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Summary of significant accounting policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2023
Summary of significant accounting policies |
Summary of significant accounting policies | 1. Summary of significant accounting policies: Nature of operations: The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Peoples Financial Services Corp. (the “Parent Company”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company ( “Peoples Bank” or when consolidated with the Parent Company, the “Company” or “Peoples”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Peoples Financial Services Corp., a bank holding company incorporated under the laws of Pennsylvania, provides a full range of financial services through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Peoples Bank. The Company services its retail and commercial customers through twenty-eight full-service community banking offices located within Allegheny, Bucks, Lackawanna, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties of Pennsylvania, Middlesex County of New Jersey and Broome County of New York. Peoples Bank is a state-chartered bank and trust company under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and the FDIC. Peoples Bank’s primary product is loans to small and medium-sized businesses. Other lending products include one-to-four family residential mortgages and consumer loans. Peoples Bank primarily funds its loans by offering deposits to commercial enterprises and individuals. Deposit product offerings include checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts and certificates of deposits. The Company faces competition primarily from commercial banks, thrift institutions and credit unions within its market, many of which are larger in terms of assets and capital. In addition, mutual funds and security brokers compete for various types of deposits, and consumer, mortgage, leasing and insurance companies compete for various types of loans and leases. Principal methods of competing for banking and permitted nonbanking services include price, nature of product, quality of service and convenience of location. Peoples Financial Services Corp. and Peoples Bank are subject to regulations of certain federal and state regulatory agencies and undergo periodic examinations. Basis of presentation: The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), Regulation S-X and reporting practices applied in the banking industry. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company also presents herein condensed parent company only financial information regarding the Parent Company. Prior period amounts are reclassified when necessary to conform with the current year’s presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on financial position or results of operations. Subsequent Events: The Company has evaluated events and transactions occurring subsequent to the balance sheet date of December 31, 2023, for items that should potentially be recognized or disclosed in these consolidated financial statements. The evaluation was conducted through the date these consolidated financial statements were issued. Pending Merger with FNCB Bancorp, Inc.: On September 27, 2023, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (“Merger Agreement”) with FNCB Bancorp, Inc. (“FNCB”), a Pennsylvania Corporation and the parent company of FNCB Bank, pursuant to which FNCB will merge with and into the Company, with the Company as the surviving entity. Immediately after such merger, FNCB Bank will merge with and into Peoples Bank, with Peoples Bank as the surviving bank and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies, shareholders of FNCB will be entitled to receive a fixed exchange ratio of 0.1460 shares of the Company's common stock for each share of the FNCB’s common stock. On October 27, 2023, the Company and FNCB jointly filed a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) Interagency Bank Merger Application with the FDIC New York Regional Office and the Company filed a Pennsylvania Bank Merger Application with the Pennsylvania Department of Banking. Completion of the merger requires, among other things, the approval from these regulatory authorities, as well as the shareholders of the Company and FNCB. The Merger Agreement provides certain termination rights for both the Company and FNCB and further provides that a termination fee of $4.8 million will be payable by either the Company or FNCB, as applicable, upon termination of the Merger Agreement under certain circumstances. The foregoing summary is not complete and is qualified in all respects by reference to the actual language of the Merger Agreement filed by the Company as Exhibit 2.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Pending regulatory and shareholder approvals, the Company expects the merger to be consummated in the third quarter of 2024, however, there can be no assurance that the transaction will be consummated by such date, or at all. Immaterial Prior Period Adjustment: During the quarter-ended June 30, 2023, the Company became aware that the unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2023 contained an immaterial misstatement. The Company determined that the ACL was overstated by $1.5 million as of March 31, 2023. The adjustment consisted of $1.1 million related to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” that the Company adopted effective January 1, 2023 and a $0.4 million reduction in the first quarter 2023 provision for credit loss requirement. This immaterial misstatement was identified during the second quarter review of the Company’s loan segment loss rates and an adjustment was made to the municipal loan segment to better align its credit loss rates with the risk inherent in this loan product. The Company evaluated this prior period adjustment in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 99, Materiality (ASC 250-10-S99) and based on its quantitative and qualitative analysis determined that this prior period adjustment was not material to the annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023. Therefore, an amendment to the previously filed quarterly report on Form 10-Q as of March 31, 2023 and each subsequent quarter was not required. Consequently, the Company elected to correct this prior period adjustment in the three month period ended June 30, 2023. The cumulative impact $1.1 million credit to the provision for credit losses and reduction in the ACL is reflected in the consolidated financial statements as of and for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. Estimates: The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP 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 consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates that are particularly susceptible to material change in the near term relate to the determination of the ACL, fair value of financial instruments, the valuation of deferred tax assets, the valuation of derivative instruments and impairment of goodwill. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Investment securities: Investment securities are classified and accounted for as either held to maturity or available for sale securities based on management’s intent at the time of acquisition. Management is required to reassess the appropriateness of such classifications at each reporting date. The Company classifies debt securities as held to maturity when management has the positive intent and ability to hold such securities to maturity. Held to maturity securities are stated at amortized cost, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount. Investment securities are designated as available for sale when they are to be held for indefinite periods of time as management intends to use such securities to implement asset/liability strategies or to sell them in response to changes in interest rates, prepayment risk, liquidity requirements, or other circumstances identified by management. Available for sale securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of income taxes, excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income (loss) in a separate component of stockholders’ equity. All marketable equity securities are accounted for at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in earnings. Estimated fair values for investment securities are based on quoted market prices from a national pricing service. Realized gains and losses are computed using the specific identification method and are included in noninterest income. Premiums on callable debt securities are amortized to the earliest call date from the maturity date. Premiums on non-callable securities are amortized and discounts are accreted using the interest method over the expected life of the security. Investment securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term, in order to generate profits from market appreciation, are classified as trading account securities. Transfers of securities between categories are recorded at fair value at the date of the transfer, with the accounting treatment of unrealized gains or losses determined by the category into which the security is transferred. Transfers of Financial Assets: Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity. Loans held for sale: Loans held for sale consist of one-to-four family residential mortgages originated and intended for sale in the secondary market. The loans are carried in aggregate at the lower of cost or estimated market value, based upon current delivery prices in the secondary mortgage market. Net unrealized losses are recognized through a valuation allowance by corresponding charges to income. Gains or losses on the sale of these loans are recognized in noninterest income at the time of sale using the specific identification method. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct loan origination costs, are included in net gains or losses upon the sale of the related mortgage loan. Loans, net: Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are stated at their outstanding unpaid principal balances, net of deferred fees or costs. Interest income is accrued on the principal amount outstanding. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized over the contractual life of the related loan as an adjustment to yield using the effective interest method. Premiums and discounts on purchased loans are amortized as adjustments to interest income using the effective interest method. Delinquency fees are recognized in income at the time when they are paid by customer. The loan portfolio is segmented into commercial and retail loans. Commercial loans consist of commercial, commercial real estate, municipal and other related tax free loans. Retail loans consist of residential real estate and other consumer loans. The Company makes commercial loans for real estate development and other business purposes to its customers. The Company’s credit policies establish advance rates against the different forms of collateral that can be pledged against various commercial loans. Typically, the majority of loans will be underwritten to a percentage of their underlying collateral values such as real estate values, equipment, eligible accounts receivable and inventory. Individual loan advance rates may be higher or lower depending upon the financial strength of the borrower and/or term of the loan. Generally, assets financed through commercial loans are used for the operations of the business. Repayment for these types of loans generally comes from the cash flow of the business or the ongoing conversion of assets. Commercial real estate loans include construction, mini-perm, or longer term loans financing commercial properties. Repayment of these loans is generally dependent upon either the ongoing business cash flow from an owner occupied property or the lease/rental income or sale of a non-owner occupied property. Commercial real estate loans typically require a loan to value of not greater than 80 percent and vary in terms. In addition, the payment expectations on loans secured by income-producing properties typically depend on the successful operations of the related business and thus may be subject to a greater extent to adverse conditions in the real estate market and in the general economy. Loans secured by commercial real estate generally have larger balances and involve a greater degree of risk than one-to-four family residential mortgage loans and consumer loans. Of primary concern in commercial real estate lending is the borrower’s and any guarantor’s creditworthiness and the feasibility and cash flow potential of the financed project. Additional considerations include: location, market and geographic concentration risks, loan to value, strength of guarantors and quality of tenants. Payments on loans secured by income properties often depend on successful operation and management of the properties. As a result, repayment of such loans may be subject to a higher level of risk than residential real estate loans, which could be caused by unfavorable conditions in the real estate market or the economy. To effectively monitor loans on income properties, the Company requires borrowers and loan guarantors, if any, to provide annual financial statements on commercial real estate loans and rent rolls where applicable. In reaching a decision on whether to make a commercial real estate loan, the Company considers and reviews a cash flow analysis of the borrower and guarantor, when applicable. In addition, the Company evaluates business cash flows, if applicable, net operating income of the property, the borrower’s expertise, credit history and the value of the underlying property. The Company manages commercial real estate credit risk by prudent underwriting with conservative debt service coverage and loan-to-value ratios at origination; lending to seasoned real estate owners/managers, frequently with personal guarantees of repayment; using reasonable appraisal practices; cross-collateralizing loans to one borrower when deemed prudent; and limiting the amount and types of construction lending. An environmental report is obtained when the possibility exists that hazardous materials may have existed on the site, or the site may have been impacted by adjoining properties that handled hazardous materials. Commercial loans are generally made on the basis of a business entity or individual borrower’s ability to make repayment from business cash flows or individual borrowers’ employment and other income. Commercial business loans tend to have a slightly higher risk than commercial real estate loans because collateral usually consists of business assets versus real estate. Further, any collateral securing such loans may depreciate over time and could be difficult to appraise and liquidate. As a result, repayment of commercial business loans may depend substantially on the success of the business itself. Residential mortgages, including home equity loans, are secured by the borrower’s residential real estate in either a first or second lien position. Residential mortgages have varying loan rates depending on the financial condition of the borrower, loan to value ratio and term. Residential mortgages may have amortizations up to 30 years. Consumer loans include installment loans, car loans, and overdraft lines of credit. These loans are both secured and unsecured. Consumer loans may entail greater risk than do residential mortgage loans, particularly in the case of consumer loans that are unsecured. Repossessed collateral for a defaulted consumer loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment for the outstanding loan and a small remaining deficiency often does not warrant further substantial collection efforts against the borrower. Consumer loan collections depend on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and therefore are likely to be adversely affected by various factors, including job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy. Furthermore, the application of various federal and state laws, including federal and state insolvency laws, may limit the amount that can be recovered on such loans. Off-balance sheet financial instruments: In the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into off-balance sheet financial instruments consisting of commitments to extend credit, unused portions of lines of credit and standby letters of credit. These financial instruments are recorded in the consolidated financial statements when they are funded. Fees on commercial letters of credit and on unused available lines of credit are recorded as interest and fees on loans and are included in interest income when paid. The Company records an ACL for off-balance sheet financial instruments, if deemed necessary, separately as a liability. Nonperforming assets: Nonperforming assets consist of nonperforming loans and other real estate owned. Nonperforming loans include nonaccrual loans and accruing loans past due 90 days or more. Past due status is based on contractual terms of the loan. Generally, a loan is classified as nonaccrual when it is determined that the collection of all or a portion of interest or principal is doubtful or when a default of interest or principal has existed for 90 days or more, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual, interest accruals discontinue and uncollected accrued interest is reversed against income in the current period. Interest collections after a loan has been placed on nonaccrual status are credited to a suspense account until either the loan is returned to performing status or charged-off. The interest accumulated in the suspense account is credited to income over the remaining life of the loan using the effective yield method if the nonaccrual loan is returned to performing status. However, if the nonaccrual loan is charged-off, the accumulated interest is applied as a reduction to principal at the time the loan is charged-off. A nonaccrual loan is returned to performing status when the loan is current as to principal and interest and has performed according to the contractual terms for a minimum of six months. The Company adopted ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures (“ASU 2022-02”) effective January 1, 2023. The amendments in ASU 2022-02 eliminated the recognition and measurement of troubled debt restructurings and enhanced disclosures for loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. Unless on nonaccrual, interest income on these loans is recognized when earned, using the interest method. The modification categories offered can generally fall within the following categories:
| ● | Rate Modification — A modification in which the interest rate is changed to a below market rate.
| ● | Term Modification — A modification in which the maturity date, timing of payments or frequency of payments is changed.
| ● | Interest Only Modification — A modification in which the loan is converted to interest only payments for a period of time.
| ● | Payment Modification — A modification in which the dollar amount of the payment is changed, other than an interest only modification described above.
| ● | Combination Modification — Any other type of modification, including the use of multiple categories above.
The Company segments loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt such as current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors. Loans are individually analyzed for credit risk by classifying them within the Company’s internal risk rating system. The Company’s risk rating classifications are defined as follows:
| ● | Pass — A loan to borrowers with acceptable credit quality and risk that is not adversely classified as Substandard, Doubtful, Loss nor designated as Special Mention.
| ● | Special Mention — A loan that has potential weaknesses that deserves management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or in the institution’s credit position at some future date. Special Mention loans are not adversely classified since they do not expose the Company to sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification.
| ● | Substandard — A loan that is inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified must have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.
| ● | Doubtful — A loan classified as Doubtful has all the weaknesses inherent in one classified Substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make the collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.
| ● | Loss — A loan classified as Loss is considered uncollectible and of such little value that its continuance as a bankable loan is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the loan has absolutely no recovery
|  | or salvage value, but rather it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off this basically worthless asset even though partial recovery may be effected in the future.
Other real estate owned is comprised of properties acquired through foreclosure proceedings or in-substance foreclosures. A loan is classified as in-substance foreclosure when the Company has taken possession of the collateral regardless of whether formal foreclosure proceedings take place. Other real estate owned is included in other assets and recorded at fair value less cost to sell at the time of acquisition, establishing a new cost basis. Any excess of the loan balance over the recorded value is charged to the ACL. Subsequent declines in the recorded values of the properties prior to their disposal and costs to maintain the assets are included in other expenses. Any gain or loss realized upon disposal of other real estate owned is included in noninterest expense. Allowance for credit losses: The ACL represents the estimated amount considered necessary to cover lifetime expected credit losses inherent in financial assets at the balance sheet date. The measurement of expected credit losses is applicable to loans receivable and held to maturity securities measured at amortized cost. It also applies to off-balance sheet credit exposures such as loan commitments and unused lines of credit. The allowance is established through a provision for credit losses that is charged against income. The methodology for determining the ACL for loans is considered a critical accounting estimate by management because of the high degree of judgment involved, the subjectivity of the assumptions used, and the potential for changes in the forecasted economic environment that could result in changes to the amount of the recorded ACL. The ACL related to loans receivable and held to maturity debt securities is reported separately as a contra-asset on the consolidated balance sheets. The expected credit loss for unfunded lending commitments and unfunded loan commitments is reported on the consolidated balance sheets in other liabilities while the provision for credit losses related to unfunded commitments is reported in other noninterest expense in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss). ACL on Loans Receivable Effective January 1, 2023, the Company adopted the provisions of ASC 326 and modified its accounting policy for the ACL on loans. The ACL on loans is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the loan to present the net amount expected to be collected. Expected credit losses are evaluated and calculated on a collective, or pooled, basis for those loans which share similar risk characteristics. The Company has chosen to segment its portfolio consistent with the manner in which it manages credit risk. Segments are based primarily on regulatory reporting codes as the loans within each segment share similar risk characteristics and there is sufficient historical peer loss data to supplement the Company’s data used in the model. The segments include residential real estate, consumer, commercial and industrial, commercial real estate and municipal. The Company has identified the following pools subject to an estimate of credit loss: (1) 1-4 Family Construction; (2) Other Construction; (3) Farmland; (4) Revolving Secured by 1-4 Family; (5) Residential Secured by First Liens; (6) Residential Secured by Junior Liens; (7) Multifamily; (8) CRE Owner Occupied; (9) CRE Non-Owner Occupied; (10) Agriculture; (11) C&I; (12) Consumer; and (13) Municipal. At each reporting period, the Company evaluates whether loans within a pool continue to exhibit similar risk characteristics. If the risk characteristics of a loan change, such that they are no longer similar to other loans in the pool, the Company will evaluate the loan with a different pool of loans that share similar risk characteristics. If the loan does not share risk characteristics with other loans, the Company will evaluate the loan on an individual basis. The Company evaluates the pooling methodology at least annually. Loans are charged off against the ACL when the Company believes the balances to be uncollectible. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged off or expected to be charged off. The Company estimates the ACL on loans using an advanced probability of default model which incorporates probability of default, loss given default, exposure at default and probability of attrition attributes. The model considers relevant available information at both the portfolio and loan level from internal data that is supplemented by shared data pool information. The model also incorporates reasonable and supportable economic forecasts. After the reasonable and supportable forecast period, the model reverts to average historical losses. Expected credit losses are estimated over the contractual term of the loans, adjusted for expected prepayments when appropriate. The contractual term excludes expected extensions, renewals, and modifications. Also included in the ACL on loans are qualitative reserves to cover losses that are expected but, in the Company’s assessment, may not be adequately represented in the quantitative analysis described above. Qualitative factors that the Company considers include changes in lending policies and procedures, changes in management, changes in the quality of the loan review process, the existence of any concentrations of credit and other external factors. Qualitative loss factors are applied to each portfolio segment with the amounts judgmentally determined by the relative risk to the adverse stress credit loss scenarios using regulatory stress testing scenarios. Individually Evaluated Loans On a case-by-case basis, the Company may conclude that a loan should be evaluated on an individual basis based on its disparate risk characteristics. The Bank has determined that any loans currently on nonaccrual status or are 90 or more days past due and still accruing are considered impaired and should be individually evaluated for losses. When the Company determines that a loan no longer shares similar risk characteristics with other loans in the portfolio, the allowance will be determined on an individual basis using the present value of expected cash flows or, for collateral-dependent loans, the fair value of the collateral as of the reporting date, less estimated selling costs, as applicable. If the fair value of the collateral is less than the amortized cost basis of the loan, the Company will establish a reserve for the difference between the fair value of the collateral, less costs to sell and carrying costs at the reporting date and the amortized cost basis of the loan. If this amount is deemed uncollectible, the Company will charge-off that amount. Acquired Loans Acquired loans are included in the Company's calculation of the ACL. How the allowance on an acquired loan is recorded depends on whether or not it has been classified as a Purchased Credit Deteriorated (“PCD”) loan. PCD loans are loans acquired at a discount that is due, in part, to credit quality. PCD loans are accounted for in accordance with ASC Subtopic 326-20 and are initially recorded at fair value as determined by the sum of the present value of expected future cash flows and an ACL at acquisition. The allowance for PCD loans is recorded through a gross-up effect, while the allowance for acquired non-PCD loans is recorded through provision expense, consistent with originated loans. Thus, the determination of which loans are PCD and non-PCD can have a significant impact on the accounting for these loans. Subsequent to acquisition, the allowance for PCD loans will generally follow the same estimation, provision and charge-off process as non-PCD acquired and originated loans. Under FASB ASC Topic 326, a PCD asset is defined as an individual financial asset that as of the date of acquisition has experienced a more than insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination as determined during the acquisition process. Upon identification of these assets, the amortized cost basis will be adjusted at the time of acquisition to reflect any impairment amount. After acquisition, PCD loans will be either collectively evaluated for reserve requirements or individually evaluated if on nonaccrual status or are 90 or more days past due and still accruing. As of December 31, 2023 there were no acquired loans included in the ACL. ACL on Off-Balance Sheet Commitments The Company is required to include unfunded commitments for not unconditionally cancellable commitments that are expected to be funded in the future within the allowance calculation, other than those that are unconditionally cancelable. To arrive at that reserve, the reserve percentage for each applicable segment is applied to the unused portion of the expected commitment balance and is multiplied by the expected funding rate. To determine the expected funding rate, the Company uses a historical utilization rate for each segment. As noted above, the ACL on unfunded loan commitments is included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets and the related credit expense is recorded in other noninterest expense in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss). ACL on Held to Maturity Securities The Company’s portfolio of held to maturity securities consists of municipal bonds and U.S. agency residential mortgage-backed securities which are highly rated by major rating agencies and have a long history of no credit losses. In estimating the net amount expected to be collected for held to maturity securities in an unrealized loss position, a historical loss based method is utilized. ACL on Available for Sale Securities For available for sale 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 securities available for sale that do not meet the above criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, the Company considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating by a rating agency, and adverse conditions 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 the cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an ACL is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an ACL is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. The Company elected the practical expedient of zero loss estimates for securities issued by U.S. government entities and agencies. These securities are either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S. government, are highly rated by major agencies and have a long history of no credit losses. Accrued Interest Receivable The Company made an accounting policy election to exclude accrued interest receivable from the amortized cost basis of loans, available for sale securities, and held to maturity securities. Accrued interest receivable on loans is reported as a component of accrued interest receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, totaled $10.7 million at December 31, 2023 and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. Accrued interest receivable on available for sale securities and held to maturity securities, also a component of accrued interest receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and totaled $1.7 million and $193 thousand, respectively, at December 31, 2023 and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses, as the Company has a policy to charge off accrued interest deemed uncollectible in a timely manner. Revenue from Contracts with Customers: The Company records revenue from contracts with customers in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“Topic 606”). Under Topic 606, the Company must identify the contract with a customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation. Significant revenue has not been recognized in the current reporting period that results from performance obligations satisfied in previous periods. The Company’s primary sources of revenue are derived from interest and dividends earned on loans, investment securities, and other financial instruments that are not within the scope of Topic 606. The Company has evaluated the nature of its contracts with customers and determined that further disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers into more granular categories beyond what is presented in the consolidated statements of income was not necessary. The Company generally fully satisfies its performance obligations on its contracts with customers as services are rendered and the transaction prices are typically fixed; charged either on a periodic basis or based on activity. The following is a discussion of revenues within the scope of the guidance:
| ● | Service charges, fees, commissions and other. Service charges, fees and commissions on deposit accounts include fees for banking services provided, overdrafts and non-sufficient funds. Revenue is generally recognized in accordance with published deposit account agreements for retail accounts or contractual
|  | agreements for commercial accounts. The Company’s deposit services also include our ATM and debit card interchange revenue that is presented gross of the associated costs. Interchange revenue is generated by the Company’s deposit customers’ usage and volume of activity. Interchange rates are not controlled by the Company, which effectively acts as processor that collects and remits payments associated with customer debit card transactions.
| ● | Commission and fees on fiduciary activities. Commission and fees on fiduciary activities includes fees and commissions from investment management, administrative and advisory services primarily for individuals, and to a lesser extent, partnerships and corporations. Revenue is recognized on an accrual basis at the time the services are performed and when the Company has a right to invoice and are based on either the market value of the assets managed or the services provided.
| ● | Wealth management income. Wealth management income includes fees and commissions charged when the Company arranges for another party to transfer brokerage services to a customer. The fees and commissions under this agent relationship are based upon stated fee schedules based upon the type of transaction, volume, and value of the services provided.
| ● | Merchant services income. Merchant services revenue is derived from a third party vendor that processes credit card transactions on behalf of the Company’s merchant customers. Merchant services revenue is primarily comprised of residual fee income based on the referred merchant’s processing volumes and/or margin.
Premises, equipment and lease commitments: Land is stated at cost. Premises, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. The cost of routine maintenance and repairs is expensed as incurred. The cost of major replacements, renewals and betterments is capitalized. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are eliminated and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in noninterest income. Depreciation and amortization are computed principally using the straight-line method based on the following estimated useful lives of the related assets, or in the case of leasehold improvements, to the expected terms of the leases, if shorter: ​
​ | ​ | ​ | ​
Premises and leasehold improvements |  | 7 – 40 years | ​
Furniture, fixtures and equipment |  | 3 – 10 years | ​
​ A right-of-use asset and related lease liability is recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for operating leases Peoples Bank has entered to lease certain office facilities. These amounts are reported as components of premises and equipment and other liabilities. Short-term operating leases, which are leases with an original term of 12 months or less and do not have a purchase option that is likely to be exercised, are not recognized as part of the right-of-use asset or lease liability. Goodwill and other intangible assets, net: The Company accounts for its acquisitions using the purchase accounting method. Purchase accounting requires the total purchase price to be allocated to the estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including certain intangible assets that must be recognized. Typically, this allocation results in the purchase price exceeding the fair value of net assets acquired, which is recorded as goodwill. Core deposit intangibles are a measure of the value of checking, money market and savings deposits acquired in business combinations. Core deposit intangibles and other identified intangibles with finite useful lives are amortized using the sum of the year’s digits over their estimated useful lives of up to ten years. Goodwill and other intangible assets are tested for impairment annually at December 31st or when circumstances arise indicating impairment may have occurred. In assessing impairment, the Company has the option to perform a qualitative analysis to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of such events or circumstances, the Company determines it is not more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the Company would not be required to perform a quantitative impairment test. At December 31, 2023, we completed a qualitative goodwill impairment test to determine if it is more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that the fair value of the Company is less than its carrying value, including goodwill, as described by the GAAP methodology. The Company determined a qualitative test would be performed based on the Company's market capitalization being higher than the Company's current book value. Additionally, the Company used an average control premium associated with acquisitions announced during the last three years and multiplied the average control premium by its market capitalization which allowed management to compare to the Company's current book value to determine if an adjustment to goodwill is warranted. Based on this analysis, we concluded it is more likely than not that the fair value of the Company, as of December 31, 2023, is higher than its carrying value, and, therefore, goodwill is not considered impaired and no further testing is required. The Company did not have any impairment of goodwill as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Mortgage servicing rights: Mortgage servicing rights are recognized as a separate asset upon the sale and servicing of mortgage loans by the Company. The Company calculates a mortgage servicing right by allocating the total costs incurred between the loan sold and the servicing right, based on their relative fair values at the date of the sale. Mortgage servicing rights are included in other assets and are amortized into noninterest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying mortgage loans. In addition, mortgage servicing rights are evaluated for impairment at each reporting date based on the fair value of those rights. For purposes of measuring impairment, the rights are stratified by loan type, term and interest rate. The amount of impairment recognized, through a valuation allowance, is the amount by which the mortgage servicing rights for a stratum exceed their fair value. Restricted equity securities: As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (“FHLB”), the Company is required to purchase and hold stock in the FHLB to satisfy membership and borrowing requirements. This stock is restricted in that it can only be redeemed by the FHLB or transferred to another member institution, and all redemptions of FHLB stock must be at par. As a result of these restrictions, FHLB stock is unlike other investment securities as there is no trading market for FHLB stock and the transfer price is determined by FHLB membership rules and not by market participants. The carrying value of restricted stock is included in other assets. Bank owned life insurance: The Company invests in bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) as a source of funding for employee benefit expenses. BOLI involves the purchasing of life insurance on certain employees or directors. The Company is the owner and beneficiary of the policies. This life insurance investment is carried at the cash surrender value of the underlying policies. Income from increases in cash surrender value of the policies is included in noninterest income. The policies can be liquidated, if necessary, with associated tax costs. However, the Company intends to hold these policies and, accordingly, the Company has not provided for income taxes on the earnings from the increase in cash surrender value. Pension and post-retirement benefit plans: The Company sponsors a separate Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) and Retirement Profit Sharing 401(k) Plan and maintains Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (“SERPs”) and an employee pension plan, which is currently frozen. The Company also provides post-retirement benefit plans other than pensions, consisting principally of life insurance benefits, to eligible retirees. The liabilities and annual income or expense of the Company’s pension and other post-retirement benefit plans are determined using methodologies that involve several actuarial assumptions, the most significant of which are the discount rate and the long-term rate of asset return, based on the market-related value of assets. The fair values of plan assets are determined based on prevailing market prices or estimated fair value for investments with no available quoted prices. Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents include cash, deposits with other financial institutions with maturities fewer than 90 days, and federal funds sold. Net cash flows are reported for customer loan and deposit transactions, interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions and borrowings with original maturities fewer than 90 days. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities: The Company is exposed to certain risk arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its assets and liabilities and the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of the Company’s known or expected cash receipts principally related to the Company’s assets and borrowings. The Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet 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. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk in a fair value hedge or the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge. The Company may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risk, even though hedge accounting does not apply or the Company elects not to apply hedge accounting. The Company has elected to measure the credit risk of its derivative financial instruments that are subject to master netting agreements on a net basis by counterparty portfolio. Fair value of financial instruments: The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosure under GAAP. Fair value estimates are calculated without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of certain assets and liabilities that are not considered financial. Accordingly, such assets and liabilities are excluded from disclosure requirements. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. In that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets. In many cases, these values cannot be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument. Current fair value guidance provides a consistent definition of fair value, which focuses on exit price in an orderly transaction that is not a forced liquidation or distressed sale between participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. If there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability, a change in valuation technique or the use of multiple valuation techniques may be appropriate. In such instances, determining the price at which willing market participants would transact at the measurement date under current market conditions depends on the facts and circumstances and requires the use of significant judgment. The fair value is a reasonable point within the range that is most representative of fair value under current market conditions. In accordance with GAAP, the Company groups its assets and liabilities generally measured at fair value into three levels based on market information or other fair value estimates in which the assets and liabilities are traded or valued and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels include:
| ● | Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices of identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.
| ● | Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
| ● | Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
Income taxes: Deferred income taxes are provided on the balance sheet method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax basis. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the effective date. 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 has a likelihood of being realized on examination of more than 50 percent. For tax positions not meeting the more likely than not threshold, no tax benefit is recorded. Under the more likely than not threshold guidelines, the Company believes no significant uncertain tax positions exist, either individually or in the aggregate, that would give rise to the non-recognition of an existing tax benefit. The Company had no material unrecognized tax benefits or accrued interest and penalties for any year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023. As applicable, the Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties assessed as a result of a taxing authority examination through income tax expense. The Company files consolidated income tax returns in the United States of America and various state jurisdictions. With limited exception, the Company is no longer subject to federal and state income tax examinations by taxing authorities for years before 2020. Other comprehensive income (loss): The components of other comprehensive income (loss) and their related tax effects are reported in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss). The accumulated other comprehensive loss included in the consolidated balance sheets relates to net unrealized gains and losses on investment securities available for sale, the unrealized losses and gains on derivatives fair value and the unfunded benefit plan amounts which include prior service costs and unrealized net losses. Earnings per share: Basic earnings per share represent income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued, as well as any adjustment to income that would result from the assumed issuance. Potential common shares that may be issued by the Company relate to awards of restricted stock units, and are determined using the treasury stock method. ​
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(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) | ​ | 2023 | ​ | 2022 | ​ | 2021 | ​
For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, | ​ | Basic | ​ | Diluted | ​ | Basic | ​ | Diluted | ​ | Basic | ​ | Diluted |
Net income |  | $ | 27,380 |  | $ | 27,380 |  | $ | 38,090 | ​ | $ | 38,090 |  | $ | 43,519 |  | $ | 43,519 | ​
Average common shares outstanding | ​ |  | 7,107,908 | ​ |  | 7,151,471 | ​ |  | 7,168,092 | ​ |  | 7,211,643 | ​ |  | 7,196,160 | ​ |  | 7,235,303 | ​
Earnings per share | ​ | $ | 3.85 | ​ | $ | 3.83 | ​ | $ | 5.31 | ​ | $ | 5.28 | ​ | $ | 6.05 | ​ | $ | 6.02 | ​
​ Stock-based compensation: The Company recognizes all share-based payments to employees in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss) based on their fair values. The fair value of such equity instruments is recognized as an expense in the consolidated financial statements as services are performed. The Company has granted restricted stock awards and units to employees at a price equal to the fair value of the shares underlying the awards at the date of grant. The fair value of restricted stock awards and units are equivalent to the fair value on the date of grant and is amortized over the vesting period. Subordinated debt: The subordinated notes are recorded at par with related debt issuance costs reported as a direct reduction from the carrying amount. Issuance costs are amortized over the remaining maturity of the notes and reflected in interest expense. Recent accounting standards: Adoption of New Accounting Standard On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”, which replaced the incurred loss methodology with an expected loss methodology that is referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 using a modified retrospective approach. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2023 are presented under Topic 326, while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP. At adoption, the Company decreased its ACL by $3.0 million, $3.3 million of this was related to loans offset in part by an increase in the ACL related to unfunded loan commitments. There was no ACL related to HTM debt securities at adoption. Upon adoption the Company recorded a cumulative effect adjustment that increased stockholders’ equity by $2.4 million, net of tax. Recently Issued But Not Yet Effective Accounting Pronouncements From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB or other standard setting bodies that are adopted by the Company as of the required effective dates. Unless otherwise discussed, management believes the impact of any recently issued standards, including those issued but not yet effective, will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. ASU 2023-01, “Leases (Topic 842) - Common Control Arrangements” (ASU 2023-01) requires entities to determine whether a related party arrangement between entities under common control is a lease. If the arrangement is determined to be a lease, an entity must classify and account for the lease on the same basis as an arrangement with an unrelated party (on the basis of legally enforceable terms and conditions). ASU 2023-01 is effective January 1, 2024 and is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. ASU 2023-02 “Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323) - Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method” (ASU 2023-02) permits reporting entities to elect to account for their tax equity investments, regardless of the tax credit program from which the income tax credits are received, using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. ASU 2023-02 is effective January 1, 2024 and is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. ASU 2023-05 “Business Combinations - Joint Venture Formations (Subtopic 805-60) – Recognition and Initial Measurement” (ASU 2023-05) addresses the accounting for contributions made to a joint venture, upon formation, in a joint venture’s separate financial statements. ASU 2023-05 requires certain joint ventures to apply a new basis of accounting upon formation by recognizing and initially measuring most of their assets and liabilities at fair value. The objectives of the amendments are to provide decision-useful information to investors and other allocators of capital in a joint venture’s financial statements and also to reduce diversity in practice. ASU 2023-05 is effective prospectively for all joint venture formations with a formation date on or after January 1, 2025 and is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. ASU 2023-06 “Disclosure Improvements” (“ASU 2023-06”) amends the disclosure or presentation requirements related to various subtopics in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”). ASU 2023-06 was issued in response to the SEC’s initiative to update and simplify disclosure requirements. For reporting entities subject to the SEC’s existing disclosure requirements, the effective dates of ASU 2023-06 will be the date on which the SEC’s removal of that related disclosure requirement from Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K becomes effective. If by June 30, 2027, the SEC has not removed the applicable requirement from Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K, the pending content of the related amendment will be removed from the Codification and will not become effective for any entities. ASU 2023-07 “Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” addresses disclosure requirements regarding significant segment expenses in order that investors may better understand an entity’s overall performance and assess potential future cash flows. ASU 2023-07 is effective January 1, 2024 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. ASU 2023-09 “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” requires public business entities to disclose additional information in specified categories with respect to the reconciliation of the effective tax rate to the statutory rate for federal, state and foreign taxes as well as taxes paid. It also requires greater detail in the rate reconciliation of items which exceed 5 percent of pretax income. ASU 2023-09 is effective January 1, 2025 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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