Quarterlytics / Financial Services / Banks - Regional / First Defiance Financial Corp.

First Defiance Financial Corp.

fdef · NASDAQ Financial Services
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Industry Banks - Regional
Employees 501-1000
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FY2018 Annual Report · First Defiance Financial Corp.
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NEW  HE IG HTS

2018 
A N N UA L   R E P O R T

                   COMPANY PROFILE

                        First Defiance Financial Corp., headquartered in  

                Defiance, Ohio, is the holding company for First Federal  

           Bank of the Midwest and First Insurance Group. First Federal 

Bank operates 44 full-service branches in northwest and central 

Ohio, southeast Michigan and northeast Indiana, and a loan 

production office in Ann Arbor, Michigan. First Insurance Group 

is a full-service insurance agency with nine offices throughout 

northwest Ohio.

Founded in the 1920s as Northwest Savings, First Federal Bank 

was chartered in 1935 as a federal mutual savings and loan 

company. First Federal Bank converted to a mutual holding 

company and issued its first stock to the public and employees 

in 1993. In September 1995, First Federal Bank converted to a full 

stock company, trading stock on the NASDAQ national market 

under the ticker symbol FDEF. At the same time, First Defiance 

Financial Corp. was founded as the holding company for First 

Federal Bank. In 1998, an additional business line was added 

with the acquisition of an insurance agency, now known as First 

Insurance Group. The Bank’s name was changed to First Federal 

Bank of the Midwest in 1999, to better reflect our community 

banking business strategy.

Since 2003, First Defiance has completed five bank acquisitions 

and five insurance agency acquisitions. Most recently, 2017 

marked the successful completion of acquisitions of Commercial 

Bancshares, Inc. based in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and Corporate 

One Benefits Agency, Inc. based in Fostoria, Ohio. Both 

acquisitions expanded our community-based financial service 

offerings through office locations in new communities. 

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

Statements contained in this Annual Report 

may not be based on historical facts and are 

“forward-looking statements” within the 

meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act 

of 1933, as amended, and Section 21B of the 

Securities Act of 1934, as amended. Actual 

results could vary materially depending on 

risks and uncertainties inherent in general 

and local banking and insurance conditions, 

competitive factors specific to markets in 

which the Company and its subsidiaries 

operate, future interest rate levels, legislative 

and regulatory decisions or capital market 

conditions. The Company assumes no 

responsibility to update this information. For 

more details, please refer to the Company’s 

SEC filings, including its most recent Annual 

Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports 

on Form 10-Q.

Donald P. Hileman
President & CEO

NEW  HE IG HTS

Marking the sixth consecutive year with record earnings, 2018 took us to a higher level of 
performance and an elevated client experience. Successful execution of key initiatives allowed us to 
surpass $3 billion in assets and deliver additional shareholder value through a two-for-one stock split. 
However, our definition of success goes well beyond the numbers on our financial statements. It’s the 
synergies between our employees, both internally and with the communities we serve, that allowed 
us to consistently rise to the challenge of finding smart solutions for all stakeholders.

GROWTH
Our commitment to both our legacy and metro markets was evident through the dedication of 
leadership to keep decision making close to clients, the addition of staff to support growth, and the 
expansion of our branch network. The opening of our forty-fourth, full-service branch in downtown
Fort Wayne, Indiana, positions us well for continued growth in an area that is experiencing exciting 
economic development. In addition, we feel well-prepared for future expansion as we completed 
prototypes for our branches of the future.

COMMUNITIES
Our growth throughout our footprint added opportunities to spread our “better together” philosophy. 
Our employees rallied behind our inaugural Building Better Communities initiative in celebration 
of National Homeownership Month by donating over 600 volunteer hours to create life-changing 
experiences for families and to share knowledge with current and future homeowners. The cycle of 
giving continued with our annual Pay It Forward campaign where employees performed over 700 
random acts of kindness, in addition to funding over $10,000 worth of community-generated ideas to 
make the places we call home even stronger. Movements like these help define who we are.

CLIENTS
We not only want to lead positive experiences within our communities, but for our clients. Strategic 
initiatives allowed us to implement employee-led enhancements to our Treasury Management solutions 
and procedures to make managing a business easier and more efficient. As industry trends still continue 
to shift to transactions that occur outside of the branch, we were delighted to introduce online and 
mobile services common for larger financial institutions to our community bank clients. Our clients 
now can control access to their debit card within our mobile app and can utilize more than 32,000 ATMs 
nationwide without a surcharge fee through the MoneyPass® ATM Network.

LOOKING AHEAD
Our performance for 2018 and plans for 2019 reflect our focus on shareholder value and at the same time, 
our commitment to be a strong partner in the communities we are proud to call home. We will continue 
to focus on building sustainable growth as we rise above competitive lending and deposit environments 
by providing smart solutions and personalized service. We will commemorate our twentieth anniversary 
of our Wealth Management division by paying it forward and sharing our knowledge. As we further 
enhance our client experience, we  will continue to build advancements in technology and digital 
banking options into our suite of products and services. We are confident our emphasis on these 
initiatives and living our better together philosophy will continue to take us to NEW HEIGHTS.

Donald P. Hileman  |  President & CEO

FINANCIAL H IG H LIG HTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Summary of Operating Results

2018

2017

% Change

Net interest income

Provision for loan losses

Non-interest income (excluding securities gains/losses)

Securities gains (losses)

Non-interest expense

Net income

 $108,255 

 $96,671 

 1,176 

 39,035 

 173 

89,412

46,249

 2,949 

 39,497 

584

85,351

32,268

12.0%

-60.1%

-1.2%

-70.4%

4.8%

43.3%

Balance Sheet Data

2018

2017

% Change

Total assets

Loans, net

Deposits

Stockholders' equity

Allowance for loan losses

Share Information

Basic earnings per common share

Diluted earnings per common share

Dividends per common share

Tangible book value per common share

Shares outstanding at end of period

Key Ratios

Net interest margin

Return on average assets

Return on average equity

Efficiency ratio

 $3,181,722 

 $2,993,403 

 2,511,708 

 2,322,030 

2,620,882

 2,437,656 

 399,589 

 373,286 

 28,331 

 26,683 

6.3%

8.2%

7.5%

7.1%

6.2%

2018

 $2.27 

 2.26 

 0.64 

 14.71 

 20,171 

2018

3.98%

1.52%

12.03%

60.29%

2017

% Change

 $1.62 

 1.61 

 0.50 

 13.24 

 20,312 

2017

3.88%

1.13%

9.19%

61.81%

40.1%

40.4%

28.0%

11.1%

-0.7%

% Change

2.6%

34.5%

30.9%

-2.5%

All share data reflects a 2-for-1 stock split completed July 12, 2018.

Earnings Per Diluted Share

Deposits (in $ millions)

Return on Average Assets (%)

$2.50

$2.00

$1.50

$1.00

$0.50

$0.00

14

15

16

17

18

2,750

2,200

1,650

1,100

550

0

14

15

16

17

18

1.60

1.28

0.96

0.64

0.32

0.00

14

15

16

17

18

Dividends Per Share

Loans (in $ millions)

Return on Average Equity (%)

$0.70

$0.56

$0.42

$0.28

$0.14

$0.00

14

15

16

17

18

2,750

2,200

1,650

1,100

550

0

14

15

16

17

18

13.00

10.40

7.80

5.20

2.60

0.00

14

15

16

17

18

BOARD OF  DI R EC TO RS   
& COR POR ATE OFFICE R S

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
John L. Bookmyer
Chairman
First Defiance Financial Corp.
Chief Executive Officer
Pain Management Group
Findlay, Ohio 
1, 2 & 3

Terri A. Bettinger
Former CIO
Franklin Data Center
Columbus, OH
2, 3 & 8

Douglas A. Burgei, D.V.M.
Retired Veterinarian
Napoleon, Ohio
3, 4, 5 & 7

Thomas K. Herman
Co-Founder, President & CEO
Aptera
Fort Wayne, Indiana
4, 5 & 8

Donald P. Hileman
President & Chief Executive 
Officer
First Defiance Financial Corp.
1, 5, 6, 7 & 8

Robert E. Beach
Retired President & CEO
Commercial Bancshares, Inc.
Upper Sandusky, Ohio
5, 6, 7 & 8

Jean A. Hubbard
Business Manager &
Corporate Treasurer
The Hubbard Company
Defiance, Ohio
2, 3 & 8

Barbara A. Mitzel
Retired Director of
Public Affairs
Consumers Energy
Adrian, Michigan
4, 5 & 6

Charles D. Niehaus
Managing Partner
Niehaus Kalas Hinshaw Ltd.
Toledo, Ohio
4 & 8

Thomas A. Reineke
President & CEO
Reineke Family Dealerships
Findlay, Ohio
4 & 6

Mark A. Robison
Chairman & President,
Brotherhood Mutual
Insurance Company
Fort Wayne, Indiana
2, 4 & 7

Samuel S. Strausbaugh
President & CEO
Vrsus Assets, LLC
Indianapolis, IN
2 & 3

KEY FOR BOARD  
OF DIRECTORS:
1.  Executive Committee 
2.  Audit Committee
3.  Compensation Committee
4.  Corporate Governance  

Committee

5.  Investment Committee
6.  Trust Committee
7.  First Insurance Group Board
8.  Risk Committee

FIRST FEDERAL BANK OF THE MIDWEST CORPORATE OFFICERS
Donald P. Hileman 
President & Chief Executive 
Officer 

Brent L. Beard
SVP, Controller & Treasurer

Timothy K. Harris
EVP, Chief Credit Officer

Justin R. Rodemich
SVP, Bank Operations

Kevin T. Thompson
EVP, Chief Financial Officer

Paul D. Nungester 
EVP, Director of Finance & 
Accounting

John R. Reisner
EVP, Chief Risk Officer &
Legal Counsel

Sharon L. Davis
EVP, Director of Human 
Resources

Dennis E. Rose, Jr.
EVP, Director of Strategy
Management

Michael D. Mulford
EVP, Chief Credit 
Administration Officer

Marybeth Shunck
EVP, Director of Sales

Amy L. Hackenberg
EVP, Southern Market Area
Executive

James R. Williams, III
EVP, Northern Market
Area Executive

Gregory R. Allen
EVP, Fort Wayne Market Area
Executive

Joel P. Jerger
EVP, Toledo Market Area 
Executive

David D. Dygert
EVP, Columbus Market Area
Executive

Amy M. Daeger
SVP, Director of Retail
Administration

Brian A. Eitniear
SVP, Director of Corporate 
Services

Charles V. Hoecherl
SVP, Treasury Management 
Sales

David L. Kondas
SVP, Director of Wealth
Management

Rodney B. Walton
SVP, Senior Private Banker

Kathleen A. Miller
SVP, Information Technology

Martha J. Woelke
SVP, Retail Lending

Ryan J. Miller
SVP, Northern Market Area
Commercial Lending Manager

John W. Schuld
SVP, Southern Market Area
Commercial Lending Manager

Dirk VanHeyst
SVP, Senior Commercial 
Lender

Danielle R. Figley
Corporate Secretary

FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP. 
CORPORATE OFFICERS

Donald P. Hileman
President & Chief Executive 
Officer

Sharon L. Davis
EVP, Director of Human 
Resources

Kevin T. Thompson
EVP, Chief Financial Officer

Paul D. Nungester
EVP, Director of Finance & 
Accounting

John R. Reisner
EVP, Chief Risk Officer &
Legal Counsel

Danielle R. Figley
Corporate Secretary

FIRST INSURANCE GROUP, INC.  
CORPORATE OFFICERS
Donald P. Hileman
Chief Executive Officer

Ronald R. Burns
EVP, Group Health & Life

Michael R. Klein
President & Chief Operating 
Officer

Brent L. Beard
Chief Financial Officer

Marvin K. Dubbs, Jr.
EVP, Property & Casualty

Kenneth G. Keller
EVP, Group Health & Life

John Payak, III
EVP, Property & Casualty

Timothy S. Whetstone
EVP, Property & Casualty

Lawrence H. Woods
EVP, Property & Casualty

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

(Mark One) 
[  X  ] 

REPORT 

ANNUAL 
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934  
For the fiscal year ended    

December 31, 2018 
or 

PURSUANT 

TO 

SECTION 

13 

OR 

15(d) 

OF 

THE 

SECURITIES  

[ 

] 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934  

Commission File Number 

0-26850 

_____________ 
FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP. 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 
_____________ 

OHIO 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 
601 Clinton Street, Defiance, Ohio 
(Address of principal executive offices) 

34-1803915 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) 
43512 
(Zip code) 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (419) 782-5015 
_______________ 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 

    Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 Per Share 
(Title of Class) 

The NASDAQ Stock Market 

(Name of each exchange on which registered) 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: 
None 
 (Title of Class) 
______________ 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [  ] No [ X ]  

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.  
Yes [     ]  No [  X  ] 

Indicate  by  check  mark  whether  the  registrant  (1)  has  filed  all  reports  required  to  be  filed  by  Section 13  or  15(d)  of  the  Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), 
and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [ X ] No [     ] 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).  Yes [ X ] No [    ] 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be 
contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III 
of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  [] 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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 X   Non-accelerated filer    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 [  X  ] 

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant computed by reference to the average bid and ask 
price of such stock as of June 30, 2018, was approximately $675.1 million.  

As of January 31, 2019, there were issued and outstanding 20,067,268 shares of the registrant’s common stock. 

Part III of this Form 10-K incorporates by reference certain information from the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2019 
Annual Meeting of the registrant’s shareholders.

Documents Incorporated by Reference 

- 1 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
First Defiance Financial Corp. 
Annual Report on Form 10-K 

Table of Contents 

Business 
Risk Factors 
Unresolved Staff Comments 
Properties 
Legal Proceedings 
Mine Safety Disclosures 

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer 

Purchases of Equity Securities 

Selected Financial Data 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of 
Operations 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial 
Disclosure 
Controls and Procedures 
Other Information 

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 
Executive Compensation 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related 

Stockholder Matters 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 
Principal Accounting Fees and Services 

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules 
Form 10-K Summary 

PART I 
Item 1. 
Item 1A. 
Item 1B. 
Item 2. 
Item 3. 
Item 4. 

PART II 
Item 5. 

Item 6. 
Item 7. 

Item 7A. 
Item 8. 
Item 9. 

Item 9A. 
Item 9B. 

PART III 
Item 10. 
Item 11. 
Item 12. 

Item 13.   
Item 14. 

PART IV 
Item 15. 
Item 16. 

SIGNATURES 

Page 

  3 
25 
32 
32 
34 
34 

34 
36 
37 

56 
59 

 130 
 130 
 130 

 131 
 131 

 132 
 132 
 132 

 133 
 133 

 134 

- 2 - 

- 2 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1. Business 

PART I 

First  Defiance  Financial  Corp.  (“First  Defiance”  or  “the  Company”)  is  a  unitary  thrift  holding 
company that, through its subsidiaries, First Federal Bank of the Midwest (“First Federal” or “the Bank”), 
First Insurance Group of the Midwest, Inc. (“First Insurance”), and First Defiance Risk Management Inc.  
(collectively,  “the  Subsidiaries”),  focuses  on  traditional  banking  and  property,  casualty,  life  and  group 
health insurance products.  

The Company’s philosophy is to grow and prosper, building long-term relationships based on top 
quality  service,  high  ethical  standards,  and  safe  and  sound  assets.  The  Company  operates  as  a  locally- 
oriented, community-based financial services organization, augmented by experienced, centralized support 
in select critical areas. The Company’s local market orientation is reflected in its market area management 
and  local  advisory  boards,  which  are  comprised  of  local  business  persons,  professionals  and  other 
community representatives that assist area management in responding to local banking needs.  

The Company’s operating objectives include expansion, diversification within its markets, growth 
of its fee-based income, and growth organically and through acquisitions of financial institutions, branches 
and financial services businesses. The Company seeks merger or acquisition partners that are culturally 
similar,  have  experienced  management  and  possess  either  significant  market  area  presence  or  have  the 
potential  for  improved  profitability  through  financial  management,  economies  of  scale  and  expanded 
services. The Company regularly evaluates merger and acquisition opportunities and conducts due diligence 
activities related to possible transactions with other financial institutions. As a result, merger or acquisition 
discussions and, in some cases, negotiations may take place and future mergers or acquisitions involving 
cash, debt or equity securities may occur. Acquisitions typically involve the payment of premiums over 
book and market values and, therefore, some dilution of the Company’s tangible book value and net income 
per common share may occur in any future transaction.   

At December 31, 2018, the Company had consolidated assets of $3.2 billion, consolidated deposits 
of $2.6 billion, and consolidated stockholders’ equity of $399.6 million. The Company was incorporated in 
Ohio in June of 1995. Its principal executive offices are located at 601 Clinton Street, Defiance, Ohio 43512, 
and its telephone number is (419) 782-5015. 

On June 22, 2018, the Company announced a stock split in the form of a share distribution of two 
common shares for each outstanding common share.  The stock split was distributed on July 12, 2018, to 
shareholders of record as of July 2, 2018.  All share and per share data in this Form 10-K have been adjusted 
and are reflective of the stock split. 

First Defiance's website, www.fdef.com, contains a hyperlink under the Investor Relations section 
to EDGAR, where the annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on 
Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after First 
Defiance has filed the report with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). 

The Subsidiaries 

The Company’s core business operations are conducted through its subsidiaries: 

First  Federal  Bank  of  the  Midwest:    First  Federal  is  a  federally  chartered  stock  savings  bank 
headquartered  in  Defiance,  Ohio.  It  conducts  operations  through  thirty-six  full-service  banking  center 
offices in Allen, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Marion, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Seneca, 
Williams, Wood, and Wyandot counties in northwest and central Ohio, three full-service banking center 
offices in Allen County in northeast Indiana, five full-service banking center offices in Lenawee County in 

- 3 - 

- 3 -

 
southeast Michigan and one commercial loan production office in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that was opened 
late in the fourth quarter of 2017.  

First  Federal  is  primarily  engaged  in  community  banking.  It  attracts  deposits  from  the  general 
public  through  its  offices  and  website, and  uses those  and  other available  sources  of funds to  originate 
residential real estate loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial loans, home improvement and home 
equity loans and consumer loans. In addition, First Federal invests in U.S. Treasury and federal government 
agency  obligations,  obligations  of  the  State  of  Ohio  and  its  political  subdivisions,  mortgage-backed 
securities that are  issued  by  federal  agencies,  including  real  estate  mortgage  investment  conduits 
(“REMICs”) and residential collateralized  mortgage  obligations  (“CMOs”), and  corporate  bonds.  First 
Federal’s deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). First Federal is a 
member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) System.

First  Insurance  Group of  the  Midwest:    First  Insurance  is  a  wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  First 
Defiance.  First  Insurance  is  an  insurance  agency  that  conducts  business  throughout  First  Federal’s 
markets. The Maumee and Oregon, Ohio, offices were consolidated into a new office in Sylvania, Ohio, in
January  2018.  First  Insurance  offers  property  and  casualty  insurance,  life  insurance  and  group  health 
insurance.

First  Defiance  Risk  Management: First  Defiance  Risk  Management  was  incorporated  on 
December  20,  2012,  as  a  wholly-owned  insurance  company  subsidiary  of  the  Company  to  insure  the 
Company and its subsidiaries against certain risks unique to the operations of the Company and for which 
insurance  may  not  be  currently  available  or  economically  feasible  in  today’s  insurance  marketplace.  
First Defiance  Risk  Management  pools  resources  with  several  other  similar  insurance  company 
subsidiaries of financial institutions to help minimize the risk allocable to each participating insurer.

Business Strategy 

First  Defiance’s primary  objective  is  to  be  a  high-performing,  community-focused  financial
institution, well regarded in its market areas. First Defiance accomplishes this through emphasis on local 
decision making and empowering its employees with tools and knowledge to serve its customers’ needs. 
First Defiance believes in a “Customer First” philosophy that is strengthened by its Mission & Vision and
Core  Values initiatives.  First  Defiance also  has  a  tagline  of  “Better  Together”  as  an  indication  of  its
commitment  to  local,  responsive,  personalized  service.  First  Defiance  believes this  strategy  results  in 
greater  customer  loyalty  and  profitability  through  core  relationships.  First  Defiance  is focused  on 
diversification  of  revenue  sources  and  increased  market  penetration  in  areas  where  the  growth 
potential exists  for  a  balance  between  acquisition  and  organic  growth.  The  primary  elements of First
Defiance’s business  strategy are  commercial  banking,  consumer  banking,  including  the  origination  and 
sale  of  single-family  residential  loans,  enhancement  of  fee  income,  wealth  management  and  insurance 
sales, each united by a strong customer service culture throughout the organization.  In the later part of 
2017,  the  Company  recognized  the  need  to  adapt  its  organization  structure  to  meet  certain  future 
strategic  objectives  and  to  continue  its  past  success.    The  Company  believes  that  fully  utilizing  the 
strengths of its leadership team and a structure that supports strategic initiatives will enhance its ability to 
achieve even more objectives in the future.  As such, the Company redefined its market areas to support 
strategies to  enhance  processes  and efficiencies to support overall growth.  The new structure includes
three metro markets; Toledo,  Ohio, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Columbus, Ohio,  and two legacy  markets;
Southern Market Area and Northern Market Area.

Commercial  and  Commercial  Real  Estate  Lending - Commercial  and  commercial  real 
estate lending  have  been  an  ongoing  focus  and  a  major  component  of  First  Federal’s success. First
Federal provides  primarily  commercial  real  estate  and  commercial  business  loans  with  an  emphasis  on 
owner- occupied commercial real estate and commercial business lending, including a focus on the deposit 
balances that accompany these relationships. First Federal’s client base tends to be small to middle market 
customers with  annual  gross  revenues  generally  between  $1  million  and  $50  million.  First  Federal’s 
focus is  also  on securing multiple guarantors in addition to collateral where possible.  These customers 
require First Federal to  have  a  high  degree  of  knowledge  and  understanding  of  their  business  in  order 
to  provide  them  with 

- 4 -

- 4 -

solutions to their financial needs. First Federal’s “Customer First” philosophy and culture complements this 
need of its clients. First Federal believes this personal service model differentiates First Federal from its 
competitors, particularly the larger regional institutions. First Federal offers a wide variety of products to 
support commercial clients including remote deposit capture and other cash management services. First 
Federal also believes that the small business customer is a strong market for First Federal. First Federal 
participates  in  many  of  the  Small  Business  Administration  lending  programs.  Maintaining  a  diversified 
portfolio  with  an  emphasis  on  monitoring  industry  concentrations  and  reacting  to  changes  in  the  credit 
characteristics of industries is an ongoing focus.  

Consumer  Banking  -  First  Federal  offers  customers  a  full  range  of  deposit  and  investment 
products  including  demand,  checking,  money  market,  certificates  of  deposits,  Certificate  of  Deposit 
Account Registry Service (“CDARS”) and savings accounts. First Federal offers a full range of investment 
products  through  the  wealth  management  department  and  a  wide  variety  of  consumer  loan  products, 
including residential mortgage loans, home equity loans, and installment loans. First Federal also offers 
online banking services, which include mobile banking, People Pay (“P2P”), online bill pay, and online 
account opening as well as the MoneyPass ATM Network offering access to our customers to over 32,000 
ATMs nationwide without a surcharge fee. 

Fee Income Development - Generation of fee income and the diversification of revenue sources 
are  accomplished through  the  mortgage  banking  operation,  First  Insurance  and the  wealth  management 
department as First Defiance seeks to reduce reliance on retail transaction fee income.  

Deposit Growth - First Federal’s focus has been to grow core deposits with an emphasis on total 
relationship banking for both our retail and commercial customers. First Federal’s pricing strategy considers 
the whole relationship of the customer. First Federal continues to focus on increasing its market share in 
the  communities  it  serves  by  providing  quality  products  with  extraordinary  customer  service,  business 
development strategies and branch expansion. First Federal will look to grow its footprint in areas believed 
to further complement its overall market share and complement its strategy of being a high-performing 
community bank. 

Asset Quality - Maintaining a strong credit culture is of the utmost importance to First Federal. 
First Federal has maintained a strong credit approval and review process that has allowed the Company to 
maintain a credit quality standard that balances the return with the risks of industry concentrations and loan 
types.  First  Federal  is  primarily  a  collateral  lender  with  an  emphasis  on  cash  flow  performance,  while 
obtaining additional support from personal guarantees and secondary sources of repayment. First Federal 
has directed its attention to loan types and markets that it knows well and in which it has historically been 
successful. First Federal strives to have loan relationships that are well diversified in both size and industry, 
and monitors the overall trends in the portfolio to maintain its industry and loan type concentration targets. 
First Federal maintains a problem loan remediation process that focuses on detection and resolution. First 
Federal maintains a strong process of internal control that subjects the loan portfolio to periodic internal 
reviews as well as independent third-party loan review.     

Expansion  Opportunities  -  First  Defiance  believes  it  is  well  positioned  to  take  advantage  of 
acquisitions or other business opportunities in its market areas. First Defiance believes it has a track record 
of successfully accomplishing both acquisitions and de novo branching in its market area. This track record 
puts the Company in a solid position to enter or expand its business. First Defiance will continue to be 
disciplined as well as opportunistic in its approach to future acquisitions and de novo branching with a 
focus on its primary geographic market area, which it knows well, and has been competing in for a long 
period of time, as well as surrounding market areas.  

Securities 

 First Defiance’s securities portfolio is managed in accordance with a written policy adopted by the 
Board of Directors and administered by the Investment Committee. The Chief Financial Officer, Controller, 
and the Chief Executive Officer can each approve transactions up to $3.0 million. Two of the three officers 

- 5 - 

- 5 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
are required to approve transactions between $3.0 million and $5.0 million. All transactions in excess of 
$5.0 million must be approved by the Board of Directors. 

First Defiance’s investment portfolio includes 86 CMO issues totaling $101.5 million, all of which 
are fully amortizing securities.  Management does not believe the risks associated with any of its CMO 
investments  are  significantly  different  from  risks  associated  with  other  pass-through  mortgage-backed 
securities. First Defiance did not have any off-balance sheet derivative securities at December 31, 2018. 

First  Defiance’s  securities  portfolio  is  classified  as  either  “available-for-sale”  or  “held-to-
maturity.”   Securities  classified  as  “available-for-sale”  may  be  sold  prior  to  maturity  due  to  changes  in 
interest  rates,  prepayment  risks,  and  availability  of  alternative  investments,  or  to  meet  the  Company’s 
liquidity needs. 

The carrying value of securities at December 31, 2018, by contractual maturity is shown below. 
Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or 
prepay  obligations  with  or  without  call  or  prepayment  penalties.  For  purposes  of  the  maturity  table, 
mortgage-backed securities, which are not due at a single maturity date, have been allocated over maturity 
groupings based on the weighted-average contractual maturities of underlying collateral. The mortgage-
backed  securities  may  mature  earlier  than  their  weighted-average  contractual  maturities  because  of 
principal prepayments. 

Contractually Maturing 

Total 

Weighted 
Under 1  Average 
Rate % 

Year 

1 - 5 
Years 

Weighted 
Average 
Rate % 

6-10 
Years 

Weighted 
Weighted 
Average  Over 10  Average 
Years 
Rate % 
(Dollars in Thousands) 

Rate %  Amount  Yield 

Mortgage-backed  
  securities 
CMOs - residential 
U.S. government and 
   federal agency 
   obligations 
Obligations of states and 
   political subdivisions (1) 
Corporate bonds 
Total 
Unamortized premiums/ 

(discounts) 
Unrealized gain on 

securities available 

    for sale and 

unrecognized gain on 
held to maturity  

Total 

$   10,089 
15,941 

3.22 
3.29 

 $  31,531 
51,402 

3.20     $22,882 
    32,464 

       3.29 

3.15 
        3.25 

  $ 11,715 
4,618 

3.15 
 3.31 

  $  76,217         3.12
104,425  3.12 

-            - 

519 

       2.00 

   2,000 

         3.00 

   - 

          - 

2,519 

2.00 

802       4.07 
-            - 

$   26,832 

9,528 
12,910 
 $ 105,890 

       3.31 
       3.48 

     32,689 
       - 
 $  90,035 

         3.61 
              - 

56,805 

3.38 
-                - 

99,824 
 3.55 
12,910  2.36 

$   73,138 

  $ 295,895 

1,312 

(2,605)  

$   294,602 

(1)  Tax exempt yield based on effective tax rate of 21%. Actual coupon rate is approximately equal to the weighted average rate disclosed 

in the table times 79%. 

- 6 - 

- 6 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The carrying value of investment securities is as follows:

Available-for-sale securities:

Obligations of U.S. government corporations and 

agencies

Obligations of state and political subdivisions
CMOs - residential, REMICS and mortgage-backed 

securities

Trust preferred stock and preferred stock
Corporate bonds

Total

2018

December 31,
2017
(In Thousands)

2016

$        2,503
99,887

$        508
92,828

$        3,915
88,043

178,880
-
12,806
$    294,076

154,210
1
13,103
$    260,650

146,019
2
13,013
$    250,992

Held-to-maturity securities:

Mortgage-backed securities
Obligations of state and political subdivisions

Total

$    

  51
475
$          526

$    

  68
580
$          648

$    

  91
93
$          184

For  additional  information  regarding  First  Defiance’s  investment  portfolio, refer  to  Note 5  – 

Investment Securities to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Interest-Bearing Deposits

The Company had $43.0 million and $55.0 million in overnight investments at the Federal Reserve 
at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which amount is included in interest-bearing deposits. First 
Defiance had interest-earning deposits at the FHLB of Cincinnati and other financial institutions amounting 
to $1.7 million and $2.0 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  

Residential Loan Servicing Activities

Servicing mortgage loans for investors involves a contractual right to receive a fee for processing 
and  administering  loan  payments  on  mortgage  loans  that  are  not  owned  by  the  Company  and  are  not 
included on the Company’s balance sheet. This processing involves collecting monthly mortgage payments 
on behalf of investors, reporting information to those investors on a monthly basis and maintaining custodial 
escrow accounts for the payment of principal and interest to investors and property taxes and insurance 
premiums on behalf of borrowers. At December 31, 2018, First Federal serviced 14,606 loans totaling $1.41 
billion of principal. The vast majority of the loans serviced for others are fixed rate conventional mortgage 
loans. The Company primarily sells its loans to, and then services for, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and FHLB. 
At December 31, 2018, 66.40%, 32.70% and 0.85% of the Company’s sold loans were to Freddie Mac, 
Fannie Mae and FHLB, respectively.

As compensation for its mortgage servicing activities, the Company receives servicing fees, usually 
approximating  0.25%  per  annum  of  the  loan  balances  serviced,  plus  any  late  charges  collected  from 
delinquent borrowers and other fees incidental to the services provided. In the event of a default by the 
borrower, the Company receives no servicing fees until the default is cured. 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the number and aggregate principal 
balance of the mortgage loans serviced by the Company, including both fixed and adjustable rate loans, at 
various interest rates:

- 7 -

- 7 -

2018 

December 31, 

2017 

2016 

Number 
of 
Loans 

Percentage 

Percentage 
Aggregate  of Aggregate  Number  Aggregate  of Aggregate  Number  Aggregate  of Aggregate 
Principal 
Balance 

Principal 
Balance 

Principal 
Balance 

Principal 
Balance 

Principal 
Balance 

Principal 
Balance 

of 
Loans 

of 
Loans 

Percentage 

1,843 

  $   158,038 

11.19% 

2,024 

  $ 189,700 

13.69% 

2,191 

  $  225,328 

16.42% 

(Dollars in Thousands) 

Rate 

Less than 
3.00% 

3.00% -3.99% 
4.00% -4.99% 
5.00% - 5.99% 
6.00% - 6.99% 
7.00% and over 
Total 

6,218 
4,746 
1,096 
557 
146 
 14,606 

   647,182 
     495,217 
  77,154 
   28,672 
  5,570 
$   1,411,833 

45.85 
35.08 
5.46 
2.03 
0.39 
100.00% 

6,598 
3,919 
1,122 
626 
158 
 14,447 

     710,084 
     377,821 
   68,423 
  33,658 
  6,382 
$1,386,068 

51.22 
27.26 
4.94 
2.43 
0.46 
100.00% 

6,279 
3,551 
1,405 
749 
175 
 14,350 

  682,157 
  332,023 
    83,775 
  41,055 
 7,680 
$ 1,372,018 

49.72 
24.20 
6.11 
2.99 
0.56 
100.00% 

Loan servicing fees decrease as the principal balance on the outstanding loan decreases and as the 

remaining time to maturity of the loan shortens.  

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the remaining maturity of the mortgage 

loans serviced by the Company as of the dates shown. 

2018 

December 31, 
2017 

Number 
of Loans 

% of 
Number  
of Loans 

Unpaid 
Principal 
Amount 

Maturity 

% of 
Unpaid 
Principal 
Amount 

Number 
of Loans 

% of 
Number 
of Loans 

Unpaid 
Principal 
Amount 

(Dollars in Thousands) 

% of 
Unpaid 
Principal 
Amount 

2016 

Number 
of Loans 

% of 
Number 
of Loans 

Unpaid 
Principal 
Amount 

% of 
Unpaid 
Principal 
Amount 

1–5 years 
6–10 years 
11–15 years 
16–20 years 
21–25 years 
More than 25 

years 

Total 

439 
2,777 
2,707 
1,049 
2,915 

4,719 
14,606 

3.01%   $    10,212 
     172,130 
19.01 
     249,274 
18.53 
  93,775 
7.18 
     299,815 
19.96 

0.72% 
12.19 
17.66 
6.64 
21.24 

32.31 

     586,627 
100.00%  $1,411,833  100.00% 

41.55 

444 
2,557 
3,012 
1,258 
2,460 

4,716 
14,447 

3.07% 
17.70 
20.85 
8.71 
17.03 

 $      8,346 
     162,190 
     278,655 
     109,300 
     248,919 

0.60% 
11.70 
20.10 
7.89 
17.96 

32.64 

     578,658 
100.00%  $1,386,068  100.00% 

41.75 

529 
1,784 
3,671 
1,526 
1,846 

4,994 
14,350 

3.69%   $      7,432 
     102,132 
12.43 
     343,750 
25.58 
     135,540 
10.63 
     169,496 
12.86 

0.54% 
7.44 
25.05 
9.88 
12.35 

34.81 

     613,668 
100.00%  $1,372,018  100.00% 

44.74 

Lending Activities 

General – A savings bank generally may not make loans to one borrower and related entities in an 
amount which exceeds 15% of its unimpaired capital and surplus, although loans in an amount equal to an 
additional 10% of unimpaired capital and surplus may be made to a borrower if the loans are fully secured 
by readily marketable collateral. Real estate is not considered “readily marketable collateral.” Certain types 
of  loans  are  not  subject  to  these  limits.  In  applying  these  limits,  loans  to  certain  borrowers  may  be 
aggregated. Notwithstanding the specified limits, a savings bank may lend to one borrower up to $500,000 
“for any purpose.” At December 31, 2018, First Federal’s limit on loans-to-one borrower was $52.6 million 
and its five largest loans (including available lines of credit) or groups of loans to one borrower, including 
related entities, were $30.5 million, $28.4 million, $28.2 million, $26.8 million and $26.6 million. All of 
these loans or groups of loans were performing in accordance with their terms at December 31, 2018.  

Loan Portfolio Composition – The net increase in net loans receivable over the prior year was 
$189.7  million,  $407.4  million  (including  $285.4  million  acquired  from  CSB)  and  $137.8  million  at 
December  31,  2018,  2017,  and  2016,  respectively.  The  loan  portfolio  contains  no  foreign  loans.  The 
Company’s  loan  portfolio  is  concentrated  geographically  in  the  northwest  and  central  Ohio,  northeast 
Indiana, and southeast Michigan market areas. Management has identified lending for income generating 
rental properties as an industry concentration. Total loans for income  generating rental property totaled 
$982.5 million at December 31, 2018, which represents 37.9% of the Company’s loan portfolio.  

The following table sets forth the composition of the Company’s loan portfolio by type of loan at 

the dates indicated. 

- 8 -

- 8 -

2018

2017

December 31,
2016

2015

2014

Amount

%

Amount

%

Amount

%

Amount

%

Amount

%

(Dollars in Thousands)

$

322,686

12.1% $

274,862

11.1% $

207,550

10.2% $

205,330

11.0% $

206,437

12.2%

278,358
1,126,452
265,772
1,993,268

10.4
42.3
10.0
74.8

248,092
987,129
265,476
1,775,559

10.1
40.0
10.8
72.0

196,983
843,579
182,886
1,430,998

9.7
41.5
9.0
70.4

167,558
780,870
163,877
1,317,635

9.0
41.8
8.7
70.5

156,530
683,958
112,385
1,159,310

9.3
40.6
6.7
68.8

Real estate:

1-4 family residential
Multi-family 
residential 

Commercial real estate  
Construction

Total real estate loans

Other:

Commercial 
Home equity and improvement
Consumer finance

Total loans
Less:

Undisbursed loan funds
Net deferred loan origination 

fees

Allowance for loan losses

Net loans

19.1
4.8
1.3
25.2
100.0%

509,577
128,152
34,405
672,134
2,665,402

123,293
2,070

526,142
135,457
29,109
690,708
2,466,267

115,972
1,582

28,331
$ 2,511,708

26,683
$ 2,322,030

21.3
5.5
1.2
28.0
100.0%

469,055
118,429
16,680
604,164
2,035,162

23.0
5.8
0.8
29.6
100.0%

419,349
116,962
16,281
552,592

22.4
6.2
0.9
29.5

399,730
111,813
15,466
527,009

23.7
6.6
0.9
31.2

1,870,227 100.0%

1,686,319 100.0%

93,355
1,320

25,884
$ 1,914,603

66,902
1,108

25,382
$ 1,776,835

38,653
880

24,766
$ 1,622,020

In addition to the loans reported above, First Defiance had $6.6 million, $10.4 million, $9.6 million, 
$5.5 million, and $4.5 million in loans classified as held for sale at December 31, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 
and 2014, respectively. The fair value of such loans, which are all single-family residential mortgage loans, 
approximated their carrying value for all years presented.

Contractual Principal, Repayments and Interest Rates – The following table sets forth certain 
information at December 31, 2018, regarding the dollar amount of gross loans maturing in First Defiance’s 
portfolio, based on the contractual terms to maturity. Demand loans, loans having no stated schedule of 
repayments and no stated maturity, and overdrafts are reported as due in one year or less.

Years After December 31, 2018

Due Less
than 1

Due 1-2

Due 3-5

$ 559,270

$ 241,509

$ 902,900

Due 5-10
(In Thousands)
$ 141,645

Due 10-15

Due 15+

Total

$

56,473

$

91,471

$1,993,268

342,026

60,473

100,384

4,714

900

1,080

509,577

113,673
17,194
$1,032,163

2,455
6,183
$ 310,620

5,921
9,887
$1,019,092

2,924
1,141
$ 150,424

1,373
-
58,746

$

1,806
-
94,357

128,152
34,405
$ 2,665,402

$

Real estate
Other loans:

Commercial
Home equity and 
improvement
Consumer finance

Total

The schedule above does not reflect the actual life of the Company’s loan portfolio. The average 
life  of  loans  is  substantially  less  than  their  contractual  terms  because  of  prepayments  and  due-on-sale 
clauses, which give First Defiance the right to declare a conventional loan immediately due and payable in 
the event, among other things, that the borrower sells the real property subject to the mortgage and the loan 
is not repaid. 

The  following  table  sets  forth  the  dollar  amount  of  gross  loans  due  after  one  year  from 

December 31, 2018, which has fixed interest rates or which have floating or adjustable interest rates. 

- 9 -

- 9 -

Real estate 
Real estate 
Real estate 
Real estate 
Real estate 
Real estate 
Commercial 
Commercial 
Commercial 
Commercial 
Commercial 
Commercial 
Other 
Other 
Other 
Other 
Other 
Other 

Fixed 
Fixed 
Fixed 
Fixed 
Fixed 
Fixed 
Rates 
Rates 
Rates 
Rates 
Rates 
Rates 

Floating or 
Floating or 
Floating or 
Floating or 
Floating or 
Floating or 
Adjustable  
Adjustable  
Adjustable  
Adjustable  
Adjustable  
Adjustable  
Rates 
Rates 
Rates 
Rates 
Rates 
Rates 
(In Thousands) 
(In Thousands) 
(In Thousands) 
(In Thousands) 
(In Thousands) 
(In Thousands) 

Total 
Total 
Total 
Total 
Total 
Total 

  $  483,202 
  $  483,202 
  $  483,202 
  $  483,202 
  $  483,202 
  $  483,202 
105,171 
105,171 
105,171 
105,171 
105,171 
105,171 
30,189 
30,189 
30,189 
30,189 
30,189 
30,189 
  $  618,562 
  $  618,562 
  $  618,562 
  $  618,562 
  $  618,562 
  $  618,562 

  $    950,796 
  $    950,796 
  $    950,796 
  $    950,796 
  $    950,796 
  $    950,796 
62,380 
62,380 
62,380 
62,380 
62,380 
62,380 
  1,501 
  1,501 
  1,501 
  1,501 
  1,501 
  1,501 
  $ 1,014,677 
  $ 1,014,677 
  $ 1,014,677 
  $ 1,014,677 
  $ 1,014,677 
  $ 1,014,677 

  $ 1,433,998 
  $ 1,433,998 
  $ 1,433,998 
  $ 1,433,998 
  $ 1,433,998 
  $ 1,433,998 
        167,551 
        167,551 
        167,551 
        167,551 
        167,551 
        167,551 
    31,690 
    31,690 
    31,690 
    31,690 
    31,690 
    31,690 
   $ 1,633,239 
   $ 1,633,239 
   $ 1,633,239 
   $ 1,633,239 
   $ 1,633,239 
   $ 1,633,239 

Originations, Purchases and Sales of Loans – The lending activities of First Federal are subject 
Originations, Purchases and Sales of Loans – The lending activities of First Federal are subject 
Originations, Purchases and Sales of Loans – The lending activities of First Federal are subject 
Originations, Purchases and Sales of Loans – The lending activities of First Federal are subject 
Originations, Purchases and Sales of Loans – The lending activities of First Federal are subject 
Originations, Purchases and Sales of Loans – The lending activities of First Federal are subject 
to the written, non-discriminatory underwriting standards and loan origination procedures established by 
to the written, non-discriminatory underwriting standards and loan origination procedures established by 
to the written, non-discriminatory underwriting standards and loan origination procedures established by 
to the written, non-discriminatory underwriting standards and loan origination procedures established by 
to the written, non-discriminatory underwriting standards and loan origination procedures established by 
to the written, non-discriminatory underwriting standards and loan origination procedures established by 
the Board of Directors and management. Loan originations are obtained from a variety of sources, including 
the Board of Directors and management. Loan originations are obtained from a variety of sources, including 
the Board of Directors and management. Loan originations are obtained from a variety of sources, including 
the Board of Directors and management. Loan originations are obtained from a variety of sources, including 
the Board of Directors and management. Loan originations are obtained from a variety of sources, including 
the Board of Directors and management. Loan originations are obtained from a variety of sources, including 
referrals from existing customers, real estate brokers, developers and builders, newspaper, internet and radio 
referrals from existing customers, real estate brokers, developers and builders, newspaper, internet and radio 
referrals from existing customers, real estate brokers, developers and builders, newspaper, internet and radio 
referrals from existing customers, real estate brokers, developers and builders, newspaper, internet and radio 
referrals from existing customers, real estate brokers, developers and builders, newspaper, internet and radio 
referrals from existing customers, real estate brokers, developers and builders, newspaper, internet and radio 
advertising and walk-in customers. 
advertising and walk-in customers. 
advertising and walk-in customers. 
advertising and walk-in customers. 
advertising and walk-in customers. 
advertising and walk-in customers. 

First  Federal’s  loan  approval  process  for  all  types  of loans  is intended  to  assess  the  borrower’s 
First  Federal’s  loan  approval  process  for  all  types  of loans  is intended  to  assess  the  borrower’s 
First  Federal’s  loan  approval  process  for  all  types  of loans  is intended  to  assess  the  borrower’s 
First  Federal’s  loan  approval  process  for  all  types  of loans  is intended  to  assess  the  borrower’s 
First  Federal’s  loan  approval  process  for  all  types  of loans  is intended  to  assess  the  borrower’s 
First  Federal’s  loan  approval  process  for  all  types  of loans  is intended  to  assess  the  borrower’s 
ability to repay the loan, the viability of the loan and the adequacy of the value of the collateral that will 
ability to repay the loan, the viability of the loan and the adequacy of the value of the collateral that will 
ability to repay the loan, the viability of the loan and the adequacy of the value of the collateral that will 
ability to repay the loan, the viability of the loan and the adequacy of the value of the collateral that will 
ability to repay the loan, the viability of the loan and the adequacy of the value of the collateral that will 
ability to repay the loan, the viability of the loan and the adequacy of the value of the collateral that will 
secure the loan. 
secure the loan. 
secure the loan. 
secure the loan. 
secure the loan. 
secure the loan. 

A  commercial  loan  application is  first reviewed  by  a  commercial lender  and  underwritten  by  a 
A  commercial  loan  application is  first reviewed  by  a  commercial lender  and  underwritten  by  a 
A  commercial  loan  application is  first reviewed  by  a  commercial lender  and  underwritten  by  a 
A  commercial  loan  application is  first reviewed  by  a  commercial lender  and  underwritten  by  a 
A  commercial  loan  application is  first reviewed  by  a  commercial lender  and  underwritten  by  a 
A  commercial  loan  application is  first reviewed  by  a  commercial lender  and  underwritten  by  a 
commercial credit analyst.   All loan requests must be presented for review or approval to a Regional Credit 
commercial credit analyst.   All loan requests must be presented for review or approval to a Regional Credit 
commercial credit analyst.   All loan requests must be presented for review or approval to a Regional Credit 
commercial credit analyst.   All loan requests must be presented for review or approval to a Regional Credit 
commercial credit analyst.   All loan requests must be presented for review or approval to a Regional Credit 
commercial credit analyst.   All loan requests must be presented for review or approval to a Regional Credit 
Officer.  Loans  which  exceed  $1,000,000  must  then  be  presented  to  the  Chief  Credit  Officer  or  Credit 
Officer.  Loans  which  exceed  $1,000,000  must  then  be  presented  to  the  Chief  Credit  Officer  or  Credit 
Officer.  Loans  which  exceed  $1,000,000  must  then  be  presented  to  the  Chief  Credit  Officer  or  Credit 
Officer.  Loans  which  exceed  $1,000,000  must  then  be  presented  to  the  Chief  Credit  Officer  or  Credit 
Officer.  Loans  which  exceed  $1,000,000  must  then  be  presented  to  the  Chief  Credit  Officer  or  Credit 
Officer.  Loans  which  exceed  $1,000,000  must  then  be  presented  to  the  Chief  Credit  Officer  or  Credit 
Administration  Officer  for  approval.    These  two  positions  can  also  approve  loans  up  to  $2,000,000 
Administration  Officer  for  approval.    These  two  positions  can  also  approve  loans  up  to  $2,000,000 
Administration  Officer  for  approval.    These  two  positions  can  also  approve  loans  up  to  $2,000,000 
Administration  Officer  for  approval.    These  two  positions  can  also  approve  loans  up  to  $2,000,000 
Administration  Officer  for  approval.    These  two  positions  can  also  approve  loans  up  to  $2,000,000 
Administration  Officer  for  approval.    These  two  positions  can  also  approve  loans  up  to  $2,000,000 
individually or $4,000,000 when using their authority concurrently.  Any loan in excess of these limits must 
individually or $4,000,000 when using their authority concurrently.  Any loan in excess of these limits must 
individually or $4,000,000 when using their authority concurrently.  Any loan in excess of these limits must 
individually or $4,000,000 when using their authority concurrently.  Any loan in excess of these limits must 
individually or $4,000,000 when using their authority concurrently.  Any loan in excess of these limits must 
individually or $4,000,000 when using their authority concurrently.  Any loan in excess of these limits must 
be presented for approval to the Executive Loan Committee. 
be presented for approval to the Executive Loan Committee. 
be presented for approval to the Executive Loan Committee. 
be presented for approval to the Executive Loan Committee. 
be presented for approval to the Executive Loan Committee. 
be presented for approval to the Executive Loan Committee. 

Residential mortgage applications are accepted by retail lenders or branch managers, who utilize 
Residential mortgage applications are accepted by retail lenders or branch managers, who utilize 
Residential mortgage applications are accepted by retail lenders or branch managers, who utilize 
Residential mortgage applications are accepted by retail lenders or branch managers, who utilize 
Residential mortgage applications are accepted by retail lenders or branch managers, who utilize 
Residential mortgage applications are accepted by retail lenders or branch managers, who utilize 
an  automated  underwriting  system  to  review  the  loan  request.  First  Federal  also  receives  mortgage 
an  automated  underwriting  system  to  review  the  loan  request.  First  Federal  also  receives  mortgage 
an  automated  underwriting  system  to  review  the  loan  request.  First  Federal  also  receives  mortgage 
an  automated  underwriting  system  to  review  the  loan  request.  First  Federal  also  receives  mortgage 
an  automated  underwriting  system  to  review  the  loan  request.  First  Federal  also  receives  mortgage 
an  automated  underwriting  system  to  review  the  loan  request.  First  Federal  also  receives  mortgage 
applications  via  an  online  residential  mortgage  origination  system.  A  final  approval  of  all  residential 
applications  via  an  online  residential  mortgage  origination  system.  A  final  approval  of  all  residential 
applications  via  an  online  residential  mortgage  origination  system.  A  final  approval  of  all  residential 
applications  via  an  online  residential  mortgage  origination  system.  A  final  approval  of  all  residential 
applications  via  an  online  residential  mortgage  origination  system.  A  final  approval  of  all  residential 
applications  via  an  online  residential  mortgage  origination  system.  A  final  approval  of  all  residential 
mortgage  applications  is  made  by  a  member  of  a  centralized  underwriting  staff  within  their  designated 
mortgage  applications  is  made  by  a  member  of  a  centralized  underwriting  staff  within  their  designated 
mortgage  applications  is  made  by  a  member  of  a  centralized  underwriting  staff  within  their  designated 
mortgage  applications  is  made  by  a  member  of  a  centralized  underwriting  staff  within  their  designated 
mortgage  applications  is  made  by  a  member  of  a  centralized  underwriting  staff  within  their  designated 
mortgage  applications  is  made  by  a  member  of  a  centralized  underwriting  staff  within  their  designated 
lending  limits.  Loan  requests  in  excess  or  outside  an  individual  underwriter’s  limit  are  approved  by  a 
lending  limits.  Loan  requests  in  excess  or  outside  an  individual  underwriter’s  limit  are  approved  by  a 
lending  limits.  Loan  requests  in  excess  or  outside  an  individual  underwriter’s  limit  are  approved  by  a 
lending  limits.  Loan  requests  in  excess  or  outside  an  individual  underwriter’s  limit  are  approved  by  a 
lending  limits.  Loan  requests  in  excess  or  outside  an  individual  underwriter’s  limit  are  approved  by  a 
lending  limits.  Loan  requests  in  excess  or  outside  an  individual  underwriter’s  limit  are  approved  by  a 
Regional or Chief Credit Officer and, if necessary, by the Executive Loan Committee. 
Regional or Chief Credit Officer and, if necessary, by the Executive Loan Committee. 
Regional or Chief Credit Officer and, if necessary, by the Executive Loan Committee. 
Regional or Chief Credit Officer and, if necessary, by the Executive Loan Committee. 
Regional or Chief Credit Officer and, if necessary, by the Executive Loan Committee. 
Regional or Chief Credit Officer and, if necessary, by the Executive Loan Committee. 

Retail lenders and branch managers are authorized to originate and approve direct consumer loan 
Retail lenders and branch managers are authorized to originate and approve direct consumer loan 
Retail lenders and branch managers are authorized to originate and approve direct consumer loan 
Retail lenders and branch managers are authorized to originate and approve direct consumer loan 
Retail lenders and branch managers are authorized to originate and approve direct consumer loan 
Retail lenders and branch managers are authorized to originate and approve direct consumer loan 
requests that are within policy guidelines and within the lender’s approved lending limit. Loans in excess 
requests that are within policy guidelines and within the lender’s approved lending limit. Loans in excess 
requests that are within policy guidelines and within the lender’s approved lending limit. Loans in excess 
requests that are within policy guidelines and within the lender’s approved lending limit. Loans in excess 
requests that are within policy guidelines and within the lender’s approved lending limit. Loans in excess 
requests that are within policy guidelines and within the lender’s approved lending limit. Loans in excess 
of the lender’s approved lending limit may be approved by retail lending managers up to their approved 
of the lender’s approved lending limit may be approved by retail lending managers up to their approved 
of the lender’s approved lending limit may be approved by retail lending managers up to their approved 
of the lender’s approved lending limit may be approved by retail lending managers up to their approved 
of the lender’s approved lending limit may be approved by retail lending managers up to their approved 
of the lender’s approved lending limit may be approved by retail lending managers up to their approved 
lending limit. Loans in excess of the retail lending manager’s authorized lending limit or outside of policy 
lending limit. Loans in excess of the retail lending manager’s authorized lending limit or outside of policy 
lending limit. Loans in excess of the retail lending manager’s authorized lending limit or outside of policy 
lending limit. Loans in excess of the retail lending manager’s authorized lending limit or outside of policy 
lending limit. Loans in excess of the retail lending manager’s authorized lending limit or outside of policy 
lending limit. Loans in excess of the retail lending manager’s authorized lending limit or outside of policy 
must  be  approved  by  a  Regional  or  Chief  Credit  Officer  and,  if  necessary,  by  the  Executive  Loan 
must  be  approved  by  a  Regional  or  Chief  Credit  Officer  and,  if  necessary,  by  the  Executive  Loan 
must  be  approved  by  a  Regional  or  Chief  Credit  Officer  and,  if  necessary,  by  the  Executive  Loan 
must  be  approved  by  a  Regional  or  Chief  Credit  Officer  and,  if  necessary,  by  the  Executive  Loan 
must  be  approved  by  a  Regional  or  Chief  Credit  Officer  and,  if  necessary,  by  the  Executive  Loan 
must  be  approved  by  a  Regional  or  Chief  Credit  Officer  and,  if  necessary,  by  the  Executive  Loan 
Committee. 
Committee. 
Committee. 
Committee. 
Committee. 
Committee. 

First Federal offers adjustable-rate loans in order to decrease the vulnerability of its operations to 
First Federal offers adjustable-rate loans in order to decrease the vulnerability of its operations to 
First Federal offers adjustable-rate loans in order to decrease the vulnerability of its operations to 
First Federal offers adjustable-rate loans in order to decrease the vulnerability of its operations to 
First Federal offers adjustable-rate loans in order to decrease the vulnerability of its operations to 
First Federal offers adjustable-rate loans in order to decrease the vulnerability of its operations to 
changes in interest rates. The demand for adjustable-rate loans in First Federal’s primary market area has 
changes in interest rates. The demand for adjustable-rate loans in First Federal’s primary market area has 
changes in interest rates. The demand for adjustable-rate loans in First Federal’s primary market area has 
changes in interest rates. The demand for adjustable-rate loans in First Federal’s primary market area has 
changes in interest rates. The demand for adjustable-rate loans in First Federal’s primary market area has 
changes in interest rates. The demand for adjustable-rate loans in First Federal’s primary market area has 
been a function of several factors, including customer preference, the level of interest rates, the expectations 
been a function of several factors, including customer preference, the level of interest rates, the expectations 
been a function of several factors, including customer preference, the level of interest rates, the expectations 
been a function of several factors, including customer preference, the level of interest rates, the expectations 
been a function of several factors, including customer preference, the level of interest rates, the expectations 
been a function of several factors, including customer preference, the level of interest rates, the expectations 
of changes in the level of interest rates and the difference between the interest rates offered for fixed-rate 
of changes in the level of interest rates and the difference between the interest rates offered for fixed-rate 
of changes in the level of interest rates and the difference between the interest rates offered for fixed-rate 
of changes in the level of interest rates and the difference between the interest rates offered for fixed-rate 
of changes in the level of interest rates and the difference between the interest rates offered for fixed-rate 
of changes in the level of interest rates and the difference between the interest rates offered for fixed-rate 
loans and adjustable-rate loans. The relative amount of fixed-rate and adjustable-rate residential loans that 
loans and adjustable-rate loans. The relative amount of fixed-rate and adjustable-rate residential loans that 
loans and adjustable-rate loans. The relative amount of fixed-rate and adjustable-rate residential loans that 
loans and adjustable-rate loans. The relative amount of fixed-rate and adjustable-rate residential loans that 
loans and adjustable-rate loans. The relative amount of fixed-rate and adjustable-rate residential loans that 
loans and adjustable-rate loans. The relative amount of fixed-rate and adjustable-rate residential loans that 
can be originated at any time is largely determined by the demand for each in a competitive environment. 
can be originated at any time is largely determined by the demand for each in a competitive environment. 
can be originated at any time is largely determined by the demand for each in a competitive environment. 
can be originated at any time is largely determined by the demand for each in a competitive environment. 
can be originated at any time is largely determined by the demand for each in a competitive environment. 
can be originated at any time is largely determined by the demand for each in a competitive environment. 

Adjustable-rate loans represented 22.0% of First Federal’s total originations of one-to-four family 
Adjustable-rate loans represented 22.0% of First Federal’s total originations of one-to-four family 
Adjustable-rate loans represented 22.0% of First Federal’s total originations of one-to-four family 
Adjustable-rate loans represented 22.0% of First Federal’s total originations of one-to-four family 
Adjustable-rate loans represented 22.0% of First Federal’s total originations of one-to-four family 
Adjustable-rate loans represented 22.0% of First Federal’s total originations of one-to-four family 

residential mortgage loans in 2018 compared to 9.9% and 10.8% during 2017 and 2016, respectively.  
residential mortgage loans in 2018 compared to 9.9% and 10.8% during 2017 and 2016, respectively.  
residential mortgage loans in 2018 compared to 9.9% and 10.8% during 2017 and 2016, respectively.  
residential mortgage loans in 2018 compared to 9.9% and 10.8% during 2017 and 2016, respectively.  
residential mortgage loans in 2018 compared to 9.9% and 10.8% during 2017 and 2016, respectively.  
residential mortgage loans in 2018 compared to 9.9% and 10.8% during 2017 and 2016, respectively.  

Adjustable-rate loans decrease the risks associated with changes in interest rates, but involve other 
Adjustable-rate loans decrease the risks associated with changes in interest rates, but involve other 
Adjustable-rate loans decrease the risks associated with changes in interest rates, but involve other 
Adjustable-rate loans decrease the risks associated with changes in interest rates, but involve other 
Adjustable-rate loans decrease the risks associated with changes in interest rates, but involve other 
Adjustable-rate loans decrease the risks associated with changes in interest rates, but involve other 
risks, primarily because as interest rates rise, the payment by the borrower rises to the extent permitted by 
risks, primarily because as interest rates rise, the payment by the borrower rises to the extent permitted by 
risks, primarily because as interest rates rise, the payment by the borrower rises to the extent permitted by 
risks, primarily because as interest rates rise, the payment by the borrower rises to the extent permitted by 
risks, primarily because as interest rates rise, the payment by the borrower rises to the extent permitted by 
risks, primarily because as interest rates rise, the payment by the borrower rises to the extent permitted by 
the terms of the loan, thereby increasing the potential for default. At the same time, the marketability of the 
the terms of the loan, thereby increasing the potential for default. At the same time, the marketability of the 
the terms of the loan, thereby increasing the potential for default. At the same time, the marketability of the 
the terms of the loan, thereby increasing the potential for default. At the same time, the marketability of the 
the terms of the loan, thereby increasing the potential for default. At the same time, the marketability of the 
the terms of the loan, thereby increasing the potential for default. At the same time, the marketability of the 
underlying property may be adversely affected by higher interest rates. 
underlying property may be adversely affected by higher interest rates. 
underlying property may be adversely affected by higher interest rates. 
underlying property may be adversely affected by higher interest rates. 
underlying property may be adversely affected by higher interest rates. 
underlying property may be adversely affected by higher interest rates. 

- 10 - 
- 10 - 
- 10 - 
- 10 - 
- 10 - 
- 10 - 
- 10 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  following  table  shows  total  loans  originated,  loan  reductions,  and  the  net  increase  in  First 

Federal’s total loans and loans held for sale during the periods indicated:

2018

Years Ended December 31,
2017
(In Thousands)

2016

Loan originations:

1-4 family residential
Multi-family residential 
Commercial real estate 
Construction
Commercial
Home equity and improvement
Consumer finance
Total loans originated
Loans acquired in acquisitions:
Loans purchased:
Loan reductions:
Loan pay-offs
Loans sold
Periodic principal repayments

$

282,109 $
70,665
279,251
184,631
186,943
58,918
22,260
1,084,777
-
-

240,921
74,342
181,289
205,088
219,588
68,856
15,185
1,005,269
285,448
11,476

335,738
236,598
317,128
889,464
195,313 $

350,971
231,073
288,215
870,259
431,934

$

$

294,307
59,957
166,437
138,553
389,037
56,816
10,426
1,115,533
-
822

232,302
282,589
432,445
947,336
169,019

Net increase in total loans and loans held for sale

$

Asset Quality

First Defiance’s credit policy establishes guidelines to manage credit risk and asset quality. These 
guidelines include loan review and early identification of problem loans to ensure sound credit decisions. 
First Defiance’s credit policies and review procedures are meant to minimize the risk and uncertainties 
inherent  in  lending.  In  following  the  policies  and  procedures,  management  must  rely  on  estimates, 
appraisals and evaluations of loans and the possibility that changes in these could occur because of changing 
economic conditions. 

Delinquent Loans — The following table sets forth information concerning delinquent loans at 
December  31,  2018,  in  dollar  amount  and  as  a  percentage  of  First  Defiance’s  total  loan  portfolio.  The 
amounts presented represent the total outstanding principal balances of the related loans, rather than the 
actual payment amounts that are past due.

30 to 59 Days

60 to 89 Days

90 Days and Over

Total

Amount Percentage Amount Percentage Amount Percentage Amount Percentage
(Dollars in Thousands)

1-4 family residential real

estate

Multi- family residential
Commercial real estate
Construction
Commercial
Home equity and 
improvement
Consumer finance
Total

$

$

946
-
130
-
297

1,427
133
2,933

0.04%
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.01

0.05
0.00
0.10%

$

993
-
417
-
53

0.04% $
0.00
0.02
0.00
0.00

1,571
-
3,008
-
4,073

144
76
$ 1,683

90
0.01
0.00
96
0.07% $ 8,838

0.06%
0.00
0.11
0.00
0.15

0.00
0.00
0.32%

$ 3,510
-
3,555
-
4,423

1,661
305
$ 13,454

0.14%
0.00
0.13
0.00
0.16

0.06
0.01
0.50%

Overall,  the  level  of  delinquencies  at  December  31,  2018,  declined  slightly from  the  levels  at 
December 31, 2017, when First Defiance reported that 0.53% of its outstanding loans were at least 30 days 
delinquent. The level of total loans 90 or more days delinquent has increased to 0.32% at December 31, 
2018, from 0.20% at December 31, 2017. The level of total loans 60-89 days delinquent decreased to 0.07%
at December 31, 2018, from 0.12% at December 31, 2017.  The level of loans that were 30 to 59 days past 
due  decreased  to  0.10%  at  December  31,  2018,  from  0.21%  at  December  31,  2017.    Management  has 

- 11 -

- 11 -

assessed  the  collectability  of  all  loans  that  are  90  days  or  more  delinquent  as  part  of  its  procedures  in 
establishing the allowance for loan losses. 

 Non-performing Assets – All loans are reviewed on a regular basis and are placed on non-accrual 
status  when,  in  the  opinion  of  management,  the  collectability  of  additional  interest  is  not  expected. 
Generally, First Defiance places all loans more than 90 days past due on non-accrual status. First Defiance 
also places loans on non-accrual status when the loan is paying as agreed but the Company believes the 
financial condition of the borrower is such that this classification is warranted. When a loan is placed on 
non-accrual  status,  total  unpaid  interest accrued  to  date is  reversed.  Subsequent payments  are  generally 
applied  to  the  outstanding  principal  balance  but  may  be  recorded  as  interest  income,  depending  on  the 
assessment of the ultimate collectability of the loan. First Defiance considers that a loan is impaired when, 
based on current information and events, it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due (both 
principal and interest) according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. First Defiance measures 
impairment  based  on the  present  value  of expected  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 collateral dependent. 
If the estimated recoverability of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment, First Defiance will 
recognize impairment by allocating a portion of the allowance for loan losses on cash flow dependent loans 
and by charging off the deficiency on collateral dependent loans.  

Loans originated by First Federal having principal balances of $45.8 million, $56.3 million and 
$27.4 million were considered impaired as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  These 
amounts of impaired loans exclude large groups of small-balance homogeneous loans that are collectively 
evaluated for impairment such as residential mortgage, consumer installment and credit card loans, except 
for those classified as troubled debt restructurings. There was $1.8 million of interest received and recorded 
in income during 2018 related to impaired loans. There was $1.4 million and $1.7 million recorded in 2017 
and 2016, respectively. Unrecorded interest income based on the loan’s contractual terms on these impaired 
loans and all non-performing loans in 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $1.1 million, $1.1 million, and $1.2 million, 
respectively. The average recorded investment in impaired loans during 2018, 2017 and 2016 (excluding 
loans accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310 Subtopic 30) was $49.2 million, $47.4 million and $32.8 
million,  respectively.  The  total  allowance  for  loan  losses  related  to  these  loans  was  $0.6  million,  $0.8 
million, and $0.8 million at December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  

Real estate acquired by foreclosure is classified as real estate owned until such time as it is sold. 
First Defiance also repossesses other assets securing loans, consisting primarily of automobiles. When such 
property  is  acquired  it  is  recorded  at  fair  value  less  cost  to  sell.  Costs  relating  to  development  and 
improvement  of  property  are  capitalized,  whereas  costs  relating  to  holding  the  property  are  expensed. 
Valuations are periodically performed by management and a write-down of the value is recorded with a 
corresponding  charge  to  operations  if  it  is  determined  that  the  carrying  value  of  property  exceeds  its 
estimated  net  realizable  value.  During  2018,  First  Defiance  recognized  $552,000  of  expense  related  to 
write-downs in value of real estate acquired by foreclosure or acquisition. The balance of real estate owned 
at December 31, 2018, was $1.2 million.  During 2017, there was $20,000 of expense related to write-
downs in fair value of real estate acquired by foreclosure or acquisition.  The balance of real estate owned 
at December 31, 2017 was $1.5 million. 

As of December 31, 2018, First Defiance’s total non-performing loans amounted to $19.0 million 
or 0.75% of total loans (net of undisbursed loan funds and deferred fees and costs), compared to $30.7 
million or 1.31% of total loans, at December 31, 2017.  Non-performing loans are loans which are more 
than 90 days past due or on non-accrual. The non-performing loan balance for 2018 includes $16.3 million 
of loans that were originated by First Federal and also considered impaired, compared to $25.5 million for 
2017. 

The following table sets forth the amounts and categories of First Defiance’s non-performing assets 
(excluding  impaired  loans not  considered  non-performing)  and  troubled  debt  restructurings  at  the  dates 
indicated. 

- 12 - 

- 12 -

 
 
Non-performing loans:

2018

2017

December 31,
2016
(Dollars in Thousands)

2015

2014

1-4 family residential real estate
Multi-family residential real estate
Commercial real estate
Commercial
Home equity and improvement
Consumer finance
Total non-performing loans

$ 3,640
102
10,255
4,500
393
126
19,016

$ 3,037
128
18,091
8,841
590
28
30,715

$ 2,928
2,639
6,953
1,007
730
91
14,348

$ 2,610
2,419
7,429
3,078
689
36
16,261

$ 3,332
2,539
12,635
4,993
619
12
24,130

Real estate owned
Total repossessed assets

1,205
1,205

1,532
1,532

455
455

1,321
1,321

6,181
6,181

Total non-performing assets

$ 20,221

$ 32,247

$ 14,803

$ 17,582

$ 30,311

Restructured loans, accruing

$ 11,573

$ 13,770

$ 10,544

$ 11,178

$ 24,686

Total non-performing assets as a

percentage of total assets 

Total non-performing loans as a 
percentage of total loans*

Total non-performing assets as a 

0.64%

1.08%

0.60%

0.77%

1.39%

0.75%

1.31%

0.74%

0.90%

1.47%

percentage of total loans plus OREO*

0.80%

1.37%

0.76%

0.97%

1.83%

Allowance for loan losses as a percent

of total non-performing assets
* Total loans are net of undisbursed loan funds and deferred fees and costs.

140.11% 82.75% 174.86%

144.36%

81.71%

Allowance for  Loan  Losses  – First  Defiance  maintains an  allowance  for loan losses  to  absorb 
probable  incurred  credit  losses  in  the  loan  portfolio.  The  allowance  for  loan  loss  is  made  up  of  two 
components.    The  first  is  a  general  reserve,  which  is  used  to  record  loan  loss  reserves  for groups  of 
homogenous loans in which the Company estimates the losses incurred in the portfolio based on quantitative 
and qualitative factors.   

The second component of the allowance for loan loss is the specific reserve in which the Company 
sets aside reserves based on the analysis of individual credits.  In evaluating the adequacy of its allowance 
each quarter, management grades all loans in the commercial portfolio.  See “Item 7 - Management’s 
Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and  Results  of  Operations  –  Allowance  for  Loan 
Losses” for further discussion on management’s evaluation of the allowance for loan losses.

Loans are charged against the allowance when such loans meet the Company’s established policy 
on loan charge-offs and the allowance itself is adjusted quarterly by recording a provision for loan losses. 
As  such,  actual  losses  and  losses provided  for  should  be  approximately  the  same  if  the  overall quality, 
composition and size of the portfolio remained static along with a static loan environment. To the extent 
that the portfolio grows at a rapid rate or overall quality or the loan environment deteriorates, the provision 
generally  will  exceed  charge-offs.  However,  in  certain  circumstances, net  charge-offs may  exceed  the 
provision for loan losses when management determines that loans previously provided for in the allowance 
for loan losses are uncollectible and should be charged-off or as overall credit or the loan environment 
improves.  Although  management  believes  that  it  uses  the  best  information  available  to  make  such 
determinations,  future  adjustments  to  the  allowances  may  be  necessary,  and  net  earnings  could  be 
significantly affected, if circumstances differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the initial 
determinations. 

At December 31, 2018, First Defiance’s allowance for loan losses totaled $28.3 million compared 
to  $26.7 million  at  December  31,  2017.  The  following  table  sets  forth  the  activity  in  First  Defiance’s 
allowance for loan losses during the periods indicated.

- 13 -

- 13 -

2018

Years Ended December 31,
2016
2015
2017
(Dollars in Thousands)

2014

Allowance at beginning of year
Provision for credit losses
Charge-offs:
1-4 family residential real estate
Commercial real estate and multi-family
Commercial
Consumer finance
Home equity and improvement

Total charge-offs
Recoveries 
Net (charge-offs) recoveries
Ending allowance

$ 26,683
1,176

$ 25,884
2,949

$ 25,382
283

$ 24,766
136

$ 24,950
1,117

(261)
(1,387)
(724)
(233)
(269)
(2,874)
3,346
472
$ 28,331

(279)
(429)
(2,301)
(139)
(301)
(3,449)
1,299
(2,150)
$ 2 6,683

(350)
(92)
(615)
(94)
(268)
(1,419)
1,638
219
$ 25,884

(282)
(468)
(68)
(53)
(350)
(1,221)
1,701
480
$ 25,382

(426)
(1,018)
(2,982)
(41)
(392)
(4,859)
3,558
(1,301)
$ 24,766

Allowance for loan losses to total non-

performing loans at end of year

Allowance for loan losses to total loans at end 

of year*

Net charge-offs (recoveries) for the year to

148.99% 86.87% 180.40% 156.09% 102.64%

1.12%

1.14%

1.33%

1.41%

1.50%

average loans

-0.01%
* Total loans are net of undisbursed loan funds and deferred fees and costs.

-0.02%

0.10%

-0.03%

0.08%

The provision for credit losses decreased in 2018 from the previous year despite growth in the loan
portfolio due to a decrease in net charge-offs and improving credit quality.  Management feels that the level 
of the allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2018, is sufficient to cover the estimated losses incurred 
but not yet recognized in the loan portfolio. 

The following table sets forth information concerning the allocation of First Defiance’s allowance 
for loan losses by loan categories at the dates indicated. For information about the percent of total loans in 
each category to total loans, see “Lending Activities-Loan Portfolio Composition” above. 

2018

2017

December 31,
2016

2015

2014

Percent of
total loans
by category Amount

Percent of
total loans
by category Amount

Percent of
total loans
by category Amount

Percent of
total loans
by category Amount

Percent of
total loans
by category

Amount

1-4 family residential $ 2,881
Multi-family

12.1% $ 2,532

11.1%

(Dollars in Thousands)
10.2%

$ 2,627

$ 3,212

11.0%

$ 2,494

12.2%

residential real 
estate 

Commercial real 

estate
Construction
Commercial loans 
Home equity and 
improvement 
loans

Consumer loans

3,101

12,041
682
7,281

10.4

42.3
10.0
19.1

2,702

10,354
647
7,965

10.1

40.0
10.8
21.3

2,228

10,625
450
7,361

9.7

41.5
9.0
23.0

2,151

11,772
517
5,192

9.0

41.8
8.7
22.4

2,453

9.3

11,268
221
6,509

40.6
    6.7
23.7

2,026
319
$ 28,331

4.8
1.3

2,255
228
100.0% $ 26,683

5.5
1.2
100.0%

2,386
207
$ 25,884

5.8
0.8
100.0%

2,270
171
$ 25,382

6.2
0.9
100.0%

1,704
117
$ 24,766

6.6
0.9
100.0%

Sources of Funds

General  –  Deposits  are  the  primary  source  of  First Defiance’s  funds  for  lending  and  other 
investment purposes. In addition to deposits, First Defiance derives funds from loan principal repayments. 
Loan repayments are a relatively stable source of funds, while deposit inflows and outflows are significantly
influenced by general interest rates and money market conditions. Borrowings from the FHLB may be used 
on a short-term basis to compensate for reductions in the availability of funds from other sources. They 
may also be used on a longer-term basis for general business purposes. During 2007, First Defiance issued 
$15.0 million  of  trust  preferred  securities  through  an  unconsolidated  affiliated  trust.  Proceeds  from  the 
- 14 -

- 14 -

offering were used for general corporate purposes including funding of dividends and stock buybacks as 
well as bolstering regulatory capital at the First Federal level. First Defiance also issued $20.0 million of 
similar trust preferred securities in 2005.

Deposits  – First Defiance’s deposits are attracted principally from within First Defiance’s primary 
market area through the offering of a broad selection of deposit instruments, including checking accounts, 
money market accounts, savings accounts, and term certificate accounts. Deposit account terms vary, with 
the principal differences being the minimum balance required, the time periods the funds must remain on 
deposit, and the interest rate.

To supplement its funding needs, First Defiance also has the ability to utilize the national market 
for  certificates  of  deposit. First  Defiance  has  used these  deposits  in  the  past  and  could  in  the  future  if 
necessary. First Defiance has no national market certificates of deposit as of December 31, 2018 or 2017.  

Average balances and average rates paid on deposits are as follows:

2018

Amount

Rate

Years Ended December 31,
2017

Amount
(Dollars in Thousands)

Rate

2016

Amount

Rate

$

562,439

-

$

528,926

-

$

441,731

-

1,026,383
297,492
621,239
$ 2,507,553

955,248
0.27%
284,814
0.04
530,414
1.78
0.56% $ 2,299,402

798,266
0.18%
235,137
0.04
1.33
430,487
0.38% $ 1,905,621

0.17%
0.04
1.12
0.33%

Noninterest-bearing 
demand deposits

Interest-bearing 

demand deposits

Savings deposits
Time deposits
Totals

The following table sets forth the maturities of First Defiance’s retail certificates of deposit having 

principal amounts $250,000 or greater at December 31, 2018 (In Thousands):  

Retail certificates of deposit maturing in quarter ending:

March 31, 2019
June 30, 2019
September 30, 2019
December 31, 2019
After December 31, 2019

Total retail certificates of deposit with 

balances $250,000 or greater

$

24,347
20,481
8,791
6,865
29,328

$

89,812

The following table details the deposit accrued interest payable as of December 31:

Interest-bearing demand deposits and 

money market accounts

Certificates of deposit

2018

2017

(In Thousands)

$

$

52
314
366

$

$

29
68
97

For  additional  information  regarding  First  Defiance’s  deposits  see  Note  11  to the  Consolidated 

Financial Statements.

Borrowings – First Defiance  may  obtain  advances  from  the  FHLB  of  Cincinnati  by  pledging
certain  of  its  residential  mortgage  loans,  commercial  real  estate  loans,  multi-family  loans,  home  equity 
loans and investment securities provided certain standards related to creditworthiness have been met. Such 
advances are made pursuant to several credit programs, each of which has its own interest rate and range 
of maturities.

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- 15 -

The following table sets forth certain information as to First Defiance’s FHLB advances and other 

borrowings at the dates indicated. 

Long-term:

FHLB advances

Weighted average interest rate

2018

Years Ended December 31,
2017
(Dollars in Thousands)

2016

$

60,189
1.68%

$    84,279
1.55%

$    103,943
1.42%

Short-term:

FHLB advances

Weighted average interest rate

Securities sold under  agreement to repurchase

Weighted average interest rate

$

25,000
2.45%
$      5,741
0.31%

$

-
-
$    26,019
0.20%

$

$

-
-
31,816
0.22%

The  following  table  sets  forth  the  maximum  month-end  balance  and  average  balance  of  First 

Defiance’s long-term FHLB advances and other borrowings during the periods indicated.  

Long-term:

FHLB advances:

Maximum balance
Average balance
Weighted average interest rate

2018

Years Ended December 31,
2017
(Dollars in Thousands)

2016

$

84,306
67,365
1.75%

$ 105,214
102,115
1.44%

$ 103,943
84,944
1.42%

The  following  table  sets  forth  the  maximum  month-end  balance  and  average  balance  of  First 

Defiance’s short-term FHLB advances and other borrowings during the periods indicated.  

Short-term:

FHLB advances:

Maximum balance
Average balance
Weighted average interest rate

Securities sold under agreement to repurchase:

Maximum balance
Average balance 
Weighted average interest rate 

2018

Years Ended December 31,
2017
(Dollars in Thousands)

2016

$

$

40,000
6,082
1.33%

5,741
8,911
0.26%

$

$

-
44
0.80%

26,019
23,337
0.23%

$

$

30,000
861
0.39%

57,984
52,821
0.26%

First Defiance borrows funds under a variety of programs at the FHLB. As of December 31, 2018,
there was $85.2 million outstanding under various FHLB advance programs. First Defiance utilizes short-
term  advances  from  the  FHLB  to  meet  cash  flow  needs  and  for  short-term  investment  purposes.  At 
December  31,  2018 and  2017,  no  outstanding  balances  existed  under  First  Defiance’s  short-term  Cash 
Management Advance Line of Credit.  The total available under the Cash Management Advance Line is 
$15.0  million.  In  addition,  First  Defiance  has  a $100.0  million REPO Advance  line  of  credit available,
under which $25.0 million was drawn at December 31, 2018.  There were no borrowings against this line 
at December 31, 2017.  Amounts are generally borrowed under these lines on an overnight basis.  First 
Defiance’s total  borrowing  capacity  at the  FHLB  is  limited  by  various  collateral  requirements.  Eligible 
collateral includes mortgage loans, home equity loans, non-mortgage loans, cash, and investment securities. 
At  December  31,  2018,  other  than  amounts  available  on  the  REPO  and  Cash  Management  line,  First 

- 16 -

- 16 -

Defiance had additional borrowing capacity with the FHLB of $447.4 million as a result of these collateral 
requirements. 

As a member of the FHLB of Cincinnati, First Federal must maintain a minimum investment in the 
capital stock of that FHLB in an amount defined in the FHLB’s regulations. First Federal is permitted to 
own stock in excess of the minimum requirement and was in compliance with the minimum requirement 
with an investment in stock of the FHLB of Cincinnati of $14.2 million at December 31, 2018, and $16.0 
million at December 31, 2017.  First Federal held stock of the FHLB of Indianapolis of $2,500 at December 
31, 2018, and $5,000 at December 31, 2017.   

Each FHLB is required to establish standards of community investment or service that its members 
must maintain for continued access to long-term advances from the FHLB. The standards take into account 
a member’s performance under the Community Reinvestment Act and its record of lending to first-time 
homebuyers. 

For additional information regarding First Defiance’s FHLB advances and other debt see Notes 12 

and 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Subordinated  Debentures  –  In  March  2007,  the  Company  sponsored  an  affiliated  trust,  First 
Defiance  Statutory  Trust  II  (“Trust  Affiliate  II”)  that  issued  $15.0  million  of  Guaranteed  Capital  Trust 
Securities  (“Trust  Preferred  Securities”).  In  connection  with  the  transaction,  the  Company  issued  $15.5 
million  of  Junior  Subordinated  Deferrable  Interest  Debentures  (“Subordinated  Debentures”)  to  Trust 
Affiliate II. Trust Affiliate II was formed for the purpose of issuing Trust Preferred Securities to third-party 
investors  and  investing  the  proceeds  from  the  sale  of  these  capital  securities  solely  in  Subordinated 
Debentures of the Company. The Subordinated Debentures held by Trust Affiliate II are the sole assets of 
the trust. Distributions on the Trust Preferred Securities issued by Trust Affiliate II are payable quarterly at 
a variable rate equal to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 1.5%.  The Coupon rate payable on the Trust 
Preferred Securities issued by Trust Affiliate II was 4.29% and 3.09% as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, 
respectively. 

The  Trust  Preferred  Securities  are  subject  to  mandatory  redemption,  in  whole  or  in  part,  upon 
repayment  of  the  Subordinated  Debentures.  The  Company  entered  into  an  agreement  that  fully  and 
unconditionally guarantees the Trust Preferred Securities subject to the terms of the guarantee. The Trust 
Preferred Securities and Subordinated Debentures mature on June 15, 2037, but can be redeemed at the 
Company’s option at any time now.  

In October 2005, the Company formed an affiliated trust, First Defiance Statutory Trust I (“Trust 
Affiliate I”) that issued $20.0 million of Trust Preferred Securities. In connection with the transaction, the 
Company issued $20.6 million of Subordinated Debentures to Trust Affiliate I. Trust Affiliate I was formed 
for the purpose of issuing Trust Preferred Securities to third-party investors and investing the proceeds from 
the sale of these capital securities solely in Subordinated Debentures of the Company. The Subordinated 
Debentures held by Trust Affiliate I are the sole assets of the trust. Distributions on the Trust Preferred 
Securities issued by Trust Affiliate I are payable quarterly at a variable rate equal to the three-month LIBOR 
rate plus 1.38%, or 4.17% and 2.97% as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. 

The Trust Preferred Securities issued by Trust Affiliate I are subject to mandatory redemption, in 
whole or in part, upon repayment of the Subordinated Debentures. The Company entered into an agreement 
that fully and unconditionally guarantees the Trust Preferred Securities subject to the terms of the guarantee. 
The Trust Preferred Securities and Subordinated Debentures mature on December 15, 2035, but can be 
redeemed by the Company at any time now.  

Employees 

First Defiance had 696 employees at December 31, 2018. None of these employees are represented 
by a collective bargaining agent, and First Defiance believes that it maintains good relationships with its 
personnel. 

- 17 - 

- 17 -

 
 
Competition 

Competition  in  originating  commercial  real  estate  and  commercial  loans  comes  mainly  from 
commercial  banks  with  banking  center  offices  in  the  Company’s  market  area.  Competition  for  the 
origination of mortgage loans arises mainly from savings associations, commercial banks, and mortgage 
companies. The distinction among market participants is based on a combination of price, the quality of 
customer service and name recognition. The Company competes for loans by offering competitive interest 
rates and product types and by seeking to provide a higher level of personal service to borrowers than is 
furnished by competitors. First Federal has a significant market share of the lending markets in which it 
conducts operations, except for central Ohio. 

Management believes that First Federal’s most direct competition for deposits comes from local 
financial  institutions.  The  distinction  among  market  participants  is  based  on  price  and  the  quality  of 
customer service and name recognition. First Federal’s cost of funds fluctuates with general market interest 
rates.  During  certain  interest  rate  environments,  additional  significant  competition  for  deposits  may  be 
expected from corporate and governmental debt securities, as well as from money market mutual funds. 
First Federal competes for conventional deposits by emphasizing quality of service, extensive product lines 
and competitive pricing. 

Regulation 

General – First Defiance is subject to regulation examination and oversight by the Federal Reserve 
Board (“Federal Reserve”).  First Federal is subject to regulation, examination and oversight by the Office 
of  the  Comptroller  of the Currency  (“OCC”).    Because  the  FDIC  insures  First Federal’s  deposits,  First 
Federal is also subject to examination and regulation by the FDIC. In addition, First Federal is subject to 
regulations of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”) which was established by the 2010 
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”) and has broad powers 
to adopt and enforce consumer protection regulations.  First Defiance and First Federal must file periodic 
reports with the Federal Reserve and the OCC and examinations are conducted periodically by the Federal 
Reserve, the OCC and the FDIC to determine whether First Defiance and First Federal are in compliance 
with various regulatory requirements and are operating in a safe and sound manner.  

First Defiance is also subject to various Ohio laws which restrict takeover bids, tender offers and 

control-share acquisitions involving public companies which have significant ties to Ohio. 

Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act 

On May 25, 2018, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act (the 
“Regulatory  Relief  Act”)  was  signed  into  law.    The  Regulatory  Relief  Act  was  designed  to  provide 
regulatory  relief  for  banking  organizations,  particularly  for  all  but the  very  largest,  those  with  assets  in 
excess of $250 billion.  Bank holding companies with assets of less than $100 billion are no longer subject 
to  enhanced  prudential  standards,  and  those  with  assets  between  $100  billion  and  $250  billion  will  be 
relieved of those requirements in 18 months, unless the Federal Reserve Board takes action to maintain 
those standards.  Certain regulatory requirements applied only to banks with assets in excess of $50 billion 
and so did not apply to First Federal even before the enactment of the Regulatory Relief Act. 

The  Regulatory  Relief  Act  also  provides  that  the  banking  regulators  must  adopt  regulations 
implementing the provision that banking organizations with assets of less than $10 billion are permitted to 
satisfy capital standards and be considered “well capitalized” under the prompt corrective action framework 
if their leverage ratios of tangible assets to average consolidated assets is between 8% and 10%, unless the 
bank’s federal  banking  agency  determines that the  organization’s risk  profile  warrants  a  more  stringent 
leverage ratio.  The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”), the Federal Reserve Board and the 
FDIC have proposed for comment the leverage ratio framework for any banking organization with total 
consolidated assets of less than $10 billion, limited amounts of certain types of assets and off-balance sheet 
exposures,  and  a  community  bank  leverage ratio  greater  than  9%.  The  community  bank  leverage  ratio 
would  be  calculated  as  the  ratio  of tangible  equity  capital  divided  by  average  total consolidated  assets.  
- 18 -

- 18 - 

 
 
 
 
 
Tangible  equity  capital  would  be  defined  as  total  bank  equity  capital    or  total  holding  company  equity 
capital, as applicable, prior to including minority interests, and excluding accumulated other comprehensive 
income, deferred tax assets arising from net operating loss and tax credit carry forwards, goodwill and other 
intangible  assets  (other  than  mortgage  servicing  assets).    Average  total  assets  would  be  calculated  in a 
manner  similar  to  the  current  tier  1  leverage  ratio  denominator  in  that  amounts  deducted  from  the 
community bank leverage ratio numerator would also be excluded from the community bank leverage ratio 
denominator. 

The  OCC,  the  Federal  Reserve  Board  and  the  FDIC  also  adopted  a  rule  providing  banking 
organizations  the  option  to  phase  in  over  a  three-year  period the  day-one  adverse  effects  on  regulatory 
capital that may result from the adoption of new current expected credit loss methodology accounting under 
U. S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). 

The Regulatory Relief Act also relieves bank holding companies and banks with assets of less than 

$100 billion in assets from certain record-keeping, reporting and disclosure requirements. 

Holding Company Regulation  –  First Defiance is a unitary thrift holding company and is subject 
to  the  Federal  Reserve  regulations,  examination,  supervision  and  reporting  requirements.  Federal  law 
generally prohibits a thrift holding company from controlling any other savings association or thrift holding 
company, without prior approval of the Federal Reserve, or from acquiring or retaining more than 5% of 
the voting shares of a savings association or holding company thereof, which is not a subsidiary.  

Regulatory  Capital  Requirements  and  Prompt  Corrective  Action  –  The  federal  banking 
regulators have adopted risk-based capital guidelines for financial institutions and their holding companies, 
designed  to  absorb  losses.  The  guidelines  provide  a  systematic  analytical  framework,  which  makes 
regulatory capital requirements sensitive to differences in risk profiles among banking organizations, takes 
off-balance  sheet  exposures  expressly  into  account  in  evaluating  capital  adequacy  and  minimizes 
disincentives to holding liquid, low-risk assets. Capital levels as measured by these standards are also used 
to categorize financial institutions for purposes of certain prompt corrective action regulatory provisions. 

In July 2013, the federal banking regulators issued final new capital rules applicable to smaller 
banking organizations which also implement certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act.  The new minimum 
capital requirements became effective on January 1, 2015, whereas a new capital conservation buffer and 
deductions from common equity capital phased in from January 1, 2016, through January 1, 2019.    

The  rules  include  (a)  a  minimum  common  equity  Tier  1  (“CET1”)  capital  ratio  of  4.5%,  (b)  a 
minimum Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.0%, (c) a minimum total capital ratio of 8.0%, and (d) a minimum leverage 
ratio of 4%. 

Common  equity  for  the  CET1  capital  ratio  includes  common  stock  (plus  related  surplus)  and 
retained earnings, plus limited amounts of minority interests in the form of common stock, less the majority 
of certain regulatory deductions.          

Tier  1  capital  includes  common  equity  as  defined  for  the  CET1  capital  ratio,  plus  certain  non-
cumulative preferred stock and related surplus, cumulative preferred stock and related surplus and trust 
preferred securities that have been grandfathered (but which are not permitted going forward), and limited 
amounts of minority interests in the form of additional Tier 1 capital instruments, less certain deductions. 

Tier 2 capital, which can be included in the total capital ratio, includes certain capital instruments 
(such  as  subordinated  debt)  and  limited  amounts  of  the  allowance  for  loan  and  lease  losses  (“ALLL”), 
subject to new eligibility criteria, less applicable deductions. 

The  deductions  from  CET1  capital  include  goodwill  and  other  intangibles,  certain  deferred  tax 
assets, mortgage-servicing assets above certain levels, gains on sale in connection with a securitization, 
investments  in  a  banking  organization’s  own  capital  instruments  and  investments  in  the  capital  of 
unconsolidated financial institutions (above certain levels).   

- 19 - 

- 19 -

 
 
 
 
Under the guidelines, capital is compared to the relative risk related to the balance sheet.  To derive 
the risk included in the balance sheet, one of several risk weights is applied to different balance sheet and 
off-balance sheet assets, primarily based on the relative credit risk of the counterparty.  The capital amounts 
and  classification  are  also  subject  to  qualitative  judgments  by  the  regulators  about  components,  risk 
weightings and other factors.   

The rules also place restrictions on the payment of capital distributions, including dividends, and 
certain  discretionary  bonus  payments  to  executive  officers  if  the  company  does  not  hold  a  capital 
conservation buffer of greater than 2.5% composed of CET1 capital above its minimum risk-based capital 
requirements, or if its eligible retained income is negative in that quarter and its capital conservation buffer 
ratio was less than 2.5% at the beginning of the quarter.  The capital conservation buffer was fully phased 
in effective January 1, 2019 at 2.5%.   

The federal banking agencies have established a system of “prompt corrective action” to resolve 
certain problems of undercapitalized banks. This system is based on five capital level categories for insured 
depository  institutions:  “well  capitalized,”  “adequately  capitalized,”  “undercapitalized,”  “significantly 
undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized.”  The federal banking agencies may (or in some cases 
must) take certain supervisory actions depending upon a bank's capital level. For example, the banking 
agencies  must  appoint  a  receiver  or  conservator  for  a  bank  within  90  days  after  it  becomes  "critically 
undercapitalized" unless the bank's primary regulator determines, with the concurrence of the FDIC, that 
other action would better achieve regulatory purposes.  Banking operations otherwise may be significantly 
affected depending on a bank's capital category.  For example, a bank that is not "well capitalized" generally 
is  prohibited  from  accepting  brokered  deposits  and  offering  interest  rates  on  deposits  higher  than  the 
prevailing rate in its market, and the holding company of any undercapitalized depository institution must 
guarantee, in part, specific aspects of the bank's capital plan for the plan to be acceptable. 

Effective  January  1,  2015,  in  order  to  be  “well-capitalized,”  a  financial institution  must  have  a 
CET1 capital ratio of 6.5%, a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital of at 
least 8% and a leverage ratio of at least 5%, and the institution must not be subject to any written agreement, 
order, capital directive or prompt corrective action directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level 
for any capital measure.  As of December 31, 2018, First Federal met the ratio requirements in effect to be 
deemed "well-capitalized." See Note 17 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements which is 
incorporated herein by reference. 

- 20 - 

- 20 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  following  table  sets  forth  the  amounts  and  percentage  levels  of  regulatory  capital  of  First 
Defiance and First Federal, the minimum amounts required for each of First Defiance and First Federal, 
and the amounts required for First Federal to be deemed well capitalized under the prompt corrective action 
system, all as of December 21, 2018. (Dollars in Thousands): 

Actual 

Minimum Required for 
Adequately Capitalized 

Minimum Required to be Well 
Capitalized for Prompt 
Corrective Action 

Amount 

Ratio 

Amount 

Ratio(1) 

Amount 

Ratio 

CET1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) (2) 

Consolidated 

First Federal  

Tier 1 Capital (2) 

Consolidated 

First Federal  

$303,860 

$322,520 

11.00% 

11.68% 

$124,339 

$124,225 

$338,860 

$322,520 

11.14% 

10.62% 

$121,716 

$121,461 

Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) (2) 

Consolidated 

First Federal  

$338,860 

$322,520 

12.26% 

11.68% 

$165,786 

$165,633 

Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) (2) 

Consolidated 

First Federal  

$367,191 

$350,851 

13.29% 

12,71% 

$221,048 

$220,844 

4.5% 

4.5% 

4.0% 

4.0% 

6.0% 

6.0% 

8.0% 

8.0% 

N/A 

$179,436 

N/A 

$151,827 

N/A 

$220,844 

N/A 

6.5% 

N/A 

5.0% 

N/A 

8.0% 

N/A 

$276,055 

N/A 

10.0% 

(1)  Excludes capital conservation buffer of 1.875% as of December 31, 2018. 
(2)  Core capital is computed as a percentage of adjusted total assets of $3.04 billion for consolidated and for the 
Bank. Risk-based capital is computed as a percentage of total risk-weighted assets of $2.76 billion for 
consolidated and for the Bank. 

In  September  2017,  the  Federal  Reserve,  along  with  other  bank  regulatory  agencies,  proposed 
amendments to its capital requirements to simplify various aspects of the capital rules for community banks, 
including First Federal, in an attempt to reduce the regulatory burden for such smaller financial institutions.  
In November 2017, the federal banking agencies extended, for the community banks, the existing capital 
requirements  for  certain  items  that  were  scheduled  to  change  effective  January  1,  2018,  in  light  of  the 
simplification  amendments  being  considered.  As  described  above,  the  bank  regulatory  agencies  have 
proposed revised capital requirements under the Regulatory Relief Act. 

Dividends – Dividends paid by First Federal to First Defiance are subject to various regulatory 
restrictions. First Federal paid $22.0 million in dividends to First Defiance in 2018 and $13.0 million in 
2017. Generally, First Federal may not pay dividends to First Defiance in excess of its net profits (as defined 
by statute) for the last two fiscal years, plus any year-to-date net profits without the approval of the OCC.  
First Insurance paid $1.6 million in dividends to First Defiance in 2018 and $1.8 million in dividends in 
2017.  First Defiance Risk Management paid $950,000 in dividends to First Defiance in 2018 and $1.0 
million in dividends in 2017. 

First Defiance’s ability to pay dividends to its shareholders is primarily dependent on its receipt of 
dividends from the Subsidiaries.  The Federal Reserve expects First Defiance to serve as a source of strength 
for First Federal and may require First Defiance to retain capital for further investment in First Federal, 
rather than pay dividends to First Defiance shareholders. Payment of dividends by First Defiance or First 
Federal may be restricted at any time at the discretion of its applicable regulatory authorities if they deem 
such  dividends  to  constitute  an  unsafe  or  unsound  practice.    These  provisions  could  have  the  effect  of 
limiting First Defiance's ability to pay dividends on its common shares. 

Transactions with Insiders and Affiliates – Loans to executive officers, directors and principal 
shareholders  and  their  related  interests  must  conform  to  the  lending  limits.  Most  loans  to  directors, 
executive  officers  and  principal  shareholders  must  be  approved  in  advance  by  a  majority  of  the 
“disinterested”  members  of  board  of  directors  of  the  association  with  any  “interested”  director  not 
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participating. All loans to directors, executive officers and principal shareholders must be made on terms 
substantially the same as offered in comparable transactions with the general public or as offered to all 
employees  in  a  company-wide  benefit  program.  Loans  to  executive  officers  are  subject  to  additional 
restrictions.  All transactions between savings associations and their affiliates must comply with Sections 
23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act (“FRA”) and the Federal Reserve’s Regulation W. An affiliate of 
a savings association is any company or entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control 
with  the  savings  association.  First  Defiance,  First  Defiance  Risk  Management  and  First  Insurance  are 
affiliates of First Federal. 

Deposit Insurance – The FDIC maintains the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF’), which insures the 
deposit accounts of First Federal to the maximum amount provided by law.  The general insurance limit is 
$250,000 per separately insured depositor.  This insurance is backed by the full faith and credit of the United 
States government. 

The FDIC assesses deposit insurance premiums on each insured institution quarterly based on risk 
characteristics  of  the  institution.    The  FDIC  may  also  impose  a  special  assessment  in  an  emergency 
situation. 

Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the FDIC has established 2.0% as the designated reserve ratio 
(“DRR”), which is the ratio of the DIF to insured deposits of the total industry.  In March 2016, the FDIC 
adopted final rules designed to meet the statutory minimum DRR of 1.35% by September 30, 2020, the 
deadline imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act.  The Dodd-Frank Act requires the FDIC to offset the effect on 
institutions with assets of less than $10 billion of the increase in the statutory minimum DRR to 1.35% from 
the  former  statutory  minimum  of  1.15%.    The  FDIC’s  rules  reduced  assessment  rates  on  all  banks  but 
imposed a surcharge on banks with assets of $10 billion or more until the DRR reaches 1.35% and provide 
assessment credits to banks with assets of less than $10 billion for the portion of their assessments that 
contribute to the increase of the DRR to 1.35%.  The DRR reached 1.36% at September 30, 2018.  The 
credits  will  be  applied  when  the  reserve  ratio  is  at  least  1.38%.  The  rules  also  changed  the  method  to 
determine risk-based assessment rates for established banks with less than $10 billion in assets to better 
ensure that banks taking on greater risks pay more for deposit insurance than less risky banks. 

In addition, all institutions with deposits insured by the FDIC are required to pay assessments to 
fund  interest  payments  on  bonds  issued  by  the  Financing  Corporation,  a  mixed-ownership  government 
corporation established to recapitalize a predecessor to the DIF.  These assessments will continue until the 
Financing Corporation bonds mature in September 2019. The Financing Corporation has projected that the 
last assessment will be collected on the March 29, 2019 FDIC invoice. 

As  insurer,  the  FDIC  is  authorized  to  conduct  examinations  of,  and  to  require  reporting  by, 
federally-insured institutions.  It also may prohibit any federally-insured institution from engaging in any 
activity the FDIC determines by regulation or order to pose a serious threat to the DIF. The FDIC also has 
the  authority  to  take  enforcement  actions  against  insured  institutions.    Insurance  of  deposits  may  be 
terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that the institution has engaged or is engaging in unsafe and unsound 
practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any applicable law, 
regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC or written agreement entered into with the FDIC. 

Consumer Protection Laws and Regulations – Banks are subject to regular examination to ensure 
compliance with federal statutes and regulations applicable to their business, including consumer protection 
statutes and implementing regulations.  Potential penalties under these laws include, but are not limited to, 
fines.  The Dodd-Frank Act established the CFPB, which has extensive regulatory and enforcement powers 
over consumer financial products and services.  The CFPB has adopted numerous rules with respect to 
consumer protection laws, amending some existing regulations and adopting new ones, and has commenced 
enforcement  actions.    The  following  are  just  some  of  the  consumer  protection  laws  applicable  to  First 
Federal: 

• 

Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (“CRA”):  imposes a continuing and affirmative 
obligation  to  fulfill  the  credit  needs  of  its  entire  community,  including  low-  and  moderate-income 
neighborhoods. 

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• 

Equal Credit Opportunity Act:  prohibits discrimination in any credit transaction on the 

basis of any of various criteria. 

• 

Truth in Lending Act:  requires that credit terms are disclosed in a manner that permits a 

consumer to understand and compare credit terms more readily and knowledgeably. 

• 

Fair  Housing  Act:  makes  it  unlawful  for  a  lender  to  discriminate  in  its  housing-related 

lending activities against any person on the basis of any of certain criteria. 

• 

Home Mortgage Disclosure Act:  requires financial institutions to collect data that enables 
regulatory agencies to determine whether the financial institutions are serving the housing credit needs of 
the communities in which they are located. 

• 

Real  Estate  Settlement  Procedures  Act:  requires  that  lenders  provide  borrowers  with 
disclosures  regarding  the  nature  and  cost  of  real  estate  settlements  and  prohibits  abusive  practices  that 
increase borrowers’ costs. 

• 

Privacy  provisions  of  the  Gramm-Leach-Bliley  Act:  requires  financial  institutions  to 
establish  policies and  procedures  to  restrict the sharing  of  non-public  customer  data  with  non-affiliated 
parties and to protect customer information from unauthorized access.         

The banking regulators also use their authority under the Federal Trade Commission Act to take 
supervisory or enforcement action with respect to unfair or deceptive acts or practices by banks that may 
not necessarily fall within the scope of specific banking or consumer finance law.   

In October 2017, the CFPB issued a final rule (the “Payday Rule”) with respect to certain consumer 
loans to be effective on January 16, 2018, although compliance with most sections is required starting on 
August 19, 2019.  The first major part of the rule makes it an unfair and abusive practice for a lender to 
make short-term and longer-term loans with balloon payments (with certain exceptions) without reasonably 
determining that the borrower has the ability to repay the loan.  The second major part of the rule applies 
to  the  same  types  of  loans  as  well  as  certain  other  longer-term  loans  that  are  repaid  directly  from  the 
borrower's  account.   The  rule  states that it is an  unfair  and  abusive  practice  for  the lender to  withdraw 
payment from the borrower's account after two consecutive payment attempts have failed, unless the lender 
obtains the consumer's new and specific authorization to make further withdrawals from the account.  The 
rule also requires lenders to provide certain notices to the borrower before attempting to withdraw payment 
on a covered loan from the borrower’s account.   

On February 6, 2019, the CFPB issued two proposals with respect to the Payday Rule.  First, the 
CFPB proposed to delay the compliance date for the mandatory underwriting provisions of the Payday Rule 
to  November  19,  2020.    It  has  requested  comments  on  the  proposed  delay  to  be  made  within  30  days.  
Second, the CFPB proposed to rescind provisions of the Payday Rule that (1) provide that it is an unfair 
and abusive practice for a lender to make a covered short-term or longer-term balloon-payment loan without 
reasonably  determining  that  the  consumer  has  the  ability  to  repay  the  loan  according  to  its  terms;  (2) 
prescribe mandatory underwriting requirements for making the ability-to-repay determination; (3) provide 
exemptions  of  certain  loans  from  the  mandatory  underwriting  requirements;  and  (4)  provide  related 
definitions, reporting and recordkeeping requirements.  The CFPB has requested comments to be made 
within 90 days on this proposal.  These proposals do not change the provisions of the Payday Rule that 
address  lender  payment  practices  with  respect  to  covered  loans.    The  CFPB  also  stated  that  it  will  be 
considering other changes to the Payday Rule in response to requests received for exemptions of certain 
types of lenders or loan products and may commence separate additional rulemaking initiatives. 

CRA - Under the CRA, every FDIC-insured institution is obligated, consistent with safe and sound 
banking  practices,  to  help meet  the  credit  needs  of its  entire community,  including  low-  and  moderate-
income neighborhoods.  The CRA requires the appropriate federal banking regulator, in connection with 
the examination of an insured institution, to assess the institution’s record of meeting the credit needs of its 
community and to consider this record in its evaluation of certain applications to banking regulators, such 
as an application for approval of a merger or the establishment of a branch.  An unsatisfactory rating may 

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be used as the basis for the denial of an application to acquire another financial institution or open a new 
branch.  As of its last examination, First Federal received a CRA rating of “satisfactory.” 

In June 2010, the Federal Reserve, the OCC and the FDIC issued joint interagency guidance on 
incentive compensation policies (the Joint Guidance) intended to ensure that the incentive compensation 
policies  of  banking  organizations  do  not  undermine  the  safety  and  soundness  of  such  organizations  by 
encouraging excessive risk-taking.  This principles-based guidance, which covers all employees that have 
the ability to materially affect the risk profile of an organization, either individually or as part of a group, 
is based upon the key principles that a banking organization’s incentive compensation arrangements should: 
(i)  provide  incentives  that  do  not  encourage  risk-taking  beyond  the  organization’s  ability  to  effectively 
identify and manage risks; (ii) be compatible with effective internal controls and risk management; and (iii) 
be supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by the organization’s 
board  of  directors.    The  Joint  Guidance  made  incentive  compensation  part  of  the  regulatory  agencies’ 
examination process, with the findings of the supervisory initiatives included in reports of examination and 
enforcement actions possible. 

In May 2016, the federal bank regulatory agencies approved a joint notice of proposed rules (the 
“Proposed Joint Rules”) designed to prohibit incentive-based compensation arrangements that encourage 
inappropriate risks at financial institutions.  The Proposed Joint Rules would apply to covered financial 
institutions with total assets of $1 billion or more.  For all covered institutions, including Level 3 institutions 
like First Defiance, the proposed rule would: 

•  

prohibit incentive-based compensation arrangements that are “excessive” or “could lead to 

material financial loss;” 

•  

require incentive based compensation that is consistent with a balance of risk and reward, 

effective management and control of risk, and effective governance; and 

•  

require board oversight, recordkeeping and disclosure to the appropriate regulatory agency.    

Further,  as  stock  exchanges  impose  additional  listing  requirements  under  the  Dodd-Frank  Act, 
public  companies  will  be  required  to  implement  “clawback”  procedures  for  incentive  compensation 
payments and to disclose the details of the procedures, which allow recovery of incentive compensation 
that was paid on the basis of erroneous financial information necessitating a restatement due to material 
noncompliance  with  financial  reporting  requirements.    This  clawback  policy  is  intended  to  apply  to 
compensation paid within a three-year look-back window of the restatement and would cover all executives 
who received incentive awards. 

Patriot  Act  –  In  response  to  the  terrorist  events  of  September  11,  2001,  the  Uniting  and 
Strengthening of America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism 
Act of 2001 (the Patriot Act) was signed into law in October 2001.  The Patriot Act gives the United States 
government powers to address terrorist threats through enhanced domestic security measures, expanded 
surveillance  powers,  increased  information sharing  and  broadened  anti-money  laundering  requirements.  
Title III of the Patriot Act takes measures intended to encourage information sharing among bank regulatory 
agencies and law enforcement bodies.  Further, certain provisions of Title III impose affirmative obligations 
on  a  broad  range  of  financial  institutions.    Among  other  requirements,  Title  III  and  related  regulations 
require  regulated  financial  institutions  to  establish  a  program  specifying  procedures  for  obtaining 
identifying information from customers seeking to open new accounts and establish enhanced due diligence 
policies,  procedures  and  controls  designed  to  detect  and  report  suspicious  activity.    First  Federal  has 
established policies and procedures that it considers to be in compliance with the requirements of the Patriot 
Act. 

Volcker Rule – The Volcker Rule under the Dodd-Frank Act prohibits banks and their affiliates 
from engaging in proprietary trading and investing in and sponsoring hedge funds and private equity funds.  
The Volcker Rule, which became effective in July 2015, does not impact the operations of First Defiance 
or its subsidiaries, as the Company does not engage in the businesses prohibited by the Volcker Rule and 
banks under $10.0 billion in assets are exempted from the Volcker Rule provisions. 

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Item 1A. Risk Factors  

The risks listed below present risks that could have a material impact on the Company’s financial 
condition, results of operations, or business. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only 
ones  facing  the  Company.  Additional  risks  and  uncertainties  that  management  is  not  aware  of  or  that 
management currently deems immaterial may also impair the Company’s business operations.   

Economic, political and financial market conditions may adversely affect First Defiance’s 
operations and financial condition.  

First Defiance’s financial performance generally, and in particular the ability of borrowers to pay 
interest on and repay principal of outstanding loans and the value of collateral securing those loans, as well 
as demand for loans and other products and services First Defiance offers, is highly dependent upon the 
business environment in the markets where the Company operates, mainly in the State of Ohio, Northeast 
Indiana and Southeast Michigan. A favorable business environment is generally characterized by, among 
other factors, economic growth, efficient capital markets, low inflation, low unemployment, high business 
and  investor  confidence,  and  strong  business  earnings.  Unfavorable  or  uncertain  economic  and  market 
conditions  can  be  caused  by  declines  in  economic  growth,  business  activity  or  investor  or  business 
confidence;  limitations  on  the  availability  of  or  increases  in  the  cost  of  credit  and  capital;  increases  in 
inflation or interest rates; high unemployment, natural disasters; or a combination of these or other factors.  
Conditions such as inflation, recession, unemployment, changes in interest rates, fiscal and monetary policy 
and  other  factors  beyond  First  Defiance’s  control  may  adversely  affect  its  deposit  levels  and 
cost/composition, demand for loans, the ability of its borrowers to repay their loans and the value of the 
collateral securing the loans it makes.  Because First Defiance has a significant amount of real estate loans, 
decreases  in  real  estate  values  could  adversely  affect  the  value  of  property  used  as  collateral  and  First 
Defiance’s ability to sell the collateral upon foreclosure. 

The  election  of  a  new  United  States  President  in  2016  has  resulted  in  substantial  changes  in 
economic and political conditions for the United States and the remainder of the world.  Economic turmoil 
in Europe and Asia and changes in oil production in the Middle East affect the economy and stock prices 
in the United States.  The timing and circumstances of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union 
(Brexit) and their effects on the United States are unknown.  While these changes do not have a direct, 
immediate  impact  on  First  Defiance’s  financial  performance,  we  cannot  predict  how  the  change  in  the 
political climate will affect the economy and First Defiance’s performance in the future. 

First  Defiance’s  loan  portfolio  includes  a  concentration  of  commercial  real  estate  loans  and 
commercial loans, which involve risks specific to real estate value and the successful operations of 
these businesses. 

At December 31, 2018, First Federal’s portfolio of commercial real estate loans totaled $1.4 billion, 
or approximately 52.2% of total loans.  First Federal’s commercial real estate loans typically have higher 
principal amounts than residential real estate loans, and many of our commercial real estate borrowers have 
more than one loan outstanding.  As a result, an adverse development on one loan can expose First Defiance 
to greater risk of loss on other loans.  Additionally, repayment of the loans is generally dependent, in large 
part,  on  sufficient  income  from  the  properties  securing  the  loans  to  cover  operating  expenses  and  debt 
service.  Economic conditions and events outside of the control of the borrower or lender could negatively 
impact the future cash flows and market values of the affected properties. 

At December 31, 2018, First Federal’s portfolio of commercial loans totaled $509.6 million, or 
approximately 19.1% of total loans.  Commercial loans generally expose First Defiance to a greater risk of 
nonpayment and loss than commercial real estate or residential real estate loans since repayment of such 
loans  often  depends  on  the  successful  operations  and  income  stream  of  the  borrowers.  First  Federal’s 
commercial loans are primarily made based on the identified cash flow of the borrower and secondarily on 
the underlying collateral provided by the borrower such as accounts receivable, inventory, machinery or 
real estate. In the case of loans secured by accounts receivable, the availability of funds for the repayment 
of these loans may be substantially dependent on the ability of the borrower to collect amounts due from 

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its customers. The collateral securing other loans may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise 
and may fluctuate in value based on the success of the business. Credit support provided by the borrower 
for most of these loans and the probability of repayment is based on the liquidation of the pledged collateral 
and enforcement of a personal guarantee, if any exists.  

First Defiance targets its business lending towards small- and medium-sized businesses, many of 
which  have  fewer  financial  resources than larger companies  and  may  be  more  susceptible  to  economic 
downturns. If general economic conditions negatively impact these businesses, First Defiance’s results of 
operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.  

If First Defiance's actual loan losses exceed its allowance for loan losses, First Defiance's net income 
will decrease.  

In accordance with GAAP, First Defiance must maintain an allowance for loan losses to provide 
for loan defaults and non-performance, which when combined, are referred to as the allowance for loan 
losses.  First Defiance's allowance for loan losses is based upon a number of relevant factors, including, but 
not limited to, trends in the level of nonperforming assets and classified loans, current economic conditions 
in  the  primary  lending  area,  prior  experience,  possible  losses  arising  from  specific  problem  loans,  and 
management's evaluation of the risks in the current portfolio.  However, there are many factors that can 
result in actual loan losses exceeding the allowance. 

For instance, in deciding whether to extend credit or enter into other transactions with customers 
and counterparties, First Defiance may rely on information provided to us by customers and counterparties, 
including  financial  statements  and  other  financial  information.  First  Defiance  may  also  rely  on 
representations of customers and counterparties as to the accuracy and completeness of that information 
and, with respect to financial statements, on reports of independent auditors.  Such information may not 
turn out to be accurate.  Further, First Defiance's loan customers may not repay their loans according to 
their terms, and the collateral securing the payment of these loans may be insufficient to pay any remaining 
loan  balance.    As  a  result,  First  Defiance  may  experience  significant  loan  losses,  which  could  have  a 
material adverse effect on its operating results.   

The  amount  of  future  losses  also  is  susceptible  to  changes  in  economic,  operating  and  other 
conditions, including changes in interest rates that may be beyond management's control, and these losses 
may exceed current estimates.  Further, federal regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination 
process, review First Defiance's loans and allowance for loan losses and may require that First Defiance 
increase its allowance. Moreover, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) has changed its 
requirements for establishing the allowance, which will be effective for First Defiance in the first quarter 
of 2020.  That accounting change exposes First Defiance to increased risk of failure to establish a sufficient 
allowance and the possibility that First Defiance will need to increase its allowance substantially through 
an increase to the provision for loan losses, which will adversely affect First Defiance's net income.          

As  a  result  of  any  of  the  above  factors,  First  Defiance's  allowance  for  loan  losses  may  not  be 
adequate to cover actual credit losses, and future provisions for credit losses could have a material adverse 
effect  on  First  Defiance's  operating  results.    There  is  no  assurance  that  First  Defiance  will  not  further 
increase the allowance for loan losses.  Either of these occurrences could have a material adverse effect on 
First Defiance's financial condition and results of operations. 

Changes in interest rates can adversely affect First Defiance’s profitability. 

First Defiance’s earnings and cash flows are largely dependent upon its net interest income. Net 
interest income is the difference between interest income earned on interest-earning assets such as loans 
and securities, and interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities such as deposits and borrowed funds. 
Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond First Defiance’s control, including general 
economic conditions and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies and, in particular, the 
Federal Open Market Committee. Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, could 
influence not only the interest First Defiance receives on loans and securities and the amount of interest it 
pays on deposits and borrowings, but such changes could also affect (i) First Defiance’s ability to originate 
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loans and obtain deposits, (ii) the fair value of First Defiance’s financial assets and liabilities, and (iii) the 
average duration of certain assets and liabilities. If the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings 
increase at a faster rate than the interest rates received on loans and other investments, First Defiance’s net 
interest  income,  and  therefore  earnings,  could  be  adversely  affected.  Earnings  could  also  be  adversely 
affected if the interest rates received on loans and other investments fall more quickly than the interest rates 
paid  on  deposits and  other  borrowings. While  we  generally  invest in securities with limited  credit  risk, 
certain investment securities we hold possess higher credit risk since they represent beneficial interests in 
structured  investments  collateralized  by  residential  mortgages.    All  investment  securities  are  subject  to 
changes  in  market  value  due  to  changing  interest  rates  and  implied  credit  spreads.  Any  substantial, 
unexpected,  or  prolonged  change  in  market  interest  rates  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  First 
Defiance’s results of operations and financial condition. 

First  Federal  originates  a  significant  amount  of  residential  mortgage  loans  that  it  sells  in  the 
secondary market.  The origination of residential mortgage loans is highly dependent on the local real estate 
market and the current interest rates.  Increasing interest rates tend to reduce the origination of loans for 
sale and consequently fee income, which First Defiance reports as mortgage banking income. Conversely, 
decreasing  interest  rates  have  the  effect  of  causing  clients  to  refinance  mortgage  loans  faster  than 
anticipated.  This causes the value of mortgage servicing rights on the loans sold to be lower than originally 
anticipated.    If  this  happens,  First  Defiance  may  be  required  to  write  down  the  value  of  its  mortgage 
servicing  rights  faster  than  anticipated,  which  will  increase  expense  and  lower  earnings.    Accelerated 
repayments on loans and mortgage backed securities could result in the reinvestment of funds at lower rates 
than the loans or securities were paying.   

Laws, regulations and periodic regulatory reviews may affect First Defiance’s results of operations. 

The  earnings  of  financial  institutions  are  affected  by  the  regulations  and  policies  of  various 
regulatory  authorities,  including  the  Federal  Reserve,  the  OCC,  the  FDIC  and  the  CFPB.    The  Federal 
Reserve has extensive supervisory authority over the Company, affecting a comprehensive range of matters 
relating to ownership and control of First Defiance’s shares, First Defiance’s acquisition of other companies 
and businesses, permissible activities for the Company to engage in, maintenance of adequate capital levels 
and other aspects of operations.  These supervisory and regulatory powers are intended primarily for the 
protection  of  First  Defiance’s  depositors  and  borrowers  and  the  DIF,  rather  than  First  Defiance’s 
shareholders. 

As discussed above, in October 2017, the CFPB issued the Payday Rule with respect to certain 
consumer loans to be effective on January 16, 2018, although compliance with most sections is required 
starting on August 19, 2019.  Then, on February 6, 2019, the CFPB issued two proposals with respect to 
the Payday Rule regarding the underwriting provisions. These proposals do not change the provisions of 
the Payday Rule that address lender payment practices with respect to covered loans.  The CFPB also stated 
that it will be considering other changes to the Payday Rule in response to requests received for exemptions 
of certain types of lenders or loan products and may commence separate additional rulemaking initiatives.  
First  Defiance  is  currently  assessing  the  expected  effect  of  this  new  rule  on  First  Defiance's  lending 
businesses and on First Defiance’s financial condition and results of operations.  The costs of complying 
with  this  regulation  or  a  determination  to  discontinue  certain  types  of  consumer  lending  in  light  of  the 
expense of compliance could have an adverse effect on the financial conditions and results of operations of 
the Company.   

Changes in tax laws could adversely affect First Defiance's financial condition and results of 
operations.  

First  Defiance  is  subject  to  extensive  federal,  state  and  local  taxes,  including  income,  excise, 
sales/use,  payroll,  franchise,  withholding  and  ad  valorem  taxes.    Changes  to  the  tax  laws  could  have  a 
material adverse effect on First Defiance's results of operations.  In addition, First Defiance's customers are 
subject to a wide variety of federal, state and local taxes.  Changes in taxes paid by customers, including 
changes  in  the  deductibility  of  mortgage  loan  related  expenses,  may  adversely  affect  their  ability  to 
purchase homes or consumer products, which could adversely affect their demand for First Defiance's loans 
and  deposit  products.    In  addition,  such  negative  effects  on  First  Defiance's  customers  could  result  in 
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defaults on the loans already made and decrease the value of mortgage-backed securities in which First 
Defiance has invested.  

On December 22, 2017, H.R.1, formally known as the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,” was enacted into 
law.  This new tax legislation, among other changes, limits the amount of state, federal and local taxes that 
taxpayers are permitted to deduct on their individual tax returns and eliminates other deductions in their 
entirety.  Such limits and eliminations may result in customer defaults on loans already made and decrease 
the value of mortgage-backed securities in which First Defiance has invested. 

The laws and regulations applicable to the banking industry could change at any time.  The potential 
exists for new laws and regulations, and bank regulatory agencies are expected to be active in responding 
to concerns and trends identified in examinations. Increased regulation could increase First Defiance’s cost 
of compliance and reduce its income to the extent that they limit the manner in which First Defiance may 
conduct business, including its ability to offer new products, charge fees for specific products and services, 
obtain financing, attract deposits, make loans and achieve satisfactory interest spreads. 

First Defiance’s ability to meet cash flow needs on a timely basis at a reasonable cost may adversely 
affect net income. 

First  Defiance’s  principal sources  of  liquidity  are  local  deposits  and  wholesale funding  sources 
such  as  FHLB  advances,  Federal  Funds  purchased,  securities  sold  under  repurchase  agreements,  and 
brokered or other out-of-market certificate of deposit purchases.  Also, First Defiance maintains a portfolio 
of securities that can be used as a secondary source of liquidity.  First Defiance’s access to funding sources 
in amounts adequate to finance or capitalize its activities or on terms that are acceptable could be impaired 
by factors that affect First Defiance directly or the financial services industry or economy in general, such 
as further disruptions in the financial markets or negative views and expectations about the prospects for 
the financial services industry.   

Other  possible  sources  of  liquidity  include  the  sale  or  securitization  of  loans,  the  issuance  of 
additional collateralized borrowings beyond those currently utilized with the FHLB, the issuance of debt 
securities  and  the  issuance  of  preferred  or  common  securities  in  public  or  private  transactions,  or 
borrowings  from  a  commercial  bank.    First  Defiance  does  not  currently  have  any  borrowings  from  a 
commercial bank, but it has used them in the past.   

Any decline in available funding could adversely impact our ability to originate loans, invest in 
securities, meet our expenses, pay dividends to First Defiance’s shareholders, or fulfill obligations such as 
repaying First Defiance’s borrowings or meeting deposit withdrawal demands, any of which could have a 
material adverse impact on our liquidity, business, results of operations and financial condition.   

Competition affects First Defiance’s earnings. 

First Defiance’s continued profitability depends on its ability to continue to effectively compete to 
originate loans and attract and retain deposits.  Competition for both loans and deposits is intense in the 
financial services industry.  The Company competes in its market area by offering superior service and 
competitive rates and products.  The type of institutions First Defiance competes with include large regional 
commercial banks, smaller community banks, savings institutions, mortgage banking firms, credit unions, 
finance companies, brokerage firms, insurance agencies and mutual funds.  As a result of their size and 
ability to achieve economies of scale, certain of First Defiance’s competitors can offer a broader range of 
products and services than the Company can offer. In addition, the OCC has recently announced that it will 
start accepting applications for bank charters from nondepository financial technology companies engaged 
in banking activities, which will add to the number of parties with whom the Company competes.  Further, 
technological  advances  allow  consumers  to  pay  bills  and  transfer  funds  electronically  without  banks.  
Consumers can also shop for higher deposit interest rates at banks across the country, which may offer 
higher rates because they have few or no physical branches.  To stay competitive in its market area, First 
Defiance may need to adjust the interest rates on its products to match rates of its competition, which could 
have a negative impact on net interest margin.   

- 28 - 

- 28 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The increasing complexity of First Defiance’s operations presents varied risks that could affect its 
earnings and financial condition. 

First Defiance processes a large volume of transactions on a daily basis and is exposed to numerous 
types of risks related to internal processes, people and systems.  These risks include, but are not limited to, 
the risk of fraud by persons inside or outside the Company, the execution of unauthorized transactions by 
employees, errors relating to transaction processing and systems, breaches of data security and our internal 
control system and compliance with a complex array of consumer and safety and soundness regulations. 
First Defiance could also experience additional loss as a result of potential legal actions that could arise as 
a result of operational deficiencies or as a result of noncompliance with applicable laws and regulations.  

First  Defiance  has  established  and  maintains  a  system  of  internal  controls  that  provides 
management  with  information  on  a  timely  basis  and  allows  for  the  monitoring  of  compliance  with 
operational standards.  These systems have been designed to manage operational risks at an appropriate, 
cost effective level.  Procedures exist that are designed to ensure that policies relating to conduct, ethics, 
and business practices are followed.  Losses from operational risks may still occur, however, including 
losses from the effects of operational errors.   

Unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential client or customer information or confidential 
trade secrets, whether through  a  breach  of the  Company’s  computer systems  or  otherwise,  could 
severely harm its business. 

Potential misuse of funds or information by First Defiance’s employees or by third parties could 
result in damage to First Defiance’s customers for which First Defiance could be held liable, subject First 
Defiance to regulatory sanctions and otherwise adversely affect First Defiance’s financial condition and 
results of operations.   

First Defiance’s employees handle a significant amount of funds, as well as financial and 
personal information.  First Defiance also depends upon third-party vendors who have access to funds and 
personal information about customers.  Cybersecurity breaches of other companies, such as the breach of 
the systems of a credit bureau, may result in criminals using personal information obtained from such other 
source to impersonate a customer of First Defiance and obtain funds from customer accounts.  Further, First 
Defiance  may  be  affected  by  data  breaches  at  retailers  and  other  third  parties  who  participate  in  data 
interchanges with First Defiance’s customers that involve the theft of customer credit and debit card data, 
which may include the theft of debit card personal identification numbers (“PIN”) and commercial card 
information used to make purchases at such retailers and other third parties.  Such data breaches could result 
in First Defiance incurring significant expenses to reissue debit cards and cover losses, which could result 
in a material adverse effect on First Defiance’s results of operations. 

Although  First  Defiance  has  implemented  systems  to  minimize  the  risk  of  fraudulent  taking  or 
misuse of funds or information, there can be no assurance that such systems will be adequate or that a taking 
or misuse of funds or information by employees, by third parties who have authorized access to funds or 
information, or by third parties who are able to access funds or information without authorization will never 
occur.    First  Defiance  could  be  held  liable  for  such  an  event  and  could  also  be  subject  to  regulatory 
sanctions.  First Defiance could also incur the expense of developing additional controls and investing in 
additional  equipment  or  contracts  to  prevent  future  such  occurrences.    Although  First  Defiance  has 
insurance to cover such potential losses, First Defiance cannot provide assurance that such insurance will 
be adequate to meet any liability, and insurance premiums may rise substantially if First Defiance suffers 
such an event.   In addition, any loss of trust or confidence placed in First Defiance by our customers could 
result in a loss of business, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations, 
or result in a loss of investor confidence, hurting First Defiance’s stock price and ability to acquire capital 
in  the  future.    First  Defiance  could  also  lose  revenue  by  the  wrongful  appropriation  of  confidential 
information about its business operations by competitors who use the information to compete with First 
Defiance.  

First Defiance could suffer a material adverse impact from interruptions in the effective operation 
of, or security breaches affecting, First Defiance’s computer systems. 

- 29 - 

- 29 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First  Defiance  relies  heavily  on  its  own  information  systems  and  those  of  vendors  to  conduct 
business and to process, record, and monitor transactions.  Risks to the system could result from a variety 
of factors, including the potential for bad acts on the part of hackers, criminals, employees and others.  As 
one example, some banks have experienced denial of service attacks in which individuals or organizations 
flood the bank’s website with extraordinarily high volumes of traffic, with the goal and effect of disrupting 
the ability of the bank to process transactions.  Other businesses have been victims of a ransomware attack 
in which a business becomes unable to access its own information and is presented with a demand to pay a 
ransom in order to once again have access to its information.  First Defiance is also at risk for the impact 
of natural disasters, terrorism and international hostilities on its systems or for the effects of outages or 
other failures involving power or communications systems operated by others.  These risks also arise from 
the same types of threats to businesses with which First Defiance deals.   

Potential adverse consequences of attacks on First Defiance’s computer systems or other threats 
include damage to First Defiance’s reputation, loss of customer business, costs of incentives to customers 
or business partners in order to maintain their relationships, loss of investor confidence and a reduction in 
First  Defiance’s  stock  price,  litigation,  increased  regulatory  scrutiny  and  potential  enforcement  actions, 
repairs of system damage, increased investments in cybersecurity (such as obtaining additional technology, 
making  organizational  changes,  deploying  additional  personnel,  training  personnel  and  engaging 
consultants), and increased insurance premiums, all of which could result in financial loss and material 
adverse effects on First Defiance’s results of operations and financial condition.  

If  First  Defiance  forecloses  on  collateral  property  resulting  in  First  Defiance’s  ownership  of  the 
underlying  real  estate,  First  Defiance  may  be  subject  to  the  increased  costs  associated  with  the 
ownership of real property, resulting in reduced income. 

A  significant  portion  of  First  Defiance’s loan  portfolio  is  secured  by  real  property.    During  the 
ordinary course of business, First Defiance may foreclose on and take title to properties securing certain 
loans.  In doing so, there is a risk that hazardous or toxic substances could be found on these properties.  If 
hazardous or toxic substances are found, First Defiance may be liable for remediation costs, as well as for 
personal injury and property damage.  

In addition, when First Defiance forecloses on real property, the amount First Defiance realizes 
after a default is dependent upon factors outside of First Defiance’s control, including, but not limited to, 
economic conditions, neighborhood real estate values, interest rates, real estate taxes, operating expenses 
of the mortgaged properties, zoning laws, governmental rules, regulations and fiscal policies, and acts of 
God.  Certain expenditures associated with the ownership of real estate, principally real estate taxes and 
maintenance costs, may adversely affect the income from the real estate.  Therefore, the cost of operating 
real property may exceed the rental income earned from such property, and First Defiance may have to sell 
the  property  at  a  loss.    The  foregoing  expenditures  could  adversely  affect  First  Defiance’s  financial 
condition and results of operations. 

First Defiance’s business strategy focuses on planned growth, including strategic acquisitions, and its 
financial  condition  and  results  of  operations  could  be  negatively  affected  if First  Defiance fails to 
grow or fails to manage its growth effectively. 

First  Defiance’s  ability  to  grow  successfully  will  depend  on  a  variety  of  factors,  including  the 
continued  availability  of  desirable  business  opportunities,  its  ability  to  integrate  mergers  and  other 
acquisitions and manage growth and First Defiance’s ability to raise capital.  There can be no assurance 
that growth opportunities will be available. 

First Defiance may acquire other financial institutions or parts of institutions in the future, open 
new branches, and consider new lines of business and new products or services.  Expansions of its business 
would involve a number of expenses and risks, including: 

- 30 - 

- 30 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
• 

• 

• 
• 

the time and costs associated with identifying and evaluating potential acquisitions or 
expansions into new markets; 
the potential inaccuracy of estimates and judgments used to evaluate the business and risks with 
respect to target institutions; 
the time and costs of hiring local management and opening new offices; 
the delay between commencing making acquisitions or engaging in new activities and the 
generation of profits from the expansion; 

•  First Defiance’s ability to finance an expansion and the possible dilution to existing 

shareholders;   
• 
the diversion of management’s attention to the expansion; 
•  management’s lack of familiarity with new market areas; 
• 

the integration of new products and services and new personnel into First Defiance’s existing 
business; 
the incurrence and possible impairment of goodwill associated with an acquisition and effects on 
First Defiance’s results of operations; and 
the risk of loss of key employees and customers. 

• 

• 

If  First  Defiance’s  growth  involves  the  acquisition  of  companies  through  mergers  or  other 
acquisitions, the success of such acquisitions will depend on, among other things, First Defiance’s ability 
to combine the businesses in a manner that permits growth opportunities and cost efficiencies, and does not 
cause inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies that adversely affect the ability of First 
Defiance to maintain relationships with customers and employees or to achieve the anticipated benefits of 
the acquisitions.  

Failure to manage First Defiance’s growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on its 
business,  future  prospects,  financial  condition  or  results  of  operations  and  could  adversely  affect  First 
Defiance’s ability to successfully implement its business strategy.   

First Defiance’s ability to pay dividends is subject to regulatory limitations which, to the extent First 
Defiance requires such dividends in the future, may affect its ability to pay dividends or repurchase 
its stock. 

As a unitary thrift holding company, First Defiance is a separate legal entity from First Federal and 
does not have significant operations of its own.  Dividends from First Federal provide a significant source 
of capital for First Defiance.  The availability of dividends from First Federal is limited by various statutes 
and regulations. The federal banking regulators require that insured financial institutions and their holding 
companies should generally only pay dividends out of current operating earnings.  It is possible, depending 
upon the financial condition of First Federal and other factors, that the OCC, as First Federal’s primary 
regulator, could assert that the payment of dividends or other payments by First Federal are an unsafe or 
unsound practice.  In the event First Federal is unable to pay dividends to First Defiance, First Defiance 
may not be able to pay its obligations as they become due, repurchase its stock, or pay dividends on its 
common  stock.    Consequently,  the  potential  inability  to  receive  dividends  from  First  Federal  could 
adversely affect First Defiance’s business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects. 

Failure  to  integrate  or  adopt  new  technology  may  undermine  First  Defiance’s  ability  to  meet 
customer demands, leading to adverse effects on First Defiance’s financial condition and results of 
operations. 

The financial services industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change with frequent 
introductions of new technology-driven products and services.  The effective use of technology increases 
efficiency and enables financial institutions to better serve customers and to reduce costs.  First Defiance’s 
future success depends, in part, upon its ability to address the needs of its customers by using technology 
to  provide  products  and  services  that  will  satisfy  customer  demands,  as  well  as  to  create  additional 
efficiencies in operations.  First Defiance may not be able to effectively implement or have the resources 
to implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products 
and services to its customers.  Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting the 
- 31 -

- 31 - 

 
 
 
 
 
financial services industry could adversely affect First Defiance’s business, financial condition, or results 
of operations. 

A  transition  away from LIBOR  as  a  reference  rate for financial contracts could  negatively affect 
First Defiance’s income and expenses and the value of various financial contracts. 

LIBOR is used extensively in the U.S. and globally as a benchmark for various commercial and 
financial  contracts,  including  adjustable  rate  mortgages,  corporate  debt,  interest  rate  swaps  and  other 
derivatives.  LIBOR is set based on interest rate information reported by certain banks, which may stop 
reporting such information after 2021.  It is uncertain at this time whether LIBOR will change or cease to 
exist or the extent to which those entering into financial contracts will transition to any other particular 
benchmark.    Other  benchmarks  may  perform  differently  than  LIBOR  or  alternative  benchmarks  have 
performed in the past or have other consequences that cannot currently be anticipated.  It is also uncertain 
what will happen with instruments that rely on LIBOR for future interest rate adjustments and which remain 
outstanding if LIBOR ceases to exist.   

First Defiance may be the subject of litigation, which would result in legal liability and damage to its 
business and reputation. 

From  time  to  time,  First  Defiance  may  be  subject  to  claims  or  legal  action  from  customers, 
employees or others. Financial institutions like First Defiance are facing a growing number of significant 
class actions, including those based on the manner of calculation of interest on loans and the assessment of 
overdraft fees. Future litigation could include claims for substantial compensatory and/or punitive damages 
or claims for indeterminate amounts of damages. First Defiance is also involved from time to time in other 
reviews, investigations and proceedings (both formal and informal) by governmental and other agencies 
regarding its businesses. These matters also could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, 
injunctions  or  other  relief.  Like  other  financial  institutions,  First  Defiance  is  also  subject  to  risk  from 
potential employee misconduct, including non-compliance with policies and improper use or disclosure of 
confidential information. Substantial legal liability or significant regulatory action against First Defiance 
could  materially  adversely  affect  its  business,  financial  condition  or  results  of  operations  and/or  cause 
significant reputational harm to its business. 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 

None. 

Item 2. Properties 

At December 31, 2018, First Federal conducted its business from its main office at 601 Clinton St., 
Defiance, Ohio, and 43 other full-service banking centers in northwest and central Ohio, northeast Indiana 
and  southeast  Michigan  as  well  as  a  loan  production  office  in  southeast  Michigan.    First  Insurance 
conducted its business from nine offices in northwest Ohio. 

In October 2018, First Federal opened a branch located at 203 E. Berry St., Fort Wayne, Indiana.  

This office is leased. 

First  Defiance  maintains  its  headquarters  in  the  main  office  of  First  Federal  at 601  Clinton  St., 
Defiance, Ohio. Back-office operation departments, including information technology, loan processing and 
underwriting,  deposit  processing,  accounting  and  risk  management  are  headquartered  in  an  operations 
center located at 25600 Elliott Rd., Defiance, Ohio. 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the offices and other properties 

of the Company at December 31, 2018. See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

- 32 - 

- 32 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Description/address  

First Federal 
Main Office - 601 Clinton St., Defiance, OH 
Operations Center - 25600 Elliott Rd., Defiance, OH 
Branch Offices, First Federal 
204 E. High St., Bryan, OH 
211 S. Fulton St., Wauseon, OH 
625 Scott St., Napoleon, OH 
1050 E. Main St., Montpelier, OH 
1800 Scott St., Napoleon, OH 
1177 N. Clinton St., Defiance, OH 
905 N. Williams St., Paulding, OH 
201 E. High St., Hicksville, OH 
3900 N. Main St., Findlay, OH 
1694 N. Countyline St., Fostoria, OH 
1226 W. Wooster St., Bowling Green, OH 
301 S. Main St., Findlay, OH 
405 E. Main St., Ottawa, OH 
124 E. Main St., McComb, OH 
7591 Patriot Dr., Findlay, OH 
417 W. Dussel Dr., Maumee, OH 
230 E. Second St., Delphos, OH 
105 S. Greenlawn Ave., Elida, OH 
2600 Allentown Rd., Lima, OH 
22020 W. State Rt. 51, Genoa, OH 
3426 Navarre Ave., Oregon, OH 
1077 Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg, OH 
2565 Shawnee Rd., Lima, OH 
1595 W. Dupont Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 
135 S. Main St., Glandorf, OH 
300 N. Main St., Adrian, MI 
1701 W. Maumee St., Adrian, MI 
211 W. Main St., Morenci, MI 
539 S. Meridian Hwy., Hudson, MI 
1449 W. Chicago Blvd., Tecumseh, MI 
1200 N. Main St., Bowling Green OH 
9909 Illinois Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 
4501 Cemetery Rd, Hilliard, OH 
2920 W. Central Ave., Toledo, OH 
118 S. Sandusky Ave., Upper Sandusky, OH 
112 E. Liberty St., Arlington, OH 
128 S. Vance St., Carey, OH 
17480 Cherokee St., Harpster, OH 
279 Jamesway Dr., Marion, OH 
195 Barks Rd. West, Marion, OH 
1707 Cherry St., Toledo, OH 
1995 Highland Dr., Suite A, Ann Arbor, MI 
5520 Monroe St., Sylvania, OH 
203 E. Berry St., Fort Wayne, IN 

First Insurance Group 
511 Fifth St., Defiance, OH 
209 W. Poe Rd., Bowling Green, OH 
204 E. High St., Bryan, OH 
2600 Allentown Rd., Lima, OH 
107 Ditto St., Suite 400, Archbold, OH 
101 W. Sandusky St., Suite 306, Findlay, OH 
1650 N. Countyline St., Suite 200, Fostoria, OH 
643 Miami St., Suite 5, Tiffin, OH 
5520 Monroe St., Suite A, Sylvania, OH 

Leased/ 
Owned 

Owned 
Owned 

Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned, Land Lease 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned, Land Lease 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Leased 
Leased 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Owned 
Leased 
Leased 
Leased 

Net Book Value 
of Property 

Deposits 

(In Thousands) 

$ 

2,908 
4,495 

490 
282 
778 
216 
1,030 
634 
593 
250 
731 
510 
810 
669 
250 
142 
972 
624 
777 
276 
866 
674 
744 
477 
1,151 
- 
- 
646 
178 
150 
453 
1,325 
1,508 
1,859 
928 
158 
1,106 
83 
167 
132 
686 
613 
56 
- 
16 
26 

  $  268,657 
N/A 

160,615 
75,492 
97,500 
52,327 
42,728 
45,905 
92,873 
36,928 
64,763 
61,838 
129,991 
107,898 
97,812 
22,156 
55,377 
101,954 
108,086 
44,050 
51,231 
37,187 
42,202 
50,288 
44,475 
33,692 
19,395 
85,995 
50,110 
36,192 
49,559 
64,201 
14,884 
56,102 
9,970 
2,073 
121,574 
20,610 
54,926 
12,662 
36,909 
41,947 
9,145 
- 
7,669 
934 

Leased 
Leased 
Leased 
Leased 
Leased 
Leased 
Leased 
Leased 
Leased 

409 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
$  31,848 

N/A 
N/A 
N/A 
N/A 
N/A 
N/A 
N/A 
N/A 
N/A 
  $ 2,620,882 

- 33 - 

- 33 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 

First  Defiance  is  involved  in  routine  legal  proceedings  that  are  incidental  to  and  occur  in  the 
ordinary course of business which, in the aggregate, are believed by management to be immaterial to the 
financial condition of First Defiance. 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 

Not applicable. 

PART II 

Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer 

Purchases of Equity Securities 

The Company’s common shares trade on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol 

“FDEF.” As of January 31, 2019, the Company had approximately 2,347 shareholders of record. 

The line graph below compares the yearly percentage change in cumulative total shareholder return 
on First Defiance common shares and the cumulative total return of the NASDAQ Composite Index, the SNL 
NASDAQ Bank Index and the SNL Midwest Thrift Index. An investment of $100 on December 31, 2013, 
and the reinvestment of all dividends are assumed. The performance graph represents past performance and 
should not be considered to be an indication of future performance. 

Index 
First Defiance Financial Corp. 
NASDAQ Composite 
SNL Bank NASDAQ 
SNL Midwest Thrift 

12/31/13 
100.00 
100.00 
100.00 
100.00 

12/31/14 
134.08 
114.75 
103.57 
114.29 

Period Ending 

12/31/15 
151.90 
122.74 
111.80 
139.95 

12/31/16 
208.51 
133.62 
155.02 
168.52 

12/31/17 
217.83 
173.22 
163.20 
160.27 

12/31/18 
210.01 
168.30 
137.56 
146.29 

- 34 - 

- 34 -

 
 
  
 
The  following  table  provides  information  regarding  First  Defiance’s  purchases  of  its  common 

shares during the fourth quarter period ended December 31, 2018: 

Period
October 1 – October 31, 2018
November 1 – November 30, 2018
December 1 – December 31, 2018
Total 

Total Number 
of Shares 
Purchased

-
145,422
85,738
231,160

Average 
Price Paid 
Per Share
$

-
27.63
26.96
$ 27.38

Total Number of 
Shares Purchased 
as Part of 
Publicly 
Announced Plans 
or Programs 

-
145,422
85,738
231,160

Maximum Number of 
Shares (or Approximate 
Dollar Value) that May 
Yet Be Purchased Under 
the Plans or Programs (1)
755,000
609,578
523,840
523,840

(1) On January 29, 2016, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a program for the

repurchase of up to 5% of the outstanding common shares or 900,000 shares.  There is no expiration date
for the new repurchase program.

The information set forth under the caption “Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners 
and Management and Related Stockholder Matters − Equity Compensation Plans” of this Form 10-K
is incorporated herein by reference.

- 35 -

- 35 -

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following table is derived from the Company’s audited financial statements as of and for the 
five years ended December 31, 2018. The following consolidated selected financial data should be read in 
conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 
and the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The 
operating results of acquired companies are included with the Company’s results of operations since their 
respective dates of acquisition. 

Financial Condition:

Total assets
Investment securities
Loans receivable, net
Allowance for loan losses
Non-performing assets (1)
Deposits and borrowers’ escrow balances
FHLB advances
Stockholders’ equity

Share Information:

Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share 
Book value per common share
Tangible book value per common share (2)
Cash dividends per common share
Dividend payout ratio
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding
Shares outstanding end of period

Operations:

Interest income 
Interest expense
Net interest income 
Provision for loan losses
Noninterest income
Noninterest expense
Income before tax
Federal income tax
Net Income

Performance Ratios:

Return on average assets
Return on average equity
Interest rate spread (2)
Net interest margin (2)
Ratio of operating expense to 

average total assets 

Efficiency ratio (2)

Other Ratios:

Equity to total assets at end of period
Average equity to average assets

Asset Quality Ratios:

Non-performing assets to total assets

at end of period (1)

Allowance for loan losses to total

loans*

Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans

2018

$ 3,182,376
294,602
2,511,708
28,331
20,221
2,624,534
85,189
399,589

$  

$

   2.27
2.26
19.81
14.71
0.64
28.19%
20,468
20,171

124,717
16,462
108,255
1,176
39,208
89,412
56,875
10,626
46,249

1.52%
12.03%
3.79%
3.98%

2.93%
60.29%

12.56%
12.61%

0.64%

1.12%
-0.02%

As of and For the Year Ended December 31,
2016
(Dollars and Shares in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

2015

2017

$ 2,993,403
261,298
2,322,030
26,683
32,247
2,440,581
84,279
373,286

$ 2,477,597
251,176
1,914,603
25,884
14,803
1,984,278
103,943
293,018

$ 2,297,676
236,678
1,776,835
25,382
17,582
1,838,811
59,902
280,197

$    

$

   1.62
1.61
18.38
13.24
0.50
30.96%
20,056
20,312

108,102
11,431
96,671
2,949
40,081
85,351
48,452
16,184
32,268

1.13%
9.19%
3.74%
3.88%

2.99%
61.81%

12.47%
12.32%

1.08%

1.14%
0.10%

$  

$

   1.61
1.60
16.31
12.80
0.44
27.41%
18,070
17,966

87,383
8,440
78,943
283
34,030
71,093
41,597
12,754
28,843

1.20%
10.10%
3.61%
3.74%

2.97%
62.20%

11.83%
11.91%

0.60%

1.33%
-0.01%

$  

$

   1.44
1.41
15.39
11.89
0.39
27.00%
18,742
18,204

80,836
6,781
74,055
136
31,803
67,889
37,833
11,410
26,423

1.19%
9.52%
3.71%
3.81%

3.05%
63.01%

12.19%
12.49%

0.77%

1.41%
-0.03%

2014

$ 2,178,952
239,634
1,622,020
24,766
30,311
1,763,122
21,544
279,505

$  

$

   1.28
1.22
15.09
11.62
0.31
24.51%
19,938
18,470

76,248
6,559
69,689
1,117
31,641
66,758
33,455
9,163
24,292

1.12%
8.78%
3.57%
3.68%

3.09%
65.32%

12.83%
12.79%

1.39%

1.50%
0.08%

(1) Non-performing assets include non-accrual loans that are contractually past due 90 days or more and real estate, mobile homes and other 

assets acquired by foreclosure or deed-in-lieu thereof.

(2) Refer  to  Non-GAAP  Financial  Measures  in  Item  7-  Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis  of Financial  Condition  and  Results  of

Operations.

* Total loans are net of undisbursed loan funds and deferred fees and costs.

- 36 -

- 36 -

Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 

Forward-Looking Statements and Factors that Could Affect Future Results  

Certain  statements  contained  in  this  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  that  are  not  statements  of 
historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation 
Reform Act of 1995 (“Act”), notwithstanding that such statements are not specifically identified as such. 
In addition, certain statements may be contained in the Company’s future filings with the SEC, in press 
releases, and in oral and written statements made by or with the approval of the Corporation that are not 
statements  of  historical  fact  and  constitute  forward-looking  statements  within  the  meaning  of  the  Act. 
Examples  of  forward-looking  statements  include,  but  are  not  limited  to:  (i) projections  of  revenues, 
expenses, income or loss, earnings or loss per common share, the payment or nonpayment of dividends, 
capital  structure  and  other  financial  items;  (ii) statements  of  plans,  objectives  and  expectations  of  First 
Defiance  or  its  management  or  Board  of  Directors,  including  those  relating  to  products  or  services; 
(iii) statements  of  future  economic  performance;  and  (iv) statements  of  assumptions  underlying  such 
statements. Words such as “believes”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “intends”, “targeted”, “continue”, “remain”, 
“will”, “should”, “may” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements 
but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.  

Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ 
materially  from  those  in  such  statements.  Factors  that  could  cause  actual  results  to  differ  from  those 
discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:  

•  Local, regional, national and international economic conditions and the impact they may have on 

the Company and its customers and the Company’s assessment of that impact. 

•  Volatility and disruption in national and international financial markets. 

•  Government intervention in the U.S. financial system. 

•  Changes in the level of non-performing assets and charge-offs. 

•  Changes in estimates of future reserve requirements based upon the periodic review thereof under 

relevant regulatory and accounting requirements. 

•  The effects of and changes in trade and monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including the interest 

rate policies of the Federal Reserve. 

• 

Inflation, interest rate, securities market and monetary fluctuations. 

•  Political instability. 

•  Acts of God or of war or terrorism. 

•  The timely development and acceptance of new products and services and perceived overall value 

of these products and services by users. 

•  Changes in consumer spending, borrowing and saving habits. 

•  Changes in the financial performance and/or condition of the Company’s borrowers or customers. 

•  Technological changes including core system conversions. 

•  Acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses. 

•  The ability to increase market share and control expenses. 

•  Changes in the competitive environment among financial holding companies and other financial 

service providers. 

•  The effect of changes in laws and regulations (including laws and regulations concerning taxes, 
banking, securities and insurance) with which the Company and its subsidiaries must comply. 

- 37 - 

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•  The effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory 
agencies, as well as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”), the Financial 
Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and other accounting standard setters. 

•  The  costs  and  effects  of  legal  and  regulatory  developments  including  the  resolution  of  legal 
proceedings  or  regulatory  or  other  governmental  inquiries  and  the  results  of  regulatory 
examinations or reviews. 

•  Greater than expected costs or difficulties related to the integration of new products and lines of 

business. 

•  The Company’s success at managing the risks involved in the foregoing items. 

Forward-looking  statements  speak  only  as  of  the  date  on  which  such  statements  are  made. The 
Company  undertakes  no  obligation  to  update  any  forward-looking  statement  to  reflect  events  or 
circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated 
events.  

This Item 7 presents information to assess the financial condition and results of operations of First 
Defiance.  This  item  should  be  read  in  conjunction  with  the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  and  the 
supplemental financial data contained elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures 

This  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  contains  GAAP  financial  measures  and  certain  non-GAAP 
financial measures. Management believes that these measures are helpful in understanding the Company’s 
results of operations or financial position.  Fully taxable-equivalent (“FTE”) is an adjustment to net interest 
income to reflect tax-exempt income on an equivalent before-tax basis.  The following tables present a 
reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to their respective GAAP measures at December 31, 2018 and 2017.  

Non-GAAP Financial Measures – Net Interest Income on an 
FTE basis, Net Interest Margin and Efficiency Ratio 

 (In Thousands) 
Net interest income (GAAP) 
Add:  FTE adjustment 
Net interest income on a FTE basis (1) 

Noninterest income – less securities gains/(losses) (2) 
Noninterest expense (3) 
Average interest-earning assets less average unrealized gains/(losses) on 

securities(4) 

      Average interest-earning assets 
      Average unrealized gains/losses on securities 

Ratios: 
Net interest margin (1) / (4) 
Efficiency ratio (3) / (1) + (2) 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures – Tangible Book Value 

 (In Thousands, except per share data) 
Total Shareholders’ Equity (GAAP) 
Less:      Goodwill 

Intangible assets 

Tangible common equity (1) 

Common shares outstanding (2) 

December 31,   

2018                
108,255    
1,004 
109,259    

    $ 

 $ 

      $         

December 31, 
2017           
96,671     
              1,914     
98,585     

    $        

 $                   39,035  

            89,412   

      $           39,497     
85,351  

2,744,752 
2,741,215   
(3,537)   

2,542,129  
2,545,261  
3,132  

3.98%     
60.29%     

3.88%      

61.81%    

December 31,   

    $  

 $  

2018               
399,589       
(98,569)      
(4,391)      
296,629       

December 31, 
2017           
   $       373,286      
(98,569)     
(5,703)     
   $       269,014      

20,171       

20,312   

Tangible book value per share (1) / (2) 

 $  

14.71       

   $           13.24   

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Overview

First Defiance is a unitary thrift holding company that conducts business through its wholly-owned

subsidiaries, First Federal, First Insurance and First Defiance Risk Management.

First Federal is a federally chartered stock savings bank that provides financial services to communities 
based  in  northwest  Ohio,  northeast  Indiana,  and southeastern  Michigan  where  it  operates  44 full  service 
banking  centers  in fourteen northwest and  central  Ohio  counties,  one northeast  Indiana  county,  and one
southeastern Michigan county. First Federal  operates one loan production office in  Ann Arbor, Michigan, 
which is located in Washtenaw County.  

First  Federal  provides  a  broad  range  of  financial  services  including  checking  accounts,  savings 
accounts, certificates of deposit, real estate mortgage loans, commercial loans, consumer loans, home equity 
loans and trust and wealth management services through its extensive branch network.

First  Insurance  sells  a  variety  of  property  and  casualty,  group  health  and  life  and  individual 
health and  life  insurance  products.  First  Insurance  is  an  insurance  agency  that  conducts  business
throughout  First  Federal’s  markets.  The  previous Maumee and Oregon, Ohio  offices were consolidated 
into a new office in Sylvania, Ohio, in January 2018.

First  Defiance  Risk  Management  is  a  wholly owned  insurance  company  subsidiary  of  the 
Company to  insure  the  Company  and  its  subsidiaries  against  certain  risks  unique  to  the  operations  of 
the  Company  and  for  which  insurance  may  not  be  currently  available  or  economically  feasible  in 
today’s  insurance  marketplace.    First  Defiance  Risk  Management  pools resources  with  several 
other  similar  insurance  company  subsidiaries  of  financial  institutions  to  spread  a  limited  amount  of 
risk among themselves. First Defiance Risk Management was incorporated on December 20, 2012. 

On  June  22,  2018,  the  Company  announced  a  stock  split  in  the  form  of  a  share  distribution  of 
two common  shares  for  each  outstanding  common  share.    The  stock  split  was  distributed  on  July  12, 
2018, to shareholders of record as of July 2, 2018.  All share and per share data in this Form 10-K have 
been adjusted and are reflective of the stock split. 

Financial Condition

Assets  at  December  31,  2018, totaled  $3.18  billion  compared  to  $2.99  billion  at  December 
31, 2017,  an  increase  of  $188.3 million  or  6.3%.  The  increase  in  assets  was  primarily due to  an 
increase  in loans  receivable,  net  of  undisbursed  loan  funds  and  deferred  fees  and  costs,  of  $191.3 
million, and  an increase  in  securities  of  $33.3  million.    These  increases  were  funded primarily by an
increase  in  total  deposits of $183.2 million.

Securities

The  securities  portfolio increased  $33.3 million  to  $294.6  million  at  December  31,  2018.  The
2018 activity  in  the  portfolio  included  $76.6  million  of  purchases,  which  were  partially  offset  by  $1.2 
million of amortization,  $32.7  million  of  principal  pay-downs and  maturities, and  $5.5  million  of
securities being sold. There  was  a  net  loss of  $3.5  million in the market  value  of available-for-sale
securities.    For  additional  information  regarding  First  Defiance’s  investment securities see  Note  5  to
the  Consolidated  Financial Statements.

Loans

Loans  receivable,  net  of  undisbursed  loan  funds  and  deferred  fees  and  costs,  increased 
$191.3 million to $2.54 billion at December 31, 2018. For more details on the loan balances, see Note 7 
– Loans Receivable to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

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The majority of First Defiance’s commercial real estate and commercial loans are to small- and 
mid-sized businesses. The combined commercial, commercial real estate and multi-family real estate loan 
portfolios  totaled  $1.85  billion  and  $1.76  billion  at  December  31,  2018  and  2017,  respectively,  and 
accounted  for  approximately  71.8%  and  71.4%  of  First  Defiance’s  loan  portfolio  at  the  end  of  those 
respective periods.  First Defiance believes it has been able to establish itself as a leader in its market area 
in the commercial and commercial real estate lending area by hiring experienced lenders and providing a 
high level of customer service to its commercial lending clients. 

The 1-4 family residential portfolio totaled $322.7 million at December 31, 2018, compared with 
$274.9  million  at  the  end  of  2017.  At  the  end  of  2018,  those  loans  comprised  12.1%  of  the  total  loan 
portfolio, up from 11.1% at December 31, 2017.   

Construction  loans,  which  include  one-to-four  family  and  commercial  real  estate  properties, 
increased to $265.8  million  at  December  31, 2018,  compared  to  $265.5  million  at  December 31,  2017. 
These loans accounted for approximately 10.0% and 10.8% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2018 
and 2017, respectively.   

Home equity and home improvement loans decreased to $128.2 million at December 31, 2018, 
from $135.5 million at the end of 2017. At the end of 2018, those loans comprised 4.8% of the total loan 
portfolio, down from 5.5% at December 31, 2017.   

Consumer finance and mobile home loans were $34.4 million at December 31, 2018 up from $29.1 
million  at  the end  of  2017.    These  loans  accounted  for  approximately  1.3%  and  1.2%  of the  total  loan 
portfolio at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  

In  order  to  properly  assess  the  collateral  dependent  loans  included  in  its  loan  portfolio,  the 
Company has established policies regarding the monitoring of the collateral underlying such loans.  The 
Company requires an appraisal that is less than one year old for all new collateral dependent real estate 
loans, and all renewed collateral dependent real estate loans where significant new money is extended.  The 
appraisal process is handled by the Credit Department, which selects the appraiser and orders the appraisal.  
First Defiance’s loan policy prohibits the account officer from talking or communicating with the appraiser 
to insure that the appraiser is not influenced by the account officer in any way in making a determination 
of value. 

First Federal generally does not require updated appraisals for performing loans unless significant 

new money is requested by the borrower. 

When a collateral dependent loan is downgraded to classified status, First Federal reviews the most 
current appraisal on file and if appropriate, based on First Federal’s assessment of the appraisal, such as 
age, market, etc. First Federal will discount the appraisal amount to a more appropriate current value based 
on  inputs  from  lenders  and  realtors.  This  amount  may  then  be  discounted  further  by  First  Federal’s 
estimation of the selling costs.  In most instances, if the appraisal is more than twelve to fifteen months old, 
a new appraisal may be required. Finally, First Federal assesses whether there is any collateral short fall, 
taking into consideration guarantor support and liquidity, and determines if a charge-off is necessary.   

All loans over 90 days past due and/or on non-accrual are classified as non-performing loans. Non-
performing  status  automatically  occurs  in  the  month  in  which  the  90-day  delinquency  occurs.  When  a 
collateral dependent loan moves to non-performing status, First Federal generally gets a new third party 
appraisal and charges the loan down appropriately based upon the new appraisal and an estimate of costs 
to  liquidate  the  collateral.    All  properties  that  are  moved  into  the  Other  Real  Estate  Owned  (“OREO”) 
category are supported by current appraisals, and the OREO is carried at the lower of cost or fair value, 
which is determined based on appraised value less First Federal’s estimate of the liquidation costs. 

First Federal does not adjust any appraisals upward without written documentation of this valuation 
change from the appraiser.  When setting reserves and charge-offs on classified loans, appraisal values may 
be discounted downward based upon First Federal’s experience with liquidating similar properties.    

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Appraisals are received within approximately 60 days after they are requested.  The First Federal 
Loan Loss Reserve Committee reviews the amount of each new appraisal and makes any necessary charge-
off decisions at its meeting prior to the end of each quarter. 

Any partially charged-off collateral dependent loans are considered non-performing, and as such, 
would need to show an extended period of time with satisfactory payment performance as well as cash flow 
coverage capability supported by current financial statements before First Federal will consider an upgrade 
to performing status.   First Federal may consider moving the loan to accruing status after approximately 
six months of satisfactory payment performance. 

First  Federal  monitors  and  tracks  its  loan  to  value  quarterly  to  determine  accuracy  and  any 

necessary charge-offs. Based on these results, changes may occur in the processes used. 

Loan modifications constitute a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) if First Federal, for economic 
or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower that it 
would not otherwise consider. For  loans  that  are  considered  TDRs and the balance is over $250,000, 
First Federal either computes  the  present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the original 
loan’s effective interest rate or it may measure impairment based on the fair  value  of  the  collateral.   For 
those loans measured for impairment utilizing the present value of future cash flows method, any discount 
is carried as a specific reserve in the allowance for loan and lease losses.  For those loans measured for 
impairment  utilizing  the  fair  value  of  the  collateral,  any  shortfall  is  charged-off.  For  loans  that  are 
considered TDRs and the balance is under $250,000 a specific reserve is carried in the allowance for loan 
and lease losses based on a general reserve analysis.  As of December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, 
First  Federal  had  $11.6  million  and  $13.8  million,  respectively,  of loans  that  were  still  performing  and 
which were classified as TDRs. 

Allowance for Loan Losses 

The  allowance  for  loan  losses  represents  management’s  assessment  of  the  estimated  probable 
incurred credit losses in the loan portfolio at each balance sheet date. Management analyzes the adequacy 
of the allowance for loan losses regularly through reviews of the loan portfolio. Consideration is given to 
economic  conditions,  changes  in  interest  rates  and  the  effect  of  such  changes  on  collateral  values  and 
borrower’s ability to pay, changes in the composition of the loan portfolio and trends in past due and non-
performing  loan  balances.  The  allowance  for  loan  losses  is  a  material  estimate  that  is  susceptible  to 
significant  fluctuation  and  is  established  through  a  provision  for  loan  losses  based  on  management’s 
evaluation  of  the  inherent  risk  in  the  loan  portfolio.  In  addition  to  extensive  in-house  loan  monitoring 
procedures, the Company utilizes an outside party to conduct an independent loan review of commercial 
loan and commercial real estate loan relationships. The goal is to have approximately 55% to 60% of the 
portfolio reviewed annually.  This includes all relationships over $5.0 million with new exposure greater 
than $2.0 million and a sample of other relationships greater than $5.0 million; loan relationships between 
$1.0 million and $5.0 million with new exposure greater than $750,000 and a sample of other relationships 
between $1.0 million and $5.0 million; and a sample of relationships less than $1.0 million. Management 
utilizes the results of this outside loan review to assess the effectiveness of its internal loan grading system 
as well as to assist in the assessment of the overall adequacy of the allowance for loan losses associated 
with these types of loans. 

The  allowance  for  loan  loss  is  made  up  of  two  basic  components.  The  first  component  of  the 
allowance  for  loan  loss  is  the  specific  reserve  in  which  the  Company  sets  aside  reserves  based  on  the 
analysis  of  individual  impaired  credits.    In  establishing  specific  reserves,  the  Company  analyzes  all 
substandard, doubtful and loss graded loans quarterly and makes judgments about the risk of loss based on 
the cash flow of the borrower, the value of any collateral and the financial strength of any guarantors. For  
loans  that  are  considered  impaired and the balance is over $250,000, First Federal either computes  the  
present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the original loan’s effective interest rate or it may 
measure impairment based on the fair  value  of  the  collateral.   For those loans measured for impairment 
utilizing the present value of future cash flows method, any discount is carried as a specific reserve in the 
allowance for loan and lease losses.  For those loans measured for impairment utilizing the fair value of the 

- 41 - 

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collateral, any shortfall is usually charged-off. For loans that are considered impaired and the balance is 
under $250,000 a specific reserve is carried in the allowance for loan and lease losses based on a general 
reserve analysis.  The Company also considers the impacts of any Small Business Association or Farm 
Service Agency guarantees. The specific reserve was $595,000 at December 31, 2018, and $758,000 at 
December 31, 2017.  

The second component is a general reserve, which is used to record loan loss reserves for groups 
of  homogenous  loans  in  which  the  Company  estimates  the  losses  incurred  in  the  portfolio  based  on 
quantitative  and  qualitative  factors.    For  purposes  of  the  general  reserve  analysis,  the  loan  portfolio  is 
stratified into nine different loan pools based on loan type to allocate historic loss experience. The loss 
experience factor is then applied to the non-impaired loan portfolio.  The Company utilizes loss migration 
measurement for each loan portfolio segment with differentiation between loan risk grades in calculating 
the general reserve component for non-impaired loans.  Beginning December 31, 2016, the historical loss 
calculation was changed from using a an average of four (4) four-year loss migration periods to using an average 
of  all  four-year  loss  migration  periods  to  the  present  beginning  with  data  from  the  second  quarter  2011.  
Management believes this enhancement is consistent with the rationale of the previous measurement but provides 
a more precise calculation of historical losses by incorporating more data points for the average loss ratio and 
including periods that provide a more complete coverage of the full business cycle. Management believes that 
capturing the risk grade changes and cumulative losses over the life cycle of a loan more accurately depicts 
management’s estimate of historical losses as well as being more reflective of the ongoing risks in the loan 
portfolio.   

The quantitative general allowance remained steady at $5.9 million at December 31, 2018, from $6.0 
million at December 31, 2017, due to relatively small changes in the historical loss rates from the migration 
analysis. 

In addition to the quantitative analysis, a qualitative analysis is performed each quarter to provide 
additional general reserves on the non-impaired loan portfolio for various factors.  The overall qualitative 
factors  are  based  on  nine  sub-factors.  The  nine  sub-factors  have  been  aggregated  into  three  qualitative 
factors: economic, environment and risk.   

ECONOMIC 

1)  Changes in international, national and local economic business conditions and            

developments, including the condition of various market segments. 

2)  Changes in the value of underlying collateral for collateral dependent loans.  

               ENVIRONMENT  

3)  Changes in the nature and volume in the loan portfolio. 
4)  The existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the level        

of such concentrations. 

5)  Changes in lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards            

and collection, charge-off and recovery practices. 

6)  Changes in the quality and breadth of the loan review process. 
7)  Changes in the experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff. 

  RISK  

8)  Changes in the trends of the volume and severity of delinquent and classified              
loans, and changes in the volume of non-accrual loans, trouble debt                            
restructuring, and other loan modifications. 

9)  Changes in the political and regulatory environment. 

The  qualitative  analysis  at  December  31,  2018,  indicated  a  general  reserve  of  $21.8  million 
compared with $20.0 million at December 31, 2017, an increase of $1.8 million.  Management reviews the 
overall economic, environmental and risk factors quarterly and determines appropriate adjustments to these 
sub-factors based on that review.   

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The economic factors for all loan segments decreased in 2018 primarily due to strengthening trends 

in the U.S. economy, particularly unemployment rates, which decreased in all markets.   

The environmental factors increased in 2018 for all loan segments.  This is principally due to an 
increase in credit concentrations and an increase in the mix of lending in First Federal’s defined 
metro markets.  

The  risk  factors  decreased  in  2018  in  most  loan  segments  with  the  largest  decrease  being  in 

commercial.  This is due to favorable trends in the levels of non-performing loans and classified assets.  

 First  Defiance’s  general  reserve  percentages  for  main  loan  segments  not  otherwise  classified 

ranged from 0.48% for construction loans to 1.50% for home equity and improvement loans. 

As a result of the quantitative and qualitative analysis, along with the change in specific reserves, 
the Company’s provision for loan losses for 2018 was $1.2 million compared to $2.9 million for 2017. The 
allowance for loan losses was $28.3 million at December 31, 2018, and $26.7 million at December 31, 
2017, and represented 1.12% and 1.14% of loans, net of undisbursed loan funds and deferred fees and costs, 
respectively.  The  provision  was  offset  by  charge-offs  of  $2.9  million  and  recoveries  of  $3.3  million 
resulting in an increase to the overall allowance for loan loss of $1.6 million.  In management’s opinion, the 
overall allowance for loan losses of $28.3 million as of December 31, 2018, is adequate.  

Management  also  assesses  the  value  of  OREO  as  of  the  end  of  each  accounting  period  and 
recognizes write-downs to the value of that real estate in the income statement if conditions dictate. In 2018, 
First Defiance recorded OREO write-downs that totaled $552,000. These amounts were included in other 
noninterest expense. Management believes that the values recorded at December 31, 2018, for OREO and 
repossessed assets represent the realizable value of such assets. 

Total  classified  loans  decreased  from  $59.4  million  at  December  31,  2017  to  $50.8  million  at 
December 31, 2018, a reduction of $8.6 million, due to payoffs and an upgrade of a large classified 
relationship during 2018.   

First  Defiance’s  ratio  of  allowance  for  loan  losses  to  non-performing  loans  was  149.0%  at 
December 31, 2018, compared with 86.9% at December 31, 2017. Management monitors collateral values 
of all loans included on the watch list that are collateral dependent and believes that allowances for those 
loans at December 31, 2018, are appropriate. 

At December 31, 2018, First Defiance had total non-performing assets of $20.2 million, compared 
to $32.2 million at December 31, 2017. Non-performing assets include loans that are 90 days past due, 
OREO and other assets held for sale.   

The decrease in non-performing assets between December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, is 
primarily  in  commercial  loans  and  commercial  real  estate  loans.  The  balance  of  commercial  non-
performing loans was $4.3 million lower at December 31, 2018, compared to December 31, 2017.  The 
balance  of  commercial  real  estate  loans  was  $7.9  million  lower  at  December  31,  2018,  compared  to 
December 31, 2017.   

Non-performing loans in the 1-4 family residential, commercial real estate and commercial loan 
categories represent 1.13%, 0.74% and 0.88% of the total loans in those categories respectively at December 
31, 2018, compared to 1.10%, 1.47% and 1.68% respectively for the same categories at December 31, 2017. 
Management believes that the current allowance for loan losses is appropriate and that the provision for 
loan losses recorded in 2018 is consistent with both charge-off experience and the risk inherent in the overall 
credits in the portfolio. 

First Federal’s Asset Review Committee meets monthly to review the status of work-out strategies for 
all criticized relationships, which include all non-accrual loans. Based on such factors as anticipated collateral 

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- 43 -

 
 
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
values in liquidation scenarios, cash flow projections, assessment of net worth of guarantors and all other factors 
which may mitigate risk of loss, the Asset Review Committee makes recommendations regarding proposed 
charge-offs which are approved by the Loan Loss Reserve Committee.  

The net charge-offs and non-accrual loan balances as a percentage of total are presented in the table 

below at December 31, 2018 and 2017. 

Table 1 – Net Charge-offs and Non-accruals by Loan Type 

For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018 

As of December 31, 2018 

Net 

Charge-offs 

(Recoveries) 

(In Thousands) 

$                    130  

- 

610 

(1,497)  

207 

78 

% of Total Net 

Charge-offs 

(Recoveries) 

Non-accrual 

  % of Total Non- 

Loans 

Accrual Loans 

27.54% 

0.00% 

129.24% 

(317.16)% 

43.85% 

16.53% 

(In Thousands) 

$             3,640 

-  

10,357  

4,500 

126  

393  

19.14% 

0.00% 

54.47% 

23.66% 

0.66% 

2.07% 

Residential 

Construction  

Commercial real estate 

Commercial 

Consumer finance 

Home equity and improvement 

    Total  

$                   (472) 

100.00% 

$           19,016  

100.00% 

For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017 

As of December 31, 2017 

Net 

Charge-offs 

(Recoveries) 

(In Thousands) 

$                    164  

- 

(260) 

2,058  

54 

134 

% of Total Net 

Charge-offs 

(Recoveries) 

Non-accrual 

  % of Total Non- 

Loans 

Accrual Loans 

7.63% 

0.00% 

(12.09)% 

95.77% 

2.46% 

6.23% 

(In Thousands) 

$             3,037 

-  

18,219  

8,841 

28  

590  

9.89% 

0.00% 

59.32% 

28.78% 

0.09% 

1.92% 

Residential 

Construction  

Commercial real estate 

Commercial 

Consumer finance 

Home equity and improvement 

    Total  

$                  2,150 

100.00% 

$           30,715  

100.00% 

The following table sets forth information concerning the allocation of First Defiance’s allowance 

for loan losses by loan categories at December 31, 2018 and 2017. 

Table 2 – Allowance for Loan Loss Allocation by Loan Category 

December 31, 2018 

December 31, 2017 

Amount 

Percent of 
total loans 
by category  Amount 

Percent of 
total loans 
by category 

(Dollars in Thousands) 

1-4 family residential 

  $   2,881   

12.1% 

  $   2,532   

11.1% 

 Multi-family  residential real  

estate  

Commercial real estate 
Construction 
Commercial loans  

         3,101 
       12,041 
            682 
          7,281 
Home equity and improvement loans           2,026 
Consumer loans 
    319 
  $ 28,331 

 10.4 
          42.3 
          10.0 
          19.1 
4.8 
1.3 

         2,702 
       10,354 
            647 
          7,965 
          2,255 
    228 
100.0%    $ 26,683 

 10.1 
          40.0 
          10.8 
          21.3  
5.5 
1.2 
100.0% 

- 44 - 

- 44 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      
      
 
 
 
 
Loans Acquired with Impairment 

The Company has purchased loans, for which there was, at acquisition, evidence of deterioration 
of  credit  quality  since  origination  and  it  was  probable,  at  acquisition,  that  all  contractually  required 
payments would not be collected.   

As of December 31, 2018, the total contractual receivable for those loans was $2.5 million and the 

recorded value was $2.3 million. 

High Loan-to-Value Mortgage Loans 

The majority of First Defiance’s mortgage loans are collateralized by one-to-four-family residential 
real estate, have loan-to-value ratios of 80% or less, and are made to borrowers in good credit standing. 
First Federal usually requires residential mortgage loan borrowers whose loan-to-value is greater than 80% 
to purchase private mortgage insurance (“PMI”). Management also periodically reviews and monitors the 
financial viability of its PMI providers. 

First Federal originates and retains a limited number of residential mortgage loans with loan-to-
value  ratios  that  exceed  80%  where  PMI  is  not  required  if  the  borrower  possesses  other  demonstrable 
strengths. The loan-to-value  ratios  on  these loans  are  generally  limited  to  85% and  exceptions  must  be 
approved by First Federal’s Chief Credit Officer. Management monitors the balance of one-to-four family 
residential loans, including home equity loans and committed lines of credit that exceed certain loan to 
value standards (90% for owner occupied residences, 85% for non-owner occupied residences and one-to-
four family construction loans, 75% for developed land and 65% for raw land). Total loans that exceed 
those standards described above at December 31, 2018, totaled $53.0 million, compared to $50.8 million at 
December 31, 2017. These loans are generally paying as agreed. 

First  Defiance  does  not  make  interest-only,  first-mortgage  residential  loans,  nor  does  it  have 

residential mortgage loan products or other consumer products that allow negative amortization. 

Goodwill and Intangible Assets 

Goodwill  was  $98.6  million  at  December  31,  2018,  and  December  31,  2017.    Core  deposit 
intangibles and other intangible assets decreased to $4.4 million at December 31, 2018, compared to $5.7 
million at December 31, 2017.  During 2018, changes to the core deposit intangibles and other intangibles 
were  due  to  the  recognition  of  $1.3  million  of  amortization  expense.    No  impairment  of  goodwill  was 
recorded in 2018 or 2017. 

Deposits 

Total deposits at December 31, 2018, were $2.62 billion compared to $2.44 billion at December 
31, 2017, an increase of $183.2 million or 7.5%.  Noninterest-bearing checking accounts grew by $35.8 
million, interest-bearing checking accounts and money markets grew by $35.0 million, savings decreased 
by  $9.2  million  and  retail  certificates  of  deposit  grew  by  $121.6  million.    Management  can  utilize  the 
national market for certificates of deposit to supplement its funding needs if necessary. For more details on 
the deposit balances in general see Note 11 – Deposits to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  

Borrowings 

FHLB  advances  totaled  $85.2  million  at  December  31,  2018,  compared  to  $84.3  million  at 
December 31, 2017. The balance at the end of 2018 includes thirteen fixed-rate advances totaling $59.0 
million with rates ranging from 1.14% to 2.50%, one amortizing advance of $1.2 million with a rate of 
2.14% and one overnight advance of $25.0 million with a rate of 2.45%.   

At  December  31,  2018,  First  Defiance  also  had  $5.7  million  of  securities  that  were  sold  with 

agreements to repurchase, compared to $26.0 million at December 31, 2017.  

- 45 - 

- 45 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity 

Total  stockholders’  equity  increased  $26.3  million  to  $399.6  million  at  December  31,  2018, 
compared to $373.3 million at December 31, 2017. The increase in stockholders’ equity was the result of 
recording net income of $46.2 million.  This was partially offset by the payment of $13.0 million of common 
stock  dividends,  the  repurchase  of  231,160  shares  of  common  stock  totaling  $6.3  million  and  other 
comprehensive loss of $2.4 million. 

Results of Operations  

Summary 

First  Defiance  reported  net  income  of  $46.2  million  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2018, 
compared to $32.3 million and $28.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  
On a diluted per common share basis, First Defiance earned $2.26 in 2018, $1.61 in 2017 and $1.60 in 
2016.  

Net Interest Income  

First  Defiance’s  net interest  income  is  determined  by  its  interest rate  spread  (i.e.  the difference 
between the yields on its interest-earning assets and the rates paid on its interest-bearing liabilities) and the 
relative amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. 

Net interest income was $108.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to $96.7 
million  and  $78.9  million  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2017  and  2016,  respectively.  The  tax-
equivalent net interest margin was 3.98%, 3.88% and 3.74% for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 
and  2016,  respectively.  The  margin  increased  10  basis  points  between  2017  and  2018.  The  increase  in 
margin in 2018 was primarily due to the increase in interest rates as the federal rate hikes impacted asset 
yields more favorably than deposit costs as well as the mix of our noninterest-bearing balances.  Interest-
earning  asset  yields  increased  26  basis  points  (to  4.59%  in  2018  from  4.33%  in  2017)  and  the  cost  of 
interest- bearing liabilities between the two periods increased 21 basis points (to 0.80% in 2018 from 0.59% 
in 2017). 

Total interest income increased by $16.6 million or 15.4% to $124.7 million for the year ended 
December 31, 2018, from $108.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. This is due to solid loan 
growth, the increase in interest rates and a more profitable earning asset mix.  Interest income from loans 
increased to $114.4 million for 2018 compared to $99.5 million in 2017, which represents an increase of 
14.9%.  The average balance of loans receivable increased $184.3 million to $2.4 billion at December 31, 
2018, from $2.2 billion at December 31, 2017.   

During the same period, the average balance of investment securities increased to $280.0 million 
in  2018  from  $258.8  million  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2017.  Interest  income  from  investment 
securities increased to $8.1 million in 2018 compared to $6.9 million in 2017, which represents an increase 
of 17.1%. The overall duration of investments increased to 4.29 years at December 31, 2018, from 3.40 
years at December 31, 2017. 

Interest expense increased by $5.0 million in 2018 compared to 2017, to $16.5 million from $11.4 
million. This increase was mainly due to a 21 basis point increase in the average cost of interest-bearing 
liabilities in 2018 and a $127.5 million increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities. The 
average  balance  of  interest-bearing  deposits  increased  $175.3  million  to  $1.95  billion  at  December  31, 
2018, from $1.77 billion at December 31, 2017.  Interest expense related to interest-bearing deposits was 
$13.9 million in 2018 compared to $8.8 million in 2017.   

Interest expenses on FHLB advances and other interest-bearing funding sources were $1.3 million 
and $23,000 respectively, in 2018 and $1.5 million and $208,000 respectively in 2017.  The decrease in 

- 46 - 

- 46 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FHLB advance expense was due to a $28.7 million decrease in the average balance of FHLB advances to 
$73.4 million at December 31, 2018, compared to $102.2 million at December 31, 2017. The decrease in 
average balances of FHLB advances offset an increase in the rate paid on FHLB advances as it increased 
to 1.72% at December 31, 2018, from 1.44% at December 31, 2017.  Interest expense recognized by the 
Company related to subordinated debentures was $1.3 million in 2018 and $935,000 in 2017 due to rising 
rates. 

Total interest income increased by $20.7 million or 23.7% to $108.1 million for the year ended 
December 31, 2017, from $87.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. This is primarily due to 
continued loan growth, the CSB acquisition, the increase in interest rates and a more profitable earning 
asset mix.  Interest income from loans increased to $99.5 million for 2017 compared to $80.2 million in 
2016, which represents an increase of 24.1%.  The average balance of loans receivable increased $345.2 
million to $2.2 billion at December 31, 2017, from $1.9 billion at December 31, 2016, due primarily to the 
CSB acquisition.   

During the same period, the average balance of investment securities increased to $258.8 million 
in  2017  from  $233.4  million  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2016.  Interest  income  from  investment 
securities increased to $6.9 million in 2017 compared to $6.2 million in 2016, which represents an increase 
of 11.1%. The overall duration of investments increased to 3.40 years at December 31, 2017, from 3.38 
years at December 31, 2016. 

Interest expense increased by $3.0 million in 2017 compared to 2016, to $11.4 million from $8.4 
million. This increase was mainly due to a seven basis point increase in the average cost of interest-bearing 
liabilities in 2017 and a $297.3 million increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities. The 
average  balance  of  interest-bearing  deposits  increased  $305.9  million  to  $1.77  billion  at  December  31, 
2017, from $1.46 billion at December 31, 2016, primarily due to the CSB acquisition.  Interest expense 
related to interest-bearing deposits was $8.8 million in 2017 compared to $6.3 million in 2016.   

Interest expenses on FHLB advances and other interest-bearing funding sources were $1.5 million 
and $208,000 respectively, in 2017 and $1.3 million and $138,000 respectively in 2016.  The increase in 
FHLB advance expense was primarily due to rising interest rates and a $16.3 million increase in the average 
balance of FHLB advances to $102.2 million at December 31, 2017, compared to $85.9 million at December 
31, 2016. Interest expense recognized by the Company related to subordinated debentures was $935,000 in 
2017 and $753,000 in 2016 due to rising rates. 

- 47 - 

- 47 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table shows an analysis of net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis for the years 

ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016: 

Table 3 – Net Interest Margin

Year Ended December 31,

Average 
Balance

2018
Interest 
(1)

Yield/ 
Rate (2)

Average 
Balance

(In Thousands)
2017
Interest 
(1)

Yield/ 
Rate 

Average 
Balance

2016
Interest 
(1)

$  2,382,941
279,867
63,261
15,146

$114,500
9,036
1,270
915

4.80% $  2,198,639
258,775
3.23%
72,215
2.01%
15,632
6.04%

$99,742
8,654
836
784

4.54% $  1,853,419
3.39%      233,407
67,420
1.16%
13,800
5.02%

$80,423
7,871
367
552

Yield/
Rate

4.34%
3.48%
0.54%
4.00%

2,741,215

125,721

4.59%

2,545,261

110,016

4.33%

2,168,046

89,213

4.13%

Interest-Earning Assets:
Loans receivable (5)
Securities (6)
Interest-earning deposits
FHLB stock
Total interest-earning
assets
Noninterest-earning
assets

307,310

Total Assets

$3,048,525

306,270

$2,851,531

229,393

$2,397,439

Interest-Bearing Liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits
FHLB advances
Subordinated debentures
Other borrowings
Total interest-bearing

liabilities

Noninterest-bearing
demand deposits
Total including non-
interest- bearing 
demand deposits
Other noninterest

liabilities 

Total Liabilities
Stockholders’ equity
Total liabilities and 
stockholders’ equity
Net interest income;

$    1,945,114  
73,421
36,083
8,947

   $13,897
    1,261
1,281
   23

0.71% $   1,769,786  
102,155
1.72%
36,156
3.55%
27,929
0.26%

    $8,818
    1,470
935
   208

0.50% $    1,463,890  
85,856
1.44%
36,141
2.58%
52,826
0.74%

    $6,261
1,288
753
   138

0.43%
1.50%
2.09%
0.26%

2,063,565

16,462

0.80%

1,936,026

11,431

0.59%

1,638,713

8,440

0.52%

562,439

−

528,926

−

441,731

−

2,626,004

16,462

0.63%

2,464,952

11,431

0.46%

2,080,444

8,440

0.41%

38,216
2,664,220
384,305

35,343
2,500,295
351,236

31,361
2,111,805
285,634

$   3,048,525

$   2,851,531

$   2,397,439

interest  rate spread (3)

$109,259

3.79%

$98,585

3.74%

$80,773

3.61%

Net interest margin (4)
Average interest-earning
   assets to average interest- 
   bearing liabilities

3.98%

132.8%

3.88%

131.5%

3.74%

132.3%

(1)  Interest on certain tax exempt loans (amounting to $380,000, $375,000 and $383,000 in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively) and tax-exempt securities 
($3.4 million, $3.2 million and $3.0 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively) is not taxable for Federal income tax purposes. The average balance 
of such loans was $10.5 million, $11.5 million and $11.8 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively, while the average balance of such securities 
was $98.2 million, $91.2 million and $83.4 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. In order to compare the tax-exempt yields on these assets 
to taxable yields, the interest earned on these assets is adjusted to a pre-tax equivalent amount based on the marginal corporate federal income tax rate 
of 21% for 2018 and 35% for 2017 and 2016. 

(2) At December 31, 2018, the yields earned and rates paid were as follows: loans receivable, 4.80%; securities, 3.32%; FHLB stock, 6.00%; total interest-
earning assets,  4.66%; deposits, 0.57%; FHLB advances, 1.88%; other borrowings, 0.26%, subordinated debentures, 4.22%; total including non- 
interest-bearing liabilities, 0.66%; and interest rate spread, 3.99%.

(3) Interest rate spread is the difference in the yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
(4) Net interest margin is net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets excluding average unrealized gains/losses. See Non-GAAP 

Financial Measure discussion for further details.

(5) For the purpose of the computation for loans, non-accrual loans are included in the average loans outstanding.
(6) Securities yield = annualized interest income divided by the average balance of securities, excluding average unrealized gains/losses.

See Non-GAAP Financial Measure discussion for further details.

- 48 -

- 48 -

       The following table describes the extent to which changes in interest rates and changes in volume of 
interest-related assets and liabilities have affected First Defiance’s tax-equivalent interest income and interest 
       The following table describes the extent to which changes in interest rates and changes in volume of 
       The following table describes the extent to which changes in interest rates and changes in volume of 
expense during the periods indicated. For each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, 
interest-related assets and liabilities have affected First Defiance’s tax-equivalent interest income and interest 
interest-related assets and liabilities have affected First Defiance’s tax-equivalent interest income and interest 
information is provided on changes attributable to (i) changes in volume (change in volume multiplied by prior 
expense during the periods indicated. For each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, 
expense during the periods indicated. For each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, 
year rate), (ii) change in rate (change in rate multiplied by prior year volume), and (iii) total change in rate and 
information is provided on changes attributable to (i) changes in volume (change in volume multiplied by prior 
information is provided on changes attributable to (i) changes in volume (change in volume multiplied by prior 
volume. The combined effect of changes in both rate and volume has been allocated proportionately to the change 
year rate), (ii) change in rate (change in rate multiplied by prior year volume), and (iii) total change in rate and 
year rate), (ii) change in rate (change in rate multiplied by prior year volume), and (iii) total change in rate and 
due to rate and the change due to volume.
volume. The combined effect of changes in both rate and volume has been allocated proportionately to the change 
volume. The combined effect of changes in both rate and volume has been allocated proportionately to the change 
due to rate and the change due to volume.
due to rate and the change due to volume.

Table 4 – Changes in Interest Rates and Volumes (1)

Total 
increase
(decrease)
Total 
Total 
increase
increase
(decrease)
(decrease)
$ 19,319
783
$ 19,319
$ 19,319
469
783
783
232
469
469
232
232
$ 20,803

$ 20,803
$ 20,803

2017 vs. 2016
Increase 
2017 vs. 2016
(decrease)
2017 vs. 2016
due to
Increase 
Increase 
volume
(decrease)
(decrease)
due to
due to
volume
volume
$ 15,527
849
$ 15,527
$ 15,527
28
849
849
80
28
28
80
80
$ 16,484

$ 16,484
$ 16,484
Interest-
Bearing 
Liabilities
Interest-
Interest-
1,429
$
Bearing 
Bearing 
236
Liabilities
Liabilities
-
1,429
1,429
$
$
(89)
236
236
-
-
(89)
(89)
1,576

$

Table 4 – Changes in Interest Rates and Volumes (1)
Table 4 – Changes in Interest Rates and Volumes (1)

Increase 
(decrease)
due to
Increase 
Increase 
rate
(decrease)
(decrease)
due to
due to
rate
rate
$ 6,107
(306)
$ 6,107
$ 6,107
549
(306)
(306)
156
549
549
156
156
$ 6,506

$ 6,506
$ 6,506

Interest-Earning Assets
Loans
Securities
Interest-Earning Assets
Interest-Earning Assets
Interest-earning
Loans
Loans
deposits
Securities
Securities
FHLB stock
Interest-earning
Interest-earning
deposits
deposits
Total interest-earning
FHLB stock
FHLB stock
assets
Total interest-earning
Total interest-earning
Interest-Bearing Liabilities

assets
assets

2018 vs. 2017
Increase 
2018 vs. 2017
(decrease)
2018 vs. 2017
due to
Increase 
Increase 
volume
(decrease)
(decrease)
due to
due to
volume
volume
$

8,651
688
8,651
8,651
(115)
688
688
(25)
(115)
(115)
(25)
(25)
9,199

$
$

$

$
$

Year Ended December 31,
(In Thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
Year Ended December 31,
(In Thousands)
(In Thousands)

Total 
increase
(decrease)
Total 
Total 
increase
increase
(decrease)
(decrease)
$ 14,758
382
$ 14,758
$ 14,758
434
382
382
131
434
434
131
131
$ 15,705

Increase 
(decrease)
due to
Increase 
Increase 
rate
(decrease)
(decrease)
due to
due to
rate
rate
$ 3,792
(66)
$ 3,792
$ 3,792
441
(66)
(66)
152
441
441
152
152
$ 4,319

9,199
9,199

$ 15,705
$ 15,705

$ 4,319
$ 4,319

$

$
$

$
$

$
$

$

$
$

$
$

$

$

$

$

387
387

1,576
1,576

$ 4,644
$ 4,644

$ 1,415
$ 1,415

liabilities
liabilities

$ 10,674
$ 10,674

$ 17,812
$ 17,812

$
2,991
2,991
$
$ 17,812

944
(461)
(2)
944
944
(94)
(461)
(461)
(2)
(2)
(94)
(94)
387

2,557
182
182
2,557
2,557
70
182
182
182
182
70
70
2,991

5,079
(209)
346
5,079
5,079
(185)
(209)
(209)
346
346
(185)
(185)
5,031

$ 4,135
252
348
$ 4,135
$ 4,135
(91)
252
252
348
348
(91)
(91)
$ 4,644

$ 1,128
(54)
182
$ 1,128
$ 1,128
159
(54)
(54)
182
182
159
159
$ 1,415

relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each.
relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each.

relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each.

Interest-Bearing Liabilities
Interest-Bearing Liabilities
Deposits
FHLB advances
Subordinated Debentures
Deposits
Deposits
Notes Payable
FHLB advances
FHLB advances
Subordinated Debentures
Subordinated Debentures
Total interest- bearing
Notes Payable
Notes Payable
liabilities
Total interest- bearing
Total interest- bearing
$
5,031
5,031
$
Increase in net interest income
$ 10,674
(1) The  change  in  interest  rates  due  to  both  rate  and  volume  has  been  allocated  between  the  factors  in  proportion  to  the
Increase in net interest income
Increase in net interest income
(1) The  change  in  interest  rates  due  to  both  rate  and  volume  has  been  allocated  between  the  factors  in  proportion  to  the
(1) The  change  in  interest  rates  due  to  both  rate  and  volume  has  been  allocated  between  the  factors  in  proportion  to  the
Provision for Loan Losses – First Defiance’s provision for loan losses was $1.2 million for the 
year  ended  December  31,  2018, compared  to  $2.9  million for  December  31,  2017, and  $283,000  for 
Provision for Loan Losses – First Defiance’s provision for loan losses was $1.2 million for the 
Provision for Loan Losses – First Defiance’s provision for loan losses was $1.2 million for the 
December 31, 2016. 
year  ended  December  31,  2018, compared  to  $2.9  million for  December  31,  2017, and  $283,000  for 
year  ended  December  31,  2018, compared  to  $2.9  million for  December  31,  2017, and  $283,000  for 
December 31, 2016. 
December 31, 2016. 

Provisions for loan losses are charged to earnings to bring the total allowance for loan losses to a 
level deemed appropriate by management to absorb probable losses incurred in the loan portfolio.  Factors 
Provisions for loan losses are charged to earnings to bring the total allowance for loan losses to a 
Provisions for loan losses are charged to earnings to bring the total allowance for loan losses to a 
considered by management include identifiable risk in the portfolios, historical experience, the volume and 
level deemed appropriate by management to absorb probable losses incurred in the loan portfolio.  Factors 
level deemed appropriate by management to absorb probable losses incurred in the loan portfolio.  Factors 
type of lending conducted by First Defiance, the amount of non-performing loans (including loans which 
considered by management include identifiable risk in the portfolios, historical experience, the volume and 
considered by management include identifiable risk in the portfolios, historical experience, the volume and 
meet the FASB ASC Topic 310 definition of impaired), the amount of loans graded by management as 
type of lending conducted by First Defiance, the amount of non-performing loans (including loans which 
type of lending conducted by First Defiance, the amount of non-performing loans (including loans which 
substandard, doubtful, or loss, general economic conditions (particularly as they relate to First Defiance’s 
meet the FASB ASC Topic 310 definition of impaired), the amount of loans graded by management as 
meet the FASB ASC Topic 310 definition of impaired), the amount of loans graded by management as 
market  areas)  and  other  factors  related  to  the  collectability  of  First  Defiance’s  loan  portfolio.  See  also 
substandard, doubtful, or loss, general economic conditions (particularly as they relate to First Defiance’s 
substandard, doubtful, or loss, general economic conditions (particularly as they relate to First Defiance’s 
Allowance for Loan Losses in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Note 7 to the Consolidated 
market  areas)  and  other  factors  related  to  the  collectability  of  First  Defiance’s  loan  portfolio.  See  also 
market  areas)  and  other  factors  related  to  the  collectability  of  First  Defiance’s  loan  portfolio.  See  also 
Financial Statements.
Allowance for Loan Losses in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Note 7 to the Consolidated 
Allowance for Loan Losses in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Note 7 to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements.
Financial Statements.

Noninterest  Income  – Noninterest  income  decreased  by  $873,000 or  (2.2%)  in  2018 to  $39.2 
million  from  $40.1 million  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2017.    That  followed  an increase  of  $6.1 
Noninterest  Income  – Noninterest  income  decreased  by  $873,000 or  (2.2%)  in  2018 to  $39.2 
Noninterest  Income  – Noninterest  income  decreased  by  $873,000 or  (2.2%)  in  2018 to  $39.2 
million or 17.8% in 2017 from $34.0 million in 2016. 
million  from  $40.1 million  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2017.    That  followed  an increase  of  $6.1 
million  from  $40.1 million  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2017.    That  followed  an increase  of  $6.1 
million or 17.8% in 2017 from $34.0 million in 2016. 
million or 17.8% in 2017 from $34.0 million in 2016. 

Service fees and other charges increased to $13.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018,
from $12.1 million for 2017 and increased from $10.9 million for 2016. The increase in service fees and 
Service fees and other charges increased to $13.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018,
Service fees and other charges increased to $13.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018,
from $12.1 million for 2017 and increased from $10.9 million for 2016. The increase in service fees and 
from $12.1 million for 2017 and increased from $10.9 million for 2016. The increase in service fees and 

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other charges in 2018 and 2017 from 2016 is primarily due to increased number of deposit accounts and 
the CSB acquisition in 2017.   

First Federal’s overdraft privilege program generally provides for the automatic payment of modest 
overdraft limits on all accounts deemed to be in good standing when the account is accessed using paper-
based check processing, a teller withdrawal, a point-of-sale terminal, an automated clearing house (“ACH”) 
transaction, an online banking or voice-response transfer, or an automated teller machine (“ATM”). To be 
in good standing, an account must be brought to a positive balance within a 30-day period and have not 
excessively used the overdraft privilege program. Overdraft limits are established for all customers without 
discrimination using a risk assessment approach for each account classification. The approach includes a 
systematic  review  and  evaluation  of  the  normal  deposit  flows  made  to  each  account  classification  to 
establish reasonable and prudent negative balance limits that would be routinely repaid by normal, expected 
and  reoccurring  deposits.  The  risk  assessment  by  portfolio  approach  assumes  a  minimal  degree  of 
undetermined credit risk associated with unidentified individual accounts that are overdrawn for 30 or more 
days. Consumer accounts overdrawn for more than 60 days are automatically charged off. Fees are charged 
as a one-time fee per occurrence, up to five charges per day, and the fee charged for an item that is paid is 
equal to the fee charged for a non-sufficient fund item that is returned. 

Overdrawn balances, net of allowance for losses, are reflected as loans on First Defiance’s balance 
sheet. The fees charged for this service are established based both on the return of processing costs plus a 
profit, and on the level of fees charged by competitors in the Company’s market area for similar services. 
These fees are considered to be compensation for providing a service to the customer and therefore deemed 
to be noninterest income rather than interest income. Fee income recorded for the years ending December 
31,  2018  and  2017,  related  to  the  overdraft  privilege  product,  net  of  adjustments  to  the  allowance  for 
uncollectible  overdrafts,  were  both  $2.8  million,  respectively.  Accounts  charged-off  are  included  in 
noninterest expense.  The allowance for uncollectible overdrafts was $34,000 at December 31, 2018, and 
$24,000 at December 31, 2017. 

Noninterest income also includes gains, losses and impairment on investment securities. In 2018, 
First Defiance realized a $173,000 gain on sale of securities.  In 2017, a $584,000 gain was recognized 
compared to a $509,000 gain in 2016.  

Mortgage  banking  income  includes  gains  from  the  sale  of  mortgage  loans,  fees  for  servicing 
mortgage  loans  for  others,  an  offset  for  amortization  of  mortgage  servicing  rights,  and  adjustments  for 
impairment in the value of mortgage servicing rights. Mortgage banking income totaled $7.1 million, $7.0 
million and $7.3 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The $73,000 increase in 2018 from 2017 is 
attributable  to  a  decrease  of  $123,000  in  mortgage  servicing  rights  amortization  expense  along  with  a 
$70,000  increase  in  servicing  revenue  and  a  $42,000  positive  change  in  the  valuation  adjustments  on 
mortgage servicing rights. This was partially offset by a $162,000 decrease in the gain on sale of loans.   
First Defiance originated $205.9 million of residential mortgages for sale into the secondary market in 2018 
compared with $213.5 million in 2017.  The balance of the mortgage servicing right valuation allowance 
was $300,000 at the end of 2018.  

The $266,000 decrease in 2017 from 2016 is attributable to a $647,000 decrease in the gain on sale 
of loans, along with a $33,000 negative change in the valuation adjustments on mortgage servicing rights. 
These were partially offset by a decrease of $260,000 in mortgage servicing rights amortization expense 
along with a $154,000 increase in servicing revenue.   First Defiance originated $213.5 million of residential 
mortgages for sale into the secondary market in 2017 compared with $263.7 million in 2016.  The balance 
of the mortgage servicing right valuation allowance was $432,000 at the end of 2017.  See Note 8 to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements. 

  Gains on the sale of non-mortgage loans, which include SBA and FSA loans, totaled $317,000 in 
2018 compared to $217,000 in 2017 and $753,000 in 2016.  The volume of eligible SBA loans decreased 
in 2018 and 2017 from levels in 2016. 

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Insurance commission income increased $1.2 million or 9.5% to $14.1 million in 2018 from $12.9 
million in 2017 mainly due to having a full year results of the Corporate One acquisition and an increase in 
general production in the property and casualty and group employee benefits lines of business.  Insurance 
commission income increased $2.4 million or 23.2% to $12.9 million in 2017 from $10.4 million in 2016 
mainly due to the acquisition of Corporate One.  

Income from bank owned life insurance decreased $1.3 million in 2018 to $1.8 million from $3.1 
million in  2017.    In 2017, the Company surrendered an underperforming BOLI policy and recorded a tax 
penalty of $1.7 million (recorded in income tax expense) and purchased a new BOLI policy receiving a $1.5 
million enhancement value gain.  The increase to $3.1 million in 2017 from $909,000 in 2016 is also due to 
the enhancement value gain.   

Trust  income  decreased  $241,000  to  $2.1  million  in  2018  from  $2.3  million  in  2017  and  $1.7 
million.  The decrease in 2018 is due to a $428,000 positive accrual adjustment recorded in 2017 to bring 
trust fees to an accrual basis of accounting. 

Other income decreased $1.3 million to $598,000 in 2018 compared to $1.9 million in 2017 and 
$1.5  million  in  2016.    The  $1.3  million  decrease  in  2018  included  a  $388,000  decrease  in  deferred 
compensation plan assets compared to a $377,000 increase for the same period in 2017 due to stock market 
performance in 2018.  The $316,000 increase in 2017 is due mainly to group benefit referral fees.   

Noninterest Expense – Total noninterest expense for 2018 was $89.4 million compared to $85.4 
million for the year ended December 31, 2017, and $71.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.   

Compensation and benefits increased $2.8 million or 5.5% to $52.6 million from $49.8 million in 
2017.  The increase is mainly related to merit increases and investing some of the benefits of lower tax rates 
in support of our metro market growth strategies.    Occupancy expense increased $934,000, to $8.6 million 
in 2018 compared to $7.7 million in 2017 and data processing expense increased $818,000 to $8.6 million 
in 2018 from $7.7 million in 2017 both increases primarily related to our metro market growth initiatives.  
Other noninterest expenses decreased $181,000 to $18.6 million in 2018 from $18.8 million in 2017.  This 
decrease is due to an $806,000 benefit from the deferred compensation accounting correction as well as a 
$1.2 million reduction year over year due to the decline in the liabilities of the deferred compensation plan 
as a result of the stock market performance in the fourth quarter of 2018.  See Note 19 to the Consolidation 
Financial Statements for further details. 

Compensation and benefits increased $9.7 million or 24.0% to $49.8 million from $40.2 million in 
2016.  The increase is mainly related to personnel expenses both from certain benefit payouts associated 
with the CSB merger as well as operating the new CSB and Corporate One locations, merit increases and 
other new staff for growth strategies.  Other noninterest expenses increased $2.8 million or 17.5% to $18.8 
million  in  2017  from  $16.0  million  in  2016.    This  is  due  mainly  to  $2.1  million  increase  in  expenses 
associated with the acquisition of CSB and Corporate One, as well as an increase in the amortization of 
intangibles of $754,000.  Occupancy expense increased $289,000, to $7.7 million in 2017 compared to $7.4 
million  in  2016  and  data  processing  expense  increased  $1.4  million  to  $7.7  million  in  2017  from  $6.4 
million in 2016.   

Income Taxes – Income taxes totaled $10.6 million in 2018 compared to $16.2 million in 2017 
and  $12.8  million  in  2016.  The  effective  tax  rates  for  those  years  were  18.7%,  33.4%,  and  30.7%, 
respectively. The tax rate is lower than the statutory 21% and 35% tax rate for the Company mainly because 
of investments in tax-exempt securities. The increase in the effective tax rate in 2017 primarily relates to 
the surrender of a bank-owned life insurance policy which added $1.7 million to income tax expense. The 
earnings on tax-exempt securities are not subject to federal income tax. See Note 18 – Income Taxes to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.  

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Concentrations of Credit Risk   

Financial  institutions  such  as  First  Defiance  generate  income  primarily  through  lending  and 
investing activities. The risk of loss from lending and investing activities includes the possibility that losses 
may occur from the failure of another party to perform according to the terms of the loan or investment 
agreement. This possibility is known as credit risk. 

Lending or investing activities that concentrate assets in a way that exposes the Company to a material 
loss  from  any  single  occurrence  or  group  of  occurrences  increases  credit  risk.  Diversifying  loans  and 
investments to prevent concentrations of risks is one way a financial institution can reduce potential losses due 
to credit risk. Examples of asset concentrations would include multiple loans made to a single borrower and 
loans of inappropriate size relative to the total capitalization of the institution. Management believes adherence 
to its loan and investment policies allows it to control its exposure to concentrations of credit risk at acceptable 
levels. First Defiance’s loan portfolio is concentrated geographically in its northwest and central Ohio, northeast 
Indiana, and southeast Michigan market areas. Management has also identified lending for income-generating 
rental properties as an industry concentration. Total loans for income-generating rental property totaled $982.5 
million at December 31, 2018, which represents 37.9% of the Company’s loan portfolio. Management believes 
it has the skill and experience to manage any risks associated with this type of lending. Loans in this category 
are generally paying as agreed without any unusual or unexpected levels of delinquency. The delinquency rate 
in this category, which is any loan 30 days or more past due, was 0.03% at December 31, 2018.  There are no 
other industry concentrations that exceed 10% of the Company’s loan portfolio. 

Liquidity and Capital Resources 

The  Company’s  primary source  of  liquidity  is  its core deposit base, raised  through  First Federal’s 
branch  network,  along  with  wholesale  sources  of  funding  and  its  capital  base.  These  funds,  along  with 
investment securities, provide the ability to meet the needs of depositors while funding new loan demand and 
existing commitments. 

Cash generated from operating activities was $53.1 million, $36.0 million and $27.0 million in 2018, 
2017 and 2016, respectively. The adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by or used in operations 
during the periods presented consist primarily of proceeds from the sale of loans (less the origination of loans 
held for sale), the provision for loan losses, depreciation expense, the origination, amortization and impairment 
of mortgage servicing rights and increases and decreases in other assets and liabilities. 

The primary investing activity of First Defiance is lending, which is funded with cash provided from 
operating  and financing  activities, as  well as  proceeds from  payment on  existing  loans and  proceeds from 
maturities of investment securities.  In 2017 and 2016, the Company purchased $11.5 million and $822,000, 
respectively, in portfolio residential home loans.  There were no purchases in 2018.    

In considering the more typical investing activities, during 2018, $32.6 million and $5.5 million was 
generated from the combination of maturity or pay-downs and the sale or call of available-for-sale investment 
securities, respectively, and $220.0 million was used by an increase in loans while $76.6 million was used to 
purchase available-for-sale investment securities.  During 2017, $32.7 million and $34.2 million was generated 
from the combination of maturity or pay-downs and the sale or call of available-for-sale investment securities, 
respectively, and $133.4 million was used by an increase in loans while $73.0 million was used to purchase 
available-for-sale investment securities.  During 2016, $36.4 million and $14.9 million was generated from the 
combination  of  maturity  or  pay-downs  and  the  sale  or  call  of  available-for-sale  investment  securities, 
respectively, and $158.1 million was used by an increase in loans while $71.3 million was used to purchase 
available-for-sale investment securities.  

Principal financing activities include the gathering of deposits, the utilization of FHLB advances, and 
the sale of securities under agreements to repurchase such securities and borrowings from other banks. In 2018, 
total deposits increased by $183.2 million.  Securities sold under repurchase arrangements decreased by $20.3 
million in 2018.   Also in 2018, the Company paid $13.0 million in common stock dividends and $6.3 million 
in  common  stock  purchases.    In  2017,  total  deposits  increased  by  $148.1  million.    Securities  sold  under 

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repurchase arrangements decreased by $5.8 million in 2017.   Also in 2017, the Company paid $9.9 million in 
common stock dividends.  In 2016, total deposits increased by $145.5 million. Securities sold under repurchase 
arrangements decreased by $25.4 million in 2016.   Also in 2016, the Company paid $7.9 million in common 
stock dividends and $6.3 million in common stock repurchases. For additional information about cash flows 
from First Defiance’s operating, investing and financing activities, see the Consolidated Statements of Cash 
Flows included in the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

At  December  31,  2018,  First  Defiance  had  the  following  commitments  to  fund  deposit,  advance, 

borrowing obligations and post-retirement benefits: 

Table 5 – Contractual Obligations 

Maturity Dates by Period at December 31, 2018 

Contractual Obligations 

Total 

Less than 
1 year 

3-5 years 

More than 
5 years 

Certificates of deposit 
FHLB fixed advances including interest (1) 
Subordinated debentures 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements 
Lease obligations 
Post-retirement benefits 
Total contractual obligations 
(1) Includes principal payments of $85,189, interest payments of $1,534 and fair value adj. on acquired balances of $24. 

$417,562 
45,926 
- 
5,741 
967 
168 
$470,364 

$680,384 
86,747 
36,083 
5,741 
12,279 
1,903 
$823,137 

$46,503 
3,388 
- 
- 
1,507 
390 
$51,788 

- 
563 
36,083 
- 
8,078 
969 
$45,693 

$

1-3 years 
(In Thousands) 
$216,319 
36,870 
- 
- 
1,727 
376 
$255,292 

At December 31, 2018, First Defiance had the following commitments to fund loan or line of credit 

obligations: 

Table 6 - Commitments 

Commitments 

Fixed commitments to make loans 
Variable commitments to make loans 
Fixed unused lines of credit 
Variable unused lines of credit 
Total loan commitments 

Total 
Amounts 
Committed 

$ 44,352 
114,308 
7,523 
382,189 
548,372 

Amount of Commitment Expiration by Period 

Less than 
1 year 

$ 15,811 
8,876 
4,150 
162,724 
191,561 

1-3 years 
(In Thousands) 

3-5 years 

More than 
5 years 

$ 5,228 
14,914 
1,777 
4,349 
26,268 

$ 8,465 
31,197 
1,164 
7,018 
47,844 

$ 14,848 
59,321 
432 
208,098 
282,699 

Standby letters of credit 

7,239 

7,209 

30 

- 

- 

Total Commitments 

$555,611 

$198,770 

$26,298 

$47,844 

$282,699 

In addition to the above commitments, at December 31, 2018, First Defiance had commitments to sell 

$8.6 million of loans to Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, or FHLB of Cincinnati. 

To meet its obligations management can adjust the rate of savings certificates to retain deposits in 
changing interest rate environments; it can sell or securitize mortgage and non-mortgage loans; and it can turn 
to  other  sources  of  financing  including  FHLB  advances,  the  Federal  Reserve,  and  brokered  certificates  of 
deposit.  At December 31, 2018, First Defiance had additional borrowing capacity of $447.4 million under its 
agreements with the FHLB. 

First  Federal  is  subject  to  various  capital  requirements  of  the  OCC.  At  December  31,  2018,  First 
Federal  had  capital  ratios  that  exceeded  the  standard  to  be  considered  “well  capitalized.”  For  additional 

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information about First Defiance and First Federal’s capital requirements, see Note 17 – Regulatory Matters to 
the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates 

First Defiance has established various accounting policies that govern the application of accounting 
principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) in the preparation of its Consolidated Financial 
Statements.  The  significant  accounting  policies  of  First  Defiance  are  described  in  the  footnotes  to  the 
Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain accounting policies involve significant judgments and assumptions 
by  management,  which  have  a  material  impact  on  the  carrying  value  of  certain  assets  and  liabilities; 
Management  considers  such  accounting  policies  to  be  critical  accounting  policies.  The  judgments  and 
assumptions used by management are based on historical experience and other factors, which are believed to 
be reasonable under  the circumstances.  Because of the  nature of the judgments  and  assumptions  made by 
management,  actual  results  could  differ  from  these  judgments  and  estimates,  which  could  have  a  material 
impact on the carrying value of assets and liabilities and the results of operations of First Defiance. 

Allowance  for  Loan  Losses  -  First  Defiance  believes  the  allowance  for  loan  losses  is  a  critical 
accounting  policy  that  requires  the  most  significant  judgments  and  estimates  used  in  preparation  of  its 
Consolidated Financial Statements. In determining the appropriate estimate for the allowance for loan losses, 
management considers a number of factors relative to both specific credits in the loan portfolio and macro-
economic factors relative to the economy of the United States as a whole and the economy of the northwest 
and central Ohio, northeast Indiana and southeast Michigan regions in which the Company does business. 

Factors  relative  to  specific  credits  that  are  considered  include  a  customer’s  payment  history,  a 
customer’s  recent  financial  performance,  an  assessment  of  the  value  of  collateral  held,  knowledge  of  the 
customer’s character, the financial strength and commitment of any guarantors, the existence of any customer 
or industry concentrations, changes in a customer’s competitive environment and any other issues that may 
impact a customer’s ability to meet his obligations.  

Economic factors that are considered include levels of unemployment and inflation, specific plant or 
business closings in the Company’s market area, the impact of strikes or other work stoppages, the impact of 
weather or environmental conditions, especially relative to agricultural borrowers, and other matters that may 
have an impact on the economy as a whole. 

In  addition  to  the  identification  of  specific  customers  who  may  be  potential  credit  problems, 
management  considers  its  historical  losses,  the  results  of  independent  loan  reviews,  an  assessment  of  the 
adherence  to  underwriting  standards,  and  other  factors  in  providing  for  loan  losses  that  have  not  been 
specifically classified. Management believes that the level of its allowance for loan loss is sufficient to cover 
the estimates loss incurred but not yet recognized on the loan portfolio. Refer to Allowance for Loan Losses in 
this  Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis  and  Note  2  -  Statement  of  Accounting  Policies  for  a  further 
description of the Company’s estimation process and methodology related to the allowance for loan losses. 

Valuation  of  Mortgage  Servicing  Rights  -  First  Defiance  believes  the  valuation  of  mortgage 
servicing  rights  is  a  critical  accounting  policy  that  requires  significant  estimates  in  preparation  of  its 
Consolidated Financial Statements. First Defiance recognizes as separate assets the value of mortgage servicing 
rights, which are acquired through loan origination activities. First Defiance does not purchase any mortgage 
servicing rights. 

Key assumptions made by management relative to the valuation of mortgage servicing rights include 
the stratification policy used in valuing servicing, assumptions relative to future prepayments of mortgages, the 
potential value of any escrow deposits maintained or ancillary income received as a result of the servicing 
activity and discount rates used to value the present value of a future cash flow stream. In assessing the value 
of the mortgage servicing rights portfolio, management utilizes a third party that specializes in valuing servicing 
portfolios.  That  third  party  reviews  key  assumptions  with  management  prior  to  completing  the  valuation. 
Prepayment speeds are determined based on projected median prepayment speeds for 15 and 30 year mortgage 
backed securities. Those speeds are then adjusted up or down based on the size of the loan. The discount rate 
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used  in this  analysis is the pretax  yield  generally  required by  purchasers  of  bulk servicing rights  as of the 
valuation  date.  The  value  of  mortgage  servicing  rights  is  especially  vulnerable  in  a  falling  interest  rate 
environment. Refer also to the section entitled Mortgage Servicing Rights in this Management’s Discussion 
and  Analysis  and  Note  2  -  Statement  of  Accounting  Policies  and  Note  8  -  Mortgage  Banking  to  the 
Consolidated Financial Statements, for a further description of First Defiance’s valuation process, methodology 
and assumptions along with sensitivity analyses. 

Goodwill  and  Intangibles  -  First  Defiance  has  two  reporting  units:  First  Federal  and  First 
Insurance. At December 31, 2018, First Defiance had goodwill of $98.6 million, including $80.0 million in 
First Federal, representing 81% of total goodwill and $18.6 million in First Insurance, representing 19% of 
total goodwill. The carrying value of goodwill is tested annually for impairment or more frequently if it is 
determined appropriate. The evaluation for impairment involves comparing the current estimated fair value 
of  each  reporting  unit  to  its  carrying  value,  including  goodwill.  If  the  current  estimated  fair  value  of  a 
reporting  unit  exceeds  its  carrying  value,  no  additional  testing  is  required  and  impairment  loss  is  not 
recorded. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying value, further valuation 
procedures are performed and could result in impairment of goodwill being recorded. Further valuation 
procedures would include allocating the estimated fair value to all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit 
to determine an implied goodwill value. If the implied value of goodwill of a reporting unit is less than the 
carrying amount of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.  

If, for any future period First Defiance determines that there has been impairment in the carrying 
value of goodwill balances, First Defiance will record a charge to earnings, which could have a material 
adverse effect on net income, but not risk-based capital ratios. 

First Defiance has core deposit and other intangible assets resulting from acquisitions which are 
subject to amortization. First Defiance determines the amount of identifiable intangible assets based upon 
independent core deposit and customer relationship analyses at the time of the acquisition. Intangible assets 
with finite useful lives are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate 
that  their  carrying  amount  may  not  be  recoverable.  No  events  or  changes  in  circumstances  that  would 
indicate that the carrying amount of any identifiable intangible assets may not be recoverable had occurred 
during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. 

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Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 

Asset/Liability Management 

A significant portion of the Company’s revenues and net income is derived from net interest income 
and, accordingly, the Company strives to manage its interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities 
to generate an appropriate contribution from net interest income. Asset and liability management seeks to 
control the volatility of the Company’s performance due to changes in interest rates. The Company attempts 
to  achieve  an  appropriate  relationship  between  rate  sensitive  assets  and  rate  sensitive  liabilities.  First 
Defiance does not presently use off-balance sheet derivatives for risk management. 

First  Defiance  monitors  interest  rate  risk  on  a  monthly  basis  through  simulation  analysis  that 
measures the impact changes in interest rates can have on net interest income. The simulation technique 
analyzes  the  effect  of  a  presumed  100  basis  point  shift  in  interest  rates  (which  is  consistent  with 
management’s  estimate  of  the  range  of  potential  interest  rate  fluctuations)  and  takes  into  account 
prepayment speeds on amortizing financial instruments, loan and deposit volumes and rates, non-maturity 
deposit assumptions and capital requirements. At December 31, 2018, the results of the simulation indicate 
that in an environment where interest rates rise 100 basis points over a 24 month period, First Defiance’s 
net interest income would increase by 2.88% over the base case scenario. It should be noted that other areas 
of  First  Defiance’s  income  statement,  such  as  gains  from  sales  of  mortgage  loans  and  amortization  of 
mortgage servicing rights are also impacted by fluctuations in interest rates, but are not considered in the 
simulation of net interest income. 

The majority of First Federal’s lending activities are in commercial real estate and commercial loan 
areas. In addition to carrying higher credit risk than residential mortgage lending, such loans tend to be 
more rate sensitive than residential mortgage loans. The balance of First Federal’s commercial real estate 
and multi-family real estate loan portfolio was $1.40 billion, which was split between $181.7 million of 
fixed-rate loans and $1.22 billion of adjustable-rate loans, at December 31, 2018. The commercial loan 
portfolio  decreased  to  $509.6  million,  which  was  split  between  $165.8  million  of  fixed-rate  loans  and 
$343.8 million of adjustable-rate loans, at December 31, 2018. Certain loans classified as adjustable have 
fixed  rates  for  an  initial  term  that  may  be  as  long  as  five  years.  The  maturities  on  fixed-rate  loans  are 
generally less than seven years. First Federal also has $128.2 million of home equity and improvement 
loans at December 31, 2018, of which $116.8 million fluctuate with changes in the prime lending rate and 
$11.3 million have fixed rates. First Federal also has $34.4 million of consumer loans at December 31, 
2018, which tend to have a shorter duration than residential mortgage loans. Also, to limit its interest rate 
risk, as well as to provide liquidity, First Federal sells a majority of its fixed-rate mortgage originations into 
the secondary market.  

The table below presents, for the twelve months subsequent to December 31, 2018, and December 
31, 2017, an estimate of the change in net interest income that would result from a gradual (ramp) and 
immediate (shock) change in interest rates, moving in a parallel fashion over the entire yield curve, relative 
to the measured base case scenario.  Based on our net interest income simulation as of December 31, 2018, 
net interest income sensitivity to changes in interest rates for the twelve months subsequent to December 
31, 2018, was slightly less liability sensitive for the ramp and shock compared to the sensitivity profile for 
the twelve months subsequent to December 31, 2017. The Company did not complete an earnings at risk 
analysis for the down 200 basis point change in rates as of December 31, 2017.  Management noted the 
likelihood of a decrease beyond 100 basis points as of December 31, 2017, was considered to be unlikely 
given the interest rate levels at that time and therefore was not included in this analysis.    

- 56 - 

- 56 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 7 – Net Interest Income Sensitivity Profile 

(dollars in thousands) 
Gradual Change in Interest Rates 
+200
+100
-100
-200
Immediate Change in Interest Rates
+200
+100
-100
-200

Impact on Future Annual Net Interest Income 
December 31, 2018 

December 31, 2017 

$     1,910 
981 
(2,025) 
(6,236) 

$      3,424 
1,865 
(5,057) 
(14,455) 

1.61% 
0.83% 
-1.71%
-5.27%

$     2,354 
1,200 
(3,033) 
- 

2.89% 
1.57% 
-4.27%
-12.21%

$      4,821 
2,463 
(6,223) 
- 

2.18% 
1.11% 
-2.81%
- 

4.47% 
2.28% 
-5.77%
- 

To analyze the impact of changes in interest rates in a more realistic manner, non-parallel interest 
rate scenarios are also simulated.  These non-parallel interest rate scenarios indicate that net interest income 
may decrease from the base case scenario should the yield curve flatten or become inverted. Conversely, if 
the yield curve should steepen, net interest income may increase.  

The results of all the simulation scenarios are within the Board mandated guidelines as of December 
31, 2018, except for the down 200 basis points over the first twelve months in a static and dynamic-shock 
balance sheet as well as in the down 200 basis points for a cumulative twenty-four months in a Static and 
dynamic ramp balance sheet.  Management is reviewing the Board policy limits in all scenarios to determine 
if they are adequate and if so, any measures to be taken to bring the current results back into alignment with 
Board mandated guidelines. 

In addition to the simulation analysis, First Federal also prepares an “economic value of equity” 
(“EVE”)  analysis.  This  analysis  generally  calculates  the  net  present  value  of  First  Federal’s  assets  and 
liabilities in rate shock environments that range from –400 basis points to +400 basis points. However, the 
likelihood of a decrease in interest rates beyond 200 basis points as of December 31, 2018, was considered 
to be unlikely given the current interest rate levels and therefore was not included in this analysis. The 
results of this analysis are reflected in the following table.  

Table 8 – Economic Value of Equity Analysis 

December 31, 2018 

Economic Value of Equity 

Change in Rates 

$ Amount 

$ Change 

% Change 

+ 400 bp
+ 300 bp
+ 200 bp
+ 100 bp
0 bp
- 100 bp 
- 200 bp 

751,259 
741,404 
729,505 
710,688 
684,507 
642,625 
578,124 

(Dollars in Thousands) 
66,752 
56,897 
44,998 
26,181 
-

9.75% 
8.31% 
6.57% 
3.82% 
-
(6.12)% 
  (15.54)% 

(41,882) 
(106,383)

December 31, 2017 

Economic Value of Equity 

Change in Rates 

$ Amount 

$ Change 

% Change 

+ 400 bp
+ 300 bp
+ 200 bp
+ 100 bp
0 bp
- 100 bp 

700,563 
685,883 
668,127 
647,439 
620,019 
585,967 

(Dollars in Thousands) 
80,544 
65,864 
48,108 
27,420 
-

12.99% 
10.62% 
  7.76% 
  4.42% 
-
(5.49)% 

(34,052) 

- 57 -

- 57 -

Economic Value of Equity as % of 
Present Value of Assets 
Ratio 

Change 

25.96% 
25.13% 
24.25% 
23.18% 
21.92% 
20.26% 
18.04% 

404  bp 
322  bp 
233  bp 
126  bp 
-
(165) bp
(387) bp

Economic Value of Equity as % of 
Present Value of Assets 
Ratio 

Change 

25.63% 
24.63% 
23.53% 
22.36% 
21.01% 
19.52% 

462  bp 
362  bp 
252  bp 
135  bp 
-
(149) bp

 
 
 
 
 
 
Based on the above analysis, in the event of a 200 basis point increase in interest rates as of December 
31, 2018, First Federal would experience a 6.57% increase in its economic value of equity. During periods of 
rising rates, the value of monetary assets declines. Conversely, during periods of falling rates, the value of 
monetary assets increases. It should be noted that the amount of change in value of specific assets and liabilities 
due to changes in rates is not the same in a rising rate environment as in a falling rate environment. Based on 
the EVE analysis, the change in the economic value of equity in both rising and falling rate environments is 
relatively low because both its assets and liabilities have relatively short durations. The average duration of its 
assets at December 31, 2018, was 1.75 years while the average duration of its liabilities was 3.52 years.   

In evaluating First Federal’s exposure to interest rate risk, certain shortcomings inherent in each of 
the methods of analysis presented must be considered. For example, although certain assets and liabilities 
may have similar maturities or periods to repricing, they may react in different degrees to changes in market 
interest rates. Also, the interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of 
changes in market rates while interest rates on other types of financial instruments may lag behind current 
changes in market rates. Furthermore, in the event of changes in rates, prepayments and early withdrawal 
levels could differ significantly from the assumptions in calculating the table and the results therefore may 
differ from those presented. 

- 58 - 

- 58 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The management of First Defiance Financial Corp. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate
internal control over financial reporting.  Internal control over financial reporting is defined in  Rule 13a-15(f) 
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as a process designed by, or under the supervision of 
our principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the Board of Directors, management 
and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the 
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting 
principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

1. Pertain  to  the  maintenance  of  records  that  in  reasonable  detail  accurately  and  fairly  reflect  the

transactions and dispositions of our assets;

2. Provide  reasonable  assurance  that  transactions  are  recorded  as  necessary  to  permit  preparation of
financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and that our
receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management
and directors; and

3. Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition,

use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because  of  its  inherent  limitations,  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect 
misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that 
controls  may  become  inadequate  because  of  changes  in  conditions,  or  that  the  degree  of  compliance  with 
policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Based  on  our  evaluation  under  the  framework  in  the  2013 Internal  Control  –  Integrated  Framework, 
management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 
2018. 

Crowe  LLP,  the  independent  registered  public  accounting  firm  that  audited  the  consolidated  financial 
statements  of  the  Company  included  in  this  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K,  has  issued  a report on  the 
effectiveness  of  the  Company’s  internal  control over  financial  reporting  as  of December  31,  2018. The 
report, which expresses an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over 
financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, is included in this Item 8. 

Donald P. Hileman
President and 
Chief Executive Officer

Kevin T. Thompson 
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

- 59 -

- 59 -

 
Crowe LLP 
Independent  Member Crowe Global 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

Stockholders and the Board of Directors of  
First Defiance Financial Corp. 
Defiance, Ohio 

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

We  have  audited  the  accompanying consolidated statements of  financial  condition  of  First  Defiance 
Financial Corp. (the "Company") as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements 
of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years 
in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the 
"financial statements"). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of 
December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework: (2013) issued 
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial 
position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash 
flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018 in conformity with accounting 
principles  generally  accepted  in  the  United  States  of  America.    Also  in  our  opinion,  the  Company 
maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over  financial reporting as of  December 31, 
2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by COSO. 

Basis for Opinions 

The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal 
control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial 
reporting,  included  in  the  accompanying  Management’s  Report  on  Internal  Control  over  Financial 
Reporting.   Our  responsibility is to express an opinion  on  the  Company’s financial statements and an 
opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on  our audits.   We are a public 
accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") 
and  are  required  to  be  independent with  respect to the  Company in  accordance with the U.S. federal 
securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and 
the PCAOB.  

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that 
we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are 
free  of  material misstatement, whether due  to error  or  fraud,  and whether effective  internal control  over 
financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  

Our  audits of  the  financial statements included performing procedures to  assess the risks of  material 
misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error  or  fraud, and  performing procedures that 
respond  to  those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a  test basis, evidence regarding  the 
amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating  the accounting 
principles  used  and  significant  estimates  made  by  management,  as  well  as  evaluating  the  overall 
presentation of  the  financial  statements. Our  audit of  internal control  over  financial reporting  included 
obtaining an  understanding of  internal control over  financial reporting, assessing the risk that a  material 
weakness exists, and testing and evaluating  the design and  operating effectiveness of  internal control 
based on the assessed risk.  Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered 
necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions. 

- 60 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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.  A company’s internal control over 
financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1)  pertain to the maintenance of records 
that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the 
company;  (2)  provide  reasonable  assurance  that  transactions  are  recorded  as  necessary  to  permit 
preparation of  financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that 
receipts and  expenditures of  the  company are  being  made  only  in  accordance with  authorizations of 
management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or 
timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a 
material effect on the financial statements. 

Because of  its inherent  limitations, internal control over  financial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect 
misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk 
that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance 
with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.   

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2005. 

South Bend, Indiana 
February 28, 2019 

Crowe LLP 

- 61 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Defiance Financial Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(Dollars in Thousands, except per share data) 

Assets
Cash and cash equivalents:

Cash and amounts due from depository institutions

$       55,962

$       58,693 

December 31,

2018

2017

Federal funds sold

Securities available-for-sale, carried at fair value
Securities held-to-maturity, carried at amortized cost (fair value $526 and 

$649 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively)

Loans held for sale

Loans receivable, net of allowance of $28,331 and 

43,000 

98,962

294,076

526
294,602

6,613

55,000 

113,693 

260,650 

648
261,298 

10,435

$26,683 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively

2,511,708

2,322,030 

Mortgage servicing rights

Accrued interest receivable

Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock

Bank owned life insurance

Premises and equipment

Real estate and other assets held for sale (OREO)

Goodwill 

Core deposit and other intangibles

Deferred taxes

Other assets

Total assets

10,119

9,641

14,217

67,660

40,670

1,205

98,569 

4,391

-

23,365

9,808

8,706 

15,992 

66,230 

40,217 

1,532 

98,569 

5,703 

231

38,959

$

3,181,722

$    2,993,403

continued

- 62 -

- 62 -

First Defiance Financial Corp 
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (continued) 
(Dollars in Thousands, except per share data) 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity 
Liabilities: 

Deposits: 

    Noninterest-bearing 

    Interest-bearing 

    Total 

Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 

Subordinated debentures 

Advance payments by borrowers  

Deferred taxes 

Other liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Note 6) 

Stockholders’ equity: 

Preferred stock, $.01 par value per share: 37,000 shares authorized; 

no shares issued 

Preferred stock, $.01 par value per share: 

4,963,000 shares authorized; no shares issued 

Common stock, $.01 par value per share: 

50,000,000 shares authorized; 25,398,992 and 25,425,682 shares issued 
and 20,171,392 and 20,312,082 shares outstanding, respectively(1) 

Additional paid-in capital 

Accumulated other comprehensive income, 

net of tax of $(468) and $117, respectively 

Retained earnings 

Treasury stock, at cost, 5,227,600 and 5,113,600 
   shares respectively(1) 
Total stockholders’ equity 

December 31, 

2018 

2017 

 $     607,198 

 $     571,360 

     2,013,684 

     1,866,296 

2,620,882 

2,437,656 

85,189 

5,741 

36,083 

84,279 

26,019 

36,083 

      3,652 

      2,925 

264 

30,322 

- 

33,155 

2,782,133 

2,620,117 

- 

- 

127 

161,593 

(2,148) 

295,588 

(55,571) 

399,589 

- 

-  

127 

160,940 

217 

262,900 

(50,898) 

373,286 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity 

 $    3,181,722 

 $    2,993,403 

(1) Share data has been adjusted to reflect a 2-for-1 stock split on July 12, 2018.

See accompanying notes 

- 63 -

- 63 -

    
 
    
 
FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Income 
(Dollar Amounts in Thousands, except per share data)

Years Ended December 31,

2018

2017

2016

$

114,398

$

99,540

$

80,217

4,738
3,396
1,270
915
124,717

13,897
1,261
1,281
23
16,462
108,255

1,176
107,079

13,100
7,077
14,085
317
173
2,091
1,767
598
39,208

52,566
8,641
1,021
8,555
18,629
89,412

56,875
10,626
46,249

    2.27
2.26
0.64

$

$
$
$

3,762
3,180
836
784
108,102

8,818
1,470
935
208
11,431
96,671

2,949
93,722

12,139
7,004
12,866
217
584
2,332
3,085
1,854
40,081

49,847
7,707
1,250
7,737
18,810
85,351

48,452
16,184
32,268

    1.62
1.61
0.50

$

$
$
$

3,231
3,016
367
552
87,383

6,261
1,288
753
138
8,440
78,943

283
78,660

10,909
7,270
10,441
753
509
1,701
909
1,538
34,030

40,187
7,418
1,169
6,367
15,952
71,093

41,597
12,754
28,843

1.61
 1.60
 0.44

$

$
$  
$  

Interest Income

Loans
Investment securities:

Taxable
Tax-exempt

Interest-bearing deposits
FHLB stock dividends

Total interest income

Interest Expense

Deposits
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other
Subordinated debentures
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase

Total interest expense
Net interest income

Provision for loan losses
Net interest income after provision for loan losses

Noninterest Income

Service fees and other charges
Mortgage banking income
Insurance commissions
Gain on sale of non-mortgage loans
Gain  on sale or call of securities
Trust income
Income from bank owned life insurance
Other noninterest income

Total noninterest income

Noninterest Expense

Compensation and benefits
Occupancy
FDIC insurance
Data processing
Other noninterest expense

Total noninterest expense

Income before income taxes
Federal income taxes
Net Income

Earnings per common share (Note 4)

Basic
Diluted

Dividends declared per common share

See accompanying notes

- 64 -

- 64 -

 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.

(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)

FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.
FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.
FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.
FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.
FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)
(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)
(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)
(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)
(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)

FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)

2018

2017

For the Years Ended December 31,

For the Years Ended December 31,
For the Years Ended December 31,
For the Years Ended December 31,
For the Years Ended December 31,
For the Years Ended December 31,
For the Years Ended December 31,
2016
2017
2017
2018
2018
2016
2017
2018
2017
2018
2016
2016
2016
2016

2017

2017

2018

2018

Net income

Change in securities available-for-sale (AFS):

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale 

Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in   

securities arising during the period

Net unrealized gains (losses)

income

Income tax effect

Net of tax amount

Change in unrealized gain/(loss) on postretirement benefit:

Net gain (loss) on defined benefit postretirement medical

Net amortization and deferral

plan realized during the period

Net gain (loss) activity during the period

Income tax effect

Net of tax amount

Total other comprehensive income  (loss)

Comprehensive income 

See accompanying notes

$46,249

(3,356)

(3,529)

(173)

(2,787)

742

560

18

578

(203)

375

$43,837

(2,412)

65

$32,268

Net income
Change in securities available-for-sale (AFS):

Net income
Change in securities available-for-sale (AFS):

Net income
Net income
Net income
Net income
Change in securities available-for-sale (AFS):
Change in securities available-for-sale (AFS):
Change in securities available-for-sale (AFS):
Change in securities available-for-sale (AFS):
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale 
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale 
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale 
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale 
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale 
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale 
securities arising during the period
securities arising during the period
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in   
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in   
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in   
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in   
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in   
income
income
Net unrealized gains (losses)
Net unrealized gains (losses)
Net unrealized gains (losses)
Net unrealized gains (losses)
Net unrealized gains (losses)

Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in   

securities arising during the period
securities arising during the period
securities arising during the period
securities arising during the period

(584)
Net unrealized gains (losses)
148

income
income
income
income

732

(51)

Income tax effect
Net of tax amount
97

Income tax effect
Net of tax amount

Income tax effect
Income tax effect
Income tax effect
Income tax effect
Net of tax amount
Net of tax amount
Net of tax amount
Net of tax amount

Change in unrealized gain/(loss) on postretirement benefit:
Change in unrealized gain/(loss) on postretirement benefit:
Change in unrealized gain/(loss) on postretirement benefit:
Change in unrealized gain/(loss) on postretirement benefit:
Change in unrealized gain/(loss) on postretirement benefit:
Change in unrealized gain/(loss) on postretirement benefit:
Net gain (loss) on defined benefit postretirement medical
Net gain (loss) on defined benefit postretirement medical
Net gain (loss) on defined benefit postretirement medical
Net gain (loss) on defined benefit postretirement medical
Net gain (loss) on defined benefit postretirement medical
Net gain (loss) on defined benefit postretirement medical
plan realized during the period
plan realized during the period
(166)
Net amortization and deferral
Net amortization and deferral
Net amortization and deferral
Net amortization and deferral
Net amortization and deferral
Net amortization and deferral
Net gain (loss) activity during the period
Net gain (loss) activity during the period
Net gain (loss) activity during the period
Net gain (loss) activity during the period
Net gain (loss) activity during the period
Net gain (loss) activity during the period
(146)
Income tax effect
Income tax effect
Income tax effect
Income tax effect
Income tax effect
51
Income tax effect
Net of tax amount
Net of tax amount
Net of tax amount
Net of tax amount
Net of tax amount
(95)
Net of tax amount

plan realized during the period
plan realized during the period
plan realized during the period
plan realized during the period

20

$46,249

$46,249

$46,249
$46,249
$46,249
$46,249

$32,268

$32,268

$32,268
$32,268
$32,268
$32,268

$28,843

$28,843

$28,843
$28,843
$28,843
$28,843

(3,356)

(3,356)

(3,356)
(3,356)
(3,356)
(3,356)

732

732

732
732
732
732

(4,933)

(4,933)

(4,933)
(4,933)
(4,933)
(4,933)

(173)
(173)
(173)
(173)
(173)
(173)
(3,529)
(3,529)
(3,529)
(3,529)
(3,529)
(3,529)

(584)
(584)
(584)
(584)
(584)
(584)
148
148
148
148
148
148

742
742
742
742
742
742
(2,787)
(2,787)
(2,787)
(2,787)
(2,787)
(2,787)

(51)
(51)
(51)
(51)
(51)
(51)
97
97
97
97
97
97

(509)
(509)
(509)
(509)
(509)
(509)
(5,442)
(5,442)
(5,442)
(5,442)
(5,442)
(5,442)

1,904
1,904
1,904
1,904
1,904
1,904
(3,538)
(3,538)
(3,538)
(3,538)
(3,538)
(3,538)

560
560
560
560
560
560
18
18
18
18
18
18
578
578
578
578
578
578
(203)
(203)
(203)
(203)
(203)
(203)
375
375
375
375
375
375

(166)
(166)
(166)
(166)
(166)
(166)
20
20
20
20
20
20
(146)
(146)
(146)
(146)
(146)
(146)
51
51
51
51
51
51
(95)
(95)
(95)
(95)
(95)
(95)

172
172
172
172
172
172
30
30
30
30
30
30
202
202
202
202
202
202
(71)
(71)
(71)
(71)
(71)
(71)
131
131
131
131
131
131

Total other comprehensive income  (loss)
2
Comprehensive income 
$32,270

Total other comprehensive income  (loss)
Comprehensive income 

Total other comprehensive income  (loss)
Total other comprehensive income  (loss)
Total other comprehensive income  (loss)
Total other comprehensive income  (loss)
Comprehensive income 
Comprehensive income 
Comprehensive income 
Comprehensive income 

(2,412)
(2,412)
(2,412)
(2,412)
(2,412)
(2,412)
$43,837
$43,837
$43,837
$43,837
$43,837
$43,837

2
2
2
2
2
2
$32,270
$32,270
$32,270
$32,270
$32,270
$32,270

(3,407)
(3,407)
(3,407)
(3,407)
(3,407)
(3,407)
$25,436
$25,436
$25,436
$25,436
$25,436
$25,436

(3,407)

$25,436

See accompanying notes

See accompanying notes

See accompanying notes
See accompanying notes
See accompanying notes

See accompanying notes

65

65

65
65
65
65

- 65 -

2016

$28,843

(4,933)

(5,442)

(509)

1,904

(3,538)

172

30

202

(71)

131

Total 

Stockholder’s 

Equity 

$    280,197 

(6,293) 

(7,890) 

$    293,018 

32,268 

28,843 

(3,407) 

274 

714 

517 

63 

2 

215 

199 

56,532 

838 

73 

(9,859) 

$    373,286 

46,249 

(2,412) 

- 

636 

420 

111 

568 

104 

(6,330) 

(13,043) 

Balance at January 1, 2016 

   Net income 

Balance at January 1, 2016 
   Net income 

Balance at January 1, 2016 
   Net income 

Other comprehensive loss 
Stock based compensation expenses 
Shares issued under stock option plan, 
net of 3,224 repurchased and retired 

Other comprehensive loss 
Stock based compensation expenses 
Shares issued under stock option plan, 
net of 3,224 repurchased and retired 

Other comprehensive loss 
Stock based compensation expenses 
Shares issued under stock option plan, 
net of 3,224 repurchased and retired 

Restricted share activity under stock incentive 

Restricted share activity under stock incentive 

Shares issued from direct stock sales 
Shares repurchased 
Common stock dividends declared 

plans 

plans 

Restricted share activity under stock incentive 
Shares issued from direct stock sales 
Shares issued from direct stock sales 
Shares repurchased 
Shares repurchased 
Common stock dividends declared 
Common stock dividends declared 

Balance at December 31, 2016 
Balance at December 31, 2016 
   Net income 
   Net income 

$   

Other comprehensive income 
Stock based compensation expenses 
Shares issued under stock option plan, 
plans  

$   

Other comprehensive income 
Stock based compensation expenses 
Shares issued under stock option plan, 

Other comprehensive income 
Stock based compensation expenses 
Shares issued under stock option plan, 
Capital stock issuance 
Restricted share activity under stock incentive 

Capital stock issuance 
Restricted share activity under stock incentive 

net of 15,014 repurchased and retired 

net of 15,014 repurchased and retired 

- 

Balance at December 31, 2016 

net of 15,014 repurchased and retired 

plans  

Shares issued from direct stock sales 
Common stock dividends declared 

Shares issued from direct stock sales 
Common stock dividends declared 

Capital stock issuance 
Balance at December 31, 2017 
Balance at December 31, 2017 
Restricted share activity under stock incentive 
   Net income 
   Net income 

plans 

   Net income 

plans  

   Net income 

Shares issued from direct stock sales 
Common stock dividends declared 

Balance at December 31, 2017 

Other comprehensive loss 
Adoption of ASU 2018-02 – See Note 2 
Deferred compensation plan 
Stock based compensation expenses 
Shares issued under stock option plan, 
net of 8,872 repurchased and retired 

Other comprehensive loss 
Adoption of ASU 2018-02 – See Note 2 
Deferred compensation plan 
Stock based compensation expenses 
$   
Shares issued under stock option plan, 
net of 8,872 repurchased and retired 

Restricted share activity under stock incentive 
plans net of 17,818 repurchased and retired 

Restricted share activity under stock incentive 
plans net of 17,818 repurchased and retired 
Shares issued from direct stock sales 
Shares issued from direct stock sales 
Shares repurchased 
Shares repurchased 
Common stock dividends declared 
Common stock dividends declared 

Balance at December 31, 2018 

Balance at December 31, 2018 

Other comprehensive loss 
Adoption of ASU 2018-02 – See Note 2 
Deferred compensation plan 
Stock based compensation expenses 
Shares issued under stock option plan, 
net of 8,872 repurchased and retired 

Restricted share activity under stock incentive 
plans net of 17,818 repurchased and retired 

See accompanying notes 

See accompanying notes 

Shares issued from direct stock sales 
Shares repurchased 
Common stock dividends declared 

Balance at December 31, 2018 

See accompanying notes 

FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP. 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity 
(Dollar Amounts In Thousands, except number of shares) 

FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP. 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity 
FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP. 
(Dollar Amounts In Thousands, except number of shares) 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity 
Common 
(Dollar Amounts In Thousands, except number of shares) 
Stock 
Common 
Warrant 
Stock 
Common 
Common 
Additional 
- 
$   
Warrant 
Stock 
Stock 
Paid-In 
- 
$   
  $       127 
Capital 
Warrant 
- 
$   
$ 125,734 

Common 
Stock 
Shares(1) 
Preferred  
Common 
18,205,662 
Stock 
Stock 
Shares(1) 
- 
18,205,662 

Additional 
Paid-In 
Additional 
Capital 
Paid-In 
$ 125,734 
Capital 
$ 125,734 

Common 
Common 
Stock 
Stock 
  $       127 
Shares(1) 
Common 
18,205,662 
Stock 
  $       127 

Accumulated 
Other 
Comprehensive 
Income (Loss) 

$           3,622 

- 

Preferred  
$   
Stock 
- 

$   

Preferred  
Stock 

$   

72,716 

72,716 

72,716 

20,810 
2,960 
(335,736) 

20,810 
2,960 
(335,736) 

20,810 
2,960 
(335,736) 
$   
- 

17,966,412 

- 

8,088 
2,279,004 

8,088 
2,279,004 

55,754 
2,824 

55,754 
2,824 

8,088 
2,279,004 
$   
- 

- 

274 

(21) 

370 
33 

274 
274 

(21) 
(21) 

370 
370 
33 
33 

51 
33,792 

447 
45 

$   
- 

- 

$ 160,940 

51 
33,792 
215 
447 
51 
45 
33,792 
$ 160,940 

17,966,412 

  $       127 

  $       127 
$   

$   
- 

- 

$ 126,390 

$ 126,390 

$           215 

17,966,412 

  $       127 

$   

- 

$ 126,390 
215 

215 

2 

$   

20,312,082 

20,312,082 

  $       127 

  $       127 
$   

55,754 
2,824 

- 

20,312,082 

  $       127 

38,628 

$   

- 

(2,412) 
47 

447 
45 
420 
$ 160,940 
(93) 

420 

(93) 

38,628 

$           217 

$           217 

(9,859) 
$ 262,900 
46,249 

(2,412) 
47 
           (47) 

48,300 
3,542 
(231,160) 

48,300 
3,542 
(231,160) 

258 
68 

258 
68 

$   

$   
- 

20,171,392 

20,171,392 

  $       127 

  $       127 
$   

- 

$   
- 

- 

$ 161,593 

420 
$ 161,593 
$           (2,148) 

$           (2,148) 

(13,043) 
$ 295,588 

Accumulated 
Other 
Comprehensive 
Accumulated 
Other 
Income (Loss) 
Comprehensive 
$           3,622 
Income (Loss) 
Retained 
Earnings 
$ 219,737 
(3,407) 
28,843 

(3,407) 

$           3,622 

(3,407) 

(26) 

(72) 

Retained 
Earnings 
Treasury 
$ 219,737 
Stock 
28,843 
  $(69,023) 

Retained 
Earnings 
Treasury 
Total 
$ 219,737 
Stock 
Stockholder’s 
28,843 
  $(69,023) 
Equity 
$    280,197 
28,843 
(3,407) 
274 

Treasury 
Total 
Stock 
Stockholder’s 
  $(69,023) 
Equity 
$    280,197 
28,843 
(3,407) 
274 

(26) 

761 

(72) 

219 
30 
(6,293) 

761 
(26) 

714 

714 
761 

219 
(72) 
30 
(6,293) 

517 
517 
219 
63 
63 
(6,293) 
30 
(6,293) 
(7,890) 
(6,293) 
(7,890) 
$    293,018 
$    293,018 
32,268 
32,268 
2 
  $(74,306) 
2 
215 
215 

(7,890) 
$ 240,592 
  $(74,306) 
32,268 

$           215 

(7,890) 
$ 240,592 
32,268 
2 
$           215 

  $(74,306) 
(7,890) 
$ 240,592 
32,268 
231 
22,740 

409 
(83) 
28 

  $(50,898) 

(18) 

2 

(83) 

(18) 

(83) 

231 
22,740 

(18) 

409 
28 

(9,859) 
$ 262,900 
  $(50,898) 
46,249 

$           217 
(270) 
(2,412) 
(201) 
47 

           (47) 

            636 

(270) 

            636 
(9,859) 
$ 262,900 
474 
46,249 
474 
511 
36 
(6,330) 

511 
           (47) 
36 
(6,330) 

(201) 

(13,043) 
$ 295,588 

  $(55,571) 

  $(55,571) 

199 
56,532 

199 
56,532 

838 
838 
231 
73 
73 
(9,859) 
22,740 
(9,859) 
$    373,286 
$    373,286 
46,249 
46,249 
409 
(2,412) 
(2,412) 
- 
28 
- 
636 
636 
420 
420 
  $(50,898) 
111 
111 

568 
568 
104 
104 
(6,330) 
(6,330) 
            636 
(13,043) 
(13,043) 
$    399,589 
$    399,589 

38,628 

48,300 
3,542 
(231,160) 

(93) 

258 
68 

$   

- 

20,171,392 

  $       127 

$   

- 

$ 161,593 

$           (2,148) 

(270) 

(201) 

(13,043) 
$ 295,588 

474 

511 
36 
(6,330) 

  $(55,571) 

$    399,589 

66 

66 

- 66 -

66 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.
FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.
FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)
(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)
(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)

Years Ended December 31,
Years Ended December 31,
2017
2017

Years Ended December 31,
2017

2016
2016

2016

2018
2018

2018

$ 46,249
$ 46,249

$ 46,249

$ 32,268
$ 32,268

$ 32,268

$ 28,843
$ 28,843

$ 28,843

1,176
1,176
3,688
3,688

1,176
3,688

861
861
1,341
1,341
(132)
(132)
1,312
1,312
(4,819)
(4,819)

861
1,341
(132)
1,312
(4,819)

13
13
13
581
581
581
(173)
(173)
(173)
881
881
881
212,688
212,688
212,688
(205,884)
(205,884)
(205,884)
420
420
420
568
568
568
(154)
(154)
(154)
(1,767)
(1,767)
(1,767)
(2,878)
(2,878)
(2,878)
(916)
(916)
(916)
53,055
53,055
53,055

2,949
2,949
3,567
3,567

2,949
3,567

283
283
3,356
3,356

283
3,356

740
740
1,464
1,464
(89)
(89)
1,289
1,289
(4,881)
(4,881)

740
1,464
(89)
1,289
(4,881)

48
48
48
(56)
(56)
(56)
(584)
(584)
(584)
1,261
1,261
1,261
215,727
215,727
215,727
(213,479)
(213,479)
(213,479)
215
215
215
838
838
838
(171)
(171)
(171)
(3,085)
(3,085)
(3,085)
(3,591)
(3,591)
(3,591)
1,527
1,527
1,527
35,957
35,957
35,957

1,128
1,128
1,128
1,724
1,724
1,724
(123)
(123)
(123)
535
535
535
(6,064)
(6,064)
(6,064)

-
-
-
(300)
(300)
(300)
(509)
(509)
(509)
(615)
(615)
(615)
262,958
262,958
262,958
(263,679)
(263,679)
(263,679)
274
274
274
517
517
517
(192)
(192)
(192)
(909)
(909)
(909)
(4,121)
(4,121)
(4,121)
3,878
3,878
3,878
26,984
26,984
26,984

122 
122 

122 

128
128

128

59
59

59

32,620
32,620

32,620

32,687
32,687

32,687

36,390
36,390

36,390

5,503
5,503
5,503
887
887
887
14
14
14
(76,647)
(76,647)
(76,647)
(4,168)
(4,168)
(4,168)
-
-
-
337
337
337
17,689
17,689
17,689
1,775
1,775
1,775
-
-
-
-
-
-
28,729
28,729
28,729
(219,885)
(219,885)
(219,885)
(213,024)
(213,024)
(213,024)

34,248
34,248
34,248
554
554
554
849
849
849
(73,007)
(73,007)
(73,007)
(3,263)
(3,263)
(3,263)
(20,000)
(20,000)
(20,000)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
19,359
19,359
19,359
(11,476)
(11,476)
(11,476)
20,227
20,227
20,227
(133,184)
(133,184)
(133,184)
(132,878)
(132,878)
(132,878)

14,871
14,871
14,871
1,705
1,705
1,705
1
1
1
(71,276)
(71,276)
(71,276)
(2,106)
(2,106)
(2,106)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3
3
3
-
-
-
(822)
(822)
(822)
20,816
20,816
20,816
(158,121)
(158,121)
(158,121)
(158,480)
(158,480)
(158,480)

Operating Activities
Operating Activities
Operating Activities
Net income
Net income
Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
provided by operating activities:

and equipment

provided by operating activities:
Provision for loan losses
Provision for loan losses
Provision for depreciation
Provision for depreciation
Net amortization of premium and discounts on loans,
Net amortization of premium and discounts on loans,
securities, deposits and debt obligations 

Provision for loan losses
Provision for depreciation
Net amortization of premium and discounts on loans,
securities, deposits and debt obligations 
securities, deposits and debt obligations 
Amortization of mortgage servicing rights
Amortization of mortgage servicing rights
Amortization of mortgage servicing rights
Net recovery of mortgage servicing rights
Net recovery of mortgage servicing rights
Net recovery of mortgage servicing rights
Amortization of intangibles
Amortization of intangibles
Amortization of intangibles
Gain on sale of loans
Gain on sale of loans
Gain on sale of loans
Loss on sale or disposals or write-downs of property, plant
Loss on sale or disposals or write-downs of property, plant
Loss on sale or disposals or write-downs of property, plant
and equipment
and equipment
(Gain) loss on sale or write-down of OREO
(Gain) loss on sale or write-down of OREO
(Gain) loss on sale or write-down of OREO
Gain on sale or call of securities
Gain on sale or call of securities
Gain on sale or call of securities
Change in deferred taxes
Change in deferred taxes
Change in deferred taxes
Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale
Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale
Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale
Origination of loans held for sale
Origination of loans held for sale
Origination of loans held for sale
Stock  based compensation expenses
Stock  based compensation expenses
Stock  based compensation expenses
Restricted stock unit expense
Restricted stock unit expense
Restricted stock unit expense
Excess tax benefit (expense) on stock compensation plans
Excess tax benefit (expense) on stock compensation plans
Excess tax benefit (expense) on stock compensation plans
Income from bank owned life insurance
Income from bank owned life insurance
Income from bank owned life insurance
Change in interest receivable and other assets
Change in interest receivable and other assets
Change in interest receivable and other assets
Change in accrued interest and other liabilities
Change in accrued interest and other liabilities
Change in accrued interest and other liabilities
Net cash provided by operating activities

Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities

Investing Activities
Investing Activities
Proceeds from  maturities, calls and paydowns of  held-to-maturity 
Proceeds from  maturities, calls and paydowns of  held-to-maturity 

Investing Activities
Proceeds from  maturities, calls and paydowns of  held-to-maturity 
securities
securities

securities

Proceeds from maturities, calls and paydowns of available-for-sale 
Proceeds from maturities, calls and paydowns of available-for-sale 

Proceeds from maturities, calls and paydowns of available-for-sale 

securities
securities

securities

Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities
Proceeds from sale of OREO
Proceeds from sale of OREO
Proceeds from sale of OREO
Proceeds from sale of office properties and equipment
Proceeds from sale of office properties and equipment
Proceeds from sale of office properties and equipment
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
Purchases of office properties and equipment
Purchases of office properties and equipment
Purchases of office properties and equipment
Investment in bank owned life insurance
Investment in bank owned life insurance
Investment in bank owned life insurance
Proceeds from bank owned life insurance death benefit
Proceeds from bank owned life insurance death benefit
Proceeds from bank owned life insurance death benefit
Proceeds from sale of bank owned life insurance
Proceeds from sale of bank owned life insurance
Proceeds from sale of bank owned life insurance
Proceeds from FHLB stock redemption
Proceeds from FHLB stock redemption
Proceeds from FHLB stock redemption
Net cash received (paid) in acquisitions
Net cash received (paid) in acquisitions
Net cash received (paid) in acquisitions
Purchase of portfolio mortgage loans
Purchase of portfolio mortgage loans
Purchase of portfolio mortgage loans
Proceeds from sale of non-mortgage loans
Proceeds from sale of non-mortgage loans
Proceeds from sale of non-mortgage loans
Net increase in loans receivable
Net increase in loans receivable
Net increase in loans receivable
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities

Continued
Continued

Continued

67
67

67

- 67 -

FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.

FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)
(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)
(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)

Years Ended December 31,

Years Ended December 31,

2018 

2017

2016
2018 

2017

2016

Financing Activities
Net increase in deposits and advance payments by borrowers
Repayment of Federal Home Loan Bank advances
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances
Decrease in securities sold under repurchase agreements
Cash dividends paid on common stock
Net cash paid for repurchase of common stock
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
Proceeds from direct treasury stock sales
Net cash  provided by financing activities

Financing Activities
Net increase in deposits and advance payments by borrowers
183,764
Repayment of Federal Home Loan Bank advances
(34,090)
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances
35,000
Decrease in securities sold under repurchase agreements
(20,278)
Cash dividends paid on common stock
(13,043)
Net cash paid for repurchase of common stock
(6,330)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
111
Proceeds from direct treasury stock sales
104
Net cash  provided by financing activities
145,238

148,065
(31,070)
10,000
(5,797)
(9,859)
-
199
73
111,611

145,467
183,764
(959)
(34,090)
45,000
35,000
(25,372)
(20,278)
(7,890)
(13,043)
(6,293)
(6,330)
714
111
63
104
150,730
145,238

148,065
(31,070)
10,000
(5,797)
(9,859)
-
199
73
111,611

145,467

(959)

45,000

(25,372)

(7,890)

(6,293)

714

63

150,730

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(14,731)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
113,693
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$       98,962

14,690
99,003
$ 113,693

19,234
(14,731)
79,769
113,693
$
99,003
$       98,962

14,690
99,003
$ 113,693

19,234

79,769

99,003

$

Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid
Income taxes paid
Transfer from other liability to equity 

Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid
Income taxes paid
Transfer from other liability to equity 

$      16,198
7,950
636

$  

 11,382
14,350
-

$     8,370
$      16,198
12,700
7,950
-
636

$  

 11,382
14,350
-

$     8,370

12,700

-

Transfers from loans to other real estate owned and other

Transfers from loans to other real estate owned and other

Transfer from (to) property and equipment to real estate and other 

assets held for sale

assets held for sale

assets held for sale

705
Transfer from (to) property and equipment to real estate and other 
(130)
17,840
548

Sale of bank owned life insurance not yet settled
Securities traded but not yet settled

assets held for sale

1,141

-
-
-

583
1,141

(44)
-
357

-
-
-

705

(130)
17,840
548

583

(44)

-

357

Sale of bank owned life insurance not yet settled
Securities traded but not yet settled

See accompanying notes.

See accompanying notes.

68

- 68 -

68

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Basis of Presentation

First  Defiance  Financial  Corp.  (“First  Defiance” or  the  “Company”)  is  a  unitary  thrift  holding  company  that 
conducts  business  through  its  three wholly  owned  subsidiaries,  First  Federal  Bank  of  the  Midwest  (“First 
Federal”), First  Insurance  Group  of  the  Midwest,  Inc.  (“First
Insurance”), and First Defiance Risk
Management, Inc.  All significant intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.

First Federal is primarily engaged in attracting deposits from the general public through its branches and using 
those and other available sources of funds to originate loans primarily in the counties in which its offices are 
located. First Federal’s traditional banking activities include originating and servicing residential, commercial and 
consumer loans and providing a broad range of depository, trust and wealth management services.

First  Insurance  is  an  insurance  agency that conducts business throughout  First  Federal’s  markets, offering
property and casualty, and group health and life insurance products.

First  Defiance  Risk  Management  was  incorporated  on  December  20,  2012,  as  a  wholly  owned insurance
company subsidiary of the Company to insure the Company and its subsidiaries against certain risks unique to the 
operations of  the  Company  and  for  which  insurance  may  not  be  currently  available  or  economically  feasible 
in  today’s  insurance marketplace.

On  June  22,  2018,  the  Company  announced  a  stock  split  in  the  form  of  a  share  distribution  of  two common
shares for each outstanding common share.  The stock split was distributed on July 12, 2018, to shareholders 
of record as  of  July  2,  2018.  All  share  and  per  share  data  in  this  Form  10-K have been adjusted and are
reflective of the stock split. 

2. Statement of Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions 
that affect the  amounts  reported  in  the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  accompanying  notes.  These
estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided, 
and actual results could differ.

Earnings Per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income applicable to common shares (net income 
less dividend requirements for preferred stock, accretion  of  preferred  stock  discount  and  redemption  of 
preferred stock)  by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. All
outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends are considered 
participating securities for the calculation. Diluted  earnings  per  common  share  includes the dilutive effect of
additional potential common shares issuable under  stock  options, warrants, restricted stock awards and stock
grants.  See also Note 4. 

Comprehensive Income 

Comprehensive 
comprehensive income (loss) includes  unrealized  gains  and  losses  on  available-for-sale  securities  and  the 

income  and  other  comprehensive 

income  consists  of  net 

(loss).  Other 

income 

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net  unrecognized  actuarial 
the 
Company’s  Defined  Benefit  Postretirement  Medical  Plan.  All  items  included  in  other  comprehensive 
income are reported net of tax. See also Notes 5, 16 and 25 and the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive 
Income.

losses  and  unrecognized  prior 

service  costs  associated  with 

Cash Flows

Cash  and  cash  equivalents  include  amounts  due  from  banks  and  overnight  investments  with  the  Federal 
Home Loan  Bank  (“FHLB”) and  the  Federal  Reserve.  Cash  and  amounts  due  from  depository  institutions 
include required  balances  on  hand  or  on  deposit  at  the  FHLB  and  Federal  Reserve  of  approximately 
$1,723,000  and  $1,048,000,  respectively, at  December 31,  2018,  to  meet regulatory  reserve  and  clearing
requirements.  Net  cash  flows  are  reported  for  customer  loan  and  deposit  transactions,  interest-bearing
deposits  in  other  financial  institutions and repurchase agreements. 

Investment Securities

Securities  are  classified  as  held-to-maturity  when  First  Defiance  has  the  positive  intent  and  ability  to  hold 
the securities  to  maturity  and  are  reported  at  amortized cost,  adjusted  for  premiums  and  discounts  that  are 
recognized in interest income using the interest method over the period to maturity.

Securities available-for-sale consists of those securities which might be sold prior to maturity due to changes 
in interest  rates,  prepayment  risks,  yield and  availability  of  alternative  investments,  liquidity  needs  or  other 
factors. Available-for-sale  securities  are  stated  at  fair  value,  with  the  unrealized  gains  and  losses,  net  of  tax, 
reported  in  other  comprehensive  income  (loss) until  realized.  Realized  gains  and  losses are  included  in 
gains  (losses)  on  securities or  other-than-temporary  impairment  losses  on  securities. Realized  gains  and 
losses on securities sold are recognized on the trade date based on the specific identification method.  

Interest  income  includes  amortization  of  purchase  premiums  and  discounts.  Premiums  and  discounts  are 
amortized on  the  level-yield method  without  anticipating  prepayments,  except  for  mortgage-backed
securities  where  prepayments  are  expected.  Securities  with  unrealized  losses  are  reviewed  quarterly  to 
determine  if  value impairment  is  other–than-temporary.  In  performing  this  review  management  considers
the  length  of  time  and  extent that fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition of the issuer, the 
impact  of  changes  in  market  interest  rates  on  market  value  and  whether  the  Company  intends to  sell  or  it 
would  be  more  than  likely  required  to  sell  the  securities  prior  to  their  anticipated  recovery.    If  either  of  the 
criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell  is  met,  the  entire  difference  between  amortized  cost  and  fair 
value  is  recognized  as  impairment  through  earnings. For debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned 
criteria,  the  amount  of  impairment  is  split  into  two  components  as  follows:  (1)  other-than-temporary
impairment  (“OTTI”) related  to  credit  loss,  which  must  be  recognized  in  the  income  statement  and (2)
OTTI related  to  other  factors,  which  is  recognized  in  other  comprehensive  income.  The  credit  loss  is 
defined  as  the  difference  between  the  present  value  of  the  cash  flows expected  to  be  collected  and  the 
amortized cost basis. For equity securities, the entire amount of impairment is recognized through earnings. 

FHLB Stock

First Federal is a member of the FHLB system.  Members are required to own a certain amount of stock based 
on the level of borrowings and other factors, and may invest in additional amounts.  FHLB stock is carried at 
cost, classified  as  a  restricted  security,  and  periodically  evaluated  for  impairment  based  on  ultimate  recovery 
of  par  value.    Both  cash  and  stock  dividends  are  reported  as  income.    At  December  31,  2018, the  Company 
held $14.2 million at the FHLB of Cincinnati and $2,500 at the FHLB of Indianapolis.

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Loans Receivable 

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are 
reported at the principal amount outstanding, net of deferred loan fees and costs, purchase premiums and discounts 
and the allowance for loan losses. Deferred fees net of deferred incremental loan origination costs, are amortized 
to interest income generally over the contractual life of the loan using the interest method without anticipating 
prepayments. The recorded investment in loans includes accrued interest receivable, unamortized premiums and 
discounts, and net deferred fees and costs and undisbursed loan amounts. 

Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are classified as loans held for sale and 
are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value, as determined by outstanding commitments from investors. 
Net unrealized losses, if any, are recorded as a valuation allowance and charged to earnings. Mortgage loans held 
for sale are generally sold with servicing rights retained. The carrying value of mortgage loans sold is reduced by 
the amount allocated to the servicing right. Gains or losses on sales of mortgage loans are based on the difference 
between the selling price and the carrying value of the related loan sold.  

The Company may incur losses pertaining to loans sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac but repurchased due to 
underwriting  issues.  Repurchase  losses  are  recognized  when  the  Company  determines  they  are  probable  and 
estimable. 

Interest receivable is accrued on loans and credited to income as earned. The accrual of interest on loans 90 days 
delinquent or those loans considered impaired is discontinued when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may 
be  unable  to  meet  payments  as  they  become  due.  For  these  loans,  interest  accrual  is  only  to  the  extent  cash 
payments are received. The accrual of interest on these loans is generally resumed after a pattern of repayment 
has been established and the collection of principal and interest is reasonably assured. 

Purchased Credit Impaired Loans 

The Company acquires loans individually and in groups or portfolios. At acquisition, the Company reviews each 
loan to determine whether there is evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and if it is probable 
that it will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the loan’s contractual terms. If both conditions exist, 
the Company determines whether each such loan is to be accounted for individually or whether such loans will be 
assembled  into  pools  of  loans  based  on  common  risk  characteristics  (credit  score,  loan  type  and  date  of 
origination). The Company considers expected prepayments, and estimates the amount and timing of undiscounted 
expected  principal,  interest,  and  other  cash  flows  (expected  at  acquisition)  for  each  loan  and  subsequently 
aggregated pool of loans. 

The Company determines the excess of the loan’s or pool’s scheduled contractual principal and contractual interest 
payments over all cash flows expected at acquisition as an amount that should not be accreted (nonaccretable 
difference). The remaining amount—representing the excess of the loan’s cash flows expected to be collected 
over the amount paid—is accreted into interest income over the remaining life of the loan or pool (accretable 
yield). 

Over the life of the loan or pool, the Company continues to estimate cash flows expected to be collected, and 
evaluates whether the present value of its loans determined using the effective interest rates has decreased and, if 
so, recognizes a loss. Valuation allowances for all acquired loans subject to Financial Accounting Standards Board 
(“FASB”)  Accounting  Standards  Codification  (“ASC”)  Topic  310  reflect  only  those  losses  incurred  after 
acquisition—that is, the present value of cash flows expected at acquisition that are not expected to be collected. 
The present value of any subsequent increase in the loan’s or pool’s actual cash flows or cash flows expected to 
be collected is used first to reverse any existing valuation allowance for that loan or pool. For any remaining 
increases in cash flows expected to be collected, the Company adjusts the amount of accretable yield recognized 
on a prospective basis over the loan’s or pool’s remaining life.  

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Allowance for Loan Losses 

The  allowance  for  loan  losses  is  maintained  at  a  level  believed  adequate  by  management  to  absorb  probable 
incurred losses in the loan portfolio and is based on the size and current risk characteristics of the loan portfolio, 
an assessment of individual problem loans, actual loss experience, current economic events in specific industries 
and geographical areas and other pertinent factors, including general economic conditions. Determination of the 
allowance  is  inherently  subjective  as  it  requires  significant  estimates,  including  the  amounts  and  timing  of 
expected future cash flows on impaired loans, estimated losses on pools of homogeneous loans based on historical 
loss  experience  and  consideration  of  economic  trends,  all  of  which  may  be  susceptible  to  significant  change. 
Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan 
that, in management’s judgment, should be charged-off. 

Loan losses are charged-off against the allowance when in management’s estimation it is unlikely that the loan 
will be collected, while recoveries of amounts previously charged-off are credited to the allowance. A provision 
for  loan  loss  is  charged  to  operations  based  on  management’s  periodic  evaluation  of  the  factors  previously 
mentioned, as well as other pertinent factors in order to maintain the allowance for loan losses at the level deemed 
adequate by management. The determination of whether a loan is considered past due or delinquent is based on 
the contractual payment terms.  Loans are considered past due when the contractual amounts due with respect to 
principal and interest are not received within 30 days of the contractual due date.  All loans are placed on non-
accrual status at 90 days past due unless the loan is adequately secured and is in process of collection.  Any loan 
in  the  portfolio  may  be  placed  on  non-accrual  status  prior  to  becoming  90  days  past  due  when  collection  of 
principal or interest is in doubt.  

The allowance consists of specific and general components.  The specific component relates to loans that are 
individually classified as impaired.  Impaired loans have been recognized in conformity with FASB ASC Topic 
310. 

A loan is 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 loans agreement. Loans, for which terms have 
been  modified  and  for  which  the  borrower  is  experiencing  financial  difficulties,  are  considered  troubled  debt 
restructurings and classified as impaired.   When a loan is considered impaired, an analysis of the net present value 
of estimated cash flows is performed and an allowance may be established based on the outcome of that analysis, 
or if the loan is deemed to be collateral dependent an allowance is established based on the fair value of collateral.     
All modifications are reviewed by the First Federal’s Chief Credit Officer or Credit Administration Officer to 
determine whether or not the modification constitutes a troubled debt restructure. Commercial and commercial 
real estate loan relationships greater than $250,000 are individually evaluated for impairment. If a loan is impaired, 
a  portion  of  the  allowance  is  allocated  so  that  the  loan  is  reported  net  of  the  allowance  allocation  which  is 
determined based on the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate or at the fair 
value  of  collateral  if  repayment  is  expected  solely  from  the  collateral.  Impaired  loan  relationships  less  than 
$250,000 are aggregated by loan segment and risk level and given a specific reserve based on the general reserve 
factor for that loan segment and risk level.  Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans, such as consumer 
and residential real estate loans, are collectively evaluated for impairment, and accordingly, they are not separately 
identified for impairment disclosures. 

The following portfolio segments have been identified:  

Commercial  Real  Estate  Loans  (consisting  of  multi-family  residential  and  non-residential):    Commercial  real 
estate loans  are subject  to underwriting  standards  and  processes  similar  to commercial loans. These loans  are 
viewed  primarily  as  cash  flow  loans  and  the  repayment  of  these  loans  is  largely  dependent  on  the  successful 
operation of the property. Loan performance may be adversely affected by factors impacting the general economy 
or conditions specific to the real estate market such as geographic location and/or property type. 

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Commercial  Loans:    Commercial  credit  is  extended  primarily  to  middle  market  customers.  Such  credits  are 
typically comprised of working capital loans, loans for physical asset expansion, asset acquisition loans and other 
business loans. Loans to closely held businesses will generally be guaranteed in full or for a meaningful amount 
by the businesses' principal owners. Commercial loans are made based primarily on the historical and projected 
cash flow of the borrower and secondarily on the underlying collateral provided by the borrower. The cash flows 
of borrowers, however, may not behave as forecasted and collateral securing loans may fluctuate in value due to 
economic  or  individual  performance  factors.  Minimum  standards  and  underwriting  guidelines  have  been 
established for all commercial loan types. 

Consumer  Finance  Loans:    Consumer  finance  loans  are  generally  made  to  borrowers  for  a  specific  consumer 
purchase and are made based on their ability to repay with their current debt to income as well as the underlying 
collateral value of the item being purchased.  Credit scores are part of the decision process of whether or not credit 
is extended.  Minimum standards and underwriting guidelines have been established for all consumer loan types. 

1-4 Family Residential Real Estate Loans:  1-4 family residential real estate loans can be categorized two different 
ways.    One  part  of  this  portfolio  is  owner  occupied  and  loans  are  made  based  primarily  on  the  ability  of  the 
individual borrower to support the payments as well as the payments of any other debt the borrower may have 
outstanding at the time the loan is made.  The other part of this portfolio is non-owner occupied income producing 
property and loans are made primarily based on the cash flow stream from rental income as well as the cash flow 
support from the borrower’s unrelated cash flow.  Both types of loans have a secondary repayment source of the 
underlying  collateral  and  generally  the  loans  are  not  extended  at  higher  than  an  80%  loan-to-value  (“LTV”).  
Minimum standards and underwriting guidelines have been established for all 1-4 family residential real estate 
loan types. 

Construction Loans:  The Company defines construction loans as loans where the loan proceeds are controlled by 
the Company and used exclusively for the improvement of real estate in which the Company holds a mortgage.  

Home Equity and Improvement Loans:  Home Equity and Improvement loans are made to borrowers based on 
their ability to repay with their current debt to income as well as the underlying collateral value of the real estate 
taken as security.  Minimum standards and underwriting guidelines have been established for all home equity and 
improvement loan types. 

Consumer finance, 1-4 family residential real estate (including construction) and home equity and improvement 
loans are subject to adverse employment conditions in the local economy which could increase the default rate on 
loans. 

Servicing Rights 

Servicing rights are recognized separately when they are acquired through sales of loans. Servicing rights are 
initially recorded at fair value with the income statement effect recorded in gains on sales of loans. Fair value is 
based on market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts, when available, or alternatively, is based on 
a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. The valuation model 
incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income, such as 
the cost to service, the discount rate, the custodial earnings rate, an inflation rate, ancillary income, prepayment 
speeds and default rates and losses. The Company compares the valuation model inputs and results to published 
industry  data  in  order  to  validate  the  model  results  and  assumptions.    All  classes  of  servicing  assets  are 
subsequently  measured  using  the  amortization  method  which  requires  servicing  rights  to  be  amortized  into 
noninterest  income  in  proportion  to,  and  over  the  period  of,  the  estimated  future  net  servicing  income  of  the 
underlying loans, driven, generally, by changes in market interest rates.  

Servicing assets are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to carrying 
amount. Impairment is determined by stratifying rights into groupings based on predominant risk characteristics, 

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such as interest rate, loan type and investor type. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an 
individual grouping, to the extent that fair value is less than the carrying amount. If the Company later determines 
that all or a portion of the impairment no longer exists for a particular grouping, a reduction of the allowance may 
be recorded as an increase to income. Changes in valuation allowances are reported with mortgage banking income 
on the income statement. The fair values of servicing rights are subject to significant fluctuations as a result of 
changes in estimated and actual prepayment speeds and default rates and losses.  

Servicing fee income, which is reported on the income statement with mortgage banking income, is recorded for 
fees earned for servicing loans. The fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal, or a 
fixed amount per loan, and are recorded as income when earned. The amortization of mortgage servicing rights is 
netted against loan servicing fee income. Servicing fees totaled $3.8 million, $3.7 million and $3.6 million for the 
years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. Late fees and ancillary fees related to loan servicing are not 
material. See Note 8. 

Bank Owned Life Insurance 

The  Company  has  purchased  life  insurance  policies  for  certain  key  employees.  Bank  owned  life  insurance  is 
recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the 
cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement. 

Premises and Equipment and Long Lived Assets 

Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization 
computed principally by the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives: 

Buildings and improvements 
Furniture, fixtures and equipment 

20 to 50 years 
3 to 15 years 

Long-lived assets to be held and those to be disposed of and certain intangibles are periodically evaluated for 
impairment. See Note 9. 

Goodwill and Other Intangibles 

Goodwill resulting from business combinations prior to January 1, 2009, represents the excess of the purchase 
price over the fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill resulting from business combinations 
after January 1, 2009, is generally determined as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred, plus 
the fair value of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree, over the fair value of the net assets acquired and 
liabilities  assumed  as  of  the  acquisition  date.  Goodwill  and  intangible  assets  acquired  in  a  purchase  business 
combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least 
annually. The Company has selected November 30 as the date to perform the annual impairment test. Intangible 
assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. 
Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on First Defiance’s balance sheet.  

Other intangible assets consist of core deposit and acquired customer relationship intangible assets arising from 
whole bank, insurance and branch acquisitions. They are initially recorded at fair value and then amortized on an 
accelerated basis over their estimated lives, which range from five years for non-compete agreements to 10 to 20 
years for core deposit and customer relationship intangibles. See Note 10. 

Real Estate and Other Assets Held for Sale 

Real estate and other assets held for sale are comprised of properties or other assets acquired through foreclosure 
proceedings or acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure. These assets are initially recorded at fair value less 

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costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. Losses arising from the acquisition of such property are 
charged against the allowance for loan losses at the time of acquisition. These properties are carried at the lower 
of cost or fair value, less estimated costs to dispose. If fair value declines subsequent to foreclosure, the property 
is written down against expense. Costs after acquisition are expensed. 

Stock Compensation Plans 

Compensation cost is recognized for stock options and restricted share awards issued to employees and directors, 
based on the fair value of these awards at the date of grant. A Black-Scholes model is utilized to estimate the fair 
value of stock options. Restricted shares awards are valued at the market value of Company stock at the date of 
the  grant.  Compensation  cost  is  recognized  over  the  required  service  period,  generally  defined  as  the  vesting 
period. For awards with graded vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite 
service period for the entire award. See Note 20. 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments 

Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions, as 
more fully disclosed in Note 22. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment 
regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments, and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for 
particular items. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect the estimates. 

Transfers of Financial Assets 

Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been relinquished. Control 
over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when the assets have been isolated from the Company, the 
transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or 
exchange the transferred assets and the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets 
through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity. 

Mortgage Banking Derivatives 

Commitments  to  fund  mortgage  loans  (interest  rate  locks)  to  be  sold  into  the  secondary  market  and  forward 
commitments for the future delivery of these mortgage loans are accounted for as free standing derivatives. Fair 
values of these mortgage derivatives are estimated based on changes in mortgage interest rates from the date the 
interest on the loan is locked. The Company enters into forward commitments for the future delivery of mortgage 
loans when interest rate locks are entered into, in order to hedge the change in interest rates resulting from its 
commitments to fund the loans. Changes in fair values of these derivatives are included in mortgage banking 
income. 

Operating Segments 

Management considers the following factors in determining the need to disclose separate operating segments: (1) 
the nature of products and services, which are all financial in nature; (2) the type and class of customer for the 
products  and  services;  in  First  Defiance’s  case  retail  customers  for  retail  bank  and  insurance  products  and 
commercial customers for commercial loan, deposit, life, health and property and casualty insurance needs; (3) 
the  methods  used  to  distribute  products  or  provide  services;  such  services  are  delivered  through  banking  and 
insurance  offices  and  through  bank  and  insurance  customer  contact  representatives.  Retail  and  commercial 
customers  are  frequently  targets  for  both  banking  and  insurance  products;  (4)  the  nature  of  the  regulatory 
environment; both banking and insurance entities are subject to various regulatory bodies and a number of specific 
regulations. 

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Quantitative thresholds as stated in FASB ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting are monitored. For the year ended 
December 31, 2018, the reported revenue for First Insurance was 8.6% of total revenue for First Defiance. Total 
revenue  includes  interest  income  plus  noninterest  income.  Net  income  for  First  Insurance  for  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2018 was 4.5% of consolidated net income. Total assets of First Insurance at December 31, 2018, 
were 0.7% of total assets. First Insurance does not meet any of the quantitative thresholds of FASB ASC Topic 
280. Accordingly, all of the financial service operations are considered by management to be aggregated in one 
reportable segment.  

Dividend Restriction 

Banking regulations require maintaining certain capital levels and may limit the dividends paid by First Federal 
to First Defiance. See Note 17 for further details on restrictions. 

Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments 

Financial  instruments  include  off-balance  sheet  credit  instruments,  such  as  commitments  to  make  loans  and 
commercial letters of credit, issued to meet customer financing needs. The face amount for these items represents 
the exposure to loss, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are 
recorded when they are funded. 

Loss Contingencies 

Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as 
liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. 
Management does not believe there are any such matters that will have a material effect on the financial statements. 

Income Taxes 

Income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and the change in deferred tax 
assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax amounts for the temporary 
differences between carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. A 
valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. Realization of 
deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of a sufficient level of future taxable income and recoverable 
taxes paid in prior years. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that 
all of the deferred tax assets will be realized.  The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income 
tax matters in income tax expense.  

In December 2017, a law was enacted which changed the corporate federal income tax rate from 35% to 21%, 
beginning January 1, 2018. Accordingly, the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities were re-measured at 
December 31, 2017, using the 21% corporate federal income tax rate resulting in a net tax expense of $154,000. 
An effective tax rate of 21% is used to determine after-tax components of other comprehensive income (loss) 
included in the statements of stockholders’ equity.  See Note 18. 

A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained 
in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur.  The amount recognized is the largest 
amount  of  tax  benefit  that  is  greater  than  50%  likely  of  being  realized  on  examination.  For  tax  positions  not 
meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded.   

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Retirement Plans 

Pension expense is the net of service and interest cost, return on plan assets and amortization of gains and losses 
not immediately recognized.  Employee 401(k) plan expense is the amount of matching contributions.  Deferred 
compensation and supplemental retirement plan expense allocates the benefits over years of service. See Note 16 
and 19. 

Reclassifications 

Some items in the prior year financial statements were reclassified to conform to the current presentation which did 
not result in any changes to net income or equity. 

Accounting Standards Updates 

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts 
with  Customers.”  This  standard’s  core  principle  is  that  a  company  will  recognize  revenue  when  it  transfers 
promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects 
to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies generally will be required to use 
more judgment and make more estimates than under current guidance. These may include identifying performance 
obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and 
allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. Subsequent to the issuance of ASU 2014-
09,  the  FASB  issued  targeted  updates  to  clarify  specific  implementation  issues  including  ASU  No.  2016-08, 
“Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net),” ASU No. 2016-10, “Identifying 
Performance  Obligations  and  Licensing,”  ASU  No.  2016-12,  “Narrow-Scope  Improvements  and  Practical 
Expedients,”  and  ASU  No.  2016-20  “Technical  Corrections  and  Improvements  to  Topic  606,  Revenue  from 
Contracts  with  Customers.”  For  financial  reporting  purposes,  this  standard  allows  for  either  full  retrospective 
adoption,  meaning  the  standard  is  applied  to  all  of  the  periods  presented,  or  modified  retrospective  adoption, 
meaning the standard is applied only to the most current period presented in the financial statements with the 
cumulative effect of initially applying the standard recognized at the date of initial application. Since the guidance 
does not apply to revenue associated with financial instruments, including loans and securities that are accounted 
for under other GAAP, the new guidance did not have a material impact on revenue most closely associated with 
financial instruments, including interest income and expense. The Company completed its overall assessment of 
revenue  streams  and  review  of  related  contracts  potentially  affected  by  the  ASU,  including  trust  and  asset 
management  fees,  deposit  related  fees,  interchange  fees,  merchant  income,  and  annuity  and  insurance 
commissions. Based on this assessment, the Company concluded that ASU 2014-09 did not materially change the 
method in which the Company currently recognizes revenue for these revenue streams. The Company adopted 
ASU 2014-09 and its related amendments on its required effective date of January 1, 2018, utilizing the modified 
retrospective approach. Since there was no net income impact upon adoption of the new guidance, a cumulative 
effect adjustment to opening retained earnings was not deemed necessary.  See “Revenue Recognition” below for 
additional information related to revenue generated from contracts with customers. 

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and 
Financial  Liabilities.”  This  ASU  addresses  certain  aspects  of  recognition,  measurement,  presentation,  and 
disclosure  of  financial  instruments  by  making  targeted  improvements  to  GAAP  as  follows:  (1)  require  equity 
investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation 
of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. However, an 
entity may choose to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus 
impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the 
identical or a similar investment of the same issuer; (2) simplify the impairment assessment of equity investments 
without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment. When a 
qualitative assessment indicates that impairment exists, an entity is required to measure the investment at fair 
value; (3) eliminate the requirement to disclose the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost 

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for  entities  that  are  not  public  business  entities;  (4)  eliminate  the  requirement  for  public  business  entities  to 
disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed 
for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet; (5) require public business entities to 
use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; (6) require 
an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a 
liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the 
liability  at  fair  value  in  accordance  with  the  fair  value  option  for  financial  instruments;  (7)  require  separate 
presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (that 
is, securities or loans receivable) on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements; and 
(8)  clarify  that  an  entity  should  evaluate  the  need  for a  valuation  allowance  on  a  deferred  tax  asset related to 
available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets. The adoption of ASU No. 
2016-01 on January 1, 2018, did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 
Also in conjunction with the adoption, the Company’s fair value measurement of financial instruments was based 
upon an exit price notion as required in ASU 2016-01.  The guidance was applied on a prospective approach 
resulting in prior-periods no longer being comparable.   

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated 
Other  Comprehensive  Income.”    This  ASU  allows  a  reclassification  from  accumulated  other  comprehensive 
income (“AOCI”) to retained earnings for certain income tax effects stranded in AOCI as a result of public law 
No. 115-97, known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”).  Consequently, the reclassification eliminates the 
stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act and is intended to improve the usefulness of information reported 
to  financial  statement  users.  However,  because  the  ASU  only  relates to  the  reclassification  of  the  income  tax 
effects  of the Tax  Act, the  underlying  guidance  that requires the  effect  of  a  change  in tax laws  or  rates to  be 
included in income from continuing operations is not affected. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-02 during 
the first quarter of 2018, and elected to reclassify the income tax effects of the Tax Act from AOCI to retained 
earnings. The reclassification increased AOCI and decreased retained earnings by $47,000, with zero net effect 
on total shareholders’ equity.  

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 — Leases (Topic 842). The objective of the update is to 
increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on 
the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The amendments in this update are 
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. 
Early adoption is permitted.  The Company elected to apply ASU 2016-02 as of the beginning of the period of 
adoption (January 1, 2019) and will not restate comparative periods. The Company also expect to elect certain 
optional practical expedients. The Company has implemented a third party software solution to assist with the 
accounting under the new standard. The Company’s operating leases relate primarily to office space and bank 
branches.   Upon adoption of ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019, the Company expects to recognize right-to-use 
assets and related lease liabilities totaling approximately $8.8 million and $9.3 million, respectively.   

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” 
This ASU significantly changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other 
instruments that aren’t measured at fair value through net income. In issuing the standard, the FASB is responding 
to criticism that today’s guidance delays recognition of credit losses. The standard will replace today’s “incurred 
loss” approach with an “expected loss” model. The new model, referred to as the current expected credit loss 
(“CECL”) model, will apply to: (1) financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost, and 
(2) certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. This includes, but is not limited to, loans, leases, held-to-maturity 
securities, loan commitments, and financial guarantees. The CECL model does not apply to available-for-sale 
(“AFS”) debt securities. For AFS debt securities with unrealized losses, entities will measure credit losses in a 
manner  similar  to  what  they  do  today,  except  that  the  losses  will  be  recognized  as  allowances  rather  than 
reductions in the amortized cost of the securities. As a result, entities will recognize improvements to estimated 
credit losses immediately in earnings rather than as interest income over time, as they do today. The ASU also 
simplifies  the  accounting  model  for  purchased  credit-impaired  debt  securities  and  loans.  ASU  2016-13  also 
expands the disclosure requirements regarding an entity’s assumptions, models, and methods for estimating the 

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allowance for loan and lease losses. In addition, entities will need to disclose the amortized cost balance for each 
class of financial asset by credit quality indicator, disaggregated by the year of origination. ASU No. 2016-13 is 
effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019; early adoption is permitted 
for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Entities will apply the standard’s 
provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period 
in  which  the  guidance  is  effective  (i.e.,  modified  retrospective  approach).  The  Company  continues  its 
implementation efforts through its established Company-wide implementation committee along with a third-party 
software  vendor  to  assist  in  the  implementation  process.  The  committee’s  review  indicates  the  Company  has 
maintained  sufficient  historical  loan  data  to  support  the  requirement  of  this  pronouncement  and  is  currently 
evaluating  the  various  loss  methodologies  to  determine  their  correlations  to  the  Company’s  loan  segments 
historical performance.  Early adoption is permitted, however, the Company does not currently plan to adopt this 
ASU early. 

Revenue Recognition 

Accounting  Standards  Codification  (“ASC”)  606,  Revenue  from  Contracts  with  Customers  (“ASC  606”), 
establishes principles for reporting information about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and 
cash flows arising from the entity's contracts to provide goods or services to customers. The core principle requires 
an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects 
the consideration that it expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services recognized as 
performance obligations are satisfied. 

The majority of the Company’s revenue-generating transactions are not subject to ASC 606, including revenue 
generated from financial instruments, such as loans, letters of credit, and investment securities, as well as revenue 
related to mortgage servicing activities, as these activities are subject to other GAAP discussed elsewhere within 
the Company’s disclosures. Descriptions of the Company’s revenue-generating activities that are within the scope 
of ASC 606, which are presented in the Company’s statement of income as components of noninterest income are 
as follows: 

•  Service  charges  on  deposit  accounts  -  these  represent  general  service  fees  for  monthly  account 
maintenance and activity or transaction-based fees and consist of transaction-based revenue, time-based 
revenue (service period), item-based revenue or some other individual attribute-based revenue. Revenue 
is  recognized  when  our  performance  obligation  is  completed  which  is  generally  monthly  for  account 
maintenance services or when a transaction has been completed (such as a wire transfer). Payment for 
such performance obligations are generally received at the time the performance obligations are satisfied.  
Service charges on deposit accounts that are within the scope of ASC 606 were $7.6 million in 2018. 
Income  from  services  charges  on  deposit  accounts  is  included  in  service  fees  and  other  charges  in 
noninterest income. 

• 

Interchange  income  -  this  represents  fees  earned  from  debit  and  credit  cardholder  transactions.  
Interchange fees from cardholder transactions represent a percentage of the underlying transaction value 
and are recognized daily, concurrent with the transaction processing services provided to the cardholder. 
Interchange  fees  were  $4.1  million  in  2018,  which  are  reported  net  of  network  related  charges.  
Interchange income is included in service fees and other charges in noninterest income. 

•  Wealth management and trust fee income - this represents monthly fees due from wealth management 
customers as consideration for managing the customers’ assets. Wealth management and trust services 
include custody of assets, investment management, escrow services, and fees for trust services and similar 
fiduciary activities. Revenue is recognized when our performance obligation is completed each month, 
which is generally the time that payment is received. Also included are fees received from a third party 
broker-dealer as part of a revenue-sharing agreement for fees earned from customers that we refer to the 
third  party.  These  fees  are  paid  to  us  by  the  third  party  on  a  quarterly  basis  and  recognized  ratably 
throughout the quarter as our performance obligation is satisfied. Revenue from wealth management and 

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trust services were $821,000 and $2.1 million, respectively, in 2018. Income from wealth management 
services  is  included  in  other  noninterest  income  in  total  noninterest  income.    Trust  fees  are  reported 
separately in total noninterest income. 

•  Gain/loss on sales of other real estate owned (“OREO”) - the Company records a gain or loss from the 
sale of OREO when control of the property transfers to the buyer, which generally occurs at the time of 
an executed deed. When the Company finances the sale of OREO to the buyer, the Company assesses 
whether the buyer is committed to perform their obligations under the contract and whether collectability 
of the transaction price is probable.  Once these criteria are met, the OREO asset is derecognized and the 
gain or loss on sale is recorded upon the transfer of control of the property to the buyer.  In determining 
the gain or loss on the sale, the Company adjusts the transaction price and related gain or loss on sale if a 
significant financing component is present. Income from the gain/loss on sales of OREO was a loss of 
$28,000 in 2018. Income from the gain or loss on sales of OREO is included in other noninterest income 
in total noninterest income. 

• 

Insurance commissions - this represents new commissions that are recognized when the Company sells 
insurance policies to customers. The Company is also entitled to renewal commissions and, in some cases, 
contingent commissions in the form of profit sharing which are recognized in subsequent periods. The 
initial commission is recognized when the insurance policy is sold to a customer.  Renewal commission 
is variable consideration and is recognized in subsequent periods when the uncertainty around variable 
consideration is subsequently resolved (i.e., when customer renews the policy). Contingent commission 
is  also  a  variable  consideration  that  is  not  recognized  until  the  variability  surrounding  realization  of 
revenue is resolved. Another source of variability is the ability of the policy holder to cancel the policy 
anytime and in such cases, the Company may be required, under the terms of the contract, to return part 
of the commission received. The variability related to cancellation of the policy is not deemed significant 
and thus, does not impact the amount of revenue recognized. In the event the policyholder chooses to 
cancel the policy at any time, the revenue for amounts which qualify for claw-back are reversed in the 
period the cancellation occurs. Management views the income sources from insurance commissions in 
two categories: (i) new/renewal commissions and (ii) contingent commissions.  Insurance commissions 
were $14.1 million for 2018, of which, $13.1 million were new/renewal commissions and $1.0 million 
were contingent commissions. 

3. Business Combinations 

Effective February 24, 2017, the Company acquired Commercial Bancshares, Inc. (“Commercial Bancshares”) and 
its  subsidiary, The  Commercial Savings Bank  (“CSB”),  pursuant  to an  Agreement and  Plan  of  Merger (“Merger 
Agreement”), dated August 23, 2016.  The acquisition was accomplished by the merger of Commercial Bancshares 
into First Defiance, immediately followed by the merger of CSB into First Federal.  CSB operated seven full-service 
banking offices in northwest and north central, Ohio and  one commercial loan production office in central Ohio.  
Commercial Bancshares’ consolidated assets and equity (unaudited) as of February 24, 2017, totaled $348.4 million 
and  $37.5  million,  respectively.    The  Company  accounted  for  the  transaction  under  the  acquisition  method  of 
accounting which means that the acquired assets and liabilities were recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition.  
The fair value included in these financial statements is based on final valuations.   

In accordance with ASC 805, the Company expensed approximately $3.7 million of direct acquisition costs, of which 
$2.8 million was to settle employment and benefit agreements and for personnel expenses related to operating the new 
Commercial Bancshares locations.  The Company recorded $28.9 million of goodwill and $4.9 million of intangible 
assets.  Goodwill represents the future economic benefits arising from net assets acquired that are not individually 
identified and separately recognized and is attributable to synergies expected to be derived from the combination of 
the two entities.  The acquisition was consistent with the Company’s strategy to enhance and expand its presence in 
northwestern and central Ohio.  The acquisition offered the Company the opportunity to increase profitability by 
introducing existing products and services to the acquired customer base as well as add new customers in the expanded 

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market  area.      The  intangible  assets  were  related  to  core  deposits  and  are  being  amortized  over  10  years  on  an 
accelerated basis.  For tax purposes, goodwill totaling $28.9 million is non-deductible.  Goodwill is evaluated annually 
for impairment.  The following table summarizes the fair value of the total consideration transferred as part of the 
Commercial Bancshares acquisition as well as the fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities assumed as of the 
effective date of the transaction.       

Cash Consideration 
Equity – Dollar Value of Issued Shares 
Fair Value of Total Consideration Transferred 

Recognized  Amounts  of  Identifiable  Assets  Acquired  and  Liabilities 
Assumed: 
    Cash and Cash Equivalents 
    Federal Funds Sold 
    Securities 
    Loans 
    FHLB Stock of Cincinnati and Other Stock 
    Office Properties and Equipment 
    Intangible Assets 

        Bank-Owned Life Insurance 

   Accrued Interest Receivable and Other Assets     

Deposits – Noninterest-Bearing 

    Deposits – Interest-Bearing 
    Advances from FHLB 
    Accrued Interest Payable and Other Liabilities 
Total Identifiable Net Assets 

   February 24, 2017 
    (In Thousands) 

$ 

12,340 
56,532 
68,872 

35,411 
2,769 
4,338 
285,448 
2,194 
5,256 
4,900 
8,168 
3,606 
(56,061) 
(251,931) 
(1,403) 
(2,717) 
39,978 

Goodwill 

$ 

28,894 

Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Commercial Bancshares common shareholders had the opportunity to 
elect to receive 2.3616 shares of common stock of the Company or cash in the amount of $51.00 for each share of 
Commercial  Bancshares  common  stock,  subject  to  adjustment  as  provided  for  in  the  merger  agreement.    Total 
consideration for Commercial Bancshares common shares outstanding was paid 80% in Company stock and 20% in 
cash.  The  Company  issued  2,279,004  shares  of  its  common  stock  and  paid  $12.3  million  in  cash  to  the  former 
shareholders of Commercial Bancshares.  

The following table presents unaudited pro forma information as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2016, 
after  giving  effect  to  certain  adjustments.    The  unaudited  pro  forma  information  for  the  twelve  months  ended 
December  31,  2017,  and  December  31,  2016,  includes  adjustments  for  interest  income  on  loans  and  securities 
acquired,  amortization  of  intangibles  arising  from  the  transaction,  interest  expense  on  deposits  and  borrowings 
acquired,  and  the  related  income  tax  effects.    The  unaudited  pro  forma  financial  information  is  not  necessarily 
indicative of the results of operations that would have occurred had the transaction been effected on the assumed date. 

81 

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Net Interest Income 
Provision for loan losses 
Noninterest Income 
Noninterest Expense 
Income Before Income Taxes 
Income Tax Expense 
Net Income 
Diluted Earnings Per Share 

Pro Forma Twelve 
Months Ended 
December 31, 2017 

Pro Forma Twelve 
Months Ended 
December 31, 2016 

(In Thousands, except per share data) 

  $ 

98,856 
2,949 
40,338 
82,597 
53,648 
17,780 
 $ 
35,868 
 $            3.51 

  $ 

90,452 
753 
35,496 
76,393 
48,802 
15,276 
  $ 
33,526 
  $             3.29 

The above pro forma financial information includes approximately $4.6 million of net income related to the operations 
of Commercial Bancshares during the twelve months of 2017.  The above pro forma financial information related to 
2017 excludes merger related costs that totaled $3.7 million on a pre-tax basis.   

On April 13, 2017, First Defiance and Corporate One Benefits Agency, Inc. (“Corporate One”) jointly announced 
the acquisition of Corporate One’s business by First Defiance.  The total purchase price paid in cash was made up 
of the following: $6.5 million was paid at closing, $500,000 was due and paid the second quarter of 2018, and up 
to $2.3 million may be due at the end of a three-year earn-out based on the compound annual growth rate of net 
revenue over the performance period of Corporate One, for a total maximum purchase price of $9.3 million.  The 
recorded fair value of the $2.3 million earn-out was $1.8 million at December 31, 2017. As of December 31, 2017, 
the Company recorded goodwill of $7.9 million as well as identifiable intangible assets of $756,000 consisting of 
a customer relationship intangible of $564,000 and a non-compete intangible of $192,000.  The fair value included 
in these financial statements is based on final valuation.  Corporate One was a full-service employee benefits 
consulting organization founded in 1996 with offices located in Archbold, Findlay, Fostoria and Tiffin, Ohio.  
Corporate One consulted employers to better manage their employee benefit programs to effectively lead them 
into the future.  The transaction enhanced employee benefit offerings and expanded First Insurance’s presence 
into adjacent markets in northwest Ohio.   

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4. Earnings Per Common Share 
4. Earnings Per Common Share 
Basic earnings per share is calculated using the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation 
Basic earnings per share is calculated using the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation 
formula under which earnings per share is calculated from common stock and participating securities according 
formula under which earnings per share is calculated from common stock and participating securities according 
to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Under this method, all earnings distributed 
to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Under this method, all earnings distributed 
and undistributed, are allocated to participating securities and common shares based on their respective rights to 
and undistributed, are allocated to participating securities and common shares based on their respective rights to 
receive  dividends.  Unvested  share-based  payment  awards  that  contain  non-forfeitable  rights  to  dividends  are 
receive  dividends.  Unvested  share-based  payment  awards  that  contain  non-forfeitable  rights  to  dividends  are 
considered participating securities (i.e. unvested restricted stock), not subject to performance based measures.  
considered participating securities (i.e. unvested restricted stock), not subject to performance based measures.  
 The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the years ended 
 The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the years ended 
December 31: 
December 31: 

Basic Earnings Per Share: 
Net income available to common shareholders 
Basic Earnings Per Share: 
Less: Income allocated to participating securities 
Net income available to common shareholders 
Net income allocated to common shareholders 
Less: Income allocated to participating securities 
Net income allocated to common shareholders 
Weighted average common shares outstanding 
     Including participating securities 
Weighted average common shares outstanding 
Less: Participating securities 
     Including participating securities 
Average common shares 
Less: Participating securities 
Average common shares 
Basic earnings per common share 
Basic earnings per common share 

Diluted Earnings Per Share: 
Net income allocated to common shareholders 
Diluted Earnings Per Share: 
Net income allocated to common shareholders 
Weighted average common shares outstanding 
     for basic earnings per common share 
Weighted average common shares outstanding 
Add: Dilutive effects of stock options 
     for basic earnings per common share 
Average shares and dilutive potential common 
Add: Dilutive effects of stock options 
shares 
Average shares and dilutive potential common 
shares 
Diluted earnings per common share 
Diluted earnings per common share 

2016 
2017 
2018 
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts) 
2016 
2017 
2018 
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts) 
  $  28,843 
39 
  $  28,843 
$    28,804 
39 
$    28,804 

  $  32,268 
5 
  $  32,268 
$    32,263 
5 
$    32,263 

  $  46,249 
16 
  $  46,249 
$    46,233 
16 
$    46,233 

20,358 
9 
20,358 
20,349 
9 
20,349 
2.27 
2.27 

  $ 
  $ 

19,950 
18 
19,950 
19,932 
18 
19,932 
1.62 
1.62 

17,960 
22 
17,960 
17,938 
22 
17,938 
1.61 
1.61 

  $ 
  $ 

  $ 
  $ 

  $  46,233 
  $  46,233 
20,349 
119 
20,349 
119 
20,468 
20,468 
2.26 
2.26 

  $ 
  $ 

  $  32,263 
  $  32,263 
19,932 
124 
19,932 
124 
20,056 
20,056 
1.61 
1.61 

  $ 
  $ 

  $  28,804 
  $  28,804 
17,938 
132 
17,938 
132 
18,070 
18,070 
1.60 
1.60 

  $ 
  $ 

Shares subject to issue upon exercise of options of 10,500 in 2018, zero in 2017 and 25,100 in 2016 were 
Shares subject to issue upon exercise of options of 10,500 in 2018, zero in 2017 and 25,100 in 2016 were 
excluded from the diluted earnings per common share calculation as they were anti-dilutive. 
excluded from the diluted earnings per common share calculation as they were anti-dilutive. 

83 
83 

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5. Investment Securities  

The  following tables  summarize  the  amortized  cost and fair  value of  available-for-sale  securities and  held-to-
maturity investment securities at December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the corresponding amounts of gross unrealized 
and unrecognized gains and losses: 

Gross 
Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized 
Gains 

Losses 

Gross 

Cost 

Fair 
Value 

2018 
Available-for-sale 

(In Thousands) 

Obligations of U.S. government corporations 

and agencies 

Mortgage-backed securities - residential 
REMICs 
Collateralized mortgage obligations - 
residential 
Corporate bonds 
Obligations of state and political  

subdivisions 

Total Available-for-Sale 

  $ 

  $ 

2,519 
76,165 
2,712 

103,026 
12,910 

2 
111 
4 

124 
44 

  $ 

(18) 
(1,566) 
(7) 

  $     2,503 
74,710 
2,709 

(1,689) 
(148) 

101,461 
12,806 

99,349 
  $ 296,681 

1,258 
  $  1,543 

(720) 
  $ (4,148) 

99,887 
   $ 294,076 

Gross 
Amortized  Unrecognized  Unrecognized 
Gains 

Losses 

Gross 

Cost 

Fair 
Value 

Held-to-Maturity 

FHLMC certificates 
FNMA certificates 
GNMA certificates 
Obligations of states and political 

subdivisions 

Total Held-to-Maturity 

(In Thousands) 

  $ 

  $ 

8 
31 
12 

475 
526 

  $ 

  $ 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

  $ 

  $ 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

  $             8 
31 
12 

475 
   $         526 

Gross 
Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized 
Gains 

Losses 

Gross 

Cost 

Fair 
Value 

2017 
Available-for-sale 

Obligations of U.S. government corporations 

and agencies 

  $ 

Mortgage-backed securities - residential 
REMICs 
Collateralized mortgage obligations - 
residential 
Preferred stock 
Corporate bonds 
Obligations of state and political  

subdivisions 

Total Available-for-Sale 

(In Thousands) 

  $ 

518 
59,942 
1,072 

94,588 
- 
12,914 

- 
90 
- 

180 
1 
189 

  $ 

(10) 
(763) 
(7) 

(892) 
- 
- 

  $        508 
59,269 
1,065 

93,876 
1 
13,103 

90,692 
  $ 259,726 

2,426 
  $  2,886 

(290) 
  $ (1,962) 

92,828 
    $  260,650 

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Gross 
Amortized  Unrecognized Unrecognized 
Gains 

Losses 

Gross 

Cost 

Fair 
Value 

Held-to-Maturity 

FHLMC certificates 
FNMA certificates 
GNMA certificates 
Obligations of states and political 

subdivisions 

Total Held-to-Maturity 

(In Thousands) 

  $ 

  $ 

10 
41 
17 

580 
648 

  $ 

  $ 

- 
1 
- 

- 
1 

  $ 

  $ 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

  $            10 
42 
17 

              580 
   $         649 

The amortized cost and fair value of the investment securities portfolio at December 31, 2018, is shown below by 
contractual maturity. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities if borrowers have the right to call 
or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. For purposes of the maturity tables below, 
mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations, which are not due at a single maturity date, 
have not been allocated over maturity groupings.  

2018 
Available-for-sale 
Due in one year or less 
Due after one year through 

five years 

Due after five years through 

ten years 

Due after ten years 
MBS/CMO/REMIC 
Total  

Held-to-maturity 
Due in one year or less 
Due after five years through 

ten years 

MBS 
Total  

Available-for-Sale 
Fair 
Value 

Amortized 
Cost 

(In Thousands) 

  $ 

771 

  $ 

773 

22,957 

22,969 

34,245 
56,805 
181,903 
   $ 296,681 

34,904 
56,550 
178,880 
    $   294,076 

  $ 

31 

  $ 

31 

444 
51 
   $        526 

444 
51 
     $         526 

Securities  pledged  at  year-end  2018  and  2017  had  a  carrying  amount  of  $143.9  million  and  $135.4 million, 
respectively, and were pledged to secure public deposits, securities sold under repurchase agreements and FHLB 
advances. 

As of December 31, 2018, the Company’s investment portfolio consisted of 438 securities, 177 of which were 
in an unrealized loss position.  The Company did not hold any single security that was greater than 10% of the 
Company’s equity at December 31, 2018. 

The following table summarizes First Defiance’s securities that were in an unrealized loss position at December 
31, 2018, and December 31, 2017:  

85 

- 85 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Duration of Unrealized Loss Position 

Less than 12 Months 
Gross 
Unrealized 
Loss 

Fair 
Value 

12 Months or Longer 
Gross 
Unrealized 
Loss 

Fair 
Value 

(In Thousands) 

Total 

Fair 
Value 

Unrealized 
Loses 

  $ 

- 

  $ 

- 

  $ 

500 

$   

(18) 

 $ 

500 

  $ 

(18) 

11,589 
- 

11,613 
5,752 

11,974 
8 

(71) 
- 

(53) 
(148) 

(69) 
- 

48,665 
857 

70,585 
- 

16,492 
26 

(1,495) 
(7) 

(1,636) 
- 

(651) 
- 

60,254 
857 

82,198 
5,752 

28,466 
34 

(1,566) 
(7) 

(1,689) 
(148) 

(720) 
- 

  $ 

40,936 

  $ 

(341) 

  $ 137,125 

  $  (3,807) 

 $ 

178,061 

  $   (4,148)  

  $ 

- 

  $ 

- 

  $ 

508 

$   

(10) 

 $ 

508 

  $ 

(10) 

27,881 
1,065 

49,107 

14,249 
12 

(215) 
(7) 

(320) 

(163) 
- 

19,038 
- 

20,804 

3,370 
9 

(548) 
- 

(572) 

(127) 
- 

46,919 
1,065 

69,911 

17,619 
21 

(763) 
(7) 

(892) 

(290) 
- 

  $ 

92,314 

  $ 

(705) 

  $  43,729 

  $  (1,257) 

 $ 

136,043 

  $   (1,962) 

At December 31, 2018 
Available-for-sale securities: 

Obligations of U.S. government 
corporations and agencies 
Mortgage-backed securities-

residential 

REMIC’s 
Collateralized mortgage 

obligations 
Corporate Bonds 
Obligations of state and political 
     subdivisions 
Held to maturity securities: 

Total temporarily impaired 

securities 

At December 31, 2017 
Available-for-sale securities: 

Obligations of U.S. government 
corporations and agencies 
Mortgage-backed securities-

residential 

REMIC’s 
Collateralized mortgage 

obligations 

Obligations of state and political 
     subdivisions 
Held to maturity securities: 

Total temporarily impaired 

securities 

Management evaluates securities for OTTI on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or 
market conditions warrant such an evaluation. The investment portfolio is evaluated for OTTI by segregating the 
portfolio into two general segments. Investment securities classified as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity are 
generally evaluated for OTTI under FASB ASC Topic 320. Certain collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) are 
evaluated for OTTI under FASB ASC Topic 325, Investment – Other. 

When OTTI occurs under either model, the amount of the OTTI recognized in earnings depends on whether an 
entity intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its 
amortized cost basis less any current period credit loss. If an entity intends to sell or more likely than not will be 
required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current period credit loss, the OTTI 
shall be recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the investment’s amortized cost basis and 
its fair value at the balance sheet date. If an entity does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than 
not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current 
period loss, the OTTI shall be separated into the amount representing the credit loss and the amount related to all 
other factors. The amount of OTTI related to the credit loss is determined based on the present value of cash flows 
expected to be collected compared to the book value of the security and is recognized in earnings. The amount of 
OTTI related to other factors shall be recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. The 
previous amortized cost basis less the OTTI recognized in earnings shall become the new amortized cost basis of 
the investment. 

With the exception of corporate bonds, the securities all have fixed interest rates, and all securities have defined 
maturities. Their fair value is sensitive to movements in market interest rates. First Defiance has the ability and 
intent to hold these investments for a time necessary to recover the amortized cost without impacting its liquidity 

86 

- 86 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
position and it is not more than likely that the Company will be required to sell the investments before anticipated 
recovery.  

In 2018, 2017 and 2016, management determined there was no OTTI.     

There were no credit losses relating to debt securities recognized in earnings for the years ended December 31, 
2018, 2017 and 2016.   

Realized gains from the sales and calls of investment securities totaled $173,000 ($136,000 after tax) in 2018 
while there were realized gains of $584,000 ($380,000 after tax) and $509,000 ($331,000 after tax) in 2017 and 
2016, respectively. 

The proceeds from sales and calls of securities and the associated gains and losses for the years ended December 
31 are listed below: 

Proceeds 
Gross realized gains 
Gross realized losses 

2018 

  $ 

5,503 
178 
(5) 

6. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities 

2017 
(In Thousands) 
  $  34,248 
665 
(81) 

2016 

  $  14,871 
509 
- 

Loan Commitments 
Loan commitments are made to accommodate the financial needs of First Federal’s customers. Standby letters of 
credit commit the Company to make payments on behalf of customers when certain specified future events occur. 
They primarily are issued to facilitate customers’ trade transactions.  

Both arrangements have credit risk, essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers, and are 
subject to the Company’s normal credit policies. Collateral (e.g., securities, receivables, inventory and equipment) 
is obtained based on management’s credit assessment of the customer.  

The Company’s maximum obligation to extend credit for loan commitments (unfunded loans and unused lines of 
credit) and standby letters of credit outstanding on December 31 was as follows (In Thousands): 

2018 

2017 

Commitments to make loans 
Unused lines of credit 
Standby letters of credit 
Total 

Fixed Rate 
44,352 
7,523 
- 
51,875 

  $ 

  $ 

Variable Rate 

  $ 

  $ 

114,308 
382,189 
7,239 
503,736 

Fixed Rate 
42,458 
6,245 
- 
48,703 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

Variable Rate 
161,778 
408,831 
7,605 
578,214 

  $ 

Commitments to make loans are generally made for periods of 60 days or less.  The fixed rate loan commitments 
at December 31, 2018, had interest rates ranging from 3.25% to 18.00% and maturities ranging from less than one 
year to 30 years. 

In addition to the above commitments, at December 31, 2018, First Defiance had commitments to sell $8.6 million 
of loans to Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, or FHLB of Cincinnati. 

87 

- 87 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7.  Loans  

Loans receivable consist of the following: 

Real Estate: 

Secured by 1-4 family residential 
Secured by multi-family residential 
Secured by commercial real estate 
Construction  

Other Loans: 

Commercial 
Home equity and improvement 
Consumer Finance 

Total loans 
Deduct: 

December 31, 
2018 

December 31, 
2017 

(In Thousands) 

  $ 

322,686 
278,358 
1,126,452 
265,772 
1,993,268 

509,577 
128,152 
34,405 
672,134 
2,665,402 

  $ 

274,862 
248,092 
987,129 
265,476 
1,775,559 

526,142 
135,457 
29,109 
690,708 
2,466,267 

Undisbursed loan funds 
Net deferred loan origination fees and costs 
Allowance for loan loss 
Totals 

(123,293) 
(2,070) 
(28,331) 
  $  2,511,708 

(115,972) 
(1,582) 
(26,683) 
  $  2,322,030 

Loan segments have been identified by evaluating the portfolio based on collateral and credit risk characteristics.   

88 

- 88 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table discloses the year-to-date activity in the allowance for loan loss for the dates indicated by 
portfolio segment (In Thousands):  

Year to Date December 31, 
2018 

1-4 Family 
Residential 
Real Estate  

Multi- Family 
Residential 
Real Estate 

Commercial 
Real Estate 

Construction 

Commercial  

Home Equity 
and 
Improvement  

Consumer 
Finance 

Total 

Beginning Allowance 

 $      2,532 

 $       2,702  

 $       10,354  

 $            647 

 $     7,965  

 $      2,255  

 $          228  

$   26,683 

Charge-Offs 

Recoveries 

(261)  

                 - 

(1,387)  

              -  

(724)    

(269)   

(233)    

(2,874)  

131 

                  57 

720  

              -  

2,221    

191   

26   

3,346  

Provisions 

               479  

342 

2,354  

35  

(2,181)   

(151)   

298    

1,176  

Ending Allowance  

 $       2,881 

 $       3,101 

 $       12,041  

 $          682 

 $     7,281 

 $      2,026  

 $          319  

$   28,331 

Year to Date December 31, 
2017 

1-4 Family 
Residential 
Real Estate  

Multi- Family 
Residential 
Real Estate 

Commercial 
Real Estate 

Construction 

Commercial  

Home Equity 
and 
Improvement  

Consumer 
Finance 

Total 

Beginning Allowance 

 $      2,627 

 $       2,228  

 $       10,625  

 $            450 

 $     7,361  

 $      2,386  

 $          207  

$   25,884 

Charge-Offs 

Recoveries 

(279)  

                 - 

(429)  

              -  

(2,301)    

(301)   

(139)    

(3,449)  

115 

                  32 

657  

              -  

243    

167   

85   

1,299  

Provisions 

               69  

442 

(499)  

197  

2,662   

                  3   

75    

2,949  

Ending Allowance  

 $       2,532 

 $       2,702 

 $       10,354  

 $          647 

 $     7,965 

 $      2,255  

 $          228  

$   26,683 

Year to Date December 31, 
2016 

1-4 Family 
Residential 
Real Estate  

Multi- Family 
Residential 
Real Estate 

Commercial 
Real Estate 

Construction 

Commercial  

Home Equity 
and 
Improvement  

Consumer 
Finance 

Total 

Beginning Allowance 

 $      3,212 

 $       2,151  

 $       11,772  

 $            517 

 $     5,255  

 $      2,304  

 $          171  

$   25,382 

Charge-Offs 

(350)  

                 - 

(92)  

              -  

(615)    

(268)   

(94)    

(1,419)  

Recoveries 

Provisions 

166 

                  - 

923  

              -  

335    

(401)  

                  77 

(1,978)  

(67)  

2,386   

150   

200   

64   

1,638  

66    

283  

Ending Allowance  

 $       2,627 

 $       2,228 

 $       10,625  

 $          450 

 $     7,361 

 $      2,386  

 $          207  

$   25,884 

89 

- 89 -

 
 
 
 
               
                  
                    
                 
                                
                  
                  
                    
                   
                                 
                  
                  
                  
                    
                  
                     
                  
 
 
 
 
               
                  
                    
                 
                                
                  
                  
                    
                   
                                 
                  
                  
                  
                    
                     
                  
 
 
 
 
               
                  
                    
                 
                                
                  
                  
                    
                   
                                 
                  
               
                  
                    
                  
                     
                  
 
 
 
 
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1
9

- 91 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  following  tables  presents  the  average  balance,  interest  income  recognized  and  cash  basis  income 
recognized on impaired loans by class of loans for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016  
(In Thousands): 

The  following  tables  presents  the  average  balance,  interest  income  recognized  and  cash  basis  income 
recognized on impaired loans by class of loans for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016  
(In Thousands): 

Year Ended December 31, 2018 

Year Ended December 31, 2018 

Average 
Balance 

Interest 
Income 
Recognized 

Average 
Balance 

Cash Basis 
Income 
Recognized 

Interest 
Income 
Recognized 

Cash Basis 
Income 
Recognized 

4,704 

$ 

7,058 

2,354 

Residential Owner 
Occupied 
Residential Non 
Owner Occupied 
Total 1-4 Family 
Residential Real 
Estate 
Multi-Family 
Residential Real 
Estate  
CRE Owner Occupied 
CRE Non Owner 
Occupied 
Agriculture Land 
Other CRE 

Residential Owner 
Occupied 
Residential Non 
Owner Occupied 
Total 1-4 Family 
Residential Real 
Estate 
Multi-Family 
Residential Real 
Estate  
CRE Owner Occupied 
9,992 
CRE Non Owner 
Occupied 
Agriculture Land 
Other CRE 

13,827 
1,304 

2,620 

1,644 

Total Commercial 
Real Estate 

Construction 
Commercial Working 
Capital 
Commercial Other 
Total Commercial 
Home Equity and 
Home Improvement 
Consumer Finance 
Total Impaired 
Loans 

Total Commercial 
Real Estate 

27,743 
Construction 
- 
Commercial Working 
8,047 
Capital 
Commercial Other 
Total Commercial 
Home Equity and 
1,150 
Home Improvement 
Consumer Finance 
39 
Total Impaired 
Loans 

3,501 
11,548 

$  49,182 

$ 

$ 

151 

4,704 

$ 

150 
$ 

151 

$ 

150 

133 

2,354 

126 

133 

284 

7,058 

276 

284 

90 

1,644 

89 

90 

234 

9,992 

221 

234 

94 

2,620 

93 

94 

575 
106 

13,827 
1,304 

575 
106 

575 
106 

27,743 
1,009 
- 
- 

1,009 
995 
- 
- 

256 

8,047 

245 

256 

119 
375 

3,501 
11,548 

119 
364 

119 
375 

38 

1,150 

38 

38 

4 

39 

4 

4 

126 

276 

89 

221 

93 

575 
106 

995 
- 

245 

119 
364 

38 

4 

$ 1,800 

$  49,182 

$1,766 

$ 1,800 

$1,766 

- 92 -

- 92 -

- 92 -

Year Ended December 31, 2017

Average 
Balance

Interest 
Income 
Recognized

Cash Basis 
Income 
Recognized

$ 

3,811

$ 

138

$ 

138

3,038

6,849

2,471

10,592

3,768

9,667
1,603

25,630
-

5,235

5,940
11,175

1,217

59

138

276

58

110

140

472
76

798
-

129

109
238

43

4

138

276

58

109

133

229
70

541
-

123

79
202

43

4

$ 47,401

$ 1,417

$1,124

Residential Owner 
Occupied
Residential Non 
Owner Occupied
Total 1-4 Family 
Residential Real 
Estate
Multi-Family 
Residential Real 
Estate 
CRE Owner Occupied
CRE Non Owner 
Occupied
Agriculture Land
Other CRE

Total Commercial 
Real Estate

Construction
Commercial Working 
Capital
Commercial Other
Total Commercial
Home Equity and 
Home Improvement
Consumer Finance
Total Impaired 
Loans

- 93 -

- 93 -

Year Ended December 31, 2016

Average 
Balance

Interest 
Income 
Recognized

Cash Basis 
Income 
Recognized

$ 

3,954

$ 

244

$ 

237

3,133

7,087

3,946

6,925

5,351

2,283
1,632

16,191
-

1,606

2,393
3,999

1,543

67

211

455

124

203

411

128
71

813
-

109

81
190

85

8

210

447

123

183

407

68
70

728
-

90

79
169

83

8

$ 32,833

$ 1,675

$1,558

Residential Owner 
Occupied
Residential Non 
Owner Occupied
Total 1-4 Family 
Residential Real 
Estate
Multi-Family 
Residential Real 
Estate 
CRE Owner Occupied
CRE Non Owner 
Occupied
Agriculture Land
Other CRE

Total Commercial 
Real Estate

Construction
Commercial Working 
Capital
Commercial Other
Total Commercial
Home Equity and 
Home Improvement
Consumer Finance
Total Impaired 
Loans

- 94 -

- 94 -

The following table presents loans individually evaluated for impairment by class of loans (In 
Thousands): 

December 31, 2018 

       December 31, 2017 

Unpaid 
Principal 
Balance* 

Recorded 
Investment 

Allowance 
for Loan 
Losses 
Allocated 

Unpaid 
Principal 
Balance* 

Allowance 
for Loan 
Losses 
Allocated 

Recorded 
Investment 

  $        901 
                950 
1,851 

    $     775 
   955 
1,730 

$         - 
- 
- 

   $        2,507       $  2,364  
1,708 
             1,711 
4,072 
4,218 

$         - 
- 

- 

1,296 
7,464 
1,824 
14,915 
464 
24,667 
- 
7,569 
2,095 
9,664 
- 
- 
$   37,478 

$     3,926 
1,152 
5,078 

44 
2,419 
350 
37 
1,107 
3,913 
- 
525 
560 
1,085 
1,013 
45 
$   11,178 

- 
1,302 
- 
6,202 
- 
1,659 
- 
14,994 
- 
462 
- 
23,317 
- 
- 
- 
7,498 
- 
2,100 
- 
9,598 
- 
- 
- 
- 
  $  35,947  $           - 

2,095 
12,273 
3,085 
13,029 
981 
29,368 
- 
5,462 
9,916 
15,378 
630 
42 
$   51,731 

2,102 
11,804 
2,925 
13,185 
768 
28,682 
- 
5,422 
7,644 
13,066 
584 
42 
  $  48,548 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
$           - 

$    3,884  $      148 
27 
175 

1,160 
5,044 

$     1,841 
1,031 
2,872 

$    1,814 
1,024 
2,838 

$      137 
30 
167 

44 
1,935 
353 
38 
691 
3,017 
- 
528 
352 
880 
963 
45 

3 
38 
16 
2 
39 
95 
- 
55 
24 
79 
242 
1 
$  9,993    $     595 

175 
2,007 
651 
293 
909 
3,860 
- 
447 
854 
1,301 
596 
8 
$   8,812 

176 
1,546 
593 
292 
708 
3,139 
- 
449 
858 
1,307 
592 
8 
$  8,060   

7 
44 
28 
14 
32 
118 
- 
77 
110 
187 
279 
- 
$     758 

With no allowance recorded: 
Residential Owner Occupied 
Residential Non Owner Occupied 
Total 1-4 Family Residential Real 
Estate 
Multi-Family Residential Real Estate 
CRE Owner Occupied 
CRE Non Owner Occupied 
Agriculture Land 
Other CRE 
Total Commercial Real Estate 
Construction 
Commercial Working Capital 
Commercial Other 
Total Commercial   
Home Equity and Home Improvement 
Consumer Finance 
Total loans with no allowance recorded 

With an allowance recorded: 
Residential Owner Occupied 
Residential Non Owner Occupied 
Total 1-4 Family Residential Real 
Estate 
Multi-Family Residential Real Estate 
CRE Owner Occupied 
CRE Non Owner Occupied 
Agriculture Land 
Other CRE 
Total Commercial Real Estate 
Construction 
Commercial Working Capital 
Commercial Other 
Total Commercial   
Home Equity and Home Improvement 
Consumer Finance 
Total loans with an allowance recorded 

* Presented gross of charge offs 

- 95 - 

- 95 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table presents the current balance of the aggregate amounts of non-performing assets, comprised 
of non-performing loans and real estate owned on the dates indicated:  

Non-accrual loans 
Loans over 90 days past due and still accruing 
Total non-performing loans 
Real estate and other assets held for sale 
Total non-performing assets 

December 31, 
2018 

December 31, 
2017 

(In Thousands) 

$ 19,016 
- 
19,016 
1,205 
$ 20,221 

$ 30,715 
- 
30,715 
1,532 
$ 32,247 

Troubled debt restructuring, still accruing 

$ 11,573 

$ 13,770 

The following table presents the aging of the recorded investment in past due and non-accrual loans as of 
December 31, 2018, by class of loans:  (In Thousands) 

Current 

30-59 days 

60-89 days  90+ days 

Total 
Past Due 

Total Non 
Accrual 

Residential Owner Occupied 
Residential Non Owner Occupied 

$  199,664 
119,988 

$   887 
64 

$      821  $    1,402  $      3,110 
409 

180 

165 

$     3,266 
363 

Total 1-4 Family Residential Real 
Estate 

319,652 

951 

1,001 

1,567 

3,519 

3,629 

Multi-Family Residential Real Estate 

278,748 

CRE Owner Occupied 
CRE Non Owner Occupied 
Agriculture Land 
Other Commercial Real Estate 

416,879 
534,823 
129,040 
45,232 

- 

52 
6 
66 
11 

- 

- 

- 

102 

300 
119 
- 
- 

138 
- 
2,869 
- 

490 
125 
2,935 
11 

4,377 
620 
5,253 
- 

Total Commercial Real Estate 

1,125,974 

135 

419 

3,007 

3,561 

10,250 

Construction 

Commercial Working Capital 
Commercial Other 

Total Commercial 

Home Equity and Home Improvement 
Consumer Finance 

142,096 

217,832 
289,125 

506,957 

127,346 
34,224 

- 

268 
32 

300 

1,446 
134 

- 

- 
54 

54 

146 
77 

- 

- 

- 

3,838 
235 

4,106 
321 

4,021 
480 

4,073 

4,427 

4,501 

90 
96 

1,682 
307 

394 
126 

Total Loans 

$  2,534,997 

$   2,966 

$   1,697 

$  8,833 

  $  13,496 

$  19,002 

- 96 - 

- 96 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table presents the aging of the recorded investment in past due and non-accrual loans as of 
December 31, 2017, by class of loans (In Thousands): 

Current 

30-59 days 

60-89 days  90+ days 

Total 
Past Due 

Total Non 
Accrual 

Residential Owner Occupied 
Residential Non Owner Occupied 

$  175,139 
96,400 

$   821 
495 

$      1,033  $    1,227  $      3,081 
736 

233 

8 

$     2,510 
520 

Total 1-4 Family Residential Real 
Estate 

271,539 

1,316 

1,041 

1,460 

3,817 

3,030 

Multi-Family Residential Real Estate 

247,980 

CRE Owner Occupied 
CRE Non Owner Occupied 
Agriculture Land 
Other Commercial Real Estate 

Total Commercial Real Estate 

Construction 

Commercial Working Capital 
Commercial Other 

393,125 
403,656 
131,753 
58,784 

987,318 

149,174 

233,632 
291,455 

422 

195 
1 
412 
13 

621 

- 

102 
82 

- 

- 

422 

128 

188 
91 
- 
- 

1,268 
424 
66 
204 

1,651 
516 
478 
217 

10,775 
2,431 
4,144 
734 

279 

1,962 

2,862 

18,084 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1,264 
- 

876 
517 

2,242 
599 

2,369 
6,474 

Total Commercial 

525,087 

184 

1,264 

1,393 

2,841 

8,843 

Home Equity and Home Improvement 
Consumer Finance 

133,144 
28,800 

2,490 
293 

434 
80 

206 
2 

3,130 
375 

591 
27 

Total Loans 

$  2,343,042 

$   5,326 

$   3,098 

$  5,023 

  $  13,447 

$  30,703 

Troubled Debt Restructurings 

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had a recorded investment in troubled debt restructurings 
(“TDRs”)  of  $19.2  million  and  $21.7  million,  respectively.    The  Company  allocated  $581,000  and 
$751,000,  of  specific  reserves  to  those  loans  at  December  31,  2018  and  2017,  and  committed  to  lend 
additional amounts totaling up to $169,000 and $242,000 at December 31, 2018 and 2017. 

The Company offers various types of concessions when modifying a loan, however, forgiveness of principal 
is rarely granted.  Each TDR is uniquely designed to meet the specific needs of the borrower.  Commercial 
loans modified in a TDR often involve temporary interest-only payments, term extensions, and converting 
revolving credit lines to term loans.  Additional collateral or an additional guarantor is often requested when 
granting a concession.  Commercial real estate loans modified in a TDR often involve temporary interest-
only payments, re-amortization of remaining debt in order to lower payments, and sometimes reducing the 
interest  rate  lower  than  the  current  market  rate.    Residential  mortgage  loans  modified  in  a  TDR  are 
comprised of loans where monthly payments are lowered, either through interest rate reductions or principal 
only payments for a period of time, to accommodate the borrowers’ financial needs, interest is capitalized 
into principal, or the term and amortization are extended.  Home equity modifications are made infrequently 
and usually involve providing an interest rate that is lower than the borrower would be able to obtain due 

- 97 - 

- 97 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
to credit issues.  All retail loans where the borrower is in bankruptcy are classified as TDRs regardless of 
whether or not a concession is made.

Of the loans modified in a TDR, $7.6 million are on non-accrual status and partial charge-offs have in some 
cases been taken against the outstanding balance.  Loans modified as a TDR may have the financial effect 
of increasing the allowance associated with the loan.  If the loan is determined to be collateral dependent, 
the estimated fair value of the collateral, less any selling costs is used to determine if there is a need for a 
specific allowance or charge-off.  If the loan is determined to be cash flow dependent, the allowance is 
measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s pre-modification 
effective interest rate.

The  following  table  presents  loans by  class  modified as TDRs  that  occurred  during  the  years  indicated
(Dollars in Thousands):

Loans Modified as a TDR for the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018

Loans Modified as a TDR for the
Year Ended
 December 31, 2017

Loans Modified as a TDR for the
Year Ended
December 31, 2016

Number of 
Loans

Recorded 
Investment (as of 
period end)

Number of 
Loans

Recorded 
Investment (as 
of period end)

Number of 
Loans

Recorded 
Investment (as of 
period end)

18

4

-

12

1

-

-

5

1

7

8

56

$      980

24

$      982

17

189

-

1,639

42

-

-

2,898

44

89

29

5

-

2

1

5

2

7

7

6

5

193

-

149

262

1,700

153

1,475

3,833

152

14

5

2

-

5

1

1

1

1

9

2

$      778

494

1,885

-

974

45

348

226

587

281

14

$  5,910

64

$  8,913 

44

$  5,632

TDRs

Residential Owner Occupied

Residential  Non Owner Occupied

Multi Family

CRE Owner Occupied

CRE Non Owner Occupied

Agriculture Land

Other CRE

Commercial Working Capital

Commercial Other
Home Equity and Home 
Improvement

Consumer Finance

Total

The  loans described above  increased the  allowance for  loan losses (“ALLL”) by  $110,000  for the year 
ended December 31, 2018, decreased the ALLL by $104,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017, and 
increased the ALLL by $413,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016. 

Of the 2018 modifications, four were made a TDR due to terming out lines of credit, 18 were made
a TDR due to advancing or renewing money to a watch list credit, one loan was made a TDR due to a 
reduction of the interest rate, five were made a TDR due to extending the maturity, 18 were made a TDR 
due to bankruptcy and 10 were made a TDR because the current debt was refinanced due to maturity or for 
payment relief. 

- 98 -

- 98 -

The following table presents loans by class modified as TDRs for which there was a payment default 
within twelve months following the modification during the indicated: 

Year Ended 
December 31, 2018  
($ in thousands) 

Year Ended 
December 31, 2017 
 ($ in thousands) 

TDRs 
That Subsequently Defaulted: 

Number of 
Loans 

Recorded 
Investment 
(as of Period 
End) 

Number of 
Loans 

Residential Owner Occupied 

Residential Non Owner Occupied 

CRE Owner Occupied 

CRE Non Owner Occupied 

Agriculture Land 

Other CRE 

Commercial Working Capital 

Commercial  Other 
Home Equity and  Home  
Improvement 

Consumer 

Total 

1 

1 

- 

- 

- 

- 

3 

1 

1 

- 

7 

 $       76 

45 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2,644 

30 

61 

- 

  $  2,856  

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Recorded 
Investment 
(as of Period 
End) 

$       - 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

- 

- 

  $  

-  

Year Ended 
December 31, 2016
 ($ in thousands) 

Recorded 
Investment 
(as of Period 
End) 

Number of 
Loans 

- 

- 

- 

1 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1 

 $      

- 

- 

- 

205 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

  $   205  

The TDRs that subsequently defaulted described above increased the ALLL by $17,000 for the year ended 
December 31, 2018, and had no effect on the ALLL for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.  

A default for purposes of this disclosure is a TDR loan in which the borrower is 90 days contractually past 
due under the modified terms. 

In order to determine whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, an evaluation is performed 
regarding the probability that the borrower will be in payment default on any of its debt in the foreseeable 
future without the modification. 

Credit Quality Indicators 

Loans are categorized into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to 
service  their  debt  such  as:    current  financial  information,  historical  payment  experience,  credit 
documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors.  Loans are analyzed 
individually by classifying the loans as to credit risk.  This analysis includes all non-homogeneous loans, 
such as commercial and commercial real estate loans and certain homogenous mortgage, home equity and 
consumer  loans.  This  analysis  is  performed  on  a  quarterly  basis.    First  Defiance  uses  the  following 
definitions for risk ratings: 

Special Mention.   Loans classified  as  special  mention  have  a  potential  weakness that  deserves 
management's  close  attention.  If  left  uncorrected,  these  potential  weaknesses  may  result  in 
deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the institution's credit position at some 
future date. 

Substandard.  Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth 
and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified 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.    Loans  classified  as  doubtful  have  all  the  weaknesses  inherent  in  those  classified  as 
substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in 

- 99 -

- 99 -

full,  on  the  basis  of  currently  existing  facts,  conditions,  and  values,  highly  questionable  and 
improbable. 

Not Graded.  Loans classified as not graded are generally smaller balance residential real estate, 
home equity and consumer installment loans which are originated primarily by using an automated 
underwriting  system.    These  loans  are  monitored  based  on  their  delinquency  status  and  are 
evaluated individually only if they are seriously delinquent. 

Loans not meeting the criteria above that are analyzed individually as part of the above described process 
are considered to be pass rated loans.  As of December 31, 2018, and based on the most recent analysis 
performed, the risk category of loans by class of loans is as follows (In Thousands): 

Class 

Special 

Pass 

Mention  Substandard  Doubtful 

Not 
Graded 

Total  

Residential Owner Occupied 
Residential Non Owner Occupied 

$         9,419 
109,885 

$          91 
700 

$     3,130 
3,087 

$      -  $  190,134 
6,725 

- 

$   202,774 
120,397 

Total 1-4 Family Real Estate 

119,304 

791 

6,217 

Multi-Family Residential Real Estate 

276,594 

- 

2,047 

CRE Owner Occupied 
CRE Non Owner Occupied 
Agriculture Land 
Other CRE 

402,008 
529,842 
111,595 
42,189 

5,724 
2,807 
4,023 
730 

9,547 
2,297 
16,358 
1,244 

Total Commercial Real Estate 

1,085,634 

13,284 

29,446 

Construction 

122,775 

219 

- 

Commercial Working Capital 
Commercial Other 

205,903 
279,234 

6,546 
7,011 

9,489 
3,201 

Total Commercial 

485,137 

13,557 

12,690 

Home Equity and Home Improvement 
Consumer Finance 

- 
- 

- 
- 

434 
206 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

196,859 

323,171 

107 

278,748 

89 
- 
- 
1,082 

417,368 
534,946 
131,976 
45,245 

1,171 

1,129,535 

19,102 

142,096 

- 
- 

- 

128,594 
34,325 

221,938 
289,446 

511,384 

129,028 
34,531 

Total Loans 

$  2,089,444 

$   27,851 

$   51,040 

$       -   $  380,158 

$ 2,548,493 

- 100 - 

- 100 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2017, and based on the most recent analysis performed, the risk category of loans by 
class of loans is as follows (In Thousands): 

Class 

Special 

Pass 

Mention  Substandard  Doubtful 

Not 
Graded 

Total  

Residential Owner Occupied 
Residential Non Owner Occupied 

$         7,534 
85,802 

$          99 
935 

$     2,367 
3,835 

$      -  $  168,220 
6,564 

- 

$   178,220 
97,136 

Total 1-4 Family Real Estate 

93,336 

1,034 

6,202 

Multi-Family Residential Real Estate 

242,969 

2,503 

2,819 

CRE Owner Occupied 
CRE Non Owner Occupied 
Agriculture Land 
Other CRE 

370,613 
395,264 
114,776 
56,133 

10,432 
3,464 
2,639 
165 

13,575 
5,444 
14,816 
1,788 

Total Commercial Real Estate 

936,786 

16,700 

35,623 

Construction 

125,519 

1,254 

- 

Commercial Working Capital 
Commercial Other 

222,526 
280,013 

7,605 
3,443 

5,743 
8,598 

Total Commercial 

502,539 

11,048 

14,341 

Home Equity and Home Improvement 
Consumer Finance 

- 
- 

- 
- 

600 
82 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

174,784 

275,356 

111 

248,402 

156 
- 
- 
915 

394,776 
404,172 
132,231 
59,001 

1,071 

990,180 

22,401 

149,174 

- 
- 

- 

135,674 
29,093 

235,874 
292,054 

527,928 

136,274 
29,175 

Total Loans 

$  1,901,149 

$   32,539 

$   59,667 

$       -   $  363,134 

$ 2,356,489 

- 101 - 

- 101 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certain loans acquired had evidence that the credit quality of the loan had deteriorated since its origination 
and in management’s assessment at the acquisition date it was probable that First Defiance would be unable 
to collect all contractually required payments due. In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 310 Subtopic 30, 
Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality, these loans have been recorded based 
on management’s estimate of the fair value of the loans. The outstanding balance of those loans by segment 
is as follows (In thousands): 

     December 31, 2018 

 December 31, 2017 

1-4 Family Residential Real Estate 
Multi-Family Residential Real Estate 
Commercial Real Estate Loans 
Commercial 
Consumer 

Total Outstanding Balance 

$ 1,045 
300 
899 
227 
-
$ 2,471 

$ 1,154 
309 
2,921 
407 
2
4,793 

$

Recorded Investment, net of allowance of $0 

$ 2,331 

$ 3,828 

Accretable  yield,  or  income  expected  to  be 
collected, is as follows:   

            2018 

Balance at January 1 

New Loans Purchased 
Accretion of Income 
Reclassification from Non-accretable 
Charge-off of Accretable Yield 
Balance at December 31 

           $   804 
 -
 (139)
 -
         (197)
            $   468

                  2017 

         $         - 
  1,018
  (163)
-
   (8) 

           $     847

For those purchased loans disclosed above, the Company did not increase the allowance for loan losses 
during  the  twelve  months  ended  December  31,  2018  or  2017.      No  allowances  for  loan  losses  were 
reversed during the same period. 

Contractually required payments receivable of loans purchased with evidence of credit deterioration 
during  the  period  ended  December  31,  2017,  using  information  as  of  the  date  of  acquisition  are 
included in the table below. There were no such loans purchased during the year ended December 31, 
2018. (In Thousands) 

      1-4 Family Residential Real Estate 
      Commercial Real Estate  
      Commercial 
      Consumer 
    Total 

Cash Flows Expected to be Collected at Acquisition $ 5,721 
Fair Value of Acquired Loans at Acquisition $ 4,703 

$1,720 
4,724 
785 
4 
$ 7,233 

- 102 -

- 102 -

Loans to executive officers, directors, and their affiliates are as follows: 

Beginning balance 
New loans 
Effect of changes in composition of related parties 
Repayments 
Ending Balance 

Foreclosure Proceedings 

Years Ended December 31, 
        2017 
         2018 

(In Thousands) 

$      16,728 
10,806 
(217) 
(5,754) 
$     21,563 

$      16,199 
5,857 
- 
(5,328) 
$     16,728 

Consumer mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate property that are in the process of foreclosure 
totaled $796,000 as of December 31, 2018. 

8. Mortgage Banking 

Net revenues from the sales and servicing of mortgage loans consisted of the following: 

Gain from sale of mortgage loans 
Mortgage loan servicing revenue (expense): 
  Mortgage loan servicing revenue 
  Amortization of mortgage servicing rights 
  Mortgage servicing rights valuation adjustments 

Years Ended December 31, 
2017 
(In Thousands) 
$    4,664 

2016 

$    5,311 

2018 

$    4,502 

3,784 
(1,341) 
132 
2,575 

3,714 
(1,464) 
90 
2,340 

3,560 
(1,724) 
123 
1,959 

Net mortgage banking income  

$   7,077 

$   7,004 

$   7,270 

The unpaid principal balance of residential mortgage loans serviced for third parties was $1.41 billion at 
December 31, 2018, and $1.39 billion at December 31, 2017. 

Activity  for  capitalized  mortgage  servicing  rights  (“MSRs”)  and  the  related  valuation  allowance  is  as 
follows: 

2018 

Years Ended December 31, 
2017 
(In Thousands) 

2016 

Mortgage servicing assets: 

Balance at beginning of period 
Loans sold, servicing retained 
Amortization 

Carrying value before valuation allowance 

at end of period 

Valuation allowance: 

Balance at beginning of period 
Impairment recovery (charges) 
Balance at end of period 

Net carrying value of MSRs at end of period 
Fair value of MSRs at end of period 

$   10,240 
1,520 
     (1,341) 

$   10,117 
1,587 
      (1,464) 

$   9,893 
1,948 
     (1,724) 

10,419 

10,240 

10,117 

(432) 
                 132 
           (300) 
$     10,119 
$     10,656 

(522) 
                 90 
            (432) 
$     9,808 
$     9,930 

(645) 

               123 
            (522) 
$     9,595 
$     9,770 

- 103 - 

- 103 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                     
                     
                     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization  of  mortgage  servicing  rights  is  computed  based  on  payments  and  payoffs  of  the  related 
mortgage loans serviced.  

The  Company  had  no  actual  losses  from  secondary  market  buy-backs  in  2018,  2017  or  2016.    Based  on 
management’s estimate of potential losses from secondary market buyback activity, a liability of $43,000 was 
accrued at both December 31, 2018 and 2017, and is reflected in other liabilities in the Consolidated Statements 
of Financial Condition.  Expense (credit) recognized related to the accrual was $0, $(36,000) and $(135,000) 
for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. 

The Company’s servicing portfolio is comprised of the following: 

Investor 

Fannie Mae 
Freddie Mac 
Federal Home Loan Bank 
Other 
Totals 

December 31, 

2018 

2017 

Number of 
Loans 

Principal 
Outstanding 

  Number of 

Loans 

Principal 
Outstanding 

(In Thousands) 

4,919 
9,571 
99 
17 
14,606 

$          461,730 
            937,406 
              11,983 
                   714 
$       1,411,833 

4,920 
9,420 
88 
19 
14,447 

$          461,783 
            913,632 
                9,723 
                   930 
$       1,386,068 

Custodial  escrow  balances  maintained  in  connection  with  serviced  loans  were  $14.3  million  and  $13.5 
million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. 

Significant assumptions at December 31, 2018, used in determining the value of MSRs include a weighted 
average prepayment speed assumption (“PSA”) of 131 and a weighted average discount rate of 12.01%.  
Significant assumptions at December 31, 2017, used in determining the value of MSRs include a weighted 
average prepayment rate of 151 PSA and a weighted average discount rate of 12.01%.   

A  sensitivity  analysis  of  the  current  fair  value  to  immediate  10%  and  20%  adverse  changes  in  those 
assumptions as of December 31, 2018, is presented below. These sensitivities are hypothetical. Changes in 
fair value based on 10% and 20% variation in assumptions generally cannot be extrapolated because the 
relationship of the change in the assumption to the change in fair value may not be linear. Also, the effect 
of a variation in a particular assumption on the fair value of the MSR is calculated independently without 
changing  any  other  assumption.  In  reality,  changes  in  one  factor  may  result  in  changes  in  another  (for 
example, changes in mortgage interest rates, which drive changes in prepayment rate estimates, could result 
in changes in the discount rates), which might magnify or counteract the sensitivities. 

Assumption: 

Decline in fair value from increase in prepayment rate 
Decline in fair value from increase in discount rate 

$ 

    332 
220 

$          670 
459 

10% Adverse  20% Adverse 

Change 

Change 

(In Thousands) 

- 104 - 

- 104 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9. Premises and Equipment 

Premises and equipment are summarized as follows: 

Cost: 

Land 
Land improvements 
Buildings 
Leasehold improvements 
Furniture, fixtures and equipment 
Construction in process 

Less allowances for depreciation and amortization 

December 31, 

2018 

2017 

(In Thousands) 

  $ 

  $ 

7,977 
1,326 
44,632 
1,015 
34,871 
692 
90,513 
(49,843) 
40,670 

  $ 

  $ 

7,977 
1,326 
44,563 
971 
34,216 
1,402 
90,455 
(50,238) 
40,217 

Depreciation expense was $3.7 million, $3.6 million and $3.4 million for the years ended December 31, 
2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. 

Lease Agreements 

The Company has entered into lease agreements covering nine First Insurance offices, five banking center 
locations, one loan production office, two land leases for which the Company owns the banking centers, 
one  land  lease  which  is  primarily  used  for  parking,  one  land  lease  for  future  branch  development  and 
numerous  stand-alone  Automated  Teller  Machine  sites  with  varying  terms  and  options  to  renew.    First 
Federal and First Insurance share office space for one lease as a branch and insurance office. 

Future minimum commitments under non-cancelable operating leases are as follows (In Thousands): 

2019 
2020 
2021 
2022 
2023 
Thereafter 
Total 

  $ 

  $ 

967 
884 
 843 
768 
 739 
8,078 
12,279 

Rental expenses under operating leases amounted to $1.0 million, $691,000 and $571,000 in 2018, 2017, 
and 2016, respectively. 

10. Goodwill and Intangible Assets 

Goodwill 

The change in the carrying amount of goodwill for the year is as follows: 

Beginning balance 
Goodwill acquired or adjusted during the year 
Ending balance 

December 31, 

2018 

2017 

(In Thousands) 

  $ 

  $ 

98,569 
- 
98,569 

  $ 

  $ 

61,798 
36,771 
98,569 

- 105 - 

- 105 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquired Intangible Assets

Activity in intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, was as follows:

Balance as of January 1, 2016
Amortization of intangible assets
Balance as of December 31, 2016
Intangible assets acquired
Amortization of intangible assets
Balance as of December 31, 2017
Amortization of intangible assets
Balance as of December 31, 2018

Gross
Carrying
Amount

$ 14,477
-
14,477
5,656
-
20,133
-
$ 20,133

Accumulated
Amortization
(In Thousands)
$ (12,606)
(535)
(13,141)
-
(1,289)
(14,430)
(1,312)
$ (15,742)

Net
Value

$

$

1,871
(535)
1,336
5,656
(1,289)
5,703
(1,312)
4,391

Estimated amortization expense for each of the next five years and thereafter is as follows (In Thousands): 

2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Thereafter
Total

11. Deposits

$

$

1,097
914
744
576
439
621
4,391

The following schedule sets forth interest expense by type of deposit: 

Checking and money market accounts
Savings accounts
Certificates of deposit
Totals

Years Ended December 31,
2018

2017

(In Thousands)

$

$

3,997
115
9,785
13,897

$

$

2,033
102
6,683
8,818

$

$

2016

1,463
88
4,710
6,261

Accrued interest payable on deposit accounts amounted to $366,000 and $97,000 at December 31, 2018 
and  2017,  respectively,  which  was  comprised  of  $314,000  and  $52,000  for  certificates  of  deposit  and 
checking and money market accounts, respectively, at December 31, 2018, and $68,000 and $29,000 for 
certificates of deposit and checking and money market accounts, respectively, at December 31, 2017. 

A summary of deposit balances is as follows:

December 31,
2018

2017

Noninterest-bearing checking accounts
Interest-bearing checking and money market accounts 
Savings deposits
Retail certificates of deposit less than $250,000
Retail certificates of deposit greater than $250,000

- 106 -

- 106 -

(In Thousands)
$

$

607,198
1,040,471
292,829
591,822
88,562
$ 2,620,882

571,360
1,005,519
302,022
504,912
53,843
$ 2,437,656

Scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit at December 31, 2018, are as follows (In Thousands): 

2019 
2020 
2021 
2022 
2023 
Thereafter 
Total 

  $ 

  $ 

417,562 
130,756 
85,563 
33,184 
13,319 
- 
680,384 

12. Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank 

First  Federal  has  the  ability  to  borrow  funds  from  the  FHLB.  First  Federal  pledges  its  single-family 
residential mortgage loan portfolio, certain investment securities; certain first mortgage home equity loans, 
certain commercial real estate loans, and certain agriculture real estate loans as security for these advances. 
Advances  secured  by  investment  securities  must  have  collateral  of  at  least  105%  of  the  borrowing. 
Advances  secured  by  residential  mortgages  must  have  collateral  of  at  least  125%  of  the  borrowings. 
Advances secured by commercial real estate loans, and agriculture real estate loans must have collateral of 
at least 300% of the borrowings. The total level of borrowing is also limited to 50% of total assets and at 
least  50%  of  the  borrowings  must  be  secured  by  either  one-to-four  family  residential  mortgages  or 
investment securities. Total loans pledged to the FHLB at December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, 
were $1.2 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively. First Federal could obtain advances of up to approximately 
$447.4 million from the FHLB at December 31, 2018. 

At year-end, advances from the FHLB were as follows: 

Principal Terms 

December 31, 2018 
    Single maturity fixed rate advances 
  Amortizable mortgage advances 
    Overnight advances 
    Fair value adj. on acquired balances 

December 31, 2017 
  Putable advances 
    Single maturity fixed rate advances 
  Amortizable mortgage advances 
    Fair value adj. on acquired balances 

Advance  
Amount 

(In Thousands) 

Range of Maturities 

59,000   January 2019 to March 2022 

1,213  August 2027 

        25,000  Overnight 

(24) 
  $  85,189 

  $ 

5,000  March 2018 

72,000   January 2018 to March 2022 

7,306  September 2018 to August 2027 

            (27) 
  $  84,279 

Putable advances are callable at the option of the FHLB on a quarterly basis.  

Weighted 
Average 
Interest 
Rate 

1.67% 
2.14% 
2.45% 

2.35% 
1.46% 
1.85% 

- 107 - 

- 107 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Estimated future minimum payments by fiscal year based on maturity date and current interest rates are as 
follows (In Thousands): 

2019 
2020 
2021 
2022 
2023 
Thereafter 
Total minimum payments 
Less amounts representing interest 
Less fair value adj. on acquired balances 
Totals 

  $ 

45,926 
21,563 
15,307 
219 
3,169 
563 
86,747 
(1,534) 
(24) 
$     85,189 

First Defiance also utilizes short-term advances from the FHLB to meet cash flow needs and for short-term 
investment purposes. First Defiance borrows short-term advances under a variety of programs at FHLB. At 
December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were no amounts outstanding under First Defiance’s Cash Management 
Advance line of credit.  The total available under this line is $15.0 million. In addition, First Defiance has 
a $100.0 million REPO Advance line of credit available. Twenty-five million was drawn on this line at 
December  31,  2018.    There  were  no  borrowings  against  this  line  at  December  31,  2017.  Amounts  are 
generally borrowed under the Cash Management and REPO lines on an overnight basis.   

13. Junior Subordinated Debentures Owed to Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trust 

In March 2007, the Company sponsored an affiliated trust, First Defiance Statutory Trust II (“Trust Affiliate 
II”)  that  issued  $15  million  of  Guaranteed  Capital  Trust  Securities  (Trust  Preferred  Securities).  In 
connection  with  the  transaction,  the  Company  issued  $15.5  million  of  Junior  Subordinated  Deferrable 
Interest Debentures (“Subordinated Debentures”) to Trust Affiliate II. The Company formed Trust Affiliate 
II for the purpose of issuing Trust Preferred Securities to third-party investors and investing the proceeds 
from  the  sale  of  these  capital  securities  solely  in  Subordinated  Debentures  of  the  Company.  The 
Subordinated Debentures held by Trust Affiliate II are the sole assets of that trust. The Company is not 
considered  the  primary  beneficiary  of  this  Trust  (variable  interest  entity),  therefore  the  trust  is  not 
consolidated in the Company’s financial statements, but rather the subordinated debentures are shown as a 
liability. Distributions on the Trust Preferred Securities issued by Trust Affiliate II are payable quarterly at 
a  variable  rate  equal to  the  three-month  LIBOR  rate  plus  1.5%. The  Coupon  rate  payable  on  the Trust 
Preferred Securities issued by Trust Affiliate II was 4.29% and 3.09% as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, 
respectively. 

The Trust Preferred Securities issued by Trust Affiliate II are subject to mandatory redemption, in whole 
or part, upon repayment of the Subordinated Debentures. The Company has entered into an agreement that 
fully and unconditionally guarantees the Trust Preferred Securities subject to the terms of the guarantee. 
The Trust Preferred Securities and Subordinated Debentures mature on June 15, 2037, but can be redeemed 
at the Company’s option at any time now.  

The Company also sponsors an affiliated trust, First Defiance Statutory Trust I (“Trust Affiliate I”), that 
issued $20 million of Trust Preferred Securities in 2005. In connection with this transaction, the Company 
issued $20.6 million of Subordinated Debentures to Trust Affiliate I. Trust Affiliate I was formed for the 
purpose of issuing Trust Preferred Securities to third-party investors and investing the proceeds from the 
sale of these capital securities solely in Subordinated Debentures of the Company. The Junior Debentures 
held  by  Trust  Affiliate  I  are  the  sole  assets  of  the  trust.  The  Company  is  not  considered  the  primary 
beneficiary of this Trust (variable interest entity), therefore the trust is not consolidated in the Company’s 
financial statements, but rather the subordinated debentures are shown as a liability.  Distributions on the 
Trust Preferred Securities issued by Trust Affiliate I are payable quarterly at a variable rate equal to the 
three-month LIBOR rate plus 1.38%. The Coupon rate payable on the Trust Preferred Securities issued by 
Trust Affiliate I was 4.17% and 2.97% as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. 

- 108 - 

- 108 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
The Trust Preferred Securities issued by Trust Affiliate I are subject to mandatory redemption, in whole or 
in part, upon repayment of the Subordinated Debentures. The Company has entered into an agreement that 
fully and unconditionally guarantees the Trust Preferred Securities subject to the terms of the guarantee. 
The Trust Preferred Securities and Subordinated Debentures mature on December 15, 2035, but can be 
redeemed at the Company’s option at any time now. 

The Trust Preferred Securities issued by Trust Affiliate I are subject to mandatory redemption, in whole or 
in part, upon repayment of the Subordinated Debentures. The Company has entered into an agreement that 
fully and unconditionally guarantees the Trust Preferred Securities subject to the terms of the guarantee. 
The Trust Preferred Securities and Subordinated Debentures mature on December 15, 2035, but can be 
redeemed at the Company’s option at any time now. 

The subordinated debentures may be included in Tier 1 capital (with certain limitations applicable) under 
current regulatory guidelines and interpretations. 

The subordinated debentures may be included in Tier 1 capital (with certain limitations applicable) under 
current regulatory guidelines and interpretations. 

A  summary  of  all  junior  subordinated  debentures  issued  by  the  Company  to  affiliates  follows.  These 
A  summary  of  all  junior  subordinated  debentures  issued  by  the  Company  to  affiliates  follows.  These 
amounts represent the par value of the obligations owed to these affiliates, including the Company’s equity 
amounts represent the par value of the obligations owed to these affiliates, including the Company’s equity 
interest in the trusts. Junior subordinated debentures owed to the following affiliates were as follows: 
interest in the trusts. Junior subordinated debentures owed to the following affiliates were as follows: 

First Defiance Statutory Trust I due December 2035 
First Defiance Statutory Trust I due December 2035 
First Defiance Statutory Trust II due June 2037 
First Defiance Statutory Trust II due June 2037 
Total junior subordinated debentures owed to  
Total junior subordinated debentures owed to  
  unconsolidated subsidiary Trusts 
  unconsolidated subsidiary Trusts 

2018 

December 31, 
2017 

December 31, 
2018 
(In Thousands) 
20,619 
15,464 

$ 

$ 
20,619 
15,464 

(In Thousands) 

$ 

$ 
20,619 
15,464 

20,619 
15,464 

2017 

$ 

36,083 
$ 

36,083 

$ 

36,083 
$ 

36,083 

Interest on both issues of Trust Preferred Securities may be deferred for a period of up to five years at the 
option of the issuer. 

Interest on both issues of Trust Preferred Securities may be deferred for a period of up to five years at the 
option of the issuer. 

14. Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase and Other Short Term Borrowings  

14. Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase and Other Short Term Borrowings  

Total securities sold under agreement to repurchase are summarized as follows: 

Total securities sold under agreement to repurchase are summarized as follows: 

Years Ended December 31, 

Years Ended December 31, 

2018 

2018 

2017 

2017 

(In Thousands, Except Percentages) 

(In Thousands, Except Percentages) 

Securities sold under agreement to repurchase 
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase 
  Amounts outstanding at year-end 
  Amounts outstanding at year-end 
   Year-end interest rate 
   Year-end interest rate 
  Average daily balance during year 
  Average daily balance during year 
  Maximum month-end balance during the year 
  Maximum month-end balance during the year 
  Average interest rate during the year 
  Average interest rate during the year 

  $ 

5,741 
  $ 

5,741 

  $  26,019 

  $  26,019 

0.31% 

0.31% 

0.20% 

0.20% 

8,911 
18,259 

8,911 
18,259 

23,337 
26,019 

23,337 
26,019 

0.26% 

0.26% 

0.23% 

0.23% 

We utilize securities sold under agreements to repurchase to facilitate the needs of our customers and to 
facilitate secured short-term funding needs.  Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are stated at 
the amount of cash received in connection with the transaction.  We monitor levels on a continuous basis. 
We may be required to provide additional collateral based on the fair value of the underlying securities.  
Securities pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements are maintained with our safekeeping agent. 

We utilize securities sold under agreements to repurchase to facilitate the needs of our customers and to 
facilitate secured short-term funding needs.  Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are stated at 
the amount of cash received in connection with the transaction.  We monitor levels on a continuous basis. 
We may be required to provide additional collateral based on the fair value of the underlying securities.  
Securities pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements are maintained with our safekeeping agent. 

The  remaining  contractual  maturity  of  the  securities  sold  under  agreements  to  repurchase  in  the 
The  remaining  contractual  maturity  of  the  securities  sold  under  agreements  to  repurchase  in  the 
consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, is presented in the following tables. 
consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, is presented in the following tables. 

Overnight and 
Continuous 

Overnight and 
Continuous 

Up to 30 
Days 

Up to 30 
Days 

30-90 Days 

Greater 
than 90 
Days 
(In Thousands) 

Greater 
than 90 
Days 

30-90 Days 
(In Thousands) 

Total 

Total 

At December 31, 2018 
  Repurchase agreements: 
    Mortgage-backed securities – residential 
4,199 
  Collateralized mortgage obligations 
1,542 
  Total borrowings 
5,741 
  Gross amount of recognized liabilities for repurchase agreements 

At December 31, 2018 
  Repurchase agreements: 
    Mortgage-backed securities – residential 
$ 
  Collateralized mortgage obligations 
  Total borrowings 
  Gross amount of recognized liabilities for repurchase agreements 

4,199 
$ 
1,542 
5,741 
$ 

$ 

$           - 
             - 
$           - 

$           - 
             - 
$           - 

$              - 
                - 
$              - 

$ 
$              - 
                - 
$ 
$              - 

$ 

$ 

- 
- 
- 

$ 
- 
- 
- 
$ 
$ 

4,199 
$ 
1,542 
$ 
5,741 
5,741 
$ 

4,199 
1,542 
5,741 
5,741 

- 109 - 

- 109 - 

- 109 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overnight and 
Continuous 

Up to 30 
Days 

30-90 Days 

Greater 
than 90 
Days 

Total 

At December 31, 2017 
  Repurchase agreements: 
    Mortgage-backed securities – residential 
  Collateralized mortgage obligations 
  Total borrowings 
  Gross amount of recognized liabilities for repurchase agreements 

6,599 
19,420 
26,019 

$ 

$ 

(In Thousands) 

$           - 
             - 
$           - 

$              - 
                - 
$              - 

$ 

$ 

- 
- 
- 

$ 

$ 
$ 

6,599 
19,420 
26,019 
26,019 

As  of  December  31,  2018  and  2017,  First  Federal  had  the  following  undrawn  lines  of  credit  facilities 
available for short-term borrowing purposes: 

A $20.0 million line of credit with First Tennessee Bank.  The rate on the line of credit is at three- 
month LIBOR, which floats quarterly. This line was undrawn upon as of December 31, 2018 and 
2017. 

A $11.2 million line of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank Discount Window, at an interest rate 
of 50 basis points over the federal funds rate.  The fed funds rate as of December, 31, 2018, was 
2.25%.  This line was undrawn upon as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. 

A $20.0 million line of credit with MUFG Union Bank, N.A.  The rate on this line of credit is Union 
Bank’s federal funds rate, which floats daily.  This line was undrawn upon as of December 31, 
2018 and 2017. 

15.  Other Noninterest Expense 

The following is a summary of other noninterest expense: 

Legal and other professional fees 
Marketing 
State financial institutions tax 
OREO expenses and write-downs 
Printing and office supplies 
Amortization of intangibles 
Postage 
Check charge-offs and fraud losses 
Credit and collection expense 
Other 
Total other noninterest expense 

2016 

2018 

Years Ended December 31, 
2017 
(In Thousands) 
  $  3,603 
2,070 
1,819 
177 
626 
1,289 
523 
277 
359 

  $  2,902 
1,835 
1,781 
244 
512 
535 
456 
266 
303 

  $  3,328 
2,407 
2,118 
742 
631 
1,312 
505 
415 
379 

       6,792(1) 
  $  18,629 

       8,067(2) 
  $  18,810 

    7,118(3) 
  $  15,952 

1) 

2) 
3) 

Includes a credit of $806,000 for an accounting correction related to the Deferred Compensation 
Plan. See Note 19 for further details. 
Includes $1.1 million of acquisition related expenses. 
Includes $443,000 of acquisition related expenses and $300,000 of costs associated with 
termination of a lease agreement.     

- 110 - 

- 110 -

 
 
 
 
         
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
16. Postretirement Benefits 

First  Defiance  sponsors  a  defined  benefit  postretirement  plan  that  is  intended  to  supplement  Medicare 
coverage for certain retirees who meet minimum age requirements. First Federal employees who retired 
prior to April 1, 1997, and who completed 20 years of service after age 40 receive full medical coverage at 
no cost. First Federal employees retiring after April 1, 1997, are provided medical benefits at a cost based 
on their combined age and years of service at retirement. Surviving spouses are also eligible for continued 
coverage after the retiree is deceased at a subsidy level that is 10% less than what the retiree is eligible for. 
First Federal employees retiring before July 1, 1997, receive dental and vision care in addition to medical 
coverage. First Federal employees who retire after July 1, 1997, are not eligible for dental or vision care. 

First Federal employees who were born after December 31, 1950, are not eligible for the medical coverage 
described above at retirement. Rather, a one-time medical spending account of up to $10,000 (based on the 
participant’s  age  and  years  of  service)  will  be  established  to  reimburse  medical  expenses  for  those 
individuals. First Insurance employees who were born before December 31, 1950, can continue coverage 
until they reach age 65, or in lieu of continuing coverage, can elect the medical spending account option, 
subject to eligibility requirements. Employees hired or acquired after January 1, 2003, are eligible only for 
the medical spending account option. 

Included  in  accumulated  other  comprehensive  income  at  December  31,  2018,  2017  and  2016,  are  the 
following amounts that have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost: 

Unrecognized prior service cost 
Unrecognized actuarial losses 
Total loss recognized in Accumulated Other 
  Comprehensive Income 
Income tax effect  
Net loss recognized in Accumulated Other 
  Comprehensive Income 

2018 

97 
(86) 

11 
80 

91 

  $ 

  $ 

December 31, 
2017 
(In Thousands) 
  $ 

39 
551 

590 
(206) 

  $ 

2016 

52 
392 

444 
(155) 

  $ 

384 

  $ 

289 

The  prior  service  cost  and  actuarial  loss  included  in  other  comprehensive  income  and  expected  to  be 
recognized in net postretirement benefit cost during the fiscal year-ended December 31, 2019, is $14,000 
($11,000 net of tax) and $0, respectively. 

Reconciliation of Funded Status and Accumulated Benefit Obligation 
The plan is not currently funded. The following table summarizes benefit obligation and plan asset activity 
for the plan measured as of December 31 each year: 

Change in benefit obligation: 

Benefit obligation at beginning of year 
Service cost 
Interest cost  
Participant contribution 
Plan amendments for acquisitions  
Actuarial  (gains) / losses 
Benefits paid 
Benefit obligation at end of year 
Change in fair value of plan assets: 
Balance at beginning of year 
Employer contribution 
Participant contribution 
Benefits paid 
Balance at end of year  
Funded status at end of year 

- 111 - 

- 111 -

December 31, 

2018 

2017 

(In Thousands) 

  $ 

  $ 

3,194 
55 
105 
32 
72 
(632) 
(184) 
2,642 

- 
152 
32 
(184) 
- 
(2,642) 

  $ 

  $ 

2,985 
58 
117 
29 
- 
166 
(161) 
3,194 

- 
132 
29 
(161) 
- 
(3,194) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
 
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost includes the following components: 

Service cost-benefits attributable to service during the period
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit 

obligation

Net amortization and deferral
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost
Net (gain) / loss during the year
Plan amendment for acquisition
Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial losses
Total recognized in comprehensive income
Total recognized in net periodic postretirement benefit

cost and other comprehensive income

2018

$

55

Years Ended December 31,
2017
(In Thousands)
$

58

2016

$

53

105
18
178
(632)
72
(18)
(578)

$

(400)

$

117
19
194
166
-
(19)
147

341

128
30
211
(184)
12
(30)
(202)

$

9

The  following  assumptions  were  used  in  determining  the  components  of  the  postretirement  benefit 
obligation: 

Weighted average discount rates:

Used to determine benefit obligations at December 31
Used to determine net periodic postretirement benefit cost for years ended 

December 31

Assumed health care cost trend rates at December 31:
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend 

rate)

Year that rate reaches ultimate trend rate

2018

2017

2016

4.00%

3.50%

6.50%

3.90%
2075

3.50%

4.00%

7.00%

5.00%
2022

4.00%

4.25%

7.50%

5.00%
2022

The following benefits are expected to be paid over the next five years and in aggregate for the next five 
years  thereafter.  Because  the  plan  is  unfunded,  the  expected  net  benefits  to  be  paid  and  the  estimated 
Company contributions are the same amount. 

2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024 through 2028

Expected to be Paid
(In Thousands)

$    

 168
181
195
209
181
969

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care 
plans. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following 
effect:

Effect on total of service and interest cost
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation

One-Percentage-Point 
Increase
Years Ended December 31,
2017
(In Thousands)
$

2018

$

$

One-Percentage-Point 
Decrease
Years Ended December 31,
2017

2018

22
178

25
392

(18)
(153)

$   (21)
(333)

The  Company  expects to  contribute  $168,000  before reflecting  expected  Medicare  retiree  drug  subsidy 
payments in 2019. 

- 112 -

- 112 -

17. Regulatory Matters  

First  Defiance  and  First  Federal  are  subject  to  minimum  capital  adequacy  guidelines.  Failure  to  meet 
minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions 
by regulators, which could have a material impact on First Defiance’s financial statements.  Under capital 
adequacy guidelines, First Defiance and First Federal must maintain capital amounts in excess of minimum 
ratios  based  on  quantitative  measures  of  their  assets,  liabilities,  and  certain  off-balance  sheet  items  as 
calculated under regulatory accounting practices.  

In July 2013, the Federal Reserve and the FDIC approved the final rules implementing the Basel Committee 
on Banking Supervision’s capital guidelines for U.S. banks (commonly known as Basel III).  Under the 
final rules, which began for First Defiance and First Federal on January 1, 2015, and are subject to a phase-
in period through January 1, 2019, minimum requirements will increase for both quantity and quality of 
capital held by First Defiance and First Federal.  The rules include a minimum common equity Tier 1 capital 
to risk-weighted assets ratio (“CET1”) of 4.5% and a capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted 
assets, which when fully phased-in, effectively results in a minimum CET1 ratio of 7.0%.  Basel III raises 
the minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets from 4.0% to 6.0% (which, with the capital 
conservation buffer, effectively results in a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.5% when fully phased-in), 
which effectively results in a minimum total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 10.5% (with the capital 
conservation buffer fully phased-in), and requires a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%.  Basel III also makes 
changes to risk weights for certain assets and off-balance sheet exposures. 

The federal banking agencies have also established a system of “prompt corrective action” to resolve certain 
problems of undercapitalized banks.  The regulatory agencies can initiate certain mandatory actions if First 
Federal  fails  to  meet  the  minimum  capital  requirements,  which  could  have  a  material  effect  on  First 
Defiance’s financial statements. 

The following schedule presents First Defiance consolidated and First Federal’s regulatory capital ratios as 
of December 31, 2018 and 2017 (Dollars in Thousands): 

December 31, 2018 

Actual 

Minimum Required for 
Adequately Capitalized 

Minimum Required to be Well 
Capitalized for Prompt 
Corrective Action 

Amount 

Ratio 

Amount 

Ratio(1) 

Amount 

Ratio 

CET1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) (2) 

Consolidated 

First Federal  

Tier 1 Capital (2) 

Consolidated 

First Federal  

$303,860 

$322,520 

11.00% 

11.68% 

$124,339 

$124,225 

$338,860 

$322,520 

11.14% 

10.62% 

$121,716 

$121,461 

Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) (2) 

Consolidated 

First Federal  

$338,860 

$322,520 

12.26% 

11.68% 

$165,786 

$165,633 

Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) (2) 

Consolidated 

First Federal  

$367,191 

$350,851 

13.29% 

12.71% 

$221,048 

$220,844 

4.5% 

4.5% 

4.0% 

4.0% 

6.0% 

6.0% 

8.0% 

8.0% 

N/A 

$179,436 

N/A 

$151,827 

N/A 

$220,844 

N/A 

6.5% 

N/A 

5.0% 

N/A 

8.0% 

N/A 

$276,055 

N/A 

10.0% 

(1)  Excludes capital conservation buffer of 1.875% as of December 31, 2018. 
(2)  Core capital is computed as a percentage of adjusted total assets of $3.04 billion for consolidated and for the 
Bank. Risk-based capital is computed as a percentage of total risk-weighted assets of $2.76 billion for 
consolidated and for the Bank. 

- 113 - 

- 113 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017 

Actual 

Minimum Required for 
Adequately Capitalized 

Minimum Required to be Well 
Capitalized for Prompt 
Corrective Action 

Amount 

Ratio 

Amount 

Ratio(1) 

Amount 

Ratio 

CET1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) (2) 

Consolidated 

First Federal  

Tier 1 Capital (2) 

Consolidated 

First Federal  

$274,832 

$298,571 

10.43% 

11.33% 

$118,596 

$118,534 

$309,832 

$298,571 

10.80% 

10.43% 

$114,773 

$114,539 

Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) (2) 

Consolidated 

First Federal  

$309,832 

$298,571 

11.76% 

11.33% 

$158,128 

$158,046 

Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) (2) 

Consolidated 

First Federal  

$336,515 

$325,254 

12.77% 

12,.35% 

$210,838 

$210,728 

4.5% 

4.5% 

4.0% 

4.0% 

6.0% 

6.0% 

8.0% 

8.0% 

N/A 

$171,216 

N/A 

$143,173 

N/A 

$210,728 

N/A 

6.5% 

N/A 

5.0% 

N/A 

8.0% 

N/A 

$263,410 

N/A 

10.0% 

(1)  Excludes capital conservation buffer of 1.25% as of December 31, 2017. 
(2)  Core capital is computed as a percentage of adjusted total assets of $2.87 billion for consolidated and $2.86 

billion for the Bank. Risk-based capital is computed as a percentage of total risk-weighted assets of $2.64 
billion for consolidated and $2.63 billion for the Bank. 

Dividend Restrictions - Dividends paid by First Federal to First Defiance are subject to various regulatory 
restrictions. First Federal paid $22.0 million in dividends to First Defiance in 2018 and $13.0 million in 
2017. First Federal may not pay dividends to First Defiance in excess of its net profits (as defined by statute) 
for  the  last  two  fiscal  years,  plus  any  year  to  date  net  profits  without  the  approval  of  the  OCC.    First 
Insurance paid $1.6 million in dividends to First Defiance in 2018 and $1.8 million in dividends in 2017.  
First Defiance Risk Management paid $950,000 in dividends to First Defiance in 2018 and $1.0 million in 
2017.  

18. Income Taxes 

Income  tax  expense  for  2017  was  impacted  by  the  adjustment  of  our  deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities 
related to the reduction in the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to 21% under the Tax Cuts and Jobs 
Act, which was enacted on December 22, 2017.  As a result of the new law, which is more fully discussed 
below, the Company recognized a net tax expense of $154,000.   

The components of income tax expense are as follows: 

Current: 

Federal 
State and local 

Deferred  
Tax reform revaluation 

2018 

Years Ended December 31, 
2017 
(In Thousands) 

2016 

  $ 

  $ 

9,538 
207 
881 
- 
10,626 

  $ 

  $ 

14,588 
181 
1,261 
154 
16,184 

  $ 

  $ 

13,125 
244 
(615) 
- 
12,754 

- 114 - 

- 114 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The effective tax rates differ from federal statutory rate applied to income before income taxes due to the 
following: 

2018 

Years Ended December 31, 
2017 
(In Thousands) 

2016 

Tax expense at statutory rate (21%-2018 35%-
2017 and 2016) 
Increases (decreases) in taxes from: 

State income tax – net of federal tax benefit 
Tax exempt interest income, net of TEFRA 
Bank owned life insurance 
Captive insurance  
BOLI surrender  
Tax reform revaluation 
Other 

Totals 

  $ 

11,944 

  $ 

16,958 

  $ 

14,559 

164 
(770) 
(255) 
(325) 
- 
- 
(132) 
10,626 

  $ 

119 
(1,218) 
(1,212) 
(364) 
1,721 
154 
26 
16,184 

  $ 

159 
(1,168) 
(341) 
(414) 
- 
- 
(41) 
12,754 

  $ 

Deferred federal  income  taxes  reflect  the  net tax  effects  of  temporary  differences  between  the  carrying 
amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  for  financial  reporting  purposes  and  the  amounts  used  for  income  tax 
purposes. 

Significant components of First Defiance’s deferred federal income tax assets and liabilities are as follows: 

Deferred federal income tax assets: 

Allowance for loan losses 
Postretirement benefit costs 
Deferred compensation 
Impaired loans 
Accrued vacation 
Allowance for real estate held for sale losses 
Deferred loan origination fees and costs 
Accrued bonus 
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities 
Other 

Total deferred federal income tax assets 

Deferred federal income tax liabilities: 

FHLB stock dividends 
Goodwill 
Mortgage servicing rights 
Fixed assets 
Other intangible assets 
Loan mark to market 
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities 
Prepaid expenses 
Other 

Total deferred federal income tax liabilities 
Net deferred federal income tax asset/ (liability) 

December 31, 

2018 

2017 

(In Thousands) 

  $ 

  $ 

5,802 
473 
1,011 
1,154 
11 
62 
435 
638 
547 
1,273 
11,406 

1,558 
4,584 
2,125 
2,046 
778 
7 
- 
550 
22 
11,670 
(264) 

  $ 

  $ 

5,415 
671 
1,354 
1,432 
123 
71 
332 
333 
- 
1,578 
11,309 

1,558 
4,377 
2,060 
1,039 
990 
5 
194 
539 
316 
11,078 
231 

The realization of the Company’s deferred tax assets is dependent upon the Company’s ability to generate 
taxable income in future periods and the reversal of deferred tax liabilities during the same period. The 
Company  has  evaluated  the  available  evidence  supporting  the  realization  of  its  deferred  tax  assets  and 
determined it is more likely than not that the assets will be realized and thus no valuation allowance was 
required at December 31, 2018. 

- 115 - 

- 115 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retained earnings at December 31, 2018, include approximately $11.0 million for which no tax provision 
for federal income taxes has been made. This amount represents the tax bad debt reserve at December 31, 
1987, which is the end of the Company’s base year for purposes of calculating the bad debt deduction for 
tax purposes. If this portion of retained earnings is used in the future for any purpose other than to absorb 
bad debts, the amount used will be added to future taxable income. The unrecorded deferred tax liability on 
the above amount at December 31, 2018, was approximately $2.31 million. 

A  reconciliation  of  the  beginning  and  ending  amount  of  unrecognized  tax  benefits  is  as  follows  (In 
Thousands): 

Balance at January 1, 2016 
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 
Additions for tax positions of prior years 
Reductions for tax positions of prior years 
Reductions due to the statute of limitations 
Settlements 
Balance at December 31, 2016 

Balance at January 1, 2017 
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 
Additions for tax positions of prior years 
Reductions for tax positions of prior years 
Reductions due to the statute of limitations 
Settlements 
Balance at December 31, 2017 

Balance at January 1, 2018 
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 
Additions for tax positions of prior years 
Reductions for tax positions of prior years 
Reductions due to the statute of limitations 
Settlements 
Balance at December 31, 2018 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

- 
- 
398 
- 
- 
- 
398 

398 
- 
- 
- 
- 
(398) 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

The Company does not expect the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly increase in the 
next twelve months. 

The total amount of interest and penalties recorded in the income statement was $0, $0 and $40,000 for the 
years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.  The amount accrued for interest and penalties was $0, $0 
and $40,000 at December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. 

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax in the state 
of Indiana. The Company is no longer subject to examination by taxing authorities for years before 2015. 
The  Company  currently  operates  primarily  in  the  states  of  Ohio  and  Michigan,  which  tax  financial 
institutions based on their equity rather than their income. 

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was enacted on December 22, 2017.  Among other 
things,  the  new  law  (i)  established  a  new,  flat  corporate  federal  statutory  income  tax  rate  of  21%,  (ii) 
eliminated the corporate alternative minimum tax and allowed the use of any such carryforwards to offset 
regular tax liability for any taxable year, (iii) limited the deduction for net interest expense incurrent by 
U.S.  corporations,  (iv)  allowed  businesses  to  immediately  expense,  for  tax  purposes,  the  cost  of  new 
investments in certain qualified depreciable assets, (v) eliminated or reduced certain deductions related to 
meals  and  entertainment  expenses,  (vi)  modified  the  limitation  on  excessive  employee  remuneration  to 
eliminate  the  exception  for  performance-based  compensation  and  clarifies  the  definition  of  a  covered 
employee and (vii) limited the deductibility of deposit insurance premiums.  The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act 

- 116 - 

- 116 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
also significantly changed U.S. tax law related to foreign operations, however, such changes did not impact 
First Defiance. 

As stated above, as a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on December 22, 2017, First 
Defiance re-measured its deferred tax assets and liabilities based upon the newly enacted U.S. statutory 
federal income tax rate of 21%, which is the tax rate at which these assets and liabilities are expected to 
reverse in  the  future.    First  Defiance  recognized  a  net  tax expense  related to  the  re-measurement  of its 
deferred tax assets and liabilities totaling $154,000 as of December 31, 2017.  

19. Employee Benefit Plans 

401(k) Plan 

Employees  of  First  Defiance  are  eligible  to  participate  in  the  First  Defiance  Financial  Corp.  401(k) 
Employee Savings Plan (the “First Defiance 401(k)”) if they meet certain age and service requirements. 
Under the First Defiance 401(k), First Defiance matches 100% of the participants’ contributions up to 3% 
of compensation and then 50% of the participants’ contributions for the next 2% of compensation. The First 
Defiance  401(k)  also  provides  for  a  discretionary  First  Defiance  contribution  in  addition  to  the  First 
Defiance matching contribution. First Defiance matching contributions totaled $1.31 million, $1.19 million 
and  $979,000  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2018,  2017  and  2016,  respectively.  There  were  no 
discretionary contributions in any of those years. 

Group Life Plan 

On June 30, 2010, First Federal adopted the First Federal Bank of the Midwest Executive Group Life Plan 
– Post Separation (the “Group Life Plan”) in which various employees, including the Company’s named 
executive officers, may participate. Under the terms of the Group Life Plan, First Federal will purchase and 
own  life  insurance  policies  covering  the  lives  of  employees  selected  by  the  board  of  directors  of  First 
Federal as participants. There was $38,000, $248,000 and $71,000 of expense recorded for the years ended 
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, with a liability of $1.71 million and $1.69 million for 
future  benefits  recorded  at  December  31,  2018  and  2017,  respectively.    The  acquisition  of  CSB  added 
$402,000  to  this  liability  in  2017.    The  discount  rate  was  reduced  to  4.00%  as  of  December  31,  2016, 
resulting in an increase to the Company’s liability, and remained unchanged at December 31, 2018. 

Deferred Compensation 

The deferred compensation plan covers all directors and certain employees that elect to participate.  Under 
the plan, the Company pays each participant, or their beneficiary, the amount of fees deferred plus interest 
over a defined time period.  In the fourth quarter of 2018, the stock market declined significantly resulting 
in a significant decline in the value of the assets and liabilities of the deferred compensation plan and an 
accounting correction in the deferred compensation plan was recognized.  The deferred compensation plan 
has approximately $5.0 million in assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2018, which are matched in 
terms of investment elections.  Every year, other noninterest income and other noninterest expense reflects 
the  changes  in  fair  value  of  the  underlying  investments  in  the  assets  and  liabilities,  respectively.    The 
Company made an accounting correction, which is expected to minimize any net impact to earnings from 
the deferred compensation plan going forward.  This accounting correction was deemed immaterial which 
resulted in a one-time reduction to other noninterest expense of $806,000, including a $636,000 adjustment 
to equity for the phantom stock elections within the plan, and a $170,000 adjustment for the tax liability, as 
of December 31, 2018.  The phantom shares are carried at cost in equity and will be treated as outstanding 
shares for earnings per share calculations. The net expense (income) recorded for the deferred compensation 
plan, excluding the one-time accounting correction, for each of the last three years was $15,000, $427,000 
and $528,000 in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, resulting in a deferred compensation liability of $4.5 
million and $6.1 million as of year-end 2018 and 2017, respectively.   

- 117 - 

- 117 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
20.  Stock Compensation Plans  

First  Defiance  has  established  equity  based  compensation  plans  for  its  directors  and  employees.    On 
February 27, 2018, the Board adopted, and the shareholders approved at the 2018 Annual Shareholders 
Meeting, the First Defiance Financial Corp. 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2018 Equity Plan”). The 2018 
Equity Plan replaced all existing plans, although the Company’s former equity plans remain in existence to 
the extent there were outstanding grants thereunder at the time the 2018 Equity Plan was approved. All 
awards currently outstanding under prior plans will remain in effect in accordance with their respective 
terms. Any new awards will be made under the 2018 Equity Plan.  The 2018 Equity Plan allows for issuance 
of up to 900,000 common shares through the award of options, stock grants, restricted stock units (“RSU”), 
stock appreciation rights or other stock-based awards. 

As  of  December  31,  2018,  39,400  options  had  been  granted  pursuant  to  previous  plans,  and  remain 
outstanding at option prices based on the market value of the underlying shares on the date the options were 
granted. Options granted under all plans vest 20% per year. All options expire ten years from the date of 
grant. Vested options of retirees expire on the earlier of the scheduled expiration date or three months after 
the retirement date. 

The Company approved a Short-Term (“STIP”) Incentive Plan and a Long-Term (“LTIP”) Equity Incentive 
Plan for selected members of management. 

Under the 2017 and 2018 STIPs, the participants could earn up to 10% to 45% of their salary for potential 
payout based on the achievement of certain corporate performance targets during the calendar year.  The 
final amount of benefits under the STIPs is determined as of December 31 of the same year and paid out in 
cash in the first quarter of the following year. The participants are required to be employed on the day of 
payout in order to receive such payment.  

Under each LTIP, the participants may earn between 20% to 45% of their salary for potential payout in the 
form of equity awards based on the achievement of certain corporate performance targets over a three-year 
period. The Company granted 49,052, 41,314 and 41,676 RSU’s to the participants in the 2016, 2017 and 
2018  LTIPs,  respectively,  effective  January  1  in  the  year  the  award  was  made,  which  represents  the 
maximum target award. The amount of benefit under each LTIP will be determined individually at the end 
of the 36 month performance period ending December 31. The benefits earned under each LTIP will be 
paid out in equity in the first quarter following the end of the performance period.  The participants are 
required to be employed on the day of payout in order to receive the payment.   

A total of 49,514 RSU’s were issued to the participants of the 2015 LTIP in the first quarter of 2018 for the 
three year performance period ended December 31, 2017. 

In 2018, the Company also granted to employees 23,952 restricted shares, of which 7,348 were RSUs and 
16,604 were restricted stock grants.  Of the 16,604 restricted stock grants, 4,104 were issued to directors 
and have a one-year vesting period.  The remaining 12,500 were issued to employees and have a three year 
vesting period. The fair value of all granted restricted shares was determined by the stock price at the date 
of the grant. 

The  fair  value  of  each  option  award  is  estimated  on  the  date  of  grant  using  the  Black-Scholes  model. 
Expected volatilities are based on historical volatilities of the Company’s common shares. The Company 
uses historical data to estimate option exercise and post-vesting termination behavior. The expected term 
of options granted is based on historical data and represents the period of time that options granted are 
expected to be outstanding, which takes into account that the options are not transferable. The risk-free 

- 118 - 

- 118 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the 
interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the 
interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the 
time of the grant.   
time of the grant.   
time of the grant.   

There were no options granted during the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, or December 
There were no options granted during the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, or December 
There were no options granted during the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, or December 

31, 2017. 
31, 2017. 
31, 2017. 
Following is activity under the plans during 2018: 
Following is activity under the plans during 2018: 
Following is activity under the plans during 2018: 

Options outstanding, January 1, 2018
Options outstanding, January 1, 2018
Options outstanding, January 1, 2018
Forfeited or cancelled
Forfeited or cancelled
Forfeited or cancelled
Exercised
Exercised
Exercised
Granted
Granted
Granted
Options outstanding, December 31, 2018
Options outstanding, December 31, 2018
Options outstanding, December 31, 2018
Vested or expected to vest at
Vested or expected to vest at
Vested or expected to vest at

December 31, 2018
December 31, 2018
December 31, 2018
Exercisable at December 31, 2018
Exercisable at December 31, 2018
Exercisable at December 31, 2018

Options 
Options 
Options 
Outstanding
Outstanding
Outstanding
86,900
86,900
86,900
-
-
-
(47,500)
(47,500)
(47,500)
-
-
-
39,400
39,400
39,400

$
$

Weighted 
Weighted 
Weighted 
Average 
Average 
Average 
Exercise Price
Exercise Price
Exercise Price
10.81
10.81
10.81
-
-
-
8.15
8.15
8.15
-
-
-
14.00
14.00
14.00

$
$

$

$

39,400
39,400
39,400
23,900
23,900
23,900

$
$
$
$

$
$

14.00
14.00
12.21
12.21

14.00
12.21

Information related to the stock option plans is as follows:
Information related to the stock option plans is as follows:
Information related to the stock option plans is as follows:

Weighted 
Weighted 
Weighted 
Average 
Average 
Average 
Remaining 
Remaining 
Remaining 
Contractual 
Contractual 
Contractual 
Term (in years)
Term (in years)
Term (in years)

Aggregate 
Aggregate 
Intrinsic 
Intrinsic 

Aggregate 
Intrinsic 

Value       
Value       

Value       
(in 000’s)
(in 000’s)

(in 000’s)

4.96
4.96

4.96

4.96
4.96
4.14
4.14

4.96
4.14

$
$

$
$
$
$

414
414

414

414
414
294
294

414
294

$

$
$

Intrinsic value of options exercised
Intrinsic value of options exercised
Intrinsic value of options exercised
Cash received from option exercises
Cash received from option exercises
Cash received from option exercises
Tax benefit realized from option exercises
Tax benefit realized from option exercises
Tax benefit realized from option exercises
Weighted average fair value of options granted
Weighted average fair value of options granted
Weighted average fair value of options granted

Years Ended December 31,
Years Ended December 31,
Years Ended December 31,
2016
2016
2017
2017
2018
2018
2016
2017
2018
(In Thousands, except per share amounts)
(In Thousands, except per share amounts)
(In Thousands, except per share amounts)
$
$
$

893
893
893
111
111
111
28
28
28
-
-
-

$
$

$

$     301
$     301
$     301
198
198
198
54
54
54
-
-
-

$
$

$

$     752
$     752
$     752
714
714
714
165
165
165
$     13.95
$     13.95
$     13.95

As of December 31, 2018, there was $50,000 of total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested 
As of December 31, 2018, there was $50,000 of total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested 
As of December 31, 2018, there was $50,000 of total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested 
stock  options  granted  under  the  Company’s  equity  plans. The  cost  is  expected  to  be  recognized  over  a 
stock  options  granted  under  the  Company’s  equity  plans. The  cost  is  expected  to  be  recognized  over  a 
stock  options  granted  under  the  Company’s  equity  plans. The  cost  is  expected  to  be  recognized  over  a 
weighted-average period of 1.6 years.  
weighted-average period of 1.6 years.  
weighted-average period of 1.6 years.  

At  December  31,  2018, 174,958 restricted  share  awards  were outstanding.  Compensation  expense  is 
At  December  31,  2018, 174,958 restricted  share  awards  were outstanding.  Compensation  expense  is 
At  December  31,  2018, 174,958 restricted  share  awards  were outstanding.  Compensation  expense  is 
recognized over the performance period based on the achievement of established targets. Total expense of 
recognized over the performance period based on the achievement of established targets. Total expense of 
recognized over the performance period based on the achievement of established targets. Total expense of 
$2.0 million, $2.0 million and $1.3 million was recorded during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 
$2.0 million, $2.0 million and $1.3 million was recorded during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 
$2.0 million, $2.0 million and $1.3 million was recorded during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 
and 2016, respectively, and approximately $961,000 and $774,000 is included within other liabilities at 
and 2016, respectively, and approximately $961,000 and $774,000 is included within other liabilities at 
and 2016, respectively, and approximately $961,000 and $774,000 is included within other liabilities at 
December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to the STIPs and LTIPs.
December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to the STIPs and LTIPs.
December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to the STIPs and LTIPs.

Restricted Stock Units
Restricted Stock Units
Restricted Stock Units

Stock Grants

Stock Grants
Stock Grants

Unvested Shares
Unvested Shares
Unvested Shares

Shares
Shares
Shares

Weighted-Average
Weighted-Average
Weighted-Average
Grant Date
Grant Date
Grant Date
Fair Value
Fair Value
Fair Value

Unvested at January 1, 2018
Unvested at January 1, 2018
Unvested at January 1, 2018
Granted
Granted
Granted
Vested
Vested
Vested
Forfeited
Forfeited
Forfeited
Unvested at December 31, 2018
Unvested at December 31, 2018
Unvested at December 31, 2018

145,076
145,076
145,076
49,024
49,024
49,024
(49,514)
(49,514)
(49,514)
-
-
-
144,586
144,586
144,586

$

$
$

$

$
$

20.26
20.26
20.26
26.97
26.97
26.97
16.15
16.15
16.15
-
-
-
23.94
23.94
23.94

Shares

Shares
Shares

21,072
21,072
21,072
66,118
66,118
66,118
(56,818)
(56,818)
(56,818)
-
-
-
30,372
30,372
30,372

Weighted-Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Weighted-Average
Weighted-Average
Grant Date
Grant Date
Fair Value
Fair Value

$

$
$

$

$
$

25.28
25.28
25.28
19.68
19.68
19.68
17.51
17.51
17.51
-
-
-
28.48
28.48
28.48

The maximum amount of compensation expense that may be earned for the 2018 STIP and the 2016, 2017 
The maximum amount of compensation expense that may be earned for the 2018 STIP and the 2016, 2017 
The maximum amount of compensation expense that may be earned for the 2018 STIP and the 2016, 2017 
and  2018 LTIPs  at  December  31,  2018, is  approximately  $4.3 million in  the  aggregate.    However,  the 
and  2018 LTIPs  at  December  31,  2018, is  approximately  $4.3 million in  the  aggregate.    However,  the 
and  2018 LTIPs  at  December  31,  2018, is  approximately  $4.3 million in  the  aggregate.    However,  the 
estimated expense expected to be earned as of December 31, 2018, based on the performance measures in 
estimated expense expected to be earned as of December 31, 2018, based on the performance measures in 
estimated expense expected to be earned as of December 31, 2018, based on the performance measures in 

- 119 -
- 119 -
- 119 -

- 119 -

the  plans,  is  $3.7  million  of  which  $899,000  was  unrecognized  at  December  31,  2018,  and  will  be 
recognized over the remaining performance period. 

As of December 31, 2018, 895,500 shares were available for grant under the 2018 Equity Plan. Options 
forfeited or cancelled under all plans except the 2018 Equity Plans are no longer available for grant to other 
participants. 

21. Parent Company Statements  

Condensed  parent  company  financial  statements,  which  include  transactions  with  subsidiaries,  are  as 
follow: 

Statements of Financial Condition 

Assets 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Investment in banking subsidiary 
Investment in non-bank subsidiaries 
Other assets 

Total assets 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity: 

Subordinated debentures 
Accrued liabilities 
Stockholders’ equity 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity 

Statements of Income 

December 31, 

2018 

2017 

(In Thousands) 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

12,153 
398,922 
23,372 
1,723 
436,170 

36,083 
498 
399,589 
436,170 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

  $ 

8,860 
377,546 
22,319 
1,157 
409,882 

36,083 
513 
373,286 
409,882 

2018 

Years Ended December 31,
2017 
(In Thousands) 

2016 

Dividends from subsidiaries 
Interest expense  
Other income 
Noninterest expense 
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries 
Income tax credit  
Income before equity in earnings of subsidiaries 
Undistributed equity in earnings of subsidiaries 
Net income 
Other comprehensive income (loss) 
Comprehensive income 

  $ 

  $ 

24,550    $ 
(1,281)     
1 
(831) 
22,439 
(431) 
22,870 
23,379 
46,249 
(2,412) 
43,837    $ 

15,800    $ 
(1,090) 
1 
(697) 
14,014 
(605) 
14,619 
17,649 
32,268 
2 
32,270    $ 

24,200 
(753) 
- 
(644) 
22,803 
(466) 
23,269 
5,574 
28,843 
(3,407) 
25,436 

- 120 - 

- 120 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statements of Cash Flows 

Operating activities: 

Net income 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) 

provided by operating activities: 

Undistributed equity in earnings of subsidiaries 

Change in other assets and liabilities 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 

Investing activities: 
     Cash paid for Commercial Bancshares 
Capital contribution to subsidiary 
Net cash used in investing activities 

Financing activities: 

Repurchase of common stock 
Cash dividends paid  
Stock Options Exercised 
Direct stock sales 
Net cash used in financing activities 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 

2018 

Years Ended December 31, 
2017 
(In Thousands) 

2016 

  $  46,249 

  $  32,268 

  $  28,843 

(23,379) 

(17,649) 

(419) 
22,451 

(358) 
14,261 

(5,574) 

235 
23,504 

- 
- 
- 

(12,340) 
(6,491) 
(18,831) 

- 
- 
- 

(6,330) 
(13,043) 
111 
104 
(19,158) 
3,293 
8,860 

- 
(9,859) 
199 
73 
(9,587) 
(14,157) 
23,017 

(6,293) 
(7,890) 
714 
66 
(13,406) 
10,098 
12,919 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

$   12,153 

$   8,860 

$   23,017 

22. Fair Value 

FASB ASC Topic 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to 
transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. A fair value measurement assumes 
that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or 
liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability. 
The price in the principal (or most advantageous) market used to measure the fair value of the asset or 
liability  shall  not  be  adjusted  for transaction  costs.  An  orderly  transaction  is  a  transaction  that assumes 
exposure to the market for a period prior to the measurement date to allow for marketing activities that are 
usual  and customary  for  transactions  involving  such assets  and  liabilities;  it is not a forced  transaction. 
Market  participants  are  buyers  and  sellers  in  the  principal  market  that  are  (i)  independent,  (ii) 
knowledgeable, (iii) able to transact and (iv) willing to transact. 

FASB ASC Topic 820 requires the use of valuation techniques that are consistent with the market approach, 
the  income  approach  and/or  the  cost  approach.  The  market  approach  uses  prices  and  other  relevant 
information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets and liabilities. The 
income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts, such as cash flows or earnings, to a 
single present amount on a discounted basis. The cost approach is based on the amount that currently would 
be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost). Valuation techniques should be 
consistently applied. Inputs to valuation techniques refer to the assumptions that market participants would 
use in pricing the asset or liability. Inputs may be observable, meaning those that reflect the assumptions 
market  participants  would  use  in  pricing  the  asset  or  liability  developed  based  on  the  best  information 
available. In that regard, FASB ASC Topic 820 established a fair value hierarchy for valuation inputs that 
gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest 
priority to unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is as follows: 

- 121 - 

- 121 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•  Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the 

reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. 

•  Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset 
or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar assets 
or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in 
markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset 
or  liability  (such  as  interest  rates,  prepayment  speeds,  credit  risks,  etc.)  or inputs  that are 
derived principally from or corroborated by market data by a correlation or other means. 

•  Level 3: Unobservable inputs for determining fair value of assets and liabilities that reflect 
an  entity’s  own  assumptions  about  the  assumptions that  market  participants  would  use in 
pricing the assets or liabilities. 

A description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the 
general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below.   

Available for sale securities - Securities classified as available for sale are generally reported at fair value 
utilizing Level 2 inputs where the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing 
service that uses matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique widely used in the industry to value 
debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying 
on  the  securities’  relationship  to  other  benchmark  quoted  securities  (Level  2  inputs).  The  fair  value 
measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows and the 
bonds’ terms and conditions, among other things. Securities in Level 1 include federal agency preferred 
stock  securities.  Securities  in  Level  2  include  U.S.  Government  agencies,  mortgage-backed  securities, 
corporate bonds and municipal securities.       

Impaired loans - Fair values for impaired collateral dependent loans are generally based on appraisals 
obtained from licensed real estate appraisers and in certain circumstances consideration of offers obtained 
to  purchase  properties  prior  to  foreclosure.   Appraisals  for  commercial  real  estate  generally  use  three 
methods to derive value: cost, sales or market comparison and income approach.  The cost method bases 
value on the cost to replace the current property.  Value of market comparison approach evaluates the sales 
price of similar properties in the same market area.  The income approach considers net operating income 
generated by the property and an investors required return.  Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal 
process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income 
data available.  Comparable sales adjustments are based on known sales prices of similar type and similar 
use properties and duration of time that the property has been on the market to sell.  Such adjustments made 
in  the  appraisal  process  are  typically  significant  and  result  in  a  Level  3  classification  of  the  inputs  for 
determining fair value. 

Real Estate held for sale - Assets acquired through or instead of loan foreclosure are initially recorded at 
fair value less costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis.  These assets are then reviewed 
monthly by members of the asset review committee for valuation changes and are accounted for at lower 
of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell.  Fair value is commonly based on recent real estate appraisals 
which may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including cost, comparable 
sales and the income approach.  Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent 
appraisers  to  adjust  for  differences  between  the  comparable  sales  and  income  data  available.    Such 
adjustments may be significant and typically result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining 
fair value. 

Appraisals  for  both  collateral-dependent  impaired  loans  and  other  real  estate  owned  are  performed  by 
certified general appraisers (for commercial properties) or certified residential appraisers (for residential 

- 122 - 

- 122 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
properties)  whose  qualifications  and  licenses  have  been  reviewed  and  verified  by  the  Company.   Once 
received, a member of the Company’s asset quality or collections department reviews the assumptions and 
approaches utilized in the appraisal.  Appraisal values are discounted from 0% to 20% to account for other 
factors that may impact the value of collateral. In determining the value of impaired collateral dependent 
loans and other real estate owned, significant unobservable inputs may be used, which include:  physical 
condition of comparable properties sold, net operating income generated by the property and investor rates 
of return.  

Mortgage servicing rights – On a quarterly basis, mortgage servicing rights are evaluated for impairment 
based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to the carrying amount.  If the carrying amount of an 
individual tranche exceeds fair value, impairment is recorded on that tranche so that the servicing asset is 
carried at fair value.  Fair value is determined at a tranche level based on a model that calculates the present 
value  of  estimated  future  net  servicing  income.    The  valuation  model  utilizes  assumptions  that  market 
participants would use in estimating future net servicing income and are validated against available market 
data (Level 2). 

Mortgage banking derivative - The fair value of mortgage banking derivatives are evaluated monthly 
based on derivative valuation models using quoted prices for similar assets adjusted for specific attributes 
of the commitments and other observable market data at the valuation date (Level 2).  

The following table summarizes the financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis segregated 
by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value: 

Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis 

December 31, 2018 

Level 1 
Inputs  

Level 2  
Inputs 

Level 3 
 Inputs 

Total Fair 
Value 

Available for sale securities: 
Obligations of U.S. Government       
corporations and agencies 
Mortgage-backed - residential 
REMICs 
Collateralized mortgage obligations 
Preferred stock 
Corporate bonds 
Obligations of state and political              
subdivisions 
Mortgage banking derivative - asset 
Mortgage banking derivative -liability 

(In Thousands) 

$        - 

$ 

2,503 

$ 

          - 
          - 
          - 
  - 
         - 

          - 
          - 
          - 

74,710 
2,709 
101,461 
- 
12,806 

             99,887 

367             
  73             

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

$ 

2,503 

74,710 
2,709 
101,461 
- 
12,806 

             99,887  
          367 
          73  

- 123 - 

- 123 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
                
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017 

Level 1 
Inputs  

Level 2  
Inputs 

Level 3 
 Inputs 

Total Fair 
Value 

Available for sale securities: 
Obligations of U.S. Government       
corporations and agencies 
Mortgage-backed - residential 
REMICs 
Collateralized mortgage obligations 
Preferred stock 
Corporate bonds 
Obligations of state and political              
subdivisions 
Mortgage banking derivative - asset 
Mortgage banking derivative -liability 

(In Thousands) 

$        - 

$ 

508 

$ 

          - 
          - 
          - 
  1 
         - 

          - 
          - 
          - 

59,269 
1,065 
93,876 
- 
13,103 

             92,828 

  609            
  11            

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

$ 

508 

59,269 
1,065 
93,876 
1 
13,103 

             92,828  
          609 
          11 

There  were  no  assets  measured  at  fair  value  on  a  recurring  basis  using  significant  unobservable  inputs 
(Level 3) for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. 

The  following  table  summarizes  the  financial  assets  measured  at  fair  value  on  a  non-recurring  basis 
segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value: 

Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Non-Recurring Basis 

December 31, 2018 

Level 1 Inputs 

Level 2 Inputs 

Level 3 Inputs 

(In Thousands) 

Total Fair 
Value 

   $             - 

 $            - 

        $     1,456 
319 
1,775 

       $      1,456 
319 
1,775 

- 

                    629 

- 

629 

- 
- 

                 705 
                 705 

                 705 
                 705 

December 31, 2017 

Level 1 Inputs 

Level 2 Inputs 

Level 3 Inputs 

(In Thousands) 

Total Fair 
Value 

   $             - 

 $            - 

        $     1,787 
2,817 
4,604 

       $      1,787 
2,817 
4,604 

- 

                    534 

- 

534 

- 
- 

                 227 
                 227 

                 227 
                 227 

Impaired loans 
     Commercial Real Estate 
     Commercial 
     Total impaired loans 

Mortgage servicing rights 

Real estate held for sale 
     CRE 
Total Real Estate held for 
sale 

Impaired loans 
     Commercial Real Estate 
     Commercial 
     Total impaired loans 

Mortgage servicing rights 

Real estate held for sale 
     CRE 
Total Real Estate held for 
sale 

- 

- 

- 
- 

- 

- 

- 
- 

- 124 - 

- 124 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
                
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis as of December 
For Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis as of December 
For Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis as of December 
31, 2018, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements were as follows:  
31, 2018, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements were as follows:  
31, 2018, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements were as follows:  

Fair  
Fair  
Fair  
Value  
Value  
Value  

Valuation Technique 
Valuation Technique 

Valuation Technique 

Impaired Loans- Applies to 
Impaired Loans- Applies to 
all loan classes 
all loan classes 

Impaired Loans- Applies to 
all loan classes 

Real estate held for sale – 
Real estate held for sale – 
Real estate held for sale – 
Applies to all classes 
Applies to all classes 
Applies to all classes 

 $1,775  Appraisals  which  utilize 
net 

 $1,775  Appraisals  which  utilize 
 $1,775  Appraisals  which  utilize 
net 
net 
comparison, 
comparison, 
sales 
income and cost approach 

sales 
sales 
income and cost approach 
income and cost approach 

comparison, 

 $705  Appraisals  which  utilize 
net 

 $705  Appraisals  which  utilize 
 $705  Appraisals  which  utilize 
net 
comparison, 
net 
comparison, 
sales 
income and cost approach  

sales 
sales 
income and cost approach  
income and cost approach  

comparison, 

Unobservable Inputs 
Unobservable Inputs 
Unobservable Inputs 
(Dollars in Thousands) 
(Dollars in Thousands) 
(Dollars in Thousands) 

Discounts 
Discounts 
Discounts 
issues  and  changes 
issues  and  changes 
issues  and  changes 
market conditions 
market conditions 
market conditions 

for  collection 
for  collection 
for  collection 
in 
in 
in 

Discounts  for  changes  in 
Discounts  for  changes  in 
Discounts  for  changes  in 
market conditions 
market conditions 
market conditions 

Range of        
Range of        
Range of        
Inputs 
Inputs 
Inputs 

Weighted 
Weighted 
Weighted 
Average 
Average 
Average 

    10-13% 
    10-13% 
    10-13% 

  10.86% 
  10.86% 
  10.86% 

 20% 
 20% 
 20% 

 20% 
 20% 
 20% 

For Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis as of December 
For Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis as of December 
For Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis as of December 
31, 2017, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements were as follows:  
31, 2017, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements were as follows:  
31, 2017, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements were as follows:  

Fair  
Fair  
Fair  
Value  
Value  
Value  

Valuation Technique 
Valuation Technique 

Valuation Technique 

Unobservable Inputs 
Unobservable Inputs 
Unobservable Inputs 
(Dollars in Thousands) 
(Dollars in Thousands) 
(Dollars in Thousands) 

Impaired Loans- Applies to 
Impaired Loans- Applies to 
all loan classes 
all loan classes 

Impaired Loans- Applies to 
all loan classes 

Real estate held for sale – 
Real estate held for sale – 
Real estate held for sale – 
Applies to all classes 
Applies to all classes 
Applies to all classes 

 $4,604  Appraisals  which  utilize 
net 

 $4,604  Appraisals  which  utilize 
 $4,604  Appraisals  which  utilize 
sales 
net 
comparison, 
comparison, 
net 
income and cost approach  

sales 
sales 
income and cost approach  
income and cost approach  

comparison, 

 $227  Appraisals  which  utilize 
net 

 $227  Appraisals  which  utilize 
 $227  Appraisals  which  utilize 
sales 
net 
comparison, 
comparison, 
net 
income and cost approach 

sales 
sales 
income and cost approach 
income and cost approach 

comparison, 

Discounts 
Discounts 
Discounts 
issues  and  changes 
issues  and  changes 
issues  and  changes 
market conditions 
market conditions 
market conditions 

for  collection 
for  collection 
for  collection 
in 
in 
in 

Discounts  for  changes  in 
Discounts  for  changes  in 
Discounts  for  changes  in 
market conditions 
market conditions 
market conditions 

  Range of         
  Range of         
  Range of         
Inputs 
Inputs 
Inputs 

Weighted 
Weighted 
Weighted 
Average 
Average 
Average 

  10-20% 
  10-20% 
  10-20% 

11% 
11% 
11% 

 0% 
 0% 
 0% 

 0% 
 0% 
 0% 

Impaired  loans,  which  are  measured  for  impairment  using  the  fair  value  of  the  collateral  for  collateral 
Impaired  loans,  which  are  measured  for  impairment  using  the  fair  value  of  the  collateral  for  collateral 
Impaired  loans,  which  are  measured  for  impairment  using  the  fair  value  of  the  collateral  for  collateral 
dependent loans, had a fair value of $1.8 million, with a valuation allowance of $9,000 and a fair value of 
dependent loans, had a fair value of $1.8 million, with a valuation allowance of $9,000 and a fair value of 
dependent loans, had a fair value of $1.8 million, with a valuation allowance of $9,000 and a fair value of 
$4.6  million  with  no  valuation  allowance  at  December  31,  2018  and  2017,  respectively.  A  provision 
$4.6  million  with  no  valuation  allowance  at  December  31,  2018  and  2017,  respectively.  A  provision 
$4.6  million  with  no  valuation  allowance  at  December  31,  2018  and  2017,  respectively.  A  provision 
expense of $1.2 million, $993,000, $1.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, 
expense of $1.2 million, $993,000, $1.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, 
expense of $1.2 million, $993,000, $1.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, 
respectively, related to these impaired loans was included in earnings. 
respectively, related to these impaired loans was included in earnings. 
respectively, related to these impaired loans was included in earnings. 

Mortgage servicing rights, which are carried at the lower of cost or fair value, had a fair value of $629,000 
Mortgage servicing rights, which are carried at the lower of cost or fair value, had a fair value of $629,000 
Mortgage servicing rights, which are carried at the lower of cost or fair value, had a fair value of $629,000 
with a valuation allowance of $300,000 and a fair value of $534,000 with a valuation allowance of $432,000 
with a valuation allowance of $300,000 and a fair value of $534,000 with a valuation allowance of $432,000 
with a valuation allowance of $300,000 and a fair value of $534,000 with a valuation allowance of $432,000 
at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  A recovery of $132,000, $90,000 and $123,000 for the years 
at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  A recovery of $132,000, $90,000 and $123,000 for the years 
at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  A recovery of $132,000, $90,000 and $123,000 for the years 
ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, was included in earnings. 
ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, was included in earnings. 
ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, was included in earnings. 

Real estate held for sale is determined using Level 3 inputs which include appraisals and are adjusted for 
Real estate held for sale is determined using Level 3 inputs which include appraisals and are adjusted for 
Real estate held for sale is determined using Level 3 inputs which include appraisals and are adjusted for 
changes in market conditions. The change in fair value of real estate held for sale was $552,000, $20,000 
changes in market conditions. The change in fair value of real estate held for sale was $552,000, $20,000 
changes in market conditions. The change in fair value of real estate held for sale was $552,000, $20,000 
and $74,000 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which was recorded 
and $74,000 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which was recorded 
and $74,000 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which was recorded 
directly as an adjustment to current earnings through noninterest expense.  
directly as an adjustment to current earnings through noninterest expense.  
directly as an adjustment to current earnings through noninterest expense.  

In  accordance  with  FASB  ASC  Topic  825,  the  Fair  Value  Measurements  tables  are  a  comparative 
In  accordance  with  FASB  ASC  Topic  825,  the  Fair  Value  Measurements  tables  are  a  comparative 
In  accordance  with  FASB  ASC  Topic  825,  the  Fair  Value  Measurements  tables  are  a  comparative 
condensed consolidated statement of financial condition based on carrying amount and estimated fair values 
condensed consolidated statement of financial condition based on carrying amount and estimated fair values 
condensed consolidated statement of financial condition based on carrying amount and estimated fair values 
of financial instruments as of December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017. Accordingly, the aggregate fair 
of financial instruments as of December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017. Accordingly, the aggregate fair 
of financial instruments as of December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017. Accordingly, the aggregate fair 
value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of First Defiance. 
value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of First Defiance. 
value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of First Defiance. 

Much of the information used to arrive at “fair value” is highly subjective and judgmental in nature and 
Much of the information used to arrive at “fair value” is highly subjective and judgmental in nature and 
Much of the information used to arrive at “fair value” is highly subjective and judgmental in nature and 
therefore the results may not be precise. Subjective factors include, among other things, estimated cash 
therefore the results may not be precise. Subjective factors include, among other things, estimated cash 
therefore the results may not be precise. Subjective factors include, among other things, estimated cash 

- 125 - 
- 125 - 
- 125 - 

- 125 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
flows,  risk  characteristics  and  interest  rates,  all  of  which  are  subject  to  change.  With  the  exception  of 
investment securities, the Company’s financial instruments are not readily marketable and market prices 
do not exist. Since negotiated prices for the instruments, which are not readily marketable, depend greatly 
on the motivation of the buyer and seller, the amounts that will actually be realized or paid per settlement 
or maturity of these instruments could be significantly different. 

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, term notes payable and advance payments by borrowers 
for taxes and insurance, as a result of their short-term nature, is considered to be equal to fair value and are 
classified as Level 1. 

It  was  not  practicable  to  determine  the  fair  value  of  FHLB  stock  due  to  restrictions  placed  on  its 
transferability. 

The Company adopted the amendments to ASU 2016-01 relating to the loan portfolio in 2018 and an exit 
price income approach is now used to determine the fair value. The loans were valued on an individual 
basis, with consideration given to the loans underlying characteristics, including account types, remaining 
terms (in months), annual interest rates or coupons, interest types, past delinquencies, timing of principal 
and interest payments, current market rates, loss exposures, and remaining balances. The model utilizes a 
discounted cash flow approach to estimate the fair value of the loans using assumptions for the coupon 
rates, remaining maturities, prepayment speeds, projected default probabilities, losses given defaults, and 
estimates of prevailing discount rates. The discounted cash flow approach models the credit losses directly 
in  the  projected  cash  flows.  The  model  applies  various  assumptions  regarding  credit,  interest,  and 
prepayment risks for the loans based on loan types, payment types and fixed or variable classifications. As 
of December 31, 2017, the fair value was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the rates at 
which similar notes would be written for the same remaining maturities or an entry price income approach. 
The market rates used were based on current rates the Company would impose for similar loans and reflect 
a market participant assumption about risks associated with non-performance, illiquidity, and the structure 
and  term  of  the  loans  along  with  local  economic  and  market  conditions.  For  all  periods  presented,  the 
estimated fair value of impaired loans is based on the fair value of the collateral, less estimated cost to sell, 
or the present value of the loan’s expected future cash flows (discounted at the loan’s effective interest 
rate). All impaired loans are classified as Level 3 within the valuation hierarchy.   

The fair value of accrued interest receivable is equal to the carrying amounts resulting in a Level 2 or Level 
3 classification, which is consistent with its underlying asset. 

The fair value of noninterest-bearing deposits are considered equal to the amount payable on demand at the 
reporting date (i.e., carrying  value) and are classified as Level 1.  The fair value of savings, NOW and 
certain money market accounts are equal to their carrying amounts and are a Level 2 classification.  Fair 
values of fixed rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies 
interest rates currently being offered on certificates to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities 
on time deposits resulting in a Level 2 classification.   

The fair values of securities sold under repurchase agreements are equal to their carrying amounts resulting 
in a Level 2 classification. The carrying value of subordinated debentures and deposits with fixed maturities 
is  estimated  based  on  discounted  cash  flow  analyses  based  on  interest  rates  currently  being  offered  on 
instruments with similar characteristics and maturities resulting in a Level 3 classification. 

FHLB advances with maturities greater than 90 days are valued based on discounted cash flow analysis, 
using interest rates currently being quoted for similar characteristics and maturities resulting in a Level 2 
classification. The cost or value of any call or put options is based on the estimated cost to settle the option 
at December 31, 2018. 

- 126 - 

- 126 -

 
 
 
 
 
Financial Assets: 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Investment securities 
FHLB Stock 
Loans, net, including loans 
  held for sale 
Accrued interest receivable 

Financial Liabilities: 
Deposits 
Advances from FHLB 
Securities sold under repurchase 
agreements  
Subordinated debentures 

Financial Assets: 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Investment securities 
FHLB Stock 
Loans, net, including loans 
  held for sale 
Accrued interest receivable 

Financial Liabilities: 
Deposits 
Advances from FHLB 
Securities sold under repurchase 
agreements  
Subordinated debentures 

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2018 
(In Thousands) 

Total 

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

Carrying 
Value 

  $ 

 98,962 
294,602 
14,217 

  $ 

98,962 
294,602 
N/A 

$   98,962  $                 -    $              - 
- 
  294,602 
N/A 
N/A 

- 
N/A 

2,518,321 
9,641 

2,501,096 
9,641 

- 
18 

6,865 
1,168 

2,494,231 
8,455 

  $ 2,620,882 
85,189 

  $ 2,613,965 
84,281 

$   607,198  $  2,006,767  
84,281 

- 

$             - 
- 

5,741 
36,083 

5,741        
28,854 

- 
- 

5,741 
- 

- 
   28,854 

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2017 
(In Thousands) 

Total 

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

Carrying 
 Value 

  $   113,693 
261,298 
15,992 

  $  113,693 
261,299 
N/A 

$   113,693  $                 -    $              - 
- 
  261,298 
N/A 
N/A 

1 
N/A 

2,332,465 
8,706 

2,315,791 
8,706 

- 
13 

10,830 
917 

2,304,961 
7,776 

  $ 2,437,656 
84,279 

  $ 2,444,683 
83,261 

$   571,360  $  1,873,323  
83,261 

- 

$             - 
- 

26,019 
36,083 

26,019        
35,385 

- 
- 

26,019 
- 

- 
   35,385 

23. Derivative Financial Instruments 

Commitments to fund certain mortgage loans (interest rate locks) to be sold into the secondary market and 
forward  commitments  for  the  future  delivery  of  mortgage  loans  to  third-party  investors  are  considered 
derivatives.    It  is  the  Company’s  practice to  enter  into  forward  commitments  for  the  future  delivery  of 
residential mortgage loans when interest rate lock commitments are entered into in order to economically 
hedge  the  effect  of  changes  in  interest  rates  resulting  from  its  commitments  to  fund  the  loans.    These 
mortgage banking derivatives are not designated in hedge relationships.  First Federal had approximately 
$8.6  million  and  $14.8  million  of  interest  rate  lock  commitments  at  December  31,  2018  and  2017, 
respectively.  There were $11.5 million and $23.2 million of forward commitments for the future delivery 
of residential mortgage loans at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.   

The fair  value  of  these  mortgage  banking  derivatives  are  reflected  by  a  derivative  asset  or  a  derivative 
liability.  The table below provides data about the carrying values of these derivative instruments: 

- 127 - 

- 127 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets   

December 31, 2018 
(Liabilities)

December 31, 2017 

Assets     (Liabilities)

Carrying 
Value

Carrying 
Value

Derivative
Net Carrying
Value

Carrying 
Value

Carrying 
Value

Derivative
Net Carrying
Value

(In Thousands)

$ 

367  $ 

73  $ 

294  $ 

609  $ 

11  $ 

598

Derivatives not designated as

hedging instruments

Mortgage Banking 

Derivatives

The table below provides data about the amount of gains and losses recognized in income on derivative 
instruments not designated as hedging instruments: 

Derivatives  not  designated  as  hedging 
instruments

     Years Ended December 31, 2018
2017

2016

(In Thousands)

Mortgage Banking Derivatives – Gain (Loss)

$

(304)

$

107

$     (67)

24. Quarterly Consolidated Results of Operations (Unaudited)

The following is a summary of the quarterly consolidated results of operations: 

2018
Interest income
Interest expense
Net interest income
Provision for loan losses
Net interest income after provision for 

loan losses

Gain on sale, call or write-down 

of securities

Noninterest income
Noninterest expense
Income before income taxes
Income taxes 
Net income

Earnings per common share:

Basic
Diluted

Average shares outstanding:

Basic
Diluted

Three Months Ended

March 31

June 30

September 30

December 31

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

$

$

28,905
3,218
25,687
(1,095)

26,782

-
10,703
23,251
14,234
2,497
11,737

$

$

30,299
3,752
26,547
423

26,124

-
10,214
22,665
13,673
2,564
11,109

$

$

31,963
4,434
27,529
1,376

26,153

76
9,846
22,286
13,789
2,483
11,306

$

$

33,550
5,058
28,492
472

28,020

97
8,272
21,210
15,179
3,082
12,097

$    
  0.58
$          0.58

$         0.54
$         0.54

$        0.55
$        0.55

$        0.60
$        0.59

20,330
20,438

20,388
20,492

20,400
20,467

20,313
20,404

- 128 -

- 128 -

2017
Interest income
Interest expense
Net interest income
Provision for loan losses
Net interest income after provision for 

loan losses

Gain on sale, call or write-down 

of securities

Noninterest income
Noninterest expense
Income before income taxes
Income taxes 
Net income

Earnings per common share:

Basic
Diluted

Average shares outstanding:

Basic
Diluted

Three Months Ended

March 31

June 30

September 30

December 31

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

$

$

24,036
2,391
21,645
55

21,590

-
10,549
23,142
8,997
3,857
5,140

$

$

27,458
2,826
24,632
2,118

22,514

267
9,873
20,630
12,024
3,677
8,347

$

$

28,081
3,074
25,007
462

24,545

158
9,337
20,440
13,600
4,219
9,381

$

$

28,527
3,140
25,387
314

25,073

159
9,738
21,139
13,831
4,431
9,400

  0.27
$    
$          0.27

$         0.41
$         0.41

$        0.46
$        0.46

$        0.47
$        0.46

18,870
18,980

20,294
20,408

20,298
20,418

20,310
20,444

25. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The before and after tax amounts allocated to each component of other comprehensive income (loss) are 
presented in the table below. Reclassification adjustments related to securities available for sale are included 
in gains on sale or call of securities in the accompanying consolidated condensed statements of income.
Reclassification  adjustments  related  to  the  defined  benefit  postretirement  medical  plan  are  included  in 
compensation and benefits in the accompanying consolidated condensed statements of income.

Years ended December 31, 2018:
Securities available for sale and transferred securities:

Change in net unrealized gain/(loss) during the period
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income

Defined benefit postretirement medical plan:

Net gain on defined benefit postretirement medical plan realized 
during the period
Reclassification  adjustment  for  net  amortization  and  deferral on
defined  benefit  postretirement  medical  plan (included 
in 
compensation and benefits)
Total other comprehensive income 

Years ended December 31, 2017:
Securities available for sale and transferred securities:

Change in net unrealized gain/(loss) during the period
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income

Defined benefit postretirement medical plan:

   Net gain on defined benefit postretirement medical plan realized 

during the period
Reclassification  adjustment  for  net  amortization  and  deferral  on 
defined  benefit  postretirement  medical  plan  (included 
in 
compensation and benefits)
Total other comprehensive income 

Before Tax 
Amount

Tax Effect

(In Thousands)

Net of Tax 
Amount

$

$

$

$

(3,356)
(173)

$

(706)
(36)

560

200

$

$

18
(2,951)

Before Tax 
Amount

733
(584)

(166)

19
2

$

3
(539)

Tax Effect

(In Thousands)

256
(204)

(59)

7
-

$

$

$

$

(2,650)
(137)

360

15
(2,412)

Net of Tax 
Amount

477
(380)

(107)

12
2

- 129 -

- 129 -

Activity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, was as follows:  

       Accumulated    

    Securities   
    Available   
    For Sale    

Post- 

Other 

   retirement         Comprehensive   
   Benefit 

Income 

Balance January 1, 2018 
Other comprehensive income before 

reclassifications 

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other 

comprehensive loss 

    $ 

601   

   $ 

(384 )        $ 

(In Thousands) 

(2,651 ) 

360        

(136 )  

                    15        

Net other comprehensive income during period        

(2,787 )  

375       

Reclassification adjustment upon adoption of  
     ASU 2018-02 

    129  

(82 )    

Balance December 31, 2018 

    $ 

(2,057 )       $ 

(91 )        $ 

Balance January 1, 2017 
Other comprehensive income before 

reclassifications 

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other 

comprehensive loss 

    $ 

504    

   $ 

(289 )        $ 

477  

(108 )       

(380 )  

                    13        

Net other comprehensive income during period        

97   

(95 )      

Balance December 31, 2017 

    $ 

601    

   $ 

(384 )        $ 

217    

(2,291 )  

(121)   

(2, 412)   

47  

(2,148 )   

215 

369 

(367) 

2 

217 

Item 9.  Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 

None. 

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures 

First  Defiance’s  management  carried  out  an  evaluation,  under  the  supervision  and  with  the 
participation  of  the  chief  executive  officer  and  the  chief  financial  officer,  of  the  effectiveness  of  First 
Defiance’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) 
under the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2018. Based upon that evaluation, the chief executive officer 
along with the chief financial officer concluded that First Defiance’s disclosure controls and procedures as 
of December 31, 2018, are effective. 

The  information  set  forth  under  “Management’s  Report  on  Internal  Control  Over  Financial 
Reporting” and “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” included in Item 8 above is 
incorporated herein by reference. 

There were no changes in First Defiance’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term 
is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the last fiscal quarter ended 
December  31,  2018,  that  have  materially  affected,  or  are  reasonably  likely  to  materially  affect  First 
Defiance’s internal control over financial reporting. 

Item 9B.  Other Information 

None. 

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Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

PART III

The  information  required  by  this  item  relating  to  our  directors,  nominees  for  directorship  and 
executive  officers  is  incorporated  herein  by  reference  from  the  section  captioned  “Composition  of  the 
Board” under the heading “PROPOSAL 1 – Election of Directors” and the section immediately following 
the heading “EXECUTIVE OFFICERS” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement which will be filed 
no later than 120 days after December 31, 2018 (the “Proxy Statement”). Information regarding our Audit 
Committee  and  compliance  with  Section  16(a)  of  the  Securities  Act  of  1943  required  by  this  item  is 
incorporated herein by reference from the sections respectively captioned, “Board Committees” under the 
“PROPOSAL 1 – Election of Directors” and the section immediately following the heading “SECTION
16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE” of the Proxy Statement.  There have 
been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the board 
of directors.   

First  Defiance  has  adopted  a  code of ethics  applicable  to  all  officers,  directors  and  employees 
that complies  with  SEC  requirements,  and  is  available  on  its  Internet  site  at  www.fdef.com
under the Governance Documents tab on the Investor Relations page.

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

Information  regarding  director  compensation  is  set  forth  under  the  section  captioned  “Director 
Compensation” under the heading “PROPOSAL 1 – Election of Directors” of the Proxy Statement, and is 
incorporated  herein  by  reference.  Executive  compensation  information  has  been  provided  under  the 
headings “COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS” and “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION” 
in the Proxy Statement, and is incorporated herein by reference. 

The  Compensation  Committee  Report  and  information  related  to  compensation  committee 
interlocks and insider participation have been respectively set forth under the section immediately following 
the  section  captioned 
the  heading “COMPENSATION  COMMITTEE  REPORT”  and  under 
“Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” following the heading “PROPOSAL 1 – 
Election of Directors” in the Proxy Statement, and are incorporated herein by reference. 

- 131 -

- 131 -

Item 12.  Security  Ownership  of  Certain  Beneficial  Owners  and  Management  and  Related 
Stockholder Matters  

The information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management and 
information relating thereto is set forth in the section under the heading “BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP” in 
the Proxy Statement, and is incorporated herein by reference. 

Equity Compensation Plans 

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2018, with respect to the shares of 
First  Defiance  common  stock  that  are  reserved  for  issuance  under  First  Defiance’s  existing  equity 
compensation plans. 

Number of securities to 
be Issued Upon 
Exercise of 
Outstanding Options, 
Warrants and Rights 

Weighted Average 
Exercise Price of 
Outstanding Options, 
Warrants and Rights 

Plan Category 

Equity  Compensation  Plans  Approved 
by Security Holders 

(a) 

39,400 

(b) 

$14.00 

Number of Securities 
Remaining Available 
for Future Issuance 
Under Equity 
Compensation Plans 
(Excluding Securities 
Reflected in Column 
(a) 
(c) 

895,500 

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 

The information required by this item, including related transactions and director independence, is 
set forth respectively in the section following the heading “RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS” and 
in the section captioned “Composition of the Board” following the heading “PROPOSAL 1 – Election of 
Directors” in the Proxy Statement, which are both incorporated by reference. 

Item 14.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services 

The  information  required  by  this  item  is  set  forth  under  the  section  captioned  “Audit  Fees” 
following the heading “INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM” in the Proxy 
Statement, and is incorporated herein by reference. 

- 132 - 

- 132 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART IV

Item 15.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a)

Financial Statements

(1) The following documents are filed as Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

(A) Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Crowe LLP)
(B) Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2018

and 2017

(C) Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2018,

2017 and 2016

(D) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 

2018, 2017 and 2016

(E) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended 

December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

(F) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31,

2018, 2017 and 2016

(G) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(2) Separate financial statement schedules are not being filed because of the absence of conditions 
under which they are required or because the required information is included in the 
consolidated financial statements or the related notes.

(3) The exhibits required  by  this item are listed  in  the Exhibit Index of this Form 10-K. The 
management contracts and compensation plans or arrangements required to be filed with this 
Form 10-K are listed as Exhibits 10.1 through 10.29.

Item 16.  10-K Summary

None. 

- 133 -

- 133 -

SIGNATURES 

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

February 28, 2019 

FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP. 

By:   
          Kevin T. Thompson, Chief Financial Officer 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed 
below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on February 28, 
2019. 

Signature 

Title 

John L. Bookmyer 

Donald P. Hileman 

Kevin T. Thompson 

Robert E. Beach 

Douglas A. Burgei, D.V.M. 

Thomas A. Reineke 

Barbara A. Mitzel 

Jean A. Hubbard 

Samuel S. Strausbaugh 

Charles D. Niehaus 

Terri A. Bettinger 

Thomas K. Herman  

Mark A. Robison 

Chairman of the Board 

President and Chief 
Executive Officer  

Executive Vice President and Chief 
Financial Officer (principal accounting officer) 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

- 134 - 

- 134 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit Index 

This report incorporates by reference the documents listed below that we have previously filed 
with  the  SEC.  The  SEC  allows  us  to  incorporate  by  reference  information  in  this  document.  The 
information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this document. 

The  SEC  maintains  an  internet  web  site  that  contains  reports,  proxy  statements,  and  other 
information about issuers, like First Defiance, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of the 
site is http://www.sec.gov. The reports and other information filed by First Defiance with the SEC are 
also  available  at  the  First  Defiance  Financial  Corp.  web  site.  The  address  of  the  site  is 
http://www.fdef.com. Except as specifically incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 
10-K, information on those web sites is not part of this report.  

Exhibit 
Number 
2.1 

Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated August 23, 2016, by and between 

First Defiance and Commercial Bancshares, Inc.  

Description 

2.2 

Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated October 31, 2016, by 

3.1 
3.2 
3.3 
4.1 

10.1 
10.2 
10.3 

and between First Defiance and Commercial Bancshares, Inc.  

Articles of Incorporation of First Defiance 
Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of First Defiance 
Code of Regulations of First Defiance 
Agreement to furnish instruments and agreements defining 
  rights of holders of long-term debt 
Employment Agreement with Gregory R. Allen 
2005 Stock Option and Incentive Plan 
Form of Stock Option Award Agreement under 2005 Stock Option and 

Incentive Plan 

10.4 

First Federal Amended and Restated Executive Group Life Plan – Post 

Separation 

10.5 
10.6 

2010 Equity Incentive Plan 
First Amendment to First Defiance Financial Corp. 2010 Equity Incentive 

Plan 

10.7 

2010 Equity Plan Form of Long-Term Incentive Performance-Based  

Award Agreement 

10.8 

2010 Equity Plan Form of Short-Term Incentive Performance-Based 

Award Agreement 

10.9 
10.10 
10.11 
10.12 
10.13 

10.14 
10.15 
10.16 

Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under 2010 Equity Plan 
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under 2010 Equity Plan 
First Defiance Deferred Compensation Plan 
First Defiance Financial Corp. and Affiliates Incentive Compensation Plan 
Form of First Defiance Financial Corp. Long-Term Restricted Stock Unit 

Award Agreement under the Incentive Compensation Plan 

Employment Agreement with Donald P. Hileman 
Employment Agreement with Kevin T. Thompson 
2014 Change of Control and Non-Solicitation Agreement with John R. 

Reisner 

(28) 

(12) 
(1) 
(30) 
(31) 
(26) 

(5) 
(6) 
(3) 

(13) 

(14) 
(18) 

(16) 

(17) 

(25) 
(12) 
(22) 
(19) 
(21) 

(23) 
(24) 
(27) 

10.17 

Change of Control Agreement and Non-Compete Agreement with Gregory 

(32) 

R. Allen 

10.18 
10.19 
10.20 

First Amendment to Donald P. Hileman’s Employment Agreement 
First Amendment to Kevin T. Thompson’s Employment Agreement 
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under 2018 Equity Incentive 

Plan 

10.21 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under 2018 Equity 

Incentive Plan 

10.22 
10.23 

First Defiance Deferred Compensation Plan, revised October 30, 2014 
2018 Change of Control and Non-Solicitation Agreement with John R. 

Reisner 

10.24 

2018 Employment Agreement with Donald P. Hileman 

(33) 
(34) 
(35) 

(36) 

(37) 
(38) 

(39) 

- 135 - 

- 135 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.25 
10.26 

2018 Employment Agreement with Kevin T. Thompson 
Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement 

(LTIP) under the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan 

10.27 

Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement 

(Long-Term Equity Asset Growth) under the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan 

10.28 

Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement 

(LTIP) under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan 

10.29 

Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement 

(Long-Term Equity Asset Growth) under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan 

21 
23.1 
31.1 

List of Subsidiaries of the Company 
Consent of Crowe LLP 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the 

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 

31.2 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the 

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 

32.1 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the 

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 

32.2 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the 

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 

101 

Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) the 

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, (ii) the Consolidated 
Statements of Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of 
Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in 
Stockholders’ Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, 
and (vi) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements tagged as 
blocks of text and in detail. 

(40) 
(29) 

(29) 

(29) 

(29) 

(29) 
(29) 
(29) 

(29) 

(29) 

(29) 

(29) 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 
(5) 

(6) 
(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

(11) 

(12) 

(13) 

(14) 
(15) 

(16) 

(17) 

Incorporated herein by reference to the like numbered exhibit in the Registrant’s Form S-3 filed 
on November 10, 2009 (File No. 333-163014) 
Incorporated herein by reference to  Exhibit 10.2 in the Registrant’s 2004 Form 10-K (File No. 
000-26850) 
  Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16 in the Registrant’s 2008 Form 10-K (File No. 
000-26850)  
  Incorporated herein by reference to Appendix B to the 2001 Proxy Statement (File No. 000-26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 in Form 8-K filed October 1, 2007 (File No. 000-
26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A to the 2005 Proxy Statement (File No. 000-26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 in Form 8-K filed December 8, 2008 (F File No. 
000-26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10 in Form 8-K filed December 8, 2008 (File No. 000-
26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in Form 8-K filed December 12, 2008 (File No. 
000-26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 in Form 8-K filed December 8, 2008 (File No. 000-
26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.24 in the Registrant’s 2016 Form 10-K (File No. 
000-26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in Form 10-Q filed November 2, 2010 (File No. 
000-26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Annex A to 2010 Proxy Statement (File No. 000-26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in Form 8-K filed March 4, 2011 (File No. 000-
26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in Form 10-Q filed November 8, 2011 (File No. 
000-26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 in Form 10-Q filed November 8, 2011 (File No. 
000-26850) 

- 136 - 

- 136 -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(18) 

(19) 

(20) 

(21) 

(22) 

(23) 

(24) 

(25) 

(26) 

(27) 

(28) 

(29) 
(30) 

(31) 

(32) 

(33) 

(34) 

(35) 

(36) 

(37) 

(38) 

(39) 

(40) 

Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in Form 8-K filed March 15, 2012 (File No. 000-
26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 in Form 8-K filed March 15, 2012 (File No. 000-
26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 in Form 8-K filed March 15, 2012 (File No. 000-
26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 in Form 8-K filed March 15, 2012 (File No. 000-
26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in Form 8-K filed December 23, 2005 (File No. 
000-26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in Form 8-K filed December 30, 2013 (File No. 
000-26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 in Form 8-K filed December 30, 2013 (File No. 
000-26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 in Form 8-K filed December 30, 2013 (File No. 
000-26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 in Registrant’s 2014 Form 10-K (File No. 000-
26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.23 in Registrant’s 2015 Form 10-K (File No. 000-
26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 in Form 8-K filed August 24, 2016 (File No. 000-
26850) 
Included herein 
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on June 22, 2018 
(File No. 000-26850). 
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Registrant’s Form S-8 POS filed on July 17, 2018 
(333-197203).  
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 in Form 10-Q filed May 8, 2018 (File No. 000-
26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in Form 8-K filed February 23, 2018 (File No. 
000-26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 in Form 8-K filed February 23, 2018 (File No. 
000-26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in Form 10-Q filed August 7, 2018 (File No. 
000-26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 in Form 10-Q filed August 7, 2018 (File No. 
000-26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 in Form 10-Q filed August 7, 2018 (File No. 
000-26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in Form 8-K filed March 22, 2018 (File No. 
000-26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in Form 8-K filed December 27, 2018 (File No. 
000-26850) 
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 in Form 8-K filed December 27, 2018 (File No. 
000-26850) 

- 137 - 

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- 138 -

SHAREHOLDER  I N FOR MATION

ANNUAL MEETING
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be conducted virtually at 1:00 
p.m., Eastern Time, on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Shareholders may access the 
Annual Meeting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/fdef2019

INVESTOR INFORMATION
Shareholders, investors and analysts interested in additional information 
about First Defiance Financial Corp., may contact Investor Relations at  
the corporate office, 419-782-5104.

STOCK TRANSFER AGENT
Shareholders with questions concerning the transfer of shares, lost 
certificates, dividend payments, dividend reinvestment, receipt of  
multiple dividend checks, duplicate mailings or changes of address  
should contact:

Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions 
PO Box 1342 
Brentwood, NY 11717 
1-844-318-0128 or 1-720-358-3594 
shareholder@broadridge.com

SECURITIES LISTING
First Defiance Financial Corp. common stock trades on the NASDAQ  
Global Select Market under the symbol FDEF.  As of January 31, 2019,  
there were approximately 2,347 stockholders of record and 20,067,268 
shares outstanding. 

DIVIDEND POLICY
The First Defiance Financial Corp. Board reviews and determines,  
on a quarterly basis, whether to declare a dividend. Dividends  
declared in 2018 totaled $0.64 per share.

TOTAL RETURN PERFORMANCE

300

250

200

150

100

50

E
U
L
A
V
X
E
D
N

I

0
12/31/13 

12/31/14 

12/31/15 

12/31/16 

12/31/17               12/31/18

First Defiance Financial Corp.
SNL Bank NASDAQ

NASDAQ Composite
SNL Midwest Thrift

AUDITORS 
Crowe Horwath LLP 
330 East Jefferson Boulevard   
South Bend, IN 46624

GENERAL COUNSEL
Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease LLP
301 East Fourth Street, Suite 3500 
Cincinnati, OH 45202

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
Shareholders may automatically reinvest dividends in additional 
First Defiance Financial Corp. common stock through the Dividend 
Reinvestment Plan, which also provides for purchase by voluntary cash 
contributions. For additional information, please contact: Broadridge 
Corporate Issuer Solutions at 1-844-318-0128 or 1-720-358-3594. 

PRICE RANGE 
Year Ended December 31, 2018 

Year Ended December 31, 2017 

First Quarter 

Second Quarter 

Third Quarter 

Fourth Quarter 

HIGH 
 $29.93  

   LOW
   $25.51 

 $33.72  

   $27.63 

 $35.00  

   $29.61 

 $31.09  

   $22.78 

First Quarter 

Second Quarter 

Third Quarter 

Fourth Quarter 

HIGH 

  LOW

 $25.58  

   $23.14 

 $28.45  

   $24.39 

 $27.00  

   $23 .51

 $28.46  

   $25.14 

 
 
    
 
   
First Defiance Financial Corp.
601 Clinton Street
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-5104
Fdef.com 

First Federal Bank of the Midwest
601 Clinton Street
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-5130
First-Fed.com

First Insurance Group
511 Fifth Street
Defiance, OH 43512
419-784-5431
Firstinsurancegrp.com

For investor relations information, visit Fdef.com