XML 46 R32.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. ("ChoiceOne"), its wholly-owned subsidiary, ChoiceOne Bank (the "Bank"), and ChoiceOne Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiary, ChoiceOne Insurance Agencies, Inc. (the "Insurance Agency"). Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

ChoiceOne owns all of the common securities of Community Shores Capital Trust I (the “Capital Trust”). Under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), the Capital Trust is not consolidated because it is a variable interest entity and ChoiceOne is not the primary beneficiary.

Business Combinations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recent Mergers

On July 1, 2020, ChoiceOne completed the merger of Community Shores Bank Corporation ("Community Shores") with and into ChoiceOne with ChoiceOne surviving the merger. Accordingly, the reported consolidated financial condition and operating results as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021 include the impact of the merger.

On October 1, 2019, ChoiceOne completed the merger of County Bank Corp. ("County") with and into ChoiceOne with ChoiceOne surviving the merger. Accordingly, the reported consolidated financial condition and operating results as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019, December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2021 include the impact of the merger.

Nature of Operations, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Nature of Operations

The Bank is a full-service community bank that offers commercial, consumer, and real estate loans as well as traditional demand, savings and time deposits to both commercial and consumer clients within the Bank’s primary market areas in Kent, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Ottawa counties in western Michigan and Lapeer, Macomb, and St. Clair counties in southeastern Michigan. Substantially all loans are secured by specific items of collateral including business assets, consumer assets, and real estate. Commercial loans are expected to be repaid from the cash flows from operations of businesses. Real estate loans are collateralized by either residential or commercial real estate.

The Insurance Agency is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank. The Insurance Agency sells insurance policies such as life and health for both commercial and consumer clients. The Insurance Agency also offers alternative investment products such as annuities and mutual funds through a registered broker.

Together, the Bank and ChoiceOne's other direct and indirect subsidiaries account for substantially all of ChoiceOne’s assets, revenues and operating income.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

To prepare financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, ChoiceOne’s management makes estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided. These estimates and assumptions are subject to many risks and uncertainties, Actual results may differ from these estimates. Estimates associated with the allowance for loan losses are particularly susceptible to change.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are defined to include cash on hand, demand deposits with other banks, and federal funds sold. Cash flows are reported on a net basis for customer loan and deposit transactions, deposits with other financial institutions, and short-term borrowings with original terms of 90 days or less.

Marketable Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Securities

Debt securities are classified as held to maturity and carried at amortized cost when management has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. Debt securities are classified as available for sale because they might be sold before maturity. Debt securities classified as available for sale are carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported separately in the accumulated other comprehensive income or loss section of shareholders’ equity, net of tax effect. Restricted investments in Federal Reserve Bank stock and Federal Home Loan Bank stock are carried at cost. Equity securities consist of investments in preferred stock and investments in common stock of other financial institutions. Equity securities are reported at their fair value with changes in market value reported through current earnings.

Interest income includes amortization of purchase premium or discount. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized using the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments. Gains or losses on sales are recorded on the trade date based on the amortized cost of the security sold.

Management evaluates debt securities for other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation. The evaluation of securities includes consideration of the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, whether the market decline was affected by macroeconomic conditions and whether ChoiceOne has the intent to sell the security or it is more likely than not it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. In analyzing an issuer's financial condition, management may consider whether the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, or U.S. Government sponsored enterprises, whether downgrades by bond rating agencies have occurred, and the results of reviews of the issuer's financial condition. The assessment of whether an other-than-temporary decline exists involves a high degree of subjectivity and judgment and is based on the information available to management at a point in time.

When OTTI occurs, the amount of the OTTI recognized in earnings depends on whether ChoiceOne intends to sell the security or it is more likely than not it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If ChoiceOne intends to sell or it is more likely than not it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the OTTI shall be recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the investment's amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. The previous amortized cost basis less the OTTI recognized in earnings becomes the new amortized cost basis of the investment. If a security is determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired, but ChoiceOne does not intend to sell the security, only the credit portion of the estimated loss is recognized in earnings, with the other portion of the loss recognized in other comprehensive income.

Financing Receivable [Policy Text Block]

Loans

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at the principal balance outstanding, net of unearned interest, deferred loan fees and costs, remaining purchase accounting adjustments, and an allowance for loan losses. Loans held for sale are reported at the lower of cost or market, on an aggregate basis.

Interest income on loans is reported on the interest method and includes amortization of net deferred loan fees and costs over the estimated loan term. Interest on loans is accrued based upon the principal balance outstanding. The accrual of interest is discontinued at the time at which loans are 90 days past due unless the loan is secured by sufficient collateral and is in the process of collection. Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan. Loans are placed into nonaccrual status or charged off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful. Interest accrued but not received is reversed against interest income when the loans are placed into nonaccrual status. Interest received on such loans is applied to principal until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual basis when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payment is reasonably assured.

No allowance for loan loss is recorded for loans acquired in a business combination unless losses are incurred subsequent to the acquisition date.

Acquired loans are considered purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) if as of the acquisition date, management determines the loan has evidence of deterioration in credit quality since origination and it is probable at acquisition the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payments. The discount related to credit quality for PCI loans is recorded as an adjustment to the loan balance as of the acquisition date and is not accreted into income. Management subsequently estimates expected cash flows on an individual loan basis. If the present value of expected cash flows is less than a loan's carrying amount, an allowance for loan loss is recorded through the provision for loan losses. If the present value of expected cash flows is greater than the carrying amount, the excess may be reclassified to an accretable difference and recognized into income over the loan's remaining life.

For non-PCI loans, the difference between acquisition date fair value and expected cash flows is accreted into income over a pool's expected life using the level yield method.

Mortgage Banking Activity [Policy Text Block]

Loans to Other Financial Institutions

Loans to other financial institutions are made for the purpose of providing a warehouse line of credit to facilitate funding of residential mortgage loan originations at other financial institutions. The loans are short-term in nature and are designed to provide funding for the time period between the loan origination and its subsequent sale in the secondary market. Loans to other financial institutions earn a share of interest income, determined by the contract, from when the loan is funded to when the loan is sold on the secondary market. Loans to other financial institutions are excluded from Note 3. Loans to other financial institutions were suspended at the end of the third quarter 2022 to preserve liquidity for loan growth.

Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance for Loan Losses Policy [Policy Text Block]

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses. The allowance for loan losses is increased by the provision for loan losses and decreased by loans charged off less any recoveries of charged off loans. Management estimates the allowance for loan losses balance required based on past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions, and other factors. Allocations of the allowance for loan losses may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance for loan losses is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off. Loan losses are charged against the allowance for loan losses when management believes that collection of a loan balance is not possible.

The allowance for loan losses consists of general and specific components. The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors. The specific component relates to loans that are individually classified as impaired or loans otherwise classified as substandard or doubtful. The general component of management's estimate of the allowance for loan losses covers non-impaired loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors. Management's adjustment for current factors is based on trends in delinquencies, trends in charge-offs and recoveries, trends in the volume of loans, changes in underwriting standards, trends in loan review findings, experience and ability of lending staff, national and economic trends and conditions, industry conditions, trends in real estate values, and other conditions.

A loan is impaired when full payment under the loan terms is not expected. Troubled debt restructuring of loans is undertaken to improve the likelihood that the loan will be repaid in full under the modified terms in accordance with a reasonable repayment schedule. All modified loans are evaluated to determine whether the loans should be reported as Troubled Debt Restructurings ("TDR"). A loan is a TDR when the Bank, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower by modifying a loan. To make this determination, the Bank must determine whether (a) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and (b) the Bank granted the borrower a concession. This determination requires consideration of all facts and circumstances surrounding the modification. An overall general decline in the economy or some deterioration in a borrower’s financial condition does not automatically mean the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties. Commercial loans are evaluated for impairment on an individual loan basis. If a loan is considered impaired or if a loan has been classified as a TDR, a portion of the allowance for loan losses is allocated to the loan so that it is reported, net, at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate or at the fair value of collateral if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. Large groups of smaller-balance homogeneous loans such as consumer and residential real estate mortgage loans are collectively evaluated for impairment and, accordingly, they are not separately identified for impairment disclosures.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Land is carried at cost. Land improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method with useful lives ranging from 7 to 15 years. Building and related components are depreciated using the straight-line method with useful lives ranging from 5 to 39 years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated life or the lease term. Furniture and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method with useful lives ranging from 3 to 7 years. Fixed assets are periodically reviewed for impairment. If impaired, the assets are recorded at fair value.

Real Estate Owned, Valuation Allowance, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Other Real Estate Owned

Real estate properties acquired in the collection of a loan are initially recorded at the lower of the Bank’s basis in the loans or fair value at acquisition establishing a new cost basis. Any reduction to fair value from the carrying value of the related loan is accounted for as a loan loss. After acquisition, a valuation allowance reduces the reported amount to the lower of the initial amount or fair value less costs to sell. Expenses to repair or maintain properties are included within other noninterest expenses. Gains and losses upon disposition and changes in the valuation allowance are reported net within noninterest income.

Banked Owned Life Insurance, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Bank Owned Life Insurance

Bank owned life insurance policies are stated at the current cash surrender value of the policy, or the policy death proceeds less any obligation to provide a death benefit to an insured’s beneficiaries if that value is less than the cash surrender value. Increases in the asset value are recorded as earnings in other income.

Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets, Servicing of Financial Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Loan Servicing Rights

Loan servicing rights represent the allocated value of servicing rights on loans sold with servicing retained. Servicing rights are expensed in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing revenues. Impairment is evaluated based on the fair value of the rights, using groupings of the underlying loans as to interest rates and then, secondarily, as to geographic and prepayment characteristics. Servicing rights are initially recorded at estimated fair value and fair value is determined using prices for similar assets with similar characteristics when available or based upon discounted cash flows using market-based assumptions. Any impairment of a grouping is reported as a valuation allowance.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill results from business acquisitions and represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the acquired tangible assets and liabilities and identifiable intangible assets. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events and circumstances exist that indicate that a goodwill impairment test should be performed.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Core Deposit Intangible

Core deposit intangible represents the value of the acquired customer core deposit bases and is included as an asset on the consolidated balance sheets. The core deposit intangible has an estimated finite life, is amortized on an accelerated basis over a 120 month period and is subject to periodic impairment evaluation.

Loan Commitments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments

Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and commercial letters of credit issued to meet financing needs of customers. The face amount for these items represents the exposure to loss, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

Postemployment Benefit Plans, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Employee Benefit Plans

ChoiceOne’s 401(k) plan allows participants to make contributions to their individual accounts under the plan in amounts up to the IRS maximum. Employer matching contributions from ChoiceOne to its 401(k) plan are discretionary.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

Income tax expense is the sum of the current year income tax due and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share ("EPS") is based on weighted-average common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS assumes issuance of any dilutive potential common shares issuable under stock options or restricted stock units granted.

Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income or loss. Other comprehensive income or loss includes unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale and changes in the funded status of derivative instruments, net of tax, which are also recognized as a separate component of shareholders’ equity.

Accumulated other comprehensive income was as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)	As of December 31,
	2022			2021
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities	$	(89,041	)	$	(3,261	)
Unrealized gain (loss) on held to maturity securities		(3,053	)		—
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments		1,212
Tax effect		19,085			685
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(71,797	)	$	(2,576	)

Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Loss Contingencies

Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not believe that there are any such matters that may have a material effect on the financial statements as of December 31, 2022.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash Restrictions

Cash on hand or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank was $0 at both December 31, 2022 and 2021, as the Federal Reserve revoked the reserve requirement due to the COVID- 19 pandemic.

Lessee, Leases [Policy Text Block]

Leases

Leases are classified as operating or finance leases at the lease commencement date. Lease expense for operating leases and short-term leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Right-of-use assets represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the estimated present value of lease payments over the lease term.

Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block]

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company values share-based stock option awards granted using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Company recognizes compensation expense for its awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award (straight-line attribution method), ensuring that the amount of compensation cost recognized at any date at least equals the portion of the grant-date fair value of the award that is vested at that time. Compensation costs related to stock options granted are disclosed in Note 15.

ChoiceOne has granted restricted stock units to a select group of employees under the Stock Incentive Plan of 2012. Each unit, once vested, is settled by delivery of one share of ChoiceOne common stock.

Dividend Restrictions, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Dividend Restrictions

Banking regulations require the maintenance of certain capital levels and may limit the amount of dividends that may be paid by the Bank to ChoiceOne (see Note 21).

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions, which are more fully documented in Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments, and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular items. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect the estimates.

Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Derivatives

At the inception of a derivative contract, ChoiceOne designates the derivative as one of two types based on our intention and belief as to the likely effectiveness of the hedge. These two types are (1) a hedge of changes in fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (“fair value hedge”), and (2) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“cash flow hedge"). For a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item, are recognized in current earnings as fair values change. For a cash flow hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative is reported in other comprehensive income and is reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects the earnings. The changes in fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported in current earnings, as noninterest income.

Net cash settlements on derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting are recorded in interest income or interest expense, based on the item being hedged. Cash flows on hedges are classified in the cash flow statement in the same line item as the cash flows of the item being hedged.

The initial fair value of hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in the statement of financial condition under a systematic and rational method over the life of the hedging relationship and are presented in the same income statement line item as the earnings effect of the hedged item. Any difference between the change in the fair value of the hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness and the amounts recognized in earnings are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income.

ChoiceOne discontinues hedge accounting when it determines that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged item, the derivative is settled or terminates, a hedged forecasted transaction is no longer probable, a hedged firm commitment is no longer firm, or the treatment of the derivative as a hedge is no longer appropriate or intended. When hedge accounting is discontinued, subsequent changes in fair value of the derivative are recorded as noninterest income. When a fair value hedge is discontinued, the hedged asset or liability is no longer adjusted for changes in fair value and the existing basis adjustment is amortized or accreted over the remaining life of the asset or liability. When a cash flow hedge is discontinued but the hedged cash flows or forecasted transactions are still expected to occur, gains or losses that were accumulated in other comprehensive income are amortized into earnings over the same periods in which the hedged transactions will affect earnings.

ChoiceOne is exposed to losses if a counterparty fails to make its payments under a contract in which the Company is in the net receiving position. ChoiceOne anticipates that the counterparties will be able to fully satisfy their obligation under the agreements. All the contracts to which we are a party have cash flows that settle monthly or semiannually.

Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Operating Segments

While ChoiceOne’s management monitors the revenue streams of various products and services for the Bank and the Insurance Agency, operations and financial performance are evaluated on a company-wide basis. Accordingly, all of the financial service operations are considered by management to be aggregated into one reportable operating segment.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The FASB issued ASU No. 2016- 13 , Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.

This ASU provides financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date by replacing the incurred loss impairment methodology in current generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The new guidance attempts to reflect an entity’s current estimate of all expected credit losses and broadens the information that an entity must consider in developing its expected credit loss estimate for assets measured either collectively or individually to include forecasted information, as well as past events and current conditions. There is no specified method for measuring expected credit losses, and an entity may apply methods that reasonably reflect its expectations of the credit loss estimate. Although an entity may still use its current systems and methods for recording the allowance for loan losses, under the new rules, the inputs used to record the allowance for loan losses generally will need to change to appropriately reflect an estimate of all expected credit losses and the use of reasonable and supportable forecasts. Additionally, credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities will have to be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, and for interim periods within those years for companies considered smaller reporting filers with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ChoiceOne adopted ASU 2016- 13 current expected credit loss ("CECL") on January 1, 2023. Due to the current economic environment, the nature of the new calculation, and purchase accounting with our recent mergers, we anticipate an increase in our current allowance for loan losses of between $6.5 million and $7.0 million, which will result in an expected allowance for loan losses to total loan coverage ratio between 1.15% and 1.25% on January 1, 2023. Approximately 20% to 25% of this increase is related to the migration of purchased loans into the portfolio assessed by the CECL calculation. ChoiceOne will also record a liability for expected credit losses on unfunded loans and other commitments of between $2.5 million to $3.0 million related to the adoption of CECL. These unfunded loans and other commitments are open credit lines with current customers and loans approved by ChoiceOne but not yet funded. The increase in the reserve and the cost of the liability will result in a decrease in retained earnings account on our Consolidated Balance Sheet equal to the after-tax impact, with the tax impact portion being recorded in deferred taxes in our Consolidated balance Sheet in accordance with FASB guidance.

ChoiceOne has elected the discounted cash flow methodology for all loan types, and will be utilizing third party software to store and measure historical loss experience. ChoiceOne has worked with a third party advisory group to develop loss drivers which we believe have a strong correlation to our historical loss trends. The loss drivers ChoiceOne has elected are unemployment and GDP growth which have readily available 12 month forecast data from the FOMC.

Reclassification, Comparability Adjustment [Policy Text Block]

Reclassifications
Certain amounts presented in prior year consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2022 presentation.