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Note 1 - Nature of Banking Activities and Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]

Note 1. Nature of Banking Activities and Significant Accounting Policies

First National Corporation (the Company) is the bank holding company of First Bank (the Bank), First National (VA) Statutory Trust II (Trust II), and First National (VA) Statutory Trust III (Trust III and, together with Trust II, the Trusts). The Trusts were formed for the purpose of issuing redeemable capital securities, commonly known as trust preferred securities and are not included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with authoritative accounting guidance because management has determined that the Trusts qualify as variable interest entities. The Bank owns First Bank Financial Services, Inc., which invests in entities that provide title insurance and investment services. The Bank owns Shen-Valley Land Holdings, LLC and ESF, LLC which were formed to hold other real estate owned and future office sites. Bank of Fincastle Services, Inc. owns an entity that provides mortgage services. The Bank offers loan, deposit, and wealth management products and services in the Shenandoah Valley, central regions of Virginia, Roanoke Valley, and the city of Richmond. Loan products and services include consumer loans, residential mortgages, home equity loans, and commercial loans. Deposit products and services include checking accounts, treasury management solutions, savings accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, and individual retirement accounts. Wealth management services include estate planning, investment management of assets, trustee under an agreement, trustee under a will, individual retirement accounts, and estate settlement. The Bank offers other services, including internet banking, mobile banking, remote deposit capture, and other traditional banking services.

The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and to accepted practices within the banking industry.

Risks and Uncertainties

The outbreak of COVID-19 has adversely impacted a broad range of industries in which the Company’s customers operate and could impair their ability to fulfill their financial obligations to the Company. While there has been no material impact to the Company’s employees to date, COVID-19 could potentially create widespread business continuity issues for the Company.

Congress, the President, and the Federal Reserve have taken several actions designed to cushion the economic fallout. Most notably, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law in March 2020 as a $2 trillion legislative package, and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was signed into law in March 2021 and provided an additional $1.9 trillion in spending to address the continued impact of COVID-19. The goal of these legislative measures was to prevent a severe economic downturn through various measures, including direct financial aid to American families and economic stimulus to significantly impacted industry sectors. In addition to the general impact of COVID-19, certain provisions of the CARES Act as well as other recent legislative and regulatory relief efforts may have a material impact on the Company’s operations.

The Company’s business is dependent upon the willingness and ability of its employees and customers to conduct banking and other financial transactions. If the global response to contain COVID-19 escalates further or is unsuccessful, the Company could experience a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. While it is not possible to know the full universe or extent that the impact of COVID-19, and resulting measures to curtail its spread, will have on the Company’s operations, the Company is disclosing potentially material items of which it is aware.

Results of Operations

The Company’s net interest income could decrease due to COVID-19. In keeping with guidance from regulators, the Company worked with certain COVID-19 affected borrowers to reduce their loan payments by modifying the loan agreements to allow for interest only payments. The loan modification periods ranged from 6 months to 24 months and were intended to provide payment relief to borrowers over the period of time that COVID-19 is expected to continue to negatively affect the profitability of the borrowers’ businesses. Although the modified loan payments have been made as agreed and interest income has been recognized by the Company, should the borrowers be negatively affected by COVID-19 for a period of time that extend beyond the loan modification periods, it’s possible the borrowers may not be able to resume regular principal and interest payments in future periods and the Company may no longer be able to accrue interest income on the loans.

The Company’s net interest income could also decrease due to adverse economic conditions that may result from COVID-19 and a related decrease in loan demand, causing a shift in earning asset balances from loans into lower yielding interest-bearing deposits in banks and securities. A decrease in loan demand could also increase the competition for loans and result in a reduction of loan rates offered by other financial institutions.

The Company's noninterest income could decrease due to COVID-19. Service charges on deposits and ATM and check card income decreased during 2020 and may continue to decrease in future periods from less customer spending and or higher balances of customer deposits. Wealth management revenue may decrease in future periods if the market values of investments decline and mortgage fee income may decrease from less home buying activity in the Company's market area. At this time, the Company is unable to project the materiality of such an impact but recognizes it may unfavorably affect its noninterest income in future periods.

The Company’s noninterest expense could increase due to COVID-19. If the Bank's asset quality worsens, it may incur additional loan expenses in future periods from obtaining updated appraisals on loan collateral, additional legal and professional expenses related to the resolution of problem loans, an increase in other real estate owned expense, and potential losses on the sale of other real estate owned.

At this time, the Company is unable to project the full extent or materiality of the foregoing impacts but recognizes the breadth of the economic impacts of COVID-19 may have an unfavorable impact on net interest income, noninterest income, noninterest expense, and loan customers' ability to repay loans, in future periods.

Capital and Liquidity

While the Company believes it has sufficient capital to withstand an extended economic recession brought about by COVID-19, its reported and regulatory capital ratios could be adversely impacted by provision for loan losses in future periods. Larger amounts of provision for loan losses may result from factors including higher specific reserves on newly identified and existing impaired loans, higher levels of net charge-offs, and additional adjustments to qualitative factors in the general reserve component of the Bank’s allowance for loan losses. In March 2020, the Company suspended future stock repurchases under its stock repurchase program due to the economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic, and the program remained suspended for the remainder of the year until it ended on December 31, 2020. In June 2020, the Company issued $5.0 million of subordinated debt to strengthen holding company liquidity and to remain a source of strength to the Bank in the event of a severe economic downturn resulting from the pandemic. The Company will continue to update its enterprise risk assessment and capital plans as the operating environment develops.

The Company maintains access to multiple sources of liquidity. While wholesale funding markets have remained open, interest rates for short term funding could become volatile. If funding costs would become elevated for an extended period of time, it may have an adverse effect on the Company’s net interest margin. If an extended recession causes large numbers of the Company’s deposit customers to withdraw their funds, the Company could become more reliant on volatile or more expensive sources of funding.

Processes, Controls and Business Continuity Plan

The Company continues to operate under its Pandemic Continuity of Operations Plan that includes a remote working strategy. The Company has not incurred additional material costs related to employees working remotely. No material operational or internal control challenges or risks have been identified to date. The Company does not anticipate significant challenges to its ability to maintain its systems and controls in light of the measures the Company has taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Company does not currently face any material resource constraint through the implementation of its business continuity plan.

Lending Operations and Accommodations to Borrowers

In keeping with regulatory guidance to work with borrowers during this unprecedented situation, the Company offered a payment deferral program, primarily during the second and third quarters of 2020, for its individual and business customers adversely affected by the pandemic that deferred loan payments for up to 90 days.
There were no loans remaining in the program at December 31, 2021. In accordance with the CARES Act and interagency guidance issued in August 2020, these short-term loan payment deferrals were not considered troubled debt restructurings.

During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Bank modified terms of certain loans for customers that continued to be negatively impacted by the pandemic. The loan modifications lowered borrower loan payments by allowing interest only payments for periods ranging between 6 and 24 months. All loans modified were in the Bank’s commercial real estate loan portfolio and totaled $11.5 million at December 31, 2021. All related loans were in the lodging sector.

The Bank actively participated as a lender in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (“SBA”) Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) to support local small businesses and non-profit organizations by providing forgivable loans. Loan fees received from the SBA are accreted by the Bank into income evenly over the life of the loans, net of loan origination costs, through interest and fees on loans. PPP loans totaled $12.5 million at December 31, 2021, with $159 thousand scheduled to mature in the second and third quarters of 2022, and $12.3 million scheduled to mature in the first and second quarters of 2026. The Company believes the majority of these loans will ultimately be forgiven and repaid by the SBA in accordance with the terms of the program. It is the Company’s understanding that loans funded through the PPP program are fully guaranteed by the U.S. government. Should those circumstances change, the Company could be required to establish additional allowance for loan losses through additional provision for loan losses charged to earnings.

The Bank recognized $2.0 million and $824 thousand of accretion on deferred PPP income, net of origination costs, through interest and fees on loans for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The total amount of deferred PPP income, net of origination costs, that has not yet been recognized through interest and fees on loans totaled $367 thousand at December 31, 2021.

Asset Quality

The economic impact of the pandemic had an unfavorable impact on the financial condition of certain Bank customers. The Bank entered into loan modification agreements in the fourth quarter of 2020 to provide relief to certain customers that were continuing to experience temporary business interruptions from the pandemic. The modifications were designed to help borrowers continue their business operations while minimizing potential loan charge-offs.

The magnitude of the potential decline in the Bank’s loan quality will likely depend on the length and extent that the Bank’s customers experience business interruptions from the pandemic.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements of First National Corporation include the accounts of all six companies. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation, except for balances and transactions related to the Trusts. The subordinated debt of these Trusts is reflected as a liability of the Company.

Use of Estimates

In preparing consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated balance sheet and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that require the most subjective or complex judgments relate to fair value measurements, the allowance for loan losses and goodwill and other intangible asset.

Significant Group Concentrations of Credit Risk

Most of the Company’s activities are with customers located within the Shenandoah Valley, central regions of Virginia, and the Richmond and Roanoke market areas. The types of lending that the Company engages in are included in Note 3. The Company has a concentration of credit risk in commercial real estate, but does not have a significant concentration to any one customer or industry.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company has defined cash equivalents as those amounts included in the balance sheet captions “Cash and due from banks” and “Interest-bearing deposits in banks.”

Securities

Investments in debt securities with readily determinable fair values are classified as either held to maturity (HTM), available for sale (AFS), or trading based on management’s intent. Currently, all of the Company’s debt securities are classified as either AFS or HTM. Equity investments in the FHLB, the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, and Community Bankers Bank are separately classified as restricted securities and are carried at cost. AFS securities are carried at estimated fair value with the corresponding unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income, and HTM securities are carried at amortized cost. When an individual AFS security is sold, the Company releases the income tax effects associated with the AFS security from accumulated other comprehensive income. Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities. Gains or losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date using the amortized cost of the specific security sold.

Impairment of securities occurs when the fair value of a security is less than its amortized cost. For debt securities, impairment is considered other-than-temporary and recognized in its entirety in net income if either the Company (1) intends to sell the security or (2) it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If, however, the Company does not intend to sell the security and it is not more-than-likely that it will be required to sell the security before recovery, the Company must determine what portion of the impairment is attributable to a credit loss, which occurs when the amortized cost of the security exceeds the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected from the security. If there is no credit loss, there is no other-than-temporary impairment. If there is a credit loss, other-than-temporary impairment exists, and the credit loss must be recognized in net income and the remaining portion of impairment must be recognized in other comprehensive income.

For equity securities carried at cost, such as restricted securities, impairment is considered to be other-than-temporary based on the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investment until a recovery of fair value. Other-than-temporary impairment of an equity security results in a write-down that must be included in income.

The Company regularly reviews each security for other-than-temporary impairment based on criteria that include the extent to which cost exceeds market price, the duration of that market decline, the financial health of and specific prospects for the issuer, the best estimate of the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from debt securities, the Company’s intention with regard to holding the security to maturity, and the likelihood that the Company would be required to sell the security before recovery.

Loans Held for Sale

Loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or estimated fair value. The Company, through its banking subsidiary, requires a firm purchase commitment from a permanent investor before loans held for sale can be closed, thus limiting interest rate risk. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized through a valuation allowance by charges to income.

The Bank enters into commitments to originate mortgage loans whereby the interest rate on the loan is determined prior to funding (rate lock commitments). Rate lock commitments on mortgage loans that are intended to be sold are considered to be derivatives. The period of time between issuance of a loan commitment and closing and sale of the loan generally ranges from 30 to 60 days. The Bank protects itself from changes in interest rates through the use of best efforts forward delivery commitments, whereby the Bank commits to sell a loan at the time the borrower commits to an interest rate with the intent that the buyer has assumed interest rate risk on the loan. As a result, the Bank is not exposed to losses nor will it realize significant gains related to its rate lock commitments due to changes in interest rates. The correlation between the rate lock commitments and the best efforts contracts is very high due to their similarity.

The market value of rate lock commitments and best efforts contracts is not readily ascertainable with precision because rate lock commitments and best efforts contracts are not actively traded in stand-alone markets. The Bank determines the fair value of rate lock commitments and best efforts contracts by measuring the change in the value of the underlying asset while taking into consideration the probability that the rate lock commitments will close. Because of the high correlation between rate lock commitments and best efforts contracts, no gain or loss occurs on the rate lock commitments.

Loans

The Company, through its banking subsidiary, grants mortgage, commercial, and consumer loans to customers. The Bank segments its loan portfolio into real estate loans, commercial and industrial loans, and consumer and other loans. Real estate loans are further divided into the following classes: Construction and Land Development; 1-4 Family Residential; and Other Real Estate Loans. Descriptions of the Company’s loan classes are as follows:

Real Estate Loans – Construction and Land Development: The Company originates construction loans for the acquisition and development of land and construction of commercial buildings, condominiums, townhomes, and one-to-four family residences.

Real Estate Loans – 1-4 Family: This class of loans includes loans secured by one-to-four family homes. In addition to traditional residential mortgage loans secured by a first or junior lien on the property, the Bank offers home equity lines of credit.

Real Estate Loans – Other: This loan class consists primarily of loans secured by various types of commercial real estate typically in the Bank’s market area, including multi-family residential buildings, office and retail buildings, industrial and warehouse buildings, hotels, and religious facilities.

Commercial and Industrial Loans: Commercial loans may be unsecured or secured with non-real estate commercial property. The Company's banking subsidiary makes commercial loans to businesses located within its market area and also to businesses outside of its market area through loan participations with other financial institutions. Loans originated under the SBA's PPP are also included in this loan class.

Consumer and Other Loans: Consumer loans include all loans made to individuals for consumer or personal purposes. They include new and used automobile loans, unsecured loans, and lines of credit. The Company's banking subsidiary makes consumer loans to individuals located within its market area and also to individuals outside of its market through the purchase of loans from another financial institution.

A substantial portion of the loan portfolio is represented by residential and commercial loans secured by real estate throughout the Bank's market area. The ability of the Bank’s debtors to honor their contracts may be impacted by the real estate and general economic conditions in this area.

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off generally are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances less the allowance for loan losses and any deferred fees or costs on originated loans. Interest income is accrued and credited to income based on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the related loan yield using the interest method. Interest income includes amortization of purchase premiums and discounts, recognized evenly over the life of the loans.

A loan’s past due status is based on the contractual due date of the most delinquent payment due. Loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when the collection of principal or interest is 90 days or more past due, or earlier, if collection is uncertain based on an evaluation of the net realizable value of the collateral and the financial strength of the borrower. Loans greater than 90 days past due may remain on accrual status if management determines it has adequate collateral to cover the principal and interest. For those loans that are carried on non-accrual status, payments are first applied to principal outstanding. A loan may be returned to accrual status if the borrower has demonstrated a sustained period of repayment performance in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan and there is reasonable assurance the borrower will continue to make payments as agreed. These policies are applied consistently across the loan portfolio.

All interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on non-accrual or charged off is reversed against interest income. The interest on these loans is accounted for on the cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. When a loan is returned to accrual status, interest income is recognized based on the new effective yield to maturity of the loan.

Any unsecured loan that is deemed uncollectible is charged-off in full. Any secured loan that is considered by management to be uncollectible is partially charged-off and carried at the fair value of the collateral less estimated selling costs. This charge-off policy applies to all loan segments.

Loans Acquired in a Business Combination

Acquired loans are classified as either (i) purchased credit-impaired (PCI) loans or (ii) purchased performing loans and are recorded at fair value on the date of acquisition. PCI loans are those for which there is evidence of credit deterioration since origination and for which it is probable at the date of acquisition that the Company will not collect all contractually required principal and interest payments. When determining fair value, PCI loans are aggregated into pools of loans based on common risk characteristics as of the date of acquisition such as loan type, date of origination, and evidence of credit quality deterioration such as internal risk grades and past due and nonaccrual status. The difference between contractually required payments at acquisition and the cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition is referred to as the “nonaccretable difference.” Any excess of cash flows expected at acquisition over the estimated fair value is referred to as the “accretable yield” and is recognized as interest income over the remaining life of the loan when there is a reasonable expectation about the amount and timing of such cash flows. There were no acquired loans classified as PCI in the acquisition of Fincastle and the SmartBank loan portfolio acquisition during the third quarter of 2021.

Purchased performing loans are those for which there is no evidence of credit deterioration and it is probable at the date of acquisition that the Company will collect all contractually required principal and interest payments. When determining fair value, purchased performing loans are evaluated individually on the date of the acquisition. Premiums or discounts recorded on the acquired loans are amortized or accreted into income evenly over the life of the loans through interest and fees on loans. The Company calculates required allowance for loan losses for each of the acquired loans quarterly. Provision for loan losses is recorded for the purchased performing loans for the amount of the required allowance for loan losses that exceeds any unaccreted discount. All loans acquired from Fincastle and SmartBank in the third quarter of 2021 were considered purchased performing loans.

Impaired Loans

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value (net of selling costs), and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Additionally, management generally evaluates substandard and doubtful loans greater than $250 thousand for impairment. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair market value of the collateral, net of selling costs, if the loan is collateral dependent. Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Company typically does not separately identify individual consumer, residential, and certain small commercial loans that are less than $250 thousand for impairment disclosures, except for troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) as noted below.

Troubled Debt Restructurings (TDR)

In situations where, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial condition, management grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider, the related loan is classified as a TDR. TDRs are considered impaired loans. Upon designation as a TDR, the Company evaluates the borrower’s payment history, past due status, and ability to make payments based on the revised terms of the loan. If a loan was accruing prior to being modified as a TDR and if the Company concludes that the borrower is able to make such payments, and there are no other factors or circumstances that would cause it to conclude otherwise, the loan will remain on an accruing status. If a loan was on non-accrual status at the time of the TDR, the loan will remain on non-accrual status following the modification and may be returned to accrual status based on the policy for returning loans to accrual status as noted above. There were $1.6 million and $6.0 million in loans classified as TDRs as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management determines that the loan balance is uncollectible. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. For further information about the Company’s loans and the allowance for loan losses, see Notes 3 and 4.

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

The Company performs regular credit reviews of the loan portfolio to review credit quality and adherence to underwriting standards. The credit reviews consist of reviews by its internal credit administration department and reviews performed by an independent third party. Upon origination, each loan is assigned a risk rating ranging from one to nine, with loans closer to one having less risk. This risk rating scale is the Company's primary credit quality indicator. The Company has various committees that review and ensure that the allowance for loans losses methodology is in accordance with GAAP and loss factors used appropriately reflect the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio.

The allowance represents an amount that, in management’s judgment, will be adequate to absorb any losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible. Management’s judgment in determining the level of the allowance is based on evaluations of the collectability of loans while taking into consideration such factors as trends in delinquencies and charge-offs, changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions that may affect a borrower’s ability to repay and the value of the collateral, overall portfolio quality, and review of specific potential losses. The evaluation also considers the following risk characteristics of each loan portfolio class:

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1-4 family residential mortgage loans carry risks associated with the continued creditworthiness of the borrower and changes in the value of the collateral.

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Real estate construction and land development loans carry risks that the project may not be finished according to schedule, the project may not be finished according to budget, and the value of the collateral may, at any point in time, be less than the principal amount of the loan. Construction loans also bear the risk that the general contractor, who may or may not be a loan customer, may be unable to finish the construction project as planned because of financial pressure or other factors unrelated to the project.

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Other real estate loans carry risks associated with the successful operation of a business or a real estate project, in addition to other risks associated with the ownership of real estate, because repayment of these loans may be dependent upon the profitability and cash flows of the business or project.

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Commercial and industrial loans carry risks associated with the successful operation of a business because repayment of these loans may be dependent upon the profitability and cash flows of the business. In addition, there is risk associated with the value of collateral other than real estate which may depreciate over time and cannot be appraised with as much reliability.

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Consumer and other loans carry risk associated with the continued creditworthiness of the borrower and the value of the collateral, if any. These loans are typically either unsecured or secured by rapidly depreciating assets such as automobiles. They are also likely to be immediately and adversely affected by job loss, divorce, illness, personal bankruptcy, or other changes in circumstances. Consumer and other loans also include purchased consumer loans which could have been originated outside of the Company's market area.

The allowance for loan losses consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as impaired, and is established when the discounted cash flows, fair value of collateral less estimated costs to sell, or observable market price of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. For collateral dependent loans, an updated appraisal is ordered if a current one is not on file. Appraisals are typically performed by independent third-party appraisers with relevant industry experience. Adjustments to the appraised value may be made based on recent sales of like properties or general market conditions among other considerations.

The general component covers loans that are not considered impaired and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors. The historical loss experience is calculated by loan type and uses an average loss rate during the preceding twelve quarters. The qualitative factors are assigned by management based on delinquencies and asset quality, national and local economic trends, effects of the changes in the value of underlying collateral, trends in volume and nature of loans, effects of changes in the lending policy, the experience and depth of management, concentrations of credit, quality of the loan review system, and the effect of external factors such as competition and regulatory requirements. The factors assigned differ by loan type. The general allowance estimates losses whose impact on the portfolio has yet to be recognized by a specific allowance. Allowance factors and the overall size of the allowance may change from period to period based on management’s assessment of the above described factors and the relative weights given to each factor.

Premises and Equipment

Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Premises and equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful lives ranging from three years to forty years; leasehold improvements are amortized over the lives of the respective leases or the estimated useful life of the leasehold improvement, whichever is less. Software is amortized over its estimated useful life ranging from three to seven years. Depreciation and amortization are recorded on the straight-line method.

Costs of maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Costs of replacing structural parts of major units are considered individually and are expensed or capitalized as the facts dictate. Gains and losses on routine dispositions are reflected in current operations.

Other Real Estate Owned

Other real estate owned (OREO) consists of properties obtained through a foreclosure proceeding or through an in-substance foreclosure in satisfaction of loans and properties originally acquired for branch operations or expansion but no longer intended to be used for that purpose. OREO is initially recorded at fair value less estimated costs to sell to establish a new cost basis. OREO is subsequently reported at the lower of cost or fair value less costs to sell, determined on the basis of current appraisals, comparable sales, and other estimates of fair value obtained principally from independent sources, adjusted for estimated selling costs. Management also considers other factors or recent developments, such as changes in absorption rates or market conditions from the time of valuation and anticipated sales values considering management’s plans for disposition, which could result in adjustments to the collateral value estimates indicated in the appraisals. Significant judgments and complex estimates are required in estimating the fair value of other real estate owned, and the period of time within which such estimates can be considered current is significantly shortened during periods of market volatility. In response to market conditions and other economic factors, management may utilize liquidation sales as part of its distressed asset disposition strategy. As a result of the significant judgments required in estimating fair value and the variables involved in different methods of disposition, the net proceeds realized from sales transactions could differ significantly from appraisals, comparable sales, and other estimates used to determine the fair value of other real estate owned. Management reviews the value of other real estate owned each quarter, if any, and adjusts the values as appropriate. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation allowance are included in other real estate owned expense.

Bank-Owned Life Insurance

The Company owns insurance on the lives of a certain group of key employees. The policies were purchased to help offset the increase in the costs of various fringe benefit plans, including healthcare. The cash surrender value of these policies is included as an asset on the consolidated balance sheets, and any increase in cash surrender value is recorded as income from bank owned life insurance on the consolidated statements of income. In the event of the death of an insured individual under these policies, the Company receives a death benefit which is also recorded as income from bank owned life insurance. The Company is exposed to credit risk to the extent an insurance company is unable to fulfill its financial obligations under a policy.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of a core deposit intangible asset arising from the acquisition of the Bank of Fincastle which is amortized on an accelerated method over its estimated useful life of ten years. The Company also recorded goodwill as a result of the acquisition of the Bank of Fincastle and SmartBank in 2021.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill arises from business combinations and is determined as the excess fair value of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a 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. The Company has selected June 30 as the date to perform the annual impairment test. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on the balance sheet.

Other intangible assets consist of core deposit intangible assets arising from whole bank and branch acquisitions and are amortized on an accelerated method over their estimated useful lives, which range from 6 to 10 years.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company recognizes derivative financial instruments at fair value as either an other asset or other liability in its Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are comprised of interest rate swaps that qualify and are designated as cash flow hedges on the Company’s junior subordinated debt. Gains or losses on the Company’s cash flow hedges are reported as a component of other comprehensive income, net of deferred income taxes, and reclassified into earnings in the same period(s) during which the hedged transactions affect earnings. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are described more fully in Note 24.

Stock Based Compensation

Compensation cost is recognized for restricted stock units and other stock awards issued to employees and directors based on the fair value of the awards at the date of grant. The market price of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant is used to estimate the fair value of restricted stock units and other stock awards.

Retirement Plans

Employee 401(k) and profit sharing plan expense is the amount of matching contributions and Bank discretionary matches.

Transfers of Financial Assets

Transfers of financial assets, including loan participations, 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 maturity.

Income Taxes

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined using the asset and liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is determined based on the tax effects of the temporary differences between the book and tax bases of the various balance sheet assets and liabilities and gives current recognition to changes in tax rates and laws. Deferred taxes are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

When tax returns are filed, it is highly certain that some positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination. There was no liability for unrecognized tax benefits recorded as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. Interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits, if any, are classified as additional income taxes in the consolidated statements of income.

Wealth Management Department

Securities and other property held by the wealth management department in a fiduciary or agency capacity are not assets of the Company and are not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Earnings Per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share represents income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common 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 restricted stock units and are determined using the treasury method. See Note 14 for further information regarding earnings per common share.

Advertising Costs

The Company follows the policy of charging the production costs of advertising to expense as incurred. Total advertising expense incurred for 2021 and 2020 was $487 thousand and $208 thousand, respectively.

Comprehensive Income

Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains, and losses be included in net income. Although certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities and changes in fair values of cash flow hedges, are reported as a separate component of the equity section of the consolidated balance sheets, such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income.

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 there are such matters that will have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Business Combination

On July 1, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of The Bank of Fincastle (Fincastle) for an aggregate purchase price of $33.8 million of cash and stock. On September 30, 2021, the Bank acquired $82.0 million of loans and certain fixed assets from SmartBank related to their Richmond area branch. The Bank purchased
the fixed assets for an amount equal to SmartBank’s book value. Additional information about these acquisitions is presented in Note 25.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740) – Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes” (ASU 2019-12). The ASU is expected to reduce cost and complexity related to the accounting for income taxes by
removing specific exceptions to general principles in Topic 740 (eliminating the need for an organization to analyze whether certain exceptions apply in a given period) and improving financial statement preparers’ application of certain income tax-related guidance. This ASU is part of the FASB’s simplification initiative to
make narrow-scope simplifications and improvements to accounting standards through a series of short-term projects. ASU 2019-12 was effective for the Company on January 1, 2021. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-01, “Investments – Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) – Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815” (ASU 2020-01). The ASU is based on a
consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force and is expected to increase comparability in accounting for these transactions. ASU 2016-01 made targeted improvements to accounting for financial instruments, including providing an entity the ability to measure certain equity securities without a readily determinable fair
value at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. Among other topics, the amendments clarify that an entity should consider observable transactions that require it to either apply or discontinue the
equity method of accounting. ASU 2020-01 was effective for the Company on January 1, 2021. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-08, “Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables – Nonrefundable fees and Other Costs” (ASU 2020-08). This ASU clarifies that an entity should reevaluate whether a callable debt security is within the scope of ASC paragraph 310-20-35-33 for each reporting
period. ASU 2020-08 was effective for the Company on January 1, 2021. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In December 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA) was passed. Under Section 541 of the CAA, Congress extended or modified many of the relief programs first created by the CARES Act, including the PPP loan program and treatment of certain loan modifications related to the COVID-19 pandemic. For
information about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company, see "Risks and Uncertainties" above.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (ASU 2016-13). The amendments in this ASU, among other things, require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. Many of the loss estimation techniques applied today will still be permitted, although the inputs to those techniques will change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. In addition, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. The FASB has issued multiple updates to ASU 2016-13 as codified in Topic 326, including ASU’s 2019-04, 2019-05, 2019-10, 2019-11, 2020-02, and 2020-03. These ASU’s have provided for various minor technical corrections and improvements to the codification as well as other transition matters. Smaller reporting companies who file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and all other entities who do not file with the SEC are required to apply the guidance for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company is currently assessing the impact that ASU 2016-13 will have on its consolidated financial statements. The Company has formed a committee to address the compliance requirements of this ASU, which has analyzed gathered data, defined loan pools and segments, and selected methods for applying the concepts included in this ASU. The Company is in the process of testing selected models, building policy and processing documentation, modeling the impact of the ASU on the capital and strategic plans, performing model validation, and finalizing policies and procedures. This guidance may result in material changes in the Company's accounting for credit losses of financial instruments.

Effective November 25, 2019, the SEC adopted Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 119. SAB 119 updated portions of SEC interpretative guidance to align with FASB ASC 326, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses.” It covers topics including (1) measuring current expected credit losses; (2) development, governance, and documentation of a systematic methodology; (3) documenting the results of a systematic methodology; and (4) validating a systematic methodology.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting” (ASU 2020-04). These amendments provide temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. It is intended to help stakeholders during the global market-wide reference rate transition period. The guidance is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Subsequently, in January 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-01 “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope” (ASU 2021-01). This ASU clarifies that certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the discounting transition. The ASU also amends the expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 to capture the incremental consequences of the scope clarification and to tailor the existing guidance to derivative instruments affected by the discounting transition. An entity may elect to apply ASU 2021-01 on contract modifications that change the interest rate used for margining, discounting, or contract price alignment retrospectively as of any date from the beginning of the interim period that includes March 12, 2020, or prospectively to new modifications from any date within the interim period that includes or is subsequent to January 7, 2021, up to the date that financial statements are available to be issued. An entity may elect to apply ASU 2021-01 to eligible hedging relationships existing as of the beginning of the interim period that includes March 12, 2020, and to new eligible hedging relationships entered into after the beginning of the interim period that includes March 12, 2020. The Company has identified loans and other financial instruments that are directly or indirectly influenced by LIBOR and plans to modify these financial instruments prior to December 31, 2022. The Company does not expect the modification of the financial instruments to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company is assessing ASU 2020-04 and its impact on the Company's transition away from LIBOR for its loan and other financial instruments.