Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation: The accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Peoples" refers to Peoples Bancorp Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries collectively, except where the context indicates the reference relates solely to Peoples Bancorp Inc.) 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, 2014 (“2014 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’ 2014 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, 2015, 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, 2014, contained herein has been derived from the audited Consolidated Balance Sheet included in Peoples’ 2014 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 performance-based insurance commissions that are recognized by Peoples when received, which typically occurs during the first quarter of each year. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the amount of performance-based insurance commissions recognized totaled $1.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively.

New Accounting Pronouncements: From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by FASB or other standard setting bodies that are adopted by Peoples as of the required effective dates. Unless otherwise discussed, management believes the impact of any recently issued standards, including those issued but not yet effective, will not have a material impact on Peoples financial statements taken as a whole.