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AMES NATIONAL CORP - Quarter Report: 2021 June (Form 10-Q)

atlo20210630_10q.htm
 

Table of Contents

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

[Mark One]

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

                  

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2021

 

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 0-32637

 

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

                   

Iowa42-1039071
(State of Incorporation)(I. R. S. Employer
 Identification Number)

                                             

405 Fifth Street

Ames, Iowa 50010

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (515) 232-6251

 

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

ATLO

NASDAQ

 

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 (Section 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, or a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definition 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 in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

 

As of July 30, 2021, there were 9,122,747 shares of common stock, par value $2, outstanding.

 

 

 

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION

 

INDEX

 

Page

 

     
     
PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

     
Item 1.

Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

3

     
 

Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020

3
     
 

Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

4
 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

5
     
 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

6
     
 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

7

     
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

9

     
Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

29

     
Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

51

     
Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

52

     
PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

 
     
Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

52

     
Item 1.A.

Risk Factors

52

     
Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

53

     
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

53

     
Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

53

     
Item 5.

Other Information

53

     
Item 6.

Exhibits

54

     
 

Signatures

55

 

 

 

 

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

  

June 30,

  

December 31,

 

ASSETS

 

2021

  

2020

 
  

(unaudited)

  

(audited)

 

Cash and due from banks

 $24,890  $24,819 

Interest-bearing deposits in financial institutions and federal funds sold

  141,282   166,704 

Securities available-for-sale

  740,102   596,999 

Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) and Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) stock, at cost

  3,427   3,148 

Loans receivable, net

  1,124,435   1,129,505 

Loans held for sale

  311   1,621 

Bank premises and equipment, net

  16,925   17,340 

Accrued income receivable

  9,596   11,143 

Bank-owned life insurance

  2,950   2,916 

Deferred income taxes, net

  323   - 

Intangible assets, net

  2,813   3,133 

Goodwill

  12,424   12,424 

Other assets

  5,982   5,896 
         

Total assets

 $2,085,460  $1,975,648 
         

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

        
         

LIABILITIES

        

Deposits

        

Noninterest-bearing checking

 $375,735  $349,500 

Interest-bearing checking

  564,268   528,796 

Savings and money market

  658,482   581,224 

Time, $250 and over

  49,430   60,019 

Other time

  183,484   196,907 

Total deposits

  1,831,399   1,716,446 
         

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

  33,268   37,293 

FHLB advances

  3,000   3,000 

Deferred income taxes, net

  -   1,731 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

  7,671   7,691 

Total liabilities

  1,875,338   1,766,161 
         

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

        

Common stock, $2 par value, authorized 18,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 9,122,747 as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020

  18,245   18,245 

Additional paid-in capital

  17,002   17,002 

Retained earnings

  165,466   158,217 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

  9,409   16,023 

Total stockholders' equity

  210,122   209,487 
         

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 $2,085,460  $1,975,648 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

  

Three Months Ended

  

Six Months Ended

 
  

June 30,

  

June 30,

 
  

2021

  

2020

  

2021

  

2020

 
                 

Interest and dividend income:

                

Loans, including fees

 $12,127  $12,570  $24,111  $25,157 

Securities:

                

Taxable

  2,212   1,918   4,201   3,739 

Tax-exempt

  823   954   1,667   1,864 

Other interest and dividend income

  169   196   347   713 

Total interest income

  15,331   15,638   30,326   31,473 
                 

Interest expense:

                

Deposits

  1,124   1,898   2,418   4,548 

Other borrowed funds

  35   60   72   199 

Total interest expense

  1,159   1,958   2,490   4,747 
                 

Net interest income

  14,172   13,680   27,836   26,726 
                 

Provision (credit) for loan losses

  (20)  1,567   (446)  3,883 
                 

Net interest income after provision (credit) for loan losses

  14,192   12,113   28,282   22,843 
                 

Noninterest income:

                

Wealth management income

  1,145   909   2,077   1,771 

Service fees

  347   305   680   746 

Securities gains, net

  -   44   -   430 

Gain on sale of loans held for sale

  380   572   884   839 

Merchant and card fees

  556   410   1,020   836 

Other noninterest income

  208   188   481   437 

Total noninterest income

  2,636   2,428   5,142   5,059 
                 

Noninterest expense:

                

Salaries and employee benefits

  5,772   5,813   11,279   11,588 

Data processing

  1,310   1,336   2,682   2,527 

Occupancy expenses, net

  639   657   1,367   1,348 

FDIC insurance assessments

  148   50   287   50 

Professional fees

  515   397   911   741 

Business development

  254   182   491   446 

Intangible asset amortization

  160   217   320   434 

New market tax credit projects amortization

  159   146   319   291 

Other operating expenses, net

  457   301   764   724 

Total noninterest expense

  9,414   9,099   18,420   18,149 
                 

Income before income taxes

  7,414   5,442   15,004   9,753 
                 

Provision for income taxes

  1,535   1,015   3,102   1,771 
                 

Net income

 $5,879  $4,427  $11,902  $7,982 
                 

Basic and diluted earnings per share

 $0.64  $0.49  $1.30  $0.87 
                 

Dividends declared per share

 $0.26  $-  $0.51  $0.25 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

  

Three Months Ended

  

Six Months Ended

 
  

June 30,

  

June 30,

 
  

2021

  

2020

  

2021

  

2020

 
                 
                 

Net income

 $5,879  $4,427  $11,902  $7,982 

Unrealized gains (losses) on securities before tax:

                

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period

  3,015   12,730   (8,818)  13,600 

Less: reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income

  -   44   -   430 

Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax

  3,015   12,686   (8,818)  13,170 

Tax effect related to other comprehensive income (loss)

  (753)  (3,171)  2,204   (3,292)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

  2,262   9,515   (6,614)  9,878 

Comprehensive income

 $8,141  $13,942  $5,288  $17,860 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

 

                  Accumulated     
                  Other     
  

 

        Comprehensive  Total 
  Common Stock  Additional Paid-  Retained  Income, Net of  Stockholders' 
  

Shares

  

Amount

  in Capital  Earnings  Taxes  Equity 
                         

Balance, March 31, 2020

  9,188,594  $18,377  $18,156  $147,483  $4,478  $188,494 

Net income

  -   -   -   4,427   -   4,427 

Other comprehensive income

  -   -   -   -   9,515   9,515 

Repurchase and retirement of stock

  (65,847)  (132)  (1,154)  -   -   (1,286)

Balance, June 30, 2020

  9,122,747  $18,245  $17,002  $151,910  $13,993  $201,150 
                         
                         

Balance, March 31, 2021

  9,122,747  $18,245  $17,002  $161,959  $7,147  $204,353 

Net income

  -   -   -   5,879   -   5,879 

Other comprehensive income

  -   -   -   -   2,262   2,262 

Cash dividends declared, $0.26 per share

  -   -   -   (2,372)  -   (2,372)

Balance, June 30, 2021

  9,122,747  $18,245  $17,002  $165,466  $9,409  $210,122 

 

          

 

  

 

  

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

  

Total

 
  

Common Stock

  Additional Paid-  Retained  Income (Loss),  Stockholders' 
  

Shares

  

Amount

  in Capital  Earnings  Net of Taxes  Equity 
                         

Balance, December 31, 2019

  9,222,747  $18,445  $18,794  $146,225  $4,115  $187,579 

Net income

  -   -   -   7,982   -   7,982 

Other comprehensive income

  -   -   -   -   9,878   9,878 

Repurchase and retirement of stock

  (100,000)  (200)  (1,792)  -   -   (1,992)

Cash dividends declared, $0.25 per share

  -   -   -   (2,297)  -   (2,297)

Balance, June 30, 2020

  9,122,747  $18,245  $17,002  $151,910  $13,993  $201,150 
                         
                         

Balance, December 31, 2020

  9,122,747  $18,245  $17,002  $158,217  $16,023  $209,487 

Net income

  -   -   -   11,902   -   11,902 

Other comprehensive (loss)

  -   -   -   -   (6,614)  (6,614)

Cash dividends declared, $0.51 per share

  -   -   -   (4,653)  -   (4,653)

Balance, June 30, 2021

  9,122,747  $18,245  $17,002  $165,466  $9,409  $210,122 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

(in thousands)

Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

 

  

2021

  

2020

 
         

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

        

Net income

 $11,902  $7,982 

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

        

Provision (credit) for loan losses

  (446)  3,883 

Provision (credit) for off-balance sheet commitments

  (3)  41 

Amortization of securities, available-for-sale, loans and deposits, net

  1,167   252 

Amortization of intangible assets

  320   434 

Depreciation

  688   712 

Deferred income taxes

  151   (947)

Securities (gains), net

  -   (430)

(Gain) on sales of loans held for sale

  (884)  (839)

Proceeds from loans held for sale

  39,161   41,226 

Originations of loans held for sale

  (36,967)  (39,643)

Loss on sale and disposal of premises and equipment, net

  13   - 

Amortization of investment in New Markets Tax Credit projects

  319   291 

Impairment of other real estate owned

  81   - 

(Gain) on sale of other real estate owned, net

  -   (22)

Change in assets and liabilities:

        

Decrease in accrued income receivable

  1,547   987 

Decrease in other assets

  401   28 

Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities

  (18)  3,970 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  17,432   17,925 
         

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

        

Purchase of securities available-for-sale

  (217,484)  (102,225)

Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale

  -   5,463 

Proceeds from maturities and calls of securities available-for-sale

  63,971   75,572 

Purchase of FHLB stock

  (286)  (117)

Proceeds from the redemption of FHLB stock

  7   101 

Net (increase) decrease in interest-bearing deposits in financial institutions and federal funds sold

  25,422   (37,043)

Net (increase) decrease in loans

  5,262   (101,265)

Net proceeds from the sale of other real estate owned

  -   3,405 

Purchase of bank premises and equipment

  (578)  (529)

Cash paid for bank acquired

  -   (310)

Other

  (35)  (36)

Net cash (used in) investing activities

  (123,721)  (156,984)
         

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

        

Increase in deposits

  115,038   150,614 

(Decrease) in securities sold under agreements to repurchase

  (4,025)  (5,141)

Payments on FHLB borrowings

  -   (2,000)

Dividends paid

  (4,653)  (4,511)

Stock repurchases

  -   (1,992)

Net cash provided by financing activities

  106,360   136,970 
         

Net increase (decrease) in cash and due from banks

  71   (2,089)
         

CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS

        

Beginning

  24,819   34,617 

Ending

 $24,890  $32,528 

 

 

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued) (unaudited)

(in thousands)

Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

 

   

2021

   

2020

 
                 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW

               

INFORMATION

               

Cash payments for:

               

Interest

  $ 2,873     $ 5,260  

Income taxes

    2,823       676  
                 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NONCASH

               

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

               

Transfer of loans receivable to other real estate owned

  $ 560     $ 11  

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

 

1.

Significant Accounting Policies

 

The consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 are unaudited. In the opinion of the management of Ames National Corporation (the "Company"), these financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly these consolidated financial statements. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results which may be expected for an entire year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in complete financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted in accordance with the requirements for interim financial statements. The interim financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the year-end audited financial statements contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the “Annual Report”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned banking subsidiaries (the “Banks”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Goodwill: Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets acquired. Goodwill resulting from acquisitions is not amortized, but is tested for impairment annually or whenever events change and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that an impairment loss has occurred. Goodwill is tested for impairment with an estimation of the fair value of a reporting unit.

 

The fair value of a reporting unit is the price that would be received to sell the unit as a whole in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. As none of the Company’s reporting units are publicly traded, individual reporting unit fair value determinations cannot be directly correlated to the Company’s stock price. Significant judgment is applied when goodwill is assessed for impairment. This judgment includes developing cash flow projections, selecting appropriate discount rates, identifying relevant market comparables, incorporating general economic and market conditions and selecting an appropriate control premium. The Company completed a quantitative assessment of goodwill as of May 31, 2020 which indicated that goodwill was not impaired. Subsequently, the Company determined there were no adverse changes in criteria and key considerations to the previous assessment. Accordingly, the Company concluded there is no impairment of goodwill as of June 30, 2021.

 

New and Pending Accounting Pronouncements: In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The ASU requires an organization to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. Many of the loss estimation techniques applied today will still be permitted, although the inputs to those techniques will change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. Organizations will continue to use judgment to determine which loss estimation method is appropriate for their circumstances. Additionally, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. In October 2019, the FASB voted to approve amendments to the effective date of ASU No. 2016-13 for smaller reporting companies, as defined by the SEC, and other non-SEC reporting entities. The amendment delays the effective date for our Company until interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company continues collecting and retaining loan and credit data and evaluating various loss estimation models, along with refining the implementation of the software and its approach for determining the expected credit losses under the new guidance. The Company’s preliminary evaluation indicates the provisions of ASU No. 2016-13 are expected to impact the Company’s financial statements. The Company is continuing to evaluate the extent of the potential impact.

 

 

 

2.

Dividends

 

On July 14, 2021, the Company declared a cash dividend on its common stock, payable on August 13, 2021 to stockholders of record as of July 30, 2021, equal to $0.26 per share.

 

 

3.

Earnings Per Share

 

Earnings per share amounts were calculated using the weighted average shares outstanding during the periods presented. The weighted average outstanding shares for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 was 9,122,747 and 9,128,848, respectively. The weighted average outstanding shares for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 were 9,122,747 and 9,174,021, respectively. The Company had no potentially dilutive securities outstanding during the periods presented.

 

 

4.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

The Company is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet. No material changes in the Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements have occurred since December 31, 2020.

 

 

5.

Fair Value Measurements

 

Assets and liabilities carried at fair value are required to be classified and disclosed according to the process for determining fair value. There are three levels of determining fair value.

 

Level 1: Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices, unadjusted, for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

 

Level 2: Inputs to the valuation methodology include: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, volatility, prepayment speeds, credit risk); or inputs derived principally from or can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.         

 

Level 3: Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using discounted cash flow methodologies, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

 

10

 

The following table presents the balances of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in thousands):

 

Description

 

Total

  

Level 1

  

Level 2

  

Level 3

 
                 

2021

                
                 

U.S. government treasuries

 $100,547  $100,547  $-  $- 

U.S. government agencies

  116,358   -   116,358   - 

U.S. government mortgage-backed securities

  168,737   -   168,737   - 

State and political subdivisions

  275,205   -   275,205   - 

Corporate bonds

  79,255   -   79,255   - 
                 
  $740,102  $100,547  $639,555  $- 
                 

2020

                
                 

U.S. government treasuries

 $12,053  $12,053  $-  $- 

U.S. government agencies

  111,199   -   111,199   - 

U.S. government mortgage-backed securities

  150,195   -   150,195   - 

State and political subdivisions

  251,584   -   251,584   - 

Corporate bonds

  71,968   -   71,968   - 
                 
  $596,999  $12,053  $584,946  $- 

 

Level 1 securities include U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets. U.S. government agencies, mortgage-backed securities, state and political subdivisions, and most corporate bonds 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 quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the security’s terms and conditions, among other things.

 

11

 

Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, they are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment or a change in previously recognized impairment).  The following table presents the assets carried on the balance sheet (after specific reserves) by caption and by level within the valuation hierarchy as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in thousands):

 

Description

 

Total

  

Level 1

  

Level 2

  

Level 3

 
                 

2021

                
                 

Loans receivable

 $8,751  $-  $-  $8,751 

Other real estate owned

  778   -   -   778 
                 

Total

 $9,529  $-  $-  $9,529 
                 

2020

                
                 

Loans receivable

 $10,306  $-  $-  $10,306 

Other real estate owned

  218   -   -   218 
                 

Total

 $10,524  $-  $-  $10,524 

 

The significant inputs used in the fair value measurements for Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are as follows (in thousands):

 

  

2021

 
  

Estimated

 

Valuation

 

 

Range

 
  

Fair Value

 

Techniques

Unobservable Inputs 

(Average)

 
            

Loans receivable

 $8,751 

Evaluation of collateral

Estimation of value

  NM*  
            

Other real estate owned

 $778 

Appraisal

Appraisal adjustment

 6%-8%(7%)
            

 

  

2020

 
  

Estimated

 

Valuation

Unobservable Inputs

 

Range

 
  

Fair Value

 

Techniques

  

(Average)

 
            

Loans receivable

 $10,306 

Evaluation of collateral

Estimation of value

  NM*  
            

Other real estate owned

 $218 

Appraisal

Appraisal adjustment

 6%-8%(7%)

 

* Evaluations of the underlying assets are completed for each collateral dependent impaired loan with a specific reserve. The types of collateral vary widely and could include accounts receivables, inventory, a variety of equipment and real estate. Collateral evaluations are reviewed and discounted as appropriate based on knowledge of the specific type of collateral. In the case of real estate, an independent appraisal may be obtained. Types of discounts considered included aging of receivables, condition of the collateral, potential market for the collateral and estimated disposal costs. These discounts will vary from loan to loan, thus providing a range would not be meaningful.

 

GAAP requires disclosure of the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities, including those that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis or nonrecurring basis. 

 

12

 

The following table includes the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in thousands):

 

   

2021

  

2020

 
 

Fair Value

     

Estimated

      

Estimated

 
 

Hierarchy

 

Carrying

  

Fair

  

Carrying

  

Fair

 
 

Level

 

Amount

  

Value

  

Amount

  

Value

 
                  

Financial assets:

                 

Cash and due from banks

Level 1

 $24,890  $24,890  $24,819  $24,819 

Interest-bearing deposits in financial institutions and federal funds sold

Level 1

  141,282   141,282   166,704   166,704 

Securities available-for-sale

See previous table

  740,102   740,102   596,999   596,999 

FHLB and FRB stock

Level 2

  3,427   3,427   3,148   3,148 

Loans receivable, net

Level 2

  1,124,435   1,102,745   1,129,505   1,116,352 

Loans held for sale

Level 2

  311   311   1,621   1,621 

Accrued income receivable

Level 1

  9,596   9,596   11,143   11,143 

Financial liabilities:

                 

Deposits

Level 2

 $1,831,399  $1,833,779  $1,716,446  $1,720,023 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

Level 1

  33,268   33,268   37,293   37,293 

FHLB advances

Level 2

  3,000   3,069   3,000   3,111 

Accrued interest payable

Level 1

  532   532   829   829 

 

The methodologies used to determine fair value as of June 30, 2021 did not change from the methodologies described in the December 31, 2020 Annual Financial Statements.

 

Commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit: The fair values of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreement and credit worthiness of the counterparties. The carrying value and fair value of the commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are not considered significant.

 

Limitations: Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

 

 

 

6.

Debt Securities

 

The amortized cost of securities available-for-sale and their approximate fair values as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are summarized below (in thousands):

 

2021:

     

Gross

  

Gross

     
  

Amortized

  

Unrealized

  

Unrealized

  

Estimated

 
  

Cost

  

Gains

  

Losses

  

Fair Value

 
                 

U.S. government treasuries

 $100,543  $382  $(378) $100,547 

U.S. government agencies

  113,012   3,703   (357)  116,358 

U.S. government mortgage-backed securities

  168,068   2,013   (1,344)  168,737 

State and political subdivisions

  270,241   5,692   (728)  275,205 

Corporate bonds

  75,693   3,619   (57)  79,255 
  $727,557  $15,409  $(2,864) $740,102 

 

2020:

     

Gross

  

Gross

     
  

Amortized

  

Unrealized

  

Unrealized

  

Estimated

 
  

Cost

  

Gains

  

Losses

  

Fair Value

 
                 

U.S. government treasuries

 $11,725  $328  $-  $12,053 

U.S. government agencies

  106,337   4,875   (13)  111,199 

U.S. government mortgage-backed securities

  146,889   3,337   (31)  150,195 

State and political subdivisions

  243,438   8,182   (36)  251,584 

Corporate bonds

  67,247   4,722   (1)  71,968 
  $575,636  $21,444  $(81) $596,999 

 

The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities available-for-sale as of June 30, 2021, are shown below by expected maturity. Expected maturity will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties (in thousands).

 

  

Amortized

  

Estimated

 
  

Cost

  

Fair Value

 
         

Due in one year or less

 $57,814  $58,258 

Due after one year through five years

  295,926   302,378 

Due after five years through ten years

  337,265   342,042 

Due after ten years

  36,552   37,424 

Total

 $727,557  $740,102 

 

Securities with a carrying value of $199.1 million and $202.0 million at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, were pledged on public deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and for other purposes as required or permitted by law.

 

14

 

The proceeds and gains on securities available-for-sale for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 are summarized below (in thousands):

 

  

Three Months Ended

  

Six Months Ended

 
  

June 30,

  

June 30,

 
  

2021

  

2020

  

2021

  

2020

 

Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale

 $-  $2,078  $-  $5,463 

Gross realized gains on securities available-for-sale

  -   44   -   430 

Gross realized losses on securities available-for-sale

  -   -   -   - 

 

Gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

  

Less than 12 Months

  

12 Months or More

  

Total

 

2021:

 

Estimated

Fair Value

  

Unrealized

Losses

  

Estimated

Fair Value

  

Unrealized

Losses

  

Estimated

Fair Value

  

Unrealized

Losses

 
                         

Securities available-for-sale:

                        

U.S. government treasuries

 $56,269  $(378) $-  $-  $56,269  $(378)

U.S. government agencies

  24,179   (357)  -   -   24,179   (357)

U.S. government mortgage-backed securities

  105,041   (1,344)  -   -   105,041   (1,344)

State and political subdivisions

  57,806   (727)  181   (1)  57,987   (728)

Corporate bonds

  4,320   (57)  -   -   4,320   (57)
  $247,615  $(2,863) $181  $(1) $247,796  $(2,864)

 

  

Less than 12 Months

  

12 Months or More

  

Total

 

2020:

 

Fair Value

  

Unrealized

Losses

  

Fair Value

  

Unrealized

Losses

  

Fair Value

  

Unrealized

Losses

 
                         

Securities available-for-sale:

                        

U.S. government agencies

 $6,016  $(7) $896  $(6) $6,912  $(13)

U.S. government mortgage-backed securities

  5,097   (31)  -   -   5,097   (31)

State and political subdivisions

  7,875   (34)  180   (2)  8,055   (36)

Corporate bonds

  534   (1)  -   -   534   (1)
  $19,522  $(73) $1,076  $(8) $20,598  $(81)

 

Gross unrealized losses on debt securities totaled $2.9 million as of June 30, 2021. These unrealized losses are generally due to changes in interest rates or general market conditions. In analyzing an issuer’s financial condition, management considers whether the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, state or political subdivision, or corporations. Management then determines whether downgrades by bond rating agencies have occurred, and reviews industry analysts’ reports. The Company’s procedures for evaluating investments in states, municipalities and political subdivisions include but are not limited to reviewing the offering statement and the most current available financial information, comparing yields to yields of bonds of similar credit quality, confirming capacity to repay, assessing operating and financial performance, evaluating the stability of tax revenues, considering debt profiles and local demographics, and for revenue bonds, assessing the source and strength of revenue structures for municipal authorities. These procedures, as applicable, are utilized for all municipal purchases and are utilized in whole or in part for monitoring the portfolio of municipal holdings. The Company does not utilize third party credit rating agencies as a primary component of determining if the municipal issuer has an adequate capacity to meet the financial commitments under the security for the projected life of the investment, and, therefore, does not compare internal assessments to those of the credit rating agencies. Credit rating downgrades are utilized as an additional indicator of credit weakness and as a reference point for historical default rates. Management concluded that the gross unrealized losses on debt securities were temporary. Due to potential changes in conditions, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in fair values and management’s assessments will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the Company’s financial statements.

 

 

 

7.

 Loans Receivable and Credit Disclosures

 

The composition of loans receivable as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 is as follows (in thousands):

 

  

2021

  

2020

 
         

Real estate - construction

 $46,164  $45,497 

Real estate - 1 to 4 family residential

  226,683   213,562 

Real estate - commercial

  498,561   496,357 

Real estate - agricultural

  152,157   151,992 

Commercial 1

  106,016   122,535 

Agricultural

  98,233   102,586 

Consumer and other

  15,622   15,048 
   1,143,436   1,147,577 

Less:

        

Allowance for loan losses

  (16,893)  (17,215)

Deferred loan fees and costs, net 2

  (2,108)  (857)

Loans receivable, net

 $1,124,435  $1,129,505 

 

1

Commercial loan portfolio includes $37.6 million and $50.9 million of Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loans as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

2

Deferred loan fees and costs, net includes $2.3 million and $0.9 million of fees, net of costs, related to the PPP loans as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

 

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), enacted on March 27, 2020, and expanded by the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, enacted December 27, 2020 and the American Rescue Plan Act, enacted March 11, 2021, in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The PPP is administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA). PPP loans may be forgiven by the SBA and are 100 percent guaranteed by the SBA.

 

16

 

Activity in the allowance for loan losses, on a disaggregated basis, for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 is as follows (in thousands):

 

  

Three Months Ended June 30, 2021

 
      

1-4 Family

                         
  

Construction

  

Residential

  

Commercial

  

Agricultural

          

Consumer

     
  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Commercial

  

Agricultural

  

and Other

  

Total

 

Balance, March 31, 2021

 $868  $2,383  $9,049  $1,498  $1,262  $1,614  $233  $16,907 

Provision (credit) for loan losses

  (130)  217   (161)  116   (123)  56   5   (20)

Recoveries of loans charged-off

  -   3   1   -   1   5   3   13 

Loans charged-off

  -   -   -   -   -   -   (7)  (7)

Balance, June 30, 2021

 $738  $2,603  $8,889  $1,614  $1,140  $1,675  $234  $16,893 

 

  

Six Months Ended June 30, 2021

 
      

1-4 Family

                         
  

Construction

  

Residential

  

Commercial

  

Agricultural

          

Consumer

     
  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Commercial

  

Agricultural

  

and Other

  

Total

 

Balance, December 31, 2020

 $725  $2,581  $8,930  $1,595  $1,453  $1,696  $235  $17,215 

Provision (credit) for loan losses

  13   (214)  (43)  19   (202)  (26)  7   (446)

Recoveries of loans charged-off

  -   266   2   -   2   5   7   282 

Loans charged-off

  -   (30)  -   -   (113)  -   (15)  (158)

Balance, June 30, 2021

 $738  $2,603  $8,889  $1,614  $1,140  $1,675  $234  $16,893 

 

  

Three Months Ended June 30, 2020

 
      

1-4 Family

                         
  

Construction

  

Residential

  

Commercial

  

Agricultural

          

Consumer

     
  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Commercial

  

Agricultural

  

and Other

  

Total

 

Balance, March 31, 2020

 $753  $2,336  $6,552  $1,563  $1,672  $1,815  $218  $14,909 

Provision for loan losses

  96   183   724   150   366   15   33   1,567 

Recoveries of loans charged-off

  -   3   1   -   2   -   1   7 

Loans charged-off

  -   (17)  (413)  -   (46)  -   (2)  (478)

Balance, June 30, 2020

 $849  $2,505  $6,864  $1,713  $1,994  $1,830  $250  $16,005 

 

  

Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

 
      

1-4 Family

                         
  

Construction

  

Residential

  

Commercial

  

Agricultural

          

Consumer

     
  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Commercial

  

Agricultural

  

and Other

  

Total

 

Balance, December 31, 2019

 $672  $2,122  $5,362  $1,326  $1,458  $1,478  $201  $12,619 

Provision (credit) for loan losses

  176   397   1,944   387   578   352   49   3,883 

Recoveries of loans charged-off

  1   3   2   -   4   -   4   14 

Loans charged-off

  -   (17)  (444)  -   (46)  -   (4)  (511)

Balance, June 30, 2020

 $849  $2,505  $6,864  $1,713  $1,994  $1,830  $250  $16,005 

 

17

 

Allowance for loan losses disaggregated on the basis of impairment analysis method as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 is as follows (in thousands):

 

2021

     

1-4 Family

                         
  

Construction

  

Residential

  

Commercial

  

Agricultural

          

Consumer

     
  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Commercial

  

Agricultural

  

and Other

  

Total

 

Individually evaluated for impairment

 $-  $15  $1,486  $-  $-  $132  $28  $1,661 

Collectively evaluated for impairment

  738   2,588   7,403   1,614   1,140   1,543   206   15,232 

Balance June 30, 2021

 $738  $2,603  $8,889  $1,614  $1,140  $1,675  $234  $16,893 

 

2020

     

1-4 Family

                         
  

Construction

  

Residential

  

Commercial

  

Agricultural

          

Consumer

     
  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Commercial

  

Agricultural

  

and Other

  

Total

 

Individually evaluated for impairment

 $-  $150  $1,486  $-  $115  $40  $28  $1,819 

Collectively evaluated for impairment

  725   2,431   7,444   1,595   1,338   1,656   207   15,396 

Balance December 31, 2020

 $725  $2,581  $8,930  $1,595  $1,453  $1,696  $235  $17,215 

 

Loans receivable disaggregated on the basis of impairment analysis method as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 is as follows (in thousands):

 

2021

     

1-4 Family

                         
  

Construction

  

Residential

  

Commercial

  

Agricultural

          

Consumer

     
  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Commercial

  

Agricultural

  

and Other

  

Total

 

Individually evaluated for impairment

 $-  $953  $10,153  $628  $271  $650  $41  $12,696 

Collectively evaluated for impairment

  46,164   225,730   488,408   151,529   105,745   97,583   15,581   1,130,740 
                                 

Balance June 30, 2021

 $46,164  $226,683  $498,561  $152,157  $106,016  $98,233  $15,622  $1,143,436 

 

2020

     

1-4 Family

                         
  

Construction

  

Residential

  

Commercial

  

Agricultural

          

Consumer

     
  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Commercial

  

Agricultural

  

and Other

  

Total

 

Individually evaluated for impairment

 $167  $1,340  $10,258  $1,664  $940  $859  $45  $15,273 

Collectively evaluated for impairment

  45,330   212,222   486,099   150,328   121,595   101,727   15,003   1,132,304 
                                 

Balance December 31, 2020

 $45,497  $213,562  $496,357  $151,992  $122,535  $102,586  $15,048  $1,147,577 

 

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payment of principal and interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. The Company applies its normal loan review procedures to identify loans that should be evaluated for impairment.

 

18

 

Impaired loans, on a disaggregated basis, as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in thousands):

 

  

2021

  

2020

 
      

Unpaid

          

Unpaid

     
  

Recorded

  

Principal

  

Related

  

Recorded

  

Principal

  

Related

 
  

Investment

  

Balance

  

Allowance

  

Investment

  

Balance

  

Allowance

 

With no specific reserve recorded:

                        

Real estate - construction

 $-  $-  $-  $167  $167  $- 

Real estate - 1 to 4 family residential

  932   995   -   416   475   - 

Real estate - commercial

  137   167   -   242   578   - 

Real estate - agricultural

  628   684   -   1,664   1,698   - 

Commercial

  271   302   -   274   318   - 

Agricultural

  312   504   -   377   542   - 

Consumer and other

  4   4   -   8   10   - 

Total loans with no specific reserve:

  2,284   2,656   -   3,148   3,788   - 
                         

With an allowance recorded:

                        

Real estate - construction

  -   -   -   -   -   - 

Real estate - 1 to 4 family residential

  21   21   15   924   1,278   150 

Real estate - commercial

  10,016   10,157   1,486   10,016   10,157   1,486 

Real estate - agricultural

  -   -   -   -   -   - 

Commercial

  -   -   -   666   1,247   115 

Agricultural

  338   342   132   482   484   40 

Consumer and other

  37   39   28   37   39   28 

Total loans with specific reserve:

  10,412   10,559   1,661   12,125   13,205   1,819 
                         

Total

                        

Real estate - construction

  -   -   -   167   167   - 

Real estate - 1 to 4 family residential

  953   1,016   15   1,340   1,753   150 

Real estate - commercial

  10,153   10,324   1,486   10,258   10,735   1,486 

Real estate - agricultural

  628   684   -   1,664   1,698   - 

Commercial

  271   302   -   940   1,565   115 

Agricultural

  650   846   132   859   1,026   40 

Consumer and other

  41   43   28   45   49   28 
                         
  $12,696  $13,215  $1,661  $15,273  $16,993  $1,819 

 

19

 

Average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):

 

  

Three Months Ended June 30,

 
  

2021

  

2020

 
  

Average

  

Interest

  

Average

  

Interest

 
  

Recorded

  

Income

  

Recorded

  

Income

 
  

Investment

  

Recognized

  

Investment

  

Recognized

 

With no specific reserve recorded:

                

Real estate - construction

 $84  $-  $-  $- 

Real estate - 1 to 4 family residential

  619   11   164   - 

Real estate - commercial

  139   -   10,877   - 

Real estate - agricultural

  860   -   1,429   - 

Commercial

  544   -   468   2 

Agricultural

  328   1   2,092   - 

Consumer and other

  4   -   45   - 

Total loans with no specific reserve:

  2,578   12   15,075   2 
                 

With an allowance recorded:

                

Real estate - construction

  -   -   -   - 

Real estate - 1 to 4 family residential

  57   -   1,031   - 

Real estate - commercial

  10,016   -   488   - 

Real estate - agricultural

  -   -   -   - 

Commercial

  -   -   710   - 

Agricultural

  371   -   495   - 

Consumer and other

  40   -   9   - 

Total loans with specific reserve:

  10,484   -   2,733   - 
                 

Total

                

Real estate - construction

  84   -   -   - 

Real estate - 1 to 4 family residential

  676   11   1,195   - 

Real estate - commercial

  10,155   -   11,365   - 

Real estate - agricultural

  860   -   1,429   - 

Commercial

  544   -   1,178   2 

Agricultural

  699   1   2,587   - 

Consumer and other

  44   -   54   - 
                 
  $13,062  $12  $17,808  $2 

 

20

 
  

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
  

2021

  

2020

 
  

Average

  

Interest

  

Average

  

Interest

 
  

Recorded

  

Income

  

Recorded

  

Income

 
  

Investment

  

Recognized

  

Investment

  

Recognized

 

With no specific reserve recorded:

                

Real estate - construction

 $111  $-  $-  $- 

Real estate - 1 to 4 family residential

  551   11   263   - 

Real estate - commercial

  173   297   7,279   - 

Real estate - agricultural

  1,128   25   980   6 

Commercial

  454   -   466   2 

Agricultural

  344   14   2,378   - 

Consumer and other

  5   -   31   - 

Total loans with no specific reserve:

  2,766   347   11,397   8 
                 

With an allowance recorded:

                

Real estate - construction

  -   -   -   - 

Real estate - 1 to 4 family residential

  346   -   935   - 

Real estate - commercial

  10,016   -   325   - 

Real estate - agricultural

  -   -   -   - 

Commercial

  222   -   473   - 

Agricultural

  408   -   330   - 

Consumer and other

  39   -   6   - 

Total loans with specific reserve:

  11,031   -   2,069   - 
                 

Total

                

Real estate - construction

  111   -   -   - 

Real estate - 1 to 4 family residential

  897   11   1,198   - 

Real estate - commercial

  10,189   297   7,604   - 

Real estate - agricultural

  1,128   25   980   6 

Commercial

  676   -   939   2 

Agricultural

  752   14   2,708   - 

Consumer and other

  44   -   37   - 
                 
  $13,797  $347  $13,466  $8 

 

The interest foregone on nonaccrual loans for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 was approximately $170 thousand and $312 thousand, respectively. The interest foregone on nonaccrual loans for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 was approximately $369 thousand and $501 thousand, respectively.

 

Nonaccrual loans at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were $12.7 million and $15.3 million, respectively.

 

The Company had loans meeting the definition of a troubled debt restructuring (TDR) of $10.8 million as of June 30, 2021, all of which were included in impaired and nonaccrual loans. The Company had TDRs of $11.3 million as of December 31, 2020, all of which were included in impaired and nonaccrual loans.

 

21

 

The Company’s TDRs, on a disaggregated basis, occurring in the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

  

Three Months Ended June 30,

 
  

2021

  

2020

 
      

Pre-Modification

  

Post-Modification

      

Pre-Modification

  

Post-Modification

 
      

Outstanding

  

Outstanding

      

Outstanding

  

Outstanding

 
  

Number of

  

Recorded

  

Recorded

  

Number of

  

Recorded

  

Recorded

 
  

Contracts

  

Investment

  

Investment

  

Contracts

  

Investment

  

Investment

 
                         

Real estate - construction

  -  $-  $-   -  $-  $- 

Real estate - 1 to 4 family residential

  1   425   425   -   -   - 

Real estate - commercial

  -   -   -   -   -   - 

Real estate - agricultural

  -   -   -   -   -   - 

Commercial

  -   -   -   -   -   - 

Agricultural

  -   -   -   -   -   - 

Consumer and other

  -   -   -   -   -   - 
                         
   1  $425  $425   -  $-  $- 

 

  

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
  

2021

  

2020

 
      

Pre-Modification

  

Post-Modification

      

Pre-Modification

  

Post-Modification

 
      

Outstanding

  

Outstanding

      

Outstanding

  

Outstanding

 
  

Number of

  

Recorded

  

Recorded

  

Number of

  

Recorded

  

Recorded

 
  

Contracts

  

Investment

  

Investment

  

Contracts

  

Investment

  

Investment

 
                         

Real estate - construction

  -  $-  $-   -  $-  $- 

Real estate - 1 to 4 family residential

  3   578   578   -   -   - 

Real estate - commercial

  -   -   -   1   184   184 

Real estate - agricultural

  -   -   -   -   -   - 

Commercial

  1   58   58   1   61   61 

Agricultural

  -   -   -   -   -   - 

Consumer and other

  -   -   -   -   -   - 
                         
   4  $636  $636   2  $245  $245 

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Company granted concessions to one borrower facing financial difficulties which was unrelated to COVID-19. The loan was restructured with a lower interest rate and the amortization period was extended longer than a typical loan. During the three months ended June 30, 2020, the Company did not grant any concessions to borrowers that are facing financial difficulties. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company granted concessions to three borrowers facing financial difficulties. The loans were restructured with a lower interest rate or amortization periods longer than a typical loan. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company granted concessions to two borrowers facing financial difficulties. One loan was secured by commercial real estate and the second loan was secured by a commercial operating note. Payments on these loans were deferred for six months and the interest rate was reduced below the market interest rate.

 

There were no TDR loans that were modified during the six months ended June 30, 2021 and twelve months ended June 30, 2021 that had payment defaults. The Company considers TDR loans to have payment default when it is past due 60 days or more.

 

22

 

There were no net charge-offs and $16 thousand of net charge-offs related to TDRs for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. There were $262 thousand of net recoveries and $31 thousand of net charge-offs related to TDRs for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. No additional specific reserve was provided for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.

 

Section 4013 of the CARES Act, “Temporary Relief From TDRs,” allows financial institutions the option to temporarily suspend certain requirements under U.S. GAAP related to TDRs for a limited period of time during the COVID-19 pandemic. This temporary suspension may only be applied to modifications of loans that were not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019 and may not be applied to modifications that are not related to the COVID-19 pandemic. If elected, the temporary suspension may be applied to eligible modifications executed during the period beginning on March 1, 2020 and ending on the earlier of December 31, 2020, extended to January 1, 2022 under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, or 60 days after the termination of the COVID-19 national emergency. In March 2020, federal banking regulators in consultation with the FASB issued interagency statements that include similar guidance on loan modifications and reporting for financial institutions working with customers affected by COVID-19. The interagency statement provided that short-term modifications made on a good faith basis in response to COVID-19 to borrowers who were current prior to any relief, are not to be considered TDRs.

 

As of June 30, 2021, the Company had four COVID-19 related loan modifications still in the modification period with a total outstanding principal balance of $15.3 million. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had 24 COVID-19 related loan modifications still in the modification period with a total outstanding principal balance of $45.9 million. Modified loans continue to accrue interest and are evaluated for past due status based on the revised payment terms.

 

23

 

An aging analysis of the recorded investments in loans, on a disaggregated basis, as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, is as follows (in thousands):

 

2021

     

90 Days

              

90 Days

 
  30-89  

or Greater

  

Total

          

or Greater

 
  

Past Due

  

Past Due

  

Past Due

  

Current

  

Total

  

Accruing

 
                         

Real estate - construction

 $-  $-  $-  $46,164  $46,164  $- 

Real estate - 1 to 4 family residential

  791   103   894   225,789   226,683   4 

Real estate - commercial

  2,525   -   2,525   496,036   498,561   - 

Real estate - agricultural

  577   -   577   151,580   152,157   - 

Commercial

  828   6   834   105,182   106,016   - 

Agricultural

  67   294   361   97,872   98,233   - 

Consumer and other

  23   5   28   15,594   15,622   - 
                         
  $4,811  $408  $5,219  $1,138,217  $1,143,436  $4 

 

2020

     

90 Days

              

90 Days

 
  30-89  

or Greater

  

Total

          

or Greater

 
  

Past Due

  

Past Due

  

Past Due

  

Current

  

Total

  

Accruing

 
                         

Real estate - construction

 $169  $167  $336  $45,161  $45,497  $- 

Real estate - 1 to 4 family residential

  1,523   176   1,699   211,863   213,562   6 

Real estate - commercial

  152   56   208   496,149   496,357   - 

Real estate - agricultural

  574   1,618   2,192   149,800   151,992   - 

Commercial

  283   3   286   122,249   122,535   3 

Agricultural

  79   458   537   102,049   102,586   30 

Consumer and other

  18   16   34   15,014   15,048   - 
                         
  $2,798  $2,494  $5,292  $1,142,285  $1,147,577  $39 

 

24

 

The credit risk profile by internally assigned grade, on a disaggregated basis, as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 is as follows (in thousands):

 

2021

 

Construction

  

Commercial

  

Agricultural

             
  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Commercial

  

Agricultural

  

Total

 
                         

Pass

 $44,565  $360,863  $123,723  $92,810  $81,986  $703,947 

Watch

  246   77,746   21,918   8,520   14,842   123,272 

Special Mention

  1,353   22,315   171   1,336   -   25,175 

Substandard

  -   27,484   5,717   3,079   755   37,035 

Substandard-Impaired

  -   10,153   628   271   650   11,702 
                         
  $46,164  $498,561  $152,157  $106,016  $98,233  $901,131 

 

2020

 

Construction

  

Commercial

  

Agricultural

             
  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Real Estate

  

Commercial

  

Agricultural

  

Total

 
                         

Pass

 $39,980  $346,591  $110,925  $101,858  $80,075  $679,429 

Watch

  5,350   88,113   33,144   15,897   20,793   163,297 

Special Mention

  -   23,753   175   52   -   23,980 

Substandard

  -   27,642   6,084   3,788   859   38,373 

Substandard-Impaired

  167   10,258   1,664   940   859   13,888 
                         
  $45,497  $496,357  $151,992  $122,535  $102,586  $918,967 

 

The credit risk profile based on payment activity, on a disaggregated basis, as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 is as follows (in thousands):

 

2021

 

1-4 Family

         
  

Residential

  

Consumer

     
  

Real Estate

  

and Other

  

Total

 
             

Performing

 $225,725  $15,581  $241,306 

Non-performing

  958   41   999 
             
  $226,683  $15,622  $242,305 

 

2020

 

1-4 Family

         
  

Residential

  

Consumer

     
  

Real Estate

  

and Other

  

Total

 
             

Performing

 $212,282  $15,003  $227,285 

Non-performing

  1,280   45   1,325 
             
  $213,562  $15,048  $228,610 

 

 

 

8.

Intangible assets

 

The following sets forth the carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of the intangible assets at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in thousands):

 

  

2021

  

2020

 
  

Gross

  

Accumulated

  

Gross

  

Accumulated

 
  

Amount

  

Amortization

  

Amount

  

Amortization

 
                 

Core deposit intangible asset

 $6,411  $3,774  $6,411  $3,493 

Customer list

  535   359   535   320 
                 

Total

 $6,946  $4,133  $6,946  $3,813 

 

The weighted average remaining life of the intangible assets is approximately 4 years as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

 

The following sets forth the activity related to the intangible assets for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):

 

  

Three Months Ended

  

Six Months Ended

 
  

June 30,

  

June 30,

 
  

2021

  

2020

  

2021

  

2020

 
                 

Beginning intangible assets, net

 $2,973  $3,742  $3,133  $3,959 

Amortization

  (160)  (217)  (320)  (434)
                 

Ending intangible assets, net

 $2,813  $3,525  $2,813  $3,525 

 

Estimated remaining amortization expense on intangible assets for the years ending December 31 is as follows (in thousands):

 

2021

 $308 

2022

  574 

2023

  502 

2024

  337 

2025

  300 

2026

  268 

After

  524 
     

Total

 $2,813 

 

 

 

9.

Pledged Collateral Related to Securities Sold Under Repurchase Agreements

 

The repurchase agreements mature daily and the following sets forth the pledged collateral at estimated fair value related to securities sold under repurchase agreements as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in thousands):

 

  

2021

  

2020

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

        

U.S. government treasuries

 $2,049  $2,069 

U.S. government agencies

  36,612   39,362 

U.S. government mortgage-backed securities

  12,686   14,320 
         

Total pledged collateral

 $51,347  $55,751 

 

In the event the repurchase agreements exceed the estimated fair value of the pledged securities available-for-sale, the Company has unpledged securities available-for-sale that may be pledged on the repurchase agreements.

 

 

10.

Borrowings

 

On June 11, 2021, the Company entered into a promissory note and line of credit agreement with an unaffiliated bank, providing for a five-year four million dollar line of credit facility. The Company had no outstanding borrowings on the line of credit as of June 30, 2021.

 

 

11.

Income Taxes

 

The tax effects of temporary differences related to income taxes are included in deferred income taxes. The change in deferred income taxes since December 31, 2020 is due primarily to the decrease in the unrealized gains on investment securities.

 

 

12.

Commitments, Contingencies and Concentrations of Credit Risk

 

On April 16, 2021, the Company entered into a $1.7 million commitment with a contractor to build a new branch in West Des Moines, Iowa. The full commitment was remaining at June 30, 2021.

 

 

13.

Regulatory Matters

 

On March 31, 2020, the Banks qualified for and elected to use the community bank leverage ratio (CBLR) framework. In order to qualify for the CBLR framework, a community banking organization must have a tier 1 leverage ratio of greater than 8%, less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets, and limited amounts of off-balance-sheet exposures and trading assets and liabilities. On January 1, 2021 the CBLR increased to 8.5% for the calendar year and will again increase to 9% beginning January 1, 2022. A qualifying community banking organization that opts into the CBLR framework and meets all requirements under the framework will be considered to have met the well-capitalized ratio requirements under the Prompt Corrective Action regulations and will not be required to report or calculate risk-based capital. If an electing banking organization fails to satisfy one or more of the qualifying criteria but maintains a leverage ratio of greater than 8%, that banking organization would have a “grace period” of up to two quarters during which it could continue to use the community bank leverage ratio framework and be deemed to meet the “well capitalized” capital ratio requirements. As long as the banking organization is able to return to compliance with all the qualifying criteria within two quarters, it continues to be deemed to meet the “well capitalized” ratio requirements and be in compliance with the generally applicable capital rule. State Bank & Trust was below 8.5% but greater than 8% as of June 30, 2021 and has until September 30, 2021 to return to compliance with all qualifying criteria of the CBLR. First National Bank was below 8.5% but greater than 8% as of June 30, 2021 and has until December 31, 2021 to return to compliance with all qualifying criteria of the CBLR.

 

27

 

The Company and the Banks’ capital amounts and ratios as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

          

To Be Well

 
          

Capitalized Under

 
          

Prompt Corrective

 
  

Actual

  

Action Provisions

 
  

Amount

  

Ratio

  

Amount

  

Ratio

 
                 

As of June 30, 2021:

                

Community Bank Leverage Ratio:

                

(Tier 1 capital to average assets for leverage ratio):

                
                 

Boone Bank & Trust

 $14,345   9.0% $13,542   8.5%

First National Bank

  90,457   8.5   90,814   8.5 

Iowa State Savings Bank

  22,305   9.0   20,949   8.5 

Reliance State Bank

  24,146   9.0   22,885   8.5 

State Bank & Trust

  17,950   8.3   18,390   8.5 

United Bank & Trust

  10,720   8.8   10,355   8.5 

 

          

To Be Well

 
          

Capitalized Under

 
          

Prompt Corrective

 
  

Actual

  

Action Provisions

 
  

Amount

  

Ratio

  

Amount

  

Ratio

 
                 

As of December 31, 2020:

                

Community Bank Leverage Ratio:

                

(Tier 1 capital to average assets for leverage ratio):

                
                 

Boone Bank & Trust

 $13,967   9.2% $12,170   8.0%

First National Bank

  86,071   8.6   80,393   8.0 

Iowa State Savings Bank

  21,610   9.4   18,321   8.0 

Reliance State Bank

  23,278   9.4   19,741   8.0 

State Bank & Trust

  16,564   8.5   15,657   8.0 

United Bank & Trust

  10,539   9.2   9,180   8.0 

 

 

14.

Subsequent Events

 

Management evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued. There were no significant events or transactions occurring after June 30, 2021, but prior to August 5, 2021, that provided additional evidence about conditions that existed at June 30, 2021. Except for dividends declared on July 14, 2021, there were no other significant events or transactions that provided evidence about conditions that did not exist at June 30, 2021.

 

 

 

Item 2.

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

 

Overview

 

Ames National Corporation (the “Company”) is a bank holding company established in 1975 that owns and operates six bank subsidiaries in central Iowa (the “Banks”). The following discussion is provided for the consolidated operations of the Company and its Banks, First National Bank, Ames, Iowa (First National), State Bank & Trust Co. (State Bank), Boone Bank & Trust Co. (Boone Bank), Reliance State Bank (Reliance Bank), United Bank & Trust NA (United Bank) and Iowa State Savings Bank (Iowa State Bank). The purpose of this discussion is to focus on significant factors affecting the Company's financial condition and results of operations.

 

The Company does not engage in any material business activities apart from its ownership of the Banks. Products and services offered by the Banks are for commercial and consumer purposes including loans, deposits and wealth management services. Wealth management services includes financial planning and managing trust, agencies, estates and investment brokerage accounts. The Company employs sixteen individuals to assist with financial reporting, human resources, audit, compliance, marketing, technology systems, training, real estate valuation services and the coordination of management activities, in addition to 254 full-time equivalent individuals employed by the Banks.

 

The Company’s primary competitive strategy is to utilize seasoned and competent Bank management and local decision making authority to provide customers with faster response times and more flexibility in the products and services offered. This strategy is viewed as providing an opportunity to increase revenues through creating a competitive advantage over other financial institutions. The Company also strives to remain operationally efficient to provide better profitability while enabling the Company to offer more competitive loan and deposit rates.

 

The principal sources of Company revenues and cash flow are: (i) interest and fees earned on loans made by the Company and Banks; (ii) interest on fixed income investments held by the Banks; (iii) fees on wealth management services provided by those Banks exercising trust powers; (iv) service fees on deposit accounts maintained at the Banks; (v) gain on sale of loans; and (vi) merchant and card fees. The Company’s principal expenses are: (i) interest expense on deposit accounts and other borrowings; (ii) provision for loan losses; (iii) salaries and employee benefits; (iv) data processing costs associated with maintaining the Banks’ loan and deposit functions; (v) occupancy expenses for maintaining the Bank’s facilities; and (vi) professional fees. The largest component contributing to the Company’s net income is net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on earning assets (primarily loans and investments) and interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities (primarily deposits and other borrowings). One of management’s principal functions is to manage the spread between interest earned on earning assets and interest paid on interest bearing liabilities in an effort to maximize net interest income while maintaining an appropriate level of interest rate risk.

 

The Company had net income of $5.9 million, or $0.64 per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to net income of $4.4 million, or $0.49 per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in earnings is primarily the result of a decrease in provision for loan losses due to a higher level of provision in 2020 as a result of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and a reduction in interest expense due to declines in market interest rates.

 

Net loan recoveries totaled $6 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to net loan charge offs of $471 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2020. A (credit) for loan losses of ($20) thousand was recognized for the three months ended June 30, 2021 as compared to a $1.6 million provision for loan loss for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The credit for loan losses was primarily due to improving economic conditions. The provision for loan losses in 2020 was primarily due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

The following management discussion and analysis will provide a review of important items relating to:

 

Challenges and COVID-19 Status, Risks and Uncertainties

Key Performance Indicators and Industry Results

Critical Accounting Policies

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Income Statement Review

Balance Sheet Review

Asset Quality Review and Credit Risk Management

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Forward-Looking Statements and Business Risks

 

Challenges and COVID-19 Status, Risks and Uncertainties

 

Management has identified certain events or circumstances that may negatively impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations in the future and is attempting to position the Company to best respond to those challenges. These challenges are addressed in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 12, 2021.

 

The continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly heightened the level of challenges, risks and uncertainties facing our business and continuation of operations, including the following:

 

 

Although the economy continues to rebound from the depths of the economic slowdown associated with the pandemic, some of the Company’s customers may continue to experience decreased revenues, which may correlate to an inability to make timely loan payments or maintain payrolls. This, in turn, could adversely impact the revenues and earnings of the Company by, among other things, requiring further increases in the allowance for loan losses and increases in the level of charge-offs in the loan portfolio. Management may increase the allowance if the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impact the loan portfolio;

 

 

Market interest rates remain at historic lows and if prolonged, could adversely affect our net interest income, net interest margin and earnings;

 

 

We may experience a slowdown in demand for our products and services as the effects of the pandemic continue to linger, including the demand for traditional loans, although we believe any decline experienced to date has largely been offset by the new volume of PPP loans under the CARES Act and other governmental programs established in response to the pandemic. We had 897 PPP loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $37.6 million as of June 30, 2021;

 

 

As evidenced by the level of loans classified as substandard and watch as of June 30, 2021, we continue to experience a higher risk of delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures, as well as declining collateral values and further impairment of the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans, all of which may result in additional credit charges and other losses in our loan portfolio;

 

 

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic we actively worked with loan customers to evaluate prudent loan modification terms. As of June 30, 2021, approximately $15.3 million, or 1.34%, of loans were in payment deferral status under COVID-19 related modifications; and

 

 

 

In meeting our objective to maintain our capital levels and liquidity position through the COVID-19 pandemic, our Board of Directors may reduce or determine to altogether forego payment of future dividends in order to maintain and/or strengthen our capital and liquidity position.

 

Key Performance Indicators and Industry Results

 

Certain key performance indicators for the Company and the industry are presented in the following chart. The industry figures are compiled by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) and are derived from 4,978 commercial banks and savings institutions insured by the FDIC. Management reviews these indicators on a quarterly basis for purposes of comparing the Company’s performance from quarter-to-quarter against the industry as a whole.

 

Selected Indicators for the Company and the Industry

 

   

3 Months

   

6 Months

                   

Years Ended December 31,

 
   

Ended

   

Ended

   

3 Months Ended

                                 
   

June 30, 2021

   

March 31, 2021

   

2020

   

2019

 
   

Company

   

Company

   

Industry*

   

Company

   

Industry*

   

Company

   

Industry*

 
                                                                 

Return on assets

    1.12 %     1.16 %     1.19 %     1.38 %     1.01 %     0.72 %     1.14 %     1.29 %
                                                                 

Return on equity

    11.39 %     11.46 %     11.52 %     13.73 %     9.48 %     6.88 %     9.48 %     11.38 %
                                                                 

Net interest margin

    2.84 %     2.85 %     2.86 %     2.56 %     3.13 %     2.82 %     3.21 %     3.36 %
                                                                 

Efficiency ratio

    56.01 %     55.86 %     55.70 %     59.96 %     55.83 %     59.78 %     58.51 %     56.63 %
                                                                 

Capital ratio

    9.84 %     10.08 %     10.33 %     9.97 %     10.66 %     8.81 %     12.05 %     9.66 %

 

*Latest available data

 

Key performances indicators include:

 

Return on Assets

 

This ratio is calculated by dividing net income by average assets. It is used to measure how effectively the assets of the Company are being utilized in generating income. The Company's annualized return on average assets was 1.12% and 0.94% for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. This ratio increase was primarily the result of a decrease in the provision for loan loss and a reduction in interest expense due to market rate decreases.

 

Return on Equity

 

This ratio is calculated by dividing net income by average equity. It is used to measure the net income or return the Company generated for the shareholders’ equity investment in the Company. The Company's return on average equity was at 11.39% and 9.09% for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. This ratio increase was primarily the result of a decrease in the provision for loan loss and a reduction in interest expense due to market rate decreases.

 

 

Net Interest Margin

 

The net interest margin for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 was 2.84% and 3.10%, respectively. The ratio is calculated by dividing tax equivalent net interest income by average earning assets. Earning assets are primarily made up of loans and investments that earn interest. This ratio is used to measure how well the Company is able to maintain interest rates on earning assets above those of interest-bearing liabilities, which is the interest expense paid on deposits and other borrowings.

 

Efficiency Ratio

 

This ratio is calculated by dividing noninterest expense by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income. The ratio is a measure of the Company’s ability to manage noninterest expenses. The Company’s efficiency ratio was 56.01% and 56.49% for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The efficiency ratio has slightly improved compared to the same quarter last year.

 

Capital Ratio

 

The average capital ratio is calculated by dividing average total equity capital by average total assets. It measures the level of average assets that are funded by shareholders’ equity. Given an equal level of risk in the financial condition of two companies, the higher the capital ratio, generally the more financially sound the company. The Company’s capital ratio of 9.84% as of June 30, 2021 is similar to the industry average of 9.97% as of March 31, 2021.

 

Industry Results:

 

The FDIC Quarterly Banking Profile reported the following results for the first quarter of 2021:

 

Quarterly Net Income More Than Tripled From the Year-Ago Quarter

 

Net income totaled $76.8 billion in first quarter 2021, an increase of $17.3 billion (29.1%) from fourth quarter 2020 and $58.3 billion (315.3%) from a year ago. Aggregate negative provision expense of $14.5 billion, which declined $17.7 billion from fourth quarter 2020, drove the improvement in net income from the previous quarter. Three-fourths of all banks (74.8%) reported higher quarterly net income compared with the year-ago quarter. The share of unprofitable institutions dropped from 7.4% a year ago to 3.9%. The banking industry reported an aggregate return on average assets ratio of 1.38%, up 1 percentage point from a year ago and 28 basis points from fourth quarter 2020.

 

Net Interest Margin Contracted Further to a New Record Low

 

The average net interest margin contracted 57 basis points from a year ago to 2.56%, the lowest level on record in the Quarterly Banking Profile (QBP). Net interest income declined $7.6 billion (5.6%) from first quarter 2020 as the year-over-year reduction in interest income (down $29.8 billion, or 17.6%) outpaced the decline in interest expense (down $22.2 billion, or 68.7%). Despite the aggregate decline in net interest income, more than three-fifths of all banks (64.4%) reported higher net interest income compared with a year ago. The average yield on earning assets declined 1.1% points from the year-ago quarter to 2.76%, while the average cost of funding earning assets declined 54 basis points to 0.20%, both of which are record lows.

 

 

More Than Two-Thirds of Banks Reported Higher Noninterest Income Year Over Year

 

More than two thirds of all banks (67.9%) reported an annual increase in noninterest income. Increased revenue from servicing fees, loan sales, and trading activities lifted noninterest income by $9.9 billion (14.8%) to $76.8 billion from a year ago. Servicing fee revenue increased $5.2 billion, net gains on loan sales increased $4.5 billion, and trading revenue increased $3.8 billion. A decline in “other noninterest income” of $4.3 billion (12.1%) partially offset the improvement in noninterest income from the year-ago quarter.

 

Noninterest Expense Declined From the Year-Ago Quarter

 

A decline in amortization expense of intangible assets drove a $4.1 billion (3.2%) reduction in total noninterest expense year over year. Amortization expense declined $8.4 billion (88.8%). An increase in salary and employee benefits (up $6.2 billion or 10.6%) offset the annual reduction in noninterest expense. Average assets per employee rose $1.1 million from a year ago to $10.9 million.

 

Nearly two-thirds of all banks (65.3%) reported higher noninterest expense year over year. However, the average efficiency ratio (noninterest expense as a percentage of net interest income plus noninterest income, which indicates the cost of generating bank income) during this period declined 2.7 percentage points to 60.5%. Banks in all QBP asset size groups reported improvements in this ratio.

 

Provisions for Credit Losses Were Negative for the First Time on Record

 

Provisions for credit losses (provisions) declined $17.7 billion (552.6%) from the previous quarter and $67.2 billion from the year-ago quarter to negative $14.5 billion, the lowest level on record. Less than one-fourth of all institutions (24.5%) reported higher provisions compared with the year-ago quarter. The number of banks that have adopted current expected credit loss (CECL) accounting rose by 41 to 320 from fourth quarter 2020. CECL adopters reported aggregate negative provisions of $14.9 billion in the first quarter, a reduction of $16.1 billion from the previous quarter and a reduction of $63.0 billion from one year ago. Provisions for banks that have not adopted CECL accounting totaled $391.4 million (a reduction of $1.7 billion from a quarter ago and $4.0 billion from one year ago).

 

The Coverage Ratio Remained Above the Financial Crisis Average

 

The allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of loans that are 90 days or more past due or in nonaccrual status (coverage ratio) declined 9.4% points to 174.2% from fourth quarter 2020. This ratio remains above the financial crisis average of 79.1%. Coverage ratios for banks in the largest two QBP asset size groups (“$10 billion to $250 billion” and “greater than $250 billion”) declined the most from fourth quarter 2020.

 

The Noncurrent Rate Declined Modestly From Fourth Quarter 2020

 

Loans and leases that were 90 days or more past due or in nonaccrual status (noncurrent loans and leases) declined $5.9 billion (4.6%) to $122.9 billion from fourth quarter 2020. The noncurrent rate for total loans and leases improved 5 basis points to 1.14% from the previous quarter. However, the noncurrent rate for construction and development loans increased 7 basis points from the previous quarter to 0.72%, and the noncurrent rate for home equity credit lines increased 5 basis points from the previous quarter to 2.17%.

 

Net Charge-Off Volume Declined From the Year-Ago Quarter

 

During the year ending first quarter 2021, net charge-offs declined $5.4 billion (36.8%), and the net charge-off rate fell 20 basis points to 0.34%, slightly above the record low of 0.32%. Reductions in charged-off credit card balances (down $3.3 billion, or 36.4%) and charged-off commercial and industrial (C&I) loans (down $1.2 billion, or 43.5%) contributed most to the decline.

 

 

Total Assets Increased From the Previous Quarter

 

Total assets increased $680.9 billion (3.1%) from fourth quarter 2020 to $22.6 trillion. Cash and balances due from depository institutions expanded $440.1 billion (13.8%), and securities rose a record $366.9 billion (7.2%). Mortgage-backed securities led the quarterly growth, rising $220.4 billion (7.2%), followed by growth in U.S. Treasury securities, which rose $110.7 billion (11.5%). Total loan and lease volume declined by a modest 0.4% from the previous quarter. Together, the asset growth and loan volume contraction led to a decline in the net loans and leases to total assets ratio to 47.0%, a record low.

 

Loan Volume Continued to Decline, Driven by a Reduction in Credit Card Balances

 

Total loan and lease balances contracted $38.7 billion (0.4%) from the previous quarter. A reduction in credit card balances (down $60.9 billion, or 7.4%) drove the quarterly decline in loan volume. Unused credit card commitments declined for a fourth consecutive quarter (down $364.6 billion, or 9.2%). This was the largest percentage reduction in credit card commitments since first quarter 2009. Growth in Paycheck Protection Program loans, guaranteed by the Small Business Administration, grew $61.2 billion from the previous quarter to $469.4 billion.

 

Compared with the year-ago quarter, total loan and lease balances declined $136.3 billion (1.2%). This was the first annual contraction in loan and lease volume reported by the banking industry since third quarter 2011. Reductions in credit card balances (down $111.9 billion, or 12.8%) and C&I loans (down $93.2 billion, or 3.7%) drove the annual decline in loan volume. Despite the aggregate decline in loan volume, more than two-thirds of all banks (71.9%) reported year-over-year growth in loan and lease volume.

 

Deposit Growth Remained Strong

 

Deposits grew $635.2 billion (3.6%) from fourth quarter 2020 to $18.5 trillion, continuing several quarters of unprecedented deposit growth. Among deposit categories, deposits above $250,000 (up $424.8 billion, or 4.7%) and noninterest-bearing deposits (up $371.1 billion, or 8.1%) grew most from the previous quarter. Deposits as a percentage of total assets reached a record high for the QBP of 81.8% in first quarter 2021.

 

Equity Capital Continued to Grow

 

Equity capital rose $26.1 billion (1.2%) from fourth quarter 2020, supported by an increase in retained earnings of $15.3 billion (40.5%). Cash dividends totaled $23.9 billion, up 9.4% from the previous quarter. Fewer institutions—six banks with total assets of $536.5 million— reported capital ratios that did not meet Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) requirements for the well capitalized category, compared with eight banks that did not meet this requirement in fourth quarter 2020. The number of banks that are not “well capitalized” for PCA purposes is the lowest on record.

 

Three New Banks Opened in First Quarter 2021

 

Three new banks opened and 25 institutions merged in first quarter 2021. No banks failed during the quarter. With these changes, the number of FDIC-insured commercial banks and savings institutions declined from 5,002 to 4,978 in first quarter 2021. The number of institutions on the FDIC’s “Problem Bank List” declined by one to 55 from fourth quarter 2020. Total assets of problem banks declined $1.7 billion from the fourth quarter to $54.2 billion.

 

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The discussion contained in this Item 2 and other disclosures included within this report are based, in part, on the Company’s audited December 31, 2020 consolidated financial statements. These statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The financial information contained in these statements is, for the most part, based on the financial effects of transactions and events that have already occurred. However, the preparation of these statements requires management to make certain estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses.

 

The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” accompanying the Company’s audited financial statements. Based on its consideration of accounting policies that involve the most complex and subjective estimates and judgments, management has identified the allowance for loan losses, the assessment of other-than-temporary impairment for investment securities and the assessment of goodwill impairment to be the Company’s most critical accounting policies.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses that is treated as an expense and charged against earnings. Loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses when management believes that collectability of the principal is unlikely. The Company has policies and procedures for evaluating the overall credit quality of its loan portfolio, including timely identification of potential problem loans. On a quarterly basis, management reviews the appropriate level for the allowance for loan losses, incorporating a variety of risk considerations, both quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative factors include the Company’s historical loss experience, delinquency and charge-off trends, collateral values, known information about individual loans and other factors. Qualitative factors include various considerations regarding the general economic environment in the Company’s market area. To the extent actual results differ from forecasts and management’s judgment, the allowance for loan losses may be greater or lesser than future charge-offs. Due to potential changes in conditions, including the economic disruption and uncertainties resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in estimates will occur in the near term and that such changes could be material to the amounts reported in the Company’s financial statements.

 

For further discussion concerning the allowance for loan losses and the process of establishing specific reserves, see the section of the Annual Report on Form 10-K entitled “Asset Quality Review and Credit Risk Management” and “Analysis of the Allowance for Loan Losses”.

 

 

Fair Value and Other-Than-Temporary Impairment of Investment Securities

 

The Company’s securities available-for-sale portfolio is carried at fair value with “fair value” being defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. A fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability. The price in the principal (or most advantageous) market used to measure the fair value of the asset or liability is not adjusted for transaction costs. An orderly transaction is a transaction that assumes exposure to the market for a period prior to the measurement date to allow for marketing activities that are usual and customary for transactions involving such assets and liabilities; it is not a forced transaction. Market participants are buyers and sellers in the principal market that are (i) independent, (ii) knowledgeable, (iii) able to transact, and (iv) willing to transact.

 

Declines in the fair value of available-for-sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other-than-temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses. In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers (1) the intent to sell the investment securities and the more likely than not requirement that the Company will be required to sell the investment securities prior to recovery (2) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost and (3) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer. Due to potential changes in conditions, including the economic disruption and uncertainties resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in management’s assessment of other-than-temporary impairment will occur in the near term and that such changes could be material to the amounts reported in the Company’s financial statements.

 

Goodwill

 

Goodwill arose in connection with four acquisitions consummated in previous periods. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment or more often if conditions indicate a possible impairment.  For the purposes of goodwill impairment testing, determination of the fair value of a reporting unit involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions.   Impairment would arise if the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. At June 30, 2021, Company’s management has completed the goodwill impairment assessment and determined goodwill was not impaired. Actual future test results may differ from the present evaluation of impairment due to changes in the conditions used in the current evaluation. Goodwill may be impaired in the future if the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacts our net income and fair value. An impairment of goodwill would decrease the Company’s earnings during the period in which the impairment is recorded.

 

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

This report contains references to financial measures that are not defined in GAAP. Such non-GAAP financial measures include the Company’s presentation of net interest income and net interest margin on a fully taxable equivalent (FTE) basis. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures are widely used in the financial institutions industry and provide useful information to both management and investors to analyze and evaluate the Company’s financial performance. Limitations associated with non-GAAP financial measures include the risks that persons might disagree as to the appropriateness of items included in these measures and that different companies might calculate these measures differently. These non-GAAP disclosures should not be considered an alternative to the Company’s GAAP results. The following table reconciles the non-GAAP financial measures of net interest income and net interest margin on an FTE basis to GAAP (dollars in thousands).

 

   

Three Months Ended June 30,

   

Six Months Ended June 30,

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2021

   

2020

   

2021

   

2020

   

2021

   

2020

 

Reconciliation of net interest income and annualized net interest margin on an FTE basis to GAAP:

                                 

Net interest income (GAAP)

  $ 14,172     $ 13,680     $ 27,836     $ 26,726     $ 13,664     $ 13,046  

Tax-equivalent adjustment (1)

    218       255       443       496       225       241  

Net interest income on an FTE basis (non-GAAP)

    14,390       13,935       28,279       27,222       13,889       13,287  

Average interest-earning assets

  $ 2,026,045     $ 1,797,290     $ 1,984,184     $ 1,733,323     $ 1,941,859     $ 1,669,356  

Net interest margin on an FTE basis (non-GAAP)

    2.84 %     3.10 %     2.85 %     3.14 %     2.86 %     3.18 %

 

(1) Computed on a tax-equivalent basis using an incremental federal income tax rate of 21 percent, adjusted to reflect the effect of the tax-exempt interest income associated with owning tax-exempt securities and loans.

 

 

Income Statement Review for the Three Months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

 

The following highlights a comparative discussion of the major components of net income and their impact for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020:

 

AVERAGE BALANCES AND INTEREST RATES

 

The following two tables are used to calculate the Company’s non-GAAP net interest margin on an FTE basis. The first table includes the Company’s average assets and the related income to determine the average yield on earning assets. The second table includes the average liabilities and related expense to determine the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The net interest margin is equal to interest income less interest expense divided by average earning assets. Refer to the net interest income discussion following the tables for additional detail.

 

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND INTEREST RATES

 

   

Three Months Ended June 30,

 
                                                 
   

2021

   

2020

 
                                                 
   

Average

   

Revenue/

   

Yield/

   

Average

   

Revenue/

   

Yield/

 
   

balance

   

expense

   

rate

   

balance

   

expense

   

rate

 

ASSETS

                                               

(dollars in thousands)

                                               

Interest-earning assets

                                               

Loans (1)

                                               

Commercial

  $ 122,183     $ 2,159       7.07 %   $ 145,337     $ 1,642       4.52 %

Agricultural

    97,144       996       4.10 %     111,289       1,322       4.75 %

Real estate

    912,226       8,798       3.86 %     881,437       9,371       4.25 %

Consumer and other

    14,954       174       4.65 %     18,195       235       5.16 %
                                                 

Total loans (including fees)

    1,146,507       12,127       4.23 %     1,156,258       12,570       4.35 %
                                                 

Investment securities

                                               

Taxable

    545,319       2,212       1.62 %     317,447       1,948       2.45 %

Tax-exempt (2)

    161,780       1,041       2.57 %     176,812       1,208       2.73 %

Total investment securities

    707,099       3,253       1.84 %     494,259       3,156       2.55 %
                                                 

Interest-bearing deposits with banks and federal funds sold

    172,439       169       0.39 %     146,773       166       0.45 %
                                                 

Total interest-earning assets

    2,026,045     $ 15,549       3.07 %     1,797,290     $ 15,892       3.54 %
                                                 

Noninterest-earning assets

    71,709                       83,938                  
                                                 

TOTAL ASSETS

  $ 2,097,754                     $ 1,881,228                  

 

(1) Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans, if any.  Interest income collected on nonaccrual loans has been included.

(2) Tax-exempt income has been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis using an incremental tax rate of 21%.

 

 

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND INTEREST RATES

 

   

Three Months Ended June 30,

 
                                                 
   

2021

   

2020

 
                                                 
   

Average

   

Revenue/

   

Yield/

   

Average

   

Revenue/

   

Yield/

 
   

balance

   

expense

   

rate

   

balance

   

expense

   

rate

 

LIABILITIES AND

                                               

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

                                               

(dollars in thousands)

                                               

Interest-bearing liabilities

                                               

Deposits

                                               

Interest-bearing checking, savings accounts and money markets

  $ 1,227,954     $ 489       0.16 %   $ 1,026,705     $ 699       0.27 %

Time deposits

    239,546       635       1.06 %     277,939       1,199       1.73 %

Total deposits

    1,467,500       1,124       0.31 %     1,304,644       1,898       0.58 %

Other borrowed funds

    40,247       35       0.35 %     50,800       59       0.47 %
                                                 

Total interest-bearing liabilities

    1,507,747       1,159       0.31 %     1,355,444       1,957       0.58 %
                                                 

Noninterest-bearing liabilities

                                               

Noninterest-bearing checking

    374,312                       318,609                  

Other liabilities

    9,292                       12,412                  
                                                 

Stockholders' equity

    206,403                       194,763                  
                                                 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

  $ 2,097,754                     $ 1,881,228                  
                                                 
                                                 

Net interest income (FTE)(3)

          $ 14,390       2.84 %           $ 13,935       3.10 %
                                                 

Spread Analysis (FTE)

                                               

Interest income/average assets

  $ 15,549       2.96 %           $ 15,892       3.38 %        

Interest expense/average assets

  $ 1,159       0.22 %           $ 1,957       0.42 %        

Net interest income/average assets

  $ 14,390       2.74 %           $ 13,935       2.96 %        

 

(3) Net interest income (FTE) is a non-GAAP financial measure.  For further information, refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this report.

 

Net Interest Income

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company's net interest margin adjusted for tax exempt income was 2.84% and 3.10%, respectively. Net interest income, prior to the adjustment for tax-exempt income, for the three months ended June 30, 2021 totaled $14.2 million compared to $13.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020.

 

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2021, interest income declined $307 thousand, or 2%, when compared to the same period in 2020. The reduction is primarily due to lower market interest rates, offset in part by an increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets and $1.3 million of fees recognized from Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. The increase in average balances of interest-earning assets was primarily driven by the deployment of increased deposits.

 

Interest expense declined $799 thousand, or 41%, for the three months ended June 30, 2021 when compared to the same period in 2020. The lower interest expense for the period is primarily attributable to a decline in market interest rates and was offset in part by increases in average deposit balances. The increase in deposit balances was due primarily to government stimulus programs.

 

Provision (Credit) for Loan Losses

 

A (credit) for loan losses of ($20) thousand was recognized for the three months ended June 30, 2021 as compared to a provision for loan losses of $1.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Net loan recoveries totaled $6 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to net loan charge offs of $471 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The (credit) for loan losses was primarily due to improving economic conditions. The provision for loan losses in 2020 was primarily due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Noninterest Income and Expense

 

Noninterest income for the three months ended June 30, 2021 totaled $2.6 million as compared to $2.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020, an increase of 9%. The increase in noninterest income was primarily due to an increase in wealth management income and partially offset by a decrease in gains on sale of residential loans held for sale as refinancing has slowed. The increase in wealth management income was primarily related to growth in the assets under management, fueled by a favorable equity market and new account relationships.

 

Noninterest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2021 totaled $9.4 million compared to $9.1 million recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2020, an increase of 3%. The increase is primarily due to an increase in FDIC insurance assessments, professional fees and impairment of other real estate owned. The efficiency ratio was 56.0% for the second quarter of 2021 as compared to 56.5% in the second quarter of 2020.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income tax expense for the three months ended June 30, 2021 totaled $1.5 million compared to $1.0 million recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The effective tax rate was 21% and 19% for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The lower than expected tax rate in 2021 and 2020 was due primarily to tax-exempt interest income and New Markets Tax Credits.

 

 

Income Statement Review for the Six Months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

 

The following highlights a comparative discussion of the major components of net income and their impact for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020:

 

AVERAGE BALANCES AND INTEREST RATES

 

The following two tables are used to calculate the Company’s non-GAAP net interest margin on an FTE basis. The first table includes the Company’s average assets and the related income to determine the average yield on earning assets. The second table includes the average liabilities and related expense to determine the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The net interest margin is equal to interest income less interest expense divided by average earning assets. Refer to the net interest income discussion following the tables for additional detail.

 

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND INTEREST RATES

 

   

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
                                                 
   

2021

   

2020

 
                                                 
   

Average

   

Revenue/

   

Yield/

   

Average

   

Revenue/

   

Yield/

 
   

balance

   

expense

   

rate

   

balance

   

expense

   

rate

 

ASSETS

                                               

(dollars in thousands)

                                               

Interest-earning assets

                                               

Loans (1)

                                               

Commercial

  $ 122,095     $ 3,870       6.34 %   $ 115,369     $ 2,723       4.72 %

Agricultural

    94,766       1,985       4.19 %     110,792       3,021       5.45 %

Real estate

    910,230       17,909       3.94 %     872,044       18,928       4.34 %

Consumer and other

    14,565       347       4.76 %     18,339       485       5.29 %
                                                 

Total loans (including fees)

    1,141,656       24,111       4.22 %     1,116,544       25,157       4.51 %
                                                 

Investment securities

                                               

Taxable

    499,882       4,201       1.68 %     310,656       3,802       2.45 %

Tax-exempt (2)

    162,136       2,110       2.60 %     173,649       2,360       2.72 %

Total investment securities

    662,018       6,311       1.91 %     484,305       6,162       2.54 %
                                                 

Interest-bearing deposits with banks and federal funds sold

    180,510       347       0.38 %     132,474       650       0.98 %
                                                 

Total interest-earning assets

    1,984,184     $ 30,769       3.10 %     1,733,323     $ 31,969       3.69 %
                                                 

Noninterest-earning assets

    76,406                       82,742                  
                                                 

TOTAL ASSETS

  $ 2,060,590                     $ 1,816,065                  

 

(1) Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans, if any.  Interest income collected on nonaccrual loans has been included.

 

(2) Tax-exempt income has been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis using an incremental tax rate of 21%.

 

 

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND INTEREST RATES

 

   

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
                                                 
   

2021

   

2020

 
                                                 
   

Average

   

Revenue/

   

Yield/

   

Average

   

Revenue/

   

Yield/

 
   

balance

   

expense

   

rate

   

balance

   

expense

   

rate

 

LIABILITIES AND

                                               

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

                                               

(dollars in thousands)

                                               

Interest-bearing liabilities

                                               

Deposits

                                               

Interest-bearing checking, savings accounts and money markets

  $ 1,192,220     $ 968       0.16 %   $ 991,298     $ 2,083       0.42 %

Time deposits

    245,756       1,450       1.18 %     280,386       2,465       1.76 %

Total deposits

    1,437,976       2,418       0.34 %     1,271,684       4,548       0.72 %

Other borrowed funds

    40,468       72       0.36 %     50,495       199       0.79 %
                                                 

Total interest-bearing liabilities

    1,478,444       2,490       0.34 %     1,322,179       4,747       0.72 %
                                                 

Noninterest-bearing liabilities

                                               

Noninterest-bearing checking

    364,508                       289,350                  

Other liabilities

    9,928                       11,561                  
                                                 

Stockholders' equity

    207,710                       192,975                  
                                                 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

  $ 2,060,590                     $ 1,816,065                  
                                                 
                                                 

Net interest income (FTE)(3)

          $ 28,279       2.85 %           $ 27,222       3.14 %
                                                 

Spread Analysis (FTE)

                                               

Interest income/average assets

  $ 30,769       2.99 %           $ 31,969       3.52 %        

Interest expense/average assets

  $ 2,490       0.24 %           $ 4,747       0.52 %        

Net interest income/average assets

  $ 28,279       2.74 %           $ 27,222       3.00 %        

 

(3) Net interest income (FTE) is a non-GAAP financial measure.  For further information, refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this report.

 

Net Interest Income

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company's net interest margin adjusted for tax exempt income was 2.85% and 3.14%, respectively. Net interest income, prior to the adjustment for tax-exempt income, for the six months ended June 30, 2021 totaled $27.8 million compared to $26.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020.

 

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2021, interest income declined $1.1 million, or 4%, when compared to the same period in 2020. The decrease is primarily due to a reduction in interest rates, offset in part by $2.2 million of fees recognized from PPP loans, an increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets, and $347 thousand of recognized nonaccrual interest income. The increase in average balances of interest-earning assets was primarily driven by the deployment of increased deposits.

 

Interest expense declined $2.3 million, or 48%, for the six months ended June 30, 2021 when compared to the same period in 2020. The lower interest expense for the period is primarily attributable to a decline in market interest rates and offset in part by increases in average deposit balances.

 

Provision (credit) for Loan Losses

 

A (credit) for loan losses of ($446) thousand was recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2021 as compared to a provision for loan losses of $3.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. Net loan recoveries totaled $124 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to net loan charge offs of $497 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The (credit) for loan losses was primarily due to loan recoveries, a reduction in a specific reserve and improving economic conditions. The provision for loan losses in 2020 was primarily due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Noninterest Income and Expense

 

Noninterest income for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 totaled $5.1 million for both periods. Wealth management income increased, but was offset by a decrease in securities gains when comparing periods. The increase in wealth management income was primarily related to growth in the assets under management, fueled by a favorable equity market and new account relationships.

 

Noninterest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2021 totaled $18.4 million compared to $18.1 million recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2020, an increase of 1%. Most of the increase was related to an increase in FDIC insurance assessments and professional fees, offset by a decrease in salaries and employee benefits which was primarily due to a reduction in the number of personnel. The efficiency ratio was 55.9% and 57.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2021 totaled $3.1 million compared to $1.8 million recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The effective tax rate was 21% and 18% for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The lower than expected tax rate in 2021 and 2020 was due primarily to tax-exempt interest income and New Markets Tax Credits.

 

 

Balance Sheet Review

 

As of June 30, 2021, total assets were $2.1 billion, a $109.8 million increase compared to December 31, 2020. This increase in assets is primarily due to investment securities and was funded by growth in our deposits due in part to federal government stimulus programs and a lack of other desirable fixed income alternatives for our customers.

 

Investment Portfolio

 

The investment portfolio totaled $740.1 million as of June 30, 2021, an increase of $143.1 million from the December 31, 2020 balance of $597.0 million. The increase in securities available-for-sale is primarily due to purchases of treasuries, mortgage-backed securities, and municipals as deposit growth exceeded loan growth.

 

On a quarterly basis, the investment portfolio is reviewed for other-than-temporary impairment. As of June 30, 2021, gross unrealized losses of $2.9 million, are considered to be temporary in nature due to the interest rate environment and other general economic factors. As a result of the economic slowdown resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, certain bonds in the investment portfolio may become other-than-temporarily impaired and could negatively affect the Company’s net income. As a result of the Company’s favorable liquidity position, the Company does not have the intent to sell securities with an unrealized loss at the present time. In addition, management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will hold these securities until recovery of their fair value to cost basis and expects full principal and interest to be collected. Therefore, the Company does not consider these investments to have other-than-temporary impairment as of June 30, 2021.

 

At June 30, 2021, the Company’s investment securities portfolio included securities issued by 289 government municipalities and agencies located within 26 states with a fair value of $275.2 million. At December 31, 2020, the Company’s investment securities portfolio included securities issued by 279 government municipalities and agencies located within 24 states with a fair value of $251.6 million. No one municipality or agency represents a concentration within this segment of the investment portfolio. Storm Lake, Iowa, general obligation bonds with a fair value of $8.0 million (approximately 2.9% of the fair value of the government municipalities and agencies) represent the largest exposure to any one municipality or agency for the Company as of June 30, 2021; the bonds are repayable from the levy of continuing annual tax on all the taxable property within the territory of the city of Storm Lake.

 

The Company’s procedures for evaluating investments in states, municipalities and political subdivisions include but are not limited to reviewing the offering statement and the most current available financial information, comparing yields to yields of bonds of similar credit quality, confirming capacity to repay, assessing operating and financial performance, evaluating the stability of tax revenues, considering debt profiles and local demographics, and for revenue bonds, assessing the source and strength of revenue structures for municipal authorities. These procedures, as applicable, are utilized for all municipal purchases and are utilized in whole or in part for monitoring the portfolio of municipal holdings. The Company does not utilize third party credit rating agencies as a primary component of determining if the municipal issuer has an adequate capacity to meet the financial commitments under the security for the projected life of the investment, and, therefore, does not compare internal assessments to those of the credit rating agencies. Credit rating downgrades are utilized as an additional indicator of credit weakness and as a reference point for historical default rates.

 

 

The following table summarizes the total general obligation and revenue bonds in the Company’s investment securities portfolios as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 identifying the state in which the issuing government municipality or agency operates (in thousands):

 

   

2021

   

2020

 
           

Estimated

           

Estimated

 
   

Amortized

   

Fair

   

Amortized

   

Fair

 
   

Cost

   

Value

   

Cost

   

Value

 
                                 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions:

                               

General Obligation bonds:

                               

Iowa

  $ 70,703     $ 72,449     $ 69,943     $ 72,442  

Nebraska

    14,672       14,667       15,019       15,446  

Texas

    14,093       14,550       11,253       11,927  

Washington

    11,064       11,317       7,329       7,702  

Other (2021: 15 states; 2020: 14 states)

    40,491       41,015       32,014       32,989  
                                 

Total general obligation bonds

  $ 151,023     $ 153,998     $ 135,558     $ 140,506  
                                 

Revenue bonds:

                               

Iowa

  $ 68,812     $ 69,851     $ 65,461     $ 67,048  

Texas

    11,922       12,291       8,625       9,189  

Nebraska

    8,547       8,501       6,588       6,753  

Other (2021: 19 states; 2020: 17 states)

    29,937       30,564       27,206       28,088  
                                 

Total revenue bonds

  $ 119,218     $ 121,207     $ 107,880     $ 111,078  
                                 

Total obligations of states and political subdivisions

  $ 270,241     $ 275,205     $ 243,438     $ 251,584  

 

 

As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the revenue bonds in the Company’s investment securities portfolios were issued by government municipalities and agencies to fund public services such as community school facilities, college and university dormitory facilities, water utilities and electrical utilities. The revenue bonds are to be paid from 6 primary revenue sources. The revenue sources that represent 5% or more, individually, as a percent of the total revenue bonds are summarized in the following table (in thousands):

 

   

2021

   

2020

 
           

Estimated

           

Estimated

 
   

Amortized

   

Fair

   

Amortized

   

Fair

 
   

Cost

   

Value

   

Cost

   

Value

 
                                 

Revenue bonds by revenue source

                               

Sales tax

  $ 39,123     $ 39,721     $ 32,654     $ 33,380  

Water

    20,708       21,173       21,934       22,660  

College and universities, primarily dormitory revenues

    13,082       13,430       11,332       11,810  

Sewer

    14,172       14,356       11,302       11,724  

Leases

    7,805       7,934       7,050       7,253  

Electric power & light revenues

    6,141       6,329       7,075       7,279  

Other

    18,187       18,264       16,533       16,972  
                                 

Total revenue bonds by revenue source

  $ 119,218     $ 121,207     $ 107,880     $ 111,078  

 

Loan Portfolio

 

The loan portfolio, net of the allowance for loan losses, totaled $1.12 billion and $1.13 billion as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in PPP and agricultural loans, offset in part by an increase in the 1-4 family residential loan portfolio. The PPP loans totaled $37.6 million and $50.9 million as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The PPP loans bear an interest rate of 1.0% and generally have a two to five year maturity. The Small Business Administration has provided fees to financial institutions to originate the PPP loans with recognition of the fees over the life of the loans. The Company has $2.3 million of unrecognized net PPP loan fees as of June 30, 2021. Management expects these loans to be forgiven and the net fees associated with these loans will be accelerated into interest income.

 

Deposits

 

Deposits totaled $1.83 billion and $1.72 billion as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The change in deposits since December 31, 2020 was due to increases in account balances of retail, commercial, and public funds. Balance fluctuations were primarily due to government stimulus programs and normal customer activity, as customers’ liquidity needs vary at any given time. Funds disbursed under the PPP program were deposited into customer accounts and may impact overall deposit fluctuations as customers spend those funds according to the PPP guidelines. Deposit levels may be impacted in future periods by additional government stimulus or distressed economic conditions.

 

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

The Company is party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet. No material changes in the Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements have occurred since December 31, 2020.

 

Asset Quality Review and Credit Risk Management

 

The Company’s credit risk is historically centered in the loan portfolio, which on June 30, 2021 totaled $1.12 billion compared to $1.13 billion as of December 31, 2020. Net loans comprise 54% of total assets as of June 30, 2021. The objective in managing loan portfolio risk is to reduce the risk of loss resulting from a customer’s failure to perform according to the terms of an agreement and to quantify and manage credit risk on a portfolio basis. The Company’s level of problem loans (consisting of nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 days or more) as a percentage of total loans was 1.11% at June 30, 2021, as compared to 1.33% at December 31, 2020. The decrease in the level of problem loans is due primarily to payoffs of nonaccrual loans. The Company’s level of problem loans as a percentage of total loans at June 30, 2021 of 1.11% is higher as compared to the Iowa State Average peer group of FDIC insured institutions as of March 31, 2021, of 0.59%, most recent available.

 

Impaired loans totaled $12.7 million as of June 30, 2021 and have decreased $2.6 million as compared to the impaired loans of $15.3 million as of December 31, 2020. The decrease is primarily due to payoffs of nonaccrual loans.

 

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payment of principal and interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. The Company applies its normal loan review procedures to identify loans that should be evaluated for impairment.

 

The Company had TDRs of $10.8 million as of June 30, 2021 and $11.3 million as of December 31, 2020, all of which were included in impaired and nonaccrual loans.

 

TDRs are monitored and reported on a quarterly basis. Certain TDRs are on nonaccrual status at the time of restructuring. These borrowings are typically returned to accrual status after the following: sustained repayment performance in accordance with the restructuring agreement for a reasonable period of at least nine months; and, management is reasonably assured of future performance. If the TDR meets these performance criteria and the interest rate granted at the modification is equal to or greater than the rate that the Company was willing to accept at the time of the restructuring for a new loan with comparable risk, then the loan will return to performing status.

 

Section 4013 of the CARES Act, “Temporary Relief From TDRs,” allows financial institutions the option to temporarily suspend certain requirements under U.S. GAAP related to TDRs for a limited period of time during the COVID-19 pandemic. This temporary suspension may only be applied to modifications of loans that were not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019 and may not be applied to modifications that are not related to the COVID-19 pandemic. If elected, the temporary suspension may be applied to eligible modifications executed during the period beginning on March 1, 2020 and ending on the earlier of December 31, 2020, extended to January 1, 2022 under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, or 60 days after the termination of the COVID-19 national emergency. In March 2020, federal banking regulators in consultation with the FASB issued interagency statements that include similar guidance on loan modifications and reporting for financial institutions working with customers affected by COVID-19. The interagency statement provided that short-term modifications made on a good faith basis in response to COVID-19 to borrowers who were current prior to any relief, are not to be considered TDRs.

 

 

For TDRs that were on nonaccrual status before the modification, a specific reserve may already be recorded. In periods subsequent to modification, the Company will continue to evaluate all TDRs for possible impairment and, as necessary, recognize impairment through the allowance. No additional specific reserve was provided for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020. The Company had no charge-offs and $262 thousand of recoveries for TDR’s for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively. The Company had $16 thousand and $31 thousand of charge-offs for TDR’s for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively. The Company does not have material commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers with loans whose terms have been modified in troubled debt restructurings or whose loans are on nonaccrual.

 

Loans past due 90 days or more that are still accruing interest are reviewed no less frequently than quarterly to determine if there continues to be a strong reason that the credit should not be placed on nonaccrual. As of June 30, 2021, nonaccrual loans totaled $12.7 million and there were $4 thousand of loans past due 90 days and still accruing. This compares to nonaccrual loans of $15.3 million and loans past due 90 days and still accruing totaled $39 thousand as of December 31, 2020. The decrease in nonaccrual loans is due primarily to payoffs of nonaccrual loans. Real estate owned totaled $778 thousand and $218 thousand as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

 

The agricultural real estate and agricultural operating loan portfolio classifications remain elevated. The watch and special mention loans in these categories totaled $36.9 million as of June 30, 2021 as compared to $54.1 million as of December 31, 2020. This decrease is generally due to payments received from various agricultural customers. The substandard and impaired loans in these categories totaled $7.8 million and $9.5 million as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

 

The watch and special mention loans classified as commercial real estate totaled $100.1 million as of June 30, 2021 as compared to $111.9 million as of December 31, 2020. The substandard and impaired commercial real estate loans totaled $37.6 million and $37.9 million as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

 

The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of outstanding loans as of June 30, 2021 was 1.48%, as compared to 1.50% at December 31, 2020. The allowance for loan losses totaled $16.9 million and $17.2 million as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. PPP loans are government guaranteed and the impact on the allowance for loan loss was not significant.

 

The allowance for loan losses is management’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. Factors considered in establishing an appropriate allowance include: an assessment of the financial condition of the borrower, a realistic determination of value and adequacy of underlying collateral, the condition of the local economy and the condition of the specific industry of the borrower, an analysis of the levels and trends of loan categories and a review of delinquent and classified loans. The decrease in the allowance for loan losses is mainly due to net loan recoveries and a reduction in a specific reserve, offset in part by higher loan balances from year-end excluding PPP loans. Additional increases in the allowance for loan losses are possible if the effects of the COVID-19 conditions negatively impacts our loan portfolio. These increases may be due to increased charge-offs or an increase in the qualitative factors. The qualitative factors are considered as a part of our allowance for loan loss calculation and may deteriorate if the economic effects of COVID-19 worsen in the State of Iowa and a resumption to typical social and economic activity is delayed.

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Liquidity management is the process by which the Company, through its Banks’ Asset and Liability Committees (ALCO), ensures that adequate liquid funds are available to meet its financial commitments on a timely basis, at a reasonable cost and within acceptable risk tolerances. These commitments include funding credit obligations to borrowers, funding of mortgage originations pending delivery to the secondary market, withdrawals by depositors, maintaining adequate collateral for pledging for public funds, trust deposits and borrowings, paying dividends to shareholders, payment of operating expenses, funding capital expenditures and maintaining deposit reserve requirements.

 

Liquidity is derived primarily from core deposit growth and retention; principal and interest payments on loans; principal and interest payments, sale, maturity and prepayment of securities available-for-sale; net cash provided from operations; and access to other funding sources. Other funding sources include federal funds purchased lines, FHLB advances and other capital market sources.

 

As of June 30, 2021, the level of liquidity and capital resources of the Company remain at a satisfactory level. Management believes that the Company's liquidity sources will be sufficient to support its existing operations for the foreseeable future.

 

The liquidity and capital resources discussion will cover the following topics:

 

Review of the Company’s Current Liquidity Sources

Review of Statements of Cash Flows

Company Only Cash Flows

Review of Commitments for Capital Expenditures, Cash Flow Uncertainties and Known Trends in Liquidity and Cash Flows Needs

Capital Resources

 

Review of the Company’s Current Liquidity Sources

 

Liquid assets of cash and due from banks and interest-bearing deposits in financial institutions and federal funds sold as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 totaled $166.2 million and $191.5 million, respectively, and management believes these sources provide an adequate level of liquidity given current economic conditions.

 

Other sources of liquidity available to the Banks as of June 30, 2021 include outstanding lines of credit with the FHLB of Des Moines, Iowa of $244.0 million, with $3.0 million of outstanding FHLB advances. The Company also has a $4 million line of credit with an unaffiliated bank, with no outstanding borrowings as of June 30, 2021. Federal funds borrowing capacity at correspondent banks was $107.9 million, with no outstanding federal fund purchase balances as of June 30, 2021. The Company had securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaling $33.3 million as of June 30, 2021.

 

Total investments as of June 30, 2021 were $740.1 million compared to $597.0 million as of December 31, 2020. These investments provide the Company with a significant amount of liquidity since all of the investments are classified as available-for-sale as of June 30, 2021.

 

The investment portfolio serves an important role in the overall context of balance sheet management in terms of balancing capital utilization and liquidity. The decision to purchase or sell securities is based upon the current assessment of economic and financial conditions, including the interest rate environment, liquidity and credit considerations. The portfolio’s scheduled maturities and payments represent a significant source of liquidity.

 

 

Review of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

Net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 totaled $17.4 million compared to $17.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020, a decrease of $493 thousand.

 

Net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $123.7 million compared to $157.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease of $33.3 million in cash used in investing activities was primarily due to a decrease in interest-bearing deposits in financial institutions and loans, offset in part by an increase in purchases of investments.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 totaled $106.4 million compared to $137.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease in cash provided by financing activities of $30.6 million was primarily due to a lower increase in deposits between periods. As of June 30, 2021, the Company did not have any external debt financing, off-balance sheet financing arrangements, or derivative instruments linked to its stock.

 

Review of Company Only Cash Flows

 

The Company’s liquidity on an unconsolidated basis is heavily dependent upon dividends paid to the Company by the Banks. The Banks provide adequate liquidity to pay the Company’s expenses and stockholder dividends. Dividends paid by the Banks to the Company amounted to $4.7 million and $4.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Various federal and state statutory provisions limit the amounts of dividends banking subsidiaries are permitted to pay to their holding companies without regulatory approval. Federal Reserve policy further limits the circumstances under which bank holding companies may declare dividends. For example, a bank holding company should not continue its existing rate of cash dividends on its common stock unless its net income is sufficient to fully fund each dividend and its prospective rate of earnings retention appears consistent with its capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. In addition, the Federal Reserve and the FDIC have issued policy statements, which provide that insured banks and bank holding companies should generally pay dividends only out of current operating earnings. Federal and state banking regulators may also restrict the payment of dividends by order.

 

The Company, on an unconsolidated basis, has interest-bearing deposits totaling $2.7 million as of June 30, 2021.

 

Review of Commitments for Capital Expenditures, Cash Flow Uncertainties and Known Trends in Liquidity and Cash Flows Needs

 

On April 16, 2021, the Company entered into a commitment with a contractor to build a new branch in West Des Moines, Iowa for $1.7 million. No other material capital expenditures or material changes in the capital resource mix are anticipated at this time. The primary cash flow uncertainty would be a sudden decline in deposits causing the Banks to liquidate securities. Historically, the Banks have maintained an adequate level of short-term marketable investments to fund the temporary declines in deposit balances. There are no known trends in liquidity and cash flow needs as of June 30, 2021 that are of concern to management.

 

 

Capital Resources

 

The Company’s total stockholders’ equity as of June 30, 2021 totaled $210.1 million and was $635 thousand more than the $209.5 million recorded as of December 31, 2020. The increase in stockholders’ equity was primarily the result of the retention of net income in excess of dividends, offset in part by a reduction in accumulated other comprehensive income. The decrease in other comprehensive income is created by higher market interest rates compared to December 31, 2020, which resulted in lower fair values in the securities available-for-sale portfolio. At June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, stockholders’ equity as a percentage of total assets was 10.1% and 10.6%, respectively. The capital levels of the Company exceed applicable regulatory guidelines as of June 30, 2021.

 

Forward-Looking Statements and Business Risks

 

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides the Company with the opportunity to make cautionary statements regarding forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report, including forward-looking statements concerning the Company’s future financial performance and asset quality.  Any forward-looking statement contained in this Quarterly Report is based on management’s current beliefs, assumptions and expectations of the Company’s future performance, taking into account all information currently available to management.  These beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to management.  If a change occurs, the Company’s business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, asset quality, plans and objectives may vary materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.  The risks and uncertainties that may affect the actual results of the Company include, but are not limited to, the following:  the substantial negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on national, regional and local economies in general and on our customers in particular; competitive products and pricing available in the marketplace; changes in credit and other risks posed by the Company’s loan and investment portfolios, including declines in commercial or residential real estate values or changes in the allowance for loan losses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic or as dictated by new market conditions or regulatory requirements; fiscal and monetary policies of the U.S. government; changes in governmental regulations affecting financial institutions (including regulatory fees and capital requirements); changes in prevailing interest rates; credit risk management and asset/liability management; the financial and securities markets; the availability of and cost associated with sources of liquidity; and other risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company’s business, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K.  Management intends to identify forward-looking statements when using words such as “believe”, “expect”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “should”, “forecasting” or similar expressions.  Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements.  The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update such forward-looking statements to reflect current events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

The Company's market risk is comprised primarily of interest rate risk arising from its core banking activities of lending and deposit taking. Interest rate risk results from the changes in market interest rates which may adversely affect the Company's net interest income. Management continually develops and applies strategies to mitigate this risk. Management does not believe that the Company's primary market risk exposure and how it has been managed year-to-date in 2021 changed significantly when compared to 2020. Uncertainty due to the federal governmental actions stemming from reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic, may cause market interest rates to deviate from historical norms.

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 

There was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company's last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

Not applicable

 

Item 1.A.

Risk Factors

 

Management does not believe there have been any material changes in the risk factors that were disclosed in the Company's Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 12, 2021.

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

In April, 2021, the Company approved a Stock Repurchase Plan which provided for the repurchase of up to 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. As of June 30, 2021, there were 100,000 shares remaining to be purchased under the plan.

 

The following table provides information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of the Company or any “affiliated purchases” (as defined in rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), of the Company’s common stock during the three months ended June 30, 2021.

 

                   

Total

         
                   

Number

   

Maximum

 
                   

of Shares

   

Number of

 
                   

Purchased as

   

Shares that

 
   

Total

           

Part of

   

May Yet Be

 
   

Number

   

Average

   

Publicly

   

Purchased

 
   

of Shares

   

Price Paid

   

Announced

   

Under

 

Period

 

Purchased

   

Per Share

   

Plans

   

The Plan

 
                                 

April 1, 2021 to April 30, 2021

    -     $ -       -       100,000  
                                 

May 1, 2021 to May 31, 2021

    -     $ -       -       100,000  
                                 

June 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021

    -     $ -       -       100,000  
                                 

Total

    -               -          

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

Not applicable

 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable

 

Item 5.

Other information

 

Not applicable

 

 

Item 6.   

 

Exhibits

     

31.1

 

Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2

 

Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1

 

Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

32.2

 

Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

     
     

101.INS

 

Inline XBRL Instance Document (the Instance Document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL (1)

101.SCH

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (1)

101.CAL

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (1)

101.DEF

  Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (1)

101.LAB

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (1)

101.PRE

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (1)

     

104

 

Cover page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and combined in Exhibit 101.1)

 

 

(1)         These interactive date files shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liability under those sections.

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

 

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

DATE:         August 5, 2021

By:

/s/ John P. Nelson

 

       
  John P. Nelson, Chief Executive Officer and President  
       
  By: /s/ John L. Pierschbacher  
       

 

John L. Pierschbacher, Chief Financial Officer