Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Notes to Financial Statements

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of National Bankshares, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, the National Bank of Blacksburg, and National Bankshares Financial Services, Inc. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform to GAAP and to general practices within the banking industry. Subsequent events have been considered through the date of this Form 10-K. The following summarizes significant accounting policies.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash and amounts due from banks.

Interest-Bearing Deposits

The Company invests over-night funds in interest-bearing deposits at other banks, including the FHLB, the Federal Reserve and other entities. Interest-bearing deposits are carried at cost.

Securities

Certain debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity may be 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. 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 (loss) income. The Company uses the interest method to recognize purchase premiums and discounts in interest income over the term 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 follows the accounting guidance related to recognition and presentation of other–than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”). The guidance specifies that if (a) an entity does not have the intent to sell a debt security prior to recovery and (b) it is more likely than not that the entity will not have to sell the debt security prior to recovery, the security would not be considered OTTI, unless there is a credit loss. When criteria (a) and (b) are met, the entity will recognize the credit component of an OTTI of a debt security in earnings and the remaining portion in other comprehensive (loss) income. 

Equity securities with readily-determinable fair values are measured at fair value using the “exit price notion”. Changes in fair value are recognized in net income. Equity securities without readily-determinable fair values are recorded as other assets at cost less impairment, if any, and adjusted for changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investment of the same issuer.

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 on an individual loan basis. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized through a valuation allowance by charges to income. The Company releases mortgage servicing rights when loans are sold on the secondary market.

Loans

The Company, through its banking subsidiary, provides mortgage, commercial, and consumer loans to customers. Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future, or until maturity or payoff, are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances adjusted for the allowance for loan losses, any purchase premium or discount, unearned income and deferred fees or costs. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Unearned income on dealer-originated loans and 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. Purchase premium or discount is recognized as an adjustment of the related loan yield using the interest method.

The Bank’s loan policy is updated and approved by the Board of Directors annually and disseminated to lending and loan portfolio management personnel to ensure consistent lending practices. The policy communicates the Company’s risk tolerance by prescribing underwriting guidelines and procedures, including approval limits and hierarchy, documentation standards, requirements for collateral and loan-to-value limits, debt coverage, overall creditworthiness and guarantor support. Of primary consideration is the repayment ability of the borrowers and (if secured) the collateral value in relation to the principal balance. Collateral lowers risk and may be used as a secondary source of repayment. The credit decision must be supported by documentation appropriate to the type of loan, including current financial information, income verification or cash flow analysis, tax returns, credit reports, collateral information, guarantor verification, title reports, appraisals (where appropriate) and other documents.

The Company’s loans are grouped into six segments: real estate construction, consumer real estate, commercial real estate, commercial non-real estate, public sector and IDA, and consumer non-real estate. Each segment is subject to certain risks that influence pricing, loan structures, approval requirements, reserves, and ongoing credit management.

Real Estate Construction Loans. Real estate construction loans are subject to general risks from changing commercial building and housing market trends and economic conditions that may impact demand for completed properties and the costs of completion. Completed properties that do not sell or become leased within originally expected timeframes may impact the borrower’s ability to service the debt. Construction loans are underwritten against projected cash flows from rental income, business and/or personal income from an owner-occupant or the sale of the property to an end-user. Associated risks may be mitigated by requiring fixed-price construction contracts, performance and payment bonding, controlled disbursements, and pre-sale contracts or pre-lease agreements. Risks specific to the borrower are also evaluated, including previous repayment history, debt service ability, and current and projected loan-to value ratios for the collateral.

Consumer Real Estate Loans. The Bank offers a variety of first mortgage and junior lien loans secured by primary residences within our markets. The credit quality of consumer real estate is subject to risks associated with the borrower’s repayment ability and collateral value. Credit decisions are primarily based on loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratios, debt-to-income (“DTI”) ratios, liquidity and net worth. Income and financial information is obtained from personal tax returns, personal financial statements and employment documentation. A maximum LTV ratio of 80% is generally required. The DTI ratio is limited to 43% of gross income.

Consumer real estate mortgages may have fixed interest rates for the entire term of the loan or variable interest rates subject to change after the first, third, or fifth year. Variable rates are based on the weekly average yield of United States Treasury Securities and are underwritten at fully-indexed rates.         

Home equity loans are secured primarily by second mortgages on residential property. The underwriting policy for home equity loans generally permits aggregate (the total of all liens secured by the collateral property) borrowing availability up to 80% of the appraised value of the collateral. We offer both fixed rate and variable rate home equity loans, with variable rate loans underwritten at fully-indexed rates. Decisions are primarily based on LTV ratios, DTI ratios, liquidity and credit history. We do not offer home equity loan products with reduced documentation.

We do not offer certain high risk loan products such as interest-only consumer mortgage loans, hybrid loans, payment option adjustable rate mortgages (“ARMs”), reverse mortgage loans, loans with initial teaser rates or any product with negative amortization. Hybrid loans are loans that start out as a fixed rate mortgage, but after a set number of years they automatically adjust to an ARM. Payment option ARMs usually have adjustable rates, for which borrowers choose their monthly payment of either a full payment, interest only, or a minimum payment which may be lower than the payment required to reduce the balance of the loan in accordance with the originally underwritten amortization.

Commercial Real Estate Loans. Commercial real estate loans generally are secured by first mortgages on real estate, including multifamily residential real estate, commercial real estate occupied by the owner/borrower, and commercial real estate leased to non-owners. Properties financed include retail centers, office space, hotels and motels, apartments, and industrial properties. Loans in the commercial real estate segment are impacted by economic risks from changing commercial real estate markets, rental markets for multi-family housing and commercial buildings, and economic factors that would impact the businesses housed by the commercial real estate. Underwriting decisions are based upon an analysis of the economic viability of the collateral and creditworthiness of the borrower. The Bank obtains appraisals from qualified certified independent appraisers to establish the value of collateral properties. The loan amount is generally limited to 80% of the lower of cost or appraised value and is individually determined based on the property type, quality, location and financial strength of any guarantors. The property’s projected net cash flows compared to the debt service (often referred to as the “debt service coverage ratio”) is required to be 115% or greater and is computed after deduction for a vacancy factor and property expenses, as appropriate. Borrower cash flow may be supplemented by a personal guarantee from the principal(s) of the borrower and guarantees from other parties. The Bank may employ stress testing techniques on higher balance loans to determine repayment ability in a changing rate environment before granting loan approval. The Bank requires title insurance, fire, extended coverage casualty insurance and flood insurance, if appropriate, in order to protect the security interest in the underlying property.

Commercial Non-Real Estate Loans. Commercial non-real estate loans are secured by collateral other than real estate, or are unsecured. Credit risk for commercial non-real estate loans is subject to economic conditions, borrower repayment ability and collateral value (if secured). Commercial and agricultural loans primarily finance equipment acquisition, expansion, working capital, and other general business purposes. Because these loans have a higher degree of risk, the Bank generally obtains collateral such as inventory, accounts receivables or equipment and personal guarantees from the borrowing entity’s principal owners. The Bank’s policy limits lending up to 60% of the appraised value for inventory, up to 90% of the lower of cost of market value of equipment and up to 70% for accounts receivables less than 90 days old. Credit decisions are based upon an assessment of the financial capacity of the applicant, including the primary borrower’s ability to repay within proposed terms, a risk assessment, financial strength of guarantors and adequacy of collateral. Credit agency reports of individual owners’ credit history supplement the analysis.

Included within this category are SBA PPP loans. The Bank provided qualifying customers with small business loans to pay payroll and other qualifying expenses. The vast majority of the Bank’s PPP loans have been repaid.

Public Sector and IDA Loans. Public sector and IDA loans are extended to municipalities and related entities within the Bank’s geographical footprint. Borrowers include general taxing authorities such as a city or county, industrial/economic development authorities or utility authorities. Credit risk stems from the entity’s ability to repay through either a direct obligation or assignment of specific revenues from an enterprise or other economic activity. Repayment sources are derived from taxation, such as property taxes and sales taxes, or revenue from the project financed with the loan. The Company’s underwriting considers economic and population trends of the municipality and the municipality’s reserves, pension liabilities and other liabilities.

Consumer Non-Real Estate Loans. Consumer non-real estate includes credit cards, automobile and other consumer loans. Credit cards and certain other consumer loans are unsecured, while collateral is obtained for automobile loans and other consumer loans. Credit risk stems primarily from the borrower’s ability to repay. Our procedures for underwriting consumer loans include an assessment of an applicant’s overall financial capacity, including credit history and the ability to meet existing obligations and payments on the proposed loan. If the loan is secured by an automobile or other collateral, the underwriting process also includes a comparison of the value of the collateral security to the proposed loan amount. We require borrowers to maintain collision insurance on automobiles securing consumer loans.

Past Due Status and Nonaccrual Designation

A loan is considered past due when a payment of principal and/or interest is due but not paid. Credit card payments not received within 30 days after the statement date, real estate loan payments not received within the payment cycle and all other non-real estate secured loans for which payment is not made within the required payment cycle are considered 30 days past due. Management closely monitors past due loans in timeframes of 30-89 days past due and 90 or more days past due.

The Company considers multiple factors when determining whether to discontinue accrual of interest on individual loans. Generally loans are placed in nonaccrual status when collection of interest and/or full principal is considered doubtful. Interest accrual is discontinued at the time a commercial real estate loan or commercial non-real estate loan is 90 days delinquent unless the credit is well secured and in the process of collection. Accrued interest is reversed against income when a loan is placed in nonaccrual status. Any interest payments received during a loan’s nonaccrual period are credited to the principal balance of the loan.

Nonaccrual loans that are not TDR are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are current and future payments are reasonably assured. Nonaccrual TDR loans may return to accrual status after six months of timely repayment performance.  The Company reviews nonaccrual loans on an individual loan basis to determine whether future payments are reasonably assured.  In order for this criteria to be satisfied, the Company’s evaluation must determine that the underlying cause of the original delinquency or weakness that indicated nonaccrual status has been resolved, such as receipt of new guarantees, increased cash flows that cover the debt service or other resolution.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is an estimate of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The allowance is funded by the provision for loan losses, reduced by charge-offs of loans and increased by recoveries of previously charged-off loans. The determination of the allowance is based on two accounting principles, Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 450-20 (Contingencies) which requires that losses be accrued when occurrence is probable and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable, and ASC Topic 310-10 (Receivables) which requires accrual of losses on impaired loans if the recorded investment exceeds fair value.

Impaired loans

Impaired loans are larger non-homogeneous loans for which there is a probability that collection of principal or interest will not occur according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement, as well as loans whose terms have been modified in a TDR. Impaired loans are individually evaluated to determine appropriate reserves and are measured at the lower of the invested amount or the fair value. Fair value of impaired loans is estimated in one of three ways: (1) the estimated fair value (less selling costs) of the underlying collateral, (2) the present value of the loan’s expected future cash flows, or (3) the loan’s observable market value.

The estimated fair value is compared with the loan’s recorded investment (unpaid principal net of any interest payments made by the borrower during the nonaccrual period and net of any partial charge-offs, accrued interest and deferred fees and costs). Any amount of recorded investment that exceeds estimated fair value on collateral-dependent loans, as well as any other impairment loss considered uncollectible, is charged against the allowance for loan losses. Fair value shortfalls that are not considered uncollectible for loans that are not collateral-dependent are accrued in the allowance as specific reserves. Impaired loans for which collection of interest or principal is in doubt are placed in nonaccrual status. If fair value of an impaired loan is higher than the book value, no specific reserve is recorded, and the loan remains impaired as long as analysis indicates that collection of the loan will not occur according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.

Collectively-evaluated loans

General allowances are established for collectively evaluated loans. Collectively evaluated loans are grouped into classes based on similar characteristics. Factors considered in determining general allowances include historical loss rates, internal risk ratings, delinquency and nonperforming rates, product mix, changes in loan policies and procedures, changes in loan review systems, changes in economic conditions, changes in management experience, industry trends, interest rate trends and changes in the competitive, legal and regulatory environment.

Charge-off policy

The Company’s charge-off policy meets or is more stringent than the minimum standards required by regulators. When available information confirms that a specific loan or a portion thereof, within any loan class, is uncollectible the amount is charged off against the allowance for loan losses. Additionally, losses on consumer real estate and consumer non-real estate loans are typically charged off no later than when the loans are 120-180 days past due, and losses on loans secured by residential real estate or by commercial real estate are charged off by the time the loans reach 180 days past due, in compliance with regulatory guidelines. Accordingly, secured loans may be charged down to the estimated value of the collateral, with previously accrued unpaid interest reversed. Subsequent charge-offs may be required as a result of changes in the market value of collateral or other repayment prospects.

Credit quality indicators

Credit quality indicators, which the Company terms risk grades, are assigned through the Company’s credit review function for larger loans and selective review of loans that fall below credit review thresholds. Credit quality is rated based on the loan’s payment history, the borrower’s current financial situation and value of the underlying collateral.

Loans that do not indicate heightened risk are graded as “pass.” Loans that appear to have elevated credit risk because of frequent or persistent past due status, which is less than 75 days, or that show weakness in the borrower’s financial condition are risk graded “special mention.” Loans with frequent or persistent delinquency exceeding 75 days or that have a higher level of weakness in the borrower’s financial condition are graded “classified.” Classified loans have regulatory risk ratings of “substandard” and “doubtful.”

TDRs

When the Company grants a concession to a borrower for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial condition, the loan is classified a TDR. When the Company grants a subsequent modification to a loan that had previously been modified but not designated TDR, it considers whether the totality of the accommodations amount to a concession that, along with the evaluation of borrower financial difficulty, indicate TDR status. Concessions may include reduction of the interest rate, extension of the maturity date at an interest rate lower than the current market rate for a new loan with similar risk, forgiveness of principal or accrued interest or other actions intended to minimize the economic loss. TDR loans are individually measured for impairment. TDRs may be removed from TDR status, and therefore from individual evaluation, if the restructuring agreement specifies a contractual interest rate that is a market interest rate at the time of restructuring and the loan is in compliance with its modified terms one year after the restructure was completed.

Rate Lock Commitments

The Company enters into commitments to originate mortgage loans in which the interest rate on the loan is determined prior to funding (rate lock commitments). Rate lock commitments on mortgage loans that are intended to be sold are considered to be derivatives. The period of time between issuance of a loan commitment and closing 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 commitments, by committing to sell a loan at the time the borrower commits to an interest rate with the intent that the buyer has assumed interest rate risk on the loan. As a result, the Company is not exposed to 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 market value of rate lock commitments and best efforts contracts is not readily ascertainable because rate lock commitments and best effort 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 changes in the value of the underlying assets while taking into consideration the probability that the rate lock commitments will close. Because of the high correlation between rate lock commitments and best efforts contracts, no gain or loss occurs on the rate lock commitments.

Premises and Equipment

Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is charged to expense over the estimated useful lives of the assets on the straight-line basis. Depreciable lives include 40 years for premises, 3-10 years for furniture and equipment, and 3 years for computer software. Costs of maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred and improvements are capitalized.

Other Real Estate Owned

Real estate acquired through or in lieu of foreclosure is held for sale and is initially recorded at fair value less estimated costs to sell at the date of foreclosure, establishing the cost basis of the asset. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation allowance are included in other operating expenses.

Goodwill

The Company records as goodwill the excess of purchase price over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment by applying a fair value based test. The Company performs its annual analysis as of September 30 of each fiscal year. The impairment test for 2021 incorporated data as of September 30, 2021.

The Company’s goodwill impairment analysis considered three valuation techniques appropriate to the measurement. The first technique uses the Company’s market capitalization as an estimate of fair value, the second technique estimates fair value using current market pricing multiples for companies comparable to NBI, while the third technique uses current market pricing multiples for change-of-control transactions involving companies comparable to NBI. Certain key judgments were used in the valuation measurement. Goodwill is held by the Company’s bank subsidiary. The bank subsidiary is 100% owned by the Company, and no market capitalization is available. Because most of the Company’s assets are comprised of the bank subsidiary’s equity, the Company’s market capitalization was used to estimate the Bank’s market capitalization. Other judgments include the assumption that the companies and transactions used as comparables for the second and third techniques were appropriate to the estimate of the Company’s fair value, and that the comparable multiples are appropriate indicators of fair value, and compliant with accounting guidance. Based upon data at September 30, 2021, each measure indicated that the Company’s fair value exceeded its book value and no impairment was indicated.

Pension Plan

The Company recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position and recognizes changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through other comprehensive (loss) income. The funded status of a benefit plan is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the projected benefit obligation.

Income Taxes

Income tax accounting guidance results in two components of income tax expense: current and deferred. Current income tax expense reflects taxes to be paid 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 asset and 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 on income taxes as a component of income tax expense.

Trust Assets and Income

Assets (other than cash deposits) held by NBB’s Trust Department in a fiduciary or agency capacity for customers are not included in the consolidated financial statements since such items are not assets of the Company. Trust income is recognized on the accrual basis.

Earnings Per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share represents income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. During 2021 and 2020, there were no potential common shares outstanding.

The following shows the weighted average number of shares used in computing earnings per common share for the years indicated.

	2021		2020
Average number of common shares outstanding		6,209,929		6,483,230

Loss Contingencies

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 reasonably estimated. Management does not believe there are such matters that will have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Advertising

The Company charges advertising costs to expenses as incurred. Advertising expenses were $112 for the year ended December 31, 2021 and $99 for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Revenue Recognition

The Company accounts for revenue associated with financial instruments, including loans and securities via the accrual method. The Company recognizes noninterest income when it satisfies commitments to customers. Please refer to Note 18: Revenue Recognition.

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 consolidated 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, evaluation of impairment of goodwill, and pension obligations.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts reported in prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the Company’s net income of stockholders' equity.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 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 FASB has issued multiple updates to ASU 2016-13 as codified in Topic 326, including ASUs 2019-04, 2019-05, 2019-10, 2019-11, 2020-02, and 2020-03.  These ASUs have provided for various minor technical corrections and improvements to the codification as well as other transition matters.  Smaller reporting companies who file with the SEC and all other entities who do not file with the SEC are required to apply the guidance for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2022.  The Company is currently assessing the impact that ASU 2016-13 will have on its consolidated financial statements.  The Company is working to ensure readiness and compliance with the standard.  The Company has engaged with a vendor, validated data, analyzed correlations for forecasting, selected methodologies and begun running parallel models.  Management will continue to refine assumptions that impact the calculation prior to the effective date.

Effective November 25, 2019, the SEC adopted Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 119.  SAB 119 updated portions of SEC interpretative guidance to align with FASB ASC 326, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses.”  It covers topics including (1) measuring current expected credit losses; (2) development, governance, and documentation of a systematic methodology; (3) documenting the results of a systematic methodology; and (4) validating a systematic methodology.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04 “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” These amendments provide temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. It is intended to help stakeholders during the global market-wide reference rate transition period. The guidance is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Subsequently, in January 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-01 “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope.” This ASU clarifies that certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the discounting transition. The ASU also amends the expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 to capture the incremental consequences of the scope clarification and to tailor the existing guidance to derivative instruments affected by the discounting transition. An entity may elect to apply ASU No. 2021-01 on contract modifications that change the interest rate used for margining, discounting, or contract price alignment retrospectively as of any date from the beginning of the interim period that includes March 12, 2020, or prospectively to new modifications from any date within the interim period that includes or is subsequent to January 7, 2021, up to the date that financial statements are available to be issued. An entity may elect to apply ASU No. 2021-01 to eligible hedging relationships existing as of the beginning of the interim period that includes March 12, 2020, and to new eligible hedging relationships entered into after the beginning of the interim period that includes March 12, 2020.  The Company has a small number of participation loans that reference LIBOR.  The Company is working with the primary banks to determine appropriate actions. 

Recently Adopted Accounting Developments

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740) – Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.”  The ASU is expected to reduce cost and complexity related to the accounting for income taxes by removing specific exceptions to general principles in Topic 740 (eliminating the need for an organization to analyze whether certain exceptions apply in a given period) and improving financial statement preparers’ application of certain income tax-related guidance. This ASU is part of the FASB’s simplification initiative to make narrow-scope simplifications and improvements to accounting standards through a series of short-term projects.  ASU 2019-12 was effective for the Company on January 1, 2021. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-01, “Investments – Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) – Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815.”  The ASU is based on a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force and is expected to increase comparability in accounting for these transactions.  ASU 2020-01 made targeted improvements to accounting for financial instruments, including providing an entity the ability to measure certain equity securities without a readily determinable fair value at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer.  Among other topics, the amendments clarify that an entity should consider observable transactions that require it to either apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting.  ASU 2020-01 was effective for the Company on January 1, 2021.  The adoption of ASU 2020-01 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-08, “Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables – Nonrefundable fees and Other Costs.” This ASU clarifies that an entity should reevaluate whether a callable debt security is within the scope of ASC paragraph 310-20-35-33 for each reporting period. ASU 2020-08 was effective for the Company on January 1, 2021. The adoption of ASU 2020-08 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2020, the CAA was passed.  Under Section 541 of the CAA, Congress extended or modified many of the relief programs first created by the CARES Act, including the PPP loan program and treatment of certain loan modifications related to the COVID-19 pandemic.     The Company modified loans in accordance with the CAA and the CARES Act. The Company modified loans in accordance with the CAA and the CARES Act.

In August 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-06, “'Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205), Financial Services—Depository and Lending (Topic 942), and Financial Services—Investment Companies (Topic 946): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Final Rule Releases No. 33-10786, Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses, and No. 33-10835, Update of Statistical Disclosures for Bank and Savings and Loan Registrants. This ASU incorporates recent SEC rule changes into the FASB Codification, including SEC Final Rule Releases No. 33-10786, Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses, and No. 33-10835, Update of Statistical Disclosures for Bank and Savings and Loan Registrants”. The ASU was effective upon addition to the FASB Codification. The adoption of ASU 2021-06 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Risks and Uncertainties

Since the beginning of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to reduce its spread have caused significant disruptions in the U.S. economy and negatively impacted financial activity in the Company’s market. The Company’s business is dependent upon the willingness and ability of its employees and customers to conduct banking and other financial transactions. Some measures appear to indicate a positive trajectory, however if the pandemic escalates, the Company could experience a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. While it is not possible to know the full extent of the impact COVID-19 will have on the Company’s operations, the Company is disclosing potentially material items of which it is aware.

Financial position and results of operations

During 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to declines in two key income categories: interest income and overdraft fee income.  Interest income was impacted by certain modification requests that reversed accrued interest when granted, and by a decreased interest rate environment. During 2021, the number of modification requests that reduce interest income vastly decreased, though loan refinance and securities call activity spurred by the low interest rates continue to impact interest income, with reinvestment opportunities at lower rates.  If the COVID-19 pandemic’s evolution brings new or worsened economic impacts, these income categories and others may be negatively affected. 

Low interest rates since the beginning of the pandemic, financial aid to consumers provided by the CARES Act and the CAA, increased demand and supply chain bottlenecks have resulted in historically high levels of inflation. Potential future increases in interest rates to address inflation may adversely affect net interest income if liabilities reprice more quickly than assets. If future interest rate movements reduce economic activity more substantially than desired, the Company’s market area could experience a decline that would reduce lending activity and fee income. At this time, the Company is unable to project the materiality of such an impact.

Capital and Liquidity

While the Company believes that it has sufficient capital to withstand a potential second economic recession if the pandemic resurges or if potential interest rate movements reduce economic activity more substantially than desired, its reported and regulatory capital ratios could be adversely impacted if credit losses increase.

The Company maintains access to multiple sources of liquidity. Wholesale funding markets are currently available to the Company. If the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic results in volatile or elevated funding costs for an extended period of time and if it becomes necessary for the Company to access wholesale funding, the Company’s net interest margin could be adversely affected. Deposits have increased since the beginning of the pandemic, however, if conditions worsen and cause a large number of the Company’s deposit customers to withdraw their funds, the Company might become more reliant on volatile or more expensive sources of funding.

Asset valuation

The pandemic has not affected the Company’s ability, nor is it expected to affect the Company’s ability, to account timely for the assets on its balance sheet. However if the impact of the pandemic worsens, valuation procedures in future periods could be negatively affected. While certain valuation assumptions and judgments will change to account for pandemic-related circumstances, such as widening credit spreads, the Company does not anticipate significant changes in methodology used to determine the fair value of assets measured in accordance with GAAP.

The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually, usually during the fourth quarter using September 30 information, unless facts and circumstances indicate the need for more frequent impairment testing. If the evolution of the pandemic or other adverse events cause a sustained decline in the Company’s stock price or the occurrence of what management deems to be a triggering event, under certain circumstances prescribed by GAAP, the Company will perform goodwill impairment testing as needed, which may be more frequently than annually. In the event that testing indicates that all or a portion of goodwill is impaired, a non-cash charge for the amount of such impairment would be recorded to earnings.

Lending operations, accommodations to borrowers and credit risk

The Company worked with customers directly affected by COVID-19, providing short-term assistance in accordance with the CARES Act, the CAA and regulatory guidelines. Assistance included providing payment extensions, periods of interest only payments to otherwise amortizing loans, and interest rate reductions. Pandemic-related modification requests have greatly subsided and as of December 31, 2021, there were no loans remaining in a temporarily modified state for COVID-19 relief.

If eventual credit losses are identified on loans that received modifications or other loans, accrued interest and fee income would be reversed at the time the loss is identified. If the loans are fully or partially charged off, future requirements for the provision for loan losses expense will increase. At this time, the Company is unable to project the materiality of such an impact, but recognizes economic declines may affect its borrowers’ ability to repay in future periods. The Company is closely monitoring credit quality and developments related to the pandemic.