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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

a) Cash and cash equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents include cash, cash items, amounts due from other banks, amounts due from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, federal funds sold, and interest-bearing bank deposits.

b) Investment securities—Investment securities may be classified in three categories: trading, available-for-sale or held-to-maturity. Management determines the appropriate classification at the time of purchase and reevaluates the classification at each reporting period. Any sales of available-for-sale securities are for the purpose of executing the Company’s asset/liability management strategy, reducing borrowings, funding loan growth, providing liquidity, or eliminating a perceived credit risk in a specific security. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost, and the available-for-sale securities are carried at estimated fair value. Unrealized gains or losses on securities available-for-sale are reported as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”), a component of shareholders’ equity, net of income tax. Gains and losses realized upon sales of securities are calculated using the specific identification method. Premiums and discounts are amortized to interest income over the estimated lives of the securities. Prepayment experience is periodically evaluated and a determination made regarding the appropriate estimate of the future rates of prepayment. When a change in a bond’s estimated remaining life is necessary, a corresponding adjustment is made in the related premium amortization or discount accretion. Purchases and sales of securities, including any corresponding gains or losses, are recognized on a trade-date basis and a receivable or payable is recognized for pending transaction settlements.

Management evaluates all investments in an unrealized loss position on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such evaluation. If the Company has the intent to sell the security or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security, the security is written down to fair value and the entire loss is recorded in earnings. If either of the above criteria is not met, we evaluate whether the decline in fair value is the result of

credit losses or other factors. In making the assessment, we may consider various factors including the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, performance on any underlying collateral, downgrades in the ratings of the security by a rating agency, the failure of the issuer to make scheduled interest or principal payments and adverse conditions specifically related to the security. If the assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security and any excess is recorded as an allowance for credit loss. When the loss is not considered a result of credit loss, the cost basis of the security is written down to fair value, with the loss charge recognized in AOCI. The Company does not measure expected credit losses for U.S. agency-backed held-to-maturity securities, since the risk of nonpayment of the amortized cost basis is zero. Credit losses are not estimated for AIR from investment securities as interest deemed uncollectible is written off through interest income.

c) Non-marketable securities— Non-marketable securities include FRB stock, FHLB stock and other non-marketable securities. FRB and FHLB securities have been acquired for debt facility or regulatory purposes and are carried at cost. Other non-marketable securities include equity method investments in which the Company’s proportionate share of income or loss is recognized one quarter in arrears in other non-interest income in the consolidated statements of operations. Equity method investments are periodically evaluated for impairment. If impairment is deemed other than temporary, the Company will reduce the carrying value of the investment to the extent it is not recoverable. Other non-marketable securities also include direct investments in convertible preferred stock. As the convertible preferred stock does not have a readily determinable fair value, it is carried at cost and evaluated periodically for impairment. Impairments of convertible preferred stock will be reflected in earnings in the period in which the cost basis of the investment exceeds fair value.

d) Loans receivableLoans receivable include loans originated by the Company and loans that are acquired through acquisitions. Loans originated by the Company are carried at the principal amount outstanding, net of premiums, discounts, unearned income and deferred loan fees and costs. Loan fees and certain costs of originating loans are deferred and the net amount is amortized over the contractual life of the related loans. Acquired loans are initially recorded at fair value. Non-refundable loan origination and commitment fees, net of direct costs of originating or acquiring loans, and fair value adjustments for acquired loans, are deferred and recognized over the remaining lives of the related loans in accordance with ASC 310-20.

Estimated fair values of acquired loans are based on a discounted cash flow methodology that considers various factors including the type of loan and related collateral, the expected timing of cash flows, classification status, fixed or variable interest rate, term of loan and whether or not the loan is amortizing, and a discount rate reflecting the Company’s assessment of risk inherent in the cash flow estimates. Discounts created when the loans are recorded at their estimated fair values at acquisition are accreted over the remaining term of the loan as an adjustment to the related loan’s yield. Similar to originated loans described below, the accrual of interest income on acquired loans is discontinued when the collection of principal or interest, in whole or in part, is doubtful.

Acquired loans that have been identified as having experienced a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination are PCD loans. The net premium or discount on PCD loans is adjusted by our allowance for credit losses recorded at the time of acquisition. The remaining net premium or discount is accreted or amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan using the level yield method. The net premium or discount on non-PCD loans, that includes credit quality and interest rate considerations, is accreted or amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan using the level yield method. The Company then records the necessary allowance for credit losses on the non-PCD loans through provision for credit losses expense.

Interest income on acquired loans and interest income on loans originated by the Company is accrued and credited to income as it is earned using the interest method based on daily balances of the principal amount outstanding. However, interest is generally not accrued on loans 90 days or more past due, unless they are well secured and in the process of collection. Additionally, in certain situations, loans that are not contractually past due may be placed on non-accrual status due to the continued failure to adhere to contractual payment terms by the borrower coupled with other pertinent factors, such as insufficient collateral value or deficient primary and secondary sources of repayment. Accrued interest receivable is reversed when a loan is placed on non-accrual status and payments received generally reduce the carrying value of the loan. Interest is not accrued while a loan is on non-accrual status and interest income is generally recognized on a cash basis only after payment in full of the past due principal and collection of principal outstanding is reasonably assured. A loan may be placed

back on accrual status if all contractual payments have been received, or sooner under certain conditions and collection of future principal and interest payments is no longer doubtful.

In the event of borrower default, the Company may seek recovery in compliance with state lending laws, the respective loan agreements, and credit monitoring and remediation procedures that may include modifying a loan from its original terms, for economic or legal reasons, to provide a concession to the borrower from their original terms due to borrower financial difficulties in order to facilitate repayment. Such loans are considered “troubled debt modifications” and are identified in accordance with ASC Topic 326.

e) Loans held for saleThe Company has elected to record loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market at estimated fair value. The Company estimates fair value based on quoted market prices for similar loans in the secondary market. Gains or losses are recognized upon sale and are included as a component of mortgage banking income in the consolidated statements of operations. Loans held for sale have primarily been fixed rate single-family residential mortgage loans under contract to be sold in the secondary market. In most cases, loans in this category are sold within 45 days. Currently, conventional loans in states where the banks have market presence may be sold with servicing retained or with servicing released. Government loans and conventional loans in states where the banks do not have a market presence are generally sold with servicing released. Under limited circumstances, buyers may have recourse to return a purchased loan to the Company. Recourse conditions may include early payoff, early payment default, breach of representations or warranties, or documentation deficiencies in the underwriting process.

The Company enters into commitments to originate residential mortgage loans whereby the interest rate on the loan is determined prior to funding (i.e. interest rate lock commitments). Such interest rate lock commitments on mortgage loans to be sold in the secondary market are considered to be derivatives. To protect against the price risk inherent in residential mortgage loan commitments, the Company utilizes both "best efforts" and "mandatory delivery" forward loan sale commitments to mitigate the risk of potential increases or decreases in the values of loans that would result from the change in market rates for such loans. The Company manages the interest rate risk on interest rate lock commitments by entering into forward sale contracts of mortgage backed securities. Such contracts are accounted for as derivatives and are recorded at fair value as derivative assets or liabilities. They are carried in the consolidated statements of financial condition within other assets or other liabilities, and changes in fair value are recorded net as a component of mortgage banking income in the consolidated statements of operations. The gross gains on loan sales are recognized based on new loan commitments with adjustment for price and pair-off activity. Commission expenses on loans held for sale are recognized based on loans closed.

f) Allowance for credit losses—The ACL represents management’s estimate of lifetime credit losses inherent in loans as of the balance sheet date. The Company measures expected credit losses for loans on a pooled basis when similar risk characteristics exist. The Company has identified four primary loan segments that are further stratified into 11 loan classes to provide more granularity in analyzing loss history based upon specific loss drivers and risk factors affecting each loan class. Generally, the underlying risk of loss for each of these loan classes will follow certain norms/trends in various economic environments. Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis and are not included in the collective evaluation. Those loans include loans on non-accrual status, loans in bankruptcy, and TDMs described below. If a specific allowance is warranted based on the borrower’s overall financial condition, the specific allowance is calculated based on discounted expected cash flows using the loan’s initial contractual effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral less selling costs for collateral-dependent loans.

The Company utilizes a DCF model developed within a third-party software tool to establish expected lifetime credit losses for the loan portfolio. The ACL is calculated as the difference between the amortized cost basis and the projections from the DCF analysis. The DCF model allows for individual life of loan cash flow modeling, excluding extensions and renewals, using loan-specific interest rates and repayment schedules adjusted for estimated prepayment rates and loss recovery timing delays. The model incorporates forecasts of certain national macroeconomic factors, including unemployment rates, HPI, retail sales and GDP, which drive correlated probability of default (“PD”) and loss given default (“LGD”) rates. PD and LGD, in turn, drive the losses predicted in establishing our ACL. PD and LGD rates along with prepayment rates and loss recovery time delays are determined at a loan class level making use of both internal and peer historical loss rate data. The determination and application of the ACL accounting policy involves judgments, estimates, and uncertainties that are subject to change. For periods beyond the reasonable and supportable forecast period, we revert to historical long-term average loss rates on a straight-line basis. The length of the forecast period spans four quarters. The length of the reversion period is based

on management’s assessment of the length and pattern of the current economic cycle and typically ranges from four to eight quarters.

Management accounts for the inherent uncertainty of the underlying economic forecast by reviewing and weighting alternate forecast scenarios. Additionally, the ACL calculation includes subjective adjustments for qualitative risk factors that are likely to cause estimated credit losses to differ from historical experience. These qualitative adjustments may increase or reduce reserve levels and include adjustments for lending management experience and risk tolerance, loan review and audit results, asset quality and portfolio trends, loan portfolio growth and industry concentrations. The Company has elected to exclude AIR from the allowance for credit losses calculation. When a loan is placed on non-accrual, any recorded AIR is reversed against interest income.

The determination and application of the ACL accounting policy involves judgments, estimates, and uncertainties that are subject to change. Changes in these assumptions, estimates or the conditions surrounding them may have a material impact on our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations. Various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of the examination process, periodically review the ACL. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the ACL or reserve increases to adversely graded classified loans based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examinations.

The ACL is decreased by net charge-offs and is increased by provisions for loan losses that are charged to the statements of operations. Charge-offs, if any, are typically measured for each loan based on a thorough analysis of the most probable source of repayment, such as the present value of the loan’s expected future cash flows, the loan’s estimated fair value, or the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral less costs of disposition for collateral-dependent loans. When it is determined that specific loans, or portions thereof, are uncollectible, these amounts are charged off against the ACL.

The Company uses an internal risk rating system to indicate credit quality in the loan portfolio. The risk rating system is applied to all loans and uses a series of grades, which reflect management’s assessment of the risk attributable to loans based on an analysis of the borrower’s financial condition and ability to meet contractual debt service requirements. Loans that management perceives to have acceptable risk are categorized as “Pass” loans. The “Special Mention” loans represent loans that have potential credit weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. Special mention loans include borrowers that have potential weaknesses or unwarranted risks that, unless corrected, may threaten the borrower’s ability to meet debt requirements. However, these borrowers are still believed to have the ability to respond to and resolve the financial issues that threaten their financial situation. Loans classified as “Substandard” are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Substandard loans have a distinct possibility of loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. “Doubtful” loans are loans that management believes the collection of payments in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement is highly questionable and improbable. Credit quality indicators are reviewed and updated in accordance with internal policy based on loan balance and risk rating. Interest accrual is discontinued on doubtful loans and certain substandard loans.

Unfunded loan commitments

In addition to the ACL for funded loans, the Company maintains reserves to cover the risk of loss associated with off-balance sheet unfunded loan commitments. The allowance for off-balance sheet credit losses is maintained within the other liabilities in the statements of financial condition. Under the CECL framework, adjustments to this liability are recorded as provision for credit losses in the statements of operations. Unfunded loan commitment balances are evaluated by loan class and further segregated by revolving and non-revolving commitments. In order to establish the required level of reserve, the Company applies average historical utilization rates and ACL loan model loss rates for each loan class to the outstanding unfunded commitment balances.

g) Premises and equipment—With the exception of premises and equipment acquired through business combinations, which are initially measured and recorded at fair value, purchased land, buildings and software and equipment are carried at cost, including capitalized interest when appropriate, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset. The Company generally assigns depreciable lives of 39 years for buildings, 7 to 15 years for building improvements, and 3 to 7 years for software and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or remaining lease terms. Maintenance and repairs are charged

to non-interest expense as incurred. The Company reviews premises and equipment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when the sum of the undiscounted future net cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposal is less than its carrying amount. Property and equipment that meet the held-for-sale criteria is recorded at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell and depreciation is ceased.

The Company capitalizes internal and external direct costs incurred related to obtaining or developing internal-use software. Costs incurred during the application development stage are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the software when the software is ready for its intended use. Costs related to planning and other preliminary project activities and post-implementation activities are expensed as incurred.

h) Goodwill and intangible assets—Goodwill is established and recorded if the consideration given during an acquisition transaction exceeds the fair value of the net assets received. Goodwill has an indefinite useful life and is not amortized, but is evaluated annually for potential impairment, or when events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Such events or circumstances may include deterioration in general economic conditions, deterioration in industry or market conditions, an increased competitive environment, a decline in market-dependent multiples or metrics, declining financial performance, entity-specific events or circumstances or a sustained decrease in share price (either in absolute terms or relative to peers). If the Company determines, based upon the qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than the carrying amount no additional procedures are performed; however, if the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount the Company will compare the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount. Any excess of the carrying amount over fair value would indicate a potential impairment and the Company would proceed to perform an additional test to determine whether goodwill has been impaired and calculate the amount of that impairment.

Intangible assets that have finite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The Company’s core deposit intangible assets represent the value of the anticipated future cost savings that will result from the acquired core deposit relationships versus an alternative source of funding. Judgment may be used in assessing goodwill and intangible assets for impairment. Estimates of fair value are based on projections of revenues, operating costs and cash flows of the reporting unit considering historical and anticipated future results, general economic and market conditions, as well as the impact of planned business or operational strategies. The valuations use a combination of present value techniques to measure fair value considering market factors. Additionally, judgment is used in determining the useful lives of finite-lived intangible assets. Adverse changes in the economic environment, operations of the reporting unit, or changes in judgments and projections could result in a significantly different estimate of the fair value of the reporting unit and could result in an impairment of goodwill and/or intangible assets.

Servicing right assets associated with loans originated and sold, where servicing is retained, are initially capitalized at fair value and included in intangible assets in the consolidated statements of financial condition. For subsequent measurement purposes, the Company measures servicing assets based on the lower of cost or market using the amortization method. The values of these capitalized servicing rights are amortized as an offset to the loan servicing income earned in relation to the servicing revenue expected to be earned. The carrying values of these rights are reviewed quarterly for impairment based on the fair value of those assets. For purposes of impairment evaluation and measurement, management stratifies servicing right assets based on the predominant risk characteristics of the underlying loans, including loan type and loan term. If, by individual stratum, the carrying amount of these servicing right assets exceeds fair value, a valuation allowance is established and the impairment is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. If the fair value of impaired servicing right assets subsequently increases, management recognizes the increase in fair value in current period non-interest income and, through a reduction in the valuation allowance, adjusts the carrying value of the servicing right assets to a level not in excess of amortized cost.

i) Reserve for Mortgage Loan Repurchase Losses–The Company sells mortgage loans to various third parties, including government-sponsored entities, under contractual provisions that include various representations and warranties that typically cover ownership of the loan, compliance with loan criteria set forth in the applicable agreement, validity of the lien securing the loan, absence of delinquent taxes or liens against the property securing the loan, and similar matters. The Company may be required to repurchase the mortgage loans with identified defects, indemnify the investor or insurer, or reimburse the

investor for credit loss incurred on the loan (collectively “repurchase”) in the event of a material breach of such contractual representations or warranties. Risk associated with potential repurchases or other forms of settlement is managed through underwriting and quality assurance practices.

The Company establishes mortgage repurchase reserves related to various representations and warranties that reflect management’s estimate of losses based on a combination of factors. Such factors incorporate actual and historic loss history, delinquency trends or other deficiencies found in the portfolio and economic conditions. The Company establishes a reserve at the time loans are sold and updates the reserve estimate quarterly during the estimated loan life. The repurchase reserve is included in other liabilities in the consolidated statements of financial condition.

j) Other real estate owned—OREO consists of property that has been foreclosed on or repossessed by deed in lieu of foreclosure. The assets are initially recorded at the fair value of the collateral less estimated costs to sell, with any initial valuation adjustments charged to the ACL. Subsequent downward valuation adjustments, if any, in addition to gains and losses realized on sales and net operating expenses, are recorded in non-interest expense. Costs associated with maintaining property, such as utilities and maintenance, are charged to expense in the period in which they occur, while costs relating to the development and improvement of property are capitalized to the extent the balance does not exceed fair value. Acquired OREO is recorded at fair value, less cost to sell, at the date of acquisition.

k) Bank-owned life insurance—The Company is the owner and beneficiary of bank-owned life insurance ("BOLI”) policies that it purchased on certain associates of the Company or acquired through our acquisitions. The BOLI policies are carried at net realizable value with changes in net realizable value recorded in non-interest income in the consolidated statements of operations.

l) Securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase—The Company periodically enters into purchases or sales of securities under agreements to resell or repurchase as of a specified future date. The securities purchased under agreements to resell are accounted for as collateralized financing transactions and are reflected as an asset in the consolidated statements of financial condition. The securities pledged by the counterparties are held by a third party custodian and valued daily. The Company may require additional collateral to ensure full collateralization for these transactions. The repurchase agreements are considered financing agreements and the obligation to repurchase assets sold is reflected as a liability in the consolidated statements of financial condition of the Company. The repurchase agreements are collateralized by debt securities that are under the control of the Company.

m) Stock-based compensation—The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topic 718. The Company grants stock-based awards including stock options, restricted stock and performance stock units. Stock option grants are for a fixed number of common shares and are issued at exercise prices which are not less than the fair value of a share of stock at the date of grant. The options vest over a time period stated in each option agreement and may be subject to other performance vesting conditions, which require the related compensation expense to be recorded ratably over the requisite service period starting when such conditions become probable. Restricted stock is granted for a fixed number of shares, the transferability of which is restricted until such shares become vested according to the terms in the award agreement. Restricted shares may have multiple vesting qualifications, which can include time vesting of a set portion of the restricted shares and performance criterion, such as market criteria that are tied to specified market conditions of the Company’s common stock price and performance targets tied to the Company’s earnings per share.

The fair value of stock options is measured using a Black-Scholes model. The fair value of time-based restricted stock awards and performance stock units with performance based vesting criteria is based on the Company’s stock price on the date of grant. The fair value of performance stock units with market-based vesting criteria is measured using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Compensation expense for the portion of the awards that contain performance and service vesting conditions is recognized over the requisite service period based on the fair value of the awards on the grant date. Compensation expense for the portion of the awards that contain a market vesting condition is recognized over the derived service period based on the fair value of the awards on the grant date. The amortization of stock-based compensation reflects any estimated forfeitures, and the expense realized in subsequent periods may be adjusted to reflect the actual forfeitures realized. The outstanding stock options primarily carry a maximum contractual term of ten years. To the extent that any award is forfeited, surrendered, terminated, expires, or lapses without being vested or exercised, the shares of stock subject to such award not delivered are again made available for awards under the Plan.

Excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies (including tax benefits of dividends on share-based payment awards) are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations as a component of income tax expense or benefit and are classified as an operating activity within the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows. The tax effects of exercised, expired or vested awards are treated as discrete items in the reporting period in which they occur and may result in increased volatility in our effective tax rate. Cash paid by the Company when directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes is classified as a financing activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

n) Income taxes—The Company and its subsidiaries file U.S. federal and certain state income tax returns on a consolidated basis. Additionally, the Company and its subsidiaries file separate state income tax returns with various state jurisdictions. The provision for income taxes includes the income tax balances of the Company and all of its subsidiaries.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such amounts are realized or settled. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax rates in the period of change. The Company establishes a valuation allowance when management believes, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company recognizes and measures income tax benefits based upon a two-step model: 1) a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained based solely on its technical merits in order to be recognized; and 2) the benefit is measured as the largest dollar amount of that position that is more likely than not to be sustained upon settlement. The difference between the benefit recognized for a position in this model and the tax benefit claimed on a tax return is treated as an unrecognized tax benefit. The Company recognizes income tax related interest and penalties in other non-interest expense.

o) Earnings per share—The Company applies the two-class method of computing earnings per share as certain of the Company's restricted shares are entitled to non-forfeitable dividends and are therefore considered to be a class of participating securities. The two-class method allocates income according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed income. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income allocated to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted income per common share is computed by dividing income allocated to common shareholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period, plus amounts representing the dilutive effect of stock options outstanding, certain unvested restricted shares, or other contracts to issue common shares (“common stock equivalents”) using the treasury stock method. Common stock equivalents are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per common share in periods in which they have an anti-dilutive effect.

p) Interest Rate Swap Derivatives—The Company carries all derivatives in the statement of financial condition at fair value. All derivative instruments are recognized as either assets or liabilities depending on the rights or obligations under the contracts. All gains and losses on the fair value hedge derivatives due to changes in fair value are recognized in earnings each period. For derivatives that qualify and are designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk, the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into interest income in the same period(s) during which the hedged transaction affects earnings.

The Company offers interest rate swap products to certain of its clients to manage potential changes in interest rates. Each contract between the Company and a client is offset with a contract between the Company and an institutional counterparty, thus minimizing the Company's exposure to rate changes. The Company's portfolio consists of a “matched book,” and as such, changes in fair value of the swap pairs will largely offset in earnings. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, if certain conditions are met, a derivative may be designated as (1) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability, or of an unrecognized firm commitment, that are attributable to a particular risk (referred to as a fair value hedge) or (2) a hedge of the exposure to variability in the cash flows of a recognized asset or liability, or of a forecasted transaction, that is attributable to a particular risk (referred to as a cash flow hedge). The Company documents all hedging relationships at the inception of each hedging relationship and uses industry accepted methodologies and ranges to determine the effectiveness of each hedge. The fair value of the hedged item is calculated using the estimated future cash flows of the hedged item and applying discount rates equal to the market interest rate for the hedged item at the

inception of the hedging relationship (inception benchmark interest rate plus an inception credit spread), adjusted for changes in the designated benchmark interest rate thereafter.

q) Treasury stock —When the Company acquires treasury stock, the sum of the consideration paid and direct transaction costs after tax is recognized as a deduction from equity. The cost basis for the reissuance of treasury stock is determined using a first-in, first-out basis. To the extent that the reissuance price is more than the cost basis (gain), the excess is recorded as an increase to additional paid-in capital in the consolidated statements of financial condition. If the reissuance price is less than the cost basis (loss), the difference is recorded to additional paid-in capital to the extent there is a cumulative treasury stock paid-in capital balance. Any loss in excess of the cumulative treasury stock paid-in capital balance is charged to retained earnings.

r) Acquisition activities—The Company accounts for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are measured and recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition, including identifiable intangible assets. If the fair value of net assets acquired exceeds the fair value of consideration paid, a bargain purchase gain is recognized at the date of acquisition. Conversely, if the consideration paid exceeds the fair value of the net assets acquired, goodwill is recognized at the acquisition date. Fair values are subject to refinement for up to a maximum of one year after the closing date of an acquisition as information relative to closing date fair values becomes available. Adjustments recorded to the acquired assets and liabilities assumed are applied prospectively in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805. The determination of the fair value of loans acquired takes into account credit quality deterioration and probability of loss; therefore, the related ACL is not carried forward at the time of acquisition.

Identifiable intangible assets are recognized separately if they arise from contractual or other legal rights or if they are separable (i.e., capable of being sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged separately from the entity). The depositor relationship related to deposit liabilities, the client relationship related to assets under management and internally developed technology (known as the core deposit, client relationship and internally developed technology intangible assets, respectively) may be exchanged in observable exchange transactions. As a result, these intangible assets are considered identifiable, because the separability criterion has been met.