FIRST MID BANCSHARES, INC. - Annual Report: 2020 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

Or

Commission file number 0-13368

FIRST MID BANCSHARES, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

(217) 234-7454

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

NONE

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. ☐ Yes ☒ No

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. ☐ Yes ☒ No

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, 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. (Check one):

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting  under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.D.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). ☐ Yes  ☒ No

The aggregate market value of the outstanding common stock, other than shares held by persons who may be deemed affiliates of the Registrant, as of the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was approximately $399,766,582. Determination of stock ownership by non-affiliates was made solely for the purpose of responding to this requirement and the Registrant is not bound by this determination for any other purpose.

As of March 8, 2021, 18,039,242 shares of the Registrant’s common stock, $4.00 par value, were outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

PART I

Company and Subsidiaries

First Mid Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”), formerly known as First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc., is a financial holding company. The Company is engaged in the business of banking through its wholly owned subsidiaries, First Mid Bank & Trust, N.A. (“First Mid Bank”) and Providence Bank (“Providence Bank”). The Company provides data processing services to affiliates through another wholly owned subsidiary, Mid-Illinois Data Services, Inc. (“MIDS”). The Company offers insurance products and services to customers through its wholly owned subsidiary, First Mid Insurance Group, Inc. (“First Mid Insurance”). The Company offers trust, farm services, investment services, and retirement planning through its wholly owned subsidiary, First Mid Wealth Management Company. The Company also wholly owns a captive insurance company, First Mid Captive, Inc. In addition, the Company also wholly owns three statutory business trusts, First Mid-Illinois Statutory Trust II (“First Mid Trust II”), Clover Leaf Statutory Trust I ("CLST Trust"), and FBTC Statutory Trust I ("FBTCST I"), all of which are unconsolidated subsidiaries of the Company. Providence Bank was acquired by the Company on February 22, 2021, and it is anticipated that Providence Bank will be merged with and into First Mid Bank in the second quarter of 2021.

The Company, a Delaware corporation, was incorporated on September 8, 1981, and pursuant to the approval of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”) became the holding company owning all of the outstanding stock of First National Bank, Mattoon (“First National”) on June 1, 1982. First National changed its name to First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust, N.A. in 1992, and subsequently changed its name to First Mid Bank & Trust, N.A. in 2019. The Company has also acquired all the outstanding stock of a number of community banks or thrift institutions, and subsequently combined their operations with those of the Company and First Mid Bank.

Human Capital Resources

One of the Company’s strategic priorities is to be an empowering employer. This means striving to be a respected employer with a culture of ownership through engaged and empowered employees.  The Company completes periodic engagement surveys with its employees to ensure employees are engaged and identify and focus on any areas needing improvement.   The Company is committed to provide employees with fair compensation and benefits, which in turn, helps to attract and retain talent. The Company places a high priority on staff development, which involves extensive training.  All new employees go through a new hire orientation where they get acclimated to the Company’s vision, values and strategic priorities.  The Company provides an internal job shadowing program for all employees to better understand other roles within the Company that can produce advancement opportunities.  In addition, the Company provides extensive leadership training to managers administered through a third party.  As part of this training, development action plans are put in place focused on an engaged workforce, specific employee advancements and succession.

None of the employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the Company. The Company offers a variety of employee benefits. During 2020, the Company made an investment in readjusting job grades and pay ranges to better align positions with current market rates, making them more attractive and competitive. In addition, the Company enhanced its benefits for paid time off with changes to vacation and sick time schedules.

The Company has a strong outreach program where it partners with diverse job boards and community organizations to assist in connecting to diverse candidates.  The Company diversifies its recruiting efforts through community outreach, job fairs and job boards focused on minorities to be able to reach qualified underrepresented groups.  There is a talent acquisition strategy to promote the employer brand to continue to increase the talent pool and there is respect for the uniqueness of individuals and experience that diversity provides to the Company. This is demonstrated in the Company’s diversity and inclusion policy which is proudly shared with employees and candidates.  Annual training on diversity and inclusion is also provided to all employees so Company values are clearly demonstrated.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company and its subsidiaries employed 824 people on a full-time equivalent basis. The demographics of the Company’s employee base include approximately 75% female, 5.3% minority and 1.2% veterans.  The Company also tracks and develops strategic initiatives on voluntary turnover for full-time employees. The annual voluntary turnover for 2020 was 14%.

Business Strategies

Vision Statement. The Company’s vision statement is to be a nimble, independent, community-focused financial organization committed to quality, growth and earned independence for the benefit of all stakeholders.

Growth Strategy. The Company believes that growth of revenues and its customer base is vital to the goal of increasing the value of its shareholders’ investment. The Company strives to create shareholder value by maintaining a strong balance sheet and increasing profits.

Management attempts to grow in two primary ways:

Virtually all of the Company’s customer-contact personnel, in each of its business lines, are engaged in organic growth efforts to one degree or another. These personnel attempt to match products and services with the particular financial needs of individual customers and prospective customers. Many senior officers of the organization are required to attend monthly meetings where they report on their business development efforts and results. Executive management uses these meetings as an educational and risk management opportunity as well. Cross-selling opportunities are encouraged and measured between the business lines.

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Within the community banking line, the Company has focused on growing business operating and real estate loans. Total commercial real estate loans have increased from $630 million at December 31, 2016 to $1,174 million at December 31, 2020. Of this increase, approximately $156 million was the result of the acquisition of First Clover Leaf in the third quarter of 2016, $55 million was the result of the acquisition of First Bank during the second quarter of 2018, $50 million was the result of the acquisition of Soy Capital Bank (“SCB”) during the fourth quarter of 2018 and $95 million was the result of loans acquired from Stifel Bank during the second quarter of 2020. Approximately 65% of the Company’s total revenues were derived from lending activities in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. The Company has also focused on growing its commercial and retail deposit base through growth in checking, money markets and customer repurchase agreement balances. The wealth management line has focused its growth efforts on estate planning and investment services for individuals and employee benefit services for businesses as well as, farm management and brokerage services. The insurance brokerage line has focused on increasing property and casualty, senior insurance products and group medical insurance for businesses and personal lines insurance to individuals.

Growth through acquisitions has been an integral part of the Company’s strategy for an extended period of time. When reviewing acquisition possibilities, the Company focuses on those organizations where there is a cultural fit with its existing operations and where there is a strong likelihood of building shareholder value.

Customer Strategy. The Company uses its market and customer knowledge to build relationships that provide high-value customer experiences that continually improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Employee Strategy. The Company strives for employee engagement at all levels of the organization. The judgments, experiences and capabilities of these employees are used to create an environment where meeting the needs of our customer, communities and stockholders is always a priority.

Strategy for Operations & Infrastructure. Operationally, the Company centralizes most administrative and operational tasks within its home office in Mattoon, Illinois. This allows branches to maintain customer focus, helps assure compliance with banking regulations, keeps fixed administrative costs at as low a level as practicable, and allows for better management of risk inherent in the business. The Company also utilizes technology where practicable in daily banking activities to reduce the potential for human error. While the Company does not employ every new technology that is introduced, it attempts to be competitive with other banking organizations with respect to operational and customer technology.

Shareholder Strategy. The Company strives to provide a competitive dividend as well as the opportunity for stock price appreciation.

Risk Management Strategy. The Company maintains a comprehensive risk management framework. The Company has initiated an Enterprise Risk Management (“ERM”) process whereby management assesses the relevant risks inherent in the business, determines internal controls and procedures are in place to address the various risks, develops a structure for monitoring and reporting risk indicators and trends over time, and incorporates action plans to manage risk positions. The ERM process was not undertaken as a result of any weaknesses or deficiencies identified during the Company’s control assessments but rather is part of the Company’s effort to continually assess and improve by taking a more holistic approach to risk management. The Company's Chief Risk Management Officer is responsible for facilitating the ERM process. The Company utilizes a comprehensive set of operational policies and procedures that have been developed over time. These policies are continually reviewed by management, the Chief Risk Management Officer, and the Board of Directors. The Company’s internal audit function completes procedures to ensure compliance with these policies. While there are several risks that pertain to the business of banking, three risks that are inherent with most banking companies are credit risk, interest rate risk, and liquidity risk.

In the business of banking, credit risk is an important risk as losses from uncollectible loans can diminish capital, earnings and shareholder value. In order to address this risk, the lending function of First Mid Bank and Providence Bank receive significant oversight from executive management and the Board of Directors. An important element of credit risk management is the quality, experience and training of the loan officers. The Company has invested, and will continue to invest, significant resources to ensure the quality, experience and training of our loan officers in order to keep credit losses at a minimum. In addition to the human element of credit risk management, the Company’s loan policies address the additional aspects of credit risk. Most lending personnel have signature authority that allows them to lend up to a certain amount based on their own judgment as to the creditworthiness of a borrower. The amount of the signature authority is based on the lending officers’ experience and training. The Senior Loan Committee, consisting of the most experienced lenders within the organization, must approve all underwriting decisions in excess of $4 million and up to $15 million. The Board of Directors must approve all underwriting decisions in excess of $15 million. The legal lending limit for First Mid Bank was $66.9 million at December 31, 2020. While the underlying nature of lending will result in some amount of loan losses, First Mid's loan loss experience has been good with average net charge offs amounting to $3.2 million (0.14% of total loans) over the past five years. Nonperforming loans were $28.1 million (0.90% of total loans) at December 31, 2020. These percentages have historically compared well with peer financial institutions and continue to do so today.

Interest rate and liquidity risk are two other forms of risk embedded in the banking business. The Company’s Asset Liability Management Committee, consisting of experienced individuals, from various departments, who monitor all aspects of interest rates and maturities of interest earning assets and interest paying liabilities, manages these risks. The underlying objectives of interest rate and liquidity risk management are to shelter the Company’s net interest margin from changes in interest rates while maintaining adequate liquidity reserves to meet unanticipated funding demands. The Company uses financial modeling technology as a tool for evaluating these risks. Despite the tools and methods used to monitor this risk, a sustained unfavorable interest rate environment will lead to some amount of compression in the net interest margin.  During 2020, the Company’s net interest margin on a tax-effected basis decreased to 3.27% from 3.64% in 2019 primarily due to less accretion income and lower interest rates in a more competitive and challenging interest rate environment.

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Markets and Competition

The Company has active competition in all areas in which First Mid Bank and Providence Bank do business. The bank competes for commercial and individual deposits and loans with many east central Illinois, Missouri and Texas banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions. The principal methods of competition in the banking and financial services industry are quality of services to customers, ease of access to facilities, on-line services and pricing of services, including interest rates paid on deposits, interest rates charged on loans, and fees charged for fiduciary and other banking services.

During 2020, First Mid Bank operated branches in the Illinois counties of Adams, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Dewitt, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Jackson, Jefferson, Kankakee, Knox, Lawrence, Macon, Madison, Moultrie, McClean, Peoria, Piatt, Saline, St Clair, Wabash, White and Williamson and in Missouri, St. Louis county. Each branch primarily serves the community in which it is located. First Mid Bank served forty-one different communities with sixty-two separate locations in Illinois, 1 location in Missouri, and a loan production office in Indiana.

Providence Bank, which was acquired February 22, 2021 currently operates branches in the Illinois county of Saint Clair, the Missouri counties of Boone, Lincoln, Cole, Camden, Saint Charles and Saint Louis, and the Texas county of Tarrant.

Website

The Company maintains a website at www.firstmid.com. All periodic and current reports of the Company and amendments to these reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) can be accessed, free of charge, through this website and at www.sec.gov as soon as reasonably practicable after these materials are filed with the SEC.

COVID-19

The COVID-19 outbreak is an unprecedented event that provides significant economic uncertainty for a broad spectrum of industries. The Company is focused on supporting its customers, communities and employees during this unique operating environment. Throughout this document, we describe the impact COVID-19 is having, actions taken as a result of COVID-19, and certain risks to the Company that COVID-19 creates or exacerbates, as well as management's outlook on the current COVID-19 situation.

Loan Acquisition

On April 21, 2020, First Mid Bank completed an acquisition of loans in the St. Louis metro market totaling $183 million.

LINCO Bancshares, Inc.

On September 25, 2020, the Company and Eval Sub Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ("Merger Sub"), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with LINCO Bancshares, Inc., the former parent of Providence Bank ("LINCO"), and the sellers as defined therein, pursuant to which, among other things, the Company agreed to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of LINCO pursuant to a business combination whereby Merger Sub merged with and into LINCO, whereupon the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub ceased and LINCO continued as the surviving company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the "Merger").

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger, each share of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of LINCO issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (other than shares held in treasury by LINCO) was converted into and became the right to receive, cash or shares of common stock, par value $4.00 per share, of the Company and cash in lieu of fractional shares, less any applicable taxes required to be withheld, and subject to certain potential adjustments.  On an aggregate basis, the total consideration paid by the Company at the closing of the Merger was $103.5 million in cash and 1,262,246 shares of the Company’s common stock, provided that the shareholders of LINCO have collectively elected pursuant to the Merger Agreement to receive varying amounts of cash or shares of common stock of the Company as consideration in the Merger.   In addition, immediately prior to the closing of the proposed merger, LINCO paid a special dividend to its shareholders in the aggregate amount of $13 million.

The Merger closed on February 22, 2021.  It is anticipated that Providence Bank will be merged with and into First Mid Bank in the second quarter of 2021.  At the time of the bank merger, Providence Bank's banking offices will become branches of First Mid Bank.

Subordinated Debt Offering

On October 6, 2020, the Company issued and sold $96.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 3.95% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2030 (the “Notes”).  The Notes were issued pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of October 6, 2020 (the “Base Indenture”), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 6, 2020 (the “Supplemental Indenture”), between the Company and the Trustee. The Base Indenture, as amended and supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture, governs the terms of the Notes and provides that the Notes are unsecured, subordinated debt obligations of the Company and will mature on October 15, 2030. From and including the date of issuance to, but excluding October 15, 2025, the Notes will bear interest at an initial rate of 3.95% per annum. From and including October 15, 2025 to, but excluding the maturity date or earlier redemption, the Notes will bear interest at a floating rate equal to three-month Term SOFR plus a spread of 383 basis points, or such other rate as determined pursuant to the Supplemental Indenture, provided that in no event shall the applicable floating interest rate be less than zero per annum.

Supervision and Regulation General

Financial institutions, financial services companies, and their holding companies are extensively regulated under federal and state law. As a result, the growth and earnings performance of the Company can be affected not only by management decisions and general economic conditions, but also by the requirements of applicable state and federal statutes and regulations and the policies of various governmental regulatory authorities including, but not limited to, the Office of the

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Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”), the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”), the Missouri Division of Finance (“MDOF”), the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities. Any change in applicable laws, regulations or regulatory policies may have material effects on the business, operations and prospects of the Company, First Mid Bank and Providence Bank. The Company is unable to predict the nature or extent of the effects that fiscal or monetary policies, economic controls or new federal or state legislation may have on its business and earnings in the future.

Federal and state laws and regulations generally applicable to financial institutions and financial services companies, such as the Company and its subsidiaries, regulate, among other things, the scope of business, investments, reserves against deposits, capital levels relative to operations, the nature and amount of collateral for loans, the establishment of branches, mergers, consolidations and dividends. The system of supervision and regulation applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries establishes a comprehensive framework for their respective operations and is intended primarily for the protection of the FDIC’s deposit insurance fund and the depositors, rather than the stockholders, of financial institutions.

The following references to material statutes and regulations affecting the Company and its subsidiaries are brief summaries thereof and do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to such statutes and regulations. Any change in applicable law or regulations may have a material effect on the business of the Company and its subsidiaries.

Financial Modernization Legislation

The 1999 Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the “GLB Act”) significantly changed financial services regulation by expanding permissible non-banking activities of bank holding companies and removing certain barriers to affiliations among banks, insurance companies, securities firms and other financial services entities. These activities and affiliations can be structured through a holding company structure or, in the case of many of the activities, through a financial subsidiary of a bank. The GLB Act also established a system of federal and state regulation based on functional regulation, meaning that primary regulatory oversight for a particular activity generally resides with the federal or state regulator having the greatest expertise in the area. Banking is supervised by banking regulators, insurance by state insurance regulators and securities activities by the SEC and state securities regulators. The GLB Act also requires the disclosure of agreements reached with community groups that relate to the Community Reinvestment Act, and contains various other provisions designed to improve the delivery of financial services to consumers while maintaining an appropriate level of safety in the financial services industry.

The GLB Act repealed the anti-affiliation provisions of the Glass-Steagall Act and revised the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (the “BHCA”) to permit qualifying holding companies, called “financial holding companies,” to engage in, or to affiliate with companies engaged in, a full range of financial activities, including banking, insurance activities (including insurance portfolio investing), securities activities, merchant banking and additional activities that are “financial in nature,” incidental to financial activities or, in certain circumstances, complementary to financial activities. A bank holding company’s subsidiary banks must be “well-capitalized” and “well-managed” and have at least a “satisfactory” Community Reinvestment Act rating for the bank holding company to elect and maintain its status as a financial holding company.

A significant component of the GLB Act’s focus on functional regulation relates to the application of federal securities laws and SEC oversight of some bank securities activities previously exempt from broker-dealer registration. Among other things, the GLB Act amended the definitions of “broker” and “dealer” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to remove the blanket exemption for banks. Under the GLB Act, banks may conduct securities activities without broker-dealer registration only if the activities fall within a set of activity-based exemptions designed to allow banks to conduct only those activities traditionally considered to be primarily banking or trust activities.

Securities activities outside these exemptions, as a practical matter, need to be conducted by a registered broker-dealer affiliate. The GLB Act also amended the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to require the registration of banks that act as investment advisers for mutual funds. The Company believes that it has taken the necessary actions to comply with these requirements of the GLB Act and the regulations adopted under them.

Anti-Terrorism Legislation

The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 included the International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001 (the “IMLAFA”). The IMLAFA contains anti-money laundering measures affecting insured depository institutions, broker-dealers, and certain other financial institutions. The IMLAFA requires U.S. financial institutions to adopt policies and procedures to combat money laundering and grants the Secretary of the Treasury broad authority to establish regulations and to impose requirements and restrictions on financial institutions’ operations. The Company has established policies and procedures for compliance with the IMLAFA and the related regulations. The Company has designated an officer solely responsible for ensuring compliance with existing regulations and monitoring changes to the regulations as they occur.

Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) was signed into law on July 21, 2010. Generally, the Act is effective the day after it was signed into law, but different effective dates apply to specific sections of the law. The Act, among other things:

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Basel III

In September 2010, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision proposed higher global minimum capital standards, including a minimum Tier 1 common capital ratio and additional capital and liquidity requirements. On July 2, 2013, the Federal Reserve Board approved a final rule to implement these reforms and changes required by the Dodd-Frank Act. This final rule was subsequently adopted by the OCC and the FDIC.

The final rule included new risk-based capital and leverage ratios, which were phased in from 2015 to 2019, and refined the definition of what constitutes “capital” for purposes of calculating those ratios. The new minimum capital level requirements applicable to the Company and First Mid Bank beginning in 2015 were: (i) a new common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 4.5%; (ii) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6%; (iii) a total capital ratio of 8%; and (iv) a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4%. The rule also established a “capital conservation buffer” of 2.5% above the new regulatory minimum capital requirements, which must consist entirely of common equity Tier 1 capital and will result in the following minimum ratios: (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%. The new capital conservation buffer requirement was phased in beginning in January 2016 at 0.625% of risk weighted assets and increased by that amount each year until fully implemented in January 2019. An institution is subject to limitations on paying dividends, engaging in share repurchases and paying discretionary bonuses if its capital level falls below the buffer amount.

The final rule also made three changes to the proposed rule of June 2012 that impacted the Company. First, the proposed rule required banking organizations to include accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) in common equity tier 1 capital. AOCI includes accumulated unrealized gains and losses on certain assets and liabilities that have not been included in net income. Under existing general risk-based capital rules, most components of AOCI are not included in a banking organization's regulatory capital calculations. The final rule allowed community banking organizations to make a one-time election not to include these additional components of AOCI in regulatory capital and instead use the existing treatment under the general risk-based capital rules that excludes most AOCI components from regulatory capital. The Company made this election.

Second, the proposed rule modified the risk-weight framework applicable to residential mortgage exposures to require banking organizations to divide residential mortgage exposure into two categories in order to determine the applicable risk weight. The final rule, however, retained the existing treatment for residential mortgage exposures under the general risk-based capital rules.

Third, the proposed rule required banking organizations with total consolidated assets of less than $15 billion as of December 31, 2009, such as the Company, to phase out over ten years any trust preferred securities and cumulative perpetual preferred securities from its Tier 1 capital regulatory capital. The final rule, however, permanently grandfathered into Tier 1 capital of depository institution holding companies with total consolidated assets of less than $15 billion as of December 31, 2009, any trust preferred securities or cumulative perpetual preferred stock issued before May 19, 2010.

The Company

General. As a registered financial holding company under the BHCA that has elected to become a financial holding company under the GLB Act, the Company is subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve Board. In accordance with Federal Reserve Board policy, the Company is expected to act as a source of financial strength to First Mid Bank and to commit resources to support First Mid Bank in circumstances where the Company might not do so absent such policy. The Company is subject to inspection, examination, and supervision by the Federal Reserve Board.

Activities. As a financial holding company, the Company may affiliate with securities firms and insurance companies and engage in other activities that are financial in nature or incidental or complementary to activities that are financial in nature. A bank holding company that is not also a financial holding company is limited to engaging in banking and such other activities as determined by the Federal Reserve Board to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto.

No Federal Reserve Board approval is required for the Company to acquire a company (other than a bank holding company, bank, or savings association) engaged in activities that are financial in nature or incidental to activities that are financial in nature, as determined by the Federal Reserve Board. However, the Company generally must give the Federal Reserve Board after-the-fact notice of these activities. Prior Federal Reserve Board approval is required before the Company may acquire beneficial ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares or substantially all of the assets of a bank holding company, bank, or savings association.

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If any subsidiary bank of the Company ceases to be “well-capitalized” or “well-managed” under applicable regulatory standards, the Federal Reserve Board may, among other actions, order the Company to divest its depository institution. Alternatively, the Company may elect to conform its activities to those permissible for a bank holding company that is not also a financial holding company.

If any subsidiary bank of the Company receives a rating under the Community Reinvestment Act of less than “satisfactory”, the Company will be prohibited, until the rating is raised to “satisfactory” or better, from engaging in new activities or acquiring companies other than bank holding companies, banks, or savings associations.

Capital Requirements. Bank holding companies are required to maintain minimum levels of capital in accordance with Federal Reserve Board capital adequacy guidelines. The Federal Reserve Board’s capital guidelines establish the following minimum regulatory capital requirements for bank holding companies for 2019, which include the full phase in of the capital conservation buffer: a total capital to total risk-based capital ratio of not less than 10.50%, a Tier 1 risk-based ratio of not less than 8.50%, a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of not less than 7.00%, and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of not less than 4.00%. For purposes of these capital standards, Tier 1 capital consists primarily of permanent stockholders’ equity, less intangible assets (other than certain mortgage servicing rights and purchased credit card relationships), and total capital means Tier 1 capital plus certain other debt and equity instruments which do not qualify as Tier 1 capital, limited amounts of unrealized gains on equity securities and a portion of the Company’s allowance for loan and lease losses.

The risk-based and leverage standards described above are minimum requirements, and higher capital levels will be required if warranted by the particular circumstances or risk profiles of individual banking organizations. For example, the Federal Reserve Board’s capital guidelines contemplate that additional capital may be required to take adequate account of, among other things, interest rate risk, or the risks posed by concentrations of credit, nontraditional activities or securities trading activities. Further, any banking organization experiencing or anticipating significant growth would be expected to maintain capital ratios, including tangible capital positions (i.e., Tier 1 capital less all intangible assets), well above the minimum levels.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had regulatory capital, calculated on a consolidated basis, in excess of the Federal Reserve Board’s minimum requirements, and its capital ratios exceeded those required for categorization as well-capitalized under the capital adequacy guidelines established by bank regulatory agencies with a total risk-based capital ratio of 18.82%, a Tier 1 risk-based ratio of 14.63%, a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 14.03% and a leverage ratio of 10.22%.

Control Acquisitions. The Change in Bank Control Act prohibits a person or group of person from acquiring “control” of a bank holding company unless the Federal Reserve Board has been notified and has not objected to the transaction. Under a rebuttable presumption established by the Federal Reserve Board, the acquisition of 10% or more of a class of voting stock of a bank holding company with a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, such as the Company, would, under the circumstances set forth in the presumption, constitute acquisition of control of the Company. In addition, any company is required to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve Board under the BHCA before acquiring 25% (5% in the case of an acquirer that is a bank holding company) or more of the outstanding common of the Company, or otherwise obtaining control of a “controlling influence” over the Company or First Mid Bank.

Interstate Banking and Branching. The Dodd-Frank Act expands the authority of banks to engage in interstate branching. The Dodd-Frank Act allows a state or national bank to open a de novo branch in another state if the law of the state where the branch is to be located would permit a state bank chartered by that state to open the branch.

Privacy and Security. The GLB Act establishes a minimum federal standard of financial privacy by, among other provisions, requiring banks to adopt and disclose privacy policies with respect to consumer information and setting forth certain rules with respect to the disclosure to third parties of consumer information. The Company has adopted and disseminated its privacy policies pursuant to the GLB Act. Regulations adopted under the GLB Act set standards for protecting the security, confidentiality and integrity of customer information, and require notice to regulators, and in some cases, to customers, in the event of security breaches. A number of states have adopted their own statutes requiring notification of security breaches. In addition, the GLB Act requires the disclosure of agreements reached with community groups that relate to the CRA, and contains various other provisions designed to improve the delivery of financial services to consumers while maintaining an appropriate level of safety in the financial services industry.

First Mid Bank and Providence Bank

General. First Mid Bank is a national bank, chartered under the National Bank Act. Providence Bank is a Missouri chartered depository trust company.The FDIC insures the deposit accounts of the Banks. The Banks are members of the Federal Reserve System and are subject to the examination, supervision, reporting and enforcement requirements of the OCC, as the primary federal regulator of national banks, the MDOF, as the primary regulator of Missouri chartered banks, and the FDIC, as administrator of the deposit insurance fund.

Deposit Insurance. As an FDIC-insured institution, banks are required to pay deposit insurance premium assessments to the FDIC. A number of requirements with respect to the FDIC insurance system have affected results, including insurance assessment rates.

On September 30, 2018, the Deposit Insurance Fund Reserve Ratio reached 1.36 percent. Because the reserve ratio exceeded 1.35 percent, two deposit insurance assessment changes occurred under the FDIC regulations:

On August 20, 2019, the FDIC Board approved a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which amended the Small Bank Credits regulation to permit credit usage when the reserve ratio is at least 1.35 percent (rather than 1.38%). Additionally, after eight quarters of credit usage, the FDIC would remit the remaining full nominal value to each bank. Eligible banks were notified in January 24, 2019 with a preliminary estimate of their share of small bank assessment credits. First Mid Bank’s Small Bank Credit was $931,853.

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The Deposit Insurance Fund Reserve Ratio as of June 30, 2019 was 1.40 percent and therefore, Small Bank Assessment Credits were applied to second quarter assessment invoices (paid in September 2019). As a result, First Mid Bank received a credit of $256,944. The Deposit Insurance Fund Reserve Ratio as of September 30, 2019 was 1.41 percent and therefore, Small Bank Assessment Credits were also applied to third quarter assessment invoices (paid in December 2019). As a result, First Mid Bank received a credit of $254,705. These amounts were reversed from previously accrued expense. First Mid Bank had a remaining Small Bank Assessment Credit of $420,204 as of December 31, 2019. This remainder was applied to the fourth quarter assessment (paid in March 2020).

The Company expensed $1,309,000, $206,000 and $967,000 for its insurance assessment during 2020, 2019 and 2018 respectively. In addition to its insurance assessment, through March 29, 2019, each insured bank was subject to quarterly debt service assessments in connection with bonds issued by a government corporation that financed the federal savings and loan bailout. The Company expensed $12,000 and $92,000 for this assessment during 2019 and 2018, respectively.

OCC Assessments. All national banks are required to pay supervisory fees to the OCC to fund the operations of the OCC. The amount of such supervisory fees is based upon each institution’s total assets, including consolidated subsidiaries, as reported to the OCC. During the year ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 the Company expensed supervisory fees totaling $572,000, $620,000, and $596,000, respectively. Changes in total expense are due to changes in assessment rates and increases in total assets of the bank.

Capital Requirements. The banking regulators has established the following minimum capital standards for banks as of 2019, which include the full phase in of the capital conservation buffer in a total capital to total risk-based capital ratio of not less than 10.50%, a Tier 1 risk-based ratio of not less than 8.50%, a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of not less than 7.00%, and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of not less than 4.00%. For purposes of these capital standards, Tier 1 capital and total capital consists of substantially the same components as Tier 1 capital and total capital under the Federal Reserve Board’s capital guidelines for bank holding companies (See “The Company—Capital Requirements”).

The capital requirements described above are minimum requirements. Higher capital levels will be required if warranted by the particular circumstances or risk profiles of individual institutions. For example, the banking regulators provide that additional capital may be required to take adequate account of, among other things, interest rate risk or the risks posed by concentrations of credit, nontraditional activities or securities trading activities.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, First Mid Bank was not required to increase capital to an amount in excess of the minimum regulatory requirements, and capital ratios exceeded those required for categorization as well-capitalized under the capital adequacy guidelines established by bank regulatory agencies. First Mid Bank's total risk-based capital ratio was 14.30%, Tier 1 risk-based ratio was 13.12%, common equity Tier 1 ratio was 13.12% and leverage ratio was 9.18%.

Prompt Corrective Action. Federal law provides the federal banking regulators with broad power to take prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of undercapitalized institutions. The extent of the regulators’ powers depends on whether the institution in question is “well-capitalized,” “adequately- capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” or “critically undercapitalized.” Depending upon the capital category to which an institution is assigned, the regulators’ corrective powers include: requiring the submission of a capital restoration plan; placing limits on asset growth and restrictions on activities; requiring the institution to issue additional capital stock (including additional voting stock) or to be acquired; restricting transactions with affiliates; restricting the interest rate the institution may pay on deposits; ordering a new election of directors of the institution; requiring that senior executive officers or directors be dismissed; prohibiting the institution from accepting deposits from correspondent banks; requiring the institution to divest certain subsidiaries; prohibiting the payment of principal or interest on subordinated debt; and in the most severe cases, appointing a conservator or receiver for the institution.

Dividends. The National Bank Act impose limitations on the amount of dividends that may be paid by a bank. Generally, a bank may pay dividends out of its undivided profits, in such amounts and at such times as the bank’s board of directors deems prudent. Without prior OCC approval, however, a national bank may not pay dividends in any calendar year which, in the aggregate, exceed the bank’s year-to-date net income plus the bank’s adjusted retained net income for the two preceding years.

The payment of dividends by any financial institution or its holding company is affected by the requirement to maintain adequate capital pursuant to applicable capital adequacy guidelines and regulations, and a financial institution generally is prohibited from paying any dividends if, following payment thereof, the institution would be undercapitalized. As described above, First Mid Bank exceeded minimum capital requirements under applicable guidelines as of December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2020, approximately $46.2 million was available to be paid as dividends to the Company by First Mid Bank. Notwithstanding the availability of funds for dividends, however, the OCC may prohibit the payment of any dividends if the OCC, as applicable, determines that such payment would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice.

Affiliate and Insider Transactions. First Mid Bank and Providence Bank are subject to certain restrictions under federal law, including Regulation W of the Federal Reserve Board, on extensions of credit to the Company and its subsidiaries, on investments in the stock or other securities of the Company and its subsidiaries and the acceptance of the stock or other securities of the Company or its subsidiaries as collateral for loans. Certain limitations and reporting requirements are also placed on extensions of credit by First Mid Bank or Providence Bank to their directors and officers, to directors and officers of the Company and its subsidiaries, to principal stockholders of the Company, and to “related interests” of such directors, officers and principal stockholders.

First Mid Bank and Providence Bank are is subject to restrictions under federal law that limits certain transactions with the Company, including loans, other extensions of credit, investments or asset purchases. Such transactions by a banking subsidiary with any one affiliate are limited in amount to 10% of the bank’s capital and surplus and, with all affiliates together, to an aggregate of 20% of the bank’s capital and surplus. Furthermore, such loans and extensions of credit, as well as certain other transactions, are required to be secured in specified amounts. These and certain other transactions, including any payment of money to the Company, must be on terms and conditions that are or in good faith would be offered to nonaffiliated companies.

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In addition, federal law and regulations may affect the terms upon which any person becoming a director or officer of the Company or one of its subsidiaries or a principal stockholder of the Company may obtain credit from banks with which First Mid Bank maintains a correspondent relationship.

Safety and Soundness Standards. The federal banking agencies have adopted guidelines that establish operational and managerial standards to promote the safety and soundness of federally insured depository institutions. The guidelines set forth standards for internal controls, information systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, compensation, fees and benefits, asset quality and

earnings. In general, the guidelines prescribe the goals to be achieved in each area, and each institution is responsible for establishing its own procedures to achieve those goals. If an institution fails to comply with any of the standards set forth in the guidelines, the institution’s primary federal regulator may require the institution to submit a plan for achieving and maintaining compliance. The preamble to the guidelines states that the agencies expect to require a compliance plan from an institution whose failure to meet one or more of the guidelines are of such severity that it could threaten the safety and soundness of the institution. Failure to submit an acceptable plan, or failure to comply with a plan that has been accepted by the appropriate federal regulator, would constitute grounds for further enforcement action.

Community Reinvestment Act. First Mid Bank and Providence Bank are subject to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). The CRA and the regulations issued thereunder are intended to encourage banks to help meet the credit needs of their service areas, including low and moderate income neighborhoods, consistent with the safe and sound operations of the banks. These regulations also provide for regulatory assessment of a bank’s record in meeting the needs of its service area when considering applications to establish branches, merger applications and applications to acquire the assets and assume the liabilities of another bank. The Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 requires federal banking agencies to make public a rating of a bank’s performance under the CRA. In the case of a bank holding company, the CRA performance record of its bank subsidiaries is reviewed by federal banking agencies in connection with the filing of an application to acquire ownership or control of shares or assets of a bank or thrift or to merge with any other bank holding company. An unsatisfactory record can substantially delay or block the transaction. First Mid Bank and Providence Bank received satisfactory CRA ratings from their regulator in their most recent CRA examination.

Consumer Laws and Regulations. In addition to the laws and regulations discussed above, First Mid Bank and Providence Bank are also subject to certain consumer laws and regulations that are designed to protect consumers in transactions with banks. While the list set forth herein is not exhaustive, these laws and regulations include the Truth in Lending Act, the Truth in Savings Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, among others. These laws and regulations mandate certain disclosure requirements and regulate the manner in which financial institutions must deal with customers when taking deposits, making loans to or marketing to or engaging in other types of transactions with such customers. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations could lead to substantial penalties, operating restrictions and reputational damage to the financial institution.

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Supplemental Item – Executive Officers of the Registrant

The executive officers of the Company are elected annually by the Company’s Board of Directors and are identified below.

Joseph R. Dively, age 61, is the Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since January 1, 2014 and the President of First Mid Bank since May 2011. Prior to assuming these positions in the Company, he was the Senior Executive Vice President of the Company beginning in May 2011. He was with Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. in Mattoon, Illinois from 2003 to May 2011.

Michael L. Taylor, age 52, has been Senior Executive Vice President since 2014 and Chief Operating Officer since July 2017. He served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company from 2000 to 2017. He served as Executive Vice President from 2007 to 2014 and as Vice President from 2000 to 2007. He was with AMCORE Bank in Rockford, Illinois from 1996 to 2000.

Matthew K. Smith, age 46, has been Executive Vice President of the Company since November 2016 and Chief Financial Officer since July 2017.  He served as Director of Finance from November 2016 to July 2017. He was Treasurer and Vice President of Finance and Investor Relations with Consolidated Communications, Inc from 1997 to 2016.

Eric S. McRae, age 55, has been Executive Vice President of the Company and Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer of First Mid Bank since January 2017. He served as Senior Lender of First Mid Bank from December 2008 to December 2016 and he served as President of the Decatur region from 2001 to December 2008.

Bradley L. Beesley, age 49, has been Executive Vice President of the Company and Chief Trust & Wealth Management Officer of First Mid Bank since March 2015 and First Mid Wealth Management Company since July 2018. He served as Senior Vice President from May 2007 to March 2015.

Laurel G. Allenbaugh, age 60, has been Executive Vice President of the Company and Executive Vice President, Chief Operations Officer of First Mid Bank since April 2008. She served as Vice President of Operations from February 2000 to April 2008. She served as Controller of the Company and First Mid Bank from 1990 to February 2000 and has been President of MIDS since 1998.

Clay M. Dean, age 46, has been Executive Vice President of the Company since January 2019 and Senior Vice President of the Company since 2010 and Senior Vice President and Chief Insurance Services Officer of the First Mid Bank and Chief Executive Officer of First Mid Insurance since September 2014. He served as Senior Vice President, Chief Deposit Services Officer of First Mid Bank from November 2012 to September 2014 and as Senior Vice President, Director of Treasury Management of First Mid Bank from 2010 to 2012.

Amanda D. Lewis, age 41, has been Executive Vice President of the Company since January 2019 and Senior Vice President of the Company and Senior Vice President, Retail Banking Officer of First Mid Bank since September 2014. She served as Vice President, Director of Marketing from 2001 until September 2014.

David Hiden, age 58, has been Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer of the Company since July 2018.

Christopher L. Slabach, age 58, has been Senior Vice President of the Company since 2007 and Senior Vice President, Chief Risk Officer of First Mid Bank since 2008. He served as Vice President, Audit of the Company from 1998 to 2007.

Rhonda Gatons, age 49, has been Senior Vice President of the Company and Director of Human Resources since March 2016. Prior to joining the Company, she was the Director of Human Resources at Midland States Bank.

Jason Crowder, age 50. has been Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company since August 2019. Prior to joining the Company, he was the Corporate Counsel of Petersen Health Care, Inc., from 2008 to July 2019.

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Various risks and uncertainties, some of which are difficult to predict and beyond the Company’s control, could negatively impact the Company. As a financial institution, the Company is exposed to credit risk, interest rate and liquidity risk, operational risk, risks from economic and market conditions, and general business risks among others. Adverse experience with these or other risks could have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, as well as the value of its common stock.

Credit Risks

Loan customers or other counter-parties may not be able to perform their contractual obligations resulting in a negative impact on the Company’s earnings. Overall economic conditions affecting businesses and consumers, including the current difficult economic conditions and market disruptions, could impact the Company’s credit losses. In addition, real estate valuations could also impact the Company’s credit losses as the Company maintains $2.1 billion in loans secured by commercial, agricultural, and residential real estate. A significant decline in real estate values could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the Company’s total loan balances by industry exceeded 25% of total risk-based capital for each of five industries as of December 31, 2020. A listing of these industries is contained in under “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Loans” herein. A significant change in one of these industries such as a significant decline in agricultural crop prices, could adversely impact the Company’s credit losses.

Deterioration in the real estate market could lead to losses, which could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition and results of operations or the Company. Commercial and commercial real estate loans generally involve higher credit risks than residential real estate and consumer loans. Because payments on loans secured by commercial real estate or equipment are often dependent upon the successful operation and management of the underlying assets, repayment of such loans may be influenced to a great extent by conditions in the market or the economy. Increases in commercial and consumer delinquency levels or declines in real estate market values would require increased net charge-offs and increases in the allowance for loan and lease losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and prospects.

The allowance for credit losses may prove inadequate or be negatively affected by credit risk exposures. The Company’s business depends on the creditworthiness of its customers. Management periodically reviews the allowance for loan and lease losses for adequacy considering economic conditions and trends, collateral values and credit quality indicators, including past charge-off experience and levels of past due loans and nonperforming assets. There is no certainty that the allowance for credit losses will be adequate over time to cover credit losses in the portfolio because of unanticipated adverse changes in the economy, market conditions or events adversely affecting specific customers, industries or markets. If the credit quality of the customer base materially decreases, if the risk profile of a market, industry or group of customers changes materially, or if the allowance for credit losses is not adequate, the Company’s business, financial condition, liquidity, capital, and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Interest Rate and Liquidity Risks

Changes in interest rates may negatively affect our earnings. Changes in market interest rates and prices may adversely affect the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. The Company’s net interest income, its largest source of revenue, is highly dependent on achieving a positive spread between the interest earned on loans and investments and the interest paid on deposits and borrowings. Changes in interest rates could negatively impact the Company’s ability to attract deposits, make loans, and achieve a positive spread resulting in compression of the net interest margin.

Declines in the value of securities held in the investment portfolio may negatively affect the Company’s earnings and capital. The value of an investment in the portfolio could decrease due to changes in market factors. The market value of certain investment securities is volatile and future declines or other-than-temporary impairments could materially adversely affect the Company’s future earnings and capital. Continued volatility in the market value of certain of the investment securities, whether caused by changes in market perceptions of credit risk, as reflected in the expected market yield of the security, or actual defaults in the portfolio could result in significant fluctuations in the value of the securities. This could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive loss and shareholders’ equity depending upon the direction of the fluctuations.

Furthermore, future downgrades or defaults in these securities could result in future classifications as other-than-temporarily impaired. The Company has invested in trust preferred securities issued by financial institutions and insurance companies, corporate securities of financial institutions, and stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago and Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Deterioration of the financial stability of the underlying financial institutions for these investments could result in other-than-temporary impairment charges to the Company and could have a material impact on future earnings. For further discussion of the Company’s investments, see Note 4 – “Investment Securities.”

The Company may not have sufficient cash or access to cash to satisfy current and future financial obligations, including demands for loans and deposit withdrawals, funding operating costs and for other corporate purposes. This type of liquidity risk arises whenever the maturities of financial instruments included in assets and liabilities differ. The Company’s liquidity can be affected by a variety of factors, including general economic conditions, market disruption, operational problems affecting third parties or the Company, unfavorable pricing, competition, the Company’s credit rating and regulatory restrictions. (See “Liquidity” herein for management’s actions to mitigate this risk.)

If the Company were unable to borrow funds through access to capital markets, it may not be able to meet the cash flow requirements of its depositors, creditors, and borrowers, or the operating cash needed to fund corporate expansion and other corporate activities. As seen starting in the middle of 2007, significant turmoil and volatility in worldwide financial markets can result in a disruption in the liquidity of financial markets and could directly impact the Company to the extent it needs to access capital markets to raise funds to support its business and overall liquidity position. These types of situations could affect the cost of such funds or the Company’s ability to raise such funds. If the Company were unable to access any of these funding sources when needed, it might be unable to meet customers’ needs, which could adversely impact its financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and level of regulatory-qualifying capital. For further discussion, see the “Liquidity” section.

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Operational Risks

A failure in or breach of the Company's operational or security systems, or those of its third-party service providers, including as a result of cyber-attacks, could disrupt the Company's business, result in unintentional disclosure or misuse of confidential or proprietary information, damage the Company's reputation, increase our costs and cause losses. As a financial institution, the company's operations rely heavily on the secure processing, storage and transmission of confidential and other information on its computer systems and networks. Any failure, interruption or breach in security or operational integrity of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in the company's online banking system, customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit and loan servicing and other systems. The security and integrity of these systems could be threatened by a variety of interruptions or information security breaches, including those caused by computer hacking, cyber-attacks, electronic fraudulent activity or attempted theft of financial assets. Management cannot assert that any such failures, interruption or security breaches will not occur, or if they do occur that they will be adequately addressed. While certain protective policies and procedures are in place, the nature and sophistication of the threats continue to evolve. The Company may be required to expend significant additional resources in the future to modify and enhance these protective measures.

Additionally, the Company faces the risk of operational disruption, failure, termination or capacity constraints of any of the third parties that facilitate its business activities, including exchanges, clearing agents, clearing houses or other financial intermediaries. Such parties could also be the source of an attack on, or breach of, its operational systems. Any failures, interruptions or security breaches in the Company's information systems could damage its reputation, result in a loss of customer business, result in a violation of privacy or other laws, or expose us to civil litigation, regulatory fines or losses not covered by insurance.

If the Company’s stock price declines from levels at December 31, 2020, management will evaluate the goodwill balances for impairment, and if the values of the businesses have declined, the Company could recognize an impairment charge for its goodwill. Management obtained an independent goodwill valuation as of June 30, 2020 and performed its annual goodwill impairment assessment as of September 30, 2020. Based on these analyses, management concluded that the fair value of the Company’s reporting units exceeded the fair value of its assets and liabilities and, therefore, goodwill was not considered impaired. It is possible that management’s assumptions and conclusions regarding the valuation of the Company’s lines of business could change adversely, which could result in the recognition of impairment for goodwill, which could have a material effect on the Company’s financial position and future results of operations.

Human error, inadequate or failed internal processes and systems, and external events may have adverse effects on the Company. Operational risk includes compliance or legal risk, which is the risk of loss from violations of, or noncompliance with, laws, rules, regulations, prescribed practices, or ethical standards. Operational risk also encompasses transaction risk, which includes losses from fraud, error, the inability to deliver products or services, and loss or theft of information. Losses resulting from operational risk could take the form of explicit charges, increased operational costs, harm to the Company’s reputation or forgone opportunities. Any of these could potentially have a material adverse effect on the Company’s reputation, financial condition and results of operations.

The Company is exposed to various business risks that could have a negative effect on the financial performance of the Company. These risks include: changes in customer behavior, changes in competition, new litigation or changes to existing litigation, claims and assessments, environmental liabilities, real or threatened acts of war or terrorist activity, adverse weather, changes in accounting standards, legislative or regulatory changes, taxing authority interpretations, and an inability on the Company’s part to retain and attract skilled employees.

In addition to these risks identified by the Company, investments in the Company’s common stock involve risk. The market price of the Company’s common stock may fluctuate significantly in response to a number of factors including: volatility of stock market prices and volumes, rumors or erroneous information, changes in market valuations of similar companies, changes in securities analysts’ estimates of financial performance, and variations in quarterly or annual operating results.

Economic and Market Conditions Risks

Difficult economic conditions and market disruption have adversely impacted the banking industry and financial markets generally and may again significantly affect the business, financial condition, or results of operations of the Company. The Company’s success depends, to a certain extent, upon economic and political conditions, local and national, as well as governmental monetary policies. Conditions such as inflation, recession, unemployment, changes in interest rates, money supply and other factors beyond the Company’s control may adversely affect its asset quality, deposit levels and loan demand and, therefore, its earnings.

The Company’s profitability depends significantly on economic conditions in the geographic region in which it operates. A large percentage of the Company’s loans are to individuals and businesses in Illinois, consequently, any decline in the economy of this market area could have a materially adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Decline in the strength and stability of other financial institutions may adversely affect the Company’s business. The actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions could affect the Company’s ability to engage in routine funding transactions. Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of clearing, counterparty or other relationships. The Company has exposure to different counterparties and executes transactions with various counterparties in the financial industry. Recent defaults by financial services institutions, and even rumors or questions about one or more financial services institutions or the financial services industry in general, led to market-wide liquidity problems in recent years and could lead to losses or defaults by the Company or by other institutions. Many of these transactions expose the Company to credit risk in the event of default of its counterparty or client. Any such losses could materially and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

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Other Business Risks

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the measures intended to prevent its spread have had, and may continue to have a an adverse effect on the Company's operations, results of operations and financial condition, and the severity of these adverse effects depend on future developments which are highly uncertain and difficult to predict. The global health concerns related to COVID-19 and government actions implemented to reduce the spread of the virus have had an adverse impact on the macroeconomic environment. COVID-19 has significantly increased economic uncertainty and reduced economic activity. The outbreak has resulted in authorities implementing numerous measures to try to contain the virus, such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, shelter in place or total lock-down orders and business limitations and shutdowns. These measures have significantly contributed to rising unemployment and negatively impacted consumer and business spending. The United States government has taken steps to mitigate some of the more severe anticipated economic effects of the virus, including the passage of the CARES Act, but there is no assurance that these steps will be effective or achieve the desired positive economic results in a timely fashion. COVID-19 has impacted, and is likely to further adversely impact, the workforce and operations of the Company, and the operations of our borrowers, customers and business partners. In particular, we may experience financial losses due to various operational factors impacting us or our borrowers, customers or business partners, including but not limited to:

These factors may remain prevalent for a significant period and may continue to adversely affect the Company, results of operations and financial condition even after the COVID-19 outbreak has subsided. The extent to which the coronavirus outbreak impacts the Company’s operations, results of operations and financial condition will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and are difficult to predict, including, but not limited to, the duration and spread of the outbreak, its severity, the actions to contain the virus or treat its impact, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume. Even after the COVID-19 outbreak has subsided, we may continue to experience adverse impacts to our business as a result of the virus’s global economic impact, including the availability of credit, adverse impacts on our liquidity and any recession that has occurred or may occur in the future. There are no comparable recent events that provide guidance as to the effect the spread of COVID-19 as a global pandemic may have, and, as a result, the ultimate impact of the outbreak is highly uncertain and subject to change. The full extent of the impacts on the Company’s operations or the global economy as a whole is not yet known. However, the effects could have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations and heighten other of our known risks.

The Company may issue additional common stock or other equity securities in the future which could dilute the ownership interest of existing stockholders. To maintain capital at desired or regulatory-required levels, to replace existing capital, or to complete acquisitions the Company may be required to issue additional shares of common stock, or securities convertible into, exchangeable for or representing rights to acquire shares of common stock. The Company may sell these shares at prices below the current market price of shares, and the sale of these shares may significantly dilute stockholder ownership. The Company could also issue additional shares in connection with acquisitions of other financial institutions.

If the Company is unable to make favorable acquisitions or successfully integrate our acquisitions, the Company’s growth could be impacted. In the past several years, the Company has completed acquisitions of banks, bank branches and other businesses. We may continue to make such acquisitions in the future. When the Company evaluates acquisition opportunities, the Company evaluates whether the target institution has a culture similar to the Company, experienced management and the potential to improve the financial performance of the Company. If the Company fails to successfully identify, complete and integrate favorable acquisitions, the Company could experience slower growth. Acquiring other banks, bank branches or businesses involves various risks commonly associated with acquisitions, including, among other things: potential exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities or asset quality issues of the target institution, difficulty and expense of integrating the operations and personnel of the target institution, potential disruption to the Company (including diversion of management’s time and attention), difficulty in estimating the value of the target institution, and potential changes in banking or tax laws or regulations that may affect the target institution.

The Company and the banking industry are subject to government regulation, legislation and policy. Government regulation, legislation and policy affect the Company and the banking industry as a whole, including the Company’s business and results of operations. The Company’s results of operations could be adversely affected by changes in how existing regulations are interpreted or applied by government agencies, or by the adoption of new government regulation, legislation and policy. These changes may require the Company to invest significant funds and management attention and resources in order to reach compliance.

None.

The Company's headquarters is located at 1421 Charleston Avenue, Mattoon Illinois. This location is also used by the loan and deposit operations departments of First Mid Bank. In addition, the Company owns facilities located at 1500 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, Illinois, and 1420 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, Illinois which are used by branch support operations, and a facility located at 1321 Charleston Avenue, Mattoon, Illinois which is used by First Mid Wealth Management Company.

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The main office of First Mid Bank is located at 1515 Charleston Avenue, Mattoon, Illinois and is owned by First Mid Bank. First Mid Bank also owns a building located at 1520 Charleston Avenue, which is used by First Mid Insurance, MIDS for its data processing and by First Mid Bank for back room operations. First Mid Bank also conducts business through numerous facilities, owned and leased, located in twenty-six counties throughout Illinois and one Missouri county. Of the sixty-three other banking offices operated by First Mid Bank, forty-three are owned and eighteen are leased from non-affiliated third parties. First Mid Bank also has a loan production office in metro Indianapolis.

Providence Bank conducts business through various facilities, owned and leased, located in six counties throughout Missouri, one Illinois county and one Texas county. Of the fourteen banking offices operated by Providence Bank, twelve are owned and two are leased from third parties. Providence also has loan production offices in Missouri, Texas and Indiana.

None of the properties owned by the Corporation are subject to any major encumbrances. The Company believes these facilities are suitable and adequate to operate its banking and related business. The net investment of the Company and subsidiaries in real estate and equipment at December 31, 2019 was $58.2 million.

From time to time the Company and its subsidiaries may be involved in litigation that the Company believes is a type common to our industry. None of any such existing claims are believed to be individually material at this time to the Company, although the outcome of any such existing claims cannot be predicted with certainty.

Not Applicable.

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PART II

The Company’s common stock was held by approximately 953 shareholders of record as of December 31, 2020 and is included for quotation on the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC under the trading symbol "FMBH".

The Company’s shareholders are entitled to receive dividends as are declared by the Board of Directors, which considered payment of dividends semi-annually during 2020. The ability of the Company to pay dividends, as well as fund its operations, is dependent upon receipt of dividends from First Mid Bank. Regulatory authorities limit the amount of dividends that can be paid by First Mid Bank without prior approval from such authorities. For further discussion of the Bank’s dividend restrictions, see Item1 – “Business” – “First Mid Bank” – “Dividends” and Note 16 – “Dividend Restrictions” herein.

The following table summarizes share repurchase activity for the fourth quarter of 2020:

All of the repurchase activity that occurred during the fourth quarter of 2020 resulted from shares withheld to cover taxes on employee stock vesting. There were no other shares repurchased during 2020. Since August 5, 1998, the Board of Directors has approved repurchase programs pursuant to which the Company may repurchase a total of approximately $76.7 million of the Company’s common stock.

16

The following sets forth a five-year comparison of selected financial data (dollars in thousands, except per share data).

17

The following discussion and analysis is intended to provide a better understanding of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, related notes and selected financial data appearing elsewhere in this report.

Forward-Looking Statements

This report may contain certain forward-looking statements, such as discussions of the Company’s pricing and fee trends, credit quality and outlook, liquidity, new business results, expansion plans, anticipated expenses and planned schedules. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1955. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company, are identified by use of the words “believe,” ”expect,” ”intend,” ”anticipate,” ”estimate,” ”project,” or similar expressions. Actual results could differ materially from the results indicated by these statements because the realization of those results is subject to many risks and uncertainties, including those described in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and other sections of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company’s other filings with the SEC, and changes in interest rates, general economic conditions and those in the Company’s market area, legislative/regulatory changes, monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board, the quality or composition of the loan or investment portfolios and the valuation of the investment portfolio, the Company’s success in raising capital, demand for loan products, deposit flows, competition, demand for financial services in the Company’s market area and accounting principles, policies and guidelines. Furthermore, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required under the federal securities laws or the rules and regulations of the SEC, we do not undertake any obligation to update or review any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 outbreak is an unprecedented event that provides significant economic uncertainty for a broad spectrum of industries. The spread of this outbreak has caused significant disruptions in the U.S. economy and some of these impacts will be long lasting. As it continues to evolve it is not clear when or how the pandemic-driven contraction will recover. Congress, the President, and the Federal Reserve have taken several actions designed to cushion the economic fallout. Most notably, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was signed into law at the end of March 2020 as a $2 trillion legislative package. The goal of the CARES Act is to prevent a severe economic downturn through various measures, including direct financial aid to American families and economic stimulus to significantly impacted industry sectors. Many of the CARES Act provisions, as well as other recent legislative and regulatory efforts, are expected to have a material impact on financial institutions. The Company's strong track record and revenue diversification provide a solid foundation for earnings and capital. The Company is focused on supporting its customers, communities and employees during this unique operating environment. Following is a description of the impact COVID-19 is having, actions taken as a result of COVID-19, and certain risks to the Company that COVID-19 creates or exacerbates, as well as management's outlook on the current COVID-19 situation.

Lending operations and accommodations to customers. Beginning in March 2020, First Mid Bank offered a 90-day commercial deferral program, primarily to hotel and restaurant borrowers. Subsequently, additional deferrals were offered on an individual case basis and a broader program was offered to residential and consumer customers. As of December 31, 2020, a total of $57.4 million was deferred through these programs.  In accordance with interagency guidance issued in March 2020, these short-term deferrals are not considered troubled debt restructurings.

Beginning April 3, 2020, with the passage of the initial Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), administered by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”), the Company actively participated in assisting existing and new customers with applications for resources through the program. The initial PPP loans had a two-year term, while those originated after June 5, 2020 had a five-year term. All PPP loans earned interest at 1%. As of December  31, 2020, the Company has approved and outstanding with the SBA 1,846 PPP loans totaling $168.3 million. The Company believes that most of these loans will ultimately be forgiven by the SBA in accordance with the terms of the program. Under the program, the SBA will forgive all or a portion of the loan if, during a certain period, loans are used for qualifying expenses. If all or a portion of the loan is not forgiven, the borrower is responsible for repayment.

Employees. The Company has a business continuity plan in place that was executed in March 2020. Approximately half of the Company's workforce have the ability to work remotely with secure connections. In addition, various preventative and personal hygiene measures, in accordance with CDC guidelines have been implemented. To protect and ensure the safety of employees, as well as customers, all branch locations were transitioned to drive-thru use only. Most branch lobbies were re-opened in mid-June and then transitioned back to drive-thru in November 2020 as COVID-19 case were rising. The Company increased the number of available sick days to every employee impacted in anyway by COVID-19 and offered financial assistance for any employee with need.

Asset impairment. The Company does not believe that any impairment exists due to COVID-19 to goodwill and other intangible assets, long-lived assets, mortgage servicing rights ("MSRs"), right of use assets, or available-for-sale investment securities at this time. While certain valuation assumptions and judgements will change to account for COVID-19 related circumstances, the Company does not expect significant changes in methodology used to determine the fair value of assets in accordance with GAAP. It is uncertain whether prolonged effects of COVID-19 will result in future impairment charges related to any of these assets.

Capital and liquidity. The Company's and First Mid Bank's capital levels are higher today than during the Great Recession of 2008. The Company’s current allowance for credit losses could absorb net charge offs greater than the total of all net charge offs over the last 20 years.  The Company’s aggregate net charge offs over the last 20 years through December 31, 2020, were $32.9 million. Current capital levels also support the Company's recent loan stress testing of the most vulnerable industry sectors impacted by COVID-19.  The Company maintains access to multiple sources of liquidity. As of December 31, 2020, the Company's total liquidity sources could provide $1.7 billion of total available capacity.

Management's outlook. The Company's current financial position is strong and the fundamental earning capabilities of its currently existing operations is solid. Due to the uncertain economic outlook related to the COVID-19 crisis and the potential for loan losses and other asset impairments, it is anticipated that reserve levels will remain elevated compared to recent historical trends. All processes, procedures and internal controls are expected to continue as outlined in existing applicable policies despite remote working status of many employees. While the Company does not currently anticipate any material changes or deficiencies to its capital or liquidity sources, uncertainties about duration and overall effects on the economy could result in more adverse effects than expected.

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For the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 Overview

This overview of management’s discussion and analysis highlights selected information in this document and may not contain all of the information that is important to you. For a more complete understanding of trends, events, commitments, uncertainties, liquidity, capital resources, and critical accounting estimates, you should carefully read this entire document. These have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of consolidated operations.

Net income was $45.3 million, $47.9 million, and $36.6 million and diluted earnings per share were $2.70, $2.87, and $2.52 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The following table shows the Company’s annualized performance ratios for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:

Total assets at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were $4.73 billion, $3.84 billion, and $3.84 billion, respectively. Net loan balances increased to $3.10 billion at December 31, 2020, from $2.67 billion at December 31, 2019, from $2.62 billion at December 31, 2018. Of the increase in 2020, approximately $183 million was loans purchased from Stifel Bank and $168 million was PPP loans. The increase in 2019 was primarily due to increases in commercial real estate and construction and land development.

Total deposit balances increased to $3.69 billion at December 31, 2020 from $2.92 billion at December 31, 2019 and increased from $2.99 billion at December 31, 2018. The increase in 2020 was primarily due to approximately $62 million of deposits acquired from Stifel Bank for customer accounts in connection with loans acquired, increases in customers deposits for stimulus payments and PPP loan proceeds. The decrease in 2019 was primarily due to decreases in money market accounts and interest-bearing deposits.

Net interest margin (tax effected), defined as net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets, was 3.27% for 2020, 3.64% for 2019 and 3.79% for 2018.  In 2020 the decrease was primarily due to less accretion income and a decline in interest rates. In 2019 the decrease was primarily due to less accretion income and higher funding costs.

Net interest income increased to $127.4 million in 2020 from $125.7 million in 2019 and $111.7 million in 2018. During 2020, the increase in net interest income was primarily due to growth in earning assets offset by a decline in interest rates. During 2019, the increase in net interest income was primarily due to growth in earning assets as a result of loans and investment securities acquired from First Bank & SCB partially offset by an increase in cost of deposits and borrowings.

Non-interest income increased to $59.5 million in 2020 compared to $56.0 million in 2019 and $35.4 million in 2018. The increase in 2020 was primarily due to increases in wealth management revenues, insurance commissions and mortgage banking income. The increase in 2019 was due to the addition of First Bank during the second quarter of 2018 and the addition of SCB during the fourth quarter of 2018.

Non-interest expenses decreased $905,000, to $111.1 million in 2020 compared to $112.0 million in 2019, and $90.0 million in 2018. The decrease in 2020 was primarily declines in occupancy and equipment, amortization of intangibles, ATM/debit card expense and acquisition costs offset by increases in salary and benefits and FDIC insurance assessment expense. The increase in 2019 was primarily due to the acquisitions of First Bank and SCB.

Following is a summary of the factors that contributed to the changes in net income (in thousands):

Credit quality is an area of importance to the Company. Year-end total nonperforming loans were $28.1 million at December 31, 2020 compared to $27.8 million at December 31, 2019, and $29.7 million at December 31, 2018. Repossessed Assets balances totaled $2.5 million at December 31, 2020 compared to $3.7 million at December 31, 2019, and $2.6 million at December 31, 2018. The Company’s provision for loan losses was $16.1 million for 2020, compared to $6.4 million for 2019, and $8.7 million for 2018. The increase in provision in 2020 was due to the adoption of ASU 2016-13 and impacts of COVID-19 on the operations and earnings of borrowers. The decrease of provision expense in 2019 is primarily due to a decrease in classified loans.

The Company’s capital position remains strong and the Company has consistently maintained regulatory capital ratios above the “well-capitalized” standards. The Company’s Tier 1 capital ratio to risk weighted assets ratio at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was 14.63%, 14.79%, and 12.76%, respectively. The Company’s total capital to risk weighted assets ratio at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was 18.82%, 15.74% and 13.63%, respectively. The increases in these ratios in 2020 were primarily due to subordinated debt that qualified as Tier 2 capital and net income added to retained earnings. The increases in these ratios in 2019 were primarily due to net income added to retained earnings.

The Company’s liquidity position remains sufficient to fund operations and meet the requirements of borrowers, depositors, and creditors. The Company maintains various sources of liquidity to fund its cash needs. See “Liquidity” herein for a full listing of its sources and anticipated significant contractual obligations.

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The Company enters into financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include lines of credit, letters of credit and other commitments to extend credit. The total outstanding commitments at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were $615.5 million, $585.3 million, and $564.1 million, respectively. See Note 17 – “Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” herein for further information.

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Significant Estimates

The Company has established various accounting policies that govern the application of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements. The significant accounting policies of the Company are described in the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements. Certain accounting policies involve significant judgments and assumptions by management that have a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities; management considers such accounting policies to be critical accounting policies. The judgments and assumptions used by management are based on historical experience and other factors, which are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Because of the nature of the judgments and assumptions made by management, actual results could differ from these judgments and assumptions, which could have a material impact on the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the results of operations of the Company.

Investment in Debt and Equity Securities. The Company classifies its investments in debt securities as either held-to-maturity or available-for-sale. Securities classified as held-to-maturity are recorded at amortized cost. Available-for-sale and equity securities are carried at fair value. Fair value calculations are based on quoted market prices when such prices are available. If quoted market prices are not available, estimates of fair value are computed using a variety of techniques, including extrapolation from the quoted prices of similar instruments or recent trades for thinly traded securities, fundamental analysis, or through obtaining purchase quotes. Due to the subjective nature of the valuation process, it is possible that the actual fair values of these investments could differ from the estimated amounts, thereby affecting the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company. If the estimated value of investments is less than the cost or amortized cost, the Company evaluates whether an event or change in circumstances has occurred that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment. If such an event or change has occurred and the Company determines that the impairment is other-than-temporary, a further determination is made as to the portion of impairment that is related to credit loss. The impairment of the investment that is related to the credit loss is expensed in the period in which the event or change occurred. The remainder of the impairment is recorded in other comprehensive income.

Allowance for Credit Losses - Held-to-Maturity Securities. Currently all the Company's held-to-maturity securities are government agency-backed securities for which the risk of loss is minimal. Accordingly, the Company does not record an allowance for credit losses on held-to-maturity securities.

Loans. Loans are reported at amortized cost. Amortized cost is the principal balance outstanding, net of purchase discounts and premiums, fair value hedge accounting adjustments and deferred loan fees and costs. Accrued interest is reported separately and is included in interest receivable in the consolidated balance sheets.

Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans. The Company believes the allowance for credit losses for loans is the critical accounting policy that requires the most significant judgments and assumptions used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. The allowance for credit losses for loans represents the best estimate of losses inherent in the existing loan portfolio. An estimate of potential losses inherent in the loan portfolio are determined and an allowance for those losses is established by considering factors including historical loss rates, expected cash flows and estimated collateral values. In assessing these factors, the Company uses relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts.

The allowance for credit losses is measured on a collective (pool) basis for non-impaired loans with similar risk characteristics. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimate of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for relevant factors to each pool including merger & acquisition activity, economic conditions, changes in policies, procedures & underwriting, and concentrations. The Company estimates the appropriate level of allowance for credit losses for impaired loans by evaluating them separately. A specific allowance is assigned to an impaired loan when expected cash flows or collateral are less than the carrying amount of the loan.

Allowance for Credit Losses - Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures. The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period that the Company is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless the obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures is included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

Other Real Estate Owned. Other real estate owned acquired through loan foreclosure is initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. The adjustment at the time of foreclosure is recorded through the allowance for credit losses. Due to the subjective nature of establishing the fair value when the asset is acquired, the actual fair value of the other real estate owned or foreclosed asset could differ from the original estimate. If it is determined that fair value temporarily declines subsequent to foreclosure, a valuation allowance is recorded through noninterest expense. Operating costs associated with the assets after acquisition are also recorded as noninterest expense. Gains and losses on the disposition of other real estate owned and foreclosed assets are netted and posted to other noninterest expense.

Mortgage Servicing Rights. The Company has elected to measure mortgage servicing rights under the amortization method. Using this method, servicing rights are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income. The amortized assets are assessed for impairment based on fair value at each reporting date. Impairment is determined by stratifying rights into tranches based on predominant characteristics, such as interest rate, loan type and investor type. Impairment is recognized through a valuation reserve, to the extent that fair value is less than the carrying amount of servicing assets. Fair value in excess of the carrying amount of servicing assets is not recognized.

Deferred Income Tax Assets/Liabilities. The Company’s net deferred income tax asset arises from differences in the dates that items of income and expense enter into our reported income and taxable income. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for these items as they arise. From an accounting standpoint, deferred tax assets are reviewed to determine if they are realizable based on the historical level of taxable income, estimates of future taxable income and the

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reversals of deferred tax liabilities. In most cases, the realization of the deferred tax asset is based on future profitability. If the Company were to experience net operating losses for tax purposes in a future period, the realization of deferred tax assets would be evaluated for a potential valuation reserve.

Additionally, the Company reviews its uncertain tax positions annually. An uncertain tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is "more likely than not" that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be recognized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the "more likely than not" test, no tax benefit is recorded. A significant amount of judgment is applied to determine both whether the tax position meets the "more likely than not" test as well as to determine the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be recognized. Differences between the position taken by management and that of taxing authorities could result in a reduction of a tax benefit or increase to tax liability, which could adversely affect future income tax expense.

Impairment of Goodwill and Intangible Assets. Core deposit and customer relationships, which are intangible assets with a finite life, are recorded on the Company’s balance sheets. These intangible assets were capitalized as a result of past acquisitions and are being amortized over their estimated useful lives of up to 15 years. Core deposit intangible assets, with finite lives will be tested for impairment when changes in events or circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. Core deposit intangible assets were tested for impairment during 2019 as part of the goodwill impairment test and no impairment was deemed necessary.

As a result of the Company’s acquisition activity, goodwill, an intangible asset with an indefinite life, is reflected on the balance sheets. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment annually, unless there are factors present that indicate a potential impairment, in which case, the goodwill impairment test is performed more frequently than annually.

Fair Value Measurements. The fair value of a financial instrument is defined as the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. The Company estimates the fair value of a financial instrument using a variety of valuation methods. Where financial instruments are actively traded and have quoted market prices, quoted market prices are used for fair value. When the financial instruments are not actively traded, other observable market inputs, such as quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, may be used, if available, to determine fair value. When observable market prices do not exist, the Company estimates fair value. The Company’s valuation methods consider factors such as liquidity and concentration concerns. Other factors such as model assumptions, market dislocations, and unexpected correlations can affect estimates of fair value. Imprecision in estimating these factors can impact the amount of revenue or loss recorded.

ASC 820 establishes a framework for measuring the fair value of financial instruments that considers the attributes specific to particular assets or liabilities and establishes a three-level hierarchy for determining fair value based on the transparency of inputs to each valuation as of the fair value measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:

At the end of each quarter, the Company assesses the valuation hierarchy for each asset or liability measured. From time to time, assets or liabilities may be transferred within hierarchy levels due to changes in availability of observable market inputs to measure fair value at the measurement date. Transfers into or out of hierarchy levels are based upon the fair value at the beginning of the reporting period. A more detailed description of the fair values measured at each level of the fair value hierarchy can be found in Note 11 – “Disclosures of Fair Values of Financial Instruments.”

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Results of Operations

Net Interest Income

The largest source of operating revenue for the Company is net interest income. Net interest income represents the difference between total interest income earned on earning assets and total interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The amount of interest income is dependent upon many factors, including the volume and mix of earning assets, the general level of interest rates and the dynamics of changes in interest rates. The cost of funds necessary to support earning assets varies with the volume and mix of interest-bearing liabilities and the rates paid to attract and retain such funds.

Net interest income is the excess of interest received from earning assets over interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities. For analytical purposes, net interest income is presented on a full tax equivalent (TE) basis in the table that follows. The federal statutory rate in effect of 21% was used for all years. The TE analysis portrays the income tax benefits associated with the tax-exempt assets. The year-to-date net yield on interest-earning assets excluding the TE adjustments of $2,223,000, $2,152,000, and $2,025,000 for 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively, were 3.20%, 3.58%, and 3.71% at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company’s average balances, fully tax equivalent interest income and interest expense, and rates earned or paid for major balance sheet categories are set forth in the following table (dollars in thousands):

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Changes in net interest income may also be analyzed by segregating the volume and rate components of interest income and interest expense. The following table summarizes the approximate relative contribution of changes in average volume and interest rates to changes in net interest income for the past two years (in thousands):