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Summit State Bank

ssbi · NASDAQ Financial Services
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Employees 106
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FY2019 Annual Report · Summit State Bank
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FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION 
Washington, D.C. 20429 

FORM 10-K 

[X]  

[  ]  

Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2019 
Transition Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934  
For the transition period from __________ to __________ 

FDIC Certificate Number 32203 

Summit State Bank 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 

California 
(State of incorporation)  

                             94-2878925 
                     (I.R.S. Employee Identification No.) 

500 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa, California 95403 
(Address of principal executive offices) 

       (707) 568-6000 
      (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 
Common Stock, no par value, registered on the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC 
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 15(d) of the Exchange Act. 

Yes [  ] No [X] 

   Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for 
the past 90 days.  Yes [X] No [  ] 
   Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically, if any, every Interactive Data File required to 
be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such 
shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). 
   Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, 
and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated 
by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [  ] 
   Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a 
smaller reporting company, or emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated 
filer,” “smaller reporting company,” an “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 
Accelerated filer ☒ 
Smaller reporting company ☒ 

Yes [  ] No [X] 

Large accelerated filer ☐ 
Non-accelerated filer ☐ 
Emerging growth company ☐ 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition 
period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the 
Exchange Act. [  ] 
   Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a shell company (as defined), in Rule 12b(2) of the Exchange Act.   Yes [  ] No [X] 

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by nonaffiliates as of June 28, 2019, the last business day of the 
registrant’s most recently completed fiscal quarter, was approximately $66,748,000 (based upon the closing price of shares 
of the registrant’s Common Stock, no par value, as reported by the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC on such date). The number 
of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock (no par value) at the close of business March 16, 2020 was 
6,069,600. 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 

Title of each class 

Trading Symbol(s) 

Name of each exchange on which registered 

Common Stock 

SSBI 

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 

Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed within 120 days of the 
fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 are incorporated by reference into Part III. 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
       
        
 
                        
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SUMMIT STATE BANK 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PART I 

Item 1.   Business ........................................................................................................................... 3 
               Information about Summit State Bank ......................................................................... 3 
               Services and Financial Products .................................................................................... 4 
               Sources of Business ........................................................................................................ 5 
               Competition ..................................................................................................................... 5 
               Our Address, Telephone Number and Internet Website ............................................. 6 
               Regulation and Supervision ........................................................................................... 6 
               Employees ..................................................................................................................... 14 
Item 1A. Risk Factors .................................................................................................................... 14 
Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments ....................................................................................... 24 
Item 2.    Properties ...................................................................................................................... 24 
Item 3.    Legal Proceedings ........................................................................................................ 24 
Item 4.    Mine Safety Disclosures .............................................................................................. 24 

PART II 

Item 5.   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters 
               and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities .................................................................. 24 
Item 6.   Selected Financial Data ................................................................................................. 25 
Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
               Results of Operations.................................................................................................... 26 
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk .................................... 43 
Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data ........................................................ 47 
Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and 
               Financial Disclosure ...................................................................................................... 92 
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures .............................................................................................. 92 
Item 9B. Other Information.......................................................................................................... 93 

PART III 

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance ......................................... 93 
Item 11. Executive Compensation .............................................................................................. 93 
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and 
               Related Stockholder Matters ........................................................................................ 93 
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director 
               Independence ...............................................................................................................  94 
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services ..................................................................... 94 

PART IV 

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules .............................................................. 94 
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary ..................................................................................................... 94 
Signatures ..................................................................................................................................... 95 
Exhibit Index ................................................................................................................................. 97 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SUMMIT STATE BANK 

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K 

PART I 

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 

    This report contains certain statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private 
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not guarantees of future performance 
and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes 
and  results  may  differ  materially  from  those  expressed  in,  or  implied  by,  our  forward-looking 
statements.  Words  such  as  “expects,”  “anticipates,”  “believes,”  “estimates”  and  other  similar 
expressions  or  future  or  conditional  verbs  such  as  “will,”  “should,”  “would”  and  “could”  are 
intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Readers of this annual report of  Summit State 
Bank (also referred to as we, us or our) should not rely solely on the forward-looking statements and 
should consider all uncertainties and risks throughout the report.  

    Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. 
Our  future  results  and  shareholder  values  may  differ  significantly  from  those  expressed  in  these 
forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to put undue reliance on any forward-looking 
statement. The statements are representative only as of the date they are made, and we undertake 
no obligation to update any forward-looking statement. However, your attention is directed to any 
further disclosures made on related subjects in any subsequent reports we may file with the Federal 
Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), including on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K.   

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS 

General 

INFORMATION ABOUT SUMMIT STATE BANK 

    Summit  State  Bank  (the  “Bank”)  is  a  state-chartered  commercial  bank  operating  a  traditional 
community  banking  business  within  our  primary  service  area  of  Sonoma  County  in  California, 
however,  we also consider  and  make loans to borrowers in  primarily from Marin, Napa and San 
Francisco  counties.  We  operate  through  five  Sonoma  County  depository  offices  located  in  Santa 
Rosa,  Rohnert  Park,  Healdsburg  and  Petaluma.    The  Bank  also  has  loan  production  offices  in 
Roseville, California and Scottsdale, Arizona.   

    The  Bank  was  incorporated  on  December 20,  1982  and  commenced  operations  as  a  California 
state-chartered savings and loan in 1982. On January 15, 1999, the Bank converted its charter to a 
California state-chartered commercial bank. On July 13, 2006, the Bank completed an underwritten 
initial public offering and listed its stock on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol SSBI. The 
Bank’s deposits are insured by the FDIC in accordance with the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and 
the related regulations of the FDIC. 

    We  provide  a  broad  array  of  financial  services  to  small  to  medium-sized  businesses  and  their 
owners and employees, entrepreneurs, high net worth families, foundations, estates and individual 
consumers.  We  believe  that  our  principal  competitive  advantages  are  personal  service,  flexibility 
and responsiveness to customer needs. Our lending activities are primarily focused on commercial 
real estate, construction, and business loans to our targeted clientele. 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
    We  emphasize  relationship  banking  and  we  believe  we  offer  our  customers  many  of  the 
management  capabilities  of  a  large  financial  institution,  together  with  the  resourcefulness  and 
superior customer service of a community bank. Through our branches and the use of technology, 
we  offer  a  broad  array  of  deposit  products  and  services  for  both  commercial  and  consumer 
customers, including electronic banking, cash management services and electronic bill payment. We 
provide a comprehensive set of loan products, such as commercial loans and leases, lines of credit, 
commercial real estate loans, Small Business Administration, or SBA, loans, residential mortgage 
loans  to  employees,  home  equity  lines  of  credit  and  construction  loans.  We  believe  that  local 
decision- making ensures that our lending process is fast, efficient, and focused on maintaining our 
high credit quality and underwriting standards. 

Services and Financial Products 

Deposit Products 

    The  Bank  offers  a  wide  range  of  deposit  accounts  designed  to  attract  commercial  businesses, 
professionals,  and  residents  in  the  Bank’s  primary  service  area.  These  accounts  include  personal 
and  business  checking  accounts,  money  market  accounts,  time  certificates  of  deposit,  sweep 
accounts  and  specialized  deposit  accounts,  including  professional  accounts,  small  business 
“packaged”  accounts, and tiered accounts designed to attract  larger deposits, and  IRA and other 
retirement plan accounts. 

Lending Products 

    The  Bank  also  offers  a  full  complement  of  lending  products  designed  to  meet  the  specialized 
needs of its customers, including commercial  and industrial lines of credit and term loans, credit 
lines to individuals, equipment loans, real  estate  and construction loans, small business loans of 
which  a  portion  may  be  guaranteed  by  the  SBA,  and  business  lines  of  credit.  The  Bank  has  the 
designation  of  “Preferred  Lender”  by  the  SBA,  which  allows  for  expedited  loan  approval  and 
funding.  The  Bank  offers  loans  in  amounts  which  exceed  the  Bank’s  lending  limits  through 
participation  arrangements  with  correspondent  banks.  On  a  selective  basis,  the  Bank  also  offers 
loans for accounts receivable and inventory financing, loans to agriculture-related businesses, and 
equipment and expansion financing programs. 

Brokered Deposits and Reciprocal Deposits 

    The Bank will accept brokered deposits when the Bank determines that brokered deposits would 
be advantageous over other time deposits accepted through the Bank’s branch system. The Bank is 
a member of a network (Promontory Interfinancial Network) offering a time deposit product called 
CDARS and demand deposit product called ICS. When a customer places a large deposit with the 
Bank  as  a  network  member,  the  Bank  can  place  the  funds  into  certificates  of  deposit  or  demand 
accounts  issued  by  other  banks  in  the  network  in  increments  of  less  than  $250,000,  so  that  both 
principal and interest are eligible for complete FDIC protection. Other  network banks do the same 
thing with their customer funds. The network banks exchange deposits on a dollar-for-dollar basis, 
bringing the full amount of the original deposit back to the originating bank. Because the originating 
bank comes out “whole,” it can make the full amount of deposits received available for community 
lending purposes or other initiatives of its choosing. Deposits placed using CDARS and ICS meet the 
pass-through insurance coverage guidelines established by the FDIC and the depositor can obtain 
up to $25 million in FDIC insurance coverage. The deposits received by the Bank from other network 
members in exchange for the Bank’s customers’ deposits placed in the program are not considered 
as  brokered  deposits  for  FFIEC  Call  Report  purposes.  Deposit  funding  raised  through  the  CDARS 
products can vary significantly between financial reporting periods. CDARS, ICS and other brokered 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
deposits totaled $68,784,000 or 12% of deposits at December 31, 2019, and $47,725,000 or 10% of 
deposits at December 31, 2018. 

State of California Approved Depository 

    The Bank is an approved depository for the deposit of funds of the State of California. These time 
deposits are placed with the Bank by the Treasurer of the State of California with maturities of three 
to six months, and are  collateralized by investment securities, mortgage loans or letters of credit 
issued  by  the  Federal  Home  Loan  Bank  (“FHLB”).  These  deposits  totaled  $27,000,000  or  5%  of 
deposits at December 31, 2019 and $48,500,000 or 10% of deposits at December 31, 2018.   

Internet and Telephone Banking Services 

    The Bank offers a computerized internet banking system, accessible on the Internet at the Bank’s 
website www.summitstatebank.com, that enables its customers to view account information, access 
cash management services (including the initiation of automated clearinghouse payments), make 
transfers  between  accounts,  pay  bills,  make  loan  payments,  pre-schedule  deposit  transfers  and 
request loan draws, and view both the front and back of cleared deposit items. The Bank also offers 
telephone  banking  services  that  enable  customers  to  obtain  account  information,  make  transfers 
between  accounts, make  stop payments, check cleared items,  and pre-schedule deposit transfers 
and loan payments.  The Bank has an “app” for cellular phones that allows check image deposits, 
account inquiries and account transfers. 

Other Services 

    Other services which the Bank offers include banking by appointment, online banking services, 
direct  payroll  and  social  security  deposits,  letters  of  credit,  access  to  national  automated  teller 
machine networks, courier services, safe deposit boxes, night depository facilities, notary services, 
travelers checks, lockbox, and banking by mail. 

    Management  evaluates  the  Bank’s  services  on  an  ongoing  basis,  and  adds  or  discontinues 
services based upon customer needs, competitive factors, and the financial and other capabilities of 
the Bank. Future services may also be significantly influenced by improvements and developments 
in technology and evolving state and federal regulations. 

Sources of Business 

    In  marketing  its  services,  the  Bank  capitalizes  on  its  identity  as  a  local,  community  bank,  with 
executive  officers,  directors  and  shareholders  who  have  business  and  personal  ties  to  the 
community. Small to medium-sized businesses are targeted, as well as nonprofit charities. 

    The  Bank  competes  with  other  financial  institutions  in  its  service  area  through  localized 
promotional  activities,  personalized  service,  and  personal  contact  with  potential  customers  by 
executive  officers,  directors,  employees  and  shareholders.  Promotional  activities  include  media 
advertising, community advisory groups and officer participation in community business and civic 
groups. Officers and directors are active members of the community who call personally on their 
business contacts and acquaintances in the Sonoma County area to become customers. 

Competition 

    The banking business in California generally, and in the Bank’s service area in particular, is highly 
competitive with respect to both loans and deposits and is dominated by a relatively small number 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
of  major  banks  that  have  offices  operating  over  wide  geographic  areas.  The  Bank  competes  for 
deposits and loans with these banks as well as with savings and loan associations, credit unions, 
mortgage companies, money market funds, stock brokerage firms, insurance companies, and other 
traditional and non-traditional financial institutions. 

    Major financial institutions with offices in the service area include Bank of America, Wells Fargo 
Bank,  and  JP  Morgan  Chase.  Regional  and  independent  financial  institutions  with  offices  in  our 
service area include, among others, Redwood Credit Union, Luther Burbank Savings, Poppy Bank, 
Exchange Bank, and Westamerica Bank. 

    The  major  banks  and  some  of  the  other  institutions  have  the  ability  to  finance  extensive 
advertising  campaigns  and  to  shift  their  resources  to  regions  or  activities  of  greater  potential 
profitability. Many of the competing banks and other institutions offer diversified financial services 
which may not be directly offered by the Bank. The major banks also have substantially more capital 
and higher lending limits. 

    The Bank competes for customers’ funds with governmental and private entities issuing debt or 
equity securities or other forms of investments which may offer different or higher yields than those 
available through bank deposits. 

    Existing and future state and federal legislation could significantly affect the Bank’s cost of doing 
business, its range of permissible activities, and the competitive balance among major, regional and 
independent banks, and other financial institutions. Management cannot predict the impact these 
matters may have on commercial banking in general or on the business of the Bank in particular. 

    To  compete  with  the  financial  institutions  operating  in  the  Bank’s  service  area,  the  Bank  relies 
upon its independent status to provide flexibility and personalized service to its customers. The Bank 
emphasizes  personal  contacts  with  potential  customers  by  executive  officers,  directors  and 
employees, develops local promotional activities, and seeks to  develop specialized or streamlined 
services  for  customers.  To  the  extent  customers  desire  loans  in  excess  of  its  lending  limits  or 
services not offered by the Bank, the Bank attempts to assist customers in obtaining such loans or 
other services through participations with other banks or assistance from correspondent banks. 

Our Address, Telephone Number and Internet Website 

    Our principal executive offices are located at 500 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa, California 95403, 
is  available  at 
and  our 
www.summitstatebank.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into 
and does not form a part of this report.  

Information  about  us 

telephone  number 

(707) 568-6000. 

is 

Overview 

REGULATION AND SUPERVISION 

Described below  are the  material  elements of selected laws and regulations applicable to 
the  Bank.  The  descriptions  are  not  intended  to  be  complete  and  are  qualified  in  their  entirety  by 
reference to the full text of the statutes and regulations described. Changes in applicable laws or 
regulations,  and  in  their  interpretation  and  application  by  regulatory  agencies  and  other 
governmental  authorities,  cannot  be  predicted,  but  may  have  a  material  effect  on  our  business, 
results  of  operations  or  financial  condition  of  the  business,  or  results  of  operations  or  financial 
condition of our subsidiaries.  

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Bank is extensively regulated by federal and state authorities. Supervision, legal action 
and  examination  of  the  Bank  by  the  bank  regulatory  agencies  are  generally  intended  to  protect 
depositors and are not intended for the protection of shareholders. As a California state-chartered 
commercial bank, the Bank is regulated, supervised and examined by the California Department of 
Business Oversight’s Division of Financial Institutions (the “DBO”) and the FDIC, which is the Bank’s 
primary  federal  regulator.  The  regulations  of  the  DBO  and  the  FDIC  govern  most  aspects  of  the 
Bank’s  business  relating  to  dividends,  investments,  loans,  borrowings,  capital  requirements, 
branching,  mergers  and  acquisitions,  reserves  against  deposits,  the  issuance  of  securities  and 
numerous other areas. Although the Bank is not a member bank of the Federal Reserve System, it 
is  subject  to  certain  regulations  of  the  Board  of  Governors  of  the  Federal  Reserve  System  (the 
“Federal Reserve Board”), such as those dealing with check clearing activities and the establishment 
of reserves against deposits. The Bank is also subject to the rules and regulations of the Consumer 
Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”), which is responsible for implementing and enforcing federal 
consumer  financial  protection  laws,  though  the  FDIC  has  the  authority  to  examine  the  Bank  with 
respect to these laws and to bring enforcement actions against the Bank for any violations. The Bank 
is also subject to the requirements and restrictions of various consumer laws and regulations arising 
under California law. 

As  the  Bank’s  primary  regulators,  the  FDIC  and  the  DBO  issue  regulations,  conduct 
examinations, require the filing of reports and generally supervise the operations of  the Bank. The 
approval of the FDIC and DBO is required for certain transactions in which the Bank may engage, 
including any merger or consolidation involving the Bank, a change in control over the Bank, or the 
establishment or relocation of any of  the Bank’s branch offices. In reviewing applications seeking 
approval of such transactions, the FDIC and DBO may consider, among other things, the competitive 
effect  and  public  benefits  of  the  transactions,  the  capital  position  and  financial  and  managerial 
resources  and  future  prospects  of  the  organizations  involved  in  the  transaction,  the  applicant’s 
performance  record  under  the  Community  Reinvestment  Act  (see  “Community  Reinvestment” 
below) and the effectiveness of the organizations involved in the transaction in combating money 
laundering  activities.  The  FDIC  and  the  DBO  also  have  the  power  to  pursue  enforcement  actions 
against the Bank and its affiliated parties (see “Enforcement Authority” below) 

Capital Adequacy Guidelines 

The federal bank regulatory agencies, including the FDIC, have adopted risk-based capital 
guidelines  intended  to  provide  a  measure  of  capital  adequacy  that  reflects  the  degree  of  risk 
associated with a financial institution’s operations. The capital standards require the maintenance 
of common equity Tier 1 capital, Tier 1 capital and total capital to risk-weighted assets, and a Tier 1 
leverage ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets. Common equity Tier 1 capital is generally defined as 
common stockholders’ equity and retained earnings. Tier 1 capital is generally defined as common 
equity Tier 1 and additional Tier 1 capital. Additional Tier 1 capital includes certain noncumulative 
perpetual  preferred  stock  and  related  surplus  and  minority  interests  in  equity  accounts  of 
consolidated subsidiaries. Total capital includes Tier 1 capital (common  equity Tier  1 capital plus 
additional Tier 1 capital)  and Tier 2 capital. Tier 2  capital is comprised of capital instruments and 
related surplus, meeting specified requirements, and may include cumulative preferred stock and 
long-term perpetual preferred stock, mandatory convertible securities, intermediate preferred stock 
and  subordinated  debt.  Also  included  in  Tier  2  capital  is  the  allowance  for  loan  and  lease  losses 
limited to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets and, for institutions that have exercised an 
opt-out election regarding the treatment of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”), 
up to 45% of pre-tax net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities with readily determinable 

7 

 
fair  market  values.  Institutions  that  have  not  exercised  the  AOCI  opt-out  must  incorporate  AOCI, 
including  unrealized  gains  and  losses  on  available-for-sale-securities,  into  common  equity  tier  1 
capital. The Bank exercised its opt-out election during the first quarter of calendar 2015. Calculation 
of  all  types  of  regulatory  capital  is  subject  to  deductions  and  adjustments  specified  in  the 
regulations. 

The  guidelines  make  regulatory  capital  requirements  sensitive  to  the  differences  in  risk 
profiles among banking institutions by risk-weighting a Bank’s assets, including off-balance sheet 
items, for purposes of calculating a Bank’s capital ratios. 

The capital guidelines require the Bank to maintain a minimum common equity Tier 1 capital 
ratio of 4.5%, a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6%, a total capital ratio of 8%, and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4%. 
The guidelines also establish a “capital conservation buffer” of 2.5% above the regulatory minimum 
capital  requirements,  which  must  consist  entirely  of  common  equity  Tier  1  capital.  The  capital 
conservation  buffer  is  designed  to  absorb  losses  during  periods  of  economic  stress.  Banking 
institutions that fail to maintain the capital conservation buffer faces constraints on dividends, equity 
repurchases and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall. The capital conservation buffer 
was phased in beginning January 2016 and was fully implemented on January 1, 2019. 

The  above  capital  ratios  are  minimum  requirements.  In  practice,  banks  are  expected  to 
operate with more than the minimum capital and the FDIC may establish greater minimum capital 
requirements for specific institutions. 

In 2019, the federal banking agencies  adopted a new community bank leverage ratio (the 
ratio of a bank’s tier 1 capital to average total consolidated assets) that qualifying institutions with 
less than $10 billion in assets may elect to use in lieu of the generally applicable leverage and risk-
based capital requirements described above. A qualifying banking organization that elects to use 
the new ratio will be considered to have met all applicable federal regulatory capital and leverage 
requirements, including the minimum capital levels required to be considered “well capitalized” if 
it maintains community bank leverage ratio capital exceeding 9%.  The new rule became effective 
on January 1, 2020.  The Bank is evaluating the new ratio but has not made a decision as to whether 
it will implement it. 

Prompt Corrective Action 

Federal  banking  agencies,  including  the  FDIC,  have  adopted  regulations  implementing  a 
system of prompt corrective action under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement 
Act. Under the prompt corrective action provisions and implementing regulations, every institution 
is classified into one of five categories, depending on its total risk-based capital ratio, its common 
equity Tier 1 ratio, its Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, its leverage ratio, and subjective factors. The 
categories  are  “well  capitalized,”  “adequately  capitalized,”  “undercapitalized,”  “significantly 
undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized.” To be considered well capitalized for purposes 
of  the  prompt  corrective  action  rules,  a  bank  must  maintain  total  risk-based  capital  of  10.0%  or 
greater, Tier 1 risk-based capital of 8.0% or greater, common equity Tier 1 capital of 6.5% or greater, 
and a leverage ratio of 5.0% or greater. An institution with a capital level that might qualify for well 
capitalized  or  adequately  capitalized  status  may  nevertheless  be  treated  as  though  it  were  in  the 
next lower capital category if its primary federal banking supervisory authority determines that an 
unsafe or unsound condition or practice warrants that treatment.  

A financial institution’s operations can be significantly affected by the financial institution’s 
capital classification under the prompt corrective action rules. For example, an institution that is not 

8 

 
well capitalized generally is prohibited from accepting brokered deposits and offering interest rates 
on deposits higher than the prevailing rate in its market without advance regulatory approval, which 
can have an adverse effect on the bank’s liquidity. At each successively lower capital category, an 
insured depository institution is subject to additional restrictions. Undercapitalized institutions are 
required  to  take  specified  actions  to  increase  their  capital  or  otherwise  decrease  the  risks  to  the 
federal  deposit  insurance  funds.  Bank  regulatory  agencies  generally  are  required  to  appoint  a 
receiver or conservator shortly after an institution becomes critically undercapitalized (with tangible 
equity to total assets of 2% or less). 

As of December 31, 2019, the Bank had a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 10.2%, a total 
risk-based capital ratio of 12.4%, a Tier-1 risk-based capital ratio of 10.2%, and a leverage ratio of 
9.3%, exceeding the minimums necessary to be considered to be well-capitalized.   

Standards for Safety and Soundness 

Federal  law  requires  each  federal  banking  agency  to  prescribe  certain  standards  for  all 
insured  depository  institutions.  These  standards  relate  to,  among  other  things,  internal  controls, 
information systems and audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate risk 
exposure,  asset  growth,  compensation,  and  other  operational  and  managerial  standards  as  the 
agency deems appropriate. Interagency guidelines set forth the safety and soundness standards that 
the federal banking agencies use to identify and address problems at insured depository institutions 
before  capital  becomes  impaired.  If  the  appropriate  federal  banking  agency  determines  that  an 
institution  fails  to  meet  any  standard  prescribed  by  the  guidelines,  the  agency  may  require  the 
institution to submit to the agency an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the standard. If 
an institution fails to meet these standards, the appropriate federal banking agency may require the 
institution to implement an acceptable compliance plan. Failure to implement such a plan can result 
in further enforcement action, including the issuance of a “cease and desist” order or the imposition 
of civil money penalties. 

Enforcement Authority 

In  addition  to  measures  taken  under  the  prompt  corrective  action  provisions,  commercial 
banking  organizations  may  be  subject  to  potential  enforcement  actions  by  the  federal  banking 
agencies for unsafe or unsound practices in conducting their businesses or for violations of any law, 
rule, regulation, condition imposed in writing by the agency or written agreement with the agency. 
Enforcement actions may include the issuance of formal and informal agreements, the issuance of 
a cease-and-desist order that can be judicially enforced, the issuance of directives to increase capital, 
the  imposition  of  civil  money  penalties,  the  issuance  of  removal  and  prohibition  orders  against 
institution-affiliated parties, the termination of insurance of deposits, the imposition of a conservator 
or receiver, and the enforcement of such actions through injunctions or restraining orders based 
upon  a  judicial  determination  that  the  agency  would  be  harmed  if  such  equitable  relief  was  not 
granted. 

The California Financial Code affords the DBO similar enforcement authority.  In addition, 
the DBO has authority to take possession of and to liquidate a bank, to appoint a conservator for a 
bank and to appoint the FDIC as receiver for a bank. 

Deposit Insurance Premiums 

The Deposit Insurance Fund of the FDIC insures deposits at insured depository institutions 

such as the Bank generally up to a maximum of $250,000 per depositor. 

9 

 
Insured  depository  institutions  pay  the  FDIC  insurance  assessments.    The  amount  of  the 
insurance  assessment  is  based  on  the  bank’s  average  consolidated  assets  less  tangible  equity 
capital.   

Assessment  rates  are  risk-based.    For  banks  that  have  been  FDIC  insured  for  at  least  five 
years and have less than $10 billion in total assets, such as the Bank,  assessments rates are based 
on  financial  measures  and  supervisory  ratings  derived  from  statistical  modeling  estimating  the 
probability of failure within three years and range from 1.5 to 30 basis points.  

As of September 30, 2018, the Deposit Insurance Fund reserve ratio exceeded the required 
minimum of 1.35% set by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Smaller 
banks with total assets less than $10 billion, such as the Bank, received credits to offset the portion 
of their assessments that helped to raise the Deposit Insurance Fund reserve ratio from 1.15 percent 
to  1.35  percent.  During  2019,  the  Bank  received  a  credit  of  $136,000,  which  offset  its  insurance 
assessment for the year.  

The FDIC has authority to increase insurance assessments. Any significant increases would 
have  an  adverse  effect  on  the  operating  expenses  and  results  of  operations  of  the  Bank. 
Management cannot predict what assessment rates will be in the future.  

The FDIC may terminate an institution’s deposit insurance upon a finding that an institution 
has  engaged  in  unsafe  or  unsound  practices,  is  in  an  unsafe  or  unsound  condition  to  continue 
operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the 
FDIC. The termination of the Bank’s deposit insurance would result in a loss of its charter to conduct 
business as a bank. 

Limits on Loans to One Borrower 

Under  the  California  Financial  Code,  with  certain  limited  exceptions,  a  bank’s  unsecured 
loans to one borrower generally may not exceed 15% of the sum of a bank’s capital stock, allowance 
for  loan  losses  and  capital  notes  and  debentures,  and  both  secured  and  unsecured  loans  to  one 
borrower (excluding certain secured lending and letters of credit) at any given time generally may 
not exceed 25% of the sum of the bank’s capital stock, allowance for loan losses and capital notes 
and debentures. Except for limitations on the amount of loans to a single borrower, loans secured 
by real or personal property may be made to any person without regard to the location or nature of 
the collateral. 

Brokered Deposit Restrictions 

Well-capitalized  institutions  are  not  subject  to  limitations  on  brokered  deposits,  while  an 
adequately capitalized institution is able to accept, renew or roll over brokered deposits only with a 
waiver  from  the  FDIC  and  subject  to  certain  restrictions  on  the  yield  paid  on  such  deposits. 
Undercapitalized  institutions  are  generally  not  permitted  to  accept,  renew,  or  roll  over  brokered 
deposits. The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act amends the Federal 
Deposit Insurance Act to exclude reciprocal deposits of an insured depository institution from these 
limitations on brokered deposits. 

Limitations on Dividends  

Under  California  law,  the  holders  of  the  Bank’s  common  stock  are  entitled  to  receive 
dividends out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends when and as declared by the 
Board of Directors, provided the conditions described below are satisfied. Federal law prohibits the 

10 

 
Bank from paying a dividend if, after payment of the dividend, the Bank would not be “adequately 
capitalized” for purposes of prompt corrective action.  

The  payment  of  cash  dividends  by  the  Bank  depends  on  various  factors,  including  the 
earnings and capital requirements of the Bank and other financial conditions. California law provides 
that, as a state-licensed bank, the Bank may not make a cash distribution to its shareholders in excess 
of the lesser of the following: (a) the Bank’s retained earnings or (b) the Bank’s net income for its 
last three fiscal years, less the amount of any distributions made by the Bank to its shareholders 
during that period. However, a bank such as the Bank, with the prior approval of the DBO, may make 
a distribution to its shareholders of an amount not to exceed the greatest of (1) the Bank’s retained 
earnings, (2) the Bank’s net income for its last fiscal year, or (3) the Bank’s net income for the current 
fiscal year. If the DBO determines that the shareholders’ equity of the Bank is inadequate or that the 
making of a distribution by the Bank would be unsafe or unsound, the DBO may order the Bank to 
refrain from making a proposed distribution. 

The FDIC and the DBO have authority to prohibit a bank from engaging in business practices 
that are considered to be unsafe or unsound. Depending upon the financial condition of  the Bank 
and  upon  other  factors,  the  FDIC  or  the  DBO  could  assert  that  payments  of  dividends  or  other 
payments by the Bank might be an unsafe or unsound practice. 

Transactions with Related Parties and Insider Lending 

Transactions between banks and their related parties or affiliates are limited by Sections 23A 
and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act. An affiliate of a bank is any company or entity that controls, is 
controlled by or is under common control with the bank. In a holding company context, the parent 
bank holding company and any companies which are controlled by such parent holding company 
are affiliates of the bank. 

Generally,  Section  23A  of  the  Federal  Reserve  Act  and  the  Federal  Reserve  Board’s 
Regulation  W  limit  the  extent  to  which  a  bank  or  its  subsidiaries  may  engage  in  “covered 
transactions” with any one affiliate to an amount equal to 10.0% of such bank’s capital stock and 
surplus, and contain an aggregate limit on all such transactions with all affiliates to an amount equal 
to  20.0%  of  such  bank’s  capital  stock  and  surplus.  The  term  ‘‘covered  transaction’’  includes  the 
making  of  loans,  purchase  of  assets,  issuance  of  guarantees  and  other  similar  transactions.  In 
addition,  loans  or  other  extensions  of  credit  by  the  bank  to  an  affiliate  are  required  to  be 
collateralized in accordance with regulatory requirements and the bank’s transactions with affiliates 
must be consistent with safe and sound banking practices and may not involve the purchase by the 
bank of any low-quality asset. Section 23B applies to covered transactions as well as certain other 
transactions and requires that all such transactions be on terms substantially the same, or at least 
as favorable, to the institution or subsidiary as those provided to non-affiliates.  

Section  22(h)  of  the  Federal  Reserve  Act  and  the  Federal  Reserve  Board’s  Regulation  O 
govern  extensions  of  credit  made  by  a  bank  to  its  directors,  executive  officers,  and  principal 
shareholders (“insiders”). Among other things, these provisions require that extensions of credit to 
insiders  be  made  on  terms  that  are  substantially  the  same  as,  and  follow  credit  underwriting 
procedures  that  are  not  less  stringent  than,  those  prevailing  for  comparable  transactions  with 
unaffiliated persons and that do not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other 
unfavorable features. Further, such extensions may not exceed certain limitations on the amount of 
credit extended to such persons, individually and in the aggregate, which limits are based, in part, 

11 

 
on the amount of the Bank’s capital. Extensions of credit in excess of certain limits  must also be 
approved by the board of directors. 

Customer Privacy 

Federal  law  contains  extensive  customer  privacy  protection  provisions.  Under  these 
provisions, a financial institution must provide to its customers,  at the inception of the customer 
relationship and annually thereafter, the institution’s policies and procedures regarding the handling 
of customers’ nonpublic personal financial information. These provisions also provide that, except 
for certain limited exceptions, a financial institution may not provide such personal information to 
unaffiliated third parties unless the institution discloses to the customer that such information may 
be  so  provided  and  the  customer  is  given  the  opportunity  to  opt  out  of  such  disclosure.  Further, 
under  the  “Interagency  Guidelines  Establishing  Information  Security  Standards,”  banks  must 
implement a comprehensive information security program that includes administrative, technical, 
and physical safeguards to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer information. Federal 
law  makes  it  a  criminal  offense,  except  in  limited  circumstances,  to  obtain  or  attempt  to  obtain 
customer information of a financial nature by fraudulent or deceptive means. 

Cybersecurity 

Federal banking regulators have indicated that financial institutions should design multiple 

layers of security controls to establish lines of defense against and to ensure that their risk 
management processes address cyber-security risks posed by compromised client credentials, 
including security measures to reliably authenticate clients accessing Internet-based services of 
the financial institution. Financial institution management is also expected to maintain sufficient 
business continuity planning processes to ensure the rapid recovery, resumption and maintenance 
of the institution’s operations after a cyber-attack involving destructive malware. A financial 
institution is expected to develop appropriate processes to enable recovery of data and business 
operations and address rebuilding network capabilities and restoring data if the institution or its 
critical service providers fall victim to this type of cyber-attack. If the Bank fails to observe 
regulatory guidance regarding appropriate cybersecurity safeguards, we could be subject to 
various regulatory sanctions, including financial penalties. 

In  the  ordinary  course  of  business,  the  Bank  relies  on  electronic  communications  and 
information systems to conduct its operations and to store sensitive data. The Bank employs an in-
depth, layered, defensive approach that incorporates security processes and technology to manage 
and maintain cybersecurity controls. The Bank employs a variety of preventative and detective tools 
to  monitor,  block,  and  provide  alerts  regarding  suspicious  activity,  as  well  as  to  report  on  any 
suspected  advanced  persistent  threats.  Notwithstanding  the  strength  of  the  Bank’s  defensive 
measures,  the  threat  from  cyber-attacks  is  severe,  attacks  are  sophisticated  and  increasing  in 
volume, and attackers respond rapidly to changes in  defensive measures. While to date  the Bank 
has not experienced a significant compromise, significant data loss or any material financial losses 
related to cybersecurity attacks, its systems and those of its clients and third-party service providers 
are under constant threat and it is possible that we could experience a significant event in the future. 
Risks and exposures related to cybersecurity attacks are expected to remain high for the foreseeable 
future due to the rapidly evolving nature and sophistication of these threats, as well as due to the 
expanding  use  of  Internet  banking,  mobile  banking  and  other  technology-based  products  and 
services by the Bank and its clients. 

12 

 
 
Community Reinvestment Act 

Under the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (“CRA”), the FDIC is required to assess the 
record of all financial institutions regulated by it to determine if such institutions are meeting the 
credit  needs  of  the  community  (including  low  and  moderate-income  neighborhoods)  which  they 
serve.  CRA  performance  evaluations  are  based  on  a  four-tiered  rating  system:  Outstanding, 
Satisfactory,  Needs  to  Improve  and  Substantial  Noncompliance.  The  federal  banking  regulators 
consider an institution’s CRA performance when evaluating applications for such things as mergers, 
acquisitions  and  applications  to  open  branches.  The  Bank’s  most  recent  CRA  rating  was 
“Satisfactory”.  

Anti-Money Laundering and OFAC  

Under federal law, financial institutions must maintain anti-money laundering programs that 
include established internal policies, procedures and controls; a designated compliance officer; an 
ongoing employee training program; and testing of the program by an independent audit function. 
Financial  institutions  are  also  prohibited  from  entering  into  specified  financial  transactions  and 
account  relationships  and  must  meet  enhanced  standards  for  due  diligence  and  customer 
identification  in  their  dealings  with  foreign  financial  institutions  and  foreign  customers.  Financial 
institutions  must  take  reasonable  steps  to  conduct  enhanced  scrutiny  of  account  relationships  to 
guard against money laundering and to report any suspicious transactions, and law enforcement 
authorities  have  been  granted  increased  access  to  financial  information  maintained  by  financial 
institutions. Bank regulators routinely examine institutions for compliance with these obligations, 
and  they  must  consider  an  institution’s  compliance  in  connection  with  the  regulatory  review  of 
applications,  including  applications  for  banking  mergers  and  acquisitions.  The  bank  regulatory 
agencies may impose cease and desist orders, civil money penalty sanctions and other enforcement 
measures against institutions found to be violating these obligations.  

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) is responsible for helping to ensure that U.S. 
entities  do  not  engage  in  transactions  with  certain  prohibited  parties,  as  defined  by  various 
Executive Orders and Acts of Congress. OFAC sends bank regulatory agencies lists of persons and 
organizations suspected of aiding, harboring or engaging in terrorist acts or narcotics trafficking. If 
the Bank finds a name on any transaction, account or wire transfer that is on an OFAC list, the Bank 
must freeze such account, file a suspicious activity report and notify the appropriate authorities. 

Consumer Protection Laws 

The Bank is subject to a number of federal and state laws designed to protect borrowers 

and depositors and to promote lending to various sectors of the economy. These laws include the 
Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Fair and 
Accurate Credit Transactions Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, 
and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, and various state law counterparts. The Fair and 
Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 and its implementing regulations to require financial 
institutions to develop and implement a written identity theft prevention program to detect, 
prevent and mitigate identity theft in connection with consumer and certain other accounts that 
present a reasonably foreseeable risk of identity theft. Failure to comply with consumer protection 
laws and regulations can subject financial institutions to enforcement actions, fines and other 
penalties.  

13 

 
 
Federal and State Securities Laws  

The Bank’s common stock is registered with the FDIC under section 12(i) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). As such, the Bank is subject to the information, proxy 
solicitation, insider trading restrictions and other requirements of the Exchange Act though the Bank 
files Exchange Act reports and other forms with the FDIC rather than the SEC.  The Bank is subject 
to the anti-fraud and other applicable provisions of state and federal securities laws.  

Although the Bank is exempt from the registration requirements of the federal Securities Act 
of 1933, and as such is not required to file a registration statement with the SEC before commencing 
the sale of its stock, the California Financial Code generally requires that a California-chartered bank 
obtain a permit from the DBO prior to selling its securities, whether in a public offering or a private 
placement.  The DBO will generally approve the application if it determines that the proposed sale 
of securities is fair, just, and equitable.  

The  Bank’s  common  stock  is  listed  on  the  NASDAQ  Stock  Market.    As  such,  the  Bank  is 

subject to the governance and other rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market. 

Legislation and Proposed Changes 

From time to time, legislation is enacted which has the effect of increasing the cost of doing 
business, limiting or expanding permissible activities or affecting the competitive balance between 
banks and other financial institutions.  Proposals to change the laws and regulations governing the 
operations  and  taxation  of  banks,  bank  holding  companies  and  other  financial  institutions  are 
frequently  made  in  Congress,  in  the  California  legislature  and  before  various  bank  regulatory 
agencies.  Typically, the intent of this type of legislation is to strengthen the banking industry.  No 
prediction can be made as to the likelihood of any major changes or the impact that new laws or 
regulations might have on the Bank. 

Employees 

    As of December 31, 2019, the Bank employed a total of 93 employees in various capacities, 
primarily located in California with 1 employee located in Arizona. The Bank’s employees are not 
represented by any union or covered by any collective bargaining agreement. The Bank considers 
its relationships with its employees to be good.  

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS 

The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and 
uncertainties that management is not aware of or focused on or that management currently deems 
immaterial may also impair our business operations. This report is qualified in its entirety by these 
risk factors. 

Economic or Market Risks 

Our business may be adversely affected by general economic conditions, including conditions in 

California. 

The banking business is affected by general economic and political conditions, both domestic and 
international,  and  by  governmental  monetary  and  fiscal  policies.  Conditions  such  as  inflation, 
recession, unemployment, volatile interest rates, money supply, scarce natural resources, weather, 

14 

 
 
 
natural disasters such as earthquakes, international disorders, and other factors beyond our control 
may adversely affect our profitability. 

A  substantial  majority  of  our  assets  and  deposits  are  generated  in  Northern  California.  Local 
economic conditions in this area can have a significant impact on the demand for our products and 
services, the ability of borrowers to pay interest on and repay the principal of our loans, and the 
value of the collateral securing these loans. Adverse changes in economic conditions in the Northern 
California market may negatively affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. 

We are highly dependent on real estate and events that negatively impact the real estate market 

could hurt our business. 

A significant portion of our loan portfolio is dependent on real estate. At December 31, 2019, real 
estate  served  as  the  principal  source  of  collateral  with  respect  to  approximately  90%  of  our  loan 
portfolio. A decline in the value of the real estate securing our loans and real estate owned by us 
could adversely impact our financial condition.   In addition, acts of nature, including earthquakes, 
brush fires and floods, which may cause uninsured damage and other loss of value to real estate 
that  secures  these  loans,  may  also  negatively  impact  our  financial  condition.  This  is  particularly 
significant in light of the fact that substantially all of the real estate that makes up the collateral of 
our real estate-secured loans is located in Northern California, where earthquakes, brush fires and 
floods are common. 

We face risks related to the recent coronavirus outbreak. 

Widespread  health  emergencies,  such  as  the  recent  coronavirus  outbreak,  can  disrupt  our 
operations  through  their  impact  on  our  employees,  customers  and  their  businesses,  and  the 
communities  in  which  we  operate.  Disruptions  to  our  customers  caused  by  the  coronavirus 
outbreak,  such  as  supply  shortages,  reduced  consumer  or  business  spending  and  event 
cancelations, for example, could result in increased risk of delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures and 
losses on our loans.  The spread of the coronavirus may also negatively impact regional economic 
conditions, result in a decline in local loan demand, loan originations and deposit availability and 
negatively impact the implementation of our growth strategy. We could also be adversely affected 
if  key  personnel  or  a  significant  number  of  our  employees  were  to  become  unavailable  due  to  a 
coronavirus  outbreak  in  our  market  area.  Although  we  have  business  continuity  plans  and  other 
safeguards in place, there is no assurance that such plans and safeguards will be effective.  Any one 
or  more  of  these  developments  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  our  business,  financial 
condition and results of operations. Furthermore, the coronavirus outbreak has caused significant 
disruption in the financial markets both globally and in the United States. Therefore, the spread of 
the coronavirus could also adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. 

Lending and Other Operating Risks 

Our allowance for loan losses may prove to be insufficient to absorb losses in our loan portfolio. 

 Lending money is a substantial part of our business. Every loan carries a certain risk that it will 
not be repaid in accordance with its terms or that any underlying collateral will not be sufficient to 
assure repayment. This risk is affected by, among other things:  

• 
• 

• 

cash flow of the borrower and/or the project being financed; 
the  changes  and  uncertainties  as  to  the  future  value  of  the  collateral,  in  the  case  of  a 
collateralized loan; 
the credit experience of a particular borrower; 

15 

 
• 
• 

changes in economic and industry conditions; and 
the duration of the loan. 

We  maintain  an  allowance  for  loan  losses,  a  reserve  established  through  a  provision  for  loan 
losses charged to expense, which we believe is appropriate to provide for probable losses in its loan 
portfolio. The amount of this allowance is determined by our management through a periodic review 
and consideration of several factors, including, but not limited to:  

•  our general reserve, based on our historical default and loss experience as well as current 

macroeconomic factors; and 

•  our specific reserve, based on our evaluation of non-performing loans and their underlying 

collateral.  

The determination of the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses inherently involves a 
high degree of subjectivity and requires us to make significant estimates of current credit risks and 
future  trends,  all  of  which  may  undergo  material  changes.  Continuing  deterioration  in  economic 
conditions  affecting  borrowers,  new  information  regarding  existing  loans,  identification  of 
additional problem loans and other factors, both within and outside of our control, may require an 
increase in the allowance for loan losses. In addition, bank regulatory agencies periodically review 
our allowance for loan losses and may require an increase in the provision for possible loan losses 
or  the  recognition  of  further  loan  charge-offs,  based  on  judgments  different  than  those  of 
management. In addition, if charge-offs in future periods exceed the allowance for loan losses, we 
may  need  additional  provisions  to  replenish  the  allowance  for  loan  losses.    Any  increases  in  the 
allowance for loan losses will result in a decrease in net income and, most likely, capital, and may 
have a material negative effect on our financial condition and results of operations. 

Regulatory requirements affecting our loans secured by commercial real estate could limit our 

ability to leverage our capital and adversely affect our growth and profitability. 

Rising  commercial  real  estate  lending  concentrations  may  expose  institutions  like  us  to 
unanticipated earnings and capital volatility in the event of adverse changes in the commercial real 
estate  market.  In  addition,  institutions  that  are  exposed  to  significant  commercial  real  estate 
concentration  risk  may  be  subject  to  increased  regulatory  scrutiny.  The  federal  banking  agencies 
have  issued guidance for institutions that are deemed to have concentrations in commercial real 
estate  lending.  Pursuant  to  the  supervisory  criteria  contained  in  the  guidance  for  identifying 
institutions with a potential commercial real estate concentration risk, institutions that have (i) total 
reported loans for construction, land development, and other land which represent 100% or more of 
an  institution’s  total  risk-based  capital;  or  (ii)  total  commercial  real  estate  loans  which  represent 
300% or more of the institution’s total risk-based capital and an increase in the outstanding balance 
of the institution's commercial real estate loan portfolio of 50% or more during the prior 36 months, 
are  identified  as  having  potential  commercial  real  estate  concentration  risk.  As  of  December  31, 
2019, our loans for construction, land development and other land represented 60% of our total risk-
based capital. Our non-owner occupied commercial real estate concentration at December 31, 2019 
was  244%  of  our  capital.    Management  has  implemented  and  continues  to  maintain  heightened 
portfolio  monitoring  and  reporting,  and  enhanced  underwriting  criteria  with  respect  to  its 
commercial  real  estate  portfolio.  Nevertheless,  our  level  of  commercial  real  estate  lending  could 
limit our growth or require us to obtain additional capital and could have a material adverse effect 
on our business, financial condition and results of operations. 

16 

 
  
 
 
Our business is subject to liquidity risk and changes in our source of funds may affect our 

performance and financial condition. 

Our ability to make loans is directly related to our ability to secure funding. In addition to local 
deposits, the Bank receives funding from FHLB advances, brokered deposits and State of California 
time deposits, when such alternatives are attractive compared to the cost of attracting additional 
local deposits. These alternative sources of funds, along with local time deposits, are sensitive to 
interest rates and can affect the cost of funds and net interest margin. Liquidity risk arises from the 
inability to meet obligations when they come due or to manage the unplanned decreases or changes 
in  funding  sources.  Although  we  believe  we  can  continue  to  successfully  pursue  a  local  deposit 
funding  strategy,  if  there  are  significant  fluctuations  in  local  deposit  balances  or  if  one  of  the 
alternative  sources  of  funds  becomes  unavailable,  we  may  experience  an  adverse  effect  on  our 
financial condition and results of operations. 

Changes in interest rates may reduce our net income. 

Our income depends to a great extent on the difference between the interest rates we earn on our 
loans,  securities  and  other  interest-earning  assets  and  the  interest  rates  we  pay  on  deposits  and 
other interest-bearing liabilities. These rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond 
our control, including general economic conditions and the policies of various governmental and 
regulatory agencies, in particular the Federal Reserve Board. A change in interest rates could have 
a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and prospects by reducing 
the spread between income realized on interest earning assets and interest paid on interest bearing 
liabilities.  Generally, the value of fixed-rate securities fluctuates inversely with changes in interest 
rates.  Therefore, an increase in interest rates could cause the fair value of our securities investments 
to decrease, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition 
and prospects. See “Quantitative and  Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” on page 43. 

We are exposed to the risk of environmental and other liabilities with respect to properties to 
which we take title. 

In the course of our business, we may foreclose and take title to real estate, and could be subject 
to  environmental  or  other  liabilities  with  respect  to  these  properties.  We  may  be  held  liable  to  a 
governmental  entity  or  to  third  persons  for  property  damage,  personal  injury,  investigation  and 
clean-up costs incurred by these parties in connection with environmental contamination, or we may 
be  required  to  investigate  or  clean  up  hazardous  or  toxic  substances,  or  chemical  releases  at  a 
property. The costs associated with investigation or remediation activities could be substantial. In 
addition, in the event  we become the owner or former owner of a contaminated site,  we may be 
subject  to  common  law  claims  by  third  parties  based  on  damages  and  costs  resulting  from 
environmental contamination emanating from the property. If we ever become subject to significant 
environmental liabilities, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations could 
be materially and adversely affected. 

We are exposed to adverse, regulatory, reputation and litigation risk with respect to California’s 
cannabis laws. 

California permits adults over the age of 21 to possess, privately use and grow limited amounts 
of cannabis.  The commercial sale, distribution and production of cannabis for adult use at state-
licensed facilities beginning January 1, 2018, under terms spelled out in the Medical and Adult Use 
of Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act approved by the legislature in 2017. Marijuana remains illegal 
under  the  federal  Controlled  Substances  Act  and  banks  are  prohibited  from  knowingly  providing 

17 

 
banking  services  to  enterprises  that  are  illegal  under  federal  law.  However,  in  2013,  the  U.S. 
Department of Justice issued the “Cole Memorandum,” which directed federal prosecutors to focus 
prosecutorial  priorities  away  from  state-legal  marijuana  activity  unless  certain  heightened  risk 
factors  were  present.  On  January  4,  2018,  the  U.S.  Attorney  General  rescinded  of  the  Cole 
Memorandum and announced that federal prosecutors retain the discretion to prosecute violations 
of the Controlled Substances Act, including state-legal recreational marijuana activity, in accordance 
with  principles  that  govern  all  federal  prosecutions.  Further,  in  2014,  the  Financial  Crimes 
Enforcement Network or FinCEN issued guidance to banks on how to comply with the due diligence 
and reporting requirements in the Bank Secrecy Act when providing banking services to cannabis-
related businesses.  

We do not offer banking services to cannabis-related enterprises. However, in the course of our 
business, we may foreclose and take title to real estate that is used in a cannabis business, or may 
inadvertently  offer  loan  or  deposit  services  to  customers  who  engage  in  that  business  if  the 
customer  misrepresents  or  hides  its  involvement  in  the  cannabis  industry.  In  the  event  we 
unknowingly provides banking services to a marijuana-related business, or holds funds used in a 
marijuana  business,  or  is  seen  as  participating  in  an  illegal  enterprise,  we  may  be  subject  to 
additional risks, including litigation, regulatory enforcement actions and collateral asset seizures and 
reputation risk.   

A new accounting standard may require us to increase our allowance for loan losses and may 

have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) has adopted a new accounting standard that 
will be effective for our fiscal year, and interim periods within the fiscal year, beginning January 1, 
2023.  This  standard,  referred  to  as  Current  Expected  Credit  Loss,  or  CECL,  will  require  financial 
institutions  to  determine  periodic  estimates  of  lifetime  expected  credit  losses  on  loans,  and 
recognize  the  expected  credit  losses  as  allowances  for  loan  losses.  This  will  change  our  current 
method of providing allowances for loan losses that are probable, which may require us to increase 
our allowance for loan losses, and to greatly increase the types of data we will need to collect and 
review  to  determine  the  appropriate  level  of  the  allowance  for  loan  losses.    Any  change  in  the 
allowance for loan losses at the time of adoption  will be  an adjustment to  retained  earnings and 
would change our capital levels.  A banking organization that experiences a reduction in retained 
earnings as of the CECL adoption date may elect to phase in the day-one regulatory capital impact 
of adopting CECL over a three-year transition period.  Any increase in our allowance for loan losses 
or expenses incurred to determine the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses may have 
a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.  Upon adoption of the 
CECL, credit loss allowances may increase,  which  would decrease  retained  earnings and thereby 
affect  common  equity  tier  1  capital  for  regulatory  capital  purposes.  CECL  implementation  poses 
operational  risk,  including  the  failure  to  properly  transition  internal  processes  or  systems,  which 
could  lead  to  call  report  errors,  financial  misstatements,  or  operational  losses.  Successful 
implementation may require adjustments to existing data elements and credit loss methods. 

We are subject to stringent capital requirements. 

The federal banking agencies capital guidelines require that we meet minimum leverage and risk-
based  capital  requirements  applicable  to  bank  holding  companies  and  insured  banks.    Our 
satisfaction of these requirements is subject to qualitative judgments by regulators that may differ 
materially from our management’s and that are subject to being determined retroactively for prior 
periods.  Additionally,  regulators  can  make  subjective  assessments  about  the  adequacy  of  capital 

18 

 
 
levels, even if our capital exceeds the minimums necessary to be considered “well-capitalized.” Our 
failure to meet regulatory capital requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business, 
including  damaging  the  confidence  of  customers  in  us,  adversely  impacting  our  reputation  and 
competitive position and retention of key personnel. Our failure to meet capital requirements could 
also limit or suspend our ability to grow or expand our business, pay dividends and accept brokered 
deposits.  A failure to meet regulatory capital standards may also result in higher FDIC insurance 
assessments.  Maintaining  adequate  capital  levels  could  require  that  we  raise  additional  capital, 
which could reduce our earnings or dilute our existing shareholders.  An inability to raise additional 
capital on acceptable terms when needed could have  a materially adverse  effect on our financial 
condition, results of operations and liquidity. 

The accuracy of our judgments and estimates about financial and accounting matters will 
impact operating results and financial condition.  

The Bank makes certain estimates and judgments in preparing its financial statements. The quality 
and accuracy of those estimates and judgments will have an impact on the Bank’s operating results 
and financial condition. Three items that are subject to material estimates and judgments include 
the  consideration  of  other  than  temporary  impairment  of  investment  securities,  the  recorded 
goodwill  asset  of  $4,119,000  and  the  allowance  for  loan  losses  of  $6,769,000  as  of  December  31, 
2019. Although management believes its estimates and judgements are reasonable and may seek 
to support its estimates and judgments by employing third party reviews there are no assurances 
that regulatory reviews may result in a different conclusion or future events may occur that impact 
the  recorded  values  resulting  in  material  fluctuations  of  financial  results.  See  “Management’s 
Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results  of  Operations  –  Critical  Accounting 
Policies and Estimates” beginning on page 26. 

Failure to successfully execute our strategy could adversely affect our performance. 

Along with the other factors listed herein, our financial performance and profitability depends on 
our ability to execute our corporate growth strategy. Continued growth may present operating and 
other  problems  that  could  adversely  affect  our  business,  financial  condition  and  results  of 
operations. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will be able to execute our growth strategy 
or maintain the level of profitability that it has recently experienced.  

Changes in tax laws could have an adverse effect on us, our industry, our customers, the value 
of collateral securing our loans and demand for our loans. 

Federal  tax  reform  legislation  enacted  by  Congress  in  December  2017  contains  a  number  of 
provisions that could have an impact on the banking industry, borrowers and the market for single-
family residential and multifamily residential real estate.  Among the changes are: a lower cap on 
the amount of mortgage interest that a borrower may deduct on single-family residential mortgages; 
the lower mortgage interest cap will be spread among all of the borrower’s residential mortgages, 
which may result in elimination or lowering of the mortgage interest deduction on a second home; 
limitations on deductibility of business interest expense; limitations on the deductibility of state and 
local income and property taxes.  Such changes could have an adverse effect on the market for and 
valuation of single-family residential properties and multifamily residential properties, and on the 
demand  for  such  loans  in  the  future.  If  home  ownership  or  multifamily  residential  property 
ownership  becomes  less  attractive,  demand  for  our  loans  would  decrease.  The  value  of  the 
properties securing loans in our portfolio may be adversely impacted as a result of the changing 
economics  of  home  ownership  and  multifamily  residential  ownership,  which  could  require  an 

19 

 
increase in our provision for loan losses, which would reduce our profitability and could materially 
adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.  

We are dependent on our management team and key employees, and if we are not able to 
retain them, our business operations could be materially adversely affected. 

Our  success  depends,  in  large  part,  on  our  management  team  and  key  employees.  Our 
management  team  has  significant  industry  experience.  Our  future  success  also  depends  on  our 
continuing ability to attract, develop, motivate and retain key employees. Qualified individuals are 
in high demand, and we may incur significant costs to attract and retain them. Because the market 
for  qualified  individuals  is  highly  competitive,  we  may  not  be  able  to  attract  and  retain  qualified 
officers  or  candidates.  The  loss  of  any  of  our  management  team  or  our  key  employees  could 
materially adversely affect our ability to execute our business strategy, and we may not be able to 
find adequate replacements on a timely basis, or at all. We cannot ensure that we will be able to 
retain the services of any members of our management team or other key employees. Though we 
have change-in-control agreements in place with certain members of our management team they 
may still elect to leave at any time. Failure to attract and retain a qualified management team and 
qualified key employees could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition 
and results of operations. 

Our business is highly competitive. 

In  California  generally,  and  in  our  service  area  specifically,  major  banks  and  regional  banks 
dominate the commercial banking market. By virtue of their larger capital bases, such institutions 
have  substantially  greater  financial,  marketing  and  operational  resources  than  us  and  offer 
diversified services that we might not directly offer. We compete with larger commercial banks and 
other  financial  institutions,  such  as  savings  and  loan  associations  and  credit  unions,  which  offer 
services traditionally offered only by banks. In addition, we compete with other institutions such as 
money market funds, brokerage firms, commercial finance companies, leasing companies, and even 
retail stores seeking to penetrate the financial services market. No assurance can be given, however, 
that our efforts to compete with other banks and financial institutions will continue to be successful. 
In  addition,  the  costs  of  providing  a  high  level  of  personal  service  could  adversely  affect  our 
operating results. See “Information About Summit State Bank - Competition” on page 5. 

We depend on loan originations to grow our business. 

Our success depends on, among other things, its ability to originate loans.  Real estate valuations 
in our market area have escalated in recent years and may not be sustained.  Our competitors may 
offer  better  terms  or  better  service,  or  respond  to  changing  capital  and  other  regulatory 
requirements better than we are able to do.  Some of our competitors make loans on terms that we 
may not be willing to match. Success in competing for loans depends on such factors as: 

•  Quality of service to borrowers, especially the time it takes to process loans; 
•  Economic factors, such as interest rates;  
•  Terms  of  the  loans  offered,  such  as  rate  adjustment  provisions,  adjustment  caps,  loan 

maturities, loan-to-value ratios and loan fees; and 

•  Size of the loan.  

20 

 
 
 
 
Our operations could be interrupted if our third-party service providers experience difficulty, 

terminate their services or fail to comply with banking regulations. 

We depend to a significant extent on a number of relationships with third-party service providers. 
Specifically, we receive core systems processing, essential web hosting and other internet systems, 
deposit processing and other processing services from third-party service providers. If these third-
party  service  providers  experience  difficulties  or  terminate  their  services  and  we  are  unable  to 
replace them  with other  service providers, our operations could be interrupted. If an interruption 
were  to  continue  for  a  significant  period  of  time,  our  business,  financial  condition  and  results  of 
operations could be adversely affected, perhaps materially. Even if we are able to replace them, it 
may be  at a higher cost to us, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and 
results of operations. 

We have a continuing need for technological change, and we may not have the resources to 
effectively implement new technology or we may experience operational challenges when 
implementing new technology. 

The  financial  services  industry  is  undergoing  rapid  technological  changes  with  frequent 
introductions  of  new  technology-driven  products  and  services.  In  addition  to  better  serving 
customers, the effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to 
reduce costs. Our future success will depend in part upon our ability to address the needs of our 
customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands 
for convenience as well as to create additional efficiencies in our operations as we continue to grow 
and  expand  our  market  area.  We  may  experience  operational  challenges  as  we  implement  these 
new technology enhancements, or seek to implement them across all of our offices and  business 
units, which could result in us not fully realizing the anticipated benefits from such new technology 
or require us to incur significant costs to remedy any such challenges in a timely manner. 

Many  of  our  larger  competitors  have  substantially  greater  resources  to  invest  in  technological 
improvements. As a result, they may be able to offer additional or superior products to those that 
we will be able to offer, which would put us at a competitive disadvantage. Accordingly, a risk exists 
that we will not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be 
successful in marketing such products and services to our customers. 

Our information systems may experience an interruption or breach in security. 

We rely heavily on communications and information systems to conduct its business. Any failure, 
interruption  or  breach  in  security  of  these  systems  could  result  in  failures  or  disruptions  in  our 
customer  relationship  management  and  systems.  We  cannot  assure  that  any  such  failures, 
interruptions or security breaches will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately 
corrected. The occurrence of any such failures, interruptions or security breaches could damage our 
reputation, result in a loss of customer business,  subject us to heightened regulatory scrutiny, or 
expose us to litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse 
effect on our financial condition and results of operations. 

We may be adversely affected by disruptions to our network and computer systems or to those 

of our service providers as a result of denial-of-service or other cyber-attacks. 

We may experience disruptions or failures in our computer systems and network infrastructure 
or in those of our service providers as a result of denial-of-service or other cyber-attacks in the future. 
We have developed and continue to invest in, systems and processes that are designed to detect 

21 

 
and  prevent  security  breaches  and  cyber-attacks.  Due  to  the  increasing  sophistication  of  such 
attacks,  we  may  not  be  able  to  prevent  denial-of-service  or  other  cyber-attacks  that  could 
compromise our normal business operations, compromise the normal business operations of our 
customers, or result in the unauthorized use of customers’ confidential and proprietary information. 
The  occurrence  of  any  failure,  interruption  or  security  breach  of  network  and  computer  systems 
resulting from denial-of-service or other cyber-attacks could damage our reputation, result in a loss 
of customer business, subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose us to civil litigation and 
possible financial liability, any of which could adversely affect our business, results of operations or 
financial condition. 

Our controls and procedures may fail or be circumvented. 

Management  regularly  reviews  and  updates  our  internal  control  over  financial  reporting, 
disclosure controls and procedures, and corporate governance policies and procedures. Any system 
of  controls  and  procedures,  however  well  designed  and  operated,  is  based  in  part  on  certain 
assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the objectives of the 
system are met. Any failure or circumvention of  our controls and procedures or failure to comply 
with  regulations  related  to  controls  and  procedures  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the 
Bank’s business, results of operations and financial condition. 

A failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could have a material 

adverse effect on our business and stock prices.  

If we are unable to maintain the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, we 
may be unable to report our financial results accurately and on a timely basis.  In such an event, 
investors  and  clients  may  lose  confidence  in  the  accuracy  and  completeness  of  our  financial 
statements,  as  a  result  of  which  our  liquidity,  access  to  capital  markets,  and  perceptions  of  our 
creditworthiness  could  be  adversely  affected  and  the  market  prices  of  our  common  stock  could 
decline.  In addition, we could become subject to investigations by NASDAQ, the FDIC or the SEC, 
or  other  regulatory  authorities,  which  could  require  us  to  expend  additional  financial  and 
management resources.  As a result, an inability to maintain the effectiveness of our internal control 
over financial reporting in the future could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial 
condition, results of operations and prospects 

Regulatory Risks 

Our business is subject to extensive government regulation and legislation. 

We are is subject to extensive state and federal regulation, supervision and legislation, and the 
laws that govern us and our operations are subject to change from time to time. Applicable laws 
and regulations provide for the regular examination and supervision of institutions; impost minimal 
capital  requirements;  affect  the  cost  of  funds  through  reserve  requirements  and  assessments  on 
deposits; limit or prohibit the payment of interest on demand deposits; limit the kinds of investments 
we  can  make  and  the  kinds  of  activities  in  which  we  can  engage;  and  grant  the  bank  regulatory 
agencies  broad  enforcement  authority  in  case  of  violations.  The  bank    regulatory  agencies  have 
extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the 
ability to impose restrictions on a bank’s operations, reclassify assets, determine the adequacy of a 
bank’s allowance for loan losses and determine the level of deposit insurance premiums assessed. 
The laws and regulations increase the cost of doing business and have an adverse impact on  our 
ability to compete efficiently with other financial services providers that are not similarly regulated. 
See “Information About Summit State Bank – Regulation and Supervision” beginning on page 6. 

22 

 
Changes in laws and regulations and the cost of compliance with new laws and regulations may 

adversely affect our operations and our income. 

The  potential  exists  for  additional  federal  or  state  laws  and  regulations,  or  changes  in  policy, 
affecting lending and funding practices, the fees we charge customers and liquidity standards for 
example.  Moreover,  bank  regulatory  agencies  have  been  active  in  responding  to  concerns  and 
trends  identified  in  examinations,  and  have  issued  many  formal  enforcement  orders  requiring 
capital ratios in excess of regulatory requirements. Any change in these regulations and oversight, 
whether  in  the  form  of  regulatory  policy,  new  regulations  or  legislation  or  additional  deposit 
insurance premiums could have a material impact on our operations. There can be no assurance 
that future regulation or legislation will not impose additional requirements and restrictions on us 
in a manner that will adversely affect its results of operations, financial condition and prospects. 

We face a risk of noncompliance and enforcement action with the Bank Secrecy Act and other 

anti-money laundering statutes and regulations. 

The Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate 
Tools to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, or the USA PATRIOT Act, or Patriot Act, and 
other  laws  and  regulations  require  financial  institutions,  among  other  duties,  to  institute  and 
maintain an effective anti-money laundering program and to file reports such as suspicious activity 
reports  and  currency  transaction  reports.  We  are  required  to  comply  with  these  and  other  anti-
money  laundering  requirements.  Our  federal  and  state  banking  regulators,  the  Financial  Crimes 
Enforcement  Network,  or  FinCEN,  and  other  government  agencies  are  authorized  to  impose 
significant civil money penalties for violations of anti-money laundering requirements. We are also 
subject to increased scrutiny of compliance with the regulations issued and  enforced by the Office 
of  Foreign  Assets  Control,  or  OFAC.  If  our  program  is  deemed  deficient,  we  could  be  subject  to 
liability,  including  fines,  civil  money  penalties  and  other  regulatory  actions,  which  may  include 
restrictions on our business operations and our ability to pay dividends, restrictions on mergers and 
acquisitions  activity,  restrictions  on  expansion,  and  restrictions  on  entering  new  business  lines. 
Failure to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist 
financing could also have significant reputational consequences for us. Any of these circumstances 
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. 

Risks Related to our Common Stock 

Our ability to declare future dividends is subject to certain limitations. 

Our ability to pay dividends is limited by law, regulation and our financial condition.  We cannot 
assure you that we will continue to pay dividends at the rate and frequency at we have done in the 
past or we will declare and pay any dividends in the future at all. See “Regulation and Supervision 
- Limitations on Dividends” on page 10. 

Our Share Price May Be Volatile. 

There is a limited trading market exists for our common shares which could lead to price volatility. 
Your ability to sell our common shares depends upon the existence of an active trading market for 
our common shares. While our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market, the trading 
volume has been relatively low. As a result, you may be unable to sell or purchase our common 
shares at the volume, price and time you desire. The limited trading market for our common shares 
may cause fluctuations in the market value of  our common shares to be exaggerated, leading to 
price volatility in excess of that which would occur in a more active trading market. In addition, even 

23 

 
if a more active market of our common stock develops, we cannot assure you that such a market 
will continue. 

ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS 

    None.  

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES 

    The Bank owns its head office building located at 500 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa, California. 
The  building  has  approximately  31,000 square  feet  of  usable  space.  The  Bank  occupies 
approximately  20,000 square  feet  as  its  headquarters.  The  remaining  11,000 square  feet  are 
currently leased to 2 tenants, with lease terms maturing from 2021 to 2022. The Bank also leases 
spaces  for  branch  offices  in  three  shopping  centers  and  one  commercial  building.  These  leases 
expire at various dates from 2020 through 2024 and include renewal and termination options and 
rental  adjustment  provisions.    The  Bank  leases  commercial  space  for  an  operations  center  and  a 
space for a loan production office with lease expirations of 2022 and 2021. 

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 

    The nature of our business causes us to be involved in legal proceedings from time to time. As of 
the date of this report, the Bank is not a party to any litigation where management anticipates that 
the  outcome  will  have  a  material  effect  on  the  consolidated  financial  position  or  results  of 
operations. 

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 

    The  Bank’s  common  stock  trades  on  the  NASDAQ  under  the  symbol  “SSBI.”  There  were  147 
common stock shareholders of record at  December 31, 2019.  There were no issuer purchases of 
equity securities for the three-month period ended December 31, 2019.   

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA 

25 

(in thousands except per share data)20192018201720162015Income statement data:Interest income30,001$             25,572$             20,713$             19,907$             18,573$             Net interest income before provision for (reversal of) loan losses22,976               21,622               18,572               18,673               17,637               Provision for (reversal of) loan losses 700                    530                    520                    -                         (800)                   Total non-interest income2,662                 2,309                 1,715                 2,021                 2,645                 Total non-interest expense16,063               15,357               13,845               12,245               10,823               Income before provision for income taxes8,875                 8,044                 5,922                 8,449                 10,259               Provision for income taxes2,398                 2,217                 2,630                 3,482                 4,229                 Net income 6,477$               5,827$               3,292$               4,967$               6,030$               Preferred dividend -                         -                         -                         -                         92                      Net income available to common shareholders6,477$               5,827$               3,292$               4,967$               5,938$               Selected balance sheet data:Assets695,978$           622,104$           610,864$           513,704$           513,365$           Loans, net576,548             504,549             437,594             354,638             343,217             Earning assets680,607             609,956             599,619             502,121             501,192             Deposits573,837             501,189             533,513             384,251             397,246             Federal Home Loan Bank advances45,600               56,800               15,000               68,900               55,800               Shareholders' equity67,344               61,520               59,677               58,622               57,325               Balance sheet data - averageAssets644,618$           586,978$           534,534$           510,829$           485,396$           Loans, net542,630             473,922             381,289             363,545             314,806             Earning assets628,311             575,843             523,475             502,381             474,751             Deposits555,589             503,828             420,070             391,001             372,778             Federal Home Loan Bank advances17,992               20,984               52,429               58,659               46,102               Shareholders' equity64,847               60,295               59,987               59,326               65,061               Selected per common share data:Earnings  per common share - basic1.07$                 0.96$                 0.55$                 0.83$                 0.99$                 Earnings  per common share - diluted1.07$                 0.96$                 0.54$                 0.82$                 0.98$                 Weighted average shares used to calculate earnings per common share - basic 6,069                 6,065                 6,031                 6,005                 5,979                 Weighted average shares used to calculate earnings per common share - diluted 6,074                 6,072                 6,059                 6,036                 6,048                 Common shares outstanding at year end 6,070                 6,066                 6,041                 6,020                 5,979                 Cash dividends per share0.48$                 0.48$                 0.46$                 0.38$                 0.38$                 Book value per common share11.09$               10.14$               9.88$                 9.74$                 9.59$                 Selected ratios:Return on average common shareholders' equity9.99%9.66%5.49%8.37%10.60%Return on average assets1.00%0.99%0.62%0.97%1.24%Common dividend payout ratio44.97%49.97%83.57%46.43%38.67%Net interest margin3.66%3.75%3.55%3.72%3.72%Efficiency ratio (1)62.64%64.24%68.49%61.22%53.78%Average common shareholders' equity to average assets10.06%10.27%11.22%11.61%13.40%Tier 1 leverage capital ratio9.26%9.86%10.23%11.08%10.53%Nonperforming assets to total assets (2)0.05%0.34%0.45%0.65%0.31%Nonperforming loans to total loans (2)0.05%0.42%0.62%0.93%0.46%Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans0.01%0.06%0.01%(0.01)%(0.12%)Allowance for loan losses to total loans1.16%1.18%1.18%1.33%1.36%(2) Nonperforming loans is defined as loans on nonaccrual and accruing loans past due 90 days or more,  Nonperforming assets is defined as nonperformingloans and other real estate owned through foreclosureSelected Financial DataYear Ended December 31(1) Efficiency ratio is commonly used in the Banking industry and is defined as non-interest expenses to net interest and non-interest income, net of securities gains (losses) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL 
               CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

    The following discussion provides additional information about the financial condition of the Bank 
at December 31, 2019 and 2018 and results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2019, 
2018 and 2017. The following analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial 
statements  of  the  Bank  and  the  notes  thereto  prepared  in  accordance  with  accounting  principles 
generally accepted in the United States.  

Stock Split Adjustment 

    The Board of Directors declared a five-for-four stock split on January 23, 2017 to common 
shareholders of record on February 28, 2017, with an issuance date of March 14, 2017. The impact 
of this stock split has been retroactively applied to periods presented with adjustments to the 
number of common shares and per common share values as if the stock split had occurred as of 
the beginning of each period presented. 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates 

    The discussion and analysis of the Bank’s results of operations and financial condition are based 
upon  financial  statements  which  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  accounting  principles 
generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires the 
Bank’s management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets 
and liabilities, income and expense, and the related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities 
at  the  date  of  these  financial  statements.    These  estimates  are  discussed  in  more  detail  under 
“Financial  Statements  and  Supplementary  Data”  “Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  - 
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” on page 57. 

    The Bank believes these estimates and assumptions to be reasonably accurate; however, actual 
results  may  differ  from  these  estimates  under  different  assumptions  or  circumstances.  Material 
estimates  that  are  particularly  susceptible  to  significant  change  in  the  near-term  relate  to  the 
determination  of  the  allowance  for  loan  losses,  consideration  of  goodwill  impairment  and 
consideration  of  potential  other  than  temporary  impairment  on  investment  securities  and  other 
financial instruments.  

    Allowance for Loan Losses.  The allowance for loan losses is determined first and foremost by 
promptly  identifying  potential  credit  weaknesses  that  could  jeopardize  repayment.  The  Bank’s 
process for evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses includes determining estimated 
loss percentages for each credit based on the Bank’s historical loss experience and other factors in 
the Bank’s credit grading system and accompanying risk analysis for determining an adequate level 
of the allowance. The risks are assessed by rating each account based upon paying habits, loan-to-
collateral value ratio, financial condition and level of classifications. The allowance for loan losses 
was $6,769,000 at December 31, 2019 compared to $6,029,000 at December 31, 2018. 

    The  Bank  maintains  the  allowance  for  loan  losses  to  provide  for  inherent  losses  in  the  loan 
portfolio. Additions to the allowance for loan losses are established through a provision charged to 
expense. All loans which are judged to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance while any 
recoveries are credited to the allowance. The Bank’s policy is to charge off any known losses at the 
time of determination. Any unsecured loan more than 90 days delinquent in payment of principal or 
interest and not in the process of collection is charged off in total. Secured loans are evaluated on a 
case-by-case basis to determine the ultimate loss potential to us subsequent to the liquidation of 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
collateral.  In those cases where we believe we are inadequately protected, a charge-off will be made 
to reduce the loan balance to a level equal to the liquidation value of the collateral. 

    The Bank’s loan policy provides procedures designed to evaluate and assess the credit risk factors 
associated with the loan portfolio, to enable management to assess such credit risk factors prior to 
granting new loans and to evaluate the sufficiency of the allowance for loan losses. Management 
conducts an assessment of the allowance for loan losses on a monthly basis and undertakes a more 
critical evaluation quarterly. At the time of the quarterly review, the Board of Directors evaluates and 
approves the adequacy of the allowance. The quarterly evaluation includes an assessment of the 
following  factors:  any  external  loan  review  and  regulatory  examination,  estimated  probable  loss 
exposure on each pool of loans, concentrations of credit, value of collateral, the level of delinquent 
and  non-accrual  loans,  trends  in  loan  volume,  effects  of  any  changes  in  lending  policies  and 
procedures, changes in lending personnel, current economic conditions and a migration analysis of 
historical losses and recoveries dating back to 2009 and going through 2106. Prior to this the Bank 
was calculating historical losses and recoveries for 2009 to current.  The Bank also refined how it is 
measuring the change in current economic conditions to more accurately reflect economic trends 
and the impact this will have at the Bank.  The refinement in methodology was a $1,800,000 increase 
in allocated reserves based on loss history and a $2,500,000 reduction in qualitative factor reserves.   

    Goodwill.  We assess the carrying value of our goodwill at least annually in order to determine if 
this  intangible  asset  is  impaired.    In  reviewing  the  carrying  value  of  our  goodwill,  we  assess  the 
recoverability of such assets by evaluating the fair value of the related business unit.  If the carrying 
amount of goodwill exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for the amount of the 
excess  and  the  carrying  value  of  goodwill  is  reduced  accordingly.    Any  impairment  would  be 
required to be recorded during the period identified.  No impairment was recorded related to this 
intangible asset in 2019, 2018 or 2017. 

    Investment Securities. We  are  obligated  to  assess,  at  each  reporting  date,  whether  there  is  an 
“other-than-temporary”  impairment  to  our  investment  securities.    Such  impairment,  if  related  to 
credit losses, must be recognized in current earnings rather than in other comprehensive income or 
loss, net of tax.  We examine all individual securities that are in an unrealized loss position at each 
reporting  date  for  other-than-temporary  impairment  (OTTI).  Specific  investment  level  factors  we 
examine  to  assess  impairment  include  whether  (1)  it  is  unlikely  the  full  amount  of  contractual 
principal and interest will be recouped over the life of the investment, or (2) the Bank has specific 
plans to sell the impaired security, or it is likely we may be required to sell the security, prior to a 
full  recovery.  Other  factors  are  evaluated,  such  as  deterioration  in  earnings,  failure  to  make 
payments, significant adverse changes in regulatory or other such environments, bona fide offer to 
purchase or other factors that could raise significant concerns. However, these other factors on their 
own will not qualify as a primary determinant of OTTI. There was no OTTI recorded in 2019, 2018 or 
2017.  We do not believe that we have any investment securities with material unrealized losses that 
would be deemed to be “other-than-temporarily impaired” as of  December 31, 2019.  Investment 
securities are discussed in more detail under “Investment Portfolio.” 

Overview 

    The  Bank  is  a  community  bank  serving  Sonoma,  Napa,  San  Francisco  and  Marin  counties  in 
California. It operates through five depository offices located in Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Rohnert Park 
and Healdsburg. The Bank has loan production offices located in Roseville, California and Scottsdale, 
Arizona. The Bank was founded as a savings and loan in 1982 under the name Summit Savings. On 
January 15, 1999, the Bank converted its charter to a California state-chartered commercial bank and 

27 

 
 
 
 
thereby became subject to regulation, supervision and examination by the California Department of 
Business Oversight and the FDIC. 

Results of Operations 

    Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 

    The  Bank’s  primary  source  of  income  is  net  interest  income,  which  is  the  difference  between 
interest income and fees derived from earning assets and interest paid on liabilities which fund those 
assets. Net interest income, expressed as a percentage of total average interest-earning assets, is 
referred to as the net interest margin. The Bank’s net interest income is affected by changes in the 
volume  and  mix  of  interest-earning  assets  and  interest-bearing  liabilities.  It  is  also  affected  by 
changes in yields earned on interest-earning assets and rates paid on interest-bearing deposits and 
other borrowed funds. The Bank also generates non-interest income, including transactional fees, 
service charges, office lease income, gains and losses on  investment securities and gains on sold 
government guaranteed loans originated by the Bank. Non-interest expenses consist primarily of 
employee  compensation  and  benefits,  occupancy  and  equipment  expenses  and  other  operating 
expenses. The Bank’s results of operations are also affected by its provision for loan losses. Results 
of operations  may also be significantly  affected by other factors including  general economic and 
competitive  conditions,  mergers  and  acquisitions  of  other  financial  institutions  within  the  Bank’s 
market  area,  changes  in  market  interest  rates,  government  policies,  and  actions  of  regulatory 
agencies. 

Net Income 

    The  Bank had net income and net income available for common stockholders of $6,477,000 or 
$1.07  per  diluted  share,  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2019  compared  to  net  income  and  net 
income available for common stockholders of $5,827,000, or $0.96 per diluted share, for the year 
ended  December  31,  2018,  and  net  income  of  $3,292,000  or  $0.54  per  diluted  share,  for  the  year 
ended December 31, 2017. 

    The return on average assets was 1.00%, 0.99% and 0.62% for the years ended December 31, 2019, 
2018 and 2017, respectively.  

   The return on average common equity was 9.99%, 9.66%, and 5.49% for the years ended December 
31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. 

   The Board of Directors adopted a strategy of positioning the Bank for accelerated growth in the 
second quarter of 2016. A partial result of this strategic shift was the increase of staffing and related 
expenses  to  increase  the  Bank’s  lending  function.  In  prior  years,  increased  personnel  expenses 
created  a  timing  difference  between  the  increased  expenses  and  the  interest  income  that  is 
generated from increased loan totals.  Starting in 2018 the Bank began realizing positive impacts on 
net interest income because the loan portfolio was increasing both in size and as a percent of the 
Bank’s assets.   

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin 

    Net interest income was $22,976,000 and the net interest margin was 3.66% for the year ended 
December 31, 2019, which represented a $1,354,000 or 6% increase over 2018. For the year ended 
December  31,  2018,  net  interest  income  was  $21,622,000  and  the  net  interest  margin  was  3.75%, 
which represented a $3,050,000 or 16% increase over 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2017, 
net interest income was $18,572,000 and the net interest margin was 3.55%. At December 31, 2019, 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
approximately 83% of the Bank’s assets were comprised of net loans and  9% were comprised  of 
investment securities compared to 81% of net loans and 13% of investment securities at December 
31, 2018. 

    The yield on average interest-earning assets  was 4.77% for the year ended  December 31, 2019 
and  4.44%  for  December  31,  2018.  Yields  on  new  loans  are  dependent  on  competition  for  those 
loans, which can mitigate general interest rate changes brought on by Federal Reserve policy. The 
yield  on  average  interest-earning  assets  increased  from  4.44%  for  the  year  ended  December  31, 
2018, primarily because of increased yields on loan originations and a higher ratio of loans to interest 
earning assets. 

    In  2019,  average  earning  assets  increased  9.1%  with  average  investment  securities  decreasing 
12.7% and average loans increasing 14.5%.  In 2018, average earning assets increased 10.0% with 
average investment securities decreasing 32.1% and average loans increasing 24.3%.   

    For the year ended December 31, 2019, the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities was 1.56% 
compared with a cost of average interest-bearing liabilities of 1.01% for the year ended December 
31, 2018 and 0.60% for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase in cost of funds have been 
driven by the changing market interest rates over the periods.   The Bank increased rates paid on 
time deposits with maturity terms of 18 months to 2 years to attract and extend its liabilities during 
continued  periods  of  rising  rates.  Rates  also  increased  overall  for  demand,  savings  and  money 
markets.  In addition, the Bank obtained $6,000,000 in subordinated debt with an annual rate of 6.0% 
in 2019. 

    The following table presents condensed average consolidated balance sheet information for the 
Bank, together with interest rates earned and paid on the various sources and uses of its funds for 
each of the periods presented. Average balances are based on daily average balances. Nonaccrual 
loans are included in loans with any interest collected reflected on a cash basis. 

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Balance Sheets and Analysis of Net Interest Income 

(1)  

The net amortization of deferred costs on loans included in interest income was $(460,000),  $(112,000) and $(196,000) for the years ended 
December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  

(2)  

Net interest margin is computed by dividing net interest income by average total earning assets.  

(3)  

Net interest spread is the difference between the average rate earned on average total earning assets and the average rate paid on average 
total interest-bearing liabilities.  

30 

Average BalanceInterest Income/ ExpenseAverage RateAverage BalanceInterest Income/ ExpenseAverage RateAverage BalanceInterest Income/ ExpenseAverage RateAssetsInterest earning assets:Federal funds sold-$                  -$            0.00%855$         14$          1.69%1,903$     17$          0.89%Interest-bearing deposits with banks12,422           251         2.02%17,759      247          1.39%19,103     162          0.85%Taxable investment securities69,997           1,941      2.77%80,222      2,382       2.97%118,095   3,126       2.65%Dividends on FHLB Stock3,262             224         6.87%3,085        266          8.62%3,085       232          7.52%Loans, net of unearned income (1)542,630         27,585    5.08%473,922    22,663     4.78%381,289   17,176     4.50%Total earning assets/interest income628,311         30,001    4.77%575,843    25,572     4.44%523,475   20,713     3.96%Non-earning assets22,644           16,809      15,869     Allowance for loan losses(6,337)           (5,674)      (4,810)      Total assets644,618$       586,978$  534,534$ Liabilities and Shareholders'  EquityInterest-bearing liabilities:Deposits:Interest-bearing demand deposits64,243$         91$         0.14%69,744$    79$          0.11%63,217$   82$          0.13%Savings and money market134,040         1,136      0.85%134,303    811          0.60%85,057     170          0.20%Time deposits231,517         5,195      2.24%167,261    2,619       1.57%155,662   1,387       0.89%FHLB advances17,992           414         2.30%20,984      441          2.10%52,429     502          0.96%Subordinated Debt2,970             189         6.36%-               -              0.00%-               -               0.00%Total interest-bearing liabilities/interest expense450,762         7,025      1.56%392,292    3,950       1.01%356,365   2,141       0.60%Non interest-bearing deposits125,789         132,520    116,134   Other liabilities3,220             1,871        2,048       Total liabilities579,771         526,683    474,547   Shareholders' equity64,847           60,295      59,987     Total liabilities and shareholders' equity644,618$       586,978$  534,534$ Net interest income and margin (2)22,976$  3.66%21,622$   3.75%18,572$   3.55%Net interest spread (3)3.21%3.43%3.36%(Dollars in thousands)Year Ended December 31, 201920182017 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  The following table shows the change in interest income and interest expense and the amount of 
change  attributable  to  variances  in  volume  and  rates.  The  unallocated  change  in  rate  or  volume 
variance has been allocated between the rate and volume variances in proportion to the absolute 
dollar amount in the change of each. 

Volume and Yield/Rate Variances 

Provision for Loan Losses 

    The Bank maintains an allowance for loan losses for probable incurred losses that are expected 
as an incidental part of the banking business. Write-offs of loans are charged against the allowance 
for loan losses, which is adjusted periodically to reflect changes in the volume of outstanding loans 
and estimated losses due to changes in the financial condition of borrowers or the value of property 
securing  nonperforming  loans,  or  changes  in  general  economic  conditions  and  other  qualitative 
factors.  Additions  to  the  allowance  for  loan  losses  are  made  through  a  charge  against  income 
referred to as the “provision for loan losses.” 

    The Bank’s loan policy provides procedures designed to evaluate and assess the credit risk factors 
associated with the loan portfolio, to enable management to assess such credit risk factors prior to 
granting new loans and to evaluate the sufficiency of the allowance for loan losses. Management 
conducts an assessment of the allowance for loan losses on a monthly basis and undertakes a more 
critical evaluation quarterly. At the time of the quarterly review, the Board of Directors evaluates and 
formally approves the adequacy of the allowance. The quarterly evaluation includes an assessment 
of the following factors: any external loan review and regulatory examination, estimated probable 
loss  exposure  on  each  pool  of  loans,  concentrations  of  credit,  value  of  collateral,  the  level  of 
delinquent  and  non-accrual  loans,  trends  in  loan  volume,  effects  of  any  changes  in  the  lending 
policies  and  procedures,  changes  in  lending  personnel,  current  economic  conditions  at  the  local, 
state and national level,  and a  migration analysis of historical losses and recoveries for the prior 
twelve quarters. 

31 

(Dollars in thousands)VolumeRateNetVolumeRateNetInterest income:Federal funds sold(14)$          -$          (14)$          (6)$            3$              (3)$            Interest-bearing deposits with banks(61)            65              4                (11)            96              85              Taxable investment securities(336)          (105)          (441)          (891)          147            (744)          Dividends on FHLB Stock15              (57)            (42)            -                34              34              Loans, net3,430         1,492         4,922         4,378         1,109         5,487         Total interest income3,034         1,395         4,429         3,470         1,389         4,859         Interest expense:Interest-bearing demand deposits(6)              18              12              8                (11)            (3)              Savings and money market(2)              327            325            143            498            641            Time deposits1,211         1,365         2,576         110            1,122         1,232         FHLB advances(59)            32              (27)            (181)          120            (61)            Subordinated Debt189            -                189            -                -                -                Total interest expense1,333         1,742         3,075         80              1,729         1,809         Increase (decrease) in net    interest income1,701$       (347)$        1,354$       3,390$       (340)$        3,050$       2019 Compared to 20182018 Compared to 2017Change Due toChange Due to 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    At  December  31,  2019,  the  Bank’s  allowance  for  loan  losses  totaled  $6,769,000  or  1.16%  of 
outstanding  loans,  compared  with  an  allowance  for  loan  losses  of  $6,029,000,  or  1.18%  of 
outstanding loans at December 31, 2018 and $5,236,000, or 1.18% of outstanding loans at December 
31, 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Bank recorded a $700,000 provision for loan 
losses, primarily due to the increase in loans outstanding.  For the year ended December 31, 2018, 
there was a $530,000 provision recorded and for the year ended  December 31, 2017, there was a 
$520,000 provision recorded for loan losses.   

Non-interest Income 

    The following table summarizes non-interest income recorded for the years indicated. 

Non-interest Income 

    Service  charges  on  deposit  accounts  were  $869,000  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2019, 
compared to $765,000 and $695,000 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. The Bank has 
experienced an increase in demand deposits, however deposit account activity service charges are 
dependent on the volume and types of transactions in the accounts. 

    The Bank owns its headquarters building with approximately one third of the office space leased 
to  nonaffiliated  tenants.  The  building  tenant  space  was  fully  leased  for  each  of  the  years  2017 
through 2019. Lease income from this office building was $344,000, $553,000 and $574,000 for the 
years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017. The leases have annual rent increases.  In 2018 the 
headquarters underwent construction improvements  in the fourth quarter to accommodate needs 
for more staff.  Two-thirds is now being occupied by the Bank and the Bank is leasing the remaining 
office space to two tenants.   

    Net securities gains can vary significantly from year to year based on the amount of investment 
securities sold or called and the net gain or loss realized.  Additionally, gains or losses are highly 
dependent on the interest rate environment and its impacts on the fair market value of investment 
securities.  In 2019 the Bank sold or had calls on various government agency and corporate bonds 
with a net loss of $6,000.  In 2018 and 2017, the Bank sold or had calls on various government agency 
and corporate bonds with a net gain of $27,000 and $72,000. 

    Net gains on other real estate owned arises when the Bank sells foreclosed properties.  The Bank 
has no other real estate owned at December 31, 2019.   

    In the second half of 2017, the Bank opened a loan production office in Roseville, California, which 
primarily  focuses  on  loans  partially  guaranteed  by  the  Small  Business  Administration  (SBA)  or 
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). It also generates commercial real estate loans for 
the Bank’s portfolio. Management may sell the guaranteed portion of the loans depending on market 

32 

(in thousands)201920182017Service charges on deposit accounts869$       765$      695$     Rental income 344         553        574       Net gain on loan sales1,253      748        351       Net securities (loss) gains(6)           27         72        Other income 202         216        23        Total non-interest income2,662$    2,309$   1,715$  Year Ended December 31, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
opportunities  or  for  liquidity  reasons.    When  a  guaranteed  portion  of  a  loan  is  sold,  a  gain  is 
recognized through a premium received on the sale. Total proceeds from sales of SBA guaranteed 
balances was $20,323,000 in 2019 with a gain recognized of $1,253,000.  Total proceeds from sales 
of SBA guaranteed balances was $9,974,000 in 2018 with a gain recognized of $748,000.  In 2017, the 
Bank recognized a gain of $351,000 from sales of SBA guaranteed loan balances in the amount of  
$5,097,000. 

    The increase in net gain on sales of loans in 2019 compared to 2018 was primarily due to a higher 
volume of guaranteed loans sold and to a lesser extent by an increase in the average net gain per 
loan  sold.    Losses  inherent  in  loan  relationships  are  mitigated  by  the  portion  of  the  loan  that  is 
guaranteed by U.S. government loan programs.  A typical SBA 7(a) loan carries a 75% guarantee 
while USDA guarantees range from 50% to 90% depending on loan size and type, which reduces the 
risk profile of these loans. 

Non-interest Expenses 

    The following table summarizes non-interest expenses recorded for the years indicated. 

Non-interest Expenses 

    Non-interest  expenses,  also  referred  to  as  operating  expenses,  is  commonly  expressed  as  a 
percentage  of  average  assets  for  the  period  and  as  a  percentage  of  operating  revenues,  or  the 
efficiency ratio.  The efficiency ratio divides the non-interest expenses by total revenues, which is 
defined  as  net  interest  income  plus  non-interest  income,  excluding  net  security  gains.    The  non-
interest expenses as a percent of annual average assets for 2019 was 2.5%, 2018 was 2.6% and 2017 
was 2.6%.  The efficiency ratio for 2019 was 62.64%, 2018 was 64.24% and was 2017 was 68.49%.  
The improvement (decrease) in the efficiency ratio in 2019 is due to the increase in revenues being 
greater than the increase in non-interest expense for the year.  

    Salaries and employee benefits expense increased $685,000 or 7% in 2019 compared to 2018 and 
increased $1,363,000 or 18% in 2018 compared to 2017. The increases were primarily attributable to 
an increased number of employees hired during each year and general salary and benefit increases.  
Annual  salaries  and  bonuses  have  increased  during  the  years  and  have  been  partially  offset  by 
deferred loan origination costs attributable to loan generation during the years.  The deferred loan 
origination  costs  netted  against  salaries  and  employee  benefits  were  $2,138,000,  $1,181,000  and 
$1,141,000 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.  The Bank employed a total of 
93, 89 and 78 employees as of December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017. 

    Occupancy and equipment expenses increased $157,000 or 10% in 2019 compared to 2018 and  
$33,000  or  2%  in  2018  compared  to  2017.    Occupancy  expenses  include  costs  incurred  with  the 
Bank’s  owned  headquarters  building,  four  leased  branch  office  buildings,  an  operations  leased 
facility and two loan production offices.   

33 

(in thousands)201920182017Salaries and employee benefits9,836$   9,151$   7,788$   Occupancy and equipment 1,693     1,536     1,503     Other expenses4,534     4,670     4,554     Total non-interest expenses16,063$ 15,357$ 13,845$ Year Ended December 31, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
    The following table summarizes the categories of other expenses. 

Other Expenses 

    Data processing expenses are dependent on the Bank’s implementation of new electronic delivery 
platforms such as mobile banking, and per account and transaction expenses from the Bank’s third 
party data service provider, corresponding to the increase in the number of new deposit and loan 
customers. 

    Professional fees vary depending on the use of legal, audit and consulting services.  Director fees 
and expenses vary dependent on the number of directors, travel expenses incurred by directors for 
attendance  of  Board  and  number  of  committee  meetings  and  director  training  expenses.  
Advertising and promotion expenses are dependent on the Bank’s business development activities 
and targeted nonprofit charity business customers.  Miscellaneous other expenses are incurred as 
a result of general operations.  

Provision for Income Taxes 

    The  Bank  accrues  income  tax  expense  based  on  the  anticipated  tax  rates  during  the  financial 
period covered. The provision for income taxes for the years ended  December 31, 2019, 2018 and 
2017 was $2,398,000, $2,217,000 and $2,630,000. The combined effective Federal and State corporate 
income  tax  rates  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2019,  2018  and  2017  were  27.0%,  27.6%  and 
44.4%, respectively. 

    The increase in effective tax rate in 2017 and decrease in the effective tax rate in 2018,  was the 
result of the enactment of the Tax  Cuts and Jobs  Act on December 22, 2017, which resulted in a 
write-down  of  the  net  deferred  tax  asset  against  2017  earnings  of  $292,000  and  lower  tax  rates 
applied in 2018. 

Balance Sheet 

    December 31, 2019 and 2018 

Investment Portfolio 

    Securities classified as available-for-sale for accounting purposes are recorded at their fair value 
on  the  balance  sheet.  Securities  classified  as  held-to-maturity  are  recorded  at  amortized  cost.  At 
December 31, 2019, investment securities comprised 8.9% of total assets and 9.1% of earning assets.  
At December 31, 2018, investment securities comprised 12.5% of total assets and 13.1% of earning 

34 

(in thousands)201920182017Data processing1,500$     1,497$     1,278$     Professional fees641          598          554          Director fees and expenses523          545          479          Nasdaq listing and regulatory license expense155          144          140          Advertising and promotion649          808          828          Deposit and other insurance premiums216          297          431          Telephone and postage82           79           77           Other expenses768          702          767          4,534$     4,670$     4,554$     Year Ended December 31,  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
assets. The decline in the percentage of investments to total assets and earning assets was due to 
calls of bonds and bond sales that were incurred to partially fund the increase in the loan portfolio. 

    At  December  31,  2019,  there  were  $7,998,000  in  investment  securities  classified  as  held-to-
maturity  and  $7,991,000  at  December  31,  2018.  The  increase  in  held-to-maturity  securities  was 
attributable to the accretion of the discount on the portfolio. Investment securities classified held-to-
maturity  are  government  sponsored  agencies  with  interest  rates  that  step-up  over  the  life  of  the 
bonds.  

    Securities classified as available-for-sale were $54,241,000 and  $70,174,000 for the 2019 and 2018 
respective  year  ends.  Changes  in  the  fair  value  of  available-for-sale  securities  (e.g.,  unrealized 
holding gains or losses) are reported as “other comprehensive income (loss),” net of tax, and carried 
as accumulated other comprehensive income or loss within shareholders’ equity until realized.  The 
accumulated  other  comprehensive  income  was  in  an  unrealized  gain  position  of  $457,000  at 
December 31, 2019 and was in an unrealized loss position of $1,789,000 at December 31, 2018. 

    The Bank utilizes the investment portfolio to manage liquidity and attract funding that requires 
collateralization. At December 31, 2019, investment securities with a fair value of $6,000,000 or 9% 
of  the  portfolio,  were  pledged  to  secure  State  of  California  and  other  municipal  deposits.  This 
compares to $36,514,000, or 47% of the portfolio pledged at December 31, 2018.  At December 31, 
2019, securities with a par value of $48,625,000 were callable within one year.  

    The  composition  of  the  investment  portfolio  by  major  category  and  contracted  maturities  or 
repricing of debt investment securities at December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 is shown below. 

Investment Securities 

35 

(in thousands)201920182017Held-to-maturity:    Government agencies7,998$    7,991$    7,984$    Available-for-sale:    U.S. Treasuries-$           -$        5,982$        Government agencies39,887    39,330    40,057        Mortgage-backed securities - residential8,974      10,972    8,093          Corporate debt5,380      19,872    24,638        Total available-for-sale54,241    70,174    78,770            Total investment securities62,239$  78,165$  86,754$  December 31, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractual Maturity or Repricing Schedule and Weighted Average Yields of Securities 
As of December 31, 2019 

    As  of  December  31,  2019,  the  Bank  did  not  own  securities  of  any  single  issuer  (other  than 
U.S. Government agencies) whose aggregate book value was in excess of 10% of the Bank’s total 
equity at the time of purchase.  

Loan Portfolio 

    Loan  categories  used  in  presentations  in  this  report  conform  to  the  categorizations  used  by 
regulatory Call Reports as described by the instructions issued by the Federal Financial Institutions 
Examination Council (FFIEC). 

    The following table shows the composition of the Bank’s loan portfolio by amount and percentage 
of total loans for each major loan category at the dates indicated. 

Loans 

    The Bank experienced increased loan demand in 2019 and 2018.  The 14% increase in net loans 
outstanding  at  December  31,  2019  compared  to  December  31,  2018,  was  primarily  from  the 
origination of commercial real estate and commercial & agricultural loans which often have larger 
dollar balances. 

    At  December  31,  2019,  the  Bank  had  approximately  $68,545,000  in  undisbursed  loan 
commitments, of which approximately $33,319,000 related to real estate loan types. This compares 
with  undisbursed  commitments  of  approximately  $85,304,000  at  December  31,  2018,  of  which 

36 

(in thousands)CarryingAmountYieldCarryingAmountYieldCarryingAmountYieldCarryingAmountYieldHeld-to-maturity:    Government agencies-$          -          -$          -          3,000$      2.25%4,998$       2.13%Available-for-sale:    Government agencies-            -          3,959     2.35%30,029      2.70%5,899         2.46%    Mortgage-backed securities - residential-            -          -            -          -               -          8,974         3.09%    Corporate debt1,239     4.38%2,615     3.85%1,526        3.13%-                -              Total available-for-sale1,239     4.38%6,574     2.95%31,555      2.72%14,873       2.84%        Total investment securities1,239$   4.38%6,574$   2.95%34,555$    2.68%19,871$     2.66%Within One YearAfter One But Within Five YearsAfter Five But Within Ten YearsAfter Ten Years(in thousands)2019% 2018% 2017% 2016% 2015% Commercial & agricultural (1)129,590$  22.2%107,910$  21.1%102,957$ 23.2%81,519$   22.7%75,018$    21.6%Real Estate - commercial312,758    53.6%287,841    56.4%242,066   54.7%190,976   53.1%175,374    50.4%Real estate - construction and land44,689      7.7%24,330      4.8%13,465     3.0%7,897       2.2%11,341      3.3%Real Estate - single family54,357      9.3%56,648      11.1%51,866     11.7%51,044     14.2%63,899      18.4%Real Estate - multifamily41,870      7.2%33,623      6.6%32,091     7.2%27,533     7.7%21,664      6.2%Consumer & lease financing53             0.0%226           0.0%385          0.1%434          0.1%652           0.2%583,317    100%510,578    100%442,830   100%359,403   100%347,948    100%LESS:Allowance for Loan Losses(6,769)      (6,029)      (5,236)     (4,765)     (4,731)      Total Loans, Net576,548$  504,549$  437,594$ 354,638$ 343,217$  (1) Includes loans secured by farmland.December 31,  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
approximately $46,661,000 related to real estate loan types. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, there 
were $1,846,000 and $3,707,000, respectively, in standby letters of credit outstanding. 

    The  following  table  shows  the  maturity  distribution  of  Real  Estate  Construction  and  Land  and 
Commercial  &  Agricultural  loans,  including  rate  repricing  intervals  on  variable  rate  loans,  at 
December 31, 2019. In the following table, the term variable (generally referring to loans for which 
the interest rate will change immediately given a change in the underlying index) also includes loans 
with adjustable rates (loans for which the rate may change, but which are also limited in occurrence). 

Loan Portfolio Maturity Structure at  

December 31, 2019 

Loan Policies and Procedures 

    The  Bank’s  underwriting  practices  include  an  analysis  of  the  borrower’s  management,  current 
economic factors, the borrower’s ability to respond and adapt to economic changes outside its direct 
control  and  verification  of  primary  and  secondary  sources  of  repayment.  Risk  within  the  loan 
portfolio is managed through the Bank’s loan policies and underwriting. These policies are reviewed 
and approved annually by the Board of Directors. 

•  Management administers the loan policy, ensures proper loan documentation is maintained 
and develops the methodology for monitoring loan quality and the level of the allowance for 
loan losses and reports on these matters to the Board of Directors' Loan Committee and the 
Board of Directors. 

•  The Board of Directors' Loan Committee meets regularly to evaluate problem assets and the 
adequacy  of  the  allowance  for  loan  losses.  The  Committee  also  reviews  and  makes 
recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the adequacy of the allowance for loan 
losses,  and  is  responsible  for  ensuring  that  an  independent  third  party  reviews  the  loan 
portfolio  at  least  annually.  Resultant  reports  are  sent  to  this  Committee  and  to  the  Audit 
Committee. 

•  The Board of Directors' Loan Committee is responsible for enforcement of the loan policy 
and has additional responsibilities which include approving loans or loan relationships for a 
customer  that,  when  considered  in  the  aggregate,  exceed  management's  level  of  loan 
authority for that customer. 

•  The Board of Directors' Audit Committee also engages a third party to perform a review of 
management's asset and liability practices to ensure compliance with the Bank's policies. 

37 

(in thousands)Within One YearAfter One But Within Five YearsAfter Five YearsTotalReal Estate - construction and land36,176$     8,513$       -$               44,689$     Commercial & agricultural37,897       70,809       20,884       129,590     Total74,073$     79,322$     20,884$     174,279$   Loans with:Fixed interest rates1,141$       21,178$     10,722$     33,041$     Floating interest rates79,997       27,836       33,405       141,238     Total81,138$     49,014$     44,127$     174,279$    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•  The  Board  of  Directors  retains  overall  responsibility  for  all  loan  functions  and  reviews 

material loan relationships. 

    Loan approvals are granted according to established policies, and lending officers are assigned 
approval  authorities  within  their  levels  of  training  and  experience.  Interest  rates  reflect  the  risk 
inherent  in  loans  and  collateral  is  generally  taken  for  purchase-money  financing.  Collateral  may 
consist of accounts receivable, direct assignment of contracts, inventory, equipment and real estate. 
Unsecured loans may be made when warranted by the financial strength of the borrower.   

Nonperforming Assets 

    Nonperforming  assets  consist  of  nonperforming 
loans  and  other  real  estate  owned.  
Nonperforming loans are those for which the borrower fails to perform under the original terms of 
the  obligation  and  consist  of  nonaccrual  loans  and  accruing  loans  past  due  90 days  or  more. 
Additionally, loans may be restructured due to deteriorating financial conditions and classified as 
troubled  debt  restructurings  (TDRs).  The  TDR’s  may  or  may  not  be  the  same  as  those  listed  as 
nonaccrual or 90 days or more past due loans. 

The following are the nonperforming assets for the respective periods: 

Nonperforming Assets 

    Nonperforming  loans  at  December  31,  2019,  consisted  of  two  loans  to  two  customers  with 
commercial real estate loans. The Bank had no specific allowance for loan losses allocated to these 
loans due to the estimated value of underlying collateral. 

    There was no other real estate owned at December 31, 2019 and 2018.  

    The  Bank  may  modify  terms  of  loans  to  provide  borrowers  with  relief  if  they  are  experiencing 
financial difficulty and may not be able to meet the original terms of the loan. These modifications 
classify the loan as a TDR. Loans that are classified as TDRs were $2,729,000 at December 31, 2019, 
of which $2,578,000 were considered performing loans and $150,000 are nonperforming loans and 
are included in the table above.  The performing TDRs of $2,578,000 are primarily collateralized by 
single-family residential or commercial real estate properties. 

38 

20192018201720162015Nonaccrual loans315$       2,124$   2,730$   3,351$   1,610$   Accruing loans past due 90 days or more-             -            -            -            -            Total nonperforming loans315        2,124     2,730     3,351     1,610     Total nonperforming assets315$       2,124$   2,730$   3,351$   1,610$   Nonperforming loans to total loans0.05%0.42%0.62%0.93%0.46%Nonperforming assets to total assets0.05%0.34%0.45%0.65%0.31%Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans2150.07%283.84%191.79%142.23%293.86%December 31, (in thousands) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for Loan Losses 

    The  Bank  maintains  the  allowance  for  loan  losses  to  provide  for  inherent  losses  in  the  loan 
portfolio. Additions to the allowance for loan losses are established through a provision charged to 
expense. All loans which are judged to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance while any 
recoveries are credited to the allowance. The Bank’s policy is to charge off any known losses at the 
time of determination. Any unsecured loan more than 90 days delinquent in payment of principal or 
interest and not in the process of collection is charged off in total. Secured loans are evaluated on a 
case-by-case basis to determine the ultimate loss potential to us subsequent to the liquidation of 
collateral.  In those cases where we believe we are inadequately protected, a charge-off will be made 
to reduce the loan balance to a level equal to the liquidation value of the collateral. 

    The Bank’s loan policy provides procedures designed to evaluate and assess the credit risk factors 
associated with the loan portfolio, to enable management to assess such credit risk factors prior to 
granting new loans and to evaluate the sufficiency of the allowance for loan losses. Management 
conducts an assessment of the allowance for loan losses on a monthly basis and undertakes a more 
critical evaluation quarterly. At the time of the quarterly review, the Board of Directors evaluates and 
approves the adequacy of the allowance. The quarterly evaluation includes an assessment of the 
following  factors:  any  external  loan  review  and  regulatory  examination,  estimated  probable  loss 
exposure on each pool of loans, concentrations of credit, value of collateral, the level of delinquent 
and  non-accrual  loans,  trends  in  loan  volume,  effects  of  any  changes  in  lending  policies  and 
procedures, changes in lending personnel, current economic conditions and a migration analysis of 
historical losses and recoveries dating back to 2009 and going through 2106. Prior to this the Bank 
was calculating historical losses and recoveries for 2009 to current.  The Bank also refined how it is 
measuring the change in current economic conditions to more accurately reflect economic trends 
and the impact this will have at the Bank.  The refinement in methodology was a $1,800,000 increase 
in allocated reserves based on loss history and a $2,500,000 reduction in qualitative factor reserves.   

39 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
    The following table sets forth an analysis of the allowance for loan losses and provision for loan   
losses for the periods indicated. 

Summary of Activity in the Allowance for Loan Losses 

40 

(Dollars in thousands)20192018201720162015Balance at beginning of period6,029$      5,236$        4,765$      4,731$      5,143$      Charge-offs:Commercial & agricultural-                  (28)               (79)            (50)            -                 Real estate - commercial-                  -                    -                 (20)            -                 Real estate - construction and land-                  -                    -                 -                 -                 Real Estate - single family-                  -                    -                 -                 -                 Real Estate - multifamily-                  -                    -                 -                 -                 Consumer & lease financing-                  -                    -                 -                 (2)               Total loans charged-off-                  (28)               (79)            (70)            (2)               Recoveries:Commercial & agricultural40              77                4                76              222            Real estate - commercial-                  -                    1                6                -                 Real estate - construction and land-                  -                    -                 -                 -                 Real Estate - single family-                  191              16              14              135            Real Estate - multifamily-                  -                    -                 -                 -                 Consumer & lease financing-                  23                9                8                33              Total recoveries40              291              30              104           390            Net loans recovered (charged-off)40              263              (49)            34              388            Provision for (reversal of) loan losses700            530              520           -                 (800)          Allowance for loan losses - end of period6,769$      6,029$        5,236$      4,765$      4,731$      Loans:Average loans outstanding during period, net        of unearned income542,630$  473,922$    381,289$ 363,545$ 314,806$ Total loans at end of period, net of unearned income583,317$  510,578$    442,830$ 359,403$ 347,948$ Ratios:Net loans recovered (charged-off) to average net loans 0.01%0.06%0.01%(0.01)%(0.12)%Net loans recovered (charged-off) to total loans 0.01%0.05%0.01%(0.01)%(0.11)%Allowance for loan losses to average net loans1.25%1.27%1.37%1.31%1.50%Allowance for loan losses to total loans 1.16%1.18%1.18%1.33%1.36%Net loans recovered (charged-off) to provision for loan losses (1)5.71%49.62%9.42%NMNM(1) Not meaningfulYear Ended December 31 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
    The following table summarizes the allocation of the allowance for loan losses by loan category 
and the amount of loans in each category as a percentage of total loans in each category as of the 
end of each year presented. The allocated and unallocated portions of the allowance for loan losses 
are available to the entire portfolio. 

Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses 

    The changes from year to year for the allocation by loan category are attributable to the growth 
of  the  category  and  management’s  assessment  of  the  quality  of  the  individual  loans  within  the 
category. Additionally, other qualitative factor allocations are applied to each category of loans and 
represents various qualitative factors in the determination of the adequacy of the allowance for loan 
losses and includes the size of individual credits, concentrations and general economic conditions. 
Management considers these qualitative factors in their evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance 
for loan losses.  

    The changes in the allowance allocations for the various loan categories at December 31, 2019 
compared to December 31, 2018 were primarily attributable to the general increase in total loans in 
the categories and the level of the internally classified loans in each category. 

    An unallocated allowance can arise from fluctuations in the amount of classified (“credit grades”) 
and specific allocations to nonperforming loans between periods. Management and the  Board of 
Directors reviews the amount of and reasons for unallocated allowances and whether unallocated 
allowances  have  arisen  due  to  periodic  fluctuations  in  the  credit  grades  or  have  arisen  due  to 
changes  in  qualitative  factors  or  changes  in  lending  strategies.  If  an  unallocated  allowance  has 
arisen  from  other  than  periodic  fluctuations  in  credit  grades  or  other  than  potential  temporary 
factors, then it may be determined that a portion of the allowance for loan losses should be reversed.  

    In  addition  to  the  allowance  for  loan  losses,  the  Bank  maintains  an  allowance  for  losses  for 
undisbursed loan commitments, which is reported in other liabilities on the consolidated balance 
sheets.  This allowance was $284,000 at December 31, 2019 and $244,000 at December 31, 2018. 

Deposits 

    Deposits are the Bank’s primary source of funds. In 2019 the Bank developed a plan to attract and 
retain local customers and increase core deposits. This plan is being implemented by way of process 
improvements,  upgrading  technologies,  training  staff  and  enhancing  the  overall  customer 
experience. Increasing the Bank’s core deposits will continue to be a strategic focus for the Bank in 
2020.   

41 

(in thousands) Allowance AllocationAmount of Category Loans to Total Loans  Allowance AllocationAmount of Category Loans to Total Loans  Allowance AllocationAmount of Category Loans to Total Loans  Allowance AllocationAmount of Category Loans to Total Loans Allowance AllocationAmount of Category Loans to Total Loans Commercial & agricultural $       887 22.2% $       904 21.1% $       682 23.2% $       744 22.7% $   1,008 21.6%Real estate - commercial       1,976 53.6%       2,830 56.4%       2,697 54.7%       1,764 53.1%         940 50.4%Real estate - construction and land       1,602 7.7%          705 4.8%          443 3.0%          266 2.2%           57 3.3%Real estate - single family units          323 9.3%          684 11.1%          595 11.7%          577 14.2%         237 18.4%Real estate - multifamily          510 7.2%          308 6.6%          319 7.2%          330 7.7%           43 6.2%Consumer & lease financing             2 0.0%             6 0.0%           14 0.1%           19 0.1%            6 0.2%Unallocated       1,469           592           486        1,065       2,440   Total $    6,769 100% $    6,029 100% $    5,236 100% $    4,765 100% $   4,731 100%20162015Year Ended December 31, 201920172018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    The following table sets forth total deposits by type.  

Deposits by Type 

    The Bank’s strategy is to increase its funding from local deposits and to lower its dependence on 
institutional  funding  such  as  brokered  time  deposits,  State  of  California  time  deposits  and  FHLB 
borrowings.  Strategies employed to increase local deposits include a nonprofit business account 
that provides a donation award for balances maintained and promoting rates of 18-month to two-
year term time deposits and a focus on increasing customer retention and new customers through 
training staff.  

    The Bank offers local depositors with deposits in excess of $250,000 and who are concerned with 
FDIC  insurance  limits,  a  deposit  placement  service  through  a  program  called  CDARS  and  ICS. 
Through  this  program  amounts  in  excess  of  $250,000  can  be  placed  in  certificates  of  deposit  or 
demand  accounts  at  other  institutions  and  the  Bank  receives  reciprocal  deposits  from  other 
institutions  within  the  network.    At  December  31,  2019  and  2018,  there  were  $18,074,000  and 
$19,515,000  in  CDARS  time  deposits  and  $28,210,000  and  $25,124,000  in  ICS  demand  deposits, 
respectively.  In addition to these deposits, the Bank had $22,500,000 and $3,086,000 at December 
31, 2019 and 2018 in wholesale brokered deposits. 

    Certain  time  deposits  are  received  through  a  program  run  by  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  of 
California  to  place  public  deposits  with  community  banks.  At  December  31,  2019,  the  State  of 
California  had  $27,000,000  in  time  deposits  with  the  Bank  secured  by  investment  securities  or 
mortgage  loans,  which  all  matured  in  January  2020  and  were  not  renewed  which  compared  to 
$48,500,000 in 2018.  

    The following table sets forth the average balances by deposit category and the interest cost for 
the periods indicated. 

Average Deposit Balances and Rates Paid 

42 

Balance% of TotalBalance% of TotalDemand Accounts198,467$ 34.6%185,663$ 37.0%Savings and Money Market156,736   27.3%129,877   26.0%Time Deposits218,634   38.1%185,649   37.0%Total Deposits573,837$ 501,189$ Year Ended December 31, 20192018Average BalanceAverage RateAverage BalanceAverage RateAverage BalanceAverage RateNon interest-bearing demand deposits125,789$ 132,520$ 116,134$ Interest-bearing demand deposits64,243     0.14%69,744     0.11%63,217     0.13%Savings and money market134,040   0.85%134,303   0.60%85,057     0.20%Time certificates under $100,00058,775     2.20%31,621     1.33%49,035     0.94%Time certificates $100,000 or over172,742   2.26%135,640   1.62%106,627   0.87%Total deposits555,589$ 1.16%503,828$ 0.69%420,070$ 0.39%20182017(in thousands)Year Ended December 31,2019 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
    The following table sets forth the maturities of time certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more 
outstanding at December 31, 2019 and 2018. 

Maturity of Time Deposits of $100,000 or More 

Borrowings 

    Borrowings  were  $45,600,000  and  $56,800,000  at  December  31,  2019  and  2018,  respectively.  
Borrowings consisted of FHLB advances.  Management utilizes FHLB advances when the terms are 
deemed  advantageous  compared  to  raising  time  deposits  or  brokered  deposits  and  to  manage 
overall  liquidity.    The  decrease  in  FHLB  advances  was  the  result  of  the  bank  leveraging  State  of 
California time deposits and brokered deposits more than FHLB funds.   

ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET  

        RISK 

    The Bank monitors earning asset and deposit levels, developments and trends in interest rates, 
liquidity,  capital  adequacy  and  marketplace  opportunities.  Risks  associated  with  interest  rate 
changes and market risk are managed through the Bank’s Asset and Liability Policy.  This policy is 
reviewed and approved annually by the Board of Directors, and oversight is provided by the Asset 
Liability  Committee  of  the  Board.    Management  responds  to  all  of  these  to  protect  and  possibly 
enhance net interest income, while managing risks within acceptable levels as set forth in the Bank’s 
policies. In addition, alternative business plans and transactions are contemplated for their potential 
impact.  This  process  is  known  as  asset/liability  management  and  is  carried  out  by  changing  the 
maturities  and  relative  proportions  of  the  various  types  of  loans,  investments,  deposits  and 
borrowings in the ways described above. 

    The tool  most commonly used to  manage and  analyze the interest rate  sensitivity of a bank is 
known as a computer simulation model. To quantify the extent of risks in both the Bank’s current 
position and in transactions it might make in the future, the Bank uses a model to simulate the impact 
of different interest rate scenarios on net interest income. The hypothetical impact of both sudden 
(up  to  an  immediate  change  in  interest  rates  of  +/-  4.00%)  and  smaller  incremental  interest  rate 
changes are modeled at least quarterly, representing the primary means the Bank uses for interest 
rate risk management decisions. 

    The Bank is normally liability sensitive during a one-year period meaning that during one year, 
more liabilities will reprice than loans. Liability sensitive banks would expect an increase in the net 
interest margin if interest rates decline and the net interest margin to decline when rates increase. 
However various factors influence the change in the Bank’s margin when general market interest 
rates change. These factors include, but are not limited to, the growth and mix of new assets, deposit 
liabilities and borrowings, the extension or contraction of maturities of new and renewed assets and 
liabilities, the particular shape of the general economic yield curve, and the general influence on 
pricing by competition in the local market for loans and deposits. Additionally, when economic rates 

43 

(in thousands)December 31, 2019December 31, 2018Time deposits of $100,000 or more maturing in:Three months or less62,375$                 73,167$                 Over three through six months27,025                   10,344                   Over six to twelve months42,499                   48,651                   Over twelve months29,543                   23,670                   Total time deposits of $100,000 or more161,442$               155,832$                
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
change, there is an immediate impact from loans that are tied to a daily “prime lending or other 
index rate.” The repricing of liabilities to offset this change requires time for deposits to mature and 
renew. Based strictly on maturing time deposits and borrowings, and without the other factors listed 
above,  it  normally  will  take  three  months  for  the  Bank  to  reprice  liabilities  to  offset  a  prime  rate 
change. 

    At December 31, 2019, the computer simulation model for a +2.00% interest rate shock results in 
the  Bank’s  net  interest  income  for  a  twelve-month  period  to  decrease  by  4.5%  or  $1,109,000.  A 
negative  2.00%  interest  rate  shock  results  in  the  Bank’s  net  interest  income  for  a  twelve-month 
period  to  increase  by  2.8%  or  $699,000.    Computer  simulation  models  use  information  from  the 
Bank’s  loan  and  deposit  system  at  a  static  point  in  time  and  bases  the  repricing  of  assets  and 
liabilities on contractual terms, and certain assumptions as to movements of various rate indexes 
and management assumptions regarding when to reprice certain portfolios not linked to an index.  
The actual results experienced from interest rate changes can vary from the results of the simulation.   

    The Bank monitors a ratio called the economic value of equity which is the theoretical projected 
change in fair values of financial assets (loans, investment securities, deposits and borrowings) that 
may impact equity for a given change in interest rates.  Major assumptions used in determining the 
fair values include maturities, repricing periods, and decay rates of non-maturity deposits.  As the 
calculation is highly dependent on assumptions, as well as the change in the shape of the yield curve 
being modeled, it is not considered to be an exact calculation, but is used as an interest rate risk 
monitoring  tool.    The  computer  simulation  model  for  a  +2.00%  non-parallel  interest  rate  shock 
results in an 8.1% decrease in the economic value of equity. A negative 2.00% non-parallel interest 
rate shock results in a 2.4% increase in the economic value of equity. 

    When preparing its modeling, the Bank makes significant assumptions about the lag in the rate of 
change  and  impacts  of  optionality  in  various  asset  and  liability  categories.  The  Bank  bases  its 
assumptions  on  past  experience  and  comparisons  with  other  banks  and  tests  the  validity  of  its 
assumptions by reviewing actual results with past projected expectations annually. As the impact of 
changing  interest  rates  depends  on  assumptions,  actual  experience  can  materially  differ  from 
projections. The purpose of the model is to forecast the likely impact in order for management to 
monitor exposures to interest rate risk and make adjustments to the balance sheet if needed.  

Liquidity and Capital Resources 

    Maintenance of adequate liquidity requires that sufficient resources be available at all times to 
meet cash flow requirements of the Bank. Liquidity in a banking institution is required primarily to 
provide for deposit withdrawals and the credit needs of customers and to take advantage of lending 
and investment opportunities as they arise. A bank may achieve desired liquidity from both assets 
and  liabilities.  Cash  and  deposits  held  in  other  banks,  federal  funds  sold,  other  short-term 
investments,  maturing  loans  and  investments,  payments  of  principal  and  interest  on  loans  and 
investments, and potential loan sales are sources of asset liquidity. Deposit growth and access to 
credit  lines  established  with  correspondent  banks,  primarily  with  the  FHLB,  Federal  Reserve  and 
access  to  brokered  certificates  of  deposits  are  sources  of  liability  liquidity.  The  Bank  reviews  its 
liquidity position on a regular basis based upon its current position and expected trends of loans 
and deposits. Management believes that the Bank maintains adequate sources of liquidity to meet 
its liquidity needs. 

    The Bank’s liquid assets, defined as cash, deposits with banks, Federal funds sold and unpledged 
investment securities, totaled $94,647,000 and $62,964,000 at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 
2018, respectively, and constituted 14% and 10%, respectively, of total assets on those dates. 

44 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    At December 31, 2019, the Bank had $223,944,000 in borrowing lines of credit from the FHLB and 
correspondent banks with $45,600,000 in outstanding advances from the FHLB.  At  December 31, 
2018,  these  lines  of  credit  available  were  $178,573,000  with  $56,800,000  in  FHLB  advances 
outstanding.  The primary sources of cash during 2017, 2018 and 2019 were from cash generated 
from operating activities, sales, calls and maturities of investment securities, increases in deposit 
balances  and  changes  in  FHLB  advances.    Primary  uses  of  cash  were  for  loan  originations, 
investment securities purchases and to fund a net change in demand products.   

    In  2019,  cash  was  primarily  provided  by  $10.0  million  in  calls  and  maturities  of  investment 
securities, $9.0 million in proceeds from sales of investment securities, $20.3 million from proceeds 
on sale of loans, $33.0 million in net change in certificate of deposits, $39.7 million net change in 
demand, savings and money market deposits and $5.9 million Junior Subordinated Note.  Cash was 
used in 2019 primarily to fund a $90.1 million net change in loans.  

    In  2018,  cash  was  primarily  provided  by  $10.2  million  in  calls  and  maturities  of  investment 
securities, $9.3 million from proceeds on sale of loans, $18.4 million in net change in certificate of 
deposits and $41.8 million in net change in FHLB advances.  Cash was used in 2018 primarily to fund 
a  $74.8  million  net  change  in  loans,  fund  a  net  change  in  demand,  savings  and  money  market 
deposits of $50.7 million and purchase $3.5 million in investment securities.  

    In 2017, cash was primarily provided by $46.3 million in calls, maturities and sales of investment 
securities, $111.2 million in net change of demand, savings and money market deposits, $38 million 
in net change in certificates of deposit, $5.1 million from the sale of loans and operating activities of 
$4.2  million  in  2017.    Cash  was  used  in  2017  primarily  to  purchase  $17  million  in  investment 
securities, fund a $86.9 million net change in loans and fund a net change in FHLB advances of $53.9 
million. 

    For additional information, please see the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in Item 8 of this 
Form 10-K. 

    The  Board  of  Directors  recognizes  that  a  strong  capital  position  is  vital  to  growth,  continued 
profitability,  and  depositor  and  investor  confidence.  The  policy  of  the  Board  of  Directors  is  to 
maintain sufficient capital at not less than the “well-capitalized” thresholds established by banking 
regulators.  As  of  December  31,  2019  and  2019,  the  Bank  maintained  capital  ratios  in  excess  of 
regulatory requirements.  

    Shareholders’ equity also includes the Bank’s accumulated other comprehensive income or (loss), 
net  of  taxes  of  $457,000  at  December  31,  2019  and  $(1,789,000)  at  December  31,  2018.  Other 
comprehensive income (loss) reflects the fair value adjustment, net of tax, of investment securities 
classified  as  available-for-sale.  This  will  fluctuate  based  on  the  amount  of  securities  classified  as 
available-for-sale and changes in market interest rates. Total shareholders’ equity was $67,344,000 
at December 31, 2019 and $61,520,000 at December 31, 2018.  

    Federal  regulations  establish  guidelines  for  calculating  “risk-adjusted”  capital  ratios  and 
minimum ratio requirements. Under these regulations, banks are required to maintain a total capital 
ratio  of  8.0%,  common  equity  Tier  1  capital  ratio  of  4.5%,  and  Tier 1  risk-based  capital  (primarily 
shareholders’ equity) of at least 6.0% of risk-weighted assets. The Bank had a total capital ratio of 
12.4%, common equity Tier 1 capital and Tier 1 risk-based capital ratios of 10.2% at December 31, 
2018  and  placing  its  capital  ratios  in  excess  of  the  minimum  required  to  be  considered  “well-
capitalized” under the regulatory guidelines.  

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    In  addition,  regulators  have  adopted  a  minimum  leverage  ratio  standard  for  Tier 1  capital  to 
average  assets.  The  minimum  ratio  for  top-rated  institutions  may  be  as  low  as  4%.  However, 
regulatory  agencies  have  stated  that  most  institutions  should  maintain  ratios  at  least  1  to 
2 percentage points above the  4%  minimum. As of  December 31, 2019, the Bank’s leverage ratio 
was 9%.  Capital levels for the Bank remain above established regulatory capital requirements.  The 
Bank excludes other comprehensive income for regulatory capital computations. 

    Quarterly  dividends  are  paid  out  of  retained  earnings.  The  Bank  paid  $0.48  or  $2,913,000  in 
dividends  on  common  stock  during  2019.  The  California  Financial  Code  restricts  total  dividend 
payment  of  any  bank  in  any  calendar  year  without  permission  of  the  California  Department  of 
Business Oversight, to the lesser of (1) the bank’s retained earnings or (2) the bank’s net income for 
its last three fiscal years, less distributions made to shareholders during the same three-year period.  
The Bank is not subject to this restriction based on its current dividend levels as of  December 31, 
2019. 

    Although the Bank’s regulatory capital ratios are in excess of requirements and notwithstanding 
the  requirements  of  the  California  Financial  Code,  the  Board  of  Directors  reviews  and  declares 
dividends on a quarterly basis and there is no assurance that future dividends will be declared.    

Impact of Inflation 

    The  primary  impact  of  inflation  on  the  Bank  is  its  effect  on  interest  rates.  The  Bank’s  primary 
source of income is net interest income, which is affected by changes in interest rates. The Bank 
attempts  to  limit  the  impact  of  inflation  on  its  net  interest  margin  through  management  of  rate-
sensitive  assets  and  liabilities  and  analyses  of  interest  rate  sensitivity.  The  effect  of  inflation  on 
premises and equipment as well as on non-interest expenses has not been significant for the periods 
presented. 

46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA 

SUMMIT STATE BANK AND SUBSIDIARY 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2018 

AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED 

DECEMBER 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 

AND 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   

47 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of 
Summit State Bank and Subsidiary 

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

We  have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated balance  sheets  of  Summit  State  Bank  and 
subsidiary (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements 
of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the 
three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as 
the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over 
financial  reporting  as  of  December  31,  2019,  based  on  criteria  established  in  Internal Control - 
Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway 
Commission (“COSO”).  

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material 
respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and 
the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period 
ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United 
States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective 
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in 
Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO. 

Basis for Opinions 

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

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

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the 
risks  of  material  misstatement  of  the  consolidated financial  statements,  whether  due  to  error  or 

48 

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

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

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

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

Sacramento, California 
March 16, 2020 
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2012. 

49 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

Management of the Bank is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control 
over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide 
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial 
statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles 
("GAAP"). The Bank’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures 
that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect 
the  transactions  and  dispositions  of  the  Bank's  assets;  (2)  provide  reasonable  assurance  that 
transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance 
with  GAAP,  and  that  receipts  and  expenditures  are  being  made  only  in  accordance  with 
authorizations  of  management  and  board  of  directors;  and  (3)  provide  reasonable  assurance 
regarding  prevention,  or  timely  detection  and  correction  of  unauthorized  acquisition,  use,  or 
disposition of the Bank's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. 

Management  conducted  an  assessment  of  the  effectiveness  of  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting  as  of  December 31,  2019,  utilizing  the  framework  established  in  Internal  Control  - 
Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway 
Commission  (COSO).  Based  on  this  assessment,  Management  has  concluded  that  the  Company 
maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019. 

The  Bank's  independent  registered  public  accounting  firm,  Moss  Adams  LLP,  has  issued  an 
attestation report on our  internal control over financial reporting,  which appears on the previous 
page. 

/s/ James E. Brush 
James E. Brush  
President and Chief Executive Officer 

/s/ Camille D. Kazarian  
Camille D. Kazarian 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 

50 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
51 

December 31,December 31,20192018Cash and due from banks38,299$         21,693$         Total cash and cash equivalents38,299           21,693           Investment securities:Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost7,998            7,991            Available-for-sale (at fair value; amortized cost of $53,591in 2019 and $72,716 in 2018)54,241           70,174           Total investment securities62,239           78,165           Loans, less allowance for loan losses of $6,769in 2019 and $6,029 in 2018576,548         504,549         Bank premises and equipment, net6,301            5,803            Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost3,342            3,085            Goodwill4,119            4,119            Accrued interest receivable and other assets5,130            4,690            Total assets695,978$       622,104$       Deposits:Demand - non interest-bearing129,084$       120,011$       Demand - interest-bearing69,383           65,652           Savings28,359           25,817           Money market128,377         104,060         Time deposits that meet or exceed the FDIC insurance limit76,564           83,071           Other time deposits142,070         102,578         Total deposits573,837         501,189         Federal Home Loan Bank advances45,600           56,800           Junior subordinated debt5,862            -                   Accrued interest payable and other liabilities3,335            2,595            Total liabilities628,634         560,584         Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)Shareholders' equity Preferred stock, no par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized;-                   -                   Common stock, no par value; shares authorized - 30,000,000 shares; issuedand outstanding 6,069,600 in 2019 and 6,066,475 in 201836,981           36,967           Retained earnings29,906           26,342           Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax457               (1,789)           Total shareholders' equity67,344           61,520           Total liabilities and shareholders' equity695,978$       622,104$       no shares issued and outstandingThe accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited consolidated financial statements.SUMMIT STATE BANK AND SUBSIDIARYCONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(In thousands except share data)ASSETSLIABILITIES ANDSHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 
 
52 

Year Ended December 31,201920182017Interest income:Interest and fees on loans27,585$ 22,663$ 17,176$ Interest on deposits with banks251       247       162       Interest on federal funds sold-            14         17         Interest on investment securities1,941     2,382     3,126     Dividends on FHLB stock224       266       232       Total interest income30,001   25,572   20,713   Interest expense:Deposits 6,422     3,509     1,639     Federal Home Loan Bank advances414       441       502       Junior subordinated debt189       -            -            Total interest expense7,025     3,950     2,141     Net interest income before provision for loan losses22,976   21,622   18,572   Provision for loan losses 700       530       520       Net interest income after provision for loan losses22,276   21,092   18,052   Non-interest income:Service charges on deposit accounts869       765       695       Rental income344       553       574       Net gain on loan sales1,253     748       351       Net securities (loss) gain(6)          27         72         Other income202       216       23         Total non-interest income2,662     2,309     1,715     Non-interest expense:Salaries and employee benefits9,836     9,151     7,788     Occupancy and equipment 1,693     1,536     1,503     Other expenses4,534     4,670     4,554     Total non-interest expense16,063   15,357   13,845   Income before provision for income taxes8,875     8,044     5,922     Provision for income taxes 2,398     2,217     2,630     Net income6,477$   5,827$   3,292$   Basic earnings per common share1.07$     0.96$     0.55$     Diluted earnings per common share1.07$     0.96$     0.54$     Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding6,0696,0656,031Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding6,0746,0726,059SUMMIT STATE BANK AND SUBSIDIARYCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME(In thousands except earnings per share data)The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited consolidated financial statements. 
 
 
53 

Year Ended December 31,201920182017Net income6,477$      5,827$      3,292$      Change in securities available-for-sale:Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securites     arising during the period3,186        (1,563)       751                         6             (27)            (72)Net unrealized gains (losses), before provision for income tax3,192        (1,590)       679           Provision for income tax (expense) benefit(946)          398           (286)          Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax2,246        (1,192)       393           Comprehensive income8,723$      4,635$      3,685$           on sales of available-for-sale securitiesReclassification adjustment for losses (gains) realized in net income SUMMIT STATE BANK AND SUBSIDIARYCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME(In thousands) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
54 

AccumulatedOtherTotalCommon StockRetainedComprehensiveShareholders'SharesAmountEarningsIncome (Loss)EquityBalance, January 1, 20176,02036,72622,781(885)58,622Net income3,292           3,292              Other comprehensive income, net of tax393                     393                 Tax effect of reclass from accumulated other comprehensive income105              (105)                    -                      Exercise of stock options21                121                121                 Cash dividends - $0.46 per share(2,751)         (2,751)             Balance, December 31, 20176,04136,84723,427(597)59,677Net income5,827           5,827              Other comprehensive loss, net of tax(1,192)                 (1,192)             Exercise of stock options25                120                120                 Cash dividends - $0.48 per share(2,912)         (2,912)             Balance, December 31, 20186,066           36,967$         26,342$       (1,789)$               61,520$          Net income6,477           6,477              Other comprehensive income, net of tax2,246                  2,246              Exercise of stock options4                  14                  14                   Cash dividends - $0.48 per share(2,913)         (2,913)             Balance, December 31, 20196,070           36,981$         29,906$       457$                   67,344$          SUMMIT STATE BANK AND SUBSIDIARYCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY(In thousands except per share data) 
 
 
 
55 

201920182017Cash flows from operating activities:Net income6,477$        5,827$        3,292$        Adjustments to reconcile net income to netcash from operating activities:Depreciation and amortization498             346             339             Securities amortization and accretion, net31              158             387             Accretion of deferred loan fees(1,679)         (1,293)         (1,336)         Provision for loan losses700             530             520             Net securities loss (gains)6                (27)             (72)             Net gain on loan sales(1,253)         (748)            (351)            Deferred tax impairment due to tax rate change-                 -                 292             Net change in accrued interestreceivable and other assets(135)            (907)            531             Net change in accrued interestpayable and other liabilities(744)            (235)            722             Share-based compensation expense235             156             21              Tax benefit from stock-based compensation-                 (61)             (103)            Net cash from operating activities4,136          3,746          4,242          Cash flows from investing activities:Net change in time deposits with banks-                 -                 248             Purchases of available-for-sale investmentsecurities-                 (3,476)         (16,971)       Proceeds from sales of available-for-saleinvestment securities9,059          -                 36,721        Proceeds from calls and maturities of available-for-saleinvestment securities10,020        10,239        9,605          Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank stock(257)            -                 -                 Loan origination and principal collections, net(90,090)       (74,789)       (86,886)       Purchases of bank premises and equipment, net(996)            (870)            (205)            Proceeds from sales of loans other than loansoriginated for resale20,323        9,345          5,097          Net cash used in investing activities(51,941)       (59,551)       (52,391)       SUMMIT STATE BANK AND SUBSIDIARYCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWSYear Ended December 31,(In thousands)(Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
56 

201920182017Cash flows from financing activities:Net change in demand, savingsand money market deposits39,663        (50,729)       111,273      Net change in certificates of deposit32,985        18,405        37,989        Net change in short term Federal Home Loan Bank advances(23,700)       41,800        (53,900)       Net change in long term Federal Home Loan Bank advances12,500        -                 -                 Net proceeds received upon issuance of Junior Subordinated Debt5,862          -                 -                 Dividends paid on common stock(2,913)         (2,912)         (2,751)         Proceeds from exercise of stock options14              120             121             Net cash from financing activities64,411        6,684          92,732        Net change in cash and cash equivalents16,606        (49,121)       44,583        Cash and cash equivalents at beginningof year21,693        70,814        26,231        Cash and cash equivalents at end of period38,299$      21,693$      70,814$      Supplemental disclosure of cash flowinformation:Cash paid during the period for:Interest 6,991$        3,827$        2,080$        Income taxes 2,140$        3,220$        2,665$        Noncash investing activities:       Transfer from loans to other real estate ownedNet unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities3,192$        (1,590)$       679$                  Transfer from investments available-for-saleInitial Recognition of Lease Right-of-Use Assets1,249$        -$               -$               Initial Recognition of Lease Liabilities1,249$        -$               -$               (In thousands)SUMMIT STATE BANK AND SUBSIDIARYCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWSYear Ended December 31,The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited consolidated financial statements. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SUMMIT STATE BANK AND SUBSIDIARY 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

1. 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

General 

On January 15, 1999, Summit State Bank (the “Bank”) received authority to transact business 
as a California state-chartered commercial bank and is subject to regulation, supervision and 
examination  by  the  California  Department  of  Business  Oversight  and  the  Federal  Deposit 
Insurance Corporation. The Bank was organized under a charter granted by the Department 
of Savings and Loan of the State of California under the name Summit Savings.  The Bank 
was incorporated on December 20, 1982. The Bank converted to a federal savings bank under 
a charter granted by the Office of Thrift Supervision on May 24, 1990.  The Bank provides a 
variety  of  banking  services  to  individuals  and  businesses  in  its  primary  service  area  of 
Sonoma  County,  California.    The  Bank's  branch  locations  include  Santa  Rosa,  Petaluma, 
Rohnert Park and Healdsburg.  The Bank offers depository and lending services primarily to 
meet the needs of its business and individual clientele.  These services include a variety of 
transaction,  money  market,  savings  and  time  deposit  account  alternatives.    The  Bank's 
lending  activities  are  directed  primarily  towards  commercial  real  estate,  construction  and 
business loans.  The Bank originally used its subsidiary Alto Service Corporation for its deed 
of trust services.  On July 17, 2019 the Bank filed a certification of dissolution and the filing 
effectively dissolved ALTO. 

The  accounting  and  reporting  policies  of  the  Bank  and  its  subsidiary  conform  with 
accounting  principles  generally  accepted  in  the  United  States  of  America  and  prevailing 
practices within the banking industry. 

Principles of Consolidation 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Bank and its wholly-owned 
subsidiary, Alto Service Corporation. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions 
have been eliminated in consolidation. 

Use of Estimates 

The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  U.S.  Generally  Accepted 
Accounting  Principles  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and  assumptions.  These 
estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date 
of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the 
reporting  period.  Actual  results  could  differ  from  these  estimates.  The  allowance  for  loan 
losses,  goodwill  impairment  and  fair  values  of  investment  securities  and  other  financial 
instruments are particularly subject to change. 

Junior Subordinated Debt 

On June 28, 2019 the Bank completed the private placement of $6,000,000 in fixed-to-floating 
rate subordinated notes (the “Notes”) to support organic growth and for general corporate 
purposes. The Notes are for a 10-year term, due June 30, 2029, and have been structured to 
qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes. The Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 

57 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6.0% per annum until June 30, 2024.  For the remainder of the term, through June 30, 2029, 
the  Notes  will  bear  interest  at  a  rate  equal  to  3-month  Libor  plus  362  basis  points.  In  the 
event Libor is discontinued, the Notes will bear interest at a rate equal to the forward-looking 
term SOFR rate for a corresponding period plus 362 basis points.  The Notes are redeemable 
by the Bank at its option, in whole or in part, on or after June 30, 2024, or in whole but not 
in part under certain other circumstances.  The Notes are reported net of any debt issuance 
cost which totaled $138,000 at December 31, 2019. 

Alto Service Corporation Dissolution 

Alto Service Corporation (“Alto”) was originally established to act as the Trustee for Deeds 
of  Trust  and  is  wholly  owned  by  the  Bank.   In  June  2019  the  Bank  began  the  process  to 
dissolve Alto in accordance with the Bank’s Plan of Dissolution which included paying off all 
of its liabilities, which totaled $0, and distributing its net assets to the Bank. A Certificate of 
Dissolution was filed with the State of California and Alto was dissolved effective July 17, 
2019. 

Cash and Cash Equivalents 

For the purpose of the consolidated statement of cash flows, the Bank considers cash and 
due from banks with original maturities under  90  days and Federal funds sold to be cash 
equivalents.    Generally,  Federal  funds  are  sold  for  one-day  periods.    Net  cash  flows  are 
reported for customer loan and deposit transactions, time deposits in banks and short-term 
borrowings with an original maturity of 90 days or less.   

Investment Securities 

Investments are classified into the following categories: 

•  Available-for-sale  securities,  reported  at  fair  value,  with  unrealized  gains  and  losses 
excluded from earnings and reported, net of taxes, as accumulated other comprehensive 
income (loss) within shareholders' equity.  

•  Held-to-maturity securities, which management has the positive intent and ability to hold 
to  maturity,  reported  at  amortized  cost,  adjusted  for  the  accretion  of  discounts  and 
amortization of premiums. 

Management  determines  the  appropriate  classification  of  its  investments  at  the  time  of 
purchase  and  may  only  change  the  classification  in  certain  limited  circumstances.    All 
transfers between categories are accounted for at fair value. 

Gains or losses on the sale of investment securities are recorded on the trade date and are 
computed on the specific identification method.  Interest earned on investment securities is 
reported  in  interest  income,  net  of  applicable  adjustments  for  accretion  of  discounts  and 
amortization of premiums on the level yield method.  

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on at least 
a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such 
an evaluation.  For securities in an unrealized loss position, Specific investment level factors 
we  examine  to  assess  impairment  include  whether  (1)  it  is  unlikely  the  full  amount  of 
contractual principal and interest will be recouped over the life of the investment, or (2) the 
bank has specific plans to sell the impaired security, or it is likely they may be required to 

58 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
sell the security, prior to a full recovery. Other factors are evaluated, such as deterioration in 
earnings, failure to make payments, significant adverse changes in regulatory or other such 
environments,  bona  fide  offer  to  purchase  or  other  factors  that  could  raise  significant 
concerns.  However,  these  other  factors  on  their  own  will  not  qualify  as  a  primary 
determinant  of  OTTI.  For  debt  securities  that  are  identified  as  impaired,  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  for  available-for-sale  and  held-to-maturity 
investments and 2) OTTI related to other factors, which is recognized in other comprehensive 
income  or  (loss)  for  available-for-sale  investments.   The  credit  loss  is  defined  as  the 
difference  between  the  present  value  of  the  cash  flows  expected  to  be  collected  and  the 
amortized cost basis.  

Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank Stock 

In order to borrow from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLB), the Bank is 
required to maintain an investment in the capital stock of the FHLB.  The investment is carried 
at cost and is generally redeemable at par.  Both cash and stock dividends are reported as 
income.  

Loans 

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until 
maturity are stated at principal balances outstanding, net of deferred loan origination fees 
and  costs  and  the  allowance  for  loan  losses,  adjusted  for  accretion  of  discounts  or 
amortization of premiums.  Interest is accrued daily based upon outstanding loan balances.  
However, for all loan classes, when in the opinion of management, loans are considered to 
be impaired and the future collectability of interest and principal is in serious doubt, loans 
are  placed  on  nonaccrual  status  and  the  accrual  of  interest  income  is  suspended.    Any 
interest previously accrued, but unpaid, is charged against income.  Payments received are 
applied  to  reduce  principal  to  the  extent  necessary  to  ensure  collection.    Subsequent 
payments on these loans, or payments received on nonaccrual loans for which the ultimate 
collectability of principal is not in doubt, are applied first to earned but unpaid interest and 
then to principal. 

Substantially all loan origination fees, commitment fees, direct loan origination costs and 
purchase premiums and discounts on loans are deferred and recognized in interest income 
using the level yield method, to be amortized to interest income over the contractual term of 
the loan.  The unamortized balance of deferred fees and costs is reported as a component of 
net loans. 

Non-accrual loans and loans past due 90 days still on accrual include both smaller balance 
homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment and individually classified 
impaired loans.  A loan is moved to non-accrual status in accordance with the Bank’s policy, 
typically after 90 days of non-payment. 

For  loans  whose  contractual  terms  have  been  restructured  in  a  manner  which  grants  a 
concession to a borrower experiencing financial difficulties (“troubled debt restructuring”), 
they are returned to accrual status when there has been a sustained period of repayment 
performance (generally, six consecutive monthly payments) according to the modified terms 
and there is reasonable assurance of repayment and of performance. 

59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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  management  believes  the  un-
collectability of a loan balance is confirmed.  Loans or portions of loans are charged off when 
there is a distinct probability of loss identified.  A distinct probability of loss exists when it 
has been determined that any remaining sources of repayment are not sufficient to cover all 
outstanding principal.  The probable loss is immediately calculated based on the value of 
the  remaining  sources  of  repayment  and  charged  to  the  allowance  for  loan  losses.  
Subsequent  recoveries,  if  any,  are  credited  to  the  allowance.    Management  estimates  the 
allowance balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the 
portfolio,  information  about  specific  borrower  situations  and  estimated  collateral  values, 
economic  conditions,  and  other  factors.  Allocations  of  the  allowance  may  be  made  for 
specific  loans,  but  the  entire  allowance  is  available  for  any  loan  that,  in  management’s 
judgment, should be charged-off.   

A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the 
Bank will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan 
agreement. Commercial & agricultural, real estate-commercial, real estate-construction and 
land,  and  real  estate-multifamily  loans  are  individually  evaluated  for  impairment.    Large 
groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans such as real estate-single family units and 
consumer & lease financing are collectively evaluated for impairment, and accordingly, they 
are not separately identified for impairment disclosures.  Impaired loans are measured on 
the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective 
interest rate.  As a practical expedient, impairment may be measured based on the loan’s 
observable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.  
When the measure of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, the 
impairment is recorded through an allocation of a portion of the allowance for loan losses. 
Loans, for which the terms have been modified granting concessions to the borrower that 
the Bank would not otherwise consider, and for which the borrower is experiencing financial 
difficulties, are considered troubled debt restructurings and classified as impaired. Troubled 
debt restructurings are measured at the present value of estimated future cash flows using 
the loan’s effective interest rate at inception.  

The allowance consists of specific and general components.  The specific component relates 
to loans that are individually classified as impaired.  The general component covers loans 
that  are  both  non-impaired  and  non-classified  and  is  based  on  historical  loss  experience 
adjusted  for  qualitative  factors.  The  historical  loss  experience  is  determined  by  portfolio 
segment and is based on the actual loss history experienced by the Bank dating back to 2009.  
This actual loss experience is supplemented with other qualitative factors based on the risks 
present for  each portfolio segment.  These factors include consideration of the following:  
levels  of  and  trends  in  delinquencies  and  impaired  loans;  These  factors  include 
economic/sector  trends,  lending  policy  changes,  changes  in  loan  review,  growth  trends, 
concentrations as a percent of capital, collateral value, changes in personnel and changes is 
delinquencies.    The  following  portfolio  segments  have  been  identified:  commercial  & 
agricultural,  real  estate  mortgage  loans  and  consumer  &  lease  financing.  Real  estate 
mortgage loans have been further classified according to the following risk characteristics: 
commercial,  construction  and  land,  single  family  units  and  multifamily  units.    Loan 
categories  used  in  presentations  in  this  report  conform  to  the  categorizations  used  by 

60 

 
 
 
 
regulatory  Call  Reports  as  described  by  the  instructions  issued  by  the  Federal  Financial 
Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC). 

Commercial  and  Agricultural  Loans  -  Commercial  and  agricultural  credit  is  extended  to 
commercial  customers  for  use  in  normal  business  operations  to  finance  working  capital 
needs, equipment purchases, farm land, or other projects.  The majority of these borrowers 
are  customers  doing  business  within  our  geographic  regions.    These  loans  are  generally 
underwritten  individually  and  secured  with  the  assets  of  the  company  and  the  personal 
guarantee  of  the  business  owners.    Commercial  &  agricultural  loans  are  made  based 
primarily  on  the  historical  and  projected  cash  flow  of  the  borrower  and  the  underlying 
collateral provided by the borrowers.  This category includes loans secured by farmland. 

Commercial  and  Multifamily  Real  Estate  Loans  -  Commercial  and  multifamily  real  estate 
loans  are  subject  to  underwriting  standards  and  processes  similar  to  commercial  loans.  
These loans are  viewed  primarily as cash flow loans and the repayment of these loans is 
largely dependent on the successful operation of the property.  Loan performance may be 
adversely affected by factors impacting the general economy or conditions specific to the 
real estate market such as geographic location and property type. 

Construction  and  Land  Real  Estate  Loans  -  Construction  and  land  real  estate  loans  are 
extended  to  qualified  commercial  and  individual  customers  and  are  underwritten  and 
secured by the assets of the company or individual.  Commercial construction credits may 
also be secured with personal guarantees of the business owner.  Credits are underwritten 
to meet the general credit policy criteria for current and projected cash flow coverage and 
loan-to-value.  Terms for construction and land loans are typically of shorter duration and 
have  more  restrictive  advance  rates  than  similar  commercial  credit  or  single-family 
residences.  Both types of credit may be refinanced to a long-term loan upon completion of 
construction.  The majority of these credits are  with customers doing business within the 
Bank’s geographic region. 

Consumer and Lease Financing Loans - Consumer and lease financing loans are primarily 
comprised of loans made directly to consumers.  These loans have a specific underwriting 
matrix which consists of several factors including debt to income, type of collateral and loan 
to  collateral  value,  credit  history  and  relationship  to  the  borrower.    Consumer  and  lease 
financing lending uses risk-based pricing in the underwriting process. 

Single Family Residential Loans - Single family residential mortgage loans represent loans 
to  consumers  for  the  purchase  or  refinance  of  a  residence.    These  loans  are  generally 
financed  up  to  30  years,  and  in  most  cases,  are  extended  to  borrowers  to  finance  their 
primary  residence.   Real  estate market values at the time of origination directly affect the 
amount of credit extended, and in the event of default, subsequent changes in these values 
may impact the severity of losses.  Additionally, commercial loans may be categorized as 
Single Family Residential if the loan is secured by a mortgage on a home.  These loans are 
underwritten as described in Commercial and Agricultural Loans above and have terms such 
as interest rates and maturities as a standard Commercial Loan. 

The Bank is subject to periodic examinations by its federal and state regulatory examiners 
and  may  be  required  by  such  regulators  to  recognize  additions  to  the  allowance  for  loan 
losses based on their assessment of credit information available to them at the time of their 
examinations.  The process of assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is 
necessarily  subjective.    Further,  and  particularly  in  times  of  economic  downturns,  it  is 
reasonably possible that future credit losses may exceed historical loss levels and may also 
exceed management’s current estimates of incurred credit losses inherent within the loan 

61 

 
portfolio.    As  such,  there  can  be  no  assurance  that  future  charge-offs  will  not  exceed 
management’s current estimate of what constitutes a reasonable allowance for credit losses. 

Valuation of Goodwill 

Goodwill  and  intangible  assets  acquired  in  a  purchase  business  combination  and 
determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but tested for impairment at 
least  annually.  The  Bank  has  selected  December  31  as  the  date  to  perform  the  annual 
impairment  test.    Intangible  assets  with  definite  useful  lives  are  amortized  over  their 
estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Goodwill is the only intangible asset 
with an indefinite life on our balance sheet. 

Management  assesses  the  carrying  value  of  our  goodwill  at  least  annually  in  order  to 
determine if this intangible asset is impaired.  In reviewing the carrying value of our goodwill, 
we  assess  the  recoverability  of  such  assets  by  evaluating  the  fair  value  of  the  related 
business unit.  If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its fair value, or other factors are 
identified that may impact valuation, an impairment loss is recognized for the amount of the 
excess and the carrying value of goodwill is reduced accordingly.  Any impairment would 
be required to be recorded during the period identified.   

The annual evaluation of goodwill for impairment uses  the Bank’s stock price, equity and 
shares  outstanding  to  calculate  book  value  and  make  a  determination.  Management 
performed an assessment of qualitative factors impacting the Bank and determined goodwill 
was not impaired at December 31, 2019.   

Other Real Estate Owned 

Other  real  estate  owned  includes  real  estate  acquired  in  full  or  partial  settlement  of  loan 
obligations.  When property is acquired, any excess of the Bank's recorded investment in the 
loan  balance  and  accrued  interest  income  over  the  estimated  fair  market  value  of  the 
property, less costs to sell, is charged against the allowance for loan losses.  A valuation 
allowance for losses on other real estate, if needed, is maintained to provide for declines in 
value.  The allowance is established through a provision for losses on other real estate which 
is included in other expenses.  Subsequent gains or losses on sales or write-downs resulting 
from impairment  are recorded in other income or expenses as incurred.   Operating costs 
after acquisition are expensed and  any rental income from the properties are recorded as 
income.  There was no other real estate owned at December 31, 2019 and 2018. 

Bank Premises and Equipment 

Land is carried at cost. Buildings, furniture, fixtures, and equipment are carried at cost  less 
accumulated depreciation.  Depreciation is determined using the straight-line method over 
the estimated useful lives of the related assets.  The useful lives of buildings are estimated 
to  be  39  years  and  furniture,  fixtures  and  equipment  are  estimated  to  be  3  to  15  years.  
Leasehold improvements are amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset or the term 
of the related lease, whichever is shorter.  When assets are sold or otherwise disposed of, 
the  cost  and  related  accumulated  depreciation  are  removed  from  the  accounts,  and  any 
resulting gain or loss is recognized in income for the period.  The cost of maintenance and 
repairs is charged to expense as incurred. 

The Bank evaluates premises and equipment for financial impairment as events or changes 
in  circumstances  indicate  that  the  carrying  amount  of  such  assets  may  not  be  fully 
recoverable. 

62 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Taxes 

The Bank files its income taxes on a consolidated basis with its subsidiary.  The allocation of 
income  tax  expense  (benefit)  represents  each  entity's  proportionate  share  of  the 
consolidated provision for income taxes.  Income tax expense is the total of the current year 
income tax due or refundable and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities.  

Deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  recognized  for  the  tax  consequences  of  temporary 
differences  between  the  reported  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  and  their  tax  basis.  
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates 
on the date of enactment.  A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to 
the amount expected to  be realized.   On the consolidated balance sheet, net deferred tax 
assets are included in accrued interest receivable and other assets.   

A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is "more likely than not" that the tax position 
would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur.  
The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of 
being realized on examination.  For tax positions not meeting the "more likely than not" test, 
no tax benefit is recorded.   

The Bank recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax 
expense.  The Bank has not accrued any potential interest and penalties as of December 31, 
2019  and  December  31,  2018  and  for  the  three  years  ended  December  31,  2019  for 
uncertainties related to income taxes.   

Earnings Per Common Share 

Basic earnings per common share (EPS), which excludes dilution, is computed by dividing 
income  available  to  common  shareholders  by  the  weighted-average  number  of  common 
shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution 
that  could  occur  if  contracts  to  issue  common  stock,  such  as  stock  options,  result  in  the 
issuance of common stock which shares in the earnings of the Bank. Stock options for 2,260, 
3,318 and 8,087 shares of common stock were not considered in computing diluted earnings 
per share for 2019, 2018 and 2017 because they were anti-dilutive. 

63 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The factors used in the earnings per common share computation follow: 

Share-Based Compensation 

Compensation  cost  is  recognized  for  stock  options  and  stock  appreciation  rights  (“SARs) 
granted  to  employees,  based  on  the  fair  value  of  these  awards  at  the  date  of  grant.  A 
calculation of the Bank’s volatility is utilized to estimate the fair value of stock options and 
SARs. Compensation cost is recognized over the required service period, generally defined 
as the vesting period. 

Revenue Recognition 

The  Bank  records  revenue  from  contracts  with  customers  in  accordance  with  Accounting 
Standards Codification Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“Topic 606”). 
Under  Topic  606,  the  Bank  must  identify  the  contract  with  a  customer,  identify  the 
performance  obligations  in  the  contract,  determine  the  transaction  price,  allocate  the 
transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and recognize revenue when 
(or as) the Bank satisfies a performance obligation.   

Most of our revenue-generating transactions are not subject to Topic 606, including revenue 
generated  from  financial  instruments,  such  as  our  loans  and  investment  securities.  In 
addition,  certain  noninterest  income  streams  such  as  fees  associated  with  mortgage 
servicing rights, gains on sales of loans, financial guarantees, derivatives, and certain credit 
card fees are also not in scope of the new guidance. The Bank’s noninterest revenue streams 
are largely based on transactional activity, or standard month-end revenue accruals such as 
asset management fees based on month-end market values. Consideration is often received 
immediately  or  shortly  after  the  Bank  satisfies  its  performance  obligation  and  revenue  is 
recognized.  The  Bank  does  not  typically  enter  into  long-term  revenue  contracts  with 
customers, and therefore, does not experience significant contract balances. As of December 
31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, the Bank did not have any significant contract balances. 
The  Bank  has  evaluated  the  nature  of  its  revenue  streams  and  determined  that  further 

64 

(in thousands except earnings per share)201920182017BasicNet income available for common shareholders6,477$         5,827$       3,292$        Weighted average common shares outstanding6,069           6,065         6,031          Basic earnings per common share1.07$           0.96$         0.55$          DilutedNet income available for common shareholders6,477$         5,827$       3,292$        Weighted average common shares   outstanding for basic earnings per   common share6,069           6,065         6,031          Add: Dilutive effects of assumed exercises of  stock options5                 7               28              Average shares and dilutive potential common  shares6,074           6,072         6,059          Diluted earnings per common share1.07$           0.96$         0.54$          Year Ended December 31 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
disaggregation of revenue into more granular categories beyond what is presented on the 
Consolidated  Statements  of  Income  was  not  necessary.  The  following  are  descriptions  of 
revenues within the scope of ASC 606. 

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

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

Rental income – Leases originated by the Bank are recorded as rental income and included 
in  the  other  non-interest  income  category.    Rental  income  is  recognized  in  the  month  in 
which the revenue covers.  Leasehold improvements and operational expenses associated 
with the rental proper are recorded separate from the income as an expense.   

Gain/loss on other real estate owned, net - The Bank records a gain or loss from the sale of 
other real estate owned when control of the property transfers to the buyer, which generally 
occurs at the time of an executed deed of trust. When the Bank finances the sale of other real 
estate owned to the buyer, the Bank assesses whether the buyer is committed to perform 
their  obligations  under  the  contract  and  whether  collectability  of  the  transaction  price  is 
probable. Once these criteria are met, the other real estate owned asset is derecognized and 
the gain or loss on sale is recorded upon the transfer of control of the property to the buyer. 
In determining the gain or loss on sale, the Bank adjusts the transaction price and related 
gain or loss on sale if a significant financing component is present 

Adoption of New Accounting Standards 

In February of 2016, the  Financial  Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting 
Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This Update was issued to increase 
transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing the right to use lease 
assets for the lease term, and a lease liability on the balance sheet, including disclosing key 
information  about  leasing  arrangements.  The  core  principle  of  Topic  842  is  that  a  lessee 
should recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leasing arrangements exceeding a 
twelve-month term. All leases create an asset and a liability for the lessee in accordance with 
FASB  Concepts  Statement  No.  6,  Elements  of  Financial  Statements,  and  therefore, 
recognition  of  those  lease  assets  and  lease  liabilities  represents  an  improvement  over 
previous GAAP, which did not require lease assets and lease liabilities to be recognized for 
most leases. For public companies, the amendments in this update are effective for fiscal 

65 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. 
Lease  commitments  will  be  reflected  on  the  balance  sheet  as  lease  assets  and  lease 
liabilities. In July 2018, the FASB issued two amendments to ASU 2016-02: ASU No. 2018-
10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases, which provides various corrections and 
clarifications  to  ASU  2016-02;  and  ASU  No.  2018-11,  Leases  (Topic  842):  Targeted 
Improvements,  which  provides  an  optional  transition  method  and  provides  a  lessor  with 
practical expedients for separating lease and non-lease components of a lease. Entities can 
apply a full retrospective approach at the beginning of the first historical period presented 
or a modified retrospective approach at the beginning of the period of adoption. The Bank 
adopted this standard effective January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective adoption 
method. The Bank also elected certain relief options offered in ASU 2016-02 including the 
package  of  practical  expedients  and  the  option  not  to  separate  lease  and  non-lease 
components and instead  to account for them as a single lease component. There was no 
cumulative effect adjustment recorded upon adoption. 

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-08, Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and 
Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20), Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities. 
Under current GAAP, entities normally amortize the premium as an adjustment of yield over 
the  contractual  life  of  the  instrument.  This  guidance  shortens  the  amortization  period  for 
certain  callable  debt  securities  held  at  a  premium  to  the  earliest  call  date.  This  update  is 
effective  for  fiscal  years,  and  interim  periods  within  those  fiscal  years,  beginning  after 
December 15, 2018. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Bank’s 
consolidated financial statements. 

Accounting Standards Pending Adoption 

In June of 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments  – Credit Losses 
(Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The amendments are 
intended to improve financial reporting by requiring timelier recording of credit losses on 
loans and other financial instruments held by financial institutions and other organizations. 
The ASU requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at 
the reporting date based on historical experience, current  conditions, and reasonable and 
supportable forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-
looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. Many of the loss estimation 
techniques applied today will still be permitted, although the inputs to those techniques will 
change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. Organizations will continue to 
use  judgment  to  determine  which  loss  estimation  method  is  appropriate  for  their 
circumstances. The ASU requires enhanced disclosures to help investors and other financial 
statement users to better understand significant estimates and judgments used in estimating 
credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an organization’s 
portfolio. These disclosures include qualitative and quantitative requirements that provide 
additional information about the amounts recorded in the financial statements. In addition, 
the  ASU  amends  the  accounting  guidance  for  credit  losses  on  available-for-sale  debt 
securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration.  In October 2019 FASB 
updated  the  effective  date  for  fiscal  years,  and  interim  periods  within  those  fiscal  years, 
beginning after December 15, 2022. Early application will be permitted on January 1 for fiscal 
years beginning after December 15, 2018.  The Bank has a CECL model in place that has been 
running parallel to existing practices since January 1, 2019. The Bank may elect to adopt the 
new CECL model before the effective date but currently has not determined if or when early 
adoption will occur. The CECL model will continue to run parallel until it is brought into live 
production; prior to going live the Bank will communicate the impact this new standard will 

66 

 
 
 
 
have on the consolidated financial statements including the cumulative effect adjustment to 
retained earnings upon adoption.   

In  January  of  2017,  the  FASB  issued  ASU  No.  2017-04,  Intangibles  -  Goodwill  and  Other 
(Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The amendments are intended to 
simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill, and the amendments eliminate Step 2 
from  the  goodwill  impairment  test.  The  annual,  or  interim,  goodwill  impairment  test  is 
performed  by  comparing  the  fair  value  of  a  reporting  unit  with  its  carrying  amount.  An 
impairment  charge  should  be  recognized  for  the  amount  by  which  the  carrying  amount 
exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the 
total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. In addition, income tax effects from 
any  tax-deductible  goodwill  on  the  carrying  amount  of  the  reporting  unit  should  be 
considered when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable.  The amendments 
also  eliminate  the  requirements  for  any  reporting  unit  with  a  zero  or  negative  carrying 
amount to perform a qualitative assessment and, if it fails that qualitative test, to perform 
Step  2  of  the  goodwill  impairment  test.  An  entity  still  has  the  option  to  perform  the 
qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test 
is necessary.  The amendments should be applied on a prospective basis. The nature of and 
reason  for  the  change  in  accounting  principle  should  be  disclosed  upon  transition.  The 
amendment  is  effective  for  fiscal  years,  and  interim  periods  within  those  fiscal  years, 
beginning after December 15, 2019. Early application will be permitted for fiscal years, and 
interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption 
is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after 
January  1,  2017.  Management  does  not  anticipate  any  potential  impact  from  the  new 
standard on our consolidated financial statements. 

In  August  2018,  the  FASB  issued ASU  No.  2018-13,  Fair  Value  Measurement  (Topic  820): 
Disclosure  Framework  -  Changes  to  the  Disclosure  Requirements  for  Fair  Value 
Measurement.  The  amendments  in  this  update  remove,  modify  or  add  disclosure 
requirements for fair value measurements to improve the effectiveness of disclosures. The 
update is effective for the Bank on January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted, and allows 
for  either  the  prospective  or  retrospective  adoption  method.  Management  is  currently 
evaluating the potential impact of adoption to the Bank’s consolidated financial statements. 

In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, 
Financial Instruments  - Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, 
Financial  Instruments.  With  respect  to  Topic  815,  Derivatives  and  Hedging,  ASU  2019-04 
clarifies  that  the  reclassification  of  a  debt  security  from  held-to-maturity  (“HTM”)  to 
available-for-sale (“AFS”) under the transition guidance in ASU 2017-12 would not (1) call 
into question the classification of other HTM securities, (2) be required to actually designate 
any  reclassified  security  in  a  last-of-layer  hedge,  or  (3)  be  restricted  from  selling  any 
reclassified  security.  As  part  of  the  transition  of  ASU  2019-04,  entities  may  reclassify 
securities that would qualify for designation as the hedged item in a last-of-layer hedging 
relationship from HTM to AFS; however, entities that already made such a reclassification 
upon their adoption of ASU 2017-12 are precluded from reclassifying additional securities. 
ASU 2019-04 has the same effective date as ASU 2016-13. Management does not anticipate 
any potential impact from this new standard. The Bank will continue evaluating the potential 
impact of this standard in connection with the adoption of ASU 2016-13.  

67 

 
 
 
 
In May 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-05, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 
326); Targeted Transition Relief. This ASU allows entities  to irrevocably elect, upon adoption 
of  ASU  2016-13,  the  fair  value  option  on  financial  instruments  that  (1)  were  previously 
recorded at amortized cost and (2) are within the scope of ASC 326-20 if the instruments are 
eligible for the fair value option under ASC 825-10. The fair value option election does not 
apply to held-to-maturity debt securities. Entities are required to make this election on an 
instrument-by-instrument basis. ASU 2019-05 has the same effective date  as ASU 2016-13 
(i.e., the first quarter of 2020). Management does not anticipate any potential impact from 
the new standard on our consolidated financial statements. 

Operating Segments 

While the Bank’s chief decision makers monitor the revenue streams of the Bank’s various 
products and services, operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a 
bank-wide basis.  Operating segments are aggregated into one segment as operating results 
for all segments are substantially the same.   

2. 

INVESTMENT SECURITIES 

The amortized costs and estimated fair value of investment securities at December 31, 2019 
and 2018 consisted of the following:  

68 

AmortizedCostGrossUnrealizedGainsGrossUnrealizedLossesEstimatedFair ValueHeld-to-maturity:Government agencies7,998$         -$           (17)$        7,981$      Available-for-sale:Government agencies39,487         574         (174)        39,887      Mortgage-backed securities - residential8,841          133         -             8,974       Corporate debt5,263          132         (15)          5,380           Total available-for-sale53,591         839         (189)        54,241              Total investment securities61,589$       839$       (206)$      62,222$    AmortizedCostGrossUnrealizedGainsGrossUnrealizedLossesEstimatedFair ValueHeld-to-maturity:Government agencies7,991$         -$           (379)$      7,612$      Available-for-sale:Government agencies41,365         -             (2,035)     39,330      Mortgage-backed securities - residential11,217         1            (246)        10,972      Corporate debt20,134         134         (396)        19,872          Total available-for-sale72,716         135         (2,677)     70,174              Total investment securities80,707$       135$       (3,056)$    77,786$    December 31, 2019(in thousands)December 31, 2018(in thousands) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  activity  related  to  recorded  gross  gains  and  gross  losses  from  sales  of  investment 
securities for the years ended December 31 is reflected in the table below: 

Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investment securities totaling $650,000, 
$(2,542,000)  and  $(847,000)  are  recorded,  net  of  $(839,000),  $135,000  and  $356,000  in  tax 
(expense) benefit, as accumulated other comprehensive income within shareholders' equity 
at December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  

There were 2 investment securities in a continuous unrealized loss position greater than 12 
months at December 31, 2019.  At December 31, 2019, the Bank held 8 investment securities 
which  were  in  an  unrealized  loss  position  for  less  than  twelve  months.    Management 
periodically  evaluates  each  investment  security  for  other  than  temporary  impairment, 
relying  primarily  on  industry  analyst  reports  and  observation  of  market  conditions  and 
interest  rate  fluctuations.  All  of  the  impairment  appearing  in  the  investment  securities 
portfolio  valuations  is  considered  to  be  temporary.    The  measured  impairment  in  the 
securities values is primarily attributable to changes in long-term interest rates, market shifts 
of  the  Treasury  yield  curve  and  other  variable  market  and  economic  conditions.  The 
measured impairment in securities values did not result from any significant or persistent 
deterioration  in  the  underlying  credit  quality  of  any  of  the  investments.  The  securities 
portfolio  consists  primarily  of  debt  securities  with  non-contingent  contractual  cash  flows. 
Full realization of the principal balance is expected upon final maturity. Management has the 
intent and ability to hold the securities until recovery of the carrying value, which could be 
at the final maturity.   

69 

(in thousands)201920182017Proceeds from sales9,059$          -$                 36,721$        Proceeds from calls699              1,366            2,798            Gross realized gains on sales and calls117              27                556              Gross realized losses on sales and calls(123)             -                   (484)             Year Ended December 31 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 2019 and 2018 are summarized 
and classified according to the duration of the loss period as follows: 

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities at December 31, 2019 
by contractual maturity are shown below.  Expected maturities will differ from contractual 
maturities  because  the  issuers  of  the  securities  may  have  the  right  to  call  or  prepay 
obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. 

Investment  securities  with  amortized  costs  totaling  $5,865,000  and  $38,404,000  and 
estimated fair values totaling  $6,000,000 and $36,514,000 were pledged to secure State of 
California and other municipal deposits at December 31, 2019 and 2018 (see Note 6).  

70 

(in thousands)Fair ValueFair ValueFair ValueDebt Securities:    Held-to-maturity:        Government agencies4,992$     (5)$         2,989$   (12)$           7,981$  (17)$               Available-for-sale:        Government agencies17,769$   (174)$      -$          -$              17,769$ (174)$                 Corporate debt-              -             235       (15)            235       (15)                        Total available-for-sale17,769     (174)        235       (15)            18,004  (189)                           Total investment securities22,761$   (179)$      3,224$   (27)$           25,985$ (206)$         (in thousands)Fair ValueFair ValueFair ValueDebt Securities:    Held-to-maturity:        Government agencies-$            -$           7,612$   (379)$         7,612$  (379)$             Available-for-sale:        Government agencies10,230$   (190)$      29,100$ (1,845)$      39,330$ (2,035)$              Mortgage-backed securities - residential235         (5)           7,047    (241)           7,282    (246)                   Corporate debt1,400       (16)         5,933    (380)           7,333    (396)                       Total available-for-sale11,865     (211)        42,080   (2,466)        53,945  (2,677)                        Total investment securities11,865$   (211)$      49,692$ (2,845)$      61,557$ (3,056)$      December 31, 2019Less than 12 Months12 Months or MoreTotalUnrealized LossesUnrealized LossesUnrealized LossesDecember 31, 2018Less than 12 Months12 Months or MoreTotalUnrealized LossesUnrealized LossesUnrealized Losses(in thousands)Amortized CostFairValueAmortized CostFairValueWithin one year-$            -$            1,219$     1,239$     After one year through five years-             -             6,532      6,573      After five years through ten years3,000      2,989      31,008     31,555     After ten years4,998      4,992      5,991      5,900      7,998      7,981      44,750     45,267     Investment securities not due at a single maturity date:   Mortgage-backed securities - residential-             -             8,841      8,974      7,998$     7,981$     53,591$   54,241$   Held-to-MaturityAvailable-for-Sale 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. 

LOANS 

Outstanding loans are summarized as follows: 

Changes  in  the  allocation  of  allowance  for  loan  losses  by  loan  class  for  the  years  ended 
December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 are as follows: 

71 

December 31,December 31,(in thousands)20192018Commercial & agricultural129,590$       107,910$       Real estate - commercial312,758         287,841         Real estate - construction and land44,689           24,330           Real estate - single family54,357           56,648           Real estate - multifamily41,870           33,623           Consumer & lease financing53                 226               583,317         510,578         Allowance for loan losses(6,769)           (6,029)           576,548$       504,549$       (in thousands)Balance at  Provision  Charge- Balance at  December 31, 2018(reversal)offsRecoveriesDecember 31, 2019Commercial & agricultural904$                      (57)$       -$           40$                $                            887 Real estate - commercial2,830                     (854)       -                -                    1,976                            Real estate - construction and land705                       897        -                -                    1,602                            Real estate - single family684                       (361)       -                -                    323                               Real estate - multifamily308                       202        -                -                    510                               Consumer & lease financing6                           (4)           -                -                    2                                    Unallocated592                       877        -                -                    1,469                            Total6,029$                         700$        -$           40$               6,769$                         (in thousands)Balance at  Provision  Charge- Balance at  December 31, 2017(reversal)offsRecoveriesDecember 31, 2018Commercial & agricultural682$                      173$      (28)$       77$            $                            904 Real estate - commercial2,697                     133        -            -               2,830                            Real estate - construction and land443                       262        -            -               705                               Real estate - single family595                       (102)       -            191           684                               Real estate - multifamily319                       (11)         -            -               308                               Consumer & lease financing14                         (31)         -            23             6                                    Unallocated486                       106        -            -               592                               Total5,236$                   530$      (28)$       291$         6,029$                   (in thousands)Balance at  Provision  Charge- Balance at  December 31, 2016(reversal)offsRecoveriesDecember 31, 2017Commercial & agricultural744$                      13$        (79)$       4$             682$                      Real estate - commercial1,764                     932        -            1               2,697                     Real estate - construction and land266                       177        -            -               443                       Real estate - single family577                       2            -            16             595                       Real estate - multifamily330                       (11)         -            -               319                       Consumer & lease financing19                         (14)         -            9               14                         Unallocated1,065                     (579)       -            -               486                       Total4,765$                   520$      (79)$       30$           5,236$                   Year Ended December 31, 2018Year Ended December 31, 2017Year Ended December 31, 2019 
 
 
 
 
The following table presents the balance in the allowance for loan losses and loan balances 
by class and based on impairment method as of December 31, 2019 and 2018:  

The recorded investment in the aforementioned disclosure and the next several disclosures 
do not include accrued interest receivable and net deferred fees because such amounts are 
not considered material.  Accrued interest receivable for the total loan portfolio was 
$1,645,000 and $1,353,000 and net deferred loan costs were $268,000 and $131,000 as of 
December 31, 2019 and 2018.   

Salaries  and  employee  benefits  totaling  $2,138,000,  $1,181,000  and  $1,141,000  have  been 
deferred as loan origination costs for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, 
respectively. 

In 2018 loans with balances less than $250,000 that were identified as impaired were 
measured individually for impairment on the basis they represent small-balance loans that 
were collectively evaluated for impairment. 

72 

(in thousands)Individually Evaluated for ImpairmentCollectively Evaluated for ImpairmentTotal Ending Allowance BalanceLoans Individually Evaluated for ImpairmentLoans Collectively Evaluated for ImpairmentTotal Ending Loans BalanceCommercial & agricultural330$             557$            887$             910$              128,680$       129,590$   Real estate - commercial-                    1,976           1,976            1,277             311,481         312,758     Real estate - construction and land-                    1,602           1,602            -                    44,689           44,689       Real estate - single family-                    323              323               963                53,394           54,357       Real estate - multifamily-                    510              510               -                    41,870           41,870       Consumer & lease financing-                    2                  2                   -                    53                  53              Unallocated-                    1,469           1,469            -                    -                 -                Total330$             6,439$         6,769$          3,150$           580,167$       583,317$   (in thousands)Individually Evaluated for ImpairmentCollectively Evaluated for ImpairmentTotal Ending Allowance BalanceLoans Individually Evaluated for ImpairmentLoans Collectively Evaluated for ImpairmentTotal Ending Loans BalanceCommercial & agricultural351$             553$            904$             718$              107,192$       107,910$   Real estate - commercial-                    2,830           2,830            1,538             286,303         287,841     Real estate - construction and land-                    705              705               -                    24,330           24,330       Real estate - single family-                    684              684               1,098             55,550           56,648       Real estate - multifamily-                    308              308               -                    33,623           33,623       Consumer & lease financing-                    6                  6                   -                    226                226            Unallocated-                    592              592               -                    -                 -                Total351$             5,678$         6,029$          3,354$           507,224$       510,578$   Allowance for Loan LossesLoansDecember 31, 2019Allowance for Loan LossesLoansDecember 31, 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table presents impaired loans individually evaluated for impairment by class 
of loans: 

73 

(in thousands)Commercial & agriculturalReal estate - commercialReal estate - construction and landReal estate - single familyReal estate - multifamilyConsumer & lease financingTotalRecorded investment in impaired loans:With no related allowance recorded488$            1,441$         -$               964$             -$               -$               2,893$     With an allowance recorded307              -                -                 88                  -                 -                 395           Total recorded investment inimpaired loans795$            1,441$         -$               1,052$          -$               -$               3,288$     Unpaid principal balance of impaired loans:With no related allowance recorded612$            1,717$         -$               1,023$          -$               -$               3,352$     With an allowance recorded307              -                -                 88                  -                 -                 395           Total unpaid principal balance ofimpaired loans919$            1,717$         -$               1,111$          -$               -$               3,747$     Allowance for loan losses allocation330$            -$             -$               -$              -$               -$               330$        1,036           1,476           -                 1,046            94                   -                 3,652       58                63                 -                 50                  6                     -                 177           Recorded investment in impaired loans:With no related allowance recorded540$            1,904$         -$               1,292$          111$              -$               3,847$     With an allowance recorded351              -                -                 -                -                 -                 351           Total recorded investment inimpaired loans891$            1,904$         -$               1,292$          111$              -$               4,198$     Unpaid principal balance of impaired loans:With no related allowance recorded663$            2,136$         -$               1,400$          177$              -$               4,376$     With an allowance recorded351              -                -                 -                -                 -                 351           Total unpaid principal balance ofimpaired loans1,014$        2,136$         -$               1,400$          177$              -$               4,727$     Allowance for loan losses allocation351$            -$             -$               -$              -$               -$               351$        585              1,992           -                 1,482            120                -                 4,179       27                47                 -                 51                  12                   -                 137           964              3,438           -                 1,706            139                -                 6,247       43                161               -                 52                  -                 -                 256           December 31, 2019Interest income recognized on impaired loansduring the year ended December 31, 2017Average recorded investment in impaired loansduring the year ended December 31, 2019Interest income recognized on impaired loansduring the year ended December 31, 2019Average recorded investment in impaired loansduring the year ended December 31, 2018Interest income recognized on impaired loansduring the year ended December 31, 2018Average recorded investment in impaired loansduring the year ended December 31, 2017December 31, 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  following  table  presents  the  recorded  investment  in  nonaccrual  loans  and  loans  past 
due over 90 days still accruing by class of loans as of December 31, 2019 and 2018:  

The  following  table  presents  the  aging  of  the  recorded  investment  in  past  due  loans, 
inclusive of nonaccrual loans, as of December 31, 2019 by class of loans:  

The  following  table  presents  the  aging  of  the  recorded  investment  in  past  due  loans, 
inclusive of nonaccrual loans, as of December 31, 2018 by class of loans:  

A loan is considered past due if a scheduled payment of interest or principal that is due is 
unpaid for 30 days or more. 

Troubled Debt Restructurings 

From time to time, the Bank may agree to modify the contractual terms of a borrower’s loan.  
In  cases  where  such  modifications  represent  a  concession  to  a  borrower  experiencing 

74 

(in thousands)NonaccrualLoans Past DueOver 90 DaysStill AccruingNonaccrualLoans Past DueOver 90 DaysStill AccruingCommercial & agricultural-$            -$                    -$            -$                    Real estate - commercial315         -                     1,528      -                     Real estate - construction and land-             -                     -             -                     Real estate - single family-             -                     485         -                     Real estate - multifamily-             -                     111         -                     Consumer & lease financing-             -                     -             -                         Total315$       -$                    2,124$     -$                    December 31, 2019December 31, 201830 - 59 60 - 89 Greater ThanDaysDays90 DaysTotalLoans Not(in thousands)Past DuePast DuePast DuePast DuePast DueTotalCommercial & agricultural146$       -$           -$             146$        129,444$   129,590$    Real estate - commercial-             -             315           315         312,443     312,758     Real estate - construction and land-             -             -               -              44,689       44,689       Real estate - single family-             -             -               -              54,357       54,357       Real estate - multifamily-             -             -               -              41,870       41,870       Consumer & lease financing-             -             -               -              53             53               Total146$       -$           315$         461$        582,856$   583,317$    30 - 59 60 - 89 Greater ThanDaysDays90 DaysTotalLoans Not(in thousands)Past DuePast DuePast DuePast DuePast DueTotalCommercial & agricultural-$           -$           -$             -$            107,910$   107,910$    Real estate - commercial188        -             177           365         287,476     287,841     Real estate - construction and land-             -             -               -              24,330       24,330       Real estate - single family-             -             291           291         56,357       56,648       Real estate - multifamily-             -             -               -              33,623       33,623       Consumer & lease financing-             -             -               -              226           226              Total188$       -$           468$         656$        509,922$   510,578$     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
financial difficulty, the modification is considered a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”).  At 
December  31,  2019  and  2018,  loans  modified  in  a  TDR  totaled  $2,729,000  and  $3,370,000 
which are included in the impaired loan disclosures above. The total TDRs includes $151,000 
and  $1,647,000  that  are  also  included  in  nonperforming  loans  at  December  31,  2019  and 
2018. TDRs had specific loss allocations of $0 as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.   

As of December 31, 2019, there were a total of 6 loans that were modified as troubled debt 
restructurings.    The  pre-modification  and  post-modification  balances  of  the  restructured 
loans were $2,729,000 and $2,729,000 respectively. 

There was one loan secured by farmland and one loan secured by commercial real estate 
property that were modified as troubled debt restructurings during the year ended December 
31,  2018.    The  pre-modification  and  post-modification  balances  of  the  restructured  loans 
were $187,000 and $1,243,000, respectively.  

There  was  one  real  estate  –  single  family  residence  loan  modified  as  a  troubled  debt 
restructuring  during  the  year  ended  December  31,  2017.  The  pre-modification  and  post-
modification balance of the restructured loan was $234,000. 

No  additional  allowances  or  charge-offs  resulted  from  loans  modified  as  troubled  debt 
restructurings during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.  There were no loans 
modified  as  troubled  debt  restructurings  for  which  there  was  a  payment  default  within 
twelve months following the modification during the years ended  December 31, 2019 and 
2018.  A loan is considered to be in payment default once it is 90 days contractually past due 
under the modified terms. 

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

Credit Quality Indicators 

The  Bank  categorizes  loans  into  risk  categories  based  on  relevant  information  about  the 
ability of borrowers  to service their debt such as:  current financial information, historical 
payment  experience,  credit  documentation,  public  information,  and  current  economic 
trends, among other factors.  The Bank analyzes loans individually by classifying the loans 
as  to  credit  risk.    This  analysis  is  performed  on  a  quarterly  basis  for  loans  in  excess  of 
$250,000.  Smaller balances are graded at origination and updated based on payment status 
and other information obtained from borrowers.  The Bank uses the following definitions for 
risk ratings: 

SPECIAL MENTION- Loans in this category are considered "criticized" from a regulatory point 
of view but are not considered "classified" until the risk classification becomes substandard 
or worse. Loans in this category represent above average risk and potential weakness which 
may, if not corrected, weaken the loan and threaten repayment at some future date.  

SUBSTANDARD-  Loans  in  this  category  have  well  defined  weakness that  jeopardize  full 
repayment of the debt, although loss does not seem likely. Loss potential does not have to 
exist  in  individual  loans  in  the  Substandard  classification,  but  will  be  apparent  in  the 
aggregate.  Typically,  these  loans  have  not  met  repayment  plans  as  agreed.    The  primary 
source  of  repayment  may  have  failed  to  materialize;  repayment  may  be  dependent  on 

75 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
collateral  liquidation  or  other  secondary  sources.  Bankrupt  borrowers  and  those  with 
continuously past due payments are considered substandard.  

DOUBTFUL- Loans in this category have all the characteristics of substandard loans with the 
added  weakness  that  payment  in  full  or  liquidation  in  full  is  highly  questionable  and 
improbable. The possibility of loss is extremely high, but because of certain important and 
reasonably specific pending factors, which may work to the strengthening of the loan, its 
classification  as  an  estimated  loss  is  deferred  until  the  amount  of  the  loss  may  be  more 
accurately determined.  

PASS- Loans not meeting any of the three criteria above that are analyzed individually as 
part of the above described process are considered to be pass rated loans.   

Based on recent analysis performed as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the risk category of 
loans by class of loans is as follows: 

Loans totaling $352,723,000 and $317,896,000 were pledged to secure borrowings with the 
Federal Home Loan Bank or State of California time deposits at December 31, 2019 and 2018, 
respectively (see Notes 6 and 8). 

4. 

OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED 

There  was  no  other  real  estate  owned  (OREO)  at  year  end  December  31,  2019  and  2018. 
There were no sales of OREO properties in 2019, 2018 or 2017.   

76 

2019Special (in thousands)PassMentionSubstandard DoubtfulTotalCommercial & agricultural122,864$ -$            6,726$    -$           129,590$   Real estate - commercial312,443   -              315         -             312,758     Real estate - construction and land44,689     -              -             -             44,689      Real estate - single family54,185     -              172         -             54,357      Real estate - multifamily41,870     -              -             -             41,870      Consumer & lease financing53           -              -             -             53                 Total576,104$ -$        7,213$    -$           583,317$   2018Special (in thousands)PassMentionSubstandard DoubtfulTotalCommercial & agricultural98,368$   -$            9,542$    -$           107,910$   Real estate - commercial286,228   86           1,527      -             287,841     Real estate - construction and land24,330     -              -             -             24,330      Real estate - single family56,163     -              485         -             56,648      Real estate - multifamily 33,512     -              111         -             33,623      Consumer & lease financing226         -              -             -             226               Total498,827$ 86$         11,665$  -$           510,578$    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5. 

BANK PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT 

Bank premises and equipment consisted of the following: 

Depreciation  and  amortization  included  in  occupancy  and  equipment  expense  totaled 
$395,000,  $346,000  and  $339,000  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2019,  2018  and  2017, 
respectively. 

6. 

INTEREST-BEARING DEPOSITS 

The aggregate amount of maturities of all time deposits is as follows: 

Interest expense recognized on interest-bearing deposits was as follows: 

Significant deposit relationships included $27,000,000 and $48,500,000 at December 31, 2019 
and 2018 of public deposits from the State of California with maturity terms of one to three 
months.  Wholesale brokered deposits included in deposits were $22,500,000 and $3,086,000 
at  December  31,  2019  and  2018.    Deposits  of  $46,284,000  and  $44,639,000  were  through 
reciprocal deposit programs.   

77 

(in thousands)20192018Land1,184$        1,184$        Building7,803          7,570          Furniture, fixtures and equipment3,520          2,888          Leasehold improvements840             812             13,347        12,454        Less accumulated depreciation and      amortization(7,046)         (6,651)         6,301$        5,803$        December 31,Year EndingDecember 31,(in thousands)2020181,268$        202134,048            20222,795              20238                    2024515                218,634$        (in thousands)201920182017Interest-bearing demand91$          79$       82$       Savings63           47         27         Money market1,073       764       143       Time deposits5,195       2,619    1,387    6,422$     3,509$   1,639$   Year Ended December 31, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7. 

BORROWINGS  

The Bank had a total of $26,000,000 in Federal funds lines of credit with three correspondent 
banks at December 31, 2019 with interest payable at the then current rate.  The Bank also 
maintains  a  letter  of  credit  facility  totaling  $29,700,000  with  a  correspondent  bank  to 
guarantee international letters of credit issued to certain customers.  There were $1,846,000 
and $3,707,000 of letters of credit issued on behalf of the Bank’s customers as of December 
31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.  There were no borrowings outstanding under the Federal 
funds lines of credit as of December 31, 2019 or 2018.   

8. 

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK ADVANCES  

Each  advance  is  payable  at  its  maturity  date,  with  a  prepayment  penalty  for  fixed  rate 
advances.  The  advances  were  collateralized  by  $352,723,000  and  $317,896,000  of  loans 
under a blanket lien arrangement at December 31, 2019 and 2018. Based on this collateral 
the  Bank  was  eligible  to  borrow  up  to  a  total  of  $223,944,000  and  $199,680,000  of  which 
$148,644,000  and  $127,880,000  was  available  for  additional  advances  as  of  December  31, 
2019 and 2018.  Advance balances averaged $17,992,000 in 2019 and $20,984,000 in 2018. 

Advances outstanding from the Federal Home Loan Bank were $45,600,000 at December 31, 
2019, with maturities from January 2020 through December 2024 and fixed rates from 1.57% 
to 1.90%.   Advances  outstanding  were  $56,800,000 at  December  31,  2018,  with  maturities 
from January 2019 through March 2019 and fixed rates from 2.56% to 2.58%.   

At December 31, 2019, FHLB fixed rate advances are scheduled to mature as follows: 

9. 

INCOME TAXES 

The  provision  for  income  taxes  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2019,  2018  and  2017 
consisted of the following: 

78 

WeightedAverageDecember 31,(in thousands)Interest Rate2019Due on or before December 31, 20201.66%33,100$       Due on or before December 31, 20221.71%7,500$         Due on or before December 31, 20241.87%5,000$         45,600$       (in thousands)2019FederalStateTotalCurrent1,750$ 1,186$ 2,936$ Deferred(341)    (197)    (538)          Provision for income taxes1,409$ 989$    2,398$ 2018FederalStateTotalCurrent1,494$ 1,028$ 2,522$ Deferred(128)    (177)    (305)          Provision for income taxes1,366$ 851$    2,217$ 2017FederalStateTotalCurrent1,973$ 785$    2,758$ Deferred(36)      (92)      (128)          Provision for income taxes1,937$ 693$    2,630$  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred tax assets (liabilities) are comprised of the following: 

The provision for income taxes differs from amounts computed by applying the statutory 
Federal income tax rates  to operating income before income taxes.  The significant items 
comprising  these  differences  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2019,  2018  and  2017 
consisted of the following: 

The Bank’s 2017 results include the impact of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, 
which was signed into law on December 22, 2017.  The law includes significant changes to 
the U.S. corporate tax system, including a Federal corporate rate change reduction from 34% 
to 21%.  In 2017, the Bank applied this newly enacted corporate federal income tax of 21%, 
resulting in approximately a $292 thousand increase to tax expense for the deferred tax asset 
write down.   

The Bank had no unrecognized tax benefits and recorded no interest and penalties for the 
years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. The Bank does not expect a significant change in 
unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months.  The Bank and its subsidiary are subject 

79 

20192018Deferred tax assets:Allowance for loan losses2,073$      1,411$      Mortgage servicing rights, net of discount235$         Future benefit of state tax deduction364           225                investment securities-               752           Lease Liability292           -               Other accruals38             72             Total deferred tax assets3,002        2,460        Deferred tax liabilities:Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividends(64)            (64)            Deferred loan costs(1,006)       (677)               investment securities(192)          -               Prepaid expenses and other(28)            (28)            Right of use assets(288)          Bank premises and equipment(417)          (275)          Total deferred tax liabilities(1,995)       (1,044)       Net deferred tax (liabilities) assets1,007$      1,416$      December 31, (in thousands)Net unrealized losses on available-for-sale                        Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale                        (in thousands)AmountRate %AmountRate %AmountRate %Federal income tax expense,     at statutory rate1,864$          21.0%1,689$     21.0%2,013$     34.0%State franchise tax expense,     net of Federal tax effect and other738               8.3%528         6.6%325         5.5%Impact of Solar Tax Credit(204)              -2.3%Impact of Tax Cut and Jobs Act-                   -             292         4.9%Total income tax expense2,398$          27.0%2,217$     27.6%2,630$     44.4%201920182017 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
to U.S. Federal income tax as well as income tax of the State of California.  The Bank is no 
longer subject to examination by Federal taxing authorities for tax years 2015 and prior and 
by California taxing authorities for tax years 2014 and prior.  

10.   

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 

Federal Reserve Requirements 

Banks are required to maintain reserves with the Federal Reserve Bank equal to a percentage 
of  their  reservable  deposits  less  vault  cash.    The  Bank’s  reserve  requirement  was  $0  and 
$10,415,000 as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. 

Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk 

The Bank is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course 
of business in order to meet the financing needs of its clients and to reduce its own exposure 
to  fluctuations  in  interest  rates.    These  financial  instruments  consist  of  commitments  to 
extend credit and standby letters of credit.  These instruments involve, to varying degrees, 
elements  of  credit  and  interest  rate  risk  in  excess  of  the  amount  recognized  on  the 
consolidated balance sheets. 

The Bank's  exposure to credit loss in the  event of  nonperformance by the  other party for 
commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual 
amount  of  those  instruments.    The  Bank  uses  the  same  credit  policies  in  making 
commitments and standby letters of credit as it does for loans included on the consolidated 
balance sheets. 

The  contractual  amounts  of  financial  instruments  with  off-balance-sheet  risk  at  year  end 
were as follows: 

Commitments  to  extend  credit  are  agreements  to  lend  to  a  client  as  long  as  there  is  no 
violation of any condition established in the contract.  Commitments generally have fixed 
expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee.  Since some 
of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment 
amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  The Bank evaluates each 
client's  creditworthiness  on  a  case-by-case  basis.    The  amount  of  collateral  obtained,  if 
deemed  necessary  by  the  Bank  upon  extension  of  the  credit,  is  based  on  management's 
credit evaluation of the borrower.  Collateral held relating to these commitments varies, but 
may  include  securities,  equipment,  accounts  receivable,  inventory  and  deeds  of  trust  on 
residential real estate and income-producing commercial properties. 

80 

Fixed RateVariable RateFixed RateVariable RateCommitments to make loans140$     1,000$     -$         8,665$   Unused lines of credit1,580    66,965     1,805    83,499   Standby letters of credit-           1,846       -           3,707     December 31, (in thousands)20192018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Bank to guarantee the 
performance of a client to a third party.  The credit risk involved in issuing standby letters of 
credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to clients.  The fair value of 
the liability related to these standby letters of credit, which represents the fees received for 
issuing  the  guarantees,  was  not  significant  at  December  31,  2019  and  2018.    The  Bank 
recognizes these fees as revenue over the term of the commitment or when the commitment 
is used. 

At December 31, 2019, real estate loan commitments represent 49% of total commitments 
and  are  generally  secured  by  property  with  a  loan-to-value  ratio  not  to  exceed  80%.  
Commercial loan commitments represent approximately 51% of total commitments and are 
generally secured by collateral other than real estate or are unsecured. 

Concentrations of Credit Risk 

The  Bank's  business  activity  is  primarily  with  clients  located  within  Northern  California.  
Although the Bank has a diversified loan portfolio, a significant portion of its clients' ability 
to repay loans is dependent upon the real estate market and various economic factors within 
Sonoma County.  Generally, loans are secured by various forms of collateral.  The Bank's 
loan policy requires sufficient collateral be obtained as necessary to meet the Bank's relative 
risk  criteria  for  each  borrower.    The  Bank's  collateral  consists  primarily  of  real  estate, 
accounts receivable, inventory and other financial instruments. 

Correspondent Banking Agreements 

The Bank maintains funds on deposit with other federally insured financial institutions under 
correspondent banking agreements, and $1,482,000 in deposits were uninsured at December 
31, 2019. 

Contingencies 

The Bank is subject to legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of 
business.    In  the  opinion  of  management,  the  amount  of  ultimate  liability  with  respect  to 
such  actions  will  not  materially  affect  the  consolidated  financial  condition  or  results  of 
operations of the Bank. 

11. 

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 

Regulatory Capital 

The Bank is subject to certain regulatory capital requirements administered by the Federal 
Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).  Failure to meet these minimum capital requirements 
can  initiate  certain  mandatory  and  possibly  additional  discretionary  actions  by  regulators 
that, if undertaken, could have a direct material  effect  on the  Bank's financial statements. 
Under  capital  adequacy  guidelines  and  the  regulatory  framework  for  prompt  corrective 
action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of 
the Bank's consolidated assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated 
under  regulatory  accounting  practices.    The  Bank's  capital  amounts  and  classification  are 
also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings 
and other factors. 

81 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On  July  2,  2013,  the  federal  banking  agencies  substantially  amended  the  regulatory  risk-
based capital rules applicable to the Bank.  Effective January 1, 2015 the revised rules create 
“Common  equity  tier  1,”  a  new  measure  of  regulatory  capital  closer  to  pure  tangible 
common equity than the present Tier 1 definition.  The required minimum risk-based capital 
ratio  for  Common  equity  tier  1  is  4.5  percent  and  with  a  2.5  percent  capital  conservation 
buffer.  The  revised capital  rules  require the Bank to meet the capital conservation buffer 
requirement on January 1, 2019 in order to avoid constraints on capital distributions, such 
as dividends and equity repurchases, and certain bonus compensation for executive officers.  
These new capital rules also change the risk-weights of certain assets for purposes of the 
risk-based capital ratios and phase out certain instruments as qualifying capital. 

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Bank 
to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of total and Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets 
and  of  Tier  1  capital  to  average  assets.    Each  of  these  components  is  defined  in  the 
regulations.  The Bank met all its capital adequacy requirements as of  December 31, 2019 
and 2018. 

At  December  31,  2019,  the  Bank  is  considered  well  capitalized  under  the  regulatory 
framework for prompt corrective action.  To be categorized as well capitalized, the Bank must 
maintain minimum common equity Tier 1 capital, total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 
1 leverage ratios as set forth below. 

The Bank elected not to include Other Accumulated Comprehensive Income in the regulatory 
capital calculations.   

The Bank’s actual and required capital amounts and ratios consisted of the following: 

82 

(in thousands)AmountRatioAmountRatioCommon Equity Tier 1 Capital RatioSummit State Bank62,071$     10.2%58,915$     10.5%Minimum requirement with capital conservation buffer (1)42,472$     7.0%39,316$     7.0%Minimum requirement for "Well-Capitalized" institution39,438$     6.5%36,508$     6.5%Minimum regulatory requirement27,303$     4.5%25,275$     4.5%Tier 1 Capital RatioSummit State Bank62,071$     10.2%58,915$     10.5%Minimum requirement with capital conservation buffer (1)51,573$     8.5%47,741$     8.5%Minimum requirement for "Well-Capitalized" institution48,539$     8.0%44,933$     8.0%Minimum regulatory requirement36,404$     6.0%33,700$     6.0%Total Capital RatioSummit State Bank74,986$     12.4%65,188$     11.6%Minimum requirement with capital conservation buffer (1)63,708$     10.5%58,975$     10.5%Minimum requirement for "Well-Capitalized" institution60,674$     10.0%56,166$     10.0%Minimum regulatory requirement48,539$     8.0%44,933$     8.0%Tier 1 Leverage RatioSummit State Bank62,071$     9.3%58,915$     9.9%Minimum requirement for "Well-Capitalized" institution33,510$     5.0%29,874$     5.0%Minimum regulatory requirement26,808$     4.0%23,899$     4.0%(1) Includes 2.5% capital conservation buffer effective January 1, 2019.20192018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends 

Upon  declaration  by  the  Board  of  Directors,  all  shareholders  of  record  will  be  entitled  to 
receive dividends.  The California Financial Code restricts the total dividend payment of any 
bank  in  any  calendar  year  without  approval  of  the  California  Department  of  Business 
Oversight, to the lesser of (1) the Bank's retained earnings or (2) the Bank's net income for 
its last three fiscal years, less distributions made to shareholders during the same three-year 
period.  At December 31, 2019, the current regular dividend rate of $0.12 per quarter was not 
subject to the foregoing approval requirement. 

Stock-Based Compensation Plans 

The Bank has a 2007 and a 2013 Stock Option Plan (stock option plan or the Plan), which are 
shareholder  approved,  with  each  Plan  permitting  the  grant  of  share  options  to  Bank 
employees for up to 187,500 shares of common stock. Option awards are generally granted 
with an exercise price equal to the fair value of the Bank’s common stock at the date of grant; 
those option awards have vesting periods of 5 years unless otherwise approved by the Board 
of  Directors  and  have  10-year  contractual  terms.    As  of  December  31,  2019,  there  were 
187,500 shares available for future grants under the 2013 Plan. 

The  Bank  has  granted  Stock  Appreciation  Rights  (“SARs”)  in  2019,  2018  and  2017  to  key 
employees  and  directors.    The  SARs  provide  long-term  incentives  to  the  employees  and 
directors  by  providing  a  cash  payment  of  the  difference  between  the  market  price  of  the 
Bank’s common stock at time of exercise and the price at the grant date.  The expiration of 
the SARs is ten years, and each has an annual vesting of 20% for the first five years.  The 
SARs granted to Directors and the CEO will either have immediate vesting in their entirety 
or  partially  vest  immediately  and  annual  vesting  for  the  next  two  years;  these  SARs  also 
have an expiration of 10 years. The compensation expense is accrued each reporting period 
as a liability. 

The fair value of each option and SARs award is estimated on the date of grant using a closed 
form option valuation (Black-Scholes) model that uses the assumptions noted in the table 
below.  In 2017 and 2018 expected volatility is based on the historical volatilities of the Bank’s 
stock.  In 2019 the Bank began calculating its own volatility based on historical actuals using 
2 standard deviations. The Bank uses historical data to estimate option and SARs exercise 
and  post-vesting  termination  behavior.  Employee  and  management  options  are  tracked 
separately. The expected term of options and SARs granted is based on historical data and 
represents the period of time that options and SARs granted are expected to be outstanding, 
which  takes  into  account  that  the  options  and  SARs  are  not  transferable.    The  risk-free 
interest rate for the expected term of the option and SARs is based on the U.S. Treasury yield 
curve in effect at the time of the grant.  The dividend yield of the Bank’s common stock is 
used as of the date of the grant. 

For  the  years  ended  December  31,  2019,  2018  and  2017,  there  was  $76,000,  $69,000  and  
$17,000 in compensation costs related to non-vested stock options and SARs granted.  As of 
December  31,  2019,  2018  and  2017,  there  was  $138,000,  $204,000  and    $118,000  of  total 
unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested stock options and SARs granted.  At 
December 31, 2019, there were 7,500 vested options outstanding with an exercise price of 
$4.40 and 3,125 options exercised with an exercise prices of $4.40 during the year. 

83 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Information related to the stock option plan follows: 

A summary of the activity in the stock option plan follows: 

84 

201920182017Intrinsic value of options exercised24,000$   199,000$ 161,000$ Cash received from option exercises14,000     120,000   121,000   Tax benefit realized from option exercises7,000      59,000     67,000     Weighted average fair value of options granted-             -             -             SharesWeighted Average Exercise PriceWeighted Average Remaining Contractual TermAggregate Intrinsic ValueYear Ended December 31, 2019Outstanding at beginning of the year10,625  4.40$                  Granted-           -                         Exercised (3,125)   4.40                    Forfeited or expired-           -                         Outstanding at end of the year7,500    4.40$                  2 years64,000$       Vested or expected to vest7,500    4.40$                  2 years64,000$       Exercisable at end of year7,500    4.40$                  2 years64,000$       Year Ended December 31, 2018Outstanding at beginning of the year35,625  4.69$                  Granted-           -                         Exercised (25,000) 4.81                    Forfeited or expired-           -                         Outstanding at end of the year10,625  4.40$                  3 years78,000$       Vested or expected to vest10,625  4.40$                  3 years78,000$       Exercisable at end of year10,625  4.40$                  3 years78,000$       Year Ended December 31, 2017Outstanding at beginning of the year57,250  5.04$                  Granted-           -                         Exercised (21,625) 5.62                    Forfeited or expired-           -                         Outstanding at end of the year35,625  4.69$                  2 years282,000$     Vested or expected to vest35,625  4.69$                  2 years282,000$     Exercisable at end of year35,625  4.69$                  2 years282,000$      
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A summary of the activity for the SARs agreements follows: 

The weighted average fair value of SARs granted was  $0.32, $2.53, and $3.03 for the SAR 
grants made in 2019, 2018, and 2017 respectively. Weighted average assumptions used in 
the determination of the fair value of the SAR grants were as follows: 

85 

SharesWeighted Average Exercise PriceWeighted Average Remaining Contractual TermAggregate Intrinsic ValueYear Ended December 31, 2019Outstanding at beginning of the year135,000 13.55$                Granted77,000   12.31                  Exercised -            -                         Forfeited or expired-            -                         Outstanding at end of the year212,000 13.09$                8.9 years384,733$  Vested or expected to vest212,000 13.09$                8.9 years384,733$  Exercisable at end of year91,334   13.95$                8.4 years209,421$  Year Ended December 31, 2018Outstanding at beginning of the year45,000   12.00$                Granted90,000   14.33                  Exercised -            -                         Forfeited or expired-            -                         Outstanding at end of the year135,000 13.55$                10 years360,090$  Vested or expected to vest135,000 13.55$                10 years360,090$  Exercisable at end of year64,000   12.41$                10 years139,238$  Year Ended December 31, 2017Outstanding at beginning of the year25,000   11.60$                Granted20,000   12.50                  Exercised -            -                         Forfeited or expired-            -                         Outstanding at end of the year45,000   12.00$                9 years132,000$  Vested or expected to vest45,000   12.00$                9 years132,000$  Exercisable at end of year5,000     11.60$                9 years14,000$   201920182017Expected life in years10         10          10          Expected dividend yield3.70%4.15%3.84%Expected price volatility6.28%32.09%28.04%Risk-free interest rate1.89%2.83%2.40% 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12. 

OTHER EXPENSES 

Other expenses consisted of the following: 

13.  

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN 

401(k) Employee Savings Plan 

The Bank has a 401(k) Employee  Savings Plan qualified under the Internal Revenue  Code 
(Code),  whereby  participants  may  defer  a  percentage  of  their  compensation,  but  not  in 
excess of the maximum allowed under the Code.  Bank contributions, as determined by the 
Board  of  Directors,  are  discretionary  and  vest  immediately.    Contributions  by  the  Bank 
totaled $209,000, $224,000 and $175,000 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 
2017, respectively. 

14. 

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

During  the  normal  course  of  business,  the  Bank  enters  into  loans  with  related  parties, 
including executive officers and directors. Other changes are the result of changes in related 
parties  during  the  year.  The  following  is  a  summary  of  the  aggregate  activity  involving 
related party borrowers.  These loans are made at arm’s length and are consistent with what 
other borrowers receive. 

At December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, deposits of related parties amounted to $6,465,000, 
$3,727,000 and $5,115,000 respectively. 

15.  

FAIR VALUE 

Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize 
the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring 

86 

(in thousands)201920182017Data processing1,500$     1,497$     1,278$     Professional fees641          598          554          Director fees and expenses523          545          479          Nasdaq listing and regulatory license expense155          144          140          Advertising and promotion649          808          828          Deposit and other insurance premiums216          297          431          Telephone and postage82           79           77           Other expenses768          702          767          4,534$     4,670$     4,554$     Year Ended December 31, 201920182017(in thousands)8,052$          8,498$          6,531$          New borrowings5,278            1,599            4,097            Amounts repaid(2,378)           (2,045)           (2,130)           Balance, December 3110,952$        8,052$          8,498$          Undisbursed commitments to related parties512$             1,250$          1,960$          Balance, January 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 that are 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 in pricing an asset or liability. 

The fair values of most securities available for sale are determined by matrix pricing, which 
is  a  mathematical  technique  widely  used  in  the  industry  to  value  debt  securities  without 
relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the 
securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities (Level 2 inputs).   

The fair value of impaired loans that are collateral dependent are generally based on real 
estate appraisals. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination 
of  approaches  including  comparable  sales  and  the  income  approach.  Adjustments  are 
routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to adjust for differences between 
the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments are usually significant 
and typically result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value.  

Estimated  fair  values  are  disclosed  for  financial  instruments  for  which  it  is  practicable  to 
estimate fair value.  These estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant 
market data and information about the financial instruments.  These estimates do not reflect 
any  premium  or  discount  that  could  result  from  offering  the  Bank's  entire  holdings  of  a 
particular financial instrument for sale at one time, nor do they attempt to estimate the value 
of anticipated future business related to the instruments.  In addition, the tax ramifications 
related to the realization of unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair 
value estimates and have not been considered in any of these estimates. 

Because no active market exists for a significant portion of the Bank's financial instruments, 
fair  value  estimates  are  based  on  judgments  regarding  current  economic  conditions,  risk 
characteristics  of  various  financial  instruments  and  other  factors.    These  estimates  are 
subjective  in  nature  and  involve  uncertainties  and  matters  of  significant  judgment  and 
therefore cannot be determined with precision.  Changes in assumptions could significantly 
affect the fair values presented.   

87 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  following  table  presents  a  summary  of  the  carrying  value  and  fair  value  by  level  of 
financial instruments on the Bank’s  consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2019 and 
2018: 

Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis 

  Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below: 

88 

(in thousands)Carrying AmountFair     ValueFairValueHierarchyCarrying AmountFair     ValueFairValueHierarchyFinancial assets:Cash and due from banks38,299$  38,299$   Level 121,693$   21,693$  Level 1Investment securities - held-to-maturity7,998      7,981       Level 27,991      7,612      Level 2Investment securities - available-for-sale54,241    54,241     Level 270,174    70,174    Level 2Loans, net of allowance576,548  580,524   Level 3504,549   492,112  Level 3Investment in FHLB stock3,342      3,342       Level 23,085      3,085      Level 2Accrued interest receivable1,936      1,936       Level 11,831      1,831      Level 1Financial liabilities:Deposits573,837$ 573,502$ Level 2501,189$ 498,428$ Level 2FHLB advances45,600    45,730     Level 256,800    56,803    Level 2Junior subordinated debt5,862      5,574       Level 3-             -             Level 3Accrued interest payable293         293         Level 1259         259         Level 1December 31, 2018December 31, 2019Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical AssetsSignificant Other Observable InputsSignificant Unobservable Inputs(Level 1)(Level 2)(Level 3)Assets:Securities available-for-sale:   Government agencies39,887$              -$                      39,887$              -$                         Mortgage-backed securities - residential8,974                 -                        8,974                 -                           Corporate debt5,380                 -                        5,380                 -                              Total securities available-for-sale54,241$              -$                      54,241$              -$                      Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical AssetsSignificant Other Observable InputsSignificant Unobservable Inputs(Level 1)(Level 2)(Level 3)Assets:Securities available-for-sale:   Government agencies39,330$              -$                      39,330$              -$                         Mortgage-backed securities - residential10,972               -                        10,972               -                           Corporate debt19,872               -                        19,872               -                              Total securities available-for-sale70,174$              -$                      70,174$              -$                      Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2019(In thousands)Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2018(In thousands) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No liabilities were measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2019 or 2018. 

Changes in fair value are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). 

Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized on the actual date of the 
event  or  circumstances  that  caused  the  transfer,  which  generally  corresponds  with  the 
Bank’s quarterly valuation process. There were no transfers between any levels during 2019,  
2018 or 2017. 

Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Non-Recurring Basis   

No assets or liabilities were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at December 31, 
2019 or 2018. 

Impaired  loans  are  valued  at  the  fair  value  less  estimated  disposal  costs  of  collateral.  
Impaired  loans  with  specific  loss  allocations  had  a  principal  balance  of  $330,000  with  a 
valuation  allowance  of  $330,000  at  December  31,  2019.  Impaired  loans  with  specific  loss 
allocations  had  a  principal  balance  of  $351,000  with  a  valuation  allowance  of  $351,000  at 
December 31, 2018.   

16. 

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 

Subsequent events are events or transactions that occur after the consolidated balance sheet 
date but before the consolidated financial statements are issued.  The Bank recognizes in the 
consolidated financial statements the effects of all subsequent events that provide additional 
evidence  about  conditions  that  existed  at  the  date  of  the  consolidated  balance  sheet, 
including  these  estimates  inherent  in  the  process  of  preparing  the  consolidated  financial 
statements.    The  Bank’s  consolidated  financial  statements  do  not  recognize  subsequent 
events that provide evidence about conditions that did not exist at the date of the balance 
sheet but arose after the balance sheet date and before consolidated financial statements 
are available to be issued.  The Bank has evaluated subsequent events after December 31, 
2019 for potential recognition and disclosure matters. 

On  January  27,  2020,  the  Board  of  Directors  declared  a  $0.12  per  common  share  cash 
dividend to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 14, 2020, that was 
paid on February 21, 2020. 

89 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
17. 

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited) 

18.   

LEASES 

A lease is defined as a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to control the 
use  of  identified  property,  plan  or  equipment  for  a  period  of  time  in  exchange  for 
consideration. On January 1, 2019, the Bank adopted ASU No. 2016-02 “Leases” (Topic 842) 
and all subsequent ASUs that modified Topic 842. For the Bank, Topic 842 primarily affected 
the accounting treatment for operating lease agreements in which the Bank is the lessee.  

The types of leases where the Bank is a lessee are real estate properties for four branches 
located in Healdsburg, Rohnert Park, Petaluma and Santa Rosa, office spaces in Santa Rosa, 
a lending office in Roseville and photocopier equipment. These leases have variable terms 
maturing prior to 2025. A majority of the leases are classified as operating leases and were 
previously not recognized on the Bank’s consolidated balance sheets. With the adoption of 
Topic 842, operating lease agreements are  required to be recognized on the consolidated 
balance sheets as a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and a corresponding lease liability.  

The  calculated  amount  of  the  ROU  assets  and  lease  liabilities  in  the  table  below  are 
calculated  by  discounting  the  minimum  contractual  balance  due  of  all  future  payments 
through the end of the current term to present value. When the Bank determines exercising 
the renewal option for any lease agreement is reasonably certain, it will include the extended 
term in the calculation of the ROU asset and lease liability.  

90 

(in thousands except EPS data)Interest IncomeNet Interest IncomeNet IncomeBasicDilutedFirst quarter7,197$       5,447$            1,425$     0.23$     0.23$     Second quarter7,191         5,319              1,172       0.19       0.19       Third quarter7,619         5,563              2,045       0.34       0.34       Fourth quarter7,995         5,947              1,834       0.30       0.30       Interest IncomeNet Interest IncomeNet IncomeBasicDilutedFirst quarter6,054$       5,164$            1,740$     0.29$     0.29$     Second quarter6,119         5,090              1,461       0.24       0.24       Third quarter6,551         5,432              1,505       0.25       0.25       Fourth quarter6,848         5,406              1,121       0.18       0.18       Interest IncomeNet Interest IncomeNet IncomeBasicDilutedFirst quarter4,832$       4,450$            881$        0.15$     0.15$     Second quarter4,981         4,487              930          0.15       0.15       Third quarter5,186         4,382              1,001       0.17       0.17       Fourth quarter5,714         4,733              480          0.08       0.07       2019Earnings Per Common Share2018Earnings Per Common Share2017Earnings Per Common Share 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As it pertains to the discount rate, Topic 842 requires the use of the rate implicit in the lease 
whenever this rate is readily determinable. As this rate is rarely determinable, the Bank uses 
its incremental borrowing rate in calculating the discounted present value. 

The following table represents the consolidated balance sheets classification of the Bank’s 
ROU assets and lease liabilities. The Bank elected not to include short-term leases (i.e., leases 
with initial terms of twelve months or less) on the consolidated balance sheet.  

The following table represents lease costs for the year ended December 31, 2019:   

Rent  expense  for  the  years  ending  December  31,  2019  and  December  31,  2018  was 
$563,000 and $489,000. 

91 

(in thousands)December 31,2019Operating LeasesClassificationLease right-of-use assetsAccrued Int Rec & Other Assets937$           Lease liabilitiesAccrued Int Payable & Other Liabilities949            Financing LeasesLease right-of-use assetsBank Premises & Equip36$            Lease liabilitiesAccrued Int Payable & Other Liabilities36              Year Ended(in thousands)December 31,2019Lease CostsOperating lease cost462$             Financing lease costInterest on lease liabilities1                   Amortization of right-of-use assets14                 Sublease income(344)              Net lease cost133$             Year Ended(in thousands)December 31,2019Other  InformationCash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:Operating cash flows from operating leases491$           Operating cash flows from finance leases1                Financing cash flows from finance leases14              December 31,2019Weighted-average remaining lease termOperating leases3.9 yearsFinancing leases2.9 yearsWeighted-average discount rateOperating leases2.87%Financing leases2.87% 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Future  minimum  payments  for  finance  leases  and  operating  leases  as  of  December  31, 
2019 were as follows: 

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND 
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE 

None. 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES  

Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures  

The Bank, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including 

the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the 
design and operation of the Bank’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-
15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of December 31, 
2019. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer 
concluded that the Bank’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective. 

During the quarter ended December 31, 2019, there have been no changes in the Bank’s 
internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to 
materially affect, these controls. 

Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

Management of the Bank is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal 

control over financial reporting for the Bank (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). 

The Bank’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, 

has assessed the effectiveness of the Bank’s internal control over financial reporting as of 
December 31, 2019, presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the 
United States of America. In making this assessment, management used the criteria applicable to 
the Bank as set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission 
in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework. Based upon such assessment, management 
believes that, as of December 31, 2019, the Bank’s internal control over financial reporting is 
effective based upon those criteria. 

92 

(in thousands)Twelve Months Ended:Operating LeasesFinancing LeasesDecember 31, 2020383$                       15$                    December 31, 2021173                        13                     December 31, 2022162                        7                       December 31, 2023167                        3                       December 31, 2024121                        -                        Thereafter-                             -                        Total Future Minimum Lease Payments1,006                      38                     Amounts Representing Interest(57)                         (2)                      Present Value of Net Future Minimum Lease Payments949$                       36$                     
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
This annual report includes an attestation report of the Bank’s registered public accounting 

firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.  Management's report on internal control 
over financial reporting is set forth in ITEM 8. 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION 

None. 

PART III 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

    We intend to file a definitive proxy  statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (or 
“the Proxy Statement”) with the FDIC within 120 days of December 31, 2019. Information regarding 
directors of Summit State Bank will appear under the caption —Proposal 1: “Election of Directors” 
in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference. Information about Summit State 
Bank’s  Audit  Committee  Financial  Expert  will  appear  under  the  caption  “The  Committees  of  the 
Board—Audit Committee” and is incorporated herein by reference. The Bank has adopted a code of 
ethics  applicable  to  all  of  our  directors  and  employees,  including  the  principal  executive  officer, 
principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. 

    Information regarding section 16(a) filing requirements will appear under the caption “Section 
16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated 
herein by reference.  

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 

    Information  regarding  executive  compensation  will  appear  under  the  captions  “EXECUTIVE 
OFFICERS  OF  THE  BANK,”  “EXECUTIVE  COMPENSATION,  EMPLOYMENT  CONTRACTS”  AND 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ REPORT ON COMPENSATION,” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated 
herein by reference. 

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

    The  following  table  summarizes  information  as  of  December  31,  2019  relating  to  equity 
compensation plans of Summit State Bank pursuant to which grants of options, restricted stock, or 
other rights to acquire shares may be granted from time to time. 

Number of 
securities to 
be issued 
upon 
exercise of 
outstanding 
options 

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price of 
outstanding 
options 

Number of 
securities 
remaining available 
for future issuance 
under equity 
compensation 
plans (excluding 
securities reflected 
in column (a)) 

7,500 

$ 4.40 

187,500 

93 

Plan category 
Equity compensation plans: 
Approved by security holders 

 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Information  regarding  security  ownership  of  certain  beneficial  owners  and  management  and 
related  shareholder  matters  will  appear  under  the  caption  “EQUITY  COMPENSATION  PLAN 
INFORMATION,” 
“PRINCIPAL 
“SECURITY  OWNERSHIP  OF  MANAGEMENT”  AND 
SHAREHOLDERS” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference. 

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

    Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions will appear under the caption 
“TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by 
reference. 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES 

    Information regarding fees paid to our independent registered public accounting firm, will appear 
under the caption —Proposal 2. Ratification of Selection of Independent Public Accounts “FEES PAID 
TO INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by 
reference. 

PART IV 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES 

(a)   1.  Financial Statements 

The following documents are filed as part of this report: 

  Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 
  Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2019 and 2018 
  Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the years in the three-year period ended December    
      31, 2019 
  Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the years in the three-year period  
      ended December 31, 2019 
  Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for each of the years in the three- 
      year period ended December 31, 2019 
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended  
      December 31, 2019 
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  

2. Financial Statement Schedules 
    Not applicable 

3. Exhibits 
     (b) Exhibits Required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K 
    Reference is made to the Exhibit Index on page 97 for exhibits filed as part of this report. 

     (c) Additional Financial Statements 
    Not applicable. 

ITEM 16.  FORM 10-K SUMMARY 

None 

94 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
SIGNATURES 

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

Summit State Bank 

By 

     /s/ Camille D. Kazarian 

March 16, 2020 

Camille D. Kazarian 
Executive Vice President and 
Chief Financial Officer 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) 

Summit State Bank 

By 

     /s/ James E. Brush 

James E. Brush 
President and  
Chief Executive Officer 
(Principal Executive Officer) 

March 16, 2020 

95 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed 
below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant in the capacities and on the dates 
indicated. 

Dated:  March 16, 2020 

/s/ James E. Brush 
James E. Brush, President and Chief Executive Officer  
(Principal Executive Officer) and Director 

Dated:  March 16, 2020 

Dated:  March 16, 2020 

Dated:  March 16, 2020 

Dated:  March 16, 2020 

/s/ Jeffery B. Allen 
Jeffery B. Allen, Director 

/s/ Josh C. Cox, Jr. 
Josh C. Cox, Jr., Director 

/s/ Dawn M. Ross 
Dawn M. Ross, Director 

/s/ Todd R. Fry 
Todd R. Fry, Director 

Dated:  March 16, 2020 

/s/ Allan J. Hemphill 
Allan J. Hemphill, Chairman of the Board and Director 

Dated:  March 16, 2020 

/s/ Camille D. Kazarian 

  Camille D. Kazarian, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial 

Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) 

Dated:  March 16, 2020 

Dated:  March 16, 2020 

Dated:  March 16, 2020 

Dated:  March 16, 2020 

/s/ Richard E. Pope 
Richard E. Pope, Director 

/s/ Nicholas J. Rado 
Nicholas J. Rado, Director 

/s/ Marshall T. Reynolds 
Marshall T. Reynolds, Director 

/s/ John W. Wright 
John W. Wright, Director 

96 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT 
NO. 

EXHIBIT INDEX 

EXHIBIT 

3.1 
3.2 
3.3 
4.1 
4.2 

4.3 
10.1 
10.2 
10.3 
10.4 
10.5 
10.6 
10.7 
10.8 
10.9 
14.1 
21.1 
31.1 
31.2 
32.1 

Articles of Incorporation of the registrant (1) (2) (3) 
Amendment of Articles of Incorporation dated January 23, 2017 (4) 
By-laws of the registrant (5) 
Specimen of the registrant’s common stock certificate (1) (2) (3) 
The total amount of the registrant’s long-term debt does not exceed 10 percent of the total 
assets  of  the  registrant  and  its  subsidiaries  on  a  consolidated  basis.  Pursuant  to  Item 
601(b)(4)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K, the registrant agrees to file any instrument with respect to 
such long-term debt upon request of the FDIC. 
Description of securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act 
2007 Stock Option Plan (6) 
2013 Equity Incentive Plan (7) 
Change in Control Agreement with Dennis Kelley (8) 
Change in Control Agreement with Genie Del Secco (9) 
Change in Control Agreement with Brandy Seppi (10) 
Change in Control Agreement with Brian Reed (11) 
Change in Control Agreement with Camille Kazarian (12) 
Cash Incentive Bonus Plan (13) 
Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement with Directors and Officers (14) 
Code of Ethics (15) 
Subsidiaries of the registrant (1) 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification 
Section 1350 certifications 

Incorporated by reference from Summit State Bank’s Form 10 filed with the FDIC on June 19, 2006. 
(1) 
Incorporated by reference from Summit State Bank’s Form 10/A Amendment No. 1 filed with the FDIC on July 12, 2006. 
(2) 
Incorporated by reference from Summit State Bank’s Form 10/A Amendment No. 2 filed with the FDIC on July 13, 2006. 
(3) 
Incorporated by reference from Summit State Bank’s Form 10-K filed with the FDIC on March 23, 2017. 
(4) 
Incorporated by reference from Summit State Bank’s Form 8-K filed with the FDIC on January 24, 2018. 
(5) 
Incorporated by reference from Summit State Bank’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the FDIC on April 27, 2007. 
(6) 
Incorporated by reference from Summit State Bank’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the FDIC on June 10, 2013. 
(7) 
Incorporated by reference from Summit State Bank’s Form 10-Q filed with the FDIC on November 13, 2014. 
(8) 
Incorporated by reference from Summit State Bank’s Form 8-K filed with the FDIC on January 18, 2018. 
(9) 
(10)  Incorporated by reference from Summit State Bank’s Form 10-K filed with the FDIC on March 12, 2015. 
(11)  Incorporated by reference from Summit State Bank’s Form 8-K filed with the FDIC on February 14, 2017. 
(12)  Incorporated by reference from Summit State Bank’s Form 8-K filed with the FDIC on December 4, 2018. 
(13)  Incorporated by reference from Summit State Bank’s Form 8-K filed with the FDIC on April 22, 2016. 
(14)  Incorporated by reference from Summit State Bank’s Form 8-K filed with the FDIC on December 14, 2016, December 22, 

2017, August 2, 2018 and December 18, 2018. 

(15)  Incorporated by reference from Summit State Bank’s Form 10-K filed with the FDIC on March 28, 2007. 

97 

 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT 4.3 
Description of securities of Summit State Bank registered under section 12 of the Exchange Act 

The  authorized  capital  stock  of  Summit  State  Bank  (the  “Bank”)  consists  of  30,000,000  shares  of 
common stock without par value and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock without par value.  

Description of Common Stock  

As  of  December  31,  2019,  the  Bank  had  one  class  of  securities  registered  under  the  Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended: common stock.  

The following description of the Bank’s common stock is a summary and does not describe every 
right, term or condition of owning the common stock. The description is subject to and qualified by 
reference  to  the  Bank’s  articles  of  incorporation  and  bylaws,  and  certain  provisions  of  applicable 
law,  including  California  law  and  certain  federal  laws  governing  federally  insured  depository 
institutions.  

    Fully Paid and Nonassessable.  All of the outstanding shares of common stock are fully-paid and 
non-assessable. 

     Voting Rights. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters 
submitted to a vote of shareholders, provided that shareholders may cumulate votes in the election 
of the Bank’s directors. 

     Dividends.  Subject to the preference in dividend rights of any series of preferred stock which the 
Bank may issue, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive such cash dividends, if any, as 
may be declared by the Bank’s board of directors out of legally available funds. 

    Liquidation, Dissolution and Winding Up.  Upon  liquidation,  dissolution  or  winding  up,  after 
payment  of  all  debts  and  liabilities,  including  funds  of  depositors,  and  after  payment  of  the 
liquidation preferences of any shares of preferred stock then outstanding, all assets that are legally 
available for distribution shall be distributed to the holders of the common stock pro rata based on 
the number of shares of common stock outstanding at such time. 

         No Preemptive or Similar Rights.  Holders  of  common  stock  have  no  preemptive  or  other 
subscription  rights,  and  there  are  no  conversion  rights  or  redemption  or  sinking  fund  provisions 
with respect to the common stock. 

 Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws 

 Set forth below is a summary of the provisions of the Bank’s articles of incorporation and bylaws 
that could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of the Bank.  The following 
description is only a summary and it is qualified by refence to the Bank’s articles of incorporation 
and bylaws,  and certain  provisions of applicable law, including California law and certain federal 
laws governing federally insured depository institutions. 

    Blank Check Preferred Stock. The Bank’s board of directors is authorized to create and issue from 
time to time, without shareholder approval, up to an aggregate of 20,000,000 shares of preferred 
stock in one or more series, to establish the number of shares of any series of preferred stock and 

98 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
to fix the designations, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each such series and any 
qualifications, limitations or restrictions on the shares of each series. The authority to designate and 
issue preferred stock may be used to issue one or more series of preferred stock, or rights to acquire 
preferred  stock,  that  could  dilute  the  interest  of,  or  impair  the  voting  power  of,  holders  of  the 
common stock or could also be used as a method of determining, delaying or preventing a change 
of control.  For example, the Bank could issue shares of preferred stock and rights to purchase shares 
of preferred stock in connection with a shareholder rights plan.  

    Advance Notice Provisions.  The  Bank’s  bylaws  contain  an  advance  notice  procedure  for 
shareholder nominations of candidates for election to the Bank’s board of directors. A shareholder 
intending to nominate a candidate for election as a director at a shareholder meeting where directors 
are to be elected must provide advance written notice to the Bank as specified in the Bank’s bylaws.  
The  written  notice  must  include  certain  information  about  the  nominating  shareholder  and  the 
director candidate as is specified in the bylaws. Although the Bank’s bylaws do not give the board 
of  directors  the  power  to  approve  or  disapprove  shareholder  nominations  of  candidates,  this 
advance notice provision may have the effect of delaying or precluding the nomination of candidates 
for election to the board in opposition to nominees of the board of directors if the proper procedures 
are not followed, or may discourage or delay a potential acquirer attempting to to elect its own slate 
of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of the Bank. 

Listing  

The Bank’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the trading symbol “SSBI.” 

99 

 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT 31.1 
Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to §302 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002. 

I, James E. Brush, Chief Executive Officer, certify that: 

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Summit State Bank (the Registrant); 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or 
omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances 
under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this 
report; 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this 
report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash 
flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 

4.  The  Registrant’s  other  certifying  officer  and  I  are  responsible  for  establishing  and  maintaining 
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a- 15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and 
internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 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, to ensure that material information 
relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by 
others  within  those  entities,  particularly  during  the  period  in  which  this  report  is  being 
prepared; 

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control 
over  financial  reporting  to  be  designed  under  our  supervision,  to  provide  reasonable 
assurance  regarding  the  reliability  of  financial  reporting  and  the  preparation  of  financial 
statements  for  external  purposes  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting 
principles; 

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and 
presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls 
and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; 
and 

(d)  Disclosed  in  this  report  any  change  in  the  Registrant’s  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant’s 
fourth  fiscal  quarter  in  the  case  of  an  annual  report)  that  has  materially  affected,  or  is 
reasonably  likely  to  materially  affect,  the  Registrant’s  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting; and 

5. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation 
of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of 
Registrant’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): 

(a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal 
control  over  financial  reporting,  which  are  reasonably  likely  to  adversely  affect  the 
Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and 

100 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(b)  any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who 

have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. 

Dated:  March 16, 2020    

/s/ James E. Brush 
James E. Brush 
President and Chief Executive Officer 
(Principal Executive Officer) 

101 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT 31.2 
Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to §302 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002. 

I, Camille D. Kazarian, Chief Financial Officer, certify that: 

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Summit State Bank (the Registrant); 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or 
omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances 
under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this 
report; 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this 
report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash 
flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 

4.  The  Registrant’s  other  certifying  officer  and  I  are  responsible  for  establishing  and  maintaining 
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a- 15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and 
internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 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, to ensure that material information 
relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by 
others  within  those  entities,  particularly  during  the  period  in  which  this  report  is  being 
prepared; 

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control 
over  financial  reporting  to  be  designed  under  our  supervision,  to  provide  reasonable 
assurance  regarding  the  reliability  of  financial  reporting  and  the  preparation  of  financial 
statements  for  external  purposes  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting 
principles; 

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and 
presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls 
and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; 
and 

(d)  Disclosed  in  this  report  any  change  in  the  Registrant’s  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant’s 
fourth  fiscal  quarter  in  the  case  of  an  annual  report)  that  has  materially  affected,  or  is 
reasonably  likely  to  materially  affect,  the  Registrant’s  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting; and 

5. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation 
of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of 
Registrant’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): 

(a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal 
control  over  financial  reporting,  which  are  reasonably  likely  to  adversely  affect  the 
Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and 

102 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who 
have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. 

Dated:  March 16, 2020       

/s/ Camille D. Kazarian  
Camille D. Kazarian 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) 

103 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT 32.1 
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350 

In connection with the annual report on Form 10-K of Summit State Bank (the Registrant) for the 
year  ended  December  31,  2019,  as  filed  with  the  Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Corporation,  the 
undersigned  hereby  certify  pursuant  to  18  U.S.C.  §1350,  as  adopted  pursuant  to  §906  of  the 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: 

1) such Form 10-K fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934; and 

2) the information contained in such Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial 
condition and results of operations of the Registrant. 

Dated:  March 16, 2020 

Dated:  March 16, 2020  

/s/ James E. Brush   
James E. Brush 
President and Chief Executive Officer 
(Principal Executive Officer) 

   /s/ Camille D. Kazarian 
Camille D. Kazarian 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) 

104