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NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES
Nature of Operations and Principles of ConsolidationThe audited consolidated financial statements presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K include the consolidated results of Stellar and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Stellar Bank, which are collectively herein referred to as “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company.” The Company provides a diversified range of commercial banking services primarily to small- to medium-sized businesses. Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The Company derives substantially all of its revenues and income from the operation of the Bank.
The Company is focused on delivering a wide variety of relationship-driven commercial banking products and community-oriented services tailored to meet the needs of small- to medium-sized businesses, professionals and individuals through its 52 full-service banking centers with 35 banking centers in the Houston metropolitan statistical area (“MSA”), 16 banking centers in the Beaumont MSA and one banking center in Dallas, Texas.
Use of Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the reporting 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.
Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents include cash, deposits with other financial institutions with maturities not greater than one year. Net cash flows are reported for customer loan and deposit transactions. The Bank can be required by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas to maintain average reserve balances. The Bank was not required to maintain reserve balances at December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Cash Flow Reporting—Net cash flows are reported for loan and deposit transactions. See below for additional cash flow information.
Years Ended December 31,
202520242023
(In thousands)
Cash paid for:
Interest$184,394 $188,644 $144,868 
U.S. federal income taxes, net of refunds received18,500 27,400 13,491 
State income/franchise taxes, net of refunds received217 359 207 
Operating lease liabilities4,222 4,625 4,586 
Significant non-cash transactions
Loans transferred to other real estate15,647 5,991 — 
Bank-financed sales of other real estate4,360 — — 
Lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lessee operating lease liabilities1,477 353 1,406 
Branch assets transferred to assets held for sale— — 3,819 
Securities—Debt securities are classified as available for sale when they might be sold before maturity. Securities available for sale are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses are excluded from earnings and reported, net of tax, as a separate component of shareholders’ equity until realized. Securities within the available for sale portfolio may be used as part of the Company’s asset/liability strategy and may be sold in response to changes in interest rate risk, prepayment risk or other similar economic factors.
Interest earned on these assets is included in interest income. Interest income includes amortization of purchase premium or discount. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized on the level-yield method, except for mortgage-backed securities where prepayments are anticipated. Gains and losses on sales are recorded on the trade date and determined using the specific identification method. Accrued interest receivable on securities available for sale totaled $8.0 million at December 31, 2025 and was reported in accrued interest receivable on the consolidated balance sheets.
Loans—Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at amortized cost net of the allowance for credit losses on loans. Amortized cost is the principal balance outstanding, net of purchase accounting adjustments and deferred fees and costs. Accrued interest receivable on loans totaled $27.6 million at December 31, 2025 and was reported in accrued interest receivable on the consolidated balance sheets. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of origination costs, are deferred and recognized in interest income using the interest method without anticipating prepayments. Interest income on loans is discontinued and placed on nonaccrual status at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent. All interest accrued but not received for loans placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amount contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.
Nonrefundable Fees and Costs Associated with Lending Activities—Loan commitment and loan origination fees, and certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized in interest income as an adjustment to yield without anticipating prepayments using the interest method over the related loan life or if the commitment expires unexercised, balances are recognized in income upon expiration of the commitment.
Nonperforming and Past Due Loans—The Company has several procedures in place to assist it in maintaining the overall quality of its loan portfolio. The Company has established underwriting guidelines to be followed by its officers and monitors its delinquency levels for any negative or adverse trends. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company’s loan portfolio will not become subject to increasing pressures from deteriorating borrower credit due to general economic conditions or other factors.
Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan. Loans are considered past due if the required principal and interest payments have not been received as of the date such payments were due. The Company generally classifies a loan as nonperforming, automatically places the loan on nonaccrual status, ceases accruing interest and reverses all unpaid accrued interest against interest income, when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may be unable to meet payment obligations, when the payment of principal or interest on a loan is delinquent for 90 days, as well as when required by regulatory provisions, unless the loan is in the process of collection and the underlying collateral fully supports the carrying value of the loan. Any payments received on nonaccrual loans are applied first to outstanding principal amounts. Interest income is subsequently recognized only to the extent cash payments are received in excess of principal due. Any excess is treated as recovery of lost interest. Loans are returned to accrual status when all of the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.
In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful. If the decision is made to continue accruing interest on the loan, periodic reviews are made to confirm the accruing status of the loan. Nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 days include both smaller balance homogeneous loans that are collectively and individually evaluated. When available information confirms that specific loans, or portions thereof, are uncollectible, these amounts are charged-off against the allowance. All loan types are considered delinquent after 30 days past due and are typically charged-off or charged-down no later than 120 days past due, with consideration of, but not limited to, the following criteria in determining the need and timing of the charge-off or charge-down: (1) the Bank is in the process of repossession or foreclosure and there appears to be a likely deficiency, (2) the collateral securing the loan has been sold and there is an actual deficiency, (3) the Bank is proceeding with lengthy legal action to collect its balance, (4) the borrower is unable to be located or (5) the borrower has filed bankruptcy. Charge-offs occur when the Company confirms a loss on a loan.
Allowance for Credit Losses—The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is established through a provision for (or reversal of) credit losses charged to expense, which represents management’s best estimate of lifetime expected losses based on reasonable and supportable forecasts, historical loss experience, and other qualitative considerations. The allowance for credit losses includes the allowance for credit losses on loans, which is deducted from the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on loans, and the allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments reported in other liabilities.
Allowance for Credit Losses on LoansThe level of the allowance is based upon management’s evaluation of historical default and loss experience, current and projected economic conditions, asset quality trends, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrowers' ability to repay a loan (including the timing of future payments), the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, industry and peer bank loan quality indications and other pertinent factors, including regulatory recommendations. The allowance for credit losses on loans maintained by management is believed adequate to absorb all expected future losses in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The Company disaggregates the loan portfolio into pools for purposes of determining the allowance for credit losses. These pools are based on the level at which the Company develops, documents and applies a systematic methodology to determine the allowance for credit losses.
Loans with similar risk characteristics are aggregated into homogenous pools and are collectively evaluated by applying reserve factors, such as historical lifetime loss, concentration risk, volume, growth and composition of the loan portfolio, current and forecasted economic conditions to amortized cost balances over the remaining contractual life of the collectively evaluated portfolio. Historical lifetime loss is determined by utilizing an open-pool (“cumulative loss rate”) methodology, adjusted for credit risk characteristics and current and forecasted economic conditions. Losses are predicted over a reasonable and supportable period of one year for all loan pools, followed by an immediate reversion to long-term historical averages. The reasonable and supportable period and reversion period are re-evaluated as needed by the Company and are dependent on the current economic environment among other factors.

Loans that no longer share risk characteristics with the collectively evaluated loan pools are evaluated on an individual basis and are excluded from the collectively evaluated pools. To assess which loans are to be individually evaluated, the Company follows a loan review program to evaluate the credit risk in the total loan portfolio and assigns risk grades to each loan. Individual credit loss estimates are typically performed for nonaccrual loans and all other loans identified by management. All loans deemed as being individually evaluated are reviewed on a quarterly basis to determine whether a specific reserve is required. The Company considers certain loans to be collateral dependent if the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and management expects repayment for the loan to be substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral. For collateral dependent loans, loss estimates are based on the fair value of collateral, less estimated cost to sell (if applicable). Collateral values supporting individually evaluated loans are assessed quarterly and appraisals are typically obtained at least annually. The Company allocates a specific loan loss reserve on an individual loan basis primarily based on the value of the collateral securing the individually evaluated loan. Through this loan review process, the Company assesses the overall quality of the loan portfolio and the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses on loans while considering risk elements attributable to particular loan types in assessing the quality of individual loans. In addition, for each category of loans, the Company considers secondary sources of income and the financial strength and credit history of the borrower and any guarantors.

A change in the allowance for credit losses on loans can be attributable to several factors, most notably historical lifetime loss, specific reserves for individually evaluated loans, changes in qualitative factors and growth within the loan portfolio. The estimated loan losses for all loan pools are adjusted for changes in qualitative factors not inherently considered in the quantitative analyses to bring the allowance to the level management believes is appropriate based on factors that have not otherwise been fully accounted for, including adjustments for foresight risk, input imprecision and model imprecision. The qualitative categories and the measurements used to quantify the risks within each of these categories are subjectively selected by management, but measured by objective measurements period over period. The data for each measurement may be obtained from internal or external sources. The current period measurements are evaluated and assigned a factor commensurate with the current level of risk relative to past measurements over time. The resulting qualitative adjustments are applied to the relevant collectively evaluated loan portfolios. These adjustments are based upon quarterly trend assessments in portfolio concentrations, changes in lending policies and procedures, policy exceptions, independent loan review results, internal risk ratings and peer group credit quality trends. Additional qualitative considerations are made for any identified risk which did not exist within our portfolio historically and therefore may not be adequately addressed through evaluation of such risk factors based on historical portfolio trends. Qualitative adjustments also include current and forecasted economic conditions primarily measured by local and national economic metrics, such as GDP, unemployment rates, interest rates and oil and gas prices based on historical and forecasted economic research scenarios provided by industry-leading financial intelligence and analytical solutions, which the Company has subscribed to. The qualitative allowance allocation is increased or decreased for each loan pool based on the assessment of these various qualitative factors. Management recognizes the sensitivity of various assumptions made in the quantitative modeling of expected losses and may adjust reserves depending upon the level of uncertainty that currently exists in one or more assumptions.

The calculation of current expected credit losses is inherently subjective, as it requires management to exercise judgment in determining appropriate factors used to determine the allowance. The estimated loan losses for all loan pools are adjusted for changes in qualitative factors not inherently considered in the quantitative analyses to bring the allowance to the level management believes is appropriate based on factors that have not otherwise been fully accounted for, including adjustments for foresight risk, input imprecision and model imprecision. The qualitative categories and the measurements used to quantify the risks within each of these categories are subjectively selected by management, but measured by objective measurements period over period. The data for each measurement may be obtained from internal or external sources. The current period measurements are evaluated and assigned a factor commensurate with the current level of risk relative to past measurements over time. The resulting qualitative adjustments are applied to the relevant collectively evaluated loan portfolios. These adjustments are based upon quarterly trend assessments in portfolio concentrations, changes in lending policies and procedures, policy exceptions, independent loan review results, internal risk ratings and peer group credit quality trends. The qualitative allowance allocation, as determined by the processes noted above, is increased or decreased for each loan pool based on the assessment of these various qualitative factors. The determination of the appropriate qualitative adjustment is based on management’s analysis of current and expected economic conditions and their impact to the portfolio, as well as internal credit risk movements and a qualitative assessment of the lending environment, including underwriting standards. Management recognizes the sensitivity of various assumptions made in the quantitative modeling of expected losses and may adjust reserves depending upon the level of uncertainty that currently exists in one or more assumptions.
While policies and procedures used to estimate the allowance for credit losses on loans, as well as the resultant provision for credit losses charged to income, are considered adequate by management and are reviewed periodically by regulators and internal audit, they are approximate and could materially change based on changes within the loan portfolio and effects from economic factors. There are factors beyond the Company’s control, such as changes in projected economic conditions, including political instability or global events affecting the U.S. economy, real estate markets or particular industry conditions which could cause changes to expectations for current conditions and economic forecasts that could result in an unanticipated increase in the allowance and may materially impact asset quality and the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses and thus the resulting provision for credit losses.
In assessing the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses on loans, the Company considers the results of its ongoing independent loan review process. The Company undertakes this process both to ascertain those loans in the portfolio with elevated credit risk and to assist in its overall evaluation of the risk characteristics of the entire loan portfolio. Its loan review process includes the judgment of management, independent internal loan reviewers and reviews that may have been conducted by third-party reviewers including regulatory examiners. The Company incorporates relevant loan review results in the allowance.
Losses are estimated over the remaining contractual terms of loans, adjusted for prepayments. The contractual term excludes expected extensions, renewals and modifications unless management has a reasonable expectation at the reporting date that a troubled loan modification will be executed or such renewals, extensions or modifications are included in the original loan agreement and are not unconditionally cancellable by the Company.
Credit losses are estimated on the amortized cost basis of loans, which includes the principal balance outstanding, purchase discounts and premiums and deferred loan fees and costs. Loan losses are not estimated for accrued interest receivable as interest that is deemed uncollectible is written off through interest income in a timely manner. Accrued interest is presented separately on the balance sheets and, as allowed under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 326 - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASC Topic 326”), is excluded from the tabular loan disclosures in Note 4 – Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Unfunded CommitmentsThe Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual term in which the Company is exposed to credit risk through a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless the obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments is recorded on the balance sheet in other liabilities and is adjusted as a provision for (or reversal of) credit loss expense. The estimates are determined based on the likelihood of funding during the contractual term and an estimate of credit losses subsequent to funding. Estimated credit losses on subsequently funded balances are based on the same assumptions as used to estimate credit losses on existing funded loans.
Allowance for Credit Losses - Securities Available for SaleFor securities classified as available for sale that are in an unrealized loss position at the balance sheet date, the Company first assesses whether or not it intends to sell the security, or more likely than not will be required to sell the security, before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either criteria is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through net income. If neither criteria is met, the Company evaluates whether any portion of the decline in fair value is the result of credit deterioration. Such evaluations consider the extent to which the amortized cost of the security exceeds its fair value, changes in credit ratings and any other known adverse conditions related to the specific security. If the evaluation indicates that a credit loss exists, an allowance for credit losses is recorded through provisions for credit losses for the amount by which the amortized cost basis of the security exceeds the present value of cash flows expected to be collected, limited by the amount by which the amortized cost exceeds fair value. Losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of an available for sale security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. Any impairment not recognized in the allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income. For certain types of debt securities, such as U.S. Treasuries and other securities with government guarantees, entities may expect zero credit losses.
Loans acquired in a business combinationThe Company records purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans, defined as a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination or issuance, at the purchase price plus the allowance for credit losses expected at the time of acquisition. Under this method, there is no credit loss expense affecting net income on acquisition of PCD loans. Changes in estimates of expected losses after acquisition are recognized as credit loss expense (or reversal of credit loss expense) in subsequent periods. Any noncredit discount or premium resulting from the acquisition of purchased loans with credit deterioration was allocated to each individual loan. The determination of PCD classification on acquired loans can have a significant impact on the accounting for these loans.

At acquisition date, the initial allowance for PCD loans that do not share risk characteristics with pooled PCD loans, are evaluated by the Company on an individual loan basis. The expected credit loss was measured based on net realizable value, that is, the difference between the discounted value of the expected future cash flows, based on the original effective interest rate, and the amortized cost basis of the loan. For these loans, the Company recognizes expected credit loss equal to the amount by which the net
realizable value of the loan is less than the amortized cost basis of the loan (which is net of previous charge-offs), except when the loan is collateral dependent, that is, when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral. In these cases, expected credit loss was measured as the difference between the amortized cost basis of the loan and the fair value of the collateral. The fair value of the collateral is adjusted for the estimated costs to sell the loan if repayment or satisfaction of a loan is dependent on the sale (rather than only on the operation) of the collateral. The noncredit discount or premium, after the adjustment for the allowance for credit losses, shall be accreted to interest income using the interest method based on the effective interest rate determined after the adjustment for credit losses at the adoption date. Individually evaluated PCD loans were $13.8 million and the associated allowance for credit losses was $267 thousand at December 31, 2025.

A purchased financial asset that does not qualify as a PCD asset is accounted for similar to an originated financial asset. Generally, this means that an entity recognizes the allowance for credit losses for non-PCD assets through net income at the time of acquisition. In addition, both the credit discount and noncredit discount or premium resulting from acquiring a pool of purchased financial assets that do not qualify as PCD assets shall be allocated to each individual asset. This combined discount or premium shall be accreted to interest income using the effective yield method.

The fair value of acquired loans involved third-party estimates utilizing input assumptions by management which may be complex or uncertain. The determination of the fair value of acquired loans is based on a discounted cash flow methodology that considers factors such as type of loan and related collateral, and requires management’s judgment on estimates about discount rates, expected future cash flows, market conditions and other future events. For PCD loans, an estimate of expected credit losses was made and added to the purchase price to establish the initial amortized cost basis of the PCD loans. Any difference between the unpaid principal balance and the amortized cost basis is considered to relate to noncredit factors and results in a discount or premium. Discounts and premiums are recognized through interest income on an effective yield method over the life of the loans. For acquired loans not deemed PCD at acquisition, the differences between the initial fair value and the unpaid principal balance are recognized as interest income on an effective-yield basis over the lives of the related loans.

For further discussion of our loan accounting see Note 4 – Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses.

Collateral Dependent Loans with Specific Allocation of Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans—A loan is considered to be a collateral dependent loan when, based on current information and events, the Company expects repayment of the financial assets to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral and the Company has determined that the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty as of the measurement date. The allowance for credit losses on loans is measured by estimating the fair value of the loan based on the present value of expected cash flows, the market price of the loan, or the underlying fair value of the loan’s collateral. For real estate loans, fair value of the loan’s collateral is generally determined by third-party appraisals or internal evaluations, which are then adjusted for the estimated selling and closing costs related to liquidation of the collateral. For this asset class, the actual valuation methods (income, sales comparable, or cost) vary based on the status of the project or property. For example, land is generally based on the sales comparable method while construction is based on the income and/or sales comparable methods. The unobservable inputs may vary depending on the individual assets with no one of the three methods being the predominant approach. The Company reviews the third-party appraisal for appropriateness and adjusts the value downward to consider selling and closing costs, which typically range from 5% to 10% of the appraised value. For non-real estate loans, fair value of the loan’s collateral may be determined using an appraisal, net book value per the borrower’s financial statements, or aging reports, adjusted or discounted based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of the valuation, and management’s expertise and knowledge of the client and client’s business.

Loan Modifications—Under Subtopic 310-20, a modification is treated as a new loan only if the following two conditions are met: (1) the terms of the new loan are at least as favorable to the lender as the terms for comparable loans to other customers with similar collection risks; and (2) modifications to the terms of the original loan are more than minor. If either condition is not met, the modification is accounted for as the continuation of the old loan with any effect of the modification treated as a prospective adjustment to the loan’s effective interest rate.
    Premises and Equipment—Premises and equipment is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is calculated principally using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets which range from 3 to 39 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the periods of the leases or the estimated useful lives, whichever is shorter. Land is carried at cost.
Leases—The Company leases certain branch locations, office facilities and equipment under operating leases. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are considered short-term and are not recorded on the balance sheet and the related lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For operating leases other than those considered to be short-term, the Company recognizes lease right-of-use assets and related lease liabilities. Such amounts are reported as components of premises and equipment
and other liabilities, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company owns certain office facilities which it leases to outside parties under operating lessor leases; however, such leases are not significant.
Lease payments over the expected term are discounted using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate for borrowings of similar terms. Generally, the Company cannot be reasonably certain about whether or not it will renew a lease until such time as the lease is within the last two years of the existing lease term. When the Company is reasonably certain that a renewal option will be exercised, it measures/remeasures the right-of-use asset and related lease liability using the lease payments specified for the renewal period or, if such amounts are unspecified, the Company generally assumes an increase (evaluated on a case-by-case basis in light of prevailing market conditions) in the lease payment over the final period of the existing lease term.
The depreciable lives of leased assets are limited by the expected lease term.
Other Repossessed Assets—Assets acquired through or instead of loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value less estimated selling costs when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. Costs after acquisition are generally expensed. If the fair value of the asset declines, a write-down is recorded through expense. The valuation of foreclosed assets is subjective in nature and may be adjusted in the future because of changes in economic conditions. At December 31, 2025, the balance of other repossessed assets was $7.5 million.
Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) Stock—The Bank is a member of the FHLB system. Members are required to own a certain amount of stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors and may invest in additional amounts. FHLB stock is carried at cost, classified as a restricted security and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income.
Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) Stock—The Bank is a member of the FRB system. Members are required to own a certain amount of stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors and may invest in additional amounts. FRB stock is carried at cost, classified as a restricted security and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value.
Bank-Owned Life Insurance—The Company purchased bank-owned life insurance policies on certain key executives and acquired life insurance policies in conjunction with mergers and acquisitions. Bank-owned life insurance is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value, and the most reasonable estimate of fair value, adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement.
Goodwill—Goodwill resulting from business combinations is generally determined as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred, plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interests in the acquiree, over the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. Goodwill is assessed annually for impairment or more frequently if events and circumstances exist that indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable and a goodwill impairment test should be performed. A significant amount of judgment is involved in determining if an indicator of impairment has occurred. Such indicators may include, among others: a significant decline in our expected future cash flows; a sustained, significant decline in our stock price and market capitalization; a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate; adverse action or assessment by a regulator; and unanticipated competition. Any adverse change in these factors could have a significant impact on the recoverability of these assets and could have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on the Company’s balance sheet.
Core Deposit Intangibles—Core deposit intangibles arising from acquisitions are amortized using a straight-line or accelerated amortization method over their estimated useful lives, which is seven to ten years.
Borrowed Funds—The Company has a credit agreement with another financial institution. The Company pledged its shares in the Bank’s stock as collateral for the borrowing.
Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments—Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to extend credit, issued to meet customer financing needs. The face amount for these items represents a promise to lend before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.
Derivative Financial Instruments—Derivatives are recorded at fair value in other assets or other liabilities on the balance sheet. Derivatives executed with the same counterparty are generally subject to master netting arrangements. Fair value amounts
recognized for derivatives and fair value amounts recognized for the right/obligation to reclaim/return cash collateral are not offset for financial reporting purposes.
For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify for hedge accounting, the aggregate fair value of the derivative instrument is recorded in other assets or other liabilities with any gain or loss related to changes in fair value recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax. The gain or loss is reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the hedged asset or liability affects earnings and is presented in the same income statement line item as the earnings effect of the hedged asset or liability. The Company had no derivative instruments that qualified for hedge accounting during 2025 or 2024.
Stock-Based Compensation—Compensation cost is recognized for stock options, restricted stock awards, performance share units (“PSUs”) and performance share awards (“PSAs”) issued to employees and directors, based on the fair value of these awards at the date of grant. The expense associated with stock-based compensation is recognized over the required service period, generally defined as the vesting period of each individual arrangement.
The fair value of stock options granted are estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model.
The fair value of restricted stock awards is the grant date market price of our stock. The grant date fair value of the PSUs and PSAs are based on the probable outcome of the applicable performance conditions and is calculated at target based on a combination of the closing market price of our common stock at grant date and a Monte Carlo simulated fair value in accordance with ASC 718. The impact of forfeitures of share-based payment awards on compensation expense is recognized as they occur. PSUs and PSAs are contingent upon performance and service conditions, which affect the number of shares ultimately issued. The Company periodically evaluates the probable outcome of the performance conditions and makes cumulative adjustments to compensation expense as appropriate.
401(k) benefit plan—The Company provides a 401(k) retirement savings plan for eligible employees, which includes a matching contribution program. Under this program, the Company matches employee contributions dollar-for-dollar up to 6% of the employee’s eligible compensation, subject to terms and conditions of the plan and the annual contribution limits established by the Internal Revenue Code. Matching contribution expense as of December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 was $5.7 million, $5.5 million and $5.0 million, respectively.
Income Taxes—Income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due and the change in deferred tax assets or liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and are recorded in other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
The Company records uncertain tax positions on the basis of a two-step process whereby (1) the Company determines whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more likely than not recognition threshold, the Company recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. For tax positions not meeting the more likely than not test, no tax benefit is recorded. Any interest and/or penalties related to income taxes are reported as a component of income tax expense.
The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return.
Comprehensive income—Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income which includes unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale, which are also recognized as separate components of equity, net of tax.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments—Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions, as more fully disclosed in a separate note. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular items. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect these estimates.
Operating Segments—While management monitors the revenue streams of the various products and services, operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a Company-wide basis. All of the financial service operations are considered by management to be aggregated in one reportable operating segment.
Reclassifications—Certain items in the prior year financial statements were reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Reclassifications had no effect on prior year net income or shareholders’ equity.
Earnings per Common Share—Basic earnings per common share is calculated as net income divided by the weighted- average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares determined for the basic earnings per common share computation plus the potential dilutive effect of stock compensation using the treasury stock method. A reconciliation of the weighted-average shares used in calculating basic earnings per common share and the weighted-average common shares used in calculating diluted earnings per common share for the reported periods is provided in Note 15 – Earnings Per Common Share.
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 an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not believe there are such matters that will have a material effect on the financial statements.
Dividend Restrictions—Banking regulations require maintaining certain capital levels and may limit the dividends paid by the Bank to the Company or by the Company to its shareholders. In addition, the Company’s credit agreement with another financial institution also limits its ability to pay dividends.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers—The Company records revenue from contracts with customers in accordance with ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASC Topic 606”). Under ASC Topic 606, the Company must identify the contract with a customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation. Significant revenue has not been recognized in the current reporting period that results from performance obligations satisfied in previous periods.
The Company’s primary sources of revenue are derived from interest and dividends earned on loans, investment securities, and other financial instruments that are not within the scope of ASC Topic 606. The Company has evaluated the nature of its contracts with customers and determined that further disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers into more granular categories beyond what is presented in the consolidated statements of income was not necessary. The Company generally fully satisfies its performance obligations on its contracts with customers as services are rendered and the transaction prices are typically fixed; charged either on a periodic basis or based on activity. Because performance obligations are satisfied as services are rendered and the transaction prices are fixed, the Company has made no significant judgments in applying the revenue guidance prescribed in ASC Topic 606 that affect the determination of the amount and timing of revenue from contracts with customers.
Accounting Changes, Reclassifications and Restatements—Certain items in prior financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. We adopted ASU No. 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” for our annual financial statements in 2025. See Note 11 - Income Taxes.
Accounting Standards Updates
Recent Accounting Standards
ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures.” This update requires public business entities on an annual basis to (i) disclose in the rate reconciliation table additional categories of information about federal, state and foreign income taxes, (ii) to provide more details about the reconciling items in some categories if items that meet a quantitative threshold and (iii) disaggregate income taxes paid, net of refunds, by federal, state and foreign taxes based on a quantitative threshold, among other things. ASU 2023-09 became effective for the Company in 2025 and did not have a significant impact on financial statement disclosures. See Note 11, “Income Taxes”.
ASU 2024-03, “Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses.” This update requires that public businesses disclose in tabular format, disaggregating information about prescribed categories underlying any relevant income statement expense caption. The prescribed categories include, among other things, employee compensation, depreciation and intangible asset amortization. ASU 2024-03 will be effective for the Company, on a prospective basis, for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026. Early adoption
and retrospective application is permitted. ASU 2024-03 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
ASU 2025‑08, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Purchased Loans.” ASU 2025-08 expands the scope of the “gross‑up” method, formerly applicable only to purchased credit‑deteriorated ("PCD") assets, to include acquired non‑PCD loans that meet certain criteria, now referred to as purchased seasoned loans (“PSLs”). Under this model, an allowance for expected credit losses is recognized at acquisition, offsetting the loan’s amortized cost basis, thereby eliminating the day-one credit‑loss expense previously required for non‑PCD assets. PSLs are defined as non‑PCD loans acquired either (i) through a business combination, or (ii) purchased more than 90 days after origination when the acquirer was not involved in origination. ASU 2025-08 will be effective for the Company on a prospective basis for loans acquired on or after the adoption date, for interim and annual reporting periods beginning in 2027, though early adoption is permitted. ASU 2025-08 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.