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FIRST COMMUNITY CORP /SC/ - Quarter Report: 2022 June (Form 10-Q)

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

x Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2022
   
o Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
for the transition period from ____ to ____

 

Commission File Number: 000-28344

 

FIRST COMMUNITY CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
South Carolina 57-1010751
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

5455 Sunset Boulevard, Lexington, South Carolina 29072

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(803) 951-2265

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not Applicable

 (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

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

 

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $1.00 per share FCCO The Nasdaq Capital Market

 

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

 

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).     x Yes   o No

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated Filer x   Smaller reporting company x
    Emerging growth company o

 

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. o

 

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

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: On August 10, 2022, 7,566,633 shares of the issuer’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share, were issued and outstanding.

 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION 1
Item 1. Financial Statements 1
  Consolidated Balance Sheets 1
  Consolidated Statements of Income 2
  Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) 4
  Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity 5
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 8
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 9
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 33
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 62
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 62
     
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION 63
Item 1.  Legal Proceedings 63
Item 1A. Risk Factors 63
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 63
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 63
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 63
Item 5. Other Information 63
Item 6. Exhibits 64
     
SIGNATURES 65
 
 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

FIRST COMMUNITY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

   June 30,     
(Dollars in thousands, except par values)  2022   December 31, 
   (Unaudited)   2021 
ASSETS          
Cash and due from banks  $27,485   $21,973 
Interest-bearing bank balances   76,918    47,049 
Investment securities held-to-maturity, fair value of $229,198 and $0 at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively   233,730     
Investment securities available-for-sale   337,254    564,839 
Other investments, at cost   1,929    1,785 
Loans held-for-sale   4,533    7,120 
Loans held-for-investment   916,332    863,702 
Less, allowance for loan losses   11,220    11,179 
Net loans held-for-investment   905,112    852,523 
Property and equipment - net   32,251    32,831 
Lease right-of-use asset   2,972    2,842 
Bank owned life insurance   29,589    29,231 
Other real estate owned   984    1,165 
Intangible assets   840    919 
Goodwill   14,637    14,637 
Other assets   16,590    7,594 
Total assets  $1,684,824   $1,584,508 
LIABILITIES          
Deposits:          
Non-interest bearing  $476,024   $444,688 
Interest bearing   992,951    916,603 
Total deposits   1,468,975    1,361,291 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase   71,800    54,216 
Junior subordinated debt   14,964    14,964 
Lease liability   3,096    2,950 
Other liabilities   8,397    10,089 
Total liabilities   1,567,232    1,443,510 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding        
Common stock, par value $1.00 per share; 20,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding 7,566,633 at June 30, 2022 7,548,638 at December 31, 2021   7,567    7,549 
Nonvested restricted stock and stock units   1,093    (294)
Additional paid in capital   92,487    92,139 
Retained earnings   42,988    38,325 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (26,543)   3,279 
Total shareholders’ equity   117,592    140,998 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity  $1,684,824   $1,584,508 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1
 

FIRST COMMUNITY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)  Six Months ended June 30, 
   2022   2021 
Interest and dividend income:          
Loans, including fees  $18,307   $19,191 
Investment securities - taxable   3,453    2,852 
Investment securities - non taxable   755    776 
Other short term investments and CD’s   193    63 
Total interest income   22,708    22,882 
Interest expense:          
Deposits   642    967 
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase   47    47 
Other borrowed money   235    209 
Total interest expense   924    1,223 
Net interest income   21,784    21,659 
Provision for (release of) loan losses   (195)   345 
Net interest income after provision for (release of) loan losses   21,979    21,314 
Non-interest income:          
Deposit service charges   527    458 
Mortgage banking income   1,320    2,133 
Investment advisory fees and non-deposit commissions   2,393    1,834 
Gain (loss) on sale of other assets   (45)   77 
Other   2,188    2,212 
Total non-interest income   6,383    6,714 
Non-interest expense:          
Salaries and employee benefits   12,294    11,912 
Occupancy   1,491    1,464 
Equipment   661    613 
Marketing and public relations   807    709 
FDIC Insurance assessments   235    315 
Other real estate expense   76    84 
Amortization of intangibles   79    109 
Other   4,499    4,212 
Total non-interest expense   20,142    19,418 
Net income before tax   8,220    8,610 
Income tax expense   1,601    1,812 
Net income  $6,619   $6,798 
           
Basic earnings per common share  $0.88   $0.91 
Diluted earnings per common share  $0.87   $0.90 
2
 

FIRST COMMUNITY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)  Three Months ended June 30, 
   2022   2021 
Interest and dividend income:          
Loans, including fees  $9,304   $9,741 
Investment securities - taxable   1,674    1,507 
Investment securities - non taxable   375    387 
Other short term investments and CD’s   160    29 
Total interest income   11,513    11,664 
Interest expense:          
Deposits   309    448 
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase   22    19 
Other borrowed money   131    105 
Total interest expense   462    572 
Net interest income   11,051    11,092 
Provision for (release of) loan losses   (70)   168 
Net interest income after provision for (release of) loan losses   11,121    10,924 
Non-interest income:          
Deposit service charges   262    212 
Mortgage banking income   481    1,143 
Investment advisory fees and non-deposit commissions   1,195    957 
Gain (loss) on sale of other assets   (45)    
Other   1,116    1,106 
Total non-interest income   3,009    3,418 
Non-interest expense:          
Salaries and employee benefits   6,175    5,948 
Occupancy   786    734 
Equipment   329    338 
Marketing and public relations   446    313 
FDIC Insurance assessments   105    146 
Other real estate expense   29    55 
Amortization of intangibles   40    52 
Other   2,278    2,292 
Total non-interest expense   10,188    9,878 
Net income before tax   3,942    4,464 
Income tax expense   812    921 
Net income  $3,130   $3,543 
           
Basic earnings per common share  $0.42   $0.47 
Diluted earnings per common share  $0.41   $0.47 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

3
 

FIRST COMMUNITY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

         
(Dollars in thousands)  Six months ended June 30, 
   2022   2021 
         
Net income  $6,619   $6,798 
           
Other comprehensive income:           
           
Unrealized loss during the period on available-for-sale securities, net of tax benefit of $4,447 and $1,021, respectively   (16,730)   (3,841)
           
Unrealized loss during the period on available-for-sale securities transferred to held-to-maturity, net of tax benefit of $3,508 and $0, respectively.   (13,198)    
           
Reclassification adjustment for amortization on unrealized losses on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity, net of tax expense of $28 and $0 respectively.   106     
           
Other comprehensive loss   (29,822)   (3,841)
           
Comprehensive income (loss)  $(23,203)  $2,957 
           
(Dollars in thousands)  Three months ended June 30, 
   2022   2021 
         
Net income  $3,130   $3,543 
           
Other comprehensive income:
          
           
Unrealized gain during the period on available-for-sale securities, net of tax expense of $414 and $616, respectively   1,558    2,320 
           
Unrealized loss during the period on available-for-sale securities transferred to held-to-maturity, net of tax benefit of $3,508 and $0, respectively.   (13,198)    
           
Reclassification adjustment for amortization on unrealized losses on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity, net of tax expense of $28 and $0 respectively.   106     
           
Other comprehensive income (loss)   (11,534)   2,320 
           
Comprehensive income (loss)  $(8,404)  $5,863 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

4
 

FIRST COMMUNITY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021

(Unaudited)

 

               Nonvested       Accumulated     
   Common       Additional   Restricted       Other     
(Dollars and shares in thousands)  Shares   Common   Paid-in   Stock and   Retained   Comprehensive     
   Issued   Stock   Capital   Stock Units   Earnings   Income (loss)   Total 
Balance, December 31, 2021   7,549   $7,549   $92,139   $(294)  $38,325   $3,279   $140,998 
Net income                       6,619         6,619 
Other comprehensive loss net of tax benefit of $7,927                            (29,822)   (29,822)
Issuance of common stock   1    1    27                   28 
Issuance of restricted stock   9    9    190    (199)              
Amortization of compensation on restricted stock                  168              168 
Stock units granted                  1,418              1,418 
Shares forfeited   (2)   (2)   (40)                  (42)
Dividends: Common ($0.26 per share)                       (1,956)        (1,956)
Dividend reinvestment plan   10    10    171                   181 
Balance, June 30, 2022   7,567   $7,567   $92,487   $1,093   $42,988   $(26,543)  $117,592 
                                    
                       Accumulated     
   Common       Additional   Nonvested       Other     
(Dollars and shares in thousands)  Shares   Common   Paid-in   Restricted   Retained   Comprehensive     
   Issued   Stock   Capital   Stock   Earnings   Income (loss)   Total 
Balance, December 31, 2020   7,500   $7,500   $91,380   $(283)  $26,453   $11,287   $136,337 
Net income                       6,798         6,798 
Other comprehensive loss net of tax benefit of $1,021                            (3,841)   (3,841)
Issuance of common stock   12    12    124                   136 
Issuance of restricted stock   21    21    353    (374)              
Amortization of compensation on restricted stock                  177              177 
Shares forfeited   (4)   (4)   (66)                  (70 
Dividends: Common ($0.24 per share)                       (1,794)        (1,794)
Dividend reinvestment plan   11    11    173                   184 
Balance, June 30, 2021   7,540   $7,540   $91,964   $(480)  $31,457   $7,446   $137,927 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

5
 

FIRST COMMUNITY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

 

               Nonvested       Accumulated     
   Common       Additional   Restricted       Other     
(Dollars in thousands)  Shares   Common   Paid-in   Stock and   Retained   Comprehensive     
   Issued   Stock   Capital   Stock Units   Earnings   Income (loss)   Total 
Balance, December 31, 2021   7,549   $7,549   $92,139   $(294)  $38,325   $3,279   $140,998 
Net income                       3,489         3,489 
Other comprehensive loss net of tax benefit of $4,862                            (18,288)   (18,288)
Issuance of common stock   1    1    27                   28 
Issuance of restricted stock   7    7    147    (154)              
Amortization of compensation on restricted stock                  79              79 
Shares forfeited   (2)   (2)   (40)                  (42)
Dividends: Common ($0.13 per share)                       (977)        (977)
Dividend reinvestment plan   5    5    88                   93 
Balance, March 31, 2022   7,560   $7,560   $92,361   $(369)  $40,837   $(15,009)  $125,380 
Net income                       3,130         3,130 
Other comprehensive income net of tax benefit of $3,066                            (11,534)   (11,534)
Issuance of restricted stock   2    2    43    (45)              
Amortization of compensation on restricted stock                  89              89 
Stock units                  1,418              1,418 
Dividends: Common ($0.13 per share)                       (979)        (979)
Dividend reinvestment plan   5    5    83                   88 
Balance, June 30, 2022   7,567   $7,567   $92,487   $1,093   $42,988   $(26,543)  $117,592 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

6
 

FIRST COMMUNITY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

 

                       Accumulated     
   Common       Additional   Nonvested       Other     
(Dollars in thousands)  Shares   Common   Paid-in   Restricted   Retained   Comprehensive     
   Issued   Stock   Capital   Stock   Earnings   Income (loss)   Total 
Balance, December 31, 2020   7,500   $7,500   $91,380   $(283)  $26,453   $11,287   $136,337 
Net income                       3,255         3,255 
Other comprehensive loss net of tax of $1,637                            (6,161)   (6,161)
Issuance of common stock   2    2    44                   46 
Issuance of restricted stock   21    21    353    (374)              
Amortization of compensation on restricted stock                  84              84 
Shares retired / forfeited   (4)   (4)   (66)                  (70)
Dividends: Common ($0.12 per share)                       (896)        (896)
Dividend reinvestment plan   6    6    86                   92 
Balance, March 31, 2021   7,525   $7,525   $91,797   $(573)  $28,812   $5,126   $132,687 
Net income                       3,543         3,543 
Other comprehensive income net of tax of $616                            2,320    2,320 
Issuance of common stock   10    10    80                   90 
Amortization of compensation on restricted stock                  93              93 
Dividends: Common ($0.12 per share)                       (898)        (898)
Dividend reinvestment plan   5    5    87                   92 
Balance, June 30, 2021   7,540   $7,540   $91,964   $(480)  $31,457   $7,446   $137,927 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

7
 

FIRST COMMUNITY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

   Six months ended
June 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands)  2022   2021 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net income  $6,619   $6,798 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:          
Depreciation   855    853 
Net amortization of premium on investment securities available for sale   1,613    1,089 
Net amortization of premium on investment securities held-to-maturity   78     
(Release of) provision for loan losses   (195)   345 
Write-downs of other real estate owned   19    33 
Origination of loans held-for-sale   (44,683)   (76,404)
Sale of loans held-for-sale   47,270    110,008 
(Gain) Loss on sale of other real estate owned   45    (77)
Amortization of intangibles   79    109 
Accretion on acquired loans   (25)   (64)
(Gain) Loss on fair value of securities   1    (2)
(Increase) decrease in other assets   (1,422)   786 
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities   (1,546)   (2,042)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities   8,708    41,432 
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Purchase of investment securities available-for-sale   (81,692)   (139,458)
Purchase of investment securities held-to-maturity   (6,843)     
Purchase of other investment securities   (144)   (20)
Maturity/call of investment securities available-for-sale   40,867    24,424 
Maturity/call of investment securities held-to-maturity   1,947      
Proceeds from sales of other investments       355 
Increase in loans   (52,368)   (34,338)
Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned   117    201 
Purchase of property and equipment   (300)   (277)
Net disposal of property and equipment   24     
Net cash used in investing activities   (98,392)   (149,113)
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Increase in deposit accounts   107,684    100,470 
Increase in securities sold under agreements to repurchase   17,584    19,573 
Shares retired / forfeited   (42)   (70)
Dividends paid: Common Stock   (1,956)   (1,794)
Restricted stock units granted   1,418     
Proceeds from issuance of Common Stock   28    136 
Change in non-vested restricted stock   168    177 
Dividend reinvestment plan   181    184 
Net cash provided by financing activities   125,065    118,676 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents   35,381    10,995 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   69,022    64,992 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $104,403   $75,987 
Supplemental disclosure:          
Cash paid during the period for:          
Interest  $1,028   $2,396 
Income taxes  $1,867   $2,837 
Non-cash investing and financing activities:          
Unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale, net of tax  $(16,730)  $(3,841)
Unrealized loss on securities held-to-maturity, net of tax   (13,092)     
Transfer of investment securities available-for-sale to held-to-maturity   245,619     
Transfer of loans to foreclosed property  $   $145 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

8
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Note 1—Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation

 

Basis of Presentation

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets, and the consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and the cash flows of First Community Corporation (the “Company”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, First Community Bank (the “Bank”), present fairly in all material respects the Company’s financial position at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company’s results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2022.

 

In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to fairly present the consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations have been made. All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated financial statements and notes thereto are presented in accordance with the instructions for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The information included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 should be referred to in connection with these unaudited interim financial statements.

Risk and Uncertainties

 

The COVID-19 pandemic and variants of the virus continue to create disruptions to the global economy and financial markets and to businesses and the lives of individuals throughout the world. As the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved from its emergence in early 2020, so has its impact. While vaccine availability and uptake has increased, the longer-term macro-economic effects on global supply chains, inflation, labor shortages and wage increases continue to impact many industries. Moreover, with the potential for new strains of COVID-19 to emerge, governments and businesses may re-impose aggressive measures to help slow its spread in the future. For this reason, among others, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the potential or lasting impacts on our business, financial condition and results of operations remains uncertain and difficult to assess. Our business, financial condition and results of operations generally rely upon the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans, the value of collateral underlying our secured loans, and demand for loans and other products and services we offer, which are highly dependent on the business environment in our primary markets where we operate and in the United States as a whole. The unprecedented and rapid spread of COVID-19 and its variants and their associated impacts on trade (including supply chains and export levels), travel, employee productivity, unemployment, consumer spending, and other economic activities have resulted and continue to result in volatility and disruption in financial markets.

 

In addition, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, market interest rates declined to historical lows and the reductions in interest rates, low interest rate environment, and the other effects of the COVID-19 pandemic had an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. However, during 2022, market interest rates have started to increase. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) made the following increases to the target range of federal funds during the first six months of 2022:

 

-0.25% on March 16, 2022;
-0.50% on May 4, 2022; and
-0.75% on June 15, 2022.

 

The target range of federal funds was 1.50% - 1.75% at June 30, 2022 compared to 0.25% - 0.50% at March 31, 2022, and compared to 0.00% - 0.25% at December 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021. Changes in market interest rates can have a significant impact on the level of income and expense recorded on a large portion of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, and on the market value of all interest-earning assets, other than those possessing a short term to maturity.

9
 

Note 2—Earnings Per Common Share

 

The following reconciles the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted earnings per common share computation:

 

(In thousands except average market price and per share data)

 

   Six months   Three months 
   Ended June 30,   Ended June 30, 
   2022   2021   2022   2021 
                 
Numerator (Net income available to common shareholders)  $6,619   $6,798   $3,130   $3,543 
Denominator                    
Weighted average common shares outstanding for:                    
Basic shares   7,522    7,478    7,526    7,486 
Dilutive securities:                    
Deferred compensation   31    28    29    29 
Restricted stock – Treasury stock method   52    22    52    22 
Diluted shares   7,605    7,528    7,607    7,537 
Earnings per common share:                    
Basic   0.88    0.91    0.42    0.47 
Diluted   0.87    0.90    0.41    0.47 
The average market price used in calculating assumed number of shares  $20.25   $18.95   $19.50   $19.44 

 

Reclassification of Stock Units

 

In June 2022, all of the Company’s stock units were reclassified from “Other liabilities” to “Nonvested restricted stock and stock units” and are included in “Nonvested restricted stock and restricted stock and stock units” on the Balance Sheet for all periods presented.

 

The table below shows the balance as of June 30, 2022 for each type of stock unit reclassified.

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)    
Type of stock unit  Balance 
Nonemployee Director deferred compensation stock units   1,201 
Time-Based Restricted Stock Units   79 
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units   138 
Total stock units reclassified   1,418 

 

Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan

Under the Company’s Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective as of January 1, 2021, a director may elect to defer all or any part of annual retainer and monthly meeting fees payable with respect to service on the board of directors or a committee of the board. Units of common stock are credited to the director’s account as of the last day of such calendar quarter during which the compensation is earned and are included in dilutive securities in the table above. The non-employee director’s account balance is distributed by issuance of common stock within 30 days following such director’s separation from service from the board of directors. At June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were 90,446 and 85,765 units in the plan, respectively. The equity related to the plan at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 amounted to $1.2 million and $1.1 million, respectively, and is included in “Nonvested restricted stock and stock units” on the balance sheet.

10
 

First Community Corporation 2011 Stock Incentive Plan

In 2011, the Company and its shareholders adopted a stock incentive plan whereby 350,000 shares were reserved for issuance by the Company upon the grant of stock options or restricted stock awards under the plan (the “2011 Plan”). The 2011 Plan provided for the grant of options to key employees and directors as determined by a stock option committee made up of at least two members of the board of directors. Options are exercisable for a period of ten years from the date of grant. There were no stock options outstanding and exercisable at June 30, 2022, December 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021. The 2011 Plan expired on March 15, 2021 and no new awards may be granted under the 2011 Plan. However, any awards outstanding under the 2011 Plan will continue to be outstanding and governed by the provisions of the 2011 Plan.

Under the 2011 Plan, the employee restricted shares and units generally cliff vest over a three-year period and the non-employee director shares vest approximately one year after issuance. The unrecognized compensation cost at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 for non-vested employee restricted shares amounted to $199.4 thousand and $293.9 thousand, respectively. The related compensation expense for restricted shares is expensed over the vesting period and was $44.2 thousand and $93.4 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2022, and June 30, 2021, respectively. The related compensation expense for restricted shares was $94.5 thousand and $177.6 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021, respectively. Each unit is convertible into one share of common stock at the time the unit vests. The related compensation cost for time-based units (“TRSUs”) is expensed over the vesting period and was $4.8 thousand and $8.3 thousand respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021. The related compensation cost for TRSUs for the six months periods ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021 was $11.9 thousand and $16.6 thousand, respectively. The unrecognized compensation cost for non-vested TRSUs at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 was $44.6 thousand and $35.1 thousand, respectively.

Historically, the Company granted time-based equity awards that vested based on continued service. Beginning in 2021 and in addition to time-based equity awards, the Company began granting performance-based equity awards in the form of performance-based restricted stock units, with the target number of performance-based restricted stock units for the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers representing 50% of total target equity awards. These performance-based restricted stock units cliff vest over three years and include conditions based on the following performance measures: total shareholder return, return on average equity, and non-performing assets. The Company granted 13,302 performance-based restricted stock units (“PRSUs”) with a fair value of $234.0 thousand during 2021. The related compensation cost for the PRSUs is expensed over the vesting period and was $19.5 thousand and $19.5 thousand, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021. The related compensation cost for PRSUs for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021 were $39.0 thousand and $26.0 thousand, respectively. The unrecognized compensation expense related to the PRSUs was $104.0 thousand and $65.0 thousand at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.

First Community Corporation 2021 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan

In 2021, the Company and its shareholders adopted an omnibus equity incentive plan whereby 225,000 shares were reserved for issuance by the Company to help the company attract, retain and motivate directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors of the Company and its subsidiaries (the “2021 Plan”). The 2021 Plan replaced the 2011 Plan. No awards were granted under the 2021 Plan as of June 30, 2021. During the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company granted 7,358 restricted stock awards to Directors with a fair value of $154 thousand. The restricted stock awards will fully vest on January 1, 2023. During the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company granted 2,201 restricted stock awards to officers with a fair value of $36.6 thousand and vesting periods ranging from one to three years. The related compensation expense for all restricted shares is expensed over the vesting period and was $48.0 thousand and $73.7 thousand for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively. At June 30, 2022 the unrecognized compensation cost for non-vested shares amounted to $125.9 thousand. During the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company granted 11,738 TRSUs and 11,738 PRSUs with a total fair value of $245.7 thousand and $245.7 thousand, respectively. The related compensation cost for TRSUs and PRSUs is expensed over the vesting period and was $20.5 thousand and $20.5 thousand respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The related compensation cost for the six months ended June 30, 2022, was $34.1 thousand and $34.1 thousand, respectively. At June 30, 2022, the Company had 186,094 shares reserved for future grants under the 2021 Plan.

11
 

Note 3—Investment Securities

 

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of investment securities are summarized below:

 

AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE:

 

       Gross   Gross     
   Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized     
(Dollars in thousands)  Cost   Gains   Losses   Fair Value 
June 30, 2022                    
US Treasury securities  $60,454   $   $(3,131)  $57,323 
Government Sponsored Enterprises   2,500        (311)   2,189 
Mortgage-backed securities   256,725    29    (12,933)   243,821 
Small Business Administration pools   25,830    148    (415)   25,563 
State and local government                 
Corporate and other securities   8,773    47    (462)   8,358 
Total  $354,282   $224   $(17,252)  $337,254 
                     
       Gross   Gross     
   Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized     
(Dollars in thousands)  Cost   Gains   Losses   Fair Value 
December 31, 2021                    
US Treasury securities  $15,736   $   $300   $15,436 
Government Sponsored Enterprises   2,499    2        2,501 
Mortgage-backed securities   398,125    3,596    3,992    397,729 
Small Business Administration pools   30,835    505    67    31,273 
State and local government   105,469    4,918    539    109,848 
Corporate and other securities   8,024    157    129    8,052 
Total  $560,688   $9,178   $5,027   $564,839 

12
 

HELD-TO-MATURITY:

 

       Gross   Gross     
   Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized     
(Dollars in thousands)  Cost   Gains   Losses   Fair Value 
June 30, 2022                    
US Treasury securities  $   $   $   $ 
Government Sponsored Enterprises                
Mortgage-backed securities   131,209    18    (2,698)   128,529 
Small Business Administration pools                
State and local government   102,521    12    (1,864)   100,669 
Corporate and other securities                
Total  $233,730   $30   $(4,562)  $229,198 

 

There were no investment securities listed as held-to-maturity as of December 31, 2021.

 

On June 1, 2022, we reclassified $224.5 million in investments to held-to-maturity (HTM) from available-for-sale (AFS). These securities were transferred at fair value at the time of the transfer, which became the new cost basis for the securities held-to-maturity. The pretax unrealized net holding loss on the available-for-sale securities on the date of transfer totaled approximately $16.7 million, and continued to be reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. This net unrealized loss is being amortized to interest income over the remaining life of the securities as a yield adjustment. There were no gains or losses recognized as a result of this transfer. The remaining pretax unrealized net holding loss on these investments was $16.6 million ($13.1 million net of tax) at June 30, 2022.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company did not receive any proceeds from the sale of investment securities available-for-sale. For the six months ended June 30, 2022, and 2021 there were no gross realized gains from the sale of investment securities available-for-sale and no gross realized losses.

 

At June 30, 2022, corporate and other securities available-for-sale included the following at fair value: corporate fixed-to-float bonds at $8.3 million, mutual funds at $10.7 thousand, and foreign debt of $10.0 thousand. As required by Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-01-Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10), the Company measured its equity investments at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income. For the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, a $0.9 thousand loss and a $1.7 thousand gain were recognized on a mutual fund, respectively. At December 31, 2021, corporate and other securities available-for-sale included the following at fair value: corporate fixed-to-float bonds at $8.0 million, mutual fund at $11.6 thousand and foreign debt of $10.0 thousand. Other investments, at cost, include Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock in the amount of $792.1 thousand and corporate stock in the amount of $1.0 million, and a venture capital fund in the amount of $136.7 thousand at June 30, 2022. The Company held $698.4 thousand of FHLB stock and $1.0 million in corporate stock, and a venture capital fund in the amount of $86.7 thousand at December 31, 2021.

 

The following tables show gross unrealized losses and fair values, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position, at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Less than 12 months   12 months or more   Total 
June 30, 2022  Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized 
Available-for-sale securities:  Value   Loss   Value   Loss   Value   Loss 
                         
US Treasury Securities  $52,212   $2,364   $5,111   $767   $57,323   $3,131 
Government Sponsored Enterprise   2,189    311            2,189    311 
Mortgage-backed securities   136,130    7,569    87,525    5,364    223,655    12,933 
Small Business Administration pools   11,738    367    2,488    48    14,226    415 
State and local government                        
Corporate and other securities   3,413    344    882    118    4,295    462 
Total  $205,682   $10,955   $96,006   $6,297   $301,688   $17,252 
13
 
(Dollars in thousands)  Less than 12 months   12 months or more   Total 
December 31, 2021  Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized 
Available-for-sale securities:  Value   Loss   Value   Loss   Value   Loss 
                         
US Treasury Securities  $14,479   $264   $958   $36   $15,437   $300 
Mortgage-backed securities   200,238    3,156    48,570    836    248,808    3,992 
Small Business Administration pools   7,232    67            7,232    67 
State and local government   21,261    539            21,261    539 
Corporate and other securities   3,621    129            3,621    129 
Total  $246,831   $4,155   $49,528   $872   $296,359   $5,027 

 

                               
(Dollars in thousands)  Less than 12 months   12 months or more   Total 
June 30, 2022  Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized 
Held-to-maturity securities:  Value   Loss   Value   Loss   Value   Loss 
                         
US Treasury Securities  $   $   $   $   $   $ 
Government Sponsored Enterprise                        
Mortgage-backed securities   106,897    2,127    19,346    571    126,243    2,698 
Small Business Administration pools                        
State and local government   94,196    1,783    2,621    81    96,817    1,864 
Corporate and other securities                        
Total  $201,093   $3,910   $21,967   $652   $223,060   $4,562 

 

Government Sponsored Enterprise, Mortgage-Backed Securities: The Company owned mortgage-backed securities (“MBSs”), including collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”), issued by government sponsored enterprises (“GSEs”) with an amortized cost of 413.8 million and $429.0 million and approximate fair value of $397.9 million and $429.0 million at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. The total amortized cost of $413.8 million and approximate fair value of $397.9 million includes $282.6 million amortized cost and $269.4 million fair value in available-for-sale and $131.2 million amortized cost and 128.5 million fair value in held-to-maturity at June 30, 2022. Unrealized losses on certain of these investments are not considered to be “other than temporary,” and the Company has the intent and ability to hold these until they mature or recover the current book value. The contractual cash flows of the investments are guaranteed by the GSEs. Accordingly, it is expected that the securities would not be settled at a price less than the amortized cost of the Company’s investment. Because the Company does not intend to sell these securities and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell these securities before a recovery of its amortized cost, which may be maturity, the Company does not consider the investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at June 30, 2022.

 

Non-agency Mortgage Backed Securities: The Company held private label mortgage-backed securities (“PLMBSs”), including CMOs, at June 30, 2022 with an amortized cost of $41.5 thousand and approximate fair value of $41.7 thousand. The Company held PLMBSs, including CMOs, at December 31, 2021 with an amortized cost of $48.2 thousand and approximate fair value of $46.4 thousand. Management monitors each of these securities on a quarterly basis to identify any deterioration in the credit quality, collateral values and credit support underlying the investments. The Company does not consider these securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired at June 30, 2022.

14
 

State and Local Governments and Other: Management monitors these securities on a quarterly basis to identify any deterioration in the credit quality. Included in the monitoring is a review of the credit rating, a financial analysis and certain demographic data on the underlying issuer. The Company does not consider these securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired at June 30, 2022.

 

The following sets forth the amortized cost and fair value of investment securities at June 30, 2022 by contractual maturity. Expected maturities differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay the obligations with or without prepayment penalties. MBSs are based on average life at estimated prepayment speeds.

 

   Available-for-sale 
June 30, 2022  Amortized   Fair 
(Dollars in thousands)  Cost   Value 
Due in one year or less  $6,832   $6,522 
Due after one year through five years   175,177    169,707 
Due after five years through ten years   147,310    137,015 
Due after ten years   24,962    24,011 
Total  $354,282   $337,254 

 

   Held-to-maturity 
June 30, 2022  Amortized   Fair 
(Dollars in thousands)  Cost   Value 
Due in one year or less  $12,393   $12,344 
Due after one year through five years   67,028    65,640 
Due after five years through ten years   117,800    115,672 
Due after ten years   36,509    35,542 
Total  $233,730   $229,198 

 

Note 4—Loans

 

The following table summarizes the composition of our loan portfolio. Total loans are recorded net of deferred loan fees and costs, which totaled $1.6 million and $1.4 million as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.

 

Schedule of Loan Portfolio

   June 30,   December 31, 
(Dollars in thousands)  2022   2021 
Commercial, financial and agricultural   $69,989   $69,952 
Real estate:          
Construction    94,159    94,969 
Mortgage-residential   46,767    45,498 
Mortgage-commercial   662,779    617,464 
Consumer:          
Home equity    27,348    27,116 
Other    15,290    8,703 
Total loans, net of deferred loan fees and costs  $916,332   $863,702 

 

Commercial, financial, and agricultural category includes $0.2 million and $1.5 million in PPP loans, net of deferred fees and costs, as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. 

15
 

The detailed activity in the allowance for loan losses and the recorded investment in loans receivable as of and for the three months ended and six months June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2021 is as follows:

                                 
(Dollars in thousands)  Commercial   Real estate
Construction
   Real estate
Mortgage
Residential
   Real estate
Mortgage
Commercial
   Consumer
Home
equity
   Consumer
Other
   Unallocated   Total 
Three months ended June 30, 2022                                        
Allowance for loan losses:                                        
Beginning balance March 31, 2022  $849   $91   $513   $8,508   $331   $150   $621   $11,063 
Charge-offs                       (19)       (19)
Recoveries           1    237    4    4        246 
Provisions   (32)   (7)   32    (106)   (20)   67    (4)   (70)
Ending balance June 30, 2022  $817   $84   $546   $8,639   $315   $202   $617   $11,220 
                                         
           Real estate   Real estate   Consumer             
       Real estate   Mortgage   Mortgage   Home   Consumer         
(Dollars in thousands)  Commercial   Construction   Residential   Commercial   equity   Other   Unallocated   Total 
Six months ended June 30, 2022                                        
Allowance for loan losses:                                        
Beginning balance December 31, 2021  $853   $113   $560   $8,570   $333   $126   $624   $11,179 
Charge-offs                       (33)       (33)
Recoveries   11        1    243    7    7        269 
Provisions   (47)   (29)   (15)   (174)   (25)   102    (7)   (195)
Ending balance June 30, 2022  $817   $84   $546   $8,639   $315   $202   $617   $11,220 
                                         
Ending balances:                                        
Individually evaluated for impairment  $   $   $   $   $   $   $   $ 
                                         
Collectively evaluated for impairment   817   $84   $546   $8,639   $315   $202   $617   $11,220 
                                         
June 30, 2022 Loans receivable:                                        
Ending balance-total  $69,989   $94,159   $46,767   $662,779   $27,348   $15,290   $   $916,332 
                                         
Ending balances:                                        
Individually evaluated for impairment           38    4,275    163            4,476 
                                         
Collectively evaluated for impairment  $69,989   $94,159   $46,729   $658,504   $27,185   $15,290   $   $911,856 
                                 
                                 
(Dollars in thousands)  Commercial   Real estate
Construction
   Real estate
Mortgage
Residential
   Real estate
Mortgage
Commercial
   Consumer
Home
equity
   Consumer
Other
   Unallocated   Total 
Three months ended June 30, 2021                                        
Allowance for loan losses:                                        
Beginning balance March 31, 2021  $758   $134   $480   $8,137   $309   $124   $621   $10,563 
Charge-offs               (110)       (11)       (121)
Recoveries   2            7    5    14        28 
Provisions   134    (9)   62    (8)   8    (16)   (3)   168 
Ending balance June 30, 2021  $894   $125   $542   $8,026   $322   $111   $618   $10,638 

 

16
 
           Real estate   Real estate   Consumer             
       Real estate   Mortgage   Mortgage   Home   Consumer         
(Dollars in thousands)  Commercial   Construction   Residential   Commercial   equity   Other   Unallocated   Total 
Six months ended June 30, 2021                                        
Allowance for loan losses:                                        
Beginning balance December 31, 2020  $778   $145   $541   $7,855   $324   $125   $621   $10,389 
Charge-offs               (110)       (36)       (146)
Recoveries   3            11    6    30        50 
Provisions   113    (20)   1    270    (8)   (8)   (3)   345 
Ending balance June 30, 2021  $894   $125   $542   $8,026   $322   $111   $618   $10,638 
                                         
Ending balances:                                        
Individually evaluated for impairment  $   $   $   $2   $   $   $   $2 
                                         
Collectively evaluated for impairment   894    125    542    8,024    322    111    618    10,636 
                                         
June 30, 2021 Loans receivable:                                        
Ending balance-total  $111,449   $95,865   $44,594   $592,099   $26,662   $7,649   $   $878,318 
                                         
Ending balances:                                        
Individually evaluated for impairment           310    5,163    21            5,494 
                                         
Collectively evaluated for impairment  $111,449   $95,865   $44,284   $586,936   $26,641   $7,649   $   $872,824 
17
 
(Dollars in thousands)  Commercial   Real estate
Construction
   Real estate
Mortgage
Residential
   Real estate
Mortgage
Commercial
   Consumer
Home
equity
   Consumer
Other
   Unallocated   Total 
December 31, 2021                                        
Allowance for loan losses:                                        
Beginning balance December 31, 2020  $778   $145   $541   $7,855   $324   $125   $621   $10,389 
Charge-offs               (110)       (72)       (182)
Recoveries   39        10    473    69    46        637 
Provisions   36    (32)   9    352    (60)   27    3    335 
Ending balance December 31, 2021  $853   $113   $560   $8,570   $333   $126   $624   $11,179 
                                         
Ending balances:                                        
Individually evaluated for impairment  $   $   $   $1   $   $   $   $ 
                                         
Collectively evaluated for impairment   853    113    560    8,569    333    126    624    11,179 
                                         
December 31, 2021 Loans receivable:                                        
Ending balance-total  $69,952   $94,969   $45,498   $617,464   $27,116   $8,703   $   $863,702 
                                         
Ending balances:                                        
Individually evaluated for impairment           133    1,561                1,694 
                                         
Collectively evaluated for impairment   69,952    94,969    45,365    615,903    27,116    8,703        862,008 

 

Current Expected Credit Loss (CECL) The Company is currently (i) evaluating the impact the CECL model will have on our accounting, (ii) planning for the transition, and (iii) expect to recognize a one-time cumulative-effect adjustment to our allowance for loan losses as of the beginning of the first quarter of 2023—the first reporting period in which the new standard is effective. At this time, we cannot yet reasonably determine the magnitude of such one-time cumulative adjustment, if any, or of the overall impact of the new standard on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

18
 

The following tables are by loan category and present June 30, 2022, June 30, 2021, and December 31, 2021 loans individually evaluated and considered impaired under FASB ASC 310 “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan.” Impairment includes performing TDRs.

 

               Six months ended   Three months ended 
       Unpaid       Average   Interest   Average   Interest 
(Dollars in thousands)  Recorded   Principal   Related   Recorded   Income   Recorded   Income 
June 30, 2022  Investment   Balance   Allowance   Investment   Recognized   Investment   Recognized 
With no allowance recorded:                                   
Commercial, financial, agricultural  $   $   $   $   $   $   $ 
Real estate:                                   
Construction                            
Mortgage-residential   38    54        42    1    37    1 
Mortgage-commercial   4,275    9,784        4,289    244    4,274    122 
Consumer:                                   
Home equity   163    163        164    4    163    2 
Other                            
                                    
With an allowance recorded:                                   
Commercial, financial, agricultural                            
Real estate:                                   
Construction                            
Mortgage-residential                            
Mortgage-commercial                            
Consumer:                                   
Home equity                            
Other                            
                                    
Total:                                   
Commercial, financial, agricultural  $   $   $   $   $   $   $ 
Real estate:                                   
Construction                            
Mortgage-residential   38    54        42    1    37    1 
Mortgage-commercial   4,275    9,784        4,289    244    4,274    122 
Consumer:                                   
Home equity   163    163        164    4    163    2 
Other                            
   $4,476    10,001   $   $4,495   $249   $4,474   $125 
19
 
              Six months ended   Three months ended 
       Unpaid       Average   Interest   Average   Interest 
(Dollars in thousands)  Recorded   Principal   Related   Recorded   income   Recorded   Income 
June 30, 2021  Investment   Balance   Allowance   Investment   Recognized   Investment   Recognized 
With no allowance recorded:                                   
Commercial, financial, agricultural  $   $   $   $   $   $   $ 
Real estate:                                   
Construction                            
Mortgage-residential   310    361        315    7    310    4 
Mortgage-commercial   5,062    7,689        5,332    188    5,168    94 
Consumer:                                   
Home equity   21    25        21    1    20     
Other                            
                                    
With an allowance recorded:                                   
Commercial, financial, agricultural                            
Real estate:                                   
Construction                            
Mortgage-residential                            
Mortgage-commercial   101    101    2    111    3    101    1 
Consumer:                                   
Home equity                            
Other                            
                                    
Total:                                   
Commercial, financial, agricultural  $   $   $   $   $   $   $ 
Real estate:                                   
Construction                            
Mortgage-residential   310    361        315    7    310    4 
Mortgage-commercial   5,163    7,790    2    5,443    191    5,269    95 
Consumer:                                   
Home equity   21    25        21    1    20     
Other                            
   $5,494    8,176   $2   $5,779   $199   $5,599   $99 
20
 
       Unpaid       Average   Interest 
(Dollars in thousands)  Recorded   Principal   Related   Recorded   Income 
December 31, 2021  Investment   Balance   Allowance   Investment   Recognized 
With no allowance recorded:                         
Commercial   $   $   $   $   $ 
Real estate:                         
Construction                    
Mortgage-residential    133    151        131    6 
Mortgage-commercial    1,521    3,514        1,748    223 
Consumer:                         
Home Equity                     
Other                     
                          
With an allowance recorded:                         
Commercial                     
Real estate:                         
Construction                     
Mortgage-residential                     
Mortgage-commercial    40    40    1    39    5 
Consumer:                         
Home Equity                     
Other                     
                          
Total:                         
Commercial                     
Real estate:                         
Construction                     
Mortgage-residential    133    151        131    6 
Mortgage-commercial    1,561    3,554    1    1,787    228 
Consumer:                         
Home Equity                     
Other                     
   $1,694   $3,705   $1   $1,918   $234 

 

The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt, including current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors. The Company analyzes loans individually by classifying the loans as to credit risk. This analysis is performed on a monthly basis. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings:

 

Special Mention. Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the institution’s credit position at some future date. Special mention assets are not adversely classified and do not expose an institution to sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification.

 

Substandard. Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

 

Doubtful. Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.

 

Loans not meeting the criteria above that are analyzed individually as part of the above described process are considered as pass rated loans. Based on the most recent analysis performed, the risk category of loans by class of loans is shown in the table below as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021. As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, no loans were classified as doubtful.

21
 
(Dollars in thousands)                    
June 30, 2022  Pass   Special
Mention
   Substandard   Doubtful   Total 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  $69,899   $90   $   $   $69,989 
Real estate:                         
Construction   94,159                94,159 
Mortgage – residential   46,352    368    47        46,767 
Mortgage – commercial   657,513    28    5,238        662,779 
Consumer:                         
Home Equity   25,984    176    1,188        27,348 
Other   15,031    22    237        15,290 
Total  $908,938   $684   $6,710   $   $916,332 
                          
(Dollars in thousands)                    
December 31, 2021  Pass   Special
Mention
   Substandard   Doubtful   Total 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  $69,833   $119   $   $   $69,952 
Real estate:                      
Construction   94,966        3        94,969 
Mortgage – residential   45,049    305    144        45,498 
Mortgage – commercial   610,001    1,009    6,454        617,464 
Consumer:                      
Home Equity   25,751    171    1,194        27,116 
Other   8,604    22    77        8,703 
Total  $854,204   $1,626   $7,872   $   $863,702 

 

At June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, non-accrual loans totaled $4.4 million and $250 thousand, respectively.

 

TDRs that are still accruing and included in impaired loans at June 30, 2022 and at December 31, 2021 amounted to $125 thousand and $1.4 million, respectively.

 

There were no loans greater than 90 days delinquent and still accruing interest at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021. The following tables are by loan category and present loans past due and on non-accrual status as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:  

 

Schedule of loan category and present loans past due and on non-accrual status

           Greater than                 
(Dollars in thousands)  30-59 Days   60-89 Days   90 Days and       Total         
June 30, 2022  Past Due   Past Due   Accruing   Nonaccrual   Past Due   Current   Total Loans 
                             
Commercial   $242   $513   $   $4,150   $4,905   $65,084   $69,989 
Real estate:                                   
Construction                        94,159    94,159 
Mortgage-residential    81    275        38    394    46,373    46,767 
Mortgage-commercial                0        662,779    662,779 
Consumer:                                   
Home equity    1,043    5        163    1,211    26,137    27,348 
Other        1            1    15,289    15,290 
Total  $1,366   $794   $   $4,351   $6,511   $909,821   $916,332 
                                    
22
 
           Greater than                 
(Dollars in thousands)  30-59 Days   60-89 Days   90 Days and       Total         
December 31, 2021  Past Due   Past Due   Accruing   Nonaccrual   Past Due   Current   Total Loans 
                             
Commercial   $125   $35   $   $118   $278   $69,674   $69,952 
Real estate:                                   
Construction                        94,969    94,969 
Mortgage-residential    8    4        132    144    45,354    45,498 
Mortgage-commercial                        617,464    617,464 
Consumer:                                   
Home equity        62            62    27,054    27,116 
Other        1            1    8,702    8,703 
Total  $133   $102   $   $250   $485   $863,217   $863,702 

 

The CARES Act and Initiatives Related to COVID-19. On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or the CARES Act, was signed into law. The CARES Act provided for approximately $2.2 trillion in direct economic relief in response to the public health and economic impacts of COVID-19. Many of the CARES Act’s programs were dependent upon the direct involvement of financial institutions like the Bank. These programs were implemented through rules and guidance adopted by federal departments and agencies, including the U.S. Department of Treasury, the Federal Reserve and other federal bank regulatory authorities, including those with direct supervisory jurisdiction over the Company and the Bank. The relief period provided in the CARES Act expired on January 1, 2022. 

 

COVID-19 Related Troubled Debt Restructurings and Loan Modifications for Affected Borrowers. The CARES Act, as extended by certain provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, permitted banks to suspend requirements under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for loan modifications to borrowers affected by COVID-19 that may otherwise be characterized as troubled debt restructurings, or TDRs, and suspend any determination related thereto if (i) the borrower was not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019, (ii) the modifications were related to COVID-19, and (iii) the modification occurred between March 1, 2020 and the earlier of 60 days after the date of termination of the national emergency or January 1, 2022. Federal bank regulatory authorities also issued guidance to encourage banks to make loan modifications for borrowers affected by COVID-19.  

 

Beginning in March 2020, the Company proactively offered payment deferrals for up to 90 days to its loan customers regardless of the impact of the pandemic on their business or personal finances. As a result of payments being resumed at the conclusion of their payment deferral period, loans in which payments were being deferred decreased from the peak of $206.9 million to $16.1 million at December 31, 2020, to zero at December 31, 2021. Loan deferrals remained at zero at June 30, 2022.

 

Troubled Debt Restructurings. The Company identifies TDRs as impaired under the guidance in ASC 310-10-35. There were no loans determined to be TDRs that were restructured during the three-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021. Additionally, there were no loans determined to be TDRs in the previous twelve months that had payment defaults. Defaulted loans are those loans that are greater than 90 days past due.

In the determination of the allowance for loan losses, all TDRs are reviewed to ensure that one of the three proper valuation methods (fair market value of the collateral, present value of cash flows, or observable market price) is adhered to. All non-accrual loans are written down to its corresponding collateral value. All TDR accruing loans where the loan balance exceeds the present value of cash flow will have a specific allocation. All nonaccrual loans are considered impaired. Under ASC 310-10, a loan is impaired when it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect all amounts due including both principal and interest according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.

Acquired credit-impaired loans are accounted for under the accounting guidance for loans and debt securities acquired with deteriorated credit quality, found in FASB ASC Topic 310-30, (Receivables—Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality), and initially measured at fair value, which includes estimated future credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the loans. Loans acquired in business combinations with evidence of credit deterioration are considered impaired. Loans acquired through business combinations that do not meet the specific criteria of FASB ASC Topic 310-30, but for which a discount is attributable, at least in part to credit quality, are also accounted for under this guidance. Certain acquired loans, including performing loans and revolving lines of credit (consumer and commercial), are accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 310-20, where the discount is accreted through earnings based on estimated cash flows over the estimated life of the loan.

23
 

A summary of changes in the accretable yield for purchased credit-impaired loans for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021 are as follows:

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Three Months
Ended
June 30, 2022
   Three Months
Ended
June 30, 2021
 
         
Accretable yield, beginning of period  $56   $86 
Accretion   (7)   (7)
Accretable yield, end of period  $49   $79 
           
(Dollars in thousands)  Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2022
   Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2021
 
         
Accretable yield, beginning of period  $64   $93 
Accretion   (15)   (14)
Accretable yield, end of period  $49   $79 

 

At June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the recorded investment in purchased impaired loans was $108 thousand and $109 thousand, respectively. The unpaid principal balance was $142 thousand and $152 thousand at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. At June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, these loans were all secured by commercial real estate.

 

Note 5—Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

The following is a summary of recent authoritative pronouncements:

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance to change the accounting for credit losses and modify the impairment model for certain debt securities. The amendments will be effective for the Company for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022. Early adoption is permitted for all organizations for periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that implementation of the new standard will have on its financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

In November 2019, the FASB issued guidance to defer the effective dates for private companies, not-for-profit organizations, and certain smaller reporting companies applying standards on current expected credit losses (CECL), leases, hedging. The new effective date for CECL will be fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is evaluating the impact that this will have on its financial statements.

In November 2019, the FASB issued guidance that addresses issues raised by stakeholders during the implementation of ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The amendments affect a variety of topics in the ASC. For entities that have not yet adopted the amendments in ASU 2016-13, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 including interim periods within those fiscal years-all other entities. Early adoption is permitted in any interim period as long as an entity has adopted the amendments in ASU 2016-13. The Company is evaluating the impact that this will have on its financial statements.

24
 

In March 2020, the FASB issued guidance that makes narrow-scope improvements to various aspects of the financial instrument guidance, including the CECL guidance issued in 2016. For public business entities, the amendments were effective upon issuance of the final ASU. For all other entities, the amendments were effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and are effective for interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The effective date of the amendments to ASU 2016-01 were effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. For the amendments related to ASU 2016-13, public business entities that meet the definition of an SEC filer, excluding eligible smaller reporting companies (as defined by the SEC), should adopt the amendments in ASU 2016-13 during 2020. All other entities should adopt the amendments in ASU 2016-13 during 2023. Early adoption is permitted. For entities that have not yet adopted the guidance in ASU 2016-13, the effective dates and the transition requirements for these amendments are the same as the effective date and transition requirements in ASU 2016-13. For entities that have adopted the guidance in ASU 2016-13, the amendments were effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. For those entities, the amendments should be applied on a modified-retrospective basis by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to opening retained earnings in the statement of financial position as of the date that an entity adopted the amendments in ASU 2016-13. During 2021, the Company established a CECL Team to begin the process of implementing CECL. The Company selected Valuant’s ValuCast as its CECL solution. In conjunction with Valuant, the Company developed a detailed roadmap and implementation plan; collected and validated data; and selected loss methodologies. Currently, the Company and Valuant are working on the reasonable and supportable forecast and qualitative factors. The Company plans to perform mock runs during 2022. Forvis, (formerly Dixon Hughes Goodman, LLP) has been engaged to perform model validation services prior to implementation. The implementation of CECL may have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

In March 2020, the FASB issued guidance to provide temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. The ASU is intended to help stakeholders during the global market-wide reference rate transition period. The amendments are effective through December 31, 2022. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements.

In August 2020, the FASB issued guidance to improve financial reporting associated with accounting for convertible instruments and contracts in an entity’s own equity. The amendments will be effective the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements.

In October 2020, the FASB issued amendments to clarify the Accounting Standards Codification and make minor improvements that are not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting practice or create a significant administrative cost to most entities. The amendments became effective for the Company for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In October 2021, the FASB amended the Business Combinations topic in the Accounting Standard Codification to require entities to apply guidance in the Revenue topic to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination. The amendments are effective for the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments are applied prospectively to business combinations occurring on or after the effective date of the amendments. Early adoption of the amendments is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements.

In November 2021, the FASB added a topic to the Accounting Standards Codification, Government Assistance, to require certain annual disclosures about transactions with a government that are accounted for by applying grant or contribution accounting model by analogy to other accounting guidance. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2021. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements.

In March 2022, the FASB issued amendments which are intended to improve the decision usefulness of information provided to investors about certain loan re-financings, restructurings, and write-offs. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements.

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

25
 

Note 6—Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The Company adopted FASB ASC Fair Value Measurement Topic 820, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. ASC 820 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value: 

 

Level l Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. 
   
Level 2 Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. 
   
Level 3 Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

 

FASB ASC 825-10-50 “Disclosure about Fair Value of Financial Instruments”, requires the Company to disclose estimated fair values for its financial instruments. The Company’s fair value estimates, methods, and assumptions are set forth below.

 

Cash and Short Term Investments - The carrying amount of these financial instruments (cash and due from banks, interest-bearing bank balances, federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell) approximates fair value. All mature within 90 days and do not present unanticipated credit concerns and are classified as Level 1.

 

Investment Securities Available-for-Sale - Measurement is on a recurring basis based upon quoted market prices, if available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are measured using independent pricing models or other model-based valuation techniques such as the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for prepayment assumptions, projected credit losses, and liquidity. Level 1 securities include those traded on an active exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange, or by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets. Level 2 securities include mortgage-backed securities issued both by government sponsored enterprises and private label mortgage-backed securities. Generally, these fair values are priced from established pricing models. Level 3 securities include corporate debt obligations and asset–backed securities that are less liquid or for which there is an inactive market.

Loans Held-for-Sale - The Company originates fixed rate residential loans on a servicing released basis in the secondary market. Loans closed but not yet settled with an investor, are carried in the Company’s loans held-for-sale portfolio. These loans are fixed rate residential loans that have been originated in the Company’s name and have closed. Virtually all of these loans have commitments to be purchased by investors at a locked in price with the investors on the same day that the loan was locked in with the company’s customers. Therefore, these loans present very little market risk for the Company and are classified as Level 2. The carrying amount of these loans approximates fair value.

Loans - The valuation of loans receivable is estimated using the exit price notion which incorporates factors, such as enhanced credit risk, illiquidity risk and market factors that sometimes exist in exit prices in dislocated markets. This credit risk assumption is intended to approximate the fair value that a market participant would realize in a hypothetical orderly transaction. The Company’s loan portfolio is initially fair valued using a segmented approach. The Company divides its loan portfolio into the following categories: variable rate loans, impaired loans and all other loans. The results are then adjusted to account for credit risk as described above.

 

Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”) - OREO is carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value on a non-recurring basis. Fair value is based upon independent appraisals or management’s estimation of the collateral and is considered a Level 3 measurement.

 

Accrued Interest Receivable - The fair value approximates the carrying value and is classified as Level 1.

 

Deposits - The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts, and money market accounts is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposits is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. Deposits are classified as Level 2.

 

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase - The carrying value of short term borrowings (securities sold under agreements to repurchase and demand notes to the Treasury) approximates fair value. These are classified as Level 2.

 

Junior Subordinated Debt - The fair value of junior subordinated debt is estimated by using discounted cash flow analyses based on incremental borrowing rates for similar types of instruments. These are classified as Level 2.

 

Accrued Interest Payable - The fair value approximates the carrying value and is classified as Level 1.

 

Commitments to Extend Credit - The fair value of these commitments is immaterial because their underlying interest rates approximate market.

26
 

The carrying amount and estimated fair value by classification level of the Company’s financial instruments as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 are as follows:

 

   June 30, 2022 
   Carrying   Fair Value 
(Dollars in thousands)  Amount   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Financial Assets:                         
Cash and short term investments  $104,403   $104,403   $104,403   $   $ 
Held-to-maturity securities   233,730    229,198    3,333    225,865      
Available-for-sale securities   337,254    377,254    21,920    315,334     
Other investments, at cost   1,929    1,929            1,929 
Loans held for sale   4,533    4,533        4,533     
Net loans receivable   905,112    878,708            878,708 
Accrued interest   4,290    4,290    4,290         
Financial liabilities:                         
Non-interest bearing demand  $476,024   $476,024   $   $476,024   $ 
Interest bearing demand deposits and money market accounts   672,306    672,306        672,306     
Savings   170,557    170,557        170,557     
Time deposits   150,088    150,180        150,180     
Total deposits   1,468,975    1,469,068        1,469,068     
Short term borrowings   71,800    71,800        71,800     
Junior subordinated debentures   14,964    14,415        14,415     
Accrued interest payable   300    300    300         
                     
   December 31, 2021 
   Carrying   Fair Value 
(Dollars in thousands)  Amount   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Financial Assets:                         
Cash and short term investments  $69,022   $69,022   $69,022   $   $ 
Available-for-sale securities   564,839    564,839    39,829    525,010     
Other investments, at cost   1,785    1,785            1,785 
Loans held for sale   7,120    7,120        7,120     
Net loans receivable   852,523    851,822            851,822 
Accrued interest   3,927    3,927    3,927         
Financial liabilities:                         
Non-interest bearing demand  $444,688   $444,688   $   $444,688   $ 
Interest bearing demand deposits and money market accounts   619,057    619,057        619,057     
Savings   143,765    143,765        143,765     
Time deposits   153,781    154,030        154,030     
Total deposits   1,361,291    1,361,540        1,361,540     
Short term borrowings   54,216    54,216        54,216     
Junior subordinated debentures   14,964    15,015        15,015     
Accrued interest payable   404    404    404         

 

27
 

The following tables summarize quantitative disclosures about the fair value for each category of assets carried at fair value as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 that are measured on a recurring basis. There were no liabilities carried at fair value as of June 30, 2022 or December 31, 2021 that are measured on a recurring basis.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

Description  June 30,
2022
   (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3) 
Available- for-sale securities                    
US Treasury Securities  $57,323   $   $57,323   $ 
Government Sponsored Enterprises   2,189        2,189     
Mortgage-backed securities   243,821    21,920    221,901     
Small Business Administration pools   25,563        25,563     
State and local government                
Corporate and other securities   8,358        8,358     
Total Available-for-sale securities   337,254    21,920    315,334     
Loans held for sale   4,533        4,533     
Total  $341,787   $21,920   $319,867   $ 
                     
(Dollars in thousands)                
Description  December 31,
2021
   (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3) 
Available- for-sale securities                    
US Treasury Securities  $15,436   $   $15,436   $ 
Government Sponsored Enterprises   2,501        2,501     
Mortgage-backed securities   397,729    25,934    371,796     
Small Business Administration pools   31,273        31,273     
State and local government   109,848    12,896    96,952     
Corporate and other securities   8,052    1,000    7,052     
Total Available-for-sale securities   564,839    39,830    525,010     
Loans held for sale   7,120        7,120     
Total  $571,959   $39,830   $532,130   $ 

 

The following tables summarize quantitative disclosures about the fair value for each category of assets carried at fair value as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 that are measured on a non-recurring basis. There were no Level 3 financial instruments for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021 measured on a recurring basis.

 

(Dollars in thousands)                
Description  June 30,
2022
   (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3) 
Impaired loans:                    
Commercial & Industrial  $   $   $   $ 
Real estate:                    
Mortgage-residential   38            38 
Mortgage-commercial   4,275            4,275 
Consumer:                    
Home equity   163            163 
Other                
Total impaired   4,476            4,476 
Other real estate owned:                    
Construction   894            894 
Mortgage-commercial   90            90 
Total other real estate owned   984            984 
Total  $5,460   $   $   $5,460 
28
 
(Dollars in thousands)                
Description  December 31,
2021
   (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3) 
Impaired loans:                    
Commercial & Industrial  $   $   $   $ 
Real estate:                    
Mortgage-residential   133            133 
Mortgage-commercial   1,560            1,560 
Consumer:                    
Home equity                
Other                
Total impaired   1,693            1,694 
Other real estate owned:                    
Construction   624            624 
Mortgage-commercial   541            541 
Total other real estate owned   1,165            1,165 
Total  $2,859   $   $   $2,859 

 

The Company has a large percentage of loans with real estate serving as collateral. Loans which are deemed to be impaired are primarily valued on a nonrecurring basis at the fair value of the underlying real estate collateral. Such fair values are obtained using independent appraisals, which the Company considers to be Level 3 inputs. Third party appraisals are generally obtained when a loan is identified as being impaired or at the time it is transferred to OREO. This internal process consists of evaluating the underlying collateral to independently obtained comparable properties. With respect to less complex or smaller credits, an internal evaluation may be performed. Generally, the independent and internal evaluations are updated annually. Factors considered in determining the fair value include, among others, geographic sales trends, the value of comparable surrounding properties and the condition of the property. The aggregate amount of impaired loans was $4.5 million and $1.7 million as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. 

 

For Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements were as follows:

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Fair Value as
of June 30,
2022
   Valuation Technique  Significant
Observable
Inputs
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
OREO  $984   Appraisal Value/Comparison Sales/Other estimates  Appraisals and or sales of comparable properties  Appraisals discounted 6% to 16% for sales commissions and other holding cost
Impaired loans  $4,476   Appraisal Value  Appraisals and or sales of comparable properties  Appraisals discounted 6% to 16% for sales commissions and other holding cost
              
(Dollars in thousands)  Fair Value as
of December 31,
2021
   Valuation Technique  Significant
Observable
Inputs
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
OREO  $1,165   Appraisal Value/Comparison Sales/Other estimates  Appraisals and or sales of comparable properties  Appraisals discounted 6% to 16% for sales commissions and other holding cost
Impaired loans  $1,694   Appraisal Value  Appraisals and or sales of comparable properties  Appraisals discounted 6% to 16% for sales commissions and other holding cost

29
 

Note 7—Deposits

 

The Company’s total deposits are comprised of the following at the dates indicated:  

 

   June 30,   December 31, 
(Dollars in thousands)  2022   2021 
Non-interest bearing demand deposits  $476,024   $444,688 
Interest bearing demand deposits and money market accounts   672,306    619,057 
Savings   170,557    143,765 
Time deposits   150,088    153,781 
Total deposits  $1,468,975   $1,361,291 

 

As of June 30, 2022, and December 31, 2021, the Company had time deposits that exceed the $250,000 FDIC insurance limit of $29.1 million and $27.9 million, respectively.

 

Note 8—Reportable Segments

 

The Company’s reportable segments represent the distinct product lines the Company offers and are viewed separately for strategic planning by management. The Company has four reportable segments:

 

  · Commercial and Retail Banking: The Company’s primary business is to provide deposit and lending products and services to its commercial and retail customers.

 

  · Mortgage Banking: This segment provides mortgage origination services for loans that will be sold to investors in the secondary market and consumer mortgage loans that will be held-for-investment. In the second quarter of 2022, management made the decision to include consumer mortgage held-for-investment loans in this segment. Prior to the second quarter of 2022, consumer mortgage loans held-for-investment were included in the Commercial and Retail Banking segment. The Mortgage Banking financial information presented below includes consumer mortgage loans held-for-investment for all periods presented. Beginning in June 2022, a provision for loan loss has been allocated to this segment.

 

  · Investment advisory and non-deposit: This segment provides investment advisory services and non-deposit products.

 

  · Corporate: This segment includes the parent company financial information, including interest on parent company debt and dividend income received from the Bank.

 

The following tables present selected financial information for the Company’s reportable business segments for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Commercial       Investment             
Six months ended June 30, 2022  and Retail   Mortgage   advisory and             
   Banking   Banking   non-deposit   Corporate   Eliminations   Consolidated 
                         
Dividend and Interest Income  $21,832   $869   $   $2,173   $(2,166)  $22,708 
Interest expense   689            235        924 
Net interest income  $21,143   $869   $   $1,938   $(2,166)  $21,784 
Provision for loan losses   (235)   40                (195)
Noninterest income   2,667    1,323    2,393            6,383 
Noninterest expense   16,323    1,876    1,538    405        20,142 
Net income before taxes  $7,722   $276   $855   $1,533   $(2,166)  $8,220 
Income tax provision (benefit)   1,739            (138)       1,601 
Net income (loss)  $5,983   $276   $855   $1,671   $(2,166)  $6,619 
                               
30
 
(Dollars in thousands)  Commercial       Investment             
Six months ended June 30, 2021  and Retail   Mortgage   advisory and             
   Banking   Banking   non-deposit   Corporate   Eliminations   Consolidated 
                         
Dividend and Interest Income  $21,802   $1,074   $   $2,014   $(2,008)  $22,882 
Interest expense   1,014            209        1,223 
Net interest income  $20,788   $1,074   $   $1,805   $(2,008)  $21,659 
Provision for loan losses   345                    345 
Noninterest income   2,745    2,135    1,834            6,714 
Noninterest expense   15,484    2,335    1,180    419        19,418 
Net income before taxes  $7,704   $874   $654   $1,386   $(2,008)  $8,610 
Income tax provision (benefit)   1,931            (119)       1,812 
Net income (loss)  $5,773   $874   $654   $1,505   $(2,008)  $6,798 
                               
(Dollars in thousands)  Commercial       Investment             
Three months ended June 30, 2022  and Retail   Mortgage   advisory and             
   Banking   Banking   non-deposit   Corporate   Eliminations   Consolidated 
                         
Dividend and Interest Income  $11,090   $415   $   $1,089   $(1,081)  $11,513 
Interest expense   331            131        462 
Net interest income  $10,759   $415   $   $958   $(1,081)  $11,051 
Provision for loan losses   (110)   40                (70)
Noninterest income   1,332    482    1,195            3,009 
Noninterest expense   8,334    858    775    221        10,188 
Net income before taxes  $3,867   $(1)  $420   $737   $(1,081)  $3,942 
Income tax provision (benefit)   890            (78)       812 
Net income  $2,977   $(1)  $420   $815   $(1,081)  $3,130 
                               
(Dollars in thousands)  Commercial       Investment             
Three months ended June 30, 2021  and Retail   Mortgage   advisory and             
   Banking   Banking   non-deposit   Corporate   Eliminations   Consolidated 
                         
Dividend and Interest Income  $11,167   $494   $   $1,008   $(1,005)  $11,664 
Interest expense   467            105        572 
Net interest income  $10,700   $494   $   $903   $(1,005)  $11,092 
Provision for loan losses   168                    168 
Noninterest income   1,317    1,144    957            3,418 
Noninterest expense   7,872    1,148    596    262        9,878 
Net income before taxes  $3,977   $490   $361   $641   $(1,005)  $4,464 
Income tax provision (benefit)   997            (76)       921 
Net income  $2,980   $490   $361   $717   $(1,005)  $3,543 
                               
   Commercial       Investment             
(Dollars in thousands)  and Retail   Mortgage   advisory and             
   Banking   Banking   non-deposit   Corporate   Eliminations   Consolidated 
Total Assets as of June 30, 2022  $1,642,245   $41,760   $1   $153,063   $(152,245)  $1,684,824 
Total Assets as of December 31, 2021  $1,542,553   $41,194   $2   $152,928   $(152,169)  $1,584,508 

31
 

Note 9—Leases

 

The Company has operating leases on four of its facilities. The leases have maturities ranging from September 2024 to December 2038, some of which include extensions of multiple five-year terms. The following tables present information about the Company’s leases:

 

(dollars in thousands)  June 30,
2022
   December 31,
2021
 
Right-of-use assets  $2,972   $2,842 
Lease liabilities  $3,096   $2,950 
Weighted average remaining lease term   14.01 years    15.08 years 
Weighted average discount rate   4.35%   4.42%

 

   Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30, 
Lease cost (dollars in thousands)  2022   2021   2022   2021 
                 
Operating lease cost  $87.3   $80.8   $168.0   $161.5 
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities  $75.5   $74.1   $150.7   $148.0 

 

The following table shows future undiscounted lease payments for operating leases with initial terms of one year or more as of June 30, 2022, are as follow:

 

(Dollars in thousands)          Liability 
Year  Cash   Lease Expense   Reduction 
2022  $176   $66   $110 
2023   357    124    233 
2024   333    115    218 
2025   275    107    168 
2026   281    100    181 
Thereafter   2,774    588    2186 
Total  $4,196   $1,100   $3,096 

 

Note 10—Subsequent Events

 

Subsequent events are events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued. Recognized subsequent events are events or transactions that provide additional evidence about conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet, including the estimates inherent in the process of preparing financial statements. Non-recognized subsequent events are events that provide evidence about conditions that did not exist at the date of the balance sheet but arose after that date. Management has reviewed events occurring through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and no subsequent events occurred requiring accrual or that require disclosure and have not been disclosed in the footnotes to the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2022.

32
 

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

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This report, including information included or incorporated by reference in this report, contains statements which constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements may relate to, among other matters, the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance, and business of our company. Forward-looking statements are based on many assumptions and estimates and are not guarantees of future performance. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, as they will depend on many factors about which we are unsure, including many factors which are beyond our control. The words “may,” “approximately,” “is likely,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “assume,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “forecast,” “goal,” and “estimate,” as well as similar expressions, are meant to identify such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements include, without limitation, those described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 16, 2022 and the following:

 

  · the continuing impact of COVID-19 and its variants, on our business, including the impact of the virus on the United States economy, and the resulting effect of these items on our operations, liquidity and capital position, and on the financial condition of our borrowers and other customers;

  · credit losses as a result of, among other potential factors, declining real estate values, increasing interest rates, increasing unemployment, or changes in customer payment behavior or other factors;

  · the amount of our loan portfolio collateralized by real estate and weaknesses in the real estate market;

  · restrictions or conditions imposed by our regulators on our operations;

  · the adequacy of the level of our allowance for loan losses and the amount of loan loss provisions required in future periods;

  · examinations by our regulatory authorities, including the possibility that the regulatory authorities may, among other things, require us to increase our allowance for loan losses, write-down assets, or take other actions;

  · risks associated with actual or potential information gatherings, investigations or legal proceedings by customers, regulatory agencies or others;

  · reduced earnings due to higher other-than-temporary impairment charges resulting from additional decline in the value of our securities portfolio, specifically as a result of increasing default rates, and loss severities on the underlying real estate collateral;

  · increases in competitive pressure in the banking and financial services industries;

  · changes in the interest rate environment, which could reduce anticipated or actual margins; temporarily reduce the market value of our available-for-sale investment securities and temporarily reduce accumulated other comprehensive income or increase accumulated other comprehensive loss, which temporarily could reduce shareholders’ equity;

  · changes in political conditions or the legislative or regulatory environment, including governmental initiatives affecting the financial services industry, including as a result of the presidential administration and congressional elections;

  · general economic conditions resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality;

  · changes occurring in business conditions and inflation, including the impact of inflation on us, including a decrease in demand for new mortgage loan and commercial real estate loan originations and refinancings, an increase in competition for deposits, and an increase in non-interest expenses, which may have an adverse impact on our financial performance;

  · changes in access to funding or increased regulatory requirements with regard to funding;

  · cybersecurity risk related to our dependence on internal computer systems and the technology of outside service providers, as well as the potential impacts of third party security breaches, which subject us to potential business disruptions or financial losses resulting from deliberate attacks or unintentional events;

  · changes in deposit flows;

  · changes in technology;

  · our current and future products, services, applications and functionality and plans to promote them;

  · changes in monetary and tax policies, including potential changes in tax laws and regulations;

  · changes in accounting standards, policies, estimates and practices as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board;

  · our assumptions and estimates used in applying critical accounting policies, which may prove unreliable, inaccurate or not predictive of actual results;

  · the rate of delinquencies and amounts of loans charged-off;

  · the rate of loan growth in recent years and the lack of seasoning of a portion of our loan portfolio;

  · our ability to maintain appropriate levels of capital, including levels of capital required under the capital rules implementing Basel III;

33
 
  · our ability to successfully execute our business strategy;

  · our ability to attract and retain key personnel;

  · our ability to retain our existing customers, including our deposit relationships;

  · adverse changes in asset quality and resulting credit risk-related losses and expenses;

  · the potential effects of events beyond our control that may have a destabilizing effect on financial markets and the economy, such as epidemics and pandemics (including COVID-19), war or terrorist activities, disruptions in our customers’ supply chains, disruptions in transportation, essential utility outages or trade disputes and related tariffs;

  · risks associated with our participation in the Paycheck Protection Program, otherwise the PPP, established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or the CARES Act, including but not limited to, the failure of the borrower to qualify for loan forgiveness, which would subject us to the risk of holding these loans at unfavorable interest rates as compared to the loans to customers that we would have otherwise extended credit;

  · disruptions due to flooding, severe weather or other natural disasters; and

  · other risks and uncertainties detailed in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, in Part II, Item 1A of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and in our other filings with the SEC.

 

Because of these and other risks and uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from the results indicated by any forward-looking statements. For additional information with respect to factors that could cause actual results to differ from the expectations stated in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” under Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. In addition, our past results of operations do not necessarily indicate our future results. Therefore, we caution you not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking information and statements.

 

All forward-looking statements in this report are based on information available to us as of the date of this report. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee you that these expectations will be achieved. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

 

Overview

 

The following discussion describes our results of operations for the six months and three months ended June 30, 2022 as compared to the six months and three months ended June 30, 2021 and analyzes our financial condition as of June 30, 2022 as compared to December 31, 2021. Like most community banks, we derive most of our income from interest we receive on our loans and investments. Our primary source of funds for making these loans and investments is our deposits, on which we pay interest. Consequently, one of the key measures of our success is our amount of net interest income, or the difference between the income on our interest-earning assets, such as loans and investments, and the expense on our interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Another key measure is the spread between the yield we earn on our interest-earning assets and the rate we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities. There are risks inherent in all loans, so we maintain an allowance for loan losses to absorb probable losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible. We establish and maintain this allowance by charging or crediting a provision for loan losses against our operating earnings. In the following section, we have included a discussion of this process, as well as several tables describing our allowance for loan losses and the allocation of this allowance among our various categories of loans.

 

In addition to earning interest on our loans and investments, we earn income through fees and other expenses we charge to our customers. We describe the various components of this non-interest income, as well as our non-interest expense, in the following discussion.

 

The following discussion and analysis identify significant factors that have affected our financial position and operating results during the periods included in the accompanying financial statements. We encourage you to read this discussion and analysis in conjunction with the financial statements and the related notes and the other statistical information also included in this report.

 

Unless the context requires otherwise, references to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar references mean First Community Corporation and its subsidiaries.

34
 

Recent Events – COVID-19 Pandemic

 

The COVID-19 pandemic and variants of the virus continue to create disruptions to the global economy and financial markets and to businesses and the lives of individuals throughout the world. As the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved from its emergence in early 2020, so has its impact. While vaccine availability and uptake has increased, the longer-term macro-economic effects on global supply chains, inflation, labor shortages and wage increases continue to impact many industries. Moreover, with the potential for new strains of COVID-19 to emerge, governments and businesses may re-impose aggressive measures to help slow its spread in the future. For this reason, among others, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the potential or lasting impacts on our business, financial condition and results of operations remains uncertain and difficult to assess. Our business, financial condition and results of operations generally rely upon the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans, the value of collateral underlying our secured loans, and demand for loans and other products and services we offer, which are highly dependent on the business environment in our primary markets where we operate and in the United States as a whole. The unprecedented and rapid spread of COVID-19 and its variants and their associated impacts on trade (including supply chains and export levels), travel, employee productivity, unemployment, consumer spending, and other economic activities have resulted and continue to result in volatility and disruption in financial markets.

 

In addition, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, market interest rates declined to historical lows and the reductions in interest rates, low interest rate environment, and the other effects of the COVID-19 pandemic had an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. However, during 2022, market interest rates have started to increase. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) made the following increases to the target range of federal funds during the first six months of 2022:

 

-0.25% on March 16, 2022;
-0.50% on May 4, 2022; and
-0.75% on June 15, 2022.

 

The target range of federal funds was 1.50% - 1.75% at June 30, 2022 compared to 0.25% - 0.50% at March 31, 2022, and compared to 0.00% - 0.25% at December 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021. Changes in market interest rates can have a significant impact on the level of income and expense recorded on a large portion of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, and on the market value of all interest-earning assets, other than those possessing a short term to maturity. Furthermore, changes in market interest rates can have a significant impact on the level of mortgage originations and related mortgage non-interest income.

 

Lending Operations and Accommodations to Borrowers; Impact of COVID-19 on Asset Quality and Value of Investment Securities

 

Beginning in March 2020, we proactively offered payment deferrals for up to 90 days to our loan customers regardless of the impact of the pandemic on their business or personal finances. As a result of payments being resumed at the conclusion of their payment deferral period, loans in which payments were being deferred decreased from the peak of $206.9 million to $16.1 million at December 31, 2020, to $4.5 million at June 30, 2021, to zero at December 31, 2021. Loan deferrals remained at zero at June 30, 2022.

 

We were also a small business administration approved lender and participated in the PPP, established under the CARES Act. During 2020 and 2021, we originated 1,417 PPP loans totaling $88.5 million, which includes 843 PPP loans totaling $51.2 million originated in 2020 and 574 PPP loans totaling $37.3 million originated in 2021. Furthermore, during 2020, we facilitated the origination of 111 PPP loans totaling $31.2 million for our customers through a third party prior to establishing our own PPP platform. As of June 30, 2022, 1,414 PPP loans totaling $88.2 million (843 PPP loans totaling $51.2 million originated in 2020 and 571 PPP loans totaling $37.0 million originated in 2021) were forgiven through the SBA PPP forgiveness process.

 

Our asset quality metrics as of June 30, 2022 remained sound. At June 30, 2022, our non-performing assets were not materially impacted by the economic pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic. The non-performing asset ratio was 0.32% of total assets with the nominal level of $5.3 million in non-performing assets at June 30, 2022 compared to 0.09% and $1.4 million at December 31, 2021, and compared to 0.62% and $9.3 million at June 30, 2021. Non-accrual loans increased to $4.4 million at June 30, 2022 from $250 thousand at December 31, 2021, and from $4.0 million at June 30, 2021. The increases in both non-performing assets and non-accrual loans from December 31, 2021 to June 30, 2022 were due to one $4.1 million loan that was moved to non-accrual status in June 2022. This loan has a loan-to-value of 76.3% based on an appraisal received in May 2022. We had zero accruing loans past due 90 days or more at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 compared to $4.2 million in accruing loans past due 90 days or more at June 30, 2021. Loans past due 30 days or more represented 0.24% of the loan portfolio at June 30, 2022 compared to 0.03% at December 31, 2021, and compared to 0.49% at June 30, 2021. The ratio of classified loans plus OREO and repossessed assets declined to 5.16% of total bank regulatory risk-based capital at June 30, 2022 from 6.27% at December 31, 2021 and from 9.45% at June 30, 2021. During the three months ended June 30, 2022, we experienced net loan recoveries of $242 thousand and net overdraft charge-offs of $15 thousand. During the six months ended June 30, 2022, we experienced net loan recoveries of $262 thousand and net overdraft charge-offs of $26 thousand.

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We are also monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent increase in market interest rates on the operations and value of our investments. We mark to market our available-for-sale investments and review our investment portfolio for impairment at, a minimum, quarterly. We do not consider any securities in our investment portfolio to be other-than-temporarily impaired at June 30, 2022. However, additional changes in the interest rate environment may temporarily reduce the market value of our available-for-sale investment securities, which temporarily could reduce shareholders’ equity.

 

Capital and Liquidity

 

Our capital remained strong. Each of the regulatory capital ratios for the Bank exceeds the well capitalized minimum levels currently required by regulatory statute at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021. Based on our strong capital, conservative underwriting, and internal stress testing, we expect to remain well capitalized throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Bank’s reported regulatory capital ratios could be adversely impacted by future credit losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. We intend to monitor developments and potential impacts on our capital.

 

We believe that we have ample liquidity to meet the needs of our customers through our low cost deposits, our ability to borrow against approved lines of credit (federal funds purchased) from correspondent banks, and our ability to obtain advances secured by certain securities and loans from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”).

 

Critical Accounting Estimates

 

We have adopted various accounting policies that govern the application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and with general practices within the banking industry in the preparation of our financial statements. Our significant accounting policies are described in the footnotes to our unaudited consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2022 and our notes included in the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 as filed with the SEC on March 16, 2022.

 

Certain accounting policies inherently involve a greater reliance on the use of estimates, assumptions and judgments and, as such, have a greater possibility of producing results that could be materially different than originally reported, which could have a material impact on the carrying values of our assets and liabilities and our results of operations. We consider these accounting policies and estimates to be critical accounting policies. We have identified the determination of the allowance for loan losses, income taxes, and deferred tax assets to be the accounting areas that require the most subjective or complex judgments and, as such, could be most subject to revision as new or additional information becomes available or circumstances change, including overall changes in the economic climate and/or market interest rates. Therefore, management has reviewed and approved these critical accounting policies and estimates and has discussed these policies with our Audit and Compliance Committee. A brief discussion of each of these areas appears in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K. During the first six months of 2022, we did not significantly alter the manner in which we applied our critical accounting policies or developed related assumptions and estimates.

 

There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting estimates as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

Comparison of Results of Operations for Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 to the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021

 

Net Income

 

Our net income for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $6.6 million, or $0.87 diluted earnings per common share, as compared to $6.8 million, or $0.90 diluted earnings per common share, for the six months ended June 30, 2021. The $179 thousand decline in net income between the two periods is primarily due to a $331 thousand decline in non-interest income and a $724 thousand increase in non-interest expense partially offset by a $125 thousand increase in net interest income, a $540 thousand reduction in provision for loan losses, and a $211 thousand reduction in income tax expense.

 

  · The increase in net interest income results from an increase of $150.8 million in average earning assets partially offset by a 29 basis point decline in the net interest margin between the two periods.   
  · The decline in non-interest income is primarily related to declines in mortgage banking income of $813 thousand, gain on sale of other assets of $122 thousand, and other non-recurring income of $91 thousand partially offset by increases in investment advisory fees and non-deposit commissions of $559 thousand, deposit service charges of $69 thousand, ATM/debit card income of $33 thousand, rental income of $13 thousand, income on bank owned life insurance of $13 thousand, and wire transfer fees of $12 thousand,
  o The reduction in other non-recurring income was related to the collection of a $100 thousand summary judgment related to a loan charged off at a bank, which we subsequently acquired, during the six months ended June 30, 2021. We recorded $9 thousand in other non-recurring income related to gains on insurance proceeds during the six months ended June 30, 2022.
  · The reduction in provision for loan losses is primarily related to the following: a decrease in our COVID-19 qualitative factor in our allowance for loan losses methodology and net recoveries during the six months ended June 30, 2022 partially offset by increases in our economic conditions qualitative factor due to inflation, supply chain bottlenecks, labor shortages in certain industries, and the war in Ukraine; an increase in our changes in staff qualitative factor due to the addition of a new team and new market in York County, South Carolina in March 2022; an increase in our change in total of past due, rated, and non-accrual loans qualitative factor due to a $4.1 million loan being moved to non-accrual status in June 2022; and loan growth.
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  · The increase in non-interest expense is primarily related to increased salaries and employee benefits expense of $382 thousand, increased occupancy expense of $27 thousand, increased equipment expense of $48 thousand, increased marketing and public relations expense of $98 thousand, increased ATM/debit card and data processing expense of $227 thousand, increased travel, meals, and entertainment expense of $35 thousand, increased courier expense of $31 thousand, and increased fraud expense of $119 thousand partially offset by lower FDIC assessment of $80 thousand, lower professional fees of $78 thousand, lower amortization of intangibles of $30 thousand, and lower mortgage loan processing expense of $64 thousand.
  · Our effective tax rate was 19.5% during the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to 21.0% during the six months ended June 30, 2021.
  o The reduction in the effective tax rate was primarily due to a $153 thousand non-recurring reduction to income tax expense during the six months ended June 30, 2022.

Net Interest Income

 

Net interest income is our primary source of revenue. Net interest income is the difference between income earned on assets and interest paid on deposits and borrowings used to support such assets. Net interest income is determined by the rates earned on our interest-earning assets and the rates paid on our interest-bearing liabilities, the relative amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, and the degree of mismatch and the maturity and repricing characteristics of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

 

Please refer to the table at the end of this Item 2 (Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations) for the average yields on assets and average rates on interest-bearing liabilities during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, along with average balances and the related interest income and interest expense amounts.

 

Net interest income increased $125 thousand, or 0.6%, to $21.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 from $21.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021. Our net interest margin declined by 29 basis points to 2.89% during the six months ended June 30, 2022 from 3.18% during the six months ended June 30, 2021. Our net interest margin, on a taxable equivalent basis, was 2.92% for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to 3.22% for the six months ended June 30, 2021. Average earning assets increased $150.8 million, or 11.0%, to $1.5 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $1.4 billion in the same period of 2021.

 

·The increase in net interest income was primarily due to a higher level of average earning assets partially offset by lower net interest margin.

·The increase in average earning assets was due to increases in non-PPP loans and securities partially offset by declines in PPP loans and other short-term investments.

·Although market interest rates have increased in 2022, the decline in net interest margin was primarily due to the Federal Reserve reducing the target range of the federal funds rate two times totaling 150 basis points during the first quarter of 2020 and the excess liquidity generated from PPP loan proceeds, other stimulus funds related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and organic deposit growth being deployed in lower yielding securities.

·Interest income on PPP loans declined to $46 thousand during the six months ended June 30, 2022 from $1.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2021 due to a reduction in PPP loans.

·Low market rates, the competitive loan pricing environment, and the COVID-19 pandemic put downward pressure on our net interest margin during 2021 and the first six months of 2022.

·Interest income on variable rate collateralized mortgage obligations, primarily consisting of GNMA home equity conversion mortgages, declined $530 thousand to negative interest income of $120 thousand during the six months ended June 30, 2022 from positive interest income of $410 thousand during the same period in 2021.

oThis decline was due to an increase in prepayments, which resulted in accelerated amortization of the premium on these investments.

·In June 2022, a $4.1 million loan was moved to non-accrual status, which resulted in a $51 thousand reversal to interest income in June 2022.
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Average loans declined $4.5 million, or 0.5%, to $886.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 from $891.0 million for the same period in 2021. Average PPP loans declined $55.1 million and average Non-PPP loans increased $50.7 million to $432 thousand and $886.1 million, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Average loans represented 58.2% of average earning assets during the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to 65.0% of average earning assets during the same period in 2021. The decline in average loans as a percentage of average earning assets was primarily due to increases in deposits of $154.7 million and securities sold under agreements to repurchase of $15.4 million and a $55.1 million reduction in average PPP loans.

 

The growth in our deposits and securities sold under agreements to repurchase and the decline in our loans resulted in the excess funds being deployed in our securities portfolio. The yield on loans declined 18 basis points to 4.16% during the six months ended June 30, 2022 from 4.34% during the same period in 2021. The yield on Non-PPP loans was 4.16% during the six months ended June 30, 2022. Average securities for the six months ended June 30, 2022 increased $163.8 million, or 40.7%, to $566.1 million from $402.3 million during the same period in 2021. Other short-term investments declined $8.5 million to $70.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2022 from $78.5 million during the same period in 2021 due to the deployment of lower yielding other short-term investments into higher yielding securities. The yield on our securities portfolio declined to 1.50% for the six months ended June 30, 2022 from 1.82% for the same period in 2021. These declines were primarily related to the low interest rate environment and the reduction in interest income on variable rate collateralized mortgages as described above. The yield on our other short-term investments increased to 0.56% for the six months ended June 30, 2022 from 0.16% for the same period in 2021 due to the following Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) increases in the target range of federal funds during the first six months of 2022:

 

-0.25% on March 16, 2022;
-0.50% on May 4, 2022; and
-0.75% on June 15, 2022.

 

The target range of federal funds was 1.50% - 1.75% at June 30, 2022 compared to 0.25% - 0.50% at March 31, 2022 compared to 0.00% - 0.25% at December 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021.

 

The yield on earning assets for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 were 3.01% and 3.36%, respectively.

 

The cost of interest-bearing liabilities was at 18 basis points during the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to 27 basis points during the same period in 2021. The cost of deposits, including demand deposits, was nine basis points during the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to 16 basis points during the same period in 2021. The cost of funds, including demand deposits, was 12 basis points during the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to 19 basis points during the same period in 2021. We continue to focus on growing our pure deposits (demand deposits, interest-bearing transaction accounts, savings deposits, money market accounts, IRAs, and customer cash management repurchase agreements) as these accounts tend to be low-cost deposits and assist us in controlling our overall cost of funds. During the six months ended June 30, 2022, these deposits averaged 91.7% of total deposits as compared to 90.1% during the same period of 2021.

 

Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses

 

We account for our allowance for loan losses under the incurred loss model. At June 30, 2022, the allowance for loan losses was $11.2 million, or 1.22% of total loans (excluding loans held-for-sale), compared to $11.2 million, or 1.29% of total loans (excluding loans held-for-sale) at December 31, 2021. Excluding PPP loans and loans held-for-sale, the allowance for loan losses was 1.22% of total loans at June 30, 2022 compared to 1.30% of total loans at December 31, 2021. The decline in the allowance for loan losses compared to December 31, 2021 is primarily related to the loss emergence period assumption in the COVID-19 qualitative factor, which was added to our allowance for loan losses methodology during 2020 and discussed below, and reduced to six months at June 30, 2022 from 21 months at December 31, 2021. This reduction was partially offset by loan growth of $52.6 million; $236 thousand in net recoveries; an increase in our economic conditions qualitative factor by 5.6 basis points due to higher inflation, supply chain bottlenecks, labor shortages in certain industries, and the war in Ukraine; an increase in our change in staff qualitative factor by one basis point due to the addition of a new team and new market in York County, South Carolina in March 2022; and an increase in our changes in our change in total of past due, rated, and non-accrual loans by two basis points due to a $4.1 million loan being moved to non-accrual status in June 2022. This loan has a loan-to-value of 76.3% based on an appraisal received in May 2022.

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During 2020, we added a qualitative factor for the COVID-19 pandemic to our allowance for loan losses methodology. This qualitative factor was based on the dollar amount of our deferrals and a one-year loss emergence period based on the highest period of annual historical loss rate since the Bank’s inception. As the pandemic worsened, we added our exposure to certain industry segments most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic (hotels, restaurants, assisted living, and retail) to the COVID-19 qualitative factor and we extended the loss emergence period to two years based on the highest two periods of annual historical loss rates since the Bank’s inception. At June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the COVID-19 qualitative factor represented $680 thousand and $1.9 million, respectively, of our allowance for loan losses.

 

Loans that we acquired in our acquisition of Cornerstone Bancorp, otherwise referred to herein as Cornerstone, in 2017 as well as in our acquisition of Savannah River Financial Corp., otherwise referred to herein as Savannah River, in 2014 are accounted for under FASB ASC 310-30. These acquired loans were initially measured at fair value, which includes estimated future credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the loans. The credit component on loans related to cash flows not expected to be collected is not subsequently accreted (non-accretable difference) into interest income. Any remaining portion representing the excess of a loan’s or pool’s cash flows expected to be collected over the fair value is accreted (accretable difference) into interest income. At June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the remaining credit component on loans attributable to acquired loans in the Cornerstone and Savannah River transactions was $104 thousand and $130 thousand, respectively.

 

Our provision for loan losses was a credit of $195 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to an expense of $345 thousand during the same period in 2021. The reduction in provision for loan losses is primarily related to a decrease in our COVID-19 qualitative factor in our allowance for loan losses methodology and net recoveries during the first six months of 2022, partially offset by increases in our economic conditions qualitative factor and loan growth as discussed above.

 

The allowance for loan losses represents an amount which we believe will be adequate to absorb probable losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible. Our judgment as to the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is based on assumptions about future events, which we believe to be reasonable, but which may or may not prove to be accurate. Our determination of the allowance for loan losses is based on evaluations of the collectability of loans, including consideration of factors such as the balance of impaired loans, the quality, mix, and size of our overall loan portfolio, the knowledge and depth of lending personnel, economic conditions (local and national) that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the amount and quality of collateral securing the loans, our historical loan loss experience, and a review of specific problem loans. We also consider qualitative factors such as changes in the lending policies and procedures, changes in the local or national economies, changes in volume or type of credits, changes in volume/severity of problem loans, quality of loan review and board of director oversight, and concentrations of credit. We charge recognized losses to the allowance and add subsequent recoveries back to the allowance for loan losses. There can be no assurance that charge-offs of loans in future periods will not exceed the allowance for loan losses as estimated at any point in time or that provisions for loan losses will not be significant to a particular accounting period.

 

We perform an analysis quarterly to assess the risk within the loan portfolio. The portfolio is segregated into similar risk components for which historical loss ratios are calculated and adjusted for identified changes in current portfolio characteristics. Historical loss ratios are calculated by product type and by regulatory credit risk classification (See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). The annualized weighted average loss ratios over the last 36 months for loans classified as substandard, special mention and pass have been approximately 0.57%, 0.06% and 0.00%, respectively. The allowance consists of an allocated and unallocated allowance. The allocated portion is determined by types and ratings of loans within the portfolio. The unallocated portion of the allowance is established for losses that exist in the remainder of the portfolio and compensates for uncertainty in estimating the loan losses. The allocated portion of the allowance is based on historical loss experience as well as certain qualitative factors as explained above. The qualitative factors have been established based on certain assumptions made as a result of the current economic conditions and are adjusted as conditions change to be directionally consistent with these changes. The unallocated portion of the allowance is composed of factors based on management’s evaluation of various conditions that are not directly measured in the estimation of probable losses through the experience formula or specific allowances. The overall risk as measured in our three-year lookback, both quantitatively and qualitatively, does not encompass a full economic cycle. Net charge-offs in the 2009 to 2011 period averaged 63 basis points annualized in our loan portfolio. Over the most recent three-year period, our net charge-offs have experienced a modest net recovery. We currently believe the unallocated portion of our allowance represents potential risk associated throughout a full economic cycle.

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We have a significant portion of our loan portfolio with real estate as the underlying collateral. At June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, approximately 90.7% and 90.9%, respectively, of the loan portfolio had real estate collateral. When loans, whether commercial or personal, are granted, they are based on the borrower’s ability to generate repayment cash flows from income sources sufficient to service the debt. Real estate is generally taken to reinforce the likelihood of the ultimate repayment and as a secondary source of repayment. We work closely with all our borrowers that experience cash flow or other economic problems, and we believe that we have the appropriate processes in place to monitor and identify problem credits. There can be no assurance that charge-offs of loans in future periods will not exceed the allowance for loan losses as estimated at any point in time or that provisions for loan losses will not be significant to a particular accounting period. The allowance is also subject to examination and testing for adequacy by regulatory agencies, which may consider such factors as the methodology used to determine adequacy and the size of the allowance relative to that of peer institutions. Such regulatory agencies could require us to adjust our allowance based on information available to them at the time of their examination.

 

The non-performing asset ratio was 0.32% of total assets with the nominal level of $5.3 million in non-performing assets at June 30, 2022 compared to 0.09% and $1.4 million at December 31, 2021, and compared to 0.62% and $9.3 million at June 30, 2021. Non-accrual loans increased to $4.4 million at June 30, 2022 from $250 thousand at December 31, 2021, and from $4.0 million at June 30, 2021. The increases in both non-performing assets and non-accrual loans from December 31, 2021 to June 30, 2022 were due to one $4.1 million loan that was moved to non-accrual status in June 2022. This loan has a loan-to-value of 76.3% based on an appraisal received in May 2022. We had no accruing loans past due 90 days or more at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 compared to $4.2 million in accruing loans past due 90 days or more at June 30, 2021. Loans past due 30 days or more represented 0.24% of the loan portfolio at June 30, 2022 compared to 0.03% at December 31, 2021, and compared to 0.49% at June 30, 2021. The ratio of classified loans plus OREO and repossessed assets declined to 5.16% of total bank regulatory risk-based capital at June 30, 2022 from 6.27% at December 31, 2021 and from 9.45% at June 30, 2021.

 

There were six loans totaling $4.4 million (0.47% of total loans) included on non-performing status (non-accrual loans and loans past due 90 days and still accruing) at June 30, 2022. All six of these loans totaling $4.4 million were on non-accrual status. The largest loan included on non-accrual status is in the amount of $4.1 million and is secured by a first mortgage lien and has a loan-to-value of 76.3% based on an appraisal received in May 2022. The average balance of the remaining five loans on non-accrual status is approximately $59 thousand with a range between $3 and $163 thousand. Three of these loans are secured by first mortgage liens and two loans are secured by second mortgage liens. Furthermore, we had $125 thousand in accruing trouble debt restructurings, or TDRs, at June 30, 2022 compared to $1.4 million at December 31, 2021. This reduction was due to the payoff of one loan. We consider a loan impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due, including both principal and interest, according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Nonaccrual loans and accruing TDRs are considered impaired. At June 30, 2022, we had seven impaired loans totaling $4.4 million compared to 10 impaired loans totaling $1.7 million at December 31, 2021. These loans were measured for impairment under the fair value of collateral method or present value of expected cash flows method. For collateral dependent loans, the fair value of collateral method is used and the fair value is determined by an independent appraisal less estimated selling costs. There was no specific allowance for loan and lease losses on our impaired loans at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021. At June 30, 2022, we had 20 loans totaling $2.2 million that were delinquent 30 days to 89 days representing 0.24% of total loans compared to $235 thousand or 0.03% of total loans at December 31, 2021.

 

Beginning in March 2020, the Company proactively offered payment deferrals for up to 90 days to its loan customers regardless of the impact of the pandemic on their business or personal finances. As a result of payments being resumed at the conclusion of their payment deferral period, loans in which payments were being deferred decreased from the peak of $206.9 million to $16.1 million at December 31, 2020, to $4.5 million at June 30, 2021, to zero at December 31, 2021. Loan deferrals remained at zero at June 30, 2022. Our management continuously monitors non-performing, classified and past due loans to identify deterioration regarding the condition of these loans and given the ongoing and uncertain impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue to monitor our loan portfolio for potential risks.

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The following table summarizes the activity related to our allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated:

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

   Six Months Ended 
   June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands)  2022   2021 
Average loans outstanding (excluding loans held-for-sale)  $877,810   $891,021 
Loans outstanding at period end (excluding loans held-for-sale)  $916,332   $878,318 
Non-performing assets:          
Nonaccrual loans  $4,351   $3,986 
Loans 90 days past due still accruing       4,165 
Foreclosed real estate   984    1,182 
Repossessed-other        
Total non-performing assets  $5,335   $9,333 
           
Beginning balance of allowance  $11,179   $10,389 
Loans charged-off:          
Commercial        
Real Estate - Construction        
Real Estate Mortgage - Residential        
Real Estate Mortgage - Commercial       110 
Consumer - Home Equity        
Consumer - Other   33    37 
Total loans charged-off   33    147 
Recoveries:          
Commercial   11    3 
Real Estate - Construction        
Real Estate Mortgage - Residential   1     
Real Estate Mortgage - Commercial   243    11 
Consumer - Home Equity   7    6 
Consumer - Other   7    31 
Total recoveries   269    51 
Net loan charge offs (recoveries)   (236   96 
(Release of ) provision for loan losses   (195)   345 
Balance at period end  $11,220   $10,638 
           
Net charge offs to average loans (annualized)   -0.05%   0.02%
Allowance as percent of total loans   1.22%   1.21%
Non-performing assets as % of total assets   0.32%   0.62%
Allowance as % of non-performing loans   257.87%   130.51%
Nonaccrual loans as % of total loans   0.50%   0.45%
Allowance as % of nonaccrual loans   257.87%   266.88%

 

The following table details net charge-offs to average loans outstanding by loan category for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021.

 

   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2022   2021 
   Net Charge-
Offs
(Recoveries)
   Average
Loans HFI(1)
   Net
Charge-Off
Ratio
   Net Charge-
Offs
(Recoveries)
   Average
Loans HFI
   Net
Charge-Off
Ratio
 
Commercial, financial & agricultural   (11)   71,174    -0.02%   (3)   116,054    0.00%
Real estate:                              
Construction       94,044    0.00%       101,675    0.00%
Mortgage-residential   (1)   44,421    0.00%       41,350    0.00%
Mortgage-commercial   (243)   637,963    -0.04%   99    586,495    0.02%
Consumer:                              
Home Equity   (8)   26,866    -0.03%   (6)   25,388    -0.02%
Other   27    13,819    0.20%   6    7,816    0.08%
Total:   (236)   888,287    -0.03%   96    878,777    0.01%

 

(1) Average loans exclude loans held for sale
41
 

The following allocation of the allowance to specific components is not necessarily indicative of future losses or future allocations. The entire allowance is available to absorb losses in the portfolio.

 

Composition of the Allowance for Loan Losses

 

(Dollars in thousands)  June 30, 2022   December 31, 2021 
       % of
allowance in
       % of
allowance in
 
   Amount   Category   Amount   Category 
Commercial, Financial and Agricultural  $817    7.3%  $853    7.6%
Real Estate – Construction   84    0.7%   113    1.0%
Real Estate Mortgage:                    
Residential   546    4.9%   560    5.0%
Commercial   8639    77.0%   8,570    76.7%
Consumer:                    
Home Equity   315    2.8%   333    3.0%
Other   202    1.8%   126    1.1%
Unallocated   617    5.5%   624    5.6%
Total  $11,220    100.0%  $11,179    100.0%

 

Accrual of interest is discontinued on loans when management believes, after considering economic and business conditions and collection efforts that a borrower’s financial condition is such that the collection of interest is doubtful. A delinquent loan is generally placed in nonaccrual status when it becomes 90 days or more past due. At the time a loan is placed in nonaccrual status, all interest, which has been accrued on the loan but remains unpaid is reversed and deducted from earnings as a reduction of reported interest income. No additional interest is accrued on the loan balance until the collection of both principal and interest becomes reasonably certain.

 

Non-interest Income and Non-interest Expense

 

Non-interest income during the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $6.4 million compared to $6.7 million during the same period in 2021. Deposit service charges increased $69 thousand to $527 thousand during the six months ended June 30, 2022 from $458 thousand during the same period in 2021 primarily due to higher non-sufficient funds (NSF) and overdraft fees. Effective July 1, 2022, we increased the NSF de minimis amount to $50 from $5 and reduced our maximum fee per day to $140 from $210, each of which will impact our future aggregate deposit service charges. Mortgage banking income declined by $813 thousand to $1.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2022 from $2.1 million during the same period in 2021. Mortgage production during the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $51.0 million, $45.9 million of the production was originated to be sold in the secondary market and $5.0 million of the production was originated as adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) loans for our loans held-for-investment portfolio, compared to $76.4 million, which was all produced to be sold in the secondary market during the same period in 2021. The gain on sale margin increased to 2.87% during the six months ended June 30, 2022 from 2.79% during the same period in 2021. The reduction in mortgage production was primarily due to a higher interest rate environment and low housing inventory. With the headwinds of rising interest rates, we began to market an ARM product during the second quarter of 2022 to provide borrowers with an alternative to fixed-rate mortgages and to help offset anticipated mortgage production challenges. Currently, we are offering 5/1, 7/1, and 10/1 ARM loans that are originated for our loans held-for-investment portfolio. As these ARM loans are being held on our balance sheet as loans held-for-investment, the result is additive to loan growth and interest income but results in less gain on sale fee income, which is reported in noninterest income as mortgage banking income.

 

Investment advisory fees increased $559 thousand to $2.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2022 from $1.8 million during the same period in 2021. Total assets under management declined to $524.3 million at June 30, 2022 compared to $650.9 million at December 31, 2021, and from $577.5 million at June 30, 2021. While revenue in our financial planning and investment management line of business increased during the first six months of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, assets under management (AUM) have declined due to the stock market performance in the first six months of 2022. Our investment advisory fees trail changes in AUM, therefore, we anticipate that these fees will decline during the third quarter of 2022. Management continues to focus on both the mortgage banking income as well as the investment advisory fees and commissions. Gain (loss) on sale of other assets was a loss of $45 thousand during the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to a gain of $77 thousand during the same period in 2021. The $45 thousand loss on sale of other assets was related to the sale of one other real estate owned property during the six months ended June 20, 2022.

42
 

Non-interest income, other declined $24 thousand during the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to a decline in other non-recurring income of $91 thousand partially offset by increases in ATM/debit card income of $33 thousand, income on bank owned life insurance of $13 thousand, rental income of $13 thousand, and wire transfer fees of $12 thousand. The reduction in other non-recurring income was related to the collection of a $100 thousand summary judgment related to a loan charged off at a bank, which we subsequently acquired, during the six months ended June 30, 2021. We recorded $9 thousand in other non-recurring income related to gains on insurance proceeds during the six months ended June 30, 2022.

 

The following is a summary of the components of other non-interest income for the periods indicated:

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Six months ended
June 30,
 
   2022   2021 
ATM debit card income  $1,356   $1,323 
Income on bank owned life insurance   358    345 
Rental income   162    149 
Other service fee and safe deposit box fees   122    118 
Wire transfer fees   68    56 
Other   122    221 
Total  $2,188   $2,212 

 

Non-interest expense increased $724 thousand during the six months ended June 30, 2022 to $20.1 million compared to $19.4 million during the same period in 2021. The $724 thousand increase in non-interest expense is primarily related to increased salaries and employee benefits expense of $382 thousand, increased occupancy expense of $27 thousand, increased equipment expense of $48 thousand, increased marketing and public relations expense of $98 thousand, and increased other expense of $287 thousand partially offset by a lower FDIC assessment of $80 thousand, lower other real estate expense of $8 thousand, and lower amortization of intangibles of $30 thousand.

 

  · Salary and benefit expense increased $382 thousand to $12.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2022 from $11.9 million during the same period in 2021. This increase is primarily a result of normal salary adjustments, financial planning and investment advisory commissions, and the addition of four employees in our new loan production office in York County, South Carolina partially offset by lower mortgage commissions and open positions. We had 242 full time equivalent employees at June 30, 2022 compared to 249 at June 30, 2021.
  · Occupancy expense increased $27 thousand to $1.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $1.5 million during the same period in 2021 primarily related to some major maintenance projects, our new loan production office in York County, South Carolina, and higher janitorial services partially offset by lower bank premises taxes due to the sale of two bank owned properties in 2021.
  · Equipment expense increased $48 thousand to $661 thousand during the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $613 thousand during the same period in 2021 primarily due to increases in the ATM and security monitoring service agreements.
  · Marketing and public relations expense increased $98 thousand to $807 thousand during the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $709 thousand during the same period in 2021 due to larger media schedules including activity in our new York County, South Carolina market.
  · FDIC assessments declined $80 thousand to $235 thousand during the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $315 thousand during the same period in 2021 due to a reduction in our FDIC assessment rate.
  · Other real estate expenses declined $8 thousand to $76 thousand during the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $84 thousand during the same period in 2021 due to a $19 thousand write-down on one other real estate owned property during the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared $33 thousand on one property during the same period in 2021.
  · Amortization of intangibles declined $30 thousand to $79 thousand during the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $109 thousand during the same period in 2021.
  · Other expense increased $287 thousand to $4.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $4.2 million during the same period in 2021.
  o ATM/debit card and data processing expense increased $227 thousand primarily due to higher ATM debit card customer activity, core processing system expenses, and enhanced technology solutions.
  o Fraud expense increased $119 thousand primarily related to an isolated fraud incident.
  o Travel, meals, and entertainment increased $35 thousand due to more in-person meetings from eased COVID-19 restrictions.
  o Courier expense increased $31 thousand due to higher fuel costs.
  o

Legal and professional fees declined $78 thousand primarily due to lower legal, audit, and accounting fees.

  o Loan closing costs/fees declined $67 thousand due to lower mortgage loan processing costs.
43
 

The following is a summary of the components of other non-interest expense for the periods indicated:

  Six months ended 
(Dollars in thousands)  June 30, 
   2022   2021 
ATM/debit card and data processing*  $2,042   $1,816 
Telephone   166    190 
Correspondent services   151    146 
Insurance   172    159 
Legal and professional fees   529    607 
Investment advisory fees   212    210 
Director fees   174    191 
Shareholder expense   116    116 
Dues   84    80 
Loan closing costs/fees   98    165 
Other   755    532 
   $4,499   $4,212 

 

*Data processing includes core processing, bill payment, online banking, remote deposit capture and postage costs for printing and mailing customer notices and statements

 

Income Tax Expense

 

We incurred income tax expense of $1.6 million and $1.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Our effective tax rate was 19.5% and 21.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The reduction in the effective tax rate was primarily due to a $153 thousand non-recurring reduction to income tax expense during the six months ended June 30, 2022.

 

Comparison of Results of Operations for Three Months Ended June 30, 2022 to the Three Months Ended June 30, 2021

 

Net Income

 

Our net income for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $3.1 million, or $0.41 diluted earnings per common share, as compared to $3.5 million, or $0.47 diluted earnings per common share, for the three months ended June 30, 2021. The $413 thousand decline in net income between the two periods is primarily due to a $409 thousand decline in non-interest income, a $310 thousand increase in non-interest expense, and a $41 thousand decline in net interest income partially offset by a $238 thousand reduction in provision for loan losses and a $109 thousand reduction in income tax expense partially.

 

  · The increase in net interest income results from an increase of $125.6 million in average earning assets partially offset by a 27 basis point decline in the net interest margin between the two periods.   
  · The decline in non-interest income is primarily related to a decline in mortgage banking income of $662 thousand and gain (loss) on sale of other assets of $45 thousand partially offset by increases in investment advisory fees non-deposit commissions of $238 thousand, deposit service charges of $50 thousand, and other non-recurring income of $5 thousand,
  o We recorded $5 thousand in other non-recurring income related to gains on insurance proceeds during the three months ended June 30, 2022.
  · The reduction in provision for loan losses is primarily related to a decrease in our COVID-19 qualitative factor in our allowance for loan losses methodology and net recoveries during the three months ended June 30, 2022 partially offset by increases in our economic conditions qualitative factor due to inflation, supply chain bottlenecks, labor shortages in certain industries; by an increase in our change in total of past due, rated, and non-accrual loans qualitative factor due to a $4.1 million loan being moved to non-accrual status in June 2022; and by loan growth.
  · The increase in non-interest expense is primarily related to increased salaries and employee benefits expense of $227 thousand, increased occupancy expense of $52 thousand, and increased marketing and public relations expense of $133 thousand partially offset by lower FDIC assessment of $41 thousand, lower other real estate expenses of $26 thousand, lower amortization of intangibles of $12 thousand, and lower other expenses of $14 thousand.
  · Our effective tax rate was 20.6% during the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to 20.6% during the three months ended June 30, 2021.
44
 

Net Interest Income

 

Net interest income is our primary source of revenue. Net interest income is the difference between income earned on assets and interest paid on deposits and borrowings used to support such assets. Net interest income is determined by the rates earned on our interest-earning assets and the rates paid on our interest-bearing liabilities, the relative amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, and the degree of mismatch and the maturity and repricing characteristics of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

 

Please refer to the table at the end of this Item 2 (Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations) for the average yields on assets and average rates on interest-bearing liabilities during the three-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, along with average balances and the related interest income and interest expense amounts.

 

Net interest income declined $41 thousand, or 0.4%, to $11.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 from $11.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021. Our net interest margin declined by 27 basis points to 2.90% during the three months ended June 30, 2022 from 3.17% during the three months ended June 30, 2021. Our net interest margin, on a taxable equivalent basis, was 2.93% for the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to 3.20% for the three months ended June 30, 2021. Average earning assets increased $125.6 million, or 8.9%, to $1.5 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $1.4 billion in the same period of 2021.

 

·The increase in net interest income was primarily due to a higher level of average earning assets partially offset by lower net interest margin.

·The increase in average earning assets was due to increases in non-PPP loans and securities partially offset by declines in PPP loans and other short-term investments.

·Although market interest rates have increased in 2022, the decline in net interest margin was primarily due to the Federal Reserve reducing the target range of the federal funds rate two times totaling 150 basis points during the first quarter of 2020 and the excess liquidity generated from PPP loan proceeds, other stimulus funds related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and organic deposit growth being deployed in lower yielding securities.

·Interest income on PPP loans declined to $1 thousand during the three months ended June 30, 2022 from $756 thousand during the three months ended June 30, 2021 due to a reduction in PPP loans.

·Low market rates, the competitive loan pricing environment, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a larger percent of our earning assets in lower yielding securities and other short-term investments put downward pressure on our net interest margin during 2021 and the first six months of 2022 even though interest rates have increased starting in March 2022.

·Interest income on variable rate collateralized mortgage obligations, primarily consisting of GNMA home equity conversion mortgages, declined $467 thousand to negative interest income of $202 thousand during the three months ended June 30, 2022 from positive interest income of $265 thousand during the same period in 2021.

oThis decline was due to an increase in prepayments, which resulted in accelerated amortization of the premium on these investments. Also, a $4.1 million loan was moved to non-accrual status in June 2022, which resulted in a $51 thousand reversal to interest income in June 2022.

 

Average loans increased $1.0 million, or 0.1%, to $896.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 from $895.6 million for the same period in 2021. Average PPP loans declined $55.3 million and average Non-PPP loans increased $56.4 million to $256 thousand and $896.4 million, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2022. Average loans represented 58.6% of average earning assets during the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to 63.8% of average earning assets during the same period in 2021. The decline in average loans as a percentage of average earning assets was primarily due to increases in deposits of $142.9 million and securities sold under agreements to repurchase of $11.7 million; and a $55.3 million reduction in average PPP loans. The $154.6 million growth in our deposits and securities sold under agreements to repurchase compared to the $1.0 million increase in our loans resulted in the excess funds being deployed in our securities portfolio. The yield on loans declined 20 basis points to 4.16% during the three months ended June 30, 2022 from 4.36% during the same period in 2021. The yield on Non-PPP loans was 4.16% during the three months ended June 30, 2022. Average securities for the three months ended June 30, 2022 increased $129.6 million, or 30.1%, to $560.4 million from $430.9 million during the same period in 2021. Other short-term investments declined $4.9 million to $72.8 million during the three months ended June 30, 2022 from $77.8 million during the same period in 2021 due to the deployment of lower yielding other short-term investments into higher yielding securities. The yield on our securities portfolio declined to 1.47% for the three months ended June 30, 2022 from 1.76% for the same period in 2021. These declines were primarily related to the reduction in interest income on variable rate collateralized mortgages and the low interest rate environment described above. The yield on our other short-term investments increased to 0.88% for the three months ended June 30, 2022 from 0.15% for the same period in 2021 due to the following Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) increases in the target range of federal funds during the first six months of 2022:

45
 
-0.25% on March 16, 2022;
-0.50% on May 4, 2022; and
-0.75% on June 15, 2022.

 

The target range of federal funds was 1.50% - 1.75% at June 30, 2022 compared to 0.25% - 0.50% at March 31, 2022 compared to 0.00% - 0.25% at December 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021.

 

The yield on earning assets for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 were 3.02% and 3.33%, respectively.

 

The cost of interest-bearing liabilities was at 18 basis points during the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to 24 basis points during the same period in 2021. The cost of deposits, including demand deposits, was nine basis points during the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to 14 basis points during the same period in 2021. The cost of funds, including demand deposits, was 12 basis points during the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to 17 basis points during the same period in 2021. We continue to focus on growing our pure deposits (demand deposits, interest-bearing transaction accounts, savings deposits, money market accounts, IRAs, and customer cash management repurchase agreements) as these accounts tend to be low-cost deposits and assist us in controlling our overall cost of funds. During the three months ended June 30, 2022, these deposits averaged 91.9% of total deposits as compared to 90.4% during the same period of 2021.

 

Non-interest Income and Non-interest Expense

 

Non-interest income during the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $3.0 million compared to $3.4 million during the same period in 2021. Deposit service charges increased $50 thousand to $262 thousand during the three months ended June 30, 2022 from $212 thousand during the same period in 2021 primarily due to higher non-sufficient funds (NSF) and overdraft fees. Effective July 1, 2022, we increased the NSF de minimis to $50 from $5 and reduced our maximum fee per day to $140 from $210, each of which will impact our future aggregate deposit service charges. Mortgage banking income declined by $662 thousand to $481 thousand during the three months ended June 30, 2022 from $1.1 million during the same period in 2021. Mortgage production during the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $21.0 million, $16.0 million of the production was originated to be sold in the secondary market and $5.0 million of the production was originated as adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) loans for our loans held-for-investment portfolio, compared to $33.7 million, which was all produced to be sold in the secondary market during the same period in 2021. The gain on sale margin increased to 3.01% during the three months ended June 30, 2022 from 2.32% during the same period in 2021. The reduction in mortgage production was primarily due to a higher interest rate environment and low housing inventory. With the headwinds of rising interest rates, we began to market an ARM product during the second quarter of 2022 to provide borrowers with an alternative to fixed rate mortgages and to help offset anticipated mortgage production challenges. Currently, we are offering 5/1, 7/1, and 10/1 ARM loans that are originated for our loans held-for-investment portfolio. As these ARM loans are being held on our balance sheet as loans held-for-investment, the result is additive to loan growth and interest income but results in less gain on sale fee income, which is reported in noninterest income as mortgage banking income.

 

Investment advisory fees increased $238 thousand to $1.2 million during the three months ended June 30, 2022 from $1.0 million during the same period in 2021. Total assets under management declined to $524.3 million at June 30, 2022 compared to $650.9 million at December 31, 2021, and from $577.5 million at June 30, 2021. While revenue in our financial planning and investment management line of business increased during the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, assets under management (AUM) have declined due to the stock market performance in the first six months of 2022. Our investment advisory fees trail changes in AUM, therefore, we anticipate that these fees will decline during the third quarter of 2022. Management continues to focus on both the mortgage banking income as well as the investment advisory fees and commissions. Gain (loss) on sale of other assets was a loss of $45 thousand during the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to zero during the same period in 2021. The $45 thousand loss on sale of other assets was related to the sale of one other real estate owned property during the three months ended June 20, 2022.

 

Non-interest income, other increased $10 thousand during the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to an increase in other non-recurring income of $5 thousand related to gains on insurance proceeds during the three months ended June 30, 2022.

46
 

The following is a summary of the components of other non-interest income for the periods indicated:

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Three months ended
June 30,
 
   2022   2021 
ATM debit card income  $699   $696 
Income on bank owned life insurance   179    179 
Rental income   82    78 
Other service fees and safe deposit box fees   62    57 
Wire transfer fees   34    30 
Other   60    66 
Total  $1,116   $1,106 

 

Non-interest expense increased $310 thousand during the three months ended June 30, 2022 to $10.2 million compared to $9.9 million during the same period in 2021. The $310 thousand increase in non-interest expense is primarily related to increased salaries and employee benefits expense of $227 thousand, increased occupancy expense of $52 thousand, and increased marketing and public relations expense of $133 thousand, partially offset by a lower FDIC assessment of $41 thousand, lower other real estate expenses of $26 thousand, lower amortization of intangibles of $12 thousand, lower equipment expense of $9 thousand, and lower other expenses of $14 thousand.

 

  · Salary and benefit expense increased $227 thousand to $6.2 million during the three months ended June 30, 2022 from $5.9 million during the same period in 2021. This increase is primarily a result of normal salary adjustments, financial planning and investment advisory commissions, and the addition of four employees in our new loan production office in York County, South Carolina partially offset by lower mortgage commissions and open positions. We had 242 full time equivalent employees at June 30, 2022 compared to 249 at June 30, 2021.
  · Occupancy expense increased $52 thousand to $786 thousand during the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $734 thousand during the same period in 2021 primarily related to some major maintenance projects and our new loan production office in York County, South Carolina partially offset by lower janitorial services and lower bank premises taxes due to the sale of two bank owned properties in 2021.
  · Equipment expense declined $9 thousand to $329 thousand during the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $338 thousand during the same period in 2021.
  · Marketing and public relations expense increased $133 thousand to $446 thousand during the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $313 thousand during the same period in 2021 due to larger media schedules including activity in our new Piedmont Region.
  · FDIC assessments declined $41 thousand to $105 thousand during the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $146 thousand during the same period in 2021 due to a reduction in our FDIC assessment rate.
  · Other real estate expenses declined $26 thousand to $29 thousand during the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $55 thousand during the same period in 2021 due to $33 thousand in write-downs on one property during the three months ended June 30, 2021.
  · Amortization of intangibles declined $12 thousand to $40 thousand during the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $52 thousand during the same period in 2021.
  · Other expense declined $14 thousand to $2.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $2.3 million during the same period in 2021.
  o ATM/debit card and data processing expense increased $76 thousand primarily due to higher ATM debit card customer activity, core processing system expenses, and enhanced technology solutions.
  o Operating errors and fraud expense increased $19 thousand.
  o Travel, meals, and entertainment increased $21 thousand due to more in-person meetings from eased COVID-19 restrictions.
  o Contributions increased $13 thousand.
  o Professional fees declined $72 thousand primarily due higher legal and other professional fees.
  o Loan closing costs/fees declined $58 thousand due to lower mortgage loan processing costs.
  o Other Director benefits declined $28 thousand.
  o Telephone expense declined $15 thousand.
47
 

The following is a summary of the components of other non-interest expense for the periods indicated:

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Three months ended 
   June 30, 
   2022   2021 
ATM/debit card and data processing*  $1,036   $960 
Telephone   86    101 
Correspondent services   80    75 
Insurance   86    79 
Legal and professional fees   272    344 
           
Investment advisory fees   98    97 
Director fees   97    96 
Shareholder expense   65    67 
Dues   42    40 
Loan closing costs/fees   62    115 
Other   354    318 
   $2,278   $2,292 

 

 *Data processing includes core processing, bill payment, online banking, remote deposit capture and postage costs for printing and mailing customer notices and statements

 

Financial Position

 

Assets totaled $1.7 billion at June 30, 2022 and $1.6 billion at December 31, 2021. Loans (excluding loans held-for-sale) increased $52.6 million to $916.3 million at June 30, 2022 from $863.7 million at December 31, 2021.

 

Total loan production excluding PPP loans and a PPP related credit facility was $80.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2022 and $135.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $61.1 million and $101.3 million during the same periods in 2021. Loans held-for-sale declined to $4.5 million at June 30, 2022 from $7.1 million at June 30, 2021. Mortgage production during the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $21.0 million, $16.0 million of the production was originated to be sold in the secondary market and $5.0 million of the production was originated as adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) loans for our loans held-for-investment portfolio, compared to $33.7 million, which was all produced to be sold in the secondary market during the same period in 2021. Mortgage production during the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $51.0 million, $45.9 million of the production was originated to be sold in the secondary market and $5.0 million of the production was originated as ARM loans for our loans held-for-investment portfolio, compared to $76.4 million, which was all produced to be sold in the secondary market during the same period in 2021. The loan-to-deposit ratio (including loans held-for-sale) at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 was 62.7% and 64.0%, respectively. The loan-to-deposit ratio (excluding loans held-for-sale) at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 was 62.4% and 63.4%, respectively.

 

Investment securities increased to $572.9 million at June 30, 2022 from $566.6 million at December 31, 2021. On June 1, 2022, we reclassified $224.5 million in investments to held-to-maturity (HTM) from available-for-sale (AFS). These securities were transferred at fair value at the time of the transfer, which became the new cost basis for the securities held to maturity. The pretax unrealized net holding loss on the available for sale securities on the date of transfer totaled approximately $16.7 million, and continued to be reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. This net unrealized loss is being amortized to interest income over the remaining life of the securities as a yield adjustment. There were no gains or losses recognized as a result of this transfer. The remaining pretax unrealized net holding loss on these investments was $16.6 million ($13.1 million net of tax) at June 30, 2022. With the addition of other purchased investments classified as HTM during the three months ended June 30, 2022, our HTM investments totaled $233.7 million and represented approximately 41% of our total investments at June 30, 2022. Our AFS investments totaled $337.3 million with a modified duration of 2.84 at June 30, 2022. Other short-term investments increased to $76.9 million at June 30, 2022 from $47.0 million at December 31, 2021. The increases in investments and other short-term investments are primarily due to organic deposit growth and excess liquidity from customer’s PPP loan proceeds and other stimulus funds related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

48
 

Non-PPP loans increased $53.8 million to $916.1 million at June 30, 2022 from $862.2 million at December 31, 2021. PPP loans declined $1.2 million to $269 thousand at June 30, 2022 from $1.5 million at December 31, 2021. During 2020 and 2021, we originated 1,417 PPP loans totaling $88.5 million, which includes 843 PPP loans totaling $51.2 million originated in 2020 and 574 PPP loans totaling $37.3 million originated in 2021. Furthermore, during 2020, we facilitated the origination of 111 PPP loans totaling $31.2 million for our customers through a third party prior to establishing our own PPP platform. As of June 30, 2022, 1,414 PPP loans totaling $88.2 million (843 PPP loans totaling $51.2 million originated in 2020 and 571 PPP loans totaling $37.0 million originated in 2021) were forgiven through the SBA PPP forgiveness process.

 

One of our goals as a community bank has been, and continues to be, to grow our assets through quality loan growth by providing credit to small and mid-size businesses and individuals within the markets we serve. We remain committed to meeting the credit needs of our local markets. 

 

The following table shows the composition of the loan portfolio by category at the dates indicated:

 

(Dollars in thousands)  June 30, 2022   December 31, 2021 
   Amount   Percent   Amount   Percent 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  $69,989    7.6%  $69,952    8.1%
Real estate:                    
Construction   94,159    10.3%   94,969    11.0%
Mortgage – residential   46,767    5.1%   45,498    5.3%
Mortgage – commercial   662,779    72.3%   617,464    71.5%
Consumer:                    
Home Equity   27,348    3.0%   27,116    3.1%
Other   15,290    1.7%   8,703    1.0%
Total gross loans   916,332    100.0%   863,702    100.0%
Allowance for loan losses   (11,220)      (11,179    
Total net loans  $905,112      $852,523     

 

In the context of this discussion, a real estate mortgage loan is defined as any loan, other than loans for construction purposes and advances on home equity lines of credit, secured by real estate, regardless of the purpose of the loan. Advances on home equity lines of credit are included in consumer loans. We follow the common practice of financial institutions in our market areas of obtaining a security interest in real estate whenever possible, in addition to any other available collateral. This collateral is taken to reinforce the likelihood of the ultimate repayment of the loan and tends to increase the magnitude of the real estate loan components. We generally limit the loan-to-value ratio to 80%.

 

The previously referenced PPP loans and PPP related credit facility are included in “Commercial, financial & agricultural” loans above.

49
 

The repayment of loans in the loan portfolio as they mature is a source of liquidity. The following table sets forth the loans maturing within specified intervals at June 30, 2022.

Loan Maturity Schedule and Sensitivity to Changes in Interest Rates

   June 30, 2022 
(In thousands)  One Year
or Less
   Over One Year
Through Five
Years
   Over Five Years
Through Fifteen
years
    Over Fifteen
Years
   Total 
Commercial, financial and agricultural  $7,115   $38,789   $24,085   $0   $69,989 
Real estate:                         
Construction   36,149    29,187    28,823    0    94,159 
Mortgage-residential   1,541    15,002    2,834    27,390    46,767 
Mortgage-commercial   44,907    383,672    231,092    3,108    662,779 
Consumer:                         
Home equity   1,645    7,418    18,285    0    27,348 
Other   2,652    11,952    288    398    15,290 
Total  $94,009   $486,020   $305,407   $30,896   $916,332 
                          

Loans maturing after one year with:

Variable Rate  $86,024 
Fixed Rate   736,299 
   $822,323 

 

The information presented in the above table is based on the contractual maturities of the individual loans, including loans which may be subject to renewal at their contractual maturity. Renewal of such loans is subject to review and credit approval, as well as modification of terms upon their maturity.

 

Investment Securities Maturity Distribution and Yields

The following table shows, at amortized cost, the expected maturities and weighted average yield, which is calculated using amortized cost as the weight and tax-equivalent book yield, of Available-For-Sale securities held at June 30, 2022:

 

(In thousands)  Within One
Year
   Over One Year
and less than
Five
   Over Five Years
and less than
Ten
   Over Ten
years
 
Available-for-Sale:  Amount   Yield   Amount   Yield   Amount   Yield   Amount   Yield 
US Treasury Securities  $       $44,703    1.67%   15,750    1.21%  $     
Government sponsored enterprises   2,500    0.58%                        
Small Business Administration pools   801    0.09%   22,787    2.12%   2,242    2.37%        
Mortgage-backed securities   3,531    0.22%   101,910    -0.05%   126,334    2.14%   24,953    2.42%
State and local government                                
Corporate and other securities           5,777    4.18%   2,984    4.19%   9    3.70%
Total investment securities available-for-sale  $6,832    0.33%  $175,177    0.81%  $147,310    2.09%  $24,962    2.42%
50
 

The following table shows, at amortized cost, the expected maturities and weighted average yield, which is calculated using amortized cost as the weight and tax-equivalent book yield, of Available-For-Sale securities held at December 31, 2021:

 

(In thousands)  Within One
Year
   Over One Year
and less than
Five
   Over Five Years
and less than
Ten
   Over Ten
years
 
Available-for-Sale:  Amount   Yield   Amount   Yield   Amount   Yield   Amount   Yield 
US Treasury Securities  $       $       $15,736    1.21%  $     
Government sponsored enterprises   2,499    0.58%                        
Small Business Administration pools   466    1.90%   22,398    1.84%   5,613    2.27%   2,359    1.87%
Mortgage-backed securities   12,828    2.04%   129,221    1.31%   135,147    1.65%   120,931    1.08%
State and local government   4,244    1.35%   18,667    2.99%   78,435    2.33%   4,123    3.18%
Corporate and other securities           5,029    3.82%   2,984    4.18%   9    3.70%
Total investment securities available-for-sale  $20,037    1.71%  $175,315    1.63%  $237,915    1.89%  $127,422    1.16%

 

The following table shows, at amortized cost, the expected maturities and weighted average yield, which is calculated using amortized cost as the weight and tax-equivalent book yield, of Held-To-Maturity securities held at June 30, 2022:

 

(In thousands)  Within One
Year
   Over One Year
and less than
Five
   Over Five Years
and less than
Ten
   Over Ten
years
 
Held-To-Maturity:  Amount   Yield   Amount   Yield   Amount   Yield   Amount   Yield 
US Treasury Securities  $       $               $     
Government sponsored enterprises                                
Small Business Administration pools                                
Mortgage-backed securities   10,861    2.45%   51,311    3.01%   64,227    2.28%   4,809    3.59%
State and local government   1,532    1.51%   15,717    2.53%   53,573    3.29%   31,700    3.77%
Corporate and other securities                                
Total investment securities held-to-maturity  $12,393    2.33%  $67,028    2.90%  $117,800    2.74%  $36,509    3.74%

 

Deposits increased $107.7 million to $1.5 billion at June 30, 2022 compared to $1.4 billion at December 31, 2021. Our pure deposits, which are defined as total deposits less certificates of deposits plus customer cash management repurchase agreements, increased $132.9 million to $1.4 billion at June 30, 2022 from $1.3 billion at December 31, 2021. We continue to focus on growing our pure deposits as a percentage of total deposits in order to better manage our overall cost of funds. We had no brokered deposits and no listing services deposits at June 30, 2022. Our securities sold under agreements to repurchase, which are related to our customer cash management accounts and included in pure deposits, increased $17.6 million to $71.8 million at June 30, 2022 from $54.2 million at December 31, 2021.

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The following table sets forth the deposits by category:

 

   June 30,   December 31, 
   2022   2021 
       % of       % of 
(In thousands)  Amount   Deposits   Amount   Deposits 
Demand deposit accounts  $476,024    32.4%  $444,688    32.6%
Interest bearing checking accounts   357,326    24.3%   331,638    24.4%
Money market accounts   314,980    21.5%   287,419    21.1%
Savings accounts   170,557    11.6%   143,765    10.6%
Time deposits less than $100,000   71,552    4.9%   74,489    5.5%
Time deposits more than $100,000   78,536    5.3%   79,292    5.8%
   $1,468,975    100.0%  $1,361,291    100.0%

 

Maturities of Certificates of Deposit and Other Time Deposit of $250,000 or More

At June 30, 2022, time deposits in excess of the FDIC insurance limit were as follows:

 

   June 30, 2022 
   Within Three   After Three
Through
   After Six
Through
   After
Twelve
     
(In thousands)  Months   Six Months   Twelve Months   Months   Total 
Time deposits of $250,000 or more  $5,240   $9,832   $9,560   $4,484   $29,116 

 

Total uninsured deposits amounted to $454.5 million and $392.2 million at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.

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At December 31, 2021, time deposits in excess of the FDIC insurance limit were as follows:

 

   December 31, 2021 
   Within Three   After Three
Through
   After Six
Through
   After
Twelve
     
(In thousands)  Months   Six Months   Twelve Months   Months   Total 
Time deposits of $250,000 or more  $5,836   $5,899   $4,208   $11,955   $27,898 

 

Total shareholders’ equity declined $23.4 million, or 16.6%, to $117.6 million at June 30, 2022 from $141.0 million at December 31, 2021. The $23.4 million decline in shareholders’ equity was due to a $29.8 million reduction in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) partially offset by a $4.6 million increase in retention of earnings less dividends paid, the transfer of $1.2 million in deferred board compensation stock units from other liabilities to shareholders’ equity, the transfer of $0.2 million in restricted stock units from other liabilities to shareholder’s equity, a $0.2 million increase due to employee and director stock awards, and a $0.2 million increase due to dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) purchases. The decline in accumulated other comprehensive income was due to an increase in market interest rates, which has a temporary negative impact on the fair value of our investment securities portfolio and on accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which is included in shareholders’ equity. On June 1, 2022, we reclassified $224.5 million in investments to held-to-maturity (HTM) from available-for-sale (AFS). These securities were transferred at fair value at the time of the transfer, which became the new cost basis for the securities held to maturity. The pretax unrealized net holding loss on the available for sale securities on the date of transfer totaled approximately $16.7 million, and continued to be reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. This net unrealized loss is being amortized to interest income over the remaining life of the securities as a yield adjustment. There were no gains or losses recognized as a result of this transfer. The remaining pretax unrealized net holding loss on these investments was $16.6 million ($13.1 million net of tax) at June 30, 2022. With the addition of other purchased investments classified as HTM during the three months ended June 30, 2022, our HTM investments totaled $233.7 million and represented approximately 41% of our total investments at June 30, 2022. Our AFS investments totaled $337.3 million with a modified duration of 2.84 at June 30, 2022.

 

On April 12, 2021, we announced that our Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to 375,000 shares of our common stock (the “2021 Repurchase Plan”). No repurchases were made under the 2021 Repurchase Plan prior to its expiration at the market close on March 31, 2022. On April 20, 2022, we announced that our Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to 375,000 shares of our common stock (the “2022 Repurchase Plan”), which represented approximately 5% of our 7,566,633 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2022. No repurchases have been made under the 2022 Repurchase Plan. The 2022 Repurchase Plan expires at the market close on December 31, 2023.

 

Market Risk Management

 

Market risk reflects the risk of economic loss resulting from adverse changes in market prices and interest rates. The risk of loss can be measured in either diminished current market values or reduced current and potential net income. Our primary market risk is interest rate risk. We have established an Asset/Liability Management Committee (the “ALCO”) to monitor and manage interest rate risk. The ALCO monitors and manages the pricing and maturity of our assets and liabilities in order to diminish the potential adverse impact that changes in interest rates could have on our net interest income. The ALCO has established policy guidelines and strategies with respect to interest rate risk exposure and liquidity.

We employ a monitoring technique to measure of our interest sensitivity “gap,” which is the positive or negative dollar difference between assets and liabilities that are subject to interest rate repricing within a given period of time. Simulation modeling is performed to assess the impact varying interest rates and balance sheet mix assumptions will have on net interest income. We model the impact on net interest income for several different changes, to include a flattening, steepening and parallel shift in the yield curve. For each of these scenarios, we model the impact on net interest income in an increasing and decreasing rate environment of 100 and 200 basis points. We also periodically stress certain assumptions such as loan prepayment rates, deposit decay rates and interest rate betas to evaluate our overall sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Policies have been established in an effort to maintain the maximum anticipated negative impact of these modeled changes in net interest income at no more than 10% and 15%, respectively, in a 100 and 200 basis point change in interest rates over a 12-month period. Interest rate sensitivity can be managed by repricing assets or liabilities, selling securities available-for-sale, replacing an asset or liability at maturity or by adjusting the interest rate during the life of an asset or liability. Managing the amount of assets and liabilities repricing in the same time interval helps to hedge the risk and minimize the impact on net interest income of rising or falling interest rates. Neither the “gap” analysis or asset/liability modeling are precise indicators of our interest sensitivity position due to the many factors that affect net interest income including, the timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes as well as changes in the volume and mix of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

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Based on the many factors and assumptions used in simulating the effect of changes in interest rates, the following table estimates the hypothetical percentage change in net interest income at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 over the subsequent 12 months. At June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we are asset sensitive. As a result, our modeling reflects an increase in net interest income in a rising interest rate environment and a reduction in net interest income in a declining interest rate environment. In a declining rate environment, the decline in net interest income is primarily due to the current level of interest rates being paid on our interest bearing transaction accounts as well as money market accounts. The interest rates on these accounts are at a level where they cannot be repriced in proportion to the change in interest rates. The increase and decrease of 100 and 200 basis points, respectively, reflected in the table below assume a simultaneous and parallel change in interest rates along the entire yield curve. 

 

Net Interest Income Sensitivity

 

Change in short-term interest rates   Hypothetical
percentage change in
net interest income
 
    June 30, 2022   December 31, 2021 
+200bp    +1.53%   +3.04%
+100bp    +0.96%   +2.12%
Flat         
-100bp   +0.28%   -5.12%
-200bp   -7.11%   -9.81%

 

During the second 12-month period after 100 basis point and 200 basis point simultaneous and parallel increases in interest rates along the entire yield curve, our net interest income is projected to increase 5.08% and 9.87%, respectively, at June 30, 2022 compared to 7.82% and 15.00%, respectively, at December 31, 2021.

 

We perform a valuation analysis projecting future cash flows from assets and liabilities to determine the Present Value of Equity (“PVE”) over a range of changes in market interest rates. The sensitivity of PVE to changes in interest rates is a measure of the sensitivity of earnings over a longer time horizon. At June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the PVE exposure in a plus 200 basis point increase in market interest rates was estimated to be 3.88% and 9.73%, respectively. The PVE exposure in a down 100 basis point decrease was estimated to be (5.46)% at June 30, 2022 compared to (9.86)% at December 31, 2021.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Liquidity management involves monitoring sources and uses of funds in order to meet our day-to-day cash flow requirements while maximizing profits. Liquidity represents our ability to convert assets into cash or cash equivalents without significant loss and to raise additional funds by increasing liabilities. Liquidity management is made more complicated because different balance sheet components are subject to varying degrees of management control. For example, the timing of maturities of the investment portfolio is very predictable and subject to a high degree of control at the time investment decisions are made. However, net deposit inflows and outflows are far less predictable and are not subject to nearly the same degree of control. Asset liquidity is provided by cash and assets which are readily marketable, or which can be pledged, or which will mature in the near future. Liability liquidity is provided by access to core funding sources, principally the ability to generate customer deposits in our market area. In addition, liability liquidity is provided through the ability to borrow against approved lines of credit (federal funds purchased) from correspondent banks and to borrow on a secured basis through securities sold under agreements to repurchase. The Bank is a member of the FHLB and has the ability to obtain advances for various periods of time. These advances are secured by eligible securities pledged by the Bank or assignment of eligible loans within the Bank’s portfolio.

 

We had no brokered deposits and no listing services deposits at June 30, 2022. We believe that we have ample liquidity to meet the needs of our customers through our low cost deposits, our ability to borrow against approved lines of credit (federal funds purchased) from correspondent banks, and our ability to obtain advances secured by certain securities and loans from the FHLB.

54
 

We generally maintain a high level of liquidity and adequate capital, which along with continued retained earnings, we believe will be sufficient to fund the operations of the Bank for at least the next 12 months. Furthermore, we believe that we will have access to adequate liquidity and capital to support the long-term operations of the Bank. Shareholders’ equity declined to 7.0% of total assets at June 30, 2022 from 8.9% at December 31, 2021 due to total asset growth of $100.3 million compared to total shareholders’ equity decline of $23.4 million. The growth in total assets was primarily due to excess liquidity from customer’s PPP loans, other stimulus funds related to the COVID-19 pandemic, organic deposit growth, and loan growth. The $23.4 million decline in shareholders’ equity was due to a $29.8 million reduction in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) partially offset by a $4.6 million increase in retention of earnings less dividends paid, the transfer of $1.2 million in deferred board compensation stock units from other liabilities to shareholders’ equity, the transfer of $0.2 million in restricted stock units from other liabilities to shareholder’s equity, a $0.2 million increase due to employee and director stock awards, and a $0.2 million increase due to dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) purchases. The decline in accumulated other comprehensive income was due to an increase in market interest rates, which has a temporary negative impact on the fair value of our investment securities portfolio and on accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which is included in shareholders’ equity. On June 1, 2022, we reclassified $224.5 million in investments to held-to-maturity (HTM) from available-for-sale (AFS). These securities were transferred at fair value at the time of the transfer, which became the new cost basis for the securities held to maturity. The pretax unrealized net holding loss on the available for sale securities on the date of transfer totaled approximately $16.7 million, and continued to be reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. This net unrealized loss is being amortized to interest income over the remaining life of the securities as a yield adjustment. There were no gains or losses recognized as a result of this transfer. The remaining pretax unrealized net holding loss on these investments was $16.6 million ($13.1 million net of tax) at June 30, 2022. With the addition of other purchased investments classified as HTM during the three months ended June 30, 2022, our HTM investments totaled $233.7 million and represented approximately 41% of our total investments at June 30, 2022. Our AFS investments totaled $337.3 million with a modified duration of 2.84 at June 30, 2022. The Bank maintains federal funds purchased lines in the total amount of $60.0 million with two financial institutions, although these were not utilized at June 30, 2022, and $10 million through the Federal Reserve Discount Window. The FHLB of Atlanta has approved a line of credit of up to 25% of the Bank’s assets, which, when utilized, is collateralized by a pledge against specific investment securities and/or eligible loans.

 

Through the operations of our Bank, we have made contractual commitments to extend credit in the ordinary course of our business activities. These commitments are legally binding agreements to lend money to our customers at predetermined interest rates for a specified period of time. At June 30, 2022, we had issued commitments to extend unused credit of $145.5 million, including $44.4 million in unused home equity lines of credit, through various types of lending arrangements. At December 31, 2021, we had issued commitments to extend unused credit of $137.4 million, including $42.9 million in unused home equity lines of credit, through various types of lending arrangements. We evaluate each customer’s credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by us upon extension of credit, is based on our credit evaluation of the borrower. Collateral varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, commercial and residential real estate. We manage the credit risk on these commitments by subjecting them to normal underwriting and risk management processes. 

We regularly review our liquidity position and have implemented internal policies establishing guidelines for sources of asset-based liquidity and evaluate and monitor the total amount of purchased funds used to support the balance sheet and funding from noncore sources.

 

Regulatory capital rules known as the Basel III rules or Basel III, impose minimum capital requirements for bank holding companies and banks. Basel III was released in the form of enforceable regulations by each of the applicable federal bank regulatory agencies. Basel III is applicable to all banking organizations that are subject to minimum capital requirements, including federal and state banks and savings and loan associations, as well as to bank and savings and loan holding companies, other than “small bank holding companies.” A small bank holding company is generally a qualifying bank holding company or savings and loan holding company with less than $3.0 billion in consolidated assets. More stringent requirements are imposed on “advanced approaches” banking organizations—generally those organizations with $250 billion or more in total consolidated assets, $10 billion or more in total foreign exposures applicable to advanced approaches banking organizations.

55
 

Based on the foregoing, as a small bank holding company, we are generally not subject to the capital requirements at the holding company level unless otherwise advised by the Federal Reserve; however, our Bank remains subject to the capital requirements. Accordingly, the Bank is required to maintain the following capital levels:

  · a Common Equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4.5%;
  · a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6%;
  · a total risk-based capital ratio of 8%; and
  · a leverage ratio of 4%.

Basel III also established a “capital conservation buffer” above the regulatory minimum capital requirements, which must consist entirely of Common Equity Tier 1 capital, which was phased in over several years. The fully phased-in capital conservation buffer of 2.500%, which became effective on January 1, 2019, resulted in the following effective minimum capital ratios for the Bank beginning in 2019: (i) a Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 7.0%, (ii) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.5%, and (iii) a total capital ratio of 10.5%. Under Basel III, institutions are subject to limitations on paying dividends, engaging in share repurchases, and paying discretionary bonuses if their capital levels fall below the buffer amount. These limitations establish a maximum percentage of eligible retained income that could be utilized for such actions.

 

Under Basel III, Tier 1 capital includes two components: Common Equity Tier 1 capital and additional Tier 1 capital. The highest form of capital, Common Equity Tier 1 capital, consists solely of common stock (plus related surplus), retained earnings, accumulated other comprehensive income, otherwise referred to as AOCI, and limited amounts of minority interests that are in the form of common stock. Additional Tier 1 capital is primarily comprised of noncumulative perpetual preferred stock, Tier 1 minority interests and grandfathered trust preferred securities. Tier 2 capital generally includes the allowance for loan losses up to 1.25% of risk-weighted assets, qualifying preferred stock, subordinated debt and qualifying Tier 2 minority interests, less any deductions in Tier 2 instruments of an unconsolidated financial institution. AOCI is presumptively included in Common Equity Tier 1 capital and often would operate to reduce this category of capital. When implemented, Basel III provided a one-time opportunity at the end of the first quarter of 2015 for covered banking organizations to opt out of a large part of this treatment of AOCI. We made this opt-out election and, as a result, retained our pre-existing treatment for AOCI.

56
 

On December 21, 2018, the federal banking agencies issued a joint final rule to revise their regulatory capital rules to (i) address the upcoming implementation of a new credit impairment model, the Current Expected Credit Loss, or CECL model, an accounting standard under GAAP; (ii) provide an optional three-year phase-in period for the day-one adverse regulatory capital effects that banking organizations are expected to experience upon adopting CECL; and (iii) require the use of CECL in stress tests beginning with the 2023 capital planning and stress testing cycle for certain banking organizations that are subject to stress testing. We are currently (i) evaluating the impact the CECL model will have on our accounting, (ii) planning for the transition, and (iii) expect to recognize a one-time cumulative-effect adjustment to our allowance for loan losses as of the beginning of the first quarter of 2023—the first reporting period in which the new standard is effective. At this time, we cannot yet reasonably determine the magnitude of such one-time cumulative adjustment, if any, or of the overall impact of the new standard on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

In November 2019, the federal banking regulators published final rules implementing a simplified measure of capital adequacy for certain banking organizations that have less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets. Under the final rules, which went into effect on January 1, 2020, depository institutions and depository institution holding companies that have less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets and meet other qualifying criteria, including a leverage ratio of greater than 9%, off-balance-sheet exposures of 25% or less of total consolidated assets, and trading assets plus trading liabilities of 5% or less of total consolidated assets, are deemed “qualifying community banking organizations” and are eligible to opt into the “community bank leverage ratio framework.” A qualifying community banking organization that elects to use the community bank leverage ratio framework and that maintains a leverage ratio of greater than 9% is considered to have satisfied the generally applicable risk-based and leverage capital requirements under the Basel III rules and, if applicable, is considered to have met the “well capitalized” ratio requirements for purposes of its primary federal regulator’s prompt corrective action rules, discussed below. We do not have any immediate plans to elect to use the community bank leverage ratio framework but may make such an election in the future.

 

As outlined above, we are generally not subject to the Federal Reserve capital requirements unless advised otherwise because we qualify as a small bank holding company. Our Bank remains subject to capital requirements including a minimum leverage ratio and a minimum ratio of “qualifying capital” to risk weighted assets. As of June 30, 2022, the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements under the rules on a fully phased-in basis.

Dollars in thousands      Prompt Corrective Action
(PCA) Requirements
   Excess Capital $s of
PCA Requirements
 
Capital Ratios  Actual   Well
Capitalized
   Adequately
Capitalized
   Well
Capitalized
   Adequately
Capitalized
 
June 30, 2022                    
Leverage Ratio   8.34%   5.00%   4.00%  $55,190   $71,734 
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio   13.47%   6.50%   4.50%   71,370    91,844 
Tier 1 Capital Ratio   13.47%   8.00%   6.00%   56,015    76,489 
Total Capital Ratio   14.57%   10.00%   8.00%   46,761    67,235 
December 31, 2021                         
Leverage Ratio   8.45%   5.00%   4.00%  $54,297   $70,021 
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio   13.97%   6.50%   4.50%   71,086    90,111 
Tier 1 Capital Ratio   13.97%   8.00%   6.00%   56,817    75,843 
Total Capital Ratio   15.15%   10.00%   8.00%   48,971    67,996 

 

The Bank’s risk-based capital ratios of leverage ratio, Tier 1, and total capital were 8.34%, 13.47% and 14.57%, respectively, at June 30, 2022 as compared to 8.45%, 13.97%, and 15.15%, respectively, at December 31, 2021. The Bank’s Common Equity Tier 1 ratio at June 30, 2022 was 13.47% and at December 31, 2021 was 13.97%. Under the Basel III rules, we anticipate that the Bank will remain a well capitalized institution for at least the next 12 months. Furthermore, based on our strong capital, conservative underwriting, and internal stress testing, we believe that we will have access to adequate capital to support the long-term operations of the Bank. However, the Bank’s reported and regulatory capital ratios could be adversely impacted by future credit losses related to an economic recession.

57
 

As a bank holding company, our ability to declare and pay dividends is dependent on certain federal and state regulatory considerations, including the guidelines of the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve has issued a policy statement regarding the payment of dividends by bank holding companies. In general, the Federal Reserve’s policies provide that dividends should be paid only out of current earnings and only if the prospective rate of earnings retention by the bank holding company appears consistent with the organization’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. The Federal Reserve’s policies also require that a bank holding company serve as a source of financial strength to its subsidiary bank(s) by standing ready to use available resources to provide adequate capital funds to those banks during periods of financial stress or adversity and by maintaining the financial flexibility and capital-raising capacity to obtain additional resources for assisting its subsidiary banks where necessary. In addition, under the prompt corrective action regulations, the ability of a bank holding company to pay dividends may be restricted if a subsidiary bank becomes undercapitalized. These regulatory policies could affect our ability to pay dividends or otherwise engage in capital distributions. Our Board of Directors approved a cash dividend for the second quarter of 2022 of $0.13 per common share. This dividend is payable on August 16, 2022 to shareholders of record of our common stock as of August 2, 2022. 

As we are a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank and do not conduct stand-alone operations, our ability to pay dividends depends on the ability of the Bank to pay dividends to us, which is also subject to regulatory restrictions. As a South Carolina-chartered bank, the Bank is subject to limitations on the amount of dividends that it is permitted to pay. Unless otherwise instructed by the South Carolina Board of Financial Institutions, the Bank is generally permitted under South Carolina State banking regulations to pay cash dividends of up to 100% of net income in any calendar year without obtaining the prior approval of the South Carolina Board of Financial Institutions. The FDIC also has the authority under federal law to enjoin a bank from engaging in what in its opinion constitutes an unsafe or unsound practice in conducting its business, including the payment of a dividend under certain circumstances.

 

Average Balances, Income Expenses and Rates. The following table depicts, for the periods indicated, certain information related to our average balance sheet and our average yields on assets and average costs of liabilities. Such yields are derived by dividing income or expense by the average balance of the corresponding assets or liabilities. Average balances have been derived from daily averages.

58
 

FIRST COMMUNITY CORPORATION

Yields on Average Earning Assets and
Rates on Average Interest-Bearing Liabilities

   Six months ended June 30, 2022   Six months ended June 30, 2021 
   Average   Interest   Yield/   Average   Interest   Yield/ 
   Balance   Earned/Paid   Rate   Balance   Earned/Paid   Rate 
Assets                              
Earning assets                              
Loans                              
PPP loans  $432   $46    21.47%  $55,570   $1,440    5.23%
Non-PPP loans   886,108    18,261    4.16%   835,451    17,751    4.28%
Total loans   886,540    18,307    4.16%   891,021    19,191    4.34%
Non-taxable securities   52,352    755    2.91%   55,033    776    2.84%
Taxable securities   513,740    3,453    1.36%   347,228    2,852    1.66%
Int bearing deposits in other banks   70,011    193    0.56%   77,412    63    0.16%
Fed funds sold   9        0.00%   1,131        0.00%
Total earning assets   1,522,652    22,708    3.01%   1,371,825    22,882    3.36%
Cash and due from banks   28,444              21,797           
Premises and equipment   32,581              34,227           
Goodwill and other intangibles   15,516              15,700           
Other assets   45,171              38,683           
Allowance for loan losses   (11,218)             (10,548)          
Total assets  $1,633,146             $1,471,684           
                               
Liabilities                              
Interest-bearing liabilities                              
Interest-bearing transaction accounts  $337,059   $90    0.05%  $291,511   $109    0.08%
Money market accounts   304,387    228    0.15%   261,137    250    0.19%
Savings deposits   150,039    42    0.06%   129,223    38    0.06%
Time deposits   152,213    282    0.37%   159,724    570    0.72%
Fed funds purchased           NA            NA 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase   77,308    47    0.12%   61,878    47    0.15%
Other short-term debt           NA            NA 
Other long-term debt   14,964    235    3.17%   14,964    209    2.82%
Total interest-bearing liabilities   1,035,970    924    0.18%   918,437    1,223    0.27%
Demand deposits   457,842              405,209           
Other liabilities   12,736              12,637           
Shareholders’ equity   126,598              135,401           
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity  $1,633,146             $1,471,684           
                               
Cost of deposits, including demand deposits             0.09%             0.16%
Cost of funds, including demand deposits             0.12%             0.19%
Net interest spread             2.83%             3.09%
Net interest income/margin       $21,784    2.89%       $21,659    3.18%
Net interest income/margin (tax equivalent)       $22,044    2.92%       $21,890    3.22%
59
 

FIRST COMMUNITY CORPORATION

Yields on Average Earning Assets and

Rates on Average Interest-Bearing Liabilities

 

   Three months ended June 30, 2022   Three months ended June 30, 2021 
   Average   Interest   Yield/   Average   Interest   Yield/ 
   Balance   Earned/Paid   Rate   Balance   Earned/Paid   Rate 
Assets                              
Earning assets                              
Loans                              
PPP loans  $256   $1    1.57%  $55,599   $756    5.45%
Non-PPP loans   896,363    9,303    4.16%   840,013    8,985    4.29%
Total loans   896,619    9,304    4.16%   895,612    9,741    4.36%
Non-taxable securities   52,064    375    2.89%   54,791    387    2.83%
Taxable securities   508,353    1,674    1.32%   376,074    1,507    1.61%
Int bearing deposits in other banks   72,813    160    0.88%   76,242    29    0.15%
Fed funds sold   3        0.00%   1,517        0.00%
Total earning assets   1,529,852    11,513    3.02%   1,404,236    11,664    3.33%
Cash and due from banks   28,379              25,128           
Premises and equipment   32,442              34,105           
Goodwill and other intangibles   15,496              15,674           
Other assets   48,950              39,235           
Allowance for loan losses   (11,211)             (10,670)          
Total assets  $1,643,908             $1,507,708           
                               
Liabilities                              
Interest-bearing liabilities                              
Interest-bearing transaction accounts  $342,289   $45    0.05%  $305,393   $51    0.07%
Money market accounts   313,141    117    0.15%   267,788    109    0.16%
Savings deposits   154,687    22    0.06%   132,429    19    0.06%
Time deposits   151,549    125    0.33%   159,133    269    0.68%
Fed funds purchased           NA    2        0.00%
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase   72,120    22    0.12%   60,468    19    0.13%
Other short-term debt           NA            NA 
Other long-term debt   14,964    131    3.51%   14,964    105    2.81%
Total interest-bearing liabilities   1,048,750    462    0.18%   940,177    572    0.24%
Demand deposits   466,309              420,358           
Other liabilities   12,782              11,950           
Shareholders’ equity   116,067              135,223           
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity  $1,643,908             $1,507,708           
                               
Cost of deposits, including demand deposits             0.09%             0.14%
Cost of funds, including demand deposits             0.12%             0.17%
Net interest spread             2.84%             3.09%
Net interest income/margin       $11,051    2.90%       $11,092    3.17%
Net interest income/margin (tax equivalent)       $11,180    2.93%       $11,215    3.20%
60
 

The table below sets forth the relative impact on net interest income of changes in the volume of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and changes in rates earned and paid by the Company on such assets and liabilities. 

 

   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2022 versus 2021 
   Increase (Decrease)
Due to Changes in (1)
 
   Volume   Rate   Total 
   (in thousands) 
Interest income:               
Loans  $(96)  $(788)  $(884)
Non-taxable securities   (38)   17    (21)
Taxable securities   1,187    (586)   601 
Interest bearing deposits in other banks   (7)   137    130 
Total interest income   1,046    (1,220)   (174)
                
Interest expense:               
Interest-bearing transaction accounts   15    (34)   (19)
Money market accounts   38    (60)   (22)
Savings deposits   6    (2)   4 
Time deposits   (26)   (262)   (288)
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase   10    (10)    
Other long-term debt       26    26 
Total interest expense   43    (342)   (299)
Total net interest income  $1,003   $(878)  $125 
     
   Three Months Ended June 30, 
   2022 versus 2021 
   Increase (Decrease)
Due to Changes in (1)
 
   Volume   Rate   Total 
   (in thousands) 
Interest income:               
Loans  $11   $(448)  $(437)
Non-taxable securities   (20)   8    (12)
Taxable securities   467    (300)   167 
Interest bearing deposits in other banks   (1)   132    131 
Total interest income   457    (608)   (151)
                
Interest expense:               
Interest-bearing transaction accounts   6    (12)   (6)
Money market accounts   17    (9)   8 
Savings deposits   3        3 
Time deposits   (12)   (132)   (144)
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase   4    (1)   3 
Other long-term debt       26    26 
Total interest expense   18    (128)   (110)
Total net interest income  $439   $(480)  $(41)

 

(1) The change in interest due to both volume and rate has been allocated to volume and rate changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each.
61
 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file and submit under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

  

The design of any system of controls and procedures is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events. There can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions, regardless of how remote.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended June 30, 2022 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. 

62
 

PART II -

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

 

We are a party to claims and lawsuits arising in the course of normal business activities. Management is not aware of any material pending legal proceedings against us which we believe, if determined adversely, would have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

Investing in shares of our common stock involves certain risks, including those identified and described in Item 1A. of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, as well as cautionary statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including those under the caption “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” set forth in Part I, Item 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, risks and matters described elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC.

 

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

 

  (a) Under the Company’s Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective as of January 1, 2021, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, we credited an aggregate of 1,698 and 4,681 deferred stock units, respectively, to accounts for directors who elected to defer monthly fees. These deferred stock units include dividend equivalents in the form of additional stock units. The deferred stock units were issued pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 in reliance upon Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
  (b) Not Applicable.
  (c) No share repurchases were made during the three months and six months ended June 30, 2022; however, zero and 2,065 shares were withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations applicable to the vesting of restricted stock during the three months and six months ended June 30, 2022. On April 12, 2021, we announced that our Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to 375,000 shares of our common stock (the “2021 Repurchase Plan”). No repurchases were made under the 2021 Repurchase Plan prior to its expiration at the market close on March 31, 2022. On April 20, 2022, we announced that our Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to 375,000 shares of our common stock (the “2022 Repurchase Plan”), which represented approximately 5% of our 7,566,633 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2022. The 2022 Repurchase Plan expires at the market close on December 31, 2023.
     

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information.

 

None.

63
 

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit    Description
     
3.1   Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on June 27, 2011).
     
3.2   Articles of Amendment (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on May 23, 2019).
     
3.3   Amended and Restated Bylaws dated May 21, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on May 22, 2019).
     
31.1   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Principal Executive Officer.
     
31.2   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Principal Financial Officer.
     
32   Section 1350 Certifications
     
101   The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, formatted in iXBRL (inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language; (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
     
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the iXBRL document).
64
 

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.

 

  FIRST COMMUNITY CORPORATION
    (REGISTRANT)
     
Date: August 10, 2022 By:  /s/ Michael C. Crapps
    Michael C. Crapps
    President and Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer)
     
Date: August 10, 2022 By:  /s/ D. Shawn Jordan
    D. Shawn Jordan
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
65