Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Note 1 - Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Certain amounts in prior-period financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation. Such reclassifications have no effect on previously reported net income or shareholders’ equity. Results for quarterly reporting periods beginning after December 31, 2020 in the Company’s Form 10-Q will be presented under ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, while prior quarterly period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP. For further information, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and related footnotes included in Cass Information System, Inc.’s (the “Company” or “Cass”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. Risks and Uncertainties On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) declared the outbreak of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. The declaration of a global pandemic meant that almost all public commerce and related business activities was, to varying degrees, curtailed with the goal of decreasing the rate of new infections. In late fiscal 2020, vaccines for combatting COVID-19 were approved by health agencies and have been administered throughout the country. The timeline of full administration of the COVID-19 vaccines is uncertain and fluctuating, however has resulted in a significant amount of previous business and other restrictions being lifted. The ongoing impact of COVID-19, including the impact of restrictions imposed to combat its spread, could result in additional and prolonged business closures, work restrictions and activity restrictions. The Company is closely monitoring developments related to COVID-19 checking regularly for updated information and recommendations from the WHO and the CDC, from national, state, and local governments, and evaluating courses of action being taken by peers. At this time, the Company remains subject to heightened business, operational, market, credit and other risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including, but not limited to, those discussed below, which may have an adverse effect on business, financial condition and results of operations. Financial position and results of operations - The global health crisis caused by COVID-19 has and will continue to negatively impact business activity throughout the world. The COVID-19 outbreak and associated counter-acting measures implemented by governments around the world, as well as increased business uncertainty, have had, and continue to have, an adverse impact on the Company’s financial results and are discussed in more detail below. Although many restrictions have been relaxed with some success, many states and localities are still experiencing moderate to high levels of COVID-19 cases, prompting continued restrictions and the need for additional aid and other forms of relief for affected individuals, businesses and other entities. When and if COVID-19 is demonstrably contained, the Company anticipates a rebound in economic activity; however, any such rebound is contingent upon the rate and effectiveness of the containment efforts deployed by federal, state, and local governments. In light of the evolving health, social, economic and business environment, governmental regulations or mandates, and business disruptions that have occurred and could continue to occur, the aggregate impact that COVID-19 could have on the Company’s financial condition and operating results remains uncertain. In response to COVID-19, the Federal Reserve has taken action to lower the Federal Funds rate, which has adversely affected interest income and therefore, the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. The Federal Reserve has continued its commitment to this approach, indicating that the target Federal Funds rate would remain at current levels until the economy is in a more stable employment and price-stability position. To the extent the business disruption continues for an extended period, additional cost control actions will be considered. Future asset impairment charges, increases in allowance for credit losses, or restructuring charges could be more likely and will be dependent on the severity and duration of this crisis and its effect on the Company’s borrowers. -8- Table of Contents For payment processing services, business closures cause a decrease in the number of transactions and dollars processed due to the decline in customers’ business activity. Other financial impact could occur though such potential impact is unknown at this time. Capital and liquidity - While the Company believes that it has sufficient capital to withstand an extended economic recession brought about by COVID-19, its reported and regulatory capital ratios could be adversely impacted by future financial losses. The Company maintains access to multiple sources of liquidity. If an extended recession caused large numbers of the Bank’s customers to draw down deposits, the Company might become more reliant on more expensive sources of funding. Asset valuation - Currently, the Company does not expect COVID-19 to affect its ability to fairly value the assets on its balance sheet; however, this could change in future periods. While certain valuation assumptions and judgments will change to account for pandemic-related circumstances such as widening credit spreads, the Company does not anticipate significant changes in methodology used to determine the fair value of assets measured in accordance with GAAP. The economic slowdown as a result of COVID-19 could cause a decline in the Company’s stock price or the occurrence of what management would deem to be a triggering event that could, under certain circumstances, necessitate a goodwill or intangible asset impairment test and result in an impairment charge being recorded for that period. In the event that the Company concludes that all or a portion of its goodwill is impaired, a non-cash charge for the amount of such impairment would be recorded to earnings. Such a charge would have no impact on tangible capital or regulatory capital. Processes, controls and business continuity - In accord with its federally mandated Pandemic Plan and Business Continuity Plan, many Cass employees around the globe continue to work and conduct business remotely. Employees necessary to oversee certain business coordination activities or to conduct essential physical activities such as mail handling and scanning operations, remain in offices. In addition, employees are now being permitted to return to the offices on a voluntary basis. Employees are required to report any exposure or diagnosis and must adhere to the defined safety protocol to enter the offices. In the past several years, Cass has invested in sophisticated technology initiatives that enable employees to operate remotely with full system(s) access along with unified and transparent voice and electronic communications capabilities, ensuring seamless service delivery. The Company cannot predict when or how it will fully lift the actions put in place as part of the Business Continuity Plan, including work from home requirements and travel restrictions. Cass does not believe the work from home protocol has materially adversely impacted internal controls, financial reporting systems, or operations.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Certain amounts in prior-period financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation. Such reclassifications have no effect on previously reported net income or shareholders’ equity. Results for quarterly reporting periods beginning after December 31, 2020 in the Company’s Form 10-Q will be presented under ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, while prior quarterly period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP. For further information, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and related footnotes included in Cass Information System, Inc.’s (the “Company” or “Cass”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) declared the outbreak of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. The declaration of a global pandemic meant that almost all public commerce and related business activities was, to varying degrees, curtailed with the goal of decreasing the rate of new infections. In late fiscal 2020, vaccines for combatting COVID-19 were approved by health agencies and have been administered throughout the country. The timeline of full administration of the COVID-19 vaccines is uncertain and fluctuating, however has resulted in a significant amount of previous business and other restrictions being lifted. The ongoing impact of COVID-19, including the impact of restrictions imposed to combat its spread, could result in additional and prolonged business closures, work restrictions and activity restrictions.

The Company is closely monitoring developments related to COVID-19 checking regularly for updated information and recommendations from the WHO and the CDC, from national, state, and local governments, and evaluating courses of action being taken by peers. At this time, the Company remains subject to heightened business, operational, market, credit and other risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including, but not limited to, those discussed below, which may have an adverse effect on business, financial condition and results of operations.

Financial position and results of operations - The global health crisis caused by COVID-19 has and will continue to negatively impact business activity throughout the world. The COVID-19 outbreak and associated counter-acting measures implemented by governments around the world, as well as increased business uncertainty, have had, and continue to have, an adverse impact on the Company’s financial results and are discussed in more detail below. Although many restrictions have been relaxed with some success, many states and localities are still experiencing moderate to high levels of COVID-19 cases, prompting continued restrictions and the need for additional aid and other forms of relief for affected individuals, businesses and other entities. When and if COVID-19 is demonstrably contained, the Company anticipates a rebound in economic activity; however, any such rebound is contingent upon the rate and effectiveness of the containment efforts deployed by federal, state, and local governments. In light of the evolving health, social, economic and business environment, governmental regulations or mandates, and business disruptions that have occurred and could continue to occur, the aggregate impact that COVID-19 could have on the Company’s financial condition and operating results remains uncertain.

In response to COVID-19, the Federal Reserve has taken action to lower the Federal Funds rate, which has adversely affected interest income and therefore, the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. The Federal Reserve has continued its commitment to this approach, indicating that the target Federal Funds rate would remain at current levels until the economy is in a more stable employment and price-stability position.

To the extent the business disruption continues for an extended period, additional cost control actions will be considered. Future asset impairment charges, increases in allowance for credit losses, or restructuring charges could be more likely and will be dependent on the severity and duration of this crisis and its effect on the Company’s borrowers.

-8-

Table of Contents

For payment processing services, business closures cause a decrease in the number of transactions and dollars processed due to the decline in customers’ business activity. Other financial impact could occur though such potential impact is unknown at this time.

Capital and liquidity - While the Company believes that it has sufficient capital to withstand an extended economic recession brought about by COVID-19, its reported and regulatory capital ratios could be adversely impacted by future financial losses.

The Company maintains access to multiple sources of liquidity. If an extended recession caused large numbers of the Bank’s customers to draw down deposits, the Company might become more reliant on more expensive sources of funding.

Asset valuation - Currently, the Company does not expect COVID-19 to affect its ability to fairly value the assets on its balance sheet; however, this could change in future periods. While certain valuation assumptions and judgments will change to account for pandemic-related circumstances such as widening credit spreads, the Company does not anticipate significant changes in methodology used to determine the fair value of assets measured in accordance with GAAP.

The economic slowdown as a result of COVID-19 could cause a decline in the Company’s stock price or the occurrence of what management would deem to be a triggering event that could, under certain circumstances, necessitate a goodwill or intangible asset impairment test and result in an impairment charge being recorded for that period. In the event that the Company concludes that all or a portion of its goodwill is impaired, a non-cash charge for the amount of such impairment would be recorded to earnings. Such a charge would have no impact on tangible capital or regulatory capital.

Processes, controls and business continuity - In accord with its federally mandated Pandemic Plan and Business Continuity Plan, many Cass employees around the globe continue to work and conduct business remotely. Employees necessary to oversee certain business coordination activities or to conduct essential physical activities such as mail handling and scanning operations, remain in offices. In addition, employees are now being permitted to return to the offices on a voluntary basis. Employees are required to report any exposure or diagnosis and must adhere to the defined safety protocol to enter the offices.

In the past several years, Cass has invested in sophisticated technology initiatives that enable employees to operate remotely with full system(s) access along with unified and transparent voice and electronic communications capabilities, ensuring seamless service delivery. The Company cannot predict when or how it will fully lift the actions put in place as part of the Business Continuity Plan, including work from home requirements and travel restrictions. Cass does not believe the work from home protocol has materially adversely impacted internal controls, financial reporting systems, or operations.