FIRST FINANCIAL BANKSHARES INC - Quarter Report: 2021 March (Form 10-Q)

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FIRST FINANCIAL BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

On January 1, 2020, ASU , became effective for the Company. Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC” Topic 326 (“ASC 326”) replaced the previous “incurred loss” model for measuring credit losses with an unexpected loss methodology that is referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) methodology. The measurement of expected credit losses under the CECL methodology is applicable to financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loan receivables and debt securities. It also applies to (“OBS”) credit exposures not accounted for as insurance (loan commitments, standby letters of credit, financial guarantees, and other similar instruments). In addition, ASC 326 made changes to the accounting for debt securities. One such change is to require credit losses to be presented as an allowance rather than a write-down on debt securities management does not intend to sell or believes that it is more likely than not they will be required to sell.

With the adoption of ASC 326, we revised certain accounting policies and implemented certain accounting policy elections which are described below. For the 2020 interim reporting periods, the allowance for credit losses were based on the incurred loss methodology in accordance with accounting policies disclosed in Note 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s 2019 Form

The Company adopted ASC 326 using the prospective transition approach for financial assets purchased with credit deterioration (“PCD”) that were previously classified as purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) and accounted for under ASC In accordance with the standard, management did not reassess whether PCI assets met the criteria of PCD assets as of the date of adoption. For the periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, and December 31, 2020, amounts related to the Company’s PCD and PCI loans were insignificant and disclosures related to these balances have been omitted.

ASU amended and simplified current goodwill impairment testing to eliminate Step 2 from the current provisions. Under the new guidance, an entity should perform the goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if a quantitative impairment test is necessary. ASU became effective for the Company on January 1, 2020 and did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

    ASU modified the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820. The amendments in ASU remove disclosures that no longer are considered cost beneficial, modify/clarify the specific requirements of certain disclosures, and add disclosure requirements identified as relevant. ASU became effective on January 1, 2020 and did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ASU simplifies the accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions related to the approach for intra-period tax aspects of the accounting for franchise taxes and enacted changes in tax laws or rates and clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a in the tax basis of goodwill. ASU is effective for the Company for annual reporting periods after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within. Adoption of ASU did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements and related disclosures.

ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for accounting related to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. ASU applies only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform and do not apply to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated after December 31, 2022, except for hedging relationships existing as of December 31, 2022, that an entity has elected certain optional expedients for and that are retained through the end of the hedging relationship. ASU was effective upon issuance and generally can be applied through December 31, 2022. The adoption of ASU did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.

ASU clarifies that certain optional expedients and exceptions in ASC 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the discounting transition. ASU also amends the expedients and exceptions in ASC 848 to capture the incremental consequences of the scope clarification and to tailor the existing guidance to derivative instruments affected by the discounting transition. ASU was effective upon issuance and generally can be applied through December 31, 2022. The adoption of ASU did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.

Management classifies debt securities as or trading based on its intent. Securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as and recorded at amortized cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, which are recognized as adjustments to interest income using the interest method. Securities not classified as or trading are classified as and recorded at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses (those for which no allowance for credit losses are recorded) reported as a component of other comprehensive income, net of tax. Management determines the appropriate classification of securities at the time of purchase.

The Company records its securities portfolio at fair value. Fair values of these securities are determined based on methodologies in accordance with current authoritative accounting guidance. Fair values are volatile and may be influenced by a number of factors, including market interest rates, prepayment speeds, discount rates, credit ratings and yield curves. Fair values for securities are based on quoted market prices, where available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on the quoted prices of similar instruments or an estimate of fair value by using a range of fair value estimates in the marketplace as a result of the illiquid market specific to the type of security.

For securities in an unrealized loss position, we first assess whether we intend to sell, or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, any previously recognized allowances are and the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income as a provision for credit losses. For securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, we evaluate whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income.

Management has made the accounting policy election to exclude accrued interest receivable on securities from the estimate of credit losses. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded as provision for (or reversal of) credit losses. securities are against the allowance or, in the absence of any allowance, written down through income when deemed uncollectible by management or when either of the aforementioned criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met.

The allowance for credit losses on securities is a contra-asset valuation account, calculated in accordance with ASC 326, that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of securities to present management’s best estimate of the net amount expected to be collected. securities are against the allowance when deemed uncollectible by management. Adjustments to the allowance are reported in our income statement as a component of credit loss expense. Management measures expected credit losses on securities on a collective basis by major security type with each type sharing similar risk characteristics and considers historical credit loss information that is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Management has made the accounting policy election to exclude accrued interest receivable on securities from the estimate of credit losses.

At March 31, 2021, 2020 and December 31, 2020, the Company held no securities that were classified as

Loans acquired in connection with acquisitions are recorded at their acquisition-date fair value. The allowance for credit losses related to the acquired loan portfolio is not carried over. Acquired loans are classified into two categories based on the credit risk characteristics of the underlying borrowers as either purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans, or loans with no evidence of credit deterioration

loans are pooled into segments together with originated loans that share similar risk characteristics and have an allowance established on the acquisition date, which is recognized in the current period provision for credit losses.

Determining the fair value of the acquired loans involves estimating the principal and interest payment cash flows expected to be collected on the loans and discounting those cash flows at a market rate of interest. Management considers a number of factors in evaluating the acquisition-date fair value including the remaining life, interest rate profile, market interest rate environment, payment schedules, risk ratings, probability of default and loss given default, and estimated prepayment rates. For PCD loans, the discount or premium is allocated to individual loans as determined by the difference between the loan’s unpaid principal balance and amortized cost basis. The premium or discount is recognized into interest income on a level yield basis over the remaining expected life of the loan. For loans, the fair value discount or premium is allocated to individual loans and recognized into interest income on a level yield basis over the remaining expected life of the loan.

The allowance for credit losses (“allowance” or “ACL”) is a contra-asset valuation account, calculated in accordance with ASC 326, that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of loans. The ACL represents an amount which, in management’s judgement, is adequate to absorb the lifetime expected credit losses that may be experienced on outstanding loans at the balance sheet date based on the evaluation of the size and current risk characteristics of the loan portfolio, past events, current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions and prepayment experience. The allowance for credit losses is measured and recorded upon the initial recognition of a financial asset. Determination of the adequacy of the allowance is inherently complex and requires the use of significant and highly subjective estimates. Loans are against the allowance when deemed uncollectible by management. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously and expected to be Adjustments to the allowance are reported in our income statement as a component of the provision for credit losses. Management has made the accounting policy election to exclude accrued interest receivable on loans from the estimate of credit losses.

The Company’s methodology for estimating the allowance includes: (1) a collective quantified reserve that reflects the Company’s historical default and loss experience adjusted for expected economic conditions throughout a reasonable and supportable forecast period, including the Company’s expected prepayment and curtailment rates; (2) collective qualitative factors that consider concentrations of the loan portfolio, expected changes to the economic forecasts, large relationships, early delinquencies, and factors related to credit administrations, including, among others, ratios, borrowers’ risk rating and credit score migrations; and (3) individual allowances on loans where borrowers are experiencing financial difficulty or when the Company determines that the foreclosure is probable.

In calculating the allowance for credit losses, most loans are segmented into pools based upon similar characteristics and risk profiles. Common characteristics and risk profiles include the type/purpose of loan, underlying collateral, geographical similarity and historical/expected credit loss patterns. In developing these loan pools for the purposes of modeling expected credit losses, we also analyzed the degree of correlation in how loans within each portfolio respond when subjected to varying economic conditions and scenarios as well as other portfolio stress factors. For modeling purposes, our loan portfolio segments include Commercial and Industrial (“C&I”), Municipal, Agricultural, Construction and Development, Farm, Occupied and Owner Occupied Commercial Real Estate (“CRE”), Residential, Consumer Auto and Consumer We periodically reassess each pool to ensure the loans within the pool continue to share similar characteristics and risk profiles and to determine whether further segmentation is necessary. Refer to Note 3 for more details on the Company’s portfolio segments.

The Company applies two methodologies to estimate the allowance on its pooled portfolio segments; discounted cash flows method and weighted average remaining life method. Allowance estimates on the following portfolio segments are calculated using the discounted cash flows method: C&I, Municipal, Construction and Development, Farm, Occupied and Owner Occupied CRE and Residential. Allowance estimates on the following portfolio segments are calculated using the remaining life method: Agriculture, Consumer Auto and Consumer The models related to these methodologies utilize the Company’s historical default and loss experience adjusted for future economic forecasts. The reasonable and supportable forecast period represents a economic outlook for the applicable economic variables. Following the end of the reasonable and supportable forecast period expected losses revert back to the historical mean over the next two years on a straight-line basis. Economic variables that have the most significant impact on the allowance include; Texas unemployment rate, Texas house price index and Texas retail sales index. Contractual loan level cash flows within the discounted cash flows methodology are adjusted for the Company’s historical prepayment and curtailment rate experience.

Management qualitatively adjusts model results for risk factors that are not considered within our modeling processes but are nonetheless relevant in assessing the expected credit losses within our loan pools. These qualitative factor adjustments may increase or decrease management’s estimate of expected credit losses by a calculated percentage or amount based upon the estimated level of risk. The various risks that may be considered in making adjustments include, among other things, the impact of (i) changes in lending policies and procedures, including changes in underwriting standards and practices for collections, write-offs, and recoveries, (ii) actual and expected changes in national, regional, and local economic and business conditions and developments that affect the collectability of the loan pools, (iii) changes in the nature, volume and size of a loan or the loan pools and in the terms of the underlying loans, (iv) changes in the experience, ability, and depth of our lending management and staff, (v) changes in volume and severity of past due financial assets, the volume of nonaccrual assets, and the volume and severity of adversely classified or graded assets, (vi) changes in the quality of our credit review function, (vii) changes in the value of the underlying collateral for loans that are dependent, (viii) the existence, growth, and effect of any concentrations of credit and (ix) other factors such as the regulatory, legal and technological environments; competition; and events such as natural disasters or health pandemics.

The adoption of the CECL standard did not result in a significant change to any other credit risk management and monitoring processes, including identification of past due or delinquent borrowers, nonaccrual practices, assessment of troubled debt restructurings or policies.

The allowance for credit losses on credit exposures is a liability account, calculated in accordance with ASC 326, representing expected credit losses over the contractual period for which we are exposed to credit risk resulting from a contractual obligation to extend credit. These obligations include unfunded lines of credit, commitments to extend credit and federal funds sold to correspondent banks and standby letters of credit. No allowance is recognized if we have the unconditional right to cancel the obligation. The allowance is reported as a component of accrued interest payable and other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. Adjustments to the allowance are reported in our income statement as a component of the provision for credit losses. At March 31, 2021, 2020 and December 31, 2020, the Company’s reserve for unfunded commitments totaled $6,918,000, $809,000 and $5,486,000, respectively.

Unrealized net gains on the Company’s securities (after applicable income taxes) totaling $117,009,000, $123,576,000 and $170,395,000 at March 31, 2021 and 2020, and December 31, 2020, respectively, are included in accumulated other comprehensive earnings.

		Net Earnings (in thousands)				Weighted Average Shares				Per Share Amount
For the three-months ended March 31, 2020:
Net earnings per share, basic		$	37,232				142,118,864			$	0.26
Effect of stock options and stock grants			—				616,344				—
Net earnings per share, diluted		$	37,232				142,735,208			$	0.26

Debt securities have been classified in the consolidated balance sheets according to management’s intent. The amortized cost, related gross unrealized gains and losses, allowance for credit losses and the fair value of securities are as follows (in thousands):​​​​​​​

The Company did not hold any securities classified as at March 31, 2021, March 31, 2020, or December 31, 2020.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities at March 31, 2021, by contractual and expected maturity, are shown below (in thousands):

The following tables disclose the Company’s investment securities that have been in a continuous position for less than 12 months and for 12 or more months (in thousands):

During the three-months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, sales of investment securities that were classified as totaled $10,631,000 and $95,437,000, respectively. Gross realized gains from security sales during the first quarter of 2021 and 2020 totaled $808,000 and $2,062,000, respectively. There were no gross realized losses from security sales during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Loans by portfolio segment are as follows (in thousands):

The Company had $39,658,000, $40,444,000 and $42,898,000 in past due 90 days or more and still accruing, restructured loans and foreclosed assets at March 31, 2021 and 2020, and December 31, 2020, respectively. loans at March 31, 2021 and 2020, and December 31, 2020, consisted of the following (in thousands):