Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Basis of presentation and use of estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ 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 valuation of other real estate owned.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and balances due from banks and federal funds sold, all of which mature within ninety days. Generally, federal funds are purchased and sold for one-day periods.

Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

Securities

Certain debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as “held-to-maturity” and recorded at amortized cost. Trading securities are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value included in earnings. Securities not classified as held-to-maturity or trading, including equity securities with readily determinable fair values, are classified as “available-for-sale” and recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income (loss). Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method.

Impairment of securities occurs when the fair value of a security is less than its amortized cost. For debt securities, impairment is considered other-than-temporary and recognized in its entirety in net income if either (1) the Bank intends to sell the security or (2) it is more likely than not that the Bank will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If, however, the Bank does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the Bank will be required to sell the security before recovery, the Bank must determine what portion of the impairment is attributable to a credit loss, which occurs when the amortized cost of the security exceeds the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected from the security. If there is no credit loss, there is no other-than temporary impairment. If there is a credit loss, other-than-temporary impairment exists, and the credit loss must be recognized in net income and the remaining portion of impairment must be recognized in other comprehensive income.

For equity securities, impairment is considered to be other-than-temporary based on our ability and intent to hold the investment until a recovery of fair value. Other-than-temporary impairment of an equity security results in a write-down that must be included in net income. We regularly review each investment security for other-than-temporary impairment based on criteria that include the extent to which cost exceeds market price, the duration of that market decline, the financial health of and specific prospects for the issuer, our best estimate of the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from debt securities, our intention with regard to holding the security to maturity, and the likelihood that we would be required to sell the security before recovery.

Restricted investments

As members of the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBA), the Bank is required to maintain certain minimum investments in the common stock of the FRB and FHLBA. Required levels of investment are based upon the Bank’s capital and a percentage of qualifying assets. The Bank also maintains stock ownership in Community Bankers’ Bank (CBB). The investment in CBB is minimal and is not mandated but qualifies the Bank for preferred pricing on services offered by CBB. Based on liquidation restrictions, all of these investments are carried at cost.

Loans

Financial makes real estate, commercial and consumer loans to customers. A substantial portion of the loan portfolio is represented by real estate loans collateralized by real estate within Region 2000. The ability of Financial’s debtors to honor their contracts is dependent upon the real estate and general economic conditions in the area.

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off generally are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances adjusted for charge-offs, the allowance for loan losses, and any deferred fees or costs on originated loans. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal

Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the related loan yield using the interest method.

Past due status

Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan. In all cases, loans are placed on non-accrual and potentially charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.

Non-accrual status

Financial stops accruing interest on a loan at the time the loan is 90 days past due unless the credit is well-secured and in process of collection. At the time the loan is placed on non-accrual status, all previously accrued but not collected interest is reversed against interest income. While the loan is classified as non-accrual, any payments collected are accounted for using the cost-recovery method which requires the entire amount of the payment to be applied directly to principal, until qualifying for return to performing status. Loans may be, but are not always, returned to performing status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current (within 90 days past due), future payments are reasonably assured, and contractually required payments have been made on a timely basis for at least six consecutive months.

Charge-off

At the time a loan is placed on non-accrual status, it is generally reevaluated for expected loss and a specific reserve, if not already assigned, is established against the loan. Consumer term loans are typically charged-off no later than 120 days whereas consumer revolving credit loans are typically charged-off no later than 180 days. Although the goal for commercial and commercial real estate loans is for charge off no later than 180 days, a commercial or commercial real estate loan may not be fully charged off until there is reasonable certainty that no additional workout efforts, troubled debt restructurings or any other types of concession can or will be made by Financial.

Loans Held for Sale

Loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are sold, servicing released, and carried at the lower of cost or fair value, which is determined in the aggregate based on sales commitments to permanent investors or on current market rates for loans of similar quality and type. In addition, the Company requires a firm purchase commitment from a permanent investor before a loan can be closed, thus limiting interest rate risk. The amount of interest rate lock commitments is currently an immaterial amount.

Allowance for loan lossesThe allowance for loan losses is established as losses that 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 revision as more information becomes available.

Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

The allowance consists of specific, historical and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as doubtful or substandard. For such loans that are also classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the collateral value of the impaired loan or discounted cash flows is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The historical component covers non-classified 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 general losses in the portfolio. The qualitative factors used to derive the general component of the allowance may include but are not limited to:

Known improvement or deterioration in certain classes of loans or collateral;

Trends in portfolio volume, maturity, or composition;

Volume and trends in delinquencies and non-accruals;

Local economic and industrial conditions;

Lending, charge-off, and collection policies; and

Experience, ability, and depth of lending staff.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that Financial 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 evaluating the discounted cash flows or fair value of the underlying collateral, if the loan is collateral dependent.

Management considers the following four components when calculating its loan loss reserve requirement:

In accordance with current accounting rules (ASC 310) and the Bank’s impairment methodology, the Bank performs an individual impairment analysis on all loans having a principal balance greater than $100,000 (unless related to another classified relationship or a TDR) with a risk rating of substandard, doubtful, and loss (our internal risk ratings of 7 through 9). The Bank also performs individual loan analysis and assesses potential future losses associated with those relationships risk rated as special mention (our internal risk rating of 6).

In accordance with current accounting rules (ASC 450), the Bank examines historical charge-off data by segment in order to determine a portion of the reserve related to homogeneous pools. The Bank updates its historical charge-off data quarterly and adjusts the reserve accordingly.

The Bank applies various risk factors, including, for example, levels of trends in delinquencies, current and expected economic conditions, and levels of and trends in recoveries of prior charge-offs.

Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

The Bank applies factors to determine the method by which to determine the general reserve for inherent losses related to the loan pool, including, for example, loan concentrations, policy and procedure changes, national and local economic trends and conditions, and overall portfolio quality.

Troubled debt restructurings

In situations where, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial condition, management may grant a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider, the related loan is classified as a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”). Management strives to identify borrowers in financial difficulty early and work with them to modify their loan to more affordable terms before their loans reach nonaccrual status. These modified terms may include rate reductions, principal forgiveness, payment forbearance and other actions intended to minimize the economic loss and to avoid foreclosure or repossession of collateral. In cases where borrowers are granted new terms that generally (although not required to be considered a TDR) provide for a reduction of either interest or principal, management measures any impairment on the restructuring as noted above for impaired loans. The Bank had $646 and $376 classified as TDRs as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Premises, equipment and depreciation

Premises and equipment, including leasehold improvements, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets on the straight-line basis, which range from 3 to 7 years for equipment and 10 to 39.5 years for buildings and improvements. Leasehold improvements are amortized over a term which includes the remaining lease term and probable renewal periods. Land is carried at cost and is not depreciable. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments are capitalized and those for maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expenses as incurred.

Bank owned life insurance

Financial has purchased life insurance policies on certain key employees. Bank owned life insurance is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value.

Other real estate owned

Other real estate owned consists of properties acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure. These properties are carried at fair value less estimated costs to sell at the date of foreclosure. Losses from the acquisition of property in full or partial satisfaction of loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent write-downs, if any, are charged against expense. Gains and losses on the sales of foreclosed properties are included in determining net income in the year of the sale. Operating costs after acquisition are expensed.

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 Bank – put presumptively beyond reach of the transferor and its creditors, even in bankruptcy or other receivership, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge

Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Bank does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity or the ability to unilaterally cause the holder to return specific assets.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions, as more fully disclosed in a separate note. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments, and other factors, especially in the absences of broad markets for particular items. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect these estimates.

Operating Segments

While the chief decision-makers monitor the revenue streams of the various products and services, operations are managed and financial performance evaluated on a Company-wide basis. Operating segments are aggregated into one as operating results for all segments are similar. Accordingly, all of the financial service operations are considered by management to be aggregated in one reportable operating segment.

Retirement Plans

Employee 401(k) and profit sharing expense is the amount of matching contributions. Deferred compensation and supplemental retirement plan expense allocates the benefits over years of service.

Income taxes

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined using the liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is determined based on the tax effects of the temporary differences between the book and tax bases of the various balance sheet assets and liabilities and gives current recognition to changes in tax rates and laws.

When tax returns are filed, it is highly certain that some positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination.

Interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits are classified as additional income taxes in the consolidated statements of income. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, there were no liabilities recorded for unrecognized tax benefits.

Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

Stock options

Current accounting guidance requires the costs resulting from all share-based payments to employees be recognized in the financial statements. Stock-based compensation is estimated at the date of grant, using the Black-Scholes option valuation model for determining fair value, and recognized over the option’s vesting period. As of December 31, 2015, all compensation expense related to the Company’s option plan had been recognized. The Company’s ability to grant additional option shares under the 1999 Plan has expired.

There were no options granted in 2015 or 2014.

Earnings per common share

Basic earnings per common share represents income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share reflects additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued, as well as any adjustment to income that would result from the assumed issuance. Potential common shares that may be issued by the Company relate solely to outstanding stock options, and are determined using the treasury stock method.

Reclassification

Management has made certain immaterial reclassifications to conform to the 2015 presentation.

Comprehensive income

Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) includes unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities.

Marketing

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expenses were $466 and $472 for 2015 and 2014, respectively.