15.	COMMITMENTS

In the normal course of business, there are various outstanding commitments and certain contingent liabilities which are

not

reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. These commitments and contingent liabilities represent financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. The contract or notional amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement in particular types of financial instruments which were composed of the following

December 31:

(Dollar amounts in thousands)	2017		2016

Commitments to extend credit	$	234,023	$	161,646
Standby letters of credit		1,015		1,416

Total	$	235,038	$	163,062

These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company

’s exposure to credit loss, in the event of nonperformance by the other parties to the financial instruments, is represented by the contractual amounts as disclosed. The Company minimizes its exposure to credit loss under these commitments by subjecting them to credit approval and review procedures and collateral requirements as deemed necessary. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates within

one

year of their origination.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a

third

party. Performance letters of credit represent conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a

third

party. These instruments are issued primarily to support bid or performance-related contracts. The coverage period for these instruments is typically a

one

-year period with an annual renewal option subject to prior approval by management. Fees earned from the issuance of these letters are recognized over the coverage period. For secured letters of credit, the collateral is typically bank deposit instruments or customer business assets.

Leasing Arrangements

The Company leases certain of its banking facilities under operating leases which contain certain renewal options. As of

December 31,

2017,

approximate future minimum rental payments, including the renewal options under these leases, are as follows (in thousands):

2018	$	655
2019		639
2020		641
2021		598
2022		365
Thereafter		920
Total	$	3,818

The above amounts represent minimum rentals

not

adjusted for possible future increases due to

escalation provisions and assume that all renewal option periods will be exercised by the Company. Rent expense approximated

$641,000,

$285,000,

and

$288,000

for the years ended

December 31, 2017,

2016,

and

2015,

respectively.