The operations of German American Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") are primarily comprised of three business segments: core banking, trust and investment advisory services, and insurance operations. The accounting and reporting policies of the Company and its subsidiaries conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The more significant policies are described below. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries after elimination of all material intercompany accounts and transactions. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with current classifications. Reclassifications had no impact on shareholders' equity or net income. To prepare financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management makes estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided, and actual results could differ.

Debt securities classified as available-for-sale are securities that the Company intends to hold for an indefinite period of time, but not necessarily until maturity. These include securities that management may use as part of its asset/liability strategy, or that may be sold in response to changes in interest rates, changes in prepayment risk, or similar reasons. Securities classified as available-for-sale are reported at fair value with unrealized gains or losses included as a separate component of equity, net of tax.

Interest income includes amortization of purchase premium or discount. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized on the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments, except for mortgage backed securities where prepayments are anticipated. Gains and losses on sales are recorded on trade date and determined using the specific identification method.

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the new accounting for Financial Instruments, which requires equity investments with readily determinable values (except those accounted for under equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Equity securities that do not have readily determinable fair values are carried at historical cost and evaluated for impairment on a periodic basis. The adoption of this guidance impacted one security and resulted in no adjustment to beginning retained earnings and no impact to beginning other comprehensive income. Upon adoption of the guidance, this equity security is no longer classified as available for sale. For additional information on this security, see Note 2 - Securities.

Management evaluates debt securities for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation. For securities in an unrealized loss position, management considers the extent and duration of the unrealized loss, and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer. Management also assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell, a security in an unrealized loss position before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the entire difference between amortized cost and fair value is recognized as impairment through earnings. For debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the amount of impairment is split into two components as follows: 1) OTTI related to credit loss, which must be recognized in the income statement and 2) OTTI related to other factors, which is recognized in other comprehensive income. The credit loss is defined as the difference between the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis.

Loans that management originates and has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off are reported at the principal balance outstanding, net of unearned interest, deferred loan fees and costs, and an allowance for loan losses. Interest income is accrued on unpaid principal balance and includes amortization of net deferred loan fees and costs over the loan term without anticipating prepayments.

All classes of loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when scheduled principal or interest payments are past due for 90 days or more or when the borrower’s ability to repay becomes doubtful. Uncollected accrued interest for each class of loans is reversed against income at the time a loan is placed on non-accrual. Interest received on such loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. All classes of loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. Loans are typically charged-off at 180 days past due, or earlier if deemed uncollectible. Exceptions to the non-accrual and charge-off policies are made when the loan is well secured and in the process of collection.

The Company purchases individual loans and groups of loans. Purchased loans that show evidence of credit deterioration since origination are recorded at the amount paid (or allocated fair value in a purchase business combination), such that there is no carryover of the seller’s allowance for loan losses. After acquisition, incurred losses are recognized by an increase in the allowance for loan losses. Such purchased loans are accounted for individually. The Company estimates the amount and timing of expected cash flows for each purchased loan and the expected cash flows in excess of amount paid is recorded as interest income over the remaining life of the loan (accretable yield). The excess of the loan’s contractual principal and interest over expected cash flows is not recorded (nonaccretable difference).

The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Management estimates the allowance balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions, and other factors. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged-off. The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are individually classified as impaired or loans otherwise classified as substandard or special mention. The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors.

Loan impairment is reported when full repayment under the terms of the loan is not expected. If a loan is impaired, a portion of the allowance is allocated so that the loan is reported net, at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate, or at the fair value of collateral if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. Commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate loans, and agricultural loans are evaluated individually for impairment. Smaller balance homogeneous loans are evaluated for impairment in total. Such loans include real estate loans secured by one-to-four family residences and loans to individuals for household, family and other personal expenditures. Individually evaluated loans on non-accrual are generally considered impaired. Impaired loans, or portions thereof, are charged off when deemed uncollectible.

Troubled debt restructurings are separately identified for impairment disclosures and are measured at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s effective rate at inception. If a troubled debt restructuring is considered to be a collateral dependent loan, the loan is reported at the fair value of the collateral net of disposition costs. For troubled debt restructurings that subsequently default, the Company determines the amount of reserve in accordance with the accounting policy for the allowance for loan losses.

The general component of the allowance for loan losses covers non-impaired loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors. The historical loss experience is determined by portfolio segment and risk classifications and is based on the actual loss history experienced by the Company over a 20 quarter average. The Company separately assigns allocations for substandard and special mention commercial and agricultural credits as well as other categories of loans based on migration analysis techniques. The migration analysis factors are calculated using a transition matrix to determine the likelihood of a customer's asset quality rating migrating from its current rating to any other rating.This actual loss experience is supplemented with other external and internal factors based on the risks present for each portfolio segment. These factors include consideration of the following: levels of and trends in delinquencies and impaired loans; levels of and trends in charge-offs and recoveries; trends in volume and terms of loans; effects of any changes in risk selection and underwriting standards; other changes in lending policies, procedures, and practices; experience, ability, and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; national and local economic trends and conditions; industry conditions; and effects of changes in credit concentrations. The following portfolio segments have been identified: Commercial Loans and Retail Loans. Commercial Loans have been classified according to the following risk

characteristics: Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases, Commercial Real Estate, and Agricultural Loans. Commercial and Industrial loans are primarily based on the cash flows of the business operations and secured by assets being financed and other assets such as accounts receivable and inventory. Commercial Real Estate Loans and Agricultural Loans are primarily based on cash flow of the borrower and their business and further secured by real estate. All types of commercial and agricultural (real estate secured and non-real estate) may also come with personal guarantees of the borrowers and business owners. Retail Loans have been classified according to the following risk characteristics: Home Equity Loans, Consumer Loans and Residential Mortgage Loans. Retail loans are generally dependent on personal income of the customer, and repayment is dependent on borrower’s personal cash flow and employment status which can be affected by general economic conditions. Additionally, collateral values may fluctuate based on the impact of economic conditions on residential real estate values and other consumer type assets such as automobiles.

Loans or portions of loans shall be charged off when there is a distinct probability of loss identified. A distinct probability of loss exists when it has been determined that any remaining sources of repayment are insufficient to cover all outstanding principal. The probable loss is immediately calculated based on the value of the remaining sources of repayment and charged to the allowance for loan loss.

When mortgage loans are sold with servicing retained, servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value with the income statement effect recorded in gains on sales of loans. Fair value is based on market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts when available or, alternatively, is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. All classes of servicing assets are subsequently measured using the amortization method which requires servicing rights to be amortized into non-interest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying loans. Through the acquisition of River Valley Bancorp in 2016, the Company acquired a portfolio of servicing rights on mortgage loans. The Company also acquired a portfolio of servicing rights on mortgage loans through the acquisition of five branch locations of First Financial Bancorp (formerly branch locations of Mainsource Financial Group, Inc. prior to its merger with First Financial Bancorp on April 1, 2018). The fair value of mortgage servicing rights were $663 and $995 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

On a quarterly basis, loan servicing rights are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to carrying amount. The valuation model utilizes interest rate, prepayment speed, and default rate assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income and that can be validated against available market data.

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, classified as a restricted security, and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income.

Land is carried at cost. Premises, furniture, and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Buildings and related components are depreciated using the straight-line method with useful lives ranging generally from 10 to 40 years. Furniture, fixtures, and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method with useful lives ranging generally from 3 to 10 years.

Assets acquired through or instead of loan foreclosure are initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. Physical possession of commercial/residential real estate property collateralizing a commercial/consumer mortgage loan occurs when legal title is obtained upon completion of foreclosure or when the borrower conveys all interest in the property to satisfy the loan through the completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. If fair value declines subsequent to foreclosure, a valuation allowance is recorded through expense. Operating costs after acquisition are expensed.

Goodwill resulting from business combinations prior to January 1, 2009 represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill arising from business combinations after January 1, 2009, is generally determined as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred, plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interests in the acquiree, over the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually. The Company has selected December 31 as the date to perform the annual impairment test. Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on the Company’s balance sheet.

Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not believe currently that there are any such matters that will have a material impact on the financial statements.

Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and commercial 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.

Compensation cost is 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, while the market price of the Corporation’s common stock at the date of grant is used for restricted stock awards. Compensation cost is recognized over the required service period, generally defined as the vesting period.

Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) includes unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale and changes in unrecognized amounts in pension and other postretirement benefits, which are also recognized as a separate component of equity.

Income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax amounts for 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.

Pension expense under the suspended defined benefit plan is the net of interest cost, return on plan assets and amortization of gains and losses not immediately recognized. Employee 401(k) and profit sharing plan expense is the amount of matching contributions. Deferred compensation and supplemental retirement plan expense allocates the benefits over years of service.

Earnings per share are based on net income divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share show the potential dilutive effect of additional common shares issuable under the Company’s stock based compensation plans. Earnings per share are retroactively restated for stock splits and stock dividends.

Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions, as more fully disclosed in Note 15. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments, and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular items. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect the estimates.

In February 2016, the FASB amended existing guidance (ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842)) that requires lessees recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date (1) A lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and (2) A right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged.

The Company adopted the amendments to Topic 842 on January 1, 2019, utilizing the modified retrospective approach and the transition option issued under ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842) Targeted Improvements. The Company elected to apply the package of practical expedients permitting entities to not reassess (1) expired or existing contracts that may contain leases; (2) lease classification of expired or existing leases; or (3) initial direct costs for existing leases as well as the practical expedient for land easements. The Company also elected certain optional relief for accounting policy elections under ASU 2016-02 (1) to not separate the lease and non-lease components and instead use them for a single lease component for leases related to office equipment and (2) the option to not recognize right-of-use assets and liabilities that arise from short-term leases.

Upon adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2019, the Company recorded a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability of $9,034 on the consolidated balance sheet. No cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings resulted from the adoption of this guidance. For additional details on this recently adopted accounting guidance, see Note 13 - Leases.

In February 2018, the FASB issued new guidance (ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)) to allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The amendments eliminate the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and will improve the usefulness of information reported to financial statement users. This amendment was effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company early adopted this guidance in 2017 and it did not have a material impact on the Company's operating results or financial condition.

In March 2017, the FASB amended existing guidance (ASU No. 2017-08, Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20)) to amend the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium. The amortization period has been shortened to the earliest call date. Under current generally accepted accounting principles, entities generally amortize the premium as an adjustment of yield over the contractual life of the instrument. These amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15,

In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance (ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)) to replace the incurred loss model with an expected loss model, which is referred to as the current expected credit loss (CECL) model. The CECL model is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loan receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, and reinsurance receivables. It also applies to off-balance sheet credit exposures not accounted for as insurance (loan commitments, standby letters of credit, financial guarantees, and other similar instruments) and net investments in leases recognized by a lessor. This standard will be effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within that reporting period.

As previously disclosed, the Company formed a cross-functional committee that assessed data and system needs, selected a vendor to provide modeling needs, and implemented new software. The Company has completed parallel runs comparing its existing allowance for loan loss model with the CECL model and determined eight loan segments for which models have been developed. The Company has also determined the significant qualitative factors that will be utilized in the CECL model, but continue to assess their impact on the model.

The Company expects to recognize a one-time cumulative adjustment to the allowance for credit losses in the first quarter of 2020. Although the Company does not have the approval from its internal governing committee, the Company is estimating an increase to its allowance for loan losses of approximately $12 million to $20 million upon adoption. The increase is primarily related to the Company's acquired loan portfolio. Under the current accounting guidance, any remaining unamortized loan discount on an individual loan can be used to offset a charge-off for that loan, so the allowance for loan losses needed for the acquired loans is reduced by the remaining loan discounts. The new accounting under this ASU removes the ability to offset a charge-off against the remaining loan discount and requires an allowance for credit losses to be recognized in addition to the loan discount. This estimate and the ongoing impact of adopting this ASU are dependent on various factors, including credit quality, macroeconomic forecasts and conditions, composition of our loans and securities portfolios, and other management judgements. The transition adjustment to record the allowance for credit losses, which remains subject to further review and analysis by the Company's management team, may fall outside of the estimated range based on material changes in these factors.

Federal banking regulators have approved rules that provide banking organizations the option to phase in the day-one adverse effects on regulatory capital that may result from the adoption of the new accounting standard over a three-year period. The Company anticipates adopting the capital transition relief over the permissible three-year period.