BASIS OF INTERIM PRESENTATION AND STATUS OF RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

BASIS OF INTERIM PRESENTATION AND STATUS OF RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Adopted

Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Adopted

On January 1, 2023, the Corporation adopted ASU 2016-13 Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASC 326). This standard replaced the incurred loss methodology with an expected loss methodology that is referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) methodology. CECL requires an estimate of credit losses for the remaining estimated life of the financial asset using historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts and generally applies to financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loan receivables and held-to-maturity debt securities, and some off-balance sheet credit exposures such as unfunded commitments to extend credit. Financial assets measured at amortized cost will be presented at the net amount expected to be collected by using an allowance for credit losses. Purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans will receive an initial allowance at the acquisition date that represents an adjustment to the amortized cost basis of the loan, with no impact to earnings.

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 Corporation adopted ASC 326 using the prospective transition approach for debt securities for which other-than-temporary impairment had been recognized prior to January 1, 2023. As of December 31, 2022, the Company did not have any other-than-temporarily impaired investment securities. Therefore, upon adoption of ASC 326, the Company determined that an allowance for credit losses on available for sale debt securities was not necessary.

Effective January 1, 2023, the Corporation adopted ASC 326 using the modified retrospective approach for all financial assets measured at amortized cost and off-balance sheet credit exposures. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2023 are presented under CECL while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable accounting standards (“Incurred Loss”). The following table illustrates the impact from the adoption of ASC 326:

	As Reported
	Under		Pre-ASC 326		Impact of
	ASC 326		Adoption		ASC 326
(In Thousands)	January 1, 2023		December 31, 2022		Adoption
Loans receivable	$	1,740,846	$	1,740,040	$	806
Allowance for credit losses on loans	$	18,719	$	16,615	$	2,104
Allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet exposures (included in accrued interest and other liabilities)		1,218		425		793
Deferred tax asset, net		21,323		20,884		439
Retained earnings		150,091		151,743		(1,652)

The Corporation adopted ASC 326 using the prospective transition approach for PCD assets that were previously classified as purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) under ASC 310-30. In accordance with the standard, management did not reassess whether PCI assets met the criteria of PCD assets as of the date of adoption. On January 1, 2023, the amortized cost basis of PCD assets was adjusted to establish the allowance for credit losses. Essentially all of the PCD loans were reported as nonaccrual loans at January 1, 2023 and September 30, 2023.

ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures. This update reduces the complexity of accounting for Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDRs”) by eliminating certain accounting guidance, enhancing disclosures and improving the consistency of vintage disclosures. The Corporation adopted ASU 2022-02 on January 1, 2023. Changes in disclosure requirements in accordance with ASU 2022-02 are reflected in Note 6. The adoption of ASU 2022-02 did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Allowance for Credit Losses - Available-for-Sale Debt Securities

Allowance for Credit Losses – Available-for-Sale Debt Securities

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 Corporation has the intent to sell the security or it is more likely than not that the Corporation 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 Corporation evaluates whether the decline in fair value is the result of credit losses or other factors. The Corporation has elected the practical expedient of zero credit loss estimates for securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government entities or agencies. In making the credit loss assessment of securities not issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government entities or agencies, the Corporation may consider various factors including the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, performance on 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 (loss).

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

Accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale debt securities totaled $2,688,000 at September 30, 2023 and was excluded from the estimate of credit losses.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans

Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans

The allowance for credit losses 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 the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off.

The allowance for credit losses represents management’s estimate of lifetime credit losses inherent in loans as of the balance sheet date. The allowance for credit losses is estimated by management using relevant available information, from both internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts.

Accrued interest receivable on loans totaled $6,590,000 at September 30, 2023 and was excluded from the estimate of credit losses.

The allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) includes two primary components: (i) an allowance established on loans which share similar risk characteristics collectively evaluated for credit losses (collective basis), and (ii) an allowance established on loans which do not share similar risk characteristics with any loan segment and which are individually evaluated for credit losses (individual basis).

Evaluation of Expected Losses on Individual Loans

Loans evaluated on an individual basis are identified based on a detailed assessment of certain larger loan relationships, and their related credit risk ratings, by a management committee referred to as the Watch List Committee. The allowance will be determined on an individual basis using the present value of expected cash flows or, for collateral-dependent loans, the fair value of the collateral as of the reporting date, less estimated selling costs, as applicable. If the fair value of the collateral is less than the amortized cost basis of the loan, the Corporation will charge off the difference between the fair value of the collateral, less costs to sell at the reporting date and the amortized cost basis of the loan.

The scope of loans reviewed individually for credit loss each quarter includes all commercial loan relationships greater than $200,000 and any residential mortgage or consumer loans of $400,000 or more for which there is at least one extension of credit graded Special Mention, Substandard or Doubtful. Additionally, all PCD loans are evaluated individually for credit loss.

Collective Evaluation of Expected Losses – Pool Basis

The Corporation measures expected credit losses for loans on a pooled basis when similar risk characteristics exist. The Corporation has identified the following portfolio segments and calculates the allowance for credit losses for each using the weighted-average remaining maturity (“WARM”) method:

Commercial real estate - nonowner occupied, further broken down into the following classes:

Nonowner occupied

Multi-family (5 or more) residential

1-4 Family - commercial purpose

Commercial real estate - owner occupied

All other commercial loans, further broken down into the following classes:

Commercial and industrial

Commercial lines of credit

Political subdivisions

Commercial construction and land

Other commercial loans

Residential mortgage loans, further broken down into the following classes:

1-4 Family – residential

1-4 Family residential construction and land

Consumer loans, further broken down into the following classes:

Consumer lines of credit (including HELOCs)

All other consumer

In determining the pools for collective evaluation, management uses a combination of loan purpose, collateral and payment type (for example, lines of credit vs. amortizing). The pools identified are similar to the loan classes used in the Corporation’s financial reporting for several years, with several exceptions including the following which are of the most significance:

● Commercial real estate secured loans are broken out between non-owner occupied and owner-occupied

● Loans secured by 1-4 family residential mortgages are broken out between consumer-purpose and commercial-purpose

● Commercial lines of credit are broken out as an individual category

Each of these changes was made to better sort loans into pools with similar risk and cash flow characteristics.

Estimation Method - WARM (Weighted-Average Remaining Maturity Method)

In applying the WARM method, for each pool identified above, the Corporation determined the annual net charge-offs as a percentage of average total loan balances (net charge-off percentage). In the January 1, 2023 calculation, the Corporation used the annualized net charge-off percentage over the prior 5 calendar years. In the September 30, 2023 calculation, the Corporation used the net charge-off percentage for the 5.75-year period ended September 30, 2023. For each loan pool, the average annualized net charge-off percentage was multiplied by the estimated weighted-average remaining average life of the loans to calculate the loss rate.

The calculation of the estimated weighted-average remaining life of each loan pool was based on instrument-level data, with contractual principal payments adjusted for the estimated impact of prepayments. Commercial lines of credit and other revolving credit facilities were generally assumed to be repaid after 1 year. The estimated weighted-average remaining life of the entire portfolio was calculated to be 4.16 years at September 30, 2023 and 4.36 years at January 1, 2023. Management determined that use of the Corporation’s net charge-off experience over a 5.75-year period at September 30, 2023 and 5-year period at January 1, 2023 would provide a reasonable time period to include in the WARM expected loss rate calculations in relationship to the weighted-average life of the portfolio overall and to each of the pools.

Qualitative Factors

The allowance for credit losses calculation includes subjective adjustments for qualitative risk factors that are deemed likely to cause estimated credit losses to differ from historical experience. These qualitative adjustments generally increase allowance levels and include adjustments for factors deemed relevant, including: the nature and volume of portfolio changes, including loan portfolio growth; concentrations of credit based on loan type (such as non-owner occupied commercial real estate) or industry; the volume and severity of past due, nonaccrual or adversely classified loans; trends in real estate or other collateral values; lending policies and procedures, including changes in underwriting and collections practices; credit review function; lending, credit and other relevant management experience and risk tolerance; external factors and economic conditions not already captured.

Economic Forecast

ASC Topic 326 requires management to consider forward-looking information that is both reasonable and supportable and relevant to the collectability of cash flows. Reasonable and supportable forecasts may extend over the entire contractual term of a financial asset or a period shorter than the contractual term. In that regard, management has selected a forecast period of 2 years, which is shorter than the estimated weighted-average remaining life of the loan portfolio.

The Corporation calculated an additional expected credit loss based on establishing a correlation between past loss experience and an economic statistic. This additional credit loss is added to the allowance calculation, conceptually for the first 2 years of the weighted-average remaining life of the portfolio after which time the credit loss for each pool is determined based on the WARM historical loss rate as adjusted for qualitative factors.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Off-Balance Sheet Exposures

Allowance for Credit Losses on Off-Balance Sheet Exposures

Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans, commercial letters of credit and credit enhancement obligations related to residential mortgage loans sold with recourse. The Corporation’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for off-balance sheet loan commitments is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

The Corporation records an allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures, unless the commitments to extend credit are unconditionally cancelable, through a charge to provision for unfunded commitments in the Corporation’s statements of income. The allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures is estimated by loan segment at each balance sheet date under the current expected credit loss model using the same methodologies as portfolio loans, taking into consideration the likelihood that funding will occur as well as any third-party guarantees. The allowance for off-balance sheet exposures is included in accrued interest and other liabilities in the Corporation’s unaudited consolidated balance sheets and the related credit expense is recorded in the provision for credit losses in the unaudited consolidated statements of income.