Item
2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The
following discussion reviews our results of operations for the three month period ended March 31, 2023 as compared to the three month
period ended March 31, 2022 and assesses our financial condition as of March 31, 2023 as compared to December 31, 2022. You should read
the following discussion and analysis in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and the related notes and
the consolidated financial statements and the related notes for the year ended December 31, 2022 included in our Annual Report on Form
10-K for that period. Results for the three month period ended March 31, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year
ending December 31, 2023 or any future period.
Unless
the context requires otherwise, references to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar
references mean Southern First Bancshares, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiary. References to the “Bank” refer to Southern
First Bank.
Cautionary
Warning Regarding forward-looking statements
This
report contains statements which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933
and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements may relate to our
financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, or future performance. These statements are based on many assumptions
and estimates and are not guarantees of future performance. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking
statements, as they will depend on many factors about which we are unsure, including many factors which are beyond our control. The words
“may,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “will,” “seek to,” “strive,”
“focus,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,”
“believe,” “continue,” “assume,” “intend,” “plan,” and “estimate,”
as well as similar expressions, are meant to identify such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties that could cause
our actual results to differ from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
| ● | Restrictions
or conditions imposed by our regulators on our operations; |
| ● | Increases
in competitive pressure in the banking and financial services industries; |
| | |
| ● | Changes
in access to funding or increased regulatory requirements with regard to funding, which could
impair our liquidity; |
| | |
| ● | Changes
in deposit flows, which may be negatively affected by a number of factors, including rates
paid by competitors, general interest rate levels, regulatory capital requirements, returns
available to clients on alternative investments and general economic or industry conditions; |
| ● | Credit
losses as a result of declining real estate values, increasing interest rates, increasing
unemployment, changes in payment behavior or other factors; |
| | |
| ● | Credit
losses due to loan concentration; |
| | |
| ● | Changes
in the amount of our loan portfolio collateralized by real estate and weaknesses in the real
estate market; |
| | |
| ● | Our
ability to successfully execute our business strategy; |
| | |
| ● | Our
ability to attract and retain key personnel; |
| | |
| ● | The
success and costs of our expansion into the Charlotte, North Carolina, Greensboro, North
Carolina and Atlanta, Georgia markets and into potential new markets; |
| ● | Risks
with respect to future mergers or acquisitions, including our ability to successfully expand
and integrate the businesses and operations that we acquire and realize the anticipated benefits
of the mergers or acquisitions; |
| | |
| ● | Changes
in the interest rate environment which could reduce anticipated or actual margins; |
| | |
| ● | Changes
in political conditions or the legislative or regulatory environment, including new governmental
initiatives affecting the financial services industry; |
| | |
| ● | Changes
in economic conditions resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality;
|
| | |
| ● | Changes
occurring in business conditions and inflation; |
| | |
| ● | Increased
cybersecurity risk, including potential business disruptions or financial losses; |
| | |
| ● | The
adequacy of the level of our allowance for credit losses and the amount of loan loss provisions
required in future periods; |
| | |
| ● | Examinations
by our regulatory authorities, including the possibility that the regulatory authorities
may, among other things, require us to increase our allowance for credit losses or write-down
assets; |
| | |
| ● | Changes
in U.S. monetary policy, the level and volatility of interest rates, the capital markets
and other market conditions that may affect, among other things, our liquidity and the value
of our assets and liabilities; |
| | |
| ● | Any
increase in FDIC assessments which will increase our cost of doing business; |
| | |
| ● | The
rate of delinquencies and amounts of loans charged-off; |
| | |
| ● | The
rate of loan growth in recent years and the lack of seasoning of a portion of our loan portfolio; |
| | |
| ● | Our
ability to maintain appropriate levels of capital and to comply with our capital ratio requirements;
|
| | |
| ● | Adverse
changes in asset quality and resulting credit risk-related losses and expenses; |
| | |
| ● | Changes
in accounting standards, rules and interpretations and the related impact on our financial
statements; |
| ● | Risks
associated with actual or potential litigation or investigations by customers, regulatory
agencies or others; |
| | |
| ● | Adverse
effects of failures by our vendors to provide agreed upon services in the manner and at the
cost agreed; |
| | |
| ● | The
potential effects of events beyond our control that may have a destabilizing effect on financial
markets and the economy, such as epidemics and pandemics (including COVID-19), war or terrorist
activities, disruptions in our customers’ supply chains, disruptions in transportation,
essential utility outages or trade disputes and related tariffs; and |
| | |
| ● | Other
risks and uncertainties detailed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, in Part II, Item 1A, “Risk
Factors” of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and in our other filings with the SEC. |
If
any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if any of the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements proves to be
incorrect, our results could differ materially from those expressed in, implied or projected by, such forward-looking statements. We
urge investors to consider all of these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q. We make these forward-looking statements as of the date of this document and we do not intend, and assume no obligation,
to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those expressed in, or implied
or projected by, the forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
OVERVIEW
Our
business model continues to be client-focused, utilizing relationship teams to provide our clients with a specific banker contact and
support team responsible for all of their banking needs. The purpose of this structure is to provide a consistent and superior level
of professional service, and we believe it provides us with a distinct competitive advantage. We consider exceptional client service
to be a critical part of our culture, which we refer to as "ClientFIRST."
At
March 31, 2023, we had total assets of $3.94 billion, a 6.7% increase from total assets of $3.69 billion at December 31, 2022. The largest
component of our total assets is loans which were $3.42 billion and $3.27 billion at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
Our liabilities and shareholders’ equity at March 31, 2023 totaled $3.64 billion and $299.4 million, respectively, compared to
liabilities of $3.40 billion and shareholders’ equity of $294.5 million at December 31, 2022. The principal component of our liabilities
is deposits which were $3.43 billion and $3.13 billion at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
Like
most community banks, we derive the majority of our income from interest received on our loans and investments. Our primary source of
funds for making these loans and investments is our deposits, on which we pay interest. Consequently, one of the key measures of our
success is our amount of net interest income, or the difference between the income on our interest-earning assets, such as loans and
investments, and the expense on our interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Another key measure is the spread
between the yield we earn on these interest-earning assets and the rate we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities, which is called our
net interest spread. In addition to earning interest on our loans and investments, we earn income through fees and other charges to our
clients.
Our
net income to common shareholders was $2.7 million and $8.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) was $0.33 for the first quarter of 2023 as compared to $0.98 for the same period in 2022.
The decrease in net income was primarily driven by a decrease in net interest income resulting from higher costs on our deposit accounts
related to the Federal Reserve’s cumulative 475 basis point interest rate increase during the past 14 months, combined with an
increase in non-interest expenses.
results
of operations
Net
Interest Income and Margin
Our
level of net interest income is determined by the level of earning assets and the management of our net interest margin. Our net interest
income was $20.4 million for the first quarter of 2023, an 11.8% decrease over net interest income of $23.2 million for the first quarter
of 2022, driven primarily by the increase in interest expense on our deposit accounts. In addition, our net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent
basis (TE), was 2.36% for the first quarter of 2023 compared to 3.37% for the same period in 2022.
We
have included a number of tables to assist in our description of various measures of our financial performance. For example, the “Average
Balances, Income and Expenses, Yields and Rates” table reflects the average balance of each category of our assets and liabilities
as well as the yield we earned or the rate we paid with respect to each category during the three month periods ended March 31, 2023
and 2022. A review of this table shows that our loans typically provide higher interest yields than do other types of interest-earning
assets, which is why we direct a substantial percentage of our earning assets into our loan portfolio. Similarly, the “Rate/Volume
Analysis” tables demonstrate the effect of changing interest rates and changing volume of assets and liabilities on our financial
condition during the periods shown. We also track the sensitivity of our various categories of assets and liabilities to changes in interest
rates, and we have included tables to illustrate our interest rate sensitivity with respect to interest-earning accounts and interest-bearing
accounts.
The
following tables entitled “Average Balances, Income and Expenses, Yield and Rates” set forth information related to our average
balance sheets, average yields on assets, and average costs of liabilities. We derived these yields by dividing income or expense by
the average balance of the corresponding assets or liabilities. We derived average balances from the daily balances throughout the periods
indicated. During the same periods, we had no securities purchased with agreements to resell. All investments owned have an original
maturity of over one year. Nonaccrual loans are included in the following tables. Loan yields have been reduced to reflect the negative
impact on our earnings of loans on nonaccrual status. The net of capitalized loan costs and fees are amortized into interest income on
loans.
Average
Balances, Income and Expenses, Yields and Rates
| |
| |
| |
For
the Three Months Ended March 31, | |
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
(dollars
in thousands) | |
Average
Balance | | |
Income/
Expense | | |
Yield/
Rate(1) | | |
Average
Balance | | |
Income/
Expense | | |
Yield/
Rate(1) | |
Interest-earning
assets | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Federal
funds sold and interest-bearing deposits with banks | |
$ | 85,966 | | |
$ | 969 | | |
| 4.57 | % | |
$ | 89,096 | | |
$ | 59 | | |
| 0.27 | % |
Investment
securities, taxable | |
| 87,521 | | |
| 530 | | |
| 2.46 | % | |
| 113,101 | | |
| 425 | | |
| 1.52 | % |
Investment
securities, nontaxable(2) | |
| 10,266 | | |
| 106 | | |
| 4.21 | % | |
| 11,899 | | |
| 64 | | |
| 2.17 | % |
Loans(3) | |
| 3,334,530 | | |
| 36,748 | | |
| 4.47 | % | |
| 2,573,978 | | |
| 23,931 | | |
| 3.77 | % |
Total
interest-earning assets | |
| 3,518,283 | | |
| 38,353 | | |
| 4.42 | % | |
| 2,788,074 | | |
| 24,479 | | |
| 3.56 | % |
Noninterest-earning
assets | |
| 161,310 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 152,565 | | |
| | | |
| | |
Total
assets | |
$ | 3,679,593 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
$ | 2,940,639 | | |
| | | |
| | |
Interest-bearing
liabilities | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
NOW
accounts | |
$ | 303,176 | | |
| 440 | | |
| 0.59 | % | |
$ | 406,054 | | |
| 115 | | |
| 0.11 | % |
Savings
& money market | |
| 1,661,878 | | |
| 11,992 | | |
| 2.93 | % | |
| 1,242,225 | | |
| 618 | | |
| 0.20 | % |
Time
deposits | |
| 543,425 | | |
| 4,747 | | |
| 3.54 | % | |
| 158,720 | | |
| 175 | | |
| 0.45 | % |
Total
interest-bearing deposits | |
| 2,508,479 | | |
| 17,179 | | |
| 2.78 | % | |
| 1,806,999 | | |
| 908 | | |
| 0.20 | % |
FHLB
advances and other borrowings | |
| 18,243 | | |
| 200 | | |
| 4.45 | % | |
| 16,626 | | |
| 12 | | |
| 0.29 | % |
Subordinated
debentures | |
| 36,224 | | |
| 527 | | |
| 5.90 | % | |
| 36,116 | | |
| 380 | | |
| 4.27 | % |
Total
interest-bearing liabilities | |
| 2,562,946 | | |
| 17,906 | | |
| 2.83 | % | |
| 1,859,741 | | |
| 1,300 | | |
| 0.28 | % |
Noninterest-bearing
liabilities | |
| 818,123 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 802,298 | | |
| | | |
| | |
Shareholders’
equity | |
| 298,524 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 278,600 | | |
| | | |
| | |
Total
liabilities and shareholders’ equity | |
$ | 3,679,593 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
$ | 2,940,639 | | |
| | | |
| | |
Net interest spread | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 1.59 | % | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 3.28 | % |
Net interest income (tax equivalent)
/ margin | |
| | | |
$ | 20,447 | | |
| 2.36 | % | |
| | | |
$ | 23,179 | | |
| 3.37 | % |
Less: tax-equivalent
adjustment(2) | |
| | | |
| 23 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 15 | | |
| | |
Net
interest income | |
| | | |
$ | 20,424 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
$ | 23,164 | | |
| | |
(1) | Annualized
for the three month period. |
(2) | The
tax-equivalent adjustment to net interest income adjusts the yield for assets earning tax-exempt
income to a comparable yield on a taxable basis. |
(3) | Includes
mortgage loans held for sale. |
Our
net interest margin (TE) decreased 101 basis points to 2.36% during the first quarter of 2023, compared to the first quarter of 2022,
primarily due to higher costs on our interest-bearing liabilities. Our average interest-bearing liabilities grew by $703.2 million during
the first quarter of 2023, while the rate on these liabilities increased 255 basis points to 2.83%. In contrast, our average interest-earning
assets grew by $730.2 million during the first quarter of 2023 while the average yield on these assets increased by 86 basis points to
4.42% during the same period.
The
increase in average interest-earning assets for the first quarter of 2023 related primarily to an increase of $760.6 million in our average
loan balances. The 86 basis point increase in yield on our interest-earning assets was driven by a 70 basis point increase in loan yield
as our loan portfolio has repriced at rates higher than historical rates for the majority of the past 12 months.
The
increase in our average interest-bearing liabilities during the first quarter of 2023 resulted primarily from a $701.5 million increase
in our interest-bearing deposits, while the 255-basis point increase in rate on our interest-bearing liabilities resulted primarily from
a 258 basis point increase in deposit rates.
Our
net interest spread was 1.59% for the first quarter of 2023 compared to 3.28% for the same period in 2022. The net interest spread is
the difference between the yield we earn on our interest-earning assets and the rate we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities. The
255 basis point increase in the rate on our interest-bearing liabilities was partially offset by an 86 basis point increase in yield
on our interest-bearing assets, resulting in a 169 basis point decrease in our net interest spread for the 2023 period. We anticipate
continued pressure on our net interest spread and net interest margin in future periods as a significant portion of our loan portfolio
is at fixed rates which do not move with the Federal Reserve’s interest rate increases, while our deposit accounts reprice much
more quickly.
Rate/Volume
Analysis
Net
interest income can be analyzed in terms of the impact of changing interest rates and changing volume. The following tables set forth
the effect which the varying levels of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the applicable rates have had on
changes in net interest income for the periods presented.
| |
| |
| |
Three Months Ended | |
| |
March 31, 2023 vs. 2022 | | |
March 31, 2022 vs. 2021 | |
| |
Increase (Decrease) Due to | | |
Increase (Decrease) Due to | |
(dollars in thousands) | |
Volume | | |
Rate | | |
Rate/ Volume | | |
Total | | |
Volume | | |
Rate | | |
Rate/ Volume | | |
Total | |
Interest income | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Loans | |
$ | 7,189 | | |
| 4,328 | | |
| 1,300 | | |
| 12,817 | | |
$ | 3,571 | | |
| (1,816 | ) | |
| (289) | | |
| 1,466 | |
Investment securities | |
| (103 | ) | |
| 309 | | |
| (67 | ) | |
| 139 | | |
| 90 | | |
| 64 | | |
| 19 | | |
| 173 | |
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits with banks | |
| (2 | ) | |
| 945 | | |
| (33 | ) | |
| 910 | | |
| - | | |
| 12 | | |
| - | | |
| 12 | |
Total interest income | |
| 7,084 | | |
| 5,582 | | |
| 1,200 | | |
| 13,866 | | |
| 3,661 | | |
| (1,740 | ) | |
| (270 | ) | |
| 1,651 | |
Interest expense | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Deposits | |
| 253 | | |
| 12,521 | | |
| 3,497 | | |
| 16,271 | | |
| 721 | | |
| (596 | ) | |
| (372 | ) | |
| (247 | ) |
FHLB advances and other borrowings | |
| 1 | | |
| 170 | | |
| 17 | | |
| 188 | | |
| 14 | | |
| (1 | ) | |
| (4 | ) | |
| 9 | |
Subordinated debentures | |
| 1 | | |
| 146 | | |
| - | | |
| 147 | | |
| 1 | | |
| (3 | ) | |
| - | | |
| (2 | ) |
Total interest expense | |
| 255 | | |
| 12,837 | | |
| 3,514 | | |
| 16,606 | | |
| 736 | | |
| (600 | ) | |
| (376 | ) | |
| (240 | ) |
Net interest income | |
$ | 6,829 | | |
| (7,255 | ) | |
| (2,314 | ) | |
| (2,740 | ) | |
$ | 2,925 | | |
| (1,140 | ) | |
| 106 | | |
| 1,891 | |
Net
interest income, the largest component of our income, was $20.4 million for the first quarter of 2023 and $23.2 million for the first
quarter of 2022, a $2.7 million, or 11.8%, decrease year over year. The decrease during 2023 was driven by a $16.6 million increase in
interest expense primarily due to higher rates on our interest-bearing deposits. In addition, interest income increased by $13.9 million
primarily due to an increase in volume of loans and the rates on loans.
Provision
for Credit Losses
The
provision for credit losses, which includes a provision for losses on unfunded commitments, is a charge to earnings to maintain the allowance
for credit losses and reserve for unfunded commitments at levels consistent with management’s assessment of expected losses in
the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. We review the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses on a quarterly basis. Please
see the discussion included in Note 4 – Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses for a description of the factors we consider in determining
the amount of the provision we expense each period to maintain this allowance.
We
recorded a $1.8 million provision for credit losses in the first quarter of 2023, compared to a $1.1 million provision for credit losses
in the first quarter of 2022. The $1.8 million provision in 2023, which included a $1.9 million provision for credit losses and a $30,000
reversal for unfunded commitments, was driven by $144.6 million in loan growth during the first quarter.
Noninterest
Income
The
following table sets forth information related to our noninterest income.
| |
| |
| |
Three months ended March 31, | |
(dollars in thousands) | |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
Mortgage banking income | |
$ | 622 | | |
| 1,494 | |
Service fees on deposit accounts | |
| 325 | | |
| 303 | |
ATM and debit card income | |
| 555 | | |
| 514 | |
Income from bank owned life insurance | |
| 332 | | |
| 315 | |
Other income | |
| 210 | | |
| 301 | |
Total noninterest income | |
$ | 2,044 | | |
| 2,927 | |
Noninterest
income decreased $883,000, or 30.2%, for the first quarter of 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022. The decrease in total noninterest
income resulted primarily from the following:
| ● | Mortgage
banking income has typically been the largest component of our noninterest income; however,
lower mortgage origination volume during the past 12 months, combined with our strategy to
keep a larger percentage of these loans in our portfolio, has impacted our profitability.
Consequently, mortgage banking income decreased by $872,000, or 58.4%, from the first quarter
of 2022. |
| ● | Other
income decreased $91,000, or 30.2% primarily due to a decrease in loan fee income. |
Noninterest
expenses
The
following table sets forth information related to our noninterest expenses.
| |
| | |
| |
| |
Three months ended March 31, | |
(dollars in thousands) | |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
Compensation and benefits | |
$ | 10,356 | | |
| 9,455 | |
Occupancy | |
| 2,457 | | |
| 1,779 | |
Outside service and data processing costs | |
| 1,629 | | |
| 1,534 | |
Insurance | |
| 689 | | |
| 261 | |
Professional fees | |
| 660 | | |
| 599 | |
Marketing | |
| 366 | | |
| 266 | |
Other | |
| 947 | | |
| 791 | |
Total noninterest expense | |
$ | 17,104 | | |
| 14,685 | |
Noninterest
expense was $17.1 million for the first quarter of 2023, a $2.4 million, or 16.5%, increase from noninterest expense of $14.7 million
for the first quarter of 2022. The increase in noninterest expense was driven primarily by the following:
| ● | Compensation
and benefits expense increased $901,000, or 9.5%, relating primarily to annual salary increases,
hiring of new team members, and higher benefits expense. |
| ● | Occupancy
costs increased $678,000, or 38.1%, driven by costs associated with higher depreciation,
property taxes and maintenance costs of our new headquarters. |
| ● | Insurance
costs increased $428,000, or 164.0%, driven by higher FDIC insurance premiums. |
Our
efficiency ratio was 76.1% for the first quarter of 2023, compared to 56.3% for the first quarter of 2022. The efficiency ratio represents
the percentage of one dollar of expense required to be incurred to earn a full dollar of revenue and is computed by dividing noninterest
expense by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income. The higher ratio during the first quarter of 2023, compared to the
first quarter of 2022, relates primarily to the decrease in net interest income and mortgage banking income, combined with higher noninterest
expenses.
We
incurred income tax expense of $836,000 and $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Our effective
tax rate was 23.6% and 22.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The higher tax rate during the first three
months of 2023 relates to the lesser impact of equity compensation transactions during the period.
Balance
Sheet Review
Investment
Securities
At
March 31, 2023, the $104.1 million in our investment securities portfolio represented approximately 2.6% of our total assets. Our available
for sale investment portfolio included corporate bonds, US treasuries, US government agency securities, state and political subdivisions,
asset-backed securities and mortgage-backed securities with a fair value of $94.0 million and an amortized cost of $108.9 million, resulting
in an unrealized loss of $14.9 million. At December 31, 2022, the $104.2 million in our investment securities portfolio represented approximately
2.8% of our total assets, including investment securities with a fair value of $93.3 million and an amortized cost of $110.3 million
for an unrealized loss of $17.0 million.
Loans
Since
loans typically provide higher interest yields than other types of interest earning assets, a substantial percentage of our earning assets
are invested in our loan portfolio. Average loans, excluding mortgage loans held for sale, for the three months ended March 31, 2023
and 2022 were $3.33 billion and $2.56 billion, respectively. Before the allowance for credit losses, total loans outstanding at March
31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were $3.42 billion and $3.27 billion, respectively.
The
principal component of our loan portfolio is loans secured by real estate mortgages. As of March 31, 2023, our loan portfolio included
$2.88 billion, or 84.4%, of real estate loans, compared to $2.78 billion, or 84.8%, at December 31, 2022. Most of our real estate loans
are secured by residential or commercial property. We obtain a security interest in real estate, in addition to any other available collateral,
in order to increase the likelihood of the ultimate repayment of the loan. Generally, we limit the loan-to-value ratio on loans to coincide
with the appropriate regulatory guidelines. We attempt to maintain a relatively diversified loan portfolio to help reduce the risk inherent
in concentration in certain types of collateral and business types. Home equity lines of credit totaled $181.0 million as of March 31,
2023, of which approximately 49% were in a first lien position, while the remaining balance was second liens. At December 31, 2022, our
home equity lines of credit totaled $179.3 million, of which approximately 48% were in first lien positions, while the remaining balance
was in second liens. The average home equity loan had a balance of approximately $83,000 and a loan to value of 74% as of March 31, 2023,
compared to an average loan balance of $84,000 and a loan to value of approximately 73% as of December 31, 2022. Further, 0.7% and 0.6%
of our total home equity lines of credit were over 30 days past due as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
Following
is a summary of our loan composition at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. During the first three months of 2023, our loan portfolio
increased by $144.6 million, or 4.4%, with a 3.9% increase in commercial loans while consumer loans increased by 5.3% during the period.
The majority of the increase was in loans secured by real estate. Our consumer real estate portfolio grew by $62.0 million and includes
high quality 1-4 family consumer real estate loans. Our average consumer real estate loan currently has a principal balance of $470,000,
a term of 22 years, and an average rate of 3.84% as of March 31, 2023, compared to a principal balance of $468,000, a term of 22 years,
and an average rate of 3.71% as of December 31, 2022.
| |
| | |
| |
| |
March 31, 2023 | | |
December 31, 2022 | |
(dollars in thousands) | |
Amount | | |
% of Total | | |
Amount | | |
% of Total | |
Commercial | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Owner occupied RE | |
$ | 615,094 | | |
| 18.0 | % | |
$ | 612,901 | | |
| 18.7 | % |
Non-owner occupied RE | |
| 928,059 | | |
| 27.2 | % | |
| 862,579 | | |
| 26.3 | % |
Construction | |
| 94,641 | | |
| 2.8 | % | |
| 109,726 | | |
| 3.4 | % |
Business | |
| 495,161 | | |
| 14.5 | % | |
| 468,112 | | |
| 14.3 | % |
Total commercial loans | |
| 2,132,955 | | |
| 62.5 | % | |
| 2,053,318 | | |
| 62.7 | % |
Consumer | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Real estate | |
| 993,258 | | |
| 29.1 | % | |
| 931,278 | | |
| 28.4 | % |
Home equity | |
| 180,974 | | |
| 5.3 | % | |
| 179,300 | | |
| 5.5 | % |
Construction | |
| 71,137 | | |
| 2.1 | % | |
| 80,415 | | |
| 2.5 | % |
Other | |
| 39,621 | | |
| 1.0 | % | |
| 29,052 | | |
| 0.9 | % |
Total consumer loans | |
| 1,284,990 | | |
| 37.5 | % | |
| 1,220,045 | | |
| 37.3 | % |
Total gross loans, net of deferred fees | |
| 3,417,945 | | |
| 100.0 | % | |
| 3,273,363 | | |
| 100.0 | % |
Less—allowance for credit losses | |
| (40,435 | ) | |
| | | |
| (38,639 | ) | |
| | |
Total loans, net | |
$ | 3,377,510 | | |
| | | |
$ | 3,234,724 | | |
| | |
Nonperforming
assets
Nonperforming
assets include real estate acquired through foreclosure or deed taken in lieu of foreclosure and loans on nonaccrual status. Generally,
a loan is placed on nonaccrual status when it becomes 90 days past due as to principal or interest, or when we believe, after considering
economic and business conditions and collection efforts, that the borrower’s financial condition is such that collection of the
contractual principal or interest on the loan is doubtful. A payment of interest on a loan that is classified as nonaccrual is recognized
as a reduction in principal when received. Our policy with respect to nonperforming loans requires the borrower to make a minimum of
six consecutive payments in accordance with the loan terms and to show capacity to continue performing into the future before that loan
can be placed back on accrual status. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had no loans 90 days past due and still accruing.
Following
is a summary of our nonperforming assets.
| |
| | |
| |
(dollars in thousands) | |
March 31, 2023 | | |
December 31, 2022 | |
Commercial | |
$ | 2,580 | | |
| 429 | |
Consumer | |
| 2,153 | | |
| 2,198 | |
Total nonaccrual loans | |
| 4,733 | | |
| 2,627 | |
Other real estate owned | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Total nonperforming assets | |
$ | 4,733 | | |
| 2,627 | |
At
March 31, 2023, nonperforming assets were $4.7 million, or 0.12% of total assets and 0.14% of gross loans. Comparatively, nonperforming
assets were $2.6 million, or 0.07% of total assets and 0.08% of gross loans at December 31, 2022. Nonaccrual loans increased $2.1 million
during the first three months of 2023 due primarily to three commercial relationships totaling $2.4 million that were added to nonaccrual
status, all of which are secured by real estate or liquid assets.
The
amount of foregone interest income on nonaccrual loans in the first three months of 2023 and 2022 was not material. At March 31, 2023
and December 31, 2022, the allowance for credit losses represented 854.3% and 1470.7% of the total amount of nonperforming loans, respectively.
The majority of the nonperforming loans at March 31, 2023 were secured by real estate, while one nonperforming loan was secured by a
brokerage account. We have evaluated the underlying collateral on these loans and believe that the collateral on these loans is sufficient
to minimize future losses.
As
a general practice, most of our commercial loans and a portion of our consumer loans are originated with relatively short maturities
of less than ten years. As a result, when a loan reaches its maturity we frequently renew the loan and thus extend its maturity using
similar credit standards as those used when the loan was first originated. Due to these loan practices, we may, at times, renew loans
which are classified as nonaccrual after evaluating the loan’s collateral value and financial strength of its guarantors. Nonaccrual
loans are renewed at terms generally consistent with the ultimate source of repayment and rarely at reduced rates. In these cases, we
will generally seek additional credit enhancements, such as additional collateral or additional guarantees to further protect the loan.
When a loan is no longer performing in accordance with its stated terms, we will typically seek performance under the guarantee.
In
addition, at March 31, 2023, 84.4% of our loans were collateralized by real estate and 83.1% of our individually evaluated loans were
secured by real estate. We utilize third party appraisers to determine the fair value of collateral dependent loans. Our current loan
and appraisal policies require us to obtain updated appraisals on an annual basis, either through a new external appraisal or an appraisal
evaluation. Individually evaluated loans are reviewed on a quarterly basis to determine the level of impairment. As of March 31, 2023,
we did not have any individually evaluated real estate loans carried at a value in excess of the appraised value. We typically charge-off
a portion or create a specific reserve for impaired loans when we do not expect repayment to occur as agreed upon under the original
terms of the loan agreement.
At
March 31, 2023, individually evaluated loans totaled $6.6 million, for which $5.5 million of these loans had a reserve of approximately
$959,000 allocated in the allowance for credit losses. During the first three months of 2023, the average recorded investment in individually
evaluated loans was approximately $7.5 million. Comparatively, individually evaluated loans totaled $7.1 million at December 31, 2022
for which $6.8 million of these loans had a reserve of approximately $1.3 million allocated in the allowance for credit losses. During
2022, the average recorded investment in individually evaluated loans was approximately $7.6 million.
Allowance
for Credit Losses
The
allowance for credit losses was $40.4 million, representing 1.18% of outstanding loans and providing coverage of 854.33%, of nonperforming
loans at March 31, 2023 compared to $38.6 million, or 1.18% of outstanding loans and 1470.84% of nonperforming loans at December 31,
2022. At March 31, 2022, the allowance for credit losses was $32.9 million, or 1.24% of outstanding loans and 726.88% of nonperforming
loans.
Deposits
and Other Interest-Bearing Liabilities
Our
primary source of funds for loans and investments is our deposits and advances from the FHLB. In the past, we have chosen to obtain a
portion of our certificates of deposits from areas outside of our market in order to obtain longer term deposits than are readily available
in our local market. Our internal guidelines regarding the use of brokered CDs limit our brokered CDs to 20% of total deposits, which
allows us to take advantage of the attractive terms that wholesale funding can offer while mitigating the related inherent risk.
Our
retail deposits represented $3.08 billion, or 89.9% of total deposits, while our wholesale deposits represented $347.7 million, or 10.1%,
of total deposits at March 31, 2023. At December 31, 2022, retail deposits represented $2.90 billion, or 92.5%, of our total deposits.
Wholesale deposits were $236.2 million, representing 7.5% of our total deposits, at December 31, 2022. Our loan-to-deposit ratio was
100% at March 31, 2023 and 104% at December 31, 2022.
The
following is a detail of our deposit accounts:
| |
| | |
| |
| |
March 31, | | |
December 31, | |
(dollars in thousands) | |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
Non-interest bearing | |
$ | 740,534 | | |
| 804,115 | |
Interest bearing: | |
| | | |
| | |
NOW accounts | |
| 303,743 | | |
| 318,030 | |
Money market accounts | |
| 1,748,562 | | |
| 1,506,418 | |
Savings | |
| 39,706 | | |
| 40,673 | |
Time, less than $250,000 | |
| 106,679 | | |
| 89,876 | |
Time and out-of-market deposits, $250,000 and over | |
| 487,550 | | |
| 374,752 | |
Total deposits | |
$ | 3,426,774 | | |
| 3,133,864 | |
During
the past 12 months, we continued our focus on increasing core deposits, which exclude out-of-market deposits and time deposits of
$250,000 or more, in order to provide a relatively stable funding source for our loan portfolio and other earning assets. Our core
deposits were $2.95 billion and $2.76 billion at March 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively. In addition, at March 31, 2023
and December 31, 2022, we estimate that we have approximately $1.1 billion, or 32.1% and 36.6% of total
deposits, respectively, in uninsured deposits including related interest accrued and unpaid. Since it is not reasonably practicable
to provide a precise measure of uninsured deposits, the amounts above are estimates and are based on the same methodologies and
assumptions used by the FDIC for the Bank’s regulatory reporting requirements.
The
following table shows the average balance amounts and the average rates paid on deposits.
| |
| | |
| |
| |
Three months ended March 31, | |
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
(dollars in thousands) | |
Amount | | |
Rate | | |
Amount | | |
Rate | |
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits | |
$ | 766,916 | | |
| 0.00 | % | |
$ | 753,546 | | |
| 0.00 | % |
Interest-bearing demand deposits | |
| 303,176 | | |
| 0.59 | % | |
| 406,054 | | |
| 0.12 | % |
Money market accounts | |
| 1,621,885 | | |
| 3.00 | % | |
| 1,201,816 | | |
| 0.21 | % |
Savings accounts | |
| 39,993 | | |
| 0.06 | % | |
| 40,409 | | |
| 0.05 | % |
Time deposits less than $250,000 | |
| 59,469 | | |
| 4.55 | % | |
| 56,648 | | |
| 0.32 | % |
Time deposits greater than $250,000 | |
| 483,956 | | |
| 0.94 | % | |
| 102,073 | | |
| 0.50 | % |
Total deposits | |
$ | 3,275,395 | | |
| 1.76 | % | |
$ | 2,560,546 | | |
| 0.14 | % |
During
the first three months of 2023, our average transaction account balances increased by $330.1 million, or 13.7%, from the prior year,
while our average time deposit balances increased by $385,000, or 242.4%. We have experienced record growth in new account openings throughout
our footprint during the first quarter of 2023. In addition, we have added $245.9 million in wholesale time deposits.
All
of our time deposits are certificates of deposits. The maturity distribution of our time deposits $250,000 or more at March 31, 2023
was as follows:
| |
| |
(dollars in thousands) | |
March 31,
2023 | |
Three months or less | |
$ | 180,209 | |
Over three through six months | |
| 155,187 | |
Over six through twelve months | |
| 137,563 | |
Over twelve months | |
| 14,591 | |
Total | |
$ | 487,550 | |
Time
deposits that meet or exceed the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000 at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were $487.6 million and $374.8
million, respectively.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Liquidity
is our ability to fund operations, to meet depositor withdrawals, to provide for customers’ credit needs, and to meet maturing
obligations and existing commitments. Our liquidity principally depends on our cash flows from operating activities, investment in and
maturity of assets, changes in balances of deposits and borrowings, and our ability to borrow funds. The bank failures in March 2023
exemplify the potential serious results of the unexpected inability of insured depository institutions to obtain needed liquidity to
satisfy deposit withdrawal requests, including how quickly such requests can accelerate once uninsured depositors lose confidence in
an institutions ability to satisfy its obligations to depositors. We seek to ensure our funding needs are met by maintaining a level
of liquidity through asset and liability management. Liquidity management involves monitoring our sources and uses of funds in order
to meet our day-to-day cash flow requirements while maximizing profits. Liquidity management is made more complicated because different
balance sheet components are subject to varying degrees of management control. For example, the timing of maturities of our investment
portfolio is fairly predictable and subject to a high degree of control at the time investment decisions are made. However, net deposit
inflows and outflows are far less predictable and are not subject to the same degree of control.
At
March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 our cash and cash equivalents totaled $272.2 million and $170.9 million, respectively, or 6.9% and
4.6% of total assets, respectively. Our investment securities at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 amounted to $104.1 million and
$104.2 million, respectively, or 2.6% and 2.8% of total assets, respectively. Investment securities traditionally provide a secondary
source of liquidity since they can be converted into cash in a timely manner.
Our
ability to maintain and expand our deposit base and borrowing capabilities serves as our primary source of liquidity. We plan to meet
our future cash needs through the liquidation of temporary investments, the generation of deposits, loan payoffs, and from additional
borrowings. In addition, we will receive cash upon the maturity and sale of loans and the maturity of investment securities. We maintain
five federal funds purchased lines of credit with correspondent banks totaling $118.5 million for which there were no borrowings against
the lines of credit at March 31, 2023.
We
are also a member of the FHLB, from which applications for borrowings can be made. The FHLB requires that securities, qualifying mortgage
loans, and stock of the FHLB owned by the Bank be pledged to secure any advances from the FHLB. The unused borrowing capacity currently
available from the FHLB at March 31, 2023 was $609.9 million, based primarily on the Bank’s qualifying mortgages available to secure
any future borrowings. However, we are able to pledge additional securities to the FHLB in order to increase our available borrowing
capacity. In addition, at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 we had $373.3 million and $341.5 million, respectively, of letters of
credit outstanding with the FHLB to secure client deposits.
We
also have a line of credit with another financial institution for $15.0 million, which was unused at March 31, 2023. The line of credit
was renewed on December 21, 2021 at an interest rate of One Month CME Term SOFR plus 3.5% and a maturity date of December 20, 2023.
We
believe that our existing stable base of core deposits, federal funds purchased lines of credit with correspondent banks, and borrowings
from the FHLB will enable us to successfully meet our long-term liquidity needs. However, as short-term liquidity needs arise, we have
the ability to sell a portion of our investment securities portfolio to meet those needs.
Total
shareholders’ equity was $299.4 million at March 31, 2023 and $294.5 million at December 31, 2022. The $4.9 million increase from
December 31, 2022 is primarily related to net income of $2.7 million during the first three months of 2023 and a decrease in the unrealized
loss on securities available for sale of $1.6 million.
The
following table shows the return on average assets (net income divided by average total assets), return on average equity (net income
divided by average equity), equity to assets ratio (average equity divided by average assets), and tangible common equity ratio (total
equity less preferred stock divided by total assets) annualized for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and the year ended December
31, 2022. Since our inception, we have not paid cash dividends.
| |
| | |
| |
| |
March 31, 2023 | | |
December 31, 2022 | |
Return on average assets | |
| 0.30 | % | |
| 0.90 | % |
Return on average equity | |
| 3.67 | % | |
| 10.20 | % |
Return on average common equity | |
| 3.67 | % | |
| 10.20 | % |
Average equity to average assets ratio | |
| 8.11 | % | |
| 8.85 | % |
Tangible common equity to assets ratio | |
| 7.60 | % | |
| 7.98 | % |
Under
the capital adequacy guidelines, regulatory capital is classified into two tiers. These guidelines require an institution to maintain
a certain level of Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital to risk-weighted assets. Tier 1 capital consists of common shareholders’ equity, excluding
the unrealized gain or loss on securities available for sale, minus certain intangible assets. In determining the amount of risk-weighted
assets, all assets, including certain off-balance sheet assets, are multiplied by a risk-weight factor of 0% to 100% based on the risks
believed to be inherent in the type of asset. Tier 2 capital consists of Tier 1 capital plus the general reserve for credit losses, subject
to certain limitations. We are also required to maintain capital at a minimum level based on total average assets, which is known as
the Tier 1 leverage ratio.
Regulatory
capital rules, which we refer to Basel III, impose minimum capital requirements for bank holding companies and banks. The Basel III rules
apply to all national and state banks and savings associations regardless of size and bank holding companies and savings and loan holding
companies other than “small bank holding companies,” generally holding companies with consolidated assets of less than $3
billion. In order to avoid restrictions on capital distributions or discretionary bonus payments to executives, a covered banking organization
must maintain a “capital conservation buffer” on top of our minimum risk-based capital requirements. This buffer must consist
solely of common equity Tier 1, but the buffer applies to all three measurements (common equity Tier 1, Tier 1 capital and total capital).
The capital conservation buffer consists of an additional amount of CET1 equal to 2.5% of risk-weighted assets.
To
be considered “well-capitalized” for purposes of certain rules and prompt corrective action requirements, the Bank must maintain
a minimum total risked-based capital ratio of at least 10%, a total Tier 1 capital ratio of at least 8%, a common equity Tier 1 capital
ratio of at least 6.5%, and a leverage ratio of at least 5%. As of March 31, 2023, our capital ratios exceed these ratios and we remain
“well capitalized.”
The
following table summarizes the capital amounts and ratios of the Bank and the regulatory minimum requirements.
| |
| | |
| |
| |
| | |
March 31, 2023 | |
| |
Actual | | |
For capital adequacy purposes minimum plus the capital conservation buffer | | |
To be well capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions minimum | |
(dollars in thousands) | |
Amount | | |
Ratio | | |
Amount | | |
Ratio | | |
Amount | | |
Ratio | |
Total Capital (to risk weighted assets) | |
$ | 376,311 | | |
| 12.38 | % | |
$ | 243,212 | | |
| 8.00 | % | |
$ | 304,016 | | |
| 10.00 | % |
Tier 1 Capital (to risk weighted assets) | |
| 338,279 | | |
| 11.13 | % | |
| 182,409 | | |
| 6.00 | % | |
| 243,212 | | |
| 8.00 | % |
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to risk weighted assets) | |
| 338,279 | | |
| 11.13 | % | |
| 136,807 | | |
| 4.50 | % | |
| 197,610 | | |
| 6.50 | % |
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets) | |
| 338,279 | | |
| 9.16 | % | |
| 147,775 | | |
| 4.00 | % | |
| 184,719 | | |
| 5.00 | % |
| |
| | |
December 31, 2022 | |
| |
Actual | | |
For capital adequacy purposes minimum plus the capital conservation buffer | | |
To be well capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions minimum | |
(dollars in thousands) | |
Amount | | |
Ratio | | |
Amount | | |
Ratio | | |
Amount | | |
Ratio | |
Total Capital (to risk weighted assets) | |
$ | 366,988 | | |
| 12.45 | % | |
$ | 235,892 | | |
| 8.00 | % | |
$ | 294,865 | | |
| 10.00 | % |
Tier 1 Capital (to risk weighted assets) | |
| 330,108 | | |
| 11.20 | % | |
| 176,919 | | |
| 6.00 | % | |
| 235,892 | | |
| 8.00 | % |
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to risk weighted assets) | |
| 330,108 | | |
| 11.20 | % | |
| 132,689 | | |
| 4.50 | % | |
| 191,662 | | |
| 6.50 | % |
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets) | |
| 330,108 | | |
| 9.43 | % | |
| 140,040 | | |
| 4.00 | % | |
| 175,050 | | |
| 5.00 | % |
The
following table summarizes the capital amounts and ratios of the Company and the minimum regulatory requirements.
| |
| | |
March 31, 2023 | |
| |
Actual | | |
For capital adequacy purposes minimum plus the capital conservation buffer (1) | | |
To be well capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions minimum | |
(dollars in thousands) | |
Amount | | |
Ratio | | |
Amount | | |
Ratio | | |
Amount | | |
Ratio | |
Total Capital (to risk weighted assets) | |
$ | 385,157 | | |
| 12.67 | % | |
$ | 243,211 | | |
| 8.00 | % | |
| N/A | | |
| N/A | |
Tier 1 Capital (to risk weighted assets) | |
| 324,125 | | |
| 10.66 | % | |
| 182,409 | | |
| 6.00 | % | |
| N/A | | |
| N/A | |
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to risk weighted assets) | |
| 311,125 | | |
| 10.23 | % | |
| 136,806 | | |
| 4.50 | % | |
| N/A | | |
| N/A | |
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets) | |
| 324,125 | | |
| 8.80 | % | |
| 147,285 | | |
| 4.00 | % | |
| N/A | | |
| N/A | |
| |
| | |
December 31, 2022 | |
| |
Actual | | |
For capital adequacy purposes minimum plus the capital conservation buffer (1) | | |
To be well capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions minimum | |
(dollars in thousands) | |
Amount | | |
Ratio | | |
Amount | | |
Ratio | | |
Amount | | |
Ratio | |
Total Capital (to risk weighted assets) | |
$ | 380,802 | | |
| 12.91 | % | |
$ | 235,892 | | |
| 8.00 | % | |
| N/A | | |
| N/A | |
Tier 1 Capital (to risk weighted assets) | |
| 320,922 | | |
| 10.88 | % | |
| 176,919 | | |
| 6.00 | % | |
| N/A | | |
| N/A | |
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to risk weighted assets) | |
| 307,922 | | |
| 10.44 | % | |
| 132,689 | | |
| 4.50 | % | |
| N/A | | |
| N/A | |
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets) | |
| 320,922 | | |
| 9.17 | % | |
| 140,057 | | |
| 4.00 | % | |
| N/A | | |
| N/A | |
| (1) | Under
the Federal Reserve’s Small Bank Holding Company Policy Statement, the Company is not
subject to the minimum capital adequacy and capital conservation buffer capital requirements
at the holding company level, unless otherwise advised by the Federal Reserve (such capital
requirements are applicable only at the Bank level). Although the minimum regulatory capital
requirements are not applicable to the Company, we calculate these ratios for our own planning
and monitoring purposes. |
The
ability of the Company to pay cash dividends to shareholders is dependent upon receiving cash in the form of dividends from the Bank.
The dividends that may be paid by the Bank to the Company are subject to legal limitations and regulatory capital requirements. Since
our inception, we have not paid cash dividends to shareholders.
Effect
of Inflation and Changing Prices
The
effect of relative purchasing power over time due to inflation has not been taken into account in our consolidated financial statements.
Rather, our financial statements have been prepared on an historical cost basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Unlike
most industrial companies, our assets and liabilities are primarily monetary in nature. Therefore, the effect of changes in interest
rates will have a more significant impact on our performance than will the effect of changing prices and inflation in general. In addition,
interest rates may generally increase as the rate of inflation increases, although not necessarily in the same magnitude. As discussed
previously, we seek to manage the relationships between interest sensitive assets and liabilities in order to protect against wide rate
fluctuations, including those resulting from inflation.
Off-Balance
Sheet Risk
Commitments
to extend credit are agreements to lend money to a client as long as the client has not violated any material condition established in
the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require the payment of a fee. At
March 31, 2023 unfunded commitments to extend credit were $882.5 million, of which $286.3 million were at fixed rates and $596.2 million
were at variable rates. At December 31, 2022, unfunded commitments to extend credit were $878.3 million, of which approximately $318.9
million were at fixed rates and $559.4 million were at variable rates. A significant portion of the unfunded commitments related to commercial
business loans and consumer home equity lines of credit. We evaluate each client’s credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis. The
amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by us upon extension of credit, is based on our credit evaluation of the borrower.
The type of collateral varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, and commercial and residential
real estate. As of March 31, 2023, the reserve for unfunded commitments was $2.8 million or 0.31% of total unfunded commitments. As of
December 31, 2022, the reserve for unfunded commitments was $2.8 million or 0.32% of total unfunded commitments.
At
March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were commitments under letters of credit for $15.6 million and $14.3 million, respectively.
The credit risk and collateral involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities
to customers. Since most of the letters of credit are expected to expire without being drawn upon, they do not necessarily represent
future cash requirements.
Except
as disclosed in this report, we are not involved in off-balance sheet contractual relationships, unconsolidated related entities that
have off-balance sheet arrangements or transactions that could result in liquidity needs or other commitments that significantly impact
earnings.
Critical
Accounting Estimates
We
have adopted various accounting policies that govern the application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
and with general practices within the banking industry in the preparation of our financial statements.
Certain
accounting policies inherently involve a greater reliance on the use of estimates, assumptions and judgments and, as such, have a greater
possibility of producing results that could be materially different than originally reported, which could have a material impact on the
carrying values of our assets and liabilities and our results of operations. Of the significant accounting policies used in the preparation
of our consolidated financial statements, we have identified certain items as critical accounting policies based on the associated estimates,
assumptions, judgments and complexity. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical
Accounting Estimates” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, for a description our significant
accounting policies that use critical accounting estimates.
Accounting,
Reporting, and Regulatory Matters
See
Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements included elsewhere
in this report for details of recently issued accounting pronouncements and their expected impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Other
accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies that do not require adoption until
a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption.