More annual reports from Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc:
2020 ReportPeers and competitors of Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc:
Old Point Financial CorporationSOUTHERN NATIONAL BANCORP OF VIRGINIA INC FORM 10-K (Annual Report) Filed 03/15/16 for the Period Ending 12/31/15 Address Telephone CIK Symbol SIC Code 1770 TIMBERWOOD BOULEVARD SUITE 100 CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA 22911 (434) 973-5242 0001325670 SONA 6022 - State Commercial Banks Industry Regional Banks Sector Fiscal Year Financial 12/31 http://www.edgar-online.com © Copyright 2016, EDGAR Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Distribution and use of this document restricted under EDGAR Online, Inc. Terms of Use. UNITED STATESSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSIONWashington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K x x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015or ¨ ¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934For the transition period from to Commission file number: 001-33037 SOUTHERN NATIONAL BANCORP OF VIRGINIA, INC.(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) VIRGINIA 20-1417448(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employerincorporation or organization) Identification No.) 6830 Old Dominion DriveMcLean, Virginia 22101(Address or principal executive offices) (Zip code) (703) 893-7400(Registrant’s telephone number including area code) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registeredCommon Stock, $0.01 par value Nasdaq Global Market Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.Yes ¨ No x Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.Yes ¨ 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 1934during 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 requirementsfor the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data Filerequired to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter periodthat the registrant was required to submit and post such files).Yes x No ¨ Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, andwill not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K orany 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, or a smaller reporting company. Seedefinitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b – 2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): Large accelerated filer¨Accelerated filer xSmaller reporting company ¨ Non-accelerated filer¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ¨ No x The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2015 was approximately $114,369,677 based on the closing priceof the common stock on such date. The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of March 8, 2016 was 12,238,443. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in conjunction with the registrant’s 2016Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated into Part III, Items 10-14 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. SOUTHERN NATIONAL BANCORP OF VIRGINIA, INC.FORM 10-KINDEX PART I Page Item 1.Business5Item 1A.Risk Factors31Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments47Item 2.Properties48Item 3.Legal Proceedings50Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures50 PART II Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities50Item 6.Selected Financial Data54Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis Of Financial Condition and Results of Operations55Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk82Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data83Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure134Item 9A.Controls and Procedures134Item 9B.Other Information134 PART III Item 10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance135Item 11.Executive Compensation135Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters135Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence135Item 14.Principal Accounting Fees and Services135 PART IV Item 15.Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules136 2 CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains statements about future expectations, activities and events that constitute forward-looking statements within themeaning of, and subject to the protection of, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act and are intended to becovered by the safe harbor provided by the same. Forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future financial andoperating performance and growth plans, taking into account the information currently available to us. These statements are not statements of historical fact. Thewords “believe,” “may,” “forecast,” “should,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “continue,” “would,” “could,” “hope,” “might,” “assume,” “objective,”“seek,” “plan,” “strive” or similar words, or the negatives of these words, identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations of future results weexpress or imply in any forward-looking statements. In addition to the other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K,factors that could contribute to those differences include, but are not limited to: ·the effects of future economic, business and market conditions and disruptions in the credit and financial markets, domestic and foreign;·changes in the local economies in our market areas adversely affect our customers and their ability to transact profitable business with us, including theability of our borrowers to repay their loans according to their terms or a change in the value of the related collateral;·changes in the availability of funds resulting in increased costs or reduced liquidity, as well as the adequacy of our cash flow from operations andborrowings to meet our short-term liquidity needs;·a deterioration or downgrade in the credit quality and credit agency ratings of the securities in our securities portfolio;·impairment concerns and risks related to our investment portfolio of collateralized mortgage obligations, agency mortgage-backed securities, obligationsof states and political subdivisions and pooled trust preferred securities;·the incurrence and possible impairment of goodwill associated with current or future acquisitions and possible adverse short-term effects on our results ofoperations;·increased credit risk in our assets and increased operating risk caused by a material change in commercial, consumer and/or real estate loans as apercentage of our total loan portfolio;·the concentration of our loan portfolio in loans collateralized by real estate;·our level of construction and land development and commercial real estate loans;·changes in the levels of loan prepayments and the resulting effects on the value of our loan portfolio;·the failure of assumptions and estimates underlying the establishment of and provisions made to the allowance for loan losses;·our ability to expand and grow our business and operations, including the establishment of additional branches and acquisition of additional branches andbanks, and our ability to realize the cost savings and revenue enhancements we expect from such activities;·changes in governmental monetary and fiscal policies, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, orchanges in interest rates and market prices, which could reduce our net interest margins, asset valuations and expense expectations;·increased competition for deposits and loans adversely affecting rates and terms;·the continued service of key management personnel;·the potential payment of interest on demand deposit accounts to effectively compete for customers;·potential environmental liability risk associated with properties that we assume upon foreclosure; 3 ·increased asset levels and changes in the composition of assets and the resulting impact on our capital levels and regulatory capital ratios;·risks of current or future mergers and acquisitions, including the related time and cost of implementing transactions and the potential failure to achieveexpected gains, revenue growth or expense savings;·legislative and regulatory changes, including changes in banking, securities and tax laws and regulations and their application by our regulators, includingthose associated with the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), changes in the scope and cost of FederalDeposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance and other coverage; and the capital requirements promulgated by the Basel Committee on BankingSupervision (the “Basel Committee”);·increases in regulatory capital requirements for banking organizations generally, which may adversely affect our ability to expand our business or couldcause us to shrink our business;·the effects of war or other conflicts, acts of terrorism or other catastrophic events that may affect general economic conditions;·failure to prevent a breach to our Internet-based system and online commerce security;·changes in accounting policies, rules and practices and applications or determinations made thereunder;·fraudulent and negligent acts by loan applicants, mortgage brokers and our employees;·failure to establish and maintain effective internal controls and procedures;·the risk that our deferred tax assets could be reduced if future taxable income is less than currently estimated, if corporate tax rates in the future are lessthan current rates, or if sales of our capital stock trigger limitations on the amount of net operating loss carryforwards that we may utilize for income taxpurposes; and·other factors and risks described under “Risk Factors” herein and in any of our subsequent reports that we file with the Securities and ExchangeCommission (the “Commission” or “SEC”) under the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance or results and should not be relied upon as representing management’s views as of any subsequentdate. A forward-looking statement may include a statement of the assumptions or bases underlying the forward-looking statement. We believe we have chosenthese assumptions or bases in good faith and that they are reasonable. We caution you, however, that assumptions or bases almost always vary from actual results,and the differences between assumptions or bases and actual results can be material. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind therisk factors and other cautionary statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. These statements speak only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K(or an earlier date to the extent applicable). Except as required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly these statements in light of newinformation or future events. 4 PART I Item 1. – Business Overview Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc. (“Southern National”, “SNBV”, “we” or “our”) is the bank holding company for Sonabank (“Sonabank” or the“Bank”) a Virginia state chartered bank which commenced operations on April 14, 2005. Sonabank provides a range of financial services to individuals and smalland medium sized businesses. Sonabank has fifteen branches in Virginia, located in Fairfax County (Reston, McLean and Fairfax), in Charlottesville, Warrenton(2), Middleburg, Leesburg (2), South Riding, Front Royal, New Market, Haymarket, Richmond and Clifton Forge, and eight branches in Maryland, in Rockville,Shady Grove, Frederick, Bethesda, Upper Marlboro, Brandywine, Owings and Huntingtown. As of December 31, 2015, we reported, on a consolidated basis, totalassets of $1.0 billion, total loans, net of deferred fees, of $829.4 million, total deposits of $825.3 million and shareholders’ equity of $119.6 million. While we offer a wide range of commercial banking services, we focus on making loans secured primarily by commercial real estate and other types of securedand unsecured commercial loans to small and medium-sized businesses in a number of industries, as well as loans to individuals for a variety of purposes. We are aleading Small Business Administration (SBA) lender among Virginia community banks. We also invest in real estate-related securities, including collateralizedmortgage obligations and agency mortgage backed securities. Our principal sources of funds for loans and investing in securities are deposits and, to a lesserextent, borrowings. We offer a broad range of deposit products, including checking (NOW), savings, money market accounts and certificates of deposit. Weactively pursue business relationships by utilizing the business contacts of our senior management, other bank officers and our directors, thereby capitalizing onour knowledge of our local market areas . Effective December 4, 2009, Sonabank assumed certain deposits and liabilities and acquired certain assets of Greater Atlantic Bank from the FDIC, as receiver forGreater Atlantic Bank, pursuant to the terms of a purchase and assumption agreement entered into by the Bank and the FDIC on December 4, 2009 (the“Agreement”). On December 5, 2009, the former Greater Atlantic Bank offices, located in Reston, New Market, Front Royal and South Riding, Virginia andRockville, Maryland opened as Sonabank branches. Covered loan losses are reimbursed in accordance with the FDIC loss sharing agreements. There are two agreements with the FDIC, one for single family assetswhich is a 10 year agreement expiring in December 2019, and one for non-single family (commercial) assets which was a 5 year agreement that expired inDecember 2014. Our FDIC indemnification asset, the estimate of the expected loss amounts to be reimbursed by the FDIC has a current carrying value of $2.9million and an estimated fair value of $745 thousand reflecting an overstated FDIC indemnification asset. This current overstatement, which is due toimprovements in the loss estimates in the single family covered loans, is being amortized down in accordance with accounting rules over the life of the contract (10years for single family covered assets) or the life of the loans, whichever is shorter. On October 1, 2011, we completed the acquisition of the Midlothian branch of the Bank of Hampton Roads in Richmond, Virginia. We assumed deposits in theamount of $42.2 million. Effective April 27, 2012, Sonabank assumed substantially all of the deposits and liabilities and acquired substantially all of the assets of the HarVest Bank ofMaryland from the FDIC as receiver. The acquisition included HarVest Bank’s branches in Bethesda, North Rockville, Germantown and Frederick, Maryland.Adding these new branches to our existing branch in Rockville brought Sonabank’s total number of branches in Maryland to five, four of which are inMontgomery County. This was a strategic acquisition for Sonabank in order to expand into an affluent market. 5 The merger with Prince George’s Federal Savings Bank (PGFSB) was completed on August 1, 2014. Southern National acquired PGFSB in a cash and stocktransaction. PGFSB was founded in 1931 and is headquartered in Upper Marlboro, which is the County Seat of Prince George’s County, Maryland. PGFSB hasfour offices, all of which are in Maryland, including a main office in Upper Marlboro and three branch offices in Dunkirk, Brandywine and Huntingtown. PGFSBhas an excellent core deposit base reflecting its tenure in the communities it serves, and its lending activities have historically been focused on residentialmortgages. Full details on each of these acquisitions are contained in Form 8-Ks or 8-K/As filed with the SEC on December 10, 2009, October 4, 2011, July 13, 2012, andAugust 5, 2014, respectively. On May 15, 2014, Southern National Bancorp of Virginia Inc., Jerry Flowers of Southern Trust Mortgage (STM), and Eastern Virginia Bankshares (EVB), theholding company for EVB, completed the purchase of 62 percent of STM previously owned by Middleburg Bank. Jerry Flowers and other STM executives nowown 51.1 percent of STM, Sonabank owns 44 percent and EVB owns 4.9 percent. Sonabank’s equity method investment in STM totaled $3.2 million. Sonabank also acquired 1.8 million shares of preferred stock in the amount of $1.8 million inSTM with an annual dividend yield of 7.5%. In June 2015, Sonabank acquired additional shares of preferred stock in the amount of $750 thousand. We primarily market our products and services to small and medium-sized businesses and to retail consumers. Our strategy is to provide superior service throughour employees, who are relationship-oriented and committed to their respective customers. Through this strategy, we intend to grow our business, expand ourcustomer base and improve our profitability. The key elements of our strategy are to: ·Utilize the Strength of our Management Team . The experience and market knowledge of our management team is one of our greatest strengthsand competitive advantages. Our chairman, Georgia S. Derrico, was the founder, chairman of the board and chief executive officer, and ourpresident, R. Roderick Porter, was the president and chief operating officer, of Southern Financial Bancorp, Inc., a publicly traded bank holdingcompany. At the time of its sale to Provident Bankshares, Inc. in April of 2004, Southern Financial had $1.5 billion in assets and operated 34full-service banking offices of Southern Financial Bank, which was founded in Fairfax County and subsequently expanded into Central andSouthern Virginia. Including the members of our current senior management team, 35 of our employees previously worked with our chairmanand president at Southern Financial Bank.·Leverage Our Existing Foundation for Additional Growth. Based on our management’s depth of experience and certain infrastructureinvestments, we believe that we will be able to take advantage of certain economies of scale typically enjoyed by larger organizations to expandour operations both organically and through strategic cost-effective branch or bank acquisitions. We believe that the investments we have madein our data processing, risk management infrastructure, staff and branch network will be able to support a much larger asset base. We arecommitted, however, to control any additional growth in a manner designed to minimize the risk and to maintain strong capital ratios. 6 ·Continue to Pursue Selective Acquisition Opportunities . Historically, acquisitions have been a key part of our growth. Since our formation, wehave completed the acquisition of PGFSB, the acquisition of HarVest Bank of Maryland on April 27, 2012, the acquisition of the Midlothianbranch in Richmond, Virginia on October 1, 2011, the acquisition and assumption of certain assets and liabilities of Greater Atlantic Bank fromthe FDIC on December 4, 2009, the acquisition of a branch of Millennium Bank in Warrenton, Virginia on September 28, 2009, the acquisitionof the Leesburg branch location from Founders Corporation which opened on February 11, 2008, the acquisition of 1 st Service Bank inDecember of 2006 and the acquisition of the Clifton Forge branch of First Community Bancorp, Inc. in December of 2005. We intend tocontinue to review branch and whole bank acquisition opportunities, including possible acquisitions of failed financial institutions in FDIC -assisted transactions, and will pursue these opportunities if they represent the most efficient use of our capital under the circumstances. Webelieve that we have demonstrated the skill sets and experience necessary to acquire and integrate successfully both bank and branchacquisitions, and that with our strong capital position, we are well-positioned to take advantage of acquisition opportunities as they may arise.We intend to focus on targets in our market areas or other attractive areas with significant core deposits and/or a potential customer basecompatible with our growth strategy.·De novo Branch Expansion . In addition to our acquisition strategy, we plan to open de novo branches from time to time to fill in our existingfootprint as we did in Middleburg in 2011 and Haymarket in 2012.·Focus on the Business Owner . It is our goal to be the bank that business owners in our markets turn to first for commercial banking needs as aresult of our superior personal service and the tailored products and services that we provide. To help achieve this goal, we:§have a standing credit committee that meets as often as necessary on a “when needed” basis to review completed loan applications,making extensive use of technology to facilitate our internal communications and thereby enabling us to respond to our customerspromptly;§are an SBA approved “Preferred” lender, which permits us to make SBA loan decisions at Sonabank rather than waiting for SBAprocessing. We offer a number of different types of SBA loans designed for the small and medium-sized business owner and many ofour SBA loan customers also have other relationships with Sonabank. This product group is complex and “paper intensive” and notwell utilized by some of our competitors;§provide Internet business banking at www.sonabank.com which allows our business customers 24-hour web-based access to theiraccounts so they can confirm or transfer balances, pay bills, download statements and use our “Web Lockbox” or “Sona CashManager;”§provide our business customers with “Sona In-House,” a service that utilizes Check 21 technology to allow customers to make remotedeposits from their business locations and gives them access to those funds within 24 to 48 hours; and§provide our business customers with access to SABL, our state-of-the-art asset-based lending system. Unlike most asset-based lendingsystems, which are based on manual processes or software that certifies a company’s borrowing base periodically, SABL provides areal time capability to analyze and adjust borrowing availability based on actual collateral levels. SABL is predicated on a link betweenany kind of accounting software used by the customer and Sonabank’s server.·Maintain Local Decision-Making and Accountability . We believe that we have a competitive advantage over larger national and regionalfinancial institutions by providing superior customer service with experienced, knowledgeable management, localized decision-makingcapabilities and prompt credit decisions. We believe that our customers want to deal directly with the persons who make the credit decisions. 7 ·Focus on Asset Quality and Strong Underwriting . We consider asset quality to be of primary importance and have taken measures in an effort toensure that, despite the growth in our loan portfolio, we maintain strong asset quality through strong underwriting standards.·Build a Stable Core Deposit Base . We intend to continue to grow a stable core deposit base of business and retail customers. To the extent thatour asset growth outpaces this local deposit funding source, we plan to continue to borrow and raise deposits in the national market using depositintermediaries. We intend to continue our practice of developing a deposit relationship with each of our loan customers. General Our principal business is the acquisition of deposits from the general public through our branch offices and deposit intermediaries and the use of these deposits tofund our loan and investment portfolios. We seek to be a full service community bank that provides a wide variety of financial services to our middle marketcorporate clients as well as to our retail clients. We are an active commercial lender, have been designated as a “Preferred SBA Lender” and participate in theVirginia Small Business Financing Authority lending program. In addition, we are an active commercial real estate lender. We also invest funds in mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, securities issued by agencies of the federal government, obligations of states and political subdivisions andpooled trust preferred securities. The principal sources of funds for our lending and investment activities are deposits, repayment of loans, prepayments from mortgage-backed securities,repayments of maturing investment securities, Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowed money. Principal sources of revenue are interest and fees on loans and investment securities, as well as fee income derived from the maintenance of deposit accounts andincome from bank-owned life insurance policies. Our principal expenses include interest paid on deposits and advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank ofAtlanta (“FHLB”) and other borrowings, and operating expenses. Available Information Southern National files annual, quarterly and other reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with the SEC. These reports are posted and areavailable at no cost on our website, www.sonabank.com , through the Investor Relations link, as soon as reasonably practicable after we file such documents withthe SEC. Our filings are also available through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Lending Activities Our primary strategic objective is to serve small to medium-sized businesses in our market with a variety of unique and useful services, including a full array ofcommercial mortgage and non-mortgage loans. These loans include commercial real estate loans, construction to permanent loans, development and builder loans,accounts receivable financing, lines of credit, equipment and vehicle loans, leasing, and commercial overdraft protection. We strive to do business in the areasserved by our branches, which is also where our marketing is focused, and the vast majority of our loan customers are located in existing market areas. Virtually allof our loans are with borrowers in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, or Washington D.C. The Small Business Administration may from time to time come to usbecause of our reputation and expertise as an SBA lender and ask us to review a loan outside of our core counties but within our market area. Prior to making aloan, we obtain loan applications to determine a borrower’s ability to repay, and the more significant items on these applications are verified through the use ofcredit reports, financial statements and confirmations. 8 The following is a discussion of each of the major types of lending. For more information on our lending activities, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion andAnalysis of Financial Condition.” Commercial Real Estate Lending Permanent. Commercial real estate lending includes loans for permanent financing. Commercial real estate lending typically involves higher loan principalamounts and the repayment of loans is dependent, in large part, on sufficient income from the properties securing the loans to cover operating expenses and debtservice. As a general practice, we require our commercial real estate loans to be secured by well-managed income producing properties with adequate margins andto be guaranteed by responsible parties. We look for opportunities where cash flow from the collateral properties provides adequate debt service coverage and theguarantor’s net worth is strong. At December 31, 2015, our commercial real estate loans for permanent financing including multi-family residential loans and loanssecured by farmland totaled $424.1 million, of which $12.9 million was acquired in the HarVest transaction, $5.3 million was acquired in the Greater Atlantictransaction, and $3.2 million was acquired in the PGFSB transaction. Owner occupied commercial real estate loans totaled $141.5 million. Our underwriting guidelines for commercial real estate loans reflect all relevant credit factors, including, among other things, the income generated from theunderlying property to adequately service the debt, the availability of secondary sources of repayment and the overall creditworthiness of the borrower. In addition,we look to the value of the collateral, while maintaining the level of equity invested by the borrower. All valuations on property which will secure loans over $250 thousand are performed by independent outside appraisers who are reviewed by our executive vicepresident of risk management and/or our appraisal reviewer. We retain a valid lien on real estate and obtain a title insurance policy (on first trust loans only) thatinsures the property is free of encumbrances. In addition, we do title searches on all loans secured by real estate. Construction. We recognize that construction loans for commercial, multifamily and other non-residential properties can involve risk due to the length of time itmay take to bring a finished real estate product to market. As a result, we will only make these types of loans when pre-leasing or pre-sales or other credit factorssuggest that the borrower can carry the debt if the anticipated market and property cash flow projections change during the construction phase. Income producing property loans are supported by evidence of the borrower’s capacity to service the debt. All of our commercial construction loans are guaranteedby the principals or general partners. At December 31, 2015, we had $67.8 million of construction, land and development loans, of which $3.7 million wasacquired in the HarVest transaction and $1.3 million was acquired in the PGFSB transaction. Construction loan borrowers are generally pre-qualified for the permanent loan by us or a third party. We obtain a copy of the contract with the general contractorwho must be acceptable to us. All plans, specifications and surveys must include proposed improvements. We review feasibility studies and risk analyses showingsensitivity of the project to variables such as interest rates, vacancy rates, lease rates and operating expenses. 9 Commercial Business Lending These loans consist of lines of credit, revolving credit facilities, demand loans, term loans, equipment loans, SBA loans, stand-by letters of credit and unsecuredloans. Commercial business loans are generally secured by accounts receivable, equipment, inventory and other collateral, such as readily marketable stocks andbonds with adequate margins, cash value in life insurance policies and savings and time deposits at Sonabank. At December 31, 2015, our commercial businessloans totaled $125.0 million, of which $2.7 million was acquired in the HarVest transaction, $511 thousand was acquired in the Greater Atlantic transaction and$174 thousand was acquired in the PGFSB transaction. In general, commercial business loans involve more credit risk than residential mortgage loans and real estate-backed commercial loans and, therefore, usuallyyield a higher return to us. The increased risk for commercial business loans is due to the type of collateral securing these loans. The increased risk also derivesfrom the expectation that commercial loans will be serviced principally from the operations of the business, and that those operations may not be successful.Historical trends have shown that these types of loans do have higher delinquencies than mortgage loans. Because of this, we often utilize the SBA 7(a) program(which guarantees the repayment of up to 90% of the principal and accrued interest to us) to reduce the inherent risk associated with commercial business lending. Another way that we reduce risk in the commercial loan portfolio is by taking accounts receivable as collateral using our SABL system. Our accounts receivablefinancing facilities, which provide a relatively high yield with considerable collateral control, are lines of credit under which a company can borrow up to theamount of a borrowing base which covers a certain percentage of the company’s receivables. From our customer’s point of view, accounts receivable financing isan efficient way to finance expanding operations because borrowing capacity expands as sales increase. Customers can borrow from 75% to 90% of qualifiedreceivables. In most cases, the borrower’s customers pay us directly. For borrowers with a good track record for earnings and quality receivables, we will considerpricing based on an increment above the prime rate for transactions in which we lend up to a percentage of qualified outstanding receivables based on reportedaging of the receivables portfolio. We also actively pursue for our customers equipment lease financing opportunities. We provide financing and use a third party to service the leases. Payment isderived from the cash flow of the borrower, so credit quality may not be any lower than it would be in the case of an unsecured loan for a similar amount and term. SBA Lending We have developed an expertise in the federally guaranteed SBA program. The SBA program is an economic development program which finances the expansionof small businesses. We are a Preferred Lender in the Washington D.C. and Richmond Districts of the SBA. As an SBA Preferred Lender, our pre-approved statusallows us to quickly respond to customers’ needs. Under the SBA program, we originate and fund SBA 7(a) loans which qualify for guarantees up to 90% ofprincipal and accrued interest. We also originate 504 chapter loans in which we generally provide 50% of the financing, taking a first lien on the real property ascollateral. We provide SBA loans to potential borrowers who are proposing a business venture, often with existing cash flow and a reasonable chance of success. We do nottreat the SBA guarantee as a substitute for a borrower meeting our credit standards, and, except for minimum capital levels or maximum loan terms, the borrowermust meet our other credit standards as applicable to loans outside the SBA process. 10 Residential Mortgage Lending Permanent. Our business model generally does not include originating permanent residential mortgage loans. We do it only on a case-by-case basis. In the case ofconventional loans, we typically lend up to 80% of the appraised value of single-family residences and require mortgage insurance for loans exceeding thatamount. We have no sub-prime loans. On May 15, 2014, we purchased a 44% equity investment and preferred stock of STM, a regional mortgage banking company headquartered in Virginia Beach.STM has mortgage banking originators in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and South Carolina. Southern Trust Mortgage only originates retail mortgageproduction. Sonabank has established with STM underwriting guidelines under which it will purchase residential construction only, construction loans that convert topermanent, and permanent loans primarily in its Virginia and Maryland footprint from STM. These will be largely loans that do not conform to FNMA or FHLMCstandards because of size or acreage. We purchased loans in an aggregate amount of $51.4 million during 2015, $4.8 million of which were construction orconstruction permanent loans. We retain a valid lien on real estate and obtain a title insurance policy that ensures that the property is free of encumbrances. We also require hazard insurance andflood insurance for all loans secured by real property if the real property is in a flood plain as designated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.We also require most borrowers to advance funds on a monthly basis from which we make disbursements for items such as real estate taxes, private mortgageinsurance and hazard insurance. Home Equity Lines of Credit. Sonabank rarely originates home equity lines of credit. At December 31, 2015, we had outstanding balances totaling $35.2 million,of which $21.4 million were acquired in the Greater Atlantic transaction, $578 thousand were acquired in the HarVest transaction and $3.0 million were acquiredin the PGFSB transaction. Consumer Lending To a limited extent, we offer various types of secured and unsecured consumer loans. We make consumer loans primarily for personal, family or householdpurposes as a convenience to our customer base since these loans are not the focus of our lending activities. As a general guideline, a consumer’s debt serviceshould not exceed 40% of his gross income or 45% of net income. For purposes of this calculation, debt includes house payment or rent, fixed installmentpayments, the estimated payment for the loan being requested and the minimum required payment on any revolving debt. At December 31, 2015, we had $1.4million of consumer loans outstanding. Credit Approval and Collection Policies Because future loan losses are so closely intertwined with our underwriting policy, we have instituted what management believes is a stringent loan underwritingpolicy. Our underwriting guidelines are tailored for particular credit types, including lines of credit, revolving credit facilities, demand loans, term loans, equipmentloans, real estate loans, SBA loans, stand-by letters of credit and unsecured loans. We will make extensions of credit based, among other factors, on the potentialborrower’s creditworthiness, likelihood of repayment and proximity to market areas served. 11 We have a standing Credit Committee comprised of certain officers, each of whom has a defined lending authority in combination with other officers. Theseindividual lending authorities are determined by our Chief Executive Officer and certain directors and are based on the individual’s technical ability andexperience. These authorities must be approved by our board of directors and our Credit Committee. Our Credit Committee is comprised of four levels ofmembers: junior, regular, senior, and executive, based on experience. Our executive members are Ms. Derrico and Messrs. Porter and Baker. Mr. Stevens, ChiefRisk Officer, must approve risk ratings for loans over $1.5 million, as well as exceptions to the Credit Policy. Loans over a certain size must be approved by thefull Board of Directors or the Credit Committee plus two outside directors. Under our loan approval process, the sponsoring loan officer’s approval is required onall credit submissions. This approval must be included in or added to the individual and joining authorities outlined below. The sponsoring loan officer is primarilyresponsible for the customer’s relationship with us, including, among other things, obtaining and maintaining adequate credit file information. We require eachloan officer to maintain loan files in an order and detail that would enable a disinterested third party to review the file and determine the current status and qualityof the credit. In addition to the approval of the sponsoring loan officer, we require approvals from one or more members of the Credit Committee on all loans. The approvalsrequired differ based on the size of the borrowing relationship. At least one senior or one executive member must approve all loans in the amount of $100,000 ormore. All three of the executive members of the committee must approve all loans of $1 million or more. Regardless of the number of approvals needed, weencourage each member not to rely on another member’s approval as a basis for approval and to treat his approval as if it were the only approval necessary toapprove the loan. Our legal lending limit to one borrower is limited to 15% of our unimpaired capital and surplus. As of December 31, 2015, our legal lending limitwas approximately $17.5 million. Our largest group credit as of December 31, 2015, was approximately $17.2 million. The following collection actions are the minimal procedures which management believes are necessary to properly monitor past due loans and leases. When aborrower fails to make a payment, we contact the borrower in person, in writing or on the telephone. At a minimum, all borrowers are notified by mail whenpayments of principal and/or interest are 10 days past due. Real estate and commercial loan borrowers are assessed a late charge when payments are 10-15 dayspast due. Customers are contacted by a loan officer before the loan becomes 60 days delinquent. After 90 days, if the loan has not been brought current or anacceptable arrangement is not worked out with the borrower, we will institute measures to remedy the default, including commencing foreclosure action withrespect to mortgage loans and repossessions of collateral in the case of consumer loans. If foreclosure is effected, the property is sold at a public auction in which we may participate as a bidder. If we are the successful bidder, we include the acquiredreal estate property in our real estate owned account until it is sold. These assets are initially recorded at fair value net of estimated selling costs. To the extent thereis a subsequent decline in fair value, that amount is charged to operating expense. At December 31, 2015, we had other real estate owned totaling $10.4 million, ofwhich $581 thousand, net of discount, resulted from foreclosures on loans that were acquired in the Greater Atlantic transaction. Special Products and Services To complement our array of loans, we also provide the following special products and services to our commercial customers: 12 Cash Management Services Cash Management services are offered that enable the Bank’s business customers to maximize the efficiency of their cash management. Specific products offeredin our cash management services program include the following: •Investment/sweep accounts•Wire Transfer services•Employer Services/Payroll processing services•Zero balance accounts•Night depository services•Lockbox services•Depository transfers•Merchant services (third party)•ACH originations•Business debit cards•Controlled disbursement accounts•SONA 24/7 (Check 21 processing)•Sonabank asset based lending (SABL)•Mobiliti, a mobile banking application for personal and business accounts Some of the products listed above are described in-depth below. • SONA 24/7/Check 21: SONA 24/7 is ideal for landlords, property managers, medical professionals, and any other businesses that accept checks. Now thecustomers of Sonabank can have total control over how, when, and where their checks will be deposited. SONA 24/7 uses the Check Truncation technologyoutlined by the “Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act”, passed in October 2004 (Check 21). With Check Truncation, paper checks can now be converted toelectronic images and processed between participating banks, vastly speeding up the check clearing process. SONA In-House passes on the benefits of CheckTruncation directly to Sonabank’s business customers. • Lockbox Services: Sonabank will open a lockbox, retrieve and scan incoming checks, and deposit them directly into the customer’s account. The images ofthe checks will then be available to view online. This makes bookkeeping for the customer fast and easy, and because Sonabank is checking the lockbox daily,funds will often be available sooner. Big businesses have been using lockboxes for decades as a cash management tool. Sonabank makes this service cost effectivefor all small and medium sized businesses as well. • Employer Services: Sonabank will provide its business clients with software that allows them to generate ACH payroll transactions to their employees’accounts. • SABL: Asset Based Lending is a form of “collateral-based” lending. It is a combination of secured lending and short-term business lending. It is aspecialized form of financing that allows a bank’s commercial customers to pledge their working assets, typically accounts receivable and, to a lesser extent,inventory, as collateral to secure financing. Asset Based Lending borrowers are typically in the service, manufacturing or distribution fields. SABL is an Asset Based Lending software system built by Sonabank that allows the bank to monitor the collateral of its commercial borrowers who have pledgedtheir working assets (accounts receivables and other qualifying assets such as inventory) as collateral. SABL has the ability to track other offsets (liabilities, e.g.other loans the customer has with the bank) to the line of credit. SABL serves to provide the more stringent controls and supervision that this type of lendingrequires. 13 One control that is typical of Asset Based Lending is that the commercial borrower is required to have its customers remit invoice payments to a bank controlledlockbox. The bank retrieves these payments and the bank applies them directly to any outstanding balance on the line. SABL allows for this and can combine thatservice with remote capture (Check 21) if warranted. Most Asset Based Lending systems are manual processes or software that certifies the borrowing base periodically. These certifications are usually provided in theform of manually created borrowing bases backed up with field exams. SABL provides a real time capability to analyze and adjust borrowing availability based onthe levels of collateral at the moment. SABL also offers an automated collateral upload, taking receivable information directly from the clients accounting system. SABL also offers discretionaryborrowings and pay offs, allowing clients to borrow on or pay down their line at their discretion, as long as they are compliant with the SABL system. Lastly,SABL offers superior reporting, offering reports to bank officers that provide all the information they need to monitor risk. Customized reports can also be built forclients. • Mobiliti: Sona Mobile is perfect for customers on the go, as it is available on a large variety of devices and networks. Sona Mobile offers easy access toaccount balances, transactions and internal transfers. Mobile Deposit will allow customers to save time by eliminating the need to visit a branch. The customer candeposit a check through Sona Mobile by using their certified device (up to $2,000). Sona Business Mobile can help business customers manage their finances faster than ever. Customers have access to their information via a wide range of devicesand networks. The shared user credentials and security settings between online and mobile banking make access more efficient for the business customer. SonaBusiness Mobile offers standard online banking features, along with enhanced features such as ACH & Wire transfer processing, including granting approvals tousers to complete those processes. Mobile deposit is a time saving tool that will allow business customers to deposit checks through Sona Business Mobile fromtheir certified device (up to $5,000). • Other Consumer/Retail Products and Services. Other products and services that are offered by the Bank are primarily directed toward the individualcustomer and include the following: ·Debit cards·ATM services·Travelers Checks·Notary service in some branches·Wire transfers·Online banking with bill payment services·Credit Cards Competition The banking business is highly competitive, and our profitability depends principally on our ability to compete in the market areas in which our banking operationsare located. We experience substantial competition in attracting and retaining savings deposits and in lending funds. The primary factors we encounter incompeting for savings deposits are convenient office locations and rates offered. Direct competition for savings deposits comes from other commercial bank andthrift institutions, money market mutual funds and corporate and government securities which may offer more attractive rates than insured depository institutionsare willing to pay. The primary factors we encounter in competing for loans include, among others, interest rate and loan origination fees and the range of servicesoffered. Competition for origination of loans normally comes from other commercial banks, thrift institutions, mortgage bankers, mortgage brokers and insurancecompanies. We have been able to compete effectively with other financial institutions by: 14 •emphasizing customer service and technology;•establishing long-term customer relationships and building customer loyalty; and•providing products and services designed to address the specific needs of our customers. Employees At December 31, 2015, we had 181 full-time equivalent employees, five of whom were executive officers. Management considers its relations with its employeesto be good. Neither we nor Sonabank are a party to any collective bargaining agreement. 15 SUPERVISION AND REGULATION The business of Southern National and the Bank are subject to extensive regulation and supervision under federal and state banking laws and other federal and statelaws and regulations, including primary oversight by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and secondary oversight by the Bureau of FinancialInstitutions, a regulatory division of the Virginia State Corporation Commission (“VBFI”) , and possibly other authorities. In general, these laws and regulationsare intended for the protection of the customers and depositors of the Bank and not for the protection of Southern National or its shareholders. Set forth below arebrief descriptions of selected laws and regulations applicable to Southern National and the Bank. These descriptions are not intended to be a comprehensivedescription of all laws and regulations to which Southern National and the Bank are subject or to be complete descriptions of the laws and regulations discussed.The descriptions of statutory and regulatory provisions are qualified in their entirety by reference to the particular statutes and regulations. The earnings of the Bank and therefore of Southern National are affected by general economic conditions, changes in federal and state laws and regulations andactions of various regulatory authorities, including those referenced above. Additional changes to the laws and regulations applicable to us are frequently proposedat both the federal and state levels. The regulatory framework under which we operate has and will continue to change substantially over the next several years asthe result of the enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act. The Dodd-Frank Act represents a significant overhaul of many aspects of the regulation of the financial servicesindustry, addressing, among other things, systemic risk, capital adequacy, deposit insurance assessments, consumer financial protection, interchange fees,derivatives, lending limits, mortgage lending practices, registration of investment advisors and changes among the bank regulatory agencies. Changes in applicablestatutes, regulations or regulatory policy may have a material effect on Southern National, the Bank and their business. Federal Reserve Board Oversight, including the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. Under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended(“BHCA”), we are subject to periodic examination by the Federal Reserve Board (“FRB”) and required to file periodic reports regarding our operations and anyadditional information that the FRB may require. Our activities at the bank holding company level are limited to: •banking, managing or controlling banks;•furnishing services to or performing services for our bank subsidiary; and•engaging in other activities that the FRB has determined by regulation or order to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident to theseactivities. Some of the activities that the FRB has determined by regulation to be proper incidents to the business of a bank holding company include making or servicingloans and specific types of leases, performing specific data processing services and acting in some circumstances as a fiduciary or investment or financial adviser.Southern National does not currently plan to perform any of these activities, but may do so in the future. With some limited exceptions, the BHCA requires every bank holding company to obtain the prior approval of the FRB before: (i) acquiring substantially all theassets of any bank; (ii) acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of any voting shares of any bank if after such acquisition it would own or control more than5% of the voting shares of such bank (unless it already owns or controls the majority of such shares); or (iii) merging or consolidating with another bank holdingcompany. In approving bank acquisitions by bank holding companies, the FRB is required to consider, among other things, the financial and managerial resourcesand future prospects of the bank holding company and the banks concerned, the convenience and needs of the communities to be served, and various competitivefactors. 16 In addition, and subject to some exceptions, the BHCA and the Change in Bank Control Act, together with their regulations, require FRB approval prior to anyperson or company acquiring “control” of a bank holding company. Control is conclusively presumed to exist if an individual or company acquires 25% (5% in thecase of an acquirer that is a bank holding company) or more of any class of voting securities of the bank holding company. Control is rebuttably presumed to existif a person acquires 10% or more, of any class of voting securities and either has registered securities under Section 12 of the Exchange Act or no other personowns a greater percentage of that class of voting securities immediately after the transaction. The regulations provide a procedure for challenging this rebuttablecontrol presumption. On September 22, 2008, the FRB issued a policy statement on equity investments in bank holding companies and banks, which allows theFRB to generally be able to conclude that an entity's investment is not “controlling” if the entity does not own in excess of 15% of the voting power and 33% of thetotal equity of the bank holding company or bank. Depending on the nature of the overall investment and the capital structure of the banking organization, based onthe policy statement, the FRB will permit noncontrolling investments in the form of voting and nonvoting shares that represent in the aggregate (i) less than one-third of the total equity of the banking organization (and less than one-third of any class of voting securities, assuming conversion of all convertible nonvotingsecurities held by the entity) and (ii) less than 15% of any class of voting securities of the banking organization. In November 1999, Congress enacted the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (“GLBA”), which made substantial revisions to the statutory restrictions separating bankingactivities from other financial activities. Under the GLBA, bank holding companies that are well-capitalized under the prompt-corrective-action provisions of theFederal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”) and well-managed under applicable FRB regulations and meet other conditions canelect to become “financial holding companies” and engage in certain activities that are not permissible for a bank holding company. As financial holdingcompanies, they and their subsidiaries are permitted to acquire or engage in previously impermissible activities such as insurance underwriting, securitiesunderwriting and distribution, travel agency activities, insurance agency activities, merchant banking and other activities that the FRB determines to be financial innature or complementary to these activities. Although Southern National has not elected to become a financial holding company in order to exercise the broaderactivity powers provided by the GLBA, we may elect to do so in the future. In addition, as a member of the Federal Reserve System, the Bank is also subject to primary federal oversight by the FRB, as well as secondary oversight by theVBFI and the Bureau. Notably, the discussions below are relevant to both Southern National and the Bank. Bank Permitted Activities and Investments . The activities and investments of state member banks are generally limited to those permissible under applicablestate law. In addition, under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“FDIA”), a state member bank may not engage in any activity that is not permissible for a nationalbank unless the appropriate bank regulator determines that the activity does not pose a significant risk to the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) and that the bankmeets its minimum capital requirements. Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. In July 2010, Congress enacted the Dodd-Frank Act regulatory reform legislation, which thePresident signed into law on July 21, 2010. The Dodd-Frank Act broadly affects the financial services industry by implementing changes to the financial regulatorylandscape aimed at strengthening the sound operation of the financial services sector, including provisions that, among other things: ·Created a new regulatory authority, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “Bureau”), responsible for implementing, examining andenforcing compliance with federal consumer financial laws; 17 ·Established new regulatory capital requirements, including changes to leverage and risk-based capital standards and changes to the components ofpermissible tiered capital; ·Broadened the base for FDIC insurance assessments from the amount of insured deposits to average total consolidated assets less average tangibleequity during the assessment period; ·Permanently increased FDIC deposit insurance to $250,000; ·Permitted banks to engage in de novo interstate branching if the laws of the state where the new branch is to be established would permit theestablishment of the branch if it were chartered by such state; ·Repealed the federal prohibitions on the payment of interest on demand deposits, thereby permitting depository institutions to pay interest onbusiness transaction and other accounts; ·Required financial holding companies to be well capitalized and well managed as of July 21, 2011. Bank holding companies and banks must also beboth well capitalized and well managed in order to acquire banks located outside their home state; ·Eliminated the ceiling on the size of the DIF and increased the floor of the size of the DIF; ·Added new limitations on federal preemption; ·Imposed new prohibitions and restrictions on the ability of a banking entity to engage in proprietary trading for its own account and have certaininterests in, or relationships with, certain unregistered hedge funds, private equity funds and commodity pools (together, “covered funds”); ·Required that sponsors of asset-backed securities retain a percentage of the credit risk underlying the securities; ·Required banking regulators to remove references to and requirements of reliance upon credit ratings from their regulations and replace them withappropriate alternatives for evaluating creditworthiness; ·Implemented corporate governance revisions, including with regard to executive compensation and proxy access by shareholders, that apply to allpublic companies, not just financial institutions; ·Amended the Electronic Fund Transfer Act which, among other things, gave the FRB the authority to establish rules regarding interchange feescharged for electronic debit transactions by payment card issuers having assets over $10 billion and to enforce a new statutory requirement that suchfees be reasonable and proportional to the actual cost of a transaction to the issuer; and ·Increased the authority of the FRB to examine us and our non-bank subsidiaries. As stated above, the Dodd-Frank Act created the Bureau, a new federal regulatory body with broad authority to regulate the offering and provision of consumerfinancial products. The authority of the Bureau to supervise and examine depository institutions with $10 billion or less in assets for compliance with federalconsumer laws remains largely with those institutions’ primary regulators. However, the Bureau may participate in examinations of institutions with $10 billion orless in assets on a “sampling basis” and may refer potential enforcement actions against such institutions to their primary regulators. Accordingly, the Bureau mayparticipate in examinations of the Bank, and could supervise and examine other direct or indirect subsidiaries of Southern National that offer consumer financialproducts. 18 Some of these and other major changes could materially impact the profitability of our business, the value of assets we hold or the collateral available for our loans,require changes to business practices, or force us to discontinue businesses and expose us to additional costs, taxes, liabilities, enforcement actions and reputationalrisk. While many of the requirements called for in the Dodd-Frank Act have been implemented, others will continue to be implemented over time. In light of thesesignificant changes and the discretion afforded to federal regulators, we cannot fully predict the effect that compliance with the Dodd-Frank Act or anyimplementing regulations will have on our businesses or ability to pursue future business opportunities. Additional regulations resulting from the Dodd-Frank Actmay materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. Deposit Insurance. Substantially all of the deposits of the Bank are insured up to applicable limits by the DIF of the FDIC and the Bank must pay depositinsurance assessments to the FDIC for such deposit insurance protection. The FDIC maintains the DIF by designating a required reserve ratio. If the reserve ratiofalls below the designated level, the FDIC must adopt a restoration plan that provides that the DIF will return to an acceptable level generally within 5 years. TheDIF reserve ratio is maintained by assessing depository institutions an insurance premium based upon statutory factors, including the degree of risk the institutionposes to the DIF. The Dodd-Frank Act amended the statutory regime governing the DIF. Among other things, the Dodd-Frank Act established a minimum designated reserve ratio(“DRR”) of 1.35 percent of estimated insured deposits, required that the fund reserve ratio reach 1.35 percent by September 30, 2020 and directed the FDIC toamend its regulations to redefine the assessment base used for calculating deposit insurance assessments. Specifically, the Dodd-Frank Act requires the assessmentbase to be an amount equal to the average consolidated total assets of the insured depository institution during the assessment period, minus the sum of the averagetangible equity of the insured depository institution during the assessment period and an amount the FDIC determines is necessary to establish assessmentsconsistent with the risk-based assessment system found in the FDIA. On February 7, 2011, the FDIC approved a final rule that amended its existing DIF restoration plan and implemented certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act.This rule, which took effect April 1, 2011, changed the FDIC’s assessment system from one based on domestic deposits to one based on the average consolidatedtotal assets of a bank minus its average tangible equity during each quarter. Under the February 7, 2011 final rule, the total base assessment rates will varydepending on the DIF reserve ratio. For example, for banks in the best risk category, the total base assessment rate will be between 2.5 and 9 basis points when theDIF reserve ratio is below 1.15 percent, between 1.5 and 7 basis points when the DIF reserve ratio is between 1.15 percent and 2 percent, between 1 and 6 basispoints when the DIF reserve ratio is between 2 percent and 2.5 percent and between 0.5 and 5 basis points when the DIF reserve ratio is 2.5 percent or higher. Safety and Soundness . There are a number of obligations and restrictions imposed on bank holding companies and their depository institution subsidiaries byfederal law and regulatory policy that are designed to reduce potential loss exposure to the depositors of such depository institutions and to the DIF in the eventthat the depository institution is insolvent or is in danger of becoming insolvent. These obligations and restrictions are not for the benefit of investors. The FRB'sRegulation Y, for example, generally requires a holding company to give the FRB prior notice of any redemption or repurchase of its own equity securities, if theconsideration to be paid, together with the consideration paid for any repurchases or redemptions in the preceding year, is equal to 10% or more of the holdingcompany's consolidated net worth. The FRB may oppose the transaction if it believes that the transaction would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice or wouldviolate any law or regulation. Depending upon the circumstances, the FRB could take the position that paying a dividend would constitute an unsafe or unsoundbanking practice. 19 Regulators may pursue an administrative action against any bank holding company or state member bank which violates the law, engages in an unsafe or unsoundbanking practice or which is about to engage in an unsafe and unsound banking practice. The administrative action could take the form of a cease and desistproceeding, a removal action against the responsible individuals or, in the case of a violation of law or unsafe and unsound banking practice, a civil penalty action.A cease and desist order, in addition to prohibiting certain action, could also require that certain action be undertaken. Under the policies of the FRB, SouthernNational is required to serve as a source of financial strength to the Bank and to commit resources to support the Bank in circumstances where Southern Nationalmight not do so otherwise. Notably, the Dodd-Frank Act codified the FRB’s “source of strength” doctrine. In addition to the foregoing requirements, the Dodd-Frank Act’s new provisions authorize the FRB to require a company that directly or indirectly controls a bank to submit reports that are designed both to assess theability of such company to comply with its “source of strength” obligations and to enforce the company’s compliance with these obligations. The FRB and otherfederal banking regulators have not yet issued rules implementing this requirement, though it is understood that regulators are engaged in a joint effort to producethese rules. Capital Adequacy Requirements . The regulatory capital framework has recently changed as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act and a separate, international capitalinitiative known as “Basel III.” Regulators recently issued rules implementing these requirements (“Revised Capital Rules”). Among other things, the RevisedCapital Rules raise the minimum thresholds for required capital and revise certain aspects of the definitions and elements of the capital that can be used to satisfythese required minimum thresholds. While the rules became effective on January 1, 2014 for certain large banking organizations, most banking organizations,including Southern National and the Bank, were required to begin complying with these new requirements on January 1, 2015. The Revised Capital Rules, among other things, (i) introduce as a new capital measure called “Common Equity Tier 1” (“CET1”), (ii) specify that Tier 1 capitalconsists of CET1 and “Additional Tier 1 capital” instruments meeting specified requirements, (iii) define CET1 narrowly by requiring that most adjustments toregulatory capital measures be made to CET1 and not to the other components of capital and (iv) expand the scope of the adjustments as compared to existingregulations. Further, the Revised Capital Rules set forth the following minimum capital ratios, which began to phase in for certain banking organizations, includingSouthern National, on January 1, 2015: §4.5 percent CET1 to risk-weighted assets.§6.0 percent Tier 1 Capital to risk-weighted assets.§8.0 percent Total Capital to risk-weighted assets.§4.0 percent Tier 1 capital to average consolidated assets as reported on consolidated financial statements (known as the “leverage ratio”). The Revised Capital Rules also introduce a minimum “capital conservation buffer” equal to 2.5% of an organization’s total risk-weighted assets, which exists inaddition to the required minimum asset ratios identified above. The “capital conservation buffer” must consist entirely of CET1 and is designed to absorb lossesduring periods of economic stress. Thus, when fully phased in on January 1, 2019, the Revised Capital Rules will require us to maintain (i) a minimum ratio ofCET1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 4.5%, plus a 2.5% “capital conservation buffer” (resulting in an effective minimum ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assetsof at least 7%), (ii) a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 6.0%, plus the capital conservation buffer (resulting in an effectiveminimum Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.5%), (iii) a minimum ratio of total (that is, Tier 1 plus Tier 2) capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.0%, plus the capitalconservation buffer (resulting in an effective minimum total capital ratio of 10.5%) and (iv) a minimum leverage ratio of 4%, calculated as the ratio of Tier 1capital to average assets. 20 Under the Revised Capital Rules, for most banking organizations, the most common form of Additional Tier 1 capital will be non-cumulative perpetual preferredstock, and the most common form of Tier 2 capital will be subordinated notes and a portion of the allocation for loan losses, in each case, subject to certain specificrequirements set forth in the regulation. Under the capital standards that applied prior to January 1, 2015, the effects of accumulated other comprehensive incomeitems included in shareholders’ equity under U.S. GAAP are excluded for the purposes of determining capital ratios. Under the Revised Capital Rules, the effectsof certain accumulated other comprehensive items are not excluded. However, the Revised Capital Rules permit most banking organizations to make a one-timeelection to continue to exclude these items. This election must be made when we file the first of certain periodic regulatory reports after January 1, 2015. In addition, under the Revised Capital Rules, certain hybrid securities, such as trust preferred securities, generally do not qualify as Tier 1 capital. However forbank holding companies that had assets of less than $15 billion as of December 31, 2009, trust preferred securities issued prior to May 19, 2010 can be treated asTier 1 capital to the extent that they do not exceed 25% of Tier 1 capital after the application of capital deductions and adjustments. Prompt Corrective Action. Under Section 38 of the FDIA, each federal banking agency is required to implement a system of prompt corrective action forinstitutions that it regulates. The federal banking agencies (including the FRB) have adopted substantially similar regulations to implement Section 38 of the FDIA.Section 38 of the FDIA and the regulations promulgated thereunder also specify circumstances under which the FDIC may reclassify a well-capitalized bank asadequately capitalized and may require an adequately capitalized bank or an undercapitalized bank to comply with supervisory actions as if it were in the nextlower category (except that the FDIC may not reclassify a significantly undercapitalized bank as critically undercapitalized). The thresholds for each of thesecategories were recently revised pursuant to the Revised Capital Rules, which are discussed above. These revised categories began to apply to the Bank on January1, 2015. Under these regulations, insured state banks are assigned to one of the following capital categories: •“well capitalized” –Under the Revised Capital Rules, a well capitalized institution is one that (i) has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10 percent orgreater, (ii) has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8 percent or greater, (iii) has a CET1 capital ratio of 6.5 percent or greater, (iv) has a leverage capitalratio of 5 percent or greater and (v) is not subject to any order or written directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure.•“adequately capitalized” –Under the Revised Capital Rules, an adequately capitalized depository institution is one that has (i) a total risk based capitalratio of 8 percent or more, (ii) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6 percent or more, (iii) a CET1 capital ratio of 4.5 percent or more, and (iv) a leverage ratio of 4percent or more.•“undercapitalized” –Under the Revised Capital Rules, an undercapitalized depository institution is one that has (i) a total capital ratio of less than 8percent, (ii) a Tier 1 capital ratio of less than 6 percent, (iii) a CET1 capital ratio of less than 4.5 percent, or (iv) a leverage ratio of less than 4 percent.•“significantly undercapitalized” –Under the Revised Capital Rules, a significantly undercapitalized institution is one that has (i) a total risk-based capitalratio of less than 6 percent (ii) a Tier 1 capital ratio of less than 4 percent, (iii) a CET1 ratio of less than 3 percent or (iv) a leverage capital ratio of lessthan 3 percent. 21 •“critically undercapitalized” – An insured depository institution is critically undercapitalized if its tangible equity is equal to or less than 2% of tangibleassets. The Revised Capital Rules made certain changes to the framework for calculating an institution’s ratio of tangible equity to total assets. The FRB may take various corrective actions against any undercapitalized bank and any bank that fails to submit an acceptable capital restoration plan or fails toimplement a plan accepted by the FRB. These powers include, but are not limited to, requiring the institution to be recapitalized, prohibiting asset growth,restricting interest rates paid, requiring prior approval of capital distributions by any bank holding company that controls the institution, requiring divestiture by theinstitution of its subsidiaries or by the holding company of the institution itself, requiring a new election of directors, and requiring the dismissal of directors andofficers. If certain criteria are met, the aggregate liability of the holding company of an undercapitalized bank is limited to the lesser of 5% of the institution's total assets atthe time it became undercapitalized or the amount necessary to cause the institution to be "adequately capitalized." The bank regulators have greater power insituations where an institution becomes "significantly" or "critically" undercapitalized or fails to submit a capital restoration plan. For example, a bank holdingcompany controlling such an institution can be required to obtain prior FRB approval of proposed dividends, or might be required to consent to a consolidation orto divest the troubled institution or other affiliates. Brokered Deposit Restrictions. Adequately capitalized institutions (as defined for purposes of the prompt corrective action rules described above) cannot accept,renew or roll over brokered deposits except with a waiver from the FDIC, and are subject to restrictions on the interest rates that can be paid on such deposits.Undercapitalized institutions may not accept, renew, or roll over brokered deposits . Volcker Rule. In December 2013, federal regulators, including the FRB, issued final rules to implement Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act, known as the“Volcker Rule.” The Volcker Rule generally prohibits insured depository institutions, such as the Bank, and their holding companies and affiliates, such asSouthern National, from engaging in proprietary trading for their own accounts and acquiring or retaining an ownership interest in or having certain relationshipswith “covered funds,” subject to certain exceptions. Southern National and the Bank were required to conform most of their activities and investments to therequirements of the Volcker Rule by July 21, 2015. The FRB extended the conformance deadline to July 21, 2016 for certain legacy “covered funds” activities andinvestments in place before December 31, 2013, and the FRB expressed its intention to grant the last available statutory extension for such legacy covered fundsactivities until July 21, 2017. Payment of Dividends. Southern National is a legal entity separate and distinct from Sonabank. The principal sources of our cash flow, including cash flow to paydividends to Southern National’s stockholders, are dividends that Sonabank pays to its sole shareholder, Southern National. Statutory and regulatory limitationsapply to Sonabank’s payment of dividends to us as well as to Southern National’s payment of dividends to its stockholders. It is the policy of the FRB that bank holding companies should pay cash dividends on common stock only out of income available over the past year and only ifprospective earnings retention is consistent with the organization’s expected future needs and financial condition. The policy provides that bank holding companiesshould not maintain a level of cash dividends that undermines the bank holding company’s ability to serve as a source of strength to its banking subsidiaries. 22 Under FRB policy, a bank holding company has historically been required to act as a source of financial strength to each of its banking subsidiaries. As describedabove in the discussion of “Safety and Soundness” requirements, the Dodd-Frank Act codifies this policy as a statutory requirement. Under this requirement,Southern National is expected to commit resources to support Sonabank, including at times when we may not be in a financial position to provide such resources.Any capital loans by a bank holding company to any of its subsidiary banks are subordinate in right of payment to deposits and to certain other indebtedness ofsuch subsidiary banks. As discussed below, a bank holding company, in certain circumstances, could be required to guarantee the capital plan of anundercapitalized banking subsidiary. Capital adequacy requirements serve to limit the amount of dividends that may be paid by Sonabank . Under federal law, the Bank cannot pay a dividend if, afterpaying the dividend, the bank will be “undercapitalized.” The bank regulatory agencies may declare a dividend payment to be unsafe and unsound even though theBank would continue to meet its capital requirements after the dividend. The ability of Southern National to pay dividends is also subject to the provisions of Virginia law. The payment of dividends by Southern National and Sonabankmay also be affected by other factors, such as the requirement to maintain adequate capital above regulatory guidelines. The federal banking agencies haveindicated that paying dividends that deplete a depository institution’s capital base to an inadequate level would be an unsafe and unsound banking practice. Underthe FDICIA, a depository institution may not pay any dividend if payment would cause it to become undercapitalized or if it already is undercapitalized. Moreover,the federal agencies have issued policy statements that provide that bank holding companies and insured banks should generally only pay dividends out of currentoperating earnings. In the event of a bank holding company's bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, the trustee will be deemed to have assumed and to cureimmediately any deficit under any commitment by the debtor holding company to any of the federal banking agencies to maintain the capital of an insureddepository institution. Any claim for breach of such obligation will generally have priority over most other unsecured claims. Because we are a legal entity separate and distinct from our subsidiary Sonabank, our right to participate in the distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon thesubsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization will be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors. In the event of a liquidation or other resolution of aninsured depository institution, the claims of depositors and other general or subordinated creditors are entitled to a priority of payment over the claims of holders ofany obligation of the institution to its shareholders, arising as a result of their status as shareholders, including any depository institution holding company (such asus) or any shareholder or creditor thereof. Privacy. Under the GLBA, financial institutions are required to disclose their policies for collecting and protecting confidential information. Customers generallymay prevent financial institutions from sharing nonpublic personal financial information with nonaffiliated third parties except under narrow circumstances, suchas the processing of transactions requested by the consumer or when the financial institution is jointly sponsoring a product or service with a nonaffiliated thirdparty. Additionally, financial institutions generally may not disclose consumer account numbers to any nonaffiliated third party for use in telemarketing, directmail marketing or other marketing to consumers. Financial institutions are further required to disclose their privacy policies to customers annually. Financialinstitutions, however, will be required to comply with state law if it is more protective of customer privacy than the GLBA. Sonabank has established policies andprocedures to assure our compliance with all privacy provisions of the GLBA. 23 Audit Reports. Insured institutions with total assets of $500 million or more must submit annual audit reports prepared by independent auditors to federal andstate regulators. In some instances, the audit report of the institution’s holding company can be used to satisfy this requirement. Auditors must receive examinationreports, supervisory agreements and reports of enforcement actions. For institutions with total assets of $1 billion or more, financial statements prepared inaccordance with generally accepted accounting principles, management’s certifications concerning responsibility for the financial statements, internal controls andcompliance with legal requirements designated by the FDIC, and an attestation by the auditor regarding the statements of management relating to the internalcontrols must be submitted. For institutions with total assets of more than $3 billion, independent auditors may be required to review quarterly financial statements.The FDICIA requires that independent audit committees be formed, consisting of outside directors only. The committees of such institutions must includemembers with experience in banking or financial management, must have access to outside counsel, and must not include representatives of large customers. Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Money Laundering Legislation. A major focus of governmental policy on financial institutions in recent years has been aimed atcombating money laundering and terrorist financing. The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (the “USA Patriot Act”) substantially broadened the scope of United Statesanti-money laundering laws and regulations by imposing significant new compliance and due diligence obligations, creating new crimes and penalties andexpanding the extra-territorial jurisdiction of the United States. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”), a bureau of the U.S. Department of theTreasury, has issued and, in some cases, proposed a number of regulations that apply various requirements of the USA Patriot Act to financial institutions. Theseregulations impose obligations on financial institutions to maintain appropriate policies, procedures and controls to detect, prevent and report money launderingand terrorist financing and to verify the identity of their customers. Certain of those regulations impose specific due diligence requirements on financial institutionsthat maintain correspondent or private banking relationships with non-U.S. financial institutions or persons. In addition, FinCEN issued a Notice of ProposedRulemaking in August 2014 that would require financial institutions to obtain beneficial ownership information for certain accounts, however, it has yet to issue afinal rule on this topic. Failure of a financial institution to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, or tocomply with all of the relevant laws or regulations, could have serious legal and reputational consequences for the institution. Bank regulators routinely examineinstitutions for compliance with these anti-money laundering obligations and recently have been active in imposing “cease and desist” and other regulatory ordersand money penalty sanctions against institutions found to be in violation of these requirements. Office of Foreign Assets Control Regulation. The United States has imposed economic sanctions that affect transactions with designated foreign countries,nationals and others. These are typically known as the “OFAC” rules based on their administration by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of ForeignAssets Control (“OFAC”). The OFAC-administered sanctions targeting countries take many different forms. Generally, however, they contain one or more of thefollowing elements: (i) restrictions on trade with or investment in a sanctioned country, including prohibitions against direct or indirect imports from and exports toa sanctioned country and prohibitions on “U.S. persons” engaging in financial transactions relating to making investments in, or providing investment-relatedadvice or assistance to, a sanctioned country; and (ii) a blocking of assets in which the government or specially designated nationals of the sanctioned country havean interest, by prohibiting transfers of property subject to U.S. jurisdiction (including property in the possession or control of U.S. persons). Blocked assets (e.g.,property and bank deposits) cannot be paid out, withdrawn, set off or transferred in any manner without a license from OFAC. Failure to comply with thesesanctions could have serious legal and reputational consequences. Virginia Law. Certain state corporation laws may have an anti-takeover affect. Virginia law restricts transactions between a Virginia corporation and its affiliatesand potential acquirers. The following discussion summarizes the two Virginia statutes that may discourage an attempt to acquire control of Southern National. 24 Virginia Code Sections 13.1-725 – 727.1 govern “Affiliated Transactions.” These provisions, with several exceptions discussed below, require approval by theholders of at least two-thirds of the remaining voting shares of material acquisition transactions between a Virginia corporation and any holder of more than 10%of any class of its outstanding voting shares. Affiliated Transactions include mergers, share exchanges, material dispositions of corporate assets not in the ordinarycourse of business, any dissolution of the corporation proposed by or on behalf of an interested shareholder, or any reclassification, including a reverse stock split,recapitalization, or merger of the corporation with its subsidiaries which increases the percentage of voting shares owned beneficially by any 10% shareholder bymore than 5%. For three years following the time that a shareholder becomes an owner of 10% of the outstanding voting shares, a Virginia corporation cannot engage in anAffiliated Transaction with that shareholder without approval of two-thirds of the voting shares other than those shares beneficially owned by that shareholder, andmajority approval of the disinterested directors. A disinterested director is a member of the company’s board of directors who was (i) a member on the date theshareholder acquired more than 10%, and (ii) recommended for election by, or was elected to fill a vacancy and received the affirmative vote of, a majority of thedisinterested directors then on the board. At the expiration of the three-year period, the statute requires approval of Affiliated Transactions by two-thirds of thevoting shares other than those beneficially owned by the 10% shareholder. The principal exceptions to the special voting requirement apply to transactions proposed after the three-year period has expired and require either that thetransaction be approved by a majority of the corporation’s disinterested directors or that the transaction satisfies the fair-price requirement of the statute. In general,the fair-price requirement provides that in a two-step acquisition transaction, the 10% shareholder must pay the shareholders in the second step either the sameamount of cash or the same amount and type of consideration paid to acquire the Virginia corporation’s shares in the first step. None of the foregoing limitations and special voting requirements applies to a transaction with any 10% shareholder whose acquisition of shares taking him or herover 10% was approved by a majority of the corporation’s disinterested directors. These provisions were designed to deter certain takeovers of Virginia corporations. In addition, the statute provides that, by affirmative vote of a majority of thevoting shares other than shares owned by any 10% shareholder, a corporation can adopt an amendment to its articles of incorporation or bylaws providing that theAffiliated Transactions provisions shall not apply to the corporation. Southern National “opted out” of the Affiliated Transactions provisions when it incorporated. Virginia law also provides that shares acquired in a transaction that would cause the acquiring person’s voting strength to meet or exceed any of the threethresholds (20%, 33 1 /3% or 50%) have no voting rights for those shares exceeding that threshold, unless granted by a majority vote of shares not owned by theacquiring person. This provision empowers an acquiring person to require the Virginia corporation to hold a special meeting of shareholders to consider the matterwithin 50 days of the request. Southern National also “opted out” of this provision at the time of its incorporation. 25 Federal Reserve Monetary Policy. The Bank will be directly affected by government monetary and fiscal policy and by regulatory measures affecting thebanking industry and the economy in general. The actions of the FRB as the nation’s central bank can directly affect the money supply and, in general, affect thelending activities of banks by increasing or decreasing the cost and availability of funds. An important function of the FRB is to regulate the national supply ofbank credit. Among the instruments of monetary policy used by the FRB to implement this objective are open market operations in United States governmentsecurities, changes in the discount rate on member bank borrowings and changes in reserve requirements against bank deposits. These means are used in varyingcombinations to influence overall growth of bank loans, investments and deposits, and interest rates charged on loans or paid on deposits. The monetary policies ofthe FRB have had a significant effect on the operating results of commercial banks in the past and are expected to continue to do so in the future; however, theeffects of the various FRB policies on our future business and earnings cannot be predicted. Reserve Requirements. In 1980, Congress enacted legislation that imposed reserve requirements on all depository institutions that maintain transaction accountsor nonpersonal time deposits. NOW accounts, money market deposit accounts and other types of accounts that permit payments or transfers to third parties fallwithin the definition of transaction accounts and are subject to these reserve requirements, as are any nonpersonal time deposits at an institution. For net transactionaccounts in 2016, the first $15.2 million will be exempt from reserve requirements. A 3.0% reserve ratio will be assessed on net transaction accounts over $15.2million to and including $110.2 million. A 10.0% reserve ratio will be applied to net transaction accounts in excess of $110.2 million. These percentages aresubject to adjustment by the FRB. Restrictions on Transactions with Affiliates and Insiders. Transactions between banks and their affiliates are governed by Sections 23A and 23B of the FederalReserve Act (“FRA”) and the corresponding provisions of the FRB’s Regulation W thereunder. An affiliate of a bank for purposes of Sections 23A and 23B of theFRA and Regulation W is generally any entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such bank, with certain exceptions. In general,Section 23A and the corresponding provisions of Regulation W limit the amount of a “covered transaction” between Sonabank and an affiliate (including afinancial subsidiary of Sonabank) to 10% of Sonabank’s capital stock and surplus and limits the aggregate amount of Sonabank’s “covered transactions” with allaffiliates to 20% of Sonabank’s capital stock and surplus. Section 23A also requires that such covered transactions be secured by designated amounts of specifiedcollateral. It also limits the amount of advances to third parties which are collateralized by the securities or obligations of Southern National or its subsidiaries.“Covered transactions” are defined by statute to include a loan or extension of credit, as well as a purchase of securities issued by an affiliate, a purchase of assets(unless otherwise exempted by the FRB) from the affiliate, the acceptance of securities issued by the affiliate as collateral for a loan, and the issuance of aguarantee, acceptance or letter of credit on behalf of an affiliate. Affiliate transactions are also subject to Section 23B of the FRA and the corresponding provisions of Regulation W, which generally require that certain coveredtransactions and other transactions between Sonabank and its affiliates be on terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable to Sonabank, as those prevailingat the time for comparable transactions with or involving other nonaffiliated persons. The restrictions on loans to directors, executive officers, principal shareholders and their related interests (collectively referred to herein as “insiders”) contained inthe FRA and Regulation O apply to all insured institutions and their subsidiaries and holding companies. These restrictions include limits on loans to one borrowerand conditions that must be met before such a loan can be made. There is also an aggregate limitation on all loans to insiders and their related interests. These loanscannot exceed the institution’s total unimpaired capital and surplus, and the FRB may determine that a lesser amount is appropriate. Insiders are subject toenforcement actions for knowingly accepting loans in violation of applicable restrictions. 26 Concentrated Commercial Real Estate Lending Regulations. In 2006, the federal banking agencies, including the FRB, promulgated guidance governingfinancial institutions with concentrations in commercial real estate lending. The guidance sets forth parameters for risk management practices that are consistentwith the level and nature of a financial institution’s commercial real estate lending portfolio. The guidance provides that a bank has a concentration in commercialreal estate lending if (i) total reported loans for construction, land development, and other land represent 100% or more of total capital or (ii) total reported loanssecured by multifamily and non-farm non-residential properties and loans for construction, land development, and other land represent 300% or more of totalcapital and the bank’s commercial real estate loan portfolio has increased 50% or more during the prior 36 months. Owner occupied loans are excluded from thissecond category. If a concentration is present, management must employ heightened risk management practices that address the following key elements: includingboard and management oversight and strategic planning, portfolio management, development of underwriting standards, risk assessment, review and monitoringthrough market analysis and stress testing, and maintenance of increased capital levels as needed to support the level of commercial real estate lending. In October 2009, the federal banking agencies issued additional guidance on commercial real estate lending that emphasizes these considerations and also supportsprudent loan workouts for financial institutions working with commercial real estate borrowers who are experiencing diminished operating cash flows, depreciatedcollateral values, or prolonged delays in selling or renting commercial properties. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act contains provisions that may impact the Bank’s business by reducing the amount of our commercial real estate lending andincreasing the cost of borrowing, including rules relating to risk retention of securitized assets. Section 941 of the Dodd-Frank Act requires, among other things,that a loan originator or a securitizer of asset-backed securities retain a percentage of the credit risk of securitized assets. The banking agencies have jointly issueda final rule to implement these requirements, which will become effective on December 24, 2016 for classes of asset-backed securities other than residentialmortgage-backed securitizations. Cross-Guarantee Provisions. The Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 contains a “cross-guarantee” provision which generallymakes commonly controlled insured depository institutions liable to the FDIC for any losses incurred in connection with the failure of a commonly controlleddepository institution. Community Reinvestment Act. Under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) and related regulations, depository institutions have a continuing andaffirmative obligation to assist in meeting the credit needs of their market areas, including low and moderate-income areas, consistent with safe and sound bankingpractice. The CRA requires the adoption by each institution of a CRA statement for each of its market areas describing the depository institution’s efforts to assistin its community’s credit needs. Depository institutions are periodically examined for compliance with the CRA and are periodically assigned ratings in this regard.Banking regulators consider a depository institution’s CRA rating when reviewing applications to establish new branches, undertake new lines of business, and/oracquire part or all of another depository institution. An unsatisfactory rating can significantly delay or even prohibit regulatory approval of a proposed transactionby a bank holding company or its depository institution subsidiaries. The GLBA and federal bank regulators have made various changes to the CRA. Among other changes, CRA agreements with private parties must be disclosed andannual reports must be made to a bank’s primary federal regulatory. A bank holding company will not be permitted to become a financial holding company and nonew activities authorized under the GLBA may be commenced by a holding company or by a financial subsidiary if any of its bank subsidiaries received less thana “satisfactory” rating in its latest CRA examination. The Bank received a “satisfactory” rating in the most recent examination for CRA compliance in August2012. 27 Fair Lending; Consumer Laws. In addition to the CRA, other federal and state laws regulate various lending and consumer aspects of the banking business.Governmental agencies, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice, havebecome concerned that prospective borrowers experience discrimination in their efforts to obtain loans from depository and other lending institutions. Theseagencies have brought litigation against depository institutions alleging discrimination against borrowers. Many of these suits have been settled, in some cases formaterial sums, short of a full trial. These governmental agencies have clarified what they consider to be lending discrimination and have specified various factors that they will use to determine theexistence of lending discrimination under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act, including evidence that a lender discriminated on aprohibited basis, evidence that a lender treated applicants differently based on prohibited factors in the absence of evidence that the treatment was the result ofprejudice or a conscious intention to discriminate, and evidence that a lender applied an otherwise neutral non-discriminatory policy uniformly to all applicants, butthe practice had a discriminatory effect, unless the practice could be justified as a business necessity. Banks and other depository institutions also are subject to numerous consumer-oriented laws and regulations. These laws, which include the Truth in Lending Act,the Truth in Savings Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act, theHome Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Expedited Funds Availability Act require compliance by depository institutions with variousdisclosure requirements and requirements regulating the availability of funds after deposit or the making of some loans to customers. Many of the foregoing laws and regulations are subject to change resulting from the provisions in the Dodd-Frank Act, which in many cases calls for revisions toimplementing regulations. In addition, oversight responsibility for these and other consumer protection laws and regulations has, in large measure, transferred tothe Bureau. The Bureau has republished the transferred regulations in a new section of the Code of Federal Regulations and has begun to issue rules to implementprovisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. For example, the Bureau issued rules that have impacted our residential mortgage lending practices, and the residential mortgage market generally, including rulesthat implement the “ability-to-repay” requirement and provide protection from liability for “qualified mortgages,” as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. The ability-to-repay rule, which took effect on January 10, 2014, requires lenders to consider, among other things, income, employment status, assets, employment, paymentamounts, and credit history before approving a mortgage, and provides a compliance “safe harbor” for lenders that issue certain “qualified mortgages.” The ability-to-repay rule defines a “qualified mortgage” to have certain specified characteristics, and generally prohibit loans with negative amortization, interest-onlypayments, balloon payments, or terms exceeding 30 years from being qualified mortgages. The rule also establishes general underwriting criteria for qualifiedmortgages, including that monthly payments be calculated based on the highest payment that will apply in the first five years of the loan and that the borrower havea total debt-to-income ratio that is less than or equal to 43 percent. While “qualified mortgages” will generally be afforded safe harbor status, a rebuttablepresumption of compliance with the ability-to-repay requirements will attach to “qualified mortgages” that are “higher priced mortgages” (which are generallysubprime loans). In addition, under rules that became effective December 24, 2015, the securitizer of asset-backed securities must retain not less than 5 percent ofthe credit risk of the assets collateralizing the asset-backed securities, unless subject to an exemption for asset-backed securities that are collateralized exclusivelyby residential mortgages that qualify as “qualified residential mortgages.” These definitions are expected to significantly shape the parameters for the majority ofconsumer mortgage lending in the U.S. 28 Reflecting the Bureau’s focus on the residential mortgage lending market, the Bureau has also issued rules to implement requirements of the Dodd-Frank Actpertaining to mortgage loan origination (including with respect to loan originator compensation and loan originator qualifications) and has finalized integratedmortgage disclosure rules that replace and combine certain requirements under the Truth in Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. Inaddition, the Bureau has issued rules that require servicers to comply with new standards and practices with regard to: error correction; information disclosure;force-placement of insurance; information management policies and procedures; requiring information about mortgage loss mitigation options be provided todelinquent borrowers; providing delinquent borrowers access to servicer personnel with continuity of contact about the borrower’s mortgage loan account; andevaluating borrowers’ applications for available loss mitigation options. These rules also address initial rate adjustment notices for adjustable-rate mortgages(ARMs), periodic statements for residential mortgage loans, and prompt crediting of mortgage payments and response to requests for payoff amounts. The Bureauhas indicated that it expects to issue additional mortgage-related rules in the future. In addition, it is anticipated that the Bureau will engage in numerous other rulemakings in the near term that may impact our business, as the Bureau has indicatedthat, in addition to specific statutory mandates, it is working on a wide range of initiatives to address issues in markets for consumer financial products andservices. The Bureau also has broad authority to prohibit unfair, deceptive and abusive acts and practices (“UDAAP”) and to investigate and penalize financialinstitutions that violate this prohibition. While the statutory language of the Dodd-Frank Act sets forth the standards for acts and practices that violate thisprohibition, certain aspects of these standards are untested, which has created some uncertainty regarding how the Bureau will exercise this authority. The Bureauhas, however, begun to bring enforcement actions against certain financial institutions for UDAAP violations and issued some guidance on the topic, whichprovides insight into the agency’s expectations regarding these standards. Among other things, Bureau guidance and its UDAAP-related enforcement actions haveemphasized that management of third-party service providers is essential to effective UDAAP compliance and that the Bureau is particularly focused on marketingand sales practices. We cannot fully predict the effect that being regulated by a new, additional regulatory authority focused on consumer financial protection, or any newimplementing regulations or revisions to existing regulations that may result from the establishment of this new authority, will have on our businesses. Legislative Initiatives. In light of current conditions and the possibility of continuing weak economic conditions, regulators have increased their focus on theregulation of financial institutions. From time to time, various legislative and regulatory initiatives are introduced in Congress and State Legislatures. Suchinitiatives may change banking statutes and the operating environment for us and Sonabank in substantial and unpredictable ways. We cannot determine theultimate effect that any potential legislation, if enacted, or implementing regulations with respect thereto, would have, upon the financial condition or results of ouroperations or the operations of Sonabank. A change in statutes, regulations or regulatory policies applicable to us or Sonabank could have a material effect on thefinancial condition, results of operations or business of our company and Sonabank. Incentive Compensation. In June 2010, the FRB, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the FDIC issued comprehensive final guidance on incentivecompensation policies intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies of banking organizations do not undermine the safety and soundness of suchorganizations by encouraging excessive risk-taking. The guidance, which covers all employees that have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of anorganization, 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 effectiveinternal controls and risk management, and (iii) be supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by the organization’s boardof directors. Also, on February 7, 2011, the FDIC proposed an interagency rule to implement certain incentive-based compensation requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act. Under the proposed rule, financial institutions with $1 billion or more in assets would be prohibited from offering incentive-based compensationarrangements that encourage inappropriate risk taking by providing excessive compensation or that may lead to material financial loss. Regulators have yet to issuefinal rules on the topic. 29 The FRB will review, as part of the regular, risk-focused examination process, the incentive compensation arrangements of banking organizations, such as us, thatare not "large, complex banking organizations." These reviews will be tailored to each organization based on the scope and complexity of the organization’sactivities and the prevalence of incentive compensation arrangements. The findings of the supervisory initiatives will be included in reports of examination.Deficiencies will be incorporated into the organization’s supervisory ratings, which can affect the organization’s ability to make acquisitions and take other actions.Enforcement actions may be taken against a banking organization if its incentive compensation arrangements, or related risk-management control or governanceprocesses, pose a risk to the organization’s safety and soundness and the organization is not taking prompt and effective measures to correct the deficiencies. Enforcement Powers of Federal and State Banking Agencies. The federal banking agencies have broad enforcement powers, including the power to terminatedeposit insurance, impose substantial fines and other civil and criminal penalties, and appoint a conservator or receiver. Failure to comply with applicable laws,regulations, and supervisory agreements could subject Southern National or the Bank and their subsidiaries, as well as officers, directors, and other institution-affiliated parties of these organizations, to administrative sanctions and potentially substantial civil money penalties. In addition to the grounds discussed above,the appropriate federal banking agency may appoint the FDIC as conservator or receiver for a banking institution (or the FDIC may appoint itself, under certaincircumstances) if any one or more of a number of circumstances exist, including, without limitation, the fact that the banking institution is undercapitalized and hasno reasonable prospect of becoming adequately capitalized; fails to become adequately capitalized when required to do so; fails to submit a timely and acceptablecapital restoration plan; or materially fails to implement an accepted capital restoration plan. The VBFI also has broad enforcement powers over the Bank,including the power to impose orders, remove officers and directors and impose fines. Future Regulatory Uncertainty. Because federal regulation of financial institutions changes regularly and is the subject of constant legislative debate, we cannotforecast how federal regulation of financial institutions may change in the future and impact our operations. Southern National fully expects that the financialinstitution industry will remain heavily regulated in the near future and that additional laws or regulations may be adopted further regulating specific bankingpractices. The foregoing is only a brief summary of certain statutes, rules, and regulations that may affect Southern National and the Bank. Numerous other statutes andregulations also will have an impact on the operations of Southern National and the Bank. Supervision, regulation and examination of banks by the regulatoryagencies are intended primarily for the protection of depositors, not shareholders. 30 Item 1A. Risk Factors An investment in our common stock involves risks. The following is a description of the material risks and uncertainties that Southern National believes affect itsbusiness and should be considered before making an investment in our common stock. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of, or that wecurrently deem immaterial, also may become important factors that affect us and our business. If any of the risks described in this Annual Report on Form 10-Kwere to actually occur, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected. If this were to happen, the value ofthe common stock could decline significantly and you could lose all or part of your investment. General market conditions and economic trends could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Although economic conditions have generally improved nationally and locally in our markets, financial institutions continue to be affected by real estate marketconditions that have negatively impacted the credit performance of mortgage, construction and commercial real estate loans and have resulted in significant write-downs of assets by many financial institutions. Concerns over the stability of the economy recovery have resulted in more conservative lending by financialinstitutions to their customers and to each other. We retain direct exposure to the residential and commercial real estate markets, and we are affected by theseevents. Our ability to assess the creditworthiness of customers and to estimate the losses inherent in our credit portfolio is made more complex by these uncertainmarket and economic conditions. If the growth of the U.S. economy slows or if the economy worsens or enters into another recession, our losses could exceed that which is provided for in ourallowance for loan losses and result in the following consequences: ·increases in loan delinquencies; ·increases in nonperforming assets and foreclosures; ·decreases in demand for our products and services, which could adversely affect our liquidity position; and ·decreases in the value of the collateral securing our loans, especially real estate, which could reduce customers’ borrowing power. While economic conditions in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the U.S. have stabilized, there can be no assurance that the economy will continue to grow. Liquidity risk could impair our ability to fund operations and jeopardize our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Liquidity is essential to our business. Our ability to implement our business strategy will depend on our ability to obtain funding for loan originations, workingcapital, possible acquisitions and other general corporate purposes. An inability to raise funds through deposits, borrowings, securities sold under repurchaseagreements, the sale of loans and other sources could have a substantial negative effect on our liquidity. We do not anticipate that our retail and commercialdeposits will be sufficient to meet our funding needs in the foreseeable future. We therefore rely on deposits obtained through intermediaries, FHLB advances,securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other wholesale funding sources to obtain the funds necessary to implement our growth strategy. 31 Our access to funding sources in amounts adequate to finance our activities or on terms which are acceptable to us could be impaired by factors that affect usspecifically or the financial services industry or economy in general, including a decrease in the level of our business activity as a result of a downturn in themarkets in which our loans are concentrated or adverse regulatory action against us. Our ability to borrow could also be impaired by factors that are not specific tous, such as a disruption in the financial markets or negative views and expectations about the prospects for the financial services industry. To the extent we are notsuccessful in obtaining such funding, we will be unable to implement our strategy as planned which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition,results of operations and cash flows. Declines in asset values may result in impairment charges and adversely affect the value of our investments, financial performance and capital. We maintain an investment portfolio that includes, but is not limited to, collateralized mortgage obligations, agency mortgage-backed securities and pooled trustpreferred securities. The market value of investments may be affected by factors other than the underlying performance of the issuer or composition of the bondsthemselves, such as ratings downgrades, adverse changes in the business climate and a lack of liquidity for resales of certain investment securities. At eachreporting period, we evaluate investments and other assets for impairment indicators. We may be required to record additional impairment charges if ourinvestments suffer a decline in value that is considered other-than-temporary. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we incurred no other-than-temporaryimpairment charges. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we incurred other-than-temporary impairment charges of $41 thousand pre-tax on one of our trustpreferred securities holdings. During the year ended December 31, 2013, we incurred other-than-temporary impairment charges of $3 thousand pre-tax on one ofour trust preferred securities holdings. If in future periods we determine that a significant impairment has occurred, we would be required to charge againstearnings the credit-related portion of the other-than-temporary impairment, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the periods inwhich the write-offs occur. Our pooled trust preferred securities are particularly vulnerable to the performance of the issuer of the subordinated debentures that are collateral for the trustpreferred securities. Deterioration of these trust preferred securities can occur because of defaults by the issuer of the collateral or because of deferrals of dividendpayments on the securities. Numerous financial institutions have failed and their parent bank holding companies have filed for bankruptcy, which has led todefaults in the subordinated debentures that collateralize the trust preferred securities. Further, increased regulatory pressure has been placed on financialinstitutions to maintain capital ratios above the required minimum to be well-capitalized, which often results in restrictions on dividends, and leads to deferrals ofdividend payments on the trust preferred securities. More specifically, the Federal Reserve has stated that a bank holding company should eliminate, defer orsignificantly reduce dividends if (i) its net income available to shareholders for the past four quarters, net of dividends paid, is not sufficient to fully fund thedividends, (ii) its prospective rate of earnings retention is not consistent with its capital needs or (iii) it is in danger of not meeting its minimum regulatory capitaladequacy ratios. In addition, although interest deferrals are permitted under the terms of the instruments governing the trust preferred securities, such deferrals aretypically limited to 20 consecutive quarterly periods. As a result, many financial institutions that commenced deferral periods in 2009 are no longer permitted todefer interest payments, which could result in increased defaults on trust preferred securities. Additional defaults in the underlying collateral or deferrals ofdividend payments for these securities could lead to additional charges on these securities and/or other-than-temporary impairment charges on other trust preferredsecurities we own. Finally, proposed or future changes in the regulatory treatment of both issuers and holders of trust preferred securities could have a negativeimpact on the value of the pooled trust preferred securities held in our portfolio. 32 The failure of other financial institutions could adversely affect us. Our ability to engage in routine funding transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and potential failures of other financial institutions. Financialinstitutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty and other relationships. We have exposure to many different industries and counterparties,and we routinely execute transactions with a variety of counterparties in the financial services industry. As a result, defaults by, or even rumors or concerns about,the viability of one or more financial institutions with whom we do business, or the financial services industry generally, have led to market-wide liquidityproblems and could lead to losses or defaults by us or by other institutions. Many of these transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of default of ourcounterparty or client. In addition, our credit risk may be exacerbated if the collateral we hold cannot be sold at prices that are sufficient for us to recover the fullamount of our exposure. Any such losses could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. If the goodwill that we record in connection with business acquisitions becomes impaired, it could have a negative impact on our profitability. Goodwill represents the amount of acquisition cost over the fair value of net assets we acquire in the purchase of another entity. We review goodwill forimpairment at least annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of the asset might be impaired. Examples ofthose events or circumstances include the following: ·significant adverse changes in business climate; ·significant changes in credit quality; ·significant unanticipated loss of customers; ·significant loss of deposits or loans; or ·significant reductions in profitability. As of December 31, 2015, our goodwill totaled $10.5 million. While we have recorded no such impairment charges since we initially recorded the goodwill, therecan be no assurance that our future evaluations of goodwill will not result in findings of impairment and related write-downs, which may have a material adverseeffect on our financial condition and results of operations. If our nonperforming assets increase, our earnings will suffer. At December 31, 2015, our non-covered nonperforming assets (which consist of nonaccrual loans, loans past due 90 days and accruing and other real estate owned("OREO")) totaled $14.3 million, or 1.77% of total non-covered loans and OREO, which is a decrease of $4.4 million, or 23.7%, compared with non-coverednonperforming assets of $18.7 million, or 2.76%, of total non-covered loans and OREO at December 31, 2014. At December 31, 2013, our non-covered non-performing assets were $17.4 million, or 3.45% of non-covered loans and OREO. 33 Although economic and market conditions remain stable, and our nonperforming assets have improved, we may incur losses if there is an increase innonperforming assets in the future. Our nonperforming assets adversely affect our net income in various ways. We do not record interest income on nonaccrualloans or OREO, thereby adversely affecting our net interest income, and increasing loan administration costs. When we take collateral in foreclosures and similarproceedings, we are required to mark the related loan to the then fair value of the collateral, which may ultimately result in a loss. We must reserve for probablelosses, which is established through a current period charge to the provision for loan losses as well as from time to time, as appropriate, write down the value ofproperties in our OREO portfolio to reflect changing market values. Additionally, there are legal fees associated the resolution of problem assets as well as carryingcosts such as taxes, insurance and maintenance related to our OREO. Further, the resolution of nonperforming assets requires the active involvement ofmanagement, which can distract them from more profitable activity. Finally, an increase in the level of nonperforming assets increases our regulatory risk profile.There can be no assurance that we will not experience future increases in nonperforming assets. A significant amount of our loans are secured by real estate and any declines in real estate values in our primary markets could be detrimental to ourfinancial condition and results of operations. Real estate lending (including commercial, construction, land development, and residential loans) is a large portion of our loan portfolio, constituting $705.2million, or approximately 84.8% of our total loan portfolio, as of December 31, 2015. Total real estate loans covered under the FDIC loss sharing agreementamount to $34.4 million. Although residential and commercial real estate values have improved in our market area, such improved values may not continue or mayslow down. If loans that are collateralized by real estate become troubled during a time when market conditions are declining or have declined, then we may not beable to realize the full value of the collateral that we anticipated at the time of originating the loan, which could require us to increase our provision for loan lossesand adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. As of December 31, 2015, $213.2 million, or approximately 25.6% of our total loans, were secured by single-family residential real estate. This includes $178.0million in residential 1-4 family loans and $35.2 million in home equity lines of credit. Total single-family residential real estate loans covered under the FDIC losssharing agreement amount to $34.4 million. If housing markets in our market areas do not continue to steadily improve or deteriorate, we may experience anincrease in nonperforming loans, provisions for loan losses and charge-offs. If the value of real estate in our market areas were to decline materially, a significant portion of our loan portfolio could become under-collateralized,which could have a material adverse effect on our asset quality, capital structure and profitability. As of December 31, 2015, a significant portio n of our loan portfolio was comprised of loans secured by commercial real estate. In the majority of these loans, realestate was the primary collateral component. In some cases we take real estate as security for a loan even when it is not the primary component of collateral. Thereal estate collateral that provides the primary or an alternate source of repayment in the event of default may deteriorate in value during the term of the loan as aresult of changes in economic conditions, fluctuations in interest rates and the availability of loans to potential purchasers, changes in tax and other laws and acts ofnature. If we are required to liquidate the collateral securing a loan to satisfy the debt during a period of reduced real estate values, our earnings and capital couldbe adversely affected. We are subject to increased lending risks in the form of loan defaults as a result of the high concentration of real estate lending in our loanportfolio. A weak real estate market in our primary market areas could have an adverse effect on the demand for new loans, the ability of borrowers to repayoutstanding loans, the value of real estate and other collateral securing the loans and the value of real estate owned by us. If real estate values do not continue toimprove or decline, it is also more likely that we would be required to increase our allowance for loan losses, which could adversely affect our financial conditionand results of operations. 34 We are subject to risks related to our concentration of construction and land development and commercial real estate loans. As of December 31, 2015, we had $67.8 million of construction loans. Construction loans are subject to risks during the construction phase that are not present instandard residential real estate and commercial real estate loans. These risks include: ·the viability of the contractor; ·the contractor’s ability to successfully complete the project, to meet deadlines and time schedules and to stay within cost estimates; and ·concentrations of such loans with a single contractor and its affiliates. Real estate construction loans may involve the disbursement of substantial funds with repayment dependent, in part, on the success of the ultimate project ratherthan the ability of a borrower or guarantor to repay the loan and also present risks of default in the event of declines in property values or volatility in the real estatemarket during the construction phase. Our practice, in the majority of instances, is to secure the personal guaranty of individuals in support of our real estateconstruction loans which provides us with an additional source of repayment. As of December 31, 2015, we had no non-covered nonperforming construction anddevelopment loans and $5.0 million of non-covered assets that have been foreclosed. If one or more of our larger borrowers were to default on their constructionand development loans, and we did not have alternative sources of repayment through personal guarantees or other sources, or if any of the aforementioned riskswere to occur, we could incur significant losses. As of December 31, 2015, we had $424.1 million of commercial real estate loans, including multi-family residential loans and loans secured by farmland, none ofwhich is covered by the FDIC loss sharing agreement. Commercial real estate lending typically involves higher loan principal amounts and the repayment isdependent, in large part, on sufficient income from the properties securing the loan to cover operating expenses and debt service. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act contains provisions that may impact the Bank’s business by reducing the amount of our commercial real estate lending andincreasing the cost of borrowing, including rules relating to risk retention of securitized assets. Section 941 of the Dodd-Frank Act requires, among other things,that a loan originator or a securitizer of asset-backed securities retain a percentage of the credit risk of securitized assets. The banking agencies have jointly issueda final rule to implement these requirements, which became effective on December 24, 2015 for residential mortgage-backed securitizations and will becomeeffective on December 24, 2016 for classes of asset-backed securities other than residential mortgage-backed securitizations. Banks with higher levels ofcommercial real estate loans are expected to implement improved underwriting, internal controls, risk management policies and portfolio stress testing, as well ashigher levels of allowances for loan losses and capital levels as a result of commercial real estate lending growth and exposures. Sonabank’s commercial real estateloans are below the thresholds identified as significant by the regulatory guidance. If there is deterioration in our commercial real estate portfolio or if regulatoryauthorities conclude that we have not implemented appropriate risk management policies and practices, it could adversely affect our business and result in arequirement of increased capital levels, and such capital may not be available at that time. The benefits of our FDIC loss-sharing agreements may be reduced or eliminated . In connection with Sonabank's assumption of the banking operations of Greater Atlantic Bank, the Bank entered into the Agreement, which contains loss-sharingprovisions. Our decisions regarding the fair value of assets acquired, including the FDIC loss-sharing assets (referred to herein as the "covered assets"), could beinaccurate which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and future prospects. Management makes variousassumptions and judgments about the collectability of the acquired loans, including the creditworthiness of borrowers and the value of the real estate and otherassets serving as collateral for the repayment of secured loans. In the Greater Atlantic Bank acquisition, we recorded a loss-sharing asset that reflects our estimateof the timing and amount of future losses we anticipate occurring in the acquired loan portfolio. In determining the size of the loss-sharing asset, we analyzed theloan portfolio based on historical loss experience, volume and classification of loans, volume and trends in delinquencies and nonaccruals, local economicconditions, and other pertinent information. 35 If our assumptions related to the timing or amount of expected losses are incorrect, there could be a negative impact on our operating results. Increases in theamount of future losses in response to different economic conditions or adverse developments in the acquired loan portfolio may result in increased credit lossprovisions. Changes in our estimate of the timing of those losses, specifically if those losses are to occur beyond the applicable loss-sharing periods, may result inimpairments of the FDIC indemnification asset. Our ability to obtain reimbursement under the loss-sharing agreements on covered assets depends on our compliance with the terms of the loss-sharingagreements. Management must certify to the FDIC on a quarterly basis our compliance with the terms of the FDIC loss-sharing agreements as a prerequisite to obtainingreimbursement from the FDIC for realized losses on covered assets. The agreements contain specific, detailed and cumbersome compliance, servicing, notificationand reporting requirements, and failure to comply with any of the requirements and guidelines could result in a specific asset or group of assets permanently losingtheir loss-sharing coverage. Additionally, management may decide to forgo loss-share coverage on certain assets to allow greater flexibility over the managementof such assets. As of December 31, 2015, $34.4 million, or 3.32%, of our assets were covered by the FDIC loss-sharing agreements. Under the terms of the FDIC loss-sharing agreements, the assignment or transfer of a loss-sharing agreement to another entity generally requires the writtenconsent of the FDIC. Our failure to comply with the terms of the loss-sharing agreements or to manage the covered assets in such a way as to maintain loss-sharecoverage on all such assets may cause individual loans or large pools of loans to lose eligibility for loss share payments from the FDIC, which could result inmaterial losses. Changes to government guaranteed loan programs could affect our SBA business. Sonabank relies on originating government guaranteed loans, in particular those guaranteed by the SBA. As of December 31, 2015, Sonabank had $55.9 million ofSBA loans, $42.3 million of which were guaranteed and $13.6 million were non-guaranteed. Sonabank originated $20.4 million, $17.1 million and $25.4 million inSBA loans in the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Sonabank initially sold the guaranteed portions of some of its SBA loans in thesecondary market in 2012 and 2011 and intends to continue such sales, which are a source of non-interest income for Sonabank, when market conditions arefavorable. We can provide no assurance that Sonabank will be able to continue originating these loans, that it will be able to sell the loans in the secondary marketor that it will continue to realize premiums upon any sale of SBA loans. SBA lending is a federal government created and administered program. As such, legislative and regulatory developments can affect the availability and funding ofthe program. This dependence on legislative funding and regulatory restrictions from time to time causes limitations and uncertainties with regard to the continuedfunding of such loans, with a resulting potential adverse financial impact on our business. Currently, the maximum limit on individual 7(a) loans which the SBAwill permit is $5.0 million. Any reduction in this level could adversely affect the volume of our business. As of December 31, 2015, our SBA business constitutes7.0% of our total loans. The periodic uncertainty of the SBA program relative to availability, amounts of funding and the waiver of associated fees creates greaterrisk for our business than do more stable aspects of our business. 36 The federal government presently guarantees up to75% of the principal amount of loans above $150,000 and up to 90% of the principal amount for certainprograms under the 7(a) program. SBAExpress loans can be guaranteed by the federal government up to 50%. We can provide no assurance that the federalgovernment will maintain the SBA program, or if it does, that such guaranteed portion will remain at its current funding level. Furthermore, it is possible thatSonabank could lose its preferred lender status which, subject to certain limitations, allows it to approve and fund SBA loans without the necessity of having theloan approved in advance by the SBA. It is also possible the federal government could reduce the amount of loans which it guarantees. In addition, we aredependent on the expertise of our personnel who make SBA loans in order to continue to originate and service SBA loans. If we are unable to retain qualifiedemployees in the future, our income from the origination of SBA loans could be substantially reduced. We are subject to credit quality risks and our credit policies may not be sufficient to avoid losses. We are subject to the risk of losses resulting from the failure of borrowers, guarantors and related parties to pay interest and principal amounts on theirloans. Although we maintain credit policies and credit underwriting, monitoring and collection procedures, these policies and procedures may not prevent losses,particularly during periods in which the local, regional or national economy suffers a general decline. If borrowers fail to repay their loans, our financial conditionand results of operations would be adversely affected. We depend on the accuracy and completeness of information from customers and counterparties. In deciding whether to extend credit or enter into other transactions, we rely on information furnished by or on behalf of customers and counterparties, includingfinancial statements, credit reports and other financial information. We also rely on representations of those customers, counterparties or other third parties, suchas independent auditors, as to the accuracy and completeness of that information. Reliance on inaccurate or misleading financial statements, credit reports or otherfinancial information could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Failure to maintain an effective system of disclosure controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operationsand financial condition and could impact the price of our common stock. Failure to maintain an effective internal control environment could result in us not being able to accurately report our financial results, prevent or detect fraud, orprovide timely and reliable financial information pursuant to our reporting obligations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financialcondition, and results of operations. Further, it could cause our investors to lose confidence in the financial information we report, which could affect the tradingprice of our common stock. Management regularly reviews and updates our disclosure controls and procedures, including our internal control over financial reporting. Any system of controls,however well designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the objectives of thesystem are met. Any failure or circumvention of our controls and procedures or failure to comply with regulations related to controls and procedures could have amaterial adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. 37 If our allowance for loan losses is not adequate to cover actual loan losses, our earnings will decrease. As a lender, we are exposed to the risk that our borrowers may not repay their loans according to the terms of these loans, and the collateral securing the paymentof these loans may be insufficient to ensure repayment. We make various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of our loan portfolio, including thecreditworthiness of the borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of many of our loans. We maintain anallowance for loan losses to cover any probable inherent loan losses in the loan portfolio. In determining the size of the allowance, we rely on a periodic analysis ofour loan portfolio, our historical loss experience and our evaluation of general economic conditions. If our assumptions prove to be incorrect or if we experiencesignificant loan losses, our current allowance may not be sufficient to cover actual loan losses and adjustments may be necessary to allow for different economicconditions or adverse developments in our loan portfolio. A material addition to the allowance for loan losses could cause our earnings to decrease. Due to therelatively unseasoned nature of our loan portfolio, we may experience an increase in delinquencies and losses as these loans continue to mature. In addition, federal regulators periodically review our allowance for loan losses and may require us to increase our provision for loan losses or recognize furthercharge-offs, based on judgments different than those of our management. Any significant increase in our allowance for loan losses or charge-offs required by theseregulatory agencies could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Our business strategy includes strategic growth, and our financial condition and results of operations could be negatively affected if we fail to grow or failto manage our growth effectively. We completed the acquisition of Prince George’s Federal Savings Bank on August 1, 2014, the acquisition of the HarVest Bank of Maryland on April 27, 2012, theMidlothian Branch in Richmond, Virginia on October 1, 2011, the acquisition and assumption of certain assets and liabilities of Greater Atlantic Bank from theFDIC on December 4, 2009, the acquisition of a branch of Millennium Bank in Warrenton, Virginia on September 28, 2009, the acquisition of the Leesburg branchlocation from Founders Corporation which opened on February 11, 2008, the acquisition of 1st Service Bank in December of 2006 and the acquisition of theClifton Forge branch of First Community Bancorp, Inc. in December of 2005. We intend to continue pursuing a growth strategy for our business. Our prospects must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequentlyencountered by growing companies such as the continuing need for infrastructure and personnel, the time and costs inherent in integrating a series of differentoperations and the ongoing expense of acquiring and staffing new banks or branches. We may not be able to expand our presence in our existing markets orsuccessfully enter new markets and any expansion could adversely affect our results of operations. Failure to manage our growth effectively could have a materialadverse effect on our business, future prospects, financial condition or results of operations, and could adversely affect our ability to successfully implement ourbusiness strategy. Our ability to grow successfully will depend on a variety of factors, including the continued availability of desirable business opportunities, thecompetitive responses from other financial institutions in our market areas and our ability to manage our growth. There can be no assurance of success or theavailability of branch or bank acquisitions in the future. 38 Future growth or operating results may require us to raise additional capital, but that capital may not be available, be available on unfavorable terms ormay be dilutive. We and Sonabank are each required by the Federal Reserve to maintain adequate levels of capital to support our operations. In the event that our future operatingresults erode capital, if Sonabank is required to maintain capital in excess of well-capitalized standards, or if we elect to expand through loan growth oracquisitions, we may be required to raise additional capital. Our ability to raise capital will depend on conditions in the capital markets, which are outside ourcontrol, and on our financial performance. Accordingly, we cannot be assured of our ability to raise capital on favorable terms when needed, or at all. If we cannotraise additional capital when needed, we will be subject to increased regulatory supervision and the imposition of restrictions on our growth and business. Theseoutcomes could negatively impact our ability to operate or further expand our operations through acquisitions or the establishment of additional branches and mayresult in increases in operating expenses and reductions in revenues that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Inaddition, in order to raise additional capital, we may need to issue shares of our common stock that would dilute the book value of our common stock and reduceour current shareholders’ percentage ownership interest to the extent they do not participate in future offerings. An investment in our common stock is not an insured deposit. Our common stock is not a bank deposit and, therefore, is not insured against loss by the FDIC, any other deposit insurance fund or by any other public or privateentity. Investment in our common stock is inherently risky for the reasons described in this “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in this report and is subject to thesame market forces that affect the price of common stock in any company. As a result, if you acquire our common stock, you may lose some or all of yourinvestment. Our stock price can be volatile. Stock price volatility may make it more difficult for you to resell your common stock when you want and at prices you find attractive. Our stock price canfluctuate significantly in response to a variety of factors including, among other things: ·actual or anticipated variations in quarterly results of operations; ·recommendations by securities analysts; ·operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors deem comparable to us; ·news reports relating to trends, concerns and other issues in the financial services industry; ·perceptions in the marketplace regarding us and/or our competitors; ·new technology used, or services offered, by competitors; ·significant acquisitions or business combinations, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments by or involving us or ourcompetitors; ·failure to integrate acquisitions or realize anticipated benefits from acquisitions; ·changes in government regulations; and ·geopolitical conditions such as acts or threats of terrorism or military conflicts. 39 General market fluctuations, industry factors and general economic and political conditions and events, such as economic slowdowns or recessions, interest ratechanges or credit loss trends, could also cause our stock price to decrease regardless of operating results. Our business is subject to interest rate risk and variations in interest rates may negatively affect our financial performance. The majority of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature and subject us to significant risk from changes in interest rates. Fluctuations in interest rates are notpredictable or controllable. Like most financial institutions, changes in interest rates can impact our net interest income as well as the valuation of our assets andliabilities, which is the difference between interest earned from interest-earning assets, such as loans and investment securities, and interest paid on interest-bearingliabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. We expect that we will periodically experience “gaps” in the interest rate sensitivities of our assets and liabilities,meaning that either our interest-bearing liabilities will be more sensitive to changes in market interest rates than our interest-earning assets, or vice versa. In eitherevent, if market interest rates should move contrary to our position, this “gap” will negatively impact our earnings. Many factors impact interest rates, includinggovernmental monetary policies, inflation, recession, changes in unemployment, the money supply, and international disorder and instability in domestic andforeign financial markets. Based on our analysis of the interest rate sensitivity of our assets, an increase in the general level of interest rates may negatively affect the market value of theportfolio equity, but will positively affect our net interest income since most of our assets have floating rates of interest that adjust fairly quickly to changes inmarket rates of interest. Additionally, an increase in interest rates may, among other things, reduce the demand for loans and our ability to originate loans. Adecrease in the general level of interest rates may affect us through, among other things, increased prepayments on our loan and mortgage-backed securitiesportfolios and increased competition for deposits. Accordingly, changes in the level of market interest rates affect our net yield on interest-earning assets, loanorigination volume, loan and mortgage-backed securities portfolios, and our overall results. Although our asset liability management strategy is designed to controlour risk from changes in market interest rates, it may not be able to prevent changes in interest rates from having a material adverse effect on our results ofoperations and financial condition. A loss of our executive officers could impair our relationship with our customers and adversely affect our business. Many community banks attract customers based on the personal relationships that the banks’ officers and customers establish with each other and the confidencethat the customers have in the officers. We depend on the performance of Ms. Georgia S. Derrico, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and R. Roderick Porter,President, of our company and Sonabank. Ms. Derrico is a well-known banker in our market areas, having operated a successful financial institution there for morethan 18 years prior to founding our company and Sonabank. We do not have an employment agreement with either individual. The loss of the services of either ofthese officers or their failure to perform management functions in the manner anticipated by our Board of Directors could have a material adverse effect on ourbusiness. Our success will be dependent upon the Board’s ability to attract and retain quality personnel, including these officers. 40 Our profitability depends significantly on local economic conditions in the areas where our operations and loans are concentrated. Our profitability depends on the general economic conditions in our market areas of Northern Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C., Charlottesville and CliftonForge (Alleghany County), Front Royal, New Market, Richmond and the surrounding areas. Unlike larger banks that are more geographically diversified, weprovide banking and financial services to clients primarily in these market areas. As of December 31, 2015, substantially all of our commercial real estate, realestate construction and residential real estate loans were made to borrowers in our market area. The local economic conditions in this area have a significant impacton our commercial, real estate and construction and consumer loans, the ability of the borrowers to repay these loans and the value of the collateral securing theseloans. In addition, if the population or income growth in this region slows, stops or declines, income levels, deposits and housing starts could be adversely affectedand could result in the curtailment of our expansion, growth and profitability. Additionally, political conditions could impact our earnings. For example, political debate over the budget, taxes and the potential for reduced governmentspending through national sequestration may adversely impact the economy, and more specifically local economic conditions given the concentration of Federalworkers and government contractors in our market. Acts or threats of war, terrorism, an outbreak of hostilities or other international or domestic calamities, orother factors beyond our control could impact these local economic conditions and could negatively affect the financial results of our banking operations. The properties that we own and our foreclosed real estate assets could subject us to environmental risks and associated costs. There is a risk that hazardous substances or wastes, contaminants, pollutants or other environmentally restricted substances could be discovered on our propertiesor our foreclosed assets (particularly in the case of real estate loans). In this event, we might be required to remove the substances from the affected properties or toengage in abatement procedures at our sole cost and expense. Besides being liable under applicable federal and state statutes for our own conduct, we may also beheld liable under certain circumstances for actions of borrowers or other third parties on property that collateralizes one or more of our loans or on property that weown. Potential environmental liability could include the cost of remediation and also damages for any injuries caused to third-parties. We cannot assure you thatthe cost of removal or abatement would not substantially exceed the value of the affected properties or the loans secured by those properties, that we would haveadequate remedies against prior owners or other responsible parties or that we would be able to resell the affected properties either prior to or following completionof any such removal or abatement procedures. Any environmental damages on a property would substantially reduce the value of such property as collateral and, asa result, we may suffer a loss upon collection of the loan. The small to medium-sized businesses we lend to may have fewer resources to weather a downturn in the economy, which may impair a borrower’sability to repay a loan to us that could materially harm our operating results. We make loans to professional firms and privately owned businesses that are considered to be small to medium-sized businesses. Small to medium-sizedbusinesses frequently have smaller market shares than their competition, may be more vulnerable to economic downturns, often need substantial additional capitalto expand or compete and may experience substantial volatility in operating results, any of which may impair a borrower’s ability to repay a loan. In addition, thesuccess of a small and medium-sized business often depends on the management talents and efforts of one or two persons or a small group of persons, and thedeath, disability or resignation of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on the business and its ability to repay our loan. Economicdownturns in our target markets could cause us to incur substantial loan losses that could materially harm our operating results. 41 We are heavily regulated by federal and state agencies; changes in laws and regulations or failures to comply with such laws and regulations mayadversely affect our operations and our financial results. We and Sonabank are subject to extensive regulation, supervision and examination by federal and state banking authorities. Any change in applicable regulationsor federal or state legislation could have a substantial impact on us and Sonabank, and our respective operations. Additional legislation and regulations may beenacted or adopted in the future that could significantly affect our powers, authority and operations or the powers, authority and operations of Sonabank, whichcould have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Further, bank regulatory authorities have the authority to bring enforcement actions against banks and their holding companies for unsafe or unsound practices inthe conduct of their businesses or for violations of any law, rule or regulation, any condition imposed in writing by the appropriate bank regulatory agency or anywritten agreement with the agency. Possible enforcement actions against us could include the issuance of a cease-and-desist order that could be judicially enforced,the imposition of civil monetary penalties, the issuance of directives to increase capital or enter into a strategic transaction, whether by merger or otherwise, with athird party, the appointment of a conservator or receiver, the termination of insurance of deposits, the issuance of removal and prohibition orders againstinstitution-affiliated parties, and the enforcement of such actions through injunctions or restraining orders. The exercise of this regulatory discretion and powermay have a negative impact on us. As a regulated entity, Sonabank must maintain certain required levels of regulatory capital that may limit our operations and potential growth. We and Sonabank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Federal Reserve. The capital requirements applicable to us andSonabank changed as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act and the international regulatory capital initiative known as Basel III, and could be subject to further change asa result of additional government actions or regulatory interpretations. Regulators recently issued the Revised Capital Rules, discussed above in CapitalRequirements . We were required to begin complying with the Revised Capital Rules on January 1, 2015. Among other things, the Revised Capital Rules raisedthe minimum thresholds for required capital and revised certain aspects of the definitions and elements of the capital that can be used to satisfy these requiredminimum thresholds. The Revised Capital Rules also introduce a minimum “capital conservation buffer” equal to 2.5% of an organization’s total risk-weightedassets, which exists in addition to the required minimum CET1, Tier 1, and Total Capital ratios that are discussed above. Complying with these capitalrequirements may affect our operations, including our asset portfolios and financial performance. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly additional, discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, couldhave a direct material effect on Sonabank’s and our company’s consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory frameworkfor prompt corrective action, Sonabank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of Sonabank’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet commitments as calculated under these regulations. The Revised Capital Rules require Sonabank to maintain minimum amounts and defined ratios of total, Common Equity Tier I and Tier 1 capital to risk-weightedassets and of Tier 1 capital to adjusted average assets, also known as the leverage ratio. For Sonabank, Common Equity Tier I and Tier 1 capital consists ofshareholders’ equity excluding unrealized gains and losses on certain securities, less a portion of its mortgage servicing asset and deferred tax asset that isdisallowed for capital. For Sonabank, total capital consists of Tier 1 capital plus the allowance for loan and lease loss less a deduction for low level recourseobligations. As of December 31, 2015, Sonabank exceeded the amounts required to be well capitalized with respect to all four required capital ratios. To be well capitalized,under the rules that applied beginning January 1, 2015, a bank was generally required to maintain a leverage ratio of at least 5%, a Common Equity Tier I risk-based capital ratio of at least 6.5%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 8% and a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10%. However, the Federal Reservecould require Sonabank to increase its capital levels. For example, regulators have recently required certain banking companies to maintain a leverage ratio of atleast 8% and a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 12%. As of December 31, 2015, Sonabank’s leverage, Common Equity Tier I risk-based capital, Tier 1 risk-based capital and total risk-based capital ratios were 10.94%, 12.99%, 12.99% and 14.00%, respectively. 42 Many factors affect the calculation of Sonabank’s risk-based assets and its ability to maintain the level of capital required to achieve acceptable capital ratios. Forexample, changes in risk weightings of assets relative to capital and other factors may combine to increase the amount of risk-weighted assets in the Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio and the total risk-based capital ratio. Any increases in its risk-weighted assets will require a corresponding increase in its capital to maintain theapplicable ratios. In addition, recognized loan losses in excess of amounts reserved for such losses, loan impairments, impairment losses on securities and otherfactors will decrease Sonabank’s capital, thereby reducing the level of the applicable ratios. Sonabank’s failure to remain well capitalized for bank regulatory purposes could affect customer confidence, our ability to grow, our costs of funds and FDICinsurance costs, our ability to pay dividends on our capital stock, our ability to make acquisitions, and on our business, results of operations and financial condition.Under FDIC rules, if Sonabank ceases to be a well capitalized institution for bank regulatory purposes, the interest rates that it pays on deposits and its ability toaccept, renew or rollover brokered deposits may be restricted. As of December 31, 2015, we had $77.4 million of brokered deposits, which represented 9.38% ofour total deposits. We may not be able to successfully compete with others for business. The metropolitan statistical area in which we operate is c onsidered highly attractive from an economic and demographic viewpoint, and is a highly competitivebanking market. We compete for loans, deposits and investment dollars with numerous regional and national banks, online divisions of out-of-market banks andother community banking institutions, as well as other kinds of financial institutions and enterprises, such as securities firms, insurance companies, savingsassociations, credit unions, mortgage brokers and private lenders. Many competitors have substantially greater resources than us, and operate under less stringentregulatory environments. The differences in resources and regulations may make it harder for us to compete profitably, reduce the rates that we can earn on loansand investments, increase the rates we must offer on deposits and other funds and adversely affect our overall financial condition and earnings. Provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws, as well as state and federal banking regulations, could delay or prevent a takeover of us by a thirdparty. Our articles of incorporation and bylaws could delay, defer or prevent a third party from acquiring us, despite the possible benefit to our shareholders, or otherwiseadversely affect the price of our common stock. 43 Any individual, acting alone or with other individuals, who are seeking to acquire, directly or indirectly, 10.0% or more of our outstanding common stock mustcomply with the Change in Bank Control Act, which requires prior notice to the Federal Reserve for any acquisition. Additionally, any entity that wants to acquire5.0% or more of our outstanding common stock, or otherwise control us, may need to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve under the BHCA of 1956, asamended. As a result, prospective investors in our common stock need to be aware of and comply with those requirements, to the extent applicable. We are subject to transaction risk, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operation. We, like all businesses, are subject to transaction risk, which is the risk of loss resulting from human error, fraud or unauthorized transactions due to inadequate orfailed internal processes and systems, and external events that are wholly or partially beyond our control (including, for example, computer viruses or electrical ortelecommunications outages). Transaction risk also encompasses compliance risk, which is the risk of loss from violations of, or noncompliance with, laws, rules,regulations, prescribed practices or ethical standards. Although we seek to mitigate transaction risk through a system of internal controls, there can be no assurancethat we will not suffer losses from transaction risks in the future that may be material in amount. Any losses resulting from transaction risk could take the form ofexplicit charges, increased operational costs, litigation costs, harm to reputation or forgone opportunities, any and all of which could have a material adverse effecton business, financial condition and results of operations. We must respond to rapid technological changes and these changes may be more difficult or expensive than anticipated. If competitors introduce new products and services embodying new technologies, or if new industry standards and practices emerge, our existing product andservice offerings, technology and systems may become obsolete. Further, if we fail to adopt or develop new technologies or to adapt our products and services toemerging industry standards, we may lose current and future customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and resultsof operations. The financial services industry is changing rapidly and in order to remain competitive, we must continue to enhance and improve the functionalityand features of our products, services and technologies. These changes may be more difficult or expensive than we anticipate. The impact of financial reform legislation is uncertain. The Dodd-Frank Act, enacted in 2010, instituted a wide range of regulatory, supervisory, and compliance reforms that will have had and will continue to have animpact on all financial institutions, including the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with centralized authority, including examination andenforcement authority, for consumer protection in the banking industry. The Dodd-Frank Act also included, among other things, changes to the deposit insuranceand financial regulatory systems, enhanced bank capital requirements and requirements designed to protect consumers in financial transactions. While many of therequirements called for in the Dodd-Frank Act have been implemented, others will continue to be implemented over time. In light of these significant changes andthe discretion afforded to federal regulators, we cannot fully predict the effect that compliance with the Dodd-Frank Act or any implementing regulations will haveon our businesses or ability to pursue future business opportunities. Regulations implementing the Dodd-Frank Act, or any other aspects of current proposedregulatory or legislative changes to laws applicable to the financial industry, if enacted or adopted, may impact the profitability of our business activities or changecertain of our business practices, including our ability to offer new products, obtain financing, attract deposits, make loans, and achieve satisfactory interestspreads, and could expose us to additional costs, including increased compliance costs. Other changes to statutes, regulations, or regulatory policies or supervisoryguidance, including changes in their interpretation or implementation, may affect us in substantial ways that we cannot predict. These changes also may requireSouthern National to invest significant management attention and resources to make any necessary changes to our operations in order to comply, and couldtherefore also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. 44 The Bureau recently issued “ability-to-repay” and “qualified mortgage” rules that may have a negative impact on our loan origination process andforeclosure proceedings, which could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. As described above in Supervision and Regulation - Fair Lending; Consumer Laws , the Bureau adopted a rule that implements the ability-to-repay andqualified mortgage provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act.. The final ability-to-repay rule, which took effect on January 10, 2014, has impacted our residentialmortgage lending practices, and the residential mortgage market generally. Reflecting the Bureau's focus on the residential mortgage lending market, the Bureau has also issued rules to implement requirements of the Dodd-Frank Actpertaining to mortgage loan origination (including with respect to loan originator compensation and loan originator qualifications) and has issued integratedmortgage disclosure rules that replaced and combined certain existing requirements under the Truth in Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.The Bureau has indicated that it expects to issue additional mortgage-related rules in the future. The new “qualified mortgage” rules may increase our compliance burden and reduce our lending flexibility and discretion, which could negatively impact ourability to originate new loans and the cost of originating new loans. Any loans that we make outside of the “qualified mortgage” criteria could expose us to anincreased risk of liability and reduce or delay our ability to foreclose on the underlying property. Additionally, qualified “higher priced mortgages” only provide arebuttable presumption of compliance and thus may be more susceptible to challenges from borrowers. It is difficult to predict how the Bureau's “qualifiedmortgage” rules will impact us when they take effect, but any decreases in loan origination volume or increases in compliance and foreclosure costs couldnegatively affect our business, operating results and financial condition. We currently intend to pay dividends on our common stock; however, our future ability to pay dividends is subject to restrictions. We declared the first cash dividend on our common stock in February 2012, and each quarter thereafter through 2015. We also declared a special dividend in thefourth quarters of 2014 and 2015. There are a number of restrictions on our ability to pay dividends. It is the policy of the Federal Reserve that bank holdingcompanies should pay cash dividends on common stock only out of income available over the past year and only if prospective earnings retention is consistent withthe organization's expected future needs and financial condition. The policy provides that bank holding companies should not maintain a level of cash dividendsthat undermines the bank holding company's ability to serve as a source of strength to its banking subsidiaries. Our principal source of funds to pay dividends on our common stock is cash dividends that we receive from Sonabank. The payment of dividends by Sonabank tous is subject to certain restrictions imposed by federal banking laws, regulations and authorities. The federal banking statutes prohibit federally insured banks frommaking any capital distributions (including a dividend payment) if, after making the distribution, the institution would be "under capitalized" as defined by statute.In addition, the relevant federal regulatory agencies have authority to prohibit an insured bank from engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice, as determined bythe agency, in conducting an activity. The payment of dividends could be deemed to constitute such an unsafe or unsound practice, depending on the financialcondition of Sonabank. Regulatory authorities could impose administratively stricter limitations on the ability of Sonabank to pay dividends to us if such limitswere deemed appropriate to preserve certain capital adequacy requirements. 45 The trading volume in our common stock is less than that of other larger financial services companies. Although our common stock is listed for trading on the NASDAQ Global Market, the trading volume is low, and you are not assured liquidity with respect totransactions in our common stock. A public trading market having the desired characteristics of depth, liquidity and orderliness depends on the presence in themarketplace of willing buyers and sellers of our common stock at any given time. This presence depends on the individual decisions of investors and generaleconomic and market conditions over which we have no control. Given the lower trading volume of our common stock, significant sales of our common stock, orthe expectation of these sales, could cause our stock price to fall. Severe weather, natural disasters, climate change, acts of war or terrorism and other external events could significantly impact our business . Severe weather, natural disasters, climate change, acts of war or terrorism and other adverse external events could have a significant impact on our ability toconduct business. Such events could affect the stability of our deposit base, impair the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans, impair the value ofcollateral securing loans, cause significant property damage, result in loss of revenue and/or cause us to incur additional expenses. Although management hasestablished disaster recovery policies and procedures, there can be no assurance of the effectiveness of such policies and procedures, and the occurrence of anysuch event could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Consumers may decide not to use banks to complete their financial transactions. Technology and other changes are allowing parties to complete financial transactions that historically have involved banks through alternative methods. Forexample, consumers can now maintain funds that would have historically been held as bank deposits in brokerage accounts or mutual funds. Consumers can alsocomplete transactions such as paying bills and/or transferring funds directly without the assistance of banks. The process of eliminating banks as intermediariescould result in the loss of fee income, as well as the loss of customer deposits and the related income generated from those deposits. The loss of these revenuestreams and the lower cost deposits as a source of funds could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Our information systems may experience an interruption or breach in security. We rely heavily on communications and information systems provided both internally and externally to conduct our business. Any failure, interruption or breach insecurity of these systems (such as a spike in transaction volume, a cyber-attack or other unforeseen events) could result in failures or disruptions in our customerrelationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan and other systems. While we have policies and procedures and service level agreements designed to preventor limit the effect of the failure, interruption or security breach of our information systems, there can be no assurance that any such failures, interruptions orsecurity breaches will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed. While we maintain an insurance policy which we believe providessufficient coverage at a manageable expense for an institution of our size and scope with similar technological systems, we cannot assure shareholders that thispolicy would be sufficient to cover all related financial losses and damages should we experience any one or more of our or a third party’s systems failing orexperiencing a cyber-attack. The occurrence of any failures, interruptions or security breaches of our information systems could damage our reputation, result in aloss of customer business, subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose us to civil litigation and possible financial liability, including remediation costsand increased protection costs, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. 46 We face significant cyber and data security risk that could result in the disclosure of confidential information, adversely affect our business or reputationand expose us to significant liabilities . As a financial institution, we are under threat of loss due to hacking and cyber-attacks. This risk has increased in recent years, and continues to increase, as wecontinue to expand customer capabilities to utilize internet and other remote channels to transact business. Two of the most significant cyber-attack risks that weface are e-fraud and loss of sensitive customer data. Loss from e-fraud occurs when cybercriminals breach and extract funds directly from customer or ouraccounts. The attempts to breach sensitive customer data, such as account numbers and social security numbers, are less frequent but would present significantreputational, legal and/or regulatory costs to us if successful. Our risk and exposure to these matters remains heightened because of the evolving nature andcomplexity of these threats from cybercriminals and hackers, our plans to continue to provide internet banking and mobile banking channels, and our plans todevelop additional remote connectivity solutions to serve our customers. While we have not experienced any material losses relating to cyber-attacks or otherinformation security breaches to date, we have been the subject of attempted hacking and cyber-attacks and there can be no assurance that we will not suffer suchlosses in the future. The occurrence of any cyber-attack or information security breach could result in material adverse consequences to us including damage to our reputation and theloss of customers. We also could face litigation or additional regulatory scrutiny. Litigation or regulatory actions in turn could lead to significant liability or othersanctions, including fines and penalties or reimbursement of customers adversely affected by a security breach. Even if we do not suffer any material adverseconsequences as a result of events affecting us directly, successful attacks or systems failures at other large financial institutions could lead to a general loss ofcustomer confidence in financial institutions including Sonabank. Our ability to mitigate the adverse consequences of such occurrences is in part dependent on the quality of our information security procedures and contracts andour ability to anticipate the timing and nature of any such event that occurs. In recent years, we have incurred significant expense towards improving the reliabilityof our systems and their security from attack. Nonetheless, there remains the risk that we may be materially harmed by a cyber-attack or information securitybreach. Methods used to attack information systems change frequently (with generally increasing sophistication), often are not recognized until launched against atarget, may be supported by foreign governments or other well-financed entities, and may originate from less regulated and remote areas around the world. As aresult, we may be unable to address these methods in advance of attacks, including by implementing adequate preventive measures. If such an attack or breachdoes occur, we might not be able to fix it timely or adequately. To the extent that such an attack or breach relates to products or services provided by others, weseek to engage in due diligence and monitoring to limit the risk . Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments Southern National does not have any unresolved staff comments from the SEC to report for the year ended December 31, 2015. 47 Item 2. – Properties The following table sets forth the date opened or acquired, ownership status and the total deposits, not including brokered deposits, for each of our bankinglocations, as of December 31, 2015: Date Opened Owned or Deposits Location or Acquired Leased (in thousands) Home Office and Branch: 6830 Old Dominion Drive December 2006 Leased $48,628 McLean, Virginia 22101 Branch Offices: 511 Main Street December 2005 Owned $46,119 Clifton Forge, Virginia 24442 1770 Timberwood Boulevard April 2005 Leased $44,738 Charlottesville, Virginia 22911 11527 Sunrise Valley Drive December 2006 Leased $32,688 Reston, Virginia 20191 10855 Fairfax Boulevard December 2006 Leased $31,782 Fairfax, Virginia 22030 550 Broadview Avenue April 2007 Leased $32,035 Warrenton, Virginia 20186 1 East Market Street April 2008 Leased $18,874 Leesburg, Virginia 20176 11 Main Street September 2009 Leased $26,774 Warrenton, Virginia 20186 11200 Rockville Pike December 2009 Leased $72,950 Rockville, Maryland 20852 1 South Front Royal Avenue December 2009 Owned $42,612 Front Royal, Virginia 22630 9484 Congress Street December 2009 Owned $42,270 New Market, Virginia 22844 48 Date Opened Owned or Deposits Location or Acquired Leased (in thousands) 43086 Peacock Market Plaza December 2009 Leased $22,329 South Riding, Virginia 20152 10 West Washington Street May 2011 Leased $16,471 Middleburg, Virginia 20117 13804 Hull Street Road October 2011 Owned $40,223 Midlothian, Virginia 23112 9707 Medical Center Drive, Suite 150 April 2012 Leased $49,409 Rockville, Maryland 20850 37 North Market Street April 2012 Leased $31,462 Frederick, Maryland 21701 6719 Leaberry Way August 2012 Leased $10,619 Haymarket, Virginia 20169 7700 Wisconsin Avenue October 2012 Leased $38,495 Bethesda, Maryland 22101 4009 Old Town Road August 2014 Leased $14,016 Huntingtown, Maryland 20639 137 E. Chesapeake Beach Road August 2014 Owned $12,937 Owings, Maryland 20736 14804 Pratt Street August 2014 Owned $62,176 Upper Marlboro, Maryland 200772 14118 Brandywine Road August 2014 Owned $10,260 Brandywine, Maryland 20613 49 Date Opened Owned or Deposits Location or Acquired Leased (in thousands) Loan Production Offices: 230 Court Square March 2005 Leased NA Charlottesville, Virginia 22902 2217 Princess Anne Street April 2005 Leased NA Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 550 Broadview Avenue September 2005 Leased NA Warrenton, Virginia 20186 Accounting Office: 70 Main Street, Suite 34 December 2014 Leased NA Warrenton, Virginia 20186 Executive Offices: 1002 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. April 2005 Leased NA Washington, D.C. 20007 Item 3. - Legal Proceedings Southern National and Sonabank may, from time to time, be a party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. There are no otherproceedings pending, or to management’s knowledge, threatened, against Southern National or Sonabank as of December 31, 2015. Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures. Not applicable. PART II Item 5. - Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Common Stock Market Prices On November 6, 2006, Southern National closed on the initial public offering of its common stock, $0.01 par value. The shares of common stock sold in theoffering were registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on a Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-136285) that was declared effective bythe Securities and Exchange Commission on October 31, 2006. The shares of common stock were sold at a price to the public of $14.00 per share (equivalent to$12.73 after the stock dividend declared in May 2007). Southern National completed a follow-on public offering of its common stock in an underwritten public offering on November 4, 2009, selling 4,791,665 shares ofcommon stock, including 624,999 shares sold pursuant to an over-allotment option granted to the underwriter, at a price of $6.00 per share. The gross proceedsfrom the shares sold were $28.7 million. The net proceeds to Southern National from the offering were approximately $26.9 million after deducting $1.3 million inunderwriting commission and an estimated $486 thousand in other expenses incurred in connection with the offering. 50 Southern National’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “SONA”. Our common stock began trading on the Nasdaq CapitalMarket in November 2006, and the exchange listing was upgraded to the Nasdaq Global Market at the open of trading on December 18, 2007. There were 12,238,443 shares of our common stock outstanding at the close of business on March 8, 2016, which were held by 241 s hareholders of record. The following table presents the high and low intra-day sales prices and dividends declared for quarterly periods during 2015 and 2014: Market Values Dividends Declared 2015 2014 2015 (1) 2014 (2) High Low High Low First Quarter $12.50 $10.80 $10.24 $9.81 $0.08 $0.07 Second Quarter 12.22 11.03 11.70 10.05 $0.08 $0.07 Third Quarter 12.00 10.98 11.70 10.37 $0.08 $0.08 Fourth Quarter 13.54 11.14 13.13 10.98 $0.28 $0.38 (1) The dividend declared in the fourth quarter of 2015 included a special dividend of $0.20.(2) The dividend declared in the fourth quarter of 2014 included a special dividend of $0.30. Dividend Policy Dividends are paid at the discretion of our board of directors. While we paid a nonrecurring 10% stock dividend to our holders of common stock in 2007, wedeclared the first cash dividend on our common stock in February 2012 and each quarter thereafter through 2015. The amount and frequency of dividends, if any,will be determined by our board of directors after consideration of our earnings, capital requirements, our financial condition and our ability to service any equityor debt obligations senior to our common stock, and will depend on cash dividends paid to us by our subsidiary bank. As a result, our ability to pay futuredividends will depend on the earnings of Sonabank, its financial condition and its need for funds. There are a number of restrictions on our ability to pay cash dividends. It is the policy of the FRB that bank holding companies should pay cash dividends oncommon stock only out of net income available over the past year and only if prospective earnings retention is consistent with the organization’s expected futureneeds and financial condition. The policy provides that bank holding companies should not maintain a level of cash dividends that undermines the bank holdingcompany’s ability to serve as a source of financial strength to its banking subsidiary. For a foreseeable period of time, our principal source of cash will bedividends paid by our subsidiary bank with respect to its capital stock. There are certain restrictions on the payment of these dividends imposed by federal and statebanking laws, regulations and authorities. Regulatory authorities could administratively impose limitations on the ability of our subsidiary bank to pay dividends to us if such limits were deemed appropriateto preserve certain capital adequacy requirements or in the interests of “safety and soundness.” Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities None 51 Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans As of December 31, 2015, Southern National had outstanding stock options granted under its Stock Option Plan, which is approved by its shareholders. Thefollowing table provides information as of December 31, 2015 regarding Southern National’s equity compensation plans under which our equity securities areauthorized for issuance: Number of securities remaining available for Number of securities Weighted average future issuance under to be issued upon exercise exercise price of equity compensation plans of outstanding options, outstanding options, (excluding securities reflected warrants and rights warrants and rights in column A) Plan category A B C Equity compensation plans approved by security holders 664,400 $9.00 163,650 Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders - - - Total 664,400 $9.00 163,650 Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities None Performance Graph The following chart compares the cumulative total shareholder return on Southern National common stock during the five years ended December 31, 2015, withthe cumulative total return of the Russell 2000 Index and the SNL Bank and Thrift Index for the same period. Dividend reinvestment has been assumed. Thiscomparison assumes $100 invested on December 31, 2010 in Southern National common stock, the Russell 2000 Index and the SNL Bank and Thrift Index. Thehistorical stock price performance for Southern National common stock shown on the graph below is not necessarily indicative of future stock performance. 52 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Southern National Bancorp of Virginia 100.0 84.7 116.6 147.1 175.8 211.8 Russell 2000 100.0 121.6 141.4 196.3 206.0 196.9 SNL Bank and Thrift Index 100.0 86.8 116.6 159.6 178.2 181.8 53 Item 6. - Selected Financial Data The following table sets forth selected financial data for Southern National as of December 31, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011, and for the years endedDecember 31, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011: 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 (in thousands, except per share amounts) Results of Operations: Interest income $43,701 $38,091 $35,116 $37,561 $33,423 Interest expense 7,077 4,673 4,668 5,828 6,087 Net interest income 36,624 33,418 30,448 31,733 27,336 Provision for loan losses 3,171 3,444 3,615 6,195 8,492 Net interest income after provision for loan losses 33,453 29,974 26,833 25,538 18,844 Noninterest income 3,781 2,364 1,753 5,595 2,442 Noninterest expenses 23,278 21,101 19,292 21,449 15,193 Income before income taxes 13,956 11,237 9,294 9,684 6,093 Income tax expense 4,667 3,754 3,036 3,115 1,692 Net income $9,289 $7,483 $6,258 $6,569 $4,401 Per Share Data: Earnings per share - Basic $0.76 $0.63 $0.54 $0.57 $0.38 Earnings per share - Diluted $0.75 $0.63 $0.54 $0.57 $0.38 Cash dividends paid per share $0.52 $0.60 $0.25 $0.25 $- Book value per share $9.78 $9.33 $9.20 $8.90 $8.55 Tangible book value per share (1) $8.83 $8.36 $8.34 $8.00 $7.58 Weighted average shares outstanding - Basic 12,224,494 11,846,126 11,590,333 11,590,212 11,590,212 Weighted average shares outstanding - Diluted 12,330,431 11,927,083 11,627,445 11,596,176 11,591,156 Shares outstanding at end of period 12,234,443 12,216,669 11,590,612 11,590,212 11,590,212 . . . . . Selected Performance Ratios and Other Data: Return on average assets 0.95% 0.94% 0.89% 0.97% 0.74%Return on average equity 7.87% 6.76% 5.95% 6.40% 4.51%Yield on earning assets 4.85% 5.24% 5.48% 6.15% 6.20%Cost of funds 0.91% 0.75% 0.85% 1.11% 1.31%Net interest margin 4.07% 4.60% 4.75% 5.19% 5.06%Efficiency ratio (2) 57.64% 60.45% 60.78% 56.25% 50.13%Net charge-offs to average loans 0.28% 0.51% 0.69% 1.04% 1.63%Allowance for loan losses to total non-covered loans 1.06% 1.11% 1.42% 1.54% 1.54%Stockholders' equity to total assets 11.55% 12.43% 14.89% 14.25% 16.20% Financial Condition: Total assets $1,036,107 $916,645 $716,185 $723,812 $611,373 Total loans, net of deferred fees 829,425 703,472 546,058 530,151 491,768 Total deposits 825,294 742,425 540,359 550,977 461,095 Stockholders' equity 119,636 113,979 106,614 103,176 99,051 (1)Tangible book value per share is calculated by dividing stockholders' equity less intangible assets by the number of outstanding shares of common stock.(2)Efficiency ratio is calculated by dividing noninterest expense by the sum of net interest income plus noninterest income, excluding any gains/losses on sales ofsecurities, gains/write-downs on OREO, gains on acquisitions and gains on sale of loans. 54 Item 7. – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Management’s discussion and analysis is presented to aid the reader in understanding and evaluating the financial condition and results of operations of SouthernNational. This discussion and analysis should be read with the consolidated financial statements, the footnotes thereto, and the other financial data included in thisreport. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES Our accounting policies are in accordance with U. S. generally accepted accounting principles and with general practices within the banking industry. Managementmakes a number of estimates and assumptions relating to reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dateof the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during periods presented. Different assumptions in the application ofthese methods or policies could result in material changes in our financial statements. As such, the following policies are considered “critical accounting policies”for us. Allowance for Loan Losses The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when managementbelieves the collection of the principal is unlikely. Recoveries of amounts previously charged-off are credited to the allowance. Management's determination of theadequacy of the allowance is based on a three year historical average net loss experience for each portfolio segment adjusted for current industry and economicconditions (referred to as “current factors”) and estimates of their effect on loan collectability. While management uses available information to estimate losses onloans, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions, particularly those affecting real estate values. The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are individually classified as impaired. The generalcomponent provides for estimated losses in unimpaired loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that Southern National will be unable to collect the scheduledpayments of principal or interest when due according to the terms of the loan documentation. Factors considered by management in determining impairmentinclude payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due, among other considerations. Loansthat experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of paymentdelays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including thelength of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower's prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis for commercial and construction loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at theloan's effective interest rate, the loan's observable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Individual consumer andresidential loans are evaluated for impairment based on the aforementioned criteria as well as regulatory guidelines. 55 The general component covers non-impaired loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors. The historical loss experience isdetermined by portfolio segment and is based on the actual net loss history experienced by Southern National over the most recent three years. This actual lossexperience is adjusted for current factors based on the risks present for each portfolio segment. These current factors include consideration of the following: levelsof and trends in delinquencies and impaired loans; levels of and trends in charge-offs and recoveries; trends in volume and terms of loans; effects of any changes inrisk selection and underwriting standards; other changes in lending policies, procedures, and practices; experience, ability, and depth of lending management andother relevant staff; national and local economic trends and conditions; industry conditions; and effects of changes in credit concentrations. The followingportfolio segments have been identified: owner occupied commercial real estate, non-owner occupied commercial real estate, construction and land development,commercial loans, residential 1-4 family, multi-family residential, loans secured by farmland, home equity lines of credit (HELOC) and consumer. Whileunderwriting practices in this environment are more stringent, the bank estimates the effect of internal factors on future net loss experience to be negligible. Management’s estimate of the effect of current external economic environmental conditions on future net loss experience is significant in all loan segments andparticularly on loans secured by real estate including single family 1-4, non-owner occupied commercial real estate and construction and land development loans. These factors include excess inventory, generally less demand driven in part by fewer qualified borrowers and buyers. These considerations have played asignificant role in management’s estimate of the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses. Accounting for the FDIC Indemnification Asset and Acquired Loans Southern National acquired loan portfolios through its acquisitions of Greater Atlantic Bank in 2009, its acquisition of HarVest Bank of Maryland in 2012, and itsacquisition of Prince George’s Federal Savings Bank in 2014. The single family residential loans acquired in the Greater Atlantic Bank transaction are referred toas covered loans because of loss protection provided by the FDIC pursuant to a loss sharing agreement which expires in December 2019. The loss sharingagreement related to non-single family residential loans expired in December 2014. The loans acquired in the HarVest and Prince George’s transactions are notcovered by an FDIC loss sharing agreement. The accounting for the covered loans requires Southern Financial to estimate the timing and amount of cash flows to be collected from these loans at acquisition,and to periodically update our estimates of the cash flows expected to be collected over the life of the covered loans. Similarly, the accounting for the FDICindemnification asset requires us to estimate the timing and amount of cash flows to be received from the FDIC in reimbursement for losses and expenses related tothe covered loans; these estimates are directly related to estimates of cash flows to be received from the covered loans. The estimated cash flows from the FDICindemnification asset are sensitive to changes in the same assumptions that impact expected cash flows on covered loans. If the amount of expected cash flows tobe recovered from the FDIC changes, the difference between the carrying amount of the FDIC indemnification asset and the revised recoverable amount is accretedor amortized over the remaining term of the FDIC agreement. These estimates are considered to be critical accounting estimates because they involve significantjudgment and assumptions as to the amount and timing of cash flows to be collected. Acquired loans are placed into homogenous pools at acquisition. At acquisition, the fair value of the pools of credit impaired loans was measured based on theexpected cash flows to be derived from each pool. The difference between total contractual payments due and the cash flows expected to be received at acquisitionwas recognized as non-accretable difference. The excess of expected cash flows over the recorded fair value of each pool at the acquisition is referred to as theaccretable yield and is being recognized as interest income over the life of each pool. Acquired loans with no discount attributable, at least in part, to credit quality,performing loans, are accounted for on a contractual basis. We monitor loan pool activity and performance and as conditions or expectations change we update our expected cash flows from the pools to determine whetherany material changes have occurred in expected cash flows that would be indicative of impairment or necessitate reclassification between non-accretable differenceand accretable yield. Initial and ongoing cash flow expectations incorporate significant assumptions regarding prepayment rates, the timing of resolution of loans,frequency of default, delinquency and loss severity, which is dependent on estimates of underlying collateral values. 56 Prepayment, delinquency and default curves used to forecast pool cash flows are derived from the historical performance of the loan pools. Changes in theassumptions that impact forecasted cash flows could result in a potentially material change to the amount of the allowance for loan losses or the rate of accretion onthese loans. Other than Temporary Impairment (“OTTI”) of Investment Securities Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or marketconditions warrant such an evaluation. For securities in an unrealized loss position, management considers the extent and duration of the unrealized loss, and thefinancial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer. Management also assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required tosell, a security in an unrealized loss position before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, theentire difference between amortized cost and fair value is recognized as impairment through earnings. For debt securities that do not meet the aforementionedcriteria, the amount of impairment is split into two components as follows: 1) 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 thecash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis. For equity securities, the entire amount of impairment is recognized through earnings. In order to determine OTTI for purchased beneficial interests that, on the purchase date, were not highly rated, Southern National compares the present value of theremaining cash flows as estimated at the preceding evaluation date to the current expected remaining cash flows. OTTI is deemed to have occurred if there hasbeen an adverse change in the remaining expected future cash flows. Goodwill Impairment Assessment Goodwill is evaluated for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if events or circumstances warrant. Goodwill is primarily related to the 2006acquisition of 1 st Service Bank. The acquisition of PGFSB in 2014 increased goodwill by $1.4 million. Our annual assessment timing is during the third calendarquarter. For the 2015 assessment, we performed a qualitative assessment to determine if it was more likely than not that the fair value of our single reporting unit isless than its carrying amount. We concluded that the fair value of our single reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount. Our qualitative assessment consideredmany factors including, but not limited to, our actual and projected operating performance and profitability, as well as consideration of recent bank merger andacquisition transaction metrics. No impairment was indicated in 2015 or 2014. Other Real Estate Owned (OREO) Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at the fair value of the collateral at the date of foreclosure basedon estimates, including some obtained from third parties, less estimated costs to sell, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations areperiodically performed by management, and the assets are carried at the lower of cost or fair value, less estimated costs to sell. Significant property improvementsthat enhance the salability of the property are capitalized to the extent that the carrying value does not exceed estimated realizable value. Legal fees, maintenanceand other direct costs of foreclosed properties are expensed as incurred. 57 Due to the judgment involved in estimating fair value of the properties, accounting for OREO is regarded as a critical accounting policy. Estimates of value ofOREO properties at the date of foreclosure are typically based on real estate appraisals performed by independent appraisers. These values are generally updated asappraisals become available. Valuation of Deferred Tax Asset The provision for income taxes reflects the tax effects of the transactions reported in the financial statements, including taxes currently due as well as changes indeferred taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities represent estimates of the future tax return consequences of temporary differences between carrying amounts andtax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are computed by using currently enacted income tax rates and applying those rates to theperiods in which the deferred tax assets or liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets andliabilities are adjusted through the provision for income taxes. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, management concluded that it is more likely than not thatSouthern National will generate sufficient taxable income to fully utilize our deferred tax assets. OVERVIEW Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc. (“Southern National” or “SNBV”) is a corporation formed on July 28, 2004 under the laws of the Commonwealth ofVirginia and is the holding company for Sonabank (“Sonabank”) a Virginia state chartered bank which commenced operations on April 14, 2005. Sonabankprovides a range of financial services to individuals and small and medium sized businesses. Sonabank has fifteen branches in Virginia, located in Fairfax County(Reston, McLean and Fairfax), in Charlottesville, Warrenton (2), Middleburg, Leesburg (2), South Riding, Front Royal, New Market, Haymarket, Richmond andClifton Forge, and eight branches in Maryland, in Rockville, Shady Grove, Frederick, Bethesda, Upper Marlboro, Brandywine, Owings and Huntingtown. While we offer a wide range of commercial banking services, we focus on making loans secured primarily by commercial real estate and other types of securedand unsecured commercial loans to small and medium-sized businesses in a number of industries, as well as loans to individuals for a variety of purposes. We are aleading Small Business Administration (SBA) lender among Virginia community banks. We also invest in real estate-related securities, including collateralizedmortgage obligations and agency mortgage backed securities. Our principal sources of funds for loans and investing in securities are deposits and, to a lesserextent, borrowings. We offer a broad range of deposit products, including checking (NOW), savings, money market accounts and certificates of deposit. Weactively pursue business relationships by utilizing the business contacts of our senior management, other bank officers and our directors, thereby capitalizing onour knowledge of our local market areas . We completed the acquisition of the HarVest Bank of Maryland on April 27, 2012, the Midlothian Branch in Richmond, Virginia on October 1, 2011 and theacquisition and assumption of certain assets and liabilities of Greater Atlantic Bank from the FDIC on December 4, 2009. As part of the Greater Atlanticacquisition, the Bank and the FDIC entered into a loss sharing agreement (the “loss sharing agreement”) on approximately $143.4 million (cost basis) of GreaterAtlantic Bank’s assets. The Bank will share in the losses on the loans and foreclosed loan collateral with the FDIC as specified in the loss sharing agreement; werefer to these assets collectively as “covered assets The merger with Prince George’s Federal Savings Bank (PGFSB) was completed on August 1, 2014. Southern National acquired PGFSB in a cash and stocktransaction. PGFSB was founded in 1931 and is headquartered in Upper Marlboro, which is the County Seat of Prince George’s County, Maryland. PGFSB hasfour offices, all of which are in Maryland, including a main office in Upper Marlboro and three branch offices in Dunkirk, Brandywine and Huntingtown. PGFSBhas an excellent core deposit base reflecting its tenure in the communities it serves, and its lending activities have historically been focused on residentialmortgages. 58 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Net Income Net income for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $9.3 million, compared to $7.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $7.5 million, compared to $6.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Net Interest Income Our operating results depend primarily on our net interest income, which is the difference between interest and dividend income on interest-earning assets such asloans and investments, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities such as deposits and borrowings. Average loans during 2015 were $761.6 million compared to $608.6 million in 2014. The net interest margin for the year was 4.07% in 2015, down from 4.60% in2014. The decline in the net interest margin was partially attributable to an increase in the residential loan portfolio resulting from the PGFSB acquisition and theresidential portfolio purchases from STM during the year. Net interest income was $36.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $33.4million during the prior year. The accretion of the discount on loans acquired in the acquisitions of Greater Atlantic Bank, HarVest and Prince Georges FederalSavings Bank (PGFSB) contributed $2.6 million to net interest income during the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $3.1 million during 2014. Otherfactors that resulted in the decline were: (1) the weighted average interest rate on loans decreasing from 5.69% for the year ended December 31, 2014 to 5.27% for2015, primarily because of the growth of the single-family residential portfolio as noted above; (2) the average balance of other earning assets, which is primarilyinterest earning balances at the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB), was $12.8 million more in 2015 compared to 2014 which decreased the net interest margin byapproximately 6 basis points. Going forward, we expect cash balances to be held at a lower level; (3) the cost of deposits increased from 0.71% for the year endedDecember 31, 2014, to 0.90% for the year ended December 31, 2015, as a result of increased retail money market rates and lengthening certificate of depositmaturities. Average loans during 2014 were $608.6 million compared to $516.9 million in the prior year. The growth resulted from the factors noted above. The net interestmargin was 4.60% in 2014, down from 4.75% in 2013. The decline in the net interest margin was partially attributable to an increase in the residential loanportfolio resulting from the PGFSB acquisition and the portfolio purchases from STM during the year. Net interest income was $33.4 million during the year endedDecember 31, 2014, compared to $30.4 million during the prior year. The Greater Atlantic Bank (GAB) loan discount accretion contributed $2.0 million to net interest income during 2014, compared to $1.7 million during 2013. Theloan discount accretion on the HarVest Bank portfolio contributed $920 thousand during 2014, compared to $1.9 million during 2013. The discount accretion onthe PGFSB portfolio was $229 thousand in 2014. 59 The following tables detail average balances of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, the amount of interest earned/paid on such assets andliabilities, and the yield/rate for the periods indicated: Average Balance Sheets and Net InterestAnalysis For the YearsEnded December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 2015 2014 2013 Interest Interest Interest Average Income/ Yield/ Average Income/ Yield/ Average Income/ Yield/ Balance Expense Rate Balance Expense Rate Balance Expense Rate (Dollar amounts in thousands) Assets Interest-earning assets: Loans, net of deferred fees (1) (2) $761,550 $40,104 5.27% $608,604 $34,611 5.69% $516,927 $32,269 6.24%Investment securities 97,580 2,806 2.88% 90,133 2,628 2.92% 83,920 2,272 2.71%Other earning assets 41,245 791 1.92% 28,484 852 2.99% 39,938 575 1.44% Total earning assets 900,375 43,701 4.85% 727,221 38,091 5.24% 640,785 35,116 5.48%Allowance for loan losses (8,139) (7,422) (7,621) Intangible assets 11,991 11,452 10,212 Other non-earning assets 70,800 66,157 61,397 Total assets $975,027 $797,408 $704,773 Liabilities and stockholders' equity Interest-bearing liabilities: NOW accounts $24,306 25 0.10% $23,574 26 0.11% $23,723 58 0.24%Money market accounts 138,559 483 0.35% 130,473 369 0.28% 147,319 505 0.34%Savings accounts 44,661 282 0.63% 29,034 179 0.62% 12,323 72 0.59%Time deposits 509,900 5,643 1.11% 376,395 3,402 0.90% 319,495 3,412 1.07%Total interest-bearing deposits 717,426 6,433 0.90% 559,476 3,976 0.71% 502,860 4,047 0.80%Borrowings 58,358 644 1.10% 62,810 697 1.11% 46,323 621 1.34%Total interest-bearing liabilities 775,784 7,077 0.91% 622,286 4,673 0.75% 549,183 4,668 0.85%Noninterest-bearing liabilities: Demand deposits 75,129 59,205 44,989 Other liabilities 6,120 5,158 5,352 Total liabilites 857,033 686,649 599,524 Stockholders' equity 117,994 110,759 105,249 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $975,027 $797,408 $704,773 Net interest income $36,624 $33,418 $30,448 Interest rate spread 3.94% 4.49% 4.63%Net interest margin 4.07% 4.60% 4.75% (1)Includes loan fees in both interest income and the calculation of the yield on loans.(2)Calculations include non-accruing loans in average loan amounts outstanding. 60 The following table summarizes changes in net interest income attributable to changes in the volume of interest-bearing assets and liabilities compared to changesin interest rates. The change in interest, due to both rate and volume, has been proportionately allocated between rate and volume. Year Ended December 31, 2015 vs. 2014 Year Ended December 31, 2014 vs. 2013 Increase (Decrease) Increase (Decrease) Due to Change in: Due to Change in: Net Net Volume Rate Change Volume Rate Change ( in thousands) Interest-earning assets: Loans, net of deferred fees $7,786 $(2,293) $5,493 $4,701 $(2,359) $2,342 Investment securities 214 (36) 178 175 181 356 Other earning assets (306) 245 (61) (100) 377 277 Total interest-earning assets 7,694 (2,084) 5,610 4,776 (1,801) 2,975 Interest-bearing liabilities: NOW accounts 1 (1) - (1) (31) (32)Money market accounts 24 90 114 (54) (82) (136)Savings accounts 99 4 103 103 4 107 Time deposits 1,373 868 2,241 (73) 63 (10)Total interest-bearing deposits 1,497 961 2,458 (25) (46) (71)Borrowings (49) (4) (53) 147 (71) 76 Total interest-bearing liabilities 1,448 957 2,405 122 (117) 5 Change in net interest income $6,246 $(3,041) $3,205 $4,654 $(1,684) $2,970 Provision for Loan Losses The provision for loan losses is a current charge to earnings made in order to increase the allowance for loan losses to a level for inherent probable losses in theloan portfolio based on an evaluation of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions, changes in the nature and volume of lending, historical loan experienceand other known internal and external factors affecting loan collectability. Our loan loss allowance is calculated by segmenting the loan portfolio by loan type andapplying risk factors to each segment. The risk factors are determined by considering historical loss data, peer data, as well as applying management’s judgment. The provision for loan losses charged to operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $3.2 million, $3.4 million, and $3.6 million,respectively. We had charge-offs totaling $2.7 million during 2015, $3.3 million during 2014, and $4.1 million during 2013. There were recoveries totaling $526thousand during 2015, $174 thousand during 2014 and $503 thousand during 2013. In addition to a decline in net charge-offs, we have also witnessed a significantdecline in non-accrual loans. The Financial Condition Section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis provides information on our loan portfolio, past due loans, nonperforming assets andthe allowance for loan losses. 61 Noninterest Income The following table presents the major categories of noninterest income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands): 2015 2014 Change Account maintenance and deposit service fees $953 $826 $127 Income from bank-owned life insurance 636 617 19 Equity income from mortgage affiliate 1,459 558 901 Net impairment losses recognized in earnings - (41) 41 Gain on sale of securities available for sale 520 - 520 Gain on other assets 7 202 (195)Other 206 202 4 Total noninterest income $3,781 $2,364 $1,417 2014 2013 Change Account maintenance and deposit service fees $826 $793 $33 Income from bank-owned life insurance 617 592 25 Equity income from mortgage affiliate 558 - 558 Net impairment losses recognized in earnings (41) (3) (38)Gain on sale of securities available for sale - 142 (142)Gain on other assets 202 13 189 Other 202 216 (14)Total noninterest income $2,364 $1,753 $611 Noninterest income increased to $3.8 million in 2015 from $2.4 million in 2014. We recognized income from our equity investment in STM in the amount of $1.5million during 2015 compared to $558 thousand in 2014. We closed on STM in May 2014, therefore, we recognized approximately seven and one half months ofincome in the year ended December 31, 2014. In the second quarter of 2015 we transferred from our held-to-maturity (HTM) portfolio all of the trust preferredsecurities and a non-government sponsored residential collateralized mortgage obligation (CMO) that had previously been classified as other than temporarilyimpaired to the available-for-sale (AFS) classification. We sold five of these trust preferred securities and the CMO recognizing a net gain of $520 thousand. Dueto the significant deterioration in these issuers’ creditworthiness which could not have been reasonably anticipated, we feel that our change in classification doesnot taint our intention to hold to maturity in regards to the remainder of our HTM portfolio. Noninterest income increased to $2.4 million in 2014 from $1.8 million in 2013. In addition to income from the STM investment in the amount of $558 thousand,we sold part of our investment in CapitalSouth Partners Fund III, a Small Business Investment Company, for a gain of $202 thousand. 62 Noninterest Expense The following table presents the major categories of noninterest expense for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands): 2015 2014 Change Salaries and benefits $11,860 $10,225 $1,635 Occupancy expenses 3,269 3,165 104 Furniture and equipment expenses 815 787 28 Amortization of core deposit intangible 261 220 41 Virginia franchise tax expense 352 455 (103)FDIC assessment 664 569 95 Data processing expense 668 569 99 Telephone and communication expense 786 751 35 Change in FDIC indemnification asset 630 1,230 (600)Net (gain) loss on other real estate owned 291 (433) 724 Merger expense - 487 (487)Other operating expenses 3,682 3,076 606 Total noninterest expense $23,278 $21,101 $2,177 2014 2013 Change Salaries and benefits $10,225 $9,063 $1,162 Occupancy expenses 3,165 3,063 102 Furniture and equipment expenses 787 724 63 Amortization of core deposit intangible 220 467 (247)Virginia franchise tax expense 455 471 (16)FDIC assessment 569 823 (254)Data processing expense 569 562 7 Telephone and communication expense 751 684 67 Change in FDIC indemnification asset 1,230 483 747 Net gain on other real estate owned (433) (188) (245)Merger expense 487 35 452 Other operating expenses 3,076 3,105 (29)Total noninterest expense $21,101 $19,292 $1,809 Noninterest expenses were $23.3 million during 2015, compared to $21.1 million during 2014. During 2015, we had losses on other real estate owned (OREO) of$740 thousand as we charged down five OREO properties which proved challenging to sell. This was partially offset by gains on the sale of six properties in theamount of $449 thousand, resulting in a net loss of $291 thousand. The net gain on OREO for 2014 was $433 thousand. The gain in 2014 resulted from the sale ofeight OREO properties at a gain of $1.1 million, the sale of three properties at a loss of $226 thousand, and impairment of $400 thousand on two properties. Mergerexpenses were $487 thousand during 2014. There were no such expenses in 2015. Employee compensation increased by $1.6 million during 2015 compared to2014, mainly as a result of the PGFSB merger. Total full time equivalent employees increased from 153 as of June 30, 2014 to 181 as of December 31, 2015primarily as a result of the PGFSB merger. During the fourth quarter of 2015, we refinanced $20 million of Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta advances andincurred a prepayment penalty in the amount of $184 thousand. The amortization expense of the FDIC indemnification asset decreased from $1.2 million in 2014,to $630 thousand in 2015 primarily because of the expiration of the loss sharing agreement related to non-single family residential loans in December 2014. 63 Noninterest expense was $21.1 million in 2014 compared to $19.3 million in 2013. Merger expenses were $487 thousand during 2014, compared to $35 thousandin 2013. The net gain on other real estate owned (OREO) in 2014 was $433 thousand compared to a gain on OREO of $188 thousand in 2013. The gain in 2014 resultedprimarily from the sale of eight OREO properties at a gain of $1.1 million, the sale of three properties at a loss of $226 thousand, and impairment of $400 thousandon two properties. During 2013, we sold five properties from OREO resulting in gains of $1.3 million. We sold four other properties resulting in losses of $588thousand. We also recognized impairment in the value of four properties in the amount of $550 thousand. As a result of the cash flow analysis of the acquired GAB loans and the related FDIC indemnification asset in the second quarter of 2014, the amortization expenseof the indemnification asset increased from $483 thousand in 2013, to $1.2 million in 2014. FINANCIAL CONDITION Total assets were $1.0 billion as of December 31, 2015, compared to $916.6 million as of December 31, 2014. Total loans increased from $703.5 million at the endof December 2014 to $829.4 million at December 31, 2015. Non-covered Loans Loans that are not covered by the FDIC loss sharing agreement are referred to as “non-covered loans.” Total non-covered loans, net of deferred fees, grew from$665.0 million at the end of 2014 to $795.1 million at the end of 2015. Non-covered commercial real estate loans, owner-occupied and non-owner-occupiedincreased from $337.1 million at the end of 2014 to $398.0 million as of December 31, 2015. Non-covered residential 1-4 family loans increases from $123.2 million at December 31, 2014 to $165.1 million at the end of 2015 as a result of the loanspurchased from STM in the amount of $51.4 million during 2015. Our commercial real estate lending program includes both loans closed under the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) 7(a) and 504 loan programs and loansclosed outside of the SBA programs that serve both the investor and owner-occupied facility market. The 504 loan program is used to finance long-term fixedassets, primarily real estate and heavy equipment and gives borrowers access to up to 90% financing for a project. SBA 7(a) loans may be used for the purchase ofreal estate, construction, renovation or leasehold improvements, as well as machinery, equipment, furniture, fixtures, inventory and in some instances, workingcapital and debt refinancing. The SBA guarantees up to 85% of the loan balance in the 7(a) program, and start-up businesses are eligible to participate in theprogram. During 2015 we closed loans totaling $10.2 million through the SBA’s 7(a) program and $10.1 million under the SBA’s 504 program. During 2014 weclosed loans totaling $8.9 million through the SBA’s 7(a) program and $8.2 million under the SBA’s 504 program. 64 Covered Loans We refer to the loans acquired in the Greater Atlantic acquisition as “covered loans” as we will be reimbursed by the FDIC for a substantial portion of any futurelosses on them under the terms of the loss sharing agreement. The indemnification against losses in the commercial portfolio on the GAB portfolio ended inDecember 2014. The FDIC indemnification on the GAB residential mortgages and the GAB HELOCS continues until December 2019. The following table summarizes the composition of our loans, net of unearned income at the dates indicated: Total Total Total 2015 2015 2014 2014 2013 2013 Covered Non-covered Amount Percent Covered Non-covered Amount Percent Covered Non-covered Amount Percent Mortgage loans on realestate: Commercial realestate - owner-occupied $- $141,521 $141,521 17.0% $- $136,597 $136,597 19.4% $1,603 $106,225 $107,828 19.7%Commercial realestate - non-owner-occupied - 256,513 256,513 30.8% - 200,517 200,517 28.4% 5,829 150,008 155,837 28.5%Secured by farmland - 578 578 0.1% - 612 612 0.1% 100 508 608 0.1%Construction and landdevelopment - 67,832 67,832 8.2% - 57,938 57,938 8.2% 1 39,068 39,069 7.1%Residential 1-4 family 12,994 165,077 178,071 21.4% 14,837 123,233 138,070 19.6% 16,631 66,482 83,113 15.2%Multi- familyresidential - 25,501 25,501 3.1% - 21,832 21,832 3.1% 585 21,496 22,081 4.0%Home equity lines ofcredit 21,379 13,798 35,177 4.2% 23,658 9,751 33,409 4.7% 25,769 6,431 32,200 5.9%Total real estateloans 34,373 670,820 705,193 84.8% 38,495 550,480 588,975 83.5% 50,518 390,218 440,736 80.5% Commercial loans - 124,985 124,985 15.0% - 114,714 114,714 16.3% 1,097 104,284 105,381 19.2%Consumer loans - 1,366 1,366 0.2% - 1,564 1,564 0.2% 81 1,308 1,389 0.3%Gross loans 34,373 797,171 831,544 100.0% 38,495 666,758 705,253 100.0% 51,696 495,810 547,506 100.0% Less deferred fees (2,119) (2,119) 1 (1,782) (1,781) 5 (1,453) (1,448) Loans, net of deferredfees $34,373 $795,052 $829,425 $38,496 $664,976 $703,472 $51,701 $494,357 $546,058 Total Total 2012 2012 2011 2011 Covered Non-covered Amount Percent Covered Non-covered Amount Percent Mortgage loans on realestate: Commercial real estate- owner-occupied $4,143 $93,288 $97,431 18.3% $4,854 $82,450 $87,304 17.7%Commercial real estate- non-owner-occupied 10,246 130,152 140,398 26.4% 11,243 117,059 128,302 26.0%Secured by farmland - 1,479 1,479 0.3% - 1,506 1,506 0.3%Construction and landdevelopment 1,261 44,946 46,207 8.7% 2,883 39,565 42,448 8.6%Residential 1-4 family 21,005 61,319 82,324 15.5% 25,307 49,288 74,595 15.1%Multi- familyresidential 614 18,774 19,388 3.7% 629 19,553 20,182 4.1%Home equity lines ofcredit 31,292 9,178 40,470 7.6% 35,442 9,040 44,482 9.0%Total real estateloans 68,561 359,136 427,697 80.5% 80,358 318,461 398,819 80.9% Commercial loans 2,672 99,081 101,753 19.2% 2,122 89,939 92,061 18.7%Consumer loans 88 1,623 1,711 0.3% 108 1,868 1,976 0.4%Gross loans 71,321 459,840 531,161 100.0% 82,588 410,268 492,856 100.0% Less deferred fees 7 (1,017) (1,010) - (1,088) (1,088.00) Loans, net of deferred fees $71,328 $458,823 $530,151 $82,588 $409,180 $491,768 Covered loan losses are reimbursed in accordance with the FDIC loss sharing agreements. There are two agreements with the FDIC, one for single family assetswhich is a 10 year agreement expiring in December 2019, and one for non-single family (commercial) assets which was a 5 year agreement that expired inDecember 2014. Our FDIC indemnification asset, the estimate of the expected loss amounts to be reimbursed by the FDIC has a current carrying value of $2.9million and an estimated fair value of $745 thousand reflecting an overstated FDIC indemnification asset. This current overstatement, which is due toimprovements in the loss estimates in the single family covered loans, is being amortized down in accordance with accounting rules over the life of the contract (10years for single family covered assets) or the life of the loans, whichever is shorter. 65 As of December 31, 2015, substantially all non-covered and covered loans were to customers located in Virginia and Maryland. We are not dependent on anysingle customer or group of customers whose insolvency would have a material adverse effect on our operations. At December 31, 2015 we had $141.5 million in non-covered owner-occupied commercial real estate loans, and we had $282.6 million in non-covered non-owneroccupied commercial real estate loans including multi-family residential loans and loans secured by farmland. The following table sets forth the contractual maturity ranges of the non-covered commercial and construction and land development loan portfolio and the amountof those loans with fixed and floating interest rates in each maturity range as of December 31, 2015 (in thousands): After 1 Year Through 5 Years After 5 Years One Year Fixed Floating Fixed Floating or Less Rate Rate Rate Rate Total Construction and land development $31,473 $15,016 $402 $14,312 $6,629 $67,832 Commercial 48,606 29,488 10,563 9,892 26,436 124,985 Total $80,079 $44,504 $10,965 $24,204 $33,065 $192,817 Past Due Loans and Nonperforming Assets We will generally place a loan on nonaccrual status when it becomes 90 days past due. Loans will also be placed on nonaccrual status in cases where we areuncertain whether the borrower can satisfy the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Cash payments received while a loan is categorized as nonaccrual will berecorded as a reduction of principal as long as doubt exists as to future collections. We maintain updated appraisals on loans secured by real estate, particularly those categorized as nonperforming loans and potential problem loans. In instanceswhere appraisals reflect reduced collateral values, we make an evaluation of the borrower’s overall financial condition to determine the need, if any, for possiblespecific impairment or write-down to their net realizable values. If foreclosure occurs, we record other real estate owned at the lower of our recorded investment inthe loan or fair value less our estimated costs to sell. Our loss and delinquency experience on our loan portfolio has been limited by a number of factors, including our underwriting standards and the relatively shortperiod of time since the loans were originated. Whether our loss and delinquency experience in the area of our portfolio will increase significantly depends uponthe value of the real estate securing loans and economic factors such as the overall economy of the region. 66 The following table presents a comparison of non-covered nonperforming assets as of December 31, (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 Nonaccrual loans $4,173 $5,652 $7,814 $7,628 $4,541 Loans past due 90 days and accruing interest - - - - 32 Total nonperforming loans 4,173 5,652 7,814 7,628 4,573 Other real estate owned 10,096 13,051 9,579 13,200 13,620 Total nonperforming assets $14,269 $18,703 $17,393 $20,828 $18,193 SBA guaranteed amounts included in nonaccrual loans $3,541 $4,664 $1,852 $2,607 $2,462 Allowance for non-covered loan losses to nonperformingloans 201.80% 130.80% 90.08% 91.33% 137.66%Allowance for non-covered loan losses to total non-coveredloans 1.06% 1.11% 1.42% 1.52% 1.54%Nonperforming assets to total non-covered assets 1.42% 2.13% 2.63% 3.20% 3.44%Nonperforming assets excluding SBA guaranteed loans tototal non-covered assets 1.07% 1.60% 2.35% 2.80% 2.98%Nonperforming assets to total non-covered loans and OREO 1.77% 2.76% 3.45% 4.41% 4.30%Nonperforming assets excluding SBA guaranteed loans tototal non-covered loans and OREO 1.33% 2.07% 3.08% 3.86% 3.72% Covered nonperforming assets are not included in the table above because the carrying value includes a component for credit losses (the nonaccretable yield). We identify potential problems loans based on loan portfolio credit quality. We define our potential problem loans as our non-covered classified/criticized loansless total non-covered nonperforming loans noted above. At December 31, 2015 our potential problem loans totaled $17.5 million. During the year ending December 31, 2015, there were no loans modified in troubled debt restructurings. One TDR which had been modified in 2013 defaultedduring the second quarter of 2015. This loan, in the amount of $699 thousand, was 30 – 59 days delinquent as of June 30, 2015, but is current as of December 31,2015. During the year ending December 31, 2014, there were no loans modified in troubled debt restructurings. No TDRs defaulted during the year ending December 31,2014, which had been modified in the previous 12 months. It is Sonabank’s practice to concurrently charge off collateral dependent loans at the time loan impairment is recognized. Charge offs on loans individuallyevaluated for impairment totaled approximately $1.2 million during 2015 . The following table presents covered nonperforming assets as of December 31, (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011Nonaccrual loans $698 $859 $1,622 $3,569 $3,340 Loans past due 90 days and accruing interest - - - - 136 Total nonperforming loans 698 859 1,622 3,569 3,476 Other real estate owned 343 - 2,213 636 636 Total nonperforming assets $1,041 $859 $3,835 $4,205 $4,112 Allowance for Loan Losses We are very focused on the asset quality of our loan portfolio, both before and after the loan is made. We have established underwriting standards that we believeare effective in maintaining high credit quality in our loan portfolio. We have experienced loan officers who take personal responsibility for the loans theyunderwrite, a standing credit committee that reviews each loan application carefully, and a requirement that loans that are 60% or more of our legal lending limitmust be approved by three executive members of our standing credit committee and the full Board of Directors or two outside directors. 67 Our allowance for loan losses is established through charges to earnings in the form of a provision for loan losses. Management evaluates the allowance at leastquarterly. In addition, on a quarterly basis our board of directors reviews our loan portfolio, evaluates credit quality, reviews the loan loss provision and theallowance for loan and lease losses and makes changes as may be required. In evaluating the allowance, management and the Board of Directors consider thegrowth, composition and industry diversification of the portfolio, historical loan loss experience, current delinquency levels and all other known factors affectingloan collectability. The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of an amount appropriate to provide for probable incurred losses in the loan portfolio in thenormal course of business. This estimate is based on average historical losses within the various loan types that compose our portfolio as well as an estimate of theeffect that other known factors such as the economic environment within our market area will have on net losses. Due to the uncertainty of risks in the loanportfolio, we have established an unallocated portion of the allowance which management believes is prudent and consistent with regulatory requirements. Theallowance is also subject to regulatory examinations and determination by the regulatory agencies as to the appropriate level of the allowance. Our loan review program is conducted by the Chief Risk Officer and a third party consultant who report directly to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.In accordance with the Bank’s Credit Policy, in 2015, loans with outstanding balances totaling more than 50% of the non-consumer and non-residential loanportfolio outstanding as of December 31, 2014 were reviewed by the third party consultant, and another 30% was done by internal loan review. In 2016 we plan tohave the third party consultant review loans with outstanding balances totaling at least 50% of the non-consumer and non-residential loan portfolio outstanding asof December 31, 2015, and another 30% will be done by internal loan review. The purpose of loan review is to validate management’s assessment of risk of theindividual loans in the portfolio and to determine whether the loan was approved, underwritten and is being monitored in accordance with the bank’s credit policyand regulatory guidance. Management’s risk assessment of individual loans takes into consideration among other factors, the estimated value of the underlyingcollateral, the borrower’s ability to repay, the borrower’s payment history and current payment status. The following tables set forth the allowance for loan losses allocated by loan category and the percent of loans in each category to total loans at the dates indicated(in thousands): as of December 31, 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 Percent of Percent of Percent of Percent of Percent of Allowance Loans by Allowance Loans by Allowance Loans by Allowance Loans by Allowance Loans by for Loan Category to for Loan Category to for Loan Category to for Loan Category to for Loan Category to Losses Total Loans Losses Total Loans Losses Total Loans Losses Total Loans Losses Total Loans Commercial real estate $2,407 51.0% $1,978 51.0% $1,844 52.3% $2,451 48.7% $1,638 48.2%Construction and land development 865 8.2% 1,644 8.2% 1,068 7.1% 970 8.7% 1,367 8.6%Residential 1-4 family 1,408 25.5% 1,339 24.3% 1,302 21.1% 1,163 23.1% 1,021 24.1%Commercial loans 3,041 15.1% 2,063 16.3% 2,797 19.2% 2,153 19.2% 2,227 18.7%Consumer loans 48 0.2% 53 0.2% 60 0.3% 44 0.3% 42 0.4%Total allocated allowance 7,769 100.0% 7,077 100.0% 7,071 100.0% 6,781 100.0% 6,295 100.0%Unallocated allowance 652 337 19 285 - Toal $8,421 $7,414 $7,090 $7,066 $6,295 68 The following table presents an analysis of the allowance for covered and non-covered loan losses for the periods indicated (in thousands): For the Year Ended For the Year Ended For the Year Ended For the Year Ended For the Year Ended December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2013 December 31, 2012 December 31, 2011 Balance, beginning of period $7,414 $7,090 $7,066 $6,295 $5,599 Provision charged to operations 3,171 3,444 3,615 6,195 8,492 Recoveries credited to allowance 509 150 464 782 199 Total 11,094 10,684 11,145 13,272 14,290 Loans charged off: Real estate - commercial 1,067 573 199 1,331 1,163 Real estate - construction, land and other - 250 650 2,119 460 Real estate - residential 1-4 family 413 449 776 1,071 2,341 Commercial 1,174 1,998 2,286 1,676 3,975 Consumer 19 - 144 9 56 Total loans charged off 2,673 3,270 4,055 6,206 7,995 Balance, end of period $8,421 $7,414 $7,090 $7,066 $6,295 Net charge-offs to average loans, net ofunearned income 0.28% 0.51% 0.69% 1.03% 1.63% We believe that the allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2015 is sufficient to absorb probable incurred credit losses in our loan portfolio based on ourassessment of all known factors affecting the collectability of our loan portfolio. Our assessment involves uncertainty and judgment; therefore, the adequacy of theallowance for loan losses cannot be determined with precision and may be subject to change in future periods. In addition, bank regulatory authorities, as part oftheir periodic examination, may require additional charges to the provision for loan losses in future periods if the results of their reviews warrant additions to theallowance for loan losses. Investment Securities Our securities portfolio provides us with required liquidity and securities to pledge as collateral for certain governmental deposits and borrowed funds. Our securities portfolio is managed by our president and our treasurer, both of whom have significant experience in this area, with the concurrence of ourAsset/Liability Committee. In addition to our president (who is chairman of the Asset/Liability Committee) and our treasurer, this committee is comprised of twooutside directors our chief executive officer, our chief financial officer, our chief risk officer and our controller. Investment management is performed inaccordance with our investment policy, which is approved annually by the Asset/Liability Committee and the Board of Directors. Our investment policy addressesour investment strategies, approval process, approved securities dealers and authorized investments. Our investment policy authorizes us to invest in: ·Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA), Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) and the Federal Home Loan MortgageCorporation (FHLMC) mortgage-backed securities (MBS)·Collateralized mortgage obligations·Treasury securities·SBA guaranteed loan pools 69 ·Agency securities·Obligations of states and political subdivisions·Pooled trust preferred securities comprised of a minimum of 80% bank collateral with an investment grade rating or a minimum of 60% bank collateralwith a AAA rating at purchase·Other corporate debt securities rated Aa3/AA- or better at purchase Mortgage-backed securities are securities that have been developed by pooling a number of real estate mortgages and which are principally issued by governmentsponsored entities (GSE’s) such as the GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC. These securities are deemed to have high credit ratings, and minimum regular monthly cashflows of principal and interest are guaranteed by the issuing agencies. Unlike U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agency securities, which have a lump sum payment at maturity, mortgage-backed securities provide cash flows fromregular principal and interest payments and principal prepayments throughout the lives of the securities. Mortgage-backed securities which are purchased at apremium will generally suffer decreasing net yields as interest rates drop because homeowners tend to refinance their mortgages. Thus, the premium paid must beamortized over a shorter period. Conversely, mortgage-backed securities purchased at a discount will obtain higher net yields in a decreasing interest rateenvironment. As interest rates rise, the opposite will generally be true. During a period of increasing interest rates, fixed rate mortgage-backed securities do nottend to experience heavy prepayments of principal, and consequently the average life of these securities will be lengthened. If interest rates begin to fall,prepayments will increase. Collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) are bonds that are backed by pools of mortgages. The pools can be GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC pools or they can beprivate-label pools. The CMOs are designed so that the mortgage collateral will generate a cash flow sufficient to provide for the timely repayment of the bonds.The mortgage collateral pool can be structured to accommodate various desired bond repayment schedules, provided that the collateral cash flow is adequate tomeet scheduled bond payments. This is accomplished by dividing the bonds into classes to which payments on the underlying mortgage pools are allocated. Thebond’s cash flow, for example, can be dedicated to one class of bondholders at a time, thereby increasing call protection to bondholders. In private-label CMOs,losses on underlying mortgages are directed to the most junior of all classes and then to the classes above in order of increasing seniority, which means that thesenior classes have enough credit protection to be given the highest credit rating by the rating agencies. Obligations of states and political subdivisions (municipal securities) are purchased with consideration of the current tax position of the Bank. In-state (Virginia)municipal bonds will be favored when they present better relative value than comparable out-of-state municipal bonds. Both taxable and tax-exempt municipalbonds may be purchased, but only after careful assessment of the market risk of the security. Appropriate credit evaluation must be performed prior to purchasingmunicipal bonds. Southern National’s corporate bonds consist of pooled trust preferred securities issued by banks, thrifts and insurance companies. The collateral pools of these trustpreferred securities must be at least 80% banks or thrifts, if the rating at the time of purchase is A3/A- or better. If the rating is Aaa/AAA, the collateral pool mustbe at least 60% banks or thrifts. These securities generally have a long term (25 years or more), allow early redemption by the issuers, make periodic variableinterest payments and mature at face value. Trust preferred securities allow the deferral of interest payments for up to five years. 70 We classify our securities as either: “held-to-maturity” or “available-for-sale.” Debt securities that Southern National has the positive intent and ability to hold tomaturity are classified as held to maturity and carried at amortized cost. Securities classified as available for sale are those debt and equity securities that may besold in response to changes in interest rates, liquidity needs or other similar factors. Securities available for sale are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains orlosses net of deferred taxes, included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders' equity. Securities totaling $96.8 million were in the heldto maturity portfolio at December 31, 2015, compared to $94.1 million at December 31, 2014. Securities totaling $4.2 million were in the available for saleportfolio at December 31, 2015, compared to $2.3 million at December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2015, we owned pooled trust preferred securities as follows (in thousands): Previously % of Current Recognized Defaults and Cumulative Ratings Estimated Deferrals to Other Tranche When Purchased Current Ratings Fair Total ComprehensiveSecurity Level Moody's Fitch Moody's Fitch Par Value Book Value Value Collateral Loss (1)Held to Maturity (in thousands) ALESCO VII A1B Senior Aaa AAA A1 A $4,462 $4,081 $3,733 13% $251 MMCF III B Senior Sub A3 A- Ba1 BB 276 271 238 32% 5 4,738 4,352 3,971 $256 Cumulative OTTI Available for Sale Related to Other Than Temporarily Impaired: Credit Loss (2) TPREF FUNDING II Mezzanine A1 A- Caa3 C 1,500 1,100 680 36% 400 ALESCO V C1 Mezzanine A2 A Caa3 C 2,150 1,490 1,217 13% 660 3,650 2,590 1,897 $1,060 Total $8,388 $6,942 $5,868 (1)Pre-tax, and represents unrealized losses at date of transfer from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity, net of accretion(2)Pre-tax Each of these securities has been evaluated for other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”). In performing a detailed cash flow analysis of each security, Sonabankworks with independent third parties to estimate expected cash flows and assist with the evaluation of other than temporary impairment. The cash flow analysesperformed included the following assumptions: ·.5% of the remaining performing collateral will default or defer per annum.·Recoveries of 11% with a two year lag on all defaults and deferrals.·No prepayments for 10 years and then 1% per annum for the remaining life of the security.·Our securities have been modeled using the above assumptions by independent third parties using the forward LIBOR curve to discount projected cashflows to present values. We recognized no OTTI charges during 2015, and we recognized OTTI charges of $41 thousand during 2014 and $3 thousand during 2013. Other securities in our investment portfolio are as follows: ·residential government-sponsored mortgage-backed securities in the amount of $20.8 million and residential government-sponsored collateralizedmortgage obligations totaling $2.9 million ·callable agency securities in the amount of $55.9 million 71 ·municipal bonds in the amount of $15.1 million with a taxable equivalent yield of 3.32% and ratings as follows: Rating AmountService Rating (in thousands)Moody's Aaa $505 Moody's Aa2 3,623 Moody's Aa3 711 Standard & Poor's AAA 3,095 Standard & Poor's AA+ 580 Standard & Poor's AA 5,993 Standard & Poor's AA- 599 $15,106 For additional information regarding investment securities refer to “Item 8 –. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”, Footnote 2. The following table sets forth the amortized cost and estimated fair value of our investment securities by contractual maturity at December 31, 2015. Expectedmaturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties(in thousands). 72 Securities Available for Sale Weighted Amortized Estimated Average Cost Fair Value YieldObligations of states and political subdivisions Due after ten years $2,287 $2,312 2.63% Trust preferred securities Due after ten years 2,590 1,897 2.23% $4,877 $4,209 2.42% Securities Held to Maturity Weighted Amortized Estimated Average Cost Fair Value YieldResidential government-sponsored mortgage-backed securities Due after five years through ten years $1,169 $1,259 5.02%Due after ten years 19,582 19,929 2.69%Total residential government-sponsored mortgage-backed securities 20,751 21,188 2.82% Residential government-sponsored collateralized mortgage obligations Due after ten years 2,946 2,880 1.75% Government-sponsored agency securities Due after five years through ten years 4,996 4,934 2.63%Due after ten years 50,941 50,607 3.22% 55,937 55,541 3.17%Obligations of states and political subdivisions Due after five years through ten years 7,204 7,272 2.14%Due after ten years 5,590 5,612 2.22% 12,794 12,884 2.17%Trust preferred securities Due after ten years 4,352 3,971 0.96% $96,780 $96,464 2.82% 73 The following table sets forth a summary of the investment securities portfolio as of the dates indicated. Available for sale securities are reported at estimated fairvalue, and held-to-maturity securities are reported at amortized cost (in thousands). December 31, 2015 2014 2013Available for sale securities: Obligations of states and political subdivisions $2,312 $2,285 $1,993 Trust preferred securities 1,897 - - $4,209 $2,285 $1,993 Held to maturity securities: Residential government-sponsored mortgage-backed securities $20,751 $22,897 $25,609 Residential government-sponsored collateralized mortgage obligations 2,946 3,564 4,295 Government-sponsored agency securities 55,937 44,949 29,971 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 12,794 15,531 14,388 Other residential collateralized mortgage obligations - 599 659 Trust preferred securities 4,352 6,518 7,521 $96,780 $94,058 $82,443 Deposits and Other Borrowings The market for deposits is competitive. We offer a line of traditional deposit products that currently include non-interest-bearing and interest-bearing checking (orNOW accounts), commercial checking, money market accounts, savings accounts and certificates of deposit. We compete for deposits through our bankingbranches with competitive pricing, advertising and online banking. We use deposits as a principal source of funding for our lending, purchasing of investmentsecurities and for other business purposes. Total deposits increased to $825.3 million at December 31, 2015 from $742.4 million as of December 31, 2014. Non-interest bearing demand deposits increasedfrom a year-end 2014 level of $69.6 million to $83.8 million as of December 31, 2015. Savings account balances increased from $44.2 million to $50.0 million,and time deposits increased from $466.4 million to $531.8 million over the same period. As of December 31, 2015, we had brokered certificates of deposit in theamount of $62.0 million and brokered money market deposits of $15.4 million. At December 31, 2014, we had brokered certificates of deposit in the amount of$77.0 million, and we had brokered money market deposits of $10.2 million. 74 The following table sets forth the average balance and average rate paid on each of the deposit categories for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013: 2015 2014 2013 Average Average Average Average Average Average Balance Rate Balance Rate Balance Rate (in thousands)Noninterest-bearing deposits $75,129 $59,205 $44,989 Interest-bearing deposits: Savings accounts 44,661 0.63% 29,034 0.62% 12,323 0.59%Money market accounts 138,559 0.35% 130,473 0.28% 147,319 0.34%NOW accounts 24,306 0.10% 23,574 0.11% 23,723 0.24%Time deposits 509,900 1.11% 376,395 0.90% 319,495 1.07%Total interest-bearing deposits 717,426 0.90% 559,476 0.71% 502,860 0.80%Total deposits $792,555 $618,681 $547,849 The variety of deposit accounts we offered has allowed us to be competitive in obtaining funds and in responding to the threat of disintermediation (the flow offunds away from depository institutions such as banking institutions into direct investment vehicles such as government and corporate securities). Our ability toattract and maintain deposits, and the effect of such retention on our cost of funds, has been, and will continue to be, significantly affected by the general economyand market rates of interest. We use borrowed funds to support our liquidity needs and to temporarily satisfy our funding needs from increased loan demand and for other shorter termpurposes. One source of these borrowed funds is securities sold under agreements to repurchase, which are reflected at the amount of cash received in connectionwith the transactions, and may require additional collateral based on the fair value of the underlying securities pledged. We engage in these transactions with retailcustomers and with established third parties, primarily large securities brokerage firms. We also are a member of the FHLB and are authorized to obtain advancesfrom the FHLB from time to time to as needed. The FHLB has a credit program for members with different maturities and interest rates, which may be fixed orvariable. We are required to collateralize our borrowings from the FHLB with our FHLB stock and other collateral acceptable to the FHLB. At December 31, 2015and 2014, total FHLB borrowings were $74.0 million and $40.3 million, respectively. At December 31, 2015, we had $122.6 million of unused and availableFHLB lines of credit. For additional detail regarding borrowed funds, refer to “Item 8 –. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”, Footnotes 9 and 10. Interest Rate Sensitivity and Market Risk We are engaged primarily in the business of investing funds obtained from deposits and borrowings into interest-earning loans and investments. Consequently, ourearnings depend to a significant extent on our net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income on loans and other investments and theinterest expense on deposits and borrowing. To the extent that our interest-bearing liabilities do not reprice or mature at the same time as our interest-earningassets, we are subject to interest rate risk and corresponding fluctuations in net interest income. We have employed asset/liability management policies that seek tomanage our interest income, without having to incur unacceptable levels of credit or investment risk. We use simulation modeling to manage our interest rate risk, and we review quarterly interest sensitivity reports prepared for us by FTN Financial using theSendero ALM Analysis System. This approach uses a model which generates estimates of the change in our economic value of equity (EVE) over a range ofinterest rate scenarios. EVE is the present value of expected cash flows from assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts using assumptions about estimatedloan prepayment rates, reinvestment rates and deposit decay rates. 75 The following tables are based on an analysis prepared by FTN Financial setting forth an analysis of our interest rate risk as measured by the estimated change inEVE resulting from instantaneous and sustained parallel shifts in the yield curve (plus 400 basis points or minus 200 basis points, measured in 100 basis pointincrements) as of December 31, 2015 and as of December 31, 2014, and all changes are within our ALM Policy guidelines. Sensitivity of Economic Value of Equity As of December 31, 2015 Economic Value ofChange in Economic Value of Equity Equity as a % ofInterest Rates in Basis Points $ Change % Change Total Equity(Rate Shock) Amount From Base From Base Assets Book Value (Dollar amounts in thousands) Up 400 $108,441 $(34,579) -24.18% 10.47% 90.64%Up 300 115,906 (27,114) -18.96% 11.19% 96.88%Up 200 124,098 (18,922) -13.23% 11.98% 103.73%Up 100 133,386 (9,634) -6.74% 12.87% 111.49%Base 143,020 - 0.00% 13.80% 119.55%Down 100 130,510 (12,510) -8.75% 12.60% 109.09%Down 200 122,637 (20,383) -14.25% 11.84% 102.51% Sensitivity of Economic Value of Equity As of December 31, 2014 Economic Value ofChange in Economic Value of Equity Equity as a % ofInterest Rates in Basis Points $ Change % Change Total Equity(Rate Shock) Amount From Base From Base Assets Book Value (Dollar amounts in thousands) Up 400 $114,756 $(22,806) -16.58% 12.52% 100.68%Up 300 118,938 (18,624) -13.54% 12.98% 104.35%Up 200 123,724 (13,838) -10.06% 13.50% 108.55%Up 100 129,926 (7,636) -5.55% 14.17% 113.99%Base 137,562 - 0.00% 15.01% 120.69%Down 100 129,927 (7,635) -5.55% 14.17% 113.99%Down 200 123,019 (14,543) -10.57% 13.42% 107.93% 76 Our interest rate sensitivity is also monitored by management through the use of a model run by FTN Financial that generates estimates of the change in the netinterest income over a range of interest rate scenarios. Net interest income depends upon the relative amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearingliabilities and the interest rates earned or paid on them. In this regard, the model assumes that the composition of our interest sensitive assets and liabilities existingat December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 remains constant over the period being measured and also assumes that a particular change in interest rates isreflected uniformly across the yield curve regardless of the duration to maturity or repricing of specific assets and liabilities. All changes are within our ALMPolicy guidelines. Sensitivity of Net Interest Income As of December 31, 2015 Change in Adjusted Net Interest Income Net Interest MarginInterest Rates in Basis Points $ Change % Change(Rate Shock) Amount From Base Percent From Base (Dollar amounts in thousands) Up 400 $39,018 $3,252 3.94% 0.32%Up 300 38,030 2,264 3.84% 0.22%Up 200 37,064 1,298 3.75% 0.13%Up 100 36,220 454 3.66% 0.04%Base 35,766 - 3.62% 0.00%Down 100 35,646 (120) 3.60% -0.02%Down 200 35,504 (262) 3.59% -0.03% Sensitivity of Net Interest Income As of December 31, 2014 Change in Adjusted Net Interest Income Net Interest MarginInterest Rates in Basis Points $ Change % Change(Rate Shock) Amount From Base Percent From Base (Dollar amounts in thousands) Up 400 $38,720 $7,117 4.46% 0.81%Up 300 36,659 $5,056 4.23% 0.58%Up 200 34,656 $3,053 4.00% 0.35%Up 100 32,915 $1,312 3.80% 0.15%Base 31,603 $- 3.65% 0.00%Down 100 31,501 $(102) 3.64% -0.01%Down 200 31,228 $(375) 3.61% -0.04% 77 Certain shortcomings are inherent in the methodology used in the above interest rate risk measurements. Modeling changes in EVE requires the making of certainassumptions that may or may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates. Accordingly, although the EVEtables and Sensitivity of Net Interest Income (NII) tables provide an indication of our interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, such measurementsare not intended to, and do not, provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates on our net worth and net interest income. Sensitivity ofEVE and NII are modeled using different assumptions and approaches. In the low interest rate environment that currently exists, limitations on downwardadjustments for interest rates, particularly as they apply to deposits, can and do result in anomalies in scenarios that are unlikely to occur due to the current lowinterest rate environment. Sonabank is asset sensitive. Our net interest income will tend to rise as interest rates rise. An immediate rate shock of 100 basis points across the yield curve wouldresult in slightly more than a 1% increase of the Bank’s net interest income. The increase of 100 basis points hasn’t happened yet. The only thing which hashappened is that the Fed raised its target rate for Fed Funds on December 17, 2015, and the prime rate rose in lock step by ¼%. This will ultimately be significantsince $422 million of our $844 million gross loan portfolio is tied to the prime rate in one way or another. ·$33 million or 8% of the $422 million tied to the prime rate adjusts daily. That didn’t have much of an impact since it was a small amount for just 14days.·$111 million or 26% of the $422 million tied to the prime rate adjusts monthly. These loans adjusted to the December 17, 2015 rate increase on January 1,2016.·$109 million or 26% of the $422 million are pegged to a margin over the prime rate but are at a floor that is above the current prime rate plus the givenmargin. This $109 million will adjust once the prime rate plus the margin exceeds the floor. The weighted average floor is 5.22% which exceeds theweighted average prime rate plus the margin by approximately 92 basis points.·$169 million or 40% of our $422 million tied to the prime rate adjusts at a future date. This is a summary: Currently Adjusts at a Adjusts Adjusts Operating Future Date Daily Monthly at a Floor (No Floor) Total SBA loans $- $54,894 $- $- $54,894 GAB HELOC - 23,867 - - 23,867 Other HELOC - 1,155 5,246 - 6,401 CRE loans 12,971 - 81,088 146,810 240,869 Commercial lines of credit 8,808 9,695 14,573 - 33,076 Commercial term loans 3,035 5,770 - 15,290 24,095 Commercial construction 4,780 10,585 - - 15,365 Other 3,706 4,908 7,849 7,015 23,478 Total $33,300 $110,874 $108,756 $169,115 $422,045 78 Liquidity and Funds Management The objective of our liquidity management is to assure the ability to meet our financial obligations. These obligations include the payment of deposits on demandor at maturity, the repayment of borrowings at maturity and the ability to fund commitments and other new business opportunities. We obtain funding from avariety of sources, including customer deposit accounts, customer certificates of deposit and payments on our loans and investments. Historically, our level of coredeposits has been insufficient to fully fund our lending activities. As a result, we have sought funding from additional sources, including institutional certificates ofdeposit and the sale of available for sale investment securities. In addition, we maintain lines of credit from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta and utilizesecurities sold under agreements to repurchase and reverse repurchase agreement borrowings from approved securities dealers. For additional information aboutborrowings and anticipated principal repayments refer to the discussion about Contractual Obligations below and “Item 8 –. Financial Statements” andSupplementary Data, Footnotes 9 and 10. We prepare a cash flow forecast for one year with the first three months prepared on a weekly basis and on a monthly basis thereafter. The projections incorporateexpected cash flows on loans, investments securities, and deposits based on data used to prepare our interest rate risk analyses. To estimate loan growth over theone year period, the projection incorporates the scheduled loan closings in the Loan Pipeline Report along with other management estimates. We recently purchased liquidity risk software with which we can monitor our liquidity risk at a point in time and prepare cash flow and funds availabilityprojections over a two year period. The projections can be run using a base case and several stress levels. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we funded our financial obligations with deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and borrowings fromthe Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta. At December 31, 2015, we had $132.3 million of unfunded lines of credit and undisbursed construction loan funds. Wehad approved loan commitments in the amount of $2.7 million as of December 31, 2015. The amount of certificate of deposit accounts maturing in 2016 is $280.6million as of December 31, 2015. Management anticipates that funding requirements for these commitments can be met from the normal sources of funds. Capital Resources Capital management consists of providing equity to support both current and future operations. We are subject to capital adequacy requirements imposed by theFederal Reserve and the Bank is subject to capital adequacy requirements imposed by the FDIC. The Federal Reserve and the FDIC have adopted risk-basedcapital requirements for assessing bank holding company and member bank capital adequacy. These standards define capital and establish minimum capitalrequirements in relation to assets and off-balance sheet exposure, adjusted for credit risk. The risk-based capital standards currently in effect are designed to makeregulatory capital requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profiles among bank holding companies and banks, to account for off-balance sheet exposureand to minimize disincentives for holding liquid assets. Assets and off-balance sheet items are assigned to broad risk categories, each with appropriate relative riskweights. The resulting capital ratios represent capital as a percentage of total risk-weighted assets and off-balance sheet items. The regulatory capital framework has recently changed as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act and a separate, international capital initiative known as “Basel III.”Regulators recently issued rules implementing these requirements (“Revised Capital Rules”). Among other things, the Revised Capital Rules raise the minimumthresholds for required capital and revise certain aspects of the definitions and elements of the capital that can be used to satisfy these required minimumthresholds. While the rules became effective on January 1, 2014 for certain large banking organizations, most banking organizations, including Southern Nationaland the Bank, were required to begin complying with these new requirements on January 1, 2015. 79 The Revised Capital Rules, among other things, (i) introduce as a new capital measure “Common Equity Tier 1” (“CET1”), (ii) specify that Tier 1 capital consistsof CET1 and “Additional Tier 1 capital” instruments meeting specified requirements, (iii) define CET1 narrowly by requiring that most adjustments to regulatorycapital measures be made to CET1 and not to the other components of capital and (iv) expand the scope of the adjustments as compared to existing regulations.Further, the Revised Capital Rules set forth the following minimum capital ratios, which began to phase in for certain banking organizations, including SouthernNational, on January 1, 2015: §4.5 percent CET1 to risk-weighted assets.§6.0 percent Tier 1 Capital to risk-weighted assets.§8.0 percent Total Capital to risk-weighted assets.§4.0 percent Tier 1 leverage ratio to average consolidated assets. Under the FDICIA, each federal banking agency revised its risk-based capital standards to ensure that those standards take adequate account of interest rate risk,concentration of credit risk and the risks of nontraditional activities, as well as reflect the actual performance and expected risk of loss on multifamily mortgages.Under that statute, the FDIC has promulgated regulations setting the levels at which an insured institution such as the bank would be considered “well capitalized,”“adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized.” The bank is classified “well capitalized” forpurposes of the FDIC’s prompt corrective action regulations. See “Supervision and Regulation—Capital Requirements.” The following table provides a comparison of our leverage and risk-weighted capital ratios and the leverage and risk-weighted capital ratios of Southern Nationaland the Bank at the periods indicated to the minimum and well-capitalized regulatory standards: Minimum Required for Capital Actual Ratio at Adequacy To Be Categorized December 31, Purposes as Well Capitalized 2015 2014 Southern National Common equity tier 1 capital ratio 4.50% 6.50% 13.13% NA Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio 6.00% 8.00% 13.13% 15.19%Total risk-based capital ratio 8.00% 10.00% 14.14% 16.27%Leverage ratio 4.00% 5.00% 11.06% 11.80%Sonabank Common equity tier 1 capital ratio 4.50% 6.50% 12.99% NA Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio 6.00% 8.00% 12.99% 15.04%Total risk-based capital ratio 8.00% 10.00% 14.00% 16.11%Leverage ratio 4.00% 5.00% 10.94% 11.68% 80 Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices The financial statements and related financial data presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K concerning Southern National have been prepared in accordancewith U. S. generally accepted accounting principles, which require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars,without considering changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. The primary impact of inflation on our operations is reflected inincreased operating costs. Unlike most industrial companies, substantially all of the assets and liabilities of a financial institution are monetary in nature. As aresult, changes in interest rates have a more significant impact on our performance than do the effects of changes in the general rate of inflation and changes inprices. Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or in the same magnitude as the prices of goods and services. Many factors impact interest rates,including the Federal Reserve, inflation, recession, changes in unemployment, the money supply, and international disorder and instability in domestic and foreignfinancial markets. Like most financial institutions, changes in interest rates can impact our net interest income which is the difference between interest earned frominterest-earning assets, such as loans and investment securities, and interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings, as well as thevaluation of our assets and liabilities. Our interest rate risk management is the responsibility of Sonabank’s Asset/Liability Management Committee (the Asset/Liability Committee). The Asset/LiabilityCommittee has established policies and limits for management to monitor, measure and coordinate our sources, uses and pricing of funds. The Asset/LiabilityCommittee makes reports to the board of directors on a quarterly basis. Seasonality and Cycles We do not consider our commercial banking business to be seasonal. Contractual Obligations The following table reflects the contractual maturities of our term liabilities as of December 31, 2015. The amounts shown do not reflect contractual interest, earlywithdrawal or prepayment assumptions. Contractual Obligations Less Than One to Three to More Than One Year Three Years Five Years Five Years Total ( in thousands)Certificates of deposit (1) $280,644 $196,477 $54,635 $- $531,756 Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 10,381 - - - 10,381 FHLB short-term advances 59,000 - - - 59,000 FHLB long-term advances - 15,000 - - 15,000 Operating leases 1,852 3,410 2,158 574 7,994 Total $351,877 $214,887 $56,793 $574 $624,131 (1) Certificates of deposit give customers rights to early withdrawal. Early withdrawals may be subject to penalties. The penalty amount depends on the remainingtime to maturity at the time of early withdrawal. 81 Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements Southern National is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers.These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve elements of credit and funding risk inexcess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheet. Letters of credit are written conditional commitments issued by Southern National to guaranteethe performance of a customer to a third party. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans tocustomers. We had letters of credit outstanding totaling $6.7 million and $8.4 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Our exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instruments for commitments to extend credit and letters of credit isbased on the contractual amount of these instruments. We use the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as we do for on-balancesheet instruments. Unless noted otherwise, we do not require collateral or other security to support financial instruments with credit risk. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments aremade predominately for adjustable rate loans, and generally have fixed expiration dates of up to three months or other termination clauses and usually requirepayment of a fee. Since many of the commitments may expire without being completely drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily representfuture cash requirements. We evaluate each customer's creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, we had unfunded lines of credit and undisbursed construction loan funds totaling $132.3 million and $113.3 million, respectively.We had approved loan commitments in the amount of $2.7 million as of December 31, 2015, and we had no approved loan commitments as of December 31, 2014.Virtually all of our unfunded lines of credit, undisbursed construction loan funds and approved loan commitments are variable rate. Item 7A. - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk This information is incorporated herein by reference from “Item 7-. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” ofthis Annual Report on Form 10-K. 82 Item 8. – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM Board of Directors and StockholdersSouthern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc. We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2015 and 2014,and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is toexpress an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that weplan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining,on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used andsignificant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basisfor our opinion. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Southern National Bancorp ofVirginia, Inc. as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period endedDecember 31, 2015, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Southern National Bancorp ofVirginia, Inc.’s internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013)issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated March 15, 2016, expressed an unqualified opinionthereon. /s/ Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP Atlanta, GeorgiaMarch 15, 2016 83 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM Board of Directors and StockholdersSouthern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc. We have audited Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc.’s (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteriaestablished in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. TheCompany’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internalcontrol over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to expressan opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that weplan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing andevaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as weconsidered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and thepreparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financialreporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect thetransactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation offinancial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only inaccordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection ofunauthorized 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 ofeffectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance withthe policies or procedures may deteriorate. In our opinion, Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the TreadwayCommission. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statementsof Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc. as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015,and our report dated March 15, 2016, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. /s/ Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP Atlanta, GeorgiaMarch 15, 2016 84 SOUTHERN NATIONAL BANCORP OF VIRGINIA, INC.CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) December 31, December 31, 2015 2014ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and due from financial institutions $3,972 $5,702 Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions 26,364 32,618 Total cash and cash equivalents 30,336 38,320 Securities available for sale, at fair value 4,209 2,285 Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of $96,464 and $94,093, respectively) 96,780 94,058 Covered loans 34,373 38,496 Non-covered loans 795,052 664,976 Total loans 829,425 703,472 Less allowance for loan losses (8,421) (7,414)Net loans 821,004 696,058 Stock in Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank 6,929 5,681 Equity investment in mortgage affiliate 4,459 3,631 Preferred investment in mortgage affiliate 2,555 1,805 Bank premises and equipment, net 8,882 9,453 Goodwill 10,514 10,514 Core deposit intangibles, net 1,093 1,354 FDIC indemnification asset 2,922 3,571 Bank-owned life insurance 23,126 20,990 Other real estate owned 10,439 13,051 Deferred tax assets, net 6,716 10,083 Other assets 6,143 5,791 Total assets $1,036,107 $916,645 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Noninterest-bearing demand deposits $83,769 $69,560 Interest-bearing deposits: NOW accounts 28,080 25,018 Money market accounts 131,731 137,297 Savings accounts 49,939 44,155 Time deposits 531,775 466,395 Total interest-bearing deposits 741,525 672,865 Total deposits 825,294 742,425 Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 10,381 13,794 Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances-short term 59,000 15,250 Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances-long term 15,000 25,000 Other liabilities 6,796 6,197 Total liabilities 916,471 802,666 Commitments and contingencies (See Note 14) - - Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 5,000,000 shares; no shares issued and outstanding - - Common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 45,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 12,234,443 shares at December 31, 2015 and 12,216,669 at December 31, 2014 122 122 Additional paid in capital 104,389 104,072 Retained earnings 15,735 12,805 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (610) (3,020)Total stockholders' equity 119,636 113,979 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $1,036,107 $916,645 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 85 SOUTHERN NATIONAL BANCORP OF VIRGINIA, INC.CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Interest and dividend income: Interest and fees on loans $40,104 $34,611 $32,269 Interest and dividends on taxable securities 2,395 2,239 2,035 Interest and dividends on tax exempt securities 411 389 237 Interest and dividends on other earning assets 791 852 575 Total interest and dividend income 43,701 38,091 35,116 Interest expense: Interest on deposits 6,433 3,976 4,047 Interest on borrowings 644 697 621 Total interest expense 7,077 4,673 4,668 Net interest income 36,624 33,418 30,448 Provision for loan losses 3,171 3,444 3,615 Net interest income after provision for loan losses 33,453 29,974 26,833 Noninterest income: Account maintenance and deposit service fees 953 826 793 Income from bank-owned life insurance 636 617 592 Equity income from mortgage affiliate 1,459 558 - Net gain on other assets 7 202 13 Gain on sales of available for sale securities 520 - 142 Total other-than-temporary impairment losses (OTTI) - (41) (3)Portion of OTTI recognized in other comprehensive income (before taxes) - - - Net credit related OTTI recognized in earnings - (41) (3)Other 206 202 216 Total noninterest income 3,781 2,364 1,753 Noninterest expenses: Salaries and benefits 11,860 10,225 9,063 Occupancy expenses 3,269 3,165 3,063 Furniture and equipment expenses 815 787 724 Amortization of core deposit intangible 261 220 467 Virginia franchise tax expense 352 455 471 FDIC assessment 664 569 823 Data processing expense 668 569 562 Telephone and communication expense 786 751 684 Amortization of FDIC indemnification asset 630 1,230 483 Net (gain) loss on other real estate owned 291 (433) (188)Merger expenses - 487 35 Other operating expenses 3,682 3,076 3,105 Total noninterest expenses 23,278 21,101 19,292 Income before income taxes 13,956 11,237 9,294 Income tax expense 4,667 3,754 3,036 Net income $9,289 $7,483 $6,258 Other comprehensive income (loss): Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities $(138) $299 $(232)Realized amount on available for sale securities sold, net (520) - (142)Non-credit component of other-than-temporary impairment on held-to-maturity securities 4,278 35 97 Amortization and accretion of amounts previously recorded upon transfer to held-to-maturity fromavailable-for sale 32 (77) (39)Net unrealized gain (loss) 3,652 257 (316)Tax effect 1,242 87 (107)Other comprehensive income (loss) 2,410 170 (209)Comprehensive income $11,699 $7,653 $6,049 Earnings per share, basic $0.76 $0.63 $0.54 Earnings per share, diluted $0.75 $0.63 $0.54 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 86 SOUTHERN NATIONAL BANCORP OF VIRGINIA, INC.CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITYFOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015, 2014 AND 2013(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) Accumulated Additional Other Common Paid in Retained Comprehensive Stock Capital Earnings Loss Total Balance - January 1, 2013 $116 $96,840 $9,201 $(2,981) $103,176 Comprehensive income: Net income 6,258 6,258 Change in unrealized loss on securities available for sale (net oftax benefit, $127) (247) (247)Change in unrecognized loss on securities held to maturity forwhich a portion of OTTI has been recognized (net of tax, $20 andaccretion, $39 and amounts recorded into other comprehensiveincome at transfer) 38 38 Dividends on common stock ($.25 per share) (2,898) (2,898)Issuance of common stock under Stock Incentive Plan (400 shares) 3 3 Stock-based compensation expense 284 284 Balance - December 31, 2013 116 97,127 12,561 (3,190) 106,614 Comprehensive income: Net income 7,483 7,483 Change in unrealized loss on securities available for sale (net oftax, $102) 197 197 Change in unrecognized loss on securities held to maturity forwhich a portion of OTTI has been recognized (net of tax benefit,$15 and accretion, $77 and amounts recorded into othercomprehensive income at transfer) (27) (27)Dividends on common stock ($.60 per share) (7,239) (7,239)Issuance of common stock under Stock Incentive Plan (100,200shares) 1 885 886 Issuance of common stock in exchange for net assets in acquisition(525,858 shares) 5 5,743 5,748 Stock-based compensation expense 317 317 Balance - December 31, 2014 122 104,072 12,805 (3,020) 113,979 Comprehensive income: Net income 9,289 9,289 Change in unrealized loss on securities available for sale (net oftax benefit, $224) (434) (434)Change in unrecognized loss on securities held to maturity forwhich a portion of OTTI has been recognized (net of tax, $1,466and accretion, $32 and amounts recorded into othercomprehensive income at transfer) 2,844 2,844 Dividends on common stock ($.52 per share) (6,359) (6,359)Repurchase of common stock (62,177 shares) (1) (720) (721)Issuance of common stock under Stock Incentive Plan (79,950shares) 1 706 707 Stock-based compensation expense 331 331 Balance - December 31, 2015 $122 $104,389 $15,735 $(610) $119,636 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 87 SOUTHERN NATIONAL BANCORP OF VIRGINIA, INC.CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS(dollars in thousands) For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Operating activities: Net income $9,289 $7,483 $6,258 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash and cash equivalents provided by operatingactivities: Depreciation 876 764 665 Amortization of core deposit intangible 261 220 467 Other amortization, net 149 186 344 Accretion of loan discount (2,510) (2,616) (3,507)Amortization of FDIC indemnification asset 630 1,230 483 Provision for loan losses 3,171 3,444 3,615 Earnings on bank-owned life insurance (636) (617) (592)Equity income on mortgage affiliate (1,459) (558) - Stock based compensation expense 331 317 284 Net gain on sale of available for sale securities (520) - (142)Impairment on securities - 41 3 Net (gain) loss on other real estate owned 291 (433) (188)Provision for (benefit from) deferred income taxes 2,132 (418) 102 Net (increase) decrease in other assets (385) 1,161 (365)Net increase (decrease) in other liabilities 599 1,281 (1,581)Net cash and cash equivalents provided by operating activities 12,219 11,485 5,846 Investing activities: Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities 3,966 - 159 Proceeds from paydowns, maturities and calls of available for sale securities 1 - - Purchases of held to maturity securities (18,153) (18,284) (14,766)Proceeds from paydowns, maturities and calls of held to maturity securities 13,607 6,571 16,278 Loan originations and payments, net (127,334) (100,837) (18,546)Purchase of bank-owned life insurance (1,500) (2,000) - Net cash received in PGFSB acquisition - 22,430 - Proceeds from sale of PGFSB loans - 3,499 - Investment in mortgage affiliate, net (119) (4,877) - Net (increase) decrease in stock in Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank (1,248) 327 297 Payments received on FDIC indemnification asset 3 1,037 1,017 Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned 4,048 3,276 4,187 Purchases of bank premises and equipment (307) (897) (437)Net cash and cash equivalents used in investing activities (127,036) (89,755) (11,811)Financing activities: Net increase (decrease) in deposits 82,869 112,838 (10,618)Cash dividends paid - common stock (6,359) (7,239) (2,898)Issuance of common stock under Stock Incentive Plan 707 886 3 Repurchase of common stock (721) - - Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances-long term 10,000 - - Repayment of Federal Home Loan Bank advances-long term (20,000) - - Net increase (decrease) in securities sold under agreement to repurchase and other short-termborrowings 40,337 (10,751) 1,134 Net cash and cash equivalents provided by (used in) financing activities 106,833 95,734 (12,379)Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (7,984) 17,464 (18,344)Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 38,320 20,856 39,200 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $30,336 $38,320 $20,856 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information Cash payments for: Interest $6,791 $4,454 $4,586 Income taxes 2,993 3,283 4,598 Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing activities Transfer from non-covered loans to other real estate owned 1,384 4,409 3,044 Transfer from covered loans to other real estate owned 343 342 4,158 Transfer from covered loans to non-covered loans - 7,344 - Issuance of common stock in exchange for net assets in acquisition - 5,748 - See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 88 1.ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc. (“Southern National” or “SNBV”) is a corporation formed on July 28, 2004 under the laws of the Commonwealth ofVirginia and is the holding company for Sonabank (“Sonabank”) a Virginia state chartered bank which commenced operations on April 14, 2005. Sonabankprovides a range of financial services to individuals and small and medium sized businesses. Sonabank has fifteen branches in Virginia, located in Fairfax County(Reston, McLean and Fairfax), in Charlottesville, Warrenton (2), Middleburg, Leesburg (2), South Riding, Front Royal, New Market, Haymarket, Richmond andClifton Forge, and eight branches in Maryland, in Rockville, Shady Grove, Frederick, Bethesda, Upper Marlboro, Brandywine, Owings and Huntingtown. The accounting policies and practices of Southern National and subsidiary conform to U. S. generally accepted accounting principles and to general practice withinthe banking industry. Major policies and practices are described below: Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Southern National and its wholly owned subsidiary. Southern National is a bank holding companythat owns all of the outstanding common stock of its banking subsidiary, Sonabank. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated inconsolidation. Use of Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U. S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimatesand assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expensesduring the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the nearterm include: the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the fair value of investment securities, other than temporary impairment of investment securities,the valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, fair value measurements related to assets acquired and liabilities assumed from business combinations, the FDICindemnification asset, mortgage servicing rights, other real estate owned and deferred tax assets. Investment Securities Debt securities that Southern National has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and carried at amortized cost. Securities classified as available for sale are those debt and equity securities that may be sold in response to changes in interest rates, liquidity needs or othersimilar factors. Securities available for sale are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains or losses net of deferred taxes, included in accumulated othercomprehensive income (loss) in stockholders' equity. Purchased premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities without anticipating prepayments,except for mortgage-backed securities where prepayments are anticipated. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the settlement date and aredetermined using the specific identification method. 89 Southern National purchases amortizing investment securities in which the underlying assets are residential mortgage loans subject to prepayments. The actualprincipal reduction on these assets varies from the expected contractual principal reduction due to principal prepayments resulting from the borrowers’ election torefinance the underlying mortgage based on market and other conditions. The purchase premiums and discounts associated with these assets are amortized oraccreted to interest income over the estimated life of the related assets. The estimated life is calculated by projecting future prepayments and the resulting principalcash flows until maturity. Prepayment rate projections utilize actual prepayment speed experience and available market information on like-kind instruments. Theprepayment rates form the basis for income recognition of premiums and discounts on the related assets. Changes in prepayment estimates may cause the earningsrecognized on these assets to vary over the term that the assets are held, creating volatility in the net interest margin. Prepayment rate assumptions are monitoredand updated monthly to reflect actual activity and the most recent market projections. Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or marketconditions warrant such an evaluation. For securities in an unrealized loss position, management considers the extent and duration of the unrealized loss, and thefinancial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer. Management also assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required tosell, a security in an unrealized loss position before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, theentire difference between amortized cost and fair value is recognized as impairment through earnings. For debt securities that do not meet the aforementionedcriteria, the amount of impairment is split into two components as follows: 1) 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 thecash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis. For equity securities, the entire amount of impairment is recognized through earnings. In order to determine OTTI for purchased beneficial interests that, on the purchase date, were not highly rated, Southern National compares the present value of theremaining cash flows as estimated at the preceding evaluation date to the current expected remaining cash flows. OTTI is deemed to have occurred if there hasbeen an adverse change in the remaining expected future cash flows. Loans Southern National provides mortgage, commercial and consumer loans to customers. A substantial portion of the loan portfolio is represented by loans secured byreal estate throughout its market area. The ability of Southern National’s debtors to honor their contracts is in varying degrees dependent upon the real estatemarket conditions and general economic conditions in this area. Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off are reported at their outstanding unpaid principalbalances adjusted for the allowance for loan losses, purchase premiums and discounts and any deferred loan fees or costs on originated loans. Interest income isaccrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the relatedloan yield using the interest method without anticipating prepayments. As part of the Greater Atlantic acquisition, the Bank and the FDIC entered into a loss sharing agreement on approximately $143.4 million (cost basis) of GreaterAtlantic Bank’s assets. The Bank will share in the losses on the loans and foreclosed loan collateral with the FDIC as specified in the loss sharing agreement; werefer to these assets collectively as “covered assets.” The indemnification against losses in the commercial portfolio on the GAB portfolio ended in December2014. The FDIC indemnification on the GAB residential mortgages and the GAB HELOCS continues until December 2019. Loans that are not covered in the losssharing agreement are referred to as “non-covered loans.” 90 The accrual of interest on all loans is discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent unless the credit is well secured and in process of collection. In allcases, loans are placed on nonaccrual status or charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal and interest is considered doubtful. All interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual status or charged-off is reversed against interest income. The interest on these loans isaccounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal andinterest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. Most of Southern National’s business activity is with customers located within Virginia and Maryland. Therefore, our exposure to credit risk is significantlyaffected by changes in the economy in those areas. We are not dependent on any single customer or group of customers whose insolvency would have a materialadverse effect on operations. Southern National has purchased, primarily through acquisitions, individual loans and groups of loans, some of which have shown evidence of credit deteriorationsince origination. These purchased loans are recorded at fair value such that there is no carryover of the seller’s allowance for loan losses. After acquisition, lossesare recognized by an increase in the allowance for loan losses. Purchased credit impaired loans are accounted for using the expected cash flow methodology, andpurchased performing loans are accounted for using the contractual cash flow methodology. Such purchased loans are accounted for individually or aggregated into pools of loans based on common risk characteristics such as, credit score, loan type, anddate of origination. Southern National estimates the amount and timing of expected cash flows for each purchased credit impaired loan or pool, and the expectedcash flows in excess of fair value are recorded as interest income over the remaining life of the loan or pool (accretable yield). The excess of the loans’ or pool’scontractual principal and interest over expected cash flows is not recorded (nonaccretable difference). Over the life of the loan or pool, expected cash flows continue to be estimated. If the present value of expected cash flows is less than the carrying amount, a loss isrecorded. If the present value of expected cash flows is greater than the carrying amount, it is recognized as part of future interest income. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 310-30, and based on current information and events, if it becomes probable that there is a significantincrease in cash flows previously expected to be collected or if actual cash flows are significantly greater than cash flows previously expected, the Bank willrecalculate the amount of accretable yield for the acquired loans as the excess of the revised cash flows expected to be collected over the sum of (1) the initialinvestment in the loans less (2) cash collected less (3) write downs, if any plus (4) the amount of yield accreted to date. The amount of accretable yield will beadjusted by reclassification from non-accretable yield. This adjustment would be accounted for as a change in estimate with the amount of periodic accretionadjusted over the remaining life of the loans. 91 Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (ALLL) The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when managementbelieves the collection of the principal is unlikely. Recoveries of amounts previously charged-off are credited to the allowance. Management's determination of theadequacy of the allowance is based on a three year historical average net loss experience for each portfolio segment adjusted for current industry and economicconditions and estimates of their effect on loan collectability. While management uses available information to estimate losses on loans, future additions to theallowance may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions, particularly those affecting real estate values. The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are individually classified as impaired. The generalcomponent provides for estimated losses in unimpaired loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that Southern National will be unable to collect the scheduledpayments of principal or interest when due according to the terms of the loan. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include paymentstatus, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delaysand payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, theborrower's prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis byeither the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, the loan's obtainable market price, or the fair value of thecollateral if the loan is collateral dependent. The general component covers non-impaired loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors. The historical loss experience isdetermined by portfolio segment and is based on the actual net loss history experienced by Southern National over the most recent three years. This actual lossexperience is supplemented with other economic factors based on the risks present for each portfolio segment. These economic factors include consideration of thefollowing: levels of and trends in delinquencies and impaired loans; levels of and trends in charge-offs and recoveries; trends in volume and terms of loans; effectsof any changes in risk selection and underwriting standards; other changes in lending policies, procedures, and practices; experience, ability, and depth of lendingmanagement and other relevant staff; national and local economic trends and conditions; industry conditions; and effects of changes in credit concentrations. Thefollowing portfolio segments have been identified: owner occupied commercial real estate, non-owner occupied commercial real estate, construction and landdevelopment, commercial loans, 1-4 family residential, and other consumer. While underwriting practices in this environment are more stringent, the bankestimates the effect of internal factors on future net loss experience to be negligible. Management’s estimate of the effect of current external economicenvironmental conditions on future net loss experience is significant in all loan segments and particularly on loans secured by real estate including single family 1-4, non-owner occupied commercial real estate and construction and land development loans. These factors include excess inventory, generally less demand drivenin part by fewer qualified borrowers and buyers. These considerations have played a significant role in management’s estimate of the adequacy of the allowancefor loan and lease losses. 92 Commercial real estate consists of borrowings secured by owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied commercial real estate. Repayment of these loans isdependent upon rental income or the subsequent sale of the property for loans secured by non-owner-occupied commercial real estate and by cash flows frombusiness operations for owner-occupied commercial real estate. Loans for which the source of repayment is rental income are primarily impacted by localeconomic conditions which dictate occupancy rates and the amount of rent charged. Commercial real estate loans that are dependent on cash flows fromoperations can also be adversely affected by current market conditions for their product or service. Construction and land development primarily consist of borrowings to purchase and develop raw land into residential and non-residential properties. Constructionloans are extended to individuals as well as corporations for the construction of an individual or multiple properties and are secured by raw land and the subsequentimprovements. Repayment of the loans to real estate developers is dependent upon the sale or lease of properties to third parties in a timely fashion uponcompletion. Should there be delays in construction or a downturn in the market for those properties, there may be significant erosion in value which may beabsorbed by Southern National. Commercial loans consist of borrowings for commercial purposes to individuals, corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, and other business enterprises. Commercial loans are generally secured by business assets such as equipment, accounts receivable, inventory, or any other asset excluding real estate and generallymade to finance capital expenditures or operations. Southern National’s risk exposure is related to deterioration in the value of collateral securing the loan shouldforeclosure become necessary. Generally, business assets used or produced in operations do not maintain their value upon foreclosure which may require SouthernNational to write-down the value significantly to sell. Residential real estate loans consist of loans to individuals for the purchase of primary residences with repayment primarily through wage or other income sourcesof the individual borrower. Southern National’s loss exposure to these loans is dependent on local market conditions for residential properties as loan amounts aredetermined, in part, by the fair value of the property at origination. Other consumer loans are comprised of loans to individuals both unsecured and secured and open-end home equity loans secured by real estate, with repaymentdependent on individual wages and other income. The risk of loss on consumer loans is elevated as the collateral securing these loans, if any, rapidly depreciate invalue or may be worthless and/or difficult to locate if repossession is necessary. Losses in this portfolio are generally relatively low, however, due to the smallindividual loan size and the balance outstanding as a percentage of Southern National’s entire portfolio. 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 besurrendered when the assets have been isolated from Southern National, the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantageof that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and Southern National does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through anagreement to repurchase them before their maturity. Equity Method Investments Southern National’s investment in Southern Trust Mortgage (“STM”) is being accounted for under the equity method. Under the equity method, the carrying valueof Southern National’s investment in STM was originally recorded at cost but is adjusted periodically to record Southern National’s proportionate share of STM’searnings or losses through noninterest income and decreased by the amount of cash dividends or similar distributions received from STM. 93 Bank Premises and Equipment Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Buildings and related components are depreciated using thestraight line method with useful lives of 30 years. Furniture, fixtures and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method with useful lives ranging from 3to 10 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the lease term. Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill resulting from business combinations after January 1, 2009, is generally determined as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred, plusthe fair value of any noncontrolling 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 forimpairment at least annually. Southern National has selected August 31 as the date to perform the annual goodwill impairment assessment. Intangible assets withdefinite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life onour balance sheet. Other intangible assets consist of core deposit intangible assets arising from whole bank and branch acquisitions and are amortized over their estimated usefullives, which range from 6 to 15 years. Stock Based Compensation Compensation cost is recognized for stock options issued to employees, based on the fair value of these awards at the date of grant. A Black-Scholes model isutilized to estimate the fair value of stock options. Compensation cost is recognized over the required service period, generally defined as the vesting period. Forawards with graded vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. Bank-owned Life Insurance Southern National has purchased life insurance policies on certain key executives. Bank-owned life insurance is recorded at the amount that can be realized underthe 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. Other Real Estate Owned Assets acquired through or instead of foreclosure are initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. If fair valuedeclines subsequent to foreclosure, the direct charge-off method is recorded through expense. Operating costs after acquisition are expensed. Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) and Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) The Bank 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 mayinvest in additional amounts. We are also required to own FRB stock with a par value equal to 6% of capital. FHLB stock and FRB stock are 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 asincome. 94 Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Premises and equipment, core deposit intangible assets, the FDIC indemnification asset and other long-term assets are reviewed for impairment when eventsindicate their carrying amount may not be recoverable from future undiscounted cash flows. If impaired, the assets are recorded at fair value. FDIC Indemnification Asset The acquisition of Greater Atlantic Bank (GAB) on December 4, 2009 was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting, and the assets and liabilitieswere recorded at their estimated fair values. The FDIC indemnification asset was measured separately from each of the covered asset categories as it is notcontractually embedded in any of the covered asset categories. The indemnification asset represents the present value of cash flows expected to be received fromthe FDIC for future losses on covered assets based on the expected credit losses estimated for each covered loan or loan pool and the loss sharing percentages at theacquisition date. Cash flows are discounted at a market-based rate to reflect the uncertainty of the timing of the loss sharing reimbursement from the FDIC. Theultimate collectability of this asset is dependent upon the performance of the underlying covered assets, the passage of time and claims paid by the FDIC. Weacquired the Greater Atlantic loans in December 2009 and continuously evaluate our estimates of expected losses on these loans. During 2015, and based on theactual historical losses on the loan pools over the previous 24 month period, expected losses on the acquired Greater Atlantic loans (the covered loans) were lowerthan previously forecasted which results in a lower expected recovery from the FDIC. As of December 31, 2015, we expect to recover $745 thousand from theFDIC under the indemnification agreement. The difference between the carrying amount of $2.9 million and the estimated recovery is being amortized over theremaining life of the indemnification agreement or the expected life of the loans, whichever is shorter. There were two agreements with the FDIC, one for singlefamily assets which is a 10 year agreement expiring in December 2019, and one for non-single family (commercial) assets which was a 5 year agreement whichexpired in December 2014. The current overstatement is due to improvements in the loss estimates in the single family covered loans. Retirement Plans Employee 401(k) plan expense is the amount of matching contributions. Supplemental retirement plan expense allocates the benefits over years of service. 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 probableand an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not believe there are such matters that will have a material effect on the financialstatements. Dividend Restriction Banking regulations require maintaining certain capital levels and may limit the dividends paid by the bank to the holding company or by the holding company toshareholders. 95 Estimates and Uncertainties Estimates including the fair value of financial instruments, other than temporary impairment, the provision for loan losses, expected loan performance andrecoveries from the FDIC, and the evaluation of the recoverability of goodwill and intangible assets involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgmentregarding interest rates, credit risk, repayments and prepayments, and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular items. Changes inassumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect the estimates. Operating Segments While the chief decision-makers monitor the revenue streams of the various products and services, operations are managed and financial performance is evaluatedon a company-wide basis. Discrete financial information is not available other than on a company-wide basis. Accordingly, all of the financial service operationsare considered by management to be aggregated in one reportable operating segment. Reclassifications Certain items in the prior year financial statements were reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Gains and losses on OREO have been reclassified fromnoninterest income to noninterest expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. 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 andliabilities are the expected future tax amounts for the temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed usingenacted tax rates. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examinationbeing 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 taxpositions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. We have no unrecognized tax benefits and do not anticipate any increase inunrecognized benefits during the next twelve months. Should the accrual of any interest or penalties relative to unrecognized tax benefits be necessary, it is ourpolicy to record such accruals in our income tax accounts; no such accruals exist as of December 31, 2015. Southern National and its subsidiary file a consolidatedU. S. federal tax return; Sonabank files a Maryland state income tax return and Southern National files a Virginia state income tax return. These returns are subjectto examination by taxing authorities for all years after 2011. 96 Restrictions on Cash Cash on hand or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank was required to meet regulatory reserve and clearing requirements in the amount of $872 thousand and$1.5 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For purposes of reporting cash flows, Southern National defines cash and cash equivalents as cash due from banks and interest-bearing deposits in other banks withmaturities less than 90 days. Net cash flows are reported for customer loan and deposit transactions and short-term borrowings. Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Dilutedearnings per share reflect additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued, as well as anyadjustment to income that would result from the assumed issuance. Potential common shares that may be issued by SNBV relate solely to outstanding stockoptions and warrants and are determined using the treasury stock method. Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) includes unrealized gains andlosses on securities available for sale and the non-credit component of other than temporary impairment of securities held-to-maturity which are also recognized asa separate component of equity. Off Balance Sheet Credit Related Financial Instruments In the ordinary course of business, Southern National has entered into commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. The face amount for these itemsrepresents the exposure to loss, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-04, "Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure."The objective of this guidance is to clarify when an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, that is, when a creditor should be considered to have receivedphysical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan such that the loan receivable should be derecognized and the realestate property recognized. ASU No. 2014-04 states that an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, and a creditor is considered to have received physicalpossession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan, upon either (1) the creditor obtaining legal title to the residential real estateproperty upon completion of a foreclosure or (2) the borrower conveying all interest in the residential real estate property to the creditor to satisfy that loan throughcompletion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. Additionally, ASU No. 2014-04 requires interim and annual disclosure of both (1)the amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held by the creditor and (2) the recorded investment in consumer mortgage loans collateralized byresidential real estate property that are in the process of foreclosure according to local requirements of the applicable jurisdiction. ASU No. 2014-04 is effective forinterim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The adoption of ASU No. 2014-04 did not to have a material impact on the SouthernNational’s Consolidated Financial Statements, but did add additional disclosures. 97 In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). These amendments affect any entity that either enters intocontracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope ofother standards (e.g. insurance contracts or lease contracts). This ASU will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition,and most industry-specific guidance, and creates a Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity shouldrecognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to beentitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cashflows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill acontract. This ASU will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. Earlyadoption is not permitted. The ASU allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption. SNBV is assessing the effects of this ASU, whichexclude financial instruments from its scope, but does not anticipate that it will have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations. In September 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Termsof an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved After the Requisite Service Period . The amendments clarify the proper method of accountingfor share-based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. This ASU requires thata performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. The performance targetshould not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. Compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probablethat the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has alreadybeen rendered. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015.Earlier adoption is permitted. Management does not anticipate that this ASU will significantly impact SNBV. In September 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-11, Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures. The new guidancealigns the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and repurchase agreements executed as repurchase financings with the accounting for other typicalrepurchase agreements. Going forward, these transactions would all be accounted for as secured borrowings. The guidance eliminates sale accounting forrepurchase-to-maturity transactions and supersedes the guidance under which a transfer of a financial asset and a contemporaneous repurchase financing could beaccounted for on a combined basis as a forward agreement, which has resulted in outcomes referred to as off-balance-sheet accounting. The amendments in theASU require a new disclosure for transactions economically similar to repurchase agreements in which the transferor retains substantially all of the exposure to theeconomic return on the transferred financial assets throughout the term of the transaction. The amendments in the ASU also require expanded disclosures about thenature of collateral pledged in repurchase agreements and similar transactions accounted for as secured borrowings (see Note 8 to the Consolidated FinancialStatements). We adopted the amendments in this ASU effective January 1, 2015. As of September 30, 2015, all of our repurchase agreements were typical innature (i.e., not repurchase-to-maturity transactions or repurchase agreements executed as a repurchase financing) and are accounted for as secured borrowings. Assuch, the adoption of ASU No. 2014-11 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. 98 2.SECURITIES The amortized cost and fair value of available for sale securities and the related gross unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensiveincome (loss) were as follows (in thousands): Amortized Gross Unrealized Fair December 31, 2015 Cost Gains Losses Value Obligations of states and political subdivisions $2,287 $25 $- $2,312 Trust preferred securities 2,590 - (693) 1,897 $4,877 $25 $(693) $4,209 Amortized Gross Unrealized FairDecember 31, 2014 Cost Gains Losses ValueObligations of states and political subdivisions $2,295 $- $(10) $2,285 The amortized cost, unrecognized gains and losses, and fair value of securities held to maturity were as follows (in thousands): Amortized Gross Unrecognized FairDecember 31, 2015 Cost Gains Losses ValueResidential government-sponsored mortgage-backed securities $20,751 $459 $(22) $21,188 Residential government-sponsored collateralized mortgage obligations 2,946 - (66) 2,880Government-sponsored agency securities 55,937 222 (618) 55,541 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 12,794 157 (67) 12,884 Trust preferred securities 4,352 - (381) 3,971 $96,780 $838 $(1,154) $96,464 Amortized Gross Unrecognized FairDecember 31, 2014 Cost Gains Losses ValueResidential government-sponsored mortgage-backed securities $22,897 $708 $(8) $23,597 Residential government-sponsored collateralized mortgage obligations 3,564 - (53) 3,511 Government-sponsored agency securities 44,949 294 (822) 44,421 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 15,531 108 (145) 15,494 Other residential collateralized mortgage obligations 599 - - 599 Trust preferred securities 6,518 1,527 (1,574) 6,471 $94,058 $2,637 $(2,602) $94,093 The amortized cost amounts are net of recognized other than temporary impairment. In the second quarter of 2015, we transferred from our held-to-maturity (HTM) portfolio all of the trust preferred securities and a non-government sponsoredresidential CMO that had been other than temporarily impaired to the available-for-sale (AFS) classification. We sold five of these trust preferred securities and theCMO recognizing gains of $914 thousand and losses of $394 thousand. Due to the significant deterioration in these issuers’ creditworthiness which could not havebeen reasonably anticipated, we feel that our change in classification does not taint our intentions in regards to the remainder of our HTM portfolio. We considerthis transfer to be isolated, nonrecurring and unusual for Southern National. 99 During 2014, we sold no securities. During 2013, we sold 55 thousand shares of available for sale FHLMC preferred stock resulting in a gain of $142 thousand. The fair value and amortized cost, if different, of debt securities as of December 31, 2015 by contractual maturity were as follows (in thousands). Securities not dueat a single maturity date, primarily mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations, are shown separately. Held to Maturity Available for Sale Amortized Amortized Cost Fair Value Cost Fair Value Due in five to ten years $12,200 $12,206 $- $- Due after ten years 60,883 60,190 4,877 4,209 Residential government-sponsored mortgage-backed securities 20,751 21,188 - - Residential government-sponsored collateralized mortgage obligations 2,946 2,880 - - Total $96,780 $96,464 $4,877 $4,209 Securities with a carrying amount of approximately $89.7 million and $71.8 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, were pledged to secure publicdeposits, repurchase agreements and a line of credit for advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”). Southern National monitors the portfolio for indicators of other than temporary impairment. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, certain securities’ fair values werebelow cost. As outlined in the table below, there were securities with fair values totaling approximately $62.7 million in the portfolio with the carrying valueexceeding the estimated fair value that are considered temporarily impaired at December 31, 2015. Because the decline in fair value is attributable to changes ininterest rates and market illiquidity, and not credit quality, and because we do not have the intent to sell these securities and it is likely that we will not be requiredto sell the securities before their anticipated recovery, management does not consider these securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired as of December 31,2015. The following tables present information regarding securities in a continuous unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands) byduration of time in a loss position: 100 December 31, 2015 Less than 12 months 12 Months or More Total Available for Sale Fair value Unrealized Losses Fair value Unrealized Losses Fair value Unrealized Losses Trust preferred securities $- $- $1,897 $(693) $1,897 $(693) Less than 12 months 12 Months or More Total Held to Maturity Fair value Unrecognized Losses Fair value Unrecognized Losses Fair value Unrecognized Losses Residential government-sponsoredmortgage-backed securities $5,459 $(14) $640 $(8) $6,099 $(22)Residential government-sponsoredcollateralized mortgage obligations 512 (5) 2,368 (61) 2,880 (66)Government-sponsored agencysecurities 35,453 (507) 9,878 (111) 45,331 (618)Obligations of states and politicalsubdivisions - - 2,513 (67) 2,513 (67)Trust preferred securities - - 3,971 (381) 3,971 (381) $41,424 $(526) $19,370 $(628) $60,794 $(1,154) December 31, 2014 Less than 12 months 12 Months or More Total Available for Sale Fair value Unrealized Losses Fair value Unrealized Losses Fair value Unrealized Losses Obligations of states and political subdivisions $485 $(1) $1,800 $(9) $2,285 $(10) Less than 12 months 12 Months or More Total Held to Maturity Fair value Unrecognized Losses Fair value Unrecognized Losses Fair value Unrecognized Losses Residential government-sponsoredmortgage-backed securities $3,506 $(8) $- $- $3,506 $(8)Residential government-sponsoredcollateralized mortgage obligations 692 (3) 2,819 (50) 3,511 (53)Government-sponsored agencysecurities - - 29,154 (822) 29,154 (822)Obligations of states and politicalsubdivisions 485 (20) 8,139 (125) 8,624 (145)Trust preferred securities - - 4,233 (1,574) 4,233 (1,574) $4,683 $(31) $44,345 $(2,571) $49,028 $(2,602) As of December 31, 2015, we owned pooled trust preferred securities as follows (in thousands): Previously % of Current Recognized Defaults and Cumulative Ratings Estimated Deferrals to Other Tranche When Purchased Current Ratings Fair Total Comprehensive Security Level Moody's Fitch Moody's Fitch Par Value Book Value Value Collateral Loss (1) Held to Maturity (in thousands) ALESCO VII A1B Senior Aaa AAA A1 A $4,462 $4,081 $3,733 13% $251 MMCF III B Senior Sub A3 A- Ba1 BB 276 271 238 32% 5 4,738 4,352 3,971 $256 Cumulative OTTI Available for Sale Related to Other Than Temporarily Impaired: Credit Loss (2) TPREF FUNDING II Mezzanine A1 A- Caa3 C 1,500 1,100 680 36% 400 ALESCO V C1 Mezzanine A2 A Caa3 C 2,150 1,490 1,217 13% 660 3,650 2,590 1,897 $1,060 Total $8,388 $6,942 $5,868 (1) Pre-tax, and represents unrealized losses at date of transfer from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity, net of accretion(2) Pre-tax Each of these securities has been evaluated for other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”). In performing a detailed cash flow analysis of each security, Sonabankworks with independent third parties to estimate expected cash flows and assist with the evaluation of other than temporary impairment. The cash flow analysesperformed included the following assumptions: 101 ·.5% of the remaining performing collateral will default or defer per annum.·Recoveries of 11% with a two year lag on all defaults and deferrals.·No prepayments for 10 years and then 1% per annum for the remaining life of the security.·Our securities have been modeled using the above assumptions by independent third parties using the forward LIBOR curve to discount projected cashflows to present values. We recognized no OTTI charges during 2015, and we recognized OTTI charges of $41 thousand during 2014 and $3 thousand during 2013. The following table presents a roll forward of the credit losses recognized in earnings for the periods ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Amount of cumulative other-than-temporary impairment related to credit loss prior to January 1 $8,949 $8,911 $8,994 Amounts related to credit loss for which an other-than-temporary impairment was not previouslyrecognized - - - Amounts related to credit loss for which an other-than-temporary impairment was previouslyrecognized - 41 3 Reductions due to sales of securities for which an other-than-temporary impairment was previouslyrecognized (7,889) - - Reductions due to realized losses - (3) (86)Amount of cumulative other-than-temporary impairment related to credit loss as of December 31 $1,060 $8,949 $8,911 Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 are shown in the table below. Allamounts are net of tax (in thousands). 102 Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses) on For the year ended December 31, 2015 Available for Sale Held to Maturity Securities Securities Total Beginning balance $(6) $(3,014) $(3,020)Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications (434) 21 $(413)Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) - 2,823 2,823 Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss) (434) 2,844 2,410 Ending balance $(440) $(170) $(610) Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses) on For the year ended December 31, 2014 Available for Sale Held to Maturity Securities Securities Total Beginning balance $(203) $(2,987) $(3,190)Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications 197 (27) 170 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) - - - Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss) 197 (27) 170 Ending balance $(6) $(3,014) $(3,020) Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses) on For the year ended December 31, 2013 Available for Sale Held to Maturity Securities Securities Total Beginning balance $44 $(3,025) $(2,981)Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications (153) 38 (115)Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) (94) - (94)Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss) (247) 38 (209)Ending balance $(203) $(2,987) $(3,190) 3.LOANS Loans, net of unearned income, consist of the following at year end (in thousands): Covered Non-covered Total Covered Non-covered Total Loans (1) Loans Loans Loans (1) Loans Loans December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Loans secured by real estate: Commercial real estate - owner-occupied $- $141,521 $141,521 $- $136,597 $136,597 Commercial real estate - non-owner-occupied - 256,513 256,513 - 200,517 200,517 Secured by farmland - 578 578 - 612 612 Construction and land loans - 67,832 67,832 - 57,938 57,938 Residential 1-4 family 12,994 165,077 178,071 14,837 123,233 138,070 Multi- family residential - 25,501 25,501 - 21,832 21,832 Home equity lines of credit 21,379 13,798 35,177 23,658 9,751 33,409 Total real estate loans 34,373 670,820 705,193 38,495 550,480 588,975 Commercial loans - 124,985 124,985 - 114,714 114,714 Consumer loans - 1,366 1,366 - 1,564 1,564 Gross loans 34,373 797,171 831,544 38,495 666,758 705,253 Less deferred fees on loans - (2,119) (2,119) 1 (1,782) (1,781)Loans, net of deferred fees $34,373 $795,052 $829,425 $38,496 $664,976 $703,472 (1) Covered Loans were acquired in the Greater Atlantic transaction and are covered under an FDIC loss-share agreement. The agreement covering non-singlefamily loans expired in December 2014. Accounting policy related to the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical policy given the level of estimation, judgment, and uncertainty in the levels of theallowance required to account for the inherent probable losses in the loan portfolio and the material effect such estimation, judgment, and uncertainty can have onthe consolidated financial results. 103 As part of the Greater Atlantic acquisition, the Bank and the FDIC entered into loss sharing agreements on approximately $143.4 million (contractual basis) ofGreater Atlantic Bank’s assets. There were two agreements with the FDIC, one for single family loans which is a 10-year agreement expiring in December 2019,and one for non-single family (commercial) assets which was a 5-year agreement which expired in December 2014. The Bank will share in the losses on the loansand foreclosed loan collateral with the FDIC as specified in the loss sharing agreements; we refer to these assets collectively as “covered assets.” Loans that arenot covered in the loss sharing agreement are referred to as “non-covered loans”. As of December 31, 2015, non-covered loans included $29.6 million of loansacquired in the HarVest acquisition and $52.0 million acquired in the PGFSB acquisition. Accretable discount on the acquired covered loans, the PGFSB loans and the HarVest loans was $7.9 million and $9.3 million at December 31, 2015 andDecember 31, 2014 respectively. Credit-impaired covered loans are those loans which presented evidence of credit deterioration at the date of acquisition and it is probable that Southern Nationalwould not collect all contractually required principal and interest payments. Generally, acquired loans that meet Southern National’s definition for nonaccrualstatus fell within the definition of credit-impaired covered loans. 104 Impaired loans for the covered and non-covered portfolios were as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2015 Covered Loans Non-covered Loans Total Loans Unpaid Unpaid Unpaid Recorded Principal Related Recorded Principal Related Recorded Principal Related Investment Balance Allowance Investment (1) Balance Allowance Investment Balance Allowance With no related allowancerecorded Commercial real estate -owner occupied $- $- $- $6,492 $6,986 $- $6,492 $6,986 $- Commercial real estate -non-owner occupied (2) - - - 136 230 - 136 230 - Construction and landdevelopment - - - - - - - - - Commercial loans - - - 2,102 2,698 - 2,102 2,698 - Residential 1-4 family (4) 1,066 1,243 - - - - 1,066 1,243 - Other consumer loans - - - - - - - - - Total $1,066 $1,243 $- $8,730 $9,914 $- $9,796 $11,157 $- With an allowance recorded Commercial real estate -owner occupied $- $- $- $1,370 $1,484 $439 $1,370 $1,484 $439 Commercial real estate -non-owner occupied (2) - - - - - - - - - Construction and landdevelopment - - - - - - - - - Commercial loans - - - 3,382 3,382 400 3,382 3,382 400 Residential 1-4 family (4) - - - - - - - - - Other consumer loans - - - - - - - - - Total $- $- $- $4,752 $4,866 $839 $4,752 $4,866 $839 Grand total $1,066 $1,243 $- $13,482 $14,780 $839 $14,548 $16,023 $839 (1) Recorded investment is after cumulative prior charge offs of $1.2 million. These loans also have aggregate SBA guarantees of $3.5 million.(2) Includes loans secured by farmland and multi-family residential loans.(3) The Bank recognizes loan impairment and may concurrently record a charge off to the allowance for loan losses.(4) Includes home equity lines of credit. December 31, 2014 Covered Loans Non-covered Loans Total Loans Unpaid Unpaid Unpaid Recorded Principal Related Recorded Principal Related Recorded Principal Related Investment Balance Allowance Investment (1) Balance Allowance Investment Balance Allowance With no related allowancerecorded Commercial real estate -owner occupied $- $- $- $10,394 $10,394 $- $10,394 $10,394 $- Commercial real estate -non-owner occupied (2) - - - 1,859 2,118 - 1,859 2,118 - Construction and landdevelopment - - - - - - - - - Commercial loans - - - 4,998 4,999 - 4,998 4,999 - Residential 1-4 family (4) 1,740 2,053 - - - - 1,740 2,053 - Other consumer loans - - - - - - - - - Total $1,740 $2,053 $- $17,251 $17,511 $- $18,991 $19,564 $- With an allowance recorded Commercial real estate -owner occupied $- $- $- $1,609 $2,231 $151 $1,609 $2,231 $151 Commercial real estate -non-owner occupied (2) - - - - - - - - - Construction and landdevelopment - - - 467 740 120 467 740 120 Commercial loans - - - 3,141 3,944 134 3,141 3,944 134 Residential 1-4 family (4) - - - 1,344 1,465 300 1,344 1,465 300 Other consumer loans - - - - - - - - - Total $- $- $- $6,561 $8,380 $705 $6,561 $8,380 $705 Grand total $1,740 $2,053 $- $23,812 $25,891 $705 $25,552 $27,944 $705 (1) Recorded investment is after cumulative prior charge offs of $1.7 million. These loans also have aggregate SBA guarantees of $4.7 million.(2) Includes loans secured by farmland and multi-family residential loans.(3) The Bank recognizes loan impairment and may concurrently record a charge off to the allowance for loan losses.(4) Includes home equity lines of credit. 105 The following tables present the average recorded investment and interest income for impaired loans recognized by class of loans for the years ended December31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands): Year ended 12/31/15 Covered Loans Non-covered Loans Total Loans Average Interest Average Interest Average Interest Recorded Income Recorded Income Recorded Income Investment Recognized Investment Recognized Investment Recognized With no related allowance recorded Commercial real estate - owner occupied $- $- $7,156 $297 $7,156 $297 Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied (1) - - 822 11 822 11 Construction and land development - - 89 - 89 - Commercial loans - - 3,428 - 3,428 - Residential 1-4 family (2) 1,501 26 - - 1,501 26 Other consumer loans - - - - - - Total $1,501 $26 $11,495 $308 $12,996 $334 With an allowance recorded Commercial real estate - owner occupied $- $- $2,259 $42 $2,259 $42 Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied (1) - - - - - - Construction and land development - - 93 - 93 - Commercial loans - - 3,488 213 3,488 213 Residential 1-4 family (2) - - 416 - 416 - Other consumer loans - - - - - - Total $- $- $6,256 $255 $6,256 $255 Grand total $1,501 $26 $17,751 $563 $19,252 $589 (1) Includes loans secured by farmland and multi-family residential loans.(2) Includes home equity lines of credit. Year ended 12/31/14 Covered Loans Non-covered Loans Total Loans Average Interest Average Interest Average Interest Recorded Income Recorded Income Recorded Income Investment Recognized Investment Recognized Investment Recognized With no related allowance recorded Commercial real estate - owner occupied $599 $- $9,508 $511 $10,107 $511 Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied (1) 1,611 - 581 - 2,192 - Construction and land development - - 421 - 421 - Commercial loans - - 6,154 223 6,154 223 Residential 1-4 family (2) 1,317 40 3,984 - 5,301 40 Other consumer loans - - - - - - Total $3,527 $40 $20,648 $734 $24,175 $774 With an allowance recorded Commercial real estate - owner occupied $- $- $382 $14 $382 $14 Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied (1) - - - - - - Construction and land development - - 93 - 93 - Commercial loans - - 955 - 955 - Residential 1-4 family (2) - - 415 - 415 - Other consumer loans - - - - - - Total $- $- $1,845 $14 $1,845 $14 Grand total $3,527 $40 $22,493 $748 $26,020 $788 (1) Includes loans secured by farmland and multi-family residential loans.(2) Includes home equity lines of credit. 106 Year ended 12/31/13 Covered Loans Non-covered Loans Total Loans Average Interest Average Interest Average Interest Recorded Income Recorded Income Recorded Income Investment Recognized Investment Recognized Investment Recognized With no related allowance recorded Commercial real estate - owner occupied $258 $55 $6,852 $439 $7,110 $494 Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied (1) 2,157 134 913 38 3,070 172 Construction and land development 231 - 2,612 - 2,843 - Commercial loans 69 - 4,024 66 4,093 66 Residential 1-4 family (2) 1,580 47 4,251 347 5,831 394 Other consumer loans - - - - - - Total $4,295 $236 $18,652 $890 $22,947 $1,126 With an allowance recorded Commercial real estate - owner occupied $- $- $422 $17 $422 $17 Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied (1) - - 817 - 817 - Construction and land development - - 93 - 93 - Commercial loans - - 1,493 - 1,493 - Residential 1-4 family (2) - - 415 127 415 127 Other consumer loans - - - - - - Total $- $- $3,240 $144 $3,240 $144 Grand total $4,295 $236 $21,892 $1,034 $26,187 $1,270 (1) Includes loans secured by farmland and multi-family residential loans.(2) Includes home equity lines of credit. 107 The following table presents the aging of the recorded investment in past due loans by class of loans as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): December 31, 2015 30 - 59 60 - 89 Days Days 90 Days Total Nonaccrual Loans Not Total Past Due Past Due or More Past Due Loans Past Due Loans Covered loans: Commercial real estate - owneroccupied $- $- $- $- $- $- $- Commercial real estate - non-owneroccupied (1) - - - - - - - Construction and land development - - - - - - - Commercial loans - - - - - - - Residential 1-4 family (2) 119 43 - 162 698 33,513 34,373 Other consumer loans - - - - - - - Total $119 $43 $- $162 $698 $33,513 $34,373 Non-covered loans: Commercial real estate - owneroccupied $561 $- $- $561 $2,071 $138,889 $141,521 Commercial real estate - non-owneroccupied (1) - - - - - 282,592 282,592 Construction and land development - - - - - 67,832 67,832 Commercial loans 267 - - 267 2,102 122,616 124,985 Residential 1-4 family (2) 85 - - 85 - 178,790 178,875 Other consumer loans 1 - - 1 - 1,365 1,366 Total $914 $- $- $914 $4,173 $792,084 $797,171 Total loans: Commercial real estate - owneroccupied $561 $- $- $561 $2,071 $138,889 $141,521 Commercial real estate - non-owneroccupied (1) - - - - - 282,592 282,592 Construction and land development - - - - - 67,832 67,832 Commercial loans 267 - - 267 2,102 122,616 124,985 Residential 1-4 family (2) 204 43 - 247 698 212,303 213,248 Other consumer loans 1 - - 1 - 1,365 1,366 Total $1,033 $43 $- $1,076 $4,871 $825,597 $831,544 December 31, 2014 30 - 59 60 - 89 Days Days 90 Days Total Nonaccrual Loans Not Total Past Due Past Due or More Past Due Loans Past Due Loans Covered loans: Commercial real estate - owneroccupied $- $- $- $- $- $- $- Commercial real estate - non-owneroccupied (1) - - - - - - - Construction and land development - - - - - - - Commercial loans - - - - - - - Residential 1-4 family (2) 10 148 - 158 859 37,478 38,495 Other consumer loans - - - - - - - Total $10 $148 $- $158 $859 $37,478 $38,495 Non-covered loans: Commercial real estate - owneroccupied $- $- $- $1,524 $135,073 $136,597 Commercial real estate - non-owneroccupied (1) 4,128 - - 4,128 - 218,833 222,961 Construction and land development - - - - 467 57,471 57,938 Commercial loans - - - - 3,140 111,574 114,714 Residential 1-4 family (2) 319 586 - 905 521 131,558 132,984 Other consumer loans 6 - - 6 - 1,558 1,564 Total $4,453 $586 $- $5,039 $5,652 $656,067 $666,758 Total loans: Commercial real estate - owneroccupied $- $- $- $- $1,524 $135,073 $136,597 Commercial real estate - non-owneroccupied (1) 4,128 - - 4,128 - 218,833 222,961 Construction and land development - - - - 467 57,471 57,938 Commercial loans - - - - 3,140 111,574 114,714 Residential 1-4 family (2) 329 734 - 1,063 1,380 169,036 171,479 Other consumer loans 6 - - 6 - 1,558 1,564 Total $4,463 $734 $- $5,197 $6,511 $693,545 $705,253 (1) Includes loans secured by farmland and multi-family residential loans.(2) Includes home equity lines of credit. 108 Activity in the allowance for non-covered loan and lease losses by class of loan for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 is summarized below (inthousands): Commercial Commercial Real Estate Real Estate Construction Other Non-covered loans: Owner Non-owner and Land Commercial 1-4 Family Consumer Year ended December 31, 2015 Occupied Occupied (1) Development Loans Residential (2) Loans Unallocated Total Allowance for loan losses: Beginning balance $855 $1,123 $1,644 $2,063 $1,322 $49 $337 $7,393 Charge offs (1,067) - - (1,174) (413) (19) - (2,673)Recoveries 18 18 139 91 259 1 - 526 Provision 1,379 81 (918) 2,061 240 17 315 3,175 Ending balance $1,185 $1,222 $865 $3,041 $1,408 $48 $652 $8,421 Year ended December 31, 2014 Allowance for loan losses: Beginning balance $814 $985 $1,068 $2,797 $1,302 $54 $19 $7,039 Charge offs (573) - (250) (1,998) (449) - - (3,270)Recoveries 10 23 4 125 7 5 - 174 Provision 604 115 822 1,139 462 (10) 318 3,450 Ending balance $855 $1,123 $1,644 $2,063 $1,322 $49 $337 $7,393 Year ended December 31, 2013 Allowance for loan losses: Beginning balance $932 $1,474 $970 $2,110 $1,163 $33 $285 $6,967 Charge offs - (199) (650) (2,286) (776) (144) - (4,055)Recoveries 13 146 7 204 129 4 - 503 Provision (131) (436) 741 2,769 786 161 (266) 3,624 Ending balance $814 $985 $1,068 $2,797 $1,302 $54 $19 $7,039 (1) Includes loans secured by farmland and multi-family residential loans.(2) Includes home equity lines of credit. Activity in the allowance for covered loan and lease losses by class of loan for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 is summarized below (inthousands). Commercial Commercial Real Estate Real Estate Construction Other Covered loans: Owner Non-owner and Land Commercial 1-4 Family Consumer Year ended December 31, 2015 Occupied Occupied (1) Development Loans Residential (3) Loans Unallocated Total Allowance for loan losses: Beginning balance $- $- $- $- $17 $4 $- $21 Charge offs - - - - - - - - Recoveries - - - - - - - - Adjustments (2) - - - - (17) - - (17)Provision - - - - - (4) - (4)Ending balance $- $- $- $- $- $- $- $- Year ended December 31, 2014 Allowance for loan losses: Beginning balance $- $45 $- $- $- $6 $- $51 Charge offs - - - - - - - - Recoveries - - - - - - - - Adjustments (2) - (36) - - 14 (2) - (24)Provision - (9) - - 3 - - (6)Ending balance $- $- $- $- $17 $4 $- $21 Year ended December 31, 2013 Allowance for loan losses: Beginning balance $- $45 $- $43 $- $11 $- $99 Charge offs - - - - - - - - Recoveries - - - - - - - - Adjustments (2) - - - (35) - (4) - (39)Provision - - - (8) - (1) - (9)Ending balance $- $45 $- $- $- $6 $- $51 (1) Includes loans secured by farmland and multi-family residential loans.(2) Represents the portion of increased expected losses which is covered by the loss sharing agreement with the FDIC.(3) Includes home equity lines of credit. 109 The following table presents the balance in the allowance for non-covered loan losses and the recorded investment in non-covered loans by portfolio segment andbased on impairment method as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): Commercial Commercial Real Estate Real Estate Construction Other Owner Non-owner and Land Commercial 1-4 Family Consumer Non-covered loans: Occupied Occupied (1) Development Loans Residential (2) Loans Unallocated Total December 31, 2015 Ending allowance balance attributable to loans: Individually evaluated for impairment $439 $- $- $400 $- $- $- $839 Collectively evaluated for impairment 746 1,222 865 2,641 1,408 48 652 7,582 Total ending allowance $1,185 $1,222 $865 $3,041 $1,408 $48 $652 $8,421 Loans: Individually evaluated for impairment $7,862 $136 $- $5,484 $- $- $- $13,482 Collectively evaluated for impairment 133,659 282,456 67,832 119,501 178,875 1,366 - 783,689 Total ending loan balances $141,521 $282,592 $67,832 $124,985 $178,875 $1,366 $- $797,171 December 31, 2014 Ending allowance balance attributable to loans: Individually evaluated for impairment $151 $- $120 $134 $300 $- $- $705 Collectively evaluated for impairment 704 1,123 1,524 1,929 1,022 49 337 6,688 Total ending allowance $855 $1,123 $1,644 $2,063 $1,322 $49 $337 $7,393 Loans: Individually evaluated for impairment $12,003 $1,859 $467 $8,139 $1,344 $- $- $23,812 Collectively evaluated for impairment 124,594 221,102 57,471 106,575 131,640 1,564 - 642,946 Total ending loan balances $136,597 $222,961 $57,938 $114,714 $132,984 $1,564 $- $666,758 (1) Includes loans secured by farmland and multi-family residential loans.(2) Includes home equity lines of credit. The following table presents the balance in the allowance for covered loan losses and the recorded investment in covered loans by portfolio segment and based onimpairment method as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands). Commercial Commercial Real Estate Real Estate Construction Other Owner Non-owner and Land Commercial 1-4 Family Consumer Covered loans: Occupied Occupied (1) Development Loans Residential (2) Loans Unallocated Total December 31, 2015 Ending allowance balanceattributable to loans: Individually evaluated forimpairment $- $- $- $- $- $- $- $- Collectively evaluated forimpairment - - - - - - - - Total ending allowance $- $- $- $- $- $- $- $- Loans: Individually evaluated forimpairment $- $- $- $1,066 $- $1,066 Collectively evaluated forimpairment - - - - 33,307 - - 33,307 Total ending loan balances $- $- $- $- $34,373 $- $- $34,373 December 31, 2014 Ending allowance balanceattributable to loans: Individually evaluated forimpairment $- $- $- $- $- $- $- $- Collectively evaluated forimpairment - - - - 17 4 - 21 Total ending allowance $- $- $- $- $17 $4 $- $21 Loans: Individually evaluated forimpairment $- $- $- $- $1,740 $- $- $1,740 Collectively evaluated forimpairment 36,755 - 36,755 Total ending loan balances $- $- $- $- $38,495 $- $- $38,495 (1) Includes loans secured by farmland and multi-family residential loans.(2) Includes home equity lines of credit. 110 Troubled Debt Restructurings A modification is classified as a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) if both of the following exist: (1) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and (2) theBank has granted a concession to the borrower. The Bank determines that a borrower may be experiencing financial difficulty if the borrower is currentlydelinquent on any of its debt, or if the Bank is concerned that the borrower may not be able to perform in accordance with the current terms of the loan agreementin the foreseeable future. Many aspects of the borrower’s financial situation are assessed when determining whether they are experiencing financial difficulty,particularly as it relates to commercial borrowers due to the complex nature of the loan structure, business/industry risk and borrower/guarantor structures.Concessions may include the reduction of an interest rate at a rate lower than current market rate for a new loan with similar risk, extension of the maturity date,reduction of accrued interest, or principal forgiveness. When evaluating whether a concession has been granted, the Bank also considers whether the borrower hasprovided additional collateral or guarantors and whether such additions adequately compensate the Bank for the restructured terms, or if the revised terms areconsistent with those currently being offered to new loan customers. The assessments of whether a borrower is experiencing (or is likely to experience) financialdifficulty and whether a concession has been granted is subjective in nature and management’s judgment is required when determining whether a modification is aTDR. Although each occurrence is unique to the borrower and is evaluated separately, for all portfolio segments, TDRs are typically modified through reduction ininterest rates, reductions in payments, changing the payment terms from principal and interest to interest only, and/or extensions in term maturity. During year ending December 31, 2015, there were no loans modified in troubled debt restructurings. One TDR which had been modified in 2013 defaulted duringthe second quarter of 2015. This loan, in the amount of $699 thousand, was 30 – 59 days delinquent as of June 30, 2015, but is current as of December 31, 2015. During the year ending December 31, 2014, there were no loans modified in troubled debt restructurings. No TDRs defaulted during the year ending December 31,2014, which had been modified in the previous 12 months. Credit Quality Indicators Through its system of internal controls Southern National evaluates and segments loan portfolio credit quality on a quarterly basis using regulatory definitions forSpecial Mention, Substandard and Doubtful. Special Mention loans are considered to be criticized. Substandard and Doubtful loans are considered to be classified.Southern National has no loans classified Doubtful. Special Mention loans are loans that have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses mayresult in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the institution’s credit position. Substandard loans are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged if any. Loans so classifiedhave a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution willsustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. 111 Doubtful loans have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidationin full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and based on the most recent analysis performed, the risk category of loans by class of loans was as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2015 Covered Loans Non-covered Loans Total Loans Classified/ Special Classified/ Criticized (1) Pass Total Mention Substandard (3) Pass Total Criticized Pass Total Commercial realestate - owneroccupied $- $- $- $3,666 $7,862 $129,993 $141,521 $11,528 $129,993 $141,521 Commercial realestate - non-owneroccupied (2) - - - - 136 282,456 282,592 136 282,456 282,592 Construction andland development - - - 552 - 67,280 67,832 552 67,280 67,832 Commercial loans - - - 4,014 5,484 115,487 124,985 9,498 115,487 124,985 Residential 1-4family (4) 1,066 33,307 34,373 - - 178,875 178,875 1,066 212,182 213,248 Other consumerloans - - - - - 1,366 1,366 - 1,366 1,366 Total $1,066 $33,307 $34,373 $8,232 $13,482 $775,457 $797,171 $22,780 $808,764 $831,544 December 31, 2014 Covered Loans Non-covered Loans Total Loans Classified/ Special Classified/ Criticized (1) Pass Total Mention Substandard (3) Pass Total Criticized Pass Total Commercial realestate - owneroccupied $- $- $- $917 $12,003 $123,677 $136,597 $12,920 $123,677 $136,597 Commercial realestate - non-owneroccupied (2) - - - 234 - 222,727 222,961 234 222,727 222,961 Construction andland development - - - 593 467 56,878 57,938 1,060 56,878 57,938 Commercial loans - - - 30 8,139 106,545 114,714 8,169 106,545 114,714 Residential 1-4family (4) 1,740 36,755 38,495 584 1,344 131,056 132,984 3,668 167,811 171,479 Other consumerloans - - - - - 1,564 1,564 - 1,564 1,564 Total $1,740 $36,755 $38,495 $2,358 $21,953 $642,447 $666,758 $26,051 $679,202 $705,253 (1) Credit quality is enhanced by a loss sharing agreement with the FDIC in the covered portfolio. The same credit quality indicators used in the non-coveredportfolio are combined.(2) Includes loans secured by farmland and multi-family residential loans.(3) Includes SBA guarantees of $3.5 million and $4.7 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.(4) Includes home equity lines of credit. The amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held at December 31, 2015 was $4.1 million. The recorded investment in consumer mortgage loanscollateralized by residential real estate property that are in the process of foreclosure was $763 thousand at December 31, 2015. Purchased Loans The following table presents the carrying amount of purchased impaired and non-impaired loans from the GAB acquisition as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (inthousands): December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Purchased Purchased Purchased Purchased Impaired Non-impaired Impaired Non-impaired Loans Loans Total Loans Loans Total Commercial real estate $1,247 $4,045 $5,292 $1,280 $5,290 $6,570 Construction and land development - - $- - - - Commercial loans 197 314 $511 200 497 697 Residential 1-4 family - 34,373 $34,373 - 38,495 38,495 Other consumer loans - 26 $26 - 72 72 Total $1,444 $38,758 $40,202 $1,480 $44,354 $45,834 The indemnification against losses in the non-single family portfolio on the GAB portfolio ended in December 2014. The FDIC indemnification on the GABresidential mortgages and home equity lines of credit continues until December 2019. 112 Changes in the carrying amount and accretable yield for purchased impaired and non-impaired loans from the Greater Atlantic acquisition were as follows for theyears ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Purchased Impaired Purchased Non-impaired Purchased Impaired Purchased Non-impaired Carrying Carrying Carrying Carrying Accretable Amount Accretable Amount Accretable Amount Accretable Amount Yield of Loans Yield of Loans Yield of Loans Yield of Loans Balance at beginning of period $- $1,480 $5,191 $44,354 $- $1,522 $6,854 $50,174 Additions - - - - - - - - Accretion - - (1,611) 1,611 - - (1,928) 1,928 Reclassifications fromnonaccretable balance - - 1,061 - - 296 - Adjustment-transfer to OREO - - (44) (343) - (31) (375)Payments received - (36) (6,864) - (42) - (7,373)Balance at end of period $- $1,444 $4,597 $38,758 $- $1,480 $5,191 $44,354 The following table presents the carrying amount of purchased impaired and non-impaired loans from the HarVest acquisition as of December 31, 2015 and 2014(in thousands): December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Purchased Purchased Purchased Purchased Impaired Non-impaired Impaired Non-impaired Loans Loans Total Loans Loans Total Commercial real estate $296 $12,637 $12,933 $323 $14,224 $14,547 Construction and land development 552 3,102 3,654 593 3,234 3,827 Commercial loans - 2,745 2,745 - 3,492 3,492 Residential 1-4 family 840 9,392 10,232 855 11,277 12,132 Other consumer loans - 2 2 - 3 3 Total $1,688 $27,878 $29,566 $1,771 $32,230 $34,001 Changes in the carrying amount and accretable yield for purchased impaired and non-impaired loans from the HarVest acquisition were as follows for the yearsended December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Purchased Impaired Purchased Non-impaired Purchased Impaired Purchased Non-impaired Carrying Carrying Carrying Carrying Accretable Amount Accretable Amount Accretable Amount Accretable Amount Yield of Loans Yield of Loans Yield of Loans Yield of Loans Balance at beginning of period $- $1,771 $1,218 $32,230 $- $1,857 $2,087 $37,012 Additions - - - - - - - - Accretion - - (360) 360 - - (869) 869 Reclassifications fromnonaccretable balance - - - - - - - - Payments received - (83) - (4,712) - (86) - (5,651)Balance at end of period $- $1,688 $858 $27,878 $- $1,771 $1,218 $32,230 113 The following table presents the carrying amount of purchased impaired and non-impaired loans from the PGFSB acquisition as of December 31, 2015 and 2014(in thousands): December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Purchased Purchased Purchased Purchased Impaired Non-impaired Impaired Non-impaired Loans Loans Total Loans Loans Total Commercial real estate $339 $2,880 $3,219 $371 $3,306 $3,677 Construction and land development 364 892 1,256 649 1,168 1,817 Commercial loans - 174 174 - 204 204 Residential 1-4 family - 47,133 47,133 - 53,860 53,860 Other consumer loans - 184 184 - 225 225 Total $703 $51,263 $51,966 $1,020 $58,763 $59,783 Changes in the carrying amount and accretable yield for purchased impaired and non-impaired loans from the PGFSB acquisition were as follows for the yearended December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Purchased Impaired Purchased Non-impaired Purchased Impaired Purchased Non-impaired Carrying Carrying Carrying Carrying Accretable Amount Accretable Amount Accretable Amount Accretable Amount Yield of Loans Yield of Loans Yield of Loans Yield of Loans Balance at beginning of period $- $1,020 $2,908 $58,763 $- $- $- $- Additions - - - - - 642 3,121 61,190 Accretion - (446) 446 - - (213) 213 Reclassifications fromnonaccretable balance - - - - - - - - Disbursements - - - - - 388 - - Adjustment-transfer to OREO - - - - - - - (285)Payments received - (317) - (7,946) - (10) - (2,355)Balance at end of period $- $703 $2,462 $51,263 $- $1,020 $2,908 $58,763 4.FAIR VALUE ASC 820-10 establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs whenmeasuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value: Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets thatare not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use inpricing an asset or liability 114 The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instrumentspursuant to the valuation hierarchy: Assets Measured on a Recurring Basis Securities Available for Sale Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 securities would include highlyliquid government bonds, mortgage products and exchange traded equities. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricingmodels, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flow. Level 2 securities would include U. S. agency securities, mortgage-backedsecurities, obligations of states and political subdivisions and certain corporate, asset-backed and other securities. In certain cases where there is limited activity orless transparency around inputs to the valuation, securities are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. Currently, all of Southern National’s available-for-sale debt securities are considered to be Level 2 securities. Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below: Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Quoted Prices in Other Significant Active Markets for Observable Unobservable Total at Identical Assets Inputs Inputs (dollars in thousands) December 31, 2015 (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Financial assets: Available for sale securities Obligations of states and political subdivisions $2,312 $- $2,312 $- Trust preferred securities 1,897 - 1,897 - $4,209 $- $4,209 $- Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Quoted Prices in Other Significant Active Markets for Observable Unobservable Total at Identical Assets Inputs Inputs (dollars in thousands) December 31, 2014 (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Financial assets: Available for sale securities Obligations of states and political subdivisions $2,285 $- $2,285 $- Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Non-recurring Basis: Trust Preferred Securities Classified as Held-to-Maturity Prior to the quarter ended March 31, 2015, due to market conditions as well as the limited trading activity of these securities, the market value of the securities washighly sensitive to assumption changes and market volatility. We had determined that our trust preferred securities were classified within Level 3 of the fair valuehierarchy. Market conditions and trading activity has improved significantly for trust preferred securities, and the fair value as of December 31, 2015 was estimatedwithin Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, as the fair value is based on either pricing models, quoted market prices of securities with similar characteristics, ordiscounted cash flows. 115 Impaired Loans Generally, we measure the impairment for impaired loans considering the fair value of the loan’s collateral (if the loan is collateral dependent). Fair value of theloan’s collateral is determined by an independent appraisal or evaluation less estimated costs related to selling the collateral. In some cases appraised value is net ofcosts to sell. Estimated selling costs range from 6% to 10% of collateral valuation at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Fair value is classified as Level 3in the fair value hierarchy. Non-covered loans identified as impaired totaled $13.5 million (including SBA guarantees of $3.5 million) as of December 31, 2015with an allocated allowance for loan losses totaling $839 thousand compared to a carrying amount of $23.8 million (including SBA guarantees of $4.7 million)with an allocated allowance for loan losses totaling $705 thousand at December 31, 2014. Other Real Estate Owned (OREO) OREO is evaluated at the time of acquisition and recorded at fair value as determined by independent appraisal or evaluation less cost to sell. In some casesappraised value is net of costs to sell. Selling costs have been in the range from 6% to 7.6% of collateral valuation at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.Fair value is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. OREO is further evaluated quarterly for any additional impairment. At December 31, 2015, the totalamount of non-covered OREO was $10.1 million and covered OREO was $343 thousand. As of December 31, 2014, the total amount of OREO was $13.1 millionall of which was non-covered. 116 Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis are summarized below: Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Quoted Prices in Other Significant Active Markets for Observable Unobservable Total at Identical Assets Inputs Inputs (dollars in thousands) December 31, 2015 (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Impaired non-covered loans: Commercial real estate - owner occupied $7,423 $7,423 Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied (1) 136 136 Commercial loans 5,084 5,084 Impaired covered loans: Residential 1-4 family 1,066 1,066 Non-covered other real estate owned: Commercial real estate - owner occupied 1,110 1,110 Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied (1) 237 237 Construction and land development 5,007 5,007 Residential 1-4 family 3,741 3,741 Covered other real estate owned: Residential 1-4 family 343 343 Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Quoted Prices in Other Significant Active Markets for Observable Unobservable Total at Identical Assets Inputs Inputs (dollars in thousands) December 31, 2014 (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Impaired non-covered loans: Commercial real estate - owner occupied $11,852 $11,852 Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied (1) 1,859 1,859 Construction and land development 347 347 Commercial loans 8,005 8,005 Residential 1-4 family 1,044 1,044 Impaired covered loans: Residential 1-4 family 1,740 1,740 Non-covered other real estate owned: Commercial real estate - owner occupied 461 461 Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied (1) 1,792 1,792 Construction and land development 6,818 6,818 Residential 1-4 family 3,980 3,980 117 Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying amount, estimated fair values and fair value hierarchy levels (previously defined) of financial instruments were as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Fair Value Carrying Fair Carrying Fair Hierarchy Level Amount Value Amount Value Financial assets: Cash and cash equivalents Level 1 $30,336 $30,336 $38,320 $38,320 Securities available for sale See previous table 4,209 4,209 2,285 2,285 Securities held to maturity Level 2 96,780 96,464 94,058 94,093 Stock in Federal Reserve Bank and Federal HomeLoan Bank n/a 6,929 n/a 5,681 n/a Equity investment in mortgage affiliate Level 3 4,459 4,459 3,631 3,631 Preferred investment in mortgage affiliate Level 3 2,555 2,555 1,805 1,805 Net non-covered loans Level 3 786,631 793,541 657,583 666,621 Net covered loans Level 3 34,373 38,077 38,475 43,663 Accrued interest receivable Level 2 & Level 3 2,914 2,914 2,904 2,904 FDIC indemnification asset Level 3 2,922 745 3,571 2,261 Financial liabilities: Demand deposits Level 1 111,849 111,849 94,578 94,578 Money market and savings accounts Level 1 181,670 181,670 181,452 181,452 Certificates of deposit Level 3 531,775 531,456 466,395 466,391 Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other short-term borrowings Level 1 69,381 69,381 29,044 29,044 FHLB advances Level 3 15,000 15,041 25,000 25,526 Accrued interest payable Level 1 & Level 3 846 846 560 560 Carrying amount is the estimated fair value for cash and cash equivalents, accrued interest receivable and payable, demand deposits, savings accounts, moneymarket accounts, short-term debt, and variable rate loans that reprice frequently and fully. For fixed rate loans or deposits and for variable rate loans withinfrequent repricing or repricing limits, fair value is based on discounted cash flows using current market rates applied to the estimated life. A discount for liquidityrisk was not considered necessary in estimating the fair value of loans. It was not practicable to determine the fair value of Federal Reserve Bank and FederalHome Loan Bank stock due to restrictions placed on its transferability. Carrying amount is the estimated fair value for the equity investment and the preferredinvestment in the mortgage affiliate. Fair value of long-term debt is based on current rates for similar financing. The fair value of the FDIC indemnification assetwas determined by discounting estimated future cash flows using the long-term risk free rate plus a premium and represents the present value of our currentexpectation for recoveries from the FDIC on covered loans. The fair value of off-balance-sheet items is not considered material. The fair value of loans is notpresented on an exit price basis. 118 5.BANK PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT Bank premises and equipment as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 Land $2,261 $2,261 Building and improvements 5,842 5,811 Leasehold improvements 2,428 2,394 Furniture and equipment 4,189 3,948 14,720 14,414 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 5,838 4,961 Bank premises and equipment, net $8,882 $9,453 Future minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable operating leases for bank premises that have initial or remaining terms in excess of one year as ofDecember 31, 2015 are as follows (in thousands): 2016 $1,852 2017 1,827 2018 1,583 2019 1,333 2020 825 Thereafter 574 $7,994 The leases contain options to extend for periods of 2 to 6 years. Rental expense for 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $2.0 million, $2.0 million and $2.0 million,respectively. 6.GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Goodwill Goodwill is evaluated for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if events or circumstances warrant. Goodwill is primarily related to the 2006acquisition of 1 st Service Bank. The acquisition of PGFSB in 2014 increased goodwill by $1.4 million. Our annual assessment timing is during the third calendarquarter. For the 2015 assessment, we performed a qualitative assessment to determine if it was more likely than not that the fair value of our single reporting unit isless than its carrying amount. We concluded that the fair value of our single reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount and that it was not necessary to performthe two-step test pursuant to ASC 350-20. Our qualitative assessment considered many factors including, but not limited to, our actual and projected operatingperformance and profitability, as well as consideration of recent bank merger and acquisition transaction metrics. No impairment was indicated in 2015 or 2014. 119 The changes in goodwill are presented in the following table (in thousands): 2015 2014 Balance as of January 1 $10,514 $9,160 PGFSB acquisition - 1,354 Balance as of December 31 $10,514 $10,514 Acquired Intangible Assets Acquired intangible assets were as follows at year end (in thousands): December 31, 2015 Gross Carrying Accumulated Net Carrying Value Amortization Value Amortizable core deposit intangibles $7,477 $(6,384) $1,093 December 31, 2014 Gross Carrying Accumulated Net Carrying Value Amortization Value Amortizable core deposit intangibles $7,477 $(6,123) $1,354 Estimated amortization expense of intangibles for the years ended December 31 follows (in thousands): 2016 $219 2017 194 2018 184 2019 173 2020 111 Thereafter 212 $1,093 7.FDIC INDEMNIFICATION ASSET The indemnification asset represents our estimate of future expected recoveries under the FDIC loss sharing arrangement for covered loans acquired in the GreaterAtlantic Bank acquisition in 2009. The estimated fair value of the indemnification asset was $8.8 million at December 4, 2009, the date of acquisition. Thefollowing table presents changes in the indemnification asset for the periods indicated (in thousands): 120 2015 2014 Balance as of January 1 $3,571 $5,804 Payments from FDIC (3) (1,037)Reforecasting adjustment (1) (16) 34 Accretion (amortization) (630) (1,230)Balance as of December 31 $2,922 $3,571 (1)Represents an increase in the carrying value of the indemnification asset resulting from increased reforecasted losses in individual covered loans and coveredloan pools. During 2015, and based on the actual historical losses on the loan pools over the previous 24 month period, expected losses on the acquired Greater Atlantic loans(the covered loans) were lower than previously forecasted which results in a lower expected recovery from the FDIC. As of December 31, 2015, we expect torecover $745 thousand from the FDIC under the indemnification agreement. The difference between the carrying amount of $2.9 million and the estimatedrecovery is being amortized over the remaining life of the indemnification agreement or the expected life of the loans, whichever is shorter. There were two agreements with the FDIC, one for single family assets which is a 10 year agreement expiring in December 2019, and one for non-single family(commercial) assets which was a 5 year agreement which expired in December 2014. The current overstatement is due to improvements in the loss estimates in thesingle family covered loans. 8.DEPOSITS The aggregate amount of time deposits in denominations of $250 thousand or more at December 31, 2015 and 2014 was $99.5 million and $69.4 million,respectively. At December 31, 2015, the scheduled maturities of time deposits are as follows (in thousands): 2016 $280,644 2017 105,695 2018 90,782 2019 36,759 2020 17,895 $531,775 The following table sets forth the maturities of certificates of deposit of $250 thousand and over as of December 31, 2015 (in thousands): Within 3 to 6 6 to 12 Over 12 3 Months Months Months Months Total $3,539 $10,532 $16,874 $68,538 $99,483 121 As of December 31, 2015, we had brokered certificates of deposit in the amount of $62.0 million and brokered money market deposits of $15.4 million. AtDecember 31, 2014, we had brokered certificates of deposit in the amount of $77.0 million, and we had brokered money market deposits of $10.2 million. 9.SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE AND OTHER SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS Other short-term borrowings can consist of Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) overnight advances, other FHLB advances maturing within one year, federal fundspurchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase that mature within one year, which are secured transactions with customers or broker/dealers. Othershort-term borrowings consist of the following (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 FHLB overnight advances $49,000 $15,250 $- Other short-term FHLB advances maturing 11/4/2016 10,000 - - Other short-term FHLB advances maturing 1/27/2014 - - 20,000 Other short-term FHLB advances maturing 7/25/2014 - - 5,250 Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 10,381 13,794 14,545 Total $69,381 $29,044 $39,795 Weighted average interest rate at year end 0.51% 0.65% 0.38% For the periods ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013: Average outstanding balance $34,673 $37,810 $17,259 Average interest rate during the year 0.76% 0.51% 0.60% Maximum month-end outstanding balance $69,381 $66,852 $39,795 At December 31, 2015 and 2014, we have pledged callable agency securities, residential government-sponsored mortgage-backed securities and collateralizedmortgage obligations with a carrying value of $26.7 million and $20.8 million, respectively, to customers who require collateral for overnight repurchaseagreements and other deposits. For our repurchase agreements with customers, we hold the collateral in a segregated custodial account. We are required to maintain adequate collateral levels. Inthe event the collateral fair value falls below stipulated levels, we will pledge additional securities. We closely monitor collateral levels to ensure adequate levelsare maintained, while mitigating the potential risk of over-collateralization. 122 10.FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK ADVANCES At year end, advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank were as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 FHLB fixed rate advance maturing June 2016 with a rate of 1.78% - 5,000 FHLB fixed rate advance maturing June 2016 with a rate of 1.78% - 5,000 FHLB fixed rate advance maturing June 2016 with a rate of 2.08% - 5,000 FHLB fixed rate advance maturing June 2016 with a rate of 2.03% - 5,000 FHLB fixed rate advance maturing June 2017 with a rate of 2.26% 5,000 5,000 FHLB fixed rate advance maturing June 2017 with a rate of 0.80% 10,000 - Total FHLB advances $15,000 $25,000 Each FHLB advance is payable at its maturity date, with a prepayment penalty for fixed rate advances paid off earlier than maturity. Residential 1-4 familymortgage loans in the amount of approximately $30.2 million and $39.0 million were pledged as collateral for Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”)advances as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) in the amount of approximately $20.9 million and $24.3 millionwere pledged as collateral for FHLB advances at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Commercial mortgage loans in the amount of approximately $164.7million and $134.9 million were pledged as collateral for FHLB advances as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Investment securities in the amount of$44.6 million and $50.5 million were pledged as collateral for FHLB advances at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. At December 31, 2015, Sonabank had available collateral to borrow an additional $122.6 million from the FHLB. 123 11.INCOME TAXES Net deferred tax assets consist of the following components as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): 2015 2014 Deferred tax assets: Allowance for loan losses $2,934 $2,570 Organization costs 100 127 Unearned loan fees and other 739 617 Other real estate owned write-downs 1,063 942 FDIC assisted transactions timing difference 827 1,721 Other than temporary impairment charge 369 2,454 Net unrealized loss on securities available for sale 314 1,549 Purchase accounting 1,205 1,340 Deferred compensation 707 563 Other 188 182 Total deferred tax assets 8,446 12,065 Deferred tax liabilities: FDIC indemnification asset 1,018 1,238 Depreciation 712 744 Total deferred tax liabilities 1,730 1,982 Net deferred tax assets $6,716 $10,083 No valuation allowance was deemed necessary on deferred tax assets in 2015, 2014 or 2013. Management believes that the realization of the deferred tax assets ismore likely than not based on the expectation that Southern National will generate the necessary taxable income in future periods. We have no unrecognized tax benefits and do not anticipate any increase in unrecognized benefits during the next twelve months. Should the accrual of any interestor penalties relative to unrecognized tax benefits be necessary, it is our policy to record such accruals in our income tax accounts; no such accruals existed as ofDecember 31, 2015, 2014 or 2013. Southern National and its subsidiary file a consolidated U. S. federal tax return, and Southern National files a Virginia stateincome tax return. Sonabank files a Maryland state income tax return. These returns are subject to examination by taxing authorities for all years after 2011. 124 The provision for income taxes consists of the following for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Current tax expense Federal $2,367 $4,047 $2,852 State 168 125 82 Total current tax expense 2,535 4,172 2,934 Deferred tax benefit Federal 2,123 (394) 102 State 9 (24) - Total deferred tax expense (benefit) 2,132 (418) 102 Total income tax expense $4,667 $3,754 $3,036 The income tax expense differed from the amount of income tax determined by applying the U.S. Federal income tax rate of 34% to pretax income for the yearsended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 due to the following (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Computed expected tax expense at statutory rate $4,745 $3,821 $3,160 Reduction in tax expense resulting from: Income from bank-owned life insurance (216) (210) (202)Other, net 138 143 78 Income tax expense $4,667 $3,754 $3,036 12.EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Southern National has a 401(k) plan that allows employees to make pre-tax contributions for retirement. The 401(k) plan provides for discretionary matchingcontributions by Southern National. Expense for 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $108 thousand, $102 thousand and $115 thousand, respectively. A deferred compensation plan that covers two executive officers was established in 2007. Under the plan, the Bank pays each participant, or their beneficiary, theamount of compensation deferred plus accrued interest over 10 years, beginning with the individual’s retirement. A liability is accrued for the obligation underthese plans. The expense incurred for the deferred compensation in 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $403 thousand, $340 thousand and $225 thousand, respectively. Thedeferred compensation liability was $2.0 million and $1.6 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. 125 13.STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION In 2004, the Board of Directors adopted a stock option plan that authorized the reservation of up to 302,500 shares of common stock and provided for the grantingof stock options to certain directors, officers and employees. The 2010 Stock Awards and Incentive Plan was approved by the Board of Directors in January 2010and approved by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting in April 2010. The 2010 plan authorized the reservation of an additional 700,000 shares of common stockfor the granting of stock awards. The options granted to officers and employees are incentive stock options and the options granted to non-employee directors arenon-qualified stock options. The purpose of the plan is to afford key employees an incentive to remain in the employ of Southern National and to assist in theattracting and retaining of non-employee directors by affording them an opportunity to share in Southern National’s future success. Under the plan, the option’sprice cannot be less than the fair market value of the stock on the grant date. The maximum term of the options is ten years and options granted may be subject to agraded vesting schedule. Southern National granted 125,500 options during 2015. The fair value of each option granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes options-pricing model. The following weighted-average assumptions were used to value options granted in the years indicated: 2015 2014 2013 Expected life 10 years 10 years 10 years Expected volatility 14.71% 29.30% 34.21%Risk-free interest rate 2.26% 2.48% 2.42%Weighted average fair value per option granted $0.51 $2.88 $3.58 Dividend yield 5.51% 2.55% 1.29% A summary of the activity in the stock option plan for 2015 follows: Weighted Weighted Average Aggregate Average Remaining Intrinsic Exercise Contractual Value Shares Price Term (in thousands) Options outstanding, beginning of period 621,050 $8.49 Granted 125,500 11.43 Forfeited (2,200) 9.09 Exercised (79,950) 8.84 Options outstanding, end of period 664,400 $9.00 6.8 $2,703 Vested or expected to vest 664,400 $9.00 6.8 $2,703 Exercisable at end of period 329,150 $7.92 5.3 $1,698 Stock-based compensation expense was $331 thousand, $317 thousand and $284 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, unrecognized compensation expense associated with stock options was $630 thousand which is expected to be recognized over aweighted average period of 2.8 years. 126 14.FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK Southern National is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers.These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve elements of credit and funding risk inexcess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheet. Letters of credit are written conditional commitments issued by Southern National to guaranteethe performance of a customer to a third party. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans tocustomers. We had letters of credit outstanding totaling $6.7 million and $8.4 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Our exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instruments for commitments to extend credit and letters of credit isbased on the contractual amount of these instruments. We use the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as we do for on-balancesheet instruments. Unless noted otherwise, we do not require collateral or other security to support financial instruments with credit risk. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments aremade predominately for adjustable rate loans, and generally have fixed expiration dates of up to three months or other termination clauses and usually requirepayment of a fee. Since many of the commitments may expire without being completely drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily representfuture cash requirements. We evaluate each customer's creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, we had unfunded lines of credit and undisbursed construction loan funds totaling $132.3 million and $113.3 million, respectively.We had approved loan commitments in the amount of $2.7 million as of December 31, 2015, and we had no approved loan commitments as of December 31, 2014.Virtually all of our unfunded lines of credit, undisbursed construction loan funds and approved loan commitments are variable rate. 127 15.EARNINGS PER SHARE The following is a reconciliation of the denominators of the basic and diluted EPS computations for 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except per share data): Weighted Average Income Shares Per Share (Numerator) (Denominator) Amount For the year ended December 31, 2015 Basic EPS $9,289 12,224 $0.76 Effect of dilutive stock options and warrants 106 - Diluted EPS $9,289 12,330 $0.75 For the year ended December 31, 2014 Basic EPS $7,483 11,846 $0.63 Effect of dilutive stock options and warrants 81 - Diluted EPS $7,483 11,927 $0.63 For the year ended December 31, 2013 Basic EPS $6,258 11,590 $0.54 Effect of dilutive stock options and warrants 37 - Diluted EPS $6,258 11,627 $0.54 There were 643,164 anti-dilutive options and warrants during 2015. There were 622,593 anti-dilutive options and warrants during 2014, and there were 676,463anti-dilutive options and warrants during 2013. 16.REGULATORY MATTERS Southern National and its subsidiary bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meetminimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory - and possibly additional discretionary - actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a directmaterial effect on our financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action (PCA), we must meetspecific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of our assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accountingpractices. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. AtDecember 31, 2015 and 2014, the most recent regulatory notifications categorized the Bank as well capitalized under regulatory framework for prompt correctiveaction. Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require Southern National to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of Total and Tier Icapital (as defined in the regulations) to average assets (as defined). Management believes, as of December 31, 2015, that Southern National meets all capitaladequacy requirements to which it is subject. 128 The capital amounts and ratios for Southern National and Sonabank at year end are presented in the following table (in thousands): Required For Capital To Be Categorized as Actual Adequacy Purposes Well Capitalized Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio December 31, 2015 Southern National Common equity tier 1 capital ratio $109,276 13.13% $37,254 4.50% $54,101 6.50%Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio 109,276 13.13% 49,939 6.00% 66,585 8.00%Total risk-based capital ratio 117,697 14.14% 66,585 8.00% 83,232 10.00%Leverage ratio 109,276 11.06% 39,509 4.00% 49,386 5.00%Sonabank Common equity tier 1 capital ratio $108,054 12.99% $37,436 4.50% $54,075 6.50%Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio 108,054 12.99% 49,915 6.00% 66,553 8.00%Total risk-based capital ratio 116,475 14.00% 66,553 8.00% 83,192 10.00%Leverage ratio 108,054 10.94% 39,493 4.00% 49,366 5.00% December 31, 2014 Southern National Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio $105,107 15.19% $27,671 4.00% $41,507 6.00%Total risk-based capital ratio 112,521 16.27% 55,343 8.00% 69,179 10.00%Leverage ratio 105,107 11.80% 35,623 4.00% 44,529 5.00%Sonabank Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio $104,007 15.04% $27,658 4.00% $41,487 6.00%Total risk-based capital ratio 111,421 16.11% 55,316 8.00% 69,145 10.00%Leverage ratio 104,007 11.68% 35,609 4.00% 44,511 5.00% Southern National’s principal source of funds for dividend payments is dividends received from the Bank. Banking regulations limit the amount of dividends thatmay be paid without prior approval of regulatory agencies. Under these regulations, the amount of dividends that may be paid in any calendar year is limited to thecurrent year’s net profits, combined with the retained net profits of the preceding two years, subject to the capital requirements described above. During 2016, theBank could, without prior approval, declare dividends of approximately $16.9 million plus any 2016 net profits retained to the date of the dividend declaration. 17.ACQUISTIONS The merger with PGFSB was completed on August 1, 2014, and allowed Southern National to expand its presence in Maryland. Southern National acquiredPGFSB in a cash and stock transaction. PGFSB was founded in 1931 and is headquartered in Upper Marlboro, which is the County Seat of Prince George’sCounty, Maryland. PGFSB has four offices, all of which are in Maryland, including a main office in Upper Marlboro and three branch offices in Dunkirk,Brandywine and Huntingtown. PGFSB has an excellent core deposit base reflecting its tenure in the communities it serves, and its lending activities havehistorically been focused on residential mortgages which make up the vast majority of loans acquired. The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. The assets and liabilities were recorded at their estimated fair values as of theAugust 1, 2014 acquisition date. Total consideration for the acquisition included cash paid to PGFSB shareholders of $5.749 million and 525,858 shares ofSouthern National common stock in the amount of $5.748 million. A summary of the net assets acquired is as follows (in thousands): 129 Total purchase price $11,497 Fair value of assets acquired: Cash on hand and in banks $28,179 Loans 61,832 Loans held for sale 3,499 Land and buildings 3,023 Deferred tax asset 1,877 Other assets 1,022 Core deposit intangible 761 Total assets acquired $100,193 Fair value of liabilities assumed: Noninterest-bearing deposits $19,233 Interest-bearing deposits 69,995 Other liabilities 822 Total liabilities assumed $90,050 Net assets acquired $10,143 Goodwill 1,354 $11,497 A valuation of the acquired loans and core deposit intangible was performed with the assistance of a third-party valuation consultant. The unpaid principal balanceand fair value of performing loans was $64.2 million and $61.2 million, respectively. The discount of $3.0 million will be accreted through interest income over thelife of the loans in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) topic 310-20. The unpaid principal balance and estimated fair value of acquired andretained non-performing loans was $1.5 million and $682 thousand, respectively. The discount of $790 thousand for these credit impaired loans will not beaccreted in accordance with ASC 310-30. We also acquired nonperforming loans with an unpaid principal balance of $5.5 million and a fair value of $3.5 millionwhich were sold immediately after acquisition for the fair value amount. Merger costs related to the PGFSB acquisition were $445 thousand, consisting primarily of legal, investment banking and data processing expenses. We recordedgoodwill in the amount of $1.4 million which is the difference between the total purchase price and the net assets acquired and is not deductible for income taxpurposes. The PGFSB branches have been integrated into the Sonabank branch system. On May 15, 2014, Southern National Bancorp of Virginia Inc., Jerry Flowers of Southern Trust Mortgage (STM), and Eastern Virginia Bankshares (EVB), theholding company for EVB, completed the purchase of the 62 percent of STM previously owned by Middleburg Bank. Jerry Flowers and other STM executivesnow own 51.1 percent of STM, Sonabank owns 44 percent and EVB owns 4.9 percent. Sonabank’s equity method investment in STM totaled $3.2 million. Sonabank also acquired 1.8 million shares of preferred stock in the amount of $1.8 million inSTM with an annual dividend yield of 7.5%. 130 18.PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION Condensed financial information of Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc. follows (in thousands): CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETSDECEMBER 31, 2015 2014 ASSETS Cash $823 $769 Investment in subsidiary 118,413 112,879 Other assets 400 331 Total assets $119,636 $113,979 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Stockholders' equity: Common stock $122 $122 Additional paid in capital 104,389 104,072 Retained earnings 15,735 12,805 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (610) (3,020)Total stockholders' equity 119,636 113,979 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $119,636 $113,979 CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOMEFOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015, 2014 AND 2013(in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiary $9,424 $7,590 $6,370 Other operating expenses 204 162 170 Income before income taxes 9,220 7,428 6,200 Income tax benefit (69) (55) (58) Net income $9,289 $7,483 $6,258 131 CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWSFOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015, 2014 AND 2013( in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Operating activities: Net income $9,289 $7,483 $6,258 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash and cash equivalents provided byoperating activities: Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiary (9,424) (7,590) (6,370)Other, net 262 264 277 Net cash and cash equivalents provided by operating activities 127 157 165 Investing activities: Dividend from bank subsidiary 6,300 6,500 2,680 Net cash and cash equivalents provided by investing activities 6,300 6,500 2,680 Financing activities: Issuance of common stock 707 886 3 Repurchase of common stock (721) - - Dividend payment on common stock (6,359) (7,239) (2,898)Net cash and cash equivalents used in financing activities (6,373) (6,353) (2,895)Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 54 304 (50)Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 769 465 515 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $823 $769 $465 19.ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) The following is a summary of the accumulated other comprehensive loss balances, net of tax (in thousands): Balance at Current Period Balance at December 31, 2014 Change December 31, 2015 Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale $(6) $(434) $(440)Unrecognized loss on securities held to maturity for which other than temporary impairment charges have been taken (2,512) 2,823 311 Unrealized loss on securities available for sale transferred to held to maturity (502) 21 (481) . Total $(3,020) $2,410 $(610) 20.RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Sonabank has entered into loan transactions with STM in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, asthose prevailing at the same time for comparable transactions with other customers, and did not, in the opinion of management, involve more than normal creditrisk. The following table summarizes the changes in the loan amount outstanding during the periods indicated (in thousands): 2015 2014 Loans outstanding at January 1 $9,383 $- Principal advances 132,206 92,841 Principal paid (131,151) (83,458)Balance at December 31 $10,438 $9,383 132 Sonabank has established with STM underwriting guidelines under which it will purchase residential construction only, construction loans that convert topermanent, and permanent loans primarily in its Virginia and Maryland footprint from STM. These will be largely loans that do not conform to FNMA or FHLMCstandards because of size or acreage. We purchased loans in an aggregate amount of $51.4 million during 2015, and $20.2 million during 2014. Sonabank has also entered into deposit transactions with its directors, principal officers and STM, all of which are under the same terms as other customers. Theaggregate amount of these deposit accounts were $7.6 million and $6.2 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. 21.QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) Interest Net Interest Income Net Earnings Per Share Income Income Before Taxes Income Basic Diluted (dollars in thousands) 2015 First quarter $10,435 $8,927 $2,986 $2,004 $0.16 $0.16 Second quarter 10,732 9,024 3,694 2,466 0.20 0.20 Third quarter 11,148 9,183 3,726 2,481 0.20 0.20 Fourth quarter 11,386 9,490 3,550 2,338 0.19 0.19 2014 First quarter $8,641 $7,587 $2,434 $1,642 $0.14 $0.14 Second quarter 8,926 7,859 2,733 1,772 0.15 0.15 Third quarter 9,984 8,812 3,157 2,108 0.18 0.17 Fourth quarter 10,541 9,160 2,914 1,961 0.16 0.16 133 Item 9. -Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure None. Item 9A. – Controls and Procedures (a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, under the supervision and withthe participation of management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operationof our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d -15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) utilizing the frameworkestablished in “Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013)” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based uponthat evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that these controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the periodcovered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Disclosure controls and procedures are our controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reportsthat we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officerand principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. (b) Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting . Management of Southern National is responsible for establishing and maintainingadequate internal control over financial reporting for Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“we” and “our”), as that term is defined inExchange Act Rules 13a-15(f). Southern National conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over Southern National's financial reportingas of December 31, 2015 based on the framework in “Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013)” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of theTreadway Commission. Based on that evaluation, we concluded that our internal control over financial reporting is effective as of December 31, 2015. Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Reportand has issued a report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, which report is included in "Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements andSupplementary Data" of this Report . (c) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting . There have been no changes in Southern National’s internal control over financial reporting thatmaterially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Item 9B. – Other Information None. 134 PART III Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance The information under the captions "Election of Directors,” "Continuing Directors and Executive Officers," "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership ReportingCompliance,” "Corporate Governance — Committees of the Board of Directors— Audit Committee,” "Corporate Governance — Director Nominations Process"and "Corporate Governance — Code of Ethics" in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for its 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with theSecurities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2015 pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (the "2015 Proxy Statement"),is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item. Item 11. Executive Compensation The information under the captions "Executive Compensation and Other Matters," "Director Compensation" and "Compensation Committee Report on ExecutiveCompensation" in the 2016 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item. Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters The information under the caption "Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock by Management of the Company and Principal Stockholders" in the 2016 ProxyStatement is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item. The information required by this Item concerning securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans is incorporated herein by reference to Part II,Item 5 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Item 13. Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence The information under the captions "Corporate Governance — Director Independence" and "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions" in the 2016Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item. Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services The information under the caption "Fees and Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" in the 2016 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein byreference in response to this item. 135 PART IV Item 15. – Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules The following documents are filed as part of this report: (a)(1)Financial Statements The following consolidated financial statements and reports of independent registered public accounting firm are in Part II, Item 8: Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 2015 and 2014 Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income - Years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity - Years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -Years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (a)(2)Financial Statement Schedules All schedules are omitted since they are not required, are not applicable, or the required information is shown in the consolidated financialstatements or notes thereto. 136 (a)(3)Exhibits The following are filed or furnished, as noted below, as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and this list includes the Exhibit Index. Exhibit No. Description 3.1 Articles of Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Southern National’s Registration Statement on Form S-1(Registration No. 333-136285)) 3.2 Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation dated January 31, 2005 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to SouthernNational’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-136285)) 3.3 Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation dated April 13, 2006 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to SouthernNational’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-136285)) 3.4 Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to Southern National’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2006) 3.5 Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Southern National's Current Report onForm 8-K filed on October 14, 2009) 4.1 Specimen Stock Certificate of Southern National (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Southern National’s Registration Statementon Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-136285)) 4.2 Form of Warrant Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2to Southern National’s Registration Statement on Form S-1(Registration No. 333-136285)) 4.3 Form of Amendment to Warrant Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Southern National’s Registration Statement onForm S-1 (Registration No. 333-136285)) 10.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger among Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc., Prince George’s Federal Savings Bank, Sonabank andSONA Interim Federal Savings Bank, dated as of January 8, 2014 (incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A to the proxystatement/prospectus contained in Southern National’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on March 14, 2014 (Registration No. 333-194564)) 10.2 First Amendment to the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Prince George’s Federal Savings Bank, Southern National Bancorp ofVirginia, Inc., Sonabank and SONA Interim Federal Savings Bank, dated as of February 20, 2014 (incorporated herein by reference to AppendixA to the proxy statement/prospectus contained in Southern National’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on March 14, 2014 (RegistrationNo. 333-194564)) 137 10.3+ Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc. 2004 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Southern National’sRegistration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333- 136285)) 10.4+ Form of Change in Control Agreement with Georgia S. Derrico and R. Roderick Porter (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 toSouthern National’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333- 136285)) 10.5+ Form of Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc. Incentive Stock Option Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 toSouthern National's Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed on October 29, 2009 (Registration No. 333-162467)) 10.6+ Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan for Georgia Derrico (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Southern National'sRegistration Statement on Form S-1/A filed on October 29, 2009 (Registration No. 333-162467)) 10.7+ Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan for Rod Porter (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Southern National's RegistrationStatement on Form S-1/A filed on October 29, 2009 (Registration No. 333-162467)) 10.8+ Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc. 2010 Stock Awards and Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to SouthernNational’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333- 166511)) 10.9+ Form of Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc. Incentive Stock Option Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 toSouthern National's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333- 166511)) 11.0 Statement re: Computation of Per Share Earnings (incorporated by reference to Note 15 of the notes to consolidated financial statementsincluded in this Annual Report on Form 10-K 21.0* Subsidiaries of the Registrant 23.1* Consent of Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP 31.1* Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002 31.2* Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002 32.1** Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 +Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement *Filed herewith**Furnished herewith 138 Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc. will furnish, upon written request, a copy of any exhibit listed above upon the payment of a reasonable fee coveringthe expense of furnishing the copy. Requests should be directed to: William H. Lagos, Sr. Vice President and Chief Financial OfficerSouthern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc.70 Main Street, Suite 34Warrenton, Virginia 20186 139 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on itsbehalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc. By:/s/ Georgia S. DerricoDate: March 15, 2016 Georgia S. Derrico Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) By:/s/ William H. LagosDate: March 15, 2016 William H. Lagos Sr. Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting 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 theregistrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Date: March 15, 2016 Signature Title /s/ Georgia S. Derrico Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive OfficerGeorgia S. Derrico /s/ R. Roderick Porter President and DirectorR. Roderick Porter /s/ Neil J. Call DirectorNeil J. Call /s/ Charles A. Kabbash DirectorCharles A. Kabbash /s/ Frederick L. Bollerer DirectorFrederick L. Bollerer /s/ John J. Forch DirectorJohn J. Forch /s/ W. Bruce Jennings DirectorW. Bruce Jennings /s/ Robert Clagett DirectorRobert Clagett 140 Exhibit 21.0 Subsidiaries of Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc. Subsidiary State of Incorporation SonabankVirginia Exhibit 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM Board of Directors and StockholdersSouthern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc. We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements on Forms S-8 (Nos. 333-189730 and 333-166511) of Southern National Bancorp ofVirginia, Inc. of our reports, dated March 15, 2016, related to the consolidated balance sheets of Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc. as of December 31,2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the yearsin the three-year period ended December 31, 2015, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, which reports appearin Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc.’s 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K. /s/ Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP Atlanta, GeorgiaMarch 15, 2016 Exhibit 31.1 CERTIFICATIONS I, Georgia S. Derrico, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc.; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make thestatements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects thefinancial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined inExchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))for the registrant and have: a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, toensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within thoseentities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under oursupervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements forexternal purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about theeffectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recentfiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely tomaterially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to theregistrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonablylikely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controlover financial reporting. Date: March 15, 2016 /s/ Georgia S. Derrico Georgia S. Derrico, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) Exhibit 31.2 CERTIFICATIONS I, William H. Lagos, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc.; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make thestatements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects thefinancial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined inExchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))for the registrant and have: a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, toensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within thoseentities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under oursupervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements forexternal purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about theeffectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recentfiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely tomaterially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to theregistrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonablylikely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controlover financial reporting. Date: March 15, 2016/s/ William H. Lagos William H. Lagos, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) Exhibit 32.1 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 In connection with the Annual Report of Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc. (“Southern National”) on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31,2015 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officerof Southern National hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that based on their knowledgeand belief: 1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and 2) the information contained inthe Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Southern National as of and for the periods covered in theReport. /s/ Georgia S. Derrico Georgia S. Derrico, Chief Executive Officer /s/ William H. Lagos William H. Lagos, Chief Financial Officer March 15, 2016
Continue reading text version or see original annual report in PDF format above