Effective January 1, 2021, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13 “ASU 2016-13 Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”, which replaced the prior incurred loss methodology with an expected loss methodology that is referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL” or the “CECL Standard”). The measurement of expected credit losses under the CECL Standard is applicable to financial assets measured at amortized cost, including portfolio loans and investment securities classified as held-to-maturity (“HTM”). It also applies to off-balance sheet credit exposures including loan commitments, standby letters of credit, financial guarantees and other similar instruments. In addition, the CECL Standard changes the accounting for investment securities classified as ("AFS"), including a requirement that estimated credit losses on AFS securities be presented as an allowance rather than as a direct write-down of the carrying balance of securities which we do not intend to sell, or believe that it is more likely than not, that we will be required to sell.

The Company adopted the CECL Standard using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost and off-balance sheet credit exposures. As discussed further below, purchased credit deteriorated assets were measured on a prospective basis in accordance with the CECL Standard and all purchase credit impaired loans as of December 31, 2020 were considered purchased credit deteriorated loans upon adoption. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2021 are presented under the CECL Standard while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable accounting guidance. The adoption of the CECL Standard resulted in the following adjustments to our financial statements as of January 1, 2021 (dollars in thousands):


	Change in Consolidated				Change to Retained Earnings
	Statement of Condition		Tax Effect		from Adoption of CECL
Allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) (loans)	$	1,350	$	406	$	944
Adjustment related to purchased credit-impaired loan marks⁽¹⁾		5,207		-		-
Total ACL - loans		6,557		406		944
ACL (unfunded credit commitments)		2,833		852		1,981

Total impact of CECL adoption	$	9,390	$	1,258	$	2,925

Loans designated as purchased credit impaired loans (“PCI”) and accounted for under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 310-30 were designated as purchased with credit deterioration loans (“PCD”). In accordance with the CECL Standard, the Company did not reassess whether PCI loans met the criteria of PCD loans as of the date of adoption and determined all PCI loans were PCD loans. The Company recorded an increase to the balance of PCD loans and an increase to the ACL for loans of $5.2 million, which represented the expected credit losses for PCD loans. The remaining non-credit discount (based on the adjusted amortized cost basis) will be accreted into interest income at the effective interest rate as of January 1, 2021 over the remaining estimated life of the loans. Also, in accordance with the CECL Standard, the Company did not reassess whether modifications to individual acquired financial assets were troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) as of the date of adoption.

ACL for loans: The ACL for loans is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of portfolio loans to present the net amount expected to be collected on portfolio loans over their contractual life. Loans are charged-off against the allowance when we believe the uncollectibility of a loan balance has been confirmed, and the expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off or expected to be charged-off.

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CONNECTONE BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

Note 1b. Authoritative Accounting Guidance – (continued)

The measurement of expected credit losses is based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. The Company currently utilizes a one-year reasonable and supportable forecast period followed by a one-year period over which estimated losses revert to historical loss experience for the remaining life of the loan. The measurement of expected credit loss under the CECL methodology is applicable to financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loans and held to maturity investments and it also applies to certain off-balance sheet credit exposures.

The ACL for loans is measured on a collective (pool) basis when similar risk characteristics exist. Generally, for all other loan types, the estimated expected credit loss is also calculated at the loan level and pool assignments are only utilized for aggregating the allowance estimates of similar loan types for financial statement disclosure purposes. Loan segments have unique risk characteristics with respect to credit quality and are as follows:

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The repayment of commercial loans is generally dependent on the creditworthiness and cash flow of borrowers, and if applicable, guarantors, which may be negatively impacted by adverse economic conditions. While the majority of these loans are secured, collateral type, marketing, coverage, valuation and monitoring is not as uniform as in other portfolio classes and recovery from liquidation of such collateral may be subject to greater variability.

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Payment on commercial mortgages is driven principally by operating results of the managed properties or underlying business and secondarily by the sale or refinance of such properties. Both primary and secondary sources of repayment, and value of the properties in liquidation, may be affected to a greater extent by adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy in general.

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Properties underlying construction, land and land development loans often do not generate sufficient cash flows to service debt and thus repayment is subject to the ability of the borrower and, if applicable, guarantors, to complete development or construction of the property and carry the project, often for extended periods of time. As a result, the performance of these loans is contingent upon future events whose probability at the time of origination is uncertain.

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The ability of borrowers to service debt in the residential and consumer loan portfolios is generally subject to personal income which may be impacted by general economic conditions, such as increased unemployment levels. These loans are predominately collateralized by first and/or second liens on single family properties. If a borrower cannot maintain the loan, the Company’s ability to recover against the collateral in sufficient amount and in a timely manner may be significantly influenced by market, legal and regulatory conditions.

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The Company considers loan classes and loan segments to be one and the same.

Individually Analyzed Loans: The Company will evaluate individual instruments for expected credit losses when those instruments do not share similar risk characteristics with instruments evaluated using a collective (pooled) basis. Loans will transition from defined segments for individual analysis when credit characteristics, or risk traits, change in a material manner. A loan is considered for individual analysis when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining individual analysis include payment status and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans for which the terms have been modified as a concession to the borrower due to the borrower experiencing financial difficulties are considered TDRs and are classified as individually analyzed. Loans considered to be TDRs can be categorized as nonaccrual or performing. All PCD loans will be considered as individual analyzed. Generally, individually analyzed loans consist of nonaccrual loans and performing troubled debt restructurings. Of this group of loans, loans of $250,000 and over are individually evaluated, while loans with balances less than $250,000 are collectively evaluated, and, accordingly, are not separately identified for analysis or disclosures. Instruments will not be included in both collective and individual analysis. Individual analysis will establish a specific reserve for instruments in scope.

For collateral dependent loans, when it is determined that a foreclosure is probable, the ACL will be determined on a loan level basis using the fair value of the collateral as of the reporting date, less estimated disposition costs (“net fair value”), which will ensure that the credit loss is not delayed until the time at which the actual foreclosure takes place. In the event that this fair value is less the then amortized cost basis of these specific loans, we will recognize the difference between the net fair value at the reporting date and the amortized cost basis in the ACL. If the fair value of the collateral has increased as of the ACL evaluation date, the increase in the fair value of the collateral is reflected through a reduction in the ACL. ACL adjustments for estimated disposition costs are not appropriate when the repayment of a collateral-dependent loan is expected from the operation of the collateral. If repayment is based upon future expected cash flows, the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate is compared to the carrying value of the loan, and any shortfall is recorded as the allowance for credit losses. The effective interest rate used to discount expected cash flows is adjusted to incorporate expected prepayments, if applicable.

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CONNECTONE BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

Note 1b. Authoritative Accounting Guidance – (continued)

For charge-off and recoveries we will generally charge-off a loan balance after an analysis is completed which indicates that the collectability of the full principal is in doubt. Charge-offs are charged against the allowance in the period in which the loans are deemed to be uncollectible. Any expected future recoveries of amounts which were previously charged-off or expected to be charged-off will be included in the ACL, as the recoveries represent a component of the net amount expected to be collected. Expected recoveries in the ACL shall not exceed amounts previously charged-off or expected to be charged-off.

Investment Securities: Securities available-for-sale are carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in comprehensive income, net of tax. Interest income includes amortization of purchase premiums or discounts. Premiums and discounts on securities are generally amortized using the level-yield method without estimating prepayments, except for mortgage-backed securities, where prepayment rates are estimated. Premiums on callable investment securities are amortized to their earliest call date. Gains and losses on sales of securities are recorded on the trade date and determined using the specific identification method.

ACL - on investment securities classified as available-for-sale: For available-for-sale investment securities which are in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assess whether we intend to sell, or it is more likely than not, that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria is met, the amortized cost basis of the security is written down to fair value through income. For available-for-sale investment securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, we evaluate whether the decline in fair value has resulted from an actual or estimated credit loss event or other factors. In making this assessment, we consider the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, changes to the rating of the security, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss is likely, 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 the cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, an ACL is recorded for the estimated 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 ACL is recognized in other comprehensive income.

Changes in the ACL are recorded as provision for (or reversal of) credit loss expense. Losses are charged against the allowance when we believe the uncollectibility of an available-for-sale security has been confirmed or if either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met.

ASU No. 2021-03, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350).” ASU 2021-03 requires an entity to identify and evaluate goodwill impairment triggering events when they occur to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit (or entity, if the entity has elected the accounting alternative for amortizing goodwill and chosen that option) is less than its carrying amount. If an entity determines that it is more likely than not that the goodwill is impaired. It must test goodwill for impairment using the triggering event date as the measurement date. An entity is required to disclose the amount assigned to goodwill in total and by major business combination, or by reorganization event resulting in fresh-start-start reporting. Also, the weighted average amortization period in total and the amortization period by major business combination, or by reorganization event resulting in fresh-start reporting. ASU 2021-03 was effective for the Company on January 1, 2021 and did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statement.

ASU 2018-14, “Compensation—Retirement Benefits—Defined Benefit Plans—General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans.” These amendments modify the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. ASU 2018-14 was effective for the Company as of January 1, 2021 and did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.