Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and corresponding footnotes have been prepared by Northrim BanCorp, Inc. (the “Company”) in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and with instructions to Form 10-Q under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The year-end Consolidated Balance Sheet data was derived from the Company's audited financial statements. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The Company owns a 100% interest in Residential Mortgage Holding Company, LLC, the parent company of Residential Mortgage, LLC (collectively "RML") and consolidates their balance sheets and income statement into its financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The Company determined that it operates in two primary operating segments: Community Banking and Home Mortgage Lending. The Company has evaluated subsequent events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure. Operating results for the interim period ended March 31, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results anticipated for the year ending December 31, 2021. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Allowance for Credit Losses

Allowance for Credit Losses - Investment Securities: For available for sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company evaluates the securities to determine whether the decline in the fair value below the amortized cost basis (impairment) is due to credit-related factors or noncredit-related factors. Any impairment that is not credit related is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. Credit-related impairment is recognized as an allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) on the balance sheet, limited to the amount by which the amortized cost basis exceeds the fair value, with a corresponding adjustment to earnings. The ACL may be reversed if conditions change. However, if the Company intends to sell an impaired available for sale debt security or more likely than not will be required to sell such a security before recovering its amortized cost basis, the entire impairment amount must be recognized in earnings with a corresponding adjustment to the security’s amortized cost basis. Because the security’s amortized cost basis is adjusted to fair value, there is no ACL in such a situation.

In evaluating available for sale debt securities in unrealized loss positions for impairment and the criteria regarding its intent or requirement to sell such securities, the Company considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, 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 issuers’ financial condition, among other factors.

Changes in the ACL are recorded as provision for (or reversal of) credit loss expense. Losses are charged against the ACL when management believes the uncollectability of an available for sale debt security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met.

The ACL on held to maturity securities is estimated on a collective basis by major security type. At March 31, 2021, the Company’s held to maturity securities consisted of investments in corporate bonds. Expected credit losses for these securities are estimated using a discounted cash flow ("DCF") methodology which considers historical credit loss information that is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts.

Accrued interest receivable is excluded from the estimate of credit losses.

Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans: Under the current expected credit loss model adopted by the Company on January 1, 2021, the allowance for credit losses on loans is a valuation allowance estimated at each balance sheet date that is deducted from the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans.

The Company estimates the ACL on loans based on the underlying assets’ amortized cost basis, which is the amount at which the financing receivable is originated or acquired, adjusted for applicable accretion or amortization of premium, discount, and net deferred fees or costs, collection of cash, and charge-offs. In the event that collection of principal becomes uncertain, the Company has policies in place to reverse accrued interest in a timely manner. Therefore, the Company has made a policy election to exclude accrued interest from the measurement of ACL.

Expected credit losses are reflected in the ACL through a provision for or (reversal) of credit loss expense. When the Company deems all or a portion of a financial asset to be uncollectible the appropriate amount is written off and the ACL is reduced by the same amount. The Company applies judgment to determine when a financial asset is deemed uncollectible; however, generally speaking, an asset will be considered uncollectible when management believes that collection of principal is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the ACL when received.

The Company measures expected credit losses of financial assets on a collective (pool) basis, when the financial assets share similar risk characteristics. Depending on the nature and size of the pool of financial assets with similar risk characteristics, the Company uses a DCF method or a weighted average remaining life method to estimate expected credit losses quantitatively. The Company uses a DCF method for 8 of its 11 loan pools, which represent 98% of the amortized cost basis of total loans at March 31, 2021. The weighted average remaining life method is used for the remaining 3 loan pools primarily because loan level data constraints preclude the use of the DCF model. The weighted average remaining life method uses exposure at default, along with the expected credit losses adjusted for prepayments to calculate the required allowance. The Company utilizes peer historical loss data to estimate credit losses under the weighted average remaining life method.

Under the DCF method, the Company utilizes complex models to obtain reasonable and supportable forecasts to calculate two predictive metrics, the probability of default ("PD") and loss given default ("LGD"). The PD measures the probability that a loan will default within a given time horizon and is an assumption derived from regression models which determine the relationship between historical defaults and certain economic variables. The Company's regression models for PD utilize the Company's actual historical loan level default data. The Company determines a reasonable and supportable forecast and applies that forecast to the regression model to estimate defaults over the forecast period. Management leverages economic projections from a reputable and independent third-party to inform its loss driver forecasts over the Company's 4 quarter forecast period. Management utilizes and forecasts Alaska unemployment as a loss driver for all of the loans pools that utilized the DCF method. Management also utilizes and forecasts either one-year percentage change in the Alaska home price index or the one-year percentage change in the national commercial real estate price index as a second loss driver depending on the nature of the underlying loan pool and how well that loss driver correlates to expected future losses. Other internal and external indicators of economic forecasts are also considered by management when developing the forecast metrics. Following the forecast period, the economic variables used to calculate PD revert to a historical average at a constant rate over an 8 quarter reversion period. Other assumptions relevant to the discounted cash flow model to derive the quantitative allowance include the LGD, which is the estimate of loss for a defaulted loan, prepayment speeds, and the discount rate applied to future cash flows. The DCF method utilizes the effective interest rate of individual assets to discount the expected credit losses over the contractual term of the loan, adjusted for prepayments. The LGD is the expected loss which would be realized presuming a default has occurred and primarily measures the value of the collateral or other secondary source of repayment related to the collateral.

The Company’s estimate of the ACL reflects losses expected over the remaining contractual life of the assets. The contractual term does not consider extensions, renewals or modifications unless the Company has identified an expected troubled debt restructuring.

In summary, under the DCF method the combination of adjustments for credit expectations (PD and LGD) and timing expectations (prepayment, curtailment, and time to recovery) produces an expected cash flow stream at the instrument level. Instrument effective yield is calculated, net of the impacts of prepayment assumptions, and the instrument expected cash flows are then discounted at that effective yield to produce an instrument-level net present value of expected cash flows (“NPV”). An ACL is established for the difference between the instrument’s NPV and amortized cost basis.

The Company has identified the following pools of financial assets with similar risk characteristics for measuring expected credit losses under the current expected credit loss model adopted by the Company on January 1, 2021:

Commercial & industrial - Commercial loans are loans for commercial, corporate and business purposes. The Company’s commercial business loan portfolio is comprised of loans for a variety of purposes and across a variety of industries. These loans include general commercial and industrial loans, loans to purchase capital equipment, and other business loans for working capital and operational purposes. Commercial loans are generally secured by accounts receivable, inventory and other

business assets. Also included in commercial loans are our Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loans originated during 2020 and 2021. The Company utilizes the DCF method to quantitatively estimate credit losses for this pool.

Commercial real estate - This category of loans consists of the following loan types:

Owner occupied - This category includes non-farm, non-residential real estate loans for a variety of commercial property types and purposes, including owner occupied commercial real estate loans primarily secured by commercial office or industrial buildings, warehouses or retail buildings where the owner of the building occupies the property. Repayment terms vary considerably, interest rates are fixed or variable, and are structured for full, partial, or no amortization of principal. The Company utilizes the DCF method to quantitatively estimate credit losses for this pool.

Non-owner occupied and multifamily - This category includes non-farm, non-residential real estate loans for a variety of commercial property types and purposes, including investment real estate loans that are primarily secured by office and industrial buildings, warehouses or retail buildings where the owner of the building does not occupy the property, non-owner occupied apartment or multifamily residential buildings, and various special purpose properties. Repayment terms vary considerably, interest rates are fixed or variable, and are structured for full, partial, or no amortization of principal. Generally, these types of loans are thought to involve a greater degree of credit risk than owner occupied commercial real estate as they are more sensitive to adverse economic conditions. The Company utilizes the DCF method to quantitatively estimate credit losses for this pool.

Residential real estate - This category of loans consists of the following loan types:

1-4 family residential properties secured by first liens - This category of loans includes term loans secured by first liens on residential real estate. The Company utilizes the DCF method to quantitatively estimate credit losses for this pool.

1-4 family residential properties secured by junior liens and revolving secured by 1-4 family first liens - This category of loans includes term loans primarily secured by junior liens on residential real estate and revolving credit lines that are secured by first liens on residential real estate. Home equity revolving lines of credit and home equity term loans are included in this group of loans. The Company utilizes the DCF method to quantitatively estimate credit losses for this pool.

1-4 family residential construction - This category of loans consists of loans to finance the ground up construction, improvement and/or carrying for sale after the completion of construction of 1-4 family residential properties which will secure the loan. These loans may also be secured by tracts or individual parcels of land on which 1-4 family residential properties are being constructed. The repayment of construction loans is generally dependent upon the successful completion of the improvements by the builder for the end user, or sale of the property to a third-party. The Company utilizes the DCF method to quantitatively estimate credit losses for this pool.

Other construction, land development, and raw land - This category of loans consists of loans to finance the ground up construction, improvement and/or carrying for sale after the completion of construction of owner occupied and non-owner occupied commercial properties, and loans secured by raw or improved land. The repayment of construction loans is generally dependent upon the successful completion of the improvements by the builder for the end user, or sale of the property to a third-party. Repayment of land secured loans are dependent upon the successful development and sale of the property, the sale of the land as is, or the outside cash flow of the owners to support the retirement of the debt. The Company utilizes the DCF method to quantitatively estimate credit losses for this pool.

Agricultural production, including commercial fishing - These loans are for the purpose of financing agricultural production, including growing and storing of crops, and for the purpose of financing fisheries and forestries, including loans to commercial fishermen. These loans may be secured or unsecured, but any loans for these purposes that are secured by real estate are included in a real estate category. The Company utilizes the weighted average remaining life method to quantitatively estimate credit losses for this pool.

Consumer - Loans used for personal use, which may be secured or unsecured, and customer overdrafts. The Company utilizes the DCF method to quantitatively estimate credit losses for this pool.

Obligations of states and political subdivisions in the US - This category of loans includes all loans made to states, counties municipalities, school districts, drainage and sewer districts, and Indian tribes in the U.S. These loans maybe be secured by any type of collateral, including real estate. The Company utilizes the weighted average remaining life method to quantitatively estimate credit losses for this pool.

Other - This category of loans includes all other loans that cannot properly be reported in one of the preceding categories. The Company utilizes the weighted average remaining life method to quantitatively estimate credit losses for this pool.

In addition to the quantitative portion of the ACL derived using either the DCF or weighted average remaining life method, the Company also considers the effects of the following qualitative factors in its calculation of expected losses in the loan portfolio:

•Lending strategy, policies, and procedures;

•Quality of internal loan review;

•Lending management and staff;

•Trends in underlying collateral values;

•Competition, legal, and regulatory changes;

•Economic and business conditions including fluctuations in the price of Alaska North slope crude oil;

•Changes in trends, volume and severity of adversely classified loans, nonaccrual loans, and delinquencies;

•Concentration of credit; and

•Changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio.

The qualitative factor methodology is based on quantitative metrics, but also includes a high degree of subjectivity and changes in any of the metrics could have a significant impact on our calculation of the allowance.

Loans that do not share risk characteristics with other loans in the portfolio are individually evaluated for expected credit losses and are not included in the collective evaluation. Loans are identified for individual evaluation during regular credit reviews of the portfolio. A loan is generally identified for individual evaluation when management determines that we will probably not be able to collect all amounts due according to the loan contract, including scheduled interest payments. When we identify a loan for individual evaluation, we measure expected credit losses using discounted cash flows, except when the sole remaining source of the repayment for the loan is the liquidation of the collateral. In these cases, we use the current fair value of the collateral, less selling costs, instead of discounted cash flows. The analysis of collateral dependent loans includes appraisals on loans secured by real property, management’s assessment of the current market, recent payment history and an evaluation of other sources of repayment.

A loan that has been modified or renewed is considered a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) when two conditions are met: 1) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty; and 2) concessions are made for the borrower's benefit that would not otherwise be considered for a borrower or transaction with similar credit risk characteristics. The Company’s ACL reflects all effects of a TDR when an individual asset is specifically identified as a reasonably expected TDR. The Company has determined that a TDR is reasonably expected no later than the point when the lender concludes that modification is the best course of action and it is at least reasonably possible that the troubled borrower will accept some form of concession from the lender to avoid a default. Reasonably expected TDRs and executed non-performing TDRs are evaluated individually to determine the required ACL. TDRs performing in accordance with their modified contractual terms for a reasonable period of time may be included in the Company’s existing pools based on the underlying risk characteristics of the loan to measure the ACL.

If we determine that the value of and individually evaluated loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, we either recognize an allowance for credit losses specific to that loan, or charge-off the deficit balance on collateral dependent loans if it is determined that such amount represents a confirmed loss. Subsequent changes in the expected credit losses for loans evaluated individually are included within the provision for credit losses in the same manner in which the expected credit loss initially was recognized or as a reduction in the provision that would otherwise be reported.

Paycheck Protection Program and other loans guaranteed by the U.S. government: With the passage of the PPP, the Company has actively participated in assisting its customers with applications for loans through the program. Loans funded through the PPP program are fully guaranteed by the U.S. government subject to certain representations and warranties. This guarantee exists at the inception of the loans and throughout the lives of the loans and was not entered into separately and apart from the loans. ASC 326 requires credit enhancements that mitigate credit losses, such as the U.S. government guarantee on PPP loans, to be considered in estimating credit losses. The guarantee is considered “embedded” and, therefore, is considered when estimating credit loss on the PPP loans and other loans guaranteed by the U.S. government. Given that the loans are fully guaranteed by the U.S. government and absent any specific loss information on any of our guaranteed loans, the Company does not carry an ACL on its PPP and other loans guaranteed by the U.S. government at March 31, 2021 or December 31, 2020.

Loan Commitments and Allowance for Credit Losses on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures: The Company enters into various types of transactions that involve financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk, including commitments

to extend credit and standby letters of credit issued to meet customer financing needs. We apply the same credit standards to these commitments as in all of our lending activities and include these commitments in our lending risk evaluations. The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

The Company records an allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures, unless the commitments to extend credit are unconditionally cancellable, through a charge to provision for credit loss expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. The ACL on off-balance sheet credit exposures is estimated by loan segment at each balance sheet date under the current expected credit loss model using the same methodologies as portfolio loans, taking into consideration the likelihood that funding will occur, and is included in other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Purchased Receivables and related Allowance for Credit Losses: The Company purchases accounts receivable from its customers. The purchased receivables are carried at amortized cost, net of an allowance for credit losses. Management measures expected credit losses on purchased receivables by evaluating each receivable individually. Each quarter, management reviews purchased receivable asset balances compared to assets eligible for advancement of funds in order to determine the exposure to loss for the Company. Exposure is zero when outstanding balances exceed assets eligible for advancement. Management may determine that an ACL is appropriate for individual purchased receivables based on asset specific facts and circumstances. Fees charged to the customer are earned while the balances of the purchases are outstanding, which is typically less than one year. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded as provision for (or reversal of) credit loss expense.

Reclassification of Prior Year Presentation

Reclassification of Prior Year Presentation

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported results of operations or total shareholders' equity.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting pronouncements implemented in 2021

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (“ASU 2016-13” or “CECL”). ASU 2016-13 is intended to improve financial reporting by requiring timelier recording of credit losses on loans and other financial instruments held by financial institutions and other organizations. Under ASU 2016-13 financial institutions and other organizations will use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates but will continue to use judgment to determine which loss estimation method is appropriate for their circumstances. ASU 2016-13 requires enhanced disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an organization's portfolio. These disclosures include qualitative and quantitative requirements that provide additional information about the amounts recorded in the financial statements. In addition, ASU 2016-13 amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration.

ASU 2016-13 is effective for the Company for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2019, and must be applied prospectively. However, on October 16, 2019 the FASB voted to delay ASU 2016-13 for Smaller Reporting Companies. The Company has elected Small Reporting Company status, which changes the effective date for ASU 2016-13 for the Company to fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2022. Early application was permitted for specified periods. The Company elected to early adopt ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2021 after finalizing data and model validation and our internal governance framework. The guidance was applied on a modified retrospective basis with the cumulative effect of initially applying the amendments recognized in retained earnings at January 1, 2021. However, certain provisions of the guidance are only required to be applied on a prospective basis.

Results for periods beginning after January 1, 2021 and presented under ASC 326 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable US GAAP. The Company recorded a net increase in retained earnings of $2.4 million upon adoption. The transition adjustment includes a decrease in the allowance for credit losses on loans of $4.5 million, a decrease in the allowance for credit losses on purchased receivables of $73,000, and an increase in the allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments of $1.2 million, net of the corresponding net decrease in deferred tax assets of $954,000.

Accounting pronouncements to be implemented in future periods    

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Report of Financial Reporting ("ASU 2020-04"). ASU 2020-04 was issued to provide temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference London Inter-Bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. The last expedient is a one-time election to sell or transfer debt securities classified as held to maturity. The expedients are in effect from March 12, 2020, through December 31, 2022. The Company will be able to use the expedients in this guidance to manage through the transition away from LIBOR, specifically for our loan portfolio, derivative contracts, and bond portfolio.

In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope, ("ASU 2021-01"). The amendments in ASU 2021-01 are elective and apply to all entities that have derivative instruments that use an interest rate for margining, discounting, or contract price alignment that is modified as a result of reference rate reform. The amendments clarify certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 for contract modifications apply to derivatives that are affected by the discounting transition.

LIBOR is a widely-referenced benchmark rate, which is published in five currencies and a range of tenors, and seeks to estimate the cost at which banks can borrow on an unsecured basis from other banks. The administrator of LIBOR, ICE Benchmark Administration, published a consultation in December 2020 regarding its intention to cease the publication of LIBOR after December 31, 2021, with the exception of certain tenors of U.S. dollar (USD) LIBOR that it proposed would remain available for use in legacy contracts or as otherwise enumerated by financial regulators until June 30, 2023. The Company has some assets and liabilities referenced to LIBOR, such as commercial loans, derivatives, debt securities, and junior subordinated debentures. As of March 31, 2021, we had approximately $206.0 million of assets, including $128.7 million in commercial loans and $77.3 million in debt securities, and $10.3 million of liabilities in the form of our junior subordinated debentures linked to USD LIBOR. These amounts exclude derivative assets and liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. As of March 31, 2021, the notional amount of our USD LIBOR-linked interest rate derivative contracts was $158.3 million. Of this amount, $74.0 million in notional value represent commercial loan interest rate swap agreements with commercial banking customers. An additional $74.0 million in notional value represent corresponding swap agreements with third party financial institutions that offset the commercial loan swaps. Swap agreements with third party institutions are $84.3 million, including an interest rate swap agreement for $10.3 million in notional value related to our junior subordinated debentures. Each of the USD LIBOR-linked amounts referenced above are expected to vary in future periods as current contracts expire with potential replacement contracts using an alternative reference rate.

In an effort to mitigate the risks associated with a transition away from LIBOR, our Asset Liability Committee has undertaken initiatives to: (i) develop more robust fallback language and disclosures related to the LIBOR transition, (ii) develop a plan to seek to amend legacy contracts to reference such fallback language or alternative reference rates, (iii) enhance systems to support commercial loans, securities, and derivatives linked to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate and other alternative reference rates, (iv) develop and evaluate internal guidance, policies and procedures focused on the transition away from LIBOR to alternative reference rate products, and (v) prepare and disseminate internal and external communications regarding the LIBOR transition.

The amendments are in effect from March 12, 2020, through December 31, 2022. ASU 2021-01 does not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.