Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION The accounting and reporting policies of the Corporation and the Bank, conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and reporting practices followed by the banking industry. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the 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 relate to the determination of the allowance for credit losses and fair value of financial instruments. Reclassifications have been made to prior financial statements to conform to the current financial statement presentation. The Corporation is a financial holding company whose principal activity is the ownership and management of the Bank and operates in a single significant business segment. The Bank provides full banking services under an Indiana state-charter. Additionally, the Bank operates as First Merchants Private Wealth Advisors (a division of First Merchants Bank). The Bank generates commercial, mortgage, and consumer loans and receives deposits from customers located primarily in central and northern Indiana, northeast Illinois, central Ohio and southeast Michigan counties. The Bank’s loans are generally secured by specific items of collateral, including real property, consumer assets and business assets. A brief description of current accounting practices and current valuation methodologies are presented below. CONSOLIDATION The consolidation of the Corporation's financial statements include the accounts of the Corporation and all its subsidiaries, after elimination of all material intercompany transactions. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS Business combinations are accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. Under the acquisition method, assets and liabilities of the business acquired are recorded at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition with any excess of the cost of the acquisition over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired recorded as goodwill. Results of operations of the acquired business are included in the income statement from the date of acquisition. Details of the Corporation's acquisitions are included in NOTE 2. ACQUISITIONS of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash on hand, cash items in process of collection and non-interest bearing cash held at various banks are included in cash and cash equivalents and have a maturity of less than three months. The Corporation maintains deposits with other financial institutions in amounts that exceed federal deposit insurance coverage. Management regularly evaluates the credit risk associated with the counterparties to these transactions and believes there is not significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents. INTEREST-BEARING DEPOSITS Interest-bearing cash held at various banks and the Federal Reserve Bank and federal funds sold are included in interest-bearing deposits and have a maturity of less than three months. The Corporation maintains deposits with other financial institutions in amounts that exceed federal deposit insurance coverage. Management regularly evaluates the credit risk associated with the counterparties to these transactions and believes there is not significant credit risk on interest-bearing deposits. INVESTMENT SECURITIES Held to maturity securities are carried at amortized cost when the Corporation has the positive intent and ability to hold them until maturity. Available for sale securities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis with the unrealized gains and losses, net of applicable income taxes, recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains and losses are recorded in earnings and the prior fair value adjustments are reclassified within stockholders' equity. Gains and losses on sales of securities are determined on the specific-identification method. Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts are amortized to their earliest call date and are recorded as interest income from securities. Details of the Corporation's investment securities portfolio are included in NOTE 4. INVESTMENT SECURITIES of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES ON INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE For investment securities available for sale in an unrealized loss position, the Corporation first assesses whether it intends to sell, or 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 investment securities available for sale that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Corporation evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, the Corporation 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 allowance for credit losses is recorded, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Unrealized losses that have not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). Adjustments to the allowance for credit losses are reported in the income statement as a component of the provision for credit loss. The Corporation has made the accounting policy election to exclude accrued interest receivable on investment securities available for sale from the estimate of credit losses. Investment securities available for sale are charged off against the allowance or, in the absence of any allowance, written down through the income statement when deemed uncollectible or when either of the aforementioned criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. The Corporation did not record an allowance for credit losses on its investment securities available for sale as the unrealized losses were attributable to changes in interest rates, not credit quality. Details of the Corporation's allowance for credit losses on investment securities available for sale are included in NOTE 4. INVESTMENT SECURITIES of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES ON INVESTMENT SECURITIES HELD TO MATURITY ("ACL - INVESTMENTS") The ACL - Investments is a contra asset-valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of investment securities held to maturity to present the net amount expected to be collected. Investment securities held to maturity are charged off against the ACL - Investments when deemed uncollectible. Adjustments to the ACL - Investments are reported in the income statement as a component of the provision for credit loss. The Corporation measures expected credit losses on held to maturity debt securities on a collective basis by major security type with each type sharing similar risk characteristics, and considers historical credit loss information that is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The Corporation has made the accounting policy election to exclude accrued interest receivable on investment securities held to maturity from the estimate of credit losses. With regard to U.S. Government-sponsored agency and mortgage-backed securities, all these securities are issued by a U.S. government-sponsored entity and have an implicit or explicit government guarantee. With regard to securities issued by states and municipalities and other investment securities held to maturity, management considers (1) issuer bond ratings, (2) the financial condition of the issuer, (3) historical loss rates for given bond ratings, and (4) whether issuers continue to make timely principal and interest payments under the contractual terms of the securities. Historical loss rates associated with securities having similar grades as those in the Corporation's portfolio have generally not been significant. An allowance for credit losses of $245,000 was recorded on state and municipal securities classified as held to maturity based on applying the long-term historical credit loss rate, as published by Moody’s, for similarly rated securities. Details of the Corporation's ACL - Investments are included in NOTE 4. INVESTMENT SECURITIES of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. LOANS HELD FOR SALE Loans originated and with an intent to sell are classified as held for sale and are carried at the principal amount outstanding. The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short duration between origination and the date of sale. LOANS The Corporation’s loan portfolio is carried at the principal amount outstanding, net of unearned income and principal charge-offs. Loan origination fees, net of direct loan origination costs, and commitment fees are deferred and amortized as an adjustment to yield over the life of the loan, or over the commitment period, as applicable. Interest income is accrued on the principal balances of loans. The accrual of interest is discontinued on a loan when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may be unable to meet payments as they become due. When the interest accrual is discontinued, all unpaid accrued interest is reversed against earnings when considered uncollectible. Interest income accrued in the prior year, if any, is charged to the allowance for credit losses. Interest income is subsequently recognized only to the extent cash payments are received and the loan is returned to accruing status. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) established the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), which is administered by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”), to fund payroll and operational costs of eligible businesses, organizations and self-employed persons during the pandemic. The Bank actively participated in assisting its customers with PPP funding during all phases of the program. The vast majority of the Bank’s PPP loans made in 2020 have two-year maturities, while the loans made in 2021 have five-year maturities. Loans under the program earn interest at a fixed rate of 1 percent. As of December 31, 2022, the Corporation had $4.7 million of PPP loans compared to the December 31, 2021 balance of $106.6 million. The Corporation will continue to monitor legislative, regulatory, and supervisory developments related to the PPP. However, it anticipates that the majority of the Bank’s remaining PPP loans will be forgiven by the SBA in accordance with the terms of the program. Loan commitments and letters-of-credit generally have short-term, variable-rate features and contain clauses which limit the exposure to changes in customer credit quality. Accordingly, their carrying values, which are immaterial at the respective balance sheet dates, are reasonable estimates of fair value. Details of the Corporation's loan portfolio are included in NOTE 5. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. PURCHASED CREDIT DETERIORATED ("PCD") LOANS The Corporation accounts for its acquisitions under ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations, which requires the use of the acquisition method of accounting. All identifiable assets acquired, including loans, are recorded at fair value. The fair value of acquired loans at the time of acquisition is based on a variety of factors including discounted expected cash flows, adjusted for estimated prepayments and credit losses. In accordance with ASC 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, the fair value adjustment is recorded as a premium or discount to the unpaid principal balance of each acquired loan. Acquired loans are classified into two categories: loans with more than insignificant credit deterioration (“PCD”) since origination, and loans with insignificant credit deterioration (“non-PCD”) since origination. Factors considered when determining whether a loan has a more-than-insignificant deterioration since origination include, but are not limited to, the materiality of the credit, risk grade, delinquency, nonperforming status, bankruptcies, and other qualitative factors. The net premium or discount on PCD loans is adjusted by the Corporation’s allowance for credit losses on loans, which is recorded at the time of acquisition. The remaining net premium or discount is accreted or amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan using an effective yield method. The net premium or discount on non-PCD loans, that includes credit and non-credit components, is accreted or amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan using an effective yield method. Additionally, non-PCD loans have an allowance for credit loss established on acquisition date, which is recognized in the current period provision for credit loss expense. In the event of prepayment, unamortized discounts or premiums on PCD and non-PCD loans are recognized in interest income. ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES - LOANS ("ACL - Loans") The ACL - Loans is a valuation account that is deducted from the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on loans over the contractual term. Loans are charged off against the allowance when the uncollectibility of the loan is confirmed. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged off and expected to be charged off. Adjustments to the ACL - Loans are reported in the income statement as a component of provision for credit loss. The Corporation has made the accounting policy election to exclude accrued interest receivable on loans from the estimate of credit losses. Further information regarding the policies and methodology used to estimate the ACL - Loans is detailed in NOTE 5. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. PENSION The Corporation has defined-benefit pension plans, including non-qualified plans for certain employees, former employees and former non-employee directors. In 2005, the Board of Directors of the Corporation approved the curtailment of the accumulation of defined benefits for future services provided by certain participants in the First Merchants Corporation Retirement Plan. No additional pension benefits have been earned by any employees who had not met certain requirements as of March 1, 2005. The benefits are based primarily on years of service and employees’ pay near retirement. The Corporation's accounting policies related to pensions and other post retirement benefits reflect the guidance in ASC 715, Compensation – Retirement Benefits. The Corporation does not consolidate the assets and liabilities associated with the pension plan. Instead, the Corporation recognizes the funded status of the plan in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The measurement of the funded status and the annual pension expense involves actuarial and economic assumptions. Various statistical and other factors, which attempt to anticipate future events, are used in calculating the expense and liabilities related to the plans. Key factors include assumptions on the expected rates of return on plan assets, discount rates and health care costs and trends. The Corporation considers market conditions, including changes in investment returns and interest rates in making these assumptions. The primary assumptions used in determining the Corporation’s pension and post retirement benefit obligations and related expenses are presented in NOTE 18. PENSION AND OTHER POST RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT Premises and equipment is carried at cost net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line and declining balance methods based on the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from three to forty years. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred, while major additions and improvements, which extend the useful life, are capitalized. Gains and losses on dispositions are included in current operations. Details of the Corporation's premises and equipment are included in NOTE 6. PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. LEASES The Corporation leases certain land and premises from third parties and all are classified as operating leases. Operating leases are included in Other Assets and Other Liabilities on the Corporation's Consolidated Balance Sheets and lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Right of Use ("ROU") assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the term. An ROU asset represents the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and also includes any direct costs and payments made prior to lease commencement and excludes lease incentives. When an implicit rate is not available, an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date is used in determining the present value of the lease payments. A lease term may include an option to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain the option will be exercised. Short-term leases of twelve months or less are excluded from accounting guidance; as a result, the lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and the leases are not reflected on the Corporation's Consolidated Balance Sheets. Renewal and termination options are considered when determining short-term leases. Leases are accounted for at the individual level. Details of the Corporation's leases are included in NOTE 9. LEASES of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK STOCK ("FHLB") FHLB stock is a required investment for institutions that are members of the FHLB. The Bank is a member of the FHLB of Indianapolis. Members are required to own a certain amount of stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors, and may invest in additional amounts. FHLB stock is carried at cost and is classified as a restricted security. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income. INTANGIBLE ASSETS Intangible assets are acquired assets that lack physical substance but can be distinguished from goodwill because of contractual or other legal rights or because the asset is capable of being sold or exchanged either on its own or in combination with a related contract, asset or liability. Intangible assets with definite useful lives are subject to amortization and relate to core deposits, customer relationships and non-compete agreements. These intangible assets are being amortized on both the straight-line and accelerated basis over two to ten years. Intangible assets are periodically evaluated as to the recoverability of their carrying value. Details of the Corporation's other intangible assets are included in NOTE 8. OTHER INTANGIBLES of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. GOODWILL Goodwill is maintained by applying the provisions of ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. For acquisitions, assets acquired, including identified intangible assets, and the liabilities assumed are required to be recorded at their fair value. These often involve estimates based on third party valuations, such as appraisals, or internal valuations based on discounted cash flow analysis or other valuation techniques that may include estimates of attrition, inflation, asset growth rates, or other relevant factors. In addition, the determination of the useful lives over which the intangible asset will be amortized is subjective. Under ASC 350, the Corporation is required to evaluate goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, as well as on an interim basis, if events or changes indicate that the asset may be impaired, indicating that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Corporation completed its most recent annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2022 and concluded, based on current events and circumstances goodwill is not impaired. Details of the Corporation's goodwill are included in NOTE 7. GOODWILL of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. BANK OWNED LIFE INSURANCE ("BOLI") BOLI policies have been purchased, as well as obtained through acquisitions, on certain current and former employees and directors of the Corporation to offset a portion of the employee benefit costs. The Corporation records the life insurance at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or amounts due that are probable at settlement. Changes in cash surrender values and death benefits received in excess of cash surrender values are reported in non-interest income. A corporate policy is in place with defined thresholds that limit the amount of credit, interest rate and liquidity risk inherent in a BOLI portfolio. The Corporation actively monitors the overall portfolio performance along with the credit quality of the insurance carriers and the credit quality and yield of the underlying investments. OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED ("OREO") OREO consists of assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure and are held for sale. They are initially recorded at fair value less cost to sell at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation are included in other real estate owned and foreclosure expenses. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS Derivative instruments, which are recorded as assets or liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, are carried at fair value of the derivatives and reflects the estimated amounts that would have been received to terminate these contracts at the reporting date based upon pricing or valuation models applied to current market information. As part of the asset/liability management program, the Corporation will utilize, from time to time, interest rate floors, caps or swaps to reduce its sensitivity to interest rate fluctuations. Changes in the fair values of derivatives are reported in the consolidated statements of operations or AOCI depending on the use of the derivative and whether the instrument qualifies for hedge accounting. The key criterion for hedge accounting is that the hedged relationship must be highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in those cash flows that are attributable to the hedged risk, both at inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis. Derivatives that qualify for the hedge accounting treatment are designated as either: (1) a hedge of the fair value of the recognized asset or liability, or of an unrecognized firm commitment (a fair value hedge); or (2) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (a cash flow hedge). To date, the Corporation has only entered into a cash flow hedge. For cash flow hedges, changes in the fair values of the derivative instruments are reported in AOCI to the extent the hedge is effective. The gains and losses on derivative instruments that are reported in AOCI are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income in the periods in which the results of operations are impacted by the variability of the cash flows of the hedged item. Generally, net interest income is increased or decreased by amounts receivable or payable with respect to the derivatives, which qualify for hedge accounting. At inception of the hedge, the Corporation establishes the method it uses for assessing the effectiveness of the hedging derivative and the measurement approach for determining the ineffective aspect of the hedge. The ineffective portion of the hedge, if any, is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Corporation excludes the time value expiration of the hedge when measuring ineffectiveness. The Corporation offers interest rate derivative products (e.g. interest rate swaps) to certain of its high-quality commercial borrowers. This product allows customers to enter into an agreement with the Corporation to swap their variable rate loan to a fixed rate. These derivative products are designed to reduce, eliminate or modify the risk of changes in the borrower’s interest rate or market price risk. The extension of credit incurred through the execution of these derivative products is subject to the same approvals and rigorous underwriting standards as the related traditional credit product. The Corporation limits its risk exposure to these products by entering into a mirror-image, offsetting swap agreement with a separate, well-capitalized and rated counterparty previously approved by the Credit and Asset Liability Committee. By using these interest rate swap arrangements, the Corporation is also better insulated from the interest rate risk associated with underwriting fixed-rate loans. These derivative contracts are not designated against specific assets or liabilities under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and, therefore, do not qualify for hedge accounting. The derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value and changes in fair value of both the customer and the offsetting swap agreements are recorded (and essentially offset) in non-interest income. The fair value of the derivative instruments incorporates a consideration of credit risk (in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures), resulting in some volatility in earnings each period. Details of the Corporation's derivative instruments are included in NOTE 12. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. SECURITIES SOLD UNDER REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS Securities sold under repurchase agreements represent securities the Corporation routinely sells to certain treasury management customers and then repurchases these securities the next day. Securities sold under repurchase agreements are reflected as secured borrowings in the Corporation's Consolidated Balance Sheets at the amount of cash received in connection with each transaction. Details of the Corporation's repurchase agreements are included in NOTE 11. BORROWINGS of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES - OFF-BALANCE SHEET CREDIT EXPOSURES The allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures is a liability account representing expected credit losses over the contractual period for which the Corporation is exposed to credit risk resulting from a contractual obligation to extend credit. No allowance is recognized if the Corporation has the unconditional right to cancel the obligation. Off-balance sheet credit exposures primarily consist of amounts available under outstanding lines of credit and letters of credit. For the period of exposure, the estimate of expected credit losses considers both the likelihood that funding will occur and the amount expected to be funded over the estimated remaining life of the commitment or other off-balance sheet exposure. The likelihood and expected amount of funding are based on historical utilization rates. The amount of the allowance represents management’s best estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over the contractual life of the commitment. The allowance for off-balance sheet credit exposures is adjusted through the income statement as a component of provision for credit loss. Further information regarding the policies and methodology used to estimate the allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures is detailed in NOTE 5. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. REVENUE RECOGNITION Revenue recognition guidance establishes principles for reporting information about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from the entity's contracts to provide goods or services to customers. The core principle requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that it expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services recognized as performance obligations are satisfied. The majority of the Corporation's revenue-generating transactions are not subject to ASU 2014-09, including revenue generated from financial instruments, such as loans, letters of credit, derivatives and investment securities, as well as revenue related to mortgage servicing activities, as these activities are subject to other GAAP discussed elsewhere within the disclosures. The Corporation has evaluated the nature of its contracts with customers and determined that further disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers into more granular categories beyond what is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income was not necessary. Descriptions of revenue-generating activities that are within the scope of ASU 2014-09, which are presented in our income statements are as follows: Service charges on deposit accounts: The Corporation earns fees from its deposit customers for transaction-based, account maintenance and overdraft services. Transaction-based fees, which include services such as ATM use fees, stop payment charges, statement rendering and ACH fees, are recognized at the time the transaction is executed, which is the point in time the Corporation fulfills the customer's request. Account maintenance fees, which relate primarily to monthly maintenance, are earned monthly, representing the period which the Corporation satisfies the performance obligation. Overdraft fees are recognized at the point in time that the overdraft occurs. Service charges on deposits are withdrawn from the customer's account balance. Fiduciary activities: This represents monthly fees due from wealth management customers as consideration for managing the customers' assets. Wealth management and trust services include custody of assets, investment management, fees for trust services and similar fiduciary activities. These fees are primarily earned over time as the Corporation provides the contracted monthly or quarterly services and are generally assessed based on the market value of assets under management at month-end. Fees that are transaction-based are recognized at the point in time that the transaction is executed. Investment Brokerage Fees: The Corporation earns fees from investment brokerage services provided to its customers by a third-party service provider. The Corporation receives commissions from the third-party provider on a monthly basis based upon customer activity for the month. The fees are paid to us by the third party on a monthly basis and are recognized when received. Interchange income: The Corporation earns interchange fees from debit and credit cardholder transactions conducted through the Visa and MasterCard payment networks. Interchange fees from cardholder transactions represent a percentage of the underlying transaction value and are recognized concurrent with the transaction processing services provided to the cardholder. Gains (Losses) on Sales of OREO: The Corporation records a gain or loss from the sale of OREO when control of the property transfers to the buyer, which generally occurs at the time of an executed deed. When the Corporation finances the sale of OREO to the buyer, the Corporation assesses whether the buyer is committed to perform their obligations under the contract and whether collectability of the transaction price is probable. Once these criteria are met, the OREO asset is derecognized and the gain or loss on sale is recorded upon the transfer of control of the property to the buyer. In determining the gain or loss on the sale, the Corporation adjusts the transaction price and related gain (loss) on sale if a significant financing component is present. TRANSFERS OF FINANCIAL ASSETS Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been surrendered, or in the case of a loan participation, a portion of the asset has been surrendered and meets the definition of a "participating interest." Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Corporation and put presumptively beyond the reach of the transferor and its creditors, even in bankruptcy or other receivership, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets and (3) the Corporation does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity or the ability to unilaterally cause the holder to return specific assets. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION Stock option and restricted stock award plans are maintained by the Corporation. The compensation costs are recognized for stock options and restricted stock awards issued to employees and directors based on the fair value of these awards at the date of grant. A Black-Scholes model is utilized to estimate the fair value of stock options. The market price of the Corporation’s common stock at the date of grant is used for restricted stock awards. Compensation expense is recognized over the appropriate service period, which is generally two to five years. Details of the Corporation's share-based compensation are included in NOTE 17. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. INCOME TAX Income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax amounts from the temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. The Corporation files consolidated income tax returns with its subsidiaries. The Corporation is generally no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for tax years before 2019. The Corporation accounts for income taxes under the provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes, which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. Per the guidance in ASC 740, the Corporation has not identified any uncertain tax positions that it believes should be recognized in the financial statements. The Corporation reviews income tax expense and the carrying value of deferred tax assets and liabilities quarterly; as new information becomes available, the balances are adjusted, if applicable. The Corporation's policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, as a component of income tax expense. Details of the Corporation's income taxes are included in NOTE 19. INCOME TAX of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding, plus the dilutive effect of outstanding stock options and non-vested restricted stock awards. Potentially dilutive common shares are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share in the periods where the effect would be antidilutive. Details of the Corporation's net income per share are included in NOTE 20. NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. RECENT ACCOUNTING CHANGES ADOPTED IN 2022 FASB Accounting Standards Updates - No. 2022-06 - Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) - Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848 Summary - The FASB issued ASU No. 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848, that extended the period of time preparers can utilize the reference rate reform relief guidance. The amendments in ASU No. 2022-06 were effective for all entities upon issuance. In 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on financial reporting. The objective of the guidance in Topic 848 is to provide relief during the temporary transition period, so the FASB included a sunset provision within Topic 848 based on expectations of when the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) would cease being published. In 2021, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) delayed the intended cessation date of certain tenors of USD LIBOR to June 30, 2023. To ensure the relief in Topic 848 covers the period of time during which a significant number of modifications may take place, the ASU defers the sunset date of Topic 848 from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2024, after which entities will no longer be permitted to apply the relief in Topic 848. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED The Corporation continually monitors potential accounting pronouncement and SEC release changes. The following pronouncements and releases have been deemed to have the most applicability to the Corporation's financial statements and will be adopted after December 31, 2022: FASB Accounting Standards Updates - No. 2020-04 - Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting Summary - The FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04 to provide temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. LIBOR and other interbank offered rates are widely used benchmarks or reference rates in the United States and globally. Trillions of dollars in loans, derivatives, and other financial contracts reference LIBOR, the benchmark interest rate banks use to make short-term loans to each other. With global capital markets expected to move away from LIBOR and other interbank offered rates and move toward rates that are more observable or transaction based and less susceptible to manipulation, the FASB launched a broad project in late 2018 to address potential accounting challenges expected to arise from the transition. The new guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. The ASU is intended to help stakeholders during the global market-wide reference rate transition period. Originally, an entity could apply this ASU as of the beginning of an interim period that includes the March 12, 2020 issuance date of the ASU, through December 31, 2022. With the issuance of ASU 2022-06 - Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848, the sunset date for adoption of ASU 2020-04 was extended from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. The Corporation expects to adopt the practical expedients included in this ASU in 2023 as it transitions its loans and other financial instruments to another reference rate. FASB Accounting Standards Updates - No. 2021-01 - Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope Summary - The FASB has published ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform. ASU 2021-01 clarifies that certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the discounting transition. The ASU also amends the expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 to capture the incremental consequences of the scope clarification and to tailor the existing guidance to derivative instruments affected by the discounting transition. An entity may elect to apply the amendments in this Update on a full retrospective basis as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, or on a prospective basis to new modifications from any date within an interim period that includes or is subsequent to the date of the issuance of a final Update, up to the date that financial statements are available to be issued. If an entity elects to apply any of the amendments in this Update for an eligible hedging relationship, any adjustments as a result of those elections must be reflected as of the date the entity applies the election. Originally, the amendments in this Update did not apply to contract modifications made after December 31, 2022, new hedging relationships entered into after December 31, 2022, and existing hedging relationships evaluated for effectiveness in periods after December 31, 2022, except for hedging relationships existing as of December 31, 2022, that apply certain optional expedients in which the accounting effects are recorded through the end of the hedging relationship (including periods after December 31, 2022). With the issuance of ASU 2022-06 - Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848, the sunset date for adoption of ASU 2021-01 was extended from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. The Corporation expects to adopt the practical expedients included in this ASU in 2023 as it transitions its loans and other financial instruments to another reference rate. FASB Accounting Standards Updates - No. 2021-08 - Business Combinations (Topic 805) - Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers Summary - The FASB issued ASU No. 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers, that addresses diversity in practice related to the accounting for revenue contracts with customers acquired in a business combination. Under current GAAP, an acquirer generally recognizes assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination, including contract assets and contract liabilities arising from revenue contracts with customers and other similar contracts that are accounted for in accordance with Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, at fair value on the acquisition date. The FASB indicates that some stakeholders indicated that it is unclear how an acquirer should evaluate whether to recognize a contract liability from a revenue contract with a customer acquired in a business combination after Topic 606 is adopted. Furthermore, it was identified that under current practice, the timing of payment (payment terms) of a revenue contract may subsequently affect the post-acquisition revenue recognized by the acquirer. To address this, the ASU requires entities to apply Topic 606 to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities in a business combination. Finally, the amendments in the ASU improve comparability after the business combination by providing consistent recognition and measurement guidance for revenue contracts with customers acquired in a business combination and revenue contracts with customers not acquired in a business combination. For public business entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments in this Update should be applied prospectively to business combinations occurring on or after the effective date of the amendments. Early adoption of the amendments is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. An entity that early adopts in an interim period should apply the amendments (1) retrospectively to all business combinations for which the acquisition date occurs on or after the beginning of the fiscal year that includes the interim period or early application, and (2) prospectively to all business combinations that occur on or after the date of initial application. The Corporation adopted this guidance on January 1, 2023, but adoption of the standard did not have a significant impact on the Corporation's financial statements or disclosures. FASB Accounting Standards Updates - No. 2022-02 —Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures Summary - The FASB issued ASU No. 2022-02, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures, to improve the usefulness of information provided to investors about certain loan refinancings, restructurings, and writeoffs. Troubled Debt Restructurings ("TDR") by Creditors That Have Adopted CECL During the FASB’s post-implementation review of the credit losses standard, including a May 2021 roundtable, investors and other stakeholders questioned the relevance of the TDR designation and the usefulness of disclosures about those modifications. Some noted that measurement of expected losses under the CECL model already incorporates losses realized from restructurings that are TDRs and that relevant information for investors would be better conveyed through enhanced disclosures about certain modifications. The amendments in the new ASU eliminate the accounting guidance for TDRs by creditors that have adopted CECL while enhancing disclosure requirements for certain loan refinancings and restructurings by creditors made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. Vintage Disclosures - Gross Writeoffs The disclosure of gross writeoff information by year of origination was cited by numerous investors as an essential input to their analysis. To address this feedback, the amendments in the new ASU require that a public business entity disclose current-period gross writeoffs by year of origination for financing receivables and net investment in leases. For entities that have adopted the amendments in ASU 2016-13, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Corporation adopted this Update on January 1, 2023.

The accounting and reporting policies of the Corporation and the Bank, conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and reporting practices followed by the banking industry. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the 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 relate to the determination of the allowance for credit losses and fair value of financial instruments. Reclassifications have been made to prior financial statements to conform to the current financial statement presentation.

The Corporation is a financial holding company whose principal activity is the ownership and management of the Bank and operates in a single significant business segment. The Bank provides full banking services under an Indiana state-charter. Additionally, the Bank operates as First Merchants Private Wealth Advisors (a division of First Merchants Bank). The Bank generates commercial, mortgage, and consumer loans and receives deposits from customers located primarily in central and northern Indiana, northeast Illinois, central Ohio and southeast Michigan counties. The Bank’s loans are generally secured by specific items of collateral, including real property, consumer assets and business assets.

Business combinations are accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. Under the acquisition method, assets and liabilities of the business acquired are recorded at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition with any excess of the cost of the acquisition over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired recorded as goodwill. Results of operations of the acquired business are included in the income statement from the date of acquisition. Details of the Corporation's acquisitions are included in NOTE 2. ACQUISITIONS of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Cash on hand, cash items in process of collection and non-interest bearing cash held at various banks are included in cash and cash equivalents and have a maturity of less than three months. The Corporation maintains deposits with other financial institutions in amounts that exceed federal deposit insurance coverage. Management regularly evaluates the credit risk associated with the counterparties to these transactions and believes there is not significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.

Interest-bearing cash held at various banks and the Federal Reserve Bank and federal funds sold are included in interest-bearing deposits and have a maturity of less than three months. The Corporation maintains deposits with other financial institutions in amounts that exceed federal deposit insurance coverage. Management regularly evaluates the credit risk associated with the counterparties to these transactions and believes there is not significant credit risk on interest-bearing deposits.

Held to maturity securities are carried at amortized cost when the Corporation has the positive intent and ability to hold them until maturity. Available for sale securities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis with the unrealized gains and losses, net of applicable income taxes, recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains and losses are recorded in earnings and the prior fair value adjustments are reclassified within stockholders' equity. Gains and losses on sales of securities are determined on the specific-identification method. Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts are amortized to their earliest call date and are recorded as interest income from securities. Details of the Corporation's investment securities portfolio are included in NOTE 4. INVESTMENT SECURITIES of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

For investment securities available for sale in an unrealized loss position, the Corporation first assesses whether it intends to sell, or 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 investment securities available for sale that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Corporation evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, the Corporation 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 allowance for credit losses is recorded, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Unrealized losses that have not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). Adjustments to the allowance for credit losses are reported in the income statement as a component of the provision for credit loss. The Corporation has made the accounting policy election to exclude accrued interest receivable on investment securities available for sale from the estimate of credit losses. Investment securities available for sale are charged off against the allowance or, in the absence of any allowance, written down through the income statement when deemed uncollectible or when either of the aforementioned criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. The Corporation did not record an allowance for credit losses on its investment securities available for sale as the unrealized losses were attributable to changes in interest rates, not credit quality. Details of the Corporation's allowance for credit losses on investment securities available for sale are included in NOTE 4. INVESTMENT SECURITIES of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The ACL - Investments is a contra asset-valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of investment securities held to maturity to present the net amount expected to be collected. Investment securities held to maturity are charged off against the ACL - Investments when deemed uncollectible. Adjustments to the ACL - Investments are reported in the income statement as a component of the provision for credit loss. The Corporation measures expected credit losses on held to maturity debt securities on a collective basis by major security type with each type sharing similar risk characteristics, and considers historical credit loss information that is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The Corporation has made the accounting policy election to exclude accrued interest receivable on investment securities held to maturity from the estimate of credit losses. With regard to U.S. Government-sponsored agency and mortgage-backed securities, all these securities are issued by a U.S. government-sponsored entity and have an implicit or explicit government guarantee. With regard to securities issued by states and municipalities and other investment securities held to maturity, management considers (1) issuer bond ratings, (2) the financial condition of the issuer, (3) historical loss rates for given bond ratings, and (4) whether issuers continue to make timely principal and interest payments under the contractual terms of the securities. Historical loss rates associated with securities having similar grades as those in the Corporation's portfolio have generally not been significant. An allowance for credit losses of $245,000 was recorded on state and municipal securities classified as held to maturity based on applying the long-term historical credit loss rate, as published by Moody’s, for similarly rated securities. Details of the Corporation's ACL - Investments are included in NOTE 4. INVESTMENT SECURITIES of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Corporation’s loan portfolio is carried at the principal amount outstanding, net of unearned income and principal charge-offs. Loan origination fees, net of direct loan origination costs, and commitment fees are deferred and amortized as an adjustment to yield over the life of the loan, or over the commitment period, as applicable. Interest income is accrued on the principal balances of loans. The accrual of interest is discontinued on a loan when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may be unable to meet payments as they become due. When the interest accrual is discontinued, all unpaid accrued interest is reversed against earnings when considered uncollectible. Interest income accrued in the prior year, if any, is charged to the allowance for credit losses. Interest income is subsequently recognized only to the extent cash payments are received and the loan is returned to accruing status.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) established the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), which is administered by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”), to fund payroll and operational costs of eligible businesses, organizations and self-employed persons during the pandemic. The Bank actively participated in assisting its customers with PPP funding during all phases of the program. The vast majority of the Bank’s PPP loans made in 2020 have two-year maturities, while the loans made in 2021 have five-year maturities. Loans under the program earn interest at a fixed rate of 1 percent. As of December 31, 2022, the Corporation had $4.7 million of PPP loans compared to the December 31, 2021 balance of $106.6 million. The Corporation will continue to monitor legislative, regulatory, and supervisory developments related to the PPP. However, it anticipates that the majority of the Bank’s remaining PPP loans will be forgiven by the SBA in accordance with the terms of the program.

The Corporation accounts for its acquisitions under ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations, which requires the use of the acquisition method of accounting. All identifiable assets acquired, including loans, are recorded at fair value. The fair value of acquired loans at the time of acquisition is based on a variety of factors including discounted expected cash flows, adjusted for estimated prepayments and credit losses. In accordance with ASC 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, the fair value adjustment is recorded as a premium or discount to the unpaid principal balance of each acquired loan. Acquired loans are classified into two categories: loans with more than insignificant credit deterioration (“PCD”) since origination, and loans with insignificant credit deterioration (“non-PCD”) since origination. Factors considered when determining whether a loan has a more-than-insignificant deterioration since origination include, but are not limited to, the materiality of the credit, risk grade, delinquency, nonperforming status, bankruptcies, and other qualitative factors. The net premium or discount on PCD loans is adjusted by the Corporation’s allowance for credit losses on loans, which is recorded at the time of acquisition. The remaining net premium or discount is accreted or amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan using an effective yield method. The net premium or discount on non-PCD loans, that includes credit and non-credit components, is accreted or amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan using an effective yield method. Additionally, non-PCD loans have an allowance for credit loss established on acquisition date, which is recognized in the current period provision for credit loss expense. In the event of prepayment, unamortized discounts or premiums on PCD and non-PCD loans are recognized in interest income.

The ACL - Loans is a valuation account that is deducted from the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on loans over the contractual term. Loans are charged off against the allowance when the uncollectibility of the loan is confirmed. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged off and expected to be charged off. Adjustments to the ACL - Loans are reported in the income statement as a component of provision for credit loss. The Corporation has made the accounting policy election to exclude accrued interest receivable on loans from the estimate of credit losses. Further information regarding the policies and methodology used to estimate the ACL - Loans is detailed in NOTE 5. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Corporation has defined-benefit pension plans, including non-qualified plans for certain employees, former employees and former non-employee directors. In 2005, the Board of Directors of the Corporation approved the curtailment of the accumulation of defined benefits for future services provided by certain participants in the First Merchants Corporation Retirement Plan. No additional pension benefits have been earned by any employees who had not met certain requirements as of March 1, 2005. The benefits are based primarily on years of service and employees’ pay near retirement. The Corporation's accounting policies related to pensions and other post retirement benefits reflect the guidance in ASC 715, Compensation – Retirement Benefits. The Corporation does not consolidate the assets and liabilities associated with the pension plan. Instead, the Corporation recognizes the funded status of the plan in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The measurement of the funded status and the annual pension expense involves actuarial and economic assumptions. Various statistical and other factors, which attempt to anticipate future events, are used in calculating the expense and liabilities related to the plans. Key factors include assumptions on the expected rates of return on plan assets, discount rates and health care costs and trends. The Corporation considers market conditions, including changes in investment returns and interest rates in making these assumptions. The primary assumptions used in determining the Corporation’s pension and post retirement benefit obligations and related expenses are presented in NOTE 18. PENSION AND OTHER POST RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Premises and equipment is carried at cost net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line and declining balance methods based on the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from three to forty years. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred, while major additions and improvements, which extend the useful life, are capitalized. Gains and losses on dispositions are included in current operations. Details of the Corporation's premises and equipment are included in NOTE 6. PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Corporation leases certain land and premises from third parties and all are classified as operating leases. Operating leases are included in Other Assets and Other Liabilities on the Corporation's Consolidated Balance Sheets and lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Right of Use ("ROU") assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the term. An ROU asset represents the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and also includes any direct costs and payments made prior to lease commencement and excludes lease incentives. When an implicit rate is not available, an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date is used in determining the present value of the lease payments. A lease term may include an option to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain the option will be exercised. Short-term leases of twelve months or less are excluded from accounting guidance; as a result, the lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and the leases are not reflected on the Corporation's Consolidated Balance Sheets. Renewal and termination options are considered when determining short-term leases. Leases are accounted for at the individual level. Details of the Corporation's leases are included in NOTE 9. LEASES of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Intangible assets are acquired assets that lack physical substance but can be distinguished from goodwill because of contractual or other legal rights or because the asset is capable of being sold or exchanged either on its own or in combination with a related contract, asset or liability. Intangible assets with definite useful lives are subject to amortization and relate to core deposits, customer relationships and non-compete agreements. These intangible assets are being amortized on both the straight-line and accelerated basis over two to ten years. Intangible assets are periodically evaluated as to the recoverability of their carrying value. Details of the Corporation's other intangible assets are included in NOTE 8. OTHER INTANGIBLES of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Goodwill is maintained by applying the provisions of ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. For acquisitions, assets acquired, including identified intangible assets, and the liabilities assumed are required to be recorded at their fair value. These often involve estimates based on third party valuations, such as appraisals, or internal valuations based on discounted cash flow analysis or other valuation techniques that may include estimates of attrition, inflation, asset growth rates, or other relevant factors. In addition, the determination of the useful lives over which the intangible asset will be amortized is subjective.

Under ASC 350, the Corporation is required to evaluate goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, as well as on an interim basis, if events or changes indicate that the asset may be impaired, indicating that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Corporation completed its most recent annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2022 and concluded, based on current events and circumstances goodwill is not impaired. Details of the Corporation's goodwill are included in NOTE 7. GOODWILL of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

BOLI policies have been purchased, as well as obtained through acquisitions, on certain current and former employees and directors of the Corporation to offset a portion of the employee benefit costs. The Corporation records the life insurance at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or amounts due that are probable at settlement. Changes in cash surrender values and death benefits received in excess of cash surrender values are reported in non-interest income. A corporate policy is in place with defined thresholds that limit the amount of credit, interest rate and liquidity risk inherent in a BOLI portfolio. The Corporation actively monitors the overall portfolio performance along with the credit quality of the insurance carriers and the credit quality and yield of the underlying investments.

OREO consists of assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure and are held for sale. They are initially recorded at fair value less cost to sell at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation are included in other real estate owned and foreclosure expenses.

Derivative instruments, which are recorded as assets or liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, are carried at fair value of the derivatives and reflects the estimated amounts that would have been received to terminate these contracts at the reporting date based upon pricing or valuation models applied to current market information. As part of the asset/liability management program, the Corporation will utilize, from time to time, interest rate floors, caps or swaps to reduce its sensitivity to interest rate fluctuations. Changes in the fair values of derivatives are reported in the consolidated statements of operations or AOCI depending on the use of the derivative and whether the instrument qualifies for hedge accounting. The key criterion for hedge accounting is that the hedged relationship must be highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in those cash flows that are attributable to the hedged risk, both at inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis.

Derivatives that qualify for the hedge accounting treatment are designated as either: (1) a hedge of the fair value of the recognized asset or liability, or of an unrecognized firm commitment (a fair value hedge); or (2) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (a cash flow hedge). To date, the Corporation has only entered into a cash flow hedge. For cash flow hedges, changes in the fair values of the derivative instruments are reported in AOCI to the extent the hedge is effective. The gains and losses on derivative instruments that are reported in AOCI are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income in the periods in which the results of operations are impacted by the variability of the cash flows of the hedged item. Generally, net interest income is increased or decreased by amounts receivable or payable with respect to the derivatives, which qualify for hedge accounting. At inception of the hedge, the Corporation establishes the method it uses for assessing the effectiveness of the hedging derivative and the measurement approach for determining the ineffective aspect of the hedge. The ineffective portion of the hedge, if any, is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Corporation excludes the time value expiration of the hedge when measuring ineffectiveness.

The Corporation offers interest rate derivative products (e.g. interest rate swaps) to certain of its high-quality commercial borrowers. This product allows customers to enter into an agreement with the Corporation to swap their variable rate loan to a fixed rate. These derivative products are designed to reduce, eliminate or modify the risk of changes in the borrower’s interest rate or market price risk. The extension of credit incurred through the execution of these derivative products is subject to the same approvals and rigorous underwriting standards as the related traditional credit product. The Corporation limits its risk exposure to these products by entering into a mirror-image, offsetting swap agreement with a separate, well-capitalized and rated counterparty previously approved by the Credit and Asset Liability Committee. By using these interest rate swap arrangements, the Corporation is also better insulated from the interest rate risk associated with underwriting fixed-rate loans. These derivative contracts are not designated against specific assets or liabilities under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and, therefore, do not qualify for hedge accounting. The derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value and changes in fair value of both the customer and the offsetting swap agreements are recorded (and essentially offset) in non-interest income. The fair value of the derivative instruments incorporates a consideration of credit risk (in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures), resulting in some volatility in earnings each period. Details of the Corporation's derivative instruments are included in NOTE 12. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Securities sold under repurchase agreements represent securities the Corporation routinely sells to certain treasury management customers and then repurchases these securities the next day. Securities sold under repurchase agreements are reflected as secured borrowings in the Corporation's Consolidated Balance Sheets at the amount of cash received in connection with each transaction. Details of the Corporation's repurchase agreements are included in NOTE 11. BORROWINGS of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures is a liability account representing expected credit losses over the contractual period for which the Corporation is exposed to credit risk resulting from a contractual obligation to extend credit. No allowance is recognized if the Corporation has the unconditional right to cancel the obligation. Off-balance sheet credit exposures primarily consist of amounts available under outstanding lines of credit and letters of credit. For the period of exposure, the estimate of expected credit losses considers both the likelihood that funding will occur and the amount expected to be funded over the estimated remaining life of the commitment or other off-balance sheet exposure. The likelihood and expected amount of funding are based on historical utilization rates. The amount of the allowance represents management’s best estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over the contractual life of the commitment. The allowance for off-balance sheet credit exposures is adjusted through the income statement as a component of provision for credit loss. Further information regarding the policies and methodology used to estimate the allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures is detailed in NOTE 5. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Revenue recognition guidance establishes principles for reporting information about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from the entity's contracts to provide goods or services to customers. The core principle requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that it expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services recognized as performance obligations are satisfied.

Service charges on deposit accounts: The Corporation earns fees from its deposit customers for transaction-based, account maintenance and overdraft services. Transaction-based fees, which include services such as ATM use fees, stop payment charges, statement rendering and ACH fees, are recognized at the time the transaction is executed, which is the point in time the Corporation fulfills the customer's request. Account maintenance fees, which relate primarily to monthly maintenance, are earned monthly, representing the period which the Corporation satisfies the performance obligation. Overdraft fees are recognized at the point in time that the overdraft occurs. Service charges on deposits are withdrawn from the customer's account balance.

Fiduciary activities: This represents monthly fees due from wealth management customers as consideration for managing the customers' assets. Wealth management and trust services include custody of assets, investment management, fees for trust services and similar fiduciary activities. These fees are primarily earned over time as the Corporation provides the contracted monthly or quarterly services and are generally assessed based on the market value of assets under management at month-end. Fees that are transaction-based are recognized at the point in time that the transaction is executed.

Gains (Losses) on Sales of OREO: The Corporation records a gain or loss from the sale of OREO when control of the property transfers to the buyer, which generally occurs at the time of an executed deed. When the Corporation finances the sale of OREO to the buyer, the Corporation assesses whether the buyer is committed to perform their obligations under the contract and whether collectability of the transaction price is probable. Once these criteria are met, the OREO asset is derecognized and the gain or loss on sale is recorded upon the transfer of control of the property to the buyer. In determining the gain or loss on the sale, the Corporation adjusts the transaction price and related gain (loss) on sale if a significant financing component is present.

Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been surrendered, or in the case of a loan participation, a portion of the asset has been surrendered and meets the definition of a "participating interest." Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Corporation and put presumptively beyond the reach of the transferor and its creditors, even in bankruptcy or other receivership, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets and (3) the Corporation does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity or the ability to unilaterally cause the holder to return specific assets.

Stock option and restricted stock award plans are maintained by the Corporation. The compensation costs are recognized for stock options and restricted stock awards issued to employees and directors based on the fair value of these awards at the date of grant. A Black-Scholes model is utilized to estimate the fair value of stock options. The market price of the Corporation’s common stock at the date of grant is used for restricted stock awards. Compensation expense is recognized over the appropriate service period, which is generally two to five years. Details of the Corporation's share-based compensation are included in NOTE 17. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax amounts from the temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. The Corporation files consolidated income tax returns with its subsidiaries. The Corporation is generally no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for tax years before 2019.

The Corporation accounts for income taxes under the provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes, which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. Per the guidance in ASC 740, the Corporation has not identified any uncertain tax positions that it believes should be recognized in the financial statements. The Corporation reviews income tax expense and the carrying value of deferred tax assets and liabilities quarterly; as new information becomes available, the balances are adjusted, if applicable. The Corporation's policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, as a component of income tax expense. Details of the Corporation's income taxes are included in NOTE 19. INCOME TAX of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding, plus the dilutive effect of outstanding stock options and non-vested restricted stock awards. Potentially dilutive common shares are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share in the periods where the effect would be antidilutive. Details of the Corporation's net income per share are included in NOTE 20. NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Summary - The FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04 to provide temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. LIBOR and other interbank offered rates are widely used benchmarks or reference rates in the United States and globally. Trillions of dollars in loans, derivatives, and other financial contracts reference LIBOR, the benchmark interest rate banks use to make short-term loans to each other. With global capital markets expected to move away from LIBOR and other interbank offered rates and move toward rates that are more observable or transaction based and less susceptible to manipulation, the FASB launched a broad project in late 2018 to address potential accounting challenges expected to arise from the transition. The new guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. The ASU is intended to help stakeholders during the global market-wide reference rate transition period.

Originally, an entity could apply this ASU as of the beginning of an interim period that includes the March 12, 2020 issuance date of the ASU, through December 31, 2022. With the issuance of ASU 2022-06 - Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848, the sunset date for adoption of ASU 2020-04 was extended from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. The Corporation expects to adopt the practical expedients included in this ASU in 2023 as it transitions its loans and other financial instruments to another reference rate.

Summary - The FASB has published ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform. ASU 2021-01 clarifies that certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the discounting transition. The ASU also amends the expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 to capture the incremental consequences of the scope clarification and to tailor the existing guidance to derivative instruments affected by the discounting transition.

Originally, the amendments in this Update did not apply to contract modifications made after December 31, 2022, new hedging relationships entered into after December 31, 2022, and existing hedging relationships evaluated for effectiveness in periods after December 31, 2022, except for hedging relationships existing as of December 31, 2022, that apply certain optional expedients in which the accounting effects are recorded through the end of the hedging relationship (including periods after December 31, 2022). With the issuance of ASU 2022-06 - Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848, the sunset date for adoption of ASU 2021-01 was extended from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. The Corporation expects to adopt the practical expedients included in this ASU in 2023 as it transitions its loans and other financial instruments to another reference rate.

The FASB indicates that some stakeholders indicated that it is unclear how an acquirer should evaluate whether to recognize a contract liability from a revenue contract with a customer acquired in a business combination after Topic 606 is adopted. Furthermore, it was identified that under current practice, the timing of payment (payment terms) of a revenue contract may subsequently affect the post-acquisition revenue recognized by the acquirer. To address this, the ASU requires entities to apply Topic 606 to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities in a business combination. Finally, the amendments in the ASU improve comparability after the business combination by providing consistent recognition and measurement guidance for revenue contracts with customers acquired in a business combination and revenue contracts with customers not acquired in a business combination.

For public business entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments in this Update should be applied prospectively to business combinations occurring on or after the effective date of the amendments. Early adoption of the amendments is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. An entity that early adopts in an interim period should apply the amendments (1) retrospectively to all business combinations for which the acquisition date occurs on or after the beginning of the fiscal year that includes the interim period or early application, and (2) prospectively to all business combinations that occur on or after the date of initial application. The Corporation adopted this guidance on January 1, 2023, but adoption of the standard did not have a significant impact on the Corporation's financial statements or disclosures.

During the FASB’s post-implementation review of the credit losses standard, including a May 2021 roundtable, investors and other stakeholders questioned the relevance of the TDR designation and the usefulness of disclosures about those modifications. Some noted that measurement of expected losses under the CECL model already incorporates losses realized from restructurings that are TDRs and that relevant information for investors would be better conveyed through enhanced disclosures about certain modifications.