Merchants Bancorp - Quarter Report: 2021 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)


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


For the quarterly period ended	March 31, 2021


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

For the transition period from ____________ to _______________

Commission File No. 001-38258


	MERCHANTS BANCORP
	(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Indiana		20-5747400
(State or other jurisdiction of		(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)		Identification Number)

410 Monon Blvd. Carmel, Indiana		46032
(Address of principal		(Zip Code)
executive office)

(317) 569-7420

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

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 (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). ☒ Yes ☐ No

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

Large accelerated filer ☐	Accelerated filer ☒	Non-accelerated filer ☐	Smaller reporting company ☐
			Emerging growth company ☒

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

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

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


Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, without par value	MBIN	NASDAQ
Series A Preferred Stock, without par value Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/40^th interest in a share of Series B Preferred Stock, without par value	MBINP MBINO	NASDAQ NASDAQ
Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/40^th interest in a share of Series C Preferred Stock, without par value	MBINN	NASDAQ

As of May 3, 2021, the latest practicable date, 28,782,139 shares of the registrant’s common stock, without par value, were issued and outstanding.

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Merchants Bancorp

Index to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1 Interim Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020	3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020	4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020	5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020	6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020	7

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	8

Item 2 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	37

Item 3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	52

Item 4 Controls and Procedures	52

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION	53

Item 1 Legal Proceedings	53

Item 1A Risk Factors	53

Item 2 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	53

Item 3 Defaults Upon Senior Securities	53

Item 4 Mine Safety Disclosures	53

Item 5 Other Information	53

Item 6 Exhibits	54

SIGNATURES	55

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Part I – Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

Merchants Bancorp

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

March 31, 2021 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2020

(In thousands, except share data)


	March 31,		December 31,
	2021		2020
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	12,003	$	10,063
Interest-earning demand accounts		257,436		169,665
Cash and cash equivalents		269,439		179,728
Securities purchased under agreements to resell		6,544		6,580
Mortgage loans in process of securitization		432,063		338,733
Available for sale securities		241,691		269,802
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock		70,656		70,656
Loans held for sale (includes $57,998 and $40,044, respectively at fair value)		2,749,662		3,070,154
Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses of $29,091 and $27,500, respectively		5,710,291		5,507,926
Premises and equipment, net		31,261		29,761
Mortgage servicing rights		96,215		82,604
Interest receivable		22,111		21,770
Goodwill		15,845		15,845
Intangible assets, net		2,136		2,283
Other assets and receivables		57,346		49,533
Total assets	$	9,705,260	$	9,645,375
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Liabilities
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing	$	818,621	$	853,648
Interest-bearing		7,244,560		6,554,418
Total deposits		8,063,181		7,408,066
Borrowings		545,160		1,348,256
Deferred and current tax liabilities, net		41,610		20,405
Other liabilities		44,054		58,027
Total liabilities		8,694,005		8,834,754
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders' Equity
Common stock, without par value
Authorized - 50,000,000 shares
Issued and outstanding - 28,782,139 shares at March 31, 2021 and 28,747,083 shares at December 31, 2020		136,474		135,857
Preferred stock, without par value - 5,000,000 total shares authorized
8% Preferred stock - $1,000 per share liquidation preference
Authorized - 50,000 shares
Issued and outstanding - 41,625 shares		41,581		41,581
7% Series A Preferred stock - $25 per share liquidation preference
Authorized - 3,500,000 shares
Issued and outstanding - 2,081,800 shares		50,221		50,221
6% Series B Preferred stock - $1,000 per share liquidation preference
Authorized - 125,000 shares
Issued and outstanding - 125,000 shares (equivalent to 5,000,000 depositary shares)		120,844		120,844
6% Series C Preferred stock - $1,000 per share liquidation preference
Authorized - 200,000 shares
Issued and outstanding - 150,000 shares at March 31, 2021 (equivalent to 6,000,000 depositary shares)		144,925		—
Retained earnings		516,961		461,744
Accumulated other comprehensive income		249		374
Total shareholders' equity		1,011,255		810,621
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	9,705,260	$	9,645,375

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Merchants Bancorp

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020

(In thousands, except share data)


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Interest Income
Loans	$	75,517	$	53,564
Mortgage loans in process of securitization		3,136		2,796
Investment securities:
Available for sale - taxable		354		1,322
Available for sale - tax exempt		11		37
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		384		239
Other		147		2,459
Total interest income		79,549		60,417
Interest Expense
Deposits		6,100		20,630
Borrowed funds		1,486		1,434
Total interest expense		7,586		22,064
Net Interest Income		71,963		38,353
Provision for loan losses		1,663		2,998
Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan Losses		70,300		35,355
Noninterest Income
Gain on sale of loans		28,620		21,166
Loan servicing fees, net		7,951		(5,824)
Mortgage warehouse fees		4,116		2,746
Other income		3,249		1,814
Total noninterest income		43,936		19,902
Noninterest Expense
Salaries and employee benefits		21,274		14,240
Loan expenses		2,523		1,164
Occupancy and equipment		1,627		1,492
Professional fees		422		569
Deposit insurance expense		671		1,786
Technology expense		937		610
Other expense		2,630		2,432
Total noninterest expense		30,084		22,293
Income Before Income Taxes		84,152		32,964
Provision for income taxes		22,169		8,381
Net Income	$	61,983	$	24,583
Dividends on preferred stock		(3,757)		(3,618)
Net Income Allocated to Common Shareholders		58,226		20,965
Basic Earnings Per Share	$	2.02	$	0.73
Diluted Earnings Per Share	$	2.02	$	0.73
Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding
Basic		28,772,092		28,734,632
Diluted		28,850,414		28,759,412

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Merchants Bancorp

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020

(In thousands)


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Net Income	$	61,983	$	24,583
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Net change in unrealized gains/(losses) on investment securities available for sale, net of tax (expense)/benefits of $43 and $(152), respectively		(125)		468
Other comprehensive income (loss) for the period		(125)		468
Comprehensive Income	$	61,858	$	25,051

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Merchants Bancorp

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020

(In thousands, except share data)



	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021			2020
	Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount
Common Stock
Balance beginning of period	28,747,083	$	135,857	28,706,438	$	135,640
Distribution to employee stock ownership plan	19,433		537	-		-
Shares issued for stock compensation plans, net of taxes withheld to satisfy employee tax obligations	15,623		80	36,046		106
Balance end of period	28,782,139		136,474	28,742,484		135,746

8% Preferred Stock
Balance at beginning and end of period	41,625		41,581	41,625		41,581

7% Series A Preferred Stock
Balance at beginning and end of period	2,081,800		50,221	2,081,800		50,221

6% Series B Preferred Stock
Balance at beginning and end of period	125,000		120,844	125,000		120,844

6% Series C Preferred Stock
Balance beginning of period	-		-	-		-
Issuance of 6% Series C preferred stock, net of $5.1 million in offering expenses	150,000		144,925	-		-
Balance end of period	150,000		144,925	-		-

Retained Earnings
Balance beginning of period			461,744			304,984
Net income			61,983			24,583
Dividends on 8% preferred stock, $80.00 per share, annually			(833)			(833)
Final dividend for redemption of 8% preferred stock, $3.33 per share			(139)			-
Dividends on 7% Series A preferred stock, $1.75 per share, annually			(910)			(910)
Dividends on 6% Series B preferred stock, $60.00 per share, annually			(1,875)			(1,875)
Dividends on common stock, $0.36 per share, annually			(2,590)			(2,298)
Deconsolidation of entities			(419)			-
Balance end of period			516,961			323,651

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Balance beginning of period			374			458
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(125)			468
Balance end of period			249			926

Total shareholders' equity		$	1,011,255		$	672,969

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Merchants Bancorp

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020

(In thousands)


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Operating activities:
Net income	$	61,983	$	24,583
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation		504		453
Provision for loan losses		1,663		2,998
Gain on sale of loans		(28,620)		(21,166)
Proceeds from sales of loans		16,974,055		10,866,020
Loans and participations originated and purchased for sale		(16,636,332)		(11,551,090)
Change in mortgage servicing rights for paydowns and fair value adjustments		(3,430)		8,338
Net change in:
Mortgage loans in process of securitization		(93,330)		(195,266)
Other assets and receivables		4,065		(17,686)
Other liabilities		15,644		9,822
Other		(409)		1,379
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		295,793		(871,615)
Investing activities:
Net change in securities purchased under agreements to resell		36		38
Purchases of available for sale securities		(3)		(156,666)
Proceeds from calls, maturities and paydowns of available for sale securities		27,917		107,995
Purchases of loans		(137,548)		(32,631)
Net change in loans receivable		(79,162)		(459,617)
Purchase of FHLB stock		—		(25,787)
Purchases of premises and equipment		(2,004)		(594)
Purchase of limited partnership interests and other tax credits		(3,486)		(1,090)
Other investing activities		(464)		—
Net cash (used in) investing activities		(194,714)		(568,352)
Financing activities:
Net change in deposits		653,011		1,244,630
Proceeds from borrowings		17,754,346		5,597,675
Repayment of borrowings		(18,557,442)		(5,334,998)
Proceeds from notes payable		—		450
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock		144,925		—
Payments of contingent consideration		—		(501)
Dividends		(6,208)		(5,916)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(11,368)		1,501,340
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents		89,711		61,373
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period		179,728		506,709
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	$	269,439	$	568,082
Additional Cash Flows Information:
Interest paid	$	6,972	$	23,782
Income taxes paid		563		46
Dividends payable		139		—
Deconsolidation of debt fund entities		See Note 1		—

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Merchants Bancorp

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Note 1: Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Merchants Bancorp, a registered bank holding company (the “Company”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Merchants Bank of Indiana (“Merchants Bank”) and Farmers-Merchants Bank of Illinois (“FMBI”). Merchants Bank’s primary operating subsidiaries include Merchants Capital Corp. (“MCC”) and Merchants Capital Servicing, LLC (“MCS”). All direct and indirectly owned subsidiaries owned by Merchants Bancorp are collectively referred to as the “Company”.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2020, which has been derived from audited financial statements, and unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company as of March 31, 2021 and for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, were prepared in accordance with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and, therefore, do not include information or footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Accordingly, these condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 in its Annual Report on Form 10-K. Reference is made to the accounting policies of the Company described in the Notes to the Financial Statements contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which are necessary for a fair presentation of the unaudited financial statements have been included to present fairly the financial position as of March 31, 2021 and the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. All interim amounts have not been audited and the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021, herein are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the entire year.

Principles of Consolidation

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the period ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 include results from the Company, and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Merchants Bank, and FMBI. Also included are Merchants Bank’s primary operating subsidiaries, MCC and MCS, as well as all direct and indirectly owned subsidiaries owned by Merchants Bancorp.

Additionally, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include consolidated results from certain entities primarily involved in single-family debt financing until January 30, 2021, while the Company was deemed to be a primary beneficiary. A primary beneficiary is defined as, the party that has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity, and an interest that could be significant to the entity. To determine if an interest could be significant to the entity, both qualitative and quantitative factors regarding the nature, size and form of our involvement with the entity are evaluated. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

On February 1, 2021, the Company’s debt fund entities were restructured in such a way that its ownership and participation was significantly reduced with the inclusion of additional, unrelated investors and the Company was no longer classified as a primary beneficiary. Accordingly, results from these entities were no longer consolidated after this date, in accordance with the consolidation guidelines of the Accounting Standards Update of Topic 810. Following the deconsolidation, the carrying value of assets and liabilities of these entities were removed from the consolidated balance sheet, and the continuing investments were recorded at fair value at the date of deconsolidation. The total amount deconsolidated from the balance sheet included net assets of approximately $10 million, consisting primarily of $66.6 million in loans receivable, and $52.7 million in borrowings with Merchants Bank that was previously eliminated in consolidation. The fair value of its continuing investments was approximately $10 million and has been reported in Other Assets after deconsolidation. The estimated fair value was determined based on third-party evaluations of similar assets in the underlying business. The difference between the fair value of these deconsolidated entities and their

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Merchants Bancorp

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

carrying value was deemed to be immaterial, resulting in no gain or loss on deconsolidation. The maximum loss exposure that would be absorbed by the Company in the event that these unconsolidated investments were deemed worthless is approximately $10.0 million at March 31, 2021. These continuing investments after deconsolidation are expected to be classified as variable interest entities, will not be consolidated, and will be accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The Company will analyze whether its entities are the primary beneficiary on an ongoing basis. Changes in facts and circumstances occurring since the previous primary beneficiary determination will be considered as part of this ongoing assessment.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, loan servicing rights and fair values of financial instruments. The uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic could cause significant changes to these estimates compared to what was known at the time these financial statements were prepared.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications may have been made to the 2020 financial statements to conform to the financial statement presentation as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2021. These reclassifications had no effect on net income.

Note 2: Securities Available For Sale

The amortized cost and approximate fair values, together with gross unrealized gains and losses, of securities were as follows:


	March 31, 2021
			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value

	(In thousands)
Available for sale securities:
Treasury notes	$	4,025	$	17	$	—	$	4,042
Federal agencies		209,958		29		102		209,885
Municipals		5,933		101		—		6,034
Mortgage-backed - Government-sponsored entity (GSE) - residential		21,464		266		—		21,730
Total available for sale securities	$	241,380	$	413	$	102	$	241,691

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Merchants Bancorp

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)


	December 31, 2020
			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value

	(In thousands)
Available for sale securities:
Treasury notes	$	6,535	$	24	$	—	$	6,559
Federal agencies		234,954		103		17		235,040
Municipals		5,935		90		—		6,025
Mortgage-backed - Government-sponsored entity (GSE) - residential		21,899		279		—		22,178
Total available for sale securities	$	269,323	$	496	$	17	$	269,802

The amortized cost and fair value of available for sale securities at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single maturity date are shown separately.


	March 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
	Amortized		Fair		Amortized		Fair
	Cost		Value		Cost		Value

Contractual Maturity	(In thousands)
Within one year	$	8,077	$	8,086	$	6,288	$	6,302
After one through five years		210,979		210,952		239,770		239,877
After five through ten years		514		549		515		549
After ten years		346		374		851		896
		219,916		219,961		247,424		247,624
Mortgage-backed - Government-sponsored entity (GSE) - residential		21,464		21,730		21,899		22,178
	$	241,380	$	241,691	$	269,323	$	269,802

During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, no securities available for sale were sold.

The following tables show the Company’s investments’ gross unrealized losses and fair value of the Company’s investments with unrealized losses that are not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, aggregated by investment class and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

March 31, 2021

12 Months or

Less than 12 Months

Longer

Total

Gross

Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

Value

Losses

Value

Losses

Value

Losses

(In thousands)

Available for sale securities:

Federal agencies

139,857

102

—

139,857

102

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Merchants Bancorp

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

December 31, 2020

12 Months or

Less than 12 Months

Longer

Total

Gross

Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

Value

Losses

Value

Losses

Value

Losses

(In thousands)

Available for sale securities:

Federal agencies

69,939

—

69,939

Other-than-temporary Impairment

Unrealized losses on securities have not been recognized to income because the Company has the intent and ability to hold the securities for the foreseeable future, and the decline in fair value is primarily due to increased market interest rates. The fair value is expected to recover as the securities approach the maturity date.

Note 3: Mortgage Loans in Process of Securitization

Mortgage loans in process of securitization are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in earnings. These include multi-family rental real estate loan originations to be sold as Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”) mortgage backed securities and Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) participation certificates, all of which are pending settlements with firm investor commitments to purchase the securities, typically occurring within 30 days. The fair value increases recorded in earnings for mortgage loans in process of securitization totaled $1.0 million and $2.2 million at March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Note 4: Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at their outstanding principal balances adjusted for unearned income, charge-offs, the allowance for loan losses, any unamortized deferred fees or costs on originated loans and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans.

For loans at amortized cost, interest income is accrued based on the unpaid principal balance.

The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days past due unless the credit is well-secured and in process of collection. Past-due status is based on 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.

All interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual or charged off is reversed against interest income. The interest collected on these loans is applied to the principal balance until the loan can be returned to an accrual status. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

For all loan portfolio segments, the Company promptly charges off loans, or portions thereof, when available information confirms that specific loans are uncollectable based on information that includes, but is not limited to, (1) the deteriorating financial condition of the borrower, (2) declining collateral values, and/or (3) legal action, including bankruptcy, that impairs the borrower’s ability to adequately meet its obligations. For impaired loans that are considered to be solely collateral dependent, a partial charge-off is recorded when a loss has been confirmed by an updated appraisal or other appropriate valuation of the collateral.

When cash payments for accrued interest are received on impaired loans in each loan class, the Company records the payment as interest income unless collection of the remaining recorded principal amount is doubtful, at which time

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Merchants Bancorp

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

payments are used to reduce the principal balance of the loan. Troubled debt restructured loans recognize interest income on an accrual basis at the renegotiated rate if the loan is in compliance with the modified terms.

The Company offers warehouse loans or credit to fund mortgage loans held for sale from closing until sale to an investor. Under a warehousing arrangement the Company funds a mortgage loan as secured financing. The warehousing arrangement is secured by the underlying mortgages and a combination of deposits, personal guarantees and advance rates. The Company typically holds the collateral until it is sent under a bailee arrangement instructing the investor to send proceeds to the Company. Typical investors are large financial institutions or government agencies. Interest earned from the time of funding to the time of sale is recognized as interest income as accrued. Fees earned agreements are recognized when collected as noninterest income.

Loans receivable at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 include:


	March 31,		December 31,
	2021		2020

	(In thousands)

Mortgage warehouse lines of credit	$	1,334,548	$	1,605,745
Residential real estate		731,334		678,848
Multi-family and healthcare financing		3,206,633		2,749,020
Commercial and commercial real estate		357,682		387,294
Agricultural production and real estate		96,108		101,268
Consumer and margin loans		13,077		13,251
		5,739,382		5,535,426
Less
Allowance for loan losses		29,091		27,500

Loans Receivable	$	5,710,291	$	5,507,926

In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) established the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) to provide loans for eligible business/not-for-profits. These loans qualify for forgiveness when used for qualifying expenses during the appropriate period. Loans funded through the PPP are fully guaranteed by the U.S. government. Commercial and commercial real estate loans at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 include PPP loans with principal balances of $65.9 million and $60.2 million, respectively, that had not yet been forgiven.

Risk characteristics applicable to each segment of the loan portfolio are described as follows.

Mortgage Warehouse Lines of Credit (MTG WHLOC): Under its warehouse program, the Company provides warehouse financing arrangements to approved mortgage companies for the origination and sale of residential mortgage loans and to a lesser extent multi-family loans. Agency eligible, governmental and jumbo residential mortgage loans that are secured by mortgages placed on existing one-to-four family dwellings may be originated or purchased and placed on each mortgage warehouse line.

As a secured repurchase agreement, collateral pledged to the Company secures each individual mortgage until the lender sells the loan in the secondary market. A traditional secured warehouse line of credit typically carries a base interest rate of 30-day LIBOR, or mortgage note rate plus or minus a margin.

Risk is evident if there is a change in the fair value of mortgage loans originated by mortgage bankers in warehouse, the sale of which is the expected source of repayment of the borrowings under a warehouse line of credit.

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Merchants Bancorp

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Residential Real Estate Loans (RES RE): Real estate loans are secured by owner-occupied 1-4 family residences. Repayment of residential real estate loans is primarily dependent on the personal income and credit rating of the borrowers. First-lien HELOC mortgages included in this segment typically carry a base rate of 30-day LIBOR, plus a margin.

Multi-Family and Healthcare Financing (MF RE): The Company engages in multi-family and healthcare financing, including construction loans, specializing in originating and servicing loans for multi-family rental and senior living properties. In addition, the Company originates loans secured by an assignment of federal income tax credits by partnerships invested in multi-family real estate projects. Construction and land loans are generally based upon estimates of costs and estimated value of the completed project and include independent appraisal reviews and a financial analysis of the developers and property owners. Sources of repayment of these loans may include permanent loans, sales of developed property or an interim loan commitment from the Company until permanent agency-eligible financing is obtained. These loans are considered to be higher risk than single-family real estate loans due to their ultimate repayment being sensitive to interest rate changes, general economic conditions and the availability of long-term financing. Credit risk in these loans may be impacted by the creditworthiness of a borrower, property values and the local economy in the Company’s market area. Repayment of these loans depends on the successful operation of a business or property and the borrower’s cash flows.

Commercial Lending and Commercial Real Estate Loans (CML & CRE): The commercial lending and commercial real estate portfolio includes loans to commercial customers for use in financing working capital needs, equipment purchases and expansions, as well as loans to commercial customers to finance land and improvements. It also includes loans collateralized by mortgage servicing rights and loan sale proceeds of mortgage warehouse customers. The loans in this category are repaid primarily from the cash flow of a borrower’s principal business operation. Credit risk in these loans is driven by creditworthiness of a borrower and the economic conditions that impact the cash flow stability from business operations. PPP loans and Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans are included in this category.

Agricultural Production and Real Estate Loans (AG & AGRE): Agricultural production loans are generally comprised of seasonal operating lines of credit to grain farmers to plant and harvest corn and soybeans and term loans to fund the purchase of equipment. The Company also offers long term financing to purchase agricultural real estate. Specific underwriting standards have been established for agricultural-related loans including the establishment of projections for each operating year based on industry-developed estimates of farm input costs and expected commodity yields and prices. Operating lines are typically written for one year and secured by the crop and other farm assets as considered necessary. The Company is approved to sell agricultural loans in the secondary market through the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation and uses this relationship to manage interest rate risk within the portfolio.

Consumer and Margin Loans (CON & MAR): Consumer loans are those loans secured by household assets. Margin loans are those loans secured by marketable securities. The term and maximum amount for these loans are determined by considering the purpose of the loan, the margin (advance percentage against value) in all collateral, the primary source of repayment, and the borrower’s other related cash flow.

Allowance for Loan Losses: The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses charged to net interest income. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectability of the loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

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Merchants Bancorp

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The allowance consists of allocated and general components. The allocated component relates to loans that are classified as impaired. For those loans that are classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers non-impaired loans and is based on historical charge-off experience and expected loss from default derived from the Company’s internal risk rating process. Other adjustments may be made to the allowance for pools of loans after an assessment of internal or external influences on credit quality that are not fully reflected in the historical loss or risk rating data.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for commercial and construction loans by the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. For impaired loans where the Company utilizes discounted cash flows to determine the level of impairment, the Company includes the entire change in the present value of cash flows as a provision for loan loss.

Groups of loans with similar risk characteristics are collectively evaluated for impairment based on the group’s historical loss experience adjusted for changes in trends, conditions and other relevant factors that affect repayment of the loans. Accordingly, the Company does not separately identify individual consumer and residential loans for impairment measurements, unless such loans are the subject of a restructuring agreement due to financial difficulties of the borrower.

In the course of working with borrowers, the Company may choose to restructure the contractual terms of certain loans. In restructuring the loan, the Company attempts to work out an alternative payment schedule with the borrower in order to optimize collectability of the loan. A troubled debt restructuring (“TDR)” occurs when, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, the Company grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider. Terms may be modified to fit the ability of the borrower to repay in line with its current financial status, and the restructuring of the loan may include the transfer of assets from the borrower to satisfy the debt, a modification of loan terms, or a combination of the two.

Nonaccrual loans, including TDRs that have not met the six-month minimum performance criterion, are reported as nonperforming loans. For all loan classes, it is the Company’s policy to have any restructured loans which are on nonaccrual status prior to being restructured remain on nonaccrual status until three months of satisfactory borrower performance, at which time management would consider its return to accrual status. A loan is generally classified as nonaccrual when the Company believes that receipt of principal and interest is doubtful under the terms of the loan agreement. Most generally, this is at 90 or more days past due.

With regard to determination of the amount of the allowance for credit losses, restructured loans are considered to be impaired. As a result, the determination of the amount of impaired loans for each loan portfolio segment within troubled debt restructurings is the same as detailed previously above.

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Merchants Bancorp

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The following tables present, by loan portfolio segment, the activity in the allowance for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 and the recorded investment in loans and impairment method as of March 31, 2021:


	At or For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
	MTG WHLOC		RES RE		MF RE		CML & CRE		AG & AGRE		CON & MAR		TOTAL

	(In thousands)
Allowance for loan losses
Balance, beginning of period	$	4,018	$	3,334	$	14,731	$	4,641	$	636	$	140	$	27,500
Provision (credit) for loan losses		(697)		266		2,405		(309)		(4)		2		1,663
Loans charged to the allowance		—		—		—		(68)		—		(6)		(74)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off		—		—		—		—		—		2		2
Balance, end of period	$	3,321	$	3,600	$	17,136	$	4,264	$	632	$	138	$	29,091
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	—	$	3	$	—	$	1,518	$	—	$	—	$	1,521
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	3,321	$	3,597	$	17,136	$	2,746	$	632	$	138	$	27,570
Loans
Ending balance	$	1,334,548	$	731,334	$	3,206,633	$	357,682	$	96,108	$	13,077	$	5,739,382
Ending balance individually evaluated for impairment	$	—	$	2,757	$	—	$	6,042	$	180	$	6	$	8,985
Ending balance collectively evaluated for impairment	$	1,334,548	$	728,577	$	3,206,633	$	351,640	$	95,928	$	13,071	$	5,730,397


	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
	MTG WHLOC		RES RE		MF RE		CML & CRE		AG & AGRE		CON & MAR		TOTAL

	(In thousands)
Allowance for loan losses
Balance, beginning of period	$	1,913	$	2,042	$	7,018	$	4,173	$	523	$	173	$	15,842
Provision (credit) for loan losses		796		20		676		1,445		38		23		2,998
Loans charged to the allowance		—		—		—		—		—		(1)		(1)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off		—		—		—		44		—		—		44
Balance, end of period	$	2,709	$	2,062	$	7,694	$	5,662	$	561	$	195	$	18,883

The following table presents the allowance for loan losses and the recorded investment in loans and impairment method as of December 31, 2020:


	December 31, 2020
	MTG WHLOC		RES RE		MF RE		CML & CRE		AG & AGRE		CON & MAR		TOTAL

	(In thousands)
Allowance for loan losses
Balance, December 31, 2020	$	4,018	$	3,334	$	14,731	$	4,641	$	636	$	140	$	27,500
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	—	$	7	$	—	$	1,606	$	—	$	—	$	1,613
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	4,018	$	3,327	$	14,731	$	3,035	$	636	$	140	$	25,887
Loans
Balance, December 31, 2020	$	1,605,745	$	678,848	$	2,749,020	$	387,294	$	101,268	$	13,251	$	5,535,426
Ending balance individually evaluated for impairment	$	—	$	2,761	$	—	$	9,591	$	2,100	$	12	$	14,464
Ending balance collectively evaluated for impairment	$	1,605,745	$	676,087	$	2,749,020	$	377,703	$	99,168	$	13,239	$	5,520,962

Internal Risk Categories

In adherence with policy, the Company uses the following internal risk grading categories and definitions for loans:

Average or above – Loans to borrowers of satisfactory financial strength or better. Earnings performance is consistent with primary and secondary sources of repayment that are well defined and adequate to retire the debt in a

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Merchants Bancorp

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

timely and orderly fashion. These businesses would generally exhibit satisfactory asset quality and liquidity with moderate leverage, average performance to their peer group and experienced management in key positions. These loans are disclosed as “Acceptable and Above” in the following table.

Acceptable – Loans to borrowers involving more than average risk and which contain certain characteristics that require some supervision and attention by the lender. Asset quality is acceptable, but debt capacity is modest and little excess liquidity is available. The borrower may be fully leveraged and unable to sustain major setbacks. Covenants are structured to ensure adequate protection. Borrower’s management may have limited experience and depth. This category includes loans which are highly leveraged due to regulatory constraints, as well as loans involving reasonable exceptions to policy. These loans are disclosed as “Acceptable and Above” in the following table.

Special Mention (Watch) – This is a loan that is sound and collectable but contains potential risk. Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the institution’s credit position at some future date.

Special Mention (Watch) – COVID-19 Deferrals – This is a loan that is sound and collectable but contains potential risk because the borrower has requested to defer payments, typically for 90 days, in response to COVID-related hardships. Interest is still accruing on these loans and they were not more than 30 days late at the time the deferral was granted. Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the institution’s credit position at some future date. This category includes only those loans that were not already in the Traditional Special Mention (Watch) or Substandard categories.

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

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

The following tables present the credit risk profile of the Company’s loan portfolio based on internal rating category and payment activity as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:


	March 31, 2021
	MTG WHLOC		RES RE		MF RE		CML & CRE		AG & AGRE		CON & MAR		TOTAL

	(In thousands)

Special Mention (Watch)	$	—	$	833	$	128,037	$	2,403	$	3,923	$	32	$	135,228
Special Mention (Watch) - COVID-19 Deferrals		—		121		186		83		—		—		390
Substandard		—		2,757		—		6,042		180		6		8,985
Acceptable and Above		1,334,548		727,623		3,078,410		349,154		92,005		13,039		5,594,779
Total	$	1,334,548	$	731,334	$	3,206,633	$	357,682	$	96,108	$	13,077	$	5,739,382

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)


	December 31, 2020
	MTG WHLOC		RES RE		MF RE		CML & CRE		AG & AGRE		CON & MAR		TOTAL

	(In thousands)

Special Mention (Watch)	$	222	$	853	$	145,050	$	2,620	$	4,160	$	34	$	152,939
Special Mention (Watch) - COVID-19 Deferrals		—		383		185		110		—		—		678
Substandard		—		2,761		—		9,591		2,100		12		14,464
Acceptable and Above		1,605,523		674,851		2,603,785		374,973		95,008		13,205		5,367,345
Total	$	1,605,745	$	678,848	$	2,749,020	$	387,294	$	101,268	$	13,251	$	5,535,426

The Company evaluates the loan risk grading system definitions and allowance for loan loss methodology on an ongoing basis. No significant changes were made to either during the past year.

The following tables present the Company’s loan portfolio aging analysis of the recorded investment in loans as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. There were 9 loans totaling $37.2 million at March 31, 2021 that have been modified in accordance with the CARES Act and therefore not classified as delinquent. These loans have been granted extended dates to make payments and no payments were due as of March 31, 2021.


	March 31, 2021
	30-59 Days		60-89 Days		Greater Than		Total				Total
	Past Due		Past Due		90 Days		Past Due		Current		Loans

	(In thousands)
MTG WHLOC	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	1,334,548	$	1,334,548
RES RE		316		76		656		1,048		730,286		731,334
MF RE		—		—		—		—		3,206,633		3,206,633
CML & CRE		1,004		182		1,935		3,121		354,561		357,682
AG & AGRE		415		—		1,955		2,370		93,738		96,108
CON & MAR		35		—		14		49		13,028		13,077
	$	1,770	$	258	$	4,560	$	6,588	$	5,732,794	$	5,739,382


	December 31, 2020
	30-59 Days		60-89 Days		Greater Than		Total				Total
	Past Due		Past Due		90 Days		Past Due		Current		Loans

	(In thousands)
MTG WHLOC	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	1,605,745	$	1,605,745
RES RE		364		80		630		1,074		677,774		678,848
MF RE		—		36,760		—		36,760		2,712,260		2,749,020
CML & CRE		608		76		3,582		4,266		383,028		387,294
AG & AGRE		3,769		—		1,934		5,703		95,565		101,268
CON & MAR		7		—		19		26		13,225		13,251
	$	4,748	$	36,916	$	6,165	$	47,829	$	5,487,597	$	5,535,426

A loan is considered impaired, in accordance with the impairment accounting guidance (ASC 310-10-35-16), when based on current information and events, it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due from the borrower in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan. Impaired loans include nonperforming commercial loans but also include loans modified in TDRs.

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Merchants Bancorp

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The following tables present impaired loans and specific valuation allowance information based on class level as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:


	March 31, 2021
	MTG WHLOC		RES RE		MF RE		CML & CRE		AG & AGRE		CON & MAR		TOTAL

	(In thousands)
Impaired loans without a specific allowance:
Recorded investment	$	—	$	2,703	$	—	$	436	$	180	$	6	$	3,325
Unpaid principal balance		—		2,703		—		436		180		6		3,325
Impaired loans with a specific allowance:
Recorded investment		—		54		—		5,606		—		—		5,660
Unpaid principal balance		—		54		—		5,606		—		—		5,660
Specific allowance		—		3		—		1,518		—		—		1,521
Total impaired loans:
Recorded investment		—		2,757		—		6,042		180		6		8,985
Unpaid principal balance		—		2,757		—		6,042		180		6		8,985
Specific allowance		—		3		—		1,518		—		—		1,521


	December 31, 2020
	MTG WHLOC		RES RE		MF RE		CML & CRE		AG & AGRE		CON & MAR		TOTAL

	(In thousands)
Impaired loans without a specific allowance:
Recorded investment	$	—	$	2,704	$	—	$	3,319	$	2,100	$	7	$	8,130
Unpaid principal balance		—		2,704		—		3,319		2,100		7		8,130
Impaired loans with a specific allowance:		—
Recorded investment		—		57		—		6,272		—		5		6,334
Unpaid principal balance		—		57		—		6,272		—		5		6,334
Specific allowance		—		7		—		1,606		—		—		1,613
Total impaired loans:
Recorded investment		—		2,761		—		9,591		2,100		12		14,464
Unpaid principal balance		—		2,761		—		9,591		2,100		12		14,464
Specific allowance		—		7		—		1,606		—		—		1,613

The following tables present by portfolio class, information related to the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:


	MTG WHLOC		RES RE		MF RE		CML & CRE		AG & AGRE		CON & MAR		TOTAL

	(In thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
Average recorded investment in impaired loans	$	—	$	2,761	$	—	$	8,018	$	1,620	$	8	$	12,407
Interest income recognized		—		10		—		205		—		—		215

Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
Average recorded investment in impaired loans	$	231	$	3,088	$	—	$	9,502	$	2,043	$	20	$	14,884
Interest income recognized		—		16		—		131		—		—		147

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Merchants Bancorp

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The following table presents the Company’s nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.


	March 31,				December 31,
	2021				2020
			Total Loans >				Total Loans >
			90 Days &				90 Days &
	Nonaccrual		Accruing		Nonaccrual		Accruing

	(In thousands)
RES RE	$	583	$	40	$	578	$	69
CML & CRE		1,636		25		2,052		1,240
AG & AGRE		180		2,197		181		2,181
CON & MAR		6		7		12		8

	$	2,405	$	2,269	$	2,823	$	3,498

No troubled loans were restructured during the three months ended March 31, 2021 or 2020. No restructured loans defaulted during the three months ended March 31, 2021 or 2020. Loan modifications or forbearances related to the COVID-19 pandemic will generally not be considered TDRs.

The CARES Act included several provisions designed to help financial institutions like the Company in working with their customers. Section 4013 of the CARES Act, as extended, allows a financial institution to elect to suspend generally accepted accounting principles and regulatory determinations with respect to qualifying loan modifications related to COVID-19 that would otherwise be categorized as a TDR until January 1, 2022. The Company has taken advantage of this provision to extend certain payment modifications to loan customers in need. As of March 31, 2021, the Company has $37.2 million of outstanding loans that were modified during 2020 and 2021 under the CARES Act guidance, that remain on modified terms. The Company modified other loans under the guidance that have since returned to normal repayment status as of March 31, 2021.

There were two customers with a combined residential loan balance of $692,000 in the process of foreclosure as of March 31, 2021, and there were no residential loans in process of foreclosure as of March 31, 2020.

Note 5: Borrowings

The Company joined the American Financial Exchange (“AFX”) in January of 2021. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company utilized unsecured overnight lending arrangements to borrow from other AFX members through extensions of credit. At March 31, 2021, members of the AFX offered a combined borrowing limit of $275.0 million, but availability fluctuates daily. As of March 31, 2021, the outstanding balance was $25.0 million with a rate of 0.06%. Rates are set daily by participating members and may vary by lending member.

Note 6: Regulatory Matters

The Company, Merchants Bank, and FMBI are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly additional discretionary, actions by federal and state banking regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company, Merchants Bank, and FMBI must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s, Merchants Bank’s, and FMBI’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s, Merchants Bank’s, and FMBI’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, and other factors. Furthermore, the Company’s, Merchants Bank’s, and FMBI’s regulators could require adjustments to regulatory capital not reflected in these financial statements.

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Merchants Bancorp

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

On November 13, 2019, the federal regulators finalized and adopted a regulatory capital rule establishing a new community bank leverage ratio (“CBLR”), which became effective on January 1, 2020. The intent of CBLR is to provide a simple alternative measure of capital adequacy for electing qualifying depository institutions and depository institution holding companies, as directed under the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. Under CBLR, if a qualifying depository institution or depository institution holding company elects to use such measure, such institution or holding company will be considered well capitalized if its ratio of Tier 1 capital to average total consolidated assets (i.e., leverage ratio) exceeds a 9% threshold, subject to a limited two quarter grace period, during which the leverage ratio cannot go 100 basis points below the then applicable threshold, and will not be required to calculate and report risk-based capital ratios. Eligibility criteria to utilize CBLR includes the following:

●

Total assets of less than $10 billion,

●

Total trading assets plus liabilities of 5% or less of consolidated assets,

●

Total off-balance sheet exposures of 25% or less of consolidated assets,

●

Cannot be an advanced approaches banking organization, and

●

Leverage ratio greater than 9%, or temporarily reduced threshold established in response to COVID-19.

In April 2020, under the CARES Act, the 9% leverage ratio threshold was temporarily reduced to 8% in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The threshold increased to 8.5% in 2021 and will return to 9% in 2022. The Company, Merchants Bank, and FMBI elected to begin using CBLR in the first quarter of 2020 and all intend to utilize this measure for the foreseeable future and thus will not calculate or report risk-based capital ratios.

On December 2, 2020 the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) issued an interim final rule related to COVID-19 as it pertains to eligibility to utilize CBLR. The rule allows organizations with less than $10 billion in total assets as of December 31, 2019, to use the assets on that date to determine the applicability of various regulatory asset thresholds during 2020 and 2021.

Management believes, as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, that the Company, Merchants Bank, and FMBI met all the regulatory capital adequacy requirements with CBLR to be classified as well-capitalized, and management is not aware of any conditions or events since the most recent regulatory notification that would change the Company’s, Merchants Bank’s, or FMBI’s category.

As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the most recent notifications from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve”) categorized the Company as well capitalized and most recent notifications from the FDIC categorized Merchants Bank and FMBI as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Company’s, Merchants Bank’s, or FMBI’s category.

The Company’s, Merchants Bank’s, and FMBI’s actual capital amounts and ratios are presented in the following tables.



					Minimum Amount
					To Be Well
	Actual				Capitalized⁽¹⁾
	Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio

	(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2021
CBLR (Tier 1) capital⁽¹⁾ (to average assets)
(i.e., CBLR - leverage ratio)
Company	$	993,392	10.1	%	$	839,158	> 8.5	%
Merchants Bank		913,718	9.5	%		816,735	> 8.5	%
FMBI		25,492	9.6	%		22,537	> 8.5	%

(1)

As defined by regulatory agencies.

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Merchants Bancorp

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)



					Minimum Amount
					To Be Well
	Actual				Capitalized⁽¹⁾
	Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio

	(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2020
CBLR (Tier 1) capital⁽¹⁾ (to average assets)
(i.e., CBLR - leverage ratio)
Company	$	792,456	8.6	%	$	738,019	> 8	%
Merchants Bank		781,221	8.7	%		718,120	> 8	%
FMBI		24,456	9.8	%		19,979	> 8	%

(1)

As defined by regulatory agencies.

Failure to exceed the leverage ratio thresholds required under CBLR in the future, subject to any applicable grace period, would require the Company, Merchants Bank, and/or FMBI to return to the risk-based capital ratio thresholds previously utilized under the fully phased-in Basel III Capital Rules to determine capital adequacy.

Note 7: Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company uses derivative financial instruments to help manage exposure to interest rate risk and the effects that changes in interest rates may have on net income and the fair value of assets and liabilities.

Forward Sales Commitments and Interest Rate Lock Commitments

The Company enters into forward contracts for the future delivery of mortgage loans to third party investors and enters into interest rate lock commitments with potential borrowers to fund specific mortgage loans that will be sold into the secondary market. The forward contracts are entered into in order to economically hedge the effect of changes in interest rates resulting from the Company’s commitment to fund the loans.

Each of these items are considered derivatives, but are not designated as accounting hedges, and are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value reflected in noninterest income on the condensed consolidated statements of income. The fair value of derivative instruments with a positive fair value are reported in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets while derivative instruments with a negative fair value are reported in other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The following table presents the notional amount and fair value of interest rate locks and forward contracts utilized by the Company at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.


		Notional			Fair Value
		Amount	Balance Sheet Location		Asset		Liability

March 31, 2021		(In thousands)			(In thousands)
Interest rate lock commitments	$	201,344	Other assets/liabilities	$	467	$	1,080
Forward contracts	$	212,608	Other assets/liabilities		1,616		21
				$	2,083	$	1,101

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Merchants Bancorp

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)


		Notional			Fair Value
		Amount	Balance Sheet Location		Asset		Liability

December 31, 2020		(In thousands)			(In thousands)
Interest rate lock commitments	$	412,043	Other assets/liabilities	$	6,131	$	—
Forward contracts	$	304,024	Other assets/liabilities		—		2,682
				$	6,131	$	2,682

Fair values of these derivative financial instruments were estimated using changes in mortgage interest rates from the date the Company entered into the interest rate lock commitment and the balance sheet date. The following table summarizes the periodic changes in the fair value of the derivative financial instruments on the condensed consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020

		(In thousands)
Interest rate lock commitments	$	(6,744)	$	1,813
Forward contracts (includes pair-off settlements)		8,396		(1,844)
Net derivative gains (loss)	$	1,652	$	(31)

Derivatives on Behalf of Customers

The Company offers derivative contracts to some customers in connection with their risk management needs. These derivatives include interest rate swaps. The Company manages the risk associated with these contracts by entering into an equal and offsetting derivative with a third-party dealer. These derivatives generally work together as an economic interest rate hedge, but the Company does not designate them for hedge accounting treatment. Consequently, changes in fair value of the corresponding derivative financial asset or liability were recorded as either a charge or credit to current earnings during the period in which the changes occurred, typically resulting in no net earnings impact. The fair values of derivative assets and liabilities related to derivatives for customers with interest rate swaps were recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as follows:


		Notional			Fair Value
		Amount	Balance Sheet Location		Asset		Liability

		(In thousands)			(In thousands)
March 31, 2021	$	88,384	Other assets/liabilities	$	2,284	$	2,284
December 31, 2020	$	82,726	Other assets/liabilities	$	3,170	$	3,170

The gross gains and losses on these derivative assets and liabilities were recorded in Other Noninterest income and Other Noninterest expense in the condensed consolidated statements of income as follows:


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020

		(In thousands)
Gross swap gains	$	886	$	2,703
Gross swap losses		(886)		(2,703)
Net swap gains (losses)	$	—	$	—

The Company pledged $3.9 million in collateral to secure its obligations under swap contracts at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

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Merchants Bancorp

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Note 8: Disclosures about Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value measurements must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. There is a hierarchy of three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2 Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities

Level 3 Unobservable inputs supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities

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Merchants Bancorp

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Recurring Measurements

The following tables present the fair value measurements of assets and liabilities recognized in the accompanying balance sheets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:


	Fair Value Measurements Using
			Quoted Prices in		Significant
			Active Markets		Other		Significant
			for Identical		Observable		Unobservable
	Fair		Assets		Inputs		Inputs
Assets	Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)

	(In thousands)
March 31, 2021
Mortgage loans in process of securitization	$	432,063	$	—	$	432,063	$	—
Available for sale securities:
Treasury notes		4,042		4,042		—		—
Federal agencies		209,885		—		209,885		—
Municipals		6,034		—		6,034		—
Mortgage-backed - Government-sponsored entity (GSE) - residential		21,730		—		21,730		—
Loans held for sale		57,998		—		57,998		—
Mortgage servicing rights		96,215		—		—		96,215
Derivative assets - interest rate lock commitments		467		—		—		467
Derivative assets - forward contracts		1,616		—		1,616		—
Derivative assets - interest rate swaps		2,284		—		2,284		—
Derivative liabilities - interest rate lock commitments		1,080		—		—		1,080
Derivative liabilities - forward contracts		21		—		21		—
Derivative liabilities - interest rate swaps		2,284		—		2,284		—


December 31, 2020
Mortgage loans in process of securitization	$	338,733	$	—	$	338,733	$	—
Available for sale securities:
Treasury notes		6,559		6,559		—		—
Federal agencies		235,040		—		235,040		—
Municipals		6,025		—		6,025		—
Mortgage-backed - Government-sponsored entity (GSE) - residential		22,178		—		22,178		—
Loans held for sale		40,044		—		40,044		—
Mortgage servicing rights		82,604		—		—		82,604
Derivative assets - interest rate lock commitments		6,131		—		—		6,131
Derivative asset - interest rate swap		3,170		—		3,170		—
Derivative liabilities - forward contracts		2,682		—		2,682		—
Derivative liabilities - interest rate swap		3,170		—		3,170		—

Following is a description of the valuation methodologies and inputs used for assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and recognized in the accompanying balance sheets, as well as the general classification of such assets pursuant to the valuation hierarchy. There have been no significant changes in the valuation techniques during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020. For assets classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the process used to develop the reported fair value is described below.

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Merchants Bancorp

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Mortgage Loans in Process of Securitization and Available for Sale Securities

Where quoted market prices are available in an active market, securities such as U.S. Treasuries are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or independent asset pricing services and pricing models, the inputs of which are market-based or independently sourced market parameters, including, but not limited to, yield curves, interest rates, volatilities, prepayments, defaults, cumulative loss projections and cash flows. Such securities are classified in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy including federal agencies, mortgage-backed securities, municipal securities and Federal Housing Administration participation certificates. In certain cases where Level 1 or Level 2 inputs are not available, securities are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy.

Loans Held for Sale

Certain loans held for sale at fair value are saleable into the secondary mortgage markets and their fair values are estimated using observable quoted market or contracted prices, or market price equivalents, which would be used by other market participants. These saleable loans are considered Level 2.

Mortgage Servicing Rights

Mortgage servicing rights do not trade in an active, open market with readily observable prices. Accordingly, fair value is estimated using discounted cash flow models having significant inputs of discount rate, prepayment speed, and default rate. Due to the nature of the valuation inputs, mortgage servicing rights are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy.

The Chief Financial Officer’s (“CFO”) office contracts with a pricing specialist to generate fair value estimates on a quarterly basis. The CFO’s office challenges the reasonableness of the assumptions used and reviews the methodology to ensure the estimated fair value complies with accounting standards generally accepted in the United States.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company estimates the fair value of interest rate lock commitments based on the value of the underlying mortgage loan, quoted mortgage backed security prices, estimates of the fair value of the mortgage servicing rights, and an estimate of the probability that the mortgage loan will fund within the terms of the interest rate lock commitment, net of expenses. With respect to its interest rate lock commitments, management determined that a Level 3 classification was most appropriate based on the various significant unobservable inputs utilized in estimating the fair value of its interest rate lock commitments. The Company estimates the fair value of forward sales commitments based on market quotes of mortgage backed security prices for securities similar to the ones used, which are considered Level 2. The fair value of interest rate swaps is based on prices that are obtained from a third party that uses observable market inputs, thereby supporting a Level 2 classification. Changes in fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments are recognized through noninterest income and/or noninterest expenses on its condensed consolidated statement of income.

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Merchants Bancorp

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Level 3 Reconciliation

The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of recurring fair value measurements recognized in the accompanying balance sheets using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021		2020

	(In thousands)
Mortgage servicing rights
Balance, beginning of period	$	82,604	$	74,387
Additions
Originated and purchased servicing		10,181		3,929
Subtractions
Paydowns		(3,448)		(1,858)
Changes in fair value due to changes in valuation inputs or assumptions used in the valuation model		6,878		(6,480)
Balance, end of period	$	96,215	$	69,978

Derivative Assets - interest rate lock commitments
Balance, beginning of period	$	6,131	$	186
Changes in fair value		(5,664)		1,893
Balance, end of period	$	467	$	2,079

Derivative Liabilities - interest rate lock commitments
Balance, beginning of period	$	—	$	—
Changes in fair value		1,080		80
Balance, end of period	$	1,080		80

Nonrecurring Measurements

The following table presents the fair value measurement of assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.


	Fair Value Measurements Using
			Quoted Prices in		Significant
			Active Markets		Other		Significant
			for Identical		Observable		Unobservable
	Fair		Assets		Inputs		Inputs
Assets	Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)

	(In thousands)
March 31, 2021
Impaired loans (collateral-dependent)	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
December 31, 2020
Impaired loans (collateral-dependent)	$	4,059	$	—	$	—	$	4,059

Following is a description of the valuation methodologies and inputs used for assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and recognized in the accompanying balance sheet, as well as the general classification of such assets pursuant to the valuation hierarchy. For assets classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the process used to develop the reported fair value is described below.

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Merchants Bancorp

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Collateral-Dependent Impaired Loans, Net of Allowance for Loan Losses

The estimated fair value of collateral-dependent impaired loans is based on the appraised fair value of the collateral, less estimated cost to sell. Collateral-dependent impaired loans are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

The Company considers the appraisal or evaluation as the starting point for determining fair value and then considers other factors and events in the environment that may affect the fair value. Appraisals of the collateral underlying collateral-dependent loans are obtained when the loan is determined to be collateral-dependent and subsequently as deemed necessary by the Company’s Chief Credit Officer’s (“CCO”) office. Appraisals are reviewed for accuracy and consistency by the CCO’s office. Appraisers are selected from the list of approved appraisers maintained by management. The appraised values are reduced by discounts to consider lack of marketability and estimated cost to sell if repayment or satisfaction of the loan is dependent on the sale of the collateral. These discounts and estimates are developed by the CCO’s office by comparison to historical results.

Unobservable (Level 3) Inputs:

The following table presents quantitative information about unobservable inputs used in recurring and nonrecurring Level 3 fair value measurements other than goodwill.


			Valuation			Weighted
	Fair Value		Technique	Unobservable Inputs	Range	Average
	(In thousands)
At March 31, 2021:
Collateral-dependent impaired loans	$	—	Market comparable properties	Marketability discount	-	-
Mortgage servicing rights - Multi-family	$	78,895	Discounted cash flow	Discount rate	8% - 13%	8%
				Constant prepayment rate	1% - 41%	3%
Mortgage servicing rights - Single-family	$	17,320	Discounted cash flow	Mortgage yield	10%	10%
				Constant prepayment rate	10% - 11%	10%
Derivative assets - interest rate lock commitments	$	467	Discounted cash flow	Loan closing rates	60%-99%	78%
Derivative liabilities - interest rate lock commitments	$	1,080	Discounted cash flow	Loan closing rates	60%-99%	78%

At December 31, 2020:
Collateral-dependent impaired loans	$	4,059	Market comparable properties	Marketability discount	43%	43%
Mortgage servicing rights - Multi-family	$	73,569	Discounted cash flow	Discount rate	8% - 13%	9%
				Constant prepayment rate	2% - 43%	4%
Mortgage servicing rights - Single-family	$	9,035	Discounted cash flow	Discount rate	11%	11%
				Constant prepayment rate	8% - 35%	16%
Derivative assets - interest rate lock commitments	$	6,131	Discounted cash flow	Loan closing rates	55% - 99%	75%

Sensitivity of Significant Unobservable Inputs

The following is a discussion of the sensitivity of significant unobservable inputs, the interrelationships between those inputs and other unobservable inputs used in recurring fair value measurement, and of how those inputs might magnify or mitigate the effect of changes in the unobservable inputs on the fair value measurement.

Mortgage Servicing Rights

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s mortgage servicing rights are discount rates and constant prepayment rates. These two inputs can drive a significant amount of a market participant’s valuation of mortgage servicing rights. Significant increases (decreases) in the discount rate or assumed constant prepayment rates used to value mortgage servicing rights would decrease (increase) the value derived.

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Merchants Bancorp

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following table presents the carrying amount and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments not carried at fair value and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.


			Fair Value Measurements Using
					Quoted Prices in		Significant
					Active Markets		Other		Significant
					for Identical		Observable		Unobservable
	Carrying		Fair		Assets		Inputs		Inputs
Assets	Value		Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)

	(In thousands)
March 31, 2021
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	269,439	$	269,439	$	269,439	$	—	$	—
Securities purchased under agreements to resell		6,544		6,544		—		6,544		—
FHLB stock		70,656		70,656		—		70,656		—
Loans held for sale		2,691,664		2,691,664		—		2,691,664		—
Loans, net		5,710,291		5,663,060		—		—		5,663,060
Interest receivable		22,111		22,111		—		22,111		—
Financial liabilities:
Deposits		8,063,181		8,065,318		7,570,841		494,477		—
Short-term subordinated debt		14,960		14,960		—		14,960		—
FHLB advances		406,027		406,163		—		406,163		—
Other borrowing		124,173		124,173		—		124,173		—
Interest payable		2,090		2,090		—		2,090		—

December 31, 2020
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	179,728	$	179,728	$	179,728	$	—	$	—
Securities purchased under agreements to resell		6,580		6,580		—		6,580		—
FHLB stock		70,656		70,656		—		70,656		—
Loans held for sale		3,030,110		3,030,110		—		3,030,110		—
Loans, net		5,507,926		5,484,824		—		—		5,484,824
Interest receivable		21,770		21,770		—		21,770		—
Financial liabilities:
Deposits		7,408,066		7,410,759		7,051,413		359,346		—
Short-term subordinated debt		14,960		14,960		—		14,960		—
FHLB advances		1,221,071		1,221,870		—		1,221,870		—
Federal Reserve discount window/PPPLF advances		112,225		112,225		—		112,225		—
Interest payable		1,476		1,476		—		1,476		—

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Merchants Bancorp

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Note 9: Earnings Per Share

Earnings per share were computed as follows:


	Three Month Periods Ended March 31,
	2021					2020
			Weighted-	Per				Weighted-	Per
	Net		Average	Share		Net		Average	Share
	Income		Shares	Amount		Income		Shares	Amount
	(In thousands)					(In thousands)
Net income	$	61,983				$	24,583
Dividends on preferred stock		(3,757)					(3,618)
Net income allocated to common shareholders	$	58,226				$	20,965
Basic earnings per share			28,772,092	$	2.02			28,734,632	$	0.73
Effect of dilutive securities-restricted stock awards			78,322					24,780
Diluted earnings per share			28,850,414	$	2.02			28,759,412	$	0.73

Note 10: Share-Based Payment Plans

Equity-based incentive awards are currently issued pursuant to the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2017 Incentive Plan”). Prior to the adoption of the 2017 Incentive Plan, the equity awards issued historically consisted of restricted stock awards issued pursuant to the Incentive Plan for Merchants Bank Executive Officers (the “Prior Incentive Plan”). As of the effective date of the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, no further awards will be granted under the Prior Incentive Plan. However, any previously outstanding incentive award granted under the Prior Incentive Plan remains subject to the terms of such plan until the time it is no longer outstanding. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, the Company issued 35,056 and 36,046 shares, respectively, pursuant to these plans.

During 2018, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved a plan for non-executive directors to receive a portion of their annual retainer fees in the form of shares of common stock equal to $10,000, rounded up to the nearest whole share. There were no shares issued to non-executive directors during the three months ended March 31, 2021 or March 31, 2020. In January 2021, the Board of Directors amended the plan for nonexecutive directors to receive a portion of their annual fees, issued quarterly, in the form of restricted common stock equal to $50,000 per member, rounded up to the nearest whole share, to be effective after the Company’s next annual meeting of shareholders.

Note 11: Segment Information

The Company’s business segments are defined as Multi-family Mortgage Banking, Mortgage Warehousing, and Banking. The reportable business segments are consistent with the internal reporting and evaluation of the principal lines of business of the Company. The Multi-family Mortgage Banking segment originates and services government sponsored mortgages for multi-family and healthcare facilities. The Mortgage Warehousing segment funds agency eligible residential loans from the date of origination or purchase, until the date of sale in the secondary market, as well as commercial loans to non-depository financial institutions. The Banking segment provides a wide range of financial products and services to consumers and businesses, including retail banking, commercial lending, agricultural lending, retail and correspondent residential mortgage banking, and Small Business Administration (“SBA”) lending. Other includes general and administrative expenses that provide services to all segments, internal funds transfer pricing offsets resulting from allocations to/from the other segments; certain elimination entries and investments in qualified affordable housing limited partnerships. All operations are domestic.

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Merchants Bancorp

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The tables below present selected business segment financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.


	Multi-family
	Mortgage		Mortgage
	Banking		Warehousing		Banking		Other		Total

	(In thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
Interest income	$	207	$	38,587	$	39,540	$	1,215	$	79,549
Interest expense		—		1,724		6,439		(577)		7,586
Net interest income		207		36,863		33,101		1,792		71,963
Provision for loan losses		—		(1,084)		2,747		—		1,663
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		207		37,947		30,354		1,792		70,300
Noninterest income		33,234		4,117		7,678		(1,093)		43,936
Noninterest expense		16,444		2,896		7,125		3,619		30,084
Income before income taxes		16,997		39,168		30,907		(2,920)		84,152
Income taxes		5,036		9,985		7,882		(734)		22,169
Net income (loss)	$	11,961	$	29,183	$	23,025	$	(2,186)	$	61,983
Total assets	$	219,954	$	4,383,759	$	5,010,799	$	90,748	$	9,705,260


	Multi-family
	Mortgage		Mortgage
	Banking		Warehousing		Banking		Other		Total

	(In thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
Interest income	$	420	$	30,099	$	29,230	$	668	$	60,417
Interest expense		—		12,085		11,807		(1,828)		22,064
Net interest income		420		18,014		17,423		2,496		38,353
Provision for loan losses		—		1,180		1,818		—		2,998
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		420		16,834		15,605		2,496		35,355
Noninterest income		17,364		2,776		683		(921)		19,902
Noninterest expense		10,348		3,019		5,688		3,238		22,293
Income before income taxes		7,436		16,591		10,600		(1,663)		32,964
Income taxes		2,037		4,154		2,650		(460)		8,381
Net income (loss)	$	5,399	$	12,437	$	7,950	$	(1,203)	$	24,583
Total assets	$	180,772	$	4,362,423	$	3,323,750		41,453	$	7,908,398

Note 12: Preferred Stock Offerings

Public Offerings of Preferred Stock:

On March 28, 2019, the Company issued 2,000,000 shares of 7.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series A Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, without par value, and with a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”). The aggregate gross offering proceeds for the shares issued by the Company was $50.0 million, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses of approximately $1.7 million paid to third parties, the Company received total net proceeds of $48.3 million. On April 12, 2019, the Company issued an additional 81,800 shares of Series A Preferred Stock to the underwriters related to their exercise of an option to purchase additional shares under the associated underwriting agreement, resulting in an additional $2.0 million in net proceeds, after deducting $41,000 in underwriting discounts. The Series A Preferred Stock have no voting rights with respect to matters that generally require the approval of our common shareholders. Dividends on the Series A Preferred

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Merchants Bancorp

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Stock, to the extent declared by the Company’s board, are payable quarterly. The Company may redeem the Series A Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at our option, on any dividend payment date on or after April 1, 2024, subject to the approval of the appropriate federal banking agency, at the liquidation preference, plus any declared and unpaid dividends (without regard to any undeclared dividends) to, but excluding, the date of redemption.

On August 19, 2019, the Company issued 5,000,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/40^th interest in a share of its 6.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series B Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, without par value (the “Series B Preferred Stock”), and with a liquidation preference of $1,000.00 per share (equivalent to $25.00 per depositary share). The aggregate gross offering proceeds for the shares issued by the Company was $125.0 million, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses of approximately $4.2 million paid to third parties, the Company received total net proceeds of $120.8 million. The Series B Preferred Stock have no voting rights with respect to matters that generally require the approval of our common shareholders. Dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock, to the extent declared by the Company’s board, are payable quarterly. The Company may redeem the Series B Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at our option, on any dividend payment date on or after October 1, 2024, subject to the approval of the appropriate federal banking agency, at the liquidation preference, plus any declared and unpaid dividends (without regard to any undeclared dividends) to, but excluding, the date of redemption.

On March 23, 2021, the Company issued 6,000,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/40^th interest in a share of its 6.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series C Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, without par value (the “Series C Preferred Stock”), and with a liquidation preference of $1,000.00 per share (equivalent to $25.00 per depositary share). The aggregate gross offering proceeds for the shares issued by the Company was $150.0 million, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses of approximately $5.1 million paid to third parties, the Company received total net proceeds of $144.9 million. The Series C Preferred Stock have no voting rights with respect to matters that generally require the approval of our common shareholders. Dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock, to the extent declared by the Company’s board, are payable quarterly. The Company may redeem the Series C Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at our option, on any dividend payment date on or after April 1, 2026, subject to the approval of the appropriate federal banking agency, at the liquidation preference, plus any declared and unpaid dividends (without regard to any undeclared dividends) to, but excluding, the date of redemption.

Private Placement Offerings of Preferred Stock

The Company previously issued a total of 41,625 shares of 8% Non-Cumulative, Perpetual Preferred Stock, without par value, with a liquidation preference of $1,000.00 per share (8% Preferred Stock”) in private placement offerings. The Company was able to redeem this Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at our option, on any dividend payment date on or after December 31, 2020, subject to the approval of the appropriate federal banking agency, at the liquidation preference, plus any declared and unpaid dividends (without regard to any undeclared dividends) to, but excluding, the date of redemption.

On June 27, 2019 the Company issued an additional 874,000 shares of its 7.00% Series A Preferred Stock, without par value and with a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, for aggregate proceeds of $21.85 million. No underwriter or placement agent was involved in this private placement and the Company did not pay any brokerage or underwriting fees or discounts in connection with the issuance of such shares. The shares were purchased primarily by related parties, including Michael Petrie, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; Randall Rogers, Vice Chairman and a director and members of his family; Michael Dury, President of Merchants Capital; and other accredited investors.

On April 15, 2021, all 41,625 shares of the Company’s 8% preferred stock were redeemed for $41.6 million, plus unpaid dividends of $139,000. On May 6, 2021 these 8% preferred shareholders participated in a private offering to replace their redeemed shares with the Company’s 6% Series C preferred stock. Accordingly, 46,181 shares (1,847,233 depositary shares) of the Company’s 6% Series C preferred stock were issued at a price of $25 per depositary share. The total capital raised from the private offering was $46.1 million, net of $50,000 in expenses.

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Repurchase of Preferred Stock:

On September 23, 2019 the Company repurchased and subsequently retired 874,000 shares of its 7.00% Series A Preferred Stock, for its liquidation preference of $25 per share, at an aggregate cost of $21.85 million. There were no brokerage fees in connection with the transaction.

Note 13: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Company is an emerging growth company and as such will be subject to the effective dates noted for private companies if they differ from the effective dates noted for public companies.

FASB ASU 2016-02, Leases

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases.” Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date:

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A lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and

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A right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term.

Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. Certain targeted improvements were made to align, where necessary, lessor accounting with the lessee accounting model and Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The new lease guidance simplified the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. Lessees will no longer be provided with a source of off-balance sheet financing. Lessees (for capital and operating leases) and lessors (for sales-type, direct financing, and operating leases) must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The modified retrospective approach would not require any transition accounting for leases that expired before the earliest comparative period presented. Lessees and lessors may not apply a full retrospective transition approach.

As an emerging growth company, the amendments in ASU 2016-02 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and for interim periods for years beginning after January 1, 2022. The Company is continuing to evaluate the impact of adopting this new guidance, but it does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

FASB ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses”, commonly referred to as “CECL”. The amendments in this ASU replace the incurred loss model with a methodology that reflects the “current expected credit losses” over the life of the loan and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to calculate credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology with a new methodology that reflects expected credit losses over the lives of the loans and requires consideration of a broader range of information to form credit loss estimates. The ASU requires an organization to estimate all expected credit losses for financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loans and held-to-maturity debt securities, based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Additional disclosures are required.

As an emerging growth company, the amendments in ASU 2016-13 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Because the Company’s status as an emerging

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

growth company is expected to expire on December 31, 2022, this standard will likely be implemented by December 31, 2022. The Company has established a cross-functional committee that has developed a project plan to review modeling data currently available and technology needed to ensure compliance with this standard. The committee has contracted with a vendor to assist in generating specific loan level details within our core systems, as well as compiling peer and industry data that would be useful in our modeling forecasts. While the Company generally expects to recognize a one-time cumulative effect adjustment to the allowance for loan losses as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the new standard is effective, the Company cannot yet determine the magnitude of any such one-time adjustment or the overall impact of the new guidance on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Management continues to recognize that the implementation of this ASU may increase the balance of the allowance for loan losses and is continuing to evaluate the potential impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

FASB ASU 2019-12 - Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12. This ASU removes specific exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 in GAAP. It eliminates the need for an organization to analyze whether the following apply in a given period: (1) exception to the incremental approach for intraperiod tax allocation; (2) exceptions to accounting for basis differences when there are ownership changes in foreign investments; and (3) exception in interim period income tax accounting for year-to-date losses that exceed anticipated losses. The ASU also improves financial statement preparers’ application of income tax-related guidance and simplifies GAAP for: (1) franchise taxes that are partially based on income; (2) transactions with a government that result in a step up in the tax basis of goodwill; (3) separate financial statements of legal entities that are not subject to tax; and (4) enacted changes in tax laws in interim periods.

As an emerging growth company, the amendments in this update become effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new guidance but does not expect it to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASU 2020-04 - Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides temporary, optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for, or recognizing the effects of, the transition away from the LIBOR or other interbank offered rate on financial reporting. To help with the transition to new reference rates, the ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to affected contract modifications and hedge accounting relationships. The main provisions include:

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A change in a contract’s reference interest rate would be accounted for as a continuation of that contract rather than as the creation of a new one for contracts, including loans, debt, leases, and other arrangements, that meet specific criteria.

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When updating its hedging strategies in response to reference rate reform, an entity would be allowed to preserve its hedge accounting.

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Entities may apply this ASU as of the beginning of an interim period that includes the March 12, 2020 issuance date of the ASU, through December 31, 2022. The Company is in the process of implementing a transition plan to identify and modify its loans and other financial instruments with attributes that are either directly or indirectly influenced by LIBOR. The Company believes the adoption of this guidance on activities subsequent to December 31, 2020 through December 31, 2022 would not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Note 14: Subsequent Events

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this Form 10-Q, including, but not limited to, statements within Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and our financial performance. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “may,” “might,” “should,” “could,” “predict,” “potential,” “believe,” “expect,” “continue,” “will,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “goal,” “target,” “outlook,” “aim,” “would,” “annualized,” and “outlook,” or the negative version of those words or other comparable words or phrases of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control, such as the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, we caution that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions, estimates and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

A number of important factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements, including those factors identified in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 or “Item 2 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Form 10-Q or the following:

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impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the severity, magnitude, duration, and businesses’ and governments’ responses thereto, on the Company’s operations and personnel, and on activity and demand across its businesses;

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business and economic conditions, particularly those affecting the financial services industry and our primary market areas;

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our ability to successfully manage our credit risk and the sufficiency of our allowance for loan loss;

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factors that can impact the performance of our loan portfolio, including real estate values and liquidity in our primary market areas, the financial health of our commercial borrowers and the success of construction projects that we finance, including any loans acquired in acquisition transactions;

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compliance with governmental and regulatory requirements, including the Dodd-Frank Act and others relating to banking, consumer protection, securities, and tax matters;

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our ability to maintain licenses required in connection with multi-family mortgage origination, sale, and servicing operations;

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our ability to identify and address cyber-security risks, fraud, and systems errors;

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our ability to effectively execute our strategic plan and manage our growth;

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changes in our senior management team and our ability to attract, motivate, and retain qualified personnel;

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governmental monetary and fiscal policies, and changes in market interest rates;

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

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liquidity issues, including fluctuations in the fair value and liquidity of the securities we hold for sale and our ability to raise additional capital, if necessary;

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incremental costs and obligations associated with operating as a public company;

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effects of competition from a wide variety of local, regional, national, and other providers of financial, investment and insurance services;

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the impact of any claims or legal actions to which we may be subject, including any effect on our reputation; and

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changes in federal tax law or policy.

The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read together with the other cautionary statements included in this Form 10-Q. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise.

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

Management’s discussion and analysis of the financial condition at March 31, 2021 and results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, is intended to assist in understanding the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, appearing in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

The words “the Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to Merchants Bancorp and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless we indicate otherwise.

Financial Highlights for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021

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Net income of $62.0 million increased 152% compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020.

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Diluted earnings per share of $2.02 increased 177% compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020.

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The $37.4 million, or 152%, increase in net income compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020 was primarily driven by a $33.6 million, or 88%, increase in net interest income that reflected significant growth in multi-family and mortgage warehouse loans, and a $13.8 million increase in loan servicing fees associated with a positive fair market value adjustment to mortgage serving rights.

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Results reflected a $6.9 million positive fair market value adjustment to mortgage servicing rights compared to a $6.5 million negative adjustment in the three months ended March 31, 2020.

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Partially offsetting the increases in net income was a $7.8 million, or 35%, increase in noninterest expenses, primarily due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits to support higher loan production volumes. However, the efficiency ratio was 26.0% compared to 38.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

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The interest rate spread of 2.93% increased 74 basis points compared to 2.19% for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The net interest margin of 2.99% increased 59 basis points compared to 2.40% for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The increase reflected higher loan volume and lower funding costs that outpaced the lower interest rates on loans.

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Total assets of $9.7 billion increased $1.8 billion, or 23%, compared to March 31, 2020, driven primarily by growth in loans receivable due to higher loan volume generated in multi-family business.

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Return on average assets was 2.49% compared to 1.49% for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

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Credit quality remained strong, as nonperforming loans (nonaccrual and accruing loans greater or equal to 90 days past due) decreased to 0.08% of loans receivable at March 31, 2021, compared to 0.11% at December 31, 2020 and 0.19% at March 31, 2020.

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There was a 26% increase in warehouse loan volume compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020, which was lower than the industry volume increase of 94%, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. This volume growth reflected the strength of our lending platform, which was partially offset by our efforts to actively manage asset levels, while remaining well capitalized.

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The volume of loans originated and acquired for sale in the secondary market through our multi-family business decreased by $91.2 million, to $719.4 million, compared to $810.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, primarily driven by one unusually large loan in the amount of $337.5 million reported for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

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The Company completed a successful offering of its 6% Series C preferred stock on March 23, 2021, raising $144.9 million, net of $5.1 million in offering costs.

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Business Overview

We are a diversified bank holding company headquartered in Carmel, Indiana and registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. We currently operate in and service multiple lines of business, including multi-family housing, mortgage warehouse financing, retail and correspondent residential mortgage banking, agricultural lending, and traditional community banking.

Our business consists primarily of funding low risk loans that sell within 90 days of origination. The sale of loans and servicing fees generated primarily from the multi-family rental real estate loans servicing portfolio contribute to noninterest income. The funding source is primarily from mortgage custodial, municipal, retail, commercial, and brokered deposits. We believe that the combination of net interest income and noninterest income from the sale of low risk profile assets results in lower than industry charge offs and a lower expense base serving to maximize net income and shareholder return.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. These estimates are based upon historical experience and on various other assumptions that management believes are reasonable under the current circumstances. These estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities that are not readily available from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (“JOBS Act”) contains provisions that, among other things, reduce certain reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. As an “emerging growth company” we may delay adoption of new or revised accounting pronouncements applicable to public companies until such pronouncements are made applicable to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period until December 31, 2022, at the latest. Accordingly, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with such new or revised accounting standards.

The estimates and judgments that management believes have the most effect on its reported financial position and results of operations are set forth within “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. There have been no significant changes in critical accounting policies or the assumptions and judgments utilized in applying these policies since those reported for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Financial Condition

As of March 31, 2021, we had approximately $9.7 billion in total assets, $8.1 billion in deposits, and $1.0 billion in total shareholders’ equity. Total assets as of March 31, 2021 included approximately $269.4 million of cash and cash equivalents, $2.7 billion of loans held for sale and $5.7 billion of loans held for investment. It also includes $432.1 million of mortgage loans in the process of securitization that represent pre-sold multi-family rental real estate loan

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originations in primarily Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) mortgage backed securities pending settlements that typically occur within 30 days. There are $241.7 million of available for sale securities that are match funded with related custodial deposits. There are restrictions on the types of securities, as these are funded by certain custodial deposits where we set the cost of deposits based on the yield of the related securities. Mortgage servicing rights were $96.2 million at March 31, 2021 based on the fair value of the loan servicing, which are primarily GNMA servicing rights with 10-year call protection.

Comparison of Financial Condition at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020

Total Assets. Total assets increased $59.9 million, to $9.7 billion at March 31, 2021 from $9.6 billion at December 31, 2020. The increase was due primarily to increases in net loans receivable of $202.4, mortgage loans in process of securitization of $93.3 million, cash and cash equivalents of $89.7 million, mortgage servicing rights of $13.6 million and was partially offset by a decrease in loans held for sale of $320.5.

While we do not expect to continue the same asset growth rate we experienced in 2020 and do expect to continue to meet the eligibility of and utilize community bank leverage ratio (“CBLR”), including any applicable grace period (as discussed under the caption Liquidity and Capital Resources below), we may take advantage of market conditions that could present opportunities for continued growth, even if such opportunities result in us exceeding $10 billion in assets.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents increased $89.7 million, or 50%, to $269.4 million at March 31, 2021 from $179.7 million at December 31, 2020. The 50% increase reflected cash levels consistent with strategies to manage cash and borrowings most cost-effectively for our increased funding activities.

Mortgage Loans in Process of Securitization. Mortgage loans in process of securitization increased $93.4 million, or 28%, to $432.1 million at March 31, 2021, from $338.7 million at December 31, 2020. These represent loans that our banking subsidiary, Merchants Bank, has funded and are held pending settlement, primarily as GNMA mortgage-backed securities with a firm investor commitment to purchase the securities. The 28% increase was primarily due to an increase in the volume of loans that had not yet settled with government agencies.

Securities Available for Sale. Securities available for sale decreased $28.1 million, or 10%, to $241.7 million at March 31, 2021 from $269.8 million at December 31, 2020. The decrease in securities available for sale was primarily due to maturities, sales, and repayments of securities totaling $27.9 million during the period. We invest in available for sale securities primarily using funds from escrow deposits held at Merchants Bank, received in connection with our multi-family mortgage servicing activities. The available for sale securities are funded by, and paired with as to interest rates, escrow custodial deposits held at the Company on loans serviced by us. This portfolio of securities is structured to achieve a favorable interest rate spread.

Loans Held for Sale. Loans held for sale, comprised primarily of single-family residential real estate loan participations that meet Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), or GNMA eligibility, decreased $320.5 million, or 10%, to $2.7 billion at March 31, 2021 from $3.1 billion at December 31, 2020. The decrease in loans held for sale was due primarily to a decrease in warehouse and warehouse participations, as we actively managed asset levels, while remaining well capitalized.

Loans Receivable, Net. Loans receivable, net, which are comprised of loans held for investment, increased $202.4 million, or 4%, to $5.7 billion at March 31, 2021 compared to December 31, 2020. The increase in net loans was comprised primarily of:

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an increase of $457.6 million, or 17%, in multi-family and healthcare financing loans, to $3.2 billion at March 31, 2021, partially offset by

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a decrease of $271.2 million, or 17%, in mortgage warehouse lines of credit, to $1.3 billion at March 31, 2021.

The increase in multi-family and healthcare financing was due to higher origination volume for construction, bridge and other loans generated through our Multi-family segment that will remain on our balance sheet until they convert to permanent financing or are otherwise paid off over an average of one to three years.

The decrease in mortgage warehouse lines of credit was primarily due to a decrease in volume, consistent with industry trends. There was a 30% decrease in warehouse loan volume compared to the three months ended December 31, 2020, which compared to the industry volume decrease of 13%, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. This decline in volume reflected our efforts to actively manage asset levels, while remaining well capitalized.

As of March 31, 2021, approximately 94% of the total net loans at Merchants Bank reprice within three months.

Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses of $29.1 million at March 31, 2021 increased $1.6 million compared to December 31, 2020, and increased $10.2 million compared to March 31, 2020, primarily reflecting increases associated with loan growth and uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 91% of the $10.2 million compared to March 31, 2020, was related to loan growth and portfolio mix, while an additional provision associated with the COVID-19 pandemic represented approximately $0.6 million, or 6%, of the increase.

We have minimal direct exposure to consumer, commercial, and other small businesses that may be negatively impacted by COVID-19, but continues to assist customers facing financial setbacks. As of March 31, 2021, the Company had only 9 loans remaining in payment deferral arrangements, with unpaid balances of $37.2 million compared to $0.9 million at December 31, 2020, with the increase reflecting one multi-family loan for which full repayment is expected and is fully collateralized.

Also influencing the overall level of the allowance for loan losses is our differentiated strategy to typically hold loans with shorter durations and to maintain strict underwriting standards that enable us to sell the majority of our loans to government agencies.

Goodwill. Goodwill of $15.8 million at March 31, 2021 remained unchanged compared to December 31, 2020. At this time, we do not believe there exists any impairment to goodwill or intangible assets.

Mortgage Servicing Rights. Mortgage servicing rights increased $13.6 million, or 16%, to $96.2 million at March 31, 2021 compared to December 31, 2020. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, originated and purchased servicing of $10.2 million was offset by paydowns of $3.4 million and a fair value increase of $6.9 million. This positive fair market value adjustment reflected $4.7 million for single-family mortgages and $2.1 million for multi-family mortgages during the three months ended March 31, 2021. Mortgage servicing rights are recognized in connection with sales of loans when we retain servicing of the sold loans, as well as upon purchases of loan servicing portfolios. The mortgage servicing rights are recorded and carried at fair value. The fair value increase recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2021 was driven by higher loan balances of mortgages serviced and higher interest rates that impacted fair market value adjustments. The value of mortgage servicing rights generally increases in rising interest rate environments and declines in falling interest rate environments.

Deposits. Deposits increased $655.1 million, or 9%, to $8.1 billion at March 31, 2021 from $7.4 billion at December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily due to growth in savings and traditional demand accounts. Savings deposits increased $314.5 million, or 16%, to $2.3 billion at March 31, 2021, while demand deposits increased $204.9 million, or 4%, to $5.3 billion at March 31, 2021.

We have decreased our use of brokered deposits by $315.6 million, or 27%, to $858.2 million at March 31, 2021 from $1.2 billion at December 31, 2020. Brokered deposits represented 11% of total deposits at March 31, 2021, compared to 16% of total deposits at December 31, 2020.

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Brokered demand deposit accounts decreased by $295.0 million, or 36%, to $525.1 million at March 31, 2021 compared to December 31, 2020.

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Brokered certificates of deposit accounts decreased $16.1 million, or 55%, to $13.0 million at March 31, 2021 compared to December 31, 2020.

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Brokered savings deposits decreased $4.4 million, or 1%, to $320.0 million at March 31, 2021 compared to December 31, 2020.

Although our brokered deposits are short-term in nature, they may be more rate sensitive compared to other sources of funding. In the future, those depositors may not replace their brokered deposits with us as they mature, or we may have to pay a higher rate of interest to keep those deposits or to replace them with other deposits or other sources of funds. Not being able to maintain or replace those deposits as they mature would adversely affect our liquidity. Additionally, if Merchants Bank does not maintain its well-capitalized position, it may not accept or renew any brokered deposits without a waiver granted by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”).

Compared to December 31, 2020, interest-bearing deposits increased $690.1 million, or 11%, to $7.2 billion at March 31, 2021, and noninterest-bearing deposits decreased $35.0 million, to $818.6 million at March 31, 2021.

Borrowings. Borrowings totaled $545.2 million at March 31, 2021, a decrease of $803.1 million, or 60%, from December 31, 2020. Depending on rates and timing, borrowing can be a more effective liquidity management alternative than utilizing brokered certificates of deposits. The Company utilizes FHLB, the Federal Reserve’s discount window, the Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (“PPPLF”) and the American Financial Exchange (“AFX”), which is contributing to lower interest expense.

We also increased our unused and available borrowing capacity based on available collateral. As of March 31, 2021, we had $3.7 billion in unused lines of credit, compared to $2.6 billion at December 31, 2020. While the amounts available fluctuate daily, we also had an additional $250.0 million of borrowing capacity through our membership in the AFX as of March 31, 2021.

Total Shareholders’ Equity. Total shareholders’ equity increased $200.6 million, or 25%, to $1.0 billion at March 31, 2021 compared to December 31, 2020. The increase resulted primarily from a Series C 6% preferred stock offering on March 23, 2021, raising $144.9 million in new capital, net of $5.1 million in offering costs.

Asset Quality

The Company believes it has minimal direct exposure on loans to consumer, commercial and other small businesses that may be negatively impacted by COVID-19. As of March 31, 2021, we had only 9 loans remaining in payment deferral arrangements, with unpaid balances of $37.2 million. This increased compared to $0.9 million at December 31, 2020 was due to one multi-family loan for which full repayment is expected and is fully collateralized. Management has also assisted small businesses that could benefit from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act, particularly in the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). As of March 31, 2021, we had principal balances of $65.9 million in loans to small businesses under this program, compared to $60.2 million at December 31, 2020.

Total nonperforming loans (nonaccrual and greater than 90 days late but still accruing) were $4.7 million, or 0.08%, of loans receivable at March 31, 2021, compared to $6.3 million, or 0.11%, of total loans at December 31, 2020 and $6.6 million, or 0.19%, at March 31, 2020.

As a percentage of nonperforming loans, the allowance for loan losses was 622.4% at March 31, 2021 compared to 435.1% at December 31, 2020 and 288.0% at March 31, 2020. The changes compared to both periods were primarily due to the changes in the nonperforming loans.

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Merchants Bancorp

Total loans greater than 30 days past due were $6.6 million at March 31, 2021, $47.8 million at December 31, 2020, and $9.5 million at March 31, 2020.

Traditional Special Mention (Watch) loans were $135.2 million at March 31, 2021, compared to $152.9 million at December 31, 2020 and $48.3 million at March 31, 2020. The increase compared to March 31, 2020 reflected certain multi-family projects that have experienced cost over-runs funded by the borrower and lower than projected rent collections and occupancy levels, all of which have contributed to lower than projected cash flow of the projects. An additional category of Special Mention (Watch) loans was added as of June 30, 2020, and as of March 31, 2021 included $390,000 in arrangements related to COVID-19 deferral plans that were not already included in the traditional Special Mention or Substandard categories. Classified (substandard, doubtful and loss) loans were $9.0 million at March 31, 2021, $14.5 million at December 31, 2020 and $14.1 million at March 31, 2020.

During the three months ended March 31, 2021 there were $74,000 of charge-offs and $2,000 of recoveries, compared to $1,000 of charge-offs and $44,000 of recoveries for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

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

General. Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $62.0 million, an increase of $37.4 million, or 152%, from net income of $24.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The increase was due to a $33.6 million, or 88%, increase in net interest income that reflected significant growth in multi-family and mortgage warehouse loans, a $13.8 million increase in loan servicing fees that were primarily associated with a positive fair market value adjustment to mortgage servicing rights, and a $7.5 million, or 35%, increase in gain on sale of loans.

Partially offsetting the increases to net income was a $13.8 million increase in the provision for income taxes due to a 155% increase in pre-tax income, as well as a $7.0 million, or 49%, increase in salaries and employee benefits to support higher loan production volumes.

Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased $33.6 million, or 88%, to $72.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2020. The increase was due to significantly higher loan growth and higher net interest margin. The interest rate spread of 2.93% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 increased 74 basis points compared to 2.19% for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Our net interest margin increased 59 basis points, to 2.99%, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 from 2.40% for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The increase in net interest margin reflected higher loan volume and lower funding costs that outpaced the lower interest rates on loans.

Interest Income. Interest income increased $19.1 million, or 32%, to $79.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2020. This increase was primarily attributable to significant loan growth that was partially offset by lower rates.

The average balance of loans, including loans held for sale, during the three months ended March 31, 2021 increased $3.4 billion, or 67%, to $8.4 billion compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020, while the average yield on loans decreased 64 basis points, to 3.66%, for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to 4.30% for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The increase in average balances of loans and loans held for sale was primarily due to significant increases in multi-family volume. The decrease in the average yield on loans reflected higher loan volume and lower overall interest rates in the economy period to period.

The average balance of mortgage loans in process of securitization increased $150.5 million, or 43%, to $500.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $349.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, while the average yield decreased 68 basis points to 2.54% for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

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The average balance of interest-earning deposits and other decreased $166.9 million, or 21%, to $610.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 from $777.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, while the average yield decreased 105 basis points, to 0.35%, for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Interest Expense. Total interest expense decreased $14.5 million, or 66%, to $7.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Interest expense on deposits decreased $14.5 million, or 70%, to $6.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 from the three months ended March 31, 2020. The decrease was primarily due to significant decreases in balances and rates of brokered certificates of deposits, as well as higher balances of custodial interest-bearing checking accounts with warehouse customers that are tied to short-term LIBOR rates, which declined significantly. The average balance of certificates of deposits of $416.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 decreased $1.5 billion, or 79%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020. The average yield of certificates of deposits was 1.09% for the three months ended March 31, 2021, which was a 77 basis point decrease compared to 1.86% for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The average balance of interest-bearing deposits of $4.8 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2021 increased $2.7 billion, or 133%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020. The average yield of interest-bearing deposits was 0.10% for the three months ended March 31, 2021, which was a 124 basis point decrease compared to 1.34% for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Interest expense on borrowings increased 4%, to $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020. The increase was due primarily to a $521.6 million, or 180%, increase in the average balance of borrowings outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2021 that was partially offset by a 125 basis point decrease in the average cost of borrowings to 0.74%, compared to 1.99% for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The higher average balances for the three months ended March 31, 2021 reflected an increase in borrowing from the FHLB, the Federal Reserve discount window, PPPLF, and the AFX at lower rates. Also included in borrowings, our warehouse structured financing agreements provide for an additional interest payment for a portion of the earnings generated. As a result, the cost of borrowings increased from a base rate of 0.37% and 0.96%, to an effective rate of 0.74% and 1.99% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, information about (i) average balances, the total dollar amount of interest income from interest-earning assets and the resultant average yields; (ii) average balances, the total dollar amount of interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities and the resultant average rates; (iii) net interest income; (iv) the interest rate spread; and (v) the net interest margin. Yields have been calculated on a pre-tax basis. Nonaccrual loans are included in loans and loans held for sale.

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	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021						2020
			Interest						Interest
	Average		Income/		Yield/		Average		Income/		Yield/
	Balance		Expense		Rate		Balance		Expense		Rate

	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets:
Interest-bearing deposits, and other	$	610,884	$	531	0.35	%	$	777,820	$	2,698	1.40	%
Securities available for sale - taxable		267,428		354	0.54	%		293,964		1,322	1.81	%
Securities available for sale - tax exempt		1,366		11	3.27	%		5,305		37	2.81	%
Mortgage loans in process of securitization		500,234		3,136	2.54	%		349,746		2,796	3.22	%
Loans and loans held for sale		8,379,227		75,517	3.66	%		5,012,324		53,564	4.30	%
Total interest-earning assets		9,759,139		79,549	3.31	%		6,439,159		60,417	3.77	%
Allowance for loan losses		(28,308)						(15,841)
Noninterest-earning assets		222,080						181,076
Total assets	$	9,952,911					$	6,604,394

Liabilities/Equity:
Interest-bearing checking	$	4,806,665	$	1,210	0.10	%	$	2,064,967	$	6,891	1.34	%
Savings deposits		192,196		37	0.08	%		163,154		58	0.14	%
Money market		2,065,218		3,738	0.73	%		1,143,249		4,575	1.61	%
Certificates of deposit		416,426		1,115	1.09	%		1,964,622		9,106	1.86	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		7,480,505		6,100	0.33	%		5,335,992		20,630	1.55	%
Borrowings		810,856		1,486	0.74	%		289,263		1,434	1.99	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		8,291,361		7,586	0.37	%		5,625,255		22,064	1.58	%
Noninterest-bearing deposits		740,807						235,020
Noninterest-bearing liabilities		67,843						74,950
Total liabilities		9,100,011						5,935,225
Equity		852,900						669,169
Total liabilities and equity	$	9,952,911					$	6,604,394
Net interest income			$	71,963					$	38,353
Interest rate spread					2.93	%					2.19	%
Net interest-earning assets	$	1,467,778					$	813,904
Net interest margin					2.99	%					2.40	%
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities					117.70	%					114.47	%

Provision for Loan Losses. We recorded a provision for loan losses of $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, a decrease of $1.3 million, over the three months ended March 31, 2020. The allowance for loan losses was $29.1 million, or 0.51% of total loans, at March 31, 2021, compared to $27.5 million, or 0.50% of total loans, at December 31, 2020, and $18.9 million, or 0.54%, at March 31, 2020. The increases in the allowance for loan losses compared to both prior periods reflected increases associated with loan growth and uncertainties surrounding COVID-19. Additional details are provided in the Allowance for Loan Losses portion of the Comparison of Financial Condition at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. While it is too early to know the full extent of potential future losses associated with the impact of COVID-19, the Company continues to monitor the situation and may need to adjust future expectations as developments occur.

Noninterest Income. Noninterest income increased $24.0 million, or 121%, to $43.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020. The increase was primarily due to a $13.8 million, or 237%, increase in loan servicing fees that included a $6.9 million positive fair market value adjustment to mortgage servicing rights for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to a $6.5 million negative adjustment to fair value of mortgage servicing rights for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

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Also contributing to the increase in noninterest income was a $7.5 million, or 35%, increase in gain on sale of loans, to $28.6 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020, primarily from an increase in volume from multi-family mortgage loans.

A summary of the gain on sale of loans for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 is below:


		Gain on Sale of Loans
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,		March 31,
		2021		2020

		(in thousands)
Loan Type
Multi-family	$	22,836	$	18,852
Single-family		4,213		2,074
Small Business Association (SBA)		1,571		240
Total	$	28,620	$	21,166

Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense increased $7.8 million, or 35%, to $30.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020. The increase was due primarily to a $7.0 million, or 49% increase in salaries and employee benefits to support higher loan production volumes. Also contributing to the increase was a $1.4 million, or 117%, increase in loan expenses. The efficiency ratio was at 26.0% in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared with 38.3% in the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Income Taxes. Income tax expense increased $13.8 million, or 165%, to $22.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 from the three months ended March 31, 2020. The increase was due primarily to a 155% increase in pretax income period to period. The effective tax rate was 26.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 25.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Our Segments

We operate in three primary segments: Multi-family Mortgage Banking, Mortgage Warehousing, and Banking. We believe that Merchants Bank’s subsidiary, Merchants Capital Corp. (“MCC”), which operates in our Multi-Family Mortgage Banking segment, is one of the largest FHA lenders and GNMA servicers in the country based on aggregate loan principal value. As of March 31, 2021, MCC also had a $17.9 billion servicing portfolio for banks and investors, including $3.9 billion serviced for Merchants Bank. The servicing portfolio is primarily GNMA loans and is a significant source of our noninterest income and deposits.

Our Mortgage Warehousing segment funds agency eligible loans for non-depository financial institutions from the date of origination or purchase until the date of sale to an investor, which typically takes less than 30 days and is a significant source of our net interest income, loans, and deposits. Mortgage Warehousing has grown to fund over $20 billion of loan principal annually since 2015 and exceeded $111 billion in 2020. Mortgage Warehousing also provides commercial loans and collects deposits related to the mortgage escrow accounts of its customers.

The Banking segment includes retail banking, commercial lending, agricultural lending, retail and correspondent residential mortgage banking, PPP and SBA lending. Banking operates primarily in Indiana and Illinois, except for correspondent mortgage banking which, like Multi-family Mortgage Banking and Mortgage Warehousing, is a national business. The Banking segment has a well-diversified customer and borrower base and has experienced significant growth over the past three years.

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Merchants Bancorp

Our segments diversify the net income of Merchants Bank and provide synergies across the segments. The strategic opportunities include that MCC loans are funded by the Merchant Banking segment and the Banking segment provides GNMA custodial services to MCC. The securities available for sale funded by MCC custodial deposits, as well as loans generated by Merchants Bank, are pledged to the FHLB to provide advance capacity during periods of high residential loan volume for mortgage warehousing. Mortgage Warehousing provides leads to correspondent residential lending in the banking segment. Retail and commercial customers provide cross selling opportunities within the banking segment. These and other synergies form a part of our strategic plan.

For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, we had total net income of $62.0 million and $24.6 million, respectively. Net income for our three segments for the respective periods was as follows:


	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020

	(In thousands)
Multi-family Mortgage Banking	$	11,961	$	5,399
Mortgage Warehousing		29,183		12,437
Banking		23,025		7,950
Other		(2,186)		(1,203)

Total	$	61,983	$	24,583

Multi-family Mortgage Banking. The Multi-family Mortgage Banking segment reported net income of $12.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, an increase of $6.6 million, or 122%, from net income of $5.4 million reported for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The growth was primarily due to higher noninterest income from a $6.8 million increase in gain on sale of loans and a $9.3 million increase in loan servicing fees that reflected a positive fair market value adjustment of $2.1 million on multi-family mortgage servicing rights for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to a negative fair market value adjustment of $6.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Partially offsetting the increase in gain on sale of loans and loan servicing fees was a $6.1 million increase in noninterest expenses, primarily due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits to support higher loan production volumes, in addition to a $3.0 million increase in the provision for income taxes associated with a 129% higher pre-tax income compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Mortgage Warehousing. The Mortgage Warehousing segment reported net income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 of $29.2 million, an increase of $16.7 million, or 135%, over the three months ended March 31, 2020. The higher net income was primarily due to a $21.1 million, or 125%, increase in net interest income after provision for loan losses, associated with higher loan volume. There was a 26% increase in warehouse loan volume of $21.1 billion compared to $16.8 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2020, which was lower than the industry volume increase of 94%, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. This volume growth reflected the strength of our lending platform, which was partially offset by our efforts to actively manage asset levels, while remaining well capitalized. Also contributing to the increase in net income for the three months ended March 2021 compared to the prior year period was a $1.3 million, or 48%, increase in noninterest income that was offset by a $5.8 million increase in the provision for income taxes associated with a 136% higher pre-tax income.

Banking. The Banking segment reported net income of $23.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, an increase of $15.1 million, or 190%, over the three months ended March 31, 2020. The increase in net income was primarily due to $15.7 million higher net interest income and $4.9 million higher loan servicing fees that reflected a positive fair market value adjustment of $4.7 million on single-family mortgage servicing rights for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to an immaterial fair market value adjustment for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

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Partially offsetting the increase in net interest income and loan servicing fees was a $5.2 million increase in the provision for income taxes associated with a 192% higher pre-tax income compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity.

Our primary sources of funds are business and consumer deposits, escrow and custodial deposits, brokered deposits, borrowings, principal and interest payments on loans, and proceeds from sale of loans. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans are predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and mortgage prepayments are greatly influenced by market interest rates, economic conditions, and competition. Our most liquid assets are cash, short-term investments, including interest-bearing demand deposits, mortgage loans in process of securitization, and loans held for sale. The levels of these assets are dependent on our operating, financing, lending, and investing activities during any given period.

Our cash flows are comprised of three primary classifications: cash flows from operating activities, investing activities, and financing activities. Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities was $295.8 million and $(871.6) million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Net cash (used in) investing activities, which consists primarily of net change in loans receivable and purchases, sales and maturities of investment securities, was $(194.7) million and $(568.4) million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities, which is comprised primarily of net change in deposits, borrowings and preferred stock offerings was $(11.4) million and $1.5 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

At March 31, 2021, we had $1.6 billion in outstanding commitments to extend credit that are subject to credit risk and $3.1 billion outstanding commitments subject to certain performance criteria and cancellation by the Company, including loans pending closing, unfunded construction draws, and unfunded lines of warehouse credit. We anticipate that we will have sufficient funds available to meet our current loan origination commitments.

Within our role as a multi-family mortgage servicer for other banks and investors, we may be obligated to remit principal and interest payments to investors on certain loans regardless of the borrower’s ability to make payments, which could become more likely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. If there are situations where a borrower is granted a forbearance, the Company believes it has sufficient liquidity to cover these required advances. We have not received any requests for forbearance in our multi-family portfolio that is serviced for others as of March 31, 2021 but remain confident in our ability to fund potential advances we may be required to make as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Certificates of deposit that are scheduled to mature in less than one year from March 31, 2021 totaled $349.7 million. Management expects that a substantial portion of the maturing certificates of deposit will be renewed. However, if a substantial portion of these deposits is not retained, we may decide to utilize FHLB advances, the Federal Reserve discount window, brokered deposits, or raise interest rates on deposits to attract new accounts, which may result in higher levels of interest expense.

At March 31, 2021, based on available collateral, we had $3.7 billion in unused lines of credit with the FHLB, the Federal Reserve discount window. While the amounts available fluctuate daily, we also had an additional $250.0 million of borrowing capacity through our membership in the AFX as of March 31, 2021. This liquidity enhances the ability to effectively manage interest expense and asset levels in the future. The Company began utilizing the PPPLF and the Federal Reserve discount window during 2020, and AFX during the three months ended March 31, 2021.

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Capital Resources.

The access to and cost of funding for new business initiatives, the ability to engage in expanded business activities, the ability to pay dividends, the level of deposit insurance costs and the level and nature of regulatory oversight depend, in part, on our capital position. The Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC on December 30, 2019, which was declared effective on January 9, 2020, under which we can issue up to $300 million aggregate offering amount of registered securities to finance our growth objectives.

The assessment of capital adequacy depends on a number of factors, including asset quality, liquidity, earnings performance, changing competitive conditions and economic forces. We seek to maintain a strong capital base to support our growth and expansion activities, to provide stability to our current operations and to promote public confidence in our Company.

Shareholders’ Equity. Shareholders’ equity was $1.0 billion as of March 31, 2021, compared to $810.6 million as of December 31, 2020. The $200.6 million increase resulted primarily from a 6% Series C preferred stock offering on March 23, 2021, raising $144.9 million in new capital, net of $5.1 million in offering costs.

7% Series A Preferred Stock. In March 2019 the Company issued 2,000,000 shares of 7.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series A Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, without par value, and with a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share (“Series A Preferred Stock”). The Company received net proceeds of $48.3 million after underwriting discounts, commissions and direct offering expenses. In April 2019, the Company issued an additional 81,800 shares of Series A Preferred Stock to the underwriters related to their exercise of an option to purchase additional shares under the associated underwriting agreement, resulting in an addition $2.0 million in net proceeds, after underwriting discounts.

In June 2019 the Company issued an additional 874,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock for net proceeds of $21.85 million.

In September 2019 the Company repurchased and subsequently retired 874,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock at an aggregate cost of $21.85 million. There were no brokerage fees in connection with the transaction.

Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock, to the extent declared by the Company’s board, are payable quarterly at an annual rate of $1.75 per share through March 31, 2024. After such date, quarterly dividends will accrue and be payable at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 460.5 basis points per year. In the event that three-month LIBOR is less than zero, three-month LIBOR shall be deemed to be zero. The Company may redeem the Series A Preferred Stock at its option, subject to regulatory approval, on or after April 1, 2024, as described in the prospectus supplement relating to the offering filed with the SEC on March 22, 2019.

6% Series B Preferred Stock. In August 2019 the Company issued 5,000,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/40^th interest in a share of its 6.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series B Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, without par value, and with a liquidation preference of $1,000.00 per share (equivalent to $25.00 per depositary share)(“Series B Preferred Stock”). After deducting underwriting discounts, commissions, and direct offering expenses, the Company received total net proceeds of $120.8 million.

Dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock, to the extent declared by the Company’s board, are payable quarterly at an annual rate of $60.00 per depositary share (equivalent to $1.50 per depositary share) through September 30, 2024. After such date, quarterly dividends will accrue and be payable at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 456.9 basis points per year. In the event that three-month LIBOR is less than zero, three-month LIBOR shall be deemed to be zero. The Company may redeem the Series B Preferred Stock at its option, subject to regulatory approval, on or after October 1, 2024, as described in the prospectus supplement relating to the offering filed with the SEC on August 13, 2019.

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8% Preferred Stock. The Company previously issued a total of 41,625 shares of 8% Non-Cumulative, Perpetual Preferred Stock, without par value, with a liquidation preference of $1,000.00 per share (“8% Preferred Stock”) in private placement offerings.

Dividends on the 8% Preferred Stock, to the extent declared by the Company’s board, are payable quarterly at an annual rate of $80.00 per share. As of December 31, 2020, the 8% Preferred Stock became redeemable by the Company at any time, subject to regulatory approval and upon at least 30 days’ prior notice to the holders thereof.

On April 15, 2021, all 41,625 shares of the Company’s 8% preferred stock were redeemed for $41.6 million, plus unpaid dividends of $139,000.

6% Series C Preferred Stock. On March 23, 2021, the Company issued 6,000,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/40^th interest in a share of its 6.00% Fixed Rate Series C Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, without par value (the “Series C Preferred Stock”), and with a liquidation preference of $1,000.00 per share (equivalent to $25.00 per depositary share). The aggregate gross offering proceeds for the shares issued by the Company was $150.0 million, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses of approximately $5.1 million paid to third parties, the Company received total net proceeds of $144.9 million.

On May 6, 2021, our 8% preferred shareholders participated in a private offering to replace their redeemed 8% preferred shares with the Company’s 6% Series C preferred stock. Accordingly, 46,181 shares (1,847,233 depositary shares) of the Company’s 6% Series C preferred stock were issued at a price of $25 per depositary share. The total capital raised from the private offering was $46.1 million, net of $50,000 in expenses.

Dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock, to the extent declared by the Company’s board, are payable quarterly. The Company may redeem the Series C Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at our option, on any dividend payment date on or after April 1, 2026, subject to the approval of the appropriate federal banking agency, at the liquidation preference, plus any declared and unpaid dividends (without regard to any undeclared dividends) to, but excluding, the date of redemption.

Common Shares/Dividends. As of March 31, 2021, the Company had 28,782,139 common shares issued and outstanding. In February 2021, the Board declared quarterly dividends at an annual rate of $0.36 per share.

Capital Adequacy.

The following tables present the Company’s capital ratios at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:



					Minimum Amount
					To Be Well
	Actual				Capitalized⁽¹⁾
	Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio

	(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2021
CBLR (Tier 1) capital⁽¹⁾ (to average assets)
(i.e., CBLR - leverage ratio)
Company	$	993,392	10.1	%	$	839,158	> 8.5	%
Merchants Bank		913,718	9.5	%		816,735	> 8.5	%
FMBI		25,492	9.6	%		22,537	> 8.5	%

(1)

As defined by regulatory agencies.

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					Minimum Amount
					To Be Well
	Actual				Capitalized⁽¹⁾
	Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio

	(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2020
CBLR (Tier 1) capital⁽¹⁾ (to average assets)
(i.e., CBLR - leverage ratio)
Company	$	792,456	8.6	%	$	738,019	> 8	%
Merchants Bank		781,221	8.7	%		718,120	> 8	%
FMBI		24,456	9.8	%		19,979	> 8	%

(1)

As defined by regulatory agencies.

On November 13, 2019, the federal regulators finalized and adopted a regulatory capital rule establishing a new CBLR, which became effective on January 1, 2020. The intent of CBLR is to provide a simple alternative measure of capital adequacy for electing qualifying depository institutions and depository institution holding companies, as directed under the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. Under CBLR, if a qualifying depository institution or depository institution holding company elects to use such measure, such institution or holding company will be considered well capitalized if its ratio of Tier 1 capital to average total consolidated assets (i.e., leverage ratio) exceeds a 9% threshold, subject to a limited two quarter grace period, during which the leverage ratio cannot go 100 basis points below the then applicable threshold, and will not be required to calculate and report risk-based capital ratios. Eligibility criteria to utilize CBLR includes the following:

●

Total assets of less than $10 billion,

●

Total trading assets plus liabilities of 5% or less of consolidated assets,

●

Total off-balance sheet exposures of 25% or less of consolidated assets,

●

Cannot be an advanced approaches banking organization, and

●

Leverage ratio greater than 9%, or temporarily reduced threshold established in response to COVID-19.

On December 2, 2020 the FDIC issued an interim final rule related to COVID-19 as it pertains to eligibility to utilize CBLR. The rule allows organizations with less than $10 billion in total assets as of December 31, 2019, to use the assets on that date to determine the applicability of various regulatory asset thresholds during 2020 and 2021.

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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market Risk. Market risk represents the risk of loss due to changes in market values of assets and liabilities. We incur market risk in the normal course of business through exposures to market interest rates, equity prices, and credit spreads. We have identified two primary sources of market risk: interest rate risk and price risk related to market demand.

Interest Rate Risk

Our Asset-Liability Committee, or ALCO, is a management committee that manages our interest rate risk within broad policy limits established by our board of directors. In general, we seek to minimize the impact of changing interest rates on net interest income and the economic values of assets and liabilities. Our ALCO meets quarterly to monitor the level of interest rate risk sensitivity to ensure compliance with the board of directors’ approved risk limits.

Income Simulation and Economic Value Analysis. Interest rate risk measurement is calculated and reported to the ALCO at least quarterly. The information reported includes period-end results and identifies any policy limits exceeded, along with an assessment of the policy limit breach and the action plan and timeline for resolution, mitigation, or assumption of the risk.

We use two approaches to model interest rate risk: Net Interest Income at Risk (NII at Risk) and Economic Value of Equity (“EVE”). Under NII at Risk, net interest income is modeled utilizing various assumptions for assets, liabilities, and derivatives. EVE measures the period end market value of assets minus the market value of liabilities and the change in this value as rates change. EVE is a period end measurement.

We report NII at Risk to isolate the change in income related solely to interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The NII at Risk results reflect the analysis used quarterly by management. It models gradual -200, -100, +100 and +200 basis point parallel shifts in market interest rates, implied by the forward yield curve over the next one-year period.

The following table presents NII at Risk for Merchants Bank as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.


	Net Interest Income Sensitivity
	Twelve Months Forward
	- 200			- 100			+ 100			+ 200

	(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2021:
Dollar change	$	9,596		$	5,922		$	23,659		$	59,848
Percent change		3.7	%		2.3	%		9.1	%		23.1	%

December 31, 2020:
Dollar change	$	(11,899)		$	(10,651)		$	21,027		$	50,305
Percent change		(4.5)	%		(4.0)	%		8.0	%		19.1	%

Our interest rate risk management policy limits the change in our net interest income to 20% for a +/-100 basis point move in interest rates, and 30% for a +/-200 basis point move in rates. At March 31, 2021 we estimated that we are within policy limits set by our board of directors for the -200, -100, +100, and +200 basis point scenarios.

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Merchants Bancorp

The EVE results for Merchants Bank included in the following table reflect the analysis used quarterly by management. It models immediate -200, -100, +100 and +200 basis point parallel shifts in market interest rates.


	Economic Value of Equity
	Sensitivity (Shock)
	Immediate Change in Rates
	- 200			- 100			+ 100			+ 200

	(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2021:
Dollar change	$	3,095		$	28,290		$	(29,092)		$	(34,580)
Percent change		0.3	%		3.2	%		(3.2)	%		(3.9)	%

December 31, 2020:
Dollar change	$	100,236		$	113,045		$	(20,958)		$	(27,259)
Percent change		12.8	%		14.4	%		(2.7)	%		(3.5)	%

Our interest rate risk management policy limits the change in our EVE to 15% for a +/-100 basis point move in interest rates, and 20% for a +/-200 basis point move in rates. We are within policy limits set by our board of directors for the -200, -100, +100 and +200 basis point scenarios. The EVE reported at March 31, 2021 projects that as interest rates increase (decrease) immediately, the economic value of equity position will be expected to decrease (increase). When interest rates rise, fixed rate assets generally lose economic value; the longer the duration, the greater the value lost. The opposite is true when interest rates fall.

ITEM 3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The information required under this item is included as part of “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Form 10-Q under the headings “Liquidity and Capital Resources” and “Interest Rate Risk.”

ITEM 4 Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.

Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of March 31, 2021, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

(b) Changes in internal control.

There have been no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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Merchants Bancorp

Part II

Other Information

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings

None.

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

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

None.

ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. Other Information

None.

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ITEM 6. Exhibits


Exhibit
Number		Description

3.1		First Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Merchants Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the registration statement on Form S-1, filed on September 25, 2018).

3.2		Articles of Amendment to the First Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation dated March 27, 2019 designating the 7.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series A Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the registration statement on Form 8-A filed on March 28, 2019).

3.3		Articles of Amendment to the First Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation dated August 19, 2019 designating the 6.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series B Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the registration statement on Form 8-A filed on August 19, 2019).

3.4		Articles of Amendment to the First Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation dated March 23, 2021 designating the 6.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series C Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of the registration statement on Form 8-A filed on March 23, 2021).

3.5		Second Amended and Restated By-Laws of Merchants Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on November 20, 2018).

31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32		Written Statement of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS		XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document

101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE 104		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document Cover Page Interactive Data File – The cover page interactive data file does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document

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Merchants Bancorp

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


			Merchants Bancorp

Date:	May 10, 2021	By:	/s/ Michael F. Petrie
			Michael F. Petrie
			Chairman & Chief Executive Officer



Date:	May 10, 2021	By:	/s/ John F. Macke
			John F. Macke Chief Financial & Accounting Officer
			(Principal Financial Officer)