26
)
Net impairment loss recognized in earnings
 
   
(19
)
Total reclassifications before tax
 
   
(7
)
Tax expense (benefit)
 
 
$
(12
)
Reclassifications, net of tax
 
       
    
Unrealized losses on cash flow hedges
       
   
 
 
$
(208
)
Interest expense
 
   
(73
)
Tax expense (benefit)
 
 
$
(135
)
Reclassification, net of tax
 
       
    
Unrealized losses on settled derivatives
       
   
 
 
$
(189
)
Interest expense
 
   
(66
)
Tax expense (benefit)
 
 
$
(123
)
Reclassification, net of tax
 
       
    
Disproportionate tax effects from cash flow
       
   
hedges
 
$
1,444
 
Tax expense (benefit)
 
       
    
 
 
$
(1,714
)
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax
 
       
    
2012
       
   
Unrealized losses on available for sale securities
       
   
 
 
$
1,193
 
Net gains on securities
 
   
(339
)
Net impairment loss recognized in earnings
 
   
854
 
Total reclassifications before tax
 
   
-
 
Tax expense (benefit)
 
 
$
854
 
Reclassifications, net of tax
 
       
    
Unrealized losses on cash flow hedges
       
   
 
 
$
(491
)
Interest expense
 
   
-
 
Tax expense (benefit)
 
 
$
(491
)
Reclassification, net of tax
 
       
    
Unrealized losses on settled derivatives
       
   
 
 
$
(436
)
Interest expense
 
   
-
 
Tax expense (benefit)
 
 
$
(436
)
Reclassification, net of tax
 
       
    
 
 
$
(73
)
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

AOCL Component
 
Reclassified From AOCL
 
Affected Line Item in
Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
2011
 
 
   
Unrealized losses on available for sale securities
 
 
   
 
 
$
204
 
Net gains on securities
 
   
(760
)
Net impairment loss recognized in earnings
 
   
(556
)
Total reclassifications before tax
 
   
-
 
Tax expense (benefit )
 
 
$
(556
)
Reclassifications, net of tax
 
       
    
Disproportionate tax effects from available for sale securities
 
$
(304
)
Tax expense (benefit )
 
       
    
Unrealized losses on cash flow hedges
       
   
 
 
$
(799
)
Interest expense
 
   
-
 
Tax expense (benefit )
 
 
$
(799
)
Reclassification, net of tax
 
       
    
Unrealized losses on settled derivatives
       
   
 
 
$
(659
)
Interest expense
 
   
-
 
Tax expense (benefit )
 
 
$
(659
)
Reclassification, net of tax
 
       
    
Disproportionate tax effects from cash flow hedges
 
$
(342
)
Tax expense (benefit )
 
       
    
 
 
$
(1,368
)
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax

NOTE 25 – INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Presented below are condensed financial statements for our parent company.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
ASSETS
 
   
 
Cash and due from banks
 
$
11,654
   
$
3,788
 
Investment in subsidiaries
   
251,529
     
187,890
 
Other assets
   
9,165
     
665
 
Total Assets
 
$
272,348
   
$
192,343
 
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Subordinated debentures
 
$
40,723
   
$
50,175
 
Other liabilities
   
391
     
7,635
 
Shareholders’ equity
   
231,234
     
134,533
 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
$
272,348
   
$
192,343
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
OPERATING INCOME
 
   
   
 
(Increase) decrease in fair value of U.S. Treasury warrant
 
$
(1,025
)
 
$
(285
)
 
$
1,137
 
Other income
   
63
     
70
     
64
 
Total Operating Income
   
(962
)
   
(215
)
   
1,201
 
 
                       
OPERATING EXPENSES
                       
Interest expense
   
2,317
     
2,779
     
2,729
 
Administrative and other expenses
   
682
     
683
     
958
 
Total Operating Expenses
   
2,999
     
3,462
     
3,687
 
Loss Before Income Tax and Equity in Undistributed
                       
Net Income (Loss) of Subsidiaries
   
(3,961
)
   
(3,677
)
   
(2,486
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
   
(9,053
)
   
-
     
2
 
Income (Loss) Before Equity in Undistributed Net
                       
Income (Loss) of Subsidiaries
   
5,092
     
(3,677
)
   
(2,488
)
Equity in undistributed net income (loss) of subsidiaries
   
72,417
     
29,875
     
(17,712
)
Net Income (Loss)
 
$
77,509
   
$
26,198
   
$
(20,200
)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Net Income (Loss)
 
$
77,509
   
$
26,198
   
$
(20,200
)
ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE NET INCOME (LOSS) TO NET
                       
CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES
                       
Deferred income taxes
   
(8,955
)
   
-
     
-
 
Share based compensation
   
84
     
184
     
157
 
Depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and premiums, and accretion of discounts on securities and loans
   
-
     
-
     
1
 
Increase in other assets
   
738
     
(46
)
   
(92
)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities
   
(5,858
)
   
2,945
     
(2,404
)
Equity in undistributed net (income) loss of subsidiaries operations
   
(72,417
)
   
(29,875
)
   
17,712
 
Total Adjustments
   
(86,408
)
   
(26,792
)
   
15,374
 
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities
   
(8,899
)
   
(594
)
   
(4,826
)
 
                       
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES - return of capital from subsidiary
   
7,500
     
-
     
-
 
 
                       
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                       
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
   
100,230
     
2,244
     
2,245
 
Redemption of convertible preferred stock and common stock warrant
   
(81,000
)
   
-
     
-
 
Redemption of subordinated debt
   
(9,452
)
   
-
     
-
 
Share based compensation withholding obligation
   
(513
)
   
-
     
-
 
Net Cash From Financing Activities
   
9,265
     
2,244
     
2,245
 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
   
7,866
     
1,650
     
(2,581
)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
   
3,788
     
2,138
     
4,719
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year
 
$
11,654
   
$
3,788
   
$
2,138
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
 
NOTE 26 – BRANCH SALE

On December 7, 2012 we sold 21 branches to another financial institution (the “Branch Sale”). The branches sold included six branch locations in the Battle Creek, Michigan market area and 15 branch locations in Northeast Michigan.

The Branch Sale resulted in the transfer of approximately $403.1 million of deposits in exchange for our receipt of a deposit premium of approximately $11.5 million. We also sold approximately $48.0 million of loans at a discount of 1.75% and premises and equipment totaling approximately $8.1 million. The Branch Sale also resulted in our transfer of $336.1 million of cash to the purchaser. We recorded a net gain on the Branch Sale of approximately $5.4 million. This gain is net of an allocation of $2.6 million of existing core deposit intangibles, a $2.5 million loss on the sale of premises and equipment, a $0.2 million loss on the sale of loans and $0.8 million in transaction and other related net costs.

 
 
(In thousands)
 
Loans:
 
 
Commercial
 
$
27,083
 
Mortgage
   
8,074
 
Installment
   
12,797
 
Total loans
   
47,954
 
Allowance for loan losses
   
(610
)
Net loans
 
$
47,344
 
 
       
Deposits
       
Non-interest bearing
 
$
71,718
 
Savings and interest bearing-checking
   
217,264
 
Retail time
   
114,107
 
Total deposits
 
$
403,089
 
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

A summary of selected quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31 follows:

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
March 31,
   
June 30,
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
 
 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2013
 
   
   
   
 
Interest income
 
$
21,950
   
$
21,862
   
$
21,784
   
$
21,525
 
Net interest income
   
19,556
     
19,523
     
19,529
     
19,351
 
Provision for loan losses
   
(691
)
   
(2,107
)
   
(355
)
   
(835
)
Income before income tax
   
5,842
     
6,899
     
3,787
     
6,130
 
Net income
   
5,807
     
63,388
     
3,505
     
4,809
 
Net income applicable to common stock
   
4,712
     
62,231
     
10,310
     
4,809
 
 
                               
Income per common share
                               
Basic
   
0.51
     
6.56
     
0.73
     
0.21
 
Diluted
   
0.27
     
2.64
     
0.17
     
0.21
 
 
                               
2012
                               
Interest income
 
$
25,696
   
$
25,255
   
$
24,733
   
$
23,714
 
Net interest income
   
22,100
     
21,830
     
21,451
     
20,874
 
Provision for loan losses
   
5,131
     
1,056
     
251
     
449
 
Income before income tax
   
3,504
     
4,333
     
6,446
     
11,915
 
Net income
   
3,504
     
4,333
     
6,446
     
11,915
 
Net income applicable to common stock
   
2,448
     
3,241
     
5,353
     
10,809
 
 
                               
Income per common share
                               
Basic
   
0.29
     
0.38
     
0.61
     
1.21
 
Diluted
   
0.07
     
0.11
     
0.16
     
0.36
 

During the fourth quarter of 2013, we recognized a $1.4 million expense for vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies expense (see note #11) and a recovery on our capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights of $0.7 million (see note #4). During the fourth quarter of 2012, we recognized a net gain on the sale of certain branches of $5.4 million (see note #26) and a recovery on our capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights of $1.1 million (see note #4).

QUARTERLY SUMMARY

 
Reported Sales Prices of Common Shares
 
Cash Dividends
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
Declared
 
 
High
 
Low
 
Close
 
High
 
Low
 
Close
 
2013
 
2012
 
First quarter
 
$
8.49
   
$
3.44
   
$
8.46
   
$
2.59
   
$
1.30
   
$
2.20
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Second quarter
   
9.00
     
5.88
     
6.29
     
4.35
     
2.13
     
2.47
     
-
     
-
 
Third quarter
   
10.23
     
5.51
     
10.00
     
3.13
     
2.48
     
2.71
     
-
     
-
 
Fourth quarter
   
12.45
     
8.66
     
12.00
     
3.99
     
2.61
     
3.50
     
-
     
-
 

We have approximately 2,100 holders of record of our common stock. Our common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market System under the symbol “IBCP.” The prices shown above are supplied by Nasdaq and reflect the inter-dealer prices and may not include retail markups, markdowns or commissions. There may have been transactions or quotations at higher or lower prices of which we are not aware.

In addition to the provisions of the Michigan Business Corporation Act, our ability to pay dividends is limited by our ability to obtain funds from our Bank and by regulatory capital guidelines applicable to us (see note #20).
 
 
110


EXHIBIT 21

INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION
Subsidiaries of the Registrant

 
State of Incorporation
IBC Capital Finance III
 
              Ionia, Michigan
Delaware
IBC Capital Finance IV
 
              Ionia, Michigan
Delaware
Midwest Guaranty Trust I
 
              Ionia, Michigan
Delaware
Independent Bank
 
              Ionia, Michigan
Michigan
IBC Financial Services, Inc., Grand Rapids, Michigan
 
              (a subsidiary of Independent Bank)
Michigan
Independent Title Services, Inc., Grand Rapids, Michigan
 
             (a subsidiary of Independent Bank) 
Michigan
Mepco Finance Corporation ("Mepco"), Chicago, Illinois
 
              (a subsidiary of Independent Bank)
Michigan
Mepco Acceptance Corp., Chicago, Illinois
 
              (a subsidiary of Mepco)
California
Mepco Finance PM, LLC, Ionia, Michigan
 
              (a subsidiary of Mepco)
Michigan
Jarco Investments, LLC, Ionia, Michigan
 
              (a subsidiary of Independent Bank)
Michigan
Eaton Investments, LLC, Ionia, Michigan
 
              (a subsidiary of Independent Bank)
Michigan
IBC Property Management, LLC, Ionia, Michigan
 
              (a subsidiary of Independent Bank)
Michigan
Land Holdings, LLC, Ionia, Michigan
 
              (a subsidiary of Independent Bank)
Michigan
Cal Land Investments, LLC, Ionia, MI
 
              (a subsidiary of Independent Bank)
Michigan
Independent Life Insurance Trust, Ionia, Michigan
 
              (a subsidiary of Independent Bank)
Michigan
 
 


EXHIBIT 23
 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (Nos. 333-89072, 333-125484 and 333-189437) on Forms S-8 of Independent Bank Corporation of our report dated March 7, 2014 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Independent Bank Corporation, which report appears in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Independent Bank Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2013.
 
 
/s/ Crowe Horwath LLP
 
 
Grand Rapids, Michigan
 
March 7, 2014
 




EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, William B. Kessel, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Independent Bank Corporation;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15.15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls over financial reporting.
 
Date:  March 7, 2014
/s/ William B. Kessel
 
William B. Kessel
 
President and Chief Executive Officer

 



EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Robert N. Shuster, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Independent Bank Corporation;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15.15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls over financial reporting.
 
Date:  March 7, 2014
/s/ Robert N. Shuster
 
Robert N. Shuster
 
Chief Financial Officer

 


EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATE OF THE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF
INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002:

I, William B. Kessel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Independent Bank Corporation, certify pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that:

(1) The annual report on Form 10-K for the annual period ended December 31, 2013, which this statement accompanies, fully complies with requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and;

(2)
The information contained in this annual report on Form 10-K for the annual period ended December 31, 2013, fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Independent Bank Corporation.

Date:  March 7, 2014
/s/ William B. Kessel
 
William B. Kessel
 
President and Chief Executive Officer

The signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to Independent Bank Corporation and will be retained by Independent Bank Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
 
 


EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATE OF THE
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF
INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002:

I, Robert N. Shuster, Chief Financial Officer of Independent Bank Corporation, certify pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that:

(1)  The annual report on Form 10-K for the annual period ended December 31, 2013, which this statement accompanies, fully complies with requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and;

(2) The information contained in this annual report on Form 10-K for the annual period ended December 31, 2013, fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Independent Bank Corporation.
 
Date:  March 7, 2014
/s/ Robert N. Shuster
 
Robert N. Shuster
 
Chief Financial Officer

The signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to Independent Bank Corporation and will be retained by Independent Bank Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.




EXHIBIT 99.1
 
INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION
Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to Section 111(b)(4) of the
Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008

I, William B. Kessel, certify, based on my knowledge, that:

(i)
The compensation committee of Independent Bank Corporation has discussed, reviewed, and evaluated with senior risk officers at least every six months during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period, senior executive officer (SEO) compensation plans and employee compensation plans and the risks these plans pose to Independent Bank Corporation;
(ii)
The compensation committee of Independent Bank Corporation has identified and limited during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period any features of the SEO compensation plans that could lead SEOs to take unnecessary and excessive risks that could threaten the value of Independent Bank Corporation and has identified any features of the employee compensation plans that pose risks to Independent Bank Corporation and has limited those features to ensure that Independent Bank Corporation is not unnecessarily exposed to risks;
(iii)
The compensation committee has reviewed, at least every six months during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period, the terms of each employee compensation plan and identified any features of the plan that could encourage the manipulation of reported earnings of Independent Bank Corporation to enhance the compensation of an employee, and has limited any such features;
(iv)
The compensation committee of Independent Bank Corporation will certify to the reviews of the SEO compensation plans and employee compensation plans required under (i) and (iii) above;
(v)
The compensation committee of Independent Bank Corporation will provide a narrative description of how it limited during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period the features in:
(A)  SEO compensation plans that could lead SEOs to take unnecessary and excessive risks that could threaten the value of Independent Bank Corporation;
(B)  Employee compensation plans that unnecessarily expose Independent Bank Corporation to risks; and
(C)  Employee compensation plans that could encourage the manipulation of reported earnings of Independent Bank Corporation to enhance the compensation of an employee;
(vi)
Independent Bank Corporation has required that bonus payments to SEOs or any of the next twenty most highly compensated employees, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA (bonus payments), be subject to a recovery or “clawback” provision during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period if the bonus payments were based on materially inaccurate financial statements or any other materially inaccurate performance metric criteria;
(vii)
Independent Bank Corporation has prohibited any golden parachute payment, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA, to a SEO or any of the next five most highly compensated employees during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period;
(viii)
Independent Bank Corporation has limited bonus payments to its applicable employees in accordance with section 111 of EESA and the regulations and guidance established thereunder during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period;
(ix)
Independent Bank Corporation and its employees have complied with the excessive or luxury expenditures policy, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA, during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period; and any expenses that, pursuant to the policy, required approval of the board of directors, a committee of the board of directors, an SEO, or an executive officer with a similar level of responsibility were properly approved;
(x)
Independent Bank Corporation will permit a non-binding shareholder resolution in compliance with any applicable Federal securities rules and regulations on the disclosures provided under the Federal securities laws related to SEO compensation paid or accrued during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period;

(xi)
Independent Bank Corporation will disclose the amount, nature, and justification for the offering, during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period, of any perquisites, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA, whose total value exceeds $25,000 for any employee who is subject to the bonus payment limitations identified in paragraph (viii);
(xii)
Independent Bank Corporation will disclose whether Independent Bank Corporation, the board of directors of Independent Bank Corporation, or the compensation committee of Independent Bank Corporation has engaged during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period a compensation consultant; and the services the compensation consultant or any affiliate of the compensation consultant provided during this period;
(xiii)
Independent Bank Corporation has prohibited the payment of any gross-ups, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA, to the SEOs and the next twenty most highly compensated employees during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period;
(xiv)
Independent Bank Corporation has substantially complied with all other requirements related to employee compensation that are provided in the agreement between Independent Bank Corporation and Treasury, including any amendments;
(xv)
Independent Bank Corporation has submitted to Treasury a complete and accurate list of the SEOs and the twenty next most highly compensated employees for the current fiscal year, with the non-SEOs ranked in descending order of level of annual compensation, and with the name, title, and employer of each SEO and most highly compensated employee identified; and
(xvi)
I understand that a knowing and willful false or fraudulent statement made in connection with this certification may be punished by fine, imprisonment, or both. (See, for example 18 U.S.C. 1001.)

Date:  March 7, 2014
/s/ William B. Kessel
 
William B. Kessel
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 


EXHIBIT 99.2
 
INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION
Certification of Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to Section 111(b)(4) of the
Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008

I, Robert N. Shuster, certify, based on my knowledge, that:

(i)
The compensation committee of Independent Bank Corporation has discussed, reviewed, and evaluated with senior risk officers at least every six months during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period, senior executive officer (SEO) compensation plans and employee compensation plans and the risks these plans pose to Independent Bank Corporation;
(ii)
The compensation committee of Independent Bank Corporation has identified and limited during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period any features of the SEO compensation plans that could lead SEOs to take unnecessary and excessive risks that could threaten the value of Independent Bank Corporation and has identified any features of the employee compensation plans that pose risks to Independent Bank Corporation and has limited those features to ensure that Independent Bank Corporation is not unnecessarily exposed to risks;
(iii)  The compensation committee has reviewed, at least every six months during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period, the terms of each employee compensation plan and identified any features of the plan that could encourage the manipulation of reported earnings of Independent Bank Corporation to enhance the compensation of an employee, and has limited any such features;
(iv)  The compensation committee of Independent Bank Corporation will certify to the reviews of the SEO compensation plans and employee compensation plans required under (i) and (iii) above;
(v)
The compensation committee of Independent Bank Corporation will provide a narrative description of how it limited during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period the features in:
(A)  SEO compensation plans that could lead SEOs to take unnecessary and excessive risks that could threaten the value of Independent Bank Corporation;
(B)  Employee compensation plans that unnecessarily expose Independent Bank Corporation to risks; and
(C)  Employee compensation plans that could encourage the manipulation of reported earnings of Independent Bank Corporation to enhance the compensation of an employee;
(vi)  Independent Bank Corporation has required that bonus payments to SEOs or any of the next twenty most highly compensated employees, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA (bonus payments), be subject to a recovery or “clawback” provision during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period if the bonus payments were based on materially inaccurate financial statements or any other materially inaccurate performance metric criteria;
(vii) Independent Bank Corporation has prohibited any golden parachute payment, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA, to a SEO or any of the next five most highly compensated employees during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period;  
(viii) Independent Bank Corporation has limited bonus payments to its applicable employees in accordance with section 111 of EESA and the regulations and guidance established thereunder during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period;
(ix)
Independent Bank Corporation and its employees have complied with the excessive or luxury expenditures policy, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA, during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period; and any expenses that, pursuant to the policy, required approval of the board of directors, a committee of the board of directors, an SEO, or an executive officer with a similar level of responsibility were properly approved;
(x)
Independent Bank Corporation will permit a non-binding shareholder resolution in compliance with any applicable Federal securities rules and regulations on the disclosures provided under the Federal securities laws related to SEO compensation paid or accrued during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period;

(xi)  Independent Bank Corporation will disclose the amount, nature, and justification for the offering, during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period, of any perquisites, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA, whose total value exceeds $25,000 for any employee who is subject to the bonus payment limitations identified in paragraph (viii);
(xii)  Independent Bank Corporation will disclose whether Independent Bank Corporation, the board of directors of Independent Bank Corporation, or the compensation committee of Independent Bank Corporation has engaged during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period a compensation consultant; and the services the compensation consultant or any affiliate of the compensation consultant provided during this period;
(xiii)  Independent Bank Corporation has prohibited the payment of any gross-ups, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA, to the SEOs and the next twenty most highly compensated employees during any part of the most recently completed fiscal year that was a TARP period;
(xiv)  Independent Bank Corporation has substantially complied with all other requirements related to employee compensation that are provided in the agreement between Independent Bank Corporation and Treasury, including any amendments;
(xv)  Independent Bank Corporation has submitted to Treasury a complete and accurate list of the SEOs and the twenty next most highly compensated employees for the current fiscal year, with the non-SEOs ranked in descending order of level of annual compensation, and with the name, title, and employer of each SEO and most highly compensated employee identified; and
(xvi)  I understand that a knowing and willful false or fraudulent statement made in connection with this certification may be punished by fine, imprisonment, or both. (See, for example 18 U.S.C. 1001.)

Date:  March 7, 2014
/s/ Robert N. Shuster
 
Robert N. Shuster
 
Chief Financial Officer