CHOICEONE FINANCIAL SERVICES INC (COFS)
SIC breadcrumb: Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate > Depository Institutions > SIC 6022 State Commercial Banks
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=803164. Latest filing source: 0001193125-26-105046.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read COFS's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read COFS's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 227,624,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-03-13 |
| Net income | 28,176,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-03-13 |
| Assets | 4,410,551,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-03-13 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-03-13. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000803164.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 89,132,000 | 113,886,000 | 139,099,000 | 227,624,000 | ||||||
| Net income | 6,090,000 | 6,168,000 | 7,333,000 | 7,171,000 | 15,613,000 | 22,042,000 | 23,640,000 | 21,261,000 | 26,727,000 | 28,176,000 |
| Diluted EPS | 1.68 | 1.70 | 2.02 | 1.58 | 2.07 | 2.86 | 3.15 | 2.82 | 3.25 | 2.01 |
| Operating cash flow | 10,927,000 | 8,090,000 | 9,955,000 | 9,202,000 | 8,478,000 | 37,699,000 | 44,327,000 | 46,333,000 | 47,081,000 | 31,814,000 |
| Capital expenditures | 1,819,000 | 1,656,000 | 4,207,000 | 766,000 | 1,852,000 | 2,759,000 | 1,164,000 | 4,234,000 | 1,706,000 | 6,627,000 |
| Dividends paid | 2,231,000 | 2,324,000 | 2,580,000 | 5,815,000 | 6,174,000 | 7,200,000 | 7,578,000 | 7,910,000 | 9,012,000 | 16,949,000 |
| Share buybacks | 794,000 | 203,000 | 523,000 | 67,000 | 0.00 | 7,786,000 | 682,000 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,679,000 |
| Assets | 607,371,000 | 646,544,000 | 670,544,000 | 1,386,128,000 | 1,919,342,000 | 2,366,682,000 | 2,385,915,000 | 2,576,706,000 | 2,723,243,000 | 4,410,551,000 |
| Liabilities | 535,673,000 | 569,994,000 | 590,067,000 | 1,193,989,000 | 1,692,074,000 | 2,145,013,000 | 2,217,041,000 | 2,381,072,000 | 2,462,828,000 | 3,945,198,000 |
| Stockholders' equity | 71,698,000 | 76,550,000 | 80,477,000 | 192,139,000 | 227,268,000 | 221,669,000 | 160,828,000 | 195,634,000 | 260,415,000 | 465,353,000 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 14,809,000 | 36,837,000 | 19,690,000 | 59,558,000 | 79,519,000 | 31,887,000 | 43,943,000 | 55,433,000 | 96,751,000 | 87,988,000 |
| Free cash flow | 9,108,000 | 6,434,000 | 5,748,000 | 8,436,000 | 6,626,000 | 34,940,000 | 43,163,000 | 42,099,000 | 45,375,000 | 25,187,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 26.52% | 18.67% | 19.21% | 12.38% | ||||||
| Return on equity | 8.49% | 8.06% | 9.11% | 3.73% | 6.87% | 9.94% | 14.70% | 10.87% | 10.26% | 6.05% |
| Return on assets | 1.00% | 0.95% | 1.09% | 0.52% | 0.81% | 0.93% | 0.99% | 0.83% | 0.98% | 0.64% |
| Liabilities / equity | 7.47 | 7.45 | 7.33 | 6.21 | 7.45 | 9.68 | 13.79 | 12.17 | 9.46 | 8.48 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
ROE peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Bridges
Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Operating cash flow: accession 0001193125-26-105046; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | Capital expenditures: accession 0001193125-26-105046; concept PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | Free cash flow: accession 0001193125-26-105046; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-105046; filed 2026-03-13. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-105046; filed 2026-03-13. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-105046; filed 2026-03-13. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-105046; filed 2026-03-13. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-105046; filed 2026-03-13. Concept: PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-105046; filed 2026-03-13. Concept: PaymentsOfDividends. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividends.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-105046; filed 2026-03-13. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-105046; filed 2026-03-13. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-105046; filed 2026-03-13. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-105046; filed 2026-03-13. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-105046; filed 2026-03-13. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001193125-26-105046; filed 2026-03-13. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-11. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000803164.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-06-30 | 0.75 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 | 0.77 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 | 0.75 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 23,316,000 | 5,213,000 | 0.69 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 26,304,000 | 5,122,000 | 0.68 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 27,962,000 | 5,293,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 28,432,000 | 5,634,000 | 0.74 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 29,944,000 | 6,586,000 | 0.87 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 31,690,000 | 7,348,000 | 0.85 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 31,038,000 | 7,159,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 39,959,000 | -13,906,000 | -1.29 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 53,925,000 | 13,534,000 | 0.90 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 54,698,000 | 14,681,000 | 0.97 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 54,376,000 | 13,867,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 53,275,000 | 13,704,000 | 0.91 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001193125-26-216698; filed 2026-05-11. Concept: InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating. Source concepts: us-gaap:InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001193125-26-216698; filed 2026-05-11. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001193125-26-216698; filed 2026-05-11. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001193125-26-216698.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion is designed to provide a review of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. (“ChoiceOne” or the "Company") and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the interim consolidated financial statements and related notes.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This discussion and other sections of this quarterly report contain forward-looking statements that are based on management’s beliefs, assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections about the financial services industry, the economy, and ChoiceOne. Words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “is likely,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “may,” “could,” “look forward,” “continue,” “future,” “will” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Management’s determination of the provision and allowance for credit losses, the carrying value of goodwill, loan servicing rights, other real estate owned, and the fair value of investment securities (including whether any impairment on any investment security is temporary or other-than-temporary and the amount of any impairment) and management’s assumptions concerning pension and other post-retirement benefit plans involve judgments that are inherently forward-looking. All of the information concerning interest rate sensitivity is forward-looking. All statements with references to future time periods are forward-looking. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions (“risk factors”) that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood, and degree of occurrence. Therefore, actual results and outcomes may materially differ from what may be expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Furthermore, ChoiceOne undertakes no obligation to update, amend, or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Risk factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors discussed in Item 1A of ChoiceOne’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. These are representative of the risk factors that could cause a difference between an ultimate actual outcome and a preceding forward-looking statement.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
In addition to results presented in accordance with GAAP, this report includes certain non-GAAP financial measures. ChoiceOne
believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide additional information that is useful to investors in helping to understand
underlying financial performance and condition and trends of ChoiceOne.
Non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations. Readers should be aware of these limitations and should be cautious with
respect to the use of such measures. To compensate for these limitations, non-GAAP financial measures are used as comparative tools, together with GAAP financial measures, to assist in the evaluation of operating performance or financial condition. These measures are also calculated using the appropriate GAAP or regulatory components in their entirety and are computed in a manner intended to facilitate consistent period-to-period comparisons. ChoiceOne’s method of calculating these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from methods used by other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for those financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP or applicable regulatory requirements.
Where non-GAAP financial measures are used, the most directly comparable GAAP or regulatory financial measure, as well as the
reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP or regulatory financial measure, can be found in the tables to this Form 10-Q
under the heading non-GAAP reconciliation.
RECENT EVENTS
On March 1, 2025, ChoiceOne completed the merger (the “Merger”) of Fentura Financial, Inc. (“Fentura”), the former parent company of The State Bank, with and into ChoiceOne with ChoiceOne surviving the Merger. On March 14, 2025, ChoiceOne Bank completed the consolidation of The State Bank with and into ChoiceOne Bank with ChoiceOne Bank surviving the consolidation.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ChoiceOne reported net income of $13,704,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2026, compared to net income of $13,867,000 and net loss of $13,906,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and March 31, 2025, respectively. Net income excluding Merger expenses, net of taxes, and Merger related provision for credit losses, net of taxes, was $9,310,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Diluted earnings per share were $0.91 for the three months ended March 31, 2026, compared to diluted earnings per
45
share of $0.92 and diluted loss per share of $1.29 for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and March 31, 2025, respectively. Diluted earnings per share excluding Merger expenses, net of taxes, and Merger related provision for credit losses, net of taxes, was $0.86 for the three months ended March 31, 2025.
A reconciliation for non-GAAP adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share to GAAP net income and earnings (loss) per share follows:
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 31, | ||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| (In Thousands, Except Per Share Data) | ||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | 13,704 | $ | (13,906 | ) | |||
| Merger related expenses, net of tax | - | 13,753 | ||||||
| Merger related provision for credit losses, net of tax (1) | - | 9,463 | ||||||
| Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP) | $ | 13,704 | $ | 9,310 | ||||
| Weighted average number of shares | 14,990,017 | 10,676,068 | ||||||
| Diluted average shares outstanding | 15,041,910 | 10,740,084 | ||||||
| Basic earnings (loss) per share | $ | 0.91 | $ | (1.30 | ) | |||
| Diluted earnings (loss) per share | $ | 0.91 | $ | (1.29 | ) | |||
| Adjusted basic earnings per share (Non-GAAP) | $ | 0.91 | $ | 0.87 | ||||
| Adjusted diluted earnings per share (Non-GAAP) | $ | 0.91 | $ | 0.86 |
(1) Merger related provision for credit losses represents the estimated credit loss on loans purchased without credit deterioration in the Merger on March 1, 2025.
As of March 31, 2026, total assets were $4.4 billion, an increase of $89.2 million compared to March 31, 2025. The growth in total assets is primarily attributed to growth in securities and warehouse mortgage advances. This was partially offset by a reduction in the cash balance of $55.2 million during the twelve months ended March 31, 2026. Interest rates and balances on warehouse mortgage advances fluctuate with the national mortgage market and are short term in nature.
Core loans, which exclude held for sale loans and mortgage warehouse advances, declined by $30.9 million or an annualized 4.2% during the first quarter of 2026 and grew by $9.5 million or 0.3% during the twelve months ended March 31, 2026. Loan interest income increased $13.0 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025 and decreased $975,000 compared to the fourth quarter of 2025. The decrease from the fourth quarter of 2025 is partially due to a decline in interest income due to accretion from purchased loans during the first quarter of 2026 compared to the fourth quarter of 2025. Interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2026 includes $2.7 million of interest income due to accretion from purchased loans compared to $3.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2025. Interest income due to accretion from purchased loans increased GAAP net interest margin by 26 and 29 basis points in the first quarter of 2026 and fourth quarter of 2025, respectively. Of the amount recognized in the first quarter of 2026, $2.1 million was calculated using the effective interest rate method of amortization, while the remaining $597,000 resulted from accretion through unexpected payoffs and paydowns of loans with an associated fair value mark. Estimated interest income due to accretion from purchased loans for the remainder of 2026 using the effective interest method of amortization is $5.8 million; however, actual results will be dependent on prepayment speeds and other factors. It is estimated that a total of $50.4 million remains to be recognized as interest income due to accretion from purchased loans over the life of the purchased loans portfolio.
Deposits, excluding brokered deposits, increased by $68.9 million as of March 31, 2026, compared to December 31, 2025. This increase is a combination of organic deposit growth and some seasonality in municipal deposits. Deposits, excluding brokered deposits, declined by $20.4 million as of March 31, 2026, compared to March 31, 2025. This decrease is primarily related to runoff of higher cost municipal CDs acquired in the Merger, partially offset by organic growth in other categories. ChoiceOne continues to be proactive in managing its liquidity position by using brokered deposits and short term FHLB advances to ensure ample liquidity. As of March 31, 2026, the total balance of borrowed funds from the FHLB was $185.0 million at a weighted average rate of 3.81%, with $165.0 million due within 12 months. At March 31, 2026, total available borrowing capacity secured by pledged assets was $1.2 billion. ChoiceOne can increase its borrowing capacity by utilizing unsecured federal fund lines and pledging additional assets. Uninsured deposits totaled $1.1 billion or 30.7% of deposits at March 31, 2026.
46
In the three months ended March 31, 2026, ChoiceOne’s annualized cost of deposits to average total deposits declined 3 basis points compared to the three months ended December 31, 2025 and declined 5 basis points compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025. The annualized cost of funds decreased by 13 basis points, from 1.86% to 1.73% in the three months ended March 31, 2026 compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily due to a decrease in higher cost local and brokered CDs. Interest expense on borrowings for the three months ended March 31, 2026 decreased by $9,000 compared to the same period in the prior year, despite a $32.2 million increase in the average balance borrowed, due to a reduction in rates. In the three months ended March 31, 2026, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2025, annualized cost of funds decreased 6 basis points from 1.79% to 1.73% due to the reductions in the federal funds rate during the fourth quarter of 2025. With ChoiceOne’s already low cost of deposits and market conditions, additional reductions in the federal funds rate may not immediately result in a further reduction in cost of deposits.
ChoiceOne uses interest rate swaps to manage interest rate exposure to certain fixed rate assets and variable rate liabilities. During the first quarter of 2026, ChoiceOne exited $351.0 million of pay‑fixed interest rate swaps with an average coupon of approximately 3.12%. This resulted in a small gain that was applied to the basis of the hedged bonds and a $4.6 million realized gain that will be amortized into interest expense over approximately six years. After evaluating multiple rate scenarios, we determined that our interest rate risk profile and overall balance sheet flexibility are improved without the pay‑fixed interest rate swaps, and we believe this action better aligns our interest rate posture with long‑term value creation for shareholders. Following this exit, the asset sensitivity of the bank is reduced and balance sheet derivatives are no longer a significant percentage of assets. ChoiceOne has approximately $29.0 million of pay-fixed interest
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion is designed to provide a review of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. (“ChoiceOne” or the “Company”), and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes.
We have omitted discussion of 2024 results where it would be redundant to the discussion previously included in Part II, Item 7 of our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Selected Financial Data
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||
| For the year | |||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 137,070 | $ | 74,442 | $ | 65,885 | |||||||
| Provision for credit losses, net | 14,813 | 625 | 150 | ||||||||||
| Noninterest income | 24,666 | 17,995 | 14,906 | ||||||||||
| Noninterest expense | 112,735 | 58,723 | 55,074 | ||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 34,188 | 33,089 | 25,567 | ||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 6,012 | 6,362 | 4,306 | ||||||||||
| Net income | 28,176 | 26,727 | 21,261 | ||||||||||
| Cash dividends declared | 16,949 | 9,012 | 7,910 | ||||||||||
| Per share | |||||||||||||
| Basic earnings | $ | 2.02 | $ | 3.27 | $ | 2.82 | |||||||
| Diluted earnings | 2.01 | 3.25 | 2.82 | ||||||||||
| Cash dividends declared | 1.13 | 1.09 | 1.05 | ||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity (at year end) | 31.02 | 29.05 | 25.92 | ||||||||||
| Average for the year | |||||||||||||
| Securities | $ | 997,629 | $ | 981,454 | $ | 1,042,559 | |||||||
| Gross loans | 2,714,377 | 1,456,434 | 1,265,261 | ||||||||||
| Deposits | 3,383,348 | 2,165,705 | 2,111,970 | ||||||||||
| Borrowings | 202,631 | 208,142 | 141,507 | ||||||||||
| Subordinated debt | 46,277 | 35,627 | 35,382 | ||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | 400,271 | 226,547 | 177,201 | ||||||||||
| Assets | 4,079,074 | 2,668,556 | 2,493,840 | ||||||||||
| At year end | |||||||||||||
| Securities | $ | 980,082 | $ | 896,123 | $ | 939,576 | |||||||
| Gross loans | 3,029,219 | 1,552,928 | 1,415,363 | ||||||||||
| Deposits | 3,600,025 | 2,214,103 | 2,122,055 | ||||||||||
| Borrowings | 264,788 | 175,000 | 200,000 | ||||||||||
| Subordinated debt | 48,460 | 35,752 | 35,507 | ||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | 465,353 | 260,415 | 195,634 | ||||||||||
| Assets | 4,410,551 | 2,723,243 | 2,576,706 | ||||||||||
| Selected financial ratios | |||||||||||||
| Return on average assets | 0.69 | % | 1.00 | % | 0.85 | % | |||||||
| Return on average shareholders' equity | 7.04 | 11.80 | 12.00 | ||||||||||
| Cash dividend payout as a percentage of net income | 60.15 | 33.72 | 37.21 | ||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity to assets (at year end) | 10.55 | 9.56 | 7.59 |
19
RECENT EVENTS
On March 1, 2025, ChoiceOne completed the merger (the “Merger”) of Fentura Financial, Inc. (“Fentura”), the former parent company of The State Bank, with and into ChoiceOne with ChoiceOne surviving the merger. On March 14, 2025, ChoiceOne Bank completed the consolidation of The State Bank with and into ChoiceOne Bank with ChoiceOne Bank surviving the consolidation.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Summary
ChoiceOne reported net income of $28,176,000 for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to net income of $26,727,000 for the same period in the prior year . Net income excluding merger expenses, net of taxes, and merger related provision for credit losses, net of taxes, was $51,524,000 for the year ended December 31, 2025. Diluted earnings per share were $2.01 for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to diluted earnings per share of $3.25 for the same period in the prior year. Diluted earnings per share excluding merger expenses, net of taxes, and merger related provision for credit losses, net of taxes, were $3.68 for the year ended December 31, 2025.
ChoiceOne's asset mix has shifted from loans held for investment of 69.8% of deposits at December 31, 2024 to 83.9% of deposits at December 31, 2025. As of December 31, 2025, total assets were $4.4 billion, an increase of $1.7 billion compared to December 31, 2024. The growth in total assets is primarily attributed to the Merger. In addition to growth related to the Merger, ChoiceOne also grew in core loans, securities and mortgage warehouse advances, which consist of a line of credit to fund participated mortgage loans. Interest rates and balances from this warehouse line of credit fluctuate with the national mortgage market and are short term in nature.
Core loans, which exclude held for sale loans and mortgage warehouse advances, grew organically by $86.1 million or 5.7% during the twelve months ended December 31, 2025. Core loans also grew by $1.4 billion due to the Merger on March 1, 2025. As a result of loan growth and interest income due to accretion from purchased loans, loan interest income increased $83.3 million in the full year 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2025, includes $13.1 million of interest income due to accretion from purchased loans compared to $1.2 million for the same period in 2024. Interest income due to accretion from purchased loans increased GAAP net interest margin by 34 basis points in the full year 2025. Estimated interest income due to accretion from purchased loans for 2026 using the effective interest method of amortization is $8.0 million; however, actual results will be dependent on prepayment speeds and other factors. It is estimated that a total of $53.1 million remains to be recognized as interest income due to accretion from purchased loans over the life of the loan portfolio.
Deposits, excluding brokered deposits, increased by $1.3 billion as of December 31, 2025, compared to December 31, 2024 largely as a result of the Merger. ChoiceOne continues to be proactive in managing its liquidity position by using brokered deposits and short term FHLB advances to ensure ample liquidity. As of December 31, 2025, the total balance of borrowed funds from the FHLB was $265.0 million at a weighted average rate of 3.83%, with $245.0 million due within 12 months. At December 31, 2025, total available borrowing capacity secured by pledged assets was $1.1 billion. ChoiceOne can increase its borrowing capacity by utilizing unsecured federal fund lines and pledging additional assets. Uninsured deposits totaled $1.2 billion or 33.2% of deposits at December 31, 2025.
The provision for credit losses on loans was $15.1 million during 2025, due primarily to $12.0 million of expense for the acquisition of $1.3 billion of purchased loans without credit deterioration (“non-PCD loans”) in the Merger. Additional expense was recorded to account for organic growth, changes in qualitative factors, and forecast data used in the allowance for credit losses calculation. The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to total loans (excluding loans held for sale) was 1.18% on December 31, 2025 compared 1.07% on December 31, 2024. Asset quality continues to remain strong, with annualized net loan charge-offs to average loans of 0.04%. Nonperforming loans to total loans (excluding loans held for sale) increased to 0.98% as of December 31, 2025 compared to 0.24% as of December 31, 2024. Notably, 0.63% of the nonperforming loans to total loans (excluding loans held for sale) is attributed to certain purchased loans which were identified prior to the Merger as having credit deterioration. Importantly, we believe this uptick is not indicative of a broader trend, and current portfolio performance does not suggest emerging weakness in underlying credit quality.
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Noninterest Income
Noninterest income increased by $6.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to the same period in the prior year. This increase was partly driven by higher interchange income, which rose due to increased volume from the Merger. Trust income as well as insurance and investment commissions income also increased as a result of higher estate settlement fees and customers obtained from the Merger. These increases were offset by a decline in gains on sales of loans and losses on sales and write downs of other assets. Gains on sales of loans declined due to a higher mix of loans held on the balance sheet and market conditions.
Noninterest Expense
Noninterest expense increased by $54.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. The increase in 2025 was largely due to merger-related expenses of $17.4 million during 2025, compared to $1.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2024. Management does not anticipate additional material merger-related expenses. The remainder of the increase was primarily due to the addition of Fentura on March 1, 2025. ChoiceOne will continue to invest in its talented staff, technology and footprint while prioritizing operational efficiency and disciplined investment. ChoiceOne has secured a location in Troy, Michigan and expects to open a full service branch and lending office later in 2026. We believe this new office will help us continue our strong growth in an attractive market. In addition, we are experimenting with automation and AI‑driven solutions designed to modernize processes to augment the ability for our existing staff to manage our growth.
Dividends
Cash dividends of $16.9 million or $1.13 per common share were declared in 2025 compared to $9.0 million or $1.09 per common share in 2024. The dividend yield for ChoiceOne’s common stock was 3.83% as of the end of 2025, compared to 3.06% as of the end of 2024. The cash dividend payout as a percentage of net income was 60.2% as of December 31, 2025, compared to 33.7% as of December 31, 2024. The large increase was due to merger-related expenses leading to a net income loss during the first quarter of 2025.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense was $350,000 lower in 2025 than in 2024. The effective tax rate was 17.6% for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to 19.2% for the same period in 2024. ChoiceOne’s fourth‑quarter 2025 tax expense was reduced by a net of $340,000 as a result of purchasing a transferable tax credit that will be applied to 2025 income taxes, with allowable carrybacks to prior years. Management is continuing to evaluate additional transferable tax credit opportunities and may pursue further purchases to help offset tax expense in 2026. For further details, refer to Note 12 - Income Taxes of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report.
21
Table 1 – Average Balances and Tax-Equivalent Interest Rates
Tables 1 and 2 on the following pages provide information regarding interest income and expense for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023. Table 1 documents ChoiceOne’s average balances and interest income and expense, as well as the average rates earned or paid on assets and liabilities. Table 2 documents the effect on interest income and expense of changes in volume (average balance) and interest rates.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | Average | Average | Average | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance | Interest | Rate | Balance | Interest | Rate | Balance | Interest | Rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (1) (3)(4)(5) | $ | 2,714,377 | $ | 172,995 | 6.37 | % | $ | 1,456,434 | $ | 89,645 | 6.16 | % | $ | 1,265,261 | $ | 68,437 | 5.41 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable securities (2) | 709,890 | 20,906 | 2.94 | 691,562 | 21,228 | 3.07 | 747,006 | 21,169 | 2.83 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nontaxable securities (1) | 287,739 | 7,102 | 2.47 | 289,892 | 7,089 | 2.45 | 295,553 | 7,106 | 2.40 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 81,599 | 3,516 | 4.31 | 88,576 | 4,681 | 5.29 | 70,826 | 3,797 | 5.36 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets | 3,793,605 | 204,519 | 5.39 | 2,526,464 | 122,643 | 4.85 | 2,378,646 | 100,509 | 4.23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-earning assets | 285,469 | 142,092 | 115,194 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 4,079,074 | $ | 2,668,556 | $ | 2,493,840 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand deposits | $ | 1,291,528 | $ | 23,328 | 1.81 | % | $ | 896,060 | $ | 12,997 | 1.45 | % | $ | 852,927 | $ | 10,028 | 1.18 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Savings deposits | 554,110 | 4,262 | 0.77 | 334,310 | 2,828 | 0.85 | 370,074 | 1,609 | 0.43 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 591,358 | 22,581 | 3.82 | 388,724 | 17,033 | 4.38 | 306,999 | 10,621 | 3.46 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brokered deposit | 89,691 | 3,799 | 4.24 | 26,902 | 1,315 | 4.89 | 35,044 | 1,732 | 4.94 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | 202,631 | 8,610 | 4.25 | 208,142 | 9,885 | 4.75 | 141,507 | 6,818 | 4.82 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debentures | 46,277 | 2,798 | 6.05 | 35,627 | 1,642 | 4.61 | 35,382 | 1,636 | 4.62 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 11,746 | 510 | 4.34 | 18,355 | 961 | 5.23 | 12,258 | 651 | 5.31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities | 2,787,341 | 65,888 | 2.36 | 1,908,120 | 46,661 | 2.45 | 1,754,191 | 33,095 | 1.89 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits | 856,661 | 519,709 | 546,926 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other noninterest-bearing liabilities | 34,801 | 14,180 | 15,522 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 3,678,803 | 2,442,009 | 2,316,639 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | 400,271 | 226,547 | 177,201 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 4,079,074 | $ | 2,668,556 | $ | 2,493,840 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) (Non-GAAP) (1) | $ | 138,631 | $ | 75,981 | $ | 67,415 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis) (Non-GAAP) (1) | 3.65 | % | 3.01 | % | 2.83 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation to Reported Net Interest Income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) (Non-GAAP) (1) | $ | 138,631 | $ | 75,981 | $ | 67,415 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjustment for taxable equivalent interest | (1,561 | ) | (1,539 | ) | (1,530 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income (GAAP) | $ | 137,070 | $ | 74,442 | $ | 65,885 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin (GAAP) | 3.61 | % | 2.95 | % | 2.77 | % |
(1)
Adjusted to a fully tax-equivalent basis to facilitate comparison to the taxable interest-earning assets. The adjustment uses an incremental tax rate of 21%. The presentation of these measures on a tax-equivalent basis is not in accordance with GAAP, but is customary in the banking industry. These non-GAAP measures ensure comparability with respect to both taxable and tax-exempt loans and securities.
(2)
Interest on taxable securities includes dividends on Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock.
(3)
Loans include both mortgage warehouse advances and loans held for sale.
(4)
Non-accruing loan balances are included in the balances of average loans. Non-accruing loan average balances were $16.4 million, $2.3 million, and $1.6 million for the year ended 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
(5)
Interest on loans included net origination fees and interest income due to accretion from purchased loans. Interest income due to accretion from purchased loans was $13.1 million, $1.2 million, and $1.7 million for the full year 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
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Table 2 – Changes in Tax-Equivalent Net Interest Income
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in thousands) | 2025 Over 2024 | 2024 Over 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | Volume | Rate | Total | Volume | Rate | |||||||||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in interest income (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (2) | $ | 83,350 | $ | 80,137 | $ | 3,213 | $ | 21,208 | $ | 11,095 | $ | 10,113 | ||||||||||||
| Taxable securities | (322 | ) | 555 | (877 | ) | 59 | (1,645 | ) | 1,704 | |||||||||||||||
| Nontaxable securities (2) | 13 | (46 | ) | 59 | (17 | ) | (144 | ) | 127 | |||||||||||||||
| Other | (1,165 | ) | (347 | ) | (818 | ) | 884 | 938 | (54 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Net change in interest income | $ | 81,876 | $ | 80,299 | $ | 1,577 | $ | 22,134 | $ | 10,244 | $ | 11,890 | ||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in interest expense (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand deposits | $ | 10,331 | $ | 6,637 | $ | 3,694 | $ | 2,969 | $ | 537 | $ | 2,432 | ||||||||||||
| Savings deposits | 1,434 | 1,725 | (291 | ) | 1,219 | (169 | ) | 1,388 | ||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 5,548 | 7,957 | (2,409 | ) | 6,412 | 3,205 | 3,207 | |||||||||||||||||
| Brokered deposit | 2,484 | 2,682 | (198 | ) | (417 | ) | (399 | ) | (18 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | (1,275 | ) | (256 | ) | (1,019 | ) | 3,067 | 3,169 | (102 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debentures | 1,156 | 566 | 590 | 6 | 10 | (4 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Other | (451 | ) | (307 | ) | (144 | ) | 310 | 319 | (9 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Net change in interest expense | $ | 19,227 | $ | 19,004 | $ | 223 | $ | 13,566 | $ | 6,672 | $ | 6,894 | ||||||||||||
| Net change in tax-equivalent net interest income | $ | 62,649 | $ | 61,295 | $ | 1,354 | $ | 8,568 | $ | 3,572 | $ | 4,996 |
(1)
The volume variance is computed as the change in volume (average balance) multiplied by the previous year’s interest rate. The rate variance is computed as the change in interest rate multiplied by the previous year’s volume (average balance). The change in interest due to both volume and rate has been allocated to the volume and rate changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each.
(2)
Interest on tax-exempt securities and loans has been adjusted to a fully tax-equivalent basis using an incremental tax rate of 21% for 2025, 2024, and 2023.
Net Interest Income
GAAP based net interest income increased $62.6 million, and tax-equivalent net interest income increased $62.7 million for the full year 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. GAAP based net interest margin increased 66 basis points, and tax equivalent net interest margin increased 64 basis points in 2025 compared to 2024.
Core loans, which exclude held for sale loans and mortgage warehouse advances, grew organically by $86.1 million or 5.7% during the twelve months ended December 31, 2025. Core loans also grew by $1.4 billion due to the Merger on March 1, 2025. This loan growth led to an increase in interest income from loans of $83.3 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, compared to the same period in the prior year. Average core loans grew $1.3 billion for the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, compared to the same period in the prior year. In addition, the average rate earned on loans increased 21 basis points for the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, compared to the same period in the prior year. Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2025, includes $13.1 million of interest income due to accretion from purchased loans compared to $1.2 million for the same period in 2024. Interest income due to accretion from purchased loans increased GAAP net interest margin by 34 basis points in the full year 2025.
The average balance of total securities increased $16.2 million in 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. The increase is largely due to the purchase of $40.6 million of agency mortgage backed securities in the third quarter of 2025. ChoiceOne also entered into $30.4 million in amortizing pay-fixed, receive variable interest rate swaps designed to amortize with the expected cash flow of the bonds and hold a coupon of 3.52% and a contractual term ending in 2040. Interest income on securities declined $309,000 in 2025 compared to 2024 while the average rate earned on securities declined by 8 basis points for the full year 2025, compared to the same period in the prior year.
Interest expense increased $19.2 million for the full year 2025, compared to the same period in the prior year. The average balance of deposits, excluding brokered deposits, increased by $817.9 million during the full year 2025, compared to the full year 2024 largely as a result of the Merger. The average rate paid on interest bearing-demand deposits and savings deposits increased 21 basis points in the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, compared to the same period in the prior year due to higher cost deposit accounts purchased during the Merger. The increase in the average balance of certificates of deposit of $202.6 million during 2025, offset by a 56 basis
23
point decline in the rate paid on certificates of deposits during 2025, compared to the same period in the prior year, led to an increase in interest expense of $5.5 million during 2025.
The cost of funds decreased by 11 basis points, from 1.92% to 1.81% in 2025 compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily due to a decrease in higher cost local and brokered CDs. Interest expense on borrowings for the year ended December 31, 2025 decreased by $1.3 million compared to the same period in the prior year, due to a $5.5 million decline in the average balance borrowed and a decline in the rate paid on borrowings of 50 basis points in 2025 compared to the rate paid on borrowings in 2024. With ChoiceOne’s already low cost of deposits and market conditions, further reductions in federal funds rates may not immediately offset with savings on reductions in deposits and short term borrowings.
In September 2021, ChoiceOne completed a private placement of $32.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.25% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2031. In addition, ChoiceOne holds certain subordinated debentures issued in connection with trust preferred securities that were obtained as part of the merger with Community Shores and the Merger with Fentura. The average balance of subordinated debentures increased $10.7 million and the average rate on subordinated debentures increased 144 basis points in the full year 2025, compared to the same period in the prior year due to the additional subordinated debentures obtained in the Merger. The increase led to additional expense of $1.2 million in 2025 compared to the same period in prior year.
The following table presents the cost of deposits and the cost of funds for the years ended December 31, 2025, December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| Cost of deposits | 1.60 | % | 1.58 | % | 1.14 | % | ||||||
| Cost of funds | 1.81 | % | 1.92 | % | 1.44 | % |
Provision and Allowance For Credit Losses
Table 3 – Provision and Allowance For Credit Losses
24
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses at beginning of year | $ | 16,552 | $ | 15,685 | $ | 7,619 | |||||||
| Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle | - | - | 7,165 | ||||||||||
| Acquisition related allowance for credit loss (PCD) | 4,924 | - | - | ||||||||||
| Charge-offs: | |||||||||||||
| Agricultural | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | 245 | 7 | 158 | ||||||||||
| Consumer loans | 159 | 193 | 74 | ||||||||||
| Consumer deposits | 561 | 607 | 480 | ||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 416 | - | - | ||||||||||
| Construction real estate | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| Residential real estate | 76 | 30 | 27 | ||||||||||
| Total | 1,457 | 837 | 739 | ||||||||||
| Recoveries: | |||||||||||||
| Agricultural | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | 9 | 15 | 66 | ||||||||||
| Consumer loans | 41 | 5 | 29 | ||||||||||
| Consumer deposits | 339 | 369 | 254 | ||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | - | - | 13 | ||||||||||
| Construction real estate | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| Residential real estate | 29 | 15 | 13 | ||||||||||
| Total | 418 | 404 | 375 | ||||||||||
| Net charge-offs (recoveries) | 1,039 | 433 | 364 | ||||||||||
| Provision for credit losses | 15,113 | 1,300 | 1,265 | ||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses at end of year | $ | 35,550 | $ | 16,552 | $ | 15,685 | |||||||
| Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of: | |||||||||||||
| Total loans as of year end | 1.18 | % | 1.07 | % | 1.11 | % | |||||||
| Nonaccrual loans, accrual loans past due 90 days or more and troubled debt restructurings | 120 | % | 447 | % | 820 | % | |||||||
| Ratio of net charge-offs during the period to average loans outstanding during the period | 0.04 | % | 0.03 | % | 0.03 | % | |||||||
| Loan recoveries as a percentage of prior year's charge-offs | 50 | % | 55 | % | 56 | % |
Note: In the table above, "consumer" includes deposit account charge-offs and recoveries. Net consumer deposit account charge-offs were $223,000 for the full year 2025 compared to $237,000 and $226,000 for the full year 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The allowance for credit losses ("ACL") consists of general and specific components. The general component covers loans collectively evaluated for credit loss and is based on peer historical loss experience adjusted for current and forecasted factors. Management's adjustment for current and forecasted factors is based on trends in delinquencies, trends in charge-offs and recoveries, trends in the volume of loans, changes in underwriting standards, trends in loan review findings, the experience and ability of lending staff, changes in the value of underlying collateral for collateral dependent loans, industry conditions, and a reasonable and supportable economic forecast described further below.
The determination of our loss factors is based, in part, upon benchmark peer loss history adjusted for qualitative factors that, in management's judgment, affect the collectability of the portfolio as of the analysis date. Our lookback period for benchmark peer net charge-off history excludes the years 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and spans from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2019, and January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2024.
Loans individually evaluated for credit losses increased by $27.1 million to $31.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2025, and the ACL related to these individually evaluated loans increased by $5.3 million during the same period largely due to the balance
25
increase. Notably, $23.8 million, or 88.0%, of the increase in individually evaluated loans resulted from loans added through the Merger. Similarly, $5.2 million, or 97.8%, of the increase in the ACL related to individually evaluated loans is attributable to loans acquired in the Merger.
Nonperforming loans, which includes Other Real Estate Owned ("OREO") but excludes performing troubled loan modifications ("TLM"), increased by $23.4 million to $27.1 million at December 31, 2025, compared to a historically low balance on December 31, 2024. Notably, $21.8 million or 73.2% of nonperforming loans were acquired during the Merger. The ACL was 1.18% of total loans, excluding loans held for sale, at December 31, 2025, compared to 1.07% as of December 31, 2024. The liability for expected credit losses on unfunded loans and other commitments was $1.3 million on December 31, 2025, compared to $1.5 million as of December 31, 2024.
Net charge-offs were $1.0 million during the full year 2025, compared to net charge-offs of $433,000 during the same period in 2024. Net charge-offs for checking accounts during the full year 2025 were $223,000 compared to $237,000 for the same period in the prior year. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans were 0.04% in the full year 2025, compared to 0.03% during the full year 2024.
Net provision for credit losses was $14.8 million for the full year 2025. The provision for credit losses on loans was $15.1 million during 2025, due primarily to $12.0 million of expense for the acquisition of $1.3 billion of non-PCD loans in the Merger. Additional expense was recorded to account for organic growth, changes in qualitative factors, and forecast data used in the allowance for credit losses calculation. The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to total loans (excluding loans held for sale) was 1.18% on December 31, 2025 compared 1.07% on December 31, 2024. The loan provision expense was offset by the decrease in unfunded commitments provision expense of $300,000 in the full year 2025 due to changes in mix and expected funding rates during the year. Total unfunded commitments increased $208.3 million in the full year 2025 compared to December 31, 2024.
26
Financial Condition
Summary
As of December 31, 2025, total assets were $4.4 billion, an increase of $1.7 billion compared to December 31, 2024. The growth in total assets is primarily attributed to the Merger. Core loans, which exclude held for sale loans and mortgage warehouse advances, grew organically by $86.1 million or 5.7% during the twelve months ended December 31, 2025. Core loans also grew by $1.4 billion due to the Merger on March 1, 2025.
Deposits, excluding brokered deposits, increased by $1.3 billion as of December 31, 2025, compared to December 31, 2024 largely as a result of the Merger, while the total balance of borrowed funds from the FHLB was $265.0 million as of December 31, 2025.
Securities
The Company’s securities balances as of December 31 were as follows:
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Equity securities | $ | 9,353 | $ | 7,782 | ||
| Available for Sale Securities at fair value | ||||||
| U.S. Government and federal agency | $ | - | $ | - | ||
| U.S. Treasury notes and bonds | 89,035 | 80,502 | ||||
| State and municipal | 227,574 | 228,236 | ||||
| Mortgage-backed | 227,054 | 160,970 | ||||
| Corporate | 222 | 212 | ||||
| Asset-backed securities | 10,535 | 9,197 | ||||
| Total | $ | 554,420 | $ | 479,117 | ||
| Held to Maturity Securities at amortized cost | ||||||
| U.S. Government and federal agency | $ | 2,984 | $ | 2,978 | ||
| U.S. Treasury notes and bonds | - | - | ||||
| State and municipal | 196,448 | 196,510 | ||||
| Mortgage-backed | 164,820 | 174,323 | ||||
| Corporate | 20,941 | 20,495 | ||||
| Asset-backed securities | - | 228 | ||||
| Total | $ | 385,193 | $ | 394,534 |
Total securities increased $67.5 million as of December 31, 2025, compared to December 31, 2024. The increase is largely due to the purchase of $40.6 million of agency mortgage backed securities in the third quarter of 2025. ChoiceOne also entered into $30.4 million in amortizing pay-fixed, receive variable interest rate swaps designed to amortize with the expected cash flow of the bonds and hold a coupon of 3.52% and a contractual term ending in 2040. ChoiceOne acquired $90.7 million in securities as part of the Merger of which management chose to sell $78.9 million in securities to pay down higher cost wholesale funding. Consequently, the net increase in securities from the Merger was $11.8 million. Securities totaling $15.6 million were called or matured in 2025. ChoiceOne received principal payments for municipal and mortgage-backed securities totaling $24.4 million during 2025.
At December 31, 2025, the Company had $90.0 million in unrealized losses on its investment securities, including $52.8 million in unrealized losses on available for sale securities and $37.2 million in unrealized losses on held to maturity securities. Unrealized losses on corporate and municipal bonds have not been recognized into income because management believes the issuers are of high credit quality, and management does not intend to sell prior to their anticipated recovery, and the decline in fair value is largely due to changes in interest rates and other market conditions. The issuers continue to make timely principal and interest payments on the bonds. The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach maturity.
ChoiceOne utilizes interest rate derivatives as part of its asset liability management strategy to help manage its interest rate risk position. In order to hedge the risk of rising rates and unrealized losses on securities resulting from the rising rates, ChoiceOne currently holds pay fixed, receive variable interest rate swaps with a total notional value of $380.4 million as of December 31, 2025. These derivative instruments increase in value as long-term interest rates rise, which partially offsets the reduction in shareholders' equity due
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to unrealized losses on securities available for sale. Refer to Note 8 - Derivatives and Hedging Activities of the consolidated financial statements for more discussion on ChoiceOne’s derivative position and Note 25 - Subsequent Events: Sale of Interest Rate Swaps, which discusses the sale of $201.0 million of pay-fixed interest rate swaps in January 2026.
Equity securities included a money market preferred security ("MMP") of $1.0 million and common stock of $8.4 million as of December 31, 2025. As of December 31, 2024, equity securities included a MMP of $1.0 million and common stock of $6.8 million.
Per U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, unrealized gains or losses on securities available for sale are reflected on the balance sheet in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), while unrealized gains or losses on securities held to maturity are not reflected on the balance sheet in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Loans
The Company’s loan portfolio by call report code was as follows:
| December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in thousands) | Call Report Codes | Balance | % | Balance | % | |||||||||
| Construction & Development Loans | 1A2 | 89,394 | 3.0 | % | 61,740 | 4.0 | % | |||||||
| 1-4 Family Loans | 1A1, 1C1, 1C2A, 1C2B | 875,818 | 29.0 | % | 380,139 | 24.6 | % | |||||||
| Multifamily Loans | 1D | 150,380 | 5.0 | % | 83,766 | 5.4 | % | |||||||
| Owner Occupied CRE Loans | 1E1 | 553,208 | 18.3 | % | 325,966 | 21.1 | % | |||||||
| Non-Owner Occupied CRE Loans | 1E2 | 917,758 | 30.4 | % | 387,102 | 25.0 | % | |||||||
| Commercial & Industrial Loans | 2A2, 4A | 339,272 | 11.2 | % | 216,376 | 14.0 | % | |||||||
| Farm & Agriculture Loans | 1B, 3 | 57,525 | 1.9 | % | 48,246 | 3.1 | % | |||||||
| Consumer & Other Loans | 6B, 6C, 6D, 8, 9b2,10B | 38,679 | 1.3 | % | 42,305 | 2.7 | % | |||||||
| Total Loans | 3,022,034 | 1,545,640 |
Core loans, which exclude held for sale loans and mortgage warehouse advances, grew organically by $86.1 million or 5.7% during the twelve months ended December 31, 2025. Core loans also grew by $1.4 billion due to the Merger on March 1, 2025.
Growth was concentrated in Non-Owner Occupied CRE loans, which grew by $530.7 million, 1-4 Family Loans, which grew by $495.7 million, and Owner Occupied CRE loans, which grew by $227.2 million. The growth in 1-4 Family loans was largely related to the Merger with $19.1 million coming from growth in mortgage warehouse advances. The growth in owner occupied and non-owner occupied CRE loans was due to a mixture of growth from the Merger and organic growth. Mortgage warehouse advances consist of a line of credit to fund participated mortgage loans with interest rates on these advances fluctuating with the national mortgage market. This balance is short term in nature with an average life of under 30 days. Management believes the short-term structure and low credit risk of this asset is advantageous in the current rate environment; however, this balance is volatile and could change based on third party origination volume or market conditions.
As a result of loan growth and interest income due to accretion from purchased loans, loan interest income increased $83.3 million in the full year 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Interest income for the year ended December 31 2025 includes $13.1 million of interest income due to accretion from purchased loans compared to $1.2 million for the same period in 2024. Interest income due to accretion from purchased loans increased GAAP net interest margin by 34 basis points in the full year 2025. Estimated interest income due to accretion from purchased loans for 2026 using the effective interest method of amortization is $8.0 million; however, actual results will be dependent on prepayment speeds and other factors. It is estimated that a total of $53.1 million remains to be recognized as interest income due to accretion from purchased loans over the life of the loan portfolio.
As part of its review of the loan portfolio, management also monitors the various nonperforming loans. Nonperforming loans are comprised of loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis, loans not included in nonaccrual loans, which are contractually past due 90 days or more as to interest or principal payments, and troubled loan modifications which are accruing and initiated in the past year.
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The balances of these nonperforming loans as of December 31 were as follows:
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis | $ | 27,058 | $ | 3,704 | ||
| Loans contractually past due 90 days or more as to principal or interest payments | - | - | ||||
| Loans defined as "troubled loan modifications" which are not included above | - | - | ||||
| Other real estate owned, net | 2,524 | 473 | ||||
| Total | $ | 29,582 | $ | 4,177 |
Nonperforming loans, which includes Other Real Estate Owned ("OREO") but excludes performing troubled loan modifications ("TLM"), increased by $23.4 million to $27.1 million at December 31, 2025, compared to a historically low balance on December 31, 2024. Notably, $21.8 million or 73.2% of nonperforming loans were acquired during the Merger. Nonaccrual loans included $10.9 million in residential real estate loans, $8.0 million in commercial real estate loans, $8.0 million in commercial and industrial loans and $101,000 in consumer loans as of December 31, 2025, compared to $3.5 million in residential real estate loans, $229,000 in construction real estate loans, and $8,000 in consumer loans as of December 31, 2024. There were $128,000 and $121,000 of TLM loans at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
Management also maintains a list of loans that are not classified as nonperforming loans but where some concern exists as to the borrowers’ abilities to comply with the original loan terms. There were 16 loans totaling $4.1 million fitting this description as of December 31, 2025, and 19 loans totaling $375,000 fitting this description as of December 31, 2024.
Deposits and Other Funding Sources
The Company’s deposit balances as of December 31 were as follows:
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Noninterest-bearing demand deposits | $ | 907,007 | $ | 524,945 | ||
| Interest-bearing demand deposits | 910,502 | 630,155 | ||||
| Money market deposits | 454,385 | 290,012 | ||||
| Savings deposits | 607,045 | 338,109 | ||||
| Local certificates of deposit | 616,180 | 394,371 | ||||
| Brokered certificates of deposit | 104,906 | 36,511 | ||||
| Total deposits | $ | 3,600,025 | $ | 2,214,103 |
Deposits, excluding brokered deposits, increased by $1.3 billion as of December 31, 2025, compared to December 31, 2024 largely as a result of the Merger. ChoiceOne continues to be proactive in managing its liquidity position by using brokered deposits and short term FHLB advances to ensure ample liquidity. As of December 31, 2025, the total balance of borrowed funds from the FHLB was $265.0 million at a weighted average rate of 3.83%, with $245.0 million due within 12 months. At December 31, 2025, total available borrowing capacity secured by pledged assets was $1.1 billion. ChoiceOne can increase its borrowing capacity by utilizing unsecured federal fund lines and pledging additional assets. Uninsured deposits totaled $1.2 billion or 33.2% of deposits at December 31, 2025.
In September 2021, ChoiceOne completed a private placement of $32.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.25% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2031. ChoiceOne used a portion of net proceeds from the private placement to redeem senior debt, fund common stock repurchases, and support bank-level capital ratios. ChoiceOne also holds $12.5 million in subordinated debentures issued in connection with a $14.0 million trust preferred securities offering, which were obtained in the Merger with Fentura, offset by the mark-to-market adjustment and $3.6 million in subordinated debentures issued in connection with a $4.5 million trust preferred securities offering, which were obtained in the merger with Community Shores, offset by the mark-to-market adjustment.
Shareholders’ Equity
As of December 31, 2025, shareholders’ equity was $465.4 million, a significant increase from $260.4 million on December 31, 2024. This growth was primarily driven by the Merger, in which ChoiceOne issued 6,070,836 shares of common stock on March 1, 2025, valued at $193.0 million. Additional growth of $2.1 million is the result of improvement to accumulated other comprehensive loss during the year and growth in retained earnings of $11.2 million during the full year 2025. ChoiceOne also repurchased 25,116 shares of stock for a net cost of $775,000 under our existing share repurchase plan. The repurchase plan has 350,272 shares remaining to purchase as of December 31, 2025. The repurchase in 2025 reflects our view that our capital position is healthy and the repurchase of
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shares is in the best interest of our shareholders. ChoiceOne Bank continues to be “well-capitalized,” with a total risk-based capital ratio of 12.5% as of December 31, 2025, compared to 12.7% on December 31, 2024.
ChoiceOne uses interest rate swaps to manage interest rate exposure to certain fixed rate assets and variable rate liabilities. On December 31, 2025, ChoiceOne held pay-fixed, receive variable interest rate swaps with a total notional value of $380.4 million, a weighted average coupon of 3.15%, a fair value of $8.4 million and an average remaining contract length of 7.0 years. In addition to the pay-fixed, receive variable interest rate swaps, ChoiceOne also employs back-to-back swaps on select commercial loans, with the impact reflected in interest income. These derivative instruments increase in value as long-term interest rates rise, which offsets the reduction in equity due to unrealized losses on securities available for sale. Refer to Note 8 - Derivatives and Hedging Activities of the consolidated financial statements for more discussion on ChoiceOne’s derivative position and Note 25 - Subsequent Events: Sale of Interest Rate Swaps, which discusses the sale of $201.0 million of pay-fixed, receive variable interest rate swaps in January 2026.
Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements presents regulatory capital information for ChoiceOne and the Bank at the end of 2025 and 2024. Management will monitor these capital ratios during 2026 as they relate to asset growth and earnings retention. ChoiceOne’s Board of Directors and management do not plan to allow capital to decrease below those levels necessary to be considered "well capitalized" by regulatory guidelines.
Table 4 – Contractual Obligations
The following table discloses information regarding the maturity of ChoiceOne’s contractual obligations at December 31, 2025:
| Payment Due by Period | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less | More | |||||||||||||||||
| than | 1 - 3 | 3 - 5 | than | |||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | Total | 1 year | Years | Years | 5 Years | |||||||||||||
| Time deposits | $ | 721,086 | $ | 687,274 | $ | 28,883 | $ | 4,929 | - | |||||||||
| Borrowings (1) | 265,000 | 245,000 | 20,000 | - | - | |||||||||||||
| ChoiceOne Trust Preferred (2) | 18,500 | - | - | - | 18,500 | |||||||||||||
| ChoiceOne Subordinated Debenture (3) | 32,500 | - | - | - | 32,500 | |||||||||||||
| Operating leases | 3,548 | 688 | 1,139 | 629 | 1,092 | |||||||||||||
| Other obligations | 3,437 | 1,100 | 295 | 289 | 1,753 | |||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,044,071 | $ | 934,062 | $ | 50,317 | $ | 5,847 | $ | 53,845 |
(1)
Cumulative borrowings on the balance sheet include $212,000 of discount due to a mark to market adjustment which is not reflected in the table above.
(2)
Cumulative trust preferred securities on the balance sheet include $2.4 million of discount due to a mark to market adjustment which is not reflected in the table above
(3)
ChoiceOne subordinated debenture on the balance sheet includes $96,000 of capitalized issuance cost which is not reflected in the table above.
Liquidity and Interest Rate Risk
Net cash provided by operating activities was $32.9 million in 2025, compared to $47.4 million in 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to higher amortization and accretion on purchased loans, as well as a decrease in other liabilities in 2025 compared to 2024. Net cash provided by investing activities increased significantly to $105.6 million in 2025, compared to net cash used of $96.7 million in 2024. The increase was driven primarily by $173.1 million of cash received in connection with the Merger. During 2025, ChoiceOne purchased $95.6 million of securities, which was partially offset by the sale of $78.9 million of securities acquired through the Merger. In addition, ChoiceOne experienced lower net loan activity, with loan originations and payments totaling $89.3 million in 2025, compared to $134.9 million in 2024. Net cash used in financing activities was $147.3 million in 2025, compared to net cash provided of $90.6 million in 2024. The year‑over‑year change was primarily due to changes in deposits and continued repayments of borrowings and other financing obligations. In contrast, financing cash flows in 2024 benefited from stronger net inflows, including capital‑raising and borrowing activity that did not recur in 2025.
ChoiceOne's market risk exposure occurs in the form of interest rate risk and liquidity risk. ChoiceOne's business is transacted in U.S. dollars with no foreign exchange risk exposure. Agricultural loans comprise a relatively small portion of ChoiceOne's total assets. Management believes that ChoiceOne's exposure to changes in commodity prices is insignificant.
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Liquidity risk deals with ChoiceOne's ability to meet its cash flow requirements. These requirements include depositors desiring to withdraw funds and borrowers seeking credit. Longer-term liquidity needs may be met through core deposit growth, maturities of and cash flows from investment securities, normal loan repayments, advances from the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank, brokered certificates of deposit, and income retention. ChoiceOne had $265.0 million in outstanding borrowings from the FHLB as of December 31, 2025. The acceptance of brokered certificates of deposit is not limited as long as the Bank is categorized as “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines. At December 31, 2025, total available borrowing capacity from the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank was $410.7 million.
ChoiceOne continues to review its liquidity management and has taken steps in an effort to ensure adequacy. These steps include limiting bond purchases in 2026, pledging securities to FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank in order to increase borrowing capacity and using alternative funding sources such as brokered deposits.
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NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
This report contains financial measures that are not defined in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide additional information that is useful to investors in helping to understand the underlying financial performance of ChoiceOne.
Non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations. Readers should be aware of these limitations and should be cautious with respect to the use of such measures. To compensate for these limitations, we use non-GAAP financial measures as comparative tools, together with GAAP financial measures, to assist in the evaluation of our operating performance or financial condition. Also, we ensure that these measures are calculated using the appropriate GAAP or regulatory components in their entirety and that they are computed in a manner intended to facilitate consistent period-to-period comparisons. ChoiceOne’s method of calculating these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from methods used by other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for those financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP or in-effect regulatory requirements.
Income Adjusted for Merger Expenses - Non-GAAP Reconciliation
| Year Ended | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, | ||||||||
| For the year ended: | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||
| (In Thousands, Except Per Share Data) | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | 28,176 | $ | 26,727 | ||||
| Merger related expenses net of tax | 13,885 | 1,006 | ||||||
| Merger related provision for credit losses, net of tax (1) | 9,463 | - | ||||||
| Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP) | $ | 51,524 | $ | 27,733 | ||||
| Weighted average number of shares | 13,941,260 | 8,166,472 | ||||||
| Diluted average shares outstanding | 13,992,099 | 8,221,065 | ||||||
| Basic earnings per share | $ | 2.02 | $ | 3.27 | ||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 2.01 | $ | 3.25 | ||||
| Adjusted basic earnings per share (Non-GAAP) | $ | 3.70 | $ | 3.40 | ||||
| Adjusted diluted earnings per share (Non-GAAP) | $ | 3.68 | $ | 3.37 | ||||
| Average assets | $ | 4,079,074 | $ | 2,668,556 | ||||
| Average shareholder equity | $ | 400,271 | $ | 226,547 | ||||
| Return on average assets ("ROAA") | 0.69 | % | 1.00 | % | ||||
| Adjusted ROAA (Non-GAAP) | 1.26 | % | 1.04 | % | ||||
| Return on Average Equity ("ROAE") | 7.04 | % | 11.80 | % | ||||
| Adjusted ROAE (Non-GAAP) | 12.87 | % | 12.24 | % |
(1) Merger related provision for credit losses represents the estimated credit loss on loans purchased without credit deterioration in the Merger on March 1, 2025.
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Critical Accounting Policies And Estimates
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations as well as disclosures found elsewhere in this report are based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near-term relate to the determination of the market value of securities, the amount of the allowance for credit losses, loan servicing rights, carrying value of goodwill, and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Allowance for Credit Losses ("ACL")
The ACL is a valuation allowance for expected credit losses. The ACL is increased by the provision for credit losses and decreased by loans charged off less any recoveries of charged off loans. As ChoiceOne has had very limited loss experience since 2011, management elected to utilize benchmark peer loss history data to estimate historical loss rates. ChoiceOne identified an appropriate peer group for each loan pool which shared similar characteristics. Management estimates the ACL required based on the selected peer group loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, a reasonable and supportable economic forecast, and other factors. Allocations of the ACL may be made for specific loans, but the entire ACL is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off. Loan losses are charged against the ACL when management believes that collection of a loan balance is not possible.
The ACL consists of general and specific components. The general component covers loans collectively evaluated for credit losses and is based on peer historical loss experience adjusted for current and forecasted factors. Management's adjustment for current and forecasted factors is based on trends in delinquencies, trends in charge-offs and recoveries, trends in the volume of loans, changes in underwriting standards, trends in loan review findings, the experience and ability of lending staff, and a reasonable and supportable economic forecast described further below.
The discounted cash flow methodology is utilized for all loan pools included in the general component. This methodology is supported by our current expected credit loss ("CECL") software provider and allows management to automatically calculate contractual life by factoring in all cash flows and adjusting them for behavioral and credit-related aspects.
Reasonable and supportable economic forecasts have to be incorporated in determining expected credit losses. The forecast period represents the time frame from the current period end through the point in time that we can reasonably forecast and support entity and environmental factors that are expected to impact the performance of our loan portfolio. Ideally, the economic forecast period would encompass the contractual terms of all loans; however, the ability to produce a forecast that is considered reasonable and supportable becomes more difficult or may not be possible in later periods. Subsequent to the end of the forecast period, we revert to historical loan data based on an ongoing evaluation of each economic forecast in relation to then current economic conditions as well as any developing loan loss activity and resulting historical data. As of December 31, 2025, we used a one-year reasonable and supportable economic forecast period, with a two year straight-line reversion period.
We are not required to develop and use our own economic forecast model, and we elected to utilize economic forecasts from third-party providers that analyze and develop forecasts of the economy for the entire United States at least quarterly.
Other inputs to the calculation are also updated or reviewed quarterly. Prepayment speeds are updated on a one quarter lag based on the asset liability model from the previous quarter. This model is performed at the loan level. Curtailment is updated quarterly within the ACL model based on our peer group average. The reversion period is reviewed by management quarterly with consideration of the current economic climate. Prepayment speeds and curtailment were updated during the fourth quarter of 2025; however, the effect was insignificant.
We are also required to consider expected credit losses associated with loan commitments over the contractual period in which we are exposed to credit risk on the underlying commitments unless the obligation is unconditionally cancellable by us. Any allowance for off-balance sheet credit exposures is reported as an other liability on our Consolidated Balance Sheet and is increased or decreased via the provision for credit losses account on our Consolidated Statement of Income. The calculation includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and forecasted credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over their estimated lives. The allowance is calculated using the same aggregate reserve rates calculated for the funded portion of loans at the portfolio level applied to the amount of commitments expected to be funded.
Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis and are excluded from the collective evaluation. ChoiceOne has determined that any loans which have been placed on non-performing status, loans with a risk rating of 6 or higher, and loans past due more than 60 days will be assessed individually for evaluation. Management's judgment will be used to determine if the
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loan should be migrated back to pool on an individual basis. Individual analysis will establish a specific reserve for loans in scope. Specific reserves on non-performing loans are typically based on management’s best estimate of the fair value of collateral securing these loans, adjusted for selling costs as appropriate or based on the present value of the expected cash flows from that loan.
ACL for Purchased Loans: With and Without Credit Deterioration
Purchased loans are initially recorded at fair value. ChoiceOne’s accounting treatment for these loans depends on whether they exhibit significant credit deterioration since origination at the time of purchase. As part of the Merger, ChoiceOne recognized a valuation adjustment on the purchased loans, which included two distinct categories: loans purchased with credit deterioration and those without. A substantial portion of this adjustment is expected to be recognized as interest income over time.
Purchased Loans with Credit Deterioration
Purchased loans that reflect a more than insignificant credit deterioration since origination at the date of purchase are classified as purchased credit deteriorated (PCD) loans. PCD loans are recorded at fair value plus the ACL expected at the time of purchase. Under this method, there is no provision for credit losses on purchase of PCD loans. The allowance for credit losses was recorded as the credit mark on PCD loans. PCD loans are assessed on a regular basis and subsequent adjustments to the ACL are recorded on the income statement. The non-credit-related difference between fair value and the unpaid principal balance at the purchase date is amortized or accreted to interest income over the contractual life of the loan using the effective interest method.
Purchased Loans Without Credit Deterioration
Loans not considered purchased credit deteriorated (Non-PCD) loans do not reflect more than insignificant credit deterioration since origination at the date of purchase. These loans are recorded at fair value and an increase to the allowance for credit losses (ACL) is recorded with a corresponding increase to the provision for credit losses at the date of purchase. The difference between fair value and the unpaid principal balance at the purchase date is amortized or accreted to interest income over the contractual life of the loan using the effective interest method. Purchased loans from the Merger were brought into the model and segmented into classes on the same basis as ChoiceOne originated loans.
Purchase Price Allocation
The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. Under this method, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date, with the excess of consideration transferred over the net fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed recorded as goodwill. The determination of fair values requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions, particularly with respect to acquired loans and the core deposit intangible.
Acquired loans were recorded at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The fair value of acquired loans reflects the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at market‑based rates of return, and incorporates assumptions related to credit risk, interest rates, prepayment speeds, and liquidity risk. Key assumptions used in the valuation process include expected default rates, loss severity, prepayment behavior, and the timing of expected cash flows. These assumptions involve significant judgment and are sensitive to changes in economic conditions and borrower performance.
Acquired loans were classified as either purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) or non‑PCD in accordance with ASC 326. For PCD loans, the Company recorded an allowance for expected credit losses at the acquisition date, with a corresponding increase to the amortized cost basis of the loans. This approach results in no immediate impact to earnings at acquisition for expected credit losses. For non‑PCD loans, no allowance for credit losses was recorded at acquisition; instead, the fair value discount attributable to credit and non‑credit factors is accreted into interest income over the remaining life of the loans using the effective interest method.
The core deposit intangible ("CDI") represents the estimated economic benefit derived from the acquired non‑maturity deposit relationships. The CDI was recognized as an identifiable intangible asset and recorded at fair value as of the acquisition date. The fair value of the CDI was determined using an income‑based valuation approach, which estimates the present value of future cost savings associated with the acquired deposit base compared to alternative market funding sources.
Significant assumptions used in the valuation of the CDI include projected deposit attrition rates, maintenance costs, alternative funding rates, and discount rates. These assumptions require judgment and are influenced by competitive factors, customer behavior, interest rate environments, and overall market conditions. Management believes the assumptions used are reasonable; however, changes in these assumptions could materially impact the estimated fair value of the CDI.
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The CDI is amortized on an accelerated basis over its estimated useful life, which reflects the expected pattern of economic benefit derived from the acquired deposit relationships. The amortization period and method are reviewed periodically and adjusted if necessary based on updated experience and expectations.
Goodwill
Goodwill is not amortized but is evaluated annually for impairment and on an interim basis if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. The goodwill impairment test is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, and an impairment charge would be recognized for any amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. Accounting pronouncements allow a company to first perform a qualitative assessment for goodwill prior to a quantitative assessment (Step 1 assessment). If the results of the qualitative assessment indicate that it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, then a quantitative assessment must be performed. If not, there is no further assessment required. The Company acquired Valley Ridge Financial Corp. in 2006, County Bank Corp in 2019, Community Shores in 2020, and Fentura in 2025, which resulted in the recognition of goodwill of $13.7 million, $38.9 million, $7.3 million and $69.9 million, respectively.
ChoiceOne conducted an annual assessment of goodwill as of June 30, 2025 and no impairment was identified. No material changes and no triggering events have occurred that indicated impairment.
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
Income taxes include both a current and deferred portion. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded to account for differences in the timing of the recognition of revenues and expenses for financial reporting and tax purposes. Generally accepted accounting principles require that deferred tax assets be reviewed to determine whether a valuation allowance should be established using a “more likely than not” standard. Based on its review of ChoiceOne’s deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2025, management determined that no valuation allowance was necessary. The valuation of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities is considered critical, as it requires management to make estimates based on provisions of the enacted tax laws. The assessment of tax assets and liabilities involves the use of estimates, assumptions, interpretations, and judgments concerning certain accounting pronouncements and the federal tax code.
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MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000950170-25-036839.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion is designed to provide a review of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. (“ChoiceOne” or the “Company”), and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes.
We have omitted discussion of 2023 results where it would be redundant to the discussion previously included in Part II, Item 7 of our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Selected Financial Data
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||
| For the year | |||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 74,442 | $ | 65,885 | $ | 67,314 | |||||||
| Provision for credit losses, net | 625 | 150 | 250 | ||||||||||
| Noninterest income | 17,995 | 14,906 | 14,072 | ||||||||||
| Noninterest expense | 58,723 | 55,074 | 53,478 | ||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 33,089 | 25,567 | 27,658 | ||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 6,362 | 4,306 | 4,018 | ||||||||||
| Net income | 26,727 | 21,261 | 23,640 | ||||||||||
| Cash dividends declared | 9,012 | 7,910 | 7,578 | ||||||||||
| Per share | |||||||||||||
| Basic earnings | $ | 3.27 | $ | 2.82 | $ | 3.15 | |||||||
| Diluted earnings | 3.25 | 2.82 | 3.15 | ||||||||||
| Cash dividends declared | 1.09 | 1.05 | 1.01 | ||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity (at year end) | 29.05 | 25.92 | 22.47 | ||||||||||
| Average for the year | |||||||||||||
| Securities | $ | 981,454 | $ | 1,042,559 | $ | 1,094,559 | |||||||
| Gross loans | 1,456,434 | 1,265,261 | 1,104,030 | ||||||||||
| Deposits | 2,165,705 | 2,111,970 | 2,133,790 | ||||||||||
| Borrowings | 208,142 | 141,507 | 13,537 | ||||||||||
| Subordinated debt | 35,627 | 35,382 | 35,211 | ||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | 226,547 | 177,201 | 178,415 | ||||||||||
| Assets | 2,668,556 | 2,493,840 | 2,373,374 | ||||||||||
| At year end | |||||||||||||
| Securities | $ | 896,123 | $ | 939,576 | $ | 972,802 | |||||||
| Gross loans | 1,552,928 | 1,415,363 | 1,194,616 | ||||||||||
| Deposits | 2,214,103 | 2,122,055 | 2,118,003 | ||||||||||
| Borrowings | 175,000 | 200,000 | 50,000 | ||||||||||
| Subordinated debt | 35,752 | 35,507 | 35,262 | ||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | 260,415 | 195,634 | 168,874 | ||||||||||
| Assets | 2,723,243 | 2,576,706 | 2,385,915 | ||||||||||
| Selected financial ratios | |||||||||||||
| Return on average assets | 1.00 | % | 0.85 | % | 1.00 | % | |||||||
| Return on average shareholders' equity | 11.80 | 12.00 | 13.25 | ||||||||||
| Cash dividend payout as a percentage of net income | 33.72 | 37.21 | 32.06 | ||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity to assets (at year end) | 9.56 | 7.59 | 7.08 |
20
RECENT EVENTS
ChoiceOne and Fentura Financial, Inc., the parent company of The State Bank, entered into a definitive merger agreement on July 25, 2024 pursuant to which ChoiceOne and Fentura would merge in an all-stock transaction (the “Merger”). The Merger was effective on March 1, 2025.
On July 26, 2024, ChoiceOne completed an underwritten public offering of 1,380,000 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $25.00 per share.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Summary
ChoiceOne's net income for 2024 was $26.7 million, compared to $21.3 million in 2023. Diluted earnings per share were $3.25 in the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, compared to $2.82 per share in the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. Net income adjusted for merger related expenses (non-GAAP) was $27.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 with adjusted diluted earnings per share of $3.37.
ChoiceOne's asset mix has shifted from loans held for investment of 66.5% of deposits at December 31, 2023 to 69.8% of deposits at December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2024, total assets were $2.7 billion, an increase of $146.5 million compared to December 31, 2023. The growth is primarily attributed to an increase in core loans of $114.5 million and loans to other financial institutions of $20.5 million. This growth was offset by a $48.9 million reduction in securities during the same time period. ChoiceOne has actively managed its balance sheet to support organic loan growth, strategically shifting from lower-yielding assets to higher-yielding loans. This is reflected in the loan growth experienced.
Deposits, excluding brokered deposits increased $79.0 million or 3.8% during 2024. The increase in deposits in the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 is a combination of new business and recapture of deposit losses from the prior year. ChoiceOne continues to be proactive in managing its liquidity position by using brokered deposits and FHLB advances to ensure ample liquidity. At December 31, 2024, total available borrowing capacity secured by pledged assets was $837.2 million. ChoiceOne can increase its capacity by utilizing unsecured federal fund lines and pledging additional assets. Uninsured deposits totaled $833.2 million or 37.6% of deposits at December 31, 2024.
ChoiceOne's cost of deposits to average total deposits has increased from 1.14% in 2023 to 1.58% in 2024. During 2023 ChoiceOne was able to lag many of the increases to the federal funds rate which increased 425 basis points in 2022 and another 100 basis points in 2023. ChoiceOne's cost of deposits to average total deposits peaked in the first quarter of 2024, and declined slightly in subsequent quarters due to the Federal Reserve decreasing the federal funds rate by 100 basis points in the last four months of 2024. If rates continue to decline, we expect to see further reductions in deposit costs; however, these reductions will be muted by the decrease in cash flows from pay-fixed interest rate swaps collected. Interest expense on borrowings for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, increased $3.1 million compared to the same period in the prior year, due to increases in the average balance borrowed. During the fourth quarter of 2024, ChoiceOne paid down its advance from the Bank Term Funding Program and replaced it with $135.0 million of FHLB borrowings. This increased ChoiceOne's total borrowed balance at the FHLB to $175.0 million at a weighted average fixed rate of 4.5%, with the earliest maturity in January 2025.
The provision for credit losses expense on loans was $1.3 million in the full year 2024, due to the significant growth of core loans. Core loan growth was offset by slight improvements in the Federal Open Market Committee ("FOMC") forecast during the full year 2024. The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to total loans (excluding loans held for sale) was 1.07% on December 31, 2024 compared to 1.11% on December 31, 2023. Asset quality continues to remain strong, with net loan charge-offs to average loans of 0.03% and nonperforming loans to total loans (excluding loans held for sale) of 0.24% as of December 31, 2024. Nonperforming loans have increased since the historic lows in 2023, but still remain at low levels and consist entirely of residential loans with strong collateral positions.
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Noninterest Income
Noninterest income increased $3.1 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase was largely due to an increase in credit and debit card fees of $1.1 million in the full year 2024 compared to the full year 2023 and earnings on life insurance policies in the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same period in the prior year. ChoiceOne recognized earnings on two bank owned life insurance death benefit claims for a total of $700,000 during 2024. ChoiceOne also saw an increase in the market value of equity securities in the full year 2024, compared to the prior year. Equity securities include community bank stocks and CRA focused bond mutual funds. ChoiceOne additionally saw an uptick in gains on sales of loans during the fourth quarter of 2024 due in part to participation in the FHLB Rate Advantage program which provides incentives to home buyers in the low to moderate income bracket.
Noninterest Expense
Noninterest expense increased by $3.6 million or 6.6% in the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The increase in total noninterest expense was due in part to merger related expenses of $1.0 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, compared to $0 in the same period in the prior year. Additionally, there was an increase to employee health insurance and other benefit costs, and an increase to FDIC insurance and other costs related to the inflationary environment. The increase in costs was offset by a decline in occupancy and equipment cost related to two branch closures during the first quarter of 2024. ChoiceOne seeks to strategically manage costs while still making thoughtful investments in order to maintain our competitive edge and deliver exceptional value to our customers, shareholders, and communities.
Dividends
Cash dividends of $9.0 million or $1.09 per common share were declared in 2024 compared to $7.9 million or $1.05 per common share in 2023. The dividend yield for ChoiceOne’s common stock was 3.06% as of the end of 2024, compared to 3.58% as of the end of 2023. The cash dividend payout as a percentage of net income was 33.7% as of December 31, 2024, compared to 37.2% as of December 31, 2023.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense was $2.1 million higher in 2024 than in 2023. The effective tax rate was 19.2% for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 16.8% for the same period in 2023. For 2024, income before income tax, disallowed interest expense (TEFRA) and nondeductible merger expenses increased compared to 2023. For further details, refer to Note 12 - Income Taxes of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report.
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Table 1 – Average Balances and Tax-Equivalent Interest Rates
Tables 1 and 2 on the following pages provide information regarding interest income and expense for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022. Table 1 documents ChoiceOne’s average balances and interest income and expense, as well as the average rates earned or paid on assets and liabilities. Table 2 documents the effect on interest income and expense of changes in volume (average balance) and interest rates.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | Average | Average | Average | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance | Interest | Rate | Balance | Interest | Rate | Balance | Interest | Rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (1) (3)(4)(5)(6) | $ | 1,456,434 | $ | 89,645 | 6.16 | % | $ | 1,265,261 | $ | 68,437 | 5.41 | % | $ | 1,104,030 | $ | 52,861 | 4.79 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable securities (2)(6) | 691,562 | 21,228 | 3.07 | 747,006 | 21,169 | 2.83 | 779,915 | 15,583 | 2.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nontaxable securities (1) | 289,892 | 7,089 | 2.45 | 295,553 | 7,106 | 2.40 | 314,644 | 7,790 | 2.48 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 88,576 | 4,681 | 5.29 | 70,826 | 3,797 | 5.36 | 34,255 | 491 | 1.43 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets | 2,526,464 | 122,643 | 4.85 | 2,378,646 | 100,509 | 4.23 | 2,232,844 | 76,725 | 3.44 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-earning assets | 142,092 | 115,194 | 140,530 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 2,668,556 | $ | 2,493,840 | $ | 2,373,374 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand deposits | $ | 896,060 | $ | 12,997 | 1.45 | % | $ | 852,927 | $ | 10,028 | 1.18 | % | $ | 902,090 | $ | 3,514 | 0.39 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Savings deposits | 334,310 | 2,828 | 0.85 | 370,074 | 1,609 | 0.43 | 452,542 | 711 | 0.16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 388,724 | 17,033 | 4.38 | 306,999 | 10,621 | 3.46 | 196,063 | 1,618 | 0.83 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brokered deposit | 26,902 | 1,315 | 4.89 | 35,044 | 1,732 | 4.94 | 103 | 2 | 2.48 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | 208,142 | 9,885 | 4.75 | 141,507 | 6,818 | 4.82 | 13,537 | 410 | 3.02 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debentures | 35,627 | 1,642 | 4.61 | 35,382 | 1,636 | 4.62 | 35,211 | 1,491 | 4.23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 18,355 | 961 | 5.23 | 12,258 | 651 | 5.31 | - | - | 0.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities | 1,908,120 | 46,661 | 2.45 | 1,754,191 | 33,095 | 1.89 | 1,599,546 | 7,746 | 0.48 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits | 519,709 | 546,926 | 582,992 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other noninterest-bearing liabilities | 14,180 | 15,522 | 12,421 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 2,442,009 | 2,316,639 | 2,194,959 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | 226,547 | 177,201 | 178,415 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 2,668,556 | $ | 2,493,840 | $ | 2,373,374 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) (Non-GAAP) (1) | $ | 75,981 | $ | 67,415 | $ | 68,979 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis) (Non-GAAP) (1) | 3.01 | % | 2.83 | % | 3.09 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation to Reported Net Interest Income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) (Non-GAAP) (1) | $ | 75,981 | $ | 67,415 | $ | 68,979 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjustment for taxable equivalent interest | (1,539 | ) | (1,530 | ) | (1665 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income (GAAP) | $ | 74,442 | $ | 65,885 | $ | 67,314 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin (GAAP) | 2.95 | % | 2.77 | % | 3.01 | % |
(1)
Adjusted to a fully tax-equivalent basis to facilitate comparison to the taxable interest-earning assets. The adjustment uses an incremental tax rate of 21%. The presentation of these measures on a tax-equivalent basis is not in accordance with GAAP, but is customary in the banking industry. These non-GAAP measures ensure comparability with respect to both taxable and tax-exempt loans and securities.
(2)
Interest on taxable securities includes dividends on Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock.
(3)
Loans include both loans to other financial institutions and loans held for sale.
(4)
Non-accruing loan balances are included in the balances of average loans. Non-accruing loan average balances were $2.3 million, $1.6 million, and $1.3 million for the year ended 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
(5)
Interest on loans included net origination fees and accretion income. Accretion income was $1.2 million, $1.7 million, and $2.0 million for the full year 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
(6)
Interest income for 2024 and 2023 was reduced by $1.1 million and $2.8 million, respectively, due to amortization expense related to the March 2023 sale of the pay floating swap derivative.
23
Table 2 – Changes in Tax-Equivalent Net Interest Income
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in thousands) | 2024 Over 2023 | 2023 Over 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | Volume | Rate | Total | Volume | Rate | |||||||||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in interest income (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (2) | $ | 21,208 | $ | 11,095 | $ | 10,113 | $ | 15,576 | $ | 8,264 | $ | 7,312 | ||||||||||||
| Taxable securities | 59 | (1,645 | ) | 1,704 | 5,586 | (682 | ) | 6,268 | ||||||||||||||||
| Nontaxable securities (2) | (17 | ) | (144 | ) | 127 | (684 | ) | (455 | ) | (229 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Other | 884 | 938 | (54 | ) | 3,306 | 925 | 2,381 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net change in interest income | $ | 22,134 | $ | 10,244 | $ | 11,890 | $ | 23,784 | $ | 8,052 | $ | 15,732 | ||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in interest expense (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand deposits | $ | 2,969 | $ | 537 | $ | 2,432 | $ | 6,514 | $ | (202 | ) | $ | 6,716 | |||||||||||
| Savings deposits | 1,219 | (169 | ) | 1,388 | 898 | (152 | ) | 1,050 | ||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 6,412 | 3,205 | 3,207 | 9,003 | 1,364 | 7,639 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Brokered deposit | (417 | ) | (399 | ) | (18 | ) | 1,730 | 1,725 | 5 | |||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | 3,067 | 3,169 | (102 | ) | 6,408 | 6,029 | 379 | |||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debentures | 6 | 10 | (4 | ) | 145 | 7 | 138 | |||||||||||||||||
| Other | 310 | 319 | (9 | ) | 651 | 651 | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Net change in interest expense | $ | 13,566 | $ | 6,672 | $ | 6,894 | $ | 25,349 | $ | 9,422 | $ | 15,927 | ||||||||||||
| Net change in tax-equivalent net interest income | $ | 8,568 | $ | 3,572 | $ | 4,996 | $ | (1,565 | ) | $ | (1,370 | ) | $ | (195 | ) |
(1)
The volume variance is computed as the change in volume (average balance) multiplied by the previous year’s interest rate. The rate variance is computed as the change in interest rate multiplied by the previous year’s volume (average balance). The change in interest due to both volume and rate has been allocated to the volume and rate changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each.
(2)
Interest on tax-exempt securities and loans has been adjusted to a fully tax-equivalent basis using an incremental tax rate of 21% for 2024, 2023, and 2022.
Net Interest Income
GAAP based net interest income increased $8.6 million, and tax-equivalent net interest income increased $8.6 million, respectively, for the full year 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. GAAP based net interest margin increased 18 basis points, and tax equivalent net interest margin increased 18 basis points, respectively, in 2024 compared to 2023.
ChoiceOne has experienced substantial core loan growth from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024, leading to an increase in interest income from loans of $21.2 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same period in the prior year. Average core loans grew $191.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same period in the prior year. In addition, the average rate earned on loans increased 75 basis points for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same period in the prior year.
The average balance of total securities decreased $61.1 million in 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease was due to the paydowns, maturities, and redemptions during 2024. Interest income on securities remained flat in 2024 compared to 2023 despite the decline in average balance as the average rate earned on securities increased 17 basis points for the full year 2024, compared to the same period in the prior year.
Interest expense increased $13.6 million for the full year 2024, compared to the same period in the prior year. The average rate paid on interest bearing-demand deposits and savings deposits increased 33 basis points in the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same period in the prior year. This was compounded by the increase in the average balance of interest bearing-demand deposits and savings deposits, of $7.4 million during 2024. The increase in the average balance of certificates of deposit of $81.7 million during 2024, combined with a 92 basis point increase in the rate paid on certificates of deposits during 2024, compared to the same period in the prior year, led to an increase in interest expense of $6.4 million during 2024.
During 2023, ChoiceOne was able to lag many of the increases to the federal funds rate which increased 425 basis points in 2022 and another 100 basis points in 2023. ChoiceOne's cost of deposits to average total deposits peaked in the first quarter of 2024, and has slightly declined in subsequent quarters due to the Federal Reserve decreasing the federal funds rate by 100 basis points in the last four months of 2024. If rates continue to decline, we expect to see further reductions in deposit costs; however, these reductions will be
24
muted by the decrease in cash flows from pay-fixed interest rate swaps collected. ChoiceOne has been able to outpace the increased cost of deposits by increased loan originations at higher average interest rates.
ChoiceOne held $170.0 million in borrowings from the Bank Term Funding Program ("BTFP") during the first three quarters of 2024 and during the fourth quarter of 2024, ChoiceOne paid down its advance from the Bank Term Funding Program and replaced it with $135.0 million of FHLB borrowings. This increased the total borrowed balance at the FHLB to $175.0 million at a weighted average fixed rate of 4.5%. The net effect of these additional borrowed funds was an increase in interest expense of $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.
In September 2021, ChoiceOne completed a private placement of $32.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.25% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2031. In addition, ChoiceOne holds certain subordinated debentures issued in connection with a trust preferred securities offering that were obtained as part of the merger with Community Shores. The average balance of subordinated debentures was relatively flat in 2024 compared to the same period in the prior year.
The following table presents the cost of deposits and the cost of funds for the years ended December 31, 2024, December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Cost of deposits | 1.58 | % | 1.14 | % | 0.27 | % | ||||||
| Cost of funds | 1.92 | % | 1.44 | % | 0.35 | % |
Provision and Allowance For Credit Losses
Table 3 – Provision and Allowance For Credit Losses
25
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses at beginning of year | $ | 15,685 | $ | 7,619 | $ | 7,688 | |||||||
| Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle | - | 7,165 | - | ||||||||||
| Charge-offs: | |||||||||||||
| Agricultural | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | 7 | 158 | 177 | ||||||||||
| Consumer | 800 | 554 | 496 | ||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | - | - | |||||||||||
| Construction real estate | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| Residential real estate | 30 | 27 | - | ||||||||||
| Total | 837 | 739 | 673 | ||||||||||
| Recoveries: | |||||||||||||
| Agricultural | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | 15 | 66 | 143 | ||||||||||
| Consumer | 374 | 283 | 206 | ||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | - | 13 | 3 | ||||||||||
| Construction real estate | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| Residential real estate | 15 | 13 | 2 | ||||||||||
| Total | 404 | 375 | 354 | ||||||||||
| Net charge-offs (recoveries) | 433 | 364 | 319 | ||||||||||
| Provision for credit losses | 1,300 | 1,265 | 250 | ||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses at end of year | $ | 16,552 | $ | 15,685 | $ | 7,619 | |||||||
| Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of: | |||||||||||||
| Total loans as of year end | 1.07 | % | 1.11 | % | 0.64 | % | |||||||
| Nonaccrual loans, accrual loans past due 90 days or more and troubled debt restructurings | 447 | % | 820 | % | 286 | % | |||||||
| Ratio of net charge-offs during the period to average loans outstanding during the period | 0.03 | % | 0.03 | % | 0.03 | % | |||||||
| Loan recoveries as a percentage of prior year's charge-offs | 55 | % | 56 | % | 52 | % |
Note: In the table above, "consumer" includes deposit account charge-offs and recoveries.
The ACL consists of general and specific components. The general component covers loans collectively evaluated for credit loss and is based on peer historical loss experience adjusted for current and forecasted factors. Management's adjustment for current and forecasted factors is based on trends in delinquencies, trends in charge-offs and recoveries, trends in the volume of loans, changes in underwriting standards, trends in loan review findings, the experience and ability of lending staff, and a reasonable and supportable economic forecast described further below.
The determination of our loss factors is based, in part, upon benchmark peer loss history adjusted for qualitative factors that, in management's judgment, affect the collectability of the portfolio as of the analysis date. ChoiceOne's lookback period of benchmark peer net charge-off history was from January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2019 for this analysis.
Loans individually evaluated for credit losses increased by $2.0 million to $4.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, and the ACL related to these individually evaluated loans increased by $108,000 during the same period largely due to the balance increase.
Nonperforming loans, which includes Other Real Estate Owned ("OREO") but excludes performing troubled loan modifications ("TLM"), increased by $1.9 million to $3.8 million at December 31, 2024, compared to a historically low balance on December 31, 2023. All non-performing loans are retail in nature. The ACL was 1.07% of total loans, excluding loans held for sale, at December 31, 2024, compared to 1.11% as of December 31, 2023. The liability for expected credit losses on unfunded loans and other commitments was $1.5 million on December 31, 2024, compared to $2.2 million as of December 31, 2023.
26
Net charge-offs were $433,000 during the full year 2024, compared to net charge-offs of $364,000 during the same period in 2023. Net charge-offs for checking accounts during the full year 2024 were $237,000 compared to $226,000 for the same period in the prior year. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans were 0.03% during the full year 2024 and 2023.
The provision for credit losses on loans was $1.3 million during the full year 2024 and 2023, due to core loan growth, which was partially offset by slight improvements in the Federal Open Market Committee ("FOMC") forecast during the full year 2024. The loan provision expense was offset by the decrease in unfunded commitments provision expense of $675,000 in the full year 2024 due to changes in mix and expected funding rates during the year. Total unfunded commitments decreased $15.9 million in the full year 2024 compared to December 31, 2023.
Net provision for credit losses was $625,000 for the full year 2024.
27
Financial Condition
Summary
Total assets grew $146.5 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2024. Core loans grew $114.5 million or 8.2% and were offset by a decline in investment securities of $48.9 million. Deposits, excluding brokered deposits, increased by $79.0 million during 2024, while borrowings declined by $25.0 million. Deposit costs rose steadily in the first half of the year followed by a decline in the second half of the year which coincided with the decreases to the federal funds rate starting in September of 2024.
Securities
The Company’s securities balances as of December 31 were as follows:
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Equity securities | $ | 7,782 | $ | 7,505 | ||
| Available for Sale Securities at fair value | ||||||
| U.S. Government and federal agency | $ | - | $ | - | ||
| U.S. Treasury notes and bonds | 80,502 | 80,194 | ||||
| State and municipal | 228,236 | 234,682 | ||||
| Mortgage-backed | 160,970 | 188,501 | ||||
| Corporate | 212 | 204 | ||||
| Asset-backed securities | 9,197 | 11,017 | ||||
| Total | $ | 479,117 | $ | 514,598 | ||
| Held to Maturity Securities at amortized cost | ||||||
| U.S. Government and federal agency | $ | 2,978 | $ | 2,972 | ||
| U.S. Treasury notes and bonds | - | |||||
| State and municipal | 196,510 | 196,098 | ||||
| Mortgage-backed | 174,323 | 188,329 | ||||
| Corporate | 20,495 | 20,013 | ||||
| Asset-backed securities | 228 | 547 | ||||
| Total | $ | 394,534 | $ | 407,959 |
Total investment securities declined $48.9 million from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024. ChoiceOne purchased $16.8 million of securities in 2024. Securities totaling $11.8 million were called or matured in 2024. ChoiceOne received principal payments for municipal and mortgage-backed securities totaling $48.0 million during 2024.
At December 31, 2024, the Company had $116.6 million in unrealized losses on its investment securities, including $61.1 million in unrealized losses on available for sale securities and $55.5 million in unrealized losses on held to maturity securities. Unrealized losses on corporate and municipal bonds have not been recognized into income because management believes the issuers are of high credit quality, and management does not intend to sell prior to their anticipated recovery, and the decline in fair value is largely due to changes in interest rates and other market conditions. The issuers continue to make timely principal and interest payments on the bonds. The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach maturity.
ChoiceOne utilizes interest rate derivatives as part of its asset liability management strategy to help manage its interest rate risk position. In order to hedge the risk of rising rates and unrealized losses on securities resulting from the rising rates, ChoiceOne currently holds pay fixed, receive variable interest rate swaps with a total notional value of $401.0 million. These derivative instruments increase in value as long-term interest rates rise, which partially offsets the reduction in shareholders' equity due to unrealized losses on securities available for sale. Refer to Note 8 - Derivatives and Hedging Activities of the consolidated financial statements for more discussion on ChoiceOne’s derivative position.
Equity securities included a money market preferred security ("MMP") of $1.0 million and common stock of $6.8 million as of December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2023, equity securities included a MMP of $1.0 million and common stock of $6.5 million.
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Per U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, unrealized gains or losses on securities available for sale are reflected on the balance sheet in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), while unrealized gains or losses on securities held to maturity are not reflected on the balance sheet in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Loans
The Company’s loan portfolio by call report code was as follows:
| December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in thousands) | Call Report Codes | Balance | % | Balance | % | |||||||||
| Construction & Development Loans | 1A2 | 61,740 | 4.0 | % | 112,877 | 8.0 | % | |||||||
| 1-4 Family Loans | 1A1, 1C1, 1C2A, 1C2B | 380,139 | 24.6 | % | 347,036 | 24.6 | % | |||||||
| Multifamily Loans | 1D | 83,766 | 5.4 | % | 56,563 | 4.0 | % | |||||||
| Owner Occupied CRE Loans | 1E1 | 325,966 | 21.1 | % | 281,515 | 20.0 | % | |||||||
| Non-Owner Occupied CRE Loans | 1E2 | 387,102 | 25.0 | % | 298,265 | 21.1 | % | |||||||
| Commercial & Industrial Loans | 2A2, 4A | 216,376 | 14.0 | % | 219,849 | 15.6 | % | |||||||
| Farm & Agriculture Loans | 1B, 3 | 48,246 | 3.1 | % | 46,515 | 3.3 | % | |||||||
| Consumer & Other Loans | 6B, 6C, 6D, 8, 9b2,10B | 42,305 | 2.7 | % | 48,033 | 3.4 | % | |||||||
| Total Loans | 1,545,640 | 1,410,653 |
Average loan balances increased $191.2 million in the full year 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Core loans grew organically by $114.5 million or 8.2% during 2024, with growth concentrated in Non-Owner Occupied CRE loans, which grew by $88.8 million, Owner Occupied CRE loans, which grew by $44.5 million, and 1-4 Family Loans, which grew by $33.1 million. The growth in 1-4 Family loans was largely related to growth in loans to other financial institutions which were $39.9 million as of December 31, 2024, compared to $19.4 million as of December 31, 2023. Loans to other financial institutions is comprised of a warehouse line of credit to facilitate mortgage loan originations and the interest rate fluctuates with the national mortgage market. This balance is short term in nature with an average life of under 30 days. Management believes the short-term structure and low credit risk of this asset is advantageous in the current rate environment; however, this balance is volatile and could change based on the third party origination volume or discretion. Loan interest including fee income increased $21.2 million in the full year 2024, compared to the same period in the prior year.
ChoiceOne recorded accretion income related to acquired loans in the amount of $1.2 million in 2024 and $1.7 million during 2023. Remaining credit and yield mark on acquired loans from the mergers with County Bank Corp. and Community Shores will accrete into income as the acquired loans mature. ChoiceOne estimates that roughly $1.3 million will accrete into income over the next one to three years.
As part of its review of the loan portfolio, management also monitors the various nonperforming loans. Nonperforming loans are comprised of loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis, loans not included in nonaccrual loans, which are contractually past due 90 days or more as to interest or principal payments, and troubled loan modifications which are accruing and initiated in the past year.
The balances of these nonperforming loans as of December 31 were as follows:
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis | $ | 3,704 | $ | 1,723 | ||
| Loans contractually past due 90 days or more as to principal or interest payments | - | - | ||||
| Loans modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. | - | 189 | ||||
| Total | $ | 3,704 | $ | 1,912 |
Nonaccrual loans included $3.5 million in residential real estate loans, $229,000 in construction real estate loans, and $8,000 in consumer loans as of December 31, 2024, compared to $1.7 million in residential real estate loans as of December 31, 2023. There were no troubled loan modifications ("TLM") at December 31, 2024, compared to $60,000 of commercial and industrial TLM loans and $129,000 of residential real estate TLM loans at December 31, 2023.
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Management also maintains a list of loans that are not classified as nonperforming loans but where some concern exists as to the borrowers’ abilities to comply with the original loan terms. There were 19 loans totaling $375,000 fitting this description as of December 31, 2024, and 22 loans totaling $357,000 fitting this description as of December 31, 2023.
Deposits and Other Funding Sources
The Company’s deposit balances as of December 31 were as follows:
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Noninterest-bearing demand deposits | $ | 524,945 | $ | 547,625 | ||
| Interest-bearing demand deposits | 630,155 | 599,681 | ||||
| Money market deposits | 290,012 | 247,602 | ||||
| Savings deposits | 338,109 | 336,851 | ||||
| Local certificates of deposit | 394,371 | 366,851 | ||||
| Brokered certificates of deposit | 36,511 | 23,445 | ||||
| Total deposits | $ | 2,214,103 | $ | 2,122,055 |
Deposits, excluding brokered deposits increased $79.0 million or 3.8% during 2024. The increase in deposits in the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 is a combination of new business and recapture of deposit losses from the prior year. ChoiceOne continues to be proactive in managing its liquidity position by using brokered deposits and FHLB advances to ensure ample liquidity.
At December 31, 2024, total available borrowing capacity secured by pledged assets was $837.2 million. ChoiceOne can increase its capacity by utilizing unsecured federal fund lines and pledging additional assets. Uninsured deposits totaled $833.2 million or 37.6% of deposits at December 31, 2024. Core deposits, which we define as insured branch deposits less certificates of deposit, totaled $1.1 billion or 51.2% of total deposits at December 31, 2024.
ChoiceOne's cost of deposits to average total deposits has increased from 1.14% in 2023 to 1.58% in 2024. During 2023 ChoiceOne was able to lag many of the increases to the federal funds rate which increased 425 basis points in 2022 and another 100 basis points in 2023. ChoiceOne's cost of deposits to average total deposits peaked in the first quarter of 2024, and has slightly declined in subsequent quarters due to the Federal Reserve decreasing the federal funds rate by 100 basis points in the last four months of 2024. If rates continue to decline, we expect to see further reductions in deposit costs; however, these reductions will be muted by the decrease in cash flows from pay-fixed interest rate swaps collected. Interest expense on borrowings for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, increased $3.1 million compared to the same period in the prior year, due to increases in the average balance borrowed. During the fourth quarter of 2024, ChoiceOne paid down its advance from the Bank Term Funding Program and replaced it with $135.0 million of FHLB borrowings. This increased ChoiceOne's total borrowed balance at the FHLB to $175.0 million at a weighted average fixed rate of 4.5%, with the earliest maturity in January 2025.
In September 2021, ChoiceOne completed a private placement of $32.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.25% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2031. ChoiceOne used a portion of net proceeds from the private placement to redeem senior debt, fund common stock repurchases, and support bank-level capital ratios. ChoiceOne also holds $3.5 million in subordinated debentures issued in connection with a $4.5 million trust preferred securities offering, which were obtained in the merger with Community Shores, offset by the mark-to-market adjustment.
Shareholders’ Equity
Shareholders’ equity totaled $260.4 million as of December 31, 2024, up from $195.6 million as of December 31, 2023, due in large part to the $34.5 million in aggregate gross proceeds (before deducting discounts and estimated offering expenses) received from the sale of 1,380,000 shares of common at a price to the public of $25.00 per share on July 26, 2024. The additional increase is due to retained earnings and an improvement in accumulated other compressive loss (AOCI) of $13.8 million compared to December 31, 2023. The improvement in AOCI is due to both the shortening duration and maturing (paydowns) of the securities portfolio, offset by the change in unrealized gain of the pay-fixed swap derivatives. The pay-fixed swap derivatives are designed to offset swings in AOCI due to changes in interest rates. ChoiceOne Bank remains “well-capitalized” with a total risk-based capital ratio of 12.7% as of December 31, 2024, compared to 12.4% on December 31, 2023.
ChoiceOne uses interest rate swaps to manage interest rate exposure to certain fixed rate assets and variable rate liabilities. On December 31, 2024, ChoiceOne had pay-fixed interest rate swaps with a total notional value of $401.0 million, a weighted average coupon of 3.07%, a fair value of $23.6 million and an average remaining contract length of 7 to 8 years. These derivative instruments increase in value as long-term interest rates rise, which offsets the reduction in equity due to unrealized losses on securities available for sale.
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Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements presents regulatory capital information for ChoiceOne and the Bank at the end of 2024 and 2023. Management will monitor these capital ratios during 2025 as they relate to asset growth and earnings retention. ChoiceOne’s Board of Directors and management do not plan to allow capital to decrease below those levels necessary to be considered "well capitalized" by regulatory guidelines.
Table 4 – Contractual Obligations
The following table discloses information regarding the maturity of ChoiceOne’s contractual obligations at December 31, 2024:
| Payment Due by Period | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less | More | |||||||||||||||||
| than | 1 - 3 | 3 - 5 | than | |||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | Total | 1 year | Years | Years | 5 Years | |||||||||||||
| Time deposits | $ | 430,882 | $ | 413,786 | $ | 13,110 | $ | 3,719 | $ | 267 | ||||||||
| Borrowings | 175,000 | 155,000 | 20,000 | - | - | |||||||||||||
| ChoiceOne Capital Trust (1) | 4,500 | - | - | - | 4,500 | |||||||||||||
| ChoiceOne Subordinated Debenture (2) | 32,500 | - | - | - | 32,500 | |||||||||||||
| Operating leases | 759 | 310 | 280 | 50 | 119 | |||||||||||||
| Other obligations | 43 | 11 | 18 | 14 | - | |||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 643,684 | $ | 569,107 | $ | 33,408 | $ | 3,783 | $ | 37,386 |
(1)
Cumulative preferred securities on the balance sheet include $1.0 million of discount due to a mark to market adjustment which is not reflected in the table above.
(2)
ChoiceOne subordinated debenture on the balance sheet includes $240,000 of capitalized issuance cost which is not reflected in the table above.
Liquidity and Interest Rate Risk
Net cash provided by operating activities was $48.5 million in 2024 compared to $46.5 million in 2023. The change was due to higher net proceeds from loan sales and an increase in other liabilities in 2024 compared to 2023. Net cash used in investing activities was $97.9 million in 2024 compared to $181.4 million in 2023. ChoiceOne had loan originations and payments of $136.1 million in the full year 2024, compared to $221.2 million in the full year 2023. Net cash provided by financing activities was $90.7 million in 2024, compared to $146.4 million in 2023. The change was largely due to $150.0 million of higher borrowings in 2023, offset by $32.1 million in net proceeds received from our common stock offering completed on July 26, 2024.
ChoiceOne's market risk exposure occurs in the form of interest rate risk and liquidity risk. ChoiceOne's business is transacted in U.S. dollars with no foreign exchange risk exposure. Agricultural loans comprise a relatively small portion of ChoiceOne's total assets. Management believes that ChoiceOne's exposure to changes in commodity prices is insignificant.
Liquidity risk deals with ChoiceOne's ability to meet its cash flow requirements. These requirements include depositors desiring to withdraw funds and borrowers seeking credit. Longer-term liquidity needs may be met through core deposit growth, maturities of and cash flows from investment securities, normal loan repayments, advances from the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank, brokered certificates of deposit, and income retention. ChoiceOne had $175.0 million in outstanding borrowings from the FHLB as of December 31, 2024. The acceptance of brokered certificates of deposit is not limited as long as the Bank is categorized as “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines. At December 31, 2024, total available borrowing capacity from the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank was $837.2 million.
ChoiceOne continues to review its liquidity management and has taken steps in an effort to ensure adequacy. These steps include limiting bond purchases in 2024, pledging securities to FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank in order to increase borrowing capacity and using alternative funding sources such as brokered deposits.
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NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
This report contains financial measures that are not defined in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide additional information that is useful to investors in helping to understand the underlying financial performance of ChoiceOne.
Non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations. Readers should be aware of these limitations and should be cautious with respect to the use of such measures. To compensate for these limitations, we use non-GAAP financial measures as comparative tools, together with GAAP financial measures, to assist in the evaluation of our operating performance or financial condition. Also, we ensure that these measures are calculated using the appropriate GAAP or regulatory components in their entirety and that they are computed in a manner intended to facilitate consistent period-to-period comparisons. ChoiceOne’s method of calculating these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from methods used by other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for those financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP or in-effect regulatory requirements.
Income Adjusted for Merger Expenses - Non-GAAP Reconciliation
| 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands, Except Per Share Data) | |||
| Net income | $ | 26,727 | |
| Merger related expenses net of tax | 1,006 | ||
| Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP) | $ | 27,733 | |
| Weighted average number of shares | 8,166,472 | ||
| Diluted average shares outstanding | 8,221,065 | ||
| Basic earnings per share | $ | 3.27 | |
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 3.25 | |
| Adjusted basic earnings per share (Non-GAAP) | $ | 3.40 | |
| Adjusted diluted earnings per share (Non-GAAP) | $ | 3.37 |
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Critical Accounting Policies And Estimates
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations as well as disclosures found elsewhere in this report are based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near-term relate to the determination of the market value of securities, the amount of the allowance for credit losses, loan servicing rights, carrying value of goodwill, and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Allowance for Credit Losses ("ACL")
The ACL is a valuation allowance for expected credit losses. The ACL is increased by the provision for credit losses and decreased by loans charged off less any recoveries of charged off loans. As ChoiceOne has had very limited loss experience since 2011, management elected to utilize benchmark peer loss history data to estimate historical loss rates. ChoiceOne identified an appropriate peer group for each loan cohort which shared similar characteristics. Management estimates the ACL required based on the selected peer group loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, a reasonable and supportable economic forecast, and other factors. Allocations of the ACL may be made for specific loans, but the entire ACL is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off. Loan losses are charged against the ACL when management believes that collection of a loan balance is not possible.
The ACL consists of general and specific components. The general component covers loans collectively evaluated for credit losses and is based on peer historical loss experience adjusted for current and forecasted factors. Management's adjustment for current and forecasted factors is based on trends in delinquencies, trends in charge-offs and recoveries, trends in the volume of loans, changes in underwriting standards, trends in loan review findings, the experience and ability of lending staff, and a reasonable and supportable economic forecast described further below.
The discounted cash flow methodology is utilized for all loan pools. This methodology is supported by our CECL software provider and allows management to automatically calculate contractual life by factoring in all cash flows and adjusting them for behavioral and credit-related aspects.
Reasonable and supportable economic forecasts have to be incorporated in determining expected credit losses. The forecast period represents the time frame from the current period end through the point in time that we can reasonably forecast and support entity and environmental factors that are expected to impact the performance of our loan portfolio. Ideally, the economic forecast period would encompass the contractual terms of all loans; however, the ability to produce a forecast that is considered reasonable and supportable becomes more difficult or may not be possible in later periods. Subsequent to the end of the forecast period, we revert to historical loan data based on an ongoing evaluation of each economic forecast in relation to then current economic conditions as well as any developing loan loss activity and resulting historical data. As of December 31, 2024, we used a one-year reasonable and supportable economic forecast period, with a two year straight-line reversion period.
We are not required to develop and use our own economic forecast model, and we elected to utilize economic forecasts from third-party providers that analyze and develop forecasts of the economy for the entire United States at least quarterly.
Other inputs to the calculation are also updated or reviewed quarterly. Prepayment speeds are updated on a one quarter lag based on the asset liability model from the previous quarter. This model is performed at the loan level. Curtailment is updated quarterly within the ACL model based on our peer group average. The reversion period is reviewed by management quarterly with consideration of the current economic climate. Prepayment speeds and curtailment were updated during the fourth quarter of 2024; however, the effect was insignificant.
We are also required to consider expected credit losses associated with loan commitments over the contractual period in which we are exposed to credit risk on the underlying commitments unless the obligation is unconditionally cancellable by us. Any allowance for off-balance sheet credit exposures is reported as an other liability on our Consolidated Balance Sheet and is increased or decreased via the provision for credit losses account on our Consolidated Statement of Income. The calculation includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and forecasted credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over their estimated lives. The allowance is calculated using the same aggregate reserve rates calculated for the funded portion of loans at the portfolio level applied to the amount of commitments expected to be funded.
Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis and are excluded from the collective evaluation. ChoiceOne has determined that any loans which have been placed on non-performing status, loans with a risk rating of 6 or higher, and loans past due more than 60 days will be assessed individually for evaluation. Management's judgment will be used to determine if the
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loan should be migrated back to pool on an individual basis. Individual analysis will establish a specific reserve for loans in scope. Specific reserves on non-performing loans are typically based on management’s best estimate of the fair value of collateral securing these loans, adjusted for selling costs as appropriate or based on the present value of the expected cash flows from that loan.
ACL for Securities
Securities Available for Sale – For securities AFS in an unrealized loss position, management determines whether they intend to sell or if it is more likely than not that ChoiceOne will be required to sell the security before recovery of the 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 securities AFS with unrealized losses not meeting these criteria, management evaluates whether any decline in fair value is due to credit loss factors. In making this assessment, management considers any changes to the rating of the security by rating agencies and adverse conditions specifically related to the issuer of the security, among other factors. If this assessment 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 the cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Changes in the ACL under ASC 326-30 are recorded as provisions for (or reversal of) credit loss expense. Losses are charged against the allowance when the collectability of a debt security AFS is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an ACL is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of income taxes. At December 31, 2024, there was no ACL related to debt securities AFS.
Securities Held to Maturity – Since the adoption of CECL, ChoiceOne measures credit losses on HTM securities on a collective basis by major security type with each type sharing similar risk characteristics, and considers historical credit loss information that is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The ACL on securities HTM is a contra asset valuation account that is deducted from the carrying amount of HTM securities to present the net amount expected to be collected. HTM securities are charged off against the ACL when deemed uncollectible. Adjustments to the ACL are reported in ChoiceOne’s Consolidated Statements of Income in the provision for credit losses. Accrued interest receivable totaled $2.0 million and $2.1 million at December 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively, and was reported in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. With regard to US Treasury securities, these have an explicit government guarantee; therefore, no ACL is recorded for these securities. With regard to obligations of states and political subdivisions and other HTM securities, management considers (1) issuer bond ratings, (2) historical loss rates for given bond ratings, (3) the financial condition of the issuer, and (4) whether issuers continue to make timely principal and interest payments under the contractual terms of the securities. At December 31, 2024, the ACL related to securities HTM is insignificant.
Troubled Loan Modifications
FASB also issued ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures. This standard eliminated the previous accounting guidance for troubled debt restructurings and added additional disclosure requirements for gross chargeoffs by year of origination. It also prescribes guidance for reporting modifications of loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty.
Loan Servicing Rights
Loan servicing rights represent the estimated value of servicing loans that are sold with servicing retained by ChoiceOne and are initially recorded at estimated fair value. Servicing rights are expensed in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing revenues. Management’s accounting treatment of loan servicing rights is estimated based on current prepayment speeds that are typically market driven.
Management believes the accounting estimate related to loan servicing rights is a “critical accounting estimate” because (1) the estimate is highly susceptible to change from period to period because of significant changes within long-term interest rates affecting the prepayment speeds for current loans being serviced and (2) the impact of recognizing an impairment loss could have a material effect on ChoiceOne’s net income. Management has obtained a third-party valuation of its loan servicing rights to corroborate its current carrying value at the end of each reporting period.
Goodwill
Goodwill is not amortized but is evaluated annually for impairment and on an interim basis if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. The goodwill impairment test is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, and an impairment charge would be recognized for any amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The Company acquired Valley Ridge Financial Corp. in 2006, County Bank Corp in 2019, and Community Shores in 2020, which resulted in the recognition of goodwill of $13.7 million, $38.9 million and $7.3 million, respectively.
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ChoiceOne engaged a third party valuation firm to assist in performing a quantitative analysis of goodwill as of June 30, 2024 ("the measurement date"). In deriving the fair value of the reporting unit (the Bank), the third-party firm assessed general economic conditions and outlook; industry and market considerations and outlook; the impact of recent events to financial performance; the market price of ChoiceOne’s common stock and other relevant events. In addition, the valuation relied on financial projections through 2029 and growth rates prepared by management. Based on the valuation prepared, it was determined that ChoiceOne's estimated fair value of the reporting unit at the measurement date was greater than its book value and impairment of goodwill was not required. As of the measurement date and December 31, 2024 the stock price was greater than the book value. No material changes and no triggering events have occurred that indicated impairment from the measurement date through December 31, 2024.
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
Income taxes include both a current and deferred portion. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded to account for differences in the timing of the recognition of revenues and expenses for financial reporting and tax purposes. Generally accepted accounting principles require that deferred tax assets be reviewed to determine whether a valuation allowance should be established using a “more likely than not” standard. Based on its review of ChoiceOne’s deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2024, management determined that no valuation allowance was necessary. The valuation of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities is considered critical, as it requires management to make estimates based on provisions of the enacted tax laws. The assessment of tax assets and liabilities involves the use of estimates, assumptions, interpretations, and judgments concerning certain accounting pronouncements and the federal tax code.
Identification and Classification of Merger-Related Expenses
Merger-related expenses are costs incurred directly in connection with the company's merger and acquisition activities. These expenses include legal fees for negotiation and drafting of merger agreements, accounting and auditing fees related to due diligence and financial statement preparation, consulting fees for strategic advisory services specific to the merger, costs related to regulatory filings and compliance, expenses for integration planning and execution (including IT and systems integration), severance and retention bonuses for employees affected by the merger, and travel and accommodation expenses directly related to merger activities.
To ensure accurate classification and segregation of these expenses, detailed documentation supporting the nature and purpose of each expense is maintained, including invoices, contracts, and internal memos. All merger-related expenses must be reviewed and approved by the CFO or an authorized delegate to ensure they meet the criteria for classification as merger-related. The Accounting Department conducts periodic reviews of these expenses to ensure proper classification and segregation, promptly addressing and correcting any discrepancies. Merger-related expenses are disclosed separately in the financial statements and accompanying notes to provide transparency to investors and stakeholders.
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FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000950170-24-030747.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion is designed to provide a review of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. (“ChoiceOne” or the “Company”), and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes.
We have omitted discussion of 2022 results where it would be redundant to the discussion previously included in Part II, Item 7 of our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Selected Financial Data
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||
| For the year | |||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 65,885 | $ | 67,314 | $ | 60,641 | |||||||
| Provision for credit losses, net | 150 | 250 | 416 | ||||||||||
| Noninterest income | 14,906 | 14,072 | 19,194 | ||||||||||
| Noninterest expense | 55,074 | 53,478 | 52,921 | ||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 25,567 | 27,658 | 26,498 | ||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 4,306 | 4,018 | 4,456 | ||||||||||
| Net income | 21,261 | 23,640 | 22,042 | ||||||||||
| Cash dividends declared | 7,910 | 7,578 | 7,200 | ||||||||||
| Per share | |||||||||||||
| Basic earnings | $ | 2.82 | $ | 3.15 | $ | 2.87 | |||||||
| Diluted earnings | 2.82 | 3.15 | 2.86 | ||||||||||
| Cash dividends declared | 1.05 | 1.01 | 0.94 | ||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity (at year end) | 25.92 | 22.47 | 29.52 | ||||||||||
| Average for the year | |||||||||||||
| Securities | $ | 1,042,559 | $ | 1,094,559 | $ | 869,788 | |||||||
| Gross loans | 1,265,261 | 1,104,030 | 1,040,430 | ||||||||||
| Deposits | 2,111,970 | 2,133,790 | 1,905,629 | ||||||||||
| Borrowings | 141,507 | 13,537 | 5,465 | ||||||||||
| Subordinated debt | 35,382 | 35,211 | 12,841 | ||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | 177,201 | 178,415 | 225,120 | ||||||||||
| Assets | 2,493,840 | 2,373,374 | 2,156,774 | ||||||||||
| At year end | |||||||||||||
| Securities | $ | 939,576 | $ | 972,802 | $ | 1,116,265 | |||||||
| Gross loans | 1,415,363 | 1,194,616 | 1,068,831 | ||||||||||
| Deposits | 2,122,055 | 2,118,003 | 2,052,294 | ||||||||||
| Borrowings | 200,000 | 50,000 | 50,000 | ||||||||||
| Subordinated debt | 35,507 | 35,262 | 35,017 | ||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | 195,634 | 168,874 | 221,669 | ||||||||||
| Assets | 2,576,706 | 2,385,915 | 2,366,682 | ||||||||||
| Selected financial ratios | |||||||||||||
| Return on average assets | 0.85 | % | 1.00 | % | 1.02 | % | |||||||
| Return on average shareholders' equity | 12.00 | 13.25 | 9.79 | ||||||||||
| Cash dividend payout as a percentage of net income | 37.21 | 32.06 | 32.67 | ||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity to assets (at year end) | 7.59 | 7.08 | 9.37 |
19
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Summary
ChoiceOne's net income for 2023 was $21.3 million, compared to $23.6 million in 2022. Diluted earnings per share were $2.82 in the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, compared to $3.15 per share in the twelve months ended December 31, 2022.
ChoiceOne's asset mix has shifted from loans held for investment of 56.2% of deposits at December 31, 2022 to 66.5% of deposits at December 31, 2023. Total assets increased by $190.8 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. As a result of the change in asset mix and increase in total assets, interest income increased $23.9 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. This increase was driven by core loan growth of $201.5 million or 16.9%, which was partially offset by a decrease in investment securities of $33.2 million. Loans to other financial institutions, consisting of a warehouse line of credit, increased $19.4 million during the full year 2023.
Deposits, excluding brokered deposits, decreased $17.7 million or 0.8% as of December 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022. The decrease in deposits since December 31, 2022 was largely concentrated in the first quarter of 2023 as a result of a combination of customers using cash on hand for debt payoffs, seasonal tax and municipal bond payments, and customers seeking higher rates in money market securities or other investments. Deposits grew in the third and fourth quarters of 2023 due to new business, recapture of deposit losses, and some seasonality in municipal balances. ChoiceOne continues to be proactive in managing its liquidity position by using brokered deposits, the Bank Term Funding Program ("BTFP"), and FHLB advances to ensure ample liquidity. At December 31, 2023, total available borrowing capacity from all sources was $933.3 million.
The increase in short term interest rates has led to higher deposit costs, which rose to 1.14% in 2023 compared to 0.27% in 2022 as deposits reprice and customers shift to CD and other interest bearing products. This trend is likely to persist. ChoiceOne is taking active measures to control these costs and expects to continue to pay lower rates on deposits than the federal funds rate. Interest expense on borrowings for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, increased $7.2 million, compared to the same period in the prior year, due to increases in borrowing amounts and interest rates. Borrowings include $170 million from the BTFP and $30 million of FHLB borrowings at a weighted average fixed rate of 4.7%. Total cost of funds increased to 1.44% in 2023 compared to 0.35% in 2022.
ChoiceOne adopted CECL effective January 1, 2023 using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost and off-balance sheet credit exposures. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2023 are presented under CECL while prior period amounts are reported in accordance with the incurred loss accounting standard. The transition adjustment of the CECL adoption included an increase in the ACL of $7.2 million, which included a $5.5 million decrease to the retained earnings account to reflect the cumulative effect of adopting CECL on our Consolidated Balance Sheet, with the $1.5 million tax impact portion being recorded as part of the deferred tax asset in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. The transition adjustment of the CECL adoption included an additional ACL on unfunded commitments of $3.3 million, which included a $2.6 million decrease to the retained earnings account to reflect the cumulative effect of adopting CECL on our Consolidated Balance Sheet, with the $688,000 tax impact portion being recorded as part of the deferred tax asset in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
The provision for credit losses expense on loans was $1.3 million in the full year 2023, due to the significant growth of core loans. Core loan growth was offset by improvements in the Federal Open Market Committee ("FOMC") forecast and certain payoffs of watch loans during the full year 2023. The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to total loans (excluding loans held for sale) was 1.11% on December 31, 2023 compared to 1.24% on January 1, 2023. Asset quality continues to remain strong, with annualized net loan charge-offs to average loans of 0.03% and nonperforming loans to total loans (excluding loans held for sale) of 0.14% as of December 31, 2023.
Purchased loans carry approximately $2.5 million of accretable yield, which will be recognized into income over the remaining life of the loans, approximately two to four years.
20
Noninterest Income
Noninterest income rose by $834,000 in the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase was largely due to reduced losses on the sale of securities and a decline in the change in market value of equity securities. This was partially offset by the decline in gains on sales of loans in 2023 compared to 2022. With the rapid rise in interest rates, mortgage refinancing activity slowed in 2023 and the rate environment for purchased mortgage loans became increasingly competitive. In addition, ChoiceOne recorded a BOLI claim of $274,000 in December of 2022, which was not repeated in 2023.
Noninterest Expense
Noninterest expense increased $1.6 million or 3.0% in the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. The increase in total noninterest expense was largely related to inflationary pressures on employee wages and benefits and increases to FDIC insurance, partially offset by lower occupancy and data processing costs. As part of its ongoing optimization strategy, ChoiceOne intends to consolidate two of its branches by March 2024. Customers who currently use these branches will be able to access nearby ChoiceOne locations that offer the same level of service and convenience. ChoiceOne anticipates a low impact on customer retention and expects to save around $700,000 annually from this decision. Management continues to seek out ways to manage costs, but also recognizes the value of investing in innovation and attracting the best talent in our industry to compete effectively in our markets.
Dividends
Cash dividends of $7.9 million or $1.05 per common share were declared in 2023 compared to $7.6 million or $1.01 per common share in 2022. The dividend yield for ChoiceOne’s common stock was 3.58% as of the end of 2023, compared to 3.48% as of the end of 2022. The cash dividend payout as a percentage of net income was 37% as of December 31, 2023, compared to 32% as of December 31, 2022.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense was $288,000 higher in 2023 than in 2022. The effective tax rate was 16.8% for the year ended 2023 compared to 14.5% for the same period in 2022. During 2023, nontaxable municipal interest decreased and disallowed interest expense increased compared to the year ended 2022. For further details, refer to Note 12 - Income Taxes of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report.
21
Table 1 – Average Balances and Tax-Equivalent Interest Rates
Tables 1 and 2 on the following pages provide information regarding interest income and expense for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021. Table 1 documents ChoiceOne’s average balances and interest income and expense, as well as the average rates earned or paid on assets and liabilities. Table 2 documents the effect on interest income and expense of changes in volume (average balance) and interest rates.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | Average | Average | Average | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance | Interest | Rate | Balance | Interest | Rate | Balance | Interest | Rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (1) (3)(4)(5)(6) | $ | 1,265,261 | $ | 68,437 | 5.41 | % | $ | 1,104,030 | $ | 52,861 | 4.79 | % | $ | 1,040,430 | $ | 48,672 | 4.62 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable securities (2)(6) | 747,006 | 21,169 | 2.83 | 779,915 | 15,583 | 2.00 | 599,902 | 10,260 | 2.13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nontaxable securities (1) | 295,553 | 7,106 | 2.40 | 314,644 | 7,790 | 2.48 | 269,886 | 7,098 | 3.02 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 70,826 | 3,797 | 5.36 | 34,255 | 491 | 1.43 | 68,879 | 84 | 0.37 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets | 2,378,646 | 100,509 | 4.23 | 2,232,844 | 76,725 | 3.44 | 1,979,097 | 66,114 | 3.83 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-earning assets | 115,194 | 140,530 | 177,677 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 2,493,840 | $ | 2,373,374 | $ | 2,156,774 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand deposits | $ | 852,927 | $ | 10,028 | 1.18 | % | $ | 902,090 | $ | 3,514 | 0.39 | % | $ | 791,886 | $ | 1,797 | 0.23 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Savings deposits | 370,074 | 1,609 | 0.43 | 452,542 | 711 | 0.16 | 398,969 | 551 | 0.14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 306,999 | 10,621 | 3.46 | 196,063 | 1,618 | 0.83 | 186,898 | 957 | 0.51 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brokered deposit | 35,044 | 1,732 | 4.94 | 103 | 2 | 2.48 | - | - | 0.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | 141,507 | 6,818 | 4.82 | 13,537 | 410 | 3.02 | 5,465 | 101 | 1.86 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debentures | 35,382 | 1,636 | 4.62 | 35,211 | 1,491 | 4.23 | 12,841 | 571 | 4.45 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 12,258 | 651 | 5.31 | - | - | 0.00 | - | - | 0.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities | 1,754,191 | 33,095 | 1.89 | 1,599,546 | 7,746 | 0.48 | 1,396,059 | 3,977 | 0.28 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits | 546,926 | 582,992 | 527,876 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other noninterest-bearing liabilities | 15,522 | 12,421 | 7,719 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 2,316,639 | 2,194,959 | 1,931,654 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | 177,201 | 178,415 | 225,120 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 2,493,840 | $ | 2,373,374 | $ | 2,156,774 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) (Non-GAAP) (1) | $ | 67,415 | $ | 68,979 | $ | 62,137 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis) (Non-GAAP) (1) | 2.83 | % | 3.09 | % | 3.14 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation to Reported Net Interest Income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) (Non-GAAP) (1) | $ | 67,415 | $ | 68,979 | $ | 62,137 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjustment for taxable equivalent interest | (1,530 | ) | (1,665 | ) | (1513 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income (GAAP) | $ | 65,885 | $ | 67,314 | $ | 60,624 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin (GAAP) | 2.77 | % | 3.01 | % | 3.08 | % |
(1)
Adjusted to a fully tax-equivalent basis to facilitate comparison to the taxable interest-earning assets. The adjustment uses an incremental tax rate of 21%. The presentation of these measures on a tax-equivalent basis is not in accordance with GAAP, but is customary in the banking industry. These non-GAAP measures ensure comparability with respect to both taxable and tax-exempt loans and securities.
(2)
Interest on taxable securities includes dividends on Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock.
(3)
Loans include both loans to other financial institutions and loans held for sale.
(4)
Non-accruing loan and PPP loan balances are included in the balances of average loans. Non-accruing loan average balances were $1.6 million, $1.3 million, and $3.3 million for the year ended 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. PPP loan average balances were $0, $8.7 million, $95.9 million for the year ended 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
(5)
Interest on loans included net origination fees, accretion income, and PPP fees. Accretion income was $1.7 million, $2.0 million, and $1.1 million for the full year 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. PPP fees were approximately $0, $1.2 million, and $5.2 million for the full year 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
(6)
Interest income for 2023 was reduced by $2.8 million due to amortization expense related to the March 2023 sale of the pay floating swap derivative.
22
Table 2 – Changes in Tax-Equivalent Net Interest Income
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in thousands) | 2023 Over 2022 | 2022 Over 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | Volume | Rate | Total | Volume | Rate | |||||||||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in interest income (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (2) | $ | 15,576 | $ | 8,264 | $ | 7,312 | $ | 4,189 | $ | 3,026 | $ | 1,163 | ||||||||||||
| Taxable securities | 5,586 | (682 | ) | 6,268 | 5,323 | 3,410 | 1,913 | |||||||||||||||||
| Nontaxable securities (2) | (684 | ) | (455 | ) | (229 | ) | 692 | 1,126 | (434 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 3,306 | 925 | 2,381 | 407 | (62 | ) | 469 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net change in interest income | $ | 23,784 | $ | 8,052 | $ | 15,732 | $ | 10,611 | $ | 7,500 | $ | 3,111 | ||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in interest expense (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand deposits | $ | 6,514 | $ | (202 | ) | $ | 6,716 | $ | 1,717 | $ | 279 | $ | 1,438 | |||||||||||
| Savings deposits | 898 | (152 | ) | 1,050 | 159 | 79 | 80 | |||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 9,003 | 1,364 | 7,639 | 664 | 50 | 614 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Brokered deposit | 1,730 | 1,725 | 5 | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | 6,408 | 6,029 | 379 | 309 | 217 | 92 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debentures | 145 | 7 | 138 | 920 | 948 | (28 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Other | 651 | 651 | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net change in interest expense | $ | 25,349 | $ | 9,422 | $ | 15,927 | $ | 3,769 | $ | 1,573 | $ | 2,196 | ||||||||||||
| Net change in tax-equivalent net interest income | $ | (1,565 | ) | $ | (1,370 | ) | $ | (195 | ) | $ | 6,841 | $ | 5,927 | $ | 915 |
(1)
The volume variance is computed as the change in volume (average balance) multiplied by the previous year’s interest rate. The rate variance is computed as the change in interest rate multiplied by the previous year’s volume (average balance). The change in interest due to both volume and rate has been allocated to the volume and rate changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each.
(2)
Interest on tax-exempt securities and loans has been adjusted to a fully tax-equivalent basis using an incremental tax rate of 21% for 2023, 2022, and 2021.
Net Interest Income
Tax-equivalent net interest income declined $1.6 million for the full year 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. The Federal Reserve increased the federal funds rate by 5.25% from March 31, 2022 to September 30, 2023 in response to published inflation rates. This increased rates on newly originated loans and rates paid on deposits and led to a net decline in tax equivalent net interest margin of 26 basis points in 2023 compared to 2022. GAAP based net interest margin declined 24 basis points in 2023 compared to 2022.
The following table presents the cost of deposits and the cost of funds for the years ended December 31, 2023, December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Cost of deposits | 1.14 | % | 0.27 | % | 0.17 | % | ||||||
| Cost of funds | 1.44 | % | 0.35 | % | 0.21 | % |
ChoiceOne has experienced substantial core loan growth from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023, leading to an increase in interest income from loans of $15.6 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in the prior year. Average core loans grew $161.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in the prior year. In addition, the average rate earned on loans increased 62 basis points for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase in interest income from loans and the average rate increase on loans was muted by a decline in PPP fees and an increase in expense related to derivatives in the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. PPP fee income in 2023 was $0 compared to $1.2 million in 2022. Interest income on loans for 2023 was reduced by $2.1 million due to amortization expense related to the March 2023 sale of the pay floating swap derivative.
The average balance of total securities decreased $52.0 million in 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. The decrease was due to the paydowns, maturities, and redemptions during 2023. The average rate earned on securities increased 58 basis points for the full year
23
2023, compared to the same period in the prior year. Interest income on securities for 2023 was reduced by $709,000 due to amortization expense related to the March 2023 sale of the pay floating swap derivative.
Interest expense increased $25.3 million for the full year 2023, compared to the same period in the prior year. The average rate paid on interest bearing-demand deposits and savings deposits increased 64 basis points in the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in the prior year. This was offset by the decline in the average balance of interest bearing-demand deposits and savings deposits, of $131.6 million during 2023. The increase in the average balance of certificates of deposit of $110.9 million during 2023, combined with a 263 basis point increase in the rate paid on certificates of deposits during 2023, compared to the same period in the prior year, led to an increase in interest expense of $9.0 million during 2023.
In order to bolster liquidity, ChoiceOne borrowed $170.0 million from the Bank Term Funding Program ("BTFP") during the second and fourth quarter of 2023 and currently holds $23.4 million in brokered deposits and $30.0 million in FHLB advances on December 31, 2023. The net effect of these additional borrowed funds and brokered deposits was an increase in interest expense of $8.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022.
In September 2021, ChoiceOne completed a private placement of $32.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.25% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2031. In addition, ChoiceOne holds certain subordinated debentures issued in connection with a trust preferred securities offering that were obtained as part of the merger with Community Shores. The average balance of subordinated debentures was relatively flat in 2023 compared to the same period in the prior year.
Provision and Allowance For Credit Losses
Table 3 – Provision and Allowance For Credit Losses
24
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses at beginning of year | $ | 7,619 | $ | 7,688 | $ | 7,593 | |||||||
| Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle | 7,165 | - | - | ||||||||||
| Charge-offs: | |||||||||||||
| Agricultural | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | 158 | 177 | 195 | ||||||||||
| Consumer | 554 | 496 | 370 | ||||||||||
| Real estate - commercial | - | - | 111 | ||||||||||
| Real estate - construction | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| Real estate - residential | 27 | - | - | ||||||||||
| Total | 739 | 673 | 676 | ||||||||||
| Recoveries: | |||||||||||||
| Agricultural | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | 66 | 143 | 86 | ||||||||||
| Consumer | 283 | 206 | 214 | ||||||||||
| Real estate - commercial | 13 | 3 | 48 | ||||||||||
| Real estate - construction | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| Real estate - residential | 13 | 2 | 7 | ||||||||||
| Total | 375 | 354 | 355 | ||||||||||
| Net charge-offs (recoveries) | 364 | 319 | 321 | ||||||||||
| Provision for credit losses | 1,265 | 250 | 416 | ||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses at end of year | $ | 15,685 | $ | 7,619 | $ | 7,688 | |||||||
| Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of: | |||||||||||||
| Total loans as of year end | 1.11 | % | 0.64 | % | 0.76 | % | |||||||
| Nonaccrual loans, accrual loans past due 90 days or more and troubled debt restructurings | 820 | % | 286 | % | 139 | % | |||||||
| Ratio of net charge-offs during the period to average loans outstanding during the period | 0.03 | % | 0.03 | % | 0.03 | % | |||||||
| Loan recoveries as a percentage of prior year's charge-offs | 56 | % | 52 | % | 47 | % |
On January 1, 2023, ChoiceOne adopted ASU 2016-13 CECL which caused an increase in the allowance for credit losses ("ACL") of $7.2 million. The large increase was partially due to the economic environment and the nature of the CECL calculation. Approximately 20% of this increase was related to the migration of purchased loans into the portfolio assessed by the CECL calculation. ChoiceOne also booked a liability for expected credit losses on unfunded loans and other commitments of $3.3 million related to the adoption of CECL. These unfunded loans are open credit lines with current customers and loans approved by ChoiceOne but not funded. The increase in the ACL and the cost of the liability resulted in a decrease in the retained earnings account on our Consolidated Balance Sheet equal to the after-tax impact, with the tax impact portion being recorded in deferred taxes in our Consolidated Balance Sheet in accordance with FASB guidance.
The ACL consists of general and specific components. The general component covers loans collectively evaluated for credit loss and is based on peer historical loss experience adjusted for current and forecasted factors. Management's adjustment for current and forecasted factors is based on trends in delinquencies, trends in charge-offs and recoveries, trends in the volume of loans, changes in underwriting standards, trends in loan review findings, the experience and ability of lending staff, and a reasonable and supportable economic forecast described further below.
The determination of our loss factors is based, in part, upon benchmark peer loss history adjusted for qualitative factors that, in management's judgment, affect the collectability of the portfolio as of the analysis date. ChoiceOne's lookback period of benchmark peer net charge-off history was from January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2019 for this analysis.
Loans individually evaluated for credit losses decreased by $767,000 to $2.1 million during the full year ended December 31, 2023, and the ACL related to these individually evaluated loans decreased by $93,000 during the same period largely due to the balance change and relationships that paid off in full during the fourth quarter of 2023.
25
Nonperforming loans, which includes Other Real Estate Owned ("OREO") but excludes performing troubled loan modifications ("TLM") and troubled debt restructuring ("TDR") loans, remained historically low during 2023 and were $1.9 million as of December 31, 2023, compared to $1.3 million as of December 31, 2022. The ACL was 1.11% of total loans, excluding loans held for sale, at December 31, 2023, compared to 1.24% as of January 1, 2023 (the CECL adoption date) and 0.64% at December 31, 2022. The liability for expected credit losses on unfunded loans and other commitments was $2.2 million on December 31, 2023, compared to $3.3 million as of January 1, 2023 (the CECL adoption date).
Net charge-offs were $364,000 during the full year 2023, compared to net charge-offs of $319,000 during the same period in 2022. Net charge-offs for checking accounts during the full year 2023 were $226,000 compared to $246,000 for the same period in the prior year. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans were 0.03% during the full year 2023 and 2022.
The provision for credit losses was $1.3 million during the full year 2023, compared to $250,000 in the same period in the prior year. The provision expense was deemed necessary due to the impact of substantial core loan growth partially offset by improvements in the FOMC forecast for unemployment and GDP growth. The FOMC forecast for change in real GDP (2023) improved from 0.5% in December of 2022 to 2.6% in December of 2023 while the unemployment rate forecast (2023) improved from 4.6% in December 2022 to 3.8% in December 2023.
The loan provision expense was offset by the decrease in unfunded commitments provision expense of $1.1 million in the full year 2023 due to changes in mix and expected funding rates during the year. Total unfunded commitments decreased $17.6 million in the full year 2023 compared to January 1, 2023.
Net provision for credit losses was $150,000 for the full year 2023.
26
Financial Condition
Summary
Total assets grew $190.8 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. Core loans grew $201.5 million or 16.9% and were offset by a decline in investment securities of $33.2 million. Deposits, excluding brokered deposits, declined by $17.7 million during 2023, while borrowings increased by $150.0 million to fund loan demand and ensure ample liquidity. Deposit costs rose steadily during the year with larger increases coming in the second and third quarters as competition and rate increases amplified.
Securities
The Company’s securities balances as of December 31 were as follows:
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| Equity securities | $ | 7,505 | $ | 8,566 | ||
| Available for Sale Securities at fair value | ||||||
| U.S. Government and federal agency | $ | - | $ | - | ||
| U.S. Treasury notes and bonds | 80,194 | 78,204 | ||||
| State and municipal | 234,682 | 229,938 | ||||
| Mortgage-backed | 188,501 | 208,563 | ||||
| Corporate | 204 | 711 | ||||
| Asset-backed securities | 11,017 | 12,333 | ||||
| Total | $ | 514,598 | $ | 529,749 | ||
| Held to Maturity Securities at amortized cost | ||||||
| U.S. Government and federal agency | $ | 2,972 | $ | 2,966 | ||
| U.S. Treasury notes and bonds | - | - | ||||
| State and municipal | 196,098 | 201,890 | ||||
| Mortgage-backed | 188,329 | 200,473 | ||||
| Corporate | 20,013 | 19,603 | ||||
| Asset-backed securities | 547 | 974 | ||||
| Total | $ | 407,959 | $ | 425,906 |
Total investment securities declined $34.2 million from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023. ChoiceOne purchased $7.1 million of securities in 2023. This was offset by the liquidation of $4.8 million in securities during 2023, resulting in a $71,000 realized loss. Securities totaling $11.5 million were called or matured in 2023. ChoiceOne received principal payments for municipal and mortgage-backed securities totaling $37.4 million during 2023.
At December 31, 2023, the Company had $128.9 million in unrealized losses on its investment securities, including $69.7 million in unrealized losses on available for sale securities and $59.2 million in unrealized losses on held to maturity securities. Unrealized losses on corporate and municipal bonds have not been recognized into income because management believes the issuers are of high credit quality, and management does not intend to sell prior to their anticipated recovery, and the decline in fair value is largely due to changes in interest rates and other market conditions. The issuers continue to make timely principal and interest payments on the bonds. The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach maturity.
ChoiceOne utilizes interest rate derivatives as part of its asset liability management strategy to help manage its interest rate risk position. In order to hedge the risk of rising rates and unrealized losses on securities resulting from the rising rates, ChoiceOne currently holds pay fixed, receive variable interest rate swaps with a total notional value of $401.0 million. These derivative instruments increase in value as long-term interest rates rise, which partially offsets the reduction in shareholders' equity due to unrealized losses on securities available for sale. Refer to Note 8 - Derivatives and Hedging Activities of the consolidated financial statements for more discussion on ChoiceOne’s derivative position.
Equity securities included a money market preferred security ("MMP") of $1.0 million and common stock of $6.5 million as of December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2022, equity securities included a MMP of $1.0 million and common stock of $7.6 million. The decline compared to December 31, 2022 was due to the sale of an equity position during the third quarter.
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Per U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, unrealized gains or losses on securities available for sale are reflected on the balance sheet in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), while unrealized gains or losses on securities held to maturity are not reflected on the balance sheet in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Loans
The Company’s loan portfolio by call report code was as follows:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in thousands) | Call Report Codes | Balance | % | Balance | % | |||||||||
| Construction & Development Loans | 1A2 | 112,877 | 8.0 | % | 55,426 | 4.7 | % | |||||||
| 1-4 Family Loans | 1A1, 1C1, 1C2A, 1C2B | 347,036 | 24.6 | % | 287,208 | 24.1 | % | |||||||
| Multifamily Loans | 1D | 56,563 | 4.0 | % | 44,053 | 3.7 | % | |||||||
| Owner Occupied CRE Loans | 1E1 | 281,515 | 20.0 | % | 266,652 | 22.4 | % | |||||||
| Non-Owner Occupied CRE Loans | 1E2 | 298,265 | 21.1 | % | 220,779 | 18.6 | % | |||||||
| Commercial & Industrial Loans | 2A2, 4A | 219,849 | 15.6 | % | 205,117 | 17.2 | % | |||||||
| Farm & Agriculture Loans | 1B, 3 | 46,515 | 3.3 | % | 59,918 | 5.0 | % | |||||||
| Consumer & Other Loans | 6B, 6C, 6D, 8, 9b2,10B | 48,033 | 3.4 | % | 50,629 | 4.3 | % | |||||||
| Total Loans | 1,410,653 | 1,189,782 |
Core loans, which exclude held for sale loans, and loans to other financial institutions, grew organically by $201.5 million in 2023. We have expanded our commercial lending team and improved our commercial loan process with automation. This has increased our commercial loan pipeline and growth. Our loan portfolio grew in various segments during 2023: non-owner occupied CRE loans ($77.5 million), 1-4 Family loans ($59.8 million), and construction & development loans ($57.5 million). The growth in non-owner occupied CRE loans came from our loan production offices in Holland, MI, Oakland, MI, Wyoming, MI and Macomb, MI, as experienced lenders were hired there in the past 18 months. CRE growth consisted of increases in seasoned hospitality groups, apartment buildings in the Grand Rapids, Michigan market, and professional office space in suburban areas with long-term leases and low loan to value ratios. 1-4 family loans grew as the 5/1 ARM product became popular as a mortgage option and it is less salable into the secondary market than more traditional mortgage options. The growth in construction and development loans included some apartment projects in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a healthy market with a low vacancy rate of 3.1% in 2023, according to Moody's Analytics REIS. These gains were partly offset by declines in farm & agricultural loans ($13.4 million) and consumer loans ($2.6 million) in the year ended December 31, 2023.
Loans to other financial institutions increased $19.4 million from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023. Loans to other financial institutions is comprised of a warehouse line of credit to facilitate mortgage loan originations, and interest rates fluctuate with the national mortgage market. This balance is short term in nature with an average life of under 30 days. Management believes the short-term structure and low credit risk of this asset is advantageous in the current rate environment. ChoiceOne had elected to suspend this program in 2022 and restarted the program in June of 2023. Since restarting the program, ChoiceOne has earned an interest rate of approximately 7.9% on loans to other financial institutions.
ChoiceOne recorded accretion income related to acquired loans in the amount of $1.7 million in 2023 and $2.0 million during 2022. Remaining credit and yield mark on acquired loans from the mergers with County Bank Corp. and Community Shores will accrete into income as the acquired loans mature. ChoiceOne estimates that roughly $2.5 million will accrete into income over the next two to four years.
As part of its review of the loan portfolio, management also monitors the various nonperforming loans. Nonperforming loans are comprised of loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis, loans not included in nonaccrual loans, which are contractually past due 90 days or more as to interest or principal payments, and troubled loan modifications which are accruing and initiated in the past year. It is noted that prior to January 1, 2023, loans classified as troubled debt restructurings that were not performing as of December 31, 2022 are included in the table below.
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The balances of these nonperforming loans as of December 31 were as follows:
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| Loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis | $ | 1,723 | $ | 1,263 | ||
| Loans contractually past due 90 days or more as to principal or interest payments | - | - | ||||
| Loans modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty at December 31, 2023 and troubled debt restructurings as of December 31, 2022. | 189 | 1,404 | ||||
| Total | $ | 1,912 | $ | 2,667 |
Nonaccrual loans included $1.7 million in residential real estate loans as of December 31, 2023, compared to $1.3 million in residential real estate loans as of December 31, 2022. Loans considered troubled loan modifications which were not on a nonaccrual basis and were not 90 days or more past due as to principal or interest payments consisted of $60,000 in commercial and industrial loans and $129,000 in residential real estate loans at December 31, 2023, compared to troubled debt restructured loans which were not performing were $3,000 in agricultural loans, $58,000 in commercial and industrial loans, $131,000 in commercial real estate loans and $1.2 million in residential real estate loans at December 31, 2022.
Management also maintains a list of loans that are not classified as nonperforming loans but where some concern exists as to the borrowers’ abilities to comply with the original loan terms. There were 22 loans totaling $357,000 fitting this description as of December 31, 2023, and 10 loans totaling $180,000 fitting this description as of December 31, 2022.
Deposits and Other Funding Sources
The Company’s deposit balances as of December 31 were as follows:
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| Noninterest-bearing demand deposits | $ | 547,625 | $ | 599,579 | ||
| Interest-bearing demand deposits | 599,681 | 638,641 | ||||
| Money market deposits | 247,602 | 214,026 | ||||
| Savings deposits | 336,851 | 427,583 | ||||
| Local certificates of deposit | 366,851 | 236,431 | ||||
| Brokered certificates of deposit | 23,445 | 1,743 | ||||
| Total deposits | $ | 2,122,055 | $ | 2,118,003 |
Deposits, excluding brokered deposits, increased by $14.7 million or an annualized 2.8% in the fourth quarter of 2023 and decreased $17.7 million or 0.8% as of December 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022. The decrease in deposits since December 31, 2022 was largely concentrated in the first quarter of 2023 as a result of a combination of customers using cash on hand for debt payoffs, seasonal tax and municipal bond payments, and customers seeking higher rates in money market securities or other investments. Deposits grew in the third and fourth quarters of 2023 due to new business, recapture of deposit losses, and some seasonality in municipal balances. ChoiceOne continues to be proactive in managing its liquidity position by using brokered deposits, the Bank Term Funding Program ("BTFP"), and FHLB advances to ensure ample liquidity.
At December 31, 2023, total available borrowing capacity from all sources was $933.3 million. Total deposits exceeding the FDIC insured limit of $250,000 for individual and $500,000 for joint accounts were $769.7 million or 36.3% of deposits at December 31, 2023, compared to $823.2 million, or 38.9% of total deposits at December 31, 2022. Core deposits, which we define as insured branch deposits less certificates of deposit, totaled $823.2 million or 38.8% of total deposits at December 31, 2023.
The increase in short term interest rates has led to higher deposit costs, which rose to 1.57% in the last quarter of 2023, compared to 1.36% in the previous quarter and 0.47% in the fourth quarter of 2022. Deposit costs were 1.14% for the full year 2023, compared to 0.27% for the full year 2022, as deposits reprice and customers shift to CD and other interest bearing products. This trend is likely to persist. ChoiceOne is taking active measures to control these costs and expects to continue to pay lower rates on deposits than the federal funds rate. Interest expense on borrowings for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, increased $7.2 million, compared to the same period in the prior year, due to increases in borrowing amounts and interest rates. Borrowings include $170 million from the BTFP and $30 million of FHLB borrowings at a weighted average fixed rate of 4.7% at December 31, 2023. Total cost of funds increased to
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1.91% in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to 1.70% in the third quarter of 2023 and 0.59% in the fourth quarter of 2022. Total cost of funds was 1.44% for the full year 2023, compared to 0.35% for the full year 2022.
In September 2021, ChoiceOne completed a private placement of $32.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.25% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2031. ChoiceOne used a portion of net proceeds from the private placement to redeem senior debt, fund common stock repurchases, and support bank-level capital ratios. ChoiceOne also holds $3.2 million in subordinated debentures issued in connection with a $4.5 million trust preferred securities offering, which were obtained in the merger with Community Shores, offset by the mark-to-market adjustment.
Shareholders’ Equity
Shareholders’ equity totaled $195.6 million as of December 31, 2023, up from $168.9 million as of December 31, 2022. This increase is due to retained earnings increasing $5.3 million due to earnings and a reduction in accumulated other compressive loss (AOCI) of $20.2 million. The improvement in AOCI, despite the rise in interest rates, is due to both the shortening duration and maturing (paydowns) of the securities portfolio, as well as an offsetting increase in unrealized gain of the pay-fixed swap derivatives. ChoiceOne Bank remains “well-capitalized” with a total risk-based capital ratio of 12.4% as of December 31, 2023, compared to 13.0% on December 31, 2022.
ChoiceOne uses interest rate swaps to manage interest rate exposure to certain fixed assets and variable rate liabilities. On December 31, 2023, ChoiceOne had pay-fixed interest rate swaps with a total notional value of $401.0 million, a weighted average coupon of 3.07%, a fair value of $8.9 million and an average contract length of 8 to 9 years. These derivative instruments increase in value as long-term interest rates rise, which partially offsets the reduction in equity due to unrealized losses on securities available for sale. Included in the total is $200.0 million of forward starting pay-fixed, receive floating interest rate swaps used to hedge interest bearing liabilities. These forward starting swaps will pay a fixed coupon of 2.75% while receiving SOFR starting in late April 2024. At the current SOFR rate of 5.38%, these forward starting swaps would contribute approximately $438,000 monthly starting in May 2024 which will partially offset interest expense. In addition, in March 2023, ChoiceOne eliminated all receive-fixed, pay floating swap agreements for a cash payment of $4.2 million. The loss is being amortized in interest income with an expense of approximately $273,000 monthly through April 2024, which was the remaining period of the agreements.
On January 1, 2023, ChoiceOne adopted ASU 2016-13 CECL which caused an increase in the ACL of $7.2 million and booked a liability for expected credit losses on unfunded loans and other commitments of $3.3 million. The increase in the ACL and the cost of the liability resulted in a decrease in retained earnings on our consolidated balance sheet equal to the after-tax impact, with the tax impact portion being recorded in deferred taxes in our consolidated balance sheet in accordance with FASB guidance.
Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements presents regulatory capital information for ChoiceOne and the Bank at the end of 2023 and 2022. Management will monitor these capital ratios during 2024 as they relate to asset growth and earnings retention. ChoiceOne’s Board of Directors and management do not plan to allow capital to decrease below those levels necessary to be considered "well capitalized" by regulatory guidelines.
Table 4 – Contractual Obligations
The following table discloses information regarding the maturity of ChoiceOne’s contractual obligations at December 31, 2023:
| Payment Due by Period | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less | More | |||||||||||||||||
| than | 1 - 3 | 3 - 5 | than | |||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | Total | 1 year | Years | Years | 5 Years | |||||||||||||
| Time deposits | $ | 390,296 | $ | 351,516 | $ | 33,659 | $ | 4,855 | $ | 266 | ||||||||
| Borrowings | 200,000 | 170,000 | 30,000 | - | - | |||||||||||||
| ChoiceOne Capital Trust (1) | 4,500 | - | - | - | 4,500 | |||||||||||||
| ChoiceOne Subordinated Debenture (2) | 32,500 | - | - | - | 32,500 | |||||||||||||
| Operating leases | 777 | 314 | 398 | 65 | - | |||||||||||||
| Other obligations | 94 | 51 | 20 | 18 | 5 | |||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 628,167 | $ | 521,881 | $ | 64,077 | $ | 4,938 | $ | 37,271 |
(1)
Cumulative preferred securities on the balance sheet include $1.1 million of discount due to a mark to market adjustment which is not reflected in the table above.
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(2)
ChoiceOne subordinated debenture on the balance sheet includes $385,000 of capitalized issuance cost which is not reflected in the table above.
Liquidity and Interest Rate Risk
Net cash provided by operating activities was $46.5 million in 2023 compared to $45.0 million in 2022. The change was due to lower net proceeds from loan sales and an increase in other assets in 2023 compared to 2022. Net cash used in investing activities was $181.4 million in 2023 compared to $90.5 million in 2022. ChoiceOne had loan originations and payments of $221.2 million in the full year 2023, compared to $130.6 million in the same period in the prior year. Net cash provided by financing activities was $146.4 million in 2023, compared to $57.5 million in 2022. ChoiceOne had net cash from borrowings of $150.0 million in the full year 2023, compared to $0 in the full year 2022.
ChoiceOne's market risk exposure occurs in the form of interest rate risk and liquidity risk. ChoiceOne's business is transacted in U.S. dollars with no foreign exchange risk exposure. Agricultural loans comprise a relatively small portion of ChoiceOne's total assets. Management believes that ChoiceOne's exposure to changes in commodity prices is insignificant.
Liquidity risk deals with ChoiceOne's ability to meet its cash flow requirements. These requirements include depositors desiring to withdraw funds and borrowers seeking credit. Longer-term liquidity needs may be met through core deposit growth, maturities of and cash flows from investment securities, normal loan repayments, advances from the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank, brokered certificates of deposit, and income retention. ChoiceOne had $170.0 million in outstanding borrowings from the Federal Reserve’s Bank Term Funding Program (BTFP) as of December 31, 2023 and $30.0 million in outstanding borrowings at the FHLB as of December 31, 2023. ChoiceOne elected to restructure the BTFP balance of $170 million in January 2024 in order to take advantage of lower rates and extend the maturity. The acceptance of brokered certificates of deposit is not limited as long as the Bank is categorized as “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines. At December 31, 2023, total available borrowing capacity from the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank was $933.3 million.
ChoiceOne continues to review its liquidity management and has taken steps in an effort to ensure adequacy. These steps include limiting bond purchases in 2023, pledging securities to FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank in order to increase borrowing capacity and using alternative funding sources such as brokered deposits.
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NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
This report contains financial measures that are not defined in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Management believes this non-GAAP financial measure provides additional information that is useful to investors in helping to understand the underlying financial performance of ChoiceOne.
Non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations. Readers should be aware of these limitations and should be cautious with respect to the use of such measures. To compensate for these limitations, we use non-GAAP measures as comparative tools, together with GAAP measures, to assist in the evaluation of our operating performance or financial condition. Also, we ensure that these measures are calculated using the appropriate GAAP or regulatory components in their entirety and that they are computed in a manner intended to facilitate consistent period-to-period comparisons. ChoiceOne’s method of calculating these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from methods used by other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for those financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP or in-effect regulatory requirements.
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Critical Accounting Policies And Estimates
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations as well as disclosures found elsewhere in this report are based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near-term relate to the determination of the market value of securities, the amount of the allowance for credit losses, loan servicing rights, carrying value of goodwill, and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Allowance for Credit Losses ("ACL")
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This ASU (as subsequently amended by ASU 2018-19) significantly changed how entities measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. The standard replaced the former “incurred loss” approach with an “expected loss” model. The new model, referred to as the CECL model, applies to financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost, and certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. The standard also expands the disclosure requirements regarding an entity’s assumptions, models, and methods for estimating the ACL. In addition, entities need to disclose the amortized cost balance for each class of financial asset by credit quality indicator, disaggregated by the year of origination. A reasonable and supportable economic forecast is a key component of the CECL methodology.
ChoiceOne adopted CECL effective January 1, 2023 using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost and off-balance sheet credit exposures. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2023 are presented under CECL while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with the incurred loss accounting standards. The transition adjustment of the CECL adoption included an increase in the ACL of $7.2 million, which included a $5.5 million decrease to the retained earnings account to reflect the cumulative effect of adopting CECL on our Consolidated Balance Sheet, with the $1.5 million tax impact portion being recorded as part of the deferred tax asset in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. The transition adjustment of the CECL adoption included an additional ACL on unfunded commitments of $3.3 million, which included a $2.6 million decrease to the retained earnings account to reflect the cumulative effect of adopting CECL on our Consolidated Balance Sheet, with the $688,000 tax impact portion being recorded as part of the deferred tax asset in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
The ACL is a valuation allowance for expected credit losses. The ACL is increased by the provision for credit losses and decreased by loans charged off less any recoveries of charged off loans. As ChoiceOne has had very limited loss experience since 2011, management elected to utilize benchmark peer loss history data to estimate historical loss rates. ChoiceOne identified an appropriate peer group for each loan cohort which shared similar characteristics. Management estimates the ACL required based on the selected peer group loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, a reasonable and supportable economic forecast, and other factors. Allocations of the ACL may be made for specific loans, but the entire ACL is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off. Loan losses are charged against the ACL when management believes that collection of a loan balance is not possible.
The ACL consists of general and specific components. The general component covers loans collectively evaluated for credit losses and is based on peer historical loss experience adjusted for current and forecasted factors. Management's adjustment for current and forecasted factors is based on trends in delinquencies, trends in charge-offs and recoveries, trends in the volume of loans, changes in underwriting standards, trends in loan review findings, the experience and ability of lending staff, and a reasonable and supportable economic forecast described further below.
The discounted cash flow methodology is utilized for all loan pools. This methodology is supported by our CECL software provider and allows management to automatically calculate contractual life by factoring in all cash flows and adjusting them for behavioral and credit-related aspects.
Reasonable and supportable economic forecasts have to be incorporated in determining expected credit losses. The forecast period represents the time frame from the current period end through the point in time that we can reasonably forecast and support entity and environmental factors that are expected to impact the performance of our loan portfolio. Ideally, the economic forecast period would encompass the contractual terms of all loans; however, the ability to produce a forecast that is considered reasonable and supportable becomes more difficult or may not be possible in later periods. Subsequent to the end of the forecast period, we revert to historical loan data based on an ongoing evaluation of each economic forecast in relation to then current economic conditions as well as any developing loan loss activity and resulting historical data. As of December 31, 2023, we used a one-year reasonable and supportable economic forecast period, with a two year straight-line reversion period.
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We are not required to develop and use our own economic forecast model, and we elected to utilize economic forecasts from third-party providers that analyze and develop forecasts of the economy for the entire United States at least quarterly.
Other inputs to the calculation are also updated or reviewed quarterly. Prepayment speeds are updated on a one quarter lag based on the asset liability model from the previous quarter. This model is performed at the loan level. Curtailment is updated quarterly within the ACL model based on our peer group average. The reversion period is reviewed by management quarterly with consideration of the current economic climate. Prepayment speeds and curtailment were updated during the fourth quarter of 2023; however, the effect was insignificant.
We are also required to consider expected credit losses associated with loan commitments over the contractual period in which we are exposed to credit risk on the underlying commitments unless the obligation is unconditionally cancellable by us. Any allowance for off-balance sheet credit exposures is reported as an other liability on our Consolidated Balance Sheet and is increased or decreased via the provision for credit losses account on our Consolidated Statement of Income. The calculation includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and forecasted credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over their estimated lives. The allowance is calculated using the same aggregate reserve rates calculated for the funded portion of loans at the portfolio level applied to the amount of commitments expected to be funded.
Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis and are excluded from the collective evaluation. ChoiceOne has determined that any loans which have been placed on non-performing status, loans with a risk rating of 6 or higher, and loans past due more than 60 days will be assessed individually for evaluation. Management's judgment will be used to determine if the loan should be migrated back to pool on an individual basis. Individual analysis will establish a specific reserve for loans in scope. Specific reserves on non-performing loans are typically based on management’s best estimate of the fair value of collateral securing these loans, adjusted for selling costs as appropriate or based on the present value of the expected cash flows from that loan.
Allowance for Loan Losses
Prior to the adoption of CECL on January 1, 2023, management calculated the allowance for loan losses for the valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses. The allowance for loan losses is increased by the provision for loan losses and decreased by loans charged off less any recoveries of charged off loans. Management estimates the allowance for loan losses balance required based on past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions, and other factors. Allocations of the allowance for loan losses may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance for loan losses is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off. Loan losses are charged against the allowance for loan losses when management believes that collection of a loan balance is not possible.
The allowance for loan losses consists of general and specific components. The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors. The specific component relates to loans that are individually classified as impaired or loans otherwise classified as substandard or doubtful. The general component of management's estimate of the allowance for loan losses covers non-impaired loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors. Management's adjustment for current factors is based on trends in delinquencies, trends in charge-offs and recoveries, trends in the volume of loans, changes in underwriting standards, trends in loan review findings, experience and ability of lending staff, national and economic trends and conditions, industry conditions, trends in real estate values, and other conditions.
A loan is impaired when full payment under the loan terms is not expected. Troubled debt restructuring of loans is undertaken to improve the likelihood that the loan will be repaid in full under the modified terms in accordance with a reasonable repayment schedule. All modified loans are evaluated to determine whether the loans should be reported as Troubled Debt Restructurings ("TDR"). A loan is a TDR when the Bank, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower by modifying a loan. To make this determination, the Bank must determine whether (a) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and (b) the Bank granted the borrower a concession. This determination requires consideration of all facts and circumstances surrounding the modification. An overall general decline in the economy or some deterioration in a borrower’s financial condition does not automatically mean the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties. Commercial loans are evaluated for impairment on an individual loan basis. If a loan is considered impaired or if a loan has been classified as a TDR, a portion of the allowance for loan losses is allocated to the loan so that it is reported, net, at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate or at the fair value of collateral if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. Large groups of smaller-balance homogeneous loans such as consumer and residential real estate mortgage loans are collectively evaluated for impairment and, accordingly, they are not separately identified for impairment disclosures.
Securities
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Securities Available for Sale – For securities AFS in an unrealized loss position, management determines whether they intend to sell or if it is more likely than not that ChoiceOne will be required to sell the security before recovery of the 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 with an allowance being established under CECL. For securities AFS with unrealized losses not meeting these criteria, management evaluates whether any decline in fair value is due to credit loss factors. In making this assessment, management considers any changes to the rating of the security by rating agencies and adverse conditions specifically related to the issuer of the security, among other factors. If this assessment 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 the cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Changes in the ACL under ASC 326-30 are recorded as provisions for (or reversal of) credit loss expense. Losses are charged against the allowance when the collectability of a debt security AFS is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an ACL is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of income taxes. At December 31, 2023 and at adoption of CECL on January 1, 2023, there was no ACL related to debt securities AFS. Accrued interest receivable on debt securities was excluded from the estimate of credit losses.
Securities Held to Maturity – Since the adoption of CECL, ChoiceOne measures credit losses on HTM securities on a collective basis by major security type with each type sharing similar risk characteristics, and considers historical credit loss information that is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The ACL on securities HTM is a contra asset valuation account that is deducted from the carrying amount of HTM securities to present the net amount expected to be collected. HTM securities are charged off against the ACL when deemed uncollectible. Adjustments to the ACL are reported in ChoiceOne’s Consolidated Statements of Income in the provision for credit losses. Accrued interest receivable on HTM securities is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. With regard to US Treasury securities, these have an explicit government guarantee; therefore, no ACL is recorded for these securities. With regard to obligations of states and political subdivisions and other HTM securities, management considers (1) issuer bond ratings, (2) historical loss rates for given bond ratings, (3) the financial condition of the issuer, and (4) whether issuers continue to make timely principal and interest payments under the contractual terms of the securities. At December 31, 2023, the ACL related to securities HTM is insignificant.
Troubled Loan Modifications
FASB also issued ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures. This standard eliminated the previous accounting guidance for troubled debt restructurings and added additional disclosure requirements for gross chargeoffs by year of origination. It also prescribes guidance for reporting modifications of loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty.
Loan Servicing Rights
Loan servicing rights represent the estimated value of servicing loans that are sold with servicing retained by ChoiceOne and are initially recorded at estimated fair value. Servicing rights are expensed in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing revenues. Management’s accounting treatment of loan servicing rights is estimated based on current prepayment speeds that are typically market driven.
Management believes the accounting estimate related to loan servicing rights is a “critical accounting estimate” because (1) the estimate is highly susceptible to change from period to period because of significant changes within long-term interest rates affecting the prepayment speeds for current loans being serviced and (2) the impact of recognizing an impairment loss could have a material effect on ChoiceOne’s net income. Management has obtained a third-party valuation of its loan servicing rights to corroborate its current carrying value at the end of each reporting period.
Goodwill
Goodwill is not amortized but is evaluated annually for impairment and on an interim basis if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. The goodwill impairment test is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, and an impairment charge would be recognized for any amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. Accounting pronouncements allow a company to first perform a qualitative assessment for goodwill prior to a quantitative assessment (Step 1 assessment). If the results of the qualitative assessment indicate that it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, then a quantitative assessment must be performed. If not, there is no further assessment required. The Company acquired Valley Ridge Financial Corp. in 2006, County Bank Corp in 2019, and Community Shores in 2020, which resulted in the recognition of goodwill of $13.7 million, $38.9 million and $7.3 million, respectively.
35
During the prior year, ChoiceOne engaged a third party valuation firm to assist in performing a quantitative analysis of goodwill as of November 30, 2022 ("the valuation date"). In deriving the fair value of the reporting unit (the Bank), the third-party firm assessed general economic conditions and outlook; industry and market considerations and outlook; the impact of recent events to financial performance; the market price of ChoiceOne’s common stock and other relevant events. In addition, the valuation relied on financial projections through 2027 and growth rates prepared by management. Based on the valuation prepared, it was determined that ChoiceOne's estimated fair value of the reporting unit at the valuation date was greater than its book value and impairment of goodwill was not required.
Management concurred with the conclusion derived from the quantitative goodwill analysis as of the valuation date and determined that there were no material changes and that no triggering events had occurred that indicated impairment from the valuation date through December 31, 2023, and as a result that it is more likely than not that there was no goodwill impairment as of December 31, 2023.
The below table shows the inputs and assumptions addressed and the weight and nature of the impact to the analysis.
| Relevant Events and Circumstances | Inputs and assumptions that most affect fair value | Weight of events and circumstances | Nature of impact (positive / neutral / negative) | Nature of evidence - subjective or objective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macroeconomic conditions | ||||
| Interest rate increases | Discount rate | High | Neutral | Subjective |
| Interest rate increases have driven deposit costs up | Projections - cost | High | Negative | Objective |
| Tax rates | Projections - cost | Low | Neutral | Objective |
| Industry conditions | ||||
| Markets multiples have declined | ||||
| Price to TBV | Mod | Negative | Objective | |
| Price to TBV (AOCI) | Mod | Negative | Objective | |
| Price to Earnings Multiple | Mod | Negative | Objective | |
| Core deposit premium | Mod | Positive | Objective | |
| Entity Specific events and circumstances | ||||
| Growth Rates are higher than anticipated | Projections - Asset growth rate | High | Positive | Objective |
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
Income taxes include both a current and deferred portion. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded to account for differences in the timing of the recognition of revenues and expenses for financial reporting and tax purposes. Generally accepted accounting principles require that deferred tax assets be reviewed to determine whether a valuation allowance should be established using a “more likely than not” standard. Based on its review of ChoiceOne’s deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2023, management determined that no valuation allowance was necessary. The valuation of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities is considered critical, as it requires management to make estimates based on provisions of the enacted tax laws. The assessment of tax assets and liabilities involves the use of estimates, assumptions, interpretations, and judgments concerning certain accounting pronouncements and the federal tax code.
36
FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001437749-23-007584.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion is designed to provide a review of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. (“ChoiceOne” or the “Company”), and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes.
We have omitted discussion of 2021 results where it would be redundant to the discussion previously included in Part II, Item 7 of our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Selected Financial Data
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| For the year | ||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 67,314 | $ | 60,641 | $ | 51,071 | ||||||
| Provision for loan losses | 250 | 416 | 4,000 | |||||||||
| Noninterest income | 14,072 | 19,194 | 22,698 | |||||||||
| Noninterest expense | 53,478 | 52,921 | 50,884 | |||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 27,658 | 26,498 | 18,885 | |||||||||
| Income tax expense | 4,018 | 4,456 | 3,272 | |||||||||
| Net income | 23,640 | 22,042 | 15,613 | |||||||||
| Cash dividends declared | 7,578 | 7,200 | 6,174 | |||||||||
| Per share | ||||||||||||
| Basic earnings | $ | 3.15 | $ | 2.87 | $ | 2.08 | ||||||
| Diluted earnings | 3.15 | 2.86 | 2.07 | |||||||||
| Cash dividends declared | 1.01 | 0.94 | 0.82 | |||||||||
| Shareholders' equity (at year end) | 22.47 | 29.52 | 29.15 | |||||||||
| Average for the year | ||||||||||||
| Securities | $ | 1,094,559 | $ | 869,788 | $ | 388,797 | ||||||
| Gross loans | 1,104,030 | 1,040,430 | 1,014,959 | |||||||||
| Deposits | 2,133,790 | 1,905,629 | 1,421,168 | |||||||||
| Borrowings | 13,537 | 5,465 | 16,712 | |||||||||
| Subordinated debt | 35,211 | 12,841 | 1,532 | |||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | 178,415 | 225,120 | 214,591 | |||||||||
| Assets | 2,373,374 | 2,156,774 | 1,654,873 | |||||||||
| At year end | ||||||||||||
| Securities | $ | 972,802 | $ | 1,116,265 | $ | 585,687 | ||||||
| Gross loans | 1,194,616 | 1,068,831 | 1,117,798 | |||||||||
| Deposits | 2,118,003 | 2,052,294 | 1,674,578 | |||||||||
| Borrowings | 50,000 | 50,000 | 9,327 | |||||||||
| Subordinated debt | 35,262 | 35,017 | 3,089 | |||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | 168,874 | 221,669 | 227,268 | |||||||||
| Assets | 2,385,915 | 2,366,682 | 1,919,342 | |||||||||
| Selected financial ratios | ||||||||||||
| Return on average assets | 1.00 | % | 1.02 | % | 0.94 | % | ||||||
| Return on average shareholders' equity | 13.25 | 9.79 | 7.28 | |||||||||
| Cash dividend payout as a percentage of net income | 32.06 | 32.67 | 39.54 | |||||||||
| Shareholders' equity to assets (at year end) | 7.08 | 9.37 | 11.84 |
Note - 2020 financial data includes the impact of the merger with Community Shores, which was effective July 1, 2020.
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Explanatory Note
On July 1, 2020, ChoiceOne completed the merger of Community Shores Bank Corporation ("Community Shores") with and into ChoiceOne with ChoiceOne surviving the merger. Accordingly, the reported consolidated financial condition and operating results as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020, December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2022 include the impact of the merger, which was effective as of July 1, 2020.
On October 1, 2019, ChoiceOne completed the merger of County Bank Corp. ("County") with and into ChoiceOne with ChoiceOne surviving the merger. Accordingly, the reported consolidated financial condition and operating results as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020, December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2022 include the impact of the merger, which was effective as of October 1, 2019.
For additional details regarding the mergers with Community Shores and County, see Note 22 (Business Combinations) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Summary
ChoiceOne's net income for
2022
was $23.6 million, compared to $22.0 million in
2021
. Diluted earnings per share was $3.15 in the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, compared to $2.86 per share in the twelve months ended December 31, 2021.
ChoiceOne's asset mix has shifted from loans held for investment of 51.6% at December 31, 2021 to 56.2% at December 31, 2022.
Core loans, which exclude PPP loans, loans held for sale, and loans to other financial institutions, grew organically by $206.1 million or 21.0% during the full year 2022. Loans to other financial institutions, consisting of a warehouse line of credit, were suspended at the end of the third quarter 2022 to preserve liquidity for loan growth. ChoiceOne continues to have ample on balance sheet liquidity to fund future loan growth, including an estimated $178.7 million of cash flow from securities over the next two years. Overall, t
otal assets grew less than 1% or $19.2 million in 2022. ChoiceOne saw deposits decline $38.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 due to some seasonality in municipal deposits and increased competition. The cost of these deposits also increased by $940,000 in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2022 and $1.8 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2021. Deposits have increased by $65.7 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2022; however, during that time deposit expense has increased $2.5 million. Cost of interest-bearing deposits increased to 0.66% in the fourth quarter of 2022 primarily due to the increases in rates offered to retain clients and an increased customer interest in certificates of deposit. ChoiceOne is actively managing these costs while still retaining funds, and anticipates that deposit expense will continue to lag the cumulative increases in the federal funds rate. Borrowing interest expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, increased $1.2 million as compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to the issuance of $32.5 million in subordinated debt that was completed in the third quarter of 2021 and the increase in rates on short-term borrowings.
Interest income increased $10.4 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, compared to the same period in 2021. The increase was driven by a $6.3 million increase in securities interest income largely due to an increase in the average balance of securities of $190.1 million during 2022. In 2022, ChoiceOne liquidated a total of $47.2 million in securities resulting in an $809,000 realized loss, in order to redeploy funds into higher yielding loans and securities, and to reduce the risk of extension on certain fixed income securities which include a call option. Interest income on loans increased $4.2 million during 2022 and was primarily a result of higher loan balances and $919,000 of additional accretion income from acquired loans, partially offset by a decrease in PPP fee income of $3.9 million.
ChoiceOne had $250,000 of provision for loan losses expense for the year ended December 31, 2022. Management has seen declining deferrals and very few past due loans during 2022; however, the additional provision was deemed necessary due to increased loan growth in 2022. On December 31, 2022, the allowance for loan losses represented 0.64% of total loans. ChoiceOne adopted ASU 2016-13 current expected credit loss ("CECL") on January 1, 2023. Due to the current economic environment, the nature of the new calculation, and purchase accounting with our recent mergers, we anticipate an increase in our current allowance for loan losses of between $6.5 million and $7.0 million, which will result in an expected allowance for loan losses to total loan coverage ratio between 1.15% and 1.25% on January 1, 2023. Approximately 20% to 25% of this increase is related to the migration of purchased loans into the portfolio assessed by the CECL calculation. Purchased loans carry approximately $4.0 million of accretable yield, which will be recognized into income over the remaining life of the loans. ChoiceOne will also record a liability for expected credit losses on unfunded loans and other commitments of between $2.5 million to $3.0 million related to the adoption of CECL. These unfunded loans and other commitments are open credit lines with current customers and loans approved by ChoiceOne but not yet funded. The increase in the reserve and the cost of the liability will result in a decrease in retained earnings account on our Consolidated Balance Sheet equal to the after-tax impact, with the tax impact portion being recorded in deferred taxes in our Consolidated balance Sheet in accordance with FASB guidance. Further discussion of the change in accounting policy can be found in Item 8 Note 1.
Noninterest Income
Total noninterest income declined $5.1 million during 2022 compared to 2021. $4.4 million of this decline is due to the change in the mortgage sales environment from the prior year. With the rapid rise in interest rates, refinancing activity has slowed, and demand has shifted toward adjustable-rate products, which ChoiceOne keeps in portfolio. Customer service charges increased $722,000 during 2022 compared to 2021 as prior year service charges were depressed by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The change in market value of equity securities declined $1.4 million during 2022 compared to 2021 consistent with general market conditions. Equity investments include local community bank stocks and Community Reinvestment Act bond mutual funds.
Noninterest Expense
Total noninterest expense increased $557,000, or 1.1%, in 2022 compared to 2021. Expense management was a focus in 2022 and will continue to be a focus in 2023 given inflationary pressures. The increase in total noninterest expense was related to an increase in salaries and wages due to annual wage increases and the addition of new commercial loan production and wealth management staff. This increase was offset by decreases in other categories including professional fees and loan-driven incentive-based compensation. ChoiceOne continues to monitor expenses and looks to improve our efficiency through automation and use of digital tools.
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Paycheck Protection Program
ChoiceOne processed over $126 million in PPP loans in 2020, acquired an additional $37 million in PPP loans in the merger with Community Shores, and originated $89.1 million in PPP loans in 2021. In the third quarter of 2022, the remaining $1.8 million of PPP loans were forgiven resulting in $68,000 of fee income. For the full year 2022, $33.1 million of PPP loans were forgiven resulting in $1.2 million of fee income. At December 31, 2022, no PPP loans remain in ChoiceOne’s loan portfolio.
Dividends
Cash dividends of $7.6 million or $1.01 per common share were declared in 2022 compared to $7.2 million or $0.94 per common share in 2021. The dividend yield for ChoiceOne’s common stock was 3.48% as of the end of 2022, compared to 3.55% as of the end of 2021. The cash dividend payout as a percentage of net income was 32% as of December 31, 2022, compared to 33% as of December 31, 2021.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense was $438,000 lower in
2022 than in
2021. The decline is related to additional tax-exempt interest income from securities and additional tax-exempt earnings on bank-owned life insurances in
2022 compared to
2021. The effective tax rate was 15% in
2022 compared to 17% in
2021. For further details, refer to Note 12 (Income Taxes) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report.
22
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Table 1 – Average Balances and Tax-Equivalent Interest Rates
Tables 1 and 2 on the following pages provide information regarding interest income and expense for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020. Table 1 documents ChoiceOne’s average balances and interest income and expense, as well as the average rates earned or paid on assets and liabilities. Table 2 documents the effect on interest income and expense of changes in volume (average balance) and interest rates.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | Average | Average | Average | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance | Interest | Rate | Balance | Interest | Rate | Balance | Interest | Rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (1) (3)(4)(5) | $ | 1,104,030 | $ | 52,861 | 4.79 | % | $ | 1,040,430 | $ | 48,672 | 4.68 | % | $ | 1,014,959 | $ | 46,893 | 4.62 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable securities (2) | 779,915 | 15,583 | 2.00 | 599,902 | 10,260 | 1.71 | 276,085 | 5,891 | 2.13 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nontaxable securities (1) | 314,644 | 7,790 | 2.48 | 269,886 | 7,098 | 2.63 | 112,712 | 3,402 | 3.02 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 34,255 | 491 | 1.43 | 68,879 | 84 | 0.12 | 71,417 | 266 | 0.37 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets | 2,232,844 | 76,725 | 3.44 | 1,979,097 | 66,114 | 3.34 | 1,475,173 | 56,452 | 3.83 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-earning assets | 140,530 | 177,677 | 179,699 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 2,373,374 | $ | 2,156,774 | $ | 1,654,872 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand deposits | $ | 902,090 | $ | 3,514 | 0.39 | % | $ | 791,886 | $ | 1,797 | 0.23 | % | $ | 571,693 | $ | 1,832 | 0.32 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Savings deposits | 452,542 | 711 | 0.16 | 398,969 | 551 | 0.14 | 267,217 | 300 | 0.11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 196,166 | 1,620 | 0.83 | 186,898 | 957 | 0.51 | 183,836 | 2,046 | 1.11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | 13,537 | 410 | 3.02 | 5,465 | 101 | 1.86 | 16,712 | 327 | 1.96 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debentures | 35,211 | 1,491 | 4.23 | 12,841 | 571 | 4.45 | 1,532 | 139 | 9.07 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities | 1,599,546 | 7,746 | 0.48 | 1,396,059 | 3,977 | 0.28 | 1,040,990 | 4,644 | 0.45 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits | 582,992 | 527,876 | 398,422 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other noninterest-bearing liabilities | 12,421 | 7,719 | 870 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 2,194,959 | 1,931,654 | 1,440,282 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | 178,415 | 225,120 | 214,591 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 2,373,374 | $ | 2,156,774 | $ | 1,654,873 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) (Non-GAAP) (1) | $ | 68,979 | $ | 62,137 | $ | 51,808 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis) (Non-GAAP) (1) | 3.09 | % | 3.14 | % | 3.51 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation to Reported Net Interest Income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) (Non-GAAP) (1) | $ | 68,979 | $ | 62,137 | $ | 51,808 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjustment for taxable equivalent interest | (1,665 | ) | (1,513 | ) | (737 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income (GAAP) | $ | 67,314 | $ | 60,624 | $ | 51,071 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin (GAAP) | 3.01 | % | 3.08 | % | 3.38 | % |
| (1) | Adjusted to a fully tax-equivalent basis to facilitate comparison to the taxable interest-earning assets. The adjustment uses an incremental tax rate of 21%. The presentation of these measures on a tax-equivalent basis is not in accordance with GAAP, but is customary in the banking industry. These non-GAAP measures ensure comparability with respect to both taxable and tax-exempt loans and securities. |
|---|---|
| (2) | Interest on taxable securities includes dividends on Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock. |
| (3) | Loans include both loans to other financial institutions and loans held for sale. |
| (4) | Non-accruing loan and PPP loan balances are included in the balances of average loans. Non-accruing loan average balances were $1.3 million, $3.3 million, and $5.0 million for the year ended 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. PPP loan average balances were $8.7 million, $95.9 million, and $84.2 million for the year ended 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. At December 31, 2022 no PPP loans remain in ChoiceOne’s loan portfolio. |
| (5) | Interest on loans included net origination fees, accretion income, and PPP fees. Accretion income was $2.0 million, $1.1 million, and $420,000 for the full year 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. PPP fees were approximately $1.2 million, $5.2 million, and $3.0 million for the full year 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. |
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Table 2 – Changes in Tax-Equivalent Net Interest Income
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in thousands) | 2022 Over 2021 | 2021 Over 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | Volume | Rate | Total | Volume | Rate | |||||||||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in interest income (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (2) | $ | 4,189 | $ | 3,026 | $ | 1,163 | $ | 1,779 | $ | 1,187 | $ | 592 | ||||||||||||
| Taxable securities | 5,323 | 3,410 | 1,913 | 4,369 | 5,737 | (1,368 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Nontaxable securities (2) | 692 | 1,126 | (434 | ) | 3,696 | 4,185 | (489 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other | 407 | (62 | ) | 469 | (182 | ) | (9 | ) | (173 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Net change in interest income | $ | 10,611 | $ | 7,500 | $ | 3,111 | $ | 9,662 | $ | 11,099 | $ | (1,437 | ) | |||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in interest expense (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand deposits | $ | 1,717 | $ | 279 | $ | 1,438 | $ | (35 | ) | $ | 588 | $ | (623 | ) | ||||||||||
| Savings deposits | 159 | 79 | 80 | 251 | 171 | 80 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 664 | 50 | 614 | (1,089 | ) | 34 | (1,123 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | 309 | 217 | 92 | (226 | ) | (210 | ) | (16 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debentures | 920 | 948 | (28 | ) | 432 | 1,516 | (37 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Net change in interest expense | $ | 3,769 | $ | 1,573 | $ | 2,196 | $ | (667 | ) | $ | 2,099 | $ | (1,719 | ) | ||||||||||
| Net change in tax-equivalent net interest income | $ | 6,841 | $ | 5,927 | $ | 915 | $ | 10,329 | $ | 9,001 | $ | 282 |
| (1) | The volume variance is computed as the change in volume (average balance) multiplied by the previous year’s interest rate. The rate variance is computed as the change in interest rate multiplied by the previous year’s volume (average balance). The change in interest due to both volume and rate has been allocated to the volume and rate changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each. |
|---|---|
| (2) | Interest on tax-exempt securities and loans has been adjusted to a fully tax-equivalent basis using an incremental tax rate of 21% for 2022, 2021, and 2020. |
Net Interest Income
Tax-equivalent net interest income increased $6.8 million for the full year 2022, compared to the same period in 2021. The Federal Reserve increased the federal funds rate by 4.0% during 2022 in response to published inflation rates. This both increased rates on newly originated loans and increased the rates paid on deposits and led to a net decline in tax equivalent net interest margin of 5 basis points in 2022 compared to 2021. GAAP based net interest margin declined 7 basis points in 2022 compared to 2021.
The following table presents the cost of deposits and the cost of funds for the years ended December 31, 2022, December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Cost of deposits | 0.27 | % | 0.17 | % | 0.29 | % | ||||||
| Cost of funds | 0.35 | % | 0.21 | % | 0.32 | % |
Net interest income increased $6.7 million in 2022 compared to 2021 due to the $224.8 million increase in the average balance of securities and a 14 basis point increase in the average rate earned on securities during the full year 2022 as ChoiceOne deployed excess deposit dollars into securities with the intent to transition to loans as good credits become available. ChoiceOne has also experienced core loan growth during 2022 leading to an increase in interest income from loans of $4.2 million in the full year 2022, compared to the same period in the prior year. Average core loans, which exclude PPP loans, loans held for sale, and loans to other financial institutions, grew $153.9 million during the full year 2022. In addition, the average rate earned on loans increased 11 basis points in 2022 compared to 2021. The increase in interest income from loans and the average rate increase on loans is muted by a $3.9 million decline in PPP fee income in the full year 2022 compared to 2021. This decline was somewhat offset by a $919,000 increase in accretion income from acquired loans in 2022 compared to 2021.
Interest expense increased $3.8 million for the full year 2022, compared to the same period in 2021. Growth of $163.8 million in the average balance of interest-bearing demand deposits and savings deposits and a combined 11 basis point increase in the average rate paid, caused interest expense to increase $1.9 million in 2022 compared to the prior year. The increase in the average balance of certificates of deposit of $9.3 million, combined with a 31 basis point increase in the rate paid on certificates of deposits in 2022 compared to 2021, led to an increase in interest expense of $664,000. In September 2021, ChoiceOne completed a private placement of $32.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.25% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2031. In addition, ChoiceOne holds certain subordinated debentures issued in connection with a trust preferred securities offering that were obtained as part of the merger with Community Shores. These increased the average balance of subordinated debentures by $22.4 million in 2022 compared to the same period in the prior year and caused interest expense to increase by $920,000 over the same period.
The rise in interest rates has led to ChoiceOne's cost of funds increasing 15 basis points from 0.21% in 2021 to 0.35% in 2022. 10 basis points of this increase is due to the rising cost of deposits, while the remainder is due to the increased cost of borrowing and a full year's expense of the subordinated notes completed in September of 2021.
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Table of Contents
Provision and Allowance For Loan Losses
Table 3 – Provision and Allowance For Loan Losses
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Allowance for loan losses at beginning of year | $ | 7,688 | $ | 7,593 | $ | 4,057 | ||||||
| Charge-offs: | ||||||||||||
| Agricultural | - | - | 15 | |||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | 177 | 195 | 148 | |||||||||
| Consumer | 496 | 370 | 329 | |||||||||
| Real estate - commercial | - | 111 | 254 | |||||||||
| Real estate - construction | - | - | - | |||||||||
| Real estate - residential | - | - | 8 | |||||||||
| Total | 673 | 676 | 754 | |||||||||
| Recoveries: | ||||||||||||
| Agricultural | - | - | - | |||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | 143 | 86 | 57 | |||||||||
| Consumer | 206 | 214 | 204 | |||||||||
| Real estate - commercial | 3 | 48 | 10 | |||||||||
| Real estate - construction | - | - | - | |||||||||
| Real estate - residential | 2 | 7 | 19 | |||||||||
| Total | 354 | 355 | 290 | |||||||||
| Net charge-offs (recoveries) | 319 | 321 | 464 | |||||||||
| Provision for loan losses | 250 | 416 | 4,000 | |||||||||
| Allowance for loan losses at end of year | $ | 7,619 | $ | 7,688 | $ | 7,593 | ||||||
| Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of: | ||||||||||||
| Total loans as of year end | 0.64 | % | 0.76 | % | 0.71 | % | ||||||
| Nonaccrual loans, accrual loans past due 90 days or more and troubled debt restructurings | 286 | % | 139 | % | 92 | % | ||||||
| Ratio of net charge-offs during the period to average loans outstanding during the period | 0.03 | % | 0.03 | % | 0.05 | % | ||||||
| Loan recoveries as a percentage of prior year's charge-offs | 52 | % | 47 | % | 29 | % |
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The provision for loan losses was $250,000 in 2022, compared to $416,000 in the prior year. The provision for loan losses expense was deemed necessary to reserve for core loan growth of $206.1 million in 2022. Our methodology for measuring the appropriate level of allowance for loan losses and related provision for loan losses involves specific allocations for loans considered impaired, and general allocations for homogeneous loans based on historical loss experience.
Loans classified as impaired loans declined by $2.6 million during 2022 which led to a decline in the specific allowance for loan losses for impaired loans of $350,000 in 2022 compared to 2021.
The determination of our loss factors is based, in part, upon our actual loss history adjusted for significant qualitative factors that, in management's judgment, affect the collectability of the portfolio as of the analysis date. ChoiceOne uses a rolling 20 quarter actual net charge-off history as the basis for the computation.
Nonperforming loans were $2.7 million as of December 31, 2022 compared to $5.5 million as of December 31, 2021. The allowance for loan losses was 0.64% of total loans at December 31, 2022, compared to 0.76% at December 31, 2021. Loans acquired in the mergers with County and Community Shores were recorded at fair value and as a result do not have an allowance for loan losses allocated to them unless credit deteriorates subsequent to acquisition.
Net charge-offs were $319,000 in 2022 compared to net charge-offs of $321,000 during the same period in 2021. Net charge-offs on an annualized basis as a percentage of average loans were 0.03% in 2022 compared to 0.03% in 2021. Management is aware that the economic climate in Michigan will continue to affect business and individual borrowers.
ChoiceOne adopted ASU 2016-13 current expected credit loss ("CECL") on January 1, 2023. Due to the current economic environment, the nature of the new calculation, and purchase accounting with our recent mergers, we anticipate an increase in our current allowance for loan losses of between $6.5 million and $7.0 million, which will result in an expected allowance for loan losses to total loan coverage ratio between 1.15% and 1.25% on January 1, 2023. Approximately 20% to 25% of this increase is related to the migration of purchased loans into the portfolio assessed by the CECL calculation. ChoiceOne will also record a liability for expected credit losses on unfunded loans and other commitments of between $2.5 million to $3.0 million related to the adoption of CECL. These unfunded loans and other commitments are open credit lines with current customers and loans approved by ChoiceOne but not yet funded. The increase in the reserve and the cost of the liability will result in a decrease in retained earnings account on our Consolidated Balance Sheet equal to the after-tax impact, with the tax impact portion being recorded in deferred taxes in our Consolidated balance Sheet in accordance with FASB guidance. Further discussion of the change in accounting policy can be found in Item 8 Note 1.
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Financial Condition
Summary
Total assets grew $19.2 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2022. Core loans grew $206.1 million or 21.0% and were offset by a decline in securities of $143.2 million, and a decline in loans to other financial institutions of $42.6 million. ChoiceOne also grew deposits by $65.7 million during 2022. Deposit costs rose steadily during the year with larger increases coming in the fourth quarter as competition and rate awareness has amplified.
Securities
The Company’s securities balances as of December 31 were as follows:
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||
| Equity securities | $ | 8,566 | $ | 8,492 | |||
| Available for Sale Securities at fair value | |||||||
| U.S. Government and federal agency | $ | - | $ | 2,008 | |||
| U.S. Treasury notes and bonds | 78,204 | 91,979 | |||||
| State and municipal | 229,938 | 534,847 | |||||
| Mortgage-backed | 208,563 | 433,115 | |||||
| Corporate | 711 | 20,642 | |||||
| Asset-backed securities | 12,333 | 16,294 | |||||
| Total | $ | 529,749 | $ | 1,098,885 | |||
| Held to Maturity Securities at amortized cost | |||||||
| U.S. Government and federal agency | $ | 2,966 | $ | - | |||
| U.S. Treasury notes and bonds | - | - | |||||
| State and municipal | 201,890 | - | |||||
| Mortgage-backed | 200,473 | - | |||||
| Corporate | 19,603 | - | |||||
| Asset-backed securities | 974 | - | |||||
| Total | $ | 425,906 | $ | - |
In the last two years ChoiceOne has grown its securities portfolio substantially. Total available for sale securities on December 31, 2020, amounted to $577.7 million and grew steadily to an available for sale balance on December 31, 2021, of $1.1 billion. Many of the securities making up this balance include local municipals and other securities ChoiceOne has no intent to sell prior to maturity. During the first quarter of 2022, ChoiceOne elected to move $428.4 million of the portfolio into a held to maturity status.
Total investment securities declined $143.2 million from
December 31, 2021
to
December 31, 2022
. ChoiceOne purchased $63.6 million of securities in 2022. This was offset by the liquidation of $47.2 million in securities during 2022, resulting in an $809,000 realized loss and reduced the risk of extension on certain fixed income securities which included a call option.
Securities totaling $19.6 million were called or matured in
2022
. ChoiceOne received principal payments for municipal and mortgage-backed securities totaling $40.1 million during
2022
.
At December 31, 2022, the Company had $161.0 million in unrealized losses on its investment securities, including $89.0 million in unrealized losses on available for sale securities and $72.0 in unrealized losses on held to maturity securities. Unrealized losses on corporate and municipal bonds have not been recognized into income because the issuers’ bonds are of high credit quality, and management does not intend to sell prior to their anticipated recovery, and the decline in fair value is largely due to changes in interest rates and other market conditions. The issuers continue to make timely principal and interest payments on the bonds. The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach maturity.
ChoiceOne utilizes interest rate derivatives as part of its asset liability management strategy to help manage its interest rate risk position. In order to hedge the risk of rising rates and unrealized losses on securities resulting from the rising rates, ChoiceOne currently holds four interest rate swaps with a total notional value of $400.1 million. These derivative instruments increase in value as long-term interest rates rise, which offsets the reduction in equity due to unrealized losses on securities available for sale. Refer to footnote 8 and 23 for more discussion on ChoiceOne’s derivative position.
The Bank’s Investment Committee continues to monitor the portfolio and purchases securities as it considers prudent.
Equity securities included a money market preferred security ("MMP") of $1.0 million and common stock of $7.6 million as of
December 31, 2022
. As of
December 31, 2021
, equity securities included an MMP of $1.0 million and common stock of $7.5 million.
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Loans
The Company’s loan portfolio as of December 31 was as follows:
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||
| Agricultural | $ | 64,159 | $ | 64,819 | |||
| Commercial and industrial | 210,210 | 203,024 | |||||
| Consumer | 39,808 | 35,174 | |||||
| Real estate - commercial | 630,953 | 525,884 | |||||
| Real estate - construction | 14,736 | 19,066 | |||||
| Real estate - residential | 229,916 | 168,881 | |||||
| Loans, gross | $ | 1,189,782 | $ | 1,016,848 |
Core loans, which exclude PPP loans, held for sale loans, and loans to other financial institutions, grew organically by $206.1 million in 2022. Excluding PPP loans, ChoiceOne saw growth of $144.7 million in commercial loans and $56.7 million in retail loans in 2022. Additions to our commercial lending staff in 2021 and 2022 as well as investments in the automation of our commercial loan process have helped drive our pipeline of commercial loans and corresponding growth.
Loans to other financial institutions declined $42.6 million from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022, as management chose to suspend the program at the end of the third quarter 2022. Additionally, the remaining $33.1 million of PPP loans were forgiven resulting in $1.2 million of fee income. At December 31, 2022, all PPP loans have been fully forgiven, and the associated fee income has been recognized.
ChoiceOne recorded accretion income related to acquired loans in the amount of $2.0 million during 2022. Remaining credit and yield mark on acquired loans from the recent mergers with County Bank Corp. and Community Shores will accrete into income as the acquired loans mature. ChoiceOne estimates that roughly $4.0 million will accrete into income over the next two to four years.
Information regarding impaired loans can be found in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements included in this report. In addition to its review of the loan portfolio for impaired loans, management also monitors various nonperforming loans. Nonperforming loans are comprised of (1) loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis; (2) loans, not included in nonaccrual loans, which are contractually past due 90 days or more as to interest or principal payments; and (3) loans, not included in nonaccrual or past due 90 days or more, which are considered troubled debt restructurings. Troubled debt restructurings consist of loans where the terms have been modified to assist the borrowers in making their payments. The modifications can include capitalization of interest onto the principal balance, reduction in interest rate, and extension of the loan term.
The balances of these nonperforming loans as of December 31 were as follows:
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||
| Loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis | $ | 1,263 | $ | 1,727 | |||
| Loans contractually past due 90 days or more as to principal or interest payments | - | - | |||||
| Loans considered troubled debt restructurings which are not included above | 1,404 | 3,816 | |||||
| Total | $ | 2,667 | $ | 5,543 |
Nonaccrual loans included $1.3 million in residential real estate loans as of December 31, 2022, compared to $313,000 in agricultural loans, $285,000 in commercial and industrial loans, $279,000 in commercial real estate loans, and $850,000 in residential real estate loans as of December 31, 2021. Loans considered troubled debt restructurings which were not on a nonaccrual basis and were not 90 days or more past due as to principal or interest payments consisted of $3,000 in agricultural loans, $58,000 in commercial and industrial loans, $131,000 in commercial real estate loans and $1.2 million in residential real estate loans at December 31, 2022, compared to $1.8 million in agricultural loans, $73,000 in commercial and industrial loans, $601,000 in commercial real estate loans and $1.3 million in residential real estate loans at December 31, 2021.
Management also maintains a list of loans that are not classified as nonperforming loans but where some concern exists as to the borrowers’ abilities to comply with the original loan terms. There were 10 loans totaling $180,000 fitting this description as of
December 31, 2022
, and no loans fitting that description on
December 31, 2021
.
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Deposits and Other Funding Sources
The Company’s deposit balances as of December 31 were as follows:
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||
| Noninterest-bearing demand deposits | $ | 599,579 | $ | 560,931 | |||
| Interest-bearing demand deposits | 638,641 | 665,482 | |||||
| Money market deposits | 214,026 | 218,211 | |||||
| Savings deposits | 427,583 | 425,626 | |||||
| Local certificates of deposit | 236,431 | 182,044 | |||||
| Brokered certificates of deposit | 1,743 | - | |||||
| Total deposits | $ | 2,118,003 | $ | 2,052,294 |
Total deposits increased $65.7 million from
December 31, 2021
to
December 31, 2022
; however, most of this was in the first half of 2022. ChoiceOne saw deposits decline $38.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 due to some seasonality in municipal deposits and increased competition.
The Federal Reserve increased the federal funds rate by 4.0% during 2022 in response to published inflation rates. In response, the cost of interest-bearing deposits increased to 0.66% in the fourth quarter of 2022 primarily due to the increases in rates offered to retain clients and an increased interest in certificates of deposit. ChoiceOne is actively managing these costs while still retaining funds, and anticipates that deposit expense will continue to lag the cumulative increases in the federal funds rate. The actual cost of deposits increased by $940,000 in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2022 and $1.9 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2021.
In September 2021, ChoiceOne completed a private placement of $32.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.25% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2031. ChoiceOne used a portion of net proceeds from the private placement to redeem senior debt, fund common stock repurchases, and support bank-level capital ratios. ChoiceOne also holds $3.2 million in subordinated debentures issued in connection with a $4.5 million trust preferred securities offering, which were obtained in the merger with Community Shores, offset by the mark-to-market adjustment.
At December 31, 2022, the aggregate balance of all deposits exceeding the FDIC insured limit of $250,000 totaled $823.2 million, or 39% of total deposits, compared to $889.2 million, or 43% of total deposits and $583.7 million, or 35% of total deposits at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Core deposits, which we define as insured branch deposits less certificates of deposit, totaled $1.2 billion or 55.0% of total deposits at December 31, 2022.
Shareholders’ Equity
Total shareholders' equity declined $52.8 million in 2022. Accumulated other comprehensive income declined $69.2 million in 2022 as a result of market value declines in ChoiceOne’s available for sale securities. The change was caused by increases in certain general market interest rates since the beginning of 2022. ChoiceOne's derivative strategy implemented during the second quarter of 2022 and repositioned during the fourth quarter of 2022, is expected to better position the Bank should rates continue to rise. The net impact on equity of the derivative strategy as of December 31, 2022, was $957,000 net of tax.
For further details refer to Footnote 8 "Derivatives and Hedging Activities". As permitted by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, unrecognized losses on securities held to maturity do not reduce other comprehensive income and, as a result, are not reflected as a reduction to shareholders’ equity on our balance sheet. ChoiceOne Bank remains “well-capitalized” with a total risk-based capital ratio of 13.0% as of December 31, 2022, compared to 12.9% on December 31, 2021.
ChoiceOne repurchased 25,899 shares for $683,000, or a weighted average all-in cost per share of $26.35, during the first quarter of 2022. This was part of the common stock repurchase program announced in April 2021 which authorized repurchases of up to 390,114 shares, representing 5% of the total outstanding shares of common stock as of the date the program was adopted. No shares of common stock were repurchased for the remainder of 2022; however, ChoiceOne may strategically repurchase shares of common stock in the future depending on market and other conditions.
Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements presents regulatory capital information for ChoiceOne and the Bank at the end of 2022 and 2021. Management will monitor these capital ratios during 2023 as they relate to asset growth and earnings retention. ChoiceOne’s Board of Directors and management do not plan to allow capital to decrease below those levels necessary to be considered "well capitalized" by regulatory guidelines. At December 31, 2022, the Bank was categorized as "well-capitalized" under regulatory guidelines.
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Table 4 – Contractual Obligations
The following table discloses information regarding the maturity of ChoiceOne’s contractual obligations at
December 31, 2022:
| Payment Due by Period | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less | More | ||||||||||||||||||
| than | 1 - 3 | 3 - 5 | than | ||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | Total | 1 year | Years | Years | 5 Years | ||||||||||||||
| Time deposits | $ | 238,174 | $ | 210,989 | $ | 22,113 | $ | 5,072 | $ | - | |||||||||
| Borrowings | 50,000 | 50,000 | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| Cumulative Preferred Securities (1) | 3,795 | - | - | - | 3,795 | ||||||||||||||
| ChoiceOne Subordinated Debenture (2) | 32,500 | - | - | - | 32,500 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating leases | 1,012 | 322 | 459 | 231 | - | ||||||||||||||
| Other obligations | 164 | 70 | 62 | 18 | 14 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 325,645 | $ | 261,381 | $ | 22,634 | $ | 5,321 | $ | 36,309 |
(1) Cumulative preferred securities on the balance sheet include $504,000 of discount due to a mark to market adjustment which is not reflected in the table above.
(2) ChoiceOne subordinated debenture on the balance sheet includes $529,000 of capitalized issuance cost which is not reflected in the table above.
Liquidity and Interest Rate Risk
Net cash provided by operating activities was $45.0 million in 2022 compared to $37.7 million in 2021. The change was due to lower net proceeds from loan sales in 2022 compared to 2021, which was offset by the change in other assets and liabilities. Net cash used in investing activities was $90.5 million in 2022 compared to $521.4 million in 2021. ChoiceOne purchased $63.6 million of securities and had maturities or sales of securities of $106.4 million in 2022 compared to $637.9 million in purchases and $83.9 million in maturities or sales in 2021, respectively. An increase in net loan originations led to cash used of $130.6 million in 2022 compared to cash provided of $45.4 million in the prior year. Net cash provided by financing activities was $57.5 million in 2022, compared to $436.0 million in 2021. ChoiceOne experienced growth of $65.7 million in deposits in 2022 compared to growth of $377.7 million in 2021, while also seeing a $73.2 million decrease in borrowings in 2022, which led to the change.
ChoiceOne's primary market risk exposure occurs in the form of interest rate risk. Liquidity risk also can have an impact but to a lesser extent. ChoiceOne's business is transacted in U.S. dollars with no foreign exchange risk exposure. Agricultural loans comprise a relatively small portion of ChoiceOne's total assets. Management believes that ChoiceOne's exposure to changes in commodity prices is insignificant.
Management believes that the current level of liquidity and sources of additional liquidity are sufficient to meet the Bank's future liquidity needs. This belief is based upon the availability of deposits from both the local and national markets, our core deposit base, maturities of and cash flows from securities, normal loan repayments, income retention, federal funds purchased and advances available from the FHLB. Liquidity risk deals with ChoiceOne's ability to meet its cash flow requirements. These requirements include depositors desiring to withdraw funds and borrowers seeking credit. The Bank also has a line of credit secured by ChoiceOne’s commercial loans with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago for $380.4 million, which is designated for nonrecurring short-term liquidity needs. Longer-term liquidity needs may be met through core deposit growth, maturities of and cash flows from securities, normal loan repayments, advances from the FHLB, brokered certificates of deposit, and income retention. ChoiceOne had $50.0 million in outstanding borrowings at FHLB as of December 31, 2022, and $39.6 million of additional borrowing capacity was available based on residential real estate loans pledged as collateral at the end of 2022. The acceptance of brokered certificates of deposit is not limited as long as the Bank is categorized as “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines.
ChoiceOne continues to review its liquidity management and has taken steps in an effort to ensure adequacy. These steps include limiting bond purchases in the first two months of 2023, moving safekeeping of securities to FHLB in order to increase borrowing capacity, if pledged, by an amount of roughly $300.0 million, and using alternative funding sources such as brokered deposits. ChoiceOne is also investigating additional borrowing capacity by use of the new Bank Term Funding Program announced March 12, 2023. As of February 28, 2023 ChoiceOne estimates that it has total borrowing capacity of $398.3 million, and if additional securities are pledged with the FHLB, will have the ability to borrow up to $716.3 million.
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NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
This report contains financial measures that are not defined in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Management believes this non-GAAP financial measure provides additional information that is useful to investors in helping to understand the underlying financial performance of ChoiceOne.
Non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations. Readers should be aware of these limitations and should be cautious with respect to the use of such measures. To compensate for these limitations, we use non-GAAP measures as comparative tools, together with GAAP measures, to assist in the evaluation of our operating performance or financial condition. Also, we ensure that these measures are calculated using the appropriate GAAP or regulatory components in their entirety and that they are computed in a manner intended to facilitate consistent period-to-period comparisons. ChoiceOne’s method of calculating these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from methods used by other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for those financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP or in-effect regulatory requirements.
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Critical Accounting Policies And Estimates
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations as well as disclosures found elsewhere in this report are based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near-term relate to the determination of the market value of securities, the amount of the allowance for loan losses, loan servicing rights, carrying value of goodwill, and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Securities
Debt securities are classified as held to maturity and carried at amortized cost when management has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. Debt securities available for sale may be sold prior to maturity due to changes in interest rates, prepayment risks, yield, availability of alternative investments, liquidity needs, credit rating changes, or other factors. Debt securities classified as available for sale are reported at their fair value with changes flowing through other comprehensive income. Declines in the fair value of securities below their cost that are considered to be “other than temporary” are recorded as losses in the income statement. In estimating whether a fair value decline is considered to be “other than temporary,” management considers the length of time and extent that the security’s fair value has been less than its carrying value, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and the Bank’s ability and intent to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.
Market values for securities available for sale are obtained from outside sources and applied to individual securities within the portfolio. The difference between the amortized cost and the fair value of securities is recorded as a valuation adjustment and reported net of tax effect in other comprehensive income.
Equity securities are reported at their fair value with changes in market value flowing through net income. Prior to 2018, equity securities were accounted for in a manner similar to available for sale debt securities.
Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level believed adequate by management to absorb probable incurred losses inherent in the consolidated loan portfolio. Management’s evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is an estimate based on reviews of individual loans, assessments of the impact of current economic conditions on the portfolio and historical loss experience of seasoned loan portfolios.
Management believes the accounting estimate related to the allowance for loan losses is a “critical accounting estimate” because (1) the estimate is highly susceptible to change from period to period because of assumptions concerning the changes in the types and volumes of the portfolios and current economic conditions and (2) the impact of recognizing an impairment or loan loss could have a material effect on the Company’s assets reported on the balance sheet as well as its net income.
Loan Servicing Rights
Loan servicing rights represent the estimated value of servicing loans that are sold with servicing retained by ChoiceOne and are initially recorded at estimated fair value. Servicing rights are expensed in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing revenues. Management’s accounting treatment of loan servicing rights is estimated based on current prepayment speeds that are typically market driven.
Management believes the accounting estimate related to loan servicing rights is a “critical accounting estimate” because (1) the estimate is highly susceptible to change from period to period because of significant changes within long-term interest rates affecting the prepayment speeds for current loans being serviced and (2) the impact of recognizing an impairment loss could have a material effect on ChoiceOne’s net income. Management has obtained a third-party valuation of its loan servicing rights to corroborate its current carrying value at the end of each reporting period.
Goodwill
Goodwill is not amortized but is evaluated annually for impairment and on an interim basis if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. The goodwill impairment test is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, and an impairment charge would be recognized for any amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value. Accounting pronouncements allow a company to first perform a qualitative assessment for goodwill prior to a quantitative assessment (Step 1 assessment). If the results of the qualitative assessment indicate that it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, then a quantitative assessment must be performed. If not, there is no further assessment required. The Company acquired Valley Ridge Financial Corp. in 2006, County in 2019, and Community Shores in 2020, which resulted in the recognition of goodwill of $13.7 million, $38.9 million and $7.3 million, respectively.
We conducted an annual assessment of goodwill as of June 30, 2022 and no impairment was identified. The Company used a qualitative assessment to determine goodwill was not impaired as of June 30, 2022.
Additionally, the Company engaged a third party valuation firm to assist in performing a quantitative analysis of goodwill as of November 30, 2022 ("the valuation date"). In deriving the fair value of the reporting unit (the Bank), the third-party firm assessed general economic conditions and outlook; industry and market considerations and outlook; the impact of recent events to financial performance; the market price of ChoiceOne’s common stock and other relevant events. In addition, the valuation relied on financial projections through 2027 and growth rates prepared by management. Based on the valuation prepared, it was determined that ChoiceOne's estimated fair value of the reporting unit at the valuation date was greater than its book value and impairment of goodwill was not required.
Management concurred with the conclusion derived from the quantitative goodwill analysis as of the valuation date and determined that there were no material changes and that no triggering events had occurred that indicated impairment from the valuation date through December 31, 2022, and as a result that it is more likely than not that there was no goodwill impairment as of December 31, 2022.
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Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
Income taxes include both a current and deferred portion. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded to account for differences in the timing of the recognition of revenues and expenses for financial reporting and tax purposes. Generally accepted accounting principles require that deferred tax assets be reviewed to determine whether a valuation allowance should be established using a “more likely than not” standard. Based on its review of ChoiceOne’s deferred tax assets as of
December 31, 2022, management determined that no valuation allowance was necessary. The valuation of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities is considered critical, as it requires management to make estimates based on provisions of the enacted tax laws. The assessment of tax assets and liabilities involves the use of estimates, assumptions, interpretations, and judgments concerning certain accounting pronouncements and the federal tax code.
FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001437749-22-006668.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion is designed to provide a review of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. (“ChoiceOne” or the “Company”), and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes.
We have omitted discussion of 2020 results where it would be redundant to the discussion previously included in Part II, Item 7 of our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Selected Financial Data
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
| For the year | ||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 60,641 | $ | 51,071 | $ | 27,773 | ||||||
| Provision for loan losses | 416 | 4,000 | - | |||||||||
| Noninterest income | 19,194 | 22,698 | 9,168 | |||||||||
| Noninterest expense | 52,921 | 50,884 | 28,476 | |||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 26,498 | 18,885 | 8,465 | |||||||||
| Income tax expense | 4,456 | 3,272 | 1,294 | |||||||||
| Net income | 22,042 | 15,613 | 7,171 | |||||||||
| Cash dividends declared | 7,200 | 6,174 | 5,806 | |||||||||
| Per share * | ||||||||||||
| Basic earnings | $ | 2.87 | $ | 2.08 | $ | 1.58 | ||||||
| Diluted earnings | 2.86 | 2.07 | 1.58 | |||||||||
| Cash dividends declared | 0.94 | 0.82 | 1.40 | |||||||||
| Shareholders' equity (at year end) | 29.52 | 29.15 | 26.52 | |||||||||
| Average for the year | ||||||||||||
| Securities | $ | 869,788 | $ | 388,797 | $ | 210,492 | ||||||
| Gross loans | 1,040,430 | 1,014,959 | 534,646 | |||||||||
| Deposits | 1,905,629 | 1,421,168 | 710,419 | |||||||||
| Borrowings | 5,465 | 16,712 | 21,270 | |||||||||
| Subordinated debt | 12,841 | 1,532 | - | |||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | 225,120 | 214,591 | 110,610 | |||||||||
| Assets | 2,156,774 | 1,654,873 | 845,851 | |||||||||
| At year end | ||||||||||||
| Securities | $ | 1,116,265 | $ | 585,687 | $ | 348,888 | ||||||
| Gross loans | 1,068,831 | 1,117,798 | 856,191 | |||||||||
| Deposits | 2,052,294 | 1,674,578 | 1,154,602 | |||||||||
| Borrowings | 50,000 | 9,327 | 33,198 | |||||||||
| Subordinated debt | 35,017 | 3,089 | - | |||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | 221,669 | 227,268 | 192,139 | |||||||||
| Assets | 2,366,682 | 1,919,342 | 1,386,128 | |||||||||
| Selected financial ratios | ||||||||||||
| Return on average assets | 1.02 | % | 0.94 | % | 0.85 | % | ||||||
| Return on average shareholders' equity | 9.79 | 7.28 | 6.48 | |||||||||
| Cash dividend payout as a percentage of net income | 32.67 | 39.54 | 80.97 | |||||||||
| Shareholders' equity to assets (at year end) | 9.37 | 11.84 | 13.86 |
Note - 2019 financial data includes the impact of the merger with County, which was effective as of October 1, 2019, and 2020 financial data includes the impact of the merger with Community Shores, which was effective July 1, 2020.
19
Explanatory Note
On July 1, 2020, ChoiceOne completed the merger of Community Shores Bank Corporation ("Community Shores") with and into ChoiceOne with ChoiceOne surviving the merger. Accordingly, the reported consolidated financial condition and operating results as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021 include the impact of the merger, which was effective as of July 1, 2020.
On October 1, 2019, ChoiceOne completed the merger of County Bank Corp. ("County") with and into ChoiceOne with ChoiceOne surviving the merger. Accordingly, the reported consolidated financial condition and operating results as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019, December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2021 include the impact of the merger, which was effective as of October 1, 2019.
For additional details regarding the mergers with Community Shores and County, see Note 21 (Business Combinations) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Summary
ChoiceOne's net income for 2021 was $22.0 million, compared to $15.6 million in 2020. Diluted earnings per share was $2.86 during in the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, compared to $2.07 per share in the twelve months ended December 31, 2020. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2020, excluding $2.7 million of tax-effected merger expenses, was $18.3 million or $2.43 per diluted share.
Total assets grew to $2.4 billion as of December 31, 2021 compared to $1.9 billion as of December 31, 2020. The increase was related to organic deposit growth of $ 377.7 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2021. This growth was partly due to how individuals and businesses have managed funds received under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security ("CARES") Act. In an effort to deploy deposit growth, ChoiceOne grew its securities portfolio $530.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2021. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, $192.5 million of loans under the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") were forgiven resulting in $5.2 million of fee income. This growth in the securities portfolio coupled with PPP fees helped total interest income for 2021 to grow $8.9 million compared to 2020. 2021 interest income on loans included accretion income related to loans acquired from the mergers with County Bank Corp. and Community Shores Bank Corporation in the amount of $1.1 million. The remaining credit mark on these acquired loans totaled $6.8 million as of December 31, 2021. Despite the large increase in deposit balances, interest cost of deposits decreased by $873,000 in 2021 compared to 2020.
In September 2021, ChoiceOne completed a private placement of $32.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.25% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2031. ChoiceOne used a portion of net proceeds from the private placement to redeem senior debt, fund common stock repurchases, and support bank-level capital ratios.
Total noninterest income declined $3.5 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2020. Total noninterest income in 2020 was bolstered by heightened levels of refinancing activity within ChoiceOne's mortgage portfolio, with gains on sales of loans $3.7 million higher than in 2021. Customer service charges increased $1.4 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2020. 2020 service charges were depressed by stay-at-home orders during the COVID 19 pandemic. 2021 service charges also included the effect from the merger with Community Shores, which closed on July 1, 2020.
Total noninterest expense increased $2.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. Much of the increase in 2021 was caused by the increase in scale related to the merger with Community Shores.
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The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak
Consistent with federal banking agencies' “Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus,” ChoiceOne is working with its borrowers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. ChoiceOne granted deferrals on numerous loans to borrowers affected by the pandemic; however, as of June 30, 2021, all deferments had resumed payments in accordance with loan terms.
In addition, ChoiceOne processed over $126 million in PPP loans in 2020 and acquired an additional $37 million in PPP loans in the merger with Community Shores. ChoiceOne originated an additional $89.1 million in PPP loans in 2021. PPP loans are forgivable, in whole or in part, if the proceeds are used for payroll and other permitted purposes in accordance with the requirements of the PPP. PPP loans carry a fixed rate of 1.00% and a term of two years (loans made before June 5, 2020) or five years (loans made on or after June 5, 2020), if not forgiven in whole or in part. Payments are deferred until either the date on which the Small Business Administration ("SBA") remits the amount of forgiveness proceeds to the lender or the date that is ten months after the last day of the covered period if the borrower does not apply for forgiveness within that ten-month period. The loans are 100% guaranteed by the SBA. The SBA pays the originating bank a processing fee ranging from 1% to 5%, based on the size of the loan. Upon SBA forgiveness, unrecognized fees are recognized into interest income. During the year ended December 31, 2021, $192.5 million of PPP loans were forgiven resulting in $5.2 million of fee income compared to $23.4 million of PPP loans forgiven resulting in $3.0 million of fee income in 2020. $33.1 million in PPP loans and $1.2 million in deferred PPP fee income remains outstanding as of December 31, 2021. Management expects the remaining PPP loans to be forgiven in the first half of 2022.
Dividends
Cash dividends of $7.2 million or $0.94 per common share were declared in 2021 compared to $6.2 million or $0.82 per common share were declared in 2020. The dividend yield for ChoiceOne’s common stock was 3.55% as of the end of 2021, compared to 2.66% as of the end of 2020. The cash dividend payout as a percentage of net income was 33% as of December 31, 2021, compared to 40% as of December 31, 2020.
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Table 1 – Average Balances and Tax-Equivalent Interest Rates
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | Average | Average | Average | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance | Interest | Rate | Balance | Interest | Rate | Balance | Interest | Rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (1) (3)(4)(5) | $ | 1,040,430 | $ | 48,672 | 4.68 | % | $ | 1,014,959 | $ | 46,893 | 4.62 | % | $ | 534,646 | $ | 26,791 | 5.01 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable securities (2) | 599,902 | 10,260 | 1.71 | 276,085 | 5,891 | 2.13 | 152,094 | 3,955 | 2.60 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nontaxable securities (1) | 269,886 | 7,098 | 2.63 | 112,712 | 3,402 | 3.02 | 58,398 | 1,867 | 3.20 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 68,879 | 84 | 0.12 | 71,417 | 266 | 0.37 | 14,992 | 268 | 1.79 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets | 1,979,097 | 66,114 | 3.34 | 1,475,173 | 56,452 | 3.83 | 760,130 | 32,881 | 4.33 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-earning assets | 177,677 | 179,699 | 85,721 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 2,156,774 | $ | 1,654,873 | $ | 845,851 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand deposits | $ | 791,886 | $ | 1,797 | 0.23 | % | $ | 571,693 | $ | 1,832 | 0.32 | % | $ | 278,444 | $ | 1,559 | 0.56 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Savings deposits | 398,969 | 551 | 0.14 | 267,217 | 300 | 0.11 | 109,028 | 79 | 0.07 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 186,898 | 957 | 0.51 | 183,836 | 2,046 | 1.11 | 136,537 | 2,550 | 1.87 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | 5,465 | 101 | 1.86 | 16,712 | 327 | 1.96 | 21,269 | 512 | 2.41 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debentures | 12,841 | 571 | 4.45 | 1,532 | 139 | 9.07 | - | - | 0.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities | 1,396,059 | 3,977 | 0.28 | 1,040,990 | 4,644 | 0.45 | 545,278 | 4,700 | 0.86 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits | 527,876 | 398,422 | 186,411 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other noninterest-bearing liabilities | 7,719 | 870 | 3,552 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 1,931,654 | 1,440,282 | 735,241 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | 225,120 | 214,591 | 110,610 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 2,156,774 | $ | 1,654,873 | $ | 845,851 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) (Non-GAAP) (1) | $ | 62,137 | $ | 51,808 | $ | 28,181 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis) (Non-GAAP) (1) | 3.14 | % | 3.51 | % | 3.71 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation to Reported Net Interest Income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) (Non-GAAP) (1) | $ | 62,137 | $ | 51,808 | $ | 28,181 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjustment for taxable equivalent interest | (1,513 | ) | (737 | ) | (408 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income (GAAP) | $ | 60,624 | $ | 51,071 | $ | 27,773 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin (GAAP) | 3.08 | % | 3.38 | % | 3.47 | % |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (1) | Adjusted to a fully tax-equivalent basis to facilitate comparison to the taxable interest-earning assets. The adjustment uses an incremental tax rate of 21%. The presentation of these measures on a tax-equivalent basis is not in accordance with GAAP, but is customary in the banking industry. These non-GAAP measures ensure comparability with respect to both taxable and tax-exempt loans and securities. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (2) | Interest on taxable securities includes dividends on Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock. |
| (3) | Loans include both loans to other financial institutions and loans held for sale. |
|---|---|
| (4) | Non-accruing loan balances are included in the balance of average loans. |
| (5) | Interest on loans included net origination fees and PPP fees of approximately $7,232,000, $5,236,000, and $866,000 in 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. |
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Table 2 – Changes in Tax-Equivalent Net Interest Income
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in thousands) | 2021 Over 2020 | 2020 Over 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | Volume | Rate | Total | Volume | Rate | |||||||||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in interest income (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (2) | $ | 1,779 | $ | 1,187 | $ | 592 | $ | 20,102 | $ | 22,336 | $ | (2,234 | ) | |||||||||||
| Taxable securities | 4,369 | 5,737 | (1,368 | ) | 1,936 | 2,749 | (813 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Nontaxable securities (2) | 3,696 | 4,185 | (489 | ) | 1,535 | 1,647 | (112 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other | (182 | ) | (9 | ) | (173 | ) | (2 | ) | 349 | (351 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Net change in interest income | 9,662 | 11,099 | (1,437 | ) | 23,571 | 27,081 | (3,510 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in interest expense (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand deposits | (35 | ) | 588 | (623 | ) | 273 | 1,143 | (870 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Savings deposits | 251 | 171 | 80 | 221 | 156 | 65 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | (1,089 | ) | 34 | (1,123 | ) | (504 | ) | 721 | (1,225 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | (226 | ) | (210 | ) | (16 | ) | (235 | ) | (230 | ) | (5 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Subordinated debentures | 432 | 1,516 | (37 | ) | 189 | 183 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net change in interest expense | (667 | ) | 2,099 | (1,719 | ) | (56 | ) | 1,973 | (2,029 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Net change in tax-equivalent net interest income | $ | 10,329 | $ | 9,001 | $ | 282 | $ | 23,627 | $ | 25,108 | $ | (1,481 | ) |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (1) | The volume variance is computed as the change in volume (average balance) multiplied by the previous year’s interest rate. The rate variance is computed as the change in interest rate multiplied by the previous year’s volume (average balance). The change in interest due to both volume and rate has been allocated to the volume and rate changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (2) | Interest on tax-exempt securities and loans has been adjusted to a fully tax-equivalent basis using an incremental tax rate of 21% for 2021, 2020, and 2019. |
Net Interest Income
The presentation of net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis is not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), but is customary in the banking industry. This non-GAAP measure ensures comparability of net interest income arising from both taxable and tax-exempt loans and investment securities. The adjustments to determine net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis were $1.5 million and $737,000 for the years ended 2021 and 2020, respectively. These adjustments were computed using a 21% federal income tax rate.
On March 3, 2020 the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee lowered the federal funds rate by 50 basis points which was followed by a reduction of 100 basis points on March 15, 2020. Operating in an environment with lower interest rates has had a negative effect on both ChoiceOne’s interest income and interest spread. ChoiceOne management continues to monitor rates and their effect on income as part of the Asset/Liability Risk Committee to determine what strategic decisions will need to be made in both higher and lower rate environments. No changes were made to the federal funds rate during 2021.
Tax-equivalent net interest income increased $10.3 million in 2021 compared to 2020. The increase was attributed to an increase of $503.9 million in average interest-earning assets. The average balance of loans increased $25.5 million in 2021 compared to 2020. This is due to loan growth excluding loans held for sale, loans to other financial institutions, and PPP loans during that period of $52.1 million offset by a decline in the average balance of PPP loans held during 2021 compared to 2020. The average rate earned on loans also increased by 6 basis points in 2021 compared to 2020 as a result of the recognition of $5.2 million in PPP fees earned. Tax-equivalent interest income on loans increased $1.8 million in 2021 compared to the prior year. The average balance of total securities grew $481.0 million in 2021 compared to the prior year as ChoiceOne made efforts to deploy deposit growth into earning assets. The average balance growth offset by a 39 basis point decline in the average rate earned on securities caused interest income from securities to grow $8.1 million in 2021 compared to the prior year. A decline of $2.5 million in average balance in other interest-earning assets in 2021 compared to 2020, coupled with a 25 basis point decline in the rate earned, caused interest income to decline by $182,000.
Despite large increases in deposit balances, a significant decline in overall market interest rates in 2021 compared to 2020 caused the interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities to decline by $667,000. The average balance of interest-bearing demand deposits and savings deposits increased $351.9 million in 2021 compared to 2020. The effect of this increase, offset by a 6 basis point decline in the average rate paid, caused interest expense to be $216,000 higher in 2021 than in the prior year. The average balance of certificates of deposit was $3.1 million higher in 2021 than in 2020. Growth in the average balance was more than offset by a decline in average rate paid of 60 basis points which caused interest expense to decline by $1.1 million.
ChoiceOne’s tax-equivalent net interest income margin was 3.14% in 2021 and 3.51% in 2020. The decrease in the net interest income margin resulted from a lower rate environment and an asset mix with a higher percentage of securities to total assets.
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Provision and Allowance For Loan Losses
Table 3 – Provision and Allowance For Loan Losses
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
| Allowance for loan losses at beginning of year | $ | 7,593 | $ | 4,057 | $ | 4,673 | ||||||
| Charge-offs: | ||||||||||||
| Agricultural | - | 15 | - | |||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | 195 | 148 | 83 | |||||||||
| Real estate - commercial | 111 | 254 | - | |||||||||
| Real estate - construction | - | - | 25 | |||||||||
| Real estate - residential | - | 8 | 292 | |||||||||
| Consumer | 370 | 329 | 589 | |||||||||
| Total | 676 | 754 | 989 | |||||||||
| Recoveries: | ||||||||||||
| Agricultural | - | - | 65 | |||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | 86 | 57 | 22 | |||||||||
| Real estate - commercial | 48 | 10 | - | |||||||||
| Real estate - construction | - | - | 124 | |||||||||
| Real estate - residential | 7 | 19 | 136 | |||||||||
| Consumer | 214 | 204 | 26 | |||||||||
| Total | 355 | 290 | 373 | |||||||||
| Net charge-offs (recoveries) | 321 | 464 | 616 | |||||||||
| Provision for loan losses | 416 | 4,000 | - | |||||||||
| Allowance for loan losses at end of year | $ | 7,688 | $ | 7,593 | $ | 4,057 | ||||||
| Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of: | ||||||||||||
| Total loans as of year end | 0.76 | % | 0.71 | % | 0.51 | % | ||||||
| Nonaccrual loans, accrual loans past due 90 days or more and troubled debt restructurings | 139 | % | 92 | % | 63 | % | ||||||
| Ratio of net charge-offs during the period to average loans outstanding during the period | 0.03 | % | 0.05 | % | 0.12 | % | ||||||
| Loan recoveries as a percentage of prior year's charge-offs | 47 | % | 29 | % | 102 | % |
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The provision for loan losses was $416,000 in 2021, compared to $4.0 million in the prior year. The provision in 2020 was impacted by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ChoiceOne's local market areas and the national economy. The provision in 2021 was deemed prudent based on our assessment of the probable estimated losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Our methodology for measuring the appropriate level of allowance for loan losses and related provision for loan losses involves specific allocations for loans considered impaired, and general allocations for homogeneous loans based on historical loss experience.
Loans classified as impaired loans declined by $2.4 million during 2021. The specific allowance for loan losses for impaired loans increased $72,000 during 2021 as the loans being evaluated had a higher risk of loss based on management's judgement than impaired loans at December 31, 2020.
Loans that were collectively analyzed for impairment decreased by $45.5 million in 2021 as a result of forgiveness of PPP loans of $192.5 million offset by loans excluding PPP, loans to other financial institutions, and loans held for sale, increasing by $52.1 million and PPP originations of $89.1 million. As PPP loans are 100% government guaranteed and carry no allowance, the net decrease in PPP loans had no impact on the allowance for loan losses. The general allocation for loan losses not considered impaired increased by $23,000 during 2021.
The determination of our loss factors is based, in part, upon our actual loss history adjusted for significant qualitative factors that, in management's judgment, affect the collectability of the portfolio as of the analysis date. ChoiceOne uses a rolling 20 quarter actual net charge-off history as the base for the computation.
Nonperforming loans were $5.5 million as of December 31, 2021 compared to $8.2 million as of December 31, 2020. The allowance for loan losses was 0.76% of total loans at December 31, 2021, compared to 0.71% at December 31, 2020. Loans acquired in the mergers with County and Community Shores were recorded at fair value and as a result do not have an allowance for loan losses allocated to them unless credit deteriorates subsequent to acquisition. ChoiceOne has $6.8 million in credit mark remaining on loans acquired in the mergers. If the credit mark associated with the loans acquired in the mergers were added to the allowance for loan losses, the total allowance for loan losses would have represented 1.37% of total loans excluding loans held for sale at December 31, 2021 and 1.55% at December 31, 2020.
Net charge-offs were $321,000 in 2021 compared to net charge-offs of $464,000 during the same period in 2020. Net charge-offs on an annualized basis as a percentage of average loans were 0.03% in 2021 compared to 0.05% and 0.12% in 2020. Management is aware that the economic climate in Michigan will continue to affect business and individual borrowers. Management believes that the COVID-19 pandemic continue to have an impact in 2022 and, accordingly, has maintained a qualitative allocation related to the COVID-19 pandemic in evaluating its allowance for loan losses. Management has worked and intends to continue to work with delinquent borrowers in an attempt to lessen the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ChoiceOne.
ChoiceOne has allocated approximately $1.1 million of its allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2021 compared to $2.2 million at December 31, 2020, to borrowers falling into industry classification codes that management believes to be highly or moderately affected by the pandemic, as follows:
| Highly Affected | Moderately Affected |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | Ambulatory Health Care Services |
| Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries | Educational Services |
| Food Services and Drinking Places | Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods |
| Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries | Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods |
| Rental and Leasing Services | Miscellaneous Store Retailers |
| Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation | Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries |
| Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation | Real Estate |
Loans highly affected and moderately affected based on their commercial industry category have been allocated an additional 20 basis points and 10 basis points, respectively. ChoiceOne has also allocated 10 basis points to all retail loan categories. It is noted that this allowance amount is in addition to the regularly calculated allowance based on risk rating and qualitative factors. These allocations have declined from their highest levels at December 31, 2020, as ChoiceOne has seen improvements in customer, industry, and economic conditions related to the effects of the pandemic. ChoiceOne will continue to monitor concentrations as part of its analysis on an ongoing basis. Management will continue to monitor charge-offs, changes in the level of nonperforming loans, changes within the composition of the loan portfolio and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it will adjust the provision and allowance for loan losses as determined to be necessary.
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Noninterest Income
Total noninterest income declined $3.5 million in 2021 compared to 2020. Total noninterest income in 2020 was bolstered by heightened levels of refinancing activity within ChoiceOne's mortgage portfolio, with gains on sales of loans $3.7 million higher than in 2021. Customer service charges increased $1.4 million in 2021 compared to the prior year. Prior year service charges were depressed by stay-at-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Current year service charges also included the effect from the merger with Community Shores, which closed on July 1, 2020. The stock market dipped sharply in March 2020 related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected securities held by ChoiceOne. Since that time ChoiceOne has seen the value of equity investments held climb to pre-pandemic levels. The change in the market value of equity securities was $634,000 higher in 2021, when compared to the prior year. It is also noted that ChoiceOne performed a restructuring of its security portfolio in the second quarter of 2020, which provided $1.3 million of additional noninterest income in 2020 compared to 2021.
Noninterest Expense
Total noninterest expense increased $2.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. Much of the increase in 2021 was caused by the increase in scale related to the merger with Community Shores. During 2021, ChoiceOne hired six experienced commercial lenders, opened a loan production office in Wyoming, Michigan, and added four experienced members to the wealth management team. These increases were offset by declines in professional fees of $707,000, data processing of $576,000, and supplies and postage of $230,000. These reductions in expenses in 2021 are related to synergies from the merger with Community Shores and fees incurred in 2020 related to the merger with Community Shores.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense was $1.2 million higher in 2021 than in 2020. The increase is related to additional pre-tax income offset by the effect of merger-related expenses in 2020. The effective tax rate was 17% in 2021 and 2020.
Financial Condition
Summary
Total assets grew $447.3 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, while deposit growth during the twelve months ended December 31, 2021 was $377.7 million. Despite the large increase in deposits, ChoiceOne has been able to maintain low deposit costs; interest expense from deposits decreased $873,000 during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. Excluding PPP loans, loans held for sale, and loans held at other financial institutions, ChoiceOne grew loans by $52.1 million during 2021. Management expects the remaining PPP loans to be forgiven in the first half of 2022.
Securities
The Company’s securities balances as of December 31 were as follows:
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||
| Equity securities | $ | 8,492 | $ | 2,896 | |||
| Available for Sale Securities | |||||||
| U.S. Government and federal agency | $ | 2,008 | $ | 2,051 | |||
| U.S. Treasury notes and bonds | 91,979 | 2,056 | |||||
| State and municipal | 534,847 | 320,368 | |||||
| Mortgage-backed | 433,115 | 246,723 | |||||
| Corporate | 20,642 | 3,589 | |||||
| Asset-backed securities | 16,294 | - | |||||
| Total | $ | 1,098,885 | $ | 574,787 |
Total investment securities increased $530.6 million from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021. Approximately $637.9 million of securities were purchased in 2021. Securities totaling $14.6 million were called or matured in 2021. Principal payments for municipal and mortgage-backed securities totaling $39.6 million were received during 2021. Approximately $29.7 million of securities were sold during 2021 for a net loss of $40,000. The Bank’s Investment Committee continues to monitor the portfolio and purchases securities as it considers prudent.
Equity securities included a money market preferred security ("MMP") of $1.0 million and common stock of $7.5 million as of December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2020, equity securities included an MMP of $1.0 million and common stock of $1.9 million.
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Loans
The Company’s loan portfolio as of December 31 was as follows:
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||
| Agricultural | $ | 64,819 | $ | 53,735 | |||
| Commercial and industrial | 203,024 | 303,527 | |||||
| Consumer | 35,174 | 34,014 | |||||
| Real estate - commercial | 525,884 | 469,247 | |||||
| Real estate - construction | 19,066 | 16,639 | |||||
| Real estate - residential | 168,881 | 192,506 | |||||
| Loans, gross | $ | 1,016,848 | $ | 1,069,668 |
The loan portfolio (excluding loans held for sale and loans to other financial institutions) decreased $52.8 million from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021. If PPP loans are also excluded the portfolio grew by $52.1 million during the same time period.
The Bank entered into an agreement during 2018 to provide a line of credit to facilitate funding of residential mortgage loan originations at other financial institutions. The loans are short-term in nature and are designed to provide funding for the time period between the loan origination and its subsequent sale in the secondary market. The balance of the lines of credit held by the Bank was $42.6 million as of December 31, 2021 compared to $35.2 million as of December 31, 2020.
Information regarding impaired loans can be found in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements included in this report. In addition to its review of the loan portfolio for impaired loans, management also monitors various nonperforming loans. Nonperforming loans are comprised of (1) loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis; (2) loans, not included in nonaccrual loans, which are contractually past due 90 days or more as to interest or principal payments; and (3) loans, not included in nonaccrual or past due 90 days or more, which are considered troubled debt restructurings. Troubled debt restructurings consist of loans where the terms have been modified to assist the borrowers in making their payments. The modifications can include capitalization of interest onto the principal balance, reduction in interest rate, and extension of the loan term.
The balances of these nonperforming loans as of December 31 were as follows:
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||
| Loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis | $ | 1,727 | $ | 6,707 | |||
| Loans contractually past due 90 days or more as to principal or interest payments | - | - | |||||
| Loans considered troubled debt restructurings which are not included above | 3,816 | 1,537 | |||||
| Total | $ | 5,543 | $ | 8,244 |
Nonaccrual loans included $313,000 in agricultural loans, $285,000 in commercial and industrial loans, $279,000 in commercial real estate loans, and $850,000 in residential real estate loans as of December 31, 2021. Nonaccrual loans included $348,000 in agricultural loans, $1.8 million in commercial and industrial loans, $8,000 in consumer loans, $3.1 million in commercial real estate loans, $80,000 in construction real estate loans, and $1.4 million in residential real estate loans as of December 31, 2020. Loans considered troubled debt restructurings which were not on a nonaccrual basis and were not 90 days or more past due as to principal or interest payments consisted of $1.8 million in agricultural loans, $73,000 in commercial and industrial loans, 601,000 in commercial real estate loans and $1.3 million in residential real estate loans at December 31, 2021, compared to $196,000 in commercial real estate loans and $1.3 million in residential real estate loans at December 31, 2020.
The federal banking agencies issued an “Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus” on March 22, 2020 and subsequently issued a revised statement on April 7, 2020. These statements encourage financial institutions to work constructively with borrowers affected by COVID-19, and provide that short-term modifications to loans made on a good faith basis to borrowers who were current as of the implementation date of the statements are not considered TDRs. Further, Section 4013 of the CARES Act states that COVID-19 related modifications on loans that were current as of December 31, 2019 are not TDRs. As of December 31, 2020, ChoiceOne had granted deferments on approximately 750 loans with loan balances totaling $148 million which, in reliance on the statements of federal banking agencies and the CARES Act, are not reflected as TDRs in this report. All deferments had resumed payments in accordance with loan terms as of June 30, 2021.
Management also maintains a list of loans that are not classified as nonperforming loans but where some concern exists as to the borrowers’ abilities to comply with the original loan terms. There were no loans fitting this description as of December 31, 2021, compared to $26.1 million as of December 31, 2020.
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Deposits and Other Funding Sources
The Company’s deposit balances as of December 31 were as follows:
| (Dollars in thousands) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||
| Noninterest-bearing demand deposits | $ | 560,931 | $ | 477,654 | |||
| Interest-bearing demand deposits | 665,482 | 471,346 | |||||
| Money market deposits | 218,211 | 191,681 | |||||
| Savings deposits | 425,626 | 337,332 | |||||
| Local certificates of deposit | 182,044 | 196,565 | |||||
| Brokered certificates of deposit | - | - | |||||
| Total deposits | $ | 2,052,294 | $ | 1,674,578 |
Total deposits increased $377.7 million from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021. Much of the growth was due to the various stimulus programs offered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of December 31, 2021, borrowings consisted of Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") advances of $50.0 million. Total borrowings increased in 2021 as management invested in earning assets. FHLB advances were secured by agricultural loans and residential real estate loans with a carrying value of approximately $127.5 million at December 31, 2021. Approximately $69.3 million of additional FHLB advances were available as of December 31, 2021 based on the collateral pledged by the Bank.
In 2022, management will continue to focus its marketing efforts toward growth in local deposits. If local deposit growth is insufficient to support asset growth, management believes that advances from the FHLB and brokered certificates of deposit can address corresponding funding needs.
In September 2021, ChoiceOne completed a private placement of $32.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.25% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2031. ChoiceOne used a portion of net proceeds from the private placement to redeem senior debt, fund common stock repurchases, and support bank-level capital ratios. ChoiceOne also holds $3.1 million in subordinated debentures issued in connection with a $4.5 million trust preferred securities offering, which were obtained in the merger with Community Shores, offset by the merger mark-to-market adjustment.
Shareholders’ Equity
Total shareholders' equity declined $5.6 million in 2021. Accumulated other comprehensive income declined $13.6 million in 2021 as a result of market value declines in ChoiceOne’s available for sale securities. The change was caused by increases in certain general market interest rates since the beginning of 2021. The reduction in common stock and paid in capital resulted from ChoiceOne's repurchase of approximately 309,000 shares for $7.8 million, or a weighted average all-in cost per share of $25.17, during 2021. This was part of the common stock repurchase program announced in April 2021 which authorized repurchases of up to 390,114 shares, representing 5% of the total outstanding shares of common stock as of the date the plan was adopted. This program replaced and superseded all prior repurchase programs for ChoiceOne.
Note 20 to the consolidated financial statements presents regulatory capital information for ChoiceOne and the Bank at the end of 2021 and 2020. Management will monitor these capital ratios during 2022 as they relate to asset growth and earnings retention. ChoiceOne’s Board of Directors and management do not plan to allow capital to decrease below those levels necessary to be considered "well capitalized" by regulatory guidelines. At December 31, 2021, the Bank was categorized as "well-capitalized" under the Basel III framework.
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Table 4 – Contractual Obligations
The following table discloses information regarding the maturity of ChoiceOne’s contractual obligations at December 31, 2021:
| Payment Due by Period | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less | More | ||||||||||||||||||
| than | 1 - 3 | 3 - 5 | than | ||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | Total | 1 year | Years | Years | 5 Years | ||||||||||||||
| Time deposits | $ | 182,044 | $ | 149,991 | $ | 25,170 | $ | 6,491 | $ | 392 | |||||||||
| Borrowings | 50,000 | 50,000 | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| Cumulative Preferred Securities | 3,190 | (101 | ) | (202 | ) | (202 | ) | 3,695 | |||||||||||
| ChoiceOne Subordinated Debenture | 31,827 | (144 | ) | (288 | ) | (241 | ) | 32,500 | |||||||||||
| Operating leases | 657 | 221 | 284 | 152 | - | ||||||||||||||
| Other obligations | 227 | 68 | 118 | 19 | 22 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 267,945 | $ | 200,035 | $ | 25,082 | $ | 6,219 | $ | 36,609 |
Liquidity and Interest Rate Risk
Net cash from operating activities was $37.7 million in 2021 compared to $8.5 million in 2020. Net cash used in investing activities was $521.4 million in 2021 compared to cash used of $250.8 million in 2020. The change was caused by higher net purchases of securities in 2021 compared to 2020 offset by higher loan payments due to PPP loan forgiveness than loan originations in 2021. Net cash flows from financing activities were a positive $436.0 million in 2021 compared to a positive $262.2 million in 2020. The change was caused by more growth in deposits in 2021 and higher proceeds from borrowings and subordinated debt in 2021 compared to 2020.
ChoiceOne's primary market risk exposure occurs in the form of interest rate risk. Liquidity risk also can have an impact but to a lesser extent. ChoiceOne's business is transacted in U.S. dollars with no foreign exchange risk exposure. Agricultural loans comprise a relatively small portion of ChoiceOne's total assets. Management believes that ChoiceOne's exposure to changes in commodity prices is insignificant.
Management believes that the current level of liquidity is sufficient to meet the Bank's normal operating needs. This belief is based upon the availability of deposits from both the local and national markets, maturities of securities, normal loan repayments, income retention, federal funds purchased, lines of credit from correspondent banks, and advances available from the FHLB. Liquidity risk deals with ChoiceOne's ability to meet its cash flow requirements. These requirements include depositors desiring to withdraw funds and borrowers seeking credit. Relatively short-term liquid funds exist in the form of lines of credit to purchase federal funds at correspondent banks. As of December 31, 2021, the amount of federal funds available for purchase from the Bank's correspondent banks totaled approximately $134.5 million. ChoiceOne’s federal funds purchased balance was $0 as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The Bank also has a line of credit secured by ChoiceOne’s commercial loans with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago for $196.5 million, which is designated for nonrecurring short-term liquidity needs. Longer-term liquidity needs may be met through local deposit growth, maturities of securities, normal loan repayments, advances from the FHLB, brokered certificates of deposit, and income retention. Approximately $69.4 million of additional borrowing capacity was available from the FHLB based on agricultural real estate loans and residential real estate loans pledged as collateral at the end of 2021. The acceptance of brokered certificates of deposit is not limited as long as the Bank is categorized as “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines.
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NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
This report contains references to net income excluding tax-effected merger-related expenses, which is a financial measure that is not defined in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Management believes this non-GAAP financial measure provides additional information that is useful to investors in helping to understand the underlying financial performance of ChoiceOne.
Non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations. Readers should be aware of these limitations and should be cautious with respect to the use of such measures. To compensate for these limitations, we use non-GAAP measures as comparative tools, together with GAAP measures, to assist in the evaluation of our operating performance or financial condition. Also, we ensure that these measures are calculated using the appropriate GAAP or regulatory components in their entirety and that they are computed in a manner intended to facilitate consistent period-to-period comparisons. ChoiceOne’s method of calculating these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from methods used by other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for those financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP or in-effect regulatory requirements.
NON-GAAP Reconciliation
(Unaudited)
The non-GAAP measures presented in the table below reflect the adjustments of the reported U.S. GAAP results for significant items that management does not believe are reflective of the Company's current and ongoing operations.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In Thousands, Except Per Share Data) | 2021 | 2020 | |||||
| Income before income tax | $ | 26,498 | $ | 18,885 | |||
| Adjustment for pre-tax merger expenses | - | 3,219 | |||||
| Adjusted income before income tax | 26,498 | 22,104 | |||||
| Income tax expense | 4,456 | 3,272 | |||||
| Tax impact of adjustment for pre-tax merger expenses | - | 505 | |||||
| Adjusted income tax expense | 4,456 | 3,777 | |||||
| Net income | 22,042 | 15,613 | |||||
| Adjustment for pre-tax merger expenses, net of tax impact | - | 2,714 | |||||
| Adjusted net income | $ | 22,042 | $ | 18,327 | |||
| Basic earnings per share | $ | 2.87 | $ | 2.08 | |||
| Effect of merger expenses, net of tax impact | - | 0.36 | |||||
| Adjusted basic earnings per share | $ | 2.87 | $ | 2.44 | |||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 2.86 | $ | 2.07 | |||
| Effect of merger expenses, net of tax impact | - | 0.36 | |||||
| Adjusted diluted earnings per share | $ | 2.86 | $ | 2.43 |
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Critical Accounting Policies And Estimates
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations as well as disclosures found elsewhere in this report are based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near-term relate to the determination of the market value of securities, the amount of the allowance for loan losses, loan servicing rights, carrying value of goodwill, and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Securities
Debt securities available for sale may be sold prior to maturity due to changes in interest rates, prepayment risks, yield, availability of alternative investments, liquidity needs, credit rating changes, or other factors. Debt securities classified as available for sale are reported at their fair value with changes flowing through other comprehensive income. Declines in the fair value of securities below their cost that are considered to be “other than temporary” are recorded as losses in the income statement. In estimating whether a fair value decline is considered to be “other than temporary,” management considers the length of time and extent that the security’s fair value has been less than its carrying value, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and the Bank’s ability and intent to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.
Market values for securities available for sale are obtained from outside sources and applied to individual securities within the portfolio. The difference between the amortized cost and the fair value of securities is recorded as a valuation adjustment and reported net of tax effect in other comprehensive income.
Equity securities are reported at their fair value with changes in market value flowing through net income. Prior to 2018, equity securities were accounted for in a manner similar to available for sale debt securities.
Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level believed adequate by management to absorb probable incurred losses inherent in the consolidated loan portfolio. Management’s evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is an estimate based on reviews of individual loans, assessments of the impact of current economic conditions on the portfolio and historical loss experience of seasoned loan portfolios.
Management believes the accounting estimate related to the allowance for loan losses is a “critical accounting estimate” because (1) the estimate is highly susceptible to change from period to period because of assumptions concerning the changes in the types and volumes of the portfolios and current economic conditions and (2) the impact of recognizing an impairment or loan loss could have a material effect on the Company’s assets reported on the balance sheet as well as its net income.
Loan Servicing Rights
Loan servicing rights represent the estimated value of servicing loans that are sold with servicing retained by ChoiceOne and are initially recorded at estimated fair value. Servicing rights are expensed in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing revenues. Management’s accounting treatment of loan servicing rights is estimated based on current prepayment speeds that are typically market driven.
Management believes the accounting estimate related to loan servicing rights is a “critical accounting estimate” because (1) the estimate is highly susceptible to change from period to period because of significant changes within long-term interest rates affecting the prepayment speeds for current loans being serviced and (2) the impact of recognizing an impairment loss could have a material effect on ChoiceOne’s net income. Management has obtained a third-party valuation of its loan servicing rights to corroborate its current carrying value at the end of each reporting period.
Goodwill
Generally accepted accounting principles require that the fair values of the assets and liabilities of an acquired entity be recorded at their fair value on the date of acquisition. The fair values are determined using both internal computations and information obtained from outside parties when deemed necessary. The net difference between the price paid for the acquired company and the net value of its balance sheet is recorded as goodwill. Accounting principles also require that goodwill be evaluated for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Under recently issued accounting pronouncements, ChoiceOne is permitted to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that the fair value of equity is less than its carrying value. If the conclusion is that it is more likely than not that the fair value of equity is more than its carrying value, no further testing in the form of a quantitative assessment is necessary. If the conclusion is that it is more likely than not that the fair value of equity is less than its carrying value, then a two-step quantitative assessment test is performed to identify any potential goodwill impairment.
Management hired a third party to perform a quantitative assessment of goodwill as of November 30, 2020. The third party used an income approach to calculate cash flow based on excess capital above a required tangible equity to tangible assets ratio selected with consideration given to regulatory guidelines and the risk profile of ChoiceOne. As a result of the income approach, no indication of goodwill impairment was noted. The third party analysis also assessed the share price, book value, and financial results of ChoiceOne as compared to the previous year. Additionally, industry and market conditions were evaluated and compared, including the potential impact of COVID-19 on the ability of ChoiceOne’s borrowers to comply with loan terms. The third party also compared average values for recently closed bank merger and acquisition transactions to ChoiceOne's recently completed merger and acquisition transactions. In assessing the totality of the events and circumstances, management determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the Bank’s operations, from a qualitative perspective, exceeded the carrying value as of November 30, 2020 and there was no further quantitative assessment necessary.
Management performed its annual qualitative assessment of goodwill as of June 30, 2021. In evaluating whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of ChoiceOne's operations was less than the carrying amount, management assessed the relevant events and circumstances such as the ones noted in ASC 350-20-35-3c. The analysis consisted of a review of ChoiceOne’s current and expected future financial performance, the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ability of ChoiceOne’s borrowers to comply with loan terms, and the impact that reductions in both short-term and long-term interest rates have had and may continue to have on net interest margin and mortgage sales activity. ChoiceOne’s stock price per share was less than its book value as of December 31, 2021. This indicated that goodwill may be impaired and resulted in management performing another qualitative goodwill impairment assessment as of the year ended December 31, 2021. As a result of the analysis, management concluded that it was more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the reporting unit was greater than the carrying value. This was evidenced by the strong financial indicators, solid credit quality ratios, as well as the strong capital position of ChoiceOne. In addition, revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021 reflected significant and continuing growth in ChoiceOne's interest income, as well as net Small Business Administration fees related to Paycheck Protection Program loans. Based on the results of the qualitative analysis, management believed that a quantitative analysis was not necessary as of December 31, 2021.
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Taxes
Income taxes include both a current and deferred portion. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded to account for differences in the timing of the recognition of revenues and expenses for financial reporting and tax purposes. Generally accepted accounting principles require that deferred tax assets be reviewed to determine whether a valuation allowance should be established using a “more likely than not” standard. Based on its review of ChoiceOne’s deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2021, management determined that no valuation allowance was necessary.