Annual Statements Open main menu

Farmers & Merchants Bancshares, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2021 March (Form 10-Q)

fmfg20210331_10q.htm
 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

 

 

For quarterly period ended March 31, 2021

 

TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT

 

For the transition period from _______________ to ________________

 

Commission file number 000-55756

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Maryland   81-3605835  
(State or other jurisdiction of    (I. R. S. Employer Identification No.)  
incorporation or organization)      

 

4510 Lower Beckleysville Road, Suite H, Hampstead, Maryland            21074

(Address of principal executive offices)          (Zip Code)

 

(410) 374-1510

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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

 

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 periods that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑ No ☐

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a 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 ☑

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 3,011,255 as of May 13, 2021.

 

 

 

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Table of Contents

 

 

  Page
   
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION 3
     
Item 1. Financial Statements 3
     
  Consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2021 (unaudited) and December 31, 2020 3
     
  Consolidated statements of income (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 4
     
  Consolidated statements of comprehensive income (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 5
     
  Consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 6
     
  Consolidated statements of cash flows (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 7
     
  Notes to financial statements (unaudited) 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 44
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 44
     
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION  45
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 45
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors 45
     
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 45
     
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities 45
     
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 45
     
Item 5. Other Information 45
     
Item 6. Exhibits 45
     
SIGNATURES  46

 

2

 

 

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1 Financial Statements

 

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

   

March, 31

   

December 31,

 
   

2021

   

2020

 
   

(Unaudited)

         
Assets                
                 

Cash and due from banks

  $ 41,378,357     $ 39,898,557  

Federal funds sold and other interest-bearing deposits

    535,535       1,077,113  

Cash and cash equivalents

    41,913,892       40,975,670  

Certificate of deposit in other bank

    350,000       850,000  

Securities available for sale

    74,928,865       54,477,286  

Securities held to maturity

    21,865,447       23,078,519  

Equity security at fair value

    545,713       552,566  

Restricted stock, at cost

    675,400       900,500  

Mortgage loans held for sale

    1,682,700       1,673,350  

Loans, less allowance for loan losses of $3,423,088 and $3,296,538

    519,239,304       521,690,514  

Premises and equipment

    6,343,681       7,736,556  

Accrued interest receivable

    1,883,429       2,057,491  

Deferred income taxes

    1,464,784       1,219,668  

Other real estate owned

    1,411,605       1,411,605  

Bank owned life insurance

    15,067,461       11,297,342  

Goodwill and other intangibles

    7,057,326       7,059,408  

Other assets

    1,952,747       2,336,607  
    $ 696,382,354     $ 677,317,082  
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity                
                 

Deposits

               

Noninterest-bearing

  $ 121,925,868     $ 103,155,113  

Interest-bearing

    481,315,407       470,246,434  

Total deposits

    603,241,275       573,401,547  

Securities sold under repurchase agreements

    12,648,269       24,753,972  

Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta advances

    5,000,000       5,000,000  

Long-term debt

    16,974,687       16,973,280  

Accrued interest payable

    357,961       409,622  

Other liabilities

    5,046,750       5,049,178  
      643,268,942       625,587,599  

Stockholders' equity

               

Common stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 5,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 3,011,255 in 2021 and 2020

    30,113       30,113  

Additional paid-in capital

    28,294,139       28,294,139  

Retained earnings

    24,728,529       22,698,954  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    60,631       706,277  
      53,113,412       51,729,483  
    $ 696,382,354     $ 677,317,082  

 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

3

 

 

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

 

   

Three months ended

 
   

March 31,

 
   

2021

   

2020

 
                 

Interest income

               

Loans, including fees

  $ 5,984,657     $ 4,322,654  

Investment securities - taxable

    211,224       210,506  

Investment securities - tax exempt

    160,574       144,084  

Federal funds sold and other interest earning assets

    14,137       32,792  

Total interest income

    6,370,592       4,710,036  
                 

Interest expense

               

Deposits

    595,520       906,199  

Securities sold under repurchase agreements

    13,511       38,194  

Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings

    188,106       109  

Total interest expense

    797,137       944,502  

Net interest income

    5,573,455       3,765,534  
                 

Provision for loan losses

    120,000       125,000  
                 

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

    5,453,455       3,640,534  
                 

Noninterest income

               

Service charges on deposit accounts

    159,191       158,555  

Mortgage banking income

    256,267       62,257  

Bank owned life insurance income

    70,119       42,012  

Gain on sale of premises and equipment

    37,613       -  

Unrealized gain(loss) on equity security

    (8,669 )     8,510  

Gain on premium call of debt security

    8,569       -  

Other fees and commissions

    33,855       30,668  

Total noninterest income

    556,945       302,002  
                 

Noninterest expense

               

Salaries

    1,626,338       1,354,919  

Employee benefits

    472,888       447,104  

Occupancy

    250,212       183,152  

Furniture and equipment

    196,683       160,449  

Acquisition

    -       179,824  

Other

    849,003       620,865  

Total noninterest expense

    3,395,124       2,946,313  
                 

Income before income taxes

    2,615,276       996,223  

Income taxes

    585,701       152,916  

Net income

  $ 2,029,575     $ 843,307  
                 

Earnings per share - basic and diluted

  $ 0.67     $ 0.28  

 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

4

 

 

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)

 

   

Three Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

 
   

2021

   

2020

 
                 

Net income

  $ 2,029,575     $ 843,307  
                 

Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes:

               
                 

Securities available for sale

               

Net unrealized gain (loss) arising during the period

    (890,761 )     172,691  

Income tax expense (benefit)

    (245,115 )     47,520  

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

    (645,646 )     125,171  
                 

Total comprehensive income

  $ 1,383,929     $ 968,478  

 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

5

 

 

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020

(Unaudited except for year-end amounts)

 

                   

Additional

           

Accumulated other

   

Total

 
   

Common stock

   

paid-in

   

Retained

   

comprehensive

   

stockholders'

 
   

Shares

   

Par value

   

capital

   

earnings

   

income

   

equity

 
                                                 

Balance, December 31, 2019

    2,974,019     $ 29,740     $ 27,812,991     $ 21,568,161     $ 42,624     $ 49,453,516  
                                                 

Net income

    -       -       -       843,307       -       843,307  

Unrealized gain on securities available for sale net of income tax expense of $47,520

    -       -       -       -       125,171       125,171  
                                                 

Balance, March 31, 2020

    2,974,019     $ 29,740     $ 27,812,991     $ 22,411,468     $ 167,795     $ 50,421,994  
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 

Balance, December 31, 2020

    3,011,255     $ 30,113     $ 28,294,139     $ 22,698,954     $ 706,277     $ 51,729,483  
                                                 

Net income

    -       -       -       2,029,575       -       2,029,575  

Unrealized loss on securities available for sale net of income tax benefit of $245,115

    -       -       -       -       (645,646 )     (645,646 )
                                                 

Balance, March 31, 2021

    3,011,255     $ 30,113     $ 28,294,139     $ 24,728,529     $ 60,631     $ 53,113,412  

 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

6

 

 

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2021

   

2020

 
                 

Cash flows from operating activities

               

Interest received

  $ 6,941,426     $ 4,640,609  

Fees and commissions received

    449,313       251,480  

Interest paid

    (927,563 )     (940,991 )

Proceeds from sale of mortgage loans held for sale

    12,646,573       3,148,200  

Origination of mortgage loans held for sale

    (12,655,923 )     (4,387,650 )

Cash paid to suppliers and employees

    (3,329,986 )     (3,112,503 )
      3,123,840       (400,855 )
                 

Cash flows from investing activities

               

Proceeds from maturity and call of securities

               

Available for sale

    10,454,122       2,412,263  

Held to maturity

    1,580,000       500,000  

Purchase of securities

               

Available for sale

    (31,974,384 )     (6,434,692 )

Held to maturity

    (342,061 )     -  

Maturity of certificates of deposit

    500,000       -  

Loans made to customers, net of principal collected

    1,932,622       958,785  

Redemption(purchase) of restricted stock

    225,100       (235,100 )

Purchase of bank owned life insurance

    (3,700,000 )     -  

Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment

    1,359,613       -  

Purchases of premises, equipment and software

    (36,909 )     (179,292 )
      (20,001,897 )     (2,978,036 )
                 

Cash flows from financing activities

               

Net increase (decrease) in

               

Noninterest-bearing deposits

    18,770,755       494,053  

Interest-bearing deposits

    11,151,227       12,657,062  

Securities sold under repurchase agreements

    (12,105,703 )     (1,249,774 )

Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta advances

    -       5,000,000  
                 
      17,816,279       16,901,341  
                 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

    938,222       13,522,450  
                 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    40,975,670       9,121,352  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ 41,913,892     $ 22,643,802  

 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

7

 

 

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2021

   

2020

 
                 

Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities

               

Net income

  $ 2,029,575     $ 843,307  

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

               

Depreciation and amortization

    117,030       89,852  

Provision for loan losses

    120,000       125,000  

Lease expense in excess of rent paid

    7,780       8,672  

Equity security dividends reinvested

    (1,816 )     (2,769 )

Unrealized loss (gain) on equity security

    8,669       (8,510 )

Gain on sale of premises and equipment

    (37,613 )     -  

Gain on premium call of debt security

    (8,569 )     -  

Amortization of debt issuance costs

    1,407       -  

Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, net

    69,559       53,086  

Increase (decrease) in

               

Deferred loan fees

    410,480       (20,801 )

Accrued interest payable

    (51,661 )     3,511  

Other liabilities

    27,154       (458,358 )

Decrease (increase) in

               

Mortgage loans held for sale

    (9,350 )     (1,239,450 )

Accrued interest receivable

    174,062       (45,857 )

Bank owned life insurance cash surrender value

    (70,119 )     (42,012 )

Other assets

    337,252       293,474  
    $ 3,123,840     $ (400,855 )

 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

8

 

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

 

1.

Principles of consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Farmers and Merchants Bank (the “Bank”), and Series Protected Cell FCB-4 (the “Insurance Subsidiary”), and one subsidiary of the Bank, Reliable Community Financial Services, Inc. (collectively the “Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our”). The Insurance Subsidiary constitutes an investment in a series of membership interests, 100% owned by the Company, issued by First Community Bankers Insurance Co., LLC, a Tennessee “series” limited liability company and licensed property and casualty insurance company. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. This includes the insurance premium paid by the Bank to the Insurance Subsidiary through an intermediary. Effective October 1, 2020, the Company acquired Carroll Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Carroll Community Bank (collectively, “Carroll”), both of which were based in Eldersburg, Maryland, through a series of merger transactions (the “Merger”). The results of operations and assets acquired and liabilities assumed from Carroll are included only from the effective date of the Merger. The comparability of the Company's results of operations for the three-months ended March 31, 2021, and 2020 have been impacted by the Merger. 

 

 

2.

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 8-03 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for the interim periods have been made. Such adjustments were normal and recurring in nature. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 do not necessarily reflect the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021 or any future interim period. The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2020, which are included in Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

The accounting and reporting policies reflected in the financial statements conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and to general practices within the banking industry. Management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and disclosures of commitments and contingent liabilities at the balance sheet date, and revenues and expenses during the year. These estimates and assumptions may affect the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

Loans and allowance for loan losses

 

Loans are stated at the current amount of unpaid principal, adjusted for deferred origination costs, deferred origination fees, premiums and discounts on acquired loans, and the allowance for loan losses. Interest on loans is accrued based on the principal amounts outstanding. Origination fees and costs, along with premiums and accretable discounts, are amortized to income over the terms of loans.

 

Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan. Management may make an exception to reporting a loan as past due, if the past due status is solely due to the loan being past maturity, the Company intends to extend the loan, and the borrower is making principal and interest payments in accordance with the terms of the matured note. The accrual of interest is discontinued when any portion of the principal or interest is 90 days past due and collateral is insufficient to discharge the debt in full. If collection of principal is evaluated as doubtful, all payments are applied to principal. Loans are considered impaired when, based on current information, management considers it unlikely that the collection of principal and interest payments will be made according to contractual terms. Generally, loans are not reviewed for impairment until the accrual of interest has been discontinued or the loans are included on the watch list.

 

9

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

2.

Basis of Presentation (continued)

 

The allowance for loan losses represents an amount which, in management’s judgment, will be adequate to absorb probable losses on existing loans and other extensions of credit that may become uncollectible. The Company’s allowance for loan losses consists of three elements: (i) segregating the loan portfolio into pools based upon similar characteristics and risk profiles and applying a loss factor to the pools, based on historical losses within those pools, (ii) applying qualitative factors to the loan pools that consider economic and other factors, both internal and external, affecting the Company and the pools, and (iii) determining specific reserves based on individual evaluation of impaired loans that are not included in the pools discussed above.

 

The allowances established for probable losses on impaired loans are based on a regular analysis and evaluation of problem loans. Management maintains a watch list of problem loans. Loans are classified based on an internal credit risk grading process that evaluates, among other things: (i) the obligor's ability to repay; (ii) the underlying collateral, if any; (iii) the economic environment; and (iv) for commercial borrowers, the industry in which the borrower operates. Specific valuation allowances are determined when the collateral value, if the loan is collateral dependent, or the discounted cash flows of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value.

 

Historical valuation allowances are calculated based on the historical loss experience of specific types of loans. The Company calculates historical loss ratios for pools of similar loans with similar characteristics based on the proportion of actual charge-offs experienced to the total population of loans in the pool over the prior eight to twenty quarters. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, management used a 20-quarter period for the historical loss ratio. The historical loss ratios are updated quarterly based on actual charge-off experience. A historical valuation allowance is established for each pool of similar loans based upon the product of the historical loss ratio and the total dollar amount of the loans in the pool.

 

Adjustments to the historical valuation allowances are based on general economic conditions and other qualitative risk factors both internal and external to the Company. In general, such adjustments are determined by evaluating, among other things: (i) the impact of economic conditions on the portfolio; (ii) changes in asset quality, including delinquency trends; (iii) the impact of changing interest rates on portfolio risk; (iv) changes in legislative and regulatory policy; (v) the composition and concentrations of credit; and (vi) the effectiveness of the internal loan review function as well as changes to policies and experience of loan personnel. Management evaluates these qualitative factors on a quarterly basis. Each factor could result in an adjustment that is positive, negative, or no impact.

 

Loan losses are charged to the allowance when management believes that collection is unlikely. Collections of loans previously charged off are added to the allowance at the time of recovery.

 

Loans acquired in connection with business combinations are recorded at fair value with no carryover of any allowance for loan losses. Fair value of the loans involves estimating the amount and timing of principal and interest cash flows expected to be collected on the loans and discounting those cash flows at a market rate of interest.

10

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

2.

Basis of Presentation (continued)

 

The excess of cash flows expected at acquisition over the estimated fair value is referred to as the accretable discount and is recognized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan. The difference between contractually required payments at acquisition and the cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition is referred to as the nonaccretable discount. These loans are accounted for under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. The nonaccretable discount includes estimated future credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the loan. Subsequent decreases in expected cash flows will require us to evaluate the need for an addition to the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent improvement in expected cash flows will result in the reversal of a corresponding amount of the nonaccretable discount, which we will then reclassify as accretable discount to be recognized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan.

 

Loans acquired through business combinations that meet the specific criteria of ASC 310-30 are individually evaluated each period to analyze expected cash flows. To the extent that the expected cash flows of a loan have decreased due to credit deterioration, the Company establishes an allowance.

 

Loans acquired through business combinations that do not meet the specific criteria of ASC 310-30 are accounted for under ASC 310-20, Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs. These loans are initially recorded at fair value, and include credit and interest rate marks associated with acquisition accounting adjustments. Purchase premiums or discounts are subsequently amortized as an adjustment to yield over the estimated contractual lives of the loans. There is no allowance for loan losses established at the acquisition date for acquired performing loans. An allowance for loan losses is recorded for any credit deterioration in these loans subsequent to acquisition.

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets

 

Goodwill is calculated as the purchase premium, if any, after adjusting for the fair value of net assets acquired in purchase transactions. Goodwill is not amortized but is reviewed for potential impairment on at least an annual basis, with testing between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that could potentially reduce the fair value of a reporting unit. Other intangible assets represent purchased assets that can be distinguished from goodwill because of contractual or other legal rights. The Company’s other intangible asset, core deposit intangible (“CDI”) has a finite life and is amortized over 10 years on a straight line basis.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016‑13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses”. The ASU sets forth a “current expected credit loss” (CECL) model which requires the Company to measure all expected credit losses for financial instruments held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable supportable forecasts. This replaces the existing incurred loss model and is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost and applies to some off-balance sheet credit exposures. ASU 2019-10 “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842): Effective Dates” extended the implementation date to 2023 for SEC registered smaller reporting companies and private companies. The Company is considered a smaller reporting company. The Company has engaged a third-party vendor to assist in the implementation of this ASU.

 

11

 

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

2.    Basis of Presentation (continued)

 

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, “Compensation - Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General (Subtopic 715-20).” ASU 2018-14 amends and modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other post-retirement plans. The amendments in this update remove disclosures that no longer are considered cost beneficial, clarify the specific requirements of disclosures, and add disclosure requirements identified as relevant. ASU 2018-14 was effective for us on January 1, 2021, and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

In December 2019, FASB released ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740)”, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing multiple exceptions to the general principals in Topic 740. ASU 2019-12 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. The standard did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

In March 2020, FASB issued ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848)”: Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. This ASU Provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effect of) reference rate reform, on financial reporting. The risk of termination of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), has caused regulators to undertake reference rate reform initiatives to identify alternative reference rates that are more observable or transaction based that are less susceptible to manipulation. ASU 2020-04 is effective between March 12, 2020 and December 31, 2022. The Company has identified its products that utilize LIBOR and has begun efforts to transition to an alternative reference rate. The Company continues to evaluate systems to assist in the transaction to a new rate.

 

12

 

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

 

3.      Investment Securities

 

Investments in debt securities are summarized as follows:

 

   

Amortized

   

Unrealized

   

Unrealized

   

Fair

 

March 31, 2021

 

cost

   

gains

   

losses

   

value

 
                                 

Available for sale

                               
                                 

State and municipal

  $ 959,103     $ 14,963     $ -     $ 974,066  

SBA pools

    1,748,461       -       34,590       1,713,871  

Corporate bonds

    6,571,096       118,749       15,842       6,674,003  

Mortgage-backed securities

    65,566,556       778,768       778,399       65,566,925  
    $ 74,845,216     $ 912,480     $ 828,831     $ 74,928,865  
                                 

Held to maturity

                               
                                 

State and municipal

  $ 21,865,447     $ 980,859     $ 105,130     $ 22,741,176  

 

 

   

Amortized

   

Unrealized

   

Unrealized

   

Fair

 

December 31, 2020

 

cost

   

gains

   

losses

   

value

 
                                 

Available for sale

                               
                                 

State and municipal

  $ 962,438     $ 24,094     $ -     $ 986,532  

SBA pools

    1,822,226       -       38,419       1,783,807  

Corporate bonds

    6,692,156       108,172       2,897       6,797,431  

Mortgage-backed securities

    44,026,055       941,987       58,526       44,909,516  
    $ 53,502,875     $ 1,074,253     $ 99,842     $ 54,477,286  
                                 

Held to maturity

                               
                                 

State and municipal

  $ 23,078,519     $ 1,177,125     $ 10,858     $ 24,244,786  

 

13

 

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

3.

Investment Securities (continued)

 

Contractual maturities, shown below, will differ from actual maturities because borrowers and issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

   

Available for Sale

   

Held to Maturity

 
   

Amortized

   

Fair

   

Amortized

   

Fair

 

March 31, 2021

 

cost

   

value

   

cost

   

value

 
                                 

Within one year

  $ -     $ -     $ 489,060     $ 492,666  

Over one to five years

    4,634,500       4,756,528       795,231       810,700  

Over five to ten years

    2,694,963       2,690,665       2,025,039       2,196,415  

Over ten years

    200,736       200,876       18,556,117       19,241,395  
      7,530,199       7,648,069       21,865,447       22,741,176  

Mortgage-backed securities and SBA pools, due in monthly installments

    67,315,017       67,280,796       -       -  
    $ 74,845,216     $ 74,928,865     $ 21,865,447     $ 22,741,176  
                                 

December 31, 2020

                               
                                 

Within one year

  $ 505,372     $ 502,475     $ 487,741     $ 496,463  

Over one to five years

    4,646,388       4,755,483       793,876       813,523  

Over five to ten years

    2,300,591       2,323,451       2,476,827       2,687,063  

Over ten years

    202,243       202,554       19,320,075       20,247,737  
      7,654,594       7,783,963       23,078,519       24,244,786  

Mortgage-backed securities and SBA pools, due in monthly installments

    45,848,281       46,693,323       -       -  
    $ 53,502,875     $ 54,477,286     $ 23,078,519     $ 24,244,786  

 

Securities with a carrying value of $20,890,319 and $34,958,212 as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, were pledged as collateral for government deposits and securities sold under repurchase agreements.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company received proceeds of $513,845 from the call at a premium of an available for sale investment security. The Company realized an $8,569 gain on the call of the security. There were no sales of securities during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

 

14

 

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

3.

Investment Securities (continued)

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s gross unrealized losses on a continuous basis for investments in debt securities, by category and length of time, at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

 

March 31, 2021

 

Less than 12 months

   

12 months or more

   

Total

 

Description of investments

 

Fair Value

   

Unrealized

Loss

   

Fair Value

   

Unrealized

Loss

   

Fair Value

   

Unrealized

Loss

 
                                                 

State and municipal

  $ 2,504,081     $ 105,130     $ -     $ -     $ 2,504,081     $ 105,130  

SBA pools

    -       -       1,713,871       34,590       1,713,871       34,590  

Corporate bonds

    575,060       15,842       -       -       575,060       15,842  

Mortgage-backed securities

    36,326,921       777,706       70,835       693       36,397,756       778,399  

Total

  $ 39,406,062     $ 898,678     $ 1,784,706     $ 35,283     $ 41,190,768     $ 933,961  

 

 

December 31, 2020

 

Less than 12 months

   

12 months or more

   

Total

 
           

Unrealized

           

Unrealized

           

Unrealized

 

Description of investments

 

Fair value

   

losses

   

Fair value

   

losses

   

Fair value

   

losses

 
                                                 

State and municipal

  $ 719,430     $ 10,858     $ -     $ -     $ 719,430     $ 10,858  

SBA pools

    -       -       1,783,807       38,419       1,783,807       38,419  

Corporate bonds

    502,754       2,897       -       -       502,754       2,897  

Mortgage-backed securities

    9,286,525       57,987       96,652       539       9,383,177       58,526  

Total

  $ 10,508,709     $ 71,742     $ 1,880,459     $ 38,958     $ 12,389,168     $ 110,700  

 

Management has the ability and intent to hold securities classified as held to maturity until they mature, at which time the Company should receive full value for the securities. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, management did not have the intent to sell any of the held to maturity or available for sale securities with unrealized losses before a recovery of cost. The unrealized losses detailed in the table above were due to increases in market interest rates over the yields available at the time the underlying securities were purchased as well as other market conditions for each particular security based upon the structure and remaining principal balance. The fair values of the debt securities are expected to recover as the securities approach their maturity dates or repricing dates or if market yields for such investments decline. Based on the foregoing factors, as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, management believes that these unrealized losses are temporary and, accordingly, have not been recognized in the Company’s consolidated statement of income.

 

15

 

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

 

4.

Loans

 

Major categories of loans are as follows:

 

   

March 31,

   

December 31,

 
   

2021

   

2020

 

Real estate:

               

Commercial

  $ 312,241,779     $ 309,284,811  

Construction and land development

    34,731,150       33,641,916  

Residential

    116,700,951       121,327,761  

Commercial

    60,064,503       61,368,105  

Consumer

    258,484       288,454  
      523,996,867       525,911,047  

Less: Allowance for loan losses

    3,423,088       3,296,538  

Deferred origination fees net of costs

    1,334,475       923,995  
    $ 519,239,304     $ 521,690,514  

 

Commercial loans in the table above include $33.6 million and $31.1 million of Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, which are 100% guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”). $21.0 million were originated during the first quarter of 2021. A substantial portion of the PPP loans in the Company’s portfolio are expected to be forgiven by the SBA. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company collected approximately $877,000 in fees from the SBA in connection with the originations of the PPP loans. The fees, net of related origination costs, are being recognized as interest income over the term of the loans using the straight-line method, with accelerated recognition when the loan pays off before maturity through SBA forgiveness or other means.

 

Nonaccrual loans, segregated by class of loans, were as follows:

 

   

March 31,

   

December 31,

 
   

2021

   

2020

 

Real estate:

               

Commercial

  $ 4,407,829     $ 4,407,829  

Residential

    50,470       220,967  
    $ 4,458,299     $ 4,628,796  

 

At March 31, 2021, the Company had one nonaccrual commercial real estate loan totaling $4,407,829 and one nonaccrual residential real estate loan totaling $50,470. The loans were secured by real estate, business assets, and personal guarantees. Gross interest income of $61,924 would have been recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2021 if these nonaccrual loans had been current and performing in accordance with the original terms. The Company allocated $0 of its allowance for loan losses to these nonaccrual loans. The recorded investment of the nonaccrual loans was net of charge-offs and a nonaccretable discount totaling $8,176 at March 31, 2021.

 

At December 31, 2020, the Company had one nonaccrual commercial real estate loan totaling $4,407,829 and two nonaccrual residential real estate loans totaling $220,967. The loans were secured by real estate, business assets, and personal guarantees. Gross interest income of $13,395 would have been recorded in 2020 if these nonaccrual loans had been current and performing in accordance with the original terms. The Company allocated $0 of its allowance for loan losses to these nonaccrual loans. The recorded investment of the nonaccrual loans was net of charge-offs and a nonaccretable discount totaling $8,176 at December 31, 2020.

 

16

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

4.         Loans (continued)

 

An age analysis of past due loans, segregated by type of loan, is as follows:

 

                   

90 Days

                           

Past Due 90

 
   

30 - 59 Days

   

60 - 89 Days

   

or More

   

Total

           

Total

   

Days or More

 
   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Current

   

Loans

   

and Accruing

 

March 31, 2021

                                                       

Real estate:

                                                       

Commercial

  $ 181,762     $ -     $ -     $ 181,762     $ 312,060,017     $ 312,241,779     $ -  

Construction and land development

    -       -       -       -       34,731,150       34,731,150       -  

Residential

    -       -       50,470       50,470       116,650,481       116,700,951       -  

Commercial

    -       -       -       -       60,064,503       60,064,503       -  

Consumer

    -       -       -       -       258,484       258,484       -  

Total

  $ 181,762     $ -     $ 50,470     $ 232,232     $ 523,764,635     $ 523,996,867     $ -  
                                                         

December 31, 2020

                                                       

Real estate:

                                                       

Commercial

  $ 182,656     $ -     $ -     $ 182,656     $ 309,102,155     $ 309,284,811     $ -  

Construction and land development

    -       -       -       -       33,641,916       33,641,916       -  

Residential

    24,591       -       220,967       245,558       121,082,203       121,327,761       -  

Commercial

    -       -       -       -       61,368,105       61,368,105       -  

Consumer

    -       -       -       -       288,454       288,454       -  

Total

  $ 207,247     $ -     $ 220,967     $ 428,214     $ 525,482,833     $ 525,911,047     $ -  

 

Impaired loans, segregated by class of loans with average recorded investment and interest recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020, are set forth in the following table:

 

   

Unpaid

   

Recorded

   

Recorded

                                 
   

Contractual

   

Investment

   

Investment

   

Total

           

Average

         
   

Principal

   

With No

   

With

   

Recorded

   

Related

   

Recorded

   

Interest

 
   

Balance

   

Allowance

   

Allowance

   

Investment

   

Allowance

   

Investment

   

Recognized

 

March 31, 2021

                                                       

Commercial real estate

  $ 7,140,572     $ 6,689,472     $ -     $ 6,689,472     $ -     $ 6,750,585     $ 34,931  

Construction and land development

    1,709,030       1,554,070       -       1,554,070               1,560,122       22,477  

Residential real estate

    933,422       634,245       -       634,245       -       722,454       8,943  
    $ 9,783,024     $ 8,877,787     $ -     $ 8,877,787     $ -     $ 9,033,161     $ 66,351  
                                                         

December 31, 2020

                                                       

Commercial real estate

  $ 7,246,478     $ 6,811,698     $ -     $ 6,811,698     $ -     $ 4,448,343     $ 352,938  

Construction and land development

    1,719,010       1,566,174       -       1,566,174       -       783,087       22,520  

Residential real estate

    1,121,649       810,663       -       810,663       -       430,360       10,646  
    $ 10,087,137     $ 9,188,535     $ -     $ 9,188,535     $ -     $ 5,661,790     $ 386,104  

 

17

 

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

4.         Loans (continued)

 

Impaired loans include troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”), which are loans that have been modified to provide economic concessions to borrowers who have experienced or are expected to experience financial difficulties. These concessions typically result from the Company’s loss mitigation activities and could include reductions in the interest rate, payment extensions, forgiveness of principal, forbearance, or other actions. Certain TDRs are classified as nonperforming at the time of restructure and may only be returned to performing status after considering the borrower’s sustained repayment performance for a reasonable period, generally six months.

 

At March 31, 2021, the Company had two commercial real estate loans totaling $2,236,410 and one residential real estate loan totaling $43,371 that were classified as TDRs. All are included in impaired loans above. At March 31, 2021, all three loans were paying as agreed. There have been no charge-offs or allowances associated with these three loans.

 

At December 31, 2020, the Company had two commercial real estate loans totaling $2,252,316 and one residential real estate loan totaling $44,733 classified as TDRs. One of the commercial real estate loans with a principal balance of $182,656 was restructured as a TDR during 2020. All three loans are included in impaired loans above. Each loan is paying as agreed. There have been no charge-offs or allowances associated with these three loans.

 

Section 4013 of the U.S. Government’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act allows financial institutions to suspend application of certain current TDRs accounting guidance under ASC 310-40 for loan modifications related to the COVID-19 pandemic made between March 1, 2020 and the earlier of January 1, 2022 or 60 days after the end of the COVID-19 national emergency, provided certain criteria are met. This relief can be applied to loan modifications for borrowers that were not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019 and to loan modifications that defer or delay the payment of principal or interest, or change the interest rate on the loan. In April 2020, federal and state banking regulators issued the Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus to provide further interpretation of when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, specifically indicating that if the modification is either short-term (e.g., six months) or mandated by a federal or state government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the borrower is not experiencing financial difficulty under ASC 310-40. The Company continues to prudently work with borrowers negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic while managing credit risks and recognizing appropriate allowance for loan losses on its loan portfolio. As of March 31, 2021, $15.9 million, or 3% of the Company’s loan portfolio, were granted three-month deferrals. None of these loans were classified as TDRs as of March 31, 2021 because they met the criteria discussed above.

 

As part of our portfolio risk management, the Company assigns a risk grade to each loan. The factors used to determine the grade are the payment history of the loan and the borrower, the value of the collateral and net worth of the guarantor, and cash flow projections of the borrower. Excellent, Above Average, Average and Acceptable grades are assigned to loans with limited or no delinquent payments and more than sufficient collateral and/or cash flow.

 

18

 

 

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

4.         Loans (continued)

 

A description of the general characteristics of loans characterized as watch list or classified is as follows:

 

Pass/Watch

Loans graded as Pass/Watch are secured by generally acceptable assets which reflect above-average risk. The loans warrant closer scrutiny by management than is routine, due to circumstances affecting the borrower, the borrower’s industry, or the overall economic environment. Borrowers may reflect weaknesses such as inconsistent or weak earnings, break even or moderately deficit cash flow, thin liquidity, minimal capacity to increase leverage, or volatile market fundamentals or other industry risks. Such loans are typically secured by acceptable collateral, at or near appropriate margins, with realizable liquidation values.

 

Special Mention

A special mention loan has potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or in the Company’s credit position at some future date. Special mention loans are not adversely classified and do not expose the Company to sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification.

 

Borrowers may exhibit poor liquidity and leverage positions resulting from generally negative cash flow or negative trends in earnings. Access to alternative financing may be limited to finance companies for business borrowers and may be unavailable for commercial real estate borrowers.

 

Substandard

A substandard loan is inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Substandard loans have a well-defined weakness, or weaknesses, that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

 

Borrowers may exhibit recent or unexpected unprofitable operations, an inadequate debt service coverage ratio, or marginal liquidity and capitalization. These loans require more intense supervision by Company management.

 

Doubtful

A doubtful loan has all the weaknesses inherent in a substandard loan with the added characteristic that the weaknesses, based on currently existing facts, conditions, and values, make collection or liquidation in full highly questionable and improbable.

 

19

 

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

4.         Loans (continued)

 

Loans by credit grade, segregated by loan type, are as follows:

 

           

Above

                   

Pass

   

Special

                         

March 31, 2021

 

Excellent

   

average

   

Average

   

Acceptable

   

watch

   

mention

   

Substandard

   

Doubtful

   

Total

 
                                                                         

Real estate:

                                                                       

Commercial

  $ -     $ 1,873,700     $ 93,290,918     $ 98,509,276     $ 103,568,341     $ 5,833,439     $ 9,166,105     $ -     $ 312,241,779  

Construction and land development

    -       -       4,706,281       14,536,262       13,934,537       -       1,554,070       -       34,731,150  

Residential

    39,307       966,298       59,224,226       41,881,282       11,863,371       -       2,726,467       -       116,700,951  

Commercial

    33,580,025       -       7,412,065       13,927,259       5,145,154       -       -       -       60,064,503  

Consumer

    10,457       106,140       104,017       5,332       14,767       -       -       17,771       258,484  
    $ 33,629,789     $ 2,946,138     $ 164,737,507     $ 168,859,411     $ 134,526,170     $ 5,833,439     $ 13,446,642     $ 17,771     $ 523,996,867  

 

 

           

Above

                   

Pass

   

Special

                         

December 31, 2020

 

Excellent

   

average

   

Average

   

Acceptable

   

watch

   

mention

   

Substandard

   

Doubtful

   

Total

 
                                                                         

Real estate:

                                                                       

Commercial

  $ -     $ 2,010,472     $ 96,178,011     $ 87,860,036     $ 108,045,730     $ 5,951,177     $ 9,239,385     $ -     $ 309,284,811  

Construction and land development

    -       -       2,962,300       15,944,499       13,168,844       -       1,566,273       -       33,641,916  

Residential

    36,285       1,026,824       63,811,389       40,947,548       12,579,311       -       2,926,404       -       121,327,761  

Commercial

    32,088,058       -       10,037,516       13,532,170       5,710,361       -       -       -       61,368,105  

Consumer

    13,729       109,955       131,171       6,671       15,663       -       -       11,265       288,454  
    $ 32,138,072     $ 3,147,251     $ 173,120,387     $ 158,290,924     $ 139,519,909     $ 5,951,177     $ 13,732,062     $ 11,265     $ 525,911,047  

 

The principal balance of loans in the Pass/Watch category as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 include loans that were granted payment deferrals due to COVID -19. The loans were downgraded to the Pass/Watch category if they were in a higher rated category at the time the deferral was granted. Loans that completed their initial 90 day deferral and are making scheduled payments again are being re-evaluated on a loan by loan basis to determine if they warrant upgrading.

 

The Company’s allowance for loan losses is based on management’s evaluation of the risks inherent in the Company’s loan portfolio and the general economy. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at the amount management considers adequate to cover estimated losses in loans receivable that are deemed probable based on information currently known to management. The allowance is based upon a number of factors, including current economic conditions, actual loss experience by pools of similar loans, diversification and size of the portfolio, adequacy of the collateral, the amount of non-performing loans and industry trends. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination processes, periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Company to make additional provisions for estimated loan losses based upon judgments different from those of management.

 

20

 

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

4.         Loans (Continued)

 

The following table details activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 and for the year ended December 31, 2020. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories.

 

                                           

Allowance for loan losses

   

Outstanding loan

 
           

Provision

                           

ending balance evaluated

   

balances evaluated

 
   

Beginning

   

for loan

   

Charge

           

Ending

   

for impairment:

   

for impairment:

 

March 31, 2021

 

balance

   

losses

   

offs

   

Recoveries

   

balance

   

Individually

   

Collectively

   

Individually

   

Collectively

 
                                                                         

Real estate:

                                                                       

Commercial

  $ 2,230,129     $ 323,768     $ -     $ 2,500     $ 2,556,397     $ -     $ 2,556,397     $ 6,689,472     $ 305,552,307  

Construction and land development

    201,692       (39,269 )     -       4,050       166,473       -       166,473       1,554,070       33,177,080  

Residential

    644,639       (154,755 )     -       -       489,884       -       489,884       634,245       116,066,706  

Commercial

    111,390       (12,143 )     -       -       99,247       -       99,247       -       60,064,503  

Consumer

    2,138       320       -       -       2,458       -       2,458       -       258,484  

Unallocated

    106,550       2,079       -       -       108,629       -       108,629       -       -  
    $ 3,296,538     $ 120,000     $ -     $ 6,550     $ 3,423,088     $ -     $ 3,423,088     $ 8,877,787     $ 515,119,080  

 

 

                                           

Allowance for loan losses

   

Outstanding loan

 
           

Provision

                           

ending balance evaluated

   

balances evaluated

 
   

Beginning

   

for loan

   

Charge

           

Ending

   

for impairment:

   

for impairment:

 

March 31, 2020

 

balance

   

losses

   

offs

   

Recoveries

   

balance

   

Individually

   

Collectively

   

Individually

   

Collectively

 
                                                                         

Real estate:

                                                                       

Commercial

  $ 1,763,861     $ 149,860     $ -     $ 2,000     $ 1,915,721     $ -     $ 1,915,721     $ 2,071,836     $ 239,065,558  

Construction and land development

    192,828       13,677       -       3,600       210,105       -       210,105       -       19,574,506  

Residential

    478,124       1,629       -       -       479,753       -       479,753       49,342       75,057,346  

Commercial

    107,782       (16,720 )     -       15,835       106,897       -       106,897       -       25,452,964  

Consumer

    4,133       824       -       -       4,957       -       4,957       -       285,801  

Unallocated

    46,987       (24,270 )     -       -       22,717       -       22,717       -       -  
    $ 2,593,715     $ 125,000     $ -     $ 21,435     $ 2,740,150     $ -     $ 2,740,150     $ 2,121,178     $ 359,436,175  

 

 

                                           

Allowance for loan losses

   

Outstanding loan

 
           

Provision

                           

ending balance evaluated

   

balances evaluated

 
   

Beginning

   

for loan

   

Charge

           

Ending

   

for impairment:

   

for impairment:

 

December 31, 2020

 

balance

   

losses

   

offs

   

Recoveries

   

balance

   

Individually

   

Collectively

   

Individually

   

Collectively

 
                                                                         

Real estate:

                                                                       

Commercial

  $ 1,763,861     $ 418,806     $ -     $ 47,462     $ 2,230,129     $ -     $ 2,230,129     $ 6,811,698     $ 302,473,113  

Construction and land development

    192,828       (5,536 )     -       14,400       201,692       -       201,692       1,566,174       32,075,742  

Residential

    478,124       166,515       -       -       644,639       -       644,639       810,663       120,517,098  

Commercial

    107,782       (12,353 )     -       15,961       111,390       -       111,390       -       61,368,105  

Consumer

    4,133       (1,995 )     -       -       2,138       -       2,138       -       288,454  

Unallocated

    46,987       59,563       -       -       106,550       -       106,550       -       -  
    $ 2,593,715     $ 625,000     $ -     $ 77,823     $ 3,296,538     $ -     $ 3,296,538     $ 9,188,535     $ 516,722,512  

 

21

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

4.

Loans (Continued)

 

The following table provides activity for the accretable credit discount of purchased loans:

 

   

2021

 
         

Balance at December 31, 2020

  $ 2,250,232  

Acquired during the year

    -  

Accretion

    211,986  

Adjustments

    -  

Balance at March 31, 2021

  $ 2,038,246  

 

At March 31, 2021, the nonaccretable discount on purchased impaired loans was $927,000. At March 31, 2021, the remaining yield premium on purchased loans was $1,923,914. At March 31, 2021, the principal balance of purchased loans was $127,932,333 and the carrying value was $126,891,001.

 

 

5.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

 

The acquisition of Carroll in October of 2020 resulted in the recording of goodwill and CDI. The following table presents the changes in both assets:

 

   

Goodwill

   

CDI

   

Total

 
                         

Balance at December 31, 2020

  $ 6,978,208     $ 81,200     $ 7,059,408  

Acquired during the year

    -       -       -  

Amortization

    -       (2,082 )     (2,082 )

Adjustments

    -       -       -  

Balance at March 31, 2021

  $ 6,978,208     $ 79,118     $ 7,057,326  

 

The CDI is being amortized over 10 years on a straight line basis. Annual amortization will be $8,328 for each of the years ended December 31, 2021 through 2029 and $6,246 in 2030. Since the acquisition was a tax-free reorganization, goodwill and CDI are not deductible for income tax purposes.

 

 

6.

Lease Commitments

 

The Company and its subsidiaries are obligated under operating leases for certain office premises.

 

The following table shows operating lease right of use assets and operating lease liabilities as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

 

 

Consolidated Balance

               
 

Sheet classification

 

March 31, 2021

   

December 31, 2020

 

Operating lease right of use asset

Other assets

  $ 1,205,469     $ 1,242,832  

Operating lease liabilities

Other liabilities

    1,414,384       1,443,966  

 

Operating lease cost included in occupancy expense in the statement of income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $49,930 and $49,791, respectively.

 

22

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

6.

Lease Commitments (continued)

 

Future minimum payments under the agreements, including those option years for which the Company is reasonably certain to renew, are as follows:

 

Year

 

Amount

 
         

2021

  $ 159,920  

2022

    221,497  

2023

    228,531  

2024

    234,910  

2025

    241,483  

Thereafter

    899,195  

Total lease payments

    1,985,536  

Less imputed interest

    (571,152 )

Present value of operating lease liabilities

  $ 1,414,384  

 

For operating leases as of March 31, 2021, the weighted average remaining lease term is 8.3 years and the weighted average discount rate is 3.25%. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities was $42,150 and $41,119, respectively.

 

 

 

7.         Capital Standards

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possible additional, discretionary actions by the regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on our financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, we must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of our assets, liabilities, and certain off‑balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Our capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

 

Quantitative measures established by the Basel III Capital Rules to ensure capital adequacy require the maintenance of minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of Common Equity Tier 1 capital, Tier 1 capital, and Total capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk‑weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier 1 capital to adjusted quarterly average assets (as defined).

 

In connection with the adoption of the Basel III Capital Rules, the Bank elected to opt-out of the requirement to include accumulated other comprehensive income in Common Equity Tier 1 capital. Common Equity Tier 1 capital for the Bank is reduced by goodwill and other intangible assets, net of associated deferred tax liabilities and subject to transition provisions.

 

Insured depository institutions are required to meet the following in order to qualify as “well capitalized”: (i) a common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.5%; (ii) a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8%; (iii) a total risk-based capital ratio of 10%; and (iv) a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 5%.

 

23

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

7.         Capital Standards (continued)

 

The implementation of the capital conservation buffer began on January 1, 2016, at the 0.625% level and was phased in over a four-year period (increasing by that amount on each subsequent January 1, until it reached 2.5% on January 1, 2019). The Basel III Capital Rules also provide for a “countercyclical capital buffer” that is applicable to only certain covered institutions and does not have current applicability to the Bank. As of March 31, 2021, the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements under the Basel III Capital Rules on a fully phased‑in basis.

 

The aforementioned capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of Common Equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the conservation buffer (or below the combined capital conservation buffer and countercyclical capital buffer, when the latter is applied) will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases, and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall.

 

The following table presents actual and required capital ratios as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 for the Bank under the Basel III Capital Rules. The minimum required capital amounts presented include the minimum required capital levels as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 based on the phase-in provisions of the Basel III Capital Rules. Capital levels required to be considered well capitalized are based upon prompt corrective action regulations, as amended to reflect the changes under the Basel III Capital Rules. Capital ratios of the Company are substantially the same as the Bank’s.

 

                   

Minimum

   

To Be Well

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Actual

   

Capital Adequacy

   

Capitalized

 

March 31, 2021

 

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

 
                                                 

Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)

  $ 65,177       12.59 %   $ 54,344       10.50 %   $ 51,756       10.00 %

Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)

    61,754       11.93 %     43,993       8.50 %     41,405       8.00 %

Common equity tier 1 (to risk- weighted assets)

    61,754       11.93 %     36,229       7.00 %     33,642       6.50 %

Tier 1 leverage (to average assets)

    61,754       9.19 %     26,884       4.00 %     33,605       5.00 %

 

 

                   

Minimum

   

To Be Well

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Actual

   

Capital Adequacy

   

Capitalized

 

December 31, 2020

 

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

 
                                                 

Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)

  $ 63,400       12.62 %   $ 52,732       10.50 %   $ 50,221       10.00 %

Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)

    60,104       11.97 %     42,688       8.50 %     40,177       8.00 %

Common equity tier 1 (to risk- weighted assets)

    60,104       11.97 %     35,155       7.00 %     32,644       6.50 %

Tier 1 leverage (to average assets)

    60,104       9.05 %     26,569       4.00 %     33,211       5.00 %

 

To be categorized as well capitalized, the Bank must maintain ratios as set forth in the table. As of March 31, 2021, the most recent notification from the FDIC categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There have been no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s category.

 

The FDIC, through formal or informal agreement, has the authority to require an institution to maintain higher capital ratios than those provided by statute, to be categorized as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

 

24

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

 

8.

Fair Value

 

Accounting standards define fair value as the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid upon the transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The price in the principal market used to measure the fair value of the asset or liability is not adjusted for transaction costs. 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.

 

The standards require the use of valuation techniques that are consistent with the market approach, the income approach and/or the cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets and liabilities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts, such as cash flows or earnings, to a single present amount on a discounted basis. The cost approach is based on the amount that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost). Valuation techniques should be consistently applied. Inputs to valuation techniques refer to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The standards establish a fair value hierarchy for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs.

 

The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

 

 

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

 

 

Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, and other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

 

 

Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

 

The Company uses the following methods and significant assumptions to estimate the fair values of the following assets:

 

 

Securities available for sale: The fair values of securities available for sale are determined by obtaining quoted prices from a nationally recognized securities pricing agent. If quoted market prices are not available, fair value is determined using quoted market prices for similar securities.

 

 

Equity security at fair value: The Company’s investment in an equity mutual fund is valued based on the net asset value of the fund, which is classified as Level 1.

 

 

Other real estate owned (“OREO”): Nonrecurring fair value adjustments to OREO reflect full or partial write-downs that are based on the OREO’s observable market price or current appraised value of the real estate. Since the market for OREO is not active, OREO subjected to nonrecurring fair value adjustments based on the current appraised value of the real estate are classified as Level 3. The appraised value is obtained annually from an independent third party appraiser and is reduced by expected sales costs, which has historically been 10% of the appraised value.

 

 

Impaired loans: Nonrecurring fair value adjustments to impaired loans reflect full or partial write-downs and reserves that are based on the impaired loan’s observable market price or current appraised value of the collateral. Since the market for impaired loans is not active, such loans subjected to nonrecurring fair value adjustments based on the current appraised value of the collateral are classified as Level 3. The appraised value is obtained annually from an independent third party appraiser and is reduced by expected sales costs, which has historically been 10% of the appraised value.

 

25

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

8.         Fair Value (continued)

 

The following table summarizes financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value:

 

   

Carrying Value:

 
   

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 

March 31, 2021

                               
                                 

Recurring

                               

Available for sale securities

                               

State and municipal

  $ -     $ 974,066     $ -     $ 974,066  

SBA pools

    -       1,713,871       -       1,713,871  

Corporate bonds

    -       6,674,003       -       6,674,003  

Mortgage-backed securities

    -       65,566,925       -       65,566,925  
    $ -     $ 74,928,865     $ -     $ 74,928,865  
                                 

Equity security at fair value Mutual fund

  $ 545,713     $ -     $ -     $ 545,713  
                                 

Nonrecurring

                               

Other real estate owned

  $ -     $ -     $ 1,411,605     $ 1,411,605  

Impaired loans

    -       -       8,895,055       8,895,055  
                                 

December 31, 2020

                               
                                 

Recurring

                               

Available for sale securities

                               

State and municipal

  $ -     $ 986,532     $ -     $ 986,532  

SBA pools

    -       1,783,807       -       1,783,807  

Corporate Bonds

    -       6,797,431               6,797,431  

Mortgage-backed securities

    -       44,909,516       -       44,909,516  
    $ -     $ 54,477,286     $ -     $ 54,477,286  
                                 

Equity security at fair value Mutual fund

  $ 552,566     $ -     $ -     $ 552,566  
                                 

Nonrecurring

                               

Other real estate owned

  $ -     $ -     $ 1,411,605     $ 1,411,605  

Impaired loans

    -       -       9,188,535       9,188,535  

 

26

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

8.

Fair Value (continued)

 

The estimated fair value of financial instruments that are reported at amortized cost in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs were as follows:

 

   

March 31, 2021

   

December 31, 2020

 
   

Carrying

   

Estimated

   

Carrying

   

Estimated

 
   

Amount

   

Fair Value

   

Amount

   

Fair Value

 

Financial assets

                               

Level 2 inputs

                               

Securities held to maturity

  $ 21,865,447     $ 22,741,176     $ 23,078,519     $ 24,244,786  

Mortgage loans held for sale

    1,682,700       1,707,273       1,673,350       1,705,781  

Restricted stock

    675,400       675,400       900,500       900,500  

Level 3 inputs

                               

Loans, net

    519,239,304       524,654,970       521,690,514       527,132,047  
                                 

Financial liabilities

                               

Level 1 inputs

                               

Noninterest-bearing deposits

  $ 121,925,868     $ 121,925,868     $ 103,155,113     $ 103,155,113  

Securities sold under repurchase agreements

    12,648,269       12,648,269       24,753,972       24,753,972  

Level 2 inputs

                               

Interest-bearing deposits

    481,315,407       471,734,407       470,246,434       474,096,434  

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

    5,000,000       5,042,000       5,000,000       5,136,000  

Long-term debt

    16,974,687       17,019,840       16,973,280       17,018,416  

 

The fair value of mortgage loans held for sale is determined by the expected sales price. The fair value of loans were determined using an exit price methodology. The exit price estimation of fair value is based on the present value of the expected cash flows. The projected cash flows are based on the contractual terms of the loans, adjusted for prepayments and use of a discount rate based on the relative risk of the cash flows, taking into account the loan type, maturity of the loan, liquidity risk, servicing costs, and a required return on debt and capital (Level 3). In addition, an incremental liquidity discount is applied to certain loans, using historical sales of loans during periods of similar economic conditions as a benchmark. 

 

The fair values of interest-bearing checking, savings, and money market deposit accounts are equal to their carrying amounts. The fair values of fixed-maturity time deposits are estimated based on interest rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

 

The fair value of credit commitments are considered to be the same as the contractual amounts, and are not included in the table above. These commitments generate fees that approximate those currently charged to originate similar commitments.

 

27

 

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

 

9.

Earnings per Share

 

Basic earnings per share is determined by dividing net income available to stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period and does not include the effect of any potentially dilutive common stock equivalents, giving retroactive effect to stock dividends declared during the period. Diluted earnings per share is determined in the same manner, except that the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding is adjusted for the dilutive effect of outstanding common stock equivalents. The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. There were no common stock equivalents outstanding for the three month period ended March 31, 2021 or 2020.

 

   

Three Months Ended

 
   

March 31

 
   

2021

   

2020

 
                 

Net income

  $ 2,029,575     $ 843,307  

Weighted average shares outstanding

    3,011,255       2,974,019  

Earnings per share - basic and diluted

  $ 0.67     $ 0.28  

 

 

10.

Retirement Plans

 

The Company has a profit sharing plan qualifying under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. All employees age 21 or more with six months of service are eligible for participation in the plan. The Company matches employee contributions up to 4% of total compensation and may make additional discretionary contributions. Employee and employer contributions are 100% vested when made. The Company’s contributions to this plan were $76,924 and $66,649 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

 

The Company has entered into agreements with 12 employees to provide certain life insurance benefits payable in connection with policies of life insurance on those employees that are owned by the Company. Each of the agreements provides for the amount of death insurance benefits to be paid to beneficiaries of the insured. For this plan, the Company expensed $1,661 and $1,589 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

 

The Company adopted supplemental executive retirement plans for three of its executives. The plans provide cash compensation to the executive officers under certain circumstances, including a separation of service. The benefits vest over the period from adoption to a specified age for each executive. The Company recorded expenses, including interest, of $42,000 and $51,300 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, related to these plans.

 

Retirement plan expenses are included in employee benefits on the consolidated statements of income.

 

28

 

 

Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Introduction

 

The following discussion and analysis is intended as a review of material changes in and significant factors affecting the financial condition and results of operations of Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods indicated. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained in Item 1 of Part I of this report, and with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, and the other statistical information contained in the Annual Report of Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the “Form 10-K”). References in this report to “us”, “we”, “our”, and “the Company” are to Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise, its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This report may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers of this report should be aware of the speculative nature of “forward-looking statements.” Statements that are not historical in nature, including those that include the words “intend”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, or “continue” or the negative of those words and other comparable words, are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about, among other things, the industry and the markets in which we operate, and they are not guarantees of future performance. Whether actual results will conform to expectations and predictions is subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including risks and uncertainties discussed in this report; general economic, market, or business conditions, including those impacted and/or driven by the COVID-19 pandemic; changes in interest rates, deposit flow, the cost of funds, and demand for loan products and financial services; changes in our competitive position or competitive actions by other companies; changes in the quality or composition of our loan and investment portfolios; our ability to manage growth; changes in laws or regulations or policies of federal and state regulators and agencies; and other circumstances beyond our control. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this report are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results anticipated will be realized, or if substantially realized, will have the expected consequences on our business or operations. These and other risks are discussed in detail in the registration statements and periodic reports that Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (see Item 1A of Part II of this report for further information). Except as required by applicable laws, we do not intend to publish updates or revisions of any forward-looking statements we make to reflect new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc.

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. is a Maryland corporation and a financial holding company registered with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”) under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. The Company was incorporated on August 8, 2016 for the purpose of becoming the holding company of Farmers and Merchants Bank (the “Bank”) in a share exchange transaction that was intended to constitute a tax-free exchange under Section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Reorganization”). The Reorganization was consummated on November 1, 2016, at which time the Bank became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and all of the Bank’s stockholders became stockholders of the Company by virtue of the conversion of their shares of common stock of the Bank into an equal number of shares of common stock of the Company.

 

The Company’s primary business activities are serving as the parent company of the Bank and holding a series investment in First Community Bankers Insurance Co., LLC, a Tennessee “series” limited liability company and licensed protected cell captive insurance company (“FCBI”). The Company owns 100% of one series of membership interests issued by FCBI, which series is deemed a “protected cell” under Tennessee law and has been designated “Series Protected Cell FCB-4” (such series investment is hereinafter referred to as the “Insurance Subsidiary”).

 

29

 

The Bank is a Maryland commercial bank chartered on October 24, 1919 that is engaged in a general commercial and retail banking business. The Bank has had one inactive subsidiary, Reliable Community Financial Services, Inc., a Maryland corporation that was incorporated in April 1992 to facilitate the sale of fixed rate annuity products and later positioned to sell a full array of investment and insurance products.

 

The Insurance Subsidiary represents one protected cell of a protected cell captive insurance company (i.e., FCBI) that was formed on November 9, 2016 to better manage our risk programs, provide insurance efficiencies, and add operating income by both keeping insurance premiums paid with respect to such risks within our affiliated group of entities and realizing certain tax benefits that are unique to captive insurance companies. The Company’s investment in the Insurance Subsidiary represents one series of membership interests in FCBI. As a “series” limited liability company, FCBI is authorized by state law and its governing instruments to issue one or more series of membership interests, each of which, for all purposes under state law, is deemed to be a legal entity separate and apart from FCBI and its other series.

 

The Company maintains an Internet site at www.fmb1919.bank on which it makes available, free of charge, its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to the foregoing as soon as reasonably practicable after these reports are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.

 

Estimates and Critical Accounting Policies

 

This discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent liabilities. See Note 1 of the Notes to the audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, which were included in Item 8 of Part II of the Form 10-K. On an on-going basis, management evaluates estimates, including those related to loan losses and intangible assets, other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) of investment securities, income taxes, and fair value of investments. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Management believes the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.

 

The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of probable loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting estimate because it requires significant judgment and the use of estimates related to the amount and timing of expected future cash flows on impaired loans, estimated losses on pools of homogeneous loans based on historical loss experience, and consideration of current economic trends and conditions, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The loan portfolio also represents the largest asset type on the balance sheet.

 

Management applies various valuation methodologies to assets and liabilities which often involve a significant degree of judgment, particularly when liquid markets do not exist for the particular items being valued. Quoted market prices are referred to when estimating fair values for certain assets, such as most investment securities. However, for those items for which an observable liquid market does not exist, management utilizes significant estimates and assumptions to value such items. Examples of these items include loans, deposits, borrowings, goodwill, core deposit and other intangible assets, other assets and liabilities obtained or assumed in business combinations. These valuations require the use of various assumptions, including, among others, discount rates, rates of return on assets, repayment rates, cash flows, default rates, and liquidation values. The use of different assumptions could produce significantly different results, which could have material positive or negative effects on our results of operations, financial condition or disclosures of fair value information. In addition to valuation, we must assess whether there are any declines in value below the carrying value of assets that should be considered other than temporary or otherwise require an adjustment in carrying value and recognition of a loss in the consolidated statements of income. Examples include investment securities, goodwill and core deposit intangible, among others.

 

Management does not believe that any material changes in our critical accounting policies have occurred since December 31, 2020.

 

30

 

COVID-19 Pandemic

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has been wreaking havoc on the U.S. economy since the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic on March 11, 2020. The full impact and its effect on the banking industry, including the Company, will not be known for several quarters, but will be significant.

 

The U.S. and state governments reacted to the outbreak of the pandemic by issuing shelter-at-home orders and requiring that non-essential businesses be closed to prevent spread of the virus. The health crisis quickly turned into a financial crisis resulting in guidance and mandates regarding foreclosures and repossessions and accounting and regulatory changes designed to encourage banks to work with customers suffering detrimental financial impact.

 

Although states, including Maryland, have eased many of the previously-imposed COVID-19 restrictions, including stay-at-home orders and the required closure of non-essential businesses, and many individuals have been vaccinated, there are still a significant number of active infections throughout the Country, including in the State of Maryland, and individuals continue to become infected. As a result, it is possible that states, including Maryland, will re-implement some or all of the COVID-19 related restrictions that have been lifted and again require some or all non-essential businesses to close or drastically alter their business operations, which could have a material adverse impact on our customers and, thus, our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Paycheck Protection Program

 

The U.S. Government’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) established the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) which provides small businesses with resources to maintain payroll, hire back employees who may have been laid off, and to cover applicable overhead expenses. During 2020, we made over $31 million in PPP loans. . During the first quarter of 2021, we made an additional $21 million of PPP loans. All PPP loans are 100% guaranteed by the SBA, have up to a five-year maturity, provide for a six-month deferral period, and have an interest rate of 1%. These loans may be forgiven by the SBA if the borrower meets certain conditions, including by using at least 75% of the loan proceeds for payroll costs. The majority of the PPP loans made in 2020 have been forgiven as of March 31, 2021 The SBA also established processing fees from 1% to 5%, depending on the loan amount. We received $877,000 in fees during the three months ended March 31, 2021 which, net of related origination costs, will be amortized into interest income over the life of the loans.

 

In April 2020, the Bank established eligibility to participate in the Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (“PPPLF”) which was established by Congress and administered by the Federal Reserve Bank. This facility uses the SBA guaranteed PPP loans as collateral, offering 100% collateral coverage with no recourse to the Bank. The majority of the PPP loan disbursements were to internal, non-interest-bearing accounts for use by borrowers. As a result, we have not yet accessed the PPPLF, but are prepared to utilize the fund when management determines the timing is appropriate.

 

31

 

Financial Condition

 

Total assets increased by $19,065,272, or 2.8%, to $696,382,354 at March 31, 2021 from $677,317,082 at December 31, 2020. The increase in total assets was due primarily to increases of $19,238,507 in debt securities and $3,770,119 in bank owned life insurance, offset by decreases of $2,451,210 in loans and $1,392,875 in premises and equipment due to the sale of a former branch location.

 

Total liabilities increased $17,681,343, or 2.8%, to $643,268,942 at March 31, 2021 from $625,587,599 at December 31, 2020. The increase was due primarily to a $29,839,728 increase in deposits, offset by a $12,105,703 decrease in securities sold under repurchase agreements. The increase in deposits was due to an inflow of funds from depositors who have received numerous government stimulus funds.

 

Stockholders’ equity increased by $1,383,929 to $53,113,412 at March 31, 2021 from $51,729,483 at December 31, 2020. The increase was due primarily to net income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2021 of $2,029,575, offset by a decrease of $645,646 in accumulated other comprehensive income.

 

Loans

 

Major categories of loans at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

   

March 31

           

December 31,

         
   

2021

           

2020

         
                                 

Real estate:

                               

Commercial

  $ 312,241,779       60 %   $ 309,284,811       59 %

Construction/Land development

    34,731,150       7 %     33,641,916       6 %

Residential

    116,700,951       22 %     121,327,761       23 %

Commercial

    60,064,503       11 %     61,368,105       12 %

Consumer

    258,484       0 %     288,454       0 %
      523,996,867       100 %     525,911,047       100 %

Less: Allowance for loan losses

    3,423,088               3,296,538          

Deferred origination fees net of costs

    1,334,475               923,995          
    $ 519,239,304             $ 521,690,514          

 

Loans decreased by $2,451,210, or 0.5%, to $519,239,304 at March 31, 2021 from $521,690,514 at December 31, 2020. The decrease was due primarily to a $4,626,810 decrease in commercial loans offset by a $2,956,968 increase in commercial real estate loans. The allowance for loan losses increased $126,550 to $3,423,088 at March 31, 2021 from $3,296,538 at December 31, 2020. Deferred origination fees increased to $1,334,475 at March 31, 2021 from $923,995 at December 31, 2020 due to the origination of the PPP loans.

 

The Company has adopted policies and procedures that seek to mitigate credit risk and to maintain the quality of the loan portfolio. These policies include underwriting standards for new credits as well as the continuous monitoring and reporting of asset quality and the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. These policies, coupled with continuous training efforts, have provided effective checks and balances for the risk associated with the lending process. Lending authority is based on the level of risk, size of the loan, and the experience of the lending officer. The Company’s policy is to make the majority of its loan commitments in the market area it serves. Management believes that this tends to reduce risk because management is familiar with the credit histories of loan applicants and has in-depth knowledge of the risk to which a given credit is subject. Although the loan portfolio is diversified, its performance will be influenced by the economy of the region.

 

32

 

An age analysis of past due loans, segregated by class of loans, as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, is as follows:

 

                   

90 Days

                           

Past Due 90

 
   

30 - 59 Days

   

60 - 89 Days

   

or more

   

Total

           

Total

   

Days or More

 
   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Current

   

Loans

   

and Accruing

 

March 31, 2021

                                                       

Real estate:

                                                       

Commerical

  $ 181,762     $ -     $ -     $ 181,762     $ 312,060,017     $ 312,241,779     $ -  

Construction/Land development

    -       -       -       -       34,731,150       34,731,150       -  

Residential

    -       -       50,470       50,470       116,650,211       116,700,951       -  

Commercial

    -       -       -       -       60,064,503       60,064,503       -  

Consumer

    -       -       -       -       258,484       258,484       -  
                                                         

Total

  $ 181,762     $ -     $ 50,470     $ 232,232     $ 523,764,365     $ 523,996,867     $ -  

 

 

                   

90 Days

                           

Past Due 90

 
   

30 - 59 Days

   

60 - 89 Days

   

or more

   

Total

           

Total

   

Days or More

 
   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Current

   

Loans

   

and Accruing

 

December 31, 2020

                                                       

Real estate:

                                                       

Commerical

  $ 182,656     $ -     $ -     $ 182,656     $ 309,102,155     $ 309,284,811     $ -  

Construction/Land development

    -       -       -       -       33,641,916       33,641,916       -  

Residential

    24,591       -       220,967       245,558       121,082,203       121,327,761       -  

Commercial

    -       -       -       -       61,368,105       61,368,105       -  

Consumer

    -       -       -       -       288,454       288,454       -  
                                                         

Total

  $ 207,247     $ -     $ 220,967     $ 428,214     $ 525,482,833     $ 525,911,047     $ -  

 

It is the Company’s policy to place a loan in nonaccrual status whenever there is substantial doubt about the ability of the borrower to pay principal or interest on any outstanding credit. Management considers such factors as payment history, the nature of the collateral securing the loan, and the overall economic situation of the borrower when making a nonaccrual decision. Management closely monitors nonaccrual loans. The Company returns a nonaccrual loan to accruing status when (i) the loan is brought current with the full payment of all principal and interest arrearages, (ii) all contractual payments are thereafter made on a timely basis for at least nine months, and (iii) management determines, based on a credit review, that it is reasonable to expect that future payments will be made as and when required by the contract.

 

At March 31, 2021, the Company had one nonaccrual commercial real estate loan totaling $4,407,829 and one nonaccrual residential real estate loan totaling $50,470. The loans were secured by real estate, business assets, and personal guarantees. Gross interest income of $61,924 would have been recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2021 if these nonaccrual loans had been current and performing in accordance with the original terms. The Company allocated $0 of its allowance for loan losses to these nonaccrual loans. The recorded investment of the nonaccrual loans was net of charge-offs and a nonaccretable discount totaling $8,176 at March 31, 2021.

 

At December 31, 2020, the Company had one nonaccrual commercial real estate loan totaling $4,407,829 and two nonaccrual residential real estate loans totaling $220,967. The loans were secured by real estate, business assets, and personal guarantees. Gross interest income of $13,395 would have been recorded in 2020 if these nonaccrual loans had been current and performing in accordance with the original terms. The Company allocated $0 of its allowance for loan losses to these nonaccrual loans. The recorded investment of the nonaccrual loans was net of charge-offs and a nonaccretable discount totaling $8,176 at December 31, 2020.

 

33

 

Impaired loans as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are set forth in the following table:

 

   

March 31

   

December 31,

 
   

2021

   

2020

 
                 

Impaired loans with no valuation allowance

  $ 8,877,787     $ 9,188,535  

Impaired loans with a valuation allowance

    -       -  

Total impaired loans

  $ 8,877,787     $ 9,188,535  

Valuation allowance related to impaired loans

  $ -     $ -  

 

Impaired loans include troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”), which are loans that were modified to provide economic concessions to borrowers who have experienced or are expected to experience financial difficulties. These concessions typically result from the Company’s loss mitigation activities and could include reductions in the interest rate, payment extensions, forgiveness of principal, forbearance, or other actions. Certain TDRs are classified as nonperforming at the time of restructure and may only be returned to performing status after considering the borrower’s sustained repayment performance for a reasonable period, generally six months.

 

Section 4013 of the U.S. Government’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act allows financial institutions to suspend application of certain current TDRs accounting guidance under ASC 310-40 for loan modifications related to the COVID-19 pandemic made between March 1, 2020 and the earlier of January 1, 2022 or 60 days after the end of the COVID-19 national emergency, provided certain criteria are met. This relief can be applied to loan modifications for borrowers that were not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019 and to loan modifications that defer or delay the payment of principal or interest, or change the interest rate on the loan. In April 2020, federal and state banking regulators issued the Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus to provide further interpretation of when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, specifically indicating that if the modification is either short-term (e.g., six months) or mandated by a federal or state government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the borrower is not experiencing financial difficulty under ASC 310-40. The Company continues to prudently work with borrowers negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic while managing credit risks and recognizing appropriate allowance for loan losses on its loan portfolio. As of March 31, 2021, $15.9 million, or 3% of the Company’s loan portfolio, were granted three-month deferrals. None of these loans were classified as TDRs as of March 31, 2021 because they met the criteria discussed above.

 

The Company has provided loan modifications to its borrowers who are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Modifications include deferrals of principal and interest for periods up to three months and interest only periods of three months. These deferrals can be extended for an additional three months, subject to approval by the Company. As of March 31, 2021, $15.9 million, or 3% of the Company’s loan portfolio, were granted three-month deferrals. None of these loans were classified as TDRs as of March 31, 2021 because they met the criteria discussed above.

 

The Company continues to prudently work with borrowers that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic while managing credit risks and recognizing appropriate allowance for loan losses on its loan portfolio. See Note 4 to the financial statements included elsewhere in this report for additional information.

 

At March 31, 2021, the Company had two commercial real estate loans totaling $2,236,410 and one residential real estate loan totaling $43,371 that were classified as TDRs. All are included in impaired loans above. At March 31, 2021, all three loans were paying as agreed. There have been no charge-offs or allowances associated with these three loans.

 

34

 

At December 31, 2020, the Company had two commercial real estate loans totaling $2,252,316 and one residential loan totaling $44,733 classified as TDRs. One of the commercial real estate loans with a principal balance of $182,656 was restructured as a TDR during 2020. All three loans are included in impaired loans above. Each loan is paying as agreed. There have been no charge-offs or allowances associated with these three loans

 

   

March 31,

   

December 31,

 
   

2021

   

2020

 
                 

Restructured loans (TDRs):

               

Performing as agreed

  $ 2,279,781     $ 2,297,049  

Not performing as agreed

    -       -  

Total TDRs

  $ 2,279,781     $ 2,297,049  

 

The allowance for loan losses is a reserve established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense.  The allowance for loan losses represents an amount which, in management’s judgment, will be adequate to absorb probable losses on existing loans and other extensions of credit that may become uncollectible. The Company’s allowance for loan loss methodology includes allowance allocations calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 310, “Receivables” and allowance allocations calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 450, “Contingencies.” Accordingly, the methodology is based on historical loss experience by type of credit and internal risk grade, specific homogeneous risk pools and specific loss allocations, with adjustments for current events and conditions.

 

The Company’s process for determining the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses is designed to account for credit deterioration as it occurs. The provision for loan losses reflects loan quality trends, including the levels of and trends related to non-accrual loans, past due loans, potential problem loans, classified and criticized loans and net charge-offs or recoveries, among other factors.

 

Although management believes that, based on information currently available, the Company’s allowance for loan losses is sufficient to cover losses inherent in its loan portfolio at this time, no assurances can be given that the Company’s level of allowance for loan losses will be sufficient to cover future loan losses incurred by the Company or that future adjustments to the allowance for loan losses will not be necessary if economic and other conditions differ substantially from the economic and other conditions at the time management determined the current level of the allowance for loan losses.

 

35

 

The following table details activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 and the year ended December 31, 2020. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories.

 

                                           

Allowance for loan losses

   

Outstanding loan

 
           

Provision

                           

ending balance evaluated

   

balances evaluated

 
   

Beginning

   

for loan

   

Charge

           

Ending

   

for impairment:

   

for impairment:

 

March 31, 2021

 

balance

   

losses

   

offs

   

Recoveries

   

balance

   

Individually

   

Collectively

   

Individually

   

Collectively

 
                                                                         

Real estate:

                                                                       

Commercial

  $ 2,230,129     $ 323,768     $ -     $ 2,500     $ 2,556,397     $ -     $ 2,556,397     $ 6,689,472     $ 305,552,307  

Construction and land development

    201,692       (39,269 )     -       4,050       166,473       -       166,473       1,554,070       33,177,080  

Residential

    644,639       (154,755 )     -       -       489,884       -       489,884       634,245       116,066,706  

Commercial

    111,390       (12,143 )     -       -       99,247       -       99,247       -       60,064,503  

Consumer

    2,138       320       -       -       2,458       -       2,458       -       258,484  

Unallocated

    106,550       2,079       -       -       108,629       -       108,629       -       -  
    $ 3,296,538     $ 120,000     $ -     $ 6,550     $ 3,423,088     $ -     $ 3,423,088     $ 8,877,787     $ 515,119,080  

 

 

                                           

Allowance for loan losses

   

Outstanding loan

 
           

Provision

                           

ending balance evaluated

   

balances evaluated

 
   

Beginning

   

for loan

   

Charge

           

Ending

   

for impairment:

   

for impairment:

 

March 31, 2020

 

balance

   

losses

   

offs

   

Recoveries

   

balance

   

Individually

   

Collectively

   

Individually

   

Collectively

 
                                                                         

Real estate:

                                                                       

Commercial

  $ 1,763,861     $ 149,860     $ -     $ 2,000     $ 1,915,721     $ -     $ 1,915,721     $ 2,071,836     $ 239,065,558  

Construction and land development

    192,828       13,677       -       3,600       210,105       -       210,105       -       19,574,506  

Residential

    478,124       1,629       -       -       479,753       -       479,753       49,342       75,057,346  

Commercial

    107,782       (16,720 )     -       15,835       106,897       -       106,897       -       25,452,964  

Consumer

    4,133       824       -       -       4,957       -       4,957       -       285,801  

Unallocated

    46,987       (24,270 )     -       -       22,717       -       22,717       -       -  
    $ 2,593,715     $ 125,000     $ -     $ 21,435     $ 2,740,150     $ -     $ 2,740,150     $ 2,121,178     $ 359,436,175  

 

 

                                           

Allowance for loan losses

   

Outstanding loan

 
           

Provision

                           

ending balance evaluated

   

balances evaluated

 
   

Beginning

   

for loan

   

Charge

           

Ending

   

for impairment:

   

for impairment:

 

December 31, 2020

 

balance

   

losses

   

offs

   

Recoveries

   

balance

   

Individually

   

Collectively

   

Individually

   

Collectively

 
                                                                         

Real estate:

                                                                       

Commercial

  $ 1,763,861     $ 418,806     $ -     $ 47,462     $ 2,230,129     $ -     $ 2,230,129     $ 6,811,698     $ 302,473,113  

Construction and land development

    192,828       (5,536 )     -       14,400       201,692       -       201,692       1,566,174       32,075,742  

Residential

    478,124       166,515       -       -       644,639       -       644,639       810,663       120,517,098  

Commercial

    107,782       (12,353 )     -       15,961       111,390       -       111,390       -       61,368,105  

Consumer

    4,133       (1,995 )     -       -       2,138       -       2,138       -       288,454  

Unallocated

    46,987       59,563       -       -       106,550       -       106,550       -       -  
    $ 2,593,715     $ 625,000     $ -     $ 77,823     $ 3,296,538     $ -     $ 3,296,538     $ 9,188,535     $ 516,722,512  

 

36

 

The provision for loan losses was $120,000 and $125,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

 

During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had recoveries from loans written off in prior periods totaling $6,550 and $21,435, respectively, and no loan charge-offs in either period.

 

As of March 31, 2021, the Company had $9,469,300 of loans on a watch list, other than impaired loans, for which the borrowers have the potential for experiencing financial difficulties. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $9,546,879 of such loans. These loans are subject to ongoing management attention and their classifications are reviewed regularly. Watch list loans include loans classified as Special Mention, Substandard, and Doubtful.

 

Investment Securities

 

Investments in debt securities increased by $19,238,507 or 24.8% to $96,794,312 at March 31, 2021 from $77,555,805 at December 31, 2020. At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had classified 77% and 70%, respectively, of the investment portfolio as available for sale. The balance of the portfolio was classified as held to maturity.

 

Securities classified as available for sale are held for an indefinite period of time and may be sold in response to changing market and interest rate conditions as part of the Company’s asset/liability management strategy. Available for sale debt securities are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, net of income taxes. Securities classified as held to maturity, which the Company has both the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity, are reported at amortized cost. The Company records unrealized gains and losses on equity securities in earnings. The Company does not currently follow a strategy of making security purchases with a view to near-term sales, and, therefore, does not own trading securities. The Company manages the investment portfolio within policies that seek to achieve desired levels of liquidity, manage interest rate sensitivity, meet earnings objectives, and provide required collateral for deposit and borrowing activities.

 

The following table sets forth the carrying value of investments in debt securities at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

 

   

March 31,

   

December 31,

 
   

2021

   

2020

 

Available for sale

               

State and municipal

  $ 974,066     $ 986,532  

SBA pools

    1,713,871       1,783,807  

Corporate bonds

    6,674,003       6,797,431  

Mortgage-backed securities

    65,566,925       44,909,516  
    $ 74,928,865     $ 54,477,286  
                 

Held to maturity

               

State and municipal

  $ 21,865,447     $ 23,078,519  

 

37

 

The following table sets forth the scheduled maturities of investments in debt securities at March 31, 2021:

 

   

Available for Sale

   

Held to Maturity

 
   

Amortized

Cost

   

Fair Value

   

Amortized

Cost

   

Fair Value

 
                                 

Within 1 year

  $ -     $ -     $ 489,060     $ 492,666  

Over 1 to 5 years

    4,634,500       4,756,528       795,231       810,700  

Over 5 to 10 years

    2,694,963       2,690,665       2,025,039       2,196,415  

Over 10 years

    200,736       200,876       18,556,117       19,241,395  
      7,530,199       7,648,069       21,865,447       22,741,176  

SBA Pools

    1,748,461       1,713,871       -       -  

Mortgage-backed securities

    65,566,556       65,566,925       -       -  
    $ 74,845,216     $ 74,928,865     $ 21,865,447     $ 22,741,176  

 

SBA pools and mortgage-backed securities are due in monthly installments.

 

Other Real Estate Owned

 

Other real estate owned (“OREO”) at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 included two properties with an aggregate carrying value of $1,411,605. The first property is an apartment building in Baltimore, Maryland with a carrying value of $1,411,605 that was obtained in the Merger. The property is under an optional sales contract with no projected closing date. The other property is land in Cecil County, Maryland with a carrying value of $0. It was acquired through foreclosure in 2007. The latter property consists of 10.43 acres and is currently under contract for a gross sales price of $295,000 with closing expected in 2021. Due to the length of time the property has been held, Maryland banking law required a write-down of the value to $0 in 2019.

 

Deposits

 

Total deposits increased by $29,839,728, or 5.2%, to $603,241,275 at March 31, 2021 from $573,401,547 at December 31, 2020. The increase in deposits was due to an $18,770,755 increase in noninterest-bearing accounts, a $16,890,659 increase in savings accounts, and a $1,784,145 increase in interest bearing checking accounts, offset by a $2,131,913 decrease in money market accounts and a $5,473,918 decrease in time deposits.

 

The following table shows the average balances and average costs of deposits for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:

 

   

March 31, 2021

   

March 31, 2020

 
   

Average

   

Average

 
   

Balance

   

Cost

   

Balance

   

Cost

 
                                 

Noninterest bearing demand deposits

  $ 111,624,572       0.00 %   $ 59,982,921       0.00 %

Interest bearing demand deposits

    83,532,279       0.26 %     63,806,965       0.35 %

Savings and money market deposits

    199,036,116       0.15 %     102,211,943       0.32 %

Time deposits

    194,296,941       0.96 %     156,493,583       1.97 %
    $ 588,489,908       0.40 %   $ 382,495,412       0.95 %

 

38

 

Liquidity Management

 

Liquidity describes our ability to meet financial obligations that arise out of the ordinary course of business. Liquidity is primarily needed to meet depositor withdrawal requirements, to fund loans, and to fund our other debts and obligations as they come due in the normal course of business. We maintain our asset liquidity position internally through short-term investments, the maturity distribution of the investment portfolio, loan repayments, and income from earning assets. On the liability side of the balance sheet, liquidity is affected by the timing of maturing liabilities and the ability to generate new deposits or borrowings as needed. The Bank is approved to borrow 75% of eligible pledged single-family residential loans and 50% of eligible pledged commercial loans as well as investment securities, or approximately $82.3 million under a secured line of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”). The Bank also has a facility with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond (the “Reserve Bank”) under which the Bank can borrow approximately $29.5 million. Finally, the Bank has $23,500,000 ($14,500,000 unsecured and $9,000,000 secured) of overnight federal funds lines of credit available from commercial banks. FHLB advances of $5,000,000 were outstanding as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The Company borrowed $17,000,000 to facilitate the acquisition of Carroll as more fully described below. There were no borrowings from the Reserve Bank or our commercial bank lenders at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. Management believes that we have adequate liquidity sources to meet all anticipated liquidity needs over the next 12 months. Management knows of no trend or event which is likely to have a material impact on our ability to maintain liquidity at satisfactory levels.

 

Borrowings and Other Contractual Obligations

 

The Company’s contractual obligations consist primarily of borrowings and operating leases for various facilities.

 

On September 30, 2020, the Company borrowed $17,000,000 from First Horizon Bank (“FHN”) for the purpose of funding a portion of the merger consideration that was payable to the stockholders of Carroll when it was merged with and into the Company on October 1, 2020. Net of issuance costs, the amount of the net long-term debt was $16,974,687 and $16,973,280 as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The loan matures on September 30, 2025. The interest rate on the loan is fixed at 4.10%. The Company is required to make quarterly interest-only payments through October 1, 2021. The Company expects that the amount of these quarterly interest-only payments to be $174,250. During the remaining term of the loan, the Company is required to make quarterly interest and principal payments of approximately $646,472, which will be based on a nine-year straight-line amortization schedule. The remaining balance of approximately $9,916,667 will be due at maturity. To secure its obligations under this loan, the Company pledged all of its shares of common stock of the Bank to FHN.

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase represent overnight borrowings from customers. Securities owned by the Company which are used as collateral for these borrowings are primarily U.S. government agency securities.

 

Specific information about the Company’s borrowings and contractual obligations is set forth in the following table:

 

   

September 30,

   

December 31,

 
   

2020

   

2019

 

Amount oustanding at period-end:

               

Securities sold under repurchase agreements

  $ 12,648,269     $ 24,753,972  

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

    5,000,000       5,000,000  

Long-term debt (net of issuance costs)

    16,974,687       16,973,280  

Weighted average rate paid at period-end:

               

Securites sold under repurchase agreements

    0.45 %     0.61 %

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

    1.00 %     1.00 %

Long-term debt

    4.10 %     4.10 %

 

39

 

The Federal Home Loan Bank advances and the long-term debt outstanding at March 31, 2021 will require the following principal payments:

 

Year ending December 31, 2022

    1,888,889  

Year ending December 31, 2023

    1,888,889  

Year ending December 31, 2024

    1,888,889  

Year ending December 31, 2025

    16,333,333  

 

 

Capital Resources and Adequacy

 

The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possible additional, discretionary actions by the regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on our financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities, and certain off‑balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices.

 

Quantitative measures established by the Basel III Capital Rules to ensure capital adequacy require the maintenance of minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of Common Equity Tier 1 capital, Tier 1 capital, and Total capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk‑weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier 1 capital to adjusted quarterly average assets (as defined).

 

Additional information regarding the capital requirements that apply to us can be found in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this report and in Item 1 of Part I of the Form 10-K under the heading, “Supervision and Regulation – Capital Requirements”.

 

The following table presents actual and required capital ratios as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 for the Bank under the Basel III Capital Rules. The minimum required capital amounts presented include the minimum required capital levels as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, based on the phase-in provisions of the Basel III Capital Rules. Capital levels required to be considered well capitalized are based upon prompt corrective action regulations, as amended to reflect the changes under the Basel III Capital Rules.

 

                   

Minimum

   

To Be Well

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Actual

   

Capital Adequacy

   

Capitalized

 

March 31, 2021

 

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

 
                                                 

Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)

  $ 65,177       12.59 %   $ 54,344       10.50 %   $ 51,756       10.00 %

Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)

    61,754       11.93 %     43,993       8.50 %     41,405       8.00 %

Common equity tier 1 (to risk- weighted assets)

    61,754       11.93 %     36,229       7.00 %     33,642       6.50 %

Tier 1 leverage (to average assets)

    61,754       9.19 %     26,884       4.00 %     33,605       5.00 %
                                                 

December 31, 2020

                                               
                                                 

Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)

  $ 63,400       12.62 %   $ 52,732       10.50 %   $ 50,221       10.00 %

Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)

    60,104       11.97 %     42,688       8.50 %     40,177       8.00 %

Common equity tier 1 (to risk- weighted assets)

    60,104       11.97 %     35,155       7.00 %     32,644       6.50 %

Tier 1 leverage (to average assets)

    60,104       9.05 %     26,569       4.00 %     33,211       5.00 %

 

The Company intends to fund future growth primarily with cash, federal funds, maturities of investment securities and deposit growth. Management knows of no other trend or event that will have a material impact on capital.

 

40

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

In the normal course of business, the Bank makes commitments to extend credit and issues standby letters of credit. Outstanding loan commitments, unused lines of credit, and letters of credit as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are as follows:

 

   

March 31,

   

December 31,

 
   

2021

   

2020

 
                 

Loan commitments

               

Construction and land development

  $ 425,000     $ 4,668,250  

Commercial

    2,233,720       1,000,000  

Consumer

    30,000       -  

Commercial real estate

    25,968,100       15,772,020  

Residential

    6,677,250       4,668,750  
    $ 35,334,070     $ 26,109,020  
                 

Unused lines of credit

               

Home-equity lines

  $ 13,777,640     $ 13,716,894  

Commercial lines

    27,787,549       23,996,679  
    $ 41,565,189     $ 37,713,573  
                 

Letters of credit

  $ 1,553,018     $ 1,891,428  

 

Loan commitments and lines of credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition to the contract. Loan commitments generally have interest rates at current market amounts, fixed expiration dates, and may require payment of a fee. Lines of credit generally have variable interest rates. Such lines do not represent future cash requirements because it is unlikely that all customers will draw upon their lines in full at any time. Letters of credit are commitments issued to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party.

 

The maximum exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the customer is the contractual amount of the commitment. Loan commitments, lines of credit and letters of credit are made on the same terms, including collateral, as outstanding loans. Management is not aware of any accounting loss that is likely to be incurred as a result of funding its credit commitments.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020

 

General

 

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $2,029,575, compared to $843,307 for the same period of 2020. The increase of $1,186,268, or 140.7%, was due to a $1,807,921 increase in net interest income, a $254,943 increase in noninterest income, and a $5,000 decrease in the loan loss provision, offset by a $448,811 increase in noninterest expenses and a $432,785 increase in income taxes.

 

41

 

The Company incurred significant one-time costs during 2020 in connection with the Company’s acquisition of Carroll. The table below provides a comparison of the Company’s results for the first quarter of 2021 versus the same period of the prior year with and without $179,824 of acquisition costs incurred during the first quarter of 2020.

 

   

Three Months Ended

 
   

March 31, 2021

   

March 31, 2020

 
                   

Excluding

 
   

As Reported

   

As Reported

   

Acquisition Costs

 
                         

Income before taxes

  $ 2,615,276     $ 996,223     $ 1,176,047  

Income taxes

    585,701       152,916       202,399  

Net income

  $ 2,029,575     $ 843,307     $ 973,648  

Earnings per share

  $ 0.67     $ 0.28     $ 0.33  

Return on average assets

    1.19 %     0.75 %     0.87 %

Return on average equity

    15.37 %     6.72 %     7.76 %

 

Net Interest Income

 

Net interest income, which is the difference between interest income on loans and investments and interest expense on deposits and borrowings, was $5,573,455 for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $3,765,534 for the same period of 2020.

 

Total interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $6,370,592, compared to $4,710,036 for the same period of 2020, an increase of $1,660,556, or 35.3%.

 

Total interest income on loans for the three months ended March 31, 2021 increased by $1,662,003 when compared to the same period of 2021 due to a $162.8 million higher average loan balance for the first three months of 2021 when compared to the same period of 2020, offset by a lower loan yield of 4.54% for the first three months of 2021 versus 4.74% for the same period of 2020. Investment income for the first three months of 2021 increased by $17,208, or 4.9%, when compared to the same period of 2020 due to a $49.3 million higher average investment balance, offset by a decrease in fully-taxable equivalent yield to 1.60% for three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to 2.86% for the same period of 2020. The fully-taxable equivalent yield on total interest-earning assets decreased 50 basis points to 3.92% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to 4.42% for the same period of 2020. The average balance of total interest-earning assets increased by $225.4 million to $655.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $430.0 million for the same period of 2020.

 

Total interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $797,137, compared to $944,502 for the same period of 2020, a decrease of $147,365, or 15.6%. The decrease was due to a lower overall cost of funds on interest bearing deposits and borrowings of 0.63% for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to 1.13% for the same period of 2020, offset by a $176.2 million increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities to $509.3 million in the first three months of 2021, compared to $333.0 million in the same period of 2020. Cost of funds for time deposits decreased to 0.96% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 from 1.97% for the same period of 2020. Securities sold under repurchase agreements cost of funds decreased to 0.52% for the first three months of 2021 from 1.47% for the first three months of 2020.

 

Average noninterest-earning assets increased by $5.2 million to $23.0 million in the first three months of 2021, compared to $17.8 million in the same period of 2020. Average noninterest-bearing deposits increased by $51.6 million to $111.6 million during the first three months of 2021, compared to $60.0 million in the same period of 2020. The average balance in stockholders’ equity increased by $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, when compared with the same period of 2020.

 

42

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the average balances of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, the amount of interest income and interest expense and the resulting yields on average interest-earning assets and rates paid on average interest-bearing liabilities for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. Average balances are also provided for noninterest-earning assets and noninterest-bearing liabilities.

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021

   

Three Months Ended March 31, 2020

 
   

Average

                   

Average

                 
   

Balance

   

Interest

   

Yield

   

Balance

   

Interest

   

Yield

 

Assets:

                                               

Loans

  $ 527,459,924     $ 5,984,657       4.54 %   $ 364,706,926     $ 4,322,654       4.74 %

Securities, taxable

    83,279,735       212,244       1.02 %     37,155,531       211,746       2.28 %

Securities, tax exempt

    21,150,879       206,367       3.90 %     18,023,848       183,275       4.07 %

Federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets

    23,532,775       14,818       0.25 %     10,125,466       34,059       1.35 %

Total interest-earning assets

    655,423,313       6,418,086       3.92 %     430,011,771       4,751,734       4.42 %

Noninterest-earning assets

    23,003,563                       17,754,285                  

Total assets

  $ 678,426,876                     $ 447,766,056                  
                                                 

Liabilities and Stockholders Equity:

                                               

NOW, savings, and money market

  $ 282,568,395       130,585       0.18 %   $ 166,018,908       136,947       0.33 %

Certificates of deposit

    194,296,941       464,935       0.96 %     156,493,583       769,252       1.97 %

Securities sold under repurchase agreements

    10,445,266       13,511       0.52 %     10,391,770       38,194       1.47 %

Long-term debt

    16,973,984       175,656       4.14 %     -       -       -  

FHLB advances and other borrowings

    5,000,000       12,450       1.00 %     131,958       109       0.33 %

Total interest-bearing liabilities

    509,284,586       797,137       0.63 %     333,036,219       944,502       1.13 %
                                                 

Noninterest-bearing deposits

    111,624,572                       59,982,921                  

Noninterest-bearing liabilities

    4,694,670                       4,539,576                  

Total liabilities

    625,603,828                       397,558,716                  

Stockholders' equity

    52,823,048                       50,207,340                  

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

  $ 678,426,876                     $ 447,766,056                  
                                                 

Net interest income

          $ 5,620,949                     $ 3,807,232          
                                                 

Interest rate spread

                    3.29 %                     3.29 %
                                                 

Net yield on interest-earning assets

                    3.43 %                     3.54 %
                                                 

Ratio of average interest-earning assets to Average interest-bearing liabilities

                    128.69 %                     129.12 %

 

Interest on tax-exempt securities and other tax-exempt investments are reported on fully taxable equivalent basis.

 

Noninterest Income

 

Noninterest income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $556,945, compared to $302,002 for the same period of 2020, an increase of $254,943, or 84.4%. The increase was primarily a result of a $194,010 increase in mortgage banking income, a $28,107 increase in bank owned life insurance income, and a $37,613 gain on the sale of a former Carroll branch office.

 

43

 

Noninterest Expense

 

Noninterest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2021 totaled $3,395,124, compared to $2,946,313 for the same period of 2020, an increase of $448,811, or 15.2%. The increase was due primarily to, increases in salaries and benefits of $297,203, in occupancy, furniture and equipment of $103,294, and in other of $228,138, offset by a decrease in costs incurred related to the acquisition of Carroll of $179,824. The increases are all a result of the employees, locations, and customers added from the acquisition of Carroll.

 

Income Tax Expense

 

Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $585,701, compared to $152,916 for the same period of 2020. The effective tax rate was 22.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to 15.3% for the same period of 2020. The increase in income tax expense was due primarily to higher income before income taxes and a lower percentage of tax exempt revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2021 when compared to the same period in 2020.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Our primary market risk is interest rate fluctuation and we have procedures in place to evaluate and mitigate this risk. This market risk and our procedures are described in Item 7 of Part II the on Form 10-K under the heading, “Interest Rate Risk”, which provides information as of December 31, 2020. Management believes that no material changes in market risk or our procedures used to evaluate and mitigate these risks have occurred since December 31, 2020.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act with the SEC, such as this Quarterly Report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the periods specified in those rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc.’s principal executive officer (“PEO”) and the principal financial officer (“PFO”), as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls is also based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

An evaluation of the effectiveness of these disclosure controls as of March 31, 2021 was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the PEO and the PFO. Based on that evaluation, management, including the PEO and the PFO, has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are, in fact, effective at the reasonable assurance level.

 

During the quarter ended March 31, 2021, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

44

 

Part II OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

None.

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

 

The risks and uncertainties to which our financial condition and operations are subject are discussed in detail in Item 1A of Part I of the Form 10-K. Management does not believe that any material changes in our risk factors have occurred since they were last disclosed.

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

None.

 

Item 3.

Defaults upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 5.

Other Information

 

None.

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

The exhibits filed or furnished with this quarterly report are listed in the following Exhibit Index:

 

Exhibit Description
   
31.1 Certifications of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (filed herewith)
   
31.2 Certifications of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (filed herewith)
   
32 Certification of the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Office pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (furnished herewith)
   
101 Interactive Data Files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (filed herewith)

 

45

 

 

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.

 

 

 FARMERS AND MERCHANTS BANCSHARES, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:     May 17, 2021

 

/s/ James R. Bosley, Jr. 

 

 

 

James R. Bosley, Jr.

 

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

    (Principal Executive Officer)  
       
       
Date      May 17, 2021   /s/ Mark C. Krebs  
    Mark C. Krebs,  
    Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer  
    (Principal Financial Officer & Principal Accounting Officer)  

 

46