SEC Filing | Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.

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10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

☒	Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017

☐	Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number 001-38084

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.


OHIO		34-1469491
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

307 North Defiance Street Archbold, Ohio		43502
(Address of principal Executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (419) 446-2501

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


Title of each class		Name of each exchange on which registered
None		None

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

Common shares without par value

(Title of class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicated by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

As of June 30, 2017, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $286,494,250.

As of February 24, 2018, the Registrant had 10,400,000 shares of common stock issued of which 9,265,980 shares are outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Part III of Form 10-K – Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Form 10-K Items	PAGE

Item 1. Business		3-11

Item 1a. Risk Factors		11-15

Item 1b. Unresolved Staff Comments		15

Item 2. Properties		15-16

Item 3. Legal Proceedings		16

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures		16

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters		17-19

Item 6. Selected Financial Data		19-20

Item 7. Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		20-44

Item 7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		44-45

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data		45-96

Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements on Accounting and Financial Disclosure		97

Item 9a. Controls and Procedures		97

Item 9b. Other Information		98

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant		98-99

Item 11. Executive Compensation		100

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management		100

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions		100

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services		101

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K		101-102

Item 16. Form 10-K Summary		102

Signatures		103

Exhibit 21. Subsidiaries of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.

Exhibit 31. Certifications Under Section 302

Exhibit 32. Certifications Under Section 906


Exhibit 101.INS		XBRL Instance Document (1)
Exhibit 101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (1)
Exhibit 101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (1)
Exhibit 101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (1)
Exhibit 101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (1)
Exhibit 101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (1)

** The following materials from Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income; (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (iv) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.

Total Pages:

109

Forward Looking Statements

Statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K may be forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of such words as “intend,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “planned,” “estimated,” and “potential.” Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, but may differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, which include, but are not limited to, factors discussed in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Other factors which could have a material adverse effect on the operations of the Company and its subsidiaries which include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates, general economic conditions, legislative and regulatory changes, monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board, the quality and composition of the loan or investment portfolios, demand for loan products, deposit flows, competition, demand for financial services in the Bank’s market area, changes in relevant accounting principles and guidelines and other factors over which management has no control. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this report, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

PART 1.

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

General

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (Company) is a bank holding company incorporated under the laws of Ohio in 1985 and elected to become a financial holding company under the Federal Reserve in 2014. Our primary subsidiary, The Farmers & Merchants State Bank (Bank) is a community bank operating in Northwest Ohio and Northeast Indiana since 1897. Our other subsidiary, Farmers & Merchants Risk Management (Captive) is a captive insurance company formed in December 2014 and located in Nevada. We report our financial condition and net income on a consolidated basis and we report only one segment.

Our executive offices are located at 307 North Defiance Street, Archbold, Ohio 43502, and our telephone number is (419) 446-2501.

For a discussion of the general development of the Company’s business throughout 2017, please see the portion of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations captioned “2017 in Review.”

Nature of Activities

The Farmers & Merchants State Bank engages in general commercial banking business. Its activities include commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage as well as consumer and credit card lending activities. Because the Bank’s offices are located in Northwest Ohio and Northeast Indiana, a substantial amount of the loan portfolio is comprised of loans made to customers in the farming industry for such things as farm land, farm equipment, livestock and operating loans for seed, fertilizer, and feed. Other types of lending activities include loans for home improvements and loans for such items as autos, trucks, recreational vehicles and motorcycles. With the expansion

into newer market areas, the most recent increases in loan activity have been in commercial real estate, providing operation lines of credit and machinery purchases.

The Bank also provides checking account services, as well as savings and time deposit services such as certificates of deposits. In addition, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are provided at most branch locations along with other independent locations in the market area. The Bank has custodial services for Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). The Bank provides on-line banking access for consumer and business customers. For consumers, this includes bill-pay, on-line statement opportunities and mobile banking. For business customers, it provides the option of electronic transaction origination such as wire and Automated Clearing House (ACH) file transmittal. In addition, the Bank offers remote deposit capture or electronic deposit processing and merchant credit card services. Mobile banking was added in 2012 and has been widely accepted and used by consumers. Over the past couple of years, the Bank has updated its consumer offerings with “Secure” and “Pure” checking in 2014 and with KASASA Cash Back in 2015. During the second quarter 2017, new business checking products were announced and existing business accounts were converted to one of three new products, Business Essential, Edge or Elite. The new products provided customers with new options to bundle services and for the Bank to utilize the full relationship to determine pricing. This was the next step of implementation for the Bank’s “earn to free” strategic initiative. Upgrades to our digital products and services continue to occur in both retail and business lines.

The Bank has established underwriting policies and procedures which facilitate operating in a safe and sound manner in accordance with supervisory and regulatory guidance. Within this sphere of safety and soundness, the Bank’s practice has been to not promote innovative, unproven credit products which may not be in the best interest of the Bank or its customers. The Bank does offer a hybrid mortgage loan. Hybrid loans are loans that start out as a fixed rate mortgage but after a set number of years automatically adjust to an adjustable rate mortgage. The Bank offers a three year fixed rate mortgage after which the interest rate will adjust annually. The majority of the Bank’s adjustable rate mortgages are of this type. In order to offer longer term fixed rate mortgages, the Bank does participate in the Freddie Mac, Farmer Mac and Small Business Lending programs. The Bank also normally retains the servicing rights on these partially or 100% sold loans. In order for the customer to participate in these programs they must meet the requirements established by those agencies. In addition, the Bank does sell some of its longer term fixed rate agricultural mortgages into the secondary market with the aid of a broker.

The Bank does not have a program to fund sub-prime loans. Sub-prime loans are characterized as a lending program or strategy that targets borrowers who pose a significantly higher risk of default than traditional retail banking customers.

All loan requests are reviewed as to credit worthiness and are subject to the Bank’s underwriting guidelines as to secured versus unsecured credit. Secured loans are in turn subject to loan to value (LTV) requirements based on collateral types as set forth in the Bank’s Loan Policy. In addition, credit scores of principal borrowers are reviewed and an approved exception from an additional officer is required should a credit score not meet the Bank’s Loan Policy guidelines.

Consumer Loans:

Maximum loan to value (LTV) for cars, trucks and light trucks vary from 90% to 110% depending on whether direct or indirect. Loans above 100% are generally due to additional charges for extended warranties and/or insurance coverage periods of lost wages or death.

Boats, campers, motorcycles, RV’s and Motor Coaches range from 80%-90% based on age of vehicle.

1^st or 2^nd mortgages on 1-4 family homes range from 75%-90% with “in-house” first real estate mortgages requiring private mortgage insurance on those exceeding 80% LTV.

Raw land LTV maximum ranges from 65%-75% depending on whether or not the property has been improved.

Commercial/Agriculture/Real Estate:

Maximum LTVs range from 70%-80% depending on type

Accounts Receivable:

Up to 80% LTV less retainages and greater than 90 days

Inventory:

Agriculture:

Livestock and grain up to 80% LTV, crops (insured) up to 75% and Warehouse Receipts up to 87%

Commercial:

Maximum LTV of 50% on raw and finished goods

Used vehicles, new recreational vehicles and manufactured homes not to exceed (NTE) 80% LTV

Equipment:

New not to exceed 80% of invoice, used NTE 50% of listed book or 75% of appraised market value

Restaurant equipment up to 35% of market value

Heavy trucks, titled trailers up to NTE 75% LTV and aircraft up to 75% of appraised value

F&M Investment Services, the brokerage department of the Bank, opened for business in April 1999. Securities are offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.

In December of 2014, the Company became a financial holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 as amended, in order to provide the flexibility to take advantage of the expanded powers available to a financial holding company under the Act. Our subsidiary bank is in turn regulated and examined by the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The activities of our bank subsidiary are also subject to other federal and state laws and regulations. The Company also formed a Captive insurance company in December 2014. The Captive is located in Nevada and regulated by the State of Nevada Division of Insurance.

The Bank’s primary market includes communities located in the Ohio counties of Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Williams, Wood and in the Indiana counties of Allen, DeKalb and Steuben. The commercial banking business in this market is highly competitive, with approximately 45 other depository institutions currently doing business in the Bank’s primary market. In our banking activities, we compete directly with other commercial banks, credit unions, farm credit services, and savings and loan institutions in each of our operating localities. In a number of our locations, we compete against entities which are much larger than us, including Huntington National Bank, Fifth Third Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, NA, KeyBank NA and JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA. Based on data published by the FDIC, the Bank ranked 8th in deposit market share in its primary market as of June 30, 2017. The primary factors in competing for loans and deposits are the rates charged as well as location and quality of the services provided.

At December 31, 2017, we had 275 full time equivalent employees. The employees are not represented by a collective bargaining unit. We provide our employees with a comprehensive benefit program, some of which is contributory. We consider our employee relations to be good.

Supervision and Regulation

General

The Company is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Ohio. The business in which the Company and its subsidiaries are engaged is subject to extensive supervision, regulation and examination by various bank regulatory authorities. The supervision, regulation and examination to which the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to are intended primarily for the protection of depositors and the deposit insurance funds that insure the deposits of banks, rather than for the protection of shareholders.

Several of the more significant regulatory provisions applicable to banks and bank holding companies to which the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to are discussed below along with certain regulatory matters concerning the Company and its subsidiaries. To the extent that the following information describes statutory or regulatory provisions, it is qualified in its entirety by reference to the particular statutory provisions. Any change in applicable law or regulation may have a material effect on the business and prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries.

Regulatory Agencies

The Company is a financial holding company and is subject to inspection, examination and supervision by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”) pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. As a financial holding company, the Company is still subject to all the bank holding company regulations.

The Bank is an Ohio chartered commercial bank. It is subject to regulation and examination by both the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions (ODFI) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

The Captive is an insurance company incorporated in Nevada and regulated by the State of Nevada, Division of Insurance.

Holding Company Activities

As a financial holding company incorporated and doing business within the State of Ohio, the Company is subject to regulation and supervision under the Bank Holding Act of 1956, as amended (the “Act”). The Company is required to file with the Federal Reserve Board on quarterly basis information pursuant to the Act. The Federal Reserve Board may conduct examinations or inspections of the Company and its subsidiaries.

On November 12, 1999, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the “GLB Act”) was enacted into law. The GLB Act made sweeping changes with respect to the permissible financial services which various types of financial institutions may now provide. The Glass-Steagall Act, which had generally prevented banks from affiliation with securities and insurance firms, was repealed. Pursuant to the GLB Act, bank holding companies may elect to become a “financial holding company,” provided that all of the depository institution subsidiaries of the bank holding company are “well capitalized” and “well managed” under applicable regulatory standards.

Under the GLB Act, a bank holding company that has elected to become a financial holding company may affiliate with securities firms and insurance companies and engage in other activities that are financial in nature. Activities that are “financial in nature” include securities underwriting, dealing and market-making, sponsoring mutual funds and investment companies, insurance underwriting and agency, merchant banking, and activities that the Federal Reserve Board has determined to be closely related to banking. Federal Reserve Board approval is not required for the Company to acquire a company, other than a bank holding company, bank or savings association, engaged in activities that are financial in nature or incidental to activities that are financial in nature, as determined by the Federal Reserve Board. Prior Federal Reserve Board approval is required before the Company may acquire the beneficial ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares, or substantially all of the assets, of a bank holding company, bank or savings association. If any subsidiary bank of the Company ceases to be “well capitalized” or “well managed” under applicable regulatory standards, the Federal Reserve Board may, among other actions, order the Company to divest the subsidiary bank. Alternatively, the Company may elect to conform its activities to those permissible for a bank holding company that is not also a financial holding company. If any subsidiary bank of the Company receives a rating under the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 of less than satisfactory, the Company will be prohibited from engaging in new activities or acquiring companies other than bank holding companies, banks or savings associations.

Affiliate Transactions

Various governmental requirements, including Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation W promulgated thereunder limit borrowings by holding companies and non-bank subsidiaries from affiliated insured depository institutions, and also limit various other transactions between holding companies and their non-bank subsidiaries, on the one hand, and their affiliated insured depository institutions on the other. Section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act also generally requires that an insured depository institution’s loan to its non-bank affiliates be secured, and Section 23B of the Federal Reserve Act generally requires that an insured depository institution’s transactions with its non-bank affiliates be on arms-length terms.

Interstate Banking and Branching

Under the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act (“Riegle-Neal”), subject to certain concentration limits and other requirements, adequately capitalized bank holding companies such as the Company are permitted to acquire banks and bank holding companies located in any state. Any bank that is a subsidiary of a bank holding company is permitted to receive deposits, renew time deposits, close loans, service loans and receive loan payments as an agent for any other bank subsidiary of that bank holding company. Banks are permitted to acquire branch offices outside their home states by merging with out-of-state banks, purchasing branches in other states and establishing de novo branch offices in other states. The ability of banks to acquire branch offices is contingent, however, on the host state having adopted legislation “opting in” to those provisions of Riegle-Neal. In addition, the ability of a bank to merge with a bank located in another state is contingent on the host state not having adopted legislation “opting out” of that provision of Riegle-Neal. The Company could from time to time use Riegle-Neal to acquire banks in additional states.

Control Acquisitions

The Change in Bank Control Act prohibits a person or group of persons from acquiring “control” of a bank holding company, unless the Federal Reserve Board has been notified and has not objected to the transaction. Under the

rebuttable presumption established by the Federal Reserve Board, the acquisition of 10% or more of a class of voting stock of a bank holding company with a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, such as the Company, would, under the circumstances set forth in the presumption, constitute acquisition of control of the bank holding company. In addition, a company is required to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve Board under the Bank Holding Company Act before acquiring 25% (5% in the case of an acquirer that is a bank holding company) or more of any class of outstanding voting stock of a bank holding company, or otherwise obtaining control or a “controlling influence” over that bank holding company.

Liability for Banking Subsidiaries

Under the current Federal Reserve Board policy, a bank holding company is expected to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to each of its subsidiary banks and to maintain resources adequate to support each subsidiary bank. This support may be required at times when the bank holding company may not have the resources to provide it. In the event of a bank holding company’s bankruptcy, any commitment by the bank holding company to a U.S. federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank would be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to priority of payment. Any depository institution insured by the FDIC can be held liable for any loss incurred, or reasonably expected to be incurred, by the FDIC in connection with (1) the “default” of a commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institution; or (2) any assistance provided by the FDIC to both a commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institution “in danger of default.” The Bank is an FDIC-insured depository institution. If a default occurred with respect to the Bank, any capital loans to the Bank from its parent holding company would be subordinate in right of payment to payment of the Bank’s depositors and certain of its other obligations.

Regulatory Capital Requirements

The Company is required by the various regulatory authorities to maintain certain capital levels. Bank holding companies are required to maintain minimum levels of capital in accordance with Federal Reserve Board capital adequacy guidelines. If capital falls below minimum guideline levels, a bank holding company, among other things, may be denied approval to acquire or establish additional banks or non-bank businesses. The required capital levels and the Company’s capital position at December 31, 2017 and 2016 are summarized in the table included in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements.

Beginning in 2015, the Company and Bank were required to measure capital adequacy using Basel III accounting. Basel III is a comprehensive set of reform measures, developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, to strengthen the regulation, supervision and risk management of the banking sector. Implementation of the rules will be overseen by the Federal Reserve, the FDIC and the OCC. Reporting under the new rules began with the March 2015 quarterly regulatory filings.

FDICIA

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”), and the regulations promulgated under FDICIA, among other things, established five capital categories for insured depository institutions-well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized-and requires U.S. federal bank regulatory agencies to implement systems for “prompt corrective action” for insured depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements based on these categories. Unless a bank is well capitalized, it is subject to restrictions on its ability to offer brokered deposits and on certain other aspects of its operations. An undercapitalized bank must develop a capital restoration plan and its parent bank holding company must guarantee the bank’s compliance with the plan up to the lesser of 5% of the bank’s assets at the time it became undercapitalized and the amount needed to comply with the plan. As of December 31, 2017 the Bank was well capitalized pursuant to these prompt corrective action guidelines.

Dividend Restrictions

The ability of the Company to obtain funds for the payment of dividends and for other cash requirements will be largely dependent on the amount of dividends which may be declared by its banking subsidiary, which are limited to the Bank’s retained earnings during the current year and its prior two years. Various U.S. federal statutory provisions limit the amount of dividends the Company’s banking subsidiary can pay to the Company without regulatory approval. In 2009, The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Division of Banking Supervision and

Regulation issued SR09-4 regarding the safe and sound payment of dividends by bank holding companies. See Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on applicable dividend restrictions.

Deposit Insurance Assessments

The deposits of the Bank are insured up to the regulatory limits set by the FDIC. The FDIC maintains the Deposit Insurance fund (“DIF”) by assessing depository institutions an insurance premium (assessment). The amount assessed to each institution is based on statutory factors that take into account the degree of risk the institution poses to the DIF. The primary purposes of the DIF are to (1) insure the deposits and protect the depositors of insured depository institutions; and (2) resolve failed banks. The DIF is primarily funded through quarterly assessments on insured depository institutions, but it also earns interest income on its securities. Decreases in the DIF result from loss provisions associated with the resolution of failed banks and FDIC operating expenses.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (“Dodd-Frank Act”) revised the statutory authorities governing the FDIC’s management of the DIF. A key requirement from the Dodd-Frank Act resulted in the FDIC’s adoption of new rules in February 2011 regarding Assessments, Dividends, Assessment Base, and Large Bank Pricing. The new rules implemented the following changes: (1) redefined the definition of an institution’s deposit insurance assessment base from one based on domestic deposits to one based on assets now defined as “average consolidated total assets minus average tangible equity”; (2) changed the assessment rate adjustments to better account for risk based on an institution’s funding sources; (3) revised the deposit insurance assessment rate schedule in light of the new assessment base and assessment rate adjustments; (4) implemented Dodd-Frank Act dividend provisions; (5) revised the large insured depository institution assessment system to better differentiate for risk and to take into account losses the FDIC may incur from large institution failures; and (6) provided technical and other changes to the FDIC’s assessment rules. Though deposit insurance assessments maintain a risk-based approach, the FDIC imposed a more extensive risk-based assessment system on large insured depository institutions with at least $10 billion in total assets since they are more complex in nature and could pose greater risk. The rules became effective April 1, 2011 implementing the revised assessment rate schedule for the quarter beginning April 1, 2011. The revised assessment rate schedule was used to calculate the June 30, 2011 assessments which were due September 30, 2011 and subsequent quarterly assessments thereafter.

Due to the changes to the assessment base and assessment rates, as well as the DIF restoration time frame, the impact on the Company’s future deposit insurance assessments has been and should continue to be favorable.

The Dodd-Frank Act permanently raised the standard maximum deposit insurance coverage amount to $250,000.

The FDIC deposit insurance coverage limit applies per depositor, per insured depository institution for each account ownership category.

Depositor Preference Statute

In the “liquidation or other resolution” of an institution by any receiver, U.S. federal legislation provides that deposits and certain claims for administrative expenses and employee compensation against the insured depository institution would be afforded a priority over general unsecured claims against that institution, including federal funds and letters of credit.

Government Monetary Policy

The earnings of the Company are affected primarily by general economic conditions and to a lesser extent by the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government and its agencies, particularly the Federal Reserve. Its policies influence, to some degree, the volume of bank loans and deposits, and interest rates charged and paid thereon, and thus have an effect on the earnings of the Company’s subsidiary Bank.

Additional Regulation

Provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act have resulted in new rulemaking by the federal regulatory agencies and new rules yet to be issued. Implementing the new and expanded regulations involved extreme diligence to ensure compliance with the complexities of the rules, as well as extensive new disclosure and reporting requirements.

The Dodd-Frank Act created an independent regulatory body, the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (“Bureau”), with authority and responsibility to set rules and regulations for most consumer protection laws applicable to all banks – large and small—adds another regulator to scrutinize and police financial activities.

Transfer to the Bureau of all consumer financial protection functions for designated laws by the other federal agencies was completed in July 2011. The Bureau was given responsibility for mortgage reform and enforcement, as well as broad new powers over consumer financial activities, including consumer financial products and services and how they are provided.

Significant mortgage rules mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act provisions were enacted in response to the breakdown in the mortgage lending markets and to provide for consumer protections. Final rules issued by the Bureau or jointly with other regulatory agencies implemented requirements under the Dodd-Frank Act regarding mortgage-related matters such as ability-to-repay, qualified mortgage standards, mortgage servicing, mortgage loan originator compensation, escrow requirements for higher-priced mortgage loans, and providing appraisals. These new mortgage rules, effective in January 2014, addressed problems consumers faced in the three major steps in buying a home – shopping for a mortgage, closing on a mortgage, and paying off a mortgage.

Final rules and amendments to the integrated mortgage disclosure rules under the Real Estate Settlement Act (RESPA) and Truth in Lending Act (TILA) became effective on October 3, 2015. The TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure rule commonly referred to as TRID combined required disclosures into two single forms: 1) The Loan Estimate which is provided shortly after a mortgage loan application and 2) The Closing Disclosure which is provided prior to loan consummation. In addition, a mandated appraisal notice under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the servicing application disclosure under RESPA were also combined into the new integrated disclosures. Loan Origination System changes, as well as process and procedural adjustments were necessary to appropriately implement the new requirements. Implementation to achieve TRID compliance involved extensive collaboration with the Mortgage Loan Origination software vendor, as well as outreach and coordination efforts with real estate agents, attorneys, and closing agents to cultivate preparedness for the new integrated mortgage loan disclosure forms. Mortgage loan volume was steady through the end of the year. TRID requirements, especially the timing requirements that must be met, do impact the loan origination process but do not result in excessive delays of scheduled loan closings. Amendments to the TRID rules effective October 10, 2017 with a mandatory compliance date of October 10, 2018 are intended to provide further clarity to certain provisions. Due to the complexities of the TRID rules, remaining attentive to these matters will ensure practices and procedures remain compliant and not subject the Bank to unnecessary liability.

Final rules, mostly effective in October 2015, were issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FRB), the Farm Credit Administration, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to implement provisions of the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 (HFIAA) and the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (the Biggert-Waters Act). These provisions amended regulations which apply to loans secured by properties located in special flood hazard areas and involved:

•

Implementation of a statutory exemption from the requirement to purchase flood insurance for a detached structure that is part of a residential property and does not serve as a residence.

•

For loans made, increased, extended, or renewed to be secured by residential real estate or mobile homes, regulated lending institutions had to:

•

Require an escrow for flood insurance premiums and fees, unless the loan qualified for a statutory exception;

•

Provide borrowers with residential loans outstanding the option to escrow flood insurance premiums and fees.

•

Provide new sample notice forms and clauses regarding the escrow requirements and the option to escrow.

•

The Biggert-Waters Act provisions on force placement of flood insurance coverage:

•

Gave regulated lending institutions the authority to charge a borrower for the cost of force-placed insurance coverage beginning on the date flood coverage lapses or becomes insufficient.

•

Defined circumstances under which a lender must terminate force-placed flood insurance coverage and refund payments.

Processes and procedural changes along with the implementation of new forms and notifications resulted. Fines and penalties for compliance with flood insurance requirements promote a continued focus on adherence to the new flood rule and existing requirements.

The Department of Defense (DOD) new rules amending its regulation that implements the Military Lending Act (MLA) became effective October 3, 2016. The MLA was enacted as part of the John Warner National Defense Act of 2007. These new rules significantly expanded the scope of the Act to cover all consumer credit except residential mortgages and purchase money loans. Compliance requirements for credit cards became effective October 3, 2017. Coverage applies to consumer credit defined as “credit offered or extended for personal, family, or household purpose and that is subject to a finance charge or payable by written agreement in more than four installments.” A covered borrower is a consumer who at the time of becoming obligated on a consumer credit transaction or establishing an account for consumer credit, is a covered member or dependent (including a spouse) of a covered member. A covered member is a member of the armed forces serving on active duty or active guard or reserve duty. More specifically, the final rules:

•

Makes financial institutions responsible for determining an applicant’s military status.

•

Limits what may be charged in fees and interest on covered consumer loans by imposing a 36% “military annual percentage rate” (MAPR) cap. The MAPR cap is an “all-in” annual percentage rate (APR) that includes interest and fees associated with the loan.

•

Requires additional disclosures which must be provided to military personnel, their spouses, and dependents when they obtain a loan.

•

Prohibits certain terms or provisions that require arbitration, involve assessment of a prepayment penalty, or require service members or their dependents to waive any rights under the Service member’s Civil Relief Act or any other federal or state law.

Providing a loan to a MLA-covered borrower that exceeds the 36% MAPR is prohibited. Any covered loans made without providing proper disclosures or in violation of the MLA is void. Creditors who knowingly or willfully violate the rules could be subject to a fine, imprisonment up to one year or both. Implementation of these new rules involved understanding the impact on the covered consumer credit products offered, collaboration with Loan Origination System vendors for assistance with calculations and required disclosures, and an efficient and effective process for identifying covered borrowers.

Under the TILA Ability to Repay requirements, the Bank meets the criteria to qualify as a small creditor based on the number of first-lien mortgage loans transactions during 2017 and due to its asset size of less than $2.112 billion (the asset size threshold as of December 31, 2017 subject to an annual CPI adjustment); however it is not a creditor that operates predominantly in rural or underserved areas as it did not extend more than 50% of its total first-lien covered transactions in rural or underserved areas in calendar year 2017. The Bank continues to seek Qualified Mortgage (QM) status for mortgage loans made as they provide certain presumptions of compliance under the Ability to Repay rules adopted under the Dodd-Frank Act. In satisfying QM requirements, any mortgage lender regardless of their size can make loans which are entitled to the QM presumption of compliance.

Revised Regulation C rules which implement the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) published by the Bureau become effective on January 1, 2018 for reportable loan applications. The Dodd-Frank Act provisions added new data points for HMDA and authorized the Bureau to require additional information. The types of transactions reportable have expanded to include most consumer purpose transactions that are dwelling-secured loans or open-end lines of credit. Reportable data points were significantly expanded to 52 fields which included applicant or borrower age, credit score, automated underwriting system information, property value, application channel, points and fees, borrower-paid origination charges, discount points, lender credits, loan term, prepayment penalty, interest rate, loan originator identifier, as well as other data fields. Ethnicity categories were expanded to include certain subcategories along with a means to capture information on how an applicant’s or borrower’s ethnicity, race, and sex were collected by the institution. Year-end submission of 2018 data to be reported will be completed using a web-based tool developed by the Bureau. The data format and use of the web-based tool also impacted the year-end submission of 2017 HMDA data. Implementation of these new requirements involved a workgroup being attentive to the provisions in the final rules. A thorough assessment involved evaluating the impact on the data collection processes and procedures within each affected business line, as well as data collection features within the loan origination systems utilized to generate loan applications and loan closing documentation.

Unfair or deceptive acts or practices (UDAP) standards originally developed years ago by the Federal Trade Commission focused on unacceptable practices that may not specifically be addressed elsewhere in banking or consumer finance law. Banking regulatory agencies have increasingly used this authority over the last few years to address acts or practices that are deemed harmful, deceptive, or misleading to consumers. The authority of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to issue credit practice rules under Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission

Act for financial institutions was repealed as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act. Guidance issued collectively by the FDIC, FRB, the Bureau, NCUA, and OCC in August 2014 clearly indicated certain consumer credit practices were not permissible and remained subject to Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, as well as Sections 1031 and 1036 of the Dodd-Frank Act. The interagency guidance further noted that the Agencies will continue to have supervisory authority and enforcement authority for unfair or deceptive acts or practices, which could include those practices previously addressed in the former credit practices rules. The guidance warned financial institutions not to interpret the repeal of the credit practice rules to indicate that the unfair or deceptive practices previously described were now permissible. Remaining attentive to the UDAP standards, in relation to the offering and marketing of Bank products and services is extremely important.

The Bank is also subject to federal regulation relating to such matters as required reserves, limitation as to the nature and amount of its loans and investments, regulatory approval of any merger or consolidation, issuance or retirement of their own securities, limitations upon the payment of dividends and other aspects of banking operations. In addition, the activities and operations of the Bank are subject to a number of additional detailed, complex and sometimes overlapping laws and regulations. These include state usury and consumer credit laws, state laws relating to fiduciaries, the federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B, the federal Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E, the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act and Regulation V, the federal Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) and Regulation X, the federal Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z, the federal Truth in Savings Act and Regulation DD, the Bank Secrecy Act, the federal Community Reinvestment Act, anti-discrimination laws and legislation, and antitrust laws.

Future Legislation

Changes to the laws and regulations, both at the federal and state levels, can affect the operating environment of the Company and its subsidiaries in substantial and unpredictable ways. The Company cannot accurately predict whether those changes in laws and regulations will occur, and, if those changes occur, the ultimate effect they would have upon the financial condition or results of operations of the Company or its subsidiaries. Various provisions and regulations authorized or required by the Dodd-Frank Act have not yet been proposed or implemented by federal regulators. Uncertainty also exists with respect to the Dodd-Frank Act regulations authorized or required that have not yet been proposed or finalized.

Available Information

The Company maintains an Internet web site at the following internet address: www.fm.bank. The Company files reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Because the Company makes its filing with the SEC electronically, you may access such reports at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). The Company makes available, free of charge through its internet address, copies of its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to these reports as soon as reasonable practicable after such materials have been filed with or furnished to the SEC. Copies of these documents may also be obtained, either in electronic or paper form, by contacting Barbara J. Britenriker, Chief Financial Officer of the Company at (419) 446-2501.

ITEM 1a. RISK FACTORS

Significant Competition from an Array of Financial Service Providers

Our ability to achieve strong financial performance and a satisfactory return on investment to shareholders will depend in part on our ability to expand our available financial services. In addition to the challenge of attracting and retaining customers for traditional banking services, our competitors now include securities dealers, brokers, mortgage bankers, investment advisors and finance and insurance companies who seek to offer one-stop financial services to their customers that may include services that banks have not been able or allowed to offer to their customers in the past. The increasingly competitive environment is a result primarily of changes in regulation, changes in technology and product delivery systems and the accelerating pace of consolidation among financial services providers. If we fail to adequately address each of the competitive pressures in the banking industry, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Credit Risk

The risk of nonpayment of loans is inherent in commercial banking. Such nonpayment could have an adverse effect on the Company’s earnings and our overall financial condition as well as the value of our common stock. Management attempts to reduce the Bank’s credit exposure by carefully monitoring the concentration of its loans within specific industries and through the loan approval process. However, there can be no assurance that such monitoring and procedures will totally mitigate the risks. Credit losses can cause insolvency and failure of a financial institution and, in such event, its shareholders could lose their entire investment. For more information on the exposure of the Company and the Bank to credit risk, see the section under Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K captioned “Loan Portfolio.”

Our loan portfolio has a large concentration of real estate loans

Real estate loans, which constitute a large portion of our loan portfolio, include home equity, commercial, construction and residential loans, and such loans are concentrated in the Bank’s primary markets in northwest Ohio and Northeast Indiana. The market value of real estate can fluctuate significantly in a short period of time as a result of market conditions in the geographic area in which the real estate is located. Adverse developments affecting real estate values in our market could increase the credit risk associated with our loan portfolio. Also, real estate lending typically involves higher loan principal amounts and the repayment of the loans generally is dependent, in large part, on sufficient income from the properties securing the loans to cover operating expenses and debt service. Economic events or governmental regulations outside of the control of the borrower could negatively impact the future cash flow and market values of the affected properties.

If the loans that are collateralized by real estate become troubled during a time when market conditions are declining or have declined, then we may not be able to realize the amount of security that we anticipated at the time of originating the loan, which could cause us to increase our provision for loan losses and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

Our real estate loans also include construction loans, including land acquisition and development. Construction, land acquisition and development lending involve additional risks because funds are advanced based upon estimates of costs and the estimated value of the completed project. Because of the uncertainties inherent in estimating construction costs, as well as the market value of the completed project and the effects of governmental regulation on real property, it is relatively difficult to evaluate accurately the total funds required to complete a project and the related loan-to-value ratio. As a result, commercial construction loans often involve the disbursement of substantial funds with repayment dependent, in part, on the success of the ultimate project and the ability of the borrower to sell or lease the property, rather than the ability of the borrower or guarantor to repay principal and interest. If our appraisal of the value of the completed project proves to be overstated, we may have inadequate security for the repayment of the loan upon completion of construction of the project.

Payments on agricultural real estate loans are dependent on the profitable operation or management of the farm property securing the loan. The success of the farm may be affected by many factors outside the control of the borrower, including adverse weather conditions that prevent the planting of a crop or limit crop yields (such as hail, drought and floods), loss of livestock due to disease or other factors, declines in market prices for agricultural products (both domestically and internationally) and the impact of government regulations (including changes in price supports, subsidies and environmental regulations). In addition, many farms are dependent on a limited number of key individuals whose injury or death may significantly affect the successful operation of the farm. If the cash flow from a farming operation is diminished, the borrower’s ability to repay the loan may be impaired. The primary crops in our market areas are corn, wheat and soybeans. Accordingly, adverse circumstances affecting these crops could have an adverse effect on our agricultural real estate loan portfolio.

Commercial loans make up a significant portion of our loan portfolio

Our commercial loans are primarily made based on the identified cash flow of the borrower and secondarily on the underlying collateral provided by the borrower. Repayment of our commercial loans is often dependent on the cash flows of the borrower, which may be unpredictable. Most often, this collateral is accounts receivable, inventory, machinery or real estate. In the case of loans secured by accounts receivable, the availability of funds for the repayment of these loans may be substantially dependent on the ability of the borrower to collect amounts due from its customers. The other types of collateral securing these loans may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based on the success of the business.

We also originate agricultural operating loans. As with agricultural real estate loans, the repayment of operating loans is dependent on the successful operation or management of the farm property. Likewise, agricultural operating loans involve a greater degree of risk than lending on residential properties, particularly in the case of loans that are unsecured or secured by rapidly depreciating assets such as farm equipment or assets such as livestock or crops. The primary livestock in our market areas is hogs. In these cases, any repossessed collateral for a defaulted loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the outstanding loan balance as a result of the greater likelihood of damage, loss or depreciation. The majority of our agricultural customers utilize crop insurance to mitigate the possibility of a large loss within one year on their grain operations. Crop insurance can be structured to be triggered by different factors and claim payment may also be customized, such as based on harvest yields, income generation. Farmers may also use hedging techniques to lock in crop prices, input costs for future production.

Susceptibility to Changes in Regulation

Any changes to state and federal banking laws and regulations may negatively impact our ability to expand services and to increase the value of our business. We are subject to extensive state and federal regulation, supervision, and legislation that govern almost all aspects of our operations. These laws may change from time to time and are primarily intended for the protection of consumers, depositors and the deposit insurance funds. In addition, the Company’s earnings are affected by the monetary policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. These policies, which include regulating the national supply of bank reserves and bank credit, can have a major effect upon the source and cost of funds and the rates of return earned on loans and investments. The Federal Reserve influences the size and distribution of bank reserves through its open market operations and changes in cash reserve requirements against member bank deposits. We cannot predict what effect any presently contemplated or future changes in the laws or regulations or their interpretations would have on us, but such changes could be materially adverse to our financial performance. For more information on this subject, see the section under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-K captioned “Supervision and Regulation.”

Interest Rate Risk

Changes in interest rates affect our operating performance and financial condition in diverse ways. Our profitability depends in substantial part on our “net interest spread,” which is the difference between the rates we receive on loans and investments and the rates we pay for deposits and other sources of funds. Our net interest spread will depend on many factors that are partly or entirely outside our control, including competition, federal economic, monetary and fiscal policies, and economic conditions generally. Historically, net interest spreads for other financial institutions have widened and narrowed in response to these and other factors, which are often collectively referred to as “interest rate risk.” After many years of a low and flat rate environment, the Federal Reserve began increasing the Federal Funds rate in 2015. The Company did not experience improvement in its asset yield on loans until such time that the rate increases enabled the loan rates to rise above the floors which had been on the majority of the variable rate loans. During 2017, the increasing rates having reached over 100 basis points, triggered rate changes above the floors and the Company experienced improvement in the interest spread. The improvement in the net interest spread during 2016 and the first half of 2017 directly correlated to the improvement of the Bank’s loan to asset ratio.

The Bank manages interest rate risk within an overall asset/liability framework. The principal objectives of asset/liability management are to manage sensitivity of net interest spreads and net interest income to potential changes in interest rates. Funding positions are kept within predetermined limits designed to ensure that risk-taking is not excessive and that liquidity is properly managed. In the event that our asset/liabilities management strategies are unsuccessful, our profitability may be adversely affected. For more information regarding the Company’s exposure to interest rate risk, see Part II, Item 7A of this Form 10-K.

Attraction and Retention of Key Personnel

Our success depends upon the continued service of our senior management team and upon our ability to attract and retain qualified financial services personnel. Competition for qualified employees is intense. In our experience, it can take a significant period of time to identify and hire personnel with the combination of skills and attributes required in carrying out our strategy. If we lose the services of our key personnel or are unable to attract additional qualified personnel, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected.

A key component of employee retention is providing a fair compensation base combined with the opportunity for additional compensation for above average performance. In this regard, the Company and the Bank use two

incentive programs. The Company uses a stock award program to recognize and incentivize officers of the Bank. Under the long-term incentive compensation plan, restricted stock awards may be granted to officers. The amount of shares to be granted each year is determined by the Board Compensation Committee and may vary each year in its amount of shares and the number of recipients. The Compensation Committee determines the number of shares to be awarded overall and to the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) specifically. The CEO then makes recommendations to the committee as to the recipients of the remaining shares. The full Board of Directors approves the action of the Committee. Since the plan’s inception in 2005, all granted stock awards have utilized a three year cliff vesting feature. This is viewed as a retention aid as the awards may be forfeited should an officer leave employment during the vesting period.

A second incentive program of the Bank is based on cash compensation of which almost all employees participate (excluding commission based employees and other employees paid for specific higher paid positions, such as peak time). A discussion of executive officer pay is incorporated within the proxy and as such, this discussion will pertain to all other employees. Non-officer employees are paid a cash incentive based on the projected overall performance of the Bank in terms of Return of Average Assets (“ROA”). The Compensation Committee determines the target performance levels on which the percentage of pay will be based. The Committee takes into account the five and ten year trend of ROA along with budget forecasted for the next year and the Bank’s past year performance. The Committee also considers the predicted banking environment under which the Bank will be operating. With the formation of the Captive, the ROA goal has been exclusive of the effect of the additional insurance expense at the Bank level. Non-officers receive incentive pay in December of the same year based on the year-to-date base compensation through the last pay received in November.

Officers, other than executive officers, receive incentive pay based on additional criterion. The officers are rewarded based on overall ROA of the Bank along with individual pre-established goals. Officers, therefore, have incentive pay at risk for individual performance. The individualized goals are recommended by each officer’s supervisor and are approved by an incentive committee of the Bank. The goals are designed to improve the performance of the Bank while also limiting the risk of a short-term performance focus. For example, a lending officer may be given two goals of which one is to grow loans within specific targets and another is tied to a specific level of past dues and charge-offs. The second goal limits the ability to be rewarded for growth at all costs along with the specific target levels within the growth goal itself. Officers in a support department may be given goals which create efficiencies, ensure compliance with procedures, or generate new fee or product opportunities. On average, three to four goals were given to each officer in 2017. Officers are paid cash incentives based on the year-end ROA of the Bank and receive it within the first quarter of the following year. Should the ROA be forecasted to be positive but below the base target set by the Board, the officers are paid an incentive under the same basis and timing as non-officers disclosed above.

The percentages of base pay on which the incentive is calculated graduates higher as does the responsibility level of the employee and their ability to impact the financial performance of the Bank. These percentages are recommended by management to the Compensation Committee and Board for approval. The cash incentive plan along with its targets and goals are subject to modification at the Compensation Committee and Board’s discretion throughout each year.

Dividend Payout Restrictions

We currently pay a quarterly dividend on our common shares. However, there is no assurance that we will be able to pay dividends in the future. Dividends are subject to determination and declaration by our Board of Directors, which takes into account many factors. The declaration of dividends by us on our common stock is subject to the discretion of our Board and to applicable state and federal regulatory limitations. The Company may receive dividends from the Bank which is subject to restrictions and limitations in the amount and timing of the dividends it may pay to the Company. The Bank has been declaring additional dividends each quarter to provide this liquidity to the Company. The Captive also upstreams dividends to the Company when reserve levels are adequately provided for and may not exceed the net income of the prior twelve months.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

Provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Ohio law could have the effect of discouraging takeover attempts which certain stockholders might deem to be in their interest. These anti-takeover provisions may make us a less attractive target for a takeover bid or merger, potentially depriving shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares of common stock at a premium over prevailing market prices as a result of a takeover bid or merger.

Technological Change

Our industry is susceptible to significant technological changes in the future as there continue to be a high level of new technology driven products and services introduced. Technological advancement aids the Company in providing customer service and increases efficiency. Our national competitors have more resources to invest in technological changes and associated required resources. As a result they may be able to offer products and services that are more technologically advanced and that may put us at a competitive disadvantage. Our future depends on our ability to analyze technological changes to determine the best course of action for our business, customers and shareholders.

Operational Risks

We are subject to certain operational risks, including, but not limited to, data processing system failures and errors, customer or employee fraud and catastrophic failures resulting from terrorist acts or natural disasters. We maintain a system of internal controls to mitigate against such occurrences and maintain insurance coverage for such risks that are insurable, but should such an event occur that is not prevented or detected by our internal controls, uninsured or in excess of applicable insurance limits, it could have a significant adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

In addition, our operations are dependent on our ability to process financial transactions in a secure manner. Failure in or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of our third party vendors and other service providers could disrupt our businesses or the businesses of our customers, result in the disclosure or misuse of confidential or proprietary information, damage our reputation, increase our costs and cause losses. We must ensure that information is properly protected from a variety of threats such as cyber-attacks, error, fraud, sabotage, terrorism, industrial espionage, privacy violation, service interruption, and natural disaster. The Company, with the assistance of third-party service providers, intends to continue to implement security technology and establish procedures to maintain network security, but there is no assurance that these measures will be successful. As cyber threats continue to evolve, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities. Any activity that jeopardizes our network and the security of the information stored on our network may result in significant cost to the Company and have a significant negative effect on our reputation.

Limited Trading Market

The Company has its shares of stock listed and traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market. The Company’s trading symbol is “FMAO.”

ITEM 1b. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Our principal office is located in Archbold, Ohio.

The Bank operates from its principal office located at 307 North Defiance Street, Archbold, Ohio. In addition, the Bank owns the property from 200 to 208 Ditto Street, Archbold, Ohio, which it uses for Bank parking and a community mini-park area. The Bank owns real estate at two locations, 207 Ditto Street and 209 Ditto Street in Archbold, Ohio upon which the bank built a commercial building to be used for storage, and a parking lot for company vehicles and employee parking. The Bank also owns real estate across from the main facilities to provide for parking.

The Bank occupies an Operations Center at 620 S. Clyde’s Way in Archbold, Ohio to accommodate our growth over the years. The bank owns a parking lot in downtown Montpelier which is provided for community use.

The Bank owns all of its office locations, with the exception of Angola, Indiana and Bowling Green, Ohio. Both of these office locations are leased.

The Bank currently maintains retail banking offices at the following locations:


Office		Location
Archbold, Ohio		1313 S Defiance Street
Wauseon, Ohio		1130 N Shoop Avenue 119 N Fulton Street

Stryker, Ohio		300 S Defiance Street
West Unity, Ohio		200 W Jackson Street
Bryan, Ohio		929 E High Street 1000 S Main Street

Delta, Ohio		101 Main Street
Montpelier, Ohio		1150 E Main Street
Napoleon, Ohio		2255 Scott Street
Swanton, Ohio		7 Turtle Creek Circle
Defiance, Ohio		1175 Hotel Drive
Perrysburg, Ohio		7001 Lighthouse Way
Butler, Indiana		200 S Broadway
Auburn, Indiana		403 Erie Pass
Angola, Indiana		2310 N Wayne Street
Hicksville, Ohio		100 N Main Street
Waterville, Ohio		8720 Waterville-Swanton Road
Custar, Ohio		22973 Defiance Pike
Sylvania, Ohio		5830 Monroe Street
Fort Wayne, Indiana		12106 Lima Road
Bowling Green, Ohio		1072 N. Main Street

In early 2018, the Bank will open a retail banking office in Findlay, Ohio. The land and building were purchased in 2017 and were remodeled. It is a full service office located at 1660 Tiffin Avenue.

All but one of the above locations has drive-up service facilities and an ATM. The Captive operates from leased office space at 101 Convention Center Dr., Suite 850, Las Vegas, NV 89109.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There are no material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine proceedings incidental to the business of the Company or its subsidiaries, to which we are a party or of which any of our properties are the subject.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The Company has its shares of stock listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC.

On August 18, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a two-for-one stock split payable on September 20, 2017, for shareholders of record on September 5, 2017.

There are market makers that set a price for our stock; however, private sales continue to occur. The high and low sale prices of the Company’s stock known to our management, as reported on Bloomberg.com, are as follows:


Stock Prices 2017 ⁽¹⁾
Quarter	Low		High
1st	$	17.51	$	22.88
2nd	$	21.01	$	31.27
3rd	$	27.63	$	43.50
4th	$	35.75	$	43.66
Stock Prices 2016 ⁽¹⁾
Quarter	Low		High
1st	$	13.00	$	14.00
2nd	$	13.65	$	14.48
3rd	$	14.10	$	16.25
4th	$	15.41	$	20.00

(1)	Sale prices have been adjusted to reflect a 2-for-1 stock split on September 20, 2017

The Company utilizes Computershare as its transfer agent.

As of December 31, 2017 there were 1,828 record holders of our common stock of which 34.73% of the outstanding shares are being held in brokerage accounts or “street name” and only considered as one record holder.

On the following page is a line-graph presentation comparing the cumulative total shareholder returns for the Corporation, an index for NASDAQ Stock Market (U.S. Companies) comprised of all domestic common shares traded on the NASDAQ National Market System and the NASDAQ Bank Index for the five-year period ended December 31, 2017. The chart compares the value of $100 invested in the Corporation and each of the indices and assumes investment on December 31, 2012 with all dividends reinvested.

The Board of Directors recognizes that the market price of stock is influenced by many factors, only one of which is performance. The stock price performance shown on the graph is not necessarily indicative of future performance.

LOGO


	2012		2013		2014		2015		2016		2017
FMAO		100.00		114.35		141.95		147.10		192.15		430.15
NASDAQ - COMPOSITE		100.00		139.89		160.24		171.35		186.01		238.74
NASDAQ-BANK INDEX		100.00		141.31		147.99		160.51		217.20		228.18

Dividends are declared and paid quarterly. Per share dividends declared for the years ended 2017 and 2016 adjusted for a 2-for-1 stock split on September 20, 2017 are as follows:


	1st Quarter		2nd Quarter		3rd Quarter		4th Quarter		Total
2017	$	0.12	$	0.12	$	0.13	$	0.13	$	0.50
2016	$	0.11	$	0.11	$	0.12	$	0.12	$	0.46

The ability of the Company to pay dividends is impacted by the dividend that the Company receives from the Bank. The Bank may pay as dividends to the Company its retained earnings during the current year and its prior two years. Various U.S. federal statutory provisions also limit the amount of dividends the Company’s banking subsidiary can pay to the Company without regulatory approval. In 2009, The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Division of Banking Supervision and Regulation issued SR09-4 regarding the safe and sound payment of dividends by bank holding companies. Currently, such limitation on the payment of dividends from the Bank to the Company does not materially restrict the Company’s ability to pay dividends to its shareholders. See Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on applicable dividend restrictions.

Dividends declared during 2017 were $0.50 per share totaling $4.58 million, 8.7% higher than 2016 declared dividends of $0.46 per share. During 2017, the Company awarded 32,000 shares to 74 employees and 1,080 shares were forfeited under its long term incentive plan. At year end, 2017, the Company held 1,134,120 shares in Treasury stock and 92,350 in unearned stock awards.

Dividends declared during 2016 were $0.46 per share totaling $4.16 million, 4.5% higher than 2015 declared dividends of $0.44 per share. During 2016, the Company repurchased 14,000 shares and awarded 32,300 restricted shares to 74 employees and 1,546 shares were forfeited under its long term incentive plan. At yearend 2016, the Company held 1,158,250 shares in Treasury stock and 86,300 in unearned stock awards.

The Company continues to have a strong capital base and to maintain regulatory capital ratios that are significantly above the defined regulatory capital ratios.


	2017			2016
Tier I Leverage Ratio		12.02	%		11.77	%
Risk Based Capital Tier I		14.73	%		14.46	%
Total Risk Based Capital		15.52	%		15.28	%
Stockholders’ Equity/Total Assets		12.12	%		11.89	%
Capital Conservation Buffer		7.52	%		7.28	%

On January 19, 2018, the Company announced the authorization by its Board of Directors for the Company’s repurchase, either on the open market, or in privately negotiated transactions, of up to 400,000 shares of its outstanding common stock commencing January 19, 2018 and ending December 31, 2018.

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES


Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased			Average Price Paid per Share			Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan or Programs		Remaining share Repurchases Authorization
10/1/2017 to		—			—			—		400,000
10/31/2017
11/1/2017 to		—			—			—		400,000
11/30/2017
12/1/2017 to		306	⁽²⁾		20.52	⁽²⁾		—		400,000
12/31/2017

Total		306			20.52			—		400,000

(1)

From time to time, the Company purchases shares in the market pursuant to a stock repurchase program publicly announced on January 20, 2017. On that date, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of 200,000 common shares between January 20, 2017 and December 31, 2017. The number of shares authorized to repurchase has been adjusted to reflect a two-for-one split on September 20, 2017.

(2)	Shares which were repurchased for taxes on vested stock awards are outside of this program.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Reclassification

Certain amounts in the 2016 and 2015 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the 2017 presentation.

SUMMARY OF SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

Summary of Consolidated Statement of Income - UNAUDITED


	(In Thousands, except share data)
	2017			2016			2015			2014			2013
Summary of Income:
Interest income	$	41,248		$	37,727		$	33,650		$	33,453		$	31,428
Interest expense		5,127			4,223			3,587			3,716			4,604

Net Interest Income		36,121			33,504			30,063			29,737			26,824
Provision for loan losses		222			1,121			625			1,191			858

Net interest income after provision for loan losses		35,899			32,383			29,438			28,546			25,966
Other income (expense), net		(17,996	)		(16,063	)		(15,279	)		(15,029	)		(13,363	)

Net income before income taxes		17,903			16,320			14,159			13,517			12,603
Income taxes		5,183			4,656			3,819			3,871			3,596

Net income	$	12,720		$	11,664		$	10,340		$	9,646		$	9,007

Per Share of Common Stock:
Earnings per common share outstanding *
Net income ⁽¹⁾	$	1.38		$	1.27		$	1.12		$	1.04		$	0.97

Dividends ⁽¹⁾	$	0.50		$	0.46		$	0.44		$	0.42		$	0.41

Weighted average number of shares outstanding, including participating securities⁽¹⁾		9,250,825			9,224,230			9,234,116			9,256,356			9,353,094

*	Based on weighted average number of shares outstanding

⁽¹⁾	Share data has been adjusted to reflect a 2-for-1 stock split on September 20, 2017


	(In Thousands)
	2017			2016			2015			2014			2013
Total assets	$	1,107,009		$	1,055,895		$	989,068		$	941,213		$	965,938
Loans, net		816,156			751,310			678,573			615,562			570,363
Total Deposits		919,340			842,203			771,339			762,560			776,464
Stockholders’ equity		134,137			125,577			120,097			114,493			108,340
Key Ratios
Return on average equity		9.75	%		9.38	%		8.80	%		8.72	%		8.28	%
Return on average assets		1.18	%		1.14	%		1.08	%		1.02	%		0.96	%
Loans to deposits		88.78	%		89.45	%		88.14	%		80.78	%		73.53	%
Capital to assets		12.12	%		11.89	%		12.14	%		12.16	%		11.22	%
Dividend payout		36.02	%		35.67	%		38.54	%		40.04	%		41.69	%

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and the Company follows general practices within the financial services industry in which it operates. At times the application of these principles requires management to make assumptions, estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These assumptions, estimates and judgments are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements. As this information changes, the financial statements could reflect different assumptions, estimates and judgments. Certain policies inherently have a greater reliance on assumptions, estimates and judgments and as such have a greater possibility of producing results that could be materially different than originally reported. Examples of critical assumptions, estimates and judgments are when assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value, when a

decline in the value of an asset not required to be recorded at fair value warrants an impairment write-down or valuation reserve to be established, or when an asset or liability must be recorded contingent upon a future event.

All significant accounting policies followed by the Company are presented in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. These policies, along with the disclosures presented in the notes to the consolidated financial statements and in the management discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, provide information on how significant assets and liabilities are valued and how those values are determined for the financial statements. Based on the valuation techniques used and the sensitivity of financial statement amounts to assumptions, estimates and judgments underlying those amounts, management has identified the determination of the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (ALLL) and the valuation of its Mortgage Servicing Rights (MSR) and Other Real Estate Owned (OREO) as the accounting areas that requires the most subjective or complex judgments, and as such could be the most subject to revision as new information becomes available.

OREO, which is comprised of assets acquired by the Bank, through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value at the date of foreclosure. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell.

The ALLL represents management’s estimate of credit losses inherent in the Bank’s loan portfolio at the report date. The estimate is a composite of a variety of factors including experience, collateral value, and the general economy. ALLL includes a specific portion, a formula driven portion, and a general nonspecific portion. The collection and ultimate recovery of the book value of the collateral, in most cases, is beyond our control.

The Company is also required to estimate the value of its MSR. The Company recognizes as separate assets rights to service fixed rate single-family mortgage loans that it has sold without recourse but services for others for a fee. Mortgage servicing assets are initially recorded at cost, based upon pricing multiples as determined by the purchaser, when the loans are sold. Mortgage servicing assets are carried at the lower of the initial carrying value, adjusted for amortization, or estimated fair value. Amortization is determined in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income using the level yield method. For purposes of determining impairment, the mortgage servicing assets are stratified into like groups based on loan type, term, new versus seasoned and interest rate. The valuation is completed by an independent third party.

The expected and actual rates of mortgage loan prepayments are the most significant factors driving the potential for the impairment of the value of mortgage servicing assets. Increases in mortgage loan prepayments reduce estimated future net servicing cash flows because the life of the underlying loan is reduced.

The Company’s mortgage servicing rights relating to loans serviced for others represent an asset of the Company. This asset is initially capitalized and included in other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The mortgage servicing rights are then amortized against noninterest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying mortgage servicing rights. There are a number of factors, however, that can affect the ultimate value of the mortgage servicing rights to the Company, including the estimated prepayment speed of the loan and the discount rate used to present value the servicing right. For example, if the mortgage loan is prepaid, the Company will receive fewer servicing fees, meaning that the present value of the mortgage servicing rights is less than the carrying value of those rights on the Company’s balance sheet. Therefore, in an attempt to reflect an accurate expected value to the Company of the mortgage servicing rights, the Company receives a valuation of its mortgage servicing rights from an independent third party. The independent third party’s valuation of the mortgage servicing rights is based on relevant characteristics of the Company’s loan servicing portfolio, such as loan terms, interest rates and recent national prepayment experience, as well as current national market interest rate levels, market forecasts and other economic conditions. Management, with the advice from its third party valuation firm, review the assumptions related to prepayment speeds, discount rates, and capitalized mortgage servicing income on a quarterly basis. Changes are reflected in the following quarter’s analysis related to the mortgage servicing asset. In addition, based upon the independent third party’s valuation of the Company’s mortgage servicing rights, management then establishes a valuation allowance by each strata, if necessary, to quantify the likely impairment of the value of the mortgage servicing rights to the Company. The estimates of prepayment speeds and discount rates are inherently uncertain, and different estimates could have a material impact on the Company’s net income and results of operations. The valuation allowance is evaluated and adjusted quarterly by management to reflect changes in the fair value of the underlying mortgage servicing rights based on market conditions. The accuracy of these estimates and assumptions by management and its third party can be directly tied

back to the fact that management has not been required to record a valuation allowance through its income statement based upon the valuation of each stratum of serving rights.

For more information regarding the estimates and calculations used to establish the ALLL and the value of Mortgage Servicing Rights, please see Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements provided herewith.

2017 in Review

Unemployment levels continued to decline throughout 2017 as the local economies of Northwest Ohio and Northeast Indiana continued to strengthen. Business profits improved in the market region and the agricultural industry operated in breakeven or with a slight profit mode. Low commodity prices and weather in 2017 influenced the agricultural industry. Rising interest rates did not deter growth or expansion in our service areas.

The Company reached new heights with record earnings for 2017. Net income was over $1 million higher than 2016, ending at $12.7 million. Profitability improved due to the increased loan balances, new product offerings and continued strong asset quality. Net loans grew by $64.8 million with asset size increasing by a slightly smaller $51.1 million. Loans were funded by higher deposit levels, sales and maturities of investment securities.

Improvement in 2017’s net interest income, which was $2.6 million over 2016, was the largest contributing factor in the higher profitability of 2017. This was accomplished through higher loan balances and aided by the two prime rate increases in December 2015 and 2016 along with the three throughout 2017. Interest income benefited from those rate hikes more than the cost increase experienced in interest expense. While 2016 was similar in that loan growth fueled improved interest income, the rate increase was too late in the year to have much impact. Overall, 2016’s net interest income improved by $3.4 million over 2015.

Net income was positively impacted by lower loan provision expense of $0.9 million in 2017 as compared to 2016. Strong asset quality, evidenced by lower nonaccrual, watch list and impaired loan balances and low net charge-offs, negated the need to add to loan provision. The loan loss provision for 2017 was $222 thousand.

The performance of one of our newest offices continue to contribute to overall profitably due to the new relationships being developed. The Company continues to focus on expansion and we opened an office in Indiana at the end of the first quarter 2016. Our location is situated within Huntertown but with a Fort Wayne address. In the fourth quarter of 2016, we opened our Bowling Green, Ohio office in a leased property which the Bank renovated. The Bank has been able to establish ties with the Athletic Department of Bowling Green State University and began offering a credit card to its alumni in 2017. We expect the offices to contribute to earnings during 2018, with great potential for later years. In first quarter 2018, we will open an additional location in Findlay, Ohio.

Our deposit strategy remains focused on growing core deposits and offering additional services. The strategy implemented in 2016 was the addition of “KASASA Cash Back” which we felt would appeal to our younger depositors. This product rewards the account owner based on debit card usage rather than on account balances and focuses on lower cost digital interaction with the Bank through the use of on-line statements. As the name implies, the depositor receives “cash back” for completing a minimum number of debit card transactions when other criteria is met. The strategy expanded to our business depositors in 2017. The business checking offerings were restructured to bundle services and enable customers to choose their desired level of service. The Bank was also able to offer pricing based on a full relationship and not on just the single account. The success of this deposit strategy is evidenced by the growth in non-interest bearing deposits. A discussion on the increase of interest-bearing NOW accounts is covered later.

The slope of the yield curve for most of 2015 and 2016, enabled the Company to continue to sell investment securities with shorter term maturities and recognize a gain without compromising the yield. The opportunity only presented itself at the start of 2017 and the month before the second rate hike of the year. The proceeds were in lower amounts than prior years and mainly used to fund loan growth. For 2016, the recognized gain on the sale of securities was $588 thousand, higher than 2015’s recognized gain of $451 thousand compared to 2017’s much lower gain of $47 thousand. The market value of the security portfolio is in an unrealized loss position. The Company will continue to look for opportunities to utilize the sale of securities from the investment portfolio to fund loan growth.

To facilitate the availability of the investment portfolio to be used for loan growth, the Bank began to offer the insured cash sweep, (“ICS”), which is a sister product of Promontory’s certificate of deposit account registry,

(“CDARs”). ICS provides FDIC insurance coverage through the use of a bank network thereby replacing the use of pledged securities to Ohio public depositors and for daily repurchase agreements to the Bank’s other sweep customers. The process of accepting the new product began in earnest during the fourth quarter of 2016 and with the largest movement of funds completed in early 2017. The change in the process of commercial sweep account pledging is visible by the shift of dollars on the balance sheet from securities sold under agreement to repurchase to interest bearing NOW accounts during 2017 as compared to the balances in 2016. This action does not assure the continued use of the investment portfolio to fund loan growth nor does it assure an ongoing source of income, however, it does assure the availability of the opportunity to do so.

Throughout 2015, 2016 and 2017, the Company has done an exceptional job of recognizing opportunities to provide new or enhanced services and products. A commitment to improve asset quality over the years has also benefited the Company. These opportunities are further discussed in the Material Changes in Results of Operations. The Company remains strong, stable and well capitalized and has the capacity to continue to cover the increased costs of doing business in a tough economy while seeking good loans to improve profitability. The Company continues to look for new opportunities to generate and protect revenue while providing additional channels through which to serve our customers and maintain our high level of customer satisfaction. The Company plans to continue on its strategy of expansion into new markets, whether by acquisition or the establishment of new branch office locations.

Material Changes in Results of Operations

Net Interest Income

The discussion now centers on the individual line items of the consolidated statement of income and their effect on net income. This section will focus on the most traditional source of revenue contributing to the profitability of the Company which is net interest income.

Net interest income is the difference between interest income earned on interest earning assets, such as loans and securities, and interest expense paid on interest bearing liabilities used to fund those assets, such as interest bearing deposits and other borrowings. Net interest income is affected by changes in both interest rates and the amount and composition of earning assets and liabilities. The change in net interest income is most often measured by two statistics – interest spread and net interest margin. The difference between the yields earned on earning assets and the rates paid for interest bearing liabilities represents the interest spread. The net interest margin is the difference of funds (interest expense) between the yield on earning assets and the cost as a percentage of earning assets. Because noninterest bearing sources of funds such as demand deposits and stockholders’ equity also support earning assets, the net interest margin exceeds the net interest spread.

As mention previously, the largest factor of the record earnings for 2017 was the $2.6 million improvement in net interest income as compared to 2016. In 2016, net interest income increased $3.4 million as compared to 2015. Interest and fee income from loans were responsible for the improvement. Interest income from loans, including fees, increased almost $3.5 million in 2017 as compared to 2016. This was preceded by a higher increase in 2016 of $4.4 million as compared to 2015. The underlying factors for the reason of the increase differed between the two time periods as 2017 was aided by prime rate increases which drove the effective interest rates on the Bank’s variable loans over their floor rates. Both time periods were similar in that the volume of loan growth was the largest contributing factor to the improved profitability. Given that securities were sold or matured and proceeds used to fund the loan growth, interest income from that balance sheet component has declined each of the last three years. Overall, total interest income was $3.5 million higher for 2017 than 2016 and was $4.1 million higher for 2016 than 2015.

Interest expense increased from all interest bearing funding sources over the time periods shown of 2015 through 2017. This reversed a previous trend of declining interest expense that occurred in 2014 and 2015. Overall, the funding goal the last three years has been to grow core deposits. Two strategies have been employed through the years, one of allowing expensive time deposits to run off until needed for funding and secondly to offer new non-interest bearing deposit products. Both of these strategies were to assist in controlling interest expense in a rising rate environment. During 2017, interest expense from deposits increased by $866 thousand over 2016 and 2016 increased $348 thousand over 2015. The majority of the increased expense of 2017 was influenced by increased rates rather than due to additional cost associated with deposit growth.

Total interest expense (which includes deposit, federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreement to repurchase, and borrowed funds) totaled $5.1, $4.2 and $3.6 million for 2017, 2016 and 2015 respectively. As with the loan discussion earlier, more of the expense is attributable to the rising interest rate environment in 2017 as compared to 2016. In the 2016 to 2015 comparison, the increased expense was almost equally impacted by the increased volume and the increased rates. Borrowed fund balances increased in December of 2015, which impacted 2016 and 2017. Half of 2015’s borrowings have since matured in December of 2017.

The success in improving net interest income confirmed that management’s long term strategy of repositioning the balance sheet and increasing loan balances was the correct approach. Funding loan growth with internal funds, whether from the liquidation of investment securities or core deposits, was a beneficial move.

The dollar amount of improvement has been shown. Now the discussion moves on to the percentages and the change in the net interest margin and spread.

Overall, we have seen increased improvement in the net interest margin and spread since 2015. Looking at the components behind the change in net interest margin for 2017 as compared to 2016, increased average balances in loans of $59.1 million stands out. The additional revenue of almost $2.8 million that those balances were responsible for was the largest contributor to the improved net yield on loans of 9 basis points. For the first time in many years, loan revenue was also positively impacted by the change in the interest rate. The majority of variable loans with floor rates attained the point where rate increases caused the rate to go above the floor. The Bank had expected 100 basis points of change was needed for this to occur which was reached with the June 2017 Fed Funds rate hike. The next hike did not occur until December of 2017, too late to largely impact 2017 though it will benefit 2018. The large revenue gain in loan interest was offset by the decrease earnings in securities which were used to fund the loan growth. However, the overall asset yield in 2017 still improved by 18 basis points over 2016, as loans earn at a higher rate than the securities.

Increased interest expense correlated to the higher rate environment in which the deposits needed to be garnered. The Bank experienced pressure to offer higher rates to public funds in Ohio due to competition. In the area where the strategic plan was to gather core deposits, the average balance in savings grew by $72.6 million during 2017 as compared to 2016’s average balance. This is somewhat tampered by the reclassification movement from the commercial sweeps which show the average balance on securities sold under agreement to repurchase decreasing by $29.7 million for 2017 as compared to 2016. The net increase therefore would represent increased balances and/or new relationships totaling $42.9 million for 2017. The other average balance increase for core deposits would be the change in non-interest bearing demand deposits. 2017’s average balance in this portfolio was $10.5 million higher than 2016’s average balance. Overall, cost of funds increased 9 basis points for 2017 over 2016. The reason behind the increase was due to rate increases not the volume increases.

The net interest margin for 2017 was 3.65% compared to 2016 which was 3.55%. The 0.10% increase for 2017 was an important factor in the improved profitability for 2017. Net interest spread was 3.48% for 2017 compared to 2016’s 3.39%, creating a 9 basis point difference in the spread. Variable and new loans will reprice higher if the Federal Reserve continues with their stated monetary policy and the challenge will be to control the rate of increase on the deposits. The goal is, as always, to improve the net interest margin and spread and thereby improve profitability.

In comparing 2016 to 2015, loan volume was primarily responsible for the improvement in interest income as the yield on the overall loan portfolio decreased 1 basis point during 2016. The only category of asset yield to increase was the short term federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits which was aided by the Federal Reserve increase in rates of 25 basis points in December 2015 and 2016. Overall, asset yield increased 8 basis points in 2016 as compared to 2015.

The net interest margin also climbed up in 2016, ending 6 basis points over 2015. Asset yield raised 8 basis points and the cost of funds increased only 5 basis points. The yields on the individual segments did not cause the overall improvement as many either decreased or remained unchanged. The improvement in the asset yield was primarily a result of the change in the asset mix. In addition, loans as a percentage of earning assets increased to 75.0% in 2016 compared to 70.8% in 2015. Loans to assets also increased to 70.7% for 2016 compared to 2015’s 65.7%. Overall yield improves when the balances of the highest yield asset increases, which is loans.

With respect to the cost of funds, the Bank’s goal is to grow the least expensive category of funding sources. The largest average balance increase for 2016 was $34.7 million in savings deposits over 2015’s average balances. This helped to keep the increase in funding expense to just 5 basis points when comparing 2016 to 2015.

As mentioned previously, the movement of some of the interest bearing checking accounts greatly helped to decrease interest expense in terms of dollars; however, it also removed some of the lowest cost of funds out of the cost percentages. Therefore, the correlation to improvement in margin and spread is not easily visible.

The Company will always prefer to see improvement in real dollars over percentages. The strategy for increasing core deposits, in order to mitigate the higher interest rates and interest expense and to continue to establish the opportunity for fee dollars from services provided, remains for 2018.

Total assets of the Company increased overall as did the earning assets in both average and year end during 2017 and 2016. This matched the movement in interest dollars and in yields. The percentage of average earning assets to total average assets reflects the best utilization of funds. For 2017, the percentage at 93.47% was lower than 2016 at 94.22%. The addition of offices in 2016 increased the non-earning assets with cash balances held at the new offices and also the investment in the capital assets of their building and furniture. 2016 had a portion of those assets in its average balances; however 2017 had them in the average balances for the entire year. For 2015, the percentage of earning assets to total assets was even lower at 92.81%. What made 2017 more profitable was the percentage of average loans to total assets. For 2017, the average balance of loans to total average assets was 72.76%, for 2016, 70.69%, for 2015, 65.73%. Loans are the highest yielding asset for the Company.

Net interest spread is the difference between what the Company earns on its assets and what it pays on its liabilities. It is generally from this spread that the Company must fund its operations and generate profit. When the asset yield decreases so must funding costs in order to maintain profitability. It becomes increasingly challenging as the asset yield gets closer to the prime lending rate, or the break-even point, of operations. The challenge began to change in 2016 as rates increased in December 2015. In a rising rate environment, the challenge is to hold the cost steady while allowing time for the asset portfolio to rise. Floors and ceilings on variable products also impact the level of increase in either scenario. The 25 basis point prime rate increase of 2015 did little to increase the rate on the variable loans because of the floors in place and the spread of rate to prime. The floors provided yield protection in the previous lower rate environment and the rising rates wouldn’t benefit the asset yield until the spread plus prime is higher than the floor. The challenge is to increase the spread during renewals and on new loans. After the December 2015 rate increase, it was another year before the next rate hike in December of 2016. These two rate hikes had little effect on the profitability as the majority of loans were still below the floors. It wasn’t until the third and fourth rate hikes of March and June 2017, that the majority of loans were now either equal to or over the floors. This also helped the asset yield in 2017. The most recent rate hike in December of 2017 will help increase the asset yield for 2018.

In terms of interest expense, 2017’s increase as compared to 2016 was due to the increase in rates. 2016’s increase was due to both an increase in average balances and an increase in rates as compared to 2015.

The impact of the change in the portfolio mix was a factor in the liabilities as it was in the assets. In comparing to 2016, 2017 had movements as average balances decreased in all categories other than savings deposits and non-interest bearing liabilities. Other time deposits continued to run off and $5 million of other borrowed money was paid off in December that had been originally borrowed in December 2015 to fund loan growth. Time deposits and other borrowed money term liabilities increased in interest expense in comparing 2016 to 2015. Saving deposits increased in cost for 2016 and 2015 as compared to the preceding years. Fed Funds purchased and securities sold under agreement to repurchase increased for 2016 and was due to increased balance and rate.

The following tables present net interest income, interest spread and net interest margin for the three years 2015 through 2017, comparing average outstanding balances of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities with the associated interest income and expense. The tables show the corresponding average rates of interest earned and paid. The tax-exempt asset yields have been tax adjusted to reflect a marginal corporate tax rate of 34%. Average outstanding loan balances include non-performing loans and mortgage loans held for sale. Average outstanding security balances are computed based on carrying values including unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities. The average cost of funds for 2017 was 0.68%, 9 basis points higher than 2016’s 0.59% for interest bearing liabilities.

The yield on Tax-Exempt investment securities shown in the following charts were computed on a tax equivalent basis. The yield on Loans has been tax adjusted for the portion of tax-exempt IDB loans included in the total. Total Interest Earning Assets is therefore also reflecting a tax equivalent yield in both line items, also with the Net Interest Spread and Margin. The adjustments were based on a 34% tax rate and 14 basis points higher than 2015’s 0.54%.


	2017
	(In Thousands)
	Average Balance		Interest/ Dividends		Yield/Rate
ASSETS
Interest Earning Assets:
Loans	$	783,140	$	37,195		4.76	%
Taxable investment securities		154,081		2,815		1.83	%
Tax-exempt investment securities		52,192		1,045		3.03	%
Federal funds sold & interest bearing deposits		16,597		193		1.16	%

Total Interest Earning Assets		1,006,010	$	41,248		4.16	%

Non-Interest Earning Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		33,411
Other assets		36,913

Total Assets	$	1,076,334

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Interest Bearing Liabilities:
Savings deposits	$	519,580	$	2,302		0.44	%
Other time deposits		188,443		2,181		1.16	%
Other borrowed money		9,960		147		1.48	%
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreement to repurchase		32,173		497		1.54	%

Total Interest Bearing Liabilities		750,156	$	5,127		0.68	%

Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities:
Non-interest bearing demand deposits		180,129
Other		15,624

Total Liabilities		945,909

Shareholders’ Equity		130,425

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	1,076,334

Interest/Dividend income/yield			$	41,248		4.16	%
Interest Expense / yield				5,127		0.68	%

Net Interest Spread			$	36,121		3.48	%

Net Interest Margin						3.65	%


	2016
	(In Thousands)
	Average Balance		Interest/ Dividends		Yield/Rate
ASSETS
Interest Earning Assets:
Loans	$	724,076	$	33,703		4.67	%
Taxable investment securities		172,647		2,730		1.58	%
Tax-exempt investment securities		55,395		1,229		3.36	%
Federal funds sold & interest bearing deposits		13,004		65		0.50	%

Total Interest Earning Assets		965,122	$	37,727		3.98	%

Non-Interest Earning Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		27,348
Other assets		31,848

Total Assets	$	1,024,318

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Interest Bearing Liabilities:
Savings deposits	$	446,996	$	1,690		0.38	%
Other time deposits		194,753		1,927		0.99	%
Other borrowed money		10,000		148		1.48	%
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreement to repurchase		64,825		458		0.71	%

Total Interest Bearing Liabilities		716,574	$	4,223		0.59	%

Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities:
Non-interest bearing demand deposits		169,510
Other		13,896

Total Liabilities		899,980

Shareholders’ Equity		124,338

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	1,024,318

Interest/Dividend income/yield			$	37,727		3.98	%
Interest Expense / yield				4,223		0.59	%

Net Interest Spread			$	33,504		3.39	%

Net Interest Margin						3.55	%


	2015
	(In Thousands)
	Average Balance		Interest/ Dividends		Yield/Rate
ASSETS
Interest Earning Assets:
Loans	$	627,194	$	29,293		4.68	%
Taxable investment securities		177,833		2,808		1.58	%
Tax-exempt investment securities		66,156		1,513		3.47	%
Federal funds sold & interest bearing deposits		14,359		36		0.25	%

Total Interest Earning Assets		885,542	$	33,650		3.90	%

Non-Interest Earning Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		21,333
Other assets		47,284

Total Assets	$	954,159

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Interest Bearing Liabilities:
Savings deposits	$	412,269	$	1,557		0.38	%
Other time deposits		189,822		1,712		0.90	%
Other borrowed money		108		1		0.93	%
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreement to repurchase		57,918		317		0.55	%

Total Interest Bearing Liabilities		660,117	$	3,587		0.54	%

Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities:
Non-interest bearing demand deposits		162,028
Other		14,461

Total Liabilities		836,606

Shareholders’ Equity		117,553

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	954,159

Interest/Dividend income/yield			$	33,650		3.89	%
Interest Expense / yield				3,587		0.54	%

Net Interest Spread			$	30,063		3.35	%

Net Interest Margin						3.49	%

The following tables show changes in interest income, interest expense and net interest resulting from changes in volume and rate variances for major categories of earnings assets and interest bearing liabilities.


	2017 vs 2016
	(In Thousands)
	Net Change			Due to change in Volume			Rate
Interest Earning Assets:
Loans	$	3,492		$	2,757		$	735
Taxable investment securities		85			(294	)		379
Tax-exempt investment securities		(184	)		(108	)		(76	)
Federal funds sold & interest bearing deposits		128			18			110

Total Interest Earning Assets	$	3,521		$	2,373		$	1,148

Interest Bearing Liabilities:
Savings deposits	$	612		$	274		$	338
Other time deposits		254			(62	)		316
Other borrowed money		(1	)		(1	)		—
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreement to repurchase		39			(231	)		270

Total Interest Bearing Liabilities	$	904		$	(20	)	$	924


	2016 vs 2015
	(In Thousands)
	Net Change			Due to change in Volume			Rate
Interest Earning Assets:
Loans	$	4,410		$	4,537		$	(127	)
Taxable investment securities		(78	)		(82	)		4
Tax-exempt investment securities		(284	)		(373	)		89
Federal funds sold & interest bearing deposits		29			(3	)		32

Total Interest Earning Assets	$	4,077		$	4,079		$	(2	)

Interest Bearing Liabilities:
Savings deposits	$	133		$	131		$	2
Other time deposits		215			44			171
Other borrowed money		147			92			55
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreement to repurchase		141			38			103

Total Interest Bearing Liabilities	$	636		$	305		$	331

Non-Interest Income

In comparing line items of the consolidated statements of income for years ended 2015 through 2017, it can be seen where the Company has been spending its time and the impact of the recession and slow recovery. This section will focus on the significant noninterest items that impacted the operations of the Company.

Non-interest income decreased in total for 2017 as compared to 2016, ending at $10.7 million. 2016 had non-interest income of $11.4 million which had exceeded 2015’s $10.8 million.

The Company has concerns with the increased costs associated with regulatory compliance such as the possible loss of revenue from new regulations stemming from the Dodd-Frank Act. History has proven the concern is justified. One area of revenue impacted was overdraft fees. The Bank has ended each of the last 4 years with a lower revenue stream from overdraft fees. This has occurred in spite of the addition of the new offices. Each year, the number of checking accounts has increased along with the balances; however average collected overdraft fees per account decreased. Overdraft fees in 2017 accounted for $2.3 million, 2016 and 2015 accounted for $2.4 million in noninterest income. The Bank had made this an area of focus for 2015 as this revenue stream remains under intense regulator review. In 2015, the Bank adjusted its overdraft program and renamed it “Courtesy Pay.” Courtesy Pay establishes dynamic limits based on a customer’s behavior and likelihood of repayment. The Bank has sought to better service the customer’s needs while decreasing the need for collections and improving profitability. At the current time, profitability has not improved and in 2016 it only slowed the amount of decrease. Service charges on checking accounts increased for 2017. During the second quarter 2017, new business checking products were announced and existing business accounts were converted to one of three new products, Business Essential, Edge or Elite. The new products provided customers with new options to bundle services and for the Bank to utilize the full relationship to determine pricing. This was the next step of implementation for the Bank’s “earn to free” strategic initiative. Upgrades to our digital products and services continue to occur in both retail and business lines. Increases in the number of accounts and the number of services being utilized by our customers accounted for the increase in fees. These fees were up $292.7 thousand in 2017 as compared to 2016. Service charges on checking accounts had leveled off in 2016 only $67.7 thousand higher than 2015. This improvement is credited to the new checking accounts mentioned previously.

The Bank has long promoted the use of debit cards by its customers and continued that philosophy with the introduction of additional new products. 2017 revenue improved $172.5 thousand, 2016 revenue improved $122.4 thousand, and 2015 revenue improved $142.9 thousand from ATM/debit card usage as compared to each of the respective prior years. The Bank receives interchange revenue from each use by a customer of a Bank issued ATM/debit the card. While this revenue stream continues to improve with more depositors using electronic methods for purchasing, the expense attributable to card fraud has offset a portion of the revenue gain. Further discussion can be found in the non-interest expense section regarding the net effect of debit card activity.

Noninterest income from net gain on sales of loans was the highest in 2016 of the three year periods shown. The change may be related to the increase in rates after the long duration of the flat interest rate environment. The net gain on sale of loans is derived from sales of real estate loans into the secondary market. Of these loan types, the Bank sells 100% of the residential loans and 90% of the agricultural loans into the secondary market. Gains of $648.9 and $162.2 thousand were recorded for residential and agricultural real estate respectively for 2017. Gains of $683.7 and $204.0 thousand were recorded for residential and agricultural real estate respectively for 2016. Gains of $559.6 and $140.8 thousand were recorded for residential and agricultural real estate respectively for 2015. In conjunction with these sales, the Bank maintains servicing rights and those income amounts during all three years are included in the customer service fees line item and accounted for $460 thousand in 2017, $555.3 thousand in 2016 and $406.5 thousand in revenue for 2015.

The last line item in the noninterest income section is the net gain on sale of investments. The Bank has taken advantage of this opportunity the last three years and expects to continue as long as the yield curve is favorable to the transaction. The Bank will not increase short-term gains at the sacrifice of long-term profitability. The opportunity greatly lessened in 2017 with the increase in rates. The available for sale security portfolio switched from an unrealized gain position into an unrealized loss position. The decrease in the balance of the security portfolio was due to calls and maturities and not sales made during 2017. Sales were made early in the first quarter before the additional rate hike in March and in May before the rate hike in June occurred and with much lower gains than in the prior years. All of the sales of securities in 2017, 2016 and 2015 of $13.6, $85.7, and $47.0 million respectively were used to fund loan growth. This is a source of funds that will continue to be analyzed for use in the coming year. Gains of $47 thousand were recorded for 2017, $588 thousand for 2016, and $451 thousand for 2015. This line item was largely responsible for the lower non-interest income of 2017 as compared to 2016 and 2015.

Non-Interest Expense

Noninterest expense increased 4.7% in 2017 as compared to 2016 and was preceded by a 5.2% increase in 2016 as compared to 2015. Represented in dollars, 2017 was $1.3 million higher than 2016 and 2016 was $1.4 million higher than 2015. The largest factor behind the increase in both years was the expense of employee salaries and wages. During 2017, an additional $993 thousand was spent over 2016 which correlates to an 8.6% increase. When making the same analysis for 2016 as compared to 2015, 2016’s costs increased $713 thousand or 6.5%. Three main components flow

into salaries and wages: base salary, deferred costs, and incentives composed of the expense of restricted stock awards and performance incentives. Base pay has increased with the addition of the three offices of Huntertown, Bowling Green and Sylvania, as well as from the operations of the Captive and through normal yearly increases to the remainder of the employees. Base pay was up $731.2 thousand for 2017 over the previous year and 2016 was up $669.7 thousand over 2015. The full time equivalent number of employees at each yearend increased to 275 for 2017, to 273 for 2016 compared to 2015’s 265.

Incentive pay as it related to performance was up $234.2 thousand in 2017 over 2016 and up $177.4 thousand in 2016 over 2015. Measurements used for award incentive pay had improved in 2017 and 2016 and employees benefited accordingly. The expense for the restricted stock awards has also increased each of the last three years as more shares have been granted to a larger number of employees and the market value of the shares has increased. The market value of the Company’s stock increased significantly with the listing on NASDAQ and being included in the Russell 3000 Index during the second quarter of 2017. An equivalent number of restricted shares were awarded as compared to 2016 though the value of these rewards was higher; therefore the expense for 2017 was higher by $105.3 thousand as compared to 2016 and will likely be higher in 2018 due to the value of the 2017 awards. 2016’s cost for this program was $87.9 thousand higher than 2015. The awards incorporate a three year vesting period so the increase of any one year carries forward through the next two years. This expense should continue to increase as the Company continues its expansion strategy. For further discussion in incentive pay and restricted stock awards, see Note 11 of the consolidated financial statements.

Along with the salary and wage increase was an increase in employee benefits in 2017 as compared to 2016. Employee group insurance accounted for the largest portion of the cost, which was an increase of $181.9 thousand over 2016. This was due to an increase in the cost to provide to a larger number of employees along with a higher level of medical claims. The cost of the 401-K retirement plan also increased $72.7 thousand for 2017 as compared to 2016. Overall, employee benefits increased $312 thousand or 9.4% from 2016.

Employee benefits decreased in 2016 which correlated directly to a lower level of medical expense. As the Bank is partially self-insured, lower claims during 2016 decreased the expense. The cost of the 401-K retirement plan increased each year as the profit share component increased along with the number of employees participating. Employee group insurance was down $266.9 thousand for 2016. Overall, employee benefits were down $232 thousand or 6.5% from 2015.

Net occupancy expense typically increases as the Company expands, which is what has occurred for 2017 and 2016. One factor that can offset occupancy expense is the receipt by the Company of building rent as it is netted out of occupancy expense. The greatest contributor to building rent comes from the division of FM Investments within the Bank. This division experienced a stronger 2017; however the department was short staffed most of 2015 and 2016. The improved performance of $85.9 thousand in 2017 assisted in keeping the overall increase to net occupancy to $30 thousand.

The 1-4 family mortgage refinancing activity has been slow over the last three years though increasing slightly each year. A correlating expense to that activity is the amortization of mortgage servicing rights. The amortization is the expense that offsets the income recognized when the loan is first made. Income is recorded when the mortgage loan is first sold with servicing retained and is therefore recognized within one year. The amortization, however, is calculated over the life of the loan and accelerated as loans are paid off early. An increase in this expense can be driven by two activities: an increase in the number of sold loans and/or by the acceleration of the expense from payoff and refinance activity. The best picture of the bottom line impact is achieved by netting the income with the expense each year. The line items for 2017 indicate a higher number of new loans versus refinances as compared to 2016. The net income for 2017 was $107 thousand; 2016 had net income of $136 thousand and was preceded by net income of $33 thousand for 2015. Of course, the value (or income) of the mortgage servicing right when sold also impacts the net position. As of December 31, 2017, 3,636 loans are being serviced with corresponding balances of $288.6 million. 2016 had 3,599 loans serviced with corresponding balances of $280.4 million. This was almost identical to the December 31, 2015 number and balance of loans 1-4 family being serviced. As of December 2015, 3,598 loans were being serviced with balances of $275.7 million.

The impact of mortgage servicing rights to both noninterest income and expense is shown in the following table:


	(In Thousands)
	2017			2016			2015
Beginning Year	$	2,192		$	2,056		$	2,023
Capitalized Additions		460			555			407
Amortization		(353	)		(419	)		(374	)
Valuation Allowance		—			—			—

End of Year	$	2,299		$	2,192		$	2,056

Furniture and equipment steadily increases as we continue to add facilities and invest in technology. Annual maintenance costs continue to grow and become a greater piece of the overall cost. As new services are provided to our customers, the backroom cost to supply them continues to rise. The Company accepts it is an expected cost of doing business and keeping our services relevant to the industry.

Data processing costs were actually lower in 2017 as compared to 2016 by $196 thousand. Two reasons for the improvement was the negotiation of an extended contract with our core processor and 2016 had the additional cost of upgrading Bank customer debit cards to incorporate EMV chip card technology. Both already better align with our future strategies while controlling costs. Data processing expense increased $109 thousand during 2016 as compared to an increased $50 thousand during 2015.

The Bank began conducting a review of its core operating system in 2015 which culminated with a decision in the summer 2016 to extend the contract with the Bank’s existing provider, Fiserv, for an additional seven year period. The Bank saw a current reduction in monthly expenses, though that reduction will be utilized to provide additional new product offerings and fund growth. The pricing on many services, however, is based on number of accounts and the Bank fully expects those to increase with the growth from the newer offices and overall Bank growth. Overall, data processing expense for 2018 may be similar or slightly higher to 2017 with a wider variety of customer offerings.

The FDIC assessment has a decreasing cost trend and that is expected to continue into 2018 as the fourth quarter 2017 assessment was again below that of the previous quarter. This line item speaks to the health of the Bank and the financial industry. The assessment for 2017 was down $77 thousand from 2016 and the assessment for 2016 was down $78 thousand from 2015.

The last line item with significant variation in noninterest expense to discuss is “other general and administrative.” Though 2017 did not increase by as large an amount as 2016 had when compared to 2015, it was still an increase of $200 thousand. The two main reasons behind the increase were the costs associated with listing on the NASDAQ stock market and the cost of offering the Insured Cash Sweep product. Both of these costs have been previously explained along with the benefits that have been provided by incurring said costs. The increase in 2016 over 2015 was much higher at $439 thousand. $249 thousand of the increased expense was a result of management’s decision to accelerate the issuance of “chip” debit cards along with the normal replacement of cards due to fraud and expiration dates. The chip enhanced cards were to help decrease fraud and establish liability with the merchant if the chip was not used in the transaction. The Bank’s cost due to fraud was not lower in 2016; however it helped to mitigate fraud losses in 2017. Advertising and public relations increased also in 2016 by $113 thousand. With the addition of new offices, the credit card launch in conjunction with Bowling Green State University’s athletic department, it was expected to be higher than 2015. The Bank also celebrates the anniversary of office openings with a special event in each community.

Allowance for Credit Losses

Provision expense decreased by $899 thousand for 2017 as compared to 2016. Provision expense increased by $496 thousand for 2016 in response to the significant loan growth for the period. The decrease for 2017 was due to the consistent strong asset quality of the Bank’s loan portfolio as evidenced by low levels of both net charge-offs and delinquencies. Sustained strong asset quality kept the provision expense lower than the growth alone would have warranted. Net charge-offs were $138, $394, and $473 thousand for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The consumer portfolios had the highest levels of charge-off activity in 2017 and 2016 at $263 and $310 thousand

respectively. Net charge offs in the consumer portfolio was $161 and $223 thousand for 2017 and 2016 respectively.

The Company segregates its Allowance for Credit Losses (ACL) into two reserves: The ACL and the Allowance for Unfunded Loan Commitments and Letters of Credit (AULC). When combined, these reserves constitute the total ACL. The AUCL is included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

The Bank’s ALLL methodology captures trends in leading, current, and lagging indicators which will directly affect the Bank’s allocation amount. The Bank monitors trends in such leading indicators as delinquency, unemployment changes in the Bank’s service area, experience and ability of staff, regulatory trends, and credit concentrations. A current indicator such as the total watch list loan amount to Capital, and a lagging indicator such as the charge off amount are referenced as well. A matrix formed by loan type from these indicators is used in making ALLL adjustments.

Watch list loan balances are comprised of loans graded 5-8. At yearend December 31, 2017 these loans totaled $20.8 million and were $75.9 thousand lower than December 31, 2016. The balances were very similar; however, approximately $1.3 million moved from Agricultural to Commercial Real Estate between yearend 2017 and 2016. Grade 5 decreased $1.8 million in 2017 as compared to 2016 and Grade 6 increased in the same comparison. The majority of the downgrade is represented by one commercial customer. Those associated loans are adequately secured by collateral. These loan balances increased $14.3 million as of December 31, 2016 as compared to same date 2015. The largest increases occurring in the lowest risk grade of 5. The loan grades of 7, which have a greater likelihood of default, all decreased for 2016. All other measurements of asset quality improved during 2016.

At December 31, 2017, 49.8% of the watch list was classified as special mention, with an additional 49.3% classified as substandard. A very small 0.6% or $111.3 thousand of the $20.8 million watch list was classified as doubtful. At yearend 2016, 59.7% of the watch list was comprised of loans classified as special mention, with an additional 39.0% classified as substandard and the remaining 1.3% classified as doubtful. The large increases in special mention and substandard were mainly driven by two loan relationships in the Bank’s commercial real estate portfolio.

Of the aggregate watch list loan balances, as of December 31, 2015, special mention accounted for 36.6% with substandard comprising 49.1% and doubtful accounting for the final 14.3%.

In response to these fluctuations and loan growth during 2015 through 2017, the Bank’s ALLL to outstanding loan coverage percentage changed to 0.83% as of December 31, 2017, 0.89% as of December 31, 2016, and 0.88% as of December 31, 2015.

The above indicators impacting ALLL are reviewed quarterly. Some of the indicators are quantifiable and, as such, will automatically adjust the ALLL once calculated. These indicators include the ratio of past due loans to total loans, loans past due greater than 30 days, and the ratio of watch list loans to capital, with the watch list made up of loans graded 5, 6 or 7 on a scale of 1 (best) to 7 (worst). Other indicators consist of more subjective data used to evaluate the potential for inherent losses in the Bank’s loan portfolio. For example, the economic indicator uses the unemployment statistics from the communities in our market area to help determine whether the ALLL should be adjusted. At the end of each of 2015, 2016 and 2017, improvements were noted in unemployment figures.

All aggregate commercial and agricultural credits including real estate loans of $250,000 and over are reviewed annually by both credit committees and internal loan review to look for early signs of deterioration.

To establish the specific reserve allocation for real estate, a discount to the market value is established to account for liquidation expenses. The discounting percentage used for real estate mirrors the discounting of real estate as provided for in the Bank’s Loan Policy. However, unique or unusual circumstances may be present which will affect the real estate value and, when appropriately identified, can adjust the discounting percentage at the discretion of management.

The ACL increased $94, $736, and $153 thousand during 2017, 2016 and 2015 respectively. The large increase in 2016 directly correlates to the large increase in loan balances. With the improved asset quality, the metrics upon which the ACL is calculated did not support a larger increase in 2017 even though loan growth occurred. The percentage of ACL to the total loan portfolio was 0.91% as of December 31, 2015 and 0.92% as of December 31, 2016, and 0.86% as

of December 31, 2017. December 31, 2017 had the lowest loans past due 30+ day percentage at 0.13% in the last ten years. December 31, 2015 and 2016 were still at respectable lows of 0.32% and 0.23%.

Please see Note 4 in the consolidated financial statement for additional tables regarding the composition of the ACL.

Federal Income Taxes

Effective tax rates were 28.95%, 28.53%, and 26.97%, for 2017, 2016 and 2015 respectively. The effect of tax-exempt interest from holding tax-exempt securities and Industrial Development Bonds (IDBs) was $413, $468, and $554 thousand for 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. All years included an increase into a higher tax bracket for income over $10 million. Behind the decrease in 2015 is one of the benefits from the establishment of the Captive subsidiary.

Material Changes in Financial Condition

The shifts in the balance sheet during 2017 and 2016 have positioned the Company for continued improvement in profitability. On the asset side, interest income increased primarily from loan growth with funding for the increase provided by a decrease in the investment portfolio, growth in core deposits and growth in other borrowings generated in 2015 which carried over to 2016 and most of 2017. $5 million of other borrowings were paid off in December of 2017. The cost of funds was impacted by the increase of both interest bearing liabilities and noninterest bearing deposits. Both contributed to improved profitability in 2017 and 2016, and the Company expects continued improvement through 2018.

Average earning assets increased in balances throughout 2017 and 2016. Newer offices have contributed the most towards new loan production. Loan growth in both years was the main factor. 2016 had two offices open, one in each half of the year and operating fully throughout 2017. An additional office will open in early 2018.

Securities

The investment portfolio is primarily used to provide overall liquidity for the Bank. It is also used to provide required collateral for pledging to the Bank’s Ohio public depositors for amounts on deposit in excess of the FDIC coverage limits. It may also be used to pledge for additional borrowings from third parties. Investments are made with the above criteria in mind while still seeking a fair market rate of return, and looking for maturities that fall within the projected overall strategy of the Bank. The possible need to fund future loan growth is also a consideration.

During 2016, the Bank began to utilize Promontory’s ICS, product to replace pledged securities; thereby increasing liquidity. ICS utilizes a nation-wide bank network to provide FDIC insurance coverage to the Bank’s depositors. The Bank is using the product to replace pledged securities to the Bank’s Ohio public customers and for commercial sweep customers previously utilizing daily repurchase agreements to protect balances over $250 thousand. The majority of the commercial accounts converted in 2017 and is evidenced by the movement of funds out of repurchase agreements into interest bearing deposits.

All of the Bank’s security portfolio is categorized as available for sale and as such is recorded at market value.

Security balances as of December 31 are summarized below:


	(In Thousands)
	2017		2016		2015
U.S. Treasury	$	20,978	$	24,775	$	38,505
U.S. Government agencies		80,466		82,474		98,220
Mortgage-backed securities		39,510		48,461		26,324
State and local governments		55,444		62,817		72,066

	$	196,398	$	218,527	$	235,115

The following table sets forth the maturities of investment securities as of December 31, 2017 and the weighted average yields of such securities calculated on the basis of cost and effective yields weighted for the scheduled maturity of each security. Tax-equivalent adjustments, using a thirty-four percent rate, have been made in yields on obligations of state and political subdivisions. Stocks of domestic corporations have not been included. Maturities of mortgage-backed securities are based on the stated maturity date of the security. Due to prepayments, actual maturities may be different.


	Maturities
	(Amounts in Thousands)
						After One Year
	Within One Year					Within Five Years
	Amount		Yield			Amount		Yield
U.S. Treasury	$	—		0.00	%	$	20,978		1.30	%
U.S. Government agencies		10,449		1.27	%		42,818		1.61	%
Mortgage-backed securities		—		0.00	%		2,711		2.64	%
State and local governments		11,169		1.65	%		16,813		2.16	%
Taxable state and local governments		—		0.00	%		3,076		2.19	%

	After Five Years
	Within Ten Years					After Ten Years
	Amount		Yield			Amount		Yield
U.S. Treasury	$	—		0.00	%	$	—		0.00	%
U.S. Government agencies		27,199		2.00	%		—		0.00	%
Mortgage-backed securities		2,118		2.92	%		34,681		2.00	%
State and local governments		15,983		1.63	%		2,775		2.03	%
Taxable state and local governments		5,628		3.27	%		—		0.00	%

As of December 31, 2017 the Bank did not hold a large block of any one investment security in excess of 10% of stockholders’ equity. The largest segment of holdings is in US Governments. The Bank also holds stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati at a cost of $3.7 million. This is required in order to obtain Federal Home Loan Bank loans. The Bank also owns stock of Farmer Mac with a carrying value of $37.4 thousand which is required to participate loans in the program.

Loan Portfolio

The Bank’s various loan portfolios are subject to varying levels of credit risk. Management mitigates these risks through portfolio diversification and through standardization of lending policies and procedures.

Risks are mitigated through an adherence to the Bank’s loan policies, with any exception being recorded and approved by senior management or committees comprised of senior management. The Bank’s loan policies define parameters to essential underwriting guidelines such as loan-to-value ratio, cash flow and debt-to-income ratio, loan requirements and covenants, financial information tracking, collection practice and others. The maximum loan amount to any one borrower is limited by the Bank’s legal lending limits and is stated in policy. On a broader basis, the Bank restricts total aggregate funding in comparison to Bank capital to any one business or agricultural sector by an approved sector percentage to capital limitation.

The following table shows the Bank’s loan portfolio by category of loan as of December 31^stof each year, excluding loans held for sale:


	(In Thousands)
Loans:	2017		2016		2015		2014		2013
Consumer Real Estate	$	83,620	$	86,234	$	88,189	$	97,426	$	91,882
Agricultural Real Estate		64,073		62,375		57,277		50,560		44,301
Agricultural		95,111		84,563		82,654		74,611		65,449
Commercial Real Estate		410,520		377,481		322,762		270,188		248,893
Commercial and Industrial		126,275		109,256		100,125		100,126		99,498
Consumer		37,757		33,179		27,770		24,277		21,406
Industrial Development Bonds		6,415		5,732		6,491		4,698		4,358

	$	823,771	$	758,820	$	685,268	$	621,886	$	575,787

The following table shows the maturity of loans as of December 31, 2017:


	(In Thousands)
			After One
	Within		Year Within		After
	One Year		Five Years		Five Years
Consumer Real Estate	$	1,185	$	13,979	$	68,456
Agricultural Real Estate		756		5,910		57,407
Agricultural		60,164		25,499		9,448
Commercial real estate		29,728		125,694		255,098
Commercial and Industrial		71,521		36,402		18,352
Consumer		5,634		23,946		8,177
Industrial Development Bonds		800		65		5,550

	$	169,788	$	231,495	$	422,488

The following table presents the total of loans due after one year which has either 1) predetermined interest rates (fixed) or 2) floating or adjustable interest rates (variable):


	(in Thousands)
	Fixed		Variable
	Rate		Rate		Total
Consumer Real Estate	$	76,836	$	5,599	$	82,435
Agricultural Real Estate		50,971		12,346		63,317
Agricultural		34,248		699		34,947
Commercial Real Estate		289,452		91,340		380,792
Commercial and Industrial		45,730		9,024		54,754
Consumer		32,101		22		32,123
Industrial Development Bonds		5,615		—		5,615

	$	534,953	$	119,030	$	653,983

The following table summarizes the Company’s nonaccrual, past due 90 days or more and still accruing loans, and accruing troubled debt restructurings as of December 31 for each of the last five years:


	(In Thousands)
	2017		2016		2015		2014		2013
Non-accrual loans	$	1,003	$	1,384	$	2,041	$	1,705	$	3,329
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more		—		—		—		—		—
Troubled Debt Restructurings, not included above		534		559		878		471		485

Total	$	1,537	$	1,943	$	2,919	$	2,176	$	3,814

Although loans may be classified as non-performing, some pay on a regular basis, and many continue to pay interest irregularly or at less than original contractual rates. Interest income that would have been recorded under the original terms of these loans would have aggregated $205.4 thousand for 2017, $116.1 for 2016 and $117.1 thousand for 2015. Any collections of interest on nonaccrual loans are included in interest income when collected unless it is on an impaired loan with a specific allocation. A collection of interest on an impaired loan with a specific allocation is applied to the loan balance to decrease the allocation. Total interest collections, whether on an accrued or cash basis, amounted to $57 thousand for 2017, $64 thousand for 2016, $96 thousand for 2015 and $87 thousand for 2014.

Loans are placed on nonaccrual status in the event that the loan is in past due status for more than 90 days or payment in full of principal and interest is not expected. The Bank had nonaccrual loan balances of $1.0 million at December 31, 2017 compared to balances of $1.4 and $2.0 million as of year-end 2016 and 2015. All of the balances of nonaccrual loans for the past three years were collaterally secured.

As of December 31, 2017 the Bank had $20.8 million of loans which it considers to be “potential problem loans” in that the borrowers are experiencing financial difficulties. At December 31, 2016, the Bank had $20.6 million of these loans. The increase in 2016 relates to mainly two relationships. At December 31, 2015, the Bank had $7.0 million of these loans. These loans are subject to constant management attention and are reviewed at least monthly. The amount of the potential problem loans was considered in management’s review of the loan loss reserve at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

In extending credit to families, businesses and governments, banks accept a measure of risk against which an allowance for possible loan loss is established by way of expense charges to earnings. This expense is determined by management based on a detailed monthly review of the risk factors affecting the loan portfolio, including general economic conditions, changes in the portfolio mix, past due loan-loss experience and the financial condition of the bank’s borrowers.

As of December 31, 2017, the Bank had loans outstanding to individuals and firms engaged in the various fields of agriculture in the amount of $95.1 million with an additional $64.1 million in agricultural real estate loans these compared to $84.6 and $62.4 million respectively as of December 31, 2016. The ratio of this segment of loans to the total loan portfolio is not considered unusual for a bank engaged in and servicing rural communities.

Interest rate modification to reflect a decrease in market interest rates or maintain a relationship with the debtor, where the debtor is not experiencing financial difficulty and can obtain funding from other sources, is not considered a troubled debt restructuring. As of December 31, 2017, the Bank had $0.7 million of its loans that were classified as troubled debt restructurings, of which $149.1 thousand are included in non-accrual loans. This compares to $0.7 million as of same date 2016 and the Bank had $1.1 million classified as such as of December 31, 2015.

Updated appraisals are required on all collateral dependent loans once they are deemed impaired. The Bank may also require an updated appraisal of a watch list loan which the Bank monitors under their loan policy. On a quarterly basis, Bank management reviews properties supporting asset dependent loans to consider market events that may indicate a change in value has occurred.

To determine observable market value, collateral asset values securing an impaired loan are periodically evaluated. Maximum time of re-evaluation is every 12 months for chattels and titled vehicles and every two years for real

estate. In this process, third party evaluations are obtained and heavily relied upon. Until such time that updated appraisals are received, the Bank may discount the existing collateral value used.

Performing “non-watch list” loans secured in whole or in part by real estate, do not require an updated appraisal unless the loan is rewritten and additional funds advanced. Watch List loans secured in whole or in part by real estate require updated appraisals every two years. All loans are subject to loan to values as found in the Bank’s loan policies irrespective of their grade. The Bank’s watch list is reviewed on a quarterly basis by management and any questions to value are addressed at that time.

The majority of the Bank’s loans are made in the market by lenders who live and work in the market. Thus, their evaluation of the independent valuation is also valuable and serves as a double check.

On extremely rare occasions, the Bank will make adjustments to the recorded values of collateral securing commercial real estate loans without acquiring an updated appraisal for the subject property. The Bank has no formalized policy for determining when collateral value adjustments between regularly scheduled appraisals are necessary, nor does it use any specific methodology for applying such adjustments. However, on a quarterly basis as part of its normal operations, the Bank’s senior management and the Loan Review Committee will meet to review all commercial credits either deemed to be impaired or on the Bank’s watch list. In addition to analyzing the recent performance of these loans, management and the Enterprise Risk Management Committee will also consider any general market conditions that might warrant adjustments to the value of particular real estate collateralizing commercial loans. In addition, management conducts annual reviews of all commercial loans exceeding certain outstanding balance thresholds. In each of these situations, any information available to management regarding market conditions impacting a specific property or other relevant factors are considered, and lenders familiar with a particular commercial real estate loan and the underlying collateral may be present to provide their opinion on such factors. If the available information leads management to conclude a valuation adjustment is warranted, such an adjustment may be applied on the basis of the information available. If management concludes that an adjustment is warranted but lacks the specific information needed to reasonably quantify the adjustment, management will order a new appraisal on the subject property even though one may not be required under the Bank’s general policies for updating appraisal.

Note 4 of the Consolidated Financial Statements may also be reviewed for additional tables dealing with the Bank’s loans and ALLL.

ALLL is evaluated based on an assessment of the losses inherent in the loan portfolio. This assessment results in an allowance consisting of two components, allocated and unallocated.

Management considers several different risk assessments in determining ALLL. The allocated component of ALLL reflects expected losses resulting from an analysis of individual loans, developed through specific credit allocations for individual loans and historical loss experience for each loan category. For those loans where the internal credit rating is at or below a predetermined classification and management can reasonably estimate the loss that will be sustained based upon collateral, the borrowers operating activity and economic conditions in which the borrower operates, a specific allocation is made. For those borrowers that are not currently behind in their payment, but for which management believes, based on economic conditions and operating activities of the borrower, the possibility exists for future collection problems, a reserve is established. The amount of reserve allocated to each loan portfolio is based on past loss experiences and the different levels of risk within each loan portfolio. The historical loan loss portion is determined using a historical loss analysis by loan category.

The unallocated portion of the reserve for loan losses is determined based on management’s assessment of general economic conditions as well as specific economic factors in the Bank’s marketing area. This assessment inherently involves a higher degree of uncertainty. It represents estimated inherent but undetected losses within the portfolio that are probable due to uncertainties in economic conditions, delays in obtaining information, including unfavorable information about a borrower’s financial condition and other current risk factors that may not have yet manifested themselves in the Bank’s historical loss factors used to determine the allocated component of the allowance.

Actual charge-off of loan balances is based upon periodic evaluations of the loan portfolio by management. These evaluations consider several factors, including, but not limited to, general economic conditions, financial condition of the borrower, and collateral.

As presented in the table on the next page, charge-offs decreased to $288 thousand for 2017, the lowest level of the five years presented. 91.3% of the charge-offs stemmed from the consumer related portfolios. Charge-offs were $550 thousand for 2016, $1.0 million for 2015, preceded by $778 thousand for 2014 and $1.3 million for 2013. Recoveries were also the lowest in 2017 at $150 thousand compared to $156, $557, $298, and $374 thousand for 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The net charge-offs for the last five years were all under $1 million. 2017 was the lowest at $138 thousand.

Higher provision expense was used to fund the ALLL for loan growth in 2014 and 2016. For 2013 and 2015, the provision was used to replenish the balance decreased by the net charge-off activity. Overall, the ALLL increased from $5.2 million at yearend 2013 to $6.9 million at yearend 2017. After adding the allowance for unfunded loan commitments, the ACL ended 2017 just under $7.1 million. As the ratios on the bottom of the following table show, the trends for each have continually improved over the five years shown. Asset quality and the ACL are both strong and emphasize the level of credit quality.

In reviewing the bigger picture of the allowance for credit loss, the years with the higher percentage of ACL to total nonperforming loans ratio account for the lower level of nonaccrual and watch list loans. This demonstrates the extended time period with which it has taken to achieve resolution and/or collection of these loans. 2014’s significant and continued loan growth since fourth quarter 2013 was the reason behind 2014’s higher balances as asset quality remained strong. The ratio of ACL to nonperforming loans increased significantly in 2014 which is why provision loan expense was lower in 2015 in comparison. The ACL to nonperforming loans for 2015 remained more than adequate and emphasizes the existing strong level of credit quality. 2017 did not warrant a large provision as the asset quality continued to strengthen. Loan growth occurred, though not at the double digit percentage increases of 2015 and 2016.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the allowance for credit losses for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013:


	(In Thousands)
	2017			2016			2015			2014			2013
Loans	$	823,024		$	758,094		$	684,630		$	621,467		$	575,557

Daily average of outstanding loans	$	783,140		$	724,076		$	627,194		$	581,483		$	507,126

Allowance for Loan Losses-Jan 1	$	6,784		$	6,057		$	5,905		$	5,194		$	5,224
Loans Charged off:
Consumer Real Estate		4			106			38			168			147
Agricultural Real Estate		—			—			—			—			—
Agricultural		—			21			—			—			—
Commercial Real Estate		21			93			143			229			164
Commercial and Industrial		—			20			536			—			513
Consumer		263			310			313			381			438

		288			550			1,030			778			1,262

Loan Recoveries:
Consumer Real Estate		13			28			41			34			20
Agricultural Real Estate		—			—			—			—			—
Agricultural		8			10			64			44			5
Commercial Real Estate		15			20			204			4			23
Commercial and Industrial		12			11			91			20			141
Consumer		102			87			157			196			185

		150			156			557			298			374

Net Charge Offs		138			394			473			480			888
Provision for loan loss		222			1,121			625			1,191			858
Acquisition provision for loan loss		—			—			—			—			—
Allowance for Loan & Lease Losses—Dec 31		6,868			6,784			6,057			5,905			5,194
Allowance for Unfunded Loan Commitments & Letters of Credit Dec 31		227			217			208			207			163

Total Allowance for Credit Losses—Dec 31	$	7,095		$	7,001		$	6,265		$	6,112		$	5,357

Ratio of net charge-offs to average Loans outstanding		0.02	%		0.05	%		0.08	%		0.08	%		0.18	%

Ratio of the Allowance for Loan Loss to Nonperforming Loans		684.83	%		490.39	%		293.75	%		346.30	%		156.03	%

*	Nonperforming loans are defined as all loans on nonaccrual, plus any loans past due 90 days not on nonaccrual.

Allocation of ALLL per Loan Category in terms of dollars and percentage of loans in each category to total loans is as follows:


	2017				2016				2015				2014				2013
	Amount				Amount				Amount				Amount				Amount
	(000’s)		%		(000’s)		%		(000’s)		%		(000’s)		%		(000’s)		%
Balance at End of Period Applicable To:
Consumer Real Estate	$	343		10.11	$	316		11.33	$	338		12.85	$	537		15.68	$	257		15.97
Agricultural Real Estate		244		7.78		241		8.22		211		8.35		184		8.13		131		7.70
Agricultural		667		11.57		616		11.17		582		12.09		547		12.00		326		11.37
Commercial Real Estate		3,149		49.81		3,250		49.72		2,516		47.07		2,367		43.48		2,107		43.24
Commercial and Industrial		1,546		16.14		1,318		15.18		1,229		15.58		1,421		16.87		1,359		18.04
Consumer		441		4.59		394		4.38		337		4.06		323		3.84		292		3.68
Unallocated		478		0.00		649		0.00		844		0.00		526		0.00		722		0.00

Allowance for Loan & Lease Losses	$	6,868		100.00	$	6,784		100.00	$	6,057		100.00	$	5,905		100.00	$	5,194		100.00
Off Balance Sheet Commitments		227				217				208				207				163

Total Allowance for Credit Losses	$	7,095			$	7,001			$	6,265			$	6,112			$	5,357

Deposits

The amount of outstanding time certificates of deposits and other time deposits in amounts of $100,000 or more by maturity as of December 31, 2017 are as follows:

(In Thousands)

Over Three

Over Six

Months

Months Less

Over

Under

Less than

Than One

One

Three Months

Six Months

Year

Time Deposits

9,264

18,821

15,858

48,424

The following table presents the average amount of and average rate paid on each deposit category:


	(In Thousands)
	Non-Interest			Interest			Savings			Time
	DDAs			DDAs			Accounts			Accounts
December 31, 2017:
Average balance	$	180,129		$	286,912		$	232,668		$	188,443
Average rate		0.00	%		0.76	%		0.14	%		1.16	%
December 31, 2016:
Average balance	$	169,510		$	207,057		$	239,939		$	194,753
Average rate		0.00	%		0.61	%		0.18	%		0.99	%
December 31, 2015:
Average balance	$	162,028		$	184,941		$	227,328		$	189,822
Average rate		0.00	%		0.62	%		0.18	%		0.90	%

Liquidity

Liquidity remains adequate though down from prior years as the Bank has decreased the investment portfolio to fund loans. The Bank has access to $69 million of unsecured borrowings through correspondent banks and $94.6 million of unpledged securities which may be sold or used as collateral. The amount of unpledged securities increase almost $22.8 million as compared to 2016. This was accomplished with utilizing Promontory’s ICS product to protect Ohio public fund depositors and commercial sweep customers with FDIC coverage rather than pledged securities. For the Bank, an additional $5.7 million is also available from the Federal Home Loan Bank based on current collateral pledging with up to $116.8 million available provided adequate collateral is pledged.

Maintaining sufficient funds to meet depositor and borrower needs on a daily basis continues to be among management’s top priorities. This is accomplished not only by immediate liquid resources of cash, due from banks and federal funds sold, but also by the Bank’s available for sale securities portfolio. The average aggregate balance of these assets was $206.3 for 2017, $228.0 for 2016 and $262.1 million for 2015. This represented 19.2%, 22.3%, and 28.0% of total average assets, respectively. Of the almost $196.4 million of debt securities in the bank’s portfolio as of December 31, 2017, $21.6 million, or 11.0% of the portfolio, is expected to receive payments or mature in 2018. This liquidity provides the opportunity to fund loan growth by analysis of the lowest cost and source of funds whether by increasing deposits, sales or runoff of investments or utilizing debt.

In addition to the Bank’s investment portfolio, the Company has $18.9 million held in the holding company’s investment portfolio. $5.1 million of those investments will mature or receive payments in the next twelve months. These funds provide liquidity to the Company. The Bank has been declaring additional dividends each quarter to provide this liquidity to the Company. The Captive has also upstreamed dividends to the Company and is expected to continue annually as long as reserve levels are adequately provided for. This provides additional liquidity for Company activities.

Historically, the primary source of liquidity has been core deposits that include noninterest bearing and interest bearing demand deposits, savings, money market accounts and time deposits of individuals. Core deposit balances increased in all categories with the exception of time deposits as of December 31, 2017 compared to same date 2016. Average total savings balances increased $72.6 million in 2017 as compared to 2016. Core deposit balances as of year-end 2016 increased in all categories. Overall deposits increased an average of $47.1 million in 2016 and $2.6 million in 2015. The Bank also utilized Federal Funds purchased at times during 2015 through 2017. The average balance for 2017 was $2.2 million, for 2016 and 2015 was $1.9 million and $1.2 million respectively. The Bank used this temporary funding source heavier in December 2015 while it secured more permanent funding. During 2016, it was used heavily in the third quarter. The Bank is comfortable accessing these funds on a regular basis.

Historically, the primary use of new funds is placing the funds back into the community through loans for the acquisition of new homes, consumer products and for business development. The use of new funds for loans is measured by the loan to deposit ratio. The Bank’s average loan to deposit ratio was 88.2% for 2017, 87.9% for 2016, and 80.7% for 2015. The Bank’s goal is for this ratio to be higher in the 80-90 percent range with loan growth being the driver. The Bank ended the year 2017 at an 89.6% loan to deposit ratio.

Short-term debt such as federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreement to repurchase also provides the Company with liquidity. Short-term debt for both federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreement to repurchase amounted to $39.5 million at December 31, 2017, $70.3 million at December 31, 2016, and $78.8 million at the end of 2015. These accounts are used to provide a sweep product to the Bank’s commercial customers and for some term deposits. As ICS was implemented, the sweep balances moved into interest bearing deposits and for yearend 2017 the repurchase agreements are for term deposits only.

“Other borrowings” are also a source of funds. Other borrowings consist of loans from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati. These funds are then used to provide loans in our community. The Bank utilized this funding source in December 2015 by borrowing $10 million. These remained consistent borrowings during 2016 and in December of 2017 $5 million matured and was paid off.

Asset/Liability Management

The primary functions of asset/liability management are to assure adequate liquidity and maintain an appropriate balance between interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities. It involves the management of the balance sheet mix, maturities, re-pricing characteristics and pricing components to provide an adequate and stable net interest margin with an acceptable level of risk. Interest rate sensitivity management seeks to avoid fluctuating net interest margins and to enhance consistent growth of net interest income through periods of changing interest rates.

Changes in net income, other than those related to volume arise when interest rates on assets re-price in a time frame or interest rate environment that is different from that of the re-pricing period for liabilities. Changes in net interest income also arise from changes in the mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

Historically, the Bank has maintained liquidity through cash flows generated in the normal course of business, loan repayments, maturing earning assets, the acquisition of new deposits, and borrowings. The Bank’s asset and liability management program is designed to maximize net interest income over the long term while taking into consideration both credit and interest rate risk. Interest rate sensitivity varies with different types of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Overnight federal funds on which rates change daily and loans that are tied to the market rate differ considerably from long-term investment securities and fixed rate loans. Similarly, time deposits over $100,000 and money market certificates are much more interest rate sensitive than passbook savings accounts. The Bank utilizes shock analysis to examine the amount of exposure an instant rate change of 100, 200, 300 and 400 basis points in both increasing and decreasing directions would have on the financials. Acceptable ranges of earnings and equity at risk are established and decisions are made to maintain those levels based on the shock results.

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

The consolidated financial statements and notes thereto presented herein have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, which require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering the changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. The impact of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of the Company’s operations. Unlike most industrial companies, nearly all the assets and liabilities of the Company are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates have a greater impact on the Company’s performance than do the effects of general levels of inflation. Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or to the same extent as the prices of goods and service.

Contractual Obligations

Contractual Obligations of the Company totaled $569 million as of December 31, 2017. Excluded from the chart is Federal Funds Purchased of $10.4 million which are immediately payable the next business day. Time deposits represent contractual agreements for certificates of deposits held by its customers. Long term debt represents the borrowings with the Federal Home Loan Bank and is further defined in Note 4 and 9 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.


	Payment Due by Period (In Thousands)
			Less than		1-3		3-5		More than
Contractual Obligations	Total		1 year		Years		Years		5 years
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase	$	29,070	$	27,060	$	2,010	$	—	$	—
Time Deposits		187,566		83,734		64,061		39,142		629
Dividends Payable		1,600		1,600		—		—		—
Building Leases		345,818		66,818		72,000		77,000		130,000
Long Term Debt		5,000		5,000		—		—		—

Total	$	569,054	$	184,212	$	138,071	$	116,142	$	130,629

Capital Resources

Stockholders’ equity was $134.1 million as of December 31, 2017 compared to $125.6 million at December 31, 2016. Dividends declared during 2017 were $0.50 per share totaling $4.6 million and dividends declared during 2016 were $0.46 per share totaling $4.2 million. Throughout 2017, the Company awarded 32,000 shares of restricted stock awards to 74 employees. During 2016, the Company purchased 14,000 shares and awarded 32,300 shares of restricted stock to 74 employees. For a summary of activity as it relates to the Company’s restricted stock awards, please refer to Note 11: Employee Benefit Plans in the consolidated financial statements. On December 31, 2017 the Company held 1,134,120 shares in Treasury Stock and 92,350 unvested shares of restricted stock. At yearend 2016, the Company held 1,158,250 shares in Treasury stock and 86,300 unvested shares of restricted stock. On January 19, 2018 the Company announced the authorization by its Board of Directors for the Company’s repurchase, either on the open market, or in privately negotiated transactions, of up to 400,000 shares of its outstanding common stock commencing January 19, 2018 and ending December 31, 2018. The Company has a history of approving a similar resolution to be in effect each year for at least the last five years.

The Company continues to have a strong capital base and maintains regulatory capital ratios that are above the defined regulatory capital ratios. At December 31, 2017, the Bank and the Company had total risk-based capital ratios of 12.84% and 15.52%, respectively. Core capital to risk-based asset ratios of 12.04% and 14.73% for the Bank and the Company, respectively, are well in excess of regulatory guidelines. The Bank’s leverage ratio of 9.92% is also substantially in excess of regulatory guidelines, as is the Company’s at 12.02%. Under Basel III, the common equity Tier 1 Capital to risk-weighted assets ratios are also well above the required 4.50% and the 6.50% well capitalized levels with the Company at 14.73% and the Bank at 12.04%. For further discussion and analysis of regulatory capital requirements, refer to Note 15 of the Audited Financial Statements.

The Company’s subsidiaries are restricted by regulations from making dividend distributions in excess of certain prescribed amounts. Upon prior regulatory approval, the Bank may be allowed to pay above the prescribed amount.

ITEM 7a. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market Risk

Market risk is the exposure to loss resulting from changes in interest rates and equity prices. The primary market risk to which we are subject is interest rate risk. The majority of our interest rate risk arises from the instruments, positions and transactions entered into for purposes other than trading such as loans, available for sale securities, interest bearing deposits, short term borrowings and long term borrowings. Interest rate risk occurs when interest bearing assets and liabilities re-price at different times as market interest rates change. For example, if fixed rate assets are funded with variable rate debt, the spread between asset and liability rates will decline or turn negative if rates increase.

Interest rate risk is managed within an overall asset/liability framework. The principal objectives of asset/liability management are to manage sensitivity of net interest spreads and net income to potential changes in interest rates. Funding positions are kept within predetermined limits designed to ensure that risk-taking is not excessive and that liquidity is properly managed. In the event that our asset/liabilities management strategies are unsuccessful, our profitability may be adversely affected. The Company employs a sensitivity analysis utilizing interest rate shocks to help in this analysis.

The shocks presented below assume an immediate change of rate in the percentages and directions shown:


Net Interest Margin									Net Interest Income
Net Interest	% Change			Rate		Rate			Cumulative		% Change
Margin (Ratio)	to Flat Rate			Direction		changes by			Total (000)		to Flat Rate
3.05%		0.13	%		Rising		3.00	%	$	30,955		0.02	%
3.03%		-0.59	%		Rising		2.00	%	$	30,742		-0.66	%
3.02%		-0.71	%		Rising		1.00	%	$	30,714		-0.76	%
3.05%		—			Flat		—		$	30,947		-
3.29%		7.87	%		Falling		-1.00	%	$	33,430		8.02	%
3.18%		4.44	%		Falling		-2.00	%	$	32,363		4.58	%
3.04%		-0.08	%		Falling		-3.00	%	$	30,950		0.01	%

The shock chart currently shows a slight tightening in net interest margin over the next twelve months in an increasing rate environment and an increase in a falling rate environment. Due to five rate increases since December 2015, the model predicts an expansion in a falling rate of 100 and 200 basis points. At a 300 basis falling rate, the margin will tighten because the cost of funds cannot price below 0% so only asset yield erodes at the higher falling rate environment. The 100 and 200 basis rising rates scenarios are predicted to tighten the net interest margin and produce lower levels of net interest income. This would indicate that the assets yield is predicted to increase slower than the cost of funds will rise. Fixed rate assets or those with a fixed feature in the beginning have a longer time frame than 12 months until they reprice. At a 300 basis point rising environment, the net interest margin and net interest income reverse to a breakeven and widening margin position. The Bank continues to enhance its use of the software model and performs additional stress tests whose results management and the director’s review. Both directional changes are well within risk exposure guidelines. The effect of the rate shocks may be mitigated to the extent that not all lines of business are directly tied to an external index and actual balance sheet composition may differ from prediction.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Index To Consolidated Financial Statements

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Consolidated Statements of Changes to Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

LOGO

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders, Board of Directors and Audit Committee

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.

Archbold, Ohio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (Company) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, changes to stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 28, 2018, expressed an unqualified 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 PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. 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 include 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.

/s/ BKD, LLP

BKD, LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2014.

Fort Wayne, Indiana

February 28, 2018

LOGO

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders, Board of Directors and Audit Committee

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.

Archbold, Ohio

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.’s (Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by COSO.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements of the Company and our report dated February 28, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definitions and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

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

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

/s/ BKD, LLP

BKD, LLP

Fort Wayne, Indiana

February 28, 2018

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 2017 and 2016

(000’s Omitted, Except Per Share Data)


	2017			2016
Assets
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	33,480		$	27,348
Federal Funds Sold		987			974

Total cash and cash equivalents		34,467			28,322
Interest-bearing time deposits		4,018			1,915
Securities—available-for-sale		196,398			218,527
Other Securities, at cost		3,717			3,717
Loans held for sale		1,221			2,055
Loans, net		816,156			751,310
Premises and equipment		21,617			21,457
Construction in Progress		109			—
Goodwill		4,074			4,074
Mortgage Servicing Rights		2,299			2,192
Other Real Estate Owned		674			774
Bank Owned Life Insurance		14,523			14,376
Other assets		7,736			7,176

Total Assets	$	1,107,009		$	1,055,895

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Liabilities
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing	$	199,114		$	186,390
Interest-bearing
NOW accounts		298,711			230,446
Savings		233,949			226,537
Time		187,566			198,830

Total deposits		919,340			842,203
Federal Funds Purchased and
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase		39,495			70,324
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) Advances		5,000			10,000
Dividend payable		1,193			1,053
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		7,844			6,738

Total liabilities		972,872			930,318

Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders’ Equity
Common shares No par value 20,000,000 shares authorized; issued & outstanding 10,400,000 shares 12/31/17 and 12/31/16⁽¹⁾		11,546			11,947
Treasury Stock -1,134,120 shares 12/31/17, 1,158,250 shares 12/31/16 ⁽¹⁾		(12,160	)		(12,267	)
Retained earnings		136,577			127,869
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(1,826	)		(1,972	)

Total stockholders’ equity		134,137			125,577

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	1,107,009		$	1,055,895

(1)	Share data has been adjusted to reflect a 2-for-1 stock split on September 20, 2017

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income & Comprehensive Income

Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

(000’s Omitted, Except Per Share Data)


	2017			2016			2015
Interest Income
Loans, including fees	$	37,195		$	33,703		$	29,293
Debt securities:
U.S. Treasury and government agencies		2,480			2,373			2,434
Municipalities		1,193			1,437			1,739
Dividends		187			149			148
Federal funds sold		69			22			8
Other		124			43			28

Total interest income		41,248			37,727			33,650
Interest Expense
Deposits		4,483			3,617			3,269
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase		497			458			317
Borrowed funds		147			148			1

Total interest expense		5,127			4,223			3,587

Net Interest Income—Before provision for loan losses		36,121			33,504			30,063
Provision for Loan Losses		222			1,121			625

Net Interest Income After Provision
For Loan Losses		35,899			32,383			29,438
Noninterest Income
Customer service fees		5,609			6,118			5,847
Other service charges and fees		4,268			3,774			3,790
Net gain on sale of loans		811			888			700
Net gain on sale of available-for-sale securities		47			588			451

Total noninterest income		10,735			11,368			10,788
Noninterest Expense
Salaries and Wages		12,613			11,620			10,907
Employee benefits		3,635			3,323			3,555
Net occupancy expense		1,489			1,459			1,352
Furniture and equipment		1,858			1,724			1,629
Data processing		1,213			1,409			1,300
Franchise taxes		902			878			746
Net loss on sale of other assets owned		27			81			47
FDIC Assessment		330			407			485
Mortgage servicing rights amortization		353			419			374
Other general and administrative		6,311			6,111			5,672

Total other operating expenses		28,731			27,431			26,067

Income Before Income Taxes		17,903			16,320			14,159
Income Taxes		5,183			4,656			3,819

Net Income		12,720			11,664			10,340

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Net of Tax):

Net unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities		267			(2,721	)		100
Reclassification adjustment for gain on sale of available-for-sale securities		(47	)		(588	)		(451	)

Net unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities		220			(3,309	)		(351	)
Tax expense (benefit)		74			(1,125	)		(119	)

Other comprehensive income (loss)		146			(2,184	)		(232	)

Comprehensive Income	$	12,866		$	9,480		$	10,108

Earnings Per Share—Basic and Diluted ⁽¹⁾	$	1.38		$	1.27		$	1.12

⁽¹⁾	Share data has been adjusted to reflect a 2-for-1 stock split on September 20, 2017

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes to Stockholders’ Equity

For the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

(000’s Omitted, Except Per Share Data)


	Shares of Common Stock			Common Stock			Treasury Stock			Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Total Stockholders’ Equity
Balance - January 1, 2015 ⁽¹⁾		9,254,676		$	12,222		$	(11,928	)	$	113,755		$	444		$	114,493
Net income											10,340						10,340
Other comprehensive loss														(232	)		(232	)
Purchase of Treasury Stock		(61,370	)					(803	)								(803	)
Issuance of 32,000 shares of restricted stock (Net of Forfeitures - 200 Repurchases - 38)		31,762			(450	)		342			78						(30	)
Stock-based compensation expense					314												314
Cash dividends declared - $0.44 per share											(3,985	)					(3,985	)

Balance - December 31, 2015		9,225,068		$	12,086		$	(12,389	)	$	120,188		$	212		$	120,097
Net income											11,664						11,664
Other comprehensive loss														(2,184	)		(2,184	)
Purchase of Treasury Stock		(14,000	)					(194	)								(194	)
Issuance of 32,300 shares of restricted stock (Net of Forfeitures - 1,546 Repurchases - 72)		30,682			(541	)		316			178						(47	)
Stock-based compensation expense					402												402
Cash dividends declared - $0.46 per share											(4,161	)					(4,161	)

Balance - December 31, 2016		9,241,750		$	11,947		$	(12,267	)	$	127,869		$	(1,972	)	$	125,577

Net income											12,720						12,720
Other comprehensive income														146			146
Purchase of Treasury Stock																	0
Purchase of Treasury Stock related to stock award		(6,790	)					(196	)								(196	)
Issuance of 32,000 shares of restricted stock (Net of Forfeitures - 1,080)		30,920			(908	)		303			570						(35	)
Stock-based compensation expense					507												507
Cash dividends declared - $0.50 per share											(4,582	)					(4,582	)

Balance - December 31, 2017		9,265,880		$	11,546		$	(12,160	)	$	136,577		$	(1,826	)	$	134,137

⁽¹⁾	Share data has been adjusted to reflect a 2-for-1 stock split on September 20, 2017

See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

(000’s Omitted)


	2017			2016			2015
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$	12,720		$	11,664		$	10,340
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation		1,613			1,464			1,365
Amortization of available-for-sale securities, net		1,106			1,146			1,239
Amortization of servicing rights		353			419			374
Amortization of core deposit intangible		245			323			323
Compensation expense related to stock awards		507			402			314
Provision for loan loss		222			1,121			625
Gain on sale of loans held for sale		(811	)		(888	)		(700	)
Originations of loans held for sale		(57,391	)		(66,014	)		(52,706	)
Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale		59,520			63,988			52,764
Loss on sale of other assets owned		27			81			47
Gain on sales of available-for sale securities		(47	)		(588	)		(451	)
Change in other assets and other liabilities, net		1,194			(688	)		1,275

Net cash provided by operating activities		19,258			12,430			14,809

Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Activity in securities:
Maturities, prepayments and calls		23,064			41,825			26,059
Sales		13,562			85,723			47,029
Purchases		(15,335	)		(114,819	)		(60,925	)
Change in interest-bearing time deposits		(2,103	)		(1,915	)		—
Proceeds from sales of other assets owned		21			41			64
Additions to premises and equipment		(1,794	)		(2,406	)		(1,716	)
Loan originations and principal collections, net		(67,197	)		(72,639	)		(64,483	)

Net cash used in investing activities		(49,782	)		(64,190	)		(53,972	)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net change in deposits		77,137			70,864			8,779
Net change in federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase		(30,829	)		(8,491	)		22,853
Proceeds of FHLB advances		—			—			10,000
Repayment of FHLB advances		(5,000	)		—			—
Purchase of Treasury Stock		(196	)		(194	)		(803	)
Cash dividends paid on common stock		(4,443	)		(4,115	)		(3,943	)

Net cash provided by financing activities		36,669			58,064			36,886

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents		6,145			6,304			(2,277	)
Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning of Year		28,322			22,018			24,295

Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of Year	$	34,467		$	28,322		$	22,018

Supplemental Information
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	$	5,064		$	4,151		$	3,610

Income taxes	$	5,102		$	5,012		$	3,079

Noncash investing activities:
Transfer of loans to other real estate owned	$	59		$	419		$	231

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations

The Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (the Company) through its bank subsidiary, The Farmers & Merchants State Bank (the Bank) provides a variety of financial services to individuals and small businesses through its offices in Northwest Ohio and Northeast Indiana.

Consolidation Policy

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, The Farmers & Merchants State Bank (the Bank), a commercial banking institution and Farmers & Merchants Risk Management, Inc. (the Captive), a Captive insurance company. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of mortgage servicing rights, goodwill, available for sale investment securities, other real estate owned and impaired loans. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The determination of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is based on estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant changes in the economic environment and market conditions. In connection with the determination of the estimated losses on loans, management obtains independent appraisals for significant collateral.

The Bank’s loans are generally secured by specific items of collateral including real property, consumer assets, and business assets. Although the Bank has a diversified loan portfolio, a substantial portion of its debtors’ ability to honor their contracts is dependent on local economic conditions in the agricultural industry.

While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, further reductions in the carrying amounts of loans may be necessary based on changes in local economic conditions. In addition regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the estimated losses on loans. Such agencies may require the Bank to recognize additional losses based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination. Because of these factors, it is reasonably possible that the estimated losses on loans may change materially in the near term. However, the amount of the change that is reasonably possible cannot be estimated.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of the consolidated statement of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. This includes cash on hand, amounts due from banks, and federal funds sold. Generally, federal funds are purchased for one day periods.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Restrictions on Cash and Amounts Due from Banks

The Bank is required to maintain average balances on hand with the Federal Reserve Bank. The aggregate reserve was $11.4 million for December 31, 2017 and it was $5.0 million for December 31, 2016. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain cash balances with high quality credit institutions. At times such balances may be in excess of the federally insured limits.

Securities

Debt securities are classified as available-for-sale. Securities available-for-sale are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income (loss). Net realized gains and losses on securities available for sale are included in noninterest income (expense) and, when applicable, are reported as a reclassification adjustment, net of tax, in other comprehensive income (loss). Gains and losses on sales of securities are determined on the specific-identification method.

Declines in the fair value of securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses. In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers (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, and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. The related write-downs are included in earnings as realized losses.

Other Securities

Other Securities consists of Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati stock and Farmer Mac stock. These stocks are carried at cost and are held to enable the Bank to conduct business with the entities. The Federal Home Loan Bank sells and purchases their stock at par. The Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati stock is held as collateral security for all indebtedness of the Bank to the Federal Home Loan Bank. The Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati is evaluated for impairment as conditions warrant.

Loans

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off are reported at the amount of unpaid principal, reduced by unearned discounts and deferred loan fees and costs, as well as, by the allowance for loan losses. Interest income is accrued on a daily basis based on the principal outstanding.

Generally, a loan is classified as nonaccrual and the accrual of interest income is generally discontinued when a loan becomes ninety days past due as to principal or interest and these loans are placed on a “cash basis” for purposes of income recognition. Management may elect to continue the accrual of interest when the estimated net realizable value of collateral is sufficient to cover the principal and accrued interest, and the loan is in the process of collection. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, all previously accrued and unpaid interest receivable is charged against income.

Loan origination and commitment fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred and amortized as a net adjustment to the related loan’s yield. The Bank is generally amortizing these costs over the contractual life of such loans.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to income. Loans deemed to be uncollectable and changes in the allowance relating to loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses, and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based on management’s periodic review of the collectability of the loans in light of historical experiences, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral, and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that are subject to revision as more information becomes available.

The allowance consists of specific, general and unallocated components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as doubtful, substandard or special mention. For such loans that are also classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors. The unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis for commercial and agricultural loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

At 90 days delinquent, secured consumer loans are charged down to the value of the collateral, if repossession of the collateral is assured and/or in the process of repossession. Consumer mortgage loan deficiencies are charged down upon the sale of the collateral or sooner upon the recognition of collateral deficiency.

For the majority of the Bank’s impaired loans, the Bank will apply the fair value of collateral or use a measurement incorporating the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective rate of interest. To determine fair value of collateral, collateral asset values securing an impaired loan are periodically evaluated. Maximum time of re-evaluation is every 12 months for chattels and titled vehicles and every two years for real estate. In this process, third party evaluations are obtained. Until such time that updated appraisals are received, the Bank may discount the collateral value used.

Large groups of homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Bank does not separately identify individual consumer loans for impairment, unless such loans are the subject of a restructuring agreement due to financial difficulties of the borrower.

For more information regarding the actual composition and classification of loans involved in the establishment of the allowance for loan loss, please see Note 4 provided here with the notes to consolidated financial statements.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Loans Held for Sale

Loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value in the aggregate. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized in a valuation allowance by charges to income.

Servicing Assets

Servicing assets are recognized as separate assets when rights are acquired through purchase or sale of financial assets. Capitalized servicing rights are amortized into noninterest expense in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying financial assets. Servicing assets are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to amortized cost. Impairment is determined by stratifying rights by predominant characteristics, such as interest rates and terms. Fair value is determined using prices for similar assets with similar characteristics, when available, or based upon discounted cash flows using market based assumptions. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual stratum, to the extent that fair value is less than the capitalized amount for the stratum. Fees received for servicing loans owned by investors are based on a percentage of the outstanding monthly principal balance of such loans and are included in operating income as loan payments are received. Costs of servicing loans are charged to expense as incurred.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill results from business acquisitions and represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of acquired tangible assets and liabilities and identifiable intangible assets. Goodwill is assessed at least annually. If possible impairment is likely, the Bank will utilize the assistance of an independent third party for impairment and any such impairment is recognized in the period identified. Periodically the Bank will have an independent third party assess the possibility of impairment of Goodwill. Such an assessment was performed as of September 30, 2017. The goodwill impairment analysis consisted of a first step goodwill impairment test which was used to identify potential impairment by comparing the fair value of the relevant reporting unity with its carrying value, including goodwill. The analysis was performed under guidance of FASB ASC 350. The engagement would have expanded to the second step goodwill impairment valuation if necessary; however the findings showed the second step was not warranted. The analysis confirmed no impairment was likely. Therefore, the Bank concluded it is unlikely impairment of Goodwill has occurred from the goodwill established from the Bank’s acquisition which occurred on December 31, 2007.

Other intangible assets consist of core deposit intangible assets arising from business acquisitions. They are initially measured at fair value and then are amortized on a straight line method over their estimated useful lives and evaluated for impairment. These assets are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

Off Balance Sheet Instruments

In the ordinary course of business, the Bank has entered into commitments to extend credit, including commitments under credit card arrangements, commercial letters of credit and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

Foreclosed Real Estate

Foreclosed real estate held for sale is carried at the lower of fair value minus estimated costs to sell, or cost. Costs of holding foreclosed real estate are charged to expense in the current period, except for significant property improvements, which are capitalized. Valuations are periodically performed by management and an allowance is established by a charge to non-interest expense if the carrying value exceeds the fair value minus the estimated costs to sell. Foreclosed real estate is classified as other real estate owned. The net loss from operations of foreclosed real estate held for sale is reported in non-interest expense. At December 31, the Bank’s holding of other real estate owned totaled $674 thousand and approximately $774 thousand for 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Bank Premises and Equipment

Land is carried at cost. Bank premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is based on the estimated useful lives of the various properties and is computed using straight line and accelerated methods. Costs for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Gains and losses on dispositions are included in current operations.

Federal Income Tax

The Company’s income tax expense consists of the following components: current and deferred. Current income tax expense reflects taxes to be paid or refunded for the current period by applying the provisions of the enacted tax law to the taxable income or excess of deductions over revenues. The Company determines deferred income taxes using the liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is based on the tax effects of the differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and enacted changes in tax rates and laws are recognized in the period in which they occur.

Deferred income tax expense results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between periods. Deferred tax assets are recognized if it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the tax position will be realized or sustained upon examination. The term more likely than not means a likelihood of more than 50 percent; the terms examined and upon examination also include resolution of the related appeals or litigation processes, if any. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The determination of whether or not a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold considers the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date and is subject to management’s judgment. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of evidence available, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in tax expense. Based on management’s analysis, the Company did not have any uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. With a few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. Federal, state or local examinations by tax authorities for years before 2014.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share represent income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. On August 18, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a two-for-one stock split payable on September 20, 2017, for shareholders of record on September 5, 2017. See Note 12 for additional information.

Stock-Based Compensation

The fair value of restricted common stock is their fair market value on the date of grant. The fair value of restricted stock is amortized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the grants. Compensation expense recognized is included in salaries and wages in the consolidated statements of income.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Treasury Stock

Common stock shares repurchased are recorded at market value on date of purchase.

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income. Certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, are reported as a separate component of the equity section of the balance sheet. Such items, along with net income, are components of other comprehensive income (loss).

The components of other comprehensive income (loss) and related tax effects are as follows:


	(In Thousands)
	2017			2016			2015
Net unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities	$	267		$	(2,721	)	$	100
Reclassification adjustment for gain on sale of available-for-sale securities		(47	)		(588	)		(451	)

Net unrealized gains (losses)		220			(3,309	)		(351	)
Tax expense (benefit)		74			(1,125	)		(119	)

Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	146		$	(2,184	)	$	(232	)

Reclassification

Certain amounts in the 2016 and 2015 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the 2017 presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net income.

Subsequent Events

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” ASU 2014-09 requires that an entity recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. On July 9, 2015, the FASB approved amendments deferring the effective date by one year. ASU 2014-09 is now effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The amendments can be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this Update recognized at the date of initial application. Early application was permitted but not before the original public entity effective date, i.e., annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company has determined, based on analysis performed, that ASU No 2014-09 will not have a significant impact on its financial statements. Several of the Company’s revenue streams are scoped out of the standard. However, there will be some additional disclosures that will be required.

In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2016-01 “Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10)—Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” ASU 2016-01 is intended to improve the recognition and measurement of financial instruments by requiring equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income;

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

requiring public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; requiring separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements; eliminating the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured and amortized at cost on the balance sheet; and requiring a reporting organization to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the organization has elected to measure the liability at fair value in a accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. The amendments should be applied by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The amendments related to equity securities without readily determinable fair values (including disclosure requirements) should be applied prospectively to equity investments that exist as of the date of adoption. The Company is assessing the impact of ASU 2016-01 on its accounting and disclosures. We will fully implement in first quarter 2018 as we work with third party vendors.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 “Leases (Topic 842).” ASU 2016-02 establishes a right of use model that requires a lessee to record a right of use asset and a lease liability for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. For lessors, the guidance modifies the classification criteria and the accounting for sales-type and direct financing leases. A lease will be treated as sale if it transfers all of the risks and rewards, as well as control of the underlying asset, to the lessee. If risks and rewards are conveyed without the transfer of control, the lease is treated as a financing. If the lessor doesn’t convey risks and rewards or control, an operating lease results. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years for public business entities. Entities are required to use a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is assessing the impact of ASU 2016-02 on its accounting and disclosures and currently has very limited exposure to the rule.

In June 2016, FASB issued 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The ASU requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. Many of the loss estimation techniques applied today will still be permitted, although the inputs to those techniques will change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. Organizations will continue to use judgment to determine which loss estimation method is appropriate for their circumstances. The ASU requires enhanced disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an organization’s portfolio. These disclosures include qualitative and quantitative requirements that provide additional information about the amounts recorded in the financial statements. In addition, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration.

The ASU is effective for SEC filers for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019 (i.e., January 1, 2020, for calendar year entities). Early application will be permitted for all organizations for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently gathering information, reviewing possible vendors and has formed a committee to formulate the methodology to be used. Most importantly, the Company is gathering as much data as possible to enable review scenarios and determine which calculations will produce the most reliable results. At this time an additional external advisor has not been contracted, though the Bank has been reviewing the use of external software.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18 “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) – Restricted Cash.” ASU-2016-18 provides amendments to cash flow statement classification and presentation to explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years and should be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. Early adoption is permitted including adoption in an interim period. The Company has assessed ASU 2016-18 and does not expect a material impact on its accounting and disclosures as it currently does not have what would be considered “Restricted cash” at this time.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01 “Business Combinations (Topic 805) – Clarifying the Definition of a Business.” ASU 2017-01 provides amendments to clarify the definition of a business and affect all companies and other reporting organizations that must determine whether they have acquired or sold a business. The amendments are intended to help companies and other organizations evaluate whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and adoption is permitted under certain circumstances. The company has assessed ASU 2017-01 and does not expect it to have a material impact on its accounting and disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04 “Intangibles – Goodwill and other (Topic 350) – Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” These amendments eliminate Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The amendments also eliminate the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment and, if it fails that qualitative test, to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The guidance is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment test performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. ASU 2017-04 should be adopted on a prospective basis. The Company does not expect ASU 2017-04 to have a material impact on its accounting disclosures, as goodwill testing has been completed annually without any impairment concerns. An independent third party performed step 1 of the testing in 2017 and the company will perform a self-assessment in the next year.

In March 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2017-08 “Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Cost (Subtopic 310-20), Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debit Securities.” These amendments shorten the amortization period for certain callable debit securities held at a premium. Specifically, the amendments require the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The amendments do not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. The guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted including adoption in an interim period. If an entity early adopts in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes the interim period. The amendments should be applied on a modified retrospective basis, with a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company does plan to choose early adoption of this standard as of January 1, 2018. Overall, the impact to the Company is not material. Just over $30 thousand of accelerated amortization expense will be booked and the adjustment run through retained earnings. This will not alter the Bank or Company’s well capitalized status. The Bank’s Municipal Tax-Exempt category of securities was the only category affected by the adoption.

In May 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2017-09 “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Scope of Modification Accounting.” These amendments provide guidance on determining which changes to the terms and conditions of share-based payment awards require an entity to apply modification accounting under Topic 7l8. The guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The amendments should be applied on a prospective basis to an award modified on or after the adoption date. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 on January 1, 2017. ASU 2016-09 also requires that companies make an accounting policy election regarding forfeitures, to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest or account for them when they occur. The impact of this change and that of the remaining provisions of ASU 2016-09 did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

In December 2017, President Trump signed into law a tax reform act. Under the current accounting guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 740, Income Taxes, the Company and its subsidiaries were required to account for the effect of the change in income tax rates and deferred balances in the period when the legislation is enacted which was December 2017. The adjustment of the deferred tax assets was less than $8 thousand on a consolidated basis. The Company is currently waiting to evaluate FASB’s possible accounting rule regarding treatment of the remaining stranded tax effects. The Company will choose to adopt such treatment as of January 1, 2018.

Note 2 – Business Combination & Asset Purchase

The Company recognized core deposit intangible assets of $2.26 million with the purchase of offices. $1.17 million was recognized with the purchase of the Custar office on December 13, 2013 and $1.09 million with the Hicksville office on July 9, 2010. These are being amortized over an estimated remaining economic useful life of the deposits of 7 years on a straight line basis. The core deposit intangible is included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

The amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $245, $323, and $323 thousand, respectively.

Amortization expense of the core deposit intangible assets remaining is as follows:


	Custar
2018	$	167
2019		167
2020		161

Total	$	495

Note 3 - Securities

The amortized cost and fair value of securities, with gross unrealized gains and losses, follows:


	(In Thousands)
	2017
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
Available-for-Sale:
U.S. Treasury	$	21,219	$	—	$	(241	)	$	20,978
U.S. Government agencies		82,198		—		(1,732	)		80,466
Mortgage-backed securities		40,236		64		(790	)		39,510
State and local governments		55,512		437		(505	)		55,444

Total available-for-sale securities	$	199,165	$	501	$	(3,268	)	$	196,398

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 3 – Securities (Continued)


	(In Thousands)
	2016
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
Available-for-Sale:
U.S. Treasury	$	24,920	$	1	$	(146	)	$	24,775
U.S. Government agencies		84,266		3		(1,795	)		82,474
Mortgage-backed securities		49,155		185		(879	)		48,461
State and local governments		63,173		634		(990	)		62,817

Total available-for-sale securities	$	221,514	$	823	$	(3,810	)	$	218,527

Investment securities will at times depreciate to an unrealized loss position. The Bank utilizes the following criteria to assess whether impairment is other than temporary. No one item by itself will necessarily signal that a security should be recognized as an other than temporary impairment.

The fair value of the security has significantly declined from book value.

A downgrade has occurred that lowered the credit rating to below investment grade (below Baa3 by Moody and BBB – by Standard and Poors.)

Dividends have been reduced or eliminated or scheduled interest payments have not been made.

The underwater security has longer than 10 years to maturity and the loss position had existed for more than 3 years.

Management does not possess both the intent and ability to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.

If the impairment is judged to be other than temporary, the cost basis of the individual security shall be written down to fair value, thereby establishing a new cost basis. The new cost basis shall not be changed for subsequent recoveries in fair value. The amount of the write down shall be included in current earnings as a realized loss. The recovery in fair value, if any, shall be recognized in earnings when the security is sold. The table below is presented by category of security and length of time in a continuous loss position. The Bank currently does not hold any securities with other than temporary impairment.

Information pertaining to securities with gross unrealized losses at December 31, 2017 and 2016, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position follows:


	2017
	(In Thousands) Less Than Twelve Months					(In Thousands) Twelve Months & Over
	Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
U.S. Treasury	$	(36	)	$	6,924	$	(205	)	$	14,054
U.S. Government agencies		(314	)		27,328		(1,418	)		53,139
Mortgage-backed securities		(70	)		7,149		(720	)		28,080
State and local governments		(205	)		24,999		(300	)		11,567

Total available-for-sales securities	$	(625	)	$	66,400	$	(2,643	)	$	106,840

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 3 – Securities (Continued)


	2016
	(In Thousands) Less Than Twelve Months					(In Thousands) Twelve Months & Over
	Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
U.S. Treasury	$	(146	)	$	15,745	$	—		$	—
U.S. Government agencies		(1,795	)		77,471		—			—
Mortgage-backed securities		(879	)		36,474		—			—
State and local governments		(983	)		37,540		(7	)		526

Total available-for-sales securities	$	(3,803	)	$	167,230	$	(7	)	$	526

Unrealized losses on securities have not been recognized into income because the issuers’ bonds are of high credit quality, values have only been impacted by rate changes, and the Company has the intent and ability to hold the securities for the foreseeable future. The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach the maturity date.

Sales of $13.6, $85.7, and $47.0 million for 2017, 2016, and 2015 respectively, generated gross realized gains and losses for the years ended December 31, as presented below:


	(In Thousands)
	2017			2016			2015
Gross realized gains	$	58		$	598		$	451
Gross realized losses		(11	)		(10	)		—

Net realized gains	$	47		$	588		$	451

Tax expense related to net realized gains	$	16		$	200		$	153

The net realized gain on sales and related tax expense is a reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The net realized gain is included in net gain on sale of securities available-for-sale and the related tax expense is included in income tax expense in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss).

The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities at December 31, 2017, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.


	(In Thousands)
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value
One year or less	$	21,644	$	21,618
After one year through five years		84,514		83,685
After five years through ten years		49,908		48,810
After ten years		2,863		2,775

Total	$	158,929	$	156,888
Mortgage-backed securities		40,236		39,510

Total	$	199,165	$	196,398

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 3 – Securities (Continued)

Investments with a carrying value and fair value of $82.9 million at December 31, 2017 and $129.4 million at December 31, 2016 were pledged to secure public deposits and securities sold under repurchase agreements.

Other securities include Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati and Farmer Mac stock as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Note 4 - Loans

The Company had $1.2 million in loans held for sale at December 31, 2017 as compared to $2.1 million in loans held for sale at December 31, 2016.

Loans at December 31 are summarized below:


	(in Thousands)
Loans:	2017			2016
Consumer Real Estate	$	83,620		$	86,234
Agricultural Real Estate		64,073			62,375
Agricultural		95,111			84,563
Commercial Real Estate		410,520			377,481
Commercial and Industrial		126,275			109,256
Consumer		37,757			33,179
Industrial Development Bonds		6,415			5,732

	$	823,771		$	758,820
Less: Net deferred loan fees and costs		(747	)		(726	)

		823,024			758,094
Less: Allowance for loan losses		(6,868	)		(6,784	)

Loans - Net	$	816,156		$	751,310

Following are the characteristics and underwriting criteria for each major type of loan the Bank offers:

Commercial Real Estate: Construction, purchase, and refinance of business purpose real estate. Risks include potential construction delays and overruns, vacancies, collateral value subject to market value fluctuations, interest rate, market demands, borrower’s ability to repay in orderly fashion, and others. The Bank does employ stress testing on higher balance loans to mitigate risk by ensuring the customer’s ability to repay in a changing rate environment before granting loan approval.

Agricultural Real Estate: Purchase of farm real estate or for permanent improvements to the farm real estate. Cash flow from the farm operation is the repayment source and is therefore subject to the financial success of the farm operation.

Consumer Real Estate: Purchase, refinance, or equity financing of one to four family owner occupied dwelling. Success in repayment is subject to borrower’s income, debt level, character in fulfilling payment obligations, employment, and others.

Commercial and Industrial: Loans to proprietorships, partnerships, or corporations to provide temporary working capital and seasonal loans as well as long term loans for capital asset acquisition. Risks include adequacy of cash flow, reasonableness of profit projections, financial leverage, economic trends, management ability, and others. The Bank does employ stress testing on higher balance loans to mitigate risk by ensuring the customer’s ability to repay in a changing rate environment before granting loan approval.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 4 – Loans (Continued)

Agricultural: Loans for the production and housing of crops, fruits, vegetables, and livestock or to fund the purchase or re-finance of capital assets such as machinery and equipment and livestock. The production of crops and livestock is especially vulnerable to commodity prices and weather. The vulnerability to commodity prices is offset by the farmer’s ability to hedge their position by the use of future contracts. The risk related to weather is often mitigated by requiring federal crop insurance.

Consumer: Funding for individual and family purposes. Success in repayment is subject to borrower’s income, debt level, character in fulfilling payment obligations, employment, and others.

Industrial Development Bonds (IDB): Funds for public improvements in the Bank’s service area. Repayment ability is based on the continuance of the taxation revenue as the source of repayment.

The following is a maturity schedule by major category of loans at December 31, 2017:


	(In Thousands)
	Within One Year		After One Year Within Five Years		After Five Years		Total
Consumer Real Estate	$	1,185	$	13,979	$	68,456	$	83,620
Agricultural Real Estate		756		5,910		57,407		64,073
Agricultural		60,164		25,499		9,448		95,111
Commercial Real Estate		29,728		125,694		255,098		410,520
Commercial and Industrial		71,521		36,402		18,352		126,275
Consumer		5,634		23,946		8,177		37,757
Industrial Development Bonds		800		65		5,550		6,415

	$	169,788	$	231,495	$	422,488	$	823,771

The distribution of fixed rate loans and variable rate loans by major loan category is as follows as of December 31, 2017:


	(In Thousands)
	Fixed Rate		Variable Rate
Consumer Real Estate	$	43,283	$	40,337
Agricultural Real Estate		46,121		17,952
Agricultural		32,585		62,526
Commercial Real Estate		262,713		147,807
Commercial and Industrial		43,434		82,841
Consumer		32,869		4,888
Industrial Development Bonds		6,415		—

Industrial Development Bonds are included in the commercial and industrial category for the remainder of the tables in this Note 4, unless specifically noted separately.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 4 – Loans (Continued)

The following table represents the contractual aging of the recorded investment in past due loans by portfolio classification of loans as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, net of deferred loan fees and costs:


December 31, 2017	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		Greater Than 90 Days		Total Past Due		Current		Total Financing Receivables		Recorded Investment > 90 Days and Accruing
Consumer Real Estate	$	565	$	212	$	113	$	890	$	82,310	$	83,200	$	—
Agricultural Real Estate		—		—		101		101		63,943		64,044		—
Agricultural		—		—		—		—		95,238		95,238		—
Commercial Real Estate		—		—		38		38		409,915		409,953		—
Commercial and Industrial		—		42		—		42		132,745		132,787		—
Consumer		34		2		7		43		37,759		37,802		—

Total	$	599	$	256	$	259	$	1,114	$	821,910	$	823,024	$	—


December 31, 2016	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		Greater Than 90 Days		Total Past Due		Current		Total Financing Receivables		Recorded Investment > 90 Days and Accruing
Consumer Real Estate	$	882	$	15	$	507	$	1,404	$	84,469	$	85,873	$	—
Agricultural Real Estate		12		—		132		144		62,192		62,336		—
Agricultural		101		—		—		101		84,591		84,692		—
Commercial Real Estate		60		—		—		60		376,827		376,887		—
Commercial and Industrial		—		—		—		—		115,093		115,093		—
Consumer		29		6		—		35		33,178		33,213		—

Total	$	1,084	$	21	$	639	$	1,744	$	756,350	$	758,094	$	—

The following table presents the recorded investment in nonaccrual loans by portfolio class of loans as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:


	(In Thousands)
	2017		2016
Consumer Real Estate	$	708	$	1,091
Agricultural Real Estate		101		132
Agriculture		—		—
Commercial Real Estate		38		—
Commercial and Industrial		149		161
Consumer		7		—

Total	$	1,003	$	1,384

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 4 – Loans (Continued)

The Bank uses a nine tier risk rating system to grade its loans. The grade of a loan may change during the life of the loan. The risk ratings are described as follows.

Zero (0) Unclassified. Any loan which has not been assigned a classification.

One (1) Excellent. Credit to premier customers having the highest credit rating based on an extremely strong financial condition, which compares favorably with industry standards (upper quartile of The Risk Management Association ratios). Financial statements indicate a sound earnings and financial ratio trend for several years with satisfactory profit margins and excellent liquidity exhibited. Prime credits may also be borrowers with loans fully secured by highly liquid collateral such as traded stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit, savings account, etc. No credit or collateral exceptions exist and the loan adheres to the Bank’s loan policy in every respect. Financing alternatives would be readily available and would qualify for unsecured credit. This grade is summarized by high liquidity, minimum risk, strong ratios, and low handling costs.

Two (2) Good. Desirable loans of somewhat less stature than Grade 1, but with strong financial statements. Loan supported by financial statements containing strong balance sheets, generally with a leverage position less than 1.50, and a history of profitability. Probability of serious financial deterioration is unlikely. Possessing a sound repayment source (and a secondary source), which would allow repayment in a reasonable period of time. Individual loans backed by liquid personal assets, established history and unquestionable character.

Three (3) Satisfactory. Satisfactory loans of average or slightly above average risk – having some deficiency or vulnerability to changing economic conditions, but still fully collectible. Projects should normally demonstrate acceptable debt service coverage. Generally, customers should have a leverage position less than 2.00. May be some weakness but with offsetting features of other support readily available. Loans are meeting the terms of repayment.

Loans may be graded 3 when there is no recent information on which to base a current risk evaluation and the following conditions apply:

At inception, the loan was properly underwritten and did not possess an unwarranted level of credit risk;

At inception, the loan was secured with collateral possessing a loan value adequate to protect the Bank from loss;

The loan exhibited two or more years of satisfactory repayment with a reasonable reduction of the principal balance;

During the period that the loan has been outstanding, there has been no evidence of any credit weakness. Some examples of weakness include slow payment, lack of cooperation by the borrower, breach of loan covenants, or the business is in an industry which is known to be experiencing problems. If any of the credit weaknesses is observed, a lower risk grade is warranted.

Four (4) Satisfactory / Monitored. A “4” (Satisfactory/Monitored) risk grade may be established for a loan considered satisfactory but which is of average credit risk due to financial weakness or uncertainty. The loans warrant a higher than average level of monitoring to ensure that weaknesses do not advance. The level of risk in Satisfactory/Monitored classification is considered acceptable and within normal underwriting guidelines, so long as the loan is given management supervision.

Five (5) Special Mention. Loans that possess some credit deficiency or potential weakness which deserves close attention, but which do not yet warrant substandard classification. Such loans pose unwarranted financial risk that, if not corrected, could weaken the loan and increase risk in the future. The key distinctions of a 5 (Special Mention) classification are that (1) it is indicative of an unwarranted level of risk, and (2) weaknesses are considered “potential”, versus “defined”, impairments to the primary source of loan repayment and collateral.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 4 – Loans (Continued)

Six (6) Substandard. One or more of the following characteristics may be exhibited in loans classified substandard:

Loans, which possess a defined credit weakness and the likelihood that a loan will be paid from the primary source, are uncertain. Financial deterioration is underway and very close attention is warranted to ensure that the loan is collected without loss.

Loans are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the borrower.

The primary source of repayment is weakened, and the Bank is forced to rely on a secondary source of repayment such as collateral liquidation or guarantees.

Loans are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if deficiencies are not corrected.

Unusual courses of action are needed to maintain a high probability of repayment.

The borrower is not generating enough cash flow to repay loan principal; however, continues to make interest payments.

The lender is forced into a subordinate position or unsecured collateral position due to flaws in documentation.

Loans have been restructured so that payment schedules, terms and collateral represent concessions to the borrower when compared to the normal loan terms.

The lender is seriously contemplating foreclosure or legal action due to the apparent deterioration in the loan

There is significant deterioration in the market conditions and the borrower is highly vulnerable to these conditions.

Seven (7) Doubtful. One or more of the following characteristics may be exhibited in loans classified Doubtful:

Loans have all of the weaknesses of those classified as Substandard. Additionally, however, these weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full based on existing conditions improbable.

The primary source of repayment is gone, and there is considerable doubt as to the quality of the secondary source of repayment.

The possibility of loss is high, but, because of certain important pending factors which may strengthen the loan, loss classification is deferred until its exact status is known. A Doubtful classification is established deferring the realization of the loss.

Eight (8) Loss. Loans are considered uncollectable and of such little value that continuing to carry them as assets on the institution’s financial statements is not feasible. Loans will be classified Loss when it is neither practical nor desirable to defer writing off or reserving all or a portion of a basically worthless asset, even though partial recovery may be possible at some time in the future.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 4 – Loans (Continued)

The following table represents the risk category of loans by portfolio class, net of deferred fees, based on the most recent analysis performed as of the time periods shown of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.


	(In Thousands)
	Agricultural Real Estate				Agricultural				Commercial Real Estate				Commercial and Industrial				Industrial Development Bonds
		2017		2016		2017		2016		2017		2016		2017		2016		2017		2016
1-2	$	4,143	$	4,399	$	6,558	$	7,334	$	1,244	$	677	$	9,205	$	10,060	$	—	$	—
3		15,244		16,660		37,267		31,397		32,498		27,858		15,277		14,064		3,489		2,640
4		43,416		39,808		51,312		44,560		359,600		333,523		99,581		83,100		2,926		3,092
5		1,125		1,209		101		1,234		7,758		8,321		1,381		1,379		—		—
6		116		260		—		167		8,853		6,508		817		641		—		—
7		—		—		—		—		—		—		111		117		—		—
8		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—

Total	$	64,044	$	62,336	$	95,238	$	84,692	$	409,953	$	376,887	$	126,372	$	109,361	$	6,415	$	5,732

For consumer residential real estate, and other, the Company also evaluates credit quality based on the aging status of the loan, which was previously stated, and by payment activity. The following tables present the recorded investment in those classes based on payment activity and assigned risk grading as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.


	(In Thousands)
	Consumer Real Estate
	2017		2016
Grade
Pass	$	82,632	$	85,322
Special mention (5)		—		25
Substandard (6)		488		368
Doubtful (7)		80		158

Total	$	83,200	$	85,873


	(In Thousands)
	Consumer - Credit Card				Consumer - Other
		2017		2016		2017		2016
Performing	$	4,108	$	4,061	$	33,666	$	29,120
Nonperforming		—		—		28		32

Total	$	4,108	$	4,061	$	33,694	$	29,152

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 4 – Loans (Continued)

Information about impaired loans as of and for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:


	(In Thousands)
	2017		2016
Impaired loans without a valuation allowance	$	1,131	$	1,141
Impaired loans with a valuation allowance		614		711

Total impaired loans	$	1,745	$	1,852

Valuation allowance related to impaired loans	$	106	$	135

Total non-accrual loans	$	1,003	$	1,384

Total loans past-due ninety days or more and still accruing	$	—	$	—


	(in Thousands)
	2017		2016		2015
Average investment in impaired loans	$	1,885	$	1,802	$	2,509

Interest income recognized on impaired loans	$	57	$	64	$	96

Interest income recognized on a cash basis on impaired loans	$	23	$	27	$	60

No additional funds are committed to be advanced in connection with impaired loans.

The Bank had approximately $0.7 million of its impaired loans classified as trouble debt restructured as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 4 – Loans (Continued)

The following table represents the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.


			(In thousands)							(In thousands)
December 31, 2017 Troubled Debt Restructurings	Number of Contracts Modified in the Last 12 Months		Pre- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		December 31, 2016 Troubled Debt Restructurings	Number of Contracts Modified in the Last 12 Months		Pre- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
Commercial Real Estate		0	$	—	$	—	Commercial Real Estate		1	$	138	$	138
Commercial and Industrial		1		38		38	Commercial and Industrial		0		—		—

For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, there were no TDR’s that subsequently defaulted after modification.

For the Bank’s impaired loans, the Bank may apply the observable market price methodology or utilize a measurement incorporating the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective rate of interest. To determine observable market price, collateral asset values securing an impaired loan are periodically evaluated. Maximum time of re-evaluation is every 12 months for chattels and titled vehicles and every two years for real estate. In this process, third party evaluations are obtained and heavily relied upon. Until such time that updated appraisals are received, the Bank may discount the collateral value used.

The Bank uses the following guidelines as stated in policy to determine when to realize a charge-off, whether a partial or full loan balance. A charge down in whole or in part is realized when unsecured consumer loans, credit card credits and overdraft lines of credit reach 90 days delinquency. At 120 days delinquent, secured consumer loans are charged down to the value of the collateral, if repossession of the collateral is assured and/or in the process of repossession. Consumer mortgage loan deficiencies are charged down upon the sale of the collateral or sooner upon the recognition of collateral deficiency. Commercial and agricultural credits are charged down at 120 days delinquency, unless an established and approved work-out plan is in place or litigation of the credit will likely result in recovery of the loan balance. Upon notification of bankruptcy, unsecured debt is charged off. Additional charge-off may be realized as further unsecured positions are recognized

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 4 – Loans (Continued)

The following tables present loans individually evaluated for impairment by portfolio class of loans as of December 31, 2017 and 2016:


	(In Thousands)
	Recorded Investment		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment		Interest Income Recognized		Interest Income Recognized Cash Basis
2017
With no related allowance recorded:
Consumer Real Estate	$	495	$	495	$	—	$	911	$	30	$	21
Agricultural Real Estate		101		101		—		123		—		—
Agricultural		—		—		—		27		—		—
Commercial Real Estate		202		202		—		51		1		—
Commercial and Industrial		333		333		—		85		2		—
Consumer		—		—		—		—		—		—
With a specific allowance recorded:
Consumer Real Estate		80		80		21		88		—		—
Agricultural Real Estate		—		—		—		—		—		—
Agricultural		—		—		—		—		—		—
Commercial Real Estate		423		423		46		486		24		2
Commercial and Industrial		111		111		39		114		—		—
Consumer		—		—		—		—		—		—

Totals:
Consumer Real Estate	$	575	$	575	$	21	$	999	$	30	$	21

Agricultural Real Estate	$	101	$	101	$	—	$	123	$	—	$	—

Agricultural	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	27	$	—	$	—

Commercial Real Estate	$	625	$	625	$	46	$	537	$	25	$	2

Commercial and Industrial	$	444	$	444	$	39	$	199	$	2	$	—

Consumer	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 4 – Loans (Continued)


	(In Thousands)
	Recorded Investment		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment		Interest Income Recognized		Interest Income Recognized Cash Basis
2016
With no related allowance recorded:
Consumer Real Estate	$	1,009	$	1,009	$	—	$	101	$	16	$	4
Agricultural Real Estate		132		132		—		147		—		—
Agricultural		—		—		—		—		—		—
Commercial Real Estate		—		—		—		427		24		23
Commercial and Industrial		—		—		—		337		—		—
Consumer		—		—		—		—		—		—
With a specific allowance recorded:
Consumer Real Estate		94		94		34		344		—		—
Agricultural Real Estate		—		—		—		9		—		—
Agricultural		—		—		—		—		—		—
Commercial Real Estate		501		501		66		191		—		—
Commercial and Industrial		116		116		35		246		24		—
Consumer		—		—		—		—		—		—


Totals:
Consumer Real Estate	$	1,103	$	1,103	$	34	$	445	$	16	$	4

Agricultural Real Estate	$	132	$	132	$	—	$	156	$	—	$	—

Agricultural	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—

Commercial Real Estate	$	501	$	501	$	66	$	618	$	24	$	23

Commercial and Industrial	$	116	$	116	$	35	$	583	$	24	$	—

Consumer	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 4 - Loans (Continued)

On January 1, 2015, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-04, “Receivables,—Troubled Debt Restructuring by Creditors.” As of December 31, 2017 the Company had $25 thousand of foreclosed residential real estate property obtained by physical possession and $54 thousand of consumer mortgage loans secured by residential real estate properties for which foreclosure proceedings are in process according to local jurisdictions. This compares to the Company having $169 thousand of foreclosed residential real estate property obtained by physical possession and $112 thousand of consumer mortgage loans secured by residential real estate properties for which foreclosure proceedings are in process according to local jurisdictions as of December 31, 2016.

The ALLL has a direct impact on the provision expense. An increase in the ALLL is funded through recoveries and provision expense. The following tables summarize the activities in the allowance for credit losses.

The following is an analysis of the allowance for credit losses for the years ended December 31:


	(In Thousands)
	2017			2016			2015
Allowance for Loan Losses
Balance at beginning of year	$	6,784		$	6,057		$	5,905
Provision for loan loss		222			1,121			625
Loans charged off		(288	)		(550	)		(1,030	)
Recoveries		150			156			557

Balance at ending of year	$	6,868		$	6,784		$	6,057

Allowance for Unfunded Loan Commitments & Letters of Credit	$	227		$	217		$	208

Total Allowance for Credit Losses	$	7,095		$	7,001		$	6,265

The Company segregates its Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (ALLL) into two reserves: The ALLL and the Allowance for Unfunded Loan Commitments and Letters of Credit (AULC). When combined, these reserves constitute the total Allowance for Credit Losses (ACL).

The AULC is reported within other liabilities on the balance sheet while the ALLL is netted within the loans, net asset line. The ACL presented above represents the full amount of reserves available to absorb possible credit losses.

The following table breaks down the activity within ALLL for each loan portfolio segment and shows the contribution provided by both the recoveries and the provision along with the reduction of the allowance caused by charge-offs.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 4 – Loans (Continued)

Additional analysis related to the allowance for credit losses as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 is as follows:


	(In Thousands)
	Consumer Real Estate			Agricultural Real Estate		Agricultural		Commercial Real Estate			Commercial and Industrial		Consumer			Unfunded Loan Commitment & Letters of Credit		Unallocated			Total
2017
ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES:
Beginning balance	$	316		$	241	$	616	$	3,250		$	1,318	$	394		$	217	$	649		$	7,001
Charge Offs		(4	)		—		—		(21	)		—		(263	)		—		—			(288	)
Recoveries		13			—		8		15			12		102			—		—			150
Provision (Credit)		18			3		43		(95	)		216		208			—		(171	)		222
Other Non-interest expense related to unfunded		—			—		—		—			—		—			10		—			10
Ending Balance	$	343		$	244	$	667	$	3,149		$	1,546	$	441		$	227	$	478		$	7,095

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	21		$	—	$	—	$	46		$	39	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	106

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	322		$	244	$	667	$	3,103		$	1,507	$	441		$	227	$	478		$	6,989

Ending balance: loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—

FINANCING RECEIVABLES:
Ending balance	$	83,200		$	64,044	$	95,238	$	409,953		$	132,787	$	37,802		$	—	$	—		$	823,024

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	575		$	101	$	—	$	625		$	444	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	1,745

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	82,625		$	63,943	$	95,238	$	409,328		$	132,343	$	37,802		$	—	$	—		$	821,279

Ending balance: loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	$	122		$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	122

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 4 – Loans (Continued)


	(In Thousands)
	Consumer Real Estate			Agricultural Real Estate		Agricultural			Commercial Real Estate			Commercial and Industrial			Consumer			Unfunded Loan Commitment & Letters of Credit		Unallocated			Total
2016
ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES:
Beginning balance	$	338		$	211	$	582		$	2,516		$	1,229		$	337		$	208	$	844		$	6,265
Charge Offs		(106	)		—		(21	)		(93	)		(20	)		(310	)		—		—			(550	)
Recoveries		28			—		10			20			11			87			—		—			156
Provision (Credit)		56			30		45			807			98			280			—		(195	)		1,121
Other Non-interest expense related to unfunded		—			—		—			—			—			—			9		—			9

Ending Balance	$	316		$	241	$	616		$	3,250		$	1,318		$	394		$	217	$	649		$	7,001

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	34		$	—	$	—		$	66		$	35		$	—		$	—	$	—		$	135

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	282		$	241	$	616		$	3,184		$	1,283		$	394		$	217	$	649		$	6,866

Ending balance: loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	$	1		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—		$	1

FINANCING RECEIVABLES:
Ending balance	$	85,873		$	62,336	$	84,692		$	376,887		$	115,093		$	33,213		$	—	$	—		$	758,094

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	1,103		$	132	$	—		$	501		$	116		$	—		$	—	$	—		$	1,852

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	84,770		$	62,204	$	84,692		$	376,386		$	114,977		$	33,213		$	—	$	—		$	756,242

Ending balance: loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	$	200		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—		$	200

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 5 - Premises and Equipment

The major categories of banking premises and equipment and accumulated depreciation at December 31 are summarized below:


	(In Thousands)
	2017			2016
Land	$	5,892		$	5,647
Buildings (useful life 15-39 years)		23,977			23,526
Furnishings (useful life 3-15 years)		13,351			12,673

		43,220			41,846
Less: Accumulated depreciation		(21,603	)		(20,389	)

Premises and Equipment (Net)	$	21,617		$	21,457

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 amounted to $1.6, $1.5, and $1.4 million, respectively.

Construction in Progress of $109 thousand as of December 31, 2017 represented remodeling expenses incurred for a building purchased in Findlay, Ohio to be opened first quarter 2018.

Note 6 - Servicing

Loans serviced for others are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The unpaid principal balances of loans serviced for others were $288.6 and $280.4 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The balance of capitalized servicing rights included in other assets at December 31, 2017 and 2016, was $2.3 and $2.2 million, respectively. The capitalized addition of servicing rights is included in net gain on sale of loans on the consolidated statement of income.

The fair market value of the capitalized servicing rights as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $3.1 million and $2.5 million, respectively. The valuations were completed by stratifying the loans into like groups based on loan type and term. Impairment was measured by estimating the fair value of each stratum, taking into consideration an estimated level of prepayment based upon current market conditions. An average constant prepayment rate of 10.4% and 14.3% were utilized for 2017 and 2016, respectively. All stratums showed positive values compared to carrying value using a discount yield of 6.07% for 2017 and 5.38% for 2016.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 6 – Servicing (Continued)

The following summarizes mortgage servicing rights capitalized and amortized during each year:


	(In Thousands)
	2017			2016
Beginning Year	$	2,192		$	2,056
Capitalized Additions		460			555
Amortization		(353	)		(419	)
Valuation Allowance		—			—

End of Year	$	2,299		$	2,192

Note 7 - Deposits

Time deposits as of December 31 consist of the following:


	(In Thousands)
	2017		2016
Time deposits under $250,000	$	165,866	$	179,387
Time deposits of $250,000 or more		21,700		19,443

	$	187,566	$	198,830

At December 31, 2017 the scheduled maturities for time deposits are as follows:


	(In Thousands)
2018	$	83,734
2019		38,274
2020		25,787
2021		26,441
2022		12,701
Thereafter		629
	$	187,566

Note 8 - Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold Under Agreement to Repurchase

The Bank’s policy requires qualifying securities to be used as collateral for the underlying repurchase agreements. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 securities with a market value of $35.9 million and $55.2 million, respectively, were pledged to secure the repurchase agreements. The table below presents the daily securities sold under agreement to repurchase and the term repurchase agreements. It does not include the Bank’s Federal Funds purchased.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 8 - Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold Under Agreement to Repurchase (Continued)


			Daily Securities Sold Under Agreement to Repurchase
	Amount Outstanding at End of Period (000’s)		Weighted Average Rate End of Period			Maximum Amount Borrowings Outstanding Month End (000’s)		Approximate Average Outstanding in Period (000’s)		Approximate Weighted Average Interest Rate For the Period
2017	$	6,145		1.19	%	$	14,929	$	10,253		0.96	%
2016	$	32,814		0.20	%	$	43,929	$	39,928		0.10	%


			Term CD’s Sold Under Agreement to Repurchase
	Amount Outstanding at End of Period (000’s)		Weighted Average Rate End of Period			Maximum Amount Borrowings Outstanding Month End (000’s)		Approximate Average Outstanding in Period (000’s)		Approximate Weighted Average Interest Rate For the Period
2017	$	22,925		1.97	%	$	22,925	$	21,172		1.81	%
2016	$	20,510		1.96	%	$	20,510	$	19,562		1.88	%

The Company had $10.4 and $17.0 million of Federal Funds Purchased as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 respectively. The $29.1 million in Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase were comprised of U.S. Treasuries and government agency securities. The table below shows the remaining contractual maturity in the repurchase agreements December 31, 2017.


	December 31, 2017
	Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
	Overnight & Continuous		Up to 30 days		30-90 days		Greater Than 90 days		Total
Federal funds Purchased	$	10,425	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	10,425
Repurchase Agreements US Treasury & agency securities		6,145		—		—		22,925		29,070

Total	$	16,570	$	—	$	—	$	22,925	$	39,495

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 9 - Federal Home Loan Bank Advances

Long term debit consists of various loans from the Federal Home Loan Bank. Repayment structures vary, ranging from monthly installments, annual payments or upon maturity. Interest payments are due monthly. As of December 31, 2017, the Bank had one loan which was structured as single maturity with interest rate of 1.61%. Total borrowings were $5.0 million and $10.0 million for December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The advances were secured by $17.3 and $17.9 million of mortgage loans as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively under a blanket collateral agreement.

The advances are subject to pre-payment penalties and the provisions and conditions of the credit policy of the Federal Home Loan Bank. Future obligations of the advances are as follows at December 31, 2017:


	(In Thousands)
2018	$	5,000

The Bank had access to $69 million and $58 million of unsecured borrowings through correspondent banks as of both December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. $94.6 million and $71.8 million at the end of the same time periods, respectively, were unpledged securities which could be sold or used as collateral. An additional $5.7 million at December 31, 2017, and $4.7 million at December 31, 2016, were available from the Federal Home Loan Bank based on current pledging, with up to $116.8 million and $115.7 million, respectively, available provided adequate collateral is pledged.

Note 10 - Federal Income Taxes

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was enacted on December 22, 2017. Among other things, the new law (i) establishes a new, flat corporate federal statutory income tax rate of 21%, (ii) eliminates the corporate alternative minimum tax and allows the use of any such carryforwards to offset regular tax liability for any taxable year, (iii) limits the deduction for net interest expense incurred by U.S. corporations, (iv) allows businesses to immediately expense, for tax purposes, the cost of new investments in certain qualified depreciable assets, (v) eliminates or reduces certain deductions related to meals and entertainment expenses, (vi) modifies the limitation on excessive employee remuneration to eliminate the exception for performance-based compensation and clarifies the definition of a covered employee and (vii) limits the deductibility of deposit insurance premiums. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act also significantly changes U.S. tax law related to foreign operations, however, such changes do not currently impact us.

As stated above, as a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on December 22, 2017, we remeasured our deferred tax assets and liabilities based upon the newly enacted U.S. statutory federal income tax rate of 21%, which is the tax rate at which these assets and liabilities are expected to reverse in the future. We recognized a net tax benefit related to the remeasurement of our deferred tax assets and liabilities totaling $8 thousand.

The components of income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31 are as follows:


	(In Thousands)
	2017			2016		2015
Current:
Federal	$	5,162		$	4,601	$	3,941
Deferred:
Federal		29			55		(122	)
Federal - impact of enacted changes in tax law		(8	)		—		—

	$	5,183		$	4,656	$	3,819

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 10 - Federal Income Taxes (Continued)

The following is a reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective tax rate:


	(In Thousands)
	2017			2016			2015
Income tax at statutory rates	$	6,045		$	5,521		$	4,792
Decrease resulting from:
Tax exempt interest		(413	)		(468	)		(554	)
Adjustment of deferred taxes for enacted changes in tax law		(8	)		—			—
Section 831 deduction		(318	)		(351	)		(351	)
Change in other		(123	)		(46	)		(68	)

	$	5,183		$	4,656		$	3,819

Deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31 are comprised of the following:


	(In Thousands)
	2017		2016
Deferred Tax Assets:
Allowance for loan losses	$	1,464	$	2,326
Other		399		553
Net unrealized gain on available- for-sale securities		581		1,016

Total deferred tax assets		2,444		3,895
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
Accreted discounts on bonds		55		83
FHLB stock dividends		462		744
Mortgage servicing rights		490		752
Other		1,185		1,745
Net unrealized gain on available- for-sale securities		—		—

Total deferred tax liabilities		2,192		3,324

Net Deferred Tax Asset	$	252	$	571

Note 11 - Employee Benefit Plans

The Bank has established a 401(k) profit sharing plan, which allows eligible employees to save at a minimum one percent of eligible compensation on a pre-tax basis, subject to certain Internal Revenue Service limitations. The Bank will match 50% of employee 401(k) contributions up to four percent of total eligible compensation. In addition, the Bank may make a discretionary contribution from time to time. A participant is 100% vested in the participant’s deferral contributions and employer matching contributions. A six-year vesting schedule applies to employer discretionary contributions. Contributions expensed for the 401(k) profit sharing plan for both the employer matching contribution and the discretionary contribution were $972, $877 and $835 thousand for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 11 - Employee Benefit Plans (Continued)

Restricted Stock Awards

The Company has a Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan under which 32,000 shares of restricted stock were issued to 74 employees during 2017, 32,300 shares of restricted stock were issued to 74 employees during 2016 and 32,000 shares of restricted stock were issued to 67 employees during 2015. Under the plan, the shares vest 100% in three years. During the 3 year vesting period, the employees receive dividends or dividend equivalent compensation on the shares. Due to employee termination, there were 1,080, 1,546, and 200 forfeited during 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. During 2017, 1 employee retired and received 640 shares from the shares awarded in 2014, 2015 and 2016. During 2016, due to retirement, 4 employees received 2,394 shares from awards granted in 2013, 2014 and 2015. During 2015, 1 employee retired and received 500 shares from awards granted in 2012, 2013, and 2014 and 650 shares were paid to the estate of a deceased employee awarded during the same time periods. During 2017, 24,230 shares awarded in 2014 were 100% vested and 52 employees received the stock. During 2016, 20,050 shares awarded in 2013, were vested 100% and 45 employees received the stock. During 2015, 19,440 shares awarded in 2012, were vested 100% and 45 employees received the stock. Compensation expense applicable to the restricted stock totaled $507, $402 and $314 thousand for the years ending December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The following table summarizes the activity of restricted stock awards adjusted for a 2-for-1 stock split on September 20, 2017 as of December 31:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2017					2016					2015
	Number of Shares			Weighted average fair value per award		Number of Shares			Weighted average fair value per award		Number of Shares			Weighted average fair value per award
Beginning of period		86,300			14.10		77,990			12.46		66,780			11.39
Granted		32,000			27.79		32,300			16.01		32,000			13.18
Vested		(24,870	)		28.60		(22,444	)		15.86		(20,590	)		13.17
Forfeited		(1,080	)		37.06		(1,546	)		15.77		(200	)		13.04

Nonvested, end of period		92,350			19.17		86,300			14.10		77,990			12.46

As of December 31, 2017, there was $1.1 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to the nonvested portion of restricted stock awards under the plan. Expense for restricted stock awards of $507 thousand, $402 thousand, and $314 thousand was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

Note 12 - Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated using the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula under which earnings per share is calculated from common stock and participating securities according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Under this method, all earnings distributed and undistributed, are allocated to participating securities and common shares based on their respective rights to receive dividends. Unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends are considered participating securities (i.e. unvested restricted stock), not subject to performance based measures. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Application of the two-class method for participating securities results a more dilutive basic earnings per share as the participating securities are allocated the same amount of income as if they are outstanding for purposes of basic earnings per share. There is no additional potential dilution in calculating diluted earnings per share, therefore basic and diluted earnings per share are the same amounts. Other than the restricted stock plan, the Company has no other stock based compensation plans.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 12 - Earnings Per Share (Continued)

The table below presents basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015.


	Year Ended
	December 31, 2017			December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Earnings per share
Net income	$	12,720		$	11,664		$	10,340
Less: distributed earnings allocated to participating securities		(45	)		(37	)		(31	)
Less: undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		(77	)		(64	)		(47	)

Net earnings available to common shareholders	$	12,598		$	11,563		$	10,262

Weighted average common shares outstanding including participating securities		9,250,825			9,224,230			9,234,116
Less: average unvested restricted shares ⁽¹⁾		(88,664	)		(79,964	)		(70,000	)

Weighted average common shares outstanding ⁽¹⁾		9,162,161			9,144,266			9,164,116

Basic and diluted earnings per share ⁽¹⁾	$	1.38		$	1.27		$	1.12

⁽¹⁾	Share data has been adjusted to reflect a 2-for-1 stock split on September 20, 2017

Note 13 - Related Party Transactions

In the ordinary course of business, the Bank has granted loans to senior officers and directors and their affiliated companies amounting to $1.5 million and $1.5 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. No new loans were approved during 2017 of which no additional borrowings were utilized. During 2017, subsequent advances totaled $10.4 million and payments of $10.4 million were received. The difference in related borrowings amounted to $22 thousand, net increase. Deposits of directors, executive officers and companies in which they have a direct or indirect ownership as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, amounted to $23.4 million and $21.7 million, respectively.

Note 14 - Off Balance Sheet Activities

Credit Related Financial Instruments

The Bank is a party to credit related financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing need of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, Standby Letters of Credit, and Commercial Letters of Credit. Such commitments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets.

The Bank’s exposure to credit loss is represented by the contractual amount of these commitments. The Bank follows the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments. The allowance for credit losses as it relates to unfunded loan commitments (AULC) is included under other liabilities. The AULC as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $227 thousand and $217 thousand, respectively.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 14 - Off Balance Sheet Activities (Continued)

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the following financial instruments were outstanding whose contract amounts represent credit risk:


	(In Thousands)
	2017		2016
Commitments to extend credit	$	237,774	$	223,534
Credit card arrangements		20,184		18,316
Standby letters of credit		791		875

Commitments to extend credit, credit card arrangements and Standby Letters of Credit all include exposure to some credit loss in the event of nonperformance of the customer. The Bank’s credit policies and procedures for credit commitments and financial guarantees are the same as those for extensions of credit that are recorded in the financial statements. Due to the fact that these instruments have fixed maturity dates, and because many of them expire without being drawn upon, they generally do not present any significant liquidity risk to the Bank.

Collateral Requirements

To reduce credit risk related to the use of credit-related financial instruments, the Bank might deem it necessary to obtain collateral. The amount and nature of the collateral obtained is based on the Bank’s credit evaluation of the customer. Collateral held varies but may include cash, securities, accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant, and real estate.

Legal Contingencies

Various legal claims also arise from time to time in the normal course of business, which, in the opinion of management, will have no material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 15 - Minimum Regulatory Capital Requirements

The Company (on a consolidated basis) and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s and Bank’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities and certain off balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices.

The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors. Prompt corrective action provisions are not applicable to bank holding companies.

The Basel III Capital Rules, a new comprehensive capital framework for U.S. banking organizations, became effective for on January 1, 2015 (subject to a phase-in period for certain provisions). Quantitative measures established by the Basel III Capital Rules to ensure capital adequacy require the maintenance of minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of Common Equity Tier 1 capital, Tier 1 capital and Total capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier 1 capital to adjusted quarterly average assets (as defined).

In connection with the adoption of the Basel III Capital Rules, we elected to opt-out of the requirement to include most components of accumulated other comprehensive income in Common Equity Tier 1.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 15 - Minimum Regulatory Capital Requirements (Continued)

Common Equity Tier 1 is reduced by, goodwill and other intangible assets, net of associated deferred tax liabilities, and subject to transition provisions.

The Common Equity Tier 1 (beginning in 2015), Tier 1 and Total capital ratios are calculated by dividing the respective capital amounts by risk-weighted assets. Risk-weighted assets are calculated based on regulatory requirements and include total assets, with certain exclusions, allocated by risk weight category, and certain off-balance-sheet items, among other things. The leverage ratio is calculated by dividing Tier 1 capital by adjusted quarterly average total assets, which exclude goodwill and other intangible assets, among other things.

When fully phased in on January 1, 2019, the Basel III Capital Rules will require the Company and Bank to maintain (i) a minimum ratio of Common Equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 4.5%, plus a 2.5% “capital conservation buffer” (which is added to the 4.5% Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio as

that buffer is phased in, effectively resulting in a minimum ratio of Common Equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 7.0% upon full implementation), (ii) a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 6.0%, plus the capital conservation buffer (which is added to the 6.0% Tier 1 capital ratio as that buffer is phased in, effectively resulting in a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.5% upon full implementation), (iii) a minimum ratio of Total capital (that is, Tier 1 plus Tier 2) to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.0%, plus the capital conservation buffer (which is added to the 8.0% total capital ratio as that buffer is phased in, effectively resulting in a minimum total capital ratio of 10.5% upon full implementation) and (iv) a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%, calculated as the ratio of Tier 1 capital to average quarterly assets.

The implementation of the capital conservation buffer began on January 1, 2016 at the 0.625% level and will be phased in over a four-year period (increasing by that amount on each subsequent January 1, until it reaches 2.5% on January 1, 2019). The capital conservation buffer was 1.25 percent at December 31, 2017. The Basel III Capital Rules also provide for a “countercyclical capital buffer” that is applicable to only certain covered institutions and does not have any current applicability to the Company or Bank. The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress and, as detailed above, effectively increases the minimum required risk-weighted capital ratios. Banking institutions with a ratio of Common Equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets below the effective minimum (4.5% plus the capital conservation buffer and, if applicable, the countercyclical capital buffer) will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall.

Management believes, as of December 31, 2017, that the Bank meets all the capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.

As of December 31, 2017 the most recent notification from the FDIC indicated the Bank was categorized as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To remain categorized as well capitalized, the Bank will have to maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier I risk-based, Common Tier 1 and Tier I leverage ratios as disclosed in the table to follow. There are no conditions or events since the most recent notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s prompt corrective action category.

The following tables present actual and required capital ratios as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 under the Basel III Capital Rules. The minimum required capital amounts presented include the minimum required capital levels as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. Capital levels required to be considered well capitalized are based upon prompt corrective action regulations, as amended to reflect the changes under the Basel III Capital Rules.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 15 - Minimum Regulatory Capital Requirements (Continued)

The Company and the Bank’s actual and required capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 2017 are as follows:


	Actual					Minimum Capital Required					Required to be Considered Well-Capitalized
	(000’s)					(000’s)					(000’s)
As of December 31, 2017	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) Consolidated	$	131,493		14.73	%	$	40,177		4.50	%		N/A		N/A
Farmers & Merchants State Bank		107,006		12.04	%		39,992		4.50	%	$	57,767		6.50	%
Total Risk-Based Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) Consolidated		138,588		15.52	%		71,426		8.00	%		N/A		N/A
Farmers & Merchants State Bank		114,101		12.84	%		71,098		8.00	%		88,872		10.00	%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) Consolidated		131,493		14.73	%		53,569		6.00	%		N/A		N/A
Farmers & Merchants State Bank		107,006		12.04	%		53,323		6.00	%		71,098		8.00	%
Tier 1 Leverage Capital (to Adjusted Total Assets) Consolidated		131,493		12.02	%		43,765		4.00	%		N/A		N/A
Farmers & Merchants State Bank		107,006		9.92	%		43,148		4.00	%		53,935		5.00	%

The following table presents the Company and the Bank’s actual and required capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 2016.


	Actual					Minimum Capital Required					Required to be Considered Well-Capitalized
	(000’s)					(000’s)					(000’s)
As of December 31, 2016	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) Consolidated	$	123,031		14.46	%	$	38,296		4.50	%		N/A		N/A
Farmers & Merchants State Bank		100,999		11.91	%		38,156		4.50	%	$	55,115		6.50	%
Total Risk-Based Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) Consolidated		130,032		15.28	%		68,081		8.00	%		N/A		N/A
Farmers & Merchants State Bank		108,000		12.73	%		67,833		8.00	%		84,792		10.00	%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) Consolidated		123,031		14.46	%		51,061		6.00	%		N/A		N/A
Farmers & Merchants State Bank		100,999		11.91	%		50,875		6.00	%		67,833		8.00	%
Tier 1 Leverage Capital (to Adjusted Total Assets) Consolidated		123,031		11.77	%		41,826		4.00	%		N/A		N/A
Farmers & Merchants State Bank		100,999		9.75	%		41,425		4.00	%		51,181		5.00	%

The above tables exclude the capital conservation buffer requirements.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 16- Restrictions of Dividends & Inter-company Borrowings

The Bank is restricted as to the amount of dividends that can be paid. Dividends declared by the Bank that exceed the net income for the current year plus retained income for the preceding two years must be approved by federal and state regulatory agencies. Under this formula dividends of $14.0 million may be paid without prior regulatory approval. Regardless of formal regulatory restrictions, the Bank may not pay dividends that would result in its capital levels being reduced below the minimum requirements shown above. Under current Federal Reserve regulations, the Bank is limited as to the amount and type of loans it may make to the Company. These loans are subject to qualifying collateral requirements on which the amount of the loan may be based.

Note 17 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair values of financial instruments are management’s estimate of the values at which the instruments could be exchanged in a transaction between willing parties. These estimates are subjective and may vary significantly from amounts that would be realized in actual transactions. In addition, other significant assets are not considered financial assets including deferred tax assets, premises, equipment and intangibles. Further, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on the fair value estimates and have not been considered in any of the estimates.

The following assumptions and methods were used in estimating the fair value for financial instruments:

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash, cash equivalents and federal funds sold approximate their fair values. Also included in this line item are the carrying amounts of interest-bearing deposits maturing within ninety days which approximate their fair values. Fair values of other interest- bearing deposits are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on current rates for similar types of deposits.

Interest Bearing Time Deposits

Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis that applies interest rates currently being offered on certificates to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits.

Securities – Available-for-sale

Fair values for securities, excluding Federal Home Loan Bank and Farmer Mac stock, are based on quoted market price, where available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on quoted market prices of comparable instruments.

Other Securities

The carrying value of Federal Home Loan Bank and Farmer Mac stock, listed as “other securities,” approximates fair value based on the redemption provisions of the Federal Home Loan Bank.

Loans Held for Sale

The carrying amount approximates fair value due to insignificant amount of time between origination and date of sale.

Loans, net

For net variable-rate loans that re-price frequently, and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values. The fair values of the fixed rate and all other loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers with similar credit quality.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 17 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Continued)

Deposits

The fair values disclosed for deposits with no defined maturities are equal to their carrying amounts, which represent the amount payable on demand. The carrying amounts for variable-rate, fixed-term money market accounts and certificates of deposit approximate their fair value at the reporting date. Fair value for fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis that applies interest rates currently being offered on certificates to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits.

Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold Under Agreement to Repurchase

The carrying value of Federal Funds purchased and securities sold under agreement to repurchase approximates fair values.

FHLB Advances

Fair values or FHLB advances are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types or borrowing arrangements.

Accrued Interest Receivable and Payable

The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximate fair values.

Off Balance Sheet Financial Instruments

Fair values for off-balance-sheet, credit related financial instruments 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.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 17 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Continued)

The estimated fair values, and related carrying or notional amounts, for on and off-balance sheet financial instruments as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, are reflected below. The aggregate fair values in the table below do not represent the total market value of the Bank’s assets and liabilities. The table excludes the following: Bank Premises and Equipment, Goodwill, Mortgage Servicing Rights, Other Real Estate Owned, Other Assets, Other Liabilities and Accrued Expenses.


	(In Thousands)
	December 2017										December 2016
	Carrying		Fair								Carrying		Fair
	Amount		Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Amount		Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial Assets:
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	34,467	$	34,467	$	34,467	$	—	$	—	$	28,322	$	28,322	$	28,322	$	—	$	—
Interest-bearing time deposits		4,018		4,009		—		4,009		—		1,915		1,918		—		1,918		—
Securities—available for sale		196,398		196,398		20,978		173,992		1,428		218,527		218,527		24,775		192,334		1,418
Other Securities		3,717		3,717		—		—		3,717		3,717		3,717		—		—		3,717
Loans held for sale		1,221		1,221		—		—		1,221		2,055		2,055		—		—		2,055
Loans, net		816,156		819,193		—		—		819,193		751,310		753,357		—		—		753,357
Interest receivable		4,276		4,276		—		—		4,276		3,880		3,880		—		—		3,880
Financial Liabilities:
Interest bearing Deposits	$	532,660	$	532,660	$	—	$	—	$	532,660	$	456,983	$	456,983	$	—	$	—	$	456,983
Non-interest bearing Deposits		199,114		199,114		—		199,114		—		186,390		186,390		—		186,390		—
Time Deposits		187,566		188,335		—		—		188,335		198,830		199,658		—		—		199,658

Total Deposits		919,340		920,109		—		199,114		720,995		842,203		843,031		—		186,390		656,641
Federal Funds purchased and Securities sold under agreement to repurchase		39,495		39,495		—		—		39,495		70,324		70,324		—		—		70,324
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		5,000		5,021		—		—		5,021		10,000		10,041		—		—		10,041
Interest payable		318		318		—		—		318		256		256		—		—		256
Dividends payable		1,193		1,193		—		1,193		—		1,053		1,053		—		1,053		—

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 17 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Continued)

Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the valuation techniques used by the Company to determine those fair values. There were no changes to valuation techniques during 2017.

In general, fair values determined by Level 1 inputs use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access.

Available-for-sale securities—When quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are valued using the quoted price and are classified as Level 1. The quoted prices are not adjusted.

Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs use other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly. These Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and other inputs such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.

Available-for-sale securities classified as Level 2 are valued using the prices obtained from an independent pricing service. The prices are not adjusted. Securities of obligations of state and political subdivisions are valued using a type of matrix, or grid, pricing in which securities are benchmarked against the treasury rate based on credit rating. Substantially all assumptions used by the independent pricing service are observable in the marketplace, can be derived from observable data, or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace.

Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs, including inputs that are available in situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the related asset or liability. The Bank holds two local municipals that the Bank evaluates based on the credit strength of the underlying project. The fair value is determined by valuing similar credit payment streams at similar rates.

In instances where inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels in the above fair value hierarchy, fair value measurements in their entirety are categorized based on the lowest level input that is significant to the valuation. The Company’s assessment of the significance of particular inputs to these fair value measurements requires judgment and considers factors specific to each asset.

The following table summarizes financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 segregated by level or the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 17 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Continued)


Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (In Thousands)
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical		Significant Observable Inputs		Significant Observable Inputs
December 31, 2017	Assets (Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets-(Securities Available for Sale)
U.S. Treasury	$	20,978	$	—	$	—
U.S. Government agencies		—		80,466		—
Mortgage-backed securities-		—		39,510		—
State and local governments		—		54,016		1,428

Total Securities Available for Sale	$	20,978	$	173,992	$	1,428


December 31, 2016	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets-(Securities Available for Sale)
U.S. Treasury	$	24,775	$	—	$	—
U.S. Government agencies		—		82,474		—
Mortgage-backed securities-		—		48,461		—
State and local governments		—		61,399		1,418

Total Securities Available for Sale	$	24,775	$	192,334	$	1,418


	(in Thousands)
	Fair Value Measurements Using Significant
	Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	State and Local Governments Tax-Exempt		State and Local Governments Taxable		State and Local Governments Total
Balance at January 1, 2017	$	—	$	1,418	$	1,418
Change in Market Value		—		10		10
Purchases		—		—		—
Sales		—		—		—
Payments & Maturities		—		—		—

Balance at December 31, 2017	$	—	$	1,428	$	1,428

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 17 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Continued)


	(In Thousands)
	Fair Value Measurements Using Significant
	Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	State and Local Governments Tax-Exempt			State and Local Governments Taxable			State and Local Governments Total
Balance at January 1, 2016	$	5,904		$	1,448		$	7,352
Change in Market Value		(264	)		(30	)		(294	)
Purchases		—			—			—
Sales		—			—			—
Payments & Maturities		(5,640	)		—			(5,640	)

Balance at December 31, 2016	$	—		$	1,418		$	1,418

Most of the Company’s available for sale securities, including any bonds issued by local municipalities, have CUSIP numbers or have similar characteristics of those in the municipal markets, making them marketable and comparable as Level 2.

There have been no transfers between Levels 1, 2, and 3 during 2017 and 2016.

The Company also has assets that, under certain conditions, are subject to measurement at fair value on a non-recurring basis. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, such assets consist primarily of collateral dependent impaired loans. Collateral dependent impaired loans categorized as Level 3 assets consist of non-homogeneous loans that are considered impaired. The Company estimates the fair value of the loans based on the present value of expected future cash flows using management’s best estimate of key assumptions. These assumptions include future payment ability, timing of payment streams, and estimated realizable values of available collateral (typically based on outside appraisals).

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, collateral dependent impaired loans categorized as Level 3 were $1.6 and $1.7 million, respectively. The specific allocation for collateral dependent impaired loans was $106 thousand as of December 31, 2017 and $135 thousand as of December 31, 2016, respectively, which are accounted for in the allowance for loan losses (see Note 4).

Other real estate is reported at the lower of either the fair value of the real estate, minus the estimated costs to sell the asset, or the cost of the asset. The determination of the fair value of the real estate relies primarily on appraisals from third parties. If the fair value of the real estate, minus the estimated costs to sell the asset, is less than the asset’s cost, the deficiency is recognized as a valuation allowance against the asset through a charge to expense. The valuation allowance is therefore increased or decreased, through charges or credits to expense, for changes in the asset’s fair value or estimated selling costs.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 17 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Continued)

The following table presents collateral dependent impaired loans and other real estate owned as recorded at fair value:


	Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis at December 31, 2017
($ in Thousands)			Quoted Prices in Markets for		Significant		Significant
	Balance at		Identical		Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
	December 31, 2017		Assets (Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Collateral dependent impaired loans	$	508	$	—	$	—	$	508
Other real estate owned—residential		22		—		—		22
Other real estate owned—commercial		266		—		—		266

	Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis at December 31, 2016
($ in Thousands)	Balance at December 31, 2016		Quoted Prices in Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Collateral dependent impaired loans	$	576	$	—	$	—	$	576
Other real estate owned—residential		144		—		—		144
Other real estate owned—commercial—		—		—		—		—

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 17 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Continued)

The following table presents quantitative information about unobservable inputs used in recurring and nonrecurring Level 3 fair value measurements:


	Fair Value at December 31, 2017		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Inputs	Range (Weighted Average)
State and local government	$	1,428	Discounted Cash Flow	Credit strength of underlying project or entity / Discount rate	0-5%(3.68%)
Collateral dependent impaired loans		508	Collateral based measurements	Discount to reflect current market conditions and ultimate collectability	0-50%(17.28%)
Other real estate owned - residential		22	Appraisals	Discount to reflect current market	0-20%(2.22%)
Other real estate owned - commercial		266	Appraisals	Discount to reflect current market	0-20%(5.15%)

	Fair Value at December 31, 2016		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Inputs	Range (Weighted Average)
State and local government	$	1,418	Discounted Cash Flow	Credit strength of underlying project or entity / Discount rate	0-5%(3.92%)
Collateral dependent impaired loans		576	Collateral based measurements	Discount to reflect current market conditions and ultimate collectability	0-50%(18.92%)
Other real estate owned - residential		144	Appraisals	Discount to reflect current market	0-20%(.51%)
Other real estate owned - commercial		—	Appraisals	Discount to reflect current market	0-20%

The Company also has other assets, which under certain conditions, are subject to measurement at fair value. These assets include loans held for sale, bank owned life insurance, and mortgage servicing rights. The Company estimated the fair values of these assets utilizing Level 3 inputs, including, the discounted present value of expected future cash flows. At December 31, 2017, the Company estimates that there is no impairment of these assets and therefore, no impairment charge to other expense was required to adjust these assets to their estimated fair values.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 18 – Condensed Financial Statements of Parent Company


Balance Sheets

	(In Thousands)
	2017		2016
Assets
Cash	$	277	$	1,435
Related party receivables:
Dividends & Accounts receivable from subsidiaries		2,038		1,842
Accrued interest receivable Municipals		110		63
Note receivable from Bank subsidiary		—		—
Securities—Municipals		18,944		17,290
Certificate of Deposits		1,974		—
Investment in subsidiaries		112,025		106,044

Total Assets	$	135,368	$	126,674

Liabilities
Accrued expenses	$	39	$	44
Dividends payable		1,192		1,053

Total Liabilities		1,231		1,097

Stockholders’ Equity		134,137		125,577

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	135,368	$	126,674


Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

	(In Thousands)
	2017			2016			2015
Income
Dividends from subsidiaries	$	6,850		$	6,000		$	6,220
Interest		—			—			—
Interest Municipals		313			272			219
Gain on sales of available-for-sale securities		—			—			124

Total Income		7,163			6,272			6,563
Operating Expenses		828			681			677

Income Before Income Taxes and Equity in Undistributed Earnings of Subsidiaries		6,335			5,591			5,886
Income Taxes (Benefit)		(422	)		(238	)		(188	)

		6,757			5,829			6,074
Equity in undistributed earnings of Subsidiaries		5,963			5,835			4,266

Net Income		12,720			11,664			10,340

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities		146			(2,184	)		(232	)

Comprehensive Income	$	12,866		$	9,480		$	10,108

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 18 – Condensed Financial Statements of Parent Company (Continued)


Statements of Cash Flows

	(In Thousands)
	2017			2016			2015
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$	12,720		$	11,664		$	10,340
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
Equity in undistributed net income (Distributions in excess earnings) of subsidiaries		(5,963	)		(5,835	)		(4,266	)
Accretion & Amortization of Securities		206			179			152
Gain on Sale of Available for Sale Securities		—			—			(124	)
Changes in Assets and Liabilities:
Dividends receivable		—			—			475
Other Assets and Liabilities		199			355			156

Net Cash Provided by
Operating Activities		7,162			6,363			6,733
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Activity in available for sale securities:
Maturities, prepayments and calls		2,815			1,485			1,000
Sales		—			—			6,282
Purchases		(4,482	)		(2,891	)		(8,784	)
Purchases of Certificates of Deposit		(1,974	)		—			—

Net Cash used in Investing Activities		(3,641	)		(1,406	)		(1,502	)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Payment of dividends		(4,443	)		(4,115	)		(3,943	)
Purchase of Treasury Stock		(236	)		(194	)		(803	)

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities		(4,679	)		(4,309	)		(4,746	)

Net Change in Cash and
Cash Equivalents		(1,158	)		648			485
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Beginning of year		1,435			787			302

Cash and Cash Equivalents
End of year	$	277		$	1,435		$	787

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015

Note 19 – Quarterly Financial Data

Quarterly Financial Data—UNAUDITED



	(000’s omitted except per share data)
	Quarter Ended in 2017
	Mar 31			June 30			Sep 30			Dec 31
Summary of Income:
Interest income	$	9,721		$	10,124		$	10,535		$	10,868
Interest expense		1,179			1,253			1,333			1,362

Net Interest Income		8,542			8,871			9,202			9,506
Provision for loan loss		73			25			99			25

Net interest income after provision of loan loss		8,469			8,846			9,103			9,481
Other income (expense)		(4,487	)		(4,325	)		(4,722	)		(4,462	)

Net income before income taxes		3,982			4,521			4,381			5,019
Income taxes		1,143			1,298			1,159			1,583

Net income	$	2,839		$	3,223		$	3,222		$	3,436

Earnings per Common Share⁽¹⁾	$	0.31		$	0.35		$	0.35		$	0.37

Average common shares outstanding⁽¹⁾		9,241,750			9,241,750			9,252,919			9,266,584


	Quarter Ended in 2016
	Mar 31			June 30			Sep 30			Dec 31
Summary of Income:
Interest income	$	9,004		$	9,387		$	9,590		$	9,746
Interest expense		996			1,047			1,099			1,081

Net Interest Income		8,008			8,340			8,491			8,665
Provision for loan loss		277			339			308			197

Net interest income after provision of loan loss		7,731			8,001			8,183			8,468
Other income (expense)		(4,316	)		(3,773	)		(4,007	)		(3,967	)

Net income before income taxes		3,415			4,228			4,176			4,501
Income taxes		934			1,254			1,161			1,307

Net income	$	2,481		$	2,974		$	3,015		$	3,194

Earnings per Common Share ⁽¹⁾	$	0.27		$	0.32		$	0.33		$	0.35

Average common shares outstanding⁽¹⁾		9,218,452			9,211,068			9,225,532			9,241,662

⁽¹⁾	Share data has been adjusted to reflect a 2-for-1 stock split on September 20, 2017

ITEM 9. CHANGE IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

No disagreements exist on accounting and financial disclosures or related matter.

ITEM 9a. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

MANAGEMENT REPORT REGARDING

DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2017, pursuant to Exchange Act 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2017, in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the Company’s periodic SEC filings.

MANAGEMENT REPORT REGARDING INTERNAL CONTROL AND

COMPLIANCE WITH DESIGNATED LAWS AND REGULATIONS

Management of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiary is responsible for preparing the Bank’s annual financial statements. Management is also responsible for establishing and maintaining internal control over financial reporting presented in conformity with both generally accepted accounting principles and regulatory reporting in conformity with the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Instructions for Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income (call report instructions). The Bank’s internal control contains monitoring mechanisms, and actions are taken to correct deficiencies identified.

There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any internal control, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even effective internal control can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control may vary over time.

It is also management’s responsibility to ensure satisfactory compliance with all designated laws and regulations and in particular, those laws and regulations concerning loans to insiders. The federal laws concerning loans to insiders are codified at 12 USC 375a and 375b, and the federal regulations are set forth at 12 CFR 23.5, 31, and 215.

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in the 2013 Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2017. The registered public accounting firm that audited the financial statements included in this annual report has issued an attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting which can be found under Item 8 of this form 10-K.

There was no change in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2017 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9b. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The information called for herein is presented below:


Name	Age	Principal Occupation or Employment for Past Five Years	Year First Became Director

Eugene N. Burkholder	64	President, Falor Farm Center, Inc.	2012

Steven A. Everhart	63	Self Employed	2003

Jo Ellen Hornish	63	CEO, Hornish Bros, Inc./Fountain City Leasing, Inc./ Advantage Powder Coating, Inc.	2013

Jack C. Johnson	65	President, Hawk’s Clothing, Inc.	1991

Marcia S. Latta	56	Vice President / Division of University Advancement / University of Findlay	2009

Steven J. Planson	58	President, Planson Farms, Inc.	2008

Anthony J. Rupp	68	Retired, Past President of Rupp Furniture Co.	2000

Kevin J. Sauder	57	President/CEO, Sauder Woodworking Co.	2004

Paul S. Siebenmorgen	68	President/CEO of the Corporation and The Farmers & Merchants State Bank	2005

K. Brad Stamm	65	Professor of Economics, Chairman of Division of Business at Cornerstone University	2016

Directors are elected annually at the annual meeting of shareholders.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS


Name	Age	Principal Occupation & Offices Held with Corporation & Bank for Past Five Years
Jack C. Johnson	65	Chairman
Paul S. Siebenmorgen	68	President & Chief Executive Officer
Barbara J. Britenriker	56	Executive Vice President Chief Financial Officer
Todd A. Graham	67	Executive Vice President Chief Lending Officer
Edward A. Leininger	61	Executive Vice President Chief Operating Officer
Rex D. Rice	59	Executive Vice President Senior Commercial Banking Director
Allen G. Lantz	64	Executive Vice President Retail Banking

Any remaining information required by Item 401 of Regulation S-K is presented in the proxy statement to be furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Registrant for use at its Annual Meeting to be held on April 19, 2018, and is incorporated herein by reference to the sections of the proxy statement captioned ‘Nominations for Members of the Board of Director” and “PROPOSAL ONE – Election of Directors and Information Concerning Directors and Officers.” The information called for under Item 405 of Regulation S-K and called for under Item 407(d)(5) is presented in the proxy statement to be furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Registrant for use at its Annual Meeting to be held on April 19, 2018, and is incorporated herein by reference to the sections of the proxy statement captioned “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and “Audit Committee Report.”

The Board of Directors of the Company adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) at its meeting on February 13, 2004. While the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 mandates the adoption of a code of ethics for the most senior executive officers of all public companies, the Code adopted by the Corporation’s Board of Directors is broader in the activities covered and applies to all officers, directors and employees of the Corporation and the Bank, including the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer and other senior officers performing accounting, auditing, financial management or similar functions. The administration of the Code has been delegated to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, a Committee comprised entirely of “independent directors.” The Code addresses topics such as compliance with laws and regulations, honest and ethical conduct, conflicts of interest, confidentiality and protection of Corporation assets, fair dealing and accurate and timely periodic reports, and also provides for enforcement mechanisms. The Board and management of the Corporation intends to continue to monitor not only the developing legal requirements in this area, but also the best practices of comparable companies, to assure that the Corporation maintains sound corporate governance practices in the future. Annual testing and review of the Code is conducted and attested to by signatures of all officers and directors of the Company.

A copy of the Corporation’s Code is available on the website of the Bank (www.fm.bank). In addition, a copy of the Code is available to any shareholder free of charge upon request. Shareholders desiring a copy of the Code should address written requests to Mr. Paul S. Siebenmorgen, President, Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc., 307 North Defiance Street, Archbold, Ohio 43502, and are asked to mark Code of Business Conduct and Ethics on the outside of the envelope containing the request.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information called for herein by Item 402 and paragraphs (e)(4) and (e)(5) of Item 407, Regulations S-K is presented in the proxy statement to be furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Registrant for use at its Annual Meeting to be held on April 19, 2018, and is incorporated herein by reference to the sections of the proxy statement captioned “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Compensation Committee Report,” and “Related Party Transactions.”

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The information called for by Item 403 of Regulation S-K is presented in the proxy statement to be furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Registrant for use at its Annual Meeting to be held Thursday, April 19, 2018 and is incorporated herein by reference to the section of the proxy statement captioned “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.”

On April 16, 2015 the Company’s shareholders approved the Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (which replaced the expired 2005 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan). The plan authorizes the issuance of up to 1,600,000 (adjusted for a two-for-one stock split) of the Company’s common shares in the form of stock options, restricted stock, performance shares, and unrestricted stock to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. To date, the Company has only made awards of restricted stock under the Plan, which awards are subject to time vesting. This requires the executive or employee to remain employed with the Company or the Bank, as the case may be, until the awards have vested or such shares of restricted stock will be forfeited. During 2017, 32,000 shares were awarded to 74 employees and 1,080 were forfeited under its long term incentive plan. At year end, 2017, the Company held 1,134,120 shares in Treasury stock and 92,350 in unearned stock awards.


	Equity Compensation Plan Information
	Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights		Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights		Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
	( a )		( b )		( c )
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders		—	$	—		1,506,020
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders		—	$	—		—
Total		—	$	—		1,506,020

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The information called for herein by Item 404 and paragraph (a) of Item 407 is presented in the proxy statement to be furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Registrant for use at its Annual Meeting to be held on April 19, 2018, and is incorporated herein by reference to the sections of the proxy statement captioned “Related Party Transactions” and “Director Independence.”

100

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information called for by this Item is presented in the proxy statement to be furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Registrant for use at its Annual Meeting to be held on April 19, 2018, and is incorporated herein by reference to the section of the proxy statement captioned “Selection of Auditors/Principal Accounting Firm Fees.”

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULES

The Following documents are filed as part of this report.

(1)

Financial Statements (included in this 10-K under Item 8)

Report of Independent Accountants

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Statements of Income

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Note to Consolidated Financial Statements

(2)

Financial Statement Schedules

Five Year Summary of Operations

Exhibits Required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K

(3.1)

Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 25, 2017).

(3.2)

Code of Regulations of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that was filed with the Commission on July 26, 2017).

(10.1)

Form of Change in Control Agreement executed by and between the Company and each of Paul S. Siebenmorgen and Barbara J. Britenriker, respectively, on December 26, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on February 25, 2013).

(10.2)

Form of Change in Control Agreement executed by and between the Company and each of Edward A. Leininger and Rex D. Rice, respectively, on December 26, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on February 25, 2013).

(10.3)

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to Registrant’s Definitive 14A Proxy Statement, File No. 000-14492, filed with the Commission on March 16, 2015).

(10.4)

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on October 27, 2005).

(10.45)

Form on Restricted Stock Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on October 27, 2005).

101

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULES (Continued)


(21)		Subsidiaries of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.

(31.1)		Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Required under Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15d-14(a)

(31.2)		Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Required under Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15d-14(a)

(32.1)		Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(32.2)		Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


101.INS		XBRL Instance Document (1)
101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (1)
101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (1)
101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (1)
101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (1)
101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (1)

ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None.

102

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.

Signatures

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

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


/s/ Paul S. Siebenmorgen	Date:	February 28, 2018	/s/ Barbara J. Britenriker	Date:	February 28, 2018
Paul S. Siebenmorgen			Barbara J. Britenriker
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)			Chief Financial Officer
			(Principal Financial Officer/Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ Eugene N. Burkholder	Date:	February 28, 2018	/s/ Steven A. Everhart	Date:	February 28, 2018
Eugene N. Burkholder, Director			Steven A. Everhart, Director

/s/ Jo Ellen Hornish	Date:	February 28, 2018	/s/ Jack C. Johnson	Date:	February 28, 2018
Jo Ellen Hornish, Director			Jack C. Johnson, Director

/s/ Marcia S. Latta	Date:	February 28, 2018	/s/ Steven J. Planson	Date:	February 28, 2018
Marcia S. Latta, Director			Steven J. Planson, Director

/s/ Anthony J. Rupp	Date:	February 28, 2018	/s/ Kevin J. Sauder	Date:	February 28, 2018
Anthony J. Rupp, Director			Kevin J. Sauder, Director

/s/ K. Brad Stamm	Date:	February 28, 2018
K. Brad Stamm, Director

103

EX-21

Exhibit 21

SUBSIDIAIRIES OF FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC

FARMERS & MERCHANTS STATE BANK

FARMERS & MERCHANTS RISK MANAGEMENT, INC.

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Paul S. Siebenmorgen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc., certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.;

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

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

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

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

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

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

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

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

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

Date: February 28, 2018

/s/ Paul S. Siebenmorgen

Paul S. Siebenmorgen

President and CEO

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Barbara J. Britenriker, Chief Financial Officer of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc., certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.;

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

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

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

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

Date: February 28, 2018

/s/ Barbara J. Britenriker

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ENACTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2017, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, Paul S. Siebenmorgen, Chief Executive Officer, of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as added by 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

The Report fully complies with the requirement of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and;

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

A signed original of this written statement required by section 906 has been provided to Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and will be retained by Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ENACTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2017, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, Barbara J. Britenriker, Chief Financial Officer, of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as added by 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

The Report fully complies with the requirement of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and;

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.