Tri Counties Bank
Annual Report 2015

Plain-text annual report

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 Commission File Number 0-10661 TriCo Bancshares (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) California 94 -2792841 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 63 Constitution Drive, Chico, California 95 973 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code:(530) 898-0300 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Common Stock, without par value (Title of Class) Nasdaq Global Select Market (Name of each exchange on which registered) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None. Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES NO X Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. YES NO X Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter periods that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES X NO Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES X NO Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of the Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. YES X NO Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Act (check one). Large accelerated filer Accelerated filer X Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES NO X The aggregate market value of the voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, as of June 30, 2015, was approximately $455,364,095 (based on the closing sales price of the Registrant’s common stock on the date). This computation excludes a total of 3,815,465 shares that are beneficially owned by the officers and directors of Registrant who may be deemed to be the affiliates of Registrant under applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The number of shares outstanding of Registrant's common stock, as of February 26, 2016, was 22,785,173. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE The information required to be disclosed pursuant to Part III of this report either shall be (i) deemed to be incorporated by reference from selected portions of TriCo Bancshares’ definitive proxy statement for the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders, if such proxy statement is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the Company's most recently completed fiscal year, or (ii) included in an amendment to this report filed with the Commission on Form 10-K/A not later than the end of such 120 day period. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Number PART I Item 1 Item 1A Item 1B Item 2 Item 3 Item 4 PART II Item 5 Item 6 Item 7 Item 7A Item 8 Item 9 Item 9A Item 9B PART III Item 10 Item 11 Item 12 Item 13 Item 14 PART IV Business Risk Factors Unresolved Staff Comments Properties Legal Proceedings Mine Safety Disclosures Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Selected Financial Data Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk Financial Statements and Supplementary Data Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure Controls and Procedures Other Information Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance Executive Compensation Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence Principal Accountant Fees and Services Item 15 Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules Signatures FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 2 9 16 16 16 17 18 20 21 50 51 103 103 103 104 104 104 104 104 104 105 In addition to historical information, this Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements about TriCo Bancshares (the “Company,” “TriCo” or “we”) and its subsidiaries for which it claims the protection of the safe harbor provisions contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on Management’s current knowledge and belief and include information concerning the Company’s possible or assumed future financial condition and results of operations. When you see any of the words “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, or similar expressions, these generally indicate that we are making forward-looking statements. A number of factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s ability to predict or control, could cause future results to differ materially from those contemplated. These factors include those listed at Item 1A Risk Factors, in this report. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company does not undertake to update forward- looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. ITEM 1. BUSINESS Information about TriCo Bancshares’ Business PART I TriCo Bancshares is a bank holding company incorporated in California in 1981 and registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHC Act”). The Company’s principal subsidiary is Tri Counties Bank, a California-chartered commercial bank (the “Bank”). The Bank offers banking services to retail customers and small to medium-sized businesses through 67 branch offices in Northern and Central California and had total assets of approximately $4.2 billion at December 31, 2015. The Bank’s deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) up to applicable limits. See “Business of Tri Counties Bank”. The Company and the Bank are headquartered in Chico, California. As a bank holding company, TriCo is subject to the supervision of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”) under the BHC Act. The Bank is subject to the supervision of the California Department of Business Oversight (the “DBO”) and the FDIC. See “Regulation and Supervision.” TriCo has five capital trusts, which are all wholly-owned trust subsidiaries formed for the purpose of issuing trust preferred securities (“Trust Preferred Securities”) and lending the proceeds to TriCo. For more information regarding the trust preferred securities please refer to Note 17, “Junior Subordinated Debt” to the financial statements at Item 8 of this report. Additional information concerning the Company can be found on our website at www.tcbk.com. Copies of our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports are available free of charge through the investors relations page of our website, www.tcbk.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company files these reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The information on our website is not part this annual report. Business of Tri Counties Bank The Bank was incorporated as a California banking corporation on June 26, 1974, and received its certificate of authority to conduct banking operations on March 11, 1975. The Bank engages in the general commercial banking business in 26 counties in Northern and Central California. The Bank currently operates from 55 traditional branches and 12 in-store branches. The Bank conducts a commercial banking business including accepting demand, savings and time deposits and making commercial, real estate, and consumer loans. It also offers installment note collection, issues cashier's checks, sells travelers checks and provides safe deposit boxes and other customary banking services. Brokerage services are provided at the Bank's offices by the Bank's arrangement with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., an independent financial services provider and broker-dealer. The Bank does not offer trust services or international banking services. The Bank has emphasized retail banking since it opened. Most of the Bank's customers are retail customers and small to medium-sized businesses. The Bank emphasizes serving the needs of local businesses, farmers and ranchers, retired individuals and wage earners. The majority of the Bank's loans are direct loans made to individuals and businesses in Northern and Central California where its branches are located. At December 31, 2015, the total of the Bank's consumer loans net of deferred fees outstanding was $395,283,000 (15.3%), the total of commercial loans outstanding was $194,913,000 (7.8%), and the total of real estate loans including construction loans of $120,909,000 was $1,932,741,000 (76.9%). The Bank takes real estate, listed and unlisted securities, savings and time deposits, automobiles, machinery, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable and notes receivable secured by property as collateral for loans. Most of the Bank's deposits are attracted from individuals and business-related sources. No single person or group of persons provides a material portion of the Bank's deposits, the loss of any one or more of which would have a materially adverse effect on the business of the Bank, nor is a material portion of the Bank’s loans concentrated within a single industry or group of related industries. Acquisition of Three Branch Offices and Deposits from Bank of America On October 28, 2015, the Bank agreed to purchase three branch offices in Humboldt County, California from Bank of America, N.A. The Company expects that the Bank will purchase and assume approximately $235 million in deposits in this transaction. This transaction is expected to occur in March 2016. 2 Acquisition of North Valley Bancorp On October 3, 2014, TriCo completed the acquisition of North Valley Bancorp following receipt of shareholder approval for both institutions and all required regulatory approvals. As part of the acquisition, North Valley Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of North Valley Bancorp, merged with and into Tri Counties Bank. In the acquisition, the outstanding shares of North Valley common stock were converted into an aggregate of approximately 6.58 million shares of TriCo common stock to North Valley Bancorp shareholders, which was valued at a total of approximately $151 million based on the closing trading price of TriCo common stock on October 3, 2014 of $23.01. In addition, the outstanding options to purchase shares of North Valley Bancorp common stock were cancelled and the holders of the options received a total of $1,061,000 in cash. In connection with the merger, TriCo assumed North Valley Bancorp’s obligations with respect to its outstanding trust preferred securities. North Valley Bank was a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Redding, California. North Valley conducted a commercial and retail banking services which included accepting demand, savings, and money market rate deposit accounts and time deposits, and making commercial, real estate and consumer loans. North Valley Bank had $935 million in assets and 22 commercial banking offices in Shasta, Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, Yolo, Sonoma, Placer and Trinity Counties in Northern California at June 30, 2014. See Note 2 in the financial statements at Item 8 of this report for a discussion about this transaction. Other Activities The Bank may in the future engage in other businesses either directly or indirectly through subsidiaries acquired or formed by the Bank subject to regulatory constraints. See “Regulation and Supervision.” Employees At December 31, 2015, the Company employed 1,011 persons, including six executive officers. Full time equivalent employees were 963. No employees of the Company are presently represented by a union or covered under a collective bargaining agreement. Management believes that its employee relations are good. Competition The banking business in California generally, and in the Bank's primary service area of Northern and Central California specifically, is highly competitive with respect to both loans and deposits. It is dominated by a relatively small number of national and regional banks with many offices operating over a wide geographic area. Among the advantages such major banks have over the Bank is their ability to finance wide ranging advertising campaigns and to allocate their investment assets to regions of high yield and demand. By virtue of their greater total capitalization such institutions have substantially higher lending limits than does the Bank. In addition to competing with other banks, the Bank competes with savings institutions, credit unions and the financial markets for funds. Yields on corporate and government debt securities and other commercial paper may be higher than on deposits, and therefore affect the ability of commercial banks to attract and hold deposits. Commercial banks also compete for available funds with money market instruments and mutual funds. During past periods of high interest rates, money market funds have provided substantial competition to banks for deposits and they may continue to do so in the future. Mutual funds are also a major source of competition for savings dollars. The Bank relies substantially on local promotional activity, personal contacts by its officers, directors, employees and shareholders, extended hours, personalized service and its reputation in the communities it services to compete effectively. Regulation and Supervision General The Company and the Bank are subject to extensive regulation under both federal and state law. This regulation is intended primarily for the protection of depositors, the FDIC deposit insurance fund and the banking system as a whole, and not for the protection of shareholders of the Company. Set forth below is a summary description of the significant laws and regulations applicable to the Company and the Bank. The description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable laws and regulations. 3 Regulatory Agencies The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank and its other subsidiaries. As a bank holding company, the Company is regulated under the BHC Act, and is subject to supervision, regulation and examination by the FRB. The Company is also under the jurisdiction of the SEC and is subject to the disclosure and regulatory requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each administered by the SEC. The Company’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select market (“Nasdaq”) under the trading symbol “TCBK” and the Company is, therefore, subject to the rules of Nasdaq for listed companies. The Bank, as a state chartered bank, is subject to broad federal regulation and oversight extending to all its operations by the FDIC and to state regulation by the DBO. The Dodd-Frank Act created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”) as an independent entity with broad rulemaking, supervisory and enforcement authority over consumer financial products and services. The CFPB’s functions include investigating consumer complaints, rulemaking, supervising and examining bank consumer transactions, and enforcing rules related to consumer financial products and services. CFPB regulations and guidance apply to all financial institutions, including the Bank. Banks with $10 billion or more in assets are subject to examination by the CFPB. Banks with less than $10 billion in assets, including the Bank, continue to be examined for compliance with federal consumer laws by their primary federal banking agency. The Bank Holding Company Act The Company is registered as a bank holding company under the BHC Act. In general, the BHC Act limits the business of bank holding companies to banking, managing or controlling banks and other activities that the FRB has determined to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident thereto. As a bank holding company, TriCo is required to file reports with the FRB and the FRB periodically examines the Company. Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), a bank holding company is required to serve as a source of financial and managerial strength to its subsidiary bank and, under appropriate circumstances, to commit resources to support the subsidiary bank. Qualified bank holding companies that elect to be financial holding companies may engage in any activity, or acquire and retain the shares of a company engaged in any activity, that is either (i) financial in nature or incidental to such financial activity or (ii) complementary to a financial activity, and that does not pose a substantial risk to the safety and soundness of depository institutions or the financial system generally (as determined solely by the FRB). Activities that are financial in nature include securities underwriting and dealing, insurance underwriting and agency, and making merchant banking investments. The Company has not elected to become a financial holding company. The BHC Act, the Bank Merger Act, and other federal and state statutes regulate acquisitions of commercial banks. The BHC Act requires the prior approval of the FRB for the direct or indirect acquisition of more than 5 percent of the voting shares of a commercial bank or its parent holding company. Under the Bank Merger Act, the prior approval of an acquiring bank’s primary federal regulator is required before it may merge with another bank or purchase the assets or assume the deposits of another bank. In reviewing applications seeking approval of merger and acquisition transactions, the bank regulatory authorities will consider, among other things, the competitive effect and public benefits of the transactions, the capital position of the combined organization, the applicant's performance record under the Community Reinvestment Act, consumer compliance, fair housing laws and the effectiveness of the subject organizations in combating money laundering activities. Safety and Soundness Standards The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 ("FDICIA") implemented certain specific restrictions on transactions and required the regulators to adopt overall safety and soundness standards for depository institutions related to internal control, loan underwriting and documentation, and asset growth. Among other things, FDICIA limits the interest rates paid on deposits by undercapitalized institutions, the use of brokered deposits and the aggregate extension of credit by a depository institution to an executive officer, director, principal stockholder or related interest, and reduces deposit insurance coverage for deposits offered by undercapitalized institutions for deposits by certain employee benefits accounts. 4 Section 39 to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act requires the agencies to establish safety and soundness standards for insured financial institutions covering:         internal controls, information systems and internal audit systems; loan documentation; credit underwriting; interest rate exposure; asset growth; compensation, fees and benefits; asset quality, earnings and stock valuation; and excessive compensation for executive officers, directors or principal shareholders which could lead to material financial loss. If an agency determines that an institution fails to meet any standard established by the guidelines, the agency may require the financial institution to submit to the agency an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the standard. If the agency requires submission of a compliance plan and the institution fails to timely submit an acceptable plan or to implement an accepted plan, the agency must require the institution to correct the deficiency. An institution must file a compliance plan within 30 days of a request to do so from the institution's primary federal regulatory agency. The agencies may elect to initiate enforcement action in certain cases rather than rely on an existing plan particularly where failure to meet one or more of the standards could threaten the safe and sound operation of the institution. Restrictions on Dividends and Distributions A California corporation such as TriCo may make a distribution to its shareholders to the extent that either the corporation’s retained earnings meet or exceed the amount of the proposed distribution or the value of the corporation’s assets exceed the amount of its liabilities plus the amount of shareholders preferences, if any, and certain other conditions are met. It is the FRB’s policy that bank holding companies should generally pay dividends on common stock only out of income available over the past year, and only if prospective earnings retention is consistent with the organization’s expected future needs and financial condition. The primary source of funds for payment of dividends by TriCo to its shareholders has been and will be the receipt of dividends and management fees from the Bank. TriCo’s ability to receive dividends from the Bank is limited by applicable state and federal law. Under the California Financial Code, funds available for cash dividend payments by a bank are restricted to the lesser of: (i) retained earnings or (ii) the bank’s net income for its last three fiscal years (less any distributions to shareholders made during such period). However, with the prior approval of the Commissioner of the DBO, a bank may pay cash dividends in an amount not to exceed the greatest of the: (1) retained earnings of the bank; (2) net income of the bank for its last fiscal year; or (3) net income of the bank for its current fiscal year. However, if the DBO finds that the shareholders’ equity of the bank is not adequate or that the payment of a dividend would be unsafe or unsound, the Commissioner may order the bank not to pay a dividend to shareholders. Additionally, under FDICIA, a bank may not make any capital distribution, including the payment of dividends, if after making such distribution the bank would be in any of the “undercapitalized” categories under the FDIC’s Prompt Corrective Action regulations. A bank is undercapitalized for this purpose if its leverage ratios, Tier 1 risk-based capital level and total risk-based capital ratio are not at least four percent, four percent and eight percent, respectively. The FRB, FDIC and the DBO have authority to prohibit a bank holding company or a bank from engaging in practices which are considered to be unsafe and unsound. Depending on the financial condition of TriCo and the Bank and other factors, the FRB, FDIC or the DBO could determine that payment of dividends or other payments by TriCo or the Bank might constitute an unsafe or unsound practice. The Community Reinvestment Act The Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (“CRA”) requires the federal banking regulatory agencies to periodically assess a bank’s record of helping meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. The CRA also requires the agencies to consider a financial institution's record of meeting its community credit when evaluating applications for, among other things, domestic branches and mergers or acquisitions. The federal banking agencies rate depository institutions’ compliance with the CRA. The ratings range from a high of "outstanding" to a low of "substantial noncompliance." A less than “satisfactory” rating could result in the suspension of any growth of the Bank through acquisitions or opening de novo branches until the rating is improved. As of its most recent CRA examination, the Bank’s CRA rating was “Satisfactory.” 5 Consumer Protection Laws The Bank is subject to many federal consumer protection statues and regulations, some of which are discussed below.  The Equal Credit Opportunity Act generally prohibits discrimination in any credit transaction, whether for consumer or business purposes, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age (except in limited circumstances), receipt of income from public assistance programs, or good faith exercise of any rights under the Consumer Credit Protection Act.  The Truth-in-Lending Act is designed to ensure that credit terms are disclosed in a meaningful way so that consumers may compare credit terms more readily and knowledgeably.  The Fair Housing Act regulates many practices, including making it unlawful for any lender to discriminate in its housing-related lending activities against any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap or familial status.  The Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, which includes a “fair lending” aspect, requires the collection and disclosure of data about applicant and borrower characteristics as a way of identifying possible discriminatory lending patterns and enforcing anti-discrimination statutes.  The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act requires lenders to provide borrowers with disclosures regarding the nature and cost of real estate settlements and prohibits certain abusive practices, such as kickbacks, and places limitations on the amount of escrow accounts. In addition, the CFPB has taken a number of actions that may affect the Bank's operations and compliance costs, including the following:  The issuance of final rules for residential mortgage lending, which became effective January 10, 2013, including definitions for “qualified mortgages” and detailed standards by which lenders must satisfy themselves of the borrower’s ability to repay the loan and revised forms of disclosure under the Truth in Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act  The issuance of a policy report on arbitration clauses which could result in the restriction or prohibition of lenders including arbitration clauses in consumer financial services contracts.  Actions taken to regulate and supervise credit bureaus and debt collections.  Positions taken by CFPB on fair lending, including applying the disparate impact theory in auto financing, which could make it harder for lenders, such as the Bank, to charge different rates or apply different terms to loans to different customers. Penalties for violations of the above laws may include fines, reimbursements, injunctive relief and other penalties. Regulatory Capital Requirements The Company and the Bank are subject to the minimum capital requirements of the FDIC and the FRB, respectively. Capital requirements may have an effect on the Company’s and the Bank’s profitability and ability to pay dividends. If the Company or the Bank lacks adequate capital to increase its assets without violating the minimum capital requirements or if it forced to reduce the level of its assets in order to satisfy regulatory capital requirements, its ability to generate earnings would be reduced. The Company’s and the Bank’s primary federal regulators, the FRB and the FDIC, have adopted guidelines utilizing a risk- based capital structure. Under the risk-based capital rules applicable through December 31, 2014, banking organizations were required to maintain minimum ratios of Tier 1 capital and total capital to total risk‑ weighted assets (including certain off‑ balance sheet items, such as letters of credit). Qualifying capital is divided into two tiers. Tier 1 capital consists generally of common stockholders' equity, retained earnings, qualifying noncumulative perpetual preferred stock, a limited amount of qualifying cumulative perpetual preferred stock (at the holding company level) and minority interests in the equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, less goodwill and certain other intangible assets. Tier 2 capital consists of, among other things, allowance for loan and lease losses up to 1.25% of weighted risk assets, other perpetual preferred stock, hybrid capital instruments, perpetual debt, mandatory convertible debt, subordinated debt and intermediate-term preferred stock, subject to limitations. Tier 2 capital qualifies as part of total capital up to a maximum of 100% of Tier 1 capital. Under these risk-based capital guidelines, the Company is required to maintain total capital equal to at least 8% of its assets, of which at least 4% must be in the form of Tier 1 capital. In addition, the Bank is subject to minimum capital ratios under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action discussed below under “-- Prompt Corrective Action.” The Company and the Bank are also required to maintain a minimum leverage ratio of 4% of Tier 1 capital to total assets (the "leverage ratio"). The leverage ratio is determined by dividing an institution's Tier 1 capital by its quarterly average total assets, less goodwill and certain other intangible assets. The minimum leverage ratio constitutes a minimum requirement for 6 the most well-run banking organizations. See Note 29 in the financial statements at Item 8 of this report for a discussion about the Company’s risk-based capital and leverage ratios. In July, 2013, the federal banking agencies approved new capital rules implementing the “Basel III” regulatory capital reforms and other changes required by the Dodd-Frank Act. “Basel III” refers to capital guidelines adopted by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, which is a committee of central banks and bank supervisors/regulators from the major industrialized countries. The new capital rules include new risk-based capital and leverage ratios, which are being phased in from 2015 to 2019, and which refine the definition of what constitutes “capital” for purposes of calculating those ratios. The new minimum capital level requirements applicable to the Company and the Bank as of January 1, 2015 under the new capital rules include: (i) a new common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 4.5%; (ii) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6% (increased from 4%); (iii) a total capital ratio of 8% (unchanged from previous rules); and (iv) a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4% for all institutions. The new capital rules also establish a “capital conservation buffer” above the new regulatory minimum capital requirements, which must consist entirely of common equity Tier 1 capital. The capital conservation buffer will be phased-in over four years beginning on January 1, 2016, as follows: The buffer will be 0.625% of risk-weighted assets for 2016, 1.25% for 2017, 1.875% for 2018, and 2.5% for 2019 and thereafter. This will result in the following minimum ratios beginning in 2019: (i) a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 7.0%, (ii) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.5%, and (iii) a total capital ratio of 10.5%. Under the new capital rules, institutions are subject to limitations on paying dividends, engaging in share repurchases, and paying discretionary bonuses if its common equity capital level falls below the buffer amount. These limitations establish a maximum percentage of eligible retained income that could be utilized for such actions. The new capital rules provide regulators discretion to impose an additional capital buffer, the “countercyclical buffer,” of up to 2.5% of common equity Tier 1 capital to take into account the macro-financial environment and periods of excessive credit growth. However, the countercyclical buffer only applies to larger banks with $250 billion or more in total assets or $10 billion or more in total foreign exposures and is not expected to have an impact on the Company or the Bank. The new capital rules also implement revisions and clarifications consistent with Basel III regarding the various components of Tier 1 capital, including common equity, unrealized gains and losses, as well as certain instruments including trust preferred securities that will no longer qualify as Tier 1 capital, some of which will be phased out over time. However, the new capital rules provide that depository institution holding companies with less than $15 billion in total assets as of December 31, 2009, such as the Company, will be able to continue to include non-qualifying instruments that were issued and included in Tier 1 capital prior to May 19, 2010, such as the Company’s Trust Preferred Securities, as Tier 1. This treatment is grandfathered and will apply even if the Company exceeds $15 billion assets due to organic growth. However, if the Company exceeds $15 billion in assets as the result of a merger or acquisition, then the Tier 1 treatment of its outstanding trust preferred securities will be phased out but may still be treated as Tier 2 capital. The new capital rules also include changes for the calculation of risk-weighted assets, which are being phased in beginning January 1, 2015. The new capital rules utilizes an increased number of credit risk exposure categories and risk weights, and also addresses: (i) an alternative standard of creditworthiness consistent with Section 939A of the Dodd-Frank Act; (ii) revisions to recognition of credit risk mitigation; (iii) rules for risk weighting of equity exposures and past due loans; (iv) revised capital treatment for derivatives and repo-style transactions; and (v) disclosure requirements for top-tier banking organizations with $50 billion or more in total assets that are not subject to the “advance approach rules” that apply to banks with greater than $250 billion in consolidated assets. We believe that we were in compliance with the requirements applicable to us as set forth in the new capital rules as of January 1, 2016. Prompt Corrective Action (well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, Prompt Corrective Action regulations of the federal bank regulatory agencies establish five capital categories in descending significantly undercapitalized and critically order undercapitalized), assignment to which depends upon the institution's total risk-based capital ratio, Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, and leverage ratio. The new capital rules revised the prompt corrective action framework. Under the new prompt corrective action framework, which is designed to complement the capital conservation buffer included in the new capital rules, insured depository institutions will be required to meet the following increased capital level requirements in order to qualify as “well capitalized:” (i) a new common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.5%; (ii) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 8% (increased from 6%); (iii) a total capital ratio of 10% (unchanged from current rules); and (iv) a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 5% (increased from 4%). Institutions classified in one of the three undercapitalized categories are subject to certain mandatory and discretionary supervisory actions, which include increased monitoring and review, implementation of capital restoration plans, asset growth restrictions, limitations upon expansion and new business activities, requirements to augment capital, restrictions upon deposit gathering and interest rates, replacement of senior executive officers and directors, and requiring divestiture or sale of the institution. The Bank has been classified as well-capitalized since adoption of these regulations. 7 Deposit Insurance Deposit accounts in the Bank are insured by the FDIC, generally up to a maximum of $250,000 per separately insured depositor. The Bank pays deposit insurance assessments based on its consolidated total assets less tangible equity capital. The assessment rate is based on the risk category of the institution. To determine the total base assessment rate, the FDIC first establishes an institution’s initial base assessment rate and then adjusts the initial base assessment based upon an institution’s levels of unsecured debt, secured liabilities, and brokered deposits. The total base assessment rate ranges from 2.5 to 45 basis points of the institution’s average consolidated total assets less tangible equity capital. The Bank is generally unable to control the amount of premiums that it is required to pay for FDIC insurance. If there are additional bank or financial institution failures or if the FDIC otherwise determines, the Bank may be required to pay even higher FDIC premiums than the recently increased levels. Increases in FDIC insurance premiums may have a material and adverse affect on the Company’s earnings and could have a material adverse effect on the value of, or market for, the Company’s common stock. The FDIC may terminate a depository institution’s deposit insurance upon a finding that the institution’s financial condition is unsafe or unsound or that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices that pose a risk to the DIF or that may prejudice the interest of the bank’s depositors. The termination of deposit insurance for the Bank would also result in the revocation of the Bank’s charter by the DBO. Interstate Branching The Dodd-Frank Act authorized national and state banks to establish branches in other states to the same extent as a bank chartered by that state would be permitted to branch. Previously, banks could only establish branches in other states if the host state expressly permitted out-of-state banks to establish branches in that state. Accordingly, banks will be able to enter new markets more freely. Anti-Money Laundering Laws A series of banking laws and regulations beginning with the bank Secrecy Act in 1970 requires banks to prevent, detect, and report illicit or illegal financial activities to the federal government to prevent money laundering, international drug trafficking, and terrorism. Under the USA Patriot Act of 2001, financial institutions are subject to prohibitions against specified financial transactions and account relationships, requirements regarding the Customer Identification Program, as well as enhanced due diligence and “know your customer” standards in their dealings with high risk customers, foreign financial institutions, and foreign individuals and entities. Transactions with Affiliates Banks are also subject to certain restrictions imposed by the Federal Reserve Act on extensions of credit to executive officers, directors, principal shareholders (including the Company) or any related interest of such persons. Extensions of credit must be made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral as, and follow credit underwriting procedures that are not less stringent than, those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with persons not affiliated with the bank, and must not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features. Banks are also subject to certain lending limits and restrictions on overdrafts to such persons. Regulation W requires that certain transactions between the Bank and its affiliates, including its holding company, be on terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the Bank, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with or involving nonaffiliated companies or, in the absence of comparable transactions, on terms and under circumstances, including credit standards, that in good faith would be offered to or would apply to nonaffiliated companies. Impact of Monetary Policies Banking is a business that depends on interest rate differentials. In general, the difference between the interest paid by a bank on its deposits and other borrowings, and the interest rate earned by banks on loans, securities and other interest-earning assets comprises the major source of banks' earnings. Thus, the earnings and growth of banks are subject to the influence of economic conditions generally, both domestic and foreign, and also to the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States and its agencies, particularly the FRB. The FRB implements national monetary policy, such as seeking to curb inflation and combat recession, by its open-market dealings in United States government securities, by adjusting the required level of reserves for financial institutions subject to reserve requirements and through adjustments to the discount rate applicable to borrowings by banks which are members of the FRB. The actions of the FRB in these areas influence the growth of bank loans, investments and deposits and also affect interest rates. The nature and timing of any future changes in such policies and their impact on the Company cannot be predicted. In addition, adverse economic conditions could make a higher provision for loan losses a prudent course and could cause higher loan loss charge-offs, thus adversely affecting the Company’s net earnings. 8 ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS In analyzing whether to make or continue holding an investment in the Company, investors should consider, among other factors, the following: Risks Related to the Nature and Geographic Area of Our Business We are exposed to risks in connection with the loans we make. A significant source of risk for us arises from the possibility that we will sustain losses because borrowers, guarantors and related parties may fail to perform in accordance with the terms of their loans. Our earnings are significantly affected by our ability to properly originate, underwrite and service loans. We have underwriting and credit monitoring procedures and credit policies, including the establishment and review of the allowance for loan losses, that we believe to be appropriate to minimize this risk by assessing the likelihood of nonperformance, tracking loan performance and diversifying our respective loan portfolios. Such policies and procedures, however, may not prevent unexpected losses that could adversely affect our results of operations. We could sustain losses if we incorrectly assess the creditworthiness of our borrowers or fail to detect or respond to deterioration in asset quality in a timely manner. Our allowance for loan losses may not be adequate to cover actual losses. Like other financial institutions, we maintain an allowance for loan losses to provide for loan defaults and non-performance. Our allowance for loan losses may not be adequate to cover actual loan losses, and future provisions for loan losses could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The allowance for loan losses reflects our estimate of the probable losses in our loan portfolio at the relevant balance sheet date. Our allowance for loan losses is based on prior experience, as well as an evaluation of the known risks in the current portfolio, composition and growth of the loan portfolio and economic factors. The determination of an appropriate level of loan loss allowance is an inherently difficult process and is based on numerous assumptions. The amount of future losses is susceptible to changes in economic, operating and other conditions, including changes in interest rates, that may be beyond our control and these losses may exceed current estimates. Federal and state regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, review our loans and allowance for loan losses. While we believe that our allowance for loan losses is adequate to cover current losses, we cannot assure you that we will not increase the allowance for loan losses further or that the allowance will be adequate to absorb loan losses we actually incur. Either of these occurrences could have a material adverse affect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our business may be adversely affected by business conditions in Northern and Central California. We conduct most of our business in Northern and Central California. As a result of this geographic concentration, our results are impacted by the difficult economic conditions in California. Deterioration in the economic conditions in California could result in the following consequences, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows:     problem assets and foreclosures may increase, demand for our products and services may decline, low cost or non-interest bearing deposits may decrease, and collateral for loans made by us, especially real estate, may decline in value, in turn reducing customers' borrowing power, and reducing the value of assets and collateral associated with our existing loans. In view of the concentration of our operations and the collateral securing our loan portfolio in both Northern and Central California, we may be particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of any of these consequences, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. A significant majority of the loans in our portfolio are secured by real estate and a downturn in our real estate markets could hurt our business. A downturn in our real estate markets in which we conduct our business in California could hurt our business because most of our loans are secured by real estate. Real estate values and real estate markets are generally affected by changes in national, regional or local economic conditions, fluctuations in interest rates and the availability of loans to potential purchasers, changes in tax laws and other governmental statutes, regulations and policies and acts of nature. As real estate prices decline, the value of real estate collateral securing our loans is reduced. As a result, our ability to recover on defaulted loans by foreclosing and selling the real estate collateral could then be diminished and we would be more likely to suffer losses on defaulted loans. As of December 31, 2015, approximately 91.0% of the book value of our loan portfolio consisted of loans collateralized by various types of real estate. Substantially all of our real estate collateral is located in California. So 9 if there is a significant adversely decline in real estate values in California, the collateral for our loans will provide less security. Real estate values could also be affected by, among other things, earthquakes, drought and national disasters in our markets. Any such downturn could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We depend on key personnel and the loss of one or more of those key personnel may materially and adversely affect our prospects. Competition for qualified employees and personnel in the banking industry is intense and there are a limited number of qualified persons with knowledge of, and experience in, the California community banking industry. The process of recruiting personnel with the combination of skills and attributes required to carry out our strategies is often lengthy. Our success depends to a significant degree upon our ability to attract and retain qualified management, loan origination, finance, administrative, marketing and technical personnel and upon the continued contributions of our management and personnel. In particular, our success has been and continues to be highly dependent upon the abilities of our senior management team of Messrs. Smith, O'Sullivan, Bailey, Reddish, Carney, and Ms. Ward, who have expertise in banking and experience in the California markets we serve and have targeted for future expansion. We also depend upon a number of other key executives who are California natives or are long-time residents and who are integral to implementing our business plan. The loss of the services of any one of our senior executive management team or other key executives could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We are exposed to the risk of environmental 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 liabilities with respect to these properties. We may be held liable to a governmental entity or to third parties for property damage, personal injury, investigation and clean-up costs incurred by these parties in connection with environmental contamination, or 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, if we are 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 become subject to significant environmental liabilities, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected. Strong competition in California could hurt our profits. Competition in the banking and financial services industry is intense. Our profitability depends upon our continued ability to successfully compete. We compete exclusively in Northern and Central California for loans, deposits and customers with commercial banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, finance companies, mutual funds, insurance companies, and brokerage and investment banking firms. In particular, our competitors include several major financial companies whose greater resources may afford them a marketplace advantage by enabling them to maintain numerous locations and mount extensive promotional and advertising campaigns. Additionally, banks and other financial institutions with larger capitalization and financial intermediaries not subject to bank regulatory restrictions may have larger lending limits which would allow them to serve the credit needs of larger customers. Areas of competition include interest rates for loans and deposits, efforts to obtain loan and deposit customers and a range in quality of products and services provided, including new technology-driven products and services. Technological innovation continues to contribute to greater competition in domestic and international financial services markets as technological advances enable more companies to provide financial services. We also face competition from out-of-state financial intermediaries that have opened loan production offices or that solicit deposits in our market areas. If we are unable to attract and retain banking customers, we may be unable to continue our loan growth and level of deposits and our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows may be adversely affected. Our previous results may not be indicative of our future results. We may not be able to sustain our historical rate of growth and level of profitability or may not even be able to grow our business or continue to be profitable at all. Various factors, such as economic conditions, regulatory and legislative considerations and competition, may also impede or prohibit our ability to expand our market presence and financial performance. If we experience a significant decrease in our historical rate of growth, our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected due to a high percentage of our operating costs being fixed expenses. We may be adversely affected by the soundness of other financial institutions. Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of clearing, counterparty, or other relationships. We have exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including commercial banks, brokers and dealers, and other institutional clients. Many of these transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of a default by a counterparty or client. In addition, our credit risk may be 10 exacerbated when the collateral that we hold cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the credit or derivative exposure due to us. Any such losses could have a material adverse affect on our financial condition and results of operations. Our business may be adversely affected the continuing drought in California. California is experiencing the fourth year of a severe drought. A considerable portion of our borrowers are involved in, or are impacted to some extent by, the agricultural industry, which is dependent on water. Agriculture operating loans comprised $38.9 million and $34.8 million, or 1.5% and 1.5%, of our loan portfolio at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. We also originate agriculture real estate loans, which comprised $74.5 million and $67.7 million or 3.0% and 3.0% of our loan portfolio at December 31, 2015 and 2014. As a result of the drought, there are various governmental proposals concerning the distribution or rationing of water. If the amount of water available to agriculture in our market areas becomes increasingly scarce due to drought, rationing and/or diversion, growers may not be able to continue to produce agricultural products at a reasonable profit, which has the potential to force many out of business. While many of our borrowers are not directly involved in agriculture, they could be impacted by difficulties in the agricultural industry because many jobs in our market areas are ancillary to the production, processing, marketing and sales of agricultural products. The drought has the potential to adversely affect agricultural industries as well as consumer purchasing power, and could lead to further unemployment throughout our market area. The drought therefore could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and asset quality. Market and Interest Rate Risk Low interest rates could hurt our profits. Our ability to earn a profit, like that of most financial institutions, depends on our net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income we earn on our interest-earning assets, such as mortgage loans and investments, and the interest expense we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits. Our profitability depends on our ability to manage our assets and liabilities during periods of changing market interest rates. Recently, the FRB has maintained the targeted federal funds rate at record low levels. A sustained decrease in market interest rates could adversely affect our earnings. When interest rates decline, borrowers tend to refinance higher-rate, fixed-rate loans at lower rates. Under those circumstances, we would not be able to reinvest those prepayments in assets earning interest rates as high as the rates on the prepaid loans on investment securities. In addition, our commercial real estate and commercial loans, which carry interest rates that adjust in accordance with changes in the prime rate, will adjust to lower rates. Our business is subject to interest rate risk and variations in interest rates may negatively affect our financial performance. Because of the differences in the maturities and repricing characteristics of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, changes in interest rates do not produce equivalent changes in interest income earned on interest-earning assets and interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Accordingly, fluctuations in interest rates could adversely affect our interest rate spread and, in turn, our profitability. In addition, loan origination volumes are affected by market interest rates. Rising interest rates, generally, are associated with a lower volume of loan originations while lower interest rates are usually associated with higher loan originations. Conversely, in rising interest rate environments, loan repayment rates may decline and in falling interest rate environments, loan repayment rates may increase. Although we have been successful in generating new loans during 2013, the continuation of historically low long-term interest rate levels may cause additional refinancing of commercial real estate and 1-4 family residence loans, which may depress our loan volumes or cause rates on loans to decline. In addition, an increase in the general level of short-term interest rates on variable rate loans may adversely affect the ability of certain borrowers to pay the interest on and principal of their obligations or reduce the amount they wish to borrow. Additionally, if short-term market rates rise, in order to retain existing deposit customers and attract new deposit customers we may need to increase rates we pay on deposit accounts. Accordingly, changes in levels of market interest rates could materially and adversely affect our net interest spread, asset quality, loan origination volume, business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Regulatory Risks Recently enacted financial reform legislation has, among other things, created a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, tightened capital standards and resulted in new laws and regulations that are expected to increase our costs of operations. The Dodd-Frank Act, which was enacted in 2010, significantly changed the current bank regulatory structure and affects the lending, deposit, investment, trading and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies. Among other things, the Dodd-Frank Act created a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with broad powers to supervise and enforce consumer protection laws. The CFPB has broad rule-making authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that apply to all banks and savings institutions, including the authority to prohibit “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts and 11 practices. The CFPB has examination and enforcement authority over all banks and savings institutions with more than $10 billion in assets. Banks such as the Bank with $10 billion or less in assets will continue to be examined for compliance with the consumer laws by their primary bank regulators. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act required the FDIC and FRB to adopt new, more stringent capital rules that apply to us. The Dodd-Frank Act also weakens the federal preemption rules that have been applicable for national banks and federal savings associations, and gives state attorneys general the ability to enforce federal consumer protection laws. It is difficult to predict the continuing impact that the Dodd-Frank Act and the yet to be written implementing rules and regulations will have on community banks. However, it is expected that at a minimum they will increase our operating and compliance costs and could increase our interest expense. We operate in a highly regulated environment and we may be adversely affected by new laws and regulations or changes in existing laws and regulations. Regulations may prevent or impair our ability to pay dividends, engage in acquisitions or operate in other ways. We are subject to extensive regulation, supervision and examination by the DBO, FDIC, and the FRB. See Item 1 - Regulation and Supervision of this report for information on the regulation and supervision which governs our activities. Regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the imposition of restrictions on our operations, the classification of our assets and determination of the level of our allowance for loan losses. Banking regulations, designed primarily for the protection of depositors, may limit our growth and the return to our shareholders by restricting certain of our activities, such as:        the payment of dividends to our shareholders, possible mergers with or acquisitions of or by other institutions, desired investments, loans and interest rates on loans, interest rates paid on deposits, the possible expansion of branch offices, and the ability to provide securities or trust services. We also are subject to regulatory capital requirements and could be subject to enforcement actions to the extent that we don’t meet these requirements. Federal and state governments and regulators could pass legislation and adopt policies responsive to current credit conditions that would have an adverse effect on the Company and its financial performance. We cannot predict what changes, if any, will be made to existing federal and state legislation and regulations or the effect that such changes may have on our future business and earnings prospects. Any change in such regulation and oversight, whether in the form of regulatory policy, regulations, legislation or supervisory action, may have a material adverse impact on our operations. Compliance with changing regulation of corporate governance and public disclosure may result in additional risks and expenses. Changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Dodd-Frank Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and new SEC regulations, are creating additional expense for publicly-traded companies such as TriCo. The application of these laws, regulations and standard may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies, which could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. We are committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance and public disclosure. As a result, our efforts to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, increased expenses and a diversion of management time and attention. In particular, our efforts to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related regulations regarding management's required assessment of its internal control over financial reporting and its external auditors' audit of that assessment requires, and will continue to require, the commitment of significant financial and managerial resources. Further, the members of our board of directors, members of our audit or compensation and management succession committees, our chief executive officer, our chief financial officer and certain other executive officers could face an increased risk of personal liability in connection with the performance of their duties. It may also become more difficult and more expensive to obtain director and officer liability insurance. As a result, our ability to attract and retain executive officers and qualified board and committee members could be more difficult. 12 Risks Related to Growth and Expansion Goodwill resulting from the acquisition of North Valley Bancorp may adversely affect our results of operations. Goodwill and other intangible assets have to increased substantially as a result of the acquisition of North Valley Bancorp. Potential impairment of goodwill and amortization of other intangible assets could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. We assess our goodwill and other intangible assets and long-lived assets for impairment annually and more frequently when required by U.S. GAAP. We are required to record an impairment charge if circumstances indicate that the asset carrying values exceed their fair values. Our assessment of goodwill, other intangible assets, or long- lived assets could indicate that an impairment of the carrying value of such assets may have occurred that could result in a material, non-cash write-down of such assets, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and future earnings. If we cannot attract deposits, our growth may be inhibited. We plan to increase the level of our assets, including our loan portfolio. Our ability to increase our assets depends in large part on our ability to attract additional deposits at favorable rates. We intend to seek additional deposits by offering deposit products that are competitive with those offered by other financial institutions in our markets and by establishing personal relationships with our customers. We cannot assure that these efforts will be successful. Our inability to attract additional deposits at competitive rates could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. There are potential risks associated with future acquisitions and expansions. We intend to continue to explore expanding our branch system through opening new bank branches and in-store branches in existing or new markets in Northern and Central California. In the ordinary course of business, we evaluate potential branch locations that would bolster our ability to cater to the small business, individual and residential lending markets in California. Any given new branch, if and when opened, will have expenses in excess of revenues for varying periods after opening that may adversely affect our results of operations or overall financial condition. In addition, to the extent that we acquire other banks in the future, our business may be negatively impacted by certain risks inherent with such acquisitions. These risks include:           incurring substantial expenses in pursuing potential acquisitions without completing such acquisitions, losing key clients as a result of the change of ownership, the acquired business not performing in accordance with our expectations, difficulties arising in connection with the integration of the operations of the acquired business with our operations, needing to make significant investments and infrastructure, controls, staff, emergency backup facilities or other critical business functions that become strained by our growth, management needing to divert attention from other aspects of our business, potentially losing key employees of the acquired business, incurring unanticipated costs which could reduce our earnings per share, assuming potential liabilities of the acquired company as a result of the acquisition, and an acquisition may dilute our earnings per share, in both the short and long term, or it may reduce our tangible capital ratios. As result of these risks, any given acquisition, if and when consummated, may adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition. In addition, because the consideration for an acquisition may involve cash, debt or the issuance of shares of our stock and may involve the payment of a premium over book and market values, existing shareholders may experience dilution in connection with any acquisition. Our growth and expansion may strain our ability to manage our operations and our financial resources. Our financial performance and profitability depend on our ability to execute our corporate growth strategy. In addition to seeking deposit and loan and lease growth in our existing markets, we may pursue expansion opportunities in new markets. Continued growth, however, may present operating and other problems that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will be able to execute our growth strategy or maintain the level of profitability that we have recently experienced. Our growth may place a strain on our administrative, operational and financial resources and increase demands on our systems and controls. This business growth may require continued enhancements to and expansion of our operating and financial systems and controls and may strain or significantly challenge them. In addition, our existing operating and 13 financial control systems and infrastructure may not be adequate to maintain and effectively monitor future growth. Our continued growth may also increase our need for qualified personnel. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in attracting, integrating and retaining such personnel. Our decisions regarding the fair value of assets acquired from North Valley Bancorp, Citizens Bank of Northern California and Granite Community Bank, including the FDIC loss sharing assets or liabilities associated with Granite, could be inaccurate which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and future prospects. Management makes various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of acquired loans, including the creditworthiness of borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of secured loans. In FDIC-assisted acquisitions that include loss sharing agreements, such as our acquisition of Granite Community Bank, we may record a loss sharing asset or liability that we consider adequate to absorb future losses or recoveries which may occur in the acquired loan portfolio. In determining the size of the loss sharing asset or liability, we analyze the loan portfolio based on historical loss experience, volume and classification of loans, volume and trends in delinquencies and nonaccruals, local economic conditions, and other pertinent information. If our assumptions are incorrect, the balance of the FDIC indemnification asset or liability may at any time be insufficient to cover future loan losses or recoveries, and credit loss provisions may be needed to respond to different economic conditions or adverse developments in the acquired loan portfolio. Any increase in future loan losses could have a negative effect on our operating results. Our ability to obtain reimbursement under the loss sharing agreement on covered assets purchased from the FDIC depends on our compliance with the terms of the loss sharing agreement. We must certify to the FDIC on a quarterly basis our compliance with the terms of the FDIC loss sharing agreement as a prerequisite to obtaining reimbursement from the FDIC for realized losses on covered assets. The required terms of the agreements are extensive and failure to comply with any of the guidelines could result in a specific asset or group of assets permanently losing their loss sharing coverage. Additionally, Management may decide to forgo loss share coverage on certain assets to allow greater flexibility over the management of certain assets. As of December 31, 2015, $5,235,000, or 0.12%, of the Company’s assets were covered by these FDIC loss sharing agreements. Risks Relating to Dividends and Our Common Stock Our future ability to pay dividends is subject to restrictions. Since we are a holding company with no significant assets other than the Bank, we currently depend upon dividends from the Bank for a substantial portion of our revenues. Our ability to continue to pay dividends in the future will continue to depend in large part upon our receipt of dividends or other capital distributions from the Bank. The ability of the Bank to pay dividends or make other capital distributions to us is subject to the restrictions in the California Financial Code and the DBO. As of December 31, 2015, the Bank could have paid $73,297,000 in dividends without the prior approval of the DBO. The amount that the Bank may pay in dividends is further restricted due to the fact that the Bank must maintain a certain minimum amount of capital to be considered a “well capitalized” institution as further described under Item 1 - Capital Requirements in this report. From time to time, we may become a party to financing agreements or other contractual arrangements that have the effect of limiting or prohibiting us or the Bank from declaring or paying dividends. Our holding company expenses and obligations with respect to our trust preferred securities and corresponding junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures issued by us may limit or impair our ability to declare or pay dividends. Finally, our ability to pay dividends is also subject to the restrictions of the California Corporations Code. See “Regulation and Supervision – Restrictions on Dividends and Distributions.” Anti-takeover provisions and federal law may limit the ability of another party to acquire us, which could cause our stock price to decline. Various provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws could delay or prevent a third party from acquiring us, even if doing so might be beneficial to our shareholders. These provisions provide for, among other things:    specified actions that the Board of Directors shall or may take when an offer to merge, an offer to acquire all assets or a tender offer is received, advance notice requirements for proposals that can be acted upon at shareholder meetings, and the authorization to issue preferred stock by action of the board of directors acting alone, thus without obtaining shareholder approval. 14 The BHC Act and the Change in Bank Control Act of 1978, as amended, together with federal regulations, require that, depending on the particular circumstances, either FRB approval must be obtained or notice must be furnished to the FRB and not disapproved prior to any person or entity acquiring "control" of a bank holding company such as TriCo. These provisions may prevent a merger or acquisition that would be attractive to shareholders and could limit the price investors would be willing to pay in the future for our common stock. The amount of common stock owned by, and other compensation arrangements with, our officers and directors may make it more difficult to obtain shareholder approval of potential takeovers that they oppose. As of December 31, 2015, directors and executive officers beneficially owned approximately 10.8% of our common stock and our Employee Stock Ownership Plan owned approximately 5.6%. Agreements with our senior management also provide for significant payments under certain circumstances following a change in control. These compensation arrangements, together with the common stock and option ownership of our board of directors and management, could make it difficult or expensive to obtain majority support for shareholder proposals or potential acquisition proposals of us that our directors and officers oppose. We may issue additional common stock or other equity securities in the future which could dilute the ownership interest of existing shareholders. In order to maintain our capital at desired or regulatorily-required levels, or to fund future growth, our board of directors may decide from time to time to issue additional shares of common stock, or securities convertible into, exchangeable for or representing rights to acquire shares of our common stock. The sale of these shares may significantly dilute your ownership interest as a shareholder. New investors in the future may also have rights, preferences and privileges senior to our current shareholders which may adversely impact our current shareholders. Holders of our junior subordinated debentures have rights that are senior to those of our common stockholders. We have supported our continued growth through the issuance of trust preferred securities from special purpose trusts and accompanying junior subordinated debentures. At December 31, 2015, we had outstanding trust preferred securities and accompanying junior subordinated debentures with face value of $62,889,000. Payments of the principal and interest on the trust preferred securities are conditionally guaranteed by us. Further, the accompanying junior subordinated debentures we issued to the trusts are senior to our shares of common stock. As a result, we must make payments on the junior subordinated debentures before any dividends can be paid on our common stock and, in the event of our bankruptcy, dissolution or liquidation, the holders of the junior subordinated debentures must be satisfied before any distributions can be made on our common stock. Risks Relating to Systems, Accounting and Internal Controls If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal and disclosure controls, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, current and potential shareholders could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which would harm our business and the trading price of our securities. Effective internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and effectively prevent fraud and to operate successfully as a public company. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our reputation and operating results would be harmed. We continually review and analyze our internal control over financial reporting for Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 compliance. As part of that process we may discover material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control as defined under standards adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board that require remediation. Material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected in a timely basis. Significant deficiency is a deficiency or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting that is less severe than material weakness, yet important enough to merit attention by those responsible for the oversight of the Company’s financial reporting. As a result of weaknesses that may be identified in our internal control, we may also identify certain deficiencies in some of our disclosure controls and procedures that we believe require remediation. If we discover weaknesses, we will make efforts to improve our internal and disclosure control. However, there is no assurance that we will be successful. Any failure to maintain effective controls or timely effect any necessary improvement of our internal and disclosure controls could harm operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations, which could affect our ability to remain listed with Nasdaq. Ineffective internal and disclosure controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which would likely have a negative effect on the trading price of our securities. 15 We rely on communications, information, operating and financial control systems technology and we may suffer an interruption in or breach of the security of those systems. We rely heavily on our communications, information, operating and financial control systems technology to conduct our business. We rely on third party services providers to provide many of these systems. Any failure, interruption or breach in security of these systems could result in failures or interruptions in our customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit, servicing and loan origination systems. We cannot assure you that such failures, interruptions or security breaches will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed by us or the third parties service providers on which we rely. The occurrence of any failures, interruptions or security breaches could damage our reputation, result in a loss of customers, expose us to possible financial liability, lead to additional regulatory scrutiny or require that we make expenditures for remediation or prevention. Any of these circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. A failure to implement technological advances could negatively impact our business. The banking industry is undergoing technological changes with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. In addition to improving customer services, the effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to reduce costs. Our future success will depend, in part, on 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. Many of our competitors have substantially greater resources than we do to invest in technological improvements. We may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or successfully market such products and services to our customers. ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS None. ITEM 2. PROPERTIES The Company is engaged in the banking business through 67 offices in 26 counties in Northern and Central California including thirteen offices in Shasta County, nine in Butte County, six in Sacramento and Nevada Counties, five in Placer and Humboldt Counties, three each in Stanislaus, Siskiyou, and Sutter Counties, two each in Glenn, Mendocino and Trinity Counties, and one each in Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Fresno, Kern, Lake, Lassen, Madera, Merced, Sonoma, Tehama, Tulare, Yolo and Yuba Counties. All offices are constructed and equipped to meet prescribed security requirements. The Company owns twenty-nine branch office locations, five administrative buildings, two other buildings that it leases out and two that are for sale. The Company leases thirty-eight branch office locations, two loan production offices, and one administrative location. Most of the leases contain multiple renewal options and provisions for rental increases, principally for changes in the cost of living index, property taxes and maintenance. ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS The Bank owns 13,396 shares of Class B common stock of Visa Inc. which are convertible into Class A common stock at a conversion ratio of 1.648265 per Class B share. As of December 31, 2015, the value of the Class A shares was $77.55 per share. Utilizing the conversion ratio, the value of unredeemed Class A equivalent shares owned by the Bank was $1,712,000 as of December 31, 2015, and has not been reflected in the accompanying financial statements. The shares of Visa Class B common stock are restricted and may not be transferred. Visa Member Banks are required to fund an escrow account to cover settlements, resolution of pending litigation and related claims. If the funds in the escrow account are insufficient to settle all the covered litigation, Visa may sell additional Class A shares, use the proceeds to settle litigation, and further reduce the conversion ratio. If funds remain in the escrow account after all litigation is settled, the Class B conversion ratio will be increased to reflect that surplus. On January 24, 2014, a putative shareholder class action lawsuit was filed against TriCo, North Valley Bancorp and certain other defendants in connection with TriCo entering into the merger agreement with North Valley Bancorp. The lawsuit, which was filed in the Shasta County, California Superior Court, alleges that the members of the North Valley Bancorp board of directors breached their fiduciary duties to North Valley Bancorp shareholders by approving the proposed merger for inadequate consideration; approving the transaction in order receive benefits not equally shared by other North Valley Bancorp shareholders; entering into the merger agreement containing preclusive deal protection devices; and failing to take steps to maximize the value to be paid to the North Valley Bancorp shareholders. The lawsuit alleges claims against TriCo for aiding and abetting these alleged breaches of fiduciary duties. The plaintiff seeks, among other things, declaratory and injunctive relief concerning the alleged breaches of fiduciary duties injunctive relief prohibiting consummation of the merger, rescission, attorneys’ of the merger agreement, fees and costs, and other and further relief. On July 31, 2014 the defendants 16 entered into a memorandum of understanding with the plaintiffs regarding the settlement of this lawsuit. In connection with the settlement contemplated by the memorandum of understanding and in consideration for the full settlement and release of all claims, TriCo and North Valley Bancorp agreed to make certain additional disclosures related to the proposed merger, which are contained in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed by each of the companies. The memorandum of understanding contemplated that the parties would negotiate in good faith and use their reasonable best efforts to enter into a stipulation of settlement. The parties entered into a stipulation of settlement dated May 18, 2015 that was subject to customary conditions, including final court approval following notice to North Valley Bancorp’s shareholders. The parties amended the stipulation on October 19, 2015. Following a hearing in Shasta County Superior Court on October 26, 2015, the Court approved and entered a final Stipulated Judgement concluding the case and dismissing all the named individual director defendants. The Court awarded the plaintiff $250,000 in fees. A liability related to this potential settlement was established by North Valley Bancorp prior to its acquisition by TriCo on October 3, 2015, and that liability was recorded by TriCo as part of its purchase accounting of North Valley Bancorp on October 3, 2015. On September 15, 2014, a former Personal Banker at one of the Bank’s in-store branches filed a Class Action Complaint against the Bank in Butte County Superior Court, alleging causes of action related to the observance of meal and rest periods and seeking to represent a class of current and former hourly-paid or non-exempt personal bankers, or employees with the same or similar job duties, employed by Defendants within the State of California during the preceding four years. On or about June 25, 2015, Plaintiff filed an Amended Complaint expanding the class definition to all current and formerly hourly- paid or non-exempt branch employees employed by Defendant’s within the State of California at any time during the period from September 15, 2010 to final judgment. The Bank has responded to the First Amended Complaint, denying the charges, and the parties have engaged in written discovery. The parties are in the process of scheduling the matter for mediation in the June – July, 2016 time period. On January 20, 2015, a current Personal Banker at one of the Bank’s in-store branches filed a First Amended Complaint against Tri Counties Bank and TriCo Bancshares, dba Tri Counties Bank, in Sacramento County Superior Court, alleging causes of action related to wage statement violations. Plaintiff seeks to represent a class of current and former exempt and non-exempt employees who worked for the Bank during the time period beginning October 18, 2013 through the date of the filing of this action. The Company and the Bank have responded to the First Amended Complaint, deny the charges, and has engaged in written discovery with Plaintiff. The parties intend to mediate this matter in a joint mediation with the above matter this summer. Neither the Company nor its subsidiaries, are party to any other material pending legal proceeding, nor is their property the subject of any material pending legal proceeding, except routine legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of their business. None of these proceedings is expected to have a material adverse impact upon the Company’s business, consolidated financial position or results of operations. ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES Inapplicable. 17 PART II ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES Common Stock Market Prices and Dividends The Company’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol “TCBK.” The following table shows the high and the low closing sale prices for the common stock for each quarter in the past two years, as reported by Nasdaq: 2015: Fourth quarter Third quarter Second quarter First quarter 2014: Fourth quarter Third quarter Second quarter First quarter High $29.39 $25.55 $24.75 $24.77 $26.37 $24.19 $26.12 $28.37 Low $24.25 $23.08 $23.18 $22.82 $22.43 $21.70 $22.44 $23.85 As of February 26, 2016 there were approximately 1,636 shareholders of record of the Company’s common stock. On February 26, 2016, the closing sales price was $25.18. The Company has paid cash dividends on its common stock in every quarter since March 1990, and it is currently the intention of the Board of Directors of the Company to continue payment of cash dividends on a quarterly basis. There is no assurance, however, that any dividends will be paid since they are dependent upon earnings, financial condition and capital requirements of the Company and the Bank. As of December 31, 2015 $73,297,000 was available for payment of dividends by the Bank to the Company, under applicable laws and regulations. The Company paid cash dividends of $0.15 per common share in the quarter ended December 31, 2015, and $0.13 per common share in each of the quarters ended September 30, 2015, June 30, 2015, and $0.11 per common share in each of the quarters ended March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014, September 30, 2014, June 30, 2014, and March 31, 2014. Issuer Repurchases of Common Stock The Company adopted a stock repurchase plan on August 21, 2007 for the repurchase of up to 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock from time to time as market conditions allow. The 500,000 shares authorized for repurchase under this plan represented approximately 3.2% of the Company’s approximately 15,815,000 common shares outstanding as of August 21, 2007. This plan has no stated expiration date for the repurchases. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had purchased 166,600 shares under this plan. The following table shows the repurchases made by the Company or any affiliated purchaser (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act) during the fourth quarter of 2015: Period (a) Total number of shares purchased(1) (b) Average price paid per share Oct. 1-31, 2015 Nov. 1-30, 2015 Dec. 1-31, 2015 Total - 76,034 - 76,034 - $28.77 - $28.77 (c) Total number of shares purchased as of part of publicly announced plans or programs - - - - (d) Maximum number shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs(2) 333,400 333,400 333,400 333,400 (1) Includes shares purchased by the Company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan and pursuant to various other equity incentive plans. See Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements at Item 8 of Part II of this report, for a discussion of the Company’s stock repurchased under equity compensation plans. (2) Does not include shares that may be purchased by the Company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan and pursuant to various other equity incentive plans. 18 The following graph presents the cumulative total yearly shareholder return from investing $100 on December 31, 2010, in each of TriCo common stock, the Russell 3000 Index, and the SNL Western Bank Index. The SNL Western Bank Index compiled by SNL Financial includes banks located in California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Hawaii and Alaska with market capitalization similar to that of TriCo’s. The amounts shown assume that any dividends were reinvested. Equity Compensation Plans The following table shows shares reserved for issuance for outstanding options, stock appreciation rights and warrants granted under our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2015. All of our equity compensation plans have been approved by shareholders. Plan category Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders Total (a) Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b) Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (c) Number of securities remaining available for issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) - 948,350 948,350 - $17.94 $17.94 - 734,107 734,107 19 TriCo BancsharesPeriod EndingIndex12/31/1012/31/1112/31/1212/31/1312/31/1412/31/15TriCo Bancshares100.0090.34108.80187.85166.59188.88Russell 3000100.00101.03117.61157.07176.79177.64SNL Western Bank100.0090.34114.01160.41192.51199.468010012014016018020022012/31/1012/31/1112/31/1212/31/1312/31/1412/31/15Index ValueTotal Return PerformanceTriCo BancsharesRussell 3000SNL Western Bank ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA The following selected consolidated financial data are derived from our consolidated financial statements. This data should be read in connection with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes located at Item 8 of this report. TRICO BANCSHARES Financial Summary (in thousands, except per share amounts) Year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 Interest income Interest expense $161,414 5,416 $121,115 4,681 $106,560 4,696 $108,716 7,344 $102,982 10,238 Net interest income (Benefit from) provision for loan losses Noninterest income Noninterest expense 155,998 (2,210) 45,347 130,841 116,434 (4,045) 34,516 110,379 101,864 (715) 36,829 93,604 Income before income taxes Provision for income taxes 72,714 28,896 44,616 18,508 45,804 18,405 101,372 9,423 37,980 97,998 31,931 12,937 92,744 23,060 42,813 82,715 29,782 11,192 Net income $43,818 $26,108 $27,399 $18,994 $18,590 Earnings per share: Basic Diluted Per share: Dividends paid Book value at December 31 Tangible book value at December 31 Average common shares outstanding Average diluted common shares outstanding Shares outstanding at December 31 $1.93 $1.91 $0.52 $19.85 $16.81 22,750 22,998 22,775 $1.47 $1.46 $0.44 $18.41 $15.31 17,716 17,923 22,715 $1.71 $1.69 $0.42 $15.61 $14.59 16,045 16,197 16,077 $1.19 $1.18 $0.36 $14.33 $13.30 15,988 16,052 16,001 $1.17 $1.16 $0.36 $13.55 $12.49 15,935 16,000 15,979 At December 31: Loans, net of allowance Total assets Total deposits Other borrowings Junior subordinated debt Shareholders’ equity Financial Ratios: For the year: $2,486,926 4,220,722 3,631,266 12,328 56,470 452,116 $2,245,939 3,916,458 3,380,423 9,276 56,272 418,172 $1,633,762 2,744,066 2,410,483 6,335 41,238 250,946 $1,522,175 2,609,269 2,289,702 9,197 41,238 229,359 $1,505,118 2,555,597 2,190,536 72,541 41,238 216,441 1.11% Return on average assets 10.04% Return on average equity Net interest margin1 4.32% Net loan (recoveries) losses to average loans (0.07)% Efficiency ratio2 Average equity to average assets Dividend payout ratio 64.7% 11.01% 27.2% At December 31: Equity to assets Total capital to risk-adjusted assets 10.71% 15.09% 0.87% 8.67% 4.17% (0.13)% 72.9% 10.00% 30.1% 10.68% 15.63% 1.04% 11.34% 4.18% 0.23% 67.32% 9.21% 24.9% 9.15% 14.77% 0.75% 8.44% 4.32% 0.82% 70.19% 8.91% 30.5% 8.79% 14.53% 0.82% 8.93% 4.43% 1.37% 60.88% 9.15% 31.0% 8.47% 13.94% 1 Fully taxable equivalent. 2 The sum of fully taxable equivalent net interest income and noninterest income divided by noninterest expense. 20 ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS General As TriCo Bancshares has not commenced any business operations independent of the Bank, the following discussion pertains primarily to the Bank. Average balances, including such balances used in calculating certain financial ratios, are generally comprised of average daily balances for the Company. Within Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, interest income and net interest income are generally presented on a fully tax-equivalent (FTE) basis. The presentation of interest income and net interest income on a FTE basis is a common practice within the banking industry. Interest income and net interest income are shown on a non-FTE basis in this Item 7 this report, and a reconciliation of the FTE and non-FTE presentations is provided below in the discussion of net interest income. Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates The Company’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon its consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those that materially affect the financial statements and are related to the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, investments, mortgage servicing rights, fair value measurements, retirement plans, intangible assets and the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The Company’s policies related to estimates on the allowance for loan losses, other than temporary impairment of investments and impairment of intangible assets, can be found in Note 1 in the financial statements at Item 8 of this report. Average balances, including balances used in calculating certain financial ratios, are generally comprised of average daily balances for the Company. Within Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, certain performance measures including interest income, net interest income, net interest yield, and efficiency ratio are generally presented on a fully tax-equivalent (FTE) basis. The Company believes the use of these non-generally accepted accounting principles (non-GAAP) measures provides additional clarity in assessing its results. On October 3, 2014, TriCo completed the acquisition of North Valley Bancorp. As part of the acquisition, North Valley Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of North Valley Bancorp, merged with and into Tri Counties Bank. In the acquisition, each share of North Valley common stock was converted into the right to receive 0.9433 shares of TriCo common stock. TriCo issued an aggregate of approximately 6.58 million shares of TriCo common stock to North Valley Bancorp shareholders, which was valued at a total of approximately $151 million based on the closing trading price of TriCo common stock on October 3, 2014 of $21.73. TriCo also assumed North Valley Bancorp’s obligations with respect to its outstanding trust preferred securities. Beginning on October 4, 2014, the effect of revenue and expenses from the operations of North Valley Bancorp, and the TriCo Bancshares common shares issued in consideration of the merger are included in the results of the Company. North Valley Bank was a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Redding, California. North Valley conducted a commercial and retail banking services which included accepting demand, savings, and money market rate deposit accounts and time deposits, and making commercial, real estate and consumer loans. North Valley Bank had approximately $935 million in assets and 22 commercial banking offices in Shasta, Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, Yolo, Sonoma, Placer and Trinity Counties in Northern California at June 30, 2014. See Note 2 in the financial statements at Item 8 of Part II of this report for a discussion about this transaction. On September 23, 2011, the California DBO closed Citizens Bank of Northern California (“Citizens”), Nevada City, California and appointed the FDIC as receiver. That same date, the Bank assumed the banking operations of Citizens from the FDIC under a whole bank purchase and assumption agreement without loss sharing. With this agreement, the Bank added seven traditional bank branches including two in Grass Valley, and one in each of Nevada City, Penn Valley, Lake of the Pines, Truckee, and Auburn, California. This acquisition is consistent with the Bank’s community banking expansion strategy and provides further opportunity to fill in the Bank’s market presence in the Northern California market. On May 28, 2010, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency closed Granite Community Bank (“Granite”), Granite Bay, California and appointed the FDIC as receiver. That same date, the Bank assumed the banking operations of Granite from the FDIC under a whole bank purchase and assumption agreement with loss sharing. Under the terms of the loss sharing agreement, the FDIC will cover a substantial portion of any future losses on loans, related unfunded loan commitments, other real estate owned (OREO)/foreclosed assets and accrued interest on loans for up to 90 days. The FDIC will absorb 80% of losses and share in 80% of loss recoveries on the covered assets acquired from Granite. The loss sharing arrangements for non-single family residential and single family residential loans are in effect for 5 years and 10 years, respectively, and the 21 loss recovery provisions are in effect for 8 years and 10 years, respectively, from the acquisition date. With this agreement, the Bank added one traditional bank branch in each of Granite Bay and Auburn, California. This acquisition is consistent with the Bank’s community banking expansion strategy and provides further opportunity to fill in the Bank’s market presence in the greater Sacramento, California market. The Company refers to loans and foreclosed assets that are covered by loss sharing agreements as “covered loans” and “covered foreclosed assets”, respectively. In addition, the Company refers to loans purchased or obtained in a business combination as “purchased credit impaired” (PCI) loans, or “purchased not credit impaired” (PNCI) loans. The Company refers to loans that it originates as “originated” loans. Additional information regarding the North Valley Bancorp acquisition can be found in Note 2 in the financial statements at Item 8 of this report. Additional information regarding the definitions and accounting for originated, PNCI and PCI loans can be found in Notes 1, 2, 4 and 5 in the financial statements at Item 8 of this report, and under the heading Asset Quality and Non-Performing Assets below. Geographical Descriptions For the purpose of describing the geographical location of the Company’s loans, the Company has defined northern California as that area of California north of, and including, Stockton; central California as that area of the State south of Stockton, to and including, Bakersfield; and southern California as that area of the State south of Bakersfield. Results of Operations Overview The following discussion and analysis is designed to provide a better understanding of the significant changes and trends related to the Company and the Bank’s financial condition, operating results, asset and liability management, liquidity and capital resources and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the related notes at Item 8 of this report. Following is a summary of the components of net income for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands): Components of Net Income Net interest income Benefit from (provision for) loan losses Noninterest income Noninterest expense Taxes Net income Net income per average fully-diluted share Net income as a percentage of average shareholders’ equity Net income as a percentage of average total assets Year ended December 31, 2014 $116,434 4,045 34,516 (110,379) (18,508) $26,108 $1.46 2013 $101,864 715 36,829 (93,604) (18,405) $27,399 $1.69 11.34% 1.04% 2015 $155,998 2,210 45,347 (130,841) (28,896) $43,818 $1.91 10.04% 1.11% 8.67% 0.87% Net Interest Income The Company’s primary source of revenue is net interest income, which is the difference between interest income on earning assets and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities. Following is a summary of the Company’s net interest income for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands): Components of Net Interest Income Interest income Interest expense Net interest income FTE adjustment Net interest income (FTE) Net interest margin (FTE) Year ended December 31, 2014 $121,115 (4,681) 116,434 303 $116,737 2013 $106,560 (4,696) 101,864 350 $102,214 2015 $161,414 (5,416) 155,998 905 $156,903 4.32% 4.17% 4.18% Net interest income (FTE) for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased $40,166,000 (34.4%) to $156,903,000 from $116,737,000 during. The increase in net interest income (FTE) was due primarily to a $541,688,000 (29.3%) increase in the average balance of loans to $2,389,437,000, and a $505,217,000 (93%) increase in the average balance of investments to $1,049,983,000 that were partially offset by a 10 basis point decrease in the average yield on loans from 5.62% during the year ended December 31, 2014 to 5.52% during the year ended December 31, 2015, and a 17 basis point decrease in the average yield on investments from 3.01% during the year ended December 31, 2014 to 2.84% during the year ended December 31, 2015. The $541,688,000 increase in average loan balances compared to the prior year was due primarily to the 22 addition of $499,327,000 of loans through the acquisition of North Valley Bancorp on October 4, 2014, and net loan growth of $240,414,000 (10.5%) during the year ended December 31, 2015. The $505,217,000 increase in average investment balances from the prior year was due primarily to the addition of $212,616,000 of investments through the acquisition of North Valley Bancorp on October 4, 2014, and $371,784,000 of investment purchases in excess of investment maturities and paydowns during 2015. The 10 basis point decrease in average loan yields was due primarily to declines in market yields on new and renewed loans compared to yields on repricing, maturing, and paid off loans. The decrease in average investment yields was due primarily to declines in market yields on new investments compared to yields on existing investments. The increases in average loan and investment balances added $30,443,000 and $15,493,000, respectively, to net interest income (FTE) while the decreases in average loan and investment yields reduced net interest income (FTE) during 2015 by $2,494,000 and $2,056,000, respectively, when compared to 2014. Included in investment interest income during the year ended December 31, 2015 was a special cash dividend of $626,000 from the Company’s investment in Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco stock. Included in loan interest income during the year ended December 31, 2015 was discount accretion from purchased loans of $10,056,000 compared to $6,437,000 of discount accretion from purchased loans during the year ended December 31, 2014. Also included in loan interest income during the year ended December 31, 2015 was the recovery of $728,000 of loan interest income from the payoff of a single originated loan that was in interest nonaccrual status; and while recoveries of loan interest income from paid off nonaccrual loans occur from time to time, a single recovery of this magnitude is unusual. For more information related to loan interest income, including loan purchase discount accretion, see the Summary of Average Balances, Yields/Rates and Interest Differential and Note 30 to the consolidated financial statements at Part II, Item 8 of this report. The “Yield” and “Volume/Rate” tables shown below are useful in illustrating and quantifying the developments that affected net interest income during 2015 and 2014. Net interest income (FTE) for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $116,737,000, an increase of $14,523,000 or 14.2% compared to the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase in net interest income (FTE) was due primarily to a $353,071,000 (14.4%) increase in the average balance of interest earning assets to $2,796,571,000, and the use of fed funds sold to purchase higher yielding investments throughout 2014 that were partially offset by a 44 basis point decrease in the average yield on loans to 5.62% and a 17 basis point decrease in the average yield on investments to 3.01% during the year ended December 31, 2014 when compared to the year ended December 31, 2013. The acquisition of North Valley Bancorp on October 3, 2014 contributed approximately $6,730,000, to interest income from loans, including approximately $480,000 of loan purchase discount accretion, and $1,310,000 to interest income from investments from October 4, 2014 to December 31, 2014. For the quarter ended December 31, 2014, the average yields on the acquired North Valley Bancorp loans, including the effect of loan purchase discount accretion, and investments were approximately 5.68% and 2.72% (FTE), respectively. 23 Summary of Average Balances, Yields/Rates and Interest Differential – Yield Tables The following tables present, for the periods indicated, information regarding the Company’s consolidated average assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity, the amounts of interest income from average earning assets and resulting yields, and the amount of interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Average loan balances include nonperforming loans. Interest income includes proceeds from loans on nonaccrual loans only to the extent cash payments have been received and applied to interest income. Yields on securities and certain loans have been adjusted upward to reflect the effect of income thereon exempt from federal income taxation at the current statutory tax rate (dollars in thousands): Year ended December 31, 2015 Interest income/expense Average balance Rates earned/paid Assets Loans Investment securities - taxable Investment securities - nontaxable Cash at Federal Reserve and other banks Total earning assets Other assets Total assets Liabilities and shareholders’ equity Interest-bearing demand deposits Savings deposits Time deposits Other borrowings Junior subordinated debt Total interest-bearing liabilities Noninterest-bearing demand Other liabilities Shareholders’ equity Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity Net interest spread (1) Net interest income and interest margin (2) $2,389,437 1,000,221 49,762 189,506 3,628,926 335,072 $3,963,998 $808,281 1,183,201 340,443 8,668 56,345 2,396,938 1,076,162 54,597 436,301 $3,963,998 $131,836 27,421 2,414 648 162,319 476 1,475 1,482 4 1,979 5,416 5.52% 2.74% 4.85% 0.34% 4.47% 0.06% 0.12% 0.44% 0.05% 3.51% 0.23% $156,903 4.24% 4.32% Year ended December 31, 2014 Interest income/expense Average balance Rates earned/paid Assets Loans Investment securities - taxable Investment securities - nontaxable Cash at Federal Reserve and other banks Total earning assets Other assets Total assets Liabilities and shareholders’ equity Interest-bearing demand deposits Savings deposits Time deposits Other borrowings Junior subordinated debt Total interest-bearing liabilities Noninterest-bearing demand Other liabilities Shareholders’ equity Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity Net interest spread (1) Net interest income and interest margin (2) $1,847,749 527,742 17,024 404,056 2,796,571 216,878 $3,013,449 $605,241 926,389 291,515 7,512 44,366 1,875,023 801,056 36,085 301,285 $3,013,449 $103,887 15,590 808 1,133 121,418 484 1,153 1,637 4 1,403 4,681 5.62% 2.95% 4.75% 0.28% 4.34% 0.08% 0.12% 0.56% 0.05% 3.16% 0.25% $116,737 4.09% 4.17% (1) Net interest spread represents the average yield earned on interest-earning assets less the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities. (2) Net interest margin is computed by dividing net interest income by total average earning assets. 24 Summary of Average Balances, Yields/Rates and Interest Differential – Yield Tables (continued) Year ended December 31, 2013 Interest income/expense Average balance Rates earned/paid Assets Loans Investment securities - taxable Investment securities - nontaxable Cash at Federal Reserve and other banks Total earning assets Other assets Total assets Liabilities and shareholders’ equity Interest-bearing demand deposits Savings deposits Time deposits Other borrowings Junior subordinated debt Total interest-bearing liabilities Noninterest-bearing demand Other liabilities Shareholders’ equity Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity Net interest spread (1) Net interest income and interest margin (2) $1,610,725 224,636 16,632 591,507 2,443,500 179,267 $2,622,767 $524,139 797,803 315,253 8,026 41,238 1,686,459 657,377 37,297 241,634 $2,622,767 $97,548 6,736 933 1,693 106,910 528 1,026 1,891 4 1,247 4,696 6.06% 3.00% 5.61% 0.29% 4.38% 0.10% 0.13% 0.60% 0.05% 3.02% 0.28% $102,214 4.10% 4.18% (1) Net interest spread represents the average yield earned on interest-earning assets less the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities. (2) Net interest margin is computed by dividing net interest income by total average earning assets. Summary of Changes in Interest Income and Expense due to Changes in Average Asset and Liability Balances and Yields Earned and Rates Paid – Volume/Rate Tables The following table sets forth a summary of the changes in the Company’s interest income and interest expense from changes in average asset and liability balances (volume) and changes in average interest rates for the periods indicated. The rate/volume variance has been included in the rate variance. Amounts are calculated on a fully taxable equivalent basis: Increase (decrease) in interest income: Loans Investments - taxable Investments - nontaxable Cash at Federal Reserve and other banks Total Increase (decrease) in interest expense: Demand deposits (interest-bearing) Savings deposits Time deposits Other borrowings Junior subordinated debt 2015 over 2014 Yield/ Rate Volume 2014 over 2013 Yield/ Rate Total Total Volume (dollars in thousands) $30,443 13,938 1,555 (601) $(2,494) (2,107) 51 116 $27,949 11,831 1,606 (485) $14,364 9,093 22 (544) $(8,025) (239) (147) (16) $6,339 8,854 (125) (560) 45,335 (4,434) 40,901 22,935 (8,427) 14,508 162 308 274 1 379 (170) 14 (428) (1) 196 (8) 322 (154) - 575 81 167 (142) - 94 (125) (40) (112) - 62 (44) 127 (254) - 156 Total Increase (decrease) in net interest income 1,124 (389) 735 200 (215) (15) $44,211 $(4,045) $40,166 $22,735 $(8,212) $14,523 25 Provision for Loan Losses The provision for loan losses during any period is the sum of the allowance for loan losses required at the end of the period and any loan charge offs during the period, less the allowance for loan losses required at the beginning of the period, and less any loan recoveries during the period. See the Tables labeled “Allowance for loan losses – year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014” at Note 5 in Item 8 of Part II of this report for the components that make up the provision for loan losses for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. The Company benefited from a $2,210,000 reversal of provision for loan losses during the year ended December 31, 2015 versus a $4,045,000 reversal of provision for loan losses during the year ended December 31, 2014. The decrease in the reversal of provision for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily the result of increased loan originations during 2015 compared to 2014, and a decrease in net loan recoveries from 0.13% of average loans during 2014 to 0.07% of average loans during 2015. During 2015, improvements in collateral values and estimated cash flows related to nonperforming loans and purchased credit impaired loans, and reductions in nonperforming loans contributed to the reversal of provision for loan losses. As shown in the Table labeled “Allowance for Loan Losses - year ended December 31, 2015” at Note 5 in Item 8 of Part II of this report, residential real estate loans, home equity lines of credit, auto indirect loans, and residential construction loans experienced a reversal of provision for loan losses during the year ended December 31, 2015. The level of provision, or reversal of provision, for loan losses of each loan category during the year ended December 31, 2015 was due primarily to a decrease in the required allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2015 when compared to the required allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2014 less net charge- offs during the year ended December 31, 2015, and the effect of the changes in the allowance methodology during the year ended December 31, 2015 as described under the heading “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” at Note 1 in Item 8 of Part II of this report. All categories of loans except commercial real estate mortgage loans, C & I loans, and commercial construction loans experienced a decrease in the required allowance for loan losses during the year ended December 31, 2015. These decreases in required allowance for loan losses were due primarily to reduced impaired loans, improvements in estimated cash flows and collateral values for the remaining and newly impaired loans, and reductions in historical loss factors that, in part, determine the required loan loss allowance for performing loans in accordance with the Company’s allowance for loan losses methodology as described under the heading “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” at Note 1 in Item 8 of Part II of this report. These same factors were also present, to some extent, for commercial real estate mortgage loans, C & I loans, and commercial construction loans, but were more than offset by the effect of increased loan balances in these loan categories resulting in net provisions for loan losses in these categories during the year ended December 31, 2015. For details of the change in nonperforming loans during the year ended December 31, 2015 see the Tables, and associated narratives, labeled “Changes in nonperforming assets during the year ended December 31, 2015” and “Changes in nonperforming assets during the three months ended December 31, September 30, June 30, and March 31, 2015” under the heading “Asset Quality and Non-Performing Assets” below. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company made one change to its allowance for loan loss methodology. The change in methodology is described under the heading “Allowance for loan losses” in the section below labeled “Financial Condition”. Excluding the effect of the change in allowance methodology during the year ended December 31, 2015, the reversal of provision for loan losses during the year ended December 31, 2015 would have been approximately $3,528,000, or $1,318,000 more than the $2,210,000 that was actually recorded, and the allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2015 would have been approximately $34,693,000, or $1,318,000 less than the $36,011,000 that was actually recorded. The Company benefited from a $4,045,000 reversal of provision for loan losses during the year ended December 31, 2014 versus a benefit from reversal of provision for loan losses of $715,000 during the year ended December 31, 2013. As shown in the Table labeled “Allowance for Loan Losses - year ended December 31, 2014” at Note 5 in Item 8 of Part II of this report, all categories of loans except residential real estate mortgage loans, home equity loans and other consumer loans experienced a reversal of provision for loan losses during the year ended December 31, 2014. The level of provision, or reversal of provision, for loan losses of each loan category during the year ended December 31, 2014 was due primarily to a decrease in the required allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2014 when compared to the required allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2013 less net charge-offs during the year ended December 31, 2014, and the effect of the changes in the allowance methodology during the year ended December 31, 2014 as described under the heading “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” at Note 1 in Item 8 of Part II of this report. All categories of loans except home equity loans and other consumer loans experienced a decrease in the required allowance for loan losses during the year ended December 31, 2014. These decreases in required allowance for loan losses were due primarily to reduced impaired loans, improvements in estimated cash flows and collateral values for the remaining and newly impaired loans, and reductions in historical loss factors that, in part, determine the required loan loss allowance for performing loans in accordance with the Company’s allowance for loan losses methodology as described under the heading “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” at Note 1 in Item 8 of Part II of this report. These same factors were also present, to some extent, for home equity loans and other consumer loans, but were more than offset by the effect of increased loan balances or changes in credit quality within the “pass” category of these loan categories resulting in net provisions for loan losses in these categories during the year ended December 31, 2014. For details of the change in nonperforming loans during the year ended December 31, 2013 see the Tables, and associated narratives, labeled “Changes in nonperforming assets during the year ended December 31, 2014” and “Changes in nonperforming assets during the three months ended December 31, September 30, June 30, and March 31, 2014” under the heading “Asset Quality and Non-Performing Assets” below. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the 26 Company made two changes to its allowance for loan loss methodology. The changes in methodology are described under the heading “Allowance for loan losses” in the section below labeled “Financial Condition”. Excluding the effect of the changes in allowance methodology during the year ended December 31, 2014, the reversal of provision for loan losses during the year ended December 31, 2014 would have been approximately $5,484,000, or $1,438,000 more than the $4,046,000 that was actually recorded, and the allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2014 would have been approximately $35,177,000, or $1,438,000 less than the $36,585,000 that was actually recorded. The provision for loan losses related to Originated and PNCI loans is based on management’s evaluation of inherent risks in these loan portfolios and a corresponding analysis of the allowance for loan losses. The provision for loan losses related to PCI loan portfolio is based on changes in estimated cash flows expected to be collected on PCI loans. Additional discussion on loan quality, our procedures to measure loan impairment, and the allowance for loan losses is provided under the heading “Asset Quality and Non-Performing Assets” below. Management re-evaluates the loss ratios and other assumptions used in its calculation of the allowance for loan losses for its Originated and PNCI loan portfolios on a quarterly basis and makes changes as appropriate based upon, among other things, changes in loss rates experienced, collateral support for underlying loans, changes and trends in the economy, and changes in the loan mix. Management also re-evaluates expected cash flows used in its accounting for its PCI loan portfolio, including any required allowance for loan losses, on a quarterly basis and makes changes as appropriate based upon, among other things, changes in loan repayment experience, changes in loss rates experienced, and collateral support for underlying loans. Noninterest Income The following table summarizes the Company’s noninterest income for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands): Components of Noninterest Income Service charges on deposit accounts ATM fees and interchange Other service fees Mortgage banking service fees Change in value of mortgage servicing rights Total service charges and fees Gain on sale of loans Commissions on sale of nondeposit investment products Increase in cash value of life insurance Change in indemnification asset Gain on disposition of foreclosed assets Gain on life insurance death benefit Other noninterest income Total noninterest income Year ended December 31, 2014 $11,811 9,651 2,206 1,869 (1,301) 24,236 2,032 2,995 1,953 (856) 2,153 - 2,003 $34,516 2013 $12,716 8,370 2,144 1,774 253 25,257 5,602 2,983 1,727 (1,649) 1,640 - 1,269 $36,829 2015 $14,276 13,105 2,977 2,164 (701) 31,821 3,064 3,349 2,786 (207) 991 155 3,388 $45,347 Noninterest income increased $10,831,000 (31.4%) to $45,347,000 in 2015. The increase in noninterest income was due primarily to an increase in service charges on deposit accounts of $2,465,000 (20.9%) to $14,276,000, an increase in ATM fees and interchange revenue of $3,454,000 (35.8%) to $13,105,000, and an increase of $1,032,000 (50.8%) in gain on sale of loans to $3,064,000 compared to the year-ago period. These increases and the increases in other categories of noninterest income noted in the table above are primarily the result of the acquisition of North Valley Bancorp on October 4, 2014, and $870,000 of recoveries of loans from acquired institutions that were charged off prior to acquisition of those institutions b y the Company that were recorded in other noninterest income during the year ended December 31, 2015. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease of $1,162,000 in gain on sale of foreclosed assets to $991,000 during the year ended December 31, 2015. The decrease in gain on sale of foreclosed assets is due to decreased foreclosed asset sales during the year ended December 31, 2015, and the uniqueness of individual foreclosed asset sales when compared to the year-ago period. Noninterest income decreased $2,313,000 (6.3%) to $34,516,000 in 2014. Service charges on deposit accounts were down $905,000 (7.1%) due to reduced customer overdrafts and a resulting decrease in non-sufficient funds fees. ATM fees and interchange revenue increased $1,281,000 (15.3%) due to increased interchange revenue from the negotiation of a more favorable agreement with the Company’s interchange service provider, increased sales efforts in this area, and the acquisition of North Valley Bancorp and its customer base. Overall, mortgage banking activities, which includes mortgage banking servicing fees, change in value of mortgage servicing rights, and gain on sale of loans, accounted for $2,600,000 of noninterest income in the 2014 compared to $7,629,000 in 2013. This $5,029,000 (65.9%) decrease in mortgage banking related revenue wass mainly due to an increase in mortgage rates that occurred in May 2013 that resulted in reduced mortgage refinance activity and reduced gain on sale of loans in the second half of 2013 and throughout 2014, and a decrease in change in value of mortgage servicing rights as projected servicing fees were reduced due to reduced mortgage rates at the end of 2014 that are expected to result in increased refinance activity and shorter lives of existing servicing assets. Increase 27 in cash value of life insurance improved $226,000 (13.1%) during 2014 due to the addition of life insurance in the North Valley Bancorp acquisition. Change in indemnification asset improved $793,000 to a negative contribution to revenue of $856,000 in 2014 is due primarily to a decrease in estimated loan losses from the loan portfolio and foreclosed assets acquired in the Granite acquisition on May 28, 2010, and the fact that such losses are generally “covered” at the rate of 80% by the FDIC. The actual decrease in estimated losses is reflected in increased interest income, decreased provision for loan losses and/or decreased provision for foreclosed asset losses. Gain on sale of foreclosed assets increased $513,000 (31.3%) to $2,153,000 during 2014 due primarily to improved property values. Noninterest Expense The following table summarizes the Company’s other noninterest expense for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands): Components of Noninterest Expense Salaries and related benefits: Base salaries, net of deferred loan origination costs Incentive compensation Benefits and other compensation costs Total salaries and related benefits Other noninterest expense: Occupancy Equipment Data processing and software Assessments ATM network charges Advertising & marketing Professional fees Telecommunications Postage Courier service Foreclosed asset expense Intangible amortization Operational losses Provision for foreclosed asset losses Change in reserve for unfunded commitments Legal settlement Merger expense Other Total other noninterest expenses Total noninterest expense Merger expense: Incentive compensation Benefits and other compensation costs Data processing and software Professional fees Other Total merger expense Year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 $46,822 6,964 17,619 71,405 10,126 5,997 7,670 2,572 3,371 3,992 4,545 3,007 1,296 1,154 490 1,157 737 502 330 - 586 11,904 59,436 $130,841 $39,342 5,068 13,134 57,544 8,203 4,514 6,512 2,107 2,996 2,413 3,888 2,870 949 1,055 528 446 764 208 (395) - 4,858 10,919 52,835 $110,379 - - $108 120 358 $586 $1,174 94 475 2,390 725 $4,858 $34,404 4,694 12,838 51,936 7,405 4,162 4,844 2,248 2,480 1,981 2,707 2,449 786 988 514 209 618 682 (1,200) 339 312 10,144 41,668 $93,604 - - - $312 - $312 Average full time equivalent staff Noninterest expense to revenue (FTE) 949 64.7% 783 72.9% 733 67.3% Salary and benefit expenses increased $13,861,000 (24.1%) to $71,405,000 during the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. Base salaries, incentive compensation and benefits & other compensation expense increased $7,480,000 (19.0%), 1,896,000 (37.4%), and 4,485,000 (34.1%), respectively, to $46,822,000, $6,964,000 and $17,619,000, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2015. The increases in these categories of salary and benefits expense are primarily due to the Company’s acquisition of North Valley Bancorp on October 4, 2014. The average number of full-time equivalent staff increased 166 (21.2%) from 783 during the year ended December 31, 2014 to 949 for the year ended December 31, 2015. Salary and benefit expenses increased $5,608,000 (10.8%) to $57,544,000 in 2014 compared to 2013. Base salaries increased $4,938,000 (14.4%) to $39,342,000 in 2014 due primarily to the North Valley Bancorp acquisition. The average number of full time equivalent employees increased 50 (6.8%) to 783 during 2014. The increase in full time equivalent employees is due to the addition of employees from the North Valley Bancorp acquisition and the addition of operations, compliance, marketing, and administrative employees, that were partially offset by reductions of employees from the consolidation of 28 three, two, one and one Tri Counties Bank branches during the three months ended December 31, 2013, and March 31, June 30, and September 30, 2014, respectively. Annual salary merit increases of approximately 3.0% also contributed to the increase in base salary expense. Incentive and commission related salary expenses increased $374,000 (14.4%) to $5,068,000 during 2014 due to increases in all types of incentive compensation. Benefits expense, including retirement, medical and workers’ compensation insurance, and taxes, increased $296,000 (2.3%) to $13,134,000 during 2014 due to small to no increases in most benefit types. Other noninterest expense increased $6,601,000 (12.5%) to $59,436,000 during the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase in other noninterest expense was primarily due to the Company’s acquisition of North Valley Bancorp on October 4, 2014. Nonrecurring merger expenses related to the North Valley Bancorp acquisition totaling $586,000 and $4,858,000 are included in other noninterest expense for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, of which $0 and $1,269,000 were not deductible for income tax purposes, respectively. Other noninterest expense increased $11,167,000 (26.8%) to $52,835,000 during 2014 compared 2013 December 31, 2013. The increase in other noninterest expense was due primarily to a $4,546,000 increase in merger related expenses to $4,858,000, of which $1,269,000 are not deductible for tax purposes, a $1,668,000 (34.4%) increase in data processing and software expenses to $6,512,000, and a $1,181,000 (43.6%) increase in professional fees to $3,888,000. The increase in merger expenses was due to the North Valley Bancorp acquisition and included stay bonuses, severance pay, and other retention incentives, system conversion and other data processing expenses, professional fees including financial advisor and other consultant fees. The increase in data processing and software expenses was due primarily to increases in ongoing data processing and software expenses some of which are due to increased ongoing processing volume as a result of the North Valley Bancorp acquisition. The increase in professional fees was due primarily to increases in ongoing or non-merger related consulting fees related to compliance, control systems, and operational improvements. Increases in other areas of noninterest expense are due primarily to the North Valley Bancorp acquisition. Income Taxes The effective tax rate on income was 39.7%, 41.5%, and 40.2%, in 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. The effective tax rate was greater than the federal statutory tax rate due to state tax expense of $7,412,000, $4,817,000, and $4,811,000, respectively, in these years, and $1,310,000 of nondeductible merger expenses in 2014. Tax-exempt income of $1,509,000, $505,000, and $583,000, respectively, from investment securities, and $2,786,000, $1,953,000, and $1,727,000, respectively, from increase in cash value and gain on death benefit of life insurance in these years helped to reduce the effective tax rate. Investment Securities The following table presents the available for sale investment securities portfolio by major type as of the dates indicated: Financial Condition (In thousands) Investment securities available for sale (at fair value): Obligations of US government corporations and agencies $313,682 88,218 Obligations of states and political subdivisions - Corporate bonds 2,985 Marketable equity securities $404,885 Total investment securities available for sale 2015 Year ended December 31, 2013 2014 2012 $75,120 3,175 1,908 3,002 $83,205 $97,143 5,589 1,915 - $104,647 $151,701 9,421 1,905 - $163,027 2011 $217,384 10,028 1,811 - $229,223 Investment securities available for sale increased $321,680,000 to $404,885,000 as of December 31, 2015, as compared to December 31, 2014. This increase is attributable to purchases of $358,375,000, maturities and principal repayments of $33,552,000, a decrease in fair value of investments securities available for sale of $1,895,000, proceeds from the sale of available for sale securities of $2,000 and amortization of net purchase price premiums of $1,246,000. The following table presents the held to maturity investment securities portfolio by major type as of the dates indicated: (In thousands) Investment securities held to maturity (at cost): Obligations of US government corporations and agencies $711,994 14,536 Obligations of states and political subdivisions $726,530 Total investment securities held to maturity 2015 29 Year ended December 31, 2013 2014 2012 $660,836 15,590 $676,426 $227,864 12,640 $240,504 2011 - - - - - - Investment securities held to maturity increased $50,104,000 to $726,530,000 as of December 31, 2015, as compared to December 31, 2014. This increase is attributable to purchases of $146,100,000, less principal repayments of $93,784,000 and amortization of net purchase price discounts/premiums of $2,212,000. Additional information about the investment portfolio is provided in Note 3 in the financial statements at Item 8 of Part II of this report. Restricted Equity Securities Restricted equity securities were $16,956,000 at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The entire balance of restricted equity securities at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 represents the Bank’s investment in the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (“FHLB”). FHLB stock is carried at par and does not have a readily determinable fair value. While technically these are considered equity securities, there is no market for the FHLB stock. Therefore, the shares are considered as restricted investment securities. Management periodically evaluates FHLB stock for other-than-temporary impairment. Management’s determination of whether these investments are impaired is based on its assessment of the ultimate recoverability of cost rather than by recognizing temporary declines in value. The determination of whether a decline affects the ultimate recoverability of cost is influenced by criteria such as (1) the significance of any decline in net assets of the FHLB as compared to the capital stock amount for the FHLB and the length of time this situation has persisted, (2) commitments by the FHLB to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance of the FHLB, (3) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on institutions and, accordingly, the customer base of the FHLB, and (4) the liquidity position of the FHLB. As a member of the FHLB system, the Bank is required to maintain a minimum level of investment in FHLB stock based on specific percentages of its outstanding mortgages, total assets, or FHLB advances. The Bank may request redemption at par value of any stock in excess of the minimum required investment. Stock redemptions are at the discretion of the FHLB. Loans The Bank concentrates its lending activities in four principal areas: real estate mortgage loans (residential and commercial loans), consumer loans, commercial loans (including agricultural loans), and real estate construction loans. The interest rates charged for the loans made by the Bank vary with the degree of risk, the size and maturity of the loans, the borrower’s relationship with the Bank and prevailing money market rates indicative of the Bank’s cost of funds. The majority of the Bank’s loans are direct loans made to individuals, farmers and local businesses. The Bank relies substantially on local promotional activity and personal contacts by bank officers, directors and employees to compete with other financial institutions. The Bank makes loans to borrowers whose applications include a sound purpose, a viable repayment source and a plan of repayment established at inception and generally backed by a secondary source of repayment. Loan Portfolio Composite The following table shows the Company’s loan balances, including net deferred loan costs, at the dates indicated: (dollars in thousands) Real estate mortgage Consumer Commercial Real estate construction 2015 $1,811,832 395,283 194,913 120,909 2014 $1,615,359 417,084 174,945 75,136 Year ended December 31, 2013 $1,107,863 383,163 131,878 49,103 2012 $1,010,130 386,111 135,528 33,054 2011 $965,922 406,330 139,131 39,649 Total loans $2,522,937 $2,282,524 $1,672,007 $1,564,823 $1,551,032 The following table shows the Company’s loan balances, including net deferred loan costs, as a percentage of total loans at the dates indicated: Real estate mortgage Consumer Commercial Real estate construction 2015 71.8% 15.7% 7.7% 4.8% Year ended December 31, 2013 66.3% 22.9% 7.9% 2.9% 2014 70.7% 18.3% 7.7% 3.3% 2012 64.5% 24.7% 8.7% 2.1% 2011 62.2% 26.2% 9.0% 2.6% Total loans 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 30 At December 31, 2015 loans, including net deferred loan costs, totaled $2,522,937,000 which was a 10.5% ($240,413,000) increase over the balances at the end of 2014. Demand for commercial real estate (real estate mortgage) loans was strong during 2015. Demand for home equity loans and lines of credit was weak during 2015. At December 31, 2014 loans, including net deferred loan costs, totaled $2,282,524,000 which was a 36.5% ($610,517,000) increase over the balances at the end of 2013. This increase in loans during 2014 included $499,327,000 of loans acquired in the North Valley Bancorp acquisition on October 3, 2014, and $32,017,000 of purchased single family residential real estate loans. Demand for commercial real estate (real estate mortgage) loans was moderate during 2014. Demand for home equity loans and lines of credit was weak during 2014. At December 31, 2013 loans, including net deferred loan costs, totaled $1,672,007,000 which was a 6.8% ($107,184,000) increase over the balances at the end of 2012. Demand for commercial real estate (real estate mortgage) loans was weak to modest during 2013. During 2013, the Company purchased $62,698,000 of residential (real estate mortgage) loans. Demand for home equity loans and lines of credit were moderate during 2013. Real estate construction loans increased during 2013 due primarily to one large loan that was originated during 2013 Asset Quality and Nonperforming Assets Nonperforming Assets Loans originated by the Company, i.e., not purchased or acquired in a business combination, are referred to as originated loans. Originated loans are reported at the principal amount outstanding, net of deferred loan fees and costs. Loan origination and commitment fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred, and the net amount is amortized as an adjustment of the related loan’s yield over the actual life of the loan. Originated loans on which the accrual of interest has been discontinued are designated as nonaccrual loans. Originated loans are placed in nonaccrual status when reasonable doubt exists as to the full, timely collection of interest or principal, or a loan becomes contractually past due by 90 days or more with respect to interest or principal and is not well secured and in the process of collection. When an originated loan is placed on nonaccrual status, all interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed. Income on such loans is then recognized only to the extent that cash is received and where the future collection of principal is probable. Interest accruals are resumed on such loans only when they are brought fully current with respect to interest and principal and when, in the judgment of Management, the loan is estimated to be fully collectible as to both principal and interest. An allowance for loan losses for originated loans is established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense. Originated loans and deposit related overdrafts are charged against the allowance for loan losses when Management believes that the collectability of the principal is unlikely or, with respect to consumer installment loans, according to an established delinquency schedule. The allowance is an amount that Management believes will be adequate to absorb probable incurred losses inherent in existing loans, based on evaluations of the collectability, impairment and prior loss experience of loans and leases. The evaluations take into consideration such factors as changes in the nature and size of the portfolio, overall portfolio quality, loan concentrations, specific problem loans, and current economic conditions that may affect the borrower’s ability to pay. The Company defines an originated loan as impaired when it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired originated loans are measured based 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 a valuation allowance. In situations related to originated loans where, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, the Company grants a concession for other than an insignificant period of time to the borrower that the Company would not otherwise consider, the related loan is classified as a troubled debt restructuring (TDR). The Company strives to identify borrowers in financial difficulty early and work with them to modify to more affordable terms before their loan reaches nonaccrual status. These modified terms may include rate reductions, principal forgiveness, payment forbearance and other actions intended to minimize the economic loss and to avoid foreclosure or repossession of the collateral. In cases where the Company grants the borrower new terms that result in the loan being classified as a TDR, the Company measures any impairment on the restructuring as noted above for impaired loans. TDR loans are classified as impaired until they are fully paid off or charged off. Loans that are in nonaccrual status at the time they become TDR loans, remain in nonaccrual status until the borrower demonstrates a sustained period of performance which the Company generally believes to be six consecutive months of payments, or equivalent. Otherwise, TDR loans are subject to the same nonaccrual and charge-off policies as noted above with respect to their restructured principal balance. Credit risk is inherent in the business of lending. As a result, the Company maintains an allowance for loan losses to absorb losses inherent in the Company’s originated loan portfolio. This is maintained through periodic charges to earnings. These charges are included in the Consolidated Statements of Income as provision for loan losses. All specifically identifiable and 31 quantifiable losses are immediately charged off against the allowance. However, for a variety of reasons, not all losses are immediately known to the Company and, of those that are known, the full extent of the loss may not be quantifiable at that point in time. The balance of the Company’s allowance for originated loan losses is meant to be an estimate of these unknown but probable losses inherent in the portfolio. The Company formally assesses the adequacy of the allowance for originated loan losses on a quarterly basis. Determination of the adequacy is based on ongoing assessments of the probable risk in the outstanding originated loan portfolio, and to a lesser extent the Company’s originated loan commitments. These assessments include the periodic re-grading of credits based on changes in their individual credit characteristics including delinquency, seasoning, recent financial performance of the borrower, economic factors, changes in the interest rate environment, growth of the portfolio as a whole or by segment, and other factors as warranted. Loans are initially graded when originated. They are re-graded as they are renewed, when there is a new loan to the same borrower, when identified facts demonstrate heightened risk of nonpayment, or if they become delinquent. Re-grading of larger problem loans occurs at least quarterly. Confirmation of the quality of the grading process is obtained by independent credit reviews conducted by consultants specifically hired for this purpose and by various bank regulatory agencies. The Company’s method for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance for originated loan losses includes specific allowances for impaired originated loans, formula allowance factors for pools of credits, and allowances for changing environmental factors (e.g., interest rates, growth, economic conditions, etc.). Allowance factors for loan pools were based on historical loss experience by product type and prior risk rating. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company modified its methodology used to determine the allowance for changing environmental factors by adding a new environmental factor based on the California Home Affordability Index (“CHAI”). The CHAI measures the percentage of households in California that can afford to purchase the median priced home in California based on current home prices and mortgage interest rates. The use of the CHAI environmental factor consists of comparing the current CHAI to its historical baseline, and allows management to consider the adverse impact that a lower than historical CHAI may have on general economic activity and the performance of our borrowers. Based on an analysis of historical data, management believes this environmental factor gives a better estimate of current economic activity compared to other environmental factors that may lag current economic activity to some extent. This change in methodology resulted in no change to the allowance for loan losses as of March 31, 2014 compared to what it would have been without this change in methodology. During the three months ended June 30, 2014, the Company refined the method it uses to evaluate historical losses for the purpose of estimating the pool allowance for unimpaired loans. In the third quarter of 2010, the Company moved from a six point grading system (Grades A-F) to a nine point risk rating system (Risk Ratings 1-9), primarily to allow for more distinction within the “Pass” risk rating. Initially, there was not sufficient loss experience within the nine point scale to complete a migration analysis for all nine risk ratings, all loans risk rated Pass or 2-5 were grouped together, a loss rate was calculated for that group, and that loss rate was established as the loss rate for risk rating 4. The reserve ratios for risk ratings 2, 3 and 5 were then interpolated from that figure. As of June 30, 2014, the Company was able to compile twelve quarters of historical loss information for all risk ratings and use that information to calculate the loss rates for each of the nine risk ratings without interpolation. This refinement led to an increase of $1,438,000 in the reserve requirement for unimpaired loans, driven primarily by home equity lines of credit with a risk rating of 5 or “Pass-Watch.” During the three months ended September 30, 2015, the Company modified its methodology used to determine the allowance for home equity lines of credit that are about to exit their revolving period, or have recently entered into their amortization period and are now classified as home equity loans. This change in methodology increased the required allowance for such lines and loans by $859,000, and $459,000, respectively, and represents the increase in estimated incurred losses in these lines and loans as of September 30, 2015 due to higher required contractual principal and interest payments of such lines and loans. Loans purchased or acquired in a business combination are referred to as acquired loans. Acquired loans are valued as of acquisition date in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“FASB ASC”) Topic 805, Business Combinations. Loans acquired with evidence of credit deterioration since origination for which it is probable that all contractually required payments will not be collected are referred to as purchased credit impaired (PCI) loans. PCI loans are accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. Under FASB ASC Topic 805 and FASB ASC Topic 310-30, PCI loans are recorded at fair value at acquisition date, factoring in credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the loan. Accordingly, an allowance for loan losses is not carried over or recorded as of the acquisition date. Fair value is defined as the present value of the future estimated principal and interest payments of the loan, with the discount rate used in the present value calculation representing the estimated effective yield of the loan. Default rates, loss severity, and prepayment speed assumptions are periodically reassessed and our estimate of future payments is adjusted accordingly. The difference between contractual future payments and estimated future payments is referred to as the nonaccretable difference. The difference between estimated future payments and the present value of the estimated future payments is referred to as the accretable yield. The accretable yield 32 represents the amount that is expected to be recorded as interest income over the remaining life of the loan. If after acquisition, the Company determines that the estimated future cash flows of a PCI loan are expected to be more than the originally estimated, an increase in the discount rate (effective yield) would be made such that the newly increased accretable yield would be recognized, on a level yield basis, over the remaining estimated life of the loan. If, after acquisition, the Company determines that the estimated future cash flows of a PCI loan are expected to be less than the previously estimated, the discount rate would first be reduced until the present value of the reduced cash flow estimate equals the previous present value however, the discount rate may not be lowered below its original level at acquisition. If the discount rate has been lowered to its original level and the present value has not been sufficiently lowered, an allowance for loan loss would be established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense to decrease the present value to the required level. If the estimated cash flows improve after an allowance has been established for a loan, the allowance may be partially or fully reversed depending on the improvement in the estimated cash flows. Only after the allowance has been fully reversed may the discount rate be increased. PCI loans are put on nonaccrual status when cash flows cannot be reasonably estimated. PCI loans on nonaccrual status are accounted for using the cost recovery method or cash basis method of income recognition. PCI loans are charged off when evidence suggests cash flows are not recoverable. Foreclosed assets from PCI loans are recorded in foreclosed assets at fair value with the fair value at time of foreclosure representing cash flow from the loan. ASC 310-30 allows PCI loans with similar risk characteristics and acquisition time frame to be “pooled” and have their cash flows aggregated as if they were one loan. The Company elected to use the “pooled” method of ASC 310-30 for PCI – other loans in the acquisition of certain assets and liabilities of Granite and Citizens. Acquired loans that are not PCI loans are referred to as purchased not credit impaired (PNCI) loans. PNCI loans are accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-20, Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs, in which interest income is accrued on a level-yield basis for performing loans. For income recognition purposes, this method assumes that all contractual cash flows will be collected, and no allowance for loan losses is established at the time of acquistion. Post- acquisition date, an allowance for loan losses may need to be established for acquired loans through a provision charged to earnings for credit losses incurred subsequent to acquisition. Under ASC 310-20, the loss would be measured based on the probable shortfall in relation to the contractual note requirements, consistent with our allowance for loan loss policy for similar loans. When referring to PNCI and PCI loans we use the terms “nonaccretable difference”, “accretable yield”, or “purchase discount”. Nonaccretable difference is the difference between undiscounted contractual cash flows due and undiscounted cash flows we expect to collect, or put another way, it is the undiscounted contractual cash flows we do not expect to collect. Accretable yield is the difference between undiscounted cash flows we expect to collect and the value at which we have recorded the loan on our financial statements. On the date of acquisition, all purchased loans are recorded on our consolidated financial statements at estimated fair value. Purchase discount is the difference between the estimated fair value of loans on the date of acquisition and the principal amount owed by the borrower, net of charge offs, on the date of acquisition. We may also refer to “discounts to principal balance of loans owed, net of charge-offs”. Discounts to principal balance of loans owed, net of charge-offs is the difference between principal balance of loans owed, net of charge-offs, and loans as recorded on our financial statements. Discounts to principal balance of loans owed, net of charge-offs arise from purchase discounts, and equal the purchase discount on the acquisition date. Loans are also categorized as “covered” or “noncovered”. Covered loans refer to loans covered by a FDIC loss sharing agreement. Noncovered loans refer to loans not covered by a FDIC loss sharing agreement. Originated loans and PNCI loans are reviewed on an individual basis for reclassification to nonaccrual status when any one of the following occurs: the loan becomes 90 days past due as to interest or principal, the full and timely collection of additional interest or principal becomes uncertain, the loan is classified as doubtful by internal credit review or bank regulatory agencies, a portion of the principal balance has been charged off, or the Company takes possession of the collateral. Loans that are placed on nonaccrual even though the borrowers continue to repay the loans as scheduled are classified as “performing nonaccrual” and are included in total nonperforming loans. The reclassification of loans as nonaccrual does not necessarily reflect Management’s judgment as to whether they are collectible. Interest income on originated nonaccrual loans that would have been recognized during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, if all such loans had been current in accordance with their original terms, totaled $1,840,000, $2,734,000, and $1,524,000, respectively. Interest income actually recognized on these originated loans during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $170,000, $81,000, and $273,000, respectively. Interest income on PNCI nonaccrual loans that would have been recognized during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, if all such loans had been current in accordance with their original terms, totaled $386,000, $254,000, and $295,000. Interest income actually recognized on these PNCI loans during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $205,000, $4,000, and $38,000. The Company’s policy is to place originated loans and PNCI loans 90 days or more past due on nonaccrual status. In some instances when an originated loan is 90 days past due Management does not place it on nonaccrual status because the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. A loan is considered to be in the process of collection if, based on a probable specific event, it is expected that the loan will be repaid or brought current. Generally, this collection period would not 33 exceed 30 days. Loans where the collateral has been repossessed are classified as foreclosed assets. Management considers both the adequacy of the collateral and the other resources of the borrower in determining the steps to be taken to collect nonaccrual loans. Alternatives that are considered are foreclosure, collecting on guarantees, restructuring the loan or collection lawsuits. The following table sets forth the amount of the Bank’s nonperforming assets as of the dates indicated. For purposes of the following table, “PCI – other” loans that are 90 days past due and still accruing are not considered nonperforming loans. “Performing nonaccrual loans” are loans that may be current for both principal and interest payments, or are less than 90 days past due, but for which payment in full of both principal and interest is not expected, and are not well secured and in the process of collection: (dollars in thousands) Performing nonaccrual loans Nonperforming nonaccrual loans Total nonaccrual loans Originated and PNCI loans 90 days past due and still accruing Total nonperforming loans Noncovered foreclosed assets Covered foreclosed assets Total nonperforming assets 2015 $31,033 6,086 37,119 - 37,119 5,369 - $42,488 2014 $45,072 2,517 47,589 - 47,589 4,449 445 $52,483 December 31, 2013 $48,112 5,104 53,216 - 53,216 5,588 674 $59,478 2012 $49,045 23,471 72,516 - 72,516 5,957 1,541 $80,014 2011 $61,164 23,647 84,811 920 85,731 13,268 3,064 $102,063 U.S. government, including its agencies and its government-sponsored agencies, guaranteed portion of nonperforming loans Indemnified portion of covered foreclosed assets Nonperforming assets to total assets Nonperforming loans to total loans Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans Allowance for loan losses, unamortized loan fees, and discounts to loan principal balances owed $28 - 1.01% 1.47% 97% $123 $356 1.88% 2.08% 77% $101 $539 2.30% 3.18% 72% $131 $3,061 $1,233 $2,451 3.07% 4.63% 59% 3.99% 5.53% 54% 2.69% 3.31% 4.09% 5.30% 6.34% The following tables set forth the amount of the Bank’s nonperforming assets as of the dates indicated. For purposes of the following tables, “PCI – other” loans that are 90 days past due and still accruing are not considered nonperforming loans. “Performing nonaccrual loans” are loans that may be current for both principal and interest payments, or are less than 90 days past due, but for which payment in full of both principal and interest is not expected, and are not well secured and in the process of collection: (dollars in thousands) Performing nonaccrual loans Nonperforming nonaccrual loans Total nonaccrual loans Originated loans 90 days past due and still accruing Total nonperforming loans Noncovered foreclosed assets Covered foreclosed assets Total nonperforming assets Originated $18,483 4,341 22,824 - 22,824 4,195 - $27,019 December 31, 2015 PNCI $3,747 1,651 5,398 PCI – cash basis PCI - other $3,748 70 3,818 $5,055 24 5,079 - 5,398 - - $5,398 - 5,079 - - $5,079 - 3,818 1,174 - $4,992 U.S. government, including its agencies and its government-sponsored agencies, guaranteed portion of nonperforming loans Indemnified portion of covered foreclosed assets $28 - 0.64% Nonperforming assets to total assets Nonperforming loans to total loans 1.15% Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans 137% Allowance for loan losses, unamortized loan fees, and discounts to loan principal balances owed 1.90% - - - - - - 0.13% 1.09% 34% 0.12% 100.00% 2% 0.12% 10.87% 73% 3.11% 60.92% 18.49% 2.69% 34 Total $31,033 6,086 37,119 - 37,119 5,369 - $42,488 $28 - 1.01% 1.47% 97% (dollars in thousands) Performing nonaccrual loans Nonperforming nonaccrual loans Total nonaccrual loans Originated loans 90 days past due and still accruing Total nonperforming loans Noncovered foreclosed assets Covered foreclosed assets Total nonperforming assets Originated $30,449 2,080 32,529 - 32,529 3,316 - $35,845 December 31, 2014 PNCI $1,233 413 1,646 PCI – cash basis PCI - other $7,803 - 7,803 $5,587 24 5,611 - 1,646 - - $1,646 - 5,611 - - $5,611 - 7,803 1,133 445 $9,381 Total $45,072 2,517 47,589 - 47,589 4,449 445 $52,483 U.S. government, including its agencies and its government-sponsored agencies, guaranteed portion of nonperforming loans Indemnified portion of covered foreclosed assets $123 - 1.28% Nonperforming assets to total assets Nonperforming loans to total loans 2.02% Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans 92% Allowance for loan losses, unamortized loan fees, and discounts to loan principal balances owed 2.14% - - - - 0.06% 0.27% 200% 0.20% 99.98% 6% - $356 0.34% 16.50% 39% $123 $356 1.88% 2.08% 77% 3.30% 64.45% 21.09% 3.31% The following table shows the activity in the balance of nonperforming assets for the year ended December 31, 2015: Balance at December 31, 2015 $3,702 21,251 (dollars in thousands): Real estate mortgage: Residential Commercial Consumer Home equity lines Home equity loans Auto indirect Other consumer Commercial Construction: 12 Residential Commercial 490 Total nonperforming loans 37,119 Noncovered foreclosed assets 5,369 Covered foreclosed assets - Total nonperforming assets $42,488 9,216 1,414 - 55 979 New NPA $932 9,784 2,293 645 1 293 1,519 1,715 490 17,672 - - $17,672 Advances/ Pay-downs Capitalized Costs /Sales Charge-offs/ /Upgrades Write-downs Transfers to Foreclosed Category December 31, Changes Balance at Assets 2014 - 63 132 72 - 6 - - - 273 195 - $468 $(1,159) (13,471) (1,592) (196) (15) (43) (2,046) (2,322) (99) (20,943) (4,458) - $(25,401) $(224) - (694) (243) (4) (387) (680) - - (2,232) (502) - $(2,734) $(843) (1,468) (877) (270) - - - (1,782) - (5,240) 5,240 - - $383 - (422) 39 - - - - - - 445 (445) - $4,613 26,343 10,376 1,367 18 186 2,186 2,401 99 47,589 4,449 445 $52,483 The table above does not include deposit overdraft charge-offs. 35 The following tables and narratives describe the activity in the balance of nonperforming assets during each of the three- month periods ending March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31, 2015. These tables and narratives are presented in chronological order: Changes in nonperforming assets during the three months ended December 31, 2015 Balance at December 31, 2015 New NPA $3,702 21,251 9,216 1,414 - 55 979 $77 470 313 233 - 44 906 (In thousands): Real estate mortgage: Residential Commercial Consumer Home equity lines Home equity loans Auto indirect Other consumer Commercial (C&I) Construction: Residential Commercial 12 490 Total nonperforming loans 37,119 Foreclosed assets 5,369 Total nonperforming assets $42,488 - 490 2,533 - $2,533 Advances/ Pay-downs Capitalized Costs /Sales Charge-offs/ /Upgrades Write-downs Transfers to Foreclosed Category September 30, Changes Balance at Assets 2015 - - $62 - - - - - - 62 - $62 $(710) (2,007) (471) (59) - (17) (25) (32) (80) (3,401) (487) $(3,888) - - $(599) - $(70) (42) - (46) (89) - - (247) (155) $(402) - (127) - - - - - (726) 726 - - - - - - - - - - - - $4,934 22,788 9,382 1,409 - 74 187 44 80 38,898 5,285 $44,183 The table above does not include deposit overdraft charge-offs. Nonperforming assets decreased during the fourth quarter of 2015 by $1,695,000 (3.84%) to $42,488,000 at December 31, 2015 compared to $44,183,000 at September 30, 2015. The decrease in nonperforming assets during the fourth quarter of 2015 was primarily the result of new nonperforming loans of $2,533,000, advances on existing nonperforming loans of $62,000, less pay-downs, sales or upgrades of nonperforming loans to performing status totaling $3,401,000, less dispositions of foreclosed assets totaling $487,000, less loan charge-offs of $247,000, and less write-downs of foreclosed assets of $155,000. The $2,533,000 in new nonperforming loans during the fourth quarter of 2015 was comprised of $77,000 on two residential real estate loans, $470,000 on two commercial real estate loans, $546,000 on seven home equity lines and loans, $44,000 on 12 consumer loans, $906,000 on six C&I loans, and $490,000 on a single commercial construction loan. The $470,000 in new nonperforming commercial real estate loans was primarily comprised of one loan in the amount of $391,000 secured by a commercial retail building in northern California. The $490,000 in new nonperforming commercial construction loans was entirely comprised of one loan secured by an agricultural processing facility in northern California. Related charge-offs are discussed below. Loan charge-offs during the three months ended December 31, 2015 In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company recorded $248,000 in loan charge-offs and $133,000 in deposit overdraft charge-offs less $692,000 in loan recoveries and $90,000 in deposit overdraft recoveries resulting in $401,000 of net loan recoveries. Primary causes of the loan charges taken in the fourth quarter of 2015 were gross charge-offs of $112,000 on four home equity lines and loans, $46,000 on 13 other consumer loans, and $89,000 on five C&I loans. During the fourth quarter of 2015, there were no individual charges greater than $250,000. 36 Changes in nonperforming assets during the three months ended September 30, 2015 (In thousands): Real estate mortgage: Residential Commercial Consumer Home equity lines Home equity loans Auto indirect Other consumer Commercial (C&I) Construction: 9,382 1,409 - 74 187 Residential Commercial 44 80 Total nonperforming loans 38,898 Foreclosed assets 5,285 Total nonperforming assets $44,183 Balance at September 30, New NPA 2015 $4,934 22,788 $160 1,281 Advances/ Pay-downs Capitalized Costs /Sales Charge-offs/ /Upgrades Write-downs - - $7 60 - - - - - 67 11 $78 $(129) (1,478) (264) (41) - (14) (18) (3) (8) (1,955) (2,551) $(4,506) $(15) - (199) (73) - (194) (52) - - (533) (106) $(639) Transfers to Foreclosed Category Changes Assets Balance at June 30, 2015 $(107) (497) $103 - $4,922 23,482 (117) (110) - - - (1,707) - (2,538) 2,538 - (235) 132 - - - 9,461 1,441 - 197 242 - - - - - 47 88 39,880 5,393 $45,273 729 - - 85 15 1,707 - 3,977 - $3,977 The table above does not include deposit overdraft charge-offs. Nonperforming assets decreased during the third quarter of 2015 by $1,090,000 (2.41%) to $44,183,000 at September 30, 2015 compared to 45,273,000 at June 30, 2015. The decrease in nonperforming assets during the third quarter of 2015 was primarily the result of new nonperforming loans of $3,977,000, advances on existing nonperforming loans of $78,000, less pay-downs, sales or upgrades of nonperforming loans to performing status totaling $1,955,000, less dispositions of foreclosed assets totaling $2,551,000, less loan charge- offs of $533,000, and less write-downs of foreclosed assets of $106,000. The $3,977,000 in new nonperforming loans during the third quarter of 2015 was comprised of increases of $160,000 on six residential real estate loans, $1,281,000 on nine commercial real estate loans, $729,000 on 18 home equity lines and loans, $85,000 on 17 consumer loans, $15,000 on two C&I loans, and $1,707,000 on two residential construction loans. The $1,281,000 in new nonperforming commercial real estate loans was primarily comprised of one loan in the amount of $253,000 secured by a commercial warehouse in northern California, and one loan in the amount of $485,000 secured by an event facility in central California. Related charge-offs are discussed below. The $1,707,000 in new residential construction loans was primarily comprised of one loan in the amount of $1,561,000 secured by development land in central California. The $1,955,000 in pay-downs, sales or upgrades of loans in the third quarter of 2015 was comprised of decreases of $129,000 on 39 residential real estate loans, $1,478,000 on 46 commercial real estate loans, $305,000 on 121 home equity lines and loans, $14,000 on 18 consumer loans, $18,000 on 10 C&I loans, $3,000 on two residential construction loans and $8,000 on two commercial construction loans. Loan charge-offs during the three months ended September 30, 2015 In the third quarter of 2015, the Company recorded $533,000 in loan charge-offs and $154,000 in deposit overdraft charge-offs less $2,252,000 in loan recoveries and $94,000 in deposit overdraft recoveries resulting in $1,659,000 of net recoveries. Primary causes of the loan charges taken in the third quarter of 2015 were gross charge-offs of $15,000 on two residential real estate loans, $272,000 on nine home equity lines and loans, $194,000 on 19 other consumer loans, and $52,000 on a single C&I loan. During the third quarter of 2015, there were no individual charges greater than $250,000. 37 Changes in nonperforming assets during the three months ended June 30, 2015 (In thousands): Real estate mortgage: Residential Commercial Consumer Home equity lines Home equity loans Auto indirect Other consumer Commercial (C&I) Construction: Balance at June 30, 2015 $4,922 23,482 9,461 1,441 - 197 242 Residential Commercial 47 88 Total nonperforming loans 39,880 Noncovered foreclosed assets 5,393 Covered foreclosed assets - Total nonperforming assets $45,273 New NPA $78 3,991 465 275 1 96 64 8 - 4,978 - - $4,978 Advances/ Pay-downs Capitalized Costs /Sales Charge-offs/ /Upgrades Write-downs Transfers to Balance at Foreclosed Category March 31, Changes Assets 2015 - - 11 1 - - - - - 12 195 - $207 $(179) (8,686) (490) (59) (11) - (1,859) (2,259) (6) (13,549) (925) - $(14,474) $(128) - (84) (117) (4) (34) (5) - - (372) (175) - $(547) $(82) - (227) (22) - - - (75) - (406) 406 - - - - - - - - - $5,233 28,177 9,786 1,363 14 135 2,042 - - - 445 (445) - 2,373 94 49,217 5,447 445 $55,109 The table above does not include deposit overdraft charge-offs. Nonperforming assets decreased during the second quarter of 2015 by $9,836,000 (17.9%) to $45,273,000 at June 30, 2015 compared to $55,109,000 at March 31, 2015. The decrease in nonperforming assets during the second quarter of 2015 was primarily the result of new nonperforming loans of $4,978,000, advances on existing nonperforming loans and capitalized costs on foreclosed assets of $207,000, less pay-downs, sales or upgrades of nonperforming loans to performing status totaling $13,549,000, less dispositions of foreclosed assets totaling $925,000, less loan charge-offs of $372,000, and less write-downs of foreclosed assets of $175,000. The $4,978,000 in new nonperforming loans during the second quarter of 2015 was comprised of increases of $78,000 on three residential real estate loans, $3,991,000 on eight commercial real estate loans, $740,000 on 12 home equity lines and loans, $1,000 on two indirect auto loans, $96,000 on 15 consumer loans, $64,000 on three C&I loans, and $8,000 on a single residential real estate loan. The $3,991,000 in new nonperforming commercial real estate loans was primarily made up of one loan in the amount of $2,038,000 secured by a commercial retail property in central California, one loan in the amount of $836,000 secured by a multi-family property in northern California, three loans totaling $588,000 secured by a commercial warehouse in central California, and one loan in the amount of $466,000 secured by a single family residence in central California. Related charge-offs are discussed below. The $13,549,000 in pay-downs, sales or upgrades of loans in the second quarter of 2015 was comprised of decreases of $179,000 on 37 residential real estate loans, $8,686,000 on 44 commercial real estate loans, $549,000 on 135 home equity lines and loans, $11,000 on eight auto indirect loans, $1,859,000 on 11 C&I loans, $2,259,000 on three residential construction loans and $6,000 on two commercial construction loans. The $8,686,000 reduction in nonperforming commercial real estate loans was primarily made up of one upgrade in the amount of $328,000 on a loan secured by commercial office property in northern California, and upgrades on four loans secured by commercial office and warehouse properties in central California in the amount of $7,375,000. The $1,859,000 in reduction in nonperforming C&I loans was primarily made up of pay-downs in the amount of $1,844,000 on three loans in northern California secured by general business assets. The $2,259,000 in reduction in nonperforming residential construction loans was primarily made up of a pay-down in the amount of $2,250,000 on a loan secured by residential development land in central California. Loan charge-offs during the three months ended June 30, 2015 In the second quarter of 2015, the Company recorded $372,000 in loan charge-offs and $142,000 in deposit overdraft charge-offs less $448,000 in loan recoveries and $99,000 in deposit overdraft recoveries resulting in $32,000 of net recoveries. Primary causes of the loan charges taken in the second quarter of 2015 were gross charge-offs of $128,000 on three residential real estate loans, $201,000 on nine home equity lines and loans, $4,000 on two indirect auto loans, $34,000 on 13 other consumer loans, and $5,000 on three C&I loans. During the second quarter of 2015, there were no individual charges greater than $250,000. 38 Changes in nonperforming assets during the three months ended March 31, 2015 (In thousands): Real estate mortgage: Residential Commercial Consumer Home equity lines Home equity loans Auto indirect Other consumer Commercial (C&I) Construction: Balance at March 31, 2015 $5,233 28,177 9,786 1,363 14 135 2,042 Residential Commercial 2,373 94 Total nonperforming loans 49,217 Noncovered foreclosed assets 5,447 Covered foreclosed assets 445 Total nonperforming assets $55,109 New NPA $617 4,042 786 137 - 68 534 - - 6,184 - - $6,184 Advances/ Pay-downs Capitalized Costs /Sales Charge-offs/ /Upgrades Write-downs Transfers to Foreclosed Category December 31, Changes Balance at Assets 2014 - 63 52 - - 6 - - - 121 316 - $437 $(141) (1,300) (683) (37) (4) (12) (144) (28) (5) (2,354) (495) - $(2,849) $(81) - (341) (11) - (113) (534) - - (1,080) (66) - $(1,146) $(55) (971) (217) - - - - - - (1,243) 1,243 - - $280 - (187) (93) - - - - - - - - - $4,613 26,343 10,376 1,367 18 186 2,186 2,401 99 47,589 4,449 445 $52,483 The table above does not include deposit overdraft charge-offs. Nonperforming assets increased during the first quarter of 2015 by $2,626,000 (5.0%) to $55,109,000 at March 31, 2015 compared to $52,483,000 at December 31, 2014. The increase in nonperforming assets during the first quarter of 2015 was primarily the result of new nonperforming loans of $6,184,000, advances on existing nonperforming loans and capitalized costs on foreclosed assets of $121,000, less pay-downs, sales or upgrades of nonperforming loans to performing status totaling $2,038,000, less dispositions of foreclosed assets totaling $495,000, less loan charge-offs of $1,080,000, and less write-downs of foreclosed assets of $66,000. The $6,184,000 in new nonperforming loans during the first quarter of 2015 was comprised of increases of $617,000 on two residential real estate loans, $4,042,000 on four commercial real estate loans, $923,000 on 13 home equity lines and loans, $68,000 on 26 consumer loans, and $534,000 on nine C&I loans. The $617,000 in new nonperforming residential real estate loans was primarily comprised of a single loan in the amount of $594,000 secured by a single family residence in northern California. The $4,042,000 in new nonperforming commercial real estate loans was primarily made up of one loan in the amount of $2,904,000 secured by a commercial retail property in northern California, one loan in the amount of $690,000 secured by hospitality real estate in northern California, and one loan in the amount of $328,000 secured by a commercial office property in northern California. The $534,000 in new nonperforming commercial and industrial loan was primarily comprised of a single lending relationship in the amount of $479,000 secured by various non-real estate business assets in central California. Related charge-offs are discussed below. Loan charge-offs during the three months ended March 31, 2015 In the first quarter of 2015, the Company recorded $1,080,000 in loan charge-offs and $155,000 in deposit overdraft charge-offs less $390,000 in loan recoveries and $118,000 in deposit overdraft recoveries resulting in $727,000 of net charge-offs. Primary causes of the loan charges taken in the first quarter of 2015 were gross charge-offs of $81,000 on two residential real estate loans, $352,000 on 10 home equity lines and loans, $113,000 on 29 other consumer loans, and $534,000 on eight C&I loans. The $534,000 in charge-offs the Bank incurred in its commercial and industrial portfolio was primarily the result of $479,000 in charge- offs incurred on a single relationship secured by various non-real estate business assets in central California. The remaining $55,000 was spread over four loans spread throughout the Company’s footprint. Differences between the amounts explained in this section and the total charge-offs listed for a particular category are generally made up of individual charges of less than $250,000 each. Generally losses are triggered by non-performance by the borrower and calculated based on any difference between the current loan amount and the current value of the underlying collateral less any estimated costs associated with the disposition of the collateral. Allowance for Loan Losses The Company’s allowance for loan losses is comprised of allowances for originated, PNCI and PCI loans. All such allowances are established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense. Originated and PNCI loans, and deposit related overdrafts are charged against the allowance for originated loan losses when Management believes that the collectability of the principal is unlikely or, with respect to consumer installment loans, according to an established delinquency schedule. The allowances for originated and PNCI loan losses are amounts that Management believes will be adequate to absorb probable losses inherent in existing originated loans, based on evaluations of the collectability, impairment and prior loss experience of those loans and leases. The evaluations take into consideration such factors as changes in the nature and size of the portfolio, overall portfolio quality, loan concentrations, specific problem 39 loans, and current economic conditions that may affect the borrower’s ability to pay. The Company defines an originated or PNCI loan as impaired when it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired originated and PNCI loans are measured based 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 a valuation allowance. In situations related to originated and PNCI loans where, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, the Company grants a concession for other than an insignificant period of time to the borrower that the Company would not otherwise consider, the related loan is classified as a troubled debt restructuring (TDR). The Company strives to identify borrowers in financial difficulty early and work with them to modify to more affordable terms before their loan reaches nonaccrual status. These modified terms may include rate reductions, principal forgiveness, payment forbearance and other actions intended to minimize the economic loss and to avoid foreclosure or repossession of the collateral. In cases where the Company grants the borrower new terms that provide for a reduction of either interest or principal, the Company measures any impairment on the restructuring as noted above for impaired loans. TDR loans are classified as impaired until they are fully paid off or charged off. Loans that are in nonaccrual status at the time they become TDR loans, remain in nonaccrual status until the borrower demonstrates a sustained period of performance which the Company generally believes to be six consecutive months of payments, or equivalent. Otherwise, TDR loans are subject to the same nonaccrual and charge-off policies as noted above with respect to their restructured principal balance. Credit risk is inherent in the business of lending. As a result, the Company maintains an allowance for loan losses to absorb losses inherent in the Company’s originated and PNCI loan portfolios. These are maintained through periodic charges to earnings. These charges are included in the Consolidated Income Statements as provision for loan losses. All specifically identifiable and quantifiable losses are immediately charged off against the allowance. However, for a variety of reasons, not all losses are immediately known to the Company and, of those that are known, the full extent of the loss may not be quantifiable at that point in time. The balance of the Company’s allowances for originated and PNCI loan losses are meant to be an estimate of these unknown but probable losses inherent in these portfolios. The Company formally assesses the adequacy of the allowance for originated and PNCI loan losses on a quarterly basis. Determination of the adequacy is based on ongoing assessments of the probable risk in the outstanding originated and PNCI loan portfolios, and to a lesser extent the Company’s originated and PNCI loan commitments. These assessments include the periodic re-grading of credits based on changes in their individual credit characteristics including delinquency, seasoning, recent financial performance of the borrower, economic factors, changes in the interest rate environment, growth of the portfolio as a whole or by segment, and other factors as warranted. Loans are initially graded when originated or acquired. They are re-graded as they are renewed, when there is a new loan to the same borrower, when identified facts demonstrate heightened risk of nonpayment, or if they become delinquent. Re-grading of larger problem loans occurs at least quarterly. Confirmation of the quality of the grading process is obtained by independent credit reviews conducted by consultants specifically hired for this purpose and by various bank regulatory agencies. The Company’s method for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance for originated and PNCI loan losses includes specific allowances for impaired loans and leases, formula allowance factors for pools of credits, and allowances for changing environmental factors (e.g., interest rates, growth, economic conditions, etc.). Allowance factors for loan pools are based on historical loss experience by product type and prior risk rating. Allowances for impaired loans are based on analysis of individual credits. Allowances for changing environmental factors are Management’s best estimate of the probable impact these changes have had on the originated or PNCI loan portfolio as a whole. The allowances for originated and PNCI loans are included in the allowance for loan losses. As noted above, the allowances for originated and PNCI loan losses consists of a specific allowance, a formula allowance, and an allowance for environmental factors. The first component, the specific allowance, results from the analysis of identified credits that meet management’s criteria for specific evaluation. These loans are reviewed individually to determine if such loans are considered impaired. Impaired loans are those where management has concluded that it is probable that the borrower will be unable to pay all amounts due under the contractual terms. Impaired loans are specifically reviewed and evaluated individually by management for loss potential by evaluating sources of repayment, including collateral as applicable, and a specified allowance for loan losses is established where necessary. The second component of the allowance for originated and PNCI loan losses, the formula allowance, is an estimate of the probable losses that have occurred across the major loan categories in the Company’s originated and PNCI loan portfolios. This analysis is based on loan grades by pool and the loss history of these pools. This analysis covers the Company’s entire originated and PNCI loan portfolios including unused commitments but excludes any loans that were analyzed individually and assigned a specific allowance as discussed above. The total amount allocated for this component is determined by applying loss estimation factors to outstanding loans and loan commitments. The loss factors were previously based primarily on the Company's historical loss experience tracked over a five-year period and adjusted as appropriate for the 40 input of current trends and events. Because historical loss experience varies for the different categories of originated loans, the loss factors applied to each category also differed. In addition, there is a greater chance that the Company would suffer a loss from a loan that was risk rated less than satisfactory than if the loan was last graded satisfactory. Therefore, for any given category, a larger loss estimation factor was applied to less than satisfactory loans than to those that the Company last graded as satisfactory. The resulting formula allowance was the sum of the allocations determined in this manner. The third component of the allowances for originated and PNCI loan losses, the environmental factor allowance, is a component that is not allocated to specific loans or groups of loans, but rather is intended to absorb losses that may not be provided for by the other components. There are several primary reasons that the other components discussed above might not be sufficient to absorb the losses present in the originated and PNCI loan portfolios, and the environmental factor allowance is used to provide for the losses that have occurred because of them. The first reason is that there are limitations to any credit risk grading process. The volume of originated and PNCI loans makes it impractical to re-grade every loan every quarter. Therefore, it is possible that some currently performing originated or PNCI loans not recently graded will not be as strong as their last grading and an insufficient portion of the allowance will have been allocated to them. Grading and loan review often must be done without knowing whether all relevant facts are at hand. Troubled borrowers may deliberately or inadvertently omit important information from reports or conversations with lending officers regarding their financial condition and the diminished strength of repayment sources. The second reason is that the loss estimation factors are based primarily on historical loss totals. As such, the factors may not give sufficient weight to such considerations as the current general economic and business conditions that affect the Company's borrowers and specific industry conditions that affect borrowers in that industry. The factors might also not give sufficient weight to other environmental factors such as changing economic conditions and interest rates, portfolio growth, entrance into new markets or products, and other characteristics as may be determined by Management. Specifically, in assessing how much environmental factor allowance needed to be provided, management considered the following:  with respect to the economy, management considered the effects of changes in GDP, unemployment, CPI, debt statistics, housing starts, housing sales, auto sales, agricultural prices, home affordability, and other economic factors which serve as indicators of economic health and trends and which may have an impact on the performance of our borrowers, and  with respect to changes in the interest rate environment, management considered the recent changes in interest rates and the resultant economic impact it may have had on borrowers with high leverage and/or low profitability; and  with respect to changes in energy prices, management considered the effect that increases, decreases or volatility may have on the performance of our borrowers, and  with respect to loans to borrowers in new markets and growth in general, management considered the relatively short seasoning of such loans and the lack of experience with such borrowers, and  with respect to loans that have not yet been identified as impaired, management considered the volume and severity of past due loans. Each of these considerations was assigned a factor and applied to a portion or the entire originated and PNCI loan portfolios. Since these factors are not derived from experience and are applied to large non-homogeneous groups of loans, they are available for use across the portfolio as a whole. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company modified its methodology used to determine the allowance for changing environmental factors by adding a new environmental factor based on the California Home Affordability Index (“CHAI”). The CHAI measures the percentage of households in California that can afford to purchase the median priced home in California based on current home prices and mortgage interest rates. The use of the CHAI environmental factor consists of comparing the current CHAI to its historical baseline, and allows management to consider the adverse impact that a lower than historical CHAI may have on general economic activity and the performance of our borrowers. Based on an analysis of historical data, management believes this environmental factor gives a better estimate of current economic activity compared to other environmental factors that may lag current economic activity to some extent. This change in methodology resulted in no change to the allowance for loan losses as of March 31, 2014 compared to what it would have been without this change in methodology. During the three months ended June 30, 2014, the Company refined the method it uses to evaluate historical losses for the purpose of estimating the pool allowance for unimpaired loans. In the third quarter of 2010, the Company moved from a six point grading system (Grades A-F) to a nine point risk rating system (Risk Ratings 1-9), primarily to allow for more distinction within the “Pass” risk rating. Initially, there was not sufficient loss experience within the nine point scale to complete a migration analysis for all nine risk ratings, all loans risk rated Pass or 2-5 were grouped together, a loss rate was calculated for that group, and that loss rate was established as the loss rate for risk rating 4. The reserve ratios for risk ratings 41 2, 3 and 5 were then interpolated from that figure. As of June 30, 2014, the Company was able to compile twelve quarters of historical loss information for all risk ratings and use that information to calculate the loss rates for each of the nine risk ratings without interpolation. This refinement led to an increase of $1,438,000 in the reserve requirement for unimpaired loans, driven primarily by home equity lines of credit with a risk rating of 5 or “Pass-Watch.” During the three months ended September 30, 2015, the Company modified its methodology used to determine the allowance for home equity lines of credit that are about to exit their revolving period, or have recently entered into their amortization period and are now classified as home equity loans. This change in methodology increased the required allowance for such lines and loans by $859,000, and $459,000, respectively, and represents the increase in estimated incurred losses in these lines and loans as of September 30, 2015 due to higher required contractual principal and interest payments of such lines and loans. Acquired loans are valued as of acquisition date in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. Loans purchased with evidence of credit deterioration since origination for which it is probable that all contractually required payments will not be collected are referred to as purchased credit impaired (PCI) loans. PCI loans are accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. In addition, because of the significant credit discounts associated with the loans acquired in the Granite acquisition, the Company elected to account for all loans acquired in the Granite acquisition under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, and classify them all as PCI loans. Under FASB ASC Topic 805 and FASB ASC Topic 310-30, PCI loans are recorded at fair value at acquisition date, factoring in credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the loan. Accordingly, an allowance for loan losses is not carried over or recorded as of the acquisition date. Fair value is defined as the present value of the future estimated principal and interest payments of the loan, with the discount rate used in the present value calculation representing the estimated effective yield of the loan. The difference between contractual future payments and estimated future payments is referred to as the nonaccretable difference. The difference between estimated future payments and the present value of the estimated future payments is referred to as the accretable yield. The accretable yield represents the amount that is expected to be recorded as interest income over the remaining life of the loan. If after acquisition, the Company determines that the future cash flows of a PCI loan are expected to be more than the originally estimated, an increase in the discount rate (effective yield) would be made such that the newly increased accretable yield would be recognized, on a level yield basis, over the remaining estimated life of the loan. If after acquisition, the Company determines that the future cash flows of a PCI loan are expected to be less than the previously estimated, the discount rate would first be reduced until the present value of the reduced cash flow estimate equals the previous present value however, the discount rate may not be lowered below its original level. If the discount rate has been lowered to its original level and the present value has not been sufficiently lowered, an allowance for loan loss would be established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense to decrease the present value to the required level. If the estimated cash flows improve after an allowance has been established for a loan, the allowance may be partially or fully reversed depending on the improvement in the estimated cash flows. Only after the allowance has been fully reversed may the discount rate be increased. PCI loans are put on nonaccrual status when cash flows cannot be reasonably estimated. PCI loans are charged off when evidence suggests cash flows are not recoverable. Foreclosed assets from PCI loans are recorded in foreclosed assets at fair value with the fair value at time of foreclosure representing cash flow from the loan. ASC 310-30 allows PCI loans with similar risk characteristics and acquisition time frame to be “pooled” and have their cash flows aggregated as if they were one loan. 42 The Components of the Allowance for Loan Losses The following table sets forth the Bank’s allowance for loan losses as of the dates indicated (dollars in thousands): Allowance for originated and PNCI loan losses: Specific allowance Formula allowance Environmental factors allowance Allowance for originated and PNCI loan losses Allowance for PCI loan losses Allowance for loan losses Allowance for loan losses to loans 2015 2014 December 31, 2013 2012 2011 $2,890 20,603 9,625 $4,267 22,076 6,815 $3,975 24,611 5,619 $4,505 29,314 3,919 $5,993 32,023 3,687 33,118 2,893 $36,011 1.43% 33,158 3,427 $36,585 1.60% 34,205 4,040 $38,245 2.29% 37,738 4,910 $42,648 2.73% 41,703 4,211 $45,914 2.96% Based on the current conditions of the loan portfolio, management believes that the $36,011,000 allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2015 is adequate to absorb probable losses inherent in the Bank’s loan portfolio. No assurance can be given, however, that adverse economic conditions or other circumstances will not result in increased losses in the portfolio. The following table summarizes the allocation of the allowance for loan losses between loan types: (dollars in thousands) Real estate mortgage Consumer Commercial Real estate construction 2015 $13,950 15,079 5,271 1,711 2014 $12,313 18,201 4,226 1,845 December 31, 2013 $12,854 18,238 4,331 2,822 2012 $12,305 23,461 4,703 2,179 2011 $15,621 20,506 6,545 3,242 Total allowance for loan losses $36,011 $36,585 $38,245 $42,648 $45,914 The following table summarizes the allocation of the allowance for loan losses between loan types as a percentage of the total allowance for loan losses: Real estate mortgage Consumer Commercial Real estate construction 2015 38.7% 41.9% 14.6% 4.8% 2014 33.7% 49.7% 11.6% 5.0% December 31, 2013 33.6% 47.7% 11.3% 7.4% 2012 28.9% 55.0% 11.0% 5.1% 2011 34.0% 44.7% 14.2% 7.1% Total allowance for loan losses 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% The following table summarizes the allocation of the allowance for loan losses between loan types as a percentage of the total loans: Real estate mortgage Consumer Commercial Real estate construction 2015 2014 0.77% 3.81% 2.70% 1.42% 0.76% 4.36% 2.42% 2.46% December 31, 2013 1.16% 4.76% 3.28% 5.75% 2012 2011 1.22% 6.08% 3.47% 6.59% 1.62% 5.05% 4.70% 8.18% Total allowance for loan losses 1.43% 1.60% 2.29% 2.73% 2.96% 43 The following tables summarize the activity in the allowance for loan losses, reserve for unfunded commitments, and allowance for losses (which is comprised of the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded commitments) for the years indicated (dollars in thousands): 2015 Year ended December 31, 2013 2012 2014 2011 Allowance for loan losses: Balance at beginning of period (Benefit from) provision for loan losses Loans charged off: Real estate mortgage: $36,585 (2,210) $38,245 (4,045) $42,648 (715) $45,914 9,423 $42,571 23,060 Residential Commercial Consumer: Home equity lines Home equity loans Auto indirect Other consumer Commercial Construction: Residential Commercial Total loans charged off Recoveries of previously charged-off loans: Real estate mortgage: Residential Commercial Consumer: Home equity lines Home equity loans Auto indirect Other consumer Commercial Construction: Residential Commercial Total recoveries of previously charged off loans Net charge-offs Balance at end of period (224) - (694) (242) (4) (972) (680) - - (2,816) 204 243 666 252 42 500 677 1,728 140 4,452 1,636 $36,011 2015 (171) (110) (1,094) (29) (3) (599) (479) (4) (69) (2,558) 2 540 960 34 86 495 1,268 1,377 181 (46) (2,038) (2,651) (94) (68) (887) (1,599) (20) (140) (7,543) 345 994 1,053 41 195 759 340 63 65 (1,558) (3,457) (8,042) (385) (83) (1,202) (1,251) (1,655) (4,451) (9,746) (789) (427) (1,158) (2,534) (406) (100) (16,484) (634) (653) (22,047) 147 1,020 398 100 215 860 643 412 - 126 127 573 45 379 839 173 28 40 4,943 2,385 $36,585 3,855 (3,688) $38,245 3,795 (12,689) $42,648 2,330 (19,717) $45,914 Year ended December 31, 2013 2012 2014 2011 Reserve for unfunded commitments: Balance at beginning of period Provision for losses – unfunded commitments Balance at end of period Balance at end of period: Allowance for loan losses Reserve for unfunded commitments Allowance for loan losses and reserve for unfunded commitments $2,145 $2,415 $3,615 $2,740 $2,640 330 $2,475 (270) $2,145 (1,200) $2,415 875 $3,615 100 $2,740 $36,011 2,475 $36,585 2,145 $38,245 2,415 $42,648 3,615 $45,914 2,740 $38,486 $38,730 $40,660 $46,263 $48,654 As a percentage of total loans at end of period: Allowance for loan losses Reserve for unfunded commitments Allowance for loan losses and reserve for unfunded commitments 1.43% 0.10% 1.60% 0.10% 2.29% 0.14% 2.73% 0.23% 2.96% 0.18% 1.53% 1.70% 2.43% 2.96% 3.14% Average total loans $2,389,437 $1,847,749 $1,610,725 $1,552,540 $1,442,821 Ratios: Net charge-offs during period to average loans outstanding during period Provision for loan losses to average loans outstanding Allowance for loan losses to loans at year end (0.07)% (0.13)% 0.23% 0.82% 1.37% (0.09)% 1.43% (0.22)% 1.60% 44 (0.04)% 2.29% 0.61% 2.73% 1.60% 2.96% Foreclosed Assets, Net of Allowance for Losses The following tables detail the components and summarize the activity in foreclosed assets, net of allowances for losses for the years indicated (dollars in thousands): Balance at December 31, 2015 (dollars in thousands): Noncovered: Land & Construction Residential real estate Commercial real estate Total noncovered Covered: Land & Construction Residential real estate Commercial real estate Total covered Total foreclosed assets (dollars in thousands): Noncovered: Land & Construction Residential real estate Commercial real estate Total noncovered Covered: Land & Construction Residential real estate Commercial real estate Total covered Total foreclosed assets $2,491 1,787 1,091 5,369 - - - - $5,369 $1,974 1,622 853 4,449 445 - - 445 $4,894 Balance at December 31, 2014 New NPA Advances/ Capitalized Costs - - - - - - - - - - $195 - 195 - - - - $195 New NPA Advances/ Capitalized Costs $204 244 247 695 - - - - $695 - $462 - 462 - - - - $462 Sales $(61) (3,374) (1,023) (4,458) - - - - $(4,458) Sales $(603) (2,621) (4,167) (7,391) (217) - - (217) $(7,608) Valuation Adjustments $(20) (276) (206) (502) - - - - $(502) Valuation Adjustments $(50) (87) (59) (196) (12) - - (12) $(208) Transfers from Loans Changes Category December 31, Balance at 2014 $1,974 1,622 853 4,449 445 - - 445 $4,894 Balance at 2013 $578 1,944 3,066 5,588 674 - - 674 $6,262 $153 3,620 1,467 5,240 - - - - $5,240 $445 - - 445 (445) - - (445) - $1,845 1,680 1,766 5,291 - - - - $5,291 - - - - - - - - - Transfers from Loans Changes Category December 31, Premises and Equipment Premises and equipment were comprised of: Land & land improvements Buildings Furniture and equipment Less: Accumulated depreciation Construction in progress Total premises and equipment December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 (In thousands) $8,909 38,643 31,081 78,633 (35,518) 43,115 696 $43,811 $8,933 39,638 28,446 77,017 (33,570) 43,447 46 $43,493 During the year ended December 31, 2014, premises and equipment increased $318,000 due to purchases of $5,489,000, that were partially offset by depreciation of $5,034,000 and disposals of premises and equipment with net book value of $137,000. Intangible Assets Intangible assets at December 31, 2015 and 2014 were comprised of the following: Core-deposit intangible Goodwill Total intangible assets December 31, 2015 2014 (In thousands) $5,894 63,462 $69,356 $7,051 63,462 $70,513 The core-deposit intangible asset resulted from the Company’s acquisition of North Valley Bancorp in 2014, Citizens in 2011, and Granite in 2010. The goodwill intangible asset includes $47,943,000 from the North Valley Bancorp acquisition in 45 2014, and $15,519,000 from the North State National Bank acquisition in 2003. Amortization of core deposit intangible assets amounting to $1,157,000, $446,000, and $209,000 was recorded in 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Deposits See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements at Item 8 of this report for information about the Company’s deposits. Long-Term Debt See Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements at Item 8 of this report for information about the Company’s other borrowings, including long-term debt. Junior Subordinated Debt See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements at Item 8 of this report for information about the Company’s junior subordinated debt. Equity See Note 19 and Note 29 in the consolidated financial statements at Item 8 of this report for a discussion of shareholders’ equity and regulatory capital, respectively. Management believes that the Company’s capital is adequate to support anticipated growth, meet the cash dividend requirements of the Company and meet the future risk-based capital requirements of the Bank and the Company. Market Risk Management Overview. The goal for managing the assets and liabilities of the Bank is to maximize shareholder value and earnings while maintaining a high quality balance sheet without exposing the Bank to undue interest rate risk. The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the Company’s interest rate risk management policies. The Bank has an Asset and Liability Management Committee (ALCO) which establishes and monitors guidelines to control the sensitivity of earnings to changes in interest rates. Asset/Liability Management. Activities involved in asset/liability management include but are not limited to lending, accepting and placing deposits, investing in securities and issuing debt. Interest rate risk is the primary market risk associated with asset/liability management. Sensitivity of earnings to interest rate changes arises when yields on assets change in a different time period or in a different amount from that of interest costs on liabilities. To mitigate interest rate risk, the structure of the balance sheet is managed with the goal that movements of interest rates on assets and liabilities are correlated and contribute to earnings even in periods of volatile interest rates. The asset/liability management policy sets limits on the acceptable amount of variance in net interest margin and market value of equity under changing interest environments. Market value of equity is the net present value of estimated cash flows from the Bank’s assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet items. The Bank uses simulation models to forecast net interest margin and market value of equity. Simulation of net interest margin and market value of equity under various interest rate scenarios is the primary tool used to measure interest rate risk. Using computer-modeling techniques, the Bank is able to estimate the potential impact of changing interest rates on net interest margin and market value of equity. A balance sheet forecast is prepared using inputs of actual loan, securities and interest-bearing liability (i.e. deposits/borrowings) positions as the beginning base. In the simulation of net interest income, the forecast balance sheet is processed against various interest rate scenarios. These various interest rate scenarios include a flat rate scenario, which assumes interest rates are unchanged in the future, and rate ramp scenarios including -100, +100, and +200 basis points around the flat scenario. These ramp scenarios assume that interest rates increase or decrease evenly (in a “ramp” fashion) over a twelve-month period and remain at the new levels beyond twelve months. The following table summarizes the projected effect on net interest income and net income due to changing interest rates as measured against a flat rate (no interest rate change) scenario over the succeeding twelve month period. The simulation results shown below assume no changes in the structure of the Company’s balance sheet over the twelve months being measured (a “flat” balance sheet scenario), and that deposit rates will track general interest rate changes by approximately 50%: Interest Rate Risk Simulation of Net Interest Income and Net Income as of December 31, 2015 Change in Interest Rates (Basis Points) +200 (ramp) +100 (ramp) + 0 (flat) -100 (ramp) Estimated Change in Net Interest Income (NII) (as % of “flat” NII) (1.95%) (0.90%) - (1.32%) 46 In the simulation of market value of equity, the forecast balance sheet is processed against various interest rate scenarios. These various interest rate scenarios include a flat rate scenario, which assumes interest rates are unchanged in the future, and rate shock scenarios including -100, +100, and +200 basis points around the flat scenario. These rate shock scenarios assume that interest rates increase or decrease immediately (in a “shock” fashion) and remain at the new level in the future. The following table summarizes the effect on market value of equity due to changing interest rates as measured against a flat rate (no change) scenario: Interest Rate Risk Simulation of Market Value of Equity as of December 31, 2015 Change in Interest Rates (Basis Points) +200 (shock) +100 (shock) + 0 (flat) -100 (shock) Estimated Change in Market Value of Equity (MVE) (as % of “flat” MVE) (10.9%) (4.1%) - (6.0%) These results indicate that given a “flat” balance sheet scenario, and if deposit rates track general interest rate changes by approximately 50%, the Company’s balance sheet is slightly liability sensitive over a twelve month time horizon for rates up, and slightly asset sensitive over a twelve month time horizon for rates down. “Liability sensitive” implies that net interest income decreases when interest rates rise and increase when interest rates decrease. “Asset sensitive” implies that net interest income increases when interest rates rise and decrease when interest rates decrease. “Neutral sensitivity” implies that net interest income does not change when interest rates change. The asset liability management policy limits aggregate market risk, as measured in this fashion, to an acceptable level within the context of risk-return trade-offs. The simulation results noted above do not incorporate any management actions that might moderate the negative consequences of interest rate deviations. In addition, the simulation results noted above contain various assumptions such as a flat balance sheet, and the rate that deposit interest rates change as general interest rates change. Therefore, they do not reflect likely actual results, but serve as estimates of interest rate risk. As with any method of measuring interest rate risk, certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented in the preceding tables. For example, although certain of the Company’s assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or repricing time frames, they may react in different degrees to changes in market interest rates. In addition, the interest rates on certain of the Company’s asset and liability categories may precede, or lag behind, changes in market interest rates. Also, the actual rates of prepayments on loans and investments could vary significantly from the assumptions utilized in deriving the results as presented in the preceding tables. Further, a change in U.S. Treasury rates accompanied by a change in the shape of the treasury yield curve could result in different estimations from those presented herein. Accordingly, the results in the preceding tables should not be relied upon as indicative of actual results in the event of changing market interest rates. Additionally, the resulting estimates of changes in market value of equity are not intended to represent, and should not be construed to represent, estimates of changes in the underlying value of the Company. Interest rate sensitivity is a function of the repricing characteristics of the Company’s portfolio of assets and liabilities. One aspect of these repricing characteristics is the time frame within which the interest-bearing assets and liabilities are subject to change in interest rates either at replacement, repricing or maturity. An analysis of the repricing time frames of interest- bearing assets and liabilities is sometimes called a “gap” analysis because it shows the gap between assets and liabilities repricing or maturing in each of a number of periods. Another aspect of these repricing characteristics is the relative magnitude of the repricing for each category of interest earning asset and interest-bearing liability given various changes in market interest rates. Gap analysis gives no indication of the relative magnitude of repricing given various changes in interest rates. Interest rate sensitivity management focuses on the maturity of assets and liabilities and their repricing during periods of changes in market interest rates. Interest rate sensitivity gaps are measured as the difference between the volumes of assets and liabilities in the Company’s current portfolio that are subject to repricing at various time horizons. The following interest rate sensitivity table shows the Company’s repricing gaps as of December 31, 2014. In this table transaction deposits, which may be repriced at will by the Company, have been included in the less than 3-month category. The inclusion of all of the transaction deposits in the less than 3-month repricing category causes the Company to appear liability sensitive. Because the Company may reprice its transaction deposits at will, transaction deposits may or may not reprice immediately with changes in interest rates. Due to the limitations of gap analysis, as described above, the Company does not actively use gap analysis in managing interest rate risk. Instead, the Company relies on the more sophisticated interest rate risk simulation model described above as its primary tool in measuring and managing interest rate risk. 47 Interest Rate Sensitivity – December 31, 2015 (dollars in thousands) Less than 3 months 3 - 6 months Repricing within: 6 - 12 months Interest-earning assets: Cash at Federal Reserve and other banks Securities Loans Total interest-earning assets Interest-bearing liabilities Transaction deposits Time Other borrowings Junior subordinated debt Total interest-bearing liabilities $209,156 32,961 579,583 821,700 2,135,501 146,483 12,328 56,470 $2,350,782 - $34,514 130,458 164,972 - 65,757 - - $65,757 - $76,172 226,164 302,336 - 73,160 - - $73,160 1 - 5 years - $436,098 1,276,356 1,712,454 - 54,667 - - $54,667 Over 5 years - $551,670 310,376 862,046 - 3 - - 3 Interest sensitivity gap Cumulative sensitivity gap As a percentage of earning assets: Interest sensitivity gap Cumulative sensitivity gap $(1,529,082) $(1,529,082) $99,215 $(1,429,867) $229,176 $(1,200,691) $1,657,787 $457,096 $862,043 $1,319,139 (39.6%) (39.6%) 2.6% (37.0%) 5.9% (31.1%) 42.9% 11.8% 22.3% 34.1% Liquidity Liquidity refers to the Company’s ability to provide funds at an acceptable cost to meet loan demand and deposit withdrawals, as well as contingency plans to meet unanticipated funding needs or loss of funding sources. These objectives can be met from either the asset or liability side of the balance sheet. Asset liquidity sources consist of the repayments and maturities of loans, selling of loans, short-term money market investments, maturities of securities and sales of securities from the available-for-sale portfolio. These activities are generally summarized as investing activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Net cash used by investing activities totaled $604,310,000 in 2015. Net increases in investment and loan balances used $360,065,000 and $243,691,000 of cash, respectively. Liquidity may also be generated from liabilities through deposit growth and borrowings. These activities are included under financing activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. In 2015, financing activities provide funds totaling $242,226,000 due to a $250,843,000 increase in deposit balances. Dividends paid used $11,849,000 of cash during 2015. The Bank also had available correspondent banking lines of credit totaling $15,000,000 at December 31, 2015. In addition, at December 31, 2015 the Company had loans and securities available to pledge towards future borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank and the Federal Reserve Bank of up to $1,768,140,000 and $186,405,000, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had $12,328,000 of other borrowings as described in Note 16 of the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the related notes at Item 8 of this report. While these sources are expected to continue to provide significant amounts of funds in the future, their mix, as well as the possible use of other sources, will depend on future economic and market conditions. Liquidity is also provided or used through the results of operating activities. In 2015, operating activities provided cash of $54,817,000. The Company’s investment securities available for sale plus cash and cash equivalents in excess of reserve requirements totaled $637,686,000 at December 31, 2015, which was 15.1% of total assets at that time. This was an increase of $1,369,000 from $636,317,000 and decrease from 16.2% of total assets as of December 31, 2014. Loan demand during 2016 will be dictated by economic and competitive conditions. The Company aggressively solicits non- interest bearing demand deposits and money market checking deposits, which are the least sensitive to interest rates. The growth of deposit balances is subject to heightened competition, the success of the Company’s sales efforts, delivery of superior customer service and market conditions. The reduction in the federal funds rate and various Federal Reserve interest rate manipulation efforts have resulted in historic low short-term and long-term interest rates, which could impact deposit volumes in the future. Depending on economic conditions, interest rate levels, and a variety of other conditions, deposit growth may be used to fund loans, to reduce short-term borrowings or purchase investment securities. However, due to concerns such as uncertainty in the general economic environment, competition and political uncertainty, loan demand and levels of customer deposits are not certain. The principal cash requirements of the Company are dividends on common stock when declared. The Company is dependent upon the payment of cash dividends by the Bank to service its commitments. Shareholder dividends are expected to continue subject to the Board’s discretion and continuing evaluation of capital levels, earnings, asset quality and other factors. The Company expects that the cash dividends paid by the Bank to the Company will be sufficient to meet this payment schedule. Dividends from the Bank are subject to certain regulatory restrictions. The maturity distribution of certificates of deposit in denominations of $100,000 or more is set forth in the following table. These deposits are generally more rate sensitive than other deposits and, therefore, are more likely to be withdrawn to obtain 48 higher yields elsewhere if available. The Bank participates in a program wherein the State of California places time deposits with the Bank at the Bank’s option. At December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Bank had $50,000,000, $5,000,000 and $5,000,000, respectively, of these State deposits. Certificates of Deposit in Denominations of $100,000 or More (dollars in thousands) Time remaining until maturity: Less than 3 months 3 months to 6 months 6 months to 12 months More than 12 months Total Amounts as of December 31, 2014 2015 2013 $104,368 31,327 34,722 26,747 $197,164 $66,199 36,166 41,787 36,488 $180,640 $61,205 39,580 16,772 40,090 $157,647 Loan demand also affects the Company’s liquidity position. The following table presents the maturities of loans, net of deferred loan costs, at December 31, 2015: Loans with predetermined interest rates: Real estate mortgage Consumer Commercial Real estate construction Loans with floating interest rates: Real estate mortgage Consumer Commercial Real estate construction Total loans Within One Year $35,593 3,024 5,499 20,035 64,151 22,819 4,029 73,811 30,002 130,661 $194,812 After One But Within 5 Years After 5 Years (dollars in thousands) $114,884 44,579 67,811 4,721 231,995 124,052 6,665 9,582 5,628 145,927 $377,922 $547,497 99,895 15,606 23,690 686,688 966,987 237,091 22,604 36,833 1,263,515 $1,950,203 Total $697,974 147,498 88,916 48,446 982,834 1,113,858 247,785 105,997 72,463 1,540,103 $2,522,937 The maturity distribution and yields of the investment portfolio at December 31, 2015 is presented in the following table. The timing of the maturities indicated in the table below is based on final contractual maturities. Most mortgage-backed securities return principal throughout their contractual lives. As such, the weighted average life of mortgage-backed securities based on outstanding principal balance is usually significantly shorter than the final contractual maturity indicated below. Yields on tax exempt securities are shown on a tax equivalent basis. Securities Available for Sale Obligations of US government corporations and agencies Obligations of states and political subdivisions Corporate bonds Marketable equity securities After One Year After Five Years Within One Year but Through Five Years but Through Ten Years After Ten Years Total Amount Yield Amount Yield Amount Yield Amount Yield Amount Yield (dollars in thousands) - - $8,792 2.59% $24,086 3.42% $280,804 2.57% $313,682 2.63% - - - - - - 321 6.80% - - - - 1,118 6.61% 86,779 5.77% 88,218 5.78% - - - - - 2,985 - - - 2,985 - - Total securities available for sale - - $9,113 2.74% $25,204 3.56% $370,568 3.28% $404,885 3.29% 49 Securities Held to Maturity Obligations of US government corporations and agencies Obligations of states and political subdivisions After One Year After Five Years Within One Year but Through Five Years but Through Ten Years After Ten Years Total Amount Yield Amount Yield Amount Yield Amount Yield Amount Yield (dollars in thousands) - - - - - - $711,994 2.65% $711,994 2.65% - - $1,147 4.13% $830 5.80% 12,559 4.14% 14,536 4.23% Total securities held to maturity - - $1,147 4.13% $830 5.80% $724,553 2.68% $726,530 2.68% Off-Balance Sheet Items The Bank has certain ongoing commitments under operating and capital leases. See Note 18 of the financial statements at Item 8 of this report for the terms. These commitments do not significantly impact operating results. As of December 31, 2015 commitments to extend credit and commitments related to the Bank’s deposit overdraft privilege product were the Bank’s only financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. The Bank has not entered into any material contracts for financial derivative instruments such as futures, swaps, options, etc. Commitments to extend credit were $713,646,000 and $673,706,000 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and represent 28.4% of the total loans outstanding at year-end 2015 versus 29.5% at December 31, 2014. Commitments related to the Bank’s deposit overdraft privilege product totaled $94,473,000 and $101,060,000 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Certain Contractual Obligations The following chart summarizes certain contractual obligations of the Company as of December 31, 2015: (dollars in thousands) Time deposits Other collateralized borrowings, fixed rate of 0.05% payable on January 4, 2016 Junior subordinated: TriCo Trust I(1) TriCo Trust II(2) North Valley Trust II(3) North Valley Trust III(4) North Valley Trust IV(5) Operating lease obligations Deferred compensation(6) Supplemental retirement plans(6) Total Less than one year 1-3 years 3-5 years More than 5 years $340,070 $285,400 $38,085 $16,582 12,328 12,328 - - 20,619 20,619 6,186 5,155 10,310 11,474 8,367 8,127 - - - - - 3,067 1,338 1,104 - - - - - 4,155 2,134 1,957 - - - - - 3,593 1,918 1,576 $3 - 20,619 20,619 6,186 5,155 10,310 659 2,977 3,490 Total contractual obligations $443,255 $303,237 $46,331 $23,669 $70,018 (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Junior subordinated debt, adjustable rate of three-month LIBOR plus 3.05%, callable in whole or in part by the Company on a quarterly basis beginning October 7, 2008, matures October 7, 2033. Junior subordinated debt, adjustable rate of three-month LIBOR plus 2.55%, callable in whole or in part by the Company on a quarterly basis beginning July 23, 2009, matures July 23, 2034. Junior subordinated debt, adjustable rate of three-month LIBOR plus 3.25%, callable in whole or in part by the Company on a quarterly basis beginning April 24, 2008, matures April 24, 2033. Junior subordinated debt, adjustable rate of three-month LIBOR plus 2.80%, callable in whole or in part by the Company on a quarterly basis beginning July 23, 2009, matures July 23, 2034. Junior subordinated debt, adjustable rate of three-month LIBOR plus 1.33%, callable in whole or in part by the Company on a quarterly basis beginning March 15, 2011, matures March 15, 2036. (6) These amounts represent known certain payments to participants under the Company’s deferred compensation and supplemental retirement plans. See Note 25 in the financial statements at Item 8 of this report for additional information related to the Company’s deferred compensation and supplemental retirement plan liabilities. ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK See “Market Risk Management” under Item 7 of this report which is incorporated herein. 50 ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Page 52 53 54 54 55 56 101 102 51 TRICO BANCSHARES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS At December 31, 2015 2014 (in thousands, except share data) $94,305 209,156 $93,150 517,578 303,461 610,728 404,885 726,530 16,956 1,873 2,522,937 (36,011) 2,486,926 5,369 43,811 94,560 10,786 63,462 5,894 7,618 48,591 83,205 676,426 16,956 3,579 2,282,524 (36,585) 2,245,939 4,894 43,493 92,337 9,275 63,462 7,051 7,378 51,735 Assets: Cash and due from banks Cash at Federal Reserve and other banks Cash and cash equivalents Investment securities: Available for sale Held to maturity Restricted equity securities Loans held for sale Loans Allowance for loan losses Total loans, net Foreclosed assets, net Premises and equipment, net Cash value of life insurance Accrued interest receivable Goodwill Other intangible assets, net Mortgage servicing rights Other assets Total assets $4,220,722 $3,916,458 Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity: Liabilities: Deposits: Noninterest-bearing demand Interest-bearing Total deposits Accrued interest payable Reserve for unfunded commitments Other liabilities Other borrowings Junior subordinated debt $1,155,695 2,475,571 $1,083,900 2,296,523 3,631,266 774 2,475 65,293 12,328 56,470 3,380,423 978 2,145 49,192 9,276 56,272 Total liabilities 3,768,606 3,498,286 Commitments and contingencies (Note 18) Shareholders’ equity: Common stock, no par value: 50,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding: 22,775,173 at December 31, 2015 22,714,964 at December 31, 2014 Retained earnings Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax 247,587 206,307 (1,778) 244,318 176,057 (2,203) Total shareholders’ equity 452,116 418,172 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $4,220,722 $3,916,458 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 52 TRICO BANCSHARES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Years ended December 31, 2015 2013 2014 (in thousands, except per share data) $131,836 $103,887 $97,548 25,303 1,509 2,118 648 14,753 505 837 1,133 6,349 583 387 1,693 Interest and dividend income: Loans, including fees Debt securities: Taxable Tax exempt Dividends Interest bearing cash at Federal Reserve and other banks Total interest and dividend income 161,414 121,115 106,560 Interest expense: Deposits Other borrowings Junior subordinated debt Total interest expense 3,434 4 1,978 5,416 3,274 4 1,403 4,681 3,445 4 1,247 4,696 Net interest income 155,998 116,434 101,864 Benefit from reversal of previously provided loan losses (2,210) (4,045) (715) Net interest income after provision for loan losses 158,208 120,479 102,579 25,257 5,602 2,983 1,727 1,260 36,829 51,936 41,668 93,604 45,804 18,405 Noninterest income: Service charges and fees Gain on sale of loans Commissions on sale of non-deposit investment products Increase in cash value of life insurance Other Total noninterest income Noninterest expense: Salaries and related benefits Other 31,821 3,064 3,349 2,786 4,327 45,347 71,405 59,436 24,236 2,032 2,995 1,953 3,300 34,516 57,544 52,835 Total noninterest expense 130,841 110,379 Income before income taxes Provision for income taxes Net income Earnings per share: Basic Diluted 72,714 28,896 44,616 18,508 $43,818 $26,108 $27,399 $1.93 $1.91 $1.47 $1.46 $1.71 $1.69 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 53 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME TRICO BANCSHARES Net income Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax: Unrealized holding losses on securities arising during the period Change in minimum pension liability Change in joint beneficiary agreement liability Other comprehensive (loss) income Comprehensive income 2015 Years ended December 31, 2013 2014 (in thousands, except per share data) $43,818 $26,108 $27,399 (1,098) 1,246 277 425 $44,243 (94) (4,114) 148 (4,060) $22,048 (2,452) 1,750 400 (302) $27,097 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. TRICO BANCSHARES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 Shares of Common Stock Accumulated Other Common Stock Retained Comprehensive Income (Loss) Earnings (in thousands, except share data) Total Balance at December 31, 2012 Net income Other comprehensive loss Stock option vesting Stock options forfeited Stock options exercised Tax benefit of stock options exercised Repurchase of common stock Dividends paid ($0.42 per share) Balance at December 31, 2013 Net income Other comprehensive loss Stock option vesting RSU vesting PSU vesting Stock options exercised Tax benefit of stock options exercised Issuance of common stock Repurchase of common stock Dividends paid ($0.44 per share) $2,159 (302) $1,857 (4,060) 16,000,838 $85,561 $141,639 27,399 1,151 (22) 3,240 356 (930) 248,765 (172,941) 16,076,662 $89,356 965 126 42 2,875 225 151,303 (574) 166,020 6,575,550 (103,268) (2,560) (6,745) $159,733 26,108 (1,977) (7,807) 22,714,964 Balance at December 31, 2014 Net income Other comprehensive income PSU vesting RSU vesting RSUs released Tax benefit from release of RSUs Stock option vesting Stock options exercised Tax benefit of stock options exercised Reversal of tax benefit from exercise of stock options Repurchase of common stock Dividends paid ($0.52 per share) Balance at December 31, 2015 12,064 154,500 (106,355) 22,775,173 $244,318 $176,057 43,818 $(2,203) 425 179 457 15 734 3,116 13 (96) (1,149) $247,587 (1,719) (11,849) $206,307 $(1,778) $229,359 27,399 (302) 1,151 (22) 3,240 356 (3,490) (6,745) $250,946 26,108 (4,060) 965 126 42 2,875 225 151,303 (2,551) (7,807) $418,172 43,818 425 179 457 15 734 3,116 13 (96) (2,868) (11,849) $452,116 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 54 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS TRICO BANCSHARES Operating activities: Net income Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation of premises and equipment, and amortization Amortization of intangible assets (Benefit from) provision for loan losses Amortization of investment securities premium, net Originations of loans for resale Proceeds from sale of loans originated for resale Gain on sale of loans Change in market value of mortgage servicing rights Provision for losses on foreclosed assets Gain on sale of foreclosed assets Loss (gain) on disposal of fixed assets Increase in cash value of life insurance Gain on life insurance death benefit Equity compensation vesting expense Equity compensation tax effect Deferred income tax expense (benefit) Change in: Reserve for unfunded commitments Interest receivable Interest payable Other assets and liabilities, net Net cash from operating activities Investing activities: Proceeds from maturities of securities available for sale Proceeds from sale of securities available for sale Purchases of securities available for sale Proceeds from maturities of securities held to maturity Purchases of securities held to maturity (Purchase) redemption of restricted equity securities, net Loan origination and principal collections, net Loans purchased Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment Improvement of foreclosed assets Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned Purchases of premises and equipment Life insurance proceeds Cash received from acquisition, net Net cash (used) provided by investing activities Financing activities: Net increase in deposits Net change in other borrowings Equity compensation tax effect Repurchase of common stock Dividends paid Exercise of stock options Net cash from financing activities Net change in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents and beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents at end of year Supplemental disclosure of noncash activities: Unrealized loss on securities available for sale Loans transferred to foreclosed assets Due to broker Market value of shares tendered in-lieu of cash to pay for exercise of options and/or related taxes Supplemental disclosure of cash flow activity: Cash paid for interest expense Cash paid for income taxes Assets acquired in acquisition Liabilities assumed in acquisition 2015 $43,818 5,906 1,157 (2,210) 3,458 (111,640) 115,469 (3,064) 701 502 (991) 129 (2,786) (155) 1,370 68 681 330 (1,511) (204) 3,789 54,817 33,552 2 (341,303) 93,784 (146,100) - (244,018) - 8 (195) 5,449 (5,489) - - (604,310) 250,843 3,052 (68) (412) (11,849) 660 242,226 (307,267) 610,728 $303,461 $(1,895) 5,240 17,072 2,868 5,620 24,315 - - The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 55 Years Ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands) $26,108 2013 $27,399 5,735 446 (4,045) 970 (49,241) 49,394 (2,032) 1,301 208 (2,153) (49) (1,953) - 1,133 (225) (993) (395) (619) (67) 3,894 27,417 24,016 14,130 - 34,172 (280,692) (2,415) (82,079) (32,017) 121 (462) 9,762 (4,665) - 141,405 (178,724) 167,984 2,941 225 (292) (7,807) 616 163,667 12,360 598,368 $610,728 $(162) 5,291 - 2,551 4,641 22,685 978,682 827,372 4,623 209 (715) 752 (123,834) 137,859 (5,602) (253) 682 (1,640) 39 (1,727) - 1,151 (356) 2,526 (1,200) 120 (98) 1,151 41,086 53,468 - - 4,391 (244,967) 484 (59,411) (62,698) 12 (479) 13,910 (8,313) 706 - (302,897) 120,781 (2,862) 356 (501) (6,745) 251 111,280 (150,531) 748,899 $598,368 $(4,232) 11,717 - 3,490 4,794 $17,395 - - TRICO BANCSHARES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 Note 1 –Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Description of Business and Basis of Presentation TriCo Bancshares (the “Company”) is a California corporation organized to act as a bank holding company for Tri Counties Bank (the “Bank”). The Company and the Bank are headquartered in Chico, California. The Bank is a California-chartered bank that is engaged in the general commercial banking business in 26 California counties. Tri Counties Bank currently operates from 55 traditional branches and 12 in- store branches. The Company has five capital subsidiary business trusts (collectively, the “Capital Trusts”) that issued trust preferred securities, including two organized by TriCo and three acquired with the acquisition of North Valley Bancorp. See Note 17 – Junior Subordinated Debt. The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting policies generally accepted in the United States of America and general practices in the banking industry. The financial statements include the accounts of the Company. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. For financial reporting purposes, the Company’s investments in the Capital Trusts of $1,696,000 are accounted for under the equity method and, accordingly, are not consolidated and are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. The subordinated debentures issued and guaranteed by the Company and held by the Capital Trusts are reflected as debt on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires Management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, investments, intangible assets, income taxes and contingencies. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. As described in Note 2, the Company acquired North Valley Bancorp on October 3, 2014. The acquired assets and assumed liabilities were measured at estimated fair value values under the acquisition method of accounting. The Company made significant estimates and exercised significant judgment in accounting for the acquisition. The Company determined loan fair values based on loan file reviews, loan risk ratings, appraised collateral values, expected cash flows and historical loss factors. Foreclosed assets were primarily valued based on appraised values of the repossessed loan collateral. Land and building were valued based on appraised values. An identifiable intangible was also recorded representing the fair value of the core deposit customer base based on an evaluation of the cost of such deposits relative to alternative funding sources. The fair value of time deposits and borrowings were determined based on the present value of estimated future cash flows using current rates as of the acquisition date. Significant Group Concentration of Credit Risk The Company grants agribusiness, commercial, consumer, and residential loans to customers located throughout the northern San Joaquin Valley, the Sacramento Valley and northern mountain regions of California. The Company has a diversified loan portfolio within the business segments located in this geographical area. The Company currently classifies all its operation into one business segment that it denotes as community banking. Cash and Cash Equivalents For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks, and federal funds sold. Net cash flows are reported for loan and deposit transactions and other borrowings. Investment Securities The Company classifies its debt and marketable equity securities into one of three categories: trading, available for sale or held to maturity. Trading securities are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling in the near term. Held to maturity securities are those securities which the Company has the ability and intent to hold until maturity. These securities are carried at cost adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, computed by the effective interest method over their contractual lives. All other securities not included in trading or held to maturity are classified as available for sale. Available for sale securities are recorded at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses, net of the related tax effect, on available for sale securities are reported as a separate component of other accumulated comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity until realized. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over the life of the related investment security as an adjustment to yield using the effective interest method. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned. Realized gains and losses are derived from the amortized cost of the security sold. During 2015 and 2014, the Company did not have any securities classified as trading. The Company assesses other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) based on whether it intends to sell a security or if it is likely that the Company would be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis of the investment, which may be maturity. For debt securities, if we intend to sell the security or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovering its 56 cost basis, the entire impairment loss would be recognized in earnings as an OTTI. If we do not intend to sell the security and it is not likely that we will be required to sell the security but we do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security, only the portion of the impairment loss representing credit losses would be recognized in earnings. The credit loss on a security is measured as the difference between the amortized cost basis and the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected. Projected cash flows are discounted by the original or current effective interest rate depending on the nature of the security being measured for potential OTTI. The remaining impairment related to all other factors, the difference between the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and fair value, is recognized as a charge to other comprehensive income (“OCI”). Impairment losses related to all other factors are presented as separate categories within OCI. The accretion of the amount recorded in OCI increases the carrying value of the investment and does not affect earnings. If there is an indication of additional credit losses the security is re-evaluated according to the procedures described above. No OTTI losses were recognized during 2015 and 2014. Restricted Equity Securities Restricted equity securities represent the Company’s investment in the stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (“FHLB”) and are carried at par value, which reasonably approximates its fair value. While technically these are considered equity securities, there is no market for the FHLB stock. Therefore, the shares are considered as restricted investment securities. Management periodically evaluates FHLB stock for other-than-temporary impairment. Management’s determination of whether these investments are impaired is based on its assessment of the ultimate recoverability of cost rather than by recognizing temporary declines in value. The determination of whether a decline affects the ultimate recoverability of cost is influenced by criteria such as (1) the significance of any decline in net assets of the FHLB as compared to the capital stock amount for the FHLB and the length of time this situation has persisted, (2) commitments by the FHLB to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance of the FHLB, (3) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on institutions and, accordingly, the customer base of the FHLB, and (4) the liquidity position of the FHLB. As a member of the FHLB system, the Bank is required to maintain a minimum level of investment in FHLB stock based on specific percentages of its outstanding mortgages, total assets, or FHLB advances. The Bank may request redemption at par value of any stock in excess of the minimum required investment. Stock redemptions are at the discretion of the FHLB. Loans Held for Sale Loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value, as determined by aggregate outstanding commitments from investors of current investor yield requirements. Net unrealized losses are recognized through a valuation allowance by charges to noninterest income. Mortgage loans held for sale are generally sold with the mortgage servicing rights retained by the Company. Gains or losses on the sale of loans that are held for sale are recognized at the time of the sale and determined by the difference between net sale proceeds and the net book value of the loans less the estimated fair value of any retained mortgage servicing rights. Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses Loans originated by the Company, i.e., not purchased or acquired in a business combination, are referred to as originated loans. Originated loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at the principal amount outstanding, net of deferred loan fees and costs. Loan origination and commitment fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred, and the net amount is amortized as an adjustment of the related loan’s yield over the actual life of the loan. Originated loans on which the accrual of interest has been discontinued are designated as nonaccrual loans. Originated loans are placed in nonaccrual status when reasonable doubt exists as to the full, timely collection of interest or principal, or a loan becomes contractually past due by 90 days or more with respect to interest or principal and is not well secured and in the process of collection. When an originated loan is placed on nonaccrual status, all interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed. Income on such loans is then recognized only to the extent that cash is received and where the future collection of principal is probable. Interest accruals are resumed on such loans only when they are brought fully current with respect to interest and principal and when, in the judgment of Management, the loan is estimated to be fully collectible as to both principal and interest. An allowance for loan losses for originated loans is established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense. The allowance is maintained at a level which, in Management’s judgment, is adequate to absorb probable incurred credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. Originated loans and deposit related overdrafts are charged against the allowance for loan losses when Management believes that the collectability of the principal is unlikely or, with respect to consumer installment loans, according to an established delinquency schedule. The allowance is an amount that Management believes will be adequate to absorb probable incurred losses inherent in existing loans, based on evaluations of the collectability, impairment and prior loss experience of loans. The evaluations take into consideration such factors as changes in the nature and size of the portfolio, overall portfolio quality, loan concentrations, specific problem loans, and current economic conditions that may affect the borrower’s ability to pay. The Company defines an originated loan as impaired when it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired originated loans are measured based 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 a valuation allowance. In situations related to originated loans where, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, the Company grants a concession for other than an insignificant period of time to the borrower that the Company would not otherwise consider, the related loan is 57 classified as a troubled debt restructuring (TDR). The Company strives to identify borrowers in financial difficulty early and work with them to modify to more affordable terms before their loan reaches nonaccrual status. These modified terms may include rate reductions, principal forgiveness, payment forbearance and other actions intended to minimize the economic loss and to avoid foreclosure or repossession of the collateral. In cases where the Company grants the borrower new terms that result in the loan being classified as a TDR, the Company measures any impairment on the restructuring as noted above for impaired loans. TDR loans are classified as impaired until they are fully paid off or charged off. Loans that are in nonaccrual status at the time they become TDR loans, remain in nonaccrual status until the borrower demonstrates a sustained period of performance which the Company generally believes to be six consecutive months of payments, or equivalent. Otherwise, TDR loans are subject to the same nonaccrual and charge-off policies as noted above with respect to their restructured principal balance. Credit risk is inherent in the business of lending. As a result, the Company maintains an allowance for loan losses to absorb probable incurred losses inherent in the Company’s originated loan portfolio. This is maintained through periodic charges to earnings. These charges are included in the Consolidated Statements of Income as provision for loan losses. All specifically identifiable and quantifiable losses are immediately charged off against the allowance. However, for a variety of reasons, not all losses are immediately known to the Company and, of those that are known, the full extent of the loss may not be quantifiable at that point in time. The balance of the Company’s allowance for originated loan losses is meant to be an estimate of these probable incurred losses inherent in the portfolio. The Company formally assesses the adequacy of the allowance for originated loan losses on a quarterly basis. Determination of the adequacy is based on ongoing assessments of the probable risk in the outstanding originated loan portfolio, and to a lesser extent the Company’s originated loan commitments. These assessments include the periodic re-grading of credits based on changes in their individual credit characteristics including delinquency, seasoning, recent financial performance of the borrower, economic factors, changes in the interest rate environment, growth of the portfolio as a whole or by segment, and other factors as warranted. Loans are initially graded when originated. They are re-graded as they are renewed, when there is a new loan to the same borrower, when identified facts demonstrate heightened risk of nonpayment, or if they become delinquent. Re-grading of larger problem loans occurs at least quarterly. Confirmation of the quality of the grading process is obtained by independent credit reviews conducted by consultants specifically hired for this purpose and by various bank regulatory agencies. The Company’s method for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance for originated loan losses includes specific allowances for impaired originated loans, formula allowance factors for pools of credits, and allowances for changing environmental factors (e.g., interest rates, growth, economic conditions, etc.). Allowance factors for loan pools were based on historical loss experience by product type and prior risk rating. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company modified its methodology used to determine the allowance for changing environmental factors by adding a new environmental factor based on the California Home Affordability Index (“CHAI”). The CHAI measures the percentage of households in California that can afford to purchase the median priced home in California based on current home prices and mortgage interest rates. The use of the CHAI environmental factor consists of comparing the current CHAI to its historical baseline, and allows management to consider the adverse impact that a lower than historical CHAI may have on general economic activity and the performance of our borrowers. Based on an analysis of historical data, management believes this environmental factor gives a better estimate of current economic activity compared to other environmental factors that may lag current economic activity to some extent. This change in methodology resulted in no change to the allowance for loan losses as of March 31, 2014 compared to what it would have been without this change in methodology. During the three months ended June 30, 2014, the Company refined the method it uses to evaluate historical losses for the purpose of estimating the pool allowance for unimpaired loans. In the third quarter of 2010, the Company moved from a six point grading system (Grades A-F) to a nine point risk rating system (Risk Ratings 1-9), primarily to allow for more distinction within the “Pass” risk rating. Initially, there was not sufficient loss experience within the nine point scale to complete a migration analysis for all nine risk ratings, all loans risk rated Pass or 2-5 were grouped together, a loss rate was calculated for that group, and that loss rate was established as the loss rate for risk rating 4. The reserve ratios for risk ratings 2, 3 and 5 were then interpolated from that figure. As of June 30, 2014, the Company was able to compile twelve quarters of historical loss information for all risk ratings and use that information to calculate the loss rates for each of the nine risk ratings without interpolation. This refinement led to an increase of $1,438,000 in the reserve requirement for unimpaired loans, driven primarily by home equity lines of credit with a risk rating of 5 or “Pass-Watch.” During the three months ended September 30, 2015, the Company modified its methodology used to determine the allowance for home equity lines of credit that are about to exit their revolving period, or have recently entered into their amortization period and are now classified as home equity loans. This change in methodology increased the required allowance for such lines and loans by $859,000, and $459,000, respectively, and represents the increase in estimated incurred losses in these lines and loans as of September 30, 2015 due to higher required contractual principal and interest payments of such lines and loans. Loans purchased or acquired in a business combination are referred to as acquired loans. Acquired loans are valued as of the acquisition date in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“FASB ASC”) Topic 805, Business Combinations. Loans acquired with evidence of credit deterioration since origination for which it is probable that all contractually required payments will not be collected are referred to as purchased credit impaired (PCI) loans. PCI loans are accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. Under FASB ASC Topic 805 and FASB ASC Topic 310-30, PCI loans are recorded at fair value at acquisition date, factoring in credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the loan. Accordingly, an allowance for loan losses is not carried over or recorded as of the acquisition date. Fair value is defined as the present value of the future estimated principal and interest payments of the loan, with the discount rate used in the present value calculation representing the estimated 58 effective yield of the loan. Default rates, loss severity, and prepayment speed assumptions are periodically reassessed and our estimate of future payments is adjusted accordingly. The difference between contractual future payments and estimated future payments is referred to as the nonaccretable difference. The difference between estimated future payments and the present value of the estimated future payments is referred to as the accretable yield. The accretable yield represents the amount that is expected to be recorded as interest income over the remaining life of the loan. If after acquisition, the Company determines that the estimated future cash flows of a PCI loan are expected to be more than originally estimated, an increase in the discount rate (effective yield) would be made such that the newly increased accretable yield would be recognized, on a level yield basis, over the remaining estimated life of the loan. If, thereafter, the Company determines that the estimated future cash flows of a PCI loan are expected to be less than previously estimated, an allowance for loan loss would be established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense to decrease the present value to the required level. If the estimated cash flows improve after an allowance has been established for a loan, the allowance may be partially or fully reversed depending on the improvement in the estimated cash flows. Only after the allowance has been fully reversed may the discount rate be increased. PCI loans are put on nonaccrual status when cash flows cannot be reasonably estimated. PCI loans on nonaccrual status are accounted for using the cost recovery method or cash basis method of income recognition. The Company refers to PCI loans on nonaccrual status that are accounted for using the cash basis method of income recognition as “PCI – cash basis” loans; and the Company refers to all other PCI loans as “PCI – other” loans PCI loans are charged off when evidence suggests cash flows are not recoverable. Foreclosed assets from PCI loans are recorded in foreclosed assets at fair value with the fair value at time of foreclosure representing cash flow from the loan. ASC 310-30 allows PCI loans with similar risk characteristics and acquisition time frame to be “pooled” and have their cash flows aggregated as if they were one loan. The Company elected to use the “pooled” method of ASC 310-30 for PCI – other loans in the acquisition of certain assets and liabilities of Granite Community Bank, N.A. (“Granite”) during 2010 and Citizens Bank of Northern California (“Citizens”) during 2011. Acquired loans that are not PCI loans are referred to as purchased not credit impaired (PNCI) loans. PNCI loans are accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-20, Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs, in which interest income is accrued on a level-yield basis for performing loans. For income recognition purposes, this method assumes that all contractual cash flows will be collected, and no allowance for loan losses is established at the time of acquisition. Post-acquisition date, an allowance for loan losses may need to be established for acquired loans through a provision charged to earnings for credit losses incurred subsequent to acquisition. Under ASC 310-20, the loss would be measured based on the probable shortfall in relation to the contractual note requirements, consistent with our allowance for loan loss policy for similar loans. Throughout these financial statements, and in particular in Note 4 and Note 5, when we refer to “Loans” or “Allowance for loan losses” we mean all categories of loans, including Originated, PNCI, PCI – cash basis, and PCI - other. When we are not referring to all categories of loans, we will indicate which we are referring to – Originated, PNCI, PCI – cash basis, or PCI - other. When referring to PNCI and PCI loans we use the terms “nonaccretable difference”, “accretable yield”, or “purchase discount”. Nonaccretable difference is the difference between undiscounted contractual cash flows due and undiscounted cash flows we expect to collect, or put another way, it is the undiscounted contractual cash flows we do not expect to collect. Accretable yield is the difference between undiscounted cash flows we expect to collect and the value at which we have recorded the loan on our financial statements. On the date of acquisition, all purchased loans are recorded on our consolidated financial statements at estimated fair value. Purchase discount is the difference between the estimated fair value of loans on the date of acquisition and the principal amount owed by the borrower, net of charge offs, on the date of acquisition. We may also refer to “discounts to principal balance of loans owed, net of charge-offs”. Discounts to principal balance of loans owed, net of charge-offs is the difference between principal balance of loans owed, net of charge-offs, and loans as recorded on our financial statements. Discounts to principal balance of loans owed, net of charge-offs arise from purchase discounts, and equal the purchase discount on the acquisition date. Loans are also categorized as “covered” or “noncovered”. Covered loans refer to loans covered by a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) loss sharing agreement. Noncovered loans refer to loans not covered by a FDIC loss sharing agreement. Foreclosed Assets Foreclosed assets include assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure. Foreclosed assets are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value less estimated costs to sell at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. Physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan occurs when legal title is obtained upon completion of foreclosure or when the borrower conveys all interest in the property to satisfy the loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. Any write-downs based on the asset's fair value less costs to sell at the date of acquisition are charged to the allowance for loan and lease losses. Any recoveries based on the asset's fair value less estimated costs to sell in excess of the recorded value of the loan at the date of acquisition are recorded to the allowance for loan and lease losses. These assets are subsequently accounted for at lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. If fair value declines subsequent to foreclosure, a valuation allowance is recorded through expense. Operating costs after acquisition are expensed. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation allowance are included in other noninterest expense. Gain or loss on sale of foreclosed assets is included in noninterest income. Foreclosed assets that are not subject to a FDIC loss-share agreement are referred to as noncovered foreclosed assets. Foreclosed assets acquired through FDIC-assisted acquisitions that are subject to a FDIC loss-share agreement, and all assets acquired via foreclosure of covered loans are referred to as covered foreclosed assets. Covered foreclosed assets are reported exclusive of expected reimbursement cash flows from the FDIC. Foreclosed covered loan collateral is transferred into covered foreclosed assets at the loan’s carrying value, inclusive of the acquisition date fair value discount. 59 Covered foreclosed assets are initially recorded at estimated fair value less estimated costs to sell on the acquisition date based on similar market comparable valuations less estimated selling costs. Any subsequent valuation adjustments due to declines in fair value will be charged to noninterest expense, and will be mostly offset by noninterest income representing the corresponding increase to the FDIC indemnification asset for the offsetting loss reimbursement amount. Any recoveries of previous valuation adjustments will be credited to noninterest expense with a corresponding charge to noninterest income for the portion of the recovery that is due to the FDIC. Premises and Equipment Land is carried at cost. Land improvements, buildings and equipment, including those acquired under capital lease, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expenses are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets or lease terms. Asset lives range from 3-10 years for furniture and equipment and 15-40 years for land improvements and buildings. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill represents the excess of costs over fair value of net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill and other intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but instead tested for impairment at least annually. Intangible assets with estimable useful lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment. The Company has an identifiable intangible asset consisting of core deposit intangibles (CDI). CDI are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives, and reviewed for impairment. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Goodwill Long-lived assets, such as premises and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. The assets and liabilities of a disposed group classified as held for sale would be presented separately in the appropriate asset and liability sections of the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31 of each year, goodwill is tested for impairment, and is tested for impairment more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the asset’s fair value. This determination is made at the reporting unit level. The Company may choose to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, the Company determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then goodwill is deemed not to be impaired. However, if the Company concludes otherwise, or if the Company elected not to first assess qualitative factors, then the Company performs the first step of a two-step impairment test by calculating the fair value of the reporting unit and comparing the fair value with the carrying amount of the reporting unit. Second, if the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation. The residual fair value after this allocation is the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill. Currently, and historically, the Company is comprised of only one reporting unit that operates within the business segment it has identified as “community banking”. Goodwill was not impaired as of December 31, 2015 because the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying value. Mortgage Servicing Rights Mortgage servicing rights (MSR) represent the Company’s right to a future stream of cash flows based upon the contractual servicing fee associated with servicing mortgage loans. Our MSR arise from residential and commercial mortgage loans that we originate and sell, but retain the right to service the loans. The net gain from the retention of the servicing right is included in gain on sale of loans in noninterest income when the loan is sold. Fair value is based on market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts, when available, or alternatively, is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. The valuation model incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income, such as the cost to service, the discount rate, the custodial earnings rate, an inflation rate, ancillary income, prepayment speeds and default rates and losses. Servicing fees are recorded in noninterest income when earned. The Company accounts for MSR at fair value. The determination of fair value of our MSR requires management judgment because they are not actively traded. The determination of fair value for MSR requires valuation processes which combine the use of discounted cash flow models and extensive analysis of current market data to arrive at an estimate of fair value. The cash flow and prepayment assumptions used in our discounted cash flow model are based on empirical data drawn from the historical performance of our MSR, which we believe are consistent with assumptions used by market participants valuing similar MSR, and from data obtained on the performance of similar MSR. The key assumptions used in the valuation of MSR include mortgage prepayment speeds and the discount rate. These variables can, and generally will, change from quarter to quarter as market conditions and projected interest rates change. The key risks inherent with MSR are prepayment speed and changes in interest rates. The Company uses an independent third party to determine fair value of MSR. 60 Indemnification Asset/Liability The Company accounts for amounts receivable or payable under its loss-share agreements entered into with the FDIC in connection with its purchase and assumption of certain assets and liabilities of Granite as indemnification assets in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. FDIC indemnification assets are initially recorded at fair value, based on the discounted value of expected future cash flows under the loss-share agreements. The difference between the fair value and the undiscounted cash flows the Company expects to collect from or pay to the FDIC will be accreted into noninterest income over the life of the FDIC indemnification asset. FDIC indemnification assets are reviewed quarterly and adjusted for any changes in expected cash flows based on recent performance and expectations for future performance of the covered portfolios. These adjustments are measured on the same basis as the related covered loans and covered other real estate owned. Any increases in cash flow of the covered assets over those expected will reduce the FDIC indemnification asset and any decreases in cash flow of the covered assets under those expected will increase the FDIC indemnification asset. Increases and decreases to the FDIC indemnification asset are recorded as adjustments to noninterest income. Reserve for Unfunded Commitments The reserve for unfunded commitments is established through a provision for losses – unfunded commitments charged to noninterest expense. The reserve for unfunded commitments is an amount that Management believes will be adequate to absorb probable losses inherent in existing commitments, including unused portions of revolving lines of credits and other loans, standby letters of credits, and unused deposit account overdraft privilege. The reserve for unfunded commitments is based on evaluations of the collectability, and prior loss experience of unfunded commitments. The evaluations take into consideration such factors as changes in the nature and size of the loan portfolio, overall loan portfolio quality, loan concentrations, specific problem loans and related unfunded commitments, and current economic conditions that may affect the borrower’s or depositor’s ability to pay. Income Taxes The Company's accounting for income taxes is based on an asset and liability approach. The Company recognizes the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year, and deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences that have been recognized in its financial statements or tax returns. The measurement of tax assets and liabilities is based on the provisions of enacted tax laws. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the expected amount most likely to be realized. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of a sufficient level of future taxable income and recoverable taxes paid in prior years. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. Interest and/or penalties related to income taxes are reported as a component of noninterest income. Off-Balance Sheet Credit Related Financial Instruments In the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into commitments to extend credit, including commitments under credit card arrangements, commercial letters of credit, and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded. Geographical Descriptions For the purpose of describing the geographical location of the Company’s loans, the Company has defined northern California as that area of California north of, and including, Stockton; central California as that area of the state south of Stockton, to and including, Bakersfield; and southern California as that area of the state south of Bakersfield. Reclassifications Certain amounts reported in previous consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the presentation in this report. These reclassifications did not affect previously reported net income or total shareholders’ equity. Recent Accounting Pronouncements FASB issued ASU No. 2014-01, Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects. ASU 2014-01 provides additional flexibility with regard to accounting for investments in qualified affordable housing projects. ASU 2014-01 modifies the conditions that must be met to present the pretax impact and related tax benefits of such investments as a component of income taxes (“net” within income tax expense), to enable more investors to elect to use a “net” presentation for those investments. Investors that do not qualify for “net” presentation under the new guidance will continue to account for such investments under the equity method or cost method, which results in losses recognized in pretax income and tax benefits recognized in income taxes (“gross” presentation of investment results). For investments that qualify for the “net” presentation of investment performance, ASU 2014-01 introduces a “proportional amortization method” that can be elected to amortize the investment basis. If elected, the method is required for all eligible investments in qualified affordable housing projects. ASU 2014-01 also requires enhanced recurring disclosures for all investments in qualified affordable housing projects, regardless of the accounting method used for those investments. It is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and early adoption is permitted. ASU 2014-01 is applicable to our portfolio of low income housing tax credit (LIHTC) partnership interests and we are adopting this guidance as of December 31, 2015. While the standard is required to be applied retrospectively, the Company made its initial investment in its LIHTC partnership interests during 2015. As such, all prior periods are properly stated and no adjustments to prior period financials are required. Under this guidance, the amortization expense, benefit of tax credits and other income tax benefits related to our low income housing tax credits are presented as a component of income tax expense. FASB issued ASU No. 2014-04, Receivables (Topic 310): Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure. ASU 2014-04 clarifies when an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, that is, when a creditor should be considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan such that the loan receivable should be derecognized and the real estate property recognized. ASU 2014-04 became effective for the Company on January 1, 2015, and did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 61 FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. ASU 2014-08 improves the definition of discontinued operations by limiting discontinued operations reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. ASU 2014-08 requires expanded disclosures for discontinued operations that provide users of financial statements with more information about the assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses of discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 also requires an entity to disclose the pretax profit or loss of an individually significant component of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting, and provide users with information about the financial effects of significant disposals that do not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. The amendments in ASU 2014-08 include several changes to the Accounting Standards Codification to improve the organization and readability of Subtopic 205-20 and Subtopic 360-10, Property, Plant, and Equipment—Overall. ASU 2014-08 is effective for public business entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. ASU 2014-08 became effective for the Company on January 1, 2015, and did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The core principle of the guidance under ASU 2014- 09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 was originally going to be effective for the Company on January 1, 2017; however, the FASB recently issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) – Deferral of the Effective Date which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year to January 1, 2018. ASU 2014- 09 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. FASB issued ASU No. 2014-11, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures. ASU 2014-11 requires that repurchase-to-maturity transactions be accounted for as secured borrowings consistent with the accounting for other repurchase agreements. In addition, ASU 2014-11 requires separate accounting for repurchase financings, which entails the transfer of a financial asset executed contemporaneously with a repurchase agreement with the same counterparty. ASU 2014-11 requires entities to disclose certain information about transfers accounted for as sales in transactions that are economically similar to repurchase agreements. In addition, ASU 2014-11 requires disclosures related to collateral, remaining contractual tenor and of the potential risks associated with repurchase agreements, securities lending transactions and repurchase-to-maturity transactions. ASU 2014-11 became effective for the Company on January 1, 2015, and did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved After the Requisite Service Period. ASU 2014-12 requires that a performance target that affects the vesting of a share-based payment award and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. A reporting entity should apply existing guidance in Topic 718 as it relates to awards with performance conditions that affect vesting to account for such awards. As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. Compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. If the performance target becomes probable of being achieved before the end of the requisite service period, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost should be recognized prospectively over the remaining requisite service period. The total amount of compensation cost recognized during and after the requisite service period should reflect the number of awards that are expected to vest and should be adjusted to reflect those awards that ultimately vest. The requisite service period ends when the employee can cease rendering service and still be eligible to vest in the award if the performance target is achieved. The stated vesting period (which includes the period in which the performance target could be achieved) may differ from the requisite service period. Current U.S. GAAP does not contain explicit guidance on whether to treat a performance target that could be achieved after the requisite service period as a performance condition that affects vesting or as a nonvesting condition that affects the grant-date fair value of an award. ASU 2014-12 provides explicit guidance for those awards. For all entities, ASU 2014-12 is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Earlier adoption is permitted. The Company has elected to not adopt ASU 2014-12 early. ASU 2014-12 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. FASB issued ASU No. 2014-14, Receivables—Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Topic 310): Classification of Certain Government Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure. ASU 2014-14 requires that a mortgage loan be derecognized and that a separate other receivable be recognized upon foreclosure if the following conditions are met: 1) the loan has a government guarantee that is not separable from the loan before foreclosure, 2) at the time of foreclosure, the creditor has the intent to convey the real estate property to the guarantor and make a claim on the guarantee, and the creditor has the ability to recover under that claim, and 3) at the time of foreclosure, any amount of the claim that is determined on the basis of the fair value of the real estate is fixed. Upon foreclosure, the separate other receivable should be measured based on the amount of the loan balance (principal and interest) expected to be recovered from the guarantor. ASU 2014-14 became effective for the Company on January 1, 2015, and did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. FASB issued ASU No. 2016-1, Financial Instruments – Overall (Topic 825): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. ASU 2016-1, among other things, (i) requires equity investments, with certain exceptions, to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, (ii) simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment, (iii) eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet, (iv) requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, (v) requires an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments, (vi) requires separate 62 presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements and (viii) clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale. ASU 2016-1 will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2018 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. FASB issued ASU No. 2016-2, Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-2, among other things, requires that a lessee recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. The recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee primarily will depend on its classification as a finance or operating lease. However, the standard will require both types of leases to be recognized on the balance sheet. It also requires disclosures to better understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. These disclosures include qualitative and quantitative requirements, providing additional information about the amounts recorded in the financial statements. ASU 2016-2 will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this new guidance on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Note 2 - Business Combinations On October 28, 2015, TriCo announced that its subsidiary, Tri Counties Bank, has entered into an agreement to purchase three branches on the North Coast of California from Bank of America, N.A. The branches are located in the cities of Arcata, Eureka, and Fortuna in Humboldt County. TriCo anticipates assuming approximately $235 million in deposits and purchasing approximately $400 thousand in loans and will pay a premium of 1.91% on the deposits assumed. This transaction is expected to occur in March 2016. TriCo completed its acquisition of North Valley Bancorp on October 3, 2014. Based on a fixed exchange ratio of 0.9433 shares of TriCo common stock for each share of North Valley Bancorp common stock, North Valley Bancorp shareholders received an aggregate of 6,575,550 shares of TriCo common stock and $6,823 of cash in-lieu of fractional shares. The 6,575,550 shares of TriCo common stock issued to North Valley Bancorp shareholders represented, on a pro forma basis, approximately 28.9% of the 22,714,964 shares of the combined company outstanding on October 3, 2014. Based on TriCo’s closing stock price of $23.01 on October 3, 2014, North Valley Bancorp shareholders received consideration valued at $151,310,000 or approximately $21.71 per share of North Valley common stock outstanding. The acquisition of North Valley Bancorp expanded the Company’s market presence in Northern California. The customer base and locations of North Valley Bancorp's branches had significant overlap with the Company's then existing Northern California customer base and branch locations creating potential cost savings and future growth potential. With the levels of excess capital at the time, the acquisitions fit well into the Company's growth strategy. North Valley Bancorp was headquartered in Redding California, and was the parent of North Valley Bank, which had approximately $935 million in assets and 22 commercial banking offices in Shasta, Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, Yolo, Sonoma, Placer and Trinity Counties in Northern California at June 30, 2014. In connection with the acquisition, North Valley Bank was merged into Tri Counties Bank on October 3, 2014. On October 25, 2014, North Valley Bank’s electronic customer service and other data processing systems were converted into Tri Counties Bank’s systems. Between January 7, 2015 and January 21, 2015, four Tri Counties Bank branches and four former North Valley Bank branches were consolidated into other Tri Counties Bank or other former North Valley Bank branches. Beginning on October 4, 2014, the effect of revenue and expenses from the operations of North Valley Bancorp, and the issuance of TriCo common shares as consideration in the merger are included in the results of the Company. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed from North Valley Bancorp were accounted for in accordance with ASC 805 "Business Combinations," using the acquisition method of accounting and were recorded at their estimated fair values on the October 3, 2014 acquisition date, and its results of operations are included in the Company’s consolidated statements of income since that date. The excess of the fair value of consideration transferred over total identifiable net assets was recorded as goodwill. The goodwill arising from the acquisition consists largely of the synergies and economies of scale expected from combining the operations of the Company and North Valley Bancorp. None of the goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes as the acquisition was accounted for as a tax-free exchange. 63 The following table discloses the calculation of the fair value of consideration transferred, the total identifiable net assets acquired and the resulting goodwill relating to the North Valley Bancorp acquisition: (in thousands) Fair value of consideration transferred: North Valley Bancorp October 3, 2014 Fair value of shares issued Cash consideration Total fair value of consideration transferred $151,303 7 151,310 Asset acquired: Cash and cash equivalents Securities available for sale Securities held to maturity Restricted equity securities Loans Foreclosed assets Premises and equipment Cash value of life insurance Core deposit intangible Other assets Total assets acquired Liabilities assumed: Deposits Other liabilities Junior subordinated debt Total liabilities assumed Total net assets acquired Goodwill recognized 141,412 17,288 189,950 5,378 499,327 695 11,936 38,075 6,614 20,064 930,739 801,956 10,429 14,987 827,372 103,367 $47,943 A summary of the estimated fair value adjustments resulting in the goodwill recorded in the North Valley Bancorp acquisition are presented below: (in thousands) Value of stock consideration paid to North Valley Bancorp Shareholders Cash payments to North Valley Bancorp Shareholders Cost basis net assets acquired Fair value adjustments: Loans Premises and Equipment Core deposit intangible Deferred income taxes Junior subordinated debt Other Goodwill North Valley Bancorp October 3, 2014 $151,303 7 (98,040) 5,832 (4,785) (6,283) 6,293 (6,664) 280 $47,943 The Company recorded the loan portfolio of North Valley Bancorp at fair value at the date of acquisition. A valuation of North Valley Bancorp's loan portfolio was performed as of the acquisition date to assess the fair value of the loan portfolio. The North Valley Bancorp loan portfolio was segmented into two groups; loans with credit deterioration (PCI loans) and loans without credit deterioration (PNCI). For North Valley Bancorp PNCI loans, the present value of estimated future cash flows, based primarily on contractual cash flows, was used to determine fair value. For North Valley Bancorp PCI loans, the present value of estimated future cash flows, based primarily on liquidation value of collateral, was used to determine fair value. The Company grouped the North Valley Bancorp PNCI loans into pools based on similar loan characteristics such as loan type, payment amortization method, and fixed or variable interest rates. A discounted cash flow schedule was prepared for each pool in which the present value of all estimated future cash flows was calculated using a specifically calculated discount rate for each pool. The discount rate used to estimate the fair value of each loan pool was composed of the sum of: an estimated cost of funds rate, an estimated capital charge reflecting the market participant required return on capital, estimated loan servicing costs, and a liquidity premium. All PNCI loan pools included some estimate regarding prepayment rates, and estimated principal default and loss rates, based primarily on North Valley Bancorp’s historical loss experience. The difference between the sum of recorded balances of the North Valley Bancorp PNCI loans in each pool and the present value of each pool represented the total discount (if the recorded value exceeded the present value) or premium (if the present value exceeded the recorded value) for each pool. The total discount, or premium, for each pool was then allocated to the individual loans within each pool based 64 on outstanding loan balance, individual loan risk rating as compared to the weighted average risk rating of the pool, and the contractual payments remaining for the individual loan as compared to the pool. The Company valued the North Valley Bancorp PCI loans at fair value on an individual basis. A discounted cash flow schedule was prepared for each loan in which the present value of all future estimated cash flows was calculated using a specifically calculated discount rate, estimated liquidation value and estimated liquidation timing for each loan. The discount rate used in the calculation of the present value of North Valley Bancorp PCI loans was composed of the sum of: an estimated cost of funds rate, an estimated capital charge reflecting the market participant required return on capital, estimated loan servicing costs, and a liquidity premium. The difference between the recorded balance and the present value of each North Valley Bancorp PCI loan represented the discount for each PCI loan. All North Valley Bancorp PCI loans had recorded values in excess of their present value of estimated future cash flows. The Company identified the North Valley Bancorp PCI loans as having cash flows that were not reasonably estimable and placed these loans in nonaccrual status under ASC 310-30 and included them in the category of loans the Company refers to as “PCI – other” loans. The following table presents the cost basis, fair value discount, and fair value of loans acquired from North Valley Bancorp on October 3, 2014: (in thousands) PNCI PCI – other Total North Valley Bancorp Acquired Loans October 3, 2014 Discount $(12,721) (2,077) $(14,798) Cost Basis $502,637 11,488 $514,125 Fair Value $489,916 9,411 $499,327 Although the discount on PNCI loans is completely accretable to interest income over the remaining life of such loans, the discount on PCI – other loans from the North Valley Bancorp acquisition are not accretable into interest income until the loan principal balance has been reduced to the loan’s fair value recorded at acquisition. This method of accounting for the PCI – other loans from the North Valley Bancorp acquisition is often referred to as the “cost recovery” method of income recognition. The following table presents a reconciliation of the undiscounted contractual cash flows, nonaccretable difference, accretable yield, fair value, purchase discount, and principal balance of loans for the PNCI and PCI - other categories of North Valley Bancorp loans as of the acquisition date. For North Valley Bancorp PCI – other loans, the purchase discount does not necessarily represent cash flows to be collected: (in thousands) Undiscounted contractual cash flows Undiscounted cash flows not expected North Valley Bancorp Loans – October 3, 2014 PCI - other PNCI $15,706 $718,731 Total $734,437 to be collected (nonaccretable difference) Undiscounted cash flows expected to be collected Accretable yield at acquisition Estimated fair value of loans acquired at acquisition Purchase discount Principal balance loans acquired - 718,731 (228,815) 489,916 12,721 $502,637 (6,295) 9,411 - 9,411 2,077 $11,488 (6,295) 728,142 (228,815) 499,327 14,798 $514,125 As part of the acquisition of North Valley Bancorp, the Company performed a valuation of premises and equipment acquired. This valuation resulted in a $4,785,000 increase in the net book value of land and buildings acquired, and was based on current appraisals of such land and buildings. The Company recognized a core deposit intangible of $6,614,000 related to the acquisition of North Valley Bancorp’s core deposits. The recorded core deposit intangibles represented approximately 0.97% of core deposits for North Valley Bancorp and will be amortized over their useful lives of 7 years. A valuation of time deposits for North Valley Bancorp was also performed as of the acquisition date. Time deposits were split into similar pools based on size, type of time deposits, and maturity. A discounted cash flow analysis was performed on the pools based on current market rates currently paid on similar time deposits. The valuation resulted in no material fair value discount or premium, and none was recorded. The fair value of junior subordinated debentures assumed from North Valley Bancorp was estimated using a discounted cash flow method based on the current market rates for similar liabilities. As a result a discount of $6,664,000 was recorded on the junior subordinated debentures acquired from North Valley Bancorp. The discount on the subordinated debentures will be amortized using the effective yield method the remaining life to maturity of the debentures at acquisition which range from 18 years to 21 years. 65 Note 3 - Investment Securities The amortized cost and estimated fair values of investments in debt and equity securities are summarized in the following tables: Securities Available for Sale Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies Obligations of states and political subdivisions Corporate debt securities Marketable equity securities Total securities available for sale Securities Held to Maturity Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies Obligations of states and political subdivisions Total securities held to maturity Securities Available for Sale Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies Obligations of states and political subdivisions Corporate debt securities Marketable equity securities Total securities available for sale Securities Held to Maturity Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies Obligations of states and political subdivisions Total securities held to maturity Amortized Cost $312,917 86,823 - 3,000 $402,740 $711,994 14,536 $726,530 Amortized Cost $71,144 3,130 1,891 3,000 $79,165 $660,836 15,590 $676,426 December 31, 2015 Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses (in thousands) Estimated Fair Value $313,682 88,218 - 2,985 (1,996) (33) - (15) $(2,044) $404,885 (2,882) (110) $717,506 14,703 $(2,992) $732,209 2,761 1,428 - - $4,189 8,394 277 $8,671 December 31, 2014 Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value (in thousands) 4,001 45 17 2 $4,065 13,055 130 $13,185 (25) - - - $(25) $75,120 3,175 1,908 3,002 $83,205 (677) (155) $673,214 15,565 $(832) $688,779 Investment securities totaling $2,000 were sold in 2015 resulting in no gain or loss on sale. Investment securities sold during 2014 totaled $14,130,000 and no investment securities were sold in 2013. Investment securities with an aggregate carrying value of $297,547,000 and $143,992,000 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, were pledged as collateral for specific borrowings, lines of credit and local agency deposits. The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities at December 31, 2015 by contractual maturity are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. At December 31, 2015, obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies with a cost basis totaling $1,024,911,000 consist almost entirely of mortgage-backed securities whose contractual maturity, or principal repayment, will follow the repayment of the underlying mortgages. For purposes of the following table, the entire outstanding balance of these mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. government corporations and agencies is categorized based on final maturity date. At December 31, 2015, the Company estimates the average remaining life of these mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. government corporations and agencies to be approximately 5.9 years. Average remaining life is defined as the time span after which the principal balance has been reduced by half. Investment Securities (In thousands) Due in one year Due after one year through five years Due after five years through ten years Due after ten years Totals Available for Sale Held to Maturity Amortized Cost - $8,870 24,150 369,720 $402,740 Estimated Fair Value - $9,112 25,204 370,569 $404,885 Amortized Cost - $1,147 830 724,553 $726,530 Estimated Fair Value - $1,158 870 730,181 $732,209 66 Gross unrealized losses on investment securities and the fair value of the related securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, were as follows: December 31, 2015 Securities Available for Sale: Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies Obligations of states and political subdivisions Marketable equity securities Total securities available-for-sale Securities Held to Maturity: Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies Obligations of states and political subdivisions Total securities held-to-maturity December 31, 2014 Securities Available for Sale: Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies Obligations of states and political subdivisions Marketable equity securities Total securities available-for-sale Securities Held to Maturity: Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies Obligations of states and political subdivisions Less than 12 months 12 months or more Total Fair Value Unrealized Loss Fair Value Unrealized Loss Fair Value Unrealized Loss (in thousands) $193,306 6,469 2,985 $(1,996) (33) (15) $202,760 $(2,044) - - - - - - - - $193,306 6,469 2,985 $(1,996) (33) (15) $202,760 $(2,044) $198,481 497 $(2,882) (11) $198,978 $(2,893) - $1,121 $1,121 - $(99) $198,481 1,618 $(2,882) (110) $(99) $200,099 $(2,992) Less than 12 months 12 months or more Total Fair Value Unrealized Loss Fair Value Unrealized Loss Fair Value Unrealized Loss (in thousands) $6,774 - - $6,774 $(25) - - $(25) - - - - - - - - $6,774 - - $6,774 $(25) - - $(25) $335 1,600 $(1) (26) $56,288 1,858 $(676) (129) $56,623 3,458 $(677) (155) Total securities held-to-maturity $1,935 $(27) $58,146 $(805) $60,081 $(832) Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies: Unrealized losses on investments in obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies are caused by interest rate increases. The contractual cash flows of these securities are guaranteed by U.S. Government Sponsored Entities (principally Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). It is expected that the securities would not be settled at a price less than the amortized cost of the investment. Because the decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates and not credit quality, and because the Company does not intend to sell and more likely than not will not be required to sell, these investments are not considered other- than-temporarily impaired. At December 31, 2015, 29 debt securities representing obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies had unrealized losses with aggregate depreciation of 1.23% from the Company’s amortized cost basis. Obligations of states and political subdivisions: The unrealized losses on investments in obligations of states and political subdivisions were caused by increases in required yields by investors in these types of securities. It is expected that the securities would not be settled at a price less than the amortized cost of the investment. Because the decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates and not credit quality, and because the Company does not intend to sell and more likely than not will not be required to sell, these investments are not considered other-than-temporarily impaired. At December 31, 2015, 10 debt securities representing obligations of states and political subdivisions had unrealized losses with aggregate depreciation of 1.73% from the Company’s amortized cost basis. Marketable equity securities: At December 31, 2015, marketable equity securities had unrealized losses representing aggregate depreciation of 0.05% from the Company’s amortized cost basis. 67 Note 4 – Loans A summary of loan balances follows (in thousands): Mortgage loans on real estate: Residential 1-4 family Commercial Total mortgage loan on real estate Consumer: Home equity lines of credit Home equity loans Other Total consumer loans Commercial Construction: Residential Commercial Total construction Total loans, net of deferred loan fees and discounts Total principal balance of loans owed, net of charge-offs Unamortized net deferred loan fees Discounts to principal balance of loans owed, net of charge-offs Total loans, net of unamortized deferred loan fees and discounts Noncovered loans Covered loans Total loans, net of unamortized deferred loan fees and discounts Originated December 31, 2015 PCI - Cash basis PNCI PCI - Other Total $207,585 1,163,643 1,371,228 $104,535 310,864 415,399 285,419 34,717 28,998 349,134 170,320 31,778 66,285 98,063 29,335 4,018 3,367 36,720 19,744 13,636 8,489 22,125 - - - 4,954 124 - 5,078 1 - - - $2,145 23,060 25,205 $314,265 1,497,567 1,811,832 2,784 1,503 64 4,351 4,848 721 - 721 322,492 40,362 32,429 395,283 194,913 46,135 74,774 120,909 $1,988,745 $493,988 $5,079 $35,125 $2,522,937 $1,995,296 (6,551) $507,935 - $12,686 - $39,693 - $2,555,610 (6,551) - (13,947) (7,607) (4,568) (26,122) $1,988,745 $493,988 $5,079 $35,125 $2,522,937 $1,988,745 - $493,988 - $5,079 - $29,890 5,235 $2,517,702 5,235 $1,988,745 $493,988 $5,079 $35,125 $2,522,937 Allowance for loan losses $(31,271) $(1,848) $(121) $(2,771) $(36,011) 68 Note 4 – Loans (continued) A summary of loan balances follows (in thousands): Mortgage loans on real estate: Residential 1-4 family Commercial Total mortgage loan on real estate Consumer: Home equity lines of credit Home equity loans Auto Indirect Other Total consumer loans Commercial Construction: Residential Commercial Total construction Total loans, net of deferred loan fees and discounts Total principal balance of loans owed, net of charge-offs Unamortized net deferred loan fees Discounts to principal balance of loans owed, net of charge-offs Total loans, net of unamortized deferred loan fees and discounts Noncovered loans Covered loans Total loans, net of unamortized deferred loan fees and discounts Originated December 31, 2014 PCI - Cash basis PNCI PCI - Other Total $154,594 928,797 1,083,391 $120,821 376,225 497,046 - - - $4,005 30,917 34,922 $279,420 1,335,939 1,615,359 305,166 23,559 112 28,230 357,067 126,611 21,135 24,545 45,680 38,397 6,985 - 4,770 50,152 40,899 16,808 11,973 28,781 $5,478 125 - - 5,603 8 - - - 3,543 645 - 74 4,262 7,427 675 - 675 352,584 31,314 112 33,074 417,084 174,945 38,618 36,518 75,136 $1,612,749 $616,878 $5,611 $47,286 $2,282,524 $1,617,542 (4,793) $634,490 - $14,805 - $56,016 - $2,322,853 (4,793) - (17,612) (9,194) (8,730) (35,536) $1,612,749 $616,878 $5,611 $47,286 $2,282,524 $1,612,749 - $616,878 - $5,611 - $25,018 22,268 $2,260,256 22,268 $1,612,749 $616,878 $5,611 $47,286 $2,282,524 Allowance for loan losses $(29,860) $(3,296) $(348) $(3,081) $(36,585) The following is a summary of the change in accretable yield for PCI – other loans during the periods indicated (in thousands): Change in accretable yield: Balance at beginning of period Accretion to interest income Reclassification (to) from nonaccretable difference Balance at end of period Year ended December 31, 2015 2014 $14,159 (6,323) $18,233 (5,854) 5,419 $13,255 1,780 $14,159 69 Note 5 – Allowance for Loan Losses The following tables summarize the activity in the allowance for loan losses, and ending balance of loans, net of unearned fees for the periods indicated. (in thousands) Beginning balance Charge-offs Recoveries (Benefit) provision Ending balance Ending balance: Individ. evaluated for impairment Loans pooled for evaluation Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality (in thousands) Ending balance: Total loans Individ. evaluated for impairment Loans pooled for evaluation Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality (in thousands) Beginning balance Charge-offs Recoveries (Benefit) provision Ending balance Ending balance: Individ. evaluated for impairment Loans pooled for evaluation Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality (in thousands) Ending balance: Total loans Individ. evaluated for impairment Loans pooled for evaluation Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality Allowance for Loan Losses - Year Ended December 31, 2015 RE Mortgage Home Equity Resid. $3,086 (224) 204 (559) $2,507 Comm. $9,227 - 243 1,973 $11,443 Lines $15,676 (694) 666 (4,395) $11,253 Loans $1,797 (242) 252 1,331 $3,138 Auto Indirect $9 (4) 42 (47) - Other Consum. $719 (972) 500 441 $688 C&I $4,226 (680) 677 1,048 $5,271 Construction Resid. $1,434 - 1,728 (2,263) $899 Comm. $411 - 140 261 $812 Total $36,585 (2,816) 4,452 (2,210) $36,011 $335 $395 $605 $294 $2,112 $9,596 $10,423 $2,844 $60 $1,452 $225 - - - - $74 $1,187 - - $2,890 $614 $2,983 $844 $812 $30,228 - $1,101 $55 - $2,893 Loans, net of unearned fees – As of December 31, 2015 RE Mortgage Home Equity Resid. Comm. Lines Loans Auto Indirect Other Consum. Construction C&I Resid. Comm. Total $314,265 $1,497,567 $322,492 $40,362 $6,767 $32,407 $5,747 $1,731 $305,353 $1,442,100 $309,007 $37,004 $2,145 $23,060 $7,738 $1,627 - - - - $32,429 $194,913 $46,135 $74,774 $2,522,937 $288 $2,671 $4 $490 $50,105 $32,077 $187,393 $45,410 $74,284 $2,432,628 $64 $4,849 $721 - $40,204 Allowance for Loan Losses - Year Ended December 31, 2014 RE Mortgage Home Equity Resid. $3,154 (171) 2 101 $3,086 Comm. $9,700 (110) 540 (903) $9,227 Lines $16,375 (1,094) 960 (565) $15,676 Loans $1,208 (29) 34 584 $1,797 Auto Indirect $66 (3) 86 (140) $9 Other Consum. $589 (599) 495 234 $719 C&I $4,331 (479) 1,268 (894) $4,226 Construction Resid. $1,559 (4) 1,377 (1,498) $1,434 Comm. $1,263 (69) 181 (964) $411 Total $38,245 (2,558) 4,943 (4,045) $36,585 $974 $410 $1,974 $284 - $142 $423 $60 - $4,267 $1,915 $8,408 $13,251 $1,513 $9 $572 $2,569 $332 $322 $28,891 $197 $409 $451 - - $5 $1,234 $1,042 $89 $3,427 Loans, net of unearned fees – As of December 31, 2014 RE Mortgage Home Equity Resid. Comm. Lines Loans Auto Indirect Other Consum. Construction C&I Resid. Comm. Total $279,420 $1,335,939 $352,584 $31,314 $112 $33,074 $174,945 $38,618 $36,518 $2,282,524 $7,188 $41,932 $6,968 $1,279 $18 $323 $1,757 $2,683 $99 $62,247 $268,227 $1,263,090 $336,595 $29,266 $94 $32,677 $165,753 $35,260 $36,419 $2,167,381 $4,005 $30,917 $9,021 $770 - $74 $7,435 $675 - $52,897 70 Note 5 – Allowance for Loan Losses (continued) (in thousands) Beginning balance Charge-offs Recoveries (Benefit) provision Ending balance Ending balance: Individ. evaluated for impairment Loans pooled for evaluation Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality (in thousands) Ending balance: Total loans Individ. evaluated for impairment Loans pooled for evaluation Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality Allowance for Loan Losses - Year Ended December 31, 2013 RE Mortgage Home Equity Resid. $3,523 (46) 345 (668) $3,154 Comm. $8,782 (2,038) 994 1,962 $9,700 Lines $21,367 (2,651) 1,053 (3,394) $16,375 Loans $1,155 (94) 41 106 $1,208 Auto Indirect $243 (68) 195 (304) $66 Other Consum. $696 (887) 759 21 $589 C&I $4,703 (1,599) 340 887 $4,331 Construction Resid. $1,400 (20) 63 116 $1,559 Comm. $779 (140) 65 559 $1,263 Total $42,648 (7,543) 3,855 (715) $38,245 $775 $1,198 $1,140 $169 $1 $8 $585 $91 $8 $3,975 $2,039 $7,815 $14,749 $1,039 $65 $581 $2,402 $751 $789 $30,230 $340 $687 $486 - - - $1,344 $717 $466 $4,040 Loans, net of unearned fees – As of December 31, 2013 RE Mortgage Home Equity Resid. Comm. Lines Loans Auto Indirect Other Consum. Construction C&I Resid. Comm. Total $195,013 $912,850 $339,866 $14,588 $946 $27,763 $131,878 $31,933 $17,170 $1,672,007 $7,342 $59,936 $6,918 $778 $60 $90 $3,177 $2,756 $178 $81,235 $183,015 $822,654 $322,865 $13,324 $886 $27,592 $122,166 $27,611 $16,947 $1,537,060 $4,656 $30,260 $10,083 $486 - $81 $6,535 $1,566 $45 $53,712 As part of the on-going monitoring of the credit quality of the Company’s loan portfolio, management tracks certain credit quality indicators including, but not limited to, trends relating to (i) the level of criticized and classified loans, (ii) net charge-offs, (iii) non-performing loans, and (iv) delinquency within the portfolio. The Company utilizes a risk grading system to assign a risk grade to each of its loans. Loans are graded on a scale ranging from Pass to Loss. A description of the general characteristics of the risk grades is as follows:  Pass – This grade represents loans ranging from acceptable to very little or no credit risk. These loans typically meet most if not all policy standards in regard to: loan amount as a percentage of collateral value, debt service coverage, profitability, leverage, and working capital.  Special Mention – This grade represents “Other Assets Especially Mentioned” in accordance with regulatory guidelines and includes loans that display some potential weaknesses which, if left unaddressed, may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or may inadequately protect the Company’s position in the future. These loans warrant more than normal supervision and attention.  Substandard – This grade represents “Substandard” loans in accordance with regulatory guidelines. Loans within this rating typically exhibit weaknesses that are well defined to the point that repayment is jeopardized. Loss potential is, however, not necessarily evident. The underlying collateral supporting the credit appears to have sufficient value to protect the Company from loss of principal and accrued interest, or the loan has been written down to the point where this is true. There is a definite need for a well defined workout/rehabilitation program.  Doubtful – This grade represents “Doubtful” loans in accordance with regulatory guidelines. An asset classified as Doubtful has all the weaknesses inherent in a loan classified Substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable. Pending factors include proposed merger, acquisition, or liquidation procedures, capital injection, perfecting liens on additional collateral, and financing plans.  Loss – This grade represents “Loss” loans in accordance with regulatory guidelines. A loan classified as Loss is considered uncollectible and of such little value that its continuance as a bankable asset is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the loan has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather that it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off the loan, even though some recovery may be affected in the future. The portion of the loan that is graded loss should be charged off no later than the end of the quarter in which the loss is identified. 71 Note 5 – Allowance for Loan Losses (continued) The following tables present ending loan balances by loan category and risk grade for the periods indicated: (in thousands) Originated loans: Pass Special mention Substandard Loss Total originated PNCI loans: Pass Special mention Substandard Loss Total PNCI PCI loans Total loans (in thousands) Originated loans: Pass Special mention Substandard Loss Total originated PNCI loans: Pass Special mention Substandard Loss Total PNCI PCI loans Total loans Credit Quality Indicators – As of December 31, 2015 RE Mortgage Home Equity Resid. Comm. Lines Loans Auto Indirect Other Consum. Construction C&I Resid. Comm. Total $199,837 $1,118,868 10,321 34,454 - $207,585 $1,163,643 2,018 5,730 - $102,895 600 1,040 - $104,535 $2,145 $293,935 10,795 6,134 - $310,864 $23,060 $314,265 $1,497,567 $275,251 2,494 7,674 - $285,419 $27,378 445 1,512 - $29,335 $7,738 $322,492 $31,427 1,027 2,263 - $34,717 $3,789 80 149 - $4,018 $1,627 $40,362 - - - - - - - - - - - - $28,339 415 244 - $28,998 $3,164 74 129 - $3,367 $64 $32,429 $166,559 $31,440 334 4 - $170,320 $31,778 1,037 2,724 - - 78 - $19,666 $13,636 - - - $19,744 $13,636 $721 $194,913 $46,135 $4,849 $66,285 - - - $66,285 $8,489 - - - $8,489 - $74,774 $1,918,006 17,646 53,093 - $1,988,745 $472,952 11,994 9,042 - $493,988 $40,204 $2,522,937 Credit Quality Indicators – As of December 31, 2014 RE Mortgage Home Equity Resid. Comm. Lines Loans Auto Indirect Other Consum. Construction C&I Resid. Comm. Total $146,949 1,122 6,523 - $154,594 $883,102 11,521 34,174 - $928,797 $119,643 547 631 - $120,821 $4,005 $359,537 12,979 3,709 - $376,225 $30,917 $279,420 $1,335,939 $292,244 3,590 9,332 - $305,166 $36,531 936 930 - $38,397 $9,021 $352,584 $20,976 743 1,840 - $23,559 $6,813 147 25 - $6,985 $770 $31,314 $66 11 35 - $112 - - - - - - $112 $27,396 591 243 - $28,230 $4,399 230 141 - $4,770 $74 $33,074 $124,707 $18,112 622 2,401 - $126,611 $21,135 636 1,268 - 268 3 - $40,628 $16,808 - - - $40,899 $16,808 $675 $174,945 $38,618 $7,435 $24,436 - 109 - $24,545 $11,973 - - - $11,973 - $36,518 $1,537,988 18,836 55,925 - $1,612,749 $596,332 15,107 5,439 - $616,878 $52,897 $2,282,524 Consumer loans, whether unsecured or secured by real estate, automobiles, or other personal property, are susceptible to three primary risks; non-payment due to income loss, over-extension of credit and, when the borrower is unable to pay, shortfall in collateral value. Typically non-payment is due to loss of job and will follow general economic trends in the marketplace driven primarily by rises in the unemployment rate. Loss of collateral value can be due to market demand shifts, damage to collateral itself or a combination of the two. Problem consumer loans are generally identified by payment history of the borrower (delinquency). The Bank manages its consumer loan portfolios by monitoring delinquency and contacting borrowers to encourage repayment, suggest modifications if appropriate, and, when continued scheduled payments become unrealistic, initiate repossession or foreclosure through appropriate channels. Collateral values may be determined by appraisals obtained through Bank approved, licensed appraisers, qualified independent third parties, public value information (blue book values for autos), sales invoices, or other appropriate means. Appropriate valuations are obtained at initiation of the credit and periodically (every 3-12 months depending on collateral type) once repayment is questionable and the loan has been classified. Commercial real estate loans generally fall into two categories, owner-occupied and non-owner occupied. Loans secured by owner occupied real estate are primarily susceptible to changes in the business conditions of the related business. This may be driven by, among other things, industry changes, geographic business changes, changes in the individual fortunes of the business owner, and general economic conditions and changes in business cycles. These same risks apply to commercial loans whether secured by equipment or other personal property or unsecured. Losses on loans secured by owner occupied real estate, equipment, or other personal property generally are dictated by the value of underlying collateral at the time of default and liquidation of the collateral. When default is driven by issues related specifically to the business owner, collateral values tend to provide better repayment support and may result in little or no loss. Alternatively, when default is driven by more general economic conditions, underlying collateral generally has devalued more and results in larger losses due to default. Loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate are primarily susceptible to risks associated with swings in occupancy or vacancy and related shifts in lease rates, rental rates or room rates. Most often these shifts are a result of changes in general economic or market conditions or overbuilding and resultant over-supply. Losses are dependent on value of underlying collateral at the time of default. Values are generally driven by these same factors and influenced by interest rates and required rates of return as well as changes in occupancy costs. 72 Note 5 – Allowance for Loan Losses (continued) Construction loans, whether owner occupied or non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans or residential development loans, are not only susceptible to the related risks described above but the added risks of construction itself including cost over-runs, mismanagement of the project, or lack of demand or market changes experienced at time of completion. Again, losses are primarily related to underlying collateral value and changes therein as described above. Problem C&I loans are generally identified by periodic review of financial information which may include financial statements, tax returns, rent rolls and payment history of the borrower (delinquency). Based on this information the Bank may decide to take any of several courses of action including demand for repayment, additional collateral or guarantors, and, when repayment becomes unlikely through borrower’s income and cash flow, repossession or foreclosure of the underlying collateral. Collateral values may be determined by appraisals obtained through Bank approved, licensed appraisers, qualified independent third parties, public value information (blue book values for autos), sales invoices, or other appropriate means. Appropriate valuations are obtained at initiation of the credit and periodically (every 3-12 months depending on collateral type) once repayment is questionable and the loan has been classified. Once a loan becomes delinquent and repayment becomes questionable, a Bank collection officer will address collateral shortfalls with the borrower and attempt to obtain additional collateral. If this is not forthcoming and payment in full is unlikely, the Bank will estimate its probable loss, using a recent valuation as appropriate to the underlying collateral less estimated costs of sale, and charge the loan down to the estimated net realizable amount. Depending on the length of time until ultimate collection, the Bank may revalue the underlying collateral and take additional charge-offs as warranted. Revaluations may occur as often as every 3-12 months depending on the underlying collateral and volatility of values. Final charge-offs or recoveries are taken when collateral is liquidated and actual loss is known. Unpaid balances on loans after or during collection and liquidation may also be pursued through lawsuit and attachment of wages or judgment liens on borrower’s other assets. The following table shows the ending balance of current, past due, and nonaccrual originated loans by loan category as of the date indicated: RE Mortgage Analysis of Past Due and Nonaccrual Originated Loans – As of December 31, 2015 Construction Home Equity Resid. Comm. Lines Loans C&I Resid. Comm. Total Auto Indirect Other Consum. (in thousands) Originated loan balance: Past due: 30-59 Days 60-89 Days > 90 Days Total past due Current Total orig. loans > 90 Days and still accruing Nonaccrual loans $791 - 271 $1,062 $200 491 3,425 $4,116 206,523 1,159,527 $207,585 $1,163,643 $1,033 324 520 $1,877 283,542 $285,419 $402 341 82 $825 33,892 $34,717 - $3,045 - $14,196 - $3,379 - $1,195 - - - - - - - - $12 40 19 $71 28,927 $28,998 $2,197 - - - 24 - $2,221 - - 168,099 $170,320 $31,778 - - - - - $66,285 $4,635 1,196 4,341 $10,172 1,978,573 $1,988,745 - $21 - $976 - $12 - - - $22,824 The following table shows the ending balance of current, past due, and nonaccrual PNCI loans by loan category as of the date indicated: (in thousands) PNCI loan balance: Past due: 30-59 Days 60-89 Days > 90 Days Total past due Current Total PNCI loans > 90 Days and still accruing Nonaccrual loans Analysis of Past Due and Nonaccrual PNCI Loans – As of December 31, 2015 RE Mortgage Home Equity Resid. Comm. Lines Loans Auto Indirect Other Consum. Construction C&I Resid. Comm. Total $3,106 - 58 $3,164 101,371 $104,535 $4,037 - 748 $4,785 306,079 $310,864 $92 - 275 $367 28,968 $29,335 $23 - 71 $94 3,924 $4,018 - $348 - $3,742 - $676 - $109 - - - - - - - - - $13 10 $23 3,344 $3,367 - $33 $1 - - $1 - - - - 19,743 $13,636 $19,744 $13,636 - - $490 $490 7,999 $8,489 - - - - - $490 $7,259 13 1,652 $8,924 485,064 $493,988 - $5,398 73 Note 5 – Allowance for Loan Losses (continued) The following table shows the ending balance of current, past due, and nonaccrual originated loans by loan category as of the date indicated: RE Mortgage Analysis of Past Due and Nonaccrual Originated Loans – As of December 31, 2014 Construction Home Equity Resid. Comm. Lines Loans C&I Resid. Comm. Total Auto Indirect Other Consum. (in thousands) Originated loan balance: Past due: 30-59 Days 60-89 Days > 90 Days Total past due Current Total orig. loans > 90 Days and still accruing Nonaccrual loans $1,296 919 100 $2,315 152,279 $154,594 $735 - 900 $1,635 927,162 $928,797 $2,066 296 754 $3,116 302,050 $305,166 $615 192 202 $1,009 22,550 $23,559 - $3,430 - $20,736 - $4,336 - $1,197 $4 - 17 $21 91 $112 - $18 $64 24 46 $134 28,096 $28,230 - $739 - 99 - 61 - $899 125,712 21,135 $126,611 $21,135 - - - - 24,545 $24,545 $5,519 1,530 2,080 $9,129 1,603,620 $1,612,749 - $66 - $246 - $2,401 - $99 - $32,529 The following table shows the ending balance of current, past due, and nonaccrual PNCI loans by loan category as of the date indicated: (in thousands) PNCI loan balance: Past due: 30-59 Days 60-89 Days > 90 Days Total past due Current Total PNCI loans > 90 Days and still accruing Nonaccrual loans Analysis of Past Due and Nonaccrual PNCI Loans – As of December 31, 2014 RE Mortgage Home Equity Resid. Comm. Lines Loans Auto Indirect Other Consum. Construction C&I Resid. Comm. Total $2,041 24 239 $2,304 118,517 $120,821 $260 - - $260 375,965 $376,225 $275 118 73 $466 37,931 $38,397 - - 25 $25 6,960 $6,985 - $799 - $366 - $346 - $25 - - - - - - - - $25 3 76 $104 4,666 $4,770 - $110 $67 - - $67 40,832 - - - - 16,808 $40,899 $16,808 - - - - 11,973 $11,973 - - - - - - $2,668 145 413 $3,226 $613,652 $616,878 - $1,646 Impaired originated loans are those where management has concluded that it is probable that the borrower will be unable to pay all amounts due under the contractual terms. The following tables show the recorded investment (financial statement balance), unpaid principal balance, average recorded investment, and interest income recognized for impaired Originated and PNCI loans, segregated by those with no related allowance recorded and those with an allowance recorded for the periods indicated. (in thousands) With no related allowance recorded: Recorded investment Unpaid principal Average recorded Investment Interest income Recognized With an allowance recorded: Recorded investment Unpaid principal Related allowance Average recorded Investment Interest income Recognized Impaired Originated Loans – As of December 31, 2015 RE Mortgage Home Equity Resid. Comm. Lines Loans Auto Indirect Other Consum. Construction C&I Resid. Comm. Total $3,886 $5,998 $27,109 $29,678 $2,963 $6,079 $947 $1,349 $3,586 $32,793 $2,982 $848 $81 $893 $23 $5 $2,006 $2,073 $335 $1,418 $1,453 $146 $1,724 $1,904 $525 $674 $701 $256 $2,365 $2,180 $2,455 $589 $49 $74 $31 $26 - - - - - - - - - $20 $35 $29 $576 $688 $4 $65 - - $35,505 $43,892 $494 $1,202 $50 $41,984 - $29 $1 $1 $1 $2,094 $2,117 $1,187 - - - - $23 $1,716 $141 - $122 - - - - - - - $1,031 $7,917 $8,249 $2,450 $9,469 $302 74 Note 5 – Allowance for Loan Losses (continued) (in thousands) With no related allowance recorded: Recorded investment Unpaid principal Average recorded Investment Interest income Recognized With an allowance recorded: Recorded investment Unpaid principal Related allowance Average recorded Investment Interest income Recognized (in thousands) With no related allowance recorded: Recorded investment Unpaid principal Average recorded Investment Interest income Recognized With an allowance recorded: Recorded investment Unpaid principal Related allowance Average recorded Investment Interest income Recognized (in thousands) With no related allowance recorded: Recorded investment Unpaid principal Average recorded Investment Interest income Recognized With an allowance recorded: Recorded investment Unpaid principal Related allowance Average recorded Investment Interest income Recognized Impaired PNCI Loans – As of December 31, 2015 RE Mortgage Home Equity Resid. Comm. Lines Loans Auto Indirect Other Consum. Construction C&I Resid. Comm. Total $875 $908 $1,132 $1,248 $454 $505 $609 $749 $400 $31 $32 $3 - - - $2,748 $2,858 $248 $606 $612 $80 $417 $1,447 $521 - $149 $14 $71 $73 $48 $2 $39 $40 $39 $19 - - - - - - - - - - $33 $52 $35 $1 $234 $234 $73 $227 $11 $1 $1 $4 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $490 $490 $245 $18 - - - - - $3,056 $3,277 $2,090 $87 $3,627 $3,744 $440 $2,631 $174 Impaired Originated Loans – As of December 31, 2014 RE Mortgage Home Equity Resid. Comm. Lines Loans Auto Indirect Other Consum. Construction C&I Resid. Comm. Total $3,287 $5,138 $38,477 $41,949 $3,001 $6,094 $750 $1,187 $3,826 $45,915 $3,355 $651 $14 $49 $35 $25 $32 $412 $433 $2,401 $6,588 $99 $190 $48,466 $61,660 $21 $1,030 $2,437 $84 $57,354 $38 $995 $26 $6 - $1 $26 - $3 $1,095 $2,724 $2,865 $797 $2,943 $3,101 $302 $3,185 $3,533 $1,769 $504 $597 $284 $2,677 $4,119 $2,982 $365 $91 $144 $71 $13 $4 $6 - $4 - $41 $41 $11 $1,338 $1,438 $423 $282 $282 $60 - - - $11,021 $11,863 $3,646 $25 $1,428 $283 $55 $11,938 - $71 $19 - $409 Impaired PNCI Loans – As of December 31, 2014 RE Mortgage Home Equity Resid. Comm. Lines Loans Auto Indirect Other Consum. Construction C&I Resid. Comm. Total $343 $353 $366 $2,620 $346 $374 $246 $753 $287 $14 - $(1) $834 $852 $177 $146 $146 $108 $436 $436 $205 $516 $148 $319 $8 $8 $20 $25 $25 $12 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $37 $54 $36 - $220 $220 $131 $124 $12 $7 $7 $10 $1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $1,124 $3,433 $1,344 $14 $1,636 $1,654 $621 $1,107 $48 75 Note 5 – Allowance for Loan Losses (continued) At December 31, 2015, $29,269,000 of Originated loans were TDRs and classified as impaired. The Company had obligations to lend $35,000 of additional funds on these TDRs as of December 31, 2015. At December 31, 2015, $1,396,000 of PNCI loans were TDRs and classified as impaired. The Company had no obligations to lend additional funds on these TDRs as of December 31, 2015. At December 31, 2014, $45,676,000 of Originated loans were TDRs and classified as impaired. The Company had obligations to lend $54,000 of additional funds on these TDRs as of December 31, 2014. At December 31, 2014, $1,307,000 of PNCI loans were TDRs and classified as impaired. The Company had no obligations to lend additional funds on these TDRs as of December 31, 2014. At December 31, 2013, $56,739,000 of Originated loans were TDRs and classified as impaired. The Company had obligations to lend $25,000 of additional funds on these TDRs as of December 31, 2013. At December 31, 2013, $901,000 of PNCI loans were TDRs and classified as impaired. The Company had no obligations to lend additional funds on these TDRs as of December 31, 2013. The following tables show certain information regarding Troubled Debt Restructurings (TDRs) that occurred during the periods indicated: TDR Information for the Year Ended December 31, 2015 Auto Indirect - Other Consum. 2 C&I 8 Resid. - Construction RE Mortgage Home Equity $801 $800 (dollars in thousands) Resid. Number 4 Pre-mod outstanding principal balance Post-mod outstanding principal balance Financial impact due to TDR taken as additional provision Number that defaulted during the period Recorded investment of TDRs that defaulted during the period Financial impact due to the default of previous TDR taken as charge-offs or additional provisions $221 $8 4 - Comm. 5 Lines 2 Loans 2 $1,518 $301 $315 $1,517 $301 $321 $(5) 2 - 3 $38 1 $280 $182 $53 - - $(9) RE Mortgage Home Equity $1,050 $1,048 (dollars in thousands) Resid. 5 Number Pre-mod outstanding principal balance Post-mod outstanding principal balance Financial impact due to TDR taken as additional provision Number that defaulted during the period Recorded investment of TDRs that defaulted during the period Financial impact due to the default of previous TDR taken as charge-offs or additional provisions $344 $91 2 - Comm. 7 Lines 6 Loans 2 $1,980 $940 $100 $1,890 $967 $102 $22 2 - 1 $423 $20 - - $(1) - - - - - - - - - $89 $956 $89 $944 $5 $405 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $147 $218 $102 $147 $219 $85 $66 $101 - - - 1 $116 $(8) - - - - Comm. Total - - - - - - - 23 $3,979 $3,973 $451 10 $736 $(9) Comm. Total 2 $219 $196 31 $4,754 $4,656 - - - - $279 6 $903 $(8) TDR Information for the Year Ended December 31, 2014 Auto Indirect - Other Consum. 1 C&I 7 Resid. 1 Construction Modifications classified as Troubled Debt Restructurings can include one or a combination of the following: rate modifications, term extensions, interest only modifications, either temporary or long-term, payment modifications, and collateral substitutions/additions. 76 Note 5 – Allowance for Loan Losses (continued) For all new Troubled Debt Restructurings, an impairment analysis is conducted. If the loan is determined to be collateral dependent, any additional amount of impairment will be calculated based on the difference between estimated collectible value and the current carrying balance of the loan. This difference could result in an increased provision and is typically charged off. If the asset is determined not to be collateral dependent, the impairment is measured on the net present value difference between the expected cash flows of the restructured loan and the cash flows which would have been received under the original terms. The effect of this could result in a requirement for additional provision to the reserve. The effect of these required provisions for the period are indicated above. Typically if a TDR defaults during the period, the loan is then considered collateral dependent and, if it was not already considered collateral dependent, an appropriate provision will be reserved or charge will be taken. The additional provisions required resulting from default of previously modified TDR’s are noted above. Note 6 – Foreclosed Assets A summary of the activity in the balance of foreclosed assets follows (dollars in thousands): Beginning balance, net Acquisitions Additions/transfers from loans Dispositions/sales Valuation adjustments Ending balance, net Ending valuation allowance Ending number of foreclosed assets Proceeds from sale of foreclosed assets Gain on sale of foreclosed assets Year ended December 31, 2015 Year ended December 31, 2014 Noncovered $4,449 - 5,880 (4,458) (502) $5,369 $(572) 26 $5,449 $991 Covered $445 - (445) - - - - - - - Total $4,894 - 5,435 (4,458) (502) $5,369 $(572) 26 $5,449 $991 Noncovered $5,588 695 5,753 (7,391) (196) $4,449 $(208) 28 $9,517 $2,125 Covered $674 - - (217) (12) $445 - 1 $245 $28 Total $6,262 695 5,753 (7,608) (208) $4,894 $(208) 29 $9,762 $2,153 At December 31, 2015, the balance of real estate owned includes $1,787,000 of foreclosed residential real estate properties recorded as a result of obtaining physical possession of the property. At December 31, 2015, the recorded investment of consumer mortgage loans secured by residential real estate properties for which formal foreclosure proceedings are underway is $658,000. Note 7 - Premises and Equipment Premises and equipment were comprised of: Land & land improvements Buildings Furniture and equipment Less: Accumulated depreciation Construction in progress Total premises and equipment December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 (In thousands) $8,909 38,643 31,081 78,633 (35,518) 43,115 696 $43,811 $8,933 39,638 28,446 77,017 (33,570) 43,447 46 $43,493 Depreciation expense for premises and equipment amounted to $5,043,000, $4,648,000, and $3,635,000 in 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. 77 Note 8 – Cash Value of Life Insurance A summary of the activity in the balance of cash value of life insurance follows (dollars in thousands): Beginning balance Acquisitions Increase in cash value of life insurance Death benefit receivable in excess of cash value Death benefit receivable Ending balance End of period death benefit Number of policies owned Insurance companies used Current and former employees and directors covered Year ended December 31, 2015 $92,337 - 2,786 155 (718) $94,560 $166,299 187 14 59 2014 $52,309 38,075 1,953 - - $92,337 $165,966 189 14 60 As of December 31, 2015, the Bank was the owner and beneficiary of 187 life insurance policies, issued by 14 life insurance companies, covering 59 current and former employees and directors. These life insurance policies are recorded on the Company’s financial statements at their reported cash (surrender) values. As a result of current tax law and the nature of these policies, the Bank records any increase in cash value of these policies as nontaxable noninterest income. If the Bank decided to surrender any of the policies prior to the death of the insured, such surrender may result in a tax expense related to the life-to-date cumulative increase in cash value of the policy. If the Bank retains such policies until the death of the insured, the Bank would receive nontaxable proceeds from the insurance company equal to the death benefit of the policies. The Bank has entered into Joint Beneficiary Agreements (JBAs) with certain of the insured that for certain of the policies provide some level of sharing of the death benefit, less the cash surrender value, among the Bank and the beneficiaries of the insured upon the receipt of death benefits. See Note 15 of these consolidated financial statements for additional information on JBAs. Note 9 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets The following table summarizes the Company’s goodwill intangible as of the dates indicated: (Dollar in Thousands) Goodwill December 31, 2015 $63,462 Additions - Reductions - December 31, 2014 $63,462 The following table summarizes the Company’s core deposit intangibles as of the dates indicated: (Dollar in Thousands) Core deposit intangibles Accumulated amortization Core deposit intangibles, net December 31, 2015 $8,074 (2,180) $5,894 Additions - $(1,157) $(1,157) Reductions/ Amortization Fully Depreciated - - - - - - December 31, 2014 $8,074 (1,023) $7,051 The Company recorded additions to CDI of $6,614,000 in conjunction with the North Valley Bancorp acquisition on October 3, 2014, $898,000 in conjunction with the Citizens acquisition on September 23, 2011, and $562,000 in conjunction with the Granite acquisition on May 28, 2010. The following table summarizes the Company’s estimated core deposit intangible amortization (dollars in thousands): Years Ended 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Thereafter Estimated Core Deposit Intangible Amortization $1,157 1,109 1,044 948 948 $688 78 Note 10 - Mortgage Servicing Rights The following tables summarize the activity in, and the main assumptions we used to determine the fair value of mortgage servicing rights for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands): Balance at beginning of period Acquisition Originations Change in fair value Balance at end of period Contractually specified servicing fees, late fees and ancillary fees earned Balance of loans serviced at: Beginning of period End of period Years ended December 31, 2014 $6,165 1,944 570 (1,301) $7,378 2015 $7,378 - 941 (701) $7,618 2013 $4,552 - 1,360 253 $6,165 $2,164 $1,869 $1,774 Weighted-average prepayment speed (CPR) Weighted-average discount rate 9.8% 10.0% 12.0% 10.0% $840,288 $817,917 $680,197 $840,288 $666,512 $680,197 10.3% 10.0% The changes in fair value of MSRs that occurred during 2015 and 2014 were mainly due to changes in principal balances and changes in estimate life of the MSRs. Note 11 - Indemnification Asset A summary of the activity in the balance of indemnification asset (liability) included in other assets is follows (in thousands): Beginning balance Effect of actual covered losses (recoveries) and increase (decrease) in estimated future covered losses Change in estimated “true up” liability Reimbursable (revenue) expenses, net Payments made (received) Ending balance Amount of indemnification asset (liability) recorded in other assets Amount of indemnification liability recorded in other liabilities Ending balance Note 12 – Other Assets Other assets were comprised of (in thousands): Deferred tax asset, net (Note 22) Prepaid expense Software Advanced compensation Capital Trusts Investment in Low Housing Tax Credit Funds Prepaid Taxes Miscellaneous other assets Total other assets Year ended December 31, 2014 $206 2015 $(349) 2013 $1,997 (93) (71) 4 (12) $(521) $77 (598) $(521) (853) (100) 85 313 $(349) $(349) - $(349) (1,419) - (159) (213) $206 $206 - $206 As of December 31, 2014 2015 $37,706 $36,440 3,378 3,062 1,327 1,290 908 673 1,690 1,696 - 4,223 5,599 - 1,127 1,207 $51,735 $48,591 79 Note 13 - Deposits A summary of the balances of deposits follows (in thousands): Noninterest-bearing demand Interest-bearing demand Savings Time certificates, $250,000 and over Other time certificates Total deposits December 31, 2015 $1,155,695 853,961 1,281,540 75,897 264,173 $3,631,266 2014 $1,083,900 782,385 1,156,126 38,217 319,795 $3,380,423 Certificate of deposit balances of $50,000,000 and $5,000,000 from the State of California were included in time certificates, $250,000 and over, at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Bank participates in a deposit program offered by the State of California whereby the State may make deposits at the Bank’s request subject to collateral and credit worthiness constraints. The negotiated rates on these State deposits are generally more favorable than other wholesale funding sources available to the Bank. Overdrawn deposit balances of $796,000 and $1,216,000 were classified as consumer loans at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. At December 31, 2015, the scheduled maturities of time deposits were as follows (in thousands): 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Thereafter Total Scheduled Maturities $285,400 27,754 10,331 5,805 10,777 3 $340,070 Note 14 – Reserve for Unfunded Commitments The following tables summarize the activity in reserve for unfunded commitments for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands): Balance at beginning of period Acquisitions Provision for losses – Unfunded commitments Balance at end of period Years ended December 31, 2014 $2,415 125 2015 $2,145 - 2013 $3,615 - 330 $2,475 (395) $2,145 (1,200) $2,415 Note 15 – Other Liabilities Other liabilities were comprised of (in thousands): Deferred compensation Pension liability Joint beneficiary agreements Low income housing tax credit fund commitments Accrued salaries and benefits expense Loan escrow and servicing payable Deferred revenue Unsettled investment security purchases Miscellaneous other liabilities Total other liabilities December 31, 2015 $6,725 26,182 2,529 3,330 3,851 2,037 1,082 17,072 2,485 $65,293 2014 $7,408 26,798 2,728 - 5,407 1,938 1,091 - 3,822 $49,192 80 Note 16 - Other Borrowings A summary of the balances of other borrowings follows: Other collateralized borrowings, fixed rate, as of December 31, 2015 of 0.05%, payable on January 4, 2016 Total other borrowings December 31, 2015 2014 (in thousands) $12,328 $12,328 $9,276 $9,276 The Company did not enter into any other borrowings or repurchase agreements during 2015 or 2014. The Company had $12,328,000 and $9,276,000 of other collateralized borrowings at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Other collateralized borrowings are generally overnight maturity borrowings from non-financial institutions that are collateralized by securities owned by the Company. As of December 31, 2015, the Company has pledged as collateral and sold under agreements to repurchase investment securities with fair value of $12,328,000 under these other collateralized borrowings. The Company maintains a collateralized line of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. Based on the FHLB stock requirements at December 31, 2015, this line provided for maximum borrowings of $1,143,065,000 of which none was outstanding, leaving $1,143,065,000 available. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had designated investment securities with a fair value of $94,351,000 and loans totaling $1,673,789,000 as potential collateral under this collateralized line of credit with the FHLB. The Company maintains a collateralized line of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. As of December 31, 2015, this line provided for maximum borrowings of $135,684,000 of which none was outstanding, leaving $135,684,000 available. As of December 31, 2015, the Company has designated investment securities with fair value of $218,000 and loans totaling $186,187,000 as potential collateral under this collateralized line of credit with the FRB. The Company has available unused correspondent banking lines of credit from commercial banks totaling $15,000,000 for federal funds transactions at December 31, 2015. Note 17 – Junior Subordinated Debt On July 31, 2003, the Company formed a subsidiary business trust, TriCo Capital Trust I, to issue trust preferred securities. Concurrently with the issuance of the trust preferred securities, the trust issued 619 shares of common stock to the Company for $1,000 per share or an aggregate of $619,000. In addition, the Company issued a junior subordinated debenture to the trust in the amount of $20,619,000. The terms of the junior subordinated debenture are materially consistent with the terms of the trust preferred securities issued by TriCo Capital Trust I. Also on July 31, 2003, TriCo Capital Trust I completed an offering of 20,000 shares of cumulative trust preferred securities for cash in an aggregate amount of $20,000,000. The trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity on October 7, 2033 with an interest rate that resets quarterly at three-month LIBOR plus 3.05%. TriCo Capital Trust I has the right to redeem the trust preferred securities on or after October 7, 2008. The trust preferred securities were issued through an underwriting syndicate to which the Company paid underwriting fees of $7.50 per trust preferred security or an aggregate of $150,000. The net proceeds of $19,850,000 were used to finance the opening of new branches, improve bank services and technology, repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock under its repurchase plan and increase the Company’s capital. On June 22, 2004, the Company formed a second subsidiary business trust, TriCo Capital Trust II, to issue trust preferred securities. Concurrently with the issuance of the trust preferred securities, the trust issued 619 shares of common stock to the Company for $1,000 per share or an aggregate of $619,000. In addition, the Company issued a junior subordinated debenture to the trust in the amount of $20,619,000. The terms of the junior subordinated debenture are materially consistent with the terms of the trust preferred securities issued by TriCo Capital Trust II. Also on June 22, 2004, TriCo Capital Trust II completed an offering of 20,000 shares of cumulative trust preferred securities for cash in an aggregate amount of $20,000,000. The trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity on July 23, 2034 with an interest rate that resets quarterly at three-month LIBOR plus 2.55%. TriCo Capital Trust II has the right to redeem the trust preferred securities on or after July 23, 2009. The trust preferred securities were issued through an underwriting syndicate to which the Company paid underwriting fees of $2.50 per trust preferred security or an aggregate of $50,000. The net proceeds of $19,950,000 were used to finance the opening of new branches, improve bank services and technology, repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock under its repurchase plan and increase the Company’s capital. As a result of the Company’s acquisition of North Valley Bancorp on October 3, 2014, the Company assumed the junior subordinated debentures issued by North Valley Bancorp to North Valley Capital Trusts II, III & IV with face amounts of $6,186,000, $5,155,000 and $10,310,000, respectively. Also, as a result of the North Valley Bancorp acquisition, the Company acquired common stock interests in North Valley Capital Trusts II, III and IV with face valley of $186,000, $155,000, and $310,000, respectively. At the acquisition date of October 3, 2014, the junior subordinated debentures associated with North Valley Capital Trust II, III and IV were recorded on the Company’s books at their fair values of $5,006,000, $3,918,000, and $6,063,000, respectively. The related fair value discounts to face value of these debentures will be amortized over the remaining time to maturity for each of these debentures using the effective interest method. Similar, and proportional, discounts were applied to the acquired common stock interest in North Valley Capital Trusts II, III and IV, and these discounts will be proportionally amortized over the remaining time to maturity for each related debenture. 81 Note 17 – Junior Subordinated Debt (continued) TriCo Capital Trusts I and II, and North Valley Capital Trusts II, III and IV are collectively referred to as the Capital Trusts. The recorded book values of the junior subordinated debentures issued by the Capital Trusts are reflected as junior subordinated debt in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The common stock issued by the Capital Trusts and owned by the Company is recorded in other assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The recorded book value of the debentures issued by the Capital Trusts, less the recorded book value of the common stock of the Capital Trusts owned by the Company, continues to qualify as Tier 1 or Tier 2 capital under interim guidance issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The following table summarizes the terms and recorded balance of each subordinated debenture as of the date indicated (dollars in thousands): Subordinated Debt Series Maturity Date Face Value TriCo Cap Trust I 10/7/2033 TriCo Cap Trust II 7/23/2034 4/24/2033 North Valley Trust II North Valley Trust III 4/24/2034 North Valley Trust IV 3/15/2036 $20,619 20,619 6,186 5,155 10,310 $62,889 Coupon Rate (Variable) 3 mo. LIBOR + 3.05% 2.55% 3.25% 2.80% 1.33% As of December 31, 2015 Recorded Current Book Value Coupon Rate $20,619 3.37% 20,619 2.87% 5,055 3.58% 3,966 3.12% 6,211 1.84% $56,470 Note 18 - Commitments and Contingencies Restricted Cash Balances— Reserves (in the form of deposits with the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank) of $70,660,000 and $57,616,000 were maintained to satisfy Federal regulatory requirements at December 31, 2015 and 2014. These reserves are included in cash and due from banks in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Lease Commitments— The Company leases 41 sites under non-cancelable operating leases. The leases contain various provisions for increases in rental rates, based either on changes in the published Consumer Price Index or a predetermined escalation schedule. Substantially all of the leases provide the Company with the option to extend the lease term one or more times following expiration of the initial term. The Company currently does not have any capital leases. At December 31, 2015, future minimum commitments under non-cancelable operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more are as follows: 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Thereafter Future minimum lease payments Operating Leases (in thousands) $3,067 2,400 1,755 1,211 2,382 659 $11,474 Rent expense under operating leases was $6,241,000 in 2015, $4,786,000 in 2014, and $4,300,000 in 2013. Rent expense was offset by rent income of $217,000 in 2015, $225,000 in 2014, and $216,000 in 2013. Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk— The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit, and deposit account overdraft privilege. Those instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet. The contract amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in particular classes of financial instruments. The Company’s exposure to loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit written is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. The Company’s exposure to loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for deposit account overdraft privilege is represented by the overdraft privilege amount disclosed to the deposit account holder. 82 Note 18 - Commitments and Contingencies (continued) The following table presents a summary of the Bank’s commitments and contingent liabilities: (in thousands) Financial instruments whose amounts represent risk: Commitments to extend credit: Commercial loans Consumer loans Real estate mortgage loans Real estate construction loans Standby letters of credit Deposit account overdraft privilege December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 $196,399 394,278 42,793 71,846 8,330 94,473 $177,557 392,705 36,139 49,774 17,531 101,060 Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates of one year or less or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on Management’s credit evaluation of the customer. Collateral held varies, but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, residential properties, and income-producing commercial properties. Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Those guarantees are primarily issued to support private borrowing arrangements. Most standby letters of credit are issued for one year or less. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. Collateral requirements vary, but in general follow the requirements for other loan facilities. Deposit account overdraft privilege amount represents the unused overdraft privilege balance available to the Company’s deposit account holders who have deposit accounts covered by an overdraft privilege. The Company has established an overdraft privilege for certain of its deposit account products whereby all holders of such accounts who bring their accounts to a positive balance at least once every thirty days receive the overdraft privilege. The overdraft privilege allows depositors to overdraft their deposit account up to a predetermined level. The predetermined overdraft limit is set by the Company based on account type. Legal Proceedings— The Bank owns 13,396 shares of Class B common stock of Visa Inc. which are convertible into Class A common stock at a conversion ratio of 1.648265 per Class B share. As of December 31, 2015, the value of the Class A shares was $77.55 per share. Utilizing the conversion ratio, the value of unredeemed Class A equivalent shares owned by the Bank was $1,712,000 as of December 31, 2015, and has not been reflected in the accompanying financial statements. The shares of Visa Class B common stock are restricted and may not be transferred. Visa Member Banks are required to fund an escrow account to cover settlements, resolution of pending litigation and related claims. If the funds in the escrow account are insufficient to settle all the covered litigation, Visa may sell additional Class A shares, use the proceeds to settle litigation, and further reduce the conversion ratio. If funds remain in the escrow account after all litigation is settled, the Class B conversion ratio will be increased to reflect that surplus. On January 24, 2014, a putative shareholder class action lawsuit was filed against TriCo, North Valley Bancorp and certain other defendants in connection with TriCo entering into the merger agreement with North Valley Bancorp. The lawsuit, which was filed in the Shasta County, California Superior Court, alleges that the members of the North Valley Bancorp board of directors breached their fiduciary duties to North Valley Bancorp shareholders by approving the proposed merger for inadequate consideration; approving the transaction in order receive benefits not equally shared by other North Valley Bancorp shareholders; entering into the merger agreement containing preclusive deal protection devices; and failing to take steps to maximize the value to be paid to the North Valley Bancorp shareholders. The lawsuit alleges claims against TriCo for aiding and abetting these alleged breaches of fiduciary duties. The plaintiff seeks, among other things, declaratory and injunctive relief concerning the alleged breaches of fiduciary duties injunctive relief prohibiting consummation of the merger, rescission, attorneys’ of the merger agreement, fees and costs, and other and further relief. On July 31, 2014 the defendants entered into a memorandum of understanding with the plaintiffs regarding the settlement of this lawsuit. In connection with the settlement contemplated by the memorandum of understanding and in consideration for the full settlement and release of all claims, TriCo and North Valley Bancorp agreed to make certain additional disclosures related to the proposed merger, which are contained in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed by each of the companies. The memorandum of understanding contemplated that the parties would negotiate in good faith and use their reasonable best efforts to enter into a stipulation of settlement. The parties entered into a stipulation of settlement dated May 18, 2015 that was subject to customary conditions, including final court approval following notice to North Valley Bancorp’s shareholders. The parties amended the stipulation on October 19, 2015. Following a hearing in Shasta County Superior Court on October 26, 2015, the Court approved and entered a final Stipulated Judgement concluding the case and dismissing all the named individual director defendants. The Court awarded the plaintiff $250,000 in fees. A liability related to this potential settlement was established by North Valley Bancorp prior to its acquisition by TriCo on October 3, 2015, and that liability was recorded by TriCo as part of its purchase accounting of North Valley Bancorp on October 3, 2015. 83 Note 18 - Commitments and Contingencies (continued) On September 15, 2014, a former Personal Banker at one of the Bank’s in-store branches filed a Class Action Complaint against the Bank in Butte County Superior Court, alleging causes of action related to the observance of meal and rest periods and seeking to represent a class of current and former hourly-paid or non-exempt personal bankers, or employees with the same or similar job duties, employed by Defendants within the State of California during the preceding four years. On or about June 25, 2015, Plaintiff filed an Amended Complaint expanding the class definition to all current and formerly hourly-paid or non- exempt branch employees employed by Defendant’s within the State of California at any time during the period from September 15, 2010 to final judgment. The Bank has responded to the First Amended Complaint, denying the charges, and the parties have engaged in written discovery. The parties are in the process of scheduling the matter for mediation in the June – July, 2016 time period. On January 20, 2015, a current Personal Banker at one of the Bank’s in-store branches filed a First Amended Complaint against Tri Counties Bank and TriCo Bancshares, dba Tri Counties Bank, in Sacramento County Superior Court, alleging causes of action related to wage statement violations. Plaintiff seeks to represent a class of current and former exempt and non-exempt employees who worked for the Bank during the time period beginning October 18, 2013 through the date of the filing of this action. The Company and the Bank have responded to the First Amended Complaint, deny the charges, and has engaged in written discovery with Plaintiff. The parties intend to mediate this matter in a joint mediation with the above matter this summer. Neither the Company nor its subsidiaries, are party to any other material pending legal proceeding, nor is their property the subject of any material pending legal proceeding, except routine legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of their business. None of these proceedings is expected to have a material adverse impact upon the Company’s business, consolidated financial position or results of operations. Other Commitments and Contingencies—The Company has entered into employment agreements or change of control agreements with certain officers of the Company providing severance payments and accelerated vesting of benefits under supplemental retirement agreements to the officers in the event of a change in control of the Company and termination for other than cause or after a substantial and material change in the officer’s title, compensation or responsibilities. Mortgage loans sold to investors may be sold with servicing rights retained, with only the standard legal representations and warranties regarding recourse to the Bank. Management believes that any liabilities that may result from such recourse provisions are not significant. Note 19 – Shareholders’ Equity Dividends Paid The Bank paid to the Company cash dividends in the aggregate amounts of $13,304,000, $8,270,000, and $8,175,000 in 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. The Bank is regulated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the State of California Department of Business Oversight. Absent approval from the Commissioner of Department of Business Oversight, California banking laws generally limit the Bank’s ability to pay dividends to the lesser of (1) retained earnings or (2) net income for the last three fiscal years, less cash distributions paid during such period. Under this law, at December 31, 2015, the Bank may pay dividends of $73,297,000. Shareholders’ Rights Plan On June 25, 2001, the Company announced that its Board of Directors adopted and entered into a Shareholder Rights Agreement designed to protect and maximize shareholder value and to assist the Board of Directors in ensuring fair and equitable benefit to all shareholders in the event of a hostile bid to acquire the Company. The Company adopted the Rights Agreement to protect shareholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics. In general terms, the Rights Plan would have imposed a significant penalty upon any person or group that acquired 15% or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock without approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. On June 4, 2014, the Company entered into an amendment to its Rights Agreement terminating the Rights Agreement as of that date. At the time of the termination, all Rights distributed to holders of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the Rights Agreement expired. Stock Repurchase Plan On August 21, 2007, the Board of Directors adopted a plan to repurchase, as conditions warrant, up to 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market. The timing of purchases and the exact number of shares to be purchased will depend on market conditions. The 500,000 shares authorized for repurchase under this stock repurchase plan represented approximately 3.2% of the Company’s 15,814,662 outstanding common shares as of August 21, 2007. This stock repurchase plan has no expiration date. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had repurchased 166,600 shares under this plan. Stock Repurchased Under Equity Compensation Plans During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, employees tendered 106,355, 103,268, and 172,941, respectively, of the Company’s common stock with market value of $2,868,000, $2,551,000, and $3,490,000, respectively, in lieu of cash to exercise options to purchase shares of the Company’s stock and to pay income taxes related to such exercises as permitted by the Company’s shareholder- approved equity compensation plans. The tendered shares were retired. The market value of tendered shares is the last market trade price at closing on the day an option is exercised. Stock repurchased under equity incentive plans are not counted in the total of stock repurchased under the stock repurchase plan announced August 21, 2007. 84 Note 20 - Stock Options and Other Equity-Based Incentive Instruments In March 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the TriCo Bancshares 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (2009 Plan) covering officers, employees, directors of, and consultants to, the Company. The 2009 Plan was approved by the Company’s shareholders in May 2009. The 2009 Plan allows for the granting of the following types of “stock awards” (Awards): incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, performance awards, restricted stock, restricted stock unit (RSU) awards and stock appreciation rights. RSUs that vest based solely on the grantee remaining in the service of the Company for a certain amount of time, are referred to as “service condition vesting RSUs”. RSUs that vest based on the grantee remaining in the service of the Company for a certain amount of time and a market condition such as the total return of the Company’s common stock versus the total return of an index of bank stocks, are referred to as “market plus service condition vesting RSUs”. In May 2013, the Company’s shareholders approved an amendment to the 2009 Plan increasing the maximum aggregate number of shares of TriCo’s common stock which may be issued pursuant to or subject to Awards from 650,000 to 1,650,000. The number of shares available for issuance under the 2009 Plan is reduced by: (i) one share for each share of common stock issued pursuant to a stock option or a Stock Appreciation Right and (ii) two shares for each share of common stock issued pursuant to a Performance Award, a Restricted Stock Award or a Restricted Stock Unit Award. When Awards made under the 2009 Plan expire or are forfeited or cancelled, the underlying shares will become available for future Awards under the 2009 Plan. To the extent that a share of common stock pursuant to an Award that counted as two shares against the number of shares again becomes available for issuance under the 2009 Plan, the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2009 Plan shall increase by two shares. Shares awarded and delivered under the 2009 Plan may be authorized but unissued, or reacquired shares. As of December 31, 2015, 670,000 options for the purchase of common shares, and 78,383 restricted stock units were outstanding, and 734,107 shares remain available for issuance, under the 2009 Plan. In May 2001, the Company adopted the TriCo Bancshares 2001 Stock Option Plan (2001 Plan) covering officers, employees, directors of, and consultants to, the Company. Under the 2001 Plan, the option exercise price cannot be less than the fair market value of the Common Stock at the date of grant except in the case of substitute options. Options for the 2001 Plan expire on the tenth anniversary of the grant date. Vesting schedules under the 2001 Plan are determined individually for each grant. As of December 31, 2015, 278,350 options for the purchase of common shares were outstanding under the 2001 Plan. As of May 2009, as a result of the shareholder approval of the 2009 Plan, no new options may be granted under the 2001 Plan. Stock option activity is summarized in the following table for the dates indicated: Outstanding at December 31, 2014 Options granted Options exercised Options forfeited Outstanding at December 31, 2015 Number of Shares 1,102,850 - (154,000) - 948,350 Option Price per Share $12.63 - $15.34 - $12.63 - to $25.91 to to $22.54 to to $25.91 - Weighted Average Exercise Price $18.25 - $20.17 - $17.94 The following table shows the number, weighted-average exercise price, intrinsic value, and weighted average remaining contractual life of options exercisable, options not yet exercisable and total options outstanding as of December 31, 2015: Number of options Weighted average exercise price Intrinsic value (in thousands) Weighted average remaining contractual term (yrs.) Currently Exercisable 710,650 $18.10 6,641 4.1 Currently Not Exercisable 237,700 $17.48 2,369 6.6 Total Outstanding 948,350 $17.94 9,010 4.8 The 237,700 options that are currently not exercisable as of December 31, 2015 are expected to vest, on a weighted-average basis, over the next 1.6 years, and the Company is expected to recognize $1,066,000 of pre-tax compensation costs related to these options as they vest. The Company did not modify any option grants during 2015 or 2014. The following table shows the total intrinsic value of options exercised, the total fair value of options vested, total compensation costs for options recognized in income, and total tax benefit recognized in income related to compensation costs for options during the periods indicated: Intrinsic value of options exercised Fair value of options that vested Total compensation costs for options recognized in income Total tax benefit recognized in income related to compensation costs for options Weighted average fair value of grants (per option) Years Ended December 31, 2014 $1,209,000 $965,000 $965,000 2013 $1,777,000 $1,150,000 $1,150,000 $378,000 $8.17 $484,000 $8.91 2015 $969,000 $734,000 $734,000 $380,000 n/a 85 Note 20 - Stock Options and Other Equity-Based Incentive Instruments (continued) The fair value of the Company’s stock option grants is estimated on the measurement date, which, for the Company, is the date of grant. The fair value of stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Company estimated expected market price volatility and expected term of the options based on historical data and other factors. The weighted-average assumptions used to determine the fair value of options granted are detailed in the table below: Assumptions used to value option grants: Average expected terms (years) Volatility Annual rate of dividends Discount rate 2015 n/a n/a n/a n/a Year Ended December 31, 2014 6.3 42.1% 1.90% 1.69% 2013 7.0 56.2% 1.87% 1.26% Restricted stock unit (RSU) activity is summarized in the following table for the dates indicated: Outstanding at December 31, 2014 RSUs granted RSUs added through dividend credits RSUs released RSUs forfeited/expired Outstanding at December 31, 2015 Service Condition Vesting RSUs Weighted Average Fair Value on Date of Grant $23.45 Number of RSUs 30,920 30,348 962 (12,064) (3,880) 46,286 Market Plus Service Condition Vesting RSUs Weighted Average Fair Value on Date of Grant $21.01 Number of RSUs 15,366 18,348 - - (1,617) 32,097 The 46,286 of service condition vesting RSUs outstanding as of December 31, 2015 include a feature whereby each RSU outstanding is credited with a dividend amount equal to any common stock cash dividend declared and paid, and the credited amount is divided by the closing price of the Company’s stock on the dividend payable date to arrive at an additional amount of RSUs outstanding under the original grant. The 46,286 of service condition vesting RSUs that are currently outstanding as of December 31, 2015 are expected to vest, and be released, on a weighted-average basis, over the next 1.5 years. The Company is expected to recognize $730,000 of pre-tax compensation costs related to these service condition vesting RSUs between December 31, 2015 and their vesting dates. During the 2015, the Company did not modify any service condition vesting RSUs. During the three months ended December 31, 2014, the Company modified 13,749 service condition vesting RSUs that were granted on August 11, 2014 such that their vesting schedule was changed from 100% vesting on August 11, 2018 to 25% vesting on each of August 11, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. The 32,097 of market plus service condition vesting RSUs outstanding as of December 31, 2015 are expected to vest, and be released, on a weighted-average basis, over the next 2.0 years. The Company is expected to recognize $452,000 of pre-tax compensation costs related to these RSUs between December 31, 2015 and their vesting dates. As of December 31, 2015, the number of market plus service condition vesting RSUs outstanding that will actually vest, and be released, may be reduced to zero or increased to 48,146 depending on the total return of the Company’s common stock versus the total return of an index of bank stocks from the grant date to the vesting date. The Company did not modify any market plus service condition vesting RSUs during 2015 or 2014. The following table shows the compensation costs for RSUs recognized in income for the periods indicated: Total compensation costs for RSUs recognized in income: Service condition vesting RSUs Market plus service condition vesting RSUs 2015 $458,000 $179,000 Year Ended December 31, 2014 $126,000 $42,000 2013 - - 86 Note 21 - Noninterest Income and Expense The components of other noninterest income were as follows (in thousands): Service charges on deposit accounts ATM and interchange fees Other service fees Mortgage banking service fees Change in value of mortgage servicing rights Total service charges and fees Gain on sale of loans Commissions on sale of non-deposit investment products Increase in cash value of life insurance Change in indemnification asset Gain on sale of foreclosed assets Sale of customer checks Lease brokerage income Gain (loss) on disposal of fixed assets Gain on life insurance death benefit Other Total other noninterest income Total noninterest income 2015 $14,276 13,105 2,977 2,164 (701) 31,821 3,064 3,349 2,786 (207) 991 492 712 (129) 155 2,313 13,526 $45,347 Years Ended December 31, 2014 $11,811 9,651 2,206 1,869 (1,301) 24,236 2,032 2,995 1,953 (856) 2,153 450 504 49 - 1,000 10,280 $34,516 2013 $12,716 8,370 2,144 1,774 253 25,257 5,602 2,983 1,727 (1,649) 1,640 377 337 (39) - 594 11,572 $36,829 Mortgage loan servicing fees, net of change in fair value of mortgage loan servicing rights, totaling $1,463,000, $568,000, and $2,027,000, were recorded in service charges and fees noninterest income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. The components of noninterest expense were as follows (in thousands): Base salaries, net of deferred loan origination costs Incentive compensation Benefits and other compensation costs Total salaries and benefits expense Occupancy Equipment Data processing and software Assessments ATM network charges Advertising Professional fees Telecommunications Postage Courier service Foreclosed assets expense Intangible amortization Operational losses Provision for foreclosed asset losses Change in reserve for unfunded commitments Legal settlement Merger expense Other Total other noninterest expense Total noninterest expense Merger expense: Incentive compensation Benefits and other compensation costs Data processing and software Professional fees Other Total merger expense 2015 $46,822 6,964 17,619 71,405 10,126 5,997 7,670 2,572 3,371 3,992 4,545 3,007 1,296 1,154 490 1,157 737 502 330 - 586 11,904 59,436 $130,841 - - $108 120 358 $586 Years Ended December 31, 2014 $39,342 5,068 13,134 57,544 2013 $34,404 4,694 12,838 51,936 8,203 4,514 6,512 2,107 2,996 2,413 3,888 2,870 949 1,055 528 446 764 208 (395) - 4,858 10,919 52,835 $110,379 $1,174 94 475 2,390 725 $4,858 7,405 4,162 4,844 2,248 2,480 1,981 2,707 2,449 786 988 514 209 618 682 (1,200) 339 312 10,144 41,668 $93,604 - - - $312 - $312 87 Note 22 - Income Taxes The components of consolidated income tax expense are as follows: Current tax expense Federal State Deferred tax expense (benefit) Federal State Total tax expense 2015 $21,076 7,139 28,215 408 273 681 $28,896 2014 (in thousands) $14,485 5,016 19,501 (794) (199) (993) $18,508 2013 $11,618 4,261 15,879 1,976 550 2,526 $18,405 A deferred tax asset or liability is recognized for the tax consequences of temporary differences in the recognition of revenue and expense for financial and tax reporting purposes. The net change during the year in the deferred tax asset or liability results in a deferred tax expense or benefit. Taxes recorded directly to shareholders’ equity are not included in the preceding table. These taxes (benefits) relating to changes in unfunded status of the supplemental retirement plans amounting to $904,000 in 2015, $(2,984,000) in 2014, and $1,269,000 in 2013, taxes (benefits) related to unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investment securities amounting to $(797,000) in 2015, $(68,000) in 2014, and $(1,780,000) in 2013, taxes (benefits) related to employee stock options of $479,000 in 2105, $97,000 in 2014, and $138,000 in 2013, were recorded directly to shareholders' equity. The Company recognized $354,000 of tax credits and other tax benefits relating to our investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects for the year ended December 31, 2015. The amortization expense related to our investment in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $277,000. Prior to 2015, the Company had no investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects. The carrying value of Low Income Housing Tax Credit Funds as of December 31, 2015 was $4,223,000. As of December 31, 2015, the Company has committed to make additional capital contributions to the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Funds in the amount of $3,330,000, and these contributions are expected to be made over the next several years. The temporary differences, tax effected, which give rise to the Company’s net deferred tax asset recorded in other assets are as follows as of December 31 for the years indicated: Deferred tax assets: Allowance for lossesand r4eserve for unfunded commitments Deferred compensation Accrued pension liability Accrued bonus Other accrued expenses Unfunded status of the supplemental retirement plans State taxes Share based compensation Nonaccrual interest OREO write downs Acquisition cost basis Tax credits Net operating loss carryforwards Other Total deferred tax assets Deferred tax liabilities: Securities income Unrealized gain on securities Depreciation Merger related fixed asset valuations Securities accretion Mortgage servicing rights valuation Indemnification asset Core deposit intangible Junior subordinated debt Prepaid expenses and other Total deferred tax liability Net deferred tax asset 88 2015 2014 (in thousands) $16,182 2,827 8,597 1,326 143 2,411 2,297 2,701 1,979 241 5,118 491 5,252 889 50,454 (1,362) (902) (2,654) (54) (485) (3,118) 219 (2,331) (2,699) (628) (14,014) $36,440 $16,284 3,115 7,925 1,149 124 3,315 1,713 2,534 2,714 198 6,017 490 7,128 625 53,331 (1,362) (1,699) (3,072) (54) (287) (2,977) 147 (2,802) (2,782) (737) (15,625) $37,706 Note 22 - Income Taxes (continued) As part of the merger with North Valley in 2014, TriCo acquired federal and state net operating loss carryforwards, capital loss carryforwards, and tax credit carryforwards. These tax attribute carryforwards will be subject to provisions of the tax law that limit the use of such losses and credits generated by a company prior to the date certain ownership changes occur. The amount of the Company’s net operating loss carryforwards that would be subject to these limitations as of December 31, 2015 were $9.2 million and $30.7 million for federal and California, respectively. The amount of the Company’s capital loss carryforwards that would be subject to these limitations as of December 31, 2015 were $78,000 and $356,000 for federal and California, respectively. The amount of the Company’s tax credits that would be subject to these limitations as of December 31, 2015 are $69,000 and $2.7 million for federal and California, respectively. Due to the limitation, a significant portion of the state tax credits will expire regardless of whether the Company generates future taxable income. As such, the Company has recorded the future benefit of these tax credits on the books at the value which is more likely than not to be realized. These tax loss and tax credit carryforwards expire at various dates beginning in 2018. The Company believes that a valuation allowance is not needed to reduce the deferred tax assets as it is more likely than not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the deferred tax assets, including the tax attribute carryforwards acquired as part of the North Valley merger. As part of the North Valley merger, TriCo inherited an unrecognized tax benefit for tax positions claimed on prior year tax returns filed by North Valley. The Company had an unrecognized tax benefit of $182,000 as of December 31, 2015, the recognition of which would reduce the Company’s tax expense by $116,000. Management does not expect the unrecognized tax benefit will materially change in the next 12 months. A summary of changes in the Company’s unrecognized tax benefit (including interest and penalties) in 2015 is as follows: (in thousands) As of December 31, 2014 Lapse of the applicable statute of limitations As of December 31, 2015 UTB 227 (59) 168 Interest/Penalties 18 (4) 14 Total 245 (63) 182 During the year ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company recognized no interest and penalties related to taxes. The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and California. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal and state/local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2012 and 2011, respectively. The provisions for income taxes applicable to income before taxes for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 differ from amounts computed by applying the statutory Federal income tax rates to income before taxes. The effective tax rate and the statutory federal income tax rate are reconciled as follows: Federal statutory income tax rate State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit Tax-exempt interest on municipal obligations Tax-exempt life insurance related income Non-deductible joint beneficiary agreement expense Non-deductible merger expense Other Effective Tax Rate Years Ended December 31, 2014 35.0% 7.0 (0.4) (1.5) 0.2 1.0 0.2 41.5% 2015 35.0% 6.6 (0.7) (1.3) 0.1 - - 39.7% 2013 35.0% 6.8 (0.4) (1.3) 0.2 - (0.1) 40.2% Note 23 – Earnings per Share Basic earnings per share represents income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued, as well as any adjustments to income that would result from assumed issuance. Potential common shares that may be issued by the Company relate solely from outstanding stock options, and are determined using the treasury stock method. Earnings per share have been computed based on the following: Net income (in thousands) (number of shares in thousands) Average number of common shares outstanding Effect of dilutive stock options Average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per share 2015 $43,818 Years ended December 31, 2014 $26,108 2013 $27,399 22,750 248 22,998 17,716 207 17,923 16,045 152 16,197 Based on an average of quarterly computations, there were 20,625, 95,600, and 407,985 options and restricted stock units excluded from the computation of annual diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, because the effect of these options and restricted stock units were antidilutive. 89 Note 24 – Comprehensive Income Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income. Although certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, are reported as a separate component of the equity section of the balance sheet, such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income. The components of other comprehensive income and related tax effects are as follows: Unrealized holding losses on available for sale securities before reclassifications Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income Unrealized holding losses on available for sale securities after reclassifications Tax effect Unrealized holding losses on available for sale securities, net of tax Change in unfunded status of the supplemental retirement plans before reclassifications Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income: Amortization of prior service cost Amortization of actuarial losses Total amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income Change in unfunded status of the supplemental retirement plans after reclassifications Tax effect Change in unfunded status of the supplemental retirement plans, net of tax Change in joint beneficiary agreement liability before reclassifications Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income Change in joint beneficiary agreement liability after reclassifications Tax effect Change in joint beneficiary agreement liability, net of tax Total other comprehensive income (loss) 2015 $(1,895) - (1,895) 797 (1,098) 1,384 (57) 823 766 2,150 (904) 1,246 277 - 277 - 277 $425 Years Ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands) $(162) - (162) 68 (94) 2013 $(4,232) - (4,232) 1,780 (2,452) (7,253) 138 17 155 (7,098) 2,984 (4,114) 148 - 148 - 148 $(4,060) 2,575 153 291 444 3,019 (1,269) 1,750 400 - 400 - 400 $(302) The components of accumulated other comprehensive income, included in shareholders’ equity, are as follows: Net unrealized gains on available for sale securities Tax effect Unrealized holding gains on available for sale securities, net of tax Unfunded status of the supplemental retirement plans Tax effect Unfunded status of the supplemental retirement plans, net of tax Joint beneficiary agreement liability Tax effect Joint beneficiary agreement liability, net of tax Accumulated other comprehensive loss December 31, 2015 2014 (in thousands) $2,145 (902) 1,243 (5,735) 2,411 (3,324) 303 - 303 $(1,778) $4,040 (1,699) 2,341 (7,885) 3,315 (4,570) 26 - 26 $(2,203) Note 25 - Retirement Plans 401(k) Plan The Company sponsors a 401(k) Plan whereby substantially all employees age 21 and over with 90 days of service may participate. Participants may contribute a portion of their compensation subject to certain limits based on federal tax laws. Prior to July 1, 2015, the Company did not contribute to the 401(k) Plan. Effective July 1, 2015, the Company initiated a discretionary matching contribution equal to 50% of participant’s elective deferrals each quarter, up to 4% of eligible compensation. The Company recorded $300,000, $0, and $0 of salaries & benefits expense attributable to the 401(k) Plan matching contribution during the years 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. During 2015, 2014, and 2013 the Company did not contribute to the 401(k) Plan. Employee Stock Ownership Plan Substantially all employees with at least one year of service are covered by a discretionary employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Contributions are made to the plan at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Contributions to the plan totaling $2,651,000, $1,294,000, and $1,648,000 were made during 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Expenses related to the Company’s ESOP, are included in benefits and other compensation costs under salaries and benefits expense, and were $2,282,000, $1,467,000, and $1,648,000 during 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Company shares owned by the ESOP are paid dividends and included in the calculation of earnings per share exactly as other common shares outstanding. 90 Note 25 - Retirement Plans (continued) Deferred Compensation Plans The Company has deferred compensation plans for certain directors and key executives, which allow certain directors and key executives designated by the Board of Directors of the Company to defer a portion of their compensation. The Company has purchased insurance on the lives of the participants and intends to hold these policies until death as a cost recovery of the Company’s deferred compensation obligations of $6,725,000 and $7,408,000 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Earnings credits on deferred balances totaling $538,000 in 2015, $551,000 in 2014, and $568,000 in 2013, respectively, are included in noninterest expense. Supplemental Retirement Plans The Company has supplemental retirement plans for certain directors and key executives. These plans are non-qualified defined benefit plans and are unsecured and unfunded. The Company has purchased insurance on the lives of the participants and intends to hold these policies until death as a cost recovery of the Company’s retirement obligations. The cash values of the insurance policies purchased to fund the deferred compensation obligations and the supplemental retirement obligations were $94,560,000 and $92,337,000 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company recorded in other liabilities the unfunded status of the supplemental retirement plans of $5,735,000 and $7,885,000 related to the supplemental retirement plans as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These amounts represent the amount by which the projected benefit obligations for these retirement plans exceeded the fair value of plan assets plus amounts previously accrued related to the plans. The projected benefit obligation is recorded in other liabilities. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the unfunded status of the supplemental retirement plans of $5,735,000 and $7,885,000 were offset by a reduction of shareholders’ equity accumulated other comprehensive loss of $3,324,000 and $4,570,000, respectively, representing the after- tax impact of the unfunded status of the supplemental retirement plans, and the related deferred tax asset of $2,411,000 and $3,315,000, respectively. Amounts recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss as of year-end that have not been recognized as a component of the combined net period benefit cost of the Company’s defined benefit pension plans are presented in the following table. The Company expects to recognize approximately $549,000 of the net actuarial loss reported in the following table as of December 31, 2015 as a component of net periodic benefit cost during 2016. (in thousands) Transition obligation Prior service cost Net actuarial loss Amount included in accumulated other comprehensive loss Deferred tax benefit Amount included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax December 31, 2015 $7 (115) 5,843 5,735 (2,411) $3,324 2014 $9 (173) 8,049 7,885 (3,315) $4,570 Information pertaining to the activity in the supplemental retirement plans, using a measurement date of December 31, is as follows: Change in benefit obligation: Benefit obligation at beginning of year Acquisition Service cost Interest cost Actuarial (loss)/gain Benefits paid Benefit obligation at end of year Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year Fair value of plan assets at end of year Funded status Unrecognized net obligation existing at January 1, 1986 Unrecognized net actuarial loss Unrecognized prior service cost Accumulated other comprehensive income Accrued benefit cost December 31, 2015 2014 (in thousands) $(26,798) - (1,023) (957) 1,382 1,212 $(14,634) (4,150) (652) (739) (7,254) 631 $(26,184) $(26,798) $ — $ — $(26,184) 7 5,843 (115) (5,735) $(26,184) $ — $ — $(26,798) 9 8,049 (173) (7,885) $(26,798) Accumulated benefit obligation $(24,469) $(24,739) 91 Note 25 - Retirement Plans (continued) The following table sets forth the net periodic benefit cost recognized for the supplemental retirement plans: Net pension cost included the following components: Service cost-benefits earned during the period Interest cost on projected benefit obligation Amortization of net obligation at transition Amortization of prior service cost Recognized net actuarial loss Net periodic pension cost The following table sets forth assumptions used in accounting for the plans: Discount rate used to calculate benefit obligation Discount rate used to calculate net periodic pension cost Average annual increase in executive compensation Average annual increase in director compensation 2015 $1,023 957 2 (57) 823 $2,748 2015 4.00% 4.00% 2.50% 2.50% Years Ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands) $652 739 2 138 16 2013 $743 643 2 153 291 $1,547 $1,832 Years Ended December 31, 2014 3.65% 3.65% 2.50% 2.50% 2013 4.85% 4.85% 2.50% 2.50% The following table sets forth the expected benefit payments to participants and estimated contributions to be made by the Company under the supplemental retirement plans for the years indicated: Years Ended 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021-2025 Expected Benefit Payments to Participants Estimated Company Contributions (in thousands) $1,104 983 974 845 731 $3,490 $1,104 983 974 845 731 $3,490 Note 26 - Related Party Transactions Certain directors, officers, and companies with which they are associated were customers of, and had banking transactions with, the Company or the Bank in the ordinary course of business. The following table summarizes the activity in these loans for the periods indicated (in thousands): Balance December 31, 2013 Advances/new loans Removed/payments Balance December 31, 2014 Advances/new loans Removed/payments Balance December 31, 2015 $2,636 2,106 (1,610) 3,132 3,098 (2,029) $4,201 Director Chrysler is a principal owner and CEO of Modern Building Inc. Modern Building Inc. provided construction services to the Company related to new and existing Bank facilities for aggregate payments of $1,030,000, $1,181,000, and $4,261,000, during 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 92 Note 27 - Fair Value Measurement The Company utilizes fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. In estimating fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that are consistent with the market approach, income approach, and/or the cost approach. Inputs to valuation techniques include the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability including assumptions about the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique, the effect of a restriction on the sale or use of an asset and the risk of nonperformance. Securities available-for-sale and mortgage servicing rights are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, the Company may be required to record at fair value other assets on a nonrecurring basis, such as loans held for sale, loans held for investment and certain other assets. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve application of lower of cost or market accounting or impairment write-downs of individual assets. The Company groups assets and liabilities at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the observable nature of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are: Level 1 - Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets. Level 2 - Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market. Level 3 - Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques include use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques. Securities available for sale - Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices, if available. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using independent pricing models or other model- based valuation techniques such as the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for the security’s credit rating, prepayment assumptions and other factors such as credit loss assumptions. Level 1 securities include those traded on an active exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange, U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets and money market funds. Level 2 securities include mortgage-backed securities issued by government sponsored entities, municipal bonds and corporate debt securities. The Company had no securities classified as Level 3 during any of the periods covered in these financial statements. Loans held for sale – Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. The fair value of loans held for sale is based on what secondary markets are currently offering for loans with similar characteristics. As such, we classify those loans subjected to nonrecurring fair value adjustments as Level 2. Impaired originated and PNCI loans – Originated and PNCI loans are not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. However, from time to time, an originated or PNCI loan is considered impaired and an allowance for loan losses is established. Originated and PNCI loans for which it is probable that payment of interest and principal will not be made in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement are considered impaired. The fair value of an impaired originated or PNCI loan is estimated using one of several methods, including collateral value, fair value of similar debt, enterprise value, liquidation value and discounted cash flows. Those impaired originated and PNCI loans not requiring an allowance represent loans for which the fair value of the expected repayments or collateral exceed the recorded investments in such loans. Impaired originated and PNCI loans where an allowance is established based on the fair value of collateral require classification in the fair value hierarchy. When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price or a current appraised value which uses substantially observable data, the Company records the impaired originated or PNCI loan as nonrecurring Level 2. When an appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value, or the appraised value contains a significant unobservable assumption, such as deviations from comparable sales, and there is no observable market price, the Company records the impaired originated or PNCI loan as nonrecurring Level 3. Foreclosed assets - Foreclosed assets include assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure. Foreclosed assets are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequent to foreclosure, management periodically performs valuations and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. When the fair value of foreclosed assets is based on an observable market price or a current appraised value which uses substantially observable data, the Company records the impaired originated loan as nonrecurring Level 2. When an appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value, or the appraised value contains a significant unobservable assumption, such as deviations from comparable sales, and there is no observable market price, the Company records the foreclosed asset as nonrecurring Level 3. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation allowance are included in other noninterest expense. Mortgage servicing rights - Mortgage servicing rights are carried at fair value. A valuation model, which utilizes a discounted cash flow analysis using a discount rate and prepayment speed assumptions is used in the computation of the fair value measurement. While the prepayment speed assumption is currently quoted for comparable instruments, the discount rate assumption currently requires a significant degree of management judgment and is therefore considered an unobservable input. As such, the Company classifies mortgage servicing rights subjected to recurring fair value adjustments as Level 3. Additional information regarding mortgage servicing rights can be found in Note 10 in the consolidated financial statements at Item 1 of this report. 93 Note 27 - Fair Value Measurement (continued) The table below presents the recorded amount of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands): Fair value at December 31, 2015 Securities available-for-sale: Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies Obligations of states and political subdivisions Corporate debt securities Marketable equity securities Mortgage servicing rights Total assets measured at fair value Fair value at December 31, 2014 Securities available-for-sale: Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies Obligations of states and political subdivisions Corporate debt securities Marketable equity securities Mortgage servicing rights Total assets measured at fair value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 $313,682 88,218 - 2,985 7,618 $412,503 - $313,682 - - - $2,985 - $2,985 88,218 - - - $401,900 - - - $7,618 $7,618 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 $75,120 - $75,120 - 3,175 1,908 3,002 7,378 $90,583 - - $3,002 - $3,002 3,175 1,908 - - $80,203 - - - $7,378 $7,378 Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized on the actual date of the event or circumstances that caused the transfer, which generally corresponds with the Company’s quarterly valuation process. There were no transfers between any levels during 2015 or 2014. The following table provides a reconciliation of assets and liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) on a recurring basis during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. Had there been any transfer into or out of Level 3 during 2015 or 2014, the amount included in the “Transfers into (out of) Level 3” column would represent the beginning balance of an item in the period (interim quarter) during which it was transferred (in thousands): Year ended December 31, 2015: Mortgage servicing rights 2014: Mortgage servicing rights Ending Balance $7,618 $7,378 Transfers into (out of) Level 3 - $1,944 Change Included in Earnings $(701) $(1,301) Issuances $941 $570 Beginning Balance $7,378 $6,165 The Company’s method for determining the fair value of mortgage servicing rights is described in Note 1. The key unobservable inputs used in determining the fair value of mortgage servicing rights are mortgage prepayment speeds and the discount rate used to discount cash projected cash flows. Generally, any significant increases in the mortgage prepayment speed and discount rate utilized in the fair value measurement of the mortgage servicing rights will result in a negative fair value adjustments (and decrease in the fair value measurement). Conversely, a decrease in the mortgage prepayment speed and discount rate will result in a positive fair value adjustment (and increase in the fair value measurement). Note 10 contains additional information regarding mortgage servicing rights. The following table presents quantitative information about recurring Level 3 fair value measurements at December 31, 2015: Fair Value (in thousands) Valuation Technique Unobservable Inputs Range, Weighted Average Mortgage Servicing Rights $7,618 Discounted cash flow Constant prepayment rate Discount rate 6.3%-20.5%, 9.8% 10.0%-12.0%, 10.0% 94 Note 27 - Fair Value Measurement (continued) The tables below present the recorded amount of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, as of the dates indicated, that had a write-down or an additional allowance provided during the periods indicated (in thousands): Year ended December 31, 2015 Fair value: Impaired Originated & PNCI loans Foreclosed assets Total assets measured at fair value Year ended December 31, 2014 Fair value: Impaired Originated & PNCI loans Foreclosed assets Total assets measured at fair value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Gains (Losses) $4,649 1,839 $6,488 - - - - $4,649 1,839 $6,488 $(663) (418) $(1,081) Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Gains (Losses) $2,480 2,611 $5,091 - - - - - - $2,480 2,611 $5,091 $(636) $(137) $(773) The impaired Originated and PNCI loan amount above represents impaired, collateral dependent loans that have been adjusted to fair value. When we identify a collateral dependent loan as impaired, we measure the impairment using the current fair value of the collateral, less selling costs. Depending on the characteristics of a loan, the fair value of collateral is generally estimated by obtaining external appraisals. If we determine that the value of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, we recognize this impairment and adjust the carrying value of the loan to fair value through the allowance for loan and lease losses. The loss represents charge-offs or impairments on collateral dependent loans for fair value adjustments based on the fair value of collateral. The carrying value of loans fully charged-off is zero. The foreclosed assets amount above represents impaired real estate that has been adjusted to fair value. Foreclosed assets represent real estate which the Bank has taken control of in partial or full satisfaction of loans. At the time of foreclosure, other real estate owned is recorded at the lower of the carrying amount of the loan or fair value less costs to sell, which becomes the property's new basis. Any write-downs based on the asset's fair value at the date of acquisition are charged to the allowance for loan and lease losses. After foreclosure, management periodically performs valuations such that the real estate is carried at the lower of its new cost basis or fair value, net of estimated costs to sell. Fair value adjustments on other real estate owned are recognized within net loss on real estate owned. The loss represents impairments on non-covered other real estate owned for fair value adjustments based on the fair value of the real estate. The Company’s property appraisals are primarily based on the sales comparison approach and income approach methodologies, which consider recent sales of comparable properties, including their income generating characteristics, and then make adjustments to reflect the general assumptions that a market participant would make when analyzing the property for purchase. These adjustments may increase or decrease an appraised value and can vary significantly depending on the location, physical characteristics and income producing potential of each property. Additionally, the quality and volume of market information available at the time of the appraisal can vary from period to period and cause significant changes to the nature and magnitude of comparable sale adjustments. Given these variations, comparable sale adjustments are generally not a reliable indicator for how fair value will increase or decrease from period to period. Under certain circumstances, management discounts are applied based on specific characteristics of an individual property. The following table presents quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements for financial instruments measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at December 31, 2015: Fair Value (in thousands) Valuation Technique Unobservable Inputs Range, Weighted Average Impaired Originated & PNCI loans $4,649 Foreclosed assets (Land & construction) Foreclosed assets (residential (Residential real estate) Foreclosed assets (Commercial real estate) $201 $814 $824 Sales comparison Adjustment for differences between comparable sales Capitalization rate approach Income approach Sales comparison Adjustment for differences between comparable sales Sales comparison Adjustment for differences between comparable sales Sales comparison Adjustment for differences between comparable sales approach approach approach (5.0)%-(5.0)%, (5.0)% 7.0%-8.0 %, 7.25% (5.0)%-(7.0)%, (5.59)% (5.0)%-(8.0)%, (6.04)% (7.0)%-(9.0)%, (7.50)% 95 Note 27 - Fair Value Measurement (continued) In addition to the methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument noted above, the following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of other classes of financial instruments for which it is practical to estimate the fair value. Short-term Instruments - Cash and due from banks, fed funds purchased and sold, interest receivable and payable, and short-term borrowings are considered short-term instruments. For these short-term instruments their carrying amount approximates their fair value. Securities held to maturity – The fair value of securities held to maturity is based upon quoted prices, if available. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using independent pricing models or other model-based valuation techniques such as the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for the security’s credit rating, prepayment assumptions and other factors such as credit loss assumptions. Level 1 securities include those traded on an active exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange, U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets and money market funds. Level 2 securities include mortgage-backed securities issued by government sponsored entities, municipal bonds and corporate debt securities. The Company had no securities held to maturity classified as Level 3 during any of the periods covered in these financial statements. Restricted Equity Securities - It is not practical to determine the fair value of restricted equity securities due to restrictions placed on their transferability. Originated and PNCI loans - The fair value of variable rate originated and PNCI loans is the current carrying value. The interest rates on these originated and PNCI loans are regularly adjusted to market rates. The fair value of other types of fixed rate originated and PNCI loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings for the same remaining maturities. The allowance for loan losses is a reasonable estimate of the valuation allowance needed to adjust computed fair values for credit quality of certain originated and PNCI loans in the portfolio. PCI Loans - PCI loans are measured at estimated fair value on the date of acquisition. Carrying value is calculated as the present value of expected cash flows and approximates fair value. FDIC Indemnification Asset - The fair value of the FDIC indemnification asset is based on the discounted value of expected future cash flows under the loss-share agreement. Deposit Liabilities - The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts, and certain money market deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. These values do not consider the estimated fair value of the Company’s core deposit intangible, which is a significant unrecognized asset of the Company. The fair value of time deposits and other borrowings is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. Other Borrowings - The fair value of other borrowings is calculated based on the discounted value of the contractual cash flows using current rates at which such borrowings can currently be obtained. Junior Subordinated Debentures - The fair value of junior subordinated debentures is estimated using a discounted cash flow model. The future cash flows of these instruments are extended to the next available redemption date or maturity date as appropriate based upon the spreads of recent issuances or quotes from brokers for comparable bank holding companies compared to the contractual spread of each junior subordinated debenture measured at fair value. Commitments to Extend Credit and Standby Letters of Credit - The fair value of commitments is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present credit worthiness of the counter parties. For fixed rate loan commitments, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates. The fair value of letters of credit is based on fees currently charged for similar agreements or on the estimated cost to terminate them or otherwise settle the obligation with the counter parties at the reporting date. Fair values for financial instruments are management’s estimates of the values at which the instruments could be exchanged in a transaction between willing parties. These estimates are subjective and may vary significantly from amounts that would be realized in actual transactions. In addition, other significant assets are not considered financial assets including, any mortgage banking operations, deferred tax assets, and premises and equipment. Further, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on the fair value estimates and have not been considered in any of these estimates. 96 Note 27 - Fair Value Measurement (continued) The estimated fair values of financial instruments that are reported at amortized cost in the Corporation’s consolidated balance sheets, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value, were as follows (in thousands): Financial assets: Level 1 inputs: Cash and due from banks Cash at Federal Reserve and other banks Level 2 inputs: Securities held to maturity Restricted equity securities Loans held for sale Level 3 inputs: Loans, net Financial liabilities: Level 2 inputs: Deposits Other borrowings Level 3 inputs: Junior subordinated debt Off-balance sheet: Level 3 inputs: Commitments Standby letters of credit Overdraft privilege commitments December 31, 2015 Fair Value Carrying Amount December 31, 2014 Carrying Amount Fair Value $94,305 209,156 $94,305 209,156 726,530 16,596 1,873 732,208 N/A 1,873 $93,150 517,578 $93,150 517,578 676,426 16,956 3,579 688,779 N/A 3,579 2,486,926 2,555,297 2,282,524 2,379,155 3,631,266 12,328 3,630,129 12,328 3,380,423 3,380,486 9,276 9,276 $56,470 $44,527 $56,272 $45,053 Contract Amount $705,316 $8,330 $94,473 Fair Value $7,053 $83 $945 Contract Amount $656,175 $17,531 $101,060 Fair Value $6,562 $175 $1,011 Note 28 - TriCo Bancshares Condensed Financial Statements (Parent Only) Condensed Balance Sheets Assets Cash and Cash equivalents Investment in Tri Counties Bank Other assets Total assets Liabilities and shareholders’ equity Other liabilities Junior subordinated debt Total liabilities Shareholders’ equity: Common stock, no par value: authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 22,775,173 and 22,714,964 shares, respectively Retained earnings Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net Total shareholders' equity Total liabilities and shareholders' equity December 31, 2015 2014 (in thousands) $2,565 504,655 1,714 $508,934 $348 56,470 56,818 247,587 206,307 (1,778) 452,116 $508,934 $2,229 470,797 1,902 $474,928 $484 56,272 56,756 244,318 176,057 (2,203) 418,172 $474,928 Condensed Statements of Income Years ended December 31, Interest expense Administration expense Loss before equity in net income of Tri Counties Bank Equity in net income of Tri Counties Bank: Distributed Undistributed Income tax benefit Net income 97 2015 $(1,977) (814) (2,791) 13,304 32,131 1,174 $43,818 2014 (in thousands) $(1,403) (2,720) (4,123) 8,270 20,720 1,241 $26,108 2013 $(1,247) (862) (2,109) 8,175 20,446 887 $27,399 Note 28 - TriCo Bancshares Condensed Financial Statements (Parent Only) (continued) Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income Years ended December 31, Net income Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax: Unrealized holding (losses) gains on securities arising during the period Change in minimum pension liability Change in joint beneficiary agreement liability Other comprehensive (loss) income Net income Condensed Statements of Cash Flows Operating activities: Net income Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Undistributed equity in earnings of Tri Counties Bank Equity compensation vesting expense Equity compensation tax effect Net change in other assets and liabilities Net cash provided by operating activities Investing activities: None Financing activities: Issuance of common stock through option exercise Equity compensation tax effect Repurchase of common stock Cash dividends paid — common Net cash used for financing activities (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents at end of year Note 29 - Regulatory Matters 2015 $43,818 (1,098) 1,246 277 425 $44,243 2015 $43,818 (32,131) 1,370 68 (1,120) 12,005 660 (68) (412) (11,849) (11,669) 336 2,229 $2,565 2014 (in thousands) $26,108 (94) (4,114) 148 (4,060) $22,048 2013 $27,399 (2,452) 1,750 400 (302) $27,097 Years ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands) $26,108 2013 $27,399 (20,720) 1,133 (225) 671 6,967 616 225 (292) (7,807) (7,258) (291) 2,520 $2,229 (20,446) 1,151 (356) (1,100) 6,648 251 356 (501) (6,745) (6,639) 9 2,511 $2,520 The Company is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Failure to meet 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 Company’s consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total, Tier 1, and common equity Tier 1capital to risk-weighted assets, and of Tier 1 capital to average assets. Management believes, as of December 31, 2015, that the Company meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject. 98 Note 29 - Regulatory Matters (continued) The following table presents actual and required capital ratios as of December 31, 2015 for the Company and the Bank under Basel III Capital Rules. The minimum capital amounts presented include the minimum required capital levels as of December 31, 2015 based on the phased-in provisions of the Basel III Capital Rules and the minimum required capital levels as of January 1, 2019 when the Basel III Capital Rules have been fully phased-in. Capital levels required to be considered well capitalized are based upon prompt corrective action regulations, as amended to reflect the changes under the Basel III Capital Rules. Actual Amount Ratio Minimum Capital Required – Basel III Phase-in Schedule Amount Ratio Minimum Capital Required – Basel III Fully Phased In Ratio Amount (dollars in thousands) Required to be Considered Well Capitalized Amount Ratio $474,436 $473,327 15.09% 15.06% $251,555 $251,418 8.00% 8.00% $330,165 $329,985 10.50% 10.50% N/A $314,272 N/A 10.00% $435,950 $434,841 13.86% 13.84% $188,666 $188,563 6.00% 6.00% $267,277 $267,131 8.50% 8.50% N/A $251,418 N/A 8.00% As of December 31, 2015: Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets): Consolidated Tri Counties Bank Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets): Consolidated Tri Counties Bank Common equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets): Consolidated Tri Counties Bank Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets): Consolidated Tri Counties Bank $385,747 $434,841 $435,950 $434,841 12.27% 13.84% 10.79% 10.76% $141,499 $141,422 $161,562 $161,601 4.50% 4.50% 4.00% 4.00% $220,110 $219,990 $161,562 $161,601 7.00% 7.00% 4.00% 4.00% N/A $204,277 N/A 6.50% N/A $202,002 N/A 5.00% The following table presents actual and required capital ratios as of December 31, 2104 for the Company and the Bank under the regulatory capital rules then in effect. As of December 31, 2014: Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets): Consolidated Tri Counties Bank Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets): Consolidated Tri Counties Bank Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets): Consolidated Tri Counties Bank Actual Amount Ratio $436,955 $433,286 15.63% 15.51% $401,971 $398,325 14.38% 14.26% $401,971 $398,325 10.80% 10.71% Minimum Capital Requirement Ratio (dollars in thousands) Amount $223,603 $223,449 $111,801 $111,724 $148,819 $148,734 8.0% 8.0% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% Minimum To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Ratio Amount N/A $279,311 N/A 10.0% N/A $167,587 N/A 6.0% N/A $185,918 N/A 5.0% As of December 31, 2015, capital levels at the Company and the Bank exceed all capital adequacy requirements under the Basel III Capital Rules on a fully phased-in basis. Based on the ratios presented above, capital levels as December 31, 2015 at the Company and the Bank exceed the minimum levels necessary to be considered “well capitalized”. 99 Note 30 - Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited) The following table sets forth the results of operations for the four quarters of 2015 and 2014, and is unaudited; however, in the opinion of Management, it reflects all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the summarized results for such periods. 2015 Quarters Ended December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31, (dollars in thousands, except per share data) Interest and dividend income: Loans: Discount accretion PCI – cash basis Discount accretion PCI – other Discount accretion PNCI All other loan interest income Total loan interest income Debt securities, dividends and interest bearing cash at banks (not FTE) Total interest income Interest expense Net interest income (Benefit from) provision for loan losses Net interest income after provision for loan losses Noninterest income Noninterest expense Income before income taxes Income tax expense Net income Per common share: Net income (diluted) Dividends Interest and dividend income: Loans: Discount accretion PCI – cash basis Discount accretion PCI – other Discount accretion PNCI All other loan interest income Total loan interest income Debt securities, dividends and interest bearing cash at banks (not FTE) Total interest income Interest expense Net interest income (Benefit from) provision for loan losses Net interest income after provision for loan losses Noninterest income Noninterest expense Income before income taxes Income tax expense Net income Per common share: Net income (diluted) Dividends $302 1,392 573 32,571 34,838 7,652 42,490 1,349 41,141 (908) 42,049 11,445 34,684 18,810 7,388 $ 11,422 $ 0.50 $ 0.15 $445 1,090 1,590 30,689 33,814 7,518 41,332 1,339 39,993 (866) 40,859 11,642 31,439 21,062 8,368 $ 12,694 $ 0.55 $ 0.13 $404 907 822 29,886 32,019 7,848 39,867 1,346 38,521 (633) 39,154 12,080 32,436 18,798 7,432 $ 11,366 $ 0.49 $ 0.13 $172 1,274 1,348 28,371 31,165 6,560 37,725 1,382 36,343 197 36,146 10,180 32,282 14,044 5,708 $ 8,336 $ 0.36 $ 0.11 2014 Quarters Ended December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31, (dollars in thousands, except per share data) $203 984 379 22,172 23,738 3,421 27,159 1,087 26,072 (1,355) 27,427 8,295 23,317 12,405 5,040 $ 7,365 $ 0.45 $ 0.11 $107 919 796 28,914 30,736 5,671 36,407 1,437 34,970 (1,421) 36,391 9,755 36,566 9,580 3,930 $ 5,650 $ 0.25 $ 0.11 $290 822 402 23,466 24,980 $69 811 624 22,929 24,433 4,151 29,131 1,082 28,049 (2,977) 31,026 8,589 25,380 14,235 6,001 $ 8,234 $ 0.50 $ 0.11 3,985 28,418 1,075 27,343 1,708 25,635 7,877 25,116 8,396 3,537 $ 4,859 $ 0.30 $ 0.11 100 MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING Management of TriCo Bancshares is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective 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. Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in the 2013 Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation under the framework in the 2013 Internal Control – Integrated Framework, management of the Company has concluded the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(f), as of December 31, 2015. Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations. Internal control over financial reporting is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Internal control over financial reporting can also be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk. Management is also responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements and other financial information contained in this report. The accompanying consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and include, as necessary, best estimates and judgments by management. Crowe Horwath LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015, and the Company’s effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, as stated in its report, which is included herein. /s/ Richard P. Smith Richard P. Smith President and Chief Executive Officer /s/ Thomas J. Reddish Thomas J. Reddish Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer March 10, 2016 101 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Board of Directors and Shareholders TriCo Bancshares Chico, California We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of TriCo Bancshares as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three- year period ended December 31, 2015. We also have audited TriCo Bancshares’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). TriCo Bancshares’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’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. 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. 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. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of TriCo Bancshares as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, TriCo Bancshares maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. /s/ Crowe Horwath LLP Sacramento, California March 10, 2016 102 ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE None. ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES (a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures As of December 31, 2015, the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer each concluded that as of December 31, 2015, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in this Annual Report on Form 10-K was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and instructions for Form 10-K. (b) Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and Attestation Report of Registered Public Accounting Firm Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting is set forth on page 101 of this report and is incorporated herein by reference. The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015 has been audited by Crowe Horwath LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report, which is set forth on page 102 of this report and is incorporated herein by reference. (c) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting No change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the fourth quarter of the year ended December 31, 2015, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION All information required to be disclosed in a current report on Form 8-K during the fourth quarter of 2015 was so disclosed. 103 ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PART III The information required by this Item 10 shall either be incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders, which will be filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A or included in an amendment to this Form 10-K. ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The information required by this Item 11 shall either be incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders, which will be filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A or included in an amendment to this Form 10-K. ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS The information required by this Item 12 shall either be incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders, which will be filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A or included in an amendment to this Form 10-K. ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE The information required by this Item 13 shall either be incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders, which will be filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A or included in an amendment to this Form 10-K. ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES The information required by this Item 14 shall either be incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders, which will be filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A or included in an amendment to this Form 10-K. ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES PART IV (a) Documents filed as part of this report: 1. All Financial Statements. The consolidated financial statements of Registrant are included in Item 8 of this report, and are incorporated herein by reference. 2. Financial statement schedules. Schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable or are not required under the instructions contained in Regulation S-X or because the information required to be set forth therein is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto at Item 8 of this report. 3. Exhibits. The exhibit list required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Exhibit Index filed with this report. (b) Exhibits filed: See Exhibit Index under Item 15(a)(3) above for the list of exhibits required to be filed by Item 601 of regulation S-K with this report. (c) Financial statement schedules filed: See Item 15(a)(2) above. 104 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. SIGNATURES Date: March 10, 2016 TRICO BANCSHARES By: /s/ Richard P. Smith Richard P. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Date: March 10, 2016 Date: March 10, 2016 /s/ Richard P. Smith Richard P. Smith, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ Thomas J. Reddish Thomas J. Reddish, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) Date: March 10, 2016 /s/ Donald J. Amaral Donald J. Amaral, Director Date: March 10, 2016 Date: March 10, 2016 Date: March 10, 2016 Date: March 10, 2016 Date: March 10, 2016 Date: March 10, 2016 Date: March 10, 2016 Date: March 10, 2016 Date: March 10, 2016 Date: March 10, 2016 /s/ William J. Casey William J. Casey, Director and Chairman of the Board /s/ Craig S. Compton Craig S. Compton, Director /s/ L. Gage Chrysler L. Gage Chrysler, Director /s/ Cory W. Giese Cory W. Giese, Director /s/ John S.A. Hasbrook John S.A. Hasbrook, Director /s/ Patrick A. Kilkenny Patrick A. Kilkenny, Director /s/ Michael W. Koehnen Michael W. Koehnen, Director /s/ Martin A. Mariani Martin A. Mariani, Director /s/ W. Virginia Walker W. Virginia Walker, Director /s/ J. M. “Mike” Wells, Jr. J. M. “Mike” Wells, Jr., Director 105 Exhibit No. Exhibit EXHIBIT INDEX 2.1 2.2 2.3 3.1 3.2 4.1 10.1* 10.2* 10.3* 10.4* 10.5* 10.6* 10.7* 10.8* 10.9* Purchase and Assumption Agreement Whole Bank All Deposits, among the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, receiver of Granite Community Bank, N.A., Granite Bay, California, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Tri Counties Bank, dated as of May 28, 2010, and related addendum (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to TriCo’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 3, 2010). Purchase and Assumption Agreement Whole Bank All Deposits, among the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, receiver of Citizens Bank of Northern California, Nevada City, California, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Tri Counties Bank, dated as of September 23, 2011, and related addendum (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to TriCo’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 27, 2011). Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization by and between TriCo and North Valley Bancorp dated January 21, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to TriCo’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 21, 2014). Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to TriCo’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 17, 2009). Bylaws of TriCo, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to TriCo’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 17, 2011). Instruments defining the rights of holders of the long-term debt securities of the TriCo and its subsidiaries are omitted pursuant to section (b)(4)(iii)(A) of Item 601 of Regulation S-K. TriCo hereby agrees to furnish copies of these instruments to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request. Form of Change of Control Agreement dated as of July 17, 2013, among TriCo, Tri Counties Bank and each of Dan Bailey, Craig Carney, Richard O'Sullivan, Thomas Reddish, and Ray Rios (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to TriCo's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 23, 2013). TriCo's 1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to TriCo’s Form S-8 Registration Statement dated August 23, 1995 (No. 33-62063)). TriCo's 2001 Stock Option Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to TriCo’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005). TriCo’s 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to TriCo’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 3, 2013). Amended Employment Agreement between TriCo and Richard Smith dated as of March 28, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to TriCo’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 3, 2013). Transaction Bonus Agreement between TriCo Bancshares and Richard P. Smith dated as of August 7, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to TriCo’s Form 8-K filed on August 13, 2014). Tri Counties Bank Executive Deferred Compensation Plan restated April 1, 1992, and January 1, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to TriCo's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005). Tri Counties Bank Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors effective January 1, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to TriCo's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005). 2005 Tri Counties Bank Deferred Compensation Plan for Executives and Directors effective January 1, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to TriCo's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005). 10.10* Tri Counties Bank Supplemental Retirement Plan for Directors dated September 1, 1987, as restated January 1, 2001, and amended and restated January 1, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to TriCo's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004). 2004 TriCo Bancshares Supplemental Retirement Plan for Directors effective January 1, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to TriCo's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004). 10.11* 10.12* Tri Counties Bank Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan effective September 1, 1987, as amended and restated January 1, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to TriCo's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004). 2004 TriCo Bancshares Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan effective January 1, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to TriCo's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004). 10.13* 10.14* Form of Joint Beneficiary Agreement effective March 31, 2003 between Tri Counties Bank and each of George Barstow, Dan Bay, Ron Bee, Craig Carney, Robert Elmore, Greg Gill, Richard Miller, Richard O’Sullivan, Thomas Reddish, Jerald Sax, and Richard Smith (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to TriCo's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003). 10.15* Form of Joint Beneficiary Agreement effective March 31, 2003 between Tri Counties Bank and each of Don Amaral, William Casey, Craig Compton, John Hasbrook, Michael Koehnen, Donald Murphy, Carroll Taresh, and Alex Vereschagin (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to TriCo's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003). 10.16* Form of Tri Counties Bank Executive Long Term Care Agreement effective June 10, 2003 between Tri Counties Bank and each of Craig Carney, Richard Miller, Richard O’Sullivan, and Thomas Reddish (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to TriCo's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003). 10.17* Form of Tri Counties Bank Director Long Term Care Agreement effective June 10, 2003 between Tri Counties Bank and each of Don Amaral, William Casey, Craig Compton, John Hasbrook, Michael Koehnen, Donald Murphy, Carroll Taresh, and Alex Vereschagin (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to TriCo's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003). 106 Item 6 – Exhibits (continued) 10.18* Form of Indemnification Agreement between TriCo and its directors and executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to TriCo’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 10, 2013). 10.19* Form of Indemnification Agreement between Tri Counties Bank its directors and executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to TriCo’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 10, 2013). 10.20* Form of Stock Option Agreement and Grant Notice pursuant to TriCo’s 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to TriCo’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 25, 2010). 10.21* Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement and Grant Notice for Non-Employee Executives pursuant to TriCo’s 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to TriCo’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 14, 2014). ` 10.22* Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement and Grant Notice for Directors pursuant to TriCo’s 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to TriCo’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 14, 2014). 10.23* Form of 2014 Performance Award Agreement and Grant Notice pursuant to TriCo’s 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to TriCo’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 13, 2014). List of Subsidiaries Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Consent Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of CEO Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of CFO Section 1350 Certification of CEO Section 1350 Certification of CFO 21.1 23.1 31.1 31.2 32.1 32.2 101.INS XBRL Instance Document 101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document 101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document 101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document 101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document 101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document * Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement Exhibit 21.1 List of Subsidiaries of TriCo Bancshares Name Tri Counties Bank TriCo Capital Trust I TriCo Capital Trust II North Valley Capital Trust II North Valley Capital Trust III North Valley Capital Trust IV State of Organization California state-chartered Bank Delaware Delaware Connecticut Connecticut Connecticut Exhibit 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements No. 333-190047, 333-66064, 333-115455 and 333-160405 on Form S-8 of TriCo Bancshares of our report dated March 10, 2016 relating to the consolidated financial statements and effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. /s/ Crowe Horwath LLP Sacramento, California March 10, 2016 107 Exhibit 31.1 Rule 13a-14/15d-14 Certification of CEO I, Richard P. Smith, certify that; 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of TriCo Bancshares; Based on my knowledge, this annual 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 annual report; Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual 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 annual report; 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 we have: a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual 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 evaluations; 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 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 The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors: a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. Date: March 10, 2016 /s/ Richard P. Smith Richard P. Smith President and Chief Executive Officer 108 Exhibit 31.2 Rule 13a-14/15d-14 Certification of CFO I, Thomas J. Reddish, certify that; 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of TriCo Bancshares; Based on my knowledge, this annual 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 annual report; Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual 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 annual report; 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 we have: a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual 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 evaluations; 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 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 The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors: a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. Date: March 10, 2016 /s/ Thomas J. Reddish Thomas J. Reddish Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 109 Exhibit 32.1 Section 1350 Certification of CEO In connection with the Annual Report of TriCo Bancshares (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Richard P. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: (1) (2) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. /s/ Richard P. Smith Richard P. Smith President and Chief Executive Officer A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to TriCo Bancshares and will be retained by TriCo Bancshares and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. Exhibit 32.2 Section 1350 Certification of CFO In connection with the Annual Report of TriCo Bancshares (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Thomas J. Reddish, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: (1) (2) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. /s/ Thomas J. Reddish Thomas J. Reddish Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to TriCo Bancshares and will be retained by TriCo Bancshares and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. 110 

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