MACATAWA BANK CORP - Quarter Report: 2023 September (Form 10-Q)

Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements that are based on management's beliefs, assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections about the financial services industry, the economy, and Macatawa Bank Corporation. Forward-looking statements are identifiable by words or phrases such as “outlook”, “plan” or “strategy” that an event or trend “could”, “may”, “should”, “will”, “is likely”, or is “possible” or “probable” to occur or “continue”, has “begun” or “is scheduled” or “on track” or that the Company or its management “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “plans”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “predicts”, “projects”, or “expects” a particular result, or is “committed”, “confident”, “optimistic” or has an “opinion” that an event will occur, or other words or phrases such as “ongoing”, “future”, “signs”, “efforts”, “tend”, “exploring”, “appearing”, “until”, “near term”, “concern”, “going forward”, “focus”, “starting”, “initiative,” “trend” and variations of such words and similar expressions. Such statements are based upon current beliefs and expectations and involve substantial risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These statements include, among others, those related to future levels of earning assets, future composition of our loan portfolio, trends in credit quality metrics, future capital levels and capital needs, real estate valuation, future levels of repossessed and foreclosed properties and nonperforming assets, future levels of losses and costs associated with the administration and disposition of repossessed and foreclosed properties and nonperforming assets, future levels of loan charge-offs, future levels of other real estate owned, future levels of provisions for credit losses and reserve recoveries, the rate of asset dispositions, future dividends, future growth and funding sources, future cost of funds, future liquidity levels, future profitability levels, future interest rate levels, future net interest margin levels, the effects on earnings of changes in interest rates, future economic conditions, future effects of new or changed accounting standards, future loss recoveries, loan demand and loan growth, future amounts of unrecognized tax benefits, the future level of other revenue sources and future amounts of unrealized gains or losses in our investment securities portfolio. Management's determination of the provision and allowance for credit losses, the appropriate carrying value of intangible assets (including deferred tax assets) and other real estate owned, and the fair value of investment securities (including whether any impairment on any investment security is temporary or other-than-temporary and the amount of any impairment) involves judgments that are inherently forward-looking. All statements with references to future time periods are forward-looking. All of the information concerning interest rate sensitivity is forward-looking. Our ability to sell other real estate owned at its carrying value or at all, successfully implement new programs and initiatives, increase efficiencies, maintain our current levels of deposits and other sources of funding, maintain liquidity, respond to declines in collateral values and credit quality, respond to a changing interest rate environment, increase loan volume, originate high quality loans, maintain or improve mortgage banking income, realize the benefit of our deferred tax assets, continue payment of dividends and improve profitability is not entirely within our control and is not assured. The future effect of changes in the real estate, financial and credit markets, interest rates and the national and regional economy on the banking industry, generally, and Macatawa Bank Corporation, specifically, are also inherently uncertain. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions (“risk factors”) that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence. Therefore, actual results and outcomes may materially differ from what may be expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Macatawa Bank Corporation does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that may arise after the date of the forward-looking statements.

Risk factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors described in "Item 1A - Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. These and other factors are representative of the risk factors that may emerge and could cause a difference between an ultimate actual outcome and a preceding forward-looking statement.

Part I Financial Information

Item 1.

MACATAWA BANK CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

As of September 30, 2023 (unaudited) and December 31, 2022

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

MACATAWA BANK CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

MACATAWA BANK CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

MACATAWA BANK CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

MACATAWA BANK CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

MACATAWA BANK CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)

Nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Macatawa Bank Corporation ("the Company", "our", "we") and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Macatawa Bank ("the Bank"). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Macatawa Bank is a Michigan chartered bank with depository accounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"). The Bank operates 26 full service branch offices providing a full range of commercial and consumer banking and trust services in Kent County, Ottawa County, and northern Allegan County, Michigan.

Basis of Presentation: The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) believed necessary for a fair presentation have been included.

Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2023. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Use of Estimates: To prepare financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management makes estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided, and future results could differ. The allowance for credit losses and fair values of financial instruments are particularly subject to change.

FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, as amended, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This ASU, commonly referred to as Current Expected Credit Loss ("CECL"), provides financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date by replacing the incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The new guidance eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold and, instead, reflects an entity’s current estimate of all expected credit losses. The new guidance broadens the information that an entity must consider in developing its expected credit loss estimate for assets measured either collectively or individually to include forecasted information, as well as past events and current conditions. There is no specified method for measuring expected credit losses, and an entity is allowed to apply methods that reasonably reflect its expectations of the credit loss estimate. Although an entity may still use its current systems and methods for recording the allowance for credit losses, under the new rules, the inputs used to record the allowance for credit losses generally will need to change to appropriately reflect an estimate of all expected credit losses and the use of reasonable and supportable forecasts. FASB also issued ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures. This standard eliminated the previous accounting guidance for troubled debt restructurings and added additional disclosure requirements for gross chargeoffs by year of origination. It also prescribes guidance for reporting modifications of loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty.

The Company adopted these standards as required on January 1, 2023 using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost and off-balance sheet credit exposures. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2023 are presented under CECL while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with the probable incurred loss accounting standards. The transition adjustment of the CECL adoption included an increase in the allowance for loans of $1.5 million and an increase of $62,000 to establish a reserve for unfunded commitments, with a $1.2 million decrease to retained earnings, with the $323,000 income tax portion being recorded as part of the deferred tax asset in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet.

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Allowance for Credit Losses ("ACL") - Loans: The allowance for credit losses (allowance) is a valuation account that is deducted from the loan portfolios' amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on loans.  The allowance is increased by the provision for credit losses and recoveries, and decreased by charge-offs of loans. Management believes the allowance balance to be adequate based on known and inherent risks in the portfolio, past loan loss experience, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, current and forecasted economic conditions and other relevant factors. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged-off. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Management continues its collection efforts on previously charged-off balances and applies recoveries as additions to the allowance.

The allowance is measured on a collective pool basis when similar risk characteristics exist.  Loans with similar risk characteristics are grouped into homogeneous classes, or pools, for allowance calculation.  Commercial loans are divided into eight classes based primarily on property type and risk characteristics.  They are further segmented based on commercial loan risk grade.  Retail loans are segmented into categories including residential mortgage, home equity, unsecured and other secured and then further segmented based on delinquency status.

The Company's loan portfolio classes as of September 30, 2023 were as follows:

Commercial Loans:

Commercial and Industrial - Risks to this category include industry concentration and limitations associated with monitoring the adequacy and condition of collateral which can include inventory, accounts receivable, and other non-real estate assets. Equipment and inventory obsolescence can also pose a risk. Declines in general economic conditions and other events can cause cash flows to fall to levels insufficient to service debt.

Residential developed - Risks to this category include industry concentration, valuation of residential properties, inventory of homes for sale in the market area, inadequate long-term financing arrangements and velocity of sales. Loans in this category are susceptible to weakening general economic conditions and increases in unemployment rates as well as market demand and supply of similar property. Declines in real estate values and lack of suitable alternative use for the properties are also risks for loans in this category.

Unsecured to residential developers - Risks to this category include industry concentration, valuation of residential properties, inventory of homes for sale in the market area and velocity of sales. Declines in general economic conditions and other events can cause cash flows to fall to levels insufficient to service debt.

Vacant and unimproved - Risks to this category include industry concentration, valuation of farm land, agricultural properties and residential properties as well as velocity of sales. Declines in general economic conditions and other events can cause cash flows to fall to levels insufficient to service debt. Declines in real estate values and lack of suitable alternative use for the properties are also risks for loans in this category.

Commercial development - Risks to this category include industry concentration, valuation of commercial properties, lease terms, occupancy/vacancy rates and velocity of sales. Declines in general economic conditions and other events can cause cash flows to fall to levels insufficient to service debt. Declines in real estate values and lack of suitable alternative use for the properties are also risks for loans in this category.

Residential improved - Risks to this category include industry concentration, valuation of residential properties, inventory of homes for sale in the market area and velocity of sales. Declines in general economic conditions and other events can cause cash flows to fall to levels insufficient to service debt. Declines in real estate values and lack of suitable alternative use for the properties are also risks for loans in this category.

Commercial improved - Risks to this category include industry concentration, valuation of commercial properties, lease terms, occupancy/vacancy rates, cost overruns, changes in market demand for property or services and velocity of sales. Declines in general economic conditions and other events can cause cash flows to fall to levels insufficient to service debt. Declines in real estate values and lack of suitable alternative use for the properties are also risks for loans in this category.

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Manufacturing and industrial - Risks to this category include industry concentration, valuation of commercial properties, changes in market demand for products produced and velocity of sales. Declines in general economic conditions and other events can cause cash flows to fall to levels insufficient to service debt. Declines in real estate values and lack of suitable alternative use for the properties are also risks for loans in this category.

Consumer Loans:

Residential mortgage - Residential mortgage loans are susceptible to weakening general economic conditions and increases in unemployment rates and declining real estate values.

Unsecured - Unsecured loans are susceptible to weakening general economic conditions and increases in unemployment rates.

Home equity - Home equity loans are susceptible to weakening general economic conditions and increases in unemployment rates and declining real estate values.

Other secured - Other secured loans are susceptible to weakening general economic conditions and increases in unemployment rates, regulatory risks as well as the inability to monitor collateral consisting of personal property.

The remaining life methodology is used for all loan pools. This nondiscounted cash flow approach projects an estimated future amortized cost basis based on current loan balance and repayment terms. Given the bank's limited loss history over the past twelve years, a loss rate computed for a comparable sized peer group (banks with assets between $1-3 billion) is then applied to future loan balances at the instrument level based on the remaining contractual life adjusted for amortization, prepayment and default to develop a baseline lifetime loss. The baseline lifetime loss is adjusted for changes in macroeconomic conditions over the reasonable and supportable forecast period and reversion periods.

Reasonable and supportable economic forecasts have to be incorporated in determining expected losses. The forecast period represents the time frame from the current period end through the point in time that the Company can reasonably forecast. Ideally, the economic forecast period would cover the contractual terms of all loans; however, the ability to produce a forecast that is both reasonable and supportable becomes more difficult the longer the period is projected.

For periods beyond the forecast period, the loss rate reverts back to the baseline lifetime loss.  As of September 30, 2023, the Company used a one-year reasonable and supportable economic forecast period, with a nine-month straight-line reversion period for all loan classes.  In determining the reasonable and supportable economic forecast period, the Company used a consensus economic forecast from a third-party provider that provided forecasts from twenty five leading economists.  The Company considered the September 2023 report's consensus/mean estimates for gross domestic product and unemployment rates and selected a loss period for the reasonable and supportable forecast period that most closely matched that consensus ( December 2006 to June 2007).  The forecast period used at September 30, 2023 was not materially different from the one used in the June 30, 2023 calculation.

A number of qualitative factors are considered including economic forecast uncertainty, credit quality trends, valuation trends, concentration risk, quality of loan review, changes in personnel, impact of rising interest rates, external factors and other considerations. During each reporting period, management also considers the need to adjust the baseline lifetime loss rates for factors that may cause expected losses to differ from those experienced in the historical loss periods.

The Company is also required to consider expected credit losses associated with loan commitments over the contractual period in which it is exposed to credit risk on the underlying commitments. Any allowance for off-balance sheet credit exposures is reported as an other liability on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet and is increased or decreased via other noninterest expense on the Company's Consolidated Statement of Income. The calculation includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and forecasted credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over their estimated lives. The allowance is calculated using the same methodology, inputs and assumptions as the funded portion of loans at the segment level applied to the amount of commitments expected to be funded.

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized in interest income over the respective term of the loan using the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments. Accrued interest on loans totaled $4.8 million at September 30, 2023 and $4.0 million at December 31, 2022.

Accrued interest receivable for loans is included as a separate line item on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company elected not to measure an allowance for accrued interest receivable and instead elected to reverse accrued interest income on loans that are placed on nonaccrual status. The Company believes this policy results in the timely reversal of uncollectible interest.

Interest income on mortgage and commercial loans is discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent unless the loan is well-secured and in process of collection. Consumer loans are typically charged off no later than 120 days past due. Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful. Nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 days still on accrual include both smaller balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment and individually classified impaired loans.

All interest accrued but not received for loans placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income. Interest received on such loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

Securities: Securities are classified as held to maturity ("HTM") and carried at amortized cost when management has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. Securities available for sale ("AFS") consist of those securities which might be sold prior to maturity due to changes in interest rates, prepayment risks, yield and availability of alternative investments, liquidity needs or other factors. Securities classified as AFS are reported at their fair value and the related unrealized gain or loss is reported in other comprehensive income, net of tax.

Interest income includes amortization of purchase premium or discount. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized on the level yield method without anticipating prepayments. Gains and losses on sales are based on the amortized cost of the security sold. Accrued interest receivable on securities totaled $4.4 million at September 30, 2023 and $3.4 million at December 31, 2022.

ACL - Securities Available for Sale - For securities AFS in an unrealized loss position, management determines whether they intend to sell or if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security's amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income with an allowance being established under CECL.  For securities AFS with unrealized losses not meeting these criteria, management evaluates whether any decline in fair value is due to credit loss factors.  In making this assessment, management considers any changes to the rating of the security by rating agencies and adverse conditions specifically related to the issuer of the security, among other factors.  If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security.  If the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses ("ACL") is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis.  Changes in the ACL under ASC 326-30 are recorded as provisions for (or reversal of) credit loss expense.  Losses are charged against the allowance when the collectability of a debt security AFS is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met.  Any impairment that has not been recorded through an ACL is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of income taxes.  The Company has never experienced a loss on any debt securities AFS.  At September 30, 2023, there was no ACL related to debt securities AFS.  Accrued interest receivable on debt securities was excluded from the estimate of credit losses.

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

ACL - Securities Held to Maturity - Since the adoption of CECL, the Company measures credit losses on HTM securities on a collective basis by major security type with each type sharing similar risk characteristics, and considers historical credit loss information that is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The ACL on securities HTM is a contra asset valuation account that is deducted from the carrying amount of HTM securities to present the net amount expected to be collected.  HTM securities are charged off against the ACL when deemed uncollectible.  Adjustments to the ACL are reported in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income in the provision for credit losses.  Accrued interest receivable on HTM securities is excluded from the estimate of credit losses.  With regard to US Treasury securities, these have an explicit government guarantee; therefore, no ACL is recorded for these securities.  With regard to obligations of states and political subdivisions and other HTM securities, management considers (1) issuer bond ratings, (2) historical loss rates for given bond ratings, (3) the financial condition of the issuer, and (4) whether issuers continue to make timely principal and interest payments under the contractual terms of the securities.  The Company has never experienced any loss on HTM securities.  At September 30, 2023, there was no ACL related to securities HTM.

Income Taxes: Income tax expense is the sum of the current year income tax due or refundable and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

The Company recognizes a tax position 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 of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the "more likely than not" test, no tax benefit is recorded. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

Revenue From Contracts With Customers: The Company records revenue from contracts with customers in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" ("Topic 606"). Under Topic 606, the Company must identify the contract with a customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and recognize revenue when (or as) it satisfies a performance obligation. No revenue has been recognized in the current reporting period that results from performance obligations satisfied in previous periods.

The Company's primary sources of revenue are derived from interest and dividends earned on loans, securities and other financial instruments that are not within the scope of Topic 606. The Company has evaluated the nature of its contracts with customers and determined that further disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers into more granular categories beyond what is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income was not necessary.

The Company generally satisfies its performance obligations on contracts with customers as services are rendered, and the transaction prices are typically fixed and charged either on a periodic basis (generally monthly) or based on activity. Because performance obligations are satisfied as services are rendered and the transaction prices are fixed, there is little judgment involved in applying Topic 606 that significantly affects the determination of the amount and timing of revenue from contracts with customers.

Interest Income: The Company’s largest source of revenue is interest income which is primarily recognized on an accrual basis based on contractual terms written into loans and investment contracts.

Noninterest Revenue: The Company derives the majority of its noninterest revenue from: (1) service charges for deposit related services, (2) gains related to mortgage loan sales, (3) trust fees and (4) debit and credit card interchange income. Most of these services are transaction based and revenue is recognized as the related service is provided.

Derivatives: Certain of the Bank’s commercial loan customers have entered into interest rate swap agreements directly with the Bank. At the same time the Bank enters into a swap agreement with its customer, the Bank enters into a corresponding interest rate swap agreement with a correspondent bank at terms mirroring the Bank’s interest rate swap with its commercial loan customer. This is known as a back-to-back swap agreement. Under this arrangement the Bank has two freestanding interest rate swaps, each of which is carried at fair value. As the terms mirror each other, there is no income statement impact to the Bank. At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the total notional amount of such agreements was $110.7 million and $125.3 million, respectively, and resulted in a derivative asset with a fair value of $6.8 million and $6.5 million, respectively, which were included in other assets and a derivative liability of $6.8 million and $6.5 million, respectively, which were included in other liabilities.

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Mortgage Banking Derivatives: Commitments to fund mortgage loans (interest rate locks) to be sold into the secondary market and forward commitments for the future delivery of these mortgage loans are accounted for as derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting. Fair values of these mortgage derivatives are estimated based on changes in mortgage interest rates from the date the interest rate on the loan is locked. The Bank enters into commitments to sell mortgage backed securities, which it later buys back in order to hedge its exposure to interest rate risk in its mortgage pipeline. At times, the Bank also enters into forward commitments for the future delivery of mortgage loans when loans are closed but not yet sold, in order to hedge the change in interest rates resulting from its commitments to sell the loans.

Changes in the fair values of these interest rate lock and mortgage backed security and forward commitment derivatives are included in net gains on mortgage loans.  The fair value of interest rate lock commitments was $(2,000) at September 30, 2023 and $0 at December 31, 2022.  The net fair value of mortgage backed security derivatives was $2,000 at September 30, 2023 and $0 at December 31, 2022.

Loans Held for Sale:  Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at fair value, as determined by outstanding commitments from investors. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, these loans had net unrealized gains of $0 and $4,000, respectively, which are reflected in their carrying value.  Changes in fair value of loans held for sale are included in net gains on mortgage loans.  Loans are sold with servicing released; therefore no mortgage servicing right assets are established.

Newly Issued Not Yet Effective Standards:  FASB issued ASU 2023-01, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method.  This standard allows entities to elect to account for qualifying tax equity investments using the proportional amortization method, regardless of the program giving rise to the related income tax credits.  This election allows the entity to record a writedown of investment to federal income tax expense where income tax credits are recorded.  This also aligns the treatment of other tax equity investments with that allowed for low income housing tax credit investments.  The standard is effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within these fiscal years.  The Company already utilizes the proportional amortization method for its investments in low income housing tax credit investments and as it has no other types of investments in tax credit structures, adoption of this standard will not have any immediate impact.

FASB issued ASU 2023-01, Leases (Topic 842): Common Control Arrangements. This standard requires entities to amortize leasehold improvements associated with common control leases over the useful life to the common control group. The standard is effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within these fiscal years. As the Company does not have any such common control leases, adoption of this standard will not have any immediate impact.

NOTE 2 – SECURITIES

The amortized cost and fair value of securities at period-end were as follows (dollars in thousands):

There were no sales of securities in the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.

NOTE 2 – SECURITIES (Continued)

On January 1, 2022, the Company reclassified ten U.S. Treasury securities with an amortized cost of $123.5 million from available for sale to held to maturity, as it has the intent and ability to hold these securities to maturity. These securities had net unrealized gains of $113,000 at the date of transfer, which will continue to be reported in accumulated other comprehensive income, and will be amortized over the remaining life of the securities as an adjustment of yield. The effect on interest income of the amortization of net unrealized gains is offset by the amortization of the premium on the securities transferred.

Contractual maturities of debt securities at September 30, 2023 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

Securities with unrealized losses at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, were as follows (dollars in thousands):

NOTE 2 – SECURITIES (Continued)

Management evaluates securities in an unrealized loss position at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation. In analyzing an issuer's financial condition, Management considers whether the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, whether downgrades by bond rating agencies have occurred and the results of reviews of the issuer's financial condition.

At September 30, 2023, 455 securities available for sale with fair values totaling $501.2 million had unrealized losses totaling $42.6 million. At December 31, 2022, 444 securities available for sale with fair values totaling $464.4 million had unrealized losses totaling $40.1 million.  For securities available for sale with unrealized losses, management considered the financial condition of the issuer and the Company's intent and ability to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. At September 30, 2023, 81 securities held to maturity with fair values totaling $307.0 million had unrealized losses totaling $15.6 million. At December 31, 2022, 76 securities held to maturity with fair values totaling $317.0 million had unrealized losses totaling $16.5 million.  Management has the intent and ability to hold the securities classified as held to maturity until they mature, at which time the Company will receive full value for the securities. Management determined that the unrealized losses for each period and each investment were attributable to changes in interest rates and not due to credit quality. As such, no allowance for credit losses on securities available for sale or held to maturity have been established as of September 30, 2023.

Securities with a carrying value of approximately $3.6 million and $3.5 million were pledged as security for public deposits, letters of credit and for other purposes required or permitted by law at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

NOTE 3 – LOANS

Portfolio loans were as follows (dollars in thousands):

The totals above are shown net of deferred fees and costs. Deferred fees on loans totaled $1.4 million and $1.3 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Deferred costs on loans totaled $1.5 million and $1.4 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

NOTE 3 – LOANS (Continued)

Activity in the allowance for credit losses by portfolio segment was as follows (dollars in thousands):

NOTE 3 – LOANS (Continued)

The following table presents gross chargeoffs for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 by portfolio class and origination year (dollars in thousands):

Collateral dependent loans are loans for which the repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral and the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. Under CECL for collateral dependent loans, the Company has adopted the practical expedient to measure the allowance on the fair value of collateral.

The allowance is calculated on an individual loan basis based on the shortfall between the fair value of the loan's collateral, which is adjusted for liquidation costs/discounts, and the loan's amortized cost. If the fair value of the collateral exceeds the loan's amortized cost, no allowance is necessary. The Company's policy is to obtain appraisals on any significant pieces of collateral. For real estate collateral that is in industries that are undergoing significant stress, or properties that are specialized use or have limited marketability, higher discounts are applied in determining fair value.

NOTE 3 – LOANS (Continued)

There have been no significant changes to the types of collateral securing our collateral dependent loans.

The amortized cost of collateral-dependent loans by class as of September 30, 2023 was as follows (dollars in thousands):

The following table presents the balance in the allowance for credit losses and the recorded investment in loans by portfolio segment and based on impairment method (dollars in thousands):