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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2024

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

BUSINESS AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS:

AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (the Company) is a bank holding company, headquartered in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Through its banking subsidiary, the Company operates 16 banking locations in five southwestern Pennsylvania counties and Hagerstown, Maryland. These branches provide a full range of consumer, mortgage, and commercial financial products and wealth management services.

Effective October 1, 2024, the two wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company, AmeriServ Financial Bank (the Bank) and AmeriServ Trust and Financial Services Company (the Trust Company), completed a merger. Specifically, the Trust Company merged with and into the Bank. The former Trust Company now functions as a division of the Bank with all property, obligations, and capital being transferred to the Bank. Assets and capital totaling $6.5 million were transferred from the former Trust Company to the Bank as a result of the merger. A new division of the Bank relating to the Trust Company’s operations, named AmeriServ Wealth and Capital Management, was formed on such date. The division offers a complete range of trust and financial services and administers assets valued at approximately $2.6 billion and $2.5 billion that are not recognized on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION:

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, AmeriServ Financial Bank. The Bank is a Pennsylvania state-chartered full-service bank with 15 locations in Pennsylvania and 1 location in Maryland.

In addition, the Parent Company is an administrative group that provides support in such areas as audit, finance, investments, loan review, general services, and marketing. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from these estimates and the differences may be material to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company’s most significant estimates relate to the allowance for credit losses (related to investment securities, loans, and unfunded commitments), pension, and derivatives (interest rate swaps/hedges).

OPERATING SEGMENTS:

While the chief decision-maker monitors the revenue streams of the various products and services, operations are managed, and financial performance is evaluated on a Company-wide basis. Discrete financial information is not available other than on a Company-wide basis. Accordingly, all of the financial service operations are considered by management to be aggregated in one reportable operating segment. Segment reporting is described further in Note 22.

INVESTMENT SECURITIES:

Securities are classified at the time of purchase as investment securities held to maturity if it is management’s intent and the Company has the ability to hold the securities until maturity. These held to maturity securities are carried on the Company’s books at cost, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount which is computed using the level yield method which approximates the effective interest method. Alternatively, securities are classified as available for sale if it is management’s intent at the time of purchase to hold the securities for an indefinite period of time and/or to use the securities as part of the Company’s asset/liability management strategy. Securities classified as available for sale include securities which may be sold to effectively manage interest rate risk exposure, prepayment risk, and other factors (such as liquidity requirements). These available for sale securities are reported at fair value with unrealized aggregate appreciation/depreciation excluded from income and credited/charged to accumulated other comprehensive income

(loss) within shareholders’ equity on a net of tax basis. Realized gains or losses on securities sold are computed upon the adjusted cost of the specific securities sold.

Additionally, the Company holds equity securities which are comprised of mutual funds held within a rabbi trust for the executive deferred compensation plan and ordinary shares issued by a borrower in satisfaction of debt previously contracted. The deferred compensation plan equity securities are reported at fair value within other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and unrealized holding gains and losses are included in earnings. The ordinary shares issued in satisfaction of debt previously contracted do not have a readily determinable fair value. Therefore, they are reported at cost within other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are adjusted when observable price changes are identified, or an impairment charge is recognized.

Any securities classified as trading assets would be reported at fair value with unrealized aggregate appreciation/depreciation included in income on a net of tax basis. The Company presently does not engage in trading activity.

Allowance for Credit Losses – Held to Maturity Securities

The Company measures expected credit losses on held to maturity debt securities, which are comprised of U.S. government agency and mortgage-backed securities as well as taxable municipal, corporate, and other bonds. The Company’s agency and mortgage-backed securities are issued by U.S. government entities and agencies and are either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S. government, are highly rated by major rating agencies, and have a long history of no credit losses. As such, no allowance for credit losses has been established for these securities. The allowance for credit losses on the taxable municipal, corporate, and other bonds within the held to maturity securities portfolio is calculated using the probability of default/loss given default (PD/LGD) method. The calculation is completed on a quarterly basis using the default studies provided by an industry leading source. Additionally, based on management judgment, certain qualitative adjustments, such as the Company’s historical loss experience and/or the issuer’s credit quality, may be applied. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the allowance for credit losses on the held to maturity securities portfolio totaled $89,000 and $37,000, respectively.

The allowance for credit losses on held to maturity debt securities is included within investment securities held to maturity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded within provision for credit losses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Accrued interest receivable on held to maturity debt securities totaled $403,000 and $388,000 at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and is included within accrued interest income receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. This amount is excluded from the estimate of expected credit losses. Held to maturity debt securities are typically classified as non-accrual when the contractual payment of principal or interest has become 90 days past due or management has serious doubts about the further collectability of principal or interest. When held to maturity debt securities are placed on non-accrual status, unpaid interest credited to income is reversed. The Company had no held to maturity debt securities in non-accrual status or past due over 90 days still accruing interest at December 31, 2024 and 2023.

Allowance for Credit Losses – Available for Sale Securities

The Company measures expected credit losses on available for sale debt securities when the Company does not intend to sell, or when it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell, the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For available for sale debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, the Company considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this evaluation indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit

loss, equal to the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the allowance for credit losses on the available for sale securities portfolio totaled $360,000 and $926,000, respectively.

The allowance for credit losses on available for sale debt securities is included within investment securities available for sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded within provision for credit losses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Losses are charged against the allowance when the Company believes the collectability of an available for sale security is in jeopardy or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met.

Accrued interest receivable on available for sale debt securities totaled $833,000 and $988,000 at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and is included within accrued interest income receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. This amount is excluded from the estimate of expected credit losses. Available for sale debt securities are typically classified as non-accrual when the contractual payment of principal or interest has become 90 days past due or management has serious doubts about the further collectability of principal or interest. When available for sale debt securities are placed on non-accrual status, unpaid interest credited to income is reversed. It should be noted that the Company had one available for sale debt security in non-accrual status at December 31, 2024 totaling $1.0 million with an associated allowance for credit losses of $360,000. This is compared to one available for sale debt security in non-accrual status at December 31, 2023 totaling $926,000 with an associated allowance for credit losses of $926,000. When these corporate securities were transferred to non-accrual status, interest income from investments was unfavorably impacted due to the reversal of previously recognized income. Specifically, unpaid interest on these securities which was reversed totaled $84,000 in 2024 and $17,000 in 2023.

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK STOCK:

The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLB), and as such, is required to maintain a minimum investment in stock of the FHLB that varies with the level of advances outstanding with the FHLB. The stock is bought from and sold to the FHLB based upon its $100 par value. The stock does not have a readily determinable fair value and as such is classified as restricted stock, carried at cost and evaluated for impairment by management. The stock’s value is determined by the ultimate recoverability of the par value rather than by recognizing temporary declines. The determination of whether the par value will ultimately be recovered is influenced by criteria such as the following: (1) the significance of the decline in net assets of the FHLB as compared to the capital stock amount and the length of time any such situation has persisted; (2) commitments by the FHLB to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance; (3) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on the customer base of FHLB; and (4) the liquidity position of the FHLB. Management evaluated the stock and concluded that the stock was not impaired for the periods presented herein.

LOANS:

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are stated at their outstanding unpaid principal balances, net of any deferred fees or costs and an allowance for credit losses. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance and is recognized using the level yield method. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, accrued interest receivable on loans totaled $4.2 million, which is reported in accrued interest income receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses.

The Company typically discontinues the accrual of interest income when loans become 90 days past due in either principal or interest. In addition, if circumstances warrant, the accrual of interest may be discontinued prior to 90 days. Payments received on non-accrual loans are credited to principal until full recovery of principal has been recognized or the loan has been returned to accrual status. The only exception to this policy is for residential mortgage loans wherein interest income is recognized on a cash basis as payments are received. Generally, a non-accrual commercial or

consumer loan is returned to accrual status after becoming current and remaining current for twelve consecutive payments. Residential mortgage loans are returned to accrual status upon becoming current.

LOAN FEES:

Loan origination and commitment fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the yield (interest income) over the contractual life of the loan.

LOANS HELD FOR SALE:

Certain newly originated residential mortgage loans are classified as held for sale, because it is management’s intent to sell these residential mortgage loans. The residential mortgage loans held for sale are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value.

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 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 their maturity.

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT:

Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Land is carried at cost. Depreciation is charged to operations over the estimated useful lives of the premises and equipment using the straight-line method with a half-year convention. Useful lives of up to 30 years for buildings and up to 10 years for equipment are utilized. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the terms of the respective leases or useful lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter. Maintenance, repairs, and minor alterations are charged to current operations as expenditures are incurred.

LEASES:

The Company has operating and financing leases for several office locations and equipment. Generally, the underlying lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. Many of our leases include both lease (e.g., minimum rent payments) and non-lease components, such as common area maintenance charges, utilities, real estate taxes, and insurance. The Company has elected to account for the variable non-lease components separately from the lease component. Such variable non-lease components are reported in net occupancy expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations when incurred. These variable non-lease components were excluded from the calculation of the present value of the remaining lease payments; therefore, they are not included in the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Certain of the Company’s leases contain options to renew the lease after the initial term. Management considers the Company’s historical pattern of exercising renewal options on leases and the performance of the leased locations when determining whether it is reasonably certain that the leases will be renewed. If management concludes that there is reasonable certainty about the renewal option, it is included in the calculation of the remaining term of each applicable lease. The discount rate utilized in calculating the present value of the remaining lease payments for each lease is the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh advance rate corresponding to the remaining maturity of the lease.

Under ASC 842, the lessee can elect to not record on the Consolidated Balance Sheets a lease whose term is twelve months or less and does not include a purchase option that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had no short-term leases.

ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES – LOANS:

The allowance for credit losses (ACL) is a valuation reserve established and maintained by charges against income and is deducted from the amortized cost basis of loans to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loans, or portions thereof, are charged off against the ACL when they are deemed uncollectible. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off.

The ACL is an estimate of expected credit losses, measured over the contractual life of a loan, which considers our historical loss experience, current conditions and forecasts of future economic conditions. Determination of an appropriate ACL is inherently subjective and may have significant changes from period to period. The methodology for determining the ACL has two main components: evaluation of expected credit losses for certain groups of homogeneous loans that share similar risk characteristics and evaluation of loans that do not share risk characteristics with other loans.

The allowance for credit losses is measured on a collective (pool) basis when similar risk characteristics exist. The Company has aligned our segmentation to the quarterly Call Report. This allowed the Company to use not only our data but also peer institutions’ data to supplement loss observations in determining our qualitative adjustments. Some further sub-segmenting was performed on the commercial and industrial (C&I) and commercial real estate (CRE) portfolios based on collateral type. The Company has identified the following portfolio segments:

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C&I and CRE Owner Occupied – Real Estate

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C&I and CRE Owner Occupied – Other

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CRE Non-Owner Occupied – Retail

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CRE Non-Owner Occupied – Multi-Family

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CRE Non-Owner Occupied – Other

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Residential Mortgages

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Consumer

The Company is utilizing the static pool analysis (cohort) method for our current expected credit losses (CECL) model. The static pool analysis methodology captures loans that qualify for a segment (i.e. balance of a pool of loans with similar risk characteristics) as of a point in time to form a cohort, then tracks that cohort over their remaining lives to determine their loss behavior. The remaining lifetime loss rate is then applied to current loans that qualify for the same segmentation criteria to form a remaining life expectation on current loans. Once historical cohorts are established, the loans in each individual cohort are tracked over their remaining lives for loss and recovery events. Each cohort is evaluated individually, and as a result, a loss may be counted in several different quarterly cohort periods, as long as the specific loan existed in the population of each of those cohort periods.

Historical credit loss experience is the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. The Company applies historical loss rates to pools of loans with similar risk characteristics. After consideration of the historic loss calculation, management applies qualitative adjustments to reflect the current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts not already captured in the historical loss information at the balance sheet date. Our reasonable and supportable forecast adjustment is based on a blend of peer and Company data as well as management judgment. Including peer data addresses the Company’s lack of loss history in some pools of loans. For periods beyond our reasonable and supportable forecast period of two years, loss expectations revert to the long-run historical mean. The qualitative adjustments for current conditions are based upon the following factors:

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changes in lending policies and procedures;

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changes in economic conditions;

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changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio;

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staff experience;

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changes in volume and severity of delinquency, non-performing loans, and classified loans;

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changes in the quality of the Company’s loan review system;

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trends in underlying collateral value;

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concentration risk; and

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external factors: competition, legal, regulatory.

These modified historical loss rates are multiplied by the outstanding principal balance of each loan to calculate a required reserve. Ultimately, 44% of the fourth quarter of 2024 general reserve represented qualitative adjustment with 56% representing quantitative reserve.

In accordance with ASC 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, the Company will evaluate individual loans for expected credit losses when those loans do not share similar risk characteristics with loans evaluated using a collective (pooled) basis. In contrast to legacy accounting standards, this criterion is broader than the impairment concept and management may evaluate loans individually even when no specific expectation of collectability is in place. Loans will not be included in both collective and individual analysis. The individual analysis will establish a specific reserve for loans in scope. It should be noted that there is a review threshold of $150,000 or more for loans being subject to individual evaluation within the consumer and residential mortgage segments.

Specific reserves are established based on the following three acceptable methods for measuring the ACL: 1) the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate; 2) the loan’s observable market price; or 3) the fair value of the collateral when the loan is collateral dependent. The method is selected on a loan-by-loan basis, with management primarily utilizing either the discounted cash flows or the fair value of collateral methods. The evaluation of the need and amount of a specific allocation of the allowance is made on a quarterly basis.

The need for an updated appraisal on collateral dependent loans is determined on a case-by-case basis. The useful life of an appraisal or evaluation will vary depending upon the circumstances of the property and the economic conditions in the marketplace. A new appraisal is not required if there is an existing appraisal which, along with other information, is sufficient to determine a reasonable value for the property and to support an appropriate and adequate allowance for credit losses. At a minimum, annual documented reevaluation of the property is completed by the Bank’s internal Collections and Assigned Risk Department to support the value of the property.

When reviewing an appraisal associated with an existing real estate collateral dependent transaction, the Bank’s Chief Credit Officer must determine if there have been material changes to the underlying assumptions in the appraisal which affect the original estimate of value. Some of the factors that could cause material changes to reported values include:

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the passage of time;

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the volatility of the local market;

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the availability of financing;

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natural disasters;

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the inventory of competing properties;

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new improvements to, or lack of maintenance of, the subject property or competing properties upon physical inspection by the Bank;

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changes in underlying economic and market assumptions, such as material changes in current and projected vacancy, absorption rates, capitalization rates, lease terms, rental rates, sales prices, concessions, construction overruns and delays, zoning changes, etc.; and/or

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environmental contamination.

The value of the property is adjusted to appropriately reflect the above listed factors and the value is discounted to reflect the value impact of a forced or distressed sale, any outstanding senior liens, any outstanding unpaid real estate taxes, transfer taxes and closing costs that would occur with sale of the real estate. If the Chief Credit Officer determines that a reasonable value cannot be derived based on available information, a new appraisal is ordered. The determination of the need for a new appraisal, versus completion of a property valuation by the Bank’s Collections and Assigned Risk Department personnel, rests with the Chief Credit Officer and not the originating account officer.

ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES – UNFUNDED LOAN COMMITMENTS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT:

The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which it is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancelable. The allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures is adjusted through the provision for credit losses line on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life. The carrying amount of the allowance for credit losses for the Company’s obligations related to unfunded commitments and standby letters of credit is reported in other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

BANK-OWNED LIFE INSURANCE:

The Company has purchased life insurance policies on certain current and previous employees. These policies are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at their cash surrender value, or the amount that can be realized. Income from these policies and changes in the cash surrender value are recorded in bank owned life insurance within non-interest income. Additionally, income is accrued on certain policies that have reached the minimum floor rate of return. This guaranteed portion of income is not added to the cash surrender value of the policy until the policy anniversary date and is reported in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS:

Goodwill arising from business combinations represents the value attributable to unidentifiable intangible elements in the business acquired. Goodwill is not amortized but is periodically evaluated for impairment. The Company tests goodwill for impairment on at least an annual basis. This approach could cause more volatility in the Company’s reported net income because impairment losses, if any, could occur irregularly and in varying amounts.

Identifiable intangible assets are amortized to their estimated residual values over their expected useful lives. Such lives are also periodically reassessed to determine if any amortization period adjustments are required. The identifiable intangible assets consist of a core deposit intangible which is being amortized on an accelerated basis over a ten-year useful life.

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:

Basic earnings per share include only the weighted average common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share include the weighted average common shares outstanding and any potentially dilutive common stock equivalent shares in the calculation. Treasury shares are excluded for earnings per share purposes. Options to purchase 194,000 and 218,000 shares of common stock were outstanding during 2024 and 2023, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share because to do so would be anti-dilutive. Exercise prices of anti-dilutive options to purchase common stock outstanding were $2.96-$4.22 and $3.18-$4.22 during 2024 and 2023, respectively.


	YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
	2024		2023

	(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
Numerator:
Net income (loss)	$	3,601	$	(3,346)
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding (basic)		16,802		17,143
Effect of stock options		—		1
Weighted average common shares outstanding (diluted)		16,802		17,144
Earnings per common share:
Basic	$	0.21	$	(0.20)
Diluted		0.21		(0.20)

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION:

The Company uses the modified prospective method for accounting of stock-based compensation. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the grant date using the Binomial or Black-Scholes option pricing model and the expense is recognized ratably over the service period. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur. See Note 18 for details on the assumptions used.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS:

The Company presents the components of other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). These components are comprised of the change in the defined benefit pension obligation, the unrealized holding gains (losses) on available for sale securities, net of any reclassification adjustments for realized gains and losses, and fair value change for the interest rate hedges, net of any reclassification adjustments for reduction of interest expense.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS:

On a consolidated basis, cash and cash equivalents include cash and due from depository institutions, interest bearing deposits, and short-term investments in both money market funds and commercial paper. The Company received a $1.1 million income tax refund in 2024 compared to income tax payments of $625,000 in 2023. The Company made total interest payments of $30.8 million in 2024 compared to $21.8 million in 2023. The Company had non-cash transfers to other real estate owned (OREO) and repossessed assets in the amounts of $1.9 million in 2024 and $15,000 in 2023. During 2024, the Company entered into a new operating lease related to an office location and recorded a right-of-use asset and lease liability of $1.1 million. Additionally, the Company entered into two new financing leases related to an office location and equipment and recorded a right-of-use asset and lease liability of $298,000. The execution of these new leases was partially offset by the termination of two financing leases related to an office location and equipment which led to the write-off of $141,000 of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities during 2024. During 2023, the Company entered into a new operating lease related to an office location and recorded a right-of-use asset and lease liability of $85,000. The Company also entered into two new financing leases related to office locations and recorded a right-of-use asset and lease liability of $248,000.

As a result of the adoption of ASC 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (CECL), the Company had non-cash transactions during 2023 associated with the day one adjustments necessary to record the adoption. Specifically, the adoption of this accounting standard necessitated that a day-one increase of $1.2 million be made to the allowance for credit losses on our loan portfolio. Furthermore, ASC 326 necessitated that the Company establish an allowance for expected credit losses for held to maturity (HTM) debt securities. Based upon the credit quality of the Company’s HTM debt securities portfolio, the day one allowance for credit losses on our HTM securities portfolio totaled $114,000. Finally, the adoption of CECL led to the recognition of a day one increase of $177,000 for the Company’s unfunded loan commitments.

INCOME TAXES:

Deferred tax assets or liabilities are computed based on the difference between the financial statement and income tax basis of assets and liabilities using the enacted marginal tax rate. Deferred income tax expenses or credits are based on the changes in the corresponding asset or liability from period to period. Deferred tax assets are reduced, if necessary, by the amounts of such benefits that are not expected to be realized based upon available evidence.

INTEREST RATE CONTRACTS:

The Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and measures those instruments at fair value. For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative and hedged item related to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. Changes in fair value of derivatives designated and accounted as cash flow hedges, to the extent they are effective as hedges, are recorded in other comprehensive income, net of deferred taxes and are subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings. Any hedge ineffectiveness would be recognized in the income statement line item pertaining to the hedged item.

The Company periodically enters into derivative instruments to meet the financing, interest rate and equity risk management needs of its customers or the Bank. Upon entering into these instruments to meet customer needs, the Company enters into offsetting positions to minimize interest rate and equity risk to the Company. These derivative financial instruments are reported at fair value with any resulting gain or loss recorded in current period earnings in amounts that offset. These instruments and their offsetting positions are recorded in other assets and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

PENSION:

Pension costs and liabilities are dependent on assumptions used in calculating such amounts. These assumptions include discount rates, benefits earned, interest costs, expected return on plan assets, mortality rates, and other factors. In accordance with GAAP, actual results that differ from the assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, generally affect recognized expense and the recorded obligation of future periods. While management believes that the assumptions used are appropriate, differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions may affect the Company’s pension obligations and future expense. Additionally, pension expense can also be impacted by settlement accounting charges if the amount of employees selecting lump sum distributions exceed the total amount of service and interest component costs of the net periodic pension cost in a particular year.

The service cost component of net periodic benefit cost is determined by aggregating the product of the discounted cash flows of the plan’s service cost for each year and an individual spot rate (referred to as the “spot rate” approach). The interest cost component is determined by aggregating the product of the discounted cash flows of the plan’s projected benefit obligations for each year and an individual spot rate. Management believes this methodology is an appropriate measure of the service cost and interest cost as each year’s cash flows are specifically linked to the interest rates of bond payments in the same respective year. Our pension benefits are described further in Note 16 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

We group our assets at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:

Level I — Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.

Level II — Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.

Level III — Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect the Company’s own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset.

We base our fair values on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. It is our policy to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements, in accordance with the fair value hierarchy in generally accepted accounting principles.