XML 24 R10.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.20.4
Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  
Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 1:      Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations and Operating Segments

Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. (“GSBC” or the “Company”) operates as a one-bank holding company. GSBC’s business primarily consists of the operations of Great Southern Bank (the “Bank”), which provides a full range of financial services to customers primarily located in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska and Arkansas. The Bank also originates commercial loans from lending offices in Atlanta, Ga., Chicago, Ill., Dallas, Texas, Denver, Colo., Omaha, Neb. and Tulsa, Okla. The Company and the Bank are subject to regulation by certain federal and state agencies and undergo periodic examinations by those regulatory agencies.

The Company’s banking operation is its only reportable segment. The banking operation is principally engaged in the business of originating residential and commercial real estate loans, construction loans, commercial business loans and consumer loans and funding these loans by attracting deposits from the general public, accepting brokered deposits and borrowing from the Federal Home Loan Bank and others. The operating results of this segment are regularly reviewed by management to make decisions about resource allocations and to assess performance. Selected information is not presented separately for the Company’s reportable segment, as there is no material difference between that information and the corresponding information in the consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of real estate acquired in connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans, the valuation of loans acquired with indication of impairment and other-than-temporary impairments (OTTI) and fair values of financial instruments. In connection with the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of foreclosed assets held for sale, management obtains independent appraisals for significant properties. In addition, the Company considers that the determination of the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets involves a high degree of judgment and complexity.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Great Southern Bancorp, Inc., its wholly owned subsidiary, the Bank, and the Bank’s wholly owned subsidiaries, Great Southern Real Estate Development Corporation, GSB One LLC (including its wholly owned subsidiary, GSB Two LLC), Great Southern Financial Corporation, Great Southern Community Development Company, LLC (including its wholly owned subsidiary, Great Southern CDE, LLC), GS, LLC, GSSC, LLC, GSTC Investments, LLC, GS-RE Holding, LLC (including its wholly owned subsidiary, GS RE Management, LLC), GS-RE Holding II, LLC, GS-RE Holding III, LLC, VFP Conclusion Holding, LLC and VFP Conclusion Holding II, LLC. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock

Federal Home Loan Bank common stock is a required investment for institutions that are members of the Federal Home Loan Bank system. The required investment in common stock is based on a predetermined formula, carried at cost and evaluated for impairment.

Securities

Available-for-sale securities, which include any security for which the Company has no immediate plan to sell but which may be sold in the future, are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded, net of related income tax effects, in other comprehensive income.

Held-to-maturity securities, which include any security for which the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity, are carried at historical cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts.

Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts are recorded as interest income from securities. Realized gains and losses are recorded as net security gains (losses). Gains and losses on sales of securities are determined on the specific-identification method.

For debt securities with fair value below carrying value when the Company does not intend to sell a debt security, and it is more likely than not the Company will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis, it recognizes the credit component of an other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) of a debt security in earnings and the remaining portion in other comprehensive income. For held-to-maturity debt securities, the amount of an OTTI recorded in other comprehensive income for the noncredit portion of a previous OTTI is amortized prospectively over the remaining life of the security on the basis of the timing of future estimated cash flows of the security.

The Company’s consolidated statements of income reflect the full impairment (that is, the difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and fair value) on debt securities that the Company intends to sell or would more likely than not be required to sell before the expected recovery of the amortized cost basis. For available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that management has no intent to sell and believes that it more likely than not will not be required to sell prior to recovery, only the credit loss component of the impairment is recognized in earnings, while the noncredit loss is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. The credit loss component recognized in earnings is identified as the amount of principal cash flows not expected to be received over the remaining term of the security based on cash flow projections.

For equity securities, if any, when the Company has decided to sell an impaired available-for-sale security and the Company does not expect the fair value of the security to fully recover before the expected time of sale, the security is deemed OTTI in the period in which the decision to sell is made. The Company recognizes an impairment loss when the impairment is deemed other-than-temporary even if a decision to sell has not been made.

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale

Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of cost or fair value in the aggregate. Write-downs to fair value are recognized as a charge to earnings at the time the decline in value occurs. Nonbinding forward commitments to sell individual mortgage loans are generally obtained to reduce market risk on mortgage loans in the process of origination and mortgage loans held for sale. Gains and losses resulting from sales of mortgage loans are recognized when the respective loans are sold to investors. Fees received from borrowers to guarantee the funding of mortgage loans held for sale and fees paid to investors to ensure the ultimate sale of such mortgage loans are recognized as income or expense when the loans are sold or when it becomes evident that the commitment will not be used.

Loans Originated by the Company

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at their outstanding principal balances adjusted for any charge-offs, the allowance for loan losses, any deferred fees or costs on originated loans and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans. Interest income is reported on the interest method and includes amortization of net deferred loan fees and costs over the loan term. Past due status is based on the contractual terms of a loan. Generally, loans are placed on nonaccrual status at 90 days past due and interest is considered a loss, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. Payments received on nonaccrual loans are applied to principal until the loans are returned to accrual status. Loans are returned to accrual status when all payments contractually due are brought current, payment performance is sustained for a period of time, generally six months, and future payments are reasonably assured. With the exception of consumer loans, charge-offs on loans are recorded when available information indicates a loan is not fully collectible and the loss is reasonably quantifiable. Consumer loans are charged-off at specified delinquency dates consistent with regulatory guidelines.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectability of the loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

The allowance consists of allocated and general components. The allocated component relates to loans that are classified as impaired. For loans classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical charge-off experience and expected loss given default derived from the Company’s internal risk rating process. Other adjustments may be made to the allowance for certain loan segments after an assessment of internal or external influences on credit quality that are not fully reflected in the historical loss or risk rating data.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that not all of the principal and interest due under the loan agreement will be collected in accordance with contractual terms. For non-homogeneous loans, such as commercial loans, management determines which loans are reviewed for impairment based on information obtained by account officers, weekly past due meetings, various analyses including annual reviews of large loan relationships, calculations of loan debt coverage ratios as financial information is obtained and periodic reviews of all loans over $1.0 million. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length and reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of any collateral shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.

Large groups of smaller balance homogenous loans, such as consumer and residential loans, are collectively evaluated for impairment. In accordance with regulatory guidelines, impairment in the consumer and mortgage loan portfolio is primarily identified based on past-due status. Consumer and mortgage loans which are over 90 days past due or specifically identified as troubled debt restructurings will generally be individually evaluated for impairment.

Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for both homogeneous and non-homogeneous loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Payments made on impaired loans are treated in accordance with the accrual status of the loan. If loans are performing in accordance with their contractual terms but the ultimate collectability of principal and interest is questionable, payments are applied to principal only.

Loans Acquired in Business Combinations

Loans acquired in business combinations under ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations, require the use of the acquisition method of accounting. Therefore, such loans are initially recorded at fair value in accordance with the fair value methodology prescribed in ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. No allowance for loan losses related to the acquired loans is recorded on the acquisition date as the fair value of the loans acquired incorporates assumptions regarding credit risk. The fair value estimates associated with the loans include estimates related to expected prepayments and the amount and timing of undiscounted expected principal, interest and other cash flows.

For acquired loans not acquired in conjunction with an FDIC-assisted transaction that are not considered to be purchased credit-impaired loans, the Company evaluates those loans acquired in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 310-20, Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs. The fair value discount on these loans is accreted into interest income over the weighted average life of the loans using a constant yield method. These loans are not considered to be impaired loans. The Company evaluates purchased credit-impaired loans in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. Loans acquired in business combinations with evidence of credit deterioration since origination and for which it is probable that all contractually required payments will not be collected are considered to be credit impaired. Evidence of credit quality deterioration as of the purchase dates may include information such as past-due and nonaccrual status, borrower credit scores and recent loan to value percentages. Acquired credit-impaired loans that are accounted for under the accounting guidance for loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality are initially measured at fair value, which includes estimated future credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the loans.

The Company evaluates all of its loans acquired in conjunction with its FDIC-assisted transactions in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 310-30. For purposes of applying ASC 310-30, loans acquired in FDIC-assisted business combinations are aggregated into pools of loans with common risk characteristics. All loans acquired in the FDIC transactions, both covered and not covered by loss sharing agreements, were deemed to be purchased credit-impaired loans as there is general evidence of credit deterioration since origination in the pools and there is some probability that not all contractually required payments will be collected. As a result, related discounts are recognized subsequently through accretion based on changes in the expected cash flows of these acquired loans.

The expected cash flows of the acquired loan pools in excess of the fair values recorded is referred to as the accretable yield and is recognized in interest income over the remaining estimated lives of the loan pools for impaired loans accounted for under ASC Topic 310-30. Subsequent to acquisition date, the Company has estimated cash flows expected to be collected on pools of loans sharing common risk characteristics, which are treated in the aggregate when applying various valuation techniques. Increases in the Company’s cash flow expectations have been recognized as increases to the accretable yield while decreases have been recognized as impairments through the allowance for loan losses.

Other Real Estate Owned and Repossessions

Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value less estimated cost to sell at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less estimated cost to sell. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation allowance are included in net expense on foreclosed assets. Other real estate owned also includes bank premises formerly, but no longer, used for banking, as well as property originally acquired for future expansion but no longer intended to be used for that purpose.

Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is charged to expense using the straight-line and accelerated methods over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line and accelerated methods over the terms of the respective leases or the estimated useful lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter.

Material lease obligations consist of leases for various loan offices and banking centers, all of which are categorized as “operating leases.”  Under current accounting guidance, lessees are required to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for these leases. This right-of-use asset is included in Premises and Equipment.

Long-Lived Asset Impairment

The Company evaluates the recoverability of the carrying value of long-lived assets whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If a long-lived asset is tested for recoverability and the undiscounted estimated future cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset is less than the carrying amount of the asset, the asset cost is adjusted to fair value and an impairment loss is recognized as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds its fair value.

No asset impairment was recognized during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill is evaluated annually for impairment or more frequently if impairment indicators are present. The annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The Company still may perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the qualitative impairment test is necessary.

Intangible assets are being amortized on the straight-line basis generally over a period of seven years. Such assets are periodically evaluated as to the recoverability of their carrying value.

A summary of goodwill and intangible assets is as follows:

December 31,

    

2020

    

2019

 

(In Thousands)

Goodwill – Branch acquisitions

$

5,396

$

5,396

Deposit intangibles

 

  

 

  

Boulevard Bank

 

31

 

153

Valley Bank

 

200

 

600

Fifth Third Bank

 

1,317

 

1,949

 

1,548

 

2,702

$

6,944

$

8,098

Loan Servicing and Origination Fee Income

Loan servicing income represents fees earned for servicing real estate mortgage loans owned by various investors. The fees are generally calculated on the outstanding principal balances of the loans serviced and are recorded as income when earned. Loan origination fees, net of direct loan origination costs, are recognized as income using the level-yield method over the contractual life of the loan.

Stockholders’ Equity

The Company is incorporated in the State of Maryland. Under Maryland law, there is no concept of “Treasury Shares.”  Instead, shares purchased by the Company constitute authorized but unissued shares under Maryland law. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America state that accounting for treasury stock shall conform to state law. The cost of shares purchased by the Company has been allocated to common stock and retained earnings balances.

Earnings Per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share are computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year. Diluted earnings per common share are computed using the weighted average common shares and all potential dilutive common shares outstanding during the period.

Earnings per common share (EPS) were computed as follows:

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

Net income and net income available to common shareholders

$

59,313

$

73,612

$

67,109

Average common shares outstanding

 

14,043

 

14,201

 

14,132

Average common share stock options outstanding

 

61

 

129

 

128

Average diluted common shares

 

14,104

 

14,330

 

14,260

Earnings per common share – basic

$

4.22

$

5.18

$

4.75

Earnings per common share – diluted

$

4.21

$

5.14

$

4.71

Options outstanding at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, to purchase 758,901, 201,400 and 424,833 shares of common stock, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share for each of the years because the exercise

prices of such options were greater than the average market prices of the common stock for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Stock Compensation Plans

The Company has stock-based employee compensation plans, which are described more fully in Note 20. In accordance with FASB ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, compensation cost related to share-based payment transactions is recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on the grant-date fair value of the award using the modified prospective transition method. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, share-based compensation expense totaling $1.2 million, $922,000 and $737,000, respectively, was included in salaries and employee benefits expense in the consolidated statements of income.

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, cash equivalents consisted of interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions. At December 31, 2020, nearly all of the interest-bearing deposits were uninsured with nearly all of these balances held at the Federal Home Loan Bank or the Federal Reserve Bank.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with income tax accounting guidance (FASB ASC 740, Income Taxes). The income tax accounting guidance results in two components of income tax expense: current and deferred. Current income tax expense reflects taxes to be paid or refunded for the current period by applying the provisions of the enacted tax law to the taxable income or excess of deductions over revenues. The Company determines deferred income taxes using the liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is based on the tax effects of the differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and enacted changes in tax rates and laws are recognized in the period in which they occur.

Deferred income tax expense results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between periods. Deferred tax assets are recognized if it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the tax position will be realized or sustained upon examination. The term “more likely than not” means a likelihood of more than 50 percent; the terms examined and upon examination also include resolution of the related appeals or litigation processes, if any. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The determination of whether or not a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold considers the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date and is subject to management’s judgment. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of evidence available, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, no valuation allowance was established.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties on income taxes as a component of income tax expense.

The Company files consolidated income tax returns with its subsidiaries.

Derivatives and Hedging Activities

FASB ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, provides the disclosure requirements for derivatives and hedging activities with the intent to provide users of financial statements with an enhanced understanding of: (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how the entity accounts for derivative instruments and related hedged items and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. Further, qualitative disclosures are required that explain the Company’s objectives and strategies for using derivatives, as well as quantitative disclosures about the fair value of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative instruments. For detailed disclosures on derivatives and hedging activities, see Note 16.

As required by FASB ASC 815, the Company records all derivatives in the statement of financial condition at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected

to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting.

Restriction on Cash and Due From Banks

The Bank is required to maintain reserve funds in cash and/or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Reserve Bank has reduced all banks’ reserve requirements to $-0- until further notice. There was no reserve required at December 31, 2020, compared to $69.4 million at December 31, 2019.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326). The Update amends guidance on reporting credit losses for assets held at amortized cost basis and available for sale debt securities. For assets held at amortized cost basis, Topic 326 eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold in current GAAP and, instead, requires an entity to reflect its current estimate of all expected credit losses. This Update affects entities holding financial assets and net investment in leases that are not accounted for at fair value through net income. The amendments affect loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off balance sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. The Update was set to be effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. During March 2020, pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) and guidance from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”), we elected to delay adoption of the new accounting standard related to accounting for credit losses (“CECL”). In December 2020, additional legislation was enacted that amended certain provisions of the CARES Act. One of the provisions that was affected by this new legislation allowed for the election to further delay the adoption of the CECL accounting standard to January 1, 2022. An adoption date of January 1, 2021, was also an acceptable option and we elected January 1, 2021 as our adoption date for the CECL standard. As a result, our 2020 financial statements are prepared under the existing incurred loss methodology standard for accounting for loan losses.

The adoption of the CECL model during the first quarter of 2021 requires us to recognize a one-time cumulative adjustment to our allowance for loan losses and a liability for potential losses related to the unfunded portion of our loans and commitments in order to fully transition from the incurred loss model to the CECL model. Upon initial adoption, we increased the balance of our allowance for credit losses by approximately $12 million and create a liability for potential losses related to the unfunded portion of our loans and commitments by approximately $8 million. The after-tax effect of these adjustments is expected to result in a decrease in our retained earnings of approximately $13 million. These estimates are subject to change as material assumptions are refined and model validations are completed as we finalize our first quarter 2021 financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles: Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (Topic 350). To simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill, the amendments eliminate Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test should be performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and an impairment charge should be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the qualitative impairment test is necessary. The nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle should be disclosed upon transition. The amendments in this update are required for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The impact of adopting this new guidance during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. During 2020, the Company performed its annual review of goodwill and intangibles, including consideration of the circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on the valuation of the Company and other bank holding companies. The Company concluded that no impairment of its goodwill and intangible assets had occurred in 2020.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820. The amendments in this update remove disclosures that no longer are considered cost beneficial, modify/clarify the specific requirements of certain disclosures, and add disclosure requirements identified as relevant. ASU 2018-13 is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The impact of adopting this new guidance during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. ASU 2020-04 provides relief for companies preparing for discontinuation of interest rates such as the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"). LIBOR is a benchmark interest rate referenced in a variety of agreements that are used by numerous entities. After 2021, certain LIBOR rates may no longer be published. As a result, LIBOR could be discontinued as a reference rate. Other interest rates used globally could also be discontinued for similar reasons. ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform. The main provisions for contract modifications include optional relief by allowing the modification as a continuation of the existing contract without additional analysis and other optional expedients regarding embedded features. Optional expedients for hedge accounting permits changes to critical terms of hedging relationships and to the designated benchmark interest rate in a fair value hedge and also provides relief for assessing hedge effectiveness for cash flow hedges. Companies are able to apply ASU 2020-04 immediately; however, the guidance will only be available for a limited time (generally through December 31, 2022). The application of ASU 2020-04 has not had, and is not expected to have, a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope. ASU 2021-01 clarifies that certain optional expedients and exceptions in ASC 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the discounting transition. ASU 2021-01 also amends the expedients and exceptions in ASC 848 to capture the incremental consequences of the scope clarification and to tailor the existing guidance to derivative instruments affected by the discounting transition. ASU 2021-01 was effective upon issuance and generally can be applied through December 31, 2022. ASU 2021-01 has not had, and is not expected to have, a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.