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PEOPLES BANCORP INC - Annual Report: 2019 (Form 10-K)


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
 
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
            For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
            For the transition period from ____ to ____

Commission File Number: 000-16772
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PEOPLES BANCORP INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Ohio 31-0987416
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
138 Putnam Street, P.O. Box 738,
 Marietta,Ohio 45750-0738
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (740) 373-3155
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common shares, without par valuePEBOThe Nasdaq Stock Market
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

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

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

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

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

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

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




State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter:

As of June 28, 2019 (the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter), the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common shares (the only common equity of the registrant) held by non-affiliates was $638,289,000 based upon the closing price as reported on The Nasdaq Global Select Market®.  For this purpose, executive officers and directors of the registrant are considered affiliates.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date: 20,740,200 common shares, without par value, at February 28, 2020.

Document Incorporated by Reference:
Portions of Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 23, 2020 (the "2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders"), are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.



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As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (this "Form 10-K"), "Peoples" refers to Peoples Bancorp Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries collectively, except where the context indicates the reference relates solely to the registrant, Peoples Bancorp Inc. Unless otherwise indicated, all note references contained in this Form 10-K refer to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included immediately following "ITEM 9B OTHER INFORMATION" of this Form 10-K.
PART I
ITEM 1 BUSINESS
The disclosures set forth in this Item are qualified by "ITEM 1A RISK FACTORS" and the section captioned "Forward-Looking Statements" in "ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" of this Form 10-K and other cautionary statements set forth elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
Corporate Overview
Peoples Bancorp Inc. is a financial holding company, which was organized in 1980. Peoples operates principally through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Peoples Bank, an Ohio state-chartered bank. Peoples' other wholly-owned subsidiaries are Peoples Investment Company ("PIC") and Peoples Risk Management, Inc. Peoples also holds all of the common securities of NB&T Statutory Trust III. Peoples Bank's operating subsidiaries include Peoples Insurance Agency, LLC ("Peoples Insurance"), and an asset management company, Peoples Tax Credit Equity, LLC.
Peoples Bank was first chartered in 1902 as an Ohio banking corporation under the name "The Peoples Banking and Trust Company" in Marietta, Ohio, and in 2000 was reorganized as a national banking association under the name "Peoples Bank, National Association." Effective December 30, 2015, the banking subsidiary converted from a national banking association back to an Ohio state-chartered bank, which is a member of the Federal Reserve System. As a result of the charter conversion, the legal name of Peoples' banking subsidiary was changed to "Peoples Bank" and the converted bank continues to operate under the trade name and federally registered service mark "Peoples Bank." Peoples Insurance is an Ohio limited liability company that operates as a subsidiary of Peoples Bank.
PIC was formed in 2001 and Peoples Tax Credit Equity, LLC was formed in 2014, in each case to provide new investment opportunities as a means of enhancing profitability. Peoples Risk Management, Inc. was formed in 2019 as a captive insurance subsidiary. The common securities of NB&T Statutory Trust III were acquired in connection with the acquisition of NB&T Financial Group, Inc. ("NB&T") on March 6, 2015.
Business Overview
Peoples makes available a complete line of commercial and consumer banking, insurance, investment and trust solutions through its financial subsidiaries – Peoples Bank and Peoples Insurance. These products and services include the following:
various demand deposit accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts and certificates of deposit;
commercial loans, residential real estate loans, home equity lines of credit, consumer loans and Overdraft Privilege;
debit and automated teller machine ("ATM") cards;
credit cards for individuals and businesses;
merchant credit card transaction processing services;
person-to-person payment processing and cardless cash;
safe deposit rental facilities;
money orders and cashier's checks;
a full range of life, health, and property and casualty insurance products;
third-party insurance administration services;
brokerage services;
custom-tailored fiduciary and trust services;
asset management and administration services; and
employee benefit, retirement, and health care plan administration services.
Peoples' financial products and services are offered through its financial service locations and ATMs in Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia, as well as through online resources that are web and mobile based. Brokerage services are offered exclusively through an unaffiliated registered broker-dealer located at Peoples Bank's offices. Indirect consumer lending activities are offered through approved dealerships. Peoples Bank credit card and merchant processing services are provided through joint marketing arrangements with third parties.
Peoples' business activities are currently limited to one reporting unit and reportable operating segment, which is community banking. For a discussion of Peoples' financial performance for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, see Peoples' Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Peoples has a history of expanding its business, including its customer base and primary market area, through a combination of internal growth and targeted acquisitions. The internal growth may include the opening of de novo banking and loan production

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offices located in or near Peoples' existing market area. Acquisitions have consisted of traditional banking offices and loan production offices, both individually and as part of entire financial institutions, insurance agencies and financial advisory books of business. The primary objectives of Peoples' expansion efforts include: (1) providing opportunities to integrate non-traditional products and services, such as insurance and investment administration and management, with the traditional banking products offered to Peoples' clients; (2) increasing market share in existing markets; (3) expanding Peoples' core financial service businesses of banking, insurance and investment and investment management; and (4) improving operating efficiency by directing resources toward offices and markets with the greatest earnings opportunities.
Recent Corporate Developments
On February 28, 2020, Peoples announced that on February 27, 2020, Peoples' Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program authorizing Peoples to purchase up to an aggregate of $40 million of its outstanding common shares. This program replaced the previous share repurchase program, which had authorized Peoples to purchase up to an aggregate of $20 million of its outstanding common shares and under which an aggregate of $6.3 million had been purchased through the termination of the previous share repurchase program on February 27, 2020.
Peoples Risk Management, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Peoples, was formed on August 22, 2019, and is a Nevada-chartered captive insurance company which insures against certain risks unique to the operations of Peoples and for which insurance may not be currently available or economically feasible. Peoples Risk Management, Inc. pools resources with several other similar insurance company subsidiaries of financial institutions to help minimize the risk allocable to each participating insurer. Peoples Risk Management, Inc. is subject to the laws and regulations of the State of Nevada and undergoes periodic examinations by the Nevada Division of Insurance.
On April 12, 2019, Peoples completed the acquisition of First Prestonsburg Bancshares Inc. ("First Prestonsburg"). First Prestonsburg merged into Peoples, and First Prestonsburg's wholly-owned subsidiary, The First Commonwealth Bank of Prestonsburg, Inc., which operated nine full-service branches located in eastern and central Kentucky, merged into Peoples Bank. First Prestonsburg shareholders received total merger consideration of $43.7 million, of which $11.3 million was in the form of a special cash dividend paid by First Prestonsburg to its shareholders prior to the merger, with the remainder being paid in the form of an aggregate of 1,005,478 Peoples common shares. The merger added $129.4 million of total loans and $257.2 million of total deposits at the acquisition date, after preliminary fair value adjustments. Refer to "Note 19 Acquisitions" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Primary Market Area and Customers
Peoples considers its primary market area to be comprised of those counties where it has a physical branch presence and their contiguous counties. This includes northeastern, central, southwestern and southeastern Ohio, eastern and central Kentucky, and west central West Virginia. Peoples currently operates 64 locations in Ohio, 14 locations in Kentucky and 10 locations in West Virginia. Peoples' market area consists of rural, small urban and metropolitan markets and serves a diverse group of industries and employers. Principal industries served in Peoples' primary markets include manufacturing, distribution, real estate, health care, education, municipal, agricultural, petrochemical, oil, gas and coal production, automotive, wholesale and retail trade, franchise, and service-related industries. This broad-based economic region provides diversity, which helps prevent Peoples' revenue and earnings from being largely dependent upon any single industry segment.
Lending Activities
Peoples Bank originates various types of loans, including commercial loans (comprised of commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate loans, and construction loans), residential real estate loans, home equity lines of credit, consumer loans (comprised of both indirect and direct loans) and Overdraft Privilege.  Peoples Bank's lending activities are focused principally on lending opportunities within its primary market areas, although Peoples Bank may occasionally originate loans outside its primary markets.  In general, Peoples Bank retains the majority of loans it originates; however, certain longer-term fixed rate mortgage loan originations, primarily one-to-four family residential mortgages, and portions of select commercial real estate loans and commercial and industrial loans are sold into the secondary market or to other financial institutions.
Peoples Bank's loans consist of credit extensions to borrowers spread over a broad range of industrial classifications. At December 31, 2019, Peoples Bank had no concentration of loans to borrowers engaged in the same or similar industries that exceeded 10% of total loans (also referred to as "loans, net of deferred fees and costs"), nor did Peoples Bank have any loans outstanding to non-United States ("U.S.") entities.
Commercial Lending
Commercial loans include commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate loans, and construction loans, and represented the largest portion of Peoples Bank's total loan portfolio, comprising approximately 55.2% and 55.7% of total loans at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Commercial lending inherently carries a significant degree of risk of loss since commercial loan relationships generally involve larger loan balances than other loan classes.

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Commercial loan terms include amortization schedules and interest rates commensurate with the purpose of each loan, the identified source of repayment, and the risk involved. The majority of Peoples Bank's commercial loans carry variable interest rates equal to an underlying index rate plus a margin, although Peoples Bank also originates commercial loans with fixed interest rates for periods generally ranging from three to ten years. At December 31, 2019, the commercial loan portfolio consisted of 73.6% in variable interest rate loans and 26.4% in fixed interest rate loans. In determining whether to grant a commercial loan, Peoples Bank primarily reviews a schedule of cash flows to evaluate whether the borrower's anticipated future cash flows will be adequate to service both interest and principal due.
Peoples Bank also originates variable rate loans with interest rate swaps, where the customer enters into an interest rate swap with Peoples Bank on terms that match the terms of the loan. By entering into the interest rate swap with the customer, Peoples Bank effectively provides the customer with a fixed rate loan while creating a variable rate asset for Peoples Bank. Peoples Bank offsets its exposure in the swap by entering into an offsetting interest rate swap with an unaffiliated financial institution. These interest rate swaps do not qualify as designated hedges; therefore, each swap is accounted for as a standalone derivative.
Peoples Bank evaluates all commercial loan relationships whose aggregate credit exposure is greater than $1.0 million on an annual basis for possible credit deterioration. This loan review process provides Peoples Bank with opportunities to identify potential problem loans and take proactive actions to assure repayment of the loan or minimize Peoples Bank's risk of loss, such as reviewing the relationship more frequently based upon the loan quality rating and aggregate outstanding exposure. Upon detection of the reduced ability of a borrower to meet cash flow obligations, the loan is reviewed for possible downgrade in the loan quality rating or placement on nonaccrual status. Peoples Bank also completes evaluation procedures for a selection of larger loan relationships on a quarterly basis. Loan relationships whose aggregate credit exposure to Peoples Bank is equal to or less than $1.0 million are reviewed on an event driven basis. Triggers for review include a borrower's request to renew a maturing loan or line of credit, actual knowledge of adverse events affecting the borrower's business, receipt of financial statements indicating deteriorating credit quality, or other similar events.
Commercial and Industrial Loans
Commercial and industrial loans are loans to operating companies for purposes of financing working capital needs, fixed asset acquisitions, acquisitions of other businesses, and other business activities. Typically, these loans are secured with business assets and, in some cases, owner-occupied real estate, and are personally guaranteed by the owners of the operating companies. The primary source of repayment of this type of loan is generally cash flows generated from operations of the business, which can be susceptible to adverse changes in economic conditions of the general economy as a whole or within a specific industry. At December 31, 2019, commercial and industrial loans comprised 23.1% of Peoples Bank's total loan portfolio compared to 20.7% at December 31, 2018.
Commercial Real Estate Loans
Peoples Bank's portfolio of commercial real estate loans comprised 29.0% of total loans at December 31, 2019, and 29.9% at December 31, 2018. Peoples Bank originates commercial real estate loans for both owner-occupied commercial real estate and non-owner-occupied investment commercial real estate. Typically, the real estate securing these loans is stabilized and typically the loans are personally guaranteed by the owners of the borrowing entities. Typically, owner-occupied commercial real estate loans are secured by office buildings, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and other commercial and industrial properties occupied by operating companies. The source of repayment for this type of loan is typically cash flow from the operating company occupying the real estate. Investment commercial real estate generally includes office buildings and complexes, retail facilities, multifamily complexes, land under development, and industrial properties, as well as other commercial or industrial real estate. Typically, the primary source of repayment of this type of loan is rental income generated from leasing activities.
Construction Loans
Peoples Bank originates construction loans to provide temporary financing during the construction phase for commercial and residential properties. Peoples Bank's construction lending is focused primarily on commercial and residential projects of select real estate developers and homebuilders. These projects include the construction of apartment, office, retail, industrial complexes, and other commercial and residential projects. The underwriting criteria for construction loans are generally the same as for non-construction loans. At December 31, 2019, construction loans comprised 3.1% of Peoples Bank's total loan portfolio compared to 5.1% at December 31, 2018.
Construction financing is generally considered to involve higher credit risk since Peoples Bank is dependent largely upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of the property's value at the completion of construction and the estimated cost (including interest) of construction. If the estimated construction cost proves to be inaccurate, Peoples Bank may be required to advance funds beyond the amount originally committed to enable completion of the project. If the estimate of value proves inaccurate, Peoples Bank may be confronted, at or prior to the maturity of the loan, with a property having a value insufficient to ensure full repayment, should the borrower default. In the event a default on a construction loan occurs and foreclosure follows, Peoples Bank must take control of the project and attempt to either arrange for completion of construction or sell the collateral of the unfinished project. In certain cases, such as real estate development projects, repayment of construction loans occurs as a result of

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subsequent sales of the developed real estate. Additional risk exists in these cases as the developer may lack funds to repay the loan if the property is not sold upon completion.
To mitigate the risk of construction lending, Peoples Bank requires periodic site inspections, typically completed by an independent third party, to ensure appropriate completion of the project prior to any disbursements. Construction loans are structured to provide sufficient time to complete construction, giving consideration to weather or other variables that influence completion time. Peoples Bank typically requires the term of its construction loans to be less than three years.
Residential Real Estate Loans
Peoples Bank's portfolio of residential real estate loans comprised 23.0% of total loans at December 31, 2019, and 21.8% at December 31, 2018. The residential real estate loans originated by Peoples Bank may either be retained in its loan portfolio, or sold into the secondary market with servicing either retained by Peoples Bank or sold with the loan. Peoples Bank also had $6.5 million of residential real estate loans held for sale and was servicing $496.8 million of loans, consisting primarily of one-to-four family residential mortgages, which had previously been sold into the secondary market, in each case, as of December 31, 2019. Peoples Bank also originates and retains jumbo residential mortgage loans for primary and secondary residences, which are nonconforming loans that are higher than the loan amounts acceptable for sale to the government-sponsored enterprises to which Peoples Bank typically sells residential mortgage loans.
Peoples Bank originates both fixed rate and variable rate residential real estate loans. Typically, Peoples Bank sells its longer-term fixed rate real estate loans into the secondary market. In select cases, Peoples Bank may retain certain fixed rate real estate loans.
Peoples Bank typically requires residential real estate loan amounts to be no more than 80% of the purchase price or the appraised value of the real estate securing the loan, whichever is lower, unless private mortgage insurance is obtained by the borrower for the percentage exceeding 80%. In limited circumstances, Peoples Bank may lend up to 100% of the appraised value of the real estate, although such lending currently is limited to loans that qualify under established federally-backed rural housing programs or through a designated low-to-moderate income loan program. Numerous risk factors attributable to real estate lending are considered during underwriting for the purposes of establishing an interest rate commensurate with the inherent risks of the loan.
Residential real estate loans are typically secured by first mortgages with evidence of title in favor of Peoples Bank in the form of an attorney's opinion of the title or a title insurance policy. Peoples Bank requires insurance, with Peoples Bank named as the mortgagee and loss payee. Peoples Bank requires evidence of insurance at the time of the loan closing. Additionally, Peoples Bank has a blanket insurance policy to cover loans secured by real estate with outstanding balances of less than $1 million that do not include an insurance escrow account. For loans secured by real estate with outstanding balances over $1 million or those that include an insurance escrow account, Peoples Bank force-places an insurance policy to cover the residential real estate loan when the borrower fails to maintain adequate insurance. Licensed appraisals are required for all residential real estate loans, and are completed by an independent third party. A compliance officer assigned to the line of business is responsible for working with the management team to identify, implement and test regulatory compliance controls.
Home Equity Lines of Credit
Peoples Bank originates home equity lines of credit that provide consumers with greater flexibility in financing personal expenditures. At December 31, 2019, outstanding home equity lines of credit comprised 4.6% of Peoples Bank's total loans, compared to 4.9% at December 31, 2018. Peoples Bank currently offers home equity lines of credit with a prime-based variable rate for the entire 10-year term of the loan and fixed rate installment loans with five-year to 20-year terms. At December 31, 2019, Peoples Bank's home equity loan portfolio consisted of 97.4% in variable interest rate loans and 2.6% in fixed interest rate loans. Peoples Bank also offers a home equity line of credit product whose terms include a fixed rate for the first five years, which converts to a variable interest rate for the remaining five years. At December 31, 2019, 17.6% of the total home equity loan portfolio was represented by convertible rate home equity lines of credit, with total outstanding principal balances and available credit amounts of $23.4 million and $25.2 million, respectively, and a weighted-average remaining maturity of 7.4 years. The average original loan amount under these convertible rate home equity lines of credit was $40,000 at December 31, 2019.
Home equity lines of credit are generally made as second mortgages by Peoples Bank. The maximum amount of a home equity line of credit is generally limited to 80% of the appraised value of the property less the balance of the first mortgage. Peoples Bank may lend up to 90% of the appraised value of the property (less the balance of the first mortgage) at higher interest rates that are commensurate with the additional risk being assumed in these situations. The home equity lines of credit are written with 10-year terms and are subject to a new underwriting review upon request for renewal.
Consumer Lending
Peoples Bank's consumer lending activities include consumer indirect loans and consumer direct loans, which primarily involve loans secured by automobiles, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and other personal property, as well as unsecured loans and personal lines of credit. Consumer loans generally involve more risk as to collectability than real estate mortgage loans because of the type and nature of the collateral or, in certain instances, the absence of collateral. As a result, consumer lending

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collections are dependent upon the borrower's continued financial stability, and are at more risk from adverse changes in personal circumstances. In addition, application of various state and federal laws, including bankruptcy and insolvency laws, could limit the amount that may be recovered under these loans. Credit approval for consumer loans typically requires demonstration of sufficiency of income to repay principal and interest due, stability of employment, an established credit record and sufficient collateral for secured loans. It is the policy of Peoples Bank to review its consumer loan portfolio monthly and to charge-off loans that do not meet its ongoing standards, while strictly adhering to all laws and regulations governing consumer lending. A compliance officer assigned to the line of business is responsible for working with the management team to identify, implement and test regulatory compliance controls.
Consumer Indirect Loans
Peoples Bank originates consumer indirect loans through select dealerships, which generally includes loans secured by automobiles, motorcycles and recreational vehicles. At December 31, 2019, consumer indirect loans comprised 14.5% of Peoples Bank's total loan portfolio, compared to 14.9% at December 31, 2018.
Consumer indirect loans are originated at the point of sale, or dealership, and are subject to the same pricing structure and underwriting process as consumer loans originated through the retail branch channel. Consumer indirect lending offers Peoples Bank the opportunity to access additional customers outside of its primary office locations. Peoples Bank offers consumer indirect lending for new and pre-owned vehicles through approved franchise or independent dealerships. These dealerships undergo an approval process whereby Peoples Bank reviews the dealership licensing and industry experience, evaluates customer experience with the dealership and completes an inspection of the inventory, showroom, and general facilities. On an ongoing basis, the dealerships are monitored based on production volume, application approval rates, portfolio default rates, and adherence to loan pricing guidelines.
Consumer Direct Loans
Peoples Bank originates consumer direct loans primarily through its office locations. Consumer direct loans generally include loans secured by automobiles, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and other personal property; unsecured loans; and personal lines of credit. Consumer direct loans differ from consumer indirect loans as they include expanded products, such as unsecured loans, or loans secured by stock or deposits. Consumer direct loans comprised 2.7% of Peoples Bank's total loan portfolio, at both December 31, 2109 and December 31, 2018.
Overdraft Privilege
Peoples Bank grants Overdraft Privilege to qualified customers. Overdraft Privilege is a service that provides overdraft protection to deposit customers, both individual and business, by establishing an Overdraft Privilege amount. After a 60-day waiting period to verify account activity, each new checking account usually receives an Overdraft Privilege amount of $400, $700 or $1,000 based on the type of account and other parameters, such as previous charge-off history or loan loss. Once established, customers are permitted to overdraw their checking account at Peoples Bank's discretion, up to their Overdraft Privilege limit, with each item being charged Peoples Bank's regular overdraft fee, with a maximum of seven charges per day when the customer's account is overdrawn more than $5. Customers repay the overdraft with their next deposit. Overdraft Privilege is designed to allow Peoples Bank to fill the void between traditional overdraft protection, such as a line of credit, and "check cashing stores." Under federal banking regulations, Peoples Bank is required to obtain the consent of its customers in order to apply Overdraft Privilege to ATM and one-time debit card transactions. While Overdraft Privilege generates fee income, these fees may be offset by additions to the provision for loan losses necessary to ensure the maintenance of an appropriate allowance for losses against overdrafts deemed uncollectable. This allowance, along with the related provision and net charge-offs, was included in determining Peoples Bank's allowance for loan losses. At December 31, 2019, the unfunded commitment related to Overdraft Privilege was $50.3 million.
Investment Activities
At December 31, 2019, investment securities comprised 23.2% of Peoples' total assets, compared to 21.8% at December 31, 2018. The majority of Peoples' investment activities are conducted through Peoples Bank, although Peoples and its non-banking subsidiary, PIC, also may engage in investment activities from time to time. Investment activity by Peoples Bank is subject to certain regulatory guidelines and limitations on the types of securities eligible for purchase. As a result, the investment securities owned by Peoples Bank at December 31, 2019 included agencies and corporations of the U.S. government, including mortgage-backed securities, bank eligible obligations of any state or political subdivision in the U.S. and bank eligible corporate obligations, including private-label mortgage-backed securities. Peoples Bank also invests in tax credit funds. The investments owned by Peoples are comprised of common stocks issued by unrelated bank holding companies. The investments owned by PIC consist of tax credit funds, municipal obligations, privately issued mortgage-backed securities, and subordinated debt issued by a non-related banking entity.
Peoples Bank's investment activities are governed internally by a policy approved by the Board of Directors of Peoples Bank, which is administered by Peoples Bank's Asset-Liability Management Committee ("ALCO"). The primary purpose of Peoples Bank's investment portfolio is to: (1) employ excess funds not needed to support loan demand; (2) provide a source of liquid assets to accommodate unanticipated deposit and loan fluctuations, and overall liquidity needs; (3) provide eligible securities to secure public and trust funds; and (4) earn the maximum overall return commensurate with Peoples Bank's risk appetite and liquidity needs.

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Investment strategies to achieve these objectives are reviewed and approved by the ALCO. In its evaluation of investment strategies, the ALCO considers various factors, including the interest rate environment, balance sheet mix, actual and anticipated loan demand, funding opportunities and Peoples Bank's overall interest rate sensitivity. The ALCO also has much broader responsibilities, which are discussed in the "Interest Rate Sensitivity and Liquidity" section of "ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" of this Form 10-K.
Funding Sources
Peoples' primary sources of funds for lending and investing activities are interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing deposits. Cash flows from both the loan and investment portfolios, which include scheduled payments, as well as prepayments, calls and maturities, also provide a relatively stable source of funds. Peoples also utilizes a variety of short-term and long-term borrowings to fund asset growth and satisfy liquidity needs. Peoples' funding sources are managed through Peoples' asset-liability management process and monitored by the ALCO, which is discussed further in the "Interest Rate Sensitivity and Liquidity" section of "ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" of this Form 10-K.
The following is a brief description of the various sources of funds utilized by Peoples:
Deposits
Peoples Bank obtains deposits principally from individuals and businesses within its primary market area by offering a broad selection of deposit products to clients. Deposits to individuals have account terms that vary with respect to the minimum balance required, the time the funds must remain on deposit, and service charge schedules. Interest rates paid on specific deposit types are determined based on (1) the interest rates offered by competitors, (2) the anticipated amount and timing of funding needs, (3) the availability and cost of alternative sources of funding, and (4) the anticipated future economic conditions and interest rates. Business deposits, which include traditional commercial business as well as governmental entities, are obtained through an offering of multiple deposit account types as well as cash management solutions. Depending on the need of the entity, these deposits could be either interest or non-interest bearing. The ability of Peoples Bank to offer competitive cash management solutions to its customers, enables it to obtain valuable operating account funds as well as non-operating account funds. Retail and business deposits are attractive sources of funding because of their stability and cost, relative to wholesale funding alternatives, in addition to providing opportunities for Peoples to build long-term client relationships through the cross-selling of its other products and services.
Peoples Bank also offers its customers the ability to receive multi-million dollar federal deposit insurance coverage for certificates of deposit ("CDs") through the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service ("CDARS") program and money market deposit accounts through the Insured Cash Sweep Services ("ICS") network.  Under these programs, funds from large customer deposits are placed into accounts issued by other members of the CDARS program or ICS network in increments below the federal deposit insurance limits to ensure both principal and interest remain eligible for insurance. Peoples Bank also purchases certain "one-way buy" CDARS deposits, and overnight ICS network deposits which are utilized as a wholesale funding source, and these deposits are classified as brokered CDs in "Note 7 Deposits" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Peoples Bank occasionally obtains deposits from clients outside its primary market area, generally in the form of CDs, and has the ability, if determined to be appropriate, to obtain deposits from deposit brokers. These deposits are used to supplement Peoples Bank's deposits to fund loans originated to customers located outside its primary market area, as well as provide diversity in funding sources. While these deposits may carry slightly higher interest costs than other wholesale funds, they do not require Peoples Bank to secure the funds with collateral, unlike most other borrowed funds. Additionally, in recent years, Peoples has issued brokered CDs to fund fixed-rate interest rate swaps.
Additional information regarding the amounts and composition of Peoples Bank's deposits can be found in the "Deposits" section of "ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" of this Form 10-K and in "Note 7 Deposits" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Borrowed Funds
Peoples obtains funds through a variety of short-term and long-term borrowings, which typically include advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (the "FHLB") and repurchase agreements. Peoples also has the ability to obtain funds, if determined to be appropriate, through federal funds purchased and advances from the Federal Reserve Discount Window. In addition, Peoples has the ability to obtain funds from unrelated financial institutions in the form of term loans or revolving lines of credit. Short-term borrowings are used generally to manage Peoples' daily liquidity needs since they typically may be repaid, in whole or part, at any time without a penalty. In recent years, Peoples has utilized interest rate swaps to obtain short-term borrowings at long-term fixed rates, effectively replacing maturing long-term borrowings. Long-term borrowings provide cost-effective options for funding asset growth and satisfying capital needs, due to the variety of pricing and maturity options available.

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Additional information regarding the amounts and composition of Peoples' borrowed funds can be found in the "Borrowed Funds" section of "ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" of this Form 10-K and in "Note 8 Short-Term Borrowings" and "Note 9 Long-Term Borrowings" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Competition
Peoples experiences intense competition within its primary market area due to the presence of several national, regional and local financial institutions and other service providers, including finance companies, financial technology companies, insurance agencies and mutual fund providers. Competition within the financial services and insurance industries continues to increase as a result of mergers between, and expansion of, financial services and insurance providers within and outside of Peoples' primary market areas. In addition, the deregulation of the financial services industry (see the discussion of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 in the section of this item captioned "Supervision and Regulation – Bank Holding Company Regulation") has allowed securities firms and insurance companies that have elected to become financial holding companies to acquire commercial banks and other financial institutions, which can create additional competitive pressure.
Peoples primarily competes based on client service, convenience and responsiveness to customer needs, product characteristics, interest rates on loans and deposits, and the availability and pricing of fiduciary, employee benefit plan, brokerage and insurance services. However, some competitors may have greater resources, including additional technology offerings and higher lending limits than Peoples, which may adversely affect Peoples' ability to compete. Peoples' business strategy includes the use of a "needs-based" sales and service approach to serve customers and is intended to promote customers' continued use of multiple financial products and services. Peoples continues to emphasize the integration of traditional commercial banking products with non-traditional financial products, such as insurance and investment products. In addition, Peoples introduced a mobile-friendly website and is making efforts to implement mobile applications to make all of its products and services mobile-friendly.
Historically, Peoples has focused on providing its full range of products and services in smaller metropolitan markets rather than major metropolitan areas. While management believes Peoples has developed a level of expertise in serving the financial service needs of smaller communities, Peoples' primary market area has expanded into larger metropolitan areas, such as central, southwestern and northeastern Ohio. These larger areas typically contain entrenched service providers with existing customer bases much larger than Peoples' current position. As a result, Peoples may be forced to compete more aggressively in order to grow its market share in these areas, which could reduce current and future profit potential derived from such markets.
Employees
At December 31, 2019, Peoples had 900 full-time equivalent employees, compared to 871 at December 31, 2018. The increase in full-time equivalent employees was primarily related to the acquisition of First Prestonsburg.
Intellectual Property and Proprietary Rights
Peoples has registered the service marks "Peoples Bank (with logo)," "Peoples Bancorp," "Peoples Bank," Peoples in motion logo consisting of three arched ribbons, "Working Together. Building Success.", "Peoples Insurance (with logo)", "Peoples Investment Services" and "peoplesbancorp.com" with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (the "USPTO"). These service marks currently have expiration dates ranging from 2021 to 2027.
Peoples may renew the registrations of service marks with the USPTO generally for additional five-year to 10-year periods indefinitely, provided it continues to use the service marks and files appropriate maintenance and renewal documentation with the USPTO at the times required by the federal trademark laws and regulations. Peoples intends to continue to use its registered service marks and to timely renew the registration of each of them.
Peoples has proprietary interests in the Internet domain names "pebo.com" and "peoplesbancorp.com." Internet domain names in the U.S. and in foreign countries are regulated, but the laws and regulations governing the Internet are continually evolving.
Supervision and Regulation
Peoples and its subsidiaries are subject to extensive supervision and regulation by federal and state agencies. The regulation of financial holding companies and their subsidiaries is intended primarily for the protection of consumers, depositors, borrowers, the Deposit Insurance Fund and the banking system as a whole, and not for the protection of shareholders. Applicable laws and regulations restrict permissible activities and investments, and require actions to protect loan, deposit, brokerage, fiduciary and other customers, as well as the Deposit Insurance Fund. Such laws and regulations may also restrict Peoples' ability to repurchase its common shares or to receive dividends from Peoples Bank, and impose capital adequacy and liquidity requirements. The following is a summary of the regulatory agencies, statutes and related regulations that have, or could have, a material impact on Peoples' business. This discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to such regulations and statutes.

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Financial Holding Company
Peoples is a legal entity separate and distinct from its subsidiaries and affiliated companies. As a financial holding company, Peoples is subject to regulation under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "BHC Act"), and to inspection, examination and supervision by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve Board").
The Federal Reserve Board has extensive enforcement authority over financial holding companies. In general, the Federal Reserve Board may initiate enforcement actions for violations of laws and regulations and unsafe or unsound practices. The Federal Reserve Board may assess civil money penalties, issue cease and desist or removal orders, and require that a financial holding company divest subsidiaries, including subsidiary banks. Peoples is routinely required to file reports and other information with the Federal Reserve Board regarding its business operations and those of its subsidiaries.
Subsidiary Bank
Peoples Bank is subject to regulation and examination primarily by the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions ("ODFI") and the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland ("FRB"). Peoples Bank must also follow the regulations promulgated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the "CFPB"), which regulates consumer financial products and services and certain financial services providers.
Various requirements and restrictions under the laws of the U.S, and the states of Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia affect the operations of Peoples Bank, including requirements to maintain reserves against deposits, restrictions on the nature and amount of loans that may be made and the interest that may be charged thereon, restrictions relating to investments and other activities, limitations on credit exposure to correspondent banks, limitations on activities based on capital and surplus, limitations on transactions between Peoples Bank and Peoples, limitations on the payment of dividends, and limitations on branching. Consumer laws and regulations that are designed to prevent unfair, deceptive and abusive acts and practices and that ensure that consumers have access to fair, transparent and competitive markets for consumer financial products and services also affect the services provided by Peoples Bank.
Non-Banking Subsidiaries
Peoples' non-banking subsidiaries are also subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve Board and other applicable federal and state agencies. Peoples Insurance, as a licensed insurance agency, is subject to regulation by the Ohio Department of Insurance and the state insurance regulatory agencies of those states where it conducts business. Peoples Risk Management, Inc., a Nevada-chartered captive insurance company, is subject to the laws and regulations of the State of Nevada and undergoes periodic examinations by the Nevada Division of Insurance.
Other Regulatory Agencies
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and The Nasdaq Stock Market ("Nasdaq")
Peoples is also under the jurisdiction of the SEC and certain state securities commissions for matters relating to the offering and sale of its securities. Peoples is subject to the registration, disclosure, reporting and regulatory requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the regulations promulgated under each of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as administered by the SEC. Peoples' common shares are listed with Nasdaq under the symbol "PEBO" and Peoples is subject to the rules for Nasdaq listed companies.
Federal Home Loan Bank
Peoples Bank is a member of the FHLB, which provides credit to its members in the form of advances. As a member of the FHLB, Peoples Bank must maintain an investment in the capital stock of the FHLB in a specified amount. Upon the origination or renewal of an advance, the FHLB is required by law to obtain and maintain a security interest in certain types of collateral. The FHLB is required to establish standards of community investment or service that its members must maintain for continued access to long-term advances from the FHLB. The standards take into account a member's performance under the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, as amended (the "CRA"), and the member's record of lending to first-time homebuyers.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC")
The FDIC is an independent federal agency which insures the deposits, up to prescribed statutory limits, of federally-insured banks and savings associations, and safeguards the safety and soundness of the financial institution industry. Peoples Bank's deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund of the FDIC and Peoples Bank is subject to deposit insurance assessments to maintain the Deposit Insurance Fund. The general insurance limit is $250,000 per separately insured depositor. This insurance is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
As insurer, the FDIC is authorized to conduct examinations of and to require routine reporting by insured institutions, including Peoples Bank, to prohibit any insured institution from engaging in any activity the FDIC determines by regulation or order to pose a threat to the Deposit Insurance Fund, and to take enforcement actions against insured institutions. The FDIC may terminate insurance of deposits of any insured institution if the FDIC finds that the insured institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC or any other regulatory agency.

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Insured depository institutions are required to remit quarterly deposit insurance premiums to the FDIC, which are used to fund the Deposit Insurance Fund. Insurance premiums for each insured depository institution are determined based upon the institution's capital level and supervisory rating provided to the FDIC by the institution's primary federal regulator and other information the FDIC determines to be relevant to the risk posed to the Deposit Insurance Fund by the insured depository institution. The assessment rate determined by considering such information is then applied to the amount of the insured depository institution's average assets minus average tangible equity to determine the insured depository institution's insurance premium. An increase in the assessment rate could have a material adverse effect on the earnings of the affected insured depository institution, depending on the amount of the increase.
The FDIC assesses a quarterly deposit insurance premium on each insured depository institution based on risk characteristics of the institution and may also impose special assessments in emergency situations. Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, as amended (the "Dodd-Frank Act"), the FDIC has established 2.0% as the designated reserve ratio ("DRR"), which is the amount in the Deposit Insurance Fund as a percentage of all Deposit Insurance Fund insured deposits. In March 2016, the FDIC adopted final rules designed to meet the statutory minimum DRR of 1.35% by September 30, 2020, the deadline imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act. As of September 30, 2018, the DRR met the statutory minimum of 1.35%. As a result, the previous surcharge imposed on banks with assets of $10 billion or more was lifted. In addition, preliminary assessment credits were determined by the FDIC for banks with assets of less than $10 billion, which had previously contributed to the increase of the DRR to 1.35%. As of June 30, 2019, the DRR reached 1.40%, and the FDIC first applied credits for banks with assets of less than $10 billion ("small bank credits") on the September 30, 2019 assessment invoice (for the second quarter of 2019) and again on the December 31, 2019 assessment invoice (for the third quarter of 2019). The FDIC will continue to apply small bank credits so long as the DRR is at least 1.35%. After applying small bank credits for four quarters, the FDIC will remit to banks the value of any remaining small bank credits in the next assessment period in which the DRR is at least 1.35%.
In addition, all FDIC-insured institutions were required to pay assessments to fund interest payments on bonds issued by the Financing Corporation, which was established by the U.S. government to recapitalize a predecessor to the Deposit Insurance Fund. These assessments continued until the Financing Corporation bonds matured in September 2019. The final assessment was collected on the March 29, 2019 FDIC invoice.
Bank Holding Company Regulation
In general, the BHC Act limits the business of bank holding companies to banking, managing or controlling banks, and other activities that the Federal Reserve Board determines to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident thereto. As a result of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 – also known as the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999 – which amended the BHC Act, bank holding companies that are financial holding companies may engage in any activity, or acquire and retain the shares of a company engaged in any activity, that is either (1) financial in nature or incidental to such financial activity (as determined by the Federal Reserve Board in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury), or (2) complementary to a financial activity, and that does not pose a substantial risk to the safety and soundness of depository institutions or the financial system generally. Activities that are financial in nature include securities underwriting and dealing, insurance underwriting and making merchant banking investments. In 2002, Peoples elected, and received approval from the Federal Reserve Board, to become a financial holding company.
In order for a financial holding company to commence any new activity permitted by the BHC Act, or to acquire a company engaged in any new activity permitted by the BHC Act, the financial holding company must be "well managed" and "well capitalized," and each insured depository institution subsidiary of the financial holding company must be well capitalized under the prompt corrective action provisions, be well managed and have received a rating of at least "satisfactory" in its most recent examination under the CRA. The CRA is more fully discussed in the section captioned "Community Reinvestment Act" included later in this item. In addition, financial holding companies, such as Peoples, are permitted to acquire companies engaged in activities that are financial in nature and in activities that are incidental and complementary to financial activities without prior Federal Reserve Board approval.
The BHC Act and other federal and state statutes regulate acquisitions of commercial banks. The BHC Act requires the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board for the direct or indirect acquisition of more than 5% of the voting shares of a commercial bank or its parent holding company. Under the federal Bank Merger Act, as amended, the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board is required for a state-chartered, Federal Reserve Bank member bank to merge with another bank or purchase the assets or assume the deposits of another bank. In reviewing an application seeking approval of a merger or acquisition transaction, the bank regulatory authorities consider, among other factors, the competitive effect and public benefits of the transaction, the capital position of the combined organization, the applicant's performance record under the CRA and fair housing laws, and the effectiveness of the subject organizations in combating money laundering activities.
A financial holding company is required by law and Federal Reserve Board policy to act as a source of financial strength to each subsidiary bank and to commit resources to support each subsidiary bank. The Federal Reserve Board may require a financial holding company to contribute additional capital to an undercapitalized subsidiary bank and may disapprove of the

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payment of dividends to shareholders if the Federal Reserve Board believes the payment of such dividends would be an unsafe or unsound practice.
Transactions with Affiliates, Directors, Executive Officers and Shareholders
Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and Federal Reserve Board Regulation W generally:
limit the extent to which a bank or its subsidiaries may engage in "covered transactions" with any one affiliate to an amount equal to 10.0% of the bank's capital stock and surplus;
limit the extent to which a bank or its subsidiaries may engage in "covered transactions" with all affiliates to an amount equal to 20.0% of the bank's capital stock and surplus; and
require that all such transactions be on terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the bank or subsidiary, as those provided to a non-affiliate.
An affiliate of a bank is any company or entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the bank. The term "covered transaction" includes the making of loans to the affiliate, the purchase of assets from the affiliate, the issuance of a guarantee on behalf of the affiliate, the purchase of securities issued by the affiliate and other similar types of transactions.
A bank's authority to extend credit to executive officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders, as well as entities such persons control, is subject to Sections 22(g) and 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation O promulgated under the Federal Reserve Act by the Federal Reserve Board. Among other things, these loans must be made on terms (including interest rates charged and collateral required) substantially the same as those offered to unaffiliated individuals, or be made as part of a benefit or compensation program and on terms widely available to employees, and must not involve a greater than normal risk of repayment. In addition, the amount of loans a bank may make to these persons is based, in part, on the bank's capital position, and specified approval procedures must be followed in making loans which exceed specified amounts.
Capital Adequacy and Prompt Corrective Action
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991, as amended ("FDICIA"), identifies five capital categories for insured depository institutions and requires the applicable regulatory agencies to implement systems for "prompt corrective action" for insured depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements within such categories. The regulatory agencies, including the Federal Reserve Board, the FDIC, the ODFI, and the Office of Comptroller of the Currency, have adopted substantially similar regulatory capital guidelines and regulations consistent with the requirements of FDICIA, and have established a system of prompt corrective action to resolve certain problems of undercapitalized institutions. This system is based on five capital level categories for insured depository institutions: "well capitalized," "adequately capitalized," "undercapitalized," "significantly undercapitalized," and "critically undercapitalized."
The regulatory agencies may (or in some cases must) take certain supervisory actions depending upon a bank's capital level. For example, the banking agencies must appoint a receiver or conservator for a bank within 90 days after the bank becomes "critically undercapitalized" unless the bank's primary regulator determines, with the concurrence of the FDIC, that other action would better achieve regulatory purposes. Banking operations otherwise may be significantly affected depending on a bank's capital category. For example, a bank that is not "well capitalized" generally is prohibited from accepting brokered deposits and offering interest rates on deposits higher than the prevailing rate in its market, and the holding company of any undercapitalized bank must guarantee, in part, specific aspects of the bank's capital plan for the plan to be acceptable.
The Federal Reserve Board has adopted risk-based capital guidelines for financial holding companies and other bank holding companies, as well as state member banks. The guidelines provide a systematic analytical framework which makes regulatory capital requirements sensitive to differences in risk profiles among banking organizations, takes off-balance sheet exposures expressly into account in evaluating capital adequacy, and minimizes disincentives to holding liquid, low-risk assets. Capital levels, as measured by these standards, are also used to categorize financial institutions for purposes of certain prompt corrective action regulatory provisions.
The risk-based capital guidelines adopted by the federal banking agencies are based on the "International Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Standard" ("Basel I"), published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (the "Basel Committee"). In July 2013, the U.S. banking regulators issued capital rules (the "Basel III Capital Rules") applicable to smaller banking organizations which also implement certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. Community banking organizations, including Peoples and Peoples Bank, began transitioning to the rules on January 1, 2015. The minimum capital requirements became effective on January 1, 2015; whereas, the capital conservation buffer and deductions from common equity capital phased in from January 1, 2016 through January 1, 2019, and most deductions from common equity tier 1 capital phased in from January 1, 2015 through January 1, 2019.
The rules include (a) a minimum common equity tier 1 capital ratio of 4.5%, (b) a minimum tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.0%, (c) a minimum total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0%, and (d) a minimum tier 1 leverage ratio of 4.0%.
Common equity for the common equity tier 1 capital ratio includes common stock (plus related surplus) and retained earnings, plus limited amounts of minority interests in the form of common stock, less the majority of certain regulatory deductions.

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Tier 1 capital includes common equity as defined for the common equity tier 1 capital ratio, plus certain non-cumulative preferred stock and related surplus, cumulative preferred stock and related surplus, trust preferred securities that have been grandfathered (but which are not otherwise permitted), and limited amounts of minority interests in the form of additional tier 1 capital instruments, less certain deductions.
Tier 2 capital, which can be included in the total capital ratio, includes certain capital instruments (such as subordinated debt) and limited amounts of the allowance for loan and lease losses, subject to specified eligibility criteria, less applicable deductions.
The deductions from common equity tier 1 capital include goodwill and other intangibles, certain deferred tax assets, mortgage-servicing assets above certain levels, gains on sale in connection with a securitization, investments in a banking organization’s own capital instruments and investments in the capital of unconsolidated financial institutions (above certain levels). The deductions phased in beginning in 2015 and were completely phased in as of January 1, 2019.
Under the guidelines, capital is compared to the relative risk included in the balance sheet. To derive the risk included in the balance sheet, one of several risk weights is applied to different balance sheet and off-balance sheet assets, primarily based on the relative credit risk of the counterparty. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
The Basel III Capital Rules also place restrictions on the payment of capital distributions, including dividends and share repurchases, and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers if the company does not hold a capital conservation buffer of greater than 2.5% composed of common equity tier 1 capital above its minimum risk-based capital requirements, or if its eligible retained income is negative in that quarter and its capital conservation buffer ratio was less than 2.5% at the beginning of the quarter. The capital conservation buffer phased in beginning January 1, 2016, at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets, and was increased by that amount each year until fully implemented at 2.50% on January 1, 2019.
In September 2019, the Federal Reserve Board, along with other federal banking regulatory agencies, issued a final rule, effective January 1, 2020, that gives community banks, including Peoples Bank, the option to calculate a simple leverage ratio to measure capital adequacy if the community banks meet certain requirements. Under the rule, a community bank is eligible to elect the Community Bank Leverage Ratio ("CBLR") framework if the community bank has less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets, limited amounts of certain assets and off-balance sheet exposures, and a leverage ratio greater than 9.0%. Qualifying institutions that elect to use the CBLR framework and that maintain a leverage ratio of greater than 9.0% will be considered to have satisfied the risk-based and leverage capital requirements in the regulatory agencies' generally applicable capital rules and to have met the well-capitalized ratio requirements. Peoples has opted out of the simplified framework and continue to follow existing capital rules.
In December 2018, the federal banking agencies issued a final rule to address regulatory capital treatment of credit loss allowances under the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model (accounting standard). The rule revises the federal banking agencies’ regulatory capital rules to identify which credit loss allowances under the CECL model are eligible for inclusion in regulatory capital and to provide banking organizations the option to phase in over three years the day-one adverse effects on regulatory capital that may result from the adoption of the CECL model. Peoples currently anticipates recording a one-time cumulative effect adjustment upon adoption, and does not anticipate utilizing the three year phase in. Peoples expects to maintain risk-based capital ratios in excess of "well-capitalized" after the impact of the one-time cumulative effect adjustment. Additional information on Peoples' expectations of the impact of CECL can be found under the "FINANCIAL CONDITION - Allowance for Loan Losses" section of "ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" of this Form 10-K.
In order to be "well capitalized," a bank must have a common equity tier 1 capital ratio of at least 6.5%, a tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 8.0%, a total risk-based capital of at least 10.0%, and a tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 5.0%, and the bank must not be subject to any written agreement, order, capital directive or prompt corrective action directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measures. Peoples' management believes that Peoples Bank meets the ratio requirements to be deemed "well capitalized" according to the guidelines described above. Additional information regarding Peoples' regulatory matters can be found in "Note 16 Regulatory Matters" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Community Reinvestment Act
The CRA requires depository institutions to assist in meeting the credit needs of their market areas consistent with safe and sound banking practice. Under the CRA, each depository institution is required to help meet the credit needs of its market areas by, among other things, providing credit or other financial assistance to low-income and moderate-income individuals and communities. Depository institutions are periodically examined for compliance with the CRA and are assigned ratings. The most recent performance evaluation by the Federal Reserve Board (which was Peoples Bank's primary federal banking regulator at the time of the examination) of Peoples Bank was conducted in 2017 and resulted in an overall rating of "Satisfactory." The next CRA examination for Peoples Bank is scheduled to occur in March of 2020.
Dividend Restrictions
Current banking regulations impose restrictions on Peoples Bank's ability to pay dividends to Peoples. These restrictions include a limit on the amount of dividends that may be paid in a given year without prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board

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and a prohibition on paying dividends that would cause Peoples Bank's total capital to be less than the required minimum levels under the capital requirements imposed by the Federal Reserve Board and the amount of the capital conservation buffer. Ohio law also limits the amount of dividends that may be paid in any given year without prior approval of the Ohio Superintendent of Financial Institutions. Peoples Bank may not declare or pay a dividend if the total of all dividends declared during the calendar year, including the proposed dividend, exceeds the sum of Peoples Bank's net income during the current calendar year and the retained net income of the prior two calendar years, unless the dividend has been approved by the ODFI and the FRB. Peoples Bank's regulators may prohibit the payment of dividends at any time if the regulators determine the dividends represent unsafe and/or unsound banking practices, or reduce Peoples Bank's total capital below adequate levels. For further discussion regarding regulatory restrictions on dividends, refer to "Note 16 Regulatory Matters" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Peoples' ability to pay dividends to its shareholders may also be restricted. Current Federal Reserve Board policy requires a financial holding company to act as a source of financial strength to each of its banking subsidiaries. Under this policy, the Federal Reserve Board may require Peoples to commit resources or contribute additional capital to Peoples Bank, which could restrict the amount of cash available for dividends.
The Federal Reserve Board has also issued a policy statement with regard to the payment of cash dividends by financial holding companies and other bank holding companies. The policy statement provides that, as a matter of prudent banking, a financial holding company or bank holding company should not maintain a rate of cash dividends unless its net income available to common shareholders has been sufficient to fully fund the dividends, and the prospective rate of earnings retention appears to be consistent with the financial holding company's or bank holding company's capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. Accordingly, a financial holding company or bank holding company should not pay cash dividends that exceed its net income or that can only be funded in ways that weaken the financial holding company's or bank holding company's financial health, such as by borrowing.
Peoples also has entered into certain agreements that place restrictions on dividends. Specifically, Peoples Bank is prohibited from paying dividends in an amount greater than permitted by law without requiring prior Federal Reserve Board or other regulatory approval. In addition, if Peoples were to elect to defer payments of interest on the junior subordinated debt securities held by the NB&T Statutory Trust III, or an event of default were to occur under the indenture governing those junior subordinated debt securities, Peoples will be prohibited from declaring or paying any dividends on Peoples' common shares. Even where the declaration or payment of a dividend would not otherwise be restricted under applicable laws, Peoples or Peoples Bank may decide to limit the payment of dividends in order to retain earnings for corporate use.
Customer Privacy and Other Consumer Protections
Peoples Bank is subject to regulations limiting the ability of financial institutions to disclose non-public information about consumers to nonaffiliated third parties. These limitations require disclosure of privacy policies to consumers and, in some circumstances, allow consumers to prevent disclosure of certain personal information to a nonaffiliated party. Peoples Bank is also subject to numerous federal and state laws aimed at protecting consumers, including the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Bank Secrecy Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the authority granted to banking regulators under the Federal Trade Commission Act with respect to unfair or deceptive acts or practices ("UDAP").
In October 2017, the CFPB issued a final rule (the “Payday Rule”) to establish regulations for payday loans, vehicle title loans, and certain high-cost installment loans. The Payday Rule addressed two discrete topics. First, it contained a set of provisions with respect to the underwriting of certain covered loans and related reporting and recordkeeping requirements (the “Mandatory Underwriting Provisions”). Second, it contained a set of provisions establishing certain requirements and limitations with respect to attempts to withdraw payments from consumers’ checking or other accounts and related recordkeeping requirements (the “Payment Provisions”). The Payday Rule became effective on January 16, 2018. However, most provisions had a compliance date of August 19, 2019. On February 6, 2019, the CFPB proposed delaying the August 19, 2019, compliance date for the Mandatory Underwriting Provisions to November 19, 2020. The CFPB proposed in a separate notice to rescind the Mandatory Underwriting Provisions. On June 6, 2019, the CFPB issued a final rule delaying the compliance date for most Mandatory Underwriting Provisions until November 19, 2020. However, the final rule did not delay the compliance date for the Payment Provisions. Peoples does not currently expect the Payday Rule to have a material effect on Peoples’ financial condition or results of operations on a consolidated basis.
Office of Foreign Assets Control Regulation
The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign countries and regimes, under authority of various laws, including designated foreign countries, nationals and others. OFAC publishes lists of specially designated targets and countries. Peoples is responsible for, among other things, blocking accounts of, and transactions with, such targets and countries, prohibiting unlicensed trade and financial transactions with them and reporting blocked transactions after their occurrence. Failure to comply with these sanctions could have serious financial, legal and reputational consequences, including causing applicable bank regulatory authorities not to approve merger or acquisition transactions when regulatory approval is required or to prohibit such transactions even if approval

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is not required. Regulatory authorities have imposed cease and desist orders and civil money penalties against institutions found to be violating these obligations.
USA Patriot Act
The Uniting and Strengthening of America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, as amended (the "USA Patriot Act"), and related regulations, among other things, require financial institutions to establish programs specifying procedures for obtaining identifying information from customers seeking to establish new accounts and establishing enhanced due diligence policies, procedures and controls designed to detect and report suspicious activity. Peoples Bank has established policies and procedures that Peoples believes comply with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act.
Monetary Policy
The Federal Reserve Board regulates money, credit conditions and interest rates in order to influence general economic conditions primarily through open market operations in U.S. government securities, changes in the discount rate on bank borrowings, and changes in the reserve requirements against deposits of depository institutions. These policies and regulations significantly affect the overall growth and distribution of loans, investments and deposits, as well as interest rates charged on loans and paid on deposits.
The monetary policies of the Federal Reserve Board have had a significant effect on the operating results of financial institutions in the past and are expected to continue to have significant effects in the future. In light of the changing conditions in the economy, the money markets and the activities of monetary and fiscal authorities, Peoples can make no definitive predictions as to future changes in interest rates, credit availability or deposit levels.
Executive and Incentive Compensation
In June 2010, the federal banking regulatory agencies issued joint interagency guidance on incentive compensation policies (the "Joint Guidance") intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies of banking organizations do not undermine the safety and soundness of such organizations by encouraging excessive risk-taking. This principles-based guidance, which covers all employees that have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of an organization, either individually or as part of a group, is based upon the key principles that a banking organization's incentive compensation arrangements should: (1) provide incentives that do not encourage risk-taking beyond the organization's ability to effectively identify and manage risks; (2) be compatible with effective internal controls and risk management; and (3) be supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by the organization's board of directors.
In 2011, federal banking regulatory agencies jointly issued proposed rules on incentive-based compensation arrangements (the "First Proposed Joint Rules"). The First Proposed Joint Rules generally would have applied to financial institutions with $1.0 billion or more in assets that maintain incentive-based compensation arrangements for certain covered employees.
In May 2016, the federal banking regulatory agencies approved a second joint notice of proposed rules (the "Second Proposed Joint Rules") designed to prohibit incentive-based compensation arrangements that encourage inappropriate risks at financial institutions. The Second Proposed Joint Rules would apply to covered financial institutions with total assets of $1.0 billion or more, and are still in the status of proposed rules.
The requirements of the Second Proposed Joint Rules would differ for each of three categories of financial institutions:
Level 1 consisting of institutions with assets of $250 billion or more;
Level 2 consisting of institutions with assets of at least $50 billion and less than $250 billion; and
Level 3 consisting of institutions with assets of at least $1 billion and less than $50 billion.
Some of the requirements would apply only to Level 1 and Level 2 institutions. For all covered institutions, including Level 3 institutions like Peoples Bank, the Second Proposed Joint Rules would:
prohibit incentive-based compensation arrangements that are "excessive" or "could lead to material financial loss"
require incentive-based compensation that is consistent with a balance of risk and reward, effective management and control of risk, and effective governance; and
require board oversight, recordkeeping and disclosure to the appropriate regulatory agency.
Level 1 and Level 2 institutions would have additional requirements, including deferrals of awards to certain covered persons; potential downward adjustments, forfeitures or clawbacks; and additional risk-management and control standards, policies and procedures. In addition, certain practices and types of incentive compensation would be prohibited.
Pursuant to rules adopted by the stock exchanges and approved by the SEC in January 2013 under the Dodd-Frank Act, public company compensation committee members must meet heightened independence requirements and consider the independence of compensation consultants, legal counsel and other advisors to the compensation committee. A compensation committee must have the authority to hire advisors, and the public company must fund the reasonable compensation of such advisors.

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Public companies will be required, once stock exchanges adopt additional listing requirements under the Dodd-Frank Act, to implement "clawback" procedures for incentive compensation payments and to disclose the details of the procedures which allow recovery of incentive compensation that was paid on the basis of erroneous financial information necessitating an accounting restatement due to material noncompliance with financial reporting requirements. This clawback policy is intended to apply to compensation paid within a three-year look-back window of the restatement and would cover all executives (including former executives) who received incentive awards. Peoples has implemented a clawback policy and it is posted under the "Corporate Overview – Governance Documents" tab of the "Investor Relations" page of Peoples' Internet website.
SEC regulations require public companies such as Peoples to provide various disclosures about executive compensation in annual reports and proxy statements, and to present to their shareholders a non-binding vote on the approval of executive compensation.
Cybersecurity
In March 2015, federal regulators issued two related statements regarding cybersecurity. One statement indicates that financial institutions should design multiple layers of security controls to establish several lines of defense and to ensure that their risk management processes also address the risk posed by compromised customer credentials, including security measures to reliably authenticate customers accessing Internet-based services of the financial institution. The other statement indicates that a financial institution’s management is expected to maintain sufficient business continuity planning processes to ensure the rapid recovery, resumption and maintenance of the financial institution’s operations after a cybersecurity attack involving destructive malware. A financial institution is also expected to develop appropriate processes to enable recovery of data and business operations and address rebuilding network capabilities and restoring data if the financial institution or its critical service providers fall victim to this type of cybersecurity attack. If Peoples Bank fails to observe the regulatory guidance, it could be subject to various regulatory sanctions, including financial penalties.
In February 2018, the SEC published interpretive guidance to assist public companies in preparing disclosures about cybersecurity risks and incidents. These SEC guidelines, and any other regulatory guidance, are in addition to notification and disclosure requirements under state and federal banking law and regulations.
State regulators have also been increasingly active in implementing privacy and cybersecurity standards and regulations. Recently, several states have adopted regulations requiring certain financial institutions to implement cybersecurity programs and providing detailed requirements with respect to these programs, including data encryption requirements. Many states have also recently implemented or modified their data breach notification and data privacy requirements. Peoples expects this trend of state-level activity in those areas to continue, and continues to monitor developments in the states in which Peoples' customers are located.
In the ordinary course of business, Peoples relies on electronic communications and information systems to conduct its operations and to store sensitive data. Peoples employs an in-depth, layered, defensive approach that leverages people, processes and technology to manage and maintain cybersecurity controls. Peoples employs a variety of preventative and detective tools to monitor, block, and provide alerts regarding suspicious activity, as well as to report on any suspected advanced persistent threats. Notwithstanding the strength of Peoples’ defensive measures, the threat from cybersecurity attacks is severe, attacks are sophisticated and increasing in volume, and attackers respond rapidly to changes in defensive measures. While to date, Peoples has not detected a significant compromise, significant data loss or any material financial losses related to cybersecurity attacks, Peoples’ systems and those of its customers and third-party service providers are under constant threat and it is possible that Peoples could experience a significant event in the future. Risks and exposures related to cybersecurity attacks are expected to remain high for the foreseeable future due to the rapidly evolving nature and sophistication of these threats, as well as due to the expanding use of Internet banking, mobile banking and other technology-based products and services by Peoples and Peoples' customers. See “ITEM 1A RISK FACTORS” for a further discussion of risks related to cybersecurity.
Volcker Rule
In December 2013, five federal agencies adopted a final regulation implementing the Volcker Rule provision of the Dodd-Frank Act (the "Volcker Rule"). The Volcker Rule places limits on the trading activity of insured depository institutions and entities affiliated with depository institutions, subject to certain exceptions. Such trading activity includes the purchase or sale as principal of a security, derivative, commodity future, option or similar instrument in order to benefit from short-term price movements or to realize short-term profits. The Volcker Rule exempts trading in specified U.S. government, agency, state and/or municipal obligations. The Volcker Rule also excepts (i) trading conducted in certain capacities; (ii) trading to satisfy a debt previously contracted; (iii) trading under certain repurchase and securities lending agreements; and (iv) trading in connection with risk-mitigating hedging activities.
In addition, the Volcker Rule prohibits a banking entity from having an ownership interest in, or substantial relationships with, a hedge fund or private equity fund, subject to a number of exceptions. To the extent that Peoples Bank engages in any of the trading activities or has any ownership interest in or relationship with any of the types of funds regulated by the Volcker Rule, Peoples Bank believes that its activities and relationships fall within the scope of one or more of these exceptions.

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In July 2019, the five federal agencies that adopted the Volcker Rule adopted a final rule to exempt certain community banks, including Peoples Bank, from the Volcker Rule, consistent with the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. Under the final rule, community banks with $10 billion or less in total consolidated assets and total trading assets and liabilities of 5.0% or less of total consolidated assets are excluded from the restrictions of the Volcker Rule.
Effect of Environmental Regulation
Compliance with federal, state and local provisions regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment, has not had a material effect upon the capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position of Peoples and its subsidiaries. Peoples believes the nature of the operations of its subsidiaries has little, if any, environmental impact. As a result, Peoples anticipates no material capital expenditures for environmental control facilities for its current fiscal year or for the foreseeable future.
Peoples believes its primary exposure to environmental risk is through the lending activities of Peoples Bank. Peoples limits its exposure to environmental risk by lending to a diverse range of consumer and commercial customers. In cases where management believes environmental risk potentially exists, Peoples Bank mitigates its environmental risk exposure by requiring environmental site assessments at the time of loan origination to confirm collateral quality as to commercial real estate parcels posing higher than normal potential for environmental impact, as determined by reference to present and past uses of the subject property and adjacent sites. In addition, environmental assessments are typically required prior to any foreclosure activity involving non-residential real estate collateral.
Future Legislation
Various and significant legislation affecting financial institutions and the financial industry is from time to time introduced by the U.S. Congress, as evidenced by the sweeping reforms in the Dodd-Frank Act adopted in 2010, and the rollback of the Dodd-Frank Act that began in 2018. Many of the regulations mentioned above were adopted or amended pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act. Such legislation may continue to change banking statutes and regulations, and the operating environment of Peoples and its subsidiaries in substantial and unpredictable ways, and such legislation could significantly increase or decrease costs of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities, and/or affect the competitive balance among financial institutions. The enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act, the subsequent rollback and the continuing implementation of final rules and regulations thereunder, and continuing political change makes the nature and extent of future legislative and regulatory changes affecting financial institutions unpredictable.
Website Access to Peoples' SEC Filings
Peoples maintains an Internet website at www.peoplesbancorp.com (this uniform resource locator, or URL, is an inactive textual reference only and is not intended to incorporate Peoples' Internet website into this Form 10-K). Peoples makes available free of charge on or through its website, its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as well as Peoples' definitive proxy statement filed pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after Peoples electronically files each such report, amendment or proxy statement with, or furnishes it to, the SEC.
ITEM 1A RISK FACTORS
The following are certain risks that management believes are specific to Peoples' business.  This should not be viewed as an all-inclusive list of risks or presenting the risk factors listed in any particular order. Additional risks that are not presently known or that Peoples presently deems to be immaterial could also have a material adverse impact on Peoples' business, financial condition or results of operations.
Economic, Political, Environmental and Market Risks
Changes in economic and political conditions could adversely affect Peoples’ earnings and capital through declines in deposits, quality of investment securities, loan demand, the ability of its customers to repay loans and the value of the collateral securing its loans.
Peoples’ success depends, in part, on local and national economic and political conditions, as well as governmental fiscal and monetary policies. Conditions such as inflation, recession, unemployment, changes in interest rates, fiscal and monetary policy, an increasing federal government, budget deficit, slowing gross domestic product, tariffs, a U.S. withdrawal from or significant renegotiation of trade agreements, trade wars, the election of a new U.S. President or changes in the membership of Congress in 2020, and other factors beyond Peoples’ control may adversely affect Peoples Bank's deposit levels and composition, the quality of investment securities available for purchase, demand for loans, the ability of Peoples Bank's borrowers to repay their loans, and the value of the collateral securing the loans Peoples Bank makes. Recent political developments have resulted in substantial changes in economic and political conditions for the U.S. and the remainder of the world. Disruptions in U.S. and global financial markets, and changes in oil production in the Middle East also affect the economy and stock prices in the U.S., which can affect

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Peoples' earnings and Peoples' capital, as well as the ability of Peoples Bank's customers to repay loans. The effects on the U.S. of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union (Brexit) are currently unknown.
The local economies of the majority of Peoples' market areas historically have been less robust than the economy of the nation as a whole and typically are not subject to the same extent of fluctuations as the national economy. In general, a favorable business environment and economic conditions are characterized by, among other factors, economic growth, efficient capital markets, low inflation, low unemployment, high business and investor confidence, and strong business earnings. Unfavorable or uncertain economic and market conditions can be caused by declines in economic growth, business activity, or investor or business confidence; limitations on the availability or increases in the cost of credit and capital; increases in inflation or interest rates; high unemployment; volatility in pricing and availability of natural resources; natural disasters; or a combination of these or other factors.
Any reversal of recent improvements in economic conditions could have an adverse effect on Peoples' asset quality, deposit levels and loan demand, and, therefore, Peoples' financial condition and results of operations. Because a significant amount of Peoples Bank's loans are secured by either commercial or residential real estate, decreases in real estate values could adversely affect the value of property used as collateral and Peoples Bank's ability to sell the collateral upon foreclosure.
Changes in interest rates may adversely affect Peoples' profitability.
Peoples' earnings and cash flows are dependent to a significant degree on net interest income, which is the amount by which interest income exceeds interest expense. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond Peoples' control, including general economic conditions and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies and, in particular, the Federal Reserve Board. Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, not only could influence the interest Peoples receives on loans and securities, and the amount of interest Peoples pays on deposits and borrowings, but such changes could also affect (1) Peoples' ability to originate loans and obtain deposits, (2) the fair value of Peoples' financial assets and liabilities, and (3) the average duration of Peoples' mortgage-backed securities portfolio. If the interest rates paid on deposits and borrowings increase at a faster rate than the interest rates received on loans and other investments, Peoples' net interest income and, therefore, earnings, could be adversely affected. Earnings could also be adversely affected if the interest rates received on loans and other investments fall more quickly than the interest rates paid on deposits and borrowings.
Changes in interest rates may also negatively affect the ability of Peoples' borrowers to repay their loans, particularly as interest rates rise and adjustable-rate loans become more expensive.
Recent global public health concerns have caused significant disruption in the equity markets and a significant drop in interest rates, resulting in an inverted yield curve. The duration of the impact is unknown. Should interest rates remain inverted or low for an extended period, it could have a significant adverse impact on the profitability of Peoples.
Peoples' management uses various measures to monitor interest rate risk and believes it has implemented effective asset and liability management strategies to reduce the potential effects of changes in interest rates on Peoples' results of operations. Peoples' management also periodically adjusts the mix of assets and liabilities to manage interest rate risk. However, any substantial, unexpected, prolonged change in market interest rates could have a material adverse effect on Peoples' financial condition and results of operations.
See the sections captioned "Interest Income and Expense" and "Interest Rate Sensitivity and Liquidity" in "ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" of this Form 10-K for further discussion related to Peoples' interest rate risk.
A transition away from London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") as a reference rate for financial instruments could negatively impact Peoples' income and expenses, and the value of various financial instruments.
In 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority announced that after 2021 it would no longer compel banks to submit the rates required to calculate the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). This announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021. Consequently, at this time, it is not possible to predict whether and to what extent banks will continue to provide submissions for the calculation of LIBOR. Similarly, it is not possible to predict whether LIBOR will continue to be viewed as an acceptable market benchmark, what rate or rates may become accepted alternatives to LIBOR, or what the effect of any such changes in views or alternatives may be on the markets for LIBOR-indexed financial instruments.
In particular, regulators, industry groups and certain committees (e.g., the Alternative Reference Rates Committee) have, among other things, published recommended fall-back language for LIBOR-linked financial instruments, identified recommended alternatives for certain LIBOR rates (e.g., the Secured Overnight Financing Rate as the recommended alternative to U.S. Dollar LIBOR), and proposed implementations of the recommended alternatives in floating rate instruments. At this time, it is not possible to predict whether these specific recommendations and proposals will be broadly accepted, whether they will continue to evolve, and what the effect of their implementation may be on the markets for floating-rate financial instruments.
Peoples has a significant number of loans, derivative contracts, borrowings and other financial instruments with attributes that are either directly or indirectly dependent on LIBOR. The transition from LIBOR could create considerable costs and additional

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risk. Since proposed alternative rates are calculated differently, payments under financial instruments referencing new rates will differ from those referencing LIBOR. The transition will change Peoples’ market risk profiles, requiring changes to risk and pricing models, valuation tools, product design and hedging strategies. Furthermore, failure to adequately manage this transition process with Peoples’ customers could adversely impact its reputation. Although Peoples is currently unable to assess what the ultimate impact of the transition from LIBOR will be, failure to adequately manage the transition could have a material adverse effect on Peoples’ business, financial condition and results of operations.
In 2019, Peoples Bank formed a LIBOR Change Committee. The goal of the LIBOR Change Committee is to monitor Peoples Bank's efforts to ensure an orderly transition away from LIBOR by the end of 2021, should such a transition become necessary. The LIBOR Change Committee has already taken actions to ensure that documentation in the loan portfolios provides for a substitution of an index if the original index is either no longer available or is replaced by a new index. Documentation on interest rate swaps will be amended in the International Swaps and Derivative Association agreements. While the Peoples Bank’s securities portfolio is not heavily invested in variable rate securities, there is LIBOR exposure in the agency collateralized mortgage obligation sector. Peoples Bank will be monitoring the transition of these securities to the new index over the next several months.
Adverse changes in the financial markets may adversely impact Peoples' results of operations.
While Peoples generally invests in securities issued by U.S. government agencies and sponsored entities and U.S. state and local governments with limited credit risk, certain investment securities held by Peoples possess higher credit risk since they represent beneficial interests in structured investments collateralized by residential mortgages, debt obligations and similar asset-backed assets. Even securities issued by governmental agencies and entities may entail risk depending on political and economic changes. Regardless of the level of credit risk, all investment securities are subject to changes in market value due to changing interest rates, implied credit spreads and credit ratings.
Changes in market rates and economic conditions could cause the interest rate swaps Peoples Bank has entered into to become ineffective.
The accounting treatment of the interest rate swaps entered into by Peoples as part of its interest rate management strategy may change if the hedging relationship is not as effective as currently anticipated. These interest rate swaps are designated as cash flow hedges and involve the receipt of variable rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for fixed payments from Peoples. As of December 31, 2019, Peoples had seventeen interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional value of $160.0 million, $110.0 million of which were funded by FHLB 90-day advances, which are expected to extend every 90 days through the maturity dates of the swaps. The remaining $50.0 million of interest rate swaps were funded by 90-day brokered CDs, which will also be extended every 90 days through the maturity dates of the swaps.
Although Peoples expects that the hedging relationships described above will be highly effective, such relationships could prove ineffective. As of December 31, 2019, the termination value of derivative financial instruments in a net liability position was $3.7 million, which includes accrued interest but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk. As of December 31, 2019, Peoples had $20.0 million of collateral posted with certain of its derivative counterparties. However, the counterparties had no collateral posted against their obligations under these agreements. If Peoples had breached any of the provisions of the agreements at December 31, 2019, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements at the termination value.
Peoples is subject to environmental liability risk associated with lending activities.
A significant portion of Peoples' loan portfolio is secured by real property. During the ordinary course of business, Peoples forecloses on and takes title to properties securing certain loans. In doing so, there is a risk that hazardous or toxic substances could be found on these properties. If hazardous or toxic substances are found, Peoples may be liable for remediation costs, as well as for personal injury and property damage. Environmental laws may require Peoples to incur substantial expenses and may materially reduce the affected property’s value or limit Peoples' ability to use or sell the affected property. In addition, future laws or more stringent interpretations or enforcement policies with respect to existing laws may increase Peoples' exposure to environmental liability. Environmental reviews of real property before initiating foreclosure actions may not be sufficient to detect all potential environmental hazards. The remediation costs and any other financial liabilities associated with an environmental hazard could have a material adverse effect on Peoples' business, financial condition and results of operations.
The value of Peoples’ goodwill and other intangible assets may decline in the future.
As of December 31, 2019, Peoples had $177.5 million of goodwill and other intangible assets. A significant decline in expected future cash flows, a significant adverse change in the business climate, slower growth rates or a significant and sustained decline in the price of Peoples’ common shares may necessitate taking charges in the future related to the impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets. If Peoples were to conclude that a future write-down of goodwill and other intangible assets is necessary, the appropriate charge will be recorded, which could have a material adverse effect on Peoples' business, financial condition and results of operations.

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Business Operations Risks
Peoples is exposed to operational risk.
Similar to any large organization, Peoples is exposed to many types of operational risk, including those discussed in more detail in this Item, such as reputational risk, cyber, legal and compliance risk, the risk of fraud or theft by employees or outsiders, unauthorized transactions by employees or operational errors, including clerical or record-keeping errors or those resulting from faulty or disabled computer or telecommunications systems.
Peoples may be subject to disruptions of its operating systems arising from events that are wholly or partially beyond its control, which may include, for example, computer viruses, cyber-attacks, spikes in transaction volume and/or customer activity, electrical or telecommunications outages, or natural disasters. Peoples could be adversely affected by operating systems disruptions if new or upgraded business management systems are defective, not installed properly or not properly integrated into existing operating systems. Although Peoples has programs in place related to business continuity, disaster recovery and information security to maintain the confidentiality, integrity and availability of its operating systems, business applications and customer information, such disruptions may give rise to interruptions in service to customers, loss of data privacy and loss or liability to Peoples.
Any failure or interruption in Peoples' operating or information systems, or any security or data breach, could cause reputational damage, jeopardize the confidentiality of customer information, result in a loss of customer business, subject Peoples to regulatory intervention or expose Peoples to civil litigation and financial loss or liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on Peoples.
Negative public opinion can result from Peoples’ actual or alleged conduct in any number of activities, including lending practices, corporate governance and acquisitions, and actions taken by governmental regulators and community organizations in response to those activities. Negative public opinion can adversely affect Peoples’ ability to attract and keep customers, and can expose Peoples to potential litigation and regulatory action.
Given the volume of transactions Peoples processes, certain errors may be repeated or compounded before they are discovered and successfully rectified. Peoples’ necessary dependence upon automated systems to record and process its transaction volume may further increase the risk that technical system flaws or employee tampering or manipulation of those systems will result in losses that are difficult to detect and which may give rise to disruption of service to customers and to financial loss or liability. Peoples is further exposed to the risk that its external vendors may be unable to fulfill their contractual obligations (or will be subject to the same risk of fraud or operational errors by their respective employees as Peoples) or that Peoples' (or its vendors’) business continuity and data security systems will prove to be inadequate.
Failures or material breaches in security of Peoples' systems and telecommunications networks, or those of a third-party service provider, may have a material adverse effect on Peoples' results of operations and financial condition and the price of Peoples' common shares.
Peoples collects, processes and stores sensitive consumer data by utilizing computer systems and telecommunications networks operated by both Peoples and third-party service providers. Peoples' necessary dependence upon automated systems to record and process Peoples' transactions poses the risk that technical system flaws, employee errors, tampering or manipulation of those systems, or attacks by third parties will result in losses and may be difficult to detect. Peoples has security and backup and recovery systems in place, as well as a business continuity plan, designed to ensure the computer systems will not become inoperable, to the extent possible. Peoples also routinely reviews documentation of such controls and backups related to third-party service providers. Peoples' inability to use or access those information systems at critical points in time could unfavorably impact the timeliness and efficiency of Peoples' business operations. Risks to Peoples' systems result from a variety of factors, including the potential for bad acts on the part of hackers, criminals, employees or others. As one example, in recent years, some banks have experienced denial of service attacks in which individuals or organizations flood the bank’s website with extraordinarily high volumes of traffic, with the goal and effect of disrupting the ability of the bank to process transactions. Other businesses have been victims of ransomware attacks in which the business becomes unable to access its own information and is presented with a demand to pay a ransom in order to once again have access to its information. Peoples is also at risk from the impact of natural disasters, terrorism and international hostilities on its systems or for the effects of outages or other failures involving power or communications systems operated by others. These risks also arise from the same types of threats to businesses with which Peoples deals.
Peoples could be adversely affected if one of its employees causes a significant operational break down or failure, either as a result of human error or where the individual purposefully sabotages or fraudulently manipulates Peoples’ operations or systems. Peoples is further exposed to the risk that the third-party service providers may be unable to fulfill their contractual obligations (or will be subject to the same risks as Peoples). These disruptions may interfere with service to Peoples’ customers, cause additional regulatory scrutiny and result in a financial loss or liability.
Misconduct by employees could include fraudulent, improper or unauthorized activities on behalf of clients or improper use of confidential information. Peoples may not be able to prevent employee errors or misconduct, and the precautions Peoples takes

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to detect this type of activity might not be effective in all cases. Employee errors or misconduct could subject Peoples to civil claims for negligence or regulatory enforcement actions, including fines and restrictions on Peoples’ business.
In addition, there have been instances where financial institutions have been victims of fraudulent activity in which criminals pose as customers to initiate wire and automated clearinghouse transactions out of customer accounts. Although Peoples has policies and procedures in place to verify the authenticity of its customers, Peoples cannot ensure that such policies and procedures will prevent all fraudulent transfers. Such activity can result in financial liability and harm to Peoples’ reputation.
Peoples has implemented security controls to prevent unauthorized access to the computer systems and requires its third-party service providers to maintain similar controls. However, Peoples' management cannot be certain that these measures will be successful. A security breach of the computer systems and loss of confidential information, such as customer account numbers and related information, could result in a loss of customers’ confidence and, thus, loss of business. Peoples could also lose revenue if competitors gain access to confidential information about Peoples’ business operations and use it to compete with Peoples. In addition, unauthorized access to or use of sensitive data could subject Peoples to litigation and liability, and costs to prevent further such occurrences.
Further, Peoples may be affected by data breaches at retailers and other third parties who participate in data interchanges with Peoples and its customers that involve the theft of customer debit card data, which may include the theft of Peoples’ consumer and business debit card personal identification numbers and commercial card information used to make purchases at such retailers and other third parties. Such data breaches could result in Peoples incurring significant expenses to reissue debit cards and cover losses, which could result in a material adverse effect on Peoples’ results of operations. To date, Peoples has not experienced any material losses relating to cyber-attacks or other information security breaches, but there can be no assurance that Peoples will not suffer such attacks or attempted breaches, or incur resulting losses in the future. Peoples' risk and exposure to these matters remains heightened because of, among other things, the evolving nature of these threats, and Peoples' plans to continue to implement Internet and mobile banking capabilities to meet customer demand. As cyber and other data security threats continue to evolve, Peoples may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify and enhance its protective measures or to investigate and remediate any security vulnerabilities.
Peoples’ assets at risk for cyber-attacks include financial assets and non-public information belonging to customers. Peoples uses several third-party vendors who have access to Peoples’ assets via electronic media or data transfer protocols. Certain cybersecurity risks arise due to this access, including cyber espionage, blackmail, ransom and theft.
All of the types of cyber incidents discussed above could result in damage to Peoples’ reputation, loss of customer business, increased costs of incentives to customers or business partners in order to maintain their relationships, litigation, increased regulatory scrutiny and potential enforcement actions, repairs of system damage, increased investments in cybersecurity (such as obtaining additional technology, making organizational changes, deploying additional personnel, training personnel and engaging consultants), increased insurance premiums, and loss of investor confidence and a reduction in the price of Peoples’ common shares, all of which could result in financial loss and material adverse effects on Peoples’ results of operations and financial condition.
While Peoples maintains specific "cyber" insurance coverage, which would apply in the event of various breach scenarios, the amount of coverage may not be adequate in any particular case. Furthermore, because cyber threat scenarios are inherently difficult to predict and can take many forms, some breaches may not be covered under Peoples' cyber insurance coverage.
Peoples and Peoples Bank operate in a highly regulated industry, and the laws and regulations that govern Peoples’ operations, corporate governance, executive compensation and financial accounting, or financial reporting, including changes in, or failure to comply with, such laws and regulations may adversely affect Peoples.
The banking industry is highly regulated. Peoples is subject to supervision, regulation and examination by various federal and state regulators, including the Federal Reserve Board, the SEC, the CFPB, the FDIC, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (also known as FINRA), and various state regulatory agencies. The statutory and regulatory framework that governs Peoples is generally designed to protect depositors and customers, the Deposit Insurance Fund, the U.S. banking and financial system, and financial markets as a whole and not to protect Peoples' shareholders. These laws and regulations, among other matters, prescribe minimum capital requirements, restrict the ability of Peoples Bank to guarantee Peoples Bancorp Inc.'s debt, and impose limitations on Peoples’ business activities (including foreclosure and collection practices), limit the dividends or distributions that Peoples can pay, and impose certain specific accounting requirements that may be more restrictive and may result in greater or earlier charges to earnings or reductions in capital than would otherwise be required under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("US GAAP"). Compliance with laws and regulations can be difficult and costly, and changes to laws and regulations often impose additional compliance costs. Both the scope of the laws and regulations and the intensity of the supervision to which Peoples is subject have increased in recent years in response to the perceived state of the financial services industry, as well as other factors such as technological and market changes. Such regulation and supervision may increase Peoples’ costs and limit its ability to pursue business opportunities. Further, Peoples’ failure to comply with these laws and regulations, even if the failure was inadvertent or reflects a difference in interpretation, could subject Peoples to restrictions on business activities, fines, and other penalties, any of which could adversely affect results of operations, the capital base, and the price of Peoples’ common

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shares. Further, any new laws, rules, or regulations could make compliance more difficult or expensive or otherwise adversely affect Peoples’ business and financial condition.
Noncompliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and other anti-money laundering statutes and regulations could cause Peoples a material financial loss.
The Bank Secrecy Act and the USA Patriot Act contain anti-money laundering and financial transparency provisions intended to detect and prevent the use of the U.S. financial system for money laundering and terrorist financing activities. The Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by the USA Patriot Act, requires depository institutions and their holding companies to undertake activities including maintaining an anti-money laundering program, verifying the identity of clients, monitoring for and reporting suspicious transactions, reporting on cash transactions exceeding specified thresholds, and responding to requests for information by regulatory authorities and law enforcement agencies. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (also known as FinCEN), a unit of the U.S. Treasury Department that administers the Bank Secrecy Act, is authorized to impose significant civil money penalties for violations of those requirements and has recently engaged in coordinated enforcement efforts with the federal banking regulatory agencies, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Internal Revenue Service.
There is also increased scrutiny of compliance with the rules enforced by the OFAC. If Peoples' policies, procedures, and systems are deemed deficient, or if the policies, procedures, and systems of the financial institutions that Peoples has already acquired or may acquire in the future are deficient, Peoples may be subject to liability, including fines and regulatory actions such as restrictions on Peoples' ability to pay dividends and the necessity to obtain regulatory approvals to proceed with certain planned business activities, including acquisition plans, which could negatively impact Peoples' business, financial condition, and results of operations. Failure to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing could also have serious reputational consequences for Peoples.
For a more complete discussion of the Bank Secrecy Act and the USA Patriot Act, see the section captioned "Supervision and Regulation" in "ITEM 1 BUSINESS" of this Form 10-K.
Peoples is at risk of increased losses from fraud.
Criminals are committing fraud at an increasing rate and are using more sophisticated techniques. In some cases, these individuals are part of larger criminal rings, which allow them to be more effective. Such fraudulent activity has taken many forms, ranging from debit card fraud, check fraud, mechanical devices attached to ATM machines, social engineering and phishing attacks to obtain personal information, or impersonation of clients through the use of falsified or stolen credentials. Additionally, an individual or business entity may properly identify itself, yet seek to establish a business relationship for the purpose of perpetrating fraud. An emerging type of fraud even involves the creation of synthetic identification in which fraudsters "create" individuals for the purpose of perpetrating fraud. In addition to fraud committed directly against Peoples, Peoples may suffer losses as a result of fraudulent activity committed against third parties. Increased deployment of technologies, such as chip card technology, defray and reduce certain aspects of fraud; however, criminals are turning to other sources to steal personally identifiable information, such as unaffiliated healthcare providers and government entities, in order to impersonate consumers and thereby commit fraud.
Peoples' business could be adversely affected through events impacting third parties who perform significant operational services on behalf of Peoples.
The third parties performing operational services for Peoples are subject to risks similar to those faced by Peoples relating to cybersecurity, breakdowns or failures of their own systems, or misconduct of their employees. Like many other community banks, Peoples relies, in significant part, on a single vendor for the systems which allow Peoples to provide banking services to Peoples’ customers, with the systems being maintained on Peoples' behalf by this single vendor.
One or more of the third parties utilized by Peoples may experience a cybersecurity event or operational disruption and, if any such event or disruption does occur, it may not be adequately addressed, either operationally or financially, by such third party. Certain of these third parties may have limited indemnification obligations to Peoples in the event of a cybersecurity event or operational disruption, or may not have the financial capacity to satisfy their indemnification obligations.
Financial or operational difficulties of a third-party provider could also impair Peoples' operations if those difficulties interfere with such third party’s ability to serve Peoples. If a critical third-party provider is unable to meet the needs of Peoples in a timely manner, or if the services or products provided by such third party are terminated or otherwise delayed, and if Peoples is not able to develop alternative sources for these services and products quickly and in a cost-effective manner, Peoples’ business could be materially adversely effected.
Additionally, regulatory guidance adopted by federal banking regulators addressing how banks select, engage and manage their third-party relationships, could affect the circumstances and conditions under which Peoples works with third parties and the cost of managing such relationships.

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Peoples' failure to be in compliance with any material provision or covenant of its debt instruments could have a material adverse effect on Peoples' liquidity and operations.
On April 3, 2019, Peoples entered into a Loan Agreement (the “U.S. Bank Loan Agreement”) with U.S. Bank National Association. The U.S. Bank Loan Agreement has a one-year term and provides Peoples with a revolving line of credit in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $20.0 million. The U.S. Bank Loan Agreement imposes operating and financial covenants on Peoples. These restrictions may affect Peoples' operations and may limit the ability to take advantage of potential business opportunities as they arise. Peoples' ability to comply with the covenants may be affected by events beyond Peoples' control, including deteriorating economic conditions, and these events could require Peoples to seek waivers or amendments of covenants, or alternative sources of financing. Peoples' ability to obtain such waivers, amendments or alternative financing, may be on terms unfavorable to Peoples.
A breach of any of the covenants or restrictions contained in any of the existing or future financing agreements, including financial covenants, could result in an event of default under the agreements. Such a default could allow the lenders under the financing agreements, if the agreements so provide, to discontinue lending, to accelerate the related debt, and/or to declare all borrowings outstanding thereunder to be due and payable. In addition, the lenders could terminate any commitments they have to provide Peoples with further funds. If any of these events occur, Peoples may not have sufficient funds available to pay in full the total amount of obligations that become due as a result of any such acceleration, or Peoples may not be able to find additional or alternative financing to refinance any such accelerated obligations. Even if additional or alternative financing is obtained, it may be on terms that are unfavorable to Peoples. The U.S. Bank Loan Agreement matures on April 2, 2020. Peoples is in the process of renewing this facility and expects that it will be renewed prior to its expiration.
Peoples' exposure to credit risk could adversely affect Peoples' earnings and financial condition.
There are certain risks inherent in making loans. These risks include interest rate changes over the time period in which loans are to be repaid, risks resulting from changes in the economy, risks that Peoples will have inaccurate or incomplete information about borrowers, risks that borrowers will become unable to repay loans, and, in the case of loans secured by collateral, risks resulting from uncertainties about the future value of the collateral.
Commercial loans comprise a significant portion of Peoples' loan portfolio. Commercial loans generally are viewed as having a higher degree of credit risk than residential real estate or consumer loans because commercial loans usually involve larger loan balances to a single borrower and are more susceptible to a risk of default during an economic downturn. Since Peoples' loan portfolio contains a significant number of commercial loans, the deterioration of one or a few of these loans could cause a significant increase in nonperforming loans, and ultimately could have a material adverse effect on Peoples' earnings and financial condition. Peoples may also have credit exposures concentrated in a particular industry, resulting in a risk of a material adverse effect on earnings or financial condition, if there is an event adversely affecting such industry. Additional information regarding Peoples' credit exposure concentration as of December 31, 2019 can be found in the section captioned "Loan Concentration" in "ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" of this Form 10-K.
Peoples' allowance for loan losses may be insufficient to absorb the probable, incurred losses in its loan portfolio.
Peoples maintains an allowance for loan losses that is believed to be a reasonable estimate of the probable, incurred losses within the loan portfolio based on management's quarterly analysis of the portfolio. The determination of the allowance for loan losses requires management to make various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of Peoples' loans, including the creditworthiness of its borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of loans. Additional information regarding Peoples' allowance for loan losses methodology and the sensitivity of the estimates can be found in the discussion of "Critical Accounting Policies" included in "ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" of this Form 10-K.
Peoples' estimation of future loan losses is susceptible to changes in economic, operating and other conditions, including changes in regulations and interest rates, which may be beyond Peoples' control, and the losses may exceed current estimates. Peoples cannot be assured of the amount or timing of losses, nor whether the loan loss allowance will be adequate in the future.
If Peoples' assumptions prove to be incorrect, Peoples' allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover the incurred losses from its loan portfolio, resulting in the need for additions to the allowance for loan losses which could have a material adverse impact on Peoples' financial condition and results of operations. In addition, bank regulators periodically review Peoples' allowance for loan losses as part of their examination process and may require management to increase the allowance or recognize further loan charge-offs based on judgments different than those of management.
On June 16, 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2016-13 "Financial Instruments – Credit Losses", which replaced the incurred loss model with the CECL model, which is an expected loss model. The new accounting guidance became effective for Peoples beginning January 1, 2020, and includes most debt instruments under the new framework. Under the CECL model, financial institutions are required to use historical information, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts to estimate the expected credit losses. The transition to the CECL model will bring with it significantly greater data requirements and changes to methodologies to accurately account for

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expected credit losses under the new parameters. If the methodologies and assumptions used by Peoples in the CECL model prove to be incorrect, or inadequate, the allowance for credit losses may not be sufficient, resulting in the need for additional allowance for credit losses to be established, which could have a material adverse impact on Peoples' financial condition and results of operations.
At implementation, the expected credit losses measured under the CECL model could differ materially from the allowance for loan losses under the incurred loss model. Peoples will record a cumulative effect adjustment to its Consolidated Balance Sheet as of January 1, 2020 using a modified retrospective approach.
Peoples' accounting estimates and risk management processes rely on analytical and forecasting models.
The processes Peoples uses to estimate Peoples' incurred and expected loan losses and to measure the fair value of financial instruments, as well as the processes used to estimate the effects of changing interest rates and other market measures on Peoples' financial condition and results of operations, depend upon the use of analytical and forecasting models. These models reflect assumptions that may not be accurate, particularly in times of market stress or other unforeseen circumstances. Even if these assumptions are accurate, the models may prove to be inadequate or inaccurate because of other flaws in their design or their implementation. If the models Peoples uses for interest rate risk and asset-liability management are inadequate, Peoples may incur increased or unexpected losses upon changes in market interest rates or other market measures. If the models used by Peoples for determining incurred and expected loan losses are inadequate, the allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to support future charge-offs. If the models used by Peoples to measure the fair value of financial instruments are inadequate, the fair value of such financial instruments may fluctuate unexpectedly or may not accurately reflect what Peoples could realize upon sale or settlement of such financial instruments. Any such failure in Peoples' analytical or forecasting models could have a material adverse effect on Peoples' business, financial condition and results of operations.
Peoples and Peoples Bank may elect or be compelled to seek additional capital in the future, but such capital may not be available when needed.
Peoples and Peoples Bank are required by federal and state regulatory authorities to maintain adequate levels of capital to support their operations. Federal banking agencies have adopted extensive changes to their capital requirements, including raising required amounts and eliminating the inclusion of certain instruments from the calculation of capital. If Peoples Bank experiences significant losses, additional capital may be needed. In addition, Peoples and Peoples Bank may elect to raise additional capital to support the businesses or to finance acquisitions, if any, or for other unanticipated reasons. The ability to raise additional capital, if needed, will depend on financial performance, conditions in the capital markets, economic conditions and a number of other factors, many of which are outside of Peoples' control. Therefore, there can be no assurance that additional capital will be available or that capital will be available on acceptable terms. The inability to raise capital may have a material adverse effect on Peoples' financial condition, results of operations or potential acquisitions.
Peoples may not be able to remain competitive.
Peoples experiences significant competition in originating loans, obtaining deposits, and maintaining and growing insurance and trust customers, principally from other commercial banks, savings associations, credit unions, trust and brokerage companies, insurance agencies, fintechs and online service providers. Several of Peoples' competitors have greater resources, larger branch systems and wider arrays of banking and non-banking services. This competition could reduce Peoples' net income by decreasing the number and size of loans that Peoples originates and the interest rates it can charge on these loans. Moreover, technology and other changes are allowing businesses and individuals to utilize alternative methods to complete financial transactions that historically have involved banks. For example, consumers can now maintain funds that have historically been held as bank deposits in brokerage accounts, mutual funds, or high yield savings accounts with online banks. Consumers can also complete transactions such as paying bills and/or transferring funds directly without the assistance of banks. The process of eliminating the use of banks to complete financial transactions could result in the loss of fee income, as well as the loss of customer deposits and the related income generated from those deposits. The loss of these revenue streams and lower cost deposits as a source of funding could have a material adverse effect on Peoples' financial condition and results of operations.  If Peoples is unable to compete effectively, Peoples will lose market share, which could reduce income generated from deposits, loans and other products. For a more complete discussion of Peoples' competitive environment, see the section captioned "Competition" in "ITEM 1 BUSINESS" of this Form 10-K.
Peoples may not be able to adapt to technological change.
The financial services industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to better serve customers and to reduce costs. Peoples’ future success depends, in part, upon its ability to address customer needs by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands, as well as to create additional efficiencies in its operations. Peoples may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to its customers. Failure to successfully keep pace with technological changes affecting the financial services industry could negatively affect Peoples’ growth, revenue and net income.

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Peoples may not be able to attract and retain skilled key employees.
Peoples' success depends, in large part, on its ability to attract, retain, motivate and develop key employees. Competition for key employees is ongoing and intensified by low unemployment rates, and Peoples may not be able to attract, retain or hire the key employees who are wanted or needed, which may also negatively impact Peoples' ability to execute identified business strategies. Many of Peoples’ offices are located in rural areas, resulting in the possible need for Peoples to offer higher compensation than what is offered in metropolitan areas to attract or retain key employees, which may adversely affect salaries and employee benefit costs.
Various restrictions on the compensation which may be paid to certain executive officers were imposed under the Dodd-Frank Act and other legislation and regulations. In addition, Peoples' incentive compensation structure is subject to review by regulators, who may identify deficiencies in the structure or issue additional guidance on Peoples' compensation practices, causing Peoples to make changes that may affect its ability to offer competitive compensation to these individuals or that place it at a disadvantage to non-financial service competitors. Peoples' ability to attract and retain talented employees may be affected by these restrictions, or any new executive compensation limits or regulations.
Peoples' ability to pay dividends is limited, and Peoples may not be in the position to pay dividends in the future.
Although Peoples has paid dividends on its common shares in the past, Peoples may, at the discretion of its Board of Directors, reduce or eliminate dividends in the future, for any reason, including a determination to use funds for other purposes, or due to regulatory constraints. Peoples is a separate and distinct legal entity from Peoples' subsidiaries. Peoples receives nearly all of its liquidity from dividends from Peoples Bank, which are limited by federal and state banking laws and regulations. These dividends also serve as the primary source of funds to pay dividends on Peoples' common shares. The inability of Peoples Bank to pay sufficient dividends to Peoples could have a material, adverse effect on its business. Further discussion of Peoples' ability to pay dividends can be found under the caption "Supervision and Regulation – Dividend Restrictions" in "ITEM 1 BUSINESS" of this Form 10-K and "Note 16 Regulatory Matters" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Climate change, severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism, the emergence of a pandemic and other adverse external events could significantly impact Peoples' business.
Natural disasters, including severe weather events of increasing strength and frequency due to climate change, acts of war or terrorism, pandemics or concern about a possible pandemic, and other adverse external events could have a significant impact on Peoples' ability to conduct business or upon third parties who perform operational services for Peoples or its customers. Such events could affect the stability of Peoples' deposit base, impair the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans, impair the value of collateral securing loans, cause significant property damage, disrupt the infrastructure that supports Peoples' business and the communities Peoples is located in, negatively impact financial markets and interest rates, result in lost revenue or cause Peoples to incur additional expenses.
In early 2020, there were global public health concerns resulting in various uncertainties including the potential impact to global economies, trade and consumer and corporate clients. The public health concerns may have an adverse impact on certain Peoples customers directly or indirectly which are engaged in international trade and travel. These businesses may be adversely affected by quarantines and travel restrictions in countries most affected by the public health concerns. In addition, entire industries such as agriculture, may be adversely impacted due to lower exports caused by reduced economic activity in the affected countries.
Peoples depends upon the accuracy and completeness of information about customers and counterparties.
In deciding whether to extend credit or enter into other transactions with customers and counterparties, Peoples may rely on information provided by customers and counterparties, including financial statements and other financial information. Peoples may also rely on representations of customers and counterparties as to the accuracy and completeness of that information and, with respect to financial statements, on reports of independent auditors. For example, in deciding whether to extend credit to a business, Peoples Bank may assume that the customer’s audited financial statements conform with US GAAP and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the customer. Peoples Bank may also rely on the audit report covering those financial statements. Peoples’ financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be negatively impacted to the extent that Peoples Bank relies on financial statements that do not comply with US GAAP or on financial statements and other financial information that are materially misleading.
Peoples Bank may be required to repurchase loans it has sold or to indemnify loan purchasers under the terms of the sale agreements, which could adversely affect Peoples’ liquidity, results of operations and financial condition.
When Peoples Bank sells a mortgage loan, it may agree to repurchase or substitute a mortgage loan if Peoples Bank is later found to have breached any representation or warranty Peoples Bank made about the loan or if the borrower is later found to have committed fraud in connection with the origination of the loan. While Peoples Bank has underwriting policies and procedures designed to avoid breaches of representations and warranties and borrower fraud, there can be no assurance that a breach or fraud will never occur. Required repurchases, substitutions or indemnifications could have an adverse effect on Peoples’ liquidity, results of operations and financial condition.

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Peoples and its subsidiaries are subject to examinations and challenges by tax authorities.
In the normal course of business, Peoples and its subsidiaries are routinely subject to examinations and challenges from federal and state tax authorities regarding positions taken regarding their respective tax returns. State tax authorities have become increasingly aggressive in challenging tax positions taken by financial institutions, especially those positions relating to tax compliance and calculation of taxes subject to apportionment. Any challenge or examination by a tax authority may result in adjustments to the timing or amount of taxable net worth or taxable income, or deductions or the allocation of income among tax jurisdictions.
Management believes it has taken appropriate positions with respect to all tax returns and does not anticipate that any examination would have a material impact on Peoples' Consolidated Financial Statements. However, the outcome of any such examination and the ultimate resolution of any resulting assessments are inherently difficult to predict. Thus, no assurance can be given that Peoples' tax liability for any tax year open to examination will be as reflected in Peoples' current and historical Consolidated Financial Statements. Further information can be found in the "Critical Accounting Policies – Income Taxes" section of "ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" of this Form 10-K.
Peoples or one of its subsidiaries may be a defendant from time to time in a variety of litigation and other actions, which could have a material adverse effect on Peoples' financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Peoples and its subsidiaries may be involved from time to time in a variety of litigation arising out of their respective businesses. The risk of litigation increases in times of increased troubled loan collection activity. Peoples' insurance may not cover all claims that may be asserted against Peoples and its subsidiaries, and any claims asserted against them, regardless of merit or eventual outcome, may harm their respective reputations. Should the ultimate judgments or settlements in any litigation exceed the applicable insurance coverage, they could have a material adverse effect on Peoples' financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, Peoples or one of its subsidiaries may not be able to obtain appropriate types or levels of insurance in the future or adequate replacement policies with acceptable terms.
Defaults by larger financial institutions could adversely affect Peoples' business, earnings and financial condition.
Many financial institutions and their related operations are closely intertwined, and the soundness of such financial institutions may, to some degree, be interdependent. As a result, concerns about, or a default or threatened default by, one institution could lead to significant market-wide liquidity and credit problems, losses or defaults by other institutions. This "systemic risk" may adversely affect Peoples' business.
Additionally, Peoples' investment portfolio continues to include a limited amount of investments in individual bank-issued trust preferred securities. Under current market conditions, the fair value of these security types is based predominately on the present value of cash flows expected to be received in the future. Significant defaults by other financial institutions could adversely affect conditions within the financial services industry, thereby causing investors to require higher rates of return for these investments. These factors could cause Peoples to recognize impairment losses on its investment in bank-issued trust preferred securities in future periods.
Legislative, Regulatory and Tax Change Risks
Legislative or regulatory changes or actions could adversely impact Peoples or the businesses in which it is engaged.
The financial services industry is heavily regulated under both federal and state law. Peoples is subject to regulation and supervision by the Federal Reserve Board, and Peoples Bank is subject to regulation and supervision by the ODFI, the FRB, the FDIC and the CFPB. These regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors and the Deposit Insurance Fund, not Peoples' shareholders. Peoples' non-bank subsidiaries are also subject to the supervision of the Federal Reserve Board, in addition to other regulatory and self-regulatory agencies, including the SEC, and state securities and insurance regulators.
Regulations affecting banks and financial services businesses are undergoing continuous change, and Peoples' management cannot predict the effect of those changes. While such changes are generally intended to lessen the regulatory burden on financial institutions, the impact of any changes to laws and regulations or other actions by regulatory agencies could adversely affect Peoples' business. Regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the imposition of restrictions on the operation of an institution, the classification of assets held by an institution, the appropriateness of an institution's allowance for loan losses and the ability to complete acquisitions. Additionally, actions by regulatory agencies or significant litigation against Peoples could cause Peoples to devote significant time and resources to defending its business and may lead to penalties that materially affect Peoples and its shareholders. Even the reduction of regulatory restrictions could have an adverse effect on Peoples and its shareholders if such lessening of restrictions increases competition within the financial services industry or Peoples' market area.
In light of conditions in the global financial markets and the global economy that occurred since the recession that started in 2008, regulators have increased their focus on the regulation of the financial services industry. Most recently, the government and the federal agencies regulating the financial services industry have acted on an unprecedented scale in responding to the stresses experienced in the global financial markets. Some of the laws enacted by the government and regulations promulgated by federal

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regulatory agencies subject Peoples, Peoples Bank and other financial institutions to which such laws and regulations apply, to additional restrictions, oversight and costs that may have an impact on Peoples' business, results of operations or the trading price of Peoples' common shares.
Further information about government regulation of Peoples' business can be found under the caption "Supervision and Regulation" in "ITEM 1 BUSINESS" of this Form 10-K.
Changes in accounting standards, policies, estimates or procedures may impact Peoples' reported financial condition or results of operations.
The accounting standard setters, including the FASB, the SEC and other regulatory bodies, periodically change the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of Peoples' Consolidated Financial Statements. The pace of change continues to accelerate and changes in accounting standards can be difficult to predict and can materially impact how Peoples records and reports its financial condition and results of operations. In some cases, Peoples could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, resulting in the restatement of prior period financial statements.
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make significant estimates that affect the financial statements. Due to the inherent nature of these estimates, actual results may vary materially from management's estimates. The new CECL accounting standard, which became effective on January 1, 2020, will result in earlier recognition of credit losses and requires consideration of not only past and current events but also reasonable and supportable forecasts of events that could affect collectability. With the adoption of CECL, the allowance for credit losses will increase, which will decrease retained earnings and regulatory capital. The federal banking regulators have adopted a rule that will allow banks to phase in the day-one impact of the adoption of CECL on regulatory capital over three years, which Peoples does not currently anticipate utilizing. CECL implementation poses operational risk, including the failure to properly transition internal processes or systems, which could lead to call report errors, financial misstatements or operational losses.
Additional information regarding Peoples' critical accounting policies and the sensitivity of estimates can be found in the section captioned "Critical Accounting Policies" in "ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" of this Form 10-K.
Changes in tax laws could adversely affect Peoples' performance.
Peoples is subject to extensive federal, state and local taxes, including income, excise, sales/use, payroll, franchise, withholding and other taxes. Changes to tax laws could have a material adverse effect on Peoples' results of operations, fair values of net deferred tax assets and obligations of states and political subdivisions held in Peoples' investment securities portfolio. In addition, Peoples' customers are subject to a wide variety of federal, state and local taxes. Changes in taxes paid by Peoples' customers may adversely affect their ability to purchase homes or consumer products, which could adversely affect their demand for loans and deposit products. In addition, such negative effects on Peoples' customers could result in defaults on the loans made by Peoples Bank and decrease the value of mortgage-backed securities in which Peoples has invested.
Increases in FDIC insurance premiums may have a material adverse effect on Peoples' earnings.
Peoples Bank has limited ability to control the amount of premiums it is required to pay for FDIC insurance. The Deposit Insurance Fund maintained by the FDIC to resolve bank failures is funded by fees assessed on insured depository institutions, such as Peoples Bank. If the costs of future bank failures increase, deposit insurance premiums may also increase. Increases in FDIC insurance premiums may have a material adverse effect on Peoples' results of operations and ability to continue to pay dividends on its common shares at the current rate or at all.
Effective July 1, 2016, the FDIC changed the deposit insurance premium assessment method for banks with less than $10 billion in assets that have been insured by the FDIC for at least five years. The assessment method was changed to the financial ratios method so that it is based on a statistical model estimating the probability of failure of a bank over three years. The FDIC also updated the financial measures used in the financial ratios method consistent with the statistical model, eliminated risk categories for established small banks, and used the financial ratios method to determine assessment rates for all such banks (subject to minimum or maximum initial assessment rates based upon a bank’s composite examination rating). These changes to the assessment method decreased Peoples' premiums beginning in late 2016. In addition, the Deposit Insurance Fund reached the 1.35% reserve ratio target as of September 30, 2018, exceeding the statutory required minimum reserve ratio ahead of the September 30, 2020 deadline mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act. This resulted in Peoples receiving two credits on its quarterly FDIC insurance assessment during 2019 and may result in credits being applied to future FDIC insurance assessments by Peoples. However, there can be no assurance that the assessment will continue to be at the lower rate indefinitely.

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Strategic Risks
Peoples' ability to complete acquisitions and integrate completed acquisitions may be unsuccessful or more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected, which could have an adverse effect on Peoples' business, earnings and financial condition.
Peoples actively evaluates opportunities to acquire other businesses. However, Peoples may not have the opportunity to make suitable acquisitions on favorable terms in the future, which could negatively impact the growth of its business. Peoples expects that other banking and financial companies, many of which have significantly greater resources, will compete to acquire compatible businesses. This competition could increase prices for acquisitions that Peoples would likely pursue, and its competitors may have greater resources to pay such acquisition prices. In addition, acquisitions of regulated businesses, such as banks, are subject to various regulatory approvals. If Peoples fails to receive the appropriate approvals, it will not be able to consummate an acquisition that it believes is in its best interest.
Peoples may not be able to integrate new acquisitions without encountering difficulties, including the loss of key employees and customers, the disruption of ongoing businesses or possible inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies. Peoples may not be able to fully achieve the strategic objectives and operating efficiencies anticipated in the acquisitions it completes. Future acquisitions may also result in other unforeseen difficulties, including in the integration of the combined companies. Further, benefits such as enhanced earnings anticipated from the acquisitions may not develop and future results of the combined companies may be materially below those estimated. In addition, Peoples may issue equity securities in connection with acquisitions, which could dilute the economic and voting interests of Peoples' shareholders. Recent changes in the stock price of financial institutions could impact the valuation of potential target companies and, therefore, Peoples' ability to compete for acquisitions.
Anti-takeover provisions may delay or prevent an acquisition or change in control by a third party.
Provisions in the Ohio General Corporation Law, Peoples' Amended Articles of Incorporation and Peoples' Code of Regulations, including a supermajority vote requirement for significant corporate changes, could discourage potential takeover attempts and make attempts by shareholders to remove Peoples' Board of Directors and management more difficult. These provisions may also have the effect of delaying or preventing a transaction or change in control that might be in the best interests of Peoples' shareholders.
ITEM 1B UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2 PROPERTIES
Peoples' sole banking subsidiary, Peoples Bank, generally owns its offices, related facilities and unimproved real property. At December 31, 2019, Peoples Bank operated 62 offices in Ohio, 13 offices in Kentucky, and 11 offices in West Virginia. Of these 86 offices, 20 are leased and the rest are owned by Peoples Bank.
Peoples Insurance rents office space in various Peoples Bank offices, and also leases office space from third parties in Lyndhurst, Ohio, and in Pikeville, Kentucky.

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Rent expense on the leased properties totaled $1.3 million in 2019 and $1.1 million in 2018, which excludes intercompany rent expense. The following are the only properties that have a lease term expiring on or before June 2021:
LocationAddress
Lease Expiration Date
South Parkersburg Walmart Office2900 Pike Street
Parkersburg, West Virginia
January 2020 (a)
Cincinnati Mortgage Origination Division11025 Reed Hartman Highway
Cincinnati, Ohio
February 2020 (a)
South Shore Office347 James Hannah Drive
South Shore, Kentucky
July 2020 (b)
Pikeville Insurance Office108 Trivett Drive
Pikeville, Kentucky
September 2020 (a)
Lancaster Fair Avenue Office2211 West Fair Avenue
Lancaster, Ohio
March 2021 (a)
Infinity Insurance Group5231 Mayfield Road
Lyndhurst, Ohio
April 2021 (a)
Huntington Business Production Office1200 Third Avenue
Huntington, West Virginia
May 2021 (b)
Athens Mall Office801 East State Street
Athens, Ohio
June 2021 (b)
Akron Business Production Office354 South Main Street
Akron, Ohio
June 2021 (a)
Cincinnati East Loan Production Office151 Castleberry Court
Milford, Ohio
June 2021 (b)
(a) Current lease agreement has no remaining extensions available.
(b) Current lease agreement has one three-year extension remaining.

Peoples considers its offices and related facilities to be suitable and adequate for the present needs of Peoples and its subsidiaries. Peoples evaluates on a continuing basis the suitability and adequacy of its offices and related facilities, and has opened, relocated, remodeled or closed them as appropriate to maintain efficient and attractive premises.
Additional information concerning the property and equipment owned or leased by Peoples and its subsidiaries is incorporated herein by reference from "Note 5 Bank Premises and Equipment" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
ITEM 3 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In the ordinary course of their respective businesses or operations, Peoples or one of its subsidiaries may be named as a plaintiff, a defendant, or a party to a legal proceeding or any of their respective properties may be subject to various pending and threatened legal proceedings and various actual and potential claims.  In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of such matters, Peoples cannot state what the eventual outcome of any such matters will be; however, based on current knowledge and after consultation with legal counsel, Peoples' management believes these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity of Peoples.
ITEM 4 MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.

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PART II
ITEM 5 MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Peoples' common shares are traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market® under the symbol PEBO. At December 31, 2019, Peoples had 2,440 shareholders of record.
Peoples plans to continue to pay quarterly cash dividends comparable to those paid historically, subject to certain regulatory restrictions described in "Note 16 Regulatory Matters" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, as well as in the section captioned "Supervision and Regulation – Dividend Restrictions" of "ITEM 1 BUSINESS" of this Form 10-K.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table details repurchases by Peoples and purchases by "affiliated purchasers" as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, of Peoples' common shares during the three months ended December 31, 2019:
Period
(a)
Total Number of Common Shares Purchased
 
(b)
Average Price Paid per Common Share
 
 (c)
Total Number of Common Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (1)
(d)
Maximum
Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Common Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1)
October 1 – 31, 201912,852  
(1)(2)
$30.53  
(1)(2)
12,252  $14,245,071  
November 1 – 30, 2019475  
(2)
$32.90  
(2)
—  $14,245,071  
December 1 – 31, 2019—  $—  —  $14,245,071  
Total13,327   $30.61   12,252  $14,245,071  
(1)On November 3, 2015, Peoples announced that on that same date, Peoples' Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program authorizing Peoples to purchase up to an aggregate of $20 million of its outstanding common shares. Peoples repurchased 12,252 common shares under this share repurchase program during October 2019. On February 28, 2020, Peoples announced that on February 27, 2020, Peoples' Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program authorizing Peoples to purchase up to an aggregate of $40 million of its outstanding common shares. The share repurchase program announced on February 28, 2020 replaced the previous repurchase program which was terminated on February 27, 2020. Additional information regarding the share repurchase program can be found in "Note 10 Stockholders' Equity" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2)Information includes 600 common shares and 475 common shares purchased in open market transactions during October and November, respectively, by Peoples Bank under the Rabbi Trust Agreement. The Rabbi Trust Agreement establishes a rabbi trust that holds assets to provide funds for the payment of the benefits under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Third Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries.


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Performance Graph
The following Performance Graph and related information shall not be deemed "soliciting material" or to be "filed" with the SEC, nor shall such information be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that Peoples specifically incorporates the Performance Graph by reference into such filing.
The following line graph compares the five-year cumulative total shareholder return of Peoples' common shares, based on an initial investment of $100 on December 31, 2014, and assuming reinvestment of dividends, against two indices. The first is the Russell 2000 Index, which is a leading benchmark for small cap domestic stocks and is comprised of the stocks ranked 1,001 to 3,000 in order of descending market capitalization in the Russell 3000 Index. The second is the Russell 2000 Financial Services Index, which is comprised of the financial services companies within the Russell 2000 Index.
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN AMONG
PEOPLES BANCORP INC., RUSSELL 2000 INDEX,
AND RUSSELL 2000 FINANCIAL SERVICES INDEX
pebo-20191231_g2.jpg
 At December 31,
 201420152016201720182019
Peoples Bancorp Inc.$100.00  $74.66  $132.32  $136.44  $129.97  $155.88  
Russell 2000 Index$100.00  $95.59  $115.93  $132.94  $118.36  $148.52  
Russell 2000 Financial Services Index$100.00  $100.60  $131.84  $139.42  $124.26  $154.20  



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ITEM 6 SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The information below has been derived from Peoples' Consolidated Financial Statements.
 At or For the Year Ended December 31,
 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)20192018201720162015
Operating Data (a)
Total interest income$170,095  $151,264  $126,525  $115,444  $108,333  
Total interest expense29,257  21,652  13,148  10,579  10,721  
Net interest income140,838  129,612  113,377  104,865  97,612  
Provision for loan losses2,504  5,448  3,772  3,539  14,097  
Net gain (loss) on investment securities164  (146) 2,983  930  729  
Net loss on asset disposals and other transactions(782) (334) (63) (1,133) (1,788) 
Total non-interest income excluding net gains and losses (b)64,892  57,234  52,653  51,070  47,441  
Total non-interest expense137,250  125,977  107,975  106,911  115,081  
Net income (c)$53,695  $46,255  $38,471  $31,157  $10,941  
Balance Sheet Data (a)
Total investment securities$1,010,578  $871,837  $874,486  $859,455  $868,830  
Loans, net of deferred fees and costs ("total loans")2,873,525  2,728,778  2,357,137  2,224,936  2,072,440  
Allowance for loan losses21,556  20,195  18,793  18,429  16,779  
Goodwill and other intangible assets177,503  162,085  144,576  146,018  149,617  
Total assets4,354,165  3,991,454  3,581,686  3,432,348  3,258,970  
Non-interest-bearing deposits671,208  607,877  556,010  734,421  717,939  
Brokered certificates of deposits207,939  263,854  159,618  38,832  47,635  
Other interest-bearing deposits2,412,265  2,083,734  2,014,702  1,759,605  1,784,148  
Short-term borrowings316,977  356,198  209,491  305,607  160,386  
Junior subordinated debentures held by subsidiary trust7,451  7,283  7,107  6,924  6,736  
Other long-term borrowings75,672  102,361  136,912  138,231  106,934  
Total stockholders' equity594,393  520,140  458,592  435,261  419,789  
Tangible assets (d)4,176,662  3,829,369  3,437,110  3,286,330  3,109,353  
Tangible equity (d)$416,890  $358,055  $314,016  $289,243  $270,172  
Per Common Share Data (a)
Earnings per common share – basic$2.65  $2.42  $2.12  $1.72  $0.62  
Earnings per common share – diluted2.63  2.41  2.10  1.71  0.61  
Cash dividends declared per common share1.32  1.12  0.84  0.64  0.60  
Book value per common share (e)28.72  26.59  25.08  23.92  22.81  
Tangible book value per common share (d)(e)$20.14  $18.30  $17.17  $15.89  $14.68  
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding – basic20,120,119  18,991,768  18,050,189  18,013,693  17,555,140  
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding – diluted20,273,725  19,122,260  18,208,684  18,155,463  17,687,795  
Common shares outstanding at end of period20,698,941  19,565,029  18,287,449  18,200,067  18,404,864  
Closing stock price at end of period$34.66  $30.10  $32.62  $32.46  $18.84  


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 At or For the Year Ended December 31,
  (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)20192018201720162015
Significant Ratios (a)
Return on average stockholders' equity9.48 %9.48 %8.54 %7.20 %2.69 %
Return on average tangible equity (f)14.35  14.81  13.33  11.86  5.16  
Return on average assets 1.27  1.19  1.10  0.94  0.35  
Return on average assets adjusted for non-core items (g)1.42  1.32  1.08  0.97  0.62  
Average stockholders' equity to average assets13.41  12.61  12.83  13.03  13.09  
Average total loans to average deposits86.35  89.37  86.10  83.22  80.08  
Net interest margin (h)3.69  3.71  3.62  3.54  3.53  
Efficiency ratio (i)64.74  65.33  62.20  65.13  75.50  
Efficiency ratio adjusted for non-core items (j)61.09  61.32  61.85  64.30  67.49  
Pre-provision net revenue to total average assets (k)1.62  1.57  1.65  1.48  0.96  
Dividend payout ratio50.08  46.65  39.86  37.40  96.35  
Total loans to deposits (e)87.50  92.51  86.42  88.81  81.80  
Total investment securities as percentage of total assets (e)23.21 %21.84 %24.42 %25.04 %26.67 %
Asset Quality Ratios (a)
Nonperforming loans as a percent of total loans (e)(l)0.75 %0.71 %0.73 %1.13 %0.94 %
Nonperforming assets as a percent of total assets (e)(l)0.50  0.49  0.49  0.75  0.62  
Nonperforming assets as a percent of total loans and other real estate owned ("OREO") (e)(l)0.76  0.71  0.74  1.16  0.98  
Criticized loans as a percent of total loans (e)(m)3.37  4.18  3.84  4.46  5.89  
Classified loans as a percent of total loans (e)(n)2.30  1.61  1.97  2.59  2.91  
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans (e)0.75  0.74  0.80  0.83  0.81  
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of nonperforming loans (e)(l)99.28  104.35  108.52  73.43  86.05  
Provision for loan losses as a percent of average total loans0.09  0.21  0.16  0.17  0.72  
Net charge-offs as a percent of average total loans (o)0.04 %0.15 %0.15 %0.09 %0.78 %
Capital Information (a)(e)
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio (p)14.59 %13.66 %13.26 %12.91 %13.36 %
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio14.84  13.92  13.55  13.21  13.67  
Total risk-based capital ratio (tier 1 and tier 2)15.58  14.65  14.43  14.11  14.54  
Tier 1 leverage ratio10.41 %9.99 %9.75 %9.65 %9.52 %
Common equity tier 1 capital$427,415  $378,855  $327,172  $306,506  $288,416  
Tier 1 capital434,866  386,138  334,279  313,430  295,151  
Total capital (tier 1 and tier 2)456,422  406,333  355,977  334,957  313,974  
Total risk-weighted assets$2,930,355  $2,773,383  $2,466,620  $2,373,359  $2,158,713  
Total stockholders' equity to total assets13.65 %13.03 %12.80 %12.68 %12.88 %
Tangible equity to tangible assets (d)9.98 %9.35 %9.14 %8.80 %8.69 %
(a)Reflects the impact of the acquisition of NB&T beginning March 6, 2015, ASB Financial Corp. ("ASB") beginning April 13, 2018, and First Prestonsburg Bancshares Inc. ("First Prestonsburg") beginning April 12, 2019.
(b)Total non-interest income excluding net gains and losses, is a non-US GAAP financial measure since it excludes all gains and/or losses included in earnings. Additional information regarding the calculation of total non-interest income excluding net gains and losses can be found in "ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" of this Form 10-K under the caption "Core Non-Interest Income and Expense (non-US GAAP)."
(c)Net income includes non-core non-interest expenses totaling $7.6 million in 2019, $7.5 million in 2018, $583,000 in 2017, $1.3 million in 2016, and $11.8 million in 2015. Additional information regarding the non-core non-interest expense can be found in "ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" of this Form 10-K under the caption "Core Non-Interest Income and Expense (non-US GAAP)."
(d)These amounts represent non-US GAAP financial measures since they exclude the balance sheet impact of goodwill and other intangible assets acquired through acquisitions on total stockholders’ equity and total assets.  Additional information regarding the calculation of these amounts can be found in "ITEM 7

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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" of this Form 10-K under the caption "Capital/Stockholders’ Equity."
(e)Data presented as of the end of the year indicated.
(f)Return on average tangible equity represents a non-US GAAP financial measure since it excludes the after-tax impact of amortization of other intangible assets from earnings and it excludes the balance sheet impact of goodwill and other intangible assets acquired through acquisitions on total stockholders’ equity.  Additional information regarding the calculation of this amount can be found in "ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" of this Form 10-K under the caption "Return on Average Tangible Equity (non-US GAAP)."
(g)Return on average assets adjusted for non-core items represents a non-US GAAP financial measure since it excludes the release of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on the remeasurement of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities, the after-tax impact of all gains and/or losses, core banking system conversion revenue and expenses, acquisition-related expenses, pension settlement charges, severance expenses, and other non-core expenses in earnings.  Additional information regarding the calculation of this amount can be found in "ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" of this Form 10-K under the caption "Return on Average Assets Adjusted for Non-Core Items (non-US GAAP)."
(h)Information presented on a fully tax-equivalent ("FTE") basis using a 21% statutory federal corporate income tax rate for 2019 and 2018 and a 35% statutory federal corporate income tax rate for 2017 and prior years.
(i)The efficiency ratio is defined as total non-interest expense (less amortization of other intangible assets) as a percentage of FTE net interest income plus total non-interest income (excluding all gains and losses). This amount represents a non-US GAAP financial measure since it excludes amortization of other intangible assets, and all gains and/or losses included in earnings, and uses FTE net interest income. Additional information regarding the calculation of this amount can be found in "ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" of this Form 10-K under the caption "Efficiency Ratio (non-US GAAP)."
(j)The efficiency ratio adjusted for non-core items is defined as core non-interest expense (less amortization of other intangible assets) as a percentage of FTE net interest income plus core non-interest income excluding all gains and losses. This amounts represents a non-US GAAP financial measure since it excludes the impact of all gains and/or losses, core banking system conversion revenue and expenses, acquisition-related expenses, pension settlement charges, severance expenses, and other non-core expenses in earnings, and uses FTE net interest income. Additional information regarding the calculation of this amount can be found in "ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" of this Form 10-K under the caption "Efficiency Ratio (non-US GAAP)."
(k)Pre-provision net revenue is defined as net interest income plus total non-interest income (excluding all gains and losses) minus total non-interest expense. This ratio represents a non-US GAAP financial measure since it excludes the provision for loan losses and all gains and/or losses included in earnings. This measure is a key metric used by federal banking regulatory agencies in their evaluation of capital adequacy for financial institutions. Additional information regarding the calculation of this ratio can be found in "ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" of this Form 10-K under the caption "Pre-Provision Net Revenue (non-US GAAP)."
(l)Nonperforming loans include loans 90+ days past due and accruing, renegotiated loans and nonaccrual loans. Nonperforming assets include nonperforming loans and other real estate owned.
(m)Includes loans categorized as special mention, substandard and doubtful.
(n)Includes loans categorized as substandard and doubtful.
(o)Net charge-offs as a percent of average total loans decreased in 2019 as Peoples recorded recoveries of $2.4 million, or 0.08% of average total loans, associated with one large commercial relationship. Net charge-offs as a percent of average total loans increased in 2015 as Peoples recorded a $13.1 million charge-off associated with one large commercial relationship, resulting in 0.67% of the reported amount of 0.78%.
(p)Peoples' capital conservation buffer was 7.58% at December 31, 2019, 6.65% at December 31, 2018, 6.43% at December 31, 2017, and 6.11% at December 31, 2016. The capital conservation buffer was not applicable at December 31, 2015.
ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this Form 10-K, which are not historical fact, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act , Section 21E of the Exchange Act, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "may," "feel," "expect," "believe," "plan," "will," "will likely," "would," "should," "could," "project," "goal," "target," "potential," "seek," "intend," and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.  Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially.  Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to:
(1) the success, impact, and timing of the implementation of Peoples' business strategies and its ability to manage strategic initiatives, including the successful integration of the business of First Prestonsburg and the expansion of consumer lending activity;
(2) risks and uncertainties associated with Peoples' entry into new geographic markets and risks resulting from Peoples' inexperience in these new geographic markets;
(3) Peoples' ability to identify, acquire, or integrate suitable strategic acquisitions, which may be unsuccessful, or may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected;
(4) competitive pressures among financial institutions, or from non-financial institutions, which may increase significantly, including product and pricing pressures, which can in turn impact Peoples' credit spreads, changes to third-party

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relationships and revenues, changes in the manner of providing services, customer acquisition and retention pressures, and Peoples' ability to attract, develop and retain qualified professionals;
(5) changes in the interest rate environment due to economic conditions and/or the fiscal policies of the U.S. government and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve Board"), which may adversely impact interest rates, interest margins, loan demand and interest rate sensitivity;
(6) uncertainty regarding the nature, timing, cost, and effect of legislative or regulatory changes or actions, or deposit insurance premium levels, promulgated and to be promulgated by governmental and regulatory agencies in the State of Ohio, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which may subject Peoples, its subsidiaries, or one or more acquired companies to a variety of new and more stringent legal and regulatory requirements which adversely affect their respective businesses, including in particular the rules and regulations promulgated and to be promulgated under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, and the Basel III regulatory capital reform;
(7) the effects of easing restrictions on participants in the financial services industry;
(8) local, regional, national and international economic conditions (including the impact of potential or imposed tariffs, a U.S. withdrawal from or significant renegotiation of trade agreements, trade wars and other changes in trade regulations, and the relationship of the U.S. and its global trading partners) and the impact these conditions may have on Peoples, its customers and its counterparties, and Peoples' assessment of the impact, which may be different than anticipated;
(9) the existence or exacerbation of general geopolitical instability and uncertainty;
(10) changes in policy and other regulatory and legal developments, and uncertainty or speculation pending the enactment of such changes;
(11) Peoples may issue equity securities in connection with future acquisitions, which could cause ownership and economic dilution to Peoples' current shareholders;
(12) changes in prepayment speeds, loan originations, levels of nonperforming assets, delinquent loans, charge-offs, and customer creditworthiness generally, which may be less favorable than expected and adversely impact the amount of interest income generated;
(13) adverse changes in economic conditions and/or activities, including, but not limited to, slowing or reversal of the current U.S. economic expansion, continued economic uncertainty in the U.S., the European Union (including the uncertainty surrounding the actions to be taken to implement the exit of Great Britain from the European Union), Asia, and other areas, which could decrease sales volumes, add volatility to the global stock markets, and increase loan delinquencies and defaults;
(14) deterioration in the credit quality of Peoples' loan portfolio, which may adversely impact the provision for loan losses;
(15) Peoples may have more credit risk and higher credit losses to the extent there are loan concentrations by location or industry of borrowers or collateral;
(16) changes in accounting standards, policies, estimates or procedures, including the extent to which the new current expected credit loss accounting standard issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in June 2016 and effective for Peoples as of January 1, 2020, which will require banks to record, at the time of origination, credit losses expected throughout the life of the asset portfolio on loans and held-to-maturity securities, as opposed to the current practice of recording losses when it is probable that a loss event has occurred, may adversely affect Peoples' reported financial condition or results of operations;
(17) Peoples' assumptions and estimates used in applying critical accounting policies, and modeling, which may prove unreliable, inaccurate or not predictive of actual results;
(18) the discontinuation of London Inter-Bank Offered Rate and other reference rates may result in increased expenses and litigation, and adversely impact the effectiveness of hedging strategies;
(19) adverse changes in the conditions and trends in the financial markets, including political developments, which may adversely affect the fair value of securities within Peoples' investment portfolio, the interest rate sensitivity of Peoples' consolidated balance sheet, and the income generated by Peoples' trust and investment activities;
(20) the volatility from quarter to quarter of mortgage banking income, whether due to interest rates, demand, the fair value of mortgage loans, or other factors;
(21) Peoples' ability to receive dividends from its subsidiaries;
(22) Peoples' ability to maintain required capital levels and adequate sources of funding and liquidity;

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(23) the impact of larger or similar-sized financial institutions encountering problems, which may adversely affect the banking industry and/or Peoples' business generation and retention, funding and liquidity;
(24) Peoples' ability to secure confidential information and deliver products and services through the use of computer systems and telecommunications networks, including those of Peoples' third-party vendors and other service providers, which may prove inadequate, and could adversely affect customer confidence in Peoples and/or result in Peoples incurring a financial loss;
(25) Peoples' ability to anticipate and respond to technological changes, and Peoples' reliance on, and the potential failure of, a number of third-party vendors to perform as expected, including Peoples' primary core banking system provider, which can impact Peoples' ability to respond to customer needs and meet competitive demands;
(26) operational issues stemming from and/or capital spending necessitated by the potential need to adapt to industry changes in information technology systems on which Peoples and its subsidiaries are highly dependent;
(27) changes in consumer spending, borrowing and saving habits, whether due to changes in retail distribution strategies, consumer preferences and behavior, changes in business and economic conditions, legislative or regulatory initiatives, or other factors, which may be different than anticipated;
(28) the adequacy of Peoples' internal controls and risk management program in the event of changes in strategic, reputational, market, economic, operational, cybersecurity, compliance, legal, asset/liability repricing, liquidity, credit and interest rate risks associated with Peoples' business;
(29) the impact on Peoples' businesses, personnel, facilities, or systems, of losses related to acts of fraud, theft, or violence;
(30) the impact on Peoples' businesses, as well as on the risks described above, of various domestic or international widespread natural or other disasters, pandemics, cybersecurity attacks, system failures, civil unrest, military or terrorist activities or international conflicts;
(31) the impact on Peoples' businesses and operating results of any costs associated with obtaining rights in intellectual property claimed by others and adequately protecting Peoples' intellectual property;
(32) Peoples' continued ability to grow deposits; and
(33) other risk factors relating to the banking industry or Peoples as detailed from time to time in Peoples' reports filed with the SEC, including those risk factors included in the disclosures under the heading "ITEM 1A RISK FACTORS" of this Form 10-K.
All forward-looking statements speak only as of the filing date of this Form 10-K and are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements.  Although management believes the expectations in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of management’s knowledge of Peoples’ business and operations, it is possible that actual results may differ materially from these projections.  Additionally, Peoples undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the filing date of this Form 10-K or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as may be required by applicable legal requirements.  Copies of documents filed with the SEC are available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and/or from Peoples' website – www.peoplesbancorp.com under the "Investor Relations" section.
The following discussion and analysis of Peoples' Consolidated Financial Statements is presented to provide insight into management's assessment of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto, as well as the ratios and statistics, contained elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
Summary of Significant Transactions and Events
The following is a summary of transactions or events that have impacted or are expected by management to impact Peoples’ results of operations or financial condition: 
On February 28, 2020, Peoples announced that on February 27, 2020, Peoples' Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program authorizing Peoples to purchase up to an aggregate of $40 million of its outstanding common shares. This program replaced the share repurchase program authorizing Peoples to purchase up to an aggregate of $20 million of its outstanding common shares, which Peoples' Board of Directors had authorized on November 3, 2015 and which was terminated on February 27, 2020.
On January 1, 2020, Peoples Insurance acquired a property and casualty-focused independent insurance agency for a purchase price amount equal to $866,000.
During 2019, Peoples repurchased 26,427 of its common shares through its share repurchase program for a total of $805,000.
During 2019, Peoples recognized $482,000 in bank owned life insurance ("BOLI") income related to tax-free death benefits that exceeded the cash surrender value of the insurance policies.

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During 2019, Peoples recognized two credits to its FDIC insurance expense related to two of its quarterly assessments as a result of the deposit insurance fund reaching its target threshold for smaller banks to recognize a credit to their insurance expense.
During each of 2019 and 2018, Peoples incurred $7.5 million of acquisition-related costs. During 2019, acquisition-related costs included $243,000 of losses recorded in net loss on asset disposals and other transactions, and $7.3 million in total non-interest expense. During 2018, acquisition-related costs included $203,000 of losses recorded in net loss on asset disposals and other transactions, and $7.3 million in total non-interest expense. During 2017, Peoples incurred $341,000 in acquisition-related costs, which was all recorded in total non-interest expense. The acquisition-related costs in 2019 were primarily related to the First Prestonsburg acquisition, and in 2018 and 2017 were primarily related to the ASB acquisition. The acquisition-related costs in 2019 and 2018 consisted mainly of fees associated with early termination of contracts, severance costs and write-offs associated with assets acquired.
During 2019, Peoples entered into five interest rate swaps with a notional value in the aggregate of $50.0 million, which became effective immediately and will mature between 2023 and 2029, with interest rates ranging from 1.44% to 1.91%. On July 31, 2018, Peoples entered into $50.0 million of interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional value of $50.0 million, which will mature between 2021 and 2028, with interest rates ranging from 2.92% to 3.00%. Additionally, the three interest rate swaps acquired with the ASB acquisition matured in July of 2018. On January 27, 2017, Peoples entered into two forward starting interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional value of $20.0 million, which became effective in January and April of 2018 and mature between 2025 and 2027, with interest rates ranging from 2.47% to 2.53%. For additional information regarding Peoples' interest rate swaps, refer to "Note 14 Derivative Financial Instruments" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
During 2019, Peoples closed one full-service bank branch located in Kentucky, and two full-service bank branches located in West Virginia and one insurance office located in Ohio when the respective leases for those West Virginia and Ohio locations expired. Additionally, Peoples closed one full-service bank branch located in West Virginia when the lease for the location expired in January 2020. Most employees at the closed locations filled open positions at other branches or offices. Peoples closed no locations during 2018. During 2017, Peoples closed six full-service bank branches, four located in Ohio, and two located in West Virginia. Peoples continues to evaluate its bank branch network in an effort to optimize efficiency.
On August 22, 2019, Peoples Risk Management, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Peoples, was formed. Peoples Risk Management, Inc. is a Nevada-chartered captive insurance company which insures against certain risks unique to the operations of Peoples and for which insurance may not be currently available or economically feasible. Peoples Risk Management, Inc. pools resources with several other similar insurance company subsidiaries of financial institutions to help minimize the risk allocable to each participating insurer.
On April 22, 2019, Peoples Bank signed an agreement to open a Federal Funds liquidity facility with Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, which either party may cancel at any time. The $20.0 million facility increases Peoples Bank's contingent liquidity funding and will serve to help manage Peoples Bank's daily liquidity needs. As of December 31, 2019, Peoples Bank had not borrowed under the agreement.
At the close of business on April 12, 2019, Peoples completed the merger with First Prestonsburg. First Prestonsburg merged into Peoples and First Prestonsburg's wholly-owned subsidiary, The First Commonwealth Bank of Prestonsburg, Inc., which operated nine full-service bank branches in central and eastern Kentucky, merged into Peoples Bank. First Prestonsburg shareholders received total merger consideration of $43.7 million, of which $11.3 million was in the form of a special cash dividend paid by First Prestonsburg to its shareholders prior to the merger with the remainder being paid in the form of an aggregate of 1,005,478 Peoples common shares by Peoples. The merger added $129.4 million of total loans and $257.2 million of total deposits at the acquisition date, after preliminary fair value adjustments. Peoples also recorded $4.2 million of other intangible assets and $15.2 million of goodwill. Refer to "Note 19 Acquisitions" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
On April 3, 2019, Peoples entered into a Loan Agreement (the “U.S. Bank Loan Agreement”) with U.S. Bank National Association. The U.S. Bank Loan Agreement has a one-year term and provides Peoples with a revolving line of credit in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $20.0 million that may be used: (i) for working capital purposes; (ii) to finance dividends or other distributions (other than stock dividends and stock splits) on or in respect of Peoples’ capital stock and redemptions, repurchases or other acquisitions of any of Peoples’ capital stock permitted under the U.S. Bank Loan Agreement and (iii) to finance acquisitions permitted under the U.S. Bank Loan Agreement.
During 2019, Peoples recognized a $1.8 million recovery on a previously charged-off commercial loan.
During 2019, Peoples sold its restricted Class B Visa stock, which had been held at a carrying cost and fair value of zero due to the litigation liability associated with the stock, resulting in a gain of $787,000 recorded in other non-interest income.

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Multiple items impacted Peoples' income tax expense during 2018 and 2017, primarily as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "TCJ Act"), which lowered the statutory federal corporate income tax rate to 21% as of January 1, 2018, from a previous rate of 35%.
Beginning on January 1, 2018, Peoples began recognizing lower income tax expense due to the lower 21% statutory federal corporate income tax rate.
During the fourth quarter of 2018, Peoples finalized the remeasurement of its net deferred tax assets and liabilities at the new statutory federal corporate income tax rate of 21%, which resulted in a reduction to income tax expense of $0.7 million in 2018. The final adjustment was mainly due to Peoples' contribution of $3.2 million to Peoples' defined benefit pension plan during 2018.
During 2018, Peoples released a valuation allowance which reduced income tax expense by $0.8 million. The valuation allowance was related to a historical tax credit that Peoples had invested in during 2015. Peoples sold $6.7 million of equity investment securities in the second quarter of 2018, which resulted in a capital gain for tax purposes. This capital gain was large enough to offset an anticipated future capital loss, which is expected to be recognized due to the structure of the historical tax credit investment, resulting in the release of the valuation allowance.
During the fourth quarter of 2017, as a result of its initial remeasurement at the new statutory federal corporate income tax rate, Peoples' wrote down its net deferred tax assets by $0.9 million.
During 2018, Peoples incurred $267,000 in pension settlement costs due to the aggregate amount of lump-sum distributions to participants in Peoples' defined benefit pension plan exceeding the threshold for recognizing such charges during the period. Pension settlement costs of $242,000 were recognized during 2017. There were no pension settlement costs in 2019.
At the close of business on April 13, 2018, Peoples completed the merger with ASB. ASB merged into Peoples, and ASB's wholly-owned subsidiary, American Savings Bank, fsb, which operated seven full-service bank branches and two loan production offices in southern Ohio and eastern Kentucky, merged into Peoples Bank. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Peoples paid total merger consideration of $41.5 million. The merger added an aggregate of $239.2 million of total loans and loans held for sale, and $198.6 million of total deposits at the acquisition date, after acquisition accounting adjustments. Peoples also recorded $2.6 million of other intangible assets and $18.1 million of goodwill.
On January 1, 2018, Peoples adopted ASU 2016-01, resulting in the reclassification of $7.8 million of equity investment securities from available-for-sale investment securities to other investment securities and the reclassification of $5.0 million in net unrealized gains on equity investment securities from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings. ASU 2016-01 also requires changes in the fair value of the equity investment securities to be recorded in non-interest income instead of other comprehensive income, which resulted in $207,000 of gains recorded in other non-interest income during 2018. During 2017, Peoples reduced its position in certain equity investment securities. This action was taken as a result of the high appreciation in the market value of these securities. The sales completed resulted in a net gain on investment securities of $3.0 million in 2017. As of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, Peoples had equity investment securities of $321,000 and $277,000, respectively.
The Federal Reserve Board lowered the benchmark Federal Funds Target Rate a total of 75 basis points during the third and fourth quarter of 2019. At that time, the Federal Open Market Committee signaled they would likely be on hold with monetary policy throughout 2020. However, the global public health concerns of early 2020 have altered the interest rate environment. Chairman Powell has indicated that if market conditions warrant rate cuts, actions would be taken. As of March 2, 2020, it remains unclear on how the public health concerns will materialize and the ultimate number of rate cuts that may occur, if any.
The impact of these transactions, where material, is discussed in the applicable sections of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Pending Accounting Pronouncements
The FASB issued new accounting guidance with respect to credit losses in ASU 2016-13, which became effective for Peoples on January 1, 2020. This guidance replaces the current "incurred loss" model for recognizing credit losses with an "expected loss" model, referred to as the CECL model. The measurement of expected credit losses is to be based on information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. This measurement will take place at the time the financial asset is first added to the balance sheet and periodically thereafter. This differs significantly from the "incurred loss" model required under historic US GAAP, which delays recognition until it is probable a loss has been incurred. Accordingly, Peoples expects that the adoption of the CECL model will materially affect how the allowance for loan losses is determined and could require significant increases to the allowance for credit losses. Moreover, the CECL model may create more volatility in the level of Peoples' allowance for credit losses and credit loss experience. If required to materially

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increase the level of allowance for credit losses for any reason, such increase could adversely affect Peoples' business, financial condition and results of operations.
The CECL standard is to become effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 (effective January 1, 2020 for Peoples). Peoples has a committee that meets regularly to monitor progress and oversee the project. Peoples has implemented a third-party software solution, and utilized the tool to run test calculations throughout 2019 in anticipation of the full implementation at the beginning of 2020. Peoples has engaged consultants to assist with the completion of certain aspects of the project plan. Peoples is in the process of finalizing its model validation, and is currently refining the economic forecasting process, documenting accounting policies, reviewing business processes, critically reviewing model output and executing internal control framework. Peoples completed a test run of its process, inclusive of the model, at the end of each of the third and fourth quarter of 2019.
Peoples expects to recognize a one-time cumulative-effect adjustment to the allowance for credit losses, and related tax effect, as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the new standard is effective, consistent with regulatory expectations set forth in interagency guidance issued at the end of 2016. The cumulative-effect adjustment will be based on the change in the allowance for credit losses for modeled results for outstanding loans, individually evaluated loans, qualitative factors, investment securities and the unfunded commitment liability. The impact of the implementation for purchased credit deteriorated loans will be contemplated separately from the one-time cumulative-effect adjustment. Peoples is in the process of determining the magnitude of any such one-time cumulative-effect adjustment and of the overall impact of the new standard on Peoples' financial condition and results of operations. Peoples anticipates finalizing processes and recording the transition adjustment during the first quarter of 2020. There is a three-year phase-in option for regulatory capital effects of the one-time cumulative-effect adjustment; however, Peoples does not currently anticipate opting for the phase-in based upon preliminary projections, but could change its position once closer to finalizing the implementation process.
In addition, this updated guidance also changes the process for analyzing available-for-sale investment securities for impairment. Currently, Peoples evaluates the available-for-sale investment securities portfolio for other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis. Under the new guidance, this process will change to determine what portion, if any, of the unrealized loss on available-for-sale investment securities is considered to be driven by a credit loss. If it is determined that market price deterioration in the available-for-sale investment securities is credit-related, and likely to be permanent, an allowance for credit losses will be established for the credit loss portion of the unrealized loss.
Peoples is finalizing the processes and other assumptions related to the CECL model, including validations and determining the implementation impact as of January 1, 2020. Peoples has preliminary projections based on the current status of the CECL model, which are subject to change based on continued finalization of procedures and execution of internal control framework. Peoples' projections include the potential impact of changes related to outstanding loans, individually evaluated loans, preliminary qualitative factors, investment securities and purchased credit deteriorated assets. Based upon the preliminary projections, Peoples estimates the following:
Estimated Range of Allowance for Credit LossesEstimated Range of Cumulative-Effect Adjustment to Retained Earnings (d)
(dollars in thousands)LowHighLowHigh
Allowance for credit losses (a)$26,500  $28,000  $(4,000) $(5,300) 
Allowance for purchased credit deteriorated loans (b)3,500  4,500  —  —  
  Total allowance for credit losses30,000  32,500  (4,000) (5,300) 
Unfunded commitment liability (c)1,500  1,700  (1,100) (1,400) 
Total estimated impact of cumulative-effect adjustment$(5,100) $(6,700) 
(a) The estimated allowance for credit losses includes outstanding loans, individually evaluated loans, preliminary qualitative factors and investment securities.
(b) The estimated allowance for purchased credit deteriorated loans includes the gross up of loan balances for the transition adjustment to establish the allowance for credit losses.
(c) The estimated unfunded commitment liability includes the impact of off-balance credit exposures consisting of unfunded commitments available under financing receivables, standby letters of credit and financial guarantees.
(d) The estimated range of the cumulative-effect adjustment as a reduction to retained earnings reflects the impact of the transition to the CECL model, net of tax, and excludes the gross up of loan balances for the purchased credit deteriorated loan transition adjustment.
The estimates provided above are subject to change based upon the completion of all aspects of the implementation process by Peoples, and may differ from actual implementation results that will be reported in Peoples' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020.
Critical Accounting Policies
The accounting and reporting policies of Peoples conform to US GAAP and to general practices within the financial services industry. A summary of significant accounting policies is contained in "Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. While all of these policies are important to understanding the Consolidated Financial

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Statements, certain accounting policies require management to exercise judgment and make estimates or assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes. These estimates and assumptions are based on information available as of the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements; accordingly, as this information changes, the Consolidated Financial Statements could reflect different estimates or assumptions.
Management has identified four accounting policies as those that, due to the judgments, estimates and assumptions inherent in the policies, are critical to an understanding of Peoples' Consolidated Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. The four accounting policies identified were the allowance for loan losses, business combinations, goodwill, and income taxes. These four accounting policies are described in further detail below.
Allowance for Loan Losses
In general, determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses requires significant judgment and the use of estimates by management. Peoples maintains an allowance for loan losses based on a quarterly analysis of the loan portfolio and estimation of the losses that are probable of occurrence within the loan portfolio. This formal analysis determines an appropriate level and allocation of the allowance for loan losses among loan types and the resulting provision for or recovery of loan losses by considering factors affecting losses, including specific losses, levels and trends in impaired and nonperforming loans; historical loan loss experience; current national and local economic conditions; volume; growth and composition of the portfolio; regulatory guidance and other relevant factors. Management continually monitors the loan portfolio through Peoples Bank's Credit Administration Department and Loan Loss Committee to evaluate the appropriateness of the allowance. The provision for or recovery of loan losses could increase or decrease each quarter based upon the results of management's formal analysis.
The amount of the allowance for loan losses for the various loan types represents management's estimate of probable losses from existing loans. Management evaluates lending relationships deemed to be impaired on an individual basis and makes specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses for each relationship based on discounted cash flows using the loan's initial effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral for certain collateral dependent loans. For all other loans, management evaluates pools of homogeneous loans (such as residential mortgage loans, and direct and indirect consumer loans) and makes general allocations for each pool based upon historical loss experience, adjusted for qualitative factors. While allocations are made to specific loans and pools of loans, the allowance is available for all loan losses.
The evaluation of individual impaired loans requires management to make estimates of the amounts and timing of future cash flows on the impaired loans, which consist primarily of loans placed on nonaccrual status, restructured loans or loans internally classified as substandard or doubtful. These reviews are based upon specific quantitative and qualitative criteria, including the size of the loan, the loan cash flow characteristics, the loan quality ratings, the value of associated collateral, the repayment ability of the borrower, and historical experience factors. Allowances for homogeneous loans are evaluated based upon historical loss experience, adjusted for qualitative risk factors, such as trends in losses and delinquencies, growth of loans in particular markets, and known changes in economic conditions in each lending market. As part of the process of identifying the pools of homogenous loans, management takes into account any concentrations of risk within any portfolio segment, including any significant industrial concentrations. Consistent with the evaluation of allowances for homogenous loans, the allowance relating to the Overdraft Privilege program is based upon management's monthly analysis of accounts in the program. This analysis considers factors that could affect losses on existing accounts, including historical loss experience and the length of each overdraft.
There can be no assurance that the allowance for loan losses will be adequate to cover all losses, but management believes the allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2019 was adequate to provide for probable losses from existing loans based on information currently available. While management uses available information to estimate losses, the ultimate collectability of a substantial portion of the loan portfolio, and the need for future additions to the allowance, will be based on changes in economic conditions and other relevant factors. As such, adverse changes in economic activity could reduce currently estimated cash flows for both commercial and individual borrowers, which would likely cause Peoples to experience increases in problem assets, delinquencies and losses on loans in the future.
Peoples also evaluates unfunded commitments for construction loans, floor plan lines of credit, home equity lines of credit, other credit lines and letters of credit on a quarterly basis. The calculation of the reserve for unfunded commitments utilizes the same look back period as the allowance for loan losses, and is based on the reported losses on unfunded commitments during this look back period. This annualized loss rate is then applied to the probable drawn amount of the pooled unfunded commitments to determine the required reserve. Peoples also evaluates classified credit exposures with unfunded commitments individually to determine if a loss is both probable and reasonably estimable.
ASU 2016-13 became effective for Peoples beginning January 1, 2020, and replaces the current "incurred loss" model for recognizing credit losses with an "expected loss" model, referred to as the CECL model. This differs significantly from the "incurred loss" model required under historic US GAAP, which delays recognition until it is probable a loss has been incurred.

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Business Combinations
Peoples utilizes the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. As of the acquisition date, Peoples records the acquired company's net assets at fair value. The determination of fair value as of the acquisition date requires management to consider various factors that involve judgment and estimation, including the application of discount rates, attrition rates, future estimates of interest rates, as well as many other assumptions. These assumptions can have a material impact on the estimated fair value, and as a result, the goodwill recorded in a business combination.
Goodwill
Peoples records goodwill as a result of acquisitions accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. Under the acquisition method, Peoples is required to allocate the consideration paid for an acquired company to the assets acquired, including identified intangible assets, and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. Goodwill represents the excess cost over the fair value of net assets acquired and is not amortized but is tested for impairment when indicators of impairment exist, and, in any case, at least annually.
The value of recorded goodwill is supported by revenue that is driven by the volume of business transacted and Peoples' ability to provide quality, cost-effective services in a competitive market place. A decline in earnings as a result of a lack of growth or the inability to deliver cost-effective services over sustained periods can lead to impairment of goodwill that could adversely impact earnings in future periods.  Goodwill impairment exists when the carrying value of the reporting unit (as defined by US GAAP) exceeds its carrying value and an impairment loss is recognized in earnings in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.
The process of evaluating goodwill for impairment involves highly subjective and complex judgments, estimates and assumptions regarding the fair value of Peoples' reporting unit and, in some cases, goodwill itself. As a result, changes to these judgments, estimates and assumptions in future periods could result in materially different results.
Peoples currently maintains a single reporting unit for goodwill impairment testing. While quoted market prices exist for Peoples' common shares since they are publicly traded, these market prices do not necessarily reflect the value associated with gaining control of an entity. Thus, management takes into account all appropriate fair value measurements in determining the estimated fair value of the reporting unit.
Peoples elected to early adopt Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-04 as of January 1, 2019. The amendments in this ASU simplify how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, entities will record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value.
Peoples performs its required annual impairment test as of October 1st each year.  Peoples first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. In this evaluation, Peoples assesses relevant events and circumstances, which may include macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, overall financial performance, events specific to Peoples, significant changes in the reporting unit, or a sustained decrease in stock price. If Peoples determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, then performing the quantitative impairment test is unnecessary. However, Peoples has the option to complete the quantitative impairment test to corroborate the findings of its qualitative analysis. If Peoples determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, Peoples must complete the quantitative impairment test.
At October 1, 2019, management's qualitative analysis concluded that the estimated fair value of Peoples' single reporting unit exceeded its carrying value. Thus, a quantitative assessment was not required to be performed; however, management opted to perform a quantitative assessment using the market capitalization approach, which also determined the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying value.
Peoples is required to perform interim tests for goodwill impairment in subsequent quarters if events occur or circumstances change that indicate potential goodwill impairment exists, such as adverse changes to Peoples' business or a significant decline in Peoples' market capitalization. For further information regarding goodwill, refer to "Note 6 Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are recorded based on the liability method of accounting, which includes the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. In general, Peoples records deferred tax assets when the event giving rise to the tax benefit has been recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
A valuation allowance is recognized to reduce any deferred tax asset when, based upon available information, it is more-likely-than-not all, or any portion, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Assessing the need for, and amount of, a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets requires significant judgment and analysis of evidence regarding realization of the deferred tax assets. In most cases, the realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon Peoples

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generating a sufficient level of taxable income in future periods, which can be difficult to predict. Peoples' largest deferred tax assets involve differences related to Peoples' allowance for loan losses, available-for-sale securities, and accrued employee benefits. Management determined a valuation allowance of $805,000 at December 31, 2017, to be recorded against the deferred tax assets associated with its investment in a partnership investment. In 2018, Peoples released the valuation allowance, which reduced income tax expense by $805,000. Peoples sold $6.7 million of equity investment securities in the second quarter of 2018, which resulted in a capital gain for tax purposes. This capital gain was large enough to offset an anticipated future capital loss, which is expected to be recognized due to the structure of the historical tax credit investment, resulting in the release of the valuation allowance. There were no valuation allowances recorded at December 31, 2019.
The calculation of tax liabilities is complex and requires the use of estimates and judgment since it involves the application of complex tax laws that are subject to different interpretations by Peoples and the various tax authorities. Peoples' interpretations are subject to challenge by the tax authorities upon audit or to reinterpretation based on management's ongoing assessment of facts and evolving case law.
From time-to-time and in the ordinary course of business, Peoples is involved in inquiries and reviews by tax authorities that normally require management to provide supplemental information to support certain tax positions taken by Peoples in its tax returns. Uncertain tax positions are initially recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements when it is more likely than not the position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. Such tax positions are initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the tax authority assuming full knowledge of the position and all relevant facts. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits was immaterial at both December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Management believes it has taken appropriate positions on its tax returns, although the ultimate outcome of any tax review cannot be predicted with certainty. Consequently, no assurance can be given that the final outcome of these matters will not be different than what is reflected in the current and historical financial statements.
Fair Value Measurements
As a financial services company, the carrying value of certain financial assets and liabilities is impacted by the application of fair value measurements, either directly or indirectly. In certain cases, an asset or liability is measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis, such as available-for-sale investment securities. In other cases, management must rely on estimates or judgments to determine if an asset or liability not measured at fair value warrants an impairment write-down or whether a valuation reserve should be established. Given the inherent volatility, the use of fair value measurements may have a significant impact on the carrying value of assets or liabilities, or result in material changes to the consolidated financial statements, from period to period.
Detailed information regarding fair value measurements can be found in "Note 2 Fair Value of Financial Instruments" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $53.7 million, compared to $46.3 million in 2018 and $38.5 million in 2017, representing earnings per diluted common share of $2.63, $2.41 and $2.10, respectively. The growth during 2019 was driven by increases of $11.2 million in net interest income and $7.5 million in non-interest income. These benefits were partially offset by an $11.3 million increase in non-interest expenses, which were impacted by the ongoing operating costs of the First Prestonsburg acquisition. The growth during 2018 was driven by increases of $16.2 million in net interest income and $1.2 million in non-interest income, coupled with a $10.0 million decline in income tax expense. These benefits were partially offset by a $7.1 million increase in acquisition-related costs, primarily related to the ASB acquisition.
Net interest income was $140.8 million in 2019, an increase of 9%, compared to $129.6 million in 2018, which had been up 14% compared to $113.4 million in 2017. The growth during 2019 was driven by loan growth, which was positively impacted by the First Prestonsburg and ASB acquisitions, and higher loan yields. The increase in interest income on loans outpaced the increase in interest expense from deposits, which was up primarily due to higher rates paid on deposits, combined with additional interest expense related to deposits from the recent acquisitions. The growth during 2018 was mostly due to originated loan growth and the impact of the acquisition of ASB. During 2018, higher yields on investment securities and loans were tempered by an increase in deposit and borrowing costs. Net interest margin was 3.69% in 2019, compared to 3.71% in 2018 and 3.62% in 2017. The decline in net interest margin compared to 2018 was driven by the overall increase in rates on deposits and borrowings, combined with lower yields on investment securities, given accelerated premium amortization in the latter half of the year. Accretion income, net of amortization expense, from acquisitions added approximately 12 basis points to net interest margin in 2019, compared to six basis points in 2018 and 10 basis points in 2017. In 2018, proceeds of $0.9 million were received on an investment security that, in prior years, had been written-down due to an other-than-temporary impairment, which added three basis points to the net interest margin, compared to $0.8 million, and three basis points, during 2017. Similar proceeds were not received in 2019.

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In 2019, Peoples recorded a provision for loan losses of $2.5 million, a decrease of $2.9 million compared to the $5.4 million that was recorded in 2018 and down from the $3.8 million recorded for 2017. The lower provision for loans losses for 2019 compared to 2018 was due to lower net charge-offs, which included a recovery of $1.8 million recorded on a previously charged-off commercial loan, and less loan growth compared to 2018. Net charge-offs in 2018 included a charge-off of $827,000 related to one acquired commercial loan relationship. The increase in the provision for loan losses for 2018 compared to 2017 was driven primarily by loan growth and an increase in net charge-offs of $638,000. Peoples recorded net charge-offs of $1.1 million during 2019, compared to $4.0 million for 2018 and $3.4 million for 2017. Net charge-offs as a percent of average total loans were 0.04% during 2019, and 0.15% during each of 2018 and 2017.
Total non-interest income increased $7.5 million, or 13%, in 2019 compared to 2018. The increase was led by higher income from electronic banking, deposit account service charges, commercial loan swap fees and mortgage banking. Electronic banking income increased as the result of increased debit card usage, which was positively impacted by the cardholders added in the First Prestonsburg and ASB acquisitions. Income from deposit account service charges was up primarily due to the additional accounts from the acquisitions, coupled with changes in deposit fees. Commercial loan swap fees more than tripled and mortgage banking income was higher mainly due to an increase in customer demand as a result of interest rate declines in the latter half of the year. Realized and unrealized gains on equity investment securities increased $624,000 compared to 2018, driven by $787,000 of income related to the sale of restricted Class B Visa stock during 2019. Additionally, BOLI income during 2019 included $482,000 of tax-free death benefits that exceeded the cash surrender value of the policies.
Total non-interest income increased 2%, in 2018 compared to 2017. The increase was led by higher income from mortgage banking, electronic banking, trust and investments, and insurance. Mortgage banking income increased because of the benefits of the mortgage origination operations acquired from ASB. In addition, other non-interest income grew during 2018 as a result of higher income related to Small Business Administration ("SBA") loans, coupled with the change in fair value of equity investment securities during 2018. The majority of these equity investment securities were liquidated during 2018.
Total non-interest expense increased 9% during 2019, driven by higher salaries and employee benefits costs, net occupancy and equipment expense, electronic banking expense, and data processing and software expense, partially offset by declines in FDIC insurance expense and professional fees. Salaries and employee benefit costs were up primarily due to higher base salaries, which were impacted by merit increases, including continued movement towards a $15 per hour minimum wage throughout Peoples' organization, and the employees added from the acquisitions in 2019 and 2018. Net occupancy and equipment expenses increased primarily due to the added facilities obtained in the acquisitions. Peoples' investments in technology, coupled with higher transaction volume, resulted in increases in data processing and software expense and electronic banking expense. FDIC insurance expense declined due to credits against assessments received during the year. Professional fees were down mostly due to the impact of legal expenses and consulting work performed during 2018, which was not duplicated in 2019. Acquisition-related expenses were $7.3 million during both 2019 and 2018.
In 2018, total non-interest expense increased 17%, driven by the increase in acquisition-related expenses of $6.9 million, compared to 2017. Also contributing to the changes were higher salaries and employee benefits costs. These costs grew $9.0 million and were the result of a combination of the one-time expenses associated with the ASB acquisition and the resulting increase in number of retained employees from the acquisition. Also contributing to the change were higher sales-based and incentive compensation, merit increases, and the continued movement towards a $15 per hour minimum wage throughout Peoples' organization.
Income tax expense in 2019 was $11.7 million compared to $8.7 million in 2018, and $18.7 million in 2017. The increase in income tax expense from 2018 to 2019 was primarily due to higher pre-tax income. The decline in 2018 compared to 2017 was largely a result of the TCJ Act, which lowered the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%. During 2019, income tax expense included a tax benefit of $508,000 related to non-taxable BOLI income. Income tax expense for 2018 included the release of a tax valuation allowance of $805,000 (which had been recorded at December 31, 2017 against certain deferred assets) and a reduction to income tax expense of $705,000 as a result of the final impact related to the statutory federal corporate income tax rate change from the TCJ Act. During 2017, income tax expense included a write down of $879,000 of net deferred tax assets as a result of the initial remeasurement at the new statutory federal corporate income tax rate from the TCJ Act.
At December 31, 2019, total assets were up 9%, or $362.7 million, to $4.35 billion versus $3.99 billion at year-end 2018. The increase was primarily related to the acquisition of First Prestonsburg and $117.8 million of originated loan growth. The allowance for loan losses increased slightly to $21.6 million or 0.75% of total loans, net of deferred fees and costs, compared to $20.2 million and 0.74%, respectively, at December 31, 2018.
Total liabilities were $3.76 billion at December 31, 2019, up $288.5 million since December 31, 2018. At December 31, 2019, total deposits increased $335.9 million to $3.29 billion compared to the prior year-end. Total demand deposits increased $125.3 million, or 11%, and were unchanged at 40% of total deposits at both December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. The growth in deposits in 2019 compared to the prior year-end was primarily due to acquired First Prestonsburg deposit balances of $257.2 million. The increase in total deposits was partially offset by a decline in total borrowed funds of $65.7 million to $400.1 million at December 31, 2019, compared to $465.8 million at December 31, 2018.

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At December 31, 2019, total stockholders' equity was $594.4 million, up 14%, or $74.3 million, from December 31, 2018. The increase was primarily due to earnings of $53.7 million during 2019, the issuance of $32.4 million of common shares related to the acquisition of First Prestonsburg, and an increase in the market value of investment securities. Dividends of $26.9 million paid to shareholders, partially offset these increases. Additionally, Peoples repurchased 26,427 of its common shares for a total of $805,000 during 2019.
Peoples exceeded the capital required by the Federal Reserve Board to be deemed "well capitalized." Regulatory capital was positively impacted by the First Prestonsburg acquisition during 2019, which created increases in capital and risk-weighted assets. Peoples' tier 1 capital ratio increased to 14.84% at December 31, 2019, versus 13.92% at December 31, 2018, while the total capital ratio was 15.58% at December 31, 2019, versus 14.65% at December 31, 2018. The common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 14.59% at December 31, 2019 compared to 13.66% at December 31, 2018. Peoples' book value and tangible book value per share were $28.72 and $20.14, respectively, at December 31, 2019, compared to $26.59 and $18.30, respectively, at December 31, 2018. Additional information regarding capital requirements can be found in "Note 16 Regulatory Matters" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net Interest Income
Peoples earns interest income on loans and investments, and incurs interest expense on interest-bearing deposits and borrowed funds. Net interest income, the amount by which interest income exceeds interest expense, remains Peoples' largest source of revenue and was 68% of total revenue during 2019. The amount of net interest income earned by Peoples is affected by various factors, including changes in market interest rates due to the Federal Reserve Board's monetary policy, the level and degree of pricing competition for both loans and deposits in Peoples' markets, and the amount and composition of Peoples' earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.
Peoples monitors net interest income performance and manages its balance sheet composition through regular ALCO meetings. The asset-liability management process employed by the ALCO is intended to mitigate the impact of future interest rate changes on Peoples' net interest income and earnings. However, the frequency and/or magnitude of changes in market interest rates are difficult to predict, and may have a greater impact on net interest income than adjustments management is able to make.
As part of the analysis of net interest income, management converts tax-exempt income earned on obligations of states and political subdivisions to the pre-tax equivalent of taxable income using a statutory federal corporate income tax rate of 21% for 2019 and 2018 and 35% for 2017. Management believes the resulting fully tax-equivalent ("FTE") net interest income allows for a more meaningful comparison of tax-exempt income and yields to their taxable equivalents. Net interest margin, which is calculated by dividing FTE net interest income by average interest-earning assets, serves as an important measurement of the net revenue stream generated by the volume, mix and pricing of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.
The following table details the calculation of FTE net interest income for the years ended December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)201920182017
Net interest income$140,838  $129,612  $113,377  
Taxable equivalent adjustments1,068  881  1,912  
FTE net interest income$141,906  $130,493  $115,289  


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The following table details Peoples’ average balance sheets, with corresponding income/expense and yield/cost, for the years ended December 31:
 201920182017
(Dollars in thousands)
Average BalanceIncome/ ExpenseYield/CostAverage BalanceIncome/ExpenseYield/CostAverage BalanceIncome/ ExpenseYield/Cost
Short-term investments  $43,157  $919  2.13 %$19,462  $402  2.07 %$12,616  $144  1.14 %
Investment securities (a)(b):          
Taxable (c) 870,921  23,420  2.69 %784,108  23,283  2.97 %768,336  20,598  2.68 %
Nontaxable  106,437  3,331  3.13 %94,023  3,123  3.32 %107,604  4,497  4.18 %
Total investment securities  977,358  26,751  2.74 %878,131  26,406  3.01 %875,940  25,095  2.86 %
Loans (b)(d):       
Construction  111,734  6,008  5.30 %122,007  5,970  4.83 %110,124  4,800  4.30 %
Commercial real estate, other  829,581  44,574  5.30 %819,606  41,102  4.95 %743,517  35,240  4.67 %
Commercial and industrial  601,900  31,611  5.18 %517,026  26,042  4.97 %439,178  19,944  4.48 %
Residential real estate (e) 641,053  30,671  4.78 %577,858  25,965  4.49 %514,024  22,256  4.33 %
Home equity lines of credit  132,235  7,715  5.83 %127,852  6,712  5.25 %110,910  4,965  4.48 %
Consumer, indirect  416,768  17,350  4.16 %373,450  14,627  3.92 %306,338  10,975  3.58 %
Consumer, direct
78,838  5,564  7.06 %73,171  4,919  6.72 %69,889  5,018  7.18 %
Total loans  2,812,109  143,493  5.06 %2,610,970  125,337  4.75 %2,293,980  103,198  4.50 %
Allowance for loan losses
(21,239) (19,359) (18,713) 
Net loans  2,790,870  143,493  5.10 %2,591,611  125,337  4.80 %2,275,267  103,198  4.50 %
Total earning assets  3,811,385  171,163  4.46 %3,489,204  152,145  4.33 %3,163,823  128,437  4.03 %
Goodwill and other intangible assets  173,529     158,115  144,696  
Other assets  237,568     224,513  201,755  
    Total assets
$4,222,482     $3,871,832  $3,510,274  
Interest-bearing deposits:           
Savings accounts  $511,112  $437  0.09 %$468,624  $303  0.06 %$442,684  $249  0.06 %
Government deposit accounts
323,768  3,220  0.99 %306,356  1,521  0.50 %294,053  704  0.24 %
Interest-bearing demand accounts
605,637  1,111  0.18 %564,345  750  0.13 %367,699  543  0.15 %
Money market accounts  425,207  2,745  0.65 %386,607  1,359  0.35 %389,885  877  0.22 %
Retail certificates of deposit  465,381  8,002  1.72 %383,929  4,842  1.26 %358,307  2,997  0.84 %
Brokered certificates of deposits  272,553  6,695  2.46 %220,109  4,930  2.24 %98,793  1,784  1.81 %
Total interest-bearing deposits
2,603,658  22,210  0.85 %2,329,970  13,705  0.59 %1,951,421  7,154  0.37 %
Borrowed funds:           
Short-term FHLB advances  197,987  4,455  2.25 %219,897  4,494  2.04 %100,205  1,160  1.16 %
Repurchase agreements and other  46,812  257  0.55 %79,149  744  0.94 %82,042  374  0.46 %
Total short-term borrowings  244,799  4,712  1.92 %299,046  5,238  1.75 %182,247  1,534  0.84 %
Long-term FHLB advances  87,472  1,814  2.07 %109,944  2,192  1.99 %136,799  2,794  2.04 %
Wholesale repurchase agreements
—  —  — %—  —  — %33,315  1,225  3.68 %
Other borrowings  7,368  521  7.07 %7,338  517  7.05 %6,977  441  6.34 %
Total long-term borrowings  94,840  2,335  2.46 %117,282  2,709  2.31 %177,091  4,460  2.52 %
Total borrowed funds  339,639  7,047  2.07 %416,328  7,947  1.90 %359,338  5,994  1.67 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities
2,943,297  29,257  0.99 %2,746,298  21,652  0.79 %2,310,759  13,148  0.57 %
Non-interest-bearing deposits  653,082        591,592  713,027  
Other liabilities  59,980        45,803  36,109  
Total liabilities  3,656,359        3,383,693  3,059,895  
Stockholders’ equity  566,123        488,139  450,379  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $4,222,482        $3,871,832  $3,510,274  
Interest rate spread (b)    $141,906  3.47 %$130,493  3.54 %$115,289  3.46 %
Net interest margin (b) 3.69 %      3.71 %3.62 %
(a) Average balances are based on carrying value.
(b) Interest income and yields are presented on an FTE basis using a 21% statutory federal corporate income tax rate for 2019 and 2018 and a 35% statutory federal corporate income tax rate for 2017.
(c) Interest income and yield presented for 2018 and 2017 includes $0.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively, of proceeds on an investment security for which an other-than-temporary-impairment had been recorded in previous years.

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(d) Average balances include nonaccrual, impaired loans, and loans held for sale. Interest income includes interest earned and received on nonaccrual loans prior to the loans being placed on nonaccrual status. Loan fees included in interest income were immaterial for all periods presented.
(e) Loans held for sale are included in the average loan balance listed. Related interest income on loans originated for sale prior to the loan being sold is included in loan interest income.
The following table provides an analysis of the changes in FTE net interest income:
(Dollars in thousands)Changes from 2018 to 2019Changes from 2017 to 2018
Increase (decrease) in:RateVolume
Total (a)
RateVolume
Total (a)
INTEREST INCOME:
Short-term investments$24  $493  $517  $155  $103  $258  
Investment Securities (b):
Taxable(2,309) 2,446  137  2,254  431  2,685  
Nontaxable(188) 396  208  (851) (523) (1,374) 
Total investment income(2,497) 2,842  345  1,403  (92) 1,311  
Loans (b):
   
Construction556  (518) 38  622  548  1,170  
Commercial real estate, other2,967  505  3,472  2,122  3,740  5,862  
Commercial and industrial1,149  4,420  5,569  2,324  3,774  6,098  
Residential real estate1,750  2,956  4,706  865  2,844  3,709  
Home equity lines of credit767  236  1,003  928  819  1,747  
Consumer, indirect957  1,766  2,723  1,090  2,562  3,652  
Consumer, direct252  393  645  (329) 230  (99) 
Total loan income8,398  9,758  18,156  7,622  14,517  22,139  
Total interest income5,925  13,093  19,018  9,180  14,528  23,708  
INTEREST EXPENSE: 
Deposits: 
Savings accounts105  29  134  38  16  54  
Government deposit accounts1,608  91  1,699  787  30  817  
Interest-bearing demand accounts303  58  361  (59) 266  207  
Money market accounts1,238  148  1,386  489  (7) 482  
Retail certificates of deposit1,995  1,165  3,160  1,618  227  1,845  
Brokered certificates of deposit510  1,255  1,765  515  2,631  3,146  
Total deposit cost5,759  2,746  8,505  3,388  3,163  6,551  
Borrowed funds:   
Short-term borrowings49  (575) (526) 469  3,235  3,704  
Long-term borrowings87  (461) (374) (628) (1,123) (1,751) 
Total borrowed funds cost136  (1,036) (900) (159) 2,112  1,953  
Total interest expense5,895  1,710  7,605  3,229  5,275  8,504  
Net interest income$30  $11,383  $11,413  $5,951  $9,253  $15,204  
(a)The change in interest due to both rate and volume has been allocated to rate and volume changes in proportion to the relationship of the dollar amounts of the changes in each.
(b)Interest income and yields are presented on a FTE basis using a 21% statutory federal corporate income tax rate for 2019 and 2018 and a 35% statutory federal corporate income tax rate for 2017.
During 2019, Peoples recognized accretion income, net of amortization expense, from acquisitions of $4.9 million, which added approximately 12 basis points to net interest margin, compared to $2.2 million and six basis points in 2018, and $3.1 million and 10 basis points in 2017. During 2018, proceeds of $894,000 were received on an investment security that had been, in previous years, written-down due to an other-than-temporary impairment, which added three basis points to the net interest margin, compared to $814,000, and three basis points, in 2017. No such amount was recorded in 2019. Additional interest income in 2019 from prepayment fees and interest recovered on nonaccrual loans was $564,000, compared to $420,000 in 2018 and $826,000 in 2017. The primary driver of the increase in net interest income during the past two years has been the higher interest income on loans due to a

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combination of loan growth, which was boosted by the acquisitions of ASB in 2018 and First Prestonsburg in 2019, and higher yields on loans.
During 2019, net interest income was constrained by an unusual amount of loan payoffs and decreases in interest rates during the latter half of 2019. Yields on investment securities declined in 2019 as the Federal Reserve Board lowered the benchmark Federal Funds Target Rate by 25 basis points in each of July, September and October of 2019 resulting in essence a parallel shift downward of the yield curve by year-end 2019. The decline in net interest margin compared to 2018 was driven by the overall increase in rates paid on deposits and borrowings, combined with lower yields on investment securities, given accelerated premium amortization.
During 2018, net interest income also benefited from increases in interest rates. Funding costs increased in 2018 as the Federal Reserve Board raised the benchmark Federal Funds Target Rate by 25 basis points in each of March, June and December of 2017, as well as in each of March, June, September, and December of 2018. These rate increases drove higher loan and investment security yields, which outpaced increases in deposit and wholesale funding costs in 2018.
Detailed information regarding changes in the Consolidated Balance Sheets can be found under appropriate captions of the "FINANCIAL CONDITION" section of this discussion. Additional information regarding Peoples' interest rate risk and the potential impact of interest rate changes on Peoples' results of operations and financial condition can be found later in this discussion under the caption "Interest Rate Sensitivity and Liquidity."
Provision for Loan Losses
The following table details Peoples’ provision for loan losses recognized for the years ended December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)201920182017
Provision for other loan losses$1,845  $4,677  $3,050  
Provision for checking account overdrafts659  771  722  
Provision for loan losses$2,504  $5,448  $3,772  
As a percent of average total loans0.09 %0.21 %0.16 %
The provision for loan losses represents the amount needed to maintain the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses based on management’s formal quarterly analysis of the loan portfolio and procedural methodology that estimates the amount of probable credit losses.  This process considers various factors that affect losses, such as changes in Peoples’ loan quality, historical loss experience, current economic conditions, and other environmental factors such as changes in real estate market conditions, unemployment, and the economic impact of tariffs. The lower provision for loans losses for 2019 compared to 2018 was due to lower charge-offs and less loan growth compared to 2018. Net charge-offs in 2019 were $1.1 million and included a recovery of $1.8 million recorded on a previously charged-off commercial loan. The provision for loan losses recorded in 2018 was primarily due to continued loan growth and net charge-offs of $2.0 million related to consumer indirect lending, coupled with charge-offs of $827,000 related to one acquired commercial loan relationship. The provision for loan losses recorded in 2017 was driven by loan growth and stable asset quality trends.
Additional information regarding changes in the allowance for loan losses and loan credit quality can be found later in this discussion under the caption "Allowance for Loan Losses."
Net Gains (Losses) Included in Total Non-Interest Income
Net gains (losses) include gains and losses on investment securities, asset disposals and other transactions, which are recognized in total non-interest income. The following table details the net gains (losses) for the years ended December 31 recognized by Peoples:
(Dollars in thousands)201920182017
Net gain (loss) on investment securities$164  $(146) $2,983  
Net loss on asset disposals and other transactions:
Net (loss) gain on other assets$(692) $(224) $28  
Net loss on debt extinguishment—  (13) —  
Net loss on OREO(98) (21) (116) 
Net gain (loss) on other transactions (76) 25  
Net loss on asset disposals and other transactions$(782) $(334) $(63) 
The net loss on asset disposals and other transactions during 2019 was driven by net losses on repossessed assets of $320,000, the write-offs of fixed assets acquired from First Prestonsburg of $243,000 and market value write-downs related to closed offices that were held for sale.

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The net loss on other assets during 2018 was primarily due to the disposal of $190,000 of ASB fixed assets acquired coupled with $198,000 of market value write-downs related to closed offices that were held for sale. The net loss on other transactions during 2018 was due to the write-down of a limited partnership investment.
During 2017, the net loss on OREO was a result of the sale of two commercial properties. The net gain on other assets during 2017 was due to the sale of a previously closed branch, which was offset partially by a loss on the sale of a parking lot that was no longer being utilized.
Total Non-Interest Income, Excluding Net Gains and Losses
Peoples generates total non-interest income excluding net gains and losses from four primary sources: insurance income; electronic banking income ("e-banking"); trust and investment income; and deposit account service charges. Peoples continues to focus on revenue growth from non-interest income sources in order to maintain a diversified revenue stream through greater reliance on total non-interest income excluding net gains and losses. As a result, total non-interest income excluding net gains and losses accounted for 31.5% of Peoples' total revenues (defined as net interest income plus total non-interest income excluding net gains and losses) in 2019, compared to 30.6% in 2018 and 31.7% in 2017. The increase in Peoples' total non-interest income excluding net gains and losses as a percent of total revenue during 2019 from 2018 was due to increases in nearly all non-interest income categories, combined with the recent interest rate environment and an unusual amount of loan payoffs constraining net interest income in the latter half of 2019. The slight decline in the ratio in 2018 compared to 2017 was primarily due to increased net interest income due to originated loan growth and the acquisition of ASB, as well as interest rate increases.
Insurance income comprised the largest portion of Peoples' non-interest income.  The following table details Peoples’ insurance income for the years ended December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)201920182017
Property and casualty insurance commissions$10,526  $10,589  $10,298  
Change in deferred income from property and casualty insurance commissions (a)79  (77) —  
Total property and casualty insurance commissions
10,605  10,512  10,298  
Life and health insurance commissions1,839  1,830  1,759  
Change in deferred income from life and health insurance commissions (a)
226  446  —  
Total life and health insurance commissions
2,065  2,276  1,759  
Performance-based commissions1,530  1,452  1,457  
Other fees and charges602  572  690  
 Insurance income$14,802  $14,812  $14,204  
(a) As of January 1, 2018, Peoples adopted ASU 2014-09 and began recording deferred income related to insurance commissions.
The majority of performance-based commissions typically are recorded annually in the first quarter and are based on a combination of factors, such as loss experience of insurance policies sold, production volumes and overall financial performance of the individual insurance carriers. The increase in life and health insurance commissions during 2018 compared to 2017 was primarily due to timing of revenue recognition attributable to the implementation of ASU 2014-09.
The following table shows Peoples' e-banking income for the years ended December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)201920182017
E-banking income$13,680  $11,477  $10,358  
Peoples' e-banking services include ATM and debit cards, direct deposit services, Internet and mobile banking, and remote deposit capture, and serve as alternative delivery channels to traditional sales offices for providing services to clients. Revenue is derived largely from ATM and debit cards, as other services are mainly provided at no charge to the customers. The amount of e-banking income is largely dependent on the timing and volume of customer activity. The increases in e-banking income in 2019 and 2018 were the result of the increased volume of customers and usage of debit cards, which includes the impact of additional customers and accounts added in the acquisition of First Prestonsburg in 2019 and of ASB in 2018. In 2019, Peoples' customers used their debit cards to complete $913.7 million of transactions, versus $801.2 million in 2018 and $729.0 million in 2017.
Peoples' fiduciary and brokerage revenues continue to be based primarily upon the value of assets under administration and management. The following table details Peoples’ trust and investment income for the years ended December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)201920182017
Fiduciary$6,761  $6,579  $6,360  
Brokerage4,198  4,001  3,538  
Employee benefits2,200  1,963  1,660  
Trust and investment income$13,159  $12,543  $11,558  

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The following table details Peoples’ assets under administration and management at year-end December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)201920182017
Assets under administration and management:
Trust$1,572,933  $1,384,113  $1,452,959  
Brokerage944,002  849,118  887,303  
Total$2,516,935  $2,233,231  $2,340,262  
Annual average$2,382,017  $2,342,102  $2,221,747  
During 2019, the increases in fiduciary and brokerage revenues were due to a combination of an increase in the market value of accounts during the latter part of 2019 and new assets under administration and management. Average assets under administration and management during 2019 were impacted by the lower balance at the beginning of 2019 as a result of the downward shift in U.S. financial markets at the end of 2018 and in early 2019. Income from employee benefit plans in 2019 has increased compared to 2018 due to the continued growth in administration of 401(k) plans for businesses. In recent years, Peoples has added experienced financial advisors in previously underserved market areas, and generated new business and revenue related to retirement plans for which it manages the assets and provides services. During 2018, the increases in fiduciary and brokerage revenues were due to a combination of growth of new business, primarily in fee-based accounts, and growth in retirement benefit plans. Average assets under administration and management during 2018 increased compared to 2017 due primarily to new assets under administration and management, coupled with an increase in the market value of accounts. The U.S. financial markets shifted downward at the end of 2018, resulting in the decline in end-of-period assets under administration and management at December 31, 2018 compared to December 31, 2017.
Deposit account service charges, which are based on the costs associated with services provided, comprised a significant portion of Peoples' non-interest income.  The following table details Peoples' deposit account service charges for the years ended December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)201920182017
Overdraft and non-sufficient funds fees$7,069  $6,571  $6,720  
Account maintenance fees3,832  2,718  2,276  
Other fees and charges799  489  618  
Deposit account service charges$11,700  $9,778  $9,614  
The amount of deposit account service charges, particularly fees for overdrafts and non-sufficient funds, is largely dependent on the timing and volume of customer activity.  Management periodically evaluates its fees to ensure they are reasonable based on operational costs and similar to fees charged in Peoples' markets by competitors. Income from deposit account service charges increased in 2019 compared to 2018 primarily due to the First Prestonsburg and ASB acquisitions, coupled with changes in fee schedules. Peoples implemented a new deposit account fee schedule in March 2019, and it is anticipated that the higher deposit fees associated with the new fee schedule will diminish somewhat over time. The slight decline in overdraft and non-sufficient funds fees between 2018 and 2017 was partially due to changes made to the calculation of fees to be more in line with industry practices. The increase in account maintenance fees in 2018, compared to 2017, was largely due to implementation of new consumer checking products that occurred near the end of 2017. Other fees and charges declined in 2018, compared to 2017, mainly due to changes made in the calculation of personalized check fees.
The following table details the other items included within Peoples' total non-interest income for the years ended December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)201920182017
Mortgage banking income$4,328  $3,333  $1,872  
Bank owned life insurance income2,430  1,955  1,950  
Commercial loan swap fees2,228  681  1,232  
Other non-interest income (a)$2,565  $2,655  $1,865  
(a) As of January 1, 2018, Peoples adopted ASU 2016-01, resulting in a gain in income of $831,000 for 2019 and $207,000 for 2018.
Mortgage banking income is comprised mostly of net gains from the origination and sale of long-term, fixed rate real estate loans in the secondary market, as well as servicing income for sold loans. As a result, the amount of income recognized by Peoples is largely dependent on customer demand and long-term interest rates for residential real estate loans offered in the secondary market. Mortgage banking income increased in 2019, compared to 2018, due to higher customer demand, which was driven by the decline in mortgage interest rates during second half of 2019. Mortgage banking income increased in 2018, largely due to gains on sale of real estate loans originated by the mortgage origination operation acquired as part of the ASB acquisition. In 2019, Peoples sold approximately $98.2 million of loans to the secondary market with servicing retained and sold approximately $55.4 million in loans with servicing released, compared to approximately $66.3 million and $56.4 million, respectively, in 2018. Peoples sold $65.2 million

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of loans to the secondary market with servicing retained during 2017. The volume of sales has a direct impact on the amount of mortgage banking income.
BOLI income in 2019 increased compared to 2018 due to the recognition of $482,000 of tax-free death benefits that exceeded the cash surrender value of the insurance policies. BOLI income was essentially flat during 2018 compared to 2017. Peoples purchased no additional BOLI policies during 2019, 2018 and 2017; however, $4.8 million in BOLI policies were acquired during 2018 in the ASB acquisition.
Commercial loan swap fees are largely dependent on the timing and volume of customer activity. Commercial loan swap fees in 2019 more than tripled compared to 2018, driven by an increase in customer demand as a result of the interest rate declines in the latter half of 2019. During 2018, an increase in the number of individual transactions was more than offset by a decline in the average size of each transaction, resulting in lower commercial loan swap fees in 2018, compared to 2017.
In 2019, other non-interest income included an increase in realized and unrealized gains on equity investment securities of $624,000 compared to 2018, driven by $787,000 of income related to the sale of restricted Class B Visa stock during 2019. Other non-interest income in 2019 also included a decline in SBA income of $559,000, or 80%, compared to 2018 as a result of lower volume of loan originations and sales. The increase in other non-interest income in 2018 compared to 2017 was primarily due to an increase of $318,000 in the income related to the sale of SBA loans. During 2018, other non-interest income also included $207,000 recorded in connection with the implementation of a new accounting standard, which modified how the change in the fair value of equity investment securities was recorded beginning on January 1, 2018.
Total Non-Interest Expense
Salaries and employee benefit costs remain Peoples’ largest non-interest expense, accounting for over half of the total non-interest expense.  The following table details Peoples’ salaries and employee benefit costs for the years ended December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)201920182017
Base salaries and wages$51,835  $46,438  $39,669  
Sales-based and incentive compensation11,850  11,703  10,223  
Employee benefit costs8,497  6,528  6,487  
Stock-based compensation3,655  2,575  1,802  
Deferred personnel costs(2,768) (2,151) (1,835) 
Payroll taxes and other employment costs4,791  4,215  3,930  
Salaries and employee benefit costs$77,860  $69,308  $60,276  
Full-time equivalent employees:
Actual at end of the period900  871  774  
Average during the period900  840  778  
Base salaries and wages in both 2019 and 2018 included $2.2 million of one-time expenses associated with acquisitions. In all comparisons, base salaries and wages were impacted by merit increases, as well as continued movement towards a $15 per hour minimum wage throughout Peoples' organization. The $15 per hour minimum wage was phased in beginning in 2018 and was largely implemented as of January 1, 2020. For First Prestonsburg locations acquired during 2019, the $15 per hour minimum wage is expected to be implemented by January 1, 2021. Base salaries and wages were also impacted by the addition of employees, primarily as a result of the First Prestonsburg acquisition in 2019 and the ASB acquisition in 2018.
Sales-based and incentive compensation increased in 2019 and 2018 largely due to higher incentive compensation related to the mortgage banking income growth, coupled with improvement in corporate performance for 2018. Peoples' sales-based and incentive compensation plans are designed to grow core earnings while managing risk, and do not encourage unnecessary and excessive risk-taking that could threaten the value of Peoples. The sales-based and incentive compensation plans reward employees for appropriate behaviors and include provisions addressing inappropriate practices with respect to Peoples and its customers, including clawbacks for executives.
The increase in employee benefits in 2019 compared to 2018 was impacted by the First Prestonsburg and ASB acquisitions, and included an increase in medical insurance costs of $1.8 million due primarily to higher medical claims, which was impacted by an increase in the number of participants in the insurance plan. During 2018, employee benefit costs were relatively flat compared to 2017.
Stock-based compensation is generally recognized over the vesting period, which generally ranges from immediate vesting to vesting at the end of three years, and an adjustment is made at the vesting date to reverse expense for non-vested awards. The majority of Peoples' stock-based compensation is attributable to annual equity-based incentive awards to employees, which are awarded in the first quarter and based upon Peoples achieving certain performance goals during the prior year.  During the years presented in the table above, Peoples granted restricted common shares to officers and key employees with performance-based vesting periods and time-based vesting periods, generally with a three-year cliff vesting. The increase in stock-based compensation during the three years

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presented in the table above correlates to Peoples' improved performance during recent years. The increase in 2019 compared to 2018 was also driven by higher expense related to stock grants made to retirement eligible grantees. Stock grants to retirement eligible grantees are expensed either immediately or over a shorter period than the vesting period. The increase in 2018, compared to 2017, was also impacted by Peoples' Board of Directors granting an aggregate of 12,144 unrestricted common shares to full-time and part-time employees who did not already participate in the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Third Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Plan, which resulted in stock-based compensation of $416,000. Additional information regarding Peoples' stock-based compensation plans and awards can be found in "Note 17 Stock-Based Compensation" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 
Deferred personnel costs represent the portion of current period salaries and employee benefit costs considered to be direct loan origination costs.  These costs are capitalized and recognized over the life of the loan as a yield adjustment in interest income.  As a result, the amount of deferred personnel costs for each year corresponds directly with the level of new loan originations. Higher loan originations in 2019 compared to 2018 and in 2018 compared to 2017 drove the increase in deferred personnel costs during 2019 and 2018. Additional information regarding Peoples' loan activity can be found later in this discussion under the caption "Loans."
Payroll taxes and other employee costs increased during 2019 and 2018 as a result of higher base salaries and wages, sales-based and incentive compensation, and employee benefits.
Peoples’ net occupancy and equipment expense for the years ended December 31 was comprised of the following:
(Dollars in thousands)201920182017
Depreciation expense$5,702  $4,937  $4,850  
Repairs and maintenance costs3,016  2,825  2,573  
Net rent expense1,022  961  931  
Property taxes, utilities and other costs2,691  2,549  2,279  
Net occupancy and equipment expense$12,431  $11,272  $10,633  
Net occupancy and equipment expense increased during 2019 primarily due to the increased maintenance costs, property taxes, utilities and other costs related to the addition of nine full-service bank branches from the First Prestonsburg acquisition; a full year of expenses related to the additional locations from the ASB acquisitions in 2018; and ongoing increased operating costs associated with the expanded footprint. These increases were partially offset by a reduction in ATM repairs and maintenance costs resulting from a new vendor servicing agreement. During 2018, net occupancy and equipment expense increased primarily due to costs related to the addition of seven full-service bank branches and two loan production offices from the ASB acquisition, partially offset by the full-year impact of the closure of six full-service branches during 2017.
The following table details the other items included within Peoples' total non-interest expense for the years ended December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)201920182017
E-banking expense$7,186  $6,057  $5,874  
Professional fees7,095  7,862  6,575  
Data processing and software expense6,332  5,419  4,441  
Amortization of other intangible assets3,359  3,338  3,516  
Franchise tax expense3,071  2,771  2,246  
Marketing expense2,291  1,962  1,714  
Foreclosed real estate and other loan expenses1,956  1,431  873  
Communication expense1,181  1,265  1,475  
FDIC insurance expense602  1,546  1,816  
Other non-interest expense$13,886  $13,746  $8,536  
Peoples' e-banking expense is comprised of costs associated with debit and ATM cards, as well as Internet and mobile banking costs. The increases in 2019 and 2018 were due to customers completing a higher volume of transactions using their debit cards, and Peoples' Internet and mobile banking service.  Also contributing to the increase was the addition of accounts related to the acquisitions of First Prestonsburg in 2019 and ASB in 2018, as well as the annual increase in the cost of each unit of service in internet and mobile banking. The increased volume of customers and usage of debit cards also produced a greater increase in the corresponding e-banking revenues over the same period.
Professional fees were down compared to 2018, mainly due to lower legal expenses and consulting work performed during 2018, which was not duplicated in 2019, combined with a decline in acquisition-related expenses of $481,000 compared to 2018. Professional fees were higher in 2018 compared to 2017 due to higher consulting expenses and an increase of $785,000 in acquisition-related expenses (investment banking and legal fees).
Data processing and software expense includes software support, maintenance and depreciation expense. The increase in these costs during 2019 was driven by systems and software upgrades and overall growth, which included: the implementation of enhanced functionalities for Peoples' core banking system, including making certain mobile banking tools available to customers; increases in customer accounts and customer usage of mobile and online banking tools; software upgrades; and additional network capacity and

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security features. During 2018, these costs increased due to the implementation of enhanced functionalities for Peoples' core banking system, including making certain mobile banking tools available to customers, growth in the number of accounts, implementation of customer relationship profitability and a new floor plan system implemented at the end of 2017.
Peoples' amortization of other intangible assets is driven by acquisition-related activity. Amortization of other intangible assets increased slightly during 2019 as a result of additional amortization related to the acquisition of First Prestonsburg. During 2018, amortization of other intangible assets declined as a result of the amortization schedules related to core deposit and customer relationship intangible assets arising from acquisitions, partially offset by additional amortization related to the acquisition of ASB.
Peoples is subject to state franchise taxes, which are based largely on Peoples' equity at year-end, in the states where Peoples has a physical presence. Expenses related to state franchise taxes increased in 2019 primarily due to additional taxes paid in Kentucky as a result of the First Prestonsburg acquisition in 2019. Franchise tax expense also includes the Ohio Financial Institution Tax ("FIT"), which is a business privilege tax that is imposed on financial institutions organized for profit and doing business in Ohio. The Ohio FIT is based on the total equity capital in proportion to the taxpayer's gross receipts in Ohio. Expenses related to state franchise taxes, which includes Ohio FIT, increased in 2018 due to additional equity from the issuance of common shares related to the acquisition of ASB in 2018, and from operating results.
Marketing expense, which includes advertising, donations and other public relations costs, included one-time acquisition-related expenses of $162,000 in 2019, compared to $119,000 in 2018 and none in 2017. Marketing expense was higher during 2019 due to overall increases in spending on brand awareness, donations to Peoples Bank Foundation, Inc., and product marketing campaigns. Peoples Bank Foundation, Inc. was formed by Peoples in 2004 as a private foundation to make charitable contributions to organizations within Peoples' primary market area. The increases in marketing expense were also impacted by Peoples' expanded footprint due to the First Prestonsburg acquisition in 2019 and the ASB acquisition in 2018.
Peoples' FDIC insurance expense declined in 2019 due to two credits received related to its quarterly assessments as a result of the deposit insurance fund reaching its target threshold for smaller banks (banks with total consolidated assets of less than $10 billion) to recognize a credit to their insurance expense. Peoples cannot reasonably anticipate any future recognition of credits, as the deposit insurance fund is analyzed on a quarterly basis, and is the premise for receiving credits. The FDIC quarterly assessment rate is applied to average total assets less average tangible equity, and is based on the leverage ratio, net income before taxes, nonperforming loans as a percent of total assets, OREO, loan mix and asset growth. Peoples experienced improvements in each of these categories during 2018, leading to a reduction in the quarterly FDIC assessment rate in 2018, which offset increases in the expense that are attributable to the asset growth experienced during 2018. Additional information regarding Peoples' FDIC insurance assessments may be found in "ITEM 1 BUSINESS" of this Form 10-K in the section captioned "Supervision and Regulation."
Foreclosed real estate and other loan expenses increased during 2019 due to higher real estate loan expense, which was driven by the mortgage banking demand due to interest rate declines in the latter half of 2019. Foreclosed real estate and other loan expenses increased during 2018 due to higher real estate loan expense and collection expenses. The higher real estate loan expense was due to additional mortgage processing associated with the origination group acquired in the ASB acquisition. The increase in collection expenses was related to the growth in indirect consumer lending.
The decrease in communication expense during 2019 and 2018 was attributable to the re-negotiation of contracts with vendors, as well as the elimination of analog circuits that have been replaced with newer more efficient technology.
Other non-interest expense increased $140,000 in 2019 compared to 2018, and increased $5.2 million in 2018 compared to 2017. The increases during 2019 and 2018 compared to 2017 were driven by $3.9 million of one-time acquisition-related expenses in 2019 compared to $3.6 million in 2018 and $14,000 in 2017. The 2019 and 2018 acquisition-related expenses related mainly to contract termination fees and other costs related to the system conversion.
Income Tax Expense
A key driver for the amount of income tax expense or benefit recognized by Peoples each year is the amount of pre-tax income. In addition to the expense recognized, Peoples receives tax benefits from tax-exempt investments and loans, BOLI, stock awards that settled or vested during the year, and investments in tax credit funds, which reduce Peoples' effective tax rate. A reconciliation of Peoples' recorded income tax expense/benefit and effective tax rate to the statutory tax rate can be found in "Note 12 Income Taxes" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
For the full year of 2019, income tax expense totaled $11.7 million, compared to $8.7 million in 2018, and $18.7 million in 2017, and the effective tax rate for 2019 was 17.8%, compared to 15.9% for 2018, and 32.7% for 2017. The increase in income tax expense in 2019 compared to 2018 was primarily due to higher pre-tax income. The decline in income tax expense in 2018 compared to 2017 was primarily a result of the TCJ Act, which lowered the statutory federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018. The 14% reduction in the statutory federal corporate income tax rate applied to the income before income taxes for 2018 equated to a $7.7 million reduction in income tax expense.
During 2019, income tax expense and the effective tax rate were positively impacted by a tax benefit of $508,000 related to non-taxable BOLI income. In 2018, Peoples released a valuation allowance, which reduced income tax expense by $805,000. The

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valuation allowance was related to a historic tax credit that Peoples had invested in during 2015. Peoples sold $6.7 million of equity investment securities in 2018, which resulted in a capital gain for tax purposes. This capital gain was large enough to offset an anticipated future capital loss which is expected to be recognized due to the structure of the historic tax credit investment, resulting in the release of the valuation allowance.
During 2018, the final remeasurement of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at the new statutory federal corporate income tax rate from the TCJ Act resulted in a reduction to income tax expense of $705,000. The initial remeasurement at the new statutory federal corporate income tax rate resulted in write-down of $897,000 of Peoples' net deferred tax assets, which increased income tax expense recorded during 2017. Additionally, as of December 31, 2017, Peoples early adopted ASU 2018-02 Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and elected to reclassify, from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings, the stranded income tax effects in accumulated other comprehensive loss resulting from the TCJ Act.
Peoples also recorded tax benefits of $195,000 in 2019, $332,000 in 2018, and $154,000 in 2017 related to stock awards that settled or vested during the year, with the majority recorded in the first quarter of each year.
Pre-Provision Net Revenue (non-US GAAP)
Pre-provision net revenue ("PPNR") has become a key financial measure used by federal banking regulatory agencies when assessing the capital adequacy of financial institutions. PPNR is defined as net interest income plus total non-interest income (excluding all gains and losses) minus total non-interest expense and, therefore, excludes the provision for (recovery of) loan losses and all gains and/or losses included in earnings. As a result, PPNR represents the earnings capacity that can be either retained in order to build capital or used to absorb unexpected losses and preserve existing capital.
The following table provides a reconciliation of this non-US GAAP financial measure to the amounts of income before income taxes reported in Peoples' Consolidated Financial Statements for the periods presented:
(Dollars in thousands)20192018201720162015
Income before income taxes$65,358  $54,941  $57,203  $45,282  $14,816  
Add: provision for loan losses2,504  5,448  3,772  3,539  14,097  
Add: net loss on debt extinguishment—  13  —  707  520  
Add: net loss on OREO98  21  116  34  529  
Add: net loss on investment securities—  146  —  —  —  
Add: net loss on other assets692  224  —  188  696  
Add: net loss on other transactions—  76  —  204  43  
Less: net gain on investment securities164  —  2,983  930  729  
Less: net gain on other assets —  28  —  —  
Less: net gain on other transactions—  —  25  —  —  
   Pre-provision net revenue$68,480  $60,869  $58,055  $49,024  $29,972  
Total average assets$4,222,482  $3,871,832  $3,510,274  $3,320,447  $3,111,853  
Pre-provision net revenue to total average assets1.62 %1.57 %1.65 %1.48 %0.96 %
The continued increase in PPNR in recent years has been driven by acquisitions, coupled with the focus of growing revenues at a higher rate than expenses on a percentage basis. The ratio of PPNR to total average assets for 2018 declined compared to 2017 due to $7.3 million of acquisition-related expenses during 2018, mitigating the increase in PPNR, combined with the growth of average assets during the year, which was partially attributable to the ASB acquisition. The increase in the PPNR in 2016 was boosted by a decrease in total non-interest expense, given that 2015 included $10.7 million of acquisition-related expenses.
Core Non-Interest Income and Expense (non-US GAAP)
Core non-interest income and core non-interest expense are financial measures used to evaluate Peoples' recurring revenue and expense streams. These measures are non-US GAAP since they exclude the impact of all gains and/or losses, core banking system conversion revenue and expenses, acquisition-related expenses, pension settlement charges, severance expenses, and other non-recurring expenses.

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The following tables provide reconciliations of these non-US GAAP measures to the amounts of total non-interest income and total non-interest expense reported in Peoples' Consolidated Financial Statements for the periods presented:
(Dollars in thousands)20192018201720162015
Core non-interest income:
Total non-interest income$64,274  $56,754  $55,573  $50,867  $46,382  
Less: net gain (loss) on investment securities164  (146) 2,983  930  729  
Less: net loss on asset disposals and other transactions(782) (334) (63) (1,133) (1,788) 
Total non-interest income excluding net gains and losses$64,892  $57,234  $52,653  $51,070  $47,441  
Plus: core banking system conversion revenue waived—  —  —  85  —  
Core non-interest income excluding net gains and losses$64,892  $57,234  $52,653  $51,155  $47,441  

(Dollars in thousands)20192018201720162015
Core non-interest expense:
Total non-interest expense$137,250  $125,977  $107,975  $106,911  $115,081  
Less: system conversion expenses—  —  —  1,259  —  
Less: acquisition-related expenses7,287  7,262  341  —  10,722  
Less: pension settlement charges—  267  242  —  459  
Less: severance expenses270  —  —  —  —  
Less: other non-core charges—  —  —  —  592  
Core non-interest expense$129,693  $118,448  $107,392  $105,652  $103,308  
Efficiency Ratio (non-US GAAP)
The efficiency ratio is a key financial measure used to monitor performance. The efficiency ratio is calculated as total non-interest expense (less amortization of other intangible assets) as a percentage of FTE net interest income plus total non-interest income excluding net gains and losses. This measure is non-US GAAP since it excludes amortization of other intangible assets and all gains and/or losses included in earnings, and uses FTE net interest income.

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The following table provides a reconciliation of this non-US GAAP financial measure to the amounts of total non-interest income and total non-interest expense reported in Peoples' Consolidated Financial Statements for the periods presented:
(Dollars in thousands)20192018201720162015
Efficiency ratio:
Total non-interest expense$137,250  $125,977  $107,975  $106,911  $115,081  
Less: amortization of other intangible assets3,359  3,338  3,516  4,030  4,077  
Adjusted total non-interest expense133,891  122,639  104,459  102,881  111,004  
Total non-interest income64,274  56,754  55,573  50,867  46,382  
Less: net gain (loss) on investment securities164  (146) 2,983  930  729  
Less: net loss on asset disposals and other transactions(782) (334) (63) (1,133) (1,788) 
Total non-interest income, excluding net gains and losses64,892  57,234  52,653  51,070  47,441  
Net interest income140,838  129,612  113,377  104,865  97,612  
Add: FTE adjustment (a)1,068  881  1,912  2,027  1,978  
Net interest income on an FTE basis141,906  130,493  115,289  106,892  99,590  
Adjusted revenue$206,798  $187,727  $167,942  $157,962  $147,031  
Efficiency ratio64.74 %65.33 %62.20 %65.13 %75.50 %
Efficiency ratio adjusted for non-core items:
Core non-interest expense$129,693  $118,448  $107,392  $105,652  $103,308  
Less: amortization of other intangible assets3,359  3,338  3,516  4,030  4,077  
Adjusted core non-interest expense126,334  115,110  103,876  101,622  99,231  
Core non-interest income excluding net gains and losses64,892  57,234  52,653  51,155  47,441  
Net interest income on an FTE basis141,906  130,493  115,289  106,892  99,590  
Adjusted core revenue$206,798  $187,727  $167,942  $158,047  $147,031  
Efficiency ratio adjusted for non-core items61.09 %61.32 %61.85 %64.30 %67.49 %
(a) Based on a 21% statutory federal corporate income tax rate for 2019 and 2018 and a 35% statutory federal corporate income tax rate for 2017 and prior years.
The continued decline in the efficiency ratio adjusted for non-core items in recent years has been driven by acquisitions, coupled with the focus of growing revenues at a higher rate than expenses on a percentage basis. Furthermore, managing expenses has been a major focus over the last four years; however, during this time Peoples has continued to make meaningful investments in its infrastructure and systems. The increase in the efficiency ratio between 2018 and 2017 was driven by acquisition-related expenses of $7.3 million in 2018, compared to $341,000 in 2017.
Return on Average Assets Adjusted for Non-Core Items (non-US GAAP)
In addition to return on average assets, management uses return on average assets adjusted for non-core items to monitor performance. The return on average assets ratio adjusted for non-core items represents a non-US GAAP financial measure since it excludes the release of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, the impact of the TCJ Act on the remeasurement of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities, and the after-tax impact of all gains and losses, core banking system conversion revenue and expenses, acquisition-related expenses, pension settlement charges, severance expenses, and other non-recurring expenses in earnings.

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The following table provides a reconciliation of this non-US GAAP financial measure to the amount of net income reported in Peoples' Consolidated Financial Statements for the periods presented:
(Dollars in thousands)20192018201720162015
Net income adjusted for non-core items:
Net income$53,695  $46,255  $38,471  $31,157  $10,941  
Add: core banking system conversion revenue waived—  —  —  85  —  
Less: tax effect of core banking system conversion revenue waived (a)
—  —  —  30  —  
Add: net loss on investment securities
—  146  —  —  —  
Less: tax effect of net loss on investment securities (a)
—  31  —  —  —  
Less: net gain on investment securities
164  —  2,983  930  729  
Add: tax effect of net gain on investment securities (a)
34  —  1,044  325  255  
Add: net loss on asset disposals and other transactions
782  334  63  1,133  1,788  
Less: tax effect of net loss on asset disposals and other transactions (a)
164  70  22  397  626  
Add: system conversion expenses—  —  —  1,259  —  
Less: tax effect of system conversion expenses (a)
—  —  —  441  —  
Add: acquisition-related expenses
7,287  7,262  341  —  10,722  
Less: tax effect of acquisition-related expenses (a)
1,530  1,525  119  —  3,753  
Add: severance expenses270  —  —  —  —  
Less: tax effect of severance expenses (a)57  —  —  —  —  
Add: pension settlement charges (a)
—  267  242  —  459  
Less: tax effect of pension settlement charges (a)
—  56  85  —  161  
Add: other non-core charges—  —  —  —  592  
Less: tax effect of other non-core charges (a)
—  —  —  —  207  
Less: release of deferred tax asset valuation allowance—  805  —  —  —  
Less: impact of TCJ Act on deferred tax liability—  705  —  —  —  
Add: impact of TCJ Act on deferred tax assets—  —  897  —  —  
Net income adjusted for non-core items$60,153  $51,072  $37,849  $32,161  $19,281  
Return on average assets:
Net income$53,695  $46,255  $38,471  $31,157  $10,941  
Total average assets4,222,482  3,871,832  3,510,274  3,320,447  3,111,853  
Return on average assets1.27 %1.19 %1.10 %0.94 %0.35 %
Return on average assets adjusted for non-core items:
Net income adjusted for non-core items
$60,153$51,072$37,849$32,161$19,281
Total average assets
4,222,482  3,871,832  3,510,274  3,320,447  3,111,853  
Return on average assets adjusted for non-core items
1.42 %1.32 %1.08 %0.97 %0.62 %
(a) Based on a 21% statutory federal corporate income tax rate for 2019 and 2018 and a 35% statutory federal corporate income tax rate for 2017 and prior years.
The increases in return on average assets and return on average assets adjusted for non-core items over the last four years has been driven by the acquisitions in 2019, 2018, and 2015, coupled with the focus of growing revenues at a higher rate than expenses on a percentage basis. Managing expenses has been a major focus over the last four years; however, during this time Peoples has continued to make meaningful investments in its infrastructure and systems. The return on average assets and return on average assets adjusted for non-core items in 2015 was impacted by an issue with a single credit that resulted in a provision for loan losses of $14.1 million. The ratios in 2019 and 2018 were also positively impacted by the lower statutory federal corporate income tax rate.

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Return on Average Tangible Equity (non-US GAAP)
The return on average tangible equity ratio is a key financial measure used to monitor performance. The return on tangible equity is calculated as net income (less after-tax impact of amortization of other intangible assets) divided by tangible equity. This measure is non-US GAAP since it excludes amortization of other intangible assets from earnings and the impact of goodwill and other intangible assets acquired through acquisitions on total stockholders' equity.
(Dollars in thousands)20192018201720162015
Net income excluding amortization of other intangible assets:
Net income$53,695  $46,255  $38,471  $31,157  $10,941  
Add: amortization of other intangible assets3,359  3,338  3,516  4,030  4,077  
Less: tax effect of amortization of other intangible assets (a)705  701  1,231  1,411  1,427  
Net income excluding amortization of other intangible assets56,349  48,892  40,756  33,776  13,591  
Average tangible equity:
Total average stockholders' equity$566,123  $488,139  $450,379  $432,666  $407,296  
Less: average goodwill and other intangible assets173,529  158,115  144,696  147,981  144,013  
Average tangible equity$392,594  $330,024  $305,683  $284,685  $263,283  
Return on average stockholders' equity ratio:
Net income$53,695  $46,255  $38,471  $31,157  $10,941  
Average stockholders' equity$566,123  $488,139  $450,379  $432,666  $407,296  
Return on average stockholders' equity9.48 %9.48 %8.54 %7.20 %2.69 %
Return on average tangible equity ratio:
Net income excluding amortization of other intangible assets$56,349  $48,892  $40,756  $33,776  $13,591  
Average tangible equity$392,594  $330,024  $305,683  $284,685  $263,283  
Return on average tangible equity14.35 %14.81 %13.33 %11.86 %5.16 %
(a) Based on a 21% statutory federal corporate income tax rate for 2019 and 2018 and a 35% statutory federal corporate income tax rate for 2017 and prior periods.
The decline in return on average tangible equity ratio in 2019 compared to 2018, was impacted by the First Prestonsburg acquisition, which increased capital. The return on average stockholders' equity and average tangible equity ratios increased in 2018 compared to 2017, reflecting the increase in net income which outpaced the increases in average stockholders' equity and average tangible equity. Average stockholders' equity and average tangible equity increased due mainly to net income and the ASB acquisition, partially offset by dividends declared.
FINANCIAL CONDITION
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Peoples considers cash and cash equivalents to consist of federal funds sold, cash and balances due from banks, interest-bearing balances in other institutions and other short-term investments that are readily liquid.  The amount of cash and cash equivalents fluctuates on a daily basis due to customer activity and Peoples' liquidity needs.  At December 31, 2019, excess cash reserves at the FRB of Cleveland were $15.6 million, compared to $11.2 million at December 31, 2018. The amount of excess cash reserves maintained is dependent upon Peoples' daily liquidity position, which is driven primarily by changes in deposit and loan balances.
In 2019, Peoples' total cash and cash equivalents increased $37.6 million, as cash provided by operating activities and investing activities of $67.2 million and $1.1 million, respectively, were partially offset by cash used in financing activities of $30.6 million. Cash used in financing activities was primarily due to a reduction in short-term borrowings of $76.9 million and dividends paid of $25.9 million, partially offset by the growth in deposit balances of $77.7 million. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was due primarily to $53.7 million of net income.
In 2018, Peoples' total cash and cash equivalents increased $5.4 million, as cash provided by operating activities and financing activities of $75.2 million and $60.3 million, respectively, were largely offset by cash used in investing activities of $130.2 million. Cash used in investing activities was primarily due to funded loan growth of $134.1 million. Loan growth was partially funded by the increase within Peoples' financing activities of short-term borrowings of $61.9 million and deposit growth, excluding deposits acquired from the ASB acquisition, of $25.8 million. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was due primarily to $46.3 million of net income.

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Further information regarding the management of Peoples' liquidity position can be found later in this discussion under "Interest Rate Sensitivity and Liquidity."
Investment Securities
The following table provides information regarding Peoples’ investment portfolio at December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)20192018201720162015
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value:     
Obligations of:               
U.S. government sponsored agencies$8,209  $—  $—  $1,000  $2,966  
States and political subdivisions114,104  88,587  101,569  117,230  114,726  
Residential mortgage-backed securities791,009  692,608  673,664  626,567  632,293  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities18,088  6,707  6,976  19,291  23,845  
Bank-issued trust preferred securities4,691  3,989  5,129  4,899  4,635  
Equity investment securities (a)—  —  7,849  8,953  6,236  
Total fair value$936,101  $791,891  $795,187  $777,940  $784,701  
Total amortized cost$929,395  $804,655  $797,732  $777,017  $780,304  
Net unrealized gain (loss)$6,706  $(12,764) $(2,545) $923  $4,397  
Held-to-maturity securities, at amortized cost:
Obligations of:
States and political subdivisions$4,346  $4,403  $3,810  $3,820  $3,831  
Residential mortgage-backed securities21,494  29,044  32,487  33,858  35,367  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities5,907  3,514  4,631  5,466  6,530  
Total amortized cost$31,747  $36,961  $40,928  $43,144  $45,728  
Other investment securities (a)$42,730  $42,985  $38,371  $38,371  $38,401  
Total investment securities:
Amortized cost$1,003,872  $884,601  $877,031  $858,532  $864,433  
Carrying value$1,010,578  $871,837  $874,486  $859,455  $868,830  
(a) As of January 1, 2018, Peoples adopted ASU 2016-01, resulting in the reclassification of equity investment securities from available-for-sale investment securities to other investment securities. At December 31, 2018, $277,000 of equity investment securities were included in other investment securities compared to $7.8 million of equity investment securities included in available-for-sale investment securities at December 31, 2017.
At December 31, 2019, Peoples' investment securities represented approximately 23.2% of total assets, compared to 21.8% at December 31, 2018. During 2019, Peoples acquired, in the First Prestonsburg acquisition, investment securities totaling $139.7 million and subsequently sold $65.1 million of acquired available-for-sale investment securities. In April and May of 2019, $53.7 million of the proceeds were reinvested. Additionally, the fair value of investment securities increased, driven by overall declines in market interest rates during the latter half of 2019.
During 2018, Peoples acquired, in the ASB acquisition, investment securities totaling $18.8 million and subsequently sold $14.6 million of acquired available-for-sale investment securities. Proceeds from the sale of investment securities were used to reduce overnight borrowing at the FHLB of Cincinnati.
Investment securities increased at December 31, 2017 from December 31, 2016 due to purchases of residential mortgage-backed securities that were partially offset by principal paydowns during that year.
Peoples designates certain securities as "held-to-maturity" at the time of their purchase if management determines Peoples would have the intent and ability to hold the purchased securities until maturity. The unrealized gain or loss related to held-to-maturity investment securities does not directly impact total stockholders' equity, in contrast to the impact from the available-for-sale investment securities portfolio.
Additional information regarding Peoples' investment portfolio can be found in "Note 3 Investment Securities" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Loans
The following table provides information regarding outstanding loan balances at or for the year ended December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)20192018201720162015
Originated loans:     
Construction$83,283  $124,013  $107,118  $84,626  $63,785  
Commercial real estate, other671,576  632,200  595,447  531,557  471,184  
Commercial real estate754,859  756,213  702,565  616,183  534,969  
Commercial and industrial622,175  530,207  438,051  378,131  288,130  
Residential real estate314,935  296,860  304,523  307,490  288,783  
Home equity lines of credit93,013  93,326  88,902  85,617  74,176  
Consumer, indirect417,127  407,167  340,390  252,024  165,320  
Consumer, direct70,852  71,674  67,010  67,579  61,813  
Consumer487,979  478,841  407,400  319,603  227,133  
Deposit account overdrafts878  583  849  1,080  1,448  
Total originated loans$2,273,839  $2,156,030  $1,942,290  $1,708,104  $1,414,639  
Acquired loans:
Construction$5,235  $12,404  $8,319  $10,100  $12,114  
Commercial real estate, other161,662  184,711  165,120  204,466  265,092  
Commercial real estate166,897  197,115  173,439  214,566  277,206  
Commercial and industrial40,818  35,537  34,493  44,208  63,589  
Residential real estate346,541  296,937  184,864  228,435  276,772  
Home equity lines of credit39,691  40,653  20,575  25,875  32,253  
Consumer, indirect58  136  329  808  1,776  
Consumer, direct5,681  2,370  1,147  2,940  6,205  
Consumer5,739  2,506  1,476  3,748  7,981  
Total acquired loans (a)$599,686  $572,748  $414,847  $516,832  $657,801  
Total loans$2,873,525  $2,728,778  $2,357,137  $2,224,936  $2,072,440  
Average total loans2,812,109  2,610,970  2,293,980  2,133,175  1,952,241  
Average allowance for loan losses(21,239) (19,359) (18,713) (17,564) (19,174) 
Average loans, net of average allowance for loan losses$2,790,870  $2,591,611  $2,275,267  $2,115,611  $1,933,067  
Percent of loans to total loans:     
Construction3.1 %5.1 %4.9 %4.3 %3.7 %
Commercial real estate, other29.0 %29.9 %32.3 %33.0 %35.5 %
Commercial real estate32.1 %35.0 %37.2 %37.3 %39.2 %
Commercial and industrial23.1 %20.7 %20.0 %19.0 %17.0 %
Residential real estate23.0 %21.8 %20.8 %24.1 %27.3 %
Home equity lines of credit4.6 %4.9 %4.6 %5.0 %5.1 %
Consumer, indirect14.5 %14.9 %14.5 %11.4 %8.0 %
Consumer, direct2.7 %2.7 %2.9 %3.2 %3.3 %
Consumer17.2 %17.6 %17.4 %14.6 %11.3 %
Deposit account overdrafts (b)NM  NM  NM  NM  0.1 %
Total percentage100.0 %100.0 %100.0 %100.0 %100.0 %
Residential real estate loans being serviced for others$496,802  $461,256  $412,965  $398,134  $390,398  
a.Includes all loans acquired, and related loan discount recorded as part of acquisition accounting, in 2012 and thereafter. Loans that were acquired and subsequently re-underwritten are reported as originated upon execution of such credit actions (for example, renewals and increases in lines of credit).
b.NM = not meaningful.

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As of December 31, 2019, total loans had grown 5%, or $144.7 million, compared to December 31, 2018. Loan originations during 2019 were higher than in the prior year; however, significantly higher loan payoffs experienced in the commercial loan portfolios during 2019 minimized the impact of the increased production on loan balances compared to December 31, 2018. Total originated loans (excluding acquired loans) grew 5%, or $117.8 million, during 2019. Originated loan growth was led by an increase in commercial and industrial loans of $92.0 million, or 17%. Total acquired loans grew $26.9 million during 2019, which included $109.9 million related to the First Prestonsburg acquisition as of December 31, 2019, partially offset by the continued decline of the loan balances acquired in previous acquisitions. Balances in loan accounts acquired from First Prestonsburg as of December 31, 2019 included $50.7 million in residential real estate loans, $33.6 million in commercial real estate loans, $13.3 million in commercial and industrial loans, $5.9 million in home equity lines of credit, $4.5 million in consumer, direct loans, and $1.9 million in constructions loans.
During 2018, total loans grew 16%, or $371.6 million. Total originated loans (excluding acquired loans) grew 11%, or $213.7 million, due to increases in all categories except residential real estate and deposit account overdrafts. The increase in total acquired loans during 2018 was due to the ASB acquisition, partially offset by the decline of the loan balances acquired in previous acquisitions.
During 2017, total loans grew 6%, or $132.2 million. The increase was primarily the result of commercial loan growth of $95.5 million, or 8%, which includes commercial real estate, and commercial and industrial loan balances. Additionally, continued emphasis on growing indirect consumer lending led to growth of $87.9 million, or 35%, compared to December 31, 2016, and was partially offset by reductions in residential real estate loans.
During 2016, total loans grew 7%, or $152.5 million, with growth of 8% in commercial loan balances and 7% in consumer loan balances. Continuing the trend of 2015, indirect consumer lending experienced the largest growth across all loan categories for the year, increasing by $85.7 million, or 51%. Commercial and industrial loan growth was $70.6 million, or 20%, for the 2016 year.
The following table details the maturities of Peoples' commercial real estate and commercial and industrial loans at December 31, 2019:
(Dollars in thousands)Due in One Year or LessDue in One to Five YearsDue After Five YearsTotal% of Total
Construction:
Fixed$1,172  $14,899  $4,570  $20,641  23.3 %
Variable60,833  4,742  2,302  67,877  76.7 %
Total62,005  19,641  6,872  88,518  100.0 %
Commercial real estate, other:            
Fixed31,694  117,446  132,408  281,548  33.8 %
Variable364,794  164,597  22,299  551,690  66.2 %
Total396,488  282,043  154,707  833,238  100.0 %
Commercial and industrial:            
Fixed8,704  66,885  42,435  118,024  17.8 %
Variable428,472  97,702  18,795  544,969  82.2 %
Total437,176  164,587  61,230  662,993  100.0 %
Total commercial loans:
Fixed41,570  199,230  179,413  420,213  26.5 %
Variable854,099  267,041  43,396  1,164,536  73.5 %
Total$895,669  $466,271  $222,809  $1,584,749  100.0 %
Loan Concentration
Peoples categorizes its commercial loans according to standard industry classifications and monitors for concentrations in a single industry or multiple industries that could be impacted by changes in economic conditions in a similar manner. Peoples' commercial lending activities continue to be spread over a diverse range of businesses from all sectors of the economy, with no single industry comprising over 10% of Peoples' total loan portfolio.
Loans secured by commercial real estate, including commercial construction loans, continue to comprise the largest portion of Peoples' loan portfolio.

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The following table provides information regarding the largest concentrations of commercial real estate loans within the loan portfolio at December 31, 2019:
(Dollars in thousands)Outstanding BalanceAvailable Loan CommitmentsTotal Exposure% of Total
Construction:            
Assisted living facilities and nursing homes$25,792  $37,723  $63,515  34.7 %
Apartment complexes17,008  26,622  43,630  23.8 %
Education services13,327  475  13,802  7.5 %
Mixed commercial use facilities5,924  1,392  7,316  4.0 %
Land only4,739  1,190  5,929  3.2 %
Retail3,450  2,363  5,813  3.2 %
Office buildings1,726  3,634  5,360  2.9 %
Residential property1,545  3,596  5,141  2.8 %
Child care3,791  —  3,791  2.1 %
Land development1,989  1,685  3,674  2.0 %
Other (a)9,227  15,746  24,973  13.8 %
Construction$88,518  $94,426  $182,944  100.0 %
(a)All other outstanding balances are less than 2% of the total loan portfolio.


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(Dollars in thousands)Outstanding BalanceAvailable Loan CommitmentsTotal Exposure% of Total
Commercial real estate, other:    
Office buildings and complexes:
Owner occupied$78,929  $2,637  $81,566  9.4 %
Non-owner occupied70,631  4,855  75,486  8.7 %
Total office buildings and complexes149,560  7,492  157,052  18.1 %
Mixed commercial use facilities:
Owner occupied60,822  1,267  62,089  7.2 %
Non-owner occupied44,490  607  45,097  5.2 %
Total mixed commercial use facilities105,312  1,874  107,186  12.4 %
Retail facilities:   
Owner occupied36,802  625  37,427  4.3 %
Non-owner occupied54,713  98  54,811  6.3 %
Total retail facilities91,515  723  92,238  10.6 %
Apartment complexes82,849  4,309  87,158  10.1 %
Light industrial facilities:         
Owner occupied49,779  1,528  51,307  5.9 %
Non-owner occupied22,171  1,088  23,259  2.7 %
Total light industrial facilities71,950  2,616  74,566  8.6 %
Warehouse facilities66,127  7,027  73,154  8.4 %
Lodging and lodging related41,716  1,164  42,880  4.9 %
Assisted living facilities and nursing homes41,146  300  41,446  4.8 %
Land only18,385  2,254  20,639  2.4 %
Health care facilities:
Owner occupied9,875  219  10,094  1.2 %
Non-owner occupied9,976   9,978  1.2 %
Total health care facilities19,851  221  20,072  2.4 %
Day care facilities:            
Owner occupied15,794  1,047  16,841  1.9 %
Non-owner occupied2,317  —  2,317  0.3 %
Total day care facilities18,111  1,047  19,158  2.2 %
Education Services894  —  894  0.1 %
Other (a)125,822  4,301  130,123  15.0 %
Commercial real estate, other$833,238  $33,328  $866,566  100.0 %
(a)All other outstanding balances are less than 2% of the total loan portfolio.
Peoples' commercial lending activities continue to focus on lending opportunities inside its primary and secondary market areas within Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. In all other states, the aggregate outstanding balances of commercial loans in each state were not material at either December 31, 2019 or December 31, 2018.
Additional information regarding Peoples' loan portfolio can be found in "Note 4 Loans" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Allowance for Loan Losses
The amount of the allowance for loan losses at the end of each period represents management's estimate of probable losses from existing loans based upon its formal quarterly analysis of the loan portfolio described in the "Critical Accounting Policies" section of this discussion. While this process involves allocations being made to specific loans and pools of loans, the entire allowance is available for all losses incurred within the loan portfolio.
The following details management's allocation of the allowance for loan losses at December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)20192018201720162015
Commercial real estate$7,333  $8,003  $7,797  $7,172  $7,076  
Commercial and industrial8,432  6,178  5,813  6,353  5,382  
     Total commercial15,765  14,181  13,610  13,525  12,458  
Residential real estate1,191  1,214  904  982  1,257  
Home equity lines of credit546  618  693  688  732  
Consumer, indirect2,937  3,214  2,944  2,312  1,427  
Consumer, direct294  351  464  518  544  
     Consumer3,231  3,565  3,408  2,830  1,971  
Deposit account overdrafts94  81  70  171  121  
Originated allowance for loan losses20,827  19,659  18,685  18,196  16,539  
Acquired allowance for loan losses729  536  108  233  240  
Allowance for loan losses$21,556  $20,195  $18,793  $18,429  $16,779  
As a percent of total loans0.75 %0.74 %0.80 %0.83 %0.81 %
During 2019, the increase in allowance for loan losses was primarily related to continued loan growth in most of the originated loan portfolios. The allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans was relatively flat in 2019 compared to 2018 as a result of relatively stable asset quality metrics and trends, combined with loan growth during 2019. The ratio includes all acquired loans, from both First Prestonsburg and previous acquisitions, of $599.7 million and allowance for acquired loan losses of $729,000 at December 31, 2019. In accordance with US GAAP, at the acquisition date, acquired loans are recorded at fair value with no associated allowance for loan losses. Peoples considers recent trends in criticized loans and loan growth associated with each loan portfolio, as well as qualitative factors that could negatively impact these trends, such as unemployment, rising interest rates, changes in real estate market conditions, fluctuating oil and gas prices, and the economic impact of tariffs. Peoples believes the reserves remain appropriate to cover probable losses that exist in the current portfolio.
During 2018, the increase in allowance for loan losses was primarily related to continued loan growth in most of the originated loan portfolios. The allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans decreased six basis points in 2018 compared to 2017 as a result of relatively stable asset quality metrics and trends, and the loans acquired in the ASB acquisition. During 2017, the increase in allowance for loan losses related primarily to growth in consumer indirect loan balances. During 2016, the increase of 9% in the allowance for loan losses related to total commercial and consumer indirect balance growth.
The allowance for loan losses allocated to the residential real estate and consumer loan categories was based upon Peoples' allowance methodology for homogeneous pools of loans. The fluctuations in these allocations have been directionally consistent with the changes in loan quality, loss experience and loan balances in these categories. The increase in the allowance for loan losses for consumer loans has been mostly driven by loan growth in indirect lending in recent periods.
The significant allocations to commercial loans reflect the higher credit risk associated with these types of lending and the size of these loan categories in relationship to the entire loan portfolio.


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The following table summarizes the changes in the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)20192018201720162015
Allowance for loan losses, January 1$20,195  $18,793  $18,429  $16,779  $17,881  
Gross charge-offs:
Commercial real estate (a)(b)156  849  408  68  302  
Commercial and industrial1,062  38  175  1,017  13,576  
Residential real estate (c)312  357  637  611  631  
Home equity lines of credit55  107  131  73  125  
Consumer, indirect1,829  2,515  2,110  2,072  931  
Consumer, direct (d)211  358  379  583  422  
     Consumer2,040  2,873  2,489  2,655  1,353  
Deposit account overdrafts851  965  1,038  774  774  
Total gross charge-offs4,476  5,189  4,878  5,198  16,761  
Recoveries:               
Commercial real estate151  60  146  1,209  104  
Commercial and industrial2,415  18   306  98  
Residential real estate229  232  152  278  315  
Home equity lines of credit11  14  13  56  119  
Consumer, indirect270  474  764  1,059  505  
Consumer, direct52  140  179  226  250  
     Consumer322  614  943  1,285  755  
Deposit account overdrafts205  205  215  175  171  
Total recoveries3,333  1,143  1,470  3,309  1,562  
Net charge-offs (recoveries):               
Commercial real estate 789  262  (1,141) 198  
Commercial and industrial(1,353) 20  174  711  13,478  
Residential real estate83  125  485  333  316  
Home equity lines of credit44  93  118  17   
Consumer, indirect1,559  2,041  1,346  1,013  426  
Consumer, direct159  218  200  357  172  
     Consumer1,718  2,259  1,546  1,370  598  
Deposit account overdrafts646  760  823  599  603  
Total net charge-offs (recoveries)$1,143  $4,046  $3,408  $1,889  $15,199  
Provision for loan losses, December 31 (e)(f)2,504  5,448  3,772  3,539  14,097  
Allowance for loan losses, December 31$21,556  $20,195  $18,793  $18,429  $16,779  
Net charge-offs (recoveries) as a percent of average total loans (g):
Commercial real estate— %0.03 %0.01 %(0.05)%0.01 %
Commercial and industrial(0.05)%— %0.01 %0.03 %0.69 %
Residential real estate— %— %0.02 %0.02 %0.02 %
Home equity lines of credit— %— %— %— %— %
Consumer, indirect0.06 %0.08 %0.06 %0.04 %0.02 %
Consumer, direct0.01 %0.01 %0.01 %0.02 %0.01 %
     Consumer0.07 %0.09 %0.07 %0.06 %0.03 %
Deposit account overdrafts0.02 %0.03 %0.04 %0.03 %0.03 %
Total0.04 %0.15 %0.15 %0.09 %0.78 %
(a) Includes purchased credit impaired loan charge-offs of $0 in 2019, $0 in 2018, $0 in 2017, $44,000 in 2016, and $60,000 in 2015.
(b) Includes nonimpaired loan charge-offs of $2,000 in 2019 and $0 in 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015.
(c) Includes purchased credit impaired loan charge-offs of $0 in 2019, $2,000 in 2018, $0 in 2017, $23,000 in 2016, and $3,000 in 2015.
(d) Includes purchased credit impaired loan charge-offs of $0 in 2019, $0 in 2018, $7,000 in 2017, $23,000 in 2016, and $3,000 in 2015.
(e) Includes purchased credit impaired loan provision for loan losses of $19,000 in 2019, $0 in 2018, $117,000 in 2017, $66,000 in 2016, and $303,000 in 2015.
(f) Includes nonimpaired loan provision for loan losses of $215,000 in 2019, $383,000 in 2018 and $0 in 2017, 2016, and 2015.
(g) Each with "--%" not meaningful.
Net charge-offs for 2019 were $1.1 million, or 0.04% of average total loans, down $2.9 million compared to $4.0 million, or 0.15% of average total loans, for 2018. Net charge-offs in 2019 included a recovery of $1.8 million, or 0.06% of average total loans, recorded with respect to a previously charged-off commercial loan, while 2018 included a charge-off of $827,000 on one acquired commercial loan relationship.

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Net charge-offs for 2018 increased $638,000 compared to 2017, driven by a charge-off of $827,000 related to one acquired commercial loan relationship. Indirect consumer lending provided significant growth during 2018, resulting in the growth in the allowance for loan losses and net charge-offs within that category.
The increase in net charge-offs from 2016 to 2017 was primarily related to a decline in recoveries of commercial loans and an increase in net charge-offs of consumer indirect loans due to higher balances from recent loan growth.
During 2016, net charge-offs were nominal at 0.09% of average total loans and were positively impacted by a $1.0 million recovery of a prior period commercial real estate loan charge-off. Gross charge-offs totaled $5.2 million in 2016, and were largely associated with the growth in the consumer loan portfolio.
In 2015, Peoples recorded charge-offs related to one large commercial loan relationship in the aggregate amount of $13.1 million, or 0.67% of average total loans.
The following table details Peoples’ nonperforming assets at December 31: 
(Dollars in thousands)20192018201720162015
Loans 90+ days past due and accruing:     
Commercial real estate, other$907  $801  $215  $1,506  $2,425  
Commercial and industrial155  18  45  387  1,986  
Residential real estate2,677  1,430  1,278  1,855  1,522  
Home equity lines of credit108   72  —  35  
Consumer, indirect—  —  —  —   
Consumer, direct85  —  16  23  —  
Consumer85  —  16  23   
Total loans 90+ days past due and accruing3,932  2,256  1,626  3,771  5,969  
Nonaccrual loans:   
Construction411  710  754  826  921  
Commercial real estate, other6,699  6,730  6,348  10,792  7,357  
Commercial real estate7,110  7,440  7,102  11,618  8,278  
Commercial and industrial1,824  1,304  506  1,620  350  
Residential real estate4,471  4,075  4,267  4,481  2,991  
Home equity lines of credit955  1,023  772  554  340  
Consumer, indirect629  324  158   31  
Consumer, direct48  56  32  81  —  
Consumer677  380  190  90  31  
Total nonaccrual loans15,037  14,222  12,837  18,363  11,990  
Nonaccrual troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs)":
Commercial real estate, other102  154  721  751  153  
Commercial real estate102  154  721  751  153  
Commercial and industrial331  405  492  482  377  
Residential real estate1,890  1,951  1,447  1,614  864  
Home equity lines of credit210  210  90  60  79  
Consumer, indirect211  156  98   34  
Consumer, direct—  —   49  34  
Consumer211  156  105  55  68  
Total nonaccrual TDRs2,744  2,876  2,855  2,962  1,541  
Total nonperforming loans ("NPLs")21,713  19,354  17,318  25,096  19,500  
OREO:   
Commercial145  —  —  594  644  
Residential82  94  208  67  89  
Total OREO227  94  208  661  733  
Total nonperforming assets ("NPAs")$21,940  $19,448  $17,526  $25,757  $20,233  


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(Dollars in thousands)20192018201720162015
Criticized loans (a)$96,830  $114,188  $90,418  $99,182  $122,147  
Classified loans (b)66,154  43,818  46,380  57,736  60,315  
Asset Quality Ratios:
NPLs as a percent of total loans (c)(d)0.75 %0.71 %0.73 %1.13 %0.94 %
NPAs as a percent of total assets (c)(d)0.50 %0.49 %0.49 %0.75 %0.62 %
NPAs as a percent of total loans and OREO (c)(d)0.76 %0.71 %0.74 %1.16 %0.98 %
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of NPLs (c)99.28 %104.35 %108.52 %73.43 %86.05 %
Criticized loans as a percent of total loans (a)(c)3.37 %4.18 %3.84 %4.46 %5.89 %
Classified loans as a percent of total loans (b)(c)2.30 %1.61 %1.97 %2.59 %2.91 %
(a) Includes loans categorized as special mention, substandard or doubtful.
(b) Includes loans categorized as substandard or doubtful.
(c) Data presented as of the end of the year indicated.
(d) Nonperforming loans include loans 90+ days past due and accruing, troubled debt restructured loans and nonaccrual loans. Nonperforming assets include nonperforming loans and OREO.
The increase in nonperforming assets during 2019, was partially due to acquired loans from First Prestonsburg, which comprised $1.9 million of nonperforming assets at December 31, 2019, with the remainder due to smaller relationships that have become 90+ days past due and are still accruing. Classified loans, which are those categorized as substandard or doubtful, increased $22.3 million, or 51%, during 2019, due to the combination of acquired First Prestonsburg loans, coupled with downgrades of three other commercial loan relationships totaling $15.2 million during 2019. Criticized loans, which are those categorized as special mention, substandard or doubtful, declined $17.4 million, or 15%, compared to December 31, 2018, due to upgrades of several loans and paydowns during 2019.
The increase in loans 90+ days past due and accruing during 2018 was driven primarily by one commercial loan, which was in the process of renewal at December 31, 2018. During 2018, the growth in nonaccrual loans was driven primarily by one commercial loan that was over 90 days past due.
Nonperforming loans decreased in 2017, largely due to the decrease in nonaccrual loans, coupled with a decline in loans 90+ days past due and accruing. The decrease in nonaccrual loans was driven by several commercial real estate relationships that were paid off in 2017.
Nonperforming loans increased in 2016, largely due to the increase in nonaccrual loans, which was partially offset by a decrease in loans 90+ days past due and accruing. The increase in nonaccrual loans was driven by several relatively smaller relationships that were placed on nonaccrual status during 2016. The significant increase in nonaccrual commercial real estate loans during 2016 was a result of three commercial loans moving to nonaccrual status.
The majority of Peoples' nonaccrual commercial real estate loans consists primarily of owner occupied commercial properties. In general, management believes repayment of these loans is dependent on the sale of the underlying collateral. As such, the carrying values of these loans are ultimately supported by management's estimate of the net proceeds Peoples would receive upon the sale of the collateral. These estimates are based in part on market values provided by independent, licensed or certified appraisers periodically, but no less frequently than annually. Given the volatility in commercial real estate values, management continues to monitor changes in real estate values from quarter-to-quarter and updates its estimates as needed based on observable changes in market prices and/or updated appraisals for similar properties.
Peoples discontinues the accrual of interest on a loan when conditions cause management to believe collection of all or any portion of the loan's contractual interest is doubtful. Such conditions may include the borrower being 90 days or more past due on any contractual payments or updated information regarding the borrower's financial condition and repayment ability. All unpaid accrued interest deemed uncollectable is reversed, which would reduce Peoples' net interest income. Interest received on nonaccrual loans is included in income only if principal recovery is reasonably assured. Interest income on loans classified as nonaccrual and renegotiated at each year-end that would have been recorded under the original terms of the loans was $1.4 million for 2019, $1.3 million for 2018 and $2.6 million for 2017. No portion of these amounts were recorded during 2019, 2018 or 2017.
Overall, management believes the allowance for loan losses was appropriate at December 31, 2019, based on all significant information currently available.  Still, there can be no assurance that the allowance for loan losses will be adequate to cover future losses or that the amount of nonperforming loans will remain at current levels, especially considering economic uncertainties that currently exist and the concentration of commercial loans in Peoples’ loan portfolio.
Additional information regarding Peoples' allowance for loan losses can be found in "Note 4 Loans" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.


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Deposits
The following table details Peoples’ deposit balances at December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)20192018201720162015
Non-interest-bearing deposits (a)$671,208  $607,877  $556,010  $734,421  $717,939  
Interest-bearing deposits: 
Interest-bearing demand accounts (a)635,720  573,702  593,415  278,975  250,023  
Savings accounts521,914  468,500  446,714  436,344  414,375  
Retail CDs490,830  394,335  338,673  361,725  435,214  
Money market deposit accounts469,893  379,878  371,376  407,754  394,119  
Governmental deposit accounts293,908  267,319  264,524  251,671  276,639  
Brokered CDs207,939  263,854  159,618  38,832  47,635  
Total interest-bearing deposits2,620,204  2,347,588  2,174,320  1,775,301  1,818,005  
Total deposits$3,291,412  $2,955,465  $2,730,330  $2,509,722  $2,535,944  
(a) The sum of amounts presented are considered total demand deposits.
At December 31, 2019, the period-end deposit increase of $335.9 million, or 11%, compared to December 31, 2018, was primarily driven by the deposits acquired in the First Prestonsburg acquisition, which totaled $194.2 million at December 31, 2019.
During 2019, Peoples issued $50.0 million of 90-day brokered CDs to fund five $10.0 million interest rate swaps with a notional value in the aggregate of $50.0 million. The swaps will pay a fixed rate of interest while receiving three-month LIBOR, which offsets the rate on the brokered CDs. The brokered CDs are expected to be extended every 90 days through the maturity dates of the swaps.
The increase in total deposits between December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was largely due to $198.6 million of balances in deposit accounts acquired from ASB on April 13, 2018, coupled with higher one-way buy CDARS deposits, which are included in brokered CD balances.
The increase in total deposit balances at December 31, 2017 compared to December 31, 2016 was primarily due to increases of $314.4 million in interest-bearing demand deposits and $120.8 million in brokered CDs, partially offset by a decrease of $178.4 million in non-interest-bearing demand deposits. Shifts in balances occurred between non-interest-bearing deposits and interest-bearing demand account balances as Peoples migrated consumers to new products during the second half of 2017. During this migration, customer accounts were evaluated based on certain characteristics, and some accounts that were traditionally non-interest-bearing deposits were converted to interest-bearing demand accounts as Peoples moved to a relationship-based deposit product. The increase in brokered CDs in 2017 was the result of adding relatively shorter term funding on the balance sheet to secure fixed rate funding in a rising rate environment.
At December 31, 2016, total deposits decreased compared to December 31, 2015, primarily due to decreases in retail and brokered CDs, and governmental deposit accounts. Peoples executed a deposit strategy of growing low-cost core deposits, such as checking and savings accounts, and reducing its reliance on higher-cost, non-core deposits, such as CDs and brokered deposits, based on the rate environment that existed in 2016. These actions accounted for much of the changes in deposit balances in 2016 compared to 2015.
Peoples' governmental deposit accounts represent savings and interest-bearing transaction accounts from state and local governmental entities. These funds are subject to periodic fluctuations based on the timing of tax collections and subsequent expenditures or disbursements.  Peoples normally experiences an increase in balances annually during the first and third quarter, corresponding with tax collections, with declines normally in the second and fourth quarter of each year, corresponding with expenditures by the governmental entities. Peoples continues to emphasize growth of low-cost deposits that do not require Peoples to pledge assets as collateral, which is required in the case of governmental deposit accounts.
The maturities of retail CDs with total balances of $100,000 or more at December 31 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)20192018201720162015
3 months or less$36,623  $28,214  $24,118  $27,780  $36,597  
Over 3 to 6 months48,581  28,436  20,011  20,102  24,401  
Over 6 to 12 months49,796  32,578  27,129  25,028  32,227  
Over 12 months104,914  89,431  74,849  75,860  72,115  
Total$239,914  $178,659  $146,107  $148,770  $165,340  
Additional information regarding Peoples' deposits can be found in "Note 7 Deposits" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Borrowed Funds
The following table details Peoples’ short-term and long-term borrowings at December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)20192018201720162015
Short-term borrowings:     
FHLB overnight borrowings$141,000  $165,000  $62,000  $231,000  $76,000  
FHLB 90-day advances110,000  110,000  —  —  —  
Current portion of long-term FHLB advances23,009  30,000  30,592  —  —  
Repurchase agreements42,968  51,202  116,899  74,607  84,386  
Unamortized debt issuance cost (a)—  (4) —  —  —  
Total short-term borrowings316,977  356,198  209,491  305,607  160,386  
Long-term borrowings:               
FHLB advances75,672  102,361  136,939  98,282  66,934  
National market repurchase agreements—  —  —  40,000  40,000  
Unamortized debt issuance costs (a)—  —  (27) (51) —  
Junior subordinated debt securities7,451  7,283  7,107  6,924  6,736  
Total long-term borrowings83,123  109,644  144,019  145,155  113,670  
Total borrowed funds$400,100  $465,842  $353,510  $450,762  $274,056  
(a) Unamortized debt issuance costs are related to the costs associated with the Credit Agreement with Raymond James Bank, N.A. which Peoples terminated as of April 3, 2019.
Peoples' short-term FHLB advances generally consist of overnight borrowings maintained in connection with the management of Peoples' daily liquidity position. Total borrowed funds, which include overnight borrowings, are mainly a function of loan growth and changes in total deposit balances. As of December 31, 2019, Peoples had seventeen effective interest rate swaps, with an aggregate notional value of $160.0 million, $110.0 million of which were funded by FHLB 90-day advances, which are expected to be extended every 90 days through the maturity dates of the swaps. The remaining $50.0 million of interest rate swaps were funded by 90-day brokered CDs, which are also expected to be extended every 90 days through the maturity dates of the swaps. Peoples continually evaluates the overall balance sheet position given the interest rate environment. Long-term FHLB advances declined by $26.7 million due to the reclassification to short-term borrowings as the time to maturity of these advances had become less than one year.
During 2018, Peoples entered into twelve effective interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional value of $110.0 million, all of which were funded by FHLB 90-day advances. Long-term FHLB advances declined by $30 million due to the reclassification to short-term borrowings as the time to maturity of these advances had become less than one year.
During 2017, $50.6 million of long-term FHLB advances were reclassified to short-term borrowings due to the time to maturity of these advances becoming less than one year. Of these reclassified borrowings, $30.6 million remained as of December 31, 2017. Short-term retail repurchase agreements increased due to the reclassification of these repurchase agreements from long-term borrowings, as the time to maturity had become less than one year.
During 2016, Peoples restructured $20.0 million of long-term FHLB advances resulting in a $700,000 loss. Peoples replaced these borrowings with a long-term FHLB advance which matures in 2026. Peoples also borrowed an additional $35.0 million of long-term FHLB amortizing advances, of which $10.0 million matured during 2019 and the remaining advances mature between 2020 and 2031.
Effective April 3, 2019, Peoples terminated the Credit Agreement, dated as of March 4, 2016 between Peoples, as Borrower, and Raymond James Bank, N.A., as Lender (the "RJB Credit Agreement"), which provided for a revolving line of credit in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $15.0 million. On April 3, 2019, Peoples entered into a Loan Agreement (the “U.S. Bank Loan Agreement”) with U.S. Bank National Association. The U.S. Bank Loan Agreement has a one-year term and provides Peoples with a revolving line of credit in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $20.0 million.
Additional information regarding Peoples' borrowed funds can be found in "Note 8 Short-Term Borrowings" and "Note 9 Long-Term Borrowings" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Capital/Stockholders’ Equity
During 2019, Peoples' total stockholders' equity increased $74.3 million, or 14%, mainly due to net income of $53.7 million, $32.4 million of common shares issued in connection with the acquisition of First Prestonsburg, and an increase in the market value of available-for-sale investment securities, partially offset by dividends paid of $26.9 million. At December 31, 2019, capital levels for both Peoples and Peoples Bank remained substantially higher than the minimum amounts needed to be considered "well capitalized" under banking regulations. These higher capital levels reflect Peoples' desire to maintain a strong capital position.

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During 2018, Peoples' total stockholders' equity increased compared to 2017 mainly due to $40.9 million of common shares issued in connection with the acquisition of ASB. Also contributing to the increase in total stockholders' equity was net income of $46.3 million, partially offset by dividends paid of $21.6 million and declines in the market value of available-for-sale investment securities.
In 2017, Peoples' total stockholders' equity increased compared to 2016 due to higher retained earnings offset slightly by declines in the market value of available-for-sale investment securities.
In 2016, Peoples' total stockholders' equity increased compared to 2015 due to higher retained earnings, offset slightly by the repurchase of 279,770, or $5.0 million, of common shares to be held in treasury and the slight decline in the market value of available-for-sale investment securities.
During the first quarter of 2015, Peoples adopted the new Basel III regulatory capital framework, as approved by the federal banking agencies. The adoption of this new framework modified the calculations and well-capitalized thresholds of the existing risk-based capital ratios and added the common equity tier 1 capital ratio. Additionally, under the new rules, in order to avoid limitations on dividends, equity repurchases and compensation, Peoples must exceed the three minimum required ratios by at least the capital conservation buffer. These three minimum required ratios are the common equity tier 1 capital ratio, tier 1 risk-based capital ratio and total risk-based capital ratio. The capital conservation buffer was phased in from 0.625% beginning January 1, 2016 to 2.50% on January 1, 2019. Peoples had a capital conservation buffer of 7.58% at December 31, 2019, 6.65% at December 31, 2018, 6.43% at December 31, 2017, and 6.11% at December 31, 2016, compared to the fully phased in capital conservation buffer of 2.50% required at January 1, 2019. As such, Peoples exceeded the minimum ratios, including the capital conservation buffer, at December 31, 2019.
The following table details Peoples' actual risk-based capital levels and corresponding ratios at December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)20192018201720162015
Capital Amounts:     
Common equity tier 1$427,415  $378,855  $327,172  $306,506  $288,416  
Tier 1434,866  386,138  334,279  313,430  295,151  
Total (tier 1 and tier 2)456,422  406,333  355,977  334,957  313,974  
Net risk-weighted assets$2,930,355  $2,773,383  $2,466,620  $2,373,359  $2,158,713  
Capital Ratios:
Common equity tier 114.59 %13.66 %13.26 %12.91 %13.36 %
Tier 114.84 %13.92 %13.55 %13.21 %13.67 %
Total (tier 1 and tier 2)15.58 %14.65 %14.43 %14.11 %14.54 %
Tier 1 leverage ratio10.41 %9.99 %9.75 %9.65 %9.52 %
In addition to traditional capital measurements, management uses tangible capital measures to evaluate the adequacy of Peoples' total stockholders' equity. Such financial measures represent non-US GAAP financial information since they exclude the impact of goodwill and other intangible assets acquired through acquisitions on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Peoples' management believes this information is useful to investors since it facilitates the comparison of Peoples' operating performance, financial condition and trends to peers, especially those without a level of intangible assets similar to that of Peoples. Further, intangible assets generally are difficult to convert into cash, especially during a financial crisis, and could decrease substantially in value should there be deterioration in the overall franchise value. As a result, tangible equity represents a conservative measure of the capacity for Peoples to incur losses but remain solvent.
The following table reconciles the calculation of these non-US GAAP financial measures to amounts reported in Peoples' Consolidated Financial Statements at December 31:

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(Dollars in thousands)20192018201720162015
Tangible equity:     
Total stockholders' equity$594,393  $520,140  $458,592  $435,261  $419,789  
Less: goodwill and other intangible assets177,503  162,085  144,576  146,018  149,617  
Tangible equity$416,890  $358,055  $314,016  $289,243  $270,172  
Tangible assets:   
Total assets$4,354,165  $3,991,454  $3,581,686  $3,432,348  $3,258,970  
Less: goodwill and other intangible assets177,503  162,085  144,576  146,018  149,617  
Tangible assets$4,176,662  $3,829,369  $3,437,110  $3,286,330  $3,109,353  
Tangible book value per common share:
Tangible equity$416,890  $358,055  $314,016  $289,243  $270,172  
Common shares outstanding20,698,941  19,565,029  18,287,449  18,200,067  18,404,864  
Tangible book value per common share$20.14  $18.30  $17.17  $15.89  $14.68  
Tangible equity to tangible assets ratio:
Tangible equity$416,890  $358,055  $314,016  $289,243  $270,172  
Tangible assets$4,176,662  $3,829,369  $3,437,110  $3,286,330  $3,109,353  
Tangible equity to tangible assets9.98 %9.35 %9.14 %8.80 %8.69 %
The increase in the tangible equity to tangible assets ratio for 2019 was the result of higher retained earnings, combined with common shares issued in connection with the First Prestonsburg acquisition and an increase in the market value of available-for-sale investment securities. The increase in the tangible equity to tangible assets ratio for each of 2018, 2017 and 2016 was the result of higher retained earnings, partially offset by the decline in the market value of available-for-sale investment securities. Also contributing to the increase in 2018 was the issuance of common shares in connection with the ASB acquisition. The increase in 2016 was also partially offset by the repurchase of 279,770 common shares to be held in treasury.
Future Outlook
Peoples improved in many aspects during 2019. The most notable growth was a 16% increase in net income, with a 9% increase in diluted earnings per share compared to 2018. Peoples generated positive operating leverage, on an adjusted for non-core items basis, for the fourth consecutive year. The acquisition of First Prestonsburg was successfully completed during the second quarter of 2019, garnering additional growth and potential in the Kentucky markets. The efficiency ratio improved to 64.74% for 2019, compared to 65.33% for 2018, and improved 23 basis points on an adjusted for non-core items basis. In addition, non-interest income, excluding net gains and losses, grew to 32% of total revenue, compared to 31% in 2018. Peoples also reduced its loan-to-deposit ratio to 87% at December 31, 2019, compared to 92% at December 31, 2018.
Net interest income was challenged in the latter half of 2019, as the interest rate environment changed significantly from market expectations earlier in the year. For 2020, Peoples anticipated a stabilization in interest rates, however, given recent activity in early 2020, mainly related to global public health concerns, there has been an inversion of the interest rate yield curve. Peoples has worked diligently to control deposit costs, reducing deposit interest rates in late 2019, which will provide a source of strength with respect to its net interest income and net interest margin. Peoples will continue to monitor deposit interest rates, and will look to lower costs wherever possible. Net interest margin continues to be aided by accretion income, which is net of amortization expense, related to the prior acquisitions. Although it is expected that this will decline over time, there should continue to be a positive impact from the acquisitions. Peoples will continue to focus on quality loan growth, which could also help stabilize net interest margin. For 2020, Peoples expects net interest margin to be between 3.50% and 3.65%. However, should the yield curve remain inverted for an extended period, or interest rates remain low or decrease further, Peoples would experience downward pressure to its net interest margin.
Non-interest income, excluding gains and losses, for 2020 is expected to grow in the mid-single digits compared to 2019. While there were several positives in 2019 impacting non-interest income, such as growth in commercial loan swap fees and bank-owned life insurance income, these involved transactional fees that cannot be assumed to continue. The growth in deposit account service charges was largely due to fee structure changes in 2019, and that growth should level off as Peoples moves into 2020. Due to global public health concerns in early 2020, equity market valuations have declined. Should this trend continue, Peoples may see a decline in fee income line items, such as trust and investments income.
Peoples will continue to look to make meaningful investments in its infrastructure and technology. During 2019, Peoples made investments, including the addition of faster person-to-person payment processing capabilities and a new mobile application for

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insurance and 401(k) clients, the introduction of a mobile-friendly website and work to refresh its ATM network. In addition, clients are now able to apply for a mortgage loan using their smart phones. One of the go-to market propositions that Peoples is able to offer its clients is the same mobile capabilities as those offered by the larger institutions.
Total non-interest expense growth is expected to be in the low single digits compared to 2019, when adjusted for non-core items. Peoples continually reviews its expenses and works to control costs at a reasonable level. Peoples places high importance on generating positive operating leverage and improving the efficiency ratio. While some costs are controllable, expenses related to medical insurance costs and pension costs are hard to predict. Peoples benefited from reduced FDIC insurance expense during 2019, but cannot reasonably anticipate any future recognition of credits, as these are determined on a quarterly basis by the FDIC. In late 2019, Peoples made some strategic changes, which should benefit non-interest expense into 2020. The efficiency ratio is expected to be between 60% and 62% for 2020.
For Peoples, the largest change in 2020 will likely be the implementation of ASU 2016-13. The CECL model inherently involves a number of uncertainties, and will be subject to movement based on future economic assumptions. While Peoples is in the process of implementing the processes and procedures related to this updated guidance, the sensitivity of the models used can be impacted by loan growth, and the type of loan growth, as well as many changes outside of the control of Peoples. Therefore, Peoples will place higher importance on other metrics for reporting, such as PPNR. Peoples will continue to remain prudent with its underwriting and lending practices; however, the uncertainty around the ongoing calculations of the models underlying CECL could provide for some volatility in Peoples' allowance for credit losses, and related credit loss expense going forward.
As a result of the recent interest rate environment, Peoples will continue to analyze its balance sheet mix in an effort to mitigate exposure to risk. As such, Peoples will review its investment portfolio and adjust it accordingly to mitigate exposures related to interest rates, while continuing to fulfill liquidity needs. The investment portfolio in recent periods has reduced in size relative to total assets, and may continue to do so, depending on future loan growth opportunities.
Loan payoffs during 2019 were higher than normal, and Peoples cannot be reasonably certain that this higher than normal level of loan payoffs will decline in 2020, but believes that excluding the same level of payoffs, loan growth should continue to be respectable in 2020. Peoples expects that point-to-point loan growth will be between 5% to 7%, compared to 2019. Peoples remains diligent in following the underwriting standards it has put into practice, and will not sacrifice loan quality for growth. While the allowance for credit losses is hard to predict going forward, Peoples does not believe that the historically-low charge-off levels throughout the industry, and being experienced by Peoples, is sustainable. Peoples expects the net charge-off rate for 2020 will be closer to its long-term historical range of 0.20% to 0.30% of average loans.
Deposit growth was 11% compared to December 31, 2018, and was primarily driven by the large deposit base acquired from First Prestonsburg. Peoples' funding strategy is focused on growth of lower-cost core deposits, which exclude CDs. Because of the interest rate environment going into 2020, the value of core deposits has declined. Peoples will look to closely monitor and reduce deposit costs where possible during the year, in an effort to control funding costs, due to the lower loan growth experienced during 2019.
Peoples remains dedicated to maintaining strong capital levels. During 2019, Peoples used a variety of methods to deploy excess capital, such as the increased shareholder dividends and stock repurchases. Peoples will continue to monitor its capital levels and find opportunities to effectively manage its capital, including increased shareholder dividends.
As previously noted, Peoples completed the acquisition of an independent insurance agency in January of 2020, located near Portsmouth, Ohio. This acquisition will complement the locations added from the ASB acquisition, adding additional services for those clients within the area, as well as cultivating banking relationships with the new insurance clients.
During 2020, Peoples will continue to analyze its branch footprint. Peoples monitors profitability and activity within its markets to determine the most effective and meaningful branch structure.
Of the utmost importance for Peoples is providing solid and consistent results for its shareholders. Peoples' long-term strategic goals include generating results in the top quartile of performance relative to Peoples' peer group, as defined in Peoples' proxy statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and providing returns for its shareholders superior to those of this peer group, regardless of market conditions.
Peoples is defined by the associates who embody the principles it holds in high regard. Peoples does not believe in selling clients services to make a profit. Instead, it works to cultivate a relationship of trust. Peoples also focuses on giving back to the communities in which it operates, including through monetary donations, and encouraging associates to volunteer. Peoples not only strives to generate revenue, but to be the helping hand to those in need.
For more information regarding risks and uncertainties that could impact the projections described, please refer to "ITEM 1A RISK FACTORS" of this Form 10-K.
Interest Rate Sensitivity and Liquidity
While Peoples is exposed to various business risks, the risks relating to interest rate sensitivity and liquidity are major risks that can materially impact future results of operations and financial condition due to their complexity and dynamic nature. The objective

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of Peoples' asset-liability management function is to measure and manage these risks in order to optimize net interest income within the constraints of prudent capital adequacy, liquidity and safety. This objective requires Peoples to focus on interest rate risk exposure and adequate liquidity through its management of the mix of assets and liabilities, their related cash flows and the rates earned and paid on those assets and liabilities. Ultimately, the asset-liability management function is intended to guide management in the acquisition and disposition of earning assets and selection of appropriate funding sources.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk ("IRR") is one of the most significant risks arising in the normal course of business of financial services companies like Peoples. IRR is the potential for economic loss due to future interest rate changes that can impact the earnings stream, as well as market values, of financial assets and liabilities. Peoples' exposure to IRR is due primarily to differences in the maturity or repricing of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. In addition, other factors, such as prepayments of loans and investment securities, or early withdrawal of deposits, can affect Peoples' exposure to IRR and increase interest costs or reduce revenue streams.
Peoples has assigned overall management of IRR to the ALCO, which has established an IRR management policy that sets minimum requirements and guidelines for monitoring and managing the level of IRR. The objective of Peoples' IRR management policy is to assist the ALCO in its evaluation of the impact of changing interest rate conditions on earnings and the economic value of equity, as well as assist with the implementation of strategies intended to reduce Peoples' IRR. The management of IRR involves either maintaining or changing the level of risk exposure by changing the repricing and maturity characteristics of the cash flows for specific assets or liabilities. Additional oversight of Peoples' IRR is provided by the Board of Directors of Peoples Bank, who reviews and approves Peoples' IRR management policy at least annually.
The ALCO uses various methods to assess and monitor the current level of Peoples' IRR and the impact of potential strategies or other changes. However, the ALCO predominantly relies on simulation modeling in its overall management of IRR since it is a dynamic measure. Simulation modeling also estimates the impact of potential changes in interest rates and balance sheet structures on future earnings and projected economic value of equity. The methods used by ALCO to assess IRR remain largely unchanged from those disclosed at December 31, 2018.
The modeling process starts with a base case simulation using the current balance sheet and current interest rates held constant for the next twenty-four months. Alternate scenarios are prepared which simulate the impact of increasing and decreasing market interest rates, assuming parallel yield curve shifts. Comparisons produced from the simulation data, showing the changes in net interest income from the base interest rate scenario, illustrate the risks associated with the current balance sheet structure. Additional simulations, when deemed appropriate or necessary, are prepared using different interest rate scenarios from those used with the base case simulation and/or possible changes in balance sheet composition. The additional simulations include non-parallel shifts in interest rates whereby the direction and/or magnitude of changes in short-term interest rates is different from the changes applied to longer-term interest rates. Comparisons showing the net interest income and economic value of equity variances from the base case are provided to the ALCO for review and discussion.
The ALCO has established limits on changes in the twelve-month net interest income forecast and the economic value of equity from the base case. The ALCO may establish risk tolerances for other parallel and non-parallel rate movements, as deemed necessary. The following table details the current policy limits used to manage the level of Peoples' IRR:
Immediate and Sustained Shift in Interest RatesNet Interest IncomeEconomic Value of Equity
 + / - 100 basis points-5%  -10%  
 + / - 200 basis points-10%  -15%  
 + / - 300 basis points-15%  -20%  
The following table shows the estimated changes in net interest income and the economic value of equity based upon a standard, parallel shock analysis with balances held constant (dollars in thousands):
Increase (Decrease) in Interest RatesEstimated Increase (Decrease) in
Net Interest Income
Estimated (Decrease) Increase in Economic Value of Equity
(in Basis Points)December 31, 2019December 31, 2018December 31, 2019December 31, 2018
300  $14,806  11.2 %$7,351  5.5 %$35,743  3.2 %$(22,088) (2.1)%
200  12,063  9.1 %5,780  4.3 %45,651  4.0 %(7,191) (0.7)%
100  7,895  6.0 %3,588  2.7 %39,137  3.5 %3,926  0.4 %
(100) (12,524) (9.5)%(9,075) (6.8)%(63,964) (5.7)%(44,512) (4.2)%


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This table uses a standard, parallel shock analysis for assessing the IRR to net interest income and the economic value of equity. A parallel shock means all points on the yield curve (one year, two year, three year, etc.) are directionally changed the same amount of basis points. Management regularly assesses the impact of both increasing and decreasing interest rates. The table above shows the impact of upward parallel shocks and a downward parallel shock of 100 basis points. Downward parallel shocks of 300 and 200 basis points are excluded from the table as they are not probable given the current interest rate environment. For the full year 2019, the weighted average rate on Peoples' non-maturity deposits was roughly 30 basis points. In the event of a parallel downward shift of 100 basis points, the expense on Peoples' non-maturity deposits would reach a floor at zero, unable to experience the full benefit of falling rates. This floor at zero is consistent with an assumption of non-negative deposit rates. On the asset side of the balance sheet, a significant majority of the floating rate loans (primarily tied to LIBOR and prime) would be impacted by the downward 100 basis point shock.
Estimated changes in net interest income and economic value of equity are partially driven by assumptions regarding the rate at which non-maturity deposits will reprice given a move in short-term interest rates. Peoples takes a historically conservative approach when determining what repricing rates (deposit betas) are used in modeling interest rate risk. These assumptions are monitored closely by Peoples and are reviewed at least semi-annually. As of December 31, 2019, the actual deposit betas experienced by Peoples in the repricing of non-maturity deposits were lower than those used in Peoples’ interest rate risk modeling.
While parallel interest rate shock scenarios are useful in assessing the level of IRR inherent in the balance sheet, interest rates typically move in a nonparallel manner with differences in the timing, direction and magnitude of changes in short-term and long-term interest rates. Thus, any benefit that might occur as a result of the Federal Reserve Board increasing short-term interest rates in the future could be offset by an inverse movement in long-term rates, and vice versa. For this reason, Peoples considers other interest rate scenarios in addition to analyzing the impact of parallel yield curve shifts. These include various flattening and steepening scenarios in which short-term and long-term rates move in different directions with varying magnitude. Peoples believes these scenarios to be more reflective of how interest rates change versus the severe parallel rate shocks described above. Given the shape of market yield curves at December 31, 2019, consideration of the bull flattener scenario provides insights which were not captured by parallel shifts. The key insight presented by the bull flattener scenario highlights the risk to net interest income when long-term rates fall while short-term rates remain constant. In such a scenario, Peoples’ deposit costs, which are correlated with short-term rates, remain constant while asset yields, which are correlated with long-term rates, fall. Asset yields being reduced through increased premium amortization of investment securities and lower rates on re-investment would not be offset by reductions in deposit or funding costs, resulting in a decreased amount of net interest income.
During 2019, Peoples' Consolidated Balance Sheet was positioned to benefit from rising interest rates in terms of the potential impact on net interest income. The table illustrates this point as changes to net interest income increase in the rising rate scenarios. While the heavy concentration of floating rate loans remains the largest contributor to the level of asset sensitivity, the increase in asset sensitivity from December 31, 2018 was largely attributable to greater forecasted impacts of interest rate movements on the amount of premium amortization in the investment portfolio. The table also illustrates a significant reduction in long-term interest rate risk as is evidenced by the drop in the negative impact of rising interest rates on economic value of equity. The reduction is largely attributable to increased forecasted base case investment portfolio pre-payments, which shortens the effective duration of assets.
While interest rates typically move in a nonparallel manner, interest rate movements that occurred over the course of 2019 were in essence parallel downward shifts. As interest rates were rising in 2018 and the early part of 2019, Peoples benefited from having deposit betas which were lower than those assumed in IRR modeling. In that environment, Peoples asset yields increased at a much faster rate than deposit costs. In the latter part of 2019, however, the Federal Reserve Board cut interest rates three times which was compounded by a downward shift in the yield curve. Peoples net interest income was negatively impacted by this as asset yields repriced lower, which happened at a faster rate than deposit costs. Should the yield curve flatten or invert in the future, Peoples will be negatively impacted as the spread between asset yields and liability costs will be further diminished.
In early 2020, markets were impacted by global public health concerns. This has resulted in a significant drop in longer-term interest rates and, recently, has resulted in an inverted yield curve. As a result, yields on treasury securities have dropped to historically low levels. The duration of the inversion is unknown. If the yield curve remains inverted for an extended period of time, or interest rates remain low or decrease further, it could have a significant impact on Peoples' net interest margin and net interest income.
Peoples has entered into interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. These interest rate swaps are designated as cash flow hedges and involve the receipt of variable rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for Peoples making fixed payments. As of December 31, 2019, Peoples had seventeen interest rate swap contracts, with an aggregate notional value of $160.0 million. Additional information regarding Peoples' interest rate swaps can be found in "Note 14 Derivative Financial Instruments" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
An asset/liability model used to produce the analysis above requires assumptions to be made such as prepayment rates on interest-earning assets and repricing impact on non-maturity deposits. These business assumptions are based on business plans,

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economic and market trends, and available industry data. Management believes that its methodology for developing such assumptions is reasonable; however, there can be no assurance that modeled results will be achieved.
Liquidity
In addition to IRR management, another major objective of the ALCO is to ensure sufficient levels of liquidity are maintained. The ALCO defines liquidity as the ability to meet anticipated and unanticipated operating cash needs, loan demand and deposit withdrawals without incurring a sustained negative impact on profitability.
A primary source of liquidity for Peoples is deposits. Liquidity is also provided by cash generated from earning assets such as maturities, calls, and principal and interest payments from loans and investment securities. Peoples also uses various wholesale funding sources to supplement funding from customer deposits. These external sources provide Peoples with the ability to obtain large quantities of funds in a relatively short time period in the event of sudden unanticipated cash needs. However, an over-utilization of external funding sources can expose Peoples to greater liquidity risk, as these external sources may not be accessible during times of market stress. Additionally, Peoples may be exposed to the risk associated with providing excess collateral to external funding providers, commonly referred to as counterparty risk. As a result, the ALCO's liquidity management policy sets limits on the net liquidity position and the concentration of non-core funding sources, which includes wholesale funding and brokered deposits. 
In addition to external sources of funding, Peoples considers certain types of deposits to be less stable or "volatile funding." These deposits include special money market products, large CDs and public funds. Peoples has established volatility factors for these various deposit products, and the liquidity management policy establishes a limit on the total level of volatile funding. Additionally, Peoples measures the maturities of external sources of funding for periods of one month, three months, six months and twelve months, and has established policy limits for the amounts maturing in each of these periods. The purpose of these limits is to minimize exposure to what is commonly termed rollover risk.
An additional strategy used by Peoples in the management of liquidity risk is maintaining a targeted level of liquid assets. These are assets that can be converted into cash in a relatively short period of time. Management defines liquid assets as unencumbered cash (including cash on deposit at the FRB of Cleveland), and the market value of U.S. government and agency securities that are not pledged. Excluded from this definition are pledged securities, non-government securities, non-agency securities, municipal securities and loans. Management has established a minimum level of liquid assets in the liquidity management policy, which is expressed as a percentage of total loans and unfunded loan commitments. Peoples has also established a policy limit around the level of liquefiable assets expressed as a percentage of total loans and unfunded loan commitments. Liquefiable assets are defined as liquid assets plus the market value of unpledged securities not included in the liquid asset measurement. Peoples remained within these two parameters throughout 2019.
An essential element in the management of liquidity risk is a forecast of the sources and uses of anticipated cash flows. On a monthly basis, Peoples forecasts sources and uses of cash for the next twelve months. To assist in the management of liquidity, management has established a liquidity coverage ratio, which is defined as the total sources of cash divided by the total uses of cash. A ratio of greater than 1.0 times indicates that forecasted sources of cash are adequate to fund forecasted uses of cash. The liquidity management policy establishes a minimum limit of 1.0 times. As of December 31, 2019, Peoples had a ratio of 3.1 times, which was within policy limits. Peoples also forecasts secondary or contingent sources of cash, and this includes external sources of funding and liquid assets. These sources of cash would be required if and when the forecasted liquidity coverage ratio dropped below the policy limit of 1.0 times. An additional liquidity measurement used by management includes the total forecasted sources of cash and the contingent sources of cash divided by the forecasted uses of cash. Management has established a minimum ratio of 3.0 times for this liquidity management policy limit. As of December 31, 2019, Peoples had a ratio of 5.8 times, which was within policy limits.
Disruptions in the sources and uses of cash can occur which can drastically alter the actual cash flows and negatively impact Peoples' ability to access internal and external sources of cash. Such disruptions might occur due to increased withdrawals of deposits, increases in the funding required for loan commitments, a decrease in the ability to access external funding sources and other factors that would increase the need for funding and limit Peoples' ability to access needed funds. As a result, Peoples maintains a liquidity contingency funding plan ("LCFP") that considers various degrees of disruptions and develops action plans around these scenarios.
Peoples' LCFP identifies scenarios where funding disruptions might occur and creates scenarios of varying degrees of severity. The disruptions considered include an increase in funding of unfunded loan commitments, unanticipated withdrawals of deposits, decreases in the renewal of maturing CDs and reductions in cash earnings. Additionally, the LCFP creates stress scenarios where access to external funding sources, or contingency funding, is suddenly limited, which includes a significant increase in the margin requirements where securities or loans are pledged, limited access to funding from other banks and limited access to funding from the FHLB of Cincinnati and the FRB of Cleveland. Peoples' LCFP scenarios include a base scenario, a mild stress scenario, a moderate stress scenario and a severe stress scenario. Each of these is defined as to the related severity and action plans are developed around each.

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Liquidity management also requires the monitoring of risk indicators that may alert the ALCO to a developing liquidity situation or crisis. Early detection of stress scenarios allows Peoples to take actions to help mitigate the impact to Peoples Bank's business operations. The LCFP contains various indicators, termed key risk indicators ("KRIs") that are monitored on a monthly basis, at a minimum. The KRIs include both internal and external indicators and include loan delinquency levels, criticized and classified loan levels, non-performing loans to loans and to total assets, the total loan to total deposit ratio, the level of net non-core funding dependence, the level of contingency funding sources, the liquidity coverage ratio, changes in regulatory capital levels, forecasted operating loss and negative media concerning Peoples, irrational competitor pricing that persists, and an increase in rates for external funding sources. The LCFP establishes levels that define each of these KRIs under base, mild, moderate and severe scenarios.
The LCFP is reviewed and updated at least on an annual basis by the ALCO and Peoples Bank's Board of Directors. Additionally, testing of the LCFP is required on an annual basis. Various stress scenarios and the related actions are simulated according to the LCFP. The results are reviewed and discussed, and changes or revisions are made to the LCFP accordingly. Additionally, every two years, the LCFP is subjected to a third-party review for effectiveness and regulatory compliance.
Overall, management believes the current balance of cash and cash equivalents, and anticipated cash flows from the investment portfolio, along with the availability of other funding sources, will allow Peoples to meet anticipated cash obligations, as well as special needs and off-balance sheet commitments.
Off-Balance Sheet Activities and Contractual Obligations
Peoples routinely engages in activities that involve, to varying degrees, elements of risk that are not reflected in whole or in part in the Consolidated Financial Statements. These activities are part of Peoples' normal course of business and include traditional off-balance sheet credit-related financial instruments, interest rate contracts and commitments to make additional capital contributions in low-income housing tax credit investments.
The following is a summary of Peoples’ significant off-balance sheet activities and contractual obligations.  Detailed information regarding these activities and obligations can be found in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as follows:
Activity or ObligationNote
Off-balance sheet credit-related financial instruments15
Operating lease obligations5
Long-term borrowing obligations9
Traditional off-balance sheet credit-related financial instruments are primarily commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.  These activities are necessary to meet the financing needs of customers and could require Peoples to make cash payments to third parties in the event certain specified future events occur.  The contractual amounts represent the extent of Peoples’ exposure in these off-balance sheet activities.  However, since certain off-balance sheet commitments, particularly standby letters of credit, are expected to expire or be only partially used, the total amount of commitments does not necessarily represent future cash requirements.
Peoples continues to lease certain facilities and equipment under noncancellable operating leases with terms providing for fixed monthly payments over periods generally ranging from two to thirty years.  Several of Peoples’ leased facilities are inside retail shopping centers or office buildings and, as a result, are not available for purchase.  Management believes these leased facilities increase Peoples’ visibility within its markets and afford sales associates additional access to current and potential clients.
For certain acquisitions, often those involving insurance businesses and wealth management books of business, a portion of the consideration is contingent upon revenue metrics being achieved. US GAAP requires that the amounts be recorded upon acquisition based on the best estimate of the future amounts to be paid at the time of acquisition. Any subsequent adjustment to the estimate is recorded in earnings. Based on the acquisitions completed to date, management does not expect contingent consideration to have a material impact on Peoples' future performance.
The following table details the aggregate amount of future payments Peoples is required to make under certain contractual obligations as of December 31, 2019:
  Payments due by period
(Dollars in thousands)TotalLess than 1 year1-3 years3-5 yearsMore than 5 years
Time deposits$698,769  $473,348  $167,361  $58,030  $30  
Long-term borrowings (a)83,123  2,555  38,500  2,026  40,042  
Operating leases9,702  1,237  2,204  1,511  4,750  
Contingent consideration related to acquisitions (b)295  295  —  —  —  
Total$791,889  $477,435  $208,065  $61,567  $44,822  
(a) Amounts reflect solely the minimum required principal payments.
(b) Amounts assume projected revenue metrics are achieved.

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Management does not anticipate that Peoples’ current off-balance sheet activities will have a material impact on its future results of operations and financial condition based on historical experience and recent trends.
Effects of Inflation on Financial Statements
Substantially all of Peoples’ assets relate to banking and are monetary in nature.  As a result, inflation does not impact Peoples to the same degree as companies in capital-intensive industries in a replacement cost environment.  During a period of rising prices, a net monetary asset position results in a loss in purchasing power and conversely a net monetary liability position results in an increase in purchasing power.  The opposite would be true during a period of decreasing prices.  In the banking industry, monetary assets typically exceed monetary liabilities.  The current monetary policy targeting low levels of inflation has resulted in relatively stable price levels.  Therefore, inflation has had little impact on Peoples’ net assets.
ITEM 7A QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Refer to the section captioned "Interest Rate Sensitivity and Liquidity" under "ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 8 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes, and the report of independent registered public accounting firm, are set forth immediately following "ITEM 9B OTHER INFORMATION" of this Form 10-K.
ITEM 9 CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
No response required.
ITEM 9A CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Peoples’ management, with the participation of Peoples’ President and Chief Executive Officer and Peoples’ Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, has evaluated the effectiveness of Peoples’ disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2019.  Based upon that evaluation, Peoples’ President and Chief Executive Officer and Peoples’ Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer have concluded that:
(a)information required to be disclosed by Peoples in this Form 10-K and other reports Peoples files or submits under the Exchange Act would be accumulated and communicated to Peoples’ management, including its President and Chief Executive Officer and its Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure;
(b)information required to be disclosed by Peoples in this Form 10-K and other reports Peoples files or submits under the Exchange Act would be recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms; and
(c)Peoples’ disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-K.
Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The "Report of Management's Assessment of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” required by Item 308(a) of SEC Regulation S-K is included on page 78 of this Form 10-K.
Attestation Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Effectiveness of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” required by Item 308(b) of SEC Regulation S-K is included on page 79 of this Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in Peoples’ internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2019, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Peoples’ internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B OTHER INFORMATION
None.

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Report of Management's Assessment of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Peoples' management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Peoples' internal control over financial reporting has been designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation, integrity, and fair presentation of Peoples' Consolidated Financial Statements for external purposes in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.
With the supervision and participation of its President and Chief Executive Officer and its Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, management evaluated the effectiveness of Peoples' internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, using the Internal Control-Integrated Framework set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework).
No matter how well designed, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all misstatements. Projection of the evaluation of effectiveness to future periods is subject to risks, including but not limited to (a) controls may become inadequate due to changes in conditions; (b) a deterioration may occur in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures; and (c) the possibility of control circumvention or override occurring, any of which may lead to misstatements due to undetected error or fraud. Effective internal control over financial reporting can provide only a reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and financial reporting.
Management assessed the effectiveness of Peoples' internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, and, based on this assessment, has concluded Peoples' internal control over financial reporting was effective at a reasonable assurance level as of that date.
Peoples' independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP has audited the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and has issued an attestation report on Peoples' internal control over financial reporting.

By: /s/CHARLES W. SULERZYSKI By: /s/JOHN C. ROGERS
 Charles W. Sulerzyski  John C. Rogers
 President and Chief Executive Officer  Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

March 2, 2020

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Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc.

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Peoples Bancorp Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Peoples Bancorp Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes and our report dated March 2, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Report of Management’s Assessment of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Charleston, West Virginia
March 2, 2020

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Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "consolidated financial statements"). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated March 2, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1995.

Charleston, West Virginia
March 2, 2020





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PEOPLES BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)20192018
Assets  
Cash and cash equivalents:  
Cash and due from banks$53,263  $61,775  
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks61,930  15,837  
Total cash and cash equivalents115,193  77,612  
Available-for-sale investment securities, at fair value (amortized cost of $929,395 at December 31, 2019 and $804,655 at December 31, 2018)
936,101  791,891  
Held-to-maturity investment securities, at amortized cost (fair value of $32,541 at December 31, 2019 and $36,963 at December 31, 2018)
31,747  36,961  
Other investment securities42,730  42,985  
Total investment securities1,010,578  871,837  
Loans, net of deferred fees and costs (a)2,873,525  2,728,778  
Allowance for loan losses(21,556) (20,195) 
Net loans2,851,969  2,708,583  
Loans held for sale6,499  5,470  
Bank premises and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation61,846  56,542  
Bank owned life insurance69,722  68,934  
Goodwill165,701  151,245  
Other intangible assets11,802  10,840  
Other assets60,855  40,391  
Total assets$4,354,165  $3,991,454  
Liabilities      
Deposits:      
Non-interest-bearing$671,208  $607,877  
Interest-bearing2,620,204  2,347,588  
Total deposits3,291,412  2,955,465  
Short-term borrowings316,977  356,198  
Long-term borrowings83,123  109,644  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities68,260  50,007  
Total liabilities3,759,772  3,471,314  
Stockholders’ Equity      
Preferred stock, no par value, 50,000 shares authorized, no shares issued at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018
—  —  
Common stock, no par value, 24,000,000 shares authorized, 21,156,143 shares issued at December 31, 2019 and 20,124,378 shares issued at December 31, 2018, including shares held in treasury
420,876  386,814  
Retained earnings187,149  160,346  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of deferred income taxes(1,425) (12,933) 
Treasury stock, at cost, 504,182 shares at December 31, 2019 and 601,289 shares at December 31, 2018
(12,207) (14,087) 
Total stockholders’ equity594,393  520,140  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$4,354,165  $3,991,454  
(a) Also referred to throughout this document as "total loans" and "loans held for investment."

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

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PEOPLES BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)201920182017
Interest income:
Interest and fees on loans$143,340  $125,263  $103,043  
Interest and dividends on taxable investment securities23,205  23,132  20,415  
Interest on tax-exempt investment securities2,631  2,467  2,923  
Other interest income919  402  144  
Total interest income170,095  151,264  126,525  
Interest expense:
Interest on deposits22,210  13,705  7,154  
Interest on short-term borrowings4,712  5,238  1,534  
Interest on long-term borrowings2,335  2,709  4,460  
Total interest expense29,257  21,652  13,148  
Net interest income140,838  129,612  113,377  
Provision for loan losses2,504  5,448  3,772  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses138,334  124,164  109,605  
Non-interest income:
Insurance income14,802  14,812  14,204  
Electronic banking income13,680  11,477  10,358  
Trust and investment income13,159  12,543  11,558  
Deposit account service charges11,700  9,778  9,614  
Mortgage banking income4,328  3,333  1,872  
Bank owned life insurance income2,430  1,955  1,950  
Commercial loan swap fees2,228  681  1,232  
Net gain (loss) on investment securities164  (146) 2,983  
Net loss on asset disposals and other transactions(782) (334) (63) 
Other non-interest income (a)2,565  2,655  1,865  
Total non-interest income64,274  56,754  55,573  
Non-interest expense:
Salaries and employee benefit costs77,860  69,308  60,276  
Net occupancy and equipment expense12,431  11,272  10,633  
Electronic banking expense7,186  6,057  5,874  
Professional fees7,095  7,862  6,575  
Data processing and software expense6,332  5,419  4,441  
Amortization of other intangible assets3,359  3,338  3,516  
Franchise tax expense3,071  2,771  2,246  
Marketing expense2,291  1,962  1,714  
Foreclosed real estate and other loan expenses1,956  1,431  873  
Communication expense1,181  1,265  1,475  
FDIC insurance expense602  1,546  1,816  
Other non-interest expense13,886  13,746  8,536  
Total non-interest expense137,250  125,977  107,975  
Income before income taxes65,358  54,941  57,203  
Income tax expense11,663  8,686  18,732  
Net income$53,695  $46,255  $38,471  
Earnings per common share – basic
$2.65  $2.42  $2.12  
Earnings per common share – diluted
$2.63  $2.41  $2.10  
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding – basic
20,120,119  18,991,768  18,050,189  
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding – diluted
20,273,725  19,122,260  18,208,684  
(a) As of January 1, 2018, Peoples adopted ASU 2016-01, resulting in realized and unrealized gains on equity investment securities recorded in other non-interest income of $831,000 and $207,000 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.
 See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

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PEOPLES BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Dollars in thousands)201920182017
Net income$53,695  $46,255  $38,471  
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Available-for-sale investment securities:
Gross unrealized holding gain (loss) arising in the period19,635  (3,910) (555) 
Related tax (expense) benefit (4,123) 821  195  
Less: reclassification adjustment for net gain (loss) included in net income164  (146) 2,983  
Related tax (expense) benefit(34) 31  (1,044) 
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss per ASU 2018-02 (a)—  —  (370) 
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss per ASU 2016-01 (b)—  (5,020) —  
Net effect on other comprehensive income (loss)15,382  (7,994) (2,669) 
Defined benefit plans:
Net (loss) gain arising during the period(385) 325  (616) 
  Related tax benefit (expense)81  (69) 216  
Amortization of unrecognized gain on service benefit plans72  99  96  
Related tax expense(15) (21) (34) 
Recognition of loss due to settlement and curtailment—  267  242  
Related tax expense—  (56) (85) 
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss per ASU 2018-02 (a)—  —  (754) 
Net effect on other comprehensive (loss) income(247) 545  (935) 
Cash flow hedges:
Net loss arising during the period(4,591) (341) (395) 
Related tax benefit964  72  138  
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss per ASU 2018-02 (a)—  —  200  
Net effect on other comprehensive loss(3,627) (269) (57) 
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax11,508  (7,718) (3,661) 
Total comprehensive income$65,203  $38,537  $34,810  
(a) As of December 31, 2017, Peoples early adopted ASU 2018-02, reclassifying income tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of $0.9 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings.
(b) As of January 1, 2018, Peoples adopted ASU 2016-01, which resulted in the reclassification of $5.0 million in net unrealized gains on equity investment securities from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings.

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements


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PEOPLES BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common StockRetained EarningsAccumulated Other Comprehensive LossTreasury StockTotal Stockholders' Equity
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2016$344,404  $110,294  $(1,554) $(17,883) $435,261  
Net income—  38,471  —  —  38,471  
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax (a)
—  924  (3,661) —  (2,737) 
Cash dividends declared
—  (15,327) —  —  (15,327) 
Exercise of stock appreciation rights
(6) —  —   —  
Reissuance of treasury stock for common share awards
(1,455) —  —  1,455  —  
Reissuance of treasury stock for deferred compensation plan for Boards of Directors
—  —  —  500  500  
Purchase of treasury stock in connection with employee incentive plan and under compensation plan for Boards of Directors
—  —  —  (508) (508) 
Common shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan
525  —  —  —  525  
Common shares issued under compensation plan for Board of Directors
88  —  —  207  295  
Stock-based compensation
1,747  —  —  —  1,747  
Common shares issued under employee stock purchase plan
109  —  —  256  365  
Balance, December 31, 2017$345,412  $134,362  $(5,215) $(15,967) $458,592  
Net income—  46,255  —  —  46,255  
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax (b)
—  5,020  (7,718) —  (2,698) 
Cash dividends declared
—  (21,578) —  —  (21,578) 
Exercise of stock appreciation rights
(2) —  —   —  
Reissuance of treasury stock for common share awards
(2,748) —  —  2,748  —  
Reissuance of treasury stock for deferred compensation plan for Boards of Directors
—  —  —  46  46  
Purchase of treasury stock in connection with employee incentive plan and under compensation plan for Boards of Directors
—  —  —  (1,380) (1,380) 
Common shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan
668  —  —  —  668  
Common shares issued under compensation plan for Board of Directors
104  —  —  194  298  
Stock-based compensation2,359  —  —  —  2,359  
Common shares issued under employee stock purchase plan
123  —  —  270  393  
Issuance of common shares related to merger with ASB Financial Corp. ("ASB")
40,898  —  —  —  40,898  
Amounts reclassified out of retained earnings, net of tax, per ASU 2014-09 (c)
—  (3,713) —  —  (3,713) 
Balance, December 31, 2018$386,814  $160,346  $(12,933) $(14,087) $520,140  

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PEOPLES BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (CONTINUED)
Common StockRetained EarningsAccumulated Other Comprehensive IncomeTreasury StockTotal Stockholders' Equity
(Dollars in thousands)
Net income$—  $53,695  $—  $—  $53,695  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
—  —  11,508  —  11,508  
Cash dividends declared
—  (26,892) —  —  (26,892) 
Reissuance of treasury stock for common share awards
(2,931) —  —  2,931  —  
Reissuance of treasury stock for deferred compensation plan for Boards of Directors
—  —  —  53  53  
Purchase of treasury stock in connection with employee incentive plan and under compensation plan for Boards of Directors
—  —  —  (845) (845) 
Common shares repurchased under share repurchase program
—  —  —  (805) (805) 
Common shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan
904  —  —  —  904  
Common shares issued under compensation plan for Board of Directors
78  —  —  235  313  
Stock-based compensation3,462  —  —  —  3,462  
Common shares issued under employee stock purchase plan
112  —  —  311  423  
Issuance of common shares related to merger with First Prestonsburg Bancshares Inc. ("First Prestonsburg")
32,437  —  —  —  32,437  
Balance, December 31, 2019$420,876  $187,149  $(1,425) $(12,207) $594,393  
(a) As of December 31, 2017, Peoples early adopted ASU 2018-02, reclassifying income tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of $0.9 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings.
(b) As of January 1, 2018, Peoples adopted ASU 2016-01, which resulted in the reclassification of $5.0 million in net unrealized gains on equity investment securities from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings.
(c) As of January 1, 2018, Peoples adopted ASU 2014-09, which resulted in a reduction to retained earnings of $3.7 million, net of statutory federal corporate income taxes, and an increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities of $4.7 million, to reflect uncompleted contracts in the initial application of the guidance.

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

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PEOPLES BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)201920182017
Operating activities:
Net income$53,695  $46,255  $38,471  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion, net17,861  18,204  18,142  
Provision for loan losses2,504  5,448  3,772  
Bank owned life insurance income(2,430) (1,955) (1,950) 
Net (gain) loss on investment securities(164) 146  (2,983) 
Loss on debt extinguishment—  13  —  
Fair value adjustment on equity investment securities(831) (207) —  
Loans originated for sale(156,058) (123,134) (63,730) 
Proceeds from sales of loans157,752  124,796  66,025  
Net gains on sales of loans(3,667) (2,846) (1,445) 
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)109  (309) (2,779) 
Increase in accrued expenses366  147  950  
Decrease (increase) in interest receivable613  (854) (807) 
(Increase) decrease in other assets(1,227) (533) 6,050  
Non cash lease expense55  —  —  
Other, net(1,421) 10,072  1,311  
Net cash provided by operating activities67,157  75,243  61,027  
Investing activities:
Available-for-sale investment securities:
Purchases(271,924) (137,818) (180,109) 
Proceeds from sales72,706  14,489  8,355  
Proceeds from principal payments, calls and prepayments199,870  122,986  143,000  
Held-to-maturity investment securities:
Purchases—  —  (1,310) 
Proceeds from principal payments4,945  4,281  3,142  
Other investment securities:
Purchases(3,114) (2,689) —  
Proceeds from sales7,340  7,622  —  
Proceeds from insurance claim26  —  —  
Net increase in loans held for investment(10,661) (134,071) (130,397) 
Net expenditures for premises and equipment(2,809) (4,531) (4,865) 
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned239  278  556  
Proceeds from bank owned life insurance1,642  —  —  
Business acquisitions, net of cash received7,814  4,695  (1,069) 
(Investment in) return of limited partnership and tax credit funds(5,021) (5,398)  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities1,053  (130,156) (162,688) 
Financing activities:  
Net increase (decrease) in non-interest-bearing deposits4,832  22,380  (178,411) 
Net increase in interest-bearing deposits72,841  3,449  398,991  
Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings(76,809) 61,883  (146,721) 
Proceeds from long-term borrowings—  —  55,000  
Payments on long-term borrowings(3,501) (4,591) (5,738) 
Cash dividends paid(25,942) (20,915) (14,706) 
Repurchase of treasury stock under share repurchase program(805) —  —  
Purchase of treasury stock in connection with employee incentive program and compensation plan for Boards of Directors to be held as treasury stock(845) (1,380) (508) 
Proceeds from issuance of common shares 25   
Contingent consideration payments made after a business acquisition(406) (520) (207) 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities(30,629) 60,331  107,709  
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash37,581  5,418  6,048  
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period77,612  72,194  66,146  
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period$115,193  $77,612  $72,194  
 

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PEOPLES BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands)201920182017
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid$28,887  $19,920  $13,001  
Income taxes paid11,450  6,135  14,036  
Supplemental noncash disclosures:
Transfers from loans to other real estate owned$153  $90  $219  
Available-for-sale investment security sales settled in a subsequent period—  —  229  
Lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lessee operating lease liabilities3,701  —  —  
See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

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PEOPLES BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Peoples Bancorp Inc. is a financial holding company that offers a full range of financial services and products, including commercial and retail banking, insurance, brokerage and trust services, through its principal operating subsidiary, Peoples Bank.  Services are provided through 88 financial service locations, including 77 full-service bank branches and 85 automated teller machines in Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia, as well as Internet-based and mobile banking.
Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 

The accounting and reporting policies of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and subsidiaries ("Peoples" refers to Peoples Bancorp Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries collectively, except where the context indicates the reference relates solely to Peoples Bancorp Inc.) conform to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("US GAAP") and to general practices within the banking industry. The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain items in prior financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation, which had no impact on net income, total comprehensive income, net cash provided by operating activities or total stockholders' equity.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed in the preparation of the financial statements:
Consolidation: Peoples' Consolidated Financial Statements include subsidiaries in which Peoples has a controlling financial interest, principally defined as owning a voting interest of greater than 50%. In addition, entities not controlled by voting interest or in which the equity investors do not bear the residual economic risks, but for which Peoples is the primary beneficiary are also consolidated.
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Peoples and its consolidated subsidiaries, Peoples Bank (along with its wholly-owned subsidiaries) Peoples Investment Company, Peoples Risk Management, Inc. and NB&T Statutory Trust III, for which Peoples holds all of the common securities. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, balances due from other banks, interest-bearing deposits in other banks, federal funds sold and other short-term investments with original maturities of ninety days or less. Peoples had $20.0 million of restricted funds at December 31, 2019, and no restricted funds at December 31, 2018, held in interest-bearing deposits in other banks, which were being used as collateral and not available for withdrawal.
Investment Securities: Investment securities are recorded initially at cost, which includes premiums and discounts if purchased at other than par or face value. Peoples amortizes premiums and accretes discounts as an adjustment to interest income on a level yield basis. The cost of investment securities sold, excluding equity investment securities, and any resulting gain or loss, is based on the specific identification method and recognized as of the trade date. The cost of equity investment securities is based on the weighted-average method.
Peoples determines the appropriate classification of investment securities at the time of purchase. Held-to-maturity securities are those securities that Peoples has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity and are recorded at amortized cost. Available-for-sale securities are those securities that would be available to be sold in the future in response to Peoples' liquidity needs, changes in market interest rates, and asset-liability management strategies, among other considerations. Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported in total stockholders' equity as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, net of applicable deferred income taxes.
Certain restricted equity investment securities that do not have readily determinable fair values and for which Peoples does not exercise significant influence, are carried at cost. These cost method securities are reported in other investment securities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and consist primarily of shares of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (the "FHLB") and the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland (the "FRB").
Peoples systematically evaluates investment securities for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. This analysis requires management to consider various factors, which include (1) the duration and magnitude of the decline in value, (2) the financial condition of the issuer or issuers, and (3) the structure of the security.
An impairment loss is recognized in earnings only when (1) Peoples intends to sell the debt security, (2) it is more likely than not that Peoples will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, or (3) Peoples does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. In situations where Peoples intends to sell or when it is more likely than not that Peoples will be required to sell the security, the entire impairment loss must be recognized in earnings. In all other situations, only the portion of the impairment loss representing the credit loss must be recognized in earnings, with the remaining

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portion being recognized in total stockholders' equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of applicable deferred income taxes.
Fair Value Measurements: The measurement of fair value under US GAAP uses a hierarchy intended to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.  This hierarchy uses three levels of inputs to measure the fair value of assets and liabilities as follows:
Level 1: Quoted prices in active exchange markets for identical assets or liabilities; also includes certain U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government and agency securities actively traded in over-the-counter markets.
Level 2: Observable inputs other than Level 1 including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in less active markets, or other observable inputs that can be corroborated by observable market data; also includes derivative financial instruments whose value is determined using a pricing model with observable market inputs or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.  This category generally includes certain U.S. government and agency securities, corporate debt securities, derivative instruments, and residential mortgage loans held for sale.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs supported by little or no market activity for financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as financial instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation; also includes observable inputs for single dealer nonbinding quotes not corroborated by observable market data. This category generally includes certain private equity investments, retained interests from securitizations, and certain collateralized debt obligations.
Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase ("Repurchase Agreements"): Peoples enters into Repurchase Agreements with customers and other financial services companies, which are considered financings. As such, these obligations are recorded as a liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and disclosed in "Note 8 Short-Term Borrowings" and "Note 9 Long-Term Borrowings," as appropriate. Securities pledged as collateral under Repurchase Agreements are included in investment securities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are disclosed in "Note 3 Investment Securities." The fair value of the collateral pledged to a third party is continually monitored and additional collateral is pledged or returned, as deemed appropriate.
Loans: Loans originated that Peoples has the positive intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or to maturity or payoff are reported at recorded investment, which represents the principal balance outstanding, net of deferred loan fees and costs, and premiums or discounts on purchased loans. The foreseeable future is based upon current market conditions and business strategies, as well as balance sheet management and liquidity. As the conditions change, so may management's view of the foreseeable future. Net deferred loan origination costs were $9.8 million and $9.5 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
A loan is considered impaired when information and events indicate it is probable that collection of all contractual principal and interest payments is doubtful. Impairment is evaluated collectively for smaller balance loans of a similar nature, primarily consumer and residential real estate loans, and on an individual loan basis for all loans to borrowers with an aggregate unpaid principal balance in excess of $1.0 million, for which an annual evaluation is performed for possible credit deterioration. This loan review process provides Peoples with opportunities to identify potential problem loans and take proactive actions to assure repayment of the loan or minimize Peoples' risk of loss, such as reviewing the relationship more frequently based upon the loan quality rating and aggregate debt outstanding. Upon detection of the reduced ability of a borrower to meet cash flow obligations, the loan is reviewed for possible downgrade or placement on nonaccrual status. Loan relationships whose aggregate debt to Peoples is equal to or less than $1.0 million are reviewed on an event driven basis. Triggers for review include knowledge of adverse events affecting the business, receipt of financial statements indicating deteriorating credit quality and other events. Peoples also completes evaluation procedures for a selection of larger loan relationships on a quarterly basis. Peoples typically places any loan deemed to be impaired on nonaccrual status and allocates a specific portion of the allowance for loan losses, if necessary, to reduce the net carrying value of the loan to its estimated net realizable value. Impaired loans, or portions thereof, are charged off when deemed uncollectable. Upon detection of the reduced ability of a borrower to meet cash flow obligations, consumer and residential real estate loans typically are charged down to the net realizable value, with the residual balance placed on nonaccrual status.
Loans acquired in a business combination that have evidence of deterioration of credit quality, commonly referred to as "purchased credit impaired" loans, since origination and for which it is probable, at acquisition, that Peoples will be unable to collect all contractually required payments are initially recorded at fair value (the present value of the amounts expected to be collected) with no valuation allowance. The difference between the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition and the investment in the loan is recognized as interest income on a level yield method over the life of the loan. Contractually required payments for interest and principal that exceed the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition are not recognized. Over the life of these acquired loans, management continues to monitor each acquired purchased credit impaired loan portfolio for changes in credit quality. Increases in expected cash flows subsequent to acquisition are recognized prospectively over the remaining life of the acquired purchased credit impaired loans as a yield adjustment on the loans. Subsequent decreases in expected cash flows are recognized as an impairment, with the amount of the expected loss included in provision for loan losses in the period in which it is identified, and Peoples establishes an allowance for loan losses for the expected losses. These purchased credit impaired

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loans are considered to be accruing and performing even though collection of contractual payments on the loans may be in doubt, as income continues to be accreted as long as expected cash flows can be reasonably estimated.
Loans acquired in a business combination that are not impaired are recorded at fair value, with no valuation allowance, and the difference between the acquisition date fair value and the contractual amounts due at the acquisition date represents the discount or premium to a loan's cost basis and is accreted or amortized to interest income over the loan's remaining life using the level yield method. Subsequent to the acquisition date, the method utilized to estimate the required allowance for loan losses for these loans is similar to originated loans; however, Peoples records a provision for loan losses only when the required allowance exceeds the remaining fair value adjustment.
Loans Held for Sale: Loans originated and intended to be sold in the secondary market, generally one-to-four family residential loans, are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value determined on an aggregate basis. Gains and losses on sales of loans held for sale are included in mortgage banking income.
Loans originated with the intent to be held in the portfolio are subsequently transferred to held for sale when a decision is made to sell these loans. At the time of a loan's transfer to the held for sale classification, the loan is recorded at the lower of cost or its fair value. Any reduction in the loan's fair value is reflected as a write-down of the recorded investment resulting in a new cost basis, with a corresponding charge against the allowance for loan losses. If the fair value of a loan classified as held for sale in subsequent periods is less than its cost basis, the carrying value of the loan is adjusted accordingly, with the corresponding loss recognized in earnings.
Interest Rate Lock Commitments: Peoples enters into interest rate lock commitments with borrowers and best efforts commitments with investors on mortgage loans originated for sale into the secondary markets to manage the inherent interest rate and pricing risk associated with selling loans. An interest rate lock commitment generally terminates once the loan is funded, the lock period expires or the borrower decides not to contract for the loan. A best efforts commitment generally terminates once the loan is sold, the commitment period expires or the borrower decides not to contract for the loan. These commitments are considered derivatives, which are generally accounted for by recognizing their estimated fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in either other assets or accrued expenses and other liabilities. The valuation of such commitments does not consider expected cash flows related to the servicing of the future loan. Management has determined these derivatives do not have a material effect on Peoples' financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Allowance for Loan Losses: The allowance for loan losses is a valuation reserve established through provisions for loan losses charged against income. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level that management deems sufficient to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Loans deemed to be uncollectable are charged against the allowance for loan losses, while recoveries of previously charged off amounts are credited to the allowance for loan losses.
The allowance for loan losses is comprised of specific valuation allowances for loans evaluated individually for impairment and general allocations for pools of homogeneous loans with similar risk characteristics and trends. Peoples' homogenous loan pools include similarly risk-graded commercial and industrial loans, similarly risk-graded commercial real estate loans, real estate construction loans (both commercial and residential), residential real estate loans, consumer home equity loans, and indirect and other consumer loans. Peoples' evaluation of the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses and the related provision for loan losses is based upon a quarterly analysis of the portfolio. While portions of the allowance for loan losses may be allocated to specific loans, the entire allowance for loan losses is available for any loan charged off by management.
The allowance for loan losses related to specific loans is based on management's estimate of potential losses on impaired loans as determined by (1) the present value of expected future cash flows, (2) the fair value of collateral if the loan is determined to be collateral dependent, or (3) the loan's observable market price. The general allocations to specific loan pools are based on the historical loss rates for specific loan types and the internal risk grade, if applicable, adjusted for both internal and external qualitative risk factors. The calculation of historical loss rates for pools of similar loans with similar characteristics is based upon the proportion of actual charge-offs experienced to the total population of loans in the pool. The historical loss rates are periodically updated based on actual charge-off experience. The qualitative economic and business conditions and developments that affect the collectibility of the portfolio, including the condition of various market segments, which are considered by management include, among other factors: (1) changes in international, national, regional and local economic and business conditions, (2) changes in asset quality, (3) changes in loan portfolio volume, (4) the composition and concentrations of credit, (5) changes in the value of underlying collateral due to economic or market conditions, and (6) effectiveness of Peoples' loan policies, procedures and internal controls. The allowance for loan losses established for each homogenous loan pool represents the product of the historical loss rate, adjusted for qualitative factors, and the total dollar amount of the loans in the pool.
Peoples categorizes loans involving commercial borrowers into risk categories based upon an established grading matrix. This system is used to manage the risk within its commercial lending activities, evaluate changes in the overall credit quality of the loan portfolio and evaluate the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses. Loan grades are assigned at the time a new loan or lending commitment is extended by Peoples and may be changed at any time when circumstances warrant. Loans to borrowers with an aggregate unpaid principal balance in excess of $1.0 million are reviewed on an annual basis for possible credit deterioration. Loan relationships whose aggregate credit exposure to Peoples is equal to or less than $1.0 million are reviewed on

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an event driven basis. Triggers for review include knowledge of adverse events affecting the borrower's business, receipt of financial statements indicating deteriorating credit quality or other similar events. Adversely classified loans are generally reviewed on a quarterly basis.
The primary factors considered when assigning a risk grade to a loan include (1) reliability and sustainability of the primary source of repayment, (2) past, present and projected financial condition of the borrower, and (3) current economic and industry conditions. Other factors that could influence the risk grade assigned include the type and quality of collateral and the strength of any guarantors. The primary source of repayment for commercial real estate loans and commercial and industrial loans is normally the operating cash flow of the business available to repay debt. Management's analysis of operating cash flow for commercial real estate loans secured by non-owner occupied properties takes into account factors such as rent rolls and vacancy statistics. Management's analysis of operating cash flow for commercial real estate loans secured by owner occupied properties and all commercial and industrial loans considers the profitability, liquidity and leverage of the business. The evaluation of construction loans includes consideration of the borrower's ability to complete construction within the established budget.
The primary factors considered when classifying residential real estate, home equity lines of credit and consumer loans include the loan's past due status and declaration of bankruptcy by the borrower(s). The classification of residential real estate and home equity lines of credit also takes into consideration the current value of the underlying collateral.
Peoples also evaluates unfunded commitments for construction loans, floor plan lines of credit, home equity lines of credit, other credit lines and letters of credit on a quarterly basis. The calculation of the reserve for unfunded commitments utilizes the same look back period as the allowance for loan losses, and is based on the reported losses on unfunded commitments during this look back period. This annualized loss rate is then applied to the probable drawn amount of the pooled unfunded commitments to determine the required reserve. Peoples also evaluates classified credit exposures with unfunded commitments individually to determine if a loss is both probable and reasonably estimable.
Troubled Debt Restructuring ("TDR"): The restructuring of a loan is considered a TDR if both (1) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and (2) the creditor has granted a concession. Loans acquired that are restructured after acquisition are not considered TDRs if the loans evidenced credit deterioration as of the acquisition date and are accounted for in pools of purchased credit impaired loans.
In assessing whether or not a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, Peoples considers information currently available regarding the financial condition of the borrower. This information includes, but is not limited to, whether (1) the borrower is currently in payment default on any of the borrower's debt; (2) a payment default is probable in the foreseeable future without the modification; (3) the borrower has declared or is in the process of declaring bankruptcy; and (4) the borrower's projected cash flow is insufficient to satisfy contractual payments due under the original terms of the loan without a modification.
Peoples considers all aspects of the modification to loan terms to determine whether or not a concession has been granted to the borrower. Key factors considered by Peoples include the borrower's ability to access funds at a market rate for loans with similar risk characteristics, the significance of the modification relative to the unpaid principal loan balance or collateral value underlying the loan, and the significance of a delay in the timing of payments relative to the original contractual terms of the loan. The most common concessions granted by Peoples generally include one or more modifications to the terms of the loan, such as (1) a reduction in the interest rate for the remaining life of the loan, (2) an extension of the maturity date at an interest rate lower than the current market rate for a new loan with similar risk, (3) a temporary period of interest-only payments, and (4) a reduction in the contractual payment amount for either a short period or the remaining term of the loan. All TDRs are considered impaired loans and are evaluated individually to determine if a write-down is required and if they should be on accrual or nonaccrual status.
Bank Premises and Equipment: Bank premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets owned. Major improvements to leased facilities are capitalized and included in bank premises at cost less accumulated depreciation, which is calculated on the straight-line method over the lesser of the remaining term of the leased facility or the estimated economic life of the improvement.
Investments in Affordable Housing Limited Partnerships: Investments in affordable housing consist of investments in limited partnerships that operate qualified affordable housing projects or that invest in other limited partnerships formed to operate affordable housing projects. These investments are considered variable interest entities for which Peoples is not the primary beneficiary. Peoples generally utilizes the effective yield method to account for these investments with the tax credits, net of the amortization of the investment, reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a reduction in income tax expense. The unamortized amount of the investments is recorded in other assets and totaled $13.9 million and $9.6 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Other Real Estate Owned ("OREO"): OREO, included in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, is comprised primarily of commercial and residential real estate properties acquired by Peoples in satisfaction of a loan. OREO obtained in satisfaction of a loan is recorded at the lower of cost or estimated fair value, less estimated costs to sell the property. Peoples had OREO totaling $227,000 at December 31, 2019 and $94,000 at December 31, 2018.

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Business Combinations: Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. Under this accounting method, the acquired company's net assets are recorded at fair value on the date of acquisition, and the results of operations of the acquired company are combined with Peoples' from the acquisition date forward. Costs related to the acquisition are expensed as incurred. The purchase price paid over the fair value of the net assets acquired, including intangible assets with finite lives, is recorded as goodwill.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired in the business combination. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment when indicators of impairment exist, or at least annually on October 1. Based upon the most recently completed goodwill impairment test, Peoples concluded the recorded value of goodwill was not impaired as of December 31, 2019, based upon the estimated fair value of Peoples' single reporting unit.
Peoples' other intangible assets include customer relationship intangible assets, core deposit intangible assets and servicing rights representing the net present value of future economic benefit to be earned from acquired customer relationships with definite useful lives. These intangible assets are amortized on an accelerated basis over their estimated lives ranging from 7 to 10 years.
Servicing Rights: Servicing rights represent the right to service loans sold to third-party investors. Loans that are sold are primarily mortgage loans, but also include small business and agricultural loans. Servicing rights are recognized separately as a servicing asset whenever Peoples undertakes an obligation to service financial assets. Servicing rights are reported in other intangible assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Serviced loans that have been completely sold are not included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Loan servicing income included in mortgage banking income includes servicing fees received from the third-party investors and certain charges collected from the borrowers.
Peoples initially records servicing rights at fair value at the time of the sale of the loans to the third-party investor. Peoples follows the amortization method for the subsequent measurement of each class of separately recognized servicing assets and liabilities. Under the amortization method, Peoples amortizes the value of servicing assets or liabilities utilizing a straight-line basis approach over the period of estimated net servicing income or net servicing loss, and assesses servicing assets or liabilities for impairment or increased obligation based on the fair value at each reporting date. The fair value of the servicing rights is determined by using a discounted cash flow model, which estimates the present value of the future net cash flows of the servicing portfolio based on various factors, such as servicing costs, expected prepayment speeds and discount rates.
Trust Assets Under Administration and Management: Peoples manages certain assets held in a fiduciary or agency capacity for customers. These assets under administration and management, other than cash on deposit at Peoples, are not included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets since they are not assets of Peoples.
Interest Income Recognition: Interest income on loans and investment securities is recognized by methods that result in level rates of return on principal amounts outstanding, including yield adjustments resulting from the amortization of loan costs and premiums on investment securities, and accretion of loan fees and discounts on investment securities. Since mortgage-backed securities comprise a sizable portion of Peoples' investment portfolio, a significant increase in principal payments on those securities can impact interest income due to the corresponding acceleration of premium amortization or discount accretion.
Peoples discontinues the accrual of interest on a loan when conditions cause management to believe collection of all or any portion of the loan's contractual interest is doubtful. Such conditions may include the borrower being 90 days or more past due on any contractual payments, or current information regarding the borrower's financial condition and repayment ability. All unpaid accrued interest deemed uncollectable is reversed, which reduces Peoples' net interest income. Interest received on nonaccrual loans is included in income only if principal recovery is reasonably assured.
Revenue Recognition: Peoples recognizes revenues as they are earned based on contractual terms, or as services are provided and collectability is reasonably assured. Peoples’ principal source of revenue is interest income, which is recognized on an accrual basis primarily according to formulas in written contracts, such as loan agreements or securities contracts.
As of January 1, 2018, Peoples adopted ASU 2014-09 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), and all subsequent updates that modified Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606. Peoples elected to adopt this new accounting guidance using the modified retrospective approach. The modified retrospective approach uses a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings to reflect uncompleted contracts in the initial application of the guidance. As of January 1, 2018, Peoples recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment for uncompleted contracts, which resulted in a reduction to retained earnings and an increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities of $3.7 million, which was net of federal income taxes. The impact during 2018 was an increase in insurance income and a decrease in retained earnings of $305,000 as a result of applying ASC 606. Prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those respective periods.
Estimates of variable consideration are included in revenue to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue will not occur, once the uncertainty is resolved. Peoples' contracts with customers are short-term in nature, and are recognized under the following revenue streams:


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Insurance Income: Insurance income generally consists of commissions and fees from the sale of insurance policies, fees related to third-party administration services and performance-based commissions from insurance companies.
Peoples recognizes commission income from the sale of insurance policies when it acts as an agent between the insurance carrier and policyholder, arranging for the insurance carrier to provide policies to policyholders, and acts on behalf of the insurance carrier by providing customer service to the policyholders during the respective policy periods. Commission income is recognized over time, using the output method of time elapsed, which corresponds with the underlying insurance policy period, during which Peoples is obligated to perform under contract with the insurance carrier. Commission income is variable, as it is comprised of a certain percentage of the underlying policy premium. Peoples estimates the variable consideration based upon the "most likely amount" method, and does not expect or anticipate a significant reversal of revenue in future periods, based upon historical experience. Payment is due from the insurance carrier for commission income once the insurance policy has been sold. Peoples has elected to apply a practical expedient related to capitalizable costs, which are the commissions paid to insurance producers, and will expense these commissions paid to insurance producers as incurred, as these costs are related to the commission income and would have been amortized within one year or less if they had been capitalized, the same period over which the commission income was earned.
Fees related to third-party administration services performed are recognized over time, during the period in which services have been provided, and are recognized monthly in the month the services were performed.
Performance-based commissions from insurance companies are recognized at a point in time, when received, and no contingencies remain.
Electronic Banking Income: Electronic banking income consists of two revenue streams related to interchange income, and promotional and usage income.
Peoples recognizes interchange income over time, on a monthly basis, which is based on the transactional volume of debit card activity completed by its customers during the month in which income is recognized. Peoples is obligated, based on its contracts with third parties, to meet certain volumes of debit card activities, which are performed by Peoples' customers, over a certain period of time. Interchange income is variable as it is based on the transaction volume of debit card activity completed by Peoples' customers. Peoples estimates the variable consideration based upon the most likely amount method, and does not expect or anticipate a significant reversal of revenue in future periods. Payment is due for all PIN transactions from the vendor within one month of the completed customer debit card activity, while all other interchange transaction fees are earned and recorded on a daily basis. Peoples has elected to apply a practical expedient of right to invoice when recognizing interchange income, as Peoples has fulfilled the required performance obligations, the vendor has consumed the service, and Peoples has a right to the related income.
Peoples also recognizes promotional and usage income over time, on a monthly basis, which is related to branding of debit cards and promotion or use of certain services provided by third-party vendors. Peoples is obligated to brand its debit cards in a certain manner, and promote and use services provided by third-party vendors. Promotional and usage income is variable as it is based on certain metrics achieved for promotion and usage of services provided by the third-party vendors. Peoples estimates the variable consideration based upon the most likely amount method, and does not expect or anticipate a significant reversal of revenue in future periods. Payment is due from the third-party vendors within 45 days of the monthly fulfillment of Peoples' performance obligation. Peoples has elected to apply a practical expedient of right to invoice when recognizing promotional and usage income, as Peoples has fulfilled the required performance obligations, the vendor has consumed the service, and Peoples has a right to the related income.
Trust and Investment Income: Trust and investment income consists of revenue from fiduciary and brokerage activities, which includes fees for services such as asset management, record keeping, retirement services and estate management, and investment commissions and fees related to the sale of investments. Trust and investment income is recognized over time, which reflects the duration of the contract period for which services have been provided. Trust and investment income is variable as it is based on the value of assets under administration and management, and specific transactions. Peoples estimates the variable consideration based upon the most likely amount method, and does not expect or anticipate a significant reversal of revenue in future periods. Payment is due from the customer when billed, which is typically a monthly or quarterly billing for services rendered in the most recent period, for which the performance obligation has been satisfied. Peoples has elected to apply a practical expedient of right to invoice when recognizing trust and investment income, as Peoples has fulfilled the performance obligation, the customer has consumed the service, and Peoples has a right to the related income. Peoples has also elected to apply a practical expedient related to capitalizable costs, which are the commissions paid to financial advisors, and will expense these commissions paid to financial advisors as incurred, as these costs are related to the trust and investment income and would have been amortized within one year or less if they had been capitalized, the same period over which the income was earned.

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Deposit Account Service Charges: Deposit account service charges consist of two revenue streams related to ongoing maintenance fees for deposit accounts and transactional-based fees.
Ongoing maintenance fees are recognized on a monthly basis, generally with the monthly period beginning on the day of the month on which the account was opened. Ongoing maintenance fee income is variable as these fees can be reduced if a customer meets certain qualifying metrics. Peoples estimates the variable consideration based upon the most likely amount method, and does not expect or anticipate a significant reversal of revenue in future periods. For accounts that are assessed maintenance fees through the account analysis process, payment is due from the customer within one month after the monthly period in which the account activity occurred. For all other accounts, monthly maintenance fees are assessed to the account on the last day of the monthly period. Peoples has elected to apply a practical expedient of right to invoice when recognizing ongoing maintenance fees for deposit accounts, as Peoples has fulfilled the required performance obligations, the customer has consumed the service, and Peoples has a right to the related income.
Transactional-based fees are recognized at a point in time, which is at the completion of the relevant transaction. Peoples is obligated to perform certain transactions as requested by its consumer and business deposit account customers, which are outside of the normal maintenance requirements. Transactional-based fee income is variable as these fees are directly related to a service request from the customer. Peoples estimates the variable consideration based upon the most likely amount method, and does not expect or anticipate a significant reversal of revenue in future periods. Payment is due from the customer at the time of completion of the requested transaction.
Commercial Loan Swap Fees: Commercial loan swap fees consist of income related to transactions in which Peoples Bank originates variable rate loans with interest rate swaps, where the customer enters into an interest rate swap with Peoples Bank on terms that match the terms of the loan. By entering into the interest rate swap with the customer, Peoples Bank effectively provides the customer with a fixed rate loan while creating a variable rate asset for Peoples Bank. Peoples Bank offsets its exposure in the swap by entering into an offsetting interest rate swap with an unaffiliated institution. Commercial loan swap fees are recognized at a point in time, when the transaction has been completed, and there is no recourse or further performance obligation required of Peoples. Commercial loan swap fees are variable as these fees are a certain percentage of the total swap fee collected on a completed transaction. Peoples estimates the variable consideration based upon the most likely amount method, and does not expect or anticipate a significant reversal of revenue in future periods. Payment is due from the customer at the time of completion of the requested transaction.
Other Non-Interest Income: Other non-interest income includes certain revenues that are transactional-based, such as wire transfer fees, money order fees and other ancillary fees or services. These transactional-based fees are recognized as income at a point in time, at the completion of the relevant transaction. Transactional-based fee income is variable as these fees are directly related to a service request from the customer. Peoples estimates the variable consideration based upon the most likely amount method, and does not expect or anticipate a significant reversal of revenue in future periods. Payment is due from the customer at the time of completion of the requested transaction.
Income Taxes: Peoples and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are provided as temporary differences between the tax basis of an asset or liability and its reported amount in the Consolidated Financial Statements at the statutory federal corporate income tax rate. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the expected amount most likely to be realized. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of a sufficient level of future taxable income and recoverable taxes paid in prior years.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "TCJ Act") was enacted on December 22, 2017, and Peoples' Consolidated Financial Statements fully reflect the impact of the TCJ Act as of December 31, 2018. As a result of the final impact of this guidance, Peoples recorded a reduction to income tax expense of $0.7 million during 2018.
At December 31, 2017, Peoples had completed the accounting for the tax effects of enactment of the TCJ Act; however, in certain cases, Peoples made reasonable estimates of the effects of a reduced statutory federal corporate income tax rate on its existing deferred tax balances. Peoples also early adopted and retrospectively applied the reclassification of stranded income tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings as of December 31, 2017, as permitted by ASU 2018-02.
A tax position is initially recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not the position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. Such tax positions are initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the tax authority assuming full knowledge of the position and all relevant facts. Penalties and interest incurred under the applicable tax law are classified as income tax expense. The amount of Peoples' uncertain income tax positions and unrecognized benefits are disclosed in "Note 12 Income Taxes."
Advertising Costs: Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.
Earnings per Share ("EPS"): Basic and diluted EPS are calculated using the two-class method since Peoples has issued share-based payment awards considered participating securities because they entitle holders the rights to dividends during the vesting term. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines net income per share for each class of common

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stock and participating security according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net earnings allocated to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net earnings allocated to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding adjusted to include the effect of potentially dilutive common shares.  Potentially dilutive common shares include incremental common shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock appreciation rights and non-vested restricted common shares using the treasury stock method.
Operating Segments: Peoples' business activities are currently confined to one reporting unit and reportable segment, which is community banking. As a community banking entity, Peoples offers its customers a full range of products including a complete line of banking, insurance, investment and trust solutions.
Stock-Based Compensation: Stock-based compensation for restricted stock awards is measured at the fair value of these awards on their grant date. Stock-based compensation is recognized over the restriction period for restricted stock awards. Only the expense for the portion of the awards expected to vest is recognized. For service-based awards, stock-based compensation for awards granted to employees who are eligible for retirement is recognized on the date the employee is first eligible to retire.
New Accounting Pronouncements: From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB or other standard setting bodies that are adopted by Peoples as of the required effective dates. Unless otherwise discussed, management believes the impact of any recently issued standards, including those issued but not yet effective, will not have a material impact on Peoples' financial statements taken as a whole.
Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2017-04 – Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The amendments in this ASU simplify how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill to measure a goodwill impairment charge. This accounting guidance will be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 (effective January 1, 2020 for Peoples). Peoples early adopted this new accounting guidance as of January 1, 2019, and it was incorporated in the October 1, 2019 annual goodwill and intangible assets impairment analysis, and did not have a material impact on Peoples' consolidated financial statements.
Note 2 Fair Value of Financial Instruments 

Fair value represents the amount expected to be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in its principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In accordance with fair value accounting guidance, Peoples measures, records and reports various types of assets and liabilities at fair value on either a recurring or a non-recurring basis in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Those assets and liabilities are presented below in the sections entitled "Assets and Liabilities Required to be Measured and Reported at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis" and "Assets and Liabilities Required to be Measured and Reported at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis."
Depending on the nature of the asset or liability, Peoples uses various valuation methodologies and assumptions to estimate fair value. The measurement of fair value under US GAAP uses a hierarchy, which is described in "Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies."
Assets and liabilities are assigned to a level within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of significant input used to measure fair value. Assets and liabilities may change levels within the fair value hierarchy due to market conditions or other circumstances. Those transfers are recognized on the date of the event that prompted the transfer. There were no transfers of assets or liabilities required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis between levels of the fair value hierarchy during the periods presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Assets and Liabilities Required to be Measured and Reported at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following table provides the fair value for assets and liabilities required to be measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis on the Consolidated Balance Sheets by level in the fair value hierarchy.
 Recurring Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date
December 31, 2019December 31, 2018
(Dollars in thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 1Level 2Level 3
Assets:
Available-for-sale investment securities:
Obligations of:   
U.S. government sponsored agencies$—  $8,209  $—  $—  $—  $—  
States and political subdivisions
—  114,104  —  —  88,587  —  
Residential mortgage-backed securities—  791,009  —  —  692,608  —  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities—  18,088  —  —  6,707  —  
Bank-issued trust preferred securities—  4,691  —  —  3,989  —  
Total available-for-sale securities—  936,101  —  —  791,891  —  
Equity investment securities (a)123  198  —  94  183  —  
Derivative assets (b)—  11,419  —  —  4,544  —  
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities (c)$—  $15,116  $—  $—  $3,562  $—  
(a) Included in other investment securities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For additional information, see "Note 3 Investment Securities."
(b) Included in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For additional information, see "Note 14 Derivative Financial Instruments."
(c) Included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For additional information, see "Note 14 Derivative Financial Instruments."

Available-for-Sale Investment Securities: The fair values used by Peoples are obtained from an independent pricing service and represent either quoted market prices for the identical securities (Level 1) or fair values determined by pricing models using a market approach that considers observable market data, such as interest rate volatility, LIBOR yield curves, credit spreads and prices from market makers and live trading systems (Level 2). Management reviews the valuation methodology and quality controls utilized by the pricing services in management's overall assessment of the reasonableness of the fair values provided, and challenges prices when management believes a material discrepancy in pricing exists.
Equity Investment Securities: The fair values of Peoples' equity investment securities are obtained from quoted prices in active exchange markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) or quoted prices in less active markets (Level 2).
Derivative Assets and Liabilities: Derivative assets and liabilities are recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair value within other assets, and accrued expenses and other liabilities, respectively. The fair value for derivative financial instruments is determined based on market prices, broker-dealer quotations on similar products, or other related input parameters (Level 2).
Assets and Liabilities Required to be Measured and Reported at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
The following table provides the fair value for each class of assets and liabilities required to be measured and reported at fair value on a non-recurring basis on the Consolidated Balance Sheets by level in the fair value hierarchy.
 Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date
December 31, 2019December 31, 2018
(Dollars in thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 1Level 2Level 3
Impaired loans$—  $—  $29,100  $—  $—  $24,129  
OREO—  —  227  —  —  94  
Impaired Loans: Impaired loans are measured and reported at fair value when the amounts to be received are less than the carrying value of the loans. One of the allowable methods for determining the amount of impairment is estimating fair value using the fair value of the collateral for collateral-dependent loans. Management’s determination of the fair value for these loans uses a market approach representing the estimated net proceeds to be received from the sale of the collateral based on observable market prices or the market value provided by independent, licensed or certified appraisers (Level 3), less estimated selling costs.  At December 31, 2019, impaired loans with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $38.6 million were measured and reported at a fair value of $29.1 million.  For the year ended December 31, 2019, Peoples recognized an increase of $1.6 million in the specific reserve on impaired loans, through the allowance for loan losses.

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Other Real Estate Owned: OREO, included in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, is comprised primarily of commercial and residential real estate properties acquired by Peoples in satisfaction of a loan. OREO obtained in satisfaction of a loan is recorded at the lower of cost or estimated fair value, less estimated costs to sell the property. The carrying value of OREO is not re-measured to fair value on a recurring basis, but is based on recent real estate appraisals and is updated at least annually. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including the comparable sales approach and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available (Level 3).
Financial Instruments Not Required to be Measured and Reported at Fair Value
The following table provides the carrying amount for each class of assets and liabilities, and the fair value for certain financial instruments that are not required to be measured or reported at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. 
Fair Value Measurements of Other Financial Instruments
(Dollars in thousands)Fair Value Hierarchy LevelDecember 31, 2019December 31, 2018
Carrying AmountFair ValueCarrying AmountFair Value
Assets:    
   Cash and cash equivalents1$115,193  $115,193  $77,612  $77,612  
Held-to-maturity investment securities:
   Obligations of:
      States and political subdivisions 4,346  4,791  4,403  4,896  
   Residential mortgage-backed securities 21,494  21,569  29,044  28,603  
   Commercial mortgage-backed securities 5,907  6,181  3,514  3,464  
        Total held-to-maturity securities31,747  32,541  36,961  36,963  
Other investment securities:
FHLB stock 227,235  27,235  29,367  29,367  
FRB stock213,310  13,310  12,294  12,294  
Nonqualified deferred compensation21,499  1,499  987  987  
Other investment securities2365  365  60  60  
Other investment securities (a)42,409  42,409  42,708  42,708  
Net loans32,851,969  3,147,190  2,708,583  2,907,537  
    Loans held for sale26,499  6,553  5,470  5,492  
    Bank owned life insurance369,722  69,722  68,934  68,934  
    Servicing rights (b)32,742  3,881  2,655  4,568  
Financial liabilities:    
   Deposits2$3,291,412  $3,292,950  $2,955,465  $2,953,452  
   Short-term borrowings2316,977  317,973  356,198  349,994  
   Long-term borrowings283,123  82,701  109,644  107,696  
(a) Other investment securities, as reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, also includes equity investment securities for 2019 and 2018, which are reported in the Assets and Liabilities Required to be Measured and Reported at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis table above.
(b) Included in other intangible assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Servicing rights are carried at the lower of cost or market value.
For certain financial assets and liabilities, carrying value approximates fair value due to the nature of the financial instrument.  These financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, demand and other non-fixed-maturity deposits, and overnight borrowings.  Peoples used the following methods and assumptions in estimating the fair value of the following financial instruments:
Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, balances due from other banks, interest-bearing deposits in other banks, federal funds sold and other short-term investments with original maturities of ninety days or less. The carrying amount for cash on hand and balances due from banks is a reasonable estimate of fair value (Level 1).
Held-to-Maturity Investment Securities: The fair values used by Peoples are obtained from an independent pricing service and represent fair values determined by pricing models using a market approach that considers observable market data, such as interest rate volatility, LIBOR yield curves, credit spreads and prices from market makers and live trading systems (Level 2). Management reviews the valuation methodology and quality controls utilized by the pricing services in management's overall assessment of the reasonableness of the fair values provided, and challenges prices when management believes a material discrepancy in pricing exists.
Other Investment Securities: Other investment securities are measured at their respective redemption values (Level 2).

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Net Loans: The fair value of portfolio loans assumes the sale of the notes to a third-party financial investor. Accordingly, this value is not necessarily the value to Peoples if the notes were held to maturity.  Peoples considered interest rate, credit and market factors in estimating the fair value of loans (Level 3). Fair values for loans are estimated using a discounted cash flow methodology. The discount rates take into account interest rates currently being offered to customers for loans with similar terms, the credit risk associated with the loan and other market factors, including liquidity.
Loans Held for Sale: Loans originated and intended to be sold in the secondary market, generally one-to-four family residential loans, are carried, in aggregate, at the lower of cost or estimated fair value. The use of a valuation model using quoted prices of similar instruments are significant inputs in arriving at the fair value (Level 2).
Bank Owned Life Insurance: Peoples' bank owned life insurance policies are recorded at their cash surrender value (Level 3). Peoples recognizes tax-exempt income from the periodic increases in the cash surrender value of these policies and from death benefits.
Servicing Rights: The fair value of the servicing rights is determined by using a discounted cash flow model, which estimates the present value of the future net cash flows of the servicing portfolio based on various factors, such as servicing costs, expected prepayment speeds and discount rates (Level 3).
Deposits: The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit ("CDs") is estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation based on current rates offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities (Level 2).
Short-term Borrowings: The fair value of short-term borrowings is estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis based on rates currently available to Peoples for borrowings with similar terms (Level 2). 
Long-term Borrowings: The fair value of long-term borrowings is estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis based on rates currently available to Peoples for borrowings with similar terms (Level 2). 
Certain financial assets and financial liabilities that are not required to be measured or reported at fair value can be subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment).  These financial assets and liabilities include the following: customer relationships, the deposit base, and other information required to compute Peoples’ aggregate fair value, which are not included in the above information.  Accordingly, the above fair values are not intended to represent the aggregate fair value of Peoples.

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Note 3 Investment Securities 

Available-for-sale
The following table summarizes Peoples’ available-for-sale investment securities at December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)Amortized CostGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized LossesFair Value
2019    
Obligations of:    
U.S. government sponsored agencies$7,917  $292  $—  $8,209  
States and political subdivisions111,217  3,018  (131) 114,104  
Residential mortgage-backed securities787,430  7,763  (4,184) 791,009  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities18,135  88  (135) 18,088  
Bank-issued trust preferred securities4,696  137  (142) 4,691  
Total available-for-sale securities$929,395  $11,298  $(4,592) $936,101  
2018    
Obligations of:    
States and political subdivisions$88,358  $787  $(558) $88,587  
Residential mortgage-backed securities705,289  2,720  (15,401) 692,608  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities6,812  —  (105) 6,707  
Bank-issued trust preferred securities4,196  75  (282) 3,989  
Total available-for-sale securities$804,655  $3,582  $(16,346) $791,891  
The unrealized losses related to residential mortgage-backed securities at December 31, 2019 and 2018 were attributable to changes in market interest rates and spreads since the securities were purchased.
The gross gains and gross losses realized by Peoples from sales of available-for-sale securities for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)201920182017
Gross gains realized$252  $ $2,999  
Gross losses realized88  152  16  
Net gain (loss) realized$164  $(146) $2,983  
The cost of investment securities sold, and any resulting gain or loss, were based on the specific identification method and recognized as of the trade date.

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The following table presents a summary of available-for-sale investment securities that had an unrealized loss at December 31:
 Less than 12 Months12 Months or MoreTotal
(Dollars in thousands)
Fair
Value
Unrealized LossNo. of Securities
Fair
Value
Unrealized LossNo. of Securities
Fair
Value
Unrealized Loss
2019        
Obligations of:
States and political subdivisions  $6,226  $74   $2,441  $57   $8,667  $131  
Residential mortgage-backed securities
284,096  2,527  62  88,993  1,657  39  373,089  4,184  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
970  21   2,409  114   3,379  135  
Bank-issued trust preferred securities
—  —  —  1,858  142   1,858  142  
Total$291,292  $2,622  65  $95,701  $1,970  45  $386,993  $4,592  
2018            
Obligations of:
States and political subdivisions$10,173  $18  17  $19,918  $540  20  $30,091  $558  
Residential mortgage-backed securities
47,562  226  50  517,335  15,175  170  564,897  15,401  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
—  —  —  6,707  105   6,707  105  
Bank-issued trust preferred securities
—  —  —  1,718  282   1,718  282  
Total$57,735  $244  67  $545,678  $16,102  195  $603,413  $16,346  

Management systematically evaluates available-for-sale investment securities for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. At December 31, 2019, management concluded no individual securities were other-than-temporarily impaired since Peoples did not have the intent to sell, nor was it more likely than not that Peoples would be required to sell, any of the securities with an unrealized loss prior to recovery. Further, the unrealized losses at both December 31, 2019 and 2018 were largely attributable to changes in market interest rates and spreads since the securities were purchased. 
At December 31, 2019, approximately 99% of the fair value of mortgage-backed securities that had been at an unrealized loss position for twelve months or more were issued by U.S. government sponsored agencies. The remaining 1%, or two positions, consisted of privately issued mortgage-backed securities with all of the underlying mortgages originated prior to 2004. Both of these two positions had a fair value of less than 90% of their book value, with an aggregate book and fair value of $205,000 and $144,000, respectively. Management has analyzed the underlying credit quality of these securities and concluded the unrealized losses were primarily attributable to the floating rate nature of these investments and the low number of loans remaining in these securities.
The unrealized losses with respect to the two bank-issued trust preferred securities that had been in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or more at December 31, 2019 were primarily attributable to the subordinated nature of the debt.

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The table below presents the amortized cost, fair value and total weighted-average yield of available-for-sale securities by contractual maturity at December 31, 2019.  The weighted-average yields are based on the amortized cost and are computed on a fully taxable-equivalent basis using a statutory federal corporate income tax rate of 21%.  In some cases, the issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations without call or prepayment penalties prior to the contractual maturity date.  
(Dollars in thousands)Within 1 Year1 to 5 Years5 to 10 YearsOver 10 YearsTotal
Amortized cost     
Obligations of:     
U.S. government sponsored agencies$—  $1,993  $5,924  $—  $7,917  
States and political subdivisions4,303  24,842  43,699  38,373  111,217  
Residential mortgage-backed securities 1,860  77,441  708,128  787,430  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities2,372  11,267  982  3,514  18,135  
Bank-issued trust preferred securities—  —  4,696  —  4,696  
Total available-for-sale securities$6,676  $39,962  $132,742  $750,015  $929,395  
Fair value               
Obligations of:               
U.S. government sponsored agencies$—  $2,045  $6,164  $—  $8,209  
States and political subdivisions4,316  25,224  45,445  39,119  114,104  
Residential mortgage-backed securities 1,890  77,076  712,042  791,009  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities2,374  11,325  1,010  3,379  18,088  
Bank-issued trust preferred securities—  —  4,691  —  4,691  
Total available-for-sale securities$6,691  $40,484  $134,386  $754,540  $936,101  
Total weighted-average yield2.32 %2.63 %2.71 %2.67 %2.68 %
Held-to-Maturity
The following table summarizes Peoples’ held-to-maturity investment securities at December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)Amortized CostGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized LossesFair Value
2019    
Obligations of:    
States and political subdivisions$4,346  $445  $—  $4,791  
Residential mortgage-backed securities21,494  169  (94) 21,569  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities5,907  275  (1) 6,181  
Total held-to-maturity securities$31,747  $889  $(95) $32,541  
2018    
Obligations of:    
States and political subdivisions$4,403  $493  $—  $4,896  
Residential mortgage-backed securities29,044  191  (632) 28,603  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities3,514  —  (50) 3,464  
Total held-to-maturity securities$36,961  $684  $(682) $36,963  
There were no gross gains or gross losses realized by Peoples from sales of held-to-maturity securities for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.

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The following table presents a summary of held-to-maturity investment securities that had an unrealized loss at December 31:
 Less than 12 Months12 Months or MoreTotal
(Dollars in thousands)
Fair
Value
Unrealized LossNo. of Securities
Fair
Value
Unrealized LossNo. of Securities
Fair
Value
Unrealized Loss
2019        
Residential mortgage-backed securities
$7,731  $67   $890  $27   $8,621  $94  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
1,666    —  —  —  1,666   
Total$9,397  $68   $890  $27   $10,287  $95  
2018            
Residential mortgage-backed securities
$—  $—  —  $13,102  $632   $13,102  $632  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
—  —  —  3,464  50   3,464  50  
Total$—  $—  —  $16,566  $682   $16,566  $682  
The table below presents the amortized cost, fair value and total weighted-average yield of held-to-maturity securities by contractual maturity at December 31, 2019.  The weighted-average yields are based on the amortized cost and are computed on a fully taxable-equivalent basis using a statutory federal corporate income tax rate of 21%.  In some cases, the issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations without call or prepayment penalties prior to the contractual maturity date.
(Dollars in thousands)Within 1 Year1 to 5 Years5 to 10 YearsOver 10 YearsTotal
Amortized cost     
Obligations of:     
States and political subdivisions$302  $—  $3,543  $501  $4,346  
Residential mortgage-backed securities—  —  3,648  17,846  21,494  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities—  398  3,842  1,667  5,907  
Total held-to-maturity securities$302  $398  $11,033  $20,014  $31,747  
Fair value               
Obligations of:               
States and political subdivisions$303  $—  $3,986  $502  $4,791  
Residential mortgage-backed securities—  —  3,715  17,854  21,569  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities—  402  4,113  1,666  6,181  
Total held-to-maturity securities$303  $402  $11,814  $20,022  $32,541  
Total weighted-average yield2.61 %2.29 %2.79 %2.82 %2.80 %
Other Investment Securities
Peoples' other investment securities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist largely of shares of FHLB of Cincinnati and FRB of Cleveland stock, and other equity investment securities.
The following table summarizes the carrying value of Peoples' other investment securities at December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)20192018
FHLB stock$27,235  $29,367  
FRB stock13,310  12,294  
Nonqualified deferred compensation1,499  987  
Equity investment securities321  277  
Other investment securities365  60  
Total other investment securities$42,730  $42,985  
During 2019, Peoples redeemed $4.9 million of FHLB stock in order to be in compliance with the requirements of the FHLB of Cincinnati, and acquired $2.8 million of FHLB stock through the First Prestonsburg acquisition.
As of January 1, 2018, Peoples adopted ASU 2016-01, which requires changes in the fair value of equity investment securities to be recognized in net income. Prior to 2018, changes in the fair value of equity investment securities were recognized through accumulated other comprehensive income. During the year ended December 31, 2019, Peoples recorded the change in the fair value of equity investment securities held at December 31, 2019 in other non-interest income, resulting in unrealized gain of $44,000. During the year ended December 31, 2018, Peoples recorded the change in the fair value of equity investment securities held at

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December 31, 2018 in other non-interest income, resulting in unrealized gain of $619,000. Additionally, the adoption of ASU 2016-01 resulted in the reclassification of equity investment securities from available-for-sale investment securities to other investment securities. Consequently, as of January 1, 2018, net realized gains on the sale of equity investment securities are included in other non-interest income on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Net realized gains on sales of equity investment securities, included in other non-interest income during 2019, consisted of a realized gain of $787,000 related to the sale of restricted Class B Visa stock, which had been held at a carrying cost and fair value of zero due to the litigation liability associated with the stock. During 2018, there was a $413,000 realized loss on the sale of equity investment securities, included in other non-interest income.
At December 31, 2019, Peoples' investment in equity investment securities was comprised largely of common stocks issued by various unrelated bank holding companies. There were no equity investment securities of a single issuer that exceeded 10% of Peoples' stockholders' equity.
Pledged Securities
Peoples had pledged available-for-sale investment securities and held-to-maturity investment securities to secure public and trust department deposits, and Repurchase Agreements in accordance with federal and state requirements.  Peoples also pledged available-for-sale investment securities and held-to-maturity securities to secure additional borrowing capacity at the FHLB and the FRB.
The following table summarizes the carrying value of Peoples' pledged investment securities as of December 31:
Carrying Amount
(Dollars in thousands)20192018
Securing public and trust department deposits, and Repurchase Agreements:
Available-for-sale$527,655  $429,987  
Held-to-maturity12,975  16,928  
Securing additional borrowing capacity at the FHLB and the FRB:
Available-for-sale44,618  60,058  
Held-to-maturity14,155  16,731  

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Note 4 Loans

Peoples' loan portfolio consists of various types of loans originated primarily as a result of lending opportunities within Peoples' primary market areas of northeastern, central, southwestern and southeastern Ohio, and eastern and central Kentucky, and west central West Virginia. Acquired loans consist of loans purchased in 2012 or thereafter. Loans that were acquired and subsequently re-underwritten, are reported as originated upon execution of such credit actions (for example, renewals and increases in lines of credit). The major classifications of loan balances (in each case, net of deferred fees and costs), excluding loans held for sale, were as follows at December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)20192018
Originated loans:
Construction$83,283  $124,013  
Commercial real estate, other671,576  632,200  
    Commercial real estate754,859  756,213  
Commercial and industrial622,175  530,207  
Residential real estate314,935  296,860  
Home equity lines of credit93,013  93,326  
Consumer, indirect417,127  407,167  
Consumer, direct70,852  71,674  
   Consumer487,979  478,841  
Deposit account overdrafts878  583  
Total originated loans$2,273,839  $2,156,030  
Acquired loans:
Construction$5,235  $12,404  
Commercial real estate, other161,662  184,711  
    Commercial real estate166,897  197,115  
Commercial and industrial40,818  35,537  
Residential real estate346,541  296,937  
Home equity lines of credit39,691  40,653  
Consumer, indirect58  136  
Consumer, direct5,681  2,370  
   Consumer5,739  2,506  
Total acquired loans$599,686  $572,748  
Total loans$2,873,525  $2,728,778  
Peoples has acquired various loans through business combinations for which there was, at acquisition, evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination, and for which it was probable that all contractually required payments would not be collected. The carrying amounts of these purchased credit impaired loans included in the loan balances above are summarized as follows at December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)20192018
Commercial real estate$9,150  $11,955  
Commercial and industrial3,689  1,287  
Residential real estate23,814  20,062  
Consumer385  58  
Total outstanding balance$37,038  $33,362  
Net carrying amount$23,750  $22,475  

Changes in the accretable yield for purchased credit impaired loans during the year ended December 31 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)20192018
Balance, beginning of period$8,955  $6,704  
Reclassification from nonaccretable to accretable199  2,019  
Additions:
ASB—  2,047  
First Prestonsburg3,860  —  
Accretion(2,955) (1,815) 
Balance, December 31$10,059  $8,955  
The fair value of newly acquired loans is determined at the time of acquisition and Peoples completes annual re-estimations of cash flows on acquired purchased credit impaired loans in August of each year. At the end of each quarter, Peoples evaluates factors to determine if a material change has occurred in acquired purchased credit impaired loans, and if a re-estimation is needed. Factors evaluated to determine if a re-estimation is needed include changes in: risk ratings, maturity dates, charge-offs, payoffs, nonaccrual status, loans that have become past due and actual cash flows compared to the projected cash flows from the last re-estimation. Peoples evaluates these changes quarterly and compares the current status or activity to those at the previous cash flow re-estimation date, and the related materiality of the changes. As of December 31, 2019, these changes, when compared to the total loan portfolio and the factors at the last re-estimation date, would not have a material impact on amounts recorded since the last re-estimation. Peoples completed a re-estimation of cash flows on purchased credit impaired loans in August 2019, resulting in a reclassification from nonaccretable to accretable yield as shown in the table above.
Cash flows expected to be collected on purchased credit impaired loans are estimated by incorporating several key assumptions, similar to those used in the initial estimate of fair value. These key assumptions include probability of default, and the amount of actual prepayments after the acquisition date. Prepayments affect the estimated life of the loans and could change the amount of interest income and possibly the principal expected to be collected. In reforecasting future estimated cash flows, credit loss expectations are adjusted as necessary.
Pledged Loans
Peoples has pledged certain loans secured by one-to-four family and multifamily residential mortgages under a blanket collateral agreement to secure borrowings from the FHLB of Cincinnati. FHLB of Cincinnati also has a blanket collateral lien on home equity lines of credit totaling $132.7 million; however, none of these loans were pledged as of December 31, 2019. Peoples also has pledged commercial loans to secure borrowings with the FRB of Cleveland. Loans pledged are summarized as follows at December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)20192018
Loans pledged to FHLB of Cincinnati$458,227  $505,676  
Loans pledged to FRB of Cleveland172,693  180,909  
Related Party Loans
In the normal course of its business, Peoples Bank has granted loans to certain directors and officers of Peoples, including their affiliates, families and entities in which they are principal owners. At December 31, 2019, no related party loan was past due 90 or more days, renegotiated or on nonaccrual status. Activity in related party loans is presented in the table below. Other changes primarily consist of changes in related party status, and the addition and exit of directors during the year, as applicable.
(Dollars in thousands) 
Balance, December 31, 2018$16,789  
New loans and disbursements4,198  
Repayments(5,607) 
Balance, December 31, 2019$15,380  
Nonaccrual and Past Due Loans
A loan is considered past due if any required principal and interest payments have not been received as of the date such payments were required to be made under the terms of the loan agreement. A loan may be placed on nonaccrual status regardless of whether or not such loan is considered past due.
The recorded investments in loans on nonaccrual status and loans delinquent for 90 days or more and accruing were as follows at December 31:
Loans 90+ Days Past Due and Accruing
Nonaccrual Loans
(Dollars in thousands)2019201820192018
Originated loans:
Construction$—  $710  $—  $—  
Commercial real estate, other6,626  6,565  —  786  
    Commercial real estate6,626  7,275  —  786  
Commercial and industrial2,060  1,673  —  —  
Residential real estate4,365  4,105  755  398  
Home equity lines of credit458  596  51   
Consumer, indirect840  480  —  —  
Consumer, direct43  56  —  —  
   Consumer883  536  —  —  
Total originated loans$14,392  $14,185  $806  $1,191  
Acquired loans:
Construction$411  $—  $—  $—  
Commercial real estate, other175  319  907  15  
Commercial real estate586  319  907  15  
Commercial and industrial95  36  155  18  
Residential real estate1,996  1,921  1,922  1,032  
Home equity lines of credit707  637  57  —  
Consumer, direct —  85  —  
Total acquired loans$3,389  $2,913  $3,126  $1,065  
Total loans$17,781  $17,098  $3,932  $2,256  

The following tables present the aging of the recorded investment in past due loans at December 31:
Loans Past DueCurrentTotal
(Dollars in thousands)
30 59 days
60 89 days
90 + DaysTotal
2019
Originated loans:
Construction$—  $—  $—  $—  $83,283  $83,283  
Commercial real estate, other75  12  6,432  6,519  665,057  671,576  
    Commercial real estate75  12  6,432  6,519  748,340  754,859  
Commercial and industrial2,477  292  994  3,763  618,412  622,175  
Residential real estate4,487  1,231  3,104  8,822  306,113  314,935  
Home equity lines of credit396  267  405  1,068  91,945  93,013  
Consumer, indirect3,574  714  370  4,658  412,469  417,127  
Consumer, direct459  53  27  539  70,313  70,852  
   Consumer4,033  767  397  5,197  482,782  487,979  
Deposit account overdrafts—  —  —  —  878  878  
Total originated loans$11,468  $2,569  $11,332  $25,369  $2,248,470  $2,273,839  
Acquired loans:
Construction$ $—  $411  $416  $4,819  $5,235  
Commercial real estate, other301  325  1,069  1,695  159,967  161,662  
    Commercial real estate306  325  1,480  2,111  164,786  166,897  
Commercial and industrial303  20  250  573  40,245  40,818  
Residential real estate6,051  1,687  2,768  10,506  336,035  346,541  
Home equity lines of credit246  243  628  1,117  38,574  39,691  
Consumer, indirect—  —  —  —  58  58  
Consumer, other160  64  85  309  5,372  5,681  
   Consumer160  64  85  309  5,430  5,739  
Total acquired loans$7,066  $2,339  $5,211  $14,616  $585,070  $599,686  
Total loans$18,534  $4,908  $16,543  $39,985  $2,833,540  $2,873,525  


Loans Past DueCurrentTotal
(Dollars in thousands)
30 59 days
60 89 days
90 + DaysTotal
2018
Originated loans:
Construction$—  $—  $710  $710  $123,303  $124,013  
Commercial real estate, other12  736  7,151  7,899  624,301  632,200  
    Commercial real estate12  736  7,861  8,609  747,604  756,213  
Commercial and industrial1,678  3,520  1,297  6,495  523,712  530,207  
Residential real estate4,457  1,319  2,595  8,371  288,489  296,860  
Home equity lines of credit531  30  431  992  92,334  93,326  
Consumer, indirect3,266  488  165  3,919  403,248  407,167  
Consumer, direct308  50  42  400  71,274  71,674  
   Consumer3,574  538  207  4,319  474,522  478,841  
Deposit account overdrafts—  —  —  —  583  583  
Total originated loans$10,252  $6,143  $12,391  $28,786  $2,127,244  $2,156,030  
Acquired loans:
Construction$511  $—  $—  $511  $11,893  $12,404  
Commercial real estate, other523  457  233  1,213  183,498  184,711  
    Commercial real estate1,034  457  233  1,724  195,391  197,115  
Commercial and industrial111  13  18  142  35,395  35,537  
Residential real estate6,124  1,823  1,885  9,832  287,105  296,937  
Home equity lines of credit238  233  534  1,005  39,648  40,653  
Consumer, indirect—  —  —  —  136  136  
Consumer, direct23   —  29  2,341  2,370  
   Consumer23   —  29  2,477  2,506  
Total acquired loans$7,530  $2,532  $2,670  $12,732  $560,016  $572,748  
Total loans$17,782  $8,675  $15,061  $41,518  $2,687,260  $2,728,778  
Delinquency trends remained stable as 98.6% of Peoples' portfolio was considered "current" at December 31, 2019, compared to 98.5% at December 31, 2018.
Credit Quality Indicators
As discussed in "Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," Peoples categorizes the majority of its loans into risk categories based upon an established risk grading matrix using a scale of 1 to 8. A description of the general characteristics of the risk grades used by Peoples follows:
"Pass" (grades 1 through 4): Loans in this risk category are to borrowers of acceptable-to-strong credit quality and risk who have the apparent ability to satisfy their loan obligations. Loans in this risk category would possess sufficient mitigating factors, such as adequate collateral or strong guarantors possessing the capacity to repay the loans if required, for any weakness that may exist.
"Special Mention" (grade 5): Loans in this risk category are the equivalent of the regulatory "Other Assets Especially Mentioned" classification. Loans in this risk category possess some credit deficiency or potential weakness, which requires a high level of management attention. Potential weaknesses include declining trends in operating earnings and cash flows and/or reliance on the secondary source of repayment. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in noticeable deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loans or in Peoples' credit position.
"Substandard" (grade 6): Loans in this risk category are inadequately protected by the borrower's current financial condition and payment capability, or by the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have one or more well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize the orderly repayment of the loans. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that Peoples will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.
"Doubtful" (grade 7): Loans in this risk category have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or orderly repayment in full, on the basis of current existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable. Possibility of loss is extremely high, but because of certain
important and reasonably specific factors that may work to the advantage and strengthening of the exposure, classification of these loans as an estimate loss is deferred until their more exact status may be determined.
"Loss" (grade 8): Loans in this risk category are considered to be non-collectible and of such little value that their continuance as bankable assets is not warranted. This does not mean each such loan has absolutely no recovery value, but rather it is neither practical nor desirable to defer writing off the loan, even though partial recovery may be obtained in the future. Charge-offs against the allowance for loan losses are taken in the period in which the loan becomes uncollectable. Consequently, Peoples typically does not maintain a recorded investment in loans within this risk category.
Consumer loans and other smaller-balance loans are evaluated and categorized as "substandard," "doubtful" or "loss" based upon the regulatory definition of these classes and consistent with regulatory requirements. All other loans not evaluated individually, nor meeting the regulatory conditions to be categorized as described above, would be considered as being "not rated."
The following tables summarize the risk category of Peoples' loan portfolio based upon the most recent analysis performed at December 31:
Pass RatedSpecial MentionSubstandardDoubtful
Not
Rated
Total
(Dollars in thousands)
(Grades 1 4)
(Grade 5)(Grade 6)(Grade 7)
2019
Originated loans:
Construction$81,771  $—  $—  $—  $1,512  $83,283  
Commercial real estate, other640,745  12,130  18,694   —  671,576  
    Commercial real estate722,516  12,130  18,694   1,512  754,859  
Commercial and industrial601,578  7,821  12,776  —  —  622,175  
Residential real estate17,713  916  15,488  159  280,659  314,935  
Home equity lines of credit1,348  —  —  —  91,665  93,013  
Consumer, indirect—  —  —  —  417,127  417,127  
Consumer, direct26  —  —  —  70,826  70,852  
   Consumer26  —  —  —  487,953  487,979  
Deposit account overdrafts—  —  —  —  878  878  
Total originated loans$1,343,181  $20,867  $46,958  $166  $862,667  $2,273,839  


Pass RatedSpecial MentionSubstandardDoubtful
Not
Rated
Total
(Dollars in thousands)
(Grades 1 4)
(Grade 5)(Grade 6)(Grade 7)
2019
Acquired loans:
Construction$3,578  $150  $1,507  $—  $—  $5,235  
Commercial real estate, other146,973  5,442  9,164  83  —  161,662  
    Commercial real estate150,551  5,592  10,671  83  —  166,897  
Commercial and industrial35,508  1,595  3,715  —  —  40,818  
Residential real estate32,193  2,468  4,436  125  307,319  346,541  
Home equity lines of credit1,812  154  —  —  37,725  39,691  
Consumer, indirect—  —  —  —  58  58  
Consumer, direct26  —  —  —  5,655  5,681  
   Consumer26  —  —  —  5,713  5,739  
Total acquired loans$220,090  $9,809  $18,822  $208  $350,757  $599,686  
Total loans$1,563,271  $30,676  $65,780  $374  $1,213,424  $2,873,525  
2018
Originated loans:
Construction$121,457  $—  $1,472  $—  $1,084  $124,013  
Commercial real estate, other612,099  10,898  9,203  —  —  632,200  
    Commercial real estate733,556  10,898  10,675  —  1,084  756,213  
Commercial and industrial476,290  45,990  7,692  —  235  530,207  
Residential real estate14,229  500  11,971  409  269,751  296,860  
Home equity lines of credit453  —  —  —  92,873  93,326  
Consumer, indirect —  —  —  407,159  407,167  
Consumer, direct30  —  —  —  71,644  71,674  
   Consumer38  —  —  —  478,803  478,841  
Deposit account overdrafts—  —  —  —  583  583  
Total originated loans$1,224,566  $57,388  $30,338  $409  $843,329  $2,156,030  
Acquired loans:
Construction$8,976  $1,795  $1,633  $—  $—  $12,404  
Commercial real estate, other169,260  7,241  8,114  96  —  184,711  
    Commercial real estate178,236  9,036  9,747  96  —  197,115  
Commercial and industrial32,471  2,008  1,058  —  —  35,537  
Residential real estate17,370  1,938  2,033  137  275,459  296,937  
Home equity lines of credit33  —  —  —  40,620  40,653  
Consumer, indirect —  —  —  132  136  
Consumer, direct31  —  —  —  2,339  2,370  
   Consumer35  —  —  —  2,471  2,506  
Total acquired loans$228,145  $12,982  $12,838  $233  $318,550  $572,748  
Total loans$1,452,711  $70,370  $43,176  $642  $1,161,879  $2,728,778  
During 2019, Peoples' classified loans, which are loans categorized as substandard or doubtful, increased compared to the balances at December 31, 2018 mostly due three large originated commercial loans being downgraded during 2019 to substandard, coupled with an increase in acquired loans related to the First Prestonsburg acquisition.
At December 31, 2019, Peoples had a total of $1.9 million of loans secured by residential real estate mortgages that were in the process of foreclosure compared to $1.8 million at December 31, 2018.

Impaired Loans
The following table summarizes loans classified as impaired at December 31:
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
Recorded Investment
Total
Recorded Investment
Average
Recorded
Investment
Interest
Income
Recognized
WithWithout
Related
Allowance
(Dollars in thousands)AllowanceAllowance
2019
Construction$1,509  $—  $1,423  $1,423  $—  $1,297  $44  
Commercial real estate, other14,519  4,754  8,829  13,583  430  13,210  475  
    Commercial real estate16,028  4,754  10,252  15,006  430  14,507  519  
Commercial and industrial6,018  2,294  2,829  5,123  698  3,205  160  
Residential real estate26,581  123  24,566  24,689  15  23,370  1,436  
Home equity lines of credit1,583  414  1,170  1,584   1,384  92  
Consumer, indirect767  298  494  792  53  359  33  
Consumer, direct387  55  329  384   200  21  
   Consumer1,154  353  823  1,176  60  559  54  
Total$51,364  $7,938  $39,640  $47,578  $1,212  $43,025  $2,261  
2018
Construction$2,376  $—  $2,376  2,376  $—  $1,732  $74  
Commercial real estate, other15,464  274  14,946  15,220  119  14,043  455  
    Commercial real estate17,840  274  17,322  17,596  119  15,775  529  
Commercial and industrial3,305  790  2,436  3,226  157  2,423  72  
Residential real estate25,990  644  24,034  24,678  154  22,769  1,134  
Home equity lines of credit2,291  424  1,869  2,293  73  1,832  109  
Consumer, indirect496  —  503  503  —  278  15  
Consumer, direct79  22  57  79   63  20  
   Consumer575  22  560  582   341  35  
Total$50,001  $2,154  $46,221  $48,375  $509  $43,140  $1,879  
Peoples' loans classified as impaired and shown in the table above, included loans that were classified as TDRs.


The following table summarizes the loans that were modified as TDRs during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Recorded Investment (1)
(Dollars in thousands)Number of ContractsPre-ModificationPost-ModificationRemaining Recorded Investment
2019
Originated loans:
Commercial and industrial $38  $38  $32  
Residential real estate 437  440  431  
Home equity lines of credit 139  139  136  
Consumer, indirect17  260  260  234  
Consumer, direct 52  52  45  
   Consumer20  312  312  279  
Total29  $926  $929  $878  
Acquired loans:
Commercial real estate $101  $76  $76  
Commercial and industrial 1,557  1,557  1,464  
Residential real estate38  2,069  2,069  1,967  
Home equity lines of credit 172  173  164  
Consumer, direct10  124  124  114  
Total64  $4,023  $3,999  $3,785  
2018
Originated loans:
Commercial and industrial $714  $714  $714  
Residential real estate 904  904  899  
Home equity lines of credit 666  666  660  
Consumer, indirect27  485  485  412  
Consumer, direct 32  32  29  
   Consumer32  517  517  441  
Total50  $2,801  $2,801  $2,714  
Acquired loans:
Construction $50  $50  $45  
Residential real estate15  1,258  1,258  1,226  
Home equity lines of credit 196  196  193  
Total22  $1,504  $1,504  $1,464  
(1) The amounts shown are inclusive of all partial paydowns and charge-offs. Loans modified in a TDR that were fully paid down, charged-off or foreclosed upon by period end are not reported.


The following table presents those loans modified into a TDR during the year that subsequently defaulted (i.e., 90 days or more past due following a modification during 2018. There were no loans modified into a TDR during the year ended December 31, 2019.
2018
(Dollars in thousands)Number of ContractsRecorded Investment (1)Impact on the Allowance for Loan Losses
Originated loans:
Residential real estate $56  $—  
Home equity lines of credit 32  —  
Total $88  $—  
Acquired loans:
Home equity lines of credit $10  $—  
Total $10  $—  
(1) The amounts shown are inclusive of all partial paydowns and charge-offs. Loans modified in a TDR that were fully paid down, charged-off or foreclosed upon by period end are not reported.
Peoples had no commitments to lend additional funds to the related borrowers whose loan terms have been modified in a TDR.
Allowance for Loan Losses
Changes in the allowance for loan losses in the periods ended December 31 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)Commercial Real EstateCommercial and IndustrialResidential Real EstateHome Equity Lines of CreditConsumer, indirectConsumer, directDeposit Account OverdraftsTotal
Balance, January 1, 2019$8,003  $6,178  $1,214  $618  $3,214  $351  $81  $19,659  
Charge-offs(153) (1,062) (312) (55) (1,829) (211) (851) (4,473) 
Recoveries151  2,415  229  11  270  52  205  3,333  
Net (charge-offs) recoveries(2) 1,353  (83) (44) (1,559) (159) (646) (1,140) 
(Recovery of) provision for loan losses(668) 901  60  (28) 1,282  102  659  2,308  
Balance, December 31, 2019$7,333  $8,432  $1,191  $546  $2,937  $294  $94  $20,827  
Balance, January 1, 2018$7,797  $5,813  $904  $693  $2,944  $464  $70  $18,685  
Charge-offs(849) (38) (355) (107) (2,515) (358) (965) (5,187) 
Recoveries60  18  232  14  474  140  205  1,143  
Net charge-offs(789) (20) (123) (93) (2,041) (218) (760) (4,044) 
Provision for loan losses995  385  433  18  2,311  105  771  5,018  
Balance, December 31, 2018$8,003  $6,178  $1,214  $618  $3,214  $351  $81  $19,659  
The increase in total allowance for loan losses in 2019 was primarily due to total loan growth of 5%, or $144.7 million, driven by growth in commercial and industrial loan balances, partially offset by a reduction in commercial real estate loan balances.
The following table details the recorded investment and allowance for originated loan losses disaggregated based on impairment method:
(Dollars in thousands)Commercial Real EstateCommercial and IndustrialResidential Real EstateHome Equity Lines of CreditConsumer IndirectConsumer DirectDeposit Account OverdraftsTotal
2019
Allowance for loan losses allocated to:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
$430  $698  $15  $ $53  $ $—  $1,212  
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
6,903  7,734  1,176  537  2,884  287  94  19,615  
Ending balance$7,333  $8,432  $1,191  $546  $2,937  $294  $94  $20,827  
Recorded investment in:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
$15,006  $5,123  $24,689  $1,584  $792  $384  $—  $47,578  
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
739,853  617,052  290,246  91,429  416,335  70,468  878  2,226,261  
Ending balance$754,859  $622,175  $314,935  $93,013  $417,127  $70,852  $878  $2,273,839  
2018
Allowance for loan losses allocated to:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
$119  $157  $154  $73  $—  $ $—  $509  
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
7,884  6,021  1,060  545  3,214  345  81  19,150  
Ending balance$8,003  $6,178  $1,214  $618  $3,214  $351  $81  $19,659  
Recorded investment in:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
$17,596  $3,226  $24,678  $2,293  $503  $79  $—  $48,375  
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
738,617  526,981  272,182  91,033  406,664  71,595  583  2,107,655  
Ending balance$756,213  $530,207  $296,860  $93,326  $407,167  $71,674  $583  $2,156,030  
Allowance for Acquired Loan Losses
Acquired loans are recorded at their fair value as of the acquisition date with no valuation allowance, and monitored for changes in credit quality and subsequent increases or decreases in expected cash flows. Decreases in expected cash flows of acquired purchased credit impaired loans are recognized as an impairment, with the amount of the expected loss included in management's evaluation of the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses. The methods utilized to estimate the required allowance for loan losses for nonimpaired acquired loans are similar to those utilized for originated loans; however, Peoples records a provision for loan losses only when the computed allowance for loan losses exceeds the remaining fair value adjustment.
The following table presents activity in the allowance for loan losses for acquired loans as of December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)20192018
Nonimpaired loans:
Balance, January 1$383  $—  
Charge-offs(3) —  
Provision for loan losses215  383  
Balance, December 31$595  $383  
Purchased credit impaired loans:
Balance, January 1$153  $108  
Charge-offs—  (2) 
(Recovery of) provision for loan losses(19) 47  
Balance, December 31$134  $153  
During 2019, Peoples recorded an additional provision for loan losses for nonimpaired loans of $215,000 related to prior acquisitions. During 2018, Peoples recorded provision for loan losses of $383,000 for nonimpaired loans. The additional provision was primarily the result of the ASB acquisition. The remaining fair value adjustment recorded for the nonimpaired loans acquired from ASB was not sufficient based on the calculation of the allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2018.
Note 5 Bank Premises and Equipment

The major categories of bank premises and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, at December 31 are summarized as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)20192018
Land$15,317  $13,776  
Building and premises73,097  68,245  
Furniture, fixtures and equipment30,268  28,523  
Total bank premises and equipment118,682  110,544  
Accumulated depreciation(56,836) (54,002) 
Net book value$61,846  $56,542  
Peoples depreciates its building and premises, and furniture, fixtures and equipment over estimated useful lives generally ranging from five to forty years and two to ten years, respectively.  Depreciation expense was $5.7 million in 2019 and $4.9 million in each of 2018 and 2017.
Leases
Peoples leases certain banking facilities and equipment under various agreements with original terms providing for fixed monthly payments over periods generally ranging from two to thirty years.  Certain leases may include options to extend or terminate the lease. Only those renewal and termination options which Peoples is reasonably certain of exercising are included in the calculation of the lease liability. Certain leases contain rent escalation clauses calling for rent increases over the term of the lease, which are included in the calculation of the lease liability.  Short-term leases of certain facilities and equipment, with lease terms of 12 months or less, are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. At December 31, 2019, Peoples did not have any finance leases or any significant lessor agreements. Right of Use ("ROU") assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent an obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement or remeasurement date of a lease based on the present value of lease payments over the remaining lease term. Operating lease ROU assets include lease payments made at or before the commencement date and initial indirect costs. Operating lease ROU assets exclude lease incentives.
Peoples elected certain practical expedients, in accordance with the adoption of ASC 842. Peoples elected to recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings on January 1, 2019 for the implementation of ASU 2016-02. Peoples also made an accounting policy election to account for each separate lease component of a contract and its associated non-lease components as a single lease component for all leases subject to ASC 842.
The table below details Peoples' lease expense, which is included in net occupancy and equipment expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income:
(Dollars in thousands)2019
Operating lease expense$1,227  
Short-term lease expense137  
Total lease expense$1,364  
Peoples utilizes an incremental borrowing rate to determine the present value of lease payments for each lease, as the lease agreements do not provide an implicit rate. The estimated incremental borrowing rate reflects a secured rate and is based on the term of the lease and the interest rate environment at the lease commencement or remeasurement date.

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The following table details the ROU asset, the lease liability and other information related to Peoples' operating leases:
(Dollars in thousands)December 31, 2019
Right-of-use asset:
Other assets$7,606  
Lease liability:
Accrued expenses and other liabilities$7,813  
Other information:
Weighted-average remaining lease term12.4 years
Weighted-average discount rate3.16 %
Cash paid during the year for operating leases$1,172  
Additions for right-of-use assets obtained during the year ended$3,701  
The following table summarizes the future lease payments of operating leases:
(Dollars in thousands)Payments
Year ending December 31, 2020
$1,237  
Year ending December 31, 20211,137  
Year ending December 31, 20221,067  
Year ending December 31, 2023882  
Year ending December 31, 2024629  
Thereafter4,750  
Total undiscounted lease payments$9,702  
Imputed Interest(1,889) 
Total lease liability$7,813  

Note 6 Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The following table details changes in the recorded amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)20192018
Goodwill, beginning of year$151,245  $133,111  
Goodwill recorded from acquisitions14,456  18,134  
Goodwill, end of year$165,701  $151,245  
Peoples performed the required annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2019, and concluded there was no impairment in the recorded value of goodwill as of December 31, 2019, based upon the estimated fair value of the single reporting unit. Peoples elected to perform the quantitative impairment test to corroborate the findings of its qualitative analysis. During the annual goodwill impairment test, Peoples assessed qualitative factors, including relevant events and circumstances, in addition to completing the quantitative assessment, and determined that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded the carrying value.
On April 12, 2019, Peoples completed its acquisition of First Prestonsburg, for which Peoples recorded $14.5 million of goodwill. On April 13, 2018, Peoples completed its acquisition of ASB, for which Peoples recorded $18.1 million of goodwill. For additional information on the First Prestonsburg acquisition, refer to "Note 19 Acquisitions."

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Other intangible assets
Other intangible assets were comprised of the following at December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)Core DepositsCustomer RelationshipsTotal
2019
Gross intangibles$17,999  $7,480  $25,479  
Intangibles recorded from acquisitions4,234  —  4,234  
Accumulated amortization(15,120) (5,533) (20,653) 
Total acquisition-related intangibles$7,113  $1,947  $9,060  
Servicing rights2,742  
Total other intangibles$11,802  
2018
Gross intangibles$15,636  $7,480  $23,116  
Intangibles recorded from acquisitions2,363  —  2,363  
Accumulated amortization(12,540) (4,754) (17,294) 
Total acquisition-related intangibles$5,459  $2,726  $8,185  
Servicing rights2,655  
Total other intangibles$10,840  
Peoples performed other intangible assets impairment testing as of October 1, 2019 and concluded there was no impairment in the recorded value of other intangible assets as of December 31, 2019, based upon estimated fair value. During the annual other intangible assets impairment test, Peoples assessed qualitative factors, including relevant events and circumstances, to determine that it was more likely than not that the fair value of other intangible assets exceeded the carrying value.
Other intangible assets recorded from the First Prestonsburg acquisition in 2019 were $4.2 million of core deposit intangible assets. Refer to "Note 19 Acquisitions" for additional information. As a result of the ASB acquisition, Peoples recorded other intangible assets of $2.6 million in 2018, which included $2.4 million in core deposit intangible assets and $276,000 in servicing rights.
The following table details estimated aggregate future amortization of other intangible assets at December 31, 2019:
(Dollars in thousands)Core DepositsCustomer RelationshipsTotal
2020$2,178  $629  $2,807  
20211,568  470  2,038  
20221,011  318  1,329  
2023727  217  944  
2024587  149  736  
Thereafter1,042  164  1,206  
Total$7,113  $1,947  $9,060  
The weighted average amortization period of other intangibles is 7.6 years.
The following is an analysis of activity of servicing rights for the years ended December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)201920182017
Balance, beginning of year$2,655  $2,305  $2,305  
Amortization(871) (1,155) (663) 
Servicing rights originated958  1,229  663  
Servicing rights acquired—  276  —  
Balance, end of year$2,742  $2,655  $2,305  
No valuation allowances were required at December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 for Peoples’ servicing rights since, at each date, the fair value equaled or exceeded the book value.
The fair value of servicing rights was $3.9 million and $4.6 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Fair value at December 31, 2019 was determined using discount rates ranging from 9.8% to 12.3%, and prepayment speeds ranging from 8.9% to 12.8%, depending on the stratification of the specific right, utilizing state delinquency to calculate the default rate. Fair value at

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December 31, 2018 was determined using discount rates ranging from 10.5% to 13.0%, and prepayment speeds ranging from 8.7% to 11.6%.
Note 7 Deposits

Peoples’ deposit balances were comprised of the following at December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)20192018
Retail CDs:  
$100,000 or more$242,476  $182,717  
Less than $100,000248,354  211,618  
Retail CDs490,830  394,335  
Interest-bearing deposit accounts635,720  573,702  
Savings accounts521,914  468,500  
Money market deposit accounts469,893  379,878  
Governmental deposit accounts293,908  267,319  
Brokered CDs207,939  263,854  
Total interest-bearing deposits2,620,204  2,347,588  
Non-interest-bearing deposits671,208  607,877  
Total deposits$3,291,412  $2,955,465  

Time deposits that meet or exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") limit of $250 thousand were $100.8 million and $81.6 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
The contractual maturities of CDs for each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)RetailBrokeredTotal
2020$275,443  $197,905  $473,348  
202188,596  5,413  94,009  
202269,216  4,136  73,352  
202324,270  485  24,755  
202433,275  —  33,275  
Thereafter30  —  30  
Total CDs$490,830  $207,939  $698,769  
Deposits from related parties were $11.5 million and $11.3 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
As of December 31, 2019, Peoples had seventeen effective interest rate swaps, with an aggregate notional value of $160.0 million, $50.0 million of which were funded by 90-day brokered CDs, which are expected to be extended every 90 days through the maturity dates of the swaps. Additional information regarding Peoples' interest rate swaps can be found in "Note 14 Derivative Financial Instruments."

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Note 8 Short-Term Borrowings

Peoples utilizes various short-term borrowings as sources of funds, which are summarized as follows at December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)Retail Repurchase Agreements
FHLB
Advances
National Market Repurchase AgreementsOther (a)
2019  
Ending balance$42,968  $274,009  $—  $—  
Average balance46,686  197,987  —  126  
Highest month-end balance49,081  274,009  —  2,200  
Interest expense$266  $4,455  $—  $—  
Weighted-average interest rate:  
End of year0.37 %1.74 %— %— %
During the year0.57 %2.25 %— %NM  
2018  
Ending balance$51,202  $305,000  $—  $(4) 
Average balance64,519  219,897  14,329  301  
Highest month-end balance72,822  307,561  30,000  1,553  
Interest expense$194  $4,494  $527  $23  
Weighted-average interest rate:  
End of year0.48 %2.32 %— %— %
During the year0.30 %2.04 %3.68 %NM  
2017  
Ending balance$76,899  $92,592  $40,000  $—  
Average balance75,344  100,205  6,685  13  
Highest month-end balance80,649  208,000  40,000  —  
Interest expense$128  $1,160  $246  $—  
Weighted-average interest rate:  
End of year0.17 %1.91 %3.68 %— %
During the year0.17 %1.16 %3.68 %1.30 %
(a) NM = not meaningful.
Peoples’ retail Repurchase Agreements consist of overnight agreements with Peoples’ commercial customers and serve as a cash management tool.
The FHLB advances consist of overnight borrowings, 90-day advances used to fund interest rate swaps, other advances with an original maturity of one year or less, and the current portion of long-term advances due in less than one year. These advances, along with the long-term advances disclosed in "Note 9 Long-Term Borrowings," are collateralized by residential mortgage loans and investment securities. Peoples’ borrowing capacity with the FHLB is based on the amount of collateral pledged and the amount of FHLB common stock owned. Peoples reclassified $23.2 million and $30.0 million of FHLB advances from long-term borrowings to short-term borrowings in 2019 and 2018, respectively, due to maturity dates of less than one year. Peoples' FHLB advances of $42.2 million and $79.1 million matured in 2019 and 2018, respectively.
As of December 31, 2019, Peoples had seventeen effective interest rate swaps, with an aggregate notional value of $160.0 million, $110.0 million of which were funded by FHLB 90-day advances, which are expected to be extended every 90 days through the maturity dates of the swaps. Additional information regarding Peoples' interest rate swaps can be found in "Note 14 Derivative Financial Instruments."
Peoples' national market Repurchase Agreements consisted of agreements with unrelated financial service companies. All $40.0 million of national market Repurchase Agreements matured in 2018.
Other short-term borrowings consisted primarily of federal funds purchased and advances from the Federal Reserve Discount Window. Federal funds purchased are short-term borrowings from correspondent banks that typically mature within one to ninety days. Interest on federal funds purchased is set daily by the correspondent bank based on prevailing market rates. The Federal Reserve Discount Window provides credit facilities to financial institutions, which are designed to ensure adequate liquidity by providing a source of short-term funds. Federal Reserve Discount Window advances are typically overnight and must be secured by

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collateral acceptable to the FRB.  At December 31, 2019, Peoples had available Federal Reserve Discount Window credit of $86.8 million. Other short-term borrowings at December 31, 2018 and 2017 also included the unamortized debt issuance costs related to the costs associated with the Credit Agreement (the "RJB Credit Agreement") with Raymond James Bank, N.A. which was terminated effective April 3, 2019. For further information on the RJB Credit Agreement, refer to "Note 9 Long-Term Borrowings."
As of April 3, 2019, Peoples entered into a Loan Agreement (the “U.S. Bank Loan Agreement”) with U.S. Bank National Association. The U.S. Bank Loan Agreement has a one-year term and provides Peoples with a revolving line of credit in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $20.0 million that may be used: (i) for working capital purposes; (ii) to finance dividends or other distributions (other than stock dividends and stock splits) on or in respect of Peoples’ capital stock and redemptions, repurchases or other acquisitions of any of Peoples’ capital stock permitted under the U.S. Bank Loan Agreement and (iii) to finance acquisitions permitted under the U.S. Bank Loan Agreement.
The U.S. Bank Loan Agreement is unsecured. However, the U.S. Bank Loan Agreement contains negative covenants which preclude Peoples from: (i) taking any action which could, directly or indirectly, decrease Peoples' ownership (alone or together with any of Peoples' subsidiaries) interest in Peoples Bank (Peoples' Ohio state-chartered subsidiary bank) or any of Peoples Bank's subsidiaries to a level below the percentage of equity interests held as of April 3, 2019; (ii) taking any action to or allowing Peoples Bank or any of Peoples Bank's subsidiaries to take any action to directly or indirectly create, assume, incur, suffer or permit to exist any pledge, encumbrance, security interest, assignment, lien or charge of any kind or character on the equity interests of Peoples Bank or any of Peoples Bank's subsidiaries; or (iii) taking any action to or allow Peoples Bank or any of Peoples Bank's subsidiaries to sell, transfer, issue, reissue or exchange, or grant any option with respect to, any equity interest of Peoples Bank or any of Peoples Bank's subsidiaries. There are also negative covenants limiting the actions which may be taken with respect to the authorization or issuance of additional shares of any class of equity interests of Peoples Bank or any of Peoples Bank's subsidiaries or the grant to any person other than U.S. Bank of any proxy for existing equity interests of Peoples Bank or any of Peoples Bank's subsidiaries.
The U.S. Bank Loan Agreement contains affirmative and negative covenants, which are usual and customary for comparable transactions, applicable to Peoples and its subsidiaries including limitations on the ability to incur additional indebtedness, create liens on property, enter into mergers or consolidations, sell property other than in the ordinary course of business, and make investments, all subject to permitted exceptions as more fully set forth in the U.S. Bank Loan Agreement. The U.S. Bank Loan Agreement also precludes Peoples from: (i) taking any action which would result in Peoples Bank no longer being a wholly-owned subsidiary of Peoples; and (ii) declaring and making dividends or stock repurchases if an Event of Default (as defined in the U.S. Bank Loan Agreement) has occurred and is continuing under the U.S. Bank Loan Agreement.
Peoples and Peoples Bank are also required to satisfy certain financial covenants including:
(i) Peoples (on a consolidated basis) and Peoples Bank must be "well capitalized" at all times, as defined and determined by the applicable governmental authority having jurisdiction over Peoples or Peoples Bank;
(ii) Peoples (on a consolidated basis) must maintain a total risk-based capital ratio (as defined by the applicable governmental authority having regulatory authority over Peoples or Peoples Bank) of at least 12.0% at all times;
(iii) Peoples (on a consolidated basis) must maintain a ratio of "Non-Performing Assets" to "Primary Capital" of not more than 15% as of the last day of each fiscal quarter;
(iv) Peoples (on a consolidated basis) must maintain a ratio of "Return on Average Assets" of at least 1.0% as of the end of each fiscal quarter, with the items used in this ratio being determined on a trailing four-fiscal quarter basis.
As of December 31, 2019, Peoples was in compliance with the applicable covenants imposed by the U.S. Bank Loan Agreement. The U.S. Bank Loan Agreement matures on April 2, 2020. Peoples is in the process of renewing this facility and expects that it will be renewed prior to its expiration.
Note 9 Long-Term Borrowings

Long-term borrowings consisted of the following at December 31:
 20192018
(Dollars in thousands)Balance
Weighted-
Average
Rate
Balance
Weighted-
Average
Rate
FHLB putable, non-amortizing, fixed rate advances$65,000  2.18 %$85,000  2.05 %
FHLB amortizing, fixed rate advances10,672  1.74 %17,361  2.09 %
Junior subordinated debt securities7,451  6.55 %7,283  7.83 %
Long-term borrowings$83,123  2.51 %$109,644  2.44 %

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The FHLB putable, non-amortizing, fixed rate advances have maturities ranging from one to seven years that may be repaid prior to maturity, subject to the payment of termination fees. The FHLB has the option, at its sole discretion, to terminate each advance after the initial fixed rate period of three months, requiring full repayment of the advance by Peoples, prior to the stated maturity. If an advance is terminated prior to maturity, the FHLB will offer Peoples replacement funding at the then-prevailing rate on an advance product then offered by the FHLB, subject to normal FHLB credit and collateral requirements. These advances require monthly interest payments, with no repayment of principal until the earlier of either an option to terminate being exercised by the FHLB or the stated maturity.
The FHLB amortizing, fixed rate advances have a fixed rate for the term of each advance, with maturities ranging from six to eleven years. These advances require monthly principal and interest payments, with some having a constant prepayment rate requiring an additional principal payment annually. These advances are not eligible for optional prepayment prior to maturity. Long-term FHLB advances are collateralized by assets owned by Peoples.
Peoples continually evaluates its overall balance sheet position given the interest rate environment. During 2019, Peoples borrowed no additional long-term advances from the FHLB. At December 31, 2019, outstanding long-term FHLB non-amortizing advances, which have interest rates ranging from 1.40% to 3.20%, mature between 2021 and 2027. During 2019, $20.0 million of long-term FHLB non-amortizing advances and $3.2 million long-term FHLB amortizing advances were reclassified to short-term borrowings as the time to maturity became less than one year.
During 2018, Peoples borrowed no additional long-term advances from the FHLB. At December 31, 2018, then outstanding long-term FHLB non-amortizing advances, which had interest rates ranging from 1.26% to 2.17%, were to mature between 2020 and 2027. During 2018, $30.0 million of long-term FHLB non-amortizing advances were reclassified to short-term borrowings as the time to maturity became less than one year.
Effective April 3, 2019, Peoples terminated the Credit Agreement, dated as of March 4, 2016, between Peoples, as Borrower, and Raymond James Bank, N.A., as Lender (the "RJB Credit Agreement"), which represented a revolving line of credit in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $15.0 million. Peoples replaced the RJB Credit Agreement with a short-term revolving line of credit with U.S. Bank National Association. For further information on the U.S. Bank Loan Agreement, refer to "Note 8 Short-Term Borrowings."
On March 6, 2015, Peoples completed its acquisition of NB&T Financial Group, Inc. ("NB&T"), which included the assumption of Fixed/Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Debt Securities due in 2037 (the "junior subordinated debt securities") at an acquisition-date fair value of $6.6 million, held in a wholly-owned statutory trust whose common securities were wholly-owned by NB&T. The sole assets of the statutory trust are the junior subordinated debt securities and related payments. The junior subordinated debt securities and the back-up obligations, in the aggregate, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee of the obligations of the statutory trust under the Capital Securities held by third-party investors. Distributions on the Capital Securities are payable at the annual rate of 1.50% over the 3-month LIBOR rate. Distributions on the Capital Securities are included in interest expense in the Consolidated Financial Statements. These securities are considered tier I capital (with certain limitations applicable) under current regulatory guidelines. The junior subordinated debt securities are subject to mandatory redemption, in whole or in part, upon repayment of the Capital Securities at maturity or their earlier redemption at the liquidation amount. Subject to prior approval of the FRB, the Capital Securities are redeemable prior to the maturity date of September 6, 2037, and are redeemable at par. Since September 6, 2012, the Capital Securities have been redeemable at par, subject to such approval. Distributions on the Capital Securities can be deferred from time to time for a period not to exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods.
At December 31, 2019, the aggregate minimum annual retirements of long-term borrowings in future periods were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)BalanceWeighted-Average Rate (a)
2020$2,555  1.42 %
202121,979  1.75 %
202216,521  1.97 %
20231,157  1.27 %
2024869  1.19 %
Thereafter40,042  2.86 %
Total long-term borrowings$83,123  2.31 %
(a) The weighted-average rate includes the impact of accreting the current book value of the junior subordinated debt securities to face value over the period. The weighted-average rates for the FHLB advances are 1.71% in 2020, 1.78% in 2021, 2.00% in 2022, 1.73% in 2023, 1.74% in 2024, and 2.47% thereafter.

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Note 10 Stockholders’ Equity 

The following table details the activity in Peoples’ common stock and treasury stock during the years ended December 31: 
 Common Stock
Treasury
Stock
Shares at December 31, 201618,939,091  795,758  
Changes related to stock-based compensation awards:      
Grant of restricted common shares—  (68,707) 
Release of restricted common shares—  10,452  
Cancellation of restricted common shares(3,554) 5,050  
Exercise of stock options for common shares—  (266) 
Grant of common shares—  (300) 
Changes related to deferred compensation plan for Boards of Directors:
Purchase of treasury stock—  5,413  
Disbursed out of treasury stock —  (24,634) 
Common shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan16,848  —  
Common shares issued under compensation plan for Boards of Directors—  (9,092) 
Common shares issued under employee stock purchase plan—  (11,225) 
Shares at December 31, 201718,952,385  702,449  
Changes related to stock-based compensation awards:      
Grant of restricted common shares—  (106,805) 
Release of restricted common shares—  32,082  
Cancellation of restricted common shares—  2,011  
Exercise of stock options for common shares—  (102) 
Grant of common shares—  (16,544) 
Changes related to deferred compensation plan for Boards of Directors:
Purchase of treasury stock—  6,526  
Sale of treasury stock—  (10) 
Disbursed out of treasury stock —  (2,089) 
Common shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan19,282  —  
Common shares issued under compensation plan for Board of Directors—  (4,699) 
Common shares issued under employee stock purchase plan—  (11,530) 
Issuance of common shares related to acquisition of ASB1,152,711  —  
Shares at December 31, 201820,124,378  601,289  
Changes related to stock-based compensation awards:      
Grant of restricted common shares—  (133,926) 
Release of restricted common shares—  19,174  
Cancellation of restricted common shares—  11,113  
Grant of common shares—  (5,130) 
Changes related to deferred compensation plan for Board of Directors:
Purchase of treasury stock—  7,227  
Disbursed out of treasury stock —  (2,187) 
Common shares repurchased under repurchase program—  26,427  
Common shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan26,287  —  
Common shares issued under compensation plan for Board of Directors—  (6,755) 
Common shares issued under employee stock purchase plan—  (13,050) 
Issuance of common shares related to acquisition of First Prestonsburg1,005,478  —  
Shares at December 31, 201921,156,143  504,182  
On February 28, 2020, Peoples announced that on February 27, 2020, Peoples' Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program authorizing Peoples to purchase up to an aggregate of $40.0 million of its outstanding common shares, replacing the previous share repurchase program which had authorized Peoples to purchase up to an aggregate of $20 million of its outstanding common shares and was terminated on February 27, 2020 with an aggregate of $6.3 million of Peoples' common shares having been purchased through the termination date. During 2019, Peoples repurchased 26,427 of its common shares through the share repurchase program. No common shares were repurchased in 2017 and 2018.
Under its Amended Articles of Incorporation, Peoples is authorized to issue up to 50,000 preferred shares, in one or more series, having such voting powers, designations, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions as determined by Peoples' Board of Directors. At December 31, 2019, Peoples had no preferred shares issued or outstanding.
The following table details the cash dividends declared per common share for the year ended December 31:
20192018
First Quarter$0.30  $0.26  
Second Quarter0.34  0.28  
Third Quarter0.34  0.28  
Fourth Quarter0.34  0.30  
Total dividends declared$1.32  $1.12  
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
The following details the change in the components of Peoples’ accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income for the years ended December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)Unrealized Gain (Loss) on SecuritiesUnrecognized Net Pension and Postretirement CostsUnrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow HedgeAccumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Balance, December 31, 2016$581  $(3,321) $1,186  $(1,554) 
Reclassification adjustments to net income:
  Realized gain on sale of securities, net of tax(1,939) —  —  (1,939) 
  Realized loss due to settlement and curtailment, net of tax—  157  —  157  
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income per ASU 2018-02(370) (754) 200  (924) 
Other comprehensive loss, net of reclassifications and tax(360) (338) (257) (955) 
Balance, December 31, 2017$(2,088) $(4,256) $1,129  $(5,215) 
Reclassification adjustments to net income:
  Realized loss on sale of securities, net of tax115  —  —  115  
  Realized loss due to settlement and curtailment, net of tax—  211  —  211  
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss per ASU 2016-01(5,020) —  —  (5,020) 
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of reclassifications and tax(3,089) 334  (269) (3,024) 
Balance, December 31, 2018$(10,082) $(3,711) $860  $(12,933) 
Reclassification adjustments to net income:
  Realized gain on sale of securities, net of tax(130) —  —  (130) 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of reclassifications and tax15,512  (247) (3,627) 11,638  
Balance, December 31, 2019$5,300  $(3,958) $(2,767) $(1,425) 
As of December 31, 2017, Peoples elected to early adopt and retrospectively apply the reclassification of stranded income tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings, as permitted under ASU 2018-02.
As of January 1, 2018, Peoples adopted ASU 2016-01, which resulted in the reclassification of $5.0 million in net unrealized gains on equity investment securities from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings.


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Note 11 Employee Benefit Plans 

Peoples sponsors a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan that covers substantially all employees hired before January 1, 2010.  The plan provides retirement benefits based on an employee’s years of service and compensation.  For employees hired before January 1, 2003, the amount of postretirement benefit is based on the employee’s average monthly compensation over the highest five consecutive years out of the employee’s last ten years with Peoples while an eligible employee.  For employees hired on or after January 1, 2003, the amount of postretirement benefit is based on 2% of the employee’s annual compensation during the years 2003 through 2009 plus accrued interest.  Effective January 1, 2010, the pension plan was closed to new entrants.  Effective March 1, 2011, the accrual of pension plan benefits for all participants was frozen. Peoples recognized this freeze as a curtailment as of December 31, 2010 and March 1, 2011, under the terms of the pension plan. Effective July 1, 2013, a participant in the pension plan who is employed by Peoples may elect to receive or to commence receiving such person's retirement benefits as of the later of such person's normal retirement date or the first day of the month first following the date such person makes an election to receive his or her retirement benefits.
Peoples also provides post-retirement health and life insurance benefits to former employees and directors. Only those individuals who retired before January 27, 2012 were eligible for life insurance benefits. As of January 1, 2011, all retirees who desire to participate in the Peoples Bank medical plan do so by electing COBRA, which provides up to 18 months of coverage; retirees over the age of 65 also have the option to pay to participate in a group Medicare supplemental plan. Peoples only pays 100% of the cost for those individuals who retired before January 1, 1993. For all others, the retiree is responsible for most, if not all, of the cost of the health benefits.  Peoples’ policy is to fund the cost of the benefits as they arise.

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The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the benefit obligations and fair value of assets of the plans for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, and a statement of the funded status as of December 31, 2019 and 2018:
 Pension BenefitsPost-retirement Benefits
(Dollars in thousands)2019201820192018
Change in benefit obligation:    
Obligation at January 1$10,995  $12,991  $83  $91  
Interest cost438  423    
Plan participants’ contributions—  —  121  46  
Actuarial loss (gain)1,696  (1,519) —  —  
Benefit payments(461) (197) (132) (57) 
Settlements—  (703) —  —  
Obligation at December 31$12,668  $10,995  $75  $83  
Accumulated benefit obligation at December 31$12,668  $10,995  $75  $83  
Change in plan assets: 
Fair value of plan assets at January 1$10,234  $8,493  $—  $—  
Actual return (loss) on plan assets2,093  (554) —  —  
Employer contributions—  3,195  11  11  
Plan participants’ contributions—  —  121  46  
Benefit payments(461) (197) (132) (57) 
Settlements—  (703) —  —  
Fair value of plan assets at December 31$11,866  $10,234  $—  $—  
Funded status at December 31$(802) $(761) $(75) $(83) 
Amounts recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Accrued benefit liability$(802) $(761) $(75) $(83) 
Net amount recognized$(802) $(761) $(75) $(83) 
Amounts recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss:
Unrecognized prior service cost$—  $—  $—  $(1) 
Unrecognized net loss (gain)4,004  3,761  (48) (52) 
Total$4,004  $3,761  $(48) $(53) 
Weighted-average assumptions at year-end:
Discount rate4.20 %3.55 %4.20 %3.40 %
The estimated costs relating to Peoples’ pension benefits that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic cost over the next fiscal year are $123,000.

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Net Periodic (Benefit) Cost
The following table details the components of the net periodic (benefit) cost for the plans at December 31:
Pension BenefitsPost-retirement Benefits
(Dollars in thousands)201920182017201920182017
Interest cost$438  $423  $451  $ $ $ 
Expected return on plan assets(782) (640) (553) —  —  —  
Amortization of prior service credit—  —  —  (1) —  —  
Amortization of net loss (gain)78  104  102  (5) (5) (6) 
Settlement of benefit obligation—  267  242  —  —  —  
Net periodic (benefit) cost$(266) $154  $242  $(3) $(2) $(3) 
Weighted-average assumptions:
Discount rate4.20 %3.55 %3.80 %4.20 %3.40 %3.80 %
Expected return on plan assets7.50 %7.50 %7.50 %n/a  n/a  n/a  
Rate of compensation increasen/a  n/a  n/a  n/a  n/a  n/a  
For measurement purposes, a 4.0% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered benefits (i.e., health care cost trend rate) was assumed for 2019, which will increase to 5.0% in 2022, and grade down to an ultimate rate of 4.0% in 2070. The health care trend rate assumption does not have a significant effect on the contributory defined benefit postretirement plan; therefore, a one percentage point increase or decrease in the trend rate is not material in the determination of the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation or the ongoing expense.
Under US GAAP, Peoples is required to recognize a settlement gain or loss when the aggregate amount of lump-sum distributions to participants equals or exceeds the sum of the service and interest cost components of the net periodic pension cost. The amount of settlement gain or loss recognized is the pro rata amount of the unrealized gain or loss existing immediately prior to the settlement. In general, both the projected benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets are required to be remeasured in order to determine the settlement gain or loss.
There were no settlement charges recorded in 2019, compared to $267,000 recorded in 2018, and $242,000 recorded in 2017.
Determination of Expected Long-term Rate of Return
The expected long-term rate of return on the pension plan's total assets is based on the expected return of each category of the pension plan's assets. Peoples' investment strategy for the pension plan's assets continues to allocate 60%-75% to equity securities.
Plan Assets
Peoples' investment strategy, as established by Peoples' Retirement Plan Committee, is to invest assets of the pension plan based upon established target allocations, which include a target range of 60-75% allocation in equity securities, 20-40% in debt securities and 0-15% of other investments. The assets are reallocated periodically to meet the target allocations. The investment policy is reviewed periodically, under the advisement of a certified investment advisor, to determine if the policy should be changed.

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The following table provides the fair values of investments held in Peoples' pension plan at December 31, by major asset category:
(Dollars in thousands)Fair Value
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
2019   
Equity securities:
Mutual funds – equity
$8,443  $8,443  $—  
Debt securities:
Mutual funds – taxable income
3,163  3,163  —  
Total fair value of pension assets$11,606  $11,606  $—  
2018   
Equity securities:
Mutual funds – equity
$6,750  $6,750  $—  
Debt securities:
Mutual funds – taxable income
2,746  2,746  —  
Total fair value of pension assets$9,496  $9,496  $—  
Pension plan assets also included cash and cash equivalents of $257,000 and accrued income of $2,000 at December 31, 2019. Cash and cash equivalents were $680,000 and accrued income was $58,000 at December 31, 2018. For further information regarding levels of input used to measure fair value, refer to "Note 2 Fair Value of Financial Instruments."
Equity securities held as investments in Peoples' pension plan did not include any securities of Peoples or related parties in 2019 or 2018.
Cash Flows
Peoples expects to make between $10,000 to $15,000 of contributions to its pension plan in 2020; however, actual contributions are made at the discretion of the Retirement Plan Committee and Peoples' Board of Directors. During 2018, Peoples elected to make an additional contribution to take advantage of tax savings related to the TCJ Act that was enacted on December 22, 2017.
Estimated future benefit payments, which reflect benefits attributable to estimated future service, for the years ending December 31 are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)Pension BenefitsPost-retirement Benefits
2020$1,545  $11  
20211,610  10  
2022854   
2023775   
2024822   
2025 to 20293,128  26  
Total$8,734  $73  
Retirement Savings Plan
Peoples also maintains a retirement savings plan, or 401(k) plan, which covers substantially all employees. The plan provides participants with the opportunity to save for retirement on a tax-deferred basis. Since January 1, 2011, matching contributions have equaled 100% of participants' contributions that did not exceed 3% of the participants' compensation, plus 50% of participants' contributions between 3% and 5% of the participants' compensation. Matching contributions made by Peoples totaled $2.0 million in 2019, $1.7 million in 2018 and $1.5 million in 2017. Beginning January 1, 2020, Peoples began matching 100% of participants' contributions that did not exceed 4% of the participants' compensation, plus 50% of participants' contributions between 4% and 6% of the participants' compensation.

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Note 12 Income Taxes

The TCJ Act was enacted on December 22, 2017 and required Peoples to reflect the changes associated with the TCJ Act’s provisions in the fourth quarter of 2017. As of December 31, 2017, Peoples was not able to make reasonable estimates for all items based on its knowledge of accounting under ASC 740, and the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately prior to enactment. As of December 31, 2018, Peoples finalized the remeasurement of its net deferred tax assets and net deferred tax liabilities at the new statutory federal corporate income tax rate of 21%, which resulted in a reduction to income tax expense of $0.7 million in 2018. The final adjustment was mainly due to Peoples' contribution of $3.2 million to Peoples' defined benefit pension plan during 2018.
As of December 31, 2017, Peoples had made reasonable estimates for the reduced statutory federal corporate income tax rate on its deferred tax balances and recognized a provisional amount of $0.9 million, which was included as a component of income tax expense from continuing operations for 2017.
The reported income tax expense and effective tax rate in the Consolidated Statements of Income differ from the amounts computed by applying the statutory federal corporate income tax rate as follows for the years ended December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)201920182017
AmountRateAmountRateAmountRate
Income tax computed at statutory federal corporate income tax rate$13,725  21.0 %$11,505  21.0 %$20,045  35.0 %
Differences in rate resulting from:
Tax-exempt interest income(659) (1.0)%(554) (1.0)%(1,092) (1.9)%
Investments in tax credit funds(530) (0.8)%(125) (0.2)%(221) (0.4)%
Bank owned life insurance(510) (0.8)%(393) (0.7)%(683) (1.2)%
Stock awards(135) (0.2)%(332) (0.6)%(154) (0.3)%
Release of valuation allowance—  — %(805) (1.5)%—  — %
TCJ Act—  — %(705) (1.3)%897  1.6 %
Other, net (228) (0.4)%95  0.2 %(60) (0.1)%
Income tax expense$11,663  17.8 %$8,686  15.9 %$18,732  32.7 %
On January 1, 2018, Peoples began recognizing income tax expense at the 21% statutory federal corporate income tax rate, which resulted in lower income tax expense for 2018 and 2019, compared to the income tax expense recognition at the 35% statutory federal corporate income tax rate for 2017.
During 2018, Peoples released a valuation allowance which reduced income tax expense by $0.8 million. The valuation allowance was related to a historic tax credit that Peoples had invested in during 2015. Peoples sold $6.7 million of equity investment securities in 2018, which resulted in a capital gain for tax purposes. This capital gain was large enough to offset an anticipated future capital loss expected to be recognized due to the structure of the historic tax credit investment, resulting in the release of the valuation allowance.
Peoples' reported income tax expense consisted of the following for the years ended December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)201920182017
Current income tax expense$11,554  $8,995  $21,511  
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)109  (309) (2,779) 
Income tax expense$11,663  $8,686  $18,732  


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The significant components of Peoples' deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities consisted of the following at December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)20192018
Deferred tax assets:  
Allowance for loan losses$9,714  $8,559  
Available-for-sale securities—  $2,678  
Accrued employee benefits2,039  1,843  
Lease obligation1,640  —  
Tax credit investments1,130  805  
Derivative instruments736  —  
Other14  73  
Total deferred tax assets$15,273  $13,958  
Deferred tax liabilities:    
Purchase accounting adjustments$5,970  $5,839  
Bank premises and equipment (a)3,300  2,047  
Deferred loan income3,120  3,061  
Lease right-of-use assets1,597  
Available-for-sale securities1,410  —  
Derivative instruments—  228  
Tax credit investments—  82  
Other797  673  
Total deferred tax liabilities$16,194  $11,930  
Net deferred tax (liability) asset$(921) $2,028  
(a) Peoples elected Internal Revenue Code Section 179 bonus depreciation, which increased the
bonus depreciation percentage from 50% to 100% for qualified properties acquired and placed in
service after September 27, 2017, and before January 1, 2023.

As of December 31, 2019, Peoples had no operating loss carryforwards for tax purposes.
The federal income tax benefit from sales of investment securities was $34,000 in 2019 and $31,000 in 2018. Sales of investment securities resulted in tax expense of $1.0 million in 2017.
Income tax benefits are recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements for a tax position only if it is considered "more likely than not" of being sustained in an audit, based solely on the technical merits of the income tax position. If the recognition criteria are met, the amount of income tax benefits to be recognized are measured based on the largest income tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized on ultimate resolution of the tax position. The following table provides a reconciliation of uncertain tax positions at December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)20192018
Uncertain tax positions, beginning of year$423  $550  
Gross increase based on tax positions related to current year$39  $55  
Gross increase for tax position taken during prior years$ $13  
Gross decrease due to the statute of limitations$(220) $(195) 
Uncertain tax positions, end of year$250  $423  
Peoples is subject to U.S. federal income tax, as well as to tax in various state income tax jurisdictions. Peoples' income tax returns are subject to review and examination by federal and state taxing authorities. Peoples is currently open to audit under the applicable statutes of limitations by the Internal Revenue Service for the years ended December 31, 2016 through 2018. The years open to examination by state taxing authorities vary by jurisdiction.

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Note 13 Earnings Per Common Share 

The calculations of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands, except per common share data)201920182017
Distributed earnings allocated to common shareholders$26,503  $21,334  $15,159  
Undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders26,796  24,660  23,115  
Net earnings allocated to common shareholders$53,299  $45,994  $38,274  
Weighted-average common shares outstanding20,120,119  18,991,768  18,050,189  
Effect of potentially dilutive common shares153,606  130,492  158,495  
Total weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding20,273,725  19,122,260  18,208,684  
Earnings per common share:
Basic$2.65  $2.42  $2.12  
Diluted$2.63  $2.41  $2.10  
Anti-dilutive common shares excluded from calculation:
Restricted shares, stock options and stock appreciation rights—  1,748  453  

Note 14 Derivative Financial Instruments

Peoples utilizes interest rate swap agreements as part of its asset/liability management strategy to help manage its interest rate risk position. The notional amount of the interest rate swaps does not represent amounts exchanged by the parties. The amount exchanged is determined by reference to the notional amount and the other terms of the individual interest rate swap agreements. The fair value of derivative financial instruments is included in other assets and accrued expenses and other liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and in the net other adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities – Risk Management Objective of Using Derivative Financial Instruments
Peoples is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. Peoples principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. Peoples manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity and credit risk, primarily by managing the amount, sources and duration of its assets and liabilities, and through the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, Peoples enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known or expected cash amounts, the value of which is determined by interest rates. Peoples’ derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing and duration of Peoples' known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to certain variable rate borrowings. Peoples also has interest rate derivative financial instruments that result from a service provided to certain qualifying customers and, therefore, are not used to manage interest rate risk in Peoples' assets or liabilities. Peoples manages a matched book with respect to customer-related derivative financial instruments in order to minimize its net risk exposure resulting from such transactions.
Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk
Peoples' objectives in using interest rate derivative financial instruments are to add stability to interest income and expense, and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish these objectives, Peoples has entered into interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. These interest rate swaps were designated as cash flow hedges and involve the receipt of variable rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for Peoples making fixed payments. As of December 31, 2019, Peoples had entered into seventeen interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional value of $160.0 million. Peoples will pay a fixed rate of interest for up to ten years while receiving a floating rate component of interest equal to the three-month LIBOR rate. The interest received on the floating rate component is intended to offset the interest paid on rolling three-month FHLB advances or rolling three-month brokered CDs, which will continue to be rolled through the life of the swaps. As of December 31, 2019, the interest rate swaps were funded by $110.0 million of rolling three-month FHLB advances and $50.0 million rolling three-month brokered CDs. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income ("AOCL") related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest income or expense as interest payments are made or received on Peoples' variable-rate assets or liabilities. During the years ended December 31,

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2019 and December 31, 2018, Peoples had reclassifications of loss to earnings of $133,000 and $38,000, respectively. During the next twelve months, Peoples estimates that minimal interest expense will be reclassified.
For derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of each derivative financial instrument is reported in AOCL (outside of earnings), net of tax, and subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings, and the ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative financial instrument is recognized directly in earnings. Peoples assesses the effectiveness of each hedging relationship by comparing the changes in cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument with the changes in cash flows of the designated hedged transaction. The reset dates and the payment dates on the 90-day advances or brokered CDs used to fund the swaps are matched to the reset dates and payment dates on the receipt of the three-month LIBOR floating rate portion of the swaps to ensure effectiveness of the cash flow hedge. Effectiveness is measured by ensuring that reset dates and payment dates are matched.
The following table summarizes information about the interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges at December 31:
 (Dollars in thousands)
20192018
Notional amount$160,000  $110,000  
Weighted average pay rates2.18 %2.37 %
Weighted average receive rates1.73 %2.57 %
Weighted average maturity5.4 years6.2 years
Pre-tax unrealized (losses) gains included in AOCL(3,503) 1,088  
The following table presents net losses or gains recorded in AOCL and in the Consolidated Statements of Income related to the cash flow hedges for the years ended December 31:
 (Dollars in thousands)
20192018
Amount of loss recognized in AOCL, pre-tax$4,591  $341  
Amount of (loss) gain recognized in earnings(19) 18  
The following table reflects the cash flow hedges, which are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value, at December 31:
 (Dollars in thousands)
20192018
Notional AmountFair ValueNotional AmountFair Value
Included in other assets:
Interest rate swaps related to debt$55,000  $644  $60,000  $2,093  
Total included in other assets$55,000  $644  $60,000  $2,093  
Included in accrued expenses and other liabilities:
Interest rate swaps related to debt$105,000  $4,340  $50,000  $1,111  
Total included in accrued expenses and other liabilities$105,000  $4,340  $50,000  $1,111  
Non-Designated Hedges
Peoples Bank maintains an interest rate protection program for commercial loan customers, which was established in 2010. Under this program, Peoples Bank originates variable rate loans with interest rate swaps, where the customer enters into an interest rate swap with Peoples Bank on terms that match the terms of the loan. By entering into the interest rate swap with the customer, Peoples Bank effectively provides the customer with a fixed rate loan while creating a variable rate asset for Peoples Bank. Peoples Bank offsets its exposure in the swap by entering into an offsetting interest rate swap with an unaffiliated institution. These interest rate swaps do not qualify as designated hedges; therefore, each swap is accounted for as a standalone derivative financial instrument. These interest rate swaps did not have a material impact on Peoples' results of operation or financial condition.

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The following table reflects the non-designated hedges, which are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value, at December 31:
 (Dollars in thousands)
20192018
Notional AmountFair ValueNotional AmountFair Value
Included in other assets:
Interest rate swaps related to commercial loans$321,394  $10,776  $226,662  $2,451  
Total included in other assets321,394  10,776  226,662  2,451  
Included in accrued expenses and other liabilities:
Interest rate swaps related to commercial loans$321,394  $10,776  $226,662  $2,451  
Total included in accrued expenses and other liabilities321,394  10,776  226,662  2,451  
Pledged Collateral
When the fair value of Peoples' interest rate swaps are in a net liability position, Peoples must pledge collateral and when the interest rate swaps are in a net asset position, the counterparties must pledge collateral. At December 31, 2019, Peoples had $20.0 million of cash pledged, while the counterparties had no amount of cash pledged. At December 31, 2018, Peoples had no amount of cash pledged, while the counterparties had pledged $130,000 of cash. Cash pledged is included in interest-bearing deposits in other banks on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Note 15 Off-Balance Sheet Risk
Loan Commitments and Standby Letters of Credit
Loan commitments are made to accommodate the financial needs of Peoples' customers. Standby letters of credit are instruments issued by Peoples Bank guaranteeing the beneficiary payment by Peoples Bank in the event of default by Peoples Bank's customer in the nonperformance of an obligation or service. Historically, most loan commitments and standby letters of credit expire unused. Peoples' exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counter-party to the financial instrument for loan commitments and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. Peoples uses the same underwriting standards in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. The amount of collateral obtained is based on management's credit evaluation of the customer. Collateral held varies, but may include accounts receivable; inventory; property, plant, and equipment; and income-producing commercial properties.
The total amounts of loan commitments and standby letters of credit at December 31 were:
 (Dollars in thousands)
20192018
Home equity lines of credit$112,464  $101,265  
Unadvanced construction loans102,491  74,734  
Other loan commitments353,137  314,271  
Loan commitments568,092  490,270  
Standby letters of credit$12,498  $10,214  


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Note 16 Regulatory Matters

The following is a summary of certain regulatory matters affecting Peoples and its subsidiaries:
Federal Reserve Board Requirements
Peoples Bank is required to maintain a minimum level of reserves, consisting of cash on hand and non-interest-bearing balances with the FRB of Cleveland, based on the amount of total deposits. Average required reserve balances were approximately $16.5 million and $16.4 million in 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Limits on Dividends
The primary source of funds for the dividends paid by Peoples is dividends received from Peoples Bank. The payment of dividends by Peoples Bank is subject to various banking regulations. The most restrictive provision requires regulatory approval if dividends declared in any calendar year exceed the total net profits of that year plus the retained net profits of the preceding two years. At December 31, 2019, Peoples Bank had approximately $70.9 million of net profits available for distribution to Peoples as dividends without regulatory approval.
Capital Requirements
Peoples and Peoples Bank are subject to various regulatory capital guidelines administered by the banking regulatory agencies. Under capital adequacy requirements and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, Peoples and Peoples Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of each entity's assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Peoples' and Peoples Bank's capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. Failure to meet future minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by the regulators that, if undertaken, could have a material effect on Peoples' financial results.
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy, and in effect at December 31, 2019, required Peoples and Peoples Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of common equity tier 1 capital, tier 1 capital and total capital (each as defined in the applicable regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of tier I capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). Peoples and Peoples Bank met all capital adequacy requirements at December 31, 2019.
As of December 31, 2019, the most recent notification from the banking regulatory agencies categorized Peoples Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action applicable to Peoples Bank. Peoples maintained the capital required by the Federal Reserve Board to be deemed well capitalized and remain a financial holding company. To be categorized as well capitalized, Peoples and Peoples Bank must maintain minimum common equity tier 1, tier 1 risk-based, total risk-based and tier I leverage ratios as set forth in the table below. There are no conditions or events since this notification that management believes have changed Peoples' or Peoples Bank's category.

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Peoples' and Peoples Bank's actual capital amounts and ratios as of December 31 are also presented in the following table:
 20192018
(Dollars in thousands)AmountRatioAmountRatio
PEOPLES    
Common Equity Tier 1 (a)
Actual$427,415  14.59 %$378,855  13.66 %
For capital adequacy131,866  4.50 %124,802  4.50 %
To be well capitalized190,473  6.50 %180,270  6.50 %
Tier 1 (b)
Actual$434,866  14.84 %$386,138  13.92 %
For capital adequacy175,821  6.00 %166,403  6.00 %
To be well capitalized234,428  8.00 %221,871  8.00 %
Total Capital (c)
    
Actual$456,422  15.58 %$406,333  14.65 %
For capital adequacy234,428  8.00 %221,871  8.00 %
To be well capitalized293,036  10.00 %277,338  10.00 %
Tier 1 Leverage (d)
Actual$434,866  10.41 %$386,138  9.99 %
For capital adequacy167,037  4.00 %154,614  4.00 %
To be well capitalized208,796  5.00 %193,267  5.00 %
Capital Conservation Buffer$221,994  7.58 %$184,462  6.65 %
Fully phased in73,259  2.50 %69,335  2.50 %
Net Risk-Weighted Assets$2,930,355  $2,773,383  
PEOPLES BANK
Common Equity Tier 1 (a)
Actual$406,612  13.89 %$365,063  13.19 %
For capital adequacy131,757  4.50 %124,552  4.50 %
To be well capitalized190,316  6.50 %179,908  6.50 %
Tier 1 (b)
Actual$406,612  13.89 %$365,063  13.19 %
For capital adequacy175,676  6.00 %166,069  6.00 %
To be well capitalized234,235  8.00 %221,425  8.00 %
Total Capital (c)
Actual$428,168  14.62 %$385,258  13.92 %
For capital adequacy234,235  8.00 %221,425  8.00 %
To be well capitalized292,794  10.00 %276,781  10.00 %
Tier 1 Leverage (d)
Actual$406,612  9.75 %$365,063  9.46 %
For capital adequacy166,898  4.00 %154,357  4.00 %
To be well capitalized208,622  5.00 %192,947  5.00 %
Capital Conservation Buffer$193,933  6.62 %$163,833  5.92 %
Fully phased in 73,199  2.50 %69,195  2.50 %
Net Risk-Weighted Assets$2,927,941  $2,767,813  
(a) Ratio represents common equity tier 1 capital to net risk-weighted assets
(b) Ratio represents tier 1 capital to net risk-weighted assets
(c) Ratio represents total capital to net risk-weighted assets
(d) Ratio represents tier 1 capital to average assets


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Note 17 Stock-Based Compensation 

Under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Third Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Plan (the "2006 Equity Plan"), Peoples may grant, among other awards, nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted common share awards, stock appreciation rights, performance units and unrestricted common share awards to employees and non-employee directors. The total number of common shares available under the 2006 Equity Plan is 891,340.  The maximum number of common shares that can be issued for incentive stock options is 500,000 common shares. Since February 2009, Peoples has granted restricted common shares to employees, and periodically to non-employee directors, subject to the terms and conditions prescribed by the 2006 Equity Plan. Additionally, in 2017, Peoples granted performance units to certain officers. In general, common shares issued in connection with stock-based awards are issued from treasury shares to the extent available.  If no treasury shares are available, common shares are issued from authorized but unissued common shares.
Restricted Common Shares
 Under the 2006 Equity Plan, Peoples may award restricted common shares to officers, key employees and non-employee directors.  In general, the restrictions on the restricted common shares awarded to employees expire after periods ranging from one to five years. Since 2018, common shares awarded to non-employee directors have vested immediately upon grant with no restrictions. In 2019, Peoples granted an aggregate of 117,773 restricted common shares subject to performance-based vesting to officers and key employees with restrictions that will lapse three years after the grant date; provided that in order for the restricted common shares to vest in full, Peoples must have reported positive net income and maintained a well-capitalized status by regulatory standards for each of the three fiscal years preceding the vesting date. During 2019, Peoples granted, to certain key employees, an aggregate of 16,153 restricted common shares subject to time-based vesting, the majority of which will vest three years after the grant date.
The following summarizes the changes to Peoples’ outstanding restricted common shares for the year ended December 31, 2019:
Time-Based VestingPerformance-Based Vesting
 Number of Common SharesWeighted-Average Grant Date Fair ValueNumber of Common SharesWeighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at January 143,679  $29.64  175,772  $31.08  
Awarded16,153  31.35  117,773  32.20  
Released22,750  24.73  33,400  17.86  
Forfeited4,852  35.87  6,261  33.21  
Outstanding at December 3132,230  $33.05  253,884  $33.29  
The total intrinsic value of restricted common shares released was $1.8 million, $2.8 million and $1.1 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Performance Unit Awards
 Under the 2006 Equity Plan, Peoples may grant performance unit awards to officers, key employees and non-employee directors.  On July 26, 2017, Peoples granted a total of seven performance unit awards to officers, with a maximum aggregate dollar amount of $1.3 million represented by the performance units subject to such awards and each performance unit representing $1.00. During 2019, one of the seven performance unit awards was forfeited as the individual to whom the performance unit award was granted left Peoples before meeting the minimum service requirement to retain the performance unit award. The performance unit awards granted cover the performance period beginning January 1, 2018 and ending on December 31, 2019, and are subject to two performance goals. Twenty-five percent of the performance units subject to each award will vest if, but only if, the related company-specific target performance goal is achieved. As of December 31, 2019, the target level of achievement for the company-specific target performance goal was reached for the performance period. The remaining 75% of the performance units subject to each award will vest based on the relative performance of Peoples compared to a defined peer group (measured by percentile ranking) with respect to the related maximum performance goal. As of December 31, 2019, Peoples did not achieve the second performance goal. On February 27, 2020, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors certified the level of achievement of the performance goals that had been satisfied and a portion of the performance unit awards vested based on the performance achieved. The vested performance unit awards were settled in common shares of Peoples equal to (i) the aggregate number of the participant's performance units (and equivalent dollar value of such performance units) that vested based on the performance achieved under both performance goals (ii) divided by the fair market value of a common share of Peoples on the date the performance units were deemed to have vested (which was the certification date) and rounded down to the nearest whole common share.
Stock-Based Compensation
Peoples recognizes stock-based compensation, which is included as a component of Peoples’ salaries and employee benefit costs, for restricted common shares and performance unit awards, as well as purchases made by participants in the employee stock purchase

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plan. For restricted common shares, Peoples recognizes stock-based compensation based on the estimated fair value of the awards expected to vest on the grant date. The estimated fair value is then expensed over the vesting period, which is normally three years. For performance unit awards, Peoples recognizes stock-based compensation, over the performance period, based on the portion of the awards that is expected to vest based on the expected level of achievement of the two performance goals. Peoples also has an employee stock purchase plan whereby employees can purchase Peoples' common shares at a discount of up to 15%. The following summarizes the amount of stock-based compensation and related tax benefit recognized for the years ended December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)201920182017
Employee stock-based compensation expense:
  Stock grant expense$3,462  $2,359  $1,747  
  Employee stock purchase plan expense63  60  55  
  Performance stock unit expense130  156  —  
  Total employee stock-based compensation expense3,655  2,575  1,802  
Non-employee director stock-based compensation expense308  345  322  
  Total stock-based compensation expense3,963  2,920  2,124  
Recognized tax benefit(832) (613) (446) 
Net expense recognized$3,131  $2,307  $1,678  
Restricted common shares were the primary form of stock-based compensation awards granted by Peoples in 2019, 2018 and 2017. The fair value of restricted common share awards on the grant date is the market price of Peoples' common shares. Total unrecognized stock-based compensation related to unvested restricted common share awards was $2.8 million at December 31, 2019, which will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.9 years. In 2019, the Board of Directors granted 3,200 unrestricted common shares to non-employee directors, with related stock-based compensation of $102,400.

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Note 18 Revenue

The following table details Peoples' revenue from contracts with customers for the year ended December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)20192018
Insurance income:
     Commission and fees from sale of insurance policies (a)$12,670  $12,787  
     Fees related to third-party administration services (a)602  573  
     Performance-based commissions (b)1,530  1,452  
Trust and investment income (a)13,159  12,543  
Electronic banking income:
     Interchange income (a)10,797  9,721  
     Promotional and usage income (a)2,883  1,756  
Deposit account service charges:
     Ongoing maintenance fees for deposit accounts (a)3,832  2,718  
     Transactional-based fees (b)7,868  7,060  
Commercial loan swap fees (b)2,228  681  
Other non-interest income transactional-based fees (b)716  961  
Total$56,285  $50,252  
Timing of revenue recognition:
Services transferred over time$43,943  $40,098  
Services transferred at a point in time12,342  10,154  
Total$56,285  $50,252  
(a) Services transferred over time.
(b) Services transferred at a point in time.

Peoples records contract assets for income that has been recognized over a period of time for the fulfillment of performance obligations, but has not yet been received, related to electronic banking income. This income typically relates to bonuses for which Peoples is eligible, but will not receive until a certain time in the future. Peoples records contract liabilities for payments received for commission income related to the sale of insurance policies, for which the performance obligations have not yet been fulfilled. The contract liabilities are recognized as income over time, during the period in which the performance obligations are fulfilled, which is over the insurance policy period. Peoples also records contract liabilities for bonuses received related to electronic banking income, for which income is recognized during the period in which the performance obligations are fulfilled. The following table details the change in Peoples' contract assets and contract liabilities for the period ended December 31, 2019:
(Dollars in thousands)Contract AssetsContract Liabilities
Balance, January 1, 2019$207  $5,055  
     Additional income receivable404  —  
     Additional deferred income—  4,525  
     Receipt of income previously receivable(11) —  
     Recognition of income previously deferred—  (4,390) 
Balance, December 31, 2019$600  $5,190  
From more information on Peoples' revenue recognition policies, see "Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies."

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Note 19 Acquisitions

On April 12, 2019, Peoples completed the acquisition of First Prestonsburg, which merged into Peoples and First Prestonsburg's wholly-owned subsidiary, The First Commonwealth Bank of Prestonsburg, Inc. ("First Commonwealth"), which operated nine full-service branches located in eastern and central Kentucky, merged into Peoples Bank. First Prestonsburg shareholders received merger consideration of $32.4 million paid by Peoples in the form of 12.512 Peoples common shares for each share of First Prestonsburg common stock they owned, which resulted in the issuance of 1,005,478 Peoples common shares. In addition, immediately prior to the closing of the merger, First Prestonsburg paid a special cash distribution of $140.30 per share of First Prestonsburg common stock (for an aggregate amount of $11.3 million), which was deemed to be part of the total merger consideration paid to its shareholders. As a result, First Prestonsburg shareholders received total merger consideration of $43.7 million.
The following table provides the purchase price calculation as of the date of acquisition of First Prestonsburg, and the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Consideration
Common shares80,362  
Number of common shares of Peoples issued for each common share of acquired company12.512  
Price per Peoples common share, based at closing date$32.26  
    Common share consideration$32,437  
Net Assets at Fair Value
Assets
  Cash and due from banks$5,016  
  Interest-bearing deposits in other banks2,797  
Total cash and cash equivalents7,813  
  Available-for-sale investment securities136,596  
  Other investment securities3,077  
    Total investment securities139,673  
  Loans129,365  
  Bank premises and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation7,407  
  Other intangible assets4,234  
  Other assets2,415  
    Total assets$290,907  
Liabilities
Deposits:
  Non-interest-bearing$40,089  
  Interest-bearing217,151  
    Total deposits257,240  
  Short-term borrowings14,400  
  Accrued expenses and other liabilities1,286  
Total liabilities$272,926  
Net assets$17,981  
Goodwill$14,456  


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The accounting for the acquisition of First Prestonsburg has been completed. The estimated fair values presented in the above table reflect additional information that was obtained during the three months ended December 31, 2019, which resulted in changes to certain fair value estimates made as of the date of acquisition. Adjustments to acquisition date estimated fair values are recorded during the period in which they occur and, as a result, previously recorded results have changed. The below table reflects the changes in the estimated fair value at December 31, 2019 from balances reported at September 30, 2019:
(Dollars in thousands)Change in Fair Value
Net Assets
Bank premises and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation$(190) 
Other assets208  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities(775) 
Change in Goodwill$793  
Acquired loans, excluding acquired overdrafts of $375,000, are reported net of the unamortized fair value adjustment. The following table details the fair value adjustment for acquired loans as of the acquisition date:
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)First Prestonsburg
Nonimpaired Loans
Contractual cash flows$168,729  
Nonaccretable difference19,745  
Expected cash flows148,984  
Accretable yield28,269  
Fair value$120,715  
Credit Impaired Loans
Contractual cash flows$17,847  
Nonaccretable difference5,337  
Expected cash flows12,510  
Accretable yield3,860  
Fair value$8,650  
Peoples recorded non-interest expense related to the First Prestonsburg acquisition of $7.3 million and net loss on asset disposals and other transactions of $243,000 in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2019. The $7.3 million was included in the following line items: $2.4 million of salaries and employee benefit costs, $631,000 of professional fees, $94,000 of data processing and software expense, $162,000 of marketing expense, and $3.9 million of other non-interest expense. The $2.4 million of salaries and employee benefit costs related to change in control agreements, retention and severance bonuses, and regular payroll and taxes after conversion.
On January 1, 2020, Peoples Insurance acquired a property and casualty-focused independent insurance agency for a purchase price amount equal to $866,000.


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Note 20 Parent Company Only Financial Information

Condensed Balance SheetsDecember 31,
(Dollars in thousands)20192018
Assets:  
Cash and due from other banks$50  $50  
Interest-bearing deposits in subsidiary bank20,094  13,750  
Due from subsidiary bank140  584  
Other investment securities237  216  
Investments in subsidiaries:
Bank573,429  506,200  
Non-bank9,418  8,298  
Other assets3,067  2,808  
Total assets$606,435  $531,906  
Liabilities:  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities$1,955  $1,898  
Dividends payable342  291  
Mandatorily redeemable capital securities of subsidiary trust9,745  9,577  
Total liabilities12,042  11,766  
Total stockholders' equity594,393  520,140  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$606,435  $531,906  

Condensed Statements of IncomeYear Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)201920182017
Income:   
Dividends from subsidiary bank$37,000  $13,500  $27,000  
Dividends from non-bank subsidiary—  2,500  20,000  
Net gain on investment securities—  —  2,602  
Interest and other income81  357  237  
Total income37,081  16,357  49,839  
Expense: 
Trust preferred securities expense534  520  346  
Intercompany management fees1,607  1,561  1,361  
Other expense5,432  4,647  3,380  
Total expense7,573  6,728  5,087  
Income before federal income taxes and equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries29,508  9,629  44,752  
Applicable income tax expense(1,670) (2,511) (1,309) 
Equity in (excess dividends from) undistributed earnings of subsidiaries22,517  34,115  (7,590) 
Net income$53,695  $46,255  $38,471  


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Statements of Cash FlowsYear Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)201920182017
Operating activities   
Net income$53,695  $46,255  $38,471  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operations:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion, net168  9,177  (6,525) 
(Equity in) excess dividends from undistributed earnings of subsidiaries(22,517) (34,115) 7,590  
  Gain on investment securities—  —  (2,602) 
Other, net3,801  31  2,810  
Net cash provided by operating activities35,147  21,348  39,744  
Investing activities 
Net proceeds from sales and maturities of investment securities—  5,388  2,359  
Investment in subsidiaries(18,874) (31,813) (50,883) 
Decrease in receivable from subsidiary18,869  32,236  25,496  
Business combinations, net of cash received(1,438) (637) —  
Other, net226  228  (229) 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities(1,217) 5,402  (23,257) 
Financing activities 
Purchase of treasury stock(1,650) (1,380) (508) 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 25   
Cash dividends paid(25,942) (20,915) (14,706) 
Net cash used in financing activities(27,586) (22,270) (15,205) 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents6,344  4,480  1,282  
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year13,800  9,320  8,038  
    Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year
$20,144  $13,800  $9,320  
Supplemental cash flow information: 
Interest paid$544  $513  $364  


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Note 21 Summarized Quarterly Information (Unaudited)


 2019
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)First QuarterSecond QuarterThird QuarterFourth Quarter
Total interest income$40,576  $43,621  $43,609  $42,289  
Total interest expense6,662  7,572  7,855  7,168  
Net interest income33,914  36,049  35,754  35,121  
(Recoveries of) provision for loan losses(263) 626  1,005  1,136  
Net gain (loss) on investment securities (a)30  (57) 97  94  
Net loss on asset disposals and other transactions (a)(182) (293) (78) (229) 
Total non-interest income excluding net gains and losses (a)15,581  15,639  16,374  17,298  
Amortization of other intangible assets694  824  953  888  
Acquisition-related expenses253  6,770  199  65  
Total non-interest expense excluding amortization of other intangible assets and acquisition-related expenses30,913  31,282  31,841  32,568  
Income tax expense3,377  2,238  3,281  2,767  
Net income$14,369  $9,598  $14,868  $14,860  
Earnings per common share – basic
$0.74  $0.47  $0.72  $0.72  
Earnings per common share – diluted
$0.73  $0.46  $0.72  $0.72  
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic
19,366,008  20,277,028  20,415,245  20,407,505  
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – diluted
19,508,868  20,442,366  20,595,769  20,599,127  

 2018
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)First QuarterSecond Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter
Total interest income$33,226  $37,769  $39,631  $40,638  
Total interest expense3,867  4,961  6,307  6,517  
Net interest income29,359  32,808  33,324  34,121  
Provision for loan losses1,983  1,188  1,302  975  
Net gain (loss) on investment securities (a) (147) —  —  
Net gain (loss) on asset disposals and other transactions (a)74  (405) 12  (15) 
Total non-interest income excluding net gains and losses (a)14,894  13,807  14,341  14,192  
Amortization of other intangible assets754  861  862  861  
Acquisition-related expenses149  6,056  675  382  
Total non-interest expense excluding amortization of other intangible and acquisition-related expenses27,318  29,054  29,292  29,713  
Income tax expense2,383  1,012  2,821  2,470  
Net income$11,741  $7,892  $12,725  $13,897  
Earnings per common share – basic
$0.64  $0.41  $0.65  $0.71  
Earnings per common share – diluted
$0.64  $0.41  $0.65  $0.71  
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic
18,126,089  19,160,728  19,325,457  19,337,403  
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – diluted
18,256,035  19,293,381  19,466,865  19,483,452  
(a) The sum of amounts are considered total non-interest income.

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PART III
ITEM 10 DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information concerning (a) directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc. ("Peoples"), (b) the procedures by which shareholders of Peoples may recommend nominees to Peoples' Board of Directors, (c) the Audit Committee of Peoples' Board of Directors and (d) the Board of Directors' determination that Peoples has an "audit committee financial expert" serving on its Audit Committee required by Items 401, 407(c)(3), 407(d)(4) and 407(d)(5) of SEC Regulation S-K will be included in the sections captioned "PROPOSAL NUMBER 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS," "THE BOARD AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD" and "NOMINATING PROCEDURES" of the definitive Proxy Statement of Peoples Bancorp Inc. relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 23, 2020 ("Peoples' Definitive Proxy Statement"), which sections are incorporated herein by reference. The procedures by which shareholders of Peoples may recommend nominees to Peoples' Board of Directors have not changed materially from those described in Peoples' definitive Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on April 25, 2019.
The information regarding Peoples' executive officers required by Item 401 of SEC Regulation S-K will be included in the section captioned "EXECUTIVE OFFICERS" of Peoples' Definitive Proxy Statement, which section is incorporated herein by reference.
The information required by Item 405 of SEC Regulation S-K will be included under the caption "SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE" of Peoples' Definitive Proxy Statement, which section is incorporated herein by reference.
The Board of Directors of Peoples has adopted charters for each of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Executive Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee, and the Risk Committee.
In accordance with the requirements of Rule 5610 of the Nasdaq Stock Market Corporate Governance Requirements, the Board of Directors of Peoples has adopted a Code of Ethics covering the directors, officers and employees of Peoples and its subsidiaries, including, without limitation, the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the principal accounting officer and the controller of Peoples. Peoples intends to disclose the following events, if they occur, in a Current Report on Form 8-K and on the "Investor Relations" page of Peoples' Internet website at www.peoplesbancorp.com within four business days following their occurrence:
(A)the date and nature of any amendment to a provision of Peoples' Code of Ethics that
(a)applies to the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller of Peoples, or persons performing similar functions,
(b)relates to any element of the code of ethics definition set forth in Item 406(b) of SEC Regulation S-K, and
(c)is not a technical, administrative or other non-substantive amendment; and
(B)a description (including the nature of the waiver, the name of the person to whom the waiver was granted and the date of the waiver) of any waiver, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the Code of Ethics granted to the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller of Peoples, or persons performing similar functions, that relates to one or more of the elements of the code of ethics definition set forth in Item 406(b) of SEC Regulation S-K.
In addition, Peoples will disclose any waivers from the provisions of the Code of Ethics granted to a director or executive officer of Peoples in a Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days following their occurrence.
Each of the Code of Ethics, the Audit Committee Charter, the Compensation Committee Charter, the Executive Committee Charter, the Governance and Nominating Committee Charter and the Risk Committee Charter is posted under the "Corporate Overview – Governance Documents" tab of the "Investor Relations" page of Peoples' Internet website. Interested persons may also obtain copies of the Code of Ethics without charge by writing to Peoples Bancorp Inc., Attention: Corporate Secretary, 138 Putnam Street, P.O. Box 738, Marietta, Ohio 45750-0738.

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ITEM 11 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this Item 11 will be included in the sections captioned "COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION," "EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION: COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS," "SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE FOR 2019," "GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS FOR 2019," "OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END 2019," "OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED FOR 2019," "PENSION BENEFITS FOR 2019," "NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION FOR 2019," "OTHER POTENTIAL POST EMPLOYMENT PAYMENTS," "DIRECTOR COMPENSATION" and "COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT" of Peoples' Definitive Proxy Statement, which sections are incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12 SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this Item 12 regarding the security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management will be included in the section captioned "SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT" of Peoples' Definitive Proxy Statement, which section is incorporated herein by reference.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The table below provides information as of December 31, 2019, with respect to compensation plans under which common shares of Peoples are authorized for issuance to directors, officers or employees in exchange for consideration in the form of goods or services. These compensation plans include:
(i)the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Third Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Plan (the "2006 Equity Plan");
(ii)the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Third Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries (the "Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan"); and
(iii)the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP").
All of these compensation plans were approved by the shareholders of Peoples.
Plan Category
(a)
Number of common shares to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
(b)
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
(c)
Number of common shares remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding common shares reflected in column (a))
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders323,985  
(1)
$—  
(2)
603,227  
(3)
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders—  —  —  
Total323,985  $—  603,227  
(1)Includes an aggregate of 286,114 restricted common shares subject to time-based or performance-based vesting restrictions granted under the 2006 Equity Plan, and 37,871 common shares allocated to participants' bookkeeping accounts under the Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan.
(2)The weighted-average exercise price does not take into account the common shares allocated to participants' time-based or performance-based restricted common share awards granted under the 2006 Equity Plan or bookkeeping accounts under the Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan.
(3)Includes 369,555 common shares remaining available for future grants under the 2006 Equity Plan at December 31, 2019, as well as 233,672 common shares remaining available for issuance and delivery under the ESPP. No amount is included for potential future allocations to participants' bookkeeping accounts under the Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan since the terms of the Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan do not provide for a specified limit on the number of common shares which may be allocated to participants' bookkeeping accounts.
Additional information regarding Peoples' stock-based compensation plans can be found in "Note 17 Stock-Based Compensation" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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ITEM 13 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this Item 13 will be included in the sections captioned "TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS," "PROPOSAL NUMBER 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS," "THE BOARD AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD" and "COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION" of Peoples' Definitive Proxy Statement, which sections are incorporated by reference.
ITEM 14 PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this Item 14 will be included in the section captioned "INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM" of Peoples' Definitive Proxy Statement, which section is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 15 EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)(1) Financial Statements:
The following reports of the independent registered public accounting firm and consolidated financial statements of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and subsidiaries are filed as required by Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data and set forth immediately following "ITEM 9B OTHER INFORMATION" of this Form 10-K:
 Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Ernst & Young LLP) on Effectiveness of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
79
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Ernst & Young LLP) on Consolidated Financial Statements
80
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018
81
Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019
82
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019
83
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019
84
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019
86
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
88
Peoples Bancorp Inc. Parent Company Only Financial Information is included in Note 20 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
140
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules
All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and, therefore, have been omitted.
(a)(3) Exhibits
The documents listed in the Index to Exhibits that immediately precedes the signature page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, are filed/furnished with this Annual Report on Form 10-K as exhibits or incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K by reference as noted. Each management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report on Form 10-K is identified as such in the list below.
(b)  Exhibits
The documents listed in the Index to Exhibits that immediately precedes the signature page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are filed/furnished with this Annual Report on Form 10-K as exhibits or incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K by reference as noted.
(c)  Financial Statement Schedules
None
ITEM 16 FORM 10-K SUMMARY
Not applicable.

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
 
 
Description
 
 
Exhibit Location
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 4, 2014, as amended, between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and NB&T Financial Group, Inc.+
Included as Annex A to the definitive proxy statement/prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form S-4/A (Registration No. 333-199152)
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 23, 2017, between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and ASB Financial Corp.+
Included as Annex A to the definitive proxy statement/prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form S-4/A (Registration No. 333-222054)
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 29, 2018, as amended on December 18, 2018, between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and First Prestonsburg Bancshares Inc.+
Included as Annex A to the definitive proxy statement/prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form S-4/A (Registration No. 333-228745)
3.1(a)  
Amended Articles of Incorporation of Peoples Bancorp Inc. (as filed with the Ohio Secretary of State on May 3, 1993) P
 Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to the Registration Statement of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form 8-B filed on July 20, 1993 (File No. 0-16772)
 Certificate of Amendment to the Amended Articles of Incorporation of Peoples Bancorp Inc. (as filed with the Ohio Secretary of State on April 22, 1994) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1(b) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Peoples Bancorp Inc. for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017 (File No. 0-16772) ("Peoples' September 30, 2017 Form 10-Q")
 Certificate of Amendment to the Amended Articles of Incorporation of Peoples Bancorp Inc. (as filed with the Ohio Secretary of State on April 9, 1996) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1(c) to Peoples’ September 30, 2017 Form 10-Q
 Certificate of Amendment to the Amended Articles of Incorporation of Peoples Bancorp Inc. (as filed with the Ohio Secretary of State on April 23, 2003) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Peoples Bancorp Inc. for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2003 (File No. 0-16772) (“Peoples’ March 31, 2003 Form 10-Q”)
 Certificate of Amendment by Shareholders to the Amended Articles of Incorporation of Peoples Bancorp Inc. (as filed with the Ohio Secretary of State on January 22, 2009) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form 8-K dated and filed on January 23, 2009 (File No. 0-16772)
 Certificate of Amendment by Directors to Articles filed with the Ohio Secretary of State on January 28, 2009, evidencing adoption of amendments by the Board of Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc. to Article FOURTH of the Amended Articles of Incorporation to establish express terms of Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Shares, Series A, each without par value, of Peoples Bancorp Inc. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form 8-K dated and filed on February 2, 2009 (File No. 0-16772)
 Amended Articles of Incorporation of Peoples Bancorp Inc. [This document represents the Amended Articles of Incorporation of Peoples Bancorp Inc. in compiled form incorporating all amendments. The compiled document has not been filed with the Ohio Secretary of State.] Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1(g) to the Annual Report of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 (File No. 0-16772) (“Peoples’ 2008 Form 10-K”)
3.2(a)  
Code of Regulations of Peoples Bancorp Inc.P
 Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(b) to the Registration Statement of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form 8-B filed July 20, 1993 (File No. 0-16772)
 Certified Resolutions Regarding Adoption of Amendments to Sections 1.03, 1.04, 1.05, 1.06, 1.08, 1.10, 2.03(C), 2.07, 2.08, 2.10 and 6.02 of the Code of Regulations of Peoples Bancorp Inc. by shareholders on April 10, 2003 Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(c) to Peoples’ March 31, 2003 Form 10-Q
 +Schedules and exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of SEC Regulation S-K, as in effect at the time of filing of the Agreement and Plan of Merger. A copy of any omitted schedules or exhibits will be furnished supplementally by Peoples Bancorp Inc. to the SEC on a confidential basis upon request.
PPeoples Bancorp Inc. filed this exhibit with the SEC in paper form originally and this exhibit has not been filed with the SEC in electronic format.

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Exhibit
Number
 
 
Description
 
 
Exhibit Location
 Certificate regarding adoption of amendments to Sections 3.01, 3.03, 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, 3.07, 3.08 and 3.11 of the Code of Regulations of Peoples Bancorp Inc. by shareholders on April 8, 2004 Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to the Quarterly Report of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2004 (File No. 0-16772)
 Certificate regarding adoption of amendments to Sections 2.06, 2.07, 3.01 and 3.04 of Peoples Bancorp Inc.’s Code of Regulations by the shareholders on April 13, 2006 Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form 8-K dated and filed on April 14, 2006 (File No. 0-16772)
Certificate regarding adoption of an amendment to Section 2.01 of Peoples Bancorp Inc.'s Code of Regulations by the shareholders on April 22, 2010Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2(e) to the Quarterly Report of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form 10-Q/A (Amendment No. 1) for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010 (File No. 0-16772)
Certificate regarding Adoption of Amendment to Division (D) of Section 2.02 of Code of Regulations of Peoples Bancorp Inc. by the Shareholders at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on April 26, 2018Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form 8-K dated and filed on June 28, 2018 (File No. 0-16772) ("Peoples' June 28, 2018 Form 8-K")
 Code of Regulations of Peoples Bancorp Inc. [This document represents the Code of Regulations of Peoples Bancorp Inc. in compiled form incorporating all amendments.] Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Peoples' June 28, 2018 Form 8-K
Agreement to furnish instruments and agreements defining rights of holders of long-term debtFiled herewith
Indenture, dated as of June 25, 2007, between NB&T Financial Group, Inc., as issuer, and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, relating to Fixed/Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Debt Securities due 2037Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1(a) to the Quarterly Report of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015 (File No. 0-16772) ("Peoples' June 30, 2015 Form 10-Q")
First Supplemental Indenture, dated June 5, 2015, and made to be effective as of 6:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on March 6, 2015, between Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, and Peoples Bancorp Inc., as successor to NB&T Financial Group, Inc.Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1(b) to Peoples' June 30, 2015 Form 10-Q
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of NB&T Statutory Trust III, dated and effective as of June 25, 2007 NOTE: Pursuant to the First Supplemental Indenture, dated June 5, 2015, and made to be effective as of 6:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on March 6, 2015, between Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, and Peoples Bancorp Inc., Peoples Bancorp Inc. succeeded to and was substituted for NB&T Financial Group, Inc. as "Sponsor"Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2(a) to Peoples' June 30, 2015 Form 10-Q
Notice of Removal of Administrators and Appointment of Replacements, dated June 5, 2015, delivered to Wilmington Trust Company by the Successor Administrators named therein and Peoples Bancorp Inc.Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2(b) to Peoples' June 30, 2015 Form 10-Q
Notice of Removal of Administrator and Appointment of Replacement, dated February 24, 2016, delivered to Wilmington Trust Company by the Continuing Administrators and the Successor Administrator named therein and Peoples Bancorp Inc.Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the Annual Report of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 (File No. 0-16772) ("Peoples' 2015 Form 10-K")
Guarantee Agreement, dated as of June 25, 2007, between NB&T Financial Group, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as guarantee trustee, relating to the Capital Securities (as defined therein) NOTE: Pursuant to the First Supplemental Indenture, dated June 5, 2015, and made to be effective as of 6:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on March 6, 2015, between Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, and Peoples Bancorp Inc., Peoples Bancorp Inc. succeeded to and was substituted for NB&T Financial Group, Inc. as "Guarantor"Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Peoples' June 30, 2015 Form 10-Q
Description of Capital Stock of Peoples Bancorp Inc.Filed herewith
Peoples Bancorp Inc. Third Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries (Amended and Restated Effective June 26, 2014)* Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1(a) to Peoples' 2015 Form 10-K
*Management Compensation Plan or Agreement

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Exhibit
Number
 
 
Description
 
 
Exhibit Location
Rabbi Trust Agreement, made January 6, 1998, between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and The Peoples Banking and Trust Company (predecessor to Peoples Bank, National Association and now known as Peoples Bank following conversion to state-chartered bank) as Trustee* Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1(c) to the Annual Report of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 (File No. 0-16772)
Summary of Peoples Bancorp Inc. Annual Incentive Program for Executive Officers and other employees of Peoples Bancorp Inc. [Effective beginning with the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2012 and ending with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019]*Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2(c)
to the Annual Report of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2011 (File No. 0-16772)
Summary of Peoples Bancorp Inc. Annual Incentive Program for Executive Officers and other employees of Peoples Bancorp Inc. [Effective beginning with the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2020]*Filed herewith
Summary of Perquisites for Executive Officers of Peoples Bancorp Inc.* Filed herewith
Summary of Base Salaries for Executive Officers of Peoples Bancorp Inc.* Filed herewith
Summary of Compensation for Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc.*Filed herewith
Peoples Bancorp Inc. Third Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Plan (approved by the shareholders of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on April 26, 2018; successor to the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Plan, the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Plan and the Peoples Bancorp Inc. 2006 Equity Plan)* Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99 to the Current Report of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form 8-K dated and filed on April 30, 2018 (File No. 0-16772)
Peoples Bancorp Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Plan Time-Based Restricted Stock Award Agreement (for Executives) used for grants on and after June 27, 2013 and prior to July 31, 2018*Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Peoples' June 30, 2013 Form 10-Q
Peoples Bancorp Inc. Third Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Plan Time-Based Restricted Stock Award Agreement (for Executives) used and to be used to evidence awards of time-based restricted stock granted to executives of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on and after July 31, 2018 *Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018 (File No. 0-16772) ("Peoples' September 30, 2018 Form 10-Q")
Peoples Bancorp Inc. Third Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Plan Performance-Based Restricted Stock Award Agreement (for Executives) used and to be used to evidence awards of performance-based restricted stock granted to executives of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on and after July 31, 2018*Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Peoples' September 30, 2018 Form 10-Q
Peoples Bancorp Inc. Amended and Restated Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (adopted effective July 11, 2019)*Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2019 (File No. 0-16772)
Peoples Bancorp Inc. Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Carol A. Schneeberger (amended and restated effective December 11, 2008)* Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to Peoples’ 2008 Form 10-K
Peoples Bancorp Inc. Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Charles W. Sulerzyski (adopted April 4, 2011)*Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2011 (File No. 0-16772)
Peoples Bancorp Inc. Change in Control Agreement between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and John C. Rogers (adopted November 30, 2015)*Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to Peoples' 2015 Form 10-K
Peoples Bancorp Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan*Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form 8-K dated and filed on April 28, 2014 (File No. 0-16772)
*Management Compensation Plan or Agreement

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Exhibit
Number
 
 
Description
 
 
Exhibit Location
Peoples Bancorp Inc. Change in Control Agreement between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Robyn A. Stevens (adopted June 17, 2016)*Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2016 (File No. 0-16772)
Form of Peoples Bancorp Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Plan Performance-Based Restricted Stock Agreement used and to be used to evidence awards of performance-based restricted stock granted to employees of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on and after January 29, 2015 and prior to July 31, 2018*Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017 (File No. 0-16772) ("Peoples' March 31, 2017 Form 10-Q")
Form of Peoples Bancorp Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Plan Performance-Based Restricted Stock Award Agreement used to evidence awards of performance-based restricted stock granted to executive officers of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on and after January 29, 2015 and prior to January 1, 2018*Incorporated herein by reference Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015 (File No. 0-16772)
Form of Peoples Bancorp Inc. Change in Control Agreement to be adopted by Peoples Bancorp Inc. and individuals who are first elected as executive officers of Peoples Bancorp Inc. after March 24, 2016*Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016 (File No. 0-16772) ("Peoples' March 31, 2016 Form 10-Q")
Peoples Bancorp Inc. Change in Control Agreement between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Douglas Wyatt (adopted May 2, 2016)*Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Peoples' March 31, 2017 Form 10-Q
Loan Agreement, made and entered into as of April 3, 2019, between Peoples Bancorp Inc., as Borrower, and U.S. Bank National Association, as LenderIncorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form 8-K dated and filed on April 9, 2019 (File No. 0-16772) ("Peoples' April 9, 2019 Form 8-K")
Revolving Credit Note issued by Peoples Bancorp Inc. on April 3, 2019 to U.S. Bank National Association in the principal amount of $20,000,000Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Peoples' April 9, 2019 Form 8-K
Form of Peoples Bancorp Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Plan Performance Unit Award Agreement used and to be used to evidence grants of performance units to executive officers of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on and after July 26, 2017*  Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report of Peoples Bancorp Inc. on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2017 (File No. 0-16772)
Peoples Bancorp Inc. Change in Control Agreement between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Ryan Kirkham (adopted January 1, 2019)*Filed herewith
Subsidiaries of Peoples Bancorp Inc.Filed herewith
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm – Ernst & Young LLP
Filed herewith
Powers of Attorney of Directors and Executive Officers of Peoples Bancorp Inc.Filed herewith
 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications [President and Chief Executive Officer] Filed herewith
 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications [Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer] Filed herewith
 Certifications Pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code [President and Chief Executive Officer; and Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer] Furnished herewith
*Management Compensation Plan or Agreement

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Exhibit
Number
 
 
Description
 
 
Exhibit Location
101.INS  Inline XBRL Instance Document ##Submitted electronically herewith #
101.SCH  Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema DocumentSubmitted electronically herewith #
101.CAL  Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase DocumentSubmitted electronically herewith #
101.LAB  Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase DocumentSubmitted electronically herewith #
101.PRE  Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase DocumentSubmitted electronically herewith #
101.DEF  Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase DocumentSubmitted electronically herewith #
104  Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL with applicable taxonomy extension information contained in Exhibits 101)Submitted electronically herewith
# Attached as Exhibit 101 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 of Peoples Bancorp Inc. are the following documents formatted in Inline XBRL (eXtensive Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017; (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 and (vi) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 
## The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are imbedded within the Inline XBRL document.


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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
   PEOPLES BANCORP INC.
Date:March 2, 2020 By: /s/CHARLES W. SULERZYSKI
   Charles W. Sulerzyski
   President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signatures Title Date
/s/ CHARLES W. SULERZYSKI President, Chief Executive Officer and Director 3/2/2020
Charles W. Sulerzyski   
/s/ JOHN C. ROGERS Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) 3/2/2020
John C. Rogers  
/s/ TARA M. ABRAHAM* Director 3/2/2020
Tara M. Abraham   
/s/ S. CRAIG BEAM* Director 3/2/2020
S. Craig Beam   
/s/ GEORGE W. BROUGHTON* Director 3/2/2020
George W. Broughton   
/s/ DAVID F. DIERKER* Director 3/2/2020
David F. Dierker   
/s/ JAMES S. HUGGINS* Director 3/2/2020
James S. Huggins   
/s/ BROOKE W. JAMES*Director3/2/2020
Brooke W. James
/s/ DAVID L. MEAD*Chairman of the Board and Director3/2/2020
David L. Mead
/s/ SUSAN D. RECTOR* Director 3/2/2020
Susan D. Rector   
*The undersigned, by signing his name hereto, does hereby sign this Annual Report on Form 10-K on behalf of each of the directors of the Registrant identified above pursuant to Powers of Attorney executed by the directors of the Registrant identified above, which Powers of Attorney are filed with this Annual Report on Form 10-K in Exhibit 24.
By:/s/ CHARLES W. SULERZYSKI
Charles W. Sulerzyski
President and Chief Executive Officer
Attorney-in-Fact


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