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Basis of Presentation (Policies)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2024
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Bancorp, a bank holding company, and its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Bank of Marin, a California state-chartered commercial bank. References to “we,” “our,” “us” mean Bancorp and the Bank that are consolidated for financial reporting purposes. The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations.

Although we believe that the disclosures are adequate and the information presented is not misleading, we suggest that these interim financial statements be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements and the notes thereto included in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position, the results of operations, changes in comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the periods presented. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The results of these interim periods may not be indicative of the results for the full year or for any other period.
Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) are calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period, excluding unvested restricted stock awards. Diluted EPS are calculated using the weighted average number of potentially dilutive common shares. The number of potentially dilutive common shares included in the quarterly diluted EPS is computed using the average market prices during the three months included in the reporting period under the treasury stock method. The number of potentially dilutive common shares included in year-to-date diluted EPS is a year-to-date weighted average of potentially dilutive common shares included in each quarterly diluted EPS computation. In computing diluted EPS, we exclude anti-dilutive shares such as options whose exercise prices exceed the current common stock price, as they would not reduce EPS under the treasury stock method. We have two forms of outstanding common stock: common stock and unvested restricted stock awards. Holders of unvested restricted stock awards receive non-forfeitable dividends at the same rate as common shareholders and they both share equally in undistributed earnings. Under the two-class method, the difference in EPS is nominal for these participating securities.
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards
Accounting Standards Adopted in 2024

In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions. The amendment reduces diversity in practice by clarifying that a separate contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, is not considered in measuring fair value. In addition, this ASU provided amended examples to illustrate that a restriction that is a characteristic of the equity security, which market participants would take into account when pricing them, would be considered in measuring fair value. This ASU also introduced new disclosure requirements. The amendments were effective prospectively for years beginning after
December 15, 2023. As discussed in Note 4, Investment Securities, in 2023 we sold our remaining shares of Visa Inc. Class B restricted common stock. As a result of the sale, this update had no impact our financial condition, results of operations or disclosures.

In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-01, Leases (Topic 842): Common Control Arrangements. For public companies, the amendment requires entities to amortize leasehold improvements associated with common control lease arrangements over the useful life of the improvements to the common control group, as opposed to the shorter of the remaining lease term and the useful life of the improvements for all other operating leases. The amendments were effective for years beginning after December 15, 2023, and may be adopted either prospectively or retrospectively. We currently do not have common control lease arrangements, and therefore the adoption of the amendments had no impact on our financial condition, results of operations or disclosures.

In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-02, Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method. Under current GAAP, an entity can only elect to apply the proportional amortization method to investments in low-income housing tax credit ("LIHTC") structures. The proportional amortization method results in the cost of the investment being amortized in proportion to the income tax credits and other income tax benefits received, with the amortization of the investment and the income tax credits being presented net in the consolidated statements of income as a component of income tax expense (benefit). The amendments will allow entities to elect to account for all other equity investments made primarily for the purpose of receiving income tax credits to using the proportional amortization method, regardless of the tax credit program through which the investment earns income tax credits, when certain conditions are met. The amendments were effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and may be adopted either on a modified retrospective basis or retrospectively. Other than investments in LIHTC funds, as disclosed in Note 4, Investment Securities, we currently have no other equity investments made primarily for the purpose of receiving income tax credits, and therefore the adoption of this ASU had no impact on our financial condition, results of operations or disclosures.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Effective
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The amendments are intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses, enhanced interim disclosure requirements, clarifying circumstances in which an entity can disclose multiple segment measures of profit or loss, providing new segment disclosure requirements for entities with a single reportable segment, and requiring other disclosures. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2023 (i.e., 2024 Form 10-K) and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2024, and shall be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted. We currently have only one reportable segment and are evaluating the impact the amendments will have on our financial statement disclosures upon adoption.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The amendments require disaggregated information about the effective tax rate reconciliation and additional disclosures on reconciling items and taxes paid that meet a quantitative threshold. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and may be adopted either prospectively or retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the amendments on our financial statement disclosures upon adoption.
Fair Value Hierarchy and Fair Value Measurement
We group our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value into three levels within the fair value hierarchy, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:
 
Level 1: Valuations are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
 
Level 2: Valuations are based on quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuations for which all significant assumptions are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
 
Level 3: Valuations are based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Values are determined using pricing models and discounted cash flow models and may include significant management judgment and estimation.

Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized through our monthly and/or quarterly valuation process in the reporting period during which the event or circumstances that caused the transfer occurred. No such transfers occurred in the years presented.
Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. When available, quoted market prices (Level 1) are used to determine the fair value of available-for-sale securities. Level 1 securities include U.S. Treasury securities. If quoted market prices are not available, we obtain pricing information from a reputable third-party service provider, who may utilize valuation techniques that use current market-based or independently sourced parameters, such as bid/ask prices, dealer-quoted prices, interest rates, benchmark yield curves, prepayment speeds, probability of default, loss severity and credit spreads (Level 2).   Level 2 securities include obligations of state and political subdivisions, U.S. agencies or government-sponsored agencies' debt securities, mortgage-backed securities, government agency-issued securities, and corporate bonds.Held-to-maturity securities may be subject to an allowance for credit losses as a result of our evaluation of expected losses due to credit quality factors. Fair value of held-to-maturity securities is determined using the same techniques discussed above for available-for-sale securities.
On a recurring basis, derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value, which is based on the income approach using observable Level 2 market inputs, reflecting market expectations of future interest rates as of the measurement date.  Standard valuation techniques are used to calculate the present value of the future expected cash flows assuming an orderly transaction. Valuation adjustments may be made to reflect both our own credit risk and the counterparties’ credit risk in determining the fair value of the derivatives. These unobservable inputs are not considered significant inputs to the fair value measurement overall. Level 2 inputs for the valuations are limited to observable market prices for Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") and Overnight Index Swap ("OIS") rates (for the very short term), quoted prices for SOFR futures contracts, observable market prices for SOFR and OIS swap rates, and one-month and three-month SOFR basis spreads at commonly quoted intervals.   Mid-market pricing of the inputs is used as a practical expedient in the fair value measurements.  We project spot rates at reset days specified by each swap contract to determine future cash flows, then discount to present value using OIS curves as of the measurement date.  When the value of any collateral placed with counterparties is less than the interest rate derivative liability, a credit valuation adjustment ("CVA") is applied to reflect the credit risk we pose to counterparties.  We have used the spread between the Standard & Poor's BBB rated U.S. Bank Composite rate and SOFR for the closest maturity term corresponding to the duration of the swaps to derive the CVA. Because there is little to no counterparty risk, we did not incorporate credit adjustments from our assessment of the counterparty credit risk in determining fair value. For further discussion on our methodology for valuing our derivative financial instruments, refer to Note 9, Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities.

Certain financial assets may be measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. These assets are subject to fair value adjustments that result from the application of the lower of cost or fair value accounting or write-downs of individual assets, such as individually analyzed loans that are collateral dependent and other real estate owned ("OREO").
The fair value of loans is based on exit price techniques and obtained from an independent third-party that uses its proprietary valuation model and methodology and may differ from the actual price from a prospective buyer. The discounted cash flow valuation approach reflects key inputs and assumptions that are unobservable, such as loan probability of default, loss given default, prepayment speed, and market discount rates.
The fair value of fixed-rate time deposits is estimated by discounting future contractual cash flows using discount rates that reflect the current observable market rates offered for time deposits of similar remaining maturities.
The value of off-balance-sheet financial instruments is estimated based on the fee income associated with the commitments, which in the absence of credit exposure, is considered to approximate their settlement value.
Finance, Loan and Lease Receivables, Held-for-investment, Allowance and Nonperforming Loans
Commercial and Industrial Loans - Commercial loans are generally made to established small and mid-sized businesses to provide financing for their growth and working capital needs, equipment purchases and acquisitions.  Management examines historical, current, and projected cash flows to determine the ability of the
borrower to repay obligations as agreed. Commercial loans are made based primarily on the identified cash flows of the borrower and secondarily on the underlying collateral and guarantor support. The cash flows of borrowers, however, may not occur as expected, and the collateral securing these loans may fluctuate in value. Most commercial and industrial loans are secured by the assets being financed, such as accounts receivable and inventory, and typically include personal guarantees. We target stable businesses with guarantors who provide additional sources of repayment and have proven to be resilient in periods of economic stress.  A weakened economy, and resultant decreased consumer and/or business spending, may have an effect on the credit quality of commercial loans.

Commercial Real Estate Loans - Commercial real estate loans, which include income producing investment properties and owner-occupied real estate used for business purposes, are subject to underwriting standards and processes similar to commercial loans discussed above. We underwrite these loans to be repaid from cash flow from either the business or investment property and supported by real property collateral. Underwriting standards for commercial real estate loans include, but are not limited to, debt coverage and loan-to-value ratios. Furthermore, a large majority of our loans are guaranteed by the owners of the properties. Conditions in the real estate markets or downturn in the general economy may adversely affect our commercial real estate loans. In the event of a vacancy, we expect guarantors to carry the loans until they find a replacement tenant.  The owner's substantial equity investment provides a strong economic incentive to continue to support the commercial real estate projects. As such, we have generally experienced a relatively low level of loss and delinquencies in this portfolio.

Construction Loans - Construction loans are generally made to developers and builders to finance construction, renovation and occasionally land acquisitions in anticipation of near-term development. Construction loans include interest reserves that are used for the payment of interest during the development and marketing periods and are capitalized as part of the loan balance. When a construction loan is placed on nonaccrual status before the depletion of the interest reserve, we apply the interest funded by the interest reserve against the loan's principal balance. These loans are underwritten after evaluation of the borrower's financial strength, reputation, prior track record, and independent appraisals. We monitor all construction projects to determine whether they are on schedule, completed as planned and in accordance with the approved construction budgets. Significant events can affect the construction industry, including: the inherent volatility of real estate markets and vulnerability to delays due to weather, change orders, inability to obtain construction permits, labor or material shortages, and price changes. Estimates of construction costs and value associated with the completed project may be inaccurate. Repayment of construction loans is largely dependent on the ultimate success of the project.

Consumer Loans - Consumer loans primarily consist of home equity lines of credit, other residential loans, floating homes, and indirect luxury auto loans, along with a small number of installment loans. Our other residential loans include tenancy-in-common fractional interest loans ("TIC") located almost entirely in San Francisco County. We originate consumer loans utilizing credit score information, debt-to-income ratio and loan-to-value ratio analysis. Diversification among consumer loan types, coupled with relatively small loan amounts that are spread across many individual borrowers, mitigates risk. We do not originate sub-prime residential mortgage loans, nor is it our practice to underwrite loans commonly referred to as "Alt-A mortgages," the characteristics of which are reduced documentation, borrowers with low FICO scores or collateral with high loan-to-value ratios.

Credit Quality Indicators
 
We use a risk rating system to evaluate asset quality, and to identify and monitor credit risk in individual loans, and in the loan portfolio. Our definitions of “Special Mention” risk graded loans, or worse, are consistent with those used by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC").  Our internally assigned grades are as follows:

Pass and Watch - Loans to borrowers of acceptable or better credit quality. Borrowers in this category demonstrate fundamentally sound financial positions, repayment capacity, credit history and management expertise.  Loans in this category must have an identifiable and stable source of repayment and meet the Bank’s policy regarding debt-service-coverage ratios.  These borrowers are capable of sustaining normal economic, market or operational setbacks without significant financial consequences.  Negative external industry factors are generally not present.  The loan may be secured, unsecured or supported by non-real estate collateral for which the value is more difficult to determine and/or marketability is more uncertain. This category also includes “Watch” loans, where the primary source of repayment has been delayed. “Watch” is intended to be a transitional grade, with either an upgrade or downgrade within a reasonable period.
Special Mention - Potential weaknesses that deserve close attention. If left uncorrected, those potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the payment prospects for the asset. Special Mention assets do not present sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification.

Substandard - Inadequately protected by either the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or the collateral pledged, if any. A Substandard asset has well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. Substandard assets are characterized by the distinct possibility that we will sustain some loss if such weaknesses or deficiencies are not corrected. Well-defined weaknesses include adverse trends or developments of the borrower’s financial condition, managerial weaknesses and/or significant collateral deficiencies.

Doubtful - Critical weaknesses that make collection or liquidation in full improbable. There may be specific pending events that work to strengthen the asset; however, the amount or timing of the loss may not be determinable. Pending events generally occur within one year of the asset being classified as Doubtful. Examples include: merger, acquisition, or liquidation; capital injection; guarantee; perfecting liens on additional collateral; and refinancing. Such loans are placed on non-accrual status and usually are collateral-dependent.

We regularly review our credits for accuracy of risk grades whenever we receive new information and at each quarterly and year-end reporting period. Borrowers are generally required to submit financial information at regular intervals. Typically, commercial borrowers with lines of credit are required to submit financial information with reporting intervals ranging from monthly to annually depending on credit size, risk and complexity. In addition, investor commercial real estate borrowers with loans exceeding a certain dollar threshold are usually required to submit rent rolls or property income statements annually. We monitor construction loans monthly. We review home equity and other consumer loans based on delinquency. We also review loans graded “Watch” or worse, regardless of loan type, no less than quarterly.