GERMAN AMERICAN BANCORP, INC. (GABC)
SIC breadcrumb: Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate > Depository Institutions > SIC 6022 State Commercial Banks
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=714395. Latest filing source: 0000714395-26-000011.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read GABC's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read GABC's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 487,401,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-27 |
| Net income | 112,635,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-27 |
| Assets | 8,388,780,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-27 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-27. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000714395.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2012 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 278,059,000 | 316,917,000 | 353,703,000 | 487,401,000 | |||||||
| Net income | 35,184,000 | 40,676,000 | 46,529,000 | 59,222,000 | 62,210,000 | 84,137,000 | 81,825,000 | 85,888,000 | 83,811,000 | 112,635,000 | |
| Diluted EPS | 1.57 | 1.77 | 1.99 | 2.29 | 2.34 | 3.17 | 2.78 | 2.91 | 2.83 | 3.06 | |
| Operating cash flow | 41,997,000 | 54,875,000 | 62,331,000 | 65,229,000 | 92,418,000 | 100,844,000 | 110,036,000 | 107,234,000 | 95,764,000 | 159,316,000 | |
| Capital expenditures | 5,234,000 | 11,183,000 | 15,186,000 | 9,374,000 | 7,071,000 | 4,686,000 | 7,852,000 | 5,745,000 | 5,047,000 | 5,315,000 | |
| Dividends paid | 10,630,000 | 11,842,000 | 14,074,000 | 17,556,000 | 20,136,000 | 22,220,000 | 27,022,000 | 29,433,000 | 31,845,000 | 43,278,000 | |
| Assets | 2,955,994,000 | 3,144,360,000 | 3,929,090,000 | 4,397,672,000 | 4,977,577,000 | 5,608,539,000 | 6,155,991,000 | 6,152,198,000 | 6,295,910,000 | 8,388,780,000 | |
| Liabilities | 2,625,727,000 | 2,779,789,000 | 3,470,450,000 | 3,823,852,000 | 4,352,868,000 | 4,940,080,000 | 5,597,598,000 | 5,488,640,000 | 5,580,843,000 | 7,226,455,000 | |
| Stockholders' equity | 330,267,000 | 364,571,000 | 458,640,000 | 573,820,000 | 624,709,000 | 668,459,000 | 558,393,000 | 663,558,000 | 715,067,000 | 1,162,325,000 | |
| Free cash flow | 43,692,000 | 47,145,000 | 55,855,000 | 85,347,000 | 96,158,000 | 102,184,000 | 101,489,000 | 90,717,000 | 154,001,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2012 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 29.43% | 27.10% | 23.70% | 23.11% | |||||||
| Return on equity | 10.65% | 11.16% | 10.14% | 10.32% | 9.96% | 12.59% | 14.65% | 12.94% | 11.72% | 9.69% | |
| Return on assets | 1.19% | 1.29% | 1.18% | 1.35% | 1.25% | 1.50% | 1.33% | 1.40% | 1.33% | 1.34% | |
| Liabilities / equity | 7.95 | 7.62 | 7.57 | 6.66 | 6.97 | 7.39 | 10.02 | 8.27 | 7.80 | 6.22 |
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 0000714395-26-000011; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | Capital expenditures: accession 0000714395-26-000011; concept PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | Free cash flow: accession 0000714395-26-000011; 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 0000714395-26-000011; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000714395-26-000011; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000714395-26-000011; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000714395-26-000011; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000714395-26-000011; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000714395-26-000011; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: PaymentsOfDividends. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividends.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000714395-26-000011; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000714395-26-000011; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000714395-26-000011; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000714395-26-000011; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-06. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000714395.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-06-30 | 0.81 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 | 0.83 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 | 0.71 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-03-31 | 20,807,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 63,514,000 | 0.75 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-06-30 | 22,123,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 65,642,000 | 0.73 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 67,011,000 | 21,507,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 68,258,000 | 19,022,000 | 0.64 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-03-31 | 19,022,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 71,577,000 | 0.69 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-06-30 | 20,530,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 74,653,000 | 0.71 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 76,555,000 | 23,211,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 96,216,000 | 10,517,000 | 0.30 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-03-31 | 10,517,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 106,435,000 | 0.84 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-06-30 | 31,361,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 108,097,000 | 0.94 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 109,341,000 | 35,683,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 105,708,000 | 33,152,000 | 0.88 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0000714395-26-000027; filed 2026-05-06. Concept: InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating. Source concepts: us-gaap:InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0000714395-26-000027; filed 2026-05-06. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0000714395-26-000027; filed 2026-05-06. 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: 0000714395-26-000027.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
GERMAN AMERICAN BANCORP, INC.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
German American Bancorp, Inc. is a Nasdaq-listed (symbol: GABC) financial holding company based in Jasper, Indiana. German American, through its banking subsidiary German American Bank, operates 93 banking offices located throughout Indiana (central/southern), Kentucky (northern/central/western), and Ohio (central/southwest). In Columbus, Ohio and Greater Cincinnati, the Company does business as Heartland Bank, a Division of German American Bank. The Company also owns an investment brokerage subsidiary German American Investment Services, Inc.
Throughout this Management’s Discussion and Analysis, as elsewhere in this Report, when we use the term “Company” and “German American”, we will usually be referring to the business and affairs (financial and otherwise) of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates as a whole. Occasionally, we will refer to the term “German American Bancorp”, “Bancorp”, “parent company” or “holding company” when we mean to refer to only German American Bancorp, Inc., and the term “Bank” when we mean to refer to only the Company’s bank subsidiary.
This section presents an analysis of the consolidated financial condition of the Company as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 and the consolidated results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and other financial data presented elsewhere herein and with the financial statements and other financial data, as well as the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.
MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW
This updated discussion should be read in conjunction with the Management Overview that was included in our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.
On February 1, 2025, German American Bancorp completed its acquisition of Heartland BancCorp (“Heartland”) through the merger of Heartland with and into the Company. Immediately following completion of the Heartland holding company merger, Heartland’s subsidiary bank, Heartland Bank, was merged with and into the Company’s subsidiary bank, German American Bank. Heartland, headquartered in Whitehall, Ohio, operated 20 retail banking offices located in Columbus, Ohio and Greater Cincinnati. As of the closing of the transaction, Heartland had total assets of approximately $1.94 billion, total loans of approximately $1.58 billion, and total deposits of approximately $1.73 billion. German American Bancorp issued approximately 7.74 million shares of its common stock, and paid approximately $23.1 million in cash, in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Heartland and in cancellation of all options to acquire Heartland common stock outstanding as of the effective time of the merger.
For further information regarding the acquisition of Heartland, see Note 16 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Report.
Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 totaled $33,152,000, or $0.88 per share, an increase of 193% on a per share basis compared with the first quarter 2025 net income of $10,517,000, or $0.30 per share. The first quarter of 2025 results of operations included acquisition-related expenses of $5,932,000 ($4,620,000, on an after tax basis) and a “Day 2” adjustment to the provision for credit losses under the CECL model of $16,200,000 ($12,150,000, on an after tax basis) in connection with the Heartland merger. On an adjusted basis, net income for the first quarter of 2025 was $27,287,000, or $0.79 per share. Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share are non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” contained in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for additional information, including a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The financial condition and results of operations for the Company presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements, accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and selected financial data appearing elsewhere within this Report, are, to a large degree, dependent upon the Company’s accounting policies. The selection of and application of these policies involve estimates, judgments, and uncertainties that are subject to change. The critical accounting policies and
40
estimates that the Company has determined to be the most susceptible to change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for credit losses, the valuation of securities available for sale, income tax expense, and the valuation of goodwill and other intangible assets.
Allowance for Credit Losses
The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses to cover the estimated expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of the loan portfolio. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged-off. A provision for credit losses is charged to operations based on management’s periodic evaluation of the necessary allowance balance. Evaluations are conducted at least quarterly and more often if deemed necessary. The ultimate recovery of all loans is susceptible to future market factors beyond the Company’s control.
The Company has an established process to determine the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. The determination of the allowance is inherently subjective, as it requires significant estimates, including the amounts and timing of expected future cash flows on individually analyzed loans, estimated losses on other classified loans and pools of homogeneous loans, and consideration of past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts and other factors, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The allowance consists of two components of allocations: an allowance assessed on a collective basis for pools of loans that share similar risk characteristics and an allowance assessed on individual loans that do not share similar risk characteristics with other loans. These two components represent the total allowance for credit losses deemed adequate to cover expected credit losses over the expected life of the loan portfolio.
Management’s estimate of the ACL for loans relies on the identification, stratification and separate estimates of loss for both loans collectively evaluated and loans individually evaluated for loss. The estimate of loss for loans collectively evaluated for loss in particular involves a significant level of estimation uncertainty due to its complexity and the quantity of relevant inputs, including: management’s determination of baseline loss rate multipliers based on a third party forecast of economic conditions, estimates of the reasonable and supportable forecast period, estimates of the baseline loss rate look back period, estimates of the reversion period from the reasonable and supportable forecast period to the baseline loss rate and estimates of the prepayment rate and related look back period. Additionally, management considers other qualitative risk factors to further adjust the estimated ACL on loans through a qualitative allowance.
Commercial and agricultural loans are subject to a standardized grading process administered by an internal loan review function. The need for specific reserves is considered for credits when: (a) the customer’s cash flow or net worth appears insufficient to repay the loan; (b) the loan has been criticized in a regulatory examination; (c) the loan is on non-accrual; or (d) other reasons where the ultimate collectability of the loan is in question, or the loan characteristics require special monitoring.
Specific reserves on individually analyzed loans are determined by comparing the loan balance to the present value of expected cash flows or expected collateral proceeds. Allocations are also applied to categories of loans not individually analyzed but for which the rate of loss is expected to be greater than other similar type loans, including non-performing consumer or residential real estate loans. Such allocations are based on past loss experience, reasonable and supportable forecasts and information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values.
General allocations are made for commercial and agricultural loans that are graded as substandard and special mention, but are not individually analyzed for specific reserves as well as other pools of loans, including non-classified loans, homogeneous portfolios of consumer and residential real estate loans, and loans within certain industry categories believed to present unique risk of loss.
The allowance for credit losses for loans represents management’s estimate of all expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of the loan portfolio. Determining the appropriateness and adequacy of the allowance is complex and requires judgment by management about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Subsequent evaluations of the loan portfolio may result in significant changes in the allowance for credit losses in future periods.
Under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 805, Business Combinations, in a transaction like the Heartland merger, the acquirer is required to recognize an allowance for credit losses in the period of acquisition for both purchased credit deterioration (“PCD”) assets and non-PCD assets. The determination of PCD versus non-PCD determines how the allowance for credit loss flows through the financial statements. For PCD assets, the gross-up method includes the impact in the “Day 1” business combination entries with no impact to expense. For non-PCD assets, the impact is reflected outside of the business combination entries (sometimes referred to as “Day 2”) and is reflected in expense.
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The Company utilizes a discounted cash flow methodology to estimate the allowance for credit losses. Expected cash flows are estimated for each loan and discounted using the contractual terms of the loan, calculated probabilities of default, loss given default rates, and prepayment and curtailment estimates, as well as qualitative factors. The probability of default estimates are generated using a regression model that estimates the likelihood of a loan being charged-off during its life. The regression model uses combinations of variables to assess historical loss correlations to economic factors, and these variables become model forecast inputs for economic factors that are updated in the model each period. The Company evaluates and utilizes multiple economic forecast scenarios provided by a third-party for these model inputs. These multiple economic forecast scenarios are weighted to arrive at the quantitative reserve. Changes in the economic forecast or weighting could impact the estimated credit losses which could lead to significantly different allowance levels from one reporting period to the next.
In calculating the adequacy of the allowance at March 31, 2026, management weighted different scenarios, inclu
[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.
INTRODUCTION
German American Bancorp, Inc. is a Nasdaq-listed (symbol: GABC) financial holding company based in Jasper, Indiana. German American, through its banking subsidiary German American Bank, operates 94 banking offices located throughout Indiana (central/southern), Kentucky (northern/central/western), and Ohio (central/ southwest). In Columbus, Ohio and Greater Cincinnati, the Company does business as Heartland Bank, a Division of German American Bank. The Company also owns an investment brokerage subsidiary German American Investment Services, Inc.
Throughout this Management’s Discussion and Analysis, as elsewhere in this Report, when we use the term “Company” and “German American”, we will usually be referring to the business and affairs (financial and otherwise) of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates as a whole. Occasionally, we will refer to the term “German American Bancorp”, “Bancorp”, “parent company” or “holding company” when we mean to refer to only German American Bancorp, Inc., and the term “Bank” when we mean to refer to only the Company’s bank subsidiary.
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis includes an analysis of the major components of the Company’s operations for the years 2023 through 2025 and its financial condition as of December 31, 2024 and 2025. This information should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and footnotes contained elsewhere in this Report and with the description of business included in Item 1 of this Report (including the cautionary disclosure regarding “Forward Looking Statements and Associated Risks”). Financial and other information by segment is included in Note 18 (Segment Information) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report and is incorporated into this Item 7 by reference.
The statements of management’s expectations and goals concerning the Company’s future operations and performance that are set forth in the following Management Overview and in other sections of this Item 7 are forward-looking statements, and readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations of the Company that is expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. This Item 7, as well as the discussions in Item 1 (“Business”) entitled “Forward-Looking Statements and Associated Risks” and in Item 1A (“Risk Factors”) (which discussions are incorporated in this Item 7 by reference) list some of the factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to vary materially from those expressed or implied by any such forward-looking statements.
Any statements of management’s expectations and goals concerning the Company’s future operations and performance, and future financial condition, liquidity and capital resources that are set forth in the following Management Overview and in other sections of this Item 7 are forward-looking statements, and readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations of the Company that is expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. This Item 7, as well as the discussions in Item 1 (“Business”) entitled “Forward-Looking Statements and Associated Risks” and in Item 1A (“Risk Factors”) (which discussions are incorporated in this Item 7 by reference) list some of the factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to vary materially from those expressed or implied by any such forward-looking statements.
MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW
Business Developments
On February 1, 2025, German American Bancorp completed its previously announced acquisition of Heartland BancCorp (“Heartland”) through the merger of Heartland with and into the Bancorp. Immediately following completion of the Heartland holding company merger, Heartland’s subsidiary bank, Heartland Bank, was merged with and into the Bancorp’s subsidiary bank, German American Bank. Heartland, headquartered in Whitehall, Ohio, operated 20 retail banking offices located in Columbus, Ohio and Greater Cincinnati. As of the closing of the transaction, Heartland had total assets of approximately $1.94 billion, total loans of approximately $1.58 billion, and total deposits of approximately $1.73 billion. German American Bancorp issued approximately 7.74 million shares of its common stock, and paid approximately $23.1 million in cash, in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Heartland and in cancellation of all options to acquire Heartland common stock outstanding as of the effective time of the merger. For further information regarding this merger and acquisition transaction, see Note 20 (Business Combinations, Goodwill and Intangible Assets) in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report, which Note 20 is incorporated into this Item 7 by reference.
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On September 15, 2025, Bancorp redeemed the Heartland 5.0% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2030, outstanding in the aggregate principal amount of $24.3 million, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. On December 30, 2025, the Company redeemed its 4.5% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2029, outstanding in the aggregate principal amount of $40.0 million, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. For further information regarding these redemptions, see Note 8 (FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings) in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report, which Note 8 is incorporated into this Item 7 by reference.
During June and July 2024, the Company undertook a partial restructuring of its securities portfolio by selling available-for-sale securities totaling approximately $375.3 million in book value, at an after-tax loss of approximately $27.2 million. The tax-equivalent yield on the bonds sold was approximately 3.12% with a duration of approximately 7 years. The proceeds from the securities sold were reinvested in the securities portfolio by the end of the third quarter of 2024.
Effective June 1, 2024, German American Insurance, Inc. (“GAI”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank, sold substantially all of its assets to The Hilb Group of Indiana, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Hilb”), for a purchase price of $40.0 million in cash. As part of the transaction, the Bank, as the parent of GAI, may receive payments for the referral of customers to Hilb, and the Company will refrain from conducting certain insurance activities, in each case, for a period of five (5) years following closing. Prior to the sale, GAI was a full-service agency offering personal and commercial insurance products. For further information regarding this transaction, see Note 2 (Sale of Insurance Assets) in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
Financial Overview
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2025 totaled $112,635,000, or $3.06 per share, an increase of $28,824,000, or approximately 8% on a per share basis, from the year ended December 31, 2024 net income of $83,811,000, or $2.83 per share. The year ended December 31, 2025 results of operations included Heartland acquisition-related expenses of $6,996,000 ($5,418,000, on an after-tax basis) and the “Day 2” provision for credit losses under the CECL methodology of $16,200,000 ($12,150,000, on an after-tax basis), as well as a net gain on the redemption of subordinated debentures.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2024 totaled $83,811,000, or $2.83 per share, a decline of $2,077,000, or approximately 3% on a per share basis, from the year ended December 31, 2023 net income of $85,888,000, or $2.91 per share. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2024 included merger-related transaction costs associated with the Company’s merger with Heartland that totaled approximately $1,370,000, $1,082,000 after-tax, or $0.04 per share.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2024 was impacted by the sale of substantially all of the assets of GAI during the second quarter of 2024. The all-cash sale price totaled $40.0 million and resulted in an after-tax gain, net of transaction costs, of approximately $27,476,000, or $0.93 per share. GAI net income, excluding the after-tax gain, contributed approximately $767,000, or $0.03 per share, during 2024 compared with net income of $1,639,000, or $0.06 per share, during the full year of 2023.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2024 was also impacted by the securities portfolio restructuring transaction whereby available-for-sale securities totaling approximately $375.3 million in book value were sold. The approximate loss on these securities totaled $34,893,000, $27,189,000 after tax, or $0.92 per share, and was included in earnings for the second quarter of 2024. The proceeds from the securities sold were reinvested in the securities portfolio by the end of the third quarter of 2024.
On an adjusted basis, net income for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $129,684,000, or $3.52 per share, compared with adjusted net income of $83,839,000, or $2.83 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2024. Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share are non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” contained in this release for additional information, including a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The financial condition and results of operations for the Company presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements, accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and selected financial data appearing elsewhere within this Report, are, to a large degree, dependent upon the Company’s accounting policies. The selection of and application of these policies involve estimates, judgments, and uncertainties that are subject to change. The critical accounting policies and estimates that the Company has determined to be the most susceptible to change in the near term relate to the determination of
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the allowance for credit losses, the valuation of securities available for sale, income tax expense, and the valuation of goodwill and other intangible assets.
ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES
The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses to cover the estimated expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of the loan portfolio. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged-off. A provision for credit losses is charged to operations based on management’s periodic evaluation of the necessary allowance balance. Evaluations are conducted at least quarterly and more often if deemed necessary. The ultimate recovery of all loans is susceptible to future market factors beyond the Company’s control.
The Company has an established process to determine the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. The determination of the allowance is inherently subjective, as it requires significant estimates, including the amounts and timing of expected future cash flows on individually analyzed loans, estimated losses on other classified loans and pools of homogeneous loans, and consideration of past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts and other factors, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The allowance consists of two components of allocations: an allowance assessed on a collective basis for pools of loans that share similar risk characteristics and an allowance assessed on individual loans that do not share similar risk characteristics with other loans. These two components represent the total allowance for credit losses deemed adequate to cover expected credit losses over the expected life of the loan portfolio.
Management’s estimate of the ACL for loans relies on the identification, stratification and separate estimates of loss for both loans collectively evaluated and loans individually evaluated for loss. The estimate of loss for loans collectively evaluated for loss in particular involves a significant level of estimation uncertainty due to its complexity and the quantity of relevant inputs, including: management’s determination of baseline loss rate multipliers based on a third party forecast of economic conditions, estimates of the reasonable and supportable forecast period, estimates of the baseline loss rate look back period, estimates of the reversion period from the reasonable and supportable forecast period to the baseline loss rate and estimates of the prepayment rate and related look back period. Additionally, management considers other qualitative risk factors to further adjust the estimated ACL on loans through a qualitative allowance.
Commercial and agricultural loans are subject to a standardized grading process administered by an internal loan review function. The need for specific reserves is considered for credits when: (a) the customer’s cash flow or net worth appears insufficient to repay the loan; (b) the loan has been criticized in a regulatory examination; (c) the loan is on non-accrual; or (d) other reasons where the ultimate collectability of the loan is in question, or the loan characteristics require special monitoring.
Specific reserves on individually analyzed loans are determined by comparing the loan balance to the present value of expected cash flows or expected collateral proceeds. Allocations are also applied to categories of loans not individually analyzed but for which the rate of loss is expected to be greater than other similar type loans, including non-performing consumer or residential real estate loans. Such allocations are based on past loss experience, reasonable and supportable forecasts and information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values.
General allocations are made for commercial and agricultural loans that are graded as substandard and special mention, but are not individually analyzed for specific reserves as well as other pools of loans, including non-classified loans, homogeneous portfolios of consumer and residential real estate loans, and loans within certain industry categories believed to present unique risk of loss.
The allowance for credit losses for loans represents management’s estimate of all expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of the loan portfolio. Determining the appropriateness and adequacy of the allowance is complex and requires judgment by management about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Subsequent evaluations of the loan portfolio may result in significant changes in the allowance for credit losses in future periods.
Under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 805, Business Combinations, in a transaction like the Heartland merger, the acquirer is required to recognize an allowance for credit losses in the period of acquisition for both purchased credit deterioration (“PCD”) assets and non-PCD assets. The determination of PCD versus non-PCD determines how the allowance for credit loss flows through the financial statements. For PCD assets, the gross-up method includes the impact in the “Day 1” business combination entries with no impact to expense. For non-PCD assets, the impact is reflected outside of the business combination entries (sometimes referred to as “Day 2”) and is reflected in expense.
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At March 31, 2025, the Company changed its method for estimating the allowance for credit losses to the discounted cash flow model on a prospective basis. Prior to March 31, 2025, the Company utilized the static pool methodology in determining future credit losses. While both methodologies permit the Company to develop reasonable and supportable forecasts, by utilizing the discounted cash flow method, the Company has the ability to better evaluate multiple economic scenarios by capturing macroeconomic conditions within the model assumptions and calculations. This change in methodology had an insignificant impact on the allowance in 2025.
As previously stated, the Company now utilizes a discounted cash flow methodology to estimate the allowance for credit losses. Expected cash flows are estimated for each loan and discounted using the contractual terms of the loan, calculated probabilities of default, loss given default rates, and prepayment and curtailment estimates, as well as qualitative factors. The probability of default estimates are generated using a regression model that estimates the likelihood of a loan being charged-off during its life. The regression model uses combinations of variables to assess historical loss correlations to economic factors, and these variables become model forecast inputs for economic factors that are updated in the model each period. The Company evaluates and utilizes multiple economic forecast scenarios provided by a third-party for these model inputs. These multiple economic forecast scenarios are weighted to arrive at the quantitative reserve. Changes in the economic forecast or weighting could impact the estimated credit losses which could lead to significantly different allowance levels from one reporting period to the next.
In calculating the adequacy of the allowance at December 31, 2025, management weighted different scenarios, including a baseline scenario as well as two additional alternative scenarios. To create hypothetical sensitivity analyses, management calculated a quantitative allowance using a 100% weighting applied to a baseline scenario and a quantitative allowance using a 100% weighting applied to an adverse scenario. Excluding the consideration of qualitative adjustments, the sensitivity analysis utilizing the adverse scenario would result in a hypothetical increase in the Company's allowance of $28,500,000. Excluding consideration of qualitative adjustments, a corresponding $3,700,000 decrease in the Company's allowance would occur in a hypothetical scenario if only the baseline scenario was used. The sensitivity and related range of impact is a hypothetical analysis and is not intended to represent management’s estimation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses at December, 31, 2025.
SECURITIES VALUATION
Available-for-sale debt securities in unrealized loss positions are evaluated for impairment related to credit losses at least quarterly. For available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company assesses whether we intend to sell, or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For available-for sale debt securities that do not meet the criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security and the issuer, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the Company compares the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security with the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis for the security, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded, limited to the amount that the fair value of the security is less than its amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. No allowance for credit losses for available-for-sale debt securities was needed at December 31, 2025. Accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale debt securities is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. As of December 31, 2025, gross unrealized gains on the securities available-for-sale portfolio totaled approximately $6,453,000 and gross unrealized losses totaled approximately $214,791,000. The net amount of these two items, net of applicable taxes, is included in other comprehensive income (loss).
Equity securities that do not have readily determinable fair values are carried at cost, less impairment with observable price changes being recognized in earnings.
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
Income tax expense involves estimates related to the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets and loss contingencies related to exposure from tax examinations presumed to occur.
A valuation allowance reduces deferred tax assets to the amount management believes is more likely than not to be realized. In evaluating the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers the likelihood that sufficient taxable income of appropriate character will be generated within carry-back and carry-forward periods, including consideration of available tax
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planning strategies. Tax-related loss contingencies, including assessments arising from tax examinations and tax strategies, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. In considering the likelihood of loss, management considers the nature of the contingency, the progress of any examination or related protest or appeal, the views of legal counsel and other advisors, experience of the Company or other enterprises in similar matters, if any, and management’s intended response to any assessment.
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill resulting from business combinations represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill resulting from business combinations is generally determined as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred, plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interests in the acquiree, over the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually. The Company has selected December 31 as the date to perform the annual impairment test. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on the Company’s balance sheet. No impairment to Goodwill was indicated based on year-end testing.
Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Other intangible assets consist of core deposit and acquired customer relationship intangible assets. They are initially measured at fair value and then are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which range from 7 to 8 years.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
NET INCOME
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2025 totaled $112,635,000, or $3.06 per share, an increase of $28,824,000, or approximately 8% on a per share basis, from the year ended December 31, 2024 net income of $83,811,000, or $2.83 per share. The year ended December 31, 2025 results of operations included Heartland acquisition-related expenses of $6,996,000 ($5,418,000, on an after-tax basis) and the “Day 2” provision for credit losses under the CECL methodology of $16,200,000 ($12,150,000, on an after-tax basis), as well as a net gain on the redemption of subordinated debentures.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2024 totaled $83,811,000, or $2.83 per share, a decline of $2,077,000, or approximately 3% on a per share basis, from the year ended December 31, 2023 net income of $85,888,000, or $2.91 per share. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2024 included merger-related transaction costs associated with the Company’s merger with Heartland that totaled approximately $1,370,000, $1,082,000 after-tax, or $0.04 per share.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2024 was impacted by the sale of substantially all of the assets of GAI during the second quarter of 2024. The all-cash sale price totaled $40.0 million and resulted in an after-tax gain, net of transaction costs, of approximately $27,476,000, or $0.93 per share. GAI net income, excluding the after-tax gain, contributed approximately $767,000, or $0.03 per share, during 2024 compared with net income of $1,639,000, or $0.06 per share, during the full year of 2023.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2024 was also impacted by the securities portfolio restructuring transaction whereby available-for-sale securities totaling approximately $375.3 million in book value were sold. The approximate loss on these securities totaled $34,893,000, $27,189,000 after tax, or $0.92 per share, and was included in earnings for the second quarter of 2024. The proceeds from the securities sold were reinvested in the securities portfolio by the end of the third quarter of 2024.
On an adjusted basis, net income for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $129,684,000, or $3.52 per share, compared with adjusted net income of $83,839,000, or $2.83 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2024. Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share are non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” contained in this release for additional information, including a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.
NET INTEREST INCOME
Net interest income is the Company’s single largest source of earnings, and represents the difference between interest and fees realized on earning assets, less interest paid on deposits and borrowed funds. Several factors contribute to the determination of net interest income and net interest margin, including the volume and mix of earning assets, interest rates, and income taxes. Many factors affecting net interest income are subject to control by management policies and actions. Factors beyond the
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control of management include the general level of credit and deposit demand, Federal Reserve Board monetary policy, and changes in tax laws.
During the year ended December 31, 2025, net interest income, on a non tax-equivalent basis, totaled $294,132,000, an increase of $103,541,000, or 54%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2024 net interest income of $190,591,000. The increase in net interest income for 2025 compared with 2024 was primarily attributable to a higher level of earning assets driven by the Heartland acquisition and an improvement of the Company’s net interest margin.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, net interest income, on a non tax-equivalent basis, totaled $190,591,000, which was relatively stable compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 net interest income of $190,433,000.
The net interest margin represents tax-equivalent net interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets. The net interest margin for the year ended December 31, 2025 was 4.02%, compared to 3.43% in 2024 and 3.58% in 2023. The improvement in the net interest margin, excluding the accretion of discount on acquired loans, during 2025 compared with 2024 was the result of improved yields on earning assets (including both loan and security yields) and a lower cost of deposits. The lower cost of deposits was largely driven by the Federal Reserve’s lowering of the Federal Funds rates over the last several months of 2024 and again in the latter months of 2025, and the Company’s ability to correspondingly lower deposit costs. The decline in the net interest margin in 2024 compared with 2023 was largely driven by an increased cost of funds and a lower level of accretion of loan discounts on acquired loans.
The Company’s net interest margin for all periods presented was impacted by the accretion of discounts on acquired loans. Accretion of discounts on acquired loans contributed approximately 21 basis point to the net interest margin in 2025, 3 basis points in 2024 and 5 basis points in 2023. Accretion of discounts on acquired loans totaled $15,556,000 during 2025, $1,507,000 during 2024, and $2,814,000 during 2023.
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The following table summarizes net interest income (on a tax-equivalent basis) for each of the past three years. For tax-equivalent adjustments, an effective tax rate of 21% was used for all periods presented (1).
Average Balance Sheet
(Tax-equivalent basis, dollars in thousands)
| Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2025 | Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024 | Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Principal Balance | Income / Expense | Yield / Rate | Principal Balance | Income / Expense | Yield / Rate | Principal Balance | Income / Expense | Yield / Rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Federal Funds Sold and Other Short-term Investments | $ | 250,520 | $ | 10,817 | 4.32 | % | $ | 151,907 | $ | 7,697 | 5.07 | % | $ | 39,452 | $ | 1,677 | 4.25 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable | 1,129,114 | 37,041 | 3.28 | % | 947,884 | 26,586 | 2.80 | % | 890,841 | 20,614 | 2.31 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable | 469,137 | 17,258 | 3.68 | % | 586,549 | 20,910 | 3.56 | % | 738,769 | 27,656 | 3.74 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Loans and Leases ⁽²⁾ | 5,604,879 | 360,410 | 6.43 | % | 4,035,670 | 241,344 | 5.98 | % | 3,835,157 | 213,195 | 5.56 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL INTEREST EARNING ASSETS | 7,453,650 | 425,526 | 5.71 | % | 5,722,010 | 296,537 | 5.19 | % | 5,504,219 | 263,142 | 4.78 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Assets | 857,238 | 556,022 | 578,399 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Allowance for Credit Losses | (73,694) | (44,279) | (44,744) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 8,237,194 | $ | 6,233,753 | $ | 6,037,874 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing Demand Deposits | $ | 1,882,386 | $ | 29,220 | 1.55 | % | $ | 1,720,823 | $ | 30,957 | 1.80 | % | $ | 1,826,232 | $ | 28,378 | 1.55 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Savings Deposits and Money Market Accounts | 1,851,117 | 36,657 | 1.98 | % | 1,291,250 | 23,346 | 1.81 | % | 1,229,019 | 12,106 | 0.99 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Time Deposits | 1,329,638 | 49,215 | 3.70 | % | 872,429 | 36,319 | 4.16 | % | 588,142 | 16,432 | 2.79 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings | 215,334 | 10,865 | 5.05 | % | 196,480 | 9,830 | 5.00 | % | 210,837 | 9,307 | 4.41 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES | 5,278,475 | 125,957 | 2.39 | % | 4,080,982 | 100,452 | 2.46 | % | 3,854,230 | 66,223 | 1.72 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand Deposit Accounts | 1,851,978 | 1,420,412 | 1,553,082 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Liabilities | 55,751 | 46,497 | 46,456 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | 7,186,204 | 5,547,891 | 5,453,768 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ Equity | 1,050,990 | 685,862 | 584,106 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | $ | 8,237,194 | $ | 6,233,753 | $ | 6,037,874 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| COST OF FUNDS | 1.69 | % | 1.76 | % | 1.20 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NET INTEREST INCOME | $ | 299,569 | $ | 196,085 | $ | 196,919 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NET INTEREST MARGIN | 4.02 | % | 3.43 | % | 3.58 | % |
(1)Effective tax rates were determined as though interest earned on the Company’s investments in municipal bonds and loans was fully taxable.
(2)Loans held-for-sale and non-accruing loans have been included in average loans. Interest income on loans includes loan fees of $17,956, $3,325, and $4,316 for 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
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The following table sets forth for the periods indicated a summary of the changes in interest income and interest expense resulting from changes in volume and changes in rates:
Net Interest Income – Rate / Volume Analysis
(Tax-Equivalent basis, dollars in thousands)
| 2025 compared to 2024 Increase / (Decrease) Due to ⁽¹⁾ | 2024 compared to 2023 Increase / (Decrease) Due to ⁽¹⁾ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volume | Rate | Net | Volume | Rate | Net | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest Income: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Federal Funds Sold and Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term Investments | $ | 4,395 | $ | (1,275) | $ | 3,120 | $ | 5,641 | $ | 379 | $ | 6,020 | |||||||||||
| Taxable Securities | 5,540 | 4,915 | 10,455 | 1,384 | 4,588 | 5,972 | |||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable Securities | (4,301) | 649 | (3,652) | (5,478) | (1,268) | (6,746) | |||||||||||||||||
| Loans and Leases | 99,759 | 19,307 | 119,066 | 11,491 | 16,658 | 28,149 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Interest Income | 105,393 | 23,596 | 128,989 | 13,038 | 20,357 | 33,395 | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest Expense: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings and Interest-bearing Demand | 12,752 | (1,178) | 11,574 | (580) | 14,399 | 13,819 | |||||||||||||||||
| Time Deposits | 17,291 | (4,395) | 12,896 | 9,875 | 10,012 | 19,887 | |||||||||||||||||
| FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings | 950 | 85 | 1,035 | (662) | 1,185 | 523 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Interest Expense | 30,993 | (5,488) | 25,505 | 8,633 | 25,596 | 34,229 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net Interest Income | $ | 74,400 | $ | 29,084 | $ | 103,484 | $ | 4,405 | $ | (5,239) | $ | (834) |
(1) The change in interest due to both rate and volume has been allocated to volume and rate changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each.
See the Company’s Average Balance Sheet above and the discussions under the headings “USES OF FUNDS,” “SOURCES OF FUNDS,” and “RISK MANAGEMENT – Liquidity and Interest Rate Risk Management” for further information on the Company’s net interest income, net interest margin, and interest rate sensitivity position.
PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES
The Company provides for credit losses through regular provisions to the allowance for credit losses. The provision is affected by net charge-offs on loans and changes in specific and general allocations of the allowance. During 2025, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $19,425,000 compared with $2,775,000 during 2024 and $2,550,000 during 2023.
During 2025, the provision for credit losses represented approximately 35 basis points of average loans. The Company realized net charge-offs of $2,670,000 or 3 basis points of average loans during 2025. The first quarter of 2025 included a provision for credit losses of $16,200,000 related to the “Day 2” adjustment for the Heartland acquisition.
During 2024, the provision for credit losses represented approximately 7 basis points of average loans. The Company realized net charge-offs of $2,104,000 or 5 basis points of average loans during 2024.
During 2023, the provision for credit losses represented approximately 7 basis points of average loans. The Company realized net charge-offs of $2,953,000 or 8 basis points of average loans during 2023.
The provision for credit losses during 2025 was made at a level deemed necessary by management to absorb expected losses in the loan portfolio. A detailed evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses is completed quarterly by management, the results of which are used to determine provision for credit losses. Management estimates the allowance balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts along with other qualitative and quantitative factors. Refer also to the sections entitled “CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES” and “RISK MANAGEMENT - Lending and Loan Administration” for further discussion of the provision and allowance for credit losses.
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NON-INTEREST INCOME
During the year ended December 31, 2025, non-interest income increased $4,652,000, or 7%, compared with the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase during 2025 compared to 2024 was largely the result of the Heartland acquisition combined with an improvement in the Company’s existing fee revenue sources. The year ended December 31, 2024 included the previously mentioned sale of the GAI assets and the securities portfolio restructuring transaction, which each occurred during the second quarter of 2024. On an adjusted basis, non-interest income for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $66,620,000 compared to $54,691,000 for the same period of 2024. Adjusted non-interest income is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for additional information, including a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, non-interest income increased $2,399,000, or 4%, compared with the year ended December 31, 2023. The year ended December 31, 2024 non-interest income was positively impacted by the net proceeds of the sale of the GAI assets that totaled approximately $38,323,000 and was negatively impacted by $34,893,000 related to the net loss recognized on the securities restructuring transaction.
| Non-interest Income (dollars in thousands) | Years Ended December 31, | % Change From Prior Year | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||
| Wealth Management Fees | $ | 16,808 | $ | 14,416 | $ | 11,711 | 17 | % | 23 | % | ||||||||
| Service Charges on Deposit Accounts | 15,083 | 12,669 | 11,538 | 19 | 10 | |||||||||||||
| Insurance Revenues | — | 4,384 | 9,596 | n/m (1) | (54) | |||||||||||||
| Company Owned Life Insurance | 2,555 | 2,058 | 1,731 | 24 | 19 | |||||||||||||
| Interchange Fee Income | 19,598 | 17,125 | 17,452 | 14 | (2) | |||||||||||||
| Sale of Assets of German American Insurance | — | 38,323 | — | n/m (1) | n/m (1) | |||||||||||||
| Other Operating Income | 8,758 | 5,419 | 5,830 | 62 | (7) | |||||||||||||
| Subtotal | 62,802 | 94,394 | 57,858 | (33) | 63 | |||||||||||||
| Net Gains on Sales of Loans | 4,510 | 3,054 | 2,363 | 48 | 29 | |||||||||||||
| Net Gains on Securities | — | (34,788) | 40 | (100) | (87,070) | |||||||||||||
| TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME | $ | 67,312 | $ | 62,660 | $ | 60,261 | 7 | 4 |
(1) n/m = not meaningful
Wealth management fees increased $2,392,000, or 17%, during 2025 compared with 2024. The increase during the year ended December 31, 2025 compared with the same period of 2024 was largely attributable to increased assets under management, driven by healthy capital markets throughout 2024 and 2025, and continued strong new business results in addition to the Heartland acquisition. Wealth management fees increased $2,705,000, or 23%, during 2024 compared with 2023. The increase was largely attributable to continued increases in assets under management due to healthy capital markets and strong new business results, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023.
Service charges on deposit accounts increased $2,414,000, or 19%, during the year ended December 31, 2025, compared with the same period of 2024. The increase during 2025 compared with 2024 was primarily driven by the Heartland acquisition in addition to increased customer utilization of deposit services.
No insurance revenues were recognized during the year ended December 31, 2025 due to the sale of the GAI assets effective June 1, 2024. As a result, insurance revenues declined $4,384,000 during 2025, compared with 2024. As previously discussed, the sale of substantially all of the assets of GAI in June 2024 resulted in net proceeds of $38,323,000. Insurance revenues declined $5,212,000, or 54%, during 2024 compared with 2023, as a result of the sale of the assets of GAI effective June 1, 2024, with only five months of revenue being recognized by the Company during 2024 due to the aforementioned sale of assets.
Interchange fees increased $2,473,000, or 14%, during the year ended December 31, 2025, compared with the same period of 2024. The increase during 2025 compared with 2024 was largely attributable to the Heartland acquisition.
Net gains on sales of loans increased $1,456,000, or 48%, during the year ended December 31, 2025 compared with the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase during 2025 compared with 2024 was related to the Heartland acquisition and a higher volume of loans sold. Net gains on sales of loans increased $691,000, or 29%, during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase during 2024 compared with 2023 was related to both a higher volume of loans sold and improved pricing levels. Loan sales totaled $193.2 million during 2025, $130.7 million during 2024, and $109.0 million during 2023.
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There were no securities transactions during 2025 that resulted in net gains or losses. The net loss on securities during 2024 totaled $34,788,000 which was primarily related to the net loss recognized on the securities restructuring transaction previously discussed. The approximate loss on the transaction totaled $34,893,000, $27,189,000 after tax, or $0.92, per share and was included in earnings for the second quarter of 2024. The proceeds from the securities sold were reinvested in the securities portfolio by the end of the third quarter of 2024.
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
During the year ended December 31, 2025, non-interest expense totaled $201,949,000, an increase of $55,572,000, or 38%, compared with the same period of 2024. The primary drivers of the increased operating expenses in 2025 compared with 2024 were the Heartland operating costs and acquisition-related costs, with such amounts being $6,996,000 for the year ended December 31, 2025 and $1,370,000 for the same period of 2024. The year ended December 31, 2024 also included non-recurring professional fees and other costs associated with the GAI asset sale that totaled approximately $1,816,000.
On an adjusted basis, non-interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $194,953,000 compared to $139,777,000 for the same period of 2024. Adjusted non-interest expense is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” contained in this release for additional information, including a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, non-interest expense totaled $146,377,000, an increase of $1,880,000, or 1%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in non-interest expenses during the year ended 2024 was in large part the result of professional fees related to the previously mentioned GAI asset sale and the merger transaction with Heartland, which totaled approximately $2,759,000.
| Non-interest Expense (dollars in thousands) | Years Ended December 31, | % Change From Prior Year | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||
| Salaries and Employee Benefits | $ | 107,742 | $ | 82,257 | $ | 83,244 | 31 | % | (1) | % | ||||||||
| Occupancy, Furniture and Equipment Expense | 19,634 | 14,944 | 14,467 | 31 | 3 | |||||||||||||
| FDIC Premiums | 3,800 | 2,908 | 2,829 | 31 | 3 | |||||||||||||
| Data Processing Fees | 17,579 | 12,243 | 11,112 | 44 | 10 | |||||||||||||
| Professional Fees | 10,418 | 8,147 | 5,575 | 28 | 46 | |||||||||||||
| Advertising and Promotion | 5,153 | 3,939 | 4,857 | 31 | (19) | |||||||||||||
| Intangible Amortization | 10,148 | 2,032 | 2,840 | 399 | (28) | |||||||||||||
| Other Operating Expenses | 27,475 | 19,907 | 19,573 | 38 | 2 | |||||||||||||
| TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE | $ | 201,949 | $ | 146,377 | $ | 144,497 | 38 | 1 |
Salaries and benefits increased $25,485,000, or 31%, during the year ended December 31, 2025 compared with the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase in 2025 compared with 2024 was due primarily to the salaries and benefits costs for the Heartland employee base. Salaries and benefits declined $987,000, or 1%, during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with the year ended December 31, 2023. The decline in salaries and benefits during 2024 compared with 2023 was largely related to the GAI asset sale.
Occupancy, furniture and equipment expense increased $4,690,000, or 31%, during the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase during 2025 compared with 2024 was primarily attributable to the operating costs of the Heartland branch network. Occupancy, furniture and equipment expense increased $477,000 or 3%, during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with 2023.
Data processing fees increased $5,336,000, or 44%, during the year ended December 31, 2025 compared with the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase during 2025 compared with 2024 was largely driven by the Heartland acquisition including operating costs of the existing Heartland systems and acquisition-related costs. Data processing fees increased $1,131,000, or 10%, during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase during 2024 compared with 2023 was largely driven by costs associated with enhancements to the Company’s digital banking and data systems.
Professional fees increased $2,271,000, or 28%, during the year ended December 31, 2025 compared with 2024. The increase during 2025 compared with 2024 was primarily attributable to the Heartland acquisition and technology support services. Professional fees increased $2,572,000, or 46%, during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with 2023. The increase
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during 2024 compared with 2023 was attributable to the professional fees associated with the sale of assets of GAI and the merger with Heartland, which totaled $2,759,000 for the two transactions.
Intangible amortization expense consists primarily of amortization associated with the core deposit intangible of acquired deposit portfolios. Intangible amortization increased $8,116,000, or 399%, during the year ended December 31, 2025 compared with the same period of 2024. The increase was attributable to the Heartland acquisition. Intangible amortization decreased $808,000, or 28%, during 2024 compared with 2023 largely related to the accelerated method for which the intangible assets are amortized.
Other operating expenses increased $7,568,000, or 38%, during the year ended December 31, 2025 compared with the same period of 2024. The increase was largely attributable to the operating costs of Heartland. Other operating expenses increased $334,000, or 2%, during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023.
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
The Company records a provision for current income taxes payable, along with a provision for deferred taxes payable in the future. Deferred taxes arise from temporary differences, which are items recorded for financial statement purposes in a different period than for income tax returns. The Company’s effective tax rate was 19.6%, 19.5%, and 17.1%, respectively, in 2025, 2024, and 2023. The effective tax rate in all periods presented was lower than the blended statutory rate resulting primarily from the Company’s tax-exempt investment income on securities, loans and company-owned life insurance, income tax credits generated from affordable housing projects, and income generated by subsidiaries domiciled in a state with no state or local income tax.
See Note 11 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Report for additional details relative to the Company’s income tax provision.
CAPITAL RESOURCES
As of December 31, 2025, shareholders’ equity increased by $447.3 million to $1.162 billion compared with $715.1 million at year-end 2024. The increase in shareholders’ equity was primarily attributable to the Heartland acquisition, which resulted in an increase of $319.5 million in equity. The increase in shareholders’ equity was also driven by an increase in retained earnings of $69.4 million due to net income of $112.6 million, which was partially offset by the payment of $43.2 million in shareholder dividends.
Shareholders’ equity represented 13.9% of total assets at December 31, 2025 and 11.4% of total assets at December 31, 2024. Shareholders’ equity included $409.3 million of goodwill and other intangible assets at December 31, 2025 compared to $183.0 million of goodwill and other intangible assets at December 31, 2024.
The Company’s Board of Directors previously approved a plan to repurchase up to 1.0 million shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock. On a share basis, the amount of common stock subject to the repurchase plan represented approximately 3.4% of the Company’s outstanding shares on January 31, 2022 (the date it was approved), and currently represents 2.7% of shares outstanding. The Company is not obligated to purchase any shares under the plan, and the plan may be discontinued at any time. The actual timing, number and share price of shares purchased under the repurchase plan will be determined by the Company at its discretion and will depend upon such factors as the market price of the stock, general market and economic conditions and applicable legal requirements. The Company has not repurchased any shares of common stock under the repurchase plan.
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “IRA”), among other things, imposes a 1% excise tax on the fair market value of stock repurchased by publicly traded U.S. corporations, like the Company. With certain exceptions, the value of stock repurchased is determined net of stock issued in the year, including shares issued pursuant to compensatory arrangements.
Federal banking regulations provide guidelines for determining the capital adequacy of bank holding companies and banks. These guidelines provide for a more narrow definition of core capital and assign a measure of risk to the various categories of assets. The Company is required to maintain minimum levels of capital in proportion to total risk-weighted assets and off-balance sheet exposures.
The current risk-based capital rules, as adopted by federal banking regulators, are based upon guidelines developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and reflect various requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act (the “Basel III Rules”). The Basel
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III Rules require banking organizations to, among other things, maintain a minimum ratio of Total Capital to risk-weighted assets, a minimum ratio of Tier 1 Capital to risk-weighted assets, a minimum ratio of “Common Equity Tier 1 Capital” to risk-weighted assets, and a minimum leverage ratio (calculated as the ratio of Tier 1 Capital to adjusted average consolidated assets). In addition, under the Basel III Rules, in order to avoid limitations on capital distributions, including dividend payments, the Company is required to maintain a 2.5% capital conservation buffer above the adequately capitalized regulatory capital ratios. At December 31, 2025, the capital levels for the Company and its subsidiary bank remained well in excess of the minimum amounts needed for capital adequacy purposes and the Bank’s capital levels met the necessary requirements to be considered well-capitalized.
The table below presents the Company’s consolidated and the subsidiary bank’s capital ratios under regulatory guidelines:
| 12/31/2025 Ratio | 12/31/2024 Ratio | Minimum for Capital Adequacy Purposes ⁽¹⁾ | Well-Capitalized Guidelines | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | ||||||||||||
| Consolidated | 14.93 | % | 17.15 | % | 8.00 | % | N/A | |||||
| Bank | 13.80 | 15.02 | 8.00 | 10.00 | % | |||||||
| Tier 1 (Core) Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | ||||||||||||
| Consolidated | 14.04 | % | 15.72 | % | 6.00 | % | N/A | |||||
| Bank | 12.91 | 14.23 | 6.00 | 8.00 | % | |||||||
| Common Tier 1 (CET 1) Capital Ratio (to Risk Weighted Assets) | ||||||||||||
| Consolidated | 13.52 | % | 15.02 | % | 4.50 | % | N/A | |||||
| Bank | 12.91 | 14.23 | 4.50 | 6.50 | % | |||||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) | ||||||||||||
| Consolidated | 11.54 | % | 12.28 | % | 4.00 | % | N/A | |||||
| Bank | 10.61 | 11.12 | 4.00 | 5.00 | % |
(1) Excludes capital conservation buffer.
As discussed in Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report, the Company adopted the CECL accounting standard under GAAP effective January 1, 2020. The regulatory capital rules applicable to the Company provided an optional three-year phase-in period for the day-one adverse regulatory capital effects of adopting CECL. In addition, as part of the pandemic-related legislation enacted during 2020, banking organizations were further permitted to mitigate the estimated cumulative regulatory capital effects of CECL for up to an additional two years. As a result, on January 1, 2022, the Company began the required three-year phase-in by reflecting 25% of the previously deferred estimated capital impact of CECL in its regulatory capital. An additional 25% was phased in on each of January 1, 2023, January 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025. As of January 1, 2025, the adverse cumulative effects of adopting CECL have been fully phased into our regulatory capital.
USES OF FUNDS
LOANS
December 31, 2025 total loans increased $1.7 billion, or 42% on an annualized basis, compared with December 31, 2024. The increase at December 31, 2025 compared with December 31, 2024 was largely due to the acquisition of Heartland in addition to continued organic loan growth throughout the Company’s existing market areas. Excluding loans acquired through the Heartland acquisition, total loans increased $261.9 million, or 6%, during 2025.
December 31, 2024 total loans increased $155.4 million, or 4%, compared with December 31, 2023. The increase in total loans at December 31, 2024 compared with year-end 2023 was broad-based across most segments of the portfolio. Commercial and industrial loans increased $9.5 million, or 1%, commercial real estate loans grew $103.0 million, or 5%, agricultural loans increased $7.2 million, or 2%, and retail loans increased $35.6 million, or 18%.
The Bank has certain lending policies and procedures in place that are designed to maximize loan income within an acceptable level of risk. Management reviews and approves these policies and procedures on a regular basis. A reporting system supplements the review process by providing management with frequent reports related to loan production, loan quality, concentration of credit, loan delinquencies and non-performing and potential problem loans. Diversification in the loan portfolio is a means of managing risk associated with fluctuations in economic conditions. As reflected in the table below, over the past several years (including 2025), the composition of the loan portfolio has remained relatively stable.
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The addition of the Heartland loan portfolio resulted in only modest changes to the overall portfolio composition, most notably in the residential mortgage loan segment. The portfolio is most heavily weighted in commercial real estate loans at 54% of the portfolio, followed by commercial and industrial loans at 14% of the portfolio, residential mortgage loans at 13% of the portfolio (up from 9% at December 31, 2024), agricultural loans at 8% of the portfolio, and home equity loans at 8% of the portfolio. The Company’s commercial lending is extended to various industries, including multi-family housing and lodging, agribusiness and manufacturing, as well as health care, wholesale, and retail services.
| Loan Portfolio | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | $ | 848,240 | $ | 671,038 | $ | 661,529 | $ | 676,502 | $ | 548,350 | |||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 3,142,472 | 2,224,872 | 2,121,835 | 1,966,884 | 1,530,677 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | 489,168 | 431,037 | 423,803 | 417,413 | 358,150 | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity, Consumer Loans and Credit Cards | 630,015 | 448,872 | 407,889 | 377,164 | 307,184 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 774,553 | 357,448 | 362,844 | 350,682 | 263,565 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Loans | 5,884,448 | 4,133,267 | 3,977,900 | 3,788,645 | 3,007,926 | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Unearned Income | (9,351) | (8,365) | (6,818) | (3,711) | (3,662) | ||||||||||||||
| Subtotal | 5,875,097 | 4,124,902 | 3,971,082 | 3,784,934 | 3,004,264 | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Allowance for Credit Losses | (77,694) | (44,436) | (43,765) | (44,168) | (37,017) | ||||||||||||||
| Loans, Net | $ | 5,797,403 | $ | 4,080,466 | $ | 3,927,317 | $ | 3,740,766 | $ | 2,967,247 | |||||||||
| Net PPP Loans (Included in Commercial and Industrial Loans above) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 19,450 | |||||||||
| Ratio of Loans to Total Loans | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | 14 | % | 16 | % | 17 | % | 18 | % | 18 | % | |||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 54 | % | 54 | % | 53 | % | 52 | % | 51 | % | |||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | 8 | % | 10 | % | 11 | % | 11 | % | 12 | % | |||||||||
| Home Equity, Consumer Loans and Credit Cards | 11 | % | 11 | % | 10 | % | 10 | % | 10 | % | |||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 13 | % | 9 | % | 9 | % | 9 | % | 9 | % | |||||||||
| Total Loans | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % |
The Company’s policy is generally to extend credit to consumer and commercial borrowers in its primary geographic market area in Indiana (central/southern), Kentucky (northern/central/western), and Ohio (central/ southwest). Commercial extensions of credit outside this market area are generally concentrated in real estate loans within a reasonable proximity of the Company’s primary market and are granted on a selective basis.
The Company’s commercial real estate portfolio is well-diversified over numerous property types. The table below provides property type detail for the most significant segments of the Company’s commercial real estate loan portfolio.
| December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of Commercial Real Estate Portfolio | % of Total Loan Portfolio | % of Commercial Real Estate Portfolio | % of Total Loan Portfolio | |||||||||
| Multi-Family Dwellings | 21 | % | 11 | % | 20 | % | 11 | % | ||||
| Retail Space | 14 | % | 7 | % | 15 | % | 8 | % | ||||
| Industrial, Manufacturing, Warehousing Properties | 9 | % | 5 | % | 10 | % | 5 | % | ||||
| Lodging | 9 | % | 5 | % | 6 | % | 3 | % | ||||
| 1-4 Family Investment Properties | 8 | % | 4 | % | 11 | % | 6 | % | ||||
| Office Real Estate | 8 | % | 4 | % | 9 | % | 5 | % | ||||
| Healthcare Facilities | 8 | % | 4 | % | 7 | % | 4 | % | ||||
| Land Development and Construction | 6 | % | 3 | % | 7 | % | 4 | % |
The Company’s commercial real estate (“CRE”) loan portfolio is further diversified by occupancy type, with approximately 76% of the CRE portfolio being non-owner occupied at December 31, 2025 (which is 40% of the Company’s overall loan portfolio), and 24% of the CRE portfolio being owner occupied (which is 13% of the Company’s total loan portfolio). The Company’s CRE loan portfolio was comprised of approximately 77% of non-owner occupied CRE at December 31, 2024 (which was 42% of the Company’s overall loan portfolio), and 23% owner occupied CRE (which was 12% of the Company’s total loan portfolio).
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CRE loans are underwritten after evaluating and understanding the borrower’s ability to operate profitably and prudently expand its business. Like much of the Bank’s lending activities, the underwriting standards for CRE are designed to promote relationship banking rather than transactional banking. Once it is determined that the borrower’s management possesses sound ethics and solid business acumen, our management examines market conditions and current and projected cash flows to determine the ability of the borrower to repay their obligations as agreed. CRE loans are viewed primarily as cash flow loans and secondarily as loans secured by real estate. As discussed above, the properties securing our commercial real estate portfolio are diverse in terms of property type, occupancy type, and geographic location. This diversity helps reduce the Bank’s exposure to adverse economic events that affect any single market or industry. Management will continue to monitor and evaluate CRE loans based on collateral, geography and risk grade criteria.
The following table indicates the amounts of loans (excluding residential mortgages on 1-4 family residences and consumer loans) outstanding as of December 31, 2025, which, based on remaining scheduled repayments of principal, are due in the periods indicated (dollars in thousands).
| Within One Year | One to Five Years | After Five Years | Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial and Agricultural | $ | 1,335,804 | $ | 2,266,754 | $ | 894,257 | $ | 4,496,815 |
| Interest Sensitivity | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Rate | Variable Rate | ||||||
| Loans Maturing After One Year | $ | 959,339 | $ | 2,201,672 |
INVESTMENTS
The investment portfolio is a principal source for funding the Company’s loan growth and other liquidity needs of its subsidiaries. The Company’s securities portfolio primarily consists of money market securities, collateralized and uncollateralized federal agency securities, municipal obligations of state and political subdivisions, and mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations (MBS/CMO - Residential) issued by U.S. government agencies. Money market securities include federal funds sold, interest-bearing balances with banks, and other short-term investments. The composition of the year-end balances in the investment portfolio is presented in Note 3 (Securities) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report and in the table below:
| Investment Portfolio, at Amortized Cost | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | 2025 | % | 2024 | % | 2023 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Federal Funds Sold and Other Short-term Investments | $ | 46,954 | 2 | % | $ | 119,543 | 6 | % | $ | 36,525 | 2 | % | |||||||||
| U.S. Treasury | 152,026 | 8 | 110,813 | 6 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions | 603,528 | 32 | 587,963 | 31 | 889,940 | 47 | |||||||||||||||
| MBS/CMO | 795,574 | 42 | 817,553 | 43 | 761,025 | 40 | |||||||||||||||
| US Gov’t Sponsored Entities & Agencies | 314,604 | 16 | 279,711 | 14 | 220,295 | 11 | |||||||||||||||
| Equity Securities | 353 | n/m ⁽¹⁾ | 353 | n/m ⁽¹⁾ | 353 | n/m ⁽¹⁾ | |||||||||||||||
| Total Securities Portfolio | $ | 1,913,039 | 100 | % | $ | 1,915,936 | 100 | % | $ | 1,908,138 | 100 | % |
(1)n/m = not meaningful
The amortized cost of investment securities, including federal funds sold and short-term investments, declined $2.9 million, or less than 1%, at year-end 2025 compared to year-end 2024. The amortized cost of the investment securities increased $69.7 million during 2025 partially attributable to the acquisition of Heartland Bank and reinvestment of principal and interest cash flows back into the investment portfolio over the course of the year. The decline in federal funds sold and short-term investments totaling $72.6 million was impacted by the aforementioned redemption of sub-debt totaling $64.3 million.
The amortized cost of investment securities, including federal funds sold and short-term investments, increased $7.8 million, or less than 1%, at year-end 2024 compared to year-end 2023. As previously discussed, during June and July 2024, the Company undertook a partial restructuring of its securities portfolio by selling available-for-sale securities totaling approximately $375.3 million in book value. The tax-equivalent yield on the bonds sold was approximately 3.12% with a duration of approximately 7 years. The proceeds from the securities sold were reinvested in the securities portfolio by the end of the third quarter of 2024.
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After the restructuring, the investment portfolio continues to be relatively balanced with agency issued mortgage-related securities and collateralized and uncollateralized federal agency securities totaling 58% and 57% of the total securities portfolio at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The Company’s level of obligations of state and political subdivisions decreased to 32% and 31% of the portfolio at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
| Investment Securities, at Carrying Value | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||
| December 31, | |||||||||||
| Securities Available-for-Sale | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
| U.S. Treasury | $ | 152,090 | $ | 110,864 | $ | — | |||||
| Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions | 497,606 | 463,169 | 768,875 | ||||||||
| MBS/CMO | 719,542 | 702,179 | 645,040 | ||||||||
| US Gov’t Sponsored Entities & Agencies | 288,156 | 241,075 | 182,917 | ||||||||
| Total Securities | $ | 1,657,394 | $ | 1,517,287 | $ | 1,596,832 |
The Company’s $1.657 billion available-for-sale investment portfolio provides an additional funding source for the liquidity needs of the Company’s subsidiaries and for asset/liability management requirements. Although management has the ability to sell these securities if the need arises, their designation as available-for-sale should not necessarily be interpreted as an indication that management anticipates such sales.
The amortized cost of available-for-sale debt securities at December 31, 2025 is shown in the following table by contractual maturity. MBS/CMO - Residential securities are based on estimated average lives. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations.
Maturities and Average Yields of Securities at December 31, 2025
(dollars in thousands)
| Within One Year | After One But Within Five Years | After Five But Within Ten Years | After Ten Years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | |||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury | $ | 152,026 | 3.81 | % | $ | — | — | % | $ | — | — | % | $ | — | — | % | ||||||||||||
| Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions | 2,359 | 4.49 | % | 10,867 | 3.49 | % | 62,323 | 2.91 | % | 527,979 | 2.90 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| MBS/CMO | 1 | 6.81 | % | 2,180 | 3.41 | % | 39,050 | 3.64 | % | 754,343 | 2.81 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| US Gov’t Sponsored Entities & Agencies | 260 | 2.01 | % | 9,951 | 4.58 | % | 330 | 2.24 | % | 304,063 | 3.22 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Securities | $ | 154,646 | 3.82 | % | $ | 22,998 | 3.95 | % | $ | 101,703 | 3.19 | % | $ | 1,586,385 | 2.92 | % |
A tax-equivalent adjustment using a tax rate of 21 percent was used in the above table.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
In addition to the other uses of funds discussed previously, the Company has certain contractual obligations to make cash payments. These contractual obligations primarily consist of borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), junior subordinated debentures, deposits, repurchase agreements, and lease commitments for certain office facilities. A summary of these payment obligations is set forth below.
| Contractual and Other Obligations | Payments Due In | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | One Year or Less | Over One Year | Total | ||||||||
| Deposits without Stated Maturities | $ | 5,700,205 | $ | — | $ | 5,700,205 | |||||
| Time Deposits | 1,074,869 | 214,668 | 1,289,537 | ||||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank Advances | — | 100,000 | 100,000 | ||||||||
| Other Borrowings (Subordinated Notes and Debentures) | — | 36,694 | 36,694 | ||||||||
| Federal Funds Purchased | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Securities Sold under Repurchase Agreements | 43,852 | — | 43,852 | ||||||||
| Lease Obligations | 2,065 | 7,306 | 9,371 | ||||||||
| Total Contractual and Other Obligations | $ | 6,820,991 | $ | 358,668 | $ | 7,179,659 |
In the normal course of business, the Company makes commitments to extend credit and commitments to sell loans, which are not reflected in its consolidated financial statements. For further information about such commitments, see Note 15 (Commitments and Off-balance Sheet Items) in Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
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SOURCES OF FUNDS
The Company’s primary source of funding is its base of core customer deposits. Core deposits consist of demand deposits, savings, interest-bearing checking, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit of less than $100,000. Other deposit sources include certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more and brokered deposits. The deposit base remains diverse with stable and manageable exposure to uninsured and uncollateralized deposits of approximately 25% of total deposits.
Other funding sources include overnight borrowings from other financial institutions and securities sold under agreement to repurchase. The membership of the Company’s affiliate bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System provides a significant additional source for both long and short-term collateralized borrowings. In addition, the Company, as a separate and distinct corporation from its bank and other subsidiaries, also has the ability to borrow funds from other financial institutions and to raise debt or equity capital from the capital markets and other sources. The following pages contain a discussion of changes in funding sources.
The table below illustrates changes between years in the average balances of all funding sources:
| Funding Sources - Average Balances (dollars in thousands) | December 31, | % Change From Prior Year | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||
| Demand Deposits | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest-bearing | $ | 1,851,978 | $ | 1,420,412 | $ | 1,553,082 | 30 | % | (9) | % | ||||||||
| Interest-bearing | 1,882,386 | 1,720,823 | 1,826,232 | 9 | (6) | |||||||||||||
| Savings Deposits | 608,139 | 507,203 | 572,623 | 20 | (11) | |||||||||||||
| Money Market Accounts | 1,242,978 | 784,047 | 656,396 | 59 | 19 | |||||||||||||
| Other Time Deposits | 414,442 | 334,958 | 256,909 | 24 | 30 | |||||||||||||
| Total Core Deposits | 5,999,923 | 4,767,443 | 4,865,242 | 26 | (2) | |||||||||||||
| Certificates of Deposits of $100,000 or more and Brokered Deposits | 915,196 | 537,471 | 331,233 | 70 | 62 | |||||||||||||
| FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings | 215,334 | 196,480 | 210,837 | 10 | (7) | |||||||||||||
| Total Funding Sources | $ | 7,130,453 | $ | 5,501,394 | $ | 5,407,312 | 30 | 2 |
Maturities of certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more are summarized as follows:
(dollars in thousands)
| 3 Months Or Less | 3 - 6 Months | 6 - 12 Months | Over 12 Months | Total | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | $ | 387,210 | $ | 229,450 | $ | 83,342 | $ | 113,639 | $ | 813,641 |
CORE DEPOSITS
The Company’s overall level of average core deposits increased approximately $1.2 billion, or 26%, during 2025 compared with 2024. This increase was largely attributable to the Heartland acquisition. As of December 31, 2025, average core deposits from the Heartland acquisition totaled approximately $1.2 billion.
The Company’s overall level of average core deposits declined approximately $98.6 million, or 2%, during 2024 compared with 2023. Competitive deposit pricing in the marketplace as well as customers actively looking for yield opportunities within and outside the banking industry were contributing factors to the decline in total deposits throughout 2024.
The Company’s ability to attract core deposits continues to be influenced by competition and the interest rate environment, as well as the availability of alternative investment products. Core deposits continue to represent a significant funding source for the Company’s operations and represented 84% of average funding sources during 2025 compared with 87% during 2024 and 90% during 2023.
Demand, savings, and money market deposits have provided a growing source of funding for the Company in each of the periods reported. Average demand, savings, and money market deposits increased 26% during 2025 and declined 4% during 2024. Average demand, savings, and money market deposits totaled $5.585 billion or 93% of core deposits (78% of total funding sources) in 2025 compared with $4.432 billion or 93% of core deposits (81% of total funding sources) in 2024 and $4.608 billion or 95% of core deposits (85% of total funding sources) in 2023. Notably, non-interest deposits have remained relatively stable as a percent of average total core deposits at approximately 31% during 2025 compared to 30% in 2024 and 32% in 2023.
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Other time deposits consist of certificates of deposits in denominations of less than $100,000. These average deposits increased by 44% in 2025 following an increase of 30% during 2024. Other time deposits comprised of 8% of core deposits in 2025 compared to 7% in 2024 and 5% in 2023.
OTHER FUNDING SOURCES
Certificates of deposits in denominations of $100,000 or more and brokered deposits are an additional source of other funding for the Company’s bank subsidiary and are used as both long-term and short-term funding sources. On an average basis, large denomination and brokered certificates increased $377.7 million, or 70%, during 2025. This follows an increase of $206.2 million, or 62%, during 2024. Large certificate deposits and brokered deposits comprised approximately 13% of average total funding sources in 2025 compared with 10% in 2024 and 6% in 2023.
At December 31, 2025, the Company had brokered deposits totaling $36.2 million compared to no brokered deposits at December 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company also participates in a reciprocal deposit program. Reciprocal Deposits totaled $153.1 million at December 31, 2025 and $96.8 million at December 31, 2024.
FHLB advances and other borrowings represent another source of other funding for the Company. Average borrowed funds increased $18.9 million, or 10%, during 2025 following a decrease of $14.4 million, or 7%, during 2024. Borrowings comprised approximately 3% of average total funding sources during 2025 compared with 4% in each of 2024 and 2023.
The bank subsidiary of the Company also utilizes short-term funding sources from time to time. These sources consist of overnight federal funds purchased from other financial institutions, secured repurchase agreements that generally mature within one day of the transaction date, and secured overnight variable rate borrowings from the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank. These borrowings represent an important source of short-term liquidity for the Company’s bank subsidiary.
The Company’s bank subsidiary is authorized by its Board to borrow up to $1.68 billion at the FHLB, but availability at December 31, 2025 was limited to approximately $619 million based on the then pledged collateral and outstanding borrowings. In addition, the Company had a borrowing capacity of approximately $749 million at the Federal Reserve Bank as of December 31, 2025, based on the then pledged collateral. The capacity for borrowings from the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank could be increased, in each case, by the Company pledging additional available collateral. The Company’s Asset/Liability Committee closely monitors the availability of these sources as part of its overall oversight and management of the bank subsidiary’s liquidity.
Long-term debt at the Company’s bank subsidiary is in the form of FHLB advances, which are secured by the pledge of certain investment securities, residential and housing-related mortgage loans, and certain other commercial real estate loans. See Note 8 (FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report for further information regarding borrowed funds.
PARENT COMPANY FUNDING SOURCES
The parent company is a corporation separate and distinct from its bank and other subsidiaries. For information regarding the financial condition, result of operations, and cash flows of the Company, presented on a parent-company-only basis, see Note 19 (Parent Company Financial Statements) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
The Company uses funds at the parent company level to pay dividends to its shareholders, to acquire or make other investments in other businesses or their securities or assets, to repurchase its stock from time to time, and for other general corporate purposes. The parent company does not have access to the deposits and certain other sources of funds that are available to its bank subsidiary to support its operations. Instead, the parent company has historically derived most of its revenues from dividends paid to the parent company by its bank subsidiary. The Company’s banking subsidiary is subject to statutory restrictions on its ability to pay dividends to the parent company. See Note 9 (Shareholders’ Equity) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report, which is incorporated herein by reference. The parent company has, from time-to-time, supplemented the dividends received from its subsidiaries with borrowings. For details related to borrowings, see Note 8 (FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
At year-end 2025, the Company had available to it a $15 million revolving line of credit facility that will mature on September 23, 2026. Borrowings are available for general working capital purposes. Interest is payable quarterly at a floating rate based
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upon term SOFR rate plus a margin payable in respect of any principal amounts advanced under the revolving line of credit. There was no outstanding balance as of December 31, 2025.
RISK MANAGEMENT
The Company is exposed to various types of business risk on an on-going basis. These risks include credit risk, liquidity risk and interest rate risk. Various procedures are employed at the Company’s subsidiary bank to monitor and mitigate risk in the loan and investment portfolios, as well as risks associated with changes in interest rates. Following is a discussion of the Company’s philosophies and procedures to address these risks.
LENDING AND LOAN ADMINISTRATION
Primary responsibility and accountability for day-to-day lending activities rests with the Company’s subsidiary bank. Loan personnel at the subsidiary bank have the authority to extend credit under guidelines approved by the Bank’s board of directors. The executive loan committee serves as a vehicle for communication and for the pooling of knowledge, judgment and experience of its members. The committee provides valuable input to lending personnel, acts as an approval body, and monitors the overall quality of the Bank’s loan portfolio. The Credit Risk Management Committee, comprised of members of the executive and senior management team, strives to ensure a consistent application of the Company’s lending policies. The Company also maintains a comprehensive risk-grading and loan review program, which includes quarterly reviews of problem loans, delinquencies and charge-offs. The purpose of this program is to evaluate loan administration, credit quality, loan documentation and the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses.
The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses to cover management’s estimate of all expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of the loan portfolio. Management estimates the required level of allowance for credit losses using past loan loss experience, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, along with reasonable and supportable forecasts, judgmentally adjusted for economic, external and internal quantitative and qualitative factors and portfolio trends. Economic factors include evaluating changes in international, national, regional and local economic and business conditions that affect the collectability of the loan portfolio. Internal factors include evaluating changes in lending policies and procedures; changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio; and changes in experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged-off. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed.
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The allowance for credit losses is comprised of: (a) specific reserves on individual credits; and (b) general reserves for certain loan categories and industries, and overall historical loss experience; based on performance trends in the loan portfolios, current economic conditions, and other factors that influence the level of estimated credit losses. The need for specific reserves are considered for credits when: (a) the customer’s cash flow or net worth appears insufficient to repay the loan; (b) the loan has been criticized in a regulatory examination; (c) the loan is on non-accrual; or, (d) other reasons where the ultimate collectability of the loan is in question, or the loan characteristics require special monitoring.
| Allowance for Credit Losses (dollars in thousands) | Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Balance of Allowance for Expected Credit Losses at Beginning of Period | $ | 44,436 | $ | 43,765 | $ | 44,168 | $ | 37,017 | $ | 46,859 | |||||||||
| Impact of Change in Accounting Method | (7) | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Loans Charged-off: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | 764 | 223 | 1,792 | 1,149 | 2,777 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 26 | 308 | 56 | 79 | 10 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | — | 8 | 27 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity, Consumer Loans and Credit Cards | 2,668 | 2,362 | 1,858 | 1,598 | 1,003 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 114 | — | 58 | 24 | 45 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Loans Charged-off | 3,572 | 2,901 | 3,791 | 2,850 | 3,835 | ||||||||||||||
| Recoveries of Previously Charged-off Loans: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | 49 | 55 | 154 | 26 | 61 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | — | 83 | 76 | 24 | 40 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | — | 2 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity, Consumer Loans and Credit Cards | 832 | 657 | 605 | 479 | 359 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 21 | — | 3 | 5 | 33 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Recoveries | 902 | 797 | 838 | 534 | 493 | ||||||||||||||
| Net Loans Recovered (Charged-off) | (2,670) | (2,104) | (2,953) | (2,316) | (3,342) | ||||||||||||||
| Acquisitions (Day 1 and Day 2 Impact) | 32,703 | — | — | 3,117 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Additions to Allowance Charged to Expense | 3,232 | 2,775 | 2,550 | 6,350 | (6,500) | ||||||||||||||
| Balance at End of Period | $ | 77,694 | $ | 44,436 | $ | 43,765 | $ | 44,168 | $ | 37,017 | |||||||||
| Net Charge-offs (Recoveries) to Average Loans Outstanding | 0.05 | % | 0.05 | % | 0.08 | % | 0.06 | % | 0.11 | % | |||||||||
| Provision for Credit Losses to Average Loans Outstanding | 0.09 | % | 0.07 | % | 0.07 | % | 0.17 | % | (0.21) | % | |||||||||
| Allowance for Credit Losses to Total Loans at Year-end | 1.32 | % | 1.08 | % | 1.10 | % | 1.17 | % | 1.23 | % |
The following table indicates the breakdown of the allowance for credit losses for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | $ | 20,754 | $ | 7,456 | $ | 8,267 | $ | 13,958 | $ | 9,754 | |||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 40,626 | 25,818 | 25,923 | 21,598 | 19,245 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | 3,324 | 4,917 | 3,837 | 4,188 | 4,505 | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity, Consumer Loans and Credit Cards | 5,352 | 3,443 | 2,976 | 2,196 | 1,808 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 7,638 | 2,802 | 2,762 | 2,228 | 1,705 | ||||||||||||||
| Unallocated | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total Allowance for Credit Losses | $ | 77,694 | $ | 44,436 | $ | 43,765 | $ | 44,168 | $ | 37,017 |
The Company’s allowance for credit losses totaled $77.7 million at December 31, 2025 compared to $44.4 million at December 31, 2024. The allowance for credit losses represented 1.32% of period-end loans at December 31, 2025 compared with 1.08% of period-end loans at December 31, 2024.
The Company added $32.7 million to the allowance for credit losses in conjunction with the closing of the Heartland acquisition on February 1, 2025, related to the Heartland loan portfolio. Of the increase in the allowance for credit losses for the Heartland portfolio, $16.2 million was recorded through the “Day 2” provision for credit losses under the CECL methodology. In a transaction like the Heartland merger, the current accounting rules require the acquirer to recognize an
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allowance for credit losses in the period of acquisition for both purchased credit deterioration (“PCD”) assets and non-PCD assets. The determination of PCD versus non-PCD determines how the allowance for credit loss flows through the financial statements. For PCD assets, the gross-up method includes the impact in the “Day 1” business combination entries with no impact to expense. For non-PCD assets, the impact is reflected outside of the business combination entries (sometimes referred to as “Day 2”) and is reflected in expense.
Under the CECL methodology, certain acquired loans continue to carry a fair value discount as well as an allowance for credit losses. As of December 31, 2025, the Company held net discounts on acquired loans of $52.8 million, which included $50.7 million related to the Heartland loan portfolio.
The Company added $9.4 million to the allowance for credit losses in conjunction with the closing of the CUB acquisition on January 1, 2022 related to the CUB loan portfolio. Of the increase in allowance for credit losses for the CUB portfolio, $6.3 million was recorded through the provision for credit losses on “Day 2” under the CECL methodology for non-PCD loans. The Company also acquired $29.9 million in PCD loans (at time of acquisition) for which the company recorded a credit adjustment of $3.1 million which was included in the allowance for credit losses.
The Company realized net charge-offs of $2,670,000, or 0.05% of average loans outstanding, during 2025 compared with $2,104,000, or 0.05% of average loans outstanding, during 2024 and $2,953,000, or 0.08% of average loans outstanding, during 2023.
Please see “RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Provision for Credit Losses” and “CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES - Allowance for Credit Losses” for additional information regarding the allowance.
NON-PERFORMING ASSETS
Non-performing assets consist of: (a) non-accrual loans; (b) loans which have been renegotiated to provide for a reduction or deferral of interest or principal because of deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower; (c) loans past due 90 days or more as to principal or interest; and, (d) other real estate owned. Loans are placed on non-accrual status when scheduled principal or interest payments are past due for 90 days or more or when the borrower’s ability to repay becomes doubtful. Uncollected accrued interest is reversed against income at the time a loan is placed on non-accrual. Loans are typically charged-off at 180 days past due, or earlier if deemed uncollectible. Exceptions to the non-accrual and charge-off policies are made when the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. The following table presents an analysis of the Company’s non-performing assets.
| Non-performing Assets | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-accrual Loans | $ | 29,319 | $ | 10,934 | $ | 9,136 | $ | 12,888 | $ | 14,602 | |||||||||
| Past Due Loans (90 days or more and accruing) | 92 | 188 | 55 | 1,427 | 156 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Non-performing Loans | 29,411 | 11,122 | 9,191 | 14,315 | 14,758 | ||||||||||||||
| Other Real Estate | 68 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total Non-performing Assets | $ | 29,479 | $ | 11,122 | $ | 9,191 | $ | 14,315 | $ | 14,758 | |||||||||
| Restructured Loans | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 104 | |||||||||
| Non-performing Loans to Total Loans | 0.50 | % | 0.27 | % | 0.23 | % | 0.38 | % | 0.49 | % | |||||||||
| Allowance for Credit Losses to Non-performing Loans | 264.17 | % | 399.53 | % | 476.17 | % | 308.54 | % | 250.83 | % |
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The following tables present an analysis of the Company’s non-accrual loans and loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing.
| Non-Accrual Loans | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | $ | 16,549 | $ | 5,018 | $ | 3,707 | $ | 7,936 | $ | 10,530 | |||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 6,303 | 1,745 | 1,889 | 1,950 | 2,243 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | 3,123 | 765 | 879 | 1,062 | 1,136 | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity Loans | 776 | 1,087 | 1,033 | 310 | 24 | ||||||||||||||
| Consumer Loans and Credit Cards | 181 | 117 | 253 | 400 | 82 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 2,387 | 2,202 | 1,375 | 1,230 | 587 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 29,319 | $ | 10,934 | $ | 9,136 | $ | 12,888 | $ | 14,602 |
| Loans Past Due 90 Days or More & Still Accruing | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,427 | $ | — | |||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 92 | 183 | 55 | — | 156 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | — | 5 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity Loans | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Consumer Loans and Credit Cards | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 92 | $ | 188 | $ | 55 | $ | 1,427 | $ | 156 |
Non-performing assets totaled $29.5 million, or 0.35% of total assets, at December 31, 2025 compared to $11.1 million, or 0.18% of total assets, at December 31, 2024 and compared to $9.2 million, or 0.15% of total assets, at December 31, 2023. Non-performing loans totaled $29.4 million, or 0.50% of total loans, at December 31, 2025 compared to $11.1 million, or 0.27% of total loans, at December 31, 2024 and compared with $9.2 million, or 0.23% of total loans, at December 31, 2023.
The increase in non-performing assets at December 31, 2025 compared with year-end 2024 is largely attributable to the Heartland acquisition with non-performing assets from the Heartland acquisition totaling approximately $18.6 million at year-end 2025. Total non-performing loans increased in 2024 as compared to 2023; however, there was no significant loss exposure on this increase.
For additional detail on individually analyzed loans, see Note 5 (Loans) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
During the period in which loans were non-performing, interest income recognized on non-performing loans for 2025 was $581,000. The gross interest income that would have been recognized in 2025 on non-performing loans if the loans had been current in accordance with their original terms was $3,220,000. Loans are typically placed on non-accrual status when scheduled principal or interest payments are past due for 90 days or more, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection.
LIQUIDITY AND INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT
Liquidity is a measure of the ability of the Company’s subsidiary bank to fund new loan demand, existing loan commitments and deposit withdrawals. The purpose of liquidity management is to match sources of funds with anticipated customer borrowings and withdrawals and other obligations to ensure a dependable funding base, without unduly penalizing earnings. Failure to properly manage liquidity requirements can result in the need to satisfy customer withdrawals and other obligations on less than desirable terms. The liquidity of the parent company is dependent upon the receipt of dividends from its bank subsidiary, which are subject to certain regulatory limitations explained in Note 9 (Shareholders’ Equity) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report. The subsidiary bank’s source of funding is predominately core deposits, time deposits in excess of $100,000 and brokered certificates of deposit, maturities of securities, repayments of loan principal and interest, federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank.
Interest rate risk is the exposure of the Company’s financial condition to adverse changes in market interest rates. In an effort to estimate the impact of sustained interest rate movements to the Company’s earnings, the Company monitors interest rate risk through computer-assisted simulation modeling of its net interest income. The Company’s simulation modeling monitors the
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potential impact to net interest income under various interest rate scenarios. The Company’s objective is to actively manage its asset/liability position within a one-year interval and to limit the risk in any of the interest rate scenarios to a reasonable level of tax-equivalent net interest income within that interval. The Company’s Asset/Liability Committee monitors compliance within established guidelines of the Funds Management Policy. See Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk section for further discussion regarding interest rate risk.
USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
The accounting and reporting policies of German American Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and general practices within the banking industry. As a supplement to GAAP, the Company has provided certain, non-GAAP financial measures, which it believes are useful because they assist investors in assessing the Company’s operating performance. Specifically, the Company has presented its net income, earnings per share, provision for credit losses, non-interest expense, non-interest income, efficiency ratio, return on average assets, return on average equity, return on tangible equity, and net interest margin on an as adjusted basis for the periods set forth below to reflect the exclusion of the following items: (1) the Current Expected Credit Losses (“CECL”) “Day 2” provision expense for acquired loans that have only insignificant credit deterioration (i.e., non-PCD loans) related to the Heartland merger; (2) non-recurring expenses related to the Heartland merger; (3) the net gain on the extinguishment of debt resulting from the redemption of certain subordinated notes on September 15, 2025 and December 30, 2025; (4) the operating results for German American Insurance, Inc. (“GAI”), whose assets were sold effective June 1, 2024; (5) the gain on the sale of GAI assets; and (6) the loss related to the securities portfolio restructuring transaction that occurred in the second quarter of 2024. Management believes excluding such items from these financial measures may be useful in assessing the Company’s underlying operational performance since the applicable transactions do not pertain to its core business operations and exclusion may facilitate better comparability between periods. In addition, management believes that by excluding such items the measures are useful to the Company, as well as analysts and investors, in assessing operating performance. Management also believes excluding these items may enhance comparability for peer comparison purposes.
Management believes that it is standard practice in the banking industry to present the efficiency ratio and net interest margin on a fully tax-equivalent basis and that, by doing so, it may enhance comparability for peer comparison purposes. The tax-equivalent adjustment to net interest income (for purposes of the efficiency ratio) and net interest margin recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets. Interest income and yields on tax-exempt securities and loans are presented using the current federal income tax rate of 21%.
Although intended to enhance investors’ understanding of the Company’s business and performance, these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered an alternative to GAAP.
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS
| Non-GAAP Reconciliation – Net Income and Earnings Per Share | Year Ended | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in Thousands, except per share amounts) | 12/31/2025 | 12/31/2024 | 12/31/2023 | ||||||||
| Net Income, as reported | $ | 112,635 | $ | 83,811 | $ | 85,888 | |||||
| Adjustments: | |||||||||||
| Plus: CECL Day 2 non-PCD provision | 12,150 | — | — | ||||||||
| Plus: Non-recurring merger-related expenses | 5,418 | 1,082 | — | ||||||||
| Less: Gain (loss) on debt extinguishment | 519 | — | — | ||||||||
| Less: Loss on securities restructuring | — | (27,189) | — | ||||||||
| Less: Income from GAI operations | — | 767 | — | ||||||||
| Less: Gain on sale of GAI assets | — | 27,476 | — | ||||||||
| Adjusted Net Income | $ | 129,684 | $ | 83,839 | $ | 85,888 | |||||
| Weighted Average Shares Outstanding | 36,796,342 | 29,656,416 | 29,557,567 | ||||||||
| Earnings Per Share, as reported | $ | 3.06 | $ | 2.83 | $ | 2.91 | |||||
| Earnings Per Share, as adjusted | $ | 3.52 | $ | 2.83 | $ | 2.91 |
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| Non-GAAP Reconciliation – Non-Interest Income and Non-Interest Expense | Year Ended | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in Thousands) | 12/31/2025 | 12/31/2024 | 12/31/2023 | ||||||||
| Non-Interest Income | $ | 67,312 | $ | 62,660 | $ | 60,261 | |||||
| Less: Gains (Losses) on securities | — | 105 | — | ||||||||
| Less: Loss on securities restructuring | — | (34,893) | — | ||||||||
| Less: Gain (loss) on debt extinguishment | 692 | — | — | ||||||||
| Less: Revenue from GAI operations | — | 4,434 | — | ||||||||
| Less: Gain on sale of GAI assets | — | 38,323 | — | ||||||||
| Adjusted Non-Interest Income | $ | 66,620 | $ | 54,691 | $ | 60,261 | |||||
| Non-Interest Expense | $ | 201,949 | $ | 146,377 | $ | 144,497 | |||||
| Less: Non-recurring merger-related expenses | 6,996 | 1,370 | — | ||||||||
| Less: Expense from GAI operations | — | 3,414 | — | ||||||||
| Less: Expense from sale of GAI assets | — | 1,816 | — | ||||||||
| Adjusted Non-Interest Expense | $ | 194,953 | $ | 139,777 | $ | 144,497 |
| Non-GAAP Reconciliation – Efficiency Ratio | Year Ended | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in Thousands) | 12/31/2025 | 12/31/2024 | 12/31/2023 | ||||||||
| Adjusted Non-Interest Expense (from above) | $ | 194,953 | $ | 139,777 | $ | 144,497 | |||||
| Less: Intangible Amortization | 10,148 | 2,032 | 2,840 | ||||||||
| Adjusted Non-Interest Expense excluding Intangible Amortization | $ | 184,805 | $ | 137,745 | $ | 141,657 | |||||
| Net Interest Income | $ | 294,132 | $ | 190,591 | $ | 190,433 | |||||
| Add: FTE Adjustment | 5,437 | 5,494 | 6,486 | ||||||||
| Net Interest Income (FTE) | 299,569 | 196,085 | 196,919 | ||||||||
| Adjusted Non-Interest Income (from above) | 66,620 | 54,691 | 60,261 | ||||||||
| Total Adjusted Total Revenue | $ | 366,189 | $ | 250,776 | $ | 257,180 | |||||
| Efficiency Ratio | 52.28 | % | 49.18 | % | 55.09 | % | |||||
| Adjusted Efficiency Ratio | 50.47 | % | 54.93 | % | 55.09 | % |
| Non-GAAP Reconciliation – Net Interest Margin | Year Ended | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in Thousands) | 12/31/2025 | 12/31/2024 | 12/31/2023 | ||||||||
| Net Interest Income (FTE) from above | $ | 299,569 | $ | 196,085 | $ | 196,919 | |||||
| Less: Accretion of Discount on Acquired Loans | 15,556 | 1,507 | — | ||||||||
| Adjusted Net Interest Income (FTE) | $ | 284,013 | $ | 194,578 | $ | 196,919 | |||||
| Average Earning Assets | $ | 7,453,650 | $ | 5,722,010 | $ | 5,504,219 | |||||
| Net Interest Margin (FTE) | 4.02 | % | 3.43 | % | 3.58 | % | |||||
| Adjusted Net Interest Margin (FTE) | 3.81 | % | 3.40 | % | 3.58 | % |
| Non-GAAP Reconciliation – Return on Average Assets | Year Ended | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in Thousands) | 12/31/2025 | 12/31/2024 | 12/31/2023 | ||||||||
| Adjusted Net Income | $ | 129,684 | $ | 83,839 | $ | 85,888 | |||||
| Average Assets | $ | 8,237,194 | $ | 6,233,753 | $ | 6,037,874 | |||||
| Return on Average Assets, as reported | 1.37 | % | 1.34 | % | 1.42 | % | |||||
| Return on Average Assets, as adjusted | 1.57 | % | 1.34 | % | 1.42 | % |
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| Non-GAAP Reconciliation – Return on Average Equity | Year Ended | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in Thousands) | 12/31/2025 | 12/31/2024 | 12/31/2023 | ||||||||
| Adjusted Net Income | $ | 129,684 | $ | 83,839 | $ | 85,888 | |||||
| Average Equity | $ | 1,050,990 | $ | 685,862 | $ | 584,106 | |||||
| Return on Average Equity, as reported | 10.72 | % | 12.22 | % | 14.70 | % | |||||
| Return on Average Equity, as adjusted | 12.34 | % | 12.22 | % | 14.70 | % |
| Non-GAAP Reconciliation – Return on Tangible Equity | Year Ended | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in Thousands) | 12/31/2025 | 12/31/2024 | 12/31/2023 | ||||||||
| Adjusted Net Income | $ | 129,684 | $ | 83,839 | $ | 85,888 | |||||
| Average Equity, as reported | $ | 1,050,990 | $ | 685,862 | $ | 584,106 | |||||
| Average Intangibles, as reported | 395,603 | 184,664 | 188,144 | ||||||||
| Average Tangible Equity | $ | 655,387 | $ | 501,198 | $ | 395,962 | |||||
| Return on Tangible Equity, as reported | 17.19 | % | 16.72 | % | 21.69 | % | |||||
| Return on Tangible Equity, as adjusted | 19.79 | % | 16.73 | % | 21.69 | % |
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: 0000714395-25-000012.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
INTRODUCTION
German American Bancorp, Inc. is a Nasdaq-listed (symbol: GABC) financial holding company based in Jasper, Indiana. German American, through its banking subsidiary German American Bank, operates 94 banking offices located throughout Indiana (central/southern), Kentucky (northern/central/western), and Ohio (central/ southwest). In Columbus, Ohio and Greater Cincinnati, the Company does business as Heartland Bank, a Division of German American Bank. The Company also owns an investment brokerage subsidiary German American Investment Services, Inc.
Throughout this Management’s Discussion and Analysis, as elsewhere in this Report, when we use the term “Company” and “German American”, we will usually be referring to the business and affairs (financial and otherwise) of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates as a whole. Occasionally, we will refer to the term “German American”, “Bancorp”, “parent company” or “holding company” when we mean to refer to only German American Bancorp, Inc., and the term “Bank” when we mean to refer to only the Company’s bank subsidiary.
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis includes an analysis of the major components of the Company’s operations for the years 2022 through 2024 and its financial condition as of December 31, 2023 and 2024. This information should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and footnotes contained elsewhere in this Report and with the description of business included in Item 1 of this Report (including the cautionary disclosure regarding “Forward Looking Statements and Associated Risks”). Financial and other information by segment is included in Note 17 (Segment Information) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report and is incorporated into this Item 7 by reference.
The statements of management’s expectations and goals concerning the Company’s future operations and performance that are set forth in the following Management Overview and in other sections of this Item 7 are forward-looking statements, and readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations of the Company that is expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. This Item 7, as well as the discussions in Item 1 (“Business”) entitled “Forward-Looking Statements and Associated Risks” and in Item 1A (“Risk Factors”) (which discussions are incorporated in this Item 7 by reference) list some of the factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to vary materially from those expressed or implied by any such forward-looking statements.
Any statements of management’s expectations and goals concerning the Company’s future operations and performance, and future financial condition, liquidity and capital resources that are set forth in the following Management Overview and in other sections of this Item 7 are forward-looking statements, and readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations of the Company that is expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. This Item 7, as well as the discussions in Item 1 (“Business”) entitled “Forward-Looking Statements and Associated Risks” and in Item 1A (“Risk Factors”) (which discussions are incorporated in this Item 7 by reference) list some of the factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to vary materially from those expressed or implied by any such forward-looking statements.
MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW
Business Developments
On February 1, 2025, German American Bancorp completed its previously announced acquisition of Heartland BancCorp (“Heartland”) through the merger of Heartland with and into the Bancorp. Immediately following completion of the Heartland holding company merger, Heartland’s subsidiary bank, Heartland Bank, was merged with and into the Bancorp’s subsidiary bank, German American Bank. Heartland, headquartered in Whitehall, Ohio, operated 20 retail banking offices located in Columbus, Ohio and Greater Cincinnati. As of December 31, 2024, Heartland had total assets of approximately $1.97 billion (unaudited), total loans of approximately $1.56 billion (unaudited), and total deposits of approximately $1.75 billion (unaudited). German American Bancorp issued approximately 7.74 million shares of its common stock, and paid approximately $23.1 million in cash, in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Heartland and in cancellation of all options to acquire Heartland common stock outstanding as of the effective time of the merger. For further information regarding this merger and acquisition transaction, see Note 21 (Subsequent Events) in the Notes to the
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Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report, which Note 21 is incorporated into this Item 1 by reference.
During June and July 2024, the Company undertook a partial restructuring of its securities portfolio by selling available-for-sale securities totaling approximately $375.3 million in book value, at an after-tax loss of approximately $27.2 million. The tax-equivalent yield on the bonds sold was approximately 3.12% with a duration of approximately 7 years. The proceeds from the securities sold were reinvested in the securities portfolio by the end of the third quarter of 2024.
Effective June 1, 2024, German American Insurance, Inc. (“GAI”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank, sold substantially all of its assets to The Hilb Group of Indiana, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Hilb”), for a purchase price of $40.0 million in cash. As part of the transaction, the Bank, as the parent of GAI, may receive payments for the referral of customers to Hilb, and the Company will refrain from conducting certain insurance activities, in each case, for a period of five (5) years following closing. Prior to the sale, GAI was a full-service agency offering personal and commercial insurance products.
On January 1, 2022, German American Bancorp completed the acquisition of Citizens Union Bancorp of Shelbyville, Inc. (“CUB”) through the merger of CUB with and into the Bancorp. Immediately following completion of the CUB holding company merger, CUB’s subsidiary bank, Citizen Union Bank of Shelbyville, Inc., was merged with and into the Bancorp’s subsidiary bank, German American Bank. CUB, headquartered in Shelbyville, Kentucky, operated 15 retail banking offices located in Shelby, Jefferson, Spencer, Bullitt, Oldham, Owen, Gallatin and Hardin counties in Kentucky through Citizens Union Bank of Shelbyville, Inc. As of the closing of the transaction, CUB had total assets of approximately $1.109 billion, total loans of approximately $683.8 million, and total deposits of approximately $930.5 million. German American Bancorp issued approximately 2.9 million shares of its common stock, and paid approximately $50.8 million in cash, in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of CUB.
For further information regarding this merger and acquisition transaction, see Note 19 (Business Combinations, Goodwill and Intangible Assets) in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
Financial Overview
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2024 totaled $83,811,000, or $2.83 per share, a decline of $2,077,000, or approximately 3% on a per share basis, from the year ended December 31, 2023 net income of $85,888,000, or $2.91 per share. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2024 included merger-related transaction costs associated with the Company’s merger with Heartland that totaled approximately $1,370,000, $1,082,000 after-tax, or $0.04 per share.
Net income for the year end December 31, 2024 was impacted by the sale of substantially all of the assets of GAI during the second quarter of 2024. The all-cash sale price totaled $40.0 million and resulted in an after-tax gain, net of transaction costs, of approximately $27,476,000, or $0.93 per share. GAI net income, excluding the after-tax gain, contributed approximately $767,000, or $0.03 per share, during 2024 compared with net income of $1,639,000, or $0.06 per share, during the full year of 2023.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2024 was also impacted by the securities portfolio restructuring transaction whereby available-for-sale securities totaling approximately $375.3 million in book value were sold. The approximate loss on these securities totaled $34,893,000, $27,189,000 after tax, or $0.92 per share, and was included in earnings for the second quarter of 2024. The proceeds from the securities sold were reinvested in the securities portfolio by the end of the third quarter of 2024.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2023 totaled $85,888,000, or $2.91 per share, an increase of $4,063,000, or approximately 5% on a per share basis, from the year ended December 31, 2022 net income of $81,825,000, or $2.78 per share. The increase in net income during 2023, compared with 2022, was primarily attributable to increased non-interest income, a decline in non-interest expenses (which was driven by higher expenses in 2022 as a result of the January 1, 2022 acquisition of CUB), and a lower provision for credit losses. The positive impact of those items was partially offset by a decline in net interest income resulting primarily from a reduced level of earning assets, which was somewhat mitigated by an improved net interest margin.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The financial condition and results of operations for the Company presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements, accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and selected financial data appearing elsewhere within this Report, are, to a large degree, dependent upon the Company’s accounting policies. The selection of and application of these
30
policies involve estimates, judgments, and uncertainties that are subject to change. The critical accounting policies and estimates that the Company has determined to be the most susceptible to change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for credit losses, the valuation of securities available for sale, income tax expense, and the valuation of goodwill and other intangible assets.
ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES
The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses to cover the estimated expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of the loan portfolio. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged-off. A provision for credit losses is charged to operations based on management’s periodic evaluation of the necessary allowance balance. Evaluations are conducted at least quarterly and more often if deemed necessary. The ultimate recovery of all loans is susceptible to future market factors beyond the Company’s control.
The Company has an established process to determine the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. The determination of the allowance is inherently subjective, as it requires significant estimates, including the amounts and timing of expected future cash flows on individually analyzed loans, estimated losses on other classified loans and pools of homogeneous loans, and consideration of past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts and other factors, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The allowance consists of two components of allocations, specific and general. These two components represent the total allowance for credit losses deemed adequate to cover expected credit losses over the expected life of the loan portfolio.
Commercial and agricultural loans are subject to a standardized grading process administered by an internal loan review function. The need for specific reserves is considered for credits when: (a) the customer’s cash flow or net worth appears insufficient to repay the loan; (b) the loan has been criticized in a regulatory examination; (c) the loan is on non-accrual; or (d) other reasons where the ultimate collectability of the loan is in question, or the loan characteristics require special monitoring.
Specific reserves on individually analyzed loans are determined by comparing the loan balance to the present value of expected cash flows or expected collateral proceeds. Allocations are also applied to categories of loans not individually analyzed but for which the rate of loss is expected to be greater than other similar type loans, including non-performing consumer or residential real estate loans. Such allocations are based on past loss experience, reasonable and supportable forecasts and information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values.
General allocations are made for commercial and agricultural loans that are graded as substandard and special mention, but are not individually analyzed for specific reserves as well as other pools of loans, including non-classified loans, homogeneous portfolios of consumer and residential real estate loans, and loans within certain industry categories believed to present unique risk of loss. General allocations of the allowance are primarily made based on historical averages for loan losses for these portfolios along with reasonable and supportable forecasts, judgmentally adjusted for economic, external and internal quantitative and qualitative factors and portfolio trends. Economic factors include evaluating changes in international, national, regional and local economic and business conditions that affect the collectability of the loan portfolio. Internal factors include evaluating changes in lending policies and procedures; changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio; and changes in experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff.
The allowance for credit losses for loans represents management’s estimate of all expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of the loan portfolio. Determining the appropriateness and adequacy of the allowance is complex and requires judgment by management about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Subsequent evaluations of the loan portfolio may result in significant changes in the allowance for credit losses in future periods.
The Company uses a number of economic variables in its scenarios to estimate the allowance for credit losses, with the most significant drivers being unemployment rate forecast, gross domestic product and agricultural producer price index as well as qualitative adjustments. Historical loss rates from periods where the average unemployment rate, gross domestic product and agricultural producer pricing index matches the forecast range are considered when calculating the forecast period loss rate.
Based on sensitivity analysis of all portfolios, a 0.050% change (slight improvement or decline on the Company’s scale) in all ten qualitative risk factors would have a $1,900,000 impact on the reserve allocation. The sensitivity and related range of impact is a hypothetical analysis and is not intended to represent management’s judgements or assumptions of qualitative loss
31
factors that were utilized at December 31, 2024 in estimation of the allowance for credit losses on loans recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
SECURITIES VALUATION
Available-for-sale debt securities in unrealized loss positions are evaluated for impairment related to credit losses at least quarterly. For available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company assesses whether we intend to sell, or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For available-for sale debt securities that do not meet the criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security and the issuer, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the Company compares the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security with the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis for the security, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded, limited to the amount that the fair value of the security is less than its amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. No allowance for credit losses for available-for-sale debt securities was needed at December 31, 2024. Accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale debt securities is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. As of December 31, 2024, gross unrealized gains on the securities available-for-sale portfolio totaled approximately $413,000 and gross unrealized losses totaled approximately $279,166,000. The net amount of these two items, net of applicable taxes, is included in other comprehensive income (loss).
Equity securities that do not have readily determinable fair values are carried at cost, less impairment with observable price changes being recognized in earnings.
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
Income tax expense involves estimates related to the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets and loss contingencies related to exposure from tax examinations presumed to occur.
A valuation allowance reduces deferred tax assets to the amount management believes is more likely than not to be realized. In evaluating the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers the likelihood that sufficient taxable income of appropriate character will be generated within carry-back and carry-forward periods, including consideration of available tax planning strategies. Tax-related loss contingencies, including assessments arising from tax examinations and tax strategies, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. In considering the likelihood of loss, management considers the nature of the contingency, the progress of any examination or related protest or appeal, the views of legal counsel and other advisors, experience of the Company or other enterprises in similar matters, if any, and management’s intended response to any assessment.
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill resulting from business combinations represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill resulting from business combinations is generally determined as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred, plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interests in the acquiree, over the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually. The Company has selected December 31 as the date to perform the annual impairment test. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on the Company’s balance sheet. No impairment to Goodwill was indicated based on year-end testing. Goodwill decreased $1,332,000 in 2024. This decrease was attributable to sale of substantially all of the assets of German American Insurance, Inc. For more information regarding goodwill and intangible assets, see Note 19 (Business Combinations, Goodwill and Intangible Assets) in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Other intangible assets consist of core deposit and acquired customer relationship intangible assets. They are initially measured at fair value and then are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which range from 6 to 10 years.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
NET INCOME
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2024 totaled $83,811,000, or $2.83 per share, a decline of $2,077,000, or approximately 3% on a per share basis, from the year ended December 31, 2023 net income of $85,888,000, or $2.91 per share. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2024 included merger-related transaction costs associated with the Company’s merger with Heartland that totaled approximately $1,370,000, $1,082,000 after-tax, or $0.04 per share.
Net income for the year end December 31, 2024 was impacted by the sale of substantially all of the assets of GAI during the second quarter of 2024. The all-cash sale price totaled $40.0 million and resulted in an after-tax gain, net of transaction costs, of approximately $27,476,000, or $0.93 per share. GAI net income, excluding the after-tax gain, contributed approximately $767,000, or $0.03 per share, during 2024 compared with net income of $1,639,000, or $0.06 per share, during the full year of 2023.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2024 was also impacted by the securities portfolio restructuring transaction whereby available-for-sale securities totaling approximately $375.3 million in book value were sold. The approximate loss on these securities totaled $34,893,000, $27,189,000 after tax, or $0.92 per share, and was included in earnings for the second quarter of 2024. The proceeds from the securities sold were reinvested in the securities portfolio by the end of the third quarter of 2024.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2023 totaled $85,888,000, or $2.91 per share, an increase of $4,063,000, or approximately 5% on a per share basis, from the year ended December 31, 2022 net income of $81,825,000, or $2.78 per share. The increase in net income during 2023, compared with 2022, was primarily attributable to increased non-interest income, a decline in non-interest expenses (which was driven by higher expenses in 2022 as a result of the January 1, 2022 acquisition of CUB), and a lower provision for credit losses. The positive impact of those items was partially offset by a decline in net interest income resulting primarily from a reduced level of earning assets, which was somewhat mitigated by an improved net interest margin.
NET INTEREST INCOME
Net interest income is the Company’s single largest source of earnings, and represents the difference between interest and fees realized on earning assets, less interest paid on deposits and borrowed funds. Several factors contribute to the determination of net interest income and net interest margin, including the volume and mix of earning assets, interest rates, and income taxes. Many factors affecting net interest income are subject to control by management policies and actions. Factors beyond the control of management include the general level of credit and deposit demand, Federal Reserve Board monetary policy, and changes in tax laws.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, net interest income, on a non tax-equivalent basis, totaled $190,591,000, which was relatively stable compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 net interest income of $190,433,000.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, net interest income, on a non tax-equivalent basis, totaled $190,433,000, a decline of $10,151,000, or 5%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 net interest income of $200,584,000. The decline in net interest income during 2023 compared with 2022 was primarily attributable to a decline in average earning assets, driven by a reduced level of deposits which was somewhat offset by an improved net interest margin resulting from the rise in market interest rates.
The net interest margin represents tax-equivalent net interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets. The net interest margin for the year ended December 31, 2024 was 3.43%, compared to 3.58% in 2023 and 3.45% in 2022. The decline in the net interest margin in 2024 compared with 2023 was largely driven by an increased cost of funds and a lower level of accretion of loan discounts on acquired loans. The cost of funds increased 56 basis points year over year.
The improvement in the Company’s net interest margin during 2023 compared to 2022 of 13 basis points was primarily the result of a shift in the earning assets from the securities portfolio to higher yielding loans, which was somewhat reduced by the increasing cost of deposits as a result of the higher market interest rates.
The Company’s net interest margin for all periods presented was impacted by the accretion of discounts on acquired loans. Accretion of discounts on acquired loans contributed approximately 3 basis point to the net interest margin in 2024, 5 basis
33
points in 2023 and 7 basis points during 2022. Accretion of discounts on acquired loans totaled $1,507,000 during 2024, $2,814,000 during 2023, and $4,341,000 during 2022.
The following table summarizes net interest income (on a tax-equivalent basis) for each of the past three years. For tax-equivalent adjustments, an effective tax rate of 21% was used for all periods presented (1).
Average Balance Sheet
(Tax-equivalent basis, dollars in thousands)
| Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024 | Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023 | Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Principal Balance | Income / Expense | Yield / Rate | Principal Balance | Income / Expense | Yield / Rate | Principal Balance | Income / Expense | Yield / Rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Federal Funds Sold and Other Short-term Investments | $ | 151,907 | $ | 7,697 | 5.07 | % | $ | 39,452 | $ | 1,677 | 4.25 | % | $ | 458,230 | $ | 5,765 | 1.26 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable | 947,884 | 26,586 | 2.80 | % | 890,841 | 20,614 | 2.31 | % | 1,015,958 | 20,453 | 2.01 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable | 586,549 | 20,910 | 3.56 | % | 738,769 | 27,656 | 3.74 | % | 844,772 | 29,810 | 3.53 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Loans and Leases ⁽²⁾ | 4,035,670 | 241,344 | 5.98 | % | 3,835,157 | 213,195 | 5.56 | % | 3,680,708 | 169,593 | 4.61 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL INTEREST EARNING ASSETS | 5,722,010 | 296,537 | 5.19 | % | 5,504,219 | 263,142 | 4.78 | % | 5,999,668 | 225,621 | 3.76 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Assets | 556,022 | 578,399 | 559,949 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Allowance for Credit Losses | (44,279) | (44,744) | (45,587) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 6,233,753 | $ | 6,037,874 | $ | 6,514,030 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing Demand Deposits | $ | 1,720,823 | $ | 30,957 | 1.80 | % | $ | 1,826,232 | $ | 28,378 | 1.55 | % | $ | 2,013,969 | $ | 8,583 | 0.43 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Savings Deposits and Money Market Accounts | 1,291,250 | 23,346 | 1.81 | % | 1,229,019 | 12,106 | 0.99 | % | 1,473,772 | 2,879 | 0.20 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Time Deposits | 872,429 | 36,319 | 4.16 | % | 588,142 | 16,432 | 2.79 | % | 474,409 | 2,052 | 0.43 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings | 196,480 | 9,830 | 5.00 | % | 210,837 | 9,307 | 4.41 | % | 159,029 | 4,828 | 3.04 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES | 4,080,982 | 100,452 | 2.46 | % | 3,854,230 | 66,223 | 1.72 | % | 4,121,179 | 18,342 | 0.45 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand Deposit Accounts | 1,420,412 | 1,553,082 | 1,738,349 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Liabilities | 46,497 | 46,456 | 44,436 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | 5,547,891 | 5,453,768 | 5,903,964 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ Equity | 685,862 | 584,106 | 610,066 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | $ | 6,233,753 | $ | 6,037,874 | $ | 6,514,030 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| COST OF FUNDS | 1.76 | % | 1.20 | % | 0.31 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NET INTEREST INCOME | $ | 196,085 | $ | 196,919 | $ | 207,279 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NET INTEREST MARGIN | 3.43 | % | 3.58 | % | 3.45 | % |
(1)Effective tax rates were determined as though interest earned on the Company’s investments in municipal bonds and loans was fully taxable.
(2)Loans held-for-sale and non-accruing loans have been included in average loans. Interest income on loans includes loan fees of $3,325, $4,316, and $6,972 for 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
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The following table sets forth for the periods indicated a summary of the changes in interest income and interest expense resulting from changes in volume and changes in rates:
Net Interest Income – Rate / Volume Analysis
(Tax-Equivalent basis, dollars in thousands)
| 2024 compared to 2023 Increase / (Decrease) Due to ⁽¹⁾ | 2023 compared to 2022 Increase / (Decrease) Due to ⁽¹⁾ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volume | Rate | Net | Volume | Rate | Net | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest Income: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Federal Funds Sold and Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term Investments | $ | 5,641 | $ | 379 | $ | 6,020 | $ | (8,748) | $ | 4,660 | $ | (4,088) | |||||||||||
| Taxable Securities | 1,384 | 4,588 | 5,972 | (2,689) | 2,849 | 160 | |||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable Securities | (5,478) | (1,268) | (6,746) | (3,894) | 1,741 | (2,153) | |||||||||||||||||
| Loans and Leases | 11,491 | 16,658 | 28,149 | 7,365 | 36,237 | 43,602 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Interest Income | 13,038 | 20,357 | 33,395 | (7,966) | 45,487 | 37,521 | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest Expense: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings and Interest-bearing Demand | (580) | 14,399 | 13,819 | (1,590) | 30,612 | 29,022 | |||||||||||||||||
| Time Deposits | 9,875 | 10,012 | 19,887 | 605 | 13,775 | 14,380 | |||||||||||||||||
| FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings | (662) | 1,185 | 523 | 1,871 | 2,608 | 4,479 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Interest Expense | 8,633 | 25,596 | 34,229 | 886 | 46,995 | 47,881 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net Interest Income | $ | 4,405 | $ | (5,239) | $ | (834) | $ | (8,852) | $ | (1,508) | $ | (10,360) |
(1) The change in interest due to both rate and volume has been allocated to volume and rate changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each.
See the Company’s Average Balance Sheet above and the discussions under the headings “USES OF FUNDS,” “SOURCES OF FUNDS,” and “RISK MANAGEMENT – Liquidity and Interest Rate Risk Management” for further information on the Company’s net interest income, net interest margin, and interest rate sensitivity position.
PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES
The Company provides for credit losses through regular provisions to the allowance for credit losses. The provision is affected by net charge-offs on loans and changes in specific and general allocations of the allowance. During 2024, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $2,775,000 compared with $2,550,000 during 2023 and $6,350,000 during 2022.
During 2024, the provision for credit losses represented approximately 7 basis points of average loans. The Company realized net charge-offs of $2,104,000 or 5 basis points of average loans during 2024.
During 2023, the provision for credit losses represented approximately 7 basis points of average loans. The lower provision recorded during 2023, as compared to 2022, was largely related to the resolution during the fourth quarter of 2023 of a single commercial borrowing relationship with minimal loss recognition for which the Company had established a significant reserve in previous periods. The Company realized net charge-offs of $2,953,000 or 8 basis points of average loans during 2023.
During 2022, the provision for credit losses represented approximately 17 basis points of average loans. The provision for credit losses in 2022 included $6,300,000 for the Day 1 CECL addition to the allocation for credit loss related to the CUB acquisition for the non-PCD loans. The Company realized net charge-offs of $2,316,000 or 6 basis points of average loans during 2022.
The provision for credit losses made during 2024 was made at a level deemed necessary by management to absorb expected losses in the loan portfolio. A detailed evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses is completed quarterly by management, the results of which are used to determine provision for credit losses. Management estimates the allowance balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts along with other qualitative and quantitative factors. Refer also to the sections entitled “CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND
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ESTIMATES” and “RISK MANAGEMENT - Lending and Loan Administration” for further discussion of the provision and allowance for credit losses.
NON-INTEREST INCOME
During the year ended December 31, 2024, non-interest income increased $2,399,000, or 4%, compared with the year ended December 31, 2023. The year ended December 31, 2024 non-interest income was positively impacted by the net proceeds of the sale of the GAI assets that totaled approximately $38,323,000 and was negatively impacted by $34,893,000 related to the net loss recognized on the securities restructuring transaction. During the year ended December 31, 2023, non-interest income increased $1,128,000 or 2% from the year ended December 31, 2022.
| Non-interest Income (dollars in thousands) | Years Ended December 31, | % Change From Prior Year | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||
| Wealth Management Fees | $ | 14,416 | $ | 11,711 | $ | 10,076 | 23 | % | 16 | % | ||||||||
| Service Charges on Deposit Accounts | 12,669 | 11,538 | 11,457 | 10 | 1 | |||||||||||||
| Insurance Revenues | 4,384 | 9,596 | 10,020 | (54) | (4) | |||||||||||||
| Company Owned Life Insurance | 2,058 | 1,731 | 2,264 | 19 | (24) | |||||||||||||
| Interchange Fee Income | 17,125 | 17,452 | 15,820 | (2) | 10 | |||||||||||||
| Sale of Assets of German American Insurance | 38,323 | — | — | n/m (1) | n/m (1) | |||||||||||||
| Other Operating Income | 5,419 | 5,830 | 5,116 | (7) | 14 | |||||||||||||
| Subtotal | 94,394 | 57,858 | 54,753 | 63 | 6 | |||||||||||||
| Net Gains on Sales of Loans | 3,054 | 2,363 | 3,818 | 29 | (38) | |||||||||||||
| Net Gains on Securities | (34,788) | 40 | 562 | (87,070) | (93) | |||||||||||||
| TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME | $ | 62,660 | $ | 60,261 | $ | 59,133 | 4 | 2 |
(1) n/m = not meaningful
Wealth management fees increased $2,705,000, or 23%, during 2024 compared with 2023 and increased $1,635,000, or 16%, during 2023 compared with 2022. The increase in both periods was largely attributable to continued increases in assets under management due to healthy capital markets and strong new business results, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. Wealth management fees increased $1,635,000, or 16%, during 2023 compared with 2022.
Insurance revenues declined $5,212,000, or 54%, during 2024 compared with 2023, as a result of the sale of the assets of GAI effective June 1, 2024, with only five months of revenue being recognized by the Company during 2024. The year ended December 31, 2024 included $38,323,000 in net proceeds for the sale of the GAI assets. Insurance revenues declined $424,000, or 4%, during 2023 compared with 2022, which was primarily attributable to decreased contingency revenue. Contingency revenue during 2023 totaled $955,000 compared with $1,641,000 during 2022. Contingency revenue is reflective of claims and loss experience with insurance carriers that the Company represents through its property and casualty insurance agency.
Net gains on sales of loans increased $691,000, or 29%, during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase during 2024 compared with 2023 was related to both a higher volume of loans sold and improved pricing levels. Net gains on sales of loans declined $1,455,000, or 38%, during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with 2022. The decline during 2023 compared with 2022 was related to both a lower volume of loans sold and lower pricing levels. Loan sales totaled $130.7 million during 2024, $109.0 million during 2023, and $168.1 million during 2022.
The net loss on securities during the year ended December 31, 2024 totaled $34,788,000 and was primarily related to the net loss recognized on the securities restructuring transaction previously discussed. The approximate loss on the transaction totaled $34,893,000, $27,189,000 after tax, or $0.92, per share and was included in earnings for the second quarter of 2024. The proceeds from the securities sold were reinvested in the securities portfolio by the end of the third quarter of 2024. The Company realized $40,000 in gains on sales of securities during 2023 compared with $562,000 during 2022. The net gains on sales of securities in 2023 and 2022 were completed as part of adjustments in allocations within the normal course of business of securities portfolio management.
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NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
During the year ended December 31, 2024, non-interest expense totaled $146,377,000, an increase of $1,880,000, or 1%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in non-interest expenses during the year ended 2024 was in large part the result of professional fees related to the previously mentioned GAI asset sale and the merger transaction with Heartland, which totaled approximately $2,759,000. During the year ended December 31, 2023, non-interest expense totaled $144,497,000, a decrease of $9,694,000, or 6%, compared with the year ended December 31, 2022. The 2022 non-interest expenses included approximately $12,323,000 of non-recurring acquisition-related expenses for the acquisition of CUB.
| Non-interest Expense (dollars in thousands) | Years Ended December 31, | % Change From Prior Year | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||
| Salaries and Employee Benefits | $ | 82,257 | $ | 83,244 | $ | 84,145 | (1) | % | (1) | % | ||||||||
| Occupancy, Furniture and Equipment Expense | 14,944 | 14,467 | 14,921 | 3 | (3) | |||||||||||||
| FDIC Premiums | 2,908 | 2,829 | 1,860 | 3 | 52 | |||||||||||||
| Data Processing Fees | 12,243 | 11,112 | 15,406 | 10 | (28) | |||||||||||||
| Professional Fees | 8,147 | 5,575 | 6,295 | 46 | (11) | |||||||||||||
| Advertising and Promotion | 3,939 | 4,857 | 4,416 | (19) | 10 | |||||||||||||
| Intangible Amortization | 2,032 | 2,840 | 3,711 | (28) | (23) | |||||||||||||
| Other Operating Expenses | 19,907 | 19,573 | 23,437 | 2 | (16) | |||||||||||||
| TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE | $ | 146,377 | $ | 144,497 | $ | 154,191 | 1 | (6) |
Salaries and benefits declined $987,000, or 1%, during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with the year ended December 31, 2023. The decline in salaries and benefits during 2024 compared with 2023 was largely related to the GAI asset sale. Salaries and benefits declined $901,000, or 1%, during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with 2022. The decline in salaries and benefits during 2023 compared with 2022 was largely related to approximately $1,480,000 of acquisition-related salary and benefit costs of a non-recurring nature in 2022 related to the CUB acquisition.
FDIC Premiums increased $79,000, or 3%, during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with 2023. FDIC premiums increased $969,000, or 52%, during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with 2022. The increase during 2023 compared with 2022 was primarily related to an industry-wide 2 basis point increase in the base FDIC premium assessment effective January 1, 2023.
Data processing fees increased $1,131,000, or 10%, during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase during 2024 compared with 2023 was largely driven by costs associated with enhancements to the Company’s digital banking and data systems. Data processing fees declined $4,294,000, or 28%, during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with the year ended December 31, 2022. The decline during 2023 compared with 2022 was largely driven by acquisition-related costs associated with the CUB transaction, which totaled approximately $4,982,000 during 2022.
Professional fees increased $2,572,000, or 46%, during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with 2023. The increase during 2024 compared with 2023 was attributable to the professional fees associated with the sale of assets of GAI and the merger with Heartland, which totaled $2,759,000 for the two transactions. Professional fees declined $720,000, or 11%, during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with the year ended December 31, 2022. The decline during 2023 compared with 2022 was primarily due to merger-related professional fees associated with the CUB acquisition that totaled approximately $1,802,000 in 2022, which were partially mitigated by increased legal and other professional fees during 2023.
Advertising and promotion expense declined $918,000, or 19%, during 2024 compared with 2023 as the Company employed a more targeted focus for sponsorships and contributions during 2024. Advertising and promotion expense increased $441,000, or 10%, during 2023 as compared with 2022.
Intangible amortization expense consists primarily of amortization associated with the core deposit intangible of acquired deposit portfolios. Intangible amortization decreased $808,000, or 28%, during 2024 compared with 2023 and decreased $871,000, or 23%, during 2023 compared with 2022. The decreases in both years were largely related to the accelerated method for which the intangible assets are amortized.
Other operating expenses increased $334,000, or 2%, during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. Other operating expenses declined $3,864,000, or 16%, during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The decline during 2023 compared with 2022 was attributable to acquisition-
37
related costs that totaled approximately $3,862,000 in 2022. The acquisition-related costs were primarily vendor contract termination costs.
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
The Company records a provision for current income taxes payable, along with a provision for deferred taxes payable in the future. Deferred taxes arise from temporary differences, which are items recorded for financial statement purposes in a different period than for income tax returns. The Company’s effective tax rate was 19.5%, 17.1%, and 17.5%, respectively, in 2024, 2023, and 2022. The increase in effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the same period of the prior year was primarily attributable to the previously mentioned sale of GAI assets and the securities restructuring transaction. The effective tax rate in all periods presented was lower than the blended statutory rate resulting primarily from the Company’s tax-exempt investment income on securities, loans and company-owned life insurance, income tax credits generated from affordable housing projects, and income generated by subsidiaries domiciled in a state with no state or local income tax.
See Note 11 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Report for additional details relative to the Company’s income tax provision.
CAPITAL RESOURCES
As of December 31, 2024, shareholders’ equity increased by $51.5 million to $715.1 million compared with $663.6 million at year-end 2023. The increase in shareholders’ equity was primarily attributable to the increase in retained earnings of $52.0 million due to net income of $83.8 million during 2024, which was partially offset by the payment of $31.8 million in shareholder dividends.
Shareholders’ equity represented 11.4% of total assets at December 31, 2024 and 10.8% of total assets at December 31, 2023. Shareholders’ equity included $183.0 million of goodwill and other intangible assets at December 31, 2024 compared to $186.7 million of goodwill and other intangible assets at December 31, 2023.
The Company’s Board of Directors previously approved a plan to repurchase up to 1.0 million shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock. On a share basis, the amount of common stock subject to the new repurchase plan represented approximately 3% of the Company’s outstanding shares on the date it was approved. The Company is not obligated to purchase any shares under the plan, and the plan may be discontinued at any time. The actual timing, number and share price of shares purchased under the repurchase plan will be determined by the Company at its discretion and will depend upon such factors as the market price of the stock, general market and economic conditions and applicable legal requirements. The Company has not repurchased any shares of common stock under the repurchase plan.
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “IRA”), among other things, imposes a 1% excise tax on the fair market value of stock repurchased by publicly traded U.S. corporations, like the Company. With certain exceptions, the value of stock repurchased is determined net of stock issued in the year, including shares issued pursuant to compensatory arrangements.
Federal banking regulations provide guidelines for determining the capital adequacy of bank holding companies and banks. These guidelines provide for a more narrow definition of core capital and assign a measure of risk to the various categories of assets. The Company is required to maintain minimum levels of capital in proportion to total risk-weighted assets and off-balance sheet exposures.
The current risk-based capital rules, as adopted by federal banking regulators, are based upon guidelines developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and reflect various requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act (the “Basel III Rules”). The Basel III Rules require banking organizations to, among other things, maintain a minimum ratio of Total Capital to risk-weighted assets, a minimum ratio of Tier 1 Capital to risk-weighted assets, a minimum ratio of “Common Equity Tier 1 Capital” to risk-weighted assets, and a minimum leverage ratio (calculated as the ratio of Tier 1 Capital to adjusted average consolidated assets). In addition, under the Basel III Rules, in order to avoid limitations on capital distributions, including dividend payments, the Company is required to maintain a 2.5% capital conservation buffer above the adequately capitalized regulatory capital ratios. At December 31, 2024, the capital levels for the Company and its subsidiary bank remained well in excess of the minimum amounts needed for capital adequacy purposes and the Bank’s capital levels met the necessary requirements to be considered well-capitalized.
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The table below presents the Company’s consolidated and the subsidiary bank’s capital ratios under regulatory guidelines:
| 12/31/2024 Ratio | 12/31/2023 Ratio | Minimum for Capital Adequacy Purposes ⁽¹⁾ | Well-Capitalized Guidelines | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | ||||||||||||
| Consolidated | 17.15 | % | 16.50 | % | 8.00 | % | N/A | |||||
| Bank | 15.02 | 14.76 | 8.00 | 10.00 | % | |||||||
| Tier 1 (Core) Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | ||||||||||||
| Consolidated | 15.72 | % | 14.97 | % | 6.00 | % | N/A | |||||
| Bank | 14.23 | 14.04 | 6.00 | 8.00 | % | |||||||
| Common Tier 1 (CET 1) Capital Ratio (to Risk Weighted Assets) | ||||||||||||
| Consolidated | 15.02 | % | 14.26 | % | 4.50 | % | N/A | |||||
| Bank | 14.23 | 14.04 | 4.50 | 6.50 | % | |||||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) | ||||||||||||
| Consolidated | 12.28 | % | 11.75 | % | 4.00 | % | N/A | |||||
| Bank | 11.12 | 11.03 | 4.00 | 5.00 | % |
(1) Excludes capital conservation buffer.
As discussed in Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report, the Company adopted the CECL accounting standard under GAAP effective January 1, 2020. The regulatory capital rules applicable to the Company provided an optional three-year phase-in period for the day-one adverse regulatory capital effects of adopting CECL. In addition, as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), banking organizations were further permitted to mitigate the estimated cumulative regulatory capital effects of CECL for up to an additional two years. As a result, on January 1, 2022, the Company began the required three-year phase-in by reflecting 25% of the previously deferred estimated capital impact of CECL in its regulatory capital. An additional 25% was phased in on each of January 1, 2023, January 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025. As of January 1, 2025, the adverse cumulative effects of adopting CECL have been fully phased into our regulatory capital.
USES OF FUNDS
LOANS
December 31, 2024 total loans increased $155.4 million, or 4%, compared with December 31, 2023. The increase in total loans at December 31, 2024 compared with year-end 2023 was broad-based across most segments of the portfolio. Commercial and industrial loans increased $9.5 million, or 1%, commercial real estate loans grew $103.0 million, or 5%, agricultural loans increased $7.2 million, or 2%, and retail loans increased $35.6 million, or 18%.
December 31, 2023 total loans increased $189.3 million, or 5%, compared with December 31, 2022. The increase in total loans at December 31, 2023 compared with year-end 2022 was broad-based across most segments of the portfolio. Commercial real estate loans increased $155.0 million, or 8%, agricultural loans grew $6.4 million, or 2%, and retail loans increased $42.9 million, or 6%. Partially offsetting these increases was a modest decline in commercial and industrial loans of $15.0 million, or 2%, as line of credit utilization remains muted.
The Bank has certain lending policies and procedures in place that are designed to maximize loan income within an acceptable level of risk. Management reviews and approves these policies and procedures on a regular basis. A reporting system supplements the review process by providing management with frequent reports related to loan production, loan quality, concentration of credit, loan delinquencies and non-performing and potential problem loans. Diversification in the loan portfolio is a means of managing risk associated with fluctuations in economic conditions. As reflected in the table below, over the past several years (including 2024), the composition of the loan portfolio has remained relatively stable and diversified.
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The portfolio is most heavily concentrated in commercial real estate loans at 54% of the portfolio in 2024, followed by commercial and industrial loans at 16% of the portfolio, and agricultural loans at 10% of the portfolio.
| Loan Portfolio | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | $ | 671,038 | $ | 661,529 | $ | 676,502 | $ | 548,350 | $ | 694,437 | |||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 2,224,872 | 2,121,835 | 1,966,884 | 1,530,677 | 1,467,397 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | 431,037 | 423,803 | 417,413 | 358,150 | 376,186 | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity and Consumer Loans | 448,872 | 407,889 | 377,164 | 307,184 | 297,702 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 357,448 | 362,844 | 350,682 | 263,565 | 256,276 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Loans | 4,133,267 | 3,977,900 | 3,788,645 | 3,007,926 | 3,091,998 | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Unearned Income | (8,365) | (6,818) | (3,711) | (3,662) | (3,926) | ||||||||||||||
| Subtotal | 4,124,902 | 3,971,082 | 3,784,934 | 3,004,264 | 3,088,072 | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Allowance for Credit Losses | (44,436) | (43,765) | (44,168) | (37,017) | (46,859) | ||||||||||||||
| Loans, Net | $ | 4,080,466 | $ | 3,927,317 | $ | 3,740,766 | $ | 2,967,247 | $ | 3,041,213 | |||||||||
| Net PPP Loans (Included in Commercial and Industrial Loans above) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 19,450 | $ | 181,984 | |||||||||
| Ratio of Loans to Total Loans | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | 16 | % | 17 | % | 18 | % | 18 | % | 23 | % | |||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 54 | % | 53 | % | 52 | % | 51 | % | 47 | % | |||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | 10 | % | 11 | % | 11 | % | 12 | % | 12 | % | |||||||||
| Home Equity and Consumer Loans | 11 | % | 10 | % | 10 | % | 10 | % | 10 | % | |||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 9 | % | 9 | % | 9 | % | 9 | % | 8 | % | |||||||||
| Total Loans | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % |
The Company’s policy is generally to extend credit to consumer and commercial borrowers in its primary geographic market area in southern Indiana and central and western Kentucky. Commercial extensions of credit outside this market area are generally concentrated in real estate loans within a reasonable proximity of the Company’s primary market and are granted on a selective basis.
The Company’s commercial real estate portfolio is well-diversified over numerous property types. The table below provides property type detail for the most significant segments of the Company’s commercial real estate loan portfolio.
| December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of Commercial Real Estate Portfolio | % of Total Loan Portfolio | % of Commercial Real Estate Portfolio | % of Total Loan Portfolio | |||||||||
| Multi-Family Dwellings | 20 | % | 11 | % | 21 | % | 11 | % | ||||
| Retail Space | 15 | % | 8 | % | 14 | % | 7 | % | ||||
| 1-4 Family Investment Properties | 11 | % | 6 | % | 12 | % | 7 | % | ||||
| Industrial, Manufacturing, Warehousing Properties | 10 | % | 5 | % | 10 | % | 5 | % | ||||
| Office Real Estate | 9 | % | 5 | % | 8 | % | 4 | % | ||||
| Healthcare Facilities | 7 | % | 4 | % | 7 | % | 4 | % | ||||
| Land Development and Construction | 7 | % | 4 | % | 6 | % | 3 | % | ||||
| Lodging | 6 | % | 3 | % | 6 | % | 3 | % |
The Company’s commercial real estate (“CRE”) loan portfolio is further diversified by occupancy type, with approximately 77% of the CRE portfolio being non-owner occupied at December 31, 2024 (which is 42% of the Company’s overall loan portfolio), and 23% of the CRE portfolio being owner occupied (which is 12% of the Company’s total loan portfolio). At December 31, 2023, the Company’s commercial real estate loan portfolio was diversified by occupancy type, with approximately 77% of the CRE portfolio being non-owner occupied (which was 41% of the Company’s overall loan portfolio), and 23% of the CRE portfolio being owner occupied (which was 12% of the Company’s total loan portfolio).
Commercial real estate loans are underwritten after evaluating and understanding the borrower’s ability to operate profitably and prudently expand its business. Like much of the Bank’s lending activities, the underwriting standards for commercial real estate are designed to promote relationship banking rather than transactional banking. Once it is determined that the borrower’s
40
management possesses sound ethics and solid business acumen, our management examines market conditions and current and projected cash flows to determine the ability of the borrower to repay their obligations as agreed. Commercial real estate loans are viewed primarily as cash flow loans and secondarily as loans secured by real estate. As discussed above, the properties securing our commercial real estate portfolio are diverse in terms of property type, occupancy type, and geographic location. This diversity helps reduce the Bank’s exposure to adverse economic events that affect any single market or industry. Management will continue to monitor and evaluate commercial real estate loans based on collateral, geography and risk grade criteria.
The following table indicates the amounts of loans (excluding residential mortgages on 1-4 family residences and consumer loans) outstanding as of December 31, 2024, which, based on remaining scheduled repayments of principal, are due in the periods indicated (dollars in thousands).
| Within One Year | One to Five Years | After Five Years | Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial and Agricultural | $ | 882,308 | $ | 1,750,745 | $ | 708,605 | $ | 3,341,658 |
| Interest Sensitivity | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Rate | Variable Rate | ||||||
| Loans Maturing After One Year | $ | 892,218 | $ | 1,567,132 |
INVESTMENTS
The investment portfolio is a principal source for funding the Company’s loan growth and other liquidity needs of its subsidiaries. The Company’s securities portfolio primarily consists of money market securities, collateralized and uncollateralized federal agency securities, municipal obligations of state and political subdivisions, and mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations (MBS/CMO - Residential) issued by U.S. government agencies. Money market securities include federal funds sold, interest-bearing balances with banks, and other short-term investments. The composition of the year-end balances in the investment portfolio is presented in Note 3 (Securities) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report and in the table below:
| Investment Portfolio, at Amortized Cost | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | 2024 | % | 2023 | % | 2022 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Federal Funds Sold and Other Short-term Investments | $ | 119,543 | 6 | % | $ | 36,525 | 2 | % | $ | 41,905 | 2 | % | |||||||||
| U.S. Treasury | 110,813 | 6 | — | — | 64,097 | 3 | |||||||||||||||
| Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions | 587,963 | 31 | 889,940 | 47 | 939,193 | 44 | |||||||||||||||
| MBS/CMO | 817,553 | 43 | 761,025 | 40 | 846,519 | 40 | |||||||||||||||
| US Gov’t Sponsored Entities & Agencies | 279,711 | 14 | 220,295 | 11 | 245,017 | 11 | |||||||||||||||
| Equity Securities | 353 | n/m ⁽¹⁾ | 353 | n/m ⁽¹⁾ | 353 | n/m ⁽¹⁾ | |||||||||||||||
| Total Securities Portfolio | $ | 1,915,936 | 100 | % | $ | 1,908,138 | 100 | % | $ | 2,137,084 | 100 | % |
(1)n/m = not meaningful
The amortized cost of investment securities, including federal funds sold and short-term investments, increased $7.8 million, or less than 1%, at year-end 2024 compared to year-end 2023 and decreased $229.0 million, or 11%, at year-end 2023.
As previously discussed, during June and July 2024, the Company undertook a partial restructuring of its securities portfolio by selling available-for-sale securities totaling approximately $375.3 million in book value. The tax-equivalent yield on the bonds sold was approximately 3.12% with a duration of approximately 7 years. The proceeds from the securities sold were reinvested in the securities portfolio by the end of the third quarter of 2024.
The decline in the available for sale portfolio during 2023 compared with 2022 was primarily the result of the Company’s utilization of cash flows of approximately $171 million from the securities portfolio to fund loan growth and overall modest deposit declines. The decline in 2023 was broad-based across all areas of the investment portfolio. Mortgage related securities declined $85.5 million, or 10%, obligations of state and political subdivisions declined $49.3 million, or 5%, and US treasuries declined $64 million, or 100%, as compared to 2022.
As mentioned above, the Company undertook a partial restructuring of its securities portfolio in mid-2024, with the proceeds from the sales of securities being reinvested back into the securities portfolio. After the restructuring, the investment portfolio continues to be relatively balanced with agency issued mortgage related securities and collateralized and uncollateralized federal agency securities totaling $1.097 billion, or 57% of the total securities portfolio at December 31, 2024. The Company’s
41
level of obligations of state and political subdivisions decreased to $588.0 million, or 31% of the portfolio at December 31, 2024.
| Investment Securities, at Carrying Value | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||
| December 31, | |||||||||||
| Securities Available-for-Sale | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
| U.S. Treasury | $ | 110,864 | $ | — | $ | 64,119 | |||||
| Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions | 463,169 | 768,875 | 777,852 | ||||||||
| MBS/CMO | 702,179 | 645,040 | 714,681 | ||||||||
| US Gov’t Sponsored Entities & Agencies | 241,075 | 182,917 | 205,017 | ||||||||
| Total Securities | $ | 1,517,287 | $ | 1,596,832 | $ | 1,761,669 |
In 2023, the Company utilized cash flows from the available for sale portfolio to fund loan growth and an overall modest decline in deposits. This cash flow utilization drove the decline in carrying value in the available for sale portfolio from 2023 to 2022, which was slightly offset by the fair value adjustments in the portfolio due to the change in interest rates. The Company’s $1.517 billion available-for-sale investment portfolio provides an additional funding source for the liquidity needs of the Company’s subsidiaries and for asset/liability management requirements. Although management has the ability to sell these securities if the need arises, their designation as available-for-sale should not necessarily be interpreted as an indication that management anticipates such sales.
The amortized cost of available-for-sale debt securities at December 31, 2024 is shown in the following table by contractual maturity. MBS/CMO - Residential securities are based on estimated average lives. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations.
Maturities and Average Yields of Securities at December 31, 2024
(dollars in thousands)
| Within One Year | After One But Within Five Years | After Five But Within Ten Years | After Ten Years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | |||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury | $ | 110,813 | 4.47 | % | $ | — | — | % | $ | — | — | % | $ | — | — | % | ||||||||||||
| Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions | 1,022 | 4.73 | % | 8,987 | 4.22 | % | 45,329 | 2.77 | % | 532,625 | 2.79 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| MBS/CMO | 18 | 1.10 | % | 1,365 | 2.23 | % | 15,766 | 1.83 | % | 800,404 | 2.66 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| US Gov’t Sponsored Entities & Agencies | 443 | 1.96 | % | 346 | 2.01 | % | 179 | 2.10 | % | 278,743 | 2.89 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Securities | $ | 112,296 | 4.46 | % | $ | 10,698 | 3.89 | % | $ | 61,274 | 2.53 | % | $ | 1,611,772 | 2.74 | % |
A tax-equivalent adjustment using a tax rate of 21 percent was used in the above table.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
In addition to the other uses of funds discussed previously, the Company has certain contractual obligations to make cash payments. These contractual obligations primarily consist of borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), junior subordinated debentures, deposits, repurchase agreements, and lease commitments for certain office facilities. A summary of these payment obligations is set forth below.
| Contractual and Other Obligations | Payments Due In | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | One Year or Less | Over One Year | Total | ||||||||
| Deposits without Stated Maturities | $ | 4,412,474 | $ | — | $ | 4,412,474 | |||||
| Time Deposits | 846,651 | 69,950 | 916,601 | ||||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank Advances | — | 75,000 | 75,000 | ||||||||
| Other Borrowings (Subordinated Notes and Debentures) | — | 75,866 | 75,866 | ||||||||
| Federal Funds Purchased | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Securities Sold under Repurchase Agreements | 56,862 | — | 56,862 | ||||||||
| Lease Obligations | 1,661 | 6,747 | 8,408 | ||||||||
| Total Contractual and Other Obligations | $ | 5,317,648 | $ | 227,563 | $ | 5,545,211 |
In the normal course of business, the Company makes commitments to extend credit and commitments to sell loans, which are not reflected in its consolidated financial statements. For further information about such commitments, see Note 15
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(Commitments and Off-balance Sheet Items) in Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
SOURCES OF FUNDS
The Company’s primary source of funding is its base of core customer deposits. Core deposits consist of demand deposits, savings, interest-bearing checking, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit of less than $100,000. Other deposit sources include certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more. The deposit base remains diverse with stable and manageable exposure to uninsured and uncollateralized deposits of approximately 22% of total deposits.
Other funding sources include overnight borrowings from other financial institutions and securities sold under agreement to repurchase. The membership of the Company’s affiliate bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System provides a significant additional source for both long and short-term collateralized borrowings. In addition, the Company, as a separate and distinct corporation from its bank and other subsidiaries, also has the ability to borrow funds from other financial institutions and to raise debt or equity capital from the capital markets and other sources. The following pages contain a discussion of changes in funding sources.
The table below illustrates changes between years in the average balances of all funding sources:
| Funding Sources - Average Balances (dollars in thousands) | December 31, | % Change From Prior Year | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||
| Demand Deposits | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest-bearing | $ | 1,420,412 | $ | 1,553,082 | $ | 1,738,349 | (9) | % | (11) | % | ||||||||
| Interest-bearing | 1,720,823 | 1,826,232 | 2,013,969 | (6) | (9) | |||||||||||||
| Savings Deposits | 507,203 | 572,623 | 640,653 | (11) | (11) | |||||||||||||
| Money Market Accounts | 784,047 | 656,396 | 833,119 | 19 | (21) | |||||||||||||
| Other Time Deposits | 334,958 | 257,736 | 262,764 | 30 | (2) | |||||||||||||
| Total Core Deposits | 4,767,443 | 4,866,069 | 5,488,854 | (2) | (11) | |||||||||||||
| Certificates of Deposits of $100,000 or more | 537,471 | 330,406 | 211,645 | 63 | 56 | |||||||||||||
| FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings | 196,480 | 210,837 | 159,029 | (7) | 33 | |||||||||||||
| Total Funding Sources | $ | 5,501,394 | $ | 5,407,312 | $ | 5,859,528 | 2 | (8) |
Maturities of certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more are summarized as follows:
(dollars in thousands)
| 3 Months Or Less | 3 - 6 Months | 6 - 12 Months | Over 12 Months | Total | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2024 | $ | 201,917 | $ | 171,838 | $ | 173,363 | $ | 42,403 | $ | 589,521 |
CORE DEPOSITS
The Company’s overall level of average core deposits declined approximately $98.6 million, or 2%, during 2024 compared with 2023. The Company’s overall level of average core deposits declined approximately $622.8 million, or 11%, during 2023 compared with 2022. Competitive deposit pricing in the marketplace as well as customers actively looking for yield opportunities within and outside the banking industry are contributing factors to the decline in total deposits over the course of the past year. Throughout 2023, a meaningful level of the outflow of deposits experienced during the past year was captured within the Company’s wealth management group.
The Company’s ability to attract core deposits continues to be influenced by competition and the interest rate environment, as well as the availability of alternative investment products. The Company has continued to see customer movement from both interest bearing and non-interest bearing transactional accounts to time deposits due primarily to a higher interest rate environment. Core deposits continue to represent a significant funding source for the Company’s operations and represented 90% of average total funding sources during 2024 compared with 90% during 2023 and 94% during 2022.
Demand, savings, and money market deposits have provided a growing source of funding for the Company in each of the periods reported. Average demand, savings, and money market deposits declined 4% during 2024 and 12% in 2023. Average demand, savings, and money market deposits totaled $4.432 billion or 93% of core deposits (81% of total funding sources) in 2024 compared with $4.608 billion or 95% of core deposits (85% of total funding sources) in 2023 and $5.226 billion or 95%
43
of core deposits (89% of total funding sources) in 2022.
Other time deposits consist of certificates of deposits in denominations of less than $100,000. These average deposits increased by 30% in 2024 following a decline of 2% during 2023. Other time deposits comprised 7% of core deposits in all periods presented.
OTHER FUNDING SOURCES
Certificates of deposits in denominations of $100,000 or more are an additional source of other funding for the Company’s bank subsidiary and are used as both long-term and short-term funding sources. On an average basis, large denomination certificates increased $207.1 million, or 63%, during 2024. This follows an increase of $118.8 million, or 56%, during 2023. Large certificate deposits comprised approximately 10% of average total funding sources in 2024 compared with 6% in 2023 and 4% in 2022. On an end of period basis, certificates of deposits in denominations of $100,000 or more increased $111.6 million, or 23%, during 2024 following an increase of $284.7 million, or 147%, during 2023. As previously discussed, customers seeking higher yield opportunities were a contributing factor to growth in this category of the Company’s funding sources.
The Company had no brokered deposits as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company participates in a reciprocal deposit program. Reciprocal Deposits totaled $96.8 million at December 31, 2024 and $77.9 million at December 31, 2023.
FHLB advances and other borrowings represent an important source of other funding for the Company. Average borrowed funds decreased $14.4 million, or 7%, during 2024 following an increase of $51.8 million, or 33%, during 2023. Borrowings comprised approximately 4% of average total funding sources during 2024 and 2023 compared with 3% in 2022.
The bank subsidiary of the Company also utilizes short-term funding sources from time to time. These sources consist of overnight federal funds purchased from other financial institutions, secured repurchase agreements that generally mature within one day of the transaction date, and secured overnight variable rate borrowings from the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank. These borrowings represent an important source of short-term liquidity for the Company’s bank subsidiary.
The Company’s bank subsidiary is authorized by its Board to borrow up to $1.25 billion at the FHLB, but availability at December 31, 2024 was limited to approximately $470 million based on the then pledged collateral and outstanding borrowings. In addition, the Company had a borrowing capacity of approximately $595 million at the Federal Reserve Bank as of December 31, 2024, based on the then pledged collateral. The capacity for borrowings from the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank could be increased, in each case, by the Company pledging additional available collateral. The Company’s Asset/Liability Committee closely monitors the availability of these sources as part of its overall oversight and management of the bank subsidiary’s liquidity.
Long-term debt at the Company’s bank subsidiary is in the form of FHLB advances, which are secured by the pledge of certain investment securities, residential and housing-related mortgage loans, and certain other commercial real estate loans. See Note 8 (FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report for further information regarding borrowed funds.
PARENT COMPANY FUNDING SOURCES
The parent company is a corporation separate and distinct from its bank and other subsidiaries. For information regarding the financial condition, result of operations, and cash flows of the Company, presented on a parent-company-only basis, see Note 18 (Parent Company Financial Statements) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
The Company uses funds at the parent company level to pay dividends to its shareholders, to acquire or make other investments in other businesses or their securities or assets, to repurchase its stock from time to time, and for other general corporate purposes. The parent company does not have access to the deposits and certain other sources of funds that are available to its bank subsidiary to support its operations. Instead, the parent company has historically derived most of its revenues from dividends paid to the parent company by its bank subsidiary. The Company’s banking subsidiary is subject to statutory restrictions on its ability to pay dividends to the parent company. See Note 9 (Shareholders’ Equity) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report, which is incorporated herein by reference. The parent company has, from time-to-time, supplemented the dividends received from its subsidiaries with borrowings. For details related to borrowings, see Note 8 (FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
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At year-end 2024, the Company had available to it a $15 million revolving line of credit facility that will mature on September 24, 2025. Borrowings are available for general working capital purposes. Interest is payable quarterly at a floating rate based upon term SOFR rate plus a margin payable in respect of any principal amounts advanced under the revolving line of credit. There was no outstanding balance as of December 31, 2024.
RISK MANAGEMENT
The Company is exposed to various types of business risk on an on-going basis. These risks include credit risk, liquidity risk and interest rate risk. Various procedures are employed at the Company’s subsidiary bank to monitor and mitigate risk in the loan and investment portfolios, as well as risks associated with changes in interest rates. Following is a discussion of the Company’s philosophies and procedures to address these risks.
LENDING AND LOAN ADMINISTRATION
Primary responsibility and accountability for day-to-day lending activities rests with the Company’s subsidiary bank. Loan personnel at the subsidiary bank have the authority to extend credit under guidelines approved by the Bank’s board of directors. The executive loan committee serves as a vehicle for communication and for the pooling of knowledge, judgment and experience of its members. The committee provides valuable input to lending personnel, acts as an approval body, and monitors the overall quality of the Bank’s loan portfolio. The Corporate Credit Risk Management Committee comprised of members of the Company’s and its subsidiary Bank’s executive officers and board of directors, strives to ensure a consistent application of the Company’s lending policies. The Company also maintains a comprehensive risk-grading and loan review program, which includes quarterly reviews of problem loans, delinquencies and charge-offs. The purpose of this program is to evaluate loan administration, credit quality, loan documentation and the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses.
The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses to cover management’s estimate of all expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of the loan portfolio. Management estimates the required level of allowance for credit losses using past loan loss experience, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, along with reasonable and supportable forecasts, judgmentally adjusted for economic, external and internal quantitative and qualitative factors and portfolio trends. Economic factors include evaluating changes in international, national, regional and local economic and business conditions that affect the collectability of the loan portfolio. Internal factors include evaluating changes in lending policies and procedures; changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio; and changes in experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged-off. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed.
The allowance for credit losses is comprised of: (a) specific reserves on individual credits; and (b) general reserves for certain loan categories and industries, and overall historical loss experience; based on performance trends in the loan portfolios, current economic conditions, and other factors that influence the level of estimated credit losses. The need for specific reserves are considered for credits when: (a) the customer’s cash flow or net worth appears insufficient to repay the loan; (b) the loan has been criticized in a regulatory examination; (c) the loan is on non-accrual; or, (d) other reasons where the ultimate collectability of the loan is in question, or the loan characteristics require special monitoring.
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| Allowance for Credit Losses (dollars in thousands) | Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
| Balance of Allowance for Expected Credit Losses at Beginning of Period | $ | 43,765 | $ | 44,168 | $ | 37,017 | $ | 46,859 | $ | 16,278 | |||||||||
| Impact of adopting ASC 326 | — | — | — | — | 8,767 | ||||||||||||||
| Impact of adopting ASC 326 - PCD loans | — | — | — | — | 6,886 | ||||||||||||||
| Loans Charged-off: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | 223 | 1,792 | 1,149 | 2,777 | 2,119 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 308 | 56 | 79 | 10 | 36 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | 8 | 27 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity and Consumer Loans | 2,362 | 1,858 | 1,598 | 1,003 | 942 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | — | 58 | 24 | 45 | 39 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Loans Charged-off | 2,901 | 3,791 | 2,850 | 3,835 | 3,136 | ||||||||||||||
| Recoveries of Previously Charged-off Loans: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | 55 | 154 | 26 | 61 | 23 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 83 | 76 | 24 | 40 | 129 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | 2 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity and Consumer Loans | 657 | 605 | 479 | 359 | 358 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | — | 3 | 5 | 33 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Recoveries | 797 | 838 | 534 | 493 | 514 | ||||||||||||||
| Net Loans Recovered (Charged-off) | (2,104) | (2,953) | (2,316) | (3,342) | (2,622) | ||||||||||||||
| Acquisition of Citizens Union Bank of Shelbyville, KY - PCD Loans | — | — | 3,117 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Additions to Allowance Charged to Expense | 2,775 | 2,550 | 6,350 | (6,500) | 17,550 | ||||||||||||||
| Balance at End of Period | $ | 44,436 | $ | 43,765 | $ | 44,168 | $ | 37,017 | $ | 46,859 | |||||||||
| Net Charge-offs (Recoveries) to Average Loans Outstanding | 0.05 | % | 0.08 | % | 0.06 | % | 0.11 | % | 0.08 | % | |||||||||
| Provision for Credit Losses to Average Loans Outstanding | 0.07 | % | 0.07 | % | 0.17 | % | (0.21) | % | 0.55 | % | |||||||||
| Allowance for Credit Losses to Total Loans at Year-end | 1.08 | % | 1.10 | % | 1.17 | % | 1.23 | % | 1.52 | % |
The following table indicates the breakdown of the allowance for credit losses for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | $ | 7,456 | $ | 8,267 | $ | 13,958 | $ | 9,754 | $ | 6,645 | |||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 25,818 | 25,923 | 21,598 | 19,245 | 29,878 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | 4,917 | 3,837 | 4,188 | 4,505 | 6,756 | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity and Consumer Loans | 3,443 | 2,976 | 2,196 | 1,808 | 1,636 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 2,802 | 2,762 | 2,228 | 1,705 | 1,944 | ||||||||||||||
| Unallocated | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total Allowance for Credit Losses | $ | 44,436 | $ | 43,765 | $ | 44,168 | $ | 37,017 | $ | 46,859 |
The Company’s allowance for credit losses totaled $44.4 million at December 31, 2024 compared to $43.8 million at December 31, 2023. The allowance for credit losses represented 1.08% of period-end loans at December 31, 2024 compared with 1.10% of period-end loans at December 31, 2023.
The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-13, Financial instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) on January 1, 2020. The Company added $9.4 million to the allowance for credit losses in conjunction with the closing of the CUB acquisition on January 1, 2022 related to the CUB loan portfolio. Of the increase in allowance for credit losses for the CUB portfolio, $6.3 million was recorded through the provision for credit losses on “Day 1” under the CECL model for non-PCD loans. The Company also acquired $29.9 million in PCD loans (at time of acquisition) for which the company recorded a credit adjustment of $3.1 million which was included in the allowance for credit losses.
The Company realized net charge-offs of $2,104,000, or 0.05% of average loans outstanding, during 2024 compared with $2,953,000, or 0.08% of average loans outstanding, during 2023 and $2,316,000, or 0.06% of average loans outstanding, during 2022.
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Please see “RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Provision for Credit Losses” and “CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES - Allowance for Credit Losses” for additional information regarding the allowance.
NON-PERFORMING ASSETS
Non-performing assets consist of: (a) non-accrual loans; (b) loans which have been renegotiated to provide for a reduction or deferral of interest or principal because of deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower; (c) loans past due 90 days or more as to principal or interest; and, (d) other real estate owned. Loans are placed on non-accrual status when scheduled principal or interest payments are past due for 90 days or more or when the borrower’s ability to repay becomes doubtful. Uncollected accrued interest is reversed against income at the time a loan is placed on non-accrual. Loans are typically charged-off at 180 days past due, or earlier if deemed uncollectible. Exceptions to the non-accrual and charge-off policies are made when the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. The following table presents an analysis of the Company’s non-performing assets.
| Non-performing Assets | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-accrual Loans | $ | 10,934 | $ | 9,136 | $ | 12,888 | $ | 14,602 | $ | 21,507 | |||||||||
| Past Due Loans (90 days or more and accruing) | 188 | 55 | 1,427 | 156 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total Non-performing Loans | 11,122 | 9,191 | 14,315 | 14,758 | 21,507 | ||||||||||||||
| Other Real Estate | — | — | — | — | 325 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Non-performing Assets | $ | 11,122 | $ | 9,191 | $ | 14,315 | $ | 14,758 | $ | 21,832 | |||||||||
| Restructured Loans | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 104 | $ | 111 | |||||||||
| Non-performing Loans to Total Loans | 0.27 | % | 0.23 | % | 0.38 | % | 0.49 | % | 0.70 | % | |||||||||
| Allowance for Credit Losses to Non-performing Loans | 399.53 | % | 476.17 | % | 308.54 | % | 250.83 | % | 217.88 | % |
The following tables present an analysis of the Company’s non-accrual loans and loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing.
| Non-Accrual Loans | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | $ | 5,018 | $ | 3,707 | $ | 7,936 | $ | 10,530 | $ | 8,133 | |||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 1,745 | 1,889 | 1,950 | 2,243 | 10,188 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | 765 | 879 | 1,062 | 1,136 | 1,915 | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity Loans | 1,087 | 1,033 | 310 | 24 | 271 | ||||||||||||||
| Consumer Loans | 117 | 253 | 400 | 82 | 170 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 2,202 | 1,375 | 1,230 | 587 | 830 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 10,934 | $ | 9,136 | $ | 12,888 | $ | 14,602 | $ | 21,507 |
| Loans Past Due 90 Days or More & Still Accruing | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,427 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 183 | 55 | — | 156 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | 5 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity Loans | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Consumer Loans | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 188 | $ | 55 | $ | 1,427 | $ | 156 | $ | — |
Non-performing assets totaled $11.1 million, or 0.18% of total assets, at December 31, 2024 compared to $9.2 million, or 0.15% of total assets, at December 31, 2023 and compared to $14.3 million, or 0.23% of total assets, at December 31, 2022. Non-performing loans totaled $11.1 million, or 0.27% of total loans, at December 31, 2024 compared with $9.2 million, or 0.23% of total loans, at December 31, 2023 and compared with $14.3 million, or 0.38% of total loans, at December 31, 2022.
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Total non-performing loans increased in 2024 as compared to 2023; however, there is no significant loss exposure on this increase. The decline in the level of non-performing commercial and industrial loans and leases during 2023 was primarily attributable to the resolution of a single commercial borrowing relationship with minimal loss recognition for which the Company had established a significant reserve in previous periods.
For additional detail on individually analyzed loans, see Note 5 (Loans) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
Interest income recognized on non-performing loans for 2024 was $724,000. The gross interest income that would have been recognized in 2024 on non-performing loans if the loans had been current in accordance with their original terms was $1,040,000. Loans are typically placed on non-accrual status when scheduled principal or interest payments are past due for 90 days or more, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection.
LIQUIDITY AND INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT
Liquidity is a measure of the ability of the Company’s subsidiary bank to fund new loan demand, existing loan commitments and deposit withdrawals. The purpose of liquidity management is to match sources of funds with anticipated customer borrowings and withdrawals and other obligations to ensure a dependable funding base, without unduly penalizing earnings. Failure to properly manage liquidity requirements can result in the need to satisfy customer withdrawals and other obligations on less than desirable terms. The liquidity of the parent company is dependent upon the receipt of dividends from its bank subsidiary, which are subject to certain regulatory limitations explained in Note 9 (Shareholders’ Equity) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report. The subsidiary bank’s source of funding is predominately core deposits, time deposits in excess of $100,000 and brokered certificates of deposit, maturities of securities, repayments of loan principal and interest, federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank.
Interest rate risk is the exposure of the Company’s financial condition to adverse changes in market interest rates. In an effort to estimate the impact of sustained interest rate movements to the Company’s earnings, the Company monitors interest rate risk through computer-assisted simulation modeling of its net interest income. The Company’s simulation modeling monitors the potential impact to net interest income under various interest rate scenarios. The Company’s objective is to actively manage its asset/liability position within a one-year interval and to limit the risk in any of the interest rate scenarios to a reasonable level of tax-equivalent net interest income within that interval. The Company’s Asset/Liability Committee monitors compliance within established guidelines of the Funds Management Policy. See Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk section for further discussion regarding interest rate risk.
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FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000714395-24-000014.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
INTRODUCTION
German American Bancorp, Inc. is a Nasdaq-traded (symbol: GABC) financial holding company based in Jasper, Indiana. German American, through its banking subsidiary German American Bank, operates 76 banking offices in 20 contiguous southern Indiana counties and 14 counties in Kentucky. The Company also owns an investment brokerage subsidiary (German American Investment Services, Inc.) and a full line property and casualty insurance agency (German American Insurance, Inc.).
Throughout this Management’s Discussion and Analysis, as elsewhere in this Report, when we use the term “Company”, we will usually be referring to the business and affairs (financial and otherwise) of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates as a whole. Occasionally, we will refer to the term “parent company” or “holding company” when we mean to refer to only German American Bancorp, Inc., and the term “Bank” when we mean to refer to only the Company’s bank subsidiary.
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis includes an analysis of the major components of the Company’s operations for the years 2021 through 2023 and its financial condition as of December 31, 2022 and 2023. This information should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and footnotes contained elsewhere in this Report and with the description of business included in Item 1 of this Report (including the cautionary disclosure regarding “Forward Looking Statements and Associated Risks”). Financial and other information by segment is included in Note 16 (Segment Information) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report and is incorporated into this Item 7 by reference.
The statements of management’s expectations and goals concerning the Company’s future operations and performance that are set forth in the following Management Overview and in other sections of this Item 7 are forward-looking statements, and readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations of the Company that is expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. This Item 7, as well as the discussions in Item 1 (“Business”) entitled “Forward-Looking Statements and Associated Risks” and in Item 1A (“Risk Factors”) (which discussions are incorporated in this Item 7 by reference) list some of the factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to vary materially from those expressed or implied by any such forward-looking statements.
Any statements of management’s expectations and goals concerning the Company’s future operations and performance, and future financial condition, liquidity and capital resources that are set forth in the following Management Overview and in other sections of this Item 7 are forward-looking statements, and readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations of the Company that is expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. This Item 7, as well as the discussions in Item 1 (“Business”) entitled “Forward-Looking Statements and Associated Risks” and in Item 1A (“Risk Factors”) (which discussions are incorporated in this Item 7 by reference) list some of the factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to vary materially from those expressed or implied by any such forward-looking statements.
MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW
Business Developments
On January 1, 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of Citizens Union Bancorp of Shelbyville, Inc. (“CUB”) through the merger of CUB with and into the Company. Immediately following completion of the CUB holding company merger, CUB’s subsidiary bank, Citizen Union Bank of Shelbyville, Inc., was merged with and into the Company’s subsidiary bank, German American Bank. CUB, headquartered in Shelbyville, Kentucky, operated 15 retail banking offices located in Shelby, Jefferson, Spencer, Bullitt, Oldham, Owen, Gallatin and Hardin counties in Kentucky through Citizens Union Bank of Shelbyville, Inc. As of the closing of the transaction, CUB had total assets of approximately $1.109 billion, total loans of approximately $683.8 million, and total deposits of approximately $930.5 million. The Company issued approximately 2.9 million shares of its common stock, and paid approximately $50.8 million in cash, in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of CUB.
For further information regarding this merger and acquisition transaction, see Note 18 (Business Combinations, Goodwill and Intangible Assets) in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
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Financial Overview
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2023 totaled $85,888,000, or $2.91 per share, an increase of $4,063,000, or approximately 5% on a per share basis, from the year ended December 31, 2022 net income of $81,825,000, or $2.78 per share. The increase in net income during 2023, compared with 2022, was primarily attributable to increased non-interest income, a decline in non-interest expenses (which was driven by higher expenses in 2022 as a result of the January 1, 2022 acquisition of CUB), and a lower provision for credit losses. The positive impact of those items was partially offset by a decline in net interest income resulting primarily from a reduced level of earning assets, which was somewhat mitigated by an improved net interest margin.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2022 totaled $81,825,000, or $2.78 per share, a decline of $2,312,000, or approximately 12% on a per share basis, from the year ended December 31, 2021 net income of $84,137,000, or $3.17 per share. The change in net income during 2022, compared with 2021, was largely impacted by acquisition-related expenses for the CUB transaction that closed on January 1, 2022. The 2022 results of operations included acquisition-related expenses of $12,323,000 ($9,372,000 or $0.32 per share, on an after tax basis) and also included Day 1 provision for credit losses under the CECL model of $6,300,000 ($4,725,000 or $1.16 per share, on an after tax basis). The decline in per share net income for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to 2021, was also impacted by the Company’s January 1, 2022 issuance of approximately 2.9 million shares of common stock as part of the merger consideration in the CUB transaction.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The financial condition and results of operations for the Company presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements, accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and selected financial data appearing elsewhere within this Report, are, to a large degree, dependent upon the Company’s accounting policies. The selection of and application of these policies involve estimates, judgments, and uncertainties that are subject to change. The critical accounting policies and estimates that the Company has determined to be the most susceptible to change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for credit losses, the valuation of securities available for sale, income tax expense, and the valuation of goodwill and other intangible assets.
ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES
The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses to cover the estimated expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of the loan portfolio. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged-off. A provision for credit losses is charged to operations based on management’s periodic evaluation of the necessary allowance balance. Evaluations are conducted at least quarterly and more often if deemed necessary. The ultimate recovery of all loans is susceptible to future market factors beyond the Company’s control.
The Company has an established process to determine the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. The determination of the allowance is inherently subjective, as it requires significant estimates, including the amounts and timing of expected future cash flows on individually analyzed loans, estimated losses on other classified loans and pools of homogeneous loans, and consideration of past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts and other factors, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The allowance consists of two components of allocations, specific and general. These two components represent the total allowance for credit losses deemed adequate to cover expected credit losses over the expected life of the loan portfolio.
Commercial and agricultural loans are subject to a standardized grading process administered by an internal loan review function. The need for specific reserves is considered for credits when: (a) the customer’s cash flow or net worth appears insufficient to repay the loan; (b) the loan has been criticized in a regulatory examination; (c) the loan is on non-accrual; or (d) other reasons where the ultimate collectability of the loan is in question, or the loan characteristics require special monitoring.
Specific reserves on individually analyzed loans are determined by comparing the loan balance to the present value of expected cash flows or expected collateral proceeds. Allocations are also applied to categories of loans not individually analyzed but for which the rate of loss is expected to be greater than other similar type loans, including non-performing consumer or residential real estate loans. Such allocations are based on past loss experience, reasonable and supportable forecasts and information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values.
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General allocations are made for commercial and agricultural loans that are graded as substandard and special mention, but are not individually analyzed for specific reserves as well as other pools of loans, including non-classified loans, homogeneous portfolios of consumer and residential real estate loans, and loans within certain industry categories believed to present unique risk of loss. General allocations of the allowance are primarily made based on historical averages for loan losses for these portfolios along with reasonable and supportable forecasts, judgmentally adjusted for economic, external and internal quantitative and qualitative factors and portfolio trends. Economic factors include evaluating changes in international, national, regional and local economic and business conditions that affect the collectability of the loan portfolio. Internal factors include evaluating changes in lending policies and procedures; changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio; and changes in experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff.
The allowance for credit losses for loans represents management’s estimate of all expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of the loan portfolio. Determining the appropriateness and adequacy of the allowance is complex and requires judgment by management about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Subsequent evaluations of the loan portfolio may result in significant changes in the allowance for credit losses in future periods.
The Company uses a number of economic variables in its scenarios to estimate the allowance for credit losses, with the most significant drivers being unemployment rate forecast, gross domestic product and agricultural producer price index as well as qualitative adjustments. Historical loss rates from periods where the average unemployment rate, gross domestic product and agricultural producer pricing index matches the forecast range are considered when calculating the forecast period loss rate. The impact of the changes in the unemployment and gross domestic product forecast range between December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, resulted in a decrease in the allowance for credit losses of approximately $400,000.
Based on sensitivity analysis of all portfolios, a 0.050% change (slight improvement or decline on the Company’s scale) in all ten qualitative risk factors would have a $1,900,000 impact on the reserve allocation. The sensitivity and related range of impact is a hypothetical analysis and is not intended to represent management’s judgements or assumptions of qualitative loss factors that were utilized at December 31, 2023 in estimation of the allowance for credit losses on loans recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
SECURITIES VALUATION
Available-for-sale debt securities in unrealized loss positions are evaluated for impairment related to credit losses at least quarterly. For available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company assesses whether we intend to sell, or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For available-for sale debt securities that do not meet the criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security and the issuer, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the Company compares the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security with the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis for the security, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded, limited to the amount that the fair value of the security is less than its amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. No allowance for credit losses for available-for-sale debt securities was needed at December 31, 2023. Accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale debt securities is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. As of December 31, 2023, gross unrealized gains on the securities available-for-sale portfolio totaled approximately $1,337,000 and gross unrealized losses totaled approximately $275,765,000. The net amount of these two items, net of applicable taxes, is included in other comprehensive income (loss).
Equity securities that do not have readily determinable fair values are carried at cost, less impairment with observable price changes being recognized in earnings.
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
Income tax expense involves estimates related to the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets and loss contingencies related to exposure from tax examinations presumed to occur.
A valuation allowance reduces deferred tax assets to the amount management believes is more likely than not to be realized. In evaluating the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers the likelihood that sufficient taxable income of appropriate character will be generated within carry-back and carry-forward periods, including consideration of available tax
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planning strategies. Tax-related loss contingencies, including assessments arising from tax examinations and tax strategies, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. In considering the likelihood of loss, management considers the nature of the contingency, the progress of any examination or related protest or appeal, the views of legal counsel and other advisors, experience of the Company or other enterprises in similar matters, if any, and management’s intended response to any assessment.
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill resulting from business combinations represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill resulting from business combinations is generally determined as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred, plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interests in the acquiree, over the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually. The Company has selected December 31 as the date to perform the annual impairment test. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on the Company’s balance sheet. No impairment to Goodwill was indicated based on year-end testing.
Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Other intangible assets consist of core deposit and acquired customer relationship intangible assets. They are initially measured at fair value and then are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which range from 6 to 10 years.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
NET INCOME
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2023 totaled $85,888,000, or $2.91 per share, an increase of $4,063,000, or approximately 5% on a per share basis, from the year ended December 31, 2022 net income of $81,825,000, or $2.78 per share. The increase in net income during 2023, compared with 2022, was primarily attributable to increased non-interest income, a decline in non-interest expenses (which was driven by higher expenses in 2022 as a result of the January 1, 2022 acquisition of CUB), and a lower provision for credit losses. The positive impact of those items was partially offset by a decline in net interest income resulting primarily from a reduced level of earning assets, which was somewhat mitigated by an improved net interest margin.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2022 totaled $81,825,000, or $2.78 per share, a decline of $2,312,000, or approximately 12% on a per share basis, from the year ended December 31, 2021 net income of $84,137,000, or $3.17 per share. The change in net income during 2022, compared with 2021, was largely impacted by acquisition-related expenses for the CUB transaction that closed on January 1, 2022. The 2022 results of operations included acquisition-related expenses of $12,323,000 ($9,372,000 or $0.32 per share, on an after tax basis) and also included Day 1 provision for credit losses under the CECL model of $6,300,000 ($4,725,000 or $1.16 per share, on an after tax basis). The decline in per share net income for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to 2021, was also impacted by the Company’s January 1, 2022 issuance of approximately 2.9 million shares of common stock as part of the merger consideration in the CUB transaction.
NET INTEREST INCOME
Net interest income is the Company’s single largest source of earnings, and represents the difference between interest and fees realized on earning assets, less interest paid on deposits and borrowed funds. Several factors contribute to the determination of net interest income and net interest margin, including the volume and mix of earning assets, interest rates, and income taxes. Many factors affecting net interest income are subject to control by management policies and actions. Factors beyond the control of management include the general level of credit and deposit demand, Federal Reserve Board monetary policy, and changes in tax laws.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, net interest income, on a non tax-equivalent basis, totaled $190,433,000, a decline of $10,151,000, or 5%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 net interest income of $200,584,000. The decline in net interest income during 2023 compared with 2022 was primarily attributable to a decline in average earning assets, driven by a reduced level of deposits which was somewhat offset by an improved net interest margin resulting from the rise in market interest rates.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, net interest income totaled $200,584,000, representing an increase of $39,754,000, or 25%, from the year ended December 31, 2021 net interest income of $160,830,000. The increase in net interest income
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during 2022 compared with 2021 was primarily attributable to a higher level of earning assets, driven in large part by the CUB acquisition, and an expansion of the Company’s net interest margin. The increase in net interest income was partially offset by a lower level of Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan fee recognition.
The net interest margin represents tax-equivalent net interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets. The net interest margin for the year ended December 31, 2023 was 3.58% compared to 3.45% in 2022 and 3.31% in 2021. The improvement in the Company’s net interest margin during 2023 compared to 2022 of 13 basis points was primarily the result of a shift in the earning assets from the securities portfolio to higher yielding loans, which was somewhat reduced by the increasing cost of deposits as a result of the higher market interest rates.
The improvement in the Company’s net interest margin during 2022 compared to 2021 was largely attributable to improved yields on earning assets driven by increased market rates, which were partially mitigated by an increase in the overall cost of funds of the Company.
The Company’s net interest margin for all periods presented was impacted by the accretion of discounts on acquired loans. In 2022 and 2021, the Company’s net interest margin was also impacted by fees recognized as a part of the PPP. Fees recognized on PPP loans through net interest income totaled $873,000 during 2022 and $12,196,000 during 2021. The fees recognized related to the PPP contributed approximately 1 basis point to the net interest margin in 2022 and 24 basis points to the net interest margin in 2021. Accretion of discounts on acquired loans contributed approximately 5 basis points to the net interest margin in 2023 and 7 basis points during both 2022 and 2021. Accretion of discounts on acquired loans totaled $2,814,000 during 2023, $4,341,000 during 2022, and $3,476,000 during 2021.
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The following table summarizes net interest income (on a tax-equivalent basis) for each of the past three years. For tax-equivalent adjustments, an effective tax rate of 21% was used for all periods presented (1).
Average Balance Sheet
(Tax-equivalent basis, dollars in thousands)
| Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023 | Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022 | Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Principal Balance | Income / Expense | Yield / Rate | Principal Balance | Income / Expense | Yield / Rate | Principal Balance | Income / Expense | Yield / Rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Federal Funds Sold and Other Short-term Investments | $ | 39,452 | $ | 1,677 | 4.25 | % | $ | 458,230 | $ | 5,765 | 1.26 | % | $ | 390,362 | $ | 488 | 0.12 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable | 890,841 | 20,614 | 2.31 | % | 1,015,958 | 20,453 | 2.01 | % | 824,204 | 12,962 | 1.57 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable | 738,769 | 27,656 | 3.74 | % | 844,772 | 29,810 | 3.53 | % | 728,765 | 22,504 | 3.09 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Loans and Leases ⁽²⁾ | 3,835,157 | 213,195 | 5.56 | % | 3,680,708 | 169,593 | 4.61 | % | 3,072,302 | 139,378 | 4.54 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL INTEREST EARNING ASSETS | 5,504,219 | 263,142 | 4.78 | % | 5,999,668 | 225,621 | 3.76 | % | 5,015,633 | 175,332 | 3.50 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Assets | 578,399 | 559,949 | 397,147 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Allowance for Credit Losses | (44,744) | (45,587) | (43,073) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 6,037,874 | $ | 6,514,030 | $ | 5,369,707 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing Demand Deposits | $ | 1,826,232 | $ | 28,378 | 1.55 | % | $ | 2,013,969 | $ | 8,583 | 0.43 | % | $ | 1,595,579 | $ | 1,789 | 0.11 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Savings Deposits and Money Market Accounts | 1,229,019 | 12,106 | 0.99 | % | 1,473,772 | 2,879 | 0.20 | % | 1,106,692 | 885 | 0.08 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Time Deposits | 588,142 | 16,432 | 2.79 | % | 474,409 | 2,052 | 0.43 | % | 412,935 | 2,281 | 0.55 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings | 210,837 | 9,307 | 4.41 | % | 159,029 | 4,828 | 3.04 | % | 186,750 | 4,594 | 2.46 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES | 3,854,230 | 66,223 | 1.72 | % | 4,121,179 | 18,342 | 0.45 | % | 3,301,956 | 9,549 | 0.29 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand Deposit Accounts | 1,553,082 | 1,738,349 | 1,378,647 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Liabilities | 46,456 | 44,436 | 46,170 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | 5,453,768 | 5,903,964 | 4,726,773 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ Equity | 584,106 | 610,066 | 642,934 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | $ | 6,037,874 | $ | 6,514,030 | $ | 5,369,707 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| COST OF FUNDS | 1.20 | % | 0.31 | % | 0.19 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NET INTEREST INCOME | $ | 196,919 | $ | 207,279 | $ | 165,783 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NET INTEREST MARGIN | 3.58 | % | 3.45 | % | 3.31 | % |
(1)Effective tax rates were determined as though interest earned on the Company’s investments in municipal bonds and loans was fully taxable.
(2)Loans held-for-sale and non-accruing loans have been included in average loans. Interest income on loans includes loan fees of $4,316, $6,972, and $15,761 for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
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The following table sets forth for the periods indicated a summary of the changes in interest income and interest expense resulting from changes in volume and changes in rates:
Net Interest Income – Rate / Volume Analysis
(Tax-Equivalent basis, dollars in thousands)
| 2023 compared to 2022 Increase / (Decrease) Due to ⁽¹⁾ | 2022 compared to 2021 Increase / (Decrease) Due to ⁽¹⁾ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volume | Rate | Net | Volume | Rate | Net | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest Income: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Federal Funds Sold and Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term Investments | $ | (8,748) | $ | 4,660 | $ | (4,088) | $ | 99 | $ | 5,178 | $ | 5,277 | |||||||||||
| Taxable Securities | (2,689) | 2,849 | 160 | 3,399 | 4,093 | 7,492 | |||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable Securities | (3,894) | 1,741 | (2,153) | 3,852 | 3,453 | 7,305 | |||||||||||||||||
| Loans and Leases | 7,365 | 36,237 | 43,602 | 28,001 | 2,214 | 30,215 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Interest Income | (7,966) | 45,487 | 37,521 | 35,351 | 14,938 | 50,289 | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest Expense: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings and Interest-bearing Demand | (1,590) | 30,612 | 29,022 | 978 | 7,810 | 8,788 | |||||||||||||||||
| Time Deposits | 605 | 13,775 | 14,380 | 310 | (539) | (229) | |||||||||||||||||
| FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings | 1,871 | 2,608 | 4,479 | (744) | 978 | 234 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Interest Expense | 886 | 46,995 | 47,881 | 544 | 8,249 | 8,793 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net Interest Income | $ | (8,852) | $ | (1,508) | $ | (10,360) | $ | 34,807 | $ | 6,689 | $ | 41,496 |
(1) The change in interest due to both rate and volume has been allocated to volume and rate changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each.
See the Company’s Average Balance Sheet above and the discussions under the headings “USES OF FUNDS,” “SOURCES OF FUNDS,” and “RISK MANAGEMENT – Liquidity and Interest Rate Risk Management” for further information on the Company’s net interest income, net interest margin, and interest rate sensitivity position.
PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES
The Company provides for credit losses through regular provisions to the allowance for credit losses. The provision is affected by net charge-offs on loans and changes in specific and general allocations of the allowance. During 2023, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $2,550,000 compared with $6,350,000 during 2022 and a negative provision for credit losses of $6,500,000 during 2021.
During 2023, the provision for credit losses represented approximately 7 basis points of average loans. The lower provision recorded during 2023, as compared to 2022, was largely related to the resolution during the fourth quarter of 2023 of a single commercial borrowing relationship with minimal loss recognition for which the Company had established a significant reserve in previous periods. The Company realized net charge-offs of $2,953,000 or 8 basis points of average loans during 2023.
During 2022, the provision for credit losses represented approximately 17 basis points of average loans. The provision for credit losses in 2022 included $6,300,000 for the Day 1 CECL addition to the allocation for credit loss related to the CUB acquisition for the non-purchased with credit deterioration (“PCD”) loans. The Company realized net charge-offs of $2,316,000 or 6 basis points of average loans during 2022.
During 2021, the negative provision for credit losses represented approximately 21 basis points of average loans. The negative provision for credit losses in 2021 was largely due to declines in certain adversely criticized assets and improvement in certain pandemic-related stressed sectors for which the Company had provided significant levels of allowance for credit losses during 2020.
The provision for credit losses made during 2023 was made at a level deemed necessary by management to absorb expected losses in the loan portfolio. A detailed evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses is completed quarterly by management, the results of which are used to determine provision for credit losses. Management estimates the allowance balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts along with other
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qualitative and quantitative factors. Refer also to the sections entitled “CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES” and “RISK MANAGEMENT - Lending and Loan Administration” for further discussion of the provision and allowance for credit losses.
NON-INTEREST INCOME
During the year ended December 31, 2023, non-interest income increased $1,128,000 or 2% from the year ended December 31, 2022. During the year ended December 31, 2022, non-interest income declined $329,000, or 1%, from the year ended December 31, 2021.
| Non-interest Income (dollars in thousands) | Years Ended December 31, | % Change From Prior Year | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||
| Wealth Management Fees | $ | 11,711 | $ | 10,076 | $ | 10,321 | 16 | % | (2) | % | ||||||||
| Service Charges on Deposit Accounts | 11,538 | 11,457 | 7,723 | 1 | 48 | |||||||||||||
| Insurance Revenues | 9,596 | 10,020 | 9,268 | (4) | 8 | |||||||||||||
| Company Owned Life Insurance | 1,731 | 2,264 | 1,529 | (24) | 48 | |||||||||||||
| Interchange Fee Income | 17,452 | 15,820 | 13,116 | 10 | 21 | |||||||||||||
| Other Operating Income | 5,830 | 5,116 | 6,991 | 14 | (27) | |||||||||||||
| Subtotal | 57,858 | 54,753 | 48,948 | 6 | 12 | |||||||||||||
| Net Gains on Sales of Loans | 2,363 | 3,818 | 8,267 | (38) | (54) | |||||||||||||
| Net Gains on Securities | 40 | 562 | 2,247 | (93) | (75) | |||||||||||||
| TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME | $ | 60,261 | $ | 59,133 | $ | 59,462 | 2 | (1) |
Wealth management fees increased $1,635,000, or 16%, during 2023 compared with 2022. The increase during 2023 was largely attributable to increased assets under management within the Company’s wealth management group as compared with 2022. Wealth management fees declined $245,000, or 2%, during 2022 compared with 2021.
Service charges on deposit accounts increased $81,000, or 1%, during 2023 compared to 2022. Service charges on deposit accounts increased $3,734,000, or 48%, during 2022 compared to 2021. The increase during 2022 compared with 2021 was the result of the CUB acquisition as well as increased deposit customer activity.
Insurance revenues declined $424,000, or 4%, during 2023 compared with 2022, which was primarily attributable to decreased contingency revenue. Contingency revenue during 2023 totaled $955,000 compared with $1,641,000 during 2022. Contingency revenue is reflective of claims and loss experience with insurance carriers that the Company represents through its property and casualty insurance agency. Insurance revenues increased $752,000, or 8%, during 2022 compared with 2021, which was the result of increased contingency revenue as well as increases across multiple lines of business.
Company owned life insurance decreased $533,000, or 24%, during 2023 compared with 2022. The decline in 2023 was primarily the result of a decrease in the death benefit claims received compared with 2022. Company owned life insurance revenue increased $735,000, or 48%, during 2022 compared with 2021. The increase during 2022 compared with 2021 was largely related to death benefits received from life insurance policies during 2022 and to the CUB acquisition.
Interchange fee income increased $1,632,000, or 10%, during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with 2022. The increase in the level of fees during 2023 compared with 2022 was due to increased card utilization by customers. Interchange fees increased $2,704,000, or 21%, during 2022 compared with 2021. The increased level of fees during 2022 compared with 2021 was related to the CUB acquisition as well as increased card utilization by customers.
Other operating income increased by $714,000, or 14%, during 2023 compared with 2022. The increase during 2023 was largely attributable to the gain on sale of real estate related to the consolidation of various branch office facilities. Other operating income declined $1,875,000, or 27%, during 2022 compared with 2021. This decline was primarily attributable to the net gain of $1.4 million related to the sale of the two branch office locations during the third quarter of 2021 and to a lower level of interest rate swap transaction fees with loan customers.
Net gains on sales of loans declined $1,455,000, or 38%, during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with 2022. The decline during 2023 compared with 2022 was related to both a lower volume of loans sold and lower pricing levels. Net gains on sales of loans declined $4,449,000, or 54%, during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared with 2021. The decline in 2022 compared with 2021 was generally attributable to a lower volume of loans sold and lower pricing levels. Loan sales totaled $109.0 million during 2023, $168.1 million during 2022, and $266.0 million during 2021.
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The Company realized $40,000 in gains on sales of securities during 2023 compared with $562,000 during 2022 and $2,247,000 during 2021. The net gains on sales of securities in all periods presented were completed as part of adjustments in allocations within the normal course of business of securities portfolio management.
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
During the year ended December 31, 2023, non-interest expense totaled $144,497,000, a decrease of $9,694,000, or 6%, compared with the year ended December 31, 2022. During the year ended December 31, 2022, non-interest expense totaled $154,191,000, an increase of $30,184,000, or 24%, compared with the year ended December 31, 2021. The 2022 non-interest expenses included approximately $12,323,000 of non-recurring acquisition-related expenses for the acquisition of CUB.
| Non-interest Expense (dollars in thousands) | Years Ended December 31, | % Change From Prior Year | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||
| Salaries and Employee Benefits | $ | 83,244 | $ | 84,145 | $ | 68,570 | (1) | % | 23 | % | ||||||||
| Occupancy, Furniture and Equipment Expense | 14,467 | 14,921 | 14,831 | (3) | 1 | |||||||||||||
| FDIC Premiums | 2,829 | 1,860 | 1,419 | 52 | 31 | |||||||||||||
| Data Processing Fees | 11,112 | 15,406 | 7,611 | (28) | 102 | |||||||||||||
| Professional Fees | 5,575 | 6,295 | 5,009 | (11) | 26 | |||||||||||||
| Advertising and Promotion | 4,857 | 4,416 | 4,197 | 10 | 5 | |||||||||||||
| Intangible Amortization | 2,840 | 3,711 | 2,731 | (23) | 36 | |||||||||||||
| Other Operating Expenses | 19,573 | 23,437 | 19,639 | (16) | 19 | |||||||||||||
| TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE | $ | 144,497 | $ | 154,191 | $ | 124,007 | (6) | 24 |
Salaries and benefits declined $901,000, or 1%, during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with 2022. The decline in salaries and benefits during 2023 compared with 2022 was largely related to approximately $1,480,000 of acquisition-related salary and benefit costs of a non-recurring nature in 2022 related to the CUB acquisition. Salaries and benefits increased $15,575,000, or 23%, during 2022 compared with 2021. The increase in salaries and benefits during 2022 compared with 2021 was largely attributable to the CUB acquisition, including the aforementioned acquisition-related salary and benefit costs of a non-recurring nature, with the remainder of the increase due primarily to the salaries and benefits costs for the CUB employee base.
FDIC premiums increased $969,000, or 52%, during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with 2022. The increase during 2023 compared with 2022 was primarily related to an industry-wide 2 basis point increase in the base FDIC premium assessment effective January 1, 2023. FDIC premiums increased $441,000, or 31%, during 2022 compared with 2021. This increase is primarily attributable to an increase in total assessable assets from the acquisition of CUB as well as organic growth.
Data processing fees declined $4,294,000, or 28%, during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with the year ended December 31, 2022. The decline during 2023 compared with 2022 was largely driven by acquisition-related costs associated with the CUB transaction, which totaled approximately $4,982,000 during 2022. Data processing fees increased $7,795,000, or 102%, during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared with 2021. The increase during 2022 compared with 2021 was largely driven by the aforementioned acquisition-related costs along with the CUB operating costs and costs related to continued data system enhancements.
Professional fees declined $720,000, or 11%, during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with the year ended December 31, 2022. The decline during 2023 compared with 2022 was primarily due to merger-related professional fees associated with the CUB acquisition that totaled approximately $1,802,000 in 2022, which were partially mitigated by increased legal and other professional fees during 2023. Professional fees increased $1,286,000, or 26%, during 2022 compared with 2021. The increase during 2022 was primarily due to professional fees associated with the CUB acquisition. Merger and acquisition-related professional fees totaled approximately $1,802,000 during 2022 compared with $678,000 during 2021.
Other operating expenses declined $3,864,000, or 16%, during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The decline during 2023 compared with 2022 was attributable to acquisition-related costs that totaled approximately $3,862,000 in 2022. The acquisition-related costs were primarily vendor contract termination costs. Other operating expenses increased $3,798,000, or 19%, during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared with 2021. The increase in 2022 compared to 2021 was primarily attributable to the aforementioned acquisition-related costs and operating costs associated with CUB.
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PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
The Company records a provision for current income taxes payable, along with a provision for deferred taxes payable in the future. Deferred taxes arise from temporary differences, which are items recorded for financial statement purposes in a different period than for income tax returns. The Company’s effective tax rate was 17.1%, 17.5%, and 18.1%, respectively, in 2023, 2022, and 2021. The effective tax rate in all periods is lower than the blended statutory rate. The lower effective rate in all periods primarily resulted from the Company’s tax-exempt investment income on securities, loans, and company owned life insurance, income tax credits generated by investments in affordable housing projects, and income generated by subsidiaries domiciled in a state with no state or local income tax.
See Note 10 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Report for additional details relative to the Company’s income tax provision.
CAPITAL RESOURCES
As of December 31, 2023, shareholders’ equity increased by $105.2 million to $663.6 million compared with $558.4 million at year-end 2022. The increase in shareholders’ equity was partially attributable to the increase in retained earnings of $56.5 million due to net income of $85.9 million during 2023, which was partially offset by the payment of $29.4 million in shareholder dividends. The increase in shareholders’ equity was also attributable to an increase in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) of $46.4 million related to an increase in value of the Company’s available-for-sale securities portfolio.
Shareholders’ equity represented 10.8% of total assets at December 31, 2023 and 9.1% of total assets at December 31, 2022. Shareholders’ equity included $186.7 million of goodwill and other intangible assets at December 31, 2023 compared to $189.8 million of goodwill and other intangible assets at December 31, 2022.
In January 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a plan to repurchase up to 1.0 million shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock. On a share basis, the amount of common stock subject to the new repurchase plan represented approximately 3% of the Company’s outstanding shares on the date it was approved. The Company is not obligated to purchase any shares under the plan, and the plan may be discontinued at any time. The actual timing, number and share price of shares purchased under the repurchase plan will be determined by the Company at its discretion and will depend upon such factors as the market price of the stock, general market and economic conditions and applicable legal requirements. The Company has not repurchased any shares of common stock under the repurchase plan.
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “IRA”) was enacted. Among other things, the IRA imposes a new 1% excise tax on the fair market value of stock repurchased after December 31, 2022 by publicly traded U.S. corporations, like the Company. With certain exceptions, the value of stock repurchased is determined net of stock issued in the year, including shares issued pursuant to compensatory arrangements.
Federal banking regulations provide guidelines for determining the capital adequacy of bank holding companies and banks. These guidelines provide for a more narrow definition of core capital and assign a measure of risk to the various categories of assets. The Company is required to maintain minimum levels of capital in proportion to total risk-weighted assets and off-balance sheet exposures.
The current risk-based capital rules, as adopted by federal banking regulators, are based upon guidelines developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and reflect various requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act (the “Basel III Rules”). The Basel III Rules require banking organizations to, among other things, maintain a minimum ratio of Total Capital to risk-weighted assets, a minimum ratio of Tier 1 Capital to risk-weighted assets, a minimum ratio of “Common Equity Tier 1 Capital” to risk-weighted assets, and a minimum leverage ratio (calculated as the ratio of Tier 1 Capital to adjusted average consolidated assets). In addition, under the Basel III Rules, in order to avoid limitations on capital distributions, including dividend payments, the Company is required to maintain a 2.5% capital conservation buffer above the adequately capitalized regulatory capital ratios. At December 31, 2023, the capital levels for the Company and its subsidiary bank remained well in excess of the minimum amounts needed for capital adequacy purposes and the Bank’s capital levels met the necessary requirements to be considered well-capitalized.
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The table below presents the Company’s consolidated and the subsidiary bank’s capital ratios under regulatory guidelines:
| 12/31/2023 Ratio | 12/31/2022 Ratio | Minimum for Capital Adequacy Purposes ⁽¹⁾ | Well-Capitalized Guidelines | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | ||||||||||||
| Consolidated | 16.50 | % | 15.45 | % | 8.00 | % | N/A | |||||
| Bank | 14.76 | 14.07 | 8.00 | 10.00 | % | |||||||
| Tier 1 (Core) Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | ||||||||||||
| Consolidated | 14.97 | % | 13.97 | % | 6.00 | % | N/A | |||||
| Bank | 14.04 | 13.42 | 6.00 | 8.00 | % | |||||||
| Common Tier 1 (CET 1) Capital Ratio (to Risk Weighted Assets) | ||||||||||||
| Consolidated | 14.26 | % | 13.26 | % | 4.50 | % | N/A | |||||
| Bank | 14.04 | 13.42 | 4.50 | 6.50 | % | |||||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) | ||||||||||||
| Consolidated | 11.75 | % | 10.50 | % | 4.00 | % | N/A | |||||
| Bank | 11.03 | 10.09 | 4.00 | 5.00 | % |
(1) Excludes capital conservation buffer.
As discussed in Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report, the Company adopted the CECL accounting standard under GAAP effective January 1, 2020. The regulatory capital rules applicable to the Company provided an optional three-year phase-in period for the day-one adverse regulatory capital effects of adopting CECL. In addition, as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), banking organizations were further permitted to mitigate the estimated cumulative regulatory capital effects of CECL for up to an additional two years. As a result, on January 1, 2022, the Company began the required three-year phase-in by reflecting 25% of the previously deferred estimated capital impact of CECL in its regulatory capital. An additional 25% was phased in on each of January 1, 2023 and January 1, 2024, and another 25% will be phased in on January 1, 2025 (at which time the cumulative effects of adopting CECL will have been fully phased into our regulatory capital). Under the five-year transition option, the amount of adjustments to regulatory capital that could be deferred until the phase-in period began included both the initial impact of our adoption of CECL at January 1, 2020 and 25% of subsequent changes in our allowance for credit losses during each quarter of the two-year period ended December 31, 2021.
USES OF FUNDS
LOANS
December 31, 2023 total loans increased $189.3 million, or 5%, compared with December 31, 2022. The increase in total loans at December 31, 2023 compared with year-end 2022 was broad-based across most segments of the portfolio. Commercial real estate loans increased $155.0 million, or 8%, agricultural loans grew $6.4 million, or 2%, and retail loans increased $42.9 million, or 6%. Partially offsetting these increases was a modest decline in commercial and industrial loans of $15.0 million, or 2%, as line of credit utilization remains muted.
December 31, 2022 total loans increased $780.7 million, or 26%, compared with December 31, 2021. The increase in total loans at December 31, 2022 compared with year-end 2021 was largely due to the acquisition of CUB and organic loan growth from throughout the Company’s existing market areas, partially offset by a decrease in PPP loans.
The Bank has certain lending policies and procedures in place that are designed to maximize loan income within an acceptable level of risk. Management reviews and approves these policies and procedures on a regular basis. A reporting system supplements the review process by providing management with frequent reports related to loan production, loan quality, concentration of credit, loan delinquencies and non-performing and potential problem loans. Diversification in the loan portfolio is a means of managing risk associated with fluctuations in economic conditions. As reflected in the table below, over the past several years (including 2023), the composition of the loan portfolio has remained relatively stable and diversified.
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The portfolio is most heavily concentrated in commercial real estate loans at 53% of the portfolio in 2023, followed by commercial and industrial loans at 17% of the portfolio, and agricultural loans at 11% of the portfolio.
| Loan Portfolio | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | $ | 661,529 | $ | 676,502 | $ | 548,350 | $ | 694,437 | $ | 589,758 | |||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 2,121,835 | 1,966,884 | 1,530,677 | 1,467,397 | 1,495,862 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | 423,803 | 417,413 | 358,150 | 376,186 | 384,526 | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity and Consumer Loans | 407,889 | 377,164 | 307,184 | 297,702 | 306,972 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 362,844 | 350,682 | 263,565 | 256,276 | 304,855 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Loans | 3,977,900 | 3,788,645 | 3,007,926 | 3,091,998 | 3,081,973 | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Unearned Income | (6,818) | (3,711) | (3,662) | (3,926) | (4,882) | ||||||||||||||
| Subtotal | 3,971,082 | 3,784,934 | 3,004,264 | 3,088,072 | 3,077,091 | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Allowance for Credit Losses | (43,765) | (44,168) | (37,017) | (46,859) | (16,278) | ||||||||||||||
| Loans, Net | $ | 3,927,317 | $ | 3,740,766 | $ | 2,967,247 | $ | 3,041,213 | $ | 3,060,813 | |||||||||
| Net PPP Loans (Included in Commercial and Industrial Loans above) | — | — | 19,450 | 181,984 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Ratio of Loans to Total Loans | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | 17 | % | 18 | % | 18 | % | 23 | % | 19 | % | |||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 53 | % | 52 | % | 51 | % | 47 | % | 49 | % | |||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | 11 | % | 11 | % | 12 | % | 12 | % | 12 | % | |||||||||
| Home Equity and Consumer Loans | 10 | % | 10 | % | 10 | % | 10 | % | 10 | % | |||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 9 | % | 9 | % | 9 | % | 8 | % | 10 | % | |||||||||
| Total Loans | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % |
The Company’s policy is generally to extend credit to consumer and commercial borrowers in its primary geographic market area in southern Indiana and central and western Kentucky. Commercial extensions of credit outside this market area are generally concentrated in real estate loans within a reasonable proximity of the Company’s primary market and are granted on a selective basis.
PPP loans, which were originated in 2020 and early 2021, were made to fund payroll and operational costs of eligible businesses, organizations and self-employed persons during the COVID-19 pandemic. Loans covered by the PPP, which was administered by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) under the provisions of the CARES Act, were eligible for loan forgiveness if program guidelines were met. The Company actively participated in assisting its customers with PPP funding during the program. PPP loans are reflected in Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases in the table above.
While commercial real estate (“CRE”) is the largest component of the Company’s loan portfolio, it is well-diversified over numerous property types. Specifically, the commercial real estate loan portfolio, as a percentage of the CRE portfolio and total loans at December 31, 2023, included the following property types: multi-family dwellings (21% of CRE portfolio and 11% of total loans); single family investment properties (12% of CRE portfolio and 7% of total loans); retail space (14% of CRE portfolio and 7% of total loans); office real estate (8% of CRE portfolio and 4% of total loans); lodging (6% of CRE portfolio and 3% of total loans); healthcare facilities (7% of CRE portfolio and 4% of total loans); and land development and construction (6% of CRE portfolio and 3% of total loans). The Company’s commercial real estate loan portfolio is further diversified by occupancy type, with approximately 77% of the CRE portfolio being non-owner occupied at December 31, 2023 (which is 41% of the Company’s overall loan portfolio), and 23% of the CRE portfolio being owner occupied (which is 12% of the Company’s total loan portfolio).
The commercial real estate loan portfolio, as a percentage of the CRE portfolio and total loans at December 31, 2022, included the following property types: multi-family dwellings (20% of CRE portfolio and 11% of total loans); single family investment properties (14% of CRE portfolio and 7% of total loans); retail space (13% of CRE portfolio and 7% of total loans); office real estate (7% of CRE portfolio and 4% of total loans); lodging (6% of CRE portfolio and 3% of total loans); healthcare facilities (6% of CRE portfolio and 3% of total loans); and land development and construction (5% of CRE portfolio and 3% of total loans). The Company’s commercial real estate loan portfolio is further diversified by occupancy type, with approximately 78% of the CRE portfolio being non-owner occupied at December 31, 2022 (which is 40% of the Company’s overall loan portfolio), and 22% of the CRE portfolio being owner occupied (which is 12% of the Company’s total loan portfolio).
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Commercial real estate loans are underwritten after evaluating and understanding the borrower’s ability to operate profitably and prudently expand its business. Like much of the Bank’s lending activities, the underwriting standards for commercial real estate are designed to promote relationship banking rather than transactional banking. Once it is determined that the borrower’s management possesses sound ethics and solid business acumen, our management examines market conditions and current and projected cash flows to determine the ability of the borrower to repay their obligations as agreed. Commercial real estate loans are viewed primarily as cash flow loans and secondarily as loans secured by real estate. As discussed above, the properties securing our commercial real estate portfolio are diverse in terms of property type, occupancy type, and geographic location. This diversity helps reduce the Bank’s exposure to adverse economic events that affect any single market or industry. Management will continue to monitor and evaluate commercial real estate loans based on collateral, geography and risk grade criteria.
The following table indicates the amounts of loans (excluding residential mortgages on 1-4 family residences and consumer loans) outstanding as of December 31, 2023, which, based on remaining scheduled repayments of principal, are due in the periods indicated (dollars in thousands).
| Within One Year | One to Five Years | After Five Years | Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial and Agricultural | $ | 845,677 | $ | 1,601,441 | $ | 771,576 | $ | 3,218,694 |
| Interest Sensitivity | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Rate | Variable Rate | ||||||
| Loans Maturing After One Year | $ | 824,511 | $ | 1,548,506 |
INVESTMENTS
The investment portfolio is a principal source for funding the Company’s loan growth and other liquidity needs of its subsidiaries. The Company’s securities portfolio primarily consists of money market securities, collateralized and uncollateralized federal agency securities, municipal obligations of state and political subdivisions, and mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations (MBS/CMO - Residential) issued by U.S. government agencies. Money market securities include federal funds sold, interest-bearing balances with banks, and other short-term investments. The composition of the year-end balances in the investment portfolio is presented in Note 2 (Securities) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report and in the table below:
| Investment Portfolio, at Amortized Cost | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | 2023 | % | 2022 | % | 2021 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Federal Funds Sold and Other Short-term Investments | $ | 36,525 | 2 | % | $ | 41,905 | 2 | % | $ | 349,717 | 16 | % | |||||||||
| U.S. Treasury | — | — | 64,097 | 3 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions | 889,940 | 47 | 939,193 | 44 | 896,048 | 40 | |||||||||||||||
| MBS/CMO | 761,025 | 40 | 846,519 | 40 | 797,693 | 36 | |||||||||||||||
| US Gov’t Sponsored Entities & Agencies | 220,295 | 11 | 245,017 | 11 | 175,457 | 8 | |||||||||||||||
| Equity Securities | 353 | n/m ⁽¹⁾ | 353 | n/m ⁽¹⁾ | 353 | n/m ⁽¹⁾ | |||||||||||||||
| Total Securities Portfolio | $ | 1,908,138 | 100 | % | $ | 2,137,084 | 100 | % | $ | 2,219,268 | 100 | % |
(1)n/m = not meaningful
The amortized cost of investment securities, including federal funds sold and short-term investments, decreased $229.0 million, or 11%, at year-end 2023 compared to year-end 2022 and decreased $82.2 million, or 4%, at year-end 2022 compared to year-end 2021. The decline in the available for sale portfolio during 2023 compared with 2022 was primarily the result of the Company’s utilization of cash flows of approximately $171 million from the securities portfolio to fund loan growth and overall modest deposit declines. The decline in 2023 was broad-based across all areas of the investment portfolio. Mortgage related securities declined $85.5 million, or 10%, obligations of state and political subdivisions declined $49.3 million, or 5%, and US treasuries declined $64 million, or 100%, as compared to 2022. The decline from year-end 2022 compared with year-end 2021 was primarily attributable to the decrease in federal funds sold which is partially offset by the increase in amortized cost of obligations of state and political subdivisions, agency issued mortgage related securities and collateralized and uncollateralized federal agency securities.
The investment portfolio continues to be relatively balanced with agency issued mortgage related securities and collateralized and uncollateralized federal agency securities totaling $981.3 million, or 51% of the total securities portfolio at December 31, 2023. The Company’s level of obligations of state and political subdivisions increased to $889.9 million, or 47% of the portfolio at December 31, 2023.
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| Investment Securities, at Carrying Value | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||
| December 31, | |||||||||||
| Securities Available-for-Sale | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
| U.S. Treasury | $ | — | $ | 64,119 | $ | — | |||||
| Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions | 768,875 | 777,852 | 925,706 | ||||||||
| MBS/CMO | 645,040 | 714,681 | 791,950 | ||||||||
| US Gov’t Sponsored Entities & Agencies | 182,917 | 205,017 | 171,961 | ||||||||
| Total Securities | $ | 1,596,832 | $ | 1,761,669 | $ | 1,889,617 |
As discussed above, the Company utilized cash flows from the available for sale portfolio to fund loan growth and an overall modest decline in deposits. This cash flow utilization drove the decline in carrying value in the available for sale portfolio from 2023 to 2022, which was slightly offset by the fair value adjustments in the portfolio due to the change in interest rates. The decline in the available for sale portfolio during 2022 compared with 2021 was largely attributable to fair value adjustments in the portfolio caused by the rise in market interest rates. The Company’s $1.597 billion available-for-sale investment portfolio provides an additional funding source for the liquidity needs of the Company’s subsidiaries and for asset/liability management requirements. Although management has the ability to sell these securities if the need arises, their designation as available-for-sale should not necessarily be interpreted as an indication that management anticipates such sales.
The amortized cost of available-for-sale debt securities at December 31, 2023 is shown in the following table by contractual maturity. MBS/CMO - Residential securities are based on estimated average lives. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations.
Maturities and Average Yields of Securities at December 31, 2023
(dollars in thousands)
| Within One Year | After One But Within Five Years | After Five But Within Ten Years | After Ten Years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | |||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury | $ | — | — | % | $ | — | — | % | $ | — | — | % | $ | — | — | % | ||||||||||||
| Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions | 1,768 | 3.72 | % | 17,548 | 4.28 | % | 65,213 | 3.26 | % | 805,411 | 3.01 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| MBS/CMO | — | — | % | 35,091 | 2.72 | % | 31,116 | 2.22 | % | 694,818 | 1.77 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| US Gov’t Sponsored Entities & Agencies | 333 | 2.48 | % | 8,675 | 1.14 | % | 12,094 | 2.94 | % | 199,193 | 1.82 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Securities | $ | 2,101 | 3.52 | % | $ | 61,314 | 2.94 | % | $ | 108,423 | 2.93 | % | $ | 1,699,422 | 2.36 | % |
A tax-equivalent adjustment using a tax rate of 21 percent was used in the above table.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
In addition to the other uses of funds discussed previously, the Company has certain contractual obligations to make cash payments. These contractual obligations primarily consist of borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), junior subordinated debentures, deposits, repurchase agreements, and lease commitments for certain office facilities. A summary of these payment obligations is set forth below.
| Contractual and Other Obligations | Payments Due In | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | One Year or Less | Over One Year | Total | ||||||||
| Deposits without Stated Maturities | $ | 4,485,921 | $ | — | $ | 4,485,921 | |||||
| Time Deposits | 707,978 | 59,064 | 767,042 | ||||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank Advances | 25,000 | 25,000 | 50,000 | ||||||||
| Other Borrowings (Subordinated Notes and Debentures) | — | 81,220 | 81,220 | ||||||||
| Federal Funds Purchased | 25,000 | — | 25,000 | ||||||||
| Securities Sold under Repurchase Agreements | 40,968 | — | 40,968 | ||||||||
| Lease Obligations | 1,775 | 8,133 | 9,908 | ||||||||
| Total Contractual and Other Obligations | $ | 5,286,642 | $ | 173,417 | $ | 5,460,059 |
In the normal course of business, the Company makes commitments to extend credit and commitments to sell loans, which are not reflected in its consolidated financial statements. For further information about such commitments, see Note 14 (Commitments and Off-balance Sheet Items) in Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
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SOURCES OF FUNDS
The Company’s primary source of funding is its base of core customer deposits. Core deposits consist of demand deposits, savings, interest-bearing checking, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit of less than $100,000. Other deposit sources include certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more. The deposit base remains diverse with stable and manageable exposure to uninsured and uncollateralized deposits of approximately 21% of total deposits.
Other funding sources include overnight borrowings from other financial institutions and securities sold under agreement to repurchase. The membership of the Company’s affiliate bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System provides a significant additional source for both long and short-term collateralized borrowings. In addition, the Company, as a separate and distinct corporation from its bank and other subsidiaries, also has the ability to borrow funds from other financial institutions and to raise debt or equity capital from the capital markets and other sources. The following pages contain a discussion of changes in funding sources.
The table below illustrates changes between years in the average balances of all funding sources:
| Funding Sources - Average Balances (dollars in thousands) | December 31, | % Change From Prior Year | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||
| Demand Deposits | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest-bearing | $ | 1,553,082 | $ | 1,738,349 | $ | 1,378,647 | (11) | % | 26 | % | ||||||||
| Interest-bearing | 1,826,232 | 2,013,969 | 1,595,579 | (9) | 26 | |||||||||||||
| Savings Deposits | 572,623 | 640,653 | 460,945 | (11) | 39 | |||||||||||||
| Money Market Accounts | 656,396 | 833,119 | 645,747 | (21) | 29 | |||||||||||||
| Other Time Deposits | 257,736 | 262,764 | 226,419 | (2) | 16 | |||||||||||||
| Total Core Deposits | 4,866,069 | 5,488,854 | 4,307,337 | (11) | 27 | |||||||||||||
| Certificates of Deposits of $100,000 or more | 330,406 | 211,645 | 186,516 | 56 | 13 | |||||||||||||
| FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings | 210,837 | 159,029 | 186,750 | 33 | (15) | |||||||||||||
| Total Funding Sources | $ | 5,407,312 | $ | 5,859,528 | $ | 4,680,603 | (8) | 25 |
Maturities of certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more are summarized as follows:
(dollars in thousands)
| 3 Months Or Less | 3 - 6 Months | 6 - 12 Months | Over 12 Months | Total | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2023 | $ | 119,055 | $ | 117,165 | $ | 222,396 | $ | 19,349 | $ | 477,965 |
CORE DEPOSITS
The Company’s overall level of average core deposits declined approximately $622.8 million, or 11%, during 2023 compared with 2022. The Company’s overall level of period-end core deposits declined approximately $381.8 million, or 7%, during 2023 compared with 2022. Competitive deposit pricing in the marketplace as well as customers actively looking for yield opportunities within and outside the banking industry are contributing factors to the decline in total deposits over the course of the past year. A meaningful level of the outflow of deposits experienced during the past year was captured within the Company’s wealth management group.
The Company’s ability to attract core deposits continues to be influenced by competition and the interest rate environment, as well as the availability of alternative investment products. The Company has continued to see customer movement from both interest bearing and non-interest bearing transactional accounts to time deposits due primarily to a higher interest rate environment. Core deposits continue to represent a significant funding source for the Company’s operations and represented 90% of average total funding sources during 2023 compared with 94% during 2022 and 92% during 2021.
The Company’s overall level of average core deposits increased approximately $1.2 billion, or 27%, during 2022 compared with 2021, largely as a result of the CUB acquisition. During 2022, average demand deposits (non-interest bearing and interest bearing) increased $778.1 million, average savings deposits increased $179.7 million, average money market demand deposits increased $187.4 million and average time deposits under $100,000 increased $36.3 million.
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Demand, savings, and money market deposits have provided a growing source of funding for the Company in each of the periods reported. Average demand, savings, and money market deposits declined 12% during 2023 following 28% growth during 2022. Average demand, savings, and money market deposits totaled $4.608 billion or 95% of core deposits (85% of total funding sources) in 2023 compared with $5.226 billion or 95% of core deposits (89% of total funding sources) in 2022 and $4.080 billion or 95% of core deposits (87% of total funding sources) in 2021.
Other time deposits consist of certificates of deposits in denominations of less than $100,000. These average deposits declined by 2% during 2023 following an increase of 16% during 2022. Other time deposits comprised 5% of core deposits in all periods presented.
OTHER FUNDING SOURCES
Certificates of deposits in denominations of $100,000 or more are an additional source of other funding for the Company’s bank subsidiary and are used as both long-term and short-term funding sources. On an average basis, large denomination certificates increased $118.8 million, or 56%, during 2023. This follows an increase of $25.1 million, or 13% during 2022. Large certificate deposits comprised approximately 6% of average total funding sources in 2023 compared with 4% in 2022 and 4% in 2021. On an end of period basis, certificates of deposits in denominations of $100,000 or more increased $284.7 million, or 147%, during 2023 compared to an increase of $47.8 million, or 33%, during 2022. As previously discussed, customers seeking higher yield opportunities were a contributing factor to growth in this category of the Company’s funding sources.
The Company had no brokered deposits as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. The Company participates in a reciprocal deposit program. Reciprocal Deposits totaled $77.9 million at December 31, 2023 and $42.6 million at December 31, 2022.
FHLB advances and other borrowings represent an important source of other funding for the Company. Average borrowed funds increased $51.8 million, or 33%, during 2023 compared to a decline of $27.8 million, or 15%, during 2022. Borrowings comprised approximately 4% of average total funding sources during 2023 compared with 3% in 2022 and 4% in 2021.
The bank subsidiary of the Company also utilizes short-term funding sources from time to time. These sources consist of overnight federal funds purchased from other financial institutions, secured repurchase agreements that generally mature within one day of the transaction date, and secured overnight variable rate borrowings from the FHLB. These borrowings represent an important source of short-term liquidity for the Company’s bank subsidiary.
The Company’s bank subsidiary is authorized by its Board to borrow up to $500 million at the FHLB, but availability at December 31, 2023 was limited to approximately $226 million based on the then pledged collateral and outstanding borrowings. In addition, the Company had a borrowing capacity of approximately $200 million at the Federal Reserve Bank as of December 31, 2023, based on the then pledged collateral. The capacity for borrowings from the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank could be increased, in each case, by the Company pledging additional available collateral. The Company’s Asset/Liability Committee closely monitors the availability of these sources as part of its overall oversight and management of the bank subsidiary’s liquidity.
Long-term debt at the Company’s bank subsidiary is in the form of FHLB advances, which are secured by the pledge of certain investment securities, residential and housing-related mortgage loans, and certain other commercial real estate loans. See Note 7 (FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report for further information regarding borrowed funds.
PARENT COMPANY FUNDING SOURCES
The parent company is a corporation separate and distinct from its bank and other subsidiaries. For information regarding the financial condition, result of operations, and cash flows of the Company, presented on a parent-company-only basis, see Note 17 (Parent Company Financial Statements) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
The Company uses funds at the parent company level to pay dividends to its shareholders, to acquire or make other investments in other businesses or their securities or assets, to repurchase its stock from time to time, and for other general corporate purposes. The parent company does not have access to the deposits and certain other sources of funds that are available to its bank subsidiary to support its operations. Instead, the parent company has historically derived most of its revenues from dividends paid to the parent company by its bank subsidiary. The Company’s banking subsidiary is subject to statutory restrictions on its ability to pay dividends to the parent company. See Note 8 (Shareholders’ Equity) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report, which is incorporated herein by reference. The parent
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company has, from time-to-time, supplemented the dividends received from its subsidiaries with borrowings. For details related to borrowings, see Note 7 (FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
At year-end 2023, the Company had available to it a $15 million revolving line of credit facility that will mature on September 25, 2024. Borrowings are available for general working capital purposes. Interest is payable quarterly at a floating rate based upon term SOFR rate plus a margin payable in respect of any principal amounts advanced under the revolving line of credit. There was no outstanding balance as of December 31, 2023.
RISK MANAGEMENT
The Company is exposed to various types of business risk on an on-going basis. These risks include credit risk, liquidity risk and interest rate risk. Various procedures are employed at the Company’s subsidiary bank to monitor and mitigate risk in the loan and investment portfolios, as well as risks associated with changes in interest rates. Following is a discussion of the Company’s philosophies and procedures to address these risks.
LENDING AND LOAN ADMINISTRATION
Primary responsibility and accountability for day-to-day lending activities rests with the Company’s subsidiary bank. Loan personnel at the subsidiary bank have the authority to extend credit under guidelines approved by the Bank’s board of directors. The executive loan committee serves as a vehicle for communication and for the pooling of knowledge, judgment and experience of its members. The committee provides valuable input to lending personnel, acts as an approval body, and monitors the overall quality of the Bank’s loan portfolio. The Corporate Credit Risk Management Committee comprised of members of the Company’s and its subsidiary Bank’s executive officers and board of directors, strives to ensure a consistent application of the Company’s lending policies. The Company also maintains a comprehensive risk-grading and loan review program, which includes quarterly reviews of problem loans, delinquencies and charge-offs. The purpose of this program is to evaluate loan administration, credit quality, loan documentation and the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses.
The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses to cover management’s estimate of all expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of the loan portfolio. Management estimates the required level of allowance for credit losses using past loan loss experience, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, along with reasonable and supportable forecasts, judgmentally adjusted for economic, external and internal quantitative and qualitative factors and portfolio trends. Economic factors include evaluating changes in international, national, regional and local economic and business conditions that affect the collectability of the loan portfolio. Internal factors include evaluating changes in lending policies and procedures; changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio; and changes in experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged-off. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed.
The allowance for credit losses is comprised of: (a) specific reserves on individual credits; and (b) general reserves for certain loan categories and industries, and overall historical loss experience; based on performance trends in the loan portfolios, current economic conditions, and other factors that influence the level of estimated credit losses. The need for specific reserves are considered for credits when: (a) the customer’s cash flow or net worth appears insufficient to repay the loan; (b) the loan has been criticized in a regulatory examination; (c) the loan is on non-accrual; or, (d) other reasons where the ultimate collectability of the loan is in question, or the loan characteristics require special monitoring.
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| Allowance for Credit Losses (dollars in thousands) | Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Balance of Allowance for Expected Credit Losses at Beginning of Period | $ | 44,168 | $ | 37,017 | $ | 46,859 | $ | 16,278 | $ | 15,823 | |||||||||
| Impact of adopting ASC 326 | — | — | — | 8,767 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Impact of adopting ASC 326 - PCD loans | — | — | — | 6,886 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Loans Charged-off: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | 1,792 | 1,149 | 2,777 | 2,119 | 3,810 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 56 | 79 | 10 | 36 | 320 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | 27 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity and Consumer Loans | 1,858 | 1,598 | 1,003 | 942 | 1,155 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 58 | 24 | 45 | 39 | 117 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Loans Charged-off | 3,791 | 2,850 | 3,835 | 3,136 | 5,402 | ||||||||||||||
| Recoveries of Previously Charged-off Loans: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | 154 | 26 | 61 | 23 | 56 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 76 | 24 | 40 | 129 | 29 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity and Consumer Loans | 605 | 479 | 359 | 358 | 440 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 3 | 5 | 33 | 4 | 7 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Recoveries | 838 | 534 | 493 | 514 | 532 | ||||||||||||||
| Net Loans Recovered (Charged-off) | (2,953) | (2,316) | (3,342) | (2,622) | (4,870) | ||||||||||||||
| Acquisition of Citizens Union Bank of Shelbyville, KY - PCD Loans | — | 3,117 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Additions to Allowance Charged to Expense | 2,550 | 6,350 | (6,500) | 17,550 | 5,325 | ||||||||||||||
| Balance at End of Period | $ | 43,765 | $ | 44,168 | $ | 37,017 | $ | 46,859 | $ | 16,278 | |||||||||
| Net Charge-offs (Recoveries) to Average Loans Outstanding | 0.08 | % | 0.06 | % | 0.11 | % | 0.08 | % | 0.17 | % | |||||||||
| Provision for Credit Losses to Average Loans Outstanding | 0.07 | % | 0.17 | % | (0.21) | % | 0.55 | % | 0.18 | % | |||||||||
| Allowance for Credit Losses to Total Loans at Year-end | 1.10 | % | 1.17 | % | 1.23 | % | 1.52 | % | 0.53 | % |
The following table indicates the breakdown of the allowance for credit losses for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | $ | 8,267 | $ | 13,958 | $ | 9,754 | $ | 6,645 | $ | 4,799 | |||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 25,923 | 21,598 | 19,245 | 29,878 | 4,692 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | 3,837 | 4,188 | 4,505 | 6,756 | 5,315 | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity and Consumer Loans | 2,976 | 2,196 | 1,808 | 1,636 | 634 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 2,762 | 2,228 | 1,705 | 1,944 | 333 | ||||||||||||||
| Unallocated | — | — | — | — | 505 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Allowance for Credit Losses | $ | 43,765 | $ | 44,168 | $ | 37,017 | $ | 46,859 | $ | 16,278 |
The Company’s allowance for credit losses totaled $43.8 million at December 31, 2023 compared to $44.2 million at December 31, 2022. The allowance for credit losses represented 1.10% of period-end loans at December 31, 2023 compared with 1.17% of period-end loans at December 31, 2022.
The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-13, Financial instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) on January 1, 2020. The Company added $9.4 million to the allowance for credit losses in conjunction with the closing of the CUB acquisition on January 1, 2022 related to the CUB loan portfolio. Of the increase in allowance for credit losses for the CUB portfolio, $6.3 million was recorded through the provision for credit losses on “Day 1” under the CECL model for non-PCD loans. The Company also acquired $29.9 million in PCD loans (at time of acquisition) for which the company recorded a credit adjustment of $3.1 million which was included in the allowance for credit losses.
The Company realized net charge-offs of $2,953,000, or 0.08% of average loans outstanding, during 2023 compared with $2,316,000, or 0.06% of average loans outstanding, during 2022 and $3,342,000, or 0.11% of average loans outstanding, during 2021.
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Please see “RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Provision for Credit Losses” and “CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES - Allowance for Credit Losses” for additional information regarding the allowance.
NON-PERFORMING ASSETS
Non-performing assets consist of: (a) non-accrual loans; (b) loans which have been renegotiated to provide for a reduction or deferral of interest or principal because of deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower; (c) loans past due 90 days or more as to principal or interest; and, (d) other real estate owned. Loans are placed on non-accrual status when scheduled principal or interest payments are past due for 90 days or more or when the borrower’s ability to repay becomes doubtful. Uncollected accrued interest is reversed against income at the time a loan is placed on non-accrual. Loans are typically charged-off at 180 days past due, or earlier if deemed uncollectible. Exceptions to the non-accrual and charge-off policies are made when the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. The following table presents an analysis of the Company’s non-performing assets.
| Non-performing Assets | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-accrual Loans | $ | 9,136 | $ | 12,888 | $ | 14,602 | $ | 21,507 | $ | 13,802 | |||||||||
| Past Due Loans (90 days or more and accruing) | 55 | 1,427 | 156 | — | 190 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Non-performing Loans | 9,191 | 14,315 | 14,758 | 21,507 | 13,992 | ||||||||||||||
| Other Real Estate | — | — | — | 325 | 425 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Non-performing Assets | $ | 9,191 | $ | 14,315 | $ | 14,758 | $ | 21,832 | $ | 14,417 | |||||||||
| Restructured Loans | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 104 | $ | 111 | $ | 116 | |||||||||
| Non-performing Loans to Total Loans | 0.23 | % | 0.38 | % | 0.49 | % | 0.70 | % | 0.45 | % | |||||||||
| Allowance for Credit Losses to Non-performing Loans | 476.17 | % | 308.54 | % | 250.83 | % | 217.88 | % | 116.34 | % |
The following tables present an analysis of the Company’s non-accrual loans and loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing.
| Non-Accrual Loans | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | $ | 3,707 | $ | 7,936 | $ | 10,530 | $ | 8,133 | $ | 4,940 | |||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 1,889 | 1,950 | 2,243 | 10,188 | 3,433 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | 879 | 1,062 | 1,136 | 1,915 | 2,739 | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity Loans | 1,033 | 310 | 24 | 271 | 79 | ||||||||||||||
| Consumer Loans | 253 | 400 | 82 | 170 | 115 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 1,375 | 1,230 | 587 | 830 | 2,496 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 9,136 | $ | 12,888 | $ | 14,602 | $ | 21,507 | $ | 13,802 |
| Loans Past Due 90 Days or More & Still Accruing | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | $ | — | $ | 1,427 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 190 | |||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 55 | — | 156 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity Loans | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Consumer Loans | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 55 | $ | 1,427 | $ | 156 | $ | — | $ | 190 |
Non-performing assets totaled $9.2 million, or 0.15% of total assets, at December 31, 2023 compared to $14.3 million, or 0.23% of total assets, at December 31, 2022 and compared to $14.8 million, or 0.26% of total assets, at December 31, 2021. Non-performing loans totaled $9.2 million, or 0.23% of total loans, at December 31, 2023 compared with $14.3 million, or 0.38% of total loans, at December 31, 2022 and compared with $14.8 million, or 0.49% of total loans, at December 31, 2021.
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The decline in the level of non-performing commercial and industrial loans and leases during 2023 was primarily attributable to the resolution of a single commercial borrowing relationship with minimal loss recognition for which the Company had established a significant reserve in previous periods. The decline in the level of non-performing commercial and industrial loans and leases during 2022 was primarily attributable to certain credits that were either charged-off or paid off, which were in non-accrual status.
For additional detail on individually analyzed loans, see Note 4 (Loans) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
Interest income recognized on non-performing loans for 2023 was $231,000. The gross interest income that would have been recognized in 2023 on non-performing loans if the loans had been current in accordance with their original terms was $1,313,000. Loans are typically placed on non-accrual status when scheduled principal or interest payments are past due for 90 days or more, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection.
LIQUIDITY AND INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT
Liquidity is a measure of the ability of the Company’s subsidiary bank to fund new loan demand, existing loan commitments and deposit withdrawals. The purpose of liquidity management is to match sources of funds with anticipated customer borrowings and withdrawals and other obligations to ensure a dependable funding base, without unduly penalizing earnings. Failure to properly manage liquidity requirements can result in the need to satisfy customer withdrawals and other obligations on less than desirable terms. The liquidity of the parent company is dependent upon the receipt of dividends from its bank subsidiary, which are subject to certain regulatory limitations explained in Note 8 (Shareholders’ Equity) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report. The subsidiary bank’s source of funding is predominately core deposits, time deposits in excess of $100,000 and brokered certificates of deposit, maturities of securities, repayments of loan principal and interest, federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank.
Interest rate risk is the exposure of the Company’s financial condition to adverse changes in market interest rates. In an effort to estimate the impact of sustained interest rate movements to the Company’s earnings, the Company monitors interest rate risk through computer-assisted simulation modeling of its net interest income. The Company’s simulation modeling monitors the potential impact to net interest income under various interest rate scenarios. The Company’s objective is to actively manage its asset/liability position within a one-year interval and to limit the risk in any of the interest rate scenarios to a reasonable level of tax-equivalent net interest income within that interval. The Company’s Asset/Liability Committee monitors compliance within established guidelines of the Funds Management Policy. See Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk section for further discussion regarding interest rate risk.
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FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000714395-23-000008.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
INTRODUCTION
German American Bancorp, Inc. is a Nasdaq-traded (symbol: GABC) financial holding company based in Jasper, Indiana. German American, through its banking subsidiary German American Bank, operates 77 banking offices in 20 contiguous southern Indiana counties and 14 counties in Kentucky. The Company also owns an investment brokerage subsidiary (German American Investment Services, Inc.) and a full line property and casualty insurance agency (German American Insurance, Inc.).
Throughout this Management’s Discussion and Analysis, as elsewhere in this Report, when we use the term “Company”, we will usually be referring to the business and affairs (financial and otherwise) of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates as a whole. Occasionally, we will refer to the term “parent company” or “holding company” when we mean to refer to only German American Bancorp, Inc., and the term “Bank” when we mean to refer to only the Company’s bank subsidiary.
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis includes an analysis of the major components of the Company’s operations for the years 2020 through 2022 and its financial condition as of December 31, 2021 and 2022. This information should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and footnotes contained elsewhere in this Report and with the description of business included in Item 1 of this Report (including the cautionary disclosure regarding “Forward Looking Statements and Associated Risks”). Financial and other information by segment is included in Note 16 (Segment Information) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report and is incorporated into this Item 7 by reference.
The statements of management’s expectations and goals concerning the Company’s future operations and performance that are set forth in the following Management Overview and in other sections of this Item 7 are forward-looking statements, and readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations of the Company that is expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. This Item 7, as well as the discussions in Item 1 (“Business”) entitled “Forward-Looking Statements and Associated Risks” and in Item 1A (“Risk Factors”) (which discussions are incorporated in this Item 7 by reference) list some of the factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to vary materially from those expressed or implied by any such forward-looking statements.
Any statements of management’s expectations and goals concerning the Company’s future operations and performance, and future financial condition, liquidity and capital resources that are set forth in the following Management Overview and in other sections of this Item 7 are forward-looking statements, and readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations of the Company that is expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. This Item 7, as well as the discussions in Item 1 (“Business”) entitled “Forward-Looking Statements and Associated Risks” and in Item 1A (“Risk Factors”) (which discussions are incorporated in this Item 7 by reference) list some of the factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to vary materially from those expressed or implied by any such forward-looking statements.
MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW
Business Developments
On January 1, 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of Citizens Union Bancorp of Shelbyville, Inc. (“CUB”) through the merger of CUB with and into the Company. Immediately following completion of the CUB holding company merger, CUB's subsidiary bank, Citizen Union Bank of Shelbyville, Inc., was merged with and into the Company’s subsidiary bank, German American Bank. CUB, headquartered in Shelbyville, Kentucky operated 15 retail banking offices located in Shelby, Jefferson, Spencer, Bullitt, Oldham, Owen, Gallatin and Hardin counties in Kentucky through Citizens Union Bank of Shelbyville, Inc. in Kentucky. As of the closing of the transaction, CUB had total assets of approximately $1.109 billion, total loans of approximately $683.8 million, and total deposits of approximately $930.5 million. The Company issued approximately 2.9 million shares of its common stock, and paid approximately $50.8 million in cash, in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of CUB.
For further information regarding this merger and acquisition transaction, see Note 18 (Business Combinations, Goodwill and Intangible Assets) in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
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As previously disclosed, during 2021, the Company executed an operating optimization plan, pursuant to which its banking subsidiary, German American Bank, consolidated seven branch offices and implemented various staff reductions. In making its decision to consolidate these branches, which were generally integrated with other nearby bank branches, the Company considered, among other factors, the operating costs of the branches, certain physical limitations impacting the bank facilities, and their proximity to other branch locations. In addition, the Company’s evaluation of the branch consolidations and the reductions in staff also took into consideration the numbers and types of transactions being conducted by its customers and the increased usage of online and mobile banking. Also as part of the operating optimization plan, in September 2021, German American Bank sold its two branches located in Lexington, Kentucky to The Home Savings and Loan Company of Kenton, Ohio (“HSLC”). HSLC assumed approximately $17.6 million in total deposits and purchased approximately $17.8 million in total loans as part of the sale.
Financial Overview
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2022 totaled $81,825,000, or $2.78 per share, a decline of $2,312,000, or approximately 12% on a per share basis, from the year ended December 31, 2021 net income of $84,137,000, or $3.17 per share. The change in net income during 2022, compared with 2021, was largely impacted by acquisition-related expenses for the CUB transaction that closed on January 1, 2022. The 2022 results of operations included acquisition-related expenses of $12,323,000 ($9,372,000 or $0.32 per share, on an after tax basis) and also included Day 1 provision for credit losses under the CECL model of $6,300,000 ($4,725,000 or $1.16 per share, on an after tax basis). The decline in per share net income for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to 2021, was also impacted by the Company's January 1, 2022 issuance of approximately 2.9 million shares of common stock as part of the merger consideration in the CUB transaction.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2021 totaled $84,137,000, or $3.17 per share, an increase of $21,927,000, or approximately 35% on a per share basis, from the year ended December 31, 2020 net income of $62,210,000, or $2.34 per share. The net income growth during 2021 compared with 2020 was driven by a number of factors including improved net interest income, lower provision for credit losses and increased non-interest revenue which was partially offset by a modestly higher level of non-interest expense.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The financial condition and results of operations for the Company presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements, accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and selected financial data appearing elsewhere within this Report, are, to a large degree, dependent upon the Company’s accounting policies. The selection of and application of these policies involve estimates, judgments, and uncertainties that are subject to change. The critical accounting policies and estimates that the Company has determined to be the most susceptible to change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for credit losses, the valuation of securities available for sale, income tax expense, and the valuation of goodwill and other intangible assets.
ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES
The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses to cover the estimated expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of the loan portfolio. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged-off. A provision for credit losses is charged to operations based on management’s periodic evaluation of the necessary allowance balance. Evaluations are conducted at least quarterly and more often if deemed necessary. The ultimate recovery of all loans is susceptible to future market factors beyond the Company’s control.
The Company has an established process to determine the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. The determination of the allowance is inherently subjective, as it requires significant estimates, including the amounts and timing of expected future cash flows on individually analyzed loans, estimated losses on other classified loans and pools of homogeneous loans, and consideration of past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts and other factors, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The allowance consists of two components of allocations, specific and general. These two components represent the total allowance for credit losses deemed adequate to cover expected credit losses over the expected life of the loan portfolio.
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Commercial and agricultural loans are subject to a standardized grading process administered by an internal loan review function. The need for specific reserves is considered for credits when: (a) the customer’s cash flow or net worth appears insufficient to repay the loan; (b) the loan has been criticized in a regulatory examination; (c) the loan is on non-accrual; or (d) other reasons where the ultimate collectability of the loan is in question, or the loan characteristics require special monitoring.
Specific reserves on individually analyzed loans are determined by comparing the loan balance to the present value of expected cash flows or expected collateral proceeds. Allocations are also applied to categories of loans not individually analyzed but for which the rate of loss is expected to be greater than other similar type loans, including non-performing consumer or residential real estate loans. Such allocations are based on past loss experience, reasonable and supportable forecasts and information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values.
General allocations are made for commercial and agricultural loans that are graded as substandard and special mention, but are not individually analyzed for specific reserves as well as other pools of loans, including non-classified loans, homogeneous portfolios of consumer and residential real estate loans, and loans within certain industry categories believed to present unique risk of loss. General allocations of the allowance are primarily made based on historical averages for loan losses for these portfolios along with reasonable and supportable forecasts, judgmentally adjusted for economic, external and internal quantitative and qualitative factors and portfolio trends. Economic factors include evaluating changes in international, national, regional and local economic and business conditions that affect the collectability of the loan portfolio. Internal factors include evaluating changes in lending policies and procedures; changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio; and changes in experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff.
The allowance for credit losses for loans represents management’s estimate of all expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of the loan portfolio. Determining the appropriateness and adequacy of the allowance is complex and requires judgment by management about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Subsequent evaluations of the loan portfolio may result in significant changes in the allowance for credit losses in future periods.
The Company uses a number of economic variables in its scenarios to estimate the allowance for credit losses, with the most significant drivers being unemployment rate forecast, gross domestic product and agricultural producer price index as well as qualitative adjustments. Historical loss rates from periods where the average unemployment rate, gross domestic product and agricultural producer pricing index matches the forecast range are considered when calculating the forecast period loss rate. The impact of the changes in the unemployment and gross domestic product forecast range between December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, resulted in a decrease in the allowance for credit losses of approximately $600,000.
Based on sensitivity analysis of all portfolios, a 0.050% change (slight improvement or decline on the Company's scale) in all ten qualitative risk factors would have a $1,900,000 impact on the reserve allocation. The sensitivity and related range of impact is a hypothetical analysis and is not intended to represent management's judgements or assumptions of qualitative loss factors that were utilized at December 31, 2022 in estimation of the allowance for credit losses on loans recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
SECURITIES VALUATION
Available-for-sale debt securities in unrealized loss positions are evaluated for impairment related to credit losses at least quarterly. For available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company assesses whether we intend to sell, or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For available-for sale debt securities that do not meet the criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security and the issuer, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the Company compares the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security with the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis for the security, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded, limited to the amount that the fair value of the security is less than its amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. No allowance for credit losses for available-for-sale debt securities was needed at December 31, 2022. Accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale debt securities is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. As of December 31, 2022, gross unrealized gains on the securities available-for-sale portfolio totaled approximately $695,000 and gross unrealized losses totaled approximately $333,852,000. The net amount of these two items, net of applicable taxes, is included in other comprehensive income (loss).
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Equity securities that do not have readily determinable fair values are carried at cost, less impairment with observable price changes being recognized in earnings.
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
Income tax expense involves estimates related to the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets and loss contingencies related to exposure from tax examinations presumed to occur.
A valuation allowance reduces deferred tax assets to the amount management believes is more likely than not to be realized. In evaluating the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers the likelihood that sufficient taxable income of appropriate character will be generated within carry-back and carry-forward periods, including consideration of available tax planning strategies. Tax-related loss contingencies, including assessments arising from tax examinations and tax strategies, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. In considering the likelihood of loss, management considers the nature of the contingency, the progress of any examination or related protest or appeal, the views of legal counsel and other advisors, experience of the Company or other enterprises in similar matters, if any, and management’s intended response to any assessment.
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill resulting from business combinations represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill resulting from business combinations is generally determined as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred, plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interests in the acquiree, over the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually. The Company has selected December 31 as the date to perform the annual impairment test. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on the Company’s balance sheet. No impairment to Goodwill was indicated based on year-end testing.
Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Other intangible assets consist of core deposit and acquired customer relationship intangible assets. They are initially measured at fair value and then are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which range from 6 to 10 years.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
NET INCOME
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2022 totaled $81,825,000, or $2.78 per share, a decline of $2,312,000, or approximately 12% on a per share basis, from the year ended December 31, 2021 net income of $84,137,000, or $3.17 per share. The change in net income during 2022, compared with 2021, was largely impacted by acquisition-related expenses for the CUB transaction that closed on January 1, 2022. The 2022 results of operations included acquisition-related expenses of $12,323,000 ($9,372,000 or $0.32 per share, on an after tax basis) and also included Day 1 provision for credit losses under the CECL model of $6,300,000 ($4,725,000 or $1.16 per share, on an after tax basis). The decline in per share net income for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to 2021, was also impacted by the Company's January 1, 2022 issuance of approximately 2.9 million shares of common stock as part of the merger consideration in the CUB transaction.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2021 totaled $84,137,000, or $3.17 per share, an increase of $21,927,000, or approximately 35% on a per share basis, from the year ended December 31, 2020 net income of $62,210,000, or $2.34 per share. The net income growth during 2021 compared with 2020 was driven by a number of factors including improved net interest income, lower provision for credit losses and increased non-interest revenue which was partially offset by a modestly higher level of non-interest expense.
NET INTEREST INCOME
Net interest income is the Company’s single largest source of earnings, and represents the difference between interest and fees realized on earning assets, less interest paid on deposits and borrowed funds. Several factors contribute to the determination of net interest income and net interest margin, including the volume and mix of earning assets, interest rates, and income taxes. Many factors affecting net interest income are subject to control by management policies and actions. Factors beyond the
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control of management include the general level of credit and deposit demand, Federal Reserve Board monetary policy, and changes in tax laws.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, net interest income totaled $200,584,000, representing an increase of $39,754,000, or 25%, from the year ended December 31, 2021 net interest income of $160,830,000. The increase in net interest income during 2022 compared with 2021 was primarily attributable to a higher level of earning assets, driven in large part by the CUB acquisition, and an expansion of the Company’s net interest margin. The increase in net interest income was partially offset by a lower level of PPP loan fee recognition.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, net interest income totaled $160,830,000, representing an increase of $5,587,000, or 4%, from the year ended December 31, 2020 net interest income of $155,243,000. The increase in net interest income during 2021 compared with 2020 was largely attributable to an increase in average earning assets, a higher level of fees recognized related to PPP loans which were partially offset by a lower level of accretion of loan discounts on acquired loans, and a decreased level of interest expense on interest bearing liabilities related to lower interest rates.
The net interest margin represents tax-equivalent net interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets. The net interest margin for the year ended December 31, 2022 was 3.45% compared to 3.31% in 2021 and 3.63% in 2020. The improvement in the Company’s net interest margin during 2022 compared to 2021 was largely attributable to improved yields on earning assets driven by increased market rates. Historically low market interest rates impacted the Company’s net interest margin in both 2021 and 2020 by reducing earning asset yields, with those declines being partially mitigated by a lower cost of funds. Also contributing to the lower net interest margin was excess liquidity the Company had on its balance sheet that resulted from significant deposit growth during 2021 and 2020, PPP loan forgiveness and somewhat muted loan growth.
The Company’s net interest margin for all periods presented was impacted by the accretion of discounts on acquired loans. In 2021 and 2020, the Company's net interest margin was also impacted by fees recognized as a part of the PPP. Fees recognized on PPP loans through net interest income totaled $873,000 during 2022 and $12,196,000 during 2021. The fees recognized related to the PPP contributed approximately 1 basis point to the net interest margin in 2022 and 24 basis points to the net interest margin in 2021. Accretion of discounts on acquired loans contributed approximately 7 basis points to the net interest margin during both 2022 and 2021, and 13 basis points during 2020. Accretion of discounts on acquired loans totaled $4,341,000 during 2022, $3,476,000 during 2021, and $5,769,000 during 2020.
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The following table summarizes net interest income (on a tax-equivalent basis) for each of the past three years. For tax-equivalent adjustments, an effective tax rate of 21% was used for all periods presented (1).
Average Balance Sheet
(Tax-equivalent basis, dollars in thousands)
| Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022 | Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2021 | Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Principal Balance | Income / Expense | Yield / Rate | Principal Balance | Income / Expense | Yield / Rate | Principal Balance | Income / Expense | Yield / Rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Federal Funds Sold and Other Short-term Investments | $ | 458,230 | $ | 5,765 | 1.26 | % | $ | 390,362 | $ | 488 | 0.12 | % | $ | 209,012 | $ | 382 | 0.18 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable | 1,015,958 | 20,453 | 2.01 | % | 824,204 | 12,962 | 1.57 | % | 555,961 | 10,447 | 1.88 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable | 844,772 | 29,810 | 3.53 | % | 728,765 | 22,504 | 3.09 | % | 420,294 | 15,040 | 3.58 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Loans and Leases ⁽²⁾ | 3,680,708 | 169,593 | 4.61 | % | 3,072,302 | 139,378 | 4.54 | % | 3,185,542 | 151,946 | 4.77 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL INTEREST EARNING ASSETS | 5,999,668 | 225,621 | 3.76 | % | 5,015,633 | 175,332 | 3.50 | % | 4,370,809 | 177,815 | 4.07 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Assets | 559,949 | 397,147 | 398,102 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Allowance for Credit Losses | (45,587) | (43,073) | (39,905) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 6,514,030 | $ | 5,369,707 | $ | 4,729,006 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing Demand Deposits | $ | 2,013,969 | $ | 8,583 | 0.43 | % | $ | 1,595,579 | $ | 1,789 | 0.11 | % | $ | 1,309,998 | $ | 4,089 | 0.31 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Savings Deposits and Money Market Accounts | 1,473,772 | 2,879 | 0.20 | % | 1,106,692 | 885 | 0.08 | % | 912,183 | 1,885 | 0.21 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Time Deposits | 474,409 | 2,052 | 0.43 | % | 412,935 | 2,281 | 0.55 | % | 567,932 | 7,722 | 1.36 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings | 159,029 | 4,828 | 3.04 | % | 186,750 | 4,594 | 2.46 | % | 221,832 | 5,430 | 2.45 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES | 4,121,179 | 18,342 | 0.45 | % | 3,301,956 | 9,549 | 0.29 | % | 3,011,945 | 19,126 | 0.63 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand Deposit Accounts | 1,738,349 | 1,378,647 | 1,070,284 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Liabilities | 44,436 | 46,170 | 51,996 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | 5,903,964 | 4,726,773 | 4,134,225 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ Equity | 610,066 | 642,934 | 594,781 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | $ | 6,514,030 | $ | 5,369,707 | $ | 4,729,006 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| COST OF FUNDS | 0.31 | % | 0.19 | % | 0.44 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NET INTEREST INCOME | $ | 207,279 | $ | 165,783 | $ | 158,689 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NET INTEREST MARGIN | 3.45 | % | 3.31 | % | 3.63 | % |
(1)Effective tax rates were determined as though interest earned on the Company's investments in municipal bonds and loans was fully taxable.
(2)Loans held-for-sale and non-accruing loans have been included in average loans. Interest income on loans includes loan fees of $6,972, $15,761, and $15,003 for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
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The following table sets forth for the periods indicated a summary of the changes in interest income and interest expense resulting from changes in volume and changes in rates:
Net Interest Income – Rate / Volume Analysis
(Tax-Equivalent basis, dollars in thousands)
| 2022 compared to 2021 Increase / (Decrease) Due to ⁽¹⁾ | 2021 compared to 2020 Increase / (Decrease) Due to ⁽¹⁾ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volume | Rate | Net | Volume | Rate | Net | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest Income: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Federal Funds Sold and Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term Investments | $ | 99 | $ | 5,178 | $ | 5,277 | $ | 254 | $ | (148) | $ | 106 | |||||||||||
| Taxable Securities | 3,399 | 4,093 | 7,492 | 4,426 | (1,911) | 2,515 | |||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable Securities | 3,852 | 3,453 | 7,305 | 9,764 | (2,300) | 7,464 | |||||||||||||||||
| Loans and Leases | 28,001 | 2,214 | 30,215 | (5,290) | (7,278) | (12,568) | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Interest Income | 35,351 | 14,938 | 50,289 | 9,154 | (11,637) | (2,483) | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest Expense: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings and Interest-bearing Demand | 978 | 7,810 | 8,788 | 1,083 | (4,383) | (3,300) | |||||||||||||||||
| Time Deposits | 310 | (539) | (229) | (1,714) | (3,727) | (5,441) | |||||||||||||||||
| FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings | (744) | 978 | 234 | (863) | 27 | (836) | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Interest Expense | 544 | 8,249 | 8,793 | (1,494) | (8,083) | (9,577) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net Interest Income | $ | 34,807 | $ | 6,689 | $ | 41,496 | $ | 10,648 | $ | (3,554) | $ | 7,094 |
(1) The change in interest due to both rate and volume has been allocated to volume and rate changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each.
See the Company’s Average Balance Sheet above and the discussions under the headings “USES OF FUNDS,” “SOURCES OF FUNDS,” and “RISK MANAGEMENT – Liquidity and Interest Rate Risk Management” for further information on the Company’s net interest income, net interest margin, and interest rate sensitivity position.
PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES
The Company provides for credit losses through regular provisions to the allowance for credit losses. The provision is affected by net charge-offs on loans and changes in specific and general allocations of the allowance. During 2022, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $6,350,000 compared with a negative provision for credit losses of $6,500,000 during 2021 and a provision for credit losses of $17,550,000 during 2020.
During 2022, the provision for credit losses represented approximately 17 basis points of average loans. The provision for credit losses in 2022 included $6,300,000 for the Day 1 CECL addition to the allocation for credit loss related to the CUB acquisition for the non-PCD loans. The Company realized net charge-offs of $2,316,000 or 6 basis points of average loans during 2022.
During 2021, the negative provision for credit losses represented approximately 21 basis points of average loans. The negative provision for credit losses in 2021 was largely due to declines in certain adversely criticized assets and improvement in certain pandemic-related stressed sectors for which the Company had provided significant levels of allowance for credit losses during 2020. The Company realized net charge-offs of $3,342,000 or 11 basis points of average loans during 2021.
The provision for credit losses made during 2022 was made at a level deemed necessary by management to absorb expected losses in the loan portfolio. A detailed evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses is completed quarterly by management, the results of which are used to determine provision for credit losses. Management estimates the allowance balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts along with other qualitative and quantitative factors. Refer also to the sections entitled “CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES” and “RISK MANAGEMENT - Lending and Loan Administration” for further discussion of the provision and allowance for credit losses.
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NON-INTEREST INCOME
During the year ended December 31, 2022, non-interest income declined $329,000 or 1% from the year ended December 31, 2021. During the year ended December 31, 2021, non-interest income increased $4,988,000, or 9%, from the year ended December 31, 2020.
| Non-interest Income (dollars in thousands) | Years Ended December 31, | % Change From Prior Year | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||
| Wealth Management Fees | $ | 10,076 | $ | 10,321 | $ | 8,005 | (2) | % | 29 | % | ||||||||
| Service Charges on Deposit Accounts | 11,457 | 7,723 | 7,334 | 48 | 5 | |||||||||||||
| Insurance Revenues | 10,020 | 9,268 | 8,922 | 8 | 4 | |||||||||||||
| Company Owned Life Insurance | 2,264 | 1,529 | 2,307 | 48 | (34) | |||||||||||||
| Interchange Fee Income | 15,820 | 13,116 | 10,529 | 21 | 25 | |||||||||||||
| Other Operating Income | 5,116 | 6,991 | 3,388 | (27) | 106 | |||||||||||||
| Subtotal | 54,753 | 48,948 | 40,485 | 12 | 21 | |||||||||||||
| Net Gains on Sales of Loans | 3,818 | 8,267 | 9,908 | (54) | (17) | |||||||||||||
| Net Gains on Securities | 562 | 2,247 | 4,081 | (75) | (45) | |||||||||||||
| TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME | $ | 59,133 | $ | 59,462 | $ | 54,474 | (1) | 9 |
Wealth management fees declined $245,000, or 2%, during 2022 compared with 2021. Wealth management fees increased $2,316,000, or 29%, during 2021 compared with 2020. The increase in 2021 compared to 2020 was largely attributable to increased assets under management in the Company’s wealth management group.
Service charges on deposit accounts increased $3,734,000, or 48%, during 2022 compared to 2021. The increase during 2022 compared with 2021 was the result of the CUB acquisition as well as increased deposit customer activity. Service charges on deposit accounts increased $389,000, or 5%, during 2021 compared with 2020.
Company owned life insurance revenue increased $735,000, or 48%, during 2022 compared with 2021. The increase during 2022 compared with 2021 was largely related to death benefits received from life insurance policies during 2022 and to the CUB acquisition. Company owned life insurance revenue declined $778,000, or 34%, during 2021 compared with 2020. The decline during 2021 compared with 2020 was largely related to death benefits received from life insurance policies during 2020.
Interchange fees increased $2,704,000, or 21%, during 2022 compared with 2021. The increased level of fees during 2022 compared with 2021 was related to the CUB acquisition as well as increased card utilization by customers. Interchange fees increased $2,587,000, or 25%, during 2021 compared to 2020. The increased level of fees during 2021 compared with 2020 was due to increased economic activity and increased card utilization by customers.
Other operating income declined $1,875,000 or 27%, during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared with 2021. This decline was primarily attributable to the net gain of $1.4 million related to the sale of the two branch office locations in Lexington, Kentucky during the third quarter of 2021 and to a lower level of interest rate swap transaction fees with loan customers. Other operating income increased $3,603,000, or 106%, during 2021 compared with 2020. The increase during 2021 was largely attributable to the net gain of approximately $1.4 million related to the aforementioned sale of the two branch office locations and approximately $863,000 of fair value adjustments and higher transaction fees associated with interest rate swap transactions with loan customers. Also contributing to the increase in 2021, was the donation of a building and accompanying real estate to a local municipality in one of the Company’s market areas.
Net gains on sales of loans declined $4,449,000, or 54%, during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared with 2021. The decline in 2022 compared with 2021 was generally attributable to a lower volume of loans sold and lower pricing levels. Net gains on sales of loans declined $1,641,000, or 17%, during 2021 compared with the 2020. The decline in 2021 compared with 2020 was generally attributable to a lower level of fair value adjustments on commitments to sell loans and a modestly lower level of loans sold, which were partially offset by higher pricing levels on loans sold. Loan sales totaled $168.1 million during 2022, $266.0 million during 2021, and $316.4 million during 2020.
The Company realized $562,000 in gains on sales of securities during 2022 compared with $2,247,000 during 2021 and $4,081,000 during 2020. The sales of securities in all periods were done as part of shifts in the allocations within the securities portfolio.
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NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
During the year ended December 31, 2022, non-interest expense totaled $154,191,000, an increase of $30,184,000, or 24%, compared with the year ended December 31, 2021. The 2022 non-interest expenses included approximately $12,323,000 of non-recurring acquisition-related expenses for the acquisition of CUB. The primary drivers of the remaining increases during 2022 compared with 2021 were the operating costs for CUB. During 2021, non-interest expense totaled $124,007,000, an increase of $6,884,000, or 6%, compared with 2020.
| Non-interest Expense (dollars in thousands) | Years Ended December 31, | % Change From Prior Year | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||
| Salaries and Employee Benefits | $ | 84,145 | $ | 68,570 | $ | 68,112 | 23 | % | 1 | % | ||||||||
| Occupancy, Furniture and Equipment Expense | 14,921 | 14,831 | 14,024 | 1 | 6 | |||||||||||||
| FDIC Premiums | 1,860 | 1,419 | 740 | 31 | 92 | |||||||||||||
| Data Processing Fees | 15,406 | 7,611 | 6,889 | 102 | 10 | |||||||||||||
| Professional Fees | 6,295 | 5,009 | 3,998 | 26 | 25 | |||||||||||||
| Advertising and Promotion | 4,416 | 4,197 | 3,589 | 5 | 17 | |||||||||||||
| Intangible Amortization | 3,711 | 2,731 | 3,539 | 36 | (23) | |||||||||||||
| Other Operating Expenses | 23,437 | 19,639 | 16,232 | 19 | 21 | |||||||||||||
| TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE | $ | 154,191 | $ | 124,007 | $ | 117,123 | 24 | 6 |
Salaries and benefits increased $15,575,000, or 23%, during 2022 compared with 2021. The increase in salaries and benefits during 2022 compared with 2021 was largely attributable to the CUB acquisition, including approximately $1,480,000 of acquisition-related salary and benefit costs of a non-recurring nature, with the remainder of the increase due primarily to the salaries and benefits costs for the CUB employee base. Salaries and benefits were relatively stable during 2021 compared with 2020, increasing by $458,000, or less than 1%.
Occupancy, furniture and equipment had a minimal increase of $90,000, or 1%, during 2022 compared with 2021. Occupancy, furniture and equipment expense increased $807,000, or 6%, during 2021 compared with 2020. The increase during 2021 was due in large part to lease termination costs associated with the Company’s operating optimization plan.
FDIC premiums increased $441,000, or 31%, during 2022 compared with 2021. This increase is primarily attributable to an increase in total assessable assets from the acquisition of CUB as well as organic growth. FDIC premiums increased $679,000, or 92%, during 2021 compared with 2020. The increase during 2021 compared with 2020 was related to credits received from the FDIC during 2020. No credits were received during 2021. The credits received in 2020 and prior years were due to the reserve ratio of the deposit insurance fund exceeding the FDIC targeted levels.
Data processing fees increased $7,795,000, or 102%, during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared with 2021. The increase during 2022 compared with 2021 was largely driven by acquisition-related costs, which totaled approximately $4,982,000 during 2022, along with the CUB operating costs and costs related to continued data system enhancements. Data processing fees increased $722,000, or 10%, during 2021 compared with 2020. The increase was related to various software costs including expenses related to the PPP loan program as well as increased data processing fees for the branch sales during 2021.
Professional fees increased $1,286,000, or 26%, during 2022 compared with 2021. The increase during 2022 was primarily due to professional fees associated with the CUB acquisition. Merger and acquisition-related professional fees totaled approximately $1,802,000 during 2022 compared with $678,000 during 2021. Professional fees increased $1,011,000, or 25%, during 2021 compared with 2020. The increase during 2021 compared with 2020 was largely attributable to professional fees associated with the acquisition of CUB and an increase in legal fees related to non-acquisition related legal matters.
Advertising and promotion expense increased $219,000, or 5%, during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared with 2021. Advertising and promotion expense increased $608,000, or 17%, during 2021 compared with 2020. The increase during 2021 was attributable to the donation of a building and accompanying real estate to a local municipality in one of the Company’s market areas.
Other operating expenses increased $3,798,000, or 19%, during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared with 2021. The increase in 2022 compared to 2021 was primarily attributable to acquisition-related costs that totaled approximately $3,862,000 during 2022 and operating costs associated with CUB. The acquisition-related costs were primarily vendor contract termination costs. Other operating expenses increased $3,407,000, or 21%, during 2021 compared with 2020. The increase during 2021
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was primarily attributable to the establishment of a settlement reserve for a lawsuit challenging the Company’s assessment of overdraft fees for certain debit card transactions. Settlement and dismissal of the lawsuit was approved by the court and completed in 2022. In addition, the Company recognized $1,276,000 of charges related to various fixed asset write-downs as a part of the Company’s operating optimization plans announced in March 2021.
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
The Company records a provision for current income taxes payable, along with a provision for deferred taxes payable in the future. Deferred taxes arise from temporary differences, which are items recorded for financial statement purposes in a different period than for income tax returns. The Company’s effective tax rate was 17.5%, 18.1%, and 17.1%, respectively, in 2022, 2021, and 2020. The effective tax rate in all periods is lower than the blended statutory rate. The lower effective rate in all periods primarily resulted from the Company’s tax-exempt investment income on securities, loans, and company owned life insurance, income tax credits generated by investments in affordable housing projects, and income generated by subsidiaries domiciled in a state with no state or local income tax.
See Note 10 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Report for additional details relative to the Company’s income tax provision.
CAPITAL RESOURCES
As of December 31, 2022, shareholders’ equity declined by $110.1 million to $558.4 million compared with $668.5 million at year-end 2021. The decline in shareholders’ equity was primarily attributable to a decline in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") of $278.9 million related to the decrease in value of the Company’s available-for-sale securities portfolio. Partially offsetting the decline in shareholders’ equity was the issuance of the Company’s common shares in the acquisition of Citizens Union Bancorp of Shelbyville, Inc. Approximately 2.9 million shares were issued to CUB shareholders resulting in an increase to shareholders’ equity of $111.7 million. Also partially offsetting the decline in shareholders’ equity that was attributable to AOCI was the increase in retained earnings of $54.8 million due to net income of $81.8 million during 2022 which was partially offset by the payment of $27.0 million in shareholder dividends.
Shareholders’ equity represented 9.1% of total assets at December 31, 2022 and 11.9% of total assets at December 31, 2021. Shareholders’ equity included $189.8 million of goodwill and other intangible assets at December 31, 2022 compared to $127.6 million of goodwill and other intangible assets at December 31, 2021. This increase in goodwill and other intangible assets was primarily related to the acquisition of CUB.
On January 25, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program for up to 1.0 million of its outstanding common shares. The Company did not repurchase any shares of common stock under the repurchase plan during 2021.
On January 31, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors terminated the 2021 repurchase program and approved a new plan to repurchase up to 1.0 million shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock. On a share basis, the amount of common stock subject to the new repurchase plan represented approximately 3% of the Company’s outstanding shares on the date it was approved, which was inclusive of the approximately 2.9 million shares issued in conjunction with the CUB acquisition. The Company is not obligated to purchase any shares under the plan, and the plan may be discontinued at any time. The actual timing, number and share price of shares purchased under the repurchase plan will be determined by the Company at its discretion and will depend upon such factors as the market price of the stock, general market and economic conditions and applicable legal requirements. The Company has not repurchased any shares of common stock under the 2022 repurchase plan.
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “IRA”) was enacted. Among other things, the IRA imposes a new 1% excise tax on the fair market value of stock repurchased after December 31, 2022 by publicly traded U.S. corporations, like the Company. With certain exceptions, the value of stock repurchased is determined net of stock issued in the year, including shares issued pursuant to compensatory arrangements.
Federal banking regulations provide guidelines for determining the capital adequacy of bank holding companies and banks. These guidelines provide for a more narrow definition of core capital and assign a measure of risk to the various categories of assets. The Company is required to maintain minimum levels of capital in proportion to total risk-weighted assets and off-balance sheet exposures.
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The current risk-based capital rules, as adopted by federal banking regulators, are based upon guidelines developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and reflect various requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act (the “Basel III Rules”). The Basel III Rules require banking organizations to, among other things, maintain a minimum ratio of Total Capital to risk-weighted assets, a minimum ratio of Tier 1 Capital to risk-weighted assets, a minimum ratio of “Common Equity Tier 1 Capital” to risk-weighted assets, and a minimum leverage ratio (calculated as the ratio of Tier 1 Capital to adjusted average consolidated assets). In addition, under the Basel III Rules, in order to avoid limitations on capital distributions, including dividend payments, the Company is required to maintain a 2.5% capital conservation buffer above the adequately capitalized regulatory capital ratios. At December 31, 2022, the capital levels for the Company and its subsidiary bank remained well in excess of the minimum amounts needed for capital adequacy purposes and the Bank’s capital levels met the necessary requirements to be considered well-capitalized.
The table below presents the Company’s consolidated and the subsidiary bank’s capital ratios under regulatory guidelines:
| 12/31/2022 Ratio | 12/31/2021 Ratio | Minimum for Capital Adequacy Purposes ⁽¹⁾ | Well-Capitalized Guidelines | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | ||||||||||||
| Consolidated | 15.45 | % | 16.20 | % | 8.00 | % | N/A | |||||
| Bank | 14.07 | 13.36 | 8.00 | 10.00 | % | |||||||
| Tier 1 (Core) Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | ||||||||||||
| Consolidated | 13.97 | % | 14.61 | % | 6.00 | % | N/A | |||||
| Bank | 13.42 | 12.83 | 6.00 | 8.00 | % | |||||||
| Common Tier 1 (CET 1) Capital Ratio (to Risk Weighted Assets) | ||||||||||||
| Consolidated | 13.26 | % | 14.18 | % | 4.50 | % | N/A | |||||
| Bank | 13.42 | 12.83 | 4.50 | 6.50 | % | |||||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) | ||||||||||||
| Consolidated | 10.50 | % | 10.10 | % | 4.00 | % | N/A | |||||
| Bank | 10.09 | 8.88 | 4.00 | 5.00 | % |
(1) Excludes capital conservation buffer.
In December 2018, the federal banking regulators approved a final rule to address changes to credit loss accounting under GAAP, including banking organizations’ implementation of CECL. The final rule provides banking organizations the option to phase in over a three-year period the day-one adverse effects on regulatory capital that may result from the adoption of the new accounting standard. On March 27, 2020, in an action related to the CARES Act, the federal banking regulators announced an interim final rule to delay the estimated impact on regulatory capital stemming from the implementation of CECL. The interim final rule, which was finalized effective September 30, 2020, maintained the three-year transition option in the previous rule and provided banks the option to delay for two years an estimate of CECL’s effect on regulatory capital, relative to the incurred loss methodology’s effect on regulatory capital, followed by a three-year transition period (five-year transition option). The Company elected to adopt the five-year transition option and, as a result, began the required three-year phase-in by reflecting 25% of the previously deferred estimated capital impact of CECL in its regulatory capital effective January 1, 2022. An additional 25% is to be phased in at the beginning of each subsequent year until fully phased in by January 1, 2025. Under the five-year transition option, the amount of adjustments to regulatory capital that could be deferred until the phase-in period began included both the initial impact of our adoption of CECL at January 1, 2020 and 25% of subsequent changes in our allowance for credit losses during each quarter of the two-year period ended December 31, 2021.
On April 9, 2020, federal banking regulators issued an interim final rule to modify the Basel III regulatory capital rules applicable to banking organizations to allow those organizations participating in the PPP to neutralize the regulatory capital effects of participating in the program. Specifically, the agencies have clarified that banking organizations, including the Company and the Bank, are permitted to assign a zero percent risk weight to PPP loans for purposes of determining risk-weighted assets and risk-based capital ratios. While there were no outstanding PPP loans at December 31, 2022, at December 31, 2021, risk-weighted assets included $19.5 million of PPP loans (net of deferred fees) at a zero risk weight.
USES OF FUNDS
LOANS
December 31, 2022 total loans increased $780.7 million, or 26%, compared with December 31, 2021. The increase in total loans at December 31, 2022 compared with year-end 2021 was largely due to the acquisition of CUB and organic loan growth from throughout the Company’s existing market areas, partially offset by a decrease in PPP loans. Commercial and industrial
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loans increased approximately $128.1 million, or 23%, compared with year-end 2021, commercial real estate loans increased $436.2 million, or 28%, and agricultural loans increased $59.3 million, or 17%. At December 31, 2022, as compared with year-end 2021, retail loans increased $157.1 million, or 28%.
December 31, 2021 total loans declined $84.1 million, or 3%, compared with December 31, 2020. The decline in total loans at December 31, 2021 compared to year-end 2020 was primarily due to a decrease in PPP loans. PPP loans, net of deferred fees, totaled $19.5 million ($20.3 million principal balance and $0.8 million of remaining net deferred fees) at December 31, 2021 compared with $182.0 million at December 31, 2020.
The composition of the loan portfolio has remained relatively stable and diversified over the past several years, including 2022. The portfolio is most heavily concentrated in commercial real estate loans at 52% of the portfolio and commercial and industrial loans at 18% of the portfolio, and agricultural loans at 11% of the portfolio. The Company’s commercial lending is extended to various industries, including multi-family housing and lodging, agribusiness and manufacturing, as well as health care, wholesale, and retail services.
| Loan Portfolio | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | $ | 676,502 | $ | 548,350 | $ | 694,437 | $ | 589,758 | $ | 543,761 | |||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 1,966,884 | 1,530,677 | 1,467,397 | 1,495,862 | 1,208,646 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | 417,413 | 358,150 | 376,186 | 384,526 | 365,208 | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity and Consumer Loans | 377,164 | 307,184 | 297,702 | 306,972 | 285,534 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 350,682 | 263,565 | 256,276 | 304,855 | 328,592 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Loans | 3,788,645 | 3,007,926 | 3,091,998 | 3,081,973 | 2,731,741 | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Unearned Income | (3,711) | (3,662) | (3,926) | (4,882) | (3,682) | ||||||||||||||
| Subtotal | 3,784,934 | 3,004,264 | 3,088,072 | 3,077,091 | 2,728,059 | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Allowance for Loan Losses | (44,168) | (37,017) | (46,859) | (16,278) | (15,823) | ||||||||||||||
| Loans, Net | $ | 3,740,766 | $ | 2,967,247 | $ | 3,041,213 | $ | 3,060,813 | $ | 2,712,236 | |||||||||
| Net PPP Loans (Included in Commercial and Industrial above) | — | 19,450 | 181,984 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Ratio of Loans to Total Loans | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | 18 | % | 18 | % | 23 | % | 19 | % | 20 | % | |||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 52 | % | 51 | % | 47 | % | 49 | % | 44 | % | |||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | 11 | % | 12 | % | 12 | % | 12 | % | 13 | % | |||||||||
| Home Equity and Consumer Loans | 10 | % | 10 | % | 10 | % | 10 | % | 11 | % | |||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 9 | % | 9 | % | 8 | % | 10 | % | 12 | % | |||||||||
| Total Loans | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % |
The Company’s policy is generally to extend credit to consumer and commercial borrowers in its primary geographic market area in southern Indiana and central and western Kentucky. Commercial extensions of credit outside this market area are generally concentrated in real estate loans within a reasonable proximity of the Company’s primary market and are granted on a selective basis.
The following table indicates the amounts of loans (excluding residential mortgages on 1-4 family residences and consumer loans) outstanding as of December 31, 2022, which, based on remaining scheduled repayments of principal, are due in the periods indicated (dollars in thousands).
| Within One Year | One to Five Years | After Five Years | Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial and Agricultural | $ | 849,395 | $ | 1,540,495 | $ | 668,472 | $ | 3,058,362 |
| Interest Sensitivity | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Rate | Variable Rate | ||||||
| Loans Maturing After One Year | $ | 717,107 | $ | 1,491,860 |
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INVESTMENTS
The investment portfolio is a principal source for funding the Company’s loan growth and other liquidity needs of its subsidiaries. The Company’s securities portfolio primarily consists of money market securities, collateralized and uncollateralized federal agency securities, municipal obligations of state and political subdivisions, and mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations (MBS/CMO - Residential) issued by U.S. government agencies. Money market securities include federal funds sold, interest-bearing balances with banks, and other short-term investments. The composition of the year-end balances in the investment portfolio is presented in Note 2 (Securities) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report and in the table below:
| Investment Portfolio, at Amortized Cost | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | 2022 | % | 2021 | % | 2020 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Federal Funds Sold and Other Short-term Investments | $ | 41,905 | 2 | % | $ | 349,717 | 16 | % | $ | 287,776 | 20 | % | |||||||||
| U.S. Treasury | 64,097 | 3 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions | 939,193 | 44 | 896,048 | 40 | 548,273 | 37 | |||||||||||||||
| MBS/CMO - Residential | 846,519 | 40 | 797,693 | 36 | 535,526 | 37 | |||||||||||||||
| US Gov't Sponsored Entities & Agencies | 245,017 | 11 | 175,457 | 8 | 88,376 | 6 | |||||||||||||||
| Equity Securities | 353 | n/m ⁽¹⁾ | 353 | n/m ⁽¹⁾ | 353 | n/m ⁽¹⁾ | |||||||||||||||
| Total Securities Portfolio | $ | 2,137,084 | 100 | % | $ | 2,219,268 | 100 | % | $ | 1,460,304 | 100 | % |
(1)n/m = not meaningful
The amortized cost of investment securities, including federal funds sold and short-term investments, decreased $82.2 million, or 4%, at year-end 2022 compared to year-end 2021 and increased $759.0 million, or 52%, at year-end 2021 compared with year-end 2020. The decline from year-end 2022 compared with year end 2021 was primarily attributable to the decrease in federal funds sold which is partially offset by the increase in amortized cost of obligations of state and political subdivisions, agency issued mortgage related securities and collateralized and uncollateralized federal agency securities. The increase in the securities portfolio comparing year-end 2021 to year-end 2020 resulted from increased levels of deposits during 2021 in addition to PPP loan forgiveness and repayment activity over that same period.
The investment portfolio continues to be relatively balanced with agency issued mortgage related securities and collateralized and uncollateralized federal agency securities, totaling $1.092 billion, or 51% of the total securities portfolio at December 31, 2022. The Company’s level of obligations of state and political subdivisions increased to $939.2 million or 44% of the portfolio at December 31, 2022.
| Investment Securities, at Carrying Value | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||
| December 31, | |||||||||||
| Securities Available-for-Sale | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||
| U.S. Treasury | $ | 64,119 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||
| Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions | 777,852 | 925,706 | 581,247 | ||||||||
| MBS/CMO - Residential | 714,681 | 791,950 | 548,307 | ||||||||
| US Gov't Sponsored Entities & Agencies | 205,017 | 171,961 | 88,298 | ||||||||
| Total Securities | $ | 1,761,669 | $ | 1,889,617 | $ | 1,217,852 |
The decline in the available for sale portfolio during 2022 compared with 2021 was largely attributable to fair value adjustments in the portfolio caused by the rise in market interest rates. The fair value adjustment of the available for sale portfolio totaled $333.2 million at December 31, 2022. The increase in the available for sale portfolio comparing year-end 2021 to year-end 2020 was largely the result of additions to the portfolio resulting from increased levels of deposits, PPP loan forgiveness and repayment activity during 2021. The Company’s $1.762 billion available-for-sale investment portfolio provides an additional funding source for the liquidity needs of the Company’s subsidiaries and for asset/liability management requirements. Although management has the ability to sell these securities if the need arises, their designation as available-for-sale should not necessarily be interpreted as an indication that management anticipates such sales.
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The amortized cost of available-for-sale debt securities at December 31, 2022 is shown in the following table by contractual maturity. MBS/CMO - Residential securities are based on estimated average lives. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations.
Maturities and Average Yields of Securities at December 31, 2022
(dollars in thousands)
| Within One Year | After One But Within Five Years | After Five But Within Ten Years | After Ten Years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | |||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury | $ | 64,097 | 4.15 | % | $ | — | — | % | $ | — | — | % | $ | — | — | % | ||||||||||||
| Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions | 3,266 | 3.98 | % | 15,449 | 4.25 | % | 55,747 | 3.46 | % | 864,731 | 3.06 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| MBS/CMO - Residential | — | — | % | 34,908 | 2.74 | % | 45,649 | 2.24 | % | 765,962 | 1.78 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| US Gov't Sponsored Entities & Agencies | 4 | 3.49 | % | 26,349 | 3.71 | % | 19,465 | 2.19 | % | 199,199 | 1.83 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Securities | $ | 67,367 | 4.14 | % | $ | 76,706 | 3.38 | % | $ | 120,861 | 2.79 | % | $ | 1,829,892 | 2.39 | % |
A tax-equivalent adjustment using a tax rate of 21 percent was used in the above table.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
In addition to the other uses of funds discussed previously, the Company has certain contractual obligations to make cash payments. These contractual obligations primarily consist of borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), junior subordinated debentures, deposits, repurchase agreements, and lease commitments for certain office facilities. A summary of these payment obligations is set forth below.
| Contractual and Other Obligations | Payments Due In | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | One Year or Less | Over One Year | Total | ||||||||
| Deposits without Stated Maturities | $ | 4,921,582 | $ | — | $ | 4,921,582 | |||||
| Time Deposits | 317,454 | 111,015 | 428,469 | ||||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank Advances | 25,000 | 25,000 | 50,000 | ||||||||
| Other Borrowings (Subordinated Notes and Debentures) | — | 74,788 | 74,788 | ||||||||
| Federal Funds Purchased | 11,200 | — | 11,200 | ||||||||
| Securities Sold under Repurchase Agreements | 64,961 | — | 64,961 | ||||||||
| Lease Obligations | 1,895 | 9,857 | 11,752 | ||||||||
| Total Contractual and Other Obligations | $ | 5,342,092 | $ | 220,660 | $ | 5,562,752 |
In the normal course of business, the Company makes commitments to extend credit and commitments to sell loans, which are not reflected in its consolidated financial statements. For further information about such commitments, see Note 14 (Commitments and Off-balance Sheet Items) in Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
SOURCES OF FUNDS
The Company’s primary source of funding is its base of core customer deposits. Core deposits consist of demand deposits, savings, interest-bearing checking, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit of less than $100,000. Other sources of funds are certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more, brokered deposits, overnight borrowings from other financial institutions and securities sold under agreement to repurchase. The membership of the Company’s affiliate bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System provides a significant additional source for both long and short-term collateralized borrowings. In addition, the Company, as a separate and distinct corporation from its bank and other subsidiaries, also has the ability to borrow funds from other financial institutions and to raise debt or equity capital from the capital markets and other sources. The following pages contain a discussion of changes in these areas.
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The table below illustrates changes between years in the average balances of all funding sources:
| Funding Sources - Average Balances (dollars in thousands) | December 31, | % Change From Prior Year | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||
| Demand Deposits | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest-bearing | $ | 1,738,349 | $ | 1,378,647 | $ | 1,070,284 | 26 | % | 29 | % | ||||||||
| Interest-bearing | 2,013,969 | 1,595,579 | 1,309,998 | 26 | 22 | |||||||||||||
| Savings Deposits | 640,653 | 460,945 | 358,389 | 39 | 29 | |||||||||||||
| Money Market Accounts | 833,119 | 645,747 | 553,794 | 29 | 17 | |||||||||||||
| Other Time Deposits | 262,764 | 226,419 | 288,762 | 16 | (22) | |||||||||||||
| Total Core Deposits | 5,488,854 | 4,307,337 | 3,581,227 | 27 | 20 | |||||||||||||
| Certificates of Deposits of $100,000 or more and Brokered Deposits | 211,645 | 186,516 | 279,170 | 13 | (33) | |||||||||||||
| FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings | 159,029 | 186,750 | 221,832 | (15) | (16) | |||||||||||||
| Total Funding Sources | $ | 5,859,528 | $ | 4,680,603 | $ | 4,082,229 | 25 | 15 |
Maturities of certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more and brokered deposits are summarized as follows:
(dollars in thousands)
| 3 Months Or Less | 3 - 6 Months | 6 - 12 Months | Over 12 Months | Total | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2022 | $ | 44,420 | $ | 31,600 | $ | 77,286 | $ | 39,944 | $ | 193,250 |
CORE DEPOSITS
The Company’s overall level of average core deposits increased approximately $1.2 billion, or 27%, during 2022 compared with 2021, largely as a result of the CUB acquisition. During 2022, average demand deposits (non-interest bearing and interest bearing) increased $778.1 million, average savings deposits increased $179.7 million, average money market demand deposits increased $187.4 million and average time deposits under $100,000 increased $36.3 million. The Company’s overall level of average core deposits increased approximately $726.1 million, or 20%, during 2021 compared with 2020. During 2021, average demand deposits (non-interest bearing and interest bearing) increased $593.9 million, average savings deposits increased $102.6 million, average money market demand deposits increased $92.0 million and average time deposits under $100,000 declined $62.3 million.
The Company’s ability to attract core deposits continues to be influenced by competition and the interest rate environment, as well as the availability of alternative investment products. Core deposits continue to represent a significant funding source for the Company’s operations and represented 94% of average total funding sources during 2022 compared with 92% during 2021 and 88% during 2020.
Demand, savings, and money market deposits have provided a growing source of funding for the Company in each of the periods reported. Average demand, savings, and money market deposits increased 28% during 2022 following 24% growth during 2021. Average demand, savings, and money market deposits totaled $5.226 billion or 95% of core deposits (89% of total funding sources) in 2022 compared with $4.080 billion or 95% of core deposits (87% of total funding sources) in 2021 and $3.292 billion or 92% of core deposits (81% of total funding sources) in 2020.
Other time deposits consist of certificates of deposits in denominations of less than $100,000. These average deposits increased by 16% during 2022 following a decline of 22% during 2021. Other time deposits comprised 5% of core deposits in 2022, 5% in 2021 and 8% in 2020.
OTHER FUNDING SOURCES
Certificates of deposits in denominations of $100,000 or more and brokered deposits are an additional source of other funding for the Company’s bank subsidiary. Large denomination certificates and brokered deposits increased $25.1 million, or 13%, following a decline of $92.7 million, or 33%, during 2021. Large certificates and brokered deposits comprised approximately 4% of average total funding sources in 2021 compared with 4% in 2021 and 7% in 2020. This type of funding is used as both long-term and short-term funding sources.
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings represent an important source of other funding for the Company. Average borrowed funds declined $27.8 million, or 15%, during 2022 and declined $35.1 million, or 16%, during 2021.
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Borrowings comprised approximately 3% of average total funding sources during 2022 compared with 4% in 2021 and 5% in 2020.
The bank subsidiary of the Company also utilizes short-term funding sources from time to time. These sources consist of overnight federal funds purchased from other financial institutions, secured repurchase agreements that generally mature within one day of the transaction date, and secured overnight variable rate borrowings from the FHLB. These borrowings represent an important source of short-term liquidity for the Company’s bank subsidiary. Long-term debt at the Company’s bank subsidiary is in the form of FHLB advances, which are secured by the pledge of certain investment securities, residential and housing-related mortgage loans, and certain other commercial real estate loans. See Note 7 (FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report for further information regarding borrowed funds.
PARENT COMPANY FUNDING SOURCES
The parent company is a corporation separate and distinct from its bank and other subsidiaries. For information regarding the financial condition, result of operations, and cash flows of the Company, presented on a parent-company-only basis, see Note 17 (Parent Company Financial Statements) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
The Company uses funds at the parent company level to pay dividends to its shareholders, to acquire or make other investments in other businesses or their securities or assets, to repurchase its stock from time to time, and for other general corporate purposes. The parent company does not have access to the deposits and certain other sources of funds that are available to its bank subsidiary to support its operations. Instead, the parent company has historically derived most of its revenues from dividends paid to the parent company by its bank subsidiary. The Company’s banking subsidiary is subject to statutory restrictions on its ability to pay dividends to the parent company. See Note 8 (Shareholders’ Equity) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report, which is incorporated herein by reference. The parent company has, from time-to-time, supplemented the dividends received from its subsidiaries with borrowings. For details related to borrowings, see Note 7 (FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
At year-end 2022, the Company had available to it a $15 million revolving line of credit facility that will mature on September 26, 2023. Borrowings are available for general working capital purposes. Interest is payable quarterly at a floating rate based upon term SOFR rate plus a margin payable in respect of any principal amounts advanced under the revolving line of credit. There was no outstanding balance as of December 31, 2022.
RISK MANAGEMENT
The Company is exposed to various types of business risk on an on-going basis. These risks include credit risk, liquidity risk and interest rate risk. Various procedures are employed at the Company’s subsidiary bank to monitor and mitigate risk in the loan and investment portfolios, as well as risks associated with changes in interest rates. Following is a discussion of the Company’s philosophies and procedures to address these risks.
LENDING AND LOAN ADMINISTRATION
Primary responsibility and accountability for day-to-day lending activities rests with the Company’s subsidiary bank. Loan personnel at the subsidiary bank have the authority to extend credit under guidelines approved by the Bank’s board of directors. The executive loan committee serves as a vehicle for communication and for the pooling of knowledge, judgment and experience of its members. The committee provides valuable input to lending personnel, acts as an approval body, and monitors the overall quality of the Bank’s loan portfolio. The Corporate Credit Risk Management Committee comprised of members of the Company’s and its subsidiary Bank’s executive officers and board of directors, strives to ensure a consistent application of the Company’s lending policies. The Company also maintains a comprehensive risk-grading and loan review program, which includes quarterly reviews of problem loans, delinquencies and charge-offs. The purpose of this program is to evaluate loan administration, credit quality, loan documentation and the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses.
The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses to cover management's estimate of all expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of the loan portfolio. Management estimates the required level of allowance for credit losses using past loan loss experience, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, along with reasonable and supportable forecasts, judgmentally adjusted for economic, external and internal quantitative and qualitative factors and
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portfolio trends. Economic factors include evaluating changes in international, national, regional and local economic and business conditions that affect the collectability of the loan portfolio. Internal factors include evaluating changes in lending policies and procedures; changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio; and changes in experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged-off. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed.
The allowance for credit losses is comprised of: (a) specific reserves on individual credits; and (b) general reserves for certain loan categories and industries, and overall historical loss experience; based on performance trends in the loan portfolios, current economic conditions, and other factors that influence the level of estimated credit losses. The need for specific reserves are considered for credits when: (a) the customer’s cash flow or net worth appears insufficient to repay the loan; (b) the loan has been criticized in a regulatory examination; (c) the loan is on non-accrual; or, (d) other reasons where the ultimate collectability of the loan is in question, or the loan characteristics require special monitoring.
| Allowance for Credit Losses (dollars in thousands) | Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
| Balance of Allowance for Possible Losses at Beginning of Period | $ | 37,017 | $ | 46,859 | $ | 16,278 | $ | 15,823 | $ | 15,694 | |||||||||
| Impact of adopting ASC 326 | — | — | 8,767 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Impact of adopting ASC 326 - PCD loans | — | — | 6,886 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Loans Charged-off: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | 1,149 | 2,777 | 2,119 | 3,810 | 1,500 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 79 | 10 | 36 | 320 | 49 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity and Consumer Loans | 1,598 | 1,003 | 942 | 1,155 | 922 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 24 | 45 | 39 | 117 | 75 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Loans Charged-off | 2,850 | 3,835 | 3,136 | 5,402 | 2,546 | ||||||||||||||
| Recoveries of Previously Charged-off Loans: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | 26 | 61 | 23 | 56 | 141 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 24 | 40 | 129 | 29 | 20 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | — | — | — | — | 20 | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity and Consumer Loans | 479 | 359 | 358 | 440 | 387 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 5 | 33 | 4 | 7 | 37 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Recoveries | 534 | 493 | 514 | 532 | 605 | ||||||||||||||
| Net Loans Recovered (Charged-off) | (2,316) | (3,342) | (2,622) | (4,870) | (1,941) | ||||||||||||||
| Acquisition of Citizens Union Bank of Shelbyville, KY - PCD Loans | 3,117 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Additions to Allowance Charged to Expense | 6,350 | (6,500) | 17,550 | 5,325 | 2,070 | ||||||||||||||
| Balance at End of Period | $ | 44,168 | $ | 37,017 | $ | 46,859 | $ | 16,278 | $ | 15,823 | |||||||||
| Net Charge-offs (Recoveries) to Average Loans Outstanding | 0.06 | % | 0.11 | % | 0.08 | % | 0.17 | % | 0.08 | % | |||||||||
| Provision for Credit Losses to Average Loans Outstanding | 0.17 | % | (0.21) | % | 0.55 | % | 0.18 | % | 0.09 | % | |||||||||
| Allowance for Credit Losses to Total Loans at Year-end | 1.17 | % | 1.23 | % | 1.52 | % | 0.53 | % | 0.58 | % |
The following table indicates the breakdown of the allowance for credit losses for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | $ | 13,958 | $ | 9,754 | $ | 6,645 | $ | 4,799 | $ | 2,953 | |||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 21,598 | 19,245 | 29,878 | 4,692 | 5,291 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | 4,188 | 4,505 | 6,756 | 5,315 | 5,776 | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity and Consumer Loans | 2,196 | 1,808 | 1,636 | 634 | 649 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 2,228 | 1,705 | 1,944 | 333 | 472 | ||||||||||||||
| Unallocated | — | — | — | 505 | 682 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Allowance for Credit Losses | $ | 44,168 | $ | 37,017 | $ | 46,859 | $ | 16,278 | $ | 15,823 |
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The Company’s allowance for credit losses totaled $44.2 million at December 31, 2022 compared to $37.0 million at December 31, 2021. The allowance for credit losses represented 1.17% of period-end loans at December 31, 2022 compared with 1.23% of period-end loans year-end 2021.
The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-13, Financial instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) (“CECL”) on January 1, 2020. The Company added $9.4 million to the allowance for credit losses in conjunction with the closing of the CUB acquisition on January 1, 2022 related to the CUB loan portfolio. Of the increase in allowance for credit losses for the CUB portfolio, $6.3 million was recorded through the provision for credit losses on “Day 1” under the CECL model for non-PCD loans. The Company also acquired $29.9 million in PCD loans (at time of acquisition) for which the company recorded a credit adjustment of $3.1 million which was included in the allowance for credit losses. Under the CECL model, certain acquired loans continue to carry a fair value discount as well as an allowance for credit losses. As of December 31, 2022, the Company held net discounts on acquired loans of $6.0 million which included $2.4 million related to the CUB loan portfolio.
The allowance for credit losses declined during 2021 as a result of the Company recording a negative $6.5 million provision for credit losses while recording modest net charge-offs.
The Company realized net charge-offs of $2,316,000, or 0.06% of average loans outstanding during 2022 compared with net charge-offs of $3,342,000, or 0.11% of average loans outstanding during 2021 and $2,622,000, or 0.08% of average loans during 2020.
Please see “RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Provision for Credit Losses” and “CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES - Allowance for Credit Losses” for additional information regarding the allowance.
NON-PERFORMING ASSETS
Non-performing assets consist of: (a) non-accrual loans; (b) loans which have been renegotiated to provide for a reduction or deferral of interest or principal because of deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower; (c) loans past due 90 days or more as to principal or interest; and, (d) other real estate owned. Loans are placed on non-accrual status when scheduled principal or interest payments are past due for 90 days or more or when the borrower’s ability to repay becomes doubtful. Uncollected accrued interest is reversed against income at the time a loan is placed on non-accrual. Loans are typically charged-off at 180 days past due, or earlier if deemed uncollectible. Exceptions to the non-accrual and charge-off policies are made when the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. The following table presents an analysis of the Company’s non-performing assets.
| Non-performing Assets | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-accrual Loans | $ | 12,888 | $ | 14,602 | $ | 21,507 | $ | 13,802 | $ | 12,579 | |||||||||
| Past Due Loans (90 days or more and accruing) | 1,427 | 156 | — | 190 | 633 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Non-performing Loans | 14,315 | 14,758 | 21,507 | 13,992 | 13,212 | ||||||||||||||
| Other Real Estate | — | — | 325 | 425 | 286 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Non-performing Assets | $ | 14,315 | $ | 14,758 | $ | 21,832 | $ | 14,417 | $ | 13,498 | |||||||||
| Restructured Loans | $ | — | $ | 104 | $ | 111 | $ | 116 | $ | 121 | |||||||||
| Non-performing Loans to Total Loans | 0.38 | % | 0.49 | % | 0.70 | % | 0.45 | % | 0.48 | % | |||||||||
| Allowance for Credit Losses to Non-performing Loans | 308.54 | % | 250.83 | % | 217.88 | % | 116.34 | % | 119.76 | % |
Non-performing assets totaled $14.3 million, or 0.23% of total assets at December 31, 2022 compared to $14.8 million, or 0.26% of total assets at December 31, 2021 and compared to $21.8 million, or 0.44% of total assets at December 31, 2020. Non-performing loans totaled $14.3 million, or 0.38% of total loans at December 31, 2022 compared with $14.8 million, or 0.49% of total loans at December 31, 2021 and $21.5 million, or 0.70% of total loans at December 31, 2020. The decline in the level of non-performing commercial and industrial loans and leases during 2022 was primarily attributable to certain credits that were either charged-off or paid off, which were in non-accrual status. The decline in the level of commercial real estate non-performing loans during 2021 was largely attributable to the payoff of a commercial real estate credit in the lodging industry that was placed in non-accrual status.
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The increase in the level of non-performing assets and non-performing loans at December 31, 2020 compared with year-end 2019 was largely attributable to the gross-up of purchased credit deteriorated loans upon the adoption of the CECL standard during 2020 and a commercial real estate credit in the lodging industry that was moved to non-performing status.
The following tables present an analysis of the Company’s non-accrual loans and loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing.
| Non-Accrual Loans | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | $ | 7,936 | $ | 10,530 | $ | 8,133 | $ | 4,940 | $ | 2,430 | |||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 1,950 | 2,243 | 10,188 | 3,433 | 6,833 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | 1,062 | 1,136 | 1,915 | 2,739 | 1,449 | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity Loans | 310 | 24 | 271 | 79 | 88 | ||||||||||||||
| Consumer Loans | 400 | 82 | 170 | 115 | 162 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 1,230 | 587 | 830 | 2,496 | 1,617 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 12,888 | $ | 14,602 | $ | 21,507 | $ | 13,802 | $ | 12,579 |
| Loans Past Due 90 Days or More & Still Accruing | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | $ | 1,427 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 190 | $ | — | |||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | — | 156 | — | — | 364 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | — | — | — | — | 269 | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity Loans | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Consumer Loans | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,427 | $ | 156 | $ | — | $ | 190 | $ | 633 |
For additional detail on individually analyzed loans, see Note 4 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
Interest income recognized on non-performing loans for 2022 was $141,000. The gross interest income that would have been recognized in 2022 on non-performing loans if the loans had been current in accordance with their original terms was $1,227,000. Loans are typically placed on non-accrual status when scheduled principal or interest payments are past due for 90 days or more, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection.
LIQUIDITY AND INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT
Liquidity is a measure of the ability of the Company’s subsidiary bank to fund new loan demand, existing loan commitments and deposit withdrawals. The purpose of liquidity management is to match sources of funds with anticipated customer borrowings and withdrawals and other obligations to ensure a dependable funding base, without unduly penalizing earnings. Failure to properly manage liquidity requirements can result in the need to satisfy customer withdrawals and other obligations on less than desirable terms. The liquidity of the parent company is dependent upon the receipt of dividends from its bank subsidiary, which are subject to certain regulatory limitations explained in Note 8 (Shareholders’ Equity) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report. The subsidiary bank’s source of funding is predominately core deposits, time deposits in excess of $100,000 and brokered certificates of deposit, maturities of securities, repayments of loan principal and interest, federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank.
Interest rate risk is the exposure of the Company’s financial condition to adverse changes in market interest rates. In an effort to estimate the impact of sustained interest rate movements to the Company’s earnings, the Company monitors interest rate risk through computer-assisted simulation modeling of its net interest income. The Company’s simulation modeling monitors the potential impact to net interest income under various interest rate scenarios. The Company’s objective is to actively manage its asset/liability position within a one-year interval and to limit the risk in any of the interest rate scenarios to a reasonable level of tax-equivalent net interest income within that interval. The Company’s Asset/Liability Committee monitors compliance within established guidelines of the Funds Management Policy. See Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk section for further discussion regarding interest rate risk.
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FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000714395-22-000014.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
INTRODUCTION
German American Bancorp, Inc. is a Nasdaq-traded (symbol: GABC) financial holding company based in Jasper, Indiana. German American, through its banking subsidiary German American Bank, operates 77 banking offices in 19 contiguous southern Indiana counties and 14 counties in Kentucky. The Company also owns an investment brokerage subsidiary (German American Investment Services, Inc.) and a full line property and casualty insurance agency (German American Insurance, Inc.).
Throughout this Management’s Discussion and Analysis, as elsewhere in this Report, when we use the term “Company”, we will usually be referring to the business and affairs (financial and otherwise) of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates as a whole. Occasionally, we will refer to the term “parent company” or “holding company” when we mean to refer to only German American Bancorp, Inc., and the term “Bank” when we mean to refer to only the Company’s bank subsidiary.
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis includes an analysis of the major components of the Company’s operations for the years 2019 through 2021 and its financial condition as of December 31, 2020 and 2021. This information should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and footnotes contained elsewhere in this Report and with the description of business included in Item 1 of this Report (including the cautionary disclosure regarding “Forward Looking Statements and Associated Risks”). Financial and other information by segment is included in Note 16 (Segment Information) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report and is incorporated into this Item 7 by reference.
The statements of management’s expectations and goals concerning the Company’s future operations and performance that are set forth in the following Management Overview and in other sections of this Item 7 are forward-looking statements, and readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations of the Company that is expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. This Item 7, as well as the discussions in Item 1 (“Business”) entitled “Forward-Looking Statements and Associated Risks” and in Item 1A (“Risk Factors”) (which discussions are incorporated in this Item 7 by reference) list some of the factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to vary materially from those expressed or implied by any such forward-looking statements.
Any statements of management’s expectations and goals concerning the Company’s future operations and performance, and future financial condition, liquidity and capital resources that are set forth in the following Management Overview and in other sections of this Item 7 are forward-looking statements, and readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations of the Company that is expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. This Item 7, as well as the discussions in Item 1 (“Business”) entitled “Forward-Looking Statements and Associated Risks” and in Item 1A (“Risk Factors”) (which discussions are incorporated in this Item 7 by reference) list some of the factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to vary materially from those expressed or implied by any such forward-looking statements.
MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2021 totaled $84,137,000, or $3.17 per share, an increase of $21,927,000, or approximately 35% on a per share basis, from the year ended December 31, 2020 net income of $62,210,000, or $2.34 per share. The net income growth during 2021 compared with 2020 was driven by a number of factors including improved net interest income, lower provision for credit losses and increased non-interest revenue which was partially offset by a modestly higher level of non-interest expense. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2020 totaled $62,210,000, or $2.34 per share, an increase of $2,988,000, or approximately 2% on a per share basis, from the year ended December 31, 2019 net income of $59,222,000, or $2.29 per share.
As previously disclosed, in March 2021, the Company commenced an operating optimization plan, pursuant to which its banking subsidiary, German American Bank, would consolidate seven branch offices and implement various staff reductions during 2021. In making its decision to consolidate these branches, which were generally integrated with other nearby bank branches, the Company considered, among other factors, the operating costs of the branches, certain physical limitations impacting the bank facilities, and their proximity to other branch locations. In addition, the Company’s evaluation of the branch
30
consolidations and the reductions in staff also took into consideration the numbers and types of transactions being conducted by its customers and the increased usage of online and mobile banking. Also as part of the operating optimization plan, in September 2021, German American Bank sold its two branches located in Lexington, Kentucky to The Home Savings and Loan Company of Kenton, Ohio (“HSLC”). HSLC assumed approximately $17.6 million in total deposits and purchased approximately $17.8 million in total loans as part of the sale.
On January 1, 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of Citizens Union Bancorp of Shelbyville, Inc. (“CUB”) through the merger of CUB with and into the Company. Immediately following completion of the CUB holding company merger, CUB's subsidiary bank, Citizen Union Bank of Shelbyville, Inc., was merged with and into the Company’s subsidiary bank, German American Bank. CUB, headquartered in Shelbyville, Kentucky operated 15 retail banking offices located in Shelby, Jefferson, Spencer, Bullitt, Oldham, Owen, Gallatin and Hardin counties in Kentucky through Citizens Union Bank of Shelbyville, Inc. in Kentucky. As of the closing of the transaction, CUB had total assets of approximately $1.109 billion, total loans of approximately $683.8 million, and total deposits of approximately $930.5 million. The Company issued approximately 2.9 million shares of its common stock, and paid approximately $50.8 million in cash, in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of CUB.
For further information regarding this merger and acquisition transaction, see Note 20 (Subsequent Events) in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
On July 1, 2019, the Company completed the acquisition of Citizens First Corporation (“Citizens First”) through the merger of Citizens First with and into the Company. Immediately following completion of the Citizens First holding company merger, Citizens First's subsidiary bank, Citizen First Bank, Inc., was merged with and into the Company’s subsidiary bank, German American Bank. Citizens First, headquartered in Bowling Green, Kentucky operated eight retail banking offices through Citizens First Bank, Inc. in Barren, Hart, Simpson and Warren Counties in Kentucky. As of the closing of the transaction, Citizens First had total assets of approximately $456.0 million, total loans of approximately $364.6 million, and total deposits of approximately $370.8 million. The Company issued approximately 1.7 million shares of its common stock, and paid approximately $15.5 million in cash, in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Citizens First.
For further information regarding this merger and acquisition transaction, see Note 18 (Business Combinations) in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
COVID-19 PANDEMIC BUSINESS UPDATE
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continued to impact our operations during 2021. While uncertainty remains as to the future effects of the pandemic, an improving business climate, supported by unprecedented fiscal stimulus, an accommodative Federal Reserve, and modest increases in COVID-19 vaccination rates, has helped to mitigate the negative impacts of the pandemic on our financial condition and results of operations, despite the challenges presented by very low interest rates, muted loan growth, and excess liquidity.
CARES Act and the Paycheck Protection Program
As previously disclosed, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was signed into law in March 2020, providing an approximately $2 trillion stimulus package that included direct payments to individual taxpayers, economic stimulus to significantly impacted industry sectors, emergency funding for hospitals and providers, small business loans, increased unemployment benefits, and a variety of tax incentives. For small businesses, eligible nonprofits and certain others, the CARES Act established a Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), a lending program administered by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) that is intended to incentivize participants to retain their employees by providing them with loans that are fully guaranteed by the U.S. government and subject to forgiveness if program guidelines are met. The PPP was later extended and modified by the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act in April 2020 and the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act in June 2020, with PPP funding under this initial round expiring on August 8, 2020.
In December 2020, the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act was signed into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the “CAA”). In addition to direct stimulus payments and other aid, this Act provided for a second round of PPP loans through March 31, 2021. Under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and the PPP Extension Act of 2021, which were both enacted during March 2021, additional funds were provided for the program and the deadline for applying for PPP loans was extended through May 31, 2021 (with the SBA having been given until June 30, 2021 to process loan applications).
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The Company actively participated in both rounds of the PPP, lending funds primarily to its existing loan and/or deposit customers. The PPP loans carry an interest rate of 1.00% and included a processing fee that varied depending on the balance of the loan at origination (which fee is recognized over the life of the loan). The vast majority of the Company’s PPP loans made during 2020 had two-year maturities, while PPP loans made during 2021 have five-year maturities.
Under the first round of the PPP (i.e., the 2020 round), the Company originated loans totaling approximately $351.3 million in principal amount, with approximately $12.0 million of related net processing fees on 3,070 PPP loan relationships. As of December 31, 2021, $349.2 million of those first round PPP loans had been forgiven by the SBA and repaid to the Company pursuant to the terms of the program or repaid by customers, with approximately $12.0 million in net processing fees having been recognized by the Company.
Under the second round of the PPP (i.e., the 2021 round), the Company originated loans totaling approximately $157.0 million in principal amount, with approximately $9.0 million of related net processing fees, on 2,601 PPP loan relationships. As of December 31, 2021, $138.8 million of second round PPP loans had been forgiven by the SBA and repaid to the Company, with $8.1 million in net processing fees having been recognized by the Company. As a result of the forgiveness of the first and second round PPP loans, $20.3 million of total PPP loans remain outstanding as of December 31, 2021, with approximately $0.9 million of net fees remaining deferred on that date.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The financial condition and results of operations for the Company presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements, accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and selected financial data appearing elsewhere within this Report, are, to a large degree, dependent upon the Company’s accounting policies. The selection of and application of these policies involve estimates, judgments, and uncertainties that are subject to change. The critical accounting policies and estimates that the Company has determined to be the most susceptible to change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for credit losses, the valuation of securities available for sale, income tax expense, and the valuation of goodwill and other intangible assets.
Allowance for Credit Losses
The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses to cover the estimated expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of the loan portfolio. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged-off. A provision for credit losses is charged to operations based on management’s periodic evaluation of the necessary allowance balance. Evaluations are conducted at least quarterly and more often if deemed necessary. The ultimate recovery of all loans is susceptible to future market factors beyond the Company’s control.
The Company has an established process to determine the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. The determination of the allowance is inherently subjective, as it requires significant estimates, including the amounts and timing of expected future cash flows on individually analyzed loans, estimated losses on other classified loans and pools of homogeneous loans, and consideration of past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts and other factors, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The allowance consists of two components of allocations, specific and general. These two components represent the total allowance for credit losses deemed adequate to cover expected credit losses over the expected life of the loan portfolio.
Commercial and agricultural loans are subject to a standardized grading process administered by an internal loan review function. The need for specific reserves is considered for credits when: (a) the customer’s cash flow or net worth appears insufficient to repay the loan; (b) the loan has been criticized in a regulatory examination; (c) the loan is on non-accrual; or (d) other reasons where the ultimate collectability of the loan is in question, or the loan characteristics require special monitoring.
Specific reserves on individually analyzed loans are determined by comparing the loan balance to the present value of expected cash flows or expected collateral proceeds. Allocations are also applied to categories of loans not individually analyzed but for which the rate of loss is expected to be greater than other similar type loans, including non-performing consumer or residential real estate loans. Such allocations are based on past loss experience, reasonable and supportable forecasts and information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values.
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General allocations are made for commercial and agricultural loans that are graded as substandard and special mention, but are not individually analyzed for specific reserves as well as other pools of loans, including non-classified loans, homogeneous portfolios of consumer and residential real estate loans, and loans within certain industry categories believed to present unique risk of loss. General allocations of the allowance are primarily made based on historical averages for loan losses for these portfolios along with reasonable and supportable forecasts, judgmentally adjusted for economic, external and internal quantitative and qualitative factors and portfolio trends. Economic factors include evaluating changes in international, national, regional and local economic and business conditions that affect the collectability of the loan portfolio. Internal factors include evaluating changes in lending policies and procedures; changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio; and changes in experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff.
The allowance for credit losses for loans represents management’s estimate of all expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of the loan portfolio. Determining the appropriateness and adequacy of the allowance is complex and requires judgment by management about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Subsequent evaluations of the loan portfolio may result in significant changes in the allowance for credit losses in future periods.
Securities Valuation
Available-for-sale debt securities in unrealized loss positions are evaluated for impairment related to credit losses at least quarterly. For available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company assesses whether we intend to sell, or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For available-for sale debt securities that do not meet the criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security and the issuer, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the Company compares the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security with the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis for the security, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded, limited to the amount that the fair value of the security is less than its amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. No allowance for credit losses for available-for-sale debt securities was needed at December 31, 2021. Accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale debt securities is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. As of December 31, 2021, gross unrealized gains on the securities available-for-sale portfolio totaled approximately $36,068,000 and gross unrealized losses totaled approximately $15,649,000 net of applicable taxes is included in other comprehensive income.
Equity securities that do not have readily determinable fair values are carried at cost, less impairment with observable price changes being recognized in earnings.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense involves estimates related to the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets and loss contingencies related to exposure from tax examinations presumed to occur.
A valuation allowance reduces deferred tax assets to the amount management believes is more likely than not to be realized. In evaluating the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers the likelihood that sufficient taxable income of appropriate character will be generated within carry-back and carry-forward periods, including consideration of available tax planning strategies. Tax-related loss contingencies, including assessments arising from tax examinations and tax strategies, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. In considering the likelihood of loss, management considers the nature of the contingency, the progress of any examination or related protest or appeal, the views of legal counsel and other advisors, experience of the Company or other enterprises in similar matters, if any, and management’s intended response to any assessment.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill resulting from business combinations represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill resulting from business combinations is generally determined as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred, plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interests in the acquiree, over the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually. The
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Company has selected December 31 as the date to perform the annual impairment test. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on the Company’s balance sheet. No impairment to Goodwill was indicated based on year-end testing.
Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Other intangible assets consist of core deposit and acquired customer relationship intangible assets. They are initially measured at fair value and then are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which range from 6 to 10 years.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
NET INCOME
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2021 totaled $84,137,000, or $3.17 per share, an increase of $21,927,000, or approximately 35% on a per share basis, from the year ended December 31, 2020 net income of $62,210,000, or $2.34 per share.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2020 totaled $62,210,000, or $2.34 per share, an increase of $2,988,000, or approximately 2% on a per share basis, from the year ended December 31, 2019 net income of $59,222,000, or $2.29 per share.
NET INTEREST INCOME
Net interest income is the Company’s single largest source of earnings, and represents the difference between interest and fees realized on earning assets, less interest paid on deposits and borrowed funds. Several factors contribute to the determination of net interest income and net interest margin, including the volume and mix of earning assets, interest rates, and income taxes. Many factors affecting net interest income are subject to control by management policies and actions. Factors beyond the control of management include the general level of credit and deposit demand, Federal Reserve Board monetary policy, and changes in tax laws.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, net interest income totaled $160,830,000, representing an increase of $5,587,000, or 4%, from the year ended December 31, 2020 net interest income of $155,243,000. The increase in net interest income during 2021 compared with 2020 was largely attributable to an increase in average earning assets, a higher level of fees recognized related to PPP loans which were partially offset by a lower level of accretion of loan discounts on acquired loans, and a decreased level of interest expense on interest bearing liabilities related to lower interest rates.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, net interest income totaled $155,243,000, representing an increase of $10,018,000, or 7%, from the year ended December 31, 2019 net interest income of $145,225,000. The increased level of net interest income during 2020 compared with 2019 was largely attributable to a higher level of average earning assets resulting from the acquisition of Citizens First on July 1, 2019, significant deposit growth during 2020 and participation in the PPP. In addition, the recognition of fees related to PPP loans also contributed to higher levels of net interest income, but was partially mitigated by a lower level of accretion of discounts on acquired loans.
The net interest margin represents tax-equivalent net interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets. The net interest margin for the year ended December 31, 2021 was 3.31% compared to 3.63% in 2020 and 3.92% in 2019. Historically low market interest rates impacted the Company's net interest margin in both 2021 and 2020. Lower market interest rates have negatively impacted earning asset yields during 2021 and 2020, with these declines being partially mitigated by a lower cost of funds. Also contributing to the lower net interest margin has been excess liquidity the Company has carried on the balance sheet that resulted from significant deposit growth during 2021 and 2020, PPP loan forgiveness and somewhat muted loan growth.
The Company’s net interest margin in 2021 and 2020 has been impacted by fees recognized as a part of the PPP and impacted in all periods presented by the accretion of discounts on acquired loans. Fees recognized on PPP loans through net interest income totaled $12,196,000 during 2021 and $7,978,000 during 2020. The fees recognized related to the PPP contributed approximately 24 basis points to the net interest margin in 2021 and 18 basis points in 2020. Accretion of discounts on acquired loans contributed approximately 7 basis points to the net interest margin during 2021, 13 basis points during 2020 and 23 basis points in 2019. Accretion of discounts on acquired loans totaled $3,476,000 during 2021, $5,769,000 during 2020 and $8,559,000 during 2019.
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The following table summarizes net interest income (on a tax-equivalent basis) for each of the past three years. For tax-equivalent adjustments, an effective tax rate of 21% was used for all periods presented (1).
Average Balance Sheet
(Tax-equivalent basis, dollars in thousands)
| Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2021 | Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2020 | Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Principal Balance | Income / Expense | Yield / Rate | Principal Balance | Income / Expense | Yield / Rate | Principal Balance | Income / Expense | Yield / Rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Federal Funds Sold and Other Short-term Investments | $ | 390,362 | $ | 488 | 0.12 | % | $ | 209,012 | $ | 382 | 0.18 | % | $ | 27,166 | $ | 522 | 1.92 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable | 824,204 | 12,962 | 1.57 | % | 555,961 | 10,447 | 1.88 | % | 546,191 | 13,910 | 2.55 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable | 728,765 | 22,504 | 3.09 | % | 420,294 | 15,040 | 3.58 | % | 305,266 | 12,096 | 3.96 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Loans and Leases ⁽²⁾ | 3,072,302 | 139,378 | 4.54 | % | 3,185,542 | 151,946 | 4.77 | % | 2,899,939 | 152,836 | 5.27 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL INTEREST EARNING ASSETS | 5,015,633 | 175,332 | 3.50 | % | 4,370,809 | 177,815 | 4.07 | % | 3,778,562 | 179,364 | 4.75 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Assets | 397,147 | 398,102 | 366,171 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Allowance for Credit Losses | (43,073) | (39,905) | (16,198) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 5,369,707 | $ | 4,729,006 | $ | 4,128,535 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing Demand Deposits | $ | 1,595,579 | $ | 1,789 | 0.11 | % | $ | 1,309,998 | $ | 4,089 | 0.31 | % | $ | 1,128,457 | $ | 8,643 | 0.77 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Savings Deposits and Money Market Accounts | 1,106,692 | 885 | 0.08 | % | 912,183 | 1,885 | 0.21 | % | 733,160 | 3,406 | 0.46 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Time Deposits | 412,935 | 2,281 | 0.55 | % | 567,932 | 7,722 | 1.36 | % | 670,802 | 11,756 | 1.75 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings | 186,750 | 4,594 | 2.46 | % | 221,832 | 5,430 | 2.45 | % | 279,675 | 7,444 | 2.66 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES | 3,301,956 | 9,549 | 0.29 | % | 3,011,945 | 19,126 | 0.63 | % | 2,812,094 | 31,249 | 1.11 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand Deposit Accounts | 1,378,647 | 1,070,284 | 761,515 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Liabilities | 46,170 | 51,996 | 35,916 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | 4,726,773 | 4,134,225 | 3,609,525 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ Equity | 642,934 | 594,781 | 519,010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | $ | 5,369,707 | $ | 4,729,006 | $ | 4,128,535 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| COST OF FUNDS | 0.19 | % | 0.44 | % | 0.83 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NET INTEREST INCOME | $ | 165,783 | $ | 158,689 | $ | 148,115 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NET INTEREST MARGIN | 3.31 | % | 3.63 | % | 3.92 | % |
(1)Effective tax rates were determined as though interest earned on the Company's investments in municipal bonds and loans was fully taxable.
(2)Loans held-for-sale and non-accruing loans have been included in average loans. Interest income on loans includes loan fees of $15,761, $15,003, and $8,397 for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
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The following table sets forth for the periods indicated a summary of the changes in interest income and interest expense resulting from changes in volume and changes in rates:
Net Interest Income – Rate / Volume Analysis
(Tax-Equivalent basis, dollars in thousands)
| 2021 compared to 2020 Increase / (Decrease) Due to ⁽¹⁾ | 2020 compared to 2019 Increase / (Decrease) Due to ⁽¹⁾ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volume | Rate | Net | Volume | Rate | Net | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest Income: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Federal Funds Sold and Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term Investments | $ | 254 | $ | (148) | $ | 106 | $ | 708 | $ | (848) | $ | (140) | |||||||||||
| Taxable Securities | 4,426 | (1,911) | 2,515 | 244 | (3,707) | (3,463) | |||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable Securities | 9,764 | (2,300) | 7,464 | 4,208 | (1,264) | 2,944 | |||||||||||||||||
| Loans and Leases | (5,290) | (7,278) | (12,568) | 14,325 | (15,215) | (890) | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Interest Income | 9,154 | (11,637) | (2,483) | 19,485 | (21,034) | (1,549) | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest Expense: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings and Interest-bearing Demand | 1,083 | (4,383) | (3,300) | 1,994 | (8,069) | (6,075) | |||||||||||||||||
| Time Deposits | (1,714) | (3,727) | (5,441) | (1,639) | (2,395) | (4,034) | |||||||||||||||||
| FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings | (863) | 27 | (836) | (1,451) | (563) | (2,014) | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Interest Expense | (1,494) | (8,083) | (9,577) | (1,096) | (11,027) | (12,123) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net Interest Income | $ | 10,648 | $ | (3,554) | $ | 7,094 | $ | 20,581 | $ | (10,007) | $ | 10,574 |
(1) The change in interest due to both rate and volume has been allocated to volume and rate changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each.
See the Company’s Average Balance Sheet above and the discussions under the headings “USES OF FUNDS,” “SOURCES OF FUNDS,” and “RISK MANAGEMENT – Liquidity and Interest Rate Risk Management” for further information on the Company’s net interest income, net interest margin, and interest rate sensitivity position.
PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES
The Company provides for credit losses through regular provisions to the allowance for credit losses. The provision is affected by net charge-offs on loans and changes in specific and general allocations of the allowance. During 2021, the Company recorded a negative provision for credit losses of $6,500,000 compared with a provision for credit losses of $17,550,000 during 2020 and a $5,325,000 provision for loan losses during 2019 under the incurred loss model.
During 2021, the negative provision for credit losses represented approximately 21 basis points of average loans. The negative provision for credit losses in 2021 was largely due to declines in certain adversely criticized assets and improvement in certain pandemic-related stressed sectors for which the Company had provided significant levels of allowance for credit losses during 2020. The Company realized net charge-offs of $3,342,000 or 11 basis points of average loans during 2021.
During 2020, the provision for credit losses represented approximately 55 basis points of average loans. The increased level of provision during 2020 compared with 2019 was primarily due to the developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting impact on the economic assumptions used in the Company's CECL model. The Company realized net charge-offs of $2,622,000 or 8 basis points of average loans outstanding during 2020.
The provision for credit losses made during 2021 was made at a level deemed necessary by management to absorb expected losses in the loan portfolio. A detailed evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses is completed quarterly by management, the results of which are used to determine provision for credit losses. Management estimates the allowance balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts along with other qualitative and quantitative factors. Refer also to the sections entitled “CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES” and “RISK MANAGEMENT - Lending and Loan Administration” for further discussion of the provision and allowance for credit losses.
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NON-INTEREST INCOME
During the year ended December 31, 2021, non-interest income increased $4,988,000, or 9%, from the year ended December 31, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2020, non-interest income increased $8,973,000, or 20%, from the year ended December 31, 2019.
| Non-interest Income (dollars in thousands) | Years Ended December 31, | % Change From Prior Year | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||
| Trust and Investment Product Fees | $ | 10,321 | $ | 8,005 | $ | 7,278 | 29 | % | 10 | % | ||||||||
| Service Charges on Deposit Accounts | 7,723 | 7,334 | 8,718 | 5 | (16) | |||||||||||||
| Insurance Revenues | 9,268 | 8,922 | 8,940 | 4 | — | |||||||||||||
| Company Owned Life Insurance | 1,529 | 2,307 | 2,005 | (34) | 15 | |||||||||||||
| Interchange Fee Income | 13,116 | 10,529 | 9,450 | 25 | 11 | |||||||||||||
| Other Operating Income | 6,991 | 3,388 | 3,229 | 106 | 5 | |||||||||||||
| Subtotal | 48,948 | 40,485 | 39,620 | 21 | 2 | |||||||||||||
| Net Gains on Sales of Loans | 8,267 | 9,908 | 4,633 | (17) | 114 | |||||||||||||
| Net Gains on Securities | 2,247 | 4,081 | 1,248 | (45) | 227 | |||||||||||||
| TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME | $ | 59,462 | $ | 54,474 | $ | 45,501 | 9 | 20 |
Trust and investment product fees increased $2,316,000, or 29%, during 2021 compared with 2020. Trust and investment product fees increased $727,000, or 10%, during 2020 compared with 2019. The increase in both years was largely attributable to increased assets under management in the Company's wealth management group.
Service charges on deposit accounts increased $389,000, or 5%, during 2021 compared with 2020. Service charges on deposit accounts declined $1,384,000, or 16%, during 2020 compared with 2019. The decline during 2020 compared with 2019 was largely related to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting change in deposit customer activity, partially mitigated by the acquisition of Citizens First.
Company owned life insurance revenue declined $778,000, or 34%, during 2021 compared with 2020. Company owned life insurance revenue increased $302,000, or 15%, during 2020 compared with 2019. The variance in both periods was largely related to death benefits received from life insurance policies during 2020.
Interchange fees increased $2,587,000, or 25%, during 2021 compared to 2020. The increased level of fees during 2021 compared with 2020 was due to increased economic activity and increased card utilization by customers. Interchange fees increased $1,079,000, or 11%, during 2020 compared to 2019. The increase during 2020 compared with 2019 was largely attributable to the acquisition of Citizens First and increased card utilization by customers.
Other operating income increased $3,603,000, or 106%, during 2021 compared with 2020. The increase during 2021 was largely attributable to the net gain of approximately $1.4 million related to the sale of the two branch office locations in Lexington, Kentucky and approximately $863,000 of fair value adjustments and higher transaction fees associated with interest rate swap transactions with loan customers. Also contributing to the increase in 2021, was the donation of a building and accompanying real estate to a local municipality in one of the Company’s market areas. The estimated fair value of the property was approximately $575,000 greater than the book value which increased other operating income. A corresponding contribution expense of $800,000 was recognized in advertising and promotion expense of the Company’s income statement related to the donation of the building and real estate.
Net gains on sales of loans declined $1,641,000, or 17%, during 2021 compared with the 2020. The decline in 2021 compared with 2020 was generally attributable to a lower level of fair value adjustments on commitments to sell loans and a modestly lower level of loans sold, which were partially offset by higher pricing levels on loans sold. Net gains on sales of loans increased $5,275,000, or 114%, during 2020 compared with 2019. The increase in the net gains on sales of loans during 2020 compared with 2019 was generally attributable to a higher sales volume and higher pricing levels on loans sold. Loan sales totaled $266.0 million during 2021, $316.4 million during 2020 and $185.4 million during 2019.
The Company realized $2,247,000 in gains on sales of securities during 2021 compared with $4,081,000 during 2020 and $1,248,000 during 2019. The sales of securities in all periods were done as part of shifts in the allocations within the securities portfolio.
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NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
During 2021, non-interest expense totaled $124,007,000, an increase of $6,884,000, or 6%, compared with 2020. The year ended December 31, 2021 included non-recurring expenses totaling $4,100,000 related to the Company’s previously discussed operating optimization plan, $3,050,000 related to a previously disclosed litigation reserve, and $735,000 of transaction-related expenses for the acquisition of Citizens Union Bancorp of Shelbyville, Inc., which was completed on January 1, 2022. During 2020, non-interest expense totaled $117,123,000, an increase of $2,961,000, or 3%, compared with 2019.
| Non-interest Expense (dollars in thousands) | Years Ended December 31, | % Change From Prior Year | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||
| Salaries and Employee Benefits | $ | 68,570 | $ | 68,112 | $ | 63,885 | 1 | % | 7 | % | ||||||||
| Occupancy, Furniture and Equipment Expense | 14,831 | 14,024 | 13,776 | 6 | 2 | |||||||||||||
| FDIC Premiums | 1,419 | 740 | 533 | 92 | 39 | |||||||||||||
| Data Processing Fees | 7,611 | 6,889 | 7,927 | 10 | (13) | |||||||||||||
| Professional Fees | 5,009 | 3,998 | 4,674 | 25 | (14) | |||||||||||||
| Advertising and Promotion | 4,197 | 3,589 | 4,230 | 17 | (15) | |||||||||||||
| Intangible Amortization | 2,731 | 3,539 | 3,721 | (23) | (5) | |||||||||||||
| Other Operating Expenses | 19,639 | 16,232 | 15,416 | 21 | 5 | |||||||||||||
| TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE | $ | 124,007 | $ | 117,123 | $ | 114,162 | 6 | 3 |
Salaries and benefits were relatively stable during 2021 compared with 2020 increasing by $458,000, or less than 1%. Salaries and benefits increased $4,227,000, or 7%, during 2020 compared with 2019. The increase in salaries and benefits during 2020 compared with 2019 was largely attributable to an increased number of full-time equivalent employees during 2020.
Occupancy, furniture and equipment expense increased $807,000, or 6%, during 2021 compared with 2020. The increase during 2021 was due to lease termination costs associated with the Company’s operating optimization plan that totaled approximately $1,411,000 during 2021. Occupancy, furniture and equipment expense increased $248,000, or 2%, during 2020 compared with 2019.
FDIC premiums increased $679,000, or 92%, during 2021 compared with 2020 and increased $207,000, or 39%, during 2020 compared with 2019. The increase during 2021 compared with 2020 was related to credits received from the FDIC during 2020. There were no credits received during 2021 and a lower level of credits in 2020 compared with 2019. The credits received in 2020 and prior years were due to the reserve ratio of the deposit insurance fund exceeding the FDIC targeted levels.
Data processing fees increased $722,000, or 10%, during 2021 compared with 2020. The increase was related to various software costs including expenses related to the PPP loan program as well as increased data processing fees for the branch sales during 2021. Data processing fees declined $1,038,000, or 13%, during 2020 compared with 2019. The decline in data processing fees during 2020 compared with 2019 was largely due to acquisition related costs during 2019.
Professional fees increased $1,011,000, or 25%, during 2021 compared with 2020. The increase during 2021 compared with 2020 was largely attributable to professional fees associated with the acquisition of CUB and an increase in legal fees related to non-acquisition related legal matters. Professional fees declined $676,000, or 14%, during 2020 compared with 2019. The decline in professional fees during 2020 compared with 2019 was largely related to higher levels of merger and acquisition related professional fees in 2019.
Advertising and promotion expense increased $608,000, or 17%, during 2021 compared with 2020. The increase during 2021 was attributable to the donation of a building and accompanying real estate to a local municipality in one of the Company’s market areas. The estimated fair value of the property was approximately $800,000 which resulted in the increase in the contribution expense during 2021. Advertising and promotion expense declined $641,000, or 15%, during 2020 compared with 2019. The decline during 2020 was largely attributable to lesser marketing and sponsorship expenditures impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other operating expenses increased $3,407,000, or 21%, during 2021 compared with 2020 and increased $816,000, or 5% during 2020 compared with 2019. The increase during 2021 was primarily attributable to the establishment of a settlement reserve for a lawsuit challenging the Company’s checking account practices associated with its assessment of overdraft fees for
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certain debit card transactions. Like many other financial institutions, the Company has been the subject of an overdraft fee related putative class action lawsuit since the third quarter of 2020. This type of litigation is often time consuming and expensive to defend. In order to avoid further costs associated with this type of litigation, the Company determined it was in its best interest to pursue a settlement of this lawsuit during the third quarter of 2021 and therefore accrued a $3,050,000 settlement reserve. On October 21, 2021, the Company executed a settlement agreement for payment of that amount in connection with this lawsuit which remains subject to court approval. In addition, the Company recognized $1,276,000 of charges related to various fixed asset write-downs as a part of the Company’s operating optimization plans announced in March 2021.
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
The Company records a provision for current income taxes payable, along with a provision for deferred taxes payable in the future. Deferred taxes arise from temporary differences, which are items recorded for financial statement purposes in a different period than for income tax returns. The Company’s effective tax rate was 18.1%, 17.1%, and 16.9%, respectively, in 2021, 2020, and 2019. The effective tax rate in all periods is lower than the blended statutory rate. The lower effective rate in all periods primarily resulted from the Company’s tax-exempt investment income on securities, loans, and company owned life insurance, income tax credits generated by investments in affordable housing projects, and income generated by subsidiaries domiciled in a state with no state or local income tax.
See Note 10 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Report for additional details relative to the Company’s income tax provision.
CAPITAL RESOURCES
As of December 31, 2021, shareholders’ equity increased by $43.8 million to $668.5 million compared with $624.7 million at year-end 2020. The increase in shareholders' equity was attributable to increased retained earnings of $61.9 million due to net income of $84.1 million during 2021 which was partially offset by the payment of $22.2 million in shareholder dividends. Partially mitigating the increase in retained earnings was a decline in accumulated other comprehensive income of $19.9 million related to the decrease in value of the Company's available-for-sale securities portfolio.
Shareholders’ equity represented 11.9% of total assets at December 31, 2021 and 12.6% of total assets at December 31, 2020. Shareholders’ equity included $127.6 million of goodwill and other intangible assets at December 31, 2021 compared to $130.9 million of goodwill and other intangible assets at December 31, 2020.
On January 25, 2021, the Company's Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program for up to 1.0 million of its outstanding common shares. The Company did not repurchase any shares of common stock under the repurchase plan during 2021.
On January 31, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors terminated the 2021 repurchase program and approved a new plan to repurchase up to 1.0 million shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock. On a share basis, the amount of common stock subject to the new repurchase plan represented approximately 3% of the Company’s outstanding shares on the date it was approved, which was inclusive of the approximately 2.9 million shares issued in conjunction with the CUB acquisition. The Company is not obligated to purchase any shares under the plan, and the plan may be discontinued at any time. The actual timing, number and share price of shares purchased under the repurchase plan will be determined by the Company at its discretion and will depend upon such factors as the market price of the stock, general market and economic conditions and applicable legal requirements. The Company has not repurchased any shares of common stock under the 2022 repurchase plan.
Federal banking regulations provide guidelines for determining the capital adequacy of bank holding companies and banks. These guidelines provide for a more narrow definition of core capital and assign a measure of risk to the various categories of assets. The Company is required to maintain minimum levels of capital in proportion to total risk-weighted assets and off-balance sheet exposures.
The current risk-based capital rules, as adopted by federal banking regulators, are based upon guidelines developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and reflect various requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act (the “Basel III Rules”). The Basel III Rules require banking organizations to, among other things, maintain a minimum ratio of Total Capital to risk-weighted assets, a minimum ratio of Tier 1 Capital to risk-weighted assets, a minimum ratio of “Common Equity Tier 1 Capital” to risk-weighted assets, and a minimum leverage ratio (calculated as the ratio of Tier 1 Capital to adjusted average consolidated assets). In addition, under the Basel III Rules, in order to avoid limitations on capital distributions, including dividend payments, the Company is required to maintain a 2.5% capital conservation buffer above the adequately capitalized regulatory capital ratios.
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At December 31, 2021, the capital levels for the Company and its subsidiary bank remained well in excess of the minimum amounts needed for capital adequacy purposes and the Bank’s capital levels met the necessary requirements to be considered well-capitalized.
The table below presents the Company’s consolidated and the subsidiary bank's capital ratios under regulatory guidelines:
| 12/31/2021 Ratio | 12/31/2020 Ratio | Minimum for Capital Adequacy Purposes ⁽¹⁾ | Well-Capitalized Guidelines | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | ||||||||||||
| Consolidated | 16.20 | % | 15.86 | % | 8.00 | % | N/A | |||||
| Bank | 13.36 | 14.00 | 8.00 | 10.00 | % | |||||||
| Tier 1 (Core) Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets) | ||||||||||||
| Consolidated | 14.61 | % | 13.93 | % | 6.00 | % | N/A | |||||
| Bank | 12.83 | 13.21 | 6.00 | 8.00 | % | |||||||
| Common Tier 1 (CET 1) Capital Ratio (to Risk Weighted Assets) | ||||||||||||
| Consolidated | 14.18 | % | 13.48 | % | 4.50 | % | N/A | |||||
| Bank | 12.83 | 13.21 | 4.50 | 6.50 | % | |||||||
| Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) | ||||||||||||
| Consolidated | 10.10 | % | 10.07 | % | 4.00 | % | N/A | |||||
| Bank | 8.88 | 9.56 | 4.00 | 5.00 | % |
(1) Excludes capital conservation buffer.
In December 2018, the federal banking regulators approved a final rule to address changes to credit loss accounting under GAAP, including banking organizations’ implementation of CECL. The final rule provides banking organizations the option to phase in over a three-year period the day-one adverse effects on regulatory capital that may result from the adoption of the new accounting standard. On March 27, 2020, in an action related to the CARES Act, the federal banking regulators announced an interim final rule to delay the estimated impact on regulatory capital stemming from the implementation of CECL. The interim final rule, which was finalized effective September 30, 2020, maintains the three-year transition option in the previous rule and provides banks the option to delay for two years an estimate of CECL’s effect on regulatory capital, relative to the incurred loss methodology’s effect on regulatory capital, followed by a three-year transition period (five-year transition option). The Company elected to adopt the five-year transition option and, as a result, began the required three-year phase-in by reflecting 25% of the previously deferred estimated capital impact of CECL in its regulatory capital effective January 1, 2022. An additional 25% is to be phased in at the beginning of each subsequent year until fully phased in by January 1, 2025. Under the five-year transition option, the amount of adjustments to regulatory capital that could be deferred until the phase-in period began included both the initial impact of our adoption of CECL at January 1, 2020 and 25% of subsequent changes in our allowance for credit losses during each quarter of the two-year period ended December 31, 2021.
On April 9, 2020, federal banking regulators issued an interim final rule to modify the Basel III regulatory capital rules applicable to banking organizations to allow those organizations participating in the PPP to neutralize the regulatory capital effects of participating in the program. Specifically, the agencies have clarified that banking organizations, including the Company and the Bank, are permitted to assign a zero percent risk weight to PPP loans for purposes of determining risk-weighted assets and risk-based capital ratios.
USES OF FUNDS
LOANS
December 31, 2021 total loans declined $84.1 million, or 3%, compared with December 31, 2020. The decline in total loans at December 31, 2021 compared to year-end 2020 was primarily due to a decrease in PPP loans. PPP loans, net of deferred fees, totaled $19.5 million ($20.3 million principal balance and $0.8 million of remaining net deferred fees) at December 31, 2021 compared with $182.0 million at December 31, 2020.
Excluding PPP loans, total loans increased $86.8 million, or 3%, at December 31, 2021 compared with year-end 2020. Commercial and industrial loans increased approximately $18.5 million, or 4%, during 2021 compared with year-end 2020, commercial real estate loans increased $69.5 million, or 5%, and agricultural loans declined $17.9 million, or 5% (excluding PPP loans). At December 31, 2021, as compared with year-end 2020, retail loans increased $16.7 million, or 3%.
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December 31, 2020 total loans increased $10.0 million, or less than 1%, compared with December 31, 2019. The increase in loans during 2020 compared with year-end 2019 was primarily the result in the Company’s participation in the PPP. Excluding the $182.0 million in PPP loans at December 31, 2020, total loans declined by $172.0 million, or 6%, during 2020 compared with year-end 2019. The decline in total loans, excluding the PPP loans, was impacted by elevated pay-offs within the commercial real estate loan portfolio, reduced line utilization within the commercial loan portfolio partially attributable to the PPP loan originations during 2020, and continued pay-downs in the Company's residential and home equity loan portfolios related to a low interest rate environment.
The composition of the loan portfolio has remained relatively stable and diversified over the past several years, including 2021. The portfolio is most heavily concentrated in commercial real estate loans at 51% of the portfolio and commercial and industrial loans at 18% of the portfolio, and agricultural loans at 12% of the portfolio. The Company’s commercial lending is extended to various industries, including multi-family housing and lodging, agribusiness and manufacturing, as well as health care, wholesale, and retail services.
| Loan Portfolio | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | $ | 548,350 | $ | 694,437 | $ | 589,758 | $ | 543,761 | $ | 486,668 | |||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 1,530,677 | 1,467,397 | 1,495,862 | 1,208,646 | 926,729 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | 358,150 | 376,186 | 384,526 | 365,208 | 333,227 | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity and Consumer Loans | 307,184 | 297,702 | 306,972 | 285,534 | 219,662 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 263,565 | 256,276 | 304,855 | 328,592 | 178,733 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Loans | 3,007,926 | 3,091,998 | 3,081,973 | 2,731,741 | 2,145,019 | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Unearned Income | (3,662) | (3,926) | (4,882) | (3,682) | (3,381) | ||||||||||||||
| Subtotal | 3,004,264 | 3,088,072 | 3,077,091 | 2,728,059 | 2,141,638 | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Allowance for Loan Losses | (37,017) | (46,859) | (16,278) | (15,823) | (15,694) | ||||||||||||||
| Loans, Net | $ | 2,967,247 | $ | 3,041,213 | $ | 3,060,813 | $ | 2,712,236 | $ | 2,125,944 | |||||||||
| Ratio of Loans to Total Loans | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | 18 | % | 23 | % | 19 | % | 20 | % | 23 | % | |||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 51 | % | 47 | % | 49 | % | 44 | % | 43 | % | |||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | 12 | % | 12 | % | 12 | % | 13 | % | 16 | % | |||||||||
| Home Equity and Consumer Loans | 10 | % | 10 | % | 10 | % | 11 | % | 10 | % | |||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 9 | % | 8 | % | 10 | % | 12 | % | 8 | % | |||||||||
| Total Loans | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % |
The Company’s policy is generally to extend credit to consumer and commercial borrowers in its primary geographic market area in southern Indiana and central and western Kentucky. Commercial extensions of credit outside this market area are generally concentrated in real estate loans within a reasonable proximity of the Company’s primary market and are granted on a selective basis.
The following table indicates the amounts of loans (excluding residential mortgages on 1-4 family residences and consumer loans) outstanding as of December 31, 2021, which, based on remaining scheduled repayments of principal, are due in the periods indicated (dollars in thousands).
| Within One Year | One to Five Years | After Five Years | Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial and Agricultural | $ | 860,098 | $ | 1,243,604 | $ | 315,567 | $ | 2,419,269 |
| Interest Sensitivity | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Rate | Variable Rate | ||||||
| Loans Maturing After One Year | $ | 412,426 | $ | 1,146,745 |
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INVESTMENTS
The investment portfolio is a principal source for funding the Company’s loan growth and other liquidity needs of its subsidiaries. The Company’s securities portfolio primarily consists of money market securities, collateralized and uncollateralized federal agency securities, municipal obligations of state and political subdivisions, and mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations (MBS/CMO - Residential) issued by U.S. government agencies. Money market securities include federal funds sold, interest-bearing balances with banks, and other short-term investments. The composition of the year-end balances in the investment portfolio is presented in Note 2 (Securities) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report and in the table below:
| Investment Portfolio, at Amortized Cost | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | 2021 | % | 2020 | % | 2019 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Federal Funds Sold and Other Short-term Investments | $ | 349,717 | 16 | % | $ | 287,776 | 20 | % | $ | 43,913 | 5 | % | |||||||||
| Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions | 896,048 | 40 | 548,273 | 37 | 307,943 | 35 | |||||||||||||||
| MBS/CMO - Residential | 797,693 | 36 | 535,526 | 37 | 526,907 | 60 | |||||||||||||||
| US Gov't Sponsored Entities & Agencies | 175,457 | 8 | 88,376 | 6 | — | n/m ⁽¹⁾ | |||||||||||||||
| Equity Securities | 353 | n/m ⁽¹⁾ | 353 | n/m ⁽¹⁾ | 353 | n/m ⁽¹⁾ | |||||||||||||||
| Total Securities Portfolio | $ | 2,219,268 | 100 | % | $ | 1,460,304 | 100 | % | $ | 879,116 | 100 | % |
(1)n/m = not meaningful
The amortized cost of investment securities, including federal funds sold and short-term investments, increased $759.0 million, or 52%, at year-end 2021 compared with year-end 2020 and increased $581.2 million, or 66%, at year-end 2020 compared with year-end 2019. The increase over the past two years was largely attributable to increased levels of deposits during both 2021 and 2020 in addition to PPP loan forgiveness and repayment activity over those same periods.
The investment portfolio continues to be relatively balanced with agency issued mortgage related securities and collateralized and uncollateralized federal agency securities, totaling $973.2 million, or 44% of the total securities portfolio at December 31, 2021. The Company’s level of obligations of state and political subdivisions increased to $896.0 million or 40% of the portfolio at December 31, 2021.
| Investment Securities, at Carrying Value | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||
| December 31, | |||||||||||
| Securities Available-for-Sale | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||
| Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions | $ | 925,706 | $ | 581,247 | $ | 324,300 | |||||
| MBS/CMO - Residential | 791,950 | 548,307 | 530,525 | ||||||||
| US Gov't Sponsored Entities & Agencies | 171,961 | 88,298 | — | ||||||||
| Total Securities | $ | 1,889,617 | $ | 1,217,852 | $ | 854,825 |
The Company’s $1.890 billion available-for-sale investment portfolio provides an additional funding source for the liquidity needs of the Company’s subsidiaries and for asset/liability management requirements. Although management has the ability to sell these securities if the need arises, their designation as available-for-sale should not necessarily be interpreted as an indication that management anticipates such sales.
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The amortized cost of available-for-sale debt securities at December 31, 2021 is shown in the following table by contractual maturity. MBS/CMO - Residential securities are based on estimated average lives. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations.
Maturities and Average Yields of Securities at December 31, 2021
(dollars in thousands)
| Within One Year | After One But Within Five Years | After Five But Within Ten Years | After Ten Years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions | $ | 2,806 | 4.32 | % | $ | 18,670 | 4.19 | % | $ | 70,964 | 3.86 | % | $ | 803,608 | 2.97 | % | ||||||||||||
| MBS/CMO - Residential | — | — | 785 | 3.00 | % | 25,587 | 2.05 | % | 771,321 | 1.59 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| US Gov't Sponsored Entities & Agencies | — | — | — | — | % | 7,496 | 1.01 | % | 167,961 | 1.49 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Securities | $ | 2,806 | 4.32 | % | $ | 19,455 | 4.14 | % | $ | 104,047 | 3.21 | % | $ | 1,742,890 | 2.22 | % |
A tax-equivalent adjustment using a tax rate of 21 percent was used in the above table.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
In addition to the other uses of funds discussed previously, the Company has certain contractual obligations to make cash payments. These contractual obligations primarily consist of borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), junior subordinated debentures, deposits, repurchase agreements, and lease commitments for certain office facilities. A summary of these payment obligations is set forth below.
| Contractual and Other Obligations | Payments Due In | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | One Year or Less | Over One Year | Total | ||||||||
| Deposits without Stated Maturities | $ | 4,397,217 | $ | — | $ | 4,397,217 | |||||
| Time Deposits | 347,099 | — | 347,099 | ||||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank Advances | — | 25,000 | 25,000 | ||||||||
| Other Borrowings (Subordinated Notes and Debentures) | — | 55,804 | 55,804 | ||||||||
| Securities Sold under Repurchase Agreements | 68,328 | — | 68,328 | ||||||||
| Lease Obligations | 1,735 | 10,314 | 12,049 | ||||||||
| Total Contractual and Other Obligations | $ | 4,814,379 | $ | 91,118 | $ | 4,905,497 |
In the normal course of business, the Company makes commitments to extend credit and commitments to sell loans, which are not reflected in its consolidated financial statements. For further information about such commitments, see Note 14 (Commitments and Off-balance Sheet Items) in Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
SOURCES OF FUNDS
The Company’s primary source of funding is its base of core customer deposits. Core deposits consist of demand deposits, savings, interest-bearing checking, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit of less than $100,000. Other sources of funds are certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more, brokered deposits, overnight borrowings from other financial institutions and securities sold under agreement to repurchase. The membership of the Company’s affiliate bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System provides a significant additional source for both long and short-term collateralized borrowings. In addition, the Company, as a separate and distinct corporation from its bank and other subsidiaries, also has the ability to borrow funds from other financial institutions and to raise debt or equity capital from the capital markets and other sources. The following pages contain a discussion of changes in these areas.
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The table below illustrates changes between years in the average balances of all funding sources:
| Funding Sources - Average Balances (dollars in thousands) | December 31, | % Change From Prior Year | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||
| Demand Deposits | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-interest-bearing | $ | 1,378,647 | $ | 1,070,284 | $ | 761,515 | 29 | % | 41 | % | ||||||||
| Interest-bearing | 1,595,579 | 1,309,998 | 1,128,457 | 22 | 16 | |||||||||||||
| Savings Deposits | 460,945 | 358,389 | 293,044 | 29 | 22 | |||||||||||||
| Money Market Accounts | 645,747 | 553,794 | 440,116 | 17 | 26 | |||||||||||||
| Other Time Deposits | 226,419 | 288,762 | 285,208 | (22) | 1 | |||||||||||||
| Total Core Deposits | 4,307,337 | 3,581,227 | 2,908,340 | 20 | 23 | |||||||||||||
| Certificates of Deposits of $100,000 or more and Brokered Deposits | 186,516 | 279,170 | 385,594 | (33) | (28) | |||||||||||||
| FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings | 186,750 | 221,832 | 279,675 | (16) | (21) | |||||||||||||
| Total Funding Sources | $ | 4,680,603 | $ | 4,082,229 | $ | 3,573,609 | 15 | 14 |
Maturities of certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more and brokered deposits are summarized as follows:
(dollars in thousands)
| 3 Months Or Less | 3 - 6 Months | 6 - 12 Months | Over 12 Months | Total | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2021 | $ | 47,577 | $ | 34,927 | $ | 39,941 | $ | 22,971 | $ | 145,416 |
CORE DEPOSITS
The Company’s overall level of average core deposits increased approximately $726.1 million, or 20%, during 2021 compared with 2020. During 2021, average demand deposits (non-interest bearing and interest bearing) increased $593.9 million, average savings deposits increased $102.6 million, average money market demand deposits increased $92.0 million and average time deposits under $100,000 declined $62.3 million. The Company’s overall level of average core deposits increased approximately $672.9 million, or 23%, during 2020 compared with 2019. The increase in total average core deposits during 2021 following the increase in 2020 was largely impacted by general inflows of customers deposits generally related to the COVID-19 pandemic, participation in the PPP, stimulus payments provided by the federal government, and an increase in public funds.
The Company’s ability to attract core deposits continues to be influenced by competition and the interest rate environment, as well as the availability of alternative investment products. Core deposits continue to represent a significant funding source for the Company’s operations and represented 92% of average total funding sources during 2021 compared with 88% during 2020 and 81% during 2019.
Demand, savings, and money market deposits have provided a growing source of funding for the Company in each of the periods reported. Average demand, savings, and money market deposits increased 24% during 2021 following 26% growth during 2020. Average demand, savings, and money market deposits totaled $4.080 billion or 95% of core deposits (87% of total funding sources) in 2021 compared with $3.292 billion or 92% of core deposits (81% of total funding sources) in 2020 and $2.623 billion or 90% of core deposits (73% of total funding sources) in 2019.
Other time deposits consist of certificates of deposits in denominations of less than $100,000. These average deposits declined by 22% during 2021 following an increase of 1% during 2020. Other time deposits comprised 5% of core deposits in 2021, 8% in 2020 and 10% in 2019.
OTHER FUNDING SOURCES
Certificates of deposits in denominations of $100,000 or more and brokered deposits are an additional source of other funding for the Company’s bank subsidiary. Large denomination certificates and brokered deposits declined $92.7 million, or 33%, during 2021 following a decline of $106.4 million, or 28% during 2020. Large certificates and brokered deposits comprised approximately 4% of average total funding sources in 2021 compared with 7% in 2020 and 11% in 2019. This type of funding is used as both long-term and short-term funding sources.
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings represent an important source of other funding for the Company. Average borrowed funds declined $35.1 million, or 16%, during 2021 following a decline of $57.8 million, or 21%, during
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2020. Borrowings comprised approximately 4% of average total funding sources during 2021 compared with 5% in 2020 and 8% in 2019.
The bank subsidiary of the Company also utilizes short-term funding sources from time to time. These sources consist of overnight federal funds purchased from other financial institutions, secured repurchase agreements that generally mature within one day of the transaction date, and secured overnight variable rate borrowings from the FHLB. These borrowings represent an important source of short-term liquidity for the Company’s bank subsidiary. Long-term debt at the Company’s bank subsidiary is in the form of FHLB advances, which are secured by the pledge of certain investment securities, residential and housing-related mortgage loans, and certain other commercial real estate loans. See Note 7 (FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report for further information regarding borrowed funds.
PARENT COMPANY FUNDING SOURCES
The parent company is a corporation separate and distinct from its bank and other subsidiaries. For information regarding the financial condition, result of operations, and cash flows of the Company, presented on a parent-company-only basis, see Note 17 (Parent Company Financial Statements) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
The Company uses funds at the parent company level to pay dividends to its shareholders, to acquire or make other investments in other businesses or their securities or assets, to repurchase its stock from time to time, and for other general corporate purposes. The parent company does not have access to the deposits and certain other sources of funds that are available to its bank subsidiary to support its operations. Instead, the parent company has historically derived most of its revenues from dividends paid to the parent company by its bank subsidiary. The Company’s banking subsidiary is subject to statutory restrictions on its ability to pay dividends to the parent company. See Note 8 (Shareholders’ Equity) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report, which is incorporated herein by reference. The parent company has in recent years supplemented the dividends received from its subsidiaries with borrowings, which are discussed in detail below.
On June 25, 2019, the Company sold and issued $40.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 4.50% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2029 (the “Notes”). The Company used the proceeds from the offering to pay $15.0 million of the approximately $15.5 million of cash consideration upon closing of the Citizens First Corporation merger and the remaining balance to repay the Company’s $25.0 million term loan from U.S. Bank National Association dated October 11, 2018.
The Notes have a ten-year term, from and including the date of issuance to but excluding June 30, 2024, and will bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 4.50%, payable semi-annually in arrears. From and including June 30, 2024 to but excluding the maturity date or early redemption date, the interest rate shall reset quarterly to an interest rate per annum equal to the then-current three-month LIBOR (provided, however, that in the event three-month LIBOR is less than zero, three-month LIBOR shall be deemed to be zero) plus 268 basis points, payable quarterly in arrears. The Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, on June 30, 2024, on any scheduled interest payment date thereafter and at any time upon the occurrence of certain events. The Purchase Agreement contains certain customary representations, warranties and covenants made by the Company, on the one hand, and the Purchasers, severally and not jointly, on the other hand.
The Notes were issued under an Indenture, dated June 25, 2019, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. The Notes are not subject to any sinking fund and are not convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. The Notes are not subject to redemption at the option of the holder. The Notes are unsecured, subordinated obligations of the Company only and are not obligations of, and are not guaranteed by, any subsidiary of the Company. The Notes rank junior in right to payment to the Company’s current and future senior indebtedness. The Notes are intended to qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory capital purposes for the Company.
At year-end 2021, the Company had available to it a $15 million revolving line of credit facility that will mature on September 26, 2022. Borrowings are available for general working capital purposes. Interest is payable quarterly at a floating rate based upon one-month LIBOR plus a margin payable in respect of any principal amounts advanced under the revolving line of credit. There was no outstanding balance as of December 31, 2021.
Effective January 1, 2011, and as a result of the acquisition of American Community Bancorp, Inc., the Company assumed long-term debt obligations of American Community in the form of two junior subordinated debentures issued by American Community in the aggregate unpaid principal amount of approximately $8.3 million. Effective March 1, 2016, and as a result of the acquisition of River Valley Bancorp, the Company assumed long-term debt obligations of River Valley in the form of a junior subordinated debenture issued by River Valley in the aggregate unpaid principal amount of approximately $7.2 million.
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Effective July 1, 2019, and as a result of the acquisition of Citizens First Bancorp, the Company assumed long-term debt obligations of Citizens First in the form of a junior subordinated debenture issued by Citizens First in the aggregate unpaid principal amount of approximately $5.2 million.
The junior subordinated debentures were issued to certain statutory trusts established by River Valley, American Community, and Citizens First (in support of related issuances of trust preferred securities issued by those trusts) and mature in installments of principal payable in 2033, 2035 and 2037, respectively, and bear interest payable on a quarterly basis at a floating rate, adjustable quarterly based on the three-month LIBOR plus a specified percentage. These debentures are of a type that are eligible (under current regulatory capital requirements) to qualify as Tier 1 capital (with certain limitations) for regulatory purposes and as of December 31, 2021 approximately $16.1 million of the junior subordinated debentures were treated as Tier 1 capital for regulatory capital purposes.
See Note 17 (Parent Company Financial Statements) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report for further information regarding the parent company borrowed funds and other indebtedness.
RISK MANAGEMENT
The Company is exposed to various types of business risk on an on-going basis. These risks include credit risk, liquidity risk and interest rate risk. Various procedures are employed at the Company’s subsidiary bank to monitor and mitigate risk in the loan and investment portfolios, as well as risks associated with changes in interest rates. Following is a discussion of the Company’s philosophies and procedures to address these risks.
LENDING AND LOAN ADMINISTRATION
Primary responsibility and accountability for day-to-day lending activities rests with the Company’s subsidiary bank. Loan personnel at the subsidiary bank have the authority to extend credit under guidelines approved by the Bank’s board of directors. The executive loan committee serves as a vehicle for communication and for the pooling of knowledge, judgment and experience of its members. The committee provides valuable input to lending personnel, acts as an approval body, and monitors the overall quality of the Bank’s loan portfolio. The Corporate Credit Risk Management Committee comprised of members of the Company’s and its subsidiary Bank’s executive officers and board of directors, strives to ensure a consistent application of the Company’s lending policies. The Company also maintains a comprehensive risk-grading and loan review program, which includes quarterly reviews of problem loans, delinquencies and charge-offs. The purpose of this program is to evaluate loan administration, credit quality, loan documentation and the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses.
In response to requests from borrowers who had experienced pandemic-related business or personal cash flow interruptions, and in accordance with regulatory guidance, the Company began making short-term loan modifications involving both partial and full payment deferrals in April 2020. As of December 31, 2021, the Company has just one commercial real estate loan, in the principal amount of $3.5 million, with a payment modification that is still in effect, with such credit relationship making full interest payments.
The Company tracks lending exposure by industry classification to determine potential risk associated with industry concentrations, if any, that could lead to additional credit loss exposure. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company identified certain loan segments that represented higher levels of credit risk, as many of the customers in these segments were expected to incur significant negative impacts to their businesses as a result of governmental stay-at-home orders and travel restrictions, limited attendance, social distancing and face mask requirements, and work-from-home and hybrid work models being used by employers. At December 31, 2021, the Company had the following exposure to these COVID-19-impacted loan segments:
| Industry Segment (dollars in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | % of Total Loans (excludes PPP Loans) | % of Industry Segment Under Deferral | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lodging / Hotels | 32 | $ | 113,381 | 3.8 | % | 3.1 | % | |||||
| Retail Shopping / Strip Centers | 58 | 89,002 | 3.0 | % | — | % | ||||||
| Restaurants | 161 | 62,163 | 2.1 | % | — | % |
The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses to cover management's estimate of all expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of the loan portfolio. Management estimates the required level of allowance for credit losses using past loan loss experience, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, along with reasonable
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and supportable forecasts, judgmentally adjusted for economic, external and internal quantitative and qualitative factors and portfolio trends. Economic factors include evaluating changes in international, national, regional and local economic and business conditions that affect the collectability of the loan portfolio. Internal factors include evaluating changes in lending policies and procedures; changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio; and changes in experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged-off. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed.
The allowance for credit losses is comprised of: (a) specific reserves on individual credits; (b) general reserves for certain loan categories and industries, and overall historical loss experience; and (c) unallocated reserves based on performance trends in the loan portfolios, current economic conditions, and other factors that influence the level of estimated credit losses. The need for specific reserves are considered for credits when: (a) the customer’s cash flow or net worth appears insufficient to repay the loan; (b) the loan has been criticized in a regulatory examination; (c) the loan is on non-accrual; or, (d) other reasons where the ultimate collectability of the loan is in question, or the loan characteristics require special monitoring.
| Allowance for Credit Losses (dollars in thousands) | Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||
| Balance of Allowance for Possible Losses at Beginning of Period | $ | 46,859 | $ | 16,278 | $ | 15,823 | $ | 15,694 | $ | 14,808 | |||||||||
| Impact of adopting ASC 326 | — | 8,767 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Impact of adopting ASC 326 - PCD loans | — | 6,886 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Loans Charged-off: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | 2,777 | 2,119 | 3,810 | 1,500 | 151 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 10 | 36 | 320 | 49 | 220 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | — | — | — | — | 49 | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity and Consumer Loans | 1,003 | 942 | 1,155 | 922 | 765 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 45 | 39 | 117 | 75 | 93 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Loans Charged-off | 3,835 | 3,136 | 5,402 | 2,546 | 1,278 | ||||||||||||||
| Recoveries of Previously Charged-off Loans: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | 61 | 23 | 56 | 141 | 14 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 40 | 129 | 29 | 20 | 48 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | — | — | — | 20 | 9 | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity and Consumer Loans | 359 | 358 | 440 | 387 | 280 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 33 | 4 | 7 | 37 | 63 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Recoveries | 493 | 514 | 532 | 605 | 414 | ||||||||||||||
| Net Loans Recovered (Charged-off) | (3,342) | (2,622) | (4,870) | (1,941) | (864) | ||||||||||||||
| Additions to Allowance Charged to Expense | (6,500) | 17,550 | 5,325 | 2,070 | 1,750 | ||||||||||||||
| Balance at End of Period | $ | 37,017 | $ | 46,859 | $ | 16,278 | $ | 15,823 | $ | 15,694 | |||||||||
| Net Charge-offs (Recoveries) to Average Loans Outstanding | 0.11 | % | 0.08 | % | 0.17 | % | 0.08 | % | 0.04 | % | |||||||||
| Provision for Credit Losses to Average Loans Outstanding | (0.21) | % | 0.55 | % | 0.18 | % | 0.09 | % | 0.09 | % | |||||||||
| Allowance for Credit Losses to Total Loans at Year-end | 1.23 | % | 1.52 | % | 0.53 | % | 0.58 | % | 0.73 | % |
The following table indicates the breakdown of the allowance for credit losses for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | $ | 9,754 | $ | 6,645 | $ | 4,799 | $ | 2,953 | $ | 4,735 | |||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 19,245 | 29,878 | 4,692 | 5,291 | 4,591 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | 4,505 | 6,756 | 5,315 | 5,776 | 4,894 | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity and Consumer Loans | 1,808 | 1,636 | 634 | 649 | 628 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 1,705 | 1,944 | 333 | 472 | 343 | ||||||||||||||
| Unallocated | — | — | 505 | 682 | 503 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Allowance for Credit Losses | $ | 37,017 | $ | 46,859 | $ | 16,278 | $ | 15,823 | $ | 15,694 |
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The Company’s allowance for credit losses totaled $37.0 million at December 31, 2021 compared to $46.9 million at December 31, 2020. The allowance for credit losses represented 1.23% of period-end loans at December 31, 2021 compared with 1.52% of period-end loans at year-end 2020.
Under the CECL model, which was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2020, certain acquired loans continue to carry a fair value discount as well as an allowance for credit losses. As of December 31, 2021, the Company held net discounts on acquired loans of $4.9 million.
The allowance for credit losses declined during 2021 as a result of the Company recording a negative $6.5 million provision for credit losses while recording modest net charge-offs. During 2020, the allowance for credit losses increased through elevated provision for credit losses primarily due to the developments during 2020 related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting impact on the economic assumptions used in the CECL model.
The Company realized net charge-offs of $3,342,000, or 0.11% of average loans outstanding during 2021 compared with net charge-offs of $2,622,000, or 0.08% of average loans outstanding during 2020 and $4,870,000, or 0.17% of average loans during 2019.
Please see “RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Provision for Credit Losses” and “CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES - Allowance for Credit Losses” for additional information regarding the allowance.
NON-PERFORMING ASSETS
Non-performing assets consist of: (a) non-accrual loans; (b) loans which have been renegotiated to provide for a reduction or deferral of interest or principal because of deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower; (c) loans past due 90 days or more as to principal or interest; and, (d) other real estate owned. Loans are placed on non-accrual status when scheduled principal or interest payments are past due for 90 days or more or when the borrower’s ability to repay becomes doubtful. Uncollected accrued interest is reversed against income at the time a loan is placed on non-accrual. Loans are typically charged-off at 180 days past due, or earlier if deemed uncollectible. Exceptions to the non-accrual and charge-off policies are made when the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. The following table presents an analysis of the Company’s non-performing assets.
| Non-performing Assets | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-accrual Loans | $ | 14,602 | $ | 21,507 | $ | 13,802 | $ | 12,579 | $ | 11,091 | |||||||||
| Past Due Loans (90 days or more and accruing) | 156 | — | 190 | 633 | 719 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Non-performing Loans | 14,758 | 21,507 | 13,992 | 13,212 | 11,810 | ||||||||||||||
| Other Real Estate | — | 325 | 425 | 286 | 54 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Non-performing Assets | $ | 14,758 | $ | 21,832 | $ | 14,417 | $ | 13,498 | $ | 11,864 | |||||||||
| Restructured Loans | $ | 104 | $ | 111 | $ | 116 | $ | 121 | $ | 149 | |||||||||
| Non-performing Loans to Total Loans | 0.49 | % | 0.70 | % | 0.45 | % | 0.48 | % | 0.55 | % | |||||||||
| Allowance for Credit Losses to Non-performing Loans | 250.83 | % | 217.88 | % | 116.34 | % | 119.76 | % | 132.89 | % |
Non-performing assets totaled $14.8 million, or 0.26% of total assets at December 31, 2021 compared to $21.8 million, or 0.44% of total assets at December 31, 2020 and compared to $14.4 million, or 0.33% of total assets at December 31, 2019. Non-performing loans totaled $14.8 million, or 0.49% of total loans at December 31, 2021 compared with $21.5 million, or 0.70% of total loans at December 31, 2020 and $14.0 million, or 0.45% of total loans at December 31, 2019. The decline in the level of commercial real estate non-performing loans during 2021 was largely attributable to the payoff of a commercial real estate credit in the lodging industry that was placed in non-accrual status during the third quarter of 2020.
The increase in the level of non-performing assets and non-performing loans at December 31, 2020 compared with year-end 2019 was largely attributable to the gross-up of purchased credit deteriorated loans upon the adoption of the CECL standard during 2020 and a commercial real estate credit in the lodging industry that was moved to non-performing status in the third quarter of 2020.
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The following tables present an analysis of the Company’s non-accrual loans and loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing.
| Non-Accrual Loans | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | $ | 10,530 | $ | 8,133 | $ | 4,940 | $ | 2,430 | $ | 4,753 | |||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 2,243 | 10,188 | 3,433 | 6,833 | 4,618 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | 1,136 | 1,915 | 2,739 | 1,449 | 748 | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity Loans | 24 | 271 | 79 | 88 | 199 | ||||||||||||||
| Consumer Loans | 82 | 170 | 115 | 162 | 286 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | 587 | 830 | 2,496 | 1,617 | 487 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 14,602 | $ | 21,507 | $ | 13,802 | $ | 12,579 | $ | 11,091 |
| Loans Past Due 90 Days or More & Still Accruing | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (dollars in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 190 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate Loans | 156 | — | — | 364 | 471 | ||||||||||||||
| Agricultural Loans | — | — | — | 269 | 248 | ||||||||||||||
| Home Equity Loans | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Consumer Loans | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage Loans | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 156 | $ | — | $ | 190 | $ | 633 | $ | 719 |
For additional detail on individually analyzed loans, see Note 4 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
Interest income recognized on non-performing loans for 2021 was $630,000. The gross interest income that would have been recognized in 2021 on non-performing loans if the loans had been current in accordance with their original terms was $891,000. Loans are typically placed on non-accrual status when scheduled principal or interest payments are past due for 90 days or more, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection.
LIQUIDITY AND INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT
Liquidity is a measure of the ability of the Company’s subsidiary bank to fund new loan demand, existing loan commitments and deposit withdrawals. The purpose of liquidity management is to match sources of funds with anticipated customer borrowings and withdrawals and other obligations to ensure a dependable funding base, without unduly penalizing earnings. Failure to properly manage liquidity requirements can result in the need to satisfy customer withdrawals and other obligations on less than desirable terms. The liquidity of the parent company is dependent upon the receipt of dividends from its bank subsidiary, which are subject to certain regulatory limitations explained in Note 8 (Shareholders’ Equity) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Report. The subsidiary bank’s source of funding is predominately core deposits, time deposits in excess of $100,000 and brokered certificates of deposit, maturities of securities, repayments of loan principal and interest, federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank.
Interest rate risk is the exposure of the Company’s financial condition to adverse changes in market interest rates. In an effort to estimate the impact of sustained interest rate movements to the Company’s earnings, the Company monitors interest rate risk through computer-assisted simulation modeling of its net interest income. The Company’s simulation modeling monitors the potential impact to net interest income under various interest rate scenarios. The Company’s objective is to actively manage its asset/liability position within a one-year interval and to limit the risk in any of the interest rate scenarios to a reasonable level of tax-equivalent net interest income within that interval. The Company’s Asset/Liability Committee monitors compliance within established guidelines of the Funds Management Policy. See Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk section for further discussion regarding interest rate risk.
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