(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Presentation

Colony Bankcorp, Inc. (the Company) is a bank holding company located in Fitzgerald, Georgia. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Colony Bankcorp, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Colony Bank, Fitzgerald, Georgia. All significant intercompany accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. The accounting and reporting policies of Colony Bankcorp, Inc. conform to generally accepted accounting principles and practices utilized in the commercial banking industry.

All dollars in notes to consolidated financial statements are rounded to the nearest thousand, except for per share amounts.

The consolidated financial statements in this report are unaudited, except for the December 31, 2015 consolidated balance sheet. All adjustments consisting of normal recurring accruals which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for fair presentation of the interim consolidated financial statements have been included and fairly and accurately present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016, are not necessarily indicative of the results which may be expected for the entire year.

Nature of Operations

The Bank provides a full range of retail and commercial banking services for consumers and small- to medium-size businesses located primarily in central, south and coastal Georgia. Colony Bank is headquartered in Fitzgerald, Georgia with banking offices in Albany, Ashburn, Broxton, Centerville, Columbus, Cordele, Douglas, Eastman, Fitzgerald, Leesburg, Moultrie, Quitman, Rochelle, Savannah, Soperton, Sylvester, Thomaston, Tifton, Valdosta and Warner Robins. Lending and investing activities are funded primarily by deposits gathered through its retail banking office network.

Use of Estimates

In preparing the financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the balance sheet date and revenues and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. 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 real estate acquired in connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans.

Reclassifications

In certain instances, amounts reported in prior years’ consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to statement presentations selected for 2016. Such reclassifications had no effect on previously reported stockholders’ equity or net income.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Concentrations of credit risk can exist in relation to individual borrowers or groups of borrowers, certain types of collateral, certain types of industries, or certain geographic regions. The Company has a concentration in real estate loans as well as a geographic concentration that could pose an adverse credit risk, particularly with the current economic downturn in the real estate market. At March 31, 2016, approximately 87 percent of the Company’s loan portfolio was concentrated in loans secured by real estate. A substantial portion of borrowers’ ability to honor their contractual obligations is dependent upon the viability of the real estate economic sector. Declining collateral real estate values that secure land development, construction and speculative real estate loans in the Company’s larger MSA markets have resulted in high loan loss provisions in recent years. In addition, a large portion of the Company’s foreclosed assets are also located in these same geographic markets, making the recovery of the carrying amount of foreclosed assets susceptible to changes in market conditions. Management continues to monitor these concentrations and has considered these concentrations in its allowance for loan loss analysis.

Part I (Continued)

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Concentrations of Credit Risk (Continued)

The success of the Company is dependent, to a certain extent, upon the economic conditions in the geographic markets it serves. Adverse changes in the economic conditions in these geographic markets would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. The operating results of Colony depend primarily on its net interest income. Accordingly, operations are subject to risks and uncertainties surrounding the exposure to changes in the interest rate environment.

At times, the Company may have cash and cash equivalents at financial institutions in excess of federal deposit insurance limits. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with high credit quality financial institutions whose credit ratings are monitored by management to minimize credit risk.

Investment Securities

The Company classifies its investment securities as trading, available for sale or held to maturity. Securities that are held principally for resale in the near term are classified as trading. Trading securities are carried at fair value, with realized and unrealized gains and losses included in noninterest income. Currently, no securities are classified as trading. Securities acquired with both the intent and ability to be held to maturity are classified as held to maturity and reported at amortized cost. All securities not classified as trading or held to maturity are considered available for sale. Securities available for sale are reported at estimated fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale are excluded from earnings and are reported, net of deferred taxes, in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a component of stockholders’ equity. Gains and losses from sales of securities available for sale are computed using the specific identification method. Securities available for sale includes securities, which may be sold to meet liquidity needs arising from unanticipated deposit and loan fluctuations, changes in regulatory capital requirements, or unforeseen changes in market conditions.

The Company evaluates each held to maturity and available for sale security in a loss position for other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI). In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers such factors as the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been below cost, the financial condition of the issuer and the Company’s intent to sell and whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before anticipated recovery of the amortized cost basis. If the Company intends to sell or if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery, the OTTI write-down is recognized in earnings. If the Company does not intend to sell the security or it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery, the OTTI write-down is separated into an amount representing credit loss, which is recognized in earnings and an amount related to all other factors, which is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss).

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock

Investment in stock of a Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) is required for every federally insured institution that utilizes its services. FHLB stock is considered restricted, as defined in the accounting standards. The FHLB stock is reported in the consolidated financial statements at cost. Dividend income is recognized when earned.

Loans

Loans that the Company has the ability and intent to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity are recorded at their principal amount outstanding, net of unearned interest and fees. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and amortized over the estimated terms of the loans using the straight-line method. Interest income on loans is recognized using the effective interest method.

A loan is considered to be delinquent when payments have not been made according to contractual terms, typically evidenced by nonpayment of a monthly installment by the due date.

When management believes there is sufficient doubt as to the collectibility of principal or interest on any loan or generally when loans are 90 days or more past due, the accrual of applicable interest is discontinued and the loan is designated as nonaccrual, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. Interest payments received on nonaccrual loans are either applied against principal or reported as income, according to management’s judgment as to the collectibility of principal. Loans are returned to an accrual status when factors indicating doubtful collectibility on a timely basis no longer exist.

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Loans Modified in a Troubled Debt Restructuring (TDR) 

Loans are considered to have been modified in a TDR when, due to a borrower’s financial difficulty, the Company makes certain concessions to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider for new debt with similar risk characteristics. Modifications may include interest rate reductions, principal or interest forgiveness, forbearance, and other actions intended to minimize economic loss and to avoid foreclosure or repossession of the collateral. Generally, a non-accrual loan that has been modified in a TDR remains on non-accrual status for a period of 6 months to demonstrate that the borrower is able to meet the terms of the modified loan. However, performance prior to the modification, or significant events that coincide with the modification, are included in assessing whether the borrower can meet the new terms and may result in the loan being returned to accrual status at the time of loan modification or after a shorter performance period. If the borrower’s ability to meet the revised payment schedule is uncertain, the loan remains on non-accrual status. Once a loan is modified in a troubled debt restructuring it is accounted for as an impaired loan, regardless of its accrual status, until the loan is paid in full, sold or charged off.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectibility of the loans in light of historical experience, 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 susceptible to significant revisions as more information becomes available.

The allowance consists of specific, historical and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as either 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 are lower than the carrying value of that loan. The historical component covers nonclassified loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors. A general component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. The general component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and historical losses in the portfolio. General valuation allowances are based on internal and external qualitative risk factors such as (1) changes in lending policies and procedures, including changes in underwriting standards and collections, charge offs, and recovery practices, (2) changes in international, national, regional, and local conditions, (3) changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio and terms of loans, (4) changes in the experience, depth, and ability of lending management, (5) changes in the volume and severity of past due loans and other similar conditions, (6) changes in the quality of the organization's loan review system, (7) changes in the value of underlying collateral for collateral dependent loans, (8) the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the levels of such concentrations, and (9) the effect of other external factors (i.e. competition, legal and regulatory requirements) on the level of estimated credit losses.

Loans identified as losses by management, internal loan review and/or regulatory agencies are charged off.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company 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 the 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 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.

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Allowance for Loan Losses (Continued)

A significant portion of the Company’s impaired loans are deemed to be collateral dependent. Management therefore measures impairment on these loans based on the fair value of the collateral. Collateral values are determined based on appraisals performed by qualified licensed appraisers hired by the Company or by senior members of the Company’s credit administration staff. The decision whether or not to obtain an external third-party appraisal usually depends on the type of property being evaluated. External appraisals are usually obtained on more complex, income producing properties such as hotels, shopping centers and businesses. Less complex properties such as residential lots, farm land and single family houses may be evaluated internally by senior credit administration staff. When the Company does obtain appraisals from external third-parties, the values utilized in the impairment calculation are “as is” or current market values. The appraisals, whether prepared internally or externally, may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including the comparable sales, income and cost approach. Appraised amounts used in the impairment calculation are typically discounted 10 percent to account for selling and marketing costs, if the repayment of the loan is to come from the sale of the collateral. Although appraisals are not obtained each year on all impaired loans, the collateral values used in the impairment calculations are evaluated quarterly by management. Based on management’s knowledge of the collateral and the current real estate market conditions, appraised values may be further discounted to reflect facts and circumstances known to management since the most recent appraisal was performed.

Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments are typically significant and result in a level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. Because of the high degree of judgment required in estimating the fair value of collateral underlying impaired loans and because of the relationship between fair value and general economic conditions, we consider the fair value of impaired loans to be highly sensitive to changes in market conditions.

Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment are recorded at acquisition cost net of accumulated depreciation.

Depreciation is charged to operations over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives and methods of depreciation are as follows:

Expenditures for major renewals and betterments are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. When property and equipment are retired or sold, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and any gain or loss is reflected in other income or expense.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of core deposit intangibles acquired in connection with a business combination. The core deposit intangible is initially recognized based on a valuation performed as of the consummation date. The core deposit intangible is amortized by the straight-line method over the average remaining life of the acquired customer deposits.

Transfers of Financial Assets

Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Statement of Cash Flows

For reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, noninterest-bearing amounts due from banks and federal funds sold. Cash flows from demand deposits, interest-bearing checking accounts, savings accounts, loans and certificates of deposit are reported net.

Advertising Costs

The Company expenses the cost of advertising in the periods in which those costs are incurred.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes is based upon income for financial statement purposes, adjusted for nontaxable income and nondeductible expenses. Deferred income taxes have been provided when different accounting methods have been used in determining income for income tax purposes and for financial reporting purposes.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on future tax consequences attributable to differences arising from the financial statement carrying values of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. The differences relate primarily to depreciable assets (use of different depreciation methods for financial statement and income tax purposes) and allowance for loan losses (use of the allowance method for financial statement purposes and the direct write-off method for tax purposes). In the event of changes in the tax laws, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted in the period of the enactment of those changes, with effects included in the income tax provision. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company and its subsidiary file a consolidated federal income tax return. The subsidiary pays its proportional share of federal income taxes to the Company based on its taxable income.

Positions taken in the Company’s tax returns may be subject to challenge by the taxing authorities upon examination. Uncertain tax positions are initially recognized in the consolidated financial statements when it is more likely than not the position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. Such tax positions are both initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the tax authority, assuming full knowledge of the position and all relevant facts. The Company provides for interest and, in some cases, penalties on tax positions that may be challenged by the taxing authorities. Interest expense is recognized beginning in the first period that such interest would begin accruing. Penalties are recognized in the period that the Company claims the position in the tax return. Interest and penalties on income tax uncertainties are classified within income tax expense in the consolidated statement of income.

Other Real Estate

Other real estate generally represents real estate acquired through foreclosure and is initially recorded at estimated fair value at the date of acquisition less the cost of disposal. Losses from the acquisition of property in full or partial satisfaction of debt are recorded as loan losses. Properties are evaluated regularly to ensure the recorded amounts are supported by current fair values, and valuation allowances are recorded as necessary to reduce the carrying amount to fair value less estimated cost of disposal. Routine holding costs and gains or losses upon disposition are included in other noninterest expense.

Bank-Owned Life Insurance

The Company has purchased life insurance on the lives of certain key members of management and directors. The life insurance policies are recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or amounts due that are probable at settlement, if applicable. Increases in the cash surrender value are recorded as other income in the consolidated statements of income. The cash surrender value of the insurance contracts is recorded in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets in the amount of $14,985 and $14,830 as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Comprehensive Income

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 securities available for sale, represent equity changes from economic events of the period other than transactions with owners and are not reported in the consolidated statements of operations but as a separate component of the equity section of the consolidated balance sheets. Such items are considered components of other comprehensive income (loss). Accounting standards codification requires the presentation in the consolidated financial statements of net income and all items of other comprehensive income (loss) as total comprehensive income (loss).

Off-Balance Sheet Credit Related Financial Instruments

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

Changes in Accounting Principles and Effects of New Accounting Pronouncements

ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity is expected to be entitled for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 defines a five-step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, it is possible more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than required under existing U.S. GAAP, including identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each performance obligation. ASU 2014-09, as deferred one year by ASU 2015-14, is effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the pending adoption of ASU 2014-09 on the consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2016-1, “No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. ASU  2016-1, among other things, (i) requires equity investments, with certain exceptions, to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, (ii) simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment, (iii) eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet, (iv) requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, (v) requires an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments, (vi) requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements and (viii) clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale. ASU  2016-1 will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the pending adoption of ASU 2016-1 on the consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2016-02, "Leases." This ASU requires lessees to put most leases on their balance sheets but recognize expenses in the income statement in a manner similar to current accounting treatment. This ASU changes the guidance on sale-leaseback transactions, initial direct costs and lease execution costs, and, for lessors, modifies the classification criteria and the accounting for sales-type and direct financing leases. For public business entities, this ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods therein. 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. The Company is evaluating the impact of this ASU on its financial statements and disclosures.

ASU 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting." This ASU simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. For public business entities, this ASU is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods therein. The Company is evaluating the impact of this ASU on its financial statements and disclosures.

(2) Investment Securities

Investment securities as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are summarized as follows:

The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities as of March 31, 2016, by contractual maturity, are shown hereafter. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities for certain investments because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. This is often the case with mortgage-backed securities, which are disclosed separately in the table below.

Proceeds from the sale of investments available for sale during the first three months of 2016 totaled $11,800 compared to $25,173 for the first three months of 2015. The sale of investments available for sale during the first three months of 2016 resulted in gross realized gains of $9 and losses of $7.

Investment securities having a carry value approximating $132,675 and $133,754 as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, were pledged to secure public deposits and for other purposes.

(2) Investment Securities (Continued)

Information pertaining to securities with gross unrealized losses at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position, follows:

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation. Consideration is given to (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.

At March 31, 2016, the debt securities with unrealized losses have depreciated 1.58 percent from the Company’s amortized cost basis. These securities are guaranteed by either the U.S. Government, other governments or U.S. corporations. In analyzing an issuer’s financial condition, management considers whether the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, whether downgrades by bond rating agencies have occurred and the results of reviews of the issuer’s financial condition. The unrealized losses are largely due to increases in market interest rates over the yields available at the time the underlying securities were purchased. As management has the ability to hold debt securities until maturity, or for the foreseeable future if classified as available-for-sale, no declines are deemed to be other than temporary.

(3) Loans

The following table presents the composition of loans segregated by class of loans, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

Commercial and industrial loans are extended to a diverse group of businesses within the Company’s market area. These loans are often underwritten based on the borrower’s ability to service the debt from income from the business. Real estate construction loans often require loan funds to be advanced prior to completion of the project. Due to uncertainties inherent in estimating construction costs, changes in interest rates and other economic conditions, these loans often pose a higher risk than other types of loans. Consumer loans are originated at the bank level. These loans are generally smaller loan amounts spread across many individual borrowers to help minimize risk.

Credit Quality Indicators. As part of the ongoing monitoring of the credit quality of the loan portfolio, management tracks certain credit quality indicators including trends related to (i) the risk grade assigned to commercial and consumer loans, (ii) the level of classified commercial loans, (iii) net charge-offs, (iv) nonperforming loans, and (v) the general economic conditions in the Company’s geographic markets.

The Company uses a risk grading matrix to assign a risk grade to each of its loans. Loans are graded on a scale of 1 to 8. A description of the general characteristics of the grades is as follows:

(3) Loans (Continued)

The following table presents the loan portfolio by credit quality indicator (risk grade) as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. Those loans with a risk grade of 1, 2, 3 or 4 have been combined in the pass column for presentation purposes. For the period ending March 31, 2016, the Company did not have any loans classified as “doubtful” or a “loss”.

(3) Loans (Continued)

A loan’s risk grade is assigned at the inception of the loan and is based on the financial strength of the borrower and the type of collateral. Loan risk grades are subject to reassessment at various times throughout the year as part of the Company’s ongoing loan review process. Loans with an assigned risk grade of 6 or below and an outstanding balance of $250,000 or more are reassessed on a quarterly basis. During this reassessment process individual reserves may be identified and placed against certain loans which are not considered impaired.

In assessing the overall economic condition of the markets in which it operates, the Company monitors the unemployment rates for its major service areas. The unemployment rates are reviewed on a quarterly basis as part of the allowance for loan loss determination.

Loans are considered past due if the required principal and interest payments have not been received as of the date such payments were due. Generally, loans are placed on nonaccrual status if principal or interest payments become 90 days past due or when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may be unable to meet payment obligations as they become due, as well as when required by regulatory provision. Loans may be placed on nonaccrual status regardless of whether or not such loans are considered past due.

(3) Loans (Continued)

The following table represents an age analysis of past due loans and nonaccrual loans, segregated by class of loans, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015: