Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation: The accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, these financial statements do not contain all of the information and footnotes required by US GAAP for annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with Peoples’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 (“2011 Form 10-K”).

The accounting and reporting policies followed in the presentation of the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements are consistent with those described in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Peoples’ 2011 Form 10-K, as updated by the information contained in this Form 10-Q.  Management has evaluated all significant events and transactions that occurred after March 31, 2012, for potential recognition or disclosure in these consolidated financial statements.  In the opinion of management, these consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary to present fairly such information for the periods and dates indicated.  Such adjustments are normal and recurring in nature.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.  The Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2011, contained herein has been derived from the audited Consolidated Balance Sheet included in Peoples’ 2011 Form 10-K. 

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.  Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year, due in part to seasonal variations and unusual or infrequently occurring items.  Peoples’ insurance income includes contingent performance-based insurance commissions that are recognized by Peoples when received, which typically occurs during the first quarter of each year.

New Accounting Pronouncements: In June 2011 the FASB issued an accounting standards update with new guidance on the presentation of other comprehensive income (“OCI”). This standard is effective for public companies for fiscal years, and interim period within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, and should be applied retrospectively. The amendment now requires an entity to either present components of net income and other comprehensive income in one continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. This standard is intended to improve the overall quality of financial reporting by increasing the prominence of items reported in OCI, and additionally align the presentation of OCI in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP with those prepared in accordance with IFRSs. Peoples adopted this new guidance on January 1, 2012, as required. As a result of the adoption, the components of OCI are presented in a separate statement following the Consolidated Statements of Income.