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NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Nature of Operations

Nature of Operations:  Equity Bancshares, Inc. is a bank holding company, whose principal activity is the ownership and management of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Equity Bank (“Equity Bank”) and EBAC, LLC (“EBAC”).  SA Holdings, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Equity Bank and was established for the purpose of holding and selling other real estate owned.  These entities are collectively referred to as the “Company”.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Equity Bank is a Kansas state-chartered bank and member of the Federal Reserve (state Fed member bank jointly supervised by both the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and the Office of the Kansas State Bank Commissioner).

The Company is primarily engaged in providing a full range of banking, mortgage banking and financial services to individual and corporate customers generally in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.  Equity Bank competes with a variety of other financial institutions including large regional banks, community banks and thrifts as well as credit unions and other non-traditional lenders.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates:  To prepare financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, management makes estimates and assumptions based on available information.  These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided and actual results could differ.

Cash Equivalents

Cash Equivalents:  Cash and cash equivalents include cash, deposits with other financial institutions with original maturities less than 90 days and federal funds sold.  Net cash flows are reported for customer loan and deposit transactions, interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions, federal funds purchased, retail repurchase agreements, Federal Home Loan Bank advances and contractual obligations.

Securities

Securities:  Securities are classified as held-to-maturity when management has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity.  Securities are classified as available-for-sale when they might be sold before maturity.  Held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost while available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income, net of tax.

Interest income includes amortization of purchase premium or discount.  Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized on the level-yield basis without anticipating prepayments, except for certain securities where prepayments are anticipated.  Gains and losses on sales are recorded on the trade date and determined using the specific identification method.

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation.  For securities in an unrealized loss position, management considers the extent and duration of the unrealized loss and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer.  Management also assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell, a security in an unrealized loss position before recovery of its amortized cost basis.  If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the entire difference between amortized cost and fair value is recognized as impairment through earnings.  For debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the amount of impairment is split into two components as follows:  1) OTTI related to credit loss, which must be recognized in the income statement and 2) OTTI related to other factors, which is recognized in other comprehensive income.  The credit loss is defined as the difference between the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis.  All OTTI related to equity securities is recognized through earnings.

Equity investments with a readily determinable fair value are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income.  The exit price concept is used when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes.

Loans Held for Sale

Loans Held for Sale:  Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value.  Net unrealized losses, if any, are recorded as a valuation allowance and charged to earnings.  Mortgage loans held for sale are sold with servicing rights released.  Gains or losses on loans held for sale are recognized upon completion of the sale and based on the difference between the net sales proceeds and the carrying value of the sold loan.

Loans

Loans :  Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at the principal balance outstanding, net of previous charge-offs and an allowance for loan losses, and for purchased loans, net of unamortized purchase premiums and discounts.  Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance.

Purchased Credit Impaired Loans.  As a part of acquisitions, the Company acquired certain loans, for which there was, at acquisition, evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination.  These purchased credit impaired loans were recorded at the acquisition date fair value, such that there is no carryover of the seller’s allowance for loan losses.  After acquisition, losses are recognized by an increase in the allowance for loan losses.  Such purchase credit impaired loans are accounted for individually.  The Company estimates the amount and timing of expected cash flows for each loan, and the expected cash flows in excess of the amount paid are recorded as interest income over the remaining life of the loan (accretable yield).  During acquisitions, if the Company expects to liquidate the loan collateral in a relatively short period of time, the Company will assign no value to accretable yield as the impact is immaterial.  The excess of the loan’s contractual principal and interest over expected cash flows is not recorded (non-accretable difference).  Over the life of the loan, expected cash flows continue to be estimated.  If the present value of the expected cash flows is less than the carrying amount, a loss is recorded.  If the present value of the expected cash flows is greater than the carrying amount, it is recognized as part of future interest income.

Nonaccrual Loans.  Generally, loans are designated as nonaccrual when either principal or interest payments are 90 days or more past due based on contractual terms unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection.  Consumer loans are typically charged-off no later than 180 days past due.  In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.  When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, unpaid interest credited to income is reversed against income.  Future interest income may be recorded on a cash basis after recovery of principal is reasonably assured.  Nonaccrual loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

Impaired Loans.  A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all contractual principal and interest due according to the terms of the loan agreement.  Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or on the value of the underlying collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.  The Company evaluates the collectability of both principal and interest when assessing the need for a loss accrual.

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.

Troubled Debt Restructurings.  In cases where a borrower experiences financial difficulties and the Company makes certain concessionary modifications to contractual terms, the loan is classified as a troubled debt restructured loan and classified as impaired.  Generally, a nonaccrual loan that is a troubled debt restructuring remains on nonaccrual until such time that repayment of the remaining principal and interest is not in doubt and the borrower has a period of satisfactory repayment performance.

Allowance for Loan Losses

Allowance for Loan Losses:  The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses.  Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collectability of a loan balance is unlikely.  Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.  Management estimates the allowance balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions and other factors.  A loan review process, independent of the loan approval process, is utilized by management to verify loans are being made and administered in accordance with Company policy, to review loan risk grades and potential losses, to verify that potential problem loans are receiving adequate and timely corrective measures to avoid or reduce losses and to assist in the verification of the adequacy of the loan loss reserve.  Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged-off.

The allowance consists of specific and general components.  The specific component relates to loans that are individually classified as impaired.  If a loan is impaired, a portion of the allowance is allocated so that the loan is reported net at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate or at the fair value of collateral if repayment is expected solely from the sale of the collateral.  Troubled debt restructurings are separately identified for impairment disclosures and are measured at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s effective rate at inception.  If a troubled debt restructuring is considered to be a collateral dependent loan, the loan is reported, net, at the fair value of the collateral.  For troubled debt restructurings that subsequently default, the Company determines the amount of reserve in accordance with the accounting policy for the allowance for loan losses.

The general component of the allowance for loan losses covers non-impaired loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors.  The historical loss experience is determined by portfolio and class and is based on the actual loss history experienced by the Company.  This actual loss experience is then adjusted by comparing current conditions to the conditions that existed during the loss history.  The Company considers the changes related to (i) lending policies, (ii) economic conditions, (iii) nature and volume of the loan portfolio and class, (iv) lending staff, (v) volume and severity of past due, non-accrual and risk graded loans, (vi) loan review system, (vii) value of underlying collateral for collateral dependent loans, (viii) concentration levels and (ix) effects of other external factors.

The Company considers loan performance and collateral values in assessing risk for each class in the loan portfolio, as follows:

 

Commercial and industrial loans are dependent on the strength of the industries of the related borrowers and the success of their businesses.  Commercial and industrial loans are advanced for equipment purchases, to provide working capital or meet other financing needs of the business.  These loans may be secured by accounts receivable, inventory, equipment or other business assets.  Financial information is obtained from the borrower to evaluate the debt service coverage and ability to repay the loans.

 

Commercial real estate loans are dependent on the industries tied to these loans, as well as the local commercial real estate market.  The loans are secured by real estate and typically appraisals are obtained to support the loan amount. Generally, an evaluation of the project’s cash flows is performed to evaluate the borrower’s ability to repay the loan at the time of origination and periodically updated during the life of the loan.

 

Residential real estate loans are affected by the local residential real estate market, the local economy and movement in interest rates.  The Company evaluates the borrower’s repayment ability through a review of credit reports and debt to income ratios.  Generally, appraisals are obtained to support the loan amount.

 

Agricultural real estate loans are real estate loans related to farmland and are affected by the value of farmland.  Generally, the Company evaluates the borrower’s ability to repay based on cash flows from farming operations.

 

Consumer loans are dependent on the local economy.  Consumer loans are generally secured by consumer assets, but may be unsecured.  Typically, the Company evaluates the borrower’s repayment ability through a review of credit scores and an evaluation of debt to income ratios.

 

Agricultural loans are primary operating lines subject to annual farming revenues, including productivity and yield of the farm products and market pricing at the time of sale.

There have been no material changes to the Company’s accounting policies related to its allowance for loan loss methodology during 2019 and 2018.

Transfers of Financial Assets

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

Bank Owned Life Insurance

Bank-Owned Life Insurance:  The Company maintains insurance policies on certain key executives as well as policies from acquired institutions.  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 adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement.  In some cases, the Company has entered into agreements with the insured which would require it to make one-time payments to the insured’s beneficiaries if certain conditions exist at the time of death.

Other Real Estate Owned

Other Real Estate Owned:  Assets acquired through or instead of loan foreclosure are initially recorded at fair value less estimated cost to sell when acquired, thereby establishing a new cost basis.  Generally, collateral properties are recorded as other real estate owned when the Company takes physical possession.  Physical possession of residential real estate collateral occurs when legal title is obtained upon completion of foreclosure or when the borrower conveys all interest in the property to satisfy the loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement.  Other real estate owned properties are subsequently accounted for at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell.  If fair value declines subsequent to foreclosure, a valuation allowance is recorded through expense.  Operating costs after acquisition are expensed.

Premises and Equipment

Premises and Equipment:  Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation.  Depreciation is an estimate and is charged to expense using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets.  The useful lives of buildings and related components are estimated to be 39 years.  The useful lives of furniture, fixtures and equipment are estimated to be 4 to 7 years.  Leasehold improvements are capitalized and depreciated using the straight-line method over the terms of the respective leases or the estimated useful lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter.  Property held for sale is carried at the lower of cost or fair value.

Premises and equipment and other long-term assets are reviewed for impairment when events indicate their carrying amount may not be recoverable from future undiscounted cash flows.  If impaired, the assets are recorded at fair value.

Lease Obligation.  The Company evaluates contracts that convey the right to control the use of identified property, plant or equipment for a period of time for consideration to determine if they are lease obligations.  The Company evaluates each lease component to determine if the lease qualifies as a financing lease or as an operating lease.  Leases that meet any of the following criteria are considered financing leases:  (1) the lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset by the end of the lease term; (2) the lease grants the Company an option to purchase the underlying asset that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise; (3) the lease term is the major part of the remaining economic life of the underlying asset; (4) the present value of the sum of the lease payments and any residual value guaranteed by the Company that is not already reflected in lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair of the underlying asset; or (5) the underlying asset is of such a specialized nature that it is expected to have no alternative use to the lessor at the end of the lease term.  If none of the financing lease criteria are met, the lease is considered an operating lease.

The Company evaluates each lease to determine the lease term which will be used based on the type and use of the leased equipment and future expected changes in operations.  The resulting lease term will consist of the non-cancellable period for which the Company has the right to use the underlying asset plus (1) periods covered by an option to extend the lease if the Company is reasonably certain to exercise that option; (2) periods covered by an option to terminate the lease if the Company is reasonably certain not to exercise that option; and (3) periods covered by an option to extend the lease in which exercise of the option is controlled by the lessor.  The Company has certain leases that contain options to extend the lease and contain options for changes in lease payments which are evaluated by the Company to determine the recorded values for right-of-use assets and lease liability.

Lease payments that are contractually known at lease inception are used by the Company for calculating the right-of-use asset and lease liability.  Lease payments that vary because of facts or circumstances after the commencement date of the lease from other than passage of time are treated as variable lease payments and are recorded to lease expense in the period in which the obligation for the payments are incurred by the Company.  Variable lease payments are not part of the lease payments for determining the right-of-use asset or the lease liability at the lease commencement date.

The discount rate to initially determine the present value of the lease payments is based on the information available at the lease commencement date and is either the rate implicit in the lease or the Company’s incremental borrowing rate If the rate implicit in the lease is known or determinable, that rate shall be used.  If that rate is not known, the Company’s incremental borrowing rate shall be used.  At the January 2019, implementation of this accounting guidance, the Company’s incremental borrowing rate based on the remaining lease term was used to calculate the right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities.

Operating lease right-of-use assets and lease obligations are accounted for subsequent to initial recording by amortizing the right-of-use asset over the lease term on a straight-line method while the lease obligation is increased by the accrual of interest and decreased by subsequent lease payments.  Operating lease right-of-use asset amortization and lease obligation interest are reported in non-interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Operating lease payments and variable lease payments are reflected within cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

Financing lease right-of-use assets and lease obligations are accounted for subsequent to initial recording by amortizing the right-of-use asset similar to owned assets over the lesser of the lease term or economic life of the asset if the lease transfers ownership of the leased asset while the lease obligation is increased by the accrual of interest and decreased by subsequent lease payments.  Financing lease right-of-use asset amortization is reported in non-interest expense, similar to other owned assets, and lease obligation interest accruals are reported in interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Financing lease obligation principal payments are reflected within cash flows from financing activities and interest payments and variable lease payments are reflected with the cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

The Company evaluates lease modifications and will consider the modification a new contract if the modification grants the lessee an additional right of use not included in the original lease and the lease payments increase commensurate with the stand-alone price for the additional right-of-use asset.  The Company will reallocate the remaining consideration in the contract and remeasure the lease liability using a discount rate for the lease determined at the effective date of the lease modification if the contract modification does any of the following: (1) grants the Company an additional right of use that was not included in the original contract; (2) extends or reduces the term of an existing lease; (3) fully or partially terminates an existing lease; or (4) changes the consideration in the contract only.  The Company will recognize the remeasurement of the lease liability for the modification as an adjustment of the right-of-use asset when the contract modification grants additional right-of-use-assets, extends or reduces the term of the lease or changes the consideration of the lease contract.  In the case of full or partial termination of the lease, the Company will decrease the carrying amount of the right-of-use-asset on a proportionate basis to the reduction in the lease liability with a gain or loss recognized for the difference between the lease liability adjustment and right of use asset adjustment.

If the Company modifies an operating lease which it is the lessor and the modification is not accounted for as a separate contract, the Company will account for the modification as if it were a termination of the existing lease and the creation of a new lease that commences on the effective date of the modification as follows:

 

If the modified lease is classified as an operating lease, the Company will consider any prepaid or accrued lease rentals relating to the original lease as part of the lease payments for the modified lease.

 

If the modified lease is classified as a direct financing lease or a sales-type lease, the Company will derecognize any deferred rent liability or accrued rent asset and adjust the selling profit or loss.

If the Company modifies a direct financing lease which it is the lessor and the modification is not accounted for as a separate contract, the Company will account for the modified lease as follows:

 

If the modified lease is classified as a direct financing lease, the Company will adjust the discount rate for the modified lease, so the initial net investment equals the carrying amount of the original lease at the modification effective date.

 

If the modified lease is classified as a sales-type lease, the Company shall determine the selling profit/loss on commencement date of the modified lease as the difference between the fair value of the underlying asset and net investment in the original lease prior to modification.

 

If the modified lease is classified as an operating lease, the carrying amount of the underlying asset shall equal the net investment in the original lease immediately before the effective date of the modification.

If the Company modifies a sales-type lease which it is the lessor and the modification is not accounted for as a separate contract, the Company will account for the modified lease as follows:

 

If the modified lease is classified as a direct financing lease, the Company will adjust the discount rate for the modified lease, so the initial net investment of the modified lease equals the carrying amount of the original lease at the modification effective date.

 

If the modified lease is classified as a direct financing lease, the Company will adjust the discount rate for the modified lease, so the initial net investment equals the carrying amount of the original lease at the modification effective date.

Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank Stock

Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank Stock:  Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) and Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stocks are required investments for institutions that are members of the FRB and FHLB systems.  FRB and FHLB stocks are carried at cost, considered restricted securities and are periodically evaluated for impairment based on the ultimate recovery of par value.  Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income.

Goodwill and Core Deposit Intangibles

Goodwill and Core Deposit Intangibles:  Goodwill results from business acquisitions and represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of acquired tangible assets and liabilities and identifiable intangible assets.  Core deposit intangibles are acquired customer relationships arising from whole bank and branch acquisitions.  Core deposit intangibles are initially measured at fair value and then amortized over their estimated useful lives using an accelerated method.  The useful lives of the core deposits are estimated to generally be between seven and ten years.  Goodwill and core deposit intangibles are assessed at least annually for impairment and any such impairment is recognized and expensed in the period identified.  The Company has selected December 31 as the date to perform its annual goodwill impairment test.  Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite useful life.

Credit Related Financial Instruments

Credit Related Financial Instruments:  Credit related financial instruments include off-balance-sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and commercial letters of credit, issued to meet customer financing needs.  The face amount for these items represents the exposure to loss, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay.  Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

Derivatives

Derivatives:  The Company is exposed to interest rate risk primarily from the effect of interest rate changes on its interest-earning assets and its sources of funding these assets.  The Company will periodically enter into interest rate swaps or interest rate caps/floors to manage certain interest rate risk exposure.

An interest rate swap is an agreement between two entities to exchange cash flows in the future. The agreement sets the dates on which the cash flows will be paid and the manner in which the cash flows will be calculated.  Typically, an interest rate swap transaction is used as an exchange of cash flows based on a fixed rate for cash flows based on a variable rate.

In an interest rate cap agreement, a cash flow is generated if the price or interest rate of an underlying variable rises above a certain threshold price or interest rate.  In an interest rate floor agreement, a cash flow is generated if the price or interest rate of an underlying variable falls below a certain threshold price or interest rate.  Caps and floors are designed as protection against the interest rate on a variable rate asset or liability rising above or falling below a certain level.

At the inception of a derivative contract, the Company designates the derivatives as one of three types based on the Company’s intentions and belief as to likely effectiveness as a hedge.  These three types are:  (1) a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (“fair value hedge”); (2) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“cash flow hedge”); or (3) an instrument with no hedging designation (“stand-alone derivative”).  For a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative, as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item, are recognized in current earnings as fair value changes.  For a cash flow hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative is reported in other comprehensive income and is reclassified into earnings in the same periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings.  For both types of hedges, changes in the fair value of derivatives that are not highly effective in hedging the changes in fair value or expected cash flows of the hedged item are recognized immediately in current earnings.  Changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported currently in earnings as non-interest income.

Net cash settlements on derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting are recorded in interest income or interest expense, based on the item being hedged.  Net cash settlements on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported in non-interest income.  Cash flows on hedges are classified in the cash flow statement the same as the cash flows of the items being hedged unless the derivative meets the criteria to be a financing derivative.  All derivatives are recognized in the consolidated balance sheet at their fair values and are reported as either derivative assets or derivative liabilities net of accrued net settlements and collateral, if any.  The individual derivative amounts are netted by counterparty when the netting requirements have been met.  If these netted values are positive, they are classified as an asset and, if negative, they are classified as a liability.

The Company formally documents the relationship between derivatives and hedged items, as well as the risk-management objective and the strategy for undertaking hedge transactions at the inception of the hedging relationship.  This documentation includes linking fair value or cash flow hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet or to specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions.  The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, at least quarterly, whether the derivative instruments that are used are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged items.  The Company discontinues hedge accounting when it determines that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item, the derivative is settled or terminates, a hedged forecasted transaction is no longer probable, a hedged firm commitment is no longer firm or treatment of the derivative as a hedge is no longer appropriate or intended.

When hedge accounting is discontinued, subsequent changes in fair value of the derivative are recorded as non-interest income.  When a fair value hedge is discontinued, the hedged asset or liability is no longer adjusted for changes in fair value and the existing basis adjustment is amortized or accreted over the remaining life of the asset or liability.  When a cash flow hedge is discontinued but the hedged cash flows or forecasted transactions are still expected to occur, gains or losses that are accumulated in other comprehensive income are amortized into earnings over the same periods which the hedged transactions will affect earnings.

The Company has entered into interest rate cap derivatives to assist with interest rate risk management.  These derivatives are not designated as hedging instruments but rather as stand-alone derivatives.  The fair values of stand-alone derivatives are included in other assets and other liabilities.  Changes in fair value of stand-alone derivatives are recorded through earnings as non-interest income.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes: Income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax amounts for the temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are computed using enacted tax rates.  A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.  A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position will be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur.  The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is more likely than not to be realized on examination.

On December 22, 2017, the President of the United States signed the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Reform) which reduced the U.S. federal statutory corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% beginning in 2018.  In connection with the December 2017, enactment the Company recognized a $1,086 re-measurement of its net deferred tax assets, including a re-measurement of $535 in a net deferred tax asset related to unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities previously transferred from available-for-sale.  Because the tax effect of variations in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities and transferred held-to-maturity securities impact accumulated other comprehensive income, the Company had a stranded tax effect of $535 as of the date of enactment.  The Company elected to early adopt ASU 2018-02 resulting in a reclassification of $535 from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings in December 2017.

The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.  There were no such interest or penalties incurred in 2019, 2018 or 2017.

Earnings Per Common Share

Earnings Per Common Share:  Net income, less dividends and discount accretion on preferred stock, equals net income allocable to common stockholders.  Basic earnings per common share is net income allocable to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares and vested restricted stock units outstanding during the period.  Diluted earnings per common share include the dilutive effect of additional potential common shares of unexercised stock options and unvested restricted stock units.

Share-Based Payments

Share-Based Payments:  The Company has share-based payments which are described more fully in a subsequent note.  Compensation expense associated with the stock option plan is based on the fair value of the options at the grant date.  This compensation is expensed over the periods during which the options vest.  Options vest based on the passage of time or the achievement of performance targets, depending on the structure of the related grant.

Compensation expense associated with restricted stock units is based on the fair value of the units at the grant date.  This compensation expense is recognized ratably over the service period stipulated in the grant agreement.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive Income:  Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income.  Other comprehensive income includes unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale and the amortization of unrealized gains and losses on securities transferred to held-to-maturity from available-for-sale.

Loss Contingencies

Loss Contingencies:  Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated.  Additional discussion of loss contingencies at December 31, 2019, is presented in a subsequent note.

Restrictions on Cash

Restrictions on Cash:  Cash on hand or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank was required to meet regulatory reserve and clearing requirements.

Dividend Restriction

Dividend Restriction:  Banking regulations require maintaining certain capital levels and may limit the dividends paid by the wholly owned subsidiaries to the holding company or by the holding company to stockholders.

Fair Value

Fair Value:  Fair values of financial instruments, impaired loans, other real estate owned and property held for sale 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, collateral values and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular items.  Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could materially affect the estimates.

Segment Information

Segment Information:  As a community oriented financial institution, substantially all of the Company’s operations involve the delivery of loan and deposit products to customers.  Management makes operating decisions and assesses performance based on an ongoing review of these banking operations, which constitute the Company’s only operating segment for financial reporting purposes.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications:  Some items in the prior year financial statements were reclassified to conform to the current presentation.  Management determined the items reclassified are immaterial to the consolidated financial statements taken as a whole and did not result in a change in equity or net income for years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements:  The Company is an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (JOBS Act). Pursuant to the JOBS Act, an emerging growth company is provided the option to adopt new or revised accounting standards that may be issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) or the SEC either (i) within the same periods as those otherwise applicable to non-emerging growth companies or (ii) within the same time periods as private companies.  The Company has irrevocably elected to adopt new accounting standards within the public company adoption period.

In February 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, with the intention of improving financial reporting about leasing transactions.  The ASU requires all lessees to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet.  Lessor accounting is largely unchanged by the ASU, however disclosures about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases are required of both lessees and lessors.  Lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach.  The modified retrospective approach provides for optional practical expedients when applying the ASU to leases that commenced before the effective date of the ASU.  This accounting pronouncement was further modified in July 2018 with the issuance of ASU 2018-11, Leases – Targeted Improvements, to allow for another transition method by applying a cumulative-effect adjustment to opening retained earnings at adoption and providing lessors a practical expedient to not separate non-lease and lease components in certain circumstances.  The Company adopted this accounting standard effective January 1, 2019, resulting in the Company recording $3,251 in right of use assets and $3,251 of operating lease liabilities.  In addition, the Company elected the following practical expedients to all leases that commenced prior to January 1, 2019: (1) No reassessment of lease populations as long as the contract was properly scoped as a lease or not a lease under ASC 840; (2) No reassessment of existing lease classification; and (3) No adjustment of existing costs.

 

In June 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, which will change how the Company measures credit losses for most of its financial assets.  This guidance is applicable to loans held for investment, off-balance-sheet credit exposures, such as loan commitments and standby letters of credit, and held-to-maturity investment securities.  The Company is required to use a new forward-looking current expected credit losses (CECL) model that is anticipated to result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses.  For available-for-sale securities with unrealized losses, the Company will measure credit losses in a manner similar to current practice but will recognize those credit losses as allowances rather than reductions in the amortized cost of the securities.  In addition, the ASU requires significantly more disclosure including information about credit quality by year of origination for most loans.  The ASU is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of 2020.  Generally, the amendments will be applied through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective.  The Company has completed the process of developing credit models and model implementation during the fourth quarter of 2019; however, the Company is in the final stages of implementing the internal controls, accounting, financial reporting and governance processes to comply with the new guidance. The adoption of CECL is expected to result in an increase to our total allowance for credit losses (ACL) on loans held for investment and will require a reclassification of purchased credit-impaired discount from loans to the allowance for credit losses.  The expected increase in the ACL is largely attributable to the longer duration of the real estate portfolios.  The ultimate impact to the Company’s financial condition and results of operations of the ASU, at both adoption and each subsequent reporting periods, is highly dependent on credit quality, macroeconomic forecasts and conditions, the composition of our loan portfolio and other management judgements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, which will simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill. Goodwill and other intangibles must be assessed for impairment annually.  If an entity’s assessment determines that the fair value of an entity is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill, currently, the measurement of goodwill impairment requires that the entity’s identifiable net assets be valued following procedures similar to determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination.  Under ASU 2017-04, goodwill impairment is measured to the extent that the carrying amount of an entity exceeds its fair value.  The amendments in this update are effective for the Company’s annual goodwill impairment tests beginning in 2020.  The amendments will be applied on a prospective basis.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new accounting standard and the impact from the accounting guidance on future periods; however, the impact is highly dependent on changes in financial markets and future events.  The Company will evaluate its market value as compared to book value on a quarterly basis and will record impairment when it is believed to have occurred as determined by the quarterly impairment test performed.

In March 2017, FASB issued ASU 2017-08, Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities.  This update shortens the amortization period of certain callable debt securities held at a premium to the earliest call date.  The amendments in this update are effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within that fiscal year, however, early adoption is permitted.  If early adoption of this update is elected by the Company, any adjustments will be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year.  The amendments will be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption and the Company will be required to provide change in accounting principle disclosures.  The Company adopted this accounting standard effective January 1, 2019, which resulted in the Company recording a $1,385 reduction in the amortized cost of investment securities and a reduction of $1,148 in retained earnings, net of $237 in deferred taxes.

In August 2017, FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging, Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, with the stated objective of improving the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better reflect the economics of hedging transactions and to simplify the application of hedge accounting.  The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018.  Potential effects on the Company’s current hedging activities include eliminating the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness, providing additional flexibility for measuring the change in fair value of the hedged item in fair value hedges of interest rate risk and easing certain hedge documentation and assessment requirements.  The adoption of this accounting standard did not materially impact the Company’s financial statements but will result in changes to financial statement disclosures and changes to existing and future swap documentation.

In August 2018, FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software, Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract.  This update requires implementation costs of hosting arrangements that are considered a service contract to be capitalized.  The Company adopted this accounting standard effective October 1, 2018 and resulted in the Company capitalizing $311 of implementation costs during 2018.

Revenue Recognition

The majority of the Company’s revenues come from interest income on financial instruments, including loans, leases, securities and derivatives, which are outside the scope of ASC 606.  The Company’s services that fall within the scope of ASC 606 are presented with non-interest income and are recognized as revenue as the Company satisfies its obligation to the customer.  Services within the scope of ASC 606 include service charges and fees on deposits, debit card income, investment referral income, insurance sales commissions and other non-interest income related to loans and deposits.

Except for gains or losses from the sale of other real estate owned, all of the Company’s revenue from contracts with customers within the scope of ASC 606 is recognized in non-interest income.  The following table presents the Company’s sources of non-interest income for the years ended December 31, 2019, and 2018.

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Non-interest income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service charges and fees

 

$

8,672

 

 

$

7,250

 

Debit card income

 

 

8,230

 

 

 

6,178

 

Mortgage banking(a)

 

 

2,468

 

 

 

1,298

 

Increase in bank-owned life insurance(a)

 

 

1,998

 

 

 

2,199

 

Net gain (loss) from securities transactions(a)

 

 

14

 

 

 

(9

)

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment referral income

 

 

590

 

 

 

395

 

Trust income

 

 

243

 

 

 

81

 

Insurance sales commissions

 

 

177

 

 

 

245

 

Recovery on zero-basis purchased loans(a)

 

 

143

 

 

 

420

 

Income from equity method investments(a)

 

 

26

 

 

 

7

 

Other non-interest income related to loans

  and deposits

 

 

2,340

 

 

 

1,612

 

Other non-interest income not related to

  loans and deposits(a)

 

 

87

 

 

 

49

 

Total other non-interest income

 

 

3,606

 

 

 

2,809

 

Total

 

$

24,988

 

 

$

19,725

 

(a) Not within the scope of ASC 606

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A description of the Company’s revenue streams accounted for under ASC 606 follows.

Service Charges and Fees

The company earns fees from its deposit customers for transaction-based, account maintenance and overdraft services.  Transaction-based fees, which include services such as stop payment charges, statement rendering and ACH fees, are recognized at the time the transaction is executed as that is the point in time the Company fulfills the customer’s request.  Account maintenance fees, which relate primarily to monthly maintenance, are earned over the course of a month, representing the period over which the Company satisfies the performance obligation.  Overdraft fees are recognized at the point in time that the overdraft occurs.  Service charges on deposits are collected through withdrawal from the customer’s account balance.

Debit Card Income

The Company earns debit card income from cardholder transactions conducted through payment processors.  Debit card income from cardholder transactions represent a percentage of the underlying transaction value and are recognized concurrently with the transaction processing services provided to the cardholder.

Investment Referral Income

Investment referral services are offered through an unaffiliated registered broker-dealer and investment advisor.  Investment referral income consists of transaction-based fees (i.e., trade commissions) and account fees (i.e., custodial fees).  The service obligation for transaction-based fees relates to processing of individual transactions and is considered earned at the time the transaction occurs.  The Company currently records this income when payment is received and at each month end for current-month transactions.  Account fees are considered earned over the period for which the fees relate.  These fees are received during the first month of each quarter and represent advance payment for the current quarter.  These fees are amortized ratably over the three months during the quarter.  Therefore, all account-based fees are currently recorded as performance obligations are satisfied.

Trust Income

Trust income includes fees from asset management, custody, recordkeeping, investment advisory and administration services.  Revenue is recognized at the time the services are performed and may be based on either the fair value of the account or the services provided.

Insurance Sales Commissions

Insurance commissions are received based on contracts with insurance companies which provide for a percentage of premiums to be paid to the Company in exchange for placement of policies with customers.  The commissions generally relate to a period of one year or less.  Under certain contracts, the Company may also assist with the claims processing, but this performance obligation is considered insignificant compared to the initial placement of the policy.  As such, the performance obligation is considered to have been substantially satisfied at the time of policy placement.  While this indicates that all related revenue would be appropriately accrued at policy inception, in some cases recognition occurs over the policy period if received in installments from the insurance company.  In no cases would this deferral extend beyond 12 months and the effect is considered immaterial compared to recognition at the time of policy placement.  The Company also receives commissions based on renewals of policies previously placed.  However, additional work is required to process the renewals, resulting in future performance obligations to earn the related revenues.  In addition, the occurrence of such renewals is not certain as initial policies are generally for one year or less and the fees earned are not determined until the time of renewal, based on underwriting at that time.  As such, the Company has determined that accrual of income for future renewals is not appropriate.

Other non-interest Income

Other non-interest income related to loans and deposits is earned when the specific transaction is processed, similar to service charges and fees.

Gain of Loss on Sale of Other Real Estate

Gain or loss on sale of other real estate is reported in non-interest expense and is netted with other real estate expenses.  The Company records a gain or loss from the sale of other real estate when control of the property transfers to the buyer, which generally occurs at the time of an executed deed.  When the Company finances the sale of other real estate to the buyer, the Company assesses whether the buyer is committed to perform their obligation under the contract and whether collectability of the transaction price is probable.  Once these criteria are met, the other real estate is derecognized and the gain or loss on sale is recorded upon the transfer of control of the property to the buyer.  In determining the gain or loss on the sale, the Company adjusts the transaction price and related gain or loss on sale if a significant financing component is present.  As a result, the Company has concluded that ASC 606 will affect the decision to recognize or defer gains on sales of other real estate in circumstances where the Company has financed the sale.