Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

New and applicable accounting pronouncements:

New and applicable accounting pronouncements:

ASU No. 2020-04: Reference Rate Reform – Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (Topic 848)

This guidance provides temporary options to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. It is intended to help stakeholders during the global market-wide reference rate transition period. The guidance is effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. However, a deferral of the implementation of the Reference Rate Reform was issued in December of 2022, which extends the implementation to December 31, 2024. The Company anticipates being fully prepared to implement a replacement for the reference rate and has determined that any change will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2016-13: Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13 - Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”) (“ASC 326”) as amended. The new accounting guidance in this ASU replaces the incurred loss methodology with an expected loss methodology, which is referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) methodology. The CECL methodology is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loan receivables and held-to-maturity (“HTM”) debt securities. 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. The CECL methodology requires an entity to estimate credit losses over the life of an asset or off-balance sheet credit exposure.

In addition, CECL made changes to the accounting for available-for-sale debt securities. One such change is to require credit losses to be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down on available-for-sale debt securities if management does not intend to sell and does not believe that it is more likely than not, they will be required to sell.

The Company adopted ASC 326 using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost and off-balance sheet credit exposures. Results for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2023 are presented under ASC 326 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP. The transition adjustment of the CECL adoption included an increase in the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) of $1.4 million and an increase of $1.1 million to establish a reserve for unfunded commitments, with a $2.0 million decrease to retained earnings, and $0.5 million of income tax portion being recorded as part of the deferred tax asset in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

The following table details the impact of the adoption of ASC 326:

	January 1, 2023
($ in thousands)	Pre-ASC 326 adoption		Impact of ASC 326 adoption			As reported under ASC 326		Cummulative Effect on Retained Earnings
Allowance for credit loss on loans
Commercial & industrial	$	1,663	$	230		$	1,893	$	182
Commercial real estate - owner occupied		1,696		54			1,750		43
Commercial real estate - nonowner occupied		4,584		1,015			5,599		801
Agricultural		611		(194	)		417		(153	)
Residential real estate		4,438		360			4,798		284
Home equity line of credit (HELOC)		547		(76	)		471		(60	)
Consumer		279		(17	)		262		(13	)
Total ACL on loans	$	13,818	$	1,372		$	15,190	$	1,084
ACL on off-balance sheet commitments	$	-	$	1,149		$	1,149	$	907

Allowance for Credit Losses - Securities Available-for-Sale

For available-for-sale debt securities, management evaluates all investments in an unrealized loss position on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such evaluation. If the Company has the intent to sell the security or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security, the security is written down to fair value and the entire loss is recorded in earnings.

If either of the above criteria is not met, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value is the result of credit losses or other factors. In making the assessment, the Company may consider various factors including the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, performance of any underlying collateral, downgrades in the ratings of the security by a rating agency, the failure of the issuer to make scheduled interest or principal payments and adverse conditions specifically related to the security. If the assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security and any excess is recorded as an allowance for credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any amount of unrealized loss that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit loss is recognized in other comprehensive income.

Changes in the ACL under CECL are recorded as provision for (or reversal of) credit loss expense. Losses are charged against the allowance when management believes an available-for-sale security is confirmed to be uncollectible or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. At June 30, 2023, there was no allowance for credit losses related to the available-for-sale debt securities portfolio.

Accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale debt securities totaled $0.7 million at June 30, 2023 and was excluded from the estimate of credit losses.

Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans

The ACL is a valuation account that is deducted from the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loans are charged off against the allowance when management believes that the uncollectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off.

Management estimates the ACL using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics such as differences in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, delinquency level, or term as well as changes in environmental conditions, such as changes in unemployment rates, property values, or other relevant factors.

Accrued interest receivable related to loans totaled $2.5 million at June 30, 2023 and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses.

The Company measures expected credit losses for loans on a pooled basis when similar risk characteristics exist. The Company has identified the following portfolio segments:

● Commercial & Industrial - Commercial & industrial loans consist of loans or lines of credit to finance accounts receivable, inventory or other general business needs, and lease financing agreements for equipment, vehicles, or other assets. The primary risk associated with commercial and industrial and lease financing loans is the ability of borrowers to achieve business results consistent with those projected at origination. Failure to achieve these projections presents risk the borrower will be unable to service the debt consistent with the contractual terms of the loan or lease.

● Commercial Real Estate - Owner Occupied - Owner occupied commercial real estate loans consist of loans to purchase or re-finance owner occupied nonresidential properties. This includes office buildings and other commercial facilities. Commercial mortgages secured by owner occupied properties are primarily dependent on the ability of borrowers to achieve business results consistent with those projected at loan origination. While these loans are collateralized by real property in an effort to mitigate risk, it is possible the liquidation of collateral will not fully satisfy the obligation as they may be more adversely affected by conditions in the real estate markets or in the general economy.

● Commercial Real Estate – Nonowner Occupied - Nonowner occupied commercial real estate loans consist of loans to purchase, construct, or refinance investment nonresidential properties. This includes office buildings and other facilities rented or leased to unrelated parties, as well as multifamily properties. The primary risk associated with income producing commercial real estate loans is the ability of the income-producing property that collateralizes the loan to produce adequate cash flow to service the debt. While these loans are collateralized by real property in an effort to mitigate risk, it is possible the liquidation of collateral will not fully satisfy the obligation as they may be more adversely affected by conditions in the real estate markets or in the general economy.

● Agricultural - Agricultural loans consist of loans or lines of credit to finance farmland, equipment, and general business needs or other assets. The primary risk associated with agricultural loans is the ability of borrowers to achieve business results consistent with those projected at origination. Failure to achieve these projections presents risk the borrower will be unable to service the debt consistent with the contractual terms of the loan or lease.

● Residential Real Estate – Residential mortgages consist of loans to purchase or refinance the borrower’s primary dwelling, second residence or vacation home and are often secured by 1-4 family residential property. Significant and rapid declines in real estate values can result in borrowers having debt levels in excess of the current market value of the collateral.

● Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOCs) - Home equity loans consist of home equity lines of credit and other lines of credit secured by first or second liens on the borrower’s primary residence. These loans are secured by both senior and junior liens on the residential real estate and are particularly susceptible to declining collateral values. This risk is elevated for loans secured by junior lines as a substantial decline in value could render the junior lien position effectively unsecured.

● Consumer - Consumer loans consist of loans to finance unsecured home improvements, personal assets, such as automobiles or recreational vehicles, and revolving lines of credit that can be secured or unsecured. Repayment of these loans is primarily dependent on the personal income of the borrowers, which can be impacted by economic conditions in their market areas. The value of the underlying collateral within this class is at risk of potential rapid depreciation which could result in unpaid balances in excess of the collateral.

The Company utilized a Discounted Cash Flow (“DCF”) method to estimate the quantitative portion of the ACL for all loan pools evaluated on a collective pooled basis, with the exception of the credit card portfolio, which was estimated using the Remaining Life Method. For each segment, a Loss Driver Analysis (“LDA”) was performed in order to identify appropriate loss drivers and create a regression model for use in forecasting cash flows. The LDA utilized the Company’s own Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s (“FFIEC”) Call Report data, as well as peer institution data.

In creating the DCF model, the Company has established a one-year reasonable and supportable forecast period with a one-year straight line reversion to the long-term historical average. The Company’s own loan-level loss data from January 2016 through June 30, 2023 contained within the model is being supplemented with peer data in most loan pools as there was not sufficient loan-level detail from prior cycles reflecting similar economic conditions as the forecasted loss drivers to result in a statistically sound calculation.

Key inputs into the DCF model include loan-level detail, including the amortized cost basis of individual loans, payment structure, and loss history, and forecasted loss drivers. The Company utilizes data from Federal Reserve Economic Data (“FRED”) to provide economic forecasts under various scenarios, which are applied to loan pools to reflect model risk in the current economic environment.

Additional key assumptions in the DCF model include the probability of default (“PD”), loss given default (“LGD”), and prepayment/curtailment rates. When possible, the Company utilizes its own PDs for the reasonable and supportable forecast period. When it is not possible to use the Company’s own PDs, the LDA is utilized to determine PDs based on the forecasted economic factors. In all cases, the LDA is then utilized to determine the long-term historical average which is reached over the reversion period. When possible, the Company utilizes its own LGDs for the reasonable and supportable forecast period. When it is not possible to use the Company’s own LGDs, the LGD is derived using a method referred to as Frye Jacobs. The Frye Jacobs method is a mathematical formula that traces the relationship between LGD and PD over time and projects the LGD based on the level of PD forecasted. In all cases, the Frye Jacobs method is utilized to calculate LGDs during the reversion period and long-term historical average. Benchmark prepayment and curtailment rates were used in the ACL estimate.

Management also considers further adjustments to historical loss information for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that differ from the conditions that exist for the period over which historical information is evaluated as well as other changes in qualitative factors not inherently considered in the quantitative analyses. A number of factors are considered including economic forecast uncertainty, credit quality trends, valuation trends, concentration risk, quality of loan review, changes in personnel, impact of rising interest rates, external factors and other considerations. The resulting qualitative adjustments are applied to the relevant collectively evaluated loan pools. The qualitative analysis increases or decreases the allowance allocation for each loan pool based on the assessment of factors described above. During each reporting period, management also considers the need to adjust the baseline lifetime loss rates for factors that may cause expected losses to differ from those experienced in the historical loss periods.

Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. When management determines that foreclosure is probable and the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, the expected credit losses are based on the fair value of collateral at the reporting dated adjusted for selling costs as appropriate.

The Company is also required to consider expected credit losses associated with loan commitments over the contractual period in which it is exposed to credit risk on the underlying commitments. Any allowance for off-balance sheet credit exposures is reported in Other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and is increased or decreased through a provision for credit loss expense on the Company’s consolidated statement of income. The calculation includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and forecasted credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over their estimated lives. The allowance is calculated using the same methodology, inputs and assumptions as the funded portion of loans at the segment level applied to the amount of commitments expected to be funded.

While the Company’s policies and procedures used to estimate the allowance for credit losses, as well as the resultant provision for credit losses charged to income, are considered adequate by management and are reviewed periodically by regulators, model validators and internal audit, they are necessarily approximate and imprecise. There are factors beyond the Company’s control, such as changes in projected economic conditions, real estate markets or particular industry conditions which may materially impact asset quality and the adequacy of the ACL and thus the resulting provision for credit losses.

ASU No. 2022-02: Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures

On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASU 2022-02 Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures, which removed the existing measurement and disclosure requirements for loans considered to be Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDRs”) and added additional disclosure requirements related to modifications provided to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. Prior to adoption of ASU 2022-02, a change in contractual terms of a loan where a borrower was experiencing financial difficulty and received a concession not available through other sources the loans was required to be disclosed as a TDR, whereas now a borrower that is experiencing financial difficulty and receives a modification in the form of principal forgiveness, interest rate reduction, an other-than-insignificant payment delay or a term extension in the current period needs to be disclosed. The amendment was adopted prospectively and had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements aside from additional and revised financial statement disclosures (See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements).