Item 1. Business

General

Central Federal Bancshares, Inc., a Missouri corporation (“Central Federal Bancshares” or the “Company”), was incorporated in 2015 to be the holding company for Central Federal Savings and Loan Association of Rolla, Rolla, Missouri (“Central Federal”), upon completion of the conversion of Central Federal from the mutual to the stock form of organization. (In certain instances where appropriate, the terms “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Central Federal Bancshares and/or Central Federal, as indicated by context.) On January 12, 2016, the mutual to stock conversion was completed and Central Federal became the wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Also, on that date, the Company issued 1,719,250 shares of its common stock at a price of $10.00 per share, including the sale of 143,042 shares to the Central Federal Savings and Loan Association of Rolla Employee Stock Ownership Plan in the stock offering, and it contributed 68,770 shares of common stock and $100,000 in cash to the Central Federal Community Foundation. As of December 31, 2018, Central Federal Bancshares had 1,592,920 shares of common stock outstanding.

The Company’s primary business activity is the ownership of the outstanding capital stock of Central Federal. The Company does not own or lease any property but instead uses the premises, equipment and other property of Central Federal with the payment of appropriate rental fees, as required by applicable law and regulations, under the terms of an expense allocation agreement into which the Company and Central Federal have entered. The expense allocation agreement generally provides that the Company will pay to Central Federal, on a quarterly basis, fees for its use of Central Federal’s premises, furniture, equipment and employees in an amount to be determined by the board of directors of the Company and Central Federal. In addition, the Company and Central Federal have also entered into a tax allocation agreement as a result of their status as members of an affiliated group for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code. The tax allocation agreement generally provides that the Company will file consolidated federal income tax returns with Central Federal and its subsidiaries. The tax allocation agreement also formalizes procedures for allocating the consolidated tax liability of the group among its members and establishes procedures for the future payments by Central Federal to the Company for tax liabilities attributable to Central Federal and its subsidiaries.

Central Federal is a community-oriented financial institution, dedicated to serving the financial service needs of customers within its market area, which generally consists of Phelps County, Missouri, although it also services customers in the contiguous Missouri counties of Dent, Texas, Crawford, Pulaski and Maries. Central Federal offers a variety of loan and deposit products to meet the borrowing needs of our customers. Our real estate loans consist primarily of residential loans, including owner-occupied and nonowner-occupied one- to four-family residential loans. We also offer commercial and multi-family real estate loans, commercial business loans and consumer loans, including automobile and recreational vehicle loans. We currently operate out of our office in Rolla, Missouri. We are subject to extensive regulation, examination and supervision by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”), our primary federal regulator, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), our deposit insurer. At December 31, 2018, Central Federal had total assets of $69.2 million, total deposits of $43.8 million and total stockholders’ equity of $25.2 million.

Market Area

We are headquartered and maintain our sole office in Rolla, Missouri, and we consider our primary deposit and lending market to be Phelps County, Missouri. Rolla is located along Interstate 44 in south-central Missouri, less than 100 miles from major Missouri population centers of St. Louis, Jefferson City, Columbia and Springfield. With a population of approximately 20,293 according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, Rolla is the largest city, and center of government, of Phelps County, which has a population of approximately 44,744, also according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. Rolla is home to Missouri University of Science and Technology, a public, leading technological research university within Missouri that has an enrollment as of Fall 2018 of approximately 8,416 students. Other major employers in Rolla and Phelps County include Phelps County Regional Medical Center and other health care service providers, as well as Walmart Stores, Inc. (including a regional distribution center in St. James, Missouri) and various agencies of the federal and state governments.

Competition

We face significant competition within our market both in making loans and attracting deposits. Our market area has a high concentration of financial institutions, including a large money center, regional and super regional banks, community banks and credit unions. Our competition for loans and deposits comes principally from commercial banks, savings institutions, mortgage banking firms and credit unions. We face additional competition for deposits from short-term money market funds, brokerage firms, mutual funds and insurance companies.

As of June 30, 2018 (the latest date for which information is available), according to the U.S. Deposit Market Share by County compiled by SNL Financial, Central Federal represented 5.2% of deposits in Phelps County, Missouri, ranking us seventh out of the county’s ten FDIC-insured institutions, which are comprised of 19 office locations. This data does not include credit unions with whom we also compete.

Lending Activities

General. Lending is our principal business activity, and our loan portfolio constitutes the largest portion of our assets and is the predominant source of our interest income. Management believes that Central Federal has a history of loans to credit-worthy individuals secured by their personal residences. The largest segment of our loan portfolio is real estate loans, consisting primarily of residential real estate loans (including one- to four-family and home equity loans), and, to a lesser extent, commercial and multi-family real estate loans, commercial business loans, and consumer loans. We are a portfolio lender and we retain substantially all loans we originate in our portfolio.

The following is a description of the loans we offer and our lending policies. Virtually all of our secured loans, including in particular our one- to four-family residential real estate loans, are secured by properties located in our primary lending area, which we define as Phelps County, Missouri. Any exception to our loan policies must be approved by the individuals or committee having authority to approve a comparable loan that conforms fully with our lending policies.

Residential Real Estate Loans. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had $32.8 million and $33.8 million in residential real estate loans, which represented 59.8% and 64.6%, respectively of our total loan portfolio, comprised of owner-occupied one- to four-family loans, nonowner-occupied one- to four-family loans, one- to four-family construction loans, home equity lines of credit and other junior lien loans, and land loans. The following table provides more information about our residential real estate loan portfolio at December 31, 2018 and 2017:

Our origination of residential real estate loans enables borrowers to purchase or refinance existing one- to four-family residences, virtually all of which are located in our primary market area.

We offer adjustable-rate and fixed-rate residential real estate loans with terms of up to 30 years. Because we have not historically sold any of the one- to four-family residential real estate loans that we have originated, we have not originated these loans in conformance with either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac underwriting guidelines, although we believe our underwriting guidelines are substantially similar. We generally do not originate or fund fixed-rate mortgage loans to hold in our loan portfolio at the present time; however, we have previously made long-term fixed-rate loans as part of our lending program and we expect to originate and fund fixed-rate loans for retention in our portfolio as part of our operating strategy to increase our loan portfolio. Our portfolio included approximately $15.9 million of such loans as of December 31, 2018. To the extent we currently participate in the origination of long-term fixed-rate residential real estate loans, we do so under the terms of arrangements we have entered into with another financial institution. Under this arrangement, we assist in the completion of a loan application and obtain certain financial information about the applicant on behalf of the originating institution, which then underwrites the loan pursuant to its own lending policies, and, if it approves the loan, funds the loan directly. We receive a fee for our services. Currently, we do not offer loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, although these types of loans may be obtained by our customers through the loan arrangements described above. We determine the loan fees, interest rates and other provisions of the mortgage loans we originate, fund and hold in our portfolio based on our own pricing criteria and competitive market conditions.

While residential real estate loans are generally originated with up to 30-year terms, such loans typically remain outstanding for substantially shorter periods because borrowers often prepay their loans in full either upon sale of the property pledged as security or upon refinancing the original loan. Therefore, average loan maturity is a function of, among other factors, the level of purchase and sale activity in the real estate market, prevailing interest rates and the interest rates payable on outstanding loans on a regular basis. We do not offer residential real estate loans with negative amortization, and we do not make interest only residential real estate loans.

Although adjustable-rate mortgage loans may reduce to an extent our vulnerability to changes in market interest rates because they periodically reprice, as interest rates increase the required payments due from the borrower also increase (subject to rate caps), increasing the potential for default by the borrower. At the same time, the ability of the borrower to repay the loan and the marketability of the underlying collateral may be adversely affected by higher interest rates. Upward adjustments of the contractual interest rate is also limited by the maximum periodic and lifetime rate adjustments permitted by our loan documents. As a result, the effectiveness of adjustable-rate mortgage loans in compensating for changes in general interest rates may be limited during periods of rapidly rising interest rates.

We require an escrow for funds to pay property insurance and real estate taxes for the owner-occupied home mortgage loans we make, and loans with loan-to-value ratios in excess of 90% require private mortgage insurance. We have observed a significant demand for residential real property used for investment or income purposes, which demand arises primarily from a high demand for off-campus housing for students attending the Missouri University of Science and Technology. We underwrite and price one- to four-family residential real estate loans that are nonowner-occupied as commercial loans; such loans are subject to a maximum loan-to-value ratio of 80% and are offered at fixed rates and with a term of one, three or five years and with payments based on a 25-year amortization.

Under our loan policy, which has been approved by our board, we require all properties securing mortgage loans to be appraised by a licensed, independent appraiser. We also require title insurance on all first mortgage loans. Borrowers must obtain hazard insurance, and flood insurance is required for all residential loans located in flood hazard areas. We do not offer, and have not offered, sub-prime or no-documentation mortgage loans.

We also originate loans for the construction of one- to four-family homes. At December 31, 2018, one- to four-family construction loans were $1.4 million. Our construction loans generally provide for interest only payments during the construction phase, which is usually up to 12 months. At the end of the construction phase, the loan generally converts to a permanent mortgage loan. Loans generally can be made with a maximum loan to value ratio of 85% on residential construction, based on the appraised value as if complete. Before making a commitment to fund a construction loan, we require an appraisal of the property by an independent, licensed appraiser. We also will generally require an inspection of the property before disbursement of funds during the term of the construction loan. Finally, we also originate loans to individuals for the purpose of purchasing land for future construction of one- to four-family residences, and we offer land loans under the same general terms as nonowner-occupied one- to four-family homes described above (fixed interest rates and one, three or five year maturities, with payments amortized based on a 25-year schedule). We limit the loan-to-value ratio to a maximum of 65%.

We make home equity lines of credit and, on occasion, other junior lien loans. Home equity lines of credit are made for terms of up to 20 years at adjustable rates, with the amount of the home equity line, when combined with the amount outstanding under any first mortgage, limited to an 80% loan to value ratio. All of our home equity lines of credit currently offered are adjustable-rate loans with rates tied to the prime rate as reported in The Wall Street Journal. Our home equity lines of credit are secured by residential real estate but we do not necessarily also maintain the first mortgage on the real estate. As of December 31, 2018, we had $1.6 million of home equity and other junior lien loans.

Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate Loans. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had $19.5 million and $16.5 million in commercial and multi-family real estate loans, which represented 35.6% and 31.6%, respectively, of our total loan portfolio, comprised of loans and lines of credit secured by commercial real estate, including multi-family residential real estate and owner-occupied commercial property. The following table provides more information about our commercial and multi-family real estate loan portfolio at December 31, 2018 and 2017:

We offer loans secured by multi-family residential real property, including loans to finance the construction of multi-family residences, and also commercial real estate loans and lines of credit, including commercial real estate construction loans.

Multi-family residential real property loans are offered at fixed rates, with a one, three or five year maturity, with payments on a 25-year amortization schedule, and are subject to a loan-to-value ratio of 80% of the lesser of appraised value or the purchase price. We also offer multi-family residential construction loans and commercial construction loans with a maximum loan-to-value ratio of 80%. Finally, we offer commercial (non-residential) real estate loans with a maximum loan-to-value ratio of 80% of the lower of the appraised value or the purchase price of the property, with one, three or five year terms and payments on a 25-year amortization schedule. Commercial real estate lines of credit are available with a one-year maturity.

We require all properties securing commercial mortgage loans to be appraised by a licensed, independent appraiser. We also require title insurance on all first mortgage loans. Borrowers must obtain hazard insurance, and flood insurance is required for all commercial loans located in flood hazard areas. Almost all of our commercial real estate loans are collateralized by office buildings, mixed-use properties and owner-occupied, commercial real estate located in Phelps County, Missouri.

Commercial Business Loans. We make a relatively limited amount of commercial business loans that are either secured by assets other than real property or that are not secured. As of December 31, 2018, and 2017, we had commercial business loans of $1.7 million, or 3.1% of our total loan portfolio, and $1.3 million, or 2.5%, of our total loan portfolio, respectively. For secured commercial loans and lines of credit, the interest rate and other terms are determined based upon the financial condition, including net worth, of the borrower as well as the type of collateral to secure the loan. Collateral for secured commercial business loans generally consists of the borrower’s accounts receivable, inventory and furniture, fixtures and equipment, although deposit accounts at Central Federal may also be pledged. We make unsecured commercial extensions of credit if the financial condition of the borrower is sufficient to support the loan; most of our unsecured commercial credits consist of lines of credit.

Consumer and Other Loans. Our consumer lending consists primarily of loans secured by used automobiles or other personal vehicles and, to a lesser extent, unsecured personal loans and loans secured by deposit accounts (share loans) at Central Federal. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had consumer and other loans of $839,000, or 1.5% of our total loan portfolio, and $683,000, or 1.3% of our total loan portfolio, respectively. The following table provides additional information relating to our consumer lending.

Loan Underwriting and Collections

Loan Approval Procedures and Authority. Pursuant to applicable law, the aggregate amount of loans that we are permitted to make to any one borrower or a group of related borrowers is generally limited to 15% of Central Federal’s unimpaired capital and surplus (25% if the amount in excess of 15% is secured by “readily marketable collateral” or 30% for certain residential development loans). In November 2012, the OCC approved Central Federal’s application to participate in the supplemental lending limits program (“SLLP”). Under the SLLP, Central Federal may extend credit for an additional 10% of their unimpaired capital and surplus for one- to four-family residential real estate and small business loans. The amount we can lend under this limit increased as a result of the completion of the offering in January 2016 and the contribution of 50% of the net offering proceeds to Central Federal. At December 31, 2018, our regulatory loans-to-one-borrower limit under the SLLP was $5.3 million. As of December 31, 2018, our three largest commercial real estate lending relationships consisted of multiple extensions of credit, each secured by real property, to a group of related borrowers with an aggregate principal balance of approximately $8.0 million; an extension of credit to one borrower, secured by multiple properties, with an aggregate principal balance of approximately $2.1 million; a loan secured by a local fraternity with a principal balance of approximately $2.9 million; and an additional loan secured by a local fraternity with a principal balance of approximately $3.0 million. At December 31, 2018, all of these loans were performing in accordance with their repayment terms.

Our lending is subject to written underwriting standards and origination procedures. Decisions on loan applications are made on the basis of written applications submitted by the prospective borrowers and property valuations (consistent with our appraisal policy) prepared by outside independent licensed appraisers, as well as internal evaluations where permitted by regulations. The loan applications are designed primarily to determine the borrower’s ability to repay the requested loan, and the more significant items on the application are verified through use of credit reports, financial statements and tax returns.

We have a loan committee comprised of our president, all loan officers (including our executive vice president – lending) and loan administration personnel. Minutes of the meetings of the loan committee are provided to our board on a monthly basis. Our executive vice president – lending and our three lending officers each has the authority to approve extensions of credit in amounts that, when aggregated with all other extensions of credit to the same or related borrowers, do not exceed $500,000. Our loan committee may approve loans in amounts that, when aggregated with all other extensions of credit to the same or related borrowers, do not exceed $750,000; all other loans must be approved by our board of directors.

Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate, Nonowner-Occupied Residential Real Estate and Commercial Business Loans. We consider a number of factors in originating commercial real estate loans, including multi-family real estate and nonowner-occupied, one- to four-family residential real estate loans, as well as other commercial business loans. We evaluate the qualifications and financial condition of the borrower, including credit history, profitability and expertise, as well as the value and condition of property securing the loan. Under our lending policy, positive cash flow is a requirement for all commercial loans, and we generally require a borrower, irrespective of the income and debt service capacity of assets collateralizing the loan, to demonstrate a minimum debt service coverage ratio (the ratio of net operating income to debt service) of 1.2 to 1.0. We also consider the financial resources of the borrower, for real estate loans, the borrower’s experience in owning or managing similar property and the borrower’s payment history with us and other financial institutions. In evaluating property securing the loan, the factors we consider include the net operating income of the mortgaged property before debt service and depreciation, the ratio of the loan amount to the appraised value of the mortgaged property and the debt service coverage ratio (the ratio of net operating income to debt service). All commercial business loans (including multi-family and nonowner-occupied real estate) are reviewed at least annually by Central Federal’s management. The review is based on the borrower (that is, all loans to one borrower are reviewed at the same time), and current financial information is obtained from the borrower and its principals at the time of the review. Loans that exceed $250,000 and that require an annual review are presented to and discussed at a meeting of our internal loan committee, loans that exceed $500,000 that require an annual review are presented to and discussed with our board of directors. All commercial and multi-family real estate loans, as well as all owner- and nonowner- occupied residential real estate loans, are appraised by outside independent, licensed appraisers. Personal guarantees are generally obtained from the principals of commercial and multi-family real estate loans.

Commercial loans, whether or not secured by real estate, entail greater credit risks compared to owner-occupied one- to four-family residential real estate loans because they typically involve larger loan balances concentrated with single borrowers or groups of related borrowers. In addition, the payment of loans secured by income-producing properties typically depends on the successful operation of the property, as repayment of the loan generally is dependent, in large part, on sufficient income from the property to cover operating expenses and debt service. Changes in economic conditions that are not in the control of the borrower or lender could affect the value of the collateral for the loan or the future cash flow of the property. Additionally, any decline in real estate values may be more pronounced for commercial real estate than residential properties.

Collection Procedures. When a borrower fails to make required payments on a loan, we take a number of steps to induce the borrower to cure the delinquency and restore the loan to current status. We generally send a written notice of non-payment to the borrower between 15 and 30 days (depending on any payment grace period associated with the loan) following the missed payment and will follow up with a telephone call to the borrower if payment has not been made. If the loan remains unpaid, a further seriously past due notice is generated and mailed to the borrower, and we will make another telephone call, or an in-person visit, to the borrower. If the loan continues to remain unpaid and satisfactory payment arrangements have not been made with us, we send a letter demanding payment within 30 days; if we do not receive a satisfactory response, we may, in our discretion, turn the matter over to our attorney for further action, including the initiation of foreclosure proceedings.

The accrual of interest on real estate and commercial business loans is discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days past due unless the credit is well secured and in process of collection. Personal loans are typically charged off no later than 180 days past due. Past due status is based on contractual terms of the loan. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful. Loans returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually are brought current, the borrower has demonstrated a period of sustained performance and future payments are reasonably assured. A sustained period of repayment performance generally would be a minimum of six months. Management reports loan delinquencies to the board of directors on a monthly basis. Additional information with respect to our loans is available under “ Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Balance Sheet Analysis as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. ”

Loan Commitments. We issue commitments for one- to four-family residential real estate loans conditioned upon the occurrence of certain events. Commitments to originate mortgage loans are legally binding agreements to lend to our customers. Most of our loan commitments expire after 30 days. See “ Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements .”

Construction Loans. Construction financing is generally considered to involve a higher degree of risk of loss than long-term financing on improved, occupied real estate. Risk of loss on a construction loan depends largely upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of the property’s value at completion of construction and the estimated cost of construction. During the construction phase, a number of factors could result in delays and cost overruns. If the estimate of construction costs proves to be inaccurate, we may be required to advance funds beyond the amount originally committed to permit completion of the building. If the estimate of value proves to be inaccurate, we may be confronted, at or before the maturity of the loan, with a building having a value that is insufficient to assure full repayment if liquidation is required. If we are forced to foreclose on a building before or at completion due to a default, we may be unable to recover all of the unpaid balance of, and accrued interest on, the loan as well as related foreclosure and holding costs. For construction loans secured by residential real estate (including loans we consider to be commercial loans), we disburse funds upon request and upon an inspection of the property by Central Federal personnel. For larger commercial loans, we generally advance funds only upon receipt of certification from an engineer or architect.

Home Equity Lines of Credit. In the case of home equity lines of credit, real estate values may be reduced to a level that is insufficient to cover the outstanding loan balance after accounting for the first mortgage loan balance. Loan collections depend on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and, therefore, are likely to be adversely affected by various factors, including job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy. Furthermore, the application of various federal and state laws, including federal and state bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit the amount that can be recovered on such loans.

Home equity lines of credit have greater risk than one- to four-family residential real estate loans secured by first mortgages, primarily the risk that the collateral will be insufficient to compensate us for loan losses and costs of foreclosure. When customers default on their loans, we attempt to foreclose on the property and resell the property as soon as possible to minimize foreclosure and carrying costs utilizing the policies and procedures described above. The value of the collateral, however, may not be sufficient to compensate us for the amount of the unpaid loan and we may be unsuccessful in recovering the remaining balance from those customers. Decreases in real estate values could adversely affect the value of property used as collateral for our loans.

Investment Activities

Our board of directors has the overall responsibility for the investment portfolio, including approval of the investment policy. Our primary investment objectives are: (i) to provide and maintain liquidity; (ii) to fully employ the available funds of Central Federal; (iii) to earn an average rate of return on invested funds competitive with comparable institutions; (iv) to manage interest rate risk; and (v) to limit credit and interest rate risk. Our chief executive officer is responsible for the implementation of our policy and monitoring our investment performance. Our board of directors reviews the status of our investment portfolio on a monthly basis.

We have legal authority to invest in various types of liquid assets, including U.S. Treasury obligations, securities of various government-sponsored agencies and of state and municipal governments, mortgage-backed securities and certificates of deposit of federally insured institutions. Within certain regulatory limits, we also may invest a portion of our assets in other permissible securities. As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, we also are required to maintain an investment in the stock of that institution.

We have an investment portfolio comprised of $8.4 million of certificates of deposit in other financial institutions and available for sale securities. At December 31, 2018, our investment portfolio was comprised of certificates of deposit in other financial institutions, each under $250,000 and each at a different insured depository institution. We also have investments, categorized as available-for-sale, in a municipal obligation with a fair value of $402,000, mortgage backed securities with a fair value of $4.0 million, a Small Business Administration (“SBA”) pool with a fair value of $795,000, and stock of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation with a fair value of $17,000, as of December 31, 2018. The municipal obligation has a coupon rate of 3.25%, matures in March 2033, and is callable in March 2023. The SBA Pool has a coupon of 2.27% and matures in February 2036. The mortgage backed securities have a coupon of 2.84%. Our investment strategy has remained consistent with our current philosophy of maintaining excess cash in interest-bearing deposits held in other financial institutions; we have and may continue to, on a limited basis, invest in debt securities. In addition to our investment portfolio, at December 31, 2018, we held $82,000 of Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines stock, carried at cost.

Deposit Activities and Other Sources of Funds

General. Deposits have traditionally been our primary source of funds for use in lending and investment activities. We have not historically used borrowings and we had no outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2018 or at December 31, 2017. In addition, we receive funds from scheduled loan payments, loan prepayments, retained earnings and income on earning assets. While scheduled loan payments and income on earning assets are relatively stable sources of funds, deposit inflows and outflows can vary widely and are influenced by prevailing interest rates, market conditions and levels of competition.

Deposit Accounts. Deposits generally are attracted from within our market area through the offering of a broad selection of deposit instruments, including non-interest-bearing demand deposits (such as checking accounts), interest-bearing demand accounts (such as NOW and money market accounts), statement savings accounts and certificates of deposit. On occasion, Central Federal will accept deposits, typically in the form of certificate of deposit in denominations of $100,000 or greater, from other financial institutions. We do not have a formal program or policy with respect to such deposits, which are typically initiated by the other institution; rather, we will accept the deposits if, when the opportunity to accept the deposit arises, our management determines that the deposit is appropriate for us. Deposit account terms vary according to the minimum balance required, the time periods the funds must remain on deposit and the interest rate, among other factors. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were no deposits from such other financial institutions.

Interest rates, maturity terms, service fees and withdrawal penalties are established on a periodic basis. Deposit rates and terms are based primarily on current operating strategies and market rates, liquidity requirements, rates paid by competitors and growth goals. The flow of deposits is influenced significantly by general economic conditions, changes in interest rates and competition. Our ability to gather deposits is affected by the competitive market in which we operate, which includes numerous financial institutions of varying sizes offering a wide range of products. We believe that deposits are a stable source of funds, but our ability to attract and maintain deposits at favorable rates will be affected by market conditions, including competition and prevailing interest rates.

Borrowings. As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, Central Federal is eligible to obtain advances upon the security of the Federal Home Loan Bank common stock owned and certain residential real estate loans, provided certain standards related to credit-worthiness have been met. Federal Home Loan Bank advances are available pursuant to several credit programs, each of which has its own interest rate and range of maturities. Central Federal also is eligible, upon the satisfaction of collateral security and other requirements, to borrow from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. While we have obtained Federal Home Loan Bank advances in the past, we had no outstanding borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank or Federal Reserve Bank at December 31, 2018 or 2017.

Personnel

As of December 31, 2018, we had 16 full-time equivalent employees, none of whom are represented by a collective bargaining unit.

Subsidiaries

We have no subsidiaries other than Central Federal.

Regulation and Supervision

General

Central Federal, as a federal savings association, is subject to extensive regulation, examination and supervision by the OCC, as its primary federal regulator, and by the FDIC as the insurer of its deposits. Its deposit accounts are insured up to applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund of the FDIC. Central Federal must file reports with the OCC concerning its activities and financial condition in addition to obtaining regulatory approvals before entering into certain transactions such as mergers with, or acquisitions of, other financial institutions. There are periodic examinations by the OCC to evaluate Central Federal’s safety and soundness and compliance with various regulatory requirements. This regulatory structure is intended primarily for the protection of the insurance fund and depositors. The regulatory structure also gives the regulatory authorities extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies, including policies with respect to the classification of assets and the establishment of an adequate allowance for loan losses for regulatory purposes.

As a savings and loan holding company, the Company is subject to examination and supervision by, and is required to file certain reports with, the Federal Reserve Board. Central Federal Bancshares is also subject to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the federal securities laws.

Set forth below are certain material regulatory requirements that are applicable to Central Federal and Central Federal Bancshares. This description of statutes and regulations is not intended to be a complete explanation of such statutes and regulations or their effects on Central Federal and Central Federal Bancshares, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to applicable laws and regulations. Any change in these laws or regulations, whether by Congress or the applicable regulatory agencies, could have a material adverse impact on Central Federal Bancshares, Central Federal and their operations.

Federal Banking Regulation

Business Activities. The activities of federal savings associations, such as Central Federal, are governed by federal laws and regulations. Those laws and regulations delineate the nature and extent of the business activities in which federal savings associations may engage. In particular, certain lending authority for federal savings associations, e.g. , commercial, nonresidential real property loans and consumer loans, is limited to a specified percentage of the association’s capital or assets.

Capital Requirements. Central Federal is subject to minimum regulatory capital requirements imposed under OCC regulations. Federal regulations establish the minimum capital level requirements applicable to FDIC-insured institutions of at least: (i) a common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4.5%; (ii) a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6%; (iii) a total capital ratio of 8%; and (iv) a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4%. The rules also established a “capital conservation buffer” of 2.5% above the regulatory minimum capital requirements, which must consist entirely of common equity Tier 1 capital and would result, in effect, in the following minimum ratios: (i) a common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 7.0%, (ii) a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8.5%, and (iii) a total capital ratio of 10.5%. The new capital conservation buffer requirement began a phase-on period in January 2016 at .625% of risk-weighted assets and will increase by that amount each year until fully implemented in January 2019. An institution will be subject to limitations on paying dividends, engaging in share repurchases, and paying discretionary bonuses if its capital level falls below the buffer amount. These limitations will establish a maximum percentage of eligible retained income that could be utilized for such actions.

The capital rules require a number of changes to regulatory capital deductions and adjustments, subject to a transition period. Among other changes, the rules provide for a one-time, permanent opt-out from the treatment under such rules of certain items of accumulated other comprehensive income. The rules generally require the recognition in regulatory capital calculations of unrealized gains and losses. If an institution elects to opt-out, then the institution may continue treating accumulated other comprehensive income items in a manner consistent with the prior regulatory capital rules. The Company has made this opt-out election. The rules modify the calculation of risk-weighted assets, although they generally continue the treatment of residential mortgages under the prior rules. Under the rules, an institution may assign a 50% risk weight to a first-lien residential mortgage exposure that: (i) is secured by property that is owner-occupied or rented, (ii) is made in accordance with “prudent underwriting standards,” (iii) is not 90

days or more past due or in nonaccrual status, and (iv) is not restructured or modified. Other first-lien residential exposures, as well as junior-lien exposures, are assigned a 100% risk weight.

The exposure amount for on-balance sheet assets is generally the carrying value of the exposure as determined under GAAP. If a banking organization has elected to opt out of the accumulated other comprehensive income provisions discussed above, the exposure amount for available for sale or held-to-maturity debt securities is the carrying value (including accrued but unpaid interest and fees) of the exposure, less any net unrealized gains plus any unrealized losses. Further, the rules retain the prior risk-weighting rules for exposures to debt directly and unconditionally guaranteed by U.S. federal government and its agencies. Such exposures receive a 0% risk weight. Exposures conditionally guaranteed by the federal government, Federal Reserve Board or a federal government agency would receive a 20% risk weight. Further, the capital rules assign a 20% risk weight to non-equity exposures to government-sponsored entities (GSEs) and a 100% risk weight to preferred stock issued by a GSE. The rules define a GSE as an entity established or chartered by the federal government to serve public purposes but whose debt obligations are not “explicitly guaranteed” by the full faith and credit of the federal government. Institutions must assign a 20% risk weight to general obligations of a public sector entity (for example, a state, local authority or other governmental subdivision below the sovereign level) that is organized under U.S. law and a 50% risk weight for a revenue obligation of such an entity.

The OCC also has authority to establish individual minimum capital requirements in appropriate cases upon a determination that an institution’s capital level is or may become inadequate in light of the particular risks or circumstances.

Prompt Corrective Regulatory Action. Prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications for insured depository institutions, such as Central Federal, and their holding companies: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized. The OCC is required to take certain supervisory actions against undercapitalized institutions, with the severity of the action depending upon the institution’s degree of undercapitalization. In addition, numerous mandatory supervisory actions become immediately applicable to an undercapitalized institution, including, but not limited to, increased monitoring by regulators and restrictions on growth, capital distributions and expansion. The OCC could also take any one of a number of discretionary supervisory actions, including the issuance of a capital directive and the replacement of senior executive officers and directors. Significantly and critically undercapitalized institutions are subject to additional mandatory and discretionary measures.

Insurance of Deposit Accounts. Central Federal’s deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund of the FDIC. Deposit insurance per account owner is currently $250,000. Under the FDIC’s risk-based assessment system, insured institutions are assigned a risk category based on supervisory evaluations, regulatory capital levels and certain other factors. An institution’s assessment rate depends upon the category to which it is assigned, and certain adjustments specified by FDIC regulations. Institutions deemed less risky pay lower assessments. The FDIC may adjust the scale uniformly, except that no adjustment can deviate more than two basis points from the base scale without notice and comment. No institution may pay a dividend if in default of the federal deposit insurance assessment.

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

Loans to One Borrower. Federal law provides that savings associations are generally subject to the limits on loans to one borrower applicable to national banks. Generally, subject to certain exceptions, a savings association may not make a loan or extend credit to a single or related group of borrowers in excess of 15% of its unimpaired capital and surplus. An additional amount may be lent, equal to 10% of unimpaired capital and surplus, if secured by specified readily marketable collateral. At December 31, 2018, our regulatory loans-to-one borrower limitation under the supplemental lending limits program approved by the OCC was $5.3 million. All loans to one borrower that aggregate over $500,000 are reviewed by a Central Federal commercial loan officer and are presented to the board of directors annually. Further, our management reviews and recommends to the board of directors through our loan committee such lesser limitations on the extension of credit to a single borrower or borrowing entity as it feels prudent and in the best interest of Central Federal based on the current economic, competitive environment and the circumstances of Central Federal.

Qualified Thrift Lender Test. Federal law requires savings associations to meet a qualified thrift lender test. Under the test, a savings association is required to either qualify as a “domestic building and loan association” under the Internal Revenue Code or maintain at least 65% of its “portfolio assets” (total assets less: (i) specified liquid assets up to 20% of total assets; (ii) intangibles, including goodwill; and (iii) the value of property used to conduct business) in certain “qualified thrift investments” (primarily residential mortgages and related investments, including certain mortgage-backed securities but also including education, credit card and small business loans) in at least nine months out of each 12-month period.

A savings association that fails the qualified thrift lender test is subject to certain operating restrictions, such as making any new investments or engaging in any new activity not allowed for both a national bank and a savings association, establishing any new branch office unless establishment would be allowable for a national bank, and paying dividends unless such payment would be both allowable for a national bank and necessary to meet the obligations of the association’s holding company. The Dodd-Frank Act also specifies that failing the qualified thrift lender test is a violation of law that could result in an enforcement action and dividend limitations. As of December 31, 2018, Central Federal met the qualified thrift lender test.

Limitation on Capital Distributions. Federal regulations impose limitations upon all capital distributions by a savings association, including cash dividends, payments to repurchase the association’s shares and payments to shareholders of another institution in a cash-out merger. Under the regulations, an application to and the prior approval of the OCC is required before any capital distribution if  (i) the institution does not meet the criteria for “expedited treatment” of applications under OCC regulations (i.e., generally, examination and Community Reinvestment Act ratings in the two top categories); (ii) the total capital distributions for the calendar year exceed net income for that year plus the amount of retained net income for the preceding two years; (iii) the institution would be undercapitalized following the distribution; or (iv) the distribution would otherwise be contrary to a statute, regulation or agreement with the OCC. If an application is not required, the institution must still provide 30 days’ prior written notice to, and receive the non-objection of the Federal Reserve Board for the capital distribution if, like Central Federal, it is a subsidiary of a holding company, as well as an informational notice filing to the OCC. If Central Federal’s capital ever fell below its regulatory requirements or the OCC notified it that it was in need of increased supervision, its ability to make capital distributions could be restricted. In addition, the OCC could prohibit a proposed capital distribution by any institution, which would otherwise be permitted by the regulation, if the OCC determines that such distribution would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice.

Community Reinvestment Act. All federal savings associations have a responsibility under the Community Reinvestment Act and related regulations to help meet the credit needs of their communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. An institution’s failure to comply satisfactorily with the provisions of the Community Reinvestment Act could result in denials of regulatory applications. Responsibility for administering the Community Reinvestment Act, unlike other fair lending laws, is not being transferred to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Central Federal received a “satisfactory” Community Reinvestment Act rating in its most recently completed examination.

Assessments. Central Federal is required to pay assessments to the OCC to fund the agency’s operations. The general assessments, paid on a semi-annual basis, are computed upon an association’s total assets, including consolidated subsidiaries, as reported in the association’s latest quarterly financial report. The assessments paid by Central Federal for the year ended December 31, 2018 totaled approximately $42,000.

Transactions with Related Parties. Federal law limits Central Federal’s authority to engage in transactions with “affiliates” ( e.g. , any entity that controls or is under common control with Central Federal, including the Company and any of its other subsidiaries). The aggregate amount of covered transactions with any individual affiliate is limited to 10% of the capital and surplus of the savings association. The aggregate amount of covered transactions with all affiliates is limited to 20% of the savings association’s capital and surplus. Certain transactions with affiliates are required to be secured by collateral in an amount and of a type specified by federal law. The purchase of low quality assets from affiliates is generally prohibited. Transactions with affiliates must generally be on terms and under circumstances that are at least as favorable to the institution as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with non-affiliated companies. In addition, savings associations are prohibited from lending to any affiliate that is engaged in activities that are not permissible for bank holding companies, and no savings association may purchase the securities of any affiliate other than a subsidiary.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 generally prohibits loans by Central Federal to executive officers and directors. However, the law contains a specific exception for loans by a depository institution to its executive officers and directors in compliance with federal banking laws. Under such laws, Central Federal’s authority to extend credit to executive officers, directors and 10% shareholders (“insiders”), as well as entities such person’s control, is limited. The laws limit both the individual and aggregate amount of loans that Central Federal may make to insiders based, in part, on Central Federal’s capital level, and requires that certain board approval procedures be followed. Such loans are required to be made on terms substantially the same as those offered to unaffiliated individuals and may not involve more than the normal risk of repayment. There is an exception for loans made pursuant to a benefit or compensation program that is widely available to all employees of the institution and does not give preference to insiders over other employees. Loans to executive officers are subject to additional limitations based on the type of loan involved.

Enforcement. The OCC currently has primary enforcement responsibility over savings associations and has authority to bring actions against the institution and all institution-affiliated parties, including directors, officers, shareholders, and any attorneys, appraisers and accountants who knowingly or recklessly participate in wrongful actions likely to have an adverse effect on an insured institution. Formal enforcement action may range from the issuance of a capital directive or cease and desist order to removal of officers and/or directors to requiring receivership, conservatorship or termination of deposit insurance. Civil penalties cover a wide range of violations and can amount to $25,000 per day, or even $1.0 million per day in especially egregious cases. Additionally, the FDIC has the authority to recommend to the OCC that enforcement action be taken with respect to a particular savings association. If action is not taken by the OCC, the FDIC has authority to take such action under certain circumstances. Federal law also establishes criminal penalties for certain violations.

Federal Home Loan Bank System. Central Federal is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank System, which consists of 11 regional Federal Home Loan Banks. The Federal Home Loan Bank provides a central credit facility primarily for member institutions. Central Federal, as a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, is required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in that Federal Home Loan Bank. Central Federal was in compliance with this requirement at December 31, 2018 with an investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock with a book value of $82,000.

Federal Reserve System. The Federal Reserve Board regulations require savings associations to maintain non-interest-earning reserves against their transaction accounts (primarily Negotiable Order of Withdrawal (NOW) and regular checking accounts).

Incentive Compensation. Guidelines adopted by the federal banking agencies pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act prohibit excessive compensation as an unsafe and unsound practice and describe compensation as excessive when the amounts paid are unreasonable or disproportionate to the services performed by an executive officer, employee, director or principal stockholder.

The Federal Reserve Board has issued comprehensive guidance on incentive compensation policies intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies of banking organizations do not undermine the safety and soundness of such organizations by encouraging excessive risk-taking. The guidance is based upon the key principles that a financial institution’s incentive compensation arrangements should (i) provide incentives that do not encourage risk-taking beyond the organization’s ability to effectively identity and manage risks; (ii) be compatible with effective internal controls and risk management; and (iii) be supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by the institution’s board of directors. Any deficiencies in compensation practices that are identified may be incorporated into the institution’s supervisory ratings, which can affect its ability to make acquisitions or perform other actions. Enforcement actions may be taken against an institution if its incentive compensation arrangements or related risk-management control or governance processes pose a risk to the institution’s safety and soundness and the institution is not taking prompt and effective measures to correct the deficiencies.

Other Regulations

Central Federal’s operations are also subject to federal laws applicable to credit transactions, such as, but not limited to, the:

The operations of Central Federal also are subject to the:

Holding Company Regulation

General. As a savings and loan holding company, the Company is subject to Federal Reserve Board regulations, examinations, supervision, reporting requirements and regulations regarding its activities. Among other things, this authority permits the Federal Reserve Board to restrict or prohibit activities that are determined to be a serious risk to Central Federal.

Pursuant to federal statutes, regulations and policy, a savings and loan holding company such as the Company may generally engage in the activities permitted for financial holding companies under Section 4(k) of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and certain other activities that have been authorized for savings and loan holding companies by regulation.

Federal law prohibits a savings and loan holding company from, directly or indirectly or through one or more subsidiaries, acquiring more than 5% of the voting stock of another savings association, or savings and loan holding company thereof, without prior written approval of the Federal Reserve Board or from acquiring or retaining, with certain exceptions, more than 5% of a non-subsidiary holding company or savings association. A savings and loan holding company is also prohibited from acquiring more than 5% of a company engaged in activities other than those authorized by federal law or acquiring or retaining control of a depository institution that is not insured by the FDIC. In evaluating applications by holding companies to acquire savings associations, the Federal Reserve Board must consider the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the company and institution involved, the effect of the acquisition on the risk to the insurance funds, the convenience and needs of the community and competitive factors.

The Federal Reserve Board is prohibited from approving any acquisition that would result in a multiple savings and loan holding company controlling savings associations in more than one state, except for: (i) the approval of interstate supervisory acquisitions by savings and loan holding companies; and (ii) the acquisition of a savings association in another state if the laws of the state of the target savings association specifically permit such acquisitions. The states vary in the extent to which they permit interstate savings and loan holding company acquisitions.

Capital Requirements. In July 2013, the Federal Reserve Board approved a new rule that implemented the “Basel III” regulatory capital reforms and changes required by the Dodd-Frank Act. The final rule established consolidated capital requirements for many savings and loan holding companies. However, under the Federal Reserve Board’s “Small Bank Holding Company” exemption from consolidated capital requirements, savings and loan holding companies with less than $3 billion in consolidated assets, such as the Company, are exempt from consolidated regulatory capital requirements, unless the Federal Reserve Board determines otherwise in particular cases. See “ Regulation and Supervision — Federal Banking Regulation — Capital Requirements .”

Source of Strength. The Dodd-Frank Act also extended the Federal Reserve Board’s “source of strength” doctrine to savings and loan holding companies such as the Company. The Federal Reserve Board has issued regulations implementing the “source of strength” policy requiring that holding companies act as a source of strength to their subsidiary depository institutions by providing capital, liquidity and other support in times of financial stress.

Dividends and Stock Repurchases. The Federal Reserve Board has the power to prohibit payment of dividends by savings and loan holding companies if their actions constitute unsafe or unsound practices. The Federal Reserve Board has issued a policy statement on the payment of cash dividends by bank holding companies and savings and loan holding companies which expresses the Federal Reserve Board’s view that a holding company should pay cash dividends only to the extent that the company’s net income for the past year is sufficient to cover both the cash dividends and a rate of earnings retention that is consistent with the company’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. The Federal Reserve Board has also indicated that it would be inappropriate for a holding company experiencing serious financial problems to borrow funds to pay dividends. Under the prompt corrective action regulations, the Federal Reserve Board may prohibit a savings and loan holding company from paying any dividends if the holding company’s bank subsidiary is classified as “undercapitalized.”

Federal Reserve Board policy also provides that a holding company should inform the Federal Reserve Board supervisory staff prior to redeeming or repurchasing common stock or perpetual preferred stock if the holding company is experiencing financial weaknesses or if the repurchase or redemption would result in a net reduction, as of the end of a quarter, in the amount of such equity instruments outstanding compared with the beginning of the quarter in which the redemption or repurchase occurred.

Acquisition of Central Federal Bancshares. Under the federal Change in Bank Control Act, a notice must be submitted to the Federal Reserve Board if any person (including a company), or group acting in concert, seeks to acquire direct or indirect “control” of a savings and loan holding company or savings association. Under certain circumstances, a change of control may occur, and prior notice is required, upon the acquisition of 10% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the company or institution, unless the Federal Reserve Board has found that the acquisition will not result in a change of control. A change in control definitively occurs upon the acquisition of 25% or more of a company’s outstanding voting stock. Under the Change in Control Act, the Federal Reserve Board generally has 60 days from the filing of a complete notice to act, taking into consideration certain factors, including the financial and managerial resources of the acquirer and the anti-trust effects of the acquisition. Any company that acquires control would then be subject to regulation as a savings and loan holding company.

Emerging Growth Company Status

The JOBS Act, which was enacted in April 2012, has made numerous changes to the federal securities laws to facilitate access to capital markets. Under the JOBS Act, a company with total annual gross revenues of less than $1.0 billion during its most recently completed fiscal year qualifies as an “emerging growth company.” The Company qualifies as an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act.

An “emerging growth company” may choose not to hold stockholder votes to approve annual executive compensation (more frequently referred to as “say-on-pay” votes) or executive compensation payable in connection with a merger (more frequently referred to as “say-on-golden parachute” votes). Such a company also may present only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in a public offering prospectus. An emerging growth company also is not subject to the requirement that its auditors attest to the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting, and can provide scaled disclosure regarding executive compensation; accordingly, the Company is not subject to the auditor attestation requirement or additional executive compensation disclosure so long as it remains a “smaller reporting company” under regulations of the SEC (generally less than $75 million of voting and non-voting equity held by non-affiliates). The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards. Thus, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. The Company has elected to avail itself of this extended transition period.

A company loses emerging growth company status on the earlier of: (i) the last day of the fiscal year of the company during which it had total annual gross revenues of $1.0 billion or more; (ii) the last day of the fiscal year of the issuer following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of common equity securities of the company pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act; (iii) the date on which such company has, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt; or (iv) the date on which such company is deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under SEC regulations (generally, at least $700 million of voting and non-voting equity held by non-affiliates).

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included in this report and in our future filings with the SEC, in our press releases, and in oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer, which are not historical or current facts, are “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical earnings and those presently anticipated or projected. These forward-looking statements are sometimes identified by the use of terms and phrases such as “believe,” “should,” “expect,” “project,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “can,” “may,” or similar expressions elsewhere in this report. Forward-looking statements include:

Such statements are based on management’s current views and assumptions, and involve risks and uncertainties that could affect expected results. Those risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the following:

Our results of operations and financial condition may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Any of the forward-looking statements that we make in this report and in other public statements we make may later prove incorrect because of inaccurate assumptions, the factors illustrated above or other factors that we cannot foresee. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed.

You should not rely upon forward-looking statements that we make in this report and in other public statements we make as predictions of future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, performance or events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur. Moreover, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this report to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations.