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AMERISERV FINANCIAL INC /PA/ - Quarter Report: 2023 March (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

   Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023

   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 incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

Main & Franklin Streets, P.O. Box 430, Johnstown, PA

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

ASRV

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

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 the 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 is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes    No  

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class

    

Outstanding at May 1, 2023

Common Stock, par value $0.01

17,147,270

Table of Contents

AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

INDEX

Page No.

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

3

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) – March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022

3

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) – Three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

4

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) – Three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

5

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited) – Three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

6

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) – Three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

7

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

8

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

39

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

55

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

55

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

55

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

55

Item 1A. Risk Factors

55

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

55

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

55

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

55

Item 5. Other Information

55

Item 6. Exhibits

56

2

Table of Contents

Item 1. Financial Statements

AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

(Unaudited)

March 31, 2023

December 31, 2022

ASSETS

 

  

 

  

Cash and due from depository institutions

$

18,051

$

18,830

Interest bearing deposits and short-term investments

 

4,116

 

4,132

Cash and cash equivalents

 

22,167

 

22,962

Investment securities, net of allowance for credit losses:

 

  

 

  

Available for sale, at fair value (allowance for credit losses $926 on March 31, 2023)

 

177,873

 

179,508

Held to maturity (fair value $54,957 on March 31, 2023 and $55,192 on December 31, 2022; allowance for credit losses $83 on March 31, 2023)

 

60,740

 

61,878

Loans held for sale

 

417

 

59

Loans

 

980,781

 

991,109

Less: Unearned income

 

321

 

343

Less: Allowance for credit losses

 

12,132

 

10,743

Net loans

 

968,328

 

980,023

Premises and equipment:

 

 

Operating lease right-of-use asset

614

630

Financing lease right-of-use asset

2,345

2,413

Other premises and equipment, net

14,394

14,460

Accrued interest income receivable

 

5,090

 

4,804

Intangible assets:

 

 

Goodwill

 

13,611

 

13,611

Core deposit intangible

 

120

 

128

Bank owned life insurance

 

39,021

 

38,895

Net deferred tax asset

 

3,272

 

2,789

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

 

4,031

 

5,754

Federal Reserve Bank stock

 

2,125

 

2,125

Other assets

 

31,809

 

33,835

TOTAL ASSETS

$

1,345,957

$

1,363,874

LIABILITIES

Non-interest bearing deposits

$

194,817

$

195,123

Interest bearing deposits

 

936,972

 

913,414

Total deposits

 

1,131,789

 

1,108,537

Short-term borrowings

 

52,989

 

88,641

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

 

16,135

 

19,765

Operating lease liabilities

627

643

Financing lease liabilities

2,625

2,680

Subordinated debt

 

26,654

 

26,644

Total borrowed funds

 

99,030

 

138,373

Other liabilities

 

9,239

 

10,786

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

1,240,058

 

1,257,696

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

  

 

  

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 26,776,089 shares issued and 17,147,270 shares outstanding on March 31, 2023; 26,746,436 shares issued and 17,117,617 shares outstanding on December 31, 2022

 

268

 

267

Treasury stock at cost, 9,628,819 shares on March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022

 

(83,280)

 

(83,280)

Capital surplus

 

146,331

 

146,225

Retained earnings

 

65,306

 

65,486

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net

 

(22,726)

 

(22,520)

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

105,899

 

106,178

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

$

1,345,957

$

1,363,874

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

3

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AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

Three months ended

    

March 31, 

2023

    

2022

INTEREST INCOME

 

  

 

  

Interest and fees on loans

 

$

12,276

 

$

9,496

Interest bearing deposits and short-term investments

 

57

 

18

Investment securities:

 

  

 

  

Available for sale

 

1,770

 

1,123

Held to maturity

 

471

 

391

Total Interest Income

 

14,574

 

11,028

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

  

 

  

Deposits

 

4,189

 

796

Short-term borrowings

 

494

 

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

 

82

 

176

Financing lease liabilities

24

26

Subordinated debt

 

263

 

263

Total Interest Expense

 

5,052

 

1,261

Net Interest Income

 

9,522

 

9,767

Provision (credit) for credit losses

 

1,179

 

(400)

Net Interest Income after Provision (Credit) for Credit Losses

 

8,343

 

10,167

NON-INTEREST INCOME

 

  

 

  

Wealth management fees

 

2,738

 

3,165

Service charges on deposit accounts

 

266

 

272

Net gains on loans held for sale

 

26

 

95

Mortgage related fees

 

33

 

33

Gain on sale of Visa Class B shares

1,748

Bank owned life insurance

 

239

 

209

Other income

 

457

 

561

Total Non-Interest Income

 

5,507

 

4,335

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

 

  

 

  

Salaries and employee benefits

 

7,175

 

7,405

Net occupancy expense

 

772

 

741

Equipment expense

 

415

 

397

Professional fees

 

1,308

 

630

Data processing and IT expense

1,078

953

Supplies, postage and freight

 

179

 

165

Miscellaneous taxes and insurance

 

339

 

323

Federal deposit insurance expense

 

125

 

145

Other expense

 

572

 

720

Total Non-Interest Expense

 

11,963

 

11,479

PRETAX INCOME

1,887

3,023

Provision for income taxes

372

605

NET INCOME

$

1,515

$

2,418

PER COMMON SHARE DATA:

Basic:

Net income

$

0.09

$

0.14

Average number of shares outstanding

17,131

17,094

Diluted:

Net income

$

0.09

$

0.14

Average number of shares outstanding

17,155

17,146

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

4

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AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Three months ended

    

March 31, 

2023

    

2022

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

  

 

  

Net income

$

1,515

$

2,418

Other comprehensive loss

 

  

 

  

Pension obligation change for defined benefit plan

 

 

1,163

Income tax effect

 

 

(244)

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

 

568

 

(7,418)

Income tax effect

 

(119)

 

1,558

Fair value change for interest rate hedge

 

(829)

 

Income tax effect

 

174

 

Other comprehensive loss

 

(206)

 

(4,941)

Comprehensive income (loss)

$

1,309

$

(2,523)

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

(Unaudited)

Three months ended

    

March 31, 

2023

    

2022

COMMON STOCK

 

  

 

  

Balance at beginning of period

$

267

$

267

New common shares issued for exercise of stock options (29,653 and 27,584 shares for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively)

 

1

 

Balance at end of period

 

268

 

267

TREASURY STOCK

 

  

 

  

Balance at beginning of period

 

(83,280)

 

(83,280)

Treasury stock purchased

 

 

Balance at end of period

 

(83,280)

 

(83,280)

CAPITAL SURPLUS

 

  

 

  

Balance at beginning of period

 

146,225

 

146,069

New common shares issued for exercise of stock options (29,653 and 27,584 shares for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively)

 

94

 

80

Stock option expense

 

12

 

13

Balance at end of period

 

146,331

 

146,162

RETAINED EARNINGS

 

  

 

  

Balance at beginning of period

 

65,486

 

60,005

Net income

 

1,515

 

2,418

Cash dividend declared on common stock ($0.030 and $0.025 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively)

 

(514)

 

(427)

Cumulative effect adjustment for adoption of ASU 2016-13

 

(1,181)

 

Balance at end of period

 

65,306

 

61,996

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS, NET

 

  

 

  

Balance at beginning of period

 

(22,520)

 

(6,512)

Other comprehensive loss

 

(206)

 

(4,941)

Balance at end of period

 

(22,726)

 

(11,453)

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

$

105,899

$

113,692

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Three months ended

    

March 31, 

 

2023

    

2022

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net income

$

1,515

$

2,418

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

 

  

 

  

Provision (credit) for credit losses

 

1,179

 

(400)

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

526

 

508

Amortization expense of core deposit intangible

 

8

 

8

Amortization of fair value adjustment on acquired time deposits

 

(14)

 

(37)

Net amortization of investment securities

 

2

 

41

Net amortization of deferred loan fees

 

(38)

 

(241)

Net gains on loans held for sale

 

(26)

 

(95)

Origination of mortgage loans held for sale

 

(1,932)

 

(3,844)

Sales of mortgage loans held for sale

 

1,600

 

4,602

Increase in accrued interest receivable

 

(286)

 

(400)

Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable

 

184

 

(553)

Earnings on bank-owned life insurance

 

(239)

 

(209)

Deferred income taxes

 

348

 

589

Stock compensation expense

 

12

 

13

Net change in operating leases

(16)

(24)

Other, net

 

(1,033)

 

(567)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

1,790

 

1,809

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

  

 

  

Purchase of investment securities — available for sale

 

(3,000)

 

(16,989)

Purchase of investment securities — held to maturity

 

(493)

 

(5,119)

Proceeds from maturities of investment securities — available for sale

 

4,295

 

7,847

Proceeds from maturities of investment securities — held to maturity

 

1,528

 

438

Purchase of regulatory stock

 

(4,203)

 

(15)

Proceeds from redemption of regulatory stock

 

5,926

 

207

Long-term loans originated

 

(41,545)

 

(43,853)

Principal collected on long-term loans

 

51,773

 

50,700

Purchases of premises and equipment

 

(376)

 

(372)

Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned and repossessed assets

 

1

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

13,906

 

(7,156)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

  

 

  

Net increase in deposit balances

 

23,266

 

1,548

Net decrease in other short-term borrowings

 

(35,652)

 

Principal borrowings on advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

 

6,220

 

Principal repayments on advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

 

(9,850)

 

(4,790)

Principal payments on financing lease liabilities

(55)

(54)

Stock options exercised

 

94

 

80

Common stock dividend paid

 

(514)

 

(427)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(16,491)

 

(3,643)

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

(795)

 

(8,990)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT JANUARY 1

 

22,962

 

41,101

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT MARCH 31 

$

22,167

$

32,111

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.    Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (the Company) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, AmeriServ Financial Bank (the Bank) and AmeriServ Trust and Financial Services Company (the Trust Company). The Bank is a Pennsylvania state-chartered full service bank with 16 locations in Pennsylvania and 1 location in Maryland. The Trust Company offers a complete range of trust and financial services and administers assets valued at $2.4 billion and $2.3 billion that are not reported on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

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 credit losses (related to investment securities, loans, and unfunded commitments), intangible assets, income taxes, pension, derivatives (interest rate swaps/hedges), and the fair value of financial instruments.

2.    Basis of Preparation

The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information. In the opinion of management, all adjustments consisting of normal recurring entries considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. They are not, however, necessarily indicative of the results of consolidated operations for a full-year.

For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

3.    Adoption of Accounting Standards

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASU 2016-13) and subsequent related updates. This ASU replaces the incurred loss methodology for recognizing credit losses and requires businesses and other organizations to measure the current expected credit losses (CECL) on financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loans and held to maturity (HTM) securities, off-balance sheet credit exposures such as unfunded commitments, and other financial instruments. In addition, ASU 2016-13 requires credit losses on available for sale (AFS) debt securities to be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down when management does not intend to sell or believes that it is not more likely than not they will be required to sell. This guidance became effective on January 1, 2023 for the Company. The results reported for periods beginning after January 1, 2023 are presented under ASU 2016-13 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable accounting standards.

The Company adopted ASU 2016-13, and subsequent related updates, using the modified retrospective approach for all financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loans and held to maturity debt securities, as well as unfunded commitments. On January 1, 2023, the Company recorded a cumulative effect decrease to retained earnings of $1.2 million, net of tax, of which $951,000 related to loans, $90,000 related to held to maturity debt securities, and $140,000 related to unfunded commitments. In addition, the Company adopted the provisions of ASU 2016-13 related to presenting other-than-temporary impairment on available for sale debt securities on January 1, 2023, though no such charges were recorded on the securities held by the Company as of the date of adoption.

It should be noted that the Company expanded the pooling utilized under the legacy incurred loss method to include additional segmentation based on risk within the loan portfolio. The following table presents the impact of the change from the incurred loss model to the current expected credit loss model.

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January 1, 2023

    

Pre-ASU 2016-13

    

Impact of ASU 2016-13 Adoption

    

As Reported Under ASU 2016-13

(In Thousands)

Assets

Allowance for credit losses - held to maturity securities

Municipal

$

$

3

$

3

Corporate bonds and other securities

111

111

Allowance for credit losses - held to maturity securities

$

$

114

$

114

Loans, net of unearned income

Commercial real estate (owner occupied)

$

75,158

$

6,201

$

81,359

Other commercial and industrial

153,420

(31)

153,389

Commercial real estate (non-owner occupied) - retail

148,901

148,901

Commercial real estate (non-owner occupied) - multi-family

106,423

106,423

Other commercial real estate (non-owner occupied)

450,744

(225,831)

224,913

Residential mortgages

297,971

(124,194)

173,777

Consumer

13,473

88,531

102,004

Loans, net of unearned income

$

990,766

$

$

990,766

Allowance for credit losses - loans

Commercial real estate (owner occupied)

$

$

1,380

$

1,380

Other commercial and industrial

2,908

2,908

Commercial real estate (non-owner occupied) - retail

1,432

1,432

Commercial real estate (non-owner occupied) - multi-family

1,226

1,226

Other commercial real estate (non-owner occupied)

5,972

(2,776)

3,196

Commercial (owner occupied real estate and other)

2,653

(2,653)

Residential mortgages

1,380

(355)

1,025

Consumer

85

695

780

Allocation for general risk

653

(653)

Allowance for credit losses - loans

$

10,743

$

1,204

$

11,947

Liabilities

Allowance for credit losses - unfunded commitments

$

746

$

177

$

923

In summary, the adoption of ASU 2016-13 necessitated a day one increase of $1.2 million be made to the allowance for credit losses on our loan portfolio and a $177,000 increase to the allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments. Furthermore, based on the credit quality of the Company’s HTM debt securities portfolio, the day one allowance for credit losses on our HTM securities portfolio totaled only $114,000. Additional disclosures regarding the allowance for credit losses are included within Note 7 – Investment Securities, Note 9 – Allowance for Credit Losses – Loans, and Note 15 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities.

In January 2023, the Company adopted ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings (TDRs) and Vintage Disclosures (ASU 2022-02), which eliminated the accounting guidance for TDRs while enhancing disclosure requirements for certain loan refinancing and restructuring activities by creditors when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. Specifically, rather than applying TDR recognition and measurement guidance, the Company determines whether a modification results in a new loan or continuation of an existing loan. Upon adoption of this guidance, the Company no longer establishes a specific reserve for modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. Instead, these modifications are included in their respective homogenous loan pools. Additionally, the amendments of ASU 2022-02 require the Company to disclose current-period gross charge-offs by year of origination within the vintage disclosures. The vintage disclosures contain the amortized cost basis of financing receivables by credit quality indicator and class of financing receivable by year of origination. This guidance was applied on a prospective basis.

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4.    Revenue Recognition

ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers – Topic 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 non-interest 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 82.6% of the total revenue of the Company.

Non-interest income within the scope of Topic 606 is 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 $850,000 has been established as of March 31, 2023 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. Fees related to ATM and VISA debit card transactions are recognized when the transactions are completed and the Company has satisfied its performance obligation.

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The following presents non-interest income, segregated by revenue streams in-scope and out-of-scope of Topic 606, for the three-month period ending March 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands).

    

Three months ended

 

March 31, 

2023

    

2022

Non-interest income:

In-scope of Topic 606

 

  

 

  

Wealth management fees

$

2,738

$

3,165

Service charges on deposit accounts

 

266

 

272

Other

 

481

 

472

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

 

3,485

 

3,909

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

 

2,022

 

426

Total non-interest income

$

5,507

$

4,335

5.    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. For the three-month periods ending March 31, 2023 and 2022, options to purchase 22,000 common shares, with an exercise price of $4.00 to $4.22, and options to purchase 12,000 common shares, with an exercise price of $4.19 to $4.22, respectively, were outstanding but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share because to do so would be anti-dilutive.

Three months ended

March 31, 

    

2023

    

2022

(In thousands, except per share data)

Numerator:

 

  

 

  

Net income

$

1,515

$

2,418

Denominator:

 

  

 

  

Weighted average common shares outstanding (basic)

 

17,131

 

17,094

Effect of stock options

 

24

 

52

Weighted average common shares outstanding (diluted)

 

17,155

 

17,146

Earnings per common share:

 

  

 

  

Basic

$

0.09

$

0.14

Diluted

 

0.09

 

0.14

6.    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 no income tax payments in the first three months of 2023 and 2022. The Company made total interest payments of $4,868,000 in the first three months of 2023 compared to $1,814,000 in the same 2022 period.

As a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, as of January 1, 2023, the Company had non-cash transactions associated with the day one adjustments necessary to record the adoption. Specifically, the adoption of this accounting standard necessitated that a day one increase of $1.2 million be made to the allowance for credit losses on our loan portfolio. Furthermore, ASU 2016-13 necessitated that the Company establish an allowance for expected credit losses for held to maturity (HTM) debt securities. Based upon the credit quality of the Company’s HTM debt securities portfolio, the day one allowance for credit losses on our HTM securities portfolio totaled $114,000. Finally, the adoption of CECL led to the recognition of a day one increase of $177,000 for the Company’s unfunded loan commitments.

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7.    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 shareholders’ equity on a net of tax basis. Realized gains or losses on securities sold are computed upon the adjusted cost of the specific securities sold. 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.

Allowance for Credit Losses – Held to Maturity Securities

The Company measures expected credit losses on held to maturity debt securities, which are comprised of U.S. government agency and mortgage-backed securities as well as taxable municipal, corporate, and other bonds. The Company’s agency and mortgage-backed securities are issued by U.S. government entities and agencies and are either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S. government, are highly rated by major rating agencies, and have a long history of no credit losses. As such, no allowance for credit losses has been established for these securities. The allowance for credit losses on the taxable municipal, corporate, and other bonds within the held to maturity securities portfolio is calculated using the probability of default/loss given default (PD/LGD) method. The calculation is completed on a quarterly basis using the default studies provided by an industry leading source. At March 31, 2023, the allowance for credit losses on the held to maturity securities portfolio totaled $83,000.

The allowance for credit losses on held to maturity debt securities is included within investment securities held to maturity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded within provision (credit) for credit losses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Accrued interest receivable on held to maturity debt securities totaled $411,000 at March 31, 2023 and is included within accrued interest income receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. This amount is excluded from the estimate of expected credit losses. Held to maturity debt securities are typically classified as non-accrual when the contractual payment of principal or interest has become 90 days past due or management has serious doubts about the further collectability of principal or interest. When held to maturity debt securities are placed on non-accrual status, unpaid interest credited to income is reversed. The Company had no held to maturity debt securities in non-accrual status at March 31, 2023.

Allowance for Credit Losses – Available for Sale Securities

The Company measures expected credit losses on available for sale debt securities when the Company does not intend to sell, or when it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell, the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For available for sale debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, the Company considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this evaluation indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit loss, equal to the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. At March 31, 2023, the allowance for credit losses on the available for sale securities portfolio totaled $926,000.

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The allowance for credit losses on available for sale debt securities is included within investment securities available for sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded within provision (credit) for credit losses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Losses are charged against the allowance when the Company believes the collectability of an available for sale security is in jeopardy or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met.

Accrued interest receivable on available for sale debt securities totaled $1.2 million at March 31, 2023 and is included within accrued interest income receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. This amount is excluded from the estimate of expected credit losses. Available for sale debt securities are typically classified as non-accrual when the contractual payment of principal or interest has become 90 days past due or management has serious doubts about the further collectability of principal or interest. When available for sale debt securities are placed on non-accrual status, unpaid interest credited to income is reversed. It should be noted that the Company had one available for sale debt security in non-accrual status at March 31, 2023 totaling $926,000 with an associated allowance for credit losses of $926,000.

Credit Losses on Investment Securities – Prior to adopting ASU 2016-13

The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2023. Financial statement amounts related to investment securities recorded as of December 31, 2022 and for the period ending March 31, 2022 are presented in accordance with the accounting policies described in the following paragraphs.

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 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 term other than temporary is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent but indicates that the prospects for a near-term recovery of value are not necessarily favorable or that there is a lack of evidence to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying value of the investment.

Declines in the fair value of securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are separated into (a) the amount of the total other than temporary impairment related to a decrease in cash flows expected to be collected from the debt security (the credit loss) and (b) the amount of the total other than temporary impairment related to all other factors. The amount of the total other than temporary impairment related to the credit loss is recognized in earnings. The amount of the total other than temporary impairment related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss).

At December 31, 2022, 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. 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.

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

Investment securities available for sale (AFS):

March 31, 2023

GROSS

GROSS

ALLOWANCE

UNREALIZED

UNREALIZED

FOR CREDIT

FAIR

    

COST BASIS

    

GAINS

    

LOSSES

LOSSES

    

VALUE

(IN THOUSANDS)

U.S. Agency

$

12,713

$

1

$

(1,158)

$

$

11,556

U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

100,428

 

80

 

(11,872)

 

88,636

Municipal

 

20,837

 

3

 

(1,503)

 

19,337

Corporate bonds

 

63,162

 

8

 

(3,900)

(926)

 

58,344

Total

$

197,140

$

92

$

(18,433)

$

(926)

$

177,873

Investment securities held to maturity (HTM):

March 31, 2023

GROSS

GROSS

ALLOWANCE

UNREALIZED

UNREALIZED

FAIR

FOR CREDIT

    

COST BASIS

    

GAINS

    

LOSSES

VALUE

    

LOSSES

(IN THOUSANDS)

U.S. Agency

$

2,500

$

$

(418)

$

2,082

$

U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities

18,831

8

(2,036)

16,803

Municipal

 

33,983

 

1

 

(3,206)

 

30,778

 

3

Corporate bonds and other securities

 

5,426

 

 

(132)

 

5,294

 

80

Total

$

60,740

$

9

$

(5,792)

$

54,957

$

83

Investment securities available for sale (AFS):

December 31, 2022

GROSS

GROSS

UNREALIZED

UNREALIZED

FAIR

    

COST BASIS

    

GAINS

    

LOSSES

    

VALUE

(IN THOUSANDS)

U.S. Agency

$

11,797

$

1

$

(1,265)

$

10,533

U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

102,631

 

64

 

(12,710)

 

89,985

Municipal

 

20,837

 

 

(1,799)

 

19,038

Corporate bonds

 

63,152

 

30

 

(3,230)

 

59,952

Total

$

198,417

$

95

$

(19,004)

$

179,508

Investment securities held to maturity (HTM):

December 31, 2022

GROSS

GROSS

UNREALIZED

UNREALIZED

FAIR

COST BASIS

    

GAINS

    

LOSSES

    

VALUE

(IN THOUSANDS)

U.S. Agency

    

$

2,500

$

$

(432)

$

2,068

U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities

    

18,877

8

(2,212)

16,673

Municipal

 

33,993

 

2

 

(3,880)

 

30,115

Corporate bonds and other securities

 

6,508

 

 

(172)

 

6,336

Total

$

61,878

$

10

$

(6,696)

$

55,192

The Company sold no AFS securities during the first quarter of 2023 and 2022.

The carrying value of securities, both available for sale and held to maturity, pledged to secure public and trust deposits was $131,913,000 at March 31, 2023 and $134,002,000 at December 31, 2022.

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Table of Contents

The interest rate environment and market yields can 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 March 31, 2023, the Company had low premium risk as the book value of our mortgage-backed securities purchased at a premium was only 100.9% of the par value.

Contractual maturities of securities at March 31, 2023 are shown below (in thousands). Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties. The weighted average duration of the total investment securities portfolio at March 31, 2023 is 54.6 months and is shorter than the duration at December 31, 2022 which was 56.0 months. The duration remains within our internally established guideline to not exceed 60 months which we believe is appropriate to maintain proper levels of liquidity, interest rate risk, market valuation sensitivity and profitability.

Total investment securities:

March 31, 2023

Available for sale

Held to maturity

    

Cost Basis

    

Fair Value

    

Cost Basis

    

Fair Value

Within 1 year

$

6,385

$

6,328

$

2,425

$

2,386

After 1 year but within 5 years

 

48,222

 

46,066

 

12,381

 

11,889

After 5 years but within 10 years

 

47,646

 

42,248

 

25,687

 

22,853

Over 10 years

 

94,887

 

83,231

 

20,247

 

17,829

Total

$

197,140

$

177,873

$

60,740

$

54,957

The following table summarizes the available for sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position for which an allowance for credit losses has not been recorded as of March 31, 2023, aggregated by security type and length of time in a continuous loss position (in thousands):

March 31, 2023

LESS THAN 12 MONTHS

12 MONTHS OR LONGER

TOTAL

FAIR

UNREALIZED

FAIR

UNREALIZED

FAIR

UNREALIZED

    

VALUE

    

LOSSES

    

VALUE

    

LOSSES

    

VALUE

    

LOSSES

U.S. Agency

$

2,448

$

(48)

$

8,107

$

(1,110)

$

10,555

$

(1,158)

U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities

26,473

(1,161)

56,993

(10,711)

83,466

(11,872)

Municipal

 

3,358

(85)

15,216

(1,418)

18,574

(1,503)

Corporate bonds

 

26,749

(1,412)

26,586

(2,488)

53,335

(3,900)

Total

$

59,028

$

(2,706)

$

106,902

$

(15,727)

$

165,930

$

(18,433)

At March 31, 2023, within the available for sale debt securities portfolio, the Company had four U.S. Agency, 45 U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities, 11 municipal, and 45 corporate bonds that have been in a gross unrealized loss position for less than 12 months with depreciation of 4.4% from its amortized cost basis. Additionally, at March 31, 2023, within the available for sale debit securities portfolio, the Company had ten U.S. Agency, 104 U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities, 47 municipal, and 49 corporate bonds that have been in a gross unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months with depreciation of 12.8% from its amortized cost basis.

These 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, no provision for credit losses has been recorded for these securities. 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.

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Table of Contents

The Company recorded a $926,000 provision for credit losses on available for sale debt securities during the first quarter of 2023. The recognition of the loss resulted from a subordinated debt investment issued by Signature Bank which was closed by banking regulators on March 12, 2023. In a press release issued by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), it was disclosed that unsecured debt holders of the institution will not be protected. Management reviewed the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed by Signature Bank, which was filed on March 1, 2023, and determined that no circumstances existed to indicate that the debt security held by the Company was impaired as of December 31, 2022. Specifically, as of December 31, 2022, Signature Bank had total assets of $110.4 billion, net income of $1.3 billion for the year then ended, and demonstrated strong regulatory capital ratios. As of March 31, 2023, the corporate security was placed in non-accrual status and approximately $17,000 of unpaid interest previously credited to income was reversed.

The following table presents the activity in the allowance for credit losses on held to maturity debt securities by major security type for the three months ended March 31, 2023 (in thousands).

Three months ended March 31, 2023

Balance at

Impact of Adopting

Charge-

Provision

Balance at

December 31, 2022

ASU 2016-13

Offs

Recoveries

(Credit)

March 31, 2023

U.S. Agency

    

$

$

    

$

    

$

    

$

    

$

U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities

Municipal

3

3

Corporate bonds and other securities

111

(31)

80

Total

$

$

114

$

$

$

(31)

$

83

As stated previously, the Company’s agency and mortgage-backed securities are issued by U.S. government entities and agencies and are either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S. government, are highly rated by major rating agencies, and have a long history of no credit losses. As such, no allowance for credit losses has been established for these securities. The allowance for credit losses on the taxable municipal, corporate, and other bonds within the held to maturity securities portfolio is calculated using the PD/LGD method. The calculation is completed on a quarterly basis using the default studies provided by an industry leading source.

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 Investor’s Service or Standard & Poor’s rating of “A.” The Company monitors the credit ratings of its debt securities on a quarterly basis. At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, 52.5% of the total investment securities portfolio was rated “AAA”. Approximately 14.2% of the total investment securities portfolio was either rated below “A” or unrated at March 31, 2023 as compared to 14.7% at December 31, 2022.

Specifically, the following table summarizes the amortized cost of held to maturity debt securities at March 31, 2023, aggregated by credit quality indicator (in thousands).

March 31, 2023

Credit Rating

AAA/AA/A

BBB/BB/B

Unrated

Total

U.S. Agency

    

$

2,500

$

    

$

    

$

2,500

U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities

18,831

18,831

Municipal

33,983

33,983

Corporate bonds and other securities

4,010

1,416

5,426

Total

$

59,324

$

$

1,416

$

60,740

The Company had no held to maturity debt securities in non-accrual status or past due 90 days still accruing interest at March 31, 2023. The underlying issuers continue to make timely principal and interest payments on the securities.

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8.    Loans

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are stated at their outstanding unpaid principal balances, net of any deferred fees or costs and an allowance for credit losses. Accrued interest receivable on loans totaled $3.5 million as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 which is reported in accrued interest income receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the yield (interest income) over the contractual life of the loan.

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 owner occupied commercial real estate loan and the other commercial and industrial loan classes. The commercial real estate loan segment includes the non-owner occupied commercial real estate loan classes of retail, multi-family, and other. The residential mortgage loan segment is comprised of first lien amortizing residential mortgage loans while the consumer loan segment consists primarily of home equity loans secured by residential real estate, installment loans, and overdraft lines of credit associated with customer deposit accounts.

The loan portfolio of the Company consists of the following (in thousands):

March 31, 2023

Commercial:

Commercial real estate (owner occupied) (1)

$

77,805

Other commercial and industrial

150,438

Commercial real estate (non-owner occupied):

 

Retail (1)

154,454

Multi-family (1)

98,945

Other (1)

223,526

Residential mortgages

 

175,211

Consumer

 

100,081

Loans, net of unearned income

$

980,460

December 31, 2022

Commercial:

Commercial and industrial

$

153,398

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

22

Commercial real estate (owner occupied) (1)

 

75,158

Commercial real estate (non-owner occupied) (1)

 

450,744

Residential mortgages (1)

 

297,971

Consumer

 

13,473

Loans, net of unearned income

$

990,766

(1)Real estate construction loans constituted 3.2% and 4.7% of the Company’s total loans, net of unearned income as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

Loan balances at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are net of unearned income of $321,000 and $343,000, respectively.

9. Allowance for Credit Losses – Loans

The allowance for credit losses (ACL) is a valuation reserve established and maintained by charges against income and is deducted from the amortized cost basis of loans to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans.

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Loans, or portions thereof, are charged-off against the ACL when they are deemed uncollectible. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off.

The ACL is an estimate of expected credit losses, measured over the contractual life of a loan, that considers our historical loss experience, current conditions and forecasts of future economic conditions. Determination of an appropriate ACL is inherently subjective and may have significant changes from period to period. The methodology for determining the ACL has two main components: evaluation of expected credit losses for certain groups of homogeneous loans that share similar risk characteristics and evaluation of loans that do not share risk characteristics with other loans.

The allowance for credit losses is measured on a collective (pool) basis when similar risk characteristics exist. The Company has aligned our segmentation to the quarterly Call Report. This allowed the Company to use not only our data, but also peer institutions to supplement loss observations in determining our qualitative adjustments. Some further sub-segmenting was performed on the commercial and industrial (C&I) and commercial real estate (CRE) portfolios based on collateral type. The Company has identified the following portfolio segments:

C&I and CRE Owner Occupied – Real Estate
C&I and CRE Owner Occupied – Other
CRE Non-Owner Occupied – Retail
CRE Non-Owner Occupied – Multi-Family
CRE Non-Owner Occupied – Other
Residential Mortgages
Consumer

The Company is utilizing the static pool analysis (cohort) method for our CECL model. The static pool analysis methodology captures loans that qualify for a segment (i.e. balance of a pool of loans with similar risk characteristics) as of a point in time to form a cohort, then tracks that cohort over their remaining lives to determine their loss behavior. The remaining lifetime loss rate is then applied to current loans that qualify for the same segmentation criteria to form a remaining life expectation on current loans. Once historical cohorts are established, the loans in each individual cohort are tracked over their remaining lives for loss and recovery events. Each cohort is evaluated individually and as a result, a loss may be counted in several different quarterly cohort periods, as long as the specific loan existed in the population of each of those cohort periods.

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Table of Contents

The following tables summarize the rollforward of the allowance for credit losses by loan portfolio segment for the three-month periods ending March 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands).

Three months ended March 31, 2023

Balance at

Impact of Adopting

Charge-

Provision

Balance at

December 31, 2022

ASU 2016-13

Offs

Recoveries

(Credit)

March 31, 2023

Commercial real estate (owner occupied)

    

$

$

1,380

    

$

    

$

6

    

$

(66)

    

$

1,320

Other commercial and industrial

2,908

1

(36)

2,873

Commercial real estate (non-owner occupied) - retail

1,432

54

1,486

Commercial real estate (non-owner occupied) - multi-family

1,226

1

(81)

1,146

Other commercial real estate (non-owner occupied)

5,972

(2,776)

4

(3)

3,197

Commercial (owner occupied real estate and other)

 

2,653

(2,653)

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgages

 

1,380

(355)

 

 

2

 

5

 

1,032

Consumer

 

85

695

 

(139)

 

9

 

428

 

1,078

Allocation for general risk

 

653

(653)

 

 

 

 

Total

$

10,743

$

1,204

$

(139)

$

23

$

301

$

12,132

Three months ended March 31, 2022

Balance at

Charge-

Provision

Balance at

December 31, 2021

Offs

Recoveries

(Credit)

March 31, 2022

Commercial

    

$

3,071

    

$

(72)

    

$

    

$

252

    

$

3,251

Commercial real estate (non-owner occupied)

 

6,392

 

 

13

 

(475)

 

5,930

Residential mortgages

 

1,590

 

 

8

 

(133)

 

1,465

Consumer

 

113

 

(45)

 

20

 

11

 

99

Allocation for general risk

 

1,232

 

 

 

(55)

 

1,177

Total

$

12,398

$

(117)

$

41

$

(400)

$

11,922

The Company recorded a $301,000 provision for credit losses in the first quarter of 2023 as compared to a $400,000 provision recovery recorded in the first quarter of 2022, representing a $701,000 unfavorable shift between years. The increased first quarter 2023 provision for credit losses in the loan portfolio was necessary due to risk rating, non-accrual, and charge-off activity. Specifically, an increased historical loss rate within the consumer loan pool resulted in a significant increase in the allocated allowance for credit losses despite contraction within the portfolio since the beginning of the year. Non-performing assets decreased from $5.2 million at December 31, 2022 to $4.6 million at March 31, 2023 primarily due to a decrease in non-accrual residential mortgage loans. Overall, non-performing assets remain well controlled at 0.47% of total loans. The Company experienced net loan charge-offs of $116,000, or 0.05% of total average loans, in the first quarter of 2023 which is only slightly higher than net charge-offs of $76,000, or 0.03% of total average loans, in first quarter of 2022. In summary, the allowance for credit losses on our loan portfolio provided 264% coverage of non-performing assets, and 1.24% of total loans, on March 31, 2023, compared to 207% coverage of non-performing assets, and 1.08% of total loans, on December 31, 2022.

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Historical credit loss experience is the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. The Company applies historical loss rates to pools of loans with similar risk characteristics. After consideration of the historic loss calculation, management applies qualitative adjustments to reflect the current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts not already captured in the historical loss information at the balance sheet date. Our reasonable and supportable forecast adjustment is based on a blend of peer and Company data as well as management judgment. Including peer data addresses the Company’s lack of loss history in some pools of loans. For periods beyond our reasonable and supportable forecast period of two years, loss expectations revert to the long-run historical mean. The qualitative adjustments for current conditions are based upon the following factors:

changes in lending policies and procedures;
changes in economic conditions;
changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio;
staff experience;
changes in volume and severity of delinquency, non-performing loans, and classified loans;
changes in the quality of the Company’s loan review system;
trends in underlying collateral value;
concentration risk; and
external factors: competition, legal, regulatory.

These modified historical loss rates are multiplied by the outstanding principal balance of each loan to calculate a required reserve. Ultimately, 67% of the first quarter of 2023 general reserve represented qualitative adjustment with 33% representing quantitative reserve.

In accordance with ASU 2016-13, the Company will evaluate individual loans for expected credit losses when those loans do not share similar risk characteristics with loans evaluated using a collective (pooled) basis. In contrast to legacy accounting standards, this criterion is broader than the impairment concept and management may evaluate loans individually even when no specific expectation of collectability is in place. Loans will not be included in both collective and individual analysis. The individual analysis will establish a specific reserve for loans in scope. It should be noted that there is a review threshold of $150,000 or more for loans being subject to individual evaluation within the consumer and residential mortgage segments.

Specific reserves are established based on the following three acceptable methods for measuring the ACL: 1) the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate; 2) the loan’s observable market price; or 3) the fair value of the collateral when the loan is collateral dependent. 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 is made on a quarterly basis.

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 credit losses. At a minimum, annual documented reevaluation of the property is completed by the Bank’s internal Collections and 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 Chief Credit Officer 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;
the availability of financing;
natural disasters;
the inventory of competing properties;

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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 Chief Credit Officer determines 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 Collections and Assigned Risk Department personnel, rests with the Chief Credit Officer and not the originating account officer.

The following tables summarize the loan portfolio and allowance for credit losses (in thousands).

At March 31, 2023

    

Commercial real estate (owner occupied)

    

Other commercial and industrial

    

Commercial real estate (non-owner occupied) - retail

Commercial real estate (non-owner occupied) - multi-family

    

Other commercial real estate (non-owner occupied)

    

Residential mortgages

    

Consumer

    

Total

Loans:

Individually evaluated

$

$

1,971

$

$

$

1,554

$

 

$

$

3,525

Collectively evaluated

 

77,805

 

148,467

 

154,454

98,945

 

221,972

 

175,211

 

100,081

 

976,935

Total loans

$

77,805

$

150,438

$

154,454

$

98,945

$

223,526

$

175,211

 

$

100,081

$

980,460

Allowance for credit losses:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Specific reserve allocation

$

$

416

$

$

$

3

$

$

$

419

General reserve allocation

 

1,320

 

2,457

 

1,486

1,146

 

3,194

 

1,032

 

1,078

 

11,713

Total allowance for credit losses

$

1,320

$

2,873

$

1,486

$

1,146

$

3,197

$

1,032

$

1,078

$

12,132

At December 31, 2022

Commercial

real estate

Residential

Allocation for

    

Commercial

    

(non-owner occupied)

    

mortgages

    

Consumer

    

general risk

    

Total

Loans:

Individually evaluated

$

1,989

$

1,586

$

$

 

  

$

3,575

Collectively evaluated

 

226,589

 

449,158

 

297,971

 

13,473

 

  

 

987,191

Total loans

$

228,578

$

450,744

$

297,971

$

13,473

 

  

$

990,766

Allowance for credit losses:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Specific reserve allocation

$

520

$

3

$

$

$

$

523

General reserve allocation

 

2,133

 

5,969

 

1,380

 

85

 

653

 

10,220

Total allowance for credit losses

$

2,653

$

5,972

$

1,380

$

85

$

653

$

10,743

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The following table presents the amortized cost basis of collateral-dependent loans by class of loans (in thousands).

Collateral Type

March 31, 2023

Real Estate

Commercial real estate (non-owner occupied):

 

Other

$

1,554

Total

$

1,554

Allowance for Loan Losses – Prior to adopting ASU 2016-13

Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASU 2016-13), the Company calculated our allowance for loan losses (ALL) using an incurred loss methodology. The following policy related to the ALL in prior periods.

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.

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.

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 experience and other qualitative factors, and (3) a general risk reserve which provides support for variance from our assessment of the 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 risk 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. Specifically, 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 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.

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Table of Contents

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. Pass rated credits are segregated from criticized and classified credits for the application of qualitative factors.
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-off 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.

The 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, the amount of non-performing loans, and past and anticipated loss experience.

23

Table of Contents

Non-Performing Assets

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, and (iii) other real estate owned (OREO – real estate acquired through foreclosure and in-substance foreclosures) and repossessed assets.

Loans will be transferred to non-accrual status 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 the loan 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. The following table presents non-accrual loans, loans past due over 90 days still accruing interest, and OREO and repossessed assets by portfolio class (in thousands).

At March 31, 2023

    

Non-accrual with no ACL

    

Non-accrual with ACL

    

Total non-accrual

    

Loans past due over 90 days still accruing

OREO and repossessed assets

    

Total non-performing assets

Commercial real estate (owner occupied)

$

$

$

$

$

$

Other commercial and industrial

1,971

1,971

1,971

Commercial real estate (non-owner occupied) - retail

Commercial real estate (non-owner occupied) - multi-family

Other commercial real estate (non-owner occupied)

1,551

3

1,554

1,554

Residential mortgages

724

724

724

Consumer

312

312

38

350

Total

$

1,551

$

3,010

$

4,561

$

$

38

$

4,599

It should be noted that the Company has elected to exclude accrued interest receivable from the measurement of its ACL. When a loan is placed in non-accrual status, any outstanding interest is reversed against interest income.

Credit Quality Indicators

The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt such as: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors. The Company analyzes loans individually to classify the loans as to credit risk.

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. Loans in the doubtful category have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable. All loans greater than 90 days past due, or for which any portion of the loan represents a specific allocation of the allowance for credit 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

24

Table of Contents

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 the year ending December 31, 2023 requires review of approximately 30% 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.

25

Table of Contents

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 March 31, 2023

Revolving

Revolving

Loans

Loans

Amortized

Converted

Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year

Cost

to

    

2023

    

2022

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

Prior

    

Basis

    

Term

    

Total

(IN THOUSANDS)

Commercial real estate (owner occupied)

Pass

$

185

$

7,161

$

16,399

$

8,840

$

13,641

$

29,350

$

1,277

$

$

76,853

Special Mention

Substandard

952

952

Doubtful

Total

$

185

$

7,161

$

16,399

$

8,840

$

13,641

$

30,302

$

1,277

$

$

77,805

Current period gross charge-offs

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Other commercial and industrial

Pass

$

2,210

$

40,699

$

15,050

$

7,062

$

9,644

$

24,592

$

46,462

$

$

145,719

Special Mention

Substandard

1,550

3,169

4,719

Doubtful

Total

$

2,210

$

40,699

$

15,050

$

7,062

$

9,644

$

26,142

$

49,631

$

$

150,438

Current period gross charge-offs

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Commercial real estate (non-owner occupied) - retail

Pass

$

15,954

$

25,837

$

33,951

$

23,771

$

9,512

$

44,790

$

639

$

$

154,454

Special Mention

Substandard

Doubtful

Total

$

15,954

$

25,837

$

33,951

$

23,771

$

9,512

$

44,790

$

639

$

$

154,454

Current period gross charge-offs

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Commercial real estate (non-owner occupied) - multi-family

Pass

$

3,357

$

16,730

$

18,675

$

12,325

$

12,003

$

34,387

$

343

$

$

97,820

Special Mention

Substandard

1,003

122

1,125

Doubtful

Total

$

3,357

$

16,730

$

18,675

$

13,328

$

12,003

$

34,509

$

343

$

$

98,945

Current period gross charge-offs

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Other commercial real estate (non-owner occupied)

Pass

$

5,050

$

30,771

$

50,221

$

22,293

$

23,602

$

58,673

$

5,883

$

$

196,493

Special Mention

138

155

8,102

8,395

Substandard

7,047

11,389

199

18,635

Doubtful

3

3

Total

$

5,050

$

30,771

$

50,221

$

22,431

$

30,804

$

78,167

$

6,082

$

$

223,526

Current period gross charge-offs

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Total by risk rating

 

Pass

$

26,756

$

121,198

$

134,296

$

74,291

$

68,402

$

191,792

$

54,604

$

$

671,339

Special Mention

138

155

8,102

8,395

Substandard

1,003

7,047

14,013

3,368

25,431

Doubtful

3

3

Total

$

26,756

$

121,198

$

134,296

$

75,432

$

75,604

$

213,910

$

57,972

$

$

705,168

Current period gross charge-offs

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

26

Table of Contents

At December 31, 2022

SPECIAL

    

PASS

    

MENTION

    

SUBSTANDARD

    

DOUBTFUL

    

TOTAL

(IN THOUSANDS)

Commercial and industrial

$

148,361

$

$

5,037

$

$

153,398

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

22

22

Commercial real estate (owner occupied)

 

74,187

 

 

971

 

 

75,158

Commercial real estate (non-owner occupied)

 

423,486

 

11,015

 

16,240

 

3

 

450,744

Total

$

646,056

$

11,015

$

22,248

$

3

$

679,322

It is generally the policy of the Bank that the outstanding balance of any residential mortgage or home equity 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. It is generally the policy of the Bank that the outstanding balance of any unsecured consumer loan that exceeds 90-days past due as to principal and/or interest is charged-off. Loans past due 90 days or more and loans in non-accrual status are considered non-performing. The following tables present the performing and non-performing outstanding balances of the residential mortgage and consumer loan portfolio classes.

At March 31, 2023

Revolving

Revolving

Loans

Loans

Amortized

Converted

Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year

Cost

to

    

2023

    

2022

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

Prior

    

Basis

    

Term

    

Total

(IN THOUSANDS)

Residential mortgages

Performing

$

1,074

$

11,880

$

65,100

$

46,870

$

7,833

$

41,730

$

$

$

174,487

Non-performing

724

724

Total

$

1,074

$

11,880

$

65,100

$

46,870

$

7,833

$

42,454

$

$

$

175,211

Current period gross charge-offs

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Consumer

Performing

$

3,290

$

23,834

$

11,627

$

4,054

$

1,533

$

5,925

$

49,309

$

197

$

99,769

Non-performing

17

50

49

174

22

312

Total

$

3,307

$

23,834

$

11,627

$

4,104

$

1,582

$

6,099

$

49,331

$

197

$

100,081

Current period gross charge-offs

$

3

$

35

$

17

$

$

$

84

$

$

$

139

Total by payment performance

 

Performing

$

4,364

$

35,714

$

76,727

$

50,924

$

9,366

$

47,655

$

49,309

$

197

$

274,256

Non-performing

17

50

49

898

22

1,036

Total

$

4,381

$

35,714

$

76,727

$

50,974

$

9,415

$

48,553

$

49,331

$

197

$

275,292

Current period gross charge-offs

$

3

$

35

$

17

$

$

$

84

$

$

$

139

At December 31, 2022

    

    

NON-

 

    

PERFORMING

    

PERFORMING

    

TOTAL

 (IN THOUSANDS)

Residential mortgages

$

296,401

$

1,570

$

297,971

Consumer

 

13,457

 

16

13,473

Total

$

309,858

$

1,586

$

311,444

27

Table of Contents

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 March 31, 2023

30 – 59

60 – 89

DAYS

DAYS

90 DAYS

TOTAL

TOTAL

    

CURRENT

    

PAST DUE

    

PAST DUE

    

PAST DUE

    

PAST DUE

    

LOANS

(IN THOUSANDS)

Commercial real estate (owner occupied)

$

77,805

$

$

$

$

$

77,805

Other commercial and industrial

150,138

250

50

300

150,438

Commercial real estate (non-owner occupied) - retail

 

154,454

 

 

 

154,454

Commercial real estate (non-owner occupied) - multi-family

 

98,945

 

 

 

98,945

Other commercial real estate (non-owner occupied)

215,382

8,144

8,144

223,526

Residential mortgages

 

173,177

 

1,340

95

 

599

 

2,034

175,211

Consumer

 

99,270

 

548

155

 

108

 

811

100,081

Total

$

969,171

$

10,282

$

250

$

757

$

11,289

$

980,460

At December 31, 2022

    

30 – 59

60 – 89

DAYS

DAYS

90 DAYS

TOTAL

TOTAL

    

CURRENT

    

PAST DUE

    

PAST DUE

    

PAST DUE

    

PAST DUE

    

LOANS

(IN THOUSANDS)

Commercial and industrial

$

152,314

$

797

$

287

$

$

1,084

$

153,398

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

22

22

Commercial real estate (owner occupied)

 

74,960

 

198

 

 

198

75,158

Commercial real estate (non-owner occupied)

 

446,809

 

3,935

 

 

3,935

450,744

Residential mortgages

 

295,790

 

489

422

 

1,270

 

2,181

297,971

Consumer

 

13,290

 

60

114

 

9

 

183

13,473

Total

$

983,185

$

5,479

$

823

$

1,279

$

7,581

$

990,766

Loan Modifications to Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty

Occasionally, the Company modifies loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty as a result of our loss mitigation activities. A variety of solutions are offered to borrowers, including loan modifications that may result in principal forgiveness, interest rate reductions, term extensions, payment delays, or combinations thereof.

Principal forgiveness includes principal and accrued interest forgiveness. When principal forgiveness is provided, the amount of forgiveness is charged-off against the ACL.
Interest rate reductions include modifications where the interest rate is reduced and interest is deferred.
Term extensions extend the original contractual maturity date of the loan.
Payment delays consist of modifications where we expect to collect the contractual amounts due, but result in a delay in the receipt of payments specified under the original loan terms. We generally consider payment delays to be insignificant when the delay is three months or less.

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The following table summarizes the amortized cost basis, as of March 31, 2023, of loans modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the three months ended March 31, 2023 (in thousands).

Three months ended March 31, 2023

Term Extension

    

Amortized Cost Basis

    

% of Total Class of Loans

    

Other commercial and industrial

$

439

0.29

%

Total

$

439

At March 31, 2023, the Company had no unfunded loan commitments associated with the loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty.

The following table describes the financial effect of the modifications made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the three months ended March 31, 2023.

Term Extension

Loan Type

    

Financial Effect

Other commercial and industrial

Provided five month expiration date extension on non-accrual line of credit under which availability has been eliminated

The Company had no loans which were modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty which subsequently defaulted during the three months ended March 31, 2023. In addition, the Company closely monitors the performance of the loans that are modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty to understand the effectiveness of its modification efforts. As of March 31, 2023, the modified loan described in the tables above was current as to payments.

The following table details the loan modified as a TDR during the three-month period ended March 31, 2022 (dollars in thousands).

Loans in non-accrual status

    

# of Loans

    

Current Balance

    

Concession Granted

Commercial and industrial

 

1

$

472

 

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

10.  Short-Term Borrowings and Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

Total short-term and Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) borrowings and advances consist of the following (in thousands, except percentages):

At March 31, 2023

 

Weighted

 

Type

Maturing

Amount

Average Rate

 

Open Repo Plus

    

Overnight

    

$

52,989

    

5.15

%

FHLB Advances

 

2023

 

5,718

 

1.73

 

2024

 

4,197

 

1.19

 

2025

 

 

 

2026

 

2,220

 

4.05

 

2027

 

4,000

 

3.91

Total FHLB advances

 

  

 

16,135

 

2.45

Total short-term and FHLB borrowings

 

  

$

69,124

 

4.52

%

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At December 31, 2022

 

Weighted

 

Type

Maturing

Amount

Average Rate

 

Open Repo Plus

    

Overnight

    

$

88,641

    

4.45

%

FHLB Advances

 

2023

 

15,568

 

1.59

 

2024

 

4,197

 

1.19

Total FHLB advances

 

  

 

19,765

 

1.50

Total short-term and FHLB borrowings

 

  

$

108,406

 

3.91

%

The rate on Open Repo Plus advances 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.

11.  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table presents the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

Three months ended March 31, 2023

Three months ended March 31, 2022

    

Net

    

    

    

    

Net

    

    

Unrealized

Unrealized

Gains and

Gains and

Losses on

Defined

Losses on

Defined

Investment

Interest

Benefit

Investment

Benefit

Securities 

Rate

Pension

Securities 

Pension

AFS(1)

Hedge(1)

Items(1)

Total(1)

AFS(1)

Items(1)

Total(1)

Beginning balance

$

(14,938)

$

$

(7,582)

$

(22,520)

$

1,386

$

(7,898)

$

(6,512)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

 

449

 

(636)

 

 

(187)

 

(5,860)

 

524

 

(5,336)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(19)

 

 

(19)

 

 

395

 

395

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)

 

449

 

(655)

 

 

(206)

 

(5,860)

 

919

 

(4,941)

Ending balance

$

(14,489)

$

(655)

$

(7,582)

$

(22,726)

$

(4,474)

$

(6,979)

$

(11,453)

(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 three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

Amount reclassified from accumulated

other comprehensive loss(1)

For the three

For the three

Details about accumulated other

months ended

months ended

Affected line item in the

comprehensive loss components

    

March 31, 2023

    

March 31, 2022

    

statement of operations

Interest rate hedge

$

(24)

$

Interest expense - Deposits

5

Provision for income taxes

$

(19)

$

 

Amortization of estimated defined benefit pension plan loss(2)

$

$

500

 

Other expense

 

 

(105)

 

Provision for income taxes

$

$

395

 

Total reclassifications for the period

$

(19)

$

395

 

(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 16 for additional details).

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12.  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).

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 March 31, 2023, the Bank 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 Bank 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 March 31, 2023

 

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)

$

154,669

 

14.17

%  

$

138,505

 

12.73

%  

8.00

%  

10.00

%

Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (To Risk Weighted Assets)

 

114,894

 

10.52

 

125,384

 

11.52

 

4.50

 

6.50

Tier 1 Capital (To Risk Weighted Assets)

 

114,894

 

10.52

 

125,384

 

11.52

 

6.00

 

8.00

Tier 1 Capital (To Average Assets)

 

114,894

 

8.46

 

125,384

 

9.33

 

4.00

 

5.00

At December 31, 2022

 

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)

$

153,092

 

13.87

%  

$

136,767

 

12.44

%  

8.00

%  

10.00

%

Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (To Risk Weighted Assets)

 

114,959

 

10.41

 

125,278

 

11.39

 

4.50

 

6.50

Tier 1 Capital (To Risk Weighted Assets)

 

114,959

 

10.41

 

125,278

 

11.39

 

6.00

 

8.00

Tier 1 Capital (To Average Assets)

 

114,959

 

8.52

 

125,278

 

9.39

 

4.00

 

5.00

*Applies to the Bank only.

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13.  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.

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

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 this large financial institution. 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 the large financial institution 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.

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 17.

The following table summarizes the interest rate swap transactions that impacted the Company’s first three months of 2023 and 2022 performance (in thousands, except percentages).

At March 31, 2023

INCREASE

AGGREGATE

WEIGHTED

(DECREASE)

NOTIONAL

AVERAGE RATE

REPRICING

IN INTEREST

HEDGE TYPE

AMOUNT

RECEIVED/(PAID)

FREQUENCY

EXPENSE

Swap assets

    

N/A

    

$

65,770

    

6.99

%  

Monthly

    

$

437

Swap liabilities

 

N/A

 

(65,770)

 

(6.99)

 

Monthly

 

(437)

Net exposure

 

$

 

%

  

$

At March 31, 2022

INCREASE

AGGREGATE

WEIGHTED

(DECREASE)

NOTIONAL

AVERAGE RATE

REPRICING

IN INTEREST

HEDGE TYPE

AMOUNT

RECEIVED/(PAID)

FREQUENCY

EXPENSE

Swap assets

    

N/A

    

$

66,756

    

2.64

%  

Monthly

    

$

(250)

Swap liabilities

 

N/A

 

(66,756)

 

(2.64)

 

Monthly

 

250

Net exposure

 

$

 

%

  

$

Risk Participation Agreement

The Company entered into a risk participation agreement (RPA) with the lead bank of a commercial real estate loan arrangement. As a participating bank, the Company guarantees the performance on a borrower-related interest rate swap contract. The Company has no obligations under the RPA unless the borrower defaults on their swap transaction with the lead bank and the swap is a liability to the borrower. In that instance, the Company has agreed to pay the lead bank a pre-determined percentage of the swap’s value at the time of default. In exchange for providing the guarantee, the Company received an upfront fee from the lead bank.

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Table of Contents

RPAs are derivative financial instruments and are recorded at fair value. These derivatives are not designated as hedges and therefore, changes in fair value are recognized in earnings with a corresponding offset within other liabilities. Disclosures related to the fair value of the RPA can be found in Note 17. The notional amount of the risk participation agreement outstanding at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was $2.0 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

Interest Rate Hedge

The Company has entered into an interest rate swap with a notional value of $50 million in order to hedge the interest rate risk associated with certain floating-rate time deposit accounts. The hedge transaction allows the Company to add stability to interest expense and manage its exposure to interest rate movements. This interest rate swap is designated as a cash flow hedge and involves the receipt of variable rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed payments.

For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss (within Shareholders’ Equity), net of tax, with a corresponding offset within other liabilities. Disclosures related to the fair value of the interest rate hedge can be found in Note 17. Amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the effective portion of changes in the fair value are subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognized directly in earnings. The Company assesses the effectiveness of the hedging relationship by comparing the changes in cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument with the changes in cash flows of the designated hedged transactions. The Company did not recognize any hedge ineffectiveness in earnings during the period ended March 31, 2023.

Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on certain of the Company’s variable rate time deposit accounts. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company had $24,000 of gains, which resulted in a decrease to interest expense. In the twelve months that follow March 31, 2023, the Company estimates that approximately $300,000 will be reclassified as a decrease to interest expense. This reclassified amount could differ from amounts actually recognized due to changes in interest rates and the potential execution of additional other hedges. As of March 31, 2023, the maximum length of time over which forecasted transactions are hedged is three years.

The following table summarizes the effect of the effective portion of the Company’s cash flow hedge accounting on accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2023 (in thousands).

Three months ended March 31, 2023

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships

Amount Recognized in Other Comprehensive Loss on Derivative

Location on Consolidated Statements of Operations of Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Compreshensive Loss

Interest rate hedge

$

(829)

    

Interest expense - Deposits

    

$

(24)

Total

$

(829)

 

$

(24)

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, within the Board of Directors approved Hedging Policy. The Company had no caps or floors outstanding at March 31, 2023 and 2022.

14.  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

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Table of Contents

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.

The contribution of the major business segments to the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows (in thousands):

Three months ended

March 31, 2023

Total revenue

Net income (loss)

Community banking

    

$

13,358

    

$

3,668

    

Wealth management

 

2,746

 

448

Investment/Parent

 

(1,075)

 

(2,601)

Total

$

15,029

$

1,515

Three months ended

March 31, 2022

Total revenue

Net income (loss)

Community banking

    

$

12,150

    

$

3,187

    

Wealth management

 

3,186

 

723

Investment/Parent

 

(1,234)

 

(1,492)

Total

$

14,102

$

2,418

15.  Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

The Company had various outstanding commitments to extend credit approximating $236.1 million and $227.6 million along with standby letters of credit of $8.7 million and $9.0 million as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. 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 Bank uses the same credit and collateral policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as for all other lending.

The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which it is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable. The allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures is adjusted through the provision (credit) for credit losses line on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life. The carrying amount of the allowance for credit losses for the Company’s obligations related to unfunded commitments and standby letters of credit, which is reported in other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $906,000 at March 31, 2023 and $746,000 at December 31, 2022.

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Table of Contents

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.

16.  Pension Benefits

The Company has a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering certain employees who work at least 1,000 hours per year. The participants 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. Plan assets are primarily debt securities (including U.S. Treasury and Agency securities, corporates and bonds), listed common stocks (including shares of AmeriServ Financial, Inc. common stock which is limited to 10% of the plan’s assets), mutual funds, and short-term cash equivalent instruments. The net periodic pension cost for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows (in thousands):

Three months ended

    

March 31, 

2023

    

2022

COMPONENTS OF NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST:

  

 

  

Service cost

$

258

$

387

Interest cost

 

435

 

273

Expected return on plan assets

 

(1,034)

 

(1,050)

Amortization of net loss

 

 

500

Net periodic pension (benefit) cost

$

(341)

$

110

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. The reduced pension expense in the first quarter of 2023 reflects the retirement of many employees over the past two years who chose to take a lump sum payment instead of receiving future monthly annuity payments. These individuals are no longer included in the pension plan which therefore favorably impacts the Company’s basic pension expense.

The accrued pension liability, which had a positive (debit) balance of $21.7 million and $21.3 million, was reclassified to other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The balance of the accrued pension liability continues to be a positive value as a result of Company contributions to the plan and the revaluation of the obligation.

The Company implemented a soft freeze of its defined benefit pension plan to provide that non-union employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 and union employees hired on or after January 1, 2014 are not eligible to participate in the pension plan. Instead, such employees are eligible to participate in a qualified 401(k) plan. This change was made to help reduce pension costs in future periods.

17.  Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments

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.

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Table of Contents

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 Liabilities 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 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. It should be noted that available for sale securities are reported at fair value, net of any related allowance for credit losses.

The fair values of the simultaneous interest rate swaps and the interest rate hedge used for interest rate risk management and the risk participation agreement associated with a commercial real estate loan 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 liabilities measured and reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets on a recurring basis at their fair value as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, by level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands).

Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2023

    

TOTAL

    

(LEVEL 1)

    

(LEVEL 2)

    

(LEVEL 3)

Equity securities (1)

$

465

$

465

$

$

Available for sale securities:

U.S. Agency

 

11,556

 

 

11,556

 

U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities

88,636

88,636

Municipal

 

19,337

 

 

19,337

 

Corporate bonds

 

58,344

 

 

58,344

 

Interest rate swap asset (1)

 

4,837

 

 

4,837

 

Interest rate swap liability (2)

 

(4,813)

 

 

(4,813)

 

Interest rate hedge (2)

 

(828)

 

 

(828)

 

Risk participation agreement (2)

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2022

    

TOTAL

    

(LEVEL 1)

    

(LEVEL 2)

    

(LEVEL 3)

Equity securities (1)

$

502

$

502

$

$

Available for sale securities:

U.S. Agency

 

10,533

 

 

10,533

 

U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities

89,985

89,985

Municipal

 

19,038

 

 

19,038

 

Corporate bonds

 

59,952

 

 

59,952

 

Interest rate swap asset (1)

 

6,992

 

 

6,992

 

Interest rate swap liability (2)

 

(6,872)

 

 

(6,872)

 

Risk participation agreement (2)

 

 

 

 

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

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Table of Contents

Assets Measured and Recorded on a Non-Recurring Basis

The Company evaluates individual loans for expected credit losses when those loans do not share similar risk characteristics with loans evaluated using a collective (pooled) basis. Individually evaluated 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 March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, individually evaluated loans using the collateral method with a carrying value of $1.6 million were reduced by a specific valuation allowance totaling $3,000 resulting in a net fair value of $1.6 million.

Other real estate owned is measured at fair value based on appraisals, less estimated costs to sell at the date of foreclosure. The Bank’s internal Collections and Assigned Risk Department estimates the fair value of repossessed assets, such as vehicles and equipment, using a formula driven analysis based on automobile or other industry data, less estimated costs to sell at the time of repossession. 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 and repossessed assets.

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

Fair Value Measurements

March 31, 2023

(LEVEL 1)

    

(LEVEL 2)

    

(LEVEL 3)

Individually evaluated loans

$

1,551

$

$

$

1,551

Other real estate owned and repossessed assets

 

38

 

 

 

38

Fair Value Measurements

December 31, 2022

    

TOTAL

    

(LEVEL 1)

    

(LEVEL 2)

    

(LEVEL 3)

Impaired loans

$

1,583

$

$

$

1,583

Other real estate owned and repossessed assets

 

39

 

 

 

39

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Quantitative Information About Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

 

Valuation

Unobservable

March 31, 2023

    

Fair Value

    

Techniques

    

Input

    

Range (Wgtd Avg)

 

Individually evaluated loans

$

1,551

 

Appraisal of

 

Appraisal

 

0% to 100% (0.2%)

collateral (1)

adjustments (2)

Other real estate owned and repossessed assets

 

38

 

Appraisal of

 

Appraisal

 

52% (52%)

 

  

 

collateral (1)

 

adjustments (2)

 

Liquidation

15% (15%)

expenses

Quantitative Information About Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

 

Valuation

Unobservable

December 31, 2022

    

Fair Value

    

Techniques

    

Input

    

Range (Wgtd Avg)

 

Impaired loans

    

$

1,583

 

Appraisal of

 

Appraisal

 

0% to 100% (0.2%)

    

 

 

collateral (1)

 

adjustments (2)

 

Other real estate owned and repossessed assets

    

 

39

 

Appraisal of

 

Appraisal

 

52% (52%)

collateral (1)

adjustments (2)

Liquidation

10% to 39% (11%)

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.

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.

The estimated fair values based on U.S. GAAP measurements and recorded carrying values at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 for the remaining financial instruments not required to be reported at fair value were as follows:

March 31, 2023

    

Carrying 

    

    

    

    

Value

Fair Value

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

(IN THOUSANDS)

FINANCIAL ASSETS:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Investment securities – HTM

$

60,740

$

54,957

$

$

52,050

$

2,907

Loans held for sale

 

417

435

435

 

 

Loans, net of allowance for credit losses and unearned income

 

968,328

914,351

 

 

914,351

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Deposits with stated maturities

298,095

294,692

294,692

All other borrowings (1)

 

42,789

 

41,008

 

 

 

41,008

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December 31, 2022

    

Carrying 

Value

    

Fair Value

    

(Level 1)

    

(Level 2)

    

(Level 3)

(IN THOUSANDS)

FINANCIAL ASSETS:

Investment securities – HTM

$

61,878

$

55,192

$

$

52,323

$

2,869

Loans held for sale

 

59

57

57

 

 

Loans, net of allowance for credit losses and unearned income

 

980,023

938,188

 

 

938,188

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Deposits with stated maturities

286,004

281,297

281,297

All other borrowings (1)

 

46,409

 

44,759

 

 

 

44,759

(1)All other borrowings include advances from Federal Home Loan Bank 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.

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (“MD&A”)

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2023 VS. THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2022

…..PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW…..The following table summarizes some of the Company’s key performance indicators (in thousands, except per share and ratios).

    

Three months ended

    

Three months ended

 

March 31, 2023

March 31, 2022

 

Net income

$

1,515

$

2,418

Diluted earnings per share

 

0.09

 

0.14

Return on average assets (annualized)

 

0.45

%  

 

0.73

%

Return on average equity (annualized)

 

5.85

%  

 

8.48

%

The Company reported net income of $1,515,000, or $0.09 per diluted common share. This earnings performance represented a $903,000, or 37.3%, decrease from the first quarter of 2022 when net income totaled $2,418,000, or $0.14 per diluted common share. Overall, a decrease to net interest income due to continued pressure from increasing deposit costs, along with a higher provision for credit losses and increased non-interest expense, more than offset a greater level of non-interest income resulting in the lower level of earnings in the first quarter of 2023.

The benefits of maintaining a strong relationship focused community bank are evident during periods of market volatility and financial uncertainty. Since the end of 2022, the Company has seen an increase of $23.3 million, or 2.1%, in deposits which demonstrates customer confidence and the strength and loyalty of our core deposit base. As a result, our liquidity position continues to be strong. Additionally, during the first quarter of 2023, the Company further increased our already sound level of regulatory capital and continued to maintain high asset quality supported by appropriate reserves.

…..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, and it is affected by interest rate fluctuations as well as changes in the

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amount and mix of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities. The following table compares the Company’s net interest income performance for the first quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2022 (in thousands, except percentages):

    

Three

    

Three

    

    

    

    

 

months ended

months ended

 

March 31, 2023

March 31, 2022

Change

% Change

 

Interest income

$

14,574

$

11,028

$

3,546

 

32.2

%

Interest expense

 

5,052

 

1,261

 

3,791

 

300.6

Net interest income

$

9,522

$

9,767

$

(245)

 

(2.5)

Net interest margin

 

3.03

%

 

3.14

%

 

(0.11)

%

  N/M

N/M — not meaningful

The Company's net interest income in the first quarter of 2023 decreased by $245,000, or 2.5%, from the prior year's first quarter while the net interest margin of 3.03% for the first quarter of 2023 represents an eleven-basis point decrease from the first quarter of 2022. The decrease in net interest income reflects total interest expense increasing to a higher level than the increase in interest income. The Company continues to benefit from increased yields on total loans and investment securities due to a higher U.S. Treasury yield curve and the Federal Reserve’s action to tighten monetary policy in their effort to tame decades high inflation. However, similar to what is occurring across the banking industry, the increased national interest rates have recently caused total deposit and borrowing costs to increase to a higher degree, resulting in lower net interest income and net interest margin compression.

Total average loans in the first quarter of 2023 compare favorably to the 2022 first quarter average by $6.9 million, or 0.7%. Excluding PPP loans, which still existed on the balance sheet in 2022, total average loans in the first quarter of 2023 exceeded last year’s first quarter by $19.0 million, or 2.0%. First quarter 2023 loan production has been slower than the more recent 2022 fourth quarter but is consistent with the level of production experienced during the first quarter of 2022. Loan pipelines continue to be strong, but customers have delayed fundings which are expected to increase in the second quarter. Overall, the strong level of production experienced throughout 2022, which more than offset a higher than typical level of payoff activity, resulted in total average loans comparing favorably to the first quarter of 2022. Growth in commercial & industrial loans (C&I) and home equity loans more than offset decreased residential mortgage and consumer loans. Commercial real estate (CRE) volume remained relatively consistent, increasing slightly. Overall, the higher interest rate environment along with the higher average volumes of C&I and home equity loans, resulted in total loan interest income improving by $2.8 million, or 29.3%, for the first quarter of 2023 when compared to the first quarter of last year. This increase occurred despite a $240,000 reduction in PPP related income.

Total investment securities averaged $266.0 million for the first quarter of 2023 which is $44.5 million, or 20.1%, higher than the $221.5 million average for the first quarter of last year. The increase reflects additional securities purchased primarily during 2022 as the increased U.S. Treasury yield curve resulted in a more favorable market for securities purchasing activity. Overall, the higher rates resulted in yields for new federal agency mortgage-backed securities and federal agency bonds improving and exceeding the overall average yield of the existing securities portfolio causing interest income from the securities portfolio to increase by $727,000, or 48.0%, this year. So far in 2023, purchases of securities have slowed as more funds have been allocated to the loan portfolio and the Company has been controlling the amount of overnight borrowed funds. The rising national interest rates caused the rate on overnight borrowed funds to be in line with or exceed the yield on the typical types of federal agency mortgage-backed securities that are normally purchased. While yields on new security purchases still exceed the overall average yield of the existing securities portfolio, the shrinking and in some cases negative spread between overnight borrowings and the yield on new securities caused the slowdown in purchasing activity. Overall, the 2023 first quarter average balance of total interest earning assets increased since last year’s first quarter average by $9.3 million, or 0.7%, while total interest income increased by $3.5 million, or 32.2%, since the first quarter of 2022.

Since the end of the first quarter of 2022 and due to a combination of increased investment in securities, loan growth and total deposits modestly declining, short-term investments and bank deposits demonstrated a lower average balance in the first quarter of 2023 compared to last year’s first quarter by $42.2 million, 90.6%. Despite this decline, the Company’s liquidity position remains strong. We will continue to carefully monitor our liquidity position and short-term investments as we expect deposits related to government stimulus programs to continue to decline during 2023.

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On the liability side of the balance sheet, total average deposits for the first quarter of 2023 are $9.7 million, or 0.8%, lower than the 2022 first quarter average. The modest decrease since last year’s first quarter is reflective of a portion of the funds from the government stimulus programs leaving the balance sheet and also reflects greater pricing competition in the market to retain deposits because of the increasing national interest rates. Since early March 2023 when two large bank failures occurred, customer fear of contagion within the industry caused deposit flight, especially uninsured deposits, from certain banks to other financial services providers. Despite this turmoil, AmeriServ Financial’s core deposit base continued to demonstrate the strength and stability that has been experienced for many years. Total deposits in fact grew during the first quarter of 2023 by $23.3 million, or 2.1%, on an end of period basis since December 31, 2022 demonstrating what we believe is customer confidence in our bank. In addition to its strong, loyal core deposit base, the Company has several other sources of liquidity including a significant unused borrowing capacity at the Federal Home Loan Bank, overnight lines of credit at correspondent banks and access to the Federal Reserve Discount Window. The loan to deposit ratio averaged 85.8% in the first quarter of 2023, which indicates that the Company has ample capacity to continue to grow its loan portfolio and is strongly positioned to support our customers and our community during times of economic volatility.

Total interest expense in the first quarter of 2023 increased by $3.8 million, or 300.6%, when compared to the first quarter of 2022, due to higher deposit and short-term borrowings interest expense. Deposit interest expense was higher by $3.4 million, or 426.3%, despite the first quarter 2023 average volume of total interest bearing deposits remaining relatively consistent with the 2022 first quarter average, growing by $5.3 million, or 0.6%. The impact that the higher national interest rates had on deposit costs combined with increased market competition to retain and attract deposits contributes to net interest margin compression. The rising national interest rates resulted in certain deposit products, particularly public funds, that are tied to a market index, repricing upward with the move in national interest rates causing interest expense to increase. For interest rate risk management purposes and in an effort to offset a portion of the unfavorable impact that rising funding costs are having on net interest income, management executed a $50 million interest rate hedge in February 2023 to fix the cost of certain deposits that are indexed and move with short-term interest rates. This transaction brought the Company’s variability of net interest income to a more neutral position. Overall, total deposit cost averaged 1.48% in the first quarter of 2023, which is 120 basis points higher than total deposit cost of 0.28% in the first quarter of 2022.

Total borrowings interest expense increased by $398,000, or 85.6%, between the first quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2022. The increase results from the impact that the higher national interest rates had on overnight borrowings cost as well as the Company utilizing more overnight borrowed funds so far in 2023. Total overnight borrowings averaged $40.7 million in the first quarter of 2023 after no overnight borrowings were utilized during the first quarter of 2022. Borrowings interest expense was favorably impacted by reduced interest expense from Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) term borrowings, which declined by $94,000, or 53.4%. The average balance of FHLB term borrowings was lower in the first quarter of 2023 by $23.5 million, or 57.1%, as the strength of the Company’s liquidity position allowed management to let FHLB term advances mature during 2022 and not be replaced. However, given the inversion in the yield curve, FHLB term advances have rates that are lower than the cost of overnight borrowed funds. Therefore, management began replacing matured FHLB term advances during the first quarter of 2023.

The table that follows provides an analysis of net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis (non-GAAP) for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 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) the Company’s 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) the Company’s 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. 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 three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $3,000 and $4,000, 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.

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Three months ended March 31 (In thousands, except percentages)

    

2023

    

2022

Interest

Interest

Average

Income/

Yield/

Average

Income/

Yield/

Balance

Expense

Rate

Balance

Expense

Rate

Interest earning assets:

    

  

    

  

    

    

  

    

    

  

Loans and loans held for sale, net of unearned income

$

986,493

$

12,279

4.99

%

$

979,548

$

9,500

 

3.89

%  

Short-term investments and bank deposits

 

4,376

 

57

5.20

 

46,531

18

 

0.15

Investment securities – AFS

 

204,262

 

1,770

3.47

 

166,068

1,123

 

2.71

Investment securities – HTM

 

61,734

 

471

3.05

 

55,391

391

 

2.82

Total investment securities

 

265,996

 

2,241

3.37

 

221,459

1,514

 

2.74

Total interest earning assets/interest income

 

1,256,865

 

14,577

4.66

 

1,247,538

11,032

 

3.55

Non-interest earning assets:

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

 

  

Cash and due from banks

 

16,412

  

 

17,765

 

  

Premises and equipment

 

17,849

  

 

17,376

 

  

Other assets

 

75,052

  

 

81,563

 

  

Allowance for credit losses

 

(12,147)

  

 

(12,511)

 

  

TOTAL ASSETS

$

1,354,031

  

$

1,351,731

 

  

Interest bearing liabilities:

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

 

  

Interest bearing deposits:

 

  

 

  

  

 

  

 

  

Interest bearing demand

$

226,724

$

860

1.54

%

$

229,273

$

69

 

0.12

%

Savings

 

132,520

 

32

0.10

 

135,887

33

 

0.09

Money markets

 

297,602

 

1,456

1.98

 

291,139

160

 

0.22

Time deposits

 

294,518

 

1,841

2.54

 

289,745

534

 

0.75

Total interest bearing deposits

 

951,364

 

4,189

1.79

 

946,044

796

 

0.34

Short-term borrowings

 

40,719

 

494

4.86

 

 

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

 

17,690

 

82

1.89

 

41,195

176

 

1.80

Subordinated debt

 

27,000

 

263

3.90

 

27,000

263

 

3.90

Lease liabilities

 

3,277

 

24

2.94

 

3,532

26

 

2.87

Total interest bearing liabilities/interest expense

 

1,040,050

    

 

5,052

 

1.96

1,017,771

    

1,261

0.50

    

Non-interest bearing liabilities:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Demand deposits

 

197,878

 

  

 

212,895

 

  

 

Other liabilities

 

11,011

 

  

 

5,407

 

  

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

105,092

 

  

 

115,658

 

  

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

$

1,354,031

 

  

$

1,351,731

 

  

 

Interest rate spread

 

 

 

2.70

 

  

3.05

 

Net interest income/ Net interest margin (non-GAAP)

 

9,525

3.03

%

 

9,771

3.14

%  

Tax-equivalent adjustment

 

(3)

 

  

 

(4)

 

Net Interest Income (GAAP)

$

9,522

 

  

 

$

9,767

 

…..PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES…..The Company recorded a $1,179,000 expense for the provision for credit losses in the first quarter of 2023 after recognizing a $400,000 benefit in the first quarter of 2022 resulting in a net unfavorable change of $1.6 million. Included in the 2023 provision expense was the recognition of a $926,000 loss from a subordinated debt investment with Signature Bank which was closed by banking regulators on March 12, 2023. In a press release issued by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), it was disclosed that unsecured debt holders of the institution will not be protected. Management reviewed the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed by Signature Bank, which was filed on March 1, 2023, and determined that no circumstances existed to indicate that the debt security held by the Company was impaired as of year-end. Specifically, as of December 31, 2022, Signature

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Bank had total assets of $110.4 billion, net income of $1.3 billion for the year then ended, and demonstrated strong regulatory capital ratios.

The remainder of the increase in the provision for credit losses was due to the recognition of a $301,000 provision for credit losses for the loan portfolio which more than offset a $31,000 provision recovery for credit losses in the HTM securities portfolio. A $17,000 provision recovery for credit losses related to unfunded commitments was also recorded. The first quarter 2023 provision for credit losses in the loan portfolio was necessary due to risk rating, non-accrual and charge-off activity. Total classified asset levels exhibited an increase during the first quarter of 2023 due to the downgrade of one commercial real estate loan. Non-performing assets decreased from $5.2 million at December 31, 2022 to $4.6 million at March 31, 2023 primarily due to a decrease in non-accrual residential mortgage loans. Overall, we believe that non-performing assets remain well controlled at 0.47% of total loans. The Company experienced net loan charge-offs of $116,000, or 0.05% of total average loans, in the first quarter of 2023 which is only slightly higher than net charge-offs of $76,000, or 0.03% of total average loans, in the first quarter of 2022. In summary, the allowance for loan losses provided 264% coverage of non-performing assets, and 1.24% of total loans, on March 31, 2023, compared to 207% coverage of non-performing assets, and 1.08% of total loans, on December 31, 2022.

…..NON-INTEREST INCOME…..Non-interest income for the first quarter of 2023 totaled $5.5 million and increased by $1.2 million, or 27.0%, from the first quarter of 2022 performance. Factors contributing to the higher level of non-interest income for the quarter included:

AmeriServ Financial Bank sold all 7,859 shares of the Class B common stock of Visa, Inc. that it owned for a sale price of $1.7 million. The shares had no carrying value on the balance sheet and, as the Bank had no historical cost basis in the shares, the entire sale price was recognized as a gain. The Company believes that this was an appropriate time to capture the gain on these shares due to the current volatility and future uncertainty in the financial markets;
a $427,000, or 13.5%, decrease in wealth management fees due to the unfavorable market conditions for both equity securities and bonds which have reduced the market value of wealth management assets. Also, new customer business growth has only partially offset the unfavorable impact of market conditions on fee income. The fair market value of wealth management assets declined since the first quarter of 2022 by $278.6 million, or 10.6%, and totaled $2.4 billion at March 31, 2023;
a $104,000, or 18.5%, decrease in other income due to the recognition of a credit valuation adjustment to the market value of the interest rate swap contracts that the Company executed to accommodate the needs of certain borrowers while managing our interest rate risk position; and
a $69,000, or 72.6%, decrease in net gains on loans held for sale as the limited housing supply along with rate volatility continues to unfavorably impact residential mortgage loan production. Over the course of the past 18 months, mortgage rates have doubled, which has adversely affected affordability for borrowers across all income and housing pricing levels. Mortgage pipelines continue to be well below pre-pandemic and historic low interest rate levels.

…..NON-INTEREST EXPENSE…..Non-interest expense for the first quarter of 2023 totaled $12.0 million and increased by $484,000, or 4.2%, from the prior year’s first quarter. Factors contributing to the higher level of non-interest expense for the quarter included:

a $678,000, or 107.6%, increase in professional fees due primarily to $599,000 of additional costs related to an ongoing proxy contest with an activist shareholder;
a $230,000, or 3.1%, decline in salaries and employee benefits expense. Within total salaries and employee benefits expense, salaries costs are higher by $235,000, or 5.0%, due to merit increases and a higher level of full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) as the Company filled certain open positions that were vacant in the first

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quarter of last year. The higher salaries cost was more than offset by reduced pension service cost by $129,000, or 33.3%, and lower incentive compensation; and
a $125,000, or 13.1%, increase in data processing and IT expense due to increased software costs from our core data provider and additional expenses related to monitoring our computing and network environment.

…..INCOME TAX EXPENSE…..The Company recorded an income tax expense of $372,000, or an effective tax rate of 19.7%, in the first quarter of 2023. This compares to an income tax expense of $605,000, or an effective tax rate of 20.0%, for the first quarter of 2022.

…..SEGMENT RESULTS.…..The community banking segment reported a net income contribution of $3,668,000 in the first quarter of 2023 which was $481,000 higher than the net income contribution in the first quarter of 2022. The increase between time periods results from the strength that this segment provides to the Company which was determined by a thorough funds transfer pricing analysis. In short, a funds transfer pricing analysis determines how funding (deposits) and use of this funding (loans) by each segment contributes to the overall profitability of the Company by providing an estimated positive or negative dollar value of the segment’s contribution to the Company. Overall, the funds transfer pricing analysis indicated that the community banking segment provided a $2.0 million benefit to the Company. Despite the benefit that community banking provides, this segment was unfavorably impacted from net interest margin compression as total deposit interest expense increased to a higher level than the increase to total loan interest income. This segment continues to benefit from increased yields on loans due to a higher U.S. Treasury yield curve and the Federal Reserve’s action to tighten monetary policy. However, the increased national interest rates have recently caused total deposit costs to increase to a higher degree. The Company benefitted from a higher level of total average loans in the first quarter of 2023. Growth in commercial & industrial loans (C&I) and home equity loans more than offset decreased residential mortgage and consumer loans. Commercial real estate (CRE) volume remained relatively consistent, increasing slightly. This segment did benefit from an additional $187,000 of total loan charge income which partially offset a decline in PPP processing fees and interest. The Company recognized $240,000 of PPP related income in the first quarter of 2022 and did not recognize any PPP related income in 2023. Overall, total loan interest income improved by $2.8 million, or 29.3%, for the first quarter of 2023 when compared to the first quarter of last year. Deposit interest expense was higher by $3.4 million, or 426.3%, despite the first quarter 2023 average volume of total interest bearing deposits remaining relatively consistent with the 2022 first quarter average, growing by $5.3 million, or 0.6%. The impact that the higher national interest rates had on deposit costs combined with increased market competition to retain and attract deposits contributed to net interest margin compression. This segment was unfavorably impacted by the Company recording $301,000 of expense for the allowance for credit losses on our loan portfolio in the first quarter of 2023 compared to a $400,000 recovery for loan losses in last year’s first quarter. This was discussed previously in the Provision for Credit Losses section within this document. Non-interest income was unfavorably impacted by the recognition of a $96,000 credit valuation adjustment to the market value of the interest rate swap contracts that the Company executed to accommodate the needs of certain commercial borrowers while managing our interest rate risk position. Also, unfavorably impacting non-interest income was a reduced level of loan sale gain income by $69,000 due to the lower level of residential mortgage loan production in 2023. Non-interest expense, within the community banking segment, in the first quarter of 2023 compares favorably to last year’s first quarter as reduced pension expense, explained in Note 16, and lower incentive compensation more than offset higher salaries cost. This segment also benefitted from reduced FDIC insurance expense by $20,000.

The wealth management segment’s net income contribution decreased by $275,000 in the first quarter of 2023 from the first quarter of 2022. The decrease reflects the unfavorable market conditions for both equity securities and bonds which have reduced the market value of wealth management assets. Also, new customer business growth has only partially offset the unfavorable impact of market conditions on fee income. The fair market value of wealth management assets declined since the first quarter of 2022 by $278.6 million, or 10.6%, and totaled $2.4 billion at March 31, 2023. Partially offsetting this decline were lower levels of incentive compensation, pension costs and professional fees.

The investment/parent segment reported a net loss of $2,601,000 in the first quarter of 2023 which is greater than the net loss of $1,492,000 in the first quarter of 2022 by $1,109,000. The funds transfer pricing analysis within this segment caused the loss reported within this segment to be $1.1 million higher due to the inverted yield curve and the accelerated increase in funding costs on our balance sheet. Also, contributing to the greater loss within this segment was the recognition of a $926,000 loss from a subordinated debt investment with Signature Bank (previously discussed in the

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MD&A) and $599,000 of additional legal and professional fees related to an ongoing proxy contest with an activist shareholder. This segment was also unfavorably impacted by $400,000 of additional borrowings interest expense due to the higher average balance of short-term borrowed funds. These unfavorable items more than offset the $1.7 million gain recognized from the sale of the 7,859 shares of the Class B common stock of Visa Inc. that the Bank owned and an increased level of interest income from investment securities and short-term investments by $766,000 as the higher interest rates resulted in an improved overall total portfolio yield.

…..BALANCE SHEET…..The Company’s total consolidated assets were $1.3 billion at March 31, 2023, which decreased by $17.9 million, or 1.3%, from the December 31, 2022 asset level. This change was related, primarily, to decreased levels of investment securities, loans, and other assets. Specifically, investment securities decreased $2.8 million, or 1.1%, as purchasing activity slowed during the first quarter of 2023 as the Company controlled the amount of its overnight borrowed funds due to the shrinking and in some cases negative spread between overnight borrowings and the yield on new securities. In addition, contributing to the investment securities decrease was the recognition of a $926,000 allowance for credit losses on a subordinated debt instrument with Signature Bank which was determined to be other than temporarily impaired after the institution was closed by banking regulators on March 12, 2023. Loans, net of unearned fees, decreased $10.3 million, or 1.0%, as loan production slowed during the first quarter of 2023. Loan pipelines continue to be strong, but customers have delayed fundings. Further, the allowance for credit losses on our loan portfolio increased $1.4 million, or 12.9%, due primarily to the adoption of ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, as of January 1, 2023 which necessitated a day one increase of $1.2 million be made to the allowance. Partially offsetting the decrease in loans was a $358,000 increase in residential mortgage loans held for sale. Other assets decreased $2.0 million, or 6.0%, due to a decrease in the market value of the Company’s interest rate swap transactions.

Total deposits increased by $23.3 million, or 2.1%, in the first quarter of 2023. This demonstrates customer confidence and the strength and loyalty of our core deposit base. As of March 31, 2023, the 25 largest depositors represented 20.5% of total deposits, which is an increase from December 31, 2022 when it was 18.8%. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the estimated amount of uninsured deposits was $340.7 million and $316.5 million, respectively. The estimate of uninsured deposits was done at the single account level and does not take into account total customer balances in the Bank. It should be noted that approximately 50% of these uninsured deposits relate to public funds from municipalities, government entities, and school districts which by law are required to be collateralized by investment securities or FHLB letters of credit to protect these depositor funds. Total borrowings have decreased by $39.3 millon, or 28.4%, since year-end 2022. This change was driven by a decrease in both short-term borrowings and FHLB term advances. Specifically, short-term borrowings decreased by $35.7 million, or 40.2%, while FHLB term advances decreased by $3.6 million, or 18.4%. Given the inversion in the yield curve, FHLB term advances have rates that are lower than the cost of overnight borrowed funds. Therefore, management began replacing matured FHLB term advances during the first quarter of 2023.

The Company’s total shareholders’ equity decreased by $279,000, or 0.3%, during the first three months of 2023. The decrease in capital is the result of the Company’s first quarter earnings performance being more than offset by the cumulative effect adjustment for the adoption of ASU 2016-13 and our common stock dividend payments to shareholders. In addition, the market value adjustment on the interest rate hedge had a negative impact on accumulated other comprehensive loss which more than offset the improved value of the investment securities portfolio.

The Company continues to be considered well capitalized for regulatory purposes with a total capital ratio of 14.17%, and a common equity tier 1 capital ratio of 10.52% at March 31, 2023. See the discussion of the Basel III capital requirements under the Capital Resources section below. As of March 31, 2023, the Company’s book value per common share was $6.18 and its tangible book value per common share was $5.38(1). When compared to March 31, 2022, book value per common share declined by $0.47 per common share and tangible book value per common share declined by $0.46 per common share. The decline in the Company’s book value and tangible book value per share in the first quarter of 2023 compared to last year’s first quarter reflects a decrease in the fair value of the Company’s available for sale investment securities by $12.7 million due to higher interest rates. Note that there was a slight decrease to accumulated other comprehensive loss within total equity since December 31, 2022, as an improvement in market value of the Company’s available for sale investment securities portfolio was more than offset by a negative market value adjustment for an interest rate hedge. There was no required revaluation of the net pension liability during the first

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quarter of 2023. The tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio was 6.92%(1) at March 31, 2023 and increased by seven basis points when compared to December 31, 2022.

(1) Non-GAAP financial information, see “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” later in this MD&A.

…..LOAN QUALITY…..The following table sets forth information concerning the Company’s loan delinquency, non-performing assets, and classified assets (in thousands, except percentages):

    

March 31, 

    

December 31, 

    

March 31, 

2023

2022

2022

Total accruing loan delinquency (past due 30 to 89 days)

 

$

10,501

 

$

6,296

 

$

4,285

Total non-accrual loans

 

4,561

 

5,161

 

3,401

Total non-performing assets*

 

4,599

 

5,200

 

3,401

Accruing loan delinquency, as a percentage of total loans, net of unearned income

 

1.07

%

0.64

%

0.44

%

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

 

0.46

 

0.52

 

0.35

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

 

0.47

 

0.52

 

0.35

Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets*

 

0.34

 

0.38

 

0.26

As a percent of average loans, net of unearned income:

 

  

 

  

 

  

Annualized net charge-offs

 

0.05

 

0.17

 

0.03

Annualized provision for credit losses - loans

 

0.12

 

0.01

 

(0.17)

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

$

26,471

$

23,837

$

20,790

*

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, and (iii) other real estate owned and repossessed assets.

**

Total classified loans include non-performing residential mortgage and consumer loans.

Overall, the Company continued to maintain good asset quality in the first three months of 2023 as evidenced by low levels of non-accrual loans, non-performing assets, and loan delinquency levels that continue to be near or below 1% of total loans. The increase in accruing loan delinquency is primarily attributable to an increase in commercial real estate and residential mortgage loan delinquency. The decrease in non-accrual loans, as well as non-performing assets, reflects a decline in non-accrual residential mortgage loans which was partially offset by the transfer of a small business loan to non-accrual status. The increase in classified loans is the result of a risk rating downgrade of a commercial real estate loan.

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 March 31, 2023, the 25 largest credits represented 22.2% of total loans outstanding, which represents a slight increase from December 31, 2022 when it was 21.7%.

…..ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES…..The following table sets forth the allowance for credit losses and certain ratios for the periods ended (in thousands, except percentages):

    

March 31, 

    

December 31, 

    

March 31, 

 

2023

2022

2022

 

Allowance for credit losses - loans

$

12,132

$

10,743

$

11,922

Allowance for credit losses - loans as a percentage of each of the following:

 

  

 

  

 

  

total loans, net of unearned income

 

1.24

%  

 

1.08

%  

 

1.22

%

total non-accrual loans

 

265.99

 

208.16

 

350.54

total non-performing assets

 

263.80

 

206.60

 

350.54

Allowance for credit losses - securities

$

1,009

$

$

Allowance for credit losses - unfunded loan commitments

906

 

746

 

948

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…..LIQUIDITY…..The Company’s liquidity position continues to be strong. Total average deposits are $9.7 million, or 0.8%, lower when compared to the 2022 first quarter average. The modest decrease is reflective of a portion of the funds from the government stimulus programs leaving the balance sheet and also reflects greater pricing competition in the market to retain deposits because of the increasing national interest rates. AmeriServ Financial’s core deposit base continued to demonstrate the strength and stability that has been experienced for many years. This was true especially during the recent turmoil in the banking industry caused by the failure of two large banks in March of this year and customer fear of contagion within the industry caused deposit flight, especially uninsured deposits, from certain banks to other financial services providers. Total deposits actually grew during the first quarter of 2023 by $23.3 million, or 2.1%, since year end 2022 demonstrating customer confidence in our bank. In addition to its strong, loyal core deposit base, the Company has several other sources of liquidity including a significant unused borrowing capacity at the Federal Home Loan Bank, overnight lines of credit at correspondent banks and access to the Federal Reserve Discount Window. Overall, deposit volumes continue to remain at a high level by historical standards in relation to the levels experienced prior to the pandemic. Deposit volumes continue to demonstrate stability since the second half of 2021. 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 demonstrated a lower average balance in the first quarter of 2023 compared to last year’s first quarter by $42.2 million, or 90.6%. Despite this decline, the Company’s liquidity position remains strong. The average balance of FHLB term borrowings was lower in the first quarter of 2023 by $23.5 million, or 57.1%, as the strength of the Company’s liquidity position allowed management to let FHLB term advances mature during 2022 and not be replaced. However, given the inversion in the yield curve, FHLB term advances have rates that are lower than the cost of overnight borrowed funds. Therefore, management began replacing matured FHLB term advances during the first quarter of 2023. The challenge remains as to the uncertainty regarding the duration that the higher than historical level of deposits will remain on the balance sheet which will be determined by customer behavior as the economic conditions change. Diligent monitoring and management of our short-term investment position and our level of overnight borrowed funds remains a priority. Continued loan growth and prudent investment in securities are critical to achieve the best return on the normal level of earning asset cash flow that occurs each month. So far in 2023, purchases of securities have slowed as more funds have been allocated to the loan portfolio and we have been controlling the amount of overnight borrowed funds. First quarter 2023 loan production has been slower than the more recent 2022 fourth quarter due to loan payoffs exceeding originations. However, loan production is consistent with the level of production experienced during the first quarter of 2022. We strive to operate our loan to deposit ratio in a range of 80% to 100%. The Company’s loan to deposit ratio averaged 85.8% in the first quarter of 2023, which indicates that the Company has ample capacity to continue to grow its loan portfolio and is strongly positioned to support our customers and our community during times of economic volatility. We are also well positioned to service our existing loan pipeline and grow our loan to deposit ratio while remaining within our guideline parameters.

Liquidity can also be analyzed by utilizing the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Cash and cash equivalents decreased modestly by $795,000 from December 31, 2022, to $22.2 million at March 31, 2023, due to $16.5 million of net cash used in financing activities more than offsetting $13.9 million of net cash provided by investing activities and $1.8 million of net cash provided by operating activities. Within investing activities, cash advanced for new loans originated totaled $41.5 million and was $10.2 million lower than the $51.8 million of cash received from loan principal payments. Within financing activities, total short-term borrowings decreased by $35.7 million, total FHLB borrowings decreased by $3.6 million while total deposits increased by $23.3 million. Within operating activities, $1.9 million of mortgage loans held for sale were originated while $1.6 million of mortgage loans were sold into the secondary market.

The holding company had $9.1 million of cash, short-term investments, and investment securities at March 31, 2023, which represents a $495,000 decrease from the holding company’s cash position since December 31, 2022. Dividend payments from our subsidiaries also provide ongoing cash to the holding company. At March 31, 2023, our subsidiary Bank had $11.9 million of cash available for immediate dividends to the holding company under applicable regulatory formulas. Management follows a policy that limits dividend payments from the Trust Company to 75% of annual net income. Overall, we believe that the holding company has sufficient liquidity to meet its subordinated debt interest payments and its dividend payout level with respect to its common stock.

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

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reducing assets or increasing liabilities. Sources of asset liquidity are provided by short-term investments, interest bearing deposits with banks, and federal funds sold. These assets totaled $22.2 million and $23.0 million at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, 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-term to longer-term advances based upon the Company’s investment in certain residential mortgage, commercial real estate, and commercial and industrial loans. At March 31, 2023, the Company had $318 million of overnight borrowing availability at the FHLB, $42 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 Bank 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 10.52%, the tier 1 capital ratio was 10.52%, and the total capital ratio was 14.17% at March 31, 2023. The Company’s tier 1 leverage ratio was 8.46% at March 31, 2023. We anticipate that we will maintain our strong capital ratios throughout the remainder of 2023. 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 340% of regulatory capital at March 31, 2023.

Our focus is on preserving capital to support customer lending and allow the Company to take advantage of business opportunities as they arise. 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 $0.03 per quarter. While the Company has frequently executed common stock buyback programs in the past, we presently do not have one in place due to the drop in our tangible common equity ratio to 6.92%(1) as a result of the decline in value of our AFS securities portfolio. At March 31, 2023, the Company had approximately 17.1 million common shares outstanding.

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

 

  

(1) Non-GAAP financial information, see “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” later in this MD&A.

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…..INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY…..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. 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.

INTEREST RATE SCENARIO

    

VARIABILITY OF NET INTEREST INCOME

    

CHANGE IN MARKET VALUE OF PORTFOLIO EQUITY

200 bp increase

0.7

%  

4.1

%  

100 bp increase

 

0.4

 

2.9

100 bp decrease

 

(0.4)

 

(5.4)

200 bp decrease

 

(1.6)

 

(14.0)

The Company believes that its overall interest rate risk position is well controlled. The execution of a $50 million interest rate hedge, during the first quarter of 2023, to fix the cost of certain deposits that are indexed and move with short-term interest rates brought the Company’s variability of net interest income to a more neutral position. 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 an index, such as SOFR 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 downward rate scenarios as the Company has more exposure to assets repricing downward to a greater extent than liabilities. The fed funds rate is currently at a targeted range of 4.75% to 5.00% as the Federal Reserve took action twice in the first quarter of 2023 to increase the rate a total of 50 basis points. 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 shocks due to a reduced value for core deposits.

…..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 had various outstanding commitments to extend credit approximating $236.1 million and standby letters of credit of $8.7 million as of March 31, 2023. 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.

…..RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES…..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.

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The following table sets forth the calculation of the Company’s tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per share at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands, except share and ratio data):

March 31, 

    

December 31, 

    

2023

2022

Total shareholders’ equity

$

105,899

 

$

106,178

 

Less: Intangible assets

 

13,731

 

 

13,739

 

Tangible common equity

 

92,168

 

 

92,439

 

Total assets

 

1,345,957

 

 

1,363,874

 

Less: Intangible assets

 

13,731

 

 

13,739

 

Tangible assets

 

1,332,226

 

1,350,135

Tangible common equity ratio (non-GAAP)

 

6.92

%

 

6.85

%

Total shares outstanding

 

17,147,270

 

17,117,617

Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP)

$

5.38

$

5.40

…..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 credit losses (related to investment securities, loans, and unfunded commitments), intangible assets, income taxes, and derivatives (interest rate swaps/hedge) 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 assets

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 employee 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 16 of the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

ACCOUNT — Allowance for Credit Losses

BALANCE SHEET REFERENCE — Investment securities, net of allowance for credit losses, Allowance for credit losses – loans, Other liabilities

INCOME STATEMENT REFERENCE — Provision (credit) for credit losses

DESCRIPTION

Effective January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASU 2016-13) and subsequent related updates. This standard replaces the incurred loss methodology for recognizing credit losses and requires the Company to measure the current expected credit losses (CECL) on financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loans and held to maturity (HTM) securities, and off-balance sheet credit exposures such as unfunded commitments. In addition, ASU 2016-13 requires credit losses on available for sale (AFS) debt securities to be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down when management does not intend to sell or believes that it is not more likely than not they will be required to sell the security.

The Company measures expected credit losses on held to maturity debt securities, which are comprised of U.S. government agency and mortgage-backed securities as well as taxable municipal, corporate, and other bonds. The

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Company’s agency and mortgage-backed securities are issued by U.S. government entities and agencies and are either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S. government, are highly rated by major rating agencies, and have a long history of no credit losses. As such, no allowance for credit losses has been established for these securities. The allowance for credit losses on the taxable municipal, corporate, and other bonds within the held to maturity securities portfolio is calculated using the PD/LGD method. The calculation is completed on a quarterly basis using the default studies provided by an industry leading source.

The Company measures expected credit losses on available for sale debt securities when the Company does not intend to sell, or when it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell, the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For available for sale debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, the Company considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this evaluation indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit loss, equal to the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis.

The allowance for credit losses (ACL) is a valuation reserve established and maintained by charges against income and is deducted from the amortized cost basis of loans to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. Loans, or portions thereof, are charged-off against the ACL when they are deemed uncollectible.

The ACL is an estimate of expected credit losses, measured over the contractual life of a loan, that considers our historical loss experience, current conditions and forecasts of future economic conditions. Determination of an appropriate ACL is inherently subjective and may have significant changes from period to period. The methodology for determining the ACL has two main components: evaluation of expected credit losses for certain groups of homogeneous loans that share similar risk characteristics and evaluation of loans that do not share risk characteristics with other loans.

The allowance for credit losses is calculated with the objective of maintaining reserve levels believed by management to be sufficient to absorb current expected 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. This process also considers economic conditions, for a reasonable and supportable forecast period of two years. All of these factors may be susceptible to significant change. To the extent actual outcomes differ from management estimates, additional provision for credit losses may be required that would adversely impact earnings in future periods.

The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which it is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life.

ACCOUNT — Intangible assets

BALANCE SHEET REFERENCE — Intangible assets

INCOME STATEMENT REFERENCE — Other expense

DESCRIPTION

The Company considers our accounting policies related to goodwill and core deposit intangible 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 and core deposit intangible, 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

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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. The core deposit intangible, which is a wasting asset, is amortized and reported in other expense for a period of ten years using the sum of the years digits amortization method.

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.

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 March 31, 2023, 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.

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ACCOUNT — Derivatives (interest rate swaps/hedges)

BALANCE SHEET REFERENCE — Other assets and Other liabilities

INCOME STATEMENT REFERENCE — Other income

DESCRIPTION

The Company periodically enters into derivative instruments to meet the financing, interest rate and equity risk management needs of its customers or the Bank.

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 for as cash flow hedges, to the extent they are effective as hedges, are recorded in other comprehensive loss, 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.

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. 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 in amounts that offset. These instruments and their offsetting positions are recorded in other assets and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

…..FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT…..

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 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 (none currently authorized) 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 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

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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-Q 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-Q, 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-Q. 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 and supervisory actions by such regulators, including bank failures; (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 impact of COVID-19 and its variants and actions that may be taken by governmental authorities in response; (xiii) expense and reputational impact on the Company as a result of its ongoing proxy contest; and (xiv) 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 3…..QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK…..

The Company manages market risk, which for the Company is primarily interest rate risk, through its asset liability management process and committee, see further discussion in Interest Rate Sensitivity section of the MD&A.

Item 4…..CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES…..

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Company’s management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and the operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2023, pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer along with the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2023, are effective.

(b) Changes in Internal Controls. Effective January 1, 2023, AmeriServ Financial Inc. adopted CECL. The Company designed new controls and modified existing controls as part of this adoption. These additional controls over financial reporting included controls over model creation and design, model governance, assumptions, and expanded controls over loan level data. There were no other changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f)) that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Part II   Other Information

Item 1.   Legal Proceedings

There are no material proceedings to which the Company or any of our subsidiaries are a party or by which, to the Company’s knowledge, we, or any of our subsidiaries, are threatened. All legal proceedings presently pending or threatened against the Company or our subsidiaries involve routine litigation incidental to our business or that of the subsidiary involved and are not material in respect to the amount in controversy.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Not Applicable

Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None

Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

Item 4.   Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable

Item 5.   Other Information

None

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Item 6.   Exhibits

3.1

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation as amended through August 11, 2011 (Incorporated by reference to 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 on April 2, 2020 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current report on Form 8-K filed on April 6, 2020).

15.1

Report of S.R. Snodgrass, P.C. regarding unaudited interim financial statement information.

15.2

Awareness Letter of S.R. Snodgrass, P.C.

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.

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.

32.1

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

32.2

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

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Includes the following financial and related information from AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as of and for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited), (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited), (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (unaudited), (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited), (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited), and (vi) Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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The cover page from this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q formatted in Inline XBRL.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

Registrant

Date: May 12, 2023

/s/ Jeffrey A. Stopko

Jeffrey A. Stopko

President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: May 12, 2023

/s/ Michael D. Lynch

Michael D. Lynch

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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