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Note 1 - Nature of Banking Activities and Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Notes to Financial Statements  
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).  The Company also owns 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. First Bank also owns Bank of Fincastle Services, Inc. which 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.

 

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 the allowance for credit losses, loans acquired in a business combination, and goodwill.

 

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 (loss), 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 (loss). 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.

 

Transfers of debt securities into the held to maturity classification from the available for sale classification are made at fair value on the date of transfer. The unrealized holding gain or loss on the date of the transfer is reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss and in the carrying value of the held to maturity securities. Such amounts are amortized over the remaining contractual lives of the securities. The net impact to income from the amortization and accretion of the unrealized loss at date of transfer is zero.

 

Equity securities with readily determinable fair values are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value reported in net income. Any equity securities without readily determinable fair values are carried at cost, minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments. Restricted equity securities are carried at cost and are periodically evaluated for impairment based on the ultimate recovery of par value. The entirety of any impairment on equity securities is recognized in earnings.

 

The Company evaluates the fair value and credit quality of its AFS securities on at least a quarterly basis. In the event the fair value of a security falls below its amortized cost basis, the security is evaluated to determine whether the decline in value was caused by changes in market interest rates or security credit quality. The primary indicators of credit quality for the Company’s AFS portfolio are security type and credit rating, which are influenced by a number of security-specific factors that may include obligor cash flow, geography, seniority, structure, credit enhancement, and other factors.  

If unrealized losses are related to credit quality, the Company estimates the credit related loss by evaluating the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security with the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis of the security and a credit loss exists, an ACL is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than

 

The Company evaluates the credit risk of its HTM securities on at least a quarterly basis. The Company estimates expected credit losses on HTM debt securities on an individual basis based on the probability of default/loss given default methodology. The primary indicators of credit quality for the Company’s HTM portfolio are security type and credit rating, which is influenced by a number of factors including obligor cash flow, geography, seniority, and others. The majority of the Company’s HTM securities with credit risk are obligations of states and political subdivisions.

 

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 and through the purchase of commercial loans through third party lending programs. 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 ACLL 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.

 

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.
 
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.  The Company recorded goodwill as a result of the acquisition of the Bank of Fincastle and SmartBank in 2021.

 

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, 2023  and 2022 . 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 2023 and 2022 was $573 thousand and $455 thousand, respectively.

 

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

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).

 

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.

 

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

 

ASU 2016-13:  On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 326).  This standard replaced the incurred loss methodology with an expected loss methodology that is referred to as the current expected credit loss (CECL) methodology.  CECL requires an estimate of credit losses for the remaining estimated life of the financial asset using historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts and generally applies to financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loan receivables and held-to-maturity debt securities, and some off-balance sheet credit exposures such as unfunded commitments to extend credit.  Financial assets measured at amortized cost will be presented at the net amount expected to be collected by using an allowance for credit losses.  

 

In addition, CECL made changes to the accounting for available for sale debt securities.  One such change is to require credit losses to be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down on available for sale debt securities if management does not intend to sell and does not believe that it is more likely than not that they will be required to sell.

 

The Company adopted ASC 326 and all related subsequent amendments thereto effective January 1, 2023 using the modified retrospective approach for all financial assets measured at amortized cost and off-balance sheet credit exposures.  The transition adjustment of the adoption of CECL included an increase in the allowance for credit losses on loans of $2.2 million, which is presented as a reduction to net loans outstanding, and an increase in the allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments of $153 thousand, which is recorded within other liabilities.  The Company recorded an allowance for credit losses for held to maturity securities of $134 thousand, which is presented as a reduction to held to maturity securities outstanding.  The Company recorded a net decrease to retained earnings of $2.0 million as of January 1, 2023 for the cumulative effect of adopting CECL, which reflects the transition adjustments noted above, net of the applicable deferred tax assets recorded.  Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2023 are presented under CECL while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable accounting standards.

 

The Company adopted ASC 326 using the prospective transition approach for purchase credit deteriorated (PCD) assets that were previously classified as purchase credit impaired (PCI) under ASC 310-30. In accordance with the standard, management did not reassess whether PCI assets met the criteria of PCD assets as of the date of adoption.  As of December 31, 2023, the Company had no loans classified as PCD.

 

The Company adopted ASC 326 using the prospective transition approach for debt securities for which other-than-temporary impairment had been recognized prior to January 1, 2023.  As of December 31, 2022, the Company did not have any other-than-temporary impaired investment securities.  Therefore, upon adoption of ASC 326, the Company determined that an allowance for credit losses on available for sale securities was not required.  

 

The Company elected not to measure an allowance for credit losses for accrued interest receivable and instead elected to reverse interest income on loans or securities that are placed on nonaccrual status, which is generally when the instrument is 90 days past due, or earlier if the Company believes the collection of interest is doubtful. The Company has concluded that this policy results in the timely reversal of uncollectible interest.

 

  

January 1, 2023

  

December 31, 2022

     
  

As reported Under

  

Pre-ASC 326

  

Impact of ASC

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

ASC 326

  

Adoption

  

326 Adoption

 

Assets:

            

Allowance for credit losses on held to maturity securities:

            

Corporate securities

  134   -   134 
             

Allowance for credit losses on loans:

          - 

Construction and land development

  233   546   (313)

Secured by 1-4 family residential

  2,517   1,108   1,409 

Other real estate loans

  5,311   3,609   1,702 

Commercial and industrial loans

  1,487   1,874   (387)

Consumer and other loans

  84   309   (225)

Allowance for credit losses on loans

  9,632   7,446   2,186 
             

Liabilities:

            

Allowance for credit losses for unfunded commitments

  153   -   153 

 

Allowance for Credit Losses - Held-to-Maturity Securities

 

The Company estimates expected credit losses on held-to-maturity securities on an individual basis based on a Probability of Default/Loss Given Default (“PD/LGD”) methodology primarily using security-level credit ratings. The primary indicators of credit quality for the Company’s held-to-maturity portfolio are security type and credit ratings, which are influenced by a number of factors including obligor cash flow, geography, seniority, among other factors. The Company’s held-to-maturity securities with credit risk are municipal bonds and corporate debt securities. All other held-to-maturity securities are covered by the explicit or implied guarantee of the United States government or one if its agencies.

 

Changes in the allowance for credit loss are recorded as provision for (or recovery of) credit losses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company recorded an allowance for credit losses on held-to-maturity securities of $134 thousand upon adoption of ASC 326.  During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a recovery of credit losses on held-to-maturity securities of $107 thousand.   There was no allowance for credit losses on held-to-maturity securities at December 31, 2022.

 

Allowance for Credit Losses – Available-for-Sale Securities

 

Management evaluates all available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such evaluation. If the Company has the intent to sell the security or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security, the security is written down to fair value and the entire loss is recorded in earnings.

 

If either of the above criteria is not met, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value is the result of credit losses or other factors. In making the assessment, the Company may consider various factors including the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, downgrades in the ratings of the security by a rating agency, the failure of the issuer to make scheduled interest or principal payments and adverse conditions specific to the security. If the assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security and any deficiency is recorded as an allowance for credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any amount of unrealized loss that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit loss is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss).

 

Changes in the allowance for credit loss are recorded as a provision for (or recovery of) credit losses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Losses are charged against the allowance for credit loss when management believes an available-for-sale security is confirmed to be uncollectible or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. At December 31, 2023, there was no allowance for credit loss related to the available-for-sale portfolio.

 

Accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale securities totaled $769 thousand at  December 31, 2023 and was excluded from the estimate of credit losses.

 

Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans

 

The allowance for loan credit losses represents an amount which, in management’s judgement, is adequate to absorb the lifetime expected losses that may be sustained on outstanding loans at the balance sheet date based on the evaluation of the size and current risk characteristics of the loan portfolio, past events, current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions, and prepayment experience. The allowance for loan credit losses is measured and recorded upon the initial recognition of a financial asset. The allowance for loan credit losses is reduced by charge-offs, net of recoveries of previous losses, and is increased or decreased by a provision for (or recovery of) credit losses, which is recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income. 

 

The Company is utilizing a discounted cash flow model to estimate its current expected credit losses. For the purposes of calculating its quantitative reserves, the Company has segmented its loan portfolio based on loans which share similar risk characteristics. Within the quantitative portion of the calculation, the Company utilizes at least one or a combination of loss drivers, which may include unemployment rates, home price indices, and/or gross domestic product (“GDP”), to adjust its loss rates over a reasonable and supportable forecast period of one year. A straight-line reversion technique is used for the following eight quarters, at which time the Company reverts to historical averages. To further adjust the allowance for credit losses for expected losses not already included within the quantitative component of the calculation, the Company may consider qualitative factors, including but not limited to: variability in the economic forecast, changes in volume and severity of adversely classified loans, changes in concentrations of credit, changes in the nature and volume of the loan segments, factors related to credit administration, and other idiosyncratic risks not embedded in the data used in the model.

 

Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. The Company designates individually evaluated loans on nonaccrual status as collateral dependent loans, as well as other loans that management of the Company designates as having higher risk and loans for which the repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral. These loans do not share common risk characteristics and are not included within the collectively evaluated loans for determining the allowance for credit losses. Under CECL, for collateral dependent loans, the Company has adopted the practical expedient to measure the allowance for credit losses based on the fair value of collateral. The allowance for credit losses is calculated on an individual loan basis based on the shortfall between the fair value of the loan’s collateral, which is adjusted for liquidation costs/discounts, and amortized cost. If the fair value of the collateral exceeds the amortized cost, no allowance is required.

 

The adoption of CECL did not result in a significant change to any other credit risk management and monitoring processes, including identification of past due or delinquent borrowers, nonaccrual practices or charge-off policy.

 

Allowance for Credit Losses – Unfunded Commitments

 

Financial Instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and commercial letters of credit issued to meet customer financing needs. The Company’s exposure to credit losses in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for off-balance sheet loan commitments is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

 

The Company records all allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures, unless the commitments to extend credit are unconditionally cancelable, through a charge to provision for (or recovery of) credit losses in the Consolidated Statement of Income. The allowances for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures is estimated by loan segment at each balance sheet date under the current expected credit losses model using the same methodology as the loan portfolio, taking into consideration the likelihood that funding will occur as well as any third-party guarantees. The allowance for unfunded commitments is included in other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

 

Accrued Interest Receivable

 

The Company has elected to exclude the accrued interest from the amortized cost basis in its determination of the allowance for credit losses for both loans and held-to-maturity securities, as well as elected the policy to write-off accrued interest receivable directly through the reversal of interest income. Accrued interest receivable totaled $3.1 million on loans and $593 thousand on held-to-maturity securities at  September 30, 2023 and is included in “Accrued Interest Receivable” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

ASU 2022-01:  On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASU 2022-01, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), Fair Value Hedging—Portfolio Layer Method.” ASU 2022-01 clarifies the guidance in ASC 815 on fair value hedge accounting of interest rate risk for portfolios of financial assets and is intended to better align hedge accounting with an organization’s risk management strategies. In 2017, FASB issued ASU 2017-12 to better align the economic results of risk management activities with hedge accounting. One of the major provisions of that standard was the addition of the last-of-layer hedging method. For a closed portfolio of fixed-rate prepayable financial assets or one or more beneficial interests secured by a portfolio of prepayable financial instruments, such as mortgages or mortgage-backed securities, the last-of-layer method allows an entity to hedge its exposure to fair value changes due to changes in interest rates for a portion of the portfolio that is not expected to be affected by prepayments, defaults, and other events affecting the timing and amount of cash flows. ASU 2022-01 renames that method the portfolio layer method. The Company adopted ASU 2022-01 prospectively and it did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. 

 

ASU 2022-02:  On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASU 2022-02, "Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures."  ASU 2022-02 addresses areas identified by the FASB as part of its post-implementation review of the credit losses standards (ASU 2016-13) that introduced the CECL model.  The amendments eliminate the accounting guidance for troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) by creditors that have adopted the CECL model and enhance the disclosure requirements for certain loan refinancings by creditors when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty.  In addition, the amendments require that the Company disclose current-period gross write-offs for financing receivables and net investment in leases by year of origination in the vintage disclosures.  The Company adopted the standard prospectively and it did not have a material impact on the financial statements. 

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures.” The amendments in this ASU require an entity to disclose specific categories in the rate reconciliation and provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold, which is greater than five percent of the amount computed by multiplying pretax income by the entity’s applicable statutory rate, on an annual basis. Additionally, the amendments in this ASU require an entity to disclose the amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign taxes and the amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by individual jurisdictions that are equal to or greater than five percent of total income taxes paid (net of refunds received). Lastly, the amendments in this ASU require an entity to disclose income (or loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (or benefit) disaggregated between domestic and foreign and income tax expense (or benefit) from continuing operations disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied on a prospective basis; however, retrospective application is permitted.  The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2023-09 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures.” The amendments in this ASU are intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. This ASU requires disclosure of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision mark (CODM), an amount for other segment items by reportable segment and a description of its composition, all annual disclosures required by FASB ASU Topic 280 in interim periods as well, and the title and position of the CODM and how the CODM uses the reported measures. Additionally, this ASU requires that at least one of the reported segment profit and loss measures should be the measure that is most consistent with the measurement principles used in an entity’s consolidated financial statements. Lastly, this ASU requires public business entities with a single reportable segment to provide all disclosures required by these amendments in this ASU and all existing segment disclosures in Topic 280. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied retrospectively.  The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2023-07 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In July 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2023-03, “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205), Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480), Equity (Topic 505), and Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718)”. This ASU amends the FASB Accounting Standards Codification for SEC paragraphs pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 120, SEC Staff Announcement at the March 24, 2022 EITF Meeting, and Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 6.B, Accounting Series Release 280—General Revision of Regulation S-X: Income or Loss Applicable to Common Stock. ASU 2023-03 is effective upon addition to the FASB Codification. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2023-03 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-02, “Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method”. These amendments allow reporting entities to elect to account for qualifying tax equity investments using the proportional amortization method, regardless of the program giving rise to the related income tax credits. The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for all entities in any interim period. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2023-02 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-01, “Leases (Topic 842): Common Control Arrangements”. These amendments require entities to amortize leasehold improvements associated with common control leases over the useful life to the common control group. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted.  If an entity adopts the amendments in an interim period, it must adopt them as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. Transition can be done either retrospectively or prospectively. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2023-01 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-03, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions.” ASU 2022-03 clarifies that a 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.  The ASU is effective for fiscal years, including interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2023.  Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2022-03 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.