CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORP (CZNC) FY 2024 MD&A

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Certain statements in this section and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are forward-looking statements. Citizens & Northern Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the Corporation) intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements, which are not historical facts, are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, business objectives and expectations, and are generally identifiable by the use of words such as, "should", “likely”, "expect", “plan”, "anticipate", “target”, “forecast”, and “goal”. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, may be beyond management’s control and could cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors which could have a material, adverse impact on the operations and future prospects of the Corporation include, but are not limited to, the following:

●changes in general economic conditions

●the potential for adverse developments in the banking industry that could have a negative impact on customer confidence

●the Corporation’s credit standards and its on-going credit assessment processes might not protect it from significant credit losses

●legislative or regulatory changes

●downturn in demand for loan, deposit and other financial services in the Corporation’s market area

●increased competition from other banks and non-bank providers of financial services

●changes in accounting principles, or the application of generally accepted accounting principles

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These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.

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EARNINGS OVERVIEW

2024 vs. 2023

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $25,958,000, or $1.69 per diluted share, as compared to $24,148,000, or $1.57 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2023. The results for 2023 included the impact of a $1.3 million charge, or $0.08 per diluted share, related to the repositioning of available-for-sale securities and bank-owned life insurance (BOLI).

Significant variances were as follows:

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2023 vs. 2022

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $24,148,000, or $1.57 per diluted share, as compared to $26,618,000, or $1.71 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2022. As noted above, the results for 2023 included the impact of a $1.3 million charge, or $0.08 per diluted share, related to the repositioning of available-for-sale securities and BOLI. Significant variances were as follows:

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More detailed information concerning the Corporation’s earnings results are provided in other sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The presentation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect many of the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans – A material estimate that is particularly susceptible to significant change is the determination of the allowance for credit losses (ACL) on loans. The Corporation maintains an ACL on loans which represents management’s estimate of expected net charge-offs over the life of the loans. The ACL includes two primary components: (i) an allowance established on loans which share similar risk characteristics collectively evaluated for credit losses (collective basis), and (ii) an allowance established on loans which do not share similar risk characteristics with any loan segment and which are individually evaluated for credit losses (individual basis). Management considers the determination of the ACL on loans to be critical because it requires significant judgment regarding estimates of expected credit losses based on the Corporation’s historical loss experience, current conditions and economic forecasts. Management’s evaluation is based upon a continuous review of the Corporation’s loans, with consideration given to evaluations resulting from examinations performed by regulatory authorities. Notes 1 and 7 to the consolidated financial statements provide an overview of the process management uses for determining the ACL, and additional discussion of the ACL is provided in a separate section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

The ACL may increase or decrease due to changes in economic conditions affecting borrowers and macroeconomic variables, including new information regarding existing problem loans, identification of additional problem loans, changes in the fair value of underlying collateral, unforeseen events such as natural disasters and pandemics, and other factors. Because current economic conditions and forecasts can change and future events are inherently difficult to predict, the anticipated amount of estimated credit losses on loans, and therefore the appropriateness of the ACL, could change significantly.

NET INTEREST INCOME

The Corporation’s primary source of operating income is net interest income, which is equal to the difference between the amounts of interest income and interest expense. Tables I, II and III include information regarding the Corporation’s net interest income in 2024, 2023 and 2022. In each of these tables, the amounts of interest income earned on tax-exempt securities and loans have been adjusted to a fully taxable-equivalent basis. The Corporation believes presentation of net interest income on a fully taxable-equivalent basis provides investors with meaningful information for purposes of comparing returns on tax-exempt securities and loans with returns on taxable securities and loans. Accordingly, the net interest income amounts reflected in these tables exceed the amounts presented in the consolidated financial statements. The discussion that follows is based on amounts in the tables.

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2024 vs. 2023

Fully taxable equivalent net interest income was $79,934,000 in 2024, $1,385,000 (1.7%) lower than in 2023. The decrease in net interest income reflected an increase in interest expense of $15,859,000 and an increase in interest income of $14,474,000. As presented in Table II, the Net Interest Margin was 3.30% in 2024, as compared to 3.47% in 2023, and the “Interest Rate Spread” (excess of average rate of return on earning assets over average cost of funds on interest-bearing liabilities) decreased to 2.59% in 2024 from 2.91% in 2023. The average yield on earning assets of 5.32% was 0.43% higher in 2024 as compared to 2023, while the average rate on interest bearing liabilities of 2.73% was 0.75% higher in 2024 as compared to 2023. Additionally, average total earning assets increased $81,866,000, average total loans increased $88,973,000 (5.0%) and average total deposits increased $85,644,000 (4.3%). Table III shows the net impact of changes in volume of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities increased net interest income for 2024 over 2023 by $2,539,000, while the net impact of changes in interest rates (primarily increases) decreased net interest income by $3,924,000.

INTEREST INCOME AND EARNING ASSETS

Interest income totaled $128,897,000 in 2024, an increase of $14,474,000, or 12.6%, from 2023.

Interest and fees from loans receivable increased $11,730,000 in 2024 as compared to 2023. In 2024, the fully taxable equivalent yield on loans was 6.03%, up from 5.67% in 2023, reflecting the effects of primarily rising interest rates on new loan originations and floating-rate loans. Average outstanding loans receivable increased $88,973,000 (5.0%) to $1,881,122,000 in 2024 from $1,792,149,000 in 2023. The Corporation has experienced growth in commercial real estate and other commercial loans in 2023 and in 2024.

Income from interest-bearing due from banks totaled $4,307,000 in 2024, an increase of $2,928,000 from 2023. Within this category, the largest asset balance in 2024 and 2023 has been interest-bearing deposits held with the Federal Reserve. The average yield on interest-bearing due from banks was 4.97% in 2024, up from 4.22% in 2023. The average balance of interest-bearing due from banks was $86,703,000 in 2024, up from $32,709,000 in 2023. The net increase in average interest-bearing due from banks for 2024 as compared to 2023 reflected net sources of cash from deposit growth, a reduction in average available-for-sale debt securities and an increase in borrowed funds, partially offset by net uses of cash for loan growth and an increase in Bank-Owned Life Insurance.

Interest income from available-for-sale debt securities, on a fully taxable-equivalent basis, decreased $246,000 in 2024 as compared to 2023, as the average balance (at amortized cost) of available-for-sale debt securities decreased $61,916,000 as indicated in Table II. The average yield on available-for-sale debt securities was 2.45% for 2024, up from 2.21% in 2023.

INTEREST EXPENSE AND INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES

Interest expense increased $15,859,000 to $48,963,000 in 2024 from $33,104,000 in 2023.

Interest expense on deposits increased $14,967,000, as the average rate on interest-bearing deposits increased to 2.51% in 2024 from 1.66% in 2023. Average total deposits (interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing) increased $85,644,000 (4.3%) in 2024 as compared to 2023. Within average deposits, average brokered deposits were $61,537,000 at an average rate of 5.19% in 2024 as compared to $47,424,000 at an average rate of 4.78% for 2023. Average time deposits increased $84,394,000, average interest checking deposits increased $48,472,000 and the average total balance of money market accounts increased $11,144,000 while average savings deposits decreased $35,631,000 and the average balance of noninterest bearing demand deposits decreased $22,735,000.

Interest expense on borrowed funds increased $892,000 in 2024 as compared to 2023. Interest expense on short-term borrowings in 2024 of $1,168,000 was down from $3,240,000 in 2023 as the average balance of short-term borrowings decreased to $22,743,000 in 2024 from $62,926,000 in 2023. The average rate on short-term borrowings was 5.14% in 2024 compared to 5.15% in 2023. Interest expense on long-term borrowings (FHLB advances) increased $2,958,000 to $7,188,000 in 2024 from $4,230,000 in 2023. The average balance of long-term borrowings was $167,181,000 in 2024, up from an average balance of $110,943,000 in 2023. Borrowings are classified as long-term within the Tables based on their term at origination or assumption in business combinations. The average rate on long-term borrowings was 4.30% in 2024 compared to 3.81% in 2023.

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2023 vs. 2022

Fully taxable equivalent net interest income was $81,319,000 in 2023, $3,035,000 (3.6%) lower than in 2022. The decrease in net interest income reflected an increase in interest expense of $23,585,000 (includes $17,595,000 interest on deposits and $5,990,000 in interest on borrowings) and an increase of $20,550,000 in total interest income as compared to 2022. As presented in Table II, the Net Interest Margin was 3.47% in 2023, as compared to 3.77% in 2022, and the “Interest Rate Spread” (excess of average rate of return on earning assets over average cost of funds on interest-bearing liabilities) decreased to 2.91% in 2023 from 3.57% in 2022. The average yield on earning assets of 4.89% was 0.70% higher in 2023 as compared to 2022, while the average rate on interest bearing liabilities of 1.98% was 1.36% higher in 2023 as compared to 2022. Table III shows the net impact of changes in volume of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities increased net interest income for 2023 over 2022 by $2,679,000, while the net impact of changes in interest rates (primarily increases) decreased net interest income by $5,714,000.

INTEREST INCOME AND EARNING ASSETS

Interest income totaled $114,423,000 in 2023, an increase of $20,550,000, or 21.9%, from 2022.

Interest and fees from loans receivable increased $20,540,000 in 2023 as compared to 2022. In 2023, the fully taxable equivalent yield on loans was 5.67%, up from 4.98% in 2022, reflecting the effects of rising interest rates on the loan portfolio. Average outstanding loans receivable increased $164,055,000 (10.1%) to $1,792,149,000 in 2023 from $1,628,094,000 in 2022. The Corporation experienced growth in outstanding commercial real estate and residential mortgage loans over the last three quarters of 2022 and in 2023.

Income from interest-bearing due from banks totaled $1,379,000 in 2023, an increase of $734,000 from the total for 2022. The average yield on interest-bearing due from banks was 4.22% in 2023 and 1.25% in 2022. The average balance of interest-bearing due from banks was $32,709,000 in 2023 as compared to $51,407,000 in 2022.  Within this category, the largest asset balance in 2023 and 2022 was interest-bearing deposits held with the Federal Reserve.

Interest income from available-for-sale debt securities, on a fully taxable-equivalent basis, decreased $711,000 in 2023 as compared to 2022, as the average balance (at amortized cost) of available-for-sale debt securities decreased $43.0 million as indicated in Table II. The average yield on available-for-sale debt securities was 2.21% for 2023, up from 2.16% in 2022.

INTEREST EXPENSE AND INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES

Interest expense increased $23,585,000 to $33,104,000 in 2023 from $9,519,000 in 2022.

Interest expense on deposits increased $17,595,000, as the average rate on interest-bearing deposits increased to 1.66% in 2023 from 0.46% in 2022 reflecting the impact of increases in market rates in 2023. Average total deposits (interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing) amounted to $1,971,926,000 for 2023, down $8,486,000 (0.4%) from $1,980,412,000 in 2022. Within average deposits, average brokered deposits were $47,424,000 at an average rate of 4.78% for 2023 as compared to $33,458,000 at an average rate of 1.71% in 2022. The deposit mix changed significantly in 2023. Average time deposits increased $96,224,000 and average interest checking deposits increased $45,654,000, while the average total balance of money market accounts decreased $95,954,000, the average balance of noninterest bearing demand deposits decreased $36,014,000 and average savings deposits decreased $18,396,000.

Interest expense on short-term borrowings in 2023 was $3,240,000 as compared to $429,000 in 2022 as the average balance of short-term borrowings increased to $62,926,000 in 2023 from $21,766,000 in 2022. The average rate on short-term borrowings was 5.15% in 2023 compared to 1.97% in 2022.

Interest expense on long-term borrowings (FHLB advances) increased $3,334,000 to $4,230,000 in 2023 from $896,000 in 2022. The average balance of long-term borrowings was $110,943,000 in 2023, up from an average balance of $40,194,000 in 2022. Borrowings are classified as long-term within the Tables based on their term at origination or assumption in business combinations. The average rate on long-term borrowings was 3.81% in 2023 compared to 2.23% in 2022.

Interest expense on subordinated debt decreased $157,000 to $922,000 in 2023 from $1,079,000 in 2022. The average balance of subordinated debt decreased to $24,662,000 in 2023 from $27,116,000 in 2022 and the average rate on subordinated debt decreased to 3.74% in 2023 from 3.98% in 2022 reflecting the repayment of subordinated debt assumed in an acquisition of $8,500,000 in the second quarter 2022.

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TABLE I - ANALYSIS OF INTEREST INCOME AND EXPENSE

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TABLE II - ANALYSIS OF AVERAGE DAILY BALANCES AND RATES

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TABLE III -  ANALYSIS OF VOLUME AND RATE CHANGES

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NONINTEREST INCOME

TABLE IV - COMPARISON OF NONINTEREST INCOME

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(1) N/M Not Meaningful

NONINTEREST EXPENSE

TABLE V - COMPARISON OF NONINTEREST EXPENSE

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Additional detailed information concerning fluctuations in the Corporation’s earnings results and other financial information are provided in other sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

INCOME TAXES

The effective income tax rate was 18.6% of pre-tax income in 2024, down from 20.8% in 2023 and up from 17.7% in 2022. Tax-exempt interest income and income from BOLI contributed to the effective rate being lower than the federal statutory rate in 2022 through 2024.The higher effective income tax rate in 2023 included the net impact of a tax charge of $950,000 for the initiated surrender of BOLI.

The Corporation recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities based on differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. At December 31, 2024, the net deferred tax asset was $19,098,000, up from the balance at December 31, 2023 of $17,441,000. The most significant change in temporary difference components among those periods was a decrease in the net deferred tax liabilities of $950,000 related to a tax charge for the surrender of BOLI in 2023.

The Corporation regularly reviews deferred tax assets for recoverability based on history of earnings, expectations for future earnings and expected timing of reversals of temporary differences. Realization of deferred tax assets ultimately depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income, including taxable income in prior carryback years, as well as future taxable income. Further, the value of the benefit from realization of deferred tax assets would be impacted if income tax rates were changed from currently enacted levels.

Management believes the recorded net deferred tax asset at December 31, 2024 is fully realizable; however, if management determines the Corporation will be unable to realize all or part of the net deferred tax asset, the Corporation would adjust the deferred tax asset, which would negatively impact earnings.

Additional information related to income taxes is presented in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements.

SECURITIES

Management continually evaluates several objectives in determining the size, securities mix and other characteristics of the available-for-sale debt securities (investment) portfolio. Key objectives include supporting liquidity needs and maximizing return on earning assets within reasonable risk parameters.

Table VI shows the composition of the available-for-sale debt securities portfolio at December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022. The total amortized cost of available-for-sale debt securities at December 31, 2024 was lower by $15,045,000 from December 31, 2023 and by $111,871,000 from December 31, 2022. Proceeds from maturities and sales of securities over the past three years have been used to help fund loan growth and for other purposes.

At December 31, 2024, the largest categories of securities held as a percentage of total amortized cost, were as follows: (1) tax-exempt and taxable municipal bonds, 36.3%; (2) residential mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored agencies, including pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations, 35.1%; and (3) commercial mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government sponsored agencies, 16.3%.

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The composition of the available-for-sale debt securities portfolio at December 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 is as follows:

TABLE VI - INVESTMENT SECURITIES

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(a) Source: Treasury.gov (Daily Treasury Par Yield Curve Rates)

As reflected in the table above, the fair value of available-for-sale securities was lower than the amortized cost basis by $47,543,000, or 10.6% at December 31, 2024, $49,213,000 or 10.6% at December 31, 2023 and $63,761,000 or 11.3% at December 31, 2022. The volatility in the fair value of the portfolio, including the significant reduction in fair value, resulted from changes in interest rates. As shown above, the market yield on the 5-year U.S. Treasury Note was 0.54% higher at December 31, 2024 in comparison to December 31, 2023, and 0.39% higher than at December 31, 2022.

Additional information regarding the potential impact of interest rate changes on all of the Corporation’s financial instruments is provided in Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

As described in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements, management determined the Corporation does not have the intent to sell, nor is it more likely than not that it will be required to sell, available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2024 before it is able to recover the amortized cost basis. Further, management reviewed the Corporation’s holdings as of December 31, 2024 and concluded there were no credit-related declines in fair value. Additional information related to the types of securities held at December 31, 2024, other than securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government entities or agencies, is as follows:

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Based on the results of management’s assessment, there was no ACL required on available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position at  December 31, 2024.

The following table presents the contractual maturities and the weighted-average yields (calculated based on amortized cost) of investment securities as of December 31, 2024. Yields on tax-exempt securities are presented on a fully taxable-equivalent basis. For callable securities, yields on securities purchased at a discount are based on yield-to-maturity, while yields on securities purchased at a premium are based on yield to the first call date. Yields on mortgage-backed securities are estimated and include the effects of prepayment assumptions. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because counterparties may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

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The Corporation’s mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations have stated maturities that may differ from actual maturities due to borrowers’ ability to prepay obligations. Cash flows from such investments are dependent upon the performance of the underlying mortgage loans and are generally influenced by the level of interest rates. As rates increase, cash flows generally decrease as prepayments on the underlying mortgage loans decrease. As rates decrease, cash flows generally increase as prepayments increase due to increased refinance activity and other factors. In the table above, the entire balances and weighted-average rates for mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations are shown in one period.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

This section includes information regarding the Corporation’s lending activities or other significant changes or exposures that are not otherwise addressed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis. Significant changes in the average balances of the Corporation’s earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities are described in the Net Interest Income section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis. Other significant balance sheet items, including securities, the allowance for credit losses for loans and stockholders’ equity, are discussed in separate sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis. There are no significant concerns that have arisen related to the Corporation’s off-balance sheet loan commitments or outstanding letters of credit at December 31, 2024.

Table VII shows the composition of the loan portfolio at year-end from 2020 through 2024. Throughout this time period, the portfolio was primarily commercial in nature. At December 31, 2024, commercial loans represented 75% of the portfolio while residential loans totaled 22% of the portfolio.

As presented in Table VII, total loans outstanding at December 31, 2024 were $1,895,848,000 which is an increase of $47,709,000 (2.6%) from total loans at December 31, 2023. In comparing outstanding balances at December 31, 2024 and 2023, total commercial

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loans were up $49,632,000 (3.6%), reflecting growth in owner occupied commercial real estate loans of $23,825,000, other commercial loans of $23,584,000 and non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans of $2,223,000. Within non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans, multi-family residential loans increased $41,098,000 reflecting the completion of several Corporation-financed construction projects in 2024. Total outstanding residential mortgage loans were down $5,705,000 (1.4%), and total consumer loans increased $3,782,000 (6.3%).

Also included in Table VII is additional detail regarding the composition of the non-owner occupied commercial real estate loan portfolio at December 31, 2024. The data in Table VII shows the amortized cost in non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans for which the primary purpose is utilization of office space by third parties was $102,831,000, or 5.4% of gross loans receivable. At December 31, 2024, within this segment there were two loans with a total amortized cost of $3,147,000 in nonaccrual status with no specific allowances. During the third quarter 2024, there was a partial charge-off of $640,000 on one of the office loans in nonaccrual status. The charge-off resulted from a decrease in the appraised value of property which is the primary source of collateral. At December 31, 2024, the carrying value of this loan was $1,814,000. The remainder of the non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans with a primary purpose of office space utilization were in accrual status with no specific allowance at December 31, 2024.

While the Corporation’s lending activities are primarily concentrated in its market areas, a portion of the Corporation’s commercial loan segment consists of participation loans. Participation loans represent portions of larger commercial transactions for which other institutions are the “lead banks”. Although not the lead bank, the Corporation conducts detailed underwriting and monitoring of participation loan opportunities. Participation loans are included in the “Commercial and industrial”, “Commercial loans secured by real estate”, “Political subdivisions” and “Other commercial” classes in the loan tables presented in this Form 10-K. Total participation loans outstanding amounted to $35,129,000 at December 31, 2024, down from $38,652,000 at December 31, 2023.

The Corporation originates and sells residential mortgage loans to the secondary market through the MPF Xtra program administered by the Federal Home Loan Banks of Pittsburgh and Chicago. Residential mortgages originated and sold through the MPF Xtra program consist primarily of conforming, prime loans sold to the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), a quasi-government entity. The Corporation also originates and sells residential mortgage loans to the secondary market through the MPF Original program, administered by the Federal Home Loan Banks of Pittsburgh and Chicago. Residential mortgages originated and sold through the MPF Original program consist primarily of conforming, prime loans sold to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh. The Corporation also may originate and sell larger-balance, nonconforming mortgages under the MPF Direct Program. The Corporation does not retain servicing rights for loans sold under the MPF Direct Program. Through December 31, 2024, the Corporation’s activity under the MPF Direct Program has been minimal.

For loan sales originated under the MPF programs, the Corporation provides customary representations and warranties to investors that specify, among other things, that the loans have been underwritten to the standards established by the investor. The Corporation may be required to repurchase a loan and reimburse a portion of fees received or reimburse the investor for a credit loss incurred on a loan, if it is determined that the representations and warranties have not been met. Such repurchases or reimbursements generally result from an underwriting or documentation deficiency. At December 31, 2024, the total outstanding balance of loans the Corporation has repurchased as a result of identified instances of noncompliance amounted to $2,671,000.

At December 31, 2024, outstanding balances of loans sold and serviced through the MPF Xtra and Original programs totaled $329, 766,000, including loans sold through the MPF Xtra program of $158,302,000 and loans sold through the Original program of $171,464,000. Based on the fairly limited volume of required repurchases to date, no allowance has been established for representation and warranty exposures as of December 31, 2024.

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TABLE VII – Five-Year Summary of Loans by Type

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Additional details regarding the composition of the non-owner occupied commercial real estate loan portfolio at December 31, 2024 is as follows:

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TABLE VIII – LOAN MATURITY DISTRIBUTION

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PROVISION AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

A summary of the provision for credit losses for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, is as follows:

For the year ended December 31, 2024, there was a provision for credit losses of $2,195,000, an increase of $2,009,000 in expense compared to a provision for loan losses of $186,000 in 2023. The provision for 2024 included expense related to loans receivable of $2,430,000 and a credit related to off-balance sheet exposures of $235,000. The expense related to loans receivable included a net increase in the ACL related to qualitative factors, partially offset by a decrease in total specific allowances on individual loans and decreases in other components of the ACL. The ACL increased $827,000 to 1.06% as a percentage of gross loans receivable at December 31, 204 as compared to 1.04% at December 31, 2023.

As shown in Table X, the ACL on loans individually evaluated decreased to $122,000 at December 31, 2024 from $743,000 at December 31, 2023, primarily from partial charge-offs on two loans with individual ACLs at December 31, 2023. In the third quarter 2024, there was a partial charge-off of $640,000 on a non-owner occupied commercial real estate office loan with a specific allowance of $486,000 at December 31, 2023. At December 31, 2024, the carrying value of this loan was $1,814,000 with no specific allowance on the loan. In the second quarter 2024, there was a partial charge-off of $117,000 on a non-owner occupied commercial real estate loan for which there was an ACL of $124,000 at December 31, 2023. At December 31, 2024, there was no ACL on the loan and the carrying value of the loan was $3,276,000. At December 31, 2024, there was one commercial relationship with loans receivable totaling $258,000 for which an individual ACL was recorded.

Table X also shows that, at December 31, 2024 as compared to December 31, 2023, the ACL related to collectively evaluated commercial loans increased by a total of $1,746,000 and the ACL on collectively evaluated consumer loans increased $110,000, while the ACL on collectively evaluated residential mortgage loans decreased $408,000. The increase for commercial loans includes the impact of an increase in qualitative adjustments resulting mainly from changes in external indexes and an increase in past due and nonaccrual loans.

In 2024, net charge-offs totaled $1,603,000, or 0.09% of average outstanding loans. In addition to the two charge-offs described above, in the third quarter 2024 there was a partial charge-off of $427,000 on two commercial construction and land loans to one borrower with  no specific ACL at December 31, 2023. At December 31, 2024, the carrying value of these loans totaled $1,883,000 with no specific allowance on the loans. Table IX shows annual average net charge-off rates ranging from a high of 0.26% in 2022 to a low of 0.01% in 2023. Table XII shows that over the five-year period ended December 31, 2024, the average net-charge off rate was 0.12%.

Table XI shows that total nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets was 0.92% at December 31, 2024, up from 0.75% at December 31, 2023 but lower than that at year-end 2020 through 2022. Total nonperforming assets were $24.1 million at December 31, 2024, up from $18.8 million at December 31, 2023. Similarly, total loans individually evaluated for credit loss increased to $19.1 million at December 31, 2024 from $11.3 million at December 31, 2023. The net increase in nonperforming assets at December 31, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023 included the impact of classifying commercial construction and land loans to two borrowers with carrying balances totaling $6.7 million at December 31, 2024 as nonaccrual. Based on management’s assessment, there was no specific ACL on these loans at December 31, 2024.

Over the period 2020-2024, each period includes a few large commercial relationships that have required significant monitoring and workout efforts. As a result, a limited number of relationships may significantly impact the total amount of allowance required on individual loans and may significantly impact the provision for credit losses and the amount of total charge-offs reported in any one period.

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Management believes it has been prudent in its decisions concerning identification of loans requiring individual evaluation for credit loss, estimates of loss, and nonaccrual status; however, the actual losses realized from these relationships could vary materially from the ACL calculated as of December 31, 2024. Management continues to closely monitor its commercial loan relationships for credit losses and will adjust its estimates of loss and decisions concerning nonaccrual status, if appropriate.

Tables IX through XII present historical data related to loans and the allowance for credit losses.

TABLE IX - ANALYSIS OF THE ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES ON LOANS

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TABLE X - COMPONENTS OF THE ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

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UPON ADOPTION OF CECL

PRIOR TO CECL ADOPTION

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TABLE XI - PAST DUE AND NONPERFORMING ASSETS

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TABLE XII – FIVE-YEAR HISTORY OF LOAN LOSSES

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CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

The Corporation’s significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations as of December 31, 2024 include repayment obligations related to time deposits and borrowed funds. Information related to maturities of time deposits is provided in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements. Information related to maturities of borrowed funds is provided in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements. The Corporation’s operating lease commitments with terms of one year or less and other commitments at December 31, 2024 are immaterial. Information concerning operating lease commitments with terms greater than one year is provided in Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements.

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The Corporation is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financial needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, interest rate or liquidity risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. Commitments to extend credit are legally binding agreements to lend to customers and generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of fees. The Corporation uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.  Commitments and standby letters of credit do not necessarily represent future liquidity requirements, as they may expire without being used.

The following table presents the Corporation's commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit as of December 31, 2024:

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Off-balance sheet arrangements are further described in Note 15 and the allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet exposures is described in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements.

As described in more detail in the Financial Condition section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis, the Corporation sells residential mortgage loans for which the Corporation provides customary representations and warranties to investors that specify, among other things, that the loans have been underwritten to the standards established by the investor. The Corporation may be required to repurchase a loan and reimburse a portion of fees received or reimburse the investor for a credit loss incurred on a loan, if it is determined that the representations and warranties have not been met. At December 31, 2024, outstanding balances of such loans sold totaled $329,766,000.

LIQUIDITY

Liquidity is the ability to quickly raise cash at a reasonable cost. An adequate liquidity position permits the Corporation to pay creditors, compensate for unforeseen deposit fluctuations and fund unexpected loan demand.

The Corporation maintains overnight borrowing facilities with several correspondent banks that provide a source of day-to-day liquidity. Also, the Corporation maintains borrowing facilities with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, secured by various mortgage loans.

The Corporation has a line of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s Discount Window. Management intends to use this line of credit as a contingency funding source. As collateral for the line, the Corporation has pledged available-for-sale securities with a carrying value of $18,881,000 at December 31, 2024.

The Corporation’s outstanding, available, and total credit facilities at December 31, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:

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