EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1109546
Filing Year: 2021
Filename: 1109546_10-K_2021_0001109546-21-000005.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Background
Pacific Mercantile Bancorp is a California corporation that owns 100% of the stock of Pacific Mercantile Bank, a California state chartered commercial bank (which, for convenience, will sometimes be referred to in this Report as the “Bank”). The capital stock of the Bank is our principal asset and substantially all of our business operations are conducted and substantially all of our assets are owned by the Bank which, as a result, accounts for substantially all of our revenues, expenses and income. As the owner of a commercial bank, Pacific Mercantile Bancorp is registered as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “Bank Holding Company Act”), and, as such, our operations are regulated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board” or the “FRB”) and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (“FRBSF”) under delegated authority from the FRB. See “Supervision and Regulation” below in Item 1 of this Report. During the third quarter of 2018, PMBC dissolved its wholly-owned subsidiary, PM Asset Resolution, Inc. (“PMAR”), which was established for the purpose of purchasing certain non-performing loans and other real estate from the Bank and thereafter collecting or disposing of those assets. Prior to PMAR being dissolved, all assets were liquidated and returned to PMBC. For ease of reference, we will sometimes use the terms “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” in this Report to refer to Pacific Mercantile Bancorp on a consolidated basis and “PM Bancorp,” “Bancorp” or “PMBC” to refer to Pacific Mercantile Bancorp on a “stand-alone” or unconsolidated basis.
The Bank, which is headquartered in Orange County, California, approximately 40 miles south of Los Angeles, conducts a commercial banking business in Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and San Diego counties in Southern California. The Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve System and its deposits are insured, to the maximum extent permitted by law, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”).
The Bank commenced business in March 1999, with the opening of its first financial center, located in Newport Beach, California, and in April 1999 it launched its online banking site at www.pmbank.com.
The Bank's commercial lending solutions include working capital lines of credit and asset based lending, 7(a) and 504 Small Business Administration ("SBA") loans, commercial real estate loans, growth capital loans, equipment financing, letters of credit and corporate credit cards. The Bank's depository and corporate banking services include cash and treasury management solutions, interest-bearing term deposit accounts, checking accounts, automated clearinghouse (“ACH”) payment and wire solutions, fraud protection, remote deposit capture, courier services, and online banking. Additionally, the Bank serves clients operating in the global marketplace through services including letters of credit and import/export financing. We have also developed our Horizon Analytics tool which provides financial modeling and analysis to help our customers succeed.
The Bank attracts the majority of its loan and deposit business from the numerous middle market companies located in the Southern California region. The Bank reserves the right to change its business plan at any time, and no assurance can be given that, if the Bank's proposed business plan is followed, it will prove successful.
Our Business Strategy
We plan to expand our business by adhering to a business plan that is focused on building and growing a banking organization offering our clients the best attributes of a community bank, which are personalized and responsive service, while also offering the more sophisticated services of the big banks.
We will continue to focus our services and offer products primarily to mid-size businesses and professional firms in order to achieve internal growth of our banking franchise. We believe this focus will enable us to grow our loan portfolio and other earning assets and increase our core deposits (consisting of non-interest bearing demand, and lower-cost savings and money market deposits), with a goal to increase our net interest margin and improve our profitability. We also believe that, with our existing technology systems, we have the capability to increase the volume of our banking transactions without having to incur the cost or disruption of a major computer enhancement program.
Following our transition to a commercial banking model, it has become clear that our current client base is well served through our online banking and treasury management tools, and they rarely make use of full-service branches. We reduced the size of several branches during 2016, 2017 and 2020. The resultant cost savings from the branch reorganization was redeployed to expand our business development team and more actively promote our online banking. As we add more relationship managers, we believe we can better penetrate our core markets and accelerate the growth of our commercial client base. Our commitment to deliver our banking products through online channels allows us to effectively serve our clients, particularly in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our Commercial Banking Operations
We seek to meet the banking needs of mid-size businesses and professional firms by providing our clients with:
•A broad range of loan and deposit products and banking and financial services, more typically offered by larger banks, in order to gain a competitive advantage over independent or community banks that do not provide the same range or breadth of services that we are able to provide to our clients; and
•A high level of personal service and responsiveness, more typical of independent and community banks, which we believe gives us a competitive advantage over large out-of-state and other large multi-regional banks that may be unable, or unwilling, due to the expense involved, to provide that same level of personal service to this segment of the banking market.
Deposit Products
Deposits are a bank’s principal source of funds for making loans and acquiring other interest earning assets. Additionally, the interest expense that a bank must incur to attract and maintain deposits has a significant impact on its operating results. A bank’s interest expense, in turn, will be determined in large measure by the types of deposits that it offers to, and is able to attract from, its clients. Generally, banks seek to attract “core deposits” which consist of demand deposits that bear no interest and low cost interest-bearing checking, savings and money market deposits. By comparison, time deposits (also sometimes referred to as “certificates of deposit”), including those in denominations of $250,000 or more, usually bear much higher interest rates and are more interest-rate sensitive and volatile than core deposits. A bank that is not able to attract significant amounts of core deposits must rely on more expensive time deposits or alternative sources of cash, such as Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) borrowings, to fund interest-earning assets, which means that its cost of funds are likely to be higher and, as a result, its net interest margin is likely to be lower than a bank with a higher proportion of core deposits. See “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Results of Operations - Net Interest Income” in Item 7 of this Report.
The following table sets forth information regarding the composition, by type of deposits, maintained by our clients during the year ended and as of December 31, 2020:
Average Balance
During the Year Ended
December 31, 2020 Balance at December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Type of Deposit
Noninterest-bearing checking accounts(1)
$ 588,557 $ 647,115
Interest-bearing checking accounts
113,711 129,834
Money market and savings deposits
416,953 392,690
Certificates of deposit(2)
248,801 213,708
Totals $ 1,368,022 $ 1,383,347
(1)Excludes noninterest bearing deposits maintained at the Bank by the Company with an annual average balance of $13.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and a balance of $15.2 million at December 31, 2020.
(2)Comprised of time certificates of deposit in varying denominations under and over $250,000. Excludes certificates of deposit maintained by the Company at the Bank with an average balance of $250,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020 and a balance at December 31, 2020 of $250,000.
Loan Products
We offer our clients a number of different loan products, including commercial loans and credit lines, accounts receivable and inventory financing, SBA guaranteed business loans, and owner-occupied commercial real estate loans. The following table sets forth the types and the amounts of our loans that were outstanding as of December 31, 2020:
At December 31, 2020
Amount Percent of Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial loans, excluding PPP $ 337,427 27.6 %
Commercial loans - PPP 229,728 18.8 %
Commercial real estate loans - owner occupied 197,336 16.1 %
Commercial real estate loans - all other 194,893 15.9 %
Residential mortgage loans - multi-family 159,182 13.0 %
Residential mortgage loans - single family(1)
12,766 1.0 %
Land development loans 11,766 1.0 %
Consumer loans 80,759 6.6 %
Gross loans $ 1,223,857 100.0 %
(1)These loans originated prior to March 2014 and are retained in our loan portfolio as a loan diversification strategy subsequent to our exit from the mortgage business.
Commercial Loans
The commercial loans we offer generally include short-term secured and unsecured business and commercial loans with maturities ranging from 12 to 24 months, accounts receivable financing for terms of up to 24 months, equipment loans which generally amortize over a period of up to 7 years, and SBA guaranteed business loans with terms of up to 10 years. From time to time we will participate in certain special government guaranteed loan programs, such as the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP"), a loan program administered through the SBA that was created to help eligible businesses, organizations and self-employed persons fund their operational costs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The interest rates on these loans generally are adjustable and usually are indexed to The Wall Street Journal’s prime rate and will vary based on market conditions and credit risk. In order to mitigate the risk of borrower default, we generally require collateral to support the credit or, in the case of loans made to businesses, we often require personal guarantees from their owners, or both. In addition, all such loans must have well-defined primary and secondary sources of repayment.
We also offer asset-based lending products made to businesses that are growing rapidly, but cannot internally fund their growth without borrowings. These loans are collateralized by a security interest in all business assets with specific advance rates made against the borrower's accounts receivable and inventory. We control our risk by monitoring borrower cash flow, financial performance and accounts receivable and inventory reports. In 2016, we centralized our loan monitoring function as a means to achieve improved portfolio risk monitoring of substantially all commercial loans, including asset-based loans.
Commercial loan growth is important to the growth and profitability of our banking franchise because commercial loan borrowers typically establish noninterest-bearing (demand) and interest-bearing transaction deposit accounts and banking services relationships with us. Those deposit accounts help us to reduce our overall cost of funds and those banking services relationships provide us with a source of non-interest income.
Commercial Real Estate Loans
The majority of our commercial real estate loans are secured by first trust deeds on nonresidential real property. Loans secured by nonresidential real estate often involve loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers. Payments on these loans depend to a large degree on the rental income stream from the properties and the global cash flows of the borrowers, which are generated from a wide variety of businesses and industries. As a result, repayment of these loans can be affected adversely by changes in the economy in general or by the real estate market more specifically. Accordingly, this type of loan is more difficult to monitor and evaluate. Consequently, we typically require personal guarantees from the owners of the businesses to which we make such loans.
Residential Mortgage Loans - Multi-family
We originate and purchase loans secured by multi-family residential properties (five units and greater) located in our primary market areas. The majority of our current loan portfolio is comprised of loans that we have purchased, with a
particular emphasis on properties situated in low- to moderate-income census tracts. Pursuant to our underwriting practices, multi-family residential loans may be made in an amount up to 75% of the lesser of the appraised value or the purchase price of the collateral property. In addition, we generally require a stabilized minimum debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.25:1, based on the qualifying loan interest rate. Loans are made for terms of up to 30 years with amortization periods up to 30 years.
Business Banking Services
We offer an array of banking and financial services designed to support the needs of our business banking clients. Those services include:
•Our online business banking portal allows our clients to conduct online transactions and access account information; features include the ability to:
◦View account balances and activity, including statements
◦Transfer funds between accounts
◦Access wires, ACH and bill pay capabilities
◦View check images
◦Setup account alerts
◦Prepare customizable reports and dashboards views
◦Download activity into Intuit QuickBooks and Quicken
•Our mobile banking platform allows our clients to conduct transactions and access account information from their mobile device; features include the ability to:
◦View available balances, transactions and transaction details
◦Create one time balance transfers
◦Create bill payments for existing payees
◦Schedule future dated bill payments
◦Cancel scheduled bill payments
◦View recent payments
◦Approve wires, ACH, and balance transfer transactions
◦Deposit checks
◦Find bank locations
•Collection services such as remote deposit capture services (PMB xPress Deposit), remittance payments (Lockbox), and incoming ACH and wire reporting and notification.
•Payable services such as checks, wire transfer and ACH origination, business bill pay service, and business credit cards. We also provide courier and onsite vault services for those clients with cash needs.
•Fraud prevention services such as Positive Pay, ACH Positive Pay, and transactional alerts.
Security Measures
Our ability to provide clients with secure and uninterrupted financial services is of paramount importance to our business. We believe our computer banking systems, services and software meet the highest standards of bank and electronic systems security. The following are among the security measures that we have implemented:
Bank-Wide Security Measures
•Service Continuity. In order to better ensure continuity of service, we have located our critical servers and telecommunications systems at an offsite hardened and secure data center. This center provides the physical environment necessary to keep servers up and running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This data center has raised floors, temperature control systems with separate cooling zones, seismically braced racks, and generators to keep the system operating during power outages and has been designed to withstand fires and major earthquakes. The center also has a wide range of physical security features, including smoke detection and fire suppression systems, motion sensors, and 24/7 secured access, as well as video camera surveillance and security breach alarms. The center is connected to the Internet by redundant high speed data circuits with advanced capacity monitoring.
•Physical Security. All servers and network computers reside in secure facilities. Only employees with proper identification may enter the primary server areas.
•Monitoring. Client transactions on online servers and internal computer systems produce one or more entries into transactional logs. Our personnel routinely review these logs as a means of identifying and taking appropriate action with respect to any abnormal or unusual activity.
Internet Security Measures
We maintain electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal regulations to guard nonpublic personal information. We regularly assess and update our systems to improve our technology for protecting information. Our security measures include:
•Transport Layer Security;
•digital certificates;
•multi-factor authentication;
•data loss prevention systems;
•anti-virus, anti-malware, and patch management systems;
•intrusion detection/prevention systems;
•vulnerability management systems; and
•firewall protection.
We believe the risk of fraud presented by online banking is not materially different from the risk of fraud inherent in any banking relationship. Potential security breaches can arise from any of the following circumstances:
•misappropriation of a client’s account number or password;
•compromise of the client’s computer system;
•penetration of our servers by an outside “hacker;”
•fraud committed by a new client in completing his or her loan application or opening a deposit account with us; and
•fraud committed by employees or service providers.
Both traditional banks and internet banks are vulnerable to these types of fraud. By establishing the security measures described above, we believe we can minimize, to the extent practicable, our vulnerability to the first three types of fraud. To counteract fraud by new clients, employees and service providers, we have established internal procedures and policies designed to ensure that, as in any bank, proper control and supervision is exercised over new clients, employees and service providers. We also maintain insurance intended to protect us from losses due to fraud committed by employees or through breaches in our cyber security.
Additionally, the adequacy of our security measures is reviewed periodically by the FRBSF and the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation ("CDFPI"), which are the federal and state government agencies, respectively, with primary supervisory authority over the Bank. We also retain the services of third party computer security firms to conduct periodic tests of our computer and online banking systems to identify potential threats to the security of our systems and to recommend additional actions that we can take to improve our security measures.
Competition
Competitive Conditions in the Traditional Banking Environment
The banking business in California generally, and in our service area in particular, is highly competitive and is dominated by a relatively small number of large multi-state and California-based banks that have numerous banking offices operating over wide geographic areas. We compete for deposits and loans with those banks, with community banks that are based or have branch offices in our market areas, and with savings banks (also sometimes referred to as “thrifts”), credit unions, money market and other mutual funds, stock brokerage firms, insurance companies, and other traditional and nontraditional financial service organizations. We also compete for clients’ funds with governmental and private entities issuing debt or equity securities or other forms of investments which may offer different and potentially higher yields than those available through bank deposits.
Major financial institutions that operate throughout California and that have offices in our service areas include Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank, JPMorgan Chase, Union Bank of California, Bank of the West, U. S. Bancorp, Comerica Bank and Citibank. Larger independent banks and other financial institutions with offices in our service areas include, among others,
City National Bank, Citizens Business Bank, Manufacturers Bank, Pacific Premier Bank, Banc of California, and California Bank and Trust.
These banks, as well as many other financial institutions in our service areas, have the financial capability to make significant investments in technology and to conduct extensive marketing campaigns and to shift their resources to regions or activities of greater potential profitability. Many of them also offer diversified financial services which we do not presently offer directly. The larger banks and financial institutions also have substantially more capital and higher lending limits than our Bank.
In order to compete with the banks and other financial institutions operating in our service areas, we rely on our ability to provide flexible, more convenient and more personalized service to clients, including online banking services and financial tools. At the same time, we:
•emphasize personal contacts with existing and potential new clients by our directors, officers and other employees;
•develop and participate in local promotional activities;
•seek to develop specialized or streamlined services for clients; and
•offer customized financial modeling with our Horizon Analytics tool.
To the extent clients desire loans in excess of our lending limits or services not offered by us, we attempt to assist them in obtaining such loans or other services through participations with other banks or assistance from our correspondent banks or third party vendors.
Competitive Conditions in Online Banking
There are a number of banks that offer services exclusively over the internet, such as E*TRADE Bank, and other banks, such as Bank of America and Wells Fargo Bank, that market their internet banking services to their clients nationwide. However, most community banks do offer varying levels of internet banking services to their clients by relying on third party vendors to provide the functionality they need to provide such services. Additionally, many of the larger banks have greater market presence and greater financial resources to market their internet banking services than do we. Moreover, new competitors (including non-bank fintech start-ups) and other competitive factors have emerged over the past few years as part of the rapid development of internet commerce. We believe that these findings support our strategic decision, made at the outset of our business, to offer clients the benefits of both traditional and online banking services. Utilization trends continue to show that our clients largely favor online banking services over traditional branch services. We believe that this strategy has been an important factor in our recent growth in core deposits and will contribute to our growth in the future. See “BUSINESS - Our Business Strategy” earlier in this Item 1 of this Report.
Impact of Economic Conditions, Government Policies and Legislation on our Business
Government Monetary Policies Our profitability, like that of most financial institutions, is affected to a significant extent by our net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income we generate on interest-earning assets, such as loans and investment securities, and the interest we pay on deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities, such as borrowings. Our interest income and interest expense, and hence our net interest income, depends to a great extent on prevailing market rates of interest, which are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond our control, including inflation, recession and unemployment. Moreover, it is often difficult to predict with any assurance how changes in economic conditions of this nature will affect our future financial performance.
Our net interest income and operating results also are affected by monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government and the policies of regulatory agencies, particularly the Federal Reserve Board. The Federal Reserve Board implements national monetary policies to curb inflation, or to stimulate borrowing and spending in response to economic downturns, through its open-market operations by adjusting the required level of reserves that banks and other depository institutions must maintain, and by varying the target federal funds and discount rates on borrowings by banks and other depository institutions. These actions affect the growth of bank loans, investments and deposits and the interest earned on interest-earning assets and paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The nature and impact of any future changes in monetary and fiscal policies on us cannot be predicted with any assurance.
Legislation Generally. From time to time, federal and state legislation is enacted which can affect our operations and our operating results by materially changing the costs of doing business, limiting or expanding the activities in which banks and other financial institutions may engage, or altering the competitive balance between banks and other financial services providers.
Economic Conditions and Recent Legislation and Other Government Actions
The last economic recession, which is reported to have begun at the end of 2007 and ended in the middle of 2009, and the current economic conditions resulting from the global pandemic, created wide ranging consequences and difficulties for the banking and financial services industry, in particular, and the economy in general. The previous recession led to significant write-downs of the assets and an erosion of the capital of a large number of banks and other lending and financial institutions which, in turn, significantly and adversely affected the operating results of banking and other financial institutions and led to steep declines in their stock prices. In addition, bank regulatory agencies have been very aggressive in responding to concerns and trends identified in their bank examinations, which has resulted in the increased issuance of enforcement orders requiring banks to take actions to address credit quality, liquidity and risk management and capital adequacy, as well as other safety and soundness concerns. All of these conditions, moreover, led the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Treasury Department and the federal banking regulators, including the FDIC, to take broad actions, to address systemic risks and volatility in the U.S. banking system. A description of some of the regulatory and other actions taken, and their impact on the Company, are described below under “Supervision and Regulation.”
Supervision and Regulation
Both federal and state laws extensively regulate bank holding companies and banks. This regulation is intended primarily for the protection of depositors, the FDIC’s deposit insurance fund and customers, and is not for the benefit our shareholders. Set forth below is a summary description of the material laws and regulations that affect or bear on our operations. The description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the laws and regulations that are summarized below.
Pacific Mercantile Bancorp
PM Bancorp is a registered bank holding company subject to the Bank Holding Company Act. Under the Bank Holding Company Act, PM Bancorp is subject to regulation and supervision by the Federal Reserve Board. PM Bancorp is also subject to periodic examination by, and is required to file periodic reports with, the Federal Reserve Board. PM Bancorp is also a bank holding company within the meaning of the California Financial Code. As such, PM Bancorp is subject to supervision and periodic examination by, and may be required to file reports with, the CDFPI.
As a bank holding company, PM Bancorp is allowed to engage, directly or indirectly, only in banking and other activities that the Federal Reserve Board deems to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. Bank holding companies that meet certain eligibility requirements prescribed by the Bank Holding Company Act and elect and retain "financial holding company" status may engage in broader securities, insurance, merchant banking and other activities that are determined to be "financial in nature" or are incidental or complementary to activities that are financial in nature. PM Bancorp has not elected financial holding company status and neither PM Bancorp nor the Bank has engaged in any activities for which financial holding company status is required.
As a bank holding company, PM Bancorp is required to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board for the acquisition of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities, or of substantially all of the assets, by merger with or purchase of (i) any bank or other bank holding company and (ii) any other entities engaged in banking-related businesses or that provide banking-related services.
The Dodd-Frank Act requires PM Bancorp to act as a source of financial strength to the Bank including committing resources to support the Bank even at times when PM Bancorp may not be in a financial position or believe that it is in the best interest of our shareholders to do so. It is the Federal Reserve Board’s policy that, in serving as a source of strength to its subsidiary banks, a bank holding company should stand ready to use available resources to provide adequate capital funds to its subsidiary banks during periods of financial stress or adversity and should maintain the financial flexibility and capital-raising capacity to obtain additional resources for assisting its subsidiary banks. For these reasons, among others, the Federal Reserve Board requires all bank holding companies to maintain capital at or above certain prescribed levels. A bank holding company’s failure to meet these requirements will generally be considered by the Federal Reserve Board to be an unsafe and unsound banking practice or a violation of the Federal Reserve Board’s regulations or both, which could lead to the imposition of restrictions on the offending bank holding company, including restrictions on its further growth. See the discussion below under the caption “Prompt Corrective Action.” In addition, under the cross-guarantee provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“FDIA”), the FDIC can hold any FDIC-insured depository institution liable for any loss suffered or anticipated by the FDIC in connection with (i) the default of a commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institution or (ii) any assistance provided by the FDIC to such a commonly controlled institution.
Additionally, the Federal Reserve Board may require a bank holding company to terminate an activity or terminate control of, or liquidate or divest itself of, any subsidiary or affiliated company that the Federal Reserve Board determines constitutes a significant risk to the financial safety, soundness or stability of the bank holding company or any of its banking
subsidiaries. The Federal Reserve Board also has the authority to limit and regulate aspects of a bank holding company’s dividend payments, stock repurchases and debt. A bank holding company and its non-banking subsidiaries also are prohibited from implementing so-called tying arrangements whereby customers may be required to use or purchase services or products from the bank holding company or any of its non-bank subsidiaries in order to obtain a loan or other services from any of the holding company’s subsidiary banks.
Pacific Mercantile Bank
General. The Bank is subject to primary supervision, periodic examination and regulation by (i) the Federal Reserve Board, which is its primary federal banking regulator, because the Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve System and (ii) the CDFPI, because the Bank is a California state chartered bank. The Bank also is subject to certain of the regulations promulgated by the FDIC, because its deposits are insured by the FDIC.
Various requirements and restrictions under Federal and California banking laws affect the operations of the Bank. These laws and the implementing regulations cover most aspects of a bank’s operations, including the reserves a bank must maintain against deposits and for possible loan losses and other contingencies; the types of deposits it obtains and the interest it is permitted to pay on certain deposit accounts; the loans and investments that a bank may make; the borrowings that a bank may incur; a bank’s establishment and closure of banking offices; the rate at which it may grow its assets; the acquisition and merger activities of a bank; the amount of dividends that a bank may pay; and the capital requirements that a bank must satisfy which can determine the extent of supervisory control to which a bank will be subject by its federal and state bank regulators. A more detailed discussion regarding capital requirements that are applicable to us and the Bank is set forth below under the caption “Prompt Corrective Action.”
Permissible Activities and Subsidiaries. California law permits state chartered commercial banks to engage in any activity permissible for national banks. Those permissible activities include conducting many so-called “closely related to banking” or “nonbanking” activities either directly or through their operating subsidiaries.
Federal Home Loan Bank System. The Bank is a member of the FHLB of San Francisco. Among other benefits, each FHLB serves as a reserve or central bank for its members within its assigned region and makes available loans or advances to its member banks. Each FHLB is financed primarily from the sale of consolidated obligations of the FHLB system. As an FHLB member, the Bank is required to own a certain amount of capital stock in the FHLB. At December 31, 2020, the Bank was in compliance with the FHLB’s stock ownership requirement. Historically, the FHLB has paid dividends on its capital stock to its members.
FRB Deposit Reserve Requirements. The Federal Reserve Board requires all federally-insured depository institutions to maintain noninterest bearing reserves at specified levels against their transaction accounts. At December 31, 2020, the Bank was in compliance with these requirements.
Single Borrower Loan Limitations. With certain limited exceptions, the maximum amount that a California state bank may lend to any borrower (including certain related entities) at any one time may not exceed 15% of the sum of the shareholders’ equity, allowance for loan and lease losses, capital notes and debentures of the bank if unsecured. The combined unsecured and secured obligations of any borrower may not exceed 25% of the sum of the shareholders’ equity, allowance for loan and lease losses, capital notes and debentures of the bank.
Restrictions on Transactions between the Bank and the Company and its other Affiliates. The Bank is subject to restrictions imposed by federal law on any extensions of credit to, or the issuance of a guarantee or letter of credit on behalf of, the Company or any of its other subsidiaries; the purchase of, or investments in, Company stock or other Company securities and the taking of such securities as collateral for loans; and the purchase of assets from the Company or any of its other subsidiaries. These restrictions prevent the Company and any of its subsidiaries from borrowing from the Bank unless the loans are secured by marketable obligations in designated amounts, and such secured loans and investments by the Bank in the Company or any of its subsidiaries are limited, individually, to 10% of the Bank’s capital and surplus (as defined by federal regulations) and, in the aggregate, for all loans made to and investments made in the Company and its other subsidiaries, to 20% of the Bank’s capital and surplus. California law also imposes restrictions with respect to transactions involving the Company and other persons deemed under that law to control the Bank. It is the policy of the federal banking agencies that tax sharing agreements between a bank holding company and subsidiary bank that file consolidated tax returns must provide that any refund received by the holding company be allocated between the holding company and the bank in proportion to their respective income, losses and other tax characteristics as if they had filed on a stand-alone basis and, until the bank’s share is paid to it (which should be done promptly upon receipt), its share must be held in trust or as agent for the benefit of the bank, and not merely owed by the holding company as a debt to the bank.
Regulatory Enforcement Actions. If a bank’s primary federal bank regulatory agency determines that the bank’s financial condition, capital resources, asset quality, earnings prospects, management, liquidity, or other aspects its operations are unsatisfactory or that the bank or its management has violated any law or regulation, that agency has the authority to take a
number of different remedial actions as it deems appropriate under the circumstances. These actions include the power to enjoin “unsafe or unsound” banking practices; to require that affirmative action be taken to correct any conditions resulting from any violation or practice; to issue an administrative order that can be judicially enforced; to require the bank to increase its capital; to restrict the bank’s growth; to assess civil monetary penalties against the bank or its officers or directors; to remove officers and directors of the bank; and, if the agency concludes that such conditions cannot be corrected or there is an imminent risk of loss to depositors, to terminate a bank’s deposit insurance, which in the case of a California chartered bank would result in revocation of its charter and require it to cease its banking operations. Additionally, under California law the CDFPI has many of the same remedial powers with respect to the Bank, because it is a California state chartered bank.
Dividends and Stock Repurchases
It is FRB policy that bank holding companies should generally only pay dividends on or repurchase common stock out of current income, and only if prospective earnings retention is consistent with the organization’s expected future needs and financial condition. It is also an FRB policy that bank holding companies should not maintain dividend levels that undermine their ability to be a source of strength to their banking subsidiaries. Additionally, the FRB has indicated that bank holding companies should carefully review their dividend policies and has discouraged dividend payment ratios that are at maximum allowable levels unless both asset quality and capital are very strong. We have committed to obtaining approval from the FRB and the CDFPI prior to paying any dividends on or repurchasing our common stock. There can be no assurance that our regulators will approve such dividends or repurchases in the future.
Cash dividends from the Bank would constitute the primary source of cash available to PM Bancorp for its operations and to fund any cash dividends or stock repurchases that the board of directors might declare in the future. PM Bancorp is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank and the Bank is subject to various statutory and regulatory restrictions on its ability to pay cash dividends to PM Bancorp. Those restrictions generally prohibit the Bank, subject to certain limited exceptions, from paying cash dividends to PM Bancorp in amounts that would cause the Bank to become undercapitalized. Additionally, the Federal Reserve Board and the CDFPI have the authority to prohibit the Bank from paying dividends, if either deems the Bank’s payment of dividends to be an unsafe or unsound practice. We have agreed that the Bank will not, without the FRB and the CDFPI's prior written approval, pay any dividends to PM Bancorp. See “Dividend Policy and Restrictions on the Payment of Dividends” in Item 5 of this Report.
Safety and Soundness Standards
Banking institutions may be subject to potential enforcement actions by the federal regulators for unsafe or unsound practices or for violating any law, rule, regulation, or any condition imposed in writing by its primary federal banking regulatory agency or any written agreement with that agency. The federal banking agencies have adopted guidelines designed to identify and address potential safety and soundness concerns that could, if not corrected, lead to deterioration in the quality of a bank’s assets, liquidity or capital. Those guidelines set forth operational and managerial standards relating to such matters as:
•internal controls, information systems and internal audit systems;
•loan documentation;
•credit underwriting;
•asset growth;
•earnings; and
•compensation, fees and benefits.
In addition, federal banking agencies have adopted safety and soundness guidelines with respect to asset quality. These guidelines provide standards for establishing and maintaining a system to identify problem assets and prevent those assets from deteriorating. Under these standards, an FDIC-insured depository institution is expected to:
•conduct periodic asset quality reviews to identify problem assets, estimate the inherent losses in problem assets and establish reserves that are sufficient to absorb those estimated losses;
•compare problem asset totals to capital;
•take appropriate corrective action to resolve problem assets;
•consider the size and potential risks of material asset concentrations; and
•provide periodic asset quality reports with adequate information for the Bank's management and the board of directors to assess the level of asset risk.
These guidelines also establish standards for evaluating and monitoring earnings and for ensuring that earnings are sufficient for the maintenance of adequate capital and reserves.
Capital Requirements
The Company and the Bank are subject to risk-based capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies, which are often referred as Basel III Capital Rules. The Basel III Capital Rules generally require bank holding companies and banks to maintain a minimum level of capital to promote financial stability.
The Basel III Capital Rules were effective for the Company and the Bank on January 1, 2015. Under a Federal Reserve Board policy amended in 2018, qualifying bank holding companies with consolidated assets of less than $3.0 billion, such as the Company, are exempt from the requirements of the Basel III Capital Rules. The Bank, however, is subject to the Basel III Capital Rules. The Basel III Capital Rules establish several capital categories:
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (“CET1”). CET1 generally consists of common stock, retained earnings, certain qualifying capital instruments issued by consolidated subsidiaries, and accumulated other comprehensive income, subject to certain adjustments and deductions for items such as goodwill, other intangible assets, reciprocal holdings of other banking organizations’ capital instruments, investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and any other deductions as determined by the appropriate regulator. CET1 is a relatively new capital measure that was introduced in Basel III.
Core Capital (Tier 1). Tier 1 capital includes common equity, retained earnings, qualifying non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries (and, under existing standards, a limited amount of qualifying trust preferred securities and qualifying cumulative perpetual preferred stock at the holding company level), less goodwill, most intangible assets and certain other assets. The Basel III Capital Rules generally exclude trust preferred securities from Tier 1 capital, subject to certain grandfathering exceptions for organizations like the Company which had less than $15 billion in assets as of December 31, 2009.
Supplementary Capital (Tier 2). Tier 2 capital includes, among other things, perpetual preferred stock and trust preferred securities not meeting the Tier 1 definition, qualifying mandatory convertible debt securities, qualifying subordinated debt, and allowances for loan and lease losses, subject to limitations.
Total Capital. Total Capital is the sum of Tier 1 Capital and Tier 2 Capital.
The Basel III Capital Rules provide for a number of deductions from and adjustments to CET1 for mortgage servicing rights, certain deferred tax assets, significant investments in non-consolidated financial entities and the effects of accumulated other comprehensive income. The Basel III Capital Rules also preclude certain hybrid securities, such as trust preferred securities, as Tier 1 capital of bank holding companies, subject to phase-out, but institutions with less than $15 billion in assets are exempted from this rule.
The Basel III Capital Rules require banking organizations to maintain minimum ratios for CET1, Tier 1 capital and total capital to risk-weighted assets. Under Basel III, a banking organization’s assets are risk-weighted based on risk categories. Most loans are assigned to the 100% risk category, except for performing first mortgage loans fully secured by residential property, which carry a 50% risk weighting. Most investment securities (including, primarily, general obligation claims of states or other political subdivisions of the United States) are assigned to the 20% category. Exceptions include municipal or state revenue bonds, which have a 50% risk weighting, and direct obligations of the United States Treasury or obligations backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government, which have a 0% risk weighting. Certain off-balance sheet items are assigned certain credit conversion factors to convert them to asset-equivalent amounts to which an appropriate risk-weighting will apply. Those computations result in the total risk-weighted assets. In converting off-balance sheet items, direct credit substitutes, including general guarantees and standby letters of credit backing financial obligations, are assigned a 100% credit conversion factor. Transaction-related contingencies such as bid bonds, standby letters of credit backing non-financial obligations, and undrawn commitments (including commercial credit lines with an initial maturity of more than one year) are assigned a 50% credit conversion factor. Short-term commercial letters of credit are assigned a 20% credit conversion factor, and certain short-term unconditionally cancelable commitments are assigned a 0% credit conversion factor.
The Basel III Capital Rules include a 2.5% capital conservation buffer designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the conservation buffer (or below the combined capital conservation buffer and countercyclical capital buffer, when the latter is applied) face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall. The implementation of the capital conservation buffer began on January 1, 2016 at the 0.625% level and was phased in over a three-year period until fully-phased in at 2.5% on January 1, 2019.
As fully phased in as of January 1, 2019, the Basel III Capital Rules require the Bank to maintain (i) a minimum ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 4.5%, plus the 2.5% “capital conservation buffer” effectively resulting in a minimum ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 7%, (ii) a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 6.0%, plus the 2.5% capital conservation buffer effectively resulting in a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.5%, (iii) a minimum ratio of Total Capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.0%, plus the 2.5% capital conservation buffer (resulting in a minimum Total Capital ratio of 10.5%), and (iv) a minimum leverage ratio of 4%, which is the ratio of Tier 1 capital to average assets.
The Basel III Capital Rules also provide for a “countercyclical capital buffer” that is applicable to only certain larger, covered institutions and is not expected to have any current applicability to the Company or the Bank.
In 2019, the federal banking agencies issued a rule establishing a “community bank leverage ratio” (the ratio of a bank’s Tier 1 capital to average total consolidated assets) that qualifying institutions with less than $10 billion in assets may elect to use in lieu of the generally applicable leverage and risk-based capital requirements under the Basel III Capital Rules. A qualifying banking organization that elects to use the new ratio will be considered to have met all applicable federal regulatory capital and leverage requirements, including the minimum capital levels required to be considered “well capitalized,” if it maintains community bank leverage ratio capital exceeding 9%. The new rule became effective on January 1, 2020. Our management is evaluating the new ratio but has not made a decision as to whether we will adopt it.
As of December 31, 2020, the capital levels of the Bank exceeded the minimums necessary to be categorized as well capitalized under the Basel III Capital Rules, including the applicable capital conservation buffers. See “See “Item 7. - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Capital Resources - Regulatory Capital Requirements Applicable to Banking Institutions.”
Liquidity Requirements
Historically, the regulation and monitoring of bank and bank holding company liquidity has been addressed as a supervisory matter, without required formulaic measures. In September 2013, the federal banking agencies adopted rules to impose quantitative liquidity requirements consistent with the liquidity coverage ratio standard established by the Basel Committee. These rules apply to larger (over $250 billion in assets, with less stringent requirements for institutions over $50 billion in assets) and internationally active institutions but, as adopted, do not apply to the Company or the Bank.
Prompt Corrective Action
The FDIA requires among other things, the federal banking agencies to take “prompt corrective action” in respect of depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements. The FDIA includes the following five capital tiers: “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized.” A depository institution’s capital tier will depend upon how its capital levels compare with various relevant capital measures and certain other factors, as established by regulation. The relevant capital measures are the total capital ratio, the Tier 1 capital ratio and the leverage ratio. The current minimums for the prompt corrective action categories are based on the Basel III Capital Rules.
A bank is (i) “well capitalized” if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, a CET1 ratio of 6.5% or greater and a leverage ratio of 5.0% or greater, and is not subject to any order or written directive by any such regulatory authority to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure; (ii) “adequately capitalized” if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4.0% or greater, a CET1 ratio of 4.5% or greater and a leverage ratio of 4.0% or greater and is not “well capitalized”; (iii) “undercapitalized” if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio that is less than 8.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.0%, a CET1 ratio of less than 4.5% or a leverage ratio of less than 4.0%; (iv) “significantly undercapitalized” if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 3.0%, a CET1 ratio of less than 3.0% or a leverage ratio of less than 3.0%; and (v) “critically undercapitalized” if the institution’s tangible equity is equal to or less than 2.0% of average quarterly tangible assets. An institution may be downgraded to, or deemed to be in, a capital category that is lower than indicated by its capital ratios if it is determined to be in an unsafe or unsound condition or if it receives an unsatisfactory examination rating with respect to certain matters. A bank’s capital category is determined solely for the purpose of applying prompt corrective action regulations, and the capital category may not constitute an accurate representation of the bank’s overall financial condition or prospects for other purposes.
The FDIA generally prohibits a depository institution from making any capital distributions (including payment of a dividend) or paying any management fee to its parent holding company if the depository institution would thereafter be “undercapitalized.” “Undercapitalized” institutions are subject to growth limitations and are required to submit a capital restoration plan. The agencies may not accept such a plan without determining, among other things, that the plan is based on realistic assumptions and is likely to succeed in restoring the depository institution’s capital. In addition, for a capital restoration
plan to be acceptable, the depository institution’s parent holding company must guarantee that the institution will comply with such capital restoration plan. The bank holding company must also provide appropriate assurances of performance. The aggregate liability of the parent holding company is limited to the lesser of (i) an amount equal to 5.0% of the depository institution’s total assets at the time it became undercapitalized and (ii) the amount which is necessary (or would have been necessary) to bring the institution into compliance with all capital standards applicable with respect to such institution as of the time it fails to comply with the plan. If a depository institution fails to submit an acceptable plan, it is treated as if it is “significantly undercapitalized.”
“Significantly undercapitalized” depository institutions may be subject to a number of requirements and restrictions, including orders to sell sufficient voting stock to become “adequately capitalized,” requirements to reduce total assets, and cessation of receipt of deposits from correspondent banks. “Critically undercapitalized” institutions are subject to the appointment of a receiver or conservator.
The appropriate agency is also permitted to require an adequately capitalized or undercapitalized institution to comply with the supervisory provisions as if the institution were in the next lower category (but not treat a significantly undercapitalized institution as critically undercapitalized) based on supervisory information other than the capital levels of the institution.
At December 31, 2020, the Bank’s capital levels (on a stand-alone basis) exceeded the minimums necessary to be considered well-capitalized, and the Company continued to exceed the minimum required capital ratios applicable to it, under the capital adequacy guidelines described above.
FDIC Deposit Insurance
The FDIC is an independent federal agency that insures customer deposits of federally insured banks and savings institutions in order to safeguard the safety and soundness of the banking and savings industries through the Deposit Insurance Fund (the “DIF”) up to prescribed limits, currently $250,000 per depositor. The DIF is funded primarily by FDIC assessments paid by each DIF member institution. The amount of each DIF member’s assessment is based on its relative risk of default as measured by regulatory capital ratios and other supervisory factors. Pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005 and the Dodd-Frank Act, the FDIC is authorized to set the reserve ratio (the ratio of the net worth to estimated insured deposits) for the DIF annually at between 1.35% and 1.50% of estimated insured deposits (or a comparable percentage of the asset-based assessment base described above). The FDIC may increase or decrease the assessment rate schedule on a semi-annual basis.
As of September 30, 2018, the DIF reserve ratio exceeded the required minimum of 1.35% set by the Dodd-Frank Act. Small banks, such as the Bank, with total assets less than $10 billion, were entitled to receive credits to offset the portion of their assessments that helped to raise the DIF reserve ratio from 1.15% to 1.35%. As a result, the Bank received a credit in 2019, which it applied to its FDIC insurance expense.
Additionally, all FDIC-insured institutions were required to pay assessments to the FDIC to fund interest payments on bonds issued by the Financing Corporation (“FICO”), an agency of the Federal government established to recapitalize the predecessor to the DIF. These assessments expired in 2019.
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. Pursuant to California law, the termination of a California state chartered bank’s FDIC deposit insurance would result in the revocation of the bank’s charter, forcing it to cease conducting banking operations.
Community Reinvestment Act and Fair Lending Laws
The Bank is subject to fair lending requirements and the evaluation of its small business operations under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”). The CRA generally requires the federal banking agencies to evaluate the record of a bank in meeting the credit needs of its local communities, including those of low- and moderate-income neighborhoods in its service area. A bank’s compliance with its CRA obligations is based on a performance-based evaluation system which determines the bank’s CRA ratings on the basis of its community lending and community development performance. When a bank or bank holding company files an application with a federal banking agency for approval to acquire a bank or another bank holding company, or engage in certain other expansionary activities, the agency will review the CRA assessment of the bank or, in the case of the bank holding company, each of its subsidiary banks, and a low CRA rating may be the basis for denying the application.
A bank may be subject to substantial penalties and corrective measures for a violation of fair lending laws. Federal banking agencies also may take compliance with fair lending laws into account when determining a bank's CRA rating and when regulating and supervising other activities of a bank or its bank holding company.
USA Patriot Act of 2001 and Anti-Money Laundering Laws
Several federal laws, including the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970 (“BSA”), the Money Laundering Control Act and the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “USA Patriot Act”), require all financial institutions, including banks, to implement policies and procedures relating to anti-money laundering, compliance, suspicious activities, and currency transaction reporting and due diligence on clients.
Of particular relevance to banks and other federally insured depository institutions are the USA Patriot Act’s sweeping anti-money laundering and financial transparency provisions and various related implementing regulations that:
•establish due diligence requirements for financial institutions that administer, maintain, or manage private bank accounts and foreign correspondent accounts;
•prohibit U.S. institutions from providing correspondent accounts to foreign shell banks;
•establish standards for verifying customer identification at account opening; and
•set rules to promote cooperation among financial institutions, regulatory agencies and law enforcement entities in identifying parties that may be involved in terrorism or money laundering.
Under implementing regulations issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, banking institutions are required to incorporate a customer identification program into their written money laundering plans that includes procedures for:
•verifying the identity of any person seeking to open an account, to the extent reasonable and practicable;
•maintaining records of the information used to verify the person’s identity; and
•determining whether the person appears on any list of known or suspected terrorists or terrorist organizations.
The Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 (“AMLA”), which amends the BSA, was enacted in January 2021. The AMLA is intended to be a comprehensive reform and modernization to U.S. bank secrecy and anti-money laundering laws. Among other things, it codifies a risk-based approach to anti-money laundering compliance for financial institutions; requires the development of standards for evaluating technology and internal processes for BSA compliance; expands enforcement- and investigation-related authority, including increasing available sanctions for certain BSA violations and instituting BSA whistleblower incentives and protections.
Consumer Laws
The Company and the Bank are subject to a broad range of federal and state consumer protection laws and regulations prohibiting unfair or fraudulent business practices, untrue or misleading advertising and unfair competition. Those laws and regulations include:
•The Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994, which requires additional disclosures and consumer protections to borrowers designed to protect them against certain lending practices, such as practices deemed to constitute “predatory lending.”
•Laws and regulations requiring banks to establish privacy policies which limit the disclosure of nonpublic information about consumers to nonaffiliated third parties.
•The Fair Credit Reporting Act, as amended by the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, which requires banking institutions and financial services businesses to adopt practices and procedures designed to help deter identity theft, including developing appropriate fraud response programs, and provides consumers with greater control of their credit data.
•The Truth in Lending Act, which requires that credit terms be disclosed in a meaningful and consistent way so that consumers may compare credit terms more readily and knowledgeably.
•The Equal Credit Opportunity Act, which generally prohibits, in connection with any consumer or business credit transaction, discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age
(except in limited circumstances), or the fact that a borrower is receiving income from public assistance programs.
•The Fair Housing Act, which regulates many lending 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 that 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, which requires lenders to provide borrowers with disclosures regarding the nature and cost of real estate settlements and prohibits certain abusive practices, such as kickbacks.
•The National Flood Insurance Act, which requires homes in flood-prone areas with mortgages from a federally regulated lender to have flood insurance.
•The Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008, which requires mortgage loan originator employees of federally insured institutions to register with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry, a database created by the states to support the licensing of mortgage loan originators, prior to originating residential mortgage loans.
Privacy
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 and the California Financial Information Privacy Act require financial institutions to implement policies and procedures regarding the disclosure of nonpublic personal information about consumers to non-affiliated third parties. In general, the statutes require explanations to consumers on policies and procedures regarding the disclosure of such nonpublic personal information and, except as otherwise required by law, prohibit disclosing such information except as provided in the Bank's policies and procedures. We have implemented privacy policies addressing these restrictions which are distributed regularly to all existing and new customers of the Bank.
Customer Information Security
The FRB and other bank regulatory agencies have adopted guidelines for safeguarding confidential, personal customer information. These guidelines require each financial institution, under the supervision and ongoing oversight of its board of directors or an appropriate committee thereof, to create, implement and maintain a comprehensive written information security program designed to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer information, protect against any anticipated threats or hazard to the security or integrity of such information and protect against unauthorized access to or use of such information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer. We have adopted a customer information security program to comply with such requirements.
Incentive Compensation
In June 2010, the federal banking agencies issued comprehensive final guidance on incentive compensation policies intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies of banking organizations do not undermine the safety and soundness of such organizations by encouraging excessive risk-taking. The guidance, which covers all employees that have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of an organization, either individually or as part of a group, is based upon the key principles that a banking organization's incentive compensation arrangements should (i) provide incentives that do not encourage risk-taking beyond the organization's ability to effectively identify and manage risks, (ii) be compatible with effective internal controls and risk management, and (iii) be supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by the organization's board of directors. These three principles are incorporated into proposed joint compensation regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act that would prohibit incentive-based payment arrangements at specified regulated entities having at least $1 billion in total assets that encourage inappropriate risks. The FRB will review, as part of its regular, risk-focused examination process, the incentive compensation arrangements of banking organizations, such as the Company, that are not "large, complex banking organizations." These reviews will be tailored to each organization based on the scope and complexity of the organization's activities and the prevalence of incentive compensation arrangements. The findings of the supervisory initiatives will be included in reports of examination. Deficiencies will be incorporated into the organization's supervisory ratings, which can affect the organization's ability to make acquisitions and take other actions. Enforcement actions may be taken against a banking organization if its incentive compensation arrangements, or related risk-management control or
governance processes, pose a risk to the organization's safety and soundness and the organization is not taking prompt and effective measures to correct the deficiency.
Legislative and Regulatory Initiatives
From time to time, various legislative and regulatory initiatives are introduced in the U.S. Congress and state legislatures, as well as by regulatory agencies. Such initiatives may include proposals to expand or contract the powers of bank holding companies and depository institutions or proposals to substantially change the financial institution regulatory system. Such legislation could change banking statutes and our operating environment in substantial and unpredictable ways. If enacted, such legislation could increase or decrease the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities or affect the competitive balance among banks, savings associations, credit unions, and other financial institutions. We cannot predict whether any such legislation will be enacted, and, if enacted, the effect that it, or any implementing regulations, would have on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. A change in statutes, regulations or regulatory policies applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries could have a material effect on our business.
Human Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2020, we employed 146 persons on a full-time equivalent basis and 1 person on a part-time basis for a total of 147 persons. The successful execution of our relationship banking strategy is largely dependent on the personal relationships of our employees and the quality of service they provide. We strive to attract, develop and retain employees who can further our strategic goal of building long-term shareholder value. To do so, we offer compensation, benefits, and training designed to attract, develop and retain employees. None of our employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We believe relations with our employees are good. While we expect to hire employees as we grow, as a result of attrition and as opportunities to recruit talent may arise, in general, we believe our human capital resources are adequate for our needs.
Diversity and Inclusion.. At Pacific Mercantile Bank, we recognize the valuable asset we have in our employees, and we are committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. We value diversity and respect individual differences. Valuing diversity is about building relationships, being committed to a practice of inclusiveness that views differences as attributes and strengths, and recognizing the talents that diverse individuals bring to the workplace facilitates learning and creates a competitive advantage.
Our diverse workforce comes from many different backgrounds, with different identities, life experiences, knowledge, unique capabilities, talent, and beliefs. Embracing the things that make each of us unique strengthens our ability to better serve our clients and stakeholders. It helps us understand what matters to our clients so we can help get things done. The diversity in which we have invested and our employees demonstrate in their daily work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and Company’s achievement.
Some of the ways we are striving to be an inclusive workplace for our employees include:
•Setting the tone at the top with our Board of Directors and Executive Management - Our Board and its committees have a key role in the oversight of our culture by holding management accountable for maintaining high ethical standards. Additionally, our Board Chairman also chairs the Nominating & Governance Committee - the governing committee for our diversity and inclusion strategy.
•Promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce -We have a policy of equal employment opportunity, prohibiting discrimination and harassment in the workplace on the basis of any protected category under federal or state law. At all levels of our company, we focus on attracting, retaining and developing our diverse talent. Over 50% of our workforce are women with approximately 53% of our workforce being people of color. Additionally, 30% of our Board of Directors are women.
•Recognizing and rewarding performance - From our equal pay for equal work commitment to how we competitively compensate our teammates, we are focused on delivering our pay-for-performance philosophy.
•Supporting employees’ physical, emotional and financial wellness - We support our employees through everyday challenges so they can be their best at work and at home. In furtherance of the support for our employees’, the Bank’s culture includes:
◦Respectful communication and cooperation between all employees;
◦Teamwork and employee participation, permitting the representation of all groups and employee perspectives;
◦Work/life balance through flexible work schedules to accommodate employees’ varying needs;
◦Employer and employee contributions to the communities we serve to promote a greater understanding and respect for diversity.
We are proud of our diverse and inclusive culture, because when you create a workplace where all employees can thrive, everyone benefits. Pacific Mercantile Bank is honored to have received the Orange County Register Top Workplaces award for 2018, 2019, and 2020.
Giving Programs. One of our core values is to “Make a Difference Every Day.” We support this value by encouraging our employees to be active in serving their community through various Bank-sponsored volunteer events and/or participation on local non-profit boards and committees. In 2019, our employees collectively volunteered almost 1,300 hours within Orange and Los Angeles counties, and the surrounding regional area.
Workforce Health and Safety. We are committed to supporting the financial, emotional and physical well being of our employees and their families. We provide a range of innovative, industry-leading and flexible programs and benefits including employee assistance programs and employee wellness programs that foster a healthy work culture and contribute to a happier, healthier, and more engaged workforce. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have remained focused on the health and safety of our employees. All employees are required to comply with company safety rules and are expected to actively contribute to making our company a safer place to work by following the latest Center for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") guidelines. Our efforts to combat the pandemic included a commitment to deploy work-from-home capabilities for more of our employees. Approximately 25% of our staff shifted to working remotely and increased work flexibility was provided to help all employees balance personal and professional responsibilities to ensure the safety and wellness of our employees and their families.
Information Available on our Website
Our Internet address is www.pmbank.com. We make available on our website, free of charge, our filings made with the SEC electronically, including those on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, and Form 8-K, and any amendments to those filings. Copies of these filings are available as soon as reasonably practicable after we have filed or furnished these documents to the SEC (at www.sec.gov).

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Our business is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those described below, that could cause our financial condition or operating results in the future to differ significantly from our expected financial condition or operating results that are set forth in the forward looking statements contained in this Report. The risks discussed below are not the only ones facing our business but do represent those risks that we believe are material to us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also harm our business.
Risks Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) has adversely impacted certain industries in which our customers operate and impaired their ability to fulfill their obligations to us. Further, the spread of the outbreak has caused and may continue to cause severe disruptions in the U.S. economy, disrupting banking and other financial activity in the areas in which we operate, and could potentially create widespread business continuity issues for us.
Our business is dependent upon the willingness and ability of our employees and customers to conduct banking and other financial transactions. The spread of COVID-19 has caused and may continue to cause severe disruptions in the U.S. economy at large, and for small businesses in particular, and has resulted and may continue to result in disruptions to our customers’ businesses, and a decrease in consumer confidence and business generally. Disruptions to our customers may continue to result in increased risk of delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures and losses on our loans, declines in revenues, negatively impact regional economic conditions, result in declines in local loan demand, liquidity of loan guarantors, loan collateral (particularly in real estate), loan originations and deposit availability and negatively impact the implementation of our growth strategy.
We rely upon our third-party vendors to conduct business and to process, record, and monitor transactions. If any of these vendors are unable to continue to provide us with these services, it could negatively impact our ability to serve our customers. Furthermore, the outbreak could negatively impact the ability of our employees and customers to engage in banking and other financial transactions in the geographic areas in which we operate and could create widespread business continuity issues for us. We also could be adversely affected if key personnel or a significant number of employees were to become unavailable due to the effects and restrictions of a COVID-19 outbreak in our market areas. Although we have business continuity plans and other safeguards in place, there is no assurance that such plans and safeguards will be effective.
The extent of impacts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and other events beyond our control will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and actions taken to contain the COVID-19 or its impact, among others.
Our participation in the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”) exposes us to risks related to noncompliance with the PPP, as well as litigation risk related to our administration of the PPP loan program, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are a participating lender in the PPP, a loan program established by the CARES Act and administered through the SBA, that was created to help eligible businesses, organizations and self-employed persons fund their operational costs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under this program, the SBA guarantees 100% of the amounts loaned under the PPP. The PPP opened on April 3, 2020. Because of the short window between the passing of the CARES Act and the opening of the PPP, there was and continues to be some ambiguity in the laws, rules and guidance regarding the operation of the PPP, which exposes us to risks relating to noncompliance with the PPP. For instance, other financial institutions have experienced litigation related to their process and procedures used in processing applications for the PPP. Any financial liability, litigation costs or reputational damage caused by PPP related litigation could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, we may be exposed to credit risk on PPP loans if a determination is made by the SBA that there is a deficiency in the manner in which the loan was originated, funded, or serviced. If a deficiency is identified, the SBA may deny its liability under the guaranty, reduce the amount of the guaranty, or, if it has already paid under the guaranty, seek recovery of any loss related to the deficiency from us.
Risks Related to Our Banking Business, Strategy and Geographic Markets
Our business may be adversely affected by a worsening of conditions in the financial markets and economic conditions generally.
Our business, earnings and profitability are affected by the financial markets and economic conditions in the United States generally and, more specifically, in Southern California where a substantial portion of our business is generated, including factors such as the level and volatility of short-term and long-term interest rates, inflation, real estate values, unemployment and under-employment levels, bankruptcies, household income, consumer spending, fluctuations in both debt and equity capital markets, liquidity of the global financial markets, the availability and cost of capital and credit, investor sentiment and confidence in the financial markets and the sustainability of economic growth both in the United States and globally. The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant volatility and disruption of economic conditions both in the United States and globally. These conditions have and may continue to adversely affect the financial performance and/or condition of our borrowers, the demand for credit and other banking products, the ability of borrowers to pay interest on and repay principal on outstanding loans and the value of collateral securing those loans, which could lead to decreased loan utilization rates, increased delinquencies and defaults and changes to our clients’ ability to meet certain credit obligations. If any of these events occur, we could experience one or more of the following adverse effects on our business:
•a decline in the demand for loans, which would cause a decline in interest income and our net interest margin;
•a decline in the value of our loans or other assets secured by residential or commercial real estate or by trading assets of our borrowers;
•a decrease in deposit balances due to overall reductions in the accounts of clients, which would adversely impact our liquidity position;
•an impairment of our investment securities and other real estate owned (“OREO”); and
•an increase in the volume of loans that become delinquent or the number of borrowers that file for protection under bankruptcy laws or default on their home loans or commercial loan obligations to us, either of which could result in a higher level of non-performing assets and cause us to increase our allowance for loan and lease losses (“ALLL”), thereby reducing our earnings.
In addition, because the substantial majority of our clients and the assets securing a large proportion of our loans are located in Southern California, any regional or local economic downturn that affects Southern California, including the financial condition of our existing or prospective borrowers or property values in Southern California, may affect us and our profitability more significantly and more adversely than our competitors whose operations are less geographically focused.
We could incur losses on the loans we make and our credit policy may not protect us against losses in our loan portfolio.
Loan defaults and the incurrence of losses on the loans we make are an inherent risk of the banking business. We seek to mitigate the risks inherent in our loan portfolio through our comprehensive credit policy that includes specific underwriting guidelines as well as standards for loan origination and reporting and portfolio management. Our underwriting guidelines outline specific standards and risk management criteria for each lending product offered. Although we believe that our underwriting criteria are, and historically have been, appropriate for the various kinds of loans we make, we have incurred
losses on loans that have met these criteria, and may continue to experience higher than expected losses depending on economic factors and consumer behavior. In addition, our ability to assess the creditworthiness of our clients may be impaired if the models and approaches we use to select, manage, and underwrite our clients become less predictive of future behaviors. Further, we may have higher credit risk, or experience higher credit losses, to the extent our loans are concentrated by loan type, industry segment, borrower type, or location of the borrower or collateral.
Lending risks have historically been exacerbated by cyclical slowdowns in the real estate markets in Southern California where most of our clients are based. In previous economic recessions these markets have experienced declining real estate prices, excess inventories of unsold homes, high vacancy rates at commercial properties and increases in unemployment and a resulting loss of confidence about the future among businesses and consumers that had combined to adversely affect business and consumer spending. These conditions led to increases in our non-performing assets in prior periods, which required us to record loan charge-offs and write-downs in the carrying values of real properties that we acquired by or in lieu of foreclosure and caused us to incur losses in those periods. The COVID-19 pandemic, together with responses to the pandemic by governments, businesses and individuals, resulted in rapid decreases in commercial and consumer activity and closures of many businesses. While real estate prices in markets have generally been stable or improved since the onset of the pandemic, increasing vacancy rates at commercial properties, continued high levels of unemployment, and future weakness in economic conditions could result in loan charge-offs and asset write-downs that would require us to increase the provisions we make for loan losses and losses on real estate owned that could have a material adverse effect on our future operating results, financial condition and capital.
A significant portion of our loan portfolio is secured by real estate, and events that negatively impact the real estate market could adversely affect asset quality and profitability for our loans secured by real property.
Many of the loans in our portfolio are secured by real estate. For instance, the majority of our commercial real estate loans, which represented approximately 32.0% of our total loans outstanding as of December 31, 2020, are secured by first trust deeds on nonresidential real property. Payments on these loans depend to a large degree on the rental income stream from the properties and the global cash flows of the borrowers. A continued downturn in the economy, generally, or in the real estate market where the collateral for a real estate loan is located, specifically, could negatively affect the borrower's ability to repay the loan and the value of the collateral securing the loan, which, in turn, could have an adverse effect on our profitability and asset quality. In addition, decreases in commercial real estate prices coupled with slow economic growth and elevated levels of unemployment could drive losses beyond that provided for in our ALLL, which could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.
We may be required to increase our ALLL which would adversely affect our financial performance in the future.
On a quarterly basis we evaluate and conduct an analysis to determine the probable and estimable losses inherent in our loan portfolio. This evaluation requires us to make a number of estimates and judgments regarding the financial condition and creditworthiness of a significant number of our borrowers, the sufficiency of the collateral securing our loans, including the fair value of the properties collateralizing our outstanding loans, which may depreciate over time, be difficult to appraise and fluctuate in value, and economic trends that could affect the ability of borrowers to meet their payment obligations to us. Based on those estimates and judgments, we make determinations, which are necessarily subjective, with respect to (i) the adequacy of our ALLL to provide for write-downs in the carrying values and charge-offs of loans that may be required in the future and (ii) the need to increase the ALLL by means of a charge to income (commonly referred to as the provision for loan and lease losses). If those estimates or judgments prove to have been incorrect due to circumstances outside our control, the ineffectiveness of our credit administration or for other reasons or the Bank’s regulators come to a different conclusion regarding the adequacy of the Bank’s ALLL, we could have to increase the provisions we make for loan losses, which could reduce our income or could cause us to incur operating losses in the future. Moreover, additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic and real estate market conditions, new information regarding existing loans, identification of additional problem loans and other factors, both within and outside of our control. These additions may require increased provision expense, which could negatively impact our results of operations.
Loan concentrations or strategic and tactical changes in loan types, geographic locations and loan concentrations may expose us to increased risks.
From 2008 to present, in light of the industry-wide real estate loan losses prevalent in our markets, and in order to transition from a transaction based approach to a long-term relationship based approach, the Bank strategically exited the residential mortgage business and purposely increased non-real estate lending activity such as commercial and industrial and asset-based lending. Since 2008, our real estate loans as a percentage of the overall portfolio have generally declined. At the same time, the commercial and industrial and asset-based loans as a percentage of the entire loan portfolio have generally increased. Relative to other banks in our market, we may at any given time have loan concentrations in real estate, commercial and industrial or asset-based, that are higher or lower than other banks with which we compete. Since commercial and industrial and asset-based business loans generally have shorter term durations and variable rates, we believe this positions us
well in a rising interest rate environment, reduces real estate risk exposures and better positions us for future profits. However, this current strategy and any subsequent periodic changes in strategic or tactical direction that affects our loan portfolio mix, loan types, geographic locations and concentrations could also have the effect of increasing our overall risk exposure. To manage these risks, we continuously monitor our loan concentration risk exposures relative to expenses, anticipated returns, forecast and actual losses and competitive outlook, and this proactive risk management could result in us temporarily or permanently changing/updating our strategy, tactics, loan types, geographic locations and concentrations, including possible changes implemented without or prior to public disclosure.
Our focus on lending to mid-sized businesses and professional firms may increase our credit risk.
Most of our commercial business and commercial real estate loans are made to midsize businesses and professional firms. These businesses generally have fewer financial resources in terms of capital or borrowing capacity than larger entities and have a heightened vulnerability to economic conditions. If general economic conditions in the markets in which we operate negatively impact this important client sector, our results of operations and financial condition and the value of our common stock may be adversely affected. Moreover, a portion of these loans have been made by us in recent years following our transition to a commercial banking model and the borrowers may not have experienced a complete business or economic cycle. Furthermore, the deterioration of our borrowers’ businesses may hinder their ability to repay their loans with us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Liquidity risk could adversely affect our ability to fund operations and hurt our financial condition.
Liquidity is essential to our business, as we use cash to fund loans, investments, other interest-earning assets, and deposit withdrawals that occur in the ordinary course of our business. Our principal sources of liquidity include deposits, FHLB borrowings, sales of loans or investment securities held for sale, repayments to the Bank of loans it makes to borrowers and sales of equity securities by us. If our ability to obtain funds from these sources becomes limited or the costs to us of those funds increases, whether due to factors that affect us specifically, including our financial performance or the imposition of regulatory restrictions on us, or due to factors that affect the financial services industry generally, including weakening economic conditions or negative views and expectations about the prospects for the financial services industry as a whole, then, our ability to grow our banking business would be adversely affected and our financial condition and results of operations could be harmed.
We face intense competition from other banks, financial institutions and non-banking institutions that could hurt our business.
We conduct our business operations in Southern California, where the banking business is highly competitive and is dominated by large multi-state and in-state banks with operations and offices covering wide geographic areas. We also compete with other financial service businesses, mutual fund companies, and securities brokerage and investment banking firms that offer competitive banking and financial products and services, including online and mobile banking services, as well as products and services that we do not offer. The larger banks and many of those other financial institutions have greater financial and other resources than we do, which enables them to make significant investments in technology, to conduct extensive marketing campaigns and to allocate resources to regions or activities of greater potential profitability. They also have substantially more capital and higher lending limits than we do, which enable them to attract larger clients and offer financial products and services that we are unable to offer, putting us at a disadvantage in competing with them for loans and deposits. Increased competition may prevent us from (i) achieving increases, or could even result in decreases, in our loan volume or deposit balances, or (ii) increasing interest rates on the loans we make or reducing the interest rates we pay to attract or retain deposits, either or both of which could cause a decline in our interest income or an increase in our interest expense and, therefore, lead to reductions in our net interest income and earnings. In addition, technology and other changes are allowing parties to complete financial transactions, which historically have involved banks, through alternative methods. For example, consumers can now maintain funds that would have historically been held as bank deposits in brokerage accounts or mutual funds. Consumers can also complete transactions such as paying bills and/or transferring funds directly without the assistance of banks. The process of eliminating banks as intermediaries could result in the loss of fee income, as well as the loss of client deposits, which could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
A higher risk of severe weather and natural disasters in Southern California could disproportionately harm our business.
Historically, California, in which a substantial portion of our business is located, has been susceptible to natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, droughts and wild fires. The nature and level of natural disasters cannot be predicted and may be exacerbated by global climate change. In the event of a major natural disaster, many of our borrowers may suffer uninsured property damage, experience interruption of their businesses or lose their jobs, which may negatively impact the ability of these borrowers to make deposits with us or repay their loans or negatively impact the values of collateral securing our loans, any of which could result in losses and increased provisions for credit losses. Additionally, the occurrence of natural
disasters could harm our operations through interference with communications, including the interruption or loss of our computer systems, which could prevent or impede us from gathering deposits, originating loans and processing and controlling our business flow, as well as through the destruction of facilities and our operational, financial and management information systems. Although we have established disaster recovery plans and procedures, and we monitor the effects of any such events on our loans, properties and investments, the occurrence of any such event could have a material adverse effect on us or our financial condition and results of operations.
Our business is subject to interest rate risk and variations in interest rates may negatively affect our financial performance.
A substantial portion of our income is derived from the differential or “spread” between the interest we earn on loans, securities and other interest-earning assets, and the interest we pay on deposits, borrowings and other interest-bearing liabilities. Due to 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, as a general rule, 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. Also, in a rising interest rate environment, we may accelerate the pace of rate increases on our deposit accounts as compared to the pace of increases in short-term market rates. Accordingly, changes in market interest rates could materially and adversely affect our net interest spread, asset quality and loan origination volume.
We have adopted an interest rate risk management strategy for the purpose of protecting us against interest rate changes. Developing an effective interest rate risk management strategy, however, is complex, and no risk management strategy can completely insulate us from risks associated with interest rate changes.
We may be adversely affected by changes in the actual or perceived soundness or condition of other financial institutions.
Our ability to engage in routine funding transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial and financial soundness of other financial institutions. Financial institutions are closely related as a result of trading, investment, liquidity management, clearing, counterparty and other relationships. Loss of public confidence in any one institution, including through default, could lead to liquidity and credit problems, losses, or defaults for other institutions. Even the perceived lack of creditworthiness of, or questions about, a counterparty may lead to market-wide liquidity and credit problems, losses, or defaults by various institutions. This systemic risk may adversely affect financial intermediaries, such as clearing agencies, banks and exchanges we interact with on a daily basis or key funding providers, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our access to liquidity or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
Changes in U.S. accounting standards may adversely affect our financial statements.
We prepare our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). From time to time we are required to adopt new or revised accounting standards issued by recognized authoritative bodies, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board. It is possible that future accounting standards that we are required to adopt could change the current accounting treatment that we apply to our consolidated financial statements and that such changes could have a materially adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. For example, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments in June 2016. ASU 2016-13 requires banking organizations to determine the adequacy of their ALLL with an expected loss model, which is referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model. Under the CECL model, banking organizations will be required to present certain financial assets carried at amortized cost, such as loans held-for-investment and held-to-maturity debt securities, at the net amount expected to be collected. The measurement of expected credit losses is to be based on information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. This measurement will take place at the time the financial asset is first added to the balance sheet and periodically thereafter. This differs significantly from the “incurred loss” model required under current GAAP, which delays recognition until it is probable a loss has been incurred. ASU 2016-13 is expected to be effective for smaller reporting companies like the Company in January 2023. CECL will change the manner in which we determine the adequacy of our ALLL, and could cause us to recognize a one-time cumulative-effect adjustment to the ALLL as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the new standard is effective. For information regarding new accounting pronouncements and the expected impact, if any, on our financial position or results of operations, see Note 2 to the Notes to the consolidated financial statements in this Report.
The loss of key personnel could hurt our financial performance.
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 communities that we serve. 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 great extent on the continued availability of our existing management and, in particular, on Brad R. Dinsmore, our President and Chief Executive Officer, Curt A. Christianssen, our Chief Financial Officer, and Robert Anderson, our Chief Risk Officer. In addition to their skills and experience as bankers, our executive officers have extensive community ties upon which our competitive strategy is partially based. As a result, the loss of the services of any of these officers could harm our ability to implement our business strategy or our future operating results.
We are exposed to risk of environmental liabilities with respect to real properties which we may acquire.
If borrowers are unable to meet their loan repayment obligations, we will initiate foreclosure proceedings with respect to, and may take actions to acquire title to the personal and real property that collateralized their loans. As an owner of such properties, we could become subject to environmental liabilities and incur substantial costs for any property damage, personal injury, investigation and clean-up that may be required due to any environmental contamination that may be found to exist at any of those properties, even though we did not engage in the activities that led to such contamination. 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 seeking damages for environmental contamination emanating from the site. If we were to become subject to significant environmental liabilities or costs, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be adversely affected.
Risks Related to Government Regulation
Government regulations may impair our operations, restrict our growth or increase our operating costs.
We are subject to extensive supervision, examination, and regulation by federal and state bank regulatory agencies, including the Federal Reserve Board and the CDFPI. The primary objective of these agencies is to protect bank depositors and other clients and consumers, and not shareholders, whose respective interests often differ. Congress and these federal and state regulators continually review banking laws, regulations and policies for possible changes. Changes to statutes, regulations, or regulatory policies, including changes in interpretation or implementation of statutes, regulations, or policies, could affect the Company in substantial and unpredictable ways. If , as a result of an examination, the CDFPI or the Federal Reserve Board should determine that the financial condition, capital resources, asset quality, earnings prospects, management, liquidity, or other aspects of the Bank’s operations are unsatisfactory or that the Bank or its management is violating or has violated any law or regulation, the CDFPI and the Federal Reserve Board, and separately the FDIC as insurer of the Bank’s deposits, have residual authority to, among other things, require affirmative action to correct any conditions resulting from any violation or practice and to impose restrictions that they believe are needed to protect depositors and clients of banking organizations. In addition, due to the complex and technical nature of many of the government regulations to which banking organizations are subject, inadvertent violations of those regulations may and sometimes do occur. In such an event, we would be required to correct or implement measures to prevent a recurrence of such violations. If more serious violations were to occur, the regulatory agencies could limit our activities or growth, impose fines on us, or ultimately require us to cease operations in the event we were to encounter severe liquidity problems or a significant erosion of our capital below the minimum amounts required under applicable bank regulatory guidelines or if we engage in unsafe or unsound practices that could lead to termination of our deposit insurance or banking charter.
The Dodd-Frank Act poses uncertainties for our business and has increased, and is likely to continue to increase, our costs of doing business.
The 2010 Dodd-Frank Act represents a comprehensive overhaul of the financial services industry within the United States, established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”) and requires the CFPB and other federal agencies to implement many new and significant rules and regulations. Certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act were made effective immediately. However, much of the Dodd-Frank Act continues to be subject to further rulemaking and there may have been various proposals to modify certain of the regulations adopted under the Dodd-Frank Act. As a result, the enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act poses uncertainties for our business and has increased, and is likely to continue to increase, our costs of doing business. However, due to uncertainties concerning the timing and extent of future rulemaking, it is difficult to assess the extent to which the Dodd-Frank Act, or the resulting rules and regulations, will further impact our business and financial performance. Compliance with these new laws and regulations will result in additional costs, which could be significant, and may have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act permits states to adopt consumer protection laws and standards that are more stringent than those adopted at the federal level. We cannot predict whether California state agencies will adopt consumer protection laws and standards that are more stringent than those adopted at the federal level or, if any are adopted, what impact they may have on us, our business or our results of operations.
We face a risk of noncompliance and enforcement action with the Bank Secrecy Act, other anti-money laundering and anti-bribery statutes and regulations, and U.S. economic and trade sanctions.
The Bank Secrecy Act, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, and other laws and regulations require financial institutions to, among other things, institute and maintain an effective anti-money laundering program and file suspicious activity and currency transaction reports as appropriate. The federal Financial Crimes Enforcement Network is authorized to impose significant civil monetary penalties for violations of those requirements and has engaged in coordinated enforcement efforts with state and federal banking regulators, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Internal Revenue Service. We also must comply with U.S. economic and trade sanctions administered by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and we, like other financial institutions, are subject to increased scrutiny for compliance with these requirements. We maintain policies, procedures and systems designed to detect and deter prohibited financing activities. If these controls were deemed deficient, we could be subject to liability, including civil fines and regulatory actions, which may include restrictions on our ability to pay dividends and the necessity to obtain regulatory approvals to proceed with certain aspects of our business plan. In addition, any failure to effectively maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing could have serious reputational consequences for us. Any of these results could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Risks Relating to our Banking Operations and Technology
We have a continuing need to stay current with technological changes to compete effectively and increase our efficiencies. We may not have the resources to implement new technology to stay current with these changes.
The financial services industry is undergoing rapid technological changes with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. In addition to better serving customers, the effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to reduce costs. Our future success will depend in part upon our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands for convenience as well as to provide secure electronic environments and create additional efficiencies in our operations as we continue to grow and expand our market area. In connection with implementing new technology enhancements or products in the future, we may experience certain operational challenges (e.g. human error, system error, incompatibility, etc.) which could result in us not fully realizing the anticipated benefits from such new technology or require us to incur significant costs to remedy any such challenges in a timely manner.
Many of our larger competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements and have invested significantly more than us in technological improvements. As a result, they may be able to offer additional or more convenient products compared to those that we will be able to provide, which would put us at a competitive disadvantage. Accordingly, we may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing such products and services to our customers, which could impair our growth and profitability.
We are subject to certain operational risks, including, but not limited to, customer or employee fraud and data processing system failures and errors.
Employee errors and employee and customer misconduct could subject us to financial losses or regulatory sanctions and seriously harm our reputation. Misconduct by our employees could include hiding unauthorized activities from us, improper or unauthorized activities on behalf of our customers or improper use of confidential information. It is not always possible to prevent employee errors and misconduct, and the precautions we take to prevent and detect this activity may not be effective in all cases. Employee errors could also subject us to financial claims for negligence.
We maintain a system of internal controls and insurance coverage to mitigate against operational risks, including data processing system failures and errors and customer or employee fraud. If our internal controls fail to prevent or detect an occurrence, or if any resulting loss is not insured or exceeds applicable insurance limits, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Managing reputational risk is important to attracting and maintaining clients, investors and employees.
Threats to our reputation can come from many sources, including adverse sentiment about financial institutions generally, unethical practices, employee misconduct, failure to deliver minimum standards of service or quality, compliance deficiencies and questionable or fraudulent activities of our clients. We have policies and procedures in place to promote ethical conduct and protect our reputation. However, these policies and procedures may not be fully effective. Negative publicity regarding our business, employees, or clients, with or without merit, may result in the loss of clients, investors and employees, costly litigation, a decline in revenues and increased governmental regulation.
We rely on communications, information, operating and financial control systems technology from third-party service providers, and we may suffer an interruption in those systems.
We rely heavily on third-party service providers for much of our communications, information, operating, and financial control systems technology, including our online banking services and data processing systems. Any failure or interruption, or breaches in security, of these systems could result in failures or interruptions in our client relationship management, general ledger, deposit, servicing and/or loan origination systems and, therefore, could harm our business, operating results and financial condition. Additionally, interruptions in service and security breaches could lead existing clients to terminate their banking relationships with us and could make it more difficult for us to attract new banking clients.
A breach in the security of our systems could disrupt our business, result in the disclosure of confidential information, damage our reputation and create significant financial and legal exposure to us.
We rely heavily on communications and information systems to conduct our business. Although we devote significant resources to maintain and regularly upgrade our systems and processes that are designed to protect the security of our computer systems, software, networks and other technology assets and the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information belonging to us and our clients, there is no assurance that all of our security measures will provide absolute security. Information security risks for financial institutions have generally increased in recent years in part because of the proliferation of new technologies, the use of the Internet and telecommunications technologies to conduct financial transactions, and the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, hackers, foreign governments, terrorists or other external parties. Those parties may also attempt to fraudulently induce employees, clients or other users of our systems to disclose sensitive information in order to gain access to our data or that of our clients. For example, other financial services institutions and companies engaged in data processing have reported breaches in the security of their websites or other systems, some of which have involved sophisticated and targeted attacks intended to obtain unauthorized access to confidential information, destroy data, disrupt or degrade service, sabotage systems or cause other damage, often through the introduction of computer viruses, malware, worms, cyberattacks, phishing attacks, and other means.
Despite our efforts to ensure the integrity of our systems, it is possible that we may not be able to anticipate or to implement effective preventive measures against all security breaches of these types, especially because the techniques used change frequently or are not recognized until launched. These risks may increase in the future as we continue to increase our internet-based product offerings and expand our internal usage of web-based products and applications. A successful penetration or circumvention of the security of our systems could cause serious negative consequences for us, including significant disruption of our operations, misappropriation of our confidential information or that of our clients, or damage to our computers or systems and those of our clients and counterparties, and could result in violations of applicable privacy and other laws, financial loss to us or our clients, loss of confidence in our security measures, client dissatisfaction, significant litigation exposure, and harm to our reputation, all of which could have a material adverse effect on us.
Risks Related to Tax Laws
We have a significant deferred tax asset that may or may not be fully realized.
We have a significant deferred tax asset. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax amounts for the temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities computed using enacted tax rates. We periodically assess available positive and negative evidence to determine whether it is more likely than not that our net deferred tax asset will be realized. Realization of a deferred tax asset requires us to apply significant judgment and is inherently speculative because it requires estimates that cannot be made with certainty. We have determined that it is more likely than not that we will be able to utilize our deferred tax asset to offset or reduce future taxes, and, as a result, we have released the previously established full valuation allowance on our deferred tax asset. This determination required us to incur a benefit to operations in the period in which we released or decreased the valuation allowance. If, in the future, we conclude that it is more likely than not that all or a portion of our deferred tax asset would not be realized, we would be required to establish a valuation allowance against that portion of our deferred tax asset. If, in the future, we are able to conclude that it is more likely than not that we will not be able to utilize our deferred tax asset, any future determination that a valuation allowance is again necessary will require us to incur a charge to operations that could have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations and regulatory capital condition. In addition, certain of our deferred tax assets, including our tax credit carryforwards and net operating loss carryforwards, are subject to expiration if we are unable to utilize them during their respective terms. We cannot assure you that we will be able to fully realize our deferred tax asset.
Changes in tax laws and regulations could affect our future taxable income.
A change in tax laws or regulations, or their interpretation, could materially affect us if we generate taxable income in a future period. For example, on December 22, 2017, the United States enacted H.R.1., known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Tax Act”) which, among other things, reduced the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. As a result, we recorded a decrease related to our deferred tax assets and liabilities of $5.8 million with a corresponding adjustment to our valuation allowance as of December 31, 2017.We may consider the impact of tax laws and regulations when we make decisions about our business and we engage in certain strategies to minimize the impact of taxes. Consequently, any change in tax laws or regulations, or new interpretation of existing laws or regulations, could significantly alter the effectiveness of these decisions and strategies.
Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure, Governance Matters and Significant Shareholders
Certain banking laws and provisions of our articles of incorporation could discourage a third party from making a takeover offer that may be beneficial to our shareholders.
Provisions of federal banking laws, including regulatory approval requirements, could make it difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would be perceived to be beneficial to our shareholders. The acquisition of 10% or more of any class of voting stock of a bank holding company or depository institution, including shares of our common stock, generally creates a rebuttable presumption that the acquirer “controls” the bank holding company or depository institution. Also, a bank holding company must obtain the prior approval of the FRB before, among other things, acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares of any bank, including us.
Additionally, our Board of Directors has the power, under our articles of incorporation, to create and authorize the sale of one or more new series of preferred stock without having to obtain shareholder approval for such action. As a result, the Board could authorize the issuance of and issue shares of a new series of preferred stock to implement a shareholders rights plan (often referred to as a “poison pill”) or could sell and issue preferred shares with special voting rights or conversion rights that could deter or delay attempts by our shareholders to remove or replace management, and attempts of third parties to engage in proxy contests and effectuate a change in control of us.
As a bank holding company that conducts substantially all of our operations through our subsidiaries, primarily the Bank, our ability to pay dividends, repurchase shares of our common stock or to repay our indebtedness depends upon liquid assets held by the holding company and the results of operations of our subsidiaries.
We are a separate and distinct legal entity from our subsidiaries and we receive substantially all of our revenue from dividends paid to us by the Bank. There are legal limitations on the Bank's ability to extend credit, pay dividends or otherwise supply funds to, or engage in transactions with, us. We have agreed that the Bank will not, without the FRB and the CDFPI's prior written approval, pay any dividends to us. Our inability to receive dividends from the Bank could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Various statutory provisions restrict the amount of dividends the Bank can pay to us without regulatory approval. The Bank may not pay cash dividends if that payment could reduce the amount of its capital below that amount which is necessary to meet the “adequately capitalized” standard under regulatory capital requirements. It is also possible that, depending upon the financial condition of the Bank and other factors, regulatory authorities could conclude that payment of dividends or other payments, including payments to us, is an unsafe or unsound practice, and as a result, and could impose restrictions on or prohibit such payments. The Federal Reserve Board has issued a policy statement on the payment of cash dividends by bank holding companies, which expresses the Federal Reserve Board’s view that a bank holding company should pay cash dividends only to the extent that its net income for the past year is sufficient to cover both the cash dividends and a rate of earnings retention that is consistent with the holding company’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. We have committed to obtaining approval from the Federal Reserve Board and the CDFPI prior to paying any dividends, or making any distributions representing interest, principal or other sums on subordinated debentures or trust preferred securities. There can be no assurance that our regulators will approve such payments or dividends in the future.
Patriot Financial Partners III, L.P. is a substantial holder of our common stock and our non-voting common stock.
Patriot Financial Partners III, L.P. (“Patriot”) holds approximately 10.6% of our common stock and 100.0% of our non-voting common stock, representing an aggregated 16.8% equity interest in the Company. Patriot has a representative on our board and the board of the Bank, and has the right to an observer of both boards. Although Patriot’s investment in us was structured to avoid a determination that Patriot controls us under the regulations of the Federal Reserve and other state and federal banking laws, Patriot could have a substantial influence over our corporate policy and business strategy. In pursuing its economic interests, Patriot may have interests that are different from the interests of our other shareholders.
General Risk Factors
The price of our common stock may be volatile or may decline, which may make it more difficult to realize a profit on your investment in our shares of common stock.
The trading prices of our common stock may fluctuate widely as a result of a number of factors, many of which are outside our control. Our stock price in the future could be adversely affected by other factors including:
•quarterly fluctuations in our operating results or financial condition;
•failure to meet analysts’ revenue or earnings estimates;
•the restrictions on our ability to pay cash dividends on our common stock as described below;
•the imposition of additional regulatory restrictions on our business and operations or an inability to meet regulatory requirements;
•an inability to successfully implement our growth strategy;
•strategic actions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions or restructurings;
•fluctuations in the stock prices and operating results of our competitors;
•general market conditions and, in particular, developments related to market conditions for financial services industry stocks;
•proposed or newly adopted legislative or regulatory changes or developments aimed at the financial services industry; and
•any future proceedings or litigation that may involve or affect us.
We may need to raise additional capital in the future and such capital may not be available when needed or at all.
We are required by federal and state regulators to maintain adequate levels of capital. We may need to raise additional capital in the future to meet regulatory or other internal requirements. Our ability to raise additional capital, if needed, will depend on, among other things, conditions in the capital markets at that time, which are outside of our control, and our financial performance.
We cannot provide any assurance that access to such capital will be available to us on acceptable terms or at all. Any occurrence that may limit our access to the capital markets, such as a decline in the confidence of investors or counter-parties participating in the capital markets, may materially and adversely affect our capital costs and our ability to raise capital and, in turn, our liquidity. Further, if we need to raise capital in the future, we may have to do so when many other financial institutions are also seeking to raise capital and we would then have to compete with those institutions for investors. The inability to raise additional capital on acceptable terms when needed could have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
If we sell additional shares of our stock in the future, our shareholders could suffer dilution in their share ownership and voting power.
Subject to market conditions and other factors, we may determine from time to time to issue additional shares of our common stock or pursue other equity financings to meet capital requirements or support the growth of our business. Further issuance of any shares of our common stock and/or preferred stock would dilute the ownership interests of any holders of our common stock at the time of such issuance. In addition, we have issued, and may continue to issue, stock options, warrants, or other stock grants under our equity incentive plan. It is probable that such options will be exercised during their respective terms if the stock price exceeds the exercise price of the particular option, in which case existing shareholders' share ownership and voting power will be diluted.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We lease office space in various locations throughout Southern California, including Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Irvine, Century City, San Diego, La Habra and Ontario. We believe our leased facilities are adequate for us to conduct our business.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are subject to legal actions that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of our business. Currently, neither we nor any of our subsidiaries is a party to, and none of our or our subsidiaries' property is the subject of, any material legal proceeding.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Trading Market for the Company’s Shares
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “PMBC.” As of March 11, 2021, there were approximately 56 holders of record of our common stock. We also have issued and outstanding shares of non-voting common stock held by one holder of record. The non-voting common stock is not traded on any exchange or quotation system.
Stock Performance Graph
The following graph compares the percentage change in our cumulative total shareholder return on our common stock, in each of the years in the five year period ended December 31, 2020, with the cumulative total return of: (i) the Russell 2000 Index, which measures the performance of the smallest 2,000 members, by market capitalization, of the Russell 3,000 Index, and (ii) an index published by SNL Securities L.C. (“SNL”) and known as the SNL Western Bank Index, which is comprised of 52 banks and bank holding companies (including the Company), the shares of which are listed on Nasdaq or the New York Stock Exchange and most of which are based in California and the remainder of which are based in nine other western states.
The stock performance graph assumes that $100 was invested at the close of market on the last trading day for the year ended December 31, 2015 in Company common stock and in the Russell 2000 Index and the SNL Western Bank Index and that any dividends paid in the indicated periods were reinvested. Shareholder returns shown in the stock performance graph are not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.
(1)The source of the above graph and chart is S&P Global Market Intelligence.
Period Ending
Index 12/31/15 12/31/16 12/31/17 12/31/18 12/31/19 12/31/20
Pacific Mercantile Bancorp 100.00 102.38 122.72 100.28 113.88 72.09
Russell 2000 Index 100.00 121.31 139.08 123.76 155.35 186.36
SNL Western Bank Index 100.00 110.86 123.61 97.86 119.35 88.08
The above performance graph shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that section and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any of our filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
Dividend Policy and Restrictions on the Payment of Dividends
We have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock since 2008.
Cash dividends from the Bank represent the principal source of funds available to Bancorp to pay cash dividends to shareholders. Government regulations, including the laws of the State of California, as they pertain to the payment of cash dividends by California state chartered banks, limit the amount of funds that the Bank would be permitted to dividend to Bancorp. As a result, those laws also affect our ability to pay cash dividends to our shareholders. In particular, under California law, cash dividends by a California state chartered bank may not exceed, in any calendar year, the lesser of (i) the sum of its net income for the year and its retained net income from the preceding two years (after deducting all dividends paid during the period), or (ii) the amount of its retained earnings. We have agreed that the Bank will not, without the FRB and CDFPI's prior written approval, pay any dividends to Bancorp.
Additionally, because the payment of cash dividends has the effect of reducing capital, the capital requirements imposed on bank holding companies and commercial banks often operate, as a practical matter, to preclude the payment, or limit the amount of, cash dividends that might otherwise be permitted by California law; and the federal bank regulatory agencies, as part of their supervisory powers, generally require insured banks to adopt dividend policies which limit the payment of cash dividends much more strictly than do applicable state laws. Refer to “Supervision and Regulation” above in Item 1 and Note 15, Shareholders' Equity in the notes to our consolidated financial statements for more detail regarding the regulatory restrictions on our and the Bank's ability to pay dividends. We have committed to obtaining approval from the FRB and the CDFPI prior to Bancorp paying any dividends, or making any distributions representing interest, principal or other sums on subordinated debentures or trust preferred securities. There can be no assurance that our regulators will approve such payments or dividends in the future.
Even if legal or regulatory restrictions do not prevent us from paying dividends to our shareholders, our Board of Directors follows a policy of retaining earnings to maintain capital, enhance the Bank's liquidity and support the growth of our banking franchise. Accordingly, we do not expect to pay cash dividends for the foreseeable future.
Restrictions on Inter-Company Transactions
Section 23(a) of the Federal Reserve Act limits the amounts that a bank may loan to its bank holding company to an aggregate of no more than 10% of the bank subsidiary’s capital surplus and retained earnings and requires that such loans be secured by specified assets of the bank holding company-See “BUSINESS-Supervision and Regulation-Restrictions on Transactions between the Bank and the Company and its other Affiliates” in Item 1 of this Report. We do not have any present intention to obtain any borrowings from the Bank.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected statement of operations data for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the selected balance sheet data as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the selected financial ratios (other than book value per share), that follow below were derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Report and should be read in conjunction with those audited consolidated financial statements, together with the notes thereto, and with “MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS ” set forth in Item 7 of this Report. The selected statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the selected balance sheet data as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, and the selected financial ratios (other than book value per share) for the periods prior to January 1, 2018 are derived from audited consolidated financial statements that are not included in this Report.
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
Selected Statement of Operations Data:
Total interest income $ 60,598 $ 65,677 $ 62,542 $ 51,573 $ 41,000
Total interest expense 8,616 16,121 13,620 7,831 5,477
Net interest income 51,982 49,556 48,922 43,742 35,523
Provision for loan and lease losses 9,050 9,150 - - 19,870
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses 42,932 40,406 48,922 43,742 15,653
Total noninterest income 6,337 5,588 4,635 4,374 2,937
Total noninterest expense 36,847 38,179 36,970 37,758 36,401
Income before income taxes 12,422 7,815 16,587 10,358 (17,811)
Income tax provision (benefit) 4,088 2,135 (10,752) (91) 16,832
Net income 8,334 5,680 27,339 10,449 (34,643)
Net income allocable to common shareholders $ 8,334 $ 5,680 $ 27,339 $ 10,449 $ (34,643)
Per share data-basic:
Net income (loss) $ 0.35 $ 0.24 $ 1.17 $ 0.45 $ (1.51)
Net income (loss) allocable to common shareholders $ 0.35 $ 0.24 $ 1.17 $ 0.45 $ (1.51)
Per share data-diluted:
Net income (loss) $ 0.35 $ 0.24 $ 1.16 $ 0.45 $ (1.51)
Net income (loss) allocable to common shareholders $ 0.35 $ 0.24 $ 1.16 $ 0.45 $ (1.51)
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic 23,507,081 22,811,215 22,788,164 23,071,671 22,802,439
Diluted 23,716,144 23,631,879 23,527,183 23,312,292 22,958,644
December 31,
2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
(Dollars in thousands except for per share information)
Selected Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents(1) $ 286,269 $ 220,138 $ 187,718 $ 198,208 $ 138,845
Total loans, net 1,209,587 1,117,511 1,083,240 1,053,201 931,525
Total assets 1,587,590 1,416,154 1,349,338 1,322,604 1,140,689
Total deposits 1,383,347 1,199,570 1,136,002 1,139,393 1,001,300
Junior subordinated debentures 17,527 17,527 17,527 17,527 17,527
Total shareholders’ equity 158,749 149,048 141,374 112,876 99,719
Book value per share $ 6.71 $ 6.32 $ 6.06 $ 4.86 $ 4.33
(1)Cash and cash equivalents include cash and due from banks and federal funds sold.
For the Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
(unaudited)
Selected Financial Ratios:
Return on average assets 0.51 % 0.40 % 2.04 % 0.88 % (3.13) %
Return on average equity 5.45 % 3.87 % 21.40 % 9.78 % (27.56) %
Ratio of average equity to average assets 9.44 % 10.33 % 9.54 % 9.03 % 11.35 %

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
The following discussion presents information about our consolidated results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and capital resources and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in Item 8 of this Report.
Our principal operating subsidiary is Pacific Mercantile Bank (the “Bank”), which is a California state chartered bank. The Bank accounts for substantially all of our consolidated revenues, expenses and income and our consolidated assets and liabilities. Accordingly, the following discussion focuses primarily on the Bank’s results of operations and financial condition.
As of December 31, 2020, our total assets, net loans and total deposits were $1.6 billion, $1.2 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively.
The Bank, which is headquartered in Orange County, California, approximately 40 miles south of Los Angeles, conducts a commercial banking business in Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and San Diego counties in Southern California. The Bank is also a member of the Federal Reserve System and its deposits are insured, to the maximum extent permitted by law, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, we operated as one reportable segment, Commercial Banking.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “ours,” and “us” refer to Pacific Mercantile Bancorp and its consolidated subsidiaries.
COVID-19 Impact
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) and the Federal Reserve's response to the economic challenges during 2020 has resulted in an uncertain and rapidly evolving economy. Governmental response to combat this pandemic have resulted in approximately 25% of our staff to shift to work either partially or fully remote. Our business continuity plans have been activated by COVID-19 and we have been able to fully support our remote workforce and have the ability to support all employees in a remote work environment. These remote work arrangements have not adversely impacted our ability to serve our clients, and have not had an impact on our financial reporting systems or the internal controls we have over financial reporting, disclosures and related procedures.
The most significant impact of COVID-19 on our business has been to the quality of our loan portfolio and to net interest income as short-term interest rates sharply declined. We have increased the qualitative factors used in the determination of the adequacy of our allowance for loan and lease loss in anticipation of the impact that COVID-19 will have on our clients and their ability to fulfill their obligations. We have no certainty that the provisions we made during 2020 will be sufficient to absorb the losses that stem from the impact of COVID-19 on our clients. As the longer term effects on our clients from the COVID-19 pandemic become more apparent, we may need to charge-off some or all of the balance on certain loans and make further provisions to increase our allowance for loan and lease losses. These potential additional provisions for loan and lease losses will have a direct impact upon our capital, including the potential need to reevaluate the need for a valuation allowance on our deferred tax asset. At this time, we don't expect that there would be any material impairment to the valuation of other long-lived assets, right of use assets, or our investment securities.
At December 31, 2020, the Bank had capital ratios exceeding the minimums required to be qualified as a “well capitalized” institution under federally mandated capital standards and federally established prompt corrective active regulations, with approximately $68 million of capital in excess of what is required for the Bank to be qualified as well capitalized using the ratio of total capital to risk weighted assets. The Company has approximately $10 million of capital that it could contribute to the Bank should it be needed. In the event that future loan and leases loss and/or tax provisions reduce our capital surplus, we would be required to undertake measures to return the Bank's capital ratios to well capitalized levels, which could include but not be limited to raising additional capital or reducing the Bank's asset size. We believe that we would have access to equity and debt markets to secure additional capital for the Bank should the need arise, but we have no certainty regarding the extent of the availability of these markets at the time such need would arise.
Increased demand for liquidity by our clients is another impact that we anticipate could occur should the COVID-19 effects be prolonged. As of December 31, 2020 the Company and the Bank's on-balance sheet liquidity was very strong and combined with our contingent liquidity resources, we believe that the Bank has sufficient resources to meet the liquidity needs of our clients. In response to COVID-19, the Federal Reserve has made other provisions that could assist the Bank in satisfying its liquidity needs, such as reducing our reserve requirement to zero, expanding access to the discount window through collateral pledging and extension of term borrowings.
Results of Operations
Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018
Our operating results for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to December 31, 2019, and for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to December 31, 2018, were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018 2020 vs. 2019
% Change 2019 vs. 2018
% Change
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest income $ 60,598 $ 65,677 $ 62,542 (7.7) % 5.0 %
Interest expense 8,616 16,121 13,620 (46.6) % 18.4 %
Provision for loan and lease losses 9,050 9,150 - (1.1) % 100.0 %
Non-interest income 6,337 5,588 4,635 13.4 % 20.6 %
Non-interest expense 36,847 38,179 36,970 (3.5) % 3.3 %
Income tax provision (benefit) 4,088 2,135 (10,752) 91.5 % (119.9) %
Net income allocable to common shareholders $ 8,334 $ 5,680 $ 27,339 46.7 % (79.2) %
Interest Income
2020 vs. 2019
Total interest income decreased 7.7% to $60.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $65.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in interest income on short term investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the prior year as a result of lower average yields in the declining interest rate environment of the current year. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, interest income on loans was $58.7 million and $59.3 million, respectively, yielding 4.68% and 5.39% on average loan balances of $1.26 billion and $1.10 billion, respectively. The increase in the average loan balances is attributable to the funding of $281.0 million of PPP loans. The average yield on interest-earning assets was 3.84% for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to 4.77% for the year ended December 31, 2019.
During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, interest income from our securities available-for-sale and stock, was $939 thousand and $1.1 million, yielding 2.57% and 2.90% on average balances of $36.5 million and $36.7 million, respectively. The average securities balances decreased as a result of sales and maturities of, and payments on, securities throughout the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in the average yield is the result of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates by 150 basis points in the first quarter of 2020. Interest income from our short-term investments, including our federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits, was $1.0 million and $5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, yielding 0.33% and 2.20% on average balances of $286.4 million and $239.3 million, respectively. The increase in the average balance is the result of increased liquidity as a result of deposit growth. The decrease in the average yield is a result of the declining interest rate environment in the latter half of 2019 through early 2020. As a result, total interest income on investments decreased for the year ended December 31, 2020.
2019 vs. 2018
Total interest income increased 5.0% to $65.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $62.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. This increase is primarily due to an increase in interest income on loans and short term investments during the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the prior year due to an increase in average balances, as well as an increase in the average yields. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, interest income on loans was $59.3 million and $57.6 million, respectively, yielding 5.39% and 5.38% on average loan balances of $1.10 billion and $1.07 billion, respectively. The increase in the average loan balances is attributable to an increase in loan demand. The average yield on interest-earning assets was 4.77% for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to 4.78% for the year ended December 31, 2018.
During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, interest income from our securities available-for-sale and stock, was $1.1 million and $1.2 million, respectively, yielding 2.90% and 2.92% on average balances of $36.7 million and $39.7 million, respectively. The average securities balances decreased as a result of sales and maturities of, and payments on, securities throughout the year ended December 31, 2019Aqw, which was partially offset by purchases during the second half of
the year. The decrease in the average yield is the result of the FHLB special dividend of $83 thousand during December 2018. Interest income from our short-term investments, including our federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits, was $5.3 million and $3.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, yielding 2.20% and 1.92% on average balances of $239.3 million and $195.7 million, respectively. The increase in the average balance is the result of increased liquidity as a result of deposit growth. The increase in the average yield is a result of the rising interest rate environment throughout 2018 and early 2019, offset by decreasing rates in the latter half of 2019. As a result, total interest income on investments increased for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Interest Expense
2020 vs. 2019
Total interest expense decreased 46.6% to $8.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $16.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the average cost of funds of our interest-bearing liabilities to 1.00% at December 31, 2020 from 1.85% at December 31, 2019, which was primarily the result of our ongoing focus on reducing costs of deposits by monitoring and lowering interest rates in response to the current interest rate environment and actively managing our deposit portfolio away from higher costing money market deposits and certificates of deposit and into noninterest bearing deposits. Interest expense on our certificates of deposit for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $4.9 million and $6.0 million, respectively, with a cost of funds of 1.98% and 2.26% on average balances of $248.8 million and $265.9 million, respectively.
2019 vs. 2018
Total interest expense increased 18.4% to $16.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 from $13.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the volume of and average cost of funds of our interest-bearing liabilities to 1.85% at December 31, 2019 from 1.60% at December 31, 2018, which was primarily the result of new client acquisition and our decision to increase the rate of interest paid on our non-maturity interest bearing deposits and our certificates of deposit while in a rising interest rate environment, and an increase in our FHLB borrowings. Interest expense on our certificates of deposit for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was $6.0 million and $5.3 million, respectively, with a cost of funds of 2.26% and 1.70%, on average balances of $265.9 million and $315.2 million, respectively.
Net Interest Margin
One of the principal determinants of a bank’s income is its net interest income, which is the difference between (i) the interest that a bank earns on loans, investment securities and other interest earning assets, on the one hand, and (ii) its interest expense, which consists primarily of the interest it must pay to attract and retain deposits and the interest that it pays on borrowings and other interest-bearing liabilities, on the other hand. As a general rule, all other things being equal, the greater the difference or “spread” between the amount of our interest income and the amount of our interest expense, the greater will be our net income; whereas, a decline in that difference or “spread” will generally result in a decline in our net income.
A bank’s interest income and interest expense are affected by a number of factors, some of which are outside of its control, including national and local economic conditions and the monetary policies of the Federal Reserve Board which affect interest rates, competition in the market place for loans and deposits, the demand for loans and the ability of borrowers to meet their loan payment obligations. Net interest income, when expressed as a percentage of total average interest earning assets, is a banking organization’s “net interest margin.”
As a result of the Federal Reserve Board decreasing interest rates by 150 basis points during the first quarter of 2020, we experienced a reduction in our net interest margin. The unfavorable impact of lower prevailing interest rates on our asset-sensitive balance sheet was evidenced in the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019. While we are unable to ascertain whether the Federal Reserve Board will continue to decrease short-term interest rates in the future, we expect the unfavorable impact on our net interest margin will remain in the event that interest rates continue to fall. However, we believe the management of our deposit costs to correspond with declining interest rates would partially offset the contractual decrease in the yield on earning assets.
The following tables set forth information regarding our average balance sheet, yields on interest earning assets, interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, the interest rate spread and the interest rate margin for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018. Average balances are calculated based on average daily balances.
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Average
Balance Interest
Earned/
Paid Average
Yield/
Rate Average
Balance Interest
Earned/
Paid Average
Yield/
Rate Average
Balance Interest
Earned/
Paid Average
Yield/
Rate
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest earning assets
Short-term investments(1)
$ 286,400 $ 959 0.33 % $ 239,268 $ 5,264 2.20 % $ 195,736 $ 3,756 1.92 %
Securities available for sale and stock(2)
36,470 939 2.57 % 36,716 1,065 2.90 % 39,744 1,160 2.92 %
Loans(3)
1,255,461 58,700 4.68 % 1,100,082 59,348 5.39 % 1,071,874 57,626 5.38 %
Total interest-earning assets 1,578,331 60,598 3.84 % 1,376,066 65,677 4.77 % 1,307,354 62,542 4.78 %
Noninterest-earning assets
Cash and due from banks 17,247 15,975 16,785
All other assets(3)
24,762 26,528 14,577
Total assets $ 1,620,340 $ 1,418,569 $ 1,338,716
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing checking accounts $ 113,711 $ 172 0.15 % $ 109,234 $ 645 0.59 % $ 69,841 363 0.52 %
Money market and savings accounts 416,953 2,439 0.58 % 438,814 7,635 1.74 % 412,366 6,358 1.54 %
Certificates of deposit 248,801 4,918 1.98 % 265,859 6,002 2.26 % 315,189 5,349 1.70 %
Other borrowings 62,948 464 0.74 % 39,315 947 2.41 % 36,209 705 1.95 %
Junior subordinated debentures 17,527 623 3.55 % 17,527 892 5.09 % 17,527 845 4.82 %
Total interest bearing liabilities 859,940 8,616 1.00 % 870,749 16,121 1.85 % 851,132 13,620 1.60 %
Noninterest-bearing liabilities
Demand deposits 588,557 382,198 348,923
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 18,944 19,032 10,931
Shareholders' equity 152,899 146,590 127,730
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 1,620,340 $ 1,418,569 $ 1,338,716
Net interest income $ 51,982 $ 49,556 $ 48,922
Net interest income/spread 2.84 % 2.92 % 3.18 %
Net interest margin 3.29 % 3.60 % 3.74 %
(1)Short-term investments consist of federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits that we maintain at other financial institutions.
(2)Stock consists of FHLB stock and Federal Reserve Bank stock.
(3)Loans include the average balance of nonaccrual loans and loan fees. The allowance for loan and lease losses is included within the "All other assets" line item.
The following table sets forth changes in interest income, including loan fees, and interest paid in each of the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 and the extent to which those changes were attributable to changes in (i) the volumes of or in the rates of interest earned on interest-earning assets and (ii) the volumes of or the rates of interest paid on our interest-bearing liabilities.
2020 Compared to 2019
Increase (Decrease) due to Changes in 2019 Compared to 2018
Increase (Decrease) due to Changes in
Volume Rates Total
Increase
(Decrease) Volume Rates Total
Increase
(Decrease)
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest income
Short-term investments(1)
$ 871 $ (5,176) $ (4,305) $ 909 $ 599 $ 1,508
Securities available for sale and stock(2)
(7) (119) (126) (88) (7) (95)
Loans 7,808 (8,456) (648) 1,521 201 1,722
Total earning assets 8,672 (13,751) (5,079) 2,342 793 3,135
Interest expense
Interest-bearing checking accounts 25 (498) (473) 227 55 282
Money market and savings accounts (363) (4,833) (5,196) 425 852 1,277
Certificates of deposit (369) (715) (1,084) (926) 1,579 653
Borrowings 386 (869) (483) 64 178 242
Junior subordinated debentures - (269) (269) 47 47
Total interest-bearing liabilities (321) (7,184) (7,505) (210) 2,711 2,501
Net interest income $ 8,993 $ (6,567) $ 2,426 $ 2,552 $ (1,918) $ 634
(1)Short-term investments consist of federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits that we maintain at financial institutions.
(2)Stock consists of FHLB stock and Federal Reserve Bank stock.
Provision for Loan and Lease Losses
We maintain reserves to provide for loan losses that occur in the ordinary course of the banking business. When it is determined that the payment in full of a loan has become unlikely, the carrying value of the loan is reduced (“written down”) to what management believes is its realizable value or, if it is determined that a loan no longer has any realizable value, the carrying value of the loan is written off in its entirety (a loan “charge-off”). Loan charge-offs and write-downs are charged against our allowance for loan and lease losses (“ALLL”). The amount of the ALLL is increased periodically to replenish the ALLL after it has been reduced due to loan write-downs or charge-offs. The ALLL also is increased or decreased periodically to reflect increases or decreases in the volume of outstanding loans and to take account of changes in the risk of probable loan losses due to financial performance of borrowers, the value of collateral securing non-performing loans or changing economic conditions. Increases in the ALLL are made through a “provision for loan and lease losses” that is recorded as an expense in the statement of operations. Increases in the ALLL are also recognized through the recovery of charged-off loans which are added back to the ALLL. As such, recoveries are a direct offset for a provision for loan and lease losses that would otherwise be needed to replenish or increase the ALLL.
We employ economic models and data that conform to bank regulatory guidelines and reflect sound industry practices as well as our own historical loan loss experience to determine the sufficiency of the ALLL and any provisions needed to increase or replenish the ALLL. Those determinations involve judgments and assumptions about current economic conditions and external events that can impact the ability of borrowers to meet their loan obligations. However, the duration and impact of these factors cannot be determined with any certainty. As such, unanticipated changes in economic or market conditions, bank regulatory guidelines or the sound practices that are used to determine the sufficiency of the ALLL, could require us to record additional, and possibly significant, provisions to increase the ALLL. This would have the effect of reducing reportable income or, in the most extreme circumstance, creating a reportable loss. In addition, the Federal Reserve Bank and the CDFPI, as an integral part of their regulatory oversight, periodically review the adequacy of our ALLL. These agencies may require us to make additional provisions for perceived potential loan losses, over and above the provisions that we have already made, the effect of which would be to reduce our income or increase any losses we might incur.
We recorded a $9.1 million provision for loan and lease losses during the year ended December 31, 2020 as a result of total net charge-offs of $5.2 million, an increase in classified and non-performing loans, and qualitative factor increases related to COVID-19 during the year. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we recorded a provision for loan and lease losses of $9.2 million as a result of total net charge-offs of $9.0 million, an increase in classified and non-performing loans, and growth in our loan portfolio during the year. We recorded no provision for loan and lease losses during the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily as a result of reserves for new loan growth being offset by a decline in the level of classified assets.
See "-Financial Condition-Nonperforming Assets and Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses" below in this Item 7 for additional information regarding the ALLL.
Noninterest Income
The following table identifies the components of and the percentage changes in noninterest income in the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:
Year Ended December 31,
Amount Amount Amount Percentage
Change Percentage
Change
2020 2019 2018 2020 vs. 2019 2019 vs. 2018
(Dollars in thousands)
Service fees on deposits and other banking services $ 3,137 $ 1,782 $ 1,549 76.0 % 15.0 %
Net gain on sale of securities available for sale 171 - 48 100.0 % (100.0) %
Net loss on sale of other assets (147) (42) (4) 250.0 % 950.0 %
Net gain on sale of Small Business Administration loans 547 1,029 - (46.8) % 100.0 %
Other noninterest income 2,629 2,819 3,042 (6.7) % (7.3) %
Total noninterest income $ 6,337 $ 5,588 $ 4,635 13.4 % 20.6 %
2020 vs. 2019
Noninterest income increased by $749 thousand, or 13.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, primarily as a result of:
•An increase of $1.4 million in deposit related fees, credit card fees and loan service fees during the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019 as the result of modifications to our loan and deposit fee structure; and
•Gain on sale of securities available for sale of $171 thousand during the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to zero for the prior year; partially offset by
•Gain on sale of SBA loans of $1.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to gain on sale of $547 thousand during the year ended December 31, 2020; and
•A decrease of $190 thousand in other noninterest income during the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019 due to decreased credit card income in 2020.
2019 vs. 2018
During the year ended December 31, 2019, noninterest income increased by $953 thousand, or 20.6%, to $5.6 million from $4.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, primarily as a result of:
•Net gain on sale of SBA loans of $1.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to no SBA sales during the same period in 2018; and
•An increase of $233 thousand in deposit related fees, credit card fees and loan service fees during the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018; partially offset by
•A decrease of $223 thousand in other non-interest income during the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018 due to decreased foreign exchange and trade income in 2019; and
•A gain of $48 thousand on the sale of securities available for sale during the year ended December 31, 2018 that did not occur in the same period in 2019.
Noninterest Expense
The following table sets forth the principal components and the amounts of, and the percentage changes in, noninterest expense in the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018 2020 vs. 2019 2019 vs. 2018
Amount Amount Amount Percent Change Percent Change
(Dollars in thousands)
Salaries and employee benefits $ 22,429 $ 23,411 $ 23,749 (4.2) % (1.4) %
Occupancy 2,677 2,553 2,388 4.9 % 6.9 %
Equipment and depreciation 2,024 1,884 1,802 7.4 % 4.6 %
Data processing 2,568 2,184 1,681 17.6 % 29.9 %
FDIC expense 954 427 927 123.4 % (53.9) %
Other real estate owned expense, net - 69 123 (100.0) % (43.9) %
Professional fees 2,956 3,982 2,468 (25.8) % 61.3 %
Business development 619 803 946 (22.9) % (15.1) %
Loan related expense 592 639 769 (7.4) % (16.9) %
Insurance 256 245 248 4.5 % (1.2) %
Other operating expenses (1)
1,772 1,982 1,869 (10.6) % 6.0 %
Total noninterest expense $ 36,847 $ 38,179 $ 36,970 (3.5) % 3.3 %
(1)Other operating expenses primarily consist of telephone, investor relations, promotional, regulatory expenses, and correspondent bank fees.
2020 vs. 2019
Noninterest expense decreased $1.3 million, or 3.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, primarily as a result of:
•A decrease of $1.0 million in our professional fees primarily related to higher legal and consulting fees in 2019; and
•A decrease of $982 thousand in salaries and employee benefits primarily related to the staffing changes made at the bank during the second quarter of 2020; and
•A decrease of $210 thousand in other operating expenses due to cost savings initiatives during the year; partially offset by
•An increase of $527 thousand in FDIC expenses based on an increased average asset size that resulted from our participation in PPP versus receiving a rebate from the FDIC during the prior year; and
•An increase of $384 thousand in data processing fees primarily related to a higher deposit volume; and
•An increase of $140 thousand in equipment and depreciation related to hardware and software purchases resulting from the efforts to deploy work-from-home capabilities for more of our employees.
2019 vs. 2018
During the year ended December 31, 2019, noninterest expense increased by $1.2 million, or 3.3%, to $38.2 million from $37.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, primarily as a result of:
•An increase of $1.5 million in our professional fees primarily related to higher legal fees in 2019 and the recovery of legal fees attributable to the payoff of a loan relationship in 2018 that was previously on nonaccrual status; and
•An increase of $247 thousand in occupancy and equipment expense related to building and equipment maintenance; and
•An increase of $503 thousand in data processing fees primarily related to a higher credit card and deposit volume; and
•An increase in various expense accounts related to the normal course of operating, including expenses related to loan production and business development; partially offset by
•A decrease of $338 thousand in salaries and employee benefits primarily related to a decrease in employee benefits and incentive compensation partially offset by severance payments and acceleration of equity awards of a former executive; and
•A decrease of $500 thousand in our FDIC insurance expenses as the result of a lower rate and rebate.
Provision for (Benefit from) Income Tax
The CARES Act, passed by Congress during the first quarter of 2020 in response to the outbreak of COVID-19, provides for assistance in the form of income tax related relief measures, including temporary changes to income tax laws such as the ability to carryback NOLs for a period of five years, which does not apply to our Company. Management performed an evaluation of the tax relief measures available, and determined there was no significant impact to our Company, and therefore, no tax relief provisions were applied.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, we had an income tax expense of $4.1 million. The income tax expense during the year ended December 31, 2020 is primarily a result of our operating income partially offset by an adjustment made to our deferred tax asset in the fourth quarter to true up stock based compensation. Accounting rules specify that management must evaluate the deferred tax asset on a recurring basis to determine whether enough positive evidence exists to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax asset will be available to offset or reduce future taxes. The tax code allows net operating losses incurred prior to December 31, 2017 to be carried forward for 20 years from the date of the loss, and based on its evaluation, management believes that the Company will be able to realize the deferred tax asset within the period that our net operating losses may be carried forward. Due to the hierarchy of evidence that the accounting rules specify, management determined that there continued to be enough positive evidence to support no valuation allowance on our deferred tax asset at December 31, 2020. Significant positive evidence included our three-year cumulative income position, the expectation that we will continue to have positive earnings based on positive income in eleven of the last twelve trailing quarters, and a shift from accumulated deficit to retained earnings during the year. Negative evidence included our net loss for the first quarter of 2020 and deterioration in asset quality.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, we had an income tax expense of $2.1 million. The income tax expense during the year ended December 31, 2019 is primarily a result of our operating income partially offset by an adjustment made to our deferred tax asset in the fourth quarter to true up stock based compensation. Accounting rules specify that management must evaluate the deferred tax asset on a recurring basis to determine whether enough positive evidence exists to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax asset will be available to offset or reduce future taxes. The tax code allows net operating losses incurred prior to December 31, 2017 to be carried forward for 20 years from the date of the loss, and based on its evaluation, management believes that the Company will be able to realize the deferred tax asset within the period that our net operating losses may be carried forward. Due to the hierarchy of evidence that the accounting rules specify, management determined that there continued to be enough positive evidence to support no valuation allowance on our deferred tax asset at December 31, 2019. Significant positive evidence included our three-year cumulative income position and the expectation that we will continue to have positive earnings based on thirteen trailing quarters of positive income and our forecast. Negative evidence included our accumulated deficit and deterioration in asset quality.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, we had an income tax benefit of $10.8 million. The income tax benefit during the year ended December 31, 2018 is as a result of our net income during the year and the release of our full valuation allowance of $11.1 million on our net deferred tax asset during the second quarter of 2018, discussed further below. Accounting rules specify that management must evaluate the deferred tax asset on a recurring basis to determine whether enough positive evidence exists to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax asset will be available to offset or reduce future taxes. The tax code allows net operating losses incurred prior to December 31, 2017 to be carried forward for 20 years from the date of the loss, and based on its evaluation, management believes that the Company will be able to realize the deferred tax asset within the period that our net operating losses may be carried forward. Due to the hierarchy of evidence that the accounting rules specify, management determined that there continued to be enough positive evidence to support no valuation allowance on our deferred tax asset at December 31, 2018. Significant positive evidence included our three-year cumulative income position, continued improvement in asset quality, and the expectation that we will continue to have positive earnings based on nine trailing quarters of positive income and our forecast. Negative evidence included our accumulated deficit.
See "-Critical Accounting Policies - Utilization and Valuation of Deferred Income Tax Benefits” below for additional information regarding our deferred tax asset.
Financial Condition
Assets
Our total consolidated assets increased by $171 million at December 31, 2020 from $1.4 billion at December 31, 2019. The following table sets forth the composition of our interest earning assets at:
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-bearing deposits with financial institutions (1)
$ 274,245 $ 202,729
Interest-bearing time deposits with financial institutions 1,597 2,420
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and Federal Home Loan Bank Stock, at cost 7,910 7,910
Securities available for sale, at fair value 42,183 28,344
Loans (net of allowances of $17,452 and $13,611, respectively) 1,209,587 1,117,511
(1)Includes interest-earning balances maintained at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (“FRBSF”).
Securities Available for Sale
Securities Available for Sale. Securities that we intend to hold for an indefinite period of time, but which may be sold in response to changes in liquidity needs, interest rates, or prepayment risks or other similar factors, are classified as “securities available for sale”. Such securities are recorded on our balance sheet at their respective fair values and increases or decreases in those values are recorded as unrealized gains or losses, respectively, and are reported as Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on our accompanying consolidated balance sheet, rather than included in or deducted from our earnings.
The following is a summary of the major components of securities available for sale and a comparison of the amortized cost, estimated fair values and the gross unrealized gains and losses attributable to those securities, as of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:
Amortized Cost Gross
Unrealized Gain Gross
Unrealized Loss Estimated
Fair Value
(Dollars in thousands)
Securities available for sale at December 31, 2020:
Residential mortgage backed securities issued by U.S. Agencies $ 14,061 $ 379 $ (4) $ 14,436
Commercial mortgage backed securities issued by U.S. Agencies 20,585 214 (126) 20,673
Corporate subordinated indentures 7,035 42 (3) 7,074
Total securities available for sale $ 41,681 $ 635 $ (133) $ 42,183
Securities available for sale at December 31, 2019:
Residential mortgage backed securities issued by U.S. Agencies $ 19,380 $ 12 $ (277) $ 19,115
Commercial mortgage backed securities issued by U.S. Agencies 9,147 128 (46) 9,229
Total securities available for sale $ 28,527 $ 140 $ (323) $ 28,344
Securities available for sale at December 31, 2018:
U.S. Treasury securities $ 2,999 $ - $ (19) $ 2,980
Residential mortgage backed securities issued by U.S. Agencies 24,739 1 (1,023) 23,717
Commercial mortgage backed securities issued by U.S. Agencies 4,495 40 (1) 4,534
Total securities available for sale $ 32,233 $ 41 $ (1,043) $ 31,231
At December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, U.S. agency mortgage backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations with an aggregate fair market value of $2.0 million, $9.2 million and $18.2 million, respectively, were pledged to secure FHLB borrowings, repurchase agreements, local agency deposits and treasury, tax and loan accounts.
The amortized cost of securities available for sale at December 31, 2020 is shown in the table below by contractual maturities taking into consideration historical prepayments based on the prior twelve months of principal payments. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities and historical prepayments, particularly with respect to collateralized mortgage obligations, primarily because prepayment rates are affected by changes in conditions in the interest rate market and, therefore, future prepayment rates may differ from historical prepayment rates.
December 31, 2020
Maturing in
One year
or less Over one
year through
five years Over five
years through
ten years Over ten
years Total
Amortized Cost Weighted
Average
Yield Amortized Cost Weighted
Average
Yield Amortized Cost Weighted
Average
Yield Amortized Cost Weighted
Average
Yield Amortized Cost Weighted
Average
Yield
(Dollars in thousands)
Securities available for sale:
Residential mortgage backed securities issued by U.S. Agencies $ 4,780 1.35 % $ 8,084 1.37 % $ 1,197 1.20 % $ - - % $ 14,061 1.39 %
Commercial mortgage backed securities issued by U.S. Agencies 877 0.80 % 4,834 1.50 % 5,171 1.58 % 9,703 1.38 % 20,585 1.52 %
Corporate subordinated indentures - - % 7,035 3.82 % - - % - - % 7,035 3.82 %
Total Securities Available for sale $ 5,657 1.27 % $ 19,953 2.27 % $ 6,368 1.27 % $ 9,703 1.38 % $ 41,681 1.77 %
The table below indicates, as of December 31, 2020, the gross unrealized losses and fair values of our investments, aggregated by investment category, and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position.
Securities with Unrealized Loss at December 31, 2020
Less than 12 months 12 months or more Total
Fair Value Unrealized
Loss Fair Value Unrealized
Loss Fair Value Unrealized
Loss
(Dollars in thousands)
Residential mortgage backed securities issued by U.S. Agencies $ 68 $ (1) $ 126 $ (3) $ 194 $ (4)
Commercial mortgage backed securities issued by U.S. Agencies 7,483 (126) - - 7,483 (126)
Corporate subordinated indentures 4,032 (3) - - 4,032 (3)
Total $ 11,583 $ (130) $ 126 $ (3) $ 11,709 $ (133)
We regularly monitor investments for significant declines in fair value. We have determined that declines in the fair values of these investments below their respective amortized costs, as set forth in the tables above, are temporary because (i) those declines were due to interest rate changes and not to a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuers of those investment securities, and (ii) we have the ability to hold those securities until there is a recovery in their values or until their maturity.
Loans
The outbreak of COVID-19 will continue to have an impact on our loan portfolio as we experience a prolonged period of economic uncertainty that affects a broad range of industries in which our customers operate. Disruptions to our customers could result in increased risk of delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures and losses on our loans. As a result of these risks, we have provided for additional losses in our provision for loan and lease losses with increased qualitative factors to reflect the current economic environment. Our participation in the PPP has allowed us to assist hundreds of our customers in securing funding from the SBA. The Bank was able to begin processing applications for PPP loans on April 3, 2020, the very first day the SBA began accepting applications, due to the preparations made by the Bank at the end of the first quarter. The Bank has been able to process loan applications for approximately $281 million, which was largely for the benefit of the Bank's existing clients who have been impacted by COVID-19. Our loan growth during the year is primarily due to these loans funded under the PPP.
The following table sets forth the composition, by loan category, of our loan portfolio at December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018:
At December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent
(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial loans, excluding PPP $ 337,427 27.6 % $ 409,420 36.2 % $ 444,441 40.7 %
Commercial loans - PPP 229,728 18.8 % - - % - - %
Commercial real estate loans - owner occupied 197,336 16.1 % 219,483 19.5 % 211,645 19.3 %
Commercial real estate loans - all other 194,893 15.9 % 208,283 18.5 % 226,441 20.7 %
Residential mortgage loans - multi-family 159,182 13.0 % 176,523 15.7 % 97,173 8.9 %
Residential mortgage loans - single family 12,766 1.0 % 18,782 1.7 % 21,176 1.9 %
Construction and land development loans 11,766 1.0 % 2,981 0.3 % 38,496 3.5 %
Consumer loans 80,759 6.6 % 90,867 8.1 % 54,514 5.0 %
Total loans 1,223,857 100.0 % 1,126,339 100.0 % 1,093,886 100.0 %
Deferred fee (income) costs, net 3,182 4,783 2,860
Allowance for loan and lease losses (17,452) (13,611) (13,506)
Loans, net $ 1,209,587 $ 1,117,511 $ 1,083,240
Commercial loans are loans to businesses to finance capital purchases or improvements, or to provide cash flow for operations. Real estate and residential mortgage loans are loans secured by trust deeds on real properties, including commercial properties and single family and multi-family residences. Construction loans are interim loans to finance specific construction projects. Land development loans are loans secured by non-arable bare land. Consumer loans include installment loans to consumers.
The following table sets forth the maturity distribution of our loan portfolio (excluding single and multi-family residential mortgage loans and consumer loans) at December 31, 2020:
December 31, 2020
One Year
or Less Over One
Year
Through
Five Years Over Five
Years Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Real estate loans(1)
Floating rate $ 14,069 $ 25,742 $ 128,752 $ 168,563
Fixed rate 18,087 64,342 153,003 235,432
Commercial loans
Floating rate 57,794 79,740 23,250 160,784
Fixed rate 88,794 296,496 21,080 406,370
Total $ 178,744 $ 466,320 $ 326,085 $ 971,149
(1)Does not include mortgage loans on single or multi-family residences or consumer loans, which totaled $171.9 million and $80.8 million, respectively, at December 31, 2020.
Nonperforming Assets and Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses
Nonperforming Assets. Non-performing loans consist of (i) loans on non-accrual status which are loans on which the accrual of interest has been discontinued and include restructured loans when there has not been a history of past performance on debt service in accordance with the contractual terms of the restructured loans, and (ii) loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest. Non-performing assets are comprised of non-performing loans and OREO, which consists of real properties which we have acquired by or in lieu of foreclosure and which we intend to offer for sale.
Loans are placed on non-accrual status when, in our opinion, the full timely collection of principal or interest is in doubt. Generally, the accrual of interest is discontinued when principal or interest payments become more than 90 days past due, unless we believe the loan is adequately collateralized and the loan is in the process of collection. However, in certain instances, we may place a particular loan on non-accrual status earlier, depending upon the individual circumstances involved in that loan’s delinquency. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed against current income. Subsequent collections of unpaid amounts on such a loan are applied to reduce principal when received, except when the ultimate collectability of principal is probable, in which case such payments are applied to interest and are credited to income. Non-accrual loans may be restored to accrual status if and when principal and interest become current and full repayment is expected. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis for impaired loans which, based on our non-accrual policy, do not require non-accrual treatment.
During the first quarter of 2020, the CARES Act was passed by Congress in response to COVID-19 to encourage lenders to provide assistance in the form of loan modifications to borrowers negatively impacted by the pandemic. Loan modifications provided under the CARES Act are not classified as troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) or considered impaired if the borrowers were current as of December 31, 2019 and their ability to pay was impacted by COVID-19. The loan modifications we provided were limited to payment deferrals and the majority of borrowers that received loan deferrals earlier in the year have now returned to normal payment schedules. As of December 31, 2020, we had 16 loans with an outstanding balance of $20.4 million that were under a payment deferral.
The following table sets forth information regarding our nonperforming assets, as well as information regarding restructured loans, at December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018:
At December 31, 2020 At December 31, 2019 At December 31, 2018
(Dollars in thousands)
Nonaccrual loans:
Commercial loans $ 30,928 $ 9,101 $ 3,352
Commercial real estate 8,814 6,507 831
Consumer 174 74 43
Total nonaccrual loans $ 39,916 $ 15,682 $ 4,226
Total nonaccrual loans to total loans 3.30 % 1.40 % 0.39 %
Loans past due 90 days and still accruing interest:
Commercial loans $ 5,675 $ - $ 1,278
Total loans past due 90 days and still accruing interest $ 5,675 $ - $ 1,278
Other real estate owned (OREO):
Commercial loans $ - $ - $ 1,173
Total other real estate owned $ - $ - $ 1,173
Other nonperforming assets:
Other foreclosed assets 231 164 91
Total nonperforming assets(1)
$ 40,147 $ 15,846 $ 5,490
Restructured loans:
Nonaccruing loans (included in nonaccrual loans above) 6,712 - -
Total restructured loans $ 6,712 $ - $ -
(1)Excludes loans past due 90 days and still accruing interest.
As the above table indicates, total non-performing assets increased by approximately $30.0 million, or 189%, to $40.1 million as of December 31, 2020 from $15.8 million as of December 31, 2019. The increase is primarily a result of an increase in non-performing loans to $39.9 million as of December 31, 2020 from $15.7 million the prior year, and an increase of $5.7 million to loans past due 90 days and still accruing. The increase in our non-performing loans resulted primarily from $42.7 million of additions during the year ended December 31, 2020, partially offset by charge-offs of $6.3 million, $11.4 million of payoffs or paydowns on our nonaccrual loans, and the transfer of $693 thousand to other assets. The increase in our other
foreclosed assets balance from December 31, 2020 related to the addition of $802 thousand of foreclosed automobiles, partially offset by sale proceeds of $580 thousand during the year ended December 31, 2020.
Information Regarding Impaired Loans. At December 31, 2020, loans deemed impaired totaled $39.9 million as compared to $15.7 million at December 31, 2019. We had an average investment in impaired loans of $20.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to $7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The interest that would have been earned during the year ended December 31, 2020 had the nonaccruing impaired loans remained current in accordance with their original terms was approximately $1.8 million.
The following table sets forth the amount of impaired loans to which a portion of the ALLL has been specifically allocated, and the aggregate amount so allocated, in accordance with ASC 310-10, and the amount of the ALLL and the amount of impaired loans for which no such allocations were made, in each case at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019:
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Loans Reserves for
Loan Losses % of
Reserves to
Loans Loans Reserves for
Loan Losses % of
Reserves to
Loans
(Dollars in thousands)
Impaired loans with specific reserves $ 19,958 $ 2,711 13.6 % $ 1,105 $ 561 50.8 %
Impaired loans without specific reserves 19,958 - - 14,577 - -
Total impaired loans $ 39,916 $ 2,711 6.8 % $ 15,682 $ 561 3.6 %
The $24.2 million increase in impaired loans to $39.9 million at December 31, 2020 from $15.7 million at December 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to additions of $42.7 million to impaired loans, partially offset by $6.3 million of charge-offs, $11.4 million in principal payments, and $693 thousand transferred to other assets during the year ended December 31, 2020. Based on an internal analysis, using the current estimated fair values of the collateral or the discounted present values of the future estimated cash flows of the impaired loans, we concluded that, at December 31, 2020, specific reserves of $2.7 million were required on $20.0 million of impaired loans, and the remaining $20.0 million of impaired loans were well secured and adequately collateralized with no specific reserves required.
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses. The ALLL totaled $17.5 million, representing 1.43% of total loans outstanding at December 31, 2020, as compared to $13.6 million, or 1.21% of total loans outstanding, at December 31, 2019. Total loans at December 31, 2020 included $229.7 million of PPP loans that are 100% government guaranteed and do not carry an allowance. The ALLL to total loans excluding the PPP loans at December 31, 2020 was 1.76%, which is a non-GAAP financial measure.
The adequacy of the ALLL is determined through periodic evaluations of the loan portfolio and other factors that can reasonably be expected to affect the ability of borrowers to meet their loan obligations. Those factors are inherently subjective as the process for determining the adequacy of the ALLL involves some significant estimates and assumptions about such matters such as (i) economic conditions and trends and the amounts and timing of expected future cash flows of borrowers which can affect their ability to meet their loan obligations to us, (ii) the fair value of the collateral securing non-performing loans, (iii) estimates of losses that we may incur on non-performing loans, which are determined on the basis of historical loss experience and industry loss factors and bank regulatory guidelines, which are subject to change, and (iv) various qualitative factors. Since those factors are subject to changes in economic and other conditions and changes in regulatory guidelines or other circumstances over which we have no control, the amount of the ALLL may prove to be insufficient to cover all of the loan losses we might incur in the future. In such an event, it may become necessary for us to increase the ALLL from time to time to maintain its adequacy. Such increases are effectuated by means of a charge to income, referred to as the “provision for loan and lease losses”, in our statements of our operations. See “-Results of Operations- Provision for Loan and Lease Losses, above in this Item 7.
The amount of the ALLL is first determined by assigning reserve ratios for all loans. All non-accrual loans and other loans classified as “Special Mention,” “Substandard” or “Doubtful” (“classified loans” or “classification categories”) and not fully collateralized are then assigned specific reserves within the ALLL, with greater reserve allocations made to loans deemed to be of a higher risk. These ratios are determined based on prior loss history and industry guidelines and loss factors, by type of loan, adjusted for current economic factors and current economic trends. Refer to Note 5, Loans and Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses for definitions related to our credit quality indicators stated above.
On a quarterly basis, we utilize a classification based loan loss migration model as well as review individual loans in determining the adequacy of the ALLL. Our loss migration analysis tracks a certain number of quarters of loan loss history and industry loss factors to determine historical losses by classification category for each loan type, except certain consumer loans (automobile, mortgage and credit cards), which are analyzed as homogeneous loan pools. These calculated loss factors are then applied to outstanding loan balances. We analyze impaired loans individually.
In determining whether and the extent to which we will make adjustments to our loan loss migration model for purposes of determining the ALLL, we also consider a number of qualitative factors that can affect the performance and the collectability of the loans in our loan portfolio. Such qualitative factors include:
•The effects of changes that we may make in our loan policies or underwriting standards on the quality of the loans and the risks in our loan portfolios;
•Trends and changes in local, regional and national economic conditions, as well as changes in industry specific conditions, and any other reasonably foreseeable events that could affect the performance or the collectability of the loans in our loan portfolios;
•Material changes that may occur in the mix or in the volume of the loans in our loan portfolios that could alter, whether positively or negatively, the risk profile of those portfolios;
•Changes in management or loan personnel or other circumstances that could, either positively or negatively, impact the application of our loan underwriting standards, the monitoring of nonperforming loans or our loan collection efforts; and
•External factors that, in addition to economic conditions, can affect the ability of borrowers to meet their loan obligations, such as fires, earthquakes, terrorist attacks and the impact of COVID-19.
Determining the effects that these qualitative factors may have on the performance of each category of loans in our loan portfolio requires numerous judgments, assumptions and estimates about conditions, trends and events which may subsequently prove to have been incorrect due to circumstances outside of our control. Moreover, the effects of qualitative factors such as these on the performance of our loan portfolios are often difficult to quantify. As a result, we may sustain loan losses in any particular period that are sizable in relation to the ALLL or that may even exceed the ALLL.
Set forth below is information regarding loan balances and the related ALLL, by portfolio type, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018.
Commercial Real Estate Construction and Land
Development Consumer and
Single Family
Mortgages Unallocated Total
(Dollars in thousands)
ALLL for the year ended December 31, 2020:
Balance at beginning of year $ 8,883 $ 2,897 $ 34 $ 1,797 $ - $ 13,611
Charge offs (6,223) - - (95) - (6,318)
Recoveries 1,067 - - 42 - 1,109
Provision 7,528 1,067 103 352 - 9,050
Balance at end of year $ 11,255 $ 3,964 $ 137 $ 2,096 $ - $ 17,452
Allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of average total loans 1.39 %
Allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of total outstanding loans 1.43 %
Allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of nonaccrual loans 43.72 %
Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans outstanding during the period 0.41 %
ALLL for the year ended December 31, 2019:
Balance at beginning of year $ 8,071 $ 3,643 $ 426 $ 1,290 $ 76 $ 13,506
Charge offs (9,903) (42) - (39) - (9,984)
Recoveries 918 - - 21 - 939
Provision 9,797 (704) (392) 525 (76) 9,150
Balance at end of year $ 8,883 $ 2,897 $ 34 $ 1,797 $ - $ 13,611
Allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of average total loans 1.24 %
Allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of total outstanding loans 1.21 %
Allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of nonaccrual loans 86.79 %
Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans outstanding during the period 0.82 %
ALLL for the year ended December 31, 2018:
Balance at beginning of year $ 9,155 $ 2,906 $ 650 $ 1,043 $ 442 $ 14,196
Charge offs (2,757) - - (8) - (2,765)
Recoveries 1,959 69 - 47 - 2,075
Provision (286) 668 (224) 208 (366) -
Balance at end of year $ 8,071 $ 3,643 $ 426 $ 1,290 $ 76 $ 13,506
Allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of average total loans 1.26 %
Allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of total outstanding loans 1.23 %
Allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of nonaccrual loans 319.59 %
Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans outstanding during the period 0.06 %
The ALLL increased $3.8 million from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2020 primarily as a result of charge-offs exceeding recoveries, an increase in our classified and non-performing loans, and qualitative factor increases related to COVID-19 during the year ended December 31, 2020. The reserve for loan losses may include an unallocated amount based upon our judgment as to possible credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio that may not have been captured by historical loss experience, qualitative factors, or specific evaluations of impaired loans. Unallocated reserves may be adjusted for factors including, but not limited to, unexpected or unusual events, volatile market and economic conditions, effects of changes or seasoning in methodologies, regulatory guidance and recommendations, or other factors that may impact borrower operating conditions and loss expectations. Management’s judgment as to unallocated reserves is determined in the context of, but separate from, the historical loss trends and qualitative factors described above. There was no unallocated reserve for loan losses at December 31, 2020 which is a decrease of $76 thousand from the balance at December 31, 2019, primarily due to charge-offs during the year ended December 31, 2020. Management believes that the amount of unallocated reserve for loan losses is appropriate and will continue to evaluate it on an ongoing basis.
We classify our loan portfolios using asset quality ratings. The credit quality table in Note 5, Loans and Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses in the notes to our consolidated financial statements, provides a summary of loans by portfolio type and asset quality ratings as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. Loans totaled approximately $1.22 billion at December 31, 2020, an increase of $97.5 million from $1.13 billion at December 31, 2019. The disaggregation of the loan portfolio by risk rating in the credit quality table located in Note 5 reflects the following changes that occurred between December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020:
•Loans rated “Pass” totaled $1.112 billion, an increase of $50.8 million from $1.061 billion at December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily attributable to the $281 million of PPP loans funded during the year in addition to upgrades from “Special Mention” of $16.5 million, and new loan growth, partially offset by downgrades of $54.8 million and $51.5 million to “Special Mention” and “Substandard”, respectively, and paydowns of principal.
•Loans rated “Special Mention” totaled $21.8 million, a decrease of $6.5 million from $28.3 million at December 31, 2019. The decrease was primarily the result of $54.8 million downgraded from “Pass” and additional outstanding balances of $1.8 million on lines of credit, partially offset by $16.5 million upgraded to "Pass", $34.5 million downgraded to "Substandard", and $12.9 million of payoffs and principal payments.
•Loans rated “Substandard” totaled $89.6 million, an increase of $52.6 million from $37.0 million at December 31, 2019. This increase was primarily the result of $51.5 million downgraded from "Pass", $34.2 million downgraded from "Special Mention", partially offset by $3.8 million downgraded to "Doubtful", $5.0 million of loans charged-off, and $16.3 million in principal payments.
•Loans rated “Doubtful” totaled $641 thousand at December 31, 2020, an increase from zero at December 31, 2019.
Our loss migration analysis currently utilizes a series of nineteen staggered 16-quarter migration periods, which was increased during the second quarter of 2015 from four staggered 16-quarter migration periods in order to broaden the loss experience incorporated into the analysis. As a result, for purposes of determining applicable loss factors at December 31, 2020, our migration analysis covered the period from December 31, 2015 to December 31, 2019. We believe this was consistent with and reasonably reflects current economic conditions, portfolio trends and the risks that were inherent in our loan portfolio at December 31, 2020.
The table below sets forth loan delinquencies, by quarter, from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2019.
December 31, 2020 September 30, 2020 June 30, 2020 March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Loans Delinquent: (Dollars in thousands)
90 days or more:
Commercial loans $ 9,670 $ 7,814 $ 11,857 $ 3,671 $ 533
Commercial real estate 1,837 1,934 - - -
Residential mortgages - - 375 - -
Consumer loans - 145 180 94 -
11,507 9,893 12,412 3,765 533
30-89 days:
Commercial loans 8,927 14,363 5,912 20,903 1,715
Commercial real estate - 11,200 1,063 955 749
Residential mortgages - - - - -
Consumer loans 65 53 200 579 315
8,992 25,616 7,175 22,437 2,779
Total Past Due(1):
$ 20,499 $ 35,509 $ 19,587 $ 26,202 $ 3,312
(1)Past due balances include nonaccrual loans.
As the above table indicates, total past due loans increased by $17.2 million, or 518.9%, to $20.5 million at December 31, 2020 from $3.3 million at December 31, 2019. Loans past due 90 days or more increased by $11.0 million, or 2,058.9%, to $11.5 million at December 31, 2020, from $533 thousand at December 31, 2019 primarily resulting from $18.6 million of additions and $4.1 million aged to 90+ days, partially offset by $6.7 million of payoffs and $4.0 million brought current.
Loans 30-89 days past due increased by $6.2 million, or 223.6%, to $9.0 million at December 31, 2020 from $2.8 million at December 31, 2019 primarily attributable to additions of delinquent loans of $60.9 million, partially offset by $33.9 million of loans brought current, payoffs of $14.4 million, aging of $4.5 million and $1.3 million of charge-offs.
Deposits
Average Balances of and Average Interest Rates Paid on Deposits
Set forth below are the average amounts of, and the average rates paid on, deposits for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Average
Balance Average
Rate Average
Balance Average
Rate Average
Balance Average
Rate
(Dollars in thousands)
Noninterest bearing demand deposits $ 588,557 - $ 382,198 - $ 348,923 -
Interest-bearing checking accounts 113,711 0.15 % 109,234 0.59 % 69,841 0.52 %
Money market and savings deposits 416,953 0.58 % 438,814 1.74 % 412,366 1.54 %
Time deposits(1)
248,801 1.98 % 265,859 2.26 % 315,189 1.70 %
Total deposits $ 1,368,022 0.55 % $ 1,196,105 1.19 % $ 1,146,319 1.05 %
(1)Comprised of time certificates of deposit in denominations of less than and more than $250,000.
Deposit Totals
Deposits totaled $1.4 billion at December 31, 2020 as compared to $1.2 billion at December 31, 2019. Deposit growth was primarily concentrated in noninterest bearing demand deposits as a result of PPP loan funding. The following table provides information regarding the mix of our deposits at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019:
At December 31, 2020 At December 31, 2019
Amounts % of Total Deposits Amounts % of Total Deposits
(Dollars in thousands)
Core deposits
Noninterest bearing demand deposits $ 647,115 46.8 % $ 397,000 33.1 %
Savings and other interest-bearing transaction deposits 522,524 37.8 % 525,692 43.8 %
Time deposits 213,708 15.4 % 276,878 23.1 %
Total deposits $ 1,383,347 100.0 % $ 1,199,570 100.0 %
Certificates of deposit in denominations of $250,000 or more, on which we pay higher rates of interest than on other deposits, aggregated $91.0 million, or 6.6%, of total deposits at December 31, 2020, as compared to $112.0 million, and 9.3%, of total deposits at December 31, 2019.
Set forth below is a maturity schedule of domestic time certificates of deposit outstanding at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019:
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Maturities Certificates of
Deposit Under
$ 250,000 Certificates of
Deposit $250,000
or more Certificates of
Deposit Under
$250,000 Certificates of
Deposit $250,000
or more
(Dollars in thousands)
Three months or less $ 32,155 $ 31,986 $ 29,439 $ 23,787
Over three and through six months 22,352 18,206 31,704 20,005
Over six and through twelve months 40,222 30,572 59,046 44,308
Over twelve months 27,959 10,256 44,692 23,897
Total $ 122,688 $ 91,020 $ 164,881 $ 111,997
Liquidity
We actively manage our liquidity needs to ensure that sufficient funds are available to meet our needs for cash, including to fund new loans to and deposit withdrawals by our clients. We project the future sources and uses of funds and maintain liquid funds for unanticipated events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Our primary sources of cash include cash we have on deposit at other financial institutions, payments from borrowers on their loans, proceeds from sales or maturities of securities held for sale, increases in deposits and increases in borrowings principally from the FHLB. The primary uses of cash include funding new loans and making advances on existing lines of credit, purchasing investments, including securities available for sale, funding deposit withdrawals and paying operating expenses. We maintain funds in overnight federal funds and other short-term investments to provide for short-term liquidity needs. We also have obtained credit lines from the FHLB and other financial institutions to meet any additional liquidity requirements we might have. See "-Contractual Obligations-Borrowings" below for additional information related to our borrowings from the FHLB.
Our liquid assets, which included cash and due from banks, federal funds sold, interest earning deposits that we maintain with financial institutions and unpledged securities available for sale (excluding Federal Reserve Bank and FHLB stock) totaled $289.9 million, which represented 18% of total assets, at December 31, 2020. We believe that our cash and cash equivalent resources, together with available borrowings under our credit facilities, will be sufficient to meet normal operating requirements for at least the next twelve months, including to enable us to meet any increase in deposit withdrawals that might occur in the foreseeable future. We believe that during this period of uncertain economic conditions related to COVID-19, our liquidity position is strong, and will be closely monitored as conditions change.
Cash Flow Provided by Operating Activities. In 2020, operating activities provided net cash of $10.2 million primarily attributable to our net income of $8.3 million and provision for loan and lease losses of $9.1 million, partially offset by accretion of deferred fees on loans of $5.3 million and a decrease of $1.8 million in other liabilities. In 2019, operating activities provided net cash of $17.0 million primarily attributable to net income of $5.7 million and provision for loan and lease losses of $9.2 million, partially offset by a decrease of $7.3 million in other liabilities.
Cash Flow Used in Investing Activities. In 2020, investing activities used net cash of $107.9 million, primarily attributable to $95.3 million used to fund an increase in loans and $22.7 million used to purchase securities available for sale and other stock, partially offset $6.1 million of cash from maturities of and principal payments on securities available for sale, and $3.5 million from the sale of securities available for sale. In 2019, investing activities used net cash of $38.7 million, primarily attributable to $43.0 million used to fund an increase in loans and $5.0 million used to purchase securities available for sale and other stock, partially offset by $8.6 million of cash from maturities of and principal payments on securities available for sale, and $1.1 million from the sale of other real estate owned properties.
Cash Flow Provided by Financing Activities. In 2020, financing activities provided net cash of $163.8 million, consisting primarily of a $250.1 million increase in non-interest bearing deposits, which was primarily the result of PPP loans funded by the SBA, partially offset by a $66.3 million decrease in interest bearing deposits and a net decrease of $20.0 million in FHLB borrowings. In 2019, financing activities used net cash of $54.1 million, consisting primarily of a $56.6 million increase in non-interest bearing deposits and a $7.0 million increase in interest bearing deposits, partially offset by a net decrease of $10.0 million in FHLB borrowings.
Ratio of Loans to Deposits. The relationship between gross loans and total deposits can provide a useful measure of a bank’s liquidity. Since repayment of loans tends to be less predictable than the maturity of investments and other liquid resources, the higher the loan-to-deposit ratio the less liquid are our assets. On the other hand, since we realize greater yields on loans than we do on investments, a lower loan-to-deposit ratio can adversely affect interest income and earnings. As a result, our goal is to achieve a loan-to-deposit ratio that appropriately balances the requirements of liquidity and the need to generate a fair return on our assets. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the loan-to-deposit ratio was 88% and 94%, respectively.
Capital Resources
Regulatory Capital Requirements Applicable to Banking Institutions
Under federal banking regulations that apply to all United States-based bank holding companies over $3 billion in total assets and all federally insured banks, the Bank (on a stand-alone basis) must meet specific capital adequacy requirements that, for the most part, involve quantitative measures, primarily in terms of the ratios of their capital to their assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items, calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company (on a consolidated basis) is below the reporting threshold of $3 billion in total assets and therefore exempt from these capital adequacy requirements. These regulations place a banking institution into one of five capital categories based on its regulatory capital ratios:
•well-capitalized
•adequately capitalized
•undercapitalized
•significantly undercapitalized; or
•critically undercapitalized
Certain qualitative assessments also are made by a banking institution’s primary federal regulatory agency that could lead the agency to determine that the banking institution should be assigned to a lower capital category than the one indicated by the quantitative measures used to assess the institution’s capital adequacy. At each successive lower capital category, a banking institution is subject to greater operating restrictions and increased regulatory supervision by its federal bank regulatory agency.
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the following table) of total capital, common equity Tier 1 capital and Tier I capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier I capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). We believe that, as of December 31, 2020, the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which it was subject and has not been notified by any regulatory agency that would require the Bank to maintain additional capital.
The actual capital amounts and ratios of the Bank at December 31, 2020 are presented in the following table:
Applicable Federal Regulatory Requirement
At December 31, 2020 Actual Capital For Capital Adequacy Purposes To be Categorized As Well Capitalized
Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio
(Dollars in thousands)
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets:
Bank $ 183,698 15.8 % $ 136,864 At least 8.625% $ 116,161 At least 10.0%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets:
Bank $ 169,138 14.6 % $ 59,532 At least 5.125% $ 75,504 At least 6.5%
Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets:
Bank $ 169,138 14.6 % $ 76,956 At least 6.625% $ 92,929 At least 8.0%
Tier 1 Capital to Average Assets:
Bank $ 169,138 10.7 % $ 63,473 At least 4.0% $ 79,341 At least 5.0%
As the above table indicates, at December 31, 2020, the Bank (on a stand-alone basis) had capital ratios exceeding the minimums required to be qualified as a “well-capitalized” institution under federally mandated capital standards and federally established prompt corrective action regulations.
Dividend Policy and Share Repurchase Programs.
It is, and since the beginning of 2009 it has been, the policy of the Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank to preserve cash to enhance our capital positions and the Bank's liquidity. In addition, we have agreed that the Bank will not, without the FRB and the CDFPI's prior written approval, pay any dividends to Bancorp. Accordingly, we do not expect to pay dividends or make share repurchases for the foreseeable future.
The principal source of cash available to a bank holding company consists of cash dividends from its bank subsidiaries. There are currently several restrictions on the Bank’s ability to pay us cash dividends. Government regulations, including the laws of the State of California, as they pertain to the payment of cash dividends by California state chartered banks, limits the amount of funds that the Bank is permitted to dividend to us. Further, Section 23(a) of the Federal Reserve Act limits the amounts that a bank may loan to its bank holding company to an aggregate of no more than 10% of the bank subsidiary’s capital surplus and retained earnings and requires that such loans be secured by specified assets of the bank holding company. We have committed to obtaining approval from the FRB and the CDFPI prior to Bancorp paying any dividends, or making any distributions representing interest, principal or other sums on subordinated debentures or trust preferred securities. There can be no assurance that our regulators will approve such payments or dividends in the future. Refer to “Supervision and Regulation” above in Item 1 and Note 15, Shareholders' Equity in the notes to our consolidated financial statements for more detail regarding the regulatory restrictions on our and the Bank's ability to pay dividends.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
Loan Commitments and Standby Letters of Credit. To meet the financing needs of our clients in the normal course of business, we are a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, we were committed to fund certain loans including letters of credit amounting to approximately $347 million and $316 million, respectively.
Commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and the client may be required to pay a fee and meet other conditions in order to draw on those commitments or standby letters of credit. We expect, based on historical experience, that many of the commitments will expire without being drawn upon and, therefore, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.
To varying degrees, commitments to extend credit involve elements of credit and interest rate risk for us that are in excess of the amounts recognized in our balance sheets. Our maximum exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the clients to whom such commitments are made could potentially be equal to the amount of those commitments. As a result, before making such a commitment to a client, we evaluate the client’s creditworthiness using the same underwriting standards that we would apply if we were approving loans to the client. In addition, we often require the client to secure its payment obligations for amounts drawn on such commitments with collateral such as accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, income-producing commercial properties, residential properties and properties under construction. As a consequence, our exposure to credit and interest rate risk on such commitments is not different in character or amount than risks inherent in the outstanding loans in our loan portfolio.
Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Bank to guarantee a payment obligation of a client to a third party. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan commitments to clients.
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes the contractual obligations as of December 31, 2020:
Maturity/Obligation by Period
Total Less than 1 year 1 - 3 years 3 - 5 years More than 5 years
(Dollars in thousands)
Deposits $ 1,383,347 $ 1,345,132 $ 34,595 $ 3,620 $ -
FHLB Borrowings 10,000 10,000 - - -
Junior Subordinated Debentures 17,527 - - - 17,527
Operating Leases 11,497 2,490 5,237 3,770 -
Total $ 1,422,371 $ 1,357,622 $ 39,832 $ 7,390 $ 17,527
The table above excludes unrecognized tax benefits because we are unable to reasonably estimate the period during which these obligations may be incurred, if at all.
FHLB Borrowings. As of December 31, 2020, we had $10.0 million of outstanding borrowings obtained from the FHLB. The table below sets forth the amounts of, the interest rates we pay on, and the maturity dates of these FHLB borrowings. These borrowings had a weighted-average annualized interest rate of 1.62% for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Principal Amounts Interest Rate Maturity Dates
(Dollars in thousands)
10,000 1.62 % January 25, 2021
At December 31, 2020, $434 million of loans were pledged to secure our FHLB borrowings and to support our unfunded borrowing capacity. At December 31, 2020, we had unused borrowing capacity of $242 million with the FHLB.
The highest amount of borrowings outstanding at any month-end during the year ended December 31, 2020 was $124 million, which consisted primarily of borrowings from the FHLB and also included $4.0 million of borrowings from the Federal Reserve's Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility ("PPPLF") that was fully repaid in the fourth quarter. By comparison,
the highest amount of borrowings outstanding at any month end in 2019 consisted primarily of $55 million of borrowings from the FHLB.
Junior Subordinated Debentures. Pursuant to rulings of the FRB, bank holding companies were permitted to issue long term subordinated debt instruments that, subject to certain conditions, would qualify as and, therefore, augment capital for regulatory purposes. At December 31, 2020, we had outstanding approximately $17.5 million principal amount of the Debentures.
Set forth below is certain information regarding the Debentures:
Original Issue Dates Principal Amount Interest Rates Maturity Dates
(Dollars in thousands)
September 2002 $ 7,217 LIBOR plus 3.40% September 2032
October 2004 10,310 LIBOR plus 2.00% October 2034
Total $ 17,527
(1)Subject to the receipt of prior regulatory approval, we may redeem the Debentures, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, at any time prior to maturity.
These Debentures require quarterly interest payments, which are used to make quarterly distributions required to be paid on the corresponding trust preferred securities. Subject to certain conditions, we have the right, at our discretion, to defer those interest payments, and the corresponding distributions on the trust preferred securities, for up to five years. Exercise of this deferral right does not constitute a default of our obligations to pay the interest on the Debentures or the corresponding distributions that are payable on the trust preferred securities. As of December 31, 2020, we were current on all interest payments. We have committed to obtaining approval from the FRB and the CDFPI prior to making any distributions representing interest, principal or other sums on subordinated debentures or trust preferred securities. There can be no assurance that our regulators will approve such payments in the future.
Operating Lease Obligations. We lease certain facilities and equipment under various non-cancelable operating leases, which include escalation clauses ranging between 2% and 6% per annum. Future minimum non-cancelable lease commitments, were as follows:
At December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
2021 $ 2,490
2022 2,575
2023 2,662
2024 2,750
2024 and beyond 1,020
Total $ 11,497
Maturing Time Certificates of Deposits. Set forth below is a maturity schedule, as of December 31, 2020, of time certificates of deposit of $250,000 or more:
At December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
2021 $ 80,764
2022 8,703
2023 341
2024 1,212
2024 and beyond -
Total $ 91,020
Critical Accounting Policies
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) and general practices in the banking industry. Certain of those accounting policies are considered critical accounting policies, because they require us to make assumptions and judgments regarding circumstances or trends that could affect the carrying value of our material assets, such as, for example, assumptions regarding economic conditions or trends that could impact our ability to fully collect our loans or ultimately realize the carrying value of certain of our other assets, such as securities available for sale and our deferred tax asset. Those assumptions and judgments are based on current information available to us regarding those economic conditions or trends or other circumstances. If adverse changes were to occur in the conditions, trends or other events on which our assumptions or judgments had been based, then under GAAP it could become necessary for us to reduce the carrying values of any affected assets on our balance sheet. In addition, because reductions in the carrying value of assets are sometimes effectuated by or require charges to income, such reductions also may have the effect of reducing our income.
Our critical accounting policies consist of the accounting policies and practices we follow in determining (i) the sufficiency of the allowance we establish for loan and lease losses, (ii) the fair values of our investment securities available for sale and financial instruments, and (iii) the amount of our deferred tax asset, consisting primarily of tax loss carryforwards and tax credits that we believe will be able to offset income taxes in future periods.
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses. We maintain reserves to provide for loan and lease losses that occur in the ordinary course of the banking business. When it is determined that the payment in full of a loan has become unlikely, the carrying value of the loan is reduced ("written down") to what management believes is its realizable value or, if it is determined that a loan no longer has any realizable value, the carrying value of the loan is written off in its entirety (a loan "charge-off"). Loan charge-offs and write-downs are charged against our ALLL. The amount of the ALLL is increased periodically to replenish the ALLL after it has been reduced due to loan write-downs or charge-offs. The ALLL also is increased or decreased periodically to reflect increases or decreases in the volume of outstanding loans and to take account of changes in the risk of potential loan losses due to a deterioration or improvement in the condition of borrowers or in the value of properties securing non-performing loans or adverse changes or improvements in economic conditions. Increases in the ALLL are made through a charge, recorded as an expense in the statement of operations, referred to as the "provision for loan and lease losses." Recoveries of loans previously charged-off are added back to and, therefore, to that extent increase the ALLL and reduce the amount of the provision for loan losses that might otherwise have had to be made to replenish or increase the ALLL. See "Financial Condition-Nonperforming Assets and Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses" above in this Item 7 for additional information regarding the ALLL.
Fair Value of Securities Available for Sale. Under applicable accounting principles, we are required to recognize any unrealized loss or gain on the securities we hold for sale. An unrealized gain occurs when the fair value of a security available for sale increases above its amortized cost as recorded on our balance sheet. An unrealized loss occurs when the fair value of a security available for sale declines below its amortized cost as recorded on our balance sheet. As a result, we make determinations, on a quarterly basis, of the fair values of the securities available for sale in order to determine if there are any unrealized losses in those securities. When there is an active market for such a security, the determination of its fair value is based on market prices. If there is no active trading market, but such securities do trade from time to time, we rely primarily on quotes we obtain from third party vendors and securities brokers to determine the fair values of those securities. However, quotes are not always available for some securities and, in those instances, we make those fair value determinations on the basis of a variety of industry standard pricing methodologies, such as discounted cash flow analyses, matrix pricing, and option adjusted spread models, as well as fundamental analysis of the creditworthiness of the obligors under those securities. These methodologies require us to make various assumptions relating to such matters as future prepayment speeds, yield, duration, Federal Reserve Board monetary policies and the supply and demand for the individual securities. Consequently, if changes were to occur in market or other conditions or the circumstances on which our earlier assumptions or judgments were based, it could become necessary for us to reduce the fair values of such securities, which would result in charges to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on our balance sheet. Moreover, if we conclude that reductions in the fair values of any securities are other than temporary, it would be necessary for us to recognize an impairment loss to noninterest income in our statement of operations.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments. ASC 820-10-35 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and outlines a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (also referred to as an exit price). Fair value measurements are categorized into a three-level hierarchy based on the extent to which the measurement relies on observable market inputs in measuring fair value. Level 1, which is the highest priority in the fair value hierarchy, is based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 is based upon quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 3,
which is the lowest priority in the fair value hierarchy, is based on unobservable inputs. Assets and liabilities are classified within this hierarchy in their entirety based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
The use of fair value to measure our financial instruments is fundamental to our financial statements and is a critical accounting estimate because a substantial portion of our mortgage banking assets and liabilities (included in discontinued operations) are recorded at estimated fair value. Financial instruments classified as Level 3 are generally based on unobservable inputs, and the process to determine fair value is generally more subjective and involves a high degree of management judgment and assumptions. These assumptions may have a significant effect on our estimates of fair value, and the use of different assumptions, as well as changes in market conditions and interest rates, could have a material effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
Utilization and Valuation of Deferred Income Tax Benefits. We record as a “deferred tax asset” on our balance sheet an amount equal to the tax credit and tax loss carryforwards and tax deductions (“tax benefits”) that we believe will be available to us to offset or reduce income taxes in future periods. Under applicable federal and state income tax laws and regulations, in most cases such tax benefits will expire, if they cannot be used, within specified periods of time. Accordingly, the ability to fully use our deferred tax asset to reduce income taxes in the future depends on the amount of taxable income that we generate during those time periods. At least once each year, or more frequently, if circumstances warrant, we make estimates of future taxable income that we believe we are likely to generate during those future periods. If we conclude, on the basis of those estimates and the amount of the tax benefits available to us, that it is more likely than not that we will be able to fully utilize those tax benefits prior to their expiration, we recognize the deferred tax asset in full on our balance sheet. On the other hand, if we conclude, instead, that it has become more likely than not that we will be unable to utilize those tax benefits in full prior to their expiration, then, we would establish, or increase any existing, reserves (commonly referred to as a “valuation allowance”) to reduce the deferred tax asset on our balance sheet to the amount with respect to which we believe it is still more likely than not that we will be able to use to offset or reduce taxes in the future. The establishment of or an increase in that valuation allowance is implemented by recognizing a non-cash charge that would have the effect of increasing the provision, or reducing any credit, for income taxes that we would otherwise have recorded in our statements of operations. The determination of whether and the extent to which we will be able to utilize our deferred tax asset involves significant judgments and assumptions that are subject to period to period changes as a result of changes in tax laws, changes in market or economic conditions that could affect our operating results or variances between our actual operating results and the operating results that we had projected for any such period, as well as other factors.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
As a non-accelerated filer subject to the smaller reporting company disclosure requirements we are not required to provide the information required by this item.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page No.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of
Pacific Mercantile Bancorp
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Pacific Mercantile Bancorp and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, other comprehensive income (loss), shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements (collectively, the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in 2013, and our report dated March 12, 2021, expressed an unmodified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with the auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses
As described in Notes 2 and 5 of the financial statements, the Company’s allowance for loan and lease losses (ALLL) totaled $17.4 million at December 31, 2020. The ALLL is an amount established by management to absorb probable losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible. Management determines the adequacy of the ALLL by monitoring of economic conditions, the loan portfolio by category, the financial condition of borrowers, and the history of the performance of the loan portfolio. The ALLL is comprised of two components: the valuation allowance for loans individually evaluated for impairment (specific reserves), representing $2.7 million, and the valuation allowance for loans collectively evaluated for impairment (general reserves), representing $14.7 million. The general reserves include a quantitative reserve based on the Company’s historical charge-off experience and a qualitative reserve based on management’s evaluation of several internal and external factors (qualitative factors). These qualitative factors are based on external economic conditions and trends and internal assessments.
We identified the qualitative factors of the general reserves as a critical audit matter because of the significant assumptions that management make in determining the estimate. Auditing these assumptions involved a high degree of auditor judgment and an increase in audit effort because changes in these assumptions could have a material effect on the Company’s financial results.
Our audit procedures related to management’s evaluation and establishment of the qualitative factors of the ALLL include the following, among others:
a.We obtained an understanding of the relevant controls related to the qualitative factors applied to the general reserves of the ALLL and tested such controls for design and operating effectiveness, including controls related to management’s establishment, review and approval of the qualitative factors and the completeness and accuracy of the data used in determining the qualitative factors.
a.We tested management’s process and evaluated their judgments and assumptions in the determination of the qualitative factors, which included:
i.Evaluating the reasonableness of management’s selection of data inputs used as a basis for the adjustments related to the qualitative factors, and testing the completeness and accuracy of the data utilized by comparing them to internal and external source data.
i.Evaluating the reasonableness of the qualitative factors assessed by management, including the directional consistency and magnitude of the resulting qualitative component of the ALLL, as compared to internal and external source data.
/s/ RSM US LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2014.
Irvine, CA
March 12, 2021
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(Dollars in thousands, except for per share data)
December 31,
2020 2019
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks $ 12,024 $ 17,409
Interest bearing deposits with financial institutions 274,245 202,729
Cash and cash equivalents 286,269 220,138
Interest-bearing time deposits with financial institutions 1,597 2,420
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and Federal Home Loan Bank Stock, at cost 7,910 7,910
Securities available for sale, at fair value 42,183 28,344
Loans (net of allowances of $17,452 and $13,611, respectively)
1,209,587 1,117,511
Accrued interest receivable 5,666 4,095
Premises and equipment, net 779 1,117
Net deferred tax assets 8,502 8,434
Intangible assets 389 266
Other assets 24,708 25,919
Total assets $ 1,587,590 $ 1,416,154
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing $ 647,115 $ 397,000
Interest-bearing 736,232 802,570
Total deposits 1,383,347 1,199,570
Borrowings 10,000 30,000
Accrued interest payable 188 398
Other liabilities 17,779 19,611
Junior subordinated debentures 17,527 17,527
Total liabilities 1,428,841 1,267,106
Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, no par value, 85,000,000 shares of voting common stock and 2,000,000 shares of non-voting common stock authorized; 22,191,260 and 22,106,374 voting shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively; 1,467,155 non-voting shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019
154,454 153,570
Retained earnings (Accumulated deficit) 4,379 (3,955)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (84) (567)
Total shareholders’ equity 158,749 149,048
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 1,587,590 $ 1,416,154
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands, except for per share data)
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Interest income:
Loans, including fees $ 58,699 $ 59,348 $ 57,626
Securities available for sale and stock 940 1,065 1,160
Interest-bearing deposits with financial institutions 959 5,264 3,756
Total interest income 60,598 65,677 62,542
Interest expense:
Deposits 7,529 14,282 12,070
Borrowings 1,087 1,839 1,550
Total interest expense 8,616 16,121 13,620
Net interest income 51,982 49,556 48,922
Provision for loan and lease losses 9,050 9,150 -
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses 42,932 40,406 48,922
Noninterest income
Service fees on deposits and other banking services 3,137 1,782 1,549
Net gain on sale of securities available for sale 171 - 48
Net gain on sale of Small Business Administration loans 547 1,029 -
Net loss on sale of other assets (147) (42) (4)
Other noninterest income 2,629 2,819 3,042
Total noninterest income 6,337 5,588 4,635
Noninterest expense
Salaries and employee benefits 22,429 23,411 23,749
Occupancy 2,677 2,553 2,388
Equipment and depreciation 2,024 1,884 1,802
Data processing 2,568 2,184 1,681
FDIC expense 954 427 927
Other real estate owned expense, net - 69 123
Professional fees 2,956 3,982 2,468
Business development 619 803 946
Loan related expense 592 639 769
Insurance 256 245 248
Other operating expense 1,772 1,982 1,869
Total noninterest expense 36,847 38,179 36,970
Income before income taxes 12,422 7,815 16,587
Income tax provision (benefit) 4,088 2,135 (10,752)
Net income allocable to common shareholders $ 8,334 $ 5,680 $ 27,339
Basic income per common share:
Net income allocable to common shareholders $ 0.35 $ 0.24 $ 1.17
Diluted income per common share:
Net income allocable to common shareholders $ 0.35 $ 0.24 $ 1.16
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic 23,507,081 22,811,215 22,788,164
Diluted 23,716,144 23,631,879 23,527,183
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Dollars in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Net income $ 8,334 $ 5,680 $ 27,339
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in unrealized holding (loss) gain on securities available for sale 654 577 (50)
Less: Reclassification adjustment for change in accounting principle - - (97)
Less: Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income 171 - 48
Net unrealized holding gain on securities available for sale 483 577 (1)
Total comprehensive income $ 8,817 $ 6,257 $ 27,338
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Shares and dollars in thousands)
For the Three Years Ended December 31, 2020
Series A Non-Voting
Preferred stock Common stock Retained
earnings
(accumulated
deficit) Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss) Total
Number
of shares Amount Number
of shares Amount
Balance at December 31, 2017 - $ - 23,233 $ 150,689 $ (36,670) $ (1,143) $ 112,876
Exchange common stock for Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock 1,467 8,480 (1,467) (8,480) - - -
Implementation of ASU 2016-01
- - - - (97) - (97)
Issuance of restricted stock, net - - 75 - - - -
Common stock based compensation expense - - - 885 - - 885
Common stock options exercised - - 75 372 - - 372
Net income - - - - 27,339 - 27,339
Other comprehensive income - - - - - (1) (1)
Balance at December 31, 2018 1,467 $ 8,480 21,916 $ 143,466 $ (9,428) $ (1,144) $ 141,374
Exchange Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock to Non-Voting Common Stock (1,467) (8,480) 1,467 8,480 - - -
Implementation of ASU 2016-02
- - - - (207) - (207)
Issuance of restricted stock, net - - 105 - - - -
Common stock based compensation expense - - - 1,057 - - 1,057
Common stock options exercised - - 86 567 - - 567
Net income - - - - 5,680 - 5,680
Other comprehensive loss - - - - - 577 577
Balance at December 31, 2019 - $ - 23,574 $ 153,570 $ (3,955) $ (567) $ 149,048
Issuance of restricted stock, net - - 48 - - - -
Restricted stock exchanged for common stock - - 25 - - - -
Common stock based compensation expense - - - 834 - - 834
Common stock options exercised - - 11 50 - - 50
Net income - - - - 8,334 - 8,334
Other comprehensive income - - - - - 483 483
Balance at December 31, 2020 - $ - 23,658 $ 154,454 $ 4,379 $ (84) $ 158,749
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
(Dollars in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income $ 8,334 $ 5,680 $ 27,339
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 373 419 405
Provision for loan and lease losses 9,050 9,150 -
Amortization of premium on securities 128 150 179
Net gain on sale of securities available for sale (171) - (48)
Unrealized gain/loss on other investments - - 59
Net amortization (accretion) of deferred fees and unearned income on loans (5,290) (663) 50
Net loss (gain) on sales of other real estate owned - 66 (29)
Net loss on sale of other assets 147 42 4
Net gain on sale of Small Business Administration loans (547) (1,029) -
Small Business Administration loan originations (5,790) (12,009) -
Proceeds from sale of Small Business Administration loans 6,393 13,173 -
Write down of other real estate owned - - 102
Stock-based compensation expense 834 1,057 885
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Net increase in accrued interest receivable (1,571) (92) (131)
Net decrease (increase) in other assets 793 5,940 (3,193)
Net (increase) decrease in deferred taxes (271) 2,259 (11,077)
Net (increase) decrease in income taxes receivable (191) 188 226
Net (decrease) increase in accrued interest payable (210) 37 (36)
Net (decrease) increase in other liabilities (1,832) (7,347) 2,529
Net cash provided by operating activities 10,179 17,021 17,264
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Net decrease in interest-bearing time deposits with financial institutions 823 - 500
Maturities of and principal payments received on securities available for sale and other stock 6,079 8,580 5,978
Purchase of securities available for sale and other stock (22,693) (5,024) (5,215)
Proceeds from sale of securities available for sale and other stock 3,504 912 6,883
Principal payments received on other investments - - 17
Purchase of other investments (556) (876) (364)
Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned - 1,107 827
Net increase in loans (95,310) (42,993) (32,316)
Proceeds from sale of other assets 580 55 32
Purchases of premises and equipment (302) (497) (350)
Net cash used in investing activities (107,875) (38,736) (24,008)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Net increase (decrease) in deposits 183,777 63,568 (3,391)
Proceeds from borrowings 113,962 95,000 71,000
Payments of borrowings (133,962) (105,000) (71,727)
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options 50 567 372
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 163,827 54,135 (3,746)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 66,131 32,420 (10,490)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period 220,138 187,718 198,208
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period $ 286,269 $ 220,138 $ 187,718
Supplementary Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid for interest on deposits and other borrowings $ 8,826 $ 16,084 $ 13,656
Cash paid for income taxes $ 4,166 $ 62 $ 99
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
(Dollars in thousands) Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Noncash Investing Activities:
Transfer of loans into other real estate owned $ - $ - $ 1,346
Transfer of loans into other assets $ 693 $ 161 $ 15
Impact of change in accounting principle $ - $ - $ 97
Assumption of debt upon foreclosure of property $ - $ - $ 727
Right of use assets $ - $ 12,677 $ -
Noncash Financing Activities:
Exchange of common stock for non-voting preferred stock $ - $ - $ 8,480
Exchange of non-voting preferred stock for non-voting common stock $ - $ 8,480 $ -
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Nature of Business
Organization
Pacific Mercantile Bancorp (“PMBC”) is a bank holding company which, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Pacific Mercantile Bank (the “Bank”), is engaged in the commercial banking business in Southern California. PMBC is registered as a one bank holding company under the United States Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and, as such, is regulated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”) and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (“FRBSF”) under delegated authority from the Federal Reserve Board. Substantially all of our operations are conducted and substantially all of our assets are owned by the Bank, which accounts for substantially all of our consolidated revenues, expenses, and income. The Bank provides a full range of banking services to middle-market businesses and professionals primarily in Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and San Diego counties in Southern California and is subject to competition from, among other things, other banks and financial institutions and from financial services organizations conducting operations in those same markets. The Bank is chartered by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the Division of Financial Institutions and is a member of the FRBSF. In addition, the deposit accounts of the Bank’s customers are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to the maximum amount allowed by law.
During the third quarter of 2018, PMBC dissolved its wholly-owned subsidiary, PM Asset Resolution, Inc. ("PMAR"), which was established for the purpose of purchasing certain non-performing loans and other real estate from the Bank and thereafter collecting or disposing of those assets. Prior to PMAR being dissolved, all assets were liquidated and returned to PMBC.
PMBC, the Bank and PMAR are sometimes referred to, together, on a consolidated basis, as the “Company” or as “we”, “us” or “our”.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to Form 10-K and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in effect in the United States (“GAAP”), on a basis consistent with prior periods.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions that could affect the reported amounts of certain of our assets, liabilities, and contingencies at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of our revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to changes in the near term relate primarily to our determinations of the allowance for loan and lease losses (“ALLL”), the fair values of securities available for sale, and the determination of a valuation allowance pertaining to deferred tax assets. If circumstances or financial trends on which those estimates were based were to change in the future or there were to occur any currently unanticipated events affecting the amounts of those estimates, our future financial position or results of operations could differ, possibly materially, from those expected at the current time.
Principles of Consolidation
Our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 include the accounts of PMBC, the Bank and PMAR. All significant intercompany balances and transactions were eliminated in consolidation.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
For purposes of the statements of cash flow, cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and due from banks, interest bearing demand deposits with the FRBSF, federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits, with original maturities of 90 days or less, with financial institutions. Generally, federal funds are sold for one-day periods. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Bank maintained required reserves with FRBSF of approximately $0 and $3,856,000, respectively, which are included in cash and due from banks in the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition.
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock and Federal Reserve Bank Stock
The Bank, as a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank System, is required to maintain an investment in capital stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (“FHLB”) in varying amounts based on asset size and on amounts borrowed
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
from the FHLB. Because no ready market exists and there is no quoted market value for this stock, the Bank’s investment in this stock is carried at cost.
The Bank also maintains an investment in capital stock of the FRBSF, which is carried at cost because no ready market exists and there is no quoted market value for this stock.
Securities Available for Sale, at Fair Value
Securities available for sale are those which we intend to hold for an indefinite period of time, but which may be sold in response to changes in liquidity needs, changes in interest rates, changes in prepayment risks and other similar factors. These securities are recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as other comprehensive income or loss, net of taxes. Purchased premiums and discounts are recognized as interest income using the interest method over the term of these securities. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method.
Declines in the fair value of these securities below their cost which are other-than-temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses. In determining other-than-temporary losses, we consider a number of factors, including: (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, (3) whether the market decline was affected by macroeconomic conditions, and (4) whether we have the intent to sell the security or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery. A high degree of subjectivity and judgment is involved in assessing whether an other-than-temporary decline exists and such assessments are based on information available to us at the time we make such assessments. We recognize other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”) to our available-for-sale debt securities in accordance with FASB ASC 320-10. When there are credit losses associated with, but we have no intention to sell, an impaired debt security, and it is more likely than not that we will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis, we will separate the amount of impairment, or OTTI, between the amount that is credit-related and the amount that is related to non-credit factors. Credit-related impairments are recognized in our consolidated statements of operations. Any non-credit-related impairments are recognized and reflected in other comprehensive income in our consolidated statements of financial condition.
Loans and Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses
Loans that we intend and have the ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off are stated at their respective principal amounts outstanding, net of unearned income. Interest is accrued daily as earned, except where reasonable doubt exists as to collectability of the loan. A loan with principal or interest that is 90 days or more past due, based on its contractual payment due dates, is placed on nonaccrual status, in which case accrual of interest is discontinued, except that we may elect to continue the accrual of interest when the estimated net realizable value of collateral securing the loan is expected to be sufficient to enable us to recover both principal and accrued interest and those loans are in the process of collection. Generally, interest payments received on nonaccrual loans are applied to principal. Once all principal has been received by us, any additional interest payments are recognized as interest income on a cash basis.
An ALLL is established by means of a provision for loan and lease losses that is charged against income. If we conclude that the collection, in full, of the carrying amount of a loan has become unlikely, the loan, or the portion thereof that is believed to be uncollectible, is charged against the ALLL. We carefully monitor changing economic conditions, the loan portfolio by category, the financial condition of borrowers and the history of the performance of the loan portfolio in determining the adequacy of the ALLL. Additionally, as the volume of loans increases, additional provisions for loan losses may be required to maintain the allowance at levels deemed adequate. Moreover, if economic conditions were to deteriorate, causing the risk of loan losses to increase, it would become necessary to increase the allowance to an even greater extent, which would necessitate additional provisions that would be charged to income. We also evaluate the unfunded portion of loan commitments and establish a loss reserve, included in other liabilities, for such unfunded commitments through a charge against noninterest expense. The loss reserve for unfunded loan commitments was $350,000 at December 31, 2020 and 2019.
The ALLL is based on estimates, and ultimate loan losses may vary from current estimates. These estimates are reviewed periodically and, as adjustments become necessary, they are recorded in earnings in the periods in which they become known.
Impaired Loans
A loan is generally classified as impaired when, in management’s opinion, the principal or interest will not be collectible in accordance with its contractual terms. We measure and reserve for impairment on a loan-by-loan basis using
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. We exclude smaller, homogeneous loans, such as consumer installment loans and lines of credit, from these impairment calculations. Also, loans that experience insignificant payment delays or shortfalls are generally not considered impaired.
Restructured Loans
We sometimes modify or restructure loans when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties by making a concession to the borrower in the form of changes in the amortization terms, reductions in the interest rates, the acceptance of interest only payments and, in limited cases, concessions to the outstanding loan balances. These loans are classified as troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) and considered impaired loans. TDRs are loans modified for the purpose of alleviating temporary impairments to the borrower’s financial condition or cash flows. A workout plan between us and the borrower is designed to provide a bridge for borrower cash flow shortfalls in the near term. A TDR loan may be returned to accrual status when the loan is brought current, has performed in accordance with the contractual restructured terms for a time frame of at least six months and the ultimate collectability of the total contractual restructured principal and interest in no longer in doubt. These loans, while no longer considered a TDR, are still considered impaired loans.
The CARES Act, passed by Congress during the first quarter of 2020 in response to COVID-19, allows us to provide assistance in the form of loan modifications to our borrowers negatively impacted by the pandemic. These loans are not classified as TDRs or considered impaired if the borrowers were current as of December 31, 2019 and their ability to pay was impacted by COVID-19. The loan modifications provided were limited to payment deferrals and the majority of borrowers that received loan deferrals earlier in the year have now returned to normal payment schedules. As of December 31, 2020, we had 16 loans with an outstanding balance of $20.4 million that were under a payment deferral.
Loan Origination Fees and Costs
Loan origination fees and related direct costs for loans held for investment are deferred and amortized to interest income as an adjustment to yield over the respective lives of the loans using the effective interest method, except for loans that are revolving or short-term in nature for which the straight line method is used, which approximates the interest method.
Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries is stated at cost. The unconsolidated subsidiaries are comprised of two grantor trusts established in 2002 and 2004 in connection with our issuance of subordinated debentures in each of those years. Prior to 2004, we organized two business trusts, under the names PMB Statutory Trust III and PMB Capital Trust III, to facilitate our issuance of $7.2 million and $10.3 million, respectively, principal amount of junior subordinated debentures with maturity dates in 2032 and 2034, respectively. The principal amounts remain outstanding as of December 31, 2020.
Other Real Estate Owned
Other real estate owned (“OREO”) consists of real properties acquired by us through foreclosure or in lieu of foreclosure in satisfaction of loans. OREO is recorded at fair value less estimated selling costs at the time of acquisition or foreclosure. Loan balances in excess of fair value, less selling costs, are charged to the ALLL prior to foreclosure. Any subsequent operating expenses or income, reductions in estimated fair values and gains or losses on disposition of such properties are charged or credited to current operations.
Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization which are charged to expense on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets or, in the case of leasehold improvements, over the term of the leases, whichever is shorter. For income tax purposes, accelerated depreciation methods are used. Maintenance and repairs are charged directly to expense as incurred. Improvements to premises and equipment that extend their useful lives are capitalized.
When such an asset is disposed of, the applicable costs and accumulated depreciation thereon are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in current operations. Rates of depreciation and amortization are based on the following estimated useful lives:
Furniture and equipment Three to seven years
Leasehold improvements Lesser of the lease term or estimated useful life
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Income Taxes
Deferred income taxes and liabilities are determined using the asset and liability method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is determined based on the tax effects of the temporary differences between the book and tax basis of the various balance sheet assets and liabilities and gives current recognition to changes in tax rates and laws.
We record as a deferred tax asset on our balance sheet an amount equal to the tax credit and tax loss carryforwards and tax deductions ("tax benefits") that we believe will be available to us to offset or reduce the amount of our income taxes in future periods. Under applicable federal and state income tax laws and regulations, such tax benefits will expire if not used within specified periods of time. Accordingly, the ability to fully use our deferred tax asset depends on the amount of taxable income that we generate during those time periods. At least once each year, or more frequently, if warranted, we make estimates of future taxable income that we believe we are likely to generate during those future periods. If we conclude, on the basis of those estimates and the amount of the tax benefits available to us, that it is more likely than not that we will be able to fully utilize those tax benefits prior to their expiration, we recognize the deferred tax asset in full on our balance sheet. On the other hand, if we conclude on the basis of those estimates and the amount of the tax benefits available to us that it has become more likely than not that we will be unable to utilize those tax benefits in full prior to their expiration, then, we would establish (or increase any existing) valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax asset on our balance sheet to the amount which we believe we are more likely than not to be able to utilize. Such a reduction is implemented by recognizing a non-cash charge that would have the effect of increasing the provision, or reducing any credit, for income taxes that we would otherwise have recorded in our statement of operations. The determination of whether and the extent to which we will be able to utilize our deferred tax asset involves significant management judgments and assumptions that are subject to period to period changes as a result of changes in tax laws, changes in market or economic conditions that could affect our operating results or variances between our actual operating results and our projected operating results, as well as other factors.
Uncertain tax positions that meet the more likely than not recognition threshold are measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize. An uncertain tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that management believes has a greater than 50% likelihood of realization upon settlement.
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Basic income (loss) per share for any fiscal period is computed by dividing net income (loss) allocable to our common shareholders for such period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during that period. Fully diluted income (loss) per share reflects the potential dilution that could have occurred assuming the conversion of any convertible securities into common stock at conversion prices, and the exercise of all outstanding options and warrants to purchase shares of our common stock at exercise prices, that were less than the market price of our shares, thereby increasing the number of shares outstanding during the period, and is determined using the treasury method. Although accumulated undeclared dividends on our preferred stock are not recorded in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations, such dividends are included for purposes of computing earnings (loss) per share available to our common shareholders.
Stock Option Plans
We follow Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 718-10, Share-Based Payment, which requires entities that grant stock options or other equity compensation awards to employees to recognize in their financial statements the fair values of those options or share awards as compensation cost over their requisite service (vesting) periods of those options or share awards. Since stock-based compensation cost that is recognized in the statements of operations is to be determined based on the equity compensation awards that we expect will ultimately vest, that compensation expense is reduced for any forfeitures of unvested options or unvested share awards that typically occur due primarily to terminations of employment of optionees or recipients of such share awards. In accordance with Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2016-09, forfeitures are recognized as they occur instead of applying an estimated forfeiture rate to each grant, which was the previous practice. For purposes of the determination of stock-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2020, we recognized actual forfeitures of 15,906, 28,402 and zero shares subject to the stock option, restricted stock, and stock unit awards, respectively, that were granted to officers and other employees.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income. However, certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale, are reported as a separate component of the equity in the accompanying consolidated statement of financial condition, net of income taxes, and such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income (loss).
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Segment Reporting
During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, we had one reportable segment, which was our commercial banking division, and one non-reportable segment which was our discontinued operations related to our mortgage banking division. In connection with our exit from the mortgage banking business in 2013, the revenues and expenses of our mortgage banking division have been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” which requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date, based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. Additionally, the ASU amends the accounting guidance for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. On November 15, 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, "Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842): Effective Dates" which finalizes various effective date delays for private companies, not-for-profit organizations, and smaller reporting companies applying the credit losses (CECL), leases, and hedging standards. The effective date for smaller reporting companies has been delayed from the interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020 to the interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022. Early adoption is permitted for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Upon issuance of the final ASU, we plan to adopt this guidance on January 1, 2023 and expect that it will have a material impact on the determination of our ALLL. We are unable to estimate the expected impact to the ALLL upon adoption due to various factors, primarily the fine tuning of our qualitative assumptions used within our preliminary model, uncertainty regarding economic conditions and the size and mix of our loan portfolio at the time of adoption, which could impact our historical loss factors. We are currently working with our existing ALLL software provider on further developing the model to perform the ALLL calculations upon adoption and we believe that we currently have in place the internal team capable of handling this implementation.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, "Income Taxes (Topic 740), Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes," which eliminates certain exceptions to the guidance in ASC 740 related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. This guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within those fiscal years. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2021, and do not expect any material impact related to this pronouncement.
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting," which provides temporary optional expedients to ease the financial reporting burdens of the expected market transition from London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) to an alternative reference rate such as Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR). The guidance was effective upon issuance and generally can be applied through December 31, 2022. We are currently evaluating this guidance to determine the date of adoption and the impact on the Company.
In October 2020, the FASB issue ASU 2020-08, "Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs," which clarified that for each reporting period, an entity should reevaluate whether a callable debt security is within the scope of paragraph 310-20-35-33 of the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification. This guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within those fiscal years. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2021.
Subsequent Events
Subsequent events are events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued. The Company recognizes in the financial statements the effects of all subsequent events that provide additional evidence about conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet, including the estimates inherent in the process of preparing the financial statements. The Company’s financial statements do not recognize subsequent events that provide evidence about conditions that did not exist at the date of the balance sheet but arose after the balance sheet date and before financial statements are available to be issued.
The Company has evaluated events subsequent to the balance sheet date through the date these consolidated financial statements were filed with the SEC.
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
3. Fair Value Measurements
Under FASB ASC 820-10, we group assets and liabilities at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability 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.
Risks with Fair Value Measurements
Fair value estimates are made at a discrete point in time based on relevant market information and other information about the financial instruments. Because no active market exists for a significant portion of our financial instruments, fair value estimates are based in large part on judgments we make primarily regarding current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, prepayment rates, and future expected loss experience. These estimates are subjective in nature and invariably involve some inherent uncertainties. Additionally, the occurrence of unexpected events or changes in circumstances can occur that could require us to make changes to our assumptions and which, in turn, could significantly affect and require us to make changes to our previous estimates of fair value.
In addition, the fair value estimates are based on existing on and off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of existing and anticipated future client relationships and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments, such as premises and equipment and OREO.
Measurement Methodology
Cash and Cash Equivalents. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates its carrying value.
Interest-Bearing Deposits with Financial Institutions. The fair values of interest-bearing deposits maturing within one year approximate their carrying values.
FHLB and FRBSF Stock. The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (“FHLB”) and the FRBSF. As members, we are required to own stock of the FHLB and the FRBSF, the amount of which is based primarily on the level of our borrowings from those institutions. We also have the right to acquire additional shares of stock in either or both of the FHLB and the FRBSF. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we purchased no FHLB or FRBSF stock. No shares of FHLB or FRBSF stock were called during the year ended December 31, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we purchased no FHLB or FRBSF stock. No shares of FHLB stock or FRBSF stock were called during the year ended December 31, 2019. The fair values of the FHLB and FRBSF stock are equal to their respective carrying amounts, are classified as restricted securities and are periodically evaluated for impairment based on our assessment of the ultimate recoverability of our investments in that stock. Any cash or stock dividends paid to us on such stock are reported as income.
Investment Securities Available for Sale. Fair value measurement for our investment securities available for sale 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 investment securities include those traded on an active exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange, and U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets. Level 2 investment securities include mortgage-backed securities issued by government sponsored entities, municipal bonds and corporate debt securities. Securities classified as Level 3 include asset-backed securities in less liquid markets.
Equity Investments Without Readily Determinable Fair Value. Equity investments without readily determinable fair value are accounted for under the measurement alternative method of accounting. These investments are measured at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus any changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. Any cash or stock dividends paid to us on such investments are reported as noninterest income.
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Impaired Loans. Loans measured for impairment are measured at an observable market price (if available), or the fair value of the loan’s collateral (if the loan is collateral dependent). The fair value of an impaired loan may be estimated using one of several methods, including collateral value, market value of similar debt, liquidation value and discounted cash flows. Those impaired loans not requiring a specific loan loss reserve represent loans for which the fair value of the expected repayments or collateral exceeds the recorded investments in such loans. When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price or a current appraised value, we record the impaired loan at Level 2. When an appraised value is not available or we determine that the fair value of the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value and there is no observable market price, we record the impaired loan at Level 3.
Loans. The fair value for loans with variable interest rates less a credit discount is the carrying amount. The fair value of fixed rate loans is derived by calculating the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s original interest rate by the various homogeneous categories of loans. All loans have been adjusted to reflect changes in credit risk and represent the exit price of the loans. Changes are not recorded directly as an adjustment to current earnings or comprehensive income, but rather as an adjustment component in determining the overall adequacy of the loan loss reserve.
Other Real Estate Owned. OREO is reported at its net realizable value (fair value less estimated costs to sell) at the time any real estate collateral is acquired by the Bank in satisfaction of a loan. Subsequently, OREO is carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Fair value is determined based upon independent market prices, appraised values of the collateral or management’s estimation of the value of the collateral. When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price or a current appraised value, we record the foreclosed asset at 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 and there is no observable market price, we record the foreclosed asset at Level 3.
Other Foreclosed Assets. Other foreclosed assets are reported at their net realizable value (fair value less estimated costs to sell) at the time any collateral other than real estate is acquired by the Bank in satisfaction of a loan. Subsequently, other foreclosed assets are carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Fair value is determined based upon independent market prices, appraised values of the collateral or management’s estimation of the value of the collateral. When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price or a current appraised value, we record the foreclosed asset at 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 and there is no observable market price, we record the foreclosed asset at Level 3.
Deposits. Deposits are carried at historical cost. The carrying amounts of deposits from savings and money market accounts are deemed to approximate fair value as they either have no stated maturities or short-term maturities. Certificates of deposit are estimated utilizing discounted cash flow techniques. The interest rates applied are rates currently being offered for similar certificates of deposit.
Borrowings. The fair value of borrowings is the carrying amount for those borrowings that mature on a daily basis. The fair value of term borrowings is derived by calculating the discounted value of future cash flows expected to be paid out by the Company. We classify our borrowings in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Junior Subordinated Debentures. The fair value of the junior subordinated debentures is based on quoted market prices of the underlying securities. These securities are variable rate in nature and repriced quarterly. We classify our junior subordinated debentures in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Commitments to Extend Credit and Standby Letters of Credit. The fair value of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties’ credit standing.
Interest Receivable and Interest Payable. The carrying amounts of our accrued interest receivable and accrued interest payable are deemed to approximate fair value.
Assets Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following tables show the recorded amounts of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2020 and 2019.
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
At December 31, 2020
Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
(Dollars in thousands)
Assets at Fair Value:
Debt securities available for sale
Commercial mortgage backed securities issued by U.S. Agencies $ 20,673 $ - $ 20,673 $ -
Residential mortgage backed securities issued by U.S. agencies 14,436 - 14,436 -
Corporate subordinated debt 7,074 - 7,074 -
Total debt securities available for sale at fair value $ 42,183 $ - $ 42,183 $ -
At December 31, 2019
Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
(Dollars in thousands)
Assets at Fair Value:
Debt securities available for sale
Commercial mortgage backed securities issued by U.S. Agencies $ 9,229 $ - $ 9,229 $ -
Residential mortgage backed securities issued by U.S. agencies 19,115 - 19,115 -
Total debt securities available for sale $ 28,344 $ - $ 28,344 $ -
Assets Recorded at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
We may be required, from time to time, to measure certain assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with GAAP. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve application of lower of cost or market accounting or write-downs of individual assets. Information regarding assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis is set forth in the table below.
At December 31, 2020 At December 31, 2019
Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Assets at Fair Value: (Dollars in thousands)
Impaired loans $ 39,916 $ - $ - $ 39,916 $ 15,682 $ - $ - $ 15,682
Other foreclosed assets
231 - 231 - 164 - 164 -
Total $ 40,147 $ - $ 231 $ 39,916 $ 15,846 $ - $ 164 $ 15,682
Significant Unobservable Inputs and Valuation Techniques of Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
For our fair value measurements classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2020, a summary of the significant unobservable inputs and valuation techniques is as follows:
Fair Value Measurement as of December 31, 2020 Valuation Techniques Unobservable Inputs Range Weighted Average
(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Impaired loans 39,916 Third-Party Pricing Discounted cash flow N/A (2)
$ 39,916
(1)As part of our process, we obtain appraisals for our various properties included within impaired loans which primarily rely upon market comparisons. These market comparisons support our assumption that the carrying value of the respective loans either requires or does not require additional impairment.
(2)As of December 31, 2020, there has been no change to our valuation techniques or the types of unobservable inputs used in the calculation of fair value from December 31, 2019.
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Fair Value Measurements for Other Financial Instruments
The table below provides estimated fair values and related carrying amounts of our financial instruments as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, excluding financial assets and liabilities which are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.
Estimated Fair Value
At December 31, 2020 At December 31, 2019
Carrying Value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Carrying Value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
(Dollars in thousands)
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 286,269 $ 286,269 $ 286,269 - - $ 220,138 $ 220,138 $ 220,138 - -
Interest-bearing deposits with financial institutions 1,597 1,597 1,597 - - 2,420 2,420 2,420 - -
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and Federal Home Loan Bank stock 7,910 7,910 7,910 - - 7,910 7,910 7,910 - -
Loans, net 1,209,587 1,218,096 - - 1,218,096 1,117,511 1,120,096 - - 1,120,096
Accrued interest receivable 5,666 5,666 5,666 - - 4,095 4,095 4,095 - -
Financial liabilities:
Noninterest bearing deposits 647,115 647,115 647,115 - - 397,000 397,000 397,000 - -
Interest-bearing deposits 736,232 737,888 - 737,888 - 802,570 803,549 - 803,549 -
Borrowings 6,038 10,009 - 10,009 - 30,000 29,974 - 29,974 -
Junior subordinated debentures 17,527 17,527 - 17,527 - 17,527 17,527 - 17,527 -
Accrued interest payable 188 188 188 - - 398 398 398 - -
4. Investments
Securities Available For Sale, at Fair Value
The following table sets forth the major components of securities available for sale and compares the amortized costs and estimated fair market values of, and the gross unrealized gains and losses on, these securities at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019:
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Amortized
Cost Gross Unrealized Estimated
Fair Value Amortized
Cost Gross Unrealized Estimated
Fair Value
Gain Loss Gain Loss
(Dollars in thousands)
Securities Available for Sale
Commercial mortgage backed securities issued by U.S. Agencies(1)
20,585 214 (126) 20,673 9,147 128 (46) 9,229
Residential mortgage backed securities issued by U.S. Agencies(2)
14,061 379 (4) 14,436 19,380 12 (277) 19,115
Corporate subordinated debt 7,035 42 (3) 7,074 - - - -
Total $ 41,681 $ 635 $ (133) $ 42,183 $ 28,527 $ 140 $ (323) $ 28,344
(1)Secured by first liens on commercial apartment building mortgages.
(2)Secured by closed-end first liens on 1-4 family residential mortgages.
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, U.S. agency mortgage backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations with an aggregate fair market value of $2.0 million and $9.2 million, respectively, were pledged to secure FHLB borrowings, repurchase agreements, local agency deposits and treasury, tax and loan accounts.
The amortized cost and estimated fair values of securities available for sale at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 are shown in the tables below by contractual maturities taking into consideration historical prepayments based on the prior twelve months of principal payments. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities and historical prepayments, particularly with respect to collateralized mortgage obligations, primarily because prepayment rates are affected by changes in conditions in the interest rate market and, therefore, future prepayment rates may differ from historical prepayment rates.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
At December 31, 2020 Maturing in
One year
or less Over one
year through
five years Over five
years through
ten years Over ten
Years Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Securities available for sale, amortized cost $ 5,657 $ 19,953 $ 6,368 $ 9,703 $ 41,681
Securities available for sale, estimated fair value 5,770 20,353 6,422 9,638 42,183
Weighted average yield 1.27 % 2.27 % 1.27 % 1.38 % 1.77 %
At December 31, 2019 Maturing in
One year
or less Over one
year through
five years Over five
years through
ten years Over ten
Years Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Securities available for sale, amortized cost $ 5,286 $ 13,032 $ 6,842 $ 3,367 $ 28,527
Securities available for sale, estimated fair value 5,230 12,887 6,849 3,378 28,344
Weighted average yield 1.58 % 1.66 % 2.22 % 2.53 % 1.88 %
During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we purchased $22.5 million and $5.0 million, respectively, of securities available for sale. Securities available for sale of $4.5 million were purchased during the year ended December 31, 2018. We sold $3.5 million of securities available for sale during the year ended December 31, 2020, for a total net gain on sale of $171 thousand. We had no sales of securities available for sale during the year ended December 31, 2019. During the year 2018, we had $2.1 million of proceeds from sales of securities available for sale for a total net loss of $53 thousand.
The tables below indicate, as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the gross unrealized losses and fair values of our investments, aggregated by investment category, and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position.
Securities with Unrealized Loss at December 31, 2020
Less than 12 months 12 months or more Total
Fair Value Unrealized
Loss Fair Value Unrealized
Loss Fair Value Unrealized
Loss
(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial mortgage backed securities issued by U.S. Agencies 7,483 (126) - - 7,483 (126)
Residential mortgage backed securities issued by U.S. Agencies 68 (1) 126 (3) 194 (4)
Corporate subordinated debt 4,032 (3) - - 4,032 (3)
Total $ 11,583 $ (130) $ 126 $ (3) $ 11,709 $ (133)
Securities with Unrealized Loss at December 31, 2019
Less than 12 months 12 months or more Total
Fair Value Unrealized
Loss Fair Value Unrealized
Loss Fair Value Unrealized
Loss
(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial mortgage backed securities issued by U.S. Agencies 4,472 (46) - - 4,472 (46)
Residential mortgage backed securities issued by U.S. Agencies 76 (1) 15,965 (276) 16,041 (277)
Total $ 4,548 $ (47) $ 15,965 $ (276) $ 20,513 $ (323)
We regularly monitor investments for significant declines in fair value. We have determined that declines in the fair values of these investments below their respective amortized costs, as set forth in the tables above, are temporary because (i) those declines were due to interest rate changes and not to a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuers of those investment securities, and (ii) we have the ability to hold those securities until there is a recovery in their values or until their maturity.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Through the impairment assessment process, we determined that there were no available-for-sale debt securities that were other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2020. We recorded no impairment credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities in our consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
We have made a determination that the remainder of our securities with respect to which there were unrealized losses as of December 31, 2020 are not other-than-temporarily impaired, because we have concluded that we have the ability to continue to hold those securities until their respective fair market values increase above their respective amortized costs or, if necessary, until their respective maturities. In reaching that conclusion we considered a number of factors and other information, which included: (i) the significance of each such security, (ii) the amount of the unrealized losses attributable to each such security, (iii) our liquidity position, (iv) the impact that retention of those securities could have on our capital position and (v) our evaluation of the expected future performance of these securities (based on the criteria discussed above).
Equity Investments Without Readily Determinable Fair Value
As of December 31, 2020, we had three investments in limited partnerships without a readily determinable fair value. As of December 31, 2020, we owned less than 3% of the total investment in each partnership. Under ASU 2016-01, we elected to measure these equity investments using the measurement alternative, which requires that these investments are measured at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus any changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. During the year ended December 31, 2020, these investments were not impaired and there were no observable price changes. As a result, the balance shown below as of December 31, 2020 represents the cost of the investments and is included within other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we had $556 thousand of capital contributions to these investments, and no return of principal. We had $876 thousand of capital contributions to these investments during the year ended December 31, 2019, and no return of principal. As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, our equity investments without readily determinable fair value were as follows:
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)
Equity investments without readily determinable fair value $ 2,673 $ 2,117
5. Loans and Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses
The loan portfolio consisted of the following at:
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Amount Percent Amount Percent
(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial loans, excluding PPP $ 337,427 27.6 % $ 409,420 36.2 %
Commercial loans - PPP 229,728 18.8 % - - %
Commercial real estate loans - owner occupied 197,336 16.1 % 219,483 19.5 %
Commercial real estate loans - all other 194,893 15.9 % 208,283 18.5 %
Residential mortgage loans - multi-family 159,182 13.0 % 176,523 15.7 %
Residential mortgage loans - single family 12,766 1.0 % 18,782 1.7 %
Construction and land development loans 11,766 1.0 % 2,981 0.3 %
Consumer loans 80,759 6.6 % 90,867 8.1 %
Gross loans 1,223,857 100.0 % 1,126,339 100.0 %
Deferred loan fees and costs, net 3,182 4,783
Allowance for loan and lease losses (17,452) (13,611)
Loans, net $ 1,209,587 $ 1,117,511
At December 31, 2020, we had $229.7 million of commercial loans originated through the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP"), which is administered by the Small Business Administration ("SBA") and was established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the "CARES Act"), and subsequently modified by the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act ("PPPFA"). The PPP loans are 100% guaranteed by the SBA and the principal and interest may be forgiven by
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
the SBA if the borrower demonstrates that the loan proceeds were used as prescribed by the governing legislation and regulations during either an 8-week or 24-week period following funding (the "Covered Period"). Borrowers began submitting applications for forgiveness in the third quarter of 2020 and have until 10 months following the end of their Covered Period to apply. As of December 31, 2020, $51.3 million of the $281.0 million originated PPP loans have been forgiven by the SBA.
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, real estate loans of approximately $434 million and $278 million, respectively, were pledged to secure borrowings obtained from the FHLB. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, commercial and consumer loans of $146 million and $210 million, respectively, were pledged to secure borrowings from the FRB to support our unfunded borrowing capacity. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we sold $5.8 million of Small Business Administration (SBA) loans at a premium for a net gain on sale of $547 thousand. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we sold $12.0 million of Small Business Administration (SBA) loans at a premium for a net gain on sale of $1.0 million. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we sold $15.1 million of commercial real estate loans at par value. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we purchased $10.4 million of commercial real estate - all other loans. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we purchased loans totaling $121.0 million, of which $81.0 million were multi-family mortgage and $39.9 million were consumer loans. We purchased $10.0 million of performing commercial real estate loans during the year ended December 31, 2018.
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses
The ALLL represents our estimate of credit losses in our loan and lease portfolio that are probable and estimable at the balance sheet date. We employ economic models that are based on bank regulatory guidelines, industry standards and our own historical loan loss experience, as well as a number of more subjective qualitative factors, to determine both the sufficiency of the ALLL and the amount of the provisions that are required to increase or replenish the ALLL.
The ALLL is first determined by (i) analyzing all classified loans (graded as “Substandard” or “Doubtful” under our internal asset quality grading parameters) on non-accrual status for loss exposure and (ii) establishing specific reserves as needed. ASC 310-10 defines loan impairment as the existence of uncertainty concerning collection of all principal and interest in accordance with the contractual terms of a loan. For collateral dependent loans, impairment is typically measured by comparing the loan amount to the fair value of collateral, less estimated costs to sell, with any “shortfall” amount charged off. Other methods can be used in estimating impairment, including market price and the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s original interest rate. We are an active lender with the U.S. Small Business Administration and collection of a percentage of the loan balance of many of the loans originated is guaranteed. The ALLL reserves are calculated against the non-guaranteed loan balances.
On a quarterly basis, we utilize a classification based loan loss migration model as well as review individual loans in determining the adequacy of the ALLL for homogenous pools of loans that are not subject to specific reserve allocations. Our loss migration analysis utilizes a series of nineteen staggered 16-quarter migration periods of loan loss history and industry loss factors to determine historical losses by classification category for each loan type, except certain consumer loans (automobile, mortgage and credit cards). We then apply these calculated loss factors, together with qualitative factors based on external economic conditions and trends and internal assessments, to the outstanding loan balances in each homogenous group of loans, and then, using our internal asset quality grading parameters, we grade the loans as “Pass,” “Special Mention,” “Substandard” or “Doubtful”. We analyze impaired loans individually. This grading is based on the credit classifications of assets as prescribed by government regulations and industry standards and is separated into the following groups:
•Pass: Loans classified as pass include current loans performing in accordance with contractual terms, installment/consumer loans that are not individually risk rated, and loans which exhibit certain risk factors that require greater than usual monitoring by management.
•Special Mention: Loans classified as special mention, while generally not delinquent, have potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or in the Bank’s credit position at some future date.
•Substandard: Loans classified as substandard have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. There is a distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.
•Doubtful: Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in a substandard loan, and may also be at delinquency status and have defined weaknesses based on currently existing facts, conditions and values making collection or liquidation in full highly questionable and improbable.
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Set forth below is a summary of the activity in the ALLL, by portfolio type, during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018. Commercial - PPP loans are 100% guaranteed by the SBA and carry no allowance.
Commercial (excl PPP) Commercial PPP Real Estate Construction and Land
Development Consumer and
Single Family
Mortgages Unallocated Total
(Dollars in thousands)
ALLL in the year ended December 31, 2020:
Balance at beginning of year $ 8,883 $ - $ 2,897 $ 34 $ 1,797 $ - $ 13,611
Charge offs (6,223) - - - (95) - (6,318)
Recoveries 1,067 - - - 42 - 1,109
Provision 7,528 - 1,067 103 352 - 9,050
Balance at end of year $ 11,255 $ - $ 3,964 $ 137 $ 2,096 $ - $ 17,452
ALLL in the year ended December 31, 2019:
Balance at beginning of year $ 8,071 $ - $ 3,643 $ 426 $ 1,290 $ 76 $ 13,506
Charge offs (9,903) - (42) - (39) - (9,984)
Recoveries 918 - - - 21 - 939
Provision 9,797 - (704) (392) 525 (76) 9,150
Balance at end of year $ 8,883 $ - $ 2,897 $ 34 $ 1,797 $ - $ 13,611
ALLL in the year ended December 31, 2018:
Balance at beginning of year $ 9,155 $ - $ 2,906 $ 650 $ 1,043 $ 442 $ 14,196
Charge offs (2,757) - - - (8) - (2,765)
Recoveries 1,959 - 69 - 47 - 2,075
Provision (286) - 668 (224) 208 (366) -
Balance at end of year $ 8,071 $ - $ 3,643 $ 426 $ 1,290 $ 76 $ 13,506
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Set forth below is information regarding loan balances and the related ALLL, by portfolio type, as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
Commercial (excl PPP) Commercial PPP Real Estate Land
Development Consumer and
Single Family
Mortgages Unallocated Total
(Dollars in thousands)
ALLL balance at December 31, 2020 related to:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment $ 2,711 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 2,711
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment 8,544 - 3,964 137 2,096 - 14,741
Total $ 11,255 $ - $ 3,964 $ 137 $ 2,096 $ - $ 17,452
Loans balance at December 31, 2020 related to:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment $ 30,886 $ - $ 6,661 $ - $ - $ - $ 37,547
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment 306,541 229,728 544,751 11,766 93,525 - 1,186,310
Total $ 337,427 $ 229,728 $ 551,412 $ 11,766 $ 93,525 $ - $ 1,223,857
ALLL balance at December 31, 2019 related to:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment $ 561 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 561
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment 8,322 - 2,897 34 1,797 - 13,050
Total $ 8,883 $ - $ 2,897 $ 34 $ 1,797 $ - $ 13,611
Loans balance at December 31, 2019 related to:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment $ 9,056 $ - $ 6,507 $ - $ - $ - $ 15,563
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment 400,364 - 597,782 2,981 109,649 - 1,110,776
Total $ 409,420 $ - $ 604,289 $ 2,981 $ 109,649 $ - $ 1,126,339
Credit Quality
The amounts of nonperforming assets and delinquencies that occur within our loan portfolio factors in our evaluation of the adequacy of the ALLL.
The following table provides a summary of the delinquency status of loans by portfolio type at December 31, 2020 and 2019:
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30-59 Days Past Due 60-89 Days Past Due 90 Days and Greater Total Past Due Current Total Loans Outstanding Loans >90 Days and Accruing
(Dollars in thousands)
At December 31, 2020
Commercial loans, excluding PPP $ 5,281 $ 3,646 $ 9,670 $ 18,597 $ 318,830 $ 337,427 $ 5,675
Commercial loans - PPP - - - - 229,728 229,728 -
Commercial real estate loans - owner-occupied - - - - 197,336 197,336 -
Commercial real estate loans - all other - - 1,837 1,837 193,056 194,893 -
Residential mortgage loans - multi-family - - - - 159,182 159,182 -
Residential mortgage loans - single family - - - - 12,766 12,766 -
Land development loans - - - - 11,766 11,766 -
Consumer loans - 65 - 65 80,694 80,759 -
Total $ 5,281 $ 3,711 $ 11,507 $ 20,499 $ 1,203,358 $ 1,223,857 $ 5,675
At December 31, 2019
Commercial loans $ 354 $ 1,361 $ 533 $ 2,248 $ 407,172 $ 409,420 $ -
Commercial real estate loans - owner-occupied 749 - - 749 218,734 219,483 -
Commercial real estate loans - all other - - - - 208,283 208,283 -
Residential mortgage loans - multi-family - - - - 176,523 176,523 -
Residential mortgage loans - single family - - - - 18,782 18,782 -
Land development loans - - - - 2,981 2,981 -
Consumer loans 312 3 - 315 90,552 90,867 -
Total $ 1,415 $ 1,364 $ 533 $ 3,312 $ 1,123,027 $ 1,126,339 $ -
Generally, the accrual of interest on a loan is discontinued when principal or interest payments become more than 90 days past due, unless we believe that the loan is adequately collateralized and it is in the process of collection. There were $5.7 million of loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest at December 31, 2020 and zero outstanding at December 31, 2019. In certain instances, when a loan is placed on non-accrual status, previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed against current income. Subsequent collections of cash are applied as principal reductions when received, except when the ultimate collectability of principal is probable, in which case such payments are applied to accrued and unpaid interest, which is credited to income. Non-accrual loans may be restored to accrual status when principal and interest become current and full repayment becomes expected.
The following table provides information with respect to loans on nonaccrual status, by portfolio type, as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
December 31,
2020 2019
(Dollars in thousands)
Nonaccrual loans:
Commercial loans $ 30,928 $ 9,101
Commercial real estate loans - owner occupied 6,978 6,507
Commercial real estate loans - all other 1,836 -
Consumer loans 174 74
Total(1)
$ 39,916 $ 15,682
(1) Nonaccrual loans may include loans that are currently considered performing loans.
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
We classify our loan portfolio using internal credit quality ratings. The following table provides a summary of loans by portfolio type and our internal credit quality ratings as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
December 31,
2020 2019 Increase
(Decrease)
(Dollars in thousands)
Pass:
Commercial loans, excluding PPP $ 263,616 $ 357,079 $ 136,265
Commercial loans - PPP 229,728 - 229,728
Commercial real estate loans - owner occupied 162,250 206,589 (44,339)
Commercial real estate loans - all other 192,264 208,283 (16,019)
Residential mortgage loans - multi family 158,816 176,523 (17,707)
Residential mortgage loans - single family 12,766 18,782 (6,016)
Construction and land development loans 11,766 2,981 8,785
Consumer loans 80,576 90,793 (10,217)
Total pass loans $ 1,111,782 $ 1,061,030 $ 50,752
Special Mention:
Commercial loans, excluding PPP $ 13,763 $ 21,894 $ (8,131)
Commercial real estate loans - owner occupied 6,882 6,387 495
Commercial real estate loans - all other 793 - 793
Residential mortgage loans - multi family 366 - 366
Total special mention loans $ 21,804 $ 28,281 $ (6,477)
Substandard:
Commercial loans, excluding PPP $ 59,408 $ 30,447 $ 28,961
Commercial real estate loans - owner occupied 28,203 6,507 21,696
Commercial real estate loans - all other 1,837 - 1,837
Consumer loans 182 74 108
Total substandard loans $ 89,630 $ 37,028 $ 52,602
Doubtful:
Commercial loans, excluding PPP $ 641 $ - $ 641
Total doubtful loans $ 641 $ - $ 641
Total Loans: $ 1,223,857 $ 1,126,339 $ 97,518
Impaired Loans
A loan generally is classified as impaired and placed on nonaccrual status when, in our opinion, principal or interest is not likely to be collected in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement. We measure for impairments on a loan-by-loan basis, using either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.
The following table sets forth information regarding impaired loans, at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019:
December 31,
2020 2019
(Dollars in thousands)
Impaired loans:
Nonaccruing loans $ 33,204 $ 15,682
Nonaccruing restructured loans 6,712 -
Total impaired loans $ 39,916 $ 15,682
Impaired loans less than 90 days delinquent and included in total impaired loans $ 34,085 $ 15,149
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The table below contains additional information with respect to impaired loans, by portfolio type, as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Recorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Related Allowance (1) Recorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Related Allowance (1)
(Dollars in thousands)
No allowance recorded:
Commercial loans, excluding PPP $ 10,970 $ 19,530 $ - $ 7,996 $ 12,090 $ -
Commercial real estate loans - owner occupied 6,978 7,633 - 6,507 6,784 -
Commercial real estate loans - all other 1,836 1,837 - - - -
Consumer loans 174 197 - 74 101 -
Total $ 19,958 $ 29,197 $ - $ 14,577 $ 18,975 $ -
With allowance recorded:
Commercial loans, excluding PPP $ 19,958 $ 20,040 $ 2,711 $ 1,105 $ 1,122 $ 561
Total $ 19,958 $ 20,040 $ 2,711 $ 1,105 $ 1,122 $ 561
Total
Commercial loans, excluding PPP $ 30,928 $ 39,570 $ 2,711 $ 9,101 $ 13,212 $ 561
Commercial real estate loans - owner occupied 6,978 7,633 - 6,507 6,784 -
Commercial real estate loans - all other 1,836 1,837 - - - -
Consumer loans 174 197 - 74 101 -
Total $ 39,916 $ 49,237 $ 2,711 $ 15,682 $ 20,097 $ 561
(1)When the discounted cash flows, collateral value or market price equals or exceeds the recorded investment in the loan, then specific reserves are not required to be set aside for the loan within the ALLL. This typically occurs when the impaired loans have been partially charged-off and/or there have been interest payments received and applied to the balance of the principal outstanding.
At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were $20.0 million and $14.6 million, respectively, of impaired loans for which no specific reserves had been allocated because these loans, in our judgment, were sufficiently collateralized. Of the impaired loans at December 31, 2020 for which no specific reserves were allocated, $8.7 million had been deemed impaired in the prior year.
Average balances and interest income recognized on impaired loans, by portfolio type, for the year ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Average Balance Interest Income Recognized Average Balance Interest Income Recognized Average Balance Interest Income Recognized
(Dollars in thousands)
No allowance recorded:
Commercial loans, excluding PPP $ 9,307 $ 534 $ 3,828 $ 581 $ 4,289 $ 101
Commercial real estate loans - owner occupied 5,216 53 3,038 267 856 -
Commercial real estate loans - all other 367 36 - - 370 -
Residential mortgage loans - single family - - - - - -
Consumer loans 138 5 69 3 48 -
Total 15,028 628 6,935 851 5,563 101
With allowance recorded:
Commercial loans, excluding PPP $ 5,032 $ 930 $ 221 $ 53 $ 96 $ -
Total $ 5,032 $ 930 $ 221 $ 53 $ 96 $ -
Total
Commercial loans, excluding PPP $ 14,339 $ 1,464 $ 4,049 $ 634 $ 4,385 $ 101
Commercial real estate loans - owner occupied 5,216 53 3,038 267 856 -
Commercial real estate loans - all other 367 36 - - 370 -
Residential mortgage loans - single family - - - - - -
Consumer loans 138 5 69 3 48 -
Total $ 20,060 $ 1,558 $ 7,156 $ 904 $ 5,659 $ 101
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The interest that would have been earned had the impaired loans remained current in accordance with their original terms was $1.8 million in 2020, $416 thousand in 2019 and $362 thousand in 2018.
Troubled Debt Restructurings
Pursuant to the FASB's ASU No. 2011-2, A Creditor's Determination of whether a Restructuring is a Troubled Debt Restructuring, the Company had $6.7 million TDRs at December 31, 2020 and zero at December 31, 2019. TDRs consist of loans to which modifications have been made for the purpose of alleviating temporary impairments of the borrower's financial condition and cash flows. Those modifications have come in the forms of changes in amortization terms, reductions in interest rates, interest only payments and, in limited cases, concessions to outstanding loan balances. The modifications are made as part of workout plans we enter into with the borrower that are designed to provide a bridge for the borrower's cash flow shortfalls in the near term. If a borrower works through the near term issues, then in most cases, the original contractual terms of the borrower's loan will be reinstated. TDRs do not include short term loan modifications made on a good faith basis in response to COVID-19.
The following table presents loans restructured as TDRs during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Number of
loans Pre-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment Post-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment Number of
loans Pre-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment Post-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment Number of
loans Pre-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment Post-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
(Dollars in thousands)
Nonperforming
Commercial loans 4 3,298 2,085 - - - - - -
Commercial real estate - owner occupied 1 3,851 4,627 - - - - - -
Total nonperforming 5 7,149 6,712 - - - - - -
Total troubled debt restructurings(1)
5 $ 7,149 $ 6,712 - $ - $ - - $ - $ -
(1)No loans were restructured during the years ended December 31, 2019 or December 31, 2018.
During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, there were no TDRs that were modified within the preceding 12-month period which subsequently defaulted.
6. Premises and Equipment
The major classes of premises and equipment are as follows:
December 31,
2020 2019
(Dollars in thousands)
Furniture and equipment $ 2,380 $ 2,424
Leasehold improvements 1,192 1,112
3,572 3,536
Accumulated depreciation and amortization (2,793) (2,419)
Total $ 779 $ 1,117
The amount of depreciation and amortization included in operating expense was $373,000, $419,000 and $405,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
7. Deposits
Asset
At December 31, 2020, we had $274.2 million in interest bearing deposits at other financial institutions, as compared to $202.7 million at December 31, 2019. The weighted average percentage yields on these deposits for each of the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was 0.34% and 2.22%, respectively. Interest bearing deposits with financial institutions can be withdrawn on demand and are considered cash equivalents for purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows.
At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had $1.6 million and $2.4 million, respectively, of interest-bearing time deposits at other financial institutions, which were scheduled to mature within one year or had no stated maturity date. The weighted average percentage yields on these deposits were 1.54% and 2.04% for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
Liability
The aggregate amount of time deposits in denominations of $250,000 or more at December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $91.0 million and $112 million, respectively.
The scheduled maturities of time deposits in denominations of $250,000 or more at December 31, 2020 were as follows:
At December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
2021 $ 80,764
2022 8,703
2023 341
2024 1,212
2024 and beyond -
Total $ 91,020
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
8. Leases
We have historically entered into a number of lease arrangements under which we are the lessee. Specifically, all of our physical locations are subject to operating leases. In addition, we have elected the short-term lease practical expedient related to operating leases.
Two of our office leases, including our corporate headquarters, include multiple optional renewal periods. To the extent we conclude that it is reasonably certain that a renewal option will be exercised, that renewal period is then included in the lease term, and the related payments are reflected in the ROU asset and lease liability. We did not consider any additional renewal periods to be reasonably certain of being exercised for our corporate headquarters because of the length of the lease term to renewal.
All of our leases include fixed rental payments. We commonly enter into leases under which the lease payments increase at pre-determined dates. While the majority of our leases are gross leases, we also have a number of leases in which we make separate payments to the lessor based on the lessor’s property and casualty insurance costs and the property taxes assessed on the property, as well as a portion of the common area maintenance associated with the property.
During the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we recognized rent expense associated with our leases as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
(Dollars in thousands)
Lease cost:
Operating lease cost $ 2,432 $ 2,271
Short-term lease cost(1)
144 158
Total lease cost $ 2,576 $ 2,429
Weighted-average remaining lease term-operating leases (in years) 4.37 5.37
(1) Includes leases that are less than 12 months and equipment leases that are accounted for on a cash basis.
Because we generally do not have access to the rate implicit in the lease, we utilize our borrowing rate with the FHLB as the discount rate. The weighted average discount rate associated with operating leases as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 is 2.31% and 1.57%, respectively.
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:
Financial Statement Classification December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating right-of-use assets Other assets $ 10,002 $ 12,159
Operating lease liabilities Other liabilities $ 10,933 $ 13,020
During the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had the following cash and non-cash activities associated with our leases:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flows from operating leases (fixed payments) $ 2,363 $ 2,031
Noncash activities:
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities $ - $ 12,677
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Maturities of operating lease liabilities as of December 31, 2020 are as follows:
Amount
(Dollars in thousands)
For the years ending December 31,
2021 $ 2,490
2022 2,575
2023 2,662
2024 2,750
2025 and beyond 1,020
Total 11,497
Less: Imputed interest (564)
Total Lease liabilities $ 10,933
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
9. Borrowings and Contractual Obligations
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, our borrowings and contractual obligations consisted of the following:
December 31,
2020 2019
(Dollars in thousands)
FHLB advances-short-term $ 10,000 $ 30,000
Total $ 10,000 $ 30,000
The table below sets forth the amounts of, the interest rates we pay on, and the maturity dates of these FHLB borrowings. These borrowings had a weighted-average annualized interest rate of 1.62% for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Principal Amounts Interest Rate Maturity Dates
(Dollars in thousands)
$10,000 1.62% January 25, 2021
At December 31, 2020, $434 million of loans were pledged to support our FHLB borrowings and our unfunded borrowing capacity. As of December 31, 2020, we had unused borrowing capacity of $242 million with the FHLB. The highest amount of borrowings outstanding at any month-end during the year ended December 31, 2020 was $124 million.
As of December 31, 2019, we had $30.0 million of outstanding short-term borrowings and no outstanding long-term borrowings that we had obtained from the FHLB. These borrowings had a weighted-average annualized interest rate of 1.82% for the year ended December 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2019 we had unused borrowing capacity of $172 million with the FHLB. The highest amount of borrowings outstanding at any month-end during the year ended December 31, 2019 was $55 million.
These FHLB borrowings were obtained in accordance with the Company’s asset/liability management objective to reduce the Company’s exposure to interest rate fluctuations and increase our contingent funding.
Junior Subordinated Debentures. We formed two grantor trusts to sell and issue to institutional investors floating junior trust preferred securities ("trust preferred securities"). The net proceeds from the sales of the trust preferred securities was used in exchange for our issuance to the grantor trusts for the principal amount of our junior subordinated floating rate debentures (the "Debentures"). The payment terms of the Debentures are used by the grantor trusts to make the payments that come due to the holders of the trust preferred securities pursuant to the terms of those securities. The Debentures also were pledged by the grantor trusts as security for the payment obligations of the grantor trusts under the trust preferred securities.
Set forth below are the respective principal amounts, and certain other information regarding the terms of the Debentures that remained outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
Original Issue Dates Principal Amount Interest Rate(1)
Maturity Dates
(Dollars in thousands)
September 2002 $ 7,217 LIBOR plus 3.40%
September 2032
October 2004 10,310 LIBOR plus 2.00%
October 2034
Total $ 17,527
(1)Interest rate resets quarterly.
These Debentures require quarterly interest payments, which are used to make quarterly distributions required to be paid on the corresponding trust preferred securities. Subject to certain conditions, we have the right, at our discretion, to defer those interest payments, and the corresponding distributions on the trust preferred securities, for up to five years. Exercise of this deferral right does not constitute a default of our obligations to pay the interest on the Debentures or the corresponding distributions that are payable on the trust preferred securities. As of December 31, 2020, we were current on all interest payments. We have committed to obtaining approval from the FRB and the CDFPI prior to making any distributions representing interest, principal or other sums on subordinated debentures or trust preferred securities. There can be no assurance that our regulators will approve such payments in the future.
10. Related Party Transactions
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Per ASC 850-10-20, a related party is defined under GAAP to include: affiliates, principal owners and their immediate family members, management and their immediate families, other parties with which the entity may deal if one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests, and other parties that can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the transacting parties or that have an ownership interest in one of the transacting parties and can significantly influence the other to an extent that one or more of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests. GAAP requires disclosure of all material related party transactions, excluding compensation arrangements, expense allowances, and items eliminated in consolidation. Occasionally, we participate in loans with our affiliates through the ordinary course of business. These loan participations are not considered material transactions. Excluding these loan participations, the equity transactions described in Note 15, Shareholders' Equity, and the transactions noted below, we have no other related party transactions.
Deposits maintained by members of the Board of Directors and executive officers at the Bank totaled $67 thousand and $93 thousand at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
11. Income Taxes
The CARES Act, passed by Congress during the first quarter of 2020 in response to the outbreak of COVID-19, provides for assistance in the form of income tax related relief measures, including temporary changes to income tax laws such as the ability to carryback NOLs for a period of five years, which does not apply to our Company. Management performed an evaluation of the tax relief measures available, and determined there was no significant impact to our Company, and therefore, no tax relief provisions were applied.
The components of income tax (benefit) expense from continuing operations consisted of the following for the years ended December 31:
2020 2019 2018
(Dollars in thousands)
Current taxes:
Federal $ 2,665 $ - $ -
State 1,694 48 97
Total current taxes 4,359 48 97
Deferred taxes:
Federal (77) 1,469 (6,065)
State (194) 618 (4,784)
Total deferred taxes (271) 2,087 (10,849)
Total income tax (benefit) expense $ 4,088 $ 2,135 $ (10,752)
The reasons for the differences between the statutory federal income tax rates and our effective tax rates are summarized in the following table:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Federal income tax based on statutory rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 %
State franchise tax net of federal income tax benefit 8.6 8.6 8.6
Permanent differences 0.5 0.6 (0.3)
Other 2.8 (3.8) 2.0
Valuation allowance - - (96.1)
Total effective tax rate 32.9 % 26.4 % (64.8) %
At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we have a net deferred tax asset of $8.5 million and $8.4 million, respectively. Adjustments to our deferred tax valuation allowance could be required in the future if we were to conclude, on the basis of our assessment of the realizability of the deferred tax asset, that the amount of that asset which is more-likely-than-not, to be available to offset or reduce future taxes has decreased. Any such decrease would result in income tax expense. The components of our net deferred tax asset are as follows at:
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31,
2020 2019
(Dollars in thousands)
Deferred tax asset:
Allowance for loan and lease losses $ 5,160 $ 4,025
State taxes 356 18
Deferred compensation 528 503
Litigation reserve 964 -
Other accrued expenses 5 539
Charitable contributions - 161
Reserve for unfunded commitments 103 103
Tax credits - 227
Net operating loss carry forward 2,458 3,699
Stock based compensation 168 448
Unrealized losses on securities - 54
Lease liability 3,232 3,849
Total deferred tax assets 12,974 13,626
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization (179) (185)
ROU Lease asset (2,957) (3,595)
Unrealized gain on securities (148) -
Other (1,188) (1,414)
Total deferred tax liabilities (4,472) (5,194)
Total net deferred tax asset $ 8,502 $ 8,432
During the year ended December 31, 2018, we had an income tax benefit of $10.8 million. The income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2018 is a result of our net income during the year and the release of our full valuation allowance of $11.1 million on our net deferred tax asset during the second quarter of 2018, discussed further below. Accounting rules specify that management must evaluate the deferred tax asset on a recurring basis to determine whether enough positive evidence exists to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax asset will be available to offset or reduce future taxes. The tax code allows net operating losses incurred prior to December 31, 2017 to be carried forward for 20 years from the date of the loss, and based on its evaluation, management believes that the Company will be able to realize the deferred tax asset within the period that our net operating losses may be carried forward. Due to the hierarchy of evidence that the accounting rules specify, management determined that there continued to be enough positive evidence to support no valuation allowance on our deferred tax asset at December 31, 2018. Significant positive evidence included our three-year cumulative income position, continued improvement in asset quality, and the expectation that we will continue to have positive earnings based on nine trailing quarters of positive income and our forecast. Negative evidence included our accumulated deficit. Due to the hierarchy of evidence that the accounting rules specify, management determined that there continued to be enough positive evidence to support no valuation allowance on our deferred tax asset at December 31, 2018.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, we had an income tax expense of $2.1 million. The income tax expense during the year ended December 31, 2019 is as a result of our net income during the year and an adjustment to our deferred tax asset during the fourth quarter to true up stock based compensation. The income tax benefit during the three months ended December 31, 2019 is the result of an adjustment to our deferred tax asset related to the true up of stock based compensation. The income tax expense during the year ended December 31, 2019 is primarily a result of our operating income partially offset by the adjustment made in the fourth quarter. Accounting rules specify that management must evaluate the deferred tax asset on a recurring basis to determine whether enough positive evidence exists to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax asset will be available to offset or reduce future taxes. The tax code allows net operating losses incurred prior to December 31, 2017 to be carried forward for 20 years from the date of the loss, and based on its evaluation, management believes that the Company will be able to realize the deferred tax asset within the period that our net operating losses may be carried forward. Due to the hierarchy of evidence that the accounting rules specify, management determined that there continued to be enough positive evidence to support no valuation allowance on our deferred tax asset at December 31, 2019. Significant positive evidence included our three-year cumulative income position and the expectation that we will continue to have positive earnings based on twelve trailing quarters of positive income and our forecast. Negative evidence included our
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
accumulated deficit and deterioration in asset quality. Due to the hierarchy of evidence that the accounting rules specify, management determined that there continued to be enough positive evidence to support no valuation allowance on our deferred tax asset at December 31, 2019.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, we had an income tax expense of $4.1 million. The income tax expense during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as a result of our net income during the year and an adjustment to our deferred tax asset during the fourth quarter to true up stock based compensation. Accounting rules specify that management must evaluate the deferred tax asset on a recurring basis to determine whether enough positive evidence exists to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax asset will be available to offset or reduce future taxes. The tax code allows net operating losses incurred prior to December 31, 2017 to be carried forward for 20 years from the date of the loss, and based on its evaluation, management believes that the Company will be able to realize the deferred tax asset within the period that our net operating losses may be carried forward. Due to the hierarchy of evidence that the accounting rules specify, management determined that there continued to be enough positive evidence to support no valuation allowance on our deferred tax asset at December 31, 2020. Significant positive evidence included our three-year cumulative income position, the expectation that we will continue to have positive earnings based on positive income in eleven of the last twelve trailing quarters, and a shift from accumulated deficit to retained earnings during the year. Negative evidence included our net loss for the first quarter of 2020 and deterioration in asset quality. Due to the hierarchy of evidence that the accounting rules specify, management determined that there continued to be enough positive evidence to support no valuation allowance on our deferred tax asset at December 31, 2020.
As of December 31, 2020, we had net operating loss carryforwards of zero and $28.7 million for federal and state tax purposes, respectively, which are available to offset future taxable income. If not used, these carryforwards begin expiring in 2032 and would fully expire in 2036. Refer to the table below for the amount and expiration of our net operating loss carryforwards:
Federal State Expiration
(Dollars in thousands)
2010(1)
$ - $ 4,472 12/31/2032
2012 - 774 12/31/2032
2013 - 8,727 12/31/2033
2015 - 280 12/31/2035
2016 - 14,453 12/31/2036
$ - $ 28,706
(1)California net operating loss carryforwards were suspended by the Franchise Tax Board during these periods and the carryover was extended.
(2)As a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, federal net operating loss carryforwards do not expire starting with any losses sustained during 2018 or later. California net operating loss carryforwards begin to expire on the date listed.
We file income tax returns with the U.S. federal government and the State of California. As of December 31, 2020, we were subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service with respect to our U.S. federal tax returns for the 2017 to 2019 tax years and the Franchise Tax Board for California state income tax returns for the 2016 to 2019 tax years. Net operating losses on our U.S. federal and California state income tax returns may be carried forward up to 20 years. In June 2020, the State of California suspended the use of net operating losses for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022, and extended the carryover periods for these years. As of December 31, 2020, we do not have any unrecognized tax benefits.
Our policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of tax expense. We did not have any accrued interest or penalties associated with any unrecognized tax benefits, and no interest expense was recognized during the three months and year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
12. Stock-Based Employee Compensation Plans
In May 2010, our shareholders approved the adoption of our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, which was amended at the Annual Shareholders meeting held in May 2013 (the “2010 Incentive Plan”), and which superseded our shareholder-approved 2008 and 2004 Equity Incentive Plans (the “Previously Approved Plans”). As of December 31, 2020, there were no options to purchase shares of our common stock granted under the Previously Approved Plans. As of December 31, 2020, there were options to purchase a total of 339,587 shares of our common stock and 55,093 shares of our unvested restricted stock grants under the 2010 Incentive Plan.
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
In May 2019, our shareholders approved the adoption of our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2019 Incentive Plan”), which authorized and set aside a total of 2,000,000 shares of our common stock for issuance on the exercise of stock options or the grant of restricted stock or other equity incentives to our officers, and other key employees and directors. There were 250,000 options to purchase shares of our common stock granted under the 2019 Incentive Plan and outstanding at December 31, 2020. Since approval of the 2019 Incentive Plan, no additional awards will be issued under the 2010 Incentive Plan, although awards outstanding under the 2010 Incentive Plan will remain outstanding and will continue to be governed by the terms of the 2010 Incentive Plan and any applicable award agreements. Under the terms of the 2019 Incentive Plan, any forfeited options or unvested restricted stock grants that had been issued under the Previously Approved Plans or the 2010 Incentive Plan will not be available for future equity incentive grants. Each restricted stock option or restricted stock unit issued under the terms of the 2019 Incentive Plan will be counted against the share limit as 2.5 shares, while each stock option or Stock Appreciation Right ("SAR") issued will be counted as one share against the share limit. As of December 31, 2020, there were outstanding options to purchase a total of 250,000 shares of our common stock, 75,000 shares of our unvested restricted stock units, and 68,072 shares of our unvested restricted stock grants under the 2019 Incentive Plan. As of December 31, 2020, there remain 1,322,255 shares available for future grants under the 2019 Incentive Plan.
A stock option entitles the recipient to purchase shares of our common stock at a price per share that may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Company’s shares on the date the option is granted. Restricted shares may be granted at such purchase prices and on such other terms, including restrictions and Company repurchase or reacquisition rights, as are fixed by the Compensation Committee at the time rights to purchase such restricted shares are granted. SARs entitle the recipient to receive a cash payment in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the Company’s shares on the date of vesting and a “base price” (which, in most cases, will be equal to the fair market value of the Company’s shares on the date the SAR is granted), subject to the right of the Company to make such payment in shares of its common stock at their then fair market value. Stock units may be payable in cash or shares of common stock, or a combination of the two. A stock unit is a bookkeeping entry representing the equivalent of one common share. Options, restricted shares, SARs, and stock units may vest immediately or in installments over various periods generally ranging up to five years, subject to the recipient’s continued employment or service or the achievement of specified performance goals, as determined by the Compensation Committee at the time it grants or awards the options, the restricted shares, the SARs or the stock units. Stock options, SARs and stock units may be granted for terms of up to 10 years after the date of grant, but will terminate sooner upon or shortly after a termination of service occurring prior to the expiration of the term of the option, SAR or stock unit. The Company will become entitled to repurchase any unvested restricted shares, at the same price that was paid for the shares by the recipient, or to cancel those shares in the event of a termination of employment or service of the holder of such shares or if any performance goals specified in the award are not satisfied. To date, the Company has not granted any SARs.
Under FASB ASC 718-10, we are required to recognize, in our financial statements, the fair value of the options, restricted shares, SARs and stock units that we grant as compensation cost over their respective service periods. The fair values of the options that were outstanding at December 31, 2020 under the 2010 Incentive Plan and the 2019 Incentive Plan were estimated as of their respective dates of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Company, under the 2010 Incentive Plan and the 2019 Incentive Plan, has also granted restricted stock and stock units for the benefit of its employees and directors. These restricted shares vest over a period ranging from three to five years for employees and one year for directors while the stock units vest over a period of one to five years. The recipients of restricted shares have the right to vote all shares subject to such grant and receive all dividends with respect to such shares whether or not the shares have vested. The recipients of stock units have no rights of a stockholder. The recipients do not pay any cash consideration for the shares or stock units.
Stock Options
The table below summarizes the weighted average assumptions used to determine the fair values of the options granted during the following periods:
Year Ended December 31,
Assumptions with respect to: 2020 2019 2018
Expected volatility - % 28 % 30 %
Risk-free interest rate - % 1.35 % 2.69 %
Expected dividends - % - % - %
Expected term (years) 0.0 5.1 5.8
Weighted average fair value of options granted during period $ - $ 1.99 $ 2.81
The following table summarizes the stock option activity under the Company’s equity incentive plans during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Number of
Shares Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
Per Share Number of
Shares Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
Per Share Number of
Shares Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
Per Share
2020 2019 2018
Outstanding - January 1, 1,009,466 $ 6.98 864,330 $ 6.86 792,577 $ 6.41
Granted - - 250,000 7.33 154,011 8.20
Exercised (10,728) 4.66 (86,229) 6.57 (75,108) 4.95
Forfeited/Canceled (409,151) 6.99 (18,635) 8.15 (7,150) 6.47
Outstanding - December 31, 589,587 7.01 1,009,466 6.98 864,330 6.86
Options Exercisable - December 31, 356,480 6.74 675,144 6.72 588,873 6.49
Options Vested - December 31, 356,480 $ 6.74 675,144 $ 6.72 588,873 $ 6.49
Options to purchase 10,728, 86,229, and 75,108 shares of our common stock were exercised during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, was $29 thousand, $62 thousand and $356 thousand, respectively. The fair values of options vested during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were $198 thousand, $483 thousand and $360 thousand, respectively.
The following table provides additional information regarding the vested and unvested options that were outstanding at December 31, 2020.
Options Outstanding as of December 31, 2020 Options Exercisable
as of December 31, 2020(1)
Vested Unvested Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years) Shares Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
$2.97 - $3.99
12,000 - $ 3.74 1.07 12,000 $ 3.74
$4.00 - $5.99
16,000 - 4.34 0.30 16,000 4.34
$6.00- $6.99
202,189 5,450 6.61 4.12 202,189 6.60
$7.00- $7.99
84,157 200,000 7.30 8.13 84,157 7.24
$8.00-$8.40
42,134 27,657 8.21 7.14 42,134 8.19
356,480 233,107 $ 7.01 6.24 356,480 $ 6.74
(1)The weighted average remaining contractual life of the options that were exercisable as of December 31, 2020 was 4.82 years.
The aggregate intrinsic values of options that were outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $30 thousand and $952 thousand, respectively.
A summary of the status of the unvested options outstanding as of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, and changes in the weighted average grant date fair values of the unvested options during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, are set forth in the following table.
For the year ended
2020 2019 2018
Number of
Shares Subject
to Options Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value Number of
Shares Subject
to Options Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value Number of
Shares Subject
to Options Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Unvested at the beginning of the year 334,322 $ 2.19 275,457 $ 2.79 255,348 $ 2.80
Granted - - 250,000 1.99 154,011 2.81
Vested (85,309) 2.32 (173,160) 2.79 (126,752) 2.84
Forfeited/Canceled (15,906) 2.81 (17,975) 2.81 (7,150) 2.66
Unvested at the end of the year 233,107 $ 2.10 334,322 $ 2.19 275,457 $ 2.79
At December 31, 2020, the weighted average period over which nonvested awards were expected to be recognized was 3.48 years.
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Restricted Stock
We issued 77,560 shares of restricted stock under the 2019 Incentive Plan and no shares of restricted stock under the 2010 Incentive Plan during the year ended December 31, 2020, at a price of $5.41. Shares issued to directors vest after one year, and all other shares issued vest on an annual prorated basis over three years. The following table summarizes the activity related to restricted stock granted, vested and forfeited under our equity incentive plans during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
For the year ended
2020 2019 2018
Number of Shares Average Grant Date Fair Value Number of Shares Average Grant Date Fair Value Number of Shares Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at the beginning of the year 124,202 $ 8.44 115,031 $ 8.04 103,508 $ 7.33
Granted 77,560 5.41 126,976 8.58 82,217 8.33
Vested (50,195) 8.45 (94,779) 8.07 (64,204) 7.29
Forfeited (28,402) 7.99 (23,026) 8.66 (6,490) 7.92
Outstanding at the end of the year 123,165 $ 6.63 124,202 $ 8.44 115,031 $ 8.04
Stock Units
The following table summarizes the activity related to stock units granted, vested and forfeited under our equity incentive plans during the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
For the twelve months ended December 31,
2020 2019
Number of Shares Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share Number of Shares Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Outstanding at the beginning of the period 100,000 $ 7.33 - $ -
Granted - - 100,000 7.33
Vested (25,000) 7.33 - -
Forfeited - - - -
Outstanding at the end of the period 75,000 $ 7.33 100,000 $ 7.33
Compensation Expense
We expect that the compensation expense that will be recognized during the periods presented below in respect of stock options, restricted stock, and stock units outstanding at December 31, 2020, will be as follows:
Estimated Stock Based Compensation Expense
Stock Options Restricted Stock Stock Units Total
(Dollars in thousands)
For the years ending December 31,
2021 $ 123 $ 264 $ 244 $ 631
2022 109 127 164 400
2023 101 61 - 162
2024 67 22 - 89
2024 and beyond - 11 - 11
$ 400 $ 485 $ 408 $ 1,293
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The aggregate amounts of stock based compensation expense recognized in our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were $588 thousand, $745 thousand and $623 thousand, respectively, in each case net of taxes.
13. Employee Benefit Plans
The Company has a 401(k) plan that covers substantially all full-time employees. That plan permits voluntary contributions by employees, a portion of which are sometimes matched by the Company. The Company’s expenses relating to its contributions to the 401(k) plan for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were $363 thousand, $411 thousand, and $365 thousand, respectively.
In January 2001, the Company established an unfunded Supplemental Retirement Plan (“SERP”) for our former CEO who retired from that position in April 2013. The SERP was amended and restated in April 2006 to comply with the requirements of new Section 409A of Internal Revenue Code. The SERP provides for 180 equal successive monthly retirement payments, each in an amount equal to 60% of the average monthly base salary during the three years immediately preceding reaching 65 years old (the “Monthly SERP Benefit”), subject to meeting certain vesting requirements. These monthly benefit payments commenced on February 1, 2013.
The Company follows FASB ASC 715-30-35, which requires us to recognize in our balance sheet the funded status of any post-retirement plans that we maintain and to recognize, in other comprehensive income, changes in funded status of any such plans in any year in which changes occur.
The changes in the projected benefit obligations under the SERP during 2020, 2019 and 2018, its funded status at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, and the amounts recognized in our consolidated statements of financial condition at each of those dates were as follows:
At December 31,
2020 2019 2018
(Dollars in thousands)
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of period $ 1,982 $ 2,169 $ 2,345
Service cost - - -
Interest cost 110 120 131
Actuarial loss/(gain) - - -
(Benefits paid) (307) (307) (307)
Benefit obligation at end of period $ 1,785 $ 1,982 $ 2,169
Funded status:
Amounts recognized in the Statement of Financial Condition
Unfunded accrued SERP liability-current $ (299) $ (299) $ (299)
Unfunded accrued SERP liability-noncurrent (1,486) (1,683) (1,870)
Total unfunded accrued SERP liability $ (1,785) $ (1,982) $ (2,169)
Net amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
Prior service cost/(benefit) $ - $ - $ -
Net actuarial loss/(gain) - - -
Total net amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income $ - $ - $ -
Accumulated benefit obligation $ 1,785 $ 1,982 $ 2,169
Components of net periodic SERP cost year to date:
Service cost $ - $ - $ -
Interest cost 110 120 131
Amortization of prior service cost/(benefit) - - -
Amortization of net actuarial loss/(gain) - - -
Net periodic SERP cost $ 110 $ 120 $ 131
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
As of December 31, 2020, $1.5 million benefits are expected to be paid in the next five years and a total of $639 thousand of benefits are expected to be paid from year 2026 through year 2028. In 2021, $97 thousand is expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost.
14. Earnings Per Share (“EPS”)
Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income or loss allocable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if stock options or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock that would then share in our earnings.
The following table shows how we computed basic and diluted EPS for the year ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018.
For the Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
(Dollars and amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Basic EPS:
Net income (loss) $ 8,334 $ 5,680 $ 27,339
Less dividends on preferred stock - - -
Less dividends on common stock - - -
Less dividends on unvested shares - - -
Net income allocable to common shareholders $ 8,334 $ 5,680 $ 27,339
Less earnings allocated to participating securities 72 166 648
Earnings allocated to common shareholders $ 8,262 $ 5,514 $ 26,691
Weighted average common shares outstanding 23,507 22,811 22,788
Basic earnings per common share $ 0.35 $ 0.24 $ 1.17
Diluted EPS:
Earnings allocated to common shareholders $ 8,334 $ 5,680 $ 27,339
Weighted average common shares outstanding 23,507 22,811 22,788
Add dilutive effects of restricted stock grants 115 149 115
Add dilutive effects of restricted stock units 91 - -
Add dilutive effects for assumed conversion of Series A preferred stock - 539 438
Add dilutive effects for stock options 3 133 186
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding 23,716 23,632 23,527
Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.35 $ 0.24 $ 1.16
(1)The basic and diluted earnings per share amounts for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 are the same under both the Treasury Stock Method and the Two-Class Method as prescribed in FASB ASC 260-10, Earnings Per Share.
The weighted average shares that have an antidilutive effect in the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share and have been excluded from the computations above were as follows:
For the Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Stock options(1)
672,827 265,093 138,608
(1)Stock options were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per common share for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 because the options were either “out-of-the-money” or the effect of exercise would have been antidilutive.
15. Shareholders’ Equity
Preferred Stock
At December 31, 2020 and 2019 we did not have any shares of preferred stock outstanding. Effective as of the close of business on May 15, 2019, the Company filed an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to authorize a class of Non-Voting Common Stock after obtaining shareholder approval on that same date. As a result, each share of the then outstanding
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock was automatically converted into one share of Non-Voting Common Stock as of the effective date. The Non-Voting Common Stock has the same relative rights as, and is identical in all respects with, each other share of Common Stock of the Company, except that holders of Non-Voting Common Stock are not entitled to vote on any matter other than where required under California law.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, Carpenter Community BancFund, LP and Carpenter Community BancFund-A, LP ("the Carpenter Funds"), the largest shareholders of PMBC, the holding company of the Bank, sold all of their equity interest in PMBC to certain accredited investors in privately negotiated transactions (the "Carpenter Disposition Transactions"). The Carpenter Disposition Transactions included the sale of 1,467,155 shares of a new series of non-voting preferred stock designated as Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock (the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock) that PMBC issued to the Carpenter Funds in exchange (the Exchange) for 1,467,155 shares of PMBC’s common stock owned by the Carpenter Funds. At the time of and after giving effect to the Exchange, PMBC had 21,917,995 shares of common stock issued and outstanding and 1,467,155 shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. The shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock were issued to the Carpenter Funds to facilitate the Carpenter Disposition Transactions with substantially the same rights, preferences and privileges of the common stock, except that the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock is not entitled to vote on any matter other than where required under California law and that each share of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $0.0001 per share over the common stock. The shares of common stock and Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock purchased by investors from the Carpenter Funds in the Carpenter Disposition Transactions were at the time of the transaction restricted securities subject to trading restrictions under the federal securities laws.
The lead investor in the Carpenter Disposition Transactions, Patriot Financial Partners III, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("Patriot"), acquired 3,636,363 total common-equivalent shares of PMBC, comprised of 2,169,208 shares of common stock (9.9% of the total voting shares outstanding after giving effect to the Exchange) and 1,467,155 shares of the Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock. At the time of and after giving effect to the Carpenter Disposition Transactions (including the Exchange), Patriot held a 15.6% equity interest in the PMBC.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, net
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net as of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities Available-for-Sale, net of tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net
(Dollars in thousands)
Beginning balance as of January 1, 2018 $ (1,143) $ (1,143)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax of $142 thousand
(50) (50)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss(1)
49 49
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax of $142 thousand
(1) (1)
Ending balance as of December 31, 2018 $ (1,144) $ (1,144)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax of $62 thousand
577 577
Ending balance as of December 31, 2019 $ (567) $ (567)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax of $202 thousand
483 483
Ending balance as of December 31, 2020 $ (84) $ (84)
(1)This balance consists of the $48 thousand net gain on sale of available for sale debt securities included in our consolidated statement of operations offset by $97 thousand included in our consolidated statement of shareholders' equity as an adjustment to our beginning retained earnings.
Dividends
Payment of Cash Dividends by the Company. California laws place restrictions on the ability of California corporations to pay cash dividends on preferred or common stock. Subject to certain limited exceptions, a California corporation may pay cash dividends only to the extent of (i) the amount of its retained earnings or (ii) the amount by which the fair value of the corporation’s assets exceeds its liabilities. We have committed to obtaining approval from the FRB and the CDFPI prior to paying any dividends. The Company's ability to pay dividends is also limited by the ability of the Bank to pay cash dividends to the Company. See “-Payment of Dividends by the Bank to the Company” below.
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Payment of Dividends by the Bank to the Company. Generally, the principal source of cash available to a bank holding company consists of cash dividends from its bank subsidiaries. Under California law, the Board of Directors of the Bank may declare and pay cash dividends to the Company, which is its sole shareholder, subject to the restriction that the amount available for the payment of cash dividends may not exceed the lesser of (i) the Bank’s retained earnings or (ii) its net income for its last three fiscal years (less the amount of any dividends paid during such period). Cash dividends by the Bank to the Company in excess of that amount may be made only with the prior approval of the California Commissioner of Financial Institutions (“Commissioner”). If the Commissioner finds that the shareholders’ equity of the Bank is not adequate, or that the payment by the Bank of cash dividends to the Company would be unsafe or unsound for the Bank, the Commissioner can order the Bank not to pay such dividends.
The ability of the Bank to pay dividends is further restricted under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991, which prohibits an FDIC-insured bank from paying dividends if, after making such payment, the bank would fail to meet any of its minimum capital requirements. Under the Financial Institutions Supervisory Act and Federal Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989, federal banking regulators also have authority to prohibit FDIC-insured financial institutions from engaging in business practices which are considered to be unsafe or unsound. Under the authority of these acts, federal bank regulatory agencies, as part of their supervisory powers, generally require FDIC insured banks to adopt dividend policies which limit the payment of cash dividends. We have agreed that the Bank will not, without the FRB and CDFPI's prior written approval, pay any dividends to Bancorp.
16. Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments
To meet the financing needs of our clients in the normal course of business, we are a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated financial statements. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, we were committed to fund certain loans including letters of credit amounting to approximately $347 million and $316 million, respectively. The contractual amounts of a credit-related financial instrument, such as a commitment to extend credit, a credit-card arrangement or a letter of credit, represents the amount of potential accounting loss should the commitment be fully drawn upon, the client were to default, and the value of any existing collateral securing the client’s payment obligation becomes worthless. The loss reserve for unfunded loan commitments was $350 thousand and $350 thousand at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
As a result, we use the same credit policies in making commitments to extend credit and conditional obligations as we do for on-balance sheet instruments. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates; however, since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. We evaluate each client’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis, using the same credit underwriting standards that are employed in making commercial loans. The amount of collateral obtained, if any, upon an extension of credit is based on our evaluation of the creditworthiness of the client. Collateral held varies, but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, residential real estate and income-producing commercial properties.
We are required to purchase stock in the FRBSF in an amount equal to 6% of our capital, one-half of which must be paid currently with the balance due upon request.
The Bank is a member of the FHLB and therefore, is required to purchase FHLB stock in an amount equal to the lesser of 1% of the Bank’s real estate loans that are secured by residential properties, or 5% of total advances.
Litigation, Claims and Assessments
We are a defendant in or a party to a number of legal actions or proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. In some of these actions and proceedings, claims for monetary damages are asserted against us.
In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, we establish an accrued liability for lawsuits or other legal proceedings when they present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable. We estimate any potential loss based upon currently available information and significant judgments and a variety of assumptions, and known and unknown uncertainties. Moreover, the facts and circumstances on which such estimates are based will change over time. Therefore, the amount of any losses we might incur in any lawsuits or other legal proceedings may exceed amounts which we had accrued
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
based on our estimates and those estimates do not represent the maximum loss exposure that we may have in connection with any lawsuits or other legal proceedings.
Based on our evaluation of the remaining lawsuits and other proceedings that were pending against us as of December 31, 2020, the outcomes in those suits or other proceedings are not expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, in light of the inherent uncertainties involved, some of which are beyond our control, and the very large or indeterminate damages often sought in such legal actions or proceedings, an adverse outcome in one or more of these suits or proceedings could be material to our results of operations or cash flows for any particular reporting period.
Risks and Uncertainties
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) and the Federal Reserve's response to the economic challenges during the year 2020 has resulted in an uncertain and rapidly evolving economy. Governmental response to combat this pandemic have resulted in approximately 25% of our staff to shift to work remotely. Our business continuity plans have been activated by COVID-19 and we have been able to fully support our remote workforce and have the ability to support all employees in a remote work environment. These remote work arrangements have not adversely impacted our ability to serve our clients, and have not had an impact on our financial reporting systems or the internal controls we have over financial reporting, disclosures and related procedures.
The most significant impact of COVID-19 on our business has been to the quality of our loan portfolio and to net interest income as short-term interest rates sharply declined. We have increased the qualitative factors used in the determination of the adequacy of our allowance for loan and lease loss in anticipation of the impact that COVID-19 will have on our clients and their ability to fulfill their obligations. We have no certainty that the provisions we made during the year will be sufficient to absorb the losses that stem from the impact of COVID-19 on our clients. As the longer term effects on our clients from the COVID-19 pandemic become more apparent, we may need to charge-off some or all of the balance on certain loans and make further provisions to increase our allowance for loan and lease losses. These potential additional provisions for loan and lease losses will have a direct impact upon our capital, including the potential need to reevaluate the need for a valuation allowance on our deferred tax asset. At this time, we don't expect that there would be any material impairment to the valuation of other long-lived assets, right of use assets, or our investment securities.
The Bank is currently Well Capitalized under federal banking regulations that apply to all United States-based banks, with approximately $68 million of capital in excess of what is required for the Bank to be Well Capitalized using the ratio of Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets. The Company has approximately $10 million of capital that it could contribute to the Bank should it be needed. In the event that future loan and leases loss and/or tax provisions reduce our capital surplus, we would be required to undertake measures to return the Bank's capital ratios to Well Capitalized levels, which could include but not be limited to raising additional capital or reducing the Bank's asset size. We believe that we would have access to equity and debt markets to secure additional capital for the Bank should the need arise, but we have no certainty regarding the extent of the availability of these markets at the time such need would arise.
Increased demand for liquidity by our clients is another impact that we anticipate could occur should the COVID-19 effects be prolonged. As of December 31, 2020 the Company and the Bank's on-balance sheet liquidity was very strong and combined with our contingent liquidity resources, we believe that the Bank has sufficient resources to meet the liquidity needs of our clients. In response to COVID-19, the Federal Reserve has made other provisions that could assist the Bank in satisfying its liquidity needs, such as reducing our reserve requirement to zero, expanding access to the discount window through collateral pledging and extension of term borrowings.
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
17. Capital/Operating Plans
Under federal banking regulations that apply to all United States-based bank holding companies over $3 billion in total assets and all federally insured banks, the Bank (on a stand-alone basis) must meet specific capital adequacy requirements that, for the most part, involve quantitative measures, primarily in terms of the ratios of their capital to their assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items, calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company (on a consolidated basis) is below the reporting threshold of $3 billion in total assets and therefore is not subject to the same capital adequacy requirements. Under those regulations, each federally insured bank is determined by its primary federal bank regulatory agency to come within one of the following capital adequacy categories on the basis of its capital ratios:
•well-capitalized
•adequately capitalized
•undercapitalized
•significantly undercapitalized; or
•critically undercapitalized
Certain qualitative assessments also are made by a banking institution’s primary federal regulatory agency that could lead the agency to determine that the banking institution should be assigned to a lower capital category than the one indicated by the quantitative measures used to assess the institution’s capital adequacy. At each successive lower capital category, a banking institution is subject to greater operating restrictions and increased regulatory supervision by its federal bank regulatory agency.
The actual capital amounts and ratios of the Bank at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 are presented in the following tables:
Applicable Federal Regulatory Requirement
At December 31, 2020 Actual Capital For Capital Adequacy Purposes To be Categorized As Well Capitalized
Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio
(Dollars in thousands)
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets:
Bank $ 183,698 15.8 % $ 136,864 At least 8.625%
$ 116,161 At least 10.0%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets:
Bank $ 169,138 14.6 % $ 59,532 At least 5.125%
$ 75,504 At least 6.5%
Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets:
Bank $ 169,138 14.6 % $ 76,956 At least 6.625%
$ 92,929 At least 8.0%
Tier 1 Capital to Average Assets:
Bank $ 169,138 10.7 % $ 63,473 At least 4.0%
$ 79,341 At least 5.0
Applicable Federal Regulatory Requirement
At December 31, 2019 Actual Capital For Capital Adequacy
Purposes To be Categorized
As Well Capitalized
Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio
(Dollars in thousands)
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets:
Bank $ 171,613 13.8 % $ 123,451 At least 8.625%
$ 123,938 At least 10.0%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets:
Bank $ 157,652 12.7 % $ 63,518 At least 5.125%
$ 80,560 At least 6.5%
Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets:
Bank $ 157,652 12.7 % $ 82,109 At least 6.625%
$ 99,151 At least 8.0%
Tier 1 Capital to Average Assets:
Bank $ 157,652 11.0 % $ 57,253 At least 4.0%
$ 71,566 At least 5.0%
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
As the above tables indicate, at December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Bank (on a stand-alone basis) qualified as a “well-capitalized” institution under federally mandated capital standards and federally established prompt corrective action regulations. Since December 31, 2020, there have been no events or circumstances known to us which have changed or which are expected to result in a change in the Bank’s classification as a well-capitalized institution.
In early July 2013, the Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC issued final rules implementing the Basel III regulatory capital framework and related Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act changes. The rules revise minimum capital requirements and adjust prompt corrective action thresholds. The final rules revise the regulatory capital elements, add a new common equity Tier 1 capital ratio, increase the minimum Tier 1 capital ratio requirement, and implement a new capital conservation buffer. The rules also permit certain banking organizations to retain, through a one-time election, the existing treatment for accumulated other comprehensive income. The final rules took effect for community banks on January 1, 2015, subject to a transition period for certain parts of the rules. At December 31, 2020, the Bank (on a stand-alone basis) continued to qualify as a well-capitalized institution under the capital adequacy guidelines described above.
18. Parent Company Only Information
Condensed Statements of Financial Condition
December 31,
2020 2019
(Dollars in thousands)
Assets:
Due from banks and interest-bearing deposits with financial institutions $ 15,427 $ 15,717
Investment in subsidiaries 171,571 160,302
Other assets 146 630
Total assets $ 187,144 $ 176,649
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity:
Liabilities $ 51 $ 93
Junior subordinated debentures 17,527 17,527
Shareholders’ equity 169,566 159,029
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 187,144 $ 176,649
Condensed Statements of Operations
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest income $ 4 $ 6 $ 4
Interest expense (623) (893) (845)
Other income 26 27 25
Other expenses (1,126) (1,608) (1,302)
Equity in undistributed earnings (loss) of subsidiaries 9,952 7,359 29,889
Income tax (expense) benefit 101 789 (432)
Net income (loss) $ 8,334 $ 5,680 $ 27,339
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss) $ 8,334 $ 5,680 $ 27,339
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Net decrease (increase) in other assets 585 (65) 9
Net decrease in deferred taxes (101) (851) 331
Stock-based compensation expense 834 1,057 885
Undistributed (income) loss of subsidiary (9,952) (7,359) (29,889)
Net increase (decrease) in interest payable (40) (10) 26
Net (decrease) increase in other liabilities - - (1)
Net cash used in operating activities (340) (1,548) (1,300)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Net cash provided by investing activities - - -
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Common stock options exercised 50 566 372
Return of capital from subsidiaries - - 3,711
Net cash provided by financing activities 50 566 4,083
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (290) (982) 2,783
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period 15,717 16,699 13,916
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period $ 15,427 $ 15,717 $ 16,699
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
19. Business Segment Information
We have one reportable business segment, commercial banking. The commercial banking segment provides middle-market businesses, professional firms and individuals with a diversified range of products and services such as various types of deposit accounts, various types of commercial and consumer loans, cash management services, and online banking services.
Since our operating segment derives all of its revenues from interest and noninterest income and interest expense constitutes its most significant expense, this segment is reported below using net interest income (interest income less interest expense) and noninterest income (primarily net gains on sales of Small Business Administration loans and fee income). We do not allocate general and administrative expenses or income taxes to our operating segment.
The following table sets forth information regarding the net interest income (expense) and noninterest income for our commercial banking and other segments, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
Commercial Other(1)
Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Net interest income for the year ended December 31,
2020 $ 52,600 $ (618) $ 51,982
2019 $ 50,443 $ (887) $ 49,556
2018 $ 48,150 $ 772 $ 48,922
Noninterest income for the year ended December 31,
2020 $ 6,311 $ 26 $ 6,337
2019 $ 5,561 $ 27 $ 5,588
2018 $ 4,610 $ 25 $ 4,635
Segment Assets at:
December 31, 2020 $ 1,586,916 $ 674 $ 1,587,590
December 31, 2019 $ 1,414,996 $ 1,158 $ 1,416,154
(1)Represents net interest income and noninterest income for PMAR and PMBC.
20. Unaudited Quarterly Information
Unaudited quarterly information for each of the three months in the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
Three Months Ended
December 31, 2020 September 30, 2020 June 30, 2020 March 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Total interest income $ 14,234 $ 16,016 $ 15,580 $ 14,769
Total interest expense 1,297 1,762 2,262 3,296
Net interest income 12,937 14,254 13,318 11,473
Provision for loan and lease losses - - 2,850 6,200
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses 12,937 14,254 10,468 5,273
Total noninterest income 1,827 2,245 1,171 1,095
Total noninterest expense 8,921 9,275 8,934 9,720
Income before income taxes 5,843 7,224 2,705 (3,352)
Income tax (benefit) provision 2,140 2,138 800 (991)
Net income allocable to common shareholders $ 3,703 $ 5,086 $ 1,905 $ (2,361)
Per share data-basic:
Net income allocable to common shareholders $ 0.16 $ 0.21 $ 0.08 $ (0.10)
Per share data-diluted:
Net income allocable to common shareholders $ 0.16 $ 0.21 $ 0.08 $ (0.10)
PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three Months Ended
December 31, 2019 September 30, 2019 June 30, 2019 March 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Total interest income $ 16,277 $ 16,767 $ 16,466 $ 16,167
Total interest expense 3,734 4,024 4,247 4,116
Net interest income 12,543 12,743 12,219 12,051
Provision for loan and lease losses 3,750 2,100 - 3,300
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses 8,793 10,643 12,219 8,751
Total noninterest income 1,369 1,342 1,386 1,490
Total noninterest expense 9,790 9,697 9,707 8,983
Income before income taxes 372 2,288 3,898 1,258
Income tax (benefit) provision (68) 658 1,170 376
Net income allocable to common shareholders $ 440 $ 1,630 $ 2,728 $ 882
Per share data-basic:
Net income allocable to common shareholders $ 0.02 $ 0.07 $ 0.12 $ 0.04
Per share data-diluted:
Net income allocable to common shareholders $ 0.02 $ 0.07 $ 0.12 $ 0.04

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognized that any system of controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, as ours are designed to do, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
As required by SEC rules, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the effectiveness, as of December 31, 2020, of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2020, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management of Pacific Mercantile Bancorp is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our 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 accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Internal control over financial reporting includes those written policies and procedures that:
•pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
•provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America;
•provide reasonable assurance that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorization of our management and board of directors; and
•provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
Internal control over financial reporting includes the controls themselves, monitoring and internal auditing practices and actions taken to correct deficiencies as identified. 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 risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or because the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Our management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in “Internal Control - Integrated Framework” (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Management’s assessment included an evaluation of the design and the testing of the operational effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Management reviewed the results of its assessment with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.
Based on that assessment, management concluded that the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2020 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Except for the information regarding our Code of Business and Ethical Conduct below, the information required by this Item 10 is hereby incorporated by reference to Pacific Mercantile Bancorp’s definitive proxy statement, expected to be filed with the SEC on or before April 30, 2021, for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Our Board has adopted a Code of Business and Ethical Conduct (the "Code") that applies to all of our officers and employees and also includes specific ethical policies and principles, that apply to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, the Bank's Chief Operating Officer and other key accounting and finance personnel. The Code, as applied to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, constitutes our "code of ethics" within the meaning of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and is our "code of conduct" within the meaning of the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC.
The Code is available in the Investor Relations section of our website at www.pmbank.com. To the extent required by applicable rules of the SEC and the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, we will disclose on our website any amendments to the Code and any waivers of the requirements of the Code that may be granted to our executive officers, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or persons performing similar functions.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this Item 11 is hereby incorporated by reference to Pacific Mercantile Bancorp’s definitive proxy statement, expected to be filed with the SEC on or before April 30, 2021, for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by Item 12 is incorporated herein by reference from our definitive proxy statement expected to be filed with the SEC on or before April 30, 2021, for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this Item 13 is hereby incorporated by reference to Pacific Mercantile Bancorp’s definitive proxy statement expected to be filed with the SEC on or before April 30, 2021, for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this Item 14 is hereby incorporated by reference to Pacific Mercantile Bancorp’s definitive proxy statement expected to be filed with the SEC on or before April 30, 2021, for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15. EXHIBIT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
The following documents are filed as part of this Report:
(1)Financial Statements. The Consolidated Financial Statements of Pacific Mercantile Bancorp: See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on Page 59 of this Annual Report.
(2)Financial Statement Schedules. No financial statement schedules are included in this Annual Report as such schedules are not required or the information that would be included in such schedules is not material or is otherwise furnished.
(3)Exhibits. See Index to Exhibits below for a list and description of (i) exhibits previously filed by the Company with the Commission and (ii) the exhibits being filed with this Report.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit
3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Pacific Mercantile Bancorp (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 16, 2019.)
3.2 Pacific Mercantile Bancorp Bylaws, amended and restated as of May 16, 2018 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 16, 2018.)
4.1 Specimen form of Pacific Mercantile Bancorp Common Stock Certificate (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Commission on June 13, 2000.)
4.2 Description of Common Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K
10.1 Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of September 14, 2018, by and among Pacific Mercantile Bancorp and Patriot Financial Partners III, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 14, 2018.)
10.2 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of September 14, 2018, by and among Pacific Mercantile Bancorp and Patriot Financial Partners III, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 14, 2018.)
10.3+ Form of Officers and Directors Indemnification Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on October 3, 2011.)
10.4+ Form of Indemnification Agreement by and between Pacific Mercantile Bancorp and its directors and executive officers (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 21, 2020.)
10.5+ Form of Indemnification Agreement by and between Pacific Mercantile Bank and its directors and executive officers (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 21, 2020.)
10.6+ Pacific Mercantile Bancorp 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 16, 2005.)
10.7+ Pacific Mercantile Bancorp 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the 2008 Definitive Proxy Statement on Form DEF-14A filed with the Commission on April 18, 2008.)
10.8+ Pacific Mercantile Bancorp 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended June 5, 2013 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on November 14, 2013.)
10.9+ Pacific Mercantile Bancorp 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 16, 2019.)
10.10+ Form of Notice of Grant and Restricted Stock Agreement under the Pacific Mercantile Bancorp 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 16, 2019.)
10.11+ Form of Stock Option Agreement under the Pacific Mercantile Bancorp 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 16, 2019.)
10.12+ Form of Notice of Grant and Stock Unit Agreement under the Pacific Mercantile Bancorp 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on August 2, 2019.)
10.13+ Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement under the Pacific Mercantile Bancorp 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on August 2, 2019.)
10.14+ Pacific Mercantile Bancorp Change in Control Severance Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 27, 2014.)
10.15+ Form of Pacific Mercantile Bancorp Change in Control Severance Plan Participation Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 27, 2014.)
10.16+ Employment Agreement, dated April 10, 2018, between Pacific Mercantile Bank and Curt A. Christianssen (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 11, 2018.)
10.17+ Employment Agreement, dated July 29, 2019, among Pacific Mercantile Bancorp, Pacific Mercantile Bank, and Brad Dinsmore (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 29, 2019.)
10.18+ Employment Agreement, dated May 27, 2016, between Pacific Mercantile Bank and Maxwell G. Sinclair (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 10, 2017).
10.19+ First Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated May 15, 2019, between Pacific Mercantile Bank and Maxwell G. Sinclair (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on August 2, 2019.)
21* Subsidiaries of the Company
23.1* Consent of RSM US LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
24.1 Power of Attorney (contained on the Signature Page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K)
31.1* Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2* Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1** Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2** Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 101.INS* XBRL Instance Document
Exhibit 101.SCH* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
Exhibit 101.CAL* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
Exhibit 101.DEF* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
Exhibit 101.LAB* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
Exhibit 101.PRE* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.
+ Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.