FARMERS NATIONAL BANC CORP /OH/ (FMNB)
SIC breadcrumb: Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate > Depository Institutions > SIC 6022 State Commercial Banks
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=709337. Latest filing source: 0001437749-26-007084.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read FMNB's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read FMNB's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 279,922,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-03-05 |
| Net income | 54,586,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-03-05 |
| Assets | 5,245,870,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-03-05 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-03-05. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000709337.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 | 186,288,000 | 255,196,000 | 269,448,000 | 279,922,000 | ||||||
| Net income | 20,557,000 | 22,711,000 | 32,569,000 | 35,760,000 | 41,876,000 | 51,844,000 | 60,597,000 | 49,932,000 | 45,949,000 | 54,586,000 |
| Diluted EPS | 0.76 | 0.82 | 1.16 | 1.28 | 1.47 | 1.77 | 1.79 | 1.33 | 1.22 | 1.45 |
| Operating cash flow | 24,495,000 | 30,566,000 | 38,764,000 | 38,761,000 | 49,066,000 | 54,933,000 | 81,501,000 | 62,928,000 | 66,615,000 | 60,042,000 |
| Capital expenditures | 788,000 | 956,000 | 450,000 | 1,458,000 | 3,696,000 | 1,375,000 | 2,559,000 | 3,880,000 | 11,692,000 | 7,861,000 |
| Dividends paid | 25,396,000 | 25,388,000 | 25,467,000 | |||||||
| Share buybacks | 168,000 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,842,000 | 14,238,000 | 164,000 | 0.00 | 11,544,000 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Assets | 1,966,113,000 | 2,159,069,000 | 2,328,864,000 | 2,449,158,000 | 3,071,148,000 | 4,142,749,000 | 4,082,200,000 | 5,078,350,000 | 5,118,924,000 | 5,245,870,000 |
| Liabilities | 1,752,897,000 | 1,916,995,000 | 2,066,544,000 | 2,149,849,000 | 2,721,051,000 | 3,670,317,000 | 3,789,905,000 | 4,673,935,000 | 4,712,896,000 | 4,760,145,000 |
| Stockholders' equity | 213,216,000 | 242,074,000 | 262,320,000 | 299,309,000 | 350,097,000 | 472,432,000 | 292,295,000 | 404,415,000 | 406,028,000 | 485,725,000 |
| Free cash flow | 23,707,000 | 29,610,000 | 38,314,000 | 37,303,000 | 45,370,000 | 53,558,000 | 78,942,000 | 59,048,000 | 54,923,000 | 52,181,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 32.53% | 19.57% | 17.05% | 19.50% | ||||||
| Return on equity | 9.64% | 9.38% | 12.42% | 11.95% | 11.96% | 10.97% | 20.73% | 12.35% | 11.32% | 11.24% |
| Return on assets | 1.05% | 1.05% | 1.40% | 1.46% | 1.36% | 1.25% | 1.48% | 0.98% | 0.90% | 1.04% |
| Liabilities / equity | 8.22 | 7.92 | 7.88 | 7.18 | 7.77 | 7.77 | 12.97 | 11.56 | 11.61 | 9.80 |
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 0001437749-26-007084; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | Capital expenditures: accession 0001437749-26-007084; concept PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | Free cash flow: accession 0001437749-26-007084; 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 0001437749-26-007084; filed 2026-03-05. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001437749-26-007084; filed 2026-03-05. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001437749-26-007084; filed 2026-03-05. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001437749-26-007084; filed 2026-03-05. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001437749-26-007084; filed 2026-03-05. Concept: PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001437749-26-007084; filed 2026-03-05. Concept: PaymentsOfDividends. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividends.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001437749-26-007084; filed 2026-03-05. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001437749-26-007084; filed 2026-03-05. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001437749-26-007084; filed 2026-03-05. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001437749-26-007084; filed 2026-03-05. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001437749-26-007084; filed 2026-03-05. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-07. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000709337.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-06-30 | 0.47 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 | 0.46 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 | 0.19 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-03-31 | 7,075,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 52,804,000 | 0.40 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-06-30 | 14,966,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 54,229,000 | 0.36 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 55,069,000 | 14,576,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 55,054,000 | 11,240,000 | 0.30 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-03-31 | 11,240,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 56,846,000 | 0.31 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-06-30 | 11,783,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 57,923,000 | 0.23 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 57,909,000 | 14,391,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 57,305,000 | 13,578,000 | 0.36 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-03-31 | 13,578,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 57,702,000 | 0.37 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-06-30 | 13,910,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 59,366,000 | 0.33 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 59,418,000 | 14,637,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 67,117,000 | 16,264,000 | 0.36 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001437749-26-015423; filed 2026-05-07. Concept: InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating. Source concepts: us-gaap:InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001437749-26-015423; filed 2026-05-07. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001437749-26-015423; filed 2026-05-07. 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: 0001437749-26-015423.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact, but rather statements based on the Company’s current expectations, beliefs and assumptions regarding the future of Farmers’ business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, its intended results and future performance, the economy and other future conditions. Forward-looking statements are preceded by terms such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “expect,” “estimate,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” or variations of these words, or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and actual future results could differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Numerous uncertainties, risks, and changes could cause or contribute to Farmers’ actual results, performance, and achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), including without limitation, the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in the Company’s 2025 Form 10-K, as updated in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Many of these factors are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict, and readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on those forward-looking statements. The following, which is not intended to be an all-encompassing list, summarizes several factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or expected in any forward-looking statement:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | general economic conditions in markets where the Company conducts business, which could materially impact credit quality trends; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | the length and extent of the economic impacts of the ongoing conflict with Iran; |
| • | the length and extent of U.S. and foreign country tariff policies and their impact on global, national, and regional economic conditions; | |
|---|---|---|
| • | actions by the Federal Reserve Board, U.S. Treasury and other government agencies, including those that impact money supply, market interest rates and inflation; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | disruptions in the mortgage and lending markets and significant or unexpected fluctuations in interest rates related to governmental responses to inflation, including financial stimulus packages and interest rate changes; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | general business conditions in the banking industry; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | the regulatory environment; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | general fluctuations in interest rates; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | demand for loans in the market areas where the Company conducts business; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | rapidly changing technology and evolving banking industry standards; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | competitive factors, including increased competition with regional and national financial institutions; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Farmers' ability to attract, recruit and retain skilled employees; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | new service and product offerings by competitors and price pressures. |
Other factors not currently anticipated may also materially and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial position. There can be no assurance that future results will meet expectations. While the Company believes that the forward-looking statements in the presentation are reasonable, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. In addition, these statements speak only as of the date made. The Company does not undertake, and expressly disclaims, any obligation to update or alter any statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.
Results of Operations. The following is a comparison of selected financial ratios and other results at or for the three month periods ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:
| At or for the Three Months Ended | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 31, | ||||||||
| (In Thousands, except Per Share Data) | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 7,175,476 | $ | 5,157,040 | ||||
| Net income | $ | 16,264 | $ | 13,578 | ||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.36 | $ | 0.36 | ||||
| Return on average assets (annualized) | 1.11 | % | 1.06 | % | ||||
| Return on average equity (annualized) | 11.55 | % | 13.12 | % | ||||
| Dividends to net income | 39.55 | % | 47.10 | % | ||||
| Net loans to assets | 66.13 | % | 62.36 | % | ||||
| Loans to deposits | 81.06 | % | 72.55 | % |
Net Income. The Company reported net income of $16.3 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 compared to $13.6 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. Net income for the first quarter of 2026 included a charge of $4.0 million related to the Merger with Middlefield and the conversion of our core system to Jack Henry. The new core platform contract will save the Company approximately $2.0 million per year, or $0.04 in diluted earnings per share, once the conversion is complete in August of 2026.
Net Interest Income. The following schedule details the various components of net interest income for the periods indicated. All asset yields are calculated on a tax-equivalent basis where applicable. Security yields are based on amortized cost.
39
Table of Contents
Average Balance Sheets and Related Yields and Rates
(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)
| Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| AVERAGE | AVERAGE | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE | INTEREST | RATE (1) | BALANCE | INTEREST | RATE (1) | |||||||||||||||||||
| EARNING ASSETS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (2) | $ | 3,811,021 | $ | 55,214 | 5.80 | % | $ | 3,261,908 | $ | 46,810 | 5.74 | % | ||||||||||||
| Taxable securities | 1,177,183 | 7,773 | 2.64 | % | 1,135,580 | 7,096 | 2.50 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Tax-exempt securities (2) | 403,587 | 3,415 | 3.38 | % | 377,078 | 2,990 | 3.17 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Other investments | 51,720 | 761 | 5.89 | % | 44,170 | 541 | 4.90 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Federal funds sold and other | 102,808 | 681 | 2.65 | % | 73,575 | 510 | 2.77 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL EARNING ASSETS | 5,546,319 | 67,844 | 4.89 | % | 4,892,311 | 57,947 | 4.74 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Nonearning assets | 315,777 | 226,456 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 5,862,096 | $ | 5,118,767 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time deposits | $ | 811,760 | $ | 6,629 | 3.27 | % | $ | 733,406 | $ | 6,632 | 3.62 | % | ||||||||||||
| Brokered time deposits | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | % | 143,393 | 1,538 | 4.29 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Savings deposits | 1,490,444 | 6,507 | 1.75 | % | 1,115,259 | 4,012 | 1.44 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits - interest bearing | 1,447,299 | 7,304 | 2.02 | % | 1,377,522 | 7,535 | 2.19 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | 3,749,503 | 20,440 | 2.18 | % | 3,369,580 | 19,717 | 2.34 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Short term borrowings | 333,056 | 3,135 | 3.77 | % | 218,444 | 2,417 | 4.43 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Long term borrowings | 89,218 | 974 | 4.37 | % | 86,209 | 976 | 4.53 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Total borrowed funds | 422,274 | 4,109 | 3.89 | % | 304,653 | 3,393 | 4.45 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES | 4,171,777 | 24,549 | 2.35 | % | 3,674,233 | 23,110 | 2.52 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| NONINTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits - noninterest bearing | 1,102,395 | 977,619 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | 24,876 | 52,894 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders' equity | 563,048 | 414,021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | $ | 5,862,096 | $ | 5,118,767 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income and interest rate spread | $ | 43,295 | 2.54 | % | $ | 34,837 | 2.22 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin | 3.12 | % | 2.85 | % |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (1) | Rates are calculated on an annualized basis. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (2) | Interest on certain tax-exempt loans and tax-exempt securities in 2026 and 2025 is not taxable for Federal income tax purposes. In order to compare the tax-exempt yields on these assets to taxable yields, the interest earned on these assets is adjusted to a pre-tax equivalent amount based on the marginal corporate federal income tax rate of 21% |
Net Interest Income. Net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2026, was $42.6 million compared to $34.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The Merger with Middlefield and a 27 basis point increase in the net interest margin were the primary reasons for this increase.
The net interest margin for the three-month period ended March 31, 2026, was 3.12% compared to 2.85% for the same period in 2025. Interest-earning asset yields increased 15 basis points in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025 while the cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 17 basis points when comparing these two periods. This decrease in interest-bearing liabilities resulted from a reduction in deposit costs of 18 basis points and a 56 basis point reduction in costs on borrowings rates in comparing the first quarter of 2025 to the first quarter of 2026.
Provision for Credit Losses and Provision for Unfunded Loans. The provision for credit losses and unfunded loans was a benefit of $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, compared to a benefit of $204,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The provision in the first quarter of 2026 was positively impacted by improvements in qualitative factors in the Company’s CECL model.
Noninterest Income. Noninterest income for the first quarter of 2026 was $13.7 million compared to $10.5 million for the first quarter of 2025. The increase was driven by the Middlefield acquisition, growth in the wealth lines
[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 presents a discussion and analysis of Farmers’ financial condition and results of operations by its management. The review highlights the principal factors affecting earnings and the significant changes in balance sheet items for the years 2025, 2024 and 2023. Financial information for prior years is presented when appropriate. The objective of this financial review is to enhance the reader’s understanding of the accompanying tables and charts, the consolidated financial statements, notes to financial statements and financial statistics appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Where applicable, this discussion also reflects management’s insights of known events and trends that have or may reasonably be expected to have a material effect on Farmers’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact, but rather statements based on Farmers’ current expectations, beliefs and assumptions regarding the future of Farmers’ business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, its intended results and future performance, the economy and other future conditions. Forward-looking statements are preceded by terms such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “expect,” “estimate,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan” “project,” or variations of these words, or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance, and actual future results could differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Numerous uncertainties, risks, and changes could cause or contribute to Farmers’ actual results, performance, and achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Farmers’ filings with the Commission, including without limitation the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Many of these factors are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict, and readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on those forward-looking statements. The following, which is not intended to be an all-encompassing list, summarizes several factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or expected in any forward-looking statement:
| • | general economic conditions in markets where the Company conducts business, which could materially impact credit quality trends; | |
|---|---|---|
| • | the length and extent of the economic impacts of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine; | |
| • | the length and extent of U.S. and foreign country tariff policies and their impact on global, national, and regional economic conditions; | |
| • | actions by the Federal Reserve Board, U.S. Treasury and other government agencies, including those that impact money supply, market interest rates and inflation; | |
| • | disruptions in the mortgage and lending markets and significant or unexpected fluctuations in interest rates related to governmental responses to inflation, including financial stimulus packages and interest rate changes; | |
| • | general business conditions in the banking industry; | |
| • | the regulatory environment; | |
| • | general fluctuations in interest rates; | |
| • | demand for loans in the market areas where the Company conducts business; | |
| • | rapidly changing technology and evolving banking industry standards; | |
| • | competitive factors, including increased competition with regional and national financial institutions; | |
| • | Farmers' ability to attract, recruit and retain skilled employees; and | |
| • | new service and product offerings by competitors and price pressures. |
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Other factors not currently anticipated may also materially and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial position. There can be no assurance that future results will meet expectations. While the Company believes that the forward-looking statements in the presentation are reasonable, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. In addition, these statements speak only as of the date made. The Company does not undertake, and expressly disclaims, any obligation to update or alter any statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, expect as may be required by applicable law.
Results of Operations
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
The Company recorded net income of $54.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $45.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The Company reported $1.45 per diluted common share in 2025 compared to $1.22 per diluted common share in 2024.
Net Interest Income
The Company recognized net interest income of $142.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $128.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The tax-equivalent net interest margin increased from 2.69% for 2024 to 2.95% for 2025. The increase in net interest margin was due to higher yields on interest earning assets and lower funding costs on interest bearing liabilities. The Federal Reserve rate cuts late in 2024 and 2025 have benefited funding costs, while the lag effects of assets repricing continued to drive earning asset yields higher.
Total interest income increased from $227.7 million in 2024 to $233.8 million for 2025. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the yield on loans and securities associated with the higher interest rate environment.
Interest income on loans increased to $191.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $185.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. This increase was due to better yields on loans which increased from 5.76% in 2024 to 5.82% in 2025.
The income on federal funds sold and other interest income decreased by $1.9 million in 2025 to $1.8 million compared to $3.7 million in 2024 primarily due to a volume decrease of $26.8 million in 2025 and a decrease of 128 basis points in the yield on the portfolio.
Interest expense declined $8.0 million in 2025 to $91.3 million from $99.4 million in 2024. The decrease was primarily due to a 15 basis point decline in the yield on interest-bearing deposits and a decrease in the volume of average borrowed funds which decreased from $381.2 million in 2024 to $260.6 million in 2025.
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Average Balance Sheets and Related Yields and Rates
(Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands except Per Share Data)
| Years ended December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVERAGE | AVERAGE | AVERAGE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE | INTEREST | RATE | BALANCE | INTEREST | RATE | BALANCE | INTEREST | RATE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EARNING ASSETS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (1) (2) | $ | 3,291,482 | $ | 191,433 | 5.82 | % | $ | 3,227,384 | $ | 186,032 | 5.76 | % | $ | 3,155,858 | $ | 172,161 | 5.46 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable securities | 1,140,462 | 29,491 | 2.59 | 1,110,905 | 26,838 | 2.42 | 1,143,547 | 26,231 | 2.29 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax-exempt securities (1) | 366,464 | 11,676 | 3.19 | 386,643 | 12,165 | 3.15 | 419,557 | 13,283 | 3.17 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other investments | 41,809 | 1,930 | 4.62 | 35,402 | 1,450 | 4.10 | 39,559 | 1,986 | 5.02 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Federal funds sold and other cash | 69,534 | 1,802 | 2.59 | 96,288 | 3,727 | 3.87 | 74,950 | 2,476 | 3.30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total earning assets | 4,909,751 | 236,332 | 4.81 | 4,856,622 | 230,212 | 4.74 | 4,833,471 | 216,137 | 4.47 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NONEARNING ASSETS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-earning assets | 254,563 | 234,297 | 205,683 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 5,164,314 | $ | 5,090,919 | $ | 5,039,154 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time deposits | $ | 753,803 | $ | 26,699 | 3.54 | % | $ | 745,945 | $ | 29,329 | 3.93 | % | $ | 654,717 | $ | 19,462 | 2.97 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Brokered time deposits | 71,529 | 3,112 | 4.35 | 25,389 | 1,108 | 4.36 | 132,895 | 6,204 | 4.67 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings deposits | 1,158,663 | 17,578 | 1.52 | 1,095,470 | 16,144 | 1.47 | 1,113,561 | 9,899 | 0.89 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits - interest bearing | 1,427,654 | 32,389 | 2.27 | 1,396,193 | 34,588 | 2.48 | 1,415,425 | 27,541 | 1.95 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | 3,411,649 | 79,778 | 2.34 | 3,262,997 | 81,169 | 2.49 | 3,316,598 | 63,106 | 1.90 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short term borrowings | 174,170 | 7,591 | 4.36 | 293,488 | 14,105 | 4.81 | 160,964 | 8,357 | 5.19 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long term borrowings | 86,433 | 3,979 | 4.60 | 87,749 | 4,090 | 4.66 | 88,439 | 4,086 | 4.62 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total borrowed funds | 260,603 | 11,570 | 4.44 | 381,237 | 18,195 | 4.77 | 249,403 | 12,443 | 4.99 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities | 3,672,252 | 91,348 | 2.49 | 3,644,234 | 99,364 | 2.73 | 3,566,001 | 75,549 | 2.12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NONINTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits - noninterest bearing | $ | 998,255 | 981,115 | 1,065,389 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Liabilities | 52,896 | 58,134 | 50,302 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders' equity | 440,911 | 407,436 | 357,462 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Liabilities and | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders' Equity | $ | 5,164,314 | $ | 5,090,919 | $ | 5,039,154 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income and interest rate spread | $ | 144,984 | 2.32 | % | $ | 130,848 | 2.01 | % | $ | 140,588 | 2.35 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin | 2.95 | % | 2.69 | % | 2.91 | % |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Interest on certain tax-exempt loans and tax-exempt securities in 2025, 2024 and 2023 is not taxable for Federal income tax purposes. In order to compare the tax-exempt yields on these assets to taxable yields, the interest earned on these assets is adjusted to a pre-tax equivalent amount based on the marginal corporate federal income tax rate of 21%. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (2) | Nonaccrual loans are included in the average balance totals. |
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RATE AND VOLUME ANALYSIS
(Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands except Per Share Data)
The following table analyzes by rate and volume the dollar amount of changes in the components of the interest differential:
| 2025 change from 2024 | 2024 change from 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net | Change Due | Change Due | Net | Change Due | Change Due | |||||||||||||||||||
| Change | To Volume | To Rate | Change | To Volume | To Rate | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tax Equivalent Interest Income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | $ | 5,401 | $ | 3,695 | $ | 1,706 | $ | 13,871 | $ | 3,902 | $ | 9,969 | ||||||||||||
| Taxable securities | 2,653 | 714 | 1,939 | 607 | (749 | ) | 1,356 | |||||||||||||||||
| Tax-exempt securities | (489 | ) | (635 | ) | 146 | (1,118 | ) | (1,042 | ) | (76 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Other investments | 480 | 262 | 218 | (536 | ) | (209 | ) | (327 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Funds sold and other cash | (1,925 | ) | (1,036 | ) | (889 | ) | 1,251 | 705 | 546 | |||||||||||||||
| Total interest income | $ | 6,120 | $ | 3,000 | $ | 3,120 | $ | 14,075 | $ | 2,607 | $ | 11,468 | ||||||||||||
| Interest Expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time deposits | $ | (2,630 | ) | $ | 309 | $ | (2,939 | ) | $ | 9,867 | $ | 2,712 | $ | 7,155 | ||||||||||
| Brokered time deposits | 2,004 | 2,014 | (10 | ) | (5,096 | ) | (5,019 | ) | (77 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Savings deposits | 1,434 | 931 | 503 | 6,245 | (161 | ) | 6,406 | |||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits | (2,199 | ) | 779 | (2,978 | ) | 7,047 | (374 | ) | 7,421 | |||||||||||||||
| Short term borrowings | (6,514 | ) | (5,734 | ) | (780 | ) | 5,748 | 6,880 | (1,132 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Long term borrowings | (111 | ) | (61 | ) | (50 | ) | 4 | (32 | ) | 36 | ||||||||||||||
| Total interest expense | $ | (8,016 | ) | $ | (1,762 | ) | $ | (6,254 | ) | $ | 23,815 | $ | 4,006 | $ | 19,809 | |||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in tax equivalent net interest income | $ | 14,136 | $ | 4,762 | $ | 9,374 | $ | (9,740 | ) | $ | (1,399 | ) | $ | (8,341 | ) |
The amount of change not solely due to rate or volume changes was allocated between the change due to rate and the change due to volume based on the relative size of the rate and volume changes.
Noninterest Income
Noninterest income increased to $46.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to $41.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The major categories of noninterest income are discussed below.
Service charges on deposit accounts decreased to $7.2 million for 2025 compared to $7.3 million in 2024 as overdraft fees lagged levels seen in 2024.
Bank owned life insurance income increased by $726,000 in 2025 to $3.4 million, compared to $2.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024. The Company purchased $15.0 million in policies during the first quarter of 2025 and policy crediting rates have increased over the last twelve months.
Trust fees increased to $11.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, compared to $10.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024. The trust business continued to grow in 2025 as the value of assets under management increased.
Insurance agency commissions were $6.5 million in 2025 compared to $5.5 million in 2024. The Company shared in the commission from the purchase of the new BOLI policies which added $432,000 to insurance commissions for the year.
Retirement plan consulting fees increased to $3.7 million for 2025 compared to $2.6 million for 2024. The Company picked up additional business in 2025 with the acquisition of Crest in December of 2024. Revenue from this business is expected to continue to increase in 2026.
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Security losses decreased to $2.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2025, from $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The losses in 2025 were due to the Company restructuring securities in order to reinvest the proceeds into securities with a higher yield than those sold.
Net gains on the sale of loans increased by $148,000 rising from $1.5 million in 2024 to $1.7 million in 2025 driven by higher mortgage volume in 2025.
Other mortgage banking income increased by $37,000 in 2025 compared to 2024. The increase was driven by higher servicing income partially offset by higher impairment and slower amortization of the mortgage servicing rights.
Debit card fees increased to $7.9 million in 2025 compared to $7.5 million in 2024. The increase was primarily due to higher volumes.
Other operating income decreased to $3.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, from $4.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024. Small Business Investment Company ("SBIC") income was $1.8 million for 2025 compared to $2.1 million in 2024. In addition, the Company recorded $565,000 in recoveries on loans that were charged off prior to acquisition in 2024 while the Company did not receive any recoveries in 2025.
Noninterest Expenses
Noninterest expense totaled $116.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to $106.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily driven by system conversion and Merger related costs which increased from $92,000 in 2024 to $4.0 million in 2025.
Salaries and employee benefits increased by $3.4 million to $62.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 from $58.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily driven by annual raises, the acquisition of Crest in the fourth quarter of 2024 and higher commission expense from increased revenue in the fee-based businesses.
Occupancy and equipment expense increased to $17.1 million in 2025 from $15.6 million in 2024 due to increased maintenance and software costs in 2025.
FDIC insurance and state and local taxes decreased to $4.7 million in 2025 from $5.0 million in 2024. The decline was due to lower FDIC expense as the Company had higher capital levels in 2025 resulting in lower expense.
System conversion and acquisition related costs increased from $92,000 in 2024 to $4.0 million in 2025. The Company announced the plan to acquire Middlefield in October of 2025 along with its intention to convert its core system to Jack Henry. The acquisition expense incurred in 2024 was related to the Company’s acquisition of Crest.
Advertising costs increased to $1.8 million in 2025 from $1.5 million in 2024 for new marketing campaigns introduced in 2025.
Intangible amortization expense increased slightly by $38,000 to $2.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Other operating expense was steady at $13.7 million in 2025 compared to $13.8 million in 2024. The slight decrease was spread across several categories of expense.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense increased from $9.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, to $10.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2025. The increase was primarily due to higher pretax income partially offset by a lower effective tax rate due to increased tax credits investments. Income taxes are computed using the appropriate effective tax rates for each period. The effective tax rates are less than the statutory tax rate primarily due to nontaxable interest and dividend income. The effective income tax rate was 16.1% in 2025 and 17.1% for 2024. Refer to Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the effective tax rate.
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Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
The Company recorded net income of $45.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $49.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company reported $1.22 per diluted common share in 2024 compared to $1.33 per diluted common share in 2023.
Net Interest Income
The Company recognized net interest income of $128.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, compared to $137.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. The tax-equivalent net interest margin declined from 2.91% for 2023 to 2.69% for the year ended December 31, 2024. The margin declined due to increased funding costs associated with the Federal Reserve's aggressive rate increases in 2022 and 2023 along with an inverted U.S treasury yield curve which caused deposit funding costs to rise faster than the yields being earned on loans and securities.
Total interest income increased from $213.3 million in 2023 to $227.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the yield on loans and securities associated with the higher interest rate environment.
Interest income on loans increased to $185.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $171.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. This increase was due to better yields on loans which increased to 5.76% in 2024 from 5.46% in 2023.
The income on federal funds sold and other interest income increased by $1.3 million in 2024 to $3.7 million compared to $2.5 million in 2023 primarily due to a volume increase of $21.3 million in 2024 and an increase of 57 basis points in the yield on the portfolio.
Interest expense increased $23.8 million in 2024 to $99.4 million from $75.5 million in 2023 The increase was primarily due to a 59 basis point increase in the yield on interest-bearing deposits and an increase in the volume of average borrowed funds which increased from $249.4 million in 2023 to $381.2 million in 2024. The increase in deposit costs was driven by the movement of lower cost checking and savings deposits into certificates of deposit while the increase in borrowed funds was due to a lower level of brokered CDs utilized in 2024.
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Noninterest Income
Noninterest income declined slightly to $41.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $41.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The major categories of noninterest income are discussed below.
Service charges on deposit accounts totaled $7.3 million in 2024 compared to $6.3 million in 2023. The increase was primarily due to the Company undertaking a review of all service charges in late 2023 and early 2024 and implementing fee increases across deposit product lines in the second quarter of 2024.
Bank owned life insurance income increased by $217,000 to $2.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, compared to $2.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. The increase was due to an increase of $241,000 from earnings on the policies offset by a decline in death benefits received from the policies.
Trust fees increased to $10.1 million in 2024 from $9.0 million in 2023. The trust business continued to grow in 2024 as the value of assets under management increased.
Insurance agency commissions were $5.5 million in 2024 compared to $5.4 million in 2023. The increase was driven by better income from fixed annuity sales offset by declines in property and casualty commissions.
Retirement plan consulting fees increased to $2.6 million for 2024 compared to $2.5 million for 2023. The Company picked up additional business in 2024 and with the acquisition of Crest in December of 2024.
Security losses increased to $2.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, from $471,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The losses increased in 2024 due to the Company restructuring more securities in order to reinvest the proceeds into securities with a higher yield than those sold.
The net gains on the sale of loans declined by $889,000 from 2023 at $2.5 million to $1.5 million in 2024. The primary reason for this decrease was the sale of nonaccrual commercial loans in 2023 that generated a gain of $915,000. There was no sale of commercial loans in 2024. Gains on the sale of loans continues to be negatively impacted by a lower level of saleable mortgage volume due to the higher interest rate environment and the lack of supply of homes for sale.
Other mortgage banking income declined by $276,000 in 2024 compared to 2023. The decrease was driven by lower servicing income and faster amortization of the mortgage servicing rights.
Debit card fees increased to $7.5 million in 2024 compared to $7.1 million in 2023. The increase was primarily due to higher volumes.
Other operating income increased to $4.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, from $4.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily due to decreased losses on the sale of assets offset by higher SBIC income in 2024 compared to 2023.
Noninterest Expenses
Noninterest expense totaled $106.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 compared to $111.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. The decline was primarily driven by merger related costs which fell from $5.5 million in 2023 to $92,000 in 2024.
Salaries and employee benefits increased to $58.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $1.6 million, from $57.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily due to salary increases and greater incentive compensation.
FDIC insurance and state and local taxes decreased to $5.0 million in 2024 from $5.8 million in 2023. The decline was due to lower FDIC expense as the Company had higher capital levels in 2024 resulting in lower expense.
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Advertising costs declined to $1.5 million in 2024 from $1.8 million in 2023. This decrease was due to a few marketing campaigns being reduced in 2024.
Intangible amortization expense decreased by $573,000 in 2024 to $2.9 million compared to $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decline was primarily driven by the runoff of intangibles from older acquisitions.
Other operating expenses increased by $306,000 to $13.8 million in 2024 compared to $13.5 million in 2023. The increase was spread across several categories of expense.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense increased to $9.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, from $8.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to a higher effective tax rate and less benefit from low income housing tax credits. Income taxes are computed using the appropriate effective tax rates for each period. The effective tax rates are less than the statutory tax rate primarily due to nontaxable interest and dividend income. The effective income tax rate was 17.1% in 2024 and 14.9% for 2023. Refer to Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the effective tax rate.
Loan Portfolio
Maturities and Sensitivities of Loans to Interest Rates
The following schedule shows the composition of loans and the percentage of loans in each category at the dates indicated. Balances include unamortized loan origination fees and costs.
| Years Ended December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Real Estate | $ | 1,396,955 | 42.2 | % | $ | 1,381,573 | 42.2 | % | $ | 1,334,600 | 41.6 | % | $ | 1,026,822 | 42.6 | % | $ | 1,010,674 | 43.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 341,737 | 10.3 | 351,533 | 10.8 | 347,819 | 10.9 | 294,406 | 12.2 | 312,532 | 13.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential Real Estate | 1,032,966 | 31.3 | 1,003,678 | 30.8 | 986,032 | 30.8 | 607,557 | 25.3 | 580,242 | 24.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 266,735 | 8.1 | 268,533 | 8.2 | 267,875 | 8.4 | 228,794 | 9.5 | 195,343 | 8.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agricultural | 266,320 | 8.1 | 263,029 | 8.0 | 261,801 | 8.2 | 247,171 | 10.3 | 232,291 | 10.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Loans | $ | 3,304,713 | 100.0 | % | $ | 3,268,346 | 100.0 | % | $ | 3,198,127 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,404,750 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,331,082 | 100.0 | % |
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The following schedule sets forth maturities based on remaining scheduled repayments of principal for loans listed above as of December 31, 2025:
| Types of Loans | 1 Year or less | 1 to 5 Years | 5 to 15 Years | Over 15 Years | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial | $ | 36,599 | $ | 158,738 | $ | 91,131 | $ | 55,269 | |||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | $ | 180,613 | $ | 517,266 | $ | 600,640 | $ | 98,436 | |||||||
| Residential Real Estate | $ | 9,175 | $ | 46,569 | $ | 195,767 | $ | 781,455 | |||||||
| Consumer | $ | 3,087 | $ | 118,409 | $ | 128,937 | $ | 16,302 | |||||||
| Agricultural | $ | 4,083 | $ | 36,337 | $ | 47,549 | $ | 178,351 |
The amounts of loans as of December 31, 2025, based on remaining scheduled repayments of principal, are shown in the following table:
| Loan Sensitivities | 1 Year or less | Over 1 Year | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floating or Adjustable Rates of Interest | $ | 123,573 | $ | 1,550,339 | $ | 1,673,912 | |||||
| Fixed Rates of Interest | 109,985 | 1,520,816 | 1,630,801 | ||||||||
| Total Loans | $ | 233,558 | $ | 3,071,155 | $ | 3,304,713 |
Total loans were $3.30 billion at December 31, 2025, compared to $3.27 billion at December 31, 2024, an increase of $36.4 million. Loans comprised 67.0% of the Bank’s average earning assets in 2025, compared to 66.5% in 2024.
Management recognizes that while the loan portfolio holds some of the Bank’s highest yielding assets, it is inherently the most risky portfolio. Accordingly, management attempts to balance credit risk versus return with conservative credit standards. Management has developed and maintains comprehensive underwriting guidelines and a loan review function that monitors credits during and after the approval process. To minimize risks associated with changes in the borrower’s future repayment capacity, the Bank generally requires scheduled periodic principal and interest payments on all types of loans and normally requires collateral.
Commercial real estate loans increased to $1.40 billion at December 31, 2025 from $1.38 billion at December 31, 2024. The Company’s commercial real estate loan portfolio includes loans for owner occupied and non-owner occupied real estate. These loans are made to finance properties such as office and industrial buildings, hotels and retail shopping centers.
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The following tables present the amortized cost basis of the Company's commercial real estate portfolio segment by industry, inclusive of farmland, as of December 31, 2025 and 2024:
| Weighted | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of | Average | Weighted | ||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized | Commercial | % of Total | Loan-to- | Average | ||||||||||||||||
| (In Thousands of Dollars) | Cost | Real Estate | Portfolio | Value | Occupancy | |||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Retail | $ | 337,257 | 20.97 | % | 10.21 | % | 51.86 | % | 87.81 | % | ||||||||||
| Farmland | 211,231 | 13.13 | % | 6.39 | % | 48.61 | % | 100.00 | % | |||||||||||
| Warehouse/Industrial | 236,391 | 14.70 | % | 7.15 | % | 52.50 | % | 93.23 | % | |||||||||||
| Office | 191,765 | 11.92 | % | 5.80 | % | 59.74 | % | 81.76 | % | |||||||||||
| Multifamily | 171,956 | 10.69 | % | 5.20 | % | 59.15 | % | 72.03 | % | |||||||||||
| Medical | 141,396 | 8.79 | % | 4.28 | % | 55.31 | % | 93.83 | % | |||||||||||
| Hotel | 44,356 | 2.76 | % | 1.34 | % | 44.15 | % | 75.81 | % | |||||||||||
| Special Purpose | 78,533 | 4.88 | % | 2.38 | % | 53.62 | % | 98.62 | % | |||||||||||
| Restaurant | 44,583 | 2.77 | % | 1.35 | % | 52.52 | % | 100.00 | % | |||||||||||
| Multifamily - Construction | 62,595 | 3.89 | % | 1.89 | % | 55.98 | % | 27.46 | % | |||||||||||
| All Other | 88,123 | 5.48 | % | 2.67 | % | 46.51 | % | 96.04 | % | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,608,186 | 100.00 | % | 48.66 | % |
| Weighted | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of | Average | Weighted | ||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized | Commercial | % of Total | Loan-to- | Average | ||||||||||||||||
| (In Thousands of Dollars) | Cost | Real Estate | Portfolio | Value | Occupancy | |||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Retail | $ | 345,354 | 21.75 | % | 10.57 | % | 53.93 | % | 85.07 | % | ||||||||||
| Farmland | 206,600 | 13.01 | % | 6.32 | % | 49.63 | % | 100.00 | % | |||||||||||
| Warehouse/Industrial | 186,316 | 11.73 | % | 5.70 | % | 54.26 | % | 72.23 | % | |||||||||||
| Office | 192,269 | 12.11 | % | 5.88 | % | 53.70 | % | 74.06 | % | |||||||||||
| Multifamily | 158,168 | 9.96 | % | 4.84 | % | 61.16 | % | 85.75 | % | |||||||||||
| Medical | 147,353 | 9.28 | % | 4.51 | % | 46.27 | % | 92.60 | % | |||||||||||
| Hotel | 44,301 | 2.79 | % | 1.36 | % | 45.24 | % | 79.65 | % | |||||||||||
| Special Purpose | 85,361 | 5.37 | % | 2.61 | % | 51.83 | % | 98.53 | % | |||||||||||
| Restaurant | 50,990 | 3.21 | % | 1.56 | % | 51.36 | % | 100.00 | % | |||||||||||
| Multifamily - Construction | 73,857 | 4.65 | % | 2.26 | % | 53.28 | % | 29.61 | % | |||||||||||
| All Other | 97,605 | 6.14 | % | 2.99 | % | 48.05 | % | 94.97 | % | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,588,174 | 100.00 | % | 48.60 | % |
Residential real estate mortgage loans increased to $1.03 billion at December 31, 2025, from $1.0 billion at December 31, 2024. Farmers originated both fixed rate and adjustable rate mortgages during 2025. Fixed rate terms are offered with terms between fifteen and thirty years while adjustable rate products are offered with maturities up to thirty years. The Company sells all fixed rate loans that are secondary market eligible.
Commercial loans at December 31, 2025, totaled $341.7 million compared to $351.5 million at December 31, 2024. The Bank’s commercial loans are granted to customers within the immediate trade area of the Bank. The mix is diverse, covering a wide range of borrowers, business types and local municipalities. The Bank monitors and controls concentrations within a particular industry or segment of the economy. These loans are made for purposes such as equipment purchases, capital and leasehold improvements, the purchase of inventory, general working capital and small business lines of credit.
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Agricultural loans increased from $263.0 million in 2024 to $266.3 million in 2025. The Company’s agricultural loan portfolio contains a diverse mix of dairy, crops, land, poultry and cattle loans.
Consumer loans decreased to $266.7 million at December 31, 2025, from $268.5 million at December 31, 2024. The consumer loan portfolio includes indirect auto loans and other consumer loan products.
Summary of Credit Loss Experience
The following is an analysis of the allowance for credit losses for the years 2021 through 2025:
| Years Ended December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at Beginning of Year | $ | 35,863 | $ | 34,440 | $ | 26,978 | $ | 29,386 | $ | 22,144 | ||||||||||
| Charge-Offs: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | (4,565 | ) | (4,619 | ) | (349 | ) | (300 | ) | (70 | ) | ||||||||||
| Commercial | (1,491 | ) | (1,742 | ) | (1,272 | ) | (2,042 | ) | (388 | ) | ||||||||||
| Residential Real Estate | (268 | ) | (155 | ) | (384 | ) | (92 | ) | (297 | ) | ||||||||||
| Consumer | (1,183 | ) | (1,471 | ) | (932 | ) | (870 | ) | (912 | ) | ||||||||||
| Total Charge-Offs | (7,507 | ) | (7,987 | ) | (2,937 | ) | (3,304 | ) | (1,667 | ) | ||||||||||
| Recoveries on Previous Charge-Offs: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | 22 | 22 | 1 | 3 | 33 | |||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 558 | 520 | 103 | 75 | 199 | |||||||||||||||
| Residential Real Estate | 110 | 177 | 81 | 89 | 162 | |||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 476 | 447 | 496 | 479 | 411 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Recoveries | 1,166 | 1,166 | 681 | 646 | 805 | |||||||||||||||
| Net Charge-Offs | (6,341 | ) | (6,821 | ) | (2,256 | ) | (2,658 | ) | (862 | ) | ||||||||||
| Impact of CECL adoption | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2,160 | |||||||||||||||
| Provision For Credit Losses and Day One Purchase entry | 7,289 | 8,244 | 9,718 | 250 | 5,944 | |||||||||||||||
| Balance at End of Year | $ | 36,811 | $ | 35,863 | $ | 34,440 | $ | 26,978 | $ | 29,386 | ||||||||||
| Ratio of Net Commercial Real Estate Charge-offs To Average Loans Outstanding | 0.14 | % | 0.14 | % | 0.01 | % | 0.01 | % | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||
| Ratio of Net Commercial Charge-offs To Average Loans Outstanding | 0.03 | % | 0.04 | % | 0.04 | % | 0.08 | % | 0.01 | % | ||||||||||
| Ratio of Net Residential Real Estate Charge-offs To Average Loans Outstanding | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.01 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.01 | % | ||||||||||
| Ratio of Net Consumer Charge-offs To Average Loans Outstanding | 0.02 | % | 0.03 | % | 0.01 | % | 0.02 | % | 0.02 | % | ||||||||||
| Allowance for Credit Losses/Total Loans | 1.11 | 1.10 | 1.08 | 1.12 | 1.26 |
The provision for credit losses, which includes the provision for unfunded commitments, declined to $7.1 million in 2025 compared to $8.0 million in 2024. This decline was attributed to a reduction in net charge offs from $6.8 million in 2024 to $6.3 million in 2025, reduction due to pool migration where the allocated reserve decreased from $1.3 million in 2024 to a release of reserves of $407,000 in 2025, and a reduction due to adjustments in Portfolio Composition and Growth qualitative factor from $844,000 in 2024 to a release of reserves of $1.7 million in 2025. Offsetting this was an increase in specific reserve for individually evaluated credits of $2.4 million from $1.1 million in 2024 to $3.5 million in 2025, and an increase in historical loss ratios where the allocated reserve increased from a release of reserves of $238,000 in 2024 to an increase in reserves of $1.1 million in 2025. The increased specific reserve was driven by $2.1 million for two individually evaluated commercial real estate non-owner occupied relationships.
The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 in 2021, to calculate the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) which requires estimating credit losses over the life of the credits. The ACL is adjusted through the provision for credit losses and reduced by net charge offs of loans. Although the Company has a diversified loan portfolio, the credit risk in the loan portfolio is largely influenced by general economic conditions and trends of the counties and markets in which the debtors operate, and the resulting impact on the operations of borrowers or on the value of any underlying collateral.
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The credit loss estimation process involves procedures that consider the unique characteristics of the Company’s loan portfolio segments. These segments are disaggregated into the loan pools for monitoring. A model of risk characteristics, such as loss history and delinquency experience, trends in past due and non-performing loans, as well as existing economic conditions and supportable forecasts are used to determine credit loss assumptions.
The Company uses two methodologies to analyze loan pools. The cohort method (“cohort”) and the probability of default/loss given default method (“PD/LGD”). Cohort relies on the creation of cohorts to capture loans that qualify for a particular segment, as of a point in time. Those loans are then tracked over their remaining lives to determine their loss experience. The Company aggregates financial assets on the basis of similar risk characteristics when evaluating loans on a collective basis. Those characteristics include, but are not limited to, internal or external credit score, risk ratings, financial asset, loan type, collateral type, size, effective interest rate, term, or geographical location. The Company uses cohort primarily for consumer loan portfolios.
The probability of default (“PD”) portion of PD/LGD is defined by the Company as 90 days past due, placed on non-accrual, or is partially or wholly, charged-off. Typically, a one-year time period is used to assess PD. PD can be measured and applied using various risk criteria. Risk rating is one common way to apply PDs. Loss given default (“LGD”) is to determine the percentage of loss by facility or collateral type. LGD estimates can sometimes be driven, or influenced, by product type, industry or geography. The Company uses PD/LGD primarily for commercial loan portfolios.
The allowance for credit losses to total loans increased to 1.11% at December 31, 2025, compared to 1.10% at December 31, 2024. Nonperforming loans to total loans increased from 0.70% at December 31, 2024 to 0.79% at December 31, 2025. Nonperforming loans to total loans increased in 2025 primarily due to a single commercial real estate relationship totaling $4.4 million moving into nonaccrual status.
The provision for credit losses is based on management’s judgment after taking into consideration all factors connected with the collectability of the existing loan portfolio. Management evaluates the loan portfolio in light of economic conditions, changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, industry standards and other relevant reasonable and supportable forecasts. Specific factors considered by management in determining the amounts charged to operating expenses include previous charge-off experience, the status of past due interest and principal payments, the quality of financial information supplied by loan customers and the general condition of the industries in the community to which loans have been made.
The allowance for credit losses increased to $36.8 million at December 31, 2025, compared to $35.9 million at December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily driven by the specific reserve for two individually evaluated commercial real estate non-owner occupied relationships.
Typically, commercial and commercial real estate loans are identified as collateral dependent when they become ninety days past due, or earlier if management believes it is probable that the Company will not collect all amounts due under the terms of the loan agreement. When Farmers identifies a loan and concludes that the loan is collateral dependent, Farmers performs an internal collateral valuation as an interim measure. Farmers typically obtains an external appraisal to validate its internal collateral valuation as soon as is practical and adjusts the associated loss reserve, if necessary.
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The following table summarizes the Company’s nonperforming loans and nonperforming assets for the years ending 2021 through 2025:
| Nonperforming Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Nonaccrual loans: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | $ | 15,830 | $ | 10,642 | $ | 5,852 | $ | 4,057 | $ | 3,004 | ||||||||||
| Commercial | 2,778 | 3,858 | 1,802 | 3,840 | 7,190 | |||||||||||||||
| Residential Real Estate | 4,537 | 4,983 | 3,807 | 3,438 | 4,280 | |||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 641 | 600 | 461 | 494 | 682 | |||||||||||||||
| Agricultural | 2,076 | 2,120 | 2,486 | 2,482 | 314 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Nonaccrual Loans | $ | 25,862 | $ | 22,203 | $ | 14,408 | $ | 14,311 | $ | 15,470 | ||||||||||
| Loans Past Due 90 Days or More | 353 | 615 | 655 | 492 | 725 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Nonperforming Loans | $ | 26,215 | $ | 22,818 | $ | 15,063 | $ | 14,803 | $ | 16,195 | ||||||||||
| Repossessed assets | 103 | 33 | 166 | 73 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Nonperforming Assets | $ | 26,318 | $ | 22,851 | $ | 15,229 | $ | 14,876 | $ | 16,195 | ||||||||||
| Percentage of Nonperforming Loans to Total Loans | 0.79 | % | 0.70 | % | 0.47 | % | 0.62 | % | 0.69 | % | ||||||||||
| Percentage of Nonperforming Assets to Total Assets | 0.50 | % | 0.45 | % | 0.30 | % | 0.36 | % | 0.39 | % | ||||||||||
| Loans Delinquent 30-89 days | $ | 16,947 | $ | 13,032 | $ | 16,705 | $ | 9,605 | $ | 8,891 | ||||||||||
| Percentage of Loans Delinquent 30-89 days to Total Loans | 0.51 | % | 0.40 | % | 0.52 | % | 0.40 | % | 0.38 | % | ||||||||||
| Percentage of Nonaccrual Loans to Total Loans | 0.78 | % | 0.68 | % | 0.45 | % | 0.60 | % | 0.66 | % | ||||||||||
| Percentage of Allowance for Credit Losses to Nonaccrual Loans | 142.34 | % | 161.52 | % | 239.03 | % | 188.51 | % | 189.94 | % |
The following table summarizes the Company’s allocation of the allowance for credit losses under CECL for the years 2021 through 2025:
| December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loans to | Loans to | Loans to | Loans to | Loans to | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | Loans | Amount | Loans | Amount | Loans | Amount | Loans | Amount | Loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | $ | 20,064 | 48.7 | % | $ | 19,259 | 48.6 | % | $ | 18,150 | 48.1 | % | $ | 14,840 | 50.5 | % | $ | 15,879 | 51.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 4,536 | 12.0 | 4,628 | 12.4 | 5,086 | 12.6 | 4,186 | 14.6 | 4,949 | 15.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential Real Estate | 7,241 | 31.3 | 7,271 | 30.7 | 6,917 | 30.8 | 4,374 | 25.3 | 4,870 | 24.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 4,970 | 8.0 | 4,705 | 8.3 | 4,287 | 8.5 | 3,578 | 9.6 | 3,688 | 8.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 36,811 | 100 | % | $ | 35,863 | 100 | % | $ | 34,440 | 100 | % | $ | 26,978 | 100 | % | $ | 29,386 | 100 | % |
The allowance allocated to each of the four loan categories should not be interpreted as an indication that charge-offs in 2025 occurred in the same proportions or that the allocation indicates future charge-off trends. The allowance allocated to the one-to-four family real estate loan category and the consumer loan category is based upon the Company’s allowance methodology for homogeneous loans, and increases and decreases in the balances of those portfolios. For the commercial real estate and commercial categories, which represent 42.3% and 10.3% of the total loan portfolio in 2025, respectively, management relies on the Bank’s internal loan review procedures and allocates accordingly based on loan classifications. The gross charge-offs in the commercial real estate portfolio, were $4.6 million for 2025, which represented approximately 60.8% of the gross losses for the entire loan portfolio.
There were no loans other than those identified above, that management has known information about possible credit problems of borrowers and their ability to comply with the loan repayment terms. Management is actively monitoring certain borrowers’ financial condition and loans which management wants to more closely monitor due to special circumstances. These loans and their potential loss exposure have been considered in management’s analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses.
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Loan Commitments and Lines of Credit
In the normal course of business, the Bank has extended various commitments for credit. Commitments for mortgages, revolving lines of credit and letters of credit generally are extended for a period of one month up to one year. Normally, no fees are charged on any unused portion, but an annual fee of two percent is charged for the issuance of a letter of credit.
As of December 31, 2025, there were no concentrations of loans exceeding 10% of total loans that are not disclosed as a category of loans. As of that date, there were also no other interest-earning assets that are either nonaccrual, past due, restructured or non-performing.
Investment Securities
The debt securities available for sale increased $76.9 million in 2025 to $1.34 billion at December 31, 2025, from $1.27 billion at December 31, 2024. For additional information regarding Farmers’ investment securities see Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following table shows the carrying value of investment securities by type of obligation at the dates indicated:
| December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Treasury securities | $ | 55,397 | $ | 52,606 | |||
| U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities | 39,898 | 62,501 | |||||
| Mortgage-backed securities - residential and collateralized mortgage obligations | 729,350 | 626,643 | |||||
| Small Business Administration | 2,070 | 2,475 | |||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | 503,697 | 504,880 | |||||
| Corporate bonds | 13,045 | 17,448 | |||||
| Debt securities available for sale | $ | 1,343,457 | $ | 1,266,553 | |||
| Other investments | 15,866 | 14,736 | |||||
| Total securities | $ | 1,359,323 | $ | 1,281,289 |
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A summary of debt securities held at December 31, 2025 classified according to maturity and including weighted average yield for each range of maturities is set forth below:
| December 31, 2025 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type and Maturity Grouping | Fair Value | Weighted Average Yield | ||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 0 | 0.00 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 37,472 | 1.04 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 17,925 | 1.21 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 0 | 0.00 | % | |||||
| Total U.S. Treasury securities | $ | 55,397 | 1.10 | % | ||||
| U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 0 | 0.00 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 621 | 2.07 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 37,784 | 2.41 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 1,493 | 4.44 | % | |||||
| Total U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities | $ | 39,898 | 2.48 | % | ||||
| Mortgage-backed securities - residential and collateralized mortgage obligations (1) | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 4 | 3.20 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 2,873 | 2.29 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 30,164 | 1.90 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 696,309 | 2.94 | % | |||||
| Total mortgage-backed securities | $ | 729,350 | 2.89 | % | ||||
| Small Business Administration | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 0 | 0.00 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 0 | 0.00 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 1,512 | 2.15 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 558 | 1.94 | % | |||||
| Total small business administration | $ | 2,070 | 2.10 | % | ||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 1,002 | 4.26 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 5,385 | 3.23 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 102,628 | 3.18 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 394,682 | 2.87 | % | |||||
| Total obligations of states and political subdivisions | $ | 503,697 | 2.94 | % | ||||
| Corporate bonds | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 683 | 8.15 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 9,265 | 6.48 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 3,097 | 8.90 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 0 | 0.00 | % | |||||
| Total corporate bonds | $ | 13,045 | 7.14 | % |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (1) | Payments based on contractual maturity. |
Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment increased $4.6 million from $52.3 million at December 31, 2024, to $56.9 million at December 31, 2025. This increase was primarily due to the construction of additional office space at the Company's headquarters in Canfield, OH, partially offset by depreciation.
Bank Owned Life Insurance
The Company owns bank owned life insurance policies on the lives of certain members of management. The purpose of this investment is to help offset the costs of employee benefit plans. The cash surrender value of these policies increased to $119.4 million at December 31, 2025, compared to $101.4 million at December 31, 2024. This increase resulted from the purchase of an additional $15.0 million in policies in 2025.
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Deposits
Total deposits increased to $4.34 billion at December 31, 2025, from $4.23 billion at December 31, 2024, an increase of $76.0 million. Noninterest bearing deposits increased $28.6 million during 2025 to $994.1 million from $965.5 million. Interest-bearing deposits increased $122.3 million to $3.35 billion at December 31, 2025, compared to $3.23 billion at December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily due to an increase in money market accounts of $113.1 million. The Company paid off its brokered deposits in 2025 to take advantage of lower cost funding opportunities.
Average balances and average rates paid on deposits are as follows:
| Years Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | Rate | Amount | Rate | Amount | Rate | |||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing demand | $ | 998,255 | 0.00 | % | $ | 981,115 | 0.00 | % | $ | 1,065,389 | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand | 1,427,654 | 2.27 | % | 1,396,193 | 2.48 | % | 1,415,425 | 1.95 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Money market | 745,011 | 2.34 | % | 659,807 | 2.43 | % | 602,445 | 1.62 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Savings | 413,652 | 0.03 | % | 435,663 | 0.03 | % | 511,116 | 0.03 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Brokered time deposits | 71,529 | 4.35 | % | 25,389 | 4.36 | % | 132,895 | 4.67 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 753,803 | 3.54 | % | 745,945 | 3.93 | % | 654,717 | 2.97 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 4,409,904 | 1.81 | % | $ | 4,244,112 | 1.91 | % | $ | 4,381,987 | 1.44 | % |
The following table sets forth the maturities of retail certificates of deposit having principal amounts $250,000 or greater at December 31, 2025 (in thousands):
| Retail certificates of deposit maturing in quarter ending: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2026 | $ | 131,997 | |
| June 30, 2026 | 112,815 | ||
| September 30, 2026 | 17,079 | ||
| December 31, 2026 | 20,936 | ||
| After December 31, 2026 | 22,989 | ||
| Total retail certificates of deposit with balances $250,000 or greater | $ | 305,816 |
Uninsured deposits for bank and savings and loan registrants are U.S. federally insured depository institutions as the portion of deposit accounts in U.S. offices that exceed the FDIC insurance limit or similar state deposit insurance regimes and amounts in any other uninsured investment or deposit account that are classified as deposits and not subject to any federal or state deposit insurance regimes. Deposits in amounts in excess of the FDIC insurance limit were $1.49 billion, or 33.8% of total deposits at December 31, 2025.
Short-Term Borrowings
The Company's short-term borrowings decreased by $24.0 million from $305.0 million at December 31, 2024, to $281.0 million at December 31, 2025. This decrease was funded by the increase in deposits in 2025. The Company uses short term borrowings to manage the ongoing fluctuations with loans and deposits, when necessary.
Long-Term Borrowings
Total long-term borrowings increased $583,000 to $86.7 million at December 31, 2025, from $86.2 million at December 31, 2024. In 2024, the Company bought back and retired $3.0 million of its outstanding subordinated notes. The Company may, at its option, beginning December 15, 2026, redeem additional portions of the notes, in whole or in part, from time to time, subject to certain conditions. See Note 13 to the consolidated Financial Statements additional detail.
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Stockholders’ Equity
Total stockholders’ equity increased $79.7 million from $406.0 million at December 31, 2024, to $485.7 million at December 31, 2025. The increase was primarily due to net income of $54.6 million and a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $49.2 million offset by dividends paid on common stock of $25.6 million.
Contractual Obligations, Commitments, Contingent Liabilities and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The following table presents, as of December 31, 2025, the Company’s significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations by payment date. The payment amounts represent those amounts contractually due to the recipient and do not include any unamortized premiums or discounts or other similar carrying value adjustments. Further discussion of the nature of each obligation is included in the referenced note to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
| Commitments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/31/2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ref. | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | Thereafter | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits without maturity | $ | 3,576,016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit and brokered time deposits | 11 | 720,109 | $ | 20,946 | $ | 13,449 | $ | 5,044 | $ | 4,887 | $ | 2,327 | |||||||||||||||
| Long-term borrowings | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 90,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Leases | 9 | 1,380 | 1,248 | 1,190 | 1,076 | 922 | 3,869 |
There are also $19.5 million of unfunded commitments to various partnership investment funds. The Company invests in these funds, consisting of affordable housing tax credit investments and SBIC funds, in efforts to comply with CRA regulations. The commitments have no predetermined due dates but are expected to be funded sporadically over the next ten years. Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements discusses in greater detail other commitments and contingencies and the various obligations that exist under those agreements. Examples of these commitments and contingencies include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.
Management’s policy is to not engage in derivatives contracts for speculative trading purposes. The Company does utilize interest-rate swaps as a way of helping manage interest rate risk and not as derivatives for trading purposes. See Note 22 of the consolidated Financial Statements for additional detail.
Liquidity
The principal sources of funds for the Bank are deposits, loan and security repayments, borrowings from financial institutions, repurchase agreements and other funds provided by operations. The Bank also has the ability to borrow from the FHLB. While scheduled loan repayments and maturing investments are relatively predictable, deposit flows and early loan prepayments are more influenced by interest rates, general economic conditions and competition. Investments in liquid assets maintained by the Company and the Bank are based upon management’s assessment of (1) the need for funds, (2) expected deposit flows, (3) yields available on short-term liquid assets, and (4) objectives of the asset and liability management program.
The Bank’s Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”) is responsible for monitoring liquidity guidelines, policies and procedures. ALCO uses a variety of methods to monitor the liquidity position of the Bank including a liquidity analysis that measures potential sources and uses of funds over future time periods. ALCO also performs contingency funding analyses to determine the Bank’s ability to meet potential liquidity needs under stress scenarios that cover varying time horizons ranging from immediate to long-term.
Capital Resources
The Bank, as a national chartered bank, is subject to the dividend restrictions set forth by the OCC. The OCC must approve declaration of any dividends in excess of the sum of profits for the current year and retained net profits for the preceding two years (as defined). Farmers and Farmers Bank are required to maintain minimum amounts of capital to total “risk weighted” assets, as defined by the banking regulators. At December 31, 2025, under the minimum capital requirements associated with the Basel III, Farmers Bank and Farmers are required to have actual and minimum capital ratios, which are detailed in Note 16 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Farmers Bank and Farmers had capital ratios above the minimum levels at December 31, 2025 and 2024. At year-end 2025 and 2024, the most recent regulatory notifications categorized Farmers Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.
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During 2013, the Federal banking regulators approved a final rule to implement revised capital adequacy standards of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, commonly called Basel III, and to address relevant provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. The final rule strengthens the definition of regulatory capital, increases risk-based capital requirements, makes selected changes to the calculation of risk-weighted assets, and adjusts the prompt corrective action thresholds. The Bank has retained, through a one-time election, the prior treatment for most accumulated other comprehensive income, such that unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale that did not affect regulatory capital amounts and ratios. As mentioned in the prior paragraph, the Bank falls within the new regulatory capital ratio guidelines.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company follows financial accounting and reporting policies that are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and conform to general practices within the banking industry. Some of these accounting policies are considered to be critical accounting policies. Critical accounting policies are those policies that require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company has identified three accounting policies that are critical accounting policies and an understanding of these policies is necessary to understand the financial statements. These policies relate to determining the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses, if there is any impairment of goodwill and other intangibles, and estimating the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with any merger activity. Additional information regarding these policies is included in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, including Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies), Note 4 (Loans) and Note 2 (Business Combinations), and the section above captioned “Loan Portfolio.” Management believes that the judgments, estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are appropriate given the factual circumstances at the time.
Farmers maintains an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is presented as a reserve against loans on the balance sheet. Credit losses are charged off against the allowance for credit losses, while recoveries of amounts previously charged off are credited to the allowance for credit losses. A provision for credit losses is charged to operations based on management’s periodic evaluation of adequacy of the allowance.
The Company’s allowance for credit losses represents management’s estimate of expected credit losses over the remaining expected life of the Company’s financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain off-balance sheet lending-related commitments.
The allowance for credit losses involves significant judgment on a number of matters including the weighting of macroeconomic forecasts and microeconomic statistics, incorporation of historical loss experience, assessment of risk characteristics, assignment of risk ratings, valuation of collateral, and the determination of remaining expected life. Refer to Note 4 for further information on these judgments as well as the Company’s policies and methodologies used to determine the Company’s allowance for credit losses.
A significant judgment involved in estimating the Company’s allowance for credit losses relates to the macroeconomic forecasts used to estimate credit losses over the four-quarter forecast period within the Company’s methodology. The four-quarter forecast incorporates three macroeconomic variables (“MEVs”) that are relevant for exposures across the Company.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | U.S. changes in real gross domestic product (GDP). |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | U.S. personal consumption expenditures (PCE) inflation. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | U.S. civilian unemployment rate. |
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Changes in the Company’s assumptions and forecasts of economic conditions could significantly affect its estimate of expected credit losses in the portfolio at the balance sheet date or lead to significant changes in the estimate from one reporting period to the next.
It is difficult to estimate how potential changes in any one factor or input might affect the overall allowance for credit losses because management considers a wide variety of factors and inputs in estimating the allowance for credit losses. Changes in the factors and inputs considered may not occur at the same rate and may not be consistent across all product types, and changes in factors and inputs may be directionally inconsistent, such that improvement in one factor or input may offset deterioration in others.
To consider the impact of a hypothetical alternate macroeconomic forecast, the Company compared the modeled credit losses determined using its central and relative adverse macroeconomic scenarios. The central and relative adverse scenarios each included the three MEVs, but differed in the levels, paths and peaks/troughs of those variables over the four-quarter forecast period.
For example, compared to the Company’s central scenario that is based on a four-quarter forecasted change in U.S. real GDP of 2.30% from 4Q2025 to 4Q2026, U.S. PCE inflation of 2.40%, and U.S. unemployment of 4.40%, the Company’s relative adverse scenario assumes a four-quarter forecast with a contraction of U.S. real GDP, a PCE inflation between 5.00% and 7.00% and an elevated U.S. unemployment rate between 6.00% and 7.00%. This analysis is not intended to estimate expected future changes in the allowance for credit losses, for a number of reasons, including:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | The impacts of changes in the MEVs are both interrelated and nonlinear, so the results of this analysis cannot be simply extrapolated for more severe changes in macroeconomic variables. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Expectations of future changes in portfolio composition and borrower behavior can significantly affect the allowance for credit losses. |
To demonstrate the sensitivity of credit loss estimates to macroeconomic forecasts as of December 31, 2025, the Company compared the modeled estimates under its relative adverse scenario for two of the Company’s largest loan pools to its central scenario for the same loan pools. Without considering offsetting or correlated effects in other qualitative components of the Company’s allowance for credit losses, the comparison between these two scenarios for the exposures below reflect the following differences:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An increase of approximately $658,000 for residential real estate loans and lending-related commitments |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An increase of approximately $924,000 for commercial real non-owner occupied loans and lending-related commitments |
This analysis relates only to the modeled credit loss estimates and is not intended to estimate changes in the overall allowance for credit losses as it does not reflect any potential changes in the other adjustments to the quantitative calculation, which would also be influenced by the judgment management applies to the modeled lifetime loss estimates to reflect the uncertainty and imprecision of these modeled lifetime loss estimates based on then-current circumstances and conditions.
Recognizing that forecasts of macroeconomic conditions are inherently uncertain, the Company believes that its process to consider the available information and associated risks and uncertainties is appropriately governed and that its estimates of expected credit losses were reasonable and appropriate for the period ended December 31, 2025.
The Company uses two methodologies to analyze loan pools. The cohort method and the PD/LGD method. Cohort relies on the creation of cohorts to capture loans that qualify for a particular segment, as of a point in time. Those loans are then tracked over their remaining lives to determine their loss experience. The Company aggregates financial assets on the basis of similar risk characteristics when evaluating loans on a collective basis. Those characteristics include, but are not limited to, internal or external credit score, risk ratings, financial asset, loan type, collateral type, size, effective interest rate, term, or geographical location. The Company uses cohort primarily for consumer loan portfolios.
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The PD portion of PD/LGD is defined by the Company as 90 days past due, placed on non-accrual, or is partially or wholly charged-off. Typically, a one-year time period is used to assess PD. PD can be measured and applied using various risk criteria. Risk rating is one common way to apply PDs. LGD is to determine the percentage of loss by facility or collateral type. LGD estimates can sometimes be driven, or influenced, by product type, industry or geography. The Company uses PD/LGD primarily for commercial loan portfolios.
Management believes that the accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets also involves a higher degree of judgment than most other significant accounting policies. GAAP establishes standards for the amortization of acquired intangible assets and the impairment assessment of goodwill. Goodwill arising from business combinations represents the value attributable to unidentifiable intangible assets in the business acquired. The Company’s goodwill relates to the value inherent in the banking industry and that value is dependent upon the ability of the Company’s subsidiaries to provide quality, cost-effective services in a competitive marketplace. The goodwill value is supported by revenue that is in part driven by the volume of business transacted. A decrease in earnings resulting from a decline in the customer base or the inability to deliver cost-effective services over sustained periods can lead to impairment of goodwill that could adversely impact earnings in future periods. GAAP requires an annual evaluation of goodwill for impairment, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The fair value of the goodwill is estimated by reviewing the past and projected operating results for the subsidiaries and comparable industry information. At December 31, 2025, on a consolidated basis, Farmers had intangibles of $17.9 million subject to amortization and $167.5 million in goodwill, which was not subject to periodic amortization.
The Company accounts for acquisitions under FASB ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations, which requires the use of the acquisition method of accounting. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination are recorded at the estimated fair value on their purchase date. As provided for under GAAP, management has up to 12 months following the date of the acquisition to finalize the fair values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities. In particular, the valuation of acquired loans involves significant estimates, assumptions and judgment based on information available as of the acquisition date. Loans acquired in a business combination transaction are evaluated either individually or in pools of loans with similar characteristics; including consideration of a credit component. A number of factors are considered in determining the estimated fair value of purchased loans including, among other things, the remaining life of the acquired loans, estimated prepayments, estimated loss ratios, estimated value of the underlying collateral, estimated holding periods, contractual interest rates compared to market interest rates, and net present value of cash flows expected to be received.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Developments
Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements discusses new accounting policies adopted by Farmers during 2025 and 2024 and the expected impact of accounting policies recently issued or proposed but not yet required to be adopted. To the extent the adoption of new accounting standards materially affects financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, the impacts are discussed in the applicable sections of this financial review and notes to the consolidated financial statements.
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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: 0000950170-25-034480.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following presents a discussion and analysis of Farmers’ financial condition and results of operations by its management. The review highlights the principal factors affecting earnings and the significant changes in balance sheet items for the years 2024, 2023 and 2022. Financial information for prior years is presented when appropriate. The objective of this financial review is to enhance the reader’s understanding of the accompanying tables and charts, the consolidated financial statements, notes to financial statements and financial statistics appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Where applicable, this discussion also reflects management’s insights of known events and trends that have or may reasonably be expected to have a material effect on Farmers’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact, but rather statements based on Farmers’ current expectations, beliefs and assumptions regarding the future of Farmers’ business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, its intended results and future performance, the economy and other future conditions. Forward-looking statements are preceded by terms such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “expect,” “estimate,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan” “project,” or variations of these words, or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance, and actual future results could differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Numerous uncertainties, risks, and changes could cause or contribute to Farmers’ actual results, performance, and achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Farmers’ filings with the Commission, including without limitation the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Many of these factors are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict, and readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on those forward-looking statements. The following, which is not intended to be an all-encompassing list, summarizes several factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or expected in any forward-looking statement:
•
general economic conditions in markets where the Company conducts business, which could materially impact credit quality trends;
•
the length and extent of the economic impacts of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine;
•
actions by the Federal Reserve Board, U.S. Treasury and other government agencies, including those that impact money supply, market interest rates and inflation;
•
disruptions in the mortgage and lending markets and significant or unexpected fluctuations in interest rates related to governmental responses to inflation, including financial stimulus packages and interest rate changes;
•
general business conditions in the banking industry;
•
the regulatory environment;
•
general fluctuations in interest rates;
•
demand for loans in the market areas where the Company conducts business;
•
rapidly changing technology and evolving banking industry standards;
•
competitive factors, including increased competition with regional and national financial institutions;
•
Farmers' ability to attract, recruit and retain skilled employees; and
•
new service and product offerings by competitors and price pressures.
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Other factors not currently anticipated may also materially and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial position. There can be no assurance that future results will meet expectations. While the Company believes that the forward-looking statements in the presentation are reasonable, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. In addition, these statements speak only as of the date made. The Company does not undertake, and expressly disclaims, any obligation to update or alter any statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, expect as may be required by applicable law.
Results of Operations
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
The Company recorded net income of $45.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $49.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company reported $1.22 per diluted common share in 2024 compared to $1.33 per diluted common share in 2023.
Net Interest Income
The Company recognized net interest income of $128.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $137.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The tax-equivalent net interest margin declined from 2.91% for 2023 to 2.69% for 2024. The margin declined due to increased funding costs associated with the Federal Reserve's aggressive rate increases in 2022 and 2023 along with an inverted U.S treasury yield curve which caused deposit funding costs to rise faster than the yields being earned on loans and securities.
Total interest income increased from $213.3 million in 2023 to $227.7 million for 2024. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the yield on loans and securities associated with the higher interest rate environment.
Interest income on loans increased to $185.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $171.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. This increase was due to better yields on loans which increased from 5.46% in 2023 to 5.76% in 2024.
The income on federal funds sold and other interest income increased by $1.3 million in 2024 to $3.7 million compared to $2.5 million in 2023 primarily due to a volume increase of $21.3 million in 2024 and an increase of 57 basis points in the yield on the portfolio.
Interest expense increased $23.8 million in 2024 to $99.4 million from $75.5 million in 2023. The increase was primarily due to a 59 basis point increase in the yield on interest-bearing deposits and an increase in the volume of average borrowed funds which increased from $249.4 million in 2023 to $381.2 million in 2024. The increase in deposit costs was driven by the movement of lower cost checking and savings deposits into certificates of deposit while the increase in borrowed funds was due a lower level of brokered CDs utilized in 2024.
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Average Balance Sheets and Related Yields and Rates
(Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands except Per Share Data)
| Years ended December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVERAGE | AVERAGE | AVERAGE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE | INTEREST | RATE | BALANCE | INTEREST | RATE | BALANCE | INTEREST | RATE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EARNING ASSETS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (1) (2) | $ | 3,227,384 | $ | 186,032 | 5.76 | % | $ | 3,155,858 | $ | 172,161 | 5.46 | % | $ | 2,358,724 | $ | 108,100 | 4.58 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable securities | 1,110,905 | 26,838 | 2.42 | 1,143,547 | 26,231 | 2.29 | 1,081,966 | 20,843 | 1.93 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax-exempt securities (1) | 386,643 | 12,165 | 3.15 | 419,557 | 13,283 | 3.17 | 465,855 | 14,952 | 3.21 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other investments | 35,402 | 1,450 | 4.10 | 39,559 | 1,986 | 5.02 | 33,153 | 871 | 2.63 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Federal funds sold and other cash | 96,288 | 3,727 | 3.87 | 74,950 | 2,476 | 3.30 | 76,253 | 684 | 0.90 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total earning assets | 4,856,622 | 230,212 | 4.74 | 4,833,471 | 216,137 | 4.47 | 4,015,951 | 145,450 | 3.62 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NONEARNING ASSETS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-earning assets | 234,297 | 205,683 | 128,757 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 5,090,919 | $ | 5,039,154 | $ | 4,144,708 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time deposits | $ | 745,945 | $ | 29,329 | 3.93 | % | $ | 654,717 | $ | 19,462 | 2.97 | % | $ | 360,687 | $ | 3,044 | 0.84 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Brokered time deposits | 25,389 | 1,108 | 4.36 | 132,895 | 6,204 | 4.67 | 56,965 | 1,240 | 2.18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings deposits | 1,095,470 | 16,144 | 1.47 | 1,113,561 | 9,899 | 0.89 | 846,418 | 1,352 | 0.16 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits - interest bearing | 1,396,193 | 34,588 | 2.48 | 1,415,425 | 27,541 | 1.95 | 1,392,058 | 7,449 | 0.54 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | 3,262,997 | 81,169 | 2.49 | 3,316,598 | 63,106 | 1.90 | 2,656,128 | 13,085 | 0.49 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short term borrowings | 293,488 | 14,105 | 4.81 | 160,964 | 8,357 | 5.19 | 55,668 | 1,408 | 2.53 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long term borrowings | 87,749 | 4,090 | 4.66 | 88,439 | 4,086 | 4.62 | 87,972 | 3,427 | 3.90 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total borrowed funds | 381,237 | 18,195 | 4.77 | 249,403 | 12,443 | 4.99 | 143,640 | 4,835 | 3.37 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities | 3,644,234 | 99,364 | 2.73 | 3,566,001 | 75,549 | 2.12 | 2,799,768 | 17,920 | 0.64 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NONINTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits - noninterest bearing | 981,115 | 1,065,389 | 959,294 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Liabilities | 58,134 | 50,302 | 34,180 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders' equity | 407,436 | 357,462 | 351,466 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Liabilities and | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders' Equity | $ | 5,090,919 | $ | 5,039,154 | $ | 4,144,708 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income and interest rate spread | $ | 130,848 | 2.01 | % | $ | 140,588 | 2.35 | % | $ | 127,530 | 2.98 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin | 2.69 | % | 2.91 | % | 3.18 | % |
(1)
Interest on certain tax-exempt loans and tax-exempt securities in 2024, 2023 and 2022 is not taxable for Federal income tax purposes. In order to compare the tax-exempt yields on these assets to taxable yields, the interest earned on these assets is adjusted to a pre-tax equivalent amount based on the marginal corporate federal income tax rate of 21%.
(2)
Nonaccrual loans are included in the average balance totals.
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RATE AND VOLUME ANALYSIS
(Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands except Per Share Data)
The following table analyzes by rate and volume the dollar amount of changes in the components of the interest differential:
| 2024 change from 2023 | 2023 change from 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net | Change Due | Change Due | Net | Change Due | Change Due | |||||||||||||||||||
| Change | To Volume | To Rate | Change | To Volume | To Rate | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tax Equivalent Interest Income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | $ | 13,871 | $ | 3,902 | $ | 9,969 | $ | 64,061 | $ | 36,533 | $ | 27,528 | ||||||||||||
| Taxable securities | 607 | (749 | ) | 1,356 | 5,388 | 1,186 | 4,202 | |||||||||||||||||
| Tax-exempt securities | (1,118 | ) | (1,042 | ) | (76 | ) | (1,669 | ) | (1,486 | ) | (183 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Other investments | (536 | ) | (209 | ) | (327 | ) | 1,115 | 168 | 947 | |||||||||||||||
| Funds sold and other cash | 1,251 | 705 | 546 | 1,792 | (12 | ) | 1,804 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total interest income | $ | 14,075 | $ | 2,607 | $ | 11,468 | $ | 70,687 | $ | 36,389 | $ | 34,298 | ||||||||||||
| Interest Expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time deposits | $ | 9,867 | $ | 2,712 | $ | 7,155 | $ | 16,418 | $ | 2,481 | $ | 13,937 | ||||||||||||
| Brokered time deposits | (5,096 | ) | (5,019 | ) | (77 | ) | 4,964 | 1,653 | 3,311 | |||||||||||||||
| Savings deposits | 6,245 | (161 | ) | 6,406 | 8,547 | 427 | 8,120 | |||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits | 7,047 | (374 | ) | 7,421 | 20,092 | 125 | 19,967 | |||||||||||||||||
| Short term borrowings | 5,748 | 6,880 | (1,132 | ) | 6,949 | 2,663 | 4,286 | |||||||||||||||||
| Long term borrowings | 4 | (32 | ) | 36 | 659 | 18 | 641 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total interest expense | $ | 23,815 | $ | 4,006 | $ | 19,809 | $ | 57,629 | $ | 7,367 | $ | 50,262 | ||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in tax equivalent net interest income | $ | (9,740 | ) | $ | (1,399 | ) | $ | (8,341 | ) | $ | 13,058 | $ | 29,022 | $ | (15,964 | ) |
The amount of change not solely due to rate or volume changes was allocated between the change due to rate and the change due to volume based on the relative size of the rate and volume changes.
Noninterest Income
Noninterest income declined slightly to $41.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $41.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The major categories of noninterest income are discussed below.
Service charges on deposit accounts increased to $7.3 million for 2024 compared to $6.3 million in 2023. The increase was primarily due to the Company undertaking a review of all service charges in late 2023 and early 2024 and implementing fee increases across deposit product lines in the second quarter of 2024.
Bank owned life insurance income increased by $217,000 in 2024 to $2.7 million, compared to $2.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. The increase was due to an increase of $241,000 from earnings on the policies offset by a decline in death benefits received from the policies.
Trust fees increased to $10.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, compared to $9.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. The trust business continued to grow in 2024 as the value of assets under management increased.
Insurance agency commissions were $5.5 million in 2024 compared to $5.4 million in 2023. The increase was driven by better income from fixed annuity sales offset by declines in property and casualty commissions.
Retirement plan consulting fees increased to $2.6 million for 2024 compared to $2.5 million for 2023. The Company picked up additional business in 2024 and with the acquisition of Crest in December of 2024, revenue from this business should continue to increase in 2025.
31
Security losses increased to $2.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, from $471,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The losses increased in 2024 due to the Company restructuring more securities in order to reinvest the proceeds into securities with a higher yield than those sold.
The net gains on the sale of loans declined by $889,000 from 2023 at $2.5 million to $1.5 million in 2024. The primary reason for this decrease was the sale of nonaccrual commercial loans in 2023 that generated a gain of $915,000. There was no sale of commercial loans in 2024. Gains on the sale of loans continues to be negatively impacted by a lower level of saleable mortgage volume due to the higher interest rate environment and the lack of supply of homes for sale.
Other mortgage banking income declined by $276,000 in 2024 compared to 2023. The decrease was driven by lower servicing income and faster amortization of the mortgage servicing rights.
Debit card fees increased to $7.5 million in 2024 compared to $7.1 million in 2023. The increase was primarily due to higher volumes.
Other operating income increased to $4.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, from $4.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily due to decreased losses on the sale of assets offset by higher Small Business Investment Company (“SBIC”) income in 2024 compared to 2023.
Noninterest Expenses
Noninterest expense totaled $106.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $111.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decline was primarily driven by merger related costs which fell from $5.5 million in 2023 to $92 thousand in 2024.
Salaries and employee benefits increased by $1.6 million to $58.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $57.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily due to salary increases and greater incentive compensation.
FDIC insurance and state and local taxes decreased to $5.0 million in 2024 from $5.8 million in 2023. The decline was due to lower FDIC expense as the Company had higher capital levels in 2024 resulting in lower expense.
Advertising costs declined to $1.5 million in 2024 from $1.8 million in 2023. This decrease was due to a few marketing campaigns being reduced in 2024.
Intangible amortization expense decreased by $573,000 to $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decline was primarily driven by the runoff of intangibles from older acquisitions.
Other operating expenses increased by $306,000 to $13.8 million in 2024 compared to $13.5 million in 2023. The increase was spread across several categories of expense.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense increased from $8.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, to $9.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily due to a higher effective tax rate and less benefit from low income housing tax credits. Income taxes are computed using the appropriate effective tax rates for each period. The effective tax rates are less than the statutory tax rate primarily due to nontaxable interest and dividend income. The effective income tax rate was 17.1% in 2024 and 14.9% for 2023. Refer to Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the effective tax rate.
32
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
The Company recorded net income of $49.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $60.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The Company reported $1.33 per diluted common share in 2023 compared to $1.79 per diluted common share in 2022. The results for 2023 include a full year of income and expense from the Emclaire acquisition which closed on January 1, 2023.
Net Interest Income
The Company recognized net interest income of $137.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, compared to $124.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022. The tax-equivalent net interest margin declined from 3.18% for 2022 to 2.91% for the year ended December 31, 2023. The margin declined due to increased funding costs associated with the Federal Reserve's aggressive rate increases in 2022 and 2023 along with an inverted U.S treasury yield curve which caused deposit funding costs to rise faster than the yields being earned on loans and securities.
Total interest income increased $71.2 million from $142.1 million in 2022 to $213.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the average balance of loans and securities from the acquisition of Emclaire. In addition, the yields received on the various categories of earning assets increased year over year due to rising rates being received.
Interest income on loans increased to $171.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $107.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. This increase was due to the average loan balances increasing $797.1 million in 2023 primarily due to the acquisition of Emclaire. The yield on loans increased to 5.46% in 2023 from 4.58% in 2022.
Income on taxable securities increased by $5.4 million in 2023 due to the average balance being higher by $61.6 million. Yields on taxable securities were also higher by 36 basis points ("bp") in 2023 compared to 2022. The increased balance was due to the Emclaire acquisition. Income on tax exempt securities decreased $1.7 million in 2023 as the average balance of this category declined $46.3 million and the yield on the portfolio declined by 4 bp year over year.
The income on federal funds sold and other interest income increased by $1.8 million in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily due to an increase of 239 bp in the yield on the portfolio. This portfolio is heavily impacted by the actions of the Federal Reserve.
Interest expense increased $57.6 million in 2023 compared to 2022 due to an increase of $766.2 million in the volume of interest-bearing liabilities and an increase in the rates paid on deposits and borrowings of 148 bp year over year. The increase in the volume of interest-bearing liabilities was due to the merger with Emclaire while the increase in rates paid was due to the higher interest rate environment that existed in 2023 compared to 2022. The average balance of interest-bearing deposits increased $660.5 million in 2023 primarily due to the Emclaire acquisition while the cost of interest-bearing deposits increased by 141 bp year over year. Interest expense related to interest-bearing deposits was $63.1 million in 2023 compared to $13.1 million in 2022.
Interest expense on short-term borrowings was $8.4 million in 2023 compared to $1.4 million in 2022. The increase was due to the increased usage of short term borrowings and an increase in the cost of those borrowings due to the Federal Reserve increasing the fed funds rate. Interest on long-term borrowings increased to $4.1 million in 2023 from $3.4 million in 2022. This increase was primarily due to the increased cost of some of the long term borrowings that are tied to variable rates and which continued to increase in 2023.
Noninterest Income
Noninterest income declined to $41.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $44.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The major categories of noninterest income are discussed below.
33
Service charges on deposit accounts totaled $6.3 million in 2023 compared to $4.7 million in 2022. The increase was due to the acquisition of Emclaire.
Bank owned life insurance income increased by $632,000 to $2.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, compared to $1.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022. The increase was due to the addition of Emclaire offset by a decline of $79,000 on the proceeds from death benefits received from the policies.
Trust fees increased to $9.0 million in 2023 from $8.5 million in 2022. The trust business continued to expand in 2023 as the Company added revenue producers in the new Pennsylvania markets.
Insurance agency commissions increased by $1.0 million to $5.4 million in 2023 from $4.4 million in 2022. The increase was driven by better margins in the insurance industry in 2023 along with increased sales of annuity products as rates on these products were very attractive to customers. Investment commissions declined slightly to $2.0 million in 2023 from $2.2 million in 2022. This line of business was down due to the heavy demand for annuities in lieu of traditional investment products.
The net gains on the sale of loans increased by $329,000 between 2022 and 2023. The primary reason for this increase was the sale of nonaccrual commercial loans that generated a gain of $915,000 in 2023 offset by lower gain on sale figures on the sale of 1-4 family mortgage loans. Mortgage volume continues to be negatively impacted by the higher interest rate environment and the lack of supply of homes for sale.
Other mortgage banking income was up $420,000 in 2023 compared to 2022. The increase was driven by slower prepayment speeds on the mortgage servicing portfolio in 2023 due to the higher level of interest rates.
Debit card fees increased to $7.1 million in 2023 compared to $5.8 million in 2022. The increase was primarily due to the addition of Emclaire.
The Company recorded an $8.4 million gain related to a legal settlement in 2022. No gain was recorded in 2023.
Other operating income increased by $495,000 to $4.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, from $4.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022. This increase was primarily due to increased non-recurring income associated with recoveries on Emclaire and Cortland loans that were charged off prior to acquisition. This increase was offset by lower SBIC income in 2023 compared to 2022.
Noninterest Expenses
Noninterest expense totaled $111.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 compared to $94.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022. The increase is primarily due to the merger with Emclaire and normal increases in operating expenses.
Salaries and employee benefits increased to $57.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $12.4 million, from $45.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. This increase was primarily due to the Company having a higher level of employees due to the addition of Emclaire along with normal raise activity.
Occupancy and equipment expense increased by $4.0 million to $15.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 compared to $11.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022. The increase was due to the higher level of depreciation and facilities maintenance costs associated with the additional Emclaire properties.
FDIC insurance and state and local taxes increased to $5.8 million in 2023 from $4.0 million in 2022. The Emclaire acquisition along with higher FDIC assessment rates in 2023 drove the increase.
34
Professional fees decreased by $1.7 million in 2023 to $4.4 million from $6.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was due to legal expenses associated with the legal settlement income in 2022 discussed above that did not reoccur in 2023. This amounted to approximately $2.1 million of additional expense in 2022 compared to 2023. Offsetting this somewhat was additional expense associated with the Emclaire acquisition.
Merger related costs increased to $5.5 million in 2023 from $4.1 million in 2022. This increase was due to the acquisition of Emclaire at the beginning of 2023.
Intangible amortization expense increased by $1.4 million in 2023 to $3.4 million compared to $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily driven by the acquisition of Emclaire.
Core processing charges increased to $4.6 million in 2023 compared to $3.3 million in 2022. The increase was due to the acquisition of Emclaire.
An additional, special charitable donation of $6.0 million was made during 2022 with no such contribution made in 2023. The donation was made possible in 2022 by the $8.4 million legal settlement income discussed above.
Other operating expenses increased by $2.8 million to $13.4 million in 2023 compared to $10.6 million in 2022. The increase was primarily due to the acquisition of Emclaire but 2023 also included $785,000 for the settlement of a lawsuit whereas 2022 did not have any of this expense.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense decreased to $8.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, from $12.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to a $14.1 million decrease in income before income taxes. Income taxes are computed using the appropriate effective tax rates for each period. The effective tax rates are less than the statutory tax rate primarily due to nontaxable interest and dividend income. The effective income tax rate was 14.9% in 2023 and 16.8% for 2022. Refer to Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the effective tax rate.
Loan Portfolio
Maturities and Sensitivities of Loans to Interest Rates
The following schedule shows the composition of loans and the percentage of loans in each category at the dates indicated. Balances include unamortized loan origination fees and costs.
| Years Ended December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Real Estate | $ | 1,381,573 | 42.2 | % | $ | 1,334,600 | 41.6 | % | $ | 1,026,822 | 42.6 | % | $ | 1,010,674 | 43.3 | % | $ | 712,818 | 34.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 351,533 | 10.8 | 347,819 | 10.9 | 294,406 | 12.2 | 312,532 | 13.4 | 401,003 | 19.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential Real Estate | 1,003,678 | 30.8 | 986,032 | 30.8 | 607,557 | 25.3 | 580,242 | 24.9 | 523,340 | 25.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 268,533 | 8.2 | 267,875 | 8.4 | 228,794 | 9.5 | 195,343 | 8.4 | 208,842 | 10.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agricultural | 263,029 | 8.0 | 261,801 | 8.2 | 247,171 | 10.3 | 232,291 | 10.0 | 232,041 | 11.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Loans | $ | 3,268,346 | 100.0 | % | $ | 3,198,127 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,404,750 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,331,082 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,078,044 | 100.0 | % |
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The following schedule sets forth maturities based on remaining scheduled repayments of principal for loans listed above as of December 31, 2024:
| Types of Loans | 1 Year or less | 1 to 5 Years | 5 to 15 Years | Over 15 Years | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial | $ | 19,713 | $ | 181,984 | $ | 97,994 | $ | 51,842 | |||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | $ | 124,311 | $ | 514,111 | $ | 630,941 | $ | 112,211 | |||||||
| Residential Real Estate | $ | 9,782 | $ | 48,963 | $ | 215,293 | $ | 729,639 | |||||||
| Consumer | $ | 4,076 | $ | 107,972 | $ | 132,043 | $ | 24,442 | |||||||
| Agricultural | $ | 4,105 | $ | 36,625 | $ | 49,288 | $ | 173,011 |
The amounts of loans as of December 31, 2024, based on remaining scheduled repayments of principal, are shown in the following table:
| Loan Sensitivities | 1 Year or less | Over 1 Year | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floating or Adjustable Rates of Interest | $ | 99,059 | $ | 1,524,346 | $ | 1,623,405 | |||||
| Fixed Rates of Interest | 62,928 | 1,582,013 | 1,644,941 | ||||||||
| Total Loans | $ | 161,987 | $ | 3,106,359 | $ | 3,268,346 |
Total loans were $3.27 billion at December 31, 2024, compared to $3.20 billion at December 31, 2023, an increase of $70.2 million. Loans comprised 66.5% of the Bank’s average earning assets in 2024, compared to 65.3% in 2023.
Management recognizes that while the loan portfolio holds some of the Bank’s’ highest yielding assets, it is inherently the most risky portfolio. Accordingly, management attempts to balance credit risk versus return with conservative credit standards. Management has developed and maintains comprehensive underwriting guidelines and a loan review function that monitors credits during and after the approval process. To minimize risks associated with changes in the borrower’s future repayment capacity, the Bank generally requires scheduled periodic principal and interest payments on all types of loans and normally requires collateral.
Commercial real estate loans increased to $1.38 billion at December 31, 2024 from $1.33 billion at December 31, 2023. The Company’s commercial real estate loan portfolio includes loans for owner occupied and non-owner occupied real estate. These loans are made to finance properties such as office and industrial buildings, hotels and retail shopping centers.
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The following tables present the amortized cost basis of the Company's commercial real estate portfolio segment by industry, inclusive of farmland, as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| (In Thousands of Dollars) | Amortized Cost | % of Commercial Real Estate | % of Total Portfolio | Weighted Average Loan-to-Value | Weighted Average Occupancy | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Retail | $ | 345,354 | 21.75 | % | 10.57 | % | 53.93 | % | 85.07 | % | ||||||||||
| Farmland | 206,600 | 13.01 | % | 6.32 | % | 49.63 | % | 100.00 | % | |||||||||||
| Warehouse/Industrial | 186,316 | 11.73 | % | 5.70 | % | 54.26 | % | 72.23 | % | |||||||||||
| Office | 192,269 | 12.11 | % | 5.88 | % | 53.70 | % | 74.06 | % | |||||||||||
| Multifamily | 158,168 | 9.96 | % | 4.84 | % | 61.16 | % | 85.75 | % | |||||||||||
| Medical | 147,353 | 9.28 | % | 4.51 | % | 46.27 | % | 92.60 | % | |||||||||||
| Hotel | 44,301 | 2.79 | % | 1.36 | % | 45.24 | % | 79.65 | % | |||||||||||
| Special Purpose | 85,361 | 5.37 | % | 2.61 | % | 51.83 | % | 98.53 | % | |||||||||||
| Restaurant | 50,990 | 3.21 | % | 1.56 | % | 51.36 | % | 100.00 | % | |||||||||||
| Multifamily - Construction | 73,857 | 4.65 | % | 2.26 | % | 53.28 | % | 29.61 | % | |||||||||||
| All Other | 97,605 | 6.14 | % | 2.99 | % | 48.05 | % | 94.97 | % | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,588,174 | 100.00 | % | 48.60 | % |
| (In Thousands of Dollars) | Amortized Cost | % of Commercial Real Estate | % of Total Portfolio | Weighted Average Loan-to-Value | Weighted Average Occupancy | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Retail | $ | 354,953 | 23.09 | % | 11.10 | % | 55.16 | % | 85.26 | % | ||||||||||
| Farmland | 202,726 | 13.19 | % | 6.34 | % | 51.24 | % | 100.00 | % | |||||||||||
| Warehouse/Industrial | 166,291 | 10.82 | % | 5.20 | % | 56.04 | % | 70.99 | % | |||||||||||
| Office | 175,020 | 11.38 | % | 5.47 | % | 53.91 | % | 75.04 | % | |||||||||||
| Multifamily | 153,410 | 9.98 | % | 4.80 | % | 63.10 | % | 85.79 | % | |||||||||||
| Medical | 154,890 | 10.08 | % | 4.84 | % | 51.51 | % | 92.64 | % | |||||||||||
| Hotel | 49,695 | 3.23 | % | 1.55 | % | 48.64 | % | 79.59 | % | |||||||||||
| Special Purpose | 99,152 | 6.45 | % | 3.10 | % | 55.10 | % | 99.88 | % | |||||||||||
| Restaurant | 56,460 | 3.67 | % | 1.77 | % | 53.17 | % | 100.00 | % | |||||||||||
| Multifamily - Construction | 27,860 | 1.81 | % | 0.87 | % | 59.02 | % | 22.06 | % | |||||||||||
| All Other | 96,869 | 6.30 | % | 3.03 | % | 47.10 | % | 95.30 | % | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,537,326 | 100.00 | % | 48.07 | % |
Residential real estate mortgage loans increased to $1.00 billion at December 31, 2024, from $986.0 million at December 31, 2023. Farmers originated both fixed rate and adjustable rate mortgages during 2024. Fixed rate terms are offered with terms between fifteen and thirty years while adjustable rate products are offered with maturities up to thirty years. The Company sells all fixed rate loans that are secondary market eligible.
Commercial loans at December 31, 2024, totaled $351.5 million compared to $347.8 million at December 31, 2023. The Bank’s commercial loans are granted to customers within the immediate trade area of the Bank. The mix is diverse, covering a wide range of borrowers, business types and local municipalities. The Bank monitors and controls concentrations within a particular industry or segment of the economy. These loans are made for purposes such as equipment purchases, capital and leasehold improvements, the purchase of inventory, general working capital and small business lines of credit.
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Agricultural loans increased from $261.8 million in 2023 to $263.0 million in 2024. The Company’s agricultural loan portfolio contains a diverse mix of dairy, crops, land, poultry and cattle loans.
Consumer loans increased to $268.5 million at December 31, 2024, from $267.9 million at December 31, 2023. The consumer loan portfolio includes indirect auto loans and other consumer loan products.
Summary of Credit Loss Experience
The following is an analysis of the allowance for credit losses for the years 2020 through 2024. During the years 2021-2024, the Company used the CECL methodology while the incurred loss methodology was used in 2020:
| Years Ended December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at Beginning of Year | $ | 34,440 | $ | 26,978 | $ | 29,386 | $ | 22,144 | $ | 14,487 | ||||||||||
| Charge-Offs: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | (4,619 | ) | (349 | ) | (300 | ) | (70 | ) | (122 | ) | ||||||||||
| Commercial | (1,742 | ) | (1,272 | ) | (2,042 | ) | (388 | ) | (412 | ) | ||||||||||
| Residential Real Estate | (155 | ) | (384 | ) | (92 | ) | (297 | ) | (172 | ) | ||||||||||
| Consumer | (1,471 | ) | (932 | ) | (870 | ) | (912 | ) | (1,347 | ) | ||||||||||
| Total Charge-Offs | (7,987 | ) | (2,937 | ) | (3,304 | ) | (1,667 | ) | (2,053 | ) | ||||||||||
| Recoveries on Previous Charge-Offs: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | 22 | 1 | 3 | 33 | 31 | |||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 520 | 103 | 75 | 199 | 11 | |||||||||||||||
| Residential Real Estate | 177 | 81 | 89 | 162 | 85 | |||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 447 | 496 | 479 | 411 | 483 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Recoveries | 1,166 | 681 | 646 | 805 | 610 | |||||||||||||||
| Net Charge-Offs | (6,821 | ) | (2,256 | ) | (2,658 | ) | (862 | ) | (1,443 | ) | ||||||||||
| Impact of CECL adoption | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2,160 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| Provision For Credit Losses and Day One Purchase entry | 8,244 | 9,718 | 250 | 5,944 | 9,100 | |||||||||||||||
| Balance at End of Year | $ | 35,863 | $ | 34,440 | $ | 26,978 | $ | 29,386 | $ | 22,144 | ||||||||||
| Ratio of Net Commercial Real Estate Charge-offs To Average Loans Outstanding | 0.14 | % | 0.01 | % | 0.01 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||
| Ratio of Net Commercial Charge-offs To Average Loans Outstanding | 0.04 | % | 0.04 | % | 0.08 | % | 0.01 | % | 0.02 | % | ||||||||||
| Ratio of Net Residential Real Estate Charge-offs To Average Loans Outstanding | 0.00 | % | 0.01 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.01 | % | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||
| Ratio of Net Consumer Charge-offs To Average Loans Outstanding | 0.03 | % | 0.01 | % | 0.02 | % | 0.02 | % | 0.04 | % | ||||||||||
| Allowance for Credit Losses/Total Loans | 1.10 | 1.08 | 1.12 | 1.26 | 1.07 |
The provision for credit losses, which includes the provision for unfunded commitments, declined to $8.0 million in 2024 compared to $9.2 million in 2023. In 2023, the Company recognized a day one purchase entry for the Emclaire loans of $7.7 million while there was no day one purchase entry recognized in 2024. Offsetting this was an increase in net charge-offs in 2024 of $4.6 million to $6.8 million compared to net charge-offs of $2.3 million in 2023. The increased net charge-off figure in 2024 was driven by a charge-off of $4.4 million for a single commercial credit backed by office space.
The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 in 2021, to calculate the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) which requires estimating credit losses over the life of the credits. The ACL is adjusted through the provision for credit losses and reduced by net charge offs of loans. Although the Company has a diversified loan portfolio, the credit risk in the loan portfolio is largely influenced by general economic conditions and trends of the counties and markets in which the debtors operate, and the resulting impact on the operations of borrowers or on the value of any underlying collateral.
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The credit loss estimation process involves procedures that consider the unique characteristics of the Company’s loan portfolio segments. These segments are disaggregated into the loan pools for monitoring. A model of risk characteristics, such as loss history and delinquency experience, trends in past due and non-performing loans, as well as existing economic conditions and supportable forecasts are used to determine credit loss assumptions.
The Company uses two methodologies to analyze loan pools. The cohort method (“cohort”) and the probability of default/loss given default method (“PD/LGD”). Cohort relies on the creation of cohorts to capture loans that qualify for a particular segment, as of a point in time. Those loans are then tracked over their remaining lives to determine their loss experience. The Company aggregates financial assets on the basis of similar risk characteristics when evaluating loans on a collective basis. Those characteristics include, but are not limited to, internal or external credit score, risk ratings, financial asset, loan type, collateral type, size, effective interest rate, term, or geographical location. The Company uses cohort primarily for consumer loan portfolios.
The probability of default (“PD”) portion of PD/LGD is defined by the Company as 90 days past due, placed on non-accrual, or is partially or wholly, charged-off. Typically, a one-year time period is used to assess PD. PD can be measured and applied using various risk criteria. Risk rating is one common way to apply PDs. Loss given default (“LGD”) is to determine the percentage of loss by facility or collateral type. LGD estimates can sometimes be driven, or influenced, by product type, industry or geography. The Company uses PD/LGD primarily for commercial loan portfolios.
The allowance for credit losses to total loans increased to 1.10% at December 31, 2024, compared to 1.08% at December 31, 2023. Nonperforming loans to total loans increased from 0.47% at December 31, 2023 to 0.70% at December 31, 2024. Nonperforming loans to total loans increased in 2024 primarily due to a single commercial real estate credit totaling $8.8 million moving into nonaccrual status.
The provision for credit losses is based on management’s judgment after taking into consideration all factors connected with the collectability of the existing loan portfolio. Management evaluates the loan portfolio in light of economic conditions, changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, industry standards and other relevant reasonable and supportable forecasts. Specific factors considered by management in determining the amounts charged to operating expenses include previous charge-off experience, the status of past due interest and principal payments, the quality of financial information supplied by loan customers and the general condition of the industries in the community to which loans have been made.
The allowance for credit losses increased to $35.9 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $34.4 million at December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily driven by growth in the loan portfolio.
Typically, commercial and commercial real estate loans are identified as collateral dependent when they become ninety days past due, or earlier if management believes it is probable that the Company will not collect all amounts due under the terms of the loan agreement. When Farmers identifies a loan and concludes that the loan is collateral dependent, Farmers performs an internal collateral valuation as an interim measure. Farmers typically obtains an external appraisal to validate its internal collateral valuation as soon as is practical and adjusts the associated loss reserve, if necessary.
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The following table summarizes the Company’s nonperforming loans and nonperforming assets for the years ending 2020 through 2024:
| Nonperforming Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
| Nonaccrual loans: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | $ | 10,642 | $ | 5,852 | $ | 4,057 | $ | 3,004 | $ | 389 | ||||||||||
| Commercial | 3,858 | 1,802 | 3,840 | 7,190 | 3,789 | |||||||||||||||
| Residential Real Estate | 4,983 | 3,807 | 3,438 | 4,280 | 5,783 | |||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 600 | 461 | 494 | 682 | 864 | |||||||||||||||
| Agricultural | 2,120 | 2,486 | 2,482 | 314 | 680 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Nonaccrual Loans | $ | 22,203 | $ | 14,408 | $ | 14,311 | $ | 15,470 | $ | 11,505 | ||||||||||
| Loans Past Due 90 Days or More | 615 | 655 | 492 | 725 | 2,330 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Nonperforming Loans | $ | 22,818 | $ | 15,063 | $ | 14,803 | $ | 16,195 | $ | 13,835 | ||||||||||
| Repossessed assets | 33 | 166 | 73 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Nonperforming Assets | $ | 22,851 | $ | 15,229 | $ | 14,876 | $ | 16,195 | $ | 13,835 | ||||||||||
| Percentage of Nonperforming Loans to Total Loans | 0.70 | % | 0.47 | % | 0.62 | % | 0.69 | % | 0.67 | % | ||||||||||
| Percentage of Nonperforming Assets to Total Assets | 0.45 | % | 0.30 | % | 0.36 | % | 0.39 | % | 0.45 | % | ||||||||||
| Loans Delinquent 30-89 days | $ | 13,032 | $ | 16,705 | $ | 9,605 | $ | 8,891 | $ | 9,297 | ||||||||||
| Percentage of Loans Delinquent 30-89 days to Total Loans | 0.40 | % | 0.52 | % | 0.40 | % | 0.38 | % | 0.45 | % | ||||||||||
| Percentage of Nonaccrual Loans to Total Loans | 0.68 | % | 0.45 | % | 0.60 | % | 0.66 | % | 0.55 | % | ||||||||||
| Percentage of Allowance for Credit Losses to Nonaccrual Loans | 161.52 | % | 239.03 | % | 188.51 | % | 189.94 | % | 192.49 | % |
The following table summarizes the Company’s allocation of the allowance for credit losses under CECL for the years 2021 through 2024 and the allowance for loan losses in 2020:
| December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loans to | Loans to | Loans to | Loans to | Loans to | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | Total Loans | Amount | Total Loans | Amount | Total Loans | Amount | Total Loans | Amount | Total Loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | $ | 19,259 | 48.6 | % | $ | 18,150 | 48.1 | % | $ | 14,840 | 50.5 | % | $ | 15,879 | 51.0 | % | $ | 10,775 | 43.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 4,628 | 12.4 | 5,086 | 12.6 | 4,186 | 14.6 | 4,949 | 15.7 | 5,022 | 21.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential Real Estate | 7,271 | 30.7 | 6,917 | 30.8 | 4,374 | 25.3 | 4,870 | 24.9 | 3,684 | 25.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 4,705 | 8.3 | 4,287 | 8.5 | 3,578 | 9.6 | 3,688 | 8.4 | 2,663 | 10.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 35,863 | 100.0 | % | $ | 34,440 | 100.0 | % | $ | 26,978 | 100.0 | % | $ | 29,386 | 100.0 | % | $ | 22,144 | 100.0 | % |
The allowance allocated to each of the four loan categories should not be interpreted as an indication that charge-offs in 2024 occurred in the same proportions or that the allocation indicates future charge-off trends. The allowance allocated to the one-to-four family real estate loan category and the consumer loan category is based upon the Company’s allowance methodology for homogeneous loans, and increases and decreases in the balances of those portfolios. For the commercial real estate and commercial categories, which represent 42.2% and 10.8% of the total loan portfolio in 2024, respectively, management relies on the Bank’s internal loan review procedures and allocates accordingly based on loan classifications. The gross charge-offs in the commercial real estate portfolio, were $4.6 million for 2024, which represented approximately 57.8% of the gross losses for the entire loan portfolio.
There were no loans other than those identified above, that management has known information about possible credit problems of borrowers and their ability to comply with the loan repayment terms. Management is actively monitoring certain borrowers’ financial condition and loans which management wants to more closely monitor due to special circumstances. These loans and their potential loss exposure have been considered in management’s analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses.
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Loan Commitments and Lines of Credit
In the normal course of business, the Bank has extended various commitments for credit. Commitments for mortgages, revolving lines of credit and letters of credit generally are extended for a period of one month up to one year. Normally, no fees are charged on any unused portion, but an annual fee of two percent is charged for the issuance of a letter of credit.
As of December 31, 2024, there were no concentrations of loans exceeding 10% of total loans that are not disclosed as a category of loans. As of that date, there were also no other interest-earning assets that are either nonaccrual, past due, restructured or non-performing.
Investment Securities
The debt securities available for sale decreased $33.1 million in 2024 to $1.27 billion at December 31, 2024, from $1.30 billion at December 31, 2023. For additional information regarding Farmers’ investment securities see Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following table shows the carrying value of investment securities by type of obligation at the dates indicated:
| December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Treasury securities | $ | 52,606 | $ | 53,210 | |||
| U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities | 62,501 | 74,745 | |||||
| Mortgage-backed securities - residential and collateralized mortgage obligations | 626,643 | 594,385 | |||||
| Small Business Administration | 2,475 | 2,917 | |||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | 504,880 | 556,169 | |||||
| Corporate bonds | 17,448 | 18,275 | |||||
| Debt securities available for sale | $ | 1,266,553 | $ | 1,299,701 | |||
| Other investments | 14,736 | 15,114 | |||||
| Total securities | $ | 1,281,289 | $ | 1,314,815 |
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A summary of debt securities held at December 31, 2024 classified according to maturity and including weighted average yield for each range of maturities is set forth below:
| December 31, 2024 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type and Maturity Grouping | Fair Value | Weighted Average Yield | ||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 99 | 2.18 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 35,629 | 1.04 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 16,878 | 1.21 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 0 | 0.00 | % | |||||
| Total U.S. Treasury securities | $ | 52,606 | 1.10 | % | ||||
| U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 248 | 3.11 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 12,776 | 1.43 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 48,154 | 2.71 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 1,323 | 4.37 | % | |||||
| Total U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities | $ | 62,501 | 2.47 | % | ||||
| Mortgage-backed securities - residential and collateralized mortgage obligations (1) | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 0 | 0.00 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 6,518 | 2.45 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 26,785 | 2.35 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 593,340 | 2.50 | % | |||||
| Total mortgage-backed securities | $ | 626,643 | 2.49 | % | ||||
| Small Business Administration | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 0 | 0.00 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 0 | 0.00 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 1,846 | 2.15 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 629 | 1.98 | % | |||||
| Total small business administration | $ | 2,475 | 2.11 | % | ||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 867 | 3.61 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 7,604 | 3.17 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 81,557 | 3.10 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 414,852 | 2.84 | % | |||||
| Total obligations of states and political subdivisions | $ | 504,880 | 2.89 | % | ||||
| Corporate bonds | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 1,163 | 9.25 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 4,882 | 6.72 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 11,403 | 6.49 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 0 | 0.00 | % | |||||
| Total corporate bonds | $ | 17,448 | 6.74 | % |
(1)
Payments based on contractual maturity.
Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment increased $7.9 million from $44.4 million at December 31, 2023, to $52.3 million at December 31, 2024. This increase was primarily due to the construction of additional office space at the Company's headquarters in Canfield, OH, partially offset by depreciation.
Bank Owned Life Insurance
The Company owns bank owned life insurance policies on the lives of certain members of management. The purpose of this investment is to help offset the costs of employee benefit plans. The cash surrender value of these policies increased to $101.4 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $99.5 million at December 31, 2023. The increase was due to earnings on the policies in 2024 offset slightly by proceeds from a death benefit.
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Deposits
Total deposits increased to $4.3 billion at December 31, 2024, from $4.2 billion at December 31, 2023, an increase of $89.4 million. Noninterest bearing deposits declined $61.1 million during 2024 to $965.5 million from $1.03 billion. This decline was primarily due to the migration of noninterest bearing deposits into interest bearing deposits as customers looked to take advantage of the increase in interest rates. Interest-bearing deposits increased $75.5 million to $3.2 billion at December 31, 2024, compared to $3.15 billion at December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to the migration of noninterest bearing deposits discussed above. Brokered time deposits increased $75.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, due to the Company using brokered time deposits to pay off short-term borrowings.
Average balances and average rates paid on deposits are as follows:
| Years Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | Rate | Amount | Rate | Amount | Rate | |||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing demand | $ | 981,115 | 0.00 | % | $ | 1,065,389 | 0.00 | % | $ | 959,294 | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand | 1,396,193 | 2.48 | % | 1,415,425 | 1.95 | % | 1,392,058 | 0.54 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Money market | 659,807 | 2.43 | % | 602,445 | 1.62 | % | 389,036 | 0.14 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Savings | 435,663 | 0.03 | % | 511,116 | 0.03 | % | 457,382 | 0.02 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Brokered time deposits | 25,389 | 4.36 | % | 132,895 | 4.67 | % | 56,965 | 2.18 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 745,945 | 3.93 | % | 654,717 | 2.97 | % | 360,687 | 0.84 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 4,244,112 | 1.91 | % | $ | 4,381,987 | 1.44 | % | $ | 3,615,422 | 0.64 | % |
The following table sets forth the maturities of retail certificates of deposit having principal amounts $250,000 or greater at December 31, 2024 (in thousands):
| Retail certificates of deposit maturing in quarter ending: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2025 | $ | 136,533 | |
| June 30, 2025 | 112,131 | ||
| September 30, 2025 | 12,207 | ||
| December 31, 2025 | 13,115 | ||
| After December 31, 2025 | 11,025 | ||
| Total retail certificates of deposit with balances $250,000 or greater | $ | 285,011 |
Uninsured deposits for bank and savings and loan registrants are U.S. federally insured depository institutions as the portion of deposit accounts in U.S. offices that exceed the FDIC insurance limit or similar state deposit insurance regimes and amounts in any other uninsured investment or deposit account that are classified as deposits and not subject to any federal or state deposit insurance regimes. Deposits in amounts in excess of the FDIC insurance limit were $1.42 billion at December 31, 2024.
Short-Term Borrowings
The Company's short-term borrowings decreased by $50.0 million from $355.0 million at December 31, 2023, to $305.0 million at December 31, 2024. This decrease was due to proceeds from the issuance of brokered time deposits being used to pay down short term borrowings. The Company uses short term borrowings to manage the ongoing fluctuations with loans and deposits, when necessary.
Long-Term Borrowings
Total long-term borrowings decreased $2.5 million to $86.2 million at December 31. 2024, from $88.7 million at December 31, 2023. The decline was primarily due to the Company purchasing $3.0 million of its subordinated debt during 2024 and recording a gain of $444 thousand. See Note 13 within Item 8 of this Annual report on Form 10-K for additional detail.
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Stockholders’ Equity
Total stockholders’ equity increased $1.6 million from $404.4 million at December 31, 2023, to $406.0 million at December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily due to net income of $45.9 million offset by an increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $20.7 million and dividends paid on common stock of $25.5 million.
Contractual Obligations, Commitments, Contingent Liabilities and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The following table presents, as of December 31, 2024, the Company’s significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations by payment date. The payment amounts represent those amounts contractually due to the recipient and do not include any unamortized premiums or discounts or other similar carrying value adjustments. Further discussion of the nature of each obligation is included in the referenced note to the consolidated financial statements.
| Commitments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/31/2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ref. | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | Thereafter | |||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits without maturity | $ | 3,429,116 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit and brokered time deposits | 11 | 790,004 | $ | 21,574 | $ | 9,018 | $ | 4,098 | $ | 6,550 | $ | 6,419 | |||||||||||||
| Long-term borrowings | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 90,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Leases | 9 | 1,393 | 1,279 | 1,198 | 1,214 | 1,110 | 5,652 |
There are also $17.1 million of commitments to various partnership investment funds. The Company invests in these funds, consisting of affordable housing tax credit investments and SBIC funds, in efforts to comply with CRA regulations. The commitments have no predetermined due dates but are expected to be funded sporadically over the next ten years. Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements discusses in greater detail other commitments and contingencies and the various obligations that exist under those agreements. Examples of these commitments and contingencies include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.
Management’s policy is to not engage in derivatives contracts for speculative trading purposes. The Company does utilize interest-rate swaps as a way of helping manage interest rate risk and not as derivatives for trading purposes. See Note 22 within Item 8 of this Annual report on Form 10-K for additional detail.
Liquidity
The principal sources of funds for the Bank are deposits, loan and security repayments, borrowings from financial institutions, repurchase agreements and other funds provided by operations. The Bank also has the ability to borrow from the FHLB. While scheduled loan repayments and maturing investments are relatively predictable, deposit flows and early loan prepayments are more influenced by interest rates, general economic conditions and competition. Investments in liquid assets maintained by the Company and the Bank are based upon management’s assessment of (1) the need for funds, (2) expected deposit flows, (3) yields available on short-term liquid assets, and (4) objectives of the asset and liability management program.
The Bank’s Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”) is responsible for monitoring liquidity guidelines, policies and procedures. ALCO uses a variety of methods to monitor the liquidity position of the Bank including a liquidity analysis that measures potential sources and uses of funds over future time periods. ALCO also performs contingency funding analyses to determine the Bank’s ability to meet potential liquidity needs under stress scenarios that cover varying time horizons ranging from immediate to long-term.
Capital Resources
The Bank, as a national chartered bank, is subject to the dividend restrictions set forth by the OCC. The OCC must approve declaration of any dividends in excess of the sum of profits for the current year and retained net profits for the preceding two years (as defined). Farmers and Farmers Bank are required to maintain minimum amounts of capital to total “risk weighted” assets, as defined by the banking regulators. At December 31, 2024, under the
44
minimum capital requirements associated with the Basel III, Farmers Bank and Farmers are required to have actual and minimum capital ratios, which are detailed in Note 16 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Farmers Bank and Farmers had capital ratios above the minimum levels at December 31, 2024 and 2023. At year-end 2024 and 2023, the most recent regulatory notifications categorized Farmers Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.
During 2013, the Federal banking regulators approved a final rule to implement revised capital adequacy standards of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, commonly called Basel III, and to address relevant provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. The final rule strengthens the definition of regulatory capital, increases risk-based capital requirements, makes selected changes to the calculation of risk-weighted assets, and adjusts the prompt corrective action thresholds. The Bank has retained, through a one-time election, the prior treatment for most accumulated other comprehensive income, such that unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale that did not affect regulatory capital amounts and ratios. As mentioned in the prior paragraph, the Bank falls within the new regulatory capital ratio guidelines.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company follows financial accounting and reporting policies that are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and conform to general practices within the banking industry. Some of these accounting policies are considered to be critical accounting policies. Critical accounting policies are those policies that require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company has identified three accounting policies that are critical accounting policies and an understanding of these policies is necessary to understand the financial statements. These policies relate to determining the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses, if there is any impairment of goodwill and other intangibles, and estimating the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with any merger activity. Additional information regarding these policies is included in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, including Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies), Note 4 (Loans) and Note 2 (Business Combinations), and the section above captioned “Loan Portfolio.” Management believes that the judgments, estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are appropriate given the factual circumstances at the time.
Farmers maintains an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is presented as a reserve against loans on the balance sheet. Credit losses are charged off against the allowance for credit losses, while recoveries of amounts previously charged off are credited to the allowance for credit losses. A provision for credit losses is charged to operations based on management’s periodic evaluation of adequacy of the allowance.
The Company’s allowance for credit losses represents management’s estimate of expected credit losses over the remaining expected life of the Company’s financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain off-balance sheet lending-related commitments.
The allowance for credit losses involves significant judgment on a number of matters including the weighting of macroeconomic forecasts and microeconomic statistics, incorporation of historical loss experience, assessment of risk characteristics, assignment of risk ratings, valuation of collateral, and the determination of remaining expected life. Refer to Note 4 for further information on these judgments as well as the Company’s policies and methodologies used to determine the Company’s allowance for credit losses.
A significant judgment involved in estimating the Company’s allowance for credit losses relates to the macroeconomic forecasts used to estimate credit losses over the four-quarter forecast period within the Company’s methodology. The four-quarter forecast incorporates three macroeconomic variables (“MEVs”) that are relevant for exposures across the Company.
•
U.S. changes in real gross domestic product (GDP).
•
U.S. personal consumption expenditures (PCE) inflation.
•
U.S. civilian unemployment rate.
45
Changes in the Company’s assumptions and forecasts of economic conditions could significantly affect its estimate of expected credit losses in the portfolio at the balance sheet date or lead to significant changes in the estimate from one reporting period to the next.
It is difficult to estimate how potential changes in any one factor or input might affect the overall allowance for credit losses because management considers a wide variety of factors and inputs in estimating the allowance for credit losses. Changes in the factors and inputs considered may not occur at the same rate and may not be consistent across all product types, and changes in factors and inputs may be directionally inconsistent, such that improvement in one factor or input may offset deterioration in others.
To consider the impact of a hypothetical alternate macroeconomic forecast, the Company compared the modeled credit losses determined using its central and relative adverse macroeconomic scenarios. The central and relative adverse scenarios each included the three MEVs, but differed in the levels, paths and peaks/troughs of those variables over the four-quarter forecast period.
For example, compared to the Company’s central scenario that is based on a four-quarter forecasted change in U.S. real GDP of 2.10% from 4Q2024 to 4Q2025, U.S. PCE inflation of 2.50%, and U.S. unemployment of 4.30%, the Company’s relative adverse scenario assumes a four-quarter forecast with a contraction of U.S. real GDP, a PCE inflation between 5.00% and 7.00% and an elevated U.S. unemployment rate between 6.00% and 7.00%. This analysis is not intended to estimate expected future changes in the allowance for credit losses, for a number of reasons, including:
•
The impacts of changes in the MEVs are both interrelated and nonlinear, so the results of this analysis cannot be simply extrapolated for more severe changes in macroeconomic variables.
•
Expectations of future changes in portfolio composition and borrower behavior can significantly affect the allowance for credit losses.
To demonstrate the sensitivity of credit loss estimates to macroeconomic forecasts as of December 31, 2024, the Company compared the modeled estimates under its relative adverse scenario for two of the Company’s largest loan pools to its central scenario for the same loan pools. Without considering offsetting or correlated effects in other qualitative components of the Company’s allowance for credit losses, the comparison between these two scenarios for the exposures below reflect the following differences:
•
An increase of approximately $650 thousand for residential real estate loans and lending-related commitments
•
An increase of approximately $1.16 million for commercial real non-owner occupied loans and lending-related commitments
This analysis relates only to the modeled credit loss estimates and is not intended to estimate changes in the overall allowance for credit losses as it does not reflect any potential changes in the other adjustments to the quantitative calculation, which would also be influenced by the judgment management applies to the modeled lifetime loss estimates to reflect the uncertainty and imprecision of these modeled lifetime loss estimates based on then-current circumstances and conditions.
Recognizing that forecasts of macroeconomic conditions are inherently uncertain, the Company believes that its process to consider the available information and associated risks and uncertainties is appropriately governed and that its estimates of expected credit losses were reasonable and appropriate for the period ended December 31, 2024.
The Company uses two methodologies to analyze loan pools. The cohort method and the PD/LGD method. Cohort relies on the creation of cohorts to capture loans that qualify for a particular segment, as of a point in time. Those loans are then tracked over their remaining lives to determine their loss experience. The Company aggregates financial assets on the basis of similar risk characteristics when evaluating loans on a collective basis. Those characteristics include, but are not limited to, internal or external credit score, risk ratings, financial asset, loan type, collateral type, size, effective interest rate, term, or geographical location. The Company uses cohort primarily for consumer loan portfolios.
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The PD portion of PD/LGD is defined by the Company as 90 days past due, placed on non-accrual, or is partially or wholly charged-off. Typically, a one-year time period is used to assess PD. PD can be measured and applied using various risk criteria. Risk rating is one common way to apply PDs. LGD is to determine the percentage of loss by facility or collateral type. LGD estimates can sometimes be driven, or influenced, by product type, industry or geography. The Company uses PD/LGD primarily for commercial loan portfolios.
Management believes that the accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets also involves a higher degree of judgment than most other significant accounting policies. GAAP establishes standards for the amortization of acquired intangible assets and the impairment assessment of goodwill. Goodwill arising from business combinations represents the value attributable to unidentifiable intangible assets in the business acquired. The Company’s goodwill relates to the value inherent in the banking industry and that value is dependent upon the ability of the Company’s subsidiaries to provide quality, cost-effective services in a competitive marketplace. The goodwill value is supported by revenue that is in part driven by the volume of business transacted. A decrease in earnings resulting from a decline in the customer base or the inability to deliver cost-effective services over sustained periods can lead to impairment of goodwill that could adversely impact earnings in future periods. GAAP requires an annual evaluation of goodwill for impairment, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The fair value of the goodwill is estimated by reviewing the past and projected operating results for the subsidiaries and comparable industry information. At December 31, 2024, on a consolidated basis, Farmers had intangibles of $20.8 million subject to amortization and $167.5 million in goodwill, which was not subject to periodic amortization.
The Company accounts for acquisitions under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations, which requires the use of the acquisition method of accounting. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination are recorded at the estimated fair value on their purchase date. As provided for under GAAP, management has up to 12 months following the date of the acquisition to finalize the fair values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities. In particular, the valuation of acquired loans involves significant estimates, assumptions and judgment based on information available as of the acquisition date. Loans acquired in a business combination transaction are evaluated either individually or in pools of loans with similar characteristics; including consideration of a credit component. A number of factors are considered in determining the estimated fair value of purchased loans including, among other things, the remaining life of the acquired loans, estimated prepayments, estimated loss ratios, estimated value of the underlying collateral, estimated holding periods, contractual interest rates compared to market interest rates, and net present value of cash flows expected to be received.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Developments
Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements discusses new accounting policies adopted by Farmers during 2024 and 2023 and the expected impact of accounting policies recently issued or proposed but not yet required to be adopted. To the extent the adoption of new accounting standards materially affects financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, the impacts are discussed in the applicable sections of this financial review and notes to the consolidated financial statements.
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FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000950170-24-027780.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following presents a discussion and analysis of Farmers’ financial condition and results of operations by its management. The review highlights the principal factors affecting earnings and the significant changes in balance sheet items for the years 2023, 2022 and 2021. Financial information for prior years is presented when appropriate. The objective of this financial review is to enhance the reader’s understanding of the accompanying tables and charts, the consolidated financial statements, notes to financial statements and financial statistics appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Where applicable, this discussion also reflects management’s insights of known events and trends that have or may reasonably be expected to have a material effect on Farmers’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact, but rather statements based on Farmers’ current expectations, beliefs and assumptions regarding the future of Farmers’ business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, its intended results and future performance, the economy and other future conditions. Forward-looking statements are preceded by terms such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “expect,” “estimate,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan” “project,” or variations of these words, or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance, and actual future results could differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Numerous uncertainties, risks, and changes could cause or contribute to Farmers’ actual results, performance, and achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Farmers’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Many of these factors are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict, and readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on those forward-looking statements. The following, which is not intended to be an all-encompassing list, summarizes several factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or expected in any forward-looking statement:
•
general economic conditions in markets where the Company conducts business, which could materially impact credit quality trends;
•
the length and extent of the continued economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic;
•
the length and extent of the economic impacts of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine;
•
actions by the Federal Reserve Board, U.S. Treasury and other government agencies, including those that impact money supply, market interest rates and inflation;
•
disruptions in the mortgage and lending markets and significant or unexpected fluctuations in interest rates related to governmental responses to inflation, including financial stimulus packages and interest rate changes;
•
general business conditions in the banking industry;
•
the regulatory environment;
•
general fluctuations in interest rates;
•
demand for loans in the market areas where the Company conducts business;
•
rapidly changing technology and evolving banking industry standards;
•
competitive factors, including increased competition with regional and national financial institutions;
29
•
Farmers' ability to attract, recruit and retain skilled employees; and
•
new service and product offerings by competitors and price pressures.
Other factors not currently anticipated may also materially and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial position. There can be no assurance that future results will meet expectations. While the Company believes that the forward-looking statements in the presentation are reasonable, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. In addition, these statements speak only as of the date made. The Company does not undertake, and expressly disclaims, any obligation to update or alter any statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, expect as may be required by applicable law.
Results of Operations
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
The Company recorded net income of $49.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $60.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The Company reported $1.33 per diluted common share in 2023 compared to $1.79 per diluted common share in 2022. The results for 2023 include a full year of income and expense from the Emclaire acquisition which closed on January 1, 2023.
Net Interest Income
The Company recognized net interest income of $137.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, compared to $124.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022. The tax-equivalent net interest margin declined from 3.18% for 2022 to 2.91% for the year ended December 31, 2023. The margin declined due to increased funding costs associated with the Federal Reserve's aggressive rate increases in 2022 and 2023 along with an inverted U.S treasury yield curve which caused deposit funding costs to rise faster than the yields being earned on loans and securities.
Total interest income increased $71.2 million from $142.1 million in 2022 to $213.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the average balance of loans and securities from the acquisition of Emclaire. In addition, the yields received on the various categories of earning assets increased year over year due to rising rates being received.
Interest income on loans increased to $171.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $107.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. This increase was due to the average loan balances increasing $797.1 in 2023 primarily due to the acquisition of Emclaire. The yield on loans increased to 5.46% in 2023 from 4.58% in 2022.
Income on taxable securities increased by $5.4 million in 2023 due to the average balance being higher by $61.6 million. Yields on taxable securities were also higher by 36 basis points ("bp") in 2023 compared to 2022. The increased balance was due to the Emclaire acquisition. Income on tax exempt securities decreased $1.7 million in 2023 as the average balance of this category declined $46.3 million and the yield on the portfolio declined by 4 bp year over year.
The income on federal funds sold and other interest income increased by $1.8 million in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily due to an increase of 239 bp in the yield on the portfolio. This portfolio is heavily impacted by the actions of the Federal Reserve.
Interest expense increased $57.6 million in 2023 compared to 2022 due to an increase of $766.2 million in the volume of interest-bearing liabilities and an increase in the rates paid on deposits and borrowings of 148 bp year over year. The increase in the volume of interest-bearing liabilities was due to the merger with Emclaire while the increase in rates paid was due to the higher interest rate environment that existed in 2023 compared to 2022. The average balance of interest-bearing deposits increased $660.5 million in 2023 primarily due to the Emclaire acquisition while the cost of interest-bearing deposits increased by 141 bp year over year. Interest expense related to interest-bearing deposits was $63.1 million in 2023 compared to $13.1 million in 2022.
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Interest expense on short-term borrowings was $8.4 million in 2023 compared to $1.4 million in 2022. The increase was due to the increased usage of short term borrowings and an increase in the cost of those borrowings due to the Federal Reserve increasing the fed funds rate. Interest on long-term borrowings increased to $4.1 million in 2023 from $3.4 million in 2022. This increase was primarily due to the increased cost of some of the long term borrowings that are tied to variable rates and which continued to increase in 2023.
Average Balance Sheets and Related Yields and Rates
(Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands except Per Share Data)
| Years ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVERAGE | AVERAGE | AVERAGE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE | INTEREST | RATE | BALANCE | INTEREST | RATE | BALANCE | INTEREST | RATE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EARNING ASSETS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (1) (2) | $ | 3,155,858 | $ | 172,161 | 5.46 | % | $ | 2,358,724 | $ | 108,100 | 4.58 | % | $ | 2,041,347 | $ | 95,180 | 4.66 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable securities | 1,143,547 | 26,231 | 2.29 | 1,081,966 | 20,843 | 1.93 | 617,475 | 11,399 | 1.85 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax-exempt securities (1) | 419,557 | 13,283 | 3.17 | 465,855 | 14,952 | 3.21 | 348,627 | 12,027 | 3.45 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other investments | 39,559 | 1,986 | 5.02 | 33,153 | 871 | 2.63 | 21,912 | 498 | 2.27 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Federal funds sold and other cash | 74,950 | 2,476 | 3.30 | 76,253 | 684 | 0.90 | 180,718 | 200 | 0.11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total earning assets | 4,833,471 | 216,137 | 4.47 | 4,015,951 | 145,450 | 3.62 | 3,210,079 | 119,304 | 3.72 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NONEARNING ASSETS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-earning assets | 205,683 | 128,757 | 195,805 | 195,805 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 5,039,154 | $ | 4,144,708 | $ | 3,405,884 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time deposits | $ | 654,717 | $ | 19,462 | 2.97 | % | $ | 360,687 | $ | 3,044 | 0.84 | % | $ | 393,039 | $ | 3,652 | 0.93 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Brokered time deposits | 132,895 | 6,204 | 4.67 | 56,965 | 1,240 | 2.18 | 11,737 | 75 | 0.64 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings deposits | 1,113,561 | 9,899 | 0.89 | 846,418 | 1,352 | 0.16 | 569,179 | 712 | 0.13 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits - interest bearing | 1,415,425 | 27,541 | 1.95 | 1,392,058 | 7,449 | 0.54 | 1,240,014 | 2,336 | 0.19 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short term borrowings | 160,964 | 8,357 | 5.19 | 55,668 | 1,408 | 2.53 | 3,957 | 11 | 0.28 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long term borrowings | 88,439 | 4,086 | 4.62 | 87,972 | 3,427 | 3.90 | 70,057 | 1,683 | 2.40 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities | 3,566,001 | 75,549 | 2.12 | 2,799,768 | 17,920 | 0.64 | 2,287,983 | 8,469 | 0.37 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NONINTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits - noninterest bearing | 1,065,389 | 959,294 | 714,978 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Liabilities | 50,302 | 34,180 | 23,498 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders' equity | 357,462 | 351,466 | 379,425 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Liabilities and | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders' Equity | $ | 5,039,154 | $ | 4,144,708 | $ | 3,405,884 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income and interest rate spread | $ | 140,588 | 2.35 | % | $ | 127,530 | 2.98 | % | $ | 110,835 | 3.35 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin | 2.91 | % | 3.18 | % | 3.45 | % |
(1)
Interest on certain tax-exempt loans and tax-exempt securities in 2023, 2022 and 2021 is not taxable for Federal income tax purposes. In order to compare the tax-exempt yields on these assets to taxable yields, the interest earned on these assets is adjusted to a pre-tax equivalent amount based on the marginal corporate federal income tax rate of 21%.
(2)
Nonaccrual loans are included in the average balance totals.
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RATE AND VOLUME ANALYSIS
(Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands except Per Share Data)
The following table analyzes by rate and volume the dollar amount of changes in the components of the interest differential:
| 2023 change from 2022 | 2022 change from 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net | Change Due | Change Due | Net | Change Due | Change Due | |||||||||||||||||||
| Change | To Volume | To Rate | Change | To Volume | To Rate | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tax Equivalent Interest Income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | $ | 64,061 | $ | 36,533 | $ | 27,528 | $ | 12,920 | $ | 14,798 | $ | (1,878 | ) | |||||||||||
| Taxable securities | 5,388 | 1,186 | 4,202 | 9,444 | 8,575 | 869 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tax-exempt securities | (1,669 | ) | (1,486 | ) | (183 | ) | 2,925 | 4,044 | (1,119 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Other investments | 1,115 | 168 | 947 | 373 | 255 | 118 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Funds sold and other cash | 1,792 | (12 | ) | 1,804 | 484 | (116 | ) | 600 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest income | $ | 70,687 | $ | 36,389 | $ | 34,298 | $ | 26,146 | $ | 27,556 | $ | (1,410 | ) | |||||||||||
| Interest Expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time deposits | $ | 16,418 | $ | 2,481 | $ | 13,937 | $ | (608 | ) | $ | (301 | ) | $ | (307 | ) | |||||||||
| Brokered time deposits | 4,964 | 1,653 | 3,311 | 1,165 | 289 | 876 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Savings deposits | 8,547 | 427 | 8,120 | 640 | 347 | 293 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits | 20,092 | 125 | 19,967 | 5,113 | 286 | 4,827 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Short term borrowings | 6,949 | 2,663 | 4,286 | 1,397 | 144 | 1,253 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Long term borrowings | 659 | 18 | 641 | 1,744 | 430 | 1,314 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest expense | $ | 57,629 | $ | 7,367 | $ | 50,262 | $ | 9,451 | $ | 1,195 | $ | 8,256 | ||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in tax equivalent net interest income | $ | 13,058 | $ | 29,022 | $ | (15,964 | ) | $ | 16,695 | $ | 26,361 | $ | (9,666 | ) |
The amount of change not solely due to rate or volume changes was allocated between the change due to rate and the change due to volume based on the relative size of the rate and volume changes.
Noninterest Income
Noninterest income declined to $41.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $44.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The major categories of noninterest income are discussed below.
Service charges on deposit accounts totaled $6.3 million in 2023 compared to $4.7 million in 2022. The increase was due to the acquisition of Emclaire.
Bank owned life insurance income increased by $632,000 to $2.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, compared to $1.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022. The increase was due to the addition of Emclaire offset by a decline of $79,000 on the proceeds from death benefits received from the policies.
Trust fees increased to $10.1 million in 2023 from $9.6 million in 2022. The trust business continued to expand in 2023 as the Company added revenue producers in the new Pennsylvania markets.
Insurance agency commissions increased by $1.0 million to $5.4 million in 2023 from $4.4 million in 2022. The increase was driven by better margins in the insurance industry in 2023 along with increased sales of annuity products as rates on these products were very attractive to customers. Investment commissions declined slightly to $2.0 million in 2023 from $2.2 million in 2022. This line of business was down due to the heavy demand for annuities in lieu of traditional investment products.
The net gains on the sale of loans increased by $329,000 between 2022 and 2023. The primary reason for this increase was the sale of nonaccrual commercial loans that generated a gain of $915,000 in 2023 offset by lower gain on sale figures on the sale of 1-4 family mortgage loans. Mortgage volume continues to be negatively impacted by the higher interest rate environment and the lack of supply of homes for sale.
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Other mortgage banking income was up $420,000 in 2023 compared to 2022. The increase was driven by slower prepayment speeds on the mortgage servicing portfolio in 2023 due to the higher level of interest rates.
Debit card fees increased to $7.1 million in 2023 compared to $5.8 million in 2022. The increase was primarily due to the addition of Emclaire.
The Company recorded an $8.4 million gain related to a legal settlement in 2022. No gain was recorded in 2023.
Other operating income increased by $495,000 to $4.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, from $4.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022. This increase was primarily due to increased non recurring income associated with recoveries on Emclaire and Cortland loans that were charged off prior to acquisition. This increase was offset by lower SBIC income in 2023 compared to 2022.
Noninterest Expenses
Noninterest expense totaled $111.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 compared to $94.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022. The increase is primarily due to the merger with Emclaire and normal increases in operating expenses.
Salaries and employee benefits increased to $57.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $12.4 million, from $45.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. This increase was primarily due to the Company having a higher level of employees due to the addition of Emclaire along with normal raise activity.
Occupancy and equipment expense increased by $4.0 million to $15.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 compared to $11.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022. The increase was due to the higher level of depreciation and facilities maintenance costs associated with the additional Emclaire properties.
FDIC insurance and state and local taxes increased to $5.8 million in 2023 from $4.0 million in 2022. The Emclaire acquisition along with higher FDIC assessment rates in 2023 drove the increase.
Professional fees decreased by $1.7 million in 2023 to $4.4 million from $6.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was due to legal expenses associated with the legal settlement income in 2022 discussed above that did not reoccur in 2023. This amounted to approximately $2.1 million of additional expense in 2022 compared to 2023. Offsetting this somewhat was additional expense associated with the Emclaire acquisition.
Merger related costs increased to $5.5 million in 2023 from $4.1 million in 2022. This increase was due to the acquisition of Emclaire at the beginning of 2023.
Intangible amortization expense increased by $1.4 million in 2023 to $3.4 million compared to $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily driven by the acquisition of Emclaire.
Core processing charges increased to $4.6 million in 2023 compared to $3.3 million in 2022. The increase was due to the acquisition of Emclaire.
An additional, special charitable donation of $6.0 million was made during 2022 with no such contribution made in 2023. The donation was made possible in 2022 by the $8.4 million legal settlement income discussed above.
Other operating expenses increased by $2.8 million to $13.4 million in 2023 compared to $10.6 million in 2022. The increase was primarily due to the acquisition of Emclaire but 2023 also included $785,000 for the settlement of a lawsuit whereas 2022 did not have any of this expense.
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Income Taxes
Income tax expense decreased to $8.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, from $12.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to a $14.1 million decrease in income before income taxes. Income taxes are computed using the appropriate effective tax rates for each period. The effective tax rates are less than the statutory tax rate primarily due to nontaxable interest and dividend income. The effective income tax rate was 14.9% in 2023 and 16.8% for 2022. Refer to Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the effective tax rate.
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
The Company reported net income of $60.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $51.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company reported $1.79 per diluted common share in 2022 compared $1.77 per diluted common share in 2021. The results for 2022 include a full year of income and expense from Cortland compared to two months in 2021.
Net Interest Income
The Company’s net interest income represents the difference between the interest income earned on interest-earning assets and the interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The Company recognized net interest income of $124.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $108.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The tax-equivalent net interest margin declined to 3.18% for 2022 compared to 3.45% for the year ended December 31, 2021. The margin declined due to a lower level of PPP interest income and fees in 2022 compared to 2021 and increased funding costs associated with the Federal Reserve's aggressive rate increases in 2022. In addition, the balance of securities available for sale as a percentage of interest earning assets is higher in 2022 than in 2021. These balances generally have a lower yield than loans, which, in turn, negatively impacts the net interest margin.
Total interest income increased from $116.5 million in 2021 to $142.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the average balance of loans and securities offset by a decline in the yields received on loans and tax exempt securities.
Interest income on loans increased to $107.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to $94.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. This increase was due to the average loan balances increasing $317.4 million from the year ended December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022. The increase was mainly a result of twelve months of acquired Cortland loans in 2022, compared to two months in 2021. The yield on loans declined to 4.58% in 2022 from 4.66% in 2021.
Income on taxable securities increased by $9.4 million in 2022 due to greater average balances of $464.5 million in 2022 and higher yields on the securities. The increased balance was due to the Cortland acquisition and purchases of securities. Income on tax exempt securities increased $2.4 million in 2022. The increase in income on tax-exempt securities was due to an increase in the average balance of $117.2 million offset by a decline in the yield on these securities of 24 basis points ("bp").
Interest expense increased $9.4 million to $17.9 million in 2022 from $8.5 million in 2021. The increase was due to a larger volume of interest-bearing liabilities and higher rates on deposits and borrowings. The average balance of interest-bearing deposits increased $442.2 million to $2.7 billion at December 31, 2022 primarily due to the Cortland acquisition while the cost of interest-bearing deposits increased by 19 bp year over year. Interest expense related to interest-bearing deposits was $13.1 million in 2022 compared to $6.8 million in 2021.
Interest expense on short-term borrowings increased from $11 thousand in 2021 to $1.4 million in 2022. This increase was due to the increased usage of short term borrowings and an increase in the cost of those borrowings due to the Federal Reserve increasing the fed funds rate 425 bp in 2022. Interest on long-term borrowings increased to $3.4 million in 2022 from $1.7 million in 2021. This increase was primarily due to the increased cost of some of the long term borrowings that are tied to variable rates and which increased in 2022.
34
Noninterest Income
The Company's total noninterest income increased to $44.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to $38.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Major categories of noninterest income are discussed below.
Service charges on deposit accounts increased to $4.7 million in 2022 from $3.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was due to acquisition of Cortland and an increased level of overdraft fee income.
Bank owned life insurance income increased to $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 from $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. This increase was due to the addition of Cortland as well as proceeds from death benefits of $184,000 received from the policies.
Trust fees increased to $9.6 million in 2022 from $9.4 million in 2021 while investment commissions decreased from $2.3 million in 2021 to $2.2 million in 2022. The trust business continued to grow in 2022 even with the uncertain economic environment and volatile markets. The investment commissions declined primarily due to volatile equity markets.
Insurance agency commissions increased from $3.5 million in 2021 to $4.4 million in 2022, an increase of 27.4%. This growth was driven by increased business volume along with the acquisition of Champion Insurance.
Security gains, including fair value changes on equity securities, decreased by $1.5 million in 2022. The Company recorded a loss on the sale of securities of $454,000 in 2022 compared to a gain of $1.0 million in 2021. The Company elected to restructure a portion of its investment portfolio in 2022 that resulted in the loss.
The net gains on the sale of loans declined by $6.2 million in 2022 to $2.1 million from $8.3 million in 2021. The decline was due to a decline in margins as well as the volume of loans sold. In addition, the Company recognized a gain of $239 thousand in 2021 for the sale of the Company’s credit card portfolio.
Debit card fees increased to $5.8 million in 2022 compared to $5.1 million in 2021. The increase was primarily due to the addition of Cortland.
The Company recorded an $8.4 million gain related to a legal settlement in 2022. No gain was recorded in 2021.
Other operating income increased to $4.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 from $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. This increase was due to the addition of Cortland and higher SBIC/SBA fund income in 2022 compared to 2021.
Noninterest Expenses
Noninterest expense was $94.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $79.2 million in 2021, which was an increase of $15.2 million, or 19.2%. The increase is primarily due to the merger with Cortland with the added employees and operating costs associated with a larger bank.
Salaries and employee benefits increased by $5.6 million to $45.0 million in 2022 compared to $39.4 million in 2021. This increase was primarily due to the Company having a higher level of employees due to the addition of Cortland.
Occupancy and equipment expense increased $2.9 million to $11.4 million in 2022 from $8.5 million in 2021. The increase was due to the higher level of facilities maintenance associated with the additional Cortland properties.
Professional fees increased to $6.1 million in 2022 from $4.2 million in 2021. The increase was due to Cortland and a higher level of consulting expense in 2022.
35
Merger related costs decreased to $4.1 million in 2022 compared to $7.1 million in 2021. This increase was due to the acquisition of Cortland in 2021, while 2022 costs were from the Emclaire acquisition that was completed on January 1, 2023.
An additional special charitable donation of $6.0 million was made during 2022 compared to no additional donation in 2021. The donation was made possible by the $8.4 million legal settlement income discussed above.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense increased from $10.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to $12.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was due to a $10.7 million increase in income before income taxes. Income taxes are computed using the appropriate effective tax rates for each period. The effective tax rates are less than the statutory tax rate primarily due to nontaxable interest and dividend income. The effective income tax rate was 16.8% for 2022 and 16.5% in 2021. Refer to Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the effective tax rate.
Loan Portfolio
Maturities and Sensitivities of Loans to Interest Rates
The following schedule shows the composition of loans and the percentage of loans in each category at the dates indicated. Balances include unamortized loan origination fees and costs.
| Years Ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Real Estate | $ | 1,334,600 | 41.6 | % | $ | 1,026,822 | 42.6 | % | $ | 1,010,674 | 43.3 | % | $ | 712,818 | 34.3 | % | $ | 615,521 | 34.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 347,819 | 10.9 | 294,406 | 12.2 | 312,532 | 13.4 | 401,003 | 19.3 | 255,458 | 14.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential Real Estate | 986,032 | 30.8 | 607,557 | 25.3 | 580,242 | 24.9 | 523,340 | 25.2 | 499,301 | 27.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 267,875 | 8.4 | 228,794 | 9.5 | 195,343 | 8.4 | 208,842 | 10.0 | 214,998 | 11.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agricultural | 261,801 | 8.2 | 247,171 | 10.3 | 232,291 | 10.0 | 232,041 | 11.1 | 226,261 | 12.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Loans | $ | 3,198,127 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,404,750 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,331,082 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,078,044 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,811,539 | 100.0 | % |
The following schedule sets forth maturities based on remaining scheduled repayments of principal for loans listed above as of December 31, 2023:
| Types of Loans | 1 Year or less | 1 to 5 Years | 5 to 15 Years | Over 15 Years | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial | $ | 40,494 | $ | 162,646 | $ | 92,343 | $ | 52,336 | |||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | $ | 104,853 | $ | 416,506 | $ | 695,711 | $ | 117,530 | |||||||
| Residential Real Estate | $ | 4,413 | $ | 53,654 | $ | 239,594 | $ | 688,371 | |||||||
| Consumer | $ | 4,030 | $ | 105,730 | $ | 125,574 | $ | 32,541 | |||||||
| Agricultural | $ | 3,204 | $ | 32,813 | $ | 54,089 | $ | 171,695 |
The amounts of loans as of December 31, 2023, based on remaining scheduled repayments of principal, are shown in the following table:
| Loan Sensitivities | 1 Year or less | Over 1 Year | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floating or Adjustable Rates of Interest | $ | 74,389 | $ | 1,455,807 | $ | 1,530,196 | |||||
| Fixed Rates of Interest | 82,605 | 1,585,326 | 1,667,931 | ||||||||
| Total Loans | $ | 156,994 | $ | 3,041,133 | $ | 3,198,127 |
Total loans were $3.20 billion at year-end 2023, compared to $2.40 billion at year-end 2022, an increase of $793.4 million. The acquisition of Emclaire accounted for $740.7 million of the increase with organic growth representing the remainder. Loans comprised 65.3% of the Bank’s average earning assets in 2023, compared to 58.7% in 2022. The product mix in the loan portfolio includes commercial real estate loans 41.6%, commercial loans comprising 10.9%, residential real estate loans 30.8%, consumer loans 8.4% and agricultural loans 8.2% at December 31, 2023, compared with 42.6%, 12.2%, 25.3%, 9.5% and 10.3%, respectively, at December 31, 2022.
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Management recognizes that while the loan portfolio holds some of the Bank’s’ highest yielding assets, it is inherently the most risky portfolio. Accordingly, management attempts to balance credit risk versus return with conservative credit standards. Management has developed and maintains comprehensive underwriting guidelines and a loan review function that monitors credits during and after the approval process. To minimize risks associated with changes in the borrower’s future repayment capacity, the Bank generally requires scheduled periodic principal and interest payments on all types of loans and normally requires collateral.
Commercial real estate loans increased to $1.33 billion at December 31, 2023 from $1.03 billion at December 31, 2022. The acquisition of Emclaire was responsible for approximately $262.2 million of this increase. The Company’s commercial real estate loan portfolio includes loans for owner occupied and non-owner occupied real estate. These loans are made to finance properties such as office and industrial buildings, hotels and retail shopping centers.
Residential real estate mortgage loans increased from $607.6 million at December 31, 2022, to $986.0 million at December 31, 2023. The majority of this increase was due to the acquisition of Emclaire. Farmers originated both fixed rate and adjustable rate mortgages during 2023. Fixed rate terms are offered with terms between fifteen and thirty years while adjustable rate products are offered with maturities up to thirty years. The Company sells all fixed rate loans that are secondary market eligible.
Commercial loans at December 31, 2022, were $294.4 million compared to $347.8 million at December 31, 2023 with the increase due to the Emclaire acquisition. The Bank’s commercial loans are granted to customers within the immediate trade area of the Bank. The mix is diverse, covering a wide range of borrowers, business types and local municipalities. The Bank monitors and controls concentrations within a particular industry or segment of the economy. These loans are made for purposes such as equipment purchases, capital and leasehold improvements, the purchase of inventory, general working capital and small business lines of credit.
Agricultural loans increased from $247.2 million in 2022 to $261.8 million in 2023, an increase of $14.6 million. The Company’s agricultural loan portfolio contains a diverse mix of dairy, crops, land, poultry and cattle loans.
Consumer loans increased from $228.8 million at December 31, 2022, to $267.9 million at December 31, 2023. The consumer loan portfolio includes indirect auto loans, 1-4 family home equity lines of credit and other consumer loan products.
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Summary of Credit Loss Experience
The following is an analysis of the allowance for credit losses for 2023. During 2023, 2022 and 2021 the Company used the CECL methodology while the incurred loss methodology was used in prior years:
| Years Ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at Beginning of Year | $ | 26,978 | $ | 29,386 | $ | 22,144 | $ | 14,487 | $ | 13,592 | ||||||||||
| Charge-Offs: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | (349 | ) | (300 | ) | (70 | ) | (122 | ) | (45 | ) | ||||||||||
| Commercial | (1,272 | ) | (2,042 | ) | (388 | ) | (412 | ) | (200 | ) | ||||||||||
| Residential Real Estate | (384 | ) | (92 | ) | (297 | ) | (172 | ) | (400 | ) | ||||||||||
| Consumer | (932 | ) | (870 | ) | (912 | ) | (1,347 | ) | (1,702 | ) | ||||||||||
| Total Charge-Offs | (2,937 | ) | (3,304 | ) | (1,667 | ) | (2,053 | ) | (2,347 | ) | ||||||||||
| Recoveries on Previous Charge-Offs: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | 1 | 3 | 33 | 31 | 4 | |||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 103 | 75 | 199 | 11 | 13 | |||||||||||||||
| Residential Real Estate | 81 | 89 | 162 | 85 | 58 | |||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 496 | 479 | 411 | 483 | 717 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Recoveries | 681 | 646 | 805 | 610 | 792 | |||||||||||||||
| Net Charge-Offs | (2,256 | ) | (2,658 | ) | (862 | ) | (1,443 | ) | (1,555 | ) | ||||||||||
| Impact of CECL adoption | 0 | 0 | 2,160 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| Provision For Credit Losses and Day One Purchase entry | 9,718 | 250 | 5,944 | 9,100 | 2,450 | |||||||||||||||
| Balance at End of Year | $ | 34,440 | $ | 26,978 | $ | 29,386 | $ | 22,144 | $ | 14,487 | ||||||||||
| Ratio of Net Commercial Real Estate Charge-offs To Average Loans Outstanding | 0.01 | % | 0.01 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||
| Ratio of Net Commercial Charge-offs To Average Loans Outstanding | 0.04 | % | 0.08 | % | 0.01 | % | 0.02 | % | 0.01 | % | ||||||||||
| Ratio of Net Residential Real Estate Charge-offs To Average Loans Outstanding | 0.01 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.01 | % | 0.00 | % | 0.02 | % | ||||||||||
| Ratio of Net Consumer Charge-offs To Average Loans Outstanding | 0.01 | % | 0.02 | % | 0.02 | % | 0.04 | % | 0.06 | % | ||||||||||
| Allowance for Credit Losses/Total Loans | 1.08 | 1.12 | 1.26 | 1.07 | 0.80 |
The provision for credit losses, which includes the provision for unfunded commitments, and the day one purchase entry for the Emclaire loans amounted to $9.2 million in 2023, compared to $1.1 million in 2022. The increased figure for the current year was mainly a result of the day one purchase entry associated with the acquisition of Emclaire.
The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 in 2021, to calculate the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) which requires estimating credit losses over the life of the credits. The ACL is adjusted through the provision for credit losses and reduced by net charge offs of loans. Although the Company has a diversified loan portfolio, the credit risk in the loan portfolio is largely influenced by general economic conditions and trends of the counties and markets in which the debtors operate, and the resulting impact on the operations of borrowers or on the value of any underlying collateral.
The credit loss estimation process involves procedures that consider the unique characteristics of the Company’s loan portfolio segments. These segments are disaggregated into the loan pools for monitoring. A model of risk characteristics, such as loss history and delinquency experience, trends in past due and non-performing loans, as well as existing economic conditions and supportable forecasts are used to determine credit loss assumptions.
38
The Company uses two methodologies to analyze loan pools. The cohort method (“cohort”) and the probability of default/loss given default (“PD/LGD”). Cohort relies on the creation of cohorts to capture loans that qualify for a particular segment, as of a point in time. Those loans are then tracked over their remaining lives to determine their loss experience. The Company aggregates financial assets on the basis of similar risk characteristics when evaluating loans on a collective basis. Those characteristics include, but are not limited to, internal or external credit score, risk ratings, financial asset, loan type, collateral type, size, effective interest rate, term, or geographical location. The Company uses cohort primarily for consumer loan portfolios.
The probability of default (“PD”) portion of PD/LGD is defined by the Company as 90 days past due, placed on non-accrual, or is partially or wholly, charged-off. Typically, a one-year time period is used to asses PD. PD can be measured and applied using various risk criteria. Risk rating is one common way to apply PDs. Loss given default (“LGD”) is to determine the percentage of loss by facility or collateral type. LGD estimates can sometimes be driven, or influenced, by product type, industry or geography. The Company uses PD/LGD primarily for commercial loan portfolios.
Net charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2023, were $2.3 million, compared to $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The allowance for credit losses to total loans decreased to 1.08% at December 31, 2023, compared to 1.12% at December 31, 2022. Nonperforming loans to total loans decreased from 0.62% at December 31, 2022 to 0.47% at December 31, 2023.
In accordance with the accounting relief provisions of CARES and subsequent provisions of the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Acts, the Bank postponed the adoption of the current expected credit losses (“CECL”) accounting standard, in 2020, primarily due to the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic was having on the economy and the lack of reasonable and supportable economic forecasts. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2021. The Company recorded the one-time adjustment to equity, to comply with the ASU adoption, which increased the allowance for credit losses by $1.9 million, net of tax.
The provision for credit losses is based on management’s judgment after taking into consideration all factors connected with the collectability of the existing loan portfolio. Management evaluates the loan portfolio in light of economic conditions, changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, industry standards and other relevant reasonable and supportable forecasts. Specific factors considered by management in determining the amounts charged to operating expenses include previous charge-off experience, the status of past due interest and principal payments, the quality of financial information supplied by loan customers and the general condition of the industries in the community to which loans have been made.
The allowance for credit losses increased to $34.4 million at December 31, 2023, compared to $27.0 million at December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to the day one purchase entry for the acquisition of Emclaire's loans.
Typically, commercial and commercial real estate loans are identified as collateral dependent when they become ninety days past due, or earlier if management believes it is probable that the Company will not collect all amounts due under the terms of the loan agreement. When Farmers identifies a loan and concludes that the loan is collateral dependent, Farmers performs an internal collateral valuation as an interim measure. Farmers typically obtains an external appraisal to validate its internal collateral valuation as soon as is practical and adjusts the associated loss reserve, if necessary.
39
The following table summarizes the Company’s nonperforming loans and nonperforming assets for the years ending 2019 through 2023:
| Nonperforming Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Nonaccrual loans: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | $ | 5,852 | $ | 4,057 | $ | 3,004 | $ | 389 | $ | 108 | ||||||||||
| Commercial | 1,802 | 3,840 | 7,190 | 3,789 | 1,169 | |||||||||||||||
| Residential Real Estate | 3,807 | 3,438 | 4,280 | 5,783 | 2,801 | |||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 461 | 494 | 682 | 864 | 858 | |||||||||||||||
| Agricultural | 2,486 | 2,482 | 314 | 680 | 542 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Nonaccrual Loans | $ | 14,408 | $ | 14,311 | $ | 15,470 | $ | 11,505 | $ | 5,478 | ||||||||||
| Loans Past Due 90 Days or More | 655 | 492 | 725 | 2,330 | 867 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Nonperforming Loans | $ | 15,063 | $ | 14,803 | $ | 16,195 | $ | 13,835 | $ | 6,345 | ||||||||||
| Repossessed assets | 166 | 73 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Nonperforming Assets | $ | 15,229 | $ | 14,876 | $ | 16,195 | $ | 13,835 | $ | 6,345 | ||||||||||
| Percentage of Nonperforming Loans to Total Loans | 0.47 | % | 0.62 | % | 0.69 | % | 0.67 | % | 0.35 | % | ||||||||||
| Percentage of Nonperforming Assets to Total Assets | 0.30 | % | 0.36 | % | 0.39 | % | 0.45 | % | 0.26 | % | ||||||||||
| Loans Delinquent 30-89 days | $ | 16,705 | $ | 9,605 | $ | 8,891 | $ | 9,297 | $ | 11,893 | ||||||||||
| Percentage of Loans Delinquent 30-89 days to Total Loans | 0.52 | % | 0.40 | % | 0.38 | % | 0.45 | % | 0.66 | % | ||||||||||
| Percentage of Nonaccrual Loans to Total Loans | 0.45 | % | 0.60 | % | 0.66 | % | 0.55 | % | 0.30 | % | ||||||||||
| Percentage of Allowance for Credit Losses to Nonaccrual Loans | 239.03 | % | 188.51 | % | 189.94 | % | 192.49 | % | 264.41 | % |
The following table summarizes the Company’s allocation of the allowance for credit losses for under CECL for 2023, 2022 and 2021 and the allowance for loan losses for prior years:
| December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loans to | Loans to | Loans to | Loans to | Loans to | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | Total Loans | Amount | Total Loans | Amount | Total Loans | Amount | Total Loans | Amount | Total Loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | $ | 18,150 | 48.1 | % | $ | 14,840 | 50.5 | % | $ | 15,879 | 51.0 | % | $ | 10,775 | 43.1 | % | $ | 6,127 | 43.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 5,086 | 12.6 | 4,186 | 14.6 | 4,949 | 15.7 | 5,022 | 21.6 | 2,443 | 16.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential Real Estate | 6,917 | 30.8 | 4,374 | 25.3 | 4,870 | 24.9 | 3,684 | 25.2 | 3,032 | 27.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 4,287 | 8.5 | 3,578 | 9.6 | 3,688 | 8.4 | 2,663 | 10.0 | 2,885 | 11.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 34,440 | 100.0 | % | $ | 26,978 | 100.0 | % | $ | 29,386 | 100.0 | % | $ | 22,144 | 100.0 | % | $ | 14,487 | 100.0 | % |
The allowance allocated to each of the four loan categories should not be interpreted as an indication that charge-offs in 2023 occurred in the same proportions or that the allocation indicates future charge-off trends. The allowance allocated to the one-to-four family real estate loan category and the consumer loan category is based upon the Company’s allowance methodology for homogeneous loans, and increases and decreases in the balances of those portfolios. For the commercial loan category, which represents 12.6% of the total loan portfolio, management relies on the Bank’s internal loan review procedures and allocates accordingly based on loan classifications. The gross charge-offs in the commercial loan portfolio, were $1.3 million for 2023, which represented approximately 43.3% of the losses for the entire loan portfolio. For the consumer loan category, which represents approximately 8.5% of total loans and in 2023, the gross charge-offs accounted for 31.7% of the losses of the entire loan portfolio.
There were no loans other than those identified above, that management has known information about possible credit problems of borrowers and their ability to comply with the loan repayment terms. Management is actively monitoring certain borrowers’ financial condition and loans which management wants to more closely monitor due to special circumstances. These loans and their potential loss exposure have been considered in management’s analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses.
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Loan Commitments and Lines of Credit
In the normal course of business, the Bank has extended various commitments for credit. Commitments for mortgages, revolving lines of credit and letters of credit generally are extended for a period of one month up to one year. Normally, no fees are charged on any unused portion, but an annual fee of two percent is charged for the issuance of a letter of credit.
As of December 31, 2023, there were no concentrations of loans exceeding 10% of total loans that are not disclosed as a category of loans. As of that date, there were also no other interest-earning assets that are either nonaccrual, past due, restructured or non-performing.
Investment Securities
The debt securities available for sale increased $31.7 million in 2023 to $1.30 billion at December 31, 2023, from $1.27 billion at December 31, 2022. For additional information regarding Farmers’ investment securities see Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following table shows the carrying value of investment securities by type of obligation at the dates indicated:
| December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Treasury securities | $ | 53,210 | $ | 52,280 | |||
| U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities | 74,745 | 75,816 | |||||
| Mortgage-backed securities - residential and collateralized mortgage obligations | 594,385 | 602,496 | |||||
| Small Business Administration | 2,917 | 3,474 | |||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | 556,169 | 530,080 | |||||
| Corporate bonds | 18,275 | 3,879 | |||||
| Debt securities available for sale | $ | 1,299,701 | $ | 1,268,025 | |||
| Other investments | 15,114 | 15,244 | |||||
| Total securities | $ | 1,314,815 | $ | 1,283,269 |
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A summary of debt securities held at December 31, 2023 classified according to maturity and including weighted average yield for each range of maturities is set forth below:
| December 31, 2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type and Maturity Grouping | Fair Value | Weighted Average Yield | ||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 195 | 2.09 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 96 | 2.18 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 52,919 | 1.10 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 0 | 0.00 | % | |||||
| Total U.S. Treasury securities | $ | 53,210 | 1.11 | % | ||||
| U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 0 | 0.00 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 23,320 | 1.70 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 48,812 | 2.72 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 2,613 | 4.57 | % | |||||
| Total U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities | $ | 74,745 | 2.47 | % | ||||
| Mortgage-backed securities - residential and collateralized mortgage obligations (1) | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 3 | 3.02 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 3,766 | 2.74 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 26,625 | 1.86 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 563,991 | 2.02 | % | |||||
| Total mortgage-backed securities | $ | 594,385 | 2.02 | % | ||||
| Small Business Administration | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 0 | 0.00 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 0 | 0.00 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 2,196 | 2.15 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 721 | 1.98 | % | |||||
| Total small business administration | $ | 2,917 | 2.11 | % | ||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 0 | 0.00 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 4,454 | 3.42 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 51,411 | 3.19 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 500,304 | 2.96 | % | |||||
| Total obligations of states and political subdivisions | $ | 556,169 | 2.98 | % | ||||
| Corporate bonds | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 397 | 3.04 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 2,169 | 5.58 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 15,709 | 7.13 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 0 | 0.00 | % | |||||
| Total corporate bonds | $ | 18,275 | 6.86 | % |
(1)
Payments based on contractual maturity.
Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment increased $13.6 million to $44.4 million at December 31, 2023, compared to $30.8 million at December 31, 2022. This increase was primarily due to acquisition of Emclaire which added $14.8 million. Additions to furniture and fixtures offset by depreciation throughout the year accounted for the remainder of the difference.
Bank Owned Life Insurance
The Company owns bank owned life insurance policies on the lives of certain members of management. The purpose of this investment is to help offset the costs of employee benefit plans. The cash surrender value of these
42
policies increased to $99.5 million at December 31, 2023, compared to $75.0 million at December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to the acquisition of Emclaire which added $22.5 million to the balance. The Company also had earnings of $2.4 million on the policies in 2023 offset slightly by proceeds from a death benefit.
Deposits
Total deposits increased to $4.2 billion at December 31, 2023, compared to $3.6 billion at December 31, 2022, an increase of $615.6 million. Noninterest bearing deposits increased $129.7 million during 2023 to $1.0 billion due to the acquisition of Emclaire which added $219.9 million in balances. This was offset by runoff of $90.2 million due to balances migrating to interest-bearing deposits and some balances leaving the Company. Interest-bearing deposits increased $624.0 million to $3.2 billion at December 31, 2023, compared to December 31, 2022. The increase was due to $655.9 million in growth from the acquisition of Emclaire and migration of balances from noninterest bearing deposits offset by balances leaving the Company. Brokered time deposits declined $138.1 million to zero at December 31, 2023, due to the Company using short-term borrowings to pay them off.
Average balances and average rates paid on deposits are as follows:
| Years Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | Rate | Amount | Rate | Amount | Rate | |||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing demand | $ | 1,065,389 | 0.00 | % | $ | 959,294 | 0.00 | % | $ | 714,978 | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand | 1,415,425 | 1.95 | % | 1,392,058 | 0.54 | % | 1,240,014 | 0.19 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Money market | 602,445 | 1.62 | % | 389,036 | 0.14 | % | 246,900 | 0.24 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Savings | 511,116 | 0.03 | % | 457,382 | 0.02 | % | 322,279 | 0.04 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Brokered time deposits | 132,895 | 4.67 | % | 56,965 | 2.18 | % | 11,737 | 0.64 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 654,717 | 2.97 | % | 360,687 | 0.84 | % | 393,039 | 0.93 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 4,381,987 | 1.44 | % | $ | 3,615,422 | 0.64 | % | $ | 2,928,947 | 0.34 | % |
The following table sets forth the maturities of retail certificates of deposit having principal amounts $250 thousand or greater at December 31, 2023 (in thousands):
| Retail certificates of deposit maturing in quarter ending: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2024 | $ | 113,393 | |
| June 30, 2024 | 95,571 | ||
| September 30, 2024 | 11,771 | ||
| December 31, 2024 | 27,224 | ||
| After December 31, 2024 | 10,199 | ||
| Total retail certificates of deposit with balances $250,000 or greater | $ | 258,158 |
Uninsured deposits for bank and savings and loan registrants are U.S. federally insured depository institutions as the portion of deposit accounts in U.S. offices that exceed the FDIC insurance limit or similar state deposit insurance regimes and amounts in any other uninsured investment or deposit account that are classified as deposits and not subject to any federal or state deposit insurance regimes. Deposits in amounts in excess of the FDIC insurance limit were $1.37 billion at December 31, 2023.
Short-Term Borrowings
The Company's short-term borrowings increased from $95.0 million at December 31, 2022, to $355.0 million at December 31, 2023. This increase was due to $75.0 million of short-term borrowings acquired in the Emclaire merger and short-term borrowings being used to offset the decline in brokered time deposits and declines in other deposit sources. The Company uses short term borrowings to manage the ongoing fluctuations with loans and deposits, when necessary.
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Long-Term Borrowings
Total long-term borrowings increased $452 thousand from $88.2 million at December 31. 2022, to $88.7 million at December 31, 2023. See Note 13 within Item 8 of this Annual report on Form 10-K for additional detail.
Stockholders’ Equity
Total stockholders’ equity increased from $292.3 million at December 31, 2022, to $404.4 million at December 31, 2023. The increase is due to the merger with Emclaire which added $59.2 million to stockholders' equity along with net income of $49.9 million and a decline in the accumulated other comprehensive loss of $37.9 million. This was partially offset by dividends paid on common stock of $25.6 million and changes in treasury stock balances of $11.7 million.
Contractual Obligations, Commitments, Contingent Liabilities and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The following table presents, as of December 31, 2023, the Company’s significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations by payment date. The payment amounts represent those amounts contractually due to the recipient and do not include any unamortized premiums or discounts or other similar carrying value adjustments. Further discussion of the nature of each obligation is included in the referenced note to the consolidated financial statements.
| Commitments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/31/2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ref. | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | Thereafter | |||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits without maturity | $ | 3,452,104 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit and brokered time deposits | 11 | 656,154 | $ | 32,302 | $ | 20,007 | $ | 5,569 | $ | 4,302 | $ | 6,948 | |||||||||||||
| Long-term borrowings | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 93,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Leases | 9 | 1,175 | 1,092 | 975 | 898 | 917 | 5,659 |
There are also $13.1 million of commitments to various partnership investment funds. The Company invests in these funds, consisting of affordable housing tax credit investments and SBIC funds, in efforts to comply with Community Reinvestment Act regulations. The commitments have no predetermined due dates but are expected to be funded sporadically over the next ten years. Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements discusses in greater detail other commitments and contingencies and the various obligations that exist under those agreements. Examples of these commitments and contingencies include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.
Management’s policy is to not engage in derivatives contracts for speculative trading purposes. The Company does utilize interest-rate swaps as a way of helping manage interest rate risk and not as derivatives for trading purposes. See Note 22 within Item 8 of this Annual report on Form 10-K for additional detail.
Liquidity
The principal sources of funds for the Bank are deposits, loan and security repayments, borrowings from financial institutions, repurchase agreements and other funds provided by operations. The Bank also has the ability to borrow from the FHLB. While scheduled loan repayments and maturing investments are relatively predictable, deposit flows and early loan prepayments are more influenced by interest rates, general economic conditions and competition. Investments in liquid assets maintained by the Company and the Bank are based upon management’s assessment of (1) the need for funds, (2) expected deposit flows, (3) yields available on short-term liquid assets, and (4) objectives of the asset and liability management program.
44
The Bank’s Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO) is responsible for monitoring liquidity guidelines, policies and procedures. ALCO uses a variety of methods to monitor the liquidity position of the Bank including a liquidity analysis that measures potential sources and uses of funds over future time periods. ALCO also performs contingency funding analyses to determine the Bank’s ability to meet potential liquidity needs under stress scenarios that cover varying time horizons ranging from immediate to long-term.
Capital Resources
The Bank, as a national chartered bank, is subject to the dividend restrictions set forth by the OCC. The OCC must approve declaration of any dividends in excess of the sum of profits for the current year and retained net profits for the preceding two years (as defined). Farmers and Farmers Bank are required to maintain minimum amounts of capital to total “risk weighted” assets, as defined by the banking regulators. At December 31, 2023, under the minimum capital requirements associated with the Basel Committee on capital and liquidity regulation (Basel III), Farmers Bank and Farmers are required to have actual and minimum capital ratios, which are detailed in Note 16 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Farmers Bank and Farmers had capital ratios above the minimum levels at December 31, 2023 and 2022. At year-end 2023 and 2022, the most recent regulatory notifications categorized Farmers Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.
During 2013, the Federal banking regulators approved a final rule to implement revised capital adequacy standards of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, commonly called Basel III, and to address relevant provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. The final rule strengthens the definition of regulatory capital, increases risk-based capital requirements, makes selected changes to the calculation of risk-weighted assets, and adjusts the prompt corrective action thresholds. The Bank has retained, through a one-time election, the prior treatment for most accumulated other comprehensive income, such that unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale that did not affect regulatory capital amounts and ratios. As mentioned in the prior paragraph, the Bank falls within the new regulatory capital ratio guidelines.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company follows financial accounting and reporting policies that are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and conform to general practices within the banking industry. Some of these accounting policies are considered to be critical accounting policies. Critical accounting policies are those policies that require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company has identified three accounting policies that are critical accounting policies and an understanding of these policies is necessary to understand the financial statements. These policies relate to determining the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses, if there is any impairment of goodwill and other intangibles, and estimating the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with any merger activity. Additional information regarding these policies is included in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, including Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies), Note 4 (Loans) and Note 2 (Business Combinations), and the section above captioned “Loan Portfolio.” Management believes that the judgments, estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are appropriate given the factual circumstances at the time.
Farmers maintains an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is presented as a reserve against loans on the balance sheets. Credit losses are charged off against the allowance for credit losses, while recoveries of amounts previously charged off are credited to the allowance for credit losses. A provision for credit losses is charged to operations based on management’s periodic evaluation of adequacy of the allowance.
The Company’s allowance for credit losses represents management’s estimate of expected credit losses over the remaining expected life of the Company’s financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain off-balance sheet lending-related commitments.
45
The allowance for credit losses involves significant judgment on a number of matters including the weighting of macroeconomic forecasts and microeconomic statistics, incorporation of historical loss experience, assessment of risk characteristics, assignment of risk ratings, valuation of collateral, and the determination of remaining expected life. Refer to Note 4 for further information on these judgments as well as the Company’s policies and methodologies used to determine the Company’s allowance for credit losses.
A significant judgment involved in estimating the Company’s allowance for credit losses relates to the macroeconomic forecasts used to estimate credit losses over the four-quarter forecast period within the Company’s methodology. The four-quarter forecast incorporates three macroeconomic variables (“MEVs”) that are relevant for exposures across the Company.
•
U.S. changes in real gross domestic product (GDP).
•
U.S. personal consumption expenditures (PCE) inflation.
•
U.S. civilian unemployment rate.
Changes in the Company’s assumptions and forecasts of economic conditions could significantly affect its estimate of expected credit losses in the portfolio at the balance sheet date or lead to significant changes in the estimate from one reporting period to the next.
It is difficult to estimate how potential changes in any one factor or input might affect the overall allowance for credit losses because management considers a wide variety of factors and inputs in estimating the allowance for credit losses. Changes in the factors and inputs considered may not occur at the same rate and may not be consistent across all product types, and changes in factors and inputs may be directionally inconsistent, such that improvement in one factor or input may offset deterioration in others.
To consider the impact of a hypothetical alternate macroeconomic forecast, the Company compared the modeled credit losses determined using its central and relative adverse macroeconomic scenarios. The central and relative adverse scenarios each included the three MEVs, but differed in the levels, paths and peaks/troughs of those variables over the four-quarter forecast period.
For example, compared to the Company’s central scenario that is based on a four-quarter forecasted change in U.S. real GDP of 1.40% from 4Q2023 to 4Q2024, U.S. PCE inflation of 2.40%, and U.S. unemployment of 4.10%, the Company’s relative adverse scenario assumes a four-quarter forecast with a contraction of U.S. real GDP, a PCE inflation between 5.00% and 7.00% and an elevated U.S. unemployment rate between 6.00% and 7.00%. This analysis is not intended to estimate expected future changes in the allowance for credit losses, for a number of reasons, including:
•
The impacts of changes in the MEVs are both interrelated and nonlinear, so the results of this analysis cannot be simply extrapolated for more severe changes in macroeconomic variables.
•
Expectations of future changes in portfolio composition and borrower behavior can significantly affect the allowance for credit losses.
To demonstrate the sensitivity of credit loss estimates to macroeconomic forecasts as of December 31, 2023, the Company compared the modeled estimates under its relative adverse scenario for two of the Company’s largest loan pools to its central scenario for the same loan pools. Without considering offsetting or correlated effects in other qualitative components of the Company’s allowance for credit losses, the comparison between these two scenarios for the exposures below reflect the following differences:
•
An increase of approximately $686 thousand for residential real estate loans and lending-related commitments
•
An increase of approximately $1.12 million for commercial real non-owner occupied loans and lending-related commitments
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This analysis relates only to the modeled credit loss estimates and is not intended to estimate changes in the overall allowance for credit losses as it does not reflect any potential changes in the other adjustments to the quantitative calculation, which would also be influenced by the judgment management applies to the modeled lifetime loss estimates to reflect the uncertainty and imprecision of these modeled lifetime loss estimates based on then-current circumstances and conditions.
Recognizing that forecasts of macroeconomic conditions are inherently uncertain, the Company believes that its process to consider the available information and associated risks and uncertainties is appropriately governed and that its estimates of expected credit losses were reasonable and appropriate for the period ended December 31, 2023.
The Company uses two methodologies to analyze loan pools. The cohort method and the PD/LGD. Cohort relies on the creation of cohorts to capture loans that qualify for a particular segment, as of a point in time. Those loans are then tracked over their remaining lives to determine their loss experience. The Company aggregates financial assets on the basis of similar risk characteristics when evaluating loans on a collective basis. Those characteristics include, but are not limited to, internal or external credit score, risk ratings, financial asset, loan type, collateral type, size, effective interest rate, term, or geographical location. The Company uses cohort primarily for consumer loan portfolios.
The probability of default (“PD”) portion of PD/LGD is defined by the Company as 90 days past due, placed on non-accrual, or is partially or wholly charged-off. Typically, a one-year time period is used to asses PD. PD can be measured and applied using various risk criteria. Risk rating is one common way to apply PDs. Loss given default (“LGD”) is to determine the percentage of loss by facility or collateral type. LGD estimates can sometimes be driven, or influenced, by product type, industry or geography. The Company uses PD/LGD primarily for commercial loan portfolios.
Management believes that the accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets also involves a higher degree of judgment than most other significant accounting policies. GAAP establishes standards for the amortization of acquired intangible assets and the impairment assessment of goodwill. Goodwill arising from business combinations represents the value attributable to unidentifiable intangible assets in the business acquired. The Company’s goodwill relates to the value inherent in the banking industry and that value is dependent upon the ability of the Company’s subsidiaries to provide quality, cost-effective services in a competitive marketplace. The goodwill value is supported by revenue that is in part driven by the volume of business transacted. A decrease in earnings resulting from a decline in the customer base or the inability to deliver cost-effective services over sustained periods can lead to impairment of goodwill that could adversely impact earnings in future periods. GAAP requires an annual evaluation of goodwill for impairment, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The fair value of the goodwill is estimated by reviewing the past and projected operating results for the subsidiaries and comparable industry information. At December 31, 2023, on a consolidated basis, Farmers had intangibles of $22.8 million subject to amortization and $167.4 million in goodwill, which was not subject to periodic amortization.
The Company accounts for acquisitions under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations, which requires the use of the acquisition method of accounting. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination are recorded at the estimated fair value on their purchase date. As provided for under GAAP, management has up to 12 months following the date of the acquisition to finalize the fair values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities, where it was not possible to estimate the acquisition date fair value upon consummation. Management finalized the fair values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities within this 12-month period and management currently considers such values to be the Day 1 Fair Values for the acquisition transactions. In particular, the valuation of acquired loans involves significant estimates, assumptions and judgment based on information available as of the acquisition date. Loans acquired in a business combination transaction are evaluated either individually or in pools of loans with similar characteristics; including consideration of a credit component. A number of factors are considered in determining the estimated fair value of purchased loans including, among other things, the remaining life of the acquired loans, estimated prepayments, estimated loss ratios, estimated value of the underlying collateral, estimated holding periods, contractual interest rates compared to market interest rates, and net present value of cash flows expected to be received.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Developments
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Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements discusses new accounting policies adopted by Farmers during 2023 and 2022 and the expected impact of accounting policies recently issued or proposed but not yet required to be adopted. To the extent the adoption of new accounting standards materially affects financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, the impacts are discussed in the applicable sections of this financial review and notes to the consolidated financial statements.
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FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000950170-23-007035.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following presents a discussion and analysis of Farmers’ financial condition and results of operations by its management. The review highlights the principal factors affecting earnings and the significant changes in balance sheet items for the years 2022, 2021 and 2020. Financial information for prior years is presented when appropriate. The objective of this financial review is to enhance the reader’s understanding of the accompanying tables and charts, the consolidated financial statements, notes to financial statements and financial statistics appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Where applicable, this discussion also reflects management’s insights of known events and trends that have or may reasonably be expected to have a material effect on Farmers’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact, but rather statements based on Farmers’ current expectations, beliefs and assumptions regarding the future of Farmers’ business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, its intended results and future performance, the economy and other future conditions. Forward-looking statements are preceded by terms such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “expect,” “estimate,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan” “project,” or variations of these words, or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance, and actual future results could differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Numerous uncertainties, risks, and changes could cause or contribute to Farmers’ actual results, performance, and achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Farmers’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Many of these factors are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict, and readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on those forward-looking statements. The following, which is not intended to be an all-encompassing list, summarizes several factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or expected in any forward-looking statement:
•
general economic conditions in markets where the Company conducts business, which could materially impact credit quality trends;
•
the length and extent of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic;
•
the length and extent of the economic impacts of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine;
•
actions by the Federal Reserve Board, U.S. Treasury and other government agencies, including those that impact money supply, market interest rates and inflation;
•
disruptions in the mortgage and lending markets and significant or unexpected fluctuations in interest rates related to governmental responses to inflation, including financial stimulus packages and interest rate changes;
•
general business conditions in the banking industry;
•
the regulatory environment;
•
general fluctuations in interest rates;
•
demand for loans in the market areas where the Company conducts business;
•
rapidly changing technology and evolving banking industry standards;
•
competitive factors, including increased competition with regional and national financial institutions;
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•
Farmers' ability to attract, recruit and retain skilled employees; and
•
new service and product offerings by competitors and price pressures.
Other factors not currently anticipated may also materially and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial position. There can be no assurance that future results will meet expectations. While the Company believes that the forward-looking statements in the presentation are reasonable, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. In addition, these statements speak only as of the date made. The Company does not undertake, and expressly disclaims, any obligation to update or alter any statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, expect as may be required by applicable law.
Results of Operations
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
The Company reported net income of $60.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $51.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company reported $1.79 per diluted common share in 2022 compared $1.77 per diluted common share in 2021. The results for 2022 include a full year of income and expense from Cortland compared to ten months in 2021.
Net Interest Income
The Company’s net interest income represents the difference between the interest income earned on interest-earning assets and the interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The Company recognized net interest income of $124.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $108.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The tax-equivalent net interest margin declined to 3.18% for 2022 compared to 3.45% for the year ended December 31, 2021. The margin declined due to a lower level of PPP interest income and fees in 2022 compared to 2021 and increased funding costs associated with the Federal Reserve's aggressive rate increases in 2022. In addition, the balance of securities available for sale as a percentage of interest earning assets is higher in 2022 than in 2021. These balances generally have a lower yield than loans, which, in turn, negatively impacts the net interest margin.
Total interest income increased from $116.5 million in 2021 to $142.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the average balance of loans and securities offset by a decline in the yields received on loans and tax exempt securities.
Interest income on loans increased to $107.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to $94.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. This increase was due to the average loan balances increasing $317.4 million from the year ended December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022. The increase was mainly a result of twelve months of acquired Cortland loans in 2022, compared to two months in 2021. The yield on loans declined to 4.58% in 2022 from 4.66% in 2021.
Income on taxable securities increased by $9.4 million in 2022 due to greater average balances of $464.5 million in 2022 and higher yields on the securities. The increased balance was due to the Cortland acquisition and purchases of securities. Income on tax exempt securities increased $2.4 million in 2022. The increase in income on tax-exempt securities was due to an increase in the average balance of $117.2 million offset by a decline in the yield on these securities of 24 basis points ("bp").
Interest expense increased $9.4 million to $17.9 million in 2022 from $8.5 million in 2021. The increase was due to a larger volume of interest-bearing liabilities and higher rates on deposits and borrowings. The average balance of interest-bearing deposits increased $442.2 million to $2.7 billion at December 31, 2022 primarily due to the Cortland acquisition while the cost of interest-bearing deposits increased by 19 bp year over year. Interest expense related to interest-bearing deposits was $13.1 million in 2022 compared to $6.8 million in 2021.
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Interest expense on short-term borrowings increased from $11 thousand in 2021 to $1.4 million in 2022. This increase was due to the increased usage of short term borrowings and an increase in the cost of those borrowings due to the Federal Reserve increasing the fed funds rate 425 bp in 2022. Interest on long-term borrowings increased to $3.4 million in 2022 from $1.7 million in 2021. This increase was primarily due to the increased cost of some of the long term borrowings that are tied to variable rates and which increased in 2022.
Average Balance Sheets and Related Yields and Rates
(Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands except Per Share Data)
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| Years ended December 31, | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVERAGE | AVERAGE | AVERAGE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE | INTEREST | RATE | BALANCE | INTEREST | RATE | BALANCE | INTEREST | RATE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EARNING ASSETS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (1) (3) | $ | 2,358,724 | $ | 108,100 | 4.58 | % | $ | 2,041,347 | $ | 95,180 | 4.66 | % | $ | 2,062,936 | $ | 98,779 | 4.79 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable securities (2) | 1,081,966 | 20,843 | 1.93 | 617,475 | 11,399 | 1.85 | 209,817 | 5,423 | 2.58 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax-exempt securities (2) (3) | 465,855 | 14,952 | 3.21 | 348,627 | 12,027 | 3.45 | 250,394 | 9,675 | 3.86 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other investments | 33,153 | 871 | 2.63 | 21,912 | 498 | 2.27 | 16,073 | 543 | 3.38 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Federal funds sold and other cash | 76,253 | 684 | 0.90 | 180,718 | 200 | 0.11 | 124,447 | 298 | 0.24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total earning assets | 4,015,951 | 145,450 | 3.62 | 3,210,079 | 119,304 | 3.72 | 2,663,667 | 114,718 | 4.31 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NONEARNING ASSETS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and due from banks | 27,360 | 23,204 | 35,647 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premises and equipment | 38,278 | 28,227 | 25,563 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for Loan Losses | (27,739 | ) | (25,187 | ) | (17,454 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gains on securities | (170,617 | ) | 19,589 | 20,067 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other assets | 261,475 | 149,972 | 141,904 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 4,144,708 | $ | 3,405,884 | $ | 2,869,394 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time deposits | $ | 360,687 | $ | 3,044 | 0.84 | % | $ | 393,039 | $ | 3,652 | 0.93 | % | $ | 480,302 | $ | 8,083 | 1.68 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Brokered time deposits | 56,965 | 1,240 | 2.18 | 11,737 | 75 | 0.64 | 72,472 | 1,057 | 1.46 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings deposits | 846,418 | 1,352 | 0.16 | 569,179 | 712 | 0.13 | 462,021 | 1,080 | 0.23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits - interest bearing | 1,392,058 | 7,449 | 0.54 | 1,240,014 | 2,336 | 0.19 | 856,462 | 4,161 | 0.49 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short term borrowings | 55,668 | 1,408 | 2.53 | 3,957 | 11 | 0.28 | 20,764 | 359 | 1.73 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long term borrowings | 87,972 | 3,427 | 3.90 | 70,057 | 1,683 | 2.40 | 82,451 | 1,396 | 1.69 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities | 2,799,768 | 17,920 | 0.64 | 2,287,983 | 8,469 | 0.37 | 1,974,472 | 16,136 | 0.82 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NONINTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits - noninterest bearing | 959,294 | 714,978 | 546,177 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Liabilities | 34,180 | 23,498 | 21,570 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders' equity | 351,466 | 379,425 | 327,175 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Liabilities and | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders' Equity | $ | 4,144,708 | $ | 3,405,884 | $ | 2,869,394 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income and interest rate spread | $ | 127,530 | 2.98 | % | $ | 110,835 | 3.35 | % | $ | 98,582 | 3.49 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin | 3.18 | % | 3.45 | % | 3.70 | % |
(1)
Interest on loans includes fee income of $4.5 million, $10.3 million and $8.3 million for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and is reduced by amortization of $3.0 million, $2.6 million and $2.7 million for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
(2)
Includes unamortized discounts and premiums. Average balance and yield are computed using the average historical amortized cost.
(3)
For 2022, adjustments of $310 thousand and $3.1 million were made to tax equate income on tax exempt loans and tax exempt securities. For 2021, adjustments of $360 thousand and $2.5 million were made to tax equate income on tax exempt loans and tax
33
exempt securities. For 2020, adjustments of $400 thousand and $2.0 million were made to tax equate income on tax exempt loans and tax exempt securities. These adjustments are based on a marginal federal income tax rate of 21%, less disallowances.
RATE AND VOLUME ANALYSIS
(Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands except Per Share Data)
The following table analyzes by rate and volume the dollar amount of changes in the components of the interest differential:
| 2022 change from 2021 | 2021 change from 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net | Change Due | Change Due | Net | Change Due | Change Due | |||||||||||||||||||
| Change | To Volume | To Rate | Change | To Volume | To Rate | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tax Equivalent Interest Income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | $ | 12,920 | $ | 14,798 | $ | (1,878 | ) | $ | (3,599 | ) | $ | (1,034 | ) | $ | (2,565 | ) | ||||||||
| Taxable securities | 9,444 | 8,575 | 869 | 5,976 | 10,536 | (4,560 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Tax-exempt securities | 2,925 | 4,044 | (1,119 | ) | 2,352 | 3,796 | (1,444 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other investments | 373 | 255 | 118 | (45 | ) | 197 | (242 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Funds sold and other cash | 484 | (116 | ) | 600 | (97 | ) | 135 | (232 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Total interest income | $ | 26,146 | $ | 27,556 | $ | (1,410 | ) | $ | 4,587 | $ | 13,630 | $ | (9,043 | ) | ||||||||||
| Interest Expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time deposits | $ | (608 | ) | $ | (301 | ) | $ | (307 | ) | $ | (4,431 | ) | $ | (1,469 | ) | $ | (2,962 | ) | ||||||
| Brokered time deposits | 1,165 | 289 | 876 | (982 | ) | (886 | ) | (96 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Savings deposits | 640 | 347 | 293 | (368 | ) | 250 | (618 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits | 5,113 | 286 | 4,827 | (1,825 | ) | 1,863 | (3,688 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Short term borrowings | 1,397 | 144 | 1,253 | (348 | ) | (291 | ) | (57 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Long term borrowings | 1,744 | 430 | 1,314 | 287 | (210 | ) | 497 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total interest expense | $ | 9,451 | $ | 1,195 | $ | 8,256 | $ | (7,667 | ) | $ | (743 | ) | $ | (6,924 | ) | |||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in tax equivalent net interest income | $ | 16,695 | $ | 26,361 | $ | (9,666 | ) | $ | 12,254 | $ | 14,373 | $ | (2,119 | ) |
The amount of change not solely due to rate or volume changes was allocated between the change due to rate and the change due to volume based on the relative size of the rate and volume changes.
Noninterest Income
The Company's total noninterest income increased to $44.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to $38.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Major categories of noninterest income are discussed below.
Service charges on deposit accounts increased to $4.7 million in 2022 from $3.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was due to acquisition of Cortland and an increased level of overdraft fee income.
Bank owned life insurance income increased to $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 from $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. This increase was due to the addition of Cortland as well as proceeds from death benefits of $184,000 received from the policies.
Trust fees increased to $9.6 million in 2022 from $9.4 million in 2021 while investment commissions decreased from $2.3 million in 2021 to $2.2 million in 2022. The trust business continued to grow in 2022 even with the uncertain economic environment and volatile markets. The investment commissions declined primarily due to volatile equity markets.
Insurance agency commissions increased from $3.5 million in 2021 to $4.4 million in 2022, an increase of 27.4%. This growth was driven by increased business volume along with the acquisition of Champion Insurance.
Security gains, including fair value changes on equity securities, decreased by $1.5 million in 2022. The Company recorded a loss on the sale of securities of $454,000 in 2022 compared to a gain of $1.0 million in 2021. The Company elected to restructure a portion of its investment portfolio in 2022 that resulted in the loss.
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The net gains on the sale of loans declined by $6.2 million in 2022 to $2.1 million from $8.3 million in 2021. The decline was due to a decline in margins as well as the volume of loans sold. In addition, the Company recognized a gain of $239 thousand in 2021 for the sale of the Company’s credit card portfolio.
Debit card fees increased to $5.8 million in 2022 compared to $5.1 million in 2021. The increase was primarily due to the addition of Cortland.
The Company recorded an $8.4 million gain related to a legal settlement in 2022. No gain was recorded in 2021.
Other operating income increased to $4.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 from $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. This increase was due to the addition of Cortland and higher SBIC/SBA fund income in 2022 compared to 2021.
Noninterest Expenses
Noninterest expense was $94.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $79.2 million in 2021, which was an increase of $15.2 million, or 19.2%. The increase is primarily due to the merger with Cortland with the added employees and operating costs associated with a larger bank.
Salaries and employee benefits increased by $5.6 million to $45.0 million in 2022 compared to $39.4 million in 2021. This increase was primarily due to the Company having a higher level of employees due to the addition of Cortland.
Occupancy and equipment expense increased $2.9 million to $11.4 million in 2022 from $8.5 million in 2021. The increase was due to the higher level of facilities maintenance associated with the additional Cortland properties.
Professional fees increased to $6.1 million in 2022 from $4.2 million in 2021. The increase was due to Cortland and a higher level of consulting expense in 2022.
Merger related costs decreased to $4.1 million in 2022 compared to $7.1 million in 2021. This increase was due to the acquisition of Cortland in 2021, while 2022 costs were from the Emclaire acquisition that was completed on January 1, 2023.
An additional special charitable donation of $6.0 million was made during 2022 compared to no additional donation in 2021. The donation was made possible by the $8.4 million legal settlement income discussed above.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense increased from $10.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to $12.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was due to a $10.7 million increase in income before income taxes. Income taxes are computed using the appropriate effective tax rates for each period. The effective tax rates are less than the statutory tax rate primarily due to nontaxable interest and dividend income. The effective income tax rate was 16.8% for 2022 and 16.5% in 2021. Refer to Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the effective tax rate.
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
The Company reported net income of $51.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $41.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. On a diluted per common share basis, the Company reported $1.77 in 2021 and $1.47 in 2020. The results for 2021 include two months of income and expenses from Cortland compared to none in 2020 along with acquisition-related expense and additional provision for credit losses as a result of the merger and the adoption of CECL.
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On November 1, 2021, the Company completed its acquisition of Cortland Bancorp (“Cortland”) for consideration consisting of a combination of cash and stock. Under the terms of the merger agreement, shareholders of Cortland were able to receive either $28 per share in cash or 1.75 shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to an overall limitation of 75% of the shares being exchanged for Company shares and 25% for cash. The Company issued 5.6 million shares of its common stock along with cash of $29.6 million, which represented a transaction value of approximately $128.5 million based on its closing stock price of $17.82 on October 31, 2021, the closing of the merger. Goodwill of $48.5 million arising from the acquisition consisted largely of synergies and the cost savings resulting from the combining of the entities.
Net Interest Income
The Company’s net interest income represents the difference between the interest income earned on interest-earning assets and the interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income was $108.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $96.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The tax-equivalent net interest margin was 3.45% for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to 3.70% for the year ended December 31, 2020. The margin declined due to the continued low level of treasury rates and the federal funds rate, both of which has impacted asset yields more negatively than deposit costs. In addition, the balance of securities available for sale as a percentage of interest earning assets is higher in 2021 than in 2020. These balances generally have a lower yield than loans, which, in turn, negatively impacts the net interest margin.
Total interest income increased to $116.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $112.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase of $4.2 million was primarily due to an increase in the income on taxable and tax-exempt securities offset by a decline in the interest earned on loans.
The average balance of loans decreased $21.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 while the yield on loans declined to 4.66% in 2021 from 4.79% in 2020, which caused interest income on loans to decline $3.6 million in 2021 to $94.8 million. The decline in average loan balances was primarily due to the payoff of PPP loans along with declines in other loan categories due to high levels of customer liquidity and refinance opportunities offset by the addition of Cortland’s loan balances.
The increase in income on taxable and tax-exempt securities to $20.9 million in 2021 compared to 2020 was primarily due to an increase in the average balance on these securities of $505.9 million offset by a decline in their yield. During 2021, the Company continued to invest excess cash balances into securities.
Interest expense declined $7.7 million to $8.5 million in 2021 compared to $16.1 million in 2020. The decrease was due to a 45 basis point decline in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities offset by an increase in average interest-bearing liabilities of $313.5 million. The average balance of interest-bearing deposits increased $342.7 million to $2.2 billion at December 31, 2021. Interest expense related to interest-bearing deposits was $6.8 million in 2021 compared to $14.4 million in 2020.
Interest on short-term borrowings declined to $7 thousand in 2021 compared to $359 thousand in 2020 as the Company paid off these borrowings in 2021. Interest on long-term borrowings increased to $1.7 million in 2021 from $1.4 million in 2020.
Noninterest Income
Total noninterest income increased to $38.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $36.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in noninterest income is mainly due to increases across many categories of noninterest income offset by declines in the gain on sale of loans.
Bank owned life insurance income increased by $543 thousand in 2021 from 2020 due to the purchase of more insurance at the end of 2020 and the addition of Cortland.
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Trust fees increased to $9.4 million in 2021 from $7.6 million in 2020 while investment commissions increased by $746 thousand in 2021 compared to 2020. Both of these categories benefitted from growth as well as the strong performance of the equity markets in 2021.
Insurance agency commissions increased to $3.5 million in 2021 from $3.1 million in 2020, an increase of 10.6%. This growth was driven by increased business volume.
Security gains, including fair value changes on equity securities, increased by $624 thousand in 2021 to $1.0 million compared to gains of $380 thousand in 2020. The Company elected to restructure a portion of its investment portfolio in 2021 that resulted in higher gains.
The net gains on the sale of loans declined by $3.1 million in 2021 to $8.3 million from $11.4 million in 2020. The decline was due to a decline in margins as well as the volume of loans sold. The decline was offset somewhat by the recognition of a $239 thousand gain on the sale of the Company’s credit card portfolio in 2021.
Debit card fees increased by $880 thousand in 2021 compared to 2020 due to increased activity along with the addition of Cortland for two months in 2021.
Noninterest Expenses
Noninterest expense was $79.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $73.0 million in 2020, which was an increase of $6.2 million, or 8.5%. The increase is primarily due to the merger and merger-related costs.
Salaries and employee benefits declined by $433 thousand to $39.4 million in 2021 compared to $39.8 million in 2020. This decline was primarily due to the Company having a higher level of unfilled positions in 2021 compared to 2020 due to the continuing labor shortage offset by the addition of Cortland. In addition, the benefit of deferred salary costs was greater in 2021 than in 2020.
Occupancy and equipment expense increased $1.2 million to $8.5 million in 2021 from $7.3 million in 2020. The increase was due to Cortland and a higher level of facilities maintenance in 2021 compared to 2020.
Professional fees increased to $4.2 million in 2021 from $2.7 million in 2020. The increase was due to Cortland and a higher level of consulting expense in 2021.
Merger related costs increased to $7.1 million in 2021 compared to $3.2 million in 2020. This increase was due to the acquisition of Cortland in 2021, which was a larger acquisition than the acquisition of Maple Leaf in 2020.
State and local taxes increased $139 thousand in 2021 to $2.3 million. Advertising increased $328 thousand to $1.9 million in 2021 and core processing charges declined by $353 thousand in 2021 to $3.2 million.
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Income Taxes
Income tax expense increased to $10.3 million for 2021 compared to $8.4 million in 2020. The increase was due to an $11.8 million increase in income before income taxes. Income taxes are computed using the appropriate effective tax rates for each period. The effective tax rates are less than the statutory tax rate primarily due to nontaxable interest and dividend income. The effective income tax rate was 16.5% for 2021 and 16.7% for 2020. The decreased effective tax rate is due to additions to the non-taxable municipal securities portfolio. Refer to Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the effective tax rate.
Loan Portfolio
Maturities and Sensitivities of Loans to Interest Rates
The following schedule shows the composition of loans and the percentage of loans in each category at the dates indicated. Balances include unamortized loan origination fees and costs.
| Years Ended December 31, | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Real Estate | $ | 1,026,822 | 42.6 | % | $ | 1,010,674 | 43.3 | % | $ | 712,818 | 34.3 | % | $ | 615,521 | 34.0 | % | $ | 578,181 | 33.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 294,406 | 12.2 | 312,532 | 13.4 | 401,003 | 19.3 | 255,458 | 14.1 | 244,742 | 14.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential Real Estate | 607,557 | 25.3 | 580,242 | 24.9 | 523,340 | 25.2 | 499,301 | 27.6 | 492,133 | 28.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 228,794 | 9.5 | 195,343 | 8.4 | 208,842 | 10.0 | 214,998 | 11.9 | 221,795 | 12.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agricultural | 247,171 | 10.3 | 232,291 | 10.0 | 232,041 | 11.2 | 226,261 | 12.4 | 198,989 | 11.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Loans | $ | 2,404,750 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,331,082 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,078,044 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,811,539 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,735,840 | 100.0 | % |
The following schedule sets forth maturities based on remaining scheduled repayments of principal for loans listed above as of December 31, 2022:
| Types of Loans | 1 Year or less | 1 to 5 Years | 5 to 15 Years | Over 15 Years | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial | $ | 22,755 | $ | 147,091 | $ | 81,616 | $ | 42,944 | |||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | $ | 57,131 | $ | 286,471 | $ | 604,796 | $ | 78,424 | |||||||
| Residential Real Estate | $ | 6,732 | $ | 35,409 | $ | 143,217 | $ | 422,199 | |||||||
| Consumer | $ | 3,107 | $ | 89,741 | $ | 124,831 | $ | 11,115 | |||||||
| Agricultural | $ | 2,297 | $ | 32,576 | $ | 49,370 | $ | 162,928 |
The amounts of loans as of December 31, 2022, based on remaining scheduled repayments of principal, are shown in the following table:
| Loan Sensitivities | 1 Year or less | Over 1 Year | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floating or Adjustable Rates of Interest | $ | 44,200 | $ | 1,207,563 | $ | 1,251,763 | |||||
| Fixed Rates of Interest | 47,822 | 1,105,165 | 1,152,987 | ||||||||
| Total Loans | $ | 92,022 | $ | 2,312,728 | $ | 2,404,750 |
Total loans were $2.4 billion at year-end 2022, compared to $2.3 billion at year-end 2021 representing an increase of 3.2%. Loans comprised 58.7% of the Bank’s average earning assets in 2022, compared to 64.0% in 2021. The product mix in the loan portfolio includes commercial real estate loans 42.6%, commercial loans comprising 12.2%, residential real estate loans 25.3%, consumer loans 9.5% and agricultural loans 10.3% at December 31, 2022, compared with 43.3%, 13.4%, 24.9%, 8.4% and 10.0%, respectively, at December 31, 2021.
Loans contributed 74.3% of total taxable equivalent interest income in 2022 and 80.0% in 2021. Loan yields were 4.58% in 2022, 96 basis points greater than the average rate for total earning assets. Management recognizes that while the loan portfolio holds some of the Bank’s’ highest yielding assets, it is inherently the most risky portfolio. Accordingly, management attempts to balance credit risk versus return with conservative credit standards. Management has developed and maintains comprehensive underwriting guidelines and a loan review function that monitors credits during and after the approval process. To minimize risks associated with changes in the borrower’s future repayment capacity, the Bank generally requires scheduled periodic principal and interest payments on all types
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of loans and normally requires collateral. Commercial real estate loans increased from $1.01 billion at December 31, 2021 to $1.03 billion at December 31, 2022, an increase of $16.1 million or 1.6%. The Company’s commercial real estate loan portfolio includes loans for owner occupied and non-owner occupied real estate. These loans are made to finance properties such as office and industrial buildings, hotels and retail shopping centers.
Residential real estate mortgage loans increased 4.7% to $607.6 million at December 31, 2022, compared to $580.2 million in 2021. Farmers originated both fixed rate and adjustable rate mortgages during 2022. Fixed rate terms are offered with terms between to fifteen and 30 years while adjustable rate products are offered with maturities up to thirty years. The Company sells all fixed rate loans that are secondary market eligible.
Commercial loans at December 31, 2022 decreased 5.8% from year-end 2021 with outstanding balances of $294.4 million. The Bank’s commercial loans are granted to customers within the immediate trade area of the Bank. The mix is diverse, covering a wide range of borrowers, business types and local municipalities. The Bank monitors and controls concentrations within a particular industry or segment of the economy. These loans are made for purposes such as equipment purchases, capital and leasehold improvements, the purchase of inventory, general working capital and small business lines of credit.
Agricultural loans increased from $232.3 million in 2021 to $247.2 million in 2022, an increase of $14.9 million. The Company’s agricultural loan portfolio contains a diverse mix of dairy, crops, land, poultry and cattle loans.
Consumer loans increased from $195.3 million in 2021 to $228.8 million in 2022.
Summary of Credit Loss Experience
The following is an analysis of the allowance for credit losses for 2022. During 2022 and 2021 the Company used the CECL methodology while the incurred loss methodology was used in prior years:
| Years Ended December 31, | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at Beginning of Year | $ | 29,386 | $ | 22,144 | $ | 14,487 | $ | 13,592 | $ | 12,315 | ||||||||||
| Charge-Offs: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | (300 | ) | (70 | ) | (122 | ) | (45 | ) | 0 | |||||||||||
| Commercial | (2,042 | ) | (388 | ) | (412 | ) | (200 | ) | (220 | ) | ||||||||||
| Residential Real Estate | (92 | ) | (297 | ) | (172 | ) | (400 | ) | (318 | ) | ||||||||||
| Consumer | (870 | ) | (912 | ) | (1,347 | ) | (1,702 | ) | (2,318 | ) | ||||||||||
| Total Charge-Offs | (3,304 | ) | (1,667 | ) | (2,053 | ) | (2,347 | ) | (2,856 | ) | ||||||||||
| Recoveries on Previous Charge-Offs: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | 3 | 33 | 31 | 4 | 126 | |||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 75 | 199 | 11 | 13 | 190 | |||||||||||||||
| Residential Real Estate | 89 | 162 | 85 | 58 | 148 | |||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 479 | 411 | 483 | 717 | 669 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Recoveries | 646 | 805 | 610 | 792 | 1,133 | |||||||||||||||
| Net Charge-Offs | (2,658 | ) | (862 | ) | (1,443 | ) | (1,555 | ) | (1,723 | ) | ||||||||||
| Impact of CECL adoption | 0 | 2,160 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| Provision For Credit Losses and Day One Purchase entry | 250 | 5,944 | 9,100 | 2,450 | 3,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Balance at End of Year | $ | 26,978 | $ | 29,386 | $ | 22,144 | $ | 14,487 | $ | 13,592 | ||||||||||
| Ratio of Net Charge-offs to Average Loans Outstanding | 0.11 | % | 0.04 | % | 0.07 | % | 0.09 | % | 0.10 | % | ||||||||||
| Allowance for Credit Losses/Total Loans | 1.12 | 1.26 | 1.07 | 0.80 | 0.78 |
Provisions charged to operations, which includes the provision for unfunded commitments, amounted to $1.1 million in 2022, compared to $4.9 million in 2021, a decrease of $3.8 million. The reduced provision for the current year was mainly a result of current economic conditions resulting from the improvement in the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 in 2021, to calculate the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) which requires projecting credit losses over the lifetime of the credits. The ACL is adjusted through the provision for credit losses and reduced by net charge offs of loans. Although the Company has a diversified loan portfolio, the credit risk in the loan portfolio is largely influenced by general economic conditions and trends of the counties and markets in which the debtors operate, and the resulting impact on the operations of borrowers or on the value of any underlying collateral.
The credit loss estimation process involves procedures that consider the unique characteristics of the Company’s loan portfolio segments. These segments are disaggregated into the loan pools for monitoring. A model of risk characteristics, such as loss history and delinquency experience, trends in past due and non-performing loans, as well as existing economic conditions and supportable forecasts used to determine credit loss assumptions.
The Company uses two methodologies to analyze loan pools. The cohort method (“cohort”) and the probability of default/loss given default (“PD/LGD”). Cohort relies on the creation of cohorts to capture loans that qualify for a particular segment, as of a point in time. Those loans are then tracked over their remaining lives to determine their loss experience. The Company aggregates financial assets on the basis of similar risk characteristics when evaluating loans on a collective basis. Those characteristics include, but aren’t limited to, internal or external credit score, risk ratings, financial asset, loan type, collateral type, size, effective interest rate, term, or geographical location. The Company uses cohort primarily for consumer loan portfolios.
The probability of default (“PD”) portion of PD/LGD is defined by the Company as 90 days past due, placed on non-accrual, becomes a troubled debt restructuring or is partially, or wholly, charged-off. Typically, a one-year time period is used to asses PD. PD can be measured and applied using various risk criteria. Risk rating is one common way to apply PDs. Loss given default (“LGD”) is to determine the percentage of loss by facility or collateral type. LGD estimates can sometimes be driven, or influenced, by product type, industry or geography. The Company uses PD/LGD primarily for commercial loan portfolios.
Net charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2022 were $2.7 million, $1.8 million, or 208.3% more than net charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2021. The allowance for credit losses to total loans decreased to 1.12% at December 31, 2022 compared to 1.26% at December 31, 2021. Nonperforming loans to total loans decreased from 0.69% at December 31, 2021 to 0.62% at December 31, 2022.
In accordance with the accounting relief provisions of CARES and subsequent provisions of the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Acts, the Bank postponed the adoption of the current expected credit losses (“CECL”) accounting standard, in 2020, primarily due to the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic was having on the economy and the lack of reasonable and supportable economic forecasts. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2021. The Company recorded the one-time adjustment to equity, to comply with the ASU adoption, which increased the allowance for credit losses by $1.9 million, net of tax.
The provision for credit losses charged to operating expense is based on management’s judgment after taking into consideration all factors connected with the collectability of the existing loan portfolio. Management evaluates the loan portfolio in light of economic conditions, changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, industry standards and other relevant reasonable and supportable forecasts. Specific factors considered by management in determining the amounts charged to operating expenses include previous charge-off experience, the status of past due interest and principal payments, the quality of financial information supplied by loan customers and the general condition of the industries in the community to which loans have been made.
The allowance for credit losses decreased $2.4 million during the year. The decrease is primarily the result of changes in the quantitative and qualitative factors within CECL model.
Typically, commercial and commercial real estate loans are identified as collateral dependent when they become ninety days past due, or earlier if management believes it is probable that the Company will not collect all amounts due under the terms of the loan agreement. When Farmers identifies a loan and concludes that the loan is collateral dependent, Farmers performs an internal collateral valuation as an interim measure. Farmers typically obtains an external appraisal to validate its internal collateral valuation as soon as is practical and adjusts the associated specific loss reserve, if necessary.
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The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans at December 31, 2022 was 182.3%, compared to 181.5% at December 31, 2021. The percentage of non-performing loans to total loans decreased slightly from 0.69% in 2021 to 0.62% in 2022. The balance in the allowance for credit losses decreased in 2022 to $27.0 million from $29.4 million in 2021. Last year's allowance was impacted by the adoption of CECL on January 1, 2021.
| Nonperforming Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
| Nonaccrual loans: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | $ | 4,057 | $ | 3,004 | $ | 389 | $ | 108 | $ | 422 | ||||||||||
| Commercial | 3,840 | 7,190 | 3,789 | 1,169 | 946 | |||||||||||||||
| Residential Real Estate | 3,438 | 4,280 | 5,783 | 2,801 | 4,166 | |||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 494 | 682 | 864 | 858 | 495 | |||||||||||||||
| Agricultural | 2,482 | 314 | 680 | 542 | 736 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Nonaccrual Loans | $ | 14,311 | $ | 15,470 | $ | 11,505 | $ | 5,478 | $ | 6,765 | ||||||||||
| Loans Past Due 90 Days or More | 492 | 725 | 2,330 | 867 | 966 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Nonperforming Loans | $ | 14,803 | $ | 16,195 | $ | 13,835 | $ | 6,345 | $ | 7,731 | ||||||||||
| Total Nonperforming Assets | $ | 14,876 | $ | 16,195 | $ | 13,835 | $ | 6,364 | $ | 7,731 | ||||||||||
| Loans modified in troubled debt restructurings | $ | 5,559 | $ | 3,862 | $ | 4,105 | $ | 4,597 | $ | 5,520 | ||||||||||
| TDRs included in Nonaccrual Loans | $ | 3,455 | $ | 1,962 | $ | 2,366 | $ | 2,673 | $ | 2,997 | ||||||||||
| Percentage of Nonperforming Loans to Total Loans | 0.62 | % | 0.69 | % | 0.67 | % | 0.35 | % | 0.45 | % | ||||||||||
| Percentage of Nonperforming Assets to Total Assets | 0.36 | % | 0.39 | % | 0.45 | % | 0.26 | % | 0.33 | % | ||||||||||
| Loans Delinquent 30-89 days | $ | 9,605 | $ | 8,891 | $ | 9,297 | $ | 11,893 | $ | 8,877 | ||||||||||
| Percentage of Loans Delinquent 30-89 days to Total Loans | 0.40 | % | 0.38 | % | 0.45 | % | 0.66 | % | 0.51 | % |
The Company has forgone interest income of approximately $548 thousand from nonaccrual loans as of December 31, 2022 that would have been earned, over the life of the loans, if all loans had performed in accordance with their original terms.
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans outstanding increased from 0.04% for 2021 to 0.11% for 2022 as net charge-offs increased from $862 thousand in 2021 to $2.7 million in 2022. An increase in gross charge-offs was experienced in the commercial loan portfolio of $2.0 million combined with a $230 thousand increase in gross charge-offs in the commercial real estate loan portfolio. These were off set slightly with a decrease in charge-offs of $205 thousand in the residential real estate portfolio.
The following table summarizes the Company’s allocation of the allowance for credit losses for under CECL for 2022 and 2021 and the allowance for loan losses for prior years:
| December 31, | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loans to | Loans to | Loans to | Loans to | Loans to | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | Total Loans | Amount | Total Loans | Amount | Total Loans | Amount | Total Loans | Amount | Total Loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | $ | 14,840 | 50.5 | % | $ | 15,879 | 51.0 | % | $ | 10,775 | 43.1 | % | $ | 6,127 | 43.6 | % | $ | 5,294 | 42.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 4,186 | 14.6 | 4,949 | 15.7 | 5,022 | 21.6 | 2,443 | 16.9 | 2,200 | 16.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential Real Estate | 4,374 | 25.3 | 4,870 | 24.9 | 3,684 | 25.2 | 3,032 | 27.6 | 2,982 | 28.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 3,578 | 9.6 | 3,688 | 8.4 | 2,663 | 10.0 | 2,885 | 11.9 | 3,116 | 12.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 26,978 | 100.0 | % | $ | 29,386 | 100.0 | % | $ | 22,144 | 100.0 | % | $ | 14,487 | 100.0 | % | $ | 13,592 | 100.0 | % |
. The allowance allocated to each of the four loan categories should not be interpreted as an indication that charge-offs in 2022 occurred in the same proportions or that the allocation indicates future charge-off trends. The allowance allocated to the one-to-four family real estate loan category and the consumer loan category is based upon the Company’s allowance methodology for homogeneous loans, and increases and decreases in the balances of those
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portfolios. The commercial loan category, which represents 14.6% of the total loan portfolio, management relies on the Bank’s internal loan review procedures and allocates accordingly based on loan classifications. The gross charge-offs in the commercial loan portfolio, was $2.0 million for 2022. For the consumer loan category, which represents approximately 9.6% of total loans and in 2022, the gross charge-offs accounted for 26.3% of the losses of the entire loan portfolio.
There were no loans other than those identified above, that management has known information about possible credit problems of borrowers and their ability to comply with the loan repayment terms. Management is actively monitoring certain borrowers’ financial condition and loans which management wants to more closely monitor due to special circumstances. These loans and their potential loss exposure have been considered in management’s analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses.
Loan Commitments and Lines of Credit
In the normal course of business, the Bank has extended various commitments for credit. Commitments for mortgages, revolving lines of credit and letters of credit generally are extended for a period of one month up to one year. Normally, no fees are charged on any unused portion, but an annual fee of two percent is charged for the issuance of a letter of credit.
As of December 31, 2022, there were no concentrations of loans exceeding 10% of total loans that are not disclosed as a category of loans. As of that date, there were also no other interest-earning assets that are either nonaccrual, past due, restructured or non-performing.
Investment Securities
The investment securities portfolio decreased $159.7 million in 2022 to $1.3 billion at December 31, 2022 from $1.4 billion at December 31, 2021. This decrease is primarily the result of the changes in fair value. The portfolio had an unrealized loss of $266.5 million in 2022 compared to an unrealized gain of $11.7 million in 2021. For additional information regarding Farmers’ investment securities see Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following table shows the carrying value of investment securities by type of obligation at the dates indicated:
| December 31, | 2022 | 2021 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Treasury securities | $ | 52,280 | $ | 61,662 | |||
| U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities | 75,816 | 29,169 | |||||
| Mortgage-backed securities - residential and collateralized mortgage obligations | 602,496 | 668,571 | |||||
| Small Business Administration | 3,474 | 5,430 | |||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | 530,080 | 658,815 | |||||
| Corporate bonds | 3,879 | 4,030 | |||||
| Equity securities | 196 | 228 | |||||
| Other investments measured at net asset value | 15,048 | 14,721 | |||||
| Total securities | $ | 1,283,269 | $ | 1,442,626 |
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A summary of debt securities held at December 31, 2022 classified according to maturity and including weighted average yield for each range of maturities is set forth below:
| Type and Maturity Grouping | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair Value | Weighted Average Yield (1) | |||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 222 | 1.71 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 287 | 2.12 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 51,771 | 1.10 | % | |||||
| Total U.S. Treasury securities | $ | 52,280 | 1.10 | % | ||||
| U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 0 | 0.00 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 22,623 | 1.98 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 48,747 | 2.47 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 4,446 | 3.45 | % | |||||
| Total U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities | $ | 75,816 | 2.39 | % | ||||
| Mortgage-backed securities - residential and collateralized mortgage obligations (2) | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 3 | 4.65 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 602 | 2.48 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 35,858 | 2.35 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 566,033 | 1.63 | % | |||||
| Total mortgage-backed securities | $ | 602,496 | 1.86 | % | ||||
| Small Business Administration | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 0 | 0.00 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 0 | 0.00 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 2,643 | 2.14 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 831 | 1.98 | % | |||||
| Total small business administration | $ | 3,474 | 2.10 | % | ||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 0 | 0.00 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 1,294 | 2.66 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 32,568 | 2.50 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 496,218 | 2.55 | % | |||||
| Total obligations of states and political subdivisions | $ | 530,080 | 2.55 | % | ||||
| Corporate bonds | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 99 | 2.97 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 1,142 | 2.02 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 2,539 | 4.71 | % | |||||
| 99 | 2.16 | % | ||||||
| Total other securities | $ | 3,879 | 3.80 | % |
(1)
The weighted average yield has been computed by dividing the total contractual interest income adjusted for amortization of premium or accretion of discount over the life of the security by the par value of the securities outstanding. The weighted average yield of tax-exempt obligations of states and political subdivisions has been calculated on a fully taxable equivalent basis. The amounts of adjustments to interest which are based on the statutory tax rate of 21% were $9 thousand, $93 thousand, $303 thousand and $3.7 million for the four ranges of maturities.
(2)
Payments based on contractual maturity.
Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment increased to $39.2 million at December 31, 2022 compared to $37.5 million at December 31, 2021. This increase was primarily due to normal additions to furniture and fixtures and right if use assets, related to leases, throughout the year.
43
Bank Owned Life Insurance
Farmers owns bank owned life insurance policies on the lives of certain members of management. The purpose of this investment is to help fund the costs of employee benefit plans. The cash surrender value of these policies was $75.0 million at December 31, 2022, compared to $73.9 million at December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to positive changes in the fair value of the policies.
Deposits
Total deposits at December 31, 2022, were $3.6 billion compared to $3.5 billion at December 31, 2021, an increase of $14.5 million. Non-interest bearing deposits decreased $19.3 million during 2022 to $897.0 million and interest-bearing deposits decreased $104.2 million to $2.5 billion. These decreases were offset by $138.1 million in brokered certificates of deposit at December 31, 2022 compared to none at December 31, 2021.
Average balances and average rates paid on deposits are as follows:
| Years Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | Rate | Amount | Rate | Amount | Rate | |||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing demand | $ | 959,294 | 0.00 | % | $ | 714,978 | 0.00 | % | $ | 546,177 | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand | 1,392,058 | 0.54 | % | 1,240,014 | 0.19 | % | 856,462 | 0.49 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Money market | 389,036 | 0.14 | % | 246,900 | 0.24 | % | 213,455 | 0.46 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Savings | 457,382 | 0.02 | % | 322,279 | 0.04 | % | 248,566 | 0.04 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Brokered time deposits | 56,965 | 2.18 | % | 11,737 | 0.64 | % | 72,472 | 1.46 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 360,687 | 0.84 | % | 393,039 | 0.93 | % | 480,302 | 1.68 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 3,615,422 | 0.64 | % | $ | 2,928,947 | 0.34 | % | $ | 2,417,434 | 0.69 | % |
The following table sets forth the maturities of retail certificates of deposit having principal amounts $250 thousand or greater at December 31, 2022 (in thousands):
| Retail certificates of deposit maturing in quarter ending: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2023 | $ | 37,942 | |
| June 30, 2023 | 32,287 | ||
| September 30, 2023 | 7,227 | ||
| December 31, 2023 | 36,243 | ||
| After December 31, 2023 | 21,967 | ||
| Total retail certificates of deposit with balances $250,000 or greater | $ | 135,666 |
Uninsured deposits for bank and savings and loan registrants are U.S. federally insured depository institutions as the portion of deposit accounts in U.S. offices that exceed the FDIC insurance limit or similar state deposit insurance regimes and amounts in any other uninsured investment or deposit account that are classified as deposits and not subject to any federal or state deposit insurance regimes. Deposits in amounts in excess of the FDIC insurance limit were $1.31 billion at December 31, 2022.
44
Short-Term Borrowings
Total short-term borrowings increased from zero at December 31, 2021 to $95.0 million at December 31, 2022. The borrowings helped to offset the runoff in noninterest bearing and interest bearing demand deposits, excluding brokered time deposits. The Company uses short term FHLB advances to manage the ongoing fluctuations with loans and deposits when necessary.
Long-Term Borrowings
Total long-term borrowings increased $453 thousand to $88.2 million at December 31, 2022, from $87.8 million at December 31, 2021. During 2021, the Company assumed $4.3 million of junior subordinated debt securities in the merger with Cortland. In addition, in November 2021, the Company completed the issuance of $75.0 million aggregate principal amount, fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due December 15, 2031, in a private offering exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The notes carry a fixed rate of 3.125% for five years at which time they will convert to a floating rate based on the three-month term secured overnight funding rate, plus a spread of 220 basis points. The Company may, at its option, beginning December 15, 2026, redeem the notes, in whole or in part, from time to time, subject to certain conditions. The net proceeds from the sale were approximately $73.8 million, after deducting the offering expenses. See Note 13 within Item 8 of this Annual report on Form 10-K for additional detail.
Stockholders’ Equity
Total stockholders’ equity decreased to $292.3 million at December 31, 2022 from $472.4 million at December 31, 2021. The decrease is mainly due to the decline in accumulated other comprehensive income of $219.8 million between December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022, due to unrealized losses associated with the investment securities portfolio. Net income contributed $60.6 million and was offset by the dividends paid on common stock during 2022.
Contractual Obligations, Commitments, Contingent Liabilities and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The following table presents, as of December 31, 2022, the Company’s significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations by payment date. The payment amounts represent those amounts contractually due to the recipient and do not include any unamortized premiums or discounts or other similar carrying value adjustments. Further discussion of the nature of each obligation is included in the referenced note to the consolidated financial statements.
| Commitments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/31/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ref. | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | Thereafter | |||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits without maturity | $ | 2,999,188 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit and brokered time deposits | 11 | 475,826 | $ | 32,412 | $ | 25,686 | $ | 17,214 | $ | 7,240 | $ | 4,202 | |||||||||||||
| Long-term borrowings | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 93,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Leases | 9 | 1,074 | 905 | 865 | 831 | 821 | 5,992 |
There are also $13.1 million of commitments to various partnership investment funds. The Company invests in these funds, consisting of low-income housing tax credit investments and SBIC funds, in efforts to comply with Community Reinvestment Act regulations. The commitments have no predetermined due dates but are expected to be funded sporadically over the next ten years. Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements discusses in greater detail other commitments and contingencies and the various obligations that exist under those agreements. Examples of these commitments and contingencies include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.
45
At December 31, 2022, the Company did not engage in derivatives or hedging contracts that may expose the Company to liabilities greater than the amounts recorded on the consolidated balance sheet. Management’s policy is to not engage in derivatives contracts for speculative trading purposes. The Company does utilize interest-rate swaps as a way of helping manage interest rate risk and not as derivatives for trading purposes. See Note 22 within Item 8 of this Annual report on Form 10-K for additional detail.
Liquidity
The principal sources of funds for the Bank are deposits, loan and security repayments, borrowings from financial institutions, repurchase agreements and other funds provided by operations. The Bank also has the ability to borrow from the FHLB. While scheduled loan repayments and maturing investments are relatively predictable, deposit flows and early loan prepayments are more influenced by interest rates, general economic conditions and competition. Investments in liquid assets maintained by the Company and the Bank are based upon management’s assessment of (1) the need for funds, (2) expected deposit flows, (3) yields available on short-term liquid assets, and (4) objectives of the asset and liability management program.
The Bank’s Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO) is responsible for monitoring liquidity guidelines, policies and procedures. ALCO uses a variety of methods to monitor the liquidity position of the Bank including a liquidity analysis that measures potential sources and uses of funds over future time periods. ALCO also performs contingency funding analyses to determine the Bank’s ability to meet potential liquidity needs under stress scenarios that cover varying time horizons ranging from immediate to long-term.
At December 31, 2022, the Company had total on-hand liquidity, defined as total cash and cash equivalents, unencumbered securities and additional FHLB borrowing capacity, of $1.5 billion.
Capital Resources
The Bank, as a national chartered bank, is subject to the dividend restrictions set forth by the OCC. The OCC must approve declaration of any dividends in excess of the sum of profits for the current year and retained net profits for the preceding two years (as defined). Farmers and Farmers Bank are required to maintain minimum amounts of capital to total “risk weighted” assets, as defined by the banking regulators. At December 31, 2022, under the minimum capital requirements associated with the Basel Committee on capital and liquidity regulation (Basel III), Farmers Bank and Farmers are required to have actual and minimum capital ratios, which are detailed in Note 16 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Farmers Bank and Farmers had capital ratios above the minimum levels at December 31, 2022 and 2021. At year-end 2022 and 2021, the most recent regulatory notifications categorized Farmers Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.
During 2013, the Federal banking regulators approved a final rule to implement revised capital adequacy standards of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, commonly called Basel III, and to address relevant provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. The final rule strengthens the definition of regulatory capital, increases risk-based capital requirements, makes selected changes to the calculation of risk-weighted assets, and adjusts the prompt corrective action thresholds. The Bank has retained, through a one-time election, the prior treatment for most accumulated other comprehensive income, such that unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale that did not affect regulatory capital amounts and ratios. As mentioned in the prior paragraph, the Bank falls within the new regulatory capital ratio guidelines.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company follows financial accounting and reporting policies that are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and conform to general practices within the banking industry. Some of these accounting policies are considered to be critical accounting policies. Critical accounting policies are those policies that require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company has identified three accounting policies that are critical accounting policies and an understanding of these policies is necessary to understand the financial statements. These policies relate to determining the adequacy of the allowance for credit
46
losses, if there is any impairment of goodwill and other intangibles, and estimating the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with any merger activity. Additional information regarding these policies is included in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, including Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies), Note 4 (Loans) and Note 2 (Business Combinations), and the section above captioned “Loan Portfolio.” Management believes that the judgments, estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are appropriate given the factual circumstances at the time.
Farmers maintains an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is presented as a reserve against loans on the balance sheets. Credit losses are charged off against the allowance for credit losses, while recoveries of amounts previously charged off are credited to the allowance for credit losses. A provision for credit losses is charged to operations based on management’s periodic evaluation of adequacy of the allowance. The provision for credit losses provides for probable losses on loans.
The credit loss estimation process involves procedures that consider the unique characteristics of the Company’s loan portfolio segments. These segments are disaggregated into the loan pools for monitoring. A model of risk characteristics, such as loss history and delinquency experience, trends in past due and non-performing loans, as well as existing economic conditions and supportable forecasts used to determine credit loss assumptions.
The Company uses two methodologies to analyze loan pools. The cohort method and the PD/LGD. Cohort relies on the creation of cohorts to capture loans that qualify for a particular segment, as of a point in time. Those loans are then tracked over their remaining lives to determine their loss experience. The Company aggregates financial assets on the basis of similar risk characteristics when evaluating loans on a collective basis. Those characteristics include, but are not limited to, internal or external credit score, risk ratings, financial asset, loan type, collateral type, size, effective interest rate, term, or geographical location. The Company uses cohort primarily for consumer loan portfolios.
The probability of default (“PD”) portion of PD/LGD is defined by the Company as 90 days past due, placed on non-accrual, becomes a troubled debt restructuring or is partially, or wholly, charged-off. Typically, a one-year time period is used to asses PD. PD can be measured and applied using various risk criteria. Risk rating is one common way to apply PDs. Loss given default (“LGD”) is to determine the percentage of loss by facility or collateral type. LGD estimates can sometimes be driven, or influenced, by product type, industry or geography. The Company uses PD/LGD primarily for commercial loan portfolios.
Management believes that the accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets also involves a higher degree of judgment than most other significant accounting policies. GAAP establishes standards for the amortization of acquired intangible assets and the impairment assessment of goodwill. Goodwill arising from business combinations represents the value attributable to unidentifiable intangible assets in the business acquired. The Company’s goodwill relates to the value inherent in the banking industry and that value is dependent upon the ability of the Company’s subsidiaries to provide quality, cost-effective services in a competitive marketplace. The goodwill value is supported by revenue that is in part driven by the volume of business transacted. A decrease in earnings resulting from a decline in the customer base or the inability to deliver cost-effective services over sustained periods can lead to impairment of goodwill that could adversely impact earnings in future periods. GAAP requires an annual evaluation of goodwill for impairment, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The fair value of the goodwill is estimated by reviewing the past and projected operating results for the subsidiaries and comparable industry information. At December 31, 2022, on a consolidated basis, Farmers had intangibles of $7.0 million subject to amortization and $94.6 million in goodwill, which was not subject to periodic amortization.
The Company accounts for acquisitions under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations, which requires the use of the acquisition method of accounting. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination are recorded at the estimated fair value on their purchase date. As provided for under GAAP, management has up to 12 months following the date of the acquisition to finalize the fair values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities, where it was not possible to estimate the acquisition date fair value upon consummation. Management finalized the fair values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities within this 12-month period and management currently considers such values to be the Day 1 Fair Values for the acquisition transactions. In particular, the valuation of acquired loans involves significant estimates, assumptions and judgment
47
based on information available as of the acquisition date. Loans acquired in a business combination transaction are evaluated either individually or in pools of loans with similar characteristics; including consideration of a credit component. A number of factors are considered in determining the estimated fair value of purchased loans including, among other things, the remaining life of the acquired loans, estimated prepayments, estimated loss ratios, estimated value of the underlying collateral, estimated holding periods, contractual interest rates compared to market interest rates, and net present value of cash flows expected to be received.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Developments
Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements discusses new accounting policies adopted by Farmers during 2022 and 2021 and the expected impact of accounting policies recently issued or proposed but not yet required to be adopted. To the extent the adoption of new accounting standards materially affects financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, the impacts are discussed in the applicable sections of this financial review and notes to the consolidated financial statements.
48
FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001564590-22-009271.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following presents a discussion and analysis of Farmers’ financial condition and results of operations by its management. The review highlights the principal factors affecting earnings and the significant changes in balance sheet items for the years 2021, 2020 and 2019. Financial information for prior years is presented when appropriate. The objective of this financial review is to enhance the reader’s understanding of the accompanying tables and charts, the consolidated financial statements, notes to financial statements and financial statistics appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Where applicable, this discussion also reflects management’s insights of known events and trends that have or may reasonably be expected to have a material effect on Farmers’ business, financial condition or results of operations.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact, but rather statements based on Farmers’ current expectations, beliefs and assumptions regarding the future of Farmers’ business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, its intended results and future performance, the economy and other future conditions. Forward-looking statements are preceded by terms such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “expect,” “estimate,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan” “project,” or variations of these words, or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance, and actual future results could differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Numerous uncertainties, risks, and changes could cause or contribute to Farmers’ actual results, performance, and achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Farmers’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Many of these factors are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict, and readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on those forward-looking statements. The following, which is not intended to be an all-encompassing list, summarizes several factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or expected in any forward-looking statement:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | general economic conditions in markets where the Company conducts business, which could materially impact credit quality trends; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the local, national, and international economy, our organization and employees, and our customers and suppliers and their business operations and financial condition, including our customers’ ability to repay loans; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | disruptions in the mortgage and lending markets and significant or unexpected fluctuations in interest rates related to COVID-19 and governmental responses, including financial stimulus packages; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | general business conditions in the banking industry; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | the regulatory environment; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | general fluctuations in interest rates; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | demand for loans in the market areas where the Company conducts business; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | rapidly changing technology and evolving banking industry standards; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | competitive factors, including increased competition with regional and national financial institutions; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | new service and product offerings by competitors and price pressures. |
Other factors not currently anticipated may also materially and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial position. There can be no assurance that future results will meet expectations.
29
While the Company believes that the forward-looking statements in the presentation are reasonable, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. In addition, these statements speak only as of the date made. The Company does not undertake, and expressly disclaims, any obligation to update or alter any statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, expect as may be required by applicable law.
Results of Operations
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
The Company reported net income of $51.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $41.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. On a diluted per common share basis, the Company reported $1.77 in 2021 and $1.47 in 2020. The results for 2021 include two months of income and expenses from Cortland compared to none in 2020 along with acquisition-related expense and additional provision for credit losses as a result of the merger and the adoption of CECL.
On November 1, 2021, the Company completed its acquisition of Cortland Bancorp (“Cortland”) for consideration consisting of a combination of cash and stock. Under the terms of the merger agreement, shareholders of Cortland were able to receive either $28 per share in cash or 1.75 shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to an overall limitation of 75% of the shares being exchanged for Company shares and 25% for cash. The Company issued 5.6 million shares of its common stock along with cash of $29.6 million, which represented a transaction value of approximately $128.5 million based on its closing stock price of $17.82 on October 31, 2021, the closing of the merger. Goodwill of $48.5 million arising from the acquisition consisted largely of synergies and the cost savings resulting from the combining of the entities.
Net Interest Income
The Company’s net interest income represents the difference between the interest income earned on interest-earning assets and the interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income was $108.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $96.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The tax-equivalent net interest margin was 3.45% for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to 3.70% for the year ended December 31, 2020. The margin declined due to the continued low level of treasury rates and the federal funds rate, both of which has impacted asset yields more negatively than deposit costs. In addition, the balance of securities available for sale as a percentage of interest earning assets is higher in 2021 than in 2020. These balances generally have a lower yield than loans, which, in turn, negatively impacts the net interest margin.
Total interest income increased to $116.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $112.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase of $4.2 million was primarily due to an increase in the income on taxable and tax-exempt securities offset by a decline in the interest earned on loans.
The average balance of loans decreased $21.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 while the yield on loans declined to 4.66% in 2021 from 4.79% in 2020, which caused interest income on loans to decline $3.6 million in 2021 to $94.8 million. The decline in average loan balances was primarily due to the payoff of PPP loans along with declines in other loan categories due to high levels of customer liquidity and refinance opportunities offset by the addition of Cortland’s loan balances.
The increase in income on taxable and tax-exempt securities to $20.9 million in 2021 compared to 2020 was primarily due to an increase in the average balance on these securities of $505.9 million offset by a decline in their yield. During 2021, the Company continued to invest excess cash balances into securities.
Interest expense declined $7.7 million to $8.5 million in 2021 compared to $16.1 million in 2020. The decrease was due to a 45 basis point decline in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities offset by an increase in average interest-bearing liabilities of $313.5 million. The average balance of interest-bearing deposits increased $342.7 million to $2.2 billion at December 31, 2021. Interest expense related to interest-bearing deposits was $6.8 million in 2021 compared to $14.4 million in 2020.
30
Interest on short-term borrowings declined to $7 thousand in 2021 compared to $359 thousand in 2021 as the Company paid off these borrowings in 2021. Interest on long-term borrowings increased to $1.7 million in 2021 from $1.4 million in 2020.
31
Average Balance Sheets and Related Yields and Rates
(Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands except Per Share Data)
| Years ended December 31, | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVERAGE | AVERAGE | AVERAGE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE | INTEREST | RATE | BALANCE | INTEREST | RATE | BALANCE | INTEREST | RATE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EARNING ASSETS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans (1) (3) | $ | 2,041,347 | $ | 95,180 | 4.66 | % | $ | 2,062,936 | $ | 98,779 | 4.79 | % | $ | 1,757,799 | $ | 89,517 | 5.09 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable securities (2) | 617,475 | 11,399 | 1.85 | 209,817 | 5,423 | 2.58 | 190,944 | 4,840 | 2.53 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax-exempt securities (2) (3) | 348,627 | 12,027 | 3.45 | 250,394 | 9,675 | 3.86 | 216,586 | 8,418 | 3.89 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other investments | 21,912 | 498 | 2.27 | 16,073 | 543 | 3.38 | 12,057 | 627 | 5.20 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Federal funds sold and other cash | 180,718 | 201 | 0.11 | 124,447 | 298 | 0.24 | 34,948 | 729 | 2.09 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total earning assets | 3,210,079 | 119,305 | 3.72 | 2,663,667 | 114,718 | 4.31 | 2,212,334 | 104,131 | 4.71 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NONEARNING ASSETS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and due from banks | 23,204 | 35,647 | 35,309 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premises and equipment | 28,227 | 25,563 | 23,859 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for Credit Losses (4) | (25,187 | ) | (17,454 | ) | (14,047 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gains on securities | 19,589 | 20,067 | 5,994 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other assets | 149,972 | 141,904 | 119,787 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 3,405,884 | $ | 2,869,394 | $ | 2,383,236 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time deposits | $ | 393,039 | $ | 3,652 | 0.93 | % | $ | 480,302 | $ | 8,083 | 1.68 | % | $ | 401,317 | $ | 7,847 | 1.96 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Brokered time deposits | 11,737 | 75 | 0.64 | 72,472 | 1,057 | 1.46 | 83,311 | 1,921 | 2.31 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings deposits | 569,179 | 712 | 0.13 | 462,021 | 1,080 | 0.23 | 410,672 | 1,285 | 0.31 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits - interest bearing | 1,240,014 | 2,336 | 0.19 | 856,462 | 4,161 | 0.49 | 641,461 | 5,807 | 0.91 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short term borrowings | 3,957 | 11 | 0.28 | 20,764 | 359 | 1.73 | 96,145 | 2,250 | 2.34 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long term borrowings | 70,057 | 1,683 | 2.40 | 82,451 | 1,396 | 1.69 | 23,318 | 498 | 2.14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities | 2,287,983 | 8,469 | 0.37 | 1,974,472 | 16,136 | 0.82 | 1,656,224 | 19,608 | 1.18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NONINTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits - noninterest bearing | 714,978 | 546,177 | 429,289 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Liabilities | 23,498 | 21,570 | 12,964 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders' equity | 379,425 | 327,175 | 284,759 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Liabilities and | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders' Equity | $ | 3,405,884 | $ | 2,869,394 | $ | 2,383,236 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income and interest rate spread | $ | 110,836 | 3.35 | % | $ | 98,582 | 3.49 | % | $ | 84,523 | 3.53 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin | 3.45 | % | 3.70 | % | 3.82 | % |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | Interest on loans includes fee income of $10.3 million, $8.3 million and $4.2 million for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and is reduced by amortization of $2.6 million for 2021 and $2.7 million for 2020 and 2019. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (2) | Includes unamortized discounts and premiums. Average balance and yield are computed using the average historical amortized cost. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (3) | For 2021, adjustments of $360 thousand and $2.5 million were made to tax equate income on tax exempt loans and tax exempt securities. For 2020, adjustments of $400 thousand and $2.0 million were made to tax equate income on tax exempt loans and tax exempt securities. For 2019, adjustments of $414 thousand and $1.7 million were made to tax equate income on tax exempt loans and tax exempt securities. These adjustments are based on a marginal federal income tax rate of 21%, less disallowances. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (4) | CECL methodology used during 2021. Prior periods used the incurred loss methodology. |
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RATE AND VOLUME ANALYSIS
(Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands except Per Share Data)
The following table analyzes by rate and volume the dollar amount of changes in the components of the interest differential:
| 2021 change from 2020 | 2020 change from 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net | Change Due | Change Due | Net | Change Due | Change Due | |||||||||||||||||||
| Change | To Volume | To Rate | Change | To Volume | To Rate | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tax Equivalent Interest Income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | $ | (3,599 | ) | $ | (1,034 | ) | $ | (2,565 | ) | $ | 9,262 | $ | 15,539 | $ | (6,277 | ) | ||||||||
| Taxable securities | 5,976 | 10,536 | (4,560 | ) | $ | 583 | 478 | 105 | ||||||||||||||||
| Tax-exempt securities | 2,352 | 3,796 | (1,444 | ) | $ | 1,257 | 1,314 | (57 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Other investments | (45 | ) | 197 | (242 | ) | $ | (84 | ) | 209 | (293 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Funds sold and other cash | (97 | ) | 135 | (232 | ) | $ | (431 | ) | 1,867 | (2,298 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Total interest income | $ | 4,587 | $ | 13,630 | $ | (9,043 | ) | $ | 10,587 | $ | 19,407 | $ | (8,820 | ) | ||||||||||
| Interest Expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time deposits | $ | (4,431 | ) | $ | (1,469 | ) | $ | (2,962 | ) | $ | 236 | $ | 1,544 | $ | (1,308 | ) | ||||||||
| Brokered time deposits | (982 | ) | (886 | ) | (96 | ) | $ | (864 | ) | (250 | ) | (614 | ) | |||||||||||
| Savings deposits | (368 | ) | 250 | (618 | ) | $ | (205 | ) | 161 | (366 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Demand deposits | (1,825 | ) | 1,863 | (3,688 | ) | $ | (1,646 | ) | 1,946 | (3,592 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Short term borrowings | (348 | ) | (291 | ) | (57 | ) | $ | (1,891 | ) | (1,764 | ) | (127 | ) | |||||||||||
| Long term borrowings | 287 | (210 | ) | 497 | $ | 898 | 1,263 | (365 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Total interest expense | $ | (7,667 | ) | $ | (743 | ) | $ | (6,924 | ) | $ | (3,472 | ) | $ | 2,900 | $ | (6,372 | ) | |||||||
| Increase (decrease) in tax equivalent net interest income | $ | 12,254 | $ | 14,373 | $ | (2,119 | ) | $ | 14,059 | $ | 16,507 | $ | (2,448 | ) |
The amount of change not solely due to rate or volume changes was allocated between the change due to rate and the change due to volume based on the relative size of the rate and volume changes.
Noninterest Income
Total noninterest income increased to $38.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $36.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in noninterest income is mainly due to increases across many categories of noninterest income offset by declines in the gain on sale of loans.
Bank owned life insurance income increased by $543 thousand in 2021 from 2020 due to the purchase of more insurance at the end of 2020 and the addition of Cortland.
Trust fees increased to $9.4 million in 2021 from $7.6 million in 2020 while investment commissions increased by $746 thousand in 2021 compared to 2020. Both of these categories benefitted from growth as well as the strong performance of the equity markets in 2021.
Insurance agency commissions increased to $3.5 million in 2021 from $3.1 million in 2020, an increase of 10.6%. This growth was driven by increased business volume.
Security gains, including fair value changes on equity securities, increased by $624 thousand in 2021 to $1.0 million compared to gains of $380 thousand in 2020. The Company elected to restructure a portion of its investment portfolio in 2021 that resulted in higher gains.
The net gains on the sale of loans declined by $3.1 million in 2021 to $8.3 million from $11.4 million in 2020. The decline was due to a decline in margins as well as the volume of loans sold. The decline was offset somewhat by the recognition of a $239 thousand gain on the sale of the Company’s credit card portfolio in 2021.
Debit card fees increased by $880 thousand in 2021 compared to 2020 due to increased activity along with the addition of Cortland for two months in 2021.
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Noninterest Expenses
Noninterest expense was $79.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $73.0 million in 2020, which was an increase of $6.2 million, or 8.5%. The increase is primarily due to the merger and merger-related costs.
Salaries and employee benefits declined by $433 thousand to $39.4 million in 2021 compared to $39.8 million in 2020. This decline was primarily due to the Company having a higher level of unfilled positions in 2021 compared to 2020 due to the continuing labor shortage offset by the addition of Cortland. In addition, the benefit of deferred salary costs was greater in 2021 than in 2020.
Occupancy and equipment expense increased $1.2 million to $8.5 million in 2021 from $7.3 million in 2020. The increase was due to Cortland and a higher level of facilities maintenance in 2021 compared to 2020.
Professional fees increased to $4.2 million in 2021 from $2.7 million in 2020. The increase was due to Cortland and a higher level of consulting expense in 2021.
Merger related costs increased to $7.1 million in 2021 compared to $3.2 million in 2020. This increase was due to the acquisition of Cortland in 2021, which was a larger acquisition than the acquisition of Maple Leaf in 2020.
State and local taxes increased $139 thousand in 2021 to $2.3 million. Advertising increased $328 thousand to $1.9 million in 2021 and core processing charges declined by $353 thousand in 2021 to $3.2 million.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense increased to $10.3 million for 2021 compared to $8.4 million in 2020. The increase was due to an $11.8 million increase in income before income taxes. Income taxes are computed using the appropriate effective tax rates for each period. The effective tax rates are less than the statutory tax rate primarily due to nontaxable interest and dividend income. The effective income tax rate was 16.5% for 2021 and 16.7% for 2020. The decreased effective tax rate is due to additions to the non-taxable municipal securities portfolio. Refer to Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the effective tax rate.
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
The Company’s net income totaled $41.9 million during 2020, compared to $35.8 million for 2019. On a per share basis, diluted earnings per share were $1.47 as compared to $1.28 diluted earnings per share for 2019. Return on average assets and return on average equity were 1.46% and 12.80%, respectively, for the year ending December 31, 2020, compared to 1.50% and 12.56% for 2019.
On January 7, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of Maple Leaf Financial, Inc. (“Maple Leaf”), the parent company of Geauga Savings Bank, with branches located in Cuyahoga and Geauga Counties in Ohio. The transaction involved both cash and 1,398,229 shares of stock totaling $43.0 million. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, common shareholders of Maple Leaf had the right to receive $640.00 in cash or 45.5948 common shares, without par value, of the Company, subject to an overall limitation of 50% of the Maple Leaf common shares being exchanged for Farmers common shares and 50% exchanged for cash. Holders of outstanding and unexercised warrants to purchase Maple Leaf Common Shares received an amount in cash equal to the excess of $640.00 over $370.00, the exercise price of such warrants. At January 7, 2020, Maple Leaf had total assets of $277.0 million, which included gross loans of $182.1 million, deposits of $183.1 million and equity of $32.1 million.
Net Interest Income
Net interest income, the principal source of the Company’s earnings, represents the difference between interest income on interest-earning assets and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities. For 2020, taxable equivalent net interest income increased $14.1 million, or 16.6%, from 2019. Interest-earning assets averaged $2.664 billion during 2020, increasing $451.3 million compared to 2019. The Company’s interest-bearing liabilities increased 19.2% from $1.656 billion in 2019 to $1.974 billion in 2020.
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The Company finances its earning assets with a combination of interest-bearing and interest-free funds. The interest-bearing funds are composed of deposits, short-term borrowings and long-term debt. Interest paid for the use of these funds is the second factor in the net interest income equation. Interest-free funds, such as demand deposits and stockholders’ equity, require no interest expense and, therefore, contribute significantly to net interest income.
The profit margin, or spread, on invested funds is a key performance measure. The Company monitors two key performance indicators - net interest spread and net interest margin. The net interest spread represents the difference between the average rate earned on interest-earning assets and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The net interest spread in 2020 was 3.49%, decreasing from 3.53% in 2019. The net interest margin represents the overall profit margin – net interest income as a percentage of total interest-earning assets. This performance indicator gives effect to interest earned for all investable funds including the substantial volume of interest-free funds. For 2020, the net interest margin, measured on a fully taxable equivalent basis, decreased to 3.70%, compared to 3.82% in 2019.
The decrease in net interest margin is mainly due to pressure on decreasing rates as the Federal Reserve Bank continued to cut the federal funds interest rate in 2020. The Federal Reserve Bank cut the target federal funds rate to 0.00% - 0.25%. Total taxable equivalent interest income was $114.7 million for 2020, which is $10.6 million more than the $104.1 million reported in 2019. This increase is mainly due to the increase in average earning assets due to organic growth and the acquisition of Maple Leaf. In comparing the years ending December 31, 2020 and 2019, yields on earning assets decreased 40 basis points while the cost of interest bearing liabilities decreased 36 basis points. Average loans increased $305.1 million, or 17.4%, in 2020, however, the loan yield decreased 30 basis points to 4.79%. Tax equated income from securities, federal funds and other increased $1.3 million, or 9.1%, in 2020. Farmers saw its yields on these assets decrease from 3.22% in 2019 to 2.65% in 2020 and the average balance of investment securities and federal funds sold also increased from $454.5 million in 2019 to $600.7 million in 2020.
The decrease in the federal funds interest rate as mentioned above reduced the cost of short-term borrowings and interest-bearing deposits during 2020. Total interest expense amounted to $16.1 million for 2020, a 17.7% decrease from $19.6 million reported in 2019. Interest-bearing deposits increased $334.5 million or 21.8% and decreases in interest rates paid on deposits resulted in a $2.5 million or 14.7% decrease in interest expense on deposit balances. Other borrowings balances decreased $16.2 million or 13.6% and the interest expense related to these borrowings decreased $1.0 million or 36.1%. The total cost of interest-bearing deposits and borrowings decreased from 1.18% in 2019 to 0.82% in 2020.
Management will continue to evaluate future changes in interest rates and the shape of the treasury yield curve so that assets and liabilities may be priced accordingly to minimize the impact on the net interest margin.
Noninterest Income
Total noninterest income increased by $8.1 million, or 29.0% in 2020. The increase in noninterest income is mainly due to net gains on the sale of loans increasing from $3.8 million in 2019 to $11.4 million in 2020 and the increase in debit card and EFT fees increasing from $3.9 million in 2019 to $4.3 million in 2020. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in income from service charges on deposit accounts of $832 thousand. The Bank and the Company expect noninterest income to remain steady or decrease slightly during 2021 as management expects the gain on sales of mortgage loans to be reduced in 2021.
Noninterest Expenses
Noninterest expense for 2020 was $73.0 million, compared to $64.9 million in 2019, representing an increase of $8.1 million, or 12.5%. Most of the increase was from salaries and employee benefits, which grew $2.6 million or 7.1%, mainly due to a temporary increase in FTE counts from the acquisition of Maple Leaf, employee bonuses paid as a result of COVID-19 and annual merit increases. Other operating expenses increased by $1.5 million, or 15.9% as a result of increased captive insurance company losses, as members of the pool made claims for the COVID-19 pandemic. These increases were slightly offset by a drop in professional fees of $389 thousand, or 12.5%, and litigation settlement expenses of $505 thousand.
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Income Taxes
Income tax expense totaled $8.4 million for 2020 and $7.3 million in 2019. Income taxes are computed using the appropriate effective tax rates for each period. The effective tax rates are less than the statutory tax rate primarily due to nontaxable interest and dividend income. The effective income tax rate was 16.7% for 2020 and 17.0% for 2019. The decreased effective tax rate is due to additions to the non-taxable municipal securities portfolio. We anticipate that the effective rate in 2021 will be in the range of 15% to 17%. Refer to Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the effective tax rate.
Loan Portfolio
Maturities and Sensitivities of Loans to Interest Rates
The following schedule shows the composition of loans and the percentage of loans in each category at the dates indicated. Balances include unamortized loan origination fees and costs.
| Years Ended December 31, | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Real Estate | $ | 1,010,674 | 43.3 | % | $ | 712,818 | 34.3 | % | $ | 615,521 | 34.0 | % | $ | 578,181 | 33.3 | % | $ | 512,502 | 32.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 312,532 | 13.4 | 401,003 | 19.3 | 255,458 | 14.1 | 244,742 | 14.1 | 219,973 | 13.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential Real Estate | 580,242 | 24.9 | 523,340 | 25.2 | 499,301 | 27.6 | 492,133 | 28.4 | 468,884 | 29.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 195,343 | 8.4 | 208,842 | 10.0 | 214,998 | 11.9 | 221,795 | 12.8 | 212,935 | 13.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agricultural | 232,291 | 10.0 | 232,041 | 11.2 | 226,261 | 12.4 | 198,989 | 11.4 | 163,087 | 10.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Loans | $ | 2,331,082 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,078,044 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,811,539 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,735,840 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,577,381 | 100.0 | % |
The following schedule sets forth maturities based on remaining scheduled repayments of principal for loans listed above as of December 31, 2021:
| Types of Loans | 1 Year or less | 1 to 5 Years | 5 to 15 Years | Over 15 Years | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial | $ | 22,733 | $ | 173,946 | $ | 69,459 | $ | 46,394 | |||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | $ | 52,356 | $ | 297,796 | $ | 593,897 | $ | 66,625 | |||||||
| Residential Real Estate | $ | 8,575 | $ | 34,229 | $ | 153,922 | $ | 383,516 | |||||||
| Consumer | $ | 3,583 | $ | 91,547 | $ | 85,197 | $ | 15,016 | |||||||
| Agricultural | $ | 4,014 | $ | 32,205 | $ | 41,836 | $ | 154,236 |
The amounts of loans as of December 31, 2021, based on remaining scheduled repayments of principal, are shown in the following table:
| Loan Sensitivities | 1 Year or less | Over 1 Year | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floating or Adjustable Rates of Interest | $ | 46,565 | $ | 1,214,609 | $ | 1,261,174 | |||||
| Fixed Rates of Interest | 44,695 | 1,025,213 | 1,069,908 | ||||||||
| Total Loans | $ | 91,260 | $ | 2,239,822 | $ | 2,331,082 |
Total loans were $2.3 billion at year-end 2021, compared to $2.1 billion at year-end 2020 representing an increase of 12.2%. Excluding the $482.2 million of loans added from the Cortland acquisition, loans decreased 11.0%. The decrease in loans can be attributed to the difficult lending environment, the payoff and forgiveness of the PPP loans and the $3.0 million sale of the credit card portfolio. Loans comprised 64.0% of the Bank’s average earning assets in 2021, compared to 77.5% in 2020. The product mix in the loan portfolio includes commercial real estate loans 43.3%, commercial loans comprising 13.4%, residential real estate loans 24.9%, consumer loans 8.4% and agricultural loans 10.0% at December 31, 2021, compared with 34.3%, 19.3%, 25.2%, 10.0% and 11.2%, respectively, at December 31, 2020.
Loans contributed 80.0% of total taxable equivalent interest income in 2021 and 86.1% in 2020. Loan yields were 4.66% in 2021, 94 basis points greater than the average rate for total earning assets. Management recognizes
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that while the loan portfolio holds some of the Bank’s’ highest yielding assets, it is inherently the most risky portfolio. Accordingly, management attempts to balance credit risk versus return with conservative credit standards. Management has developed and maintains comprehensive underwriting guidelines and a loan review function that monitors credits during and after the approval process. To minimize risks associated with changes in the borrower’s future repayment capacity, the Bank generally requires scheduled periodic principal and interest payments on all types of loans and normally requires collateral. Commercial real estate loans increased from $712.8 million at December 31, 2020 to $1.0 billion at December 31, 2021, an increase of $297.9 million or 41.8%. $313.7 million coming from the acquisition of Cortland. The Company’s commercial real estate loan portfolio includes loans for owner occupied and non-owner occupied real estate. These loans are made to finance properties such as office and industrial buildings, hotels and retail shopping centers.
Residential real estate mortgage loans increased 10.9% to $580.2 million at December 31, 2021, compared to $523.3 million in 2020. Cortland contributed $86.2 million at the acquisition date. Farmers originated both fixed rate and adjustable rate mortgages during 2021. Fixed rate terms are generally limited to fifteen-year terms while adjustable rate products are offered with maturities up to thirty years.
Commercial loans at December 31, 2021 decreased 22.1% from year-end 2020 with outstanding balances of $312.5 million. The Bank’s commercial loans are granted to customers within the immediate trade area of the Bank. The mix is diverse, covering a wide range of borrowers, business types and local municipalities. The Bank monitors and controls concentrations within a particular industry or segment of the economy. These loans are made for purposes such as equipment purchases, capital and leasehold improvements, the purchase of inventory, general working capital and small business lines of credit.
Agricultural loans increased from $232.0 million in 2020 to $232.3 million in 2021, an increase of $250 thousand. The Company’s agricultural loan portfolio contains a diverse mix of dairy, crops, land, poultry and cattle loans.
Summary of Credit Loss Experience
The following is an analysis of the allowance for credit losses for 2021. During 2021 the Company used the CECL methodology while the incurred loss methodology was used in prior years:
| Years Ended December 31, | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at Beginning of Year | $ | 22,144 | $ | 14,487 | $ | 13,592 | $ | 12,315 | $ | 10,852 | ||||||||||
| Charge-Offs: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | (70 | ) | (122 | ) | (45 | ) | 0 | (207 | ) | |||||||||||
| Commercial | (388 | ) | (412 | ) | (200 | ) | (220 | ) | (375 | ) | ||||||||||
| Residential Real Estate | (297 | ) | (172 | ) | (400 | ) | (318 | ) | (162 | ) | ||||||||||
| Consumer | (912 | ) | (1,347 | ) | (1,702 | ) | (2,318 | ) | (2,542 | ) | ||||||||||
| Total Charge-Offs | (1,667 | ) | (2,053 | ) | (2,347 | ) | (2,856 | ) | (3,286 | ) | ||||||||||
| Recoveries on Previous Charge-Offs: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | 33 | 31 | 4 | 126 | 592 | |||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 199 | 11 | 13 | 190 | 66 | |||||||||||||||
| Residential Real Estate | 162 | 85 | 58 | 148 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 411 | 483 | 717 | 669 | 641 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Recoveries | 805 | 610 | 792 | 1,133 | 1,399 | |||||||||||||||
| Net Charge-Offs | (862 | ) | (1,443 | ) | (1,555 | ) | (1,723 | ) | (1,887 | ) | ||||||||||
| Impact of CECL adoption | 2,160 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| Provision For Credit Losses and ACL On Loans Acquired | 5,944 | 9,100 | 2,450 | 3,000 | 3,350 | |||||||||||||||
| Balance at End of Year | $ | 29,386 | $ | 22,144 | $ | 14,487 | $ | 13,592 | $ | 12,315 | ||||||||||
| Ratio of Net Charge-offs to Average Loans Outstanding | 0.04 | % | 0.07 | % | 0.09 | % | 0.10 | % | 0.13 | % | ||||||||||
| Allowance for Credit Losses/Total Loans | 1.26 | 1.07 | 0.80 | 0.78 | 0.78 |
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Provisions charged to operations amounted to $4.9 million in 2021, compared to $9.1 million in 2020, a decrease of $4.2 million. The reduced provision for the current year was mainly a result of current economic conditions resulting from the improvement in the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 to calculate the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) which requires projecting credit losses over the lifetime of the credits. The ACL is adjusted through the provision for credit losses and reduced by net charge offs of loans. Although the Company has a diversified loan portfolio, the credit risk in the loan portfolio is largely influenced by general economic conditions and trends of the counties and markets in which the debtors operate, and the resulting impact on the operations of borrowers or on the value of any underlying collateral.
The credit loss estimation process involves procedures that consider the unique characteristics of the Company’s loan portfolio segments. These segments are disaggregated into the loan pools for monitoring. A model of risk characteristics, such as loss history and delinquency experience, trends in past due and non-performing loans, as well as existing economic conditions and supportable forecasts used to determine credit loss assumptions.
The Company uses two methodologies to analyze loan pools. The cohort method (“cohort”) and the probability of default/loss given default (“PD/LGD”). Cohort relies on the creation of cohorts to capture loans that qualify for a particular segment, as of a point in time. Those loans are then tracked over their remaining lives to determine their loss experience. The Company aggregates financial assets on the basis of similar risk characteristics when evaluating loans on a collective basis. Those characteristics include, but aren’t limited to, internal or external credit score, risk ratings, financial asset, loan type, collateral type, size, effective interest rate, term, or geographical location. The Company uses cohort primarily for consumer loan portfolios.
The probability of default (“PD”) portion of PD/LGD is defined by the Company as 90 days past due, placed on non-accrual, becomes a troubled debt restructuring or is partially, or wholly, charged-off. Typically, a one-year time period is used to asses PD. PD can be measured and applied using various risk criteria. Risk rating is one common way to apply PDs. Loss given default (“LGD”) is to determine the percentage of loss by facility or collateral type. LGD estimates can sometimes be driven, or influenced, by product type, industry or geography. The Company uses PD/LGD primarily for commercial loan portfolios.
Net charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2021 were $862 thousand, $581 thousand or 40.3% less than net charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2020. The allowance for credit losses to total loans increased to 1.26% at December 31, 2021 compared to 1.07% at December 31, 2020. Nonperforming loans to total loans increased from 0.67% at December 31, 2020 to 0.69% at December 31, 2021.
In accordance with the accounting relief provisions of CARES and subsequent provisions of the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Acts, the Bank postponed the adoption of the current expected credit losses (“CECL”) accounting standard, in 2020, primarily due to the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic was having on the economy and the lack of reasonable and supportable economic forecasts. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2021. The Company recorded the one-time adjustment to equity, to comply with the ASU adoption, which increased the allowance for credit losses by $1.9 million, net of tax.
The provision for credit losses charged to operating expense is based on management’s judgment after taking into consideration all factors connected with the collectability of the existing loan portfolio. Management evaluates the loan portfolio in light of economic conditions, changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, industry standards and other relevant reasonable and supportable forecasts. Specific factors considered by management in determining the amounts charged to operating expenses include previous charge-off experience, the status of past due interest and principal payments, the quality of financial information supplied by loan customers and the general condition of the industries in the community to which loans have been made.
The allowance for credit losses increased $7.2 million during the year. The increase is the result of the impact of CECL adoption, day one purchase accounting for the Cortland acquisition and the provision.
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Typically, commercial and commercial real estate loans are identified as collateral dependent when they become ninety days past due, or earlier if management believes it is probable that the Company will not collect all amounts due under the terms of the loan agreement. When Farmers identifies a loan and concludes that the loan is collateral dependent, Farmers performs an internal collateral valuation as an interim measure. Farmers typically obtains an external appraisal to validate its internal collateral valuation as soon as is practical and adjusts the associated specific loss reserve, if necessary.
The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans at December 31, 2021 was 181.5%, compared to 160.06% at December 31, 2020. This was mainly due to the adoption of the new CECL methodology in 2021. The percentage of non-performing loans to total loans increased slightly from 0.67% in 2020 to 0.69% in 2021. The balance in the allowance for credit losses also increased in 2021 to $29.4 million from $22.1 million in 2020. This is mainly due to the adoption of CECL and to the increased loan portfolio size.
| Nonperforming Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||
| Nonaccrual loans: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | $ | 3,004 | $ | 389 | $ | 108 | $ | 422 | $ | 717 | ||||||||||
| Commercial | 7,190 | 3,789 | 1,169 | 946 | 1,192 | |||||||||||||||
| Residential Real Estate | 4,280 | 5,783 | 2,801 | 4,166 | 4,038 | |||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 682 | 864 | 858 | 495 | 660 | |||||||||||||||
| Agricultural | 314 | 680 | 542 | 736 | 56 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Nonaccrual Loans | $ | 15,470 | $ | 11,505 | $ | 5,478 | $ | 6,765 | $ | 6,663 | ||||||||||
| Loans Past Due 90 Days or More | 725 | 2,330 | 867 | 966 | 1,032 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Nonperforming Loans | $ | 16,195 | $ | 13,835 | $ | 6,345 | $ | 7,731 | $ | 7,695 | ||||||||||
| Other Real Estate Owned | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 171 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Nonperforming Assets | $ | 16,195 | $ | 13,835 | $ | 6,364 | $ | 7,731 | $ | 7,866 | ||||||||||
| Loans modified in troubled debt restructurings | $ | 3,862 | $ | 4,105 | $ | 4,597 | $ | 5,520 | $ | 4,980 | ||||||||||
| TDRs included in Nonaccrual Loans | $ | 1,962 | $ | 2,366 | $ | 2,673 | $ | 2,997 | $ | 2,624 | ||||||||||
| Percentage of Nonperforming Loans to Total Loans | 0.69 | % | 0.67 | % | 0.35 | % | 0.45 | % | 0.49 | % | ||||||||||
| Percentage of Nonperforming Assets to Total Assets | 0.39 | % | 0.45 | % | 0.26 | % | 0.33 | % | 0.36 | % | ||||||||||
| Loans Delinquent 30-89 days | $ | 8,891 | $ | 9,297 | $ | 11,893 | $ | 8,877 | $ | 10,191 | ||||||||||
| Percentage of Loans Delinquent 30-89 days to Total Loans | 0.38 | % | 0.45 | % | 0.66 | % | 0.51 | % | 0.65 | % |
The Company has forgone interest income of approximately $473 thousand from nonaccrual loans as of December 31, 2021 that would have been earned, over the life of the loans, if all loans had performed in accordance with their original terms.
The Company offered three-month deferrals upon request by borrowers. For those borrowers in industries that were greatly impacted by COVID-19, additional deferrals were considered and granted beyond the initial three month period. The range of the deferred months for subsequent requests were three to twelve months. The decline in deferred loans and balances is due to borrowers not requesting additional deferments and most continued to pay under the original terms of their loan.
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans outstanding increased slightly from 0.04% for 2020 to 0.06% for 2021 as a result of average loans decreasing due to forgiveness and payoffs of PPP loans. Net charge-offs decreased from $1.4 million in 2020 to $862 thousand in 2021. A decrease in gross charge-offs was experienced in the consumer loan portfolio of $435 thousand but that was offset by an increase in gross charge-offs in the residential real estate loan portfolio of $125 thousand.
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The following table summarizes the Company’s allocation of the allowance for credit losses for under CECL for 2021 and the allowance for loan losses for prior years:
| December 31, | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loans to | Loans to | Loans to | Loans to | Loans to | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | Total Loans | Amount | Total Loans | Amount | Total Loans | Amount | Total Loans | Amount | Total Loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | $ | 15,879 | 51.0 | % | $ | 10,775 | 43.1 | % | $ | 6,127 | 43.6 | % | $ | 5,294 | 42.1 | % | $ | 4,507 | 40.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 4,949 | 15.7 | 5,022 | 21.6 | 2,443 | 16.9 | 2,200 | 16.8 | 2,128 | 16.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential Real Estate | 4,870 | 24.9 | 3,684 | 25.2 | 3,032 | 27.6 | 2,982 | 28.3 | 2,667 | 29.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 3,688 | 8.4 | 2,663 | 10.0 | 2,885 | 11.9 | 3,116 | 12.8 | 3,013 | 13.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 29,386 | 100.0 | % | $ | 22,144 | 100.0 | % | $ | 14,487 | 100.0 | % | $ | 13,592 | 100.0 | % | $ | 12,315 | 100.0 | % |
The allowance allocated to each of the four loan categories should not be interpreted as an indication that charge-offs in 2021 occurred in the same proportions or that the allocation indicates future charge-off trends. The allowance allocated to the one-to-four family real estate loan category and the consumer loan category is based upon the Company’s allowance methodology for homogeneous loans, and increases and decreases in the balances of those portfolios. The consumer loan category represents approximately 8.4% of total loans and in 2021, the gross charge-offs accounted for 54.7% of the losses of the entire loan portfolio. For the commercial loan category, which represents 15.7% of the total loan portfolio, management relies on the Bank’s internal loan review procedures and allocates accordingly based on loan classifications. The gross charge-offs in the commercial loan portfolio, was $388 thousand for 2021.
There were no loans other than those identified above, that management has known information about possible credit problems of borrowers and their ability to comply with the loan repayment terms. Management is actively monitoring certain borrowers’ financial condition and loans which management wants to more closely monitor due to special circumstances. These loans and their potential loss exposure have been considered in management’s analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses.
Loan Commitments and Lines of Credit
In the normal course of business, the Bank has extended various commitments for credit. Commitments for mortgages, revolving lines of credit and letters of credit generally are extended for a period of one month up to one year. Normally, no fees are charged on any unused portion, but an annual fee of two percent is charged for the issuance of a letter of credit.
As of December 31, 2021, there were no concentrations of loans exceeding 10% of total loans that are not disclosed as a category of loans. As of that date, there were also no other interest-earning assets that are either nonaccrual, past due, restructured or non-performing.
Investment Securities
The investment securities portfolio increased $852.1 million in 2021 to $1.4 billion at December 31, 2021 from $575.6 million at December 31, 2020. This increase is primarily a result of the Company deploying cash generated from the large inflow of deposits in 2021. In addition, the Company acquired $130.6 million in investment securities pursuant to the merger with Cortland. This growth was partially offset by runoff, sales amortization and changes in fair value. For additional information regarding Farmers’ investment securities see Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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The following table shows the carrying value of investment securities by type of obligation at the dates indicated:
| December 31, | 2021 | 2020 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Treasury securities | $ | 61,662 | $ | 955 | |||
| U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities | 29,169 | 10,890 | |||||
| Mortgage-backed securities - residential and collateralized mortgage obligations | 668,571 | 188,175 | |||||
| Small Business Administration | 5,430 | 5,562 | |||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | 658,815 | 366,306 | |||||
| Corporate bonds | 4,030 | 3,712 | |||||
| Equity securities | 228 | 538 | |||||
| Other investments measured at net asset value | 14,721 | 6,343 | |||||
| Total securities | $ | 1,442,626 | $ | 582,481 |
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A summary of debt securities held at December 31, 2021 classified according to maturity and including weighted average yield for each range of maturities is set forth below:
| Type and Maturity Grouping | December 31, 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair Value | Weighted Average Yield (1) | |||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 101 | 2.09 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 538 | 1.94 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 61,023 | 1.10 | % | |||||
| Total U.S. Treasury securities | $ | 61,662 | 1.10 | % | ||||
| U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 0 | 1.89 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 2,152 | 0.79 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 26,398 | 1.23 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 619 | 1.70 | % | |||||
| Total U.S. government sponsored enterprise debt securities | $ | 29,169 | 1.21 | % | ||||
| Mortgage-backed securities - residential and collateralized mortgage obligations (2) | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 0 | 0.00 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 479 | 3.31 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 33,456 | 1.77 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 634,636 | 1.63 | % | |||||
| Total mortgage-backed securities | $ | 668,571 | 1.64 | % | ||||
| Small Business Administration | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 0 | 0.00 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 0 | 0.00 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 0 | 0.00 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 5,430 | 2.08 | % | |||||
| Total small business administration | $ | 5,430 | 2.08 | % | ||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 1,044 | 3.93 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 11,680 | 3.78 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 42,321 | 3.41 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 603,770 | 2.95 | % | |||||
| Total obligations of states and political subdivisions | $ | 658,815 | 2.99 | % | ||||
| Corporate bonds | ||||||||
| Maturing within one year | $ | 405 | 1.64 | % | ||||
| Maturing after one year but within five years | 526 | 1.71 | % | |||||
| Maturing after five years but within ten years | 2,976 | 4.14 | % | |||||
| Maturing after ten years | 123 | 2.16 | % | |||||
| Total other securities | $ | 4,030 | 3.71 | % |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (1) | The weighted average yield has been computed by dividing the total contractual interest income adjusted for amortization of premium or accretion of discount over the life of the security by the par value of the securities outstanding. The weighted average yield of tax-exempt obligations of states and political subdivisions has been calculated on a fully taxable equivalent basis. The amounts of adjustments to interest which are based on the statutory tax rate of 21% were $9 thousand, $93 thousand, $303 thousand and $3.7 million for the four ranges of maturities. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (2) | Payments based on contractual maturity. |
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Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment increased to $37.5 million at December 31, 2021 compared to $25.6 million at December 31, 2020. This increase was primarily due to the addition of $12.6 million in fixed assets acquired in the merger offset by depreciation.
Bank Owned Life Insurance
Farmers owns bank owned life insurance policies on the lives of certain members of management. The purpose of this investment is to help fund the costs of employee benefit plans. The cash surrender value of these policies was $73.9 million at December 31, 2021, compared to $51.3 million at December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily due to policies acquired in the current year merger, along with positive changes in the fair value of the policies.
Deposits
Total deposits at December 31, 2021, were $3.5 billion compared to $2.6 billion at December 31, 2020, an increase of $936.4 million, which includes $695.3 million from the merger. Non-interest bearing deposits increased $307.4 million during 2021 to $916.2 million while interest-bearing deposits increased $660.9 million to $2.6 billion. In addition to the increase in deposit balances from the merger, the Company saw significant organic growth as customers continued to deposit additional funds to their accounts throughout the year. The Company has access to the brokered certificate of deposit market and FHLB borrowing capacity if any of this deposit growth should begin to reverse.
Average balances and average rates paid on deposits are as follows:
| Years Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | Rate | Amount | Rate | Amount | Rate | |||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing demand | $ | 714,978 | 0.00 | % | $ | 546,177 | 0.00 | % | $ | 429,289 | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand | 1,240,014 | 0.19 | % | 856,462 | 0.49 | % | 641,461 | 0.91 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Money market | 246,900 | 0.24 | % | 213,455 | 0.46 | % | 185,726 | 0.64 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Savings | 322,279 | 0.04 | % | 248,566 | 0.04 | % | 224,946 | 0.04 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Brokered time deposits | 11,737 | 0.64 | % | 72,472 | 1.46 | % | 83,311 | 2.31 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 393,039 | 0.93 | % | 480,302 | 1.68 | % | 401,317 | 1.96 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,928,947 | 0.34 | % | $ | 2,417,434 | 0.69 | % | $ | 1,966,050 | 0.98 | % |
The following table sets forth the maturities of retail certificates of deposit having principal amounts $250,000 or greater at December 31, 2021 (in thousands):
| Retail certificates of deposit maturing in quarter ending: | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2022 | $ | 7,376 | |||
| June 30, 2022 | 17,619 | ||||
| September 30, 2022 | 9,194 | ||||
| December 31, 2022 | 9,084 | ||||
| After December 31, 2022 | 90,480 | ||||
| Total retail certificates of deposit with balances $250,000 or greater | $ | 133,753 |
Uninsured deposits for bank and savings and loan registrants are U.S. federally insured depository institutions as the portion of deposit accounts in U.S. offices that exceed the FDIC insurance limit or similar state deposit insurance regimes and amounts in any other uninsured investment or deposit account that are classified as
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deposits and not subject to any federal or state deposit insurance regimes. Deposits in amounts in excess of the FDIC insurance limit were $1.16 billion at December 31, 2021.
Short-Term Borrowings
Farmers did not have any short-term borrowings at December 31, 2021 compared to $2.5 million at December 31, 2020. See Note 12 within Item 8 of this Annual report on Form 10-K for additional detail.
Long-Term Borrowings
Total long-term borrowings increased $11.4 million to $87.8 million at December 31, 2021, from $76.4 million at December 31, 2020. During 2021, the Company paid off FHLB advances totaling $67.0 million and assumed $4.3 million of junior subordinated debt securities in the merger with Cortland. In addition, in November 2021, the Company completed the issuance of $75.0 million aggregate principal amount, fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due December 15, 2031, in a private offering exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The notes carry a fixed rate of 3.125% for five years at which time they will convert to a floating rate based on the three-month term secured overnight funding rate, plus a spread of 220 basis points. The Company may, at its option, beginning December 15, 2026, redeem the notes, in whole or in part, from time to time, subject to certain conditions. The net proceeds from the sale were approximately $73.8 million, after deducting the offering expenses. See Note 13 within Item 8 of this Annual report on Form 10-K for additional detail.
Stockholders’ Equity
Total stockholders’ equity increased to $472.4 million at December 31, 2021 from $350.1 million at December 31, 2020. The increase is due to $98.9 million for the share issuance for the merger with Cortland, net income of $51.8 million and a reduction in treasury stock balances. This was offset by the dividends paid on common stock during 2021, the cumulative impact of ASU 2016-13 adoption (CECL) and a decline in accumulated comprehensive income.
Contractual Obligations, Commitments, Contingent Liabilities and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The following table presents, as of December 31, 2021, the Company’s significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations by payment date. The payment amounts represent those amounts contractually due to the recipient and do not include any unamortized premiums or discounts or other similar carrying value adjustments. Further discussion of the nature of each obligation is included in the referenced note to the consolidated financial statements.
| Commitments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ref. | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Thereafter | |||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits without maturity | $ | 3,158,967 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit and brokered time deposits | 11 | 163,085 | $ | 66,550 | $ | 47,872 | $ | 65,652 | $ | 39,259 | $ | 5,850 | |||||||||||||
| Leases | 9 | 833 | 780 | 610 | 603 | 586 | 4,245 |
There is also a $7.2 million additional commitment to SBIC investment funds over the next several years. The payments have no predetermined due dates at year-end 2021. Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements discusses in greater detail other commitments and contingencies and the various obligations that exists under those agreements. Examples of these commitments and contingencies include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.
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At December 31, 2021, the Company did not engage in derivatives or hedging contracts that may expose the Company to liabilities greater than the amounts recorded on the consolidated balance sheet. Management’s policy is to not engage in derivatives contracts for speculative trading purposes. The Company does utilize interest-rate swaps as a way of helping manage interest rate risk and not as derivatives for trading purposes. See Note 22 within Item 8 of this Annual report on Form 10-K for additional detail.
Liquidity
The principal sources of funds for the Bank are deposits, loan and security repayments, borrowings from financial institutions, repurchase agreements and other funds provided by operations. The Bank also has the ability to borrow from the FHLB. While scheduled loan repayments and maturing investments are relatively predictable, deposit flows and early loan prepayments are more influenced by interest rates, general economic conditions and competition. Investments in liquid assets maintained by the Company and the Bank are based upon management’s assessment of (1) the need for funds, (2) expected deposit flows, (3) yields available on short-term liquid assets, and (4) objectives of the asset and liability management program.
The Bank’s Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO) is responsible for monitoring liquidity guidelines, policies and procedures. ALCO uses a variety of methods to monitor the liquidity position of the Bank including a liquidity analysis that measures potential sources and uses of funds over future time periods. ALCO also performs contingency funding analyses to determine the Bank’s ability to meet potential liquidity needs under stress scenarios that cover varying time horizons ranging from immediate to long-term.
At December 31, 2021, the Company had total on-hand liquidity, defined as total cash and cash equivalents, unencumbered securities and additional FHLB borrowing capacity, of $1.6 billion.
Capital Resources
The Bank, as a national chartered bank, is subject to the dividend restrictions set forth by the OCC. The OCC must approve declaration of any dividends in excess of the sum of profits for the current year and retained net profits for the preceding two years (as defined). Farmers and Farmers Bank are required to maintain minimum amounts of capital to total “risk weighted” assets, as defined by the banking regulators. At December 31, 2021, under the minimum capital requirements associated with the Basel Committee on capital and liquidity regulation (Basel III), Farmers Bank and Farmers are required to have actual and minimum capital ratios, which are detailed in Note 16 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Farmers Bank and Farmers had capital ratios above the minimum levels at December 31, 2021 and 2020. At year-end 2021 and 2020, the most recent regulatory notifications categorized Farmers Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.
During 2013, the Federal banking regulators approved a final rule to implement revised capital adequacy standards of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, commonly called Basel III, and to address relevant provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. The final rule strengthens the definition of regulatory capital, increases risk-based capital requirements, makes selected changes to the calculation of risk-weighted assets, and adjusts the prompt corrective action thresholds. The Bank has retained, through a one-time election, the prior treatment for most accumulated other comprehensive income, such that unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale that did not affect regulatory capital amounts and ratios. As mentioned in the prior paragraph, the Bank falls within the new regulatory capital ratio guidelines.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company follows financial accounting and reporting policies that are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and conform to general practices within the banking industry. Some of these accounting policies are considered to be critical accounting policies. Critical accounting policies are those policies that require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company has identified three accounting policies that are critical accounting policies and an understanding of these policies is
45
necessary to understand the financial statements. These policies relate to determining the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses, if there is any impairment of goodwill and other intangibles, and estimating the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with any merger activity. Additional information regarding these policies is included in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, including Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies), Note 4 (Loans) and Note 2 (Business Combinations), and the section above captioned “Loan Portfolio.” Management believes that the judgments, estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are appropriate given the factual circumstances at the time.
Farmers maintains an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is presented as a reserve against loans on the balance sheets. Credit losses are charged off against the allowance for credit losses, while recoveries of amounts previously charged off are credited to the allowance for credit losses. A provision for credit losses is charged to operations based on management’s periodic evaluation of adequacy of the allowance. The provision for credit losses provides for probable losses on loans.
The credit loss estimation process involves procedures that consider the unique characteristics of the Company’s loan portfolio segments. These segments are disaggregated into the loan pools for monitoring. A model of risk characteristics, such as loss history and delinquency experience, trends in past due and non-performing loans, as well as existing economic conditions and supportable forecasts used to determine credit loss assumptions.
The Company uses two methodologies to analyze loan pools. The cohort method and the PD/LGD. Cohort relies on the creation of cohorts to capture loans that qualify for a particular segment, as of a point in time. Those loans are then tracked over their remaining lives to determine their loss experience. The Company aggregates financial assets on the basis of similar risk characteristics when evaluating loans on a collective basis. Those characteristics include, but are not limited to, internal or external credit score, risk ratings, financial asset, loan type, collateral type, size, effective interest rate, term, or geographical location. The Company uses cohort primarily for consumer loan portfolios.
The probability of default (“PD”) portion of PD/LGD is defined by the Company as 90 days past due, placed on non-accrual, becomes a troubled debt restructuring or is partially, or wholly, charged-off. Typically, a one-year time period is used to asses PD. PD can be measured and applied using various risk criteria. Risk rating is one common way to apply PDs. Loss given default (“LGD”) is to determine the percentage of loss by facility or collateral type. LGD estimates can sometimes be driven, or influenced, by product type, industry or geography. The Company uses PD/LGD primarily for commercial loan portfolios.
Management believes that the accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets also involves a higher degree of judgment than most other significant accounting policies. GAAP establishes standards for the amortization of acquired intangible assets and the impairment assessment of goodwill. Goodwill arising from business combinations represents the value attributable to unidentifiable intangible assets in the business acquired. The Company’s goodwill relates to the value inherent in the banking industry and that value is dependent upon the ability of the Company’s subsidiaries to provide quality, cost-effective services in a competitive marketplace. The goodwill value is supported by revenue that is in part driven by the volume of business transacted. A decrease in earnings resulting from a decline in the customer base or the inability to deliver cost-effective services over sustained periods can lead to impairment of goodwill that could adversely impact earnings in future periods. GAAP requires an annual evaluation of goodwill for impairment, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The fair value of the goodwill is estimated by reviewing the past and projected operating results for the subsidiaries and comparable industry information. At December 31, 2021, on a consolidated basis, Farmers had intangibles of $8.4 million subject to amortization and $94.2 million in goodwill, which was not subject to periodic amortization.
The Company accounts for acquisitions under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations, which requires the use of the acquisition method of accounting. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination are recorded at the estimated fair value on their purchase date. As provided for under GAAP, management has up to 12 months following the date of the acquisition to finalize the fair values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities, where it was not possible to estimate the acquisition date fair value upon consummation. Management finalized the fair values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities within this 12-
46
month period and management currently considers such values to be the Day 1 Fair Values for the acquisition transactions. In particular, the valuation of acquired loans involves significant estimates, assumptions and judgment based on information available as of the acquisition date. Loans acquired in a business combination transaction are evaluated either individually or in pools of loans with similar characteristics; including consideration of a credit component. A number of factors are considered in determining the estimated fair value of purchased loans including, among other things, the remaining life of the acquired loans, estimated prepayments, estimated loss ratios, estimated value of the underlying collateral, estimated holding periods, contractual interest rates compared to market interest rates, and net present value of cash flows expected to be received.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Developments
Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements discusses new accounting policies adopted by Farmers during 2021 and 2020 and the expected impact of accounting policies recently issued or proposed but not yet required to be adopted. To the extent the adoption of new accounting standards materially affects financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, the impacts are discussed in the applicable sections of this financial review and notes to the consolidated financial statements.