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AMERISERV FINANCIAL INC /PA/ - Annual Report: 2020 (Form 10-K)

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-K

(MARK ONE)

        ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020

OR

        TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM              TO              

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-11204

AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

PENNSYLVANIA

25-1424278

(State or other jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

Identification No.)

MAIN & FRANKLIN STREETS,

P.O. BOX 430, JOHNSTOWN,

PENNSYLVANIA

15907-0430

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (814) 533-5300

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title Of Each Class

    

Trading Symbol

    

Name of Each Exchange On Which Registered

Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 Per Share

ASRV

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

8.45% Beneficial Unsecured Securities, Series A

ASRVP

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

(AmeriServ Financial Capital Trust I)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “ accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its mangagement’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes No

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter. The aggregate market value was $47,804,311 as of June 30, 2020.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. There were 17,066,164 shares outstanding as of February 28, 2021.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.

Portions of the proxy statement for the annual shareholders’ meeting are incorporated by reference in Parts II and III.


Table of Contents

FORM 10-K INDEX

Page No.

PART I

Item 1.

Business

3

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

14

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

14

Item 2.

Properties

14

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

15

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

15

PART II

Item 5.

Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

16

Item 6.

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

17

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of Operations

18

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

40

Item 8.

Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

41

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

100

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

100

Item 9B.

Other Information

100

PART III

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance

101

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

101

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

101

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

101

Item 14.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

101

PART IV

Item 15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

102

Signatures

104

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Table of Contents

PART I

ITEM 1.   BUSINESS

GENERAL

AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (the Company) is a bank holding company organized under the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law. The Company became a holding company upon acquiring all of the outstanding shares of AmeriServ Financial Bank (the Bank) in January 1983. The Company’s other wholly owned subsidiary is AmeriServ Trust and Financial Services Company (the Trust Company) which was formed in October 1992. AmeriServ Life Insurance Company (AmeriServ Life), formed in October 1987, was a captive insurance company that engaged in underwriting as a reinsurer of credit life and disability insurance. New business ceased being generated by AmeriServ Life in 2005. Since that time, the outstanding insurance policies have been running off and the final policy has expired. On September 30, 2020, the Arizona Corporation Commission approved the Articles of Dissolution for AmeriServ Life. The remaining assets of AmeriServ Life were transferred to AmeriServ Financial, Inc. and the subsidiary was formally closed on December 31, 2020. When used in this report, the “Company” may refer to AmeriServ Financial, Inc. individually or AmeriServ Financial, Inc. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.

The Company’s principal activities consist of owning and operating its two wholly owned subsidiary entities. At December 31, 2020, the Company had, on a consolidated basis, total assets, deposits, and shareholders’ equity of  $1.3 billion, $1.1 billion, and $104.4 million, respectively. The Company and its subsidiaries derive substantially all of their income from banking and bank-related services. The Company functions primarily as a coordinating and servicing unit for its subsidiary entities in general management, accounting and taxes, loan review, auditing, investment accounting, marketing and risk management.

As a bank holding company, the Company is subject to supervision and regular examination by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (the PDB). The Company is also under the jurisdiction of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) for matters relating to registered offerings and sales of its securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the disclosure and regulatory requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company’s common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the trading symbol “ASRV,” and the Company is subject to the NASDAQ rules applicable to listed companies.

AMERISERV FINANCIAL BANKING SUBSIDIARY

AMERISERV FINANCIAL BANK

The Bank is a state bank chartered under the Pennsylvania Banking Code of 1965, as amended (the Banking Code). Through 16 branch locations in Allegheny, Cambria, Centre, Somerset, and Westmoreland counties, Pennsylvania and Washington county, Maryland, the Bank conducts a general banking business. It is a full-service bank offering (i) retail banking services, such as demand, savings and time deposits, checking accounts, money market accounts, secured and unsecured consumer loans, mortgage loans, safe deposit boxes, holiday club accounts, and money orders; and (ii) lending, depository and related financial services to commercial, industrial, financial, and governmental customers, such as commercial real estate mortgage loans (CRE), short and medium-term loans, revolving credit arrangements, lines of credit, inventory and accounts receivable financing, real estate construction loans, business savings accounts, certificates of deposit, wire transfers, night depository, and lock box services. The Bank also operates 17 automated bank teller machines (ATMs) through its 24-hour banking network that is linked with NYCE, a regional ATM network, and CIRRUS, a national ATM network. West Chester Capital Advisors (WCCA), a SEC-registered investment advisor, is a subsidiary of the Bank. The Company also operates loan production offices (LPOs) in Altoona and Wilkins Township in Pennsylvania.

On January 15, 2021, the Company announced the execution of a definitive agreement whereby AmeriServ Financial Bank will acquire from Citizen’s Neighborhood Bank (CNB), an operating division of Riverview Bank, its branch and deposit customers in Meyersdale, as well as its deposit customers at its leased branch in the Borough of Somerset. Both of these locations are in Somerset County in southwestern Pennsylvania. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and satisfaction of customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021.

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We believe that the Bank’s deposit base is such that loss of one depositor or a related group of depositors would not have a materially adverse effect on its business. The Bank’s business is not seasonal, nor does it have any risks attendant to foreign sources. A significant majority of the Bank’s customer base is located within a 150-mile radius of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the Bank’s headquarters.

The Bank is subject to supervision and regular examination by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and the PDB. Various federal and state laws and regulations govern many aspects of its banking operations. The following is a summary of key data (dollars in thousands) and ratios of the Bank at December 31, 2020:

Headquarters

    

Johnstown, PA

 

Total Assets

$

1,265,574

Total Investment Securities

 

181,820

Total Loans and Loans Held for Sale (net of unearned income)

 

978,345

Total Deposits

 

1,055,120

Total Net Income

 

5,792

Asset Leverage Ratio

 

9.03

%

Return on Average Assets

 

0.47

Return on Average Equity

 

5.32

Total Full-time Equivalent Employees

 

233

RISK MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW

Risk identification and management are essential elements for the successful management of the Company. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to various types of risk, which includes credit, interest rate and market, liquidity, operational, legal/compliance, strategic/reputational and security risk. Additionally, in 2020, the Company focused on the risks surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic which presented new challenges. The Company seeks to identify, manage and monitor these risks with policies, procedures, and various levels of oversight from the Company’s Board of Directors (the Board) and management. The Company has a Management Enterprise Risk Committee with Board of Director representation to help manage and monitor the Company’s risk position, which is reported formally to the Board, at a minimum, on a semi-annual basis.

Interest rate risk is the sensitivity of net interest income and the market value of financial instruments to the magnitude, direction, and frequency of changes in interest rates. Interest rate risk results from various repricing frequencies and the maturity structure of assets and liabilities. The Company uses its asset liability management policy to monitor and manage interest rate risk.

Liquidity risk represents the inability to generate cash or otherwise obtain funds at reasonable rates to satisfy commitments to borrowers, as well as the obligations to depositors, debtholders and the funding of operating costs. The Company uses its asset liability management policy and contingency funding plan to monitor and manage liquidity risk.

Credit risk represents the possibility that a customer may not perform in accordance with contractual terms resulting in an economic loss to the organization. Credit risk results from extending credit to customers, purchasing securities, and entering into certain off-balance sheet loan funding commitments. The Company’s primary credit risk occurs in the loan portfolio. The Company uses its credit policy and disciplined approach to evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses (the ALL) to monitor and manage credit risk. The Company’s investment policy and hedging policy seeks to limit the amount of credit risk that may be assumed in the investment portfolio and through hedging activities.

The following summarizes and describes the Company’s various loan categories and the underwriting standards applied to each:

Commercial Loans

This category includes credit extensions to commercial and industrial borrowers. Business assets, including accounts receivable, inventory and/or equipment, typically secure these credits. The commercial loan segment includes commercial loans secured by owner occupied real estate. In appropriate instances, extensions of credit in this category are subject to collateral advance formulas. Balance sheet strength and profitability are considered when analyzing these credits, with special attention given to historical, current and prospective sources of cash flow, and the ability of the customer to sustain cash flow at acceptable levels. The Bank’s policy permits flexibility in determining acceptable debt

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service coverage ratios. Personal guarantees are frequently required; however, as the financial strength of the borrower increases, the Bank’s ability to obtain personal guarantees decreases. In addition to economic risk, this category is impacted by the strength of the borrower’s management, industry risk and portfolio concentration risk each of which are also monitored and considered during the underwriting process.

The commercial loan segment also includes Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) authorized the Small Business Administration (SBA) to guarantee 100% of the PPP loans made to eligible borrowers pursuant to standards as defined by the SBA. The SBA guarantee on PPP loans minimizes the level of credit risk associated with the loans. As a result, such loans are assigned a 0% risk weight for purposes of calculating the Company’s risk-based capital ratios. Therefore, it was deemed appropriate to not allocate any portion of the loan loss reserve for the PPP loans.

Commercial Loans Secured by Non-Owner Occupied Real Estate

This category includes various types of loans, including acquisition and construction of investment property. Maximum term, minimum cash flow coverage, leasing requirements, maximum amortization and maximum loan to value ratios are controlled by the Bank’s credit policy and follow industry guidelines and norms, and regulatory limitations. Personal guarantees are normally required during the construction phase on construction credits and are frequently obtained on mid to smaller CRE loans. In addition to economic risk, this category is subject to geographic and portfolio concentration risk, each of which are monitored and considered in underwriting.

The Company utilizes a robust and diligent risk management framework to monitor the non-owner occupied commercial real estate segment of the portfolio. This analysis considers more forward looking credit metrics such as stress test results and underwriting trend data, coupled with risk tolerance and concentration guidelines. The process is intended to allow identification of emerging risk, in part, to determine any future change to lending policy, underwriting practices or broader lending strategy prior to any indication of performance deterioration.

Residential Real Estate — Mortgages

This category includes mortgages that are secured by residential property. Underwriting of loans within this category is pursuant to Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae underwriting guidelines, with the exception of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) loans, which have more liberal standards. A meaningful portion of this portfolio consists of home equity loans. The major risk in this category is that a significant downward economic trend would increase unemployment and cause payment default. The Bank does not engage, and has never engaged, in subprime residential mortgage lending.

Consumer Loans

This category includes consumer installment loans and revolving credit plans. Underwriting is pursuant to industry norms and guidelines. The major risk in this category is a significant economic downturn.

INVESTMENTS

The strategic focus of the investment securities portfolio is managed for liquidity and earnings in a prudent manner that is consistent with proper bank asset/liability management and current banking practices. The objectives of portfolio management include consideration of proper liquidity levels, interest rate and market valuation sensitivity, and profitability. The investment portfolio of the Company and its subsidiaries are proactively managed in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

The investment portfolio is primarily made up of AAA rated agency mortgage-backed securities, high quality corporate securities, taxable municipal securities, and agency securities. Management strives to maintain a portfolio duration that is less than 60 months. All holdings must meet standards documented in its investment policy, unless otherwise approved by the Company’s CEO or the Asset/Liability Management Committee.

Investment securities classified as held to maturity are carried at amortized cost while investment securities classified as available for sale are reported at fair market value. The following table sets forth the cost basis and fair value of the Company’s investment portfolio as of the periods indicated:

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Investment securities available for sale at:

AT DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

(IN THOUSANDS)

U.S. Agency

$

2,971

$

5,084

$

7,685

Municipal

 

19,000

 

14,678

 

13,301

Corporate bonds

 

52,315

 

39,769

 

37,359

U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

65,398

 

80,046

 

90,169

Total cost basis of investment securities available for sale

$

139,684

$

139,577

$

148,514

Total fair value of investment securities available for sale

$

144,165

$

141,749

$

146,731

Investment securities held to maturity at:

AT DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

(IN THOUSANDS)

Municipal

$

30,076

$

24,438

$

24,740

U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

8,119

 

9,466

 

9,983

Corporate bonds and other securities

 

6,027

 

6,032

 

6,037

Total cost basis of investment securities held to maturity

$

44,222

$

39,936

$

40,760

Total fair value of investment securities held to maturity

$

47,106

$

41,082

$

40,324

DEPOSITS

The Bank has a stable core deposit base made up of traditional commercial bank products that exhibit modest fluctuation during the year, other than jumbo certificates of deposits (CDs) and certain municipal deposits, which demonstrate some seasonality. The Company also utilizes certain Trust Company specialty deposits related to the ERECT funds as a funding source, which serve as an alternative to wholesale borrowings and can exhibit some limited degree of volatility.

The following table sets forth the average balance of the Company’s deposits and average rates paid thereon for the past three calendar years:

AT DECEMBER 31, 

 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PERCENTAGES)

 

Demand:

    

    

    

  

Non-interest bearing

$

175,336

 

%  

$

151,292

 

%  

$

174,108

 

%

Interest bearing

 

175,088

 

0.28

 

170,326

 

0.94

 

138,572

 

0.82

Savings

 

104,442

 

0.14

 

96,783

 

0.17

 

98,035

 

0.17

Money market

 

234,771

 

0.44

 

234,387

 

1.08

 

249,618

 

0.87

Certificates of deposit in denominations of $100,000 or more

 

42,910

 

1.56

 

36,324

 

2.33

 

31,893

 

1.66

Other time

 

302,318

 

1.75

 

290,543

 

2.09

 

267,498

 

1.70

Total deposits

$

1,034,865

 

0.89

%  

$

979,655

 

1.35

%  

$

959,724

 

1.07

%

The maturities on CDs of  $100,000 or more as of December 31, 2020, are as follows:

    

(IN THOUSANDS)

MATURING IN:

 

  

Three months or less

$

16,918

Over three through six months

 

8,139

Over six through twelve months

 

20,589

Over twelve months

 

3,285

Total

$

48,931

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LOANS

The loan portfolio of the Company consisted of the following:

AT DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

    

2017

    

2016

(IN THOUSANDS)

Commercial:

Commercial and industrial

$

151,262

$

174,021

$

158,306

$

159,219

$

171,570

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

59,099

Commercial loans secured by owner occupied real estate(1)

 

95,528

 

91,693

 

91,938

 

89,979

 

91,861

Commercial loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate(1)

 

401,056

 

363,882

 

356,805

 

374,173

 

355,172

Real estate – residential mortgage(1)

 

249,989

 

235,239

 

237,964

 

247,278

 

245,765

Consumer

 

16,363

 

18,255

 

17,591

 

19,383

 

19,872

Total loans

 

973,297

 

883,090

 

862,604

 

890,032

 

884,240

Less: Unearned income

 

1,202

 

384

 

322

 

399

 

476

Total loans, net of unearned income

$

972,095

$

882,706

$

862,282

$

889,633

$

883,764


(1)For each of the periods presented beginning with December 31, 2020, real estate construction loans constituted 7.0%, 4.9%, 3.5%, 4.1%, and 4.7% of the Company’s total loans, net of unearned income, respectively.

Secondary Market Activities

The residential lending department of the Bank continues to originate one-to-four family mortgage loans for customers, some of which are sold to outside investors in the secondary market and some of which are retained for the Bank’s portfolio. Mortgages sold in the secondary market are sold to investors on a “flow” basis; mortgages are priced and delivered on a “best efforts” pricing basis, with servicing released to the investor. Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac guidelines are used in underwriting all mortgages with the exception of a limited amount of CRA loans. Mortgages with longer terms, such as 20-year, 30-year, FHA, and VA loans, are usually sold. The remaining production of the department includes construction, adjustable rate mortgages, and quality non-salable loans. These loans are usually kept in the Bank’s portfolio.

Non-performing Assets

The following table presents information concerning non-performing assets:

AT DECEMBER 31, 

 

2020

    

2019

    

2018

    

2017

    

2016

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PERCENTAGES)

 

Non-accrual loans:

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

Commercial and industrial

$

16

$

$

$

353

$

496

Commercial loans secured by owner occupied real estate

 

 

 

 

859

 

Commercial loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate

 

8

 

8

 

11

 

547

 

178

Real estate – residential mortgage

 

2,469

 

1,479

 

1,210

 

1,257

 

929

Consumer

7

Total

 

2,500

 

1,487

 

1,221

 

3,016

 

1,603

Other real estate owned:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Commercial loans secured by owner occupied real estate

 

 

 

157

 

 

Real estate – residential mortgage

 

 

37

 

 

18

 

21

Total

 

 

37

 

157

 

18

 

21

Restructured loans not in non-accrual (TDR)

 

Commercial and industrial

831

815

Total

831

815

Total non-performing assets including TDR

$

3,331

$

2,339

$

1,378

$

3,034

$

1,624

Total non-performing assets as a percent of loans, net of unearned income and other real estate owned

 

0.34

%  

 

0.26

%  

 

0.16

%  

 

0.34

%  

 

0.18

%

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The Company is unaware of any additional loans which are required to either be charged-off or added to the non-performing asset totals disclosed above. Other real estate owned (OREO) is measured at fair value based on appraisals, less cost to sell at the date of foreclosure. The Company had no loans past due 90 days or more, still accruing, for the periods presented.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, (1) the gross interest income that would have been recorded if non-accrual loans had been current in accordance with their original terms and had been outstanding throughout the period or since origination if held for part of the period, (2) the amount of interest income actually recorded on such loans, and (3) the net reduction in interest income attributable to such loans.

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

    

2017

    

2016

(IN THOUSANDS)

Interest income due in accordance with original terms

$

87

$

57

$

75

$

103

$

118

Interest income recorded

 

 

 

 

(75)

 

Net reduction in interest income

$

87

$

57

$

75

$

28

$

118

AMERISERV FINANCIAL NON-BANKING SUBSIDIARY

AMERISERV TRUST AND FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY

AmeriServ Trust and Financial Services Company is a trust company organized under Pennsylvania law in October 1992. Its staff of approximately 43 professionals administers assets valued at approximately $2.5 billion that are not recognized on the Company’s balance sheet at December 31, 2020. The Trust Company focuses on wealth management. Wealth management includes personal trust products and services such as personal portfolio investment management, estate planning and administration, custodial services and pre-need trusts. Also, institutional trust products and services such as 401(k) plans, defined benefit and defined contribution employee benefit plans, and individual retirement accounts are included in this segment. This segment also includes financial services, which provide the sale of mutual funds, annuities, and insurance products. The wealth management business also includes the union collective investment funds, the ERECT funds, which are designed to use union pension dollars in construction projects that utilize union labor. At December 31, 2020, the Trust Company had total assets of  $6.4 million and total stockholder’s equity of  $6.3 million. In 2020, the Trust Company contributed earnings to the Company as its gross revenue amounted to $9.6 million and the net income contribution was $1.5 million. The Trust Company is subject to regulation and supervision by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and the PDB.

MONETARY POLICIES

Commercial banks are affected by policies of various regulatory authorities including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Federal Reserve). An important function of the Federal Reserve is to regulate the national supply of bank credit. Among the instruments of monetary policy used by the Federal Reserve are: open market operations in U.S. Government securities, changes in the federal funds rate and discount rate on member bank borrowings, and changes in reserve requirements on bank deposits. These means are used in varying combinations to influence overall growth of bank loans, investments, and deposits, and may also affect interest rate charges on loans or interest paid for deposits. The monetary policies of the Federal Reserve have had a significant effect on the operating results of commercial banks in the past and are expected to continue to do so in the future.

COMPETITION

Our subsidiaries face strong competition from other commercial banks, savings banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, and other financial or investment service institutions for business in the communities they serve. Several of these institutions are affiliated with major banking and financial institutions which are substantially larger and have greater financial resources than the Bank and the Trust Company. As the financial services industry continues to consolidate, the scope of potential competition affecting our subsidiaries will also increase. Brokerage houses, consumer finance companies, insurance companies, financial technology firms, and pension trusts are important competitors for various types of financial services. Personal and corporate trust investment counseling services are offered by insurance companies, other firms, and individuals. In addition, some of these competitors, such as credit unions, are subject to a lesser degree of regulation or taxation than that imposed on us.

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MARKET AREA & ECONOMY

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the U.S. and global economy, as well as the local economies in which we operate, creating significant volatility and increased unemployment levels. In addition, the pandemic has resulted in temporary closures of many local businesses and/or businesses operating at reduced capacity. The return to normal operating conditions has been slow and is expected to last into the foreseeable future. The institution of social distancing requirements in many states and communities, including those in our footprint will continue. Governmental authorities have taken significant measures to provide economic assistance to individual households and businesses, stabilize the markets, and support economic growth. The economy has recently shown signs of a rebound in conjunction with further government aid, the February 2021 slowdown in Covid-19 infections, and the hope that exists because of the distribution of a vaccine. The success of the measures taken by the government is becoming apparent, but they may not be sufficient to fully mitigate the negative impact of the pandemic. The virus continues to weigh on economic activity, and many economic key indicators remain depressed. The length of the pandemic and the effectiveness of the measures being put in place to address it are not completely known. The economy and its recovery remain vulnerable. Economists say the factors leading up to the current economic slowdown, such as how fast it hit and who it is affecting, are different from previous economic downturns and may lead to a different outcome. The unfavorable impact that the pandemic has had and is having on our market area is clearly evident in the increases to the unemployment rates between years in the various core markets that we serve as noted in the following discussion.

Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where the Company is headquartered, continues to have a cost of living that is lower than the national average. Johnstown is home to The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and Conemaugh Health System. The high-tech defense industry is now the main non-health care staple of the Johnstown economy, with the region fulfilling many federal government contracts, punctuated by one of the premier defense trade shows in the U.S., the annual Showcase for Commerce. The city also hosts annual events such as the Flood City Music Festival and the Thunder in the Valley Motorcycle Rally, each of which draw several thousand visitors. The Johnstown, PA MSA unemployment rate increased from a 5.0% average in 2019 to a 9.6% average in 2020. The Johnstown, PA MSA continues to have one of the highest jobless rates among the 18 metropolitan statistical areas across the state. This, coupled with a declining population trend, creates a challenge moving forward.

Economic conditions are stronger in the State College market and have demonstrated the same improvement experienced in the national economy. The community is a college town, dominated economically and demographically by the presence of the University Park campus of the Pennsylvania State University. “Happy Valley” is another often-used term to refer to the State College area, including the borough and the townships of College, Harris, Patton, and Ferguson. The unemployment rate for the State College MSA increased from a 3.1% average in 2019 to a 5.8% average in 2020 and remains one of the lowest of all regions in the Commonwealth. A large percentage of the population in State College falls into the 18 to 34-year-old age group, while potential customers in the Cambria/Somerset markets tend to be over 50 years of age.

Hagerstown in Washington County, Maryland offers a rare combination of business advantages providing a major crossroads location that is convenient to the entire East Coast at the intersection of I-81 and I-70. It has a workforce of over 400,000 with strengths in manufacturing and technology. It also offers an affordable cost of doing business and living, all within an hour of the Washington, D.C./Baltimore regions. There are also plenty of facilities and land slated for industrial/commercial development. Hagerstown has become a choice location for manufacturers, financial services, and distribution companies. The Hagerstown, MD-Martinsburg, WV MSA unemployment rate increased from a 3.7% average in 2019 to a 6.5% average in 2020.

The Company also has loan production offices in Wilkins Township in Allegheny County and Altoona in Blair County, Pennsylvania. Wilkins Township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania is located 15 miles east of the city of Pittsburgh. While the city is historically known for its steel industry, today its economy is largely based on healthcare, education, technology and financial services. The city of Pittsburgh is home to many colleges, universities and research facilities, the most well-known of which are Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is rich in art and culture. Pittsburgh museums and cultural sites include the Andy Warhol Museum, the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Frick Art & Historical Center, and Pittsburgh Center for the Arts among numerous others. Pittsburgh is also the home of the Pirates, Steelers and Penguins. The unemployment rate for the Pittsburgh MSA increased from a 4.1% average in 2019 to a 9.3% average in 2020.

Altoona is the business center of Blair County, Pennsylvania with a strong retail, government and manufacturing base. The top field of employment in Altoona and the metro area is healthcare. Its location along I-99 draws from a large

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trade area over a wide geographic area that extends to State College and Johnstown. It serves as the headquarters for Sheetz Corporation, which ranks on Forbes list of the top privately owned companies. In addition to being located adjacent to I-99 and a major highway system, Altoona also has easy access to rail and air transportation. The average unemployment rate in the Altoona MSA increased from 4.2% in 2019 to 8.7% in 2020.

EMPLOYEES

The Company employed 314 people as of December 31, 2020 in full- and part-time positions. Approximately 148 non-supervisory employees of the Company are represented by the United Steelworkers, AFL-CIO-CLC, Local Union 2635-06. The Company is under a four-year labor contract with the United Steelworkers Local that will expire on October 15, 2021. The contract calls for annual wage increases of 3.0%. The Company has not experienced a work stoppage since 1979. The Company is one of an estimated ten union represented banks nationwide.

INDUSTRY REGULATION

The banking and trust industry, and the operation of bank holding companies, is highly regulated by federal and state law, and by numerous regulations adopted by the federal and state banking agencies. Bank regulation affects all aspects of conducting business as a bank, including such major items as minimum capital requirements, limits on types and amounts of investments, loans and other assets, as well as borrowings and other liabilities, and numerous restrictions or requirements on the loan terms and other products made available to customers, particularly consumers. Federal deposit insurance from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the FDIC) is required for all banks in the United States, and maintaining FDIC insurance requires observation of the various rules of the FDIC, as well as payment of deposit insurance premiums. New branches, or acquisitions or mergers, are required to be pre-approved by the responsible agency, which in the case of the Company and the Bank is the Federal Reserve and the PDB. The Bank provides detailed financial information to its regulators, including a quarterly call report that is filed pursuant to detailed prescribed instructions to ensure that all U.S. banks report the same way. The U.S. banking laws and regulations are frequently updated and amended, especially in response to crises in the financial industry, such as the global financial crisis of 2008, which resulted in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act enacted in 2010 (the Dodd-Frank Act), a statute affecting many facets of the financial industry. The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act was enacted into law in 2018 and was designed to ease certain restrictions imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was enacted into law on March 27, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While it is impractical to discuss all laws and regulations that regularly affect the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, set forth below is an overview of some of the major provisions and statutes that apply.

CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

One of the most significant regulatory requirements for banking institutions is minimum capital, imposed as a ratio of capital to assets. The Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended (the FDIA), identifies five capital categories for insured depository institutions: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized. It requires U.S. federal bank regulatory agencies to implement systems for “prompt corrective action” for insured depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements based on these categories. Both federal and state banking regulation impose progressively more restrictive constraints on operations, management and capital distributions, depending on the category in which an institution is classified. Unless a bank is well capitalized, it is subject to restrictions on its ability to utilize brokered deposits and on other aspects of its operations. Generally, a bank is prohibited from paying any dividend or making any capital distribution or paying any management fee to its holding company if the bank would thereafter be undercapitalized.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company believes that its bank subsidiary was well capitalized, based on the prompt corrective action guidelines described above. On January 1, 2015, U.S. federal banking agencies implemented the new Basel III capital standards, which establish the minimum capital levels to be considered well-capitalized and revised the prompt corrective action requirements under banking regulations. The revisions from the previous standards include a revised definition of capital, the introduction of a minimum common equity tier 1 capital ratio and changed risk weightings for certain assets. Under the current rules, in order to avoid limitations on capital distributions (including

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dividend payments and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers), a banking organization must hold a capital conservation buffer above its minimum risk-based capital requirements of 2.50% of total risk weighted assets.

The capital to risk-adjusted assets requirements for minimum capital plus the applicable buffer, and the requirement to be “well capitalized,” are as follows:

 

 

Minimum Capital 

Well

 

    

Plus Buffer

    

Capitalized

  

Common equity tier 1 capital ratio

    

7.00

%  

6.50

%

Tier 1 capital ratio

 

8.50

%  

8.00

%

Total capital ratio

 

10.50

%  

10.00

%

In addition, see the discussion of the community bank leverage ratio under the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act below.

DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS

The primary source of cash to pay dividends, if any, to the Company’s shareholders and to meet the Company’s obligations is dividends paid to the Company by the Bank and the Trust Company. Dividend payments by the Bank to the Company are subject to the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Banking Code, the FDIA and the regulation of the PDB and the Federal Reserve. Under the Banking Act and the FDIA, a bank may not pay any dividends if, after paying such dividends, it would be undercapitalized under applicable capital requirements. In addition to these explicit limitations, the federal regulatory agencies are authorized to prohibit a banking subsidiary or bank holding company from engaging in unsafe or unsound banking practices. Depending upon the circumstances, the agencies could take the position that paying a dividend would constitute an unsafe or unsound banking practice.

It is the policy of the Federal Reserve that bank holding companies should pay cash dividends on common stock only out of income available from the immediately preceding year and only if prospective earnings retention is consistent with the organization’s expected future needs and financial condition. The policy provides that bank holding companies should not maintain a level of cash dividend that undermines the bank holding company’s ability to serve as a source of strength to its banking subsidiary. A bank holding company may not pay dividends when it is insolvent.

For more information regarding quarterly cash dividends, see Part II, Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities below.

SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is not a banking law, but contains important requirements for public companies in the area of financial disclosure and corporate governance. In accordance with Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, written certifications by the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer are required. These certifications attest, among other things, that the Company’s quarterly and annual reports filed with the SEC do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact. In response to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Company adopted a series of procedures to further strengthen its corporate governance practices. The Company also requires signed certifications from managers who are responsible for internal controls throughout the Company as to the integrity of the information they prepare. These procedures supplement the Company’s Code of Conduct Policy and other procedures that were previously in place. The Company maintains a program designed to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. This program includes the identification of key processes and accounts, documentation of the design of control effectiveness over the key processes and entity level controls, and testing of the effectiveness of key controls.

PRIVACY PROVISIONS

Federal banking regulators adopted rules that limit the ability of banks and other financial institutions to disclose non-public information about customers to non-affiliated third parties. These limitations require disclosure of privacy policies to consumers and, in some circumstances, allow consumers to prevent disclosure of certain personal information to non-affiliated third parties. The privacy provisions affect how consumer information is transmitted through diversified financial companies and conveyed to outside vendors. The Company believes it is in compliance with the various provisions.

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USA PATRIOT ACT

A major focus of governmental policy on financial institutions has been aimed at combating money laundering and terrorist financing. The USA Patriot Act substantially broadened the scope of United States anti-money laundering laws and regulations by imposing significant new compliance and due diligence obligations, creating new crimes and penalties and expanding the extra-territorial jurisdiction of the United States. The United States Treasury Department has issued and, in some cases, proposed a number of regulations that apply various requirements of the USA Patriot Act to financial institutions. These regulations impose obligations on financial institutions to maintain appropriate policies, procedures and controls to detect, prevent and report money laundering and terrorist financing and to verify the identity of their customers. Failure of a financial institution to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, or to comply with all of the relevant laws or regulations, could have serious legal and reputational consequences for the Company.

DODD-FRANK WALL STREET REFORM AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT

The Dodd-Frank Act was signed into law on July 21, 2010. This law significantly changed the previous bank regulatory structure and affects the lending, deposit, investment, trading and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies.

A provision of the Dodd-Frank Act eliminated the federal prohibitions on paying interest on demand deposits, thus allowing businesses to have interest bearing checking accounts. The Dodd-Frank Act also broadened the base for FDIC insurance assessments. Assessments will now be based on the average consolidated total assets less tangible equity capital of a financial institution. The Dodd-Frank Act also permanently increased the maximum amount of deposit insurance for banks, savings institutions and credit unions to $250,000 per depositor.

Bank and thrift holding companies with assets of less than $15 billion as of December 31, 2009, such as the Company, are permitted to include trust preferred securities that were issued before May 19, 2010, such as the Company’s 8.45% Trust Preferred Securities, as Tier 1 capital; however, trust preferred securities issued by a bank or thrift holding company (other than those with assets of less than $500 million) after May 19, 2010, will no longer count as Tier 1 capital. Such trust preferred securities still will be entitled to be treated as Tier 2 capital.

The Dodd-Frank Act created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the CFPB), a new independent regulatory agency with broad powers to supervise and enforce consumer protection laws. The CFPB has broad rule-making authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that apply to all banks and savings institutions, including the authority to prohibit “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts and practices. The CFPB has examination and enforcement authority over all banks and savings institutions with more than $10 billion in assets. Banks and savings institutions with $10 billion or less in assets such as the Company will continue to be examined for compliance with the consumer laws by their primary bank regulators. The Dodd-Frank Act also weakens the federal preemption rules that have been applicable for national banks and federal savings associations and gives state attorney generals the ability to enforce federal consumer protection laws.

ECONOMIC GROWTH, REGULATORY RELIEF, AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT

The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (the “Act”), which was designed to ease certain restrictions imposed by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, was enacted into law on May 24, 2018. Most of the changes made by the Act can be grouped into five general areas: mortgage lending; certain regulatory relief for “community” banks; enhanced consumer protections in specific areas, including subjecting credit reporting agencies to additional requirements; certain regulatory relief for large financial institutions, including increasing the threshold at which institutions are classified a systemically important financial institutions (from $50 billion to $250 billion) and therefore subject to stricter oversight, and revising the rules for larger institution stress testing; and certain changes to federal securities regulations designed to promote capital formation.

Some of the key provisions of the Act as it relates to community banks and bank holding companies include, but are not limited to: (i) designating mortgages held in portfolio as “qualified mortgages” for banks with less than $10 billion in assets, subject to certain documentation and product limitations; (ii) exempting banks with less than $10 billion in assets from Volcker Rule requirements relating to proprietary trading; (iii) simplifying capital calculations for banks with less than $10 billion in assets by requiring federal banking agencies to establish a community bank leverage ratio of tangible equity to average consolidate assets not less than 8% or more than 10% and provide that banks that maintain tangible equity in excess of such ratio will be deemed to be in compliance with risk-based capital and leverage requirements;

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(iv) assisting smaller banks with obtaining stable funding by providing an exception for reciprocal deposits from FDIC restrictions on acceptance of brokered deposits; (v) raising the eligibility for use of short-form call reports from $1 billion to $5 billion in assets; and (vi) clarifying definitions pertaining to high volatility commercial real estate loans (HVCRE), which require higher capital allocations, so that only loans with increased risk are subject to higher risk weightings.

In September 2019, as directed pursuant to the Act, the federal bank regulatory agencies issued final rules for a community bank leverage ratio (“CBLR”) for certain community banking organizations, which was available to use in call reports filed for the period beginning January 1, 2020 or April 1, 2020 pursuant to subsequent final rules adopted in October 2019. The CBLR framework is designed to reduce burden by removing the requirements for calculating and reporting risk-based capital ratios for qualifying community banking organizations that opt into the framework. Under the final rules, a bank or holding company is eligible to elect the CBLR framework if the institution has less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets, meets certain risk-based qualifying criteria and has a CBLR greater than 9%. The CARES Act reduced the minimum ratio to 8% beginning in the 2nd quarter of 2020 through December 31, 2020, increasing to 8.5% for 2021 and returning to 9% beginning January 1, 2022. A qualifying community banking organization that opts into the CBLR framework and meets all requirements under the framework will be considered to have met the well-capitalized ratio requirements under the Prompt Corrective Action regulations and will not be required to report or calculate the risk-based and leverage capital requirements under the Basel III rules. The Company has not opted into the CBLR framework for the Bank at this time.

In July 2019, the federal bank regulatory agencies issued final rules pursuant to the Act simplifying several requirements in the agencies’ regulatory capital rules for banks generally less than $250 billion in assets. As directed pursuant to the Act, the federal bank regulatory agencies issued final rules increasing the asset thresholds for management interlocks between depository institutions, which became effective in October 2019. Also, in October 2019, the federal bank regulatory agencies issued final rules to, among other things, increase the threshold for appraisals in a residential real estate transaction from $250,000 to $400,000 and make conforming changes to add to the list of exempt transactions those transactions secured by residential property in rural areas that have been exempted from the agencies’ appraisal requirements pursuant to the Act.

CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was enacted into law on March 27, 2020. Federal, state, and local governments have adopted various statutes, rules, regulations, orders, and guidelines in order to address the COVID-19 pandemic and the adverse economic effects of this pandemic on individuals, families, businesses, and governments. Financial institutions, including the Company, are affected by many of these measures, including measures that are broadly applicable to businesses operating in the communities where the Company does business. These measures include “stay-at-home orders” that allow only essential businesses to operate. Financial services firms are generally regarded as “essential businesses” under these orders, but financial services firms, like other essential businesses, are required to operate in a manner that seeks to protect the health and safety of their customers and employees.

In addition, the federal banking agencies along with state bank regulators issued an interagency statement on March 22, 2020, addressing loan modifications that are made by financial institutions for borrowers affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The agencies stated that short-term loan modifications made on a good faith basis in response to COVID-19 for borrowers who were current prior to any relief do not need to be categorized as TDRs and that financial institutions are not expected to designate loans with deferrals granted due to COVID-19 as past due because of the deferral.

The CARES Act contains a number of provisions that affect banking organizations. The CARES Act provides funding for various programs under which the federal government will lend to, guarantee loans to, or make investments in, businesses. Banking organizations are expected to play a role in some of these programs, and when they do so, they will be subject to certain requirements. One of these programs is the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a program administered by the Small Business Administration (the SBA) to provide loans to small businesses for payroll and other basic expenses during the COVID-19 crisis. The loans can be made by SBA-certified lenders and are 100% guaranteed by the SBA. The loans are eligible to be forgiven if certain conditions are satisfied, in which event the SBA will make payment to the lender for the forgiven amounts. The Bank has participated in the PPP as a lender.

The CARES Act also authorized temporary changes to certain provisions applicable to banking organizations. Among other changes, Section 4013 of the CARES Act gives financial institutions the right to elect to suspend GAAP

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principles and regulatory determinations for loan modifications relating to COVID-19 that would otherwise be categorized as TDRs from March 1, 2020, through the earlier of December 31, 2020, or 60 days after the COVID-19 national emergency ends. On April 7, 2020, the federal banking agencies, in consultation with state bank regulators, issued an interagency statement clarifying the interaction between (i) their earlier statement discussing whether loan modications relating to COVD-19 need to be treated as TDRs and (ii) the CARES Act provision on this subject. In this interagency statement, the agencies also said that when exercising supervisory and enforcement responsibility with respect to consumer protection requirements, they will take into account the unique circumstances impacting borrowers and institutions resulting from the COVID-19 emergency and that they do not expect to take a consumer compliance public enforcement action against an institution, provided that the circumstances were related to this emergency and the institution made good faith efforts to support borrowers and comply with the consumer protection requirements and addressed any needed corrective action. The suspension of TDR identification and accounting triggered by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic was extended by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, signed into law on December 27, 2020. The period established by Section 4013 of the CARES Act was extended to the earlier of January 1, 2022 or 60 days after the date on which the national COVID-19 emergency terminates.

The Federal Reserve has established several lending facilities that are intended to support the flow of credit to households, businesses, and governments. One of these facilities is the Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (PPPLF) which was set up to allow the Federal Reserve Banks to extend credit to financial institutions that originate PPP loans, taking the loans as collateral at face value. On April 9, 2020, the federal banking agencies issued an interim final rule to allow banking organizations to neutralize the effect of PPP loans financed under the PPPLF on the leverage capital ratios of these organizations. Also, in accordance with the CARES Act, a PPP loan will be assigned a risk weight of zero percent under the federal banking agencies’ risk-based capital rules. The Federal Reserve had also announced the creation of main street lending facilities to purchase loan participations, under specified conditions, from banks lending to small to medium U.S. businesses. The Company has not participated in any of these facilities.

Additionally, on March 15, 2020, the Federal Reserve reduced the target range for the federal funds rate to 0% to 0.25% and announced that it would increase its holdings of U.S. Treasury securities and agency mortgage-backed securities and begin purchasing agency commercial mortgage-backed securities. The Federal Reserve has also encouraged depository institutions to borrow from the discount window and has lowered the primary credit rate for such borrowing by 150 basis points while extending the term of such loans up to 90 days. Reserve requirements have been reduced to zero as of March 26, 2020.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These filings are available to the public on the internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

Our internet address is http://www.ameriserv.com. We make available, free of charge on http://www.ameriserv.com, our annual, quarterly and current reports, and amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practical after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.

ITEM 1A.   RISK FACTORS

Not applicable.

ITEM 1B.   UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

The Company has no unresolved staff comments from the SEC for the reporting periods presented.

ITEM 2.   PROPERTIES

The principal offices of the Company and the Bank occupy the five-story AmeriServ Financial building at the corner of Main and Franklin Streets in Johnstown plus eleven floors of the building adjacent thereto. The Company occupies the main office and its subsidiary entities have 13 locations which are owned. Seven additional locations are leased with terms expiring from May 31, 2022 to June 30, 2033.

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ITEM 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is subject to a number of asserted and unasserted potential legal claims encountered in the normal course of business. In the opinion of both management and legal counsel, there is no present basis to conclude that the resolution of these claims will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

ITEM 4.   MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

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PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

COMMON STOCK

As of February 28, 2021, the Company had 2,724 shareholders of record for its common stock. The Company’s common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “ASRV.” The following table sets forth the actual high and low closing prices and the cash dividends declared per share for the periods indicated:

CASH

PRICES

DIVIDENDS

    

HIGH

    

LOW

    

DECLARED

Year ended December 31, 2020:

  

  

  

First Quarter

$

4.24

$

2.39

$

0.025

Second Quarter

 

3.21

 

2.51

 

0.025

Third Quarter

 

3.06

 

2.66

 

0.025

Fourth Quarter

 

3.40

 

2.69

 

0.025

Year ended December 31, 2019:

 

  

 

  

 

  

First Quarter

$

4.24

$

3.97

$

0.020

Second Quarter

 

4.30

 

4.03

 

0.025

Third Quarter

 

4.24

 

4.08

 

0.025

Fourth Quarter

 

4.30

 

4.11

 

0.025

The declaration of cash dividends on the Company’s common stock is at the discretion of the Board, and any decision to declare a dividend is based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, earnings, prospects, financial condition, regulatory capital levels, applicable covenants under any credit agreements and other contractual restrictions, Pennsylvania law, federal and Pennsylvania bank regulatory law, and other factors deemed relevant.

On April 16, 2019, the Company announced a common stock repurchase program that called for AmeriServ Financial, Inc. to purchase up to 3%, or approximately 526,000 shares, of the Company’s outstanding common stock over a 12-month period. As of the end of the first quarter of 2020, all shares authorized under this plan had been repurchased. During 2020, the Company was able to repurchase a total of 35,962 shares at an average price of $4.20 under this repurchase program.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

SELECTED FIVE-YEAR CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

AT OR FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

    

2017

    

2016

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA AND RATIOS)

SUMMARY OF INCOME STATEMENT DATA:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Total interest income

$

46,882

$

49,767

$

47,094

$

44,356

$

41,869

Total interest expense

 

10,515

 

14,325

 

11,600

 

8,795

 

7,735

Net interest income

 

36,367

 

35,442

 

35,494

 

35,561

 

34,134

Provision (credit) for loan losses

 

2,375

 

800

 

(600)

 

800

 

3,950

Net interest income after provision (credit) for loan losses

 

33,992

 

34,642

 

36,094

 

34,761

 

30,184

Total non-interest income

 

16,275

 

14,773

 

14,224

 

14,645

 

14,638

Total non-interest expense

 

44,455

 

41,815

 

40,873

 

40,726

 

41,615

Income before income taxes

 

5,812

 

7,600

 

9,445

 

8,680

 

3,207

Provision for income taxes

 

1,214

 

1,572

 

1,677

 

5,387

 

897

Net income

$

4,598

$

6,028

$

7,768

$

3,293

$

2,310

Net income available to common shareholders

$

4,598

$

6,028

$

7,768

$

3,293

$

2,295

PER COMMON SHARE DATA:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Basic earnings per share

$

0.27

$

0.35

$

0.43

$

0.18

$

0.12

Diluted earnings per share

 

0.27

 

0.35

 

0.43

 

0.18

 

0.12

Cash dividends declared

 

0.100

 

0.095

 

0.075

 

0.060

 

0.050

Book value at period end

 

6.12

 

5.78

 

5.56

 

5.25

 

5.05

BALANCE SHEET AND OTHER DATA:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Total assets

$

1,279,713

$

1,171,184

$

1,160,680

$

1,167,655

$

1,153,780

Loans and loans held for sale, net of unearned income

 

978,345

 

887,574

 

863,129

 

892,758

 

886,858

Allowance for loan losses

 

11,345

 

9,279

 

8,671

 

10,214

 

9,932

Investment securities available for sale

 

144,165

 

141,749

 

146,731

 

129,138

 

127,077

Investment securities held to maturity

 

44,222

 

39,936

 

40,760

 

38,752

 

30,665

Deposits

 

1,054,920

 

960,513

 

949,171

 

947,945

 

967,786

Total borrowed funds

 

114,080

 

100,574

 

108,177

 

115,701

 

78,645

Stockholders’ equity

 

104,399

 

98,614

 

97,977

 

95,102

 

95,395

Full-time equivalent employees

 

299

 

309

 

303

 

302

 

305

SELECTED FINANCIAL RATIOS:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Return on average assets

 

0.37

%  

 

0.51

%  

 

0.67

%  

 

0.28

%  

 

0.20

%  

Return on average total equity

 

4.52

 

6.02

 

8.08

 

3.42

 

2.30

Loans and loans held for sale, net of unearned income, as a percent of deposits, at period end

 

92.74

 

92.41

 

90.94

 

94.18

 

91.64

Ratio of average total equity to average assets

 

8.21

 

8.52

 

8.28

 

8.24

 

8.79

Common stock cash dividends as a percent of net income available to common shareholders

 

37.09

 

27.36

 

17.31

 

33.80

 

41.18

Interest rate spread

 

3.01

 

3.05

 

3.08

 

3.14

 

3.08

Net interest margin

 

3.19

 

3.29

 

3.31

 

3.32

 

3.26

Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans, net of unearned income, at period end

 

1.16

 

1.05

 

1.00

 

1.14

 

1.12

Non-performing assets as a percentage of loans and other real estate owned, at period end

 

0.34

 

0.26

 

0.16

 

0.34

 

0.18

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans

 

0.03

 

0.02

 

0.11

 

0.06

 

0.44

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (MD&A)

The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations of the Company should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company including the related notes thereto, included elsewhere herein.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020, 2019, AND 2018

2020 SUMMARY OVERVIEW:

AmeriServ Financial, Inc.’s fourth quarter 2020 net income was $692,000, or $0.04 per diluted common share. This represents an increase of $23,000, or 3.4%, from the fourth quarter of 2019 when net income was $669,000, or also $0.04 per diluted common share. For the year ended December 31, 2020, net income was $4,598,000 or $0.27 per diluted share. This performance represented a decline of 22.9% from the full year of 2019, when net income was $6,028,000, or $0.35 per common share.

Admittedly, this has been, and in many ways continues to be, a difficult time for many of us, both in this nation and globally. But we believe the fundamental strength and resolve of the average citizen of these United States has emerged through the many challenges. The national lockdown was a shock to the fiber of our society. However, the limited re-openings that began in mid-summer were important. By the beginning of the fourth quarter, those commercial enterprises who re-opened began to revive commercial loan demand. AmeriServ experienced a growth in traditional loan products of nearly $39 million in net loans outstanding in the fourth quarter. This quickening pace we regard as a positive sign that recovery, while slow, has begun. We have also noticed the changed behavior of the American consumer as the pandemic event spread across all fifty states. All levels of government embarked on economic stimulus programs, introducing growth in the money supply for both businesses and consumers. But much of that stimulus funding went into debt reduction and even more to increase the level of deposits in banks across the U.S. Americans were unsure about the future and almost overnight, the nation of spenders became a nation of savers. AmeriServ alone found that from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2020, its total deposits increased by $94 million, or approximately 10%, a record high for AmeriServ. The banking system was more liquid than it has been in sometime as businesses and consumers alike were concerned about an increased level of risk.

Other positive changes began occurring. The Federal Reserve reduced interest rates and ignited a boom in home buying and residential mortgages. In 2020, AmeriServ Financial Bank closed $142 million of residential mortgage loans as compared with $60 million in the 12 months of 2019. This flood of new stimulus funds also found its way into equity markets permitting AmeriServ’s Wealth Management complex to increase the market value of its clients’ funds under management or administration, by $243 million or 11%. This total closing at $2.48 billion, was an historic record for the Wealth Management complex at AmeriServ.

These positive developments were encouraging but we continued to be alert and active in the interests of those businesses or consumers who were struggling. Our commercial loan group actively supported certain borrowers in certain industries who remained closed or restricted. AmeriServ also participated in the Federal Payroll Protection Loan Program (PPP) in 2020 making 477 loans totaling $68.7 million to small businesses throughout the region. AmeriServ additionally has modified the payment terms for 19 commercial borrowers with loans totaling $47 million in order to assist these borrowers struggling with the pandemic event and conditions beyond their control. We monitor these borrowers continuously, along with guidance from the Federal Reserve, our primary regulator. Just as any knowledgeable team of money lenders would do, we have continued to build our allowance for loan losses to protect this Company. The PPP loans are relatively riskless because of a governmental guarantee. AmeriServ is monitoring the payment deferral loans and reporting in detail to the full Board of Directors monthly. Our goal is to provide reasonable assistance to all of our struggling customers, but also to protect the safety and soundness of this important regional franchise.

This Company continues to exceed all regulatory capital requirements. We continue to service the payment requirements of our Trust Preferred shares and our subordinated debt issue. Our quarterly common stock dividend remains in effect, but we have ceased common stock repurchases based upon guidance provided by regulatory authorities. Additionally, we are preserving capital to support the balance sheet growth that we have experienced. Daily, we are faced with the task of balancing risk with reward. However, the risk implicit today is not primarily economic risk but rather the total impact of the pandemic, which created unplanned and new economic risks. In such times, we

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naturally fall back into the time tested financial norms of the community bank business model. This is what we believe in and is exactly what good times and bad times have trained us to do. We are encouraged by the recent positive developments which we reviewed herein. We do not believe the difficulties are over. The pandemic is still with us every day. Therefore, this Board and this Management Team must continue to be vigilant and alert. There are still too many unknowns to be explored and mitigated.

PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW.   The following table summarizes some of the Company’s key profitability performance indicators for each of the past three years.

    

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT

 

PER SHARE DATA AND RATIOS)

Net income

$

4,598

$

6,028

$

7,768

Diluted earnings per share

 

0.27

 

0.35

 

0.43

Return on average assets

 

0.37

%  

 

0.51

%  

 

0.67

%  

Return on average equity

 

4.52

 

6.02

 

8.08

The Company reported net income of  $4,598,000, or $0.27 per diluted common share, in 2020. This represents a 22.9% decrease in earnings per share from the full year of 2019 when net income totaled $6,028,000, or $0.35 per diluted common share. The Company’s return on average equity declined to 4.52% for the 2020 year from 6.02% in 2019. The resiliency of our community bank customer-focused business model was evident in 2020 as the Company dealt with the many unexpected challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company experienced record levels of both loans and deposits as we served as an important financial resource to small businesses and consumers in our marketplace. Continuing our conservative risk management posture, we prudently built our allowance for loan losses to address increased credit risk in certain sectors of our loan portfolio which was a primary factor causing the decline in earnings between years. The good diversification of the Company’s revenue was evident as 31% of our total revenue in 2020 came from non-interest income sources which included record contributions from our strong wealth management business and active residential mortgage operation. Finally, the Company increased tangible book value(1) per share by 6.7% during 2020.

The Company reported net income of  $6.0 million, or $0.35 per diluted common share, for 2019. This represented an 18.6% decrease in earnings per share from 2018 when net income totaled $7.8 million, or $0.43 per diluted common share. The decline in 2019 earnings was caused by an increased loan loss provision primarily related to one large commercial loan and an impairment charge recognized on a Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) related investment.

The Company reported net income of $7.8 million, or $0.43 per diluted common share, for 2018. This represented an 139% increase in earnings per share from 2017 where net income totaled $3.3 million, or $0.18 per diluted common share. The strong growth in earnings resulted from a favorable combination of lower income tax expense, outstanding asset quality, and well controlled non-interest expense.


(1) See reconciliation of non-GAAP tangible book value later in this MD&A.

NET INTEREST INCOME AND MARGIN.   The Company’s net interest income represents the amount by which interest income on earning assets exceeds interest paid on interest bearing liabilities. Net interest income is a primary source of the Company’s earnings; it is affected by interest rate fluctuations as well as changes in the amount and mix of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities. The following table summarizes the Company’s net interest income performance for each of the past three years:

    

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS)

 

Interest income

$

46,882

$

49,767

$

47,094

Interest expense

 

10,515

 

14,325

 

11,600

Net interest income

 

36,367

 

35,442

 

35,494

Net interest margin

 

3.19

%  

 

3.29

%  

 

3.31

%  

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2020 NET INTEREST PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW.   The Company’s net interest income for the full year of 2020 increased by $925,000, or 2.6%, when compared to the full year of 2019. The Company’s net interest margin was 3.19% for the full year of 2020 representing a ten basis point decline from the full year of 2019. Our net interest margin performance was challenged throughout 2020 as a result of the low interest rate environment and the economic uncertainty and volatility caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As COVID-19 cases surged, government officials recommended the implementation of certain safety measures and restrictions on businesses and individuals. As a result, AmeriServ had to close its lobbies to customer traffic two separate times during the year for an extended period of time, but continued to service customers through drive up access. In spite of these pandemic related challenges, our balance sheet experienced robust growth in 2020 which caused the increase in net interest income despite the decline in the net interest margin due to pressures from the low interest rate environment. Total average earning assets increased by $62.2 million, or 5.8%, in 2020. Specifically, total loans averaged $923 million in 2020 which is $48.1 million, or 5.5%, higher than the 2019 full year average. Short-term investments averaged $29 million in 2020 which is $18.3 million, or 173.2%, higher than the 2019 full year average. Slightly offsetting the higher level of average loans and short-term investments was a decrease in average investment securities. Total investment securities averaged $188 million in 2020 which is $6.2 million, or 3.2%, lower than the 2019 full year average.

Total deposits, including non-interest bearing demand deposits, averaged $1.035 billion for the full year of 2020, which was $55.2 million, or 5.6%, higher than the $980 million average for the full year of 2019. The 2020 full year average of short-term and FHLB borrowed funds was $69 million, which represented an increase of  $5.6 million, or 8.8%. Overall, the Company’s loan to deposit ratio averaged 90.9% in the fourth quarter of 2020 which we believe indicates that the Company has ample capacity to continue to grow its loan portfolio and is well positioned to continue assisting our customers and the community given the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on the economy.

COMPONENT CHANGES IN NET INTEREST INCOME: 2020 VERSUS 2019.   Regarding the separate components of net interest income, the Company’s total interest income in 2020 decreased by $2.9 million, or 5.8%, when compared to 2019. Total average earning assets increased by $62.2 million, or 5.8%, in 2020 as the increased level of average total loans and short term investments more than offset the lower level of average total investment securities. Despite the growth in average earning assets, interest income was unfavorably impacted by a decrease in the earning asset yield which declined by 50 basis points from 4.61% to 4.11%. All categories within the earning asset base demonstrated an interest income decrease between years. The average total loan portfolio yield decreased by 51 basis points from 4.91% to 4.40% in 2020 while the average yield on total investment securities decreased by 16 basis points from 3.36% to 3.20%.

Total investment securities averaged $188 million for the full year of 2020 which is $6.2 million, or 3.2%, lower than the $194 million average in 2019. The Company was selective in 2020 when purchasing the more typical types of securities that have been purchased historically as the market was less favorable for purchases, offering a lower return given the differences in the position and shape of the U.S. Treasury yield curve from last year. To somewhat offset the unfavorable market for the more traditional types of purchases, the Company has been active since March of 2020 purchasing corporate securities, particularly subordinated debt issued by other financial institutions along with taxable municipal securities. Subordinated debt offers higher yields than the typical types of securities in which we invest and is particularly attractive given the current low interest rate environment and modestly positive slope of the yield curve. Management believes it to be acceptable to increase our investments in bank subordinated debt in a gradual and diversified manner, given the heavily regulated nature of the industry combined with our intensive due diligence process and adherence to our internal guidelines for these types of investments.

Total loans reached a new record level and averaged $923 million for the full year of 2020 which is $48.1 million, or 5.5%, higher than the 2019 full year average. The growth between years was primarily related to AmeriServ’s early participation in the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 100% guraranteed Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) which remained on the balance sheet from the time of their inception through year end. During 2020, the Company processed 477 PPP loans totaling $68.7 million to assist small businesses and our community in this difficult economy. Also, the Company recorded a total of $1.9 million of processing fee income and interest income from PPP lending activity. The remaining portion of PPP processing fees totals approximately $755,000 and is being amortized into income over the time period that the loans remain on our balance sheet or until the PPP loan is forgiven at which time the remaining fee will be recognized immediately as income. Note that the level of PPP loans did decrease by approximately $10 million during the fourth quarter as we work through the forgiveness process with our customers. In late December 2020, the Federal Government passed a new $900 billion pandemic relief bill which includes $284.5 billion for the re-opening of the SBA Paycheck Protection Program. The Company is participating in this new 2021 program to continue to provide assistance to our business customers. Normal commercial lending production improved

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during the final four months of the year with commercial loan pipelines also improving to pre-COVID levels. Overall, on an end of period basis and excluding total PPP loans, the total loan portfolio grew by approximately $39.1 million since September 30, 2020. Residential mortgage loan production continued to be exceptionally strong throughout the year and reached a record level given the lower interest rate environment. For the full year of 2020, residential mortgage loan production totaled $142 million and was 139% higher than the production level of $60 million achieved for the full year of 2019. Even though total average loans increased compared to last year and loan interest income was enhanced by the PPP revenue, loan interest and fee income declined by $2.3 million, or 5.4%, for the full year. The lower loan interest income reflects the challenges that this record low interest rate environment has created. New loans are being originated at lower yields and certain loans tied to LIBOR or the prime rate reprice downward as both of these indices have moved down with the Federal Reserve’s decision to decrease the target federal funds interest rate by a total of 225 basis points since June of 2019.

Our liquidity position continues to be strong due to the significant influx of deposits that resulted from the government stimulus programs and as customers continue to be cautious and are demonstrating reduced spending activity due to the economic uncertainty. As a result, short-term investments averaged $29 million for the full year of 2020 which is $18.3 million, or 173.2%, higher than the 2019 full year average. The challenge of profitably deploying this excess liquidity resulted in management initially investing in high quality commercial paper given their short maturities and higher rates of return. However, as 2020 progressed, the yields on commercial paper experienced a steady decline, once again creating pressure to find a suitable return for our excess liquidity. This pressure was eased during the fourth quarter given the loan growth that occurred which resulted in short term investment balances returning to a more normal.

Total interest expense for the twelve months of 2020 decreased by $3.8 million, or 26.6%, when compared to 2019, due to lower levels of both deposit and borrowing interest expense. Deposit interest expense in the full year of 2020 was lower by $3.6 million, or 31.8%. Total average deposits reached a record level, averaging $1.035 billion for the year, which is $55.2 million, or 5.6%, higher than the 2019 full year average reflecting the benefit of government stimulus programs and reduced consumer spending in 2020. In addition, the Company’s loyal core deposit base continues to be a source of strength for the Company during periods of market volatility. Management continued to effectively execute several deposit product pricing decreases given the low interest rate environment and the downward pressure that the low interest rates are having on the net interest margin. As a result, the Company experienced deposit cost relief. Overall, total deposit cost, including demand deposits, averaged 0.74% in 2020 compared to 1.14% in 2019, or a meaningful decrease of 40 basis points.

The Company experienced a $255,000, or 8.1%, decrease in the interest cost of borrowings in the full year of 2020 when compared to the full year of 2019. The decline is a result of the Federal Reserve’s actions to decrease interest rates and the impact that these rate decreases have on the cost of overnight borrowed funds and the replacement of matured FHLB term advances. The total 2020 full year average term advance borrowings balance increased by approximately $11.7 million, or 22.4%, when compared to the full year of 2019 as the Company took advantage of the lower yield curve to prudently extend borrowings. The rate on certain FHLB term advances is lower than the rate on overnight borrowings. As a result, the combined growth of average FHLB term advances and total average deposits resulted in less reliance on overnight borrowed funds, which decreased between years by $6.1 million. Overall, the 2020 full year average of total short-term and FHLB borrowed funds was $69.0 million, which represents an increase of $5.6 million, or 8.8%, from 2019.

2019 NET INTEREST PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW.   The Company’s net interest income for the full year of 2019 decreased by $52,000, or 0.1%, when compared to the full year of 2018. The Company’s net interest margin was 3.29% for the full year of 2019 which represented a two basis point decline from the full year of 2018. Our net interest margin performance was challenged throughout 2019 as the U.S. Treasury Yield Curve shifted downward, flattened and became inverted in certain segments, at various times during the year. The lower interest rate environment along with a lower full year average total loan portfolio balance resulted in the modest year over year unfavorable comparison for net interest income. Positively impacting net interest income during 2019 was a favorable shift experienced in the mix of total average interest bearing liabilities as the amount of total interest bearing deposits increased and resulted in less reliance on higher cost borrowings to fund interest earning assets. Total average earning assets increased by $6.7 million, or 0.6%, in 2019. Specifically, total investment securities averaged $194 million in 2019 which is $9.5 million, or 5.1%, higher than the 2018 full year average. Total loans averaged $875 million in 2019 which is $6.6 million, or 0.7%, lower than the 2018 full year average.

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Total average interest bearing liabilities increased by $31.5 million, or 3.6%, as a lower level of total average FHLB borrowings was more than offset by a higher level of interest bearing deposits. Total interest bearing deposits averaged $828 million in 2019 and increased when compared to the 2018 average by $42.7 million, or 5.4%. The 2019 full year average of FHLB borrowed funds was $63.4 million, which represented a decrease of  $14.7 million, or 18.8%. Total deposits, including non-interest bearing demand deposits, averaged $980 million for the full year of 2019, which was $19.9 million, or 2.1%, higher than the $960 million average for the full year of 2018. Overall, the Company’s loan to deposit ratio averaged 89.1% in the fourth quarter of 2019 which we believe indicated that the Company had ample capacity to grow its loan portfolio.

COMPONENT CHANGES IN NET INTEREST INCOME: 2019 VERSUS 2018.   Regarding the separate components of net interest income, the Company’s total interest income in 2019 increased by $2.7 million, or 5.7%, when compared to 2018. Total average earning assets increased by $6.7 million, or 0.6%, in 2019 as a lower level of total average loans were more than offset by an increased level of total investment securities. Also contributing to the higher level of interest income was the earning asset yield increasing by 22 basis points from 4.39% to 4.61%. All categories within the earning asset base demonstrated an interest income increase between years. The average total loan portfolio yield increased by 25 basis points from 4.66% to 4.91% in 2019 while the yield on total investment securities increased by 19 basis points from 3.17% to 3.36%.

Total investment securities averaged $194 million for the full year of 2019 which was $9.5 million, or 5.1%, higher than the $185 million average in 2018. The growth in the investment securities portfolio occurred primarily as the year progressed during 2018 and was the result of management taking advantage of the rising interest rate environment experienced during 2018 which provided an attractive market for additional security purchases. Purchases primarily focused on federal agency mortgage backed securities due to the ongoing cash flow that these securities provide. Also, management continued its portfolio diversification strategy through purchases of high quality corporate and taxable municipal securities. Investment security purchase activity slowed significantly during 2019 as the interest rate market was less favorable.

Total loans averaged $875 million for the full year of 2019 which was $6.6 million, or 0.7%, lower than the 2018 full year average. Overall, total loan originations in 2019 exceeded the prior year’s level by $50.4 million and also exceeded another strong level of loan payoffs during the year. However, because of the high level of loan payoffs received late in 2018, the full year average comparison between years was unfavorable. Loan pipelines remained strong throughout 2019. Loan interest income increased by $1.9 million, or 4.6%, between the full year of 2019 and the full year of 2018. The higher loan interest income primarily reflected the Federal Reserve increasing the federal funds interest rate in 2018. This resulted in new loans originating at higher yields throughout 2018 and during the first half of 2019 and also caused the upward repricing of certain loans tied to LIBOR or the prime rate as both of these indices moved up with the federal funds rate increases in 2018. Certain floating rate loans, however, did reprice down in the second half of 2019 as the Federal Reserve reduced the federal funds rate by a total of 75 basis points in the second half of 2019. Also, included in the favorable year over year loan interest income increase was a higher level of loan fee income by $325,000, due primarily to prepayment fees collected on certain early loan payoffs.

Total interest expense for the twelve months of 2019 increased by $2.7 million, or 23.5%, when compared to 2018, due to higher levels of deposit interest expense which more than offset a slight decrease in borrowings interest expense. Deposit interest expense in 2019 was higher by $2.7 million, or 32.5%, for the full the year which reflected the higher level of total average interest bearing deposits and certain indexed money market accounts repricing upward due to the impact of the Federal Reserve increasing interest rates during 2018. The full year average cost of total interest bearing deposits increased between years by 28 basis points from 1.07% in 2018 to 1.35% in 2019. Even though total average interest bearing deposit cost increased for the full year of 2019, the Company did experience deposit pricing relief during the third and fourth quarters of 2019 because of the Federal Reserve easing interest rates late in July, September and October of 2019. Specifically, the Company’s cost of interest bearing deposits declined by 10 basis points between the third and fourth quarters of 2019. However, the Company continued to experience competitive market pressure to retain existing deposit customers and attract new customer deposits. Customer product preference changed as well in 2019 resulting in movement of funds from non-interest bearing demand deposit accounts and lower yielding money market accounts into higher yielding certificates of deposits. Overall, total deposits grew during the year and averaged $980 million for the full year of 2019, which was $19.9 million, or 2.1%, higher than the 2018 full year average.

The Company experienced a $21,000, or 0.7%, decrease in the interest cost of borrowings for the full year of 2019. The decline was a result of the lower total average borrowings balance between years combined with the impact from the Federal Reserve’s action to decrease interest rates three times in 2019 and the immediate impact that those rate decreases

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had on the cost of overnight borrowed funds and the replacement of matured FHLB term advances. The total full year average term advance borrowings balance increased by approximately $7.3 million, or 16.3%, when compared to the full year 2018. This increase was due to the inversion demonstrated by the U.S. Treasury Yield Curve in 2019 and resulted in certain term advances costing less than overnight borrowed funds. Overall, the 2019 full year average of FHLB borrowed funds was $63.4 million, which represented a decrease of  $14.7 million, or 18.8%, due to the increase in total average deposits.

The table that follows provides an analysis of net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis setting forth (i) average assets, liabilities, and stockholders’ equity, (ii) interest income earned on interest earning assets and interest expense paid on interest bearing liabilities, (iii) average yields earned on interest earning assets and average rates paid on interest bearing liabilities, (iv) interest rate spread (the difference between the average yield earned on interest earning assets and the average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities), and (v) net interest margin (net interest income as a percentage of average total interest earning assets). For purposes of this table, loan balances include non-accrual loans, and interest income on loans includes loan fees or amortization of such fees which have been deferred, as well as interest recorded on certain non-accrual loans as cash is received. Regulatory stock is included within available for sale investment securities for this analysis. Additionally, a tax rate of 21% was used to compute tax-equivalent interest income and yields (non-GAAP). The tax equivalent adjustments to interest income on loans and municipal securities for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 was 24,000, 24,000, and 21,000, respectively, which is reconciled to the corresponding GAAP measure at the bottom of the table. Differences between the net interest spread and margin from a GAAP basis to a tax-equivalent basis were not material.

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

 

2020

2019

2018

 

INTEREST 

INTEREST

INTEREST

 

AVERAGE

INCOME/

YIELD/

AVERAGE

INCOME/

YIELD/

AVERAGE

INCOME/

YIELD/

 

    

BALANCE

    

EXPENSE

    

RATE

    

BALANCE

    

EXPENSE

    

RATE

    

BALANCE

    

EXPENSE

    

RATE

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PERCENTAGES)

 

Interest earning assets:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Loans, net of unearned income

$

923,269

$

40,652

 

4.40

%  

$

875,198

$

42,957

 

4.91

%  

$

881,767

$

41,049

 

4.66

%  

Deposits with banks

 

3,137

 

15

 

0.46

 

1,018

 

24

 

2.32

 

1,023

 

20

 

1.90

Short-term investments

 

28,831

 

231

 

0.80

 

10,552

 

293

 

2.77

 

6,725

 

201

 

3.00

Investment securities:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Available for sale

 

145,788

 

4,591

 

3.15

 

153,458

 

5,090

 

3.32

 

145,162

 

4,527

 

3.12

Held to maturity

 

41,994

 

1,417

 

3.37

 

40,553

 

1,427

 

3.52

 

39,388

 

1,318

 

3.35

Total investment securities

 

187,782

 

6,008

 

3.20

 

194,011

 

6,517

 

3.36

 

184,550

 

5,845

 

3.17

TOTAL INTEREST EARNING ASSETS/ INTEREST INCOME

 

1,143,019

 

46,906

 

4.11

 

1,080,779

 

49,791

 

4.61

 

1,074,065

 

47,115

 

4.39

Non-interest earning assets:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Cash and due from banks

 

18,091

 

 

 

20,239

 

 

 

23,067

 

  

 

  

Premises and equipment

 

18,439

 

 

 

17,928

 

 

 

12,480

 

  

 

  

Other assets

 

70,867

 

 

 

64,083

 

 

 

62,040

 

  

 

  

Allowance for loan losses

 

(9,732)

 

 

 

(8,404)

 

 

 

(9,866)

 

  

 

  

TOTAL ASSETS

$

1,240,684

$

1,174,625

$

1,161,786

 

  

 

  

Interest bearing liabilities:

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Interest bearing deposits:

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Interest bearing demand

$

175,088

$

483

0.28

%  

$

170,326

$

1,595

0.94

%  

$

138,572

$

1,134

 

0.82

%  

Savings

 

104,442

 

148

0.14

 

96,783

 

162

0.17

 

98,035

 

163

 

0.17

Money market

 

234,771

 

1,031

0.44

 

234,387

 

2,525

1.08

 

249,618

 

2,183

 

0.87

Other time

 

345,228

 

5,972

1.73

 

326,867

 

6,907

2.11

 

299,391

 

4,963

 

1.66

Total interest bearing deposits

 

859,529

 

7,634

0.89

 

828,363

 

11,189

1.35

 

785,616

 

8,443

 

1.07

Federal funds purchased and other short-term borrowings

 

4,947

 

29

0.58

 

11,088

 

288

2.59

 

33,126

 

720

 

2.17

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

 

64,046

 

1,099

1.72

 

52,309

 

1,090

2.09

 

44,974

 

797

 

1.77

Guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures

 

13,085

 

1,121

8.57

 

13,085

 

1,121

8.57

 

13,085

 

1,120

 

8.57

Subordinated debt

 

7,650

 

520

6.80

 

7,650

 

520

6.80

 

7,650

 

520

 

6.80

Lease liabilities

 

3,949

 

112

2.84

 

3,444

 

117

3.40

 

 

 

TOTAL INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES/INTEREST EXPENSE

 

953,206

 

10,515

1.10

 

915,939

 

14,325

1.56

 

884,451

 

11,600

 

1.31

Non-interest bearing liabilities:

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Demand deposits

 

175,336

 

 

151,292

 

 

174,108

 

  

 

  

Other liabilities

 

10,340

 

 

7,271

 

 

7,077

 

  

 

  

Stockholders’ equity

 

101,802

 

 

100,123

 

 

96,150

 

  

 

  

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

$

1,240,684

$

1,174,625

$

1,161,786

 

  

 

  

Interest rate spread

 

 

3.01

 

 

3.05

 

  

 

  

 

3.08

Net interest income/net interest margin

 

 

36,391

3.19

%  

 

 

35,466

3.29

%  

 

 

35,515

 

3.31

%  

Tax-equivalent adjustment

 

 

(24)

 

 

(24)

 

  

 

(21)

 

  

Net interest income

$

36,367

 

$

35,442

 

  

$

35,494

 

  

Net interest income may also be analyzed by segregating the volume and rate components of interest income and interest expense. The table below sets forth an analysis of volume and rate changes in net interest income on a tax-

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equivalent basis. For purposes of this table, changes in interest income and interest expense are allocated to volume and rate categories based upon the respective percentage changes in average balances and average rates. Changes in net interest income that could not be specifically identified as either a rate or volume change were allocated proportionately to changes in volume and changes in rate.

2020 vs. 2019

2019 vs. 2018

INCREASE (DECREASE)

INCREASE (DECREASE)

DUE TO CHANGE IN:

DUE TO CHANGE IN:

AVERAGE

AVERAGE

    

VOLUME

    

RATE

    

TOTAL

    

VOLUME

    

RATE

    

TOTAL

(IN THOUSANDS)

INTEREST EARNED ON:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Loans, net of unearned income

$

2,587

$

(4,892)

$

(2,305)

$

(308)

$

2,216

$

1,908

Deposits with banks

 

(15)

 

6

 

(9)

 

 

4

 

4

Short-term investments

 

(105)

 

43

 

(62)

 

106

 

(14)

 

92

Investment securities:

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

Available for sale

 

(246)

 

(253)

 

(499)

 

265

 

298

 

563

Held to maturity

 

50

 

(60)

 

(10)

 

40

 

69

 

109

Total investment securities

 

(196)

 

(313)

 

(509)

 

305

 

367

 

672

Total interest income

 

2,271

 

(5,156)

 

(2,885)

 

103

 

2,573

 

2,676

INTEREST PAID ON:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Interest bearing demand deposits

 

46

 

(1,158)

 

(1,112)

 

281

 

180

 

461

Savings deposits

 

11

 

(25)

 

(14)

 

(1)

 

 

(1)

Money market

 

4

 

(1,498)

 

(1,494)

 

(116)

 

458

 

342

Other time deposits

 

424

 

(1,359)

 

(935)

 

492

 

1,452

 

1,944

Federal funds purchased and other short-term borrowings

 

(108)

 

(151)

 

(259)

 

(609)

 

177

 

(432)

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

 

43

 

(34)

 

9

 

139

 

154

 

293

Guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

1

Lease liabilities

 

(6)

 

1

 

(5)

 

117

 

 

117

Total interest expense

 

414

 

(4,224)

 

(3,810)

 

303

 

2,422

 

2,725

Change in net interest income

$

1,857

$

(932)

$

925

$

(200)

$

151

$

(49)

LOAN QUALITY.   The Company’s written lending policies require underwriting, loan documentation, and credit analysis standards to be met prior to funding any loan. After the loan has been approved and funded, continued periodic credit review is required. The Company’s policy is to individually review, as circumstances warrant, each of its commercial and commercial mortgage loans to determine if a loan is impaired. At a minimum, credit reviews are mandatory for all commercial and commercial mortgage loan relationships with aggregate balances in excess of  $1,000,000 within a 12-month period. The Company has also identified three pools of small dollar value homogeneous loans which are evaluated collectively for impairment. These separate pools are for small business relationships with aggregate balances of  $250,000 or less, residential mortgage loans and consumer loans. Individual loans within these pools are reviewed and removed from the pool if factors such as significant delinquency in payments of 90 days or more,

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bankruptcy, or other negative economic concerns indicate impairment. The following table sets forth information concerning the Company’s loan delinquency and other non-performing assets.

AT DECEMBER 31, 

 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

(IN THOUSANDS,

 

EXCEPT PERCENTAGES)

 

Total accruing loans past due 30 to 89 days

$

5,504

$

2,956

$

4,752

Total non-accrual loans

 

2,500

 

1,487

 

1,221

Total non-performing assets including TDRs (1)

 

3,331

 

2,339

 

1,378

Loan delinquency as a percentage of total loans, net of unearned income

 

0.56

%  

 

0.33

%  

 

0.55

%  

Non-accrual loans as a percentage of total loans, net of unearned income

 

0.26

 

0.17

 

0.14

Non-performing assets as a percentage of total loans, net of unearned income, and other real estate owned

 

0.34

 

0.26

 

0.16

Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets

 

0.26

 

0.20

 

0.12

Total classified loans (loans rated substandard or doubtful) (2)

$

11,829

$

16,338

$

4,302


(1)Non-performing assets are comprised of  (i) loans that are on a non-accrual basis, (ii) loans that are contractually past due 90 days or more as to interest and principal payments, (iii) performing loans classified as troubled debt restructuring and (iv) other real estate owned.
(2)Total includes residential real estate and consumer loans that are considered non-performing.

Overall, the Company continues to maintain good asset quality. The continued successful ongoing problem credit resolution efforts of the Company is demonstrated in the table above as levels of non-accrual loans, non-performing assets, and loan delinquency are well below 1% of total loans. Accruing loan delinquency increased $2.5 million since the prior year-end and now totals $5.5 million. This increase is the result of several commercial and commercial real estate loan borrowers demonstrating delinquency during the fourth quarter of 2020. Slightly offsetting this increase in commercial loan delinquency during the fourth quarter was a decrease in residential mortgage loan delinquency. In addition, the Company experienced an increase in non-accrual loans due, primarily, to higher non-accrual residential mortgage loans which also led to an increase in non-performing assets in 2020. The Company did experience a decrease in classified loans during 2020 due to the upgrade of certain commercial loans from substandard.

In 2020, the Company, as suggested by the Federal Reserve, granted loan payment modifications to customers experiencing difficulty during this tough economic time. Requested modifications primarily consist of the deferral of principal and/or interest payments for a period of three to six months and maturity date extensions. Initially, the balance of loan modifications related to COVID-19 that were granted to our customers totaled $200 million. At December 31, 2020, loans totaling approximately $49.1 million, or 5.3% of total loans, were on a payment modification plan, most of which are borrowers who were granted a second loan payment deferral. Included within this total were 19 commercial borrowers with loans totaling $47 million. Management is carefully monitoring asset quality with a particular focus on customers that have requested these payment deferrals. As we reached the end of the initial deferral time periods, deferral extension requests were considered based upon the customer’s needs and their impacted industry, borrower and guarantor capacity to service debt as well as issued regulatory guidance. See the disclosures regarding COVID-19 related modifications within the Non-Performing Assets Including Troubled Debt Restructurings footnote.

We also continue to closely monitor the loan portfolio given the number of relatively large-sized commercial and commercial real estate loans within the portfolio. As of December 31, 2020, the 25 largest credits represented 22.6% of total loans outstanding, which represents a decrease from December 31, 2019 when it was 24.3%.

ALLOWANCE AND PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES.   As described in more detail in the Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates section of this MD&A, the Company uses a comprehensive methodology and procedural discipline to maintain an ALL to absorb inherent losses in the loan portfolio. The Company believes this is a

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critical accounting policy since it involves significant estimates and judgments. The following table sets forth changes in the ALL and certain ratios for the periods ended.

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

 

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS AND PERCENTAGES)

 

Balance at beginning of year

    

$

9,279

    

$

8,671

    

$

10,214

    

$

9,932

    

$

9,921

Charge-offs:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Commercial

 

(111)

 

(9)

 

(574)

 

(311)

 

(3,662)

Commercial loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate

 

 

(63)

 

 

(132)

 

(82)

Real estate – residential mortgage

 

(233)

 

(98)

 

(380)

 

(313)

 

(208)

Consumer

 

(143)

 

(262)

 

(251)

 

(172)

 

(344)

Total charge-offs

 

(487)

 

(432)

 

(1,205)

 

(928)

 

(4,296)

Recoveries:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Commercial

 

4

 

22

 

31

 

27

 

169

Commercial loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate

 

44

 

48

 

51

 

56

 

58

Real estate – residential mortgage

 

62

 

118

 

119

 

207

 

100

Consumer

 

68

 

52

 

61

 

120

 

30

Total recoveries

 

178

 

240

 

262

 

410

 

357

Net charge-offs

 

(309)

 

(192)

 

(943)

 

(518)

 

(3,939)

Provision (credit) for loan losses

 

2,375

 

800

 

(600)

 

800

 

3,950

Balance at end of year

$

11,345

$

9,279

$

8,671

$

10,214

$

9,932

Loans and loans held for sale, net of unearned income:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Average for the year

$

923,269

$

875,198

$

881,767

$

893,849

$

887,679

At December 31, 

 

978,345

 

887,574

 

863,129

 

892,758

 

886,858

As a percent of average loans:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Net charge-offs

 

0.03

%  

 

0.02

%  

 

0.11

%  

 

0.06

%  

 

0.44

%

Provision (credit) for loan losses

 

0.26

 

0.09

 

(0.07)

 

0.09

 

0.44

Allowance as a percent of each of the following:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Total loans, net of unearned income

 

1.16

 

1.05

 

1.00

 

1.14

 

1.12

Total accruing delinquent loans (past due 30 to 89 days)

 

206.12

 

313.90

 

182.47

 

124.90

 

302.99

Total non-accrual loans

 

453.80

 

624.01

 

710.16

 

338.66

 

619.59

Total non-performing assets

 

340.59

 

396.71

 

629.25

 

336.65

 

611.58

Allowance as a multiple of net charge-offs

 

36.72x

 

48.33x

 

9.20x

 

19.72x

 

2.52x

For 2020, the Company recorded a $2,375,000 provision expense for loan losses compared to an $800,000 provision expense in 2019. The Company continues to build the allowance for loan losses given the overall economic climate and the uncertainty that exists because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 provision reflects management strengthening certain qualitative factors within the allowance for loan losses calculation and downgrades of loan relationships that are reflective of the industries that have been especially negatively impacted from the pandemic and are demonstrating a slow pace of recovery. Earlier in 2020, several loans from the hotel industry were downgraded. Additionally during the fourth quarter, the downgrade of a hospitality related credit and a large transportation related credit, as well as the loan growth experienced also resulted in the provision increasing. The recovery efforts of many of these borrowers experiencing a downgrade stalled during the fourth quarter due to the rise in COVID cases which caused additional safety measures and restrictions to be put in place on their businesses. While these borrowers will need additional time to recover, we remain encouraged by their efforts to work through the pandemic and signs of improvement in their operations. The Company experienced net loan charge-offs of $309,000, or 0.03% of total loans, in 2020 compared to net loan charge-offs of  $192,000, or 0.02% of total loans, in 2019. As a result of the provision expense sharply exceeding net loan charge-offs, the balance in the allowance for loan losses increased by over $2 million in 2020. Nonperforming assets totaled $3.3 million, or 0.34% of total loans, at December 31, 2020. Management is carefully monitoring asset quality with a particular focus on loan customers that have requested a second payment deferral during this difficult economic time. The Asset Quality Task Force is meeting at least monthly to review these particular

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relationships, receiving input from the business lenders regarding their ongoing discussions with the borrowers. In summary, the allowance for loan losses provided 341% coverage of non-performing assets, and 1.16% of total loans, at December 31, 2020, compared to 397% coverage of non-performing assets, and 1.05% of total loans, at December 31, 2019. Note that the reserve coverage to total loans, excluding PPP loans, is 1.23% (non-GAAP) at December 31, 2020.

Management believes that this non-GAAP measure provides a greater understanding of ongoing operations and enhances comparability of results of operations with prior periods. The Company believes that investors may use this non-GAAP measure to analyze the Company’s financial condition without impact of unusual items or events that may obscure trends in the Company’s underlying financial condition. This non-GAAP data should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, and is not a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results. Limitations associated with non-GAAP financial measures include the risks that persons might disagree as to the appropriateness of items included in these measures and that different companies might calculate these measures differently. The following table sets forth the calculation of the Company’s allowance for loan loss reserve coverage to total loans (GAAP) and the reserve coverage to total loans, excluding PPP loans (non-GAAP), at December 31, 2020 (in thousands, except percentages).

    

DECEMBER 31, 

 

2020

 

Allowance for loan losses

$

11,345

Total loans, net of unearned income(1)

 

978,345

Reserve coverage

 

1.16

%

Reserve coverage to total loans, excluding PPP loans:

 

  

Allowance for loan losses

$

11,345

Total loans, net of unearned income(1)

 

978,345

PPP loans

 

(58,344)

 

920,001

Non-GAAP reserve coverage

 

1.23

%

(1) Includes loans and loans held for sale

For 2019, the Company recorded an $800,000 provision expense for loan losses compared to a $600,000 provision recovery in 2018 which resulted in a net unfavorable shift of  $1.4 million between years. The rating downgrade of a $6.5 million performing commercial loan to substandard as a result of the unexpected death of a borrower caused a $675,000 increase in fourth quarter 2019 provision expense. This rating action was prudent due to the inherent uncertainties associated with a large estate liquidation. The Company experienced net loan charge-offs of only $192,000, or 0.02% of total loans, in 2019 compared to net loan charge-offs of  $943,000, or 0.11% of total loans, in 2018. Overall, nonperforming assets totaled $2.3 million, or only 0.26% of total loans, at December 31, 2019. In summary, the allowance for loan losses provided 397% coverage of non-performing assets, and 1.05% of total loans, at December 31, 2019, compared to 629% coverage of non-performing assets, and 1.00% of total loans, at December 31, 2018.

The following schedule sets forth the allocation of the ALL among various loan categories. This allocation is determined by using the consistent quarterly procedural discipline that was previously discussed. The entire ALL is available to absorb future loan losses in any loan category.

AT DECEMBER 31,

 

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

 

PERCENT

PERCENT

PERCENT

PERCENT

PERCENT

 

OF LOANS

OF LOANS

OF LOANS

OF LOANS

OF LOANS

 

 

IN EACH

 

IN EACH

IN EACH

 

IN EACH

 

IN EACH

 

CATEGORY

CATEGORY

 

CATEGORY

CATEGORY

CATEGORY

TO TOTAL

 

TO TOTAL

TO TOTAL

 

TO TOTAL

 

TO TOTAL

    

AMOUNT

    

LOANS

    

AMOUNT

    

LOANS

    

AMOUNT

    

LOANS

    

AMOUNT

    

LOANS

    

AMOUNT

    

LOANS

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PERCENTAGES)

Commercial

    

$

3,472

31.4

%

$

3,951

30.1

%

$

3,057

29.0

%

$

4,298

28.0

%

$

4,041

29.8

%

Commercial loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate

 

5,373

 

41.2

 

3,119

 

41.2

 

3,389

 

41.4

 

3,666

 

42.0

 

3,584

 

40.2

Real estate – residential mortgage

 

1,292

 

25.7

 

1,159

 

26.6

 

1,235

 

27.6

 

1,102

 

27.8

 

1,169

 

27.8

Consumer

 

115

 

1.7

 

126

 

2.1

 

127

 

2.0

 

128

 

2.2

 

151

 

2.2

Allocation to general risk

 

1,093

 

 

924

 

 

863

 

 

1,020

 

 

987

 

Total

$

11,345

 

100.0

%  

$

9,279

 

100.0

%  

$

8,671

 

100.0

%  

$

10,214

 

100.0

%  

$

9,932

 

100.0

%

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Even though residential real estate mortgage loans comprise 25.7% of the Company’s total loan portfolio, only $1.3 million, or 11.4%, of the total ALL is allocated against this loan category. The residential real estate mortgage loan allocation is based upon the Company’s three-year historical average of actual loan charge-offs experienced in that category and other qualitative factors. The disproportionately higher allocations for commercial loans and commercial loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate reflect the increased credit risk associated with those types of lending, the Company’s historical loss experience in these categories, and other qualitative factors.

Based on the Company’s current ALL methodology and the related assessment of the inherent risk factors contained within the Company’s loan portfolio, we believe that the ALL is adequate at December 31, 2020 to cover losses within the Company’s loan portfolio.

NON-INTEREST INCOME.   Non-interest income for 2020 totaled $16.3 million, an increase of $1.5 million, or 10.2%, from 2019. Factors contributing to this higher level of non-interest income in 2020 included:

a $658,000, or 76.1%, increase in income from residential mortgage loan sales into the secondary market due to the strong level of residential mortgage loan production. The higher level of residential mortgage loan production also resulted in mortgage related fees increasing by $257,000, or 85.1%;
the Company recognized a $500,000 impairment charge on a Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) related investment in 2019 and there was no charge in 2020 since the full investment was written off last year;
a $482,000, or 5.0%, increase in wealth management fees. In addition to an improved level of fee income from the financial services business unit, the entire wealth management division has been resilient and performed well in spite of the major market value decline that occurred in late March. The market value of wealth management assets recovered and improved from the pre-pandemic valuation, exceeding the March 31, 2020 market value by 25% and also exceeding the market value as of December 31, 2019 by 11%;
a $368,000, or 29.0%, decrease in service charges on deposit accounts as consumer spending activity-based fees such as deposit service charges, which include overdraft fees, decreased significantly with the shutdown of the economy and has been slow to improve given the pace of the economic recovery;
a $261,000, or 50.1%, increase in revenue from bank owned life insurance due to the receipt of a $91,000 death claim and a financial floor taking hold which caused increased earnings and a higher rate of return on certain policies; and
no investment security sale activity occurred in 2020 after the Company recognized a $118,000 net realized gain on investment securities in 2019.

Non-interest income for 2019 totaled $14.8 million, an increase of $549,000, or 3.9%, from 2018. Factors contributing to this higher level of non-interest income in 2019 included:

the Company recognized a $500,000 impairment charge on other investments related to a Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) investment. The Small Business Administration (SBA) provided formal notice that the managing company of this particular fund was placed into receivership which caused us to write off the full investment;
net gains on loans held for sale increased by $376,000, or 76.9%, between years due to increased residential mortgage loan sales in the secondary market as the lower interest rate environment in the second half of 2019 resulted in a greater level of residential mortgage loan production. In addition to increased residential mortgage originations, the full year favorable comparison in 2019 was also due to the sale of the guaranteed portion of a SBA guaranteed loan that resulted in a $197,000 gain;
the Company recognized a net realized gain on investment securities of  $118,000 in 2019 compared to a $439,000 net loss in 2018 as the opportunity existed to capture gains on certain securities that demonstrated higher than typical market appreciation in the low interest rate environment. The 2018 net loss resulted from the Company repositioning a portion of the investment portfolio for stronger future returns;

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a $149,000, or 10.5%, decrease in revenue from deposit service charges was due primarily to a reduced level of overdraft fee income;
a $106,000, or 54.1%, increase in mortgage related fees was due to the higher level of residential mortgage loan production;
a $103,000, or 4.4%, increase in other income was due to higher letter of credit fees and increased revenue from check supply sales as a result of a favorable vendor contract renegotiation; and
a $71,000, or 0.7%, increase in wealth management fees was primarily due to the Company benefitting from a continuing increase in market values for assets under management as well as management’s effective execution of managing client accounts.

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE.   Non-interest expense for 2020 totaled $44.5 million, which represents a $2.6 million, or 6.3%, increase from 2019. Factors contributing to the higher non-interest expense in 2020 included:

a $2.0 million, or 7.7%, increase in salaries & benefits expense was due to increased incentive compensation, total salaries, pension expense, and health care costs. A $645,000, or 57.9%, increase in incentive compensation was primarily due to commissions earned as a result of increased residential mortgage loan production. Total salaries are higher by $625,000, 3.5%, for the year primarily due to separation costs related to the elimination of a management position and annual merit increases. Pension expense increased by $506,000, or 30.4%, as a result of the unfavorable impact that the lower interest rate environment has on the discount rates that are used to revalue the defined benefit pension obligation each year. In addition, there was a $424,000, or 13.9%, increase in health care costs;
FDIC deposit insurance expense increased by $381,000 and returned to a more normal level after the benefit from the application of the Small Bank Assessment Credit regulation expired earlier this year;
a $334,000, or 6.8%, increase in professional fees resulted from higher appraisal fees due to the significantly higher level of residential mortgage loan production, higher legal fees related to PPP loan processing, personnel related matters and an increased level of outside professional services related costs; and
a $215,000, or 3.8%, decrease in other expense due to reduced outside processing fees and telephone costs as well as a lower level of meals and travel costs that relates to travel restrictions from the pandemic. In addition, the favorable comparison for other expense also resulted from a reduction recognized for the unfunded commitment reserve.

Non-interest expense for 2019 totaled $41.8 million, which represents a $942,000, or 2.3%, increase from 2018. Factors contributing to the higher non-interest expense in 2019 included:

a $1.1 million, or 4.4%, increase in salaries & benefits expense was due to annual merit increases, the addition of several employees to address management succession planning as well as our expansion into the Hagerstown, Maryland market. Increased pension and health care costs also contributed to the higher employee costs between years;
a $457,000, or 82.0%, reduction in FDIC insurance expense. As part of the application of the Small Bank Assessment Credit regulation, the FDIC awarded community banks under $10 billion in assets an assessment credit because the banking industry reserve ratio exceeded its 1.38% target;
a $397,000, or 7.6%, increase in other expense was due to additional expense for the unfunded commitment reserve as a result of increased loan approvals in 2019, as well as, an increased investment in technology as evidenced by higher website costs and additional telecommunications expense; and
a $154,000, or 3.1%, decrease in professional fees was due to lower legal fees and other professional fees.

INCOME TAX EXPENSE.   The Company recorded an income tax expense of  $1.2 million, or an effective tax rate of 20.9%, in 2020, compared to income tax expense of  $1.6 million, or a 20.7% effective tax rate, in 2019, and compared to income tax expense of  $1.7 million, or a 17.8% effective tax rate, in 2018. The higher effective tax rate in

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2020 reflects the recognition of additional income tax expense due to the write-off of a deferred tax asset that will not be realized due to the dissolution of the Company’s small life insurance subsidiary. Due to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act late in the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company was able to achieve a greater income tax benefit in the third quarter of 2018 by making a one-time additional contribution to the defined benefit pension plan resulting in a lower effective tax rate for that year. The Company’s deferred tax asset was $1.6 million at December 31, 2020.

SEGMENT RESULTS.   The community banking segment reported a net income contribution of $10.1 million in 2020 which decreased from the $10.9 million contribution in 2019 and also decreased from the $11.1 million contribution in 2018. The primary driver for the lower level of net income in 2020 was the Company recording an $2,375,000 provision expense for loan losses compared to an $800,000 provision in 2019. This is discussed previously in the “Allowance and Provision for Loan Losses” section within this document. The downward shift in the U.S. Treasury yield curve between years along with the Federal Reserve’s actions to decrease the fed funds rate three times in the second half of 2019 and by 150 basis points in March of 2020 negatively impacted the Company’s earning asset margin performance. As a result, total loan interest income decreased between years. Partially offsetting the unfavorable impact that the lower interest rate environment had on loan interest income was the additional processing fee income and interest income that the Company recorded from PPP lending activity, which totaled $1,873,000 for 2020. The exceptionally stronger level of residential mortgage loan activity in 2020 resulted in this segment recognizing a higher gain on the sale of residential mortgage loans in the secondary market and a corresponding greater level of mortgage related fee income. Also favorably impacting net income was this segment experiencing deposit cost relief as total deposit interest expense decreased between years due to management’s action to lower pricing of several deposit products, given the declining interest rate environment. The decrease to total deposit interest expense occurred even though total deposits reached record levels which is described previously in the MD&A. Net income from this segment was also favorably impacted by a higher level of revenue from bank owned life insurance due to the receipt of a death claim received late in the year and a financial floor taking hold which caused increased earnings from a higher rate of return on certain policies. Finally, and unfavorably impacting net income were increases to total employee costs, a higher level of FDIC insurance expense and increased professional fees.

The wealth management segment’s net income contribution was $2.0 million in 2020 compared to $1.9 million in 2019 and $1.8 million in 2018. The increase is due to wealth management fees increasing in both time periods as this segment was positively impacted by management’s effective execution of managing client accounts. The entire wealth management segment has been resilient and performed well in spite of the volatility of the markets and a major market value decline that occurred in late March. The wealth management segment also benefitted from a lower level of meals & travel related expenses due to travel restrictions from the pandemic. Slightly offsetting these favorable items were higher levels of professional fees, incentive compensation and equipment costs. Overall, the fair market value of trust assets under administration totaled $2.481 billion at December 31, 2020, an increase of $243 million, or 10.9%, from the December 31, 2019 total of $2.238 billion.

The investment/parent segment reported a net loss of  $7.5 million in 2020, which was greater than the net loss of  $6.8 million in 2019 and $5.1 million in 2018. The increased loss was due to securities interest income decreasing by a higher amount than the decrease to total short term FHLB borrowings interest expense. Also, short-term investment interest income decreased in 2020 even though the Company experienced exceptionally strong growth in its liquidity position between years from the significant influx of deposits that resulted from the government stimulus programs. The yields on commercial paper decreased significantly during the second half of 2020 and resulted in reduced interest income. The greater net loss at the segment also results from higher employee costs and greater miscellaneous expenses. Finally, and favorably impacting this segment, there were no security sale gains or losses recognized during 2020 after this segment recognized a net loss of $382,000 in 2019 due to an impairment charge on a CRA investment which more than offset net security sale gain income.

For greater discussion on the future strategic direction of the Company’s key business segments, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis — Forward Looking Statements.” For a more detailed analysis of the segment results, see Note 23.

BALANCE SHEET.   The Company’s total consolidated assets of  $1.280 billion at December 31, 2020 increased by $108.5 million, or 9.3%, from the $1.171 billion level at December 31, 2019. The increase to total consolidated assets was due primarily to a $90.8 million, or 10.2%, increase in total loans, a $6.7 million, or 3.7%, increase in investment securities, and a $9.3 million, or 42.1%, increase in cash balances. Overall, our loan portfolio benefitted from the increasing commercial loan production that began late in the third quarter and continued throughout the fourth quarter. We also continued to experience strong residential mortgage loan production. This commercial and residential mortgage

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loan growth combined with AmeriServ’s participation in the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 100% guaranteed Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) resulted in a higher level of loans. The Company was selective in 2020 when purchasing the more typical types of securities that have been purchased historically as the market was less favorable for purchases. To somewhat offset the unfavorable market for the more traditional types of purchases, the Company has been active since March purchasing corporate securities, particularly subordinated debt issued by other financial institutions along with taxable municipal securities. Our liquidity position continues to be strong due to the significant influx of deposits that resulted from the government stimulus programs and as customers continue to be cautious and are demonstrating reduced spending activity due to the economic uncertainty.

The Company’s deposits at period end reached a record level and increased by $94.4 million, or 9.8%, reflecting the benefit of government stimulus programs and reduced consumer spending in 2020. Total short-term and FHLB borrowings increased $13.6 million, or 17.9%. Specifically, total FHLB term advances increased by $11.3 million, or 21.1%, and totaled $65.0 million. The Company has utilized these term advances to help manage interest rate risk and take advantage of the lower yield curve to prudently extend borrowings. During 2020, the rate on certain FHLB term advances was lower than the rate on overnight borrowed funds.

Total stockholders’ equity increased by $5.8 million, or 5.9%, since year-end 2019. Capital was increased during 2020 by the Company’s $4.6 million of net income, the $1.8 million positive impact experienced due to the improved market value of the available for sale investment securities portfolio, and the $1.1 million positive impact from the annual revaluation of the Company’s pension obligation. Slightly offsetting these increases, was the $1.7 million common stock cash dividend and $151,000 of common stock repurchases. The Company returned approximately 41% of our 2020 earnings to our shareholders through the accretive common stock repurchases and quarterly common stock cash dividend. The Company continues to be considered well capitalized for regulatory purposes with a risk based capital ratio of 12.93% and an asset leverage ratio of 9.29% at December 31, 2020. The Company’s book value per common share was $6.12, its tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP) was $5.42 and its tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio (non-GAAP) was 7.29% at December 31, 2020.

The tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per share are considered to be non-GAAP measures and are calculated by dividing tangible equity by tangible assets or shares outstanding. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide information to investors that is useful in understanding its financial condition. This non-GAAP data should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, and is not a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results. Limitations associated with non-GAAP financial measures include the risks that persons might disagree as to the appropriateness of items included in these measures, and, because not all companies use the same calculation of tangible common equity and tangible assets, this presentation may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures calculated by other companies. The following table sets forth the calculation of the Company’s tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per share at December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 (in thousands, except share and ratio data):

AT DECEMBER 31, 

 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

Total shareholders’ equity

$

104,399

$

98,614

$

97,977

Less: Goodwill

 

11,944

 

11,944

 

11,944

Tangible equity

 

92,455

 

86,670

 

86,033

Total assets

 

1,279,713

 

1,171,184

 

1,160,680

Less: Goodwill

 

11,944

 

11,944

 

11,944

Tangible assets

 

1,267,769

 

1,159,240

 

1,148,736

Tangible common equity ratio (non-GAAP)

 

7.29

%  

 

7.48

%  

 

7.49

%

Total shares outstanding

 

17,060,144

 

17,057,871

 

17,619,303

Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP)

$

5.42

$

5.08

$

4.88

LIQUIDITY.   The Company’s liquidity position continues to be exceptionally strong due to the significant influx of deposits that resulted from the government stimulus programs and as customers continue to be cautious and are demonstrating reduced spending activity due to the economic uncertainty. As a result total deposits on December 31, 2020 reached a record level at 1.055 billion. In addition, the Company’s loyal core deposit base continues to prove to be a source of strength for the Company during periods of market volatility. The core deposit base is adequate to fund the Company’s operations. Cash flow from maturities, prepayments and amortization of securities is used to help fund loan growth. Average short-term investments were higher than they have been historically which presented the challenge of profitably deploying this excess liquidity given a steady decline in yields on short term investment products as 2020

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progressed. The pressure to find a suitable return on these excess liquid funds eased during the fourth quarter given the loan growth that occurred. Due to the loan growth, short term investment balances returned to a more normal, lower level in the fourth quarter of 2020. We strive to operate our loan to deposit ratio in a range of 80% to 100%. At December 31, 2020, the Company’s loan to deposit ratio was 92.7%. Given current commercial loan pipelines, which are now at pre-pandemic levels, we are optimistic that we can grow our loan to deposit ratio and remain within our guideline parameters. Also, we are positioned well to support our local economy and provide the necessary assistance to our community partners during this period of pandemic.

Liquidity can also be analyzed by utilizing the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Cash and cash equivalents increased by $9.3 million from December 31, 2019, to $31.5 million at December 31, 2020, due to $106.0 million of cash provided by financing activities which more than offset $95.3 million of cash used in investing activities and $1.4 million of cash used in operating activities. Within financing activities, deposits increased by $94.4 million while total FHLB borrowings also increased as term advances increased by $11.3 million and short-term borrowings increased by $2.3 million. Within investing activities, cash advanced for new loans originated totaled $301.2 million and was $89.0 million higher than the $212.2 million of cash received from loan principal payments. Within operating activities, $87.1 million of mortgage loans held for sale were originated while $87.3 million of mortgage loans were sold into the secondary market.

The holding company had $5.9 million of cash, short-term investments, and investment securities at December 31, 2020. Additionally, dividend payments from our subsidiaries also provide ongoing cash to the holding company. At December 31, 2020, our subsidiary Bank had $12.6 million of cash available for immediate dividends to the holding company under applicable regulatory formulas. Management follows a policy that dividend payments from the Trust Company approximate 75% of annual net income. Overall, we believe that the holding company has good liquidity to meet its trust preferred debt service requirements, its subordinated debt interest payments, and its common stock dividend.

Financial institutions must maintain liquidity to meet day-to-day requirements of depositors and borrowers, take advantage of market opportunities, and provide a cushion against unforeseen needs. Liquidity needs can be met by either reducing assets or increasing liabilities. Sources of asset liquidity are provided by short-term investments, time deposits with banks, and federal funds sold. These assets totaled $31.5 million and $22.2 million at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Maturing and repaying loans, as well as the monthly cash flow associated with mortgage-backed securities and security maturities are other significant sources of asset liquidity for the Company.

Liability liquidity can be met by attracting deposits with competitive rates, using repurchase agreements, buying federal funds, or utilizing the facilities of the Federal Reserve or the FHLB systems. The Company utilizes a variety of these methods of liability liquidity. Additionally, the Company’s subsidiary bank is a member of the FHLB, which provides the opportunity to obtain short- to longer-term advances based upon the Company’s investment in certain residential mortgage, commercial real estate, and commercial and industrial loans. At December 31, 2020, the Company had $329 million of overnight borrowing availability at the FHLB, $30 million of short-term borrowing availability at the Federal Reserve Bank and $35 million of unsecured federal funds lines with correspondent banks. The Company believes it has ample liquidity available to fund outstanding loan commitments if they were fully drawn upon.

CAPITAL RESOURCES.   The Company meaningfully exceeds all regulatory capital ratios for each of the periods presented and is considered well capitalized. The Company’s common equity tier 1 capital ratio was 10.06%, the tier 1 capital ratio was 11.20%, and the total capital ratio was 12.93% at December 31, 2020. The Company’s tier 1 leverage ratio was 9.29% at December 31, 2020. We anticipate that we will maintain our strong capital ratios throughout 2021.

Capital generated from earnings will be utilized to pay the common stock cash dividend and will support controlled balance sheet growth. Our common dividend payout ratio for the full year 2020 was 37.0%. Total Parent Company cash was $5.9 million at December 31, 2020. There is a particular emphasis on ensuring that the subsidiary bank has appropriate levels of capital to support its non-owner occupied commercial real estate loan concentration, which stood at 348% of regulatory capital at December 31, 2020. While we work through the COVID-19 pandemic, our focus is on preserving capital to support customer lending and managing heightened credit risk due to the downturn in the economy. Additionally, we currently believe that we have sufficient capital and earnings power to continue to pay our common stock cash dividend at its current rate of $0.025 per quarter.

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The Basel III capital standards establish the minimum capital levels in addition to the well capitalized requirements under the federal banking regulations prompt corrective action. The capital rules also impose a 2.5% capital conservation buffer (“CCB”) on top of the three minimum risk-weighted asset ratios. Banking institutions that fail to meet the effective minimum ratios once the CCB is taken into account will be subject to constraints on capital distributions, including dividends and share repurchases, and certain discretionary executive compensation. The severity of the constraints depends on the amount of the shortfall and the institution’s “eligible retained income” (four quarter trailing net income, net of distributions and tax effects not reflected in net income). The Company and the Bank meet all capital requirements, including the CCB, and continue to be committed to maintaining strong capital levels that exceed regulatory requirements while also supporting balance sheet growth and providing a return to our shareholders.

Under the Basel III capital standards, the minimum capital ratios are:

MINIMUM CAPITAL RATIO

 

MINIMUM

PLUS CAPITAL

 

    

CAPITAL RATIO

    

CONSERVATION BUFFER

 

Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets

4.5

%  

7.0

%

Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets

 

6.0

 

8.5

Total capital to risk-weighted assets

 

8.0

 

10.5

Tier 1 capital to total average consolidated assets

 

4.0

 

  

In the first quarter of 2020, the Company completed the common stock repurchase program, which it had announced on April 16, 2019, where it bought back 526,000 shares, or 3%, of its common stock over a 12-month period at a total cost of $2.23 million. Specifically, during the first three months of 2020, the Company was able to repurchase 35,962 shares of its common stock and return $151,000 of capital to its shareholders through this program. Evaluation of a new common stock buyback program is on hold. At December 31, 2020, the Company had approximately 17.1 million common shares outstanding.

INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY.   Asset/liability management involves managing the risks associated with changing interest rates and the resulting impact on the Company’s net interest income, net income and capital. The management and measurement of interest rate risk at the Company is performed by using the following tools: 1) simulation modeling, which analyzes the impact of interest rate changes on net interest income, net income and capital levels over specific future time periods. The simulation modeling forecasts earnings under a variety of scenarios that incorporate changes in the absolute level of interest rates, the shape of the yield curve, prepayments and changes in the volumes and rates of various loan and deposit categories. The simulation modeling incorporates assumptions about reinvestment and the repricing characteristics of certain assets and liabilities without stated contractual maturities; 2) market value of portfolio equity sensitivity analysis; and 3) static GAP analysis, which analyzes the extent to which interest rate sensitive assets and interest rate sensitive liabilities are matched at specific points in time. The overall interest rate risk position and strategies are reviewed by senior management and the Company’s Board of Directors on an ongoing basis.

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The following table presents a summary of the Company’s static GAP positions at December 31, 2020:

OVER

OVER

 

3 MONTHS

 

6 MONTHS

3 MONTHS OR

 

THROUGH

 

THROUGH

OVER

INTEREST SENSITIVITY PERIOD

    

LESS

    

6 MONTHS

    

1 YEAR

    

1 YEAR

    

TOTAL

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS AND PERCENTAGES)

RATE SENSITIVE ASSETS:

Loans and loans held for sale

$

364,560

$

76,976

$

121,841

$

414,968

$

978,345

Investment securities

 

52,860

 

10,962

 

18,489

 

106,076

 

188,387

Short-term assets

 

11,077

 

 

 

 

11,077

Regulatory stock

 

4,821

 

 

 

2,125

 

6,946

Bank owned life insurance

 

 

 

39,208

 

 

39,208

Total rate sensitive assets

$

433,318

$

87,938

$

179,538

$

523,169

$

1,223,963

RATE SENSITIVE LIABILITIES:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Deposits:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Non-interest bearing demand deposits

$

$

$

$

177,533

$

177,533

Interest bearing demand deposits

 

63,153

 

950

 

1,901

 

134,965

 

200,969

Savings

 

482

 

482

 

964

 

110,425

 

112,353

Money market

 

56,874

 

5,491

 

10,982

 

146,572

 

219,919

Certificates of deposit of  $100,000 or more

 

16,919

 

8,139

 

20,588

 

3,285

 

48,931

Other time deposits

 

117,587

 

25,440

 

36,101

 

116,087

 

295,215

Total deposits

 

255,015

 

40,502

 

70,536

 

688,867

 

1,054,920

Borrowings

 

34,617

 

4,075

 

10,646

 

64,742

 

114,080

Total rate sensitive liabilities

$

289,632

$

44,577

$

81,182

$

753,609

$

1,169,000

INTEREST SENSITIVITY GAP:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Interval

 

143,686

 

43,361

 

98,356

 

(230,440)

 

Cumulative

$

143,686

$

187,047

$

285,403

$

54,963

$

54,963

Period GAP ratio

 

1.50X

 

1.97X

 

2.21X

 

0.69X

 

  

Cumulative GAP ratio

 

1.50

 

1.56

 

1.69

 

1.05

 

  

Ratio of cumulative GAP to total assets

 

11.23

%  

 

14.62

%  

 

22.30

%  

 

4.29

%  

 

  

When December 31, 2020 is compared to December 31, 2019, the Company’s cumulative GAP ratio through one year indicates that the Company’s balance sheet is still asset sensitive and the level of asset sensitivity increased between years. We continue to see loan customer preference for fixed rate loans given the low overall level of interest rates. As a result of the government stimulus programs and the impact that the pandemic had on consumer spending activity, both loans and deposits increased to record levels in 2020. The growth experienced in the loan portfolio and short term investments was funded by the increase in total deposits and also a modestly higher level of overnight short term borrowings. Overnight borrowings are immediately impacted by changes to national interest rates. We continue to have a relatively consistent level of term advances with the FHLB to help manage our interest rate risk position. The balance of FHLB term advance borrowings at December 31, 2020 is $11.3 million higher than the December 31, 2019 balance as the Company took advantage of the lower yield curve to prudently extend borrowings. The rate on certain FHLB term advances is lower than the rate on overnight borrowings.

Management places primary emphasis on simulation modeling to manage and measure interest rate risk. The Company’s asset/liability management policy seeks to limit net interest income variability over the first twelve months of the forecast period to -5.0% and -7.5%, which include interest rate movements of 100 and 200 basis points, respectively. Additionally, the Company also uses market value sensitivity measures to further evaluate the balance sheet exposure to changes in interest rates. The Company monitors the trends in market value of portfolio equity sensitivity analysis on a quarterly basis.

The following table presents an analysis of the sensitivity inherent in the Company’s net interest income and market value of portfolio equity. The interest rate scenarios in the table compare the Company’s base forecast, which was prepared using a flat interest rate scenario, to scenarios that reflect immediate interest rate changes of 100 and 200 basis points. Note that we suspended the 200 basis point downward rate shock since it has little value due to the absolute low

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level of interest rates. Each rate scenario contains unique prepayment and repricing assumptions that are applied to the Company’s existing balance sheet that was developed under the flat interest rate scenario.

VARIABILITY OF

    

CHANGE IN

 

NET INTEREST

MARKET VALUE OF

INTEREST RATE SCENARIO

    

INCOME

    

PORTFOLIO EQUITY

200 bp increase

6.8

%  

62.3

%  

100 bp increase

 

3.9

 

35.4

100 bp decrease

 

(1.7)

 

(27.3)

The Company believes that its overall interest rate risk position is well controlled. The variability of net interest income is positive in the upward rate shocks due to the Company’s short duration investment securities portfolio and the scheduled repricing of loans tied to LIBOR or prime. Also, the Company will continue its disciplined approach to price its core deposit accounts in a controlled but competitive manner. The variability of net interest income is negative in the 100 basis point downward rate scenario as the Company has more exposure to assets repricing downward to a greater extent than liabilities due to the absolute low level of interest rates with the fed funds rate currently at a targeted range of 0% to 0.25%. The market value of portfolio equity increases in the upward rate shocks due to the improved value of the Company’s core deposit base. Negative variability of market value of portfolio equity occurs in the downward rate shock due to a reduced value for core deposits.

Within the investment portfolio at December 31, 2020, 76.0% of the portfolio is classified as available for sale and 24.0% as held to maturity. The available for sale classification provides management with greater flexibility to manage the securities portfolio to better achieve overall balance sheet rate sensitivity goals and provide liquidity if needed. The mark to market of the available for sale securities does inject more volatility in the book value of equity, but has no impact on regulatory capital. There are 41 securities that are temporarily impaired at December 31, 2020. The Company reviews its securities quarterly and has asserted that at December 31, 2020, the impaired value of securities represents temporary declines due to movements in interest rates and the Company does have the ability and intent to hold those securities to maturity or to allow a market recovery. Furthermore, it is the Company’s intent to manage its long-term interest rate risk by continuing to sell a portion of newly originated fixed-rate 30-year mortgage loans into the secondary market (excluding construction and any jumbo loans). The Company also sells 15-year fixed-rate mortgage loans into the secondary market as well, depending on market conditions. For the year 2020, 60% of all residential mortgage loan production was sold into the secondary market.

The amount of loans outstanding by category as of December 31, 2020, which are due in (i) one year or less, (ii) more than one year through five years, and (iii) over five years, are shown in the following table. Loan balances are also categorized according to their sensitivity to changes in interest rates.

MORE

 

THAN ONE

 

ONE

YEAR

 

YEAR OR

THROUGH

OVER FIVE

TOTAL

    

LESS

    

FIVE YEARS

    

YEARS

    

LOANS

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS)

Commercial and industrial

$

30,456

$

147,223

$

31,827

$

209,506

Commercial loans secured by owner occupied real estate

 

1,687

 

18,866

 

74,933

 

95,486

Commercial loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate

 

38,319

 

123,198

 

239,234

 

400,751

Real estate – residential mortgage

 

15,948

 

39,644

 

200,647

 

256,239

Consumer

 

5,816

 

4,207

 

6,340

 

16,363

Total

$

92,226

$

333,138

$

552,981

$

978,345

Loans with fixed-rate

$

50,339

$

249,623

$

278,013

$

577,975

Loans with floating-rate

 

41,887

 

83,515

 

274,968

 

400,370

Total

$

92,226

$

333,138

$

552,981

$

978,345

Percent composition of maturity

 

9.4

%  

 

34.1

%  

 

56.5

%  

 

100.0

%

Fixed-rate loans as a percentage of total loans

 

59.1

%

Floating-rate loans as a percentage of total loans

 

40.9

%

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The loan maturity information is based upon original loan terms and is not adjusted for principal paydowns and rollovers. In the ordinary course of business, loans maturing within one year may be renewed, in whole or in part, as to principal amount at interest rates prevailing at the date of renewal.

OFF BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS.    The Company incurs off-balance sheet risks in the normal course of business in order to meet the financing needs of its customers. These risks derive from commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such commitments and standby letters of credit involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to these commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by their contractual amounts. The Company uses the same credit and collateral policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as for all other lending. The Company had various outstanding commitments to extend credit approximating $213.9 million and standby letters of credit of  $13.3 million as of December 31, 2020. The Company can also use various interest rate contracts, such as interest rate swaps, caps, floors and swaptions to help manage interest rate and market valuation risk exposure, which is incurred in normal recurrent banking activities. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $93.5 million in the notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding, with a fair value of $3.3 million.

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, municipal deposit letters of credit issued by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh on behalf of AmeriServ Financial Bank naming applicable municipalities as beneficiaries totaled $61.3 million and $41.5 million, respectively. The letters of credit serve as collateral, in place of pledged securities, for municipal deposits maintained at AmeriServ Financial Bank.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES.   The accounting and reporting policies of the Company are in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and conform to general practices within the banking industry. Accounting and reporting policies for the pension liability, allowance for loan losses, goodwill, income taxes, and investment securities are deemed critical because they involve the use of estimates and require significant management judgments. Application of assumptions different than those used by the Company could result in material changes in the Company’s financial position or results of operation.

ACCOUNT — Pension liability

BALANCE SHEET REFERENCE — Other liabilities

INCOME STATEMENT REFERENCE — Salaries and employee benefits and Other expense

DESCRIPTION

Pension costs and liabilities are dependent on assumptions used in calculating such amounts. These assumptions include discount rates, benefits earned, interest costs, expected return on plan assets, mortality rates, and other factors. In accordance with GAAP, actual results that differ from the assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, generally affect recognized expense and the recorded obligation of future periods. While management believes that the assumptions used are appropriate, differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions may affect the Company’s pension obligations and future expense. Additionally, pension expense can also be impacted by settlement accounting charges if the amount of employees selected lump sum distributions exceed the total amount of service and interest component costs of the net periodic pension cost in a particular year. Our pension benefits are described further in Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

ACCOUNT — Allowance for loan losses

BALANCE SHEET REFERENCE — Allowance for loan losses

INCOME STATEMENT REFERENCE — Provision (credit) for loan losses

DESCRIPTION

The allowance for loan losses is calculated with the objective of maintaining reserve levels believed by management to be sufficient to absorb estimated probable credit losses. Management’s determination of the adequacy of the allowance is based on periodic evaluations of the credit portfolio and other relevant factors. However, this quarterly evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates, including, among others, likelihood of customer default, loss given default, exposure at default, the amounts and timing of expected future cash flows on impaired loans, value of collateral, estimated losses on consumer loans and residential mortgages, and general amounts for historical loss experience. This process also considers economic conditions, uncertainties in estimating losses and inherent risks in the various credit portfolios. All of these factors may be susceptible to significant change. Also, the allocation of the

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allowance for credit losses to specific loan pools is based on historical loss trends and management’s judgment concerning those trends.

Commercial and commercial real estate loans are the largest category of credits and the most sensitive to changes in assumptions and judgments underlying the determination of the allowance for loan losses. Approximately $8.8 million, or 78%, of the total allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2020 has been allocated to these two loan categories. This allocation also considers other relevant factors such as actual versus estimated losses, economic trends, delinquencies, levels of non-performing and troubled debt restructured (TDR) loans, concentrations of credit, trends in loan volume, experience and depth of management, examination and audit results, effects of any changes in lending policies and trends in policy, financial information and documentation exceptions. To the extent actual outcomes differ from management estimates, additional provision for loan losses may be required that would adversely impact earnings in future periods.

ACCOUNT — Goodwill

BALANCE SHEET REFERENCE — Goodwill

INCOME STATEMENT REFERENCE — Goodwill impairment

DESCRIPTION

The Company considers our accounting policies related to goodwill to be critical because the assumptions or judgment used in determining the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in past acquisitions are subjective and complex. As a result, changes in these assumptions or judgment could have a significant impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

The fair value of acquired assets and liabilities, including the resulting goodwill, was based either on quoted market prices or provided by other third party sources, when available. When third party information was not available, estimates were made in good faith by management primarily through the use of internal cash flow modeling techniques. The assumptions that were used in the cash flow modeling were subjective and are susceptible to significant changes. The Company routinely utilizes the services of an independent third party that is regarded within the banking industry as an expert in valuing core deposits to monitor the ongoing value and changes in the Company’s core deposit base. These core deposit valuation updates are based upon specific data provided from statistical analysis of the Company’s own deposit behavior to estimate the duration of these non-maturity deposits combined with market interest rates and other economic factors.

Goodwill arising from business combinations represents the value attributable to unidentifiable intangible elements in the business acquired. The Company’s goodwill relates to value inherent in the banking and wealth management businesses, and the value is dependent upon the Company’s ability to provide quality, cost-effective services in the face of free competition from other market participants on a regional basis. This ability relies upon continuing investments in processing systems, the development of value-added service features and the ease of use of the Company’s services. As such, goodwill value is supported ultimately by revenue that is driven by the volume of business transacted and the loyalty of the Company’s deposit and customer base over a longer time frame. The quality and value of a Company’s assets is also an important factor to consider when performing goodwill impairment testing. A decline in earnings as a result of a lack of growth or the inability to deliver cost-effective value added services over sustained periods can lead to the impairment of goodwill.

Goodwill which has an indefinite useful life is tested for impairment at least annually and written down and charged to results of operations only in periods in which the recorded value is more than the estimated fair value.

ACCOUNT — Income Taxes

BALANCE SHEET REFERENCE — Net deferred tax asset

INCOME STATEMENT REFERENCE — Provision for income taxes

DESCRIPTION

The provision for income taxes is the sum of income taxes both currently payable and deferred. The changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon the changes in differences between the basis of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the basis of assets and liabilities as measured by the enacted tax rates that management estimates will be in effect when the differences reverse. This income tax review is completed on a quarterly basis.

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In relation to recording the provision for income taxes, management must estimate the future tax rates applicable to the reversal of tax differences, make certain assumptions regarding whether tax differences are permanent or temporary and the related timing of the expected reversal. Also, estimates are made as to whether taxable operating income in future periods will be sufficient to fully recognize any gross deferred tax assets. If recovery is not likely, we must increase our provision for taxes by recording a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets that we estimate will not ultimately be recoverable. Alternatively, we may make estimates about the potential usage of deferred tax assets that decrease our valuation allowances. As of December 31, 2020, we believe that all of the deferred tax assets recorded on our balance sheet will ultimately be recovered and that no valuation allowances were needed.

In addition, the calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations. We recognize liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues based on our estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. If we ultimately determine that payment of these amounts is unnecessary, we reverse the liability and recognize a tax benefit during the period in which we determine that the liability is no longer necessary. We record an additional charge in our provision for taxes in the period in which we determine that the recorded tax liability is less than we expect the ultimate assessment to be.

ACCOUNT — Investment Securities

BALANCE SHEET REFERENCE — Investment securities

INCOME STATEMENT REFERENCE — Net realized gains (losses) on investment securities

DESCRIPTION

Available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities are reviewed quarterly for possible other-than-temporary impairment. The review includes an analysis of the facts and circumstances of each individual investment such as the severity of loss, the length of time the fair value has been below cost, the expectation for that security’s performance, the creditworthiness of the issuer and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the security to recovery. A decline in value that is considered to be other-than-temporary is recorded as a loss within non-interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. At December 31, 2020, the unrealized losses in the available-for-sale security portfolio were comprised of securities issued by government agencies or government sponsored agencies and certain high quality corporate and taxable municipal securities. The Company believes the unrealized losses are primarily a result of increases in market yields from the time of purchase. In general, as market yields rise, the value of securities will decrease; as market yields fall, the fair value of securities will increase. Management generally views changes in fair value caused by changes in interest rates as temporary; therefore, these securities have not been classified as other-than-temporarily impaired. Management has also concluded that based on current information we expect to continue to receive scheduled interest payments as well as the entire principal balance. Furthermore, management does not intend to sell these securities and does not believe it will be required to sell these securities before they recover in value.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

THE STRATEGIC FOCUS:

AmeriServ Financial is committed to increasing shareholder value by striving for consistently improving financial performance; providing our customers with products and exceptional service for every step in their lifetime financial journey; cultivating an employee atmosphere rooted in trust, empowerment and growth; and serving our communities through employee involvement and a philanthropic spirit. We will strive to provide our shareholders with consistently improved financial performance; the products, services and know-how needed to forge lasting banking for life customer relationships; a work environment that challenges and rewards staff; and the manpower and financial resources needed to make a difference in the communities we serve. Our strategic initiatives will focus on these four key constituencies:

Shareholders — We strive to increase earnings per share; identifying and managing revenue growth and expense control and reduction; and managing risk. Our goal is to increase value for AmeriServ shareholders by growing earnings per share and narrowing the financial performance gap between AmeriServ and its peer banks. We try to return earnings to shareholders through a combination of dividends and share repurchases subject to maintaining sufficient capital to support balance sheet growth and economic uncertainty. We strive to educate our employee base as to the meaning/importance of earnings per share as a performance measure. We will develop a value added combination for increasing revenue and controlling expenses that is rooted in developing and offering high-quality financial products and services; an existing branch network; electronic banking capabilities with 24/7 convenience; and providing truly exceptional customer service. We will explore branch consolidation opportunities and further leverage union affiliated revenue streams, prudently manage the

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Company’s risk profile to improve asset yields and increase profitability and continue to identify and implement technological opportunities and advancements to drive efficiency for the holding company and its affiliates.
Customers — The Company expects to provide exceptional customer service, identifying opportunities to enhance the Banking for Life philosophy by providing products and services to meet the financial needs in every step through a customer’s life cycle, and further defining the role technology plays in anticipating and satisfying customer needs. We anticipate providing leading banking systems and solutions to improve and enhance customers’ Banking for Life experience. We will provide customers with a comprehensive offering of financial solutions including retail and business banking, home mortgages and wealth management at one location. We have upgraded and modernized select branches to be more inviting and technologically savvy to meet the needs of the next generation of AmeriServ customers without abandoning the needs of our existing demographic.
Staff — We are committed to developing high-performing employees, establishing and maintaining a culture of trust and effectively and efficiently managing staff attrition. We will employ a work force succession plan to manage anticipated staff attrition while identifying and grooming high performing staff members to assume positions with greater responsibility within the organization. We will employ technological systems and solutions to provide staff with the tools they need to perform more efficiently and effectively.
Communities — We will continue to promote and encourage employee community involvement and leadership while fostering a positive corporate image. This will be accomplished by demonstrating our commitment to the communities we serve through assistance in providing affordable housing programs for low-to-moderate-income families; donations to qualified charities; and the time and talent contributions of AmeriServ staff to a wide-range of charitable and civic organizations.

This Form 10-K contains various forward-looking statements and includes assumptions concerning the Company’s beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates, intentions, operations, future results, and prospects, including statements that include the words “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “project,” “plan” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations, are subject to risk and uncertainties and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although we do not make forward-looking statements unless we believe we have a reasonable basis for doing so, we cannot guarantee their accuracy. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this Form 10-K, even if subsequently made available on our website or otherwise, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise these statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this Form 10-K. In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company provides the following cautionary statement identifying important factors (some of which are beyond the Company’s control) which could cause the actual results or events to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by the forward-looking statements and related assumptions.

Such factors include the following: (i) the effect of changing regional and national economic conditions; (ii) the effects of trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve; (iii) significant changes in interest rates and prepayment speeds; (iv) inflation, stock and bond market, and monetary fluctuations; (v) credit risks of commercial, real estate, consumer, and other lending activities; (vi) changes in federal and state banking and financial services laws and regulations; (vii) the presence in the Company’s market area of competitors with greater financial resources than the Company; (viii) the timely development of competitive new products and services by the Company and the acceptance of those products and services by customers and regulators (when required); (ix) the willingness of customers to substitute competitors’ products and services for those of the Company and vice versa; (x) changes in consumer spending and savings habits; (xi) unanticipated regulatory or judicial proceedings; (xii) potential risks and uncertainties also include those relating to the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak, and actions that may be taken by governmental authorities to contain the outbreak or to treat its impact; and (xiii) other external developments which could materially impact the Company’s operational and financial performance.

The foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive, and neither such list nor any forward-looking statement takes into account the impact that any future acquisition may have on the Company and on any such forward-looking statement.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Risk identification and management are essential elements for the successful management of the Company. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to various types of risk, including interest rate, credit, and liquidity risk. The Company seeks to identify, manage and monitor these risks with policies, procedures, and various levels of managerial and Board oversight. The Company’s objective is to optimize profitability while managing and monitoring risk within Board approved policy limits.

Interest rate risk is the sensitivity of net interest income and the market value of financial instruments to the magnitude, direction, and frequency of changes in interest rates. Interest rate risk results from various repricing frequencies and the maturity structure of assets, liabilities, and hedges. The Company uses its asset liability management policy and hedging policy to control and manage interest rate risk. For information regarding the effect of changing interest rates on the Company’s net interest income and market value of its investment portfolio, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Interest Rate Sensitivity.”

Liquidity risk represents the inability to generate cash or otherwise obtain funds at reasonable rates to satisfy commitments to borrowers, as well as, the obligations to depositors, debtholders and to fund operating expenses. The Company uses its asset liability management policy and contingency funding plan to control and manage liquidity risk. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity.”

Credit risk represents the possibility that a customer may not perform in accordance with contractual terms. Credit risk results from extending credit to customers, purchasing securities, and entering into certain off-balance sheet loan funding commitments. The Company’s primary credit risk occurs in the loan portfolio. The Company uses its credit policy and disciplined approach to evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses to control and manage credit risk. The Company’s investment policy and hedging policy strictly limit the amount of credit risk that may be assumed in the investment portfolio and through hedging activities.

For information regarding the market risk of the Company’s financial instruments, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Interest Rate Sensitivity.” The Company’s principal market risk exposure is to interest rates.

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ITEM 8. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

AT DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

(IN THOUSANDS,

EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

ASSETS

 

  

 

  

Cash and due from depository institutions

$

20,427

$

15,642

Interest bearing deposits

 

2,585

 

2,755

Short-term investments

 

8,492

 

3,771

Cash and cash equivalents

 

31,504

 

22,168

Investment securities:

 

  

 

  

Available for sale, at fair value

 

144,165

 

141,749

Held to maturity (fair value $47,106 on December 31, 2020 and $41,082 on December 31, 2019)

 

44,222

 

39,936

Loans held for sale

 

6,250

 

4,868

Loans

 

973,297

 

883,090

Less: Unearned income

 

1,202

 

384

Less: Allowance for loan losses

 

11,345

 

9,279

Net loans

 

960,750

 

873,427

Premises and equipment:

 

 

Operating lease right-of-use asset

758

846

Financing lease right-of-use asset

2,956

3,078

Other premises and equipment, net

14,336

14,643

Accrued interest income receivable

 

5,068

 

3,449

Goodwill

 

11,944

 

11,944

Bank owned life insurance

 

39,033

 

38,916

Net deferred tax asset

 

1,572

 

3,976

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

 

4,821

 

3,985

Federal Reserve Bank stock

 

2,125

 

2,125

Other assets

 

10,209

 

6,074

TOTAL ASSETS

$

1,279,713

$

1,171,184

LIABILITIES

Non-interest bearing deposits

$

177,533

$

136,462

Interest bearing deposits

 

877,387

 

824,051

Total deposits

 

1,054,920

 

960,513

Short-term borrowings

 

24,702

 

22,412

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

 

64,989

 

53,668

Operating lease liabilities

776

865

Financing lease liabilities

3,109

3,163

Guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures

 

12,970

 

12,955

Subordinated debt

 

7,534

 

7,511

Total borrowed funds

 

114,080

 

100,574

Other liabilities

 

6,314

 

11,483

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

1,175,314

 

1,072,570

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

  

 

  

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 26,688,963 shares issued and 17,060,144 shares outstanding on December 31, 2020; 26,650,728 shares issued and 17,057,871 shares outstanding on December 31, 2019

 

267

 

267

Treasury stock at cost, 9,628,819 shares on December 31, 2020 and 9,592,857 shares on December 31, 2019

 

(83,280)

 

(83,129)

Capital surplus

 

145,969

 

145,888

Retained earnings

 

54,641

 

51,759

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net

 

(13,198)

 

(16,171)

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

104,399

 

98,614

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

$

1,279,713

$

1,171,184

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

(IN THOUSANDS,

EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

INTEREST INCOME

 

  

 

  

 

  

Interest and fees on loans:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Taxable

$

40,518

$

42,832

$

40,938

Tax exempt

 

110

 

101

 

90

Interest bearing deposits

 

15

 

24

 

20

Short-term investments

 

231

 

293

 

201

Investment securities:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Available for sale

 

4,591

 

5,090

 

4,527

Held to maturity

 

1,417

 

1,427

 

1,318

Total Interest Income

 

46,882

 

49,767

 

47,094

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

  

 

  

 

  

Deposits

 

7,634

 

11,189

 

8,443

Short-term borrowings

 

29

 

288

 

720

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

 

1,099

 

1,090

 

797

Financing lease liabilities

112

117

Guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures

 

1,121

 

1,121

 

1,120

Subordinated debt

 

520

 

520

 

520

Total Interest Expense

 

10,515

 

14,325

 

11,600

Net Interest Income

 

36,367

 

35,442

 

35,494

Provision (credit) for loan losses

 

2,375

 

800

 

(600)

Net Interest Income after Provision (Credit) for Loan Losses

 

33,992

 

34,642

 

36,094

NON-INTEREST INCOME

 

  

 

  

 

  

Wealth management fees

 

10,212

 

9,730

 

9,659

Service charges on deposit accounts

 

903

 

1,271

 

1,420

Net gains on loans held for sale

 

1,523

 

865

 

489

Mortgage related fees

 

559

 

302

 

196

Net realized gains (losses) on investment securities

 

 

118

 

(439)

Impairment charge on other investments

(500)

Bank owned life insurance

 

782

 

521

 

536

Other income

 

2,296

 

2,466

 

2,363

Total Non-Interest Income

 

16,275

 

14,773

 

14,224

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

 

  

 

  

 

  

Salaries and employee benefits

 

27,390

 

25,429

 

24,358

Net occupancy expense

 

2,510

 

2,497

 

2,462

Equipment expense

 

1,559

 

1,510

 

1,464

Professional fees

 

5,219

 

4,885

 

5,039

Supplies, postage and freight

 

714

 

605

 

674

Miscellaneous taxes and insurance

 

1,143

 

1,135

 

1,062

Federal deposit insurance expense

 

481

 

100

 

557

Other expense

 

5,439

 

5,654

 

5,257

Total Non-Interest Expense

 

44,455

 

41,815

 

40,873

PRETAX INCOME

5,812

7,600

9,445

Provision for income taxes

1,214

1,572

1,677

NET INCOME

$

4,598

$

6,028

$

7,768

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

(IN THOUSANDS,

EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

PER COMMON SHARE DATA:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Basic:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Net income

$

0.27

$

0.35

$

0.43

Average number of shares outstanding

17,053

17,359

17,933

Diluted:

Net income

$

0.27

$

0.35

$

0.43

Average number of shares outstanding

17,063

17,440

18,037

Cash dividends declared

$

0.100

$

0.095

$

0.075

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

(IN THOUSANDS)

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

  

 

  

 

  

Net income

$

4,598

$

6,028

$

7,768

Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Pension obligation change for defined benefit plan

 

1,454

 

(6,418)

 

(244)

Income tax effect

 

(305)

 

1,348

 

51

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available for sale securities arising during period

 

2,309

 

4,072

 

(1,810)

Income tax effect

 

(485)

 

(855)

 

381

Reclassification adjustment for net realized (gains) losses on available for sale securities included in net income

 

 

(118)

 

439

Income tax effect

 

 

25

 

(92)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

2,973

 

(1,946)

 

(1,275)

Comprehensive income

$

7,571

$

4,082

$

6,493

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

(IN THOUSANDS)

COMMON STOCK

 

  

 

  

 

  

Balance at beginning of period

$

267

$

266

$

266

New common shares issued for exercise of stock options (38,235, 40,917, and 24,408 shares in 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively)

 

 

1

 

Balance at end of period

 

267

 

267

 

266

TREASURY STOCK

 

  

 

  

 

  

Balance at beginning of period

 

(83,129)

 

(80,579)

 

(78,233)

Treasury stock, purchased at cost (35,962, 602,349, and 533,352 shares in 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively)

 

(151)

 

(2,550)

 

(2,346)

Balance at end of period

 

(83,280)

 

(83,129)

 

(80,579)

CAPITAL SURPLUS

 

  

 

  

 

  

Balance at beginning of period

 

145,888

 

145,782

 

145,707

New common shares issued for exercise of stock options (38,235, 40,917, and 24,408 shares in 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively)

 

78

 

99

 

61

Stock option expense

 

3

 

7

 

14

Balance at end of period

 

145,969

 

145,888

 

145,782

RETAINED EARNINGS

 

  

 

  

 

  

Balance at beginning of period

 

51,759

 

46,733

 

40,312

Net income

 

4,598

 

6,028

 

7,768

Cash dividend declared on common stock ($0.100, $0.095, and $0.075 per share in 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively)

 

(1,716)

 

(1,642)

 

(1,347)

Cumulative effect adjustment for change in accounting principal

 

 

640

 

Balance at end of period

 

54,641

 

51,759

 

46,733

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS, NET

 

  

 

  

 

  

Balance at beginning of period

 

(16,171)

 

(14,225)

 

(12,950)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

2,973

 

(1,946)

 

(1,275)

Balance at end of period

 

(13,198)

 

(16,171)

 

(14,225)

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

$

104,399

$

98,614

$

97,977

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

 

(IN THOUSANDS)

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net income

$

4,598

$

6,028

$

7,768

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Provision (credit) for loan losses

 

2,375

 

800

 

(600)

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

1,996

 

1,873

 

1,530

Net amortization of investment securities

 

285

 

279

 

347

Net realized (gains) losses on investment securities available for sale

 

 

(118)

 

439

Impairment charge on other investments

500

Net gains on loans held for sale

 

(1,523)

 

(865)

 

(489)

Amortization of deferred loan fees

 

(707)

 

(142)

 

(149)

Origination of mortgage loans held for sale

 

(87,140)

 

(49,460)

 

(28,916)

Sales of mortgage loans held for sale

 

87,281

 

46,304

 

31,683

Decrease (increase) in accrued interest receivable

 

(1,619)

 

40

 

114

Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable

 

(525)

 

546

 

302

Earnings on bank-owned life insurance

 

(782)

 

(521)

 

(536)

Deferred income taxes

 

1,614

 

179

 

2,665

Stock compensation expense

 

3

 

7

 

14

Net change in operating leases

(89)

(67)

Other, net

 

(7,140)

 

(493)

 

(6,188)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

(1,373)

 

4,890

 

7,984

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

  

 

  

 

  

Purchase of investment securities — available for sale

 

(36,519)

 

(18,084)

 

(45,427)

Purchase of investment securities — held to maturity

 

(9,359)

 

(2,257)

 

(5,746)

Proceeds from maturities of investment securities — available for sale

 

36,215

 

23,559

 

16,299

Proceeds from maturities of investment securities — held to maturity

 

4,985

 

3,007

 

3,651

Proceeds from sales of investment securities — available for sale

 

 

3,374

 

9,466

Purchase of regulatory stock

 

(9,979)

 

(13,557)

 

(18,681)

Proceeds from redemption of regulatory stock

 

9,143

 

14,092

 

18,836

Long-term loans originated

 

(301,210)

 

(205,603)

 

(155,191)

Principal collected on long-term loans

 

212,179

 

185,054

 

181,582

Purchases of premises and equipment

 

(1,325)

 

(2,821)

 

(2,144)

Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned

 

63

 

214

 

46

Proceeds from life insurance policies

 

490

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

(95,317)

 

(13,022)

 

2,691

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

  

 

  

 

  

Net increase in deposit balances

 

94,407

 

11,342

 

1,226

Net increase (decrease) in other short-term borrowings

 

2,290

 

(18,617)

 

(8,055)

Principal borrowings on advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

 

36,050

 

22,527

 

12,492

Principal repayments on advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

 

(24,729)

 

(15,580)

 

(12,000)

Principal payments on financing lease liabilities

(203)

(173)

Stock options exercised

 

78

 

99

 

61

Purchases of treasury stock

 

(151)

 

(2,550)

 

(2,346)

Common stock dividend paid

 

(1,716)

 

(1,642)

 

(1,347)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

106,026

 

(4,594)

 

(9,969)

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

9,336

 

(12,726)

 

706

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT JANUARY 1

 

22,168

 

34,894

 

34,188

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT DECEMBER 31

$

31,504

$

22,168

$

34,894

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

BUSINESS AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS:

AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (the Company) is a bank holding company, headquartered in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Through its banking subsidiary, the Company operates 16 banking locations in five southwestern Pennsylvania counties and Hagerstown, Maryland. These branches provide a full range of consumer, mortgage, and commercial financial products. In a press release dated January 15, 2021, the Company announced the execution of a definitive agreement whereby AmeriServ will acquire a branch and deposit customers from two locations in southwestern Pennsylvania of Citizen’s Neighborhood Bank (CNB), an operating division of Riverview Bank. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and satisfaction of customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021.

The AmeriServ Trust and Financial Services Company (the Trust Company) offers a complete range of trust and financial services and administers assets valued at approximately $2.5 billion that are not recognized on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2020.

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION:

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, AmeriServ Financial Bank (the Bank), the Trust Company, and AmeriServ Life Insurance Company (AmeriServ Life). The Bank is a Pennsylvania state-chartered full service bank with 15 locations in Pennsylvania and 1 location in Maryland. AmeriServ Life was a captive insurance company that engaged in underwriting as a reinsurer of credit life and disability insurance. New business ceased being generated by AmeriServ Life in 2005. Since that time, outstanding insurance policies have been running off, and the final policy has expired. On September 30, 2020, the Arizona Corporation Commission approved the Articles of Dissolution for AmeriServ Life. The remaining assets of AmeriServ Life were transferred to AmeriServ Financial, Inc. and the subsidiary was formally closed on December 31, 2020.

In addition, the Parent Company is an administrative group that provides support in such areas as audit, finance, investments, loan review, general services, and marketing. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from these estimates and the differences may be material to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company’s most significant estimates relate to the allowance for loan losses, goodwill, income taxes, investment securities, pension, and the fair value of financial instruments.

INVESTMENT SECURITIES:

Securities are classified at the time of purchase as investment securities held to maturity if it is management’s intent and the Company has the ability to hold the securities until maturity. These held to maturity securities are carried on the Company’s books at cost, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount which is computed using the level yield method which approximates the effective interest method. Alternatively, securities are classified as available for sale if it is management’s intent at the time of purchase to hold the securities for an indefinite period of time and/or to use the securities as part of the Company’s asset/liability management strategy. Securities classified as available for sale include securities which may be sold to effectively manage interest rate risk exposure, prepayment risk, and other factors (such as liquidity requirements). These available for sale securities are reported at fair value with unrealized aggregate appreciation/depreciation excluded from income and credited/charged to accumulated other comprehensive income/loss within stockholders’ equity on a net of tax basis. Any securities classified as trading assets are reported at fair value with unrealized aggregate appreciation/depreciation included in income on a net of tax basis. The Company does not engage in trading activity.

Realized gains or losses on securities sold are computed upon the adjusted cost of the specific securities sold. Available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities are reviewed quarterly for possible other-than-temporary impairment.

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The review includes an analysis of the facts and circumstances of each individual investment such as the severity of loss, the length of time the fair value has been below cost, the expectation for that security’s performance, the creditworthiness of the issuer and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the security to recovery. The Company believes the unrealized losses on certain securities within the investments portfolio are primarily a result of increases in market yields from the time of purchase. In general, as market yields rise, the value of securities will decrease; as market yields fall, the fair value of securities will increase. Management generally views changes in fair value caused by changes in interest rates as temporary; therefore, these securities have not been classified as other-than-temporarily impaired. Management has also concluded that based on current information we expect to continue to receive scheduled interest payments as well as the entire principal balance. Furthermore, management does not intend to sell these securities and does not believe it will be required to sell these securities before they recover in value.

Additionally, the Company holds equity securities which are comprised of mutual funds held within a rabbi trust for the executive deferred compensation plan. Such securities are reported at fair value within other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Unrealized holding gains and losses on equity securities are included in earnings.

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK STOCK:

The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLB) and as such, is required to maintain a minimum investment in stock of the FHLB that varies with the level of advances outstanding with the FHLB. The stock is bought from and sold to the FHLB based upon its $100 par value. The stock does not have a readily determinable fair value and as such is classified as restricted stock, carried at cost and evaluated for impairment by management. The stock’s value is determined by the ultimate recoverability of the par value rather than by recognizing temporary declines. The determination of whether the par value will ultimately be recovered is influenced by criteria such as the following: (1) the significance of the decline in net assets of the FHLB as compared to the capital stock amount and the length of time any such situation has persisted; (2) commitments by the FHLB to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance; (3) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on the customer base of FHLB; and (4) the liquidity position of the FHLB. Management evaluated the stock and concluded that the stock was not impaired for the periods presented herein.

LOANS:

Interest income is recognized using the level yield method related to principal amounts outstanding. The Company discontinues the accrual of interest income when loans become 90 days past due in either principal or interest. In addition, if circumstances warrant, the accrual of interest may be discontinued prior to 90 days. Payments received on non-accrual loans are credited to principal until full recovery of principal has been recognized; or the loan has been returned to accrual status. The only exception to this policy is for residential mortgage loans wherein interest income is recognized on a cash basis as payments are received. A non-accrual commercial loan is placed on accrual status after becoming current and remaining current for twelve consecutive payments. Residential mortgage loans are placed on accrual status upon becoming current.

LOAN FEES:

Loan origination and commitment fees, net of associated direct costs, are deferred and amortized into interest and fees on loans over the loan or commitment period. Fee amortization is determined by the effective interest method.

LOANS HELD FOR SALE:

Certain newly originated residential mortgage loans are classified as held for sale, because it is management’s intent to sell these residential mortgage loans. The residential mortgage loans held for sale are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value.

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

TRANSFERS OF FINANCIAL ASSETS:

Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company; (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets; and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT:

Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Land is carried at cost. Depreciation is charged to operations over the estimated useful lives of the premises and equipment using the straight-line method with a half-year convention. Useful lives of up to 30 years for buildings and up to 10 years for equipment are utilized. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the terms of the respective leases or useful lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter. Maintenance, repairs, and minor alterations are charged to current operations as expenditures are incurred.

LEASES:

The Company has operating and financing leases for several office locations and equipment. Generally, the underlying lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. Many of our leases include both lease (e.g., minimum rent payments) and non-lease components, such as common area maintenance charges, utilities, real estate taxes, and insurance. The Company has elected to account for the variable non-lease components separately from the lease component. Such variable non-lease components are reported in net occupancy expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations when incurred. These variable non-lease components were excluded from the calculation of the present value of the remaining lease payments, therefore, they are not included in the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Certain of the Company’s leases contain options to renew the lease after the initial term. Management considers the Company’s historical pattern of exercising renewal options on leases and the performance of the leased locations, when determining whether it is reasonably certain that the leases will be renewed. If management concludes that there is reasonable certainty about the renewal option, it is included in the calculation of the remaining term of each applicable lease. The discount rate utilized in calculating the present value of the remaining lease payments for each lease was the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh advance rate corresponding to the remaining maturity of the lease.

Under Topic 842, the lessee can elect to not record on the Consolidated Balance Sheets a lease whose term is twelve months or less and does not include a purchase option that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had no short-term leases. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had one short-term equipment lease which it has elected to not record on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES AND CHARGE-OFF PROCEDURES:

As a financial institution, which assumes lending and credit risks as a principal element of its business, the Company anticipates that credit losses will be experienced in the normal course of business. Accordingly, the Company consistently applies a comprehensive methodology and procedural discipline to perform an analysis which is updated on a quarterly basis at the Bank level to determine both the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and the necessary provision for loan losses to be charged against earnings. This methodology includes:

Review of all impaired commercial and commercial real estate loans to determine if any specific reserve allocations are required on an individual loan basis. In addition, consumer and residential mortgage loans with a balance of $150,000 or more are evaluated for impairment and specific reserve allocations are established, if applicable. All required specific reserve allocations are based on careful analysis of the loan’s performance, the related collateral value, cash flow considerations and the financial capability of any guarantor. For impaired loans the measurement of impairment may be based upon (1) the present value of expected future cash flows

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate; (2) the observable market price of the impaired loan; or (3) the fair value of the collateral of a collateral dependent loan.
The application of formula driven reserve allocations for all commercial and commercial real estate loans by using a three-year migration analysis of net losses incurred within each risk grade for the entire commercial loan portfolio. The difference between estimated and actual losses is reconciled through the nature of the migration analysis.
The application of formula driven reserve allocations to consumer and residential mortgage loans which are based upon historical net charge-off experience for those loan types. The residential mortgage loan and consumer loan allocations are based upon the Company’s three-year historical average of actual loan net charge-offs experienced in each of those categories.
The application of formula driven reserve allocations to all outstanding loans is based upon review of historical losses and qualitative factors, which include but are not limited to, economic trends, delinquencies, levels of non-accrual and TDR loans, concentrations of credit, trends in loan volume, experience and depth of management, examination and audit results, effects of any changes in lending policies and trends in policy, financial information and documentation exceptions.
Management recognizes that there may be events or economic factors that have occurred affecting specific borrowers or segments of borrowers that may not yet be fully reflected in the information that the Company uses for arriving at reserves for a specific loan or portfolio segment. Therefore, the Company believes that there is estimation risk associated with the use of specific and formula driven allowances.

After completion of this process, a formal meeting of the Loan Loss Reserve Committee is held to evaluate the adequacy of the reserve.

When it is determined that the prospects for recovery of the principal of a loan have significantly diminished, the loan is charged against the allowance account; subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance account. In addition, non-accrual and large delinquent loans are reviewed monthly to determine potential losses.

The Company’s policy is to individually review, as circumstances warrant, its commercial and commercial mortgage loans to determine if a loan is impaired. At a minimum, credit reviews are mandatory for all commercial and commercial mortgage loan relationships with aggregate balances in excess of $1,000,000 within a 12-month period. The Company defines classified loans as those loans rated substandard or doubtful. The Company has also identified three pools of small dollar value homogeneous loans which are evaluated collectively for impairment. These separate pools are for small business relationships with aggregate balances of $250,000 or less, residential mortgage loans and consumer loans. Individual loans within these pools are reviewed and evaluated for specific impairment if factors such as significant delinquency in payments of 90 days or more, bankruptcy, or other negative economic concerns indicate impairment.

ALLOWANCE FOR UNFUNDED LOAN COMMITMENTS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT:

The allowance for unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit is maintained at a level believed by management to be sufficient to absorb estimated losses related to these unfunded credit facilities. The determination of the adequacy of the allowance is based on periodic evaluations of the unfunded credit facilities including an assessment of the probability of commitment usage, credit risk factors for loans outstanding to these same customers and the terms and expiration dates of the unfunded credit facilities. Net adjustments to the allowance for unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit are provided for in the unfunded commitment reserve expense line item within other expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and a separate reserve is recorded within the other liabilities line item of the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

BANK-OWNED LIFE INSURANCE:

The Company has purchased life insurance policies on certain employees. These policies are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at their cash surrender value, or the amount that can be realized. Income from these policies and changes in the cash surrender value are recorded in bank owned life insurance within non-interest income. Additionally, income is accrued on certain policies that have reached the minimum floor rate of return. This guaranteed portion of income is not added to the cash surrender value of the policy until the policy anniversary date and is reported in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS:

Goodwill arising from business combinations represents the value attributable to unidentifiable intangible elements in the business acquired. The Company tests goodwill for impairment on at least an annual basis. This approach could cause more volatility in the Company’s reported net income because impairment losses, if any, could occur irregularly and in varying amounts.

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:

Basic earnings per share include only the weighted average common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share include the weighted average common shares outstanding and any potentially dilutive common stock equivalent shares in the calculation. Treasury shares are excluded for earnings per share purposes. Options to purchase 139,759, 12,000, and 5,000 shares of common stock were outstanding during 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share because to do so would be anti-dilutive. Exercise prices of anti-dilutive options to purchase common stock outstanding were $3.18-$4.22, $4.19-$4.22, and $4.22 during 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

Numerator:

Net income

$

4,598

$

6,028

$

7,768

Denominator:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Weighted average common shares outstanding (basic)

 

17,053

 

17,359

 

17,933

Effect of stock options

 

10

 

81

 

104

Weighted average common shares outstanding (diluted)

 

17,063

 

17,440

 

18,037

Earnings per common share:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Basic

$

0.27

$

0.35

$

0.43

Diluted

 

0.27

 

0.35

 

0.43

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION:

The Company uses the modified prospective method for accounting of stock-based compensation. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the grant date using the Binomial or Black-Scholes option pricing model and the expense is recognized ratably over the service period. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur. See Note 19 for details on the assumptions used.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS:

The Company presents the components of other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). These components are comprised of the change in the defined benefit pension obligation and the unrealized holding gains (losses) on available for sale securities, net of any reclassification adjustments for realized gains and losses.

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS:

On a consolidated basis, cash and cash equivalents include cash and due from depository institutions, interest bearing deposits, and short-term investments in both money market funds and commercial paper. The Company made $315,000 in income tax payments in 2020; $785,000 in 2019; and $875,000 in 2018. The Company had non-cash transfers to other real estate owned (OREO) in the amounts of $40,000 in 2020; $75,000 in 2019; and $166,000 in 2018. During 2020, the Company entered into two new financing leases, one related to office equipment and the other to a branch location, and recorded a right-of-use asset and lease liability of $149,000. As a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) as of January 1, 2019, the Company had non-cash transactions associated with the recognition of the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. Specifically, the Company recognized a right-of-use asset and lease liability of $932,000 related to operating leases and a right-of-use asset and lease liability of $3.3 million related to financing leases. In addition, as a result of the adoption of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), the Company had a non-cash transaction in the amount of $640,000 associated with the recognition of a receivable for wealth management fees as of December 31, 2019. The Company also had a non-cash transfer of the AMT credit carryforward to other assets in the amount of $287,000 in 2018. The Company made total interest payments of $11,040,000 in 2020; $13,779,000 in 2019; and $11,298,000 in 2018.

INCOME TAXES:

Deferred tax assets or liabilities are computed based on the difference between the financial statement and income tax basis of assets and liabilities using the enacted marginal tax rate. Deferred income tax expenses or credits are based on the changes in the corresponding asset or liability from period to period. Deferred tax assets are reduced, if necessary, by the amounts of such benefits that are not expected to be realized based upon available evidence.

INTEREST RATE CONTRACTS:

The Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and measures those instruments at fair value. For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative and hedged item related to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. Changes in fair value of derivatives designated and accounted as cash flow hedges, to the extent they are effective as hedges, are recorded in “Other Comprehensive Income,” net of deferred taxes and are subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings. Any hedge ineffectiveness would be recognized in the income statement line item pertaining to the hedged item.

The Company periodically enters into derivative instruments to meet the financing, interest rate and equity risk management needs of its customers. Upon entering into these instruments to meet customer needs, the Company enters into offsetting positions to minimize interest rate and equity risk to the Company. These derivative financial instruments are reported at fair value with any resulting gain or loss recorded in current period earnings. These instruments and their offsetting positions are recorded in other assets and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

PENSION:

Pension costs and liabilities are dependent on assumptions used in calculating such amounts. These assumptions include discount rates, benefits earned, interest costs, expected return on plan assets, mortality rates, and other factors. In accordance with GAAP, actual results that differ from the assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, generally affect recognized expense and the recorded obligation of future periods. While management believes that the assumptions used are appropriate, differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions may affect the Company’s pension obligations and future expense. Additionally, pension expense can also be impacted by settlement accounting charges if the amount of employees selected lump sum distributions exceed the total amount of service and interest component costs of the net periodic pension cost in a particular year.

The service cost component of net periodic benefit cost is determined by aggregating the product of the discounted cash flows of the plan’s service cost for each year and an individual spot rate (referred to as the “spot rate” approach). The interest cost component is determined by aggregating the product of the discounted cash flows of the plan’s

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

projected benefit obligations for each year and an individual spot rate. Management believes this methodology is an appropriate measure of the service cost and interest cost as each year’s cash flows are specifically linked to the interest rates of bond payments in the same respective year. Our pension benefits are described further in Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

We group our assets at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:

Level I — Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.

Level II — Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.

Level III — Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect the Company’s own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset.

We base our fair values on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. It is our policy to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements, in accordance with the fair value hierarchy in generally accepted accounting principles.

2. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”), which changes the impairment model for most financial assets. This Update is intended to improve financial reporting by requiring timelier recording of credit losses on loans and other financial instruments held by financial institutions and other organizations. The underlying premise of the Update is that financial assets measured at amortized cost should be presented at the net amount expected to be collected, through an allowance for credit losses that is deducted from the amortized cost basis. The allowance for credit losses should reflect management’s current estimate of credit losses that are expected to occur over the remaining life of a financial asset. The income statement will be affected for the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets, as well as the expected increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period. With certain exceptions, transition to the new requirements will be through a cumulative effect adjustment to opening retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted.

In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, Financial InstrumentsCredit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842). This update defers the effective date of ASU 2016-13 for SEC filers that are eligible to be smaller reporting companies, non-SEC filers, and all other companies to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company, as a smaller reporting company, has adopted this ASU and continues to evaluate the impact that ASU 2016-13 will have on our consolidated financial statements. We are currently working with an industry leading third-party consultant and software provider to assist us in the implementation of ASU 2016-13. We expect to recognize a one-time cumulative effect adjustment to the allowance for loan losses as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the new standard is effective, but cannot yet determine the magnitude of any such one-time adjustment or the overall impact of the new guidance on the consolidated financial statements. The overall impact of the amendment will be affected by the portfolio composition and quality at the adoption date as well as economic conditions and forecasts at that time.

In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-4, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, March 2020, to provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the US GAAP guidance on contract modifications to ease the financial reporting burdens of the expected market

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

transition from LIBOR to alternative reference rates, such as Secured Overnight Financing Rate. Entities can elect not to apply certain modification accounting requirements to contracts affected by what the guidance calls reference rate reform, if certain criteria are met. An entity that makes this election would not have to remeasure the contracts at the modification date or reassess a previous accounting determination. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities upon issuance through December 31, 2022. The Company has identified its LIBOR exposure across product categories and is analyzing the risks associated with the LIBOR transition. However, it is too early to predict whether a new rate index replacement and the adoption of this ASU will have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

3. REVENUE RECOGNITION

ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with CustomersTopic 606, requires the Company to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers at the time the transfer of goods or services takes place. Management determined that the primary sources of revenue associated with financial instruments, including interest and fee income on loans and interest on investments, along with certain noninterest revenue sources including net realized gains (losses) on investment securities, mortgage related fees, net gains on loans held for sale, and bank owned life insurance are not within the scope of Topic 606. These sources of revenue cumulatively comprise 79.7% of the total revenue of the Company.

Non-interest income within the scope of Topic 606 are as follows:

Wealth management fees – Wealth management fee income is primarily comprised of fees earned from the management and administration of trusts and customer investment portfolios. The Company’s performance obligation is generally satisfied over a period of time and the resulting fees are billed monthly or quarterly, based upon the month end market value of the assets under management. Payment is generally received after month end through a direct charge to customers’ accounts. Due to this delay in payment, a receivable of $825,000 has been established as of December 31, 2020 and is included in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in order to properly recognize the revenue earned but not yet received. Other performance obligations (such as delivery of account statements to customers) are generally considered immaterial to the overall transactions’ price. Commissions on transactions are recognized on a trade-date basis as the performance obligation is satisfied at the point in time in which the trade is processed. Also included within wealth management fees are commissions from the sale of mutual funds, annuities, and life insurance products. Commissions on the sale of mutual funds, annuities, and life insurance products are recognized when sold, which is when the Company has satisfied its performance obligation.
Service charges on deposit accounts — The Company has contracts with its deposit account customers where fees are charged for certain items or services. Service charges include account analysis fees, monthly service fees, overdraft fees, and other deposit account related fees. Revenue related to account analysis fees and service fees is recognized on a monthly basis as the Company has an unconditional right to the fee consideration. Fees attributable to specific performance obligations of the Company (i.e. overdraft fees, etc.) are recognized at a defined point in time based on completion of the requested service or transaction.
Other non-interest income — Other non-interest income consists of other recurring revenue streams such as safe deposit box rental fees, gain (loss) on sale of other real estate owned, ATM and VISA debit card fees, and other miscellaneous revenue streams. Safe deposit box rental fees are charged to the customer on an annual basis and recognized when billed. However, if the safe deposit box rental fee is prepaid (i.e. paid prior to issuance of annual bill), the revenue is recognized upon receipt of payment. The Company has determined that since rentals and renewals occur consistently over time, revenue is recognized on a basis consistent with the duration of the performance obligation. Gains and losses on the sale of other real estate owned are recognized at the completion of the property sale when the buyer obtains control of the real estate and all the performance obligations of the Company have been satisfied. The Company offers ATM and VISA debit cards to deposit account holders which allows our customers to access their account electronically at ATMs and POS terminals.

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Fees related to ATM and VISA debit card transactions are recognized when the transactions are completed and the Company has satisfied it performance obligation.

The following presents non-interest income, segregated by revenue streams in-scope and out-of-scope of Topic 606, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 (in thousands).

    

AT DECEMBER 31, 

 

2020

    

2019

    

2018

Non-interest income:

In-scope of Topic 606

 

  

 

  

 

  

Wealth management fees

$

10,212

$

9,730

$

9,659

Service charges on deposit accounts

 

903

 

1,271

 

1,420

Other

 

1,708

 

1,759

 

1,720

Non-interest income (in-scope of topic 606)

 

12,823

 

12,760

 

12,799

Non-interest income (out-of-scope of topic 606)

 

3,452

 

2,013

 

1,425

Total non-interest income

$

16,275

$

14,773

$

14,224

4. CASH AND DUE FROM DEPOSITORY INSTITUTIONS

The Federal Reserve reduced reserve requirements to zero as of March 26, 2020. As of December 31, 2019, required federal reserves of $3.0 million were included in “Cash and due from depository institutions” for facilitating the implementation of monetary policy by the Federal Reserve System. Such required reserves were computed by applying prescribed ratios to the classes of average deposit balances. They were held in the form of vault cash and a depository amount held with the Federal Reserve Bank.

5. INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The cost basis and fair values of investment securities are summarized as follows:

Investment securities available for sale:

DECEMBER 31, 2020

GROSS

GROSS

UNREALIZED

UNREALIZED

FAIR

    

COST BASIS

    

GAINS

    

LOSSES

    

VALUE

(IN THOUSANDS)

U.S. Agency

$

2,971

$

181

$

$

3,152

U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

65,398

 

2,533

 

(18)

 

67,913

Municipal

 

19,000

 

1,348

 

 

20,348

Corporate bonds

 

52,315

 

666

 

(229)

 

52,752

Total

$

139,684

$

4,728

$

(247)

$

144,165

Investment securities held to maturity:

DECEMBER 31, 2020

GROSS

GROSS

UNREALIZED

UNREALIZED

FAIR

    

COST BASIS

    

GAINS

    

LOSSES

    

VALUE

(IN THOUSANDS)

U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities

$

8,119

$

369

$

$

8,488

Municipal

 

30,076

 

2,455

 

(49)

 

32,482

Corporate bonds and other securities

 

6,027

 

113

 

(4)

 

6,136

Total

$

44,222

$

2,937

$

(53)

$

47,106

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Investment securities available for sale:

DECEMBER 31, 2019

GROSS

GROSS

UNREALIZED

UNREALIZED

FAIR

    

COST BASIS

    

GAINS

    

LOSSES

    

VALUE

(IN THOUSANDS)

U.S. Agency

$

5,084

$

32

$

$

5,116

U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

80,046

 

1,681

 

(94)

 

81,633

Municipal

 

14,678

 

509

 

(17)

 

15,170

Corporate bonds

 

39,769

 

342

 

(281)

 

39,830

Total

$

139,577

$

2,564

$

(392)

$

141,749

Investment securities held to maturity:

DECEMBER 31, 2019

GROSS

GROSS

UNREALIZED

UNREALIZED

FAIR

COST BASIS

    

GAINS

    

LOSSES

    

VALUE

(IN THOUSANDS)

U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities

    

$

9,466

$

251

$

(4)

$

9,713

Municipal

 

24,438

 

941

 

(53)

 

25,326

Corporate bonds and other securities

 

6,032

 

58

 

(47)

 

6,043

Total

$

39,936

$

1,250

$

(104)

$

41,082

Maintaining investment quality is a primary objective of the Company’s investment policy which, subject to certain limited exceptions, prohibits the purchase of any investment security below a Moody’s Investors Service or Standard & Poor’s rating of A. At December 31, 2020, 42.2% of the portfolio was rated AAA as compared to 53.4% at December 31, 2019. Approximately 15.2% and 9.1% of the portfolio was rated below A or unrated on December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company and its subsidiaries, collectively, did not hold securities of any single issuer, excluding U.S. agencies, that exceeded 10% of shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2020.

The book value of securities, both available for sale and held to maturity, pledged to secure public and trust deposits was $111,694,000 at December 31, 2020 and $117,076,000 at December 31, 2019.

The Company sold no investment securities during 2020 and realized $118,000 of gross investment security gains in 2019 and $15,000 of gross investment security gains and $454,000 of gross investment security losses in 2018. On a net basis, the realized gain for 2019 was $93,000 after factoring in tax expense of $25,000 and the realized loss for 2018 was $347,000 after factoring in a tax benefit of $92,000. Proceeds from sales of investment securities available for sale were $3.4 million for 2019 and $9.5 million for 2018.

The following table sets forth the contractual maturity distribution of the investment securities, cost basis and fair market values, and the weighted average yield for each type and range of maturity as of December 31, 2020. Yields are not presented on a tax-equivalent basis, but are based upon the cost basis and are weighted for the scheduled maturity. The Company’s consolidated investment securities portfolio had an effective duration of approximately 2.11 years. The weighted average expected maturity for available for sale securities at December 31, 2020 for U.S. agency, U.S. agency mortgage-backed, corporate bond, and municipal securities was 11.28, 3.66, 4.38, and 4.99 years, respectively. The weighted average expected maturity for held to maturity securities at December 31, 2020 for U.S. agency mortgage-backed, corporate bond/other securities, and municipal securities 4.52, 2.40, and 6.21 years, respectively.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Investment securities available for sale:

AT DECEMBER 31, 2020

 

TOTAL

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

U.S. AGENCY

    

INVESTMENT

 

MORTGAGE-

SECURITIES

 

CORPORATE

BACKED

AVAILABLE FOR

 

U. S. AGENCY

MUNICIPAL

BONDS

SECURITIES

SALE

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT YIELDS)

 

COST BASIS

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Within 1 year

$

 

%  

$

598

 

2.14

%  

$

4,459

 

2.64

%  

$

%  

$

5,057

2.58

%

After 1 year but within 5 years

 

 

 

7,104

 

2.76

 

15,119

 

2.70

 

2,332

3.18

 

24,555

2.76

After 5 years but within 10 years

 

741

 

2.69

 

11,298

 

3.01

 

32,087

 

4.07

 

5,958

2.60

 

50,084

3.62

After 10 years but within 15 years

 

 

 

 

 

650

 

3.92

 

15,481

2.70

 

16,131

2.75

Over 15 years

 

2,230

 

2.68

 

 

 

 

 

41,627

2.31

 

43,857

2.33

Total

$

2,971

 

2.68

$

19,000

 

2.89

$

52,315

 

3.55

$

65,398

2.46

$

139,684

2.93

FAIR VALUE

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

Within 1 year

$

 

  

$

601

 

  

$

4,487

  

$

  

$

5,088

  

After 1 year but within 5 years

 

 

  

 

7,483

 

  

 

15,224

  

 

2,457

  

 

25,164

  

After 5 years but within 10 years

 

780

 

  

 

12,264

 

  

 

32,389

  

 

6,235

  

 

51,668

  

After 10 years but within 15 years

 

 

 

 

 

652

  

 

16,269

  

 

16,921

  

Over 15 years

 

2,372

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

42,952

  

 

45,324

  

Total

$

3,152

 

  

$

20,348

 

  

$

52,752

  

$

67,913

  

$

144,165

  

Investment securities held to maturity:

AT DECEMBER 31, 2020

    

U.S. AGENCY

    

    

    

    

    

    

MORTGAGE-

TOTAL INVESTMENT

BACKED

CORPORATE

SECURITIES 

SECURITIES

MUNICIPAL

BONDS AND OTHER

HELD TO MATURITY

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT YIELDS)

COST BASIS

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Within 1 year

$

 

%  

$

400

 

2.84

%  

$

3,000

 

2.95

%  

$

3,400

 

2.94

%  

After 1 year but within 5 years

 

1,068

2.83

 

4,080

3.25

 

3,027

3.47

 

8,175

3.28

After 5 years but within 10 years

 

 

18,768

3.38

 

 

18,768

3.38

After 10 years but within 15 years

 

1,718

3.55

 

6,513

3.01

 

 

8,231

3.12

Over 15 years

 

5,333

2.01

 

315

3.50

 

 

5,648

2.09

Total

$

8,119

2.44

$

30,076

3.28

$

6,027

3.21

$

44,222

3.11

FAIR VALUE

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Within 1 year

$

 

  

$

403

 

  

$

2,998

 

  

$

3,401

 

  

After 1 year but within 5 years

 

1,132

  

 

4,383

  

 

3,138

  

 

8,653

  

After 5 years but within 10 years

 

  

 

20,478

  

 

  

 

20,478

  

After 10 years but within 15 years

 

1,856

  

 

6,874

  

 

  

 

8,730

  

Over 15 years

 

5,500

  

 

344

  

 

  

 

5,844

  

Total

$

8,488

  

$

32,482

  

$

6,136

  

$

47,106

  

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table presents information concerning investments with unrealized losses as of December 31, 2020 (in thousands):

Total investment securities:

DECEMBER 31, 2020

LESS THAN 12 MONTHS

12 MONTHS OR LONGER

TOTAL

FAIR

UNREALIZED

FAIR

UNREALIZED

FAIR

UNREALIZED

    

VALUE

    

LOSSES

    

VALUE

    

LOSSES

    

VALUE

    

LOSSES

U.S. Agency

$

$

$

$

$

$

U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

6,394

(17)

123

(1)

6,517

(18)

Municipal

 

751

(49)

751

(49)

Corporate bonds and other securities

 

13,083

(162)

7,929

(71)

21,012

(233)

Total

$

19,477

$

(179)

$

8,803

$

(121)

$

28,280

$

(300)

The following table presents information concerning investments with unrealized losses as of December 31, 2019 (in thousands):

Total investment securities:

DECEMBER 31, 2019

LESS THAN 12 MONTHS

12 MONTHS OR LONGER

TOTAL

FAIR

UNREALIZED

FAIR

UNREALIZED

FAIR

UNREALIZED

    

VALUE

    

LOSSES

    

VALUE

    

LOSSES

    

VALUE

    

LOSSES

U.S. Agency

$

$

$

$

$

$

U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

7,084

 

(23)

 

8,562

 

(75)

 

15,646

(98)

Municipal

 

2,269

 

(18)

 

1,123

 

(52)

 

3,392

(70)

Corporate bonds and other securities

 

7,797

 

(85)

 

11,783

 

(243)

 

19,580

(328)

Total

$

17,150

$

(126)

$

21,468

$

(370)

$

38,618

$

(496)

The unrealized losses are primarily a result of increases in market yields from the time of purchase. In general, as market yields rise, the value of securities will decrease; as market yields fall, the fair value of securities will increase. There are 41 positions that are considered temporarily impaired at December 31, 2020. Management generally views changes in fair value caused by changes in interest rates as temporary; therefore, these securities have not been classified as other-than-temporarily impaired. Management has also concluded that based on current information we expect to continue to receive scheduled interest payments as well as the entire principal balance. Furthermore, management does not intend to sell these securities and does not believe it will be required to sell these securities before they recover in value or mature.

The interest rate environment and market yields can also have a significant impact on the yield earned on mortgage-backed securities (MBS). Prepayment speed assumptions are an important factor to consider when evaluating the returns on an MBS. Generally, as interest rates decline, borrowers have more incentive to refinance into a lower rate, so prepayments will rise. Conversely, as interest rates increase, prepayments will decline. When an MBS is purchased at a premium, the yield will decrease as prepayments increase and the yield will increase as prepayments decrease. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had low premium risk as the book value of our mortgage-backed securities purchased at a premium was only 101.2% of the par value.

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company reported $443,000 and $366,000, respectively, of equity securities within other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These equity securities are held within a nonqualified deferred compensation plan in which a select group of executives of the Company can participate. An eligible executive can defer a certain percentage of their current salary to be placed into the plan and held within a

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

rabbi trust. The assets of the rabbi trust are invested in various publicly listed mutual funds. The gain or loss on the equity securities (both realized and unrealized) is reported within other income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The realized gain on equity securities was $2,000 and $13,000 during 2020 and 2019, respectively. The unrealized gain was $3,000 in 2020 and the unrealized loss was $5,000 in 2019. Additionally, the Company has recognized a deferred compensation liability, which is equal to the balance of the equity securities and is reported within other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

6. LOANS

The loan portfolio of the Company consisted of the following:

AT DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

(IN THOUSANDS)

Commercial:

Commercial and industrial

$

151,162

$

173,922

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

58,344

Commercial loans secured by owner occupied real estate

 

95,486

91,655

Commercial loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate

 

400,751

363,635

Real estate − residential mortgage

 

249,989

235,239

Consumer

 

16,363

18,255

Loans, net of unearned income

$

972,095

$

882,706

Loan balances at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are net of unearned income of $1,202,000 and $384,000, respectively. The unearned income balance at December 31, 2020 includes $755,000 of unrecognized fee income from PPP loan originations. Real estate construction loans comprised 7.0% and 4.9% of total loans net of unearned income at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company has no exposure to subprime mortgage loans in either the loan or investment portfolios. The Company has no direct loan exposure to foreign countries. Additionally, the Company has no significant industry lending concentrations. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, loans to customers engaged in similar activities and having similar economic characteristics, as defined by standard industrial classifications, did not exceed 10% of total loans. Additionally, the majority of the Company’s lending occurs within a 250-mile radius of the Johnstown market.

In the ordinary course of business, the subsidiaries have transactions, including loans, with their officers, directors, and their affiliated companies. In management’s opinion, these transactions were on substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with unaffiliated parties and do not involve more than the normal credit risk. These loans totaled $615,000 and $544,000 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a fluid situation and continues to evolve, impacting the way many businesses operate. The pandemic and its associated impacts on trade (including supply chains and export levels), travel, employee productivity, unemployment, and consumer spending has resulted in less economic activity and significant volatility and disruption. Certain loans within our commercial and commercial real estate portfolios have been disproportionately adversely affected by the pandemic. Due to mandatory lockdowns and travel restrictions, certain industries, such as hospitality, travel, food service and restaurants and bars, have suffered as a result of COVID-19. The following table provides information regarding our potential COVID-19 risk concentrations for commercial and commercial real estate loans by industry type at December 31, 2020 (in thousands).

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Paycheck

Commercial loans

Commercial loans

Commercial

Protection

secured by owner

secured by non-owner

    

and industrial

    

Program

    

occupied real estate

    

occupied real estate

    

Total

1-4 unit residential

$

1,450

$

$

105

$

6,139

$

7,694

Multifamily/apartments/student housing

 

 

 

469

 

66,879

 

67,348

Office

 

33,525

 

6,872

 

10,095

 

37,164

 

87,656

Retail

 

8,080

 

1,542

 

21,180

 

124,325

 

155,127

Industrial/manufacturing/warehouse

 

87,021

 

26,222

 

18,255

 

38,814

 

170,312

Hotels

 

329

 

837

 

 

41,779

 

42,945

Eating and drinking places

 

769

 

13,479

 

4,390

 

1,925

 

20,563

Amusement and recreation

 

190

 

46

 

3,307

 

38

 

3,581

Mixed use

 

 

 

2,411

 

65,585

 

67,996

Other

 

19,798

 

9,346

 

35,274

 

18,103

 

82,521

Total

$

151,162

$

58,344

$

95,486

$

400,751

$

705,743

Paycheck Protection Program

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, was signed into law on March 27, 2020, and provides emergency economic relief to individuals and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act authorized the Small Business Administration (SBA) to temporarily guarantee loans under a new 7(a) program called the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). As a qualified SBA lender, the Company was automatically authorized to originate PPP loans.

An eligible business could apply for a PPP loan up to the lesser of: (1) 2.5 times its average monthly “payroll costs;” or (2) $10.0 million. PPP loans have: (a) an interest rate of 1.0%; (b) a two-year (if originated prior to June 5, 2020) or five-year (if originated after June 5, 2020) loan term to maturity; and (c) principal and interest payments deferred for six months from the date of disbursement. The SBA will guarantee 100% of the PPP loans made to eligible borrowers pursuant to standards as defined by the SBA. The entire principal amount of the borrower’s PPP loan, including any accrued interest, is eligible to be reduced by the loan forgiveness amount under the PPP so long as employee and compensation levels of the business are maintained and at least 60% of the loan proceeds are used for payroll expenses with the remaining loan proceeds being used for other qualifying expenses such as interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had 364 PPP loans outstanding totaling $58.3 million and has recorded a total of $1.9 million of processing fee income and interest income from PPP lending activity. Also, there is approximately $755,000 of PPP processing fees that will be amortized into income over the time period that the loans remain on our balancec sheet or until the PPP loan is forgiven at which time the remaining fee will be recognized immediately as income.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

7. ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The following table summarizes the rollforward of the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment (in thousands).

BALANCE AT

CHARGE-

PROVISION 

BALANCE AT

    

DECEMBER 31, 2019

    

OFFS

    

RECOVERIES

    

(CREDIT)

    

DECEMBER 31, 2020

Commercial

$

3,951

$

(111)

$

4

$

(372)

$

3,472

Commercial loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate

 

3,119

 

 

44

 

2,210

 

5,373

Real estate − residential mortgage

 

1,159

 

(233)

 

62

 

304

 

1,292

Consumer

 

126

 

(143)

 

68

 

64

 

115

Allocation for general risk

 

924

 

 

 

169

 

1,093

Total

$

9,279

$

(487)

$

178

$

2,375

$

11,345

BALANCE AT

CHARGE-

PROVISION

BALANCE AT

    

DECEMBER 31, 2018

    

OFFS

    

RECOVERIES

    

(CREDIT)

    

DECEMBER 31, 2019

Commercial

$

3,057

$

(9)

$

22

$

881

$

3,951

Commercial loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate

 

3,389

 

(63)

 

48

 

(255)

 

3,119

Real estate − residential mortgage

 

1,235

 

(98)

 

118

 

(96)

 

1,159

Consumer

 

127

 

(262)

 

52

 

209

 

126

Allocation for general risk

 

863

 

 

 

61

 

924

Total

$

8,671

$

(432)

$

240

$

800

$

9,279

BALANCE AT

CHARGE-

PROVISION

BALANCE AT

    

DECEMBER 31, 2017

    

OFFS

    

RECOVERIES

    

(CREDIT)

    

DECEMBER 31, 2018

Commercial

$

4,298

$

(574)

$

31

$

(698)

$

3,057

Commercial loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate

 

3,666

 

 

51

 

(328)

 

3,389

Real estate − residential mortgage

 

1,102

 

(380)

 

119

 

394

 

1,235

Consumer

 

128

 

(251)

 

61

 

189

 

127

Allocation for general risk

 

1,020

 

 

 

(157)

 

863

Total

$

10,214

$

(1,205)

$

262

$

(600)

$

8,671

For 2020, the Company recorded a $2,375,000 provision expense for loan losses compared to an $800,000 provision expense in 2019. The Company continues to build the allowance for loan losses given the overall economic climate and the uncertainty that exists because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 provision reflects managements strengthening certain qualitative factors within the allowance for loan losses calculation and downgrades of loan relationships that are reflective of the industries that have been especially negatively impacted from the pandemic, primarily the hospitality industry, and are demonstrating a slow pace of recovery. The effect of these downgrades was an increase in the allowance for the commercial loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate portfolio. The recovery efforts of many of these borrowers experiencing a downgrade stalled during the fourth quarter of 2020 due to the rise in COVID cases which caused additional safety measures and restrictions to be put in place on their businesses. While these borrowers need additional time to recover, we remain encouraged by their efforts to work through the pandemic and signs of improvement in their operations. The decrease in the allowance balance for the commercial loan portfolio is the result of two substantial commercial loans which were previously classified as substandard being upgraded. In addtion, the growth in the allowance balance for residential mortgage loans is the result of the increased origination activity experienced within this portfolio during 2020 given the lower interest rate environment. It should be noted that the 100% SBA guarantee on PPP loans minimizes the level of credit risk associated with the loans. As a result, such loans are assigned a 0% risk weight for purposes of calculating the Bank’s risk-based capital ratios. Therefore, it was deemed appropriate to not allocate any portion of the loan loss reserve for the PPP loans.

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The Company experienced net loan charge-offs of $309,000, or 0.03% of total loans, in 2020 compared to net loan charge-offs of $192,000, or 0.02% of total loans, in 2019. As a result of the provision expense sharply exceeding net loan charge-offs, the balance in the allowance for loan losses increased by over $2 million in 2020. Overall, non-performing assets totaled $3.3 million, or 0.34% of total loans, at December 31, 2020. The allowance for loan losses provided 341% coverage of non-performing assets, and 1.16% of total loans, at December 31, 2020, compared to 397% coverage of non-performing assets, and 1.05% of total loans, at December 31, 2019. Note that the reserve coverage of total loans, excluding PPP loans, is 1.23% (non-GAAP) at December 31, 2020. See the reconciliation of the non-GAAP measure of the reserve coverage of total loans, excluding PPP loans, within the Allowance and Provision for Loan Losses section of the MD&A.

For 2019, the Company recorded an $800,000 provision expense for loan losses compared to a $600,000 provision recovery for 2018, or an increase of $1.4 million between years. The 2019 provision expense reflects the growth within the loan portfolio and the increase in classified loans. Specifically, the 2019 provision expense within the commercial segment was driven by the rating downgrade of a $6.5 million performing commercial and industrial loan to substandard as a result of the unexpected death of a borrower. This downgrade caused a $675,000 increase in the fourth quarter 2019 provision expense. This rating action was prudent due to the inherent uncertainties associated with a large estate liquidation. Additionally, the 2019 provision credit within commercial loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate was driven, primarily, by a relaxation of the economic qualitative factors applied to the Pass rated portion of this loan segment. The Company experienced net loan charge-offs of only $192,000, or 0.02% of total loans, in 2019 compared to net loan charge-offs of $943,000, or 0.11% of total loans, in 2018. Nonperforming assets totaled $2.3 million, or only 0.26% of total loans, at December 31, 2019.

The following tables summarize the loan portfolio and allowance for loan losses by the primary segments of the loan portfolio.

AT DECEMBER 31, 2020

COMMERCIAL LOANS

SECURED BY NON-

REAL ESTATE −

OWNER OCCUPIED

RESIDENTIAL

Loans:

    

COMMERCIAL

    

REAL ESTATE

    

MORTGAGE

    

CONSUMER

    

TOTAL

(IN THOUSANDS)

Individually evaluated for impairment

$

847

$

8

$

$

$

855

Collectively evaluated for impairment

 

304,145

 

400,743

 

249,989

 

16,363

 

971,240

Total loans

$

304,992

$

400,751

$

249,989

$

16,363

$

972,095

AT DECEMBER 31, 2020

COMMERCIAL LOANS

ALLOCATION

SECURED BY NON-

REAL ESTATE −

FOR

Allowance

OWNER OCCUPIED

RESIDENTIAL

GENERAL

for loan losses:

    

COMMERCIAL

    

REAL ESTATE

    

MORTGAGE

    

CONSUMER

    

RISK

    

TOTAL

(IN THOUSANDS)

Specific reserve allocation

$

96

$

8

$

$

$

$

104

General reserve allocation

 

3,376

 

5,365

 

1,292

 

115

 

1,093

 

11,241

Total allowance for loan losses

$

3,472

$

5,373

$

1,292

$

115

$

1,093

$

11,345

AT DECEMBER 31, 2019

COMMERCIAL LOANS

SECURED BY NON-

REAL ESTATE −

OWNER OCCUPIED

RESIDENTIAL

Loans:

    

COMMERCIAL

    

REAL ESTATE

    

MORTGAGE

    

CONSUMER

    

TOTAL

(IN THOUSANDS)

Individually evaluated for impairment

$

816

$

8

$

$

$

824

Collectively evaluated for impairment

 

264,761

 

363,627

 

235,239

 

18,255

 

881,882

Total loans

$

265,577

$

363,635

$

235,239

$

18,255

$

882,706

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AT DECEMBER 31, 2019

COMMERCIAL LOANS

ALLOCATION

SECURED BY NON-

REAL ESTATE −

FOR

Allowance

OWNER OCCUPIED

RESIDENTIAL

GENERAL

for loan losses:

COMMERCIAL

    

REAL ESTATE

    

MORTGAGE

    

CONSUMER

    

RISK

    

TOTAL

(IN THOUSANDS)

Specific reserve allocation

    

$

84

$

8

$

$

$

$

92

General reserve allocation

 

3,867

 

3,111

 

1,159

 

126

 

924

 

9,187

Total allowance for loan losses

$

3,951

$

3,119

$

1,159

$

126

$

924

$

9,279

The segments of the Company’s loan portfolio are disaggregated into classes that allows management to monitor risk and performance. The loan classes used are consistent with the internal reports evaluated by the Company’s management and Board of Directors to monitor risk and performance within various segments of its loan portfolio. The commercial loan segment includes both the commercial and industrial and the owner occupied commercial real estate loan classes while the remaining segments are not separated into classes as management monitors risk in these loans at the segment level. The residential mortgage loan segment is comprised of first lien amortizing residential mortgage loans and home equity loans secured by residential real estate. The consumer loan segment consists primarily of installment loans and overdraft lines of credit connected with customer deposit accounts.

Management evaluates for possible impairment any individual loan in the commercial or commercial real estate segment that is in nonaccrual status or classified as a Troubled Debt Restructure (TDR). In addition, consumer and residential mortgage loans with a balance of $150,000 or more are evaluated for impairment. Loans are considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in evaluating impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.

Once the determination has been made that a loan is impaired, the determination of whether a specific allocation of the allowance is necessary is measured by comparing the recorded investment in the loan to the fair value of the loan using one of three methods: (a) the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate; (b) the loan’s observable market price; or (c) the fair value of the collateral less selling costs for collateral dependent loans. The method is selected on a loan-by-loan basis, with management primarily utilizing either the discounted cash flows or the fair value of collateral method. The evaluation of the need and amount of a specific allocation of the allowance and whether a loan can be removed from impairment status is made on a quarterly basis. The Company’s policy for recognizing interest income on impaired loans does not differ from its overall policy for interest recognition.

The need for an updated appraisal on collateral dependent loans is determined on a case-by-case basis. The useful life of an appraisal or evaluation will vary depending upon the circumstances of the property and the economic conditions in the marketplace. A new appraisal is not required if there is an existing appraisal which, along with other information, is sufficient to determine a reasonable value for the property and to support an appropriate and adequate allowance for loan losses. At a minimum, annual documented reevaluation of the property is completed by the Bank’s internal Assigned Risk Department to support the value of the property.

When reviewing an appraisal associated with an existing real estate collateral dependent transaction, the Bank’s internal Assigned Risk Department must determine if there have been material changes to the underlying assumptions in the appraisal which affect the original estimate of value. Some of the factors that could cause material changes to reported values include:

the passage of time;
the volatility of the local market;

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

the availability of financing;
natural disasters;
the inventory of competing properties;
new improvements to, or lack of maintenance of, the subject property or competing properties upon physical inspection by the Bank;
changes in underlying economic and market assumptions, such as material changes in current and projected vacancy, absorption rates, capitalization rates, lease terms, rental rates, sales prices, concessions, construction overruns and delays, zoning changes, etc.; and/or
environmental contamination.

The value of the property is adjusted to appropriately reflect the above listed factors and the value is discounted to reflect the value impact of a forced or distressed sale, any outstanding senior liens, any outstanding unpaid real estate taxes, transfer taxes and closing costs that would occur with sale of the real estate. If the Assigned Risk Department personnel determine that a reasonable value cannot be derived based on available information, a new appraisal is ordered. The determination of the need for a new appraisal, versus completion of a property valuation by the Bank’s Assigned Risk Department personnel rests with the Assigned Risk Department and not the originating account officer.

The following tables present impaired loans by portfolio segment, segregated by those for which a specific allowance was required and those for which a specific allowance was not necessary.

AT DECEMBER 31, 2020

IMPAIRED

LOANS WITH

IMPAIRED LOANS WITH

NO SPECIFIC

SPECIFIC ALLOWANCE

ALLOWANCE

TOTAL IMPAIRED LOANS

 

UNPAID

 

RECORDED

 

RELATED

 

RECORDED

 

RECORDED

 

PRINCIPAL

    

INVESTMENT

    

ALLOWANCE

    

INVESTMENT

    

INVESTMENT

    

BALANCE

 

(IN THOUSANDS)

Commercial

$

847

$

96

$

$

847

$

850

Commercial loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate

8

8

8

30

Total impaired loans

$

855

$

104

$

$

855

$

880

AT DECEMBER 31, 2019

IMPAIRED

LOANS WITH

IMPAIRED LOANS WITH

NO SPECIFIC

SPECIFIC ALLOWANCE

ALLOWANCE

TOTAL IMPAIRED LOANS

UNPAID

RECORDED

RELATED

RECORDED

RECORDED

PRINCIPAL

    

INVESTMENT

    

ALLOWANCE

    

INVESTMENT

    

INVESTMENT

    

BALANCE

 

(IN THOUSANDS)

Commercial

816

$

84

$

$

816

$

816

Commercial loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate

$

8

$

8

$

$

8

$

30

Total impaired loans

$

824

$

92

$

$

824

$

846

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table presents the average recorded investment in impaired loans and related interest income recognized for the periods indicated.

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

(IN THOUSANDS)

Average impaired balance:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Commercial

$

839

$

597

$

228

Commercial loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate

 

8

 

10

 

12

Average investment in impaired loans

$

847

$

607

$

240

Interest income recognized:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Commercial

$

38

$

30

$

Commercial loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate

 

 

 

Interest income recognized on a cash basis on impaired loans

$

38

$

30

$

Management uses a nine-point internal risk rating system to monitor the credit quality of the overall loan portfolio. The first six categories are considered not criticized. The first five “Pass” categories are aggregated, while the Pass-6, Special Mention, Substandard and Doubtful categories are disaggregated to separate pools. The criticized rating categories utilized by management generally follow bank regulatory definitions. The Special Mention category includes assets that are currently protected but are potentially weak, resulting in an undue and unwarranted credit risk, but not to the point of justifying a Substandard classification. Loans in the Substandard category have well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt, and have a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if the weaknesses are not corrected. All loans greater than 90 days past due, or for which any portion of the loan represents a specific allocation of the allowance for loan losses are placed in Substandard or Doubtful.

To help ensure that risk ratings are accurate and reflect the present and future capacity of borrowers to repay a loan as agreed, the Company has a structured loan rating process, which dictates that, at a minimum, credit reviews are mandatory for all commercial and commercial mortgage loan relationships with aggregate balances in excess of $1,000,000 within a 12-month period. Generally, consumer and residential mortgage loans are included in the Pass categories unless a specific action, such as bankruptcy, delinquency, or death occurs to raise awareness of a possible credit event. The Company’s commercial relationship managers are responsible for the timely and accurate risk rating of the loans in their portfolios at origination and on an ongoing basis. Risk ratings are assigned by the account officer, but require independent review and rating concurrence from the Company’s internal Loan Review Department. The Loan Review Department is an experienced, independent function which reports directly to the Board’s Audit Committee. The scope of commercial portfolio coverage by the Loan Review Department is defined and presented to the Audit Committee for approval on an annual basis. The approved scope of coverage for 2020 required review of a minimum of 40% of the commercial loan portfolio.

In addition to loan monitoring by the account officer and Loan Review Department, the Company also requires presentation of all credits rated Pass-6 with aggregate balances greater than $2,000,000, all credits rated Special Mention or Substandard with aggregate balances greater than $250,000, and all credits rated Doubtful with aggregate balances greater than $100,000 on an individual basis to the Company’s Loan Loss Reserve Committee on a quarterly basis. Additionally, the Asset Quality Task Force, which is a group comprised of senior level personnel, meets monthly to monitor the status of problem loans.

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The following table presents the classes of the commercial and commercial real estate loan portfolios summarized by the aggregate Pass and the criticized categories of Special Mention, Substandard and Doubtful within the internal risk rating system.

AT DECEMBER 31, 2020

SPECIAL

    

PASS

    

MENTION

    

SUBSTANDARD

    

DOUBTFUL

    

TOTAL

(IN THOUSANDS)

Commercial and industrial

$

134,186

$

13,722

$

3,254

$

$

151,162

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

58,344

58,344

Commercial loans secured by owner occupied real estate

 

92,189

 

2,154

 

1,143

 

 

95,486

Commercial loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate

 

371,815

 

23,980

 

4,948

 

8

 

400,751

Total

$

656,534

$

39,856

$

9,345

$

8

$

705,743

AT DECEMBER 31, 2019

SPECIAL

    

PASS

    

MENTION

    

SUBSTANDARD

    

DOUBTFUL

    

TOTAL

(IN THOUSANDS)

Commercial and industrial

$

161,147

$

853

$

11,922

$

$

173,922

Commercial loans secured by owner occupied real estate

 

88,942

 

1,384

 

1,329

 

 

91,655

Commercial loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate

 

362,027

 

 

1,600

 

8

 

363,635

Total

$

612,116

$

2,237

$

14,851

$

8

$

629,212

It is generally the policy of the Bank that the outstanding balance of any residential mortgage loan that exceeds 90-days past due as to principal and/or interest is transferred to non-accrual status and an evaluation is completed to determine the fair value of the collateral less selling costs, unless the balance is minor. A charge down is recorded for any deficiency balance determined from the collateral evaluation. The remaining non-accrual balance is reported as impaired with no specific allowance. It is generally the policy of the Bank that the outstanding balance of any consumer loan that exceeds 90-days past due as to principal and/or interest is charged off. The following tables present the performing and non-performing outstanding balances of the residential and consumer portfolio classes.

AT DECEMBER 31, 2020

    

NON-

 

    

PERFORMING

    

PERFORMING

    

TOTAL

 (IN THOUSANDS)

Real estate – residential mortgage

$

247,520

$

2,469

$

249,989

Consumer

 

16,356

 

7

16,363

Total

$

263,876

$

2,476

$

266,352

AT DECEMBER 31, 2019

    

    

NON-

 

    

PERFORMING

    

PERFORMING

    

TOTAL

 (IN THOUSANDS)

Real estate – residential mortgage

$

233,760

$

1,479

$

235,239

Consumer

 

18,255

 

18,255

Total

$

252,015

$

1,479

$

253,494

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Management further monitors the performance and credit quality of the loan portfolio by analyzing the age of the portfolio as determined by the length of time a recorded payment is past due. The following tables present the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the aging categories of performing loans and non-accrual loans.

AT DECEMBER 31, 2020

90 DAYS

30 – 59

60 – 89

PAST DUE

DAYS

DAYS

90 DAYS

TOTAL

TOTAL

AND STILL

    

CURRENT

    

PAST DUE

    

PAST DUE

    

PAST DUE

    

PAST DUE

    

LOANS

    

ACCRUING

(IN THOUSANDS)

Commercial and industrial

$

148,023

$

536

$

2,603

$

$

3,139

$

151,162

$

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

58,344

58,344

$

Commercial loans secured by owner occupied real estate

 

95,486

 

 

 

95,486

 

Commercial loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate

 

399,850

 

230

671

 

 

901

400,751

 

Real estate – residential mortgage

 

246,279

 

776

1,178

 

1,756

 

3,710

249,989

 

Consumer

 

16,274

 

82

 

7

 

89

16,363

 

Total

$

964,256

$

1,624

$

4,452

$

1,763

$

7,839

$

972,095

$

AT DECEMBER 31, 2019

    

90 DAYS

30 – 59

60 – 89

PAST DUE

DAYS

DAYS

90 DAYS

TOTAL

TOTAL

AND STILL

    

CURRENT

    

PAST DUE

    

PAST DUE

    

PAST DUE

    

PAST DUE

    

LOANS

    

ACCRUING

(IN THOUSANDS)

Commercial and industrial

$

173,922

$

$

$

$

$

173,922

$

Commercial loans secured by owner occupied real estate

 

91,538

 

117

 

 

117

91,655

 

Commercial loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate

 

363,635

 

 

 

363,635

 

Real estate – residential mortgage

 

231,022

 

2,331

864

 

1,022

 

4,217

235,239

 

Consumer

 

18,190

 

42

23

 

 

65

18,255

 

Total

$

878,307

$

2,490

$

887

$

1,022

$

4,399

$

882,706

$

An allowance for loan losses (“ALL”) is maintained to support loan growth and cover charge-offs from the loan portfolio. The ALL is based on management’s continuing evaluation of the risk characteristics and credit quality of the loan portfolio, assessment of current economic conditions, diversification and size of the portfolio, adequacy of collateral, past and anticipated loss experience, and the amount of non-performing loans.

Loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment are analyzed with general allowances being made as appropriate. For general allowances, historical loss trends are used in the estimation of losses in the current portfolio. These historical loss amounts are complemented by consideration of other qualitative factors.

Management tracks the historical net charge-off activity at each risk rating grade level for the entire commercial portfolio and at the aggregate level for the consumer, residential mortgage and small business portfolios. A historical charge-off factor is calculated utilizing a rolling 12 consecutive historical quarters for the commercial portfolios. This historical charge-off factor for the consumer, residential mortgage and small business portfolios are based on a three-year historical average of actual loss experience.

The Company uses a comprehensive methodology and procedural discipline to maintain an ALL to absorb inherent losses in the loan portfolio. The Company believes this is a critical accounting policy since it involves significant estimates and judgments. The allowance consists of three elements: (1) an allowance established on specifically identified problem loans, (2) formula driven general reserves established for loan categories based upon historical loss

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experience and other qualitative factors which include delinquency, non-performing and TDR loans, loan trends, economic trends, concentrations of credit, trends in loan volume, experience and depth of management, examination and audit results, effects of any changes in lending policies, and trends in policy, financial information, and documentation exceptions, and (3) a general risk reserve which provides support for variance from our assessment of the previously listed qualitative factors, provides protection against credit risks resulting from other inherent risk factors contained in the Company’s loan portfolio, and recognizes the model and estimation risk associated with the specific and formula driven allowances. The qualitative factors used in the formula driven general reserves are evaluated quarterly (and revised if necessary) by the Company’s management to establish allocations which accommodate each of the listed risk factors.

“Pass” rated credits are segregated from “Criticized” and “Classified” credits for the application of qualitative factors.

Management reviews the loan portfolio on a quarterly basis using a defined, consistently applied process in order to make appropriate and timely adjustments to the ALL. When information confirms all or part of specific loans to be uncollectible, these amounts are promptly charged off against the ALL.

8. NON-PERFORMING ASSETS INCLUDING TROUBLED DEBT RESTRUCTURINGS

Non-performing assets are comprised of (i) loans which are on a non-accrual basis, (ii) loans which are contractually past due 90 days or more as to interest or principal payments, (iii) performing loans classified as TDR and (iv) OREO (real estate acquired through foreclosure, in-substance foreclosures and repossessed assets).

The following table presents information concerning non-performing assets including TDR:

AT DECEMBER 31, 

 

    

2020

    

2019

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT

 

PERCENTAGES)

 

Non-accrual loans:

Commercial and industrial

$

16

$

Commercial loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate

8

8

Real estate – residential mortgage

 

2,469

 

1,479

Consumer

7

Total

 

2,500

 

1,487

Other real estate owned:

 

  

 

  

Real estate – residential mortgage

 

 

37

Total

 

 

37

TDR’s not in non-accrual:

Commercial and industrial

 

831

 

815

Total

831

815

Total non-performing assets including TDR

$

3,331

$

2,339

Total non-performing assets as a percent of loans, net of unearned income, and other real estate owned

 

0.34

%  

 

0.26

%

The Company had no loans past due 90 days or more for the periods presented which were accruing interest.

Consistent with accounting and regulatory guidance, the Bank recognizes a TDR when the Bank, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower that would not normally be considered. Regardless of the form of concession granted, the Bank’s objective in offering a TDR is to increase the probability of repayment of the borrower’s loan.

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To be considered a TDR, both of the following criteria must be met:

the borrower must be experiencing financial difficulties; and
the Bank, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower that would not otherwise be considered.

Factors that indicate a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties include, but are not limited to:

the borrower is currently in default on their loan(s);
the borrower has filed for bankruptcy;
the borrower has insufficient cash flows to service their loan(s); or
the borrower is unable to obtain refinancing from other sources at a market rate similar to rates available to a non-troubled debtor.

Factors that indicate that a concession has been granted include, but are not limited to:

the borrower is granted an interest rate reduction to a level below market rates for debt with similar risk; or
the borrower is granted a material maturity date extension, or extension of the amortization plan to provide payment relief. For purposes of this policy, a material maturity date extension will generally include any maturity date extension, or the aggregate of multiple consecutive maturity date extensions, that exceed 120 days. A restructuring that results in an insignificant delay in payment, i.e. 120 days or less, is not necessarily a TDR. Insignificant payment delays occur when the amount of the restructured payments subject to the delay is insignificant relative to the unpaid principal or collateral value, and will result in an insignificant shortfall in the originally scheduled contractual amount due, and/or the delay in timing of the restructured payment period is insignificant relative to the frequency of payments, the original maturity or the original amortization.

The determination of whether a restructured loan is a TDR requires consideration of all of the facts and circumstances surrounding the modification. No single factor is determinative of whether a restructuring is a TDR. An overall general decline in the economy or some deterioration in a borrower’s financial condition does not automatically mean that the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. Accordingly, determination of whether a modification is a TDR involves a large degree of judgment.

Any loan modification where the loan currently maintains a criticized or classified risk rating, i.e. Special Mention, Substandard or Doubtful, or where the loan will be assigned a criticized or classified rating after the modification is evaluated to determine the need for TDR classification. The specific ALL reserve for loans modified as TDR’s was $103,000 and $92,000 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

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The following table details the loans modified in TDRs during the year ended December 31, 2020 (dollars in thousands).

Loans in accrual status

    

# of Loans

    

Current Balance

    

Concession Granted

Commercial and industrial

 

1

$

750

 

Subsequent modification of a TDR - Extension of maturity date with a below market interest rate

Commercial and industrial

1

47

Extension of maturity date with a below market interest rate

The following table details the loans modified in TDRs during the year ended December 31, 2019 (dollars in thousands).

Loans in accrual status

    

# of Loans

    

Current Balance

    

Concession Granted

Commercial and industrial

 

2

$

816

 

Extension of maturity date with a below market interest rate

Loans in non-accrual status

Commercial loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate

 

1

$

8

 

Extension of maturity date

In all instances where loans have been modified in troubled debt restructurings the pre- and post-modified balances are the same.

Once a loan is classified as a TDR, this classification will remain until documented improvement in the financial position of the borrower supports confidence that all principal and interest will be paid according to terms. Additionally, the customer must have re-established a track record of timely payments according to the restructured contract terms for a minimum of six consecutive months prior to consideration for removing the loan from non-accrual TDR status. However, a loan will continue to be on non-accrual status until, consistent with our policy, the borrower has made a minimum of six consecutive payments in accordance with the terms of the loan.

There were no loans that were modified as TDR’s in the previous 12 months and defaulted during the reporting periods ending December 31, 2020, 2019 or 2018, respectively

All TDRs are individually evaluated for impairment and a related allowance is recorded, as needed.

The Company is unaware of any additional loans which are required to either be charged-off or added to the non-performing asset totals disclosed above. OREO is recorded at the lower of (1) fair value minus estimated costs to sell or (2) carrying cost.

Foreclosed assets acquired in settlement of loans carried at fair value less estimated costs to sell are included in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2020, there were no residential real estate foreclosed assets included in other assets. As of December 31, 2019, a total of $37,000 of residential real estate foreclosed assets were included in other assets. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had initiated formal foreclosure procedures on $119,000 of consumer residential mortgages.

Loan Modifications Related to COVID-19

Under section 4013 of the CARES Act, loans less than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019 will be considered current for COVID-19 modifications. A financial institution can then suspend the requirements under GAAP for loan

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modifications related to COVID-19 that would otherwise be categorized as a TDR, and suspend any determination of a loan modified as a result of COVID-19 as being a TDR, including the requirement to determine impairment for accounting purposes and reporting the loan as past due. Financial institutions wishing to utilize this authority must make a policy election, which applies to any COVID-19 modification made between March 1, 2020 and the earlier of either December 31, 2020 or the 60th day after the end of the COVID-19 national emergency so long as the loan was current on payments as of December 31, 2019. The suspension of TDR identification and accounting triggered by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic was extended by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, signed into law on December 27, 2020. The period established by Section 4013 of the CARES Act was extended to the earlier of January 1, 2022 or 60 days after the date on which the national COVID-19 emergency terminates. Additionally, the Financial Accounting Standards Board has confirmed that short-term modifications made on a good-faith basis in response to COVID-19 to loan customers who were current prior to any relief are not TDRs.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has prudently executed loan modifications for existing loan customers. The following table presents information comparing loans which were subject to a loan modification related to COVID-19, as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020. Note that the percentage of outstanding loans presented below was calculated based on loan totals excluding PPP loans. Management believes that this method more accurately reflects the concentration of COVID-19 related modifications within the loan portfolio.

At December 31, 2020

At September 30, 2020

    

% of Outstanding

 

    

    

% of Outstanding

 

Balance

Non-PPP Loans

 

Balance

Non-PPP Loans

 

(in thousands)

 

(in thousands)

 

CRE/Commercial

$

47,037

 

7.0

%

$

140,132

 

21.8

%

Home Equity/Consumer

 

83

 

0.1

 

160

 

0.2

Residential Mortgage

 

1,943

 

1.3

 

4,069

 

2.9

Total

$

49,063

 

5.3

$

144,361

 

16.4

The balance of loan modifications related to COVID-19 at December 31, 2020 represents a decrease of $95.3 million, or 66.0%, from the balance of loans modified for COVID-19 reported in the third quarter 2020 10-Q which totaled $144 million. As a result of these loan modifications, the Company has recorded $1.2 million of accrued interest income that has not been received as of December 31, 2020.

Requested modifications primarily consist of the deferral of principal and/or interest payments for a period of three to six months and maturity date extensions. The following table presents the composition of the types of payment relief that have been granted.

At December 31, 2020

At September 30, 2020

Number of Loans

    

Balance

    

Number of Loans

    

Balance

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

Type of Payment Relief

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Interest only payments

11

$

26,900

 

67

$

74,680

Complete payment deferrals

59

 

22,163

 

127

 

69,681

Total

70

$

49,063

 

194

$

144,361

Management is carefully monitoring asset quality with a particular focus on customers that have requested payment deferrals during this difficult economic time. As we reached the end of the initial deferral time periods, deferral extension requests were considered based upon the customer’s needs and their impacted industry, borrower and guarantor capacity to service debt as well as issued regulatory guidance. At December 31, 2020, the COVID-19 related modifications within the commercial real estate and commercial loan portfolios are to 19 borrowers, most of which are borrowers who were granted a second loan payment deferral, with loans totaling approximately $47 million. In order to properly monitor the increased credit risk associated with the modified loans, the Asset Quality Task Force is meeting at

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least monthly to review these particular relationships, receiving input from the business lenders regarding their ongoing discussions with the borrowers.

9. PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

An analysis of premises and equipment follows:

AT  DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

(IN THOUSANDS)

Land

$

1,198

$

1,198

Premises

 

28,070

 

27,711

Furniture and equipment

 

8,502

 

8,632

Leasehold improvements

 

1,174

 

1,174

Total at cost

 

38,944

 

38,715

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

24,608

 

24,072

Premises and equipment, net

$

14,336

$

14,643

The Company recorded depreciation and amortization expense of $1.6 million for 2020 and $1.5 million for 2019 and 2018.

The Company utilizes a contract cleaner to provide janitorial services for several office locations. The contract cleaner is owned by a Director of the Company. The amount paid to this related party totaled $232,000, $218,000, and $221,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.

10. LEASE COMMITMENTS

The Company has operating and financing leases for several office locations and equipment. Several assumptions and judgments were made when applying the requirements of ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), to the Company’s lease commitments, including the allocation of consideration in the contracts between lease and non-lease components, determination of the lease term, and determination of the discount rate used in calculating the present value of the lease payments. See Note 1 for information on policy elections.

The following table presents the lease cost associated with both operating and financing leases for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Total rent expense recorded during the year ended December 31, 2018 was $415,000.

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

2020

2019

(IN THOUSANDS)

Lease cost

  

Financing lease cost:

  

Amortization of right-of-use asset

$

271

$

258

Interest expense

 

112

 

117

Operating lease cost

116

117

Total lease cost

$

499

$

492

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The following table presents the weighted-average remaining lease term and discount rate for the leases outstanding at December 31, 2020 and 2019.

    

AT DECEMBER 31, 

2020

2019

    

OPERATING

    

FINANCING

OPERATING

    

FINANCING

Weighted-average remaining term (years)

 

11.4

 

16.0

11.9

 

17.1

Weighted-average discount rate

 

3.49

%

3.52

%

3.46

%

3.60

%

The following table presents the undiscounted cash flows due related to operating and financing leases as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, along with a reconciliation to the discounted amount recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

DECEMBER 31, 2020

    

OPERATING

    

FINANCING

(IN THOUSANDS)

Undiscounted cash flows due:

Within 1 year

$

120

$

316

After 1 year but within 2 years

 

98

 

320

After 2 years but within 3 years

 

69

 

309

After 3 years but within 4 years

 

69

 

249

After 4 years but within 5 years

 

69

 

248

After 5 years

 

520

 

2,760

Total undiscounted cash flows

 

945

 

4,202

Discount on cash flows

 

(169)

 

(1,093)

Total lease liabilities

$

776

$

3,109

DECEMBER 31, 2019

    

OPERATING

    

FINANCING

(IN THOUSANDS)

Undiscounted cash flows due:

Within 1 year

$

118

$

296

After 1 year but within 2 years

 

120

 

275

After 2 years but within 3 years

 

98

 

277

After 3 years but within 4 years

 

69

 

274

After 4 years but within 5 years

 

69

 

236

After 5 years

 

589

 

3,007

Total undiscounted cash flows

 

1,063

 

4,365

Discount on cash flows

 

(198)

 

(1,202)

Total lease liabilities

$

865

$

3,163

The Company leases approximately 1,049 square feet of office space within its headquarters building to a Director of the Company. The amount paid by this related party totaled $13,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 and is reported in net occupancy expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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11. DEPOSITS

The following table sets forth the balance of the Company’s deposits:

AT  DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

(IN THOUSANDS)

Demand:

 

  

 

  

Non-interest bearing

$

177,533

$

136,462

Interest bearing

 

200,969

 

177,767

Savings

 

112,353

 

95,933

Money market

 

219,919

 

208,343

Certificates of deposit in denominations of $100,000 or more

 

48,931

 

38,770

Other time

 

295,215

 

303,238

Total deposits

$

1,054,920

$

960,513

The following table sets forth the balance of other time deposits and certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more as of December 31, 2020 maturing in the periods presented:

CERTIFICATES OF

 

DEPOSIT 

 

YEAR:

    

OTHER TIME DEPOSITS

    

OF $100,000 OR MORE

    

TOTAL

 

(IN THOUSANDS)

2021

$

174,109

$

45,646

$

219,755

2022

 

63,046

 

2,714

65,760

2023

 

23,670

 

400

24,070

2024

 

15,146

 

171

15,317

2025

 

10,293

 

10,293

2026 and after

 

8,951

 

8,951

Total

$

295,215

$

48,931

$

344,146

The aggregate amount of time deposit accounts (including certificates of deposit) that meet or exceed the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000 at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are $81.7 million and $69.0 million, respectively.

The amount of related party deposits totaled $938,000 and $1,875,000 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively

12. SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

Short-term borrowings, which consist of federal funds purchased and other short-term borrowings are summarized as follows:

AT DECEMBER 31, 2020

 

    

FEDERAL

    

 

FUNDS

SHORT-TERM

 

    

PURCHASED

    

BORROWINGS

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATES)

 

Balance

$

$

24,702

Maximum balance at any month end

 

2,000

 

41,632

Average balance during year

 

18

 

4,929

Average rate paid for the year

 

0.87

%  

 

0.58

%

Interest rate on year-end balance

 

 

0.41

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AT DECEMBER 31, 2019

 

    

FEDERAL

    

 

FUNDS

SHORT-TERM

 

    

PURCHASED

    

BORROWINGS

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATES)

 

Balance

$

$

22,412

Maximum balance at any month end

 

 

49,615

Average balance during year

 

58

 

11,030

Average rate paid for the year

 

3.04

%  

 

2.59

%

Interest rate on year-end balance

 

 

1.81

AT DECEMBER 31, 2018

 

    

FEDERAL

    

 

FUNDS

SHORT-TERM

 

    

PURCHASED

    

BORROWINGS

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATES)

 

Balance

$

$

41,029

Maximum balance at any month end

 

 

82,932

Average balance during year

 

54

 

33,073

Average rate paid for the year

 

1.70

%  

 

2.17

%

Interest rate on year-end balance

 

 

2.62

Average amounts outstanding during the year represent daily averages. Average interest rates represent interest expense divided by the related average balances.

These borrowing transactions have an average maturity of overnight.

13. ADVANCES FROM FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK, GUARANTEED JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURES AND SUBORDINATED DEBT

Advances from the FHLB consist of the following:

    

AT DECEMBER 31, 2020

WEIGHTED

    

AVERAGE YIELD

    

BALANCE

MATURING

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATES)

2021

 

1.00

%

$

24,336

2022

 

2.03

 

20,888

2023

 

1.59

 

15,568

2024

 

1.19

 

4,197

Total advances from FHLB

 

1.48

$

64,989

    

AT DECEMBER 31, 2019

WEIGHTED

    

AVERAGE YIELD

    

BALANCE

MATURING

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATES)

2020

 

1.75

%

$

18,729

2021

 

2.28

 

9,496

2022

 

2.21

 

17,838

2023

 

2.48

 

5,568

2024

 

1.86

 

2,037

Total advances from FHLB

 

2.08

$

53,668

The Company’s subsidiary Bank is a member of the FHLB which provides this subsidiary with the opportunity to obtain short to longer-term advances based upon the Company’s investment in assets secured by one- to four-family

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residential real estate and certain types of commercial and commercial real estate loans. The rate on open repo plus advances, which are typically overnight borrowings, can change daily, while the rates on the advances are fixed until the maturity of the advance. All FHLB stock along with an interest in certain residential mortgage, commercial real estate, and commercial and industrial loans with an aggregate statutory value equal to the amount of the advances, are pledged as collateral to the FHLB of Pittsburgh to support these borrowings. At December 31, 2020, the Company had immediately available $329 million of overnight borrowing capability at the FHLB, $31 million of short-term borrowing availability at the Federal Reserve Bank and $35 million of unsecured federal funds lines with correspondent banks.

Guaranteed Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures:

On April 28, 1998, the Company completed a $34.5 million public offering of 8.45% Trust Preferred Securities, which represent undivided beneficial interests in the assets of a Delaware business trust, AmeriServ Financial Capital Trust I. The Trust Preferred Securities will mature on June 30, 2028, and are callable at par at the option of the Company after June 30, 2003. Proceeds of the issue were invested by AmeriServ Financial Capital Trust I in Junior Subordinated Debentures issued by the Company. The Trust Preferred Securities are listed on NASDAQ under the symbol ASRVP. The Company used $22.5 million of proceeds from a private placement of common stock to redeem Trust Preferred Securities in 2005 and 2004. The net balance as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $13.0 million.

Subordinated Debt:

On December 29, 2015, the Company completed a private placement of $7.65 million in aggregate principal amount of fixed rate subordinated notes to certain accredited investors. The subordinated notes mature December 31, 2025 and have a 6.50% fixed interest rate for the entire term. This subordinated debt has been structured to qualify as Tier 2 capital under the Federal Reserve’s capital guidelines and was non-callable for five years. The Company used the proceeds from this private placement and other cash on hand to redeem all $21 million of its issued and outstanding SBLF preferred stock on January 27, 2016. The net balance as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $7.5 million.

14. DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The following disclosures establish a hierarchal disclosure framework associated with the level of pricing observability utilized in measuring assets and liabilities at fair value. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three broad levels defined within this hierarchy are as follows:

Level I: Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reported date.

Level II: Pricing inputs are other than the quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reported date. The nature of these assets and liabilities includes items for which quoted prices are available but traded less frequently and items that are fair-valued using other financial instruments, the parameters of which can be directly observed.

Level III: Assets and liabilities that have little to no pricing observability as of the reported date. These items do not have two-way markets and are measured using management’s best estimate of fair value, where the inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation.

Assets and Liability Measured and Recorded on a Recurring Basis

Equity securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs. These securities are mutual funds held within a rabbi trust for the Company’s executive deferred compensation plan. The mutual funds held are open-end funds that are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These funds are required to publish their daily net asset value and to transact at that price.

Securities classified as available for sale are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider

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observable data that may include dealer quoted market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond’s terms and conditions, among other things.

The fair values of the interest rate swaps used for interest rate risk management are based on an external derivative valuation model using data inputs from similar transactions as of the valuation date and classified Level 2.

The following table presents the assets and liability measured and reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets on a recurring basis at their fair value as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, by level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands).

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AT DECEMBER 31, 2020 USING

    

TOTAL

    

(LEVEL 1)

    

(LEVEL 2)

    

(LEVEL 3)

Equity securities (1)

$

443

$

443

$

$

Available for sale securities:

U.S. Agency

 

3,152

 

 

3,152

 

U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities

67,913

67,913

Municipal

 

20,348

 

 

20,348

 

Corporate bonds

 

52,752

 

 

52,752

 

Fair value swap asset (1)

 

3,320

 

 

3,320

 

Fair value swap liability (2)

 

(3,320)

 

 

(3,320)

 

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AT DECEMBER 31, 2019 USING

    

TOTAL

    

(LEVEL 1)

    

(LEVEL 2)

    

(LEVEL 3)

Equity securities (1)

$

366

$

366

$

$

Available for sale securities:

U.S. Agency

5,116

5,116

U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

81,633

 

 

81,633

 

Municipal

 

15,170

 

 

15,170

 

Corporate bonds

 

39,830

 

 

39,830

 

Fair value swap asset (1)

 

959

 

 

959

 

Fair value swap liability (2)

 

(959)

 

 

(959)

 


(1)Included within other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(2)Included within other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Assets Measured and Recorded on a Non-Recurring Basis

Loans considered impaired are loans for which, based on current information and events, it is probable that the creditor will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans are reported at the fair value of the underlying collateral if the repayment is expected solely from the collateral. Collateral values are estimated using Level 3 inputs based on observable market data which at times are discounted using unobservable inputs. At December 31, 2020, impaired loans with a carrying value of $266,000 were reduced by a specific valuation allowance totaling $8,000 resulting in a net fair value of $258,000. At December 31, 2019, impaired loans with a carrying value of $263,000 were reduced by a specific valuation allowance totaling $8,000 resulting in a net fair value of $255,000.

Other real estate owned is measured at fair value based on appraisals, less estimated costs to sell at the date of foreclosure. Valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value, less cost to sell. Income and expenses from operations and changes in valuation allowance are included in the net expenses from OREO.

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Assets measured and recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis are summarized below (in thousands, except range data):

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AT DECEMBER 31, 2020 USING

    

TOTAL

    

(LEVEL 1)

    

(LEVEL 2)

    

(LEVEL 3)

Impaired loans

$

258

$

$

$

258

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AT DECEMBER 31, 2019 USING

    

TOTAL

    

(LEVEL 1)

    

(LEVEL 2)

    

(LEVEL 3)

Impaired loans

$

255

$

$

$

255

Other real estate owned

 

37

 

 

 

37

Quantitative Information About Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

 

Valuation

Unobservable

December 31, 2020

    

Fair Value

    

Techniques

    

Input

    

Range (Wgtd Ave)

 

Impaired loans

$

258

 

Appraisal of

 

Appraisal

 

0% to 100% (3%)

collateral (1)

adjustments(2)

Quantitative Information About Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

 

Valuation

Unobservable

December 31, 2019

    

Fair Value

    

Techniques

    

Input

    

Range (Wgtd Ave)

 

Impaired loans

    

$

255

 

Appraisal of

 

Appraisal

 

0% to 100% (3%)

    

 

 

collateral (1)

 

adjustments(2)

 

Other real estate owned

    

 

37

 

Appraisal of

 

Appraisal

 

0% to 57% (38%)

collateral (1)

adjustments(2)

Liquidation

21% to 134% (30%)

expenses


(1)Fair Value is generally determined through independent appraisals of the underlying collateral, which generally include various level 3 inputs which are not identifiable. Also includes qualitative adjustments by management and estimated liquidation expenses.
(2)Appraisals may be adjusted by management for qualitative factors such as economic conditions.

15. DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

For the Company, as for most financial institutions, approximately 90% of its assets and liabilities are considered financial instruments. Many of the Company’s financial instruments, however, lack an available trading market characterized by a willing buyer and willing seller engaging in an exchange transaction. Therefore, significant estimates and present value calculations were used by the Company for the purpose of this disclosure.

Fair values have been determined by the Company using independent third party valuations that use the best available data (Level 2) and an estimation methodology (Level 3) the Company believes is suitable for each category of financial instruments. Management believes that cash and cash equivalents, bank owned life insurance, regulatory stock, accrued interest receivable and payable, deposits with no stated maturities, and short term borrowings have fair values which approximate the recorded carrying values. The fair value measurements for all of these financial instruments are Level 1 measurements.

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The estimated fair values based on US GAAP measurements and recorded carrying values at December 31, 2020 and 2019, for the remaining financial instruments not required to be measured or reported at fair value were as follows:

AT DECEMBER 31, 2020

    

Carrying 

    

    

    

    

Value

Fair Value

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

(IN THOUSANDS)

FINANCIAL ASSETS:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Investment securities – HTM

$

44,222

$

47,106

$

$

44,108

$

2,998

Loans held for sale

 

6,250

6,428

6,428

 

 

Loans, net of allowance for loan loss and unearned income

 

960,750

969,433

 

 

969,433

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Deposits with stated maturities

311,064

314,845

314,845

All other borrowings (1)

 

85,493

 

90,907

 

 

 

90,907

AT DECEMBER 31, 2019

    

Carrying 

Value

    

Fair Value

    

(Level 1)

    

(Level 2)

    

(Level 3)

(IN THOUSANDS)

FINANCIAL ASSETS:

Investment securities – HTM

$

39,936

$

41,082

$

$

38,129

$

2,953

Loans held for sale

 

4,868

 

4,970

 

4,970

 

 

Loans, net of allowance for loan loss and unearned income

 

873,427

 

873,908

 

 

 

873,908

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Deposits with stated maturities

 

309,044

 

310,734

 

 

 

310,734

All other borrowings (1)

 

74,134

 

76,323

 

 

 

76,323


(1)All other borrowings include advances from Federal Home Loan Bank, guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures, and subordinated debt.

Changes in assumptions or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on these estimated fair values. The Company’s remaining assets and liabilities which are not considered financial instruments have not been valued differently than has been customary under historical cost accounting.

16. INCOME TAXES

The expense for income taxes is summarized below and includes both federal and applicable state corporate income taxes:

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

(IN THOUSANDS)

Current

$

(400)

$

1,393

$

(988)

Deferred

 

1,614

 

179

 

2,665

Income tax expense

$

1,214

$

1,572

$

1,677

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The reconciliation between the federal statutory tax rate and the Company’s effective consolidated income tax rate is as follows:

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

 

2020

2019

2018

 

    

AMOUNT

    

RATE

    

AMOUNT

    

RATE

    

AMOUNT

    

RATE

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PERCENTAGES)

 

Income tax expense based on federal statutory rate

$

1,221

 

21.0

%  

$

1,596

 

21.0

%  

$

1,983

 

21.0

%

Tax exempt income

 

(188)

 

(3.2)

 

(131)

 

(1.4)

 

(131)

 

(1.4)

Other

 

181

 

3.1

 

107

 

1.1

 

(175)

 

(1.8)

Total expense for income taxes

$

1,214

 

20.9

%  

$

1,572

 

20.7

%  

$

1,677

 

17.8

%

The following table highlights the major components comprising the deferred tax assets and liabilities for each of the periods presented:

AT DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

(IN THOUSANDS)

DEFERRED TAX ASSETS:

  

  

Allowance for loan losses

$

2,382

$

1,949

Unfunded commitment reserve

 

183

 

215

Premises and equipment

 

686

 

1,129

Lease liabilities

816

Accrued pension obligation

 

 

1,093

Other

 

149

 

230

Total tax assets

 

4,216

 

4,616

DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES:

 

 

Investment accretion

 

(88)

 

(82)

Unrealized investment security gains

(941)

(456)

Lease right-of-use assets

(780)

Accrued pension obligation

(646)

Other

 

(189)

 

(102)

Total tax liabilities

 

(2,644)

 

(640)

Net deferred tax asset

$

1,572

$

3,976

At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had no valuation allowance established against its deferred tax assets as we believe the Company will generate sufficient future taxable income to fully utilize these assets.

As a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, enacted on December 22, 2017, the Company’s AMT tax credits that were not used to reduce regular taxes were eligible for a 50% refund in 2018 to 2020 and a 100% refund in 2021. Due to this change, the AMT tax credit was fully utilized as of December 31, 2019.

The change in net deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following:

YEAR ENDED

DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

(IN THOUSANDS)

Unrealized gains recognized in comprehensive income

$

(485)

$

(830)

Pension obligation of the defined benefit plan not yet recognized in income

 

(305)

 

1,348

Deferred provision for income taxes

 

(1,614)

 

(179)

Net increase (decrease)

$

(2,404)

$

339

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company utilizes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Benefits from tax positions should be recognized in the financial statements only when it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority that would have full knowledge of all relevant information. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be derecognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met. The Company has no tax liability for uncertain tax positions. The Company’s federal and state income tax returns for taxable years through 2017 have been closed for purposes of examination by the Internal Revenue Service and the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.

17. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

PENSION PLAN:

The Company has a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering all employees who work at least 1,000 hours per year. The participants shall have a vested interest in their accrued benefit after five full years of service. The benefits of the plan are based upon the employee’s years of service and average annual earnings for the highest five consecutive calendar years during the final ten-year period of employment. Effective January 1, 2013, the Company implemented a soft freeze of its defined benefit pension plan for non-union employees. A soft freeze means that all existing employees as of December 31, 2012 will remain in the defined benefit pension plan but any new non-union employees hired after January 1, 2013 will no longer be part of the defined benefit plan but instead will be offered retirement benefits under an enhanced 401 (k) program. The Company implemented a similar soft freeze of its defined benefit pension plan for union employees effective January 1, 2014. The Company executed these changes to help reduce its pension costs in future years. Plan assets are primarily debt securities (including U.S. Treasury and Agency securities, corporate notes and bonds), listed common stocks (including shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $1.5 million and is limited to 10% of the plan’s assets), mutual funds, and short-term cash equivalent instruments. The following actuarial tables are based upon data provided by an independent third party as of December 31, 2020.

PENSION BENEFITS:

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

(IN THOUSANDS)

CHANGE IN BENEFIT OBLIGATION:

 

  

 

  

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

$

49,561

$

41,094

Service cost

 

1,676

1,470

Interest cost

 

1,281

1,569

Actuarial loss

 

6,085

7,758

Benefits paid

 

(3,742)

(2,330)

Benefit obligation at end of year

 

54,861

49,561

CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS:

 

  

 

  

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

 

44,831

38,478

Actual return on plan assets

 

8,358

5,483

Employer contributions

 

9,000

3,200

Benefits paid

 

(3,742)

(2,330)

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

 

58,447

44,831

Funded status of the plan

$

3,586

$

(4,730)

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

(IN THOUSANDS)

AMOUNTS NOT YET RECOGNIZED AS A COMPONENT OF NET PERIODIC PENSION COST:

 

  

 

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss consists of:

 

  

 

Net actuarial loss

$

20,628

$

22,113

Total

$

20,628

$

22,113

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

(IN THOUSANDS)

ACCUMULATED BENEFIT OBLIGATION:

 

  

 

  

Accumulated benefit obligation

$

50,435

$

45,501

The weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

 

    

2020

    

2019

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE ASSUMPTIONS:

 

  

 

  

Discount rate

 

2.47

%  

3.20

%

Salary scale

 

2.50

 

2.50

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

(IN THOUSANDS)

COMPONENTS OF NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST:

  

 

  

 

  

Service cost

$

1,676

$

1,470

$

1,482

Interest cost

 

1,281

 

1,569

 

1,273

Expected return on plan assets

 

(3,241)

 

(3,025)

 

(2,798)

Special termination benefit liability

 

 

 

63

Recognized net actuarial loss

 

2,453

 

1,649

 

1,548

Net periodic pension cost

$

2,169

$

1,663

$

1,568

The service cost component of net periodic benefit cost is included in salaries and employee benefits and all other components of net periodic benefit cost are included in other expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

(IN THOUSANDS)

OTHER CHANGES IN PLAN ASSETS AND BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS RECOGNIZED IN OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 

 

  

 

  

Net loss

$

968

$

5,300

$

4,683

Recognized loss

 

(2,453)

 

(1,649)

 

(1,548)

Total recognized in other comprehensive loss before tax effect

$

(1,485)

$

3,651

$

3,135

Total recognized in net benefit cost and other comprehensive loss before tax effect

$

684

$

5,314

$

4,703

For the year ended December 31, 2020, actuarial losses in the projected benefit obligation were primarily the result of the decrease in discount rate. Other sources of gain/loss such as plan experience, updated census data and minor adjustments to actuarial assumptions, including updates to lump sum interest rates, lump sum mortality tables, and mortality improvement scales, generated a combined loss of less than 4% of expected year end obligations.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE ASSUMPTIONS:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Discount rate

 

3.20

%  

4.28

%  

3.63

%

Expected return on plan assets

 

7.00

 

7.50

 

7.50

Rate of compensation increase

 

2.50

 

2.50

 

2.50

The Company has assumed a 7.00% long-term expected return on plan assets. This assumption was based upon the plan’s historical investment performance over a longer-term period of 15 years combined with the plan’s investment objective of balanced growth and income. Additionally, this assumption also incorporates a targeted range for equity securities of approximately 60% of plan assets.

PLAN ASSETS:

The plan’s measurement date is December 31, 2020. This plan’s asset allocation at December 31, 2020 and 2019, by asset category are as follows:

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

 

    

2020

    

2019

 

ASSET CATEGORY:

 

  

 

  

Cash and cash equivalents

 

1

%  

1

%

Domestic equities

 

11

 

8

Mutual funds/ETFs

 

82

 

82

International equities

 

 

1

Corporate bonds

 

6

 

8

Total

 

100

%  

100

%

The major categories of assets in the Company’s Pension Plan as of year-end are presented in the following table. Assets are segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy established by ASC Topic 820 utilized to measure fair value.

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

(IN THOUSANDS)

Level 1:

 

  

 

  

Cash and cash equivalents

$

725

$

186

Domestic equities

 

6,219

3,782

Mutual funds/ETFs

 

48,009

36,469

International equities

 

620

Level 2:

 

Corporate bonds

 

3,494

3,774

Total fair value of plan assets

$

58,447

$

44,831

Cash and cash equivalents may include uninvested cash balances along with money market mutual funds, treasury bills, or other assets normally categorized as cash equivalents. Domestic equities may include common or preferred stocks, covered options, rights or warrants, or American Depository Receipts which are traded on any U.S. equity market. Mutual funds/ETFs may include any equity, fixed income, balanced, international, or global mutual fund or exchange traded fund including any propriety fund managed by the Trust Company. Agencies may include any U.S. government agency security or asset-backed security. Collective investment funds may include equity, fixed income, or

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

balanced collective investment funds managed by the Trust Company. Corporate bonds may include any corporate bond or note.

The investment strategy objective for the pension plan is a balance of growth and income. This objective seeks to develop a portfolio for acceptable levels of current income together with the opportunity for capital appreciation. The balanced growth and income objective reflects a relatively equal balance between equity and fixed income investments such as debt securities. The allocation between equity and fixed income assets may vary by a moderate degree but the plan typically targets a range of equity investments between 50% and 60% of the plan assets. This means that fixed income and cash investments typically approximate 40% to 50% of the plan assets. The plan is also able to invest in ASRV common stock up to a maximum level of 10% of the market value of the plan assets (at December 31, 2020, 2.6% of the plan assets were invested in ASRV common stock). This asset mix is intended to ensure that there is a steady stream of cash from maturing investments to fund benefit payments.

CASH FLOWS:

The Company presently expects that the contribution to be made to the Plan in 2021 will be at least $6.0 million.

ESTIMATED FUTURE BENEFIT PAYMENTS:

The following benefit payments, which reflect future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid.

    

ESTIMATED FUTURE

YEAR:

BENEFIT PAYMENTS

(IN THOUSANDS)

2021

$

4,733

2022

 

4,864

2023

 

4,410

2024

 

4,557

2025

 

4,064

Years 2026-2030

 

15,463

401(k) PLAN:

The Company maintains a qualified 401(k) plan that allows for participation by Company employees. Under the plan, employees may elect to make voluntary, pretax contributions to their accounts which the Company will match one half on the first 2% of contribution up to a maximum of 1%. The Company also contributes 4% of salaries for union members who are in the plan. Effective January 1, 2013, any new non-union employees receive a 4% non-elective contribution and these employees may elect to make voluntary, pretax contributions to their accounts which the Company will match one half on the first 6% of contribution up to a maximum of 3%. Effective January 1, 2014, any new union employees receive a 4% non-elective contribution and these employees may elect to make voluntary, pretax contributions to their accounts which the Company will match dollar for dollar up to a maximum of 4%. Contributions by the Company charged to operations were $653,000, $604,000 and $503,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The fair value of plan assets includes $719,000 pertaining to the value of the Company’s common stock and Trust Preferred securities that are held by the plan at December 31, 2020.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN:

The Company maintains a nonqualified deferred compensation plan in which a select group of executives are permitted to participate. An eligible executive can defer a certain percentage of their current salary to be placed into the plan. The Company has established a rabbi trust to provide funding for the benefits payable under our deferred compensation plan. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company reported a deferred compensation liability of $443,000 and $366,000, respectively, within other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $7,000 and $9,000, respectively, of deferred compensation plan expense which is reported within other expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 5 (Investment

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Securities) for additional disclosures related to the nonqualified deferred compensation plan and assets held within the rabbi trust.

Except for the above described benefit plans, the Company has no significant additional exposure for any other post-retirement or post-employment benefits.

18. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

The Company incurs off-balance sheet risks in the normal course of business in order to meet the financing needs of its customers. These risks derive from commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such commitments and standby letters of credit involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated financial statements. Commitments to extend credit are obligations to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the loan agreement. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Because many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. Collateral which secures these types of commitments is the same as for other types of secured lending such as accounts receivable, inventory, fixed assets, and real estate.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Those guarantees are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements, including normal business activities, bond financings, and similar transactions. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers. Letters of credit are issued both on an unsecured and secured basis. Collateral securing these types of transactions is similar to collateral securing the Company’s commercial loans.

The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to these commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by their contractual amounts. The Company uses the same credit and collateral policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as for all other lending. At December 31, 2020, the Company had various outstanding commitments to extend credit approximating $213.9 million and standby letters of credit of $13.3 million, compared to commitments to extend credit of $195.5 million and standby letters of credit of $14.7 million at December 31, 2019.

Standby letters of credit had terms ranging from 1 to 5 years with annual extension options available. Standby letters of credit of approximately $8.5 million were secured as of December 31, 2020 and approximately $9.2 million at December 31, 2019. The carrying amount of the liability for AmeriServ obligations related to unfunded commitments and standby letters of credit was $872,000 at December 31, 2020 and $1,025,000 at December 31, 2019.

Pursuant to its bylaws, the Company provides indemnification to its directors and officers against certain liabilities incurred as a result of their service on behalf of the Company. In connection with this indemnification obligation, the Company can advance on behalf of covered individuals costs incurred in defending against certain claims. Additionally, the Company is also subject to a number of asserted and unasserted potential claims encountered in the normal course of business. In the opinion of the Company, neither the resolution of these claims nor the funding of these credit commitments will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

19. STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS

The Company uses the modified prospective method for accounting for stock-based compensation and recognized $3,000 of compensation expense for the year 2020, $7,000 in 2019 and $14,000 in 2018.

During 2011, the Company’s Board adopted, and its shareholders approved, the AmeriServ Financial, Inc. 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (the Plan) authorizing the grant of options or restricted stock covering 800,000 shares of common stock. This Plan replaced the expired 2001 Stock Option Plan. Under the Plan, options or restricted stock can be granted

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(the Grant Date) to directors, officers, and employees that provide services to the Company and its affiliates, as selected by the compensation committee of the Board. The option price at which a granted stock option may be exercised will not be less than 100% of the fair market value per share of common stock on the Grant Date. The maximum term of any option granted under the Plan cannot exceed 10 years. Generally, options vest over a three-year period and become exercisable in equal installments over the vesting period. At times, options with a one year vesting period may also be issued.

A summary of the status of the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan at December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, and changes during the years then ended is presented in the table and narrative following:

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

2020

2019

2018

    

    

WEIGHTED

    

    

WEIGHTED

    

    

WEIGHTED

AVERAGE

AVERAGE

AVERAGE

SHARES

EXERCISE PRICE

SHARES

EXERCISE PRICE

SHARES

EXERCISE PRICE

Outstanding at beginning of year

296,648

$

3.02

336,313

$

2.91

360,721

$

2.85

Granted

 

7,000

4.19

 

5,000

4.22

Exercised

 

(38,235)

2.06

(40,917)

2.45

 

(24,408)

2.49

Forfeited

 

(27,500)

3.30

(5,748)

2.44

 

(5,000)

1.92

Outstanding at end of year

 

230,913

3.14

296,648

3.02

 

336,313

2.91

Exercisable at end of year

 

224,580

3.11

282,565

2.96

 

307,814

2.86

Weighted average fair value of options granted in current year

 

  

$

  

$

0.62

 

$

0.56

A total of 224,580 of the 230,913 options outstanding at December 31, 2020, are exercisable and have exercise prices between $2.28 and $4.22, with a weighted average exercise price of $3.11 and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 3.38 years. The remaining 6,333 options that are not yet exercisable have exercise prices between $4.19 and $4.22, with a weighted average exercise price of $4.20 and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 8.07 years. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Binomial or Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions used for grants in 2020, 2019, and 2018. No stock options were granted during 2020.

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

 

PRICING MODEL ASSUMPTION RANGES

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

 

Risk-free interest rate

    

%  

2.65

%  

3.13

%

Expected lives in years

 

 

10

 

10

Expected volatility

 

%  

15.75

%  

15.59

%

Expected dividend rate

 

%  

1.91

%  

1.90

%

The intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $56,000, $71,000, and $42,000 in 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

20. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The following table presents the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, for the periods ending December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 (in thousands):

YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2020

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019

YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2018

    

Net

    

    

    

Net

    

    

    

Net

    

    

Unrealized

Unrealized

Unrealized

Gains and

Gains and

Gains and

Losses on

Defined

Losses on

Defined

Losses on

Defined

Investment

Benefit

Investment

Benefit

Investment

Benefit

Securities 

Pension

Securities

Pension

Securities

Pension

AFS(1)

Items(1)

Total(1)

AFS(1)

Items(1)

Total(1)

AFS(1)

Items(1)

Total(1)

Beginning balance

$

1,715

$

(17,886)

$

(16,171)

$

(1,409)

$

(12,816)

$

(14,225)

$

(327)

$

(12,623)

$

(12,950)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

 

1,824

 

(789)

 

1,035

 

3,217

 

(6,373)

 

(3,156)

 

(1,429)

 

(1,416)

 

(2,845)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

1,938

 

1,938

 

(93)

 

1,303

 

1,210

 

347

 

1,223

 

1,570

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)

 

1,824

 

1,149

 

2,973

 

3,124

 

(5,070)

 

(1,946)

 

(1,082)

 

(193)

 

(1,275)

Ending balance

$

3,539

$

(16,737)

$

(13,198)

$

1,715

$

(17,886)

$

(16,171)

$

(1,409)

$

(12,816)

$

(14,225)


(1)Amounts in parentheses indicate debits on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The following table presents the amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the periods ending December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 (in thousands):

Amount reclassified from accumulated

other comprehensive loss(1)

Details about

other comprehensive

accumulated

YEAR ENDING

YEAR ENDING

YEAR ENDING

Affected line item in the

loss components

    

DECEMBER 31, 2020

    

DECEMBER 31, 2019

    

DECEMBER 31, 2018

    

statement of operations

Realized (gains) losses on sale of securities

$

$

(118)

$

439

Net realized (gains) losses on investment securities

25

(92)

Provision for income taxes

$

$

(93)

$

347

 

Amortization of estimated defined benefit pension plan loss(2)

$

2,453

$

1,649

$

1,548

 

Other expense

 

(515)

 

(346)

 

(325)

 

Provision for income taxes

$

1,938

$

1,303

$

1,223

 

Total reclassifications for the period

$

1,938

$

1,210

$

1,570

 


(1)Amounts in parentheses indicate credits.
(2)These accumulated other comprehensive loss components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 17 for additional details).

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

21. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets show both tangible assets (such as loans, buildings, and investments) and intangible assets (such as goodwill). Goodwill has an indefinite life and is not amortized. Instead such intangible is evaluated for impairment at the reporting unit level at least annually. Any resulting impairment would be reflected as a non-interest expense. Of the Company’s goodwill of $11.9 million, $9.5 million is allocated to the community banking segment and $2.4 million relates to the WCCA acquisition which is included in the wealth management segment. The balance of the Company’s goodwill at December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $11.9 million.

22. DERIVATIVE HEDGING INSTRUMENTS

The Company can use various interest rate contracts, such as interest rate swaps, caps, floors and swaptions to help manage interest rate and market valuation risk exposure, which is incurred in normal recurrent banking activities. The Company can use derivative instruments, primarily interest rate swaps, to manage interest rate risk and match the rates on certain assets by hedging the fair value of certain fixed rate debt, which converts the debt to variable rates and by hedging the cash flow variability associated with certain variable rate debt by converting the debt to fixed rates.

To accommodate the needs of our customers and support the Company’s asset/liability positioning, we may enter into interest rate swap agreements with customers and a large financial institution that specializes in these types of transactions. These arrangements involve the exchange of interest payments based on the notional amounts. The Company entered into floating rate loans and fixed rate swaps with our customers. Simultaneously, the Company entered into offsetting fixed rate swaps with Pittsburgh National Bank (PNC). In connection with each swap transaction, the Company agrees to pay interest to the customer on a notional amount at a variable interest rate and receive interest from the customer on the same notional amount at a fixed interest rate. At the same time, the Company agrees to pay PNC the same fixed interest rate on the same notional amount and receive the same variable interest rate on the same notional amount. These transactions allow the Company’s customers to effectively convert a variable rate loan to a fixed rate. Because the Company acts as an intermediary for its customers, changes in the fair value of the underlying derivative contracts offset each other and do not significantly impact the Company’s results of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company received $196,000 and $120,000, respectively, in fees on the interest rate swap transactions, which are recognized as revenue when received.

These swaps are considered free-standing derivatives and are reported at fair value within other assets and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Disclosures related to the fair value of the swap transactions can be found in Note 14.

The following table summarizes the interest rate swap transactions that impacted the Company’s 2020 and 2019 performance (in thousands, except percentages).

DECEMBER 31, 2020

INCREASE

AGGREGATE

WEIGHTED

(DECREASE)

NOTIONAL

AVERAGE RATE

REPRICING

IN INTEREST

HEDGE TYPE

AMOUNT

RECEIVED/(PAID)

FREQUENCY

EXPENSE

Swap assets

    

N/A

    

$

46,760

    

2.91

%  

Monthly

    

$

(523)

Swap liabilities

 

N/A

 

(46,760)

 

(2.91)

 

Monthly

 

523

Net exposure

 

 

 

 

  

 

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2019

INCREASE

AGGREGATE

WEIGHTED

(DECREASE)

NOTIONAL

AVERAGE RATE

REPRICING

IN INTEREST

HEDGE TYPE

AMOUNT

RECEIVED/(PAID)

FREQUENCY

EXPENSE

Swap assets

    

N/A

    

$

31,668

    

4.44

%  

Monthly

    

$

(18)

Swap liabilities

 

N/A

 

(31,668)

 

(4.44)

 

Monthly

 

18

Net exposure

 

 

 

 

  

 

The Company monitors and controls all derivative products with a comprehensive Board of Directors approved Hedging Policy. This policy permits a total maximum notional amount outstanding of $500 million for interest rate swaps, interest rate caps/floors, and swaptions. All hedge transactions must be approved in advance by the Investment Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO) of the Board of Directors, unless otherwise approved, as per the terms, with the Board of Directors approved Hedging Policy. The Company had no caps or floors outstanding at December 31, 2020 and 2019. None of the Company’s derivatives are designated as hedging instruments.

23. SEGMENT RESULTS

The financial performance of the Company is also monitored by an internal funds transfer pricing profitability measurement system which produces line of business results and key performance measures. The Company’s major business units include community banking, wealth management, and investment/parent. The reported results reflect the underlying economics of the business segments. Expenses for centrally provided services are allocated based upon the cost and estimated usage of those services. The businesses are match-funded and interest rate risk is centrally managed and accounted for within the investment/parent business segment. The key performance measure the Company focuses on for each business segment is net income contribution.

The community banking segment includes both retail and commercial banking activities. Retail banking includes the deposit-gathering branch franchise and lending to both individuals and small businesses. Lending activities include residential mortgage loans, direct consumer loans, and small business commercial loans. Commercial banking to businesses includes commercial loans, business services, and CRE loans. The wealth management segment includes the Trust Company, West Chester Capital Advisors (WCCA), our registered investment advisory firm, and Financial Services. Wealth management activities include personal trust products and services such as personal portfolio investment management, estate planning and administration, custodial services and pre-need trusts. Also, institutional trust products and services such as 401(k) plans, defined benefit and defined contribution employee benefit plans, and individual retirement accounts are included in this segment. Financial Services include the sale of mutual funds, annuities, and insurance products. The wealth management businesses also include the union collective investment funds (ERECT funds) which are designed to use union pension dollars in construction projects that utilize union labor. The investment/parent includes the net results of investment securities and borrowing activities, general corporate expenses not allocated to the business segments, interest expense on corporate debt, and centralized interest rate risk management. Inter-segment revenues were not material.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The contribution of the major business segments to the Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020

COMMUNITY

WEALTH

INVESTMENT/

BANKING

MANAGEMENT

PARENT

TOTAL

(IN THOUSANDS)

Net interest income (expense)

    

$

42,862

    

$

55

    

$

(6,550)

    

$

36,367

Provision for loan loss

 

2,375

 

 

 

2,375

Non-interest income

 

6,022

 

10,212

 

41

 

16,275

Non-interest expense

 

34,136

 

7,683

 

2,636

 

44,455

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

12,373

 

2,584

 

(9,145)

 

5,812

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

2,303

 

598

 

(1,687)

 

1,214

Net income (loss)

$

10,070

$

1,986

$

(7,458)

$

4,598

Total assets

$

1,083,819

$

10,285

$

185,609

$

1,279,713

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019

COMMUNITY

WEALTH

INVESTMENT/

BANKING

MANAGEMENT

PARENT

TOTAL

(IN THOUSANDS)

Net interest income (expense)

    

$

40,865

    

$

81

    

$

(5,504)

    

$

35,442

Provision for loan loss

 

800

 

 

 

800

Non-interest income

 

5,407

 

9,736

 

(370)

 

14,773

Non-interest expense

 

31,856

 

7,340

 

2,619

 

41,815

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

13,616

 

2,477

 

(8,493)

 

7,600

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

2,715

 

593

 

(1,736)

 

1,572

Net income (loss)

$

10,901

$

1,884

$

(6,757)

$

6,028

Total assets

$

981,787

$

10,361

$

179,036

$

1,171,184

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018

COMMUNITY

WEALTH

INVESTMENT/

BANKING

MANAGEMENT

PARENT

TOTAL

(IN THOUSANDS)

Net interest income (expense)

    

$

39,195

    

$

71

    

$

(3,772)

    

$

35,494

Credit provision for loan loss

 

(600)

 

 

 

(600)

Non-interest income

 

4,832

 

9,651

 

(259)

 

14,224

Non-interest expense

 

30,809

 

7,319

 

2,745

 

40,873

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

13,818

 

2,403

 

(6,776)

 

9,445

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

2,764

 

554

 

(1,641)

 

1,677

Net income (loss)

$

11,054

$

1,849

$

(5,135)

$

7,768

Total assets

$

966,910

$

9,345

$

184,425

$

1,160,680

24.  REGULATORY CAPITAL

The Company is subject to various capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. For a more detailed discussion see the Capital Resources section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A).

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total, common equity tier 1, and tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets (as defined) and tier 1 capital to average assets. Additionally, under Basel III rules, the decision was made to opt-out of including accumulated other comprehensive income in regulatory capital. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company was categorized as “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action promulgated by the Federal Reserve. The Company believes that no conditions or events have occurred that would change this conclusion as of such date. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Company must maintain minimum total capital, common equity tier 1 capital, tier 1 capital, and tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table.

AT DECEMBER 31, 2020

 

TO BE WELL

 

MINIMUM

CAPITALIZED

 

REQUIRED

UNDER

 

FOR

PROMPT

 

CAPITAL

CORRECTIVE

 

ADEQUACY

ACTION

 

COMPANY

BANK

PURPOSES

REGULATIONS*

 

    

AMOUNT

    

RATIO

    

AMOUNT

    

RATIO

    

RATIO

    

RATIO

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS)

Total Capital (To Risk Weighted Assets)

$

135,777

 

12.93

%  

$

125,182

 

11.95

%  

8.00

%  

10.00

%

Tier 1 Common Equity (To Risk Weighted Assets)

 

105,653

 

10.06

 

112,965

 

10.78

 

4.50

 

6.50

Tier 1 Capital (To Risk Weighted Assets)

 

117,556

 

11.20

 

112,965

 

10.78

 

6.00

 

8.00

Tier 1 Capital (To Average Assets)

 

117,556

 

9.29

 

112,965

 

9.03

 

4.00

 

5.00

AT DECEMBER 31, 2019

 

TO BE WELL

 

MINIMUM

CAPITALIZED

 

REQUIRED

UNDER

 

FOR

PROMPT

 

CAPITAL

CORRECTIVE

 

ADEQUACY

ACTION

 

COMPANY

BANK

PURPOSES

REGULATIONS*

 

    

AMOUNT

    

RATIO

    

AMOUNT

    

RATIO

    

RATIO

    

RATIO

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS)

Total Capital (To Risk Weighted Assets)

$

132,544

 

13.49

%  

$

119,477

 

12.23

%  

8.00

%  

10.00

%

Tier 1 Common Equity (To Risk Weighted Assets)

 

102,841

 

10.47

 

109,173

 

11.17

 

4.50

 

6.50

Tier 1 Capital (To Risk Weighted Assets)

 

114,729

 

11.68

 

109,173

 

11.17

 

6.00

 

8.00

Tier 1 Capital (To Average Assets)

 

114,729

 

9.87

 

109,173

 

9.50

 

4.00

 

5.00


*Applies to the Bank only.

Additionally, while not a regulatory capital ratio, the Company’s tangible common equity ratio (non-GAAP) was 7.29% and 7.48% for 2020 and 2019, respectively. See the discussion of the tangible common equity ratio under the Balance Sheet section of the MD&A.

25. PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The parent company functions primarily as a coordinating and servicing unit for all subsidiary entities. Provided services include general management, accounting and taxes, loan review, internal auditing, investment advisory,

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

marketing, insurance, risk management, general corporate services, and financial and strategic planning. The following financial information relates only to the parent company operations:

BALANCE SHEETS

AT DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

(IN THOUSANDS)

ASSETS

 

  

 

  

Cash

$

100

$

100

Short-term investments

 

1,998

 

2,544

Cash and cash equivalents

2,098

2,644

Investment securities available for sale

 

3,789

 

3,758

Equity investment in banking subsidiary

 

111,513

 

104,843

Equity investment in non-banking subsidiaries

 

7,327

 

7,830

Other assets

 

1,289

 

978

TOTAL ASSETS

$

126,016

$

120,053

LIABILITIES

 

  

 

  

Guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures

$

12,970

$

12,955

Subordinated debt

 

7,534

 

7,511

Other liabilities

 

1,113

 

973

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

21,617

 

21,439

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

  

 

  

Total stockholders’ equity

 

104,399

 

98,614

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

$

126,016

$

120,053

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

(IN THOUSANDS)

INCOME

 

  

 

  

 

  

Inter-entity management and other fees

$

2,708

$

2,556

$

2,430

Dividends from banking subsidiary

 

2,000

 

3,800

 

3,500

Dividends from non-banking subsidiaries

 

1,944

 

1,105

 

1,190

Interest, dividend and other income

 

106

 

186

 

119

TOTAL INCOME

 

6,758

 

7,647

 

7,239

EXPENSE

 

 

 

  

Interest expense

 

1,642

 

1,642

 

1,642

Salaries and employee benefits

 

2,667

 

2,614

 

2,610

Other expense

 

1,749

 

1,707

 

1,733

TOTAL EXPENSE

 

6,058

 

5,963

 

5,985

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN UNDISTRIBUTED EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES

 

700

 

1,684

 

1,254

Benefit for income taxes

 

(681)

 

(676)

 

(722)

Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries

 

3,217

 

3,668

 

5,792

NET INCOME

$

4,598

$

6,028

$

7,768

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

$

7,571

$

4,082

$

6,493

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

    

2020

    

2019

    

2018

(IN THOUSANDS)

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

  

 

  

 

  

Net income

$

4,598

$

6,028

$

7,768

Adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

  

Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries

 

(3,217)

 

(3,668)

 

(5,792)

Stock compensation expense

 

3

 

7

 

14

Other – net

 

(55)

 

(427)

 

433

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

1,329

 

1,940

 

2,423

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

  

 

  

 

  

Purchase of investment securities – available for sale

 

(1,254)

 

 

(1,002)

Proceeds from maturity and sales of investment securities – available for sale

 

1,246

 

1,085

 

1,462

NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

(8)

 

1,085

 

460

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

  

 

  

 

  

Purchases of treasury stock

 

(151)

 

(2,550)

 

(2,346)

Common stock dividends paid

 

(1,716)

 

(1,642)

 

(1,347)

NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

(1,867)

 

(4,192)

 

(3,693)

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

(546)

 

(1,167)

 

(810)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT JANUARY 1

 

2,644

 

3,811

 

4,621

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT DECEMBER 31

$

2,098

$

2,644

$

3,811

The ability of the subsidiary Bank to upstream cash to the parent company is restricted by regulations. Federal law prevents the parent company from borrowing from its subsidiary Bank unless the loans are secured by specified assets. Further, such secured loans are limited in amount to ten percent of the subsidiary Bank’s capital and surplus. In addition, the Bank is subject to legal limitations on the amount of dividends that can be paid to its shareholder. The dividend limitation generally restricts dividend payments to a bank’s retained net income for the current and preceding two calendar years. Cash may also be upstreamed to the parent company by the subsidiaries as an inter-entity management fee. The subsidiary Bank had a combined $109,715,000 of restricted surplus and retained earnings at December 31, 2020.

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

26. SELECTED QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA (unaudited)

The following table sets forth certain unaudited quarterly consolidated financial data regarding the Company:

2020 QUARTER ENDED

    

DEC. 31

    

SEPT. 30

    

JUNE 30, 

    

MARCH 31, 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

Interest income

$

11,640

$

11,237

$

12,061

$

11,944

Interest expense

 

2,288

 

2,446

 

2,588

 

3,193

Net interest income

 

9,352

 

8,791

 

9,473

 

8,751

Provision for loan losses

 

1,075

 

675

 

450

 

175

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

 

8,277

 

8,116

 

9,023

 

8,576

Non-interest income

 

4,372

 

4,304

 

3,767

 

3,832

Non-interest expense

 

11,709

 

11,107

 

11,006

 

10,633

Income before income taxes

 

940

 

1,313

 

1,784

 

1,775

Provision for income taxes

 

248

 

235

 

365

 

366

Net income

$

692

$

1,078

$

1,419

$

1,409

Basic earnings per common share

$

0.04

$

0.06

$

0.08

$

0.08

Diluted earnings per common share

 

0.04

 

0.06

 

0.08

 

0.08

Cash dividends declared per common share

 

0.025

 

0.025

 

0.025

 

0.025

2019 QUARTER ENDED

    

DEC. 31

    

SEPT. 30

    

JUNE 30, 

    

MARCH 31, 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

Interest income

$

12,405

$

12,433

$

12,765

$

12,164

Interest expense

 

3,445

 

3,669

 

3,704

 

3,507

Net interest income

 

8,960

 

8,764

 

9,061

 

8,657

Provision (credit) for loan losses

 

975

 

225

 

 

(400)

Net interest income after provision (credit) for loan losses

 

7,985

 

8,539

 

9,061

 

9,057

Non-interest income

 

3,416

 

4,095

 

3,657

 

3,605

Non-interest expense

 

10,563

 

10,503

 

10,456

 

10,293

Income before income taxes

 

838

 

2,131

 

2,262

 

2,369

Provision for income taxes

 

169

 

442

 

470

 

491

Net income

$

669

$

1,689

$

1,792

$

1,878

Basic earnings per common share

$

0.04

$

0.10

$

0.10

$

0.11

Diluted earnings per common share

 

0.04

 

0.10

 

0.10

 

0.11

Cash dividends declared per common share

 

0.025

 

0.025

 

0.025

 

0.020

27. RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is fluid and continues to evolve, adversely affecting many of the Company’s customers. The pandemic and its associated impacts on trade (including supply chains and export levels), travel, employee productivity, unemployment, and consumer spending has resulted in less economic activity, and significant volatility and disruption in the financial markets. The ultimate extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations is currently uncertain and will depend on various developments and other factors, including, among others, the duration and scope of the pandemic, as well as governmental, regulatory, and private sector responses to the pandemic, and the associated impacts on the

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

economy, financial markets and our customers, employees, and vendors. While the full effects of the pandemic remain unknown, the Company is committed to supporting its customers, employees, and communities during this difficult time.

28. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On January 15, 2021, the Company issued a press release announcing the execution of a definitive agreement regarding the acquisition by AmeriServ Financial Bank, the Company’s wholly owned banking subsidiary, of the branch and deposit customers of Citizen’s Neighborhood Bank (CNB), an operating division of Riverview Bank, located in Meyersdale, Pennsylvania and the deposit customers of CNB at the branch located in Somerset, Pennsylvania. As of the agreement date, the related deposits totaled approximately $48 million and will be acquired for a 3.71% deposit premium. The Meyersdale branch will continue in operation under the AmeriServ name, and the Somerset branch customers will be serviced from the neighboring full service AmeriServ office at 108 West Main Street. On a pro forma basis, AmeriServ will have the fourth largest deposit market share in Somerset County with four branches and $150 million in deposits. This transaction will be immediately accretive to the Company’s earnings and the approximate 2% dilution to the Company’s tangible book value will be earned back in less than three years. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and satisfaction of customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021.

In late December 2020, the Federal Government passed a new $900 billion pandemic relief bill which includes $284.5 billion for the re-opening of the Paycheck Protection Program. The Company will again assist our business customers and participate in the program in 2021. As of February 28, 2021, the Company has originated 141 loans totaling $24.2 million under the new round of the Paycheck Protection Program.

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019; the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020; and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements (collectively, the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent, with respect to the Company, in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Allowance for Loan Losses (ALL) – Qualitative Factors

Description of the Matter

The Company’s loan portfolio totaled $972.1 million as of December 31, 2020, and the associated ALL was $11.3 million. As discussed in Notes 1, 6, and 7 to the consolidated financial statements, determining the amount of the ALL requires significant judgment about the collectability of loans, which includes an assessment of quantitative factors such as historical loss experience within each risk category of loans and testing of certain commercial loans for impairment. Management applies additional qualitative adjustments to reflect the inherent losses that exist in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date that are not reflected in the historical loss experience. Qualitative adjustments are made based upon changes in lending policies and practices, economic conditions, changes in the loan portfolio mix, trends in loan delinquencies and classified loans, collateral values, and concentrations of credit risk for the commercial loan portfolios.

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Allowance for Loan Losses (ALL) – Qualitative Factors (Continued)

We identified these qualitative adjustments within the ALL as critical audit matters because they involve a high degree of subjectivity, which is magnified by the uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. In turn, auditing management’s judgments regarding the qualitative factors applied in the ALL calculation involved a high degree of subjectivity.

How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit

We gained an understanding of the Company’s process for establishing the ALL, including the qualitative adjustments made to the ALL. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over the Company’s ALL process, which included, among others, management’s review and approval controls designed to assess the need and level of qualitative adjustments to the ALL, as well as the reliability of the data utilized to support management’s assessment.

To test the qualitative adjustments, we evaluated the appropriateness of management’s methodology and assessed whether relevant risks were reflected in the ALL and the need to consider qualitative adjustments, including the potential effect of COVID-19 on the adjustments.

Regarding the measurement of the qualitative adjustments, we evaluated the completeness, accuracy, and relevance of the data and inputs utilized in management’s estimate. For example, we compared the inputs and data to the Company’s historical loan performance data, third-party macroeconomic data, and considered the existence of new or contrary information. We also compared the overall ALL to the base range of historical losses to evaluate the level of reserves, including the reasonableness of qualitative adjustments. Furthermore, we analyzed the changes in the components of the qualitative reserves relative to changes in external market factors, the Company’s loan portfolio, and asset quality trends.

We also utilized internal credit review specialists with knowledge to evaluate the appropriateness of management’s risk-rating processes to ensure that the risk ratings applied to the commercial loan portfolio were reasonable.

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2007.

/s/S.R. Snodgrass, P.C.

Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania

March 10, 2021

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REPORT ON MANAGEMENT’S ASSESSMENT OF INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

We, as management of AmeriServ Financial, Inc., are responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting that is designed to produce reliable financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles. The system of internal control over financial reporting as it relates to the financial statements is evaluated for effectiveness by management and tested for reliability through a program of internal audits. Actions are taken to correct potential deficiencies as they are identified. Any system of internal control, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations, including the possibility that a control can be circumvented or overridden and misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. Also, because of changes in conditions, internal control effectiveness may vary over time. Accordingly, even an effective system of internal control will provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation.

Management assessed the Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, in relation to criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting as described in “2013 Internal Control — Integrated Framework,” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management concludes that, as of December 31, 2020, its system of internal control over financial reporting is effective and meets the criteria of the “2013 Internal Control — Integrated Framework”.

Management is responsible for compliance with the federal and state laws and regulations concerning dividend restrictions and federal laws and regulations concerning loans to insiders designated by the Federal Reserve as safety and soundness laws and regulations.

Management has assessed compliance by the Company with the designated laws and regulations relating to safety and soundness. Based on the assessment, management believes that the Company complied, in all significant respects, with the designated laws and regulations related to safety and soundness for the year ended December 31, 2020.

/s/ JEFFREY A. STOPKO

    

/s/ MICHAEL D. LYNCH

Jeffrey A. Stopko

Michael D. Lynch

President & Chief Executive Officer

Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Johnstown, PA
March 10, 2021

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STATEMENT OF MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

March 10, 2021

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

Management of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries have prepared the consolidated financial statements and other information in the Annual Report and Form 10-K in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles and are responsible for its accuracy.

In meeting its responsibility, management relies on internal accounting and related control systems, which include selection and training of qualified personnel, establishment and communication of accounting and administrative policies and procedures, appropriate segregation of responsibilities, and programs of internal audit. These systems are designed to provide reasonable assurance that financial records are reliable for preparing financial statements and maintaining accountability for assets and that assets are safeguarded against unauthorized use or disposition. Such assurance cannot be absolute because of inherent limitations in any internal control system.

Management also recognizes its responsibility to foster a climate in which Company affairs are conducted with the highest ethical standards. The Company’s Code of Conduct, furnished to each employee and director, addresses the importance of open internal communications, potential conflicts of interest, compliance with applicable laws, including those related to financial disclosure, the confidentiality of proprietary information, and other items. There is an ongoing program to assess compliance with these policies.

The Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors consists solely of independent directors. The Audit Committee meets periodically with management and the independent auditors to discuss audit, financial reporting, and related matters. S.R. Snodgrass P.C. and the Company’s internal auditors have direct access to the Audit Committee.

/s/ JEFFREY A. STOPKO

    

/s/ MICHAEL D. LYNCH

Jeffrey A. Stopko

Michael D. Lynch

President & Chief Executive Officer

Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

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ITEM 9.       CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.   As of December 31, 2020, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, on the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)). Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2020.

Disclosure controls and procedures are the controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in its reports filed and submitted under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in its reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.   The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 is included in Item 8.

ITEM 9B.   OTHER INFORMATION

None.

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PART III

ITEM 10.   DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Information required by this section relating to Directors of the Registrant is presented in the “Election of ASRV Directors” section of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

ITEM 11.   EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information required by this section is presented in the “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” the “Compensation Committee Report,” and “Compensation Paid to Executive Officers” sections of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

ITEM 12.   SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table summarizes the number of shares remaining for issuance under the Company’s outstanding stock incentive plans as of December 31, 2020.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

    

    

    

Number of securities

 

 

 remaining available for

 

 

 future issuance under

 

Number of securities

 

Weighted-average

 equity compensation 

 

 to be issued upon exercise

 

 exercise price of

plans (excluding 

 of outstanding options,

 outstanding options,

securities reflected in

 warrants and rights 

 warrants and rights 

 column (a))

Plan category

(a)

(b)

 

 (c)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 

230,913

$

3.14

 

472,168

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

 

 

Total

 

230,913

$

3.14

 

472,168

Information required by this section is presented in the “Principal Owners” and “Security Ownership of Management” sections of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

ITEM 13.    CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Information required by this section is presented in the “Director Independence and Transactions with Related Parties” section of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

ITEM 14.   PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Information required by this section is presented in the “Independent Registered Accounting Firm” section of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

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PART IV

ITEM 15.   EXHIBITS AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FILED:

The consolidated financial statements listed below are from this 2020 Form 10-K and Part II — Item 8. Page references are to this Form 10-K.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES:

These schedules are not required or are not applicable under SEC accounting regulations and therefore have been omitted.

EXHIBITS:

The exhibits listed below are filed herewith or to other filings.

EXHIBIT
NUMBER

    

DESCRIPTION

    

PRIOR FILING OR EXHIBIT
PAGE NUMBER HEREIN

3.1

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation as amended through August 11, 2011.

Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-176869) filed on September 16, 2011

3.2

Bylaws, as amended and restated effective April 2, 2020.

Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 6, 2020

10.1

Employment Agreement, dated April 27, 2015, between AmeriServ Financial, Inc. and Jeffrey A. Stopko.

Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2015

10.2

AmeriServ Financial, Inc. 2011 Stock Incentive Plan

Appendix A to the Definitive Proxy Statement, filed under Schedule 14A, filed on March 21, 2011

10.3

AmeriServ Financial, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan

Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 21, 2014

10.4

Employment Agreement, dated February 19, 2016, between AmeriServ Financial, Inc. and Michael D. Lynch

Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 24, 2016

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EXHIBIT
NUMBER

    

DESCRIPTION

    

PRIOR FILING OR EXHIBIT
PAGE NUMBER HEREIN

21.1

Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

Attached

23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Attached

31.1

Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Attached

31.2

Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Attached

32.1

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Attached

32.2

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Attached

101

The following information from AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Attached

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

(Registrant)

By :

/s/ Jeffrey A. Stopko

Jeffrey A. Stopko

President & CEO

Date: March 10, 2021

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on March 10, 2021:

/s/ Allan R. Dennison

    

Chairman

    

/s/ Michael D. Lynch

    

SVP & CFO

Allan R. Dennison

Director

Michael D. Lynch

/s/ Jeffrey A. Stopko

President & CEO

/s/ Margaret A. O’Malley

Director

Jeffrey A. Stopko

Director

Margaret A. O’Malley

/s/ J. Michael Adams, Jr.

Director

/s/ Daniel A. Onorato

Director

J. Michael Adams, Jr.

Daniel A. Onorato

/s/ Craig G. Ford

Director

/s/ Mark E. Pasquerilla

Director

Craig G. Ford

Mark E. Pasquerilla

/s/ Kim W. Kunkle

Director

/s/ Sara A. Sargent

Director

Kim W. Kunkle

Sara A. Sargent

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

AMERISERV FINANCIAL BANK OFFICE LOCATIONS

AMERISERV LOAN PRODUCTION LOCATIONS

HEADQUARTERS

Main Office Johnstown
216 Franklin Street
Johnstown, PA 15901
1-800-837-BANK (2265)

Carrolltown
101 South Main Street
Carrolltown, PA 15722

Central City
104 Sunshine Avenue
Central City, PA 15926

Derry
112 South Chestnut Street
Derry, PA 15627

East Hills Drive Up
1213 Scalp Avenue
Johnstown, PA 15904

Eighth Ward
1059 Franklin Street
Johnstown, PA 15905

Hagerstown
12806 Shank Farm Way
Hagerstown, MD 21742

Lovell Park
179 Lovell Avenue
Ebensburg, PA 15931

Nanty Glo
1383 Shoemaker Street
Nanty Glo, PA 15943

North Atherton
1857 North Atherton Street
State College, PA 16803

Northern Cambria
4206 Crawford Avenue

Suite 1
Northern Cambria, PA 15714

Pittsburgh
United Steelworkers Building
60 Boulevard of the Allies

Suite 100
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Seward
6858 Route 711

Suite 1
Seward, PA 15954

Somerset
108 West Main Street
Somerset, PA 15501

University Heights
1404 Eisenhower Boulevard
Johnstown, PA 15904

Westmont
110 Plaza Drive
Johnstown, PA 15905

Windber
1501 Somerset Avenue
Windber, PA 15963

Altoona
3415 Pleasant Valley Boulevard
Pleasant Valley Shopping Center
Altoona, PA 16602

Wilkins Township
201 Penn Center Boulevard

Suite 200
Pittsburgh, PA 15235

24-hr ATM available at all branches except Pittsburgh where there is no ATM available

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SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

SECURITIES MARKETS

AmeriServ Financial, Inc. Common Stock is publicly traded and quoted on the NASDAQ National Market System. The common stock is traded under the symbol of  “ASRV.” The listed market makers for the stock are:

Piper Sandler Companies 1251 Avenue of the Americas 6th Floor New York, NY 10020 Telephone: (800) 635-6860

    

Keefe Bruyette & Woods, Inc. 787 Seventh Avenue Equitable Bldg — 4th Floor New York, NY 10019 Telephone: (800) 966-1559

Stifel Nicolaus 7111 Fairway Drive, STE 301 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418 Telephone: (561) 615-5300

Virtu Financial, Inc. 1 Liberty Plaza New York, NY 10006 Telephone: (888) 931-4357

Raymond James & Associates 222 S. Riverside Plaza, 7th Floor Chicago, IL 60606 Telephone: (312) 655-2961

CORPORATE OFFICES

The corporate offices of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. are located at 216 Franklin Street, Johnstown, PA 15901.

Mailing address:

P.O. Box 430

Johnstown, PA 15907-0430

(814) 533-5300

AGENTS

The transfer agent and registrar for AmeriServ Financial, Inc.’s common stock is:

Computershare Investor Services

P.O. Box 505000

Louisville, KY 40233-5000

Shareholder Inquiries: 1-800-730-4001

Internet Address: http://www.Computershare.com

INFORMATION

Analysts, investors, shareholders, and others seeking financial data about AmeriServ Financial, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries’ annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements, 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, and call reports — are asked to contact Jeffrey A. Stopko, President & Chief Executive Officer at (814) 533-5310 or by e-mail at JStopko@AmeriServ.com. The Company also maintains a website (www.AmeriServ.com) that makes available, free of charge, such reports and proxy statements and other current financial information, such as press releases and SEC documents, as well as the corporate governance documents under the Investor Relations tab on the Company’s website. Information contained on the Company’s website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

Board of Directors

    

    

General Officers

J. Michael Adams, Jr.

Chief Counsel to the Pennsylvania DCED

Allan R. Dennison

Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of all Subsidiaries

Craig G. Ford

Non-Executive Vice Chairman of the Board of all Subsidiaries

Kim W. Kunkle

President & CEO,

Laurel Holdings, Inc

Margaret A. O’Malley

Attorney-at-Law

Yost & O’Malley

Daniel A. Onorato

Executive Vice President, Chief Corporate Affairs and Communications Officer of Highmark Health

Mark E. Pasquerilla

President, Pasquerilla Enterprises L.P.

Sara A. Sargent

Owner/President,

The Sargent’s Group

Jeffrey A. Stopko, CPA

President & Chief Executive Officer

AmeriServ Financial, Inc. & AmeriServ

Financial Bank

Jeffrey A. Stopko, CPA

President & Chief Executive Officer

Susan Tomera Angeletti

Senior Vice President, Director - Corporate Marketing & Alternative Delivery

Laura L. Fiore

Senior Vice President, Chief Auditor

Wendy M. Gressick

Senior Vice President, Chief Loan Review Officer

Michael D. Lynch

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Investment Officer & Chief Risk Officer

Anthony M. Gojmerac

Vice President, Purchasing & Facilities Officer

Jessica L. Johnson

Vice President & Manager of Regulatory Accounting

Tammie L. Slavick

Vice President, Financial & Profitability Analysis

Sharon M. Callihan

Corporate Secretary

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

AMERISERV FINANCIAL BANK

Board of Directors

    

General Officers

    

J. Michael Adams, Jr.

Chief Counsel to the Pennsylvania DCED

Allan R. Dennison

Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of all Subsidiaries

Craig G. Ford

Non-Executive Vice Chairman of the Board of all Subsidiaries

Kim W. Kunkle

President & CEO,

Laurel Holdings, Inc.

Margaret A. O’Malley

Attorney-at-Law

Yost & O’Malley

Daniel A. Onorato

Executive Vice President, Chief Corporate Affairs and Communications Officer of Highmark Health

Mark E. Pasquerilla

President, Pasquerilla Enterprises L.P.

Sara A. Sargent

Owner/President,

The Sargent’s Group

Jeffrey A. Stopko, CPA

President & Chief Executive Officer AmeriServ Financial, Inc. & AmeriServ Financial Bank

Jeffrey A. Stopko, CPA

President & Chief Executive Officer

Michael R. Baylor

Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Banking Officer

Russell B. Flynn

Senior Vice President, Retail Lending

Bettina D. Fochler

Senior Vice President, Chief Credit Officer

Kevin H. Justice

Senior Vice President, Area Executive, Hagerstown

Wayne A. Kessler

Senior Vice President, Area Executive, Johnstown

Michael D. Lynch

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Investment Officer & Chief Risk Officer

Kerri L. Mueller

Senior Vice President, Retail Banking

Matthew C. Rigo

Senior Vice President, Area Executive, Wilkins Township

Tara Shaffer

Senior Vice President, Area Executive, State College

Thomas R. Boyd, Jr.

Vice President, Commercial Relationship Manager

Carie L. Braniff

Vice President, Corporate Security Officer

Angela M. Briggs

Vice President, Deposit Operations Mgr.

Robert J. Cabala

Vice President, Commercial Relationship Manager

George T. Chaney II

Vice President, Portfolio Manager

Jennifer L. Devan

Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer

Bernard A. Eckenrode

Vice President, Commercial Relationship Manager

Mitchell D. Edwards

Vice President, Commercial Relationship Manager

Jason D. Eminhizer

Vice President, Commercial Relationship Manager

Christine E. Fisher

Vice President, Business Services

Anthony M. Gojmerac

Vice President, Purchasing & Facilities Officer

Chelsea M. Hartnett

Vice President, Manager Credit Analysis

Melissa A. Lohr

Vice President, Collections & Assigned Risk

Donald E. Rhodes

Vice President, Commercial Relationship Manager

James E. Ryan

Vice President, Director of IT

Cynthia L. Stewart

Vice President, Mortgage Administration

Shana Stiles

Vice President, BSA & Assistant Corporate Services Manager

Charlene J. Tessari

Vice President, Operations - Application

Catherine M. Torok

Vice President, Chief Information Security Officer

Michelle D. Wyandt

Vice President, Supervisor Credit Analysis

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AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

AMERISERV TRUST & FINANCIAL
SERVICES COMPANY

    

    

WEST CHESTER
CAPITAL ADVISORS

Board of Directors

Board of Directors

J. Michael Adams, Jr.

Chief Counsel to the Pennsylvania DCED

Richard W. Bloomingdale
President, PA AFL-CIO

Allan R. Dennison
Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of all Subsidiaries

Craig G. Ford
Non-Executive Vice Chairman of the Board of all Subsidiaries

James T. Huerth
President & Chief Executive Officer, AmeriServ Trust & Financial Services Company

George B. Kaufman
Attorney-at-Law

Kim W. Kunkle
President & CEO,
Laurel Holdings, Inc.

Mark E. Miller
Director of Support Services, Somerset
Hospital & President, Pine Grill, Inc.

Margaret A. O’Malley
Attorney-at-Law
Yost & O’Malley

Sara A. Sargent
Owner/President
The Sargent’s Group

Jeffrey A. Stopko, CPA
President & Chief Executive Officer, AmeriServ Financial, Inc. & AmeriServ Financial Bank

General Officers

James T. Huerth
President & Chief Executive Officer

David A. Finui
Executive Vice President, Director -
Wealth and Capital Management

Nicholas E. Debias, Jr., CTA

Senior Vice President, Senior Wealth Management Advisor

Bettina D. Fochler
Senior Vice President, Chief Credit Officer

Wayne Kessler
Senior Vice President, Area Executive, Johnstown

Michael D. Lynch
Senior Vice President, Treasurer

Christopher C. Sheedy
Senior Vice President & Director Specialty Real Estate

Kathleen M. Wallace
Senior Vice President, Retirement Services Manager

Timothy E. Walters
Senior Vice President, Diversified Services Wealth Advisor

Mary Ann Brustle
Vice President, Risk Management & Trust Compliance Officer

Michael P. Geiser
Vice President, Trust Operations Manager

Dennis E. Hunt
Vice President, Retirement Services Officer

Mark F. Lumley

Vice President, Assistant Trust Operations Manager

Justin F. Maser
Vice President, Portfolio Manager

Scott D. Porterfield
Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor

Trust Company Office Locations

216 Franklin Street
AmeriServ Financial Bank Building
Johnstown, PA 15901-1911

140 South Main Street
Greensburg, PA 15601

J. Michael Adams, Jr.

Chief Counsel to the Pennsylvania DCED

Allan R. Dennison
Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of all Subsidiaries

Craig G. Ford
Non-Executive Vice Chairman of the Board of all Subsidiaries

James T. Huerth
President & Chief Executive Officer,
AmeriServ Trust & Financial Services Company

Steven M. Krawick, AAMS, CMFC
President & Chief Executive Officer,
West Chester Capital Advisors

Jeffrey A. Stopko, CPA
President & Chief Executive Officer,
AmeriServ Financial, Inc. & AmeriServ Financial Bank

General Officers

Steven M. Krawick, AAMS, CMFC
President & Chief Executive Officer

Michael D. Lynch
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer

Frank J. Lapinsky
Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer & Portfolio Manager

Mary F. Stanek
Vice President, Portfolio Manager

Office Location

216 Franklin Street
AmeriServ Financial Bank Building
Johnstown, PA 15901-1911

109