Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2022
Summary of significant accounting policies [Abstract]
Consolidation	The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. (“Financial” or the “Company”) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In management’s opinion the accompanying financial statements, which unless otherwise noted are unaudited, reflect all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information as of September 30, 2022 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Additional information concerning the organization and business of Financial, accounting policies followed, and other related information is contained in Financial’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes for the year ended December 31, 2021 included in Financial’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2022. Certain immaterial reclassifications have been made to prior period balances to conform to the current period presentation.
Allowance For Loan Losses	Financial’s critical accounting policies include the evaluation of the allowance for loan losses which is based on management’s estimate of an amount that is adequate to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio of Bank of the James (the “Bank”), Financial’s wholly-owned subsidiary. The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses based on available information including the composition of the loan portfolio, historical loan losses, specific impaired loans, availability and quality of collateral, age of the various portfolios, changes in local economic conditions, and loan performance and quality of the portfolio. Different assumptions used in evaluating the adequacy of the Bank’s allowance for loan losses could result in material changes in Financial’s financial condition and results of operations. The Bank’s policy with respect to the methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses involves a high degree of complexity and requires management to make subjective judgments that often require assumptions or estimates about uncertain matters. This critical policy and its assumptions are periodically reviewed with the Board of Directors.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill is subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment. Additionally, acquired intangible assets (such as customer relationship intangibles) are separately recognized if the benefit of the assets can be sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged, and amortized over their useful lives. The cost of customer relationships, based on independent valuation, are being amortized over their estimated lives of fifteen years.The Company records as goodwill the fair value of the consideration transferred, plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interests in the acquiree, over the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. The Company will review the carrying value of the goodwill at least annually or more frequently if certain impairment indicators exist. In testing goodwill for impairment, the Company may first consider qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances lead to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events and circumstances, we conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is not less than its carrying amount, then no further testing is required and the goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired. If the Company elects to bypass the qualitative assessment or if we conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the fair value of the reporting unit is compared with its carrying value to determine whether an impairment exists.
Other Real Estate Owned	Financial also considers valuation of other real estate owned (OREO) a critical accounting policy. OREO consists of properties acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure. These properties are carried at fair value less estimated costs to sell at the date of acquisition. Losses from the acquisition of property in full or partial satisfaction of loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent write-downs, if any, are charged against expense. Gains and losses on the sales of foreclosed properties are included in determining net income in the year of the sale. Operating costs after acquisition are expensed.

Basis of Presentation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2022

Summary of significant accounting policies [Abstract]

The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. (“Financial” or the “Company”) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In management’s opinion the accompanying financial statements, which unless otherwise noted are unaudited, reflect all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information as of September 30, 2022 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Additional information concerning the organization and business of Financial, accounting policies followed, and other related information is contained in Financial’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes for the year ended December 31, 2021 included in Financial’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2022.

Certain immaterial reclassifications have been made to prior period balances to conform to the current period presentation.

Allowance For Loan Losses

Financial’s critical accounting policies include the evaluation of the allowance for loan losses which is based on management’s estimate of an amount that is adequate to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio of Bank of the James (the “Bank”), Financial’s wholly-owned subsidiary. The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses based on available information including the composition of the loan portfolio, historical loan losses, specific impaired loans, availability and quality of collateral, age of the various portfolios, changes in local economic conditions, and loan performance and quality of the portfolio. Different assumptions used in evaluating the adequacy of the Bank’s allowance for loan losses could result in material changes in Financial’s financial condition and results of operations. The Bank’s policy with respect to the methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses involves a high degree of complexity and requires management to make subjective judgments that often require assumptions or estimates about uncertain matters. This critical policy and its assumptions are periodically reviewed with the Board of Directors.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill is subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment. Additionally, acquired intangible assets (such as customer relationship intangibles) are separately recognized if the benefit of the assets can be sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged, and amortized over their useful lives. The cost of customer relationships, based on independent valuation, are being amortized over their estimated lives of fifteen years.The Company records as goodwill the fair value of the consideration transferred, plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interests in the acquiree, over the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. The Company will review the carrying value of the goodwill at least annually or more frequently if certain impairment indicators exist. In testing goodwill for impairment, the Company may first consider qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances lead to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events and circumstances, we conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is not less than its carrying amount, then no further testing is required and the goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired. If the Company elects to bypass the qualitative assessment or if we conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the fair value of the reporting unit is compared with its carrying value to determine whether an impairment exists.

Other Real Estate Owned

Financial also considers valuation of other real estate owned (OREO) a critical accounting policy. OREO consists of properties acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure. These properties are carried at fair value less estimated costs to sell at the date of acquisition. Losses from the acquisition of property in full or partial satisfaction of loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent write-downs, if any, are charged against expense. Gains and losses on the sales of foreclosed properties are included in determining net income in the year of the sale. Operating costs after acquisition are expensed.