Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of American National Bankshares Inc. (the "Company") and its wholly owned subsidiary, American National Bank and Trust Company (the "Bank"). The Bank offers a wide variety of retail, commercial, secondary market mortgage lending, and trust and investment services which also include non-deposit products such as mutual funds and insurance policies.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") 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 in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, goodwill and intangible assets, unfunded pension liability, other-than-temporary impairment of securities, accounting for merger and acquisition activity, derivative financial instruments, accounting for acquired loans with specific credit-related deterioration, the valuation of other real estate owned ("OREO"), and the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities.

In April 2006, AMNB Statutory Trust I, a Delaware statutory trust (the "AMNB Trust") and an unconsolidated wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, was formed for the purpose of issuing preferred securities (the "Trust Preferred Securities") in a private placement pursuant to an applicable exemption from registration. Proceeds from the securities were used to fund the acquisition of Community First Financial Corporation ("Community First") which occurred in April 2006.

In July 2011, and in connection with its acquisition of MidCarolina Financial Corporation, the Company assumed liabilities of MidCarolina Trust I and MidCarolina Trust II, two separate unconsolidated Delaware statutory trusts (the "MidCarolina Trusts"), which were also formed for the purpose of issuing preferred securities. Refer to Note 11 for further details concerning these entities.

All significant inter-company transactions and accounts are eliminated in consolidation, with the exception of the AMNB Trust and the MidCarolina Trusts, as detailed in Note 11.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash includes cash on hand, cash with correspondent banks, and cash on deposit at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. Cash equivalents are short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to cash with original maturities of three months or less and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost.

Interest-bearing Deposits in Other Banks

Interest-bearing deposits in other banks mature within one year and are carried at cost.

Securities

Certain debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as "held to maturity" and recorded at amortized cost. Trading securities are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value included in earnings. Debt securities not classified as held to maturity or trading are classified as "available for sale" and recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income. Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method.

The Company does not currently have any securities in held to maturity or trading and has no plans to add any to either category. Management evaluates 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.

Equity securities with readily determinable fair values that are not held for trading are carried at fair value with the unrealized gains and losses included in n

Due to the nature and restrictions placed on the Company's investment in common stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta ("FHLB") and the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, these securities have been classified as restricted equity securities and carried at cost.

Loans Held for Sale

Secondary market mortgage loans are designated as held for sale at the time of their origination. These loans are pre-sold with servicing released and the Company does not retain any interest after the loans are sold. These loans consist primarily of fixed-rate, single-family residential mortgage loans which meet the underwriting characteristics of certain government-sponsored enterprises (conforming loans). In addition, the Company requires a firm purchase commitment from a permanent investor before a loan can be committed, thus limiting interest rate risk. Loans held for sale are carried at fair value. Gains on sales of loans are recognized at the loan closing date and are included in noninterest income.

Derivative Loan Commitments

The Company enters into mortgage loan commitments whereby the interest rate on the loan is determined prior to funding (rate lock commitments). Mortgage loan commitments are referred to as derivative loan commitments if the loan that will result from exercise of the commitment will be held for sale upon funding. Loan commitments that are derivatives are recognized at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets with net changes in their fair values recorded in other expenses. Derivative loan commitments resulted in no income or loss for 2018, 2017 or 2016.

The period of time between issuance of a loan commitment and sale of the loan generally ranges from 30 to 60 days. The Company protects itself from changes in interest rates through the use of best efforts forward delivery contracts, by committing to sell a loan at the time the borrower commits to an interest rate with the intent that the buyer has assumed the interest rate risk on the loan. As a result, the Company is not generally exposed to significant losses nor will it realize significant gains related to its rate lock commitments due to changes in interest rates. The correlation between the rate lock commitments and the best efforts contracts is very high due to their similarity.

The fair value of rate lock commitments and best efforts contracts is not readily ascertainable with precision because rate lock commitments and best efforts contracts are not actively traded in stand-alone markets. The Company determines the fair value of rate lock commitments and best efforts contracts by measuring the change in the estimated value of the underlying assets while taking into consideration the probability that the loan will be funded.

Loans

The Company makes mortgage, commercial, and consumer loans. A substantial portion of the loan portfolio is secured by real estate. The ability of the Company's debtors to honor their contracts is dependent upon the real estate market and general economic conditions in the Company's market area.

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off, generally are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balance adjusted for the allowance for loan losses, and any deferred fees or costs. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the related loan yield using the interest method. The accrual of interest on loans is generally discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent unless the credit is well-secured and in process of collection. Loans are typically charged off when the loan is 120 days past due, unless secured and in process of collection. Loans are placed on nonaccrual status or charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.

Interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual status or charged-off is reversed against interest income. The interest on these loans is accounted for on the cash basis or cost recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual status. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

A loan is considered past due when a payment of principal or interest or both is due but not paid. Management closely monitors past due loans in timeframes of 30-59 days, 60-89 days, and 90 or more days past due.

These policies apply to all loan portfolio classes and segments.

Substandard and doubtful risk graded commercial, commercial real estate, and construction loans equal to or greater than $100,000 are reviewed for impairment. All troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs"), regardless of dollar amount, are also evaluated for impairment. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment and establishing a specific allowance include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower's prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for commercial, commercial real estate, and construction loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, the loan's obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

Generally, large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans (residential real estate and consumer loans) are collectively evaluated for impairment. The Company's policy for recognizing interest income on impaired loans is consistent with its nonaccrual policy.

The Company's loan portfolio is organized by major segment. These include: commercial, commercial real estate, residential real estate and consumer loans. Each segment has particular risk characteristics that are specific to the borrower and the generic category of credit. Commercial loan repayments are highly dependent on cash flows associated with the underlying business and its profitability. They can also be impacted by changes in collateral values. Commercial real estate loans share the same general risk characteristics as commercial loans, but are often more dependent on the value of the underlying real estate collateral and, when construction is involved, the ultimate completion of and sale of the project. Residential real estate loans are generally dependent on the value of collateral and the credit worthiness of the underlying borrower. Consumer loans are very similar in risk characteristics to residential real estate.

In connection with mergers, certain loans were acquired which exhibited deteriorated credit quality since origination and for which the Company does not expect to collect all contractual payments. These purchased credit impaired loans are accounted for in accordance with ASC 310-30, Receivables - Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality, and are recorded at the amount paid, such that there is no carryover of the seller's allowance for loan losses. After acquisition, losses are recognized by an increase in the allowance for loan losses.

Such purchased credit impaired loans are accounted for individually or aggregated into pools of loans based on common risk characteristics such as, credit score, loan type, and date of origination. The Company estimates the amount and timing of expected cash flows for each loan or pool, and the expected cash flows in excess of amount paid is recorded as interest income over the remaining life of the loan or pool (accretable yield). The excess of the loan's or pool's contractual principal and interest over expected cash flows is not recorded (nonaccretable difference).

Over the life of the loan or pool, expected cash flows continue to be estimated. If the present value of expected cash flows is less than the carrying amount, a loss is recorded as a provision for loan losses. If the present value of expected cash flows is greater than the carrying amount, it is recognized as part of future interest income.

Troubled Debt Restructurings

In situations where, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower's financial condition, management may grant a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider, the related loan is classified as a TDR. Management strives to identify borrowers in financial difficulty early and work with them to modify their loan to more affordable terms before their loan reaches nonaccrual status. These modified terms may include rate reductions, principal forgiveness, payment forbearance and other actions intended to minimize the economic loss and to avoid foreclosure or repossession of the collateral. In cases where borrowers are granted new terms that provide for a reduction of either interest or principal, management measures any impairment on the restructuring as noted above for impaired loans.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The purpose of the allowance for loan losses ("ALLL") is to provide for probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The allowance is increased by the provision for loan losses and by recoveries of previously charged-off loans. Loan charge-offs decrease the allowance.

The goal of the Company is to maintain an appropriate, systematic, and consistently applied process to determine the amounts of the ALLL and the provision for loan loss expense.

The Company uses certain practices to manage its credit risk. These practices include (1) appropriate lending limits for loan officers, (2) a loan approval process, (3) careful underwriting of loan requests, including analysis of borrowers, cash flows, collateral, and market risks, (4) regular monitoring of the portfolio, including diversification by type and geography, (5) review of loans by the Loan Review department, which operates independently of loan production (the Loan Review function consists of a co-sourced arrangement using both internal personnel and external vendors to provide the Company with a more robust review function of the loan portfolio), (6) regular meetings of the Credit Committees to discuss portfolio and policy changes and make decisions on large or unusual loan requests, and (7) regular meetings of the Asset Quality Committee which reviews the status of individual loans.

Risk grades are assigned as part of the loan origination process. From time to time risk grades may be modified as warranted by the facts and circumstances surrounding the credit.

Calculation and analysis of the allowance for loan losses is prepared quarterly by the Finance Department. The Company's Credit Committee, Risk and Compliance Committee, Audit Committee, and the Board of Directors review the allowance for adequacy.

The Company's allowance for loan losses has two basic components: the formula allowance and the specific allowance. Each of these components is determined based upon estimates and judgments.

The formula allowance uses historical loss experience as an indicator of future losses, along with various qualitative factors, including levels and trends in delinquencies, nonaccrual loans, charge-offs and recoveries, trends in volume and terms of loans, effects of changes in underwriting standards, experience of lending staff, economic conditions, and portfolio concentrations. In the formula allowance for commercial and commercial real estate loans, the historical loss rate is combined with the qualitative factors, resulting in an adjusted loss factor for each risk-grade category of loans. The period-end balances for each loan risk-grade category are multiplied by the adjusted loss factor. Allowance calculations for consumer loans are calculated based on historical losses for each product category without regard to risk grade. This loss rate is combined with qualitative factors resulting in an adjusted loss factor for each product category.

The specific allowance uses various techniques to arrive at an estimate of loss for specifically identified impaired loans. These include:


•	The present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate. The effective interest rate on a loan is the rate of return implicit in the loan (that is, the contractual interest rate adjusted for any net deferred loan fees or costs and any premium or discount existing at the origination or acquisition of the loan);


•	The loan's observable market price, or


•	The fair value of the collateral, net of estimated costs to dispose, if the loan is collateral dependent.

The use of these computed values is inherently subjective and actual losses could be greater or less than the estimates. No single statistic, formula, or measurement determines the adequacy of the allowance. Management makes subjective and complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain, and different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions. For analytical purposes, management allocates a portion of the allowance to specific loan categories and specific loans. However, the entire allowance is used to absorb credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio, including identified and unidentified losses.

The relationships and ratios used in calculating the allowance, including the qualitative factors, may change from period to period as facts and circumstances evolve. Furthermore, management cannot provide assurance that in any particular period the Company will not have sizeable credit losses in relation to the amount reserved. Management may find it necessary to significantly adjust the allowance, considering current factors at the time.

Premises and Equipment

Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Premises and equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful lives ranging from three years to thirty-nine years; leasehold improvements are amortized over the lives of the respective leases or the estimated useful lives of the improvements, whichever is less. Software is generally amortized over three years. Depreciation and amortization are recorded on the straight-line method.

Costs of maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Costs of replacing structural parts of major units are considered individually and are expensed or capitalized as the facts dictate. Gains and losses on routine dispositions are reflected in current operations.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill is subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment by applying a fair value based test. Additionally, acquired intangible assets (such as core deposit intangibles) are separately recognized if the benefit of the assets can be sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged, and amortized over their useful lives. Intangible assets related to branch transactions continued to amortize. The cost of purchased deposit relationships and other intangible assets, based on independent valuation, are being amortized over their estimated lives ranging from eight to ten years.

The Company records as goodwill the excess of purchase price over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Impairment testing is performed annually, as well as when an event triggering impairment may have occurred. The Company performs its annual analysis as of June 30 each fiscal year. Accounting guidance permits preliminary assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether more substantial impairment testing is required. The Company chose to bypass the preliminary assessment and utilized a two-step process for impairment testing of goodwill. The first step tests for impairment, while the second step, if necessary, measures the impairment.

Trust Assets

Securities and other property held by the trust and investment services segment in a fiduciary or agency capacity are not assets of the Company and are not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Other Real Estate Owned

OREO represents real estate that has been acquired through loan foreclosures or deeds received in lieu of loan payments. Generally, such properties are appraised at the time acquired, and are recorded at fair value less estimated selling costs. 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 allowance are included in noninterest expense.

Bank Owned Life Insurance

The Company has acquired bank owned life insurance ("BOLI") in connection with three acquisitions. The asset is reflected as the cash surrender value of the policies as provided by the insurer on a monthly basis.

Transfers of Financial Assets

Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company – put presumptively beyond 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 Company 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.

Income Taxes

The Company uses the balance sheet method to account for deferred income tax assets and liabilities. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is determined based on the tax effects of the temporary differences between the book and tax bases of the various balance sheet assets and liabilities and gives current recognition to changes in tax rates and laws.

When tax returns are filed, it is highly certain that some positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock compensation accounting guidance Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation, requires that the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions be recognized in financial statements. That cost will be measured based on the grant date fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. The stock compensation accounting guidance covers a wide range of share-based compensation arrangements including stock options, restricted share plans, performance-based awards, share appreciation rights, and employee share purchase plans.

The stock compensation accounting guidance requires that compensation cost for all stock awards be calculated and recognized over the employees' service period, generally defined as the vesting period. For awards with graded-vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. A Black-Scholes model is used to estimate the fair value of stock options, while the market price of the Company's common stock at the date of grant is used for restricted stock awards.

Earnings Per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share represent income available to common shareholders divided by the average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share reflect the impact of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued, as well as any adjustment to income that would result from the assumed issuance. Potential common shares that may be issued by the Company consist solely of outstanding stock options, and are determined using the treasury method. Nonvested shares of restricted stock are included in the computation of basic earnings per share because the holder has voting rights and shares in non-forfeitable dividends during the vesting period.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is shown in a two statement approach; the first statement presents total net income and its components followed by a second statement that presents all the components of other comprehensive income which include unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities, unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges, and changes in the funded status of the defined benefit postretirement plan.

In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI"). The Company early adopted this new standard as of December 31, 2017. ASU 2018-02 requires reclassification from AOCI to retained earnings for "stranded" tax effects resulting from the impact of the newly enacted federal corporate income tax rate on items included in AOCI.

Advertising and Marketing Costs

Advertising and marketing costs are expensed as incurred, and were $365,000, $352,000, and $260,000 in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Business combinations are accounted for under ASC 805, Business Combinations, using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquisition method of accounting requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the acquisition date measured at their fair values as of that date. To determine the fair values, the Company relies on third party valuations, such as appraisals, or internal valuations based on discounted cash flow analyses or other valuation techniques. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the Company identifies the acquirer and the closing date and applies applicable recognition principles and conditions. Acquisition-related costs are costs the Company incurs to effect a business combination. Those costs include advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees. Some other examples of costs to the Company include systems conversions, integration planning consultants and advertising costs. The Company accounts for acquisition-related costs as expenses in the periods in which the costs are incurred and the services are received, with one exception. The costs to issue debt or equity securities is recognized in accordance with other applicable GAAP. These acquisition-related costs have been and will be included within the consolidated statements of income classified within the noninterest expense caption.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made in prior years financial statements to conform to classifications used in the current year.

Use of Estimates

In preparing consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet and 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 in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, goodwill and intangible assets, unfunded pension liability, other-than-temporary impairment of securities, accounting for merger and acquisition activity, accounting for acquired loans with specific credit-related deterioration, the valuation of OREO, and the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)." Among other things, in the amendments in ASU 2016-02, lessees will be required to 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. Certain targeted improvements were made to align, where necessary, lessor accounting with the lessee accounting model and Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted upon issuance. Lessees (for capital and operating leases) and lessors (for sales-type, direct financing, and operating leases) must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The modified retrospective approach would not require any transition accounting for leases that expired before the earliest comparative period presented. Lessees and lessors may not apply a full retrospective transition approach. The FASB made subsequent amendments to Topic 842 in July 2018 through ASU 2018-10, "Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases," and ASU 2018-11, "Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements." Among these amendments is the provision in ASU 2018-11 that provides entities with an additional (and optional) transition method to adopt the new leases standard. Under this new transition method, an entity initially applies the new leases standard at the adoption date and recognizes a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. Consequently, an entity’s reporting for the comparative periods presented in the financial statements in which it adopts the new leases standard will continue to be in accordance with current GAAP (Topic 840, Leases). The effect of adopting this standard on January 1, 2019 was an approximately $4.4 million increase in assets and liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments." The amendments in this ASU, among other things, require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. Many of the loss estimation techniques applied today will still be permitted, although the inputs to those techniques will change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. In addition, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. The amendments in this ASU are effective for Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filers for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company has implemented and completed a significant amount of a project plan with the assistance of an outside vendor. The Company is currently assessing the impact that ASU 2016-13 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment". The amendments in this ASU simplify how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. Instead, under the amendments in this ASU, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. Public business entities that are SEC filers should adopt the amendments in this ASU for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2017-04 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, "Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310‐20), Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities." The amendments in this ASU shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities purchased at a premium. Upon adoption of the standard, premiums on these qualifying callable debt securities will be amortized to the earliest call date. Discounts on purchased debt securities will continue to be accreted to maturity. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. Upon transition, entities should apply the guidance on a modified retrospective basis, with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption and provide the disclosures required for a change in accounting principle. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2017-08 to have a material impact on consolidated financial statements.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities." The amendments in this ASU modify the designation and measurement guidance for hedge accounting as well as provide for increased transparency regarding the presentation of economic results on both the financial statements and related footnotes. Certain aspects of hedge effectiveness assessments will also be simplified upon implementation of this update. The amendments are effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period. This ASU was further amended in October 2018 by ASU 2018-16, which adds the Overnight Index Swap rate as a U.S. benchmark interest rate. These amendments will be effective concurrently with ASU 2017-12. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2017-12 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting." The amendments expand the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payments issued to non-employees for goods or services, which were previously excluded. The amendments will align the accounting for share-based payments to nonemployees and employees more similarly. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2018-07 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement." The amendments in this ASU modify the disclosure requirements in Topic 820 to add disclosures regarding changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty. Certain disclosure requirements in Topic 820 are also removed or modified. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Certain of the amendments are to be applied prospectively while others are to be applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2018-13 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, "Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans." The amendments in this ASU modify the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. Certain disclosure requirements have been deleted while the following disclosure requirements have been added: the weighted-average interest crediting rates for cash balance plans and other plans with promised interest crediting rates and an explanation of the reasons for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period. The amendments also clarify the disclosure requirements in paragraph 715-20-50-3, which state that the following information for defined benefit pension plans should be disclosed: the projected benefit obligation (PBO) and fair value of plan assets for plans with PBOs in excess of plan assets and the accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) and fair value of plan assets for plans with ABOs in excess of plan assets. The amendments are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2018-14 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company uses derivative financial instruments ("derivatives") primarily to manage risks associated with changing interest rates. The Company's derivatives are hedging instruments in a qualifying hedge accounting relationship (cash flow or fair value hedge).

The Company designates derivatives as cash flow hedges when they are used to manage exposure to variability in cash flows on variable rate borrowings such as the Company's trust preferred capital notes. The Company uses interest rate swap agreements as part of its hedging strategy by exchanging variable-rate interest payments on a notional amount equal to the principal amount of the borrowings for fixed-rate interest payments, with such interest rates set based on benchmarked interest rates.

All interest rate swaps were entered into with counterparties that met the Company's credit standards and the agreements contain collateral provisions protecting the at-risk party. The Company believes that the credit risk inherent in these derivative contracts is not significant.

Terms and conditions of the interest rate swaps vary and amounts receivable or payable are recognized as accrued under the terms of the agreements. The Company assesses the effectiveness of each hedging relationship on a periodic basis. In accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, the effective portions of the derivatives' unrealized gains or losses are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. Based on the Company's assessment, its cash flow hedges are highly effective, but to the extent that any ineffectiveness exists in the hedge relationships, the amounts would be recorded in the Company's consolidated statements of income.