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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations

The Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (the Company) through its bank subsidiary, The Farmers & Merchants State Bank (the Bank) provides a variety of financial services to individuals and small businesses through its offices in Northwest Ohio and Northeast Indiana.

Consolidation Policy

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, The Farmers & Merchants State Bank (the Bank), a commercial banking institution and Farmers & Merchants Risk Management, Inc. (the Captive), a Captive insurance company. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

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. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of mortgage servicing rights.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The determination of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is based on estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant changes in the economic environment and market conditions.  In connection with the determination of the estimated losses on loans, management obtains independent appraisals for significant collateral.

The Bank’s loans are generally secured by specific items of collateral including real property, consumer assets, and business assets.  Although the Bank has a diversified loan portfolio, a substantial portion of its debtors’ ability to honor their contracts is dependent on local economic conditions in the agricultural industry.

While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, further reductions in the carrying amounts of loans may be necessary based on changes in local economic conditions.  In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the estimated losses on loans.  Such agencies may require the Bank to recognize additional losses based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.  Because of these factors, it is reasonably possible that the estimated losses on loans may change materially in the near term.  However, the amount of the change that is reasonably possible cannot be estimated.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of the consolidated statement of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. This includes cash on hand, amounts due from banks, and federal funds sold. Generally, federal funds sold are outstanding for one day periods.

Restrictions on Cash and Amounts Due from Banks

Effective March 26, 2020, the Bank is no longer required to maintain average balances on hand with the Federal Reserve Bank.  The Company and its subsidiaries maintain cash balances with high quality financial institutions. At times such balances may be in excess of the federally insured limits.

Securities

Debt securities are classified as available-for-sale. Securities available-for-sale are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income (loss).  Net realized gains and losses on securities available for sale are included in noninterest income and, when applicable, are reported as a reclassification adjustment, net of tax, in other comprehensive income (loss). Gains and losses on sales of securities are determined on the specific-identification method.

Declines in the fair value of securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses.  In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.  The related write-downs are included in earnings as realized losses.

Other Securities

Other Securities consist of stock in the Federal Home Loan Banks of Cincinnati and Indianapolis (the “FHLBs”), which is held to enable the Bank to conduct business with the entities. The FHLBs sell and purchase their stock at par.  The FHLBs stock is carried at cost and held as collateral security for all indebtedness of the Bank to the Federal Home Loan Bank.  The FHLBs stock is evaluated for impairment as conditions warrant.

Loans

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off are reported at the amount of unpaid principal, reduced by unearned discounts, unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans, and deferred loan fees and costs, as well as, by the allowance for loan losses. Interest income is accrued on a daily basis based on the principal outstanding.

Generally, a loan is classified as nonaccrual and the accrual of interest income is generally discontinued when a loan becomes ninety days past due as to principal or interest and these loans are placed on a “cash basis” for purposes of income recognition. Management may elect to continue the accrual of interest when the estimated net realizable value of collateral is sufficient to cover the principal and accrued interest, and the loan is in the process of collection.  When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, all previously accrued and unpaid interest receivable is charged against income.

Loan origination and commitment fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred and amortized as a net adjustment to the related loan’s yield. The Bank is generally amortizing these costs over the contractual life of such loans.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to income. Loans deemed to be uncollectable and changes in the allowance relating to loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses, and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based on management’s periodic review of the collectability of the loans in light of historical experiences, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral, and prevailing economic conditions.  This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that are subject to revision as more information becomes available.  

The allowance consists of specific, general and unallocated components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as doubtful, substandard or special mention. For such loans that are also classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical loss

experience adjusted for qualitative factors. The unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank 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 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 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 and agricultural loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

At 90 days delinquent, secured consumer loans are charged down to the value of the collateral, if repossession of the collateral is assured and/or in the process of repossession. Consumer mortgage loan deficiencies are charged down upon the sale of the collateral or sooner upon the recognition of collateral deficiency.

For the majority of the Bank’s impaired loans, the Bank will apply the fair value of collateral or use a measurement incorporating the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective rate of interest.  To determine fair value of collateral, collateral asset values securing an impaired loan are periodically evaluated. Maximum time of re-evaluation is every 12 months for chattels and titled vehicles and every two years for real estate.  In this process, third party evaluations are obtained. Until such time that updated appraisals are received, the Bank may discount the collateral value used.

Large groups of homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Bank does not separately identify individual consumer loans for impairment, unless such loans are the subject of a restructuring agreement due to financial difficulties of the borrower.

For more information regarding the actual composition and classification of loans involved in the establishment of the allowance for loan loss, please see Note 4 provided here with the notes to consolidated financial statements.

Loans Held for Sale

Loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value in the aggregate. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized in a valuation allowance by charges to income.

Servicing Assets

Servicing assets are recognized as separate assets when rights are acquired through purchase or sale of financial assets.  Capitalized servicing rights are amortized into noninterest expense in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying financial assets.  Servicing assets are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to amortized cost.  Impairment is determined by stratifying rights by predominant characteristics, such as interest rates and terms.  Fair value is determined using prices for similar assets with similar characteristics, when available, or based upon discounted cash flows using market-based assumptions.  Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual stratum, to the extent that fair value is less than the capitalized amount for the stratum.  Fees received for servicing loans owned by investors are based on a percentage of the outstanding monthly principal balance of such loans and are included in operating income as loan payments are received.  Costs of servicing loans are charged to expense as incurred.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill results from business acquisitions and represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of acquired tangible assets and liabilities and identifiable intangible assets.  Goodwill is assessed for impairment at least annually. If possible impairment is likely, the Bank will utilize the assistance of an independent third party for

an appraisal and any such impairment is recognized in the period identified.  The Bank’s annual goodwill impairment analysis was performed as of September 30, 2020 by an independent third party. The goodwill impairment analysis consisted of a first step goodwill impairment test which was used to identify potential impairment by comparing the fair value of the relevant reporting entity with its carrying value, including goodwill. The analysis was performed under guidance of FASB ASC 350.  As of September 30, 2020, the excess fair value of capital was $57.8 million or 26.8% over the carrying value and was over 1.2 times the value of goodwill being carried. Therefore, the Bank concluded it is unlikely impairment of goodwill has occurred from the goodwill established from the Bank’s acquisition of Knisely which occurred on December 31, 2007, and the acquisition of Bank of Geneva which occurred on January 1, 2019.

Other intangible assets consist of core deposit and customer list intangible assets arising from business acquisitions.  They are initially measured at fair value and then are amortized on a straight line method over their estimated useful lives and evaluated for impairment.  These assets are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

Off Balance Sheet Instruments

In the ordinary course of business, the Bank has entered into commitments to extend credit, including commitments under credit card arrangements, commercial letters of credit and standby letters of credit.  Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

Foreclosed Real Estate

Foreclosed real estate held for sale is carried at the lower of fair value minus estimated costs to sell, or cost. Costs of holding foreclosed real estate are charged to expense in the current period, except for significant property improvements, which are capitalized. Valuations are periodically performed by management and an allowance is established by a charge to non-interest expense if the carrying value exceeds the fair value minus the estimated costs to sell.  Foreclosed real estate is classified as other real estate owned.  The net loss from operations of foreclosed real estate held for sale is reported in non-interest expense. At December 31, the Bank’s holding of other real estate owned totaled $71 thousand and $214 thousand for 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Bank Premises and Equipment

Land is carried at cost. Bank premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is based on the estimated useful lives of the various properties and is computed using straight line and accelerated methods. Costs for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.  Gains and losses on dispositions are included in current operations.

Bank Owned Life Insurance

Bank owned life insurance policies are carried at their cash surrender value.  The Bank recognizes tax-free income from the periodic increases in the cash surrender value of these policies and from death benefits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue Recognition

Accounting Standards Codification 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customer” (ASC 606) provides that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  Revenue generated from financial instruments, including loans and investment securities, are not included within the scope of ASC 606.  The adoption of ASC 606 did not result in a change to the accounting for any of the Company’s revenue streams that are within scope of the amendments. Revenue-generating activities that are within the scope of ASC 606 that are presented as non-interest income in the Company’s consolidated statements of income include:

 

o

Customer service fees – these include miscellaneous service fees and transaction-based fees charged for certain services, such as debit card or credit card.  Revenue is recognized when the performance obligation is completed, which is generally after a transaction is completed or monthly for account maintenance services.

 

o

Other service charges and fees – these include service fees charged for deposit account maintenance and activity along with transaction-based fees charged for certain services, such as overdraft activities, returned check charges and wire transfers.   Revenue is recognized when the performance obligation is completed, which is generally after a transaction is completed or monthly for account maintenance services.

Income Tax

The Company’s income tax expense consists of the following components for federal and state:  current and deferred.  Current income tax expense reflects taxes to be paid or refunded for the current period by applying the provisions of the enacted tax law to the taxable income or excess of deductions over revenues.  The Company determines deferred income taxes using the liability (or balance sheet) method.  Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is based on the tax effects of the differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and enacted changes in tax rates and laws are recognized in the period in which they occur.  

Deferred income tax expense results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between periods.  Deferred tax assets are recognized if it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the tax position will be realized or sustained upon examination.  The term more likely than not means a likelihood of more than 50 percent; the terms examined and upon examination also include resolution of the related appeals or litigation processes, if any.  A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information.  The determination of whether or not a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold considers the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date and is subject to management’s judgment.  Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of evidence available, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in tax expense. Based on management’s analysis, the Company did not have any uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.  With a few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. Federal, state or local examinations by tax authorities for years before 2017.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share represent income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  On August 18, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a two-for-one stock split payable on September 20, 2017, for shareholders of record on September 5, 2017.  See Note 12 for additional information.

Stock-Based Compensation

The fair value of restricted common stock is their fair market value on the date of grant. The fair value of restricted stock is amortized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the grants. Compensation expense recognized is included in salaries and wages in the consolidated statements of income.

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 Corporation – 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.

Treasury Stock

Common stock shares repurchased are recorded at market value on date of purchase.  Restricted shares when awarded are removed from treasury stock using the weighted average method.

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income.  Certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, are reported as a separate component of the equity section of the balance sheet. Such items, along with net income, are components of other comprehensive income (loss).

The company adopted ASU 2018-02 on January 1, 2018 and elected to reclassify the income tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) to retained earnings.  The reclassification increased retained earnings and decreased AOCI by $359 thousand, with zero net effect on total stockholder’s equity.

The components of other comprehensive income (loss) and related tax effects are as follows:

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Net unrealized gain (loss) on  available-for-sale

   securities

 

$

6,091

 

 

$

5,179

 

 

$

(1,058

)

Reclassification adjustment for (gain) loss on sale of

   available-for-sale securities

 

 

(270

)

 

 

26

 

 

 

9

 

Net unrealized gain (loss) on  available-for-sale

   securities

 

 

5,821

 

 

 

5,205

 

 

 

(1,049

)

Tax expense (benefit)

 

 

1,222

 

 

 

1,093

 

 

 

(220

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

4,599

 

 

$

4,112

 

 

$

(829

)

 

Reclassification

Certain amounts in the 2019 and 2018 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the 2020 presentation.  These reclassifications had no effect on net income.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13 “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” This ASU requires 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. Organizations will continue to use judgment to determine which loss estimation method is appropriate for their circumstances.  The ASU requires enhanced disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an organization’s portfolio. These disclosures include qualitative and quantitative requirements that provide additional information about the amounts recorded in the financial statements.  In addition, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration.       

The ASU was effective for SEC filers for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019 (i.e., January 1, 2020, for calendar year entities).  FASB subsequently approved a delay in adoption for Smaller Reporting Companies.  The Company has completed an analysis to determine that it qualifies as a Smaller Reporting Company.  As such, adoption can be postponed until periods beginning after December 15, 2022 (i.e., January 1, 2023, for calendar year entities).  Early application will be permitted for all organizations for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018.

The Company has contracted with an external advisor and has formed a committee to determine the methodology to be used. Most importantly, the Company is gathering as much data as possible to enable management to review scenarios and determine which calculations will produce the most reliable results. The Company began working with the third-party service provider to review parallel reports starting in June 2019.  The Company has not adopted ASU 2016-13 in calendar year 2020 and management is currently evaluating when or if they would elect to early adopt ASU 2016-13.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04 “Intangibles – Goodwill and other (Topic 350) – Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.”  These amendments eliminate Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The amendments also eliminate the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment and, if it fails that qualitative test, to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The guidance is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption was permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. ASU 2017-04 should be adopted on a prospective basis. The Company has adopted ASU 2017-04 effective January 1, 2020, as required, without a material impact on its financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13 “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” ASU 2018-13 modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820. The amendments in this update remove disclosures that no longer are considered cost beneficial, modify/clarify the specific requirements of certain disclosures, and add disclosure requirements identified as relevant. ASU 2018-13 is effective for years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted.  The Company adopted ASU 2018-13 effective January 1, 2020, as required, without material effect on its accounting disclosures.

In March 2020, in connection with the implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and related provisions, we have elected the temporary relief in the CARES Act not to apply the guidance in ASC 310-40 on accounting for troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) to loan modifications related to COVID-19 made between March 1, 2020 and the earlier of (1) December 31, 2020 or (2) 60 days after the end of the COVID-19 national emergency.  The relief was only applied to modifications for borrowers that were not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019.  As of December 31, 2020, there were no loan modifications that would have been previously treated as TDRs under the guidance in ASC 310-40.