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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Impact of COVID-19 The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continued to impact our operations during 2021. While uncertainty remains as to the future effects of the pandemic, an improving business climate, supported by unprecedented fiscal stimulus, an accommodative Federal Reserve, and the demonstrated ability of states and local governments to respond to COVID-19 and its variants, has helped to mitigate the negative impacts of the pandemic on our financial condition and results of operations, despite the challenges presented by very low interest rates, muted loan growth, excess liquidity and rising inflation. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation The operations of German American Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) are primarily comprised of three business segments: core banking, trust and investment advisory services, and insurance operations. The accounting and reporting policies of the Company and its subsidiaries conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The more significant policies are described below. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries after elimination of all material intercompany accounts and transactions. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with current classifications. Reclassifications had no impact on shareholders' equity or net income. To prepare financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management makes estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided, and actual results could differ. Securities Debt securities classified as available-for-sale are securities that the Company intends to hold for an indefinite period of time, but not necessarily until maturity. These include securities that management may use as part of its asset/liability strategy, or that may be sold in response to changes in interest rates, changes in prepayment risk, or similar reasons. Securities classified as available-for-sale are reported at fair value with unrealized gains or losses included as a separate component of equity, net of tax. Interest income includes amortization of purchase premium or discount. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized on the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments, except for mortgage backed securities where prepayments are anticipated. Gains and losses on sales are recorded on trade date and determined using the specific identification method. Investments with readily determinable values (except those accounted for under equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Equity securities that do not have readily determinable fair values are carried at historical cost and evaluated for impairment on a periodic basis. Loans Held for Sale Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at fair value. Fair value is determined based on collateral value and prevailing market prices for loans with similar characteristics. Net unrealized gains or losses are recorded through earnings. Mortgage loans held for sale are generally sold on a servicing released basis. Gains and losses on sales of mortgage loans are based on the difference between the selling price and the carrying value of the related loan sold. 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. Amortized cost is the principal balance outstanding, net of purchase premiums and discounts, deferred loan fees and costs. Accrued interest receivable totaled $11,016 at December 31, 2021 and was reported in Accrued Interest Receivable and Other Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees and costs are deferred and recognized in interest income using the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments. Purchase Credit Deteriorated (PCD) Loans The Company has purchased loans, some of which have experienced more than insignificant credit deterioration since origination. PCD loans are recorded at the amount paid. An allowance for credit losses on loans is determined using the same methodology as other loans held for investment. The initial allowance for credit losses on loans determined on a collective basis is allocated to individual loans. The sum of the loan’s purchase price and allowance for credit losses on loans becomes its initial amortized cost basis. The difference between the initial amortized cost basis and the par value of the loan is a noncredit discount or premium, which is amortized into interest income over the life of the loan. Subsequent changes to the allowance for credit losses on loans are recorded through provision expense. Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loans are charged off against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off. The Company estimates the allowance balance using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for changes in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, delinquency level, changes in environmental conditions, unemployment rates, risk classifications and collateral values. The Company separately assigns allocations for substandard and special mention commercial and agricultural credits as well as other categories of loans based on migration analysis techniques. The migration analysis factors are calculated using a transition matrix to determine the likelihood of a customer’s asset quality rating migrating from its current rating to any other rating. The allowance for credit losses is measured on a collective (pooled) basis when similar risk characteristics exist. The Company has identified the following portfolio segments and measures the allowance for credit losses using the following methods: Commercial and Industrial Loans - The principal risk of commercial and industrial loans is that these loans are primarily based on the identified cash flow of the borrower and secondarily on the collateral underlying the loans. Most commercial loans are secured by accounts receivable, inventory and equipment. If cash flow from business operations is reduced, the borrower’s ability to repay the loan may diminish, and over time, it may also be difficult to substantiate current value of inventory and equipment. Repayment of these loans are more sensitive than other types of loans to adverse conditions in the general economy. Commercial Real Estate Loans - Commercial real estate lending is generally dependent on the successful operation of the property securing the loan or the business conducted on the property securing the loan. Commercial real estate loans may be adversely affected by conditions in the real estate markets or in the general economy. Commercial real estate loans are collateralized by the borrower’s underlying real estate. Therefore, diminished cash flows not only affects the ability to repay the loan, it may also reduce the underlying collateral value. Agricultural Loans - This portfolio is diversified between real estate financing, equipment financing and lines of credit in various segments including grain production, poultry production and livestock production. Mitigating any concentration of risk that may exist in the Company’s agricultural loan portfolio is the use of federal government guarantee programs. Leases - Leases are primarily for equipment leased to varying types of businesses. If the cash flows from the business operations is reduced, the business’s ability to repay the lease is diminished as well. Home Equity Loans - Home equity loans are generally secured by 1-4 family residences that are owner-occupied. Repayment of these loans is primarily dependent on the personal income of the borrowers, which can be impacted by unemployment levels in the market area due to economic conditions. Consumer Loans - Consumer loan repayment is typically dependent on the borrower remaining employed through the life of the loan as well as the borrower maintaining the underlying collateral adequately. Credit Cards - Credit card loans are unsecured and repayment is primarily dependent on the personal income of the borrower. Residential Mortgage Loans - Residential mortgage loans are typically secured by 1-4 family residences that are owner-occupied. Repayment of these loans is primarily dependent on the personal income of the borrowers, which can be impacted by unemployment levels in the market area due to economic conditions. Repayment may also be impacted by changes in residential property values. Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. Loans evaluated individually are also not included in the collective evaluation. When the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty at the reporting date and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral, expected credit losses are based on the fair value of the collateral at the reporting date adjusted for selling costs. Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDR”) A loan for which the terms have been modified resulting in a concession, and for which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, is considered to be a TDR. The allowances for credit losses on loans on a TDR is measured using the same method as all other loans held for investment. Loan Modifications and Troubled Debt Restructurings due to COVID-19 On April 7, 2020, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC” and, together with the FRB and OCC, the “federal banking regulators”) issued a revised Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions, which, among other things, encouraged financial institutions to work prudently with borrowers who are or may be unable to meet their contractual payment obligations because of the effects of COVID-19, and stated that institutions generally do not need to categorize COVID-19-related modifications as troubled debt restructurings and that the agencies will not direct supervised institutions to automatically categorize all COVID-19 related loan modifications as troubled debt restructurings. Similarly, under the CARES Act, provisions were included that allow for loan modifications to not be classified as TDRs if certain criteria are met. This TDR exemption, which was set to expire on December 31, 2020, was extended under the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act adopted on December 27, 2020, to the earlier of (i) 60 days after the national emergency concerning the COVID-19 outbreak terminates, and (ii) January 1, 2022. Allowance for Credit Losses on Available-For-Sale Securities For available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell, the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For debt securities available for sale that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recorded in other comprehensive income. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded as provision for, or reversal of, credit loss expense. 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. Allowance for Credit Losses on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures is adjusted as a provision for credit loss expense included in other expense on the consolidated income statement. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life. Expected utilization rates are compared to the current funded portion of the total commitment amount as a practical expedient for funded exposure at default. Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) Stock The Bank is a member of the FHLB of Indianapolis. 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. Premises, Furniture and Equipment Land is carried at cost. Premises, furniture, and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Buildings and related components are depreciated using the straight-line method with useful lives ranging generally from 10 to 40 years. Furniture, fixtures, and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method with useful lives ranging generally from 3 to 10 years. Other Real Estate Assets acquired through or instead of loan foreclosure are initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. Physical possession of commercial/residential real estate property collateralizing a commercial/consumer mortgage loan 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 the completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. If fair value declines subsequent to foreclosure, a valuation allowance is recorded through expense. Operating costs after acquisition are expensed. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill arises from business combinations and 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 and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually. The Company has selected December 31 as the date to perform the annual impairment test. Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on the Company’s balance sheet. Other intangible assets consist of core deposit and acquired customer relationship intangible assets. They are initially measured at fair value and then are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which range from 6 to 10 years. Company Owned Life Insurance The Company has purchased life insurance policies on certain directors and executives. This life insurance is recorded at its cash surrender value or the amount that can be realized, which considers any adjustments or changes that are probable at settlement. 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 currently that there are any such matters that will have a material impact on the financial statements. Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and commercial letters of credit issued to meet customer financing needs. The face amount for these items represents the exposure to loss, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded. Restrictions on Cash At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company was not required to have balance on deposits with the Federal Reserve, or as cash on hand. Long-term Assets Premises and equipment, core deposit and other intangible assets, and other long-term assets are reviewed for impairment when events indicate their carrying amount may not be recoverable from future undiscounted cash flows. If impaired, the assets are recorded at fair value. Stock Based Compensation Compensation cost is recognized for stock options and restricted stock awards issued to employees and directors, based on the fair value of these awards at the date of grant. A Black-Scholes model is utilized to estimate the fair value of stock options, while the market price of the Corporation’s common stock at the date of grant is used for restricted stock awards. Compensation cost is recognized over the required service period, generally defined as the vesting period. Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) includes unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale and changes in unrecognized amounts in pension and other postretirement benefits, which are also recognized as a separate component of equity. Income Taxes Income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax amounts for the temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in other operating expense. Retirement Plans Pension expense under the suspended defined benefit plan is the net of interest cost, return on plan assets and amortization of gains and losses not immediately recognized. Employee 401(k) and profit sharing plan expense is the amount of matching contributions. Deferred compensation and supplemental retirement plan expense allocates the benefits over years of service. Earnings Per Share Earnings per share are based on net income divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share show the potential dilutive effect of additional common shares issuable under the Company’s stock based compensation plans. Earnings per share are retroactively restated for stock splits and stock dividends. Cash Flow Reporting The Company reports net cash flows for customer loan transactions, deposit transactions, deposits made with other financial institutions and short-term borrowings. Cash and cash equivalents are defined to include cash on hand, demand deposits in other institutions and Federal Funds Sold. Fair Values of Financial Instruments Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions, as more fully disclosed in Note 15. 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 the estimates. Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which replaces the incurred loss methodology with an expected loss methodology that is referred to as the current expected credit loss (CECL) methodology. The measurement of expected credit losses under the CECL methodology is applicable to financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loan receivables and held-to-maturity debt securities. It also applies to off-balance sheet credit exposures not accounted for as insurance (loan commitments, standby letters of credit, financial guarantees, and other similar instruments). The new CECL model requires an estimate of expected credit losses, measured over the contractual life of an instrument, which considers reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions in addition to information about past events and current conditions. The standard provides significant flexibility and requires a high degree of judgement with regards to pooling financial assets with similar risk characteristics and adjusting the relevant historical loss information in order to develop an estimate of expected lifetime losses. The Company adopted ASC 326 on January 1, 2020 using the modified retrospective approach. Results for reporting periods after January 1, 2020 are presented under ASC 326 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP. The Company recorded a net reduction of retained earnings of $6,717 upon adoption. The Company adopted ASC 326 using the prospective transition approach for financial assets purchased with credit deterioration (PCD) that were previously classified as purchased credit impaired (PCI) and accounted for under ASC 310-30. In accordance with the standard, management did not reassess whether PCI assets met the criteria of PCD assets as of the date of adoption. On January 1, 2020, the amortized cost basis of the PCD assets were adjusted to reflect the addition of $6,886 of the allowance for credit losses. The remaining noncredit discount (based on the adjusted amortized cost basis) will be accreted into interest income at the effective interest rate as of January 1, 2020. The Company expanded the loan portfolio segments used to determine the allowance for credit losses for loans into eight loan segments as opposed to six loan segments under the incurred loss methodology. The following table illustrates the impact of the segment expansion as of January 1, 2020.
(dollars in thousands) |  | December 31, 2019 Statement Balance |  | Segment Portfolio Reclassifications |  | December 31, 2019 After Reclassification
Loans: |  |  |  |  |  |
| Commercial and Industrial Loans |  | $ | 589,758 |  |  | $ | (57,257) |  |  | $ | 532,501 |
| Commercial Real Estate Loans |  | 1,495,862 |  |  | N/A |  | 1,495,862 |
| Agricultural Loans |  | 384,526 |  |  | N/A |  | 384,526 |
| Leases |  | N/A |  | 57,257 |  |  | 57,257 |
| Home Equity Loans |  | 225,755 |  |  | N/A |  | 225,755 |
| Consumer Loans |  | 81,217 |  |  | (11,953) |  |  | 69,264 |
| Credit Cards |  | N/A |  | 11,953 |  |  | 11,953 |
| Residential Mortgage Loans |  | 304,855 |  |  | N/A |  | 304,855 |
| Total Loans |  | $ | 3,081,973 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 3,081,973 |
The following table illustrates the impact of ASC 326:
(dollars in thousands) |  | December 31, 2019 After Reclassification |  | Impact of ASC 326 Adoption |  | January 1, 2020 Post-ASC 326 Adoption
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |
Loans: |  |  |  |  |  |
Commercial and Industrial Loans |  | $ | 532,501 |  |  | $ | 2,191 |  |  | $ | 534,692 |
Commercial Real Estate Loans |  | 1,495,862 |  |  | 4,385 |  |  | 1,500,247 |
Agricultural Loans |  | 384,526 |  |  | 128 |  |  | 384,654 |
Leases |  | 57,257 |  |  | — |  |  | 57,257 |
Home Equity Loans |  | 225,755 |  |  | 35 |  |  | 225,790 |
Consumer Loans |  | 69,264 |  |  | — |  |  | 69,264 |
Credit Cards |  | 11,953 |  |  | — |  |  | 11,953 |
Residential Mortgage Loans |  | 304,855 |  |  | 147 |  |  | 305,002 |
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans |  | (16,278) |  |  | (15,653) |  |  | (31,931) |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |
Allowance for Credit Losses on Unfunded Loan Commitments |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (173) |  |  | $ | (173) |
In December 2018, federal banking regulators approved a final rule to address changes to credit loss accounting under GAAP, including banking organizations’ implementation of CECL. The final rule provides banking organizations the option to phase in over a three-year period the day-one adverse effects on regulatory capital that may result from the adoption of the new accounting standard. On March 27, 2020, in an action related to the CARES Act, the federal banking regulators announced an interim final rule to delay the estimated impact on regulatory capital stemming from the implementation of CECL. The interim final rule, which was finalized effective September 30, 2020, maintains the three-year transition option in the previous rule and provides banks the option to delay for two years an estimate of CECL’s effect on regulatory capital, relative to the incurred loss methodology’s effect on regulatory capital, followed by a three-year transition period (five-year transition option). The Company has taken advantage of the capital transition relief over the permissible five-year period and will begin the three-year phase-in of the regulatory impact effective January 1, 2022. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. To simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill, the amendments eliminate Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge should be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. In addition, the income tax effects of tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit should be considered when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. The amendments also eliminate the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The amendments should be applied on a prospective basis. The nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle should be disclosed upon transition. The amendments in this update became effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The amendment removes certain disclosures required by Topic 820 related to transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; the policy for timing of transfers between levels; and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. The update also adds certain disclosure requirements related to changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. The amendments in this update became effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. These amendments provide temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. It is intended to help stakeholders during the global market-wide reference rate transition period. The guidance is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Company is continuing to evaluate the impact of adopting this standard over the effective period, and does not expect it to have a material impact.

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