XML 34 R24.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.24.1.u1
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2024
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to Article 10 of SEC Regulation S-X and other SEC rules and regulations for reporting on the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, certain disclosures required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) are not included herein. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
In the opinion of management of the Company, the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements reflect all of the adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair
presentation of the consolidated financial condition and consolidated results of operations as of the dates and for the periods presented. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2024.
Principles of Consolidation
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, including its wholly owned subsidiary, the Bank and the Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiary, BCAL OREO1, LLC. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change are the determination of the allowance for credit losses, the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations and related purchase price allocation, the valuation of acquired loans, the valuation of goodwill and separately identifiable intangible assets associated with mergers and acquisitions, loan sales and servicing of financial assets and deferred tax assets and liabilities.
Operating Segments
Operating Segments
We operate one reportable segment — commercial banking. The factors considered in making this determination include all of the banking products and services offered by the Company are available in each branch of the Company, all branches are located within the same economic environment, management does not allocate resources based on the performance of different lending or transaction activities and how information is reviewed by the chief executive officer and other key decision makers. As a result, we determined that all services we offer relate to commercial banking.
Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance and Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Effective
Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance
On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 326), which replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that reflects current expected credit losses (“CECL”) and requires consideration of historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts to estimate expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date. The measurement of expected credit losses under the CECL is applicable to financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loans, held-to-maturity debt securities and off-balance sheet credit exposures. ASU 2016-13 also requires credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities be measured through an allowance for credit losses. If the measurement indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses ("ACL") is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. In addition, ASU 2016-13 modifies the other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) model for available-for-sale debt securities to require an allowance for credit impairment instead of a direct write-down, which allows for reversal of credit impairments in future periods based on improvements in credit. The Company elected to account for accrued interest receivable separately from the amortized cost of loans and investment securities. The Company elected the CECL phase-in option provided by regulatory capital rules, which delays the impact of CECL on regulatory capital over a three-year transition period.
Concurrent with the adoption of ASU 2016-13, the Company adopted ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326) Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDR”) and Vintage Disclosures, which eliminated TDR accounting prospectively for all loan modifications occurring on or after January 1, 2023 and added additional disclosure requirements for current period gross charge-offs by year of origination. It also prescribes guidance for reporting modifications for certain loan refinancings and restructurings made to borrowers
experiencing financial difficulty. Loans that were considered a TDR prior to the adoption of ASU 2022-02 will continue to be accounted for under the superseded TDR accounting guidance until the loan is paid off, liquidated, or subsequently modified.
The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 using the modified retrospective transition approach, and recorded a net decrease of $3.9 million to the beginning balance of retained earnings as of January 1, 2023 for the cumulative effect adjustment, reflecting an initial adjustment to the ACL of $5.5 million, which included a $5.0 million increase in the ACL - loans and a $439 thousand increase in reserve for unfunded commitments, net of related deferred tax assets arising from temporary differences of $1.6 million, commonly referred to as the “Day 1” adjustment. This Day 1 adjustment reflects the development of the CECL models to estimate lifetime expected credit losses on the loans held for investment and unfunded commitments primarily using a lifetime loss methodology and management’s current expectation of future economic conditions. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2023 are presented under CECL while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with the probable incurred loss accounting standards. As permitted under ASC 326, the Company elected to maintain the same loan segments that it previously identified prior to adoption of CECL.
At adoption of CECL and continuing through March 31, 2024, the Company did not record an ACL on available-for-sale debt securities or held-to-maturity debt securities as these investment portfolios primarily consisted of debt securities explicitly or implicitly backed by the U.S. government or state and local governments, and historically have had no credit loss experience. Refer to Note 2 – Investment Securities, for more information.
The following table presents the impact of adopting ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2023:

(dollars in thousands)Pre-CECL AdoptionImpact of CECL AdoptionAs Reported under CECL
Assets:
Allowance for credit losses - loans
Construction and land development$2,301 $881 $3,182 
Real estate - other:
1-4 family residential9724241,396
Multifamily residential1,331(279)1,052
Commercial real estate and other9,3882,83812,226
Commercial and industrial3,0791,1324,211
Consumer283159
$17,099 $5,027 $22,126 
Liabilities:
Allowance for credit losses - unfunded loan commitments$1,310 $439 $1,749 

On January 1, 2024, the Company adopted ASU 2023-01, Leases (Topic 842): Common Control Arrangements. This standard requires entities to amortize leasehold improvements associated with common control leases over the useful life to the common control group. The standard is effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within these fiscal years. The Company did not have any such common control leases, so adoption of this standard did not have a material impact to the consolidated financial statements.
On January 1, 2024, the Company adopted ASU 2023-02, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method, a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force. The amendments in this update allow the option for an entity to apply the proportional amortization method of accounting to other equity investments that are made for the primary purpose of receiving tax credits or other income tax benefits, if certain conditions are met. Prior to
this update, the application of the proportional amortization method of accounting was only limited to low-income housing tax credit (“LIHTC”) structured investments. The proportional amortization method of accounting results in the amortization of applicable investments, as well as the related income tax credits or other income tax benefits received, being presented on a single line in the consolidated statements of income, income tax expense. Under this update, an entity has the option to apply the proportional amortization method of accounting to applicable investments on a tax-credit-program-by-tax-credit-program basis. In addition, the amendments in this update require that all tax equity investments accounted for using the proportional amortization method use the delayed equity contribution guidance in paragraph 323-740-25-3, requiring a liability be recognized for delayed equity contributions that are unconditional and legally binding or for equity contributions that are contingent upon a future event when that contingent event becomes probable. Under this update, LIHTC structured investments for which the proportional amortization method is not applied can no longer be accounted for using the delayed equity contribution guidance. Further, this update specifies that impairment of LIHTC structure investments not accounted for using the equity method must apply the impairment guidance in Subtopic 323-10 - Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures - Overall. This update also clarifies that for LIHTC structure investments not accounted for under the proportional amortization method or the equity method, an entity shall account for them under Topic 321 - Investments - Equity Securities. The amendments in this update also require additional disclosures in interim and annual periods concerning investments for which the proportional amortization method is applied, including (i) the nature of tax equity investments, and (ii) the effect of tax equity investments and related income tax credits and other income tax benefits on the financial position and results of operations. The provisions of this update are effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning December 15, 2023. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact to the consolidated financial statements.
Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Effective
In October 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2023-06, Disclosure Improvements–Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative (“ASU 2023-06”). The amendments in this update modify the disclosure or presentation requirements for a variety of topics in the codification. Certain amendments represent clarifications to or technical corrections of the current requirements. The following is a summary of the topics included in the update and which pertain to the Company: 1. Statement of cash flows (Topic 230): Requires an accounting policy disclosure in annual periods of where cash flows associated with derivative instruments and their related gains and losses are presented in the statement of cash flows; 2. Accounting changes and error corrections (Topic 250): Requires that when there has been a change in the reporting entity, the entity disclose any material prior-period adjustment and the effect of the adjustment on retained earnings in interim financial statements; 3. Earnings per share (Topic 260): Requires disclosure of the methods used in the diluted earnings-per-share computation for each dilutive security and clarifies that certain disclosures should be made during interim periods, and amends illustrative guidance to illustrate disclosure of the methods used in the diluted earnings per share computation; 4. Commitments (Topic 440): Requires disclosure of assets mortgaged, pledged, or otherwise subject to lien and the obligations collateralized; and 5. Debt (Topic 470): Requires disclosure of amounts and terms of unused lines of credit and unfunded commitments and the weighted-average interest rate on outstanding short-term borrowings. For public business entities, the amendments in ASU 2023-06 are effective on the date which the SEC’s removal of that related disclosure from Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K becomes effective. If by June 30, 2027, the SEC has not removed the applicable requirement from Regulation and S-X or Regulation S-K, the pending content of the related amendment will be removed from the codification and will not become effective for any entity. Early adoption is not permitted and the amendments are required to be applied on a prospective basis. The Company expects the adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740) – Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures: On December 14, 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09 “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures,” to address requests for improved income tax disclosures from investors, lenders, creditors and other allocators of capital that use the financial statements to make capital allocation decisions. This ASU is intended to improve the transparency of tax disclosures by requiring (1) consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and (2) income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction, in addition to certain other amendments intended to improve the effectiveness of income tax disclosures. For public business entities, this ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. For other entities, this ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2025. Early adoption is permitted for annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. The Company expects the adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Allowance for Credit Losses - Debt Securities
Allowance for Credit Losses — Held-to-Maturity Debt Securities
An ACL is established for losses on held-to-maturity debt securities at the time of purchase or designation and is updated each period to reflect management’s expectations of CECL as of the date of the consolidated balance sheets. The ACL is estimated collectively for groups of debt securities with similar risk characteristics, and is determined at the individual security level when the Company deems a security to no longer possess shared risk characteristics. Accrued interest receivable on held-to-maturity debt securities is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. For debt securities where the Company has reason to believe the credit loss exposure is remote, a zero credit loss assumption is applied. Such debt securities were municipal securities, and historically have had limited credit loss experience. The Company does not anticipate any credit related losses in this investment portfolio. Changes in the ACL on held-to-maturity debt securities are recorded as a component of the (reversal of) provision for credit losses in the consolidated statements of income. Losses are charged against the ACL when management believes the uncollectibility of a held-to-maturity debt security is confirmed.
Allowance for Credit Losses — Available-for-Sale Debt Securities
For available-for-sale debt securities, the Company evaluates, on an individual basis, whether a decline in fair value below the amortized cost basis has resulted from a credit loss or other factors. The portion of the decline attributable to credit losses is recognized through an ACL, and changes in the ACL on available-for-sale debt securities are recorded as a component of the (reversal of) provision for credit losses in the consolidated statements of income. The portion of decline in fair value below the amortized cost basis not attributable to credit is recognized through other comprehensive income (loss), net of applicable taxes.
Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans and Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures
Allowance for Credit Losses — Loans
An ACL is the Company’s estimate of expected lifetime credit losses for its loans held for investment at the time of origination or acquisition and is maintained at a level deemed appropriate by management to provide for expected lifetime credit losses in the portfolio. The ACL consists of: (i) a specific allowance established for current expected credit losses on loans individually evaluated, (ii) a quantitative allowance for current expected credit losses based on the portfolio and expected economic conditions over a reasonable and supportable forecast period that reverts back to long-term trends to cover the expected life of the loan, (iii) a qualitative allowance including management judgment to capture factors and trends that are not adequately reflected in the quantitative allowance, and (iv) the ACL for off-balance sheet credit exposure for unfunded loan commitments (described in Allowance for Credit Losses - Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposure).
The ACL on loans held for investment represents the portion of the loans’ amortized cost basis that the Company does not expect to collect due to anticipated credit losses over the loans’ contractual life. Amortized cost does not include accrued interest, which management elected to exclude from the estimate of expected credit losses. Provision for credit losses for loans held for investment is included in (reversal of) provision for credit losses in the consolidated statements of income. Loan charge-offs are recognized when management believes the collectability of the principal balance outstanding is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the ACL. Credit losses are not estimated for accrued interest receivable as interest that is deemed uncollectible is written off through interest income.
Estimating expected credit losses requires management to use relevant forward-looking information, including the use of reasonable and supportable forecasts. Pools of loans with similar risk characteristics are collectively evaluated while loans that no longer share risk characteristics with loan pools are evaluated individually. The Company measures the ACL using a discounted cash flow methodology, which utilizes pool-level assumptions and cash flow projections on individual loan basis, which then aggregated at the portfolio segment level and supplemented by a qualitative reserve that is applied to each portfolio segment level.
The Company’s loan portfolio consists of the following segments, based on regulatory call codes and related risk ratings:
Construction and land development loans are typically adjustable rate residential and commercial construction loans to builders, developers and consumers, with terms generally limited to 12 to 36 months. These loans generally require payment in full upon the sale or refinance of the property. Construction and development loans generally carry a higher degree of risk because repayment depends on the ultimate completion of the project and usually on the subsequent sale or refinance of the property, unless the project is user-owned which would then convert to a conventional term loan. Specific material risks may include (i) unforeseen delays in the building or the project, (ii) cost overruns or inadequate contingency reserves, (iii) poor management of construction process, (iv) inferior or improper construction techniques, (v) changes in the economic environment during the construction period, (vi) a downturn in the real estate market, (vii) rising interest rates which may impact the sale of the property and its price, and (viii) failure to sell or stabilize completed projects in a timely manner. The Company attempts to reduce risks associated with construction and land development loans by obtaining personal guarantees and by keeping the maximum loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratio at or below 75%, depending on the project type. Many of the construction and land development loans include interest reserves built into the loan commitment. For owner-occupied commercial construction loans, periodic cash payments for interest are required from the borrower’s cash flow.
Real estate loans are secured by single family residential properties (one to four units), multifamily residential properties (five or more units), owner-occupied commercial real estate (“CRE”), and non-owner occupied CRE. Real estate loans are subject to the same general risks as other loans and may also be impacted by changing demographics, collateral maintenance, and product supply and demand. Rising interest rates, as well as other factors arising after a loan has been made, could negatively affect not only property values but also a borrower’s cash flow, creditworthiness, and ability to repay the loan. Increasing interest rates can impact real estate values as rising rates generally cause a similar movement in capitalization rates which can cause real estate collateral values to decline. The Company usually obtains a security interest in real estate, in addition to any other available collateral, in order to increase the likelihood of the ultimate repayment of the loan. The Company does not underwrite closed-end term consumer loans secured by a borrower’s residence. Junior liens may be considered
in connection with a consumer home equity line of credit (“HELOC”), or as additional collateral support for SBA and other business loans.
The Company’s commercial and industrial (“C&I”) loans are generally made to businesses located in the Southern California region and surrounding communities. These loans are made to finance operations, to provide working capital, or for specific purposes such as to finance the purchase of assets or equipment or to finance accounts receivable and inventory. The Company’s C&I loans may be secured (other than by real estate) or unsecured. They may take the form of single payment, installment, or lines of credit. These are generally based on the financial strength and integrity of the borrower and guarantor(s) and generally (with some exceptions) are collateralized by short-term assets such as accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, or a borrower’s other business assets. Commercial term loans are typically made to provide working capital to finance the acquisition of fixed assets, refinance short-term debt originally used to purchase fixed assets or, in rare cases, to finance the purchase of businesses.
Consumer loans consist of loans to individuals for personal and household purposes, including secured and unsecured installment loans and revolving lines of credit. Consumer loans are underwritten based on the borrower’s income, current debt level, past credit history, and the availability and value of collateral. Consumer rates are both fixed and variable, with negotiable terms. The Company’s installment loans typically amortize over periods up to 5 years. Although the Company typically requires monthly payments of interest and a portion of the principal on its loan products, the Company will offer consumer loans with a single maturity date when a specific source of repayment is available. Consumer loans are generally considered to have greater risk than first or second mortgages on real estate because they may be unsecured, or, if they are secured, the value of the collateral may be difficult to assess and more likely to decrease in value than real estate.
The Company’s ACL model incorporates assumptions for prepayment/curtailment rates, probability of default (“PD”), and loss given default (“LGD”) to project each loan’s cash flow throughout its entire life cycle. An initial reserve amount is determined based on the difference between the amortized cost basis of each loan and the present value of all future cash flows. The initial reserve amount is then aggregated at the loan segment level to derive the segment level quantitative loss rates. For prepayment and curtailment rates, the Company utilized Abrigo’s benchmark since the adoption on January 1, 2023 through the second quarter of 2023 and switched to the Company’s own historical prepayment and curtailment experience beginning in the third quarter of 2023. Quarterly PD is forecasted using a regression model that incorporates certain economic variables as inputs. The LGD is derived from PD using the Frye-Jacobs index provided by the Company’s third-party model provider. Reasonable and supportable forecasts are used to predict current and future economic conditions. Management elected to use a four quarter reasonable and supportable forecast period followed by an eight quarter straight-line reversion period. After twelve quarters of forecast plus reversion period, the PD is assumed to remain unchanged for the remaining life of the loan.
The Company uses numerous key macroeconomic variables within the economic forecast scenarios from Moody’s Analytics. These economic forecast scenarios are based on past events, current conditions, and the likelihood of future events occurring. These scenarios include a baseline forecast which represents their best estimate of future economic activity. Moody’s Analytics also provides nine alternative scenarios, including five direct variations of the baseline scenario and four more extensive departures from their baseline forecast, including a slower growth, a stagflation, a next cycle recession and a low oil price scenario. Management recognizes the non-linearity of credit losses relative to economic performance and believes the use of multiple probability-weighted economic scenarios is appropriate in estimating credit losses over the forecast period. This approach is based on certain assumptions. The first assumption is that no single forecast of the economy, however detailed or complex, is completely accurate over a reasonable forecast timeframe and is subject to revisions over time. By considering multiple scenarios, management believes some of the uncertainty associated with a single scenario approach can be mitigated. Management periodically evaluates economic scenarios, determines whether to utilize multiple probability-weighted scenarios in the Company’s ACL model, and, if multiple scenarios are utilized, evaluates and determines the weighting for each scenario used in the Company’s ACL model, and thus the scenarios and weightings of each scenario may change in future periods. Economic scenarios as well as assumptions within those scenarios can vary based on changes in current and expected economic conditions.
The ACL process involves subjective and complex judgments and is reflective of significant uncertainties that could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. In addition to the aforementioned quantitative model, management periodically considers the need for qualitative adjustments to the ACL. Such qualitative adjustments may be related to and include, but are not limited to factors such as: differences in segment-specific risk characteristics, periods wherein current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts of economic conditions differ from the conditions that existed at the time of the estimated loss calculation, model limitations and management’s overall assessment of the adequacy of the ACL. Qualitative risk factors are periodically evaluated by management.
Generally, the measurement of the ACL is performed by collectively evaluating loans with similar risk characteristics. Loans that do not share similar risk characteristics are evaluated individually for credit loss and are not included in the evaluation process discussed above. Expected credit losses on all individually evaluated loans are measured, primarily through the evaluation of estimated cash flows expected to be collected, or collateral values measured by reference to an observable market value, if one exists, or the fair value of the collateral for a collateral-dependent loan. The Company selects the measurement method on a loan-by-loan basis except that collateral-dependent loans for which foreclosure is probable are measured at the net realizable value of the collateral. Cash receipts on individually evaluated loans for which the accrual of interest has been discontinued are applied first to principal and then to interest income. Prior to the adoption of ASC Topic 326, individually evaluated loans were referred to as impaired loans. Amounts are charged-off when available information confirms that specific loans or portions thereof, are uncollectible. This methodology for determining charge-offs is consistently applied to each loan segment.
Loans with terms that have been modified resulting in a concession, and for which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, are evaluated for an ACL utilizing one of the methodologies above.

Allowance for Credit Losses — Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures
The Company also maintains a separate allowance for off-balance sheet commitments. Beginning January 1, 2023, management estimates anticipated losses using expected loss factors consistent with those used for the ACL methodology for loans described above, and utilization assumptions based on historical experience. Provision for credit losses for off-balance sheet commitments is included in (reversal of) provision for credit losses in the consolidated statements of income and added to the allowance for off-balance sheet commitments, which is included in accrued interest payable and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
Loan Modifications, Refinancings and Restructurings
Loan Modifications, Refinancings and Restructurings
Prior to the adoption of ASU 2022-02, a loan was classified as a TDR when the Company granted a concession to a borrower experiencing financial difficulties that it otherwise would not consider under its normal lending policies under ASC Subtopic 310-40, Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors. Upon the adoption of ASU 2022-02, the Company applies the general loan modification guidance provided in ASC 310-20 to all loan modifications, including modifications made for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. The Company considers some of the indicators that a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty to be: currently in payment default on any of their debt, declaring bankruptcy, having issues continuing as a going concern, insufficient cash flow to service all debt service requirements, inability to obtain funds from other sources at a market rate for similar debt to non-troubled borrowers, and currently classified as substandard loans that are categorized as having well-defined weaknesses.
Under the general loan modification guidance, a modification is treated as a new loan only if the following two conditions are met: (1) the terms of the new loan are at least as favorable to the Company as the terms for comparable loans to other customers with similar collection risks; and (2) modifications to the terms of the original loan are more than minor. If either condition is not met, the modification is accounted for as the continuation of the existing loan with any effect of the modification treated as a prospective adjustment to the loan’s effective interest rate. If the refinancing or restructuring is deemed to be a new loan, unamortized net fees or costs from the original loan and any prepayment penalties are recognized in interest income when the new loan is granted. In addition, a new effective interest rate will be determined. If the refinancing or restructuring is deemed to be a modification, the investment in the new loan is comprised of the remaining net investment in the
original loan, any additional funds advanced to the borrower, any fees received, and direct loan origination costs associated with the refinancing or restructuring. The effective interest rate of the loan is recalculated based upon the amortized cost basis of the new loan and its revised contractual cash flows.
A modification may vary by program and by borrower-specific characteristics, that may include interest rate reductions, principal forgiveness, term extensions, payment delays and any combination of the above. It is intended to minimize the Company’s economic loss and to avoid foreclosure or repossession of collateral. The Company applies the same credit loss methodology it uses for similar loans that were not modified.
GAAP requires that certain types of modifications be reported, which consist of (1) principal forgiveness; (2) interest rate reduction; (3) other-than-insignificant payment delay; (4) term extension; and any combination of the above. Since adoption of ASU 2022-02 on January 1, 2023, the Company did not have any loan modifications under ASU 2022-02. At December 31, 2023, the Company did not have any loans that have been modified and classified as TDRs under previous GAAP.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which the asset or obligation could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market value exists for a significant portion of the financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature, involve uncertainties and matters of judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The guidance describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has
the ability to access as of the measurement date.
Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar
assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are
observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a Company’s own assumptions about the
assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

Fair value of financial instruments
Fair value estimates are based on financial instruments both on and off the balance sheet without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business, and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. Additionally, tax consequences related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a potential effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in many of the estimates. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of significant financial instruments:
Cash and Due from Banks: The carrying amounts of cash and short-term instruments approximate fair values because of the liquidity of these instruments.
Federal Funds Sold and Interest-Bearing Balances: The carrying amount is assumed to be the fair value given the short-term nature of these deposits.
Debt Securities Held to Maturity and Available for Sale: The fair values of securities held to maturity and available for sale are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges or matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities.
Loans Held for Sale: The fair value of loans held-for-sale is based on commitments outstanding from investors as well as what secondary market investors are currently offering for portfolios with similar characteristics.
Loans Held for Investment, net: The fair value of loans, which is based on an exit price notion, is generally determined using an income based approach based on discounted cash flow analysis. This approach utilizes the contractual maturity of the loans and market indications of interest rates, prepayment speeds, defaults and credit risk in determining fair value. If an individually evaluated loan has had a charge-off or if the fair value of the collateral is less than the recorded investment in the loan, we establish a specific reserve and report the loan as nonrecurring Level 3. Loans not requiring an allowance represent loans for which the fair value of the expected repayments or collateral exceed the recorded investments in such loans. For the fair value of collateral-dependent individually evaluated loans, an asset-based approach is applied to determine the estimated fair values of the underlying collateral based on recent real estate appraisals, less costs to sell. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. New appraisals in certain circumstances, including when there has been significant deterioration in the condition of the collateral, if the foreclosure process has begun, or if the existing valuation is deemed to be outdated. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments are usually significant and typically result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value.

Restricted Stock Investments: Investments in FHLB and Federal Reserve stocks are recorded at cost and measured for impairment. Ownership of FHLB and Federal Reserve stocks are restricted to member banks and the securities do not have a readily determinable market value. Purchases and sales of these securities are at par value with the issuer. The fair value of investments in FHLB and Federal Reserve stock is equal to the carrying amount.
Other Equity Securities: The fair value of equity securities is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets to determine the fair value. If quoted prices are not available to determine fair value, the Company
estimates the fair values by using independent pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flows.
Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”): Nonrecurring adjustments to certain commercial and residential real estate properties classified as OREO are measured at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less costs to sell. The fair value of OREO is generally based on recent real estate appraisals or broker opinions, obtained from independent third parties, which are frequently adjusted by management to reflect current conditions and estimated selling costs.
Accrued Interest Receivable: The fair value of accrued interest receivable approximates their carrying amounts.
Deposits: The fair values disclosed for demand deposits, including interest and non-interest demand accounts, savings, and certain types of money market accounts are by definition based on carrying value. Fair value for fixed-rate certificates of deposit is estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on certificates to a schedule of aggregate expected monthly maturities on time deposits. Early withdrawal of fixed-rate certificates of deposit is not expected to be significant.
Borrowings: The fair values of the Company’s overnight borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank approximates their carrying value as the advances were recently borrowed at market rate. The fair value of fixed-rated term borrowings is estimated using a discounted cash flow through the remaining maturity dates based on the current borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. The fair values of subordinated debt are based on rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities.
Accrued Interest Payable: The fair value of accrued interest payable approximates their carrying amounts.
Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments: The fair value of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements. The fair value of these financial instruments is not material.