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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

NOTE 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of C&F Financial Corporation (the Corporation), its direct wholly-owned subsidiary, Citizens and Farmers Bank (the Bank or C&F Bank), and indirect subsidiaries that are wholly-owned or controlled. Subsidiaries that are less than wholly owned are fully consolidated if they are controlled by the Corporation or one of its subsidiaries, and the portion of any subsidiary not owned by the Corporation is reported as noncontrolling interest. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In addition, the Corporation owns all of the common stock of C&F Financial Statutory Trust I, C&F Financial Statutory Trust II, and Central Virginia Bankshares Statutory Trust I, all of which are unconsolidated subsidiaries. The subordinated debt owed to these trusts is reported as liabilities of the Corporation. The accounting and reporting policies of the Corporation conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) and to predominant practices within the banking industry.

Nature of Operations: The Corporation is a bank holding company incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Corporation owns all of the stock of its subsidiary, C&F Bank, which is an independent commercial bank chartered under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

C&F Bank has five wholly-owned subsidiaries: C&F Mortgage Corporation (C&F Mortgage), C&F Finance Company (C&F Finance), C&F Wealth Management Corporation (C&F Wealth Management), C&F Insurance Services, Inc., and CVB Title Services, Inc., all incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. C&F Mortgage, organized in September 1995, originates and sells residential mortgages, provides mortgage loan origination services to third-party lenders and, through its subsidiary Certified Appraisals LLC, provides ancillary mortgage loan production services for residential appraisals. C&F Mortgage owns a 51 percent interest in C&F Select LLC, which was organized in January 2019 and is also engaged in the business of originating and selling residential mortgages.  C&F Finance, acquired in September 2002, is a finance company purchasing automobile, marine and recreational vehicle (RV) loans through indirect lending programs. C&F Wealth Management, organized in April 1995, is a full-service brokerage firm offering a comprehensive range of wealth management services and insurance products through third-party service providers. C&F Insurance Services, Inc. and CVB Title Services, Inc. were organized for the primary purpose of owning equity interests in an independent insurance agency and a full service title and settlement agency, respectively. Business segment data is presented in Note 20.

Basis of Presentation: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP 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. 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, impairment of loans and evaluation of goodwill for impairment. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations in these financial statements, have been made.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a significant disruption in economic activity worldwide, including in market areas served by the Corporation. Estimates for the allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2021 include probable losses related to the pandemic.  While there have been signals of economic recovery and a resumption of many types of business activity, there remains significant uncertainty involved in the measurement of these losses. If economic conditions deteriorate, then additional provision for loan losses may be required in future periods.  It is unknown how long these conditions will last and what the ultimate financial impact will be to the Corporation.  

Reclassification:  Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period financial statements to conform to the current period presentation. None of these reclassifications are considered material.

Significant Group Concentrations of Credit Risk: States in which significant concentrations of the Corporation’s lending activities exist include Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia and Ohio. At December 31, 2021, 50.9 percent of the Corporation’s loan portfolio consisted of commercial, financial and agricultural loans, which include loans secured by real estate for builder lines, acquisition and development and commercial development, as well as commercial loans secured by personal property. In addition, 22.2 percent of the Corporation’s loan portfolio consisted of consumer finance loans to individuals, secured by automobiles. The Corporation does not have any significant loan concentrations to any one customer. Additional information about the Corporation’s lending activities is presented in Note 4.

Cash and Cash Equivalents: For purposes of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash, balances due from banks, interest-bearing deposits in banks and federal funds sold, all of which mature within 90 days. The Bank is typically required to maintain cash reserve balances on hand or with the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB). At December 31, 2021 and 2020, there was no minimum reserve requirement as a result of a rule adopted by the FRB in March 2020 eliminating the reserve requirement.  

Securities: Investments in debt securities are classified as either held to maturity, available for sale, or trading, based on management’s intent. Currently all of the Corporation’s debt securities are classified as available for sale. Available for sale debt securities are carried at estimated fair value with the corresponding unrealized gains and losses recognized in other comprehensive income. Gains or losses are recognized in net income on the trade date using the amortized cost of the specific security sold. Purchase premiums are recognized in interest income using the effective interest rate method over the period from purchase to maturity or, for callable securities, the earliest call date, and purchase discounts are recognized in the same manner from purchase to maturity.

Impairment of debt securities occurs when the fair value of a security is less than its amortized cost. For debt securities, impairment is considered other-than-temporary and recognized in its entirety in net income if either (i) we intend to sell the security or (ii) it is more-likely-than-not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If, however, the Corporation does not intend to sell the security and it is not more-likely-than-not that the Corporation will be required to sell the security before recovery, the Corporation must determine what portion of the impairment is attributable to a credit loss, which occurs when the amortized cost basis of the security exceeds the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected from the security. If there is no credit loss, there is no other-than-temporary impairment. If there is a credit loss, other-than-temporary impairment exists, and the credit loss must be recognized in net income and the remaining portion of impairment must be recognized in other comprehensive income. The Corporation regularly reviews unrealized losses in its investments in securities based on criteria including the extent to which market value is below amortized cost, the duration of that market decline, the financial health of and specific prospects for the issuer, the Corporation’s best estimate of the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from debt securities, the Corporation’s intention with regard to holding the security to maturity and the likelihood that the Corporation would be required to sell the security before recovery.

Loans Held for Sale: The Corporation has elected to use a fair value accounting option for loans originated for resale by its mortgage banking segment.  These loans are classified as loans held for sale (LHFS) and are measured at fair value in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 820 - Fair Value Measurement, with changes in fair value reported in net income as a component of “Gains on sales of loans.” Substantially all loans originated by the mortgage banking segment are held for sale to outside investors.

Loans Acquired in a Business Combination: Loans acquired in a business combination, such as the Corporation’s acquisition of Peoples, are recorded at estimated fair value on the date of acquisition without the carryover of the related allowance for loan losses. Purchased credit-impaired (PCI) loans are those for which there is evidence of credit deterioration since origination and for which it is probable at the date of acquisition that the Corporation will not collect all contractually required principal and interest payments. When determining fair value, PCI loans were aggregated into pools of loans based on common risk characteristics as of the date of acquisition such as loan type, date of origination, and evidence of credit quality deterioration such as internal risk grades and past due and nonaccrual status. The difference between contractually required payments at acquisition and the cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition is referred to as the “nonaccretable difference,” and is not recorded. Any excess of cash flows expected at acquisition over the estimated fair value is referred to as the accretable yield and is recognized as interest income over the remaining life

of the loan when there is a reasonable expectation about the amount and timing of such cash flows. On a quarterly basis, the Corporation evaluates its estimate of cash flows expected to be collected.  Estimates of cash flows for PCI loans require significant judgment. Subsequent decreases to the expected cash flows will generally result in a provision for loan losses, while subsequent increases in cash flows may result in a reversal of post-acquisition provision for loan losses, or a transfer from nonaccretable difference to accretable yield that increases interest income over the remaining life of the loan or pool(s) of loans.  Disposals of loans, which may include sale of loans to third parties, receipt of payments in full or part from the borrower or foreclosure of the collateral, result in removal of the loan from the PCI loan portfolio at its carrying amount.

PCI loans are not classified as nonperforming loans by the Corporation at the time they are acquired, regardless of whether they had been classified as nonperforming by the previous holder of such loans, and they will not be classified as nonperforming so long as, at quarterly re-estimation periods, we believe we will fully collect the new carrying value of the pools of loans.

Loans not designated PCI loans as of the acquisition date are designated purchased performing loans. The Corporation accounts for purchased performing loans using the contractual cash flows method of recognizing discount accretion based on the acquired loans’ contractual cash flows. Purchased performing loans are recorded at fair value, including a credit discount. The fair value discount is accreted as an adjustment to yield over the estimated lives of the loans. There is no allowance for loan losses established at the acquisition date for purchased performing loans. A provision for loan losses may be required in future periods for any deterioration in these loans in future periods.

Originated Loans: The Corporation makes mortgage, commercial and consumer loans to customers. The Corporation’s recorded investment in loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off generally is reported at the unpaid principal balances adjusted for charges-offs, unearned discounts, any deferred fees or costs on originated loans, and the allowance for loan losses. Interest on loans is credited to operations based on the principal amount outstanding. Loan fees and origination costs are deferred and the net amount is amortized as an adjustment of the related loan’s yield using the level-yield method. The Corporation is amortizing these amounts over the contractual life of the related loans.

A loan’s past due status is based on the contractual due date of the most delinquent payment due.  Loans are generally placed on nonaccrual status when the collection of principal or interest is 90 days or more past due, or earlier, if collection is uncertain based on an evaluation of the net realizable value of the collateral and the financial strength of the borrower. Loans greater than 90 days past due may remain on accrual status if management determines it has adequate collateral to cover the principal and interest. For those loans that are carried on nonaccrual status, payments are first applied to principal outstanding.  A loan may be returned to accrual status if the borrower has demonstrated a sustained period of repayment performance in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan and there is reasonable assurance the borrower will continue to make payments as agreed.  These policies are applied consistently across our loan portfolio.

The Corporation considers a loan impaired when it is probable that the Corporation will be unable to collect all interest and principal payments as scheduled in the loan agreement. A loan is not considered impaired during a period of delay in payment if the ultimate collectibility of all amounts due is expected. Impairment is measured based on either the fair value of the loan using the loan’s obtainable market price or the fair value of the collateral, if the loan is collateral dependent, or using the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, which is not a fair value measurement. Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment.

Troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) occur when the Corporation agrees to significantly modify the original terms of a loan due to the deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower.  TDRs are considered impaired loans and are evaluated individually. Upon designation as a TDR, the Corporation evaluates the borrower’s payment history, past due status and ability to make payments based on the revised terms of the loan.  If a loan was accruing prior to being modified as a TDR and if the Corporation concludes that the borrower is able to make such payments, and there are no other factors or circumstances that would cause it to conclude otherwise, the loan will remain on an accruing status.  If a loan was on nonaccrual status at the time of the TDR, the loan will remain on nonaccrual status following the modification and may be returned to accrual status based on the policy for returning loans to accrual status as noted above.

The Corporation has accommodated certain borrowers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic by granting short-term payment deferrals or periods of interest-only payments, including loans that remain in deferral as of December 31, 2021, with an aggregate balance of $7.20 million.  Generally, a short-term payment deferral does not result in a loan modification being classified as a TDR. Additionally, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), enacted on March 27, 2020, and as subsequently supplemented, provided that certain loan modifications that were (1) related to COVID-19 and (2) for loans that were not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019 are not required to be designated as TDRs.

In the ordinary course of business, the Corporation has entered into commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets when they are funded.

Paycheck Protection Program: Beginning in April 2020, the Corporation originated loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) of the Small Business Administration (SBA).  PPP loans are fully guaranteed by the SBA, and in some cases borrowers may be eligible to obtain forgiveness of the loans, in which case loans would be repaid by the SBA.  As repayment of the PPP loans is guaranteed by the SBA, the Corporation does not recognize a reserve for PPP loans in its allowance for loan losses.  The Corporation received fees from the SBA of one percent to five percent of the principal amount of each loan originated under the PPP.  Fees received from the SBA are recognized net of direct origination costs in interest income over the life of the related loans.  Recognition of fees related to PPP loans is dependent upon the timing of ultimate repayment or forgiveness.  Aggregate fees from the SBA of $6.31 million, net of direct costs, have been collected upon origination of PPP loans, of which $679,000 remain unrecognized as of December 31, 2021. In 2021 and 2020, the Corporation recognized $4.06 million and $1.56 million in net loan fees related to PPP loans in interest income on loans in the Consolidated Statements of Income, respectively.

Allowance for Loan Losses: The allowance for loan losses is established through charges to earnings in the form of a provision for loan losses. Loan losses are charged against the allowance for loan losses for the difference between the carrying value of the loan and the estimated net realizable value or fair value of the collateral, if collateral dependent, when management believes that the collectibility of the principal is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

The allowance represents an amount that, in management’s judgment, will be adequate to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Management’s judgment in determining the level of the allowance is based on evaluations of the collectibility of loans while taking into consideration such factors as trends in delinquencies and charge-offs, changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions that may affect a borrower’s ability to repay and the value of collateral, overall portfolio quality and review of specific potential losses. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.  The evaluation also considers the following risk characteristics of each loan portfolio:

Real estate residential mortgage loans carry risks associated with the continued credit-worthiness of the borrower and changes in the value of the collateral.
Real estate construction loans carry risks that the project will not be finished according to schedule, the project will not be finished according to budget and the value of the collateral may, at any point in time, be less than the principal amount of the loan. Construction loans also bear the risk that the general contractor, who may or may not be a loan customer, may be unable to finish the construction project as planned because of financial pressure unrelated to the project.
Commercial, financial and agricultural loans carry risks associated with the successful operation of a business or a real estate project, in addition to other risks associated with the ownership of real estate, because the repayment of these loans may be dependent upon the profitability and cash flows of the business or project. In addition, there is risk associated with the value of collateral other than real estate which may depreciate over time and cannot be appraised with as much precision.
Consumer and consumer finance loans carry risks associated with the continued credit-worthiness of the borrower and the value of the collateral (e.g., rapidly-depreciating assets such as automobiles and marine and recreational
vehicles (RVs)), or lack thereof. Consumer loans are more likely than real estate loans to be immediately adversely affected by job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy.
Equity lines of credit carry risks associated with the continued credit-worthiness of the borrower and changes in the value of the collateral.

The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are individually evaluated for impairment, and is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of an impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan.  For collateral dependent loans, an updated appraisal will be ordered if a current one is not on file.  Appraisals are performed by independent third-party appraisers with relevant industry experience.  Adjustments to the appraised value may be made based on recent sales of similar properties or general market conditions when appropriate. The general component covers non-classified loans and those loans classified as substandard or special mention that are not individually evaluated for impairment.  The general component is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors, such as current economic conditions, including current home sales and foreclosures, unemployment rates and retail sales. Relative to non-classified loans, non-impaired classified loans are assigned a higher allowance factor which increases with the severity of classification.  The characteristics of these loan ratings are as follows:

 

Pass rated loans are to persons or business entities with an acceptable financial condition, appropriate collateral margins, appropriate cash flow to service the existing loan, and an appropriate leverage ratio. The borrower has paid all obligations as agreed and it is expected that this type of payment history will continue. When necessary, acceptable personal guarantors support the loan.
Special mention loans have a specific identified weakness in the borrower’s operations and in the borrower’s ability to generate positive cash flow on a sustained basis. The borrower’s recent payment history may be characterized by late payments. The Corporation’s risk exposure is mitigated by collateral supporting the loan. The collateral is considered to be well-margined, well maintained, accessible and readily marketable.
Substandard loans are considered to have specific and well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize the viability of the Corporation’s credit extension. The payment history for the loan has been inconsistent and the expected or projected primary repayment source may be inadequate to service the loan. The estimated net liquidation value of the collateral pledged and/or ability of the personal guarantor(s) to pay the loan may not adequately protect the Corporation. There is a distinct possibility that the Corporation will sustain some loss if the deficiencies associated with the loan are not corrected in the near term. A substandard loan would not automatically meet the Corporation’s definition of impaired unless the loan is significantly past due and the borrower’s performance and financial condition provide evidence that it is probable that the Corporation will be unable to collect all amounts due.
Substandard nonaccrual loans have the same characteristics as substandard loans; however, they have a nonaccrual classification because it is probable that the Corporation will not be able to collect all amounts due.
Doubtful rated loans have all the weaknesses inherent in a loan that is classified substandard but with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable. The possibility of loss is extremely high.
Loss rated loans are not considered collectible under normal circumstances and there is no realistic expectation for any future payment on the loan. Loss rated loans are fully charged off.

On a quarterly basis the Corporation evaluates its estimate of cash flows to be collected on PCI loans. These evaluations require the continued assessment of key assumptions and estimates similar to the initial estimate of fair value as of the acquisition date, such as the effect of collateral value changes, changing loss severities, estimated and experienced prepayment speeds and other relevant factors. Subsequent decreases to the expected cash flows to be collected on a PCI loan will generally result in a provision for loan losses.

The consumer finance loans are segregated between performing and nonperforming loans.  Performing loans are those that have made timely payments in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement and are not past due 90 days or more.  Nonperforming loans are those that do not accrue interest and are greater than 90 days past due.

Allowance for Indemnifications: The allowance for indemnifications is established through charges to earnings in the form of a provision for indemnifications, which is included in other noninterest expenses. A loss is charged against the allowance for indemnifications when a purchaser of a loan (investor) sold by the mortgage banking segment incurs a validated indemnified loss due to borrower misrepresentation, fraud, early payment default or underwriting error.

The allowance represents an amount that, in management’s judgment, will be adequate to absorb any losses that are probable of arising from valid indemnification requests for loans that have been sold by the mortgage banking segment. Management’s judgment in determining the level of the allowance is based on the volume of loans sold, historical experience, current economic conditions, changes in operational and compliance processes, and information provided by investors. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

Other Real Estate Owned (OREO): Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value less estimated costs to sell at the date of foreclosure. Physical possession of residential real estate securing consumer mortgage loans occurs when legal title is obtained upon completion of foreclosure or when the borrower conveys all interest in the property to satisfy the loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or similar legal agreement.  Subsequent to foreclosure, management periodically performs valuations of the foreclosed assets based on updated appraisals, general market conditions, recent sales of similar properties, length of time the properties have been held, and our ability and intention with regard to continued ownership of the properties. The Corporation may incur additional write-downs of foreclosed assets to fair value less estimated costs to sell if valuations indicate a further deterioration in market conditions. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the property valuations are included in other noninterest expenses and improvements are capitalized.

The Corporation records a gain/loss from the sale of OREO when control of the property transfers to the buyer, which generally occurs at the time of an executed deed. When the Corporation finances the sale of OREO to the buyer, the Corporation assesses whether the buyer is committed to perform the obligations under the contract and whether collectability of the transaction price is probable. In determining the gain/loss on the sale, the Corporation adjusts the transaction price and the related gain/loss on sale if a significant financing component is present.

Repossessed Assets:  Repossessed assets primarily consist of vehicles repossessed by C&F Finance due to borrowers’ payment defaults.  The repossession process is generally initiated after a loan becomes more than 60 days delinquent.  Most customers have an opportunity to redeem their repossessed vehicles by paying all outstanding balances, including finance charges and fees.  Vehicles that are not redeemed within a prescribed waiting period following repossession are then reclassified from loans to repossessed assets available-for-sale (included in other assets) and recorded initially at fair value less estimated costs to sell.  The difference between the carrying amount of each loan and the fair value of the vehicle (i.e., the deficiency) is charged against the allowance for loan losses.  The waiting period is determined as the length of time after repossession that C&F Finance is prohibited to sell the vehicle under the laws of the state where the vehicle was repossessed. Accounts still in process of collection or for which the Corporation does not have the legal right to sell continue to be classified as loans until such legal authority is obtained.  At December 31, 2021, repossessed vehicles at fair value less estimated costs to sell included in other assets totaled $190,000, compared to $291,000 at December 31, 2020.

Repossession expense includes the costs to repossess and sell vehicles.  These costs include transportation, storage, rekeying, condition reports, legal fees, fees paid to repossession agents and auction fees. These costs are included in noninterest expenses.

Corporate Premises and Equipment: Land is carried at cost. Buildings and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation computed using a straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Estimated useful lives range from ten to forty years for buildings and from three to ten years for equipment, furniture and fixtures.

Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred and major improvements are capitalized. Upon sale or retirement of depreciable properties, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are netted against proceeds and any resulting gain or loss is included in income.

Goodwill: The Corporation’s goodwill was recognized in connection with past business combinations and is reported at the community banking segment and the consumer finance segment. The Corporation reviews the carrying value of goodwill at least annually or more frequently if certain impairment indicators exist. In testing goodwill for impairment, the Corporation may first consider qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances lead to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events and circumstances, we conclude that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then no further testing is required and the goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired. If the Corporation elects to bypass the qualitative assessment or if we conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the fair value of the reporting unit is compared with its carrying amount to determine whether an impairment exists.

Transfer of Financial Assets: Transfers of loans are accounted for as sales when control over the loans has been surrendered. Control over transferred loans is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the loans have been isolated from the Corporation, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred loans and (3) the Corporation does not maintain effective control over the transferred loans through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.  During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Corporation recognized a gain of $3.49 million upon the sale of a pool of loans that were held for investment.  The loans sold were a pool of PCI loans, and the gain recognized resulted from the release of a portion of the remaining purchase discount on the pool of loans.

Income Taxes:  The Corporation determines deferred income tax assets and liabilities based on temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Income tax expense includes taxes on income or loss that is taxable in the period and changes during the period in deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Corporation recognized income tax benefits of $326,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020 arising from a change in tax law enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The effects of changes in tax law are recognized in income tax expense in the period in which the changes are enacted.

C&F Bank invests in qualified affordable housing projects through housing equity funds, the purpose of which is to encourage investment in low-income residential property development in Virginia by providing a return on investment through federal income tax credits and other tax benefits on losses generated by the projects. C&F Bank recognizes its share of losses on these projects as a component of income tax expense.

The benefit of an uncertain tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. Interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits are recognized as a component of income tax expense.

Retirement Plan: The Corporation recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of its defined benefit pension plan as an asset or liability in its Consolidated Balance Sheets, measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the projected benefit obligation as of December 31. Net periodic pension cost or income is recorded each period based on actuarially determined amounts in accordance with GAAP and recognized in salaries and employment benefits and other noninterest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Actuarial determinations of net periodic pension cost are based on assumptions related to discount rates, rates of return on plan assets, employee compensation and mortality and interest crediting rates. Other changes in the overfunded or underfunded status of the pension plan are recorded in the year in which the changes occur through other comprehensive income. The Corporation records lump sum benefit payments as

a settlement of a portion of its pension benefit obligation only if, in the aggregate for a given year, they exceed the sum of the annual service cost and interest cost for the pension plan.  Upon recognition of any settlement, a related portion of unrecognized actuarial gains or losses in accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified into net income through net periodic pension cost.

Share-Based Compensation: Share-based compensation expense for grants of restricted shares is accounted for using the fair value of the Corporation’s common stock on the date the restricted shares are awarded. Compensation expense for restricted shares is charged to income ratably over the required service period. Forfeitures reduce compensation expense for the periods in which forfeitures actually occur. Income tax windfalls or shortfalls related to the amount deductible upon vesting of restricted stock awards is recorded in income tax expense in the period the stock awards become vested.

Earnings Per Share: The Corporation applies the two-class method of computing basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS), which allocates a portion of undistributed earnings to the Corporation’s unvested restricted shares awarded to employees and non-employee directors.  These restricted shares are participating securities which contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends prior to vesting. Accordingly, the weighted average number of shares outstanding used in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS includes both common shares and unvested restricted shares outstanding. EPS calculations are presented in Note 12.

Derivative Financial Instruments: The Corporation recognizes derivative financial instruments at fair value as either an other asset or other liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Corporation’s derivative financial instruments include (1) interest rate swaps that qualify and are designated as cash flow hedges on the Corporation’s trust preferred capital notes, (2) interest rate swaps with certain qualifying commercial loan customers and dealer counterparties and (3) interest rate contracts arising from mortgage banking activities, including interest rate lock commitments (IRLCs) on mortgage loans and related forward sales of mortgage loans and mortgage backed securities. The gain or loss on the Corporation’s cash flow hedges is reported as a component of other comprehensive income, net of deferred income taxes, and reclassified into earnings in the same period(s) during which the hedged transactions affect earnings. IRLCs, forward sales contracts and interest rate swaps with loan customers and dealer counterparties are not designated as hedging instruments, and therefore changes in the fair value of these instruments are reported as noninterest income. The Corporation’s derivative financial instruments are described more fully in Note 21.

Leases: The Corporation’s leases comprise primarily operating and financing leases of real estate and office equipment in which the Corporation or one of its subsidiaries is the lessee.  The Corporation recognizes a lease liability and a right-of-use asset in connection with leases in which it is a lessee, except for leases with a term of twelve months or less.  A lease liability represents the Corporation’s obligation to make future payments under lease contracts, and a right-of-use asset represents the Corporation’s right to control the use of the underlying property during the lease term.  Lease liabilities and right-of-use assets are recognized upon commencement of a lease and measured as the present value of lease payments over the lease term, discounted at the incremental borrowing rate of the lessee.  The Corporation has elected not to separate lease and nonlease components within the same contract and instead to account for the entire contract as a lease.

Service Charges on Deposit Accounts: The Corporation earns fees from its deposit customers for overdraft and account maintenance services. Overdraft fees are recognized when the overdraft occurs. Account maintenance fees, which relate primarily to monthly maintenance, are earned over the course of a month, representing the period over which the Corporation satisfies the performance obligation.

Other Service Charges and Fees: The Corporation earns fees from its customers for transaction-based services. Such services include ATM, stop payment and wire transfer fees at the community banking segment and on-line payment processing fees at the consumer finance segment. In each case, these service charges and fees are recognized in income at the time or within the same period that the Corporation’s performance obligation is satisfied.

Interchange Income: The Corporation earns interchange fees from debit and credit cardholder transactions conducted through various payment networks. Interchange fees from cardholder transactions represent a percentage of the underlying transaction value and are recognized daily, concurrently with the transaction processing services.

Wealth Management Services Income, Net: The Corporation earns revenue by providing wealth management services and health and life insurance products to its customers through third-party service providers. Fees that are transaction-based (e.g., execution of trades) are recognized on a monthly basis. Other fees and commissions are earned over time as services are provided and are generally assessed based on either account activity or the market value of assets under management at the end of each period. Fees and commissions collected from customers are reported net of related fees paid to the third-party service providers and presented in noninterest income.

Mortgage Lender Services Income: The Corporation earns revenue by providing mortgage banking services to third-party mortgage lenders.  The Corporation provides services related to originating and selling residential mortgage loans in the secondary market, including maintaining relationships with investors, underwriting loans, collecting and reviewing required documents, compliance with program requirements and regulations, and closing and post-closing services.  Fees are billed to customers on the basis of the volume of closed loans, and income is recognized when performance obligations under contracts with customers are satisfied.

Recent Significant Accounting Pronouncements: In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” as part of its project on financial instruments. Subsequently, this ASU was amended when the FASB issued ASU 2018-19, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses,” ASU 2019-04, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments,” ASU 2019-05, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief,” ASU 2019-10, “Financial instruments—Credit losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842)—Effective dates,” ASU 2019-11, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses,” ASU 2020-02, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326) and Leases (Topic 842)” and ASU 2020-03, “Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments” (collectively, ASC 326).  ASC 326 introduces an approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments. It also modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and provides for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination.  The new standard will be effective for the Corporation beginning on January 1, 2023.  Early adoption of the new standard is permitted.

The amendments of ASC 326, upon adoption, will be applied on a modified retrospective basis, with the cumulative effect of adopting the new standard being recorded as an adjustment to opening retained earnings in the period of adoption. The Corporation has established a working group to prepare for and implement changes related to ASC 326 and has gathered historical loan loss data for purposes of evaluating appropriate portfolio segmentation and modeling methods under the standard.  The Corporation has performed procedures to validate the historical loan loss data to ensure its suitability and reliability for purposes of developing an estimate of expected credit losses under ASC 326. The Corporation has engaged a vendor to assist in modeling expected lifetime losses under ASC 326, and is continuing to develop and refine an approach to estimating the allowance for credit losses. The adoption of ASC 326 will result in significant changes to the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements, which may include changes in the level of the allowance for credit losses that will be considered adequate, a reduction in total equity and regulatory capital of C&F Bank, differences in the timing of recognizing changes to the allowance for credit losses and expanded disclosures about the allowance for credit losses. The Corporation has not yet determined an estimate of the effect of these changes. The adoption of the standard will also result in significant changes in the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting related to the allowance for credit losses.

Other accounting standards that have been issued by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies are not currently expected to have a material effect on the Corporation’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.