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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Presentation
Colony Bankcorp, Inc. (the “Company”) is a bank holding company located in Fitzgerald, Georgia. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Colony Bank, Fitzgerald, Georgia (the “Bank”). The “Company” or “our,” as used herein, includes Colony Bank, except where the context requires otherwise.
All adjustments consisting of normal recurring accruals which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for fair presentation of the interim consolidated financial statements, have been included and fairly and accurately present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company. All significant intercompany accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.
The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") utilized in the commercial banking industry for interim financial information and Regulation S-X. Accordingly, the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information or notes required for complete financial statements.
The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results which may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2024. These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (“2023 Form 10-K”).
Nature of Operations
The Bank provides a full range of retail, commercial and mortgage banking services as well as government guaranteed lending, consumer insurance, wealth management and merchant services for consumers and small- to medium-size businesses located primarily in north, central, south and coastal Georgia, Birmingham, Alabama and Tallahassee and the Florida Panhandle. The Bank is headquartered in Fitzgerald, Georgia with locations in the Georgia cities of Albany, Ashburn, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Broxton, Cedartown, Centerville, Chickamauga, Columbus, Cordele, Douglas, Eastman, Fayetteville, Fitzgerald, LaGrange, Leesburg, Macon, Manchester, Moultrie, Quitman, Rochelle, Rockmart, Savannah, Statesboro, Sylvester, Thomaston, Tifton, Valdosta and Warner Robins along with loan production offices in Birmingham, Alabama and Tallahassee, Florida. Lending and investing activities are funded primarily by deposits gathered through its retail banking office network.
Use of Estimates
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the balance sheet date and revenues and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for credit losses, the valuation of real estate acquired in connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans and fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination, including goodwill impairment.
Reclassifications
In certain instances, amounts reported in prior years’ consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to statement presentations selected for 2024. Such reclassifications have not materially affected previously reported stockholders’ equity or net income.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Concentrations of credit risk can exist in relation to individual borrowers or groups of borrowers, certain types of collateral, certain types of industries, or certain geographic regions. The Company has a concentration in real estate loans as well as a geographic concentration that could pose an adverse credit risk. At March 31, 2024, approximately 84% of the Company’s loan portfolio was concentrated in loans secured by real estate. A substantial portion of borrowers’ ability to honor their contractual obligations is dependent upon the viability of the real estate economic sector. Management continues to monitor these concentrations and has considered these concentrations in its allowance for credit loss analysis.
The success of the Company is dependent, to a certain extent, upon the economic conditions in the geographic markets it serves. Adverse changes in the economic conditions in these geographic markets would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. The operating results of the Company depend primarily on its net interest income. Accordingly, operations are subject to risks and uncertainties surrounding the exposure to changes in the interest rate environment.
At times, the Company may have cash and cash equivalents at financial institutions in excess of federal deposit insurance limits. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with high credit quality financial institutions whose credit ratings are monitored by management to minimize credit risk.
Allowance for Credit Losses ("ACL") – Loans
The current expected credit loss (“CECL”) approach requires an estimate of the credit losses expected over the life of an exposure (or pool of exposures). It replaced the incurred loss approach’s threshold that delayed the recognition of a credit loss until it was probable a loss event was incurred. The estimate of expected credit losses is based on relevant information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amounts. Historical loss experience is generally the starting point for estimating expected credit losses. The Company then considers whether the historical loss experience should be adjusted for asset-specific risk characteristics or current conditions at the reporting date that did not exist over the historical period used. The Company also considers future economic conditions and portfolio performance as part of a reasonable and supportable forecast period.
The ACL is a valuation account that is deducted from the loans' amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loans are charged off against the ACL when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Accrued interest receivable is excluded from the estimate of credit losses.
Management determines the ACL balance using relevant available information from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical credit behaviors along with model judgments provide the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to modeled loss estimates may be made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics such as differences in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, delinquency level, or term as well as for changes in environmental conditions, such as changes in economic conditions, property values, or other relevant factors. For the majority of loans and leases the ACL is calculated using a discounted cash flow methodology applied at a loan level with a one-year reasonable and supportable forecast period and a two-year straight-line reversion period.
The ACL-loans are measured on a collective basis when similar risk characteristics exist. The Company has identified the following portfolio segments and calculates the ACL for each using a discounted cash flow methodology at the loan level, with loss rates, prepayment assumptions and curtailment assumptions driven by each loan’s collateral type:
Construction, land & land development - Risks common to construction, land & development loans are cost overruns, changes in market demand for property, inadequate long-term financing arrangements and declines in real estate values.
Other commercial real estate - Loans in this category are susceptible to business failures and declines in general economic conditions, including declines in real estate value, declines in occupancy rates, and lack of suitable alternative use for the property.
Residential real estate - Residential real estate loans are susceptible to weakening general economic conditions, increases in unemployment rates and declining real estate values.
Commercial, financial & agricultural - Risks to this loan category include the inability to monitor the condition of the collateral, which often consists of inventory, accounts receivable and other non-real estate assets. Equipment and inventory obsolescence can also pose a risk. Declines in general economic conditions and other events can cause cash flows to fall to levels insufficient to service debt.
Consumer and other - Risks common to consumer direct loans include unemployment and changes in local economic conditions as well as the inability to monitor collateral consisting of personal property.
When management determines that foreclosure is probable or when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty at the reporting date and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral, expected credit losses are based on the fair value of the collateral at the reporting date, adjusted for selling costs as appropriate.
Allowance for Credit Losses – Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures
Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and standby 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.
Management estimates expected credit losses on commitments to extend credit over the contractual period during which the Company is exposed to credit risk on the underlying commitments. The ACL on off-balance sheet credit exposures is adjusted as a provision for credit loss expense. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life. The ACL is calculated using the same aggregate reserve rates calculated for the funded portion of loans at the portfolio level applied to the amount of commitments expected to fund.
Allowance for Credit Losses – Held-to-Maturity Securities ("HTM")
Management measures current expected credit losses on HTM debt securities on a collective basis by major security type. The estimate of current expected credit losses considers historical credit loss information that is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Management classifies the HTM portfolio into the following major security types: U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. agency securities, State, county & municipal securities, and Mortgage-backed securities. Accrued interest receivable on HTM debt is excluded from the estimate of credit losses.
All of the residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities held by the Company as HTM are issued by U.S. government agencies and government sponsored entities. These securities are either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S. government, are highly rated by major rating agencies and have a long history of no credit losses. The state and political subdivision securities are also highly rated by major rating agencies.
Allowance for Credit Losses – Available-for-Sale Securities ("AFS")
For AFS debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether it intends to sell, or whether it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security's amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For AFS debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment 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 cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an ACL is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any amount of unrealized loss that has not been recorded through an ACL is recognized in other comprehensive income. Accrued interest receivable on AFS debt securities is excluded from the estimate of credit losses.
Changes in the ACL are recorded as provision for (or reversal of) credit loss expense. Losses are charged against the ACL when management believes the uncollectibility of an AFS security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met.
Derivatives
The Company records cash flow hedges at the inception of a derivative contract based on management’s intentions and belief as to the likely effectiveness of the hedge. Cash flow hedges represent a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability. For a cash flow hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in other comprehensive income ("OCI") and is reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The changes in the fair value of a derivative that is not highly effective in hedging the expected cash flows of the hedged item are recognized immediately as interest expense in the consolidated statements of 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 noninterest income or noninterest expense. Cash flows from hedges are classified in the consolidated statements of cash flows in the same manner as the items being hedged.
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 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, whether the derivative instruments that are used are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged item. The Company discontinues hedge accounting when it determines that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged item, the derivative is settled or terminated, 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 interest expense. When a cash flow hedge is discontinued but the hedged cash flows or forecasted transactions are still expected to occur, gains or losses that were accumulated in OCI are amortized into earnings over the same periods which the hedged transactions will affect earnings.

Changes in Accounting Principles
In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Reform (Topic 848) Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting ("ASU 2020-04"). This ASU provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on financial reporting. It provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The updated guidance was originally effective for all entities from March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06 which deferred the sunset date of Topic 848 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. The Company has been diligent in responding to reference rate reform and does not anticipate a significant impact to its financial statements as a result.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures ("ASU 2023-07"). This ASU was issued to improve segment reporting disclosures. The amendments in this ASU improve financial reporting by requiring disclosure of incremental segment information including significant segment expenses regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker as well as the amount and composition of other segment items on an annual and interim basis for all public entities to enable investors to develop more decision-useful financial analyses. Retrospective application is required in all prior periods unless impracticable to do so. The Company will adopt the new disclosure requirements for the annual period beginning on January 1, 2024 and interim periods beginning on January 1, 2025. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the incremental segment information that will be required to be disclosed as well as the impact to the Segment Reporting footnote.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740) Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures ("ASU 2023-09"). This ASU was issued to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures. The ASU addresses investor requests for more transparency about income tax information through improvements to income tax disclosures primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. Retrospective application in all prior periods is permitted. The Company will adopt the new disclosures for the annual periods beginning on January 1, 2025. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the incremental income taxes information that will be required to be disclosed as well as the impact to the Income Taxes footnote.