Basis of Presentation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Consolidation

As used in these notes, as well as in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, references to the “Corporation”, “Isabella”, “we”, “our”, “us”, and similar terms refer to the consolidated entity consisting of Isabella Bank Corporation and its subsidiary. References to Isabella Bank or the “Bank” refer to Isabella Bank Corporation’s subsidiary, Isabella Bank.

Basis of Accounting

The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In our opinion, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2021. For further information, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share represents income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share includes additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued. Potential common shares that may be issued relate solely to outstanding shares in the Directors Plan and grant awards under the RSP.

Available-for-sale Securities

As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we conducted an analysis to determine whether any AFS securities currently in an unrealized loss position should be identified as other-than-temporarily impaired. Such analyses considered, among other factors, the following criteria:

•Has the value of the investment declined more than what is deemed to be reasonable based on a risk and maturity adjusted discount rate?

•Is the investment credit rating below investment grade?

•Is it probable the issuer will be unable to pay the amount when due?

•Is it more likely than not that we will have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis?

•Has the duration of the investment been extended?

Nonaccrual Loan Status

The accrual of interest on commercial and agricultural loans, as well as residential real estate loans, is discontinued at the time a loan is 90 days or more past due unless the credit is well-secured and in the process of short-term collection. Upon transferring a loan to nonaccrual status, we perform an evaluation to determine the net realizable value of the underlying collateral. This evaluation is used to help determine if a charge-off is necessary. Consumer loans are typically charged-off no later than 180 days past due. Past due status is based on the contractual term of the loan. In all cases, a loan is placed in nonaccrual status at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.

When a loan is placed in nonaccrual status, all interest accrued in the current calendar year, but not collected, is reversed against interest income while interest accrued in prior calendar years, but not collected, is charged against the ALLL. Loans may be returned to accrual status after six months of continuous performance and achievement of current payment status.

Loans Receivable

Loans that we have the intent and ability to hold in our portfolio are reported at their outstanding principal balance adjusted for any charge-offs, the ALLL, and deferred fees or costs. Unless a loan has a nonaccrual status, interest income is accrued over the term of the loan based on the principal amount outstanding. Loan origination fees and certain direct loan origination costs are capitalized and recognized as a component of interest income over the term of the loan using the appropriate amortization method.

Commercial and agricultural loans include loans for commercial real estate, commercial operating loans, advances to mortgage brokers, farmland and agricultural production, and loans to states and political subdivisions. Repayment of these loans is dependent upon the successful operation and management of a business. We minimize our risk by limiting the amount of direct credit exposure to any one borrower to $15,000. Borrowers with direct credit needs of more than $15,000 may be serviced through the use of loan participations with other commercial banks. Commercial and agricultural real estate loans commonly require loan-to-value limits of 80% or less. Depending upon the type of loan, past credit history, and current operating results, we may require the borrower to pledge accounts receivable, inventory, property, or equipment. Government agency guarantee may be required. Personal guarantees and/or life insurance beneficiary assignments are generally required from the owners of closely held corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships. In addition, we may require annual financial statements, prepare cash flow analyses, and review credit reports.

We entered into a mortgage purchase program in 2016 with a financial institution where we participate in advances to mortgage brokers (“advances”). The mortgage brokers originate residential mortgage loans with the intent to sell them on the secondary market. We participate in the advance to the mortgage broker, which is secured by the underlying mortgage loan, until it is ultimately sold on the secondary market. As such, the average life of each participated advance is approximately 20-30 days. Funds from the sale of the loan are used to pay off our participation in the advance to the mortgage broker. We classify these advances as commercial loans and include the outstanding balance in commercial loans on our consolidated balance sheets. Under the participation agreement, we committed to a maximum outstanding aggregate amount of $80,000. The difference between our outstanding balance and the maximum outstanding aggregate amount is classified as “Unfunded commitments under lines of credit” in the “Contractual Obligations and Loan Commitments” section of the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this report.

We offer adjustable rate mortgages, construction loans, and fixed rate residential real estate loans which have amortization periods up to a maximum of 30 years. We consider the anticipated direction of interest rates, balance sheet duration, the sensitivity of our balance sheet to changes in interest rates, our liquidity needs, and overall loan demand to determine whether or not to sell fixed rate loans to Freddie Mac.

Our lending policies generally limit the maximum loan-to-value ratio on residential real estate loans to 100% of the lower of the appraised value of the property or the purchase price. Private mortgage insurance is typically required on loans with loan-to-value ratios in excess of 80% unless the loan qualifies for government guarantees.

Underwriting criteria for originated residential real estate loans generally include:

•Evaluation of the borrower’s ability to make monthly payments.

•Evaluation of the value of the property securing the loan.

•Ensuring the payment of principal, interest, taxes, and hazard insurance does not exceed 28% of a borrower’s gross income.

•Ensuring all debt servicing does not exceed 40% of income.

•Verification of acceptable credit reports.

•Verification of employment, income, and financial information.

Appraisals are performed by independent appraisers and are reviewed for appropriateness. Generally, mortgage loan requests are reviewed by our mortgage loan committee or through a secondary market underwriting system; loans in excess of $1,000 require the approval of our Internal Loan Committee, the Executive Loan Committee, the Board of Directors’ Loan Committee, or the Board of Directors.

Consumer loans include secured and unsecured personal loans. Loans are amortized for a period of up to 15 years based on the age and value of the underlying collateral. The underwriting emphasis is on a borrower’s perceived intent and ability to pay rather than collateral value. No consumer loans are sold to the secondary market.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The ALLL is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings. Full or partial loan balances are charged against the ALLL when we believe uncollectability is probable. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the ALLL.

The ALLL is evaluated on a regular basis for appropriateness. Our periodic review of the collectability of a loan considers historical experience, 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 susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

The primary factors behind the determination of the level of the ALLL are specific allocations for impaired loans, historical loss percentages, as well as unallocated components. Specific allocations for impaired loans are primarily determined based on the difference between the loan’s outstanding balance and the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or the fair value of the collateral, less costs to sell, if the loan is collateral dependent. Historical loss allocations are calculated at the loan class and segment levels based on a migration analysis of the loan portfolio, with the exception of advances to mortgage brokers, over the preceding five years. With no historical losses on advances to mortgage brokers, there is no allocation related to this portfolio. The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.

While we have experienced fluctuations in credit quality indicators in recent periods, credit quality remained strong at September 30, 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic led to the temporary and some permanent closures of businesses throughout the communities in which we serve, which also led to increased unemployment. We increased the ALLL during 2020 as a result of increased economic and environmental related risk factors, primarily driven by COVID-19. While these risk factors remain, improvement in credit quality indicators resulted in a reduction to the ALLL during the first nine months of 2021.

Internal Credit Risk Ratings

Internally assigned credit risk ratings are reviewed, at a minimum, when loans are renewed or when management has knowledge of improvements or deterioration of the credit quality of individual credits. Descriptions of the internally assigned credit risk ratings for commercial and agricultural loans are as follows:

1. EXCELLENT – Substantially Risk Free

Credit has strong financial condition and solid earnings history, characterized by:

•High liquidity, strong cash flow, low leverage.

•Unquestioned ability to meet all obligations when due.

•Experienced management, with management succession in place.

•Secured by cash.

2. HIGH QUALITY – Limited Risk

Credit with sound financial condition and a positive trend in earnings supplemented by:

•Favorable liquidity and leverage ratios.

•Ability to meet all obligations when due.

•Management with successful track record.

•Steady and satisfactory earnings history.

•If loan is secured, collateral is of high quality and readily marketable.

•Access to alternative financing.

•Well defined primary and secondary source of repayment.

•If supported by guaranty, the financial strength and liquidity of the guarantor(s) are clearly evident.

3. HIGH SATISFACTORY – Reasonable Risk

Credit with satisfactory financial condition and further characterized by:

•Working capital adequate to support operations.

•Cash flow sufficient to pay debts as scheduled.

•Management experience and depth appear favorable.

•Loan performing according to terms.

•If loan is secured, collateral is acceptable and loan is fully protected.

4. SATISFACTORY – Acceptable Risk

Credit with bankable risks, although some signs of weaknesses are shown:

•Would include most start-up businesses.

•Occasional instances of trade slowness or repayment delinquency – may have been 10-30 days slow within the past year.

•Management’s abilities are apparent yet unproven.

•Weakness in primary source of repayment with adequate secondary source of repayment.

•Loan structure generally in accordance with policy.

•If secured, loan collateral coverage is marginal.

To be classified as less than satisfactory, only one of the following criteria must be met.

5. SPECIAL MENTION – Criticized

Credit constitutes an undue and unwarranted credit risk but not to the point of justifying a classification of substandard. The credit risk may be relatively minor yet constitutes an unwarranted risk in light of the circumstances surrounding a specific loan:

•Downward trend in sales, profit levels, and margins.

•Impaired working capital position.

•Cash flow is strained in order to meet debt repayment.

•Loan delinquency (30-60 days) and overdrafts may occur.

•Shrinking equity cushion.

•Diminishing primary source of repayment and questionable secondary source.

•Management abilities are questionable.

•Weak industry conditions.

•Litigation pending against the borrower.

•Loan may need to be restructured to improve collateral position or reduce payments.

•Collateral or guaranty offers limited protection.

•Negative debt service coverage, however the credit is well collateralized and payments are current.

6. SUBSTANDARD – Classified

Credit is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged. There is a distinct possibility we will implement collection procedures if the loan deficiencies are not corrected. Any commercial loan placed in nonaccrual status will be rated “7” or worse. In addition, the following characteristics may apply:

•Sustained losses have severely eroded the equity and cash flow.

•Deteriorating liquidity.

•Serious management problems or internal fraud.

•Original repayment terms liberalized.

•Likelihood of bankruptcy.

•Inability to access other funding sources.

•Reliance on secondary source of repayment.

•Litigation filed against borrower.

•Interest non-accrual may be warranted.

•Collateral provides little or no value.

•Requires excessive attention of the loan officer.

•Borrower is uncooperative with loan officer.

7. VULNERABLE – Classified

Credit is considered “Substandard” and warrants placing in nonaccrual status. Risk of loss is being evaluated and exit strategy options are under review. Other characteristics that may apply:

•Insufficient cash flow to service debt.

•Minimal or no payments being received.

•Limited options available to avoid the collection process.

•Transition status, expect action will take place to collect loan without immediate progress being made.

8. DOUBTFUL – Workout

Credit has all the weaknesses inherent in a “Substandard” loan with the added characteristic that collection and/or liquidation is pending. The possibility of a loss is extremely high, but its classification as a loss is deferred until liquidation procedures are completed, or reasonably estimable. Other characteristics that may apply:

•Normal operations are severely diminished or have ceased.

•Seriously impaired cash flow.

•Original repayment terms materially altered.

•Secondary source of repayment is inadequate.

•Survivability as a “going concern” is impossible.

•Collection process has begun.

•Bankruptcy petition has been filed.

•Judgments have been filed.

•Portion of the loan balance has been charged-off.

9. LOSS – Charge-off

Credit is considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as bankable assets is not warranted. This classification is for charged-off loans but does not mean that the asset has absolutely no recovery or salvage value. These loans are further characterized by:

•Liquidation or reorganization under Bankruptcy, with poor prospects of collection.

•Fraudulently overstated assets and/or earnings.

•Collateral has marginal or no value.

•Debtor cannot be located.

•Over 120 days delinquent.

Impaired Loans

Loans may be classified as impaired if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

1.There has been a charge-off of its principal balance (in whole or in part);

2.The loan has been classified as a TDR; or

3.The loan is in nonaccrual status.

Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for commercial and agricultural loans by comparing the loan’s outstanding balance to the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or the fair value of the collateral, less costs to sell, if the loan is collateral dependent. Large groups of smaller-balance, homogeneous residential real estate and consumer loans are collectively evaluated for impairment by comparing the loan’s unpaid principal balance to the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate.

We do not recognize interest income on impaired loans in nonaccrual status. For impaired loans not classified as nonaccrual, interest income is recognized daily, as earned, according to the terms of the loan agreement and the principal amount outstanding.

Troubled Debt Restructurings

A loan modification is considered to be a TDR when the modification includes terms outside of normal lending practices to a borrower who is experiencing financial difficulties.

Typical concessions granted include, but are not limited to:

•Agreeing to interest rates below prevailing market rates for debt with similar risk characteristics.

•Extending the amortization period beyond typical lending guidelines for loans with similar risk characteristics.

•Agreeing to an interest-only payment structure and delaying principal payments.

•Forgiving principal.

•Forgiving accrued interest.

To determine if a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, factors we consider include:

•The borrower is currently in default on any debt.

•The borrower would likely default on any debt if the concession is not granted.

•The borrower’s cash flow is insufficient to service all debt if the concession is not granted.

•The borrower has declared, or is in the process of declaring, bankruptcy.

•The borrower is unlikely to continue as a going concern (if the entity is a business).

Derivative Instruments

We may use interest rate swaps to manage exposure to interest rate risk and variability in cash flows. The interest rate swap, associated with our variable rate borrowings, was designated upon inception as cash flow hedges of forecasted interest payments. We entered into a LIBOR-based interest rate swap that involves the receipt of variable amounts in exchange for fixed rate payments, in effect converting variable rate debt to fixed rate debt.

Cash flow hedges are assessed for effectiveness using regression analysis. The effective portion of changes in fair value are recorded in OCI and subsequently reclassified into interest expense in the same period in which the related interest on the variable rate borrowings affects earnings. In the event that a portion of the changes in fair value were determined to be ineffective, the ineffective amount would be recorded in earnings.

Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Under fair value measurement and disclosure authoritative guidance, we group assets and liabilities measured at fair value into three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded, and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value, based on the prioritization of inputs in the valuation techniques. These levels are:

Level 1:	Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.
Level 2:	Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.
Level 3:	Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

The asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Transfers between measurement levels are recognized at the end of reporting periods.

Fair value measurement requires the use of an exit price notion which may differ from entrance pricing. Generally we believe our assets and liabilities classified as Level 1 or Level 2 approximate an exit price notion.