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Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting and Reporting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation – The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, with rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and with prevailing practices within the banking industry. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of United Security Bancshares, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, United Security Bank and subsidiary (the “Bank”) and USB Capital Trust II (the “Trust”). The Trust is deconsolidated pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 810. As a result, the Trust Preferred Securities are not presented on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as equity, but instead they are presented as junior subordinated debentures (TRUPs) and are presented as a separate liability category (see Note 10 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements). Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In the following notes, references to the Bank are references to United Security Bank. References to the Company are references to United Security Bancshares (including the Bank). United Security Bancshares operates as one business segment providing banking services to commercial establishments and individuals primarily in the San Joaquin Valley, and the greater Oakhurst/East Madera County area, as well as the Campbell area of Santa Clara County. The Company’s participation loans with other financial institutions are primarily in the state of California.
Nature of Operations
Nature of Operations – United Security Bancshares is a bank holding company, incorporated in the state of California for the purpose of acquiring all the capital stock of the Bank through a holding company reorganization (the “Reorganization”) of the Bank. United Security Bancshares has provided the Company greater operating and financial flexibility and has permitted expansion into a broader range of financial services and other business activities.

The Bank was founded in 1987 and currently operates 13 branches, one commercial lending office, one consumer lending office, and one construction lending office in an area from eastern Madera County to western Fresno County, as well as Taft and Bakersfield in Kern County, and Campbell in Santa Clara County. The Bank’s primary source of revenue is interest income from loans to customers, who are predominantly small- and middle-market businesses and individuals. The Bank engages in a full complement of lending activities, including real estate mortgage, commercial and industrial, real estate construction, agricultural, and consumer loans, with particular emphasis on short- and medium-term obligations.

The Bank offers a wide range of deposit instruments. These include personal and business checking accounts and savings accounts, interest-bearing negotiable order of withdrawal (NOW) accounts, money market accounts and time certificates of deposit. Most of the Bank’s deposits are attracted from small- and medium-sized business-related sources and from individuals.
 
The Bank also offers a wide range of specialized services designed to attract and service the needs of commercial customers and account holders. These services include cashiers checks, foreign drafts, and person-to-person and bank-to-bank transfers for consumer customers. In addition, the Bank offers internet banking services to its commercial and retail customers. The Bank does not operate a trust department; however, it makes arrangements with its correspondent bank to offer trust services to its customers upon request.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to the determination of the allowance for credit losses and fair value of TRUPs.
Subsequent events
Subsequent events - The Company has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the day the consolidated financial statements were issued.
Subsequent events - Subsequent events are events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued. Recognized subsequent events are events or transactions that provide additional evidence about conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet, including the estimates inherent in the process of preparing financial statements. Nonrecognized subsequent events are events that provide evidence about conditions that did not exist at the date of the balance sheet but arose after that date.
Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies - The Company follows accounting standards set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, commonly referred to as “FASB.” FASB sets generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) that the Company follows to ensure the consistent reporting of its consolidated financial condition, consolidated results of operations, and consolidated cash flows. References to GAAP issued by FASB in these footnotes are to FASB Accounting Standards Codification, sometimes referred to as the Codification, or ASC.
Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and amounts due from correspondent banks. At times throughout the year, balances can exceed FDIC insurance limits. Generally, federal funds sold and repurchase agreements are sold for one-day periods. The Bank did not have any repurchase agreements during 2024 or 2023. All cash and cash equivalents have maturities when purchased of three months or less.
Investment Securities Investment Securities - Debt securities classified as available-for-sale are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from net income and reported, net of tax, as a separate component of comprehensive income (loss) and shareholders’ equity. Debt securities classified as held-to-maturity are carried at amortized cost. Gains and losses on disposition are reported using the specific identification method for the adjusted basis of the securities sold. Premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the period to maturity.
 
The Company periodically reviews its investment portfolio on an individual security basis. Securities that are to be held for indefinite periods of time are classified as available-for-sale. Those include, but are not limited to, securities that management intends to use as part of its asset/liability management strategy, as well as those which may be sold in response to changes in interest rates, changes in prepayments, or other factors. Securities which the Company has the ability and intent to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity. There were no securities classified as held-to-maturity as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.

Available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position are evaluated when the amortized cost of a security exceeds its fair value. If it is determined that it will be necessary to sell a security before the fair value increases to the amortized cost, the amortized cost will be written down to fair value through income. At that point, any previously recorded allowance for credit loss (ACL) would be written off and any additional impairment would be recognized through earnings. If it is believed that the Company will not be required to sell a security before the fair value recovers, a determination will be made as to whether or not the decline in fair value is the result of a credit loss or noncredit factors such as changes in current market rates. If it is determined that the decline is due to a credit loss, the amount recognized as the credit loss will be determined using a discounted cash flow approach. Cash flows expected to be collected would be discounted at the effective interest rate established at acquisition. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses would be recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income.

Changes in the allowance for credit losses on investments are recorded as credit loss expense (or reversal). Losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of an available-for-sale security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met.

Marketable equity securities are reported at fair value with gains and losses included in noninterest income on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Loans Loans - Interest income on loans is credited to income as earned and is calculated by using the simple interest method on the daily balance of the principal amounts outstanding. With the exception of student loans, loans are typically placed on non-accrual status when principal or interest is past due for 90 days and/or when management believes the collection of amounts due is doubtful. Student loans are typically placed on non-accrual status when principal or interest is past due for 120 days. For loans placed on nonaccrual status, the accrued and unpaid interest receivable may be reversed based upon management’s assessment of collectability, and interest is thereafter credited to principal to the extent necessary to eliminate doubt as to the collectability of the net carrying amount of the loan.
Nonrefundable fees and related direct costs associated with the origination or purchase of loans are deferred and netted against outstanding loan balances. The net deferred fees and costs are generally amortized into interest income over the loan’s term using the simple interest method. Other credit-related fees, such as standby letters of credit fees and loan placement fees, are recognized as noninterest income during the period the related service is performed.

d.Allowance for credit losses on loans and reserve for unfunded loan commitments - The Company adopted ASU 2016-13, effective January 1, 2023, and utilizes the CECL cohort methodology analysis which relies on segmenting the loan
portfolio into pools with similar risks, tracking the performance of the pools over time, and using the data to determine pool loss experience. Management estimates the allowance for credit loss balance using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The cumulative loss rate used as the basis for the estimate of credit losses is comprised of the Company’s historical loss experience from 2006 to 2024.

Unfunded loan commitment reserves are included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Provisions for unfunded loan commitments are included in provision for credit losses in the consolidated statements of income.

The Company analyzes risk characteristics inherent in each loan portfolio segment as part of the quarterly review of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. The following summarizes some of the key risk characteristics for the ten segments of the loan portfolio (Consumer loans include three segments):

Commercial and business loans – Commercial loans are subject to the effects of economic cycles and tend to exhibit increased risk as economic conditions deteriorate, or if an economic downturn is prolonged. The Company considers this segment to be one of higher risk given the size of individual loans and the balance in the overall portfolio.
 
Government program loans – This is a relatively small part of the Company’s loan portfolio, but has historically had a high percentage of loans that have migrated from pass to substandard given their vulnerability to economic cycles.
 
Commercial real estate loans – This segment is considered to have more risk in part because of the vulnerability of commercial businesses to economic cycles as well as the exposure to fluctuations in real estate prices because most of these loans are secured by real estate. Losses in this segment have however been historically low because most of the loans are real-estate secured, and the bank maintains appropriate loan-to-value ratios.
 
Residential mortgages – This segment is considered to have low risk factors based on the Company’s experience and peer statistics. These loans are secured by first deeds of trust.
 
Home improvement and home equity loans – Because of their junior lien position, these loans have an inherently higher risk level.
 
Real estate construction and development loans –This segment of loans is considered to have a higher risk profile due to construction and market value issues in conjunction with normal credit risks.
 
Agricultural loans – This segment is considered to have risks associated with weather, insects, and marketing issues. In addition, concentrations in certain crops or certain agricultural areas can increase risk. Additionally, California may experience severe droughts, which can significantly harm the business of customers and the credit quality of the loans to those customers. Water resources and related issues affecting customers are closely monitored. Signs of deterioration within the loan portfolio are also monitored in an effort to manage credit quality and work with borrowers where possible to mitigate any losses.

Installment and student loans – This segment, which includes consumer loans, student loans, overdrafts, and overdraft protection lines, is considered higher risk because most of the loans are unsecured. Additionally, in the case of student loans, there are increased risks associated with liquidity due to the time lag between funding of a student loan and eventual repayment.

e.Nonaccrual loans - Commercial, construction and commercial real estate loans are placed on non-accrual status under the following circumstances:

When there is doubt regarding the full repayment of interest and principal.
When principal and/or interest on the loan has been in default for a period of 90 days or more, unless the asset is both well secured and in the process of collection that will result in repayment in the near future.
When the loan is identified as having loss elements and/or is risk rated “8” Doubtful.

When loans are placed on nonaccrual status, the accrual of interest for financial statement purposes is discontinued. Previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed and charged against interest income. Student loans past due more than 90-days are not placed on nonaccrual status, but are charged-off once 120-days past due. See “Note 4- Student Loans” for specific information on the student loan portfolio.
When a loan is placed on non-accrual status and subsequent payments of interest (and principal) are received, the interest received may be accounted for in two separate ways.

Cost recovery method: If the loan is in doubt as to full collection, the interest received in subsequent payments is reversed out of interest income and treated as a reduction of principal for financial reporting purposes.

Cash basis: This method is only used if the recorded investment or total contractual amount is expected to be fully collectible, under which circumstances the subsequent payments of interest is credited to interest income as received.

Loans on non-accrual status may be returned to accruing status when all delinquent principal and/or interest has been brought current, there is no identified element of loss (on the contractual amount of the loan), and current and continued satisfactory performance is expected. Repayment ability is generally demonstrated through the timely receipt of at least six monthly payments on a loan with monthly amortization.

f.Individually-evaluated loans - When a financial asset does not share similar risk characteristics with the pool being evaluated, it is evaluated individually.
g.Collateral-dependent loans - A loan is deemed collateral-dependent when either, it enters foreclosure, or it is determined that the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties. Repayment of these loans is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral.
Bank-Owned Life Insurance and Company-Owned life insurance policies Bank-owned life insurance and company-owned life insurance policies - The Company owns bank-owned life insurance policies (BOLI) and company-owned life insurance policies (COLI) on certain officers, including those covered under the salary continuation plan, with a portion of the post-retirement benefit available to the officers’ beneficiaries. The initial net cash surrender value of BOLI and COLI policies is equivalent to the premium paid, and adds income through non-taxable increases in cash surrender value, net of the cost of insurance, plus any death benefits ultimately received by the Company.
Off-balance sheet financial instruments Off-balance sheet financial instruments - In order to meet the needs of its customers, the Company offers financial instruments including commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit (SBLC). SBLCs are used to guarantee financing arrangements or performance with third parties.
Premises and Equipment Premises and equipment - Premises and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is computed principally on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
Other Real Estate Owned Other-real-estate-owned - Real estate properties acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are to be sold and are initially recorded at fair value of the property, less estimated costs to sell. The excess, if any, of the loan amount over the fair value is charged to the allowance for credit losses. Subsequent declines in the fair value of other-real-estate-owned, along with related revenue and expenses from operations, are charged to noninterest expense.
Investment in Limited Partnership Investment in Limited Partnerships - The Bank owns interests in local area limited partnerships which provide private capital for small- to mid-sized businesses. The investments are accounted for under the cost method.
Goodwill Goodwill - Goodwill amounts resulting from acquisitions are considered to have an indefinite life and are not amortized. At December 31, 2024, and 2023, the Company reported goodwill totaling $4.5 million. The Company did not recognize any impairment charges on goodwill during 2024 or 2023.
Income Taxes Income taxes - Deferred income taxes result from the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities using the liability method, and are reflected at income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets or liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. Estimates are based on the enacted tax rate of the applicable period.
Net Income per Common Share Net income per common share - Basic income per common share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted income per share includes the effect of stock options and other potentially dilutive securities using the treasury stock method. If applicable, net income per common share is retroactively adjusted for all stock dividends declared.
Cash Flow Reporting Cash flow reporting - For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand, noninterest-bearing amounts due from banks, federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell. Federal funds and securities purchased under agreements to resell are generally sold for a one-day periods. Net cash flows are reported for interest-bearing deposits with other banks, loans to customers, deposits held for customers, and short-term borrowings.
Transfers of Financial Assets Transfers of financial assets - Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain the taking advantage of that right, beyond a trivial benefit) 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 before maturity.
Stock Based Compensation Stock based compensation - The Company maintains a stock-based employee compensation plan, which is described more fully in “Note 12 - Stock Based Compensation.” All share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options and restricted stock units and awards, are recognized in the consolidated financial statements based on the grant date fair value of the award. The fair value is amortized over the requisite service period (generally the vesting period).
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock and Federal Reserve Bank Stock Federal Home Loan Bank stock and Federal Reserve Bank stock - As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLB), the Company is required to maintain an investment in the capital stock of the FHLB. In addition, as a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (FRB), the Company is required to maintain an investment in capital stock of the FRB. The investments in both the FHLB and the FRB are carried at cost in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, are included in other assets, and are subject to certain redemption requirements by the FHLB and FRB. Stock redemptions are at the discretion of the FHLB and FRB.
 
While technically these are considered equity securities, there is no market for the FHLB or FRB stock; therefore, the shares are considered restricted investment securities. Management periodically evaluates the stock for other-than-temporary impairment through an assessment of the ultimate recoverability of cost rather than the recognition of temporary declines in value. The determination of the ultimate recoverability of cost is based upon (i) the significance and length of time of any decline in net assets of the FHLB or FRB compared to the capital stock amount of the FHLB or FRB, (ii commitments by the FHLB or FRB to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance of the FHLB or FRB, (iii) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on institutions, and (iv) the liquidity position of the FHLB or FRB.
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income (loss) - Comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) includes items recorded directly to equity, such as unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale, unrecognized costs of salary continuation defined benefit plans, and unrealized gains and losses on trust preferred securities related to instrument-specific credit risk. Comprehensive income (loss) is presented in the “Consolidated Statements of Other Comprehensive Income.”
Segment Reporting Segment reporting - The Company’s operations are solely in the financial services industry and provides its customers traditional banking and other financial services. The Company operates primarily in California’s San Joaquin Valley. Management’s operating decisions and performance assessment are based on an ongoing review of the Company’s consolidated financial results. The Company is considered one operating segment for financial reporting purposes.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers Revenue from contracts with customers - The Company records revenue from contracts with customers in accordance with ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606). Under Topic 606, the Company must identify the contract with a customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation. The Company’s primary sources of revenue are derived from interest earned on loans, investment securities, and other financial instruments that are not within the scope of Topic 606. The Company has evaluated the nature of its contracts with customers and determined that further disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers into more granular categories beyond what is presented in the “Consolidated Statements of Income” is not warranted. The Company, in general, satisfies its performance obligations on its contracts with customers as services are rendered. Transaction prices are typically fixed and are charged either on a periodic basis or as activity warrants. Contracts evaluated under the scope of Topic 606 are primarily related to service charges, fees on deposit accounts, debit card fees, ITM processing fees, and other service charges, commissions and fees. Because performance obligations are satisfied as services are rendered and the transaction prices are fixed, there is little judgment involved in applying Topic 606 to the determination of the amount and timing of revenue from contracts with customers.
Leases Leases - The Company recognizes lease assets and lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. Disclosures related to key lease components and leasing arrangements are included within the footnotes. The Company combines lease and associated non-lease components by class of underlying asset in contract that meet certain criteria. The lease and related non-lease components have the same timing and pattern of transfer, and the lease component, when accounted for on a stand-alone basis, is classified as an operating lease.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Recently Issued Accounting Standards -
In March 2020, FASB issued ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848).” This ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or other reference rates expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The ASU was effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. In December 2022, FASB issued ASU 2022-06, “Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848.” This ASU amends ASU 2020-04 by extending the sunset provision for use of LIBOR as a reference rate until December 31, 2024, due to an extension of the intended cessation of USD LIBOR. During 2023, the Company chose to use the “Secured Overnight Financing Rate,” or SOFR, as a replacement for LIBOR. This change resulted in minimal impact to TRUPs and floating rate loans tied to LIBOR.
In March 2022, FASB issued ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326) Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures. This ASU provides new guidance on the treatment of troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) in relation to the adoption of the CECL model for the accounting for credit losses (see note above regarding ASU 2016-13). Previous accounting guidance related to troubled debt restructurings is eliminated and new disclosure requirements are adopted in regard to loan refinancing and restructurings made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties under the assumption that the CECL model will capture credit losses related to troubled debt restructurings. New disclosures regarding gross write-offs for financing receivables by year of origination are also included in the update. This update has been adopted as of January 1, 2023. The Bank will no longer report troubled debt restructurings or classify loans as such. TDRs previously recognized have been incorporated into the CECL methodology as it applies to loan loss reserves as of January 1, 2023.
In November 2023, FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures.” This ASU requires public entities with a single reportable unit to meet all existing disclosures previously required of entities with multiple segments as well as additional disclosures mandated by the Update. Entities are now required to disclose the measures of profit and loss used by their chief operating decision maker (CODM) to assess segment performance and to provide enhanced disclosures regarding segment expenses. On an annual basis, the CODM’s title and position must be disclosed in addition to a description of how the CODM uses the reported measures to make decisions. Significant segment expenses will be reported on an interim and annual basis. The Company adopted this standard on December 31, 2024, and has provided the additional disclosures required in “The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.” Please see “Note 19 - Segment Information.”