UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
   Washington, D.C. 20549
 

FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark one)
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2018
 
OR
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from _______________ to _______________
 
Commission File Number 000-30707
 
FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
California
 
68-0450397
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
195 N. First Street, Dixon, California
 
95620
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
707-678-3041
(Registrant's telephone number including area code)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
Yes
No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
 
Yes
No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes
No
 
The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of May 1, 2018 was 11,661,857.
1

FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
 
INDEX
 
 
Page
PART I – Financial Information
 
   
ITEM I. – Financial Statements (Unaudited)
3
   
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
3
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
4
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
5
   
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited)
6
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
7
   
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
8
   
ITEM 2. – MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
30
   
ITEM 3. – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
45
   
ITEM 4. – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
45
   
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
45
   
ITEM 1. – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
45
   
ITEM 1A. – RISK FACTORS
45
   
ITEM 2. – UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
47
   
ITEM 3. – DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
47
   
ITEM 4. – MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
47
   
ITEM 5. – OTHER INFORMATION
47
   
ITEM 6. – EXHIBITS
47
   
SIGNATURES
48
 
2

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
 
ITEM I.    – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
 
 
(in thousands, except shares amounts)
 
March 31, 2018
   
December 31, 2017
 
 
           
Assets
           
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
148,511
   
$
152,892
 
Certificates of deposit
   
1,984
     
1,984
 
Investment securities – available-for-sale
   
291,166
     
280,741
 
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $11,715 at March 31, 2018 and $11,133 at December 31, 2017
   
720,559
     
739,112
 
Loans held-for-sale
   
430
     
1,040
 
Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank and other equity securities, at cost
   
5,567
     
5,567
 
Premises and equipment, net
   
6,077
     
6,248
 
Interest receivable and other assets
   
29,975
     
30,074
 
 
               
Total Assets
 
$
1,204,269
   
$
1,217,658
 
 
               
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
               
 
               
Liabilities:
               
 
               
Demand deposits
 
$
382,166
   
$
382,157
 
Interest-bearing transaction deposits
   
307,155
     
312,569
 
Savings and MMDA's
   
333,669
     
336,592
 
Time, $250,000 or less
   
51,287
     
54,531
 
Time, over $250,000
   
18,517
     
18,891
 
Total deposits
   
1,092,794
     
1,104,740
 
 
               
Interest payable and other liabilities
   
10,411
     
12,874
 
 
               
Total Liabilities
   
1,103,205
     
1,117,614
 
 
               
Stockholders' Equity:
               
Common stock, no par value; 16,000,000 shares authorized; 11,661,857 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2018 and 11,630,129 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017
   
85,931
     
85,583
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
977
     
977
 
Retained earnings
   
20,364
     
17,881
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net
   
(6,208
)
   
(4,397
)
Total Stockholders' Equity
   
101,064
     
100,044
 
 
               
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 
$
1,204,269
   
$
1,217,658
 
 
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Three months ended
March 31, 2018
   
Three months ended
March 31, 2017
 
Interest and dividend income:
           
Loans
 
$
8,806
   
$
7,961
 
Due from banks interest bearing accounts
   
517
     
332
 
Investment securities
               
Taxable
   
1,308
     
1,102
 
Non-taxable
   
39
     
75
 
Other earning assets
   
105
     
108
 
Total interest and dividend income
   
10,775
     
9,578
 
Interest expense:
               
Deposits
   
263
     
265
 
Total interest expense
   
263
     
265
 
Net interest income
   
10,512
     
9,313
 
Provision for loan losses
   
525
     
600
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
   
9,987
     
8,713
 
Non-interest income:
               
Service charges on deposit accounts
   
488
     
418
 
Gains on sales of loans held-for-sale
   
69
     
147
 
Investment and brokerage services income
   
161
     
143
 
Mortgage brokerage income
   
6
     
13
 
Loan servicing income
   
106
     
150
 
Fiduciary activities income
   
156
     
125
 
Debit card income
   
502
     
467
 
Losses on sales/calls of available-for-sale securities
   
     
(16
)
Gain on sale-leaseback of real estate
   
     
1,187
 
Other income
   
316
     
211
 
Total non-interest income
   
1,804
     
2,845
 
Non-interest expenses:
               
Salaries and employee benefits
   
5,317
     
4,751
 
Occupancy and equipment
   
715
     
696
 
Data processing
   
530
     
402
 
Stationery and supplies
   
99
     
70
 
Advertising
   
88
     
66
 
Directors' fees
   
65
     
59
 
Other real estate owned recovery
   
     
(1
)
Other expense
   
1,180
     
1,460
 
Total non-interest expenses
   
7,994
     
7,503
 
Income before provision for income taxes
   
3,797
     
4,055
 
Provision for income taxes
   
1,064
     
1,542
 
 
               
Net income
 
$
2,733
   
$
2,513
 
 
               
Basic earnings per common share
 
$
0.24
   
$
0.22
 
Diluted earnings per common share
 
$
0.23
   
$
0.22
 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands)
 
Three months ended
March 31, 2018
   
Three months ended
March 31, 2017
 
Net income
 
$
2,733
   
$
2,513
 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
               
Unrealized holding (losses) gains on securities:
               
Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during the period, net of tax effect of $(731) and $6 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively
   
(1,811
)
   
10
 
Less: reclassification adjustment due to losses realized on sales of securities, net of tax effect of $0 and $6 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively
   
     
10
 
Directors' and officer's retirement plan equity adjustments, net of tax effect of $0 and $(31) for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively
   
     
(46
)
Other comprehensive loss
 
$
(1,811
)
 
$
(26
)
Comprehensive income
 
$
922
   
$
2,487
 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except share data)
 
 
Common Stock
                     
 
 
Shares
   
Amounts
   
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
   
Retained
Earnings
   
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
   
Total
 
 
                                   
Balance at December 31, 2016
   
11,148,446
   
$
79,114
   
$
977
   
$
14,557
   
$
(2,350
)
 
$
92,298
 
Net income
                           
8,748
             
8,748
 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
                                   
(1,448
)
   
(1,448
)
Stock dividend adjustment
   
289
     
207
             
(207
)
           
 
Tax rate change reclassification
                           
599
     
(599
)
   
 
4% stock dividend declared in 2018
   
447,312
     
5,806
             
(5,806
)
           
 
Cash in lieu of fractional shares
   
(129
)
                   
(10
)
           
(10
)
Stock-based compensation
           
378
                             
378
 
Common shares issued related to restricted stock grants, net of restricted stock reversals
   
34,211
     
78
                             
78
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2017
   
11,630,129
   
$
85,583
   
$
977
   
$
17,881
   
$
(4,397
)
 
$
100,044
 
Net income
                           
2,733
             
2,733
 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
                                   
(1,811
)
   
(1,811
)
Stock dividend adjustment
   
628
     
240
             
(240
)
           
 
Cash in lieu of fractional shares
   
(159
)
                   
(10
)
           
(10
)
Stock-based compensation
           
108
                             
108
 
Common shares issued related to restricted stock grants
   
25,281
     
                             
 
Stock options exercised, net 
   
5,978
     
                             
 
Balance at March 31, 2018
   
11,661,857
   
$
85,931
   
$
977
   
$
20,364
   
$
(6,208
)
 
$
101,064
 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
Three months ended
March 31, 2018
   
Three months ended
March 31, 2017
 
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
           
Net income
 
$
2,733
   
$
2,513
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation
   
144
     
152
 
Accretion and amortization of investment securities premiums and discounts, net
   
722
     
918
 
Valuation adjustment on mortgage servicing rights
   
     
(21
)
Increase (decrease) in deferred loan origination fees and costs, net
   
10
     
77
 
Provision for loan losses
   
525
     
600
 
Stock-based compensation
   
108
     
77
 
Loss (gain) on calls of available-for-sale securities
   
     
16
 
Gain on sale-leaseback of real estate
   
     
(1,187
)
Gain on sales of loans held-for-sale
   
(69
)
   
(147
)
Proceeds from sales of loans held-for-sale
   
5,148
     
10,045
 
Originations of loans held-for-sale
   
(4,469
)
   
(7,815
)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Decrease (increase) in interest receivable and other assets
   
830
     
(122
)
Net (decrease) increase in interest payable and other liabilities
   
(2,463
)
   
281
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
3,219
     
5,387
 
 
               
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
               
Proceeds from calls or maturities of available-for-sale securities
   
11,115
     
2,275
 
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities
   
     
462
 
Principal repayments on available-for-sale securities
   
12,193
     
11,153
 
Purchase of available-for-sale securities
   
(36,997
)
   
(31,156
)
Net decrease in certificates of deposit
   
     
496
 
Net decrease in loans
   
18,018
     
15,640
 
Sales/disposals of premises and equipment, net
   
27
     
2,319
 
Net cash used in investing activities
   
4,356
     
1,189
 
 
               
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
               
Net decrease in deposits
   
(11,946
)
   
(2,962
)
Cash dividends paid in lieu of fractional shares
   
(10
)
   
(10
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
(11,956
)
   
(2,972
)
 
               
Net (decrease) increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
   
(4,381
)
   
3,604
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents , beginning of period
   
152,892
     
159,643
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period
 
$
148,511
   
$
163,247
 
 
               
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
               
Cash paid during the period for:
               
Interest
 
$
261
   
$
263
 
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
               
Stock dividend distributed
 
$
6,046
   
$
5,295
 
Decrease in directors' & officer's retirement plan equity adjustment, net of tax
 
$
   
$
(46
)
Unrealized holding (losses) gains on available for sale securities, net of taxes
 
$
(1,811
)
 
$
20
 
 
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
7


FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
March 31, 2018 and 2017 and December 31, 2017
 
1.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of First Northern Community Bancorp (the "Company") have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Articles 9 and 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results expected for the full year.  These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements as well as reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.


2.
ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The most significant accounting policies followed by the Company are presented in Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. These policies, along with the disclosures presented in the other financial statement notes and in this discussion, provide information on how significant assets and liabilities are valued in the financial statements and how those values are determined. Based on the valuation techniques used and the sensitivity of financial statement amounts to the methods, assumptions, and estimates underlying those amounts, Management has identified the allowance for loan losses accounting to be the accounting area requiring the most subjective or complex judgments, and as such could be most subject to revision as new information becomes available. A discussion of the factors affecting accounting for the allowance for loan losses is included in the "Asset Quality" and "Allowance for Loan Loss" discussions below. Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.
 
Application of these principles requires the Company to make certain estimates, assumptions, and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates, assumptions, and judgments are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements; accordingly, as this information changes, the financial statements could reflect different estimates, assumptions, and judgments. Certain accounting policies inherently have a greater reliance on the use of estimates, assumptions and judgments and as such have a greater possibility of producing results that could be materially different than originally reported. Estimates, assumptions and judgments are necessary when assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value, when a decline in the value of an asset not carried on the financial statements at fair value warrants an impairment writedown or valuation reserve to be established, or when an asset or liability needs to be recorded contingent upon a future event. Carrying assets and liabilities at fair value inherently results in more financial statement volatility. The fair values and the information used to record valuation adjustments for certain assets and liabilities are based either on quoted market prices or are provided by other third-party sources, when available.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements:
 
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).  The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 on January 1, 2018.  The Company adopted the new guidance using the modified retrospective transition approach, in which the guidance would only be applied to existing contracts in effect at January 1, 2018 and new contracts entered into after this date.  ASU 2014-09 requires entities to recognize revenues when they transfer promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.   To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that an entity determines are within the scope of Topic 606, an entity should apply the following steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. Most of the Company's revenue is comprised of net interest income on loans and investment securities, which are explicitly out of scope of the new revenue recognition guidance.  Management conducted an assessment of the revenue streams that were potentially affected by the new guidance and reviewed contracts in scope to ensure compliance with the new guidance.  The adoption of ASU 2014-09 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
 
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842).   The amendments in ASU 2016-02, among other things, require lessees to recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date:

A lease liability, which is a lessee's obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and
A right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee's right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term.

The amendments in this ASU are effective for public companies for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company currently leases ten properties.  The effect to the Company's financial statements will result in the recording of a lease liability and a related right-of-use asset.  Management has not yet quantified the lease liability and right-of-use asset and is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

8

In June 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.   The amendments in ASU 2016-13, among other things, require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts.  Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates.  Many of the loss estimation techniques applied today will still be permitted, although the inputs to those techniques will change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses.  In addition, ASU 2016-13 amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration.  The amendments are effective for public companies for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019.  Early application will be permitted for all organizations for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018.  Management is currently gathering data required to measure expected credit losses in accordance with this ASU and will then evaluate the impact of this ASU on the Company's consolidated financial statements.  While the Company has not quantified the impact of this ASU, it does expect changing from the current loss model to an expected loss model to result in an earlier recognition of losses.

In February 2018, FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220).   The amendments in this update allow a reclassification from retained earnings to accumulated other comprehensive income for certain income tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.  However, because the amendments only relate to the reclassification of the income tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the underlying guidance that requires that the effect of a change in tax laws or rates be included in income from continuing operations is not affected.  The amendments in this update are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  Early adoption of the amendments in this Update is permitted, including adoption in any interim period, (1) for public business entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued and (2) for all other entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been made available for issuance. The amendments in this Update should be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is recognized.  The Company elected the early adoption of ASU 2018-02 as of and for the period ended December 31, 2017.  As a result, the Company reclassified $599 from retained earnings to accumulated other comprehensive income as a result of certain income tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.  The reclassification amount of $599 is comprised of a $473 unrealized loss on investment securities and $126 unrealized loss on retirement plans.

In March 2018, FASB issued ASU 2018-05, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118.   These amendments add SEC guidance, among other things, to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification regarding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.  The amendments are effective upon addition to the FASB Codification.  The Company does not expect the adoption of this update to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
9

3.    INVESTMENT SECURITIES
 
The amortized cost, unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair values of investments in debt and other securities at March 31, 2018 are summarized as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
Amortized
cost
   
Unrealized
gains
   
Unrealized
losses
   
Estimated
fair value
 
 
                       
Investment securities available-for-sale:
                       
U.S. Treasury Securities
 
$
25,444
   
$
   
$
(219
)
 
$
25,225
 
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations
   
35,326
     
     
(342
)
   
34,984
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
21,942
     
137
     
(181
)
   
21,898
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
   
67,219
     
     
(2,338
)
   
64,881
 
Mortgage-backed securities
   
147,983
     
50
     
(3,855
)
   
144,178
 
Total debt securities
 
$
297,914
   
$
187
   
$
(6,935
)
 
$
291,166
 

The amortized cost, unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair values of investments in debt and other securities at December 31, 2017 are summarized as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
Amortized
cost
   
Unrealized
gains
   
Unrealized
losses
   
Estimated
fair value
 
 
                       
Investment securities available-for-sale:
                       
U.S. Treasury Securities
 
$
18,589
   
$
   
$
(125
)
 
$
18,464
 
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations
   
21,353
     
     
(244
)
   
21,109
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
23,138
     
216
     
(146
)
   
23,208
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
   
67,724
     
     
(1,641
)
   
66,083
 
Mortgage-backed securities
   
154,143
     
95
     
(2,361
)
   
151,877
 
Total debt securities
 
$
284,947
   
$
311
   
$
(4,517
)
 
$
280,741
 
 
The Company had $11,115,000 and $2,737,000 proceeds from sales, calls and maturities of available-for-sale securities for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively.  There were no gross realized gains from sales/calls of available-for-sale securities for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively.  There were $0 and $(16,000) gross realized losses from sales/calls of available-for-sale securities for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively.

The amortized cost and estimated market value of debt and other securities at March 31, 2018, by contractual and expected maturity, are shown in the following table:
 
(in thousands)
 
Amortized
cost
   
Estimated
fair value
 
 
           
Maturity in years:
           
Due in one year or less
 
$
27,624
   
$
27,548
 
Due after one year through five years
   
51,047
     
50,402
 
Due after five years through ten years
   
4,041
     
4,157
 
Due after ten years
   
     
 
Subtotal 
   
82,712
     
82,107
 
MBS & CMO
   
215,202
     
209,059
 
Total
 
$
297,914
   
$
291,166
 


Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.   In addition, factors such as prepayments and interest rates may affect the yield on the carrying value of mortgage-related securities.

10

An analysis of gross unrealized losses of the available-for-sale investment securities portfolio as of March 31, 2018, follows:
 
 
 
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or more
   
Total
 
(in thousands)
 
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
losses
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
losses
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
losses
 
 
                                   
U.S. Treasury securities
 
$
16,811
   
$
(59
)
 
$
8,414
   
$
(160
)
 
$
25,225
   
$
(219
)
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations
   
19,960
     
(119
)
   
15,024
     
(223
)
   
34,984
     
(342
)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
5,610
     
(50
)
   
7,273
     
(131
)
   
12,883
     
(181
)
Collateralized Mortgage obligations
   
28,440
     
(776
)
   
36,441
     
(1,562
)
   
64,881
     
(2,338
)
Mortgage-backed securities
   
48,802
     
(915
)
   
89,836
     
(2,940
)
   
138,638
     
(3,855
)
Total
 
$
119,623
   
$
(1,919
)
 
$
156,988
   
$
(5,016
)
 
$
276,611
   
$
(6,935
)
 
No decline in value was considered "other-than-temporary" during the first three months of 2018.  Ninety seven securities, all considered investment grade, which had a fair value of $119,623,000 and a total unrealized loss of $1,919,000 have been in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve months as of March 31, 2018.  One hundred thirty nine securities, all considered investment grade, which had a fair value of $156,988,000 and a total unrealized loss of $5,016,000 have been in an unrealized loss position for more than twelve months as of March 31, 2018.  The unrealized losses on the Company's investment securities were caused by market conditions for these types of investments, particularly changes in risk-free interest rates.  The Company does not intend to sell the securities and has concluded it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of their anticipated cost basis. Therefore, the Company does not consider these investments to be other than temporarily impaired as of March 31, 2018.

The fair value of investment securities could decline in the future if the general economy deteriorates, inflation increases, credit ratings decline, the issuer's financial condition deteriorates, or the liquidity for securities declines. As a result, other than temporary impairments may occur in the future.

An analysis of gross unrealized losses of the available-for-sale investment securities portfolio as of December 31, 2017, follows:
 
 
 
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or more
   
Total
 
(in thousands)
 
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
losses
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
losses
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
losses
 
 
                                   
U.S. Treasury Securities
 
$
10,004
   
$
(2
)
 
$
8,460
   
$
(123
)
 
$
18,464
   
$
(125
)
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations
   
6,049
     
(50
)
   
15,060
     
(194
)
   
21,109
     
(244
)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
7,677
     
(34
)
   
7,116
     
(112
)
   
14,793
     
(146
)
Collateralized Mortgage obligations
   
31,679
     
(576
)
   
34,404
     
(1,065
)
   
66,083
     
(1,641
)
Mortgage-backed securities
   
62,320
     
(650
)
   
76,478
     
(1,711
)
   
138,798
     
(2,361
)
Total
 
$
117,729
   
$
(1,312
)
 
$
141,518
   
$
(3,205
)
 
$
259,247
   
$
(4,517
)
 
Investment securities carried at $32,957,000 and $32,399,000 at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, were pledged to secure public deposits or for other purposes as required or permitted by law.
11


4.    LOANS

The composition of the Company's loan portfolio, by loan class, as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was as follows:
 
($ in thousands)
 
March 31, 2018
   
December 31, 2017
 
 
           
Commercial
 
$
130,749
   
$
135,015
 
Commercial Real Estate
   
393,910
     
398,346
 
Agriculture
   
104,104
     
113,555
 
Residential Mortgage
   
44,788
     
42,081
 
Residential Construction
   
20,754
     
21,299
 
Consumer
   
36,930
     
38,900
 
 
   
731,235
     
749,196
 
Allowance for loan losses
   
(11,715
)
   
(11,133
)
Net deferred origination fees and costs
   
1,039
     
1,049
 
Loans, net
 
$
720,559
   
$
739,112
 

The Company manages asset quality and credit risk by maintaining diversification in its loan portfolio and through review processes that include analysis of credit requests and ongoing examination of outstanding loans and delinquencies, with particular attention to portfolio dynamics and loan mix.  The Company strives to identify loans experiencing difficulty early enough to correct the problems, to record charge-offs promptly based on realistic assessments of collectability and current collateral values and to maintain an adequate allowance for loan losses at all times.   Asset quality reviews of loans and other non-performing assets are administered using credit risk rating standards and criteria similar to those employed by state and federal banking regulatory agencies.

Commercial loans, whether secured or unsecured, generally are made to support the short-term operations and other needs of small businesses.  These loans are generally secured by the receivables, equipment, and other real property of the business and are susceptible to the related risks described above.  Problem commercial loans are generally identified by periodic review of financial information that may include financial statements, tax returns, and payment history of the borrower.  Based on this information, the Company may decide to take any of several courses of action, including demand for repayment, requiring the borrower to provide a significant principal payment and/or additional collateral or requiring similar support from guarantors. Notwithstanding, when repayment becomes unlikely based on the borrower's income and cash flow, repossession or foreclosure of the underlying collateral may become necessary.  Collateral values may be determined by appraisals obtained through Bank-approved, licensed appraisers, qualified independent third parties, purchase invoices, or other appropriate documentation.

Commercial real estate loans generally fall into two categories, owner-occupied and non-owner occupied.  Loans secured by owner-occupied real estate are primarily susceptible to changes in the market conditions of the related business.  This may be driven by, among other things, industry changes, geographic business changes, changes in the individual financial capacity of the business owner, general economic conditions and changes in business cycles. These same risks apply to Commercial loans whether secured by equipment, receivables or other personal property or unsecured.  Problem commercial real estate loans are generally identified by periodic review of financial information that may include financial statements, tax returns, payment history of the borrower, and site inspections.  Based on this information, the Company may decide to take any of several courses of action, including demand for repayment, requiring the borrower to provide a significant principal payment and/or additional collateral or requiring similar support from guarantors. Notwithstanding, when repayment becomes unlikely based on the borrower's income and cash flow, repossession or foreclosure of the underlying collateral may become necessary.  Losses on loans secured by owner occupied real estate, equipment, or other personal property generally are dictated by the value of underlying collateral at the time of default and liquidation of the collateral.  When default is driven by issues related specifically to the business owner, collateral values tend to provide better repayment support and may result in little or no loss. Alternatively, when default is driven by more general economic conditions, underlying collateral generally has devalued more and results in larger losses due to default.  Loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate are primarily susceptible to risks associated with swings in occupancy or vacancy and related shifts in lease rates, rental rates or room rates. Most often, these shifts are a result of changes in general economic or market conditions or overbuilding and resulting over-supply of space.  Losses are dependent on the value of underlying collateral at the time of default.  Values are generally driven by these same factors and influenced by interest rates and required rates of return as well as changes in occupancy costs.  Collateral values may be determined by appraisals obtained through Bank-approved, licensed appraisers, qualified independent third parties, sales invoices, or other appropriate means.

Agricultural loans, whether secured or unsecured, generally are made to producers and processors of crops and livestock.  Repayment is primarily from the sale of an agricultural product or service.  Agricultural loans are generally secured by inventory, receivables, equipment, and other real property.  Agricultural loans primarily are susceptible to changes in market demand for specific commodities.  This may be exacerbated by, among other things, industry changes, changes in the individual financial capacity of the business owner, general economic conditions and changes in business cycles, as well as adverse weather conditions such as drought or floods.  Problem agricultural loans are generally identified by periodic review of financial information that may include financial statements, tax returns, crop budgets, payment history, and crop inspections.  Based on this information, the Company may decide to take any of several courses of action, including demand for repayment, requiring the borrower to provide a significant principal payment and/or additional collateral or requiring similar support from guarantors. Notwithstanding, when repayment becomes unlikely based on the borrower's income and cash flow, repossession or foreclosure of the underlying collateral may become necessary.

12

Residential mortgage loans, which are secured by real estate, are primarily susceptible to four risks; non-payment due to diminished or lost income, over-extension of credit, a lack of borrower's cash flow to sustain payments, and shortfalls in collateral value.  In general, non-payment is usually due to loss of employment and follows general economic trends in the economy, particularly the upward movement in the unemployment rate, loss of collateral value, and demand shifts.

Construction loans, whether owner-occupied or non-owner occupied residential development loans, are not only susceptible to the related risks described above but the added risks of construction, including cost over-runs, mismanagement of the project, or lack of demand and market changes experienced at time of completion.  Losses are primarily related to underlying collateral value and changes therein as described above.  Problem construction loans are generally identified by periodic review of financial information that may include financial statements, tax returns and payment history of the borrower.  Based on this information, the Company may decide to take any of several courses of action, including demand for repayment, requiring the borrower to provide a significant principal payment and/or additional collateral or requiring similar support from guarantors, or repossession or foreclosure of the underlying collateral.  Collateral values may be determined by appraisals obtained through Bank-approved, licensed appraisers, qualified independent third parties, purchase invoices, or other appropriate documentation.

Consumer loans, whether unsecured or secured, are primarily susceptible to four risks: non-payment due to diminished or lost income, over-extension of credit, a lack of borrower's cash flow to sustain payments, and shortfall in collateral value.  In general, non-payment is usually due to loss of employment and will follow general economic trends in the economy, particularly the upward movements in the unemployment rate, loss of collateral value, and demand shifts.  

Collateral values may be determined by appraisals obtained through Bank-approved, licensed appraisers, qualified independent third parties, purchase invoices, or other appropriate documentation.  Collateral valuations are obtained at origination of the credit and periodically thereafter (generally annually but may be more frequent depending on the collateral type), once repayment is questionable, and the loan has been deemed classified.

As of March 31, 2018, approximately 54% in principal amount of the Company's loans were secured by commercial real estate, consisting primarily of loans secured by commercial properties and construction and land development loans.  Approximately 6% in principal amount of the Company's loans were residential mortgage loans.  Approximately 3% in principal amount of the Company's loans were residential construction loans.  Approximately 14% in principal amount of the Company's loans were for agriculture and 18% in principal amount of the Company's loans were for general commercial uses including professional, retail and small businesses.  Approximately 5% in principal amount of the Company's loans were consumer loans.

Once a loan becomes delinquent or repayment becomes questionable, a Company collection officer will address collateral shortfalls with the borrower and attempt to obtain additional collateral or a principal payment.  If this is not forthcoming and payment of principal and interest in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement becomes unlikely, the Company will consider the loan to be impaired and will estimate its probable loss, using the present value of future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, the loan's observable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.  For collateral dependent loans, the Company will utilize a recent valuation of the underlying collateral less estimated costs of sale, and charge-off the loan down to the estimated net realizable amount.  Depending on the length of time until final collection, the Company may periodically revalue the estimated loss and take additional charge-offs or specific reserves as warranted. Revaluations may occur as often as every 3-12 months depending on the underlying collateral and volatility of values.  Final charge-offs or recoveries are taken when the collateral is liquidated and the actual loss is confirmed.  Unpaid balances on loans after or during collection and liquidation may also be pursued through legal action and attachment of wages or judgment liens on the borrower's other assets.

At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, all loans were pledged under a blanket collateral lien to secure actual and potential borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") and the Federal Reserve Bank.

13

Non-accrual and Past Due Loans

The Company's loans by delinquency and non-accrual status, as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, were as follows:
   
($ in thousands)
 
Current & Accruing
   
30-59 Days Past Due & Accruing
   
60-89 Days Past Due & Accruing
   
90 Days or
more Past Due & Accruing
   
Nonaccrual
   
Total Loans
 
March 31, 2018
                                   
Commercial
 
$
129,831
   
$
39
   
$
   
$
   
$
879
   
$
130,749
 
Commercial Real Estate
   
392,137
     
97
     
     
     
1,676
     
393,910
 
Agriculture
   
104,104
     
     
     
     
     
104,104
 
Residential Mortgage
   
44,080
     
     
     
     
708
     
44,788
 
Residential Construction
   
20,754
     
     
     
     
     
20,754
 
Consumer
   
36,406
     
212
     
     
     
312
     
36,930
 
Total
 
$
727,312
   
$
348
   
$
   
$
   
$
3,575
   
$
731,235
 
 
                                               
December 31, 2017
                                               
Commercial
 
$
133,913
   
$
   
$
   
$
45
   
$
1,057
   
$
135,015
 
Commercial Real Estate
   
396,521
     
101
     
     
     
1,724
     
398,346
 
Agriculture
   
113,555
     
     
     
     
     
113,555
 
Residential Mortgage
   
40,354
     
349
     
597
     
     
781
     
42,081
 
Residential Construction
   
21,299
     
     
     
     
     
21,299
 
Consumer
   
38,656
     
1
     
38
     
     
205
     
38,900
 
Total
 
$
744,298
   
$
451
   
$
635
   
$
45
   
$
3,767
   
$
749,196
 
 
Non-accrual loans amounted to $3,575,000 at March 31, 2018 and were comprised of three commercial loans totaling $879,000, three commercial real estate loans totaling $1,676,000, three residential mortgage loans totaling $708,000 and two consumer loans totaling $312,000.  Non-accrual loans amounted to $3,767,000 at December 31, 2017 and were comprised of three commercial loans totaling $1,057,000, three commercial real estate loans totaling $1,724,000, three residential mortgage loans totaling $781,000, and one consumer loan totaling $205,000.  All non-accrual loans are measured for impairment based upon the present value of future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, the loan's observable market price, or the fair value of collateral, if the loan is collateral dependent.  If the measurement of the non-accrual loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, an impairment is recognized through the establishment of a specific reserve sufficient to cover expected losses and/or a charge-off against the allowance for loan losses. If the loan is considered to be collateral dependent, it is generally the Company's policy to charge-off the portion of any non-accrual loan that the Company does not expect to collect by writing the loan down to the estimated net realizable value of the underlying collateral.  There were no commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loans were on non-accrual status at March 31, 2018.
 
14

Impaired Loans
 
A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement, including scheduled interest payments.  Loans to be considered for impairment include non-accrual loans, troubled debt restructurings and loans with a risk rating of 5 (special mention) or worse and an aggregate exposure of five hundred thousand or greater.  Once identified, impaired loans are measured individually for impairment using one of three methods:  present value of expected cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate; the loan's observable market price; or fair value of collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.  In general, any portion of the recorded investment in a collateral dependent loan in excess of the fair value of the collateral that can be identified as uncollectible, and is, therefore, deemed a confirmed loss, is promptly charged-off against the allowance for loan losses.

Impaired loans, segregated by loan class, as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were as follows:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Unpaid Contractual
Principal Balance
   
Recorded
Investment with no
Allowance
   
Recorded
Investment with
Allowance
   
Total Recorded
Investment
   
Related Allowance
 
March 31, 2018
                             
Commercial
 
$
3,420
   
$
879
   
$
2,312
   
$
3,191
   
$
47
 
Commercial Real Estate
   
2,088
     
1,676
     
270
     
1,946
     
36
 
Agriculture
   
     
     
     
     
 
Residential Mortgage
   
2,424
     
708
     
1,484
     
2,192
     
309
 
Residential Construction
   
644
     
     
644
     
644
     
71
 
Consumer
   
523
     
312
     
211
     
523
     
4
 
Total
 
$
9,099
   
$
3,575
   
$
4,921
   
$
8,496
   
$
467
 
 
                                       
December 31, 2017
                                       
Commercial
 
$
3,882
   
$
1,057
   
$
2,603
   
$
3,660
   
$
53
 
Commercial Real Estate
   
2,114
     
1,724
     
272
     
1,996
     
36
 
Agriculture
   
     
     
     
     
 
Residential Mortgage
   
2,628
     
781
     
1,496
     
2,277
     
302
 
Residential Construction
   
651
     
     
650
     
650
     
76
 
Consumer
   
418
     
205
     
213
     
418
     
3
 
Total
 
$
9,693
   
$
3,767
   
$
5,234
   
$
9,001
   
$
470
 
 
The average recorded investment in impaired loans and the amount of interest income recognized on impaired loans during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 was as follows:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2018
   
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2017
 
 
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
   
Interest
Income
Recognized
   
Average
Recorded
Investment
   
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
Commercial
 
$
3,425
   
$
46
   
$
5,561
   
$
9
 
Commercial Real Estate
   
1,971
     
4
     
809
     
15
 
Agriculture
   
     
     
     
 
Residential Mortgage
   
2,234
     
15
     
3,028
     
31
 
Residential Construction
   
647
     
9
     
816
     
9
 
Consumer
   
470
     
3
     
649
     
9
 
Total
 
$
8,747
   
$
77
   
$
10,863
   
$
73
 
 
15

Troubled Debt Restructurings
 
The Company's loan portfolio includes certain loans that have been modified in a Troubled Debt Restructuring ("TDR"), which are loans on which concessions in terms have been granted because of the borrowers' financial difficulties and, as a result, the Company receives less than the current market-based compensation for the loan.  These concessions may include reductions in the interest rate, payment extensions, forgiveness of principal, forbearance, or other actions.  Certain TDRs are placed on non-accrual status at the time of restructure and may be returned to accruing status after considering the borrower's sustained repayment performance for a reasonable period, generally six months.
 
When a loan is modified, it is measured based upon the present value of future cash flows discounted at the contractual interest rate of the original loan agreement, or the fair value of collateral less selling costs if the loan is collateral dependent.  If the value of the modified loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, impairment is recognized through a specific allowance or a charge-off of the loan.
 
The Company had $4,921,000 and $5,896,000 in TDR loans as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.  Specific reserves for TDR loans totaled $467,000 and $470,000 as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.  TDR loans performing in compliance with modified terms totaled $4,921,000 and $5,234,000 as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.  There were no commitments to advance additional funds on existing TDR loans as of March 31, 2018.

There were no loans modified as TDRs during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017.
  
Loan modifications generally involve reductions in the interest rate, payment extensions, forgiveness of principal, or forbearance.  There were no loans modified as a TDR within the previous twelve months and for which there was a payment default during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017.

16

Credit Quality Indicators
 
All loans are rated using the credit risk ratings and criteria adopted by the Company.  Risk ratings are adjusted as future circumstances warrant.  All credits risk rated 1, 2, 3 or 4 equate to a Pass as indicated by Federal and State bank regulatory agencies; a 5 equates to a Special Mention; a 6 equates to Substandard; a 7 equates to Doubtful; and an 8 equates to a Loss.  For the definitions of each risk rating, see Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
 
The following table presents the risk ratings by loan class as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Pass
   
Special
Mention
   
Substandard
   
Doubtful
   
Loss
   
Total
 
March 31, 2018
                                   
Commercial
 
$
126,596
   
$
3,022
   
$
1,131
   
$
   
$
   
$
130,749
 
Commercial Real Estate
   
363,867
     
16,733
     
13,310
     
     
     
393,910
 
Agriculture
   
101,887
     
2,217
     
     
     
     
104,104
 
Residential Mortgage
   
42,534
     
1,533
     
721
     
     
     
44,788
 
Residential Construction
   
20,754
     
     
     
     
     
20,754
 
Consumer
   
35,635
     
945
     
350
     
     
     
36,930
 
Total
 
$
691,273
   
$
24,450
   
$
15,512
   
$
   
$
   
$
731,235
 
 
                                               
December 31, 2017
                                               
Commercial
 
$
132,846
   
$
1,050
   
$
1,119
   
$
   
$
   
$
135,015
 
Commercial Real Estate
   
378,632
     
16,101
     
3,613
     
     
     
398,346
 
Agriculture
   
110,370
     
3,140
     
45
     
     
     
113,555
 
Residential Mortgage
   
39,142
     
2,147
     
792
     
     
     
42,081
 
Residential Construction
   
21,299
     
     
     
     
     
21,299
 
Consumer
   
38,157
     
500
     
243
     
     
     
38,900
 
Total
 
$
720,446
   
$
22,938
   
$
5,812
   
$
   
$
   
$
749,196
 
 
17

Allowance for Loan Losses

The following tables detail activity in the allowance for loan losses by loan class for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017:

Three months ended March 31, 2018
 
($ in thousands)
 
Commercial
   
Commercial
Real Estate
   
Agriculture
   
Residential
Mortgage
   
Residential
Construction
   
Consumer
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
Balance as of December 31, 2017
 
$
2,625
   
$
5,460
   
$
1,547
   
$
628
   
$
360
   
$
342
   
$
171
   
$
11,133
 
Provision for (reversal of) loan losses
   
(85
)
   
(46
)
   
(124
)
   
(1
)
   
(13
)
   
(68
)
   
862
     
525
 
 
                                                               
Charge-offs
   
     
     
     
     
     
(6
)
   
     
(6
)
Recoveries
   
9
     
     
     
16
     
1
     
37
     
     
63
 
Net charge-offs
   
9
     
     
     
16
     
1
     
31
     
     
57
 
Balance as of March 31, 2018
 
$
2,549
   
$
5,414
   
$
1,423
   
$
643
   
$
348
   
$
305
   
$
1,033
   
$
11,715
 
Period-end amount allocated to:
                                                               
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
   
47
     
36
     
     
309
     
71
     
4
     
     
467
 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
   
2,502
     
5,378
     
1,423
     
334
     
277
     
301
     
1,033
     
11,248
 
Balance as of March 31, 2018
 
$
2,549
   
$
5,414
   
$
1,423
   
$
643
   
$
348
   
$
305
   
$
1,033
   
$
11,715
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2017
 
($ in thousands)
 
Commercial
   
Commercial
Real Estate
   
Agriculture
   
Residential
Mortgage
   
Residential
Construction
   
Consumer
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
Balance as of December 31, 2016
 
$
3,571
   
$
3,910
   
$
1,262
   
$
660
   
$
440
   
$
498
   
$
558
   
$
10,899
 
Provision for (reversal of) loan losses
   
235
     
813
     
25
     
41
     
13
     
(114
)
   
(413
)
   
600
 
 
                                                               
Charge-offs
   
     
     
     
     
     
(11
)
   
     
(11
)
Recoveries
   
2
     
     
     
     
1
     
8
     
     
11
 
Net charge-offs
   
2
     
     
     
     
1
     
(3
)
   
     
 
Balance as of March 31, 2017
 
$
3,808
   
$
4,723
   
$
1,287
   
$
701
   
$
454
   
$
381
   
$
145
   
$
11,499
 
Period-end amount allocated to:
                                                               
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
   
1,341
     
38
     
     
578
     
98
     
24
     
     
2,079
 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
   
2,467
     
4,685
     
1,287
     
123
     
356
     
357
     
145
     
9,420
 
Balance as of March 31, 2017
 
$
3,808
   
$
4,723
   
$
1,287
   
$
701
   
$
454
   
$
381
   
$
145
   
$
11,499
 
 
18

The following table details activity in the allowance for loan losses and the amount allocated to loans individually and collectively evaluated for impairment as of and for the period ended December 31, 2017.
 
Year ended December 31, 2017
 
($ in thousands)
 
Commercial
   
Commercial
Real Estate
   
Agriculture
   
Residential
Mortgage
   
Residential
Construction
   
Consumer
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
Balance as of December 31, 2016
 
$
3,571
   
$
3,910
   
$
1,262
   
$
660
   
$
440
   
$
498
   
$
558
   
$
10,899
 
Provision for (reversal of) loan losses
   
(567
)
   
1,550
     
285
     
(7
)
   
(85
)
   
(189
)
   
(387
)
   
600
 
 
                                                               
Charge-offs
   
(681
)
   
     
     
(121
)
   
     
(33
)
   
     
(835
)
Recoveries
   
302
     
     
     
96
     
5
     
66
     
     
469
 
Net charge-offs
   
(379
)
   
     
     
(25
)
   
5
     
33
     
     
(366
)
Ending Balance
   
2,625
     
5,460
     
1,547
     
628
     
360
     
342
     
171
     
11,133
 
Period-end amount allocated to:
                                                               
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
   
53
     
36
     
     
302
     
76
     
3
     
     
470
 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
   
2,572
     
5,424
     
1,547
     
326
     
284
     
339
     
171
     
10,663
 
Balance as of December 31, 2017
 
$
2,625
   
$
5,460
   
$
1,547
   
$
628
   
$
360
   
$
342
   
$
171
   
$
11,133
 
 
The Company's investment in loans as of March 31, 2018, March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2017 related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses by loan class and disaggregated on the basis of the Company's impairment methodology was as follows:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Commercial
   
Commercial
Real Estate
   
Agriculture
   
Residential
Mortgage
   
Residential
Construction
   
Consumer
   
Total
 
March 31, 2018
 
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
 
$
3,191
   
$
1,946
   
$
   
$
2,192
   
$
644
   
$
523
   
$
8,496
 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
   
127,558
     
391,964
     
104,104
     
42,596
     
20,110
     
36,407
     
722,739
 
Ending Balance
 
$
130,749
   
$
393,910
   
$
104,104
   
$
44,788
   
$
20,754
   
$
36,930
   
$
731,235
 
 
                                                       
March 31, 2017
 
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
 
$
5,544
   
$
795
   
$
   
$
3,022
   
$
812
   
$
593
   
$
10,766
 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
   
115,509
     
341,385
     
94,652
     
40,154
     
21,926
     
39,531
     
653,157
 
Ending Balance
 
$
121,053
   
$
342,180
   
$
94,652
   
$
43,176
   
$
22,738
   
$
40,124
   
$
663,923
 
 
                                                       
December 31, 2017
 
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
 
$
3,660
   
$
1,996
   
$
   
$
2,277
   
$
650
   
$
418
   
$
9,001
 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
   
131,355
     
396,350
     
113,555
     
39,804
     
20,649
     
38,482
     
740,195
 
Ending Balance
 
$
135,015
   
$
398,346
   
$
113,555
   
$
42,081
   
$
21,299
   
$
38,900
   
$
749,196
 

19

5.    MORTGAGE OPERATIONS

Transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of liabilities are accounted for and reported based on consistent application of a financial-components approach that focuses on control.  Transfers of financial assets that are sales are distinguished from transfers that are secured borrowings.  Retained interests (mortgage servicing rights) in loans sold are measured by allocating the previous carrying amount of the transferred assets between the loans sold and retained interests, if any, based on their relative fair value at the date of transfer.  Fair values are estimated using discounted cash flows based on a current market interest rate.

The Company recognizes a gain and a related asset for the fair value of the rights to service loans for others when loans are sold.  The Company sold substantially its entire portfolio of conforming long-term residential mortgage loans originated during the three months ended March 31, 2018 for cash proceeds equal to the fair value of the loans.  At March 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, the Company serviced real estate mortgage loans for others totaling $219,939,000 and $221,591,000, respectively.

The recorded value of mortgage servicing rights is amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing revenues.  The Company assesses capitalized mortgage servicing rights for impairment based upon the fair value of those rights at each reporting date. For purposes of measuring impairment, the rights are stratified based upon the product type, term and interest rates.  Fair value is determined by discounting estimated net future cash flows from mortgage servicing activities using discount rates that approximate current market rates and estimated prepayment rates, among other assumptions.  The amount of impairment recognized, if any, is the amount by which the capitalized mortgage servicing rights for a stratum exceeds their fair value.  Impairment, if any, is recognized through a valuation allowance for each individual stratum.  Changes in the carrying amount of mortgage servicing rights are reported in earnings under other operating income on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Key assumptions used in measuring the fair value of mortgage servicing rights as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were as follows:

 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
       
Constant prepayment rate
   
9.50
%
   
10.80
%
Discount rate
   
10.02
%
   
10.02
%
Weighted average life (years)
   
6.56
     
6.02
 

The following table summarizes the Company's mortgage servicing rights assets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.  Mortgage servicing rights are included in Interest Receivable and Other Assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets:

 
(in thousands)
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
Additions
 
Reductions
 
March 31, 2018
 
 
               
Mortgage servicing rights
 
$
1,712
   
$
40
   
$
(73
)
 
$
1,679
 
Valuation allowance
   
     
     
     
 
Mortgage servicing rights, net of valuation allowance
 
$
1,712
   
$
40
   
$
(73
)
 
$
1,679
 

At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the estimated fair market value of the Company's mortgage servicing rights asset was $2,040,000 and $1,876,000, respectively.
 
The Company received contractually specified servicing fees of $139,000 and $146,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively.  Contractually specified servicing fees are included in non-interest income on the condensed consolidated statements of income, net of the amortization of the mortgage servicing rights asset.

20


6.    FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
 
The Company utilizes fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures.  Securities available-for-sale and trading securities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.  Additionally, from time to time, the Company may be required to record at fair value other assets on a non-recurring basis, such as loans held-for-sale, loans held-for-investment and certain other assets.  These non-recurring fair value adjustments typically involve application of lower of cost or market accounting or write-downs of individual assets.  Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized on the actual date of the event or circumstances that caused the transfer, which generally corresponds with the Company's quarterly valuation process.
   
Assets Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The table below presents the recorded amount of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2018:
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
March 31, 2018
 
Fair Value
   
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
U.S. Treasury securities
 
$
25,225
   
$
25,225
   
$
   
$
 
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations
   
34,984
     
     
34,984
     
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
21,898
     
     
21,898
     
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
   
64,881
     
     
64,881
     
 
Mortgage-backed securities
   
144,178
     
     
144,178
     
 
Total investments at fair value
 
$
291,166
   
$
25,225
   
$
265,941
   
$
 


There were no transfers of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis between level 1 and level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The table below presents the recorded amount of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2017:
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
December 31, 2017
 
Fair Value
   
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
U.S. Treasury securities
 
$
18,464
   
$
18,464
   
$
   
$
 
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations
   
21,109
     
     
21,109
     
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
23,208
     
     
23,208
     
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
   
66,083
     
     
66,083
     
 
Mortgage-backed securities
   
151,877
     
     
151,877
     
 
Total investments at fair value
 
$
280,741
   
$
18,464
   
$
262,277
   
$
 


21

Assets Recorded at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

There were no assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of March 31, 2018.

Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis are included in the table below by level within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2017:

 
(in thousands)
 
December 31, 2017
Carrying Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Impaired loans
 
$
1,468
   
$
   
$
   
$
1,468
 
Total assets at fair value
 
$
1,468
   
$
   
$
   
$
1,468
 
 
There were no liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

Key methods and assumptions used in measuring the fair value of impaired loans as of December 31, 2017 were as follows:

 
Method
 
Assumption Inputs
 
 
 
 
Impaired loans
Collateral, market, income,  enterprise, liquidation and discounted Cash Flows
 
External appraised values, management assumptions regarding market trends or other relevant factors; selling costs ranging from 6% to 7%.
 
The following section describes the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities recorded at fair value.

Investment Securities Available-for-Sale
 
Investment securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.  Fair value measurement is based upon quoted market prices, if available.  If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are measured using independent pricing models or other model-based valuation techniques such as the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for the security's credit rating, prepayment assumptions, and other factors such as credit loss assumptions.  Level 1 securities include those traded on an active exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange, U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets and money market funds.  Level 2 securities include mortgage-backed securities issued by government sponsored entities, municipal bonds and corporate debt securities.  Securities classified as Level 3 include asset-backed securities in less liquid markets where valuations include significant unobservable assumptions.

Impaired Loans

The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis.  However, from time to time, a loan is 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.  Once a loan is identified as individually impaired, the Company measures impairment.  The fair value of impaired loans is estimated using one of several methods, including collateral value, market value of similar debt, enterprise value, liquidation value and discounted cash flows.  Inputs include external appraised values, management assumptions regarding market trends or other relevant factors, selling and commission costs generally ranging from 6% to 7%, and amount and timing of cash flows based upon current discount rates.  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 March 31, 2018, certain impaired loans were considered collateral dependent and were evaluated based on the fair value of the underlying collateral securing the loan.  Impaired loans where an allowance is established based on the fair value of collateral require classification in the fair value hierarchy.  When a loan is evaluated based on the fair value of the underlying collateral securing the loan, the Company records the impaired loan as non-recurring Level 3.



22

Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments
  
The estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments for the periods ended March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were approximately as follows:
 
 
       
March 31, 2018
   
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
Level
   
Carrying amount
   
Fair value
   
Carrying amount
   
Fair value
 
 
                             
Financial assets:
                             
Cash and cash equivalents
   
1
   
$
148,511
   
$
148,511
   
$
152,892
   
$
152,892
 
Certificates of deposit
   
2
     
1,984
     
1,981
     
1,984
     
1,983
 
Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank and other equity securities
   
3
     
5,567
     
5,567
     
5,567
     
5,567
 
Loans receivable:
                                       
Net loans
   
3
     
720,559
     
679,423
     
739,112
     
736,292
 
Loans held-for-sale
   
2
     
430
     
443
     
1,040
     
1,060
 
Interest receivable
   
2
     
3,917
     
3,917
     
4,117
     
4,117
 
Mortgage servicing rights
   
3
     
1,679
     
2,040
     
1,712
     
1,876
 
Financial liabilities:
                                       
Deposits
   
3
     
1,092,794
     
963,567
     
1,104,740
     
993,425
 
Interest payable
   
2
     
75
     
75
     
72
     
72
 
 
 
Limitations
 
Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company's entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company's financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision.  Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
 
Fair value estimates are based on existing on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. Other significant assets and liabilities that are not considered financial assets or liabilities include deferred tax liabilities and premises and equipment.  In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in many of the estimates.
23


7.    FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK
 
The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit in the form of loans or through standby letters of credit.  These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the balance sheet.  The contract amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in particular classes of financial instruments.
 
The Bank's exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual notional amount of those instruments.  The Bank uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.
 
Financial instruments, whose contract amounts represent credit risk at the indicated periods, were as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
March 31, 2018
   
December 31, 2017
 
 
           
Undisbursed loan commitments
 
$
213,079
   
$
220,882
 
Standby letters of credit
   
3,093
     
2,635
 
Commitments to sell loans
   
2,484
     
1,283
 
 
 
$
218,656
   
$
224,800
 
 
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 may require payment of a fee.  Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  The Bank evaluates each customer's creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis.  The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Bank upon extension of credit, is based on management's credit evaluation.  Collateral held varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, and income-producing commercial properties.
 
Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Bank to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party.  The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers.  The Bank issues both financial and performance standby letters of credit.  The financial standby letters of credit are primarily to guarantee payment to third parties.  At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, there were no financial standby letters of credit outstanding.  The performance standby letters of credit are typically issued to municipalities as specific performance bonds.  Performance standby letters of credit totaled $3,093,000 and $2,635,000 at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.  The Bank has experienced no draws on these letters of credit, resulting in no related liability included on their balance sheet; however, should a triggering event occur, the Bank either has collateral in excess of the letter of credit or imbedded agreements of recourse from the customer.  The Bank has set aside a reserve for unfunded commitments in the amount of $850,000 at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, which is recorded in "interest payable and other liabilities" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
Commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit bear similar credit risk characteristics as outstanding loans.  As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had no off-balance sheet derivatives requiring additional disclosure.
 
Mortgage loans sold to investors may be sold with servicing rights retained, for which the Company makes only standard legal representations and warranties as to meeting certain underwriting and collateral documentation standards.  In the past two years, the Company has not had to repurchase any loans due to deficiencies in underwriting or loan documentation.  Management believes that any liabilities that may result from such recourse provisions are not significant.

24


8.    STOCK PLANS

On January 25, 2018, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a 4% stock dividend payable as of March 29, 2018 to shareholders of record as of February 28, 2018.  All stock options and restricted stock outstanding have been adjusted to give retroactive effect to stock dividends.
 
The following table presents the activity related to stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2018:

 
 
Number of Shares
   
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
   
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (in years)
 
Options outstanding at Beginning of Period
   
260,592
   
$
7.42
             
Granted
   
69,868
   
$
13.03
             
Expired
   
(3,412
)
 
$
11.90
             
Cancelled / Forfeited
   
     
             
Exercised
   
(13,539
)
 
$
7.05
             
Options outstanding at End of Period
   
313,509
   
$
8.64
   
$
1,488,836
     
7.52
 
Exercisable (vested) at End of Period
   
154,508
   
$
6.32
   
$
1,091,848
     
6.02
 

The weighted average grant date fair value per share of options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $2.48 per share.

The intrinsic value of options exercised was $88,000 and $0 during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively.  The fair value of awards vested was $114,000 and $85,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively.

As of March 31, 2018, there was $368,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options.  This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.94 years.

There was $33,000 of recognized compensation cost related to stock options granted for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

A summary of the weighted average assumptions used in valuing stock options during the three months ended March 31, 2018 is presented below:

 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2018
 
Risk Free Interest Rate
   
2.57
%
 
       
Expected Dividend Yield
   
0.00
%
 
       
Expected Life in Years
   
5
 
 
       
Expected Price Volatility
   
14.44
%
 
25

The following table presents the activity related to non-vested restricted stock for the three months ended March 31, 2018:

 
 
Number of Shares
   
Weighted Average
Grant-Date Fair Value
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
   
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (in years)
 
Non-vested Restricted stock outstanding at Beginning of Period
   
111,848
   
$
7.85
             
Granted
   
25,769
   
$
13.03
             
Cancelled / Forfeited
   
     
             
Exercised/Released/Vested
   
(23,908
)
 
$
6.22
             
Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at End of Period
   
113,709
   
$
9.37
   
$
1,522,564
     
3.07
 

The weighted average fair value of restricted stock granted during the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $13.03 per share.

As of March 31, 2018, there was $695,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock.  This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 3.07 years.

There was $61,000 of recognized compensation cost related to restricted stock awards for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

The Company has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP").  There are 281,216 shares authorized under the ESPP. The total number of shares authorized has been adjusted to give retroactive effect to stock dividends and stock splits, including the 4% stock dividend declared on January 25, 2018, payable March 29, 2018 to shareholders of record as of February 28, 2018.  The ESPP will expire on March 16, 2026.  

The ESPP is implemented by participation periods of not more than twenty-seven months each.  The Board of Directors determines the commencement date and duration of each participation period.  The Board of Directors approved the current participation period of November 24, 2017 to November 23, 2018.  An eligible employee is one who has been continually employed for at least 90 days prior to commencement of a participation period. Under the terms of the ESPP, employees can choose to have up to 10 percent of their compensation withheld to purchase the Company's common stock each participation period.  The purchase price of the stock is 85 percent of the lower of the fair value on the last trading day before the date of participation or the fair value on the last trading day during the participation period.

As of March 31, 2018, there was $42,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to ESPP issuances.  This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 0.75 years.

There was $14,000 of recognized compensation cost related to ESPP issuances for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

The weighted average fair value at issuance date during the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $2.69.

A summary of the weighted average assumptions used in valuing ESPP issuances during the three months ended March 31, 2018 is presented below:
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2018
Risk Free Interest Rate
 
1.61%
 
 
 
Expected Dividend Yield
 
0.00%
 
 
 
Expected Life in Years
 
1.00
 
 
 
Expected Price Volatility
 
12.50%
 
26

9.    ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
The following table details activity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2018:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Unrealized
Gains (losses)
on Securities
   
Officers'
retirement plan
   
Directors'
retirement plan
   
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Balance as of December 31, 2017
 
$
(2,997
)
 
$
(1,403
)
 
$
3
   
$
(4,397
)
Current period other comprehensive income/(loss)
   
(1,811
)
   
     
     
(1,811
)
Balance as of March 31, 2018
 
$
(4,808
)
 
$
(1,403
)
 
$
3
   
$
(6,208
)
 
The following table details activity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2017:
 
($ in thousands)
 
Unrealized
Gains (losses)
on Securities
   
Officers'
retirement plan
   
Directors'
retirement plan
   
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Balance as of December 31, 2016
 
$
(1,678
)
 
$
(686
)
 
$
14
   
$
(2,350
)
Current period other comprehensive income/(loss)
   
20
     
(46
)
   
     
(26
)
Balance as of March 31, 2017
 
$
(1,658
)
 
$
(732
)
 
$
14
   
$
(2,376
)
 
27


10.    OUTSTANDING SHARES AND EARNINGS PER SHARE

On January 25, 2018, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a 4% stock dividend payable as of March 29, 2018 to shareholders of record as of February 28, 2018.  All income per share amounts have been adjusted to give retroactive effect to stock dividends.

Earnings Per Share (EPS)

Basic EPS includes no dilution and is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the respective period.  Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding plus dilutive shares for the quarter.  Diluted shares include all common stock equivalents ("in-the-money" stock options, unvested restricted stock, stock units, warrants and rights, convertible bonds and preferred stock), which reflects the potential dilution of securities that could share in the earnings of the Company.

The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (dollars in thousands except per share amounts):

 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
 
 
2018
   
2017
 
Basic earnings per share:
           
Net income
 
$
2,733
   
$
2,513
 
 
               
Weighted average common shares outstanding
   
11,532,769
     
11,496,082
 
Basic EPS
 
$
0.24
   
$
0.22
 
 
               
Diluted earnings per share:
               
Net income
 
$
2,733
   
$
2,513
 
 
               
Weighted average common shares outstanding
   
11,532,769
     
11,496,082
 
Effect of dilutive shares
   
162,654
     
143,263
 
Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding
   
11,695,423
     
11,639,345
 
Diluted EPS
 
$
0.23
   
$
0.22
 

Stock options which were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they would have had an anti-dilutive effect amounted to 132,805 shares and 71,134 shares for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively.  

28

11.   REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) on January 1, 2018.  The following are descriptions of the Company's sources of Non-interest income within the scope of ASC 606:

Service charges on deposit accounts

Service charges on deposit accounts include account maintenance and analysis fees and transaction-based fees.  Account maintenance and analysis fees consist primarily of account fees and analyzed account fees charged on deposit accounts on a monthly basis.  The performance obligation is satisfied and the fees are recognized on a monthly basis as the service period is completed.  Transaction-based fees consist of non-sufficient funds fees, wire fees, overdraft fees and fees on other products and services and are charged to deposit customers for specific services provided to the customer.  The performance obligation is completed as the transaction occurs and the fees are recognized at the time each specific service is provided to the customer.

Investment and brokerage services income

The Bank earns investment and brokerage services fees for providing a broad range of alternative investment products and services through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.  Brokerage fees are generally earned in two ways.  Brokerage fees for managed accounts charge a set annual percentage fee based on the underlying portfolio value and are earned on a quarterly basis.  Brokerage fees for a standard commission account are charged on a per transaction fee and are earned at the time of the transaction.

Mortgage brokerage income

The Bank earns a brokerage fee for underwriting mortgage loans for other institutions.  The loans are not funded by the Bank but are funded by other institutions.  The brokerage fee is a percentage of the total loan amount.  The performance obligation is satisfied and fees are recognized once underwriting is completed.

Fiduciary activities income

The Bank partners with Trust Management Network to provide Asset Management & Trust services.  Fiduciary activities income is primarily standard monthly trustee fees.  The performance obligation is satisfied and the fees are recognized on a monthly basis as the service period is completed.

Debit card income

Debit card income represent fees earned on Bank-issued debit card transactions.  The Bank earns interchange fees from debit cardholder transactions through the related payment network.  Interchange fees from cardholder transactions represent a percentage of the underlying transaction value and are recognized daily, concurrently with the transaction processing services provided to the cardholder.  The performance obligation is satisfied and the fees are earned when the cost of the transaction is charged to the cardholders' account.  Certain expenses directly associated with the debit card are recorded on a net basis with the interchange income.

Gains (losses) on sales of available-for-sale securities

Gains and losses on sales of available-for-sale securities are from the sale of investment securities.  The gain or loss is recognized upon settlement of the sale transaction.

Other income

Other income within the scope of ASC 606 include check sales fees, bankcard fees, merchant fees and increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies.  Check sales fees, based on check sales volume, are received from check printing companies and are recognized monthly.  Bankcard fees are earned from the Bank's credit card program and are recognized monthly as the service period is completed.  Merchant fees are earned for card payment services provided to its merchant customers.  The Bank has a contract with a third party to provide card payment services to merchants that contract for those services.  Merchant fees are recognized monthly as the service period is completed.  The Bank owns life insurance policies on certain officers and directors of the Bank.  The increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies is recognized on a monthly basis based upon the current expected cash surrender value of the underlying life insurance policies.


29

FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
 
ITEM 2.   – MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report may include forward-looking statements, which may include forecasts of our financial results and condition, expectations for our operations and business, and our assumptions for those forecasts and expectations. Do not rely unduly on forward-looking statements. Actual results might differ significantly compared to our forecasts and expectations. See Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors," and the other risks described in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for factors to be considered when reading any forward-looking statements in this filing.
 
This report and other reports or statements which we may release may include forward-looking statements, which are subject to the "safe harbor" created by section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We may make forward-looking statements in our Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, press releases, news articles and when we are speaking on behalf of the Company. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Often, they include the words "believe," "expect," "target," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "seek," "strive," "estimate," "potential," "project," or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could," "might," or "may." These forward-looking statements are intended to provide investors with additional information with which they may assess our future potential. All of these forward-looking statements are based on assumptions about an uncertain future and are based on information available to us at the date of these statements. We do not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect facts, circumstances, assumptions or events that occur after the date any forward-looking statements are made.

In this document and in other SEC filings or other public statements, for example, we make forward-looking statements relating to the following topics, among others:

     Our business objectives, strategies and initiatives, our organizational structure, the growth of our business and our competitive position and prospects, and the effect of competition on our business and strategies

Our assessment of significant factors and developments that have affected or may affect our results

Pending and recent legal and regulatory actions, and future legislative and regulatory developments, including the effects of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Protection Act (the "Dodd-Frank Act") and other legislation and governmental measures introduced in response to the financial crises affecting the banking system, financial markets and the U.S. economy

Regulatory and compliance controls, processes and requirements and their impact on our business

The costs and effects of legal or regulatory actions

Expectations regarding draws on performance letters of credit

Our regulatory capital requirements, including the capital rules adopted in the past several years by the U.S. federal banking agencies

Expectations regarding our non-payment of a cash dividend on our common stock in the foreseeable future

Credit quality and provision for credit losses and management of asset quality and credit risk, and expectations regarding collections

Our allowances for credit losses, including the conditions we consider in determining the unallocated allowance and our portfolio credit quality, the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, underwriting standards, and risk grading

Our assessment of economic conditions and trends and credit cycles and their impact on our business

The seasonal nature of our business

The impact of changes in interest rates and our strategy to manage our interest rate risk profile and the possible effect of increases in residential mortgage interest rates on new originations and refinancing of existing residential mortgage loans
 

 
30

Loan portfolio composition and risk grade trends, expected charge-offs, portfolio credit quality, our strategy regarding troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs"), delinquency rates and our underwriting standards

Our deposit base including renewal of time deposits

The impact on our net interest income and net interest margin from the current low-interest rate environment

Possible changes in the initiatives and policies of the federal bank regulatory agencies

Tax rates and the possible impact of changes in the U.S. tax laws

Our pension and retirement plan costs

Our liquidity position

Critical accounting policies and estimates, the impact or anticipated impact of recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting principles

Expected rates of return, maturities, loss exposure, growth rates, yields and projected results

The possible impact of weather related conditions, including drought, fire or flooding, and related governmental responses on economic conditions, especially in the agricultural sector

Maintenance of insurance coverages appropriate for our operations

Threats to the banking sector and our business due to cybersecurity issues and attacks and regulatory expectations related to cybersecurity

Descriptions of assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoing

Readers of this document should not rely on any forward-looking statements, which reflect only our management's belief as of the date of this report. There are numerous risks and uncertainties that could and will cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in our forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations or prospects. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to those listed in Item 1A "Risk Factors" of Part II of this Form 10-Q, Item 2 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of Part I of this Form 10-Q and "Risk Factors" and "Supervision and Regulation" in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in our other reports to the SEC.

31

INTRODUCTION

This overview of Management's Discussion and Analysis highlights selected information in this report and may not contain all of the information that is important to you.  For a more complete understanding of trends, events, commitments, uncertainties, liquidity, capital resources and critical accounting estimates, you should carefully read this entire report and any other reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), together with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Our subsidiary, First Northern Bank of Dixon (the "Bank"), is a California state-chartered bank that derives most of its revenues from lending and deposit taking in the Sacramento Valley region of Northern California.  Interest rates, business conditions and customer confidence all affect our ability to generate revenues.  In addition, the regulatory and compliance environment and competition can present challenges to our ability to generate those revenues.
 
Significant results and developments during the first quarter and year-to-date 2018 included:

Net income of $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, up 8.7% from $2.5 million earned for the same period last year.
 
Diluted earnings per share of $0.23 for the three months ended March 31, 2018, up 4.6% from diluted income per share of $0.22 in the same period last year.

Net interest income of $10.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, up 12.9% from $9.3 million in the same period last year.  

Net interest margin of 3.74% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, up 9.4% from 3.42% for the same period last year.

Provision for loan losses of $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, down 12.5% from $0.6 million for the same period last year.

Total assets of $1.2 billion as of March 31, 2018, down 1.1% from $1.2 billion as of December 31, 2017.

Total net loans (including loans held-for-sale) of $721.0 million as of March 31, 2018, down 2.6% from $740.2 million as of December 31, 2017.

Total investment securities of $291.2 million as of March 31, 2018, up 3.7% from $280.7 million as of December 31, 2017.

Total deposits of $1.1 billion as of March 31, 2018, down 1.1% from $1.1 billion as of December 31, 2017.

32

SUMMARY

The Company recorded net income of $2,733,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018, representing an increase of $220,000 from net income of $2,513,000 for the same period in 2017.
 
The following tables present a summary of the results for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, and a summary of our financial condition at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
 
Three months ended
March 31, 2018
 
Three months ended
March 31, 2017
 
 
       
(in thousands except for per share amounts)
     
For the Period:
       
Net Income
 
$
2,733
   
$
2,513
 
Basic Earnings Per Common Share
 
$
0.24
   
$
0.22
 
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
 
$
0.23
   
$
0.22
 
Net Income to Average Assets (annualized)
   
0.91
%
   
0.87
%
Net Income to Average Equity (annualized)
   
10.85
%
   
10.64
%
Average Equity to Average Assets
   
8.39
%
   
8.13
%
 
               
 
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
       
(in thousands except for ratios)
     
At Period End:
       
Total Assets
 
$
1,204,269
   
$
1,217,658
 
Total Investment Securities
 
$
291,166
   
$
280,741
 
Total Loans, Net (including loans held-for-sale)
 
$
720,989
   
$
740,152
 
Total Deposits
 
$
1,092,794
   
$
1,104,740
 
Loan-To-Deposit Ratio
   
66.0
%
   
67.0
%

33

FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
 
Distribution of Average Statements of Condition and Analysis of Net Interest Income
(in thousands, except percentage amounts)

 
 
Three months ended
March 31, 2018
   
Three months ended
March 31, 2017
 
 
 
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Yield/
Rate (4)
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Yield/
Rate (4)
 
Assets
                                   
Interest-earning assets:
                                   
Loans (1)
 
$
717,675
   
$
8,806
     
4.98
%
 
$
660,028
   
$
7,961
     
4.89
%
Certificates of deposit
   
1,984
     
6
     
1.23
%
   
16,161
     
36
     
0.90
%
Interest bearing due from banks
   
123,235
     
511
     
1.68
%
   
139,768
     
296
     
0.86
%
Investment securities, taxable
   
280,552
     
1,308
     
1.89
%
   
263,729
     
1,102
     
1.69
%
Investment securities, non-taxable (2)
   
12,259
     
39
     
1.29
%
   
19,108
     
75
     
1.59
%
Other interest earning assets
   
5,567
     
105
     
7.65
%
   
4,409
     
108
     
9.93
%
Total average interest-earning assets
   
1,141,272
     
10,775
     
3.83
%
   
1,103,203
     
9,578
     
3.52
%
Non-interest-earning assets:
                                               
Cash and due from banks
   
24,267
                     
24,451
                 
Premises and equipment, net
   
6,154
                     
6,095
                 
Interest receivable and other assets
   
29,683
                     
27,773
                 
Total average assets
   
1,201,376
                     
1,161,522
                 
 
                                               
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
                                               
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Interest-bearing transaction deposits
   
303,755
     
67
     
0.09
%
   
288,923
     
60
     
0.08
%
Savings and MMDA's
   
337,901
     
129
     
0.15
%
   
334,643
     
127
     
0.15
%
Time, $250,000 and under
   
52,184
     
47
     
0.37
%
   
58,717
     
59
     
0.41
%
Time, over $250,000
   
18,841
     
20
     
0.43
%
   
19,866
     
19
     
0.39
%
Total average interest-bearing liabilities
   
712,681
     
263
     
0.15
%
   
702,149
     
265
     
0.15
%
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits
   
376,428
                     
354,759
                 
Interest payable and other liabilities
   
11,486
                     
10,128
                 
Total liabilities
   
1,100,595
                     
1,067,036
                 
Total average stockholders' equity
   
100,781
                     
94,486
                 
Total average liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
1,201,376
                   
$
1,161,522
                 
Net interest income and net interest margin (3)
         
$
10,512
     
3.74
%
         
$
9,313
     
3.42
%
 
(1)  Average balances for loans include loans held-for-sale and non-accrual loans and are net of the allowance for loan losses, but non-accrued interest is excluded.  Loan interest income includes loan fees of approximately $28 and $16 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
(2)  Interest income and yields on tax-exempt securities are not presented on a taxable equivalent basis.
(3)  Net interest margin is computed by dividing net interest income by total average interest-earning assets.
(4)  For disclosure purposes, yield/rates are annualized by dividing the number of days in the reported period by 365.

34

FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
 
Distribution of Average Statements of Condition and Analysis of Net Interest Income
(in thousands, except percentage amounts)

 
 
Three months ended
March 31, 2018
   
Three months ended
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Yield/
Rate (4)
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
   
Yield/
Rate (4)
 
Assets
                                   
Interest-earning assets:
                                   
Loans (1)
 
$
717,675
   
$
8,806
     
4.98
%
 
$
699,547
   
$
8,549
     
4.85
%
Certificates of deposit
   
1,984
     
6
     
1.23
%
   
2,890
     
9
     
1.24
%
Interest bearing due from banks
   
123,235
     
511
     
1.68
%
   
149,960
     
449
     
1.19
%
Investment securities, taxable
   
280,552
     
1,308
     
1.89
%
   
281,377
     
1,217
     
1.72
%
Investment securities, non-taxable (2)
   
12,259
     
39
     
1.29
%
   
13,811
     
48
     
1.38
%
Other interest earning assets
   
5,567
     
105
     
7.65
%
   
5,567
     
99
     
7.06
%
Total average interest-earning assets
   
1,141,272
     
10,775
     
3.83
%
   
1,153,152
     
10,371
     
3.57
%
Non-interest-earning assets:
                                               
Cash and due from banks
   
24,267
                     
26,163
                 
Premises and equipment, net
   
6,154
                     
6,344
                 
Interest receivable and other assets
   
29,683
                     
29,321
                 
Total average assets
   
1,201,376
                     
1,214,980
                 
 
                                               
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
                                               
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Interest-bearing transaction deposits
   
303,755
     
67
     
0.09
%
   
299,706
     
63
     
0.08
%
Savings and MMDA's
   
337,901
     
129
     
0.15
%
   
350,341
     
152
     
0.17
%
Time, $250,000 and under
   
52,184
     
47
     
0.37
%
   
55,740
     
57
     
0.41
%
Time, over $250,000
   
18,841
     
20
     
0.43
%
   
19,310
     
15
     
0.31
%
Total average interest-bearing liabilities
   
712,681
     
263
     
0.15
%
   
725,097
     
287
     
0.16
%
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits
   
376,428
                     
375,570
                 
Interest payable and other liabilities
   
11,486
                     
12,141
                 
Total liabilities
   
1,100,595
                     
1,112,808
                 
Total average stockholders' equity
   
100,781
                     
102,172
                 
Total average liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
1,201,376
                   
$
1,214,980
                 
Net interest income and net interest margin (3)
         
$
10,512
     
3.74
%
         
$
10,084
     
3.47
%
 
(1)  Average balances for loans include loans held-for-sale and non-accrual loans and are net of the allowance for loan losses, but non-accrued interest is excluded.  Loan interest income includes loan fees of approximately $28 and $40 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
(2)  Interest income and yields on tax-exempt securities are not presented on a taxable equivalent basis.
(3)  Net interest margin is computed by dividing net interest income by total average interest-earning assets.
(4)  For disclosure purposes, yield/rates are annualized by dividing the number of days in the reported period by 365.
35


Analysis of Changes
in Interest Income and Interest Expense
(Dollars in thousands)

Following is an analysis of changes in interest income and expense (dollars in thousands) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 over the three months ended March 31, 2017 and the three months ended March 31, 2018 over the three months ended December 31, 2017.  Changes not solely due to interest rate or volume have been allocated proportionately to interest rate and volume.

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Over
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
   
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Over
Three Months Ended December 31, 2017
 
 
 
Volume
   
Interest
Rate
   
Change
   
Volume
   
Interest
Rate
   
Change
 
 
                                   
Increase in Interest Income:
                                   
 
                                   
Loans
 
$
711
   
$
134
   
$
845
   
$
126
   
$
131
   
$
257
 
Certificates of Deposit
   
(40
)
   
10
     
(30
)
   
(3
)
   
     
(3
)
Due From Banks
   
(40
)
   
255
     
215
     
(93
)
   
155
     
62
 
Investment Securities - Taxable
   
74
     
132
     
206
     
(4
)
   
95
     
91
 
Investment Securities - Non-taxable
   
(24
)
   
(12
)
   
(36
)
   
(5
)
   
(4
)
   
(9
)
Other Assets
   
25
     
(28
)
   
(3
)
   
     
6
     
6
 
 
                                               
 
 
$
706
   
$
491
   
$
1,197
   
$
21
   
$
383
   
$
404
 
 
                                               
Increase (Decrease) in Interest Expense:
                                               
 
                                               
Deposits:
                                               
Interest-Bearing Transaction Deposits
 
$
2
   
$
5
   
$
7
   
$
   
$
4
   
$
4
 
Savings & MMDAs
   
2
     
     
2
     
(5
)
   
(18
)
   
(23
)
Time Certificates
   
(11
)
   
     
(11
)
   
(11
)
   
6
     
(5
)
 
                                               
 
 
$
(7
)
 
$
5
   
$
(2
)
 
$
(16
)
 
$
(8
)
 
$
(24
)
 
                                               
Increase in Net Interest Income:
 
$
713
   
$
486
   
$
1,199
   
$
37
   
$
391
   
$
428
 
 
36

CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CONDITION

The assets of the Company set forth in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets reflect a $4,381,000 decrease in cash and cash equivalents, a $10,425,000 increase in investment securities available-for-sale, a $18,553,000 decrease in net loans held-for-investment, a $610,000 decrease in loans held-for-sale, and a $171,000 decrease in premises & equipment from December 31, 2017 to March 31, 2018.  The decrease in cash and cash equivalents was due to a decrease in non-interest bearing accounts, which was partially offset by an increase in interest bearing due from Federal Reserve Bank accounts.  The increase in investment securities available-for-sale was primarily the result of the purchases of U.S. Treasury, agency and mortgage-backed securities.  The decrease in net loans held-for-investment was primarily due to decreased demand for commercial, commercial real estate, agriculture, residential construction, and consumer loans.  The decrease in net loans held-for-investment was partially offset by an increase in residential mortgage loans. The decrease in loans held-for-sale was due to timing of sales of loans held-for-sale.  The decrease in premises & equipment was primarily due to depreciation expense recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

The liabilities of the Company set forth in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets reflect a decrease in total deposits of $11,946,000 from December 31, 2017 to March 31, 2018.  The decrease in deposits was due to decreases in interest-bearing deposit accounts, money market accounts, and time deposits, which were partially offset by increases in demand deposits and savings accounts.

CHANGES IN RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Interest Income

The Federal Open Market Committee increased the Federal Funds rate 25 basis points from 1.50% to 1.75% during the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Interest income on loans for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was up 10.6% from the same period in 2017, increasing from $7,961,000 to $8,806,000.  The increase in interest income on loans for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to the same period a year ago was primarily due to an increase in average loans and a nine basis point increase in loan yields.  The increase in loan yields was primarily due to the origination of new loans and the repricing of existing loans at higher rates.

Interest income on investment securities available-for-sale for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was up 14.4% from the same period in 2017, increasing from $1,177,000 to $1,347,000. The increase in interest income on investment securities for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to the same period a year ago was primarily due to an increase in average investment securities and an 18 basis point increase in yields on investment securities.  The increase in yields on investment securities is primarily due to the reinvestment of cash flows into higher yielding investment securities.  

Interest income on interest-bearing due from banks for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was up 72.6% from the same period in 2017, increasing from $296,000 to $511,000.  The increase in interest income on interest-bearing due from banks for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to the same period a year ago was due to an 82 basis point increase in interest-bearing due from yields, which was partially offset by a decrease in average interest-bearing due from banks balance.

Interest income on certificates of deposit for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was down 83.3% from the same period in 2017, decreasing from $36,000 to $6,000.  The decrease in interest income on certificates of deposit for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to the same period a year ago was primarily due to a decrease in average balance of certificates of deposit, which was partially offset by a 33 basis point increase in certificates of deposit yields.

The Company had no Federal Funds sold balances during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017.

Interest Expense

Interest expense on deposits for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was down 0.8% from the same period in 2017, decreasing from $265,000 to $263,000.

The Company had no FHLB advances or other borrowing balances during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017.

Provision for Loan Losses

There was a provision for loan losses of $525,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to a provision for loan losses of $600,000 for the same period in 2017.  The allowance for loan losses was approximately $11,715,000, or 1.60% of total loans, at March 31, 2018, compared to $11,133,000, or 1.49% of total loans, at December 31, 2017.  The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level considered adequate by management to provide for probable loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio.

37

Provision for Unfunded Lending Commitment Losses

There was no provision for unfunded lending commitment losses for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017.

Provisions for unfunded lending commitment losses are included in non-interest expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Non-Interest Income
 
Non-interest income was down 36.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 from the same period in 2017, decreasing from $2,845,000 to $1,804,000.

The decrease was primarily due to the $1,187,000 gain on sale leaseback of real estate recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2017.  This sale was related to the sale of land and building which is partially occupied by a Bank branch.  Other changes included decreases on gains on sales of loans held-for-sale and loan servicing income, which were partially offset by increases in service charges on deposit accounts, investment and brokerage services income, fiduciary activities income, debit card income and other income.  The decrease in gains on sales of loans held-for-sale was primarily due to a decrease in loans being serviced.  The decrease in loan servicing income was primarily due to a decrease in mortgage servicing assets recorded.  The increase in service charges on deposit accounts was primarily due to an increase in non-sufficient funds fees and account analysis fees.  The increase in investment and brokerage services income and fiduciary activities income was primarily due to an increase in demand for those services.  The increase in debit card income was primarily due to an increase in the volume of transactions.

Non-Interest Expenses

Total non-interest expenses were up 6.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 from the same period in 2017, increasing from $7,503,000 to $7,994,000.

The increase was primarily due to increases in salaries and employee benefits, occupancy and equipment expense, data processing, stationery and supplies and advertising, which was partially offset by a decrease in other expenses.  The increase in salaries and employee benefits was primarily due to an increase in regular salaries and bonus expense.  The increase in occupancy and equipment expense was primarily due to an increase in service contracts.  The increase in data processing was primarily due to increases in general data processing costs.  The decrease in other expenses was primarily due to a decrease in consulting fees.

The following table sets forth other non-interest expenses by category for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
Three months ended
March 31, 2018
   
Three months ended
March 31, 2017
 
Other non-interest expenses
           
FDIC assessments
 
$
110
   
$
135
 
Contributions
   
49
     
45
 
Legal fees
   
54
     
46
 
Accounting and audit fees
   
105
     
93
 
Consulting fees
   
96
     
250
 
Postage expense
   
26
     
69
 
Telephone expense
   
30
     
32
 
Public relations
   
61
     
51
 
Training expense
   
27
     
48
 
Loan origination expense
   
51
     
35
 
Computer software depreciation
   
36
     
38
 
Operational losses
   
40
     
98
 
Loan collection expense
   
12
     
26
 
Other non-interest expense
   
483
     
494
 
Total other non-interest expenses
 
$
1,180
   
$
1,460
 
 

38

Income Taxes

The Company's tax rate, the Company's income before taxes and the amount of tax relief provided by non-taxable earnings affect the Company's provision for income taxes.  On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law.  Among other changes, the new law provides a reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018.  Provision for income taxes was down 31.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 from the same period in 2017, decreasing from $1,542,000 to $1,064,000 primarily as a result of the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate coupled with a decrease in pre-tax income.

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments

The following table shows the distribution of the Company's undisbursed loan commitments at the dates indicated.

 
(in thousands)
 
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
       
Undisbursed loan commitments
 
$
213,079
   
$
220,882
 
Standby letters of credit
   
3,093
     
2,635
 
Commitments to sell loans
   
2,484
     
1,283
 
 
 
$
218,656
   
$
224,800
 
 
The reserve for unfunded lending commitments amounted to $850,000 at each of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.  The reserve for unfunded lending commitments is included in other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  See Note 7 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q, "Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk," for additional information.

39

Asset Quality

The Company manages asset quality and credit risk by maintaining diversification in its loan portfolio and through review processes that include analysis of credit requests and ongoing examination of outstanding loans and delinquencies, with particular attention to portfolio dynamics and loan mix.  The Company strives to identify loans experiencing difficulty early enough to correct the problems, to record charge-offs promptly based on realistic assessments of collectability and current collateral values and to maintain an adequate allowance for loan losses at all times.   Asset quality reviews of loans and other non-performing assets are administered using credit risk-rating standards and criteria similar to those employed by state and federal banking regulatory agencies.  The federal bank regulatory agencies utilize the following definitions for assets adversely classified for supervisory purposes:

Substandard Assets – A substandard asset is inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Assets so classified must have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

Doubtful Assets – An asset classified doubtful has all the weaknesses inherent in one classified substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable or improbable.

Other Real Estate Owned and loans rated Substandard and Doubtful are deemed "classified assets".  This category, which includes both performing and non-performing assets, receives an elevated level of attention regarding collection.

The following tables summarize the Company's non-accrual loans net of guarantees of the State of California and U.S. Government by loan category at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

 
At March 31, 2018
 
At December 31, 2017
 
 
Gross
 
Guaranteed
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Guaranteed
 
Net
 
(dollars in thousands)
                       
 
                       
Commercial
 
$
879
   
$
316
   
$
563
   
$
1,057
   
$
32
   
$
1,025
 
Commercial real estate
   
1,676
     
129
     
1,547
     
1,724
     
70
     
1,654
 
Agriculture
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
Residential mortgage
   
708
     
     
708
     
781
     
     
781
 
Residential construction
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
Consumer
   
312
     
     
312
     
205
     
     
205
 
Total non-accrual loans
 
$
3,575
   
$
445
   
$
3,130
   
$
3,767
   
$
102
   
$
3,665
 

It is generally the Company's policy to discontinue interest accruals once a loan is past due for a period of 90 days as to interest or principal payments.  When a loan is placed on non-accrual, interest accruals cease and uncollected accrued interest is reversed and charged against current income.  Payments received on non-accrual loans are applied against principal.  A loan may only be restored to an accruing basis when it again becomes well secured and in the process of collection or all past due amounts have been collected.

Non-accrual loans amounted to $3,575,000 at March 31, 2018 and were comprised of three commercial loans totaling $879,000, three commercial real estate loans totaling $1,676,000, three residential mortgage loans totaling $708,000 and two consumer loans totaling $312,000.  Non-accrual loans amounted to $3,767,000 at December 31, 2017 and were comprised of three commercial loans totaling $1,057,000, three commercial real estate loans totaling $1,724,000, three residential mortgage loans totaling $781,000, and one consumer loan totaling $205,000. If the loan is collateral dependent, it is generally the Company's policy to charge-off the portion of any non-accrual loan that the Company does not expect to collect by writing the loan down to the estimated net realizable value of the underlying collateral.
 
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.  Non-performing impaired loans are non-accrual loans and loans that are 90 days or more past due and still accruing.  Total non-performing impaired loans at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 consisting of loans on non-accrual status totaled $3,575,000 and $3,767,000, respectively.  A restructuring of a loan can constitute a TDR if the Company for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower's financial difficulties grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider.  A loan that is restructured in a TDR is considered an impaired loan.  Performing impaired loans, which consisted of loans modified as TDRs, totaled $4,921,000 and $5,234,000 at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.  The Company expects to collect all principal and interest due from performing impaired loans.  These loans are not on non-accrual status.  The majority of the non-performing impaired loans, in management's opinion, were adequately collateralized based on recently obtained appraised property values or were guaranteed by a governmental entity.  See   "Allowance for Loan Losses" below for additional information.  No assurance can be given that the existing or any additional collateral will be sufficient to secure full recovery of the obligations owed under these loans.

40

As the following table illustrates, total non-performing assets, net of guarantees of the State of California and U.S. Government, including its agencies and its government-sponsored agencies, decreased $580,000 or 15.6% to $3,130,000 during the first three months of 2018.  Non-performing assets, net of guarantees, represented 0.3% of total assets at March 31, 2018.

 
 
At March 31, 2018
   
At December 31, 2017
 
 
 
Gross
   
Guaranteed
   
Net
   
Gross
   
Guaranteed
   
Net
 
(dollars in thousands)
                                   
Non-accrual loans
 
$
3,575
   
$
445
   
$
3,130
   
$
3,767
   
$
102
   
$
3,665
 
Loans 90 days past due and still accruing
   
     
     
     
45
     
     
45
 
 
                                               
Total non-performing loans
   
3,575
     
445
     
3,130
     
3,812
     
102
     
3,710
 
Other real estate owned
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
Total non-performing assets
   
3,575
     
445
     
3,130
     
3,812
     
102
     
3,710
 
 
                                               
Non-performing loans (net of guarantees) to total loans
                   
0.4
%
                   
0.5
%
Non-performing assets (net of guarantees) to total assets
                   
0.3
%
                   
0.3
%
Allowance for loan and lease losses to non-performing loans (net of guarantees)
                   
374.3
%
                   
300.1
%

The Company had loans totaling $0 and $45,000 that were 90 days or more past due and still accruing at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

Excluding the non-performing loans cited previously, loans totaling $11,937,000 and $2,045,000 were classified as substandard or doubtful loans, representing potential problem loans at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.  In Management's opinion, the potential loss related to these problem loans was sufficiently covered by the Bank's existing loan loss reserve (Allowance for Loan Losses) at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.  The ratio of the Allowance for Loan Losses to total loans at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was 1.60% and 1.49%, respectively.  
 
Other real estate owned ("OREO") consists of property that the Company has acquired by deed in lieu of foreclosure or through foreclosure proceedings, and property that the Company does not hold title to but is in actual control of, known as in-substance foreclosure.  The estimated fair value of the property is determined prior to transferring the balance to OREO.  The balance transferred to OREO is the estimated fair value of the property less estimated cost to sell.  Impairment may be deemed necessary to bring the book value of the loan equal to the appraised value.  Appraisals or loan officer evaluations are then conducted periodically thereafter charging any additional impairment to the appropriate expense account.  The Company had no OREO as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

41

Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company's Allowance for Loan Losses is maintained at a level believed by management to be adequate to provide for loan and other credit losses that can be reasonably anticipated.  The allowance is increased by provisions charged to operating expense and reduced by net charge-offs.  The Company contracts with vendors for credit reviews of the loan portfolio as well as considers current economic conditions, loan loss experience, and other factors in determining the adequacy of the reserve balance.  The allowance for loan losses is based on estimates, and actual losses may vary from current estimates.

The following table summarizes the Allowance for Loan Losses of the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, and for the year ended December 31, 2017:

 Analysis of the Allowance for Loan Losses
(Amounts in thousands, except percentage amounts)

 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
   
Year ended
December 31,
 
 
 
2018
   
2017
   
2017
 
 
                 
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
11,133
   
$
10,899
   
$
10,899
 
Provision for loan losses
   
525
     
600
     
600
 
Loans charged-off:
                       
Commercial
   
     
     
(681
)
Commercial Real Estate
   
     
     
 
Agriculture
   
     
     
 
Residential Mortgage
   
     
     
(121
)
Residential Construction
   
     
     
 
Consumer
   
(6
)
   
(11
)
   
(33
)
Total charged-off
   
(6
)
   
(11
)
   
(835
)
 
                       
Recoveries:
                       
Commercial
   
9
     
2
     
302
 
Commercial Real Estate
   
     
     
 
Agriculture
   
     
     
 
Residential Mortgage
   
16
     
     
96
 
Residential Construction
   
1
     
1
     
5
 
Consumer
   
37
     
8
     
66
 
Total recoveries
   
63
     
11
     
469
 
 
                       
Net charge-offs
   
57
     
     
(366
)
 
                       
Balance at end of period
 
$
11,715
   
$
11,499
   
$
11,133
 
 
                       
Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans outstanding during the period (annualized)
   
0.03
%
   
0.00
%
   
(0.05
%)
Allowance for loan losses
                       
To total loans at the end of the period
   
1.60
%
   
1.73
%
   
1.49
%
To non-performing loans, net of guarantees at the end of the period
   
374.3
%
   
280.2
%
   
300.1
%


The allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans, net of guarantees was 374.3% and 280.2% as of March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively.  The increase in allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans, net of guarantees was primarily due to an decrease in non-performing loans, net of guarantees.  The increase in allowance for loan losses during the first three months in 2018 was due to an increase in unallocated reserves.  The increase in unallocated reserves was driven by a decrease in loans outstanding due to seasonal fluctuations associated with Agricultural production loans and reductions in Commercial Real Estate loans outstanding.


42

Deposits

Deposits are one of the Company's primary sources of funds.  At March 31, 2018, the Company had the following deposit mix: 30.5% in savings and MMDA deposits, 6.4% in time deposits, 28.1% in interest-bearing transaction deposits and 35.0% in non-interest-bearing transaction deposits.  At December 31, 2017, the Company had the following deposit mix: 30.5% in savings and MMDA deposits, 6.6% in time deposits, 28.3% in interest-bearing transaction deposits and 34.6% in non-interest-bearing transaction deposits.  Non-interest-bearing transaction deposits increase the Company's net interest income by lowering its cost of funds.

The Company obtains deposits primarily from the communities it serves.  The Company believes that no material portion of its deposits has been obtained from or is dependent on any one person or industry.  The Company accepts deposits in excess of $250,000 from customers.  These deposits are priced to remain competitive.

Maturities of time certificates of deposits of over $250,000 or more outstanding at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are summarized as follows:

 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
March 31, 2018
   
December 31, 2017
 
Three months or less
 
$
4,791
   
$
2,093
 
Over three to twelve months
   
8,451
     
9,454
 
Over twelve months
   
5,275
     
7,344
 
Total
 
$
18,517
   
$
18,891
 
  
Liquidity and Capital Resources

In order to serve our market area, the Company must maintain adequate liquidity and adequate capital.  Liquidity is measured by various ratios, in management's opinion, the most common being the ratio of net loans to deposits (including loans held-for-sale).  This ratio was 66.0% on March 31, 2018.  In addition, on March 31, 2018, the Company had the following short-term investments (based on remaining maturity and/or next repricing date):  $20,488,000 in securities due within one year or less; and $62,938,000 in securities due in one to five years.

To meet unanticipated funding requirements, the Company maintains short-term unsecured lines of credit with other banks which totaled $80,000,000 at March 31, 2018.  Additionally, the Company has a line of credit with the FHLB, with a borrowing capacity at March 31, 2018 of $312,421,000; credit availability is subject to certain collateral requirements.  The Company had no borrowings outstanding as of March 31, 2018.

The Company's primary source of liquidity on a stand-alone basis is dividends from the Bank.  Dividends from the Bank are subject to regulatory restrictions.

In July 2013, the Federal Reserve Board and the other U.S. federal banking agencies adopted final rules making significant changes to the U.S. regulatory capital framework for U.S. banking organizations and to conform this framework to the guidelines published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (Basel Committee) known as the Basel III Global Regulatory Framework for Capital and Liquidity.  These rules adopted by the FRB and the other federal banking agencies (the U.S. Basel III Capital Rules) replaced the federal banking agencies' general risk-based capital rules, advanced approaches rule, market-risk rule, and leverage rules, in accordance with certain transition provisions. The Bank became subject to the new rules on January 1, 2015. The new rules implement higher minimum capital requirements, include a new common equity Tier 1 capital requirement, and establish criteria that instruments must meet in order to be considered common equity Tier 1 capital, additional Tier 1 capital, or Tier 2 capital. When fully phased in by January 1, 2019, the final rules will provide for increased minimum capital ratios as follows: (a) a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 4.5%; (b) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6% (which is an increase from 4.0%); (c) a total capital ratio of 8%; and (d) a Tier 1 leverage ratio to average consolidated assets of 4%. Under the new rules, in order to avoid certain limitations on capital distributions, including dividend payments and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers, a banking organization must hold a capital conservation buffer composed of common equity Tier 1 capital above its minimum risk based capital requirements (equal to 2.5% of total risk-weighted assets when fully phased in). The phase-in of the capital conservation buffer began on January 1, 2016, and must be completed by January 1, 2019. The U.S. Basel III Capital Rules also provide for various adjustments and deductions to the definitions of regulatory capital that phased in from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2017.


43

As of March 31, 2018, the Bank's capital ratios exceeded applicable regulatory requirements.  The following table presents the capital ratios for the Bank, compared to the regulatory standards for well-capitalized depository institutions, as of March 31, 2018.

 
(amounts in thousands except percentage amounts)
 
 
Actual
 
Well Capitalized
Ratio Requirement
 
 
Capital
 
Ratio
 
Leverage
 
$
104,401
     
8.69
%
   
5.0
%
Common Equity Tier 1
 
$
104,401
     
12.43
%
   
6.5
%
Tier 1 Risk-Based
 
$
104,401
     
12.43
%
   
8.0
%
Total Risk-Based
 
$
114,922
     
13.69
%
   
10.0
%
 



44

ITEM 3.   – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
The Company believes that there have been no material changes in the quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk as of March 31, 2018, from those presented in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, which are incorporated by reference herein.
 
ITEM 4.   – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
(a)  We maintain "disclosure controls and procedures," as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Our disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to meet reasonable assurance standards. Additionally, in designing disclosure controls and procedures, our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures. The design of any disclosure controls and procedures also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.  Our Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) have concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of March 31, 2018.  This conclusion is based on an evaluation conducted under the supervision and with the participation of management.

(b)  During the quarter ended March 31, 2018, there were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
 
PART II   – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Neither the Company nor the Bank is a party to any material pending legal proceeding, nor is any of their property the subject of any material pending legal proceeding, except ordinary routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of the Bank's business and incidental to its business, none of which is expected to have a material adverse impact upon the Company's or the Bank's business, financial position or results of operations.
 
ITEM 1A. – RISK FACTORS
 
For a discussion of risk factors relating to our business, please refer to Part I, Item 1A of our 2017 Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference herein, and to the following:

The Bank's Dependence on Real Estate Lending Increases Our Risk of Losses

At March 31, 2018, approximately 78% of the Bank's loans in principal amount (excluding loans held-for-sale) were secured by real estate.  The value of the Bank's real estate collateral has been, and could in the future continue to be, adversely affected by the economic recession and resulting adverse impact on the real estate market in Northern California.

The Bank's primary lending focus has historically been commercial (including agricultural), construction, and real estate mortgage.  At March 31, 2018, real estate mortgage (excluding loans held-for-sale) and construction loans (residential and other) comprised approximately 73% and 5%, respectively, of the total loans in the Bank's portfolio.  At March 31, 2018, all of the Bank's real estate mortgage and construction loans and approximately 2% of its commercial loans were secured fully or in part by deeds of trust on underlying real estate.  The Company's dependence on real estate increases the risk of loss in both the Bank's loan portfolio and its holdings of other real estate owned if economic conditions in Northern California deteriorate in the future.  Deterioration of the real estate market in Northern California would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, and results of operations.

The CFPB has adopted various regulations which have impacted, and will continue to impact, our residential mortgage lending business.  For additional information, see "Business – Certain CFPB Rules" in Item 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

45

Adverse California Economic Conditions Could Adversely Affect the Bank's Business

The Bank's operations and a substantial majority of the Bank's assets and deposits are generated and concentrated primarily in Northern California, particularly the counties of Placer, Sacramento, Solano and Yolo, and are likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. At March 31, 2018, approximately 78% of the Bank's loan portfolio in principal amount (excluding loans held-for-sale) consisted of real estate-related loans, all of which were secured by collateral located in Northern California. As a result, a downturn in the economic conditions in Northern California may cause the Bank to incur losses associated with high default rates and decreased collateral values in its loan portfolio. Economic conditions in California are subject to various uncertainties including deterioration in the California real estate market and housing industry.
 
At times, economic conditions in California, and especially the regional markets we serve, have been subject to various challenges, including significant deterioration in the residential real estate sector and the California state government's budgetary and fiscal difficulties.  While California home prices and the California economy in general have experienced a recovery in recent years, there can be no assurance that the recovery will continue.  Recent growth in home prices in some California markets may be unsustainable relative to market fundamentals, and home price declines may occur.
In addition, until 2013, the State government of California experienced budget shortfalls or deficits that led to protracted negotiations between the Governor and the State Legislature over how to address the budget gap.  The California electorate approved, in the 2012 general elections, certain increases in the rate of income taxation in California.  However, there can be no assurance that the state's fiscal and budgetary challenges will not recur. In addition, the impact of increased rates of income taxation on the level of economic activity in California cannot be predicted at this time.
Also, municipalities and other governmental units within California have been experiencing budgetary difficulties, and several California municipalities have filed for protection under the Bankruptcy Code. As a result, concerns also have arisen regarding the outlook for the State of California's governmental obligations, as well as those of California municipalities and other governmental units.

Poor economic conditions in California, and especially the regional markets we serve, will cause us to incur losses associated with higher default rates and decreased collateral values in our loan portfolio. If the budgetary and fiscal difficulties of the California State government and California municipalities and other governmental units were to recur or economic conditions in California decline, we expect that our level of problem assets will increase and our prospects for growth will be impaired.


46

ITEM 2. – UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
None.
 
ITEM 3. – DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
 
None.
 
ITEM 4. – MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.

ITEM 5. – OTHER INFORMATION

None.
 
ITEM 6. – EXHIBITS
 
Exhibit
Number
 
Description of Document
 
 
 
 
Form of Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement between First Northern Bank of Dixon and Jeremiah Z. Smith, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
     
 
Form of Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreement between First Northern Bank of Dixon and Kevin Spink, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
     
 
Change of Control Agreement between First Northern Bank of Dixon and Joe Danelson, Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer.
     
 
Change of Control Agreement between First Northern Bank of Dixon and Jeffrey Adamski, Executive Vice President and Senior Loan Officer.
     
 
Executive Retirement/Retention Participation Agreement for Jeffrey Adamski, Executive Vice President and Senior Loan Officer.
     
 
Amended Form of Salary Continuation Agreement between First Northern Bank of Dixon and Bruce Orris, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer.
     
 
Rule 13a — 14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
Rule 13a — 14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
Statement of the Chief Executive Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350)
 
 
 
 
Statement of the Chief Financial Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350)
 
 
 
101
 
Pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T, the following financial information from the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018, is formatted in XBRL interactive data files: (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity; (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

*   In accordance with Item 601(b)(32)(ii) of Regulation S-K and SEC Release No. 34-47986, the certifications furnished in Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 hereto are deemed to accompany this Form 10-Q and will not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act. Such certifications will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

47

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
 
 
 
FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 9, 2018
By:
 
/s/ Kevin Spink
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kevin Spink, Executive Vice President / Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer and Duly Authorized Officer)
 
 


48
Exhibit 10.29


PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
FOR
Jeremiah Smith

This Participation Agreement is entered into as of this 1st day of June, 2011, by and between First Northern Bank of Dixon, a California-chartered, FDIC-insured bank with it main office in Dixon, California ("Company") and Jeremiah Smith (the "Executive").
 
        Whereas,   the Executive has contributed substantially to the success of the Company and its parent corporation, First Northern Community Bancorp, and the Company desires that the Executive continue its employ,
 
        Whereas,   the Board has in accordance with Section 3.1 of the First Northern Bank of Dixon Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the "Plan") nominated the Executive for Eligibility in such Plan,
 
        Whereas,   the Executive wishes to accept Participation in the Plan,
 
        Whereas,   the Company wishes, for the benefit of the Executive, to amend certain provisions of the Plan as they apply to the Executive through the execution of this Participation Agreement and acknowledges that this Participation Agreement shall be terminated or amended only by a written agreement signed by the Company and the Executive except as specified in 3.1 below,
 
        Now Therefore,   in consideration of the foregoing premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree that the Executive is a Participant in the Plan and further agree as follows:



SECTION 1
DEFINITIONS
     
        Terms used in this Participation Agreement are used as defined in the Plan. In addition, the following terms shall have the meanings given in this Participation Agreement.

1.1
Change-in-Control . "Change-in-Control" means the first to occur of any of the following events:

 
                      (a)
Merger - First Northern Community Bancorp merges into or consolidates with another corporation, or merges another corporation into First Northern Community Bancorp, and as a result less than 50% of the combined voting power of the resulting corporation immediately    after the merger or consolidation is held by persons who were stockholders of First Northern Community Bancorp immediately before the merger or consolidation,
                      (b) Acquisition of Significant Share Ownership -A report on Schedule 13D or another form or schedule (other than Schedule 13G) is filed or is required to be filed under Sections 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, if the schedule discloses that the filing person



or persons acting in concert has or have become the beneficial owner of 20% or more of a class of First Northern Community Bancorp's voting securities, but this clause (b) shall not apply to beneficial ownership of First Northern Community Bancorp voting shares held in a fiduciary capacity by an entity of which First Northern Community Bancorp directly or indirectly beneficially owns 50% or more of its outstanding voting securities or voting shares held by an employee benefit plan maintained for the benefit of First Northern Bank of Dixon's employees, or
(c)
Change in Board Composition - During any period of two consecutive years, individuals who constitute First Northern Community Bancorp's Board of Directors at the beginning of the two-year period cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of First Northern Community Bancorp's Board of Directors; provided, however, that - for purposes of this clause (c) - each director who is first elected by the board (or first nominated by the board for
election by stockholders) by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors who were directors at the beginning of the period shall be deemed to have been a director at the beginning of the
two-year period.

1.2
Good Reason . "Good Reason" shall be defined as any of the following:

(a)
A material reduction in the Executive's title or responsibilities; or
(b)
A reduction in base salary as in effect on the date of Change in Control; or
(c)
The relocation of the Executive's principal executive office so that Executive's one-way commute distance from Executive's residence is increased by more than forty (40) miles; or
(d)
The adverse and substantial alternation in the nature and quality of the office space within which the Executive performs duties on behalf of the Company, including the size and location thereof, as well as the secretarial and administrative support provided to the Executive; or
(e)
The failure by the Company to continue to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits substantially similar to those provided under any of the employee benefit plans in which the Executive becomes a participant, or the taking of any action by the Company which would directly or indirectly materially reduce any of such benefits or deprive the Executive of any material fringe benefit enjoyed at the time of Change in Control; or
(f)
The failure of the Company to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any successor or assign of the Company to assume and agree to perform this Agreement.



SECTION 2 AMENDMENTS

This section, solely for the purpose of benefits earned by this Executive, amends certain sections of the First Northern Bank Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan.

2.1
Amendments Following a Change in Control - If the   Executive's employment with the Bank terminates within 24 months after any Change in Control or in the event the Executive terminates employment voluntarily for Good Reason within 24 months after any Change-in-Control, the following benefit shall be payable to the Executive in lieu of any other benefits payable under the Plan :


Change in Control Benefit -the benefit payable to the Executive shall be the greater of the payments described in (1) and (2) below:

1.
A lump sum payment Actuarially Equivalent to the benefit determined under Section
4.1 of the Plan with the following changes: (a) the Target Retirement Percentage used shall be the Target Retirement Percentage assuming Service to age 65, and (b) the Profit Sharing Benefit and Social Security Benefit shall be determined as of the 1st of the year of termination. The lump sum payment shall be determined using the Treasury Rate in effect on the date of termination and shall be discounted for the period of time the lump sum payment precedes the date the Participant attains age 65.



 
2.
A lump sum payment Actuarially Equivalent to the benefit the Participant would receive from the Plan without regard to this Section 2.1. The lump sum payment shall be determined using the Treasury Rate in effect on the date of termination.

The Company shall pay this Change in Control Benefit to the Executive within three days after the Executive's Separation from Service.  If when the Participant's Separation from Service occurs the Participant is a specified employee within the meaning of Code
section 409A, the lump-sum benefit shall be delayed and shall instead be paid on the first day of the seventh month after the month in which Separation from Service occurs, with interest to the payment date using the Treasury Rate.

2.2
One Benefit Only. Despite anything to the contrary in the Plan or in this Participation Agreement, the Executive and Beneficiary are entitled to one benefit only, which shall be determined by the first event to occur that is dealt with by the Plan and this Participation Agreement. Subsequent occurrence of events dealt with by the Plan and this Participation Agreement shall not entitle the Executive or Beneficiary to other or additional benefits under the Plan or this Participation Agreement.

2.3
Amendment of Death Benefit.  If the Executive dies while actively employed and before the attainment of Normal Retirement Age, the benefit payable to the Executive's beneficiary shall be the greater of (1) and
(2)
below:

(I)
$10,000 per month paid each month for 120 months plus 6 months for each full year of Service over 10 years (limited to 180 months total). This benefit shall be limited in present value to the net amount at risk of all insurance policies owned by First Northern Bank as of the Executive's date of death on the life of the Executive and under which First Northern Bank is the sole beneficiary. This present value limitation shall be determined using a 5% discount rate.

(2) the benefit that the Executive's beneficiary would have received had the Executive retired under Section 4.2 of the Plan on the day of the Executive's death, commenced Early Retirement Benefits, and died before receiving the first payment.

This benefit shall commence as soon as administratively feasible.

If the Executive dies while actively employed and on or after attainment of Normal Retirement Age, the benefit payable to the Executive's beneficiary shall be the same benefit the beneficiary would have received had the Executive retired on the date of death, commenced Normal Retirement Benefits and died before receiving the first payment.

If a participant dies after termination of employment, the Participant's Beneficiary shall be entitled to receive benefits in the same amount and for the same duration that the Participant would have received had the Participant survived to receive all payments due. The benefit shall be paid to the Beneficiary at the same time the benefit would have been paid to the Participant, disregarding the potential six-month delay required under Code section 409A for separation-from-service benefits paid to a specified employee.

The benefit payable under this section 2.3 shall be paid in lieu of any other benefit payable under the Plan or this Participation Agreement



SECTION 3 MISCELLANEOUS

3.1
Amendments and Termination . This Participation Agreement may be amended or terminated only by a written agreement signed by the Bank and the Executive. For the purpose of determining benefits for the Executive, any amendment or termination of the Plan shall be effective for the Executive only by a written agreement signed by the Company and the Executive. However, the Executive and Company agree that the Company, in its sole discretion, may amend the Plan and this Participation Agreement to reduce the impact on the Company's earnings of any changes made by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to pension accounting standards. The Company may change the manner of benefit accrual for the Executive if, in the opinion of the Company, the changes to the Plan and this Participation Agreement produce an expense recognition pattern closer to the pattern of expense recognition expected prior to the change in accounting standards. In no event will the benefit provided to the Executive at Normal Retirement Age be reduced.

3.2
Binding Effect . This Participation Agreement shall bind the Executive and the Company, and their beneficiaries, survivors, executors, successors, administrators and trustees.

3.3
Agreement To Insure . The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to purchase a life insurance policy or policies on the life of the Executive in order to informally fund or otherwise offset the costs incurred by the Plan. The Executive agrees to complete all forms and undergo any insurance underwriting that the Company may request from time to time during the Executive's active employment. In addition, the Executive hereby acknowledges that the Executive, Beneficiaries, or the Executive's estate hold no claim to any part of the value of or rights provided by such policies.


In Witness Whereof, the Executive and a duly authorized Company officer have signed this Participation Agreement as of the day and year shown below.



The Executive:                                                                                           The Company:
First Northern Bank of Dixon
/s/ Jeremiah Z. Smith
By:  /s/ Louise Walker
Its:  Chief Executive Officer






 

Exhibit 10.30




                                                                                                                                                                                                          


PARTICIPATION  AGREEMENT FOR
KEVIN SPINK


This Participation Agreement is entered into as of this 1st day of August, 2017, by and between First Northern Bank of Dixon, a California-chartered, FDIC-insured bank with its main office in Dixon, California ("Company") and Kevin Spink (the "Executive").

Whereas, the Executive has contributed substantially to the success of the Company and its parent corporation, First Northern Community Bancorp, and the Company desires that the Executive continue its employ,

Whereas, the Board has in accordance with Section 3.1 of the First Northern Bank of Dixon Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the "Plan") nominated the Executive for eligibility in such Plan,

Whereas, the Executive wishes to accept participation in the Plan,

Whereas, the Company and the Executive acknowledges that this Participation Agreement shall be terminated or amended only by a written agreement signed by the Company and the Executive except as specified in 3.1 below,

Now, Therefore, in consideration of the foregoing premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree that the Executive is a Participant in the Plan and further agree as follows:



SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS

Terms used in this Participation Agreement are used as defined in the Plan. In addition, the following terms shall have the meanings given in this Participation Agreement.

1.1
Change-in-Control . "Change-in-Control" means the first to occur of any of the following events:

(a)
Merger – First Northern Community Bancorp merges into or consolidates with another corporation, or merges another corporation into First Northern Community Bancorp, and as a result less than 50% of the combined voting power of the resulting corporation immediately after the merger or consolidation is held by persons who were stockholders of First Northern Community Bancorp immediately before the merger or consolidation,
(b)
Acquisition of Significant Share Ownership – A report on Schedule 13D or another form or schedule (other than Schedule 13G) is filed or is required to be filed under Sections 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, if the schedule discloses that the filing person or persons acting in concert has or have become the beneficial owner of 20% or more of a


class of First Northern Community Bancorp's voting securities, but this clause (b) shall not apply to beneficial ownership of First Northern Community Bancorp voting shares held in a fiduciary capacity by an entity of which First Northern Community Bancorp directly or indirectly beneficially owns 50% or more of its outstanding voting securities or voting shares held by an employee benefit plan maintained for the benefit of First Northern Bank of Dixon's employees, or
(c)
Change in Board Composition – During any period of two consecutive years, individuals who constitute First Northern Community Bancorp's Board of Directors at the beginning of the two-year period cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of First Northern Community Bancorp's Board of Directors; provided, however, that - for purposes of this clause (c) - each director who is first elected by the board (or first nominated by the board for   election by stockholders) by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors who were directors at the beginning of the period shall be deemed to have been a director at the beginning of the
two-year period.

1.2
Good Reason . "Good Reason" shall be defined as one or more of the following, without the Executive's express written consent:

(a)
A material reduction in the Executive's title or responsibilities; or
(b)
A reduction in base salary as in effect on the date of Change in Control; or
(c)
The relocation of the Executive's principal executive office so that Executive's one-way commute distance from Executive's residence is increased by more than forty (40) miles; or
(d)
The failure by the Company to continue to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits substantially similar to those provided under any of the employee benefit plans in which the Executive becomes a participant, or the taking of any action by the Company which would directly or indirectly materially reduce such benefits or deprive the Executive of any material fringe benefit enjoyed at the time of Change in Control; or
(e)
The failure of the Company to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any successor or assign of the Company to assume and agree to perform this Agreement.

In order for an event to qualify as Good Reason, Executive must provide the Company with written notice of the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for "Good Reason" within thirty (30) days following the initial existence of the grounds for "Good Reason", must provide the Company with a reasonable cure period of not less than thirty (30) days following the end of such notice and must resign within thirty (30) days following the expiration of the Company's cure period.



SECTION 2 AMENDMENTS

This section, solely for the purpose of benefits earned by this Executive, amends certain sections of the Plan.

2.1
Amendments Following a Change in Control – If the Executive's employment with the Company is involuntarily terminated within 24 months after any Change in Control or in the event the Executive terminates employment voluntarily for Good Reason within 24 months after any Change-in-Control, the following benefit shall be payable to the Executive in lieu of any other benefits payable under the Plan:


Change in Control Benefit -the benefit payable to the Executive shall be the greater of the payments described in (1) and (2) below:

1.
A lump sum payment Actuarially Equivalent to the benefit determined under Section
4.1 of the Plan with the following changes: (a) the Target Retirement Percentage used shall be the Target Retirement Percentage assuming he has accrued Service to


age 65, and (b) the Profit Sharing Benefit and Social Security Benefit shall be determined as of the 1st of the year of the Executive's termination. The lump sum payment shall be determined using the Treasury Rate in effect on the date of termination and shall be discounted for the period of time the lump sum payment precedes the date the Participant attains age 65.
2.
A lump sum payment Actuarially Equivalent to the benefit the Participant would receive from the Plan without regard to this Section 2.1. The lump sum payment shall be determined using the Treasury Rate in effect on the date of termination.

The Company shall pay this Change in Control Benefit to the Executive within three days after the Executive's Separation from Service.  If when the Participant's Separation from Service occurs, the Participant is a specified employee within the meaning of Code section 409A, the lump-sum benefit shall be delayed and shall instead be paid on the first day of the seventh month after the month in which Separation from Service occurs, with interest to the payment date using the Treasury Rate.

2.2
Amendment to Section 4.4 of the Plan – If the Executive dies while employed by the Company, then the benefits payable under Section 4.4 of the Plan shall be limited to the lesser of a) the benefit described in Section 4.4 of the Plan, and b) the amount the Company has accrued on its books due to the Executive's participation in the Plan as of the date of death. The intent of this paragraph is that the Company will not suffer an accounting loss due to the death of the Executive.  Should an insurance contract be purchased by the Company on the life of the Executive, any accounting gain to the Company due to the proceeds of that contract will be taken into consideration in determining whether the Section 4.4 benefit should be limited to avoid an accounting loss.

2.3
One Benefit Only. Despite anything to the contrary in the Plan or in this Participation Agreement, the Executive and Beneficiary are entitled to one benefit only, which shall be determined by the first event to occur that is dealt with by the Plan and this Participation Agreement. Subsequent occurrence of events dealt with by the Plan and this Participation Agreement shall not entitle the Executive or Beneficiary to other or additional benefits under the Plan or this Participation Agreement.


SECTION 3 MISCELLANEOUS

3.1
Amendments and Termination . This Participation Agreement may be amended or terminated only by a written agreement signed by the Company and the Executive. For the purpose of determining benefits for the Executive, any amendment or termination of the Plan shall be effective for the Executive only by a written agreement signed by the Company and the Executive. However, the Executive and Company agree that the Company, in its sole discretion, may amend the Plan and this Participation Agreement to reduce the impact on the Company's earnings of any changes made by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission or any bank regulator to pension accounting standards. The Company may change the manner of benefit accrual for the Executive if, in the opinion of the Company,
the changes to the Plan and this Participation Agreement produce an expense recognition pattern closer to the pattern of expense recognition expected prior to the change in accounting standards. In no event will the benefit provided to the Executive at Normal Retirement Age be reduced.

3.2
Binding Effect . This Participation Agreement shall bind the Executive and the Company, and their beneficiaries, survivors, executors, successors, administrators and trustees.

3.3
Agreement To Insure . The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to purchase a life insurance policy or policies on the life of the Executive in order to informally fund or otherwise offset the costs incurred by the Plan. The Executive agrees to complete all forms and undergo any insurance underwriting that the Company may request from time to time during the Executive's active employment. In addition, the Executive hereby acknowledges that the Executive, Beneficiaries, or the Executive's estate hold no claim to any part of the value of or rights provided by such policies.



In Witness Whereof, the Executive and a duly authorized Company officer have signed this Participation Agreement as of the day and year shown below.


The Executive:                                                                                                   The Company:
First Northern Bank of Dixon
/s/ Kevin Spink
By:  /s/ Jeremiah Smith
Its:  Sr. Exec. VP/Chief Operating Officer









Exhibit 10.31

CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT

This Change of Control Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into as of January 5, 2015 by and between FIRST NORTHERN BANK OF DIXON, a California banking corporation (the "Bank"), and Terry Joe Danelson (the "Executive").

RECITAL:

The parties desire to set forth the terms of Executive's additional compensation in the event of the Executive's termination due to a Change of Control of the Bank.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:


1.
Change of Control . Change of Control means the occurrence of any of the following events with respect to the Bank or its parent holding Company, FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP ("Bancorp")

a.
Merger. A merger into or consolidation with another corporation, or merger of another corporation into Bank of Bancorp, and as a result less than 50% of the combined voting power of the resulting corporation immediately after the merger or consolidation is held by persons who were stockholders of the Bank or Bancorp immediately before the merger or consolidation;

b.
Acquisition of Significant Share Ownership.   One person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) ownership of stock possessing thirty percent (30%) or more of the total voting power of the stock of Bank or Bancorp (this constitutes acquisition of "Effective Control"). No Change of Control shall occur if additional voting shares are acquired by a person or persons who possessed Effective Control prior to acquiring additional shares. This subpart (b) shall not apply to beneficial ownership of voting shares held in a fiduciary capacity by an entity of which Bank or Bancorp directly or indirectly beneficially owns fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding voting securities, or voting shares held by an employee benefit plan maintained for the benefit of the Bank's employees.

c.
Change in Board Composition.   A majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Bank or Bancorp is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Bank or Bancorp before the date of the appointment or election. This subparagraph shall only apply with respect to Bancorp if no other corporation is a majority shareholder of Bancorp.


d.
Bancorp.   A Change of Control shall only occur with respect to Bancorp if Bancorp (i)   is a majority shareholder of the Bank; (ii) is a majority shareholder of any corporation in a chain of corporations in which each corporation is a majority shareholder of another corporation in the chain, ending in the Bank; or (iii) is otherwise a "Relevant Corporation" as that term is used and defined in Internal Revenue Code ("Code") Section 409A ("Section 409A"). For purposes of this section, majority shareholder means a shareholder owning more than 50% of the total fair market value and total voting power of the Bank, Bancorp, or a corporation in the chain referenced
above. No Change of Control shall occur unless the event constitutes a "Change of Ownership of a Corporation" or a "Change in the Effective Control of a Corporation" as defined under Section 409A.


2.
Resignation due to Change of Control. The Executive shall be entitled to the benefits provided in Section 3 of this Agreement if the Executive resigns within six (6) months following a Change in Control in response to one or more of the following events, occurring after the Change in Control; (i) a material diminution in the Executive's base compensation; (ii) a material diminution in the Executive's authority, duties, or responsibilities; (iii) a material diminution in the authority, duties, or responsibilities of the supervisor to whom the Executive is required to report, including a requirement that the Executive report to a corporate officer or employee instead of reporting directly to the Board;
(iv) a material diminution in the budget over which the Executive retains authority; or (v) a material change in geographic location at which the Executive must perform services. In the event of Executive's resignation, Executive's employment will be deemed to have been involuntarily terminated under Section 3 of this Agreement only if Executive delivers written notice of one or more conditions described above to the employer at least thirty (30) days prior to ·resignation and the employer does not remedy the conditions within thirty (30) days after notice is received.


3.
Involuntary Termination.

a.
Compensation.   If within six (6) months following Bank's formal approval of a Change of Control that then occurs, Executive's employment is terminated without cause (i.e., poor performance, insubordination, felony conviction, breach of ethics or morals adversely affecting the Executive's performance at Bank), or if Executive resigns pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement, Executive shall receive:

i.
200% of the sum of (i ) Executive's annual base salary as in effect on the date of the Change of Control and (ii) the average of the annual bonuses awarded to Executive by the Bank for the most recent three (3) consecutive years prior to the date of the Change of Control,

ii.
Any incentive compensation earned but not yet paid,

iii.
Any expenses reimbursable under the Bank's policies and incurred but not yet reimbursed, and

iv.
Outplacement may be considered.

b.
Terms of Payment. The payment to which Executive is entitled pursuant to this Section 3 shall be paid in a single installment within the earlier of (i) forty-five (45) days of termination or (ii) two and one-half (2 ½)   months after the end of the Executive's taxable year in which the termination occurred, with no percent value or other discount.

c.
Insurance. Upon Termination of Employment within six (6) months following a Change of Control, Executive (and, where applicable, Executive's dependents) shall be entitled to continuation coverage (as California's Cal-COBRA provisions) under the group insurance plans maintained by the Bank, including life; disability and health insurance programs, for up to twenty-four (24) months, subject to the terms, conditions and limitations set forth in such plans. For a period up to the first twelve (12) months of continuation coverage, the Bank shall pay the same portion of group insurance premiums for the Executive's continued
overage as is paid for other executives who are current employees. If the Executive becomes eligible for comparable group insurance coverage in connection with new employment, the Bank shall no longer be responsible for the cost of continuation coverage. Beginning with the thirteenth (13) month of continuation coverage, coverage may be continued at the Executive's own expense.

d.
Delayed Payments to Specified Employees. If Executive is a Specified Employee as of the date the Executive ceases to be employed by Bank and separates from service with the Bank (the "Termination of Employment"), benefit payments under this subsection shall be


delayed and shall not begin prior to the date that is six (6) months after the Termination of Employment (or, if earlier than the end of the six-month period, the date of death of the Executive). Payments to which the Executive would otherwise be entitled during the first six (6) months following the Termination of Employment, but for this provision, shall be accumulated and paid on the first day of the seventh month following the Termination of Employment.  If Executive is a Key Employee of the Bank or any entity that is aggregated with the Bank under Code Section 4 l4(b) or (c) as of December 31st of any year ) (the "Determination Date"), and the Bank of any entity that is aggregated with the Bank under Code section 414(b) or (c) has stock that is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise, the Executive shall be treated as a Specified Employee during the 12- month period beginning on the April 1st following the Determination Date. An Executive is
a Key Employee as of a Determination Date if the Executive meets the requirements of Code section 416(i)(l)(A)(i), (ii) or (iii) (applied in accordance with the regulations thereunder and disregarding section 416(i)(5) at any time during the twelve (12) months preceding the Determination Date.

e.
Except as provided in this Section 3 or required by law, all of Executive's employee benefits and compensation shall cease on the last day on which he performs services as an employee of the Bank.

f.
Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment or benefit contemplated by this Section 3 (whether by seeking new employment or otherwise) and no such payment or benefit shall be reduced by earnings that Executive may receive from any other source.

g.
If employment is terminated due to a Change in Control of the Bank the Executive shall receive whatever rights may be specified pursuant to the Frist Northern Bank of Dixon Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan.


4.
Employment Taxes.   All payments made pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to withholding of applicable taxes.


5.
Advice of Counsel.   Before signing this Agreement, Executive either (i) consulted with and obtained advice from Executive's independent legal counsel in respect to the legal nature and operation of this Agreement, including its impact on executive's rights, privileges and obligations; or (ii) freely and voluntarily decided not to have the benefit of such consultation and advice with legal counsel.


6.
Term of Agreement. The Bank agrees to continue, and Executive agrees this Agreement will remain in effect, from January 5, 2015 (the "Commencement Date"), until the earliest of (i) December 31, 2015 or (ii) the date on which Executive's Termination of Employment, as applicable, provided that the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall automatically extend for consecutive one (1) year periods, on and after December 31, 2015 unless either Executive or the Bank notifies the other in writing at least sixty (60) days before the end of the then current term that, for any reason, the Executive or the Bank has elected not to extend the term.


7.
Entire Agreement. This Agreement supersedes and replaces (rather than supplements) all previous oral or written agreements, memoranda, correspondence or other communications between the parties hereto to the extent they deal with Change of Control compensation described in the Agreement.


8.
FDIC. In addition, the payment of any and all Executive Benefits under this Plan shall be subject to and conditioned upon compliance with 12 U.S.C. Section 1828(k) and any regulations promulgated


thereunder, and any Executive Benefits and rights under the Plan shall be forfeited to the extent barred or prohibited by an action or order issued by the California Department of Financial Institutions, the FDIC, or any government agency which has jurisdiction over the Bank.


9.
Law Governing Agreement. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California for contracts to be performed entirely within this state.


10.
No Employment Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement creates an employment contract or otherwise changes the at-will employment relationship between the Bank and the Executive.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement effective as of the day herein first above written.




FIRST NORTHERN BANK OF DIXON
/s/ Louise A. Walker
President & Chief Executive Officer



EXECUTIVE
/s/ Terry Joe Danelson
Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer


Exhibit 10.32


CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT

This Change of Control Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into as of March 1, 2016 by and between FIRST NORTHERN BANK OF DIXON, a California banking corporation (the "Bank"), and Jeff Adamski (the "Executive").

RECITAL:

The parties desire to set forth the terms of Executive's additional compensation in the event of the Executive's termination due to a Change of Control of the Bank.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:


1.
Change of Control . Change of Control means the occurrence of any of the following events with respect to the Bank or its parent holding Company , FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP ("Bancorp")

a.
Merger . A merger into or consolidation with another corporation, or merger of another corporation into Bank of Bancorp, and as a result less than 50% of the combined voting power of the resulting corporation immediately after the merger or consolidation is held by persons who were stockholders of the Bank or Bancorp immediately before the merger or consolidation;

b.
Acquisition of Significant Share Ownership .   One person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) ownership of stock possessing thirty percent (30%) or more of the total voting power of the stock of Bank or Bancorp (this constitutes acquisition of "Effective Control"). No Change of Control shall occur if additional voting shares are acquired by a person or persons who possessed Effective Control prior to acquiring additional shares. This subpart (b) shall not apply to beneficial ownership of voting shares held in a fiduciary capacity by an entity of which Bank or Bancorp directly or indirectly beneficially owns fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding voting securities , or voting shares held by an employee benefit plan maintained for the benefit of the Bank's employees.

c.
Change in Board Composition .   A majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Bank or Bancorp is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Bank or Bancorp before the date of the appointment or election. This subparagraph shall only apply with respect to Bancorp if no other corporation is a majority shareholder of Bancorp.


d.
Bancorp .   A Change of Control shall only occur with respect to Bancorp if Bancorp (i) is a majority shareholder of the Bank; (ii) is a majority shareholder of any corporation in a chain of corporations in which each corporation is a majority shareholder of another corporation in the chain, ending in the Bank; or (iii) is otherwise a "Relevant Corporation" as that term is used and defined in Internal Revenue Code ("Code") Section 409A ("Section 409A"). For purposes of this section, majority shareholder means a shareholder owning more than 50% of the total fair market value and total voting power of the Bank, Bancorp, or a corporation in the chain referenced
above. No Change of Control shall occur unless the event constitutes a "Change of Ownership of a Corporation" or a "Change in the Effective Control of a Corporation" as defined under Section 409A.


2.
Resignation due to Change of Control . The Executive shall be entitled to the benefits provided in Section 3 of this Agreement if the Executive resigns within six (6) months following a Change in Control in response to one or more of the following events, occurring after the Change in Control; (i) a material diminution in the Executive's base compensation;  (ii) a material diminution in the Executive's authority, duties, or responsibilities;  (iii) a material diminution in the authority, duties, or responsibilities of the supervisor to whom the Executive is required to report, including a requirement that the Executive report to a corporate officer or employee instead of reporting directly to the Board;
(iv) a material diminution in the budget over which the Executive retains authority; or (v) a material change in geographic location at which the Executive must perform services. In the event of Executive's resignation, Executive's employment will be deemed to have been involuntarily terminated under Section 3 of this Agreement only if Executive delivers written notice of one or more conditions described above to the employer at least thirty (30) days prior to resignation and the employer does not remedy the conditions within thirty (30) days after notice is received.


3.
Involuntary Termination .

a.
Compensation.   If within six (6) months following Bank's formal approval of a Change of Control that then occurs, Executive's employment is terminated without cause (i.e., termination for cause includes poor performance,  insubordination, felony conviction, breach of ethics or morals adversely affecting the Executive's performance at Bank), or if  Executive resigns pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement, Executive shall receive:

i.
200% of the sum of (i) Executive's annual base salary as in effect on the date of the Change of Control and (ii) the average of the annual bonuses awarded to Executive by the Bank for the most recent three (3) consecutive years prior to the date of the Change of Control,

ii.
Any incentive compensation earned but not yet paid,

iii.
Any expenses reimbursable under the Bank's policies and incurred but not yet reimbursed, and

iv.
Outplacement may be considered.

b.
Terms of Payment. The payment to which Executive is entitled pursuant to this Section 3 shall be paid in a single installment within the earlier of (i) forty-five (45) days of termination or (ii) two and one-half (2 ½)   months after the end of the Executive's taxable year in which the termination occurred, with no percent value or other discount.

c.
Insurance.   Upon Termination of Employment within six (6) months following a Change of Control , Executive (and , where applicable , Executive's dependents) shall be entitled to continuation coverage (as California's Cal-COBRA provisions) under the group insurance plans maintained by the Bank, including life, disability and health insurance programs, for up to twenty-four (24) months, subject to the terms, condition s and limitations set forth in such plans. For a period up to the first twelve (12) months of continuation coverage, the Bank shall pay the same portion of group insurance premiums for the Executive's continued
overage as is paid for other executives who are current employees. If the Executive becomes eligible for comparable group insurance coverage in connection with new employment, the Bank shall no longer be responsible for the cost of continuation coverage. Beginning with the thirteenth (13) month of continuation coverage, coverage may be continued at the Executive's own expense.

d.   Delayed Payments to Specified Employees.   If Executive is a Specified Employee as of the date the Executive ceases to be employed by Bank and separates from service with the Bank (the "Termination of Employment"), benefit payments under this subsection shall be delayed


and shall not begin prior to the date that is six (6) months after the Termination of Employment (or, if earlier than the end of the six-month period, the date of death of the Executive). Payments to which the Executive would otherwise be entitled during the first six (6) months following the Termination of Employment, but for this provision, shall be accumulated and paid on the first day of the seventh month following the Termination of Employment. If   Executive is a Key Employee of the Bank or any entity that is aggregated with the Bank under Code Section 414(b) or (c) as of December 31st of any year ) (the "Determination Date"), and the Bank of any entity that is aggregated with the Bank under Code section 414(b) or (c) has stock that is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise, the Executive shall be treated as a Specified Employee during the 12- month period beginning on the April 1st following the Determination Date. An Executive is
a Key Employee as of a Determination Date if the Executive meets the requirements of Code section 416(i)(l )(A)(i), (ii) or (iii) (applied in accordance with the regulations thereunder and disregarding section 416(i)(5) at any time during the twelve (12) months preceding the Determination Date.

e.
Except as provided in this Section 3 or required by law, all of Executive's employee benefits and compensation shall cease on the last day on which he performs services as an employee of the Bank.

f.
Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment or benefit contemplated by this Section 3 (whether by seeking new employment or otherwise) and no such payment or benefit shall be reduced by earnings that Executive may receive from any other source.

g.
If employment is terminated due to a Change in Control of the Bank the Executive shall receive whatever rights may be specified pursuant to the Frist Northern Bank of Dixon Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan.


4.
Employment Taxes. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to withholding of applicable taxes.


5.
Advice of Counsel. Before signing this Agreement, Executive either (i) consulted with and obtained advice from Executive's independent legal counsel in respect to the legal nature and operation of this Agreement, including its impact on executive's rights, privileges and obligations; or (ii) freely and voluntarily decided not to have the benefit of such consultation and advice with legal counsel.


6.
Term of Agreement.   The Bank agrees to continue, and Executive agrees this Agreement will remain in effect, from March 1, 2016 (the "Commencement Date"), until the earliest of (i) December 31, 2016 or (ii) the date on which Executive's Termination of Employment, as applicable, provided that the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall automatically extend for consecutive one (1) year  periods, on and after December 31, 2016 unless either Executive or the Bank notifies the other in writing at least sixty (60) days before the end of the then current term that, for any reason, the Executive or the Bank has elected not to extend the term.


7.
Entire Agreement. This Agreement supersedes and replaces (rather than supplements) all pervious oral or written agreements, memoranda, correspondence or other communications between the parties hereto to the extent they deal with Change of Control compensation described in the Agreement.


8.
FDIC.   In addition, the payment of any and all Executive Benefits under this Plan shall be subject to and conditioned upon compliance with 12 U.S.C. Section 1828(k) and any regulations promulgated

 



thereunder, and any Executive Benefits and rights under the Plan shall be forfeited to the extent barred or prohibited by an action or order issued by the California Department of Financial Institutions, the FDIC, or any government agency which has jurisdiction over the Bank.


9.
Law Governing Agreement.   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California for contracts to be performed entirely within this state.


10.
No Employment Agreement.   Nothing in this Agreement creates an employment contract or otherwise changes the at-will employment relationship between the Bank and the Executive.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement effective as of the day herein first above written.







FIRST NORTHERN BANK OF DIXON
/s/ Louise A. Walker
President & Chief Executive Officer


EXECUTIVE
/s/ Jeff Adamski
Executive Vice President, Senior Loan Officer

Exhibit 10.33



                                                                                                                                                             

FIRST NORTHERN BANK

EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT/RETENTION PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT FOR JEFFREY ADAMSKI



This Executive Retirement/Retention Participation Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into as of this 1 st day of August, 2017, by and between First Northern Bank of Dixon, a California-chartered, FDIC-insured bank with it main office in Dixon, California ("Company") and Jeffrey Adamski (the "Executive").

Whereas , the Executive has contributed substantially to the success of the Company and its parent corporation, First Northern Community Bancorp, and the Company desires that the Executive continue employment,

Whereas , the Compensation Committee has reviewed and approved of this Agreement and the Executive's participation herein, and approves of the Executive's participation in the First Northern Bank Executive Deferral Plan ("Plan") for any bonus amounts awarded to the Executive under the terms of this Agreement,

           Whereas , the Executive wishes to accept participation in this Agreement subject to all terms herein,
Whereas , the Company and the Executive acknowledge that this Agreement is not a guarantee of employment and may be terminated as specified in 3.2 below,

Now Therefore, in consideration of the foregoing premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:


SECTION 1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this Agreement is to provide a supplementary Executive Retirement/Retention Award to the Executive that vests and becomes payable upon continued employment of the Executive to age 65, as described below. The Executive Retirement/Retention Award shall be awardable to the Executive only upon achievement of goals specified by the Compensation Committee. Once awarded, the Executive agrees to voluntarily defer 100% of the award into Plan, such deferral subject to all the terms of the Plan in addition to those specified in this Agreement. Any capitalized term not defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Plan.

Amendments that may be made to the Plan from time to time shall apply to any Executive Retirement/Retention Awards granted and deferred under this Agreement.






SECTION 2 DEFINITIONS

2.01
  Board . "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.02
  Code . "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

2.03
Compensation Committee . "Compensation Committee" means the Compensation Committee of the Board.

2.04
Disability . "Disability" means that the Executive is (a) unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months; or (b) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering the Company's employees. The Company may, in its discretion, rely on a determination by the Social Security Administration or an insurance carrier (if the definition of "disability" applied by the carrier is consistent with this section) in determining whether the Executive has a Disability, and may require the Executive to submit proof of such determination. The term "Disability" shall be interpreted consistently with Code section 409A.

2.05
Early Termination Date . "Early Termination Date" means any date on which the Executive's Service with the Company ends prior to the Executive's 65 th birthday.

2.06
ERISA . "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

2.07
Executive Retirement/Retention Award . "Executive Retirement/Retention Award" means the bonus paid to the Executive, and immediately deferred, based on the extent to which the Performance Goal approved by the Compensation Committee was achieved. The Compensation Committee shall determine and communicate to the Executive the Executive Retirement/Retention Award in advance of each year, except the initial Executive Retirement/Retention Award shall be communicated upon the execution of this Agreement. The Executive agrees to immediately defer any and all Executive Retirement/Retention Awards into the Bank's Executive Deferral Plan subject to all the terms of the Plan and those additional terms specified in this Agreement.

2.08
Normal Termination Date . "Normal Termination Date" means any date the Executive terminates Service on or after the Executive's 65 th birthday.

2.09
Performance Goal . "Performance Goal" means goals determined by the Compensation Committee the achievement of which shall result in the payment, and immediate deferral, of an Executive Retirement/Retention Award under this Agreement. The Compensation Committee shall determine and communicate to the Executive the Performance Goal in advance of each year, except the initial Performance Goal shall be communicated upon the execution of this Agreement.

2.10
Service . "Service" means the period during which an Employee is employed by the Company commencing with the Employee's first day of employment and continuing through the termination of such employment.



SECTION 3
VESTING OF EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT/RETENTION AWARDS


3.1
Vesting . Executive Retirement/Retention Awards granted to the Executive shall be payable to the Executive according to the terms of the Plan and the additional terms of this Section 3.1. Unless otherwise provided in this section, the Executive shall become fully vested in his Executive Retirement/Retention Award balance as of his 65 th birthday, provided he remains in continuous Service through his Normal Termination Date.

(a)
Voluntary Termination at an Early Retirement Date – If the Executive voluntarily terminates employment without Good Reason at an Early Termination Date, then the Executive shall forfeit any unvested deferral balances derived from the deferral of Executive Retirement/Retention Awards granted under the terms of this Agreement.
(b)
Involuntary Termination without Cause or Voluntary Termination for Good Reason – If the Executive's employment is involuntarily terminated without Cause (as described in Section
3.3 of this Agreement), or voluntarily terminated for Good Reason, the Executive shall vest 100% in all deferral balances derived from Executive Retirement/Retention Awards granted under this Agreement. The payment of such amounts shall be determined by the terms of the Plan.
(c)
Involuntary Termination With Cause – If the Executive's employment is involuntarily terminated with Cause (as described in Section 3.3 of this Agreement), the Executive shall forfeit any and all deferral balances derived from the deferral of Executive Retirement/Retention Awards granted under the terms of this Agreement.
(d)
Termination Due to Death, Disability, or Change in Control -- If the Executive's employment is terminated due to the Executive's death, Disability, or within 24 months of a Change in Control, then the Executive shall vest 100% in all deferral balances derived by Executive Retirement/Retention Awards granted under this Agreement. The payment of such amounts shall be determined by the terms of the Plan.

3.2
Change in Employment Status . If the Compensation Committee determines that the Executive's performance is no longer at a level which deserves reward through participation in this Agreement, but does not terminate the Executive's employment, participation herein and eligibility to receive additional Executive Retirement/Retention Awards shall cease. The amount payable to the Executive under the terms of this Agreement shall be determined based on Executive Retirement/Retention Awards granted prior to a change in employment status subject to the provisions of 3.1 above.

3.3
Discharge for Cause . Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, no benefit shall be paid under the terms of this Agreement if the Executive's employment with the Company has been terminated for "Cause." Cause shall mean that the Executive has:

(a)
Willfully and intentionally violated any state or federal banking or securities laws or the bylaws, rules, policies or resolutions of the Company or the rules or regulations of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal Reserve Board or other regulatory agency or governmental authority having jurisdiction over the Company; or
(b)
Been convicted of any felony or a crime involving moral turpitude, or willfully and intentionally committed a fraudulent or dishonest act; or
(c)
Willfully and intentionally disclosed, without authority, any secret or confidential information concerning the Company or any customer of the Company or taken any action which the Board determines, in its sole discretion and subject to good faith, fair dealing and reasonableness, constitutes unfair competition with or induces any customer to breach any contract with the Company.




SECTION 4 BENEFITS PAYABLE

Benefits payable to the Executive, or to the Executive's Beneficiaries shall be determined based on the terms of the Plan and the terms of this Agreement. Any benefit payable is subject to the vesting provisions of Section 3 of this Agreement.

4.1
Income Tax Withholding . The Company shall withhold from any amount paid under this Agreement any and all federal, state and local income taxes and any other taxes that are required to be withheld from such payment under applicable law.

4.2
FICA Tax Withholding . The Company shall withhold from the Executive's other compensation and/or from the first payments to be made under this Agreement, the Executive's share of FICA and other employment taxes imposed on the value of the benefits payable from this Agreement when such taxes, in the sole judgment of the Company, are required to be withheld under applicable law. If any law provides the Company discretion as to the timing of tax withholding, the Company shall have the sole right determine when taxes shall be withheld.

4.3
Unfunded Status and Source of Benefit Payments . This Agreement is intended to be unfunded for purposes of both ERISA and the Code. This Agreement does not require any segregated or separate assets. The benefits provided under this Agreement shall be paid solely from the general assets of the Company.


SECTION 5
BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION AND ADMINISTRATION

All beneficiary designation and Executive elections shall be governed by the terms of the Plan. Except for the communication of Performance Goals and Executive Retirement/Retention Awards, and the additional vesting requirement of Section 3 of this Agreement, the administration of the deferral balances generated by this Agreement shall be governed by the terms of the Plan.



IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Company and Executive have caused this Agreement to be duly executed for and on behalf of the Company by its duly authorized officers, and on behalf of the Executive and the Executive's beneficiaries, on this the 1 st day of August, 2017.


FIRST NORTHERN BANK

By:                    /s/ Louise A. Walker
Title:
President / Chief Executive Officer

EXECUTIVE

By:                    /s/ Jeffrey Adamski
Title:
Executive Vice President / Senior Loan Officer



Exhibit 10.34

THIRD AMENDMENT TO
SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENT

This Third Amendment to Salary Continuation Agreement ("Amendment") is made effective as of January 1, 2009, and is entered into by and between First Northern Bank of Dixon, a California-chartered, FDIC-insured bank with its main office in Dixon, California ("Bank") and Bruce A. Orris, Vice President ("Executive"), each a "Party" and together the "Parties."

RECITALS

A.
The Parties entered into that certain Salary Continuation Agreement dated January 1, 2002, which was amended effective December 31, 2004 and February 15, 2007 (as amended, the Agreement").

B.
Code Section 409A generally became effective on January . 1, 2005.  The Treasury issued
final regulations on April 17, 2007, which are generally effective on January 1, 2009. IRS Notice 2007-86 (along with prior IRS guidance) generally permits nonqualified deferred compensation plans that are subject to Code Section 409A to be amended on or before December 31, 2008, to comply with the statute and final regulations, so long as such plans were operated in good faith compliance with the statute and published guidance in the interim.

C.
The Employer has administered the Agreement in compliance with its terms, consistent with Code Section 409A and guidance published by the IRS (including IRS Notice 2005-1 and proposed and final regulations under section 409A), applying a good faith reasonable interpretation, to the extent necessary.

D.
In reliance upon IRS Notice 2007-86 and prior IRS notices, the Parties now desire to amend the Agreement effective January 1, 2009, to fully comply with final regulations under Code Section 409 A.


AGREEMENT

In consideration of the mutual promises, covenants, and agreements contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

1.
Change in Control . Section 1.2 of the Agreement is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

1.2
"Change in Control" means the occurrence of any of the following events with respect to the Bank or its parent holding Company, First Northern Community Bancorp ("Bancorp"):

(a)
Merger: A merger into or consolidation with another corporation, or merger of another corporation into Bank or Bancorp, and as a result less than 50% of the combined voting power of the resulting corporation


immediately after the merger or consolidation is held by persons who were stockholders of Bank or Bancorp immediately before the merger or consolidation;

(b)
Acquisition of Significant Share Ownership:  One person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires (or has acquired during the twelve
(12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) ownership of stock possessing thirty percent (30%) or more of the total voting power of the stock of Bank or Bancorp (this constitutes acquisition of "Effective Control"). No Change in Control shall occur if additional voting shares are acquired by a person or persons who possessed Effective Control prior to acquiring additional shares. This subpart (b) shall not apply to beneficial ownership of voting shares held in a fiduciary capacity by an entity of which Bank or Bancorp directly or indirectly beneficially owns 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities, or voting shares held by an employee benefit plan maintained for the benefit of the Bank's employees.

(c)
Change in Board Composition: A majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Bank or Bancorp is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Bank or Bancorp before the date of the appointment or election. This subparagraph shall only apply with respect to Bancorp if no other corporation is a majority shareholder of  Bancorp.

A Change in Control shall only occur with respect to Bancorp if Bancorp (i) is a majority shareholder of the Bank; (ii) is a majority shareholder of any corporation in a chain of corporations in which each corporation is a majority shareholder of another corporation in the chain, ending in the Bank; or (iii) is otherwise a "Relevant Corporation" as that term is used and defined in Section 409A. For purposes of this section, majority shareholder means a shareholder owning more than 50% of the total fair market value and total voting power of the Bank, Bancorp, or a corporation in the chain referenced above. No Change in Control shall occur unless the event constitutes a "Change in the Ownership of a Corporation" or a "Change in the Effective Control of a Corporation" as defined under Section 409A.

2.
Disability . Section 1.3 of the Agreement is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

1.3
"Disabled" or "Disability" means that the Executive is (a) unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months; or (b) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than


twelve months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering the Bank's employees. The Bank may, in its discretion, rely on a determination by the Social Security Administration or an insurance carrier (if the definition of "disability" applied by the carrier is consistent with this section) in determining whether an Executive is Disabled, and may require the Executive to submit proof of such determination as a condition to becoming eligible for Disability Benefits under this Agreement. The terms "Disabled" and "Disability" shall be interpreted consistently with Section 409A.

3.
Specified Employee Definition . A new section 1.14 is added to read as follows:

1.14
"Specified Employee" – If the Executive is a Key Employee (defined below) of the Bank or any entity that is aggregated with the Bank under Code section 414(b) or (c) as of December 31st of any year (the "Determination Date"), and the Bank (or any entity that is aggregated with the Bank under Code section 414(b) or (c)) has stock that is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise, the Executive shall be treated as a Specified Employee during the 12-month period beginning on the April 1st following the Determination Date. An Executive is a Key Employee as of a Determination Date if the Executive meets the requirements of Code section 416(i)(l)(A)(i), (ii), or (iii) (applied in accordance with the regulations thereunder and disregarding section 416(i)(5)) at any time during the twelve months preceding the Determination Date.

4.
Termination of Employment .  Section 1.14 of the Agreement is renumbered as section
1.15
and is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

1.15
"Termination of Employment" means that the Executive shall have ceased to be employed by the Bank for any reason whatsoever and that the Executive actually separates from service with the Bank and does not continue in his or her prior capacity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive's employment shall be deemed to have terminated, and Executive shall have suffered a Termination of Employment, when the Executive and the Bank reasonably anticipate that the Executive will have a permanent reduction in the level of bona fide services provided to the Bank to a level of service that is less than fifty percent (50%) of the average level of bona fide services provided by the Executive in the immediately preceding thirty-six (36) month period. Termination of Employment does not include the Executive's military leave, sick leave or other bona fide leave of absence (such as temporary employment with the government) if the period of leave does not exceed six months, or if longer, so long as the Executive's right to reemployment with the Bank is provided either in contract or statute. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the terms "termination of employment," "terminates employment" and "employment termination" shall be interpreted consistently with Section 409A.


5.
Normal Retirement Benefit . A new subsection 2.1.3 is added to read as follows:

2.1.3
Delayed Payments to Specified Employees. If the Executive is a Specified Employee (as defined in section 1.14) as of the date of Termination of Employment, benefit payments under this section shall be delayed and shall not begin prior to the date that is six months after Termination of Employment (or, if earlier than the end of the six-month period, the date of death of the Executive). Payments to which the Executive would otherwise be entitled during the first six months following Termination of Employment, but for this provision, shall be accumulated and paid on the first day of the seventh month following Termination of Employment.

6.
Early Termination Benefit . A new subsection 2.2.3 is added to read as follows:

2.2.3 Delayed Payments to Specified Employees.  If the Executive is a Specified Employee (as defined in section 1.14) as of the date of Termination of Employment, benefit payments under this section shall be delayed and shall not begin prior to the date that is six months after Termination of Employment (or, if earlier than the end of the six-month period, the date of death of the Executive). Payments to which the Executive would otherwise be entitled during the first six months following Termination of Employment, but for this provision, shall be accumulated and paid on the first day of the seventh month following Termination of Employment.

7.
Disability B enefit. A new subsection 2.3.3 is added to read as follows:

2.3.3
Delayed Payments to Specified Employees. If the Executive is a Specified Employee (as defined in section 1.14) as of the date of Termination of Employment, benefit payments under this section shall be delayed and shall not begin prior to the date that is six months after Termination of Employment (or, if earlier than the end of the six-month period, the date of death of the Executive). Payments to which the Executive would otherwise be entitled during the first six months following Termination of Employment, but for this provision, shall be accumulated and paid on the first day of the seventh month following Termination of Employment.

8.
Change in Control Benefit . A new subsection 2.4.3 is added to read as follows:

2.4.3
Delayed Payments to Specified Employees. If the Executive is a Specified Employee (as defined in section 1.14) as of the date of Termination of Employment, benefit payments under this section shall be delayed and shall not begin prior to the date that is six months after Termination of Employment (or, if earlier than the end of the six-month period, the date of death of the Executive). Payments to which the Executive would otherwise be entitled during the first six months following Termination of


Employment, but for this provision, shall be accumulated and paid on the first day of the seventh month following Termination of Employment.

9.
Petition for Payment . Section 2.5 of the Agreement, entitled "Petition for Payment of Vested Normal Retirement Benefit, Vested Early Termination Benefit or Vested Disability Benefit," is hereby deleted in its entirety.

10.
Claims Procedure . Subsection 6.1.2 of the Agreement is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

6.1.2
Timing of Bank Response. The Bank shall respond to claimant within 90 days after receiving the claim. If the Bank determines that special circumstances require additional time for processing the claim, the Bank can extend the response period by an additional 90 days by notifying the claimant in writing, prior to the end of the initial 90-day period, that an additional period is required. The notice of extension must set forth the special circumstances and the date by which the Bank expects to render its decision.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Bank shall respond to any claim for Disability Benefits within 45 days after receiving the claim. This period may be extended for up to 30 days, provided that the Bank determines that such an extension is necessary due to matters beyond the control of the plan and notifies the claimant, prior to the expiration of the initial 45-day period, of the circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the Bank expects to render a decision. If , prior to the end of the first 30-day extension period, the Bank determines that, due to matters beyond the control of the plan, a decision cannot be rendered within that extension period, the period for making the determination may be extended for up to an additional 30 days, provided that the Bank notifies the claimant, prior to the expiration of the first 30-day extension period, of the circumstances requiring the extension and the date as of which the Bank expects to render a decision. Any notice of extension shall specifically explain the standards on which entitlement to a benefit is based, the unresolved issues that prevent a decision on the claim, and the additional information needed to resolve those issues, and the claimant shall be afforded at least 45 days within which to provide the specified information.

11.
Review Procedure . Subsections 6.2.1, 6.2.3 and 6.2.4 of the Agreement are amended in their entirety to read as follows:

6.2.1  Initiation - Written Request. To initiate the review, the claimant must file a written request for review with the Bank within 60 days after receiving the Bank's notice of denial. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a claimant


may file a request for review of a denied claim for Disability Benefits up to 180 days after receiving the Bank's notice of denial.

6.2.3
Consideration on Review. On review, the Bank shall take into account all materials and information the claimant submits relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.

In the review of a claim for Disability Benefits, the Bank shall not give deference to the initial adverse benefit determination and the review shall be conducted by an appropriate fiduciary who is neither the individual who made the adverse benefit determination that under review, nor the subordinate of such individual.

6.2.4
Timing of Bank Response. The Bank shall respond in writing to the claimant within 60 days after receiving the request for review. If the Bank determines that special circumstances require additional time for processing the claim, the Bank can extend the response period by an additional 60 days by notifying the claimant in writing, prior to the end of the initial 60-day period, that an additional period is required. The notice of extension must set forth the special circumstances and the date by which the Bank expects to render its decision.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Bank shall respond in writing to any claim for Disability benefits within 45 days after receiving the request for review. If the Bank determines that special circumstances require additional time for processing the claim, the Bank can extend the response period by an additional 45 days by notifying the claimant in writing, prior to the end of the initial 45-day period, that an additional period is required. The notice of extension must set forth the special circumstances and the date by which the Bank expects to render its decision.

12.
Status of Agreement for Tax Law and ERISA Purposes . Section 7.8 of the Agreement is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

7.8
Unfunded Arrangement. The Executive and his beneficiary(ies) are general unsecured creditors of the Bank for the payment of benefits under this Agreement. The benefits represent a promise to pay by the Bank. The rights to benefits are not subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment, or garnishment by creditors. Any insurance on the Executive's life that may be purchased by the Bank is a general asset of the Bank to which the Executive and beneficiary have no preferred or secured claim.

This Agreement is intended to constitute an unfunded arrangement maintained by the Bank primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a member of a select group of management or highly compensated employees, as


described in sections 201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(l) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). This Agreement shall at all times be construed and interpreted consistently with ERISA to be such an arrangement and consistently with the requirements of Section 409A, as amended from time to time.

13 .   No Changes to Benefit Payments . A new section 7.17 is added to read as follows:

7.17
Prohibition Against Changes to Time and Form of Payment. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the payment date(s) and form(s) of payment for benefits payable at a specific time, upon the occurrence of a specified event, or in a specified form may not be changed unless such change is expressly permitted under this Agreement, Section 409A, and other applicable law.

14.
Advice of Counsel . Before signing this Amendment, Executive either (a) consulted with and obtained advice from Executive's independent legal counsel with respect to the legal nature and operation of the Agreement as amended, including the impact of the Amendment on the Executive's rights, privileges and obligations, or (b) freely and voluntarily decided not to consult with legal counsel.

15.
No Other Amendments or Changes . Except as expressly amended or modified by this Amendment, all of the terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect.
Signed on this 30 th day of December, 2008.

FIRST NORTHERN BANK OF DIXON,   EXECUTIVE
a California-chartered, FDIC-insured bank                                                                                                            /s/ Bruce A. Orris

By: /s/ Jeremiah Z. Smith
Title: AVP/Assistant Controller



First Northern Bank of Dixon
Salary Continuation Agreement
Amendments
 
Whereas, First Northern Bank of Dixon("Bank") and Bruce A. Orris ("Executive") desire to amend the First Northern Bank Salary Continuation Agreement and amendments thereto ("Agreement") entered into between the Bank and Executive,

Whereas, Article 7.2 of the Agreement requires that any such amendment be written and signed by both the Bank and Executive,

Whereas, before signing this agreement both the Bank and Executive either (1) consulted and obtained independent legal and financial counsel with respect to the legal operations and financial impact of this amendment to the Agreement, or (2) freely and voluntarily decided not to have such consultation and advice,

Now Therefore, in consideration of the foregoing premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree to the following changes to Agreement:


A.
Revised Schedule A

The attached Schedule A dated February 15 , 2007, shall replace the original Schedule A referenced in the Agreement.

B.
Amendments

The Bank and Executive agree that the Agreement shall be modified as follows:

Article 2.1.1 shall be modified by replacing $50,000 with $60,000.
Article 2.4.1 shall be modified by replacing $345,712 with $414,855.

In Witness Whereof, the Executive and a duly authorized Bank officer have signed this agreement to amend the Agreements as of February 15 , 2007.

The Executive:
/s/ Bruce A. Orris

The Bank:
First Northern Bank of Dixon
By:  /s/ Louise A. Walker





Schedule A
First Northern Bank of Dixon Salary Continuation Agreement
Amended February 15, 2007

Bruce A. Orris


Plan year ending
  December 31 ,
Early Termination Annual Benefit
 
Disability Annual Benefit
2006
        -
3,821
2007
        -
4,966
2008
        -
6,274
2009
        -
7,766
2010
        -
9,462
2011
21,386
21,386
2012
23,564
23,564
2013
26,025
26,025
2014
28,801
28,801
2015
31,928
31,928
2016
35,444
35,444
2017
39,393
39,393
2018
43,822
43,822
2019
48,784
48,784
2020
54,337
54,337



First Northern Bank of Dixon
Salary Continuation Agreement and Related Death Benefits
Amendments
 
Whereas, First Northern Bank of Dixon("Bank") and Bruce Orris ("Executive") desire to amend (1) the First Northern Bank Salary Continuation Agreement, (2) Addendum A First Northern Bank of Dixon Split Dollar Agreement, and (3) Split Dollar Policy Endorsement First Northern Bank of Dixon Split Dollar Agreement (collectively "Agreements") entered into between the Bank and Executive,

Whereas, Article 7.2 of the First Northern Bank Salary Continuation Agreement and Article 7.1 of Addendum A First Northern Bank of Dixon Split Dollar Agreement require that any such amendments be written and signed by both the Bank and Executive,

Whereas, before signing this agreement amending the Agreements both the Bank and Executive either
(1) consulted and obtained independent legal and financial counsel with respect to the legal operations and financial impact of the amendments to the Agreements, or (2) freely and voluntarily decided not to have such consultation and advice,

Now Therefore, in consideration of the foregoing premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree to the following changes to Agreements:



A.
First Northern Bank Salary Continuation Agreement

The Bank and Executive agree that the First Northern Bank of Dixon Salary Continuation Agreement shall be modified as follows:

Replace the entirety of Article 3 with the following:

Article 3
Death Benefits

If the Executive's Termination of Employment is due to the Executive's death, then the Executive's beneficiary(ies) shall be entitled to a death benefit as described in the Executive's Split Dollar Agreement and Endorsement (as amended) in lieu of any other benefit payable hereunder.

If the Executive's Termination of Employment is not due to the Executive's death, then
(a) the Executive's beneficiary(ies) shall not be entitled to a death benefit as a result of the Executive's Split Dollar Agreement and Endorsement, and (b) the Bank shall continue to pay to  the Executive's beneficiary(ies) the benefit payable to Executive as a result of Article 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, or 2.4, as applicable at Termination of Employment, until the entire benefit due to Executive (assuming the Executive had not died prior to full payment of benefits) is paid by the Bank.



B.
Addendum A – First Northern Bank of Dixon Split Dollar Agreement

The Bank and Executive agree that the First Northern Bank of Dixon Split Dollar Agreement shall be modified as follows:

Replace the entirety of Section 2.2 with the following:

"2.2 Executive's Interest - The Executive shall have the right to designate the beneficiary(ies) of death proceeds of only the portion of the death proceeds payable to the Executive's beneficiary(ies) as defined in this section. If Termination of Employment occurs because of the Insured's death, then the Insured's Beneficiary(ies), designated in accordance with the Split Dollar Policy Endorsement, shall be entitled to an amount equal to the amount set forth in Exhibit A that corresponds to the age of the Insured at the time of the Insured's death, or one hundred percent (100%) of the total proceeds less cash value of the Policy, whichever is less. The Executive shall also have the right to elect and change settlement options specified in the Policy for this portion of the proceeds."

Delete the entirety of Sections 2.3 and 2.4.

Replace the entirety of Section 7.2 with the following:

"7.2 Termination of Agreement. This Split Dollar Agreement shall terminate upon the occurrence of any one of the following:
(a)
Termination of Employment of the Insured for reason other than death, or
(b)
Surrender, lapse, or other termination of the Policy by the Bank, or
(c)
Distribution of the death proceeds in accordance with Section 2.2 above."


C.
Split Dollar Policy Endorsement First Northern Bank of Dixon Split Dollar Agreement

The Bank and Executive agree that the Split Dollar Policy Endorsement shall be modified as follows:

Replace the entirety of paragraph 2 with the following:

"2   The Insured shall designate the beneficiary(ies) of death proceeds. Provided that the Insured's Termination of Employment (as defined in the January 1, 2002 Salary Continuation Agreement between the Bank and the Insured (the "Salary Continuation Agreement")) was due to the Insured's death, then the Insured's beneficiary(ies) designated in accordance with this Split Dollar Endorsement shall be entitled to an amount equal to the amount set forth in Exhibit A that corresponds to the age of the Insured at the time of death, or one hundred percent (100%) of the total proceeds less cash value of the Policy, whichever is less."

Replace the entirety of paragraph 4 with the following:

"4   The Insured shall have the right to exercise all settlement options with respect to that portion of the death proceeds designated in paragraph (2) of this endorsement."


 
 





In Witness Whereof, the Executive and a duly authorized Bank officer have signed this agreement to amend the Agreements as of December 31, 2004.


The Executive:
/s/ Bruce A. Orris

The Bank:
First Northern Bank of Dixon
By:  /s/ Louise A. Walker
Its:  Chief Financial Officer










FIRST NORTHERN BANK OF DIXON SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENT


THIS SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENT is entered into as of this 1st day of January, 2002, by and between First Northern Bank of Dixon, a California-chartered, FDIC-insured bank with its main office in Dixon, California (the "Bank"), and Bruce A. Orris, Vice President (the "Executive").

WHEREAS, the Executive has contributed substantially to the success of the Bank and its parent corporation, First Northern Community Bancorp, and the Bank desires that the Executive continue in its employ,

WHEREAS, to encourage the Executive to remain an employee of the Bank, the Bank is willing to provide salary continuation benefits to the Executive, payable out of the Bank's. general assets,

WHEREAS, none of the conditions or events included in the definition of the term "golden parachute payment" that is set forth in §18(k)(4)(A)(ii) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1828(k)(4)(A)(ii)] and in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Rule 359.l(f)(l)(ii) [12 CFR
359. l(f)(l)(ii)] exists or, to the best knowledge of the Bank, is contemplated insofar as the Bank is concerned.

Now THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
 
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS

Whenever used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified:

1.1
"Accrual Balance" means the amount reflected in Schedule A, which is the amount required to be accrued by the Bank under generally accepted accounting principles to account for benefits that may become payable to the Executive under this Agreement.

1.2
                             "Cause" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1

1.3
      "Change in Control" means any of the following events occurs:

(a)
Merger: First Northern Community Bancorp merges into or consolidates with another corporation, or merges another corporation into First Northern Community Bancorp, and as a result less than 50% of the combined voting power of the resulting corporation immediately after the merger or consolidation is held by persons who were stockholders of First Northern Community Bancorp immediately before the merger or consolidation,

(b)
Acquisition of Significant Share Ownership: a report on Schedule 13D or another form or schedule (other than Schedule 130) is filed or is required to be filed under Sections 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, if the schedule discloses that the filing person or persons acting in concert has or have become the beneficial owner of 20% or more of a class of First Northern Community Bancorp's voting securities, but this clause (b) shall not apply to beneficial ownership of First Northern Community Bancorp voting shares held in a fiduciary



capacity by an entity of which First Northern Community Bancorp directly or indirectly beneficially owns 50% or more of its outstanding voting securities or voting shares held by an employee benefit plan maintained for the benefit of First Northern Bank of Dixon's employees, or

(c)
Change in Board Composition: during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who constitute First Northern Community Bancorp's Board of Directors at the beginning of the two-year period cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of First Northern Community Bancorp's Board of Directors; provided, however, that - for purposes of this clause (c) - each director who is first elected by the board (or first nominated by the board for election by stockholders) by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors who were directors at the beginning of the period shall be deemed to have been a director at the beginning of the two- year period.

1.4
"Disability" means the Executive suffers a sickness, accident or injury which has been determined by the carrier of any individual or group disability insurance policy covering the Executive, or by the Social Security Administration, to be a disability rendering the Executive totally and permanently disabled. The Executive must submit proof to the Bank of the carrier's or Social Security
Administration's determination upon the request of the Bank.

1.5   "Early Retirement Age" means the later of the Executive's 55th birthday or the
date which the Executive has at least 10 years of service with the Bank. If the Executive does not have 10 years of service with the Bank by the date of his 55th birthday, the Executive's Early Retirement Age means the date on which the Executive has 10 years of service with the Bank.

1.6
"Early Termination" means termination of the Executive's employment with the Bank before Normal Retirement Age for reasons other than death, disability, termination for cause or within 24 months after a Change in Control.
 
              1.7
"Early Termination Date" means the month, day and year in which Early Termination occurs.


1.8
"Effective Date" means the date and year first written above.

1.9
"Good Reason " for purposes of this Agreement shall be defined as:

(a)
a material reduction in Executive's title or responsibilities;
 
(b)
a reduction in base salary as in effect on the date of a Change in Control of the Bank;


(c)
the relocation of the Executive's principal executive office so that Executive's one-way commute distance from Executive's residence is increased by more than forty (40) miles;

(d)
the adverse and substantial alteration in the nature and quality of the office space within which the Executive performs his duties, including the size and location thereof, as well as the secretarial and administrative support provided to the Executive;


 




(e)
the failure by the Bank to continue to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits substantially similar to those provided to him under any of the employee benefit plans in which the Executive becomes a participant, or the taking of any action by the Bank
which would directly or indirectly materially reduce any of such benefits or deprive the Executive of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by him at the time of the Change in Control; or

(f)
the failure of the Bank to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any successor or assign of the Bank to assume and agree to perform this Agreement, as contemplated in Section
7.5 hereof.

1.10
"Normal Retirement Age" means the Executive's 65th   birthday.

1.11
"Normal Retirement Date "means the later of the Normal Retirement Age or the Executive's Termination of Employment with the Bank.

1.12
"Person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, trust, association, joint venture, pool, syndicate, sole proprietorship, unincorporated organization or other entity.

1.13
                       "Plan Year" means the calendar year ending on December 31.

1.14
"Termination of Employment" means that the Executive shall have ceased to be employed by the Bank for any reason whatsoever, excepting a leave of absence approved by the Bank. For purposes of this Agreement, if there is a dispute over the employment status of the Executive or the date of termination of the Executive's employment, the Bank shall have the sole and absolute right to decide the dispute, unless a Change in Control shall have occurred within 24 months before termination of employment.

ARTICLE 2 LIFETIME BENEFITS

2.1
Normal Retirement Benefit. Upon the Executive's Termination of Employment on or after the Normal Retirement Age for reasons other than death, the Bank shall pay to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.1 instead of any other benefit under this Agreement.

2.1.1
Amount of Benefit. The annual benefit under this Section 2.1 is $50,000. The Bank's Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, increase the annual benefit under this Section 2.1.1, but any increase shall require recalculation of Schedule A. The benefits reflected in Schedule A are based on the assumption that the Executive retires at age 65. If the Executive instead continues to serve as an officer of the Bank after the Normal Retirement Age, the benefits reflected in Schedule A shall be recalculated annually until the Executive's Normal Retirement Date, using the same discount rate reflected in Schedule A.

2.1.2
Payment of Benefit. Beginning with the month after the Executive's Normal Retirement Date, the Bank shall pay the annual benefit to the Executive in 12 equal monthly installments on the first day of each month. The annual benefit shall be paid to the Executive for 10 years.


                     2.2
Early Termination Benefit. Upon Early Termination on or after Early Retirement Age, the Bank shall pay to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.2 instead of any other benefit under this Agreement.

  2.2.1
Amount of Benefit. The benefit under this Section 2.2 is the Early Termination Annual Benefit amount set forth in Schedule A for the Plan Year ending immediately before the Early Termination Date.  The Bank's Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, increase the annual benefit under this Section 2.2.1, but any increase shall require recalculation of Schedule A.

2.2.2
Payment of Benefit.  The Bank shall pay the annual benefit to the Executive in 12 equal monthly installments on the first day of each month commencing with the month after the Early Termination Date. The annual benefit shall be paid to the Executive for 10 years.

2.3
Disability Benefit. If the Executive terminates employment because of Disability before the Normal Retirement Age, the Bank shall pay to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.3 instead of any other benefit under this Agreement.

2.3.1
Amount of Benefit. The benefit under this Section 2.3 is the Disability Annual Benefit amount set forth in Schedule A for the Plan Year ending immediately before the date on which termination of the Executive's employment occurs. The Bank's Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, increase the annual benefit under this Section 2.3.1, but any increase shall require recalculation of Schedule A.

2.3.2
Payment of Benefit. Beginning with the month after Termination of Employment due to Disability, the Bank shall pay the Disability Annual Benefit amount to the Executive in 12 equal monthly installments on the first day of each month. The annual benefit shall be paid to the Executive for 10 years.

2.4
Change-in-Control Benefit.   If the Executive's employment with the Bank terminates involuntarily within 24 months after the first occurrence of a Change in Control or in the event the Executive terminates employment voluntarily for Good Reason within 24 months of such Change in Control, the Bank shall pay to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.4 instead of any other benefit under this Agreement. However, no benefits shall be payable under this Agreement if the Executive's employment is terminated under Article 5 of this Agreement.

2.4.1
Amount of Benefit: The Change-in-Control Benefit under this Section 2.4 is determined by vesting the Executive in $345,712 (the Normal Retirement Age Accrual Balance described in Section 2.1) calculating the present value of said benefit using a discount rate equal to the 10-year US Treasury bill rate at the Plan Year ending immediately before the date on which the Termination of Employment occurs. For example, assume that a Change in Control occurs on January 15, 2003 and the Executive is involuntarily terminated from employment with the Bank on January 30, 2003. The Executive's Change-in-Control benefit would be determined by discounting $345,712 by the 10-year
U.S. Treasury bill rate at December 31, 2002 (the Plan Year ending immediately before the date on which the Termination of Employment occurs). Assuming solely for illustration the 10-year U.S. Treasury bill rate on December 31, 2002 were 4.8%, the Executive's Change-in-Control benefit would be $140,248. This example is provided for illustrative purposes only. The Bank's Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion,



increase the benefit under this Section 2.4.1, but any increase shall require recalculation of Schedule A.

2.4.2
Payment of Benefit: The Bank shall pay the Change-in-Control benefit under Section 2.4 of this Agreement to the Executive in one lump sum within three days after the Executive's Termination of Employment.

2.5
Petition for Payment of Vested Normal Retirement Benefit, Vested Early Termination Benefit or Vested Disability Benefit. If the Executive is entitled to the normal retirement
benefit provided by Section 2.1, the Early Termination benefit provided by Section 2.2, or the Disability benefit provided by Section 2.3, the Executive may petition the Board of Directors to have the Accrual Balance amount corresponding to that particular benefit paid to the Executive in a single lump sum after
(a) deduction of any normal retirement benefits, Early Termination benefits or Disability benefits already paid and (b) addition of interest at the rate of 8.0% on the Accrual Balance not yet paid for the period from Termination of Employment to payment of the lump sum amount. The Board of Directors shall have sole and absolute discretion about whether to pay the remaining Accrual Balance in a lump sum. If payment of the remaining Accrual Balance is paid in a single lump sum, the Bank shall have no further obligations under this Agreement.

2.6
Change-in-Control Payout of Vested Normal Retirement Benefit, Vested Early Termination Benefit or Vested Disability Benefit Being Paid to the Executive at the Time of a Change in Control. If a Change in Control occurs at any time during the entire 10-year salary continuation benefit payment period and if at the time of that Change in Control the Executive is receiving the benefit provided by Section 2.1.2, Section 2.2.2 or Section 2.3.2, the Bank shall pay the remaining salary continuation benefits to the Executive, his beneficiaries, or estate in a lump sum within three days after
the Change in Control. The lump-sum payment due to the Executive, his beneficiaries or estate as a result of a Change in Control shall be an amount equal to the Accrual Balance amount corresponding to that particular benefit then being paid to the Executive, his estate or beneficiaries pursuant to Section 2.1.2, Section 2.2.2 or Section 2.3.2 after (a) deduction of any normal retirement benefits, Early Termination benefits or Disability benefits already paid and (b) addition of interest at the rate of 8.0% on the Accrual Balance not yet paid for the period from Termination of Employment to payment of the lump sum amount. If payment of the remaining Accrual Balance is paid in a single lump sum, the Bank shall have                 no further obligations under this Agreement.

2.7
Contradiction in Terms of Agreement and Schedule A. If there is a contradiction
in the terms of this Agreement and the Schedule A attached hereto with the actual amount of a particular benefit amount due the Executive pursuant to Section 2.2, 2.3, or 2.4 hereof, then the actual amount of said benefit set forth in the Agreement shall control.

ARTICLE 3 DEATH BENEFITS

After the Executive's death, whether before or after Termination of Employment at Early Retirement Age or Normal Retirement Age, the Bank shall pay to the Executive's beneficiary(ies) the benefit described in the Split Dollar Agreement and Endorsement, attached to this Agreement as Addendum A, between the Bank and the Executive in lieu of any other benefit payable hereunder, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Split Dollar Agreement and Endorsement.



ARTICLE 4 BENEFICIARIES

4.1
Beneficiary Designations. The Executive shall designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries by filing a written designation with the Bank. The Executive may revoke or modify the designation at any time by filing a new designation. However, designations will be effective only if signed by the Executive and accepted by the Bank during the Executive's lifetime. The Executive's beneficiary designation shall be deemed automatically revoked if the beneficiary predeceases the Executive, or if the Executive names
a spouse as beneficiary and the marriage is subsequently dissolved. If the Executive dies without a valid beneficiary designation, all payments shall be made to the Executive's estate.

4.2
Facility of Payment. If a benefit is payable to a minor, to a person declared incapacitated, or to a person incapable of handling the disposition of his or her property, the Bank may pay such benefit to the guardian, legal representative or person having the care or custody of such minor, incapacitated person or incapable person. The Bank may require such proof of incapacity, minority or guardianship as the Bank deems appropriate before distribution of the benefit. Distribution shall completely discharge the Bank from all liability for such benefit.

ARTICLE 5 GENERAL LIMITATIONS

5.1
Termination/or Cause. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Bank shall not pay any benefit under this Agreement if the Bank terminates the Executive's employment for:

(a)
Gross negligence or gross neglect of duties,

(b)
Commission of a felony or commission of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or

(c)
Fraud, disloyalty, dishonesty, or willful violation of any law or significant Bank policy committed in connection with the Executive's employment and, in the Bank's sole judgment, resulting in an adverse effect on the Bank.


5.2
Suicide or Misstatement. The Bank shall not pay any benefit under this Agreement if the Executive commits suicide within two years after the date of this Agreement and while employed at the Bank, or if the Executive has made or makes any material misstatement of fact on any application for life insurance purchased by the Bank.

5.3
Removal.   If the Executive is removed from office or permanently prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Bank's affairs by an order issued under Section 8(e)(4) or (g)(l) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. §1818(e)(4) or (g)(l), all obligations of the Bank under this Agreement shall terminate as of the effective date of the order.

5.4
Insolvency.  If the Commissioner of the California Department of Financial Institutions appoints the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as receiver for the Bank under California Financial Code §3220-3225, all obligations under this Agreement shall terminate as of the date of the Bank's declared insolvency.



ARTICLE 6
CLAIMS AND REVIEW PROCEDURES

6.1
Claims Procedure. A person or beneficiary ("claimant") who has not received
benefits under the Agreement that he or she believes should be paid shall make a claim for such benefits as follows:

6.1.1
Initiation -   Written Claim. The claimant initiates a claim by submitting to the Bank a written claim for the benefits.

6.1.2
Timing of Bank Response. The Bank shall respond to such claimant within 90 days after receiving the claim. If the Bank determines that special circumstances require additional time for processing the claim, the Bank can extend the response period by an additional 90 days by notifying the claimant in writing, prior to the end of the initial 90-day period, that an additional period is required. The notice of extension must set forth the special circumstances and the date by which the Bank expects to render its decision.

6.1.3
Notice of Decision. If the Bank denies part or all of the claim, the Bank shall notify the claimant in writing of such denial. The Bank shall write the notification in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant. The notification shall set forth:

6.1.3.1
The specific reasons for the denial,

6.1.3.2
A reference to the specific provisions of the Agreement on which the denial is based,

6.1.3.3
A description of any additional information or material necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why it is needed,

6.1.3.4
An explanation of the Agreement's review procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures, and

6.1.3.5
A statement of the claimant's right to bring a civil action under BRISA Section 502(a) following an adverse benefit determination on review.

6.2
Review Procedure.   If the Bank denies part or all of the claim, the claimant shall have the opportunity for a full and fair review by the Bank of the denial, as follows:

6.2.1
Initiation - Written Request. To initiate the review, the claimant, within 60 days after receiving the Bank's notice of denial, must file with the Bank a written request for review.

6.2.2
Additional Submissions - Information Access.  The claimant shall then have the opportunity to submit written comments, documents, records and other information relating to the claim. The Bank shall also provide the claimant, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant (as defined in applicable BRISA regulations) to the claimant's claim for benefits.



6.2.3
Considerations on Review. In considering the review, the Bank shall take into account all materials and information the claimant submits relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit
determination.

6.2.4
Timing of Bank Response. The Bank shall respond in writing to such claimant within 60 days after receiving the request for review. If the Bank determines that special circumstances require additional time for processing the claim, the Bank can extend the response period by an additional 60 days by notifying the claimant in writing, prior to the end of the initial 60-day period, that an additional period is required. The notice of extension must set forth the special circumstances and the date by which the Bank
expects to render its decision.

6.2.5
Notice of Decision. The Bank shall notify the claimant in writing of its decision on review. The Bank shall write the notification in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant. The notification shall set forth:

6.2.5.1
The specific reason for the denial,

6.2.5.2
A reference to the specific provisions of the Agreement on which the denial is based,

6.2.5.3
A statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant (as defined in applicable ERISA regulations) to the claimant's claim for benefits, and

6.2.5.4
 A statement of the claimant's right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a)

ARTICLE 7 MISCELLANEOUS

7.1
Binding Effect. This Agreement shall bind the Executive and the Bank, and their beneficiaries, survivors, executors, successors, administrators and transferees.

7.2
Amendments and Termination. This Agreement may be amended or terminated only by a written agreement signed by the Bank and the Executive.

7.3
No Guarantee of Employment. This Agreement is not an employment policy or contract. It does not give the Executive the right to remain an employee of the Bank, nor does it interfere with the Bank's right to discharge the Executive. It also does not require the Executive to remain an employee nor interfere with the Executive's right to terminate employment at any time.

7.4
Non-Transferability. Benefits under this Agreement cannot be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, attached, or encumbered in any manner.

7.5
Successors; Binding Agreement. By an assumption agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Executive, the Bank will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase,


 




merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Bank to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Bank would be required to perform this Agreement if no such succession had occurred . The Bank's failure to obtain such an assumption agreement before the succession becomes effective shall be considered a breach of this Agreement and shall entitle the Executive to the Change-in-Control benefit provided in Section 2.4.

7.6
Tax Withholding.  The Bank shall withhold any taxes that are required to be withheld from the benefits provided under this Agreement.

7.7
Applicable Law. Except to the extent preempted by the laws of the United States of America, the validity, interpretation, construction, and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws of such state.

7.8
Unfunded Arrangement.   The Executive and his beneficiary(ies) are general unsecured creditors of the Bank for the payment of benefits under this Agreement. The benefits represent the mere promise by the Bank to pay such benefits. The rights to benefits are not subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment, or garnishment by creditors. Any insurance on the Executive's life is a general asset of the Bank to which the Executive and beneficiary have no preferred or secured claim.

7.9
Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Bank and the Executive as to the subject matter hereof. No rights are granted to the Executive by virtue of this Agreement other than those specifically set forth herein.

7.10
Administration.  The Bank shall have the powers that are necessary to administer this Agreement, including but not limited to the power to:

(a)
interpret the provisions of the Agreement,

(b)
establish and revise the method of accounting for the Agreement,

(c)
maintain a record of benefit payments, and

(d)
establish rules and prescribe forms necessary or desirable to administer the Agreement.

7.11
Named Fiduciary. The Bank shall be the named fiduciary and plan administrator under this Agreement. The named fiduciary may delegate to others certain aspects of the management and operational responsibilities of the plan, including the employment of advisors and the delegation of ministerial duties to qualified individuals.

7.12
Severability. If for any reason any provision of this Agreement is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement not held so invalid, and each such other provision shall, to the full extent consistent with the law, continue in full force and effect. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid in part, such invalidity shall in no way affect the remainder of such provision, not held so invalid, and the remainder of such provision, together with all other provisions of this Agreement shall, to the full extent consistent with the law, continue in full force and effect.



 
                7.13                 Headings .  The headings of Sections herein are included solely for convenience of referecene and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

7.14
Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered by hand or mailed, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, with postage prepaid, to the following addresses or to such other address as either party may designate by like notice.

(a)
If to the Bank, to: Board of Directors
First Northern Bank of Dixon 195 North First Street
P.O. Box 547
Dixon, California 95620

(b)
If to the Executive, to:
Bruce A. Orris
and to such other or additional person or persons as either party shall have designated to the other party in writing by like notice.

7.15
Termination or Modification of Agreement by Reason of Changes in the Law, Rules or Regulations. The Bank is entering into this agreement upon the assumption that certain existing tax laws, rules and regulations will continue in effect in their current form. If said assumptions should materially change and said change has a material detrimental effect on this Agreement, then the Bank reserves the right to terminate or modify this Agreement accordingly, subject to obtaining the written consent of the Executive, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

7.16
Advice of Counsel. Before signing this Agreement, Executive either (i) consulted with and obtained advice from Executive's independent legal counsel in respect to the legal nature and operations of this Agreement, including its impact on Executive's rights, privileges and obligations, or (ii) freely and voluntarily decided not to have the benefit of such consultation and advice with legal counsel.

 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and a duly authorized Bank officer have signed this Agreement as of the day and year   first written above.

THE EXECUTIVE:                                                                              THE BANK:
/s/ Bruce A. Orris                                                                                 FIRST NORTHERN BANK OF DIXON

By: /s/ Owen J. Onsum
Its:  President/CEO


SCHEDULE A
FIRST NORTHERN BANK OF DIXON
SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENT

Bruce A. Orris

Plan Year
   
Plan year ending December 31,
   
Executive's Age at Plan Year End
   
Accrual balance @ 8.0% 1
   
Early Termination vesting schedule
   
Vested accrual balance
   
Early Termination Annual Benefit payable for Early Termination during Indicated Plan Year 2
   
Disability Annual Benefit payable for Disability Occurring During Indicated Plan Year
 
 
1
     
-
     
46
   
$
3,841
     
0
%
 
$
3,841
   
$
0
   
556
 
 
2
     
-
     
47
   
$
8,320
     
0
%
 
$
8,320
   
$
0
    $
1,203
 
 
3
     
-
     
48
   
$
13,515
     
0
%
 
$
13,515
   
$
0
   
1,955
 
 
4
     
-
     
49
   
$
19,516
     
0
%
 
$
19,516
   
$
0
   
2,823
 
 
5
     
2006
     
50
   
$
26,420
     
0
%
 
$
26,420
   
$
0
   
3,821
 
 
6
     
2007
     
51
   
$
34,335
     
0
%
 
$
34,335
   
$
0
   
4,966
 
 
7
     
2008
     
52
   
$
43,382
     
0
%
 
$
43,382
   
$
0
   
6,274
 
 
8
     
2009
     
53
   
$
53,695
     
0
%
 
$
53,695
   
$
0
   
7,766
 
 
9
     
2010
     
54
   
$
65,421
     
0
%
 
$
65,421
   
$
0
   
9,462
 
 
10
     
2011
     
55
   
$
78,723
     
100
% 3
 
$
78,723
   
$
11,386
   
$
11,386
 
 
11
     
2012
     
56
   
$
93,783
     
100
%
 
$
93,783
   
$
13,564
   
$
13,564
 
 
12
     
2013
     
57
   
$
110,800
     
100
%
 
$
110,800
   
$
16,025
   
$
16,025
 
 
13
     
2014
     
58
   
$
129,996
     
100
%
 
$
129,996
   
$
18,801
   
$
18,801
 
 
14
     
2015
     
59
   
$
151,615
     
100
%
 
$
151,615
   
$
21,928
   
$
21,928
 
 
15
     
2016
     
60
   
$
175,928
     
100
%
 
$
175,928
   
$
25,444
   
$
25,444
 
 
16
     
2017
     
61
   
$
203,231
     
100
%
 
$
203,231
   
$
29,393
   
$
29,393
 
 
17
     
2018
     
62
   
$
233,856
     
100
%
 
$
233,856
   
$
33,822
   
$
33,822
 
 
18
     
2019
     
63
   
$
268,164
     
100
%
 
$
268,164
   
$
38,784
   
$
38,784
 
 
19
     
2020
     
64
   
$
306,556
     
100
%
 
$
306,556
   
$
44,337
   
$
44,337
 
 
20
     
2021
     
65
   
$
343,823
           
$
343,823
                 
 
21
     
2022
     
66
   
$
320,139
           
$
320,139
                 
 
22
     
2023
     
67
   
$
294,490
           
$
294,490
                 
 
23
     
2024
     
68
   
$
266,712
           
$
266,712
                 
 
24
     
2025
     
69
   
$
236,629
           
$
236,629
                 
 
25
     
2026
     
70
   
$
204,048
           
$
204,048
                 
 
26
     
2027
     
71
   
$
168,763
           
$
168,763
                 
 
27
     
2028
     
72
   
$
130,550
           
$
130,550
                 
 
28
     
2029
     
73
   
$
89,165
           
$
89,165
                 
 
29
     
2030
     
74
   
$
44,345
           
$
44,345
                 
 
30
     
2031
     
75
   
$
0
           
$
0
                 



1   The Accrual Balance reflects payment at the beginning of each month during retirement, with the first payment occurring during December 2021.
2   Benefit is based on present value of the current payment stream of the vested accrual balance using a standard discount rate (8.00%).
3   Bruce A. Orris satisfies the Early Retirement Age definition of §1.5 on his birthday on November 21, 2011, and thus is vested in his Early Termination Benefit as of his 55th birthday. Mr. Orris was hired by the Bank on July 18, 1983 and thus will have 10 years of service by the time of his 55 th birthday.

EXHIBIT 31.1

Rule 13(a) - 14(a) / 15(d) - 14(a) Certification

I, Louise A. Walker, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of First Northern Community Bancorp;

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 quarterly report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly 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 quarterly report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officers 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 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and we 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 quarterly 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 quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly 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 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting;

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 registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

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 control over financial reporting.
 
 
Date: May 9, 2018
 
 
 
/s/ Louise A. Walker
 
 
 
Louise A. Walker, President and Chief Executive Officer
 

EXHIBIT 31.2

Rule 13(a) - 14(a) / 15(d) - 14(a) Certification

I, Kevin Spink, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of First Northern Community Bancorp;

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 quarterly report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly 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 quarterly report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officers 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 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and we 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 quarterly 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 quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly 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 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting;

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 registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

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 control over financial reporting.

Date: May 9, 2018
 
 
 
/s/ Kevin Spink
 
 
 
Kevin Spink, Executive Vice President / Chief Financial Officer
 

EXHIBIT   32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. § 1350

In connection with the filing of the Quarterly Report of First Northern Community Bancorp (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2018 (the "Report"), I, Louise A. Walker, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge,

(i)        the Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and

(ii)        the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 
 
 
 
Date:
May 9, 2018
 
/s/  Louise A. Walker
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Louise A. Walker, President and Chief Executive

EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. § 1350

In connection with the filing of the Quarterly Report of First Northern Community Bancorp (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2018 (the "Report"), I, Kevin Spink, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge,

(i)        the Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and

(ii)        the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 
 
 
 
Date:
May 9, 2018
 
/s/  Kevin Spink
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kevin Spink, Executive Vice President / Chief Financial Officer